About 40 players got an update on collective bargaining talks from union president Derek Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter. Little known yet about tone of owners meeting in Dallas, as sides seek new labor deal.

Associated PressJoined by about 35 members of the NBA Players Association, Los Angeles Lakers point guard and union president Derek Fisher (center, blue sports coat) answers questions during a news conference on Thursday in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- NBA players will remain unified and calm in what could be a lengthy pursuit of a labor agreement, union president Derek Fisher vowed Thursday.

About 40 players got an update on collective bargaining talks from Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter in what Fisher described as "a very colorful and engaging meeting" at a casino. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith also spoke to the players, who were mostly in town to play in an Impact Basketball academy league.

"There is not the fracture and the separation amongst our group that in some ways has been reported," said Fisher, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard. "We just want to continue to reiterate that point."

The players echoed their leaders' stance, promising they won't allow the union to splinter when the players start missing paychecks in a few weeks. NBPA members have been educated for several years about the steps necessary to survive a long lockout, and Fisher said the union will continue to protect the rights of players who sign overseas this fall.

"I've never seen this union as strong as we are collectively right now," said Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal, among the few remaining players who participated in the 1998-99 labor dispute. "A lot of our young guys are wide-eyed when they see the numbers at first, but now they're educated. We don't need to make a temporary, emotional decision. We need to make a long-term decision for a bigger purpose."

Owners also met Thursday in Dallas.

Players discussed union decertification during their meeting, but Hunter emphasized the union believes such a drastic step isn't an imminent strategy despite behind-the-scenes calls for the move from several agents. NFL players dissolved their union to file an antitrust lawsuit against the league earlier this year.

The players met two days after a bargaining session between the union's executive committee and the owners' labor relations committee brought no progress after the league refused players' desire to keep the current salary cap system.

"We've kind of dispelled the notion that the players were not together and they were not in support of the union," Hunter said. "If the owners were looking for a break in the ranks ... I think that notion has been dispelled."

Fisher also rejected the notion that the NBPA is waiting for a ruling on a charge filed with the National Labor Relations Board for unfair bargaining practices, although Hunter said he plans to travel to Washington next week in hopes of getting an expedited ruling.

"Sometimes it's implied that we're waiting, posturing, sitting on the sideline and waiting for something to happen favorable for us with the NLRB," Fisher said. "That's just not the case. It's part of this process, but we're still taking action. We have to negotiate a deal, and that's the only way we'll get what's fair for these guys."

If NBA owners are searching for cracks in the players' unity, as Fisher and Hunter believe, the union attempted to provide a visual answer. Over 30 players stood together behind Fisher and Hunter at a brief news conference, wearing identical gray T-shirts with one large word in yellow: "STAND."

"All the agendas that might be pushed by different groups, they don't have a way in as long as we stand shoulder to shoulder," Fisher said.

Fisher sent a letter to his membership earlier this week urging a similar unity and spirit. The letter, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, was first obtained by SI.com.

"The turning point this past Tuesday was not a disagreement between the players and the owners," Fisher wrote. "It was actually a fundamental divide between the owners internally. They could not agree with each other on specific points of the deal and therefore it caused conflict within the league and its owners.

"So it is our hope that ... at the owners meeting in Dallas that they work out their differences, come up with a revenue sharing plan that will protect their teams and are then ready to come together and sign off on the agreement we as a smaller group deemed reasonable."

The AL West-leading Rangers complete a three-game sweep with a 7-4 victory at Arlington, Texas, and finish the season series with a 9-1 record against the Indians.

View full sizeTony Gutierrez, Associated PressShin-Soo Choo had to leave the game on Thursday in the first inning after straining a muscle in his rib cage.

The Rangers chased the Indians out of the Lone Star State by completing a three-game sweep Thursday night with a 7-4 victory in front of more than 44,000 fans at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. It made the reeling Indians 4-10 in September and brought them to within a Detroit victory of being eliminated from the AL Central race.

The Tigers still were playing the A's in Oakland after midnight.

To make matters worse, the Indians lost right fielder Shin-Soo Choo for the last 15 games of the season when he re-injured his left oblique muscle swinging the bat in the first inning. The Indians activated Choo before the game.

In the three-game series, Texas outscored the Indians, 26-9, but this was more than a three-game sweep. This was a year-long beating. The AL West-leading Rangers went 9-1 in the season series against the Tribe.

In the process, the Rangers outscored the Indians, 68-32, and enjoyed a 17-9 advantage in homers.

"In two out of the three series we played against these guys, they overmatched us," said Tribe manager Manny Acta. "When we were here in August, we had a chance to win the series. Other than that, they just flat-out outplayed us."

Choo re-injured his oblique muscle on his first swing of the game. He was facing Alexi Ogando with two out in the first.

"I felt it on the first swing, and then I really felt it when I fouled the ball off my foot on the second swing," said Choo.

Said Acta: "He's done for the season. Despite doing everything the last five days, hitting and everything else and not feeling any pain, he re-aggravated it. It just goes to show you that there's nothing like game speed."

Choo first strained the oblique muscle Aug. 27 against Seattle.

Texas used another big inning to beat the Indians. After scoring eight runs in the fourth Wednesday in a 9-1 victory, they scored six off Fausto Carmona in the fifth Thursday to take a 6-0 lead.

The Indians were 30-15 with a seven-game lead in the Central on May 23. They have gone 42-60 since.

"It hurts because we wanted to win this thing," said Tribe right-hander Justin Masterson, when asked about being on the verge of elimination. "But once you get past the disappointment that you're out of it, it was fun to be playing meaningful games this late in the season.

"We just had to get through so many injuries and countless things that it's pretty incredible what we accomplished. There's a lot of good things to take from this year that we can take into next year."

Endy Chavez started the fifth with an infield single to first baseman Carlos Santana. Umpire Scott Barry called the sliding Chavez safe, but replays showed a diving Santana beat him to the bag. The only person who raised his voice in protest was Carmona.

Chavez stole second, his second of the game, and Carmona walked Ian Kinsler. Elvis Andrus advanced them with a sacrifice bunt. Josh Hamilton, 5-for-12 with three homers and seven RBI in the series, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Michael Young unloaded them with a double to the wall in left for a 4-0 lead.

Adrian Beltre followed with a homer to right field to make it 6-0. It was the 21st homer Carmona has allowed this season. It's a career high and a bad sign for a sinkerball pitcher.

Carmona (6-15, 5.26) allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits and five walks in six innings. He's 0-2 against the Rangers this year, and his 15 losses are the third most in the AL.

"All you can think of right now is that you failed to achieve your goal," said Acta. "In spring training, our goal was to win the division. There are a lot of positives out of the year so far. We never anticipated we could survive what happened to our ballclub.

"Now we have to get our head up, shift gears and have a goal: Finish second, finish above .500 . . . whatever."

The Indians scored their four runs late. Shelley Duncan and Ezequiel Carrera, who replaced Choo in right field, had run-scoring singles in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Lou Marson had a two-run double off Neftali Feliz in the ninth.

Hamilton's homer in the seventh ended the Rangers' scoring.

Ogando (13-8, 3.58) threw six scoreless innings for the win. In two starts against the Tribe this season, Ogando was 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

On Twitter: @hoynsie

There wasn't much room to run against the Bengals in the opener. Links to stories on D'Qwell Jackson, Colt McCoy, Mike Adams, Joe Thomas and more.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe Browns hope to open running space for Peyton Hillis (40) and Montario Hardesty against the Colts.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' running game was so-so in the 27-17 season-opening loss to Cincinnati, due in part to the blockers' inability to push around the Bengals' front seven.

Circumstances for Browns running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty might be more favorable this Sunday, when Cleveland visits the Indianapolis Colts (0-1).

Mike Wilkening of ProFootballWeekly.com writes that the Browns might be able to run against the Colts: 

Hillis rushed for 57 yards on 17 carries vs. Cincinnati, with a long rush of 17 yards that came off left tackle. He generally didn't find much room to run inside. The Bengals are stout in the front seven and held up well when Cleveland tried to ram Hillis and Hardesty (5-18-0) between the tackles. Whether Indianapolis can withstand similar efforts will be one of the keys to the game. Of note: The Browns' center, Alex Mack, is a rising star, but OLG Jason Pinkston and ORG Shaun Lauvao have only three career starts between them. While the Browns have the power edge, the Colts' linemen are quicker, and Indianapolis will be playing in front of a home crowd that has shown it can get rather loud.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's report that Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron says he's to blame for any confusion that might have aided Cincinnati on its late, go-ahead touchdown; Browns Insider, Week 2, a video feature with Dennis Manoloff, Tony Grossi and Cabot analyzing the Browns; Grossi's report on the Browns facing Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis; Cabot's Cleveland Browns Insider; and, more.

Goal to goal

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning -- sidelined after neck surgery -- had similar starts to their NFL careers, writes Steve Doerschuk for the Canton Repository.

Safety Mike Adams is getting ready to play his 100th NFL game, Matt Florjancic writes for clevelandbrowns.com.

Changes at wide receiver? That and other Browns notes by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Browns star offensive tackle Joe Thomas again sees Colts star defensive end Dwight Freeney. By Jamison Hensley for ESPN.com.

The Browns try to learn from their mistakes. By Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

The season opener didn't go the way Colt McCoy had planned, writes Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Browns notebook by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson brings energy to the defense, and other Browns notes, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Colts tight end Dallas Clark poses a problem for the Browns defense, writes Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

It looks like All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is out of gas. Offensively, he's been in a sharp decline since the All-Star break.

View full sizeGenevieve Ross, AP file photoAsdrubal Cabrera's numbers at the plate have been on a steady decline.

"Fatigue is showing," said Indians manager Manny Acta.

Cabrera didn't start Thursday night against the Rangers. He didn't play Sunday against the White Sox coupled with Monday's off day, but Cabrera's bat has shown no sign of warming. He's hitting .122 (5-for-41) in September.

Since the All-Star break, Cabrera's number have declined steeply. He was hitting .294 (105-for-358) with 14 homers and 51 RBI when he started for the American League in the All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix.

In the second half, Cabrera is hitting .224 (47-for-210) with eight homers and 31 RBI.

Here's Cabrera's month-by-month breakdown: .262 (28-for-107) in April, .330 (39-for-106) in May, .297 (33-for-111) in June, .266 (25-for-94) in July, .239 (26-for-109) in August and .122 (5-for-41) in September.

Cabrera has played with bruised knees and a sore wrist. Many times, he has been the only regular in the lineup because of the Indians' numerous injuries. But fatigue seems to have run him down and is inflicting a harsh lesson.

"I've seen a little of fatigue from Asdrubal since the All-Star break," said Acta. "That's part of the learning process here. Guys have to learn how to prepare themselves to play 200 games -- not 162, 200 games.

"They have to learn how to get their body used to it by improving their eating habits. By resting properly and hydrating themselves properly. It's a process that guys at 25 probably still haven't mastered."

Acta didn't reach the number 200 by adding 30 spring training games, 162 regular season games and the 11 postseason victories needed to win a World Series. It's his own calculation.

"I'm talking 200 games," said Acta. "You have to prepare yourself for more games than the season brings so your body can handle whatever the season brings to you with ease. . . . That's a fact. That's what I believe."

Cabrera is hitting .268 (152-for-568) with 31 doubles, three triples, 22 homers and 82 RBI. The homers and RBI are career highs.

He was back . . . for a bit: Shin-Soo Choo was activated Thursday. He started in right field and batted third. However, after grounding out to first in the first inning, he was replaced in right field by Ezequiel Carrera.

Choo returned from his second trip to the disabled list this year. His latest injury was a strained left oblique.

Asked why he just didn't finish the season on the disabled list and take the off-season to get completely healed, Choo said: "I want to finish the season on the field, not with an injury. That's my goal."

Choo said he feels no pain when he swings or throws from the oblique muscle.

"But I know something is there," he said.

Did you see that? Shelley Duncan still was shaking his head Thursday after his three consecutive carbon-copy, highlight-reel catches against the left-field wall on Wednesday night against Elvis Andrus, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.

"I've never had three balls hit to me like that . . . all the same one," said Duncan. "It was just funny."

Duncan's catches against Andrus and Hamilton were the last two outs in a 1-2-3 first inning. His catch against Young was the first out in the second. They were all hit to almost the exact same spot in front of the left-field scoreboard.

"I jumped for all three," said Duncan. "I was about six inches above the ground. That's about as high as I can go."

Duncan's eyes were huge after he caught Young's ball. He was talking to himself as well.

"[Center fielder] Trevor Crowe was laughing at me, and I was saying, 'Are you kidding me?' " said Duncan. "All I was thinking was just get the spotlight off me."

Hamilton hit a grand slam in the fourth over the left-field wall, but Duncan still jumped for the ball.

"I'm not sure why I did it," he said with a laugh. "It was fun."

Testing, testing: Right-hander Josh Tomlin threw a bullpen session Thursday to test his sore right elbow. He will throw another one this weekend at Target Field in Minneapolis and a simulated game when the Indians return home.

If he passes those tests, Acta said Tomlin could be "in the mix" to start one of the games in a day-night doubleheader against the Twins on Sept. 24. It's doubtful Tomlin would be able to pitch more than three or four innings.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron shouldered the blame for the quicksnap fiasco that led to the Bengals gamewinning touchdown.

View full sizeScott Heckel, Canton Repository via APBengals receiver A.J. Green races to the end zone on a 41-yard touchdown reception during the fourth quarter last Sunday after a quick snap caught the Browns off-guard.

BEREA, Ohio — In the briefest of moments, Dick Jauron glanced down and focused on what his next move would be in the game against Cincinnati.

And in that same moment, the Browns lost the game, the defensive coordinator said Thursday.

Jauron accepted blame for the defensive gaffe that resulted in a 41-yard quick-snap touchdown Sunday that meant the difference in a 27-17 loss to the Bengals, and he confirmed that Browns cornerbacks will no longer huddle during games to prevent such a mistake from being repeated.

"I didn't see it," Jauron said. "After making the call, I was back on my game-plan sheet and thinking about a call ahead, and I missed it. There's nothing else I can say about it. I just missed it."

What Jauron didn't see was Bengals players lining up a bit more quickly than usual, snapping the ball faster than anyone realized and backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski tossing a touchdown pass to A.J. Green -- all before the Browns defense had broken its huddle.

"We've got to be ready to play defense," Jauron said. "That's my responsibility. I failed to get it done on that play."

Starting with this week's game against Indianapolis, Browns cornerbacks will rely on hand signals to know what defensive play Jauron calls. Each defense already had a hand signal assigned to it -- which aids in loud, indoor stadiums, as the Colts' Lucas Oil Stadium is likely to be Sunday -- but now the Browns' corners will depend exclusively on the signals.

"It's one of those things you clearly don't expect, and when it happens, you probably never forget it," Jauron said of the quick-snap play.

Mo will go: Mohamed Massaquoi's injured hamstring that limited him in Wednesday's practice is a case of much ado about nothing, he said Thursday.

"It's not a major issue," the receiver said. "I didn't see any setbacks."

Neither Massaquoi nor Browns coach Pat Shurmur specified when the receiver suffered the injury, but both said the time he missed in Wednesday's practice was minimal, and he practiced Thursday. Of greater issue, Massaquoi said, is that he's still trying to get into playing shape after missing a month of training camp with an injured left foot suffered in off-season workouts.

By the end of Sunday's game against the Bengals, he was tired, he said.

"I'm still trying to get my wind," he said. "I don't know what number practice I'm on, but I'm still really just trying to get my wind and go through that camp phase of getting in shape again. The only way you can get in football shape is by doing football activities."

Right tackle update: Injured right tackle Tony Pashos didn't practice Thursday -- again -- and limped through the locker room with a walking boot on his left ankle. The Browns haven't officially declared him out for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, but they are planning to use the same rotation of Oniel Cousins and Artis Hicks that they used last week against Cincinnati.

"That's initially the plan right now," Shurmur said. "[But] I'd like to settle on a starting right tackle here."

Offensive line coach George Warhop said the Browns expect to know Pashos' status "in the next couple weeks," an indication that the right tackle's season might be in question. A decision on whether Cousins or Hicks will start in the interim is expected soon, but neither has been with the team long enough to determine who is the better fit.

"At the end of the day, you want one guy," Warhop said. "Hopefully, after this week, we'll be able to figure out and decide who the best guy is, but that process hasn't completed itself."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654

The Indians begin the evening Thursday on the brink of being officially eliminated from the AL Central Division race.

View full sizePD fileManny Acta

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians entered Thursday's game facing elimination in the AL Central. Detroit's magic number to clinch was two, meaning a Tigers victory in Oakland and an Indians loss against Texas would give the Tigers the division title.

Tribe manager Manny Acta would not talk about the subject before the game.

"Talking about the devil and seeing him standing in front of you are two different things," said Acta.

Stay cool: Who said the wet head was dead?

Not Jason Donald, who hit leadoff and started at shortstop for the Tribe on Thursday. When Donald plays, he pours cups of water over his head before batting practice and games to stay cool.

"I get hot out there," said Donald.

Stat of the day: Kosuke Fukudome, who had made 44 straight starts for the Indians since being acquired from the Cubs on July 27, finally got a night off on Thursday.

"It's a well-deserved night off," said Acta.

-- Paul Hoynes

The Colts used to have Peyton Manning and their explosive offense cover for the team's traditionally weak run defense. They won't have Manning this week, and it presents an opportunity for the Browns and Hillis.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns running back Peyton Hillis had 57 yards on 17 carries against the Bengals last Sunday.

Remember . . . Peyton Hillis?

One week, he's the Madden 12 NFL cover boy, the target of the Browns' next contract extension. The next, he's a seemingly forgotten component of the Browns' offense.

"I don't know if it's time, but to run the ball at people would be nice," Hillis said.

That seems to be the prevailing sentiment this week as the Browns try to avoid an 0-2 start for the fourth year in a row Sunday in Indianapolis.

Defensively, the Colts historically have regarded the handoff merely as an act of deception. They are built to attack the quarterback. For 13 years, with Peyton Manning running their show, the Colts typically struck for a 14-0 lead on offense and then unleashed defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the poor opposing quarterback.

You have to stop the run to win? Not the Colts. They are the only team ever to finish last in the league in defense against the run and win a Super Bowl. The past three years, they have ranked 25th, 24th and 24th in run defense. And they won 10, 14 and 12 games.

Makes you wonder if they delight in baiting teams into concentrating on the run in the practice week. Then that game plan goes out the window when you're down, 14-0.

But the Colts' great security blanket has been removed. Manning is out after neck surgery.

Kerry Collins -- Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian's No. 1 draft pick for Carolina in 1995! -- is their quarterback. In his first game at Houston last week, Collins, 38, lost fumbles on successive snaps in the first quarter, turning a 3-0 Colts deficit into 17-0.

The Texans went on to run the ball 37 times for 167 yards in a 34-7 romp. So now, in this traumatic post-Manning period for them, running on the Colts becomes more relevant.

"It's about running the ball and getting a lead," said Browns left tackle Joe Thomas.

And then running some more.

"I believe in running the football," coach Pat Shurmur said Thursday. "I think it's important we have to do it."

For the record, the Browns passed 40 times and ran 26 in their 27-17 opening-game loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. But those numbers were skewed by 11 passes in their last 12 plays of the game after the Bengals forged ahead in the fourth quarter. Until then, the pass-run ratio was a well-balanced 29-25.

The play selections that stood out, however, were two Colt McCoy passes from inside the 5-yard line on the Browns' first possession of the second half. On first down from the 3, a handoff to Hillis lost 1 yard. Then McCoy tossed two incompletions on fades for Evan Moore and Josh Cribbs. As the field-goal unit trotted on, Hillis demonstrated his unhappiness coming off the field.

"It was disconcerting because we didn't score," he said this week. "You wish you could do things differently to make sure you get the ball in the end zone."

Hillis touched the ball 23 times in the game -- six coming on receptions. He averaged 3.4 yards a rush. That average shrinks to 2.5 if you take away his long run of 17 yards. Meanwhile, Montario Hardesty gave a few sparks off the bench, carrying five times for 18 yards.

"I think it's important that they both get their touches," Shurmur said. "I think Montario did some good things. Each day, in my opinion, he looks better and better running. I feel he's getting more and more comfortable with his leg and body every day."

If Hardesty continues to relieve concerns about his comeback from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, which was done about a year ago, Shurmur intends to pair up the two dissimilar halfbacks. He said he has a handful of plays using them as a tandem. Both were on the field on the second play of the game against Cincinnati. Hardesty motioned out of the backfield to a receiver position, and Hillis took a handoff for 4 yards.

"We can definitely bring some things to the table that defenses would have to adjust to," Hardesty said. "I'm excited to see it."

But maybe that's getting ahead of themselves. A downhill runner such as Hillis is the Manning-less Colts' worst nightmare. Moreover, Indianapolis will be without its defensive captain, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, who is out with a shoulder injury.

"When you lose a Mike [middle] linebacker, there's a lot going on in there in terms of leadership and getting guys lined up," Shurmur said. "Him being out is something that we're aware of. How it changes our plan, I wouldn't say there's anything different. I'm sure he'll be missed."

But not as much as Manning.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

The Cavaliers owner takes issue with bloggers speculating that he's the reason talks between owners and players hit a snag.

View full sizePD fileCavs owner Dan Gilbert.

In the process, it appears he also invented a word to describe his online detractors.

"Some of these NBA 'bloggissists' flat-out make stuff up and then try to dupe readers into believing their fiction is real. Sad & pathetic," Gilbert wrote.

An ESPN.com story, citing anonymous sources, stated that Gilbert and Phoenix's Robert Sarver expressed discontent with many points of a proposal from the players union during a meeting Tuesday in New York.

According to the report, owners were seriously considering "coming off their demands for a salary freeze and would allow players' future earnings to be tied into the league's revenue growth, a critical point for players. The owners also were willing to allow the players to maintain their current salaries without rollbacks," sources said.

Gilbert and Sarver aired their dissatisfaction in a three-hour owners-only meeting. Sources told ESPN that the New York Knicks' James Dolan and Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry Buss were unhappy with the hard-line stances of Gilbert and Sarver. The meeting ended Tuesday with no progress reported by either side.

Union President Derek Fisher wrote in an email to members, obtained by Sports Illustrated, that a rift existed between the owners. Fisher's email, coupled with the ESPN story, put Gilbert and Sarver in the spotlight, making them targets for pundits.

Following an NBA owners meeting in Dallas last night, NBA Commissioner David Stern denied there is a split among the owners.

"I don't know what the basis of Derek's belief is," Stern said. "But I can tell you, having just come out of the meeting, the vast majority of owners are indeed in favor of a 'hard-cap system,' as Derek refers to it. Having said that, they authorized the committee to be ready to negotiate on all points, and the committee is."

Gilbert has lashed out in the past, most famously in his letter to the team's fan base in July 2010, ripping LeBron James after his decision to join the Miami Heat.

The Cavs owner has remained quiet about the work stoppage that threatens the start of the season. The NBA had issued a memo before the lockout began July 1, warning that any team owner or employee who discussed the lockout or any player during the work stoppage could be fined up to $1 million.

The readers help The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto come up with 10 ideas to help the Browns right now.

View full sizePhil Masturzo, Akron Beacon JournalSome Browns fans would like to see rookie receiver Greg Little, left, get more playing time than Brian Robiskie.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After the Browns' discouraging 27-17 loss to the Bengals, coach Pat Shurmur said that teams can often make major improvements between their first and second games. Seeing a team in regular-season action brings clarity and creates opportunities for adjustments.

With that in mind, I wrote down some ideas to make the team better and asked fans on my Facebook page to do the same. They had to be realistic changes that could be made this week as the Browns head to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday.

Here are my top 10, not necessarily in order:

1. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron wisely took the blame for the failure to call timeout when the Browns gave up a 41-yard touchdown pass on a quick-snap play by the Bengals. But a couple of veteran defensive players said they should have called a timeout.

He empowered two of them -- perhaps D'Qwell Jackson and Scott Fujita -- to quickly call a timeout when the team isn't ready. Don't wait for a word from the sideline.

2. This suggestion came from Randy Tolen and others: Less Brian Robiskie, more Greg Little. I would also add Joshua Cribbs. Little was on the field for more snaps (57) than any other receiver. Then came Robiskie (47), Mohamed Massaquoi (41) and Cribbs (26).

Robiskie and Little each were thrown three passes. Only one was caught -- for 12 yards by Little. The coaches should write down these four names: Massaquoi, Little, Cribbs and Robiskie. Rate them as playmakers. Put the most talented guys on the field for the most snaps, then try to get them the ball.

3. Ken Keller pushed for more passes to the tight ends to create less defensive attention on the receivers. But Ben Watson and Evan Moore were thrown 13 passes (caught six). The four receivers were thrown 16. Not sure that is the answer.

I would prefer to see the accent on getting the ball quickly to the receivers on short, quick slant patterns -- some of the crisp passing shown early in the preseason. Go for the YAC -- yards after catch.

View full sizePDTight end Evan Moore had a touchdown catch last Sunday, but also seemed to short-arm a throw to the end zone later in the game.

4. Jason Liphniak suggested more formations with two tight ends and two running backs. Moore (a poor blocker because of his knee problems) is really a wide receiver in a tight end's body. That should be easy to pair him with tight end Watson.

Chris Holko wanted "more Evan Moore." He played only 13 snaps but was targeted with six passes. He caught three, but he also failed to come up with a rather catchable -- and possible touchdown -- pass. He did catch a TD pass and is a valuable weapon.

As for two backs, I would like to see more of Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty together. Hardesty played only 14-of-73 snaps.

Some fans complained about Owen Marecic, but the rookie fullback played only 25 snaps, and I had no real problems with his performance.

5. Chuck Segall suggested some help in terms of position for right defensive end Jabaal Sheard, who was run over by Bengals blockers and back Cedric Benson. I would suggest more playing time for Marcus Benard (11 snaps). Sheard was on the field for 62-of-69 defensive plays, probably too much for the rookie.

The Browns must make some adjustment to bolster the right side of the defensive line, as the Bengals ran that way about 70 percent of the time.

6. Myles Simmons, Joe Murdock, Michael Shreffler and millions of other Browns fans stated the obvious, but it must be repeated every day at practice: Cut out the dumb penalties -- false starts, illegal formations, jumping offsides, too many men on the field. Of their 11 penalties Sunday, seven would be considered "unforced errors," not committed in the middle of a play.

7. Colt McCoy needs to get rid of the ball quicker when the heat is on. He was sacked twice and took six other hits after he threw the ball. He has to stay healthy and away from the rush. His two best passes were when he rolled out, and he may have to do more of that with the offensive line being so shaky on the right side.

8. Michael Eadeh, Adam Bertoni and thousands of Browns fans want more of a commitment to the run. Shurmur said the team had a respectable run/pass balance heading into the fourth quarter -- 27 passes, 21 runs. In the final period, it was 13 passes, six runs.

A big problem was the ridiculous first quarter, in which three false starts and Shurmur accidentally bumping into an official near the sideline created long-yardage situations and took away possible running plays.

9. I would simply suggest using Hillis better. Shurmur talks about "touches" for a

player, and Hillis had 23: 17 rushes and six catches (he had two other passes thrown in his direction). He didn't seem to have much room to run. The Colts ranked No. 24 against the run last season and gave up 167 rushing yards in last week's opener, so they are vulnerable.

In his two years calling plays for the Rams, Shurmur found a way for Steven Jackson to run for more than 2,600 yards. So he does have a sense of a running game and creating space for a back to work. He needs to implement it.

10. Several fans suggested to "fix" the offensive line. I'm all for it, just not sure how to do it. Shurmur mentioned center Alex Mack and rookie left guard Jason Pinkston as having the best days on the offensive line. Shawn Lauvao had two false starts at guard. Right tackle was split between Oniel Cousins (28 snaps) and Artis Hicks (45). According to profootballfocus.com, those two allowed seven "quarterback pressures."

Somehow, the Browns have to simply accelerate the learning curve for their two young guards (Pinkston and Lauvao) and figure out something that works at right tackle. They can help with a fullback and/or tight end as extra blockers. But this is a major challenge.

To reach Terry Pluto: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

The Buckeyes senior had a disappointing game against Toledo last weekend. Since Ohio State will be counting on getting turnovers Saturday against Miami (Fla.), Moeller is hoping he can be one of the defensive players to make a difference.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, PD file photoTyler Moeller barely registered on the stat sheet against Toledo last Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the toughest film-session critiques of his career sent Ohio State senior Tyler Moeller through a range of emotions the day after Saturday's 27-22 win over Toledo. He was depressed, then he wanted to watch more film to get better, then he knew he had to forget it.

"It was a rough couple hours to sit there and watch yourself and also have your coach yelling at you in your ear," Moeller said. "Being such a big part of the defense and having that playing time and not playing as well as I hoped and having the team not play as well as I hoped, that experience was new."

Against Toledo's quick passing game, Moeller didn't have much opportunity to blitz (one of his specialties), saw a lot of plays go to the opposite side of the field and missed some plays when he did get his chance. He didn't make a single tackle. He knew his play was questioned. And he knows how to make up for it.

"Hopefully I'll get a few more opportunities to make a couple of turnovers," Moeller said this week, "and you guys will start liking me again."

Those turnovers could make up for a lot. Head coach Luke Fickell said turnovers, forcing them and not committing them, would be one of the hallmarks of his team, but through two games, the Buckeyes have just an Andrew Sweat interception, a Storm Klein interception and no fumble recoveries. Ohio State also only has lost the ball twice, but that's still not a ratio the Buckeyes are happy with.

Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said Wednesday, and has said in the past, that turnovers are hard to control. Work on them in practice drills, they don't come. Don't worry about them, they happen. But there's something to the idea that a young defense hasn't done enough yet to force opposing offenses into mistakes.

As a senior, Moeller is a rarity on the OSU defense. With defensive end Nathan Williams coming off arthroscopic knee surgery -- which Heacock said Thursday he expects to keep Williams out for a month -- weakside linebacker Sweat is the only senior starter joining Moeller, the "star" as the fifth defensive back in the nickel defense. Most of the missed tackles Heacock and Fickell referenced during the week were influenced by youth.

"We have young guys running around like crazy and some pursuit angles weren't great," Heacock said. "They're young. I think they'll fight you. . . . They're a little bit young and making some mental mistakes."

Last year, it was the Buckeyes who forced the Hurricanes into mental mistakes, grabbing four interceptions in a 36-24 home win. On suspensions, talent, quarterback reliability and in many other ways, this game Saturday looks like a tossup. So turnovers should turn it. Blitzing off the edge, making tackles in space, jumping into passing lanes, Moeller needs to be doing something to change the game. And avoid the day-after yelling.

"Last week was a situation where we couldn't do some of the things we have done with him and I think we have got to do a better job of making sure we are getting him involved in some things that can be a spark," Fickell said. "I think that's as much of game planning and coaching as anything. . . . I see him coming along. He's going to be fine."

"I'm still the same player I was last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and you know, plays will come my way, and I need to start making the plays that come my way," said Moeller, one of the two gameday captains Saturday. "You know, my problem I think [is] I'm trying to make the plays, instead of just playing it. And I need to do a good job of just calming down and just playing my game.

"Once they start coming my way again, I'll get a little more comfortable in that position, I'll be fine. You guys will like me again."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

See a thumbnail gallery of this week's Players of the Week.

See a thumbnail gallery of this week's Players of the Week.

Anthony Melchiori, Aurora
Sport: Football
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 190

What Anthony did last week: Scored 28 points in a 52-21 win over Revere. Was 7 of 7 on PATs, kicked 22-yard field goal, returned two kickoffs for touchdowns (87 and 85 yards) and caught a 50-yard TD reception. Had 256 total yards. Defensively, had two solo tackles, two assists and a knockdown pass.

About Anthony: Kent State recruit enjoys golfing. Plans to study communications. Favorites include "Friday Night Lights" movie and Italian food.

Cameron Kavan, Mentor
Sport: Football
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 164

What Cameron did last week: Had 14 receptions for 283 yards in a 38-24 win over St. Ignatius.

About Cameron: Enjoys playing basketball and fishing. Pre-game rituals include listening to music and praying for loved ones. Favorites include the Browns, 49ers football player Ted Ginn Jr., "Friday Night Lights" movie, "SportsCenter" TV show, "A Lesson Before Dying" book, "Madden 12" video game a steak meal and math class.

Elyse Bierut, Rocky River
Sport: Cross country
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-3

What Elyse did last week: Placed third at the Tiffin Carnival Division I race, tying her personal-best time of 18:29.

About Elyse: Member of National Honor Society and student council treasurer. Hopes to run cross country and track at a Division I college. Favorites include "Modern Family" TV show, "To Kill a Mockingbird" book, chocolate, Johnny's on Fulton restaurant and biology class. Would like to swim with dolphins.

Mckenzie Retino, Hathaway Brown
Sport: Field hockey
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-1

What Mckenzie did last week: Forward scored three goals in an 8-0 win over Laurel.

About Mckenzie: Hopes to play collegiate field hockey and study pre-med. Favorites include the Yankees and shortstop Derek Jeter, "The Sandlot" movie, "Bones" TV show, spaghetti meal, Sushi Rock restaurant, "Romeo and Juliet" book and chemistry class. Dream vacation is Hawaii. Would like to try skydiving.

Brendan Aussem, Avon Lake
Sport: Golf
Class: Junior
Age: 17
Ht: 6-0

What Brendan did last week: At Sweetbriar, was medalist against Westlake with a 2-under 33 and runner-up against Olmsted Falls with an even-par 35. Placed third at Walsh Jesuit Invitational with a 72 at Brookledge.

About Brendan: Hopes to play golf for a Division I college. Would like to try snowboarding. Favorites include Steelers, pro golfer Phil Mickelson, "Tin Cup" movie and woodshop class. Would like to visit Pebble Beach, Calif.

Cailin Conner, Hawken
Sport: Soccer
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-5

What Cailin did last week: In wins over Charleston Catholic, Western Reserve and Eastlake North, center midfield scored seven goals and had two assists. Has 10 goals and five assists on the season.

About Cailin: Plans to play soccer for Slippery Rock. Favorites include "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "River Monsters" TV show, "Harry Potter" book series and biology class. Dream vacation is a trip to Ireland.

Caitlin Lawless, Beaumont
Sport: Tennis
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-0

What Caitlin did last week: State qualifier went 3-0 at first singles in matches against Mentor, Walsh Jesuit and Cleveland Heights, raising her record to 9-1.

About Caitlin: Enjoys traveling, eatin g, shopping and reading. Favorites include the Indians, "The Help" movie, pro tennis player Novak Djokovic, ice cream, math class and "Keeping up with the Kardashians" TV show. Wants to visit Ireland.

Whitney Craigo, Avon Lake
Sport: Volleyball
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 6-0

What Whitney did last week: Setter had 105 assists, 25 blocks, 10 kills, 32 service points and 22 digs and was named MVP of Rocky River Invitational as team beat Amherst, Midpark, Cuyahoga Heights, Keystone and Lakewood.

About Whitney: Enjoys photography and boating on Lake Erie. Wants to study special education or communication. Favorites include Browns running back Peyton Hillis and history class. Would like to try flying an airplane.

Coaches' nominations for Players of the Week will be taken Mondays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The toll-free number for coaches to call for the seven-county coverage area is 1-800-388-4370.

Ohio State checked out every person getting a free ticket from a Buckeye player this season, a change from the past.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerBuckeyes coach Luke Fickell has said Carlos Hyde (34) will start at running back on Saturday against Miami, but offensive coordinator Jim Bollman has said Jordan Hall will start.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State expects a good crowd of Buckeyes fans at Miami's Sun Life Stadium on Saturday and the OSU compliance department should have a handle on exactly who is there with tickets players provided.

In the wake of the NCAA scandal, Ohio State went from spot-checking names on the players' ticket lists to calling everyone getting a freebie. And rather than submitting the names for a pass list on a game-by-game basis, players provided the four names of those getting free seats before the season. Players can change those names during the year, but only with the approval of their position coach and while knowing the new recipient will have to be cleared as well. It's a policy that applies to home games and road games.

In previous years, players could "just go in there and put a name in," OSU tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "This year we have a set list and they called them all and cleared them all. It's much better."

Ohio State compliance director Doug Archie said his office made approximately 3,000 calls this summer and during the preseason, to every name submitted by players, so "we could ferret out their relationship to the player." Previously, they called some names on the list, but not all. Presumably, some of the new calls went something like: "You're his mom? OK." But Archie said requests were denied for anyone the compliance office couldn't reach, and at least one request was rejected because the person on the list was an agent.

Buckeye booster: Ohio State coach Luke Fickell said Thursday he knows longtime booster Bobby DiGeronimo, whose relationship with the Buckeyes predates even Fickell's playing days in the mid-'90s. Asked if he knew DiGeronimo or had any relationship with him during his days as a player or coach with the Buckeyes, Fickell said: "Obviously, I know who he was. But I don't know much about that situation and I'm not going to get into those ongoing NCAA-type of things."

DiGeronimo has taken responsibility for the NCAA violations committed at a February Northeast Ohio charity event when Buckeyes Jordan Hall, Corey Brown and Travis Howard accepted $200 each, which caused their two-game suspensions for the start of this season. They will be back for Saturday's game.

Asked if he was angry about dealing with more NCAA issues with the booster news this week, Fickell said: "It's all part, I guess, of what comes. Something comes across your desk new pretty much every day and you have to deal with it. It's going to go back to us making sure we educate our guys and hold them accountable for their actions and make sure they know what's expected of them."

Also: There continues to be some disagreement about the starting running back for Saturday. Fickell has said Carlos Hyde will continue as the starter. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said Wednesday Hall will be the starter, as he was expected to be after preseason camp. "I don't know if that's accurate," Fickell said. "We try not to focus on who starts." . . . The Buckeyes fly to Miami this evening and Fickell said he expects to have a walkthrough of some sort at the stadium Saturday morning.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

The Clippers lead the best-of-five series against Lehigh Valley, 2-1. Meanwhile, the Class A Kinston Indians lose to Frederick, Md., and fall behind in their playoff series, 2-1.

View full sizeAPLuke Carlin

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 6, IronPigs 2 Catcher Luke Carlin homered and drove in three runs, RH Joe Martinez struck out 13 batters in seven innings, and Columbus beat Lehigh Valley in Game 3 of the International League Governors' Cup Finals on Thursday in Allentown, Pa.

The Clippers lead the best-of-five series, 2-1. Game 4 is tonight in Allentown, Pa.

Martinez allowed one run (earned) on three hits and two walks. He is 2-0 with 1.80 ERA in the IL postseason.

3B Jared Goedert and CF Tim Fedroff each had two hits for Columbus.

RH Chen Lee pitched the eighth and allowed the IronPigs to push across a run. RH Cory Burns finished off Lehigh Valley in the ninth.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Keys 7, Indians 3 1B Jesus Aguilar homered in his third straight game but the K-Tribe lost Game 3 of the Carolina League Mills Cup Finals in Kinston, N.C.

Frederick (Md.) leads the best-of-five series, 2-1. Game 4 is tonight in Kinston.

Aguilar put Kinston ahead, 2-0, in the second inning. It was his fourth home run of the postseason.

Frederick won Game 2 late Wednesday, 3-2. The game started at 10:15 p.m. after a three-hour rain delay. The Keys scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to overcome Aguilar's second home run of the series.

The Zips, defending NCAA champions, are returning to FirstEnergy Stadium after a three-match road trip.

View full sizeJeff Harwell, Zips Sports PhotographyThe Akron men's soccer team is 38-0-2 at home since the start of the 2008 season.

The 7 p.m. match will be shown on Fox Soccer Channel. The Lobos are 4-0-1.

The Zips (3-0-1), defending NCAA champions, are returning to FirstEnergy Stadium after a three-match road trip. They will play their second match of the tournament Sunday at 6 p.m. against Cal Poly (2-1-2).

The Zips are 38-0-2 at home since the start of the 2008 campaign.

B-W tribute: Before Baldwin-Wallace's football game Saturday against Heidelberg, the school will welcome the family of Sept. 11 victim Donald "Donnie" Delapenha and honor his memory.

Delapenha, a 1986 B-W graduate, played football at B-W and worked in the World Trade Center. Delapenha's widow, Lorraine, and her three children will attend with the children serving as the "Honorary Captains" for the day.

Players of the Week: Kent State women's soccer player Stephanie Haugh, a freshman forward, was the Mid-American Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. She scored her first collegiate goal Friday in Kent State's 6-1 win over Youngstown State. Two days later at Duquesne, Haugh scored in KSU's 1-0 win. . . . Baldwin-Wallace senior forward Carlin Vandendriessche (Medina) was named Ohio Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week. He scored his first four goals of the season to lead the Yellow Jackets to wins over Oberlin, Spalding (Ky.) and Centre (Ky.). With 34 goals, Vandendriessche is just two goals shy of tying Jeff Schenk (1983 to '86) for the school's career mark.

Notable: Jason Lash (Strongsville) won a Rawlings Gold Glove award playing shortstop for Heidelberg in 2011. The four-year starter also finished his college career as the only player in Ohio Athletic Conference history to be named first-team All-OAC for four years and first-team OAC All-Academic for three years.

Schlichter, 51, whose professional football career was derailed by a gambling addiction, apologized Thursday to the victims of the scheme, in which he charged hundreds of thousands of dollars for sports tickets he never delivered.

View full sizeAPFormer Ohio State and NFL quarterback Art Schlichter.

In a deal worked out with state and federal prosecutors, Schlichter pleaded guilty to 12 theft counts and one corrupt activity count and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He also was ordered to pay more than $800,000 in restitution, although a prosecutor conceded victims were likely to never see the money.

Schlichter will appear today in federal court, where he faces related charges of bank and wire fraud and filing a false tax return. Schlichter has indicated he will plead guilty to those charges, though no date for accepting the plea has been set.

Schlichter, 51, whose professional football career was derailed by a gambling addiction, apologized Thursday to the victims of the scheme, in which he charged hundreds of thousands of dollars for sports tickets he never delivered.

"I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you and all the other victims that are involved in this," he said, his remarks at times aimed at Anita Barney of suburban Dublin, Ohio. "My hope is that I can get myself together, rehab myself, do the right thing, get healthy so that I can make amends to everybody that I've hurt and harmed in any way."

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If you are not paying attention, you can drive right by the 13-acre hidden gem of a campus at the corner of Buckeye Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Benedictine has been on the tree-covered ridgeline -- the highest point in Cleveland -- overlooking the city's East Side since 1929. However, it is impossible to...

Benedictine first-year coach Ben Malbasa is a happy man after the Bengals, who had been down six to Bedford early in the third quarter, scored late in the fourth quarter to secure the win. - (John Kuntz, PD)

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If you are not paying attention, you can drive right by the 13-acre hidden gem of a campus at the corner of Buckeye Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Benedictine has been on the tree-covered ridgeline -- the highest point in Cleveland -- overlooking the city's East Side since 1929.

However, it is impossible to miss the proud proclamation on the main building's brick facade: "Home of Champions."

The Bengals have been that on the football field for decades, dating to their start in the East Senate in 1937, through numerous city championships in the annual Charity Game (11-4-2) and during their just-concluded independent days when they won six state championships. They also have the 1957 state poll title to their credit.

But there have been hard times as well as the all-boys school weathered changes in the city's demographics and the rising costs of a Catholic education.

Since winning their most recent Division III state title in 2004 -- and although they made the 2005 playoffs -- the Bengals have gone 18-42 over the past six losing seasons, the longest stretch below .500 since the 1930s. Coach Art Bortnick resigned last November after 11 years with two state titles (2003, '04), a runner-up finish in 2002 and a 65-61 ledger.

Enter new coach Ben Malbasa, who left his mark at Elyria Catholic by going 31-12, with two playoff appearances in four seasons.

So far, the change has proven the right elixir as the Bengals have won their first three games as they head into tonight's game against Holy Name (1-2) at North Royalton. Of the 17 coaches in school history, only Malbasa and legendary coach Augie Bossu (1955-93, 275-109-15) have won their first three games -- Bossu going on to a 9-0 record his first season.

The Bengals are one of the surprise teams of the young season after opening with wins over Boardman, Archbishop Hoban and Bedford. They have risen to No. 17 in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 poll and debuted at No. 9 this week in the first Associated Press Division III state poll.

Malbasa, 33, grew up in Bratenahl and graduated from University School and John Carroll University. He has also earned a law degree from Case Western Reserve University.

As Malbasa talked about his new program, the words "tradition," "hard work" and "success" were stated over and over. They were universal in talking to the staff, players and administration.

"That's what Benedictine stands for," said Malbasa. "It's about hard work and the commitment to be successful. It's a school that has shown commitment to the city and to helping young men become leaders."

Welcome to Benedictine

Athletic Director Tony Russ, 63, knows about tradition and commitment. Since playing on the offensive line in three Charity Games from 1963 to '65, he has been at the school in many roles since 1970.

"It was a tough go for a while," said Russ, who saw enrollment decline from approximately 1,050 in the early 1960s to around 400, where it has been hovering the past 20 years. "But I think we found our niche. The monks and brothers [of the Order of St. Benedict] recommitted to the area and they have brought stability."

School President Father Gerard Gonda, a 1971 graduate, said the decision to stay the course took place in 1979. He said enrollment dropped from 800 in 1965 to 400 in 1975, but has ranged between 300 and 500 since then.

"For 1,500 years, Benedictine monks have taken a vow of stability and it is even connected to geography," said Gonda, who has been at the school for 35 years and president the past four. "There have been a lot of changes the past 40 years. We have made it possible for students to reach us from the suburbs and the city."

Welcome to the NCL

Russ said hiring a new coach, one without school roots, and joining the North Coast League after 40 years as an independent were studied decisions for the school.

"Ben had success in the area and he was coming from a school the same size and the same league," said Russ. "He had ideas that were fresh.

"We were looking for people that understand our tradition and we also got a youthful coaching staff."

The tradition of saying a prayer to the blessed Virgin Mary at the school's grotto before and after every practice and game continues. The tradition of jogging the three-quarters of a mile down MLK to practice at Luke Easter Park continues, although next year the school will finally have a small practice field behind the it.

Senior running back Bryan Lacey, 17, lives in South Euclid and was considering Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and St. Edward. But after a friend told him to check out Benedictine, his high school choice was easy.

"I loved it," said Lacey, who has run for 370 yards and seven touchdowns this season. "There is a whole togetherness and a family part to it."

Senior two-way lineman Joe Nawalaniec from Parma knew he was Benedictine-bound from the start. His father, Ron, played for the Bengals.

"I used to go to all the games and fell in love with it because it's a smaller school," said Nawalaniec, who stands 6-1 and weighs 245 pounds. "All the students are loving it. The past few years we didn't have a student section. I'd like to be on a team that's remembered as the first team to win the North Coast League."

When Benedictine defeated Archbishop Hoban two weeks ago, it was their first league win since the 1971 city championship game against Holy Name. Russ said the school had been looking for a conference the past few years and was able to join the NCL when all-girls Beaumont was accepted to allow for two six-school divisions in both boys and girls sports.

Malbasa's Bengals have had to come from behind in their three victories. It reinforces the mantra that his 45-player squad cannot afford to take a play off.

"They were very emotional games and the best part was the way our players faced adversity," said Malbasa, who has installed a varied attack on offense in both the passing and running game. "When you've worked that hard, it had an extra level of confidence against adversity.

"Coach Bossu was here and put his own stamp on the program. Coach [Al] Hodakievic [1994-97, 40-7 and 1996 state title] and coach Bortnick did the same. Hopefully, that's what we all believe in doing."

So far, it has the stamp of approval.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter:@JoeMaxse

Ben Malbasa file

Position: Benedictine first-year head football coach.

Age: 33.

Record: 3-0 in first year; 31-12 in four seasons at Elyria Catholic.

Coaching positions: Assistant and freshmen coach at University School, assistant at Case Western Reserve and Collinwood.

Education: University School; attended Ohio State for two years; John Carroll University, (bachelor's degree); St. John's College (master's degree); Case Western Reserve University (law degree); passed Ohio bar.

Teaching duties: Social studies, law class and AP psychology at Benedictine.

Family: Lives in Bratenahl with wife, Christi. They have four children, Madie (5), twins Thomas and Andrew (4), and Lauren (1).

Did you know? Played football "barely" at University School as a junior, then became the team manager as a senior.

-- Joe Maxse

Is it over for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

ABC TV / AP photoHines Ward didn't do much dancing in Week 1 for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns may have their issues, and at least the future is bright because of so many young players.

But there's even better news because the Pittsburgh Steelers are old and washed up, according to former Pro Bowl defensive tackle turned NFL analyst, Warren Sapp.

The Steelers are so bad that Sapp said on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" on Wednesday night that the Steelers are "old, slow, and it's over."

Sapp said his 13-year-old daughter could cover receiver Hines Ward in "a heartbeat." At one point during the Steelers' 35-7 loss on Sunday, strong safety Troy Polamalu tried to grab Ravens tight end Ed Dickson but couldn't get close enough, Sapp said.

Although it's only the second game of the season, but is Sunday's game against the Colts a must win?

APCleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur.

ESPN's James Walker wrote earlier this week how the Cleveland Browns, in only their second game of the season, is in a must win situation against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Why?

Well the Browns blew a winnable game against the Bengals in Week 1, and now they're in a winnable situation against the Peyton Manning-less Colts.

A loss on Sunday means the Browns will be 0-2 and that could kill any momentum they generated in the offseason.

The Cleveland Indians had the biggest drop attendance in all of sports over a 10-year span.

APCleveland Indians' manager Manny Acta and umpire Rob Drake have not consistently seen sellout crowds at Progressive Field.

Yahoo.com has this story on how sports teams often go through sharp swings in popularity.

In this article written by Michael B. Sauter, he writes how attendance for the four major league sports – NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL – remained relatively flat from 2001 to 2010.

He examined examined changes in attendance for the four major league sports from 2001 to 2010 to identify the twelve teams that decreased more than 20%.

Unfortunately, the Tribe is No. 1 in this category.

1. Cleveland Indians
> Decrease in attendance: 56.08%
> 2000 W-L record: 91-71 (finished 1st in AL Central)
> 2010 W-L record: 69-93 (finished 4th in AL Central)
> League championships last decade: none

Cleveland set a Major League Baseball record in 2001 after selling out every single home game since June 1995. The tide changed that year, when it lost to Seattle in the first round of the playoffs. The team never performed again at the winning level it had in the 90’s, only making the playoffs once over the decade.

Summer ball comes with an elbow to the eye and a trip to the emergency room.

Photo provided by Brian KortovichBrian Kortovich writing a blog in the Knicks locker room after participating in a workout before the NBA lockout.

Hello Cleveland!

Hope the summer has treated all of you well. Mine was in full swing, staying on the grind both on and off the court.

One of the questions I get asked the most is how the lockout is affecting me. I'll be honest, it's a bummer. Right now the biggest casualty for me is the loss of the Vegas Summer League. It's always a great stage to show the association what I can do. Not having it means I need to work a little harder, which is exactly what I'm doing.

After preseason workouts/camps with the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets the past two seasons, I had all the right momentum, I felt like I was oh so close. But again, I'm going to get there. There's no doubt in my mind.

Honestly, the thing I miss already about those camps and workouts is just to have my game elevated by the competition and the coaching: on-the-court basketball drills, agility drills, conditioning drills, track work, the weight room, and usually ending in many inter-squad scrimmages. Man, can those games get competitive!

Photo provided by Brian KortovichBrian Kortovich playing overseas in Israel in 2007.

Anytime you play your best ball against the likes of Amare Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Landry Fields and Tony Douglas of the Knicks and Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Jordan Farmar and Anthony Morrow of the Nets, you will get people talking. It was in these games that I earned the respect of the players and proved to the coaches and staff that I could have an impact and be productive at the NBA level.

I've been going hard ever day, and I've got the scars to prove it. A few weeks ago, I caught an accidental elbow to the eye, a bad one indeed that caused me to go to the emergency room and get six stitches. If you saw the aftermath, it looked liked I went 12 championship rounds with Ali.

That injury didn't hold me down for long, as I was back in a few days to workouts and playing in the Pro-Am tournaments here in NYC. Just so happens that I was at Rucker Park the night Kevin Durant went off for 66 points. Yes, he lit it up, but what you didn't see on ESPN: It wasn't as easy as the viral videos suggest. He struggled with his jumper in the first half, feeling his way into the game, but it didn't stop him from putting the rock up -- "volume shooting," they call it.

Of course, eventually he got hot, and as you probably saw, he went off in the second half shooting 40-foot bombs over two, sometimes three defenders. I give the man his due, he could have chilled and put his foot on cruise control, but instead he did the complete opposite, He felt he had something to prove!

It was a very special moment in the history of that park. A lot of NBA guys have struggled in Harlem's famed Rucker Park. Trust me, nothing is handed to you. You have to go out there and earn it, and he did just that. Making a name for myself at that park a few summers back, and seeing what KD did makes that place even more special to me.

In closing, I'm going to stay on my grind, continue to do what I do because it's going to be an interesting next couple of months with the NBA Lockout.

Do I go the D-League route (hoping the lockout ends soon) or take my chances in Europe? That's the decision I'm going to have to make here soon.

Shout out to all my family and friends back home in Cleveland for their continued support along this journey. And to the Cavs organization, if you are listening, I'm ready for the opportunity to play for the hometown team!

Till next time,

BK aka "Smokin Aces"

Read BK's preview blog entry here.

Follow Kortovich on Twitter: @SmokinACES1 and on Facebook at facebook.com/BrianSmokinAcesKortovich