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Tony and Mary Kay preview Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins (video)

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Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot preview the Browns game against the Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. Watch video


Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot preview the Browns game against the Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday.


Indians continue series with White Sox - Live Twitter updates

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Ubaldo Jimenez takes on Mark Buehrle tonight at Progressive Field.

ubaldo.jpgView full sizeUbaldo Jimenez is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 3 September starts.
The Indians continue their series against Chicago tonight.

Ubaldo Jimenez takes to the mound for the Indians. The White sox counter with Mark Buehrle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Get updates on Twitter from @hoynsie and @dmansworldpd in the box below.

MLB scoreboard.

Carmona is fine at back end of rotation - Indians Comment of the Day

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"Carmona is not going anywhere right now. Yes, we could trade him in the right deal, but I am not letting him go. He is not our No. 1 guy like last year. He will go to spring training as our No. 4 guy. What's wrong with that?" - joe kiely

fausto-carmona2.jpgView full sizeFausto Carmona.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians' Fausto Carmona keeps his cool when things get hot and picks up a win: Cleveland Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader joe kiely doesn't mind the thought of Carmona coming back next season. This reader writes,

"Carmona is not going anywhere right now. Yes, we could trade him in the right deal, but I am not letting him go. He is not our No. 1 guy like last year. He will go to spring training as our No. 4 guy. What's wrong with that?"

To respond to joe kiely's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

No competitive balance in NBA's current system - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"The competitive balance in the NBA is way out of whack. Even the stat that shows 9 different champions is skewed - take out the one-and-done teams - the Mavericks, Heat and 76ers - and you've got six teams to win championships in almost 30 years. The worst thing for both sides, though, is that no one really seems to care that there might not be a basketball season." - cunxtyr

David STern.JPGView full sizeWhat's scarier for David Stern? The threat of losing the NBA season or the threat that the NBA won't be missed?

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is a former big spender now aligned with the NBA's small-market forces, cleveland.com reader cunxtyr thinks the NBA needs an overhaul. This reader writes,

"The competitive balance in the NBA is way out of whack. Even the stat that shows 9 different champions is skewed - take out the one-and-done teams - the Mavericks, Heat and 76ers - and you've got six teams to win championships in almost 30 years. The worst thing for both sides, though, is that no one really seems to care that there might not be a basketball season."

To respond to cunxtyr's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Josh Tomlin won't pitch again this season: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

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Mitch Talbot will start one of Saturday's games against the Twins in a day-night doubleheader. Josh Tomlin was scheduled to start one of the games, but those plays were scratched.

tomlin.jpgJosh Tomlin, a 12-game winner for the Indians, is done for the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is going to sound strange, but Josh Tomlin has been shutdown for the rest of the season even though he passed all his rehab tests while trying to return from a sore right elbow.

The final test was a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday between the first and second games of the Indians day-night doubleheader against the White Sox. Tomlin threw 25 pitches in each inning and from all reports did fine.

Tomlin was working toward starting one of Saturday's games against the Twins in another day-night doubleheader. Mitch Talbot, who must be added to the 40-man roster, will take Tomlin's spots in one of those games.

Manager Manny Acta said that when Tomlin started his comeback, the Indians were still in contention in the AL Central race. They've since been eliminated and the Indians saw no point in having Tomlin pitch again, but that didn't stop the rehab process.

"Once we fell out of the race, we were just not going to stop his rehab," said Acta. " He finished it on Tuesday and did well. It makes no sense for him to pitch another game this season."

Talbot was scheduled to pitch the Class AAA championship game for Columbus on Tuesday night against Omaha. He was scratched from that start and reported to Cleveland on Wednesday with Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh, who won his second straight Triple-A championship.

"Josh wanted to pitch Saturday," said Acta. "I think the simulated game should give him peace of mind going into the offseason."

Tomlin went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 26 starts this year. He struck out 89 and walked 21 in 165 1/3 innings.

Talbot opened the season in the Indians rotation, but didn't stay long. He was 2-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 11 starts and made trips to the disabled list with right
elbow and back problems. The Indians designated him for assignment and eventually outrighted him to Columbus.

At first he was moved to the bullpen in Columbus. He was moved back to the rotation when the Indians traded prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White and Carlos Carrasco needed Tommy John surgery.

Talbot went 4-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 13 games, including seven starts, at Columbus. In the Clippers run to the Triple-A championship, he went 2-0 with 1.69 ERA in two starts. He struck out 12, walked two and allowed three earned runs in 16 innings.
 
Tonight's lineup:

White Sox (75-79): Alejandro De Aza (L), SS Alexei Ramirez (R), DH A.J. Pierzynski (L), CF Alex Rios (R), 1B Adam Dunn (L), RF Dayan Viciedo (R), 3B Brent Morel (R), C Tyler Flowers (R), 2B Gordon Beckham (R), LHP Mark Buehrle (11-9, 3.74).

Indians (76-77): RF Kosuke Fukudome (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), 1B Carlos Santana (S), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), SS Jason Donald (R), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, C Lou Marson (R), CF Trevor Crowe (S), RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (10-11, 4.49, 4-2, 4.56).

Lineup notes: Asdrubal Cabrera says he should be back in the lineup on Thursday and was available Wednesday night as a pinch-hitter. Cabrera injured his back while swinging at a pitch in the eighth inning of Game 1 Tuesday.

Him vs. me: Konerko is 3-for-8 with an RBI against Jimenez. Chisenhall is 2-for-3 with two homers and four RBI against Buehrle.

Lefty-righty: Lefties are hitting .233 (77-for-331) with nine homers and righties .268 (94-for-351) with eight homers against Jimenez. Chicago has six righties in the lineup.

Lefties are hitting .262 (55-for-210) with eight homers and righties .288 (156-for-541) with 12 homers against Buehrle. The Indians have five righties, including two switch-hitters, in the lineup.

Next: Jeanmar Gomez will face Chicago's Phil Humber on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Progressive Field in the final game of the season series between the two teams.

Scott Fujita tweets Browns players' debate: Morning of your 1st Super Bowl, wife goes into early labor -- What to do? Poll

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Fujita tweets: "Today's lunch debate w/ teammates: It's the morning of your 1st Super Bowl, & your wife goes into early labor w/ your 1st born. What to do?"

mike-mccarthy.jpgGreen Bay coach Mike McCarthy holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, in last season's Super Bowl.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita is married with two children.



Fujita helped the New Orleans Saints win the 2009 season Super Bowl, just weeks before he signed a free agent contract with the Browns.



He's experienced his wife, Jaclyn, delivering their children.



He's walked on to the Sun Life Stadium field in Miami Gardens, Fla., to play football's biggest game.



Wednesday, during a break for the Browns in their preparation for Sunday's home game against the Miami Dolphins, Fujita tweeted:



Today's lunch debate w/ teammates: It's the morning of your 1st Super Bowl, & your wife goes into early labor w/ your 1st born. What to do?



Most, if not all, Starting Blocks readers haven't played in a Super Bowl, we will assume.



Many, though, are mothers or fathers.



And, all of us were, indeed, born! That makes all of us at least somewhat qualified for the following poll -- even if we never were nor never will be a Super Bowler.




Cleveland Browns P.M. links: QBs Colt McCoy of the Browns and Andy Dalton of the Bengals could someday turn AFC North upside-down

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Young quarterbacks could help their teams someday present challenges to the Steelers and Ravens. Links to stories on Tony Pashos, Alex Smith, Mohamed Massaquoi and more.

colt-mccoy-pat-shurmur.jpgBrowns quarterback Colt McCoy and coach Pat Shurmur during Cleveland's 27-19 win at Indianapolis last Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are customarily the outcasts in the AFC North, out of the class of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Maybe it won't always be that way. Maybe the Browns and Bengals will get things turned around (yes, Browns' fans don't care about the Bengals, unless they need Cincy to beat Pittsburgh or Baltimore, but the story.....) and if they do, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and Bengals QB Andy Dalton are liable to be major factors.

Jamison Hensley writes about McCoy and Dalton for ESPN.com:

Dalton, a rookie second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, is impressing with his poise. McCoy, who is in his first full season as the Cleveland Browns' starter, is standing out as a strong leader. Both are smart, calm and best-suited for the West Coast-style of offense, which relies on short, high-percentage throws.

Their development is integral if the Bengals and the Browns want to close the gap between them and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, the perennial playoff teams in the division. The Steelers know there's no questions at quarterback as long as Roethlisberger is slinging passes downfield, and the Ravens will affirm their commitment to Flacco when they look to sign him to an extension next offseason.

While it's too early to anoint either Dalton and McCoy as franchise quarterbacks, you get the sense that both have a certain feel for the position.

The Browns (1-1) and McCoy hope to put Cleveland above .500 after three games for the first time since 2002 on Sunday, when they host the Miami Dolphins (0-2) at Browns Stadium.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi's report that the Browns hope to have right offensive tackle Tony Pashos back this week; video preview of the Browns-Dolphins game, by David I. Andersen, Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-Dolphins game; a look back to old Browns-Dolphins games; video by Andersen of McCoy talking about passing and about the Dolphins; much more.

Post patterns

Tight end Alex Smith is getting some deserved opportunities, and other notes, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi is beginning to prove his value, writes Daniel Wolf for the National Football Authority.

Colt McCoy and sensing the pass rush, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Info on the Dolphins. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal interviews Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel about Team South Beach.

AFC North teams are Nos. 5, 7, 25 and 26 in the new power rankings on Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

The Browns' young defensive line prepares for Miami, and other notes, by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Alex Smith gets some looks. By Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Chicago White Sox defeat Cleveland Indians, 8-4

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The White Sox score three in the seventh inning and four in the eighth for the victory over the Indians at Progressive Field.

indians fukudome.JPGView full sizeIndians right fielder Kosuke Fukudome goes high up the right-field wall to catch a fly ball hit by Chicago's A.J. Pierzynski in the second inning Wednesday at Progressive Field.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The race for second place in the AL Central got even tighter Wednesday night.

The White Sox scored three in the seventh inning and four in the eighth for an 8-4 victory over the Indians at Progressive Field.

Chicago (76-79) pulled within one-half game of Cleveland (76-78) for second behind division champion Detroit.

The White Sox have underachieved this year, but they have been stellar against the Tribe, winning 11 of 17 meetings. The season series wraps Thursday night.   

Travis Hafner hit a two-out, two-run homer in the sixth off White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle to give the Tribe a 2-1 lead. With one out, Jason Kipnis doubled into the left-field corner. After Carlos Santana grounded to short, Alexei Ramirez caught Kipnis between second and third. Hafner launched an off-speed pitch high to right, the ball carrying until right fielder Dayan Viciedo ran out of room.

The White Sox scored three in the seventh against Ubaldo Jimenez to pull ahead, 4-2. Dayan Viciedo drew a one-out walk on a full-count pitch and scored on Brent Morel's double. Center fielder Ezequiel Carrera, who had entered in the top of the inning, bobbled the ball off the wall. Carrera threw to shortstop Jason Donald, whose relay to the plate was poor.

Tyler Flowers flied to right. Gordon Beckham walked on a full-count pitch. Morel and Beckham advanced one base on Jimenez's wild pitch. Alejandro De Aza delivered a two-run single up the middle on a 1-2 pitch.

Jesse Crain relieved Buehrle to begin the seventh. Buehrle has pitched 198 1/3 innings this season; he worked 200-plus the previous 10.

Chad Durbin relieved Jimenez to begin the seventh. Jimenez allowed four runs on six hits, walked two and struck out seven.

The first batter Durbin faced, Ramirez, homered to center. The third batter Durbin faced, Alex Rios, homered to left. The sixth batter Durbin faced, Morel, hit a two-run homer to left for the 8-2 cushion.

The Tribe scored twice in the eighth. Kipnis hit a sacrifice fly and Santana had an RBI single.

Jimenez (4-3, 4.62 ERA) retired the first nine, four of whom fanned.

The first batter of the White Sox fourth, Alejandro De Aza, grounded sharply to third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall at the cut of the grass. Chisenhall failed to make the backhanded play, the ball trickling away. Official scorer Bob Maver, one of the game's best, ruled single.

Jimenez struck out Ramirez looking. With A.J. Pierzynski batting, De Aza stole second. Pierzynski shot the gap in deep left, but center fielder Trevor Crowe ran it down next to left fielder Shelley Duncan.

Rios grounded sharply to Chisenhall, who dropped the ball, picked it up and fired in plenty of time for the third out. 

Between innings, Maver viewed several replays of the De Aza grounder.

The White Sox broke through in the fifth. Viciedo hit a one-out single to right and moved to second on a grounder. Flowers smoked an RBI double to right.

Buehrle (12-9) allowed two hits through five --a single by Donald in the second and single by Lou Marson in the fifth. Donald went 7-for-9 in his previous two games.  

The Tribe put runners on second and third with two outs in the second. Marson grounded to short.

Donald led off the fifth with a walk. With one out, Buehrle used his borderline-balk pickoff move to catch Donald taking off.

Buehrle entered 14-17 with a 4.81 ERA in 46 games (45 starts) against Cleveland, including 1-2 with a 7.11 ERA in three starts this year.


Josh Cribbs not opposed to adding RB to his title: Cleveland Browns Insider

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Cribbs says he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on the ball and help the offense.

joshcribbs.JPGBrowns utilityman Josh Cribbs was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career.

BEREA, Ohio — Josh Cribbs used to bristle at people calling him just a returner and not a receiver, too.

Now, when it comes to offense, he doesn't want to be pigeonholed as just a receiver -- over the past four days, Cribbs has twice talked about playing running back.

After Sunday's win over the Colts, Cribbs said: "I just want the ball in my hands. That's why I got a lot of screens and the little bubble routes. If they're doing that as a receiver, so be it. If it's in the backfield, so be it. Don't get caught up on just the receiving aspect."

On Wednesday, Cribbs -- who was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Indianapolis -- reiterated that he might be adding another slash to his job description: kick returner/punt returner/wide receiver/running back.

"All off-season, I've been working on my receiving capabilities and helping my team on the offensive side," he said. "It's all aspects on offense, helping my team win: receiving, running back, quarterback, whatever."

So, you can take the wildcat out of the offense, but you can't take the wild out of this cat.

"He's a fantastic player and we're going to try to put him in position to make plays, however we can do it," coach Pat Shurmur said during training camp.

Cribbs is getting so many touches on offense that he doesn't even miss the wildcat, where he took the direct snaps and ran or passed.

"I would miss it if I wasn't a factor on offense," he said. "But they're making it a point to give me the football. All I want is an opportunity to affect the game and they're doing that with me."

As for receiving special teams player of the week honors -- the fourth of his career -- Cribbs said: "It feels great. It lets me know they're blocking for me and allowing the opportunities to return some big ones to help the team out."

Cribbs' 52-yard kickoff return and 43-yard punt return led to touchdowns. Cribbs ranks fifth in the league in kickoff return average (34.2) and seventh in punt return average (13.8).

Hardesty determined: Montario Hardesty was thrilled to hear Shurmur wants to use him earlier in games, and is determined not to fumble again. Hardesty carried three times in the red zone Sunday -- losing a yard, fumbling (left tackle Joe Thomas recovered) and then gaining 2 to the 2-yard line before being replaced by Peyton Hillis.

"I definitely, definitely can't put the ball on the ground, even though I think my elbow was down," Hardesty said. "There's still no excuses. You can never put a ball on the ground. I once went 285 times in one year without the ball coming out."

Hardesty said carrying the ball in the red zone after coming off the bench is no excuse for fumbling.

"You've got to be ready at all times," he said. "It's part of being professional."

He was glad the coaches gave him the ball again after the fumble.

"I want the coaches to be able to count on me," he said. "It was good to have them say, 'Go back in there and play ball.' "

Massaquoi, Pashos limited: Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was limited with an ankle injury and right tackle Tony Pashos returned to the field on a limited basis with the ankle injury that's kept him out of the first two games.

Pashos, who was held out of team drills, said there's a chance he'll play Sunday against the Dolphins but that he's still day to day.

Mitchell all for it: Defensive end Jayme Mitchell is upbeat about swapping sides with rookie Jabaal Sheard -- Mitchell is now on the right end, away from his more "natural" spot on the left end.

"I feel good about it," Mitchell said. "We got the win and my coaches feel like it's the best way to help us win. . . . the more I do it the easier it gets. It's an honor and a challenge and I'm up for both."

Mitchell understands the importance of springing Sheard.

"He's more comfortable over there, so whatever works, whatever it takes to get him playing great," Mitchell said. "I feel like I can embrace either side and help the team win, which is the most important part. I think [Sheard] is going to be a great player for many years to come."

Colt on Daboll: Colt McCoy wrote in his book "Growing Up Colt" that last season's coaching staff treated him like a leper. Still, McCoy refused to criticize Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who held that position with the Browns last season.

"I have nothing but respect for coach Daboll," he said. "No. I'm not going to go there. Coach Daboll, from all that I've heard, has been doing a great job in Miami. You ask the guys in this locker room, we have respect for him and played hard for him."

Cleveland Browns' Ahtyba Rubin quietly becomes a leading force on the defensive line

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The rock of the new, improved Browns' defensive line, Ahtyba Rubin, doesn't talk much, but the way he's been playing this season, he doesn't need to. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio — There's a buzz about the Browns' new, young defensive line -- rookie Phil Taylor's immediate impact, rookie Jabaal Sheard's move from right end to left, and Jayme Mitchell making GM Tom Heckert look prophetic for trading for him a year ago.

Yet the one among the front four who's least talked about is the one probably playing the best.

Ahtyba Rubin is off to a fast start in his new role as a 4-3 defensive tackle. He notched his first sack Sunday in Indianapolis.

Rubin, who is just 25, has blossomed from quiet understudy to Shaun Rogers to quiet leader of an energetic group of defensive linemen.

"He's just a great person on and off the field," Taylor said Wednesday. "He's helped me just getting acclimated, knowing what to look out for, learning who to surround myself with. He's helped me tremendously. I look up to people like that."

Taylor is one of the few players, obviously, to have had constructive conversations with Rubin, probably because he has been able to get to know him in position meetings. Others look up to Rubin as a man who speaks mostly through actions, not words.

Ahtyba Rubin.JPGView full sizeBrowns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin gets his first sack of the season last Sunday, bringing down Colts quarterback Kerry Collins.

"I think I've heard him say like six words in two years," linebacker Scott Fujita said. "But he listens. That's the good thing. You tell him what to do and he does it. As a linebacker, you can't ask for anything better than that."

Coach Pat Shurmur said: "We've conversed over the last couple months, but not much. Not much. That's just his nature. I have a strong appreciation for that.

"He's a very quiet, steady guy. That's something those new players on the defensive line can rally around. And he's played well [these] two good games."

Rubin chuckles at such comments.

"I'm sort of quiet," he said. "You've got to get to know me. People that really know me probably will tell you how I interact with them. The coaches, I just listen to what they say and go do it."

Besides showing first-round pick Taylor the ropes, Rubin has established himself quickly in coordinator Dick Jauron's scheme as a relentless hustler and disruptive tackle.

"He's the guy that's going to make the whole thing go," Fujita said. "You always want that one guy to make it go. I think Rubin is our guy. He's got a motor that's kind of unparalleled for a guy his size, his strength. And he's one of the strongest guys I think I've ever seen play. It's unbelievable. He just has brute strength."

Rubin's hustle on the field comes from his desire during his high school days in Pensacola, Fla., to "always run to the ball and make every play. It carried on to the pros. I'm trying to keep that up and, hopefully, it'll rub off on some of the young guys."

Rubin trimmed down about 15 pounds to 330 during the off-season with the goal of improving his quickness and pass rush. He was stereotyped as a run-plugging nose tackle at Iowa State and appealed only to 3-4 defensive teams in the draft. The Browns caught enough of Rubin's emerging season last year to envision him as a difference-maker in the 4-3 scheme.

"It's doing pretty good," Rubin said of the new system. "I get a lot of one-on-one in pass rushing. Last year there were two or three guys blocking me at the line. I feel I can get better but I'm comfortable at the same time."

The Browns recently tabbed Rubin as a franchise core player by extending his contract four years for upwards of $20 million. Rubin said he had no idea the contract was in the works until it was nearly completed and considers himself fortunate and blessed.

He said the first thing he will do with his new money is buy his mother a new home in Pensacola, "some nice gated community."

Given his makeup, financial success is not likely to change Rubin.

"I think I've got a lot of improvement to do and will get a lot better in the future," he said. "I'm just really trying to put a whuppin on the O-linemen that come into town. I'm loving what I'm being taught this year."

There's one individual play Rubin is longing to make. The dream of any defensive player, of course, is to score a touchdown.

"And hopefully I can jump in the Dawg Pound," Rubin said.

Now that would be out of character and quite a sight to see.

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

On Twitter: @Tony Grossi

Cleveland Cavaliers' Omri Casspi sees best-laid plans fall by wayside

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This summer has not gone quite the way new Cavalier Omri Casspi had planned. First he gets injured playing with the Israeli national team, and now the lockout delays his arrival in Cleveland.

Omri Casspi.JPGView full sizeOmri Casspi, shown playing against the Cavs in 2010 while with Sacramento, currently is recovering from a knee injury.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — This summer hasn't gone quite the way Omri Casspi had planned.

Elated after being obtained by the Cavaliers from Sacramento in a trade for J.J. Hickson just before the lockout went into effect, Casspi thought he would be playing for his native Israel in the EuroBasket championships in Lithuania.

Then he thought he would make his way to Cleveland to get to know his new home, including its vibrant Jewish community, and get ready to join his new team.

Instead, he's working out in Los Angeles, trying to recover from a knee injury that kept him out of EuroBasket. He's disappointed that Israel was unable to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London and bummed that it looks as if the lockout will be a long one.

"Just heard the news that both sides haven't got to an agreement," he Tweeted on Sept 13. "I had some hopes that the lockout will be over in a month."

Casspi, the only Israeli-born player in the NBA, explored returning to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but he eventually decided against it for a variety of reasons, including his injury and taxes. He said if the lockout extends into the new year, he may revisit the idea, but for now, he's just waiting like everybody else.

"I'm working out every day. I'm just trying to be in the best shape I can be in," said Casspi, who sprained his MCL while practicing with the national team in early August, in a recent telephone interview.

The injury has prevented him from playing one-on-one or five-on-five basketball, but he's lifting weights every day and doing individual workouts. He expects to be able to play within a week.

"It still hurts, but it feels better every day," he said of the knee. "I feel good. I feel like I'll be ready when the time comes."

In the meantime, Casspi has researched Cleveland and the Cavs. He already knows Baron Davis and Anderson Varejao, and he calls Anthony Parker his mentor. The two played together on Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2005-06.

"I think the team is rebuilding," he said. "We have a lot of upcoming, promising young players and really good veterans. It's a good combination. We just need to put everything together. If we do that, we can be really successful."

Casspi would like to visit Cleveland, but with few players in town and no access to the Cavs coaches or facilities, it doesn't make much sense, at this point. But he is eager to establish himself, especially in the Jewish community.

"I've heard a lot of great, great things about the Jewish community in Cleveland," he said. "It's a lot bigger than Sacramento. I'm looking forward to it. I had a really great relationship with the rabbis and the Jewish community in Sacramento, and I'm looking forward to being involved in Cleveland as well. They have a beautiful JCC [Jewish community center]."

He has heard a lot about the fans as well.

"I know they love sports, they love their Cavs," he said. "I know there's a football team and a baseball team. They follow sports year-round. There's a lot of sports bars. The Cavs are really role models for the people in Cleveland. People really appreciate basketball and good sports.

"The fans are really supportive and really warm, even though it's really cold. I'm not a guy that loves cold, but I know the people are warm."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Asdrubal Cabrera determined to get back in the lineup: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Asdrubal Cabrera says his season isn't over. The Indians shortstop says he should return to the lineup Thursday night against Chicago after straining his back on a swing Tuesday.

asdrubal cabrera.JPGView full sizeAsdrubal Cabrera expects to be back in the Indians' lineup on Thursday night after tweaking his back during a swing on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There was every reason to think the worst when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left the first game of Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against Chicago with a back injury after taking a swing in the eighth inning.

Travis Hafner and Shin-Soo Choo landed on the disabled list with strained oblique injuries after similar swings. Choo is done for the season, and with only nine games left on the schedule, Cabrera appeared to have a good chance to join him.

Cabrera didn't play Wednesday, but he took some swings off a tee.

"I feel unbelievable," Cabrera said Wednesday afternoon. "If they need me to pinch hit, I'm available."

Cabrera said he planned to return to the lineup Thursday against Chicago.

"The doctors said it was just a cramp in my back," he said.

Said manager Manny Acta, "If he comes to the park OK on Thursday, I'll put him in the lineup."

Cabrera is putting the finishing touches on a career season. His numbers have faded in the second half, but he's still hitting .274 (160-for-585), with 32 doubles, three triples, 24 homers and 87 RBI. He needs three steals to do 20-20 for the year.

Arms exchange: Josh Tomlin is done for the year, and Mitch Talbot is back.

Tomlin, returning from a strained right elbow, was on schedule to start against the Twins on Saturday in a day-night doubleheader. He threw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday in preparation for that start.

Acta said Talbot will make the start and that Tomlin is done for the year. Tomlin, who went on the disabled list Aug. 25, started his return when the Indians were still in contention in the AL Central.

"Once we fell out of the race, we were just not going to stop his rehab," Acta said. "He finished it on Tuesday and did well. It makes no sense for him to pitch another game this season."

Talbot was scheduled to pitch the Class AAA championship game for Columbus on Tuesday against Omaha. He was scratched and reported to Cleveland on Wednesday with Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh, who won his second straight Class AAA championship.

The Indians must add Talbot to the 40-man roster before he pitches Saturday.

Talbot opened the season in the Indians rotation but didn't stay long. He made trips to the disabled list with right elbow and back problems. The Indians designated him for assignment and eventually outrighted him to Columbus.

At first, he was moved to the bullpen in Columbus. He was moved back to the rotation when the Indians traded prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, and Carlos Carrasco needed Tommy John surgery.

Talbot went 4-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 13 games, including seven starts, at Columbus. In the Clippers' run to the Class AAA championship, he went 2-0 with 1.69 ERA in two starts. He struck out 12, walked two and allowed three earned runs in 16 innings. Omarvelous: Omar Vizquel says he will play in 2012. Vizquel, 44, a reserve infielder for the White Sox, is finishing his 23rd season.

"Age is not a reason to retire," he said. "Age doesn't really mean you're old. I've seen 25-, 26-year-olds playing [badly]. It's all about how you feel about yourself. It's about how badly you want to be here, and I still want to play. I still love the game."

Vizquel entered Wednesday night with 2,841 hits, which ranks 45th all-time. He said the milestone of 3,000 wouldn't factor into his decision to continue beyond 2012.

Vizquel played for the Tribe from 1994 through 2004. He owns 11 Gold Gloves.

If Vizquel should ever retire, Acta believes he's a Hall of Famer.

"I don't vote, but I think he is, without a doubt," Acta said. "The way he dominated that position defensively for a decade. The amount of hits he has. The way he's been, on and off the field. I don't think there's a doubt he's a Hall of Fame player."

Dennis Manoloff contributed to this story.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Tribe adds some championship experience to coaching staff: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Mike Sarbaugh joins the Indians after leading the Columbus Clippers to their second straight Class AAA national championship.

clippers.JPGView full sizeThe Clippers celebrate their 8-3 victory over Omaha in the Class AAA championship Tuesday in Albuquerque, N.M.

Clubhouse confidential: Mike Sarbaugh will finish the season on the Indians big-league coaching staff after leading Columbus to its second straight Class AAA national championship Wednesday night with an 8-3 win against Omaha, Neb., in Albuquerque, N.M.

"Last year, we came out of nowhere because we were struggling at the end of the season," Sarbaugh said. "This year, we finished with the best record in the league, so there was more expectations."

To say nothing of winning the International League championship and the national championship while most of Sarbaugh's top players were called up to the Indians, who were hit hard by injuries and stayed in contention in the AL Central until mid-September.

Each Clipper received a $1,000 bonus for beating Omaha.

Old friends: When Jim Thome and his family are honored before Friday's game at Progressive Field, he will be joined on the field by his former manager, Mike Hargrove, and former Indians teammates Chad Ogea, Paul Sorrento, Carlos Baerga and Sandy Alomar Jr.

Stat of the day: Last year, Asdrubal Cabrera hit three homers in 381 at-bats. This year, he has hit 24 in 585 at-bats. Only one other Indians player, according to Elias, has had a bigger home-run increase (minimum of 250 at-bats in the first season) from one year to the next. Ed Morgan hit 26 homers in 1930 after hitting two in 1929.

-- Paul Hoynes

Ohio State to start freshman QB Braxton Miller on Saturday vs. Colorado

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Miller will start in the fourth game of his career, just like Terrelle Pryor did in 2008.

miller.jpgBraxton Miller

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State officially announced this afternoon that freshman quarterback Braxton Miller will make the first start of his career against Colorado on Saturday.

The change, away from senior Joe Bauserman, comes in the fourth game of the season, which is the same point in the schedule when Terrelle Pryor took over as the starter as a freshman quarterback in 2008.

Ohio State coach Luke Fickell indicated that he'd had this decision in place but wanted to communicate it to his team before officially make it public. He had been noncommittal at his Tuesday news conference. Fickell said he expects that Bauserman will still play some.

"You've got to make sure you can handle these things in the locker room, and how you handle them professionally is really important for the team, and that's why we didn't make a big deal of it," Fickell said. "I know it is a big deal."

Miller and Pryor are very different quarterbacks in many ways, but the similar progressions in their careers will invite more comparisons. And it's interesting to hear how much Fickell talked about the way in which the decision was communicated. In 2008, when Pryor took over in the fourth game against Troy, both Pryor and previous starter Todd Boeckman went in to Saturday expecting to play. Then Pryor took all but two snaps.

"I think all decisions like that, because they're so publicized, are tough decisions," Fickell said. "You have to think about the morale of the team and how it affects different things like that."

Fickell, as he has said all along, said there is a plan for the quarterbacks on Saturday, but he wouldn't say exactly how much he expects Bauserman to play. But he continued to insist "we need both of them."

The Buckeyes completed just four passes in last Saturday's 24-6 loss to Miami, with Bauserman going 2 for 14 and Miller 2 for 4 with an interception and a fumble.

 

Cleveland Indians P.M. Links: Asdrubal Cabrera returns soon; Ubaldo Jimenez suffers melt down, don't give up on Fausto Carmona

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Asdrubal Cabrera suffered a mid-back strain and he should return soon.

fausto-carmona2.jpgPitcher Fausto Carmona.

 Asdrubal Cabrera suffered a mid-back strain and now he feels fine, writes MLB.com.

"I'm much better today," Cabrera said, adding that others were much more concerned about his mid-back strain than he was. "I feel normal."

The Indians shortstop suffered the strain during a swing in his final at-bat of the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox. 

Cabrera is batting .274 this season, including .615 (8-for-13) in his last three games. In the 16 games prior to his recent mini-surge, he hit just .115 (7-for-61). Cabrera tied the franchise record for homers by a shortstop on Tuesday with his 24th.

 

 

Around the horn

Ublado Jimenez suffers meltdown, writes Sheldon Ocker of Ohio.com.

Don't give up on Fausto Carmona, writes Bob Frantz of The News-Herald.

The Chicago Tribune has this story about Mark Buehrle who will be a free agent. 


Lots of work left, but drafts give reason for hope - Browns Comment of the Day

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"Browns fans sure do yo-yo their emotions from week to week, don't they? I tend not to get too up or down regardless of what happens on Sundays. There is a lot of work to do yet on both sides of the ball before we're ready to compete with the top dogs in the league. For now, I am content knowing that we are finally a top-down organization following an actual gameplan. Now that it's safe to say Heckert has had two solid drafts, it's exciting to think about what he can do with two No. 1s come April." - cmac181

taylor-2011-practice-horiz-ldj.jpgView full sizePhil Taylor has impressed in his first two NFL games.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' Ahtyba Rubin quietly becomes a leading force on the defensive line, cleveland.com reader cmac181 knows the Browns have work to do, but has hope for the future. This reader writes,

"Browns fans sure do yo-yo their emotions from week to week, don't they? I tend not to get too up or down regardless of what happens on Sundays. There is a lot of work to do yet on both sides of the ball before we're ready to compete with the top dogs in the league. For now, I am content knowing that we are finally a top-down organization following an actual gameplan. Now that it's safe to say Heckert has had two solid drafts, it's exciting to think about what he can do with two No. 1s come April."

To respond to cmac181's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Ohio State Buckeyes: Was naming Braxton Miller the starter the right choice? Poll

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Ohio State coach Luke Fickell names Braxton Miller the starter for Saturday's game. But was this the right time to make the move?

braxton miller.jpgBraxton Miller

Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Doug Lesmerises writes that Ohio State announced this afternoon that freshman quarterback Braxton Miller will make the first start of his career against Colorado on Saturday.

Miller will replace senior Joe Bauserman. 

Was this the right move now, or should OSU have waited a few more games?

 

 




























Keep Carmona and let Sizemore walk - Indians Comment of the Day

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"Fausto stays, Sizemore should go. Where Fausto pitches in the rotation is irrelevant. As a 28-year-old SP, Carmona could still be a solid producer in baseball as he is just reaching maturity. Tribe has gone three years back and forth with Grady. It's time to cut that cord and, if he makes it all the way back with another team, then we'll tip our caps to him. Spend his $9M somewhere else for next year." - rjc1223

Cleveland Indians lose to Twins, 6-4View full sizeGrady Sizemore has struggled to stay on the field the last few season.

In response to the story Making a case to keep Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona isn't easy: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin, cleveland.com reader rjc1223 thinks the Indians should keep Carmona and let Sizemore walk. This reader writes,

"Fausto stays, Sizemore should go. Where Fausto pitches in the rotation is irrelevant. As a 28-year-old SP, Carmona could still be a solid producer in baseball as he is just reaching maturity. Tribe has gone three years back and forth with Grady. It's time to cut that cord and, if he makes it all the way back with another team, then we'll tip our caps to him. Spend his $9M somewhere else for next year."

To respond to rjc1223's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Kyrie Irving won't regret leaving school - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Lets see, stay in school, risk injury and possibly hurt your draft stock given a much stronger projected draft class next year; or fulfill your dreams and be the No. 1 overall pick and make bank. I'll take the latter. I am sure there are other ways Kyrie will work on his game if this lockout persists." - knight0024

Cleveland Cavaliers introduce Kyrie Irving and Tristan ThompsonView full sizeKyrie Irving was the Cavaliers' No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving may regret leaving college if NBA lockout ruins season, says Tom Reed (SBTV), cleveland.com reader knights0024 doesn't think Kyrie Irving will regret leaving college early. This reader writes,

"Lets see, stay in school, risk injury and possibly hurt your draft stock given a much stronger projected draft class next year; or fulfill your dreams and be the No. 1 overall pick and make bank. I'll take the latter. I am sure there are other ways Kyrie will work on his game if this lockout persists."

To respond to knights0024's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. Links: Freshmen face challenges; running game is key; receivers try to correct problems

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Ohio State's freshmen players learn to make the adjustment from high school to college.

zach-boren-sq-mf.jpgZach Boren

Braxton Miller is not the only freshman who has to make an adjustment on the team. Lima News reporter Jim Naveau writes how first-year players have their challenges.

And when OSU junior fullback Zach Boren entered the scene during this first time on campus, he  figured out what it took to get onto the field as a freshman back in 2009.

He went right from Pickerington High School Central to the Buckeyes’ starting lineup despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during his senior season of high school.

“You have to fight. That’s the biggest thing,” Boren said. “They’re going to put you on the scout team and you have to fight every single play. When you can make plays against the first-team defense, that will send messages to the coaches.”

Naveau also writes how highly touted freshman linebacker Curtis Grant played briefly in the opener and hasn’t played since.

 Earlier this season, Grant admitted college football was different than he expected.

“When I got here and put on my practice equipment and started lifting, I knew it was going to be a whole different world,” he said.

“Running was a whole lot harder, lifting was a whole lot harder, film watching was a whole lot harder. Just trying to learn your defensive playbook was a whole lot harder than in high school.”

  

Around the Horse Shoe

John Kamp of The News-Herald writes how OSU's running game is the key since the passing game is on vacation.

Speaking of the passing game, Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May writes how the receivers are trying to correct dropped passes.

Bob Baptist of The Columbus Dispatch has this story about Ohio native Rodney Stewart who's playing for Colorado.

 

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