That's 43 per game. Even subtract the 61 against Tennessee, and the second-year QB still throws 37 passes per game. More Browns links.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has thrown 172 passes in four games -- an average of 43 a game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns (2-2) continue on their bye week, waiting to play at Oakland against the Raiders (2-2) on Oct. 16.

Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Weekly that the Browns have a league leader in at least one individual statistical category:

Pop quiz: Who leads the AFC in passing attempts? No, it's not Tom Brady or Philip Rivers.

The answer? The Browns' Colt McCoy, who's thrown 172 passes. Through four games, Cleveland has attempted passes on 179-of-280 offensive plays (63.9 percent).

Granted, McCoy's 61-pass effort vs. Tennessee in Week Four inflates the passing percentage significantly. Trailing by at least 18 points for the majority of the second half, Cleveland attempted 41 passes and five rushes in the final 30 minutes. Circumstance led the Browns to throw so often vs. Tennessee, and the strategy was necessary with time of the essence.

However, even if you remove the Week Four statistics, when Cleveland's pass-run ratio was about 3:1, the Browns still show some pass-happy tendencies. They rushed about 41 percent of the time in the first three games of the season.

Wilkening goes on to note that some of the numbers accompanying the inordinate amount of throws are not very impressive.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Terry Pluto's column that it's much too early in Colt McCoy's career to know what kind of a quarterback he will be; Tony Grossi's report that center Alex Mack is out of the hospital after having an appendectomy; an Associated Press story that running back Peyton Hillis' agent advised him to not play against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 18 if he was too sick to go; and, much more. 

Goal to goal

Some of the blame for the loss to Tennessee must be placed on the offensive lline. With videos. By Dave Kolonich for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

The Browns lead the AFC North in dropped passes, Jamison Hensley reports for ESPN.com.

Where the Browns and the other NFL teams stand in the new power rankings on Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Colt McCoy still has a ways to go, but might be on the right track. By Brian Dulik for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Rookie fullback Owen Marecic respects what former fullback Lawrence Vickers meant to the Browns, and Alex Mack is out of the hospital. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Colt McCoy is not disheartened by the Browns' performance. By Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

An AFC North quarterback report card, by Jamison Hensley for ESPN.com.

The Browns need to throw the ball downfield more, and notes, by the Sports Xchange on FoxSportsOhio.com.

David Freese becomes a hometown star after he homers, doubles and drives in four runs as the Cardinals defeat Roy Oswalt and the Phillies to force a deciding fifth game in their NL playoff series.

View full sizeChris Lee, St. Louis Post-DispatchThe Cardinals' David Freese hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning in Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Cardinals knotted the series, 2-2, with a 5-3 triumph.

ST. LOUIS — Big swings by a slumping hitter, clutch innings by a journeyman pitcher. Suddenly, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking very dangerous.

As for the Philadelphia Phillies? Things have turned downright squirrelly.

David Freese, shut down by Phillies aces the first three games, became a hometown star Wednesday night. He homered, doubled and drove in four runs as the Cardinals defeated nemesis Roy Oswalt and forced a deciding fifth game in their NL playoff series by beating the favored Phillies 5-3.

"This is what you worked for," said Freese, a local prep star who came to the Cardinals in a trade for Jim Edmonds after the 2007 season. "Just to do this in front of the fans of St. Louis and a bunch of friends and family, it's amazing."

Center fielder Jon Jay made a sliding catch on Placido Polanco's soft fly for the final out, and was already pointing his index finger before he got to his feet.

"We're not looking at this like we're just happy to be here and it's David and Goliath," Cardinals slugger Lance Berkman said.

Now it's back to Philadelphia for Game 5 on Friday night. Roy Halladay, who won the opener for the Phillies, will face St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter -- they played together in Toronto for five years.

"They're good friends and old teammates, and Carp was really chomping at the bit for this opportunity to pitch against Roy on full rest in a huge Game 5," Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday said. "It should be quite a battle and then it'll be fun to watch two great competitors go head to head and two great teams get after it."

View full sizeMCTA squirrel crosses home plate in front of the Cardinals' Skip Schumaker and Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz in the fifth inning.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel agreed.

"Might be fitting that it goes down to the fifth game," he said. "It's up to us to go get it. It's sitting right there for us. We've got our ace going, and we're at home, and so everything is sitting right there."

The 102-win Phillies were picked by many to win it all. But first they must dispose of the wild-card Cardinals, who clinched a playoff spot on the last day of the season and have gotten the best of two members of the Phils' star-studded rotation.

An omen, maybe: Right after Oswalt threw a pitch in the fifth, a squirrel darted across the plate.

Oswalt argued, unsuccessfully, that the creature's dash had distracted him on a pitch called a ball.

"I didn't want to stop in the middle of my motion, so I threw it," Oswalt said. "I was wondering what size of animal it needed to be for it not to be a pitch."

Manuel argued, to no avail.

"Of course, being from the South and being a squirrel hunter, if I had a gun there, might have did something," Manuel said. "I'm a pretty good shot."

Albert Pujols was hitless in four at-bats in what could have been his final home game with the Cardinals. He received thunderous cheers every trip to the plate from a standing room crowd of 47,071, second-largest at 6-year-old Busch Stadium.

Pujols made his presence known on defense, catching Chase Utley going for an extra base in the sixth. Utley drew a leadoff walk and kept running on Hunter Pence's grounder to short, but Pujols alertly jumped off first base to catch the throw and made a sharp relay to third for the out.

"This is obviously the playoffs, but that's a play I can make in the regular season, too," Pujols said. "If I would have stayed on the bag, it was going to be tough to get the runner at third. Obviously, that killed the rally right there."

Edwin Jackson recovered from a rocky beginning to win his first playoff start. After giving up two runs on his first five pitches, he wound up throwing six solid innings. Jason Motte worked a perfect ninth for his second save of the series.

Phillies cleanup hitter Ryan Howard, like Freese a St. Louis product, was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He is 0 for 8 the last two games with five strikeouts and has hit only one ball out of the infield.

"I think I've been a little bit anxious trying to go up and trying to make things happen instead of letting things happen," Howard said. "Right now I'm just kind of jumping, so just try to recognize pitches better."

Oswalt had been 5-0 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 previous postseason starts, the biggest closing out old Busch Stadium and the Cardinals in 2005 to get Houston to its first World Series. The right-hander also worked seven shutout innings against St. Louis in the Phillies' NL East division clincher in mid-September.

"It's good to get some early runs, for sure," Oswalt said. "I felt pretty comfortable after that. Just two bad pitches."

The biggest jolts for the Cardinals came from their seventh-place hitter. Freese was 2 for 12 the first three games with one RBI before punishing the fourth of the Phillies' aces.

Freese's two-run double down the third-base line in the fourth put St. Louis up 3-2. His two-run homer to straightaway center in the sixth whipped the crowd into a towel-waving frenzy.

Oswalt walked Berkman and hit Holliday, making his first start of the series, to start the fourth. Pence made a fine running catch on the right field warning track to rob Yadier Molina of extra bases, but Freese jumped on a hanging curveball with a drive down the left-field line.

Holliday singled with one out in the sixth and Freese hit a 1-0 pitch to the pasture in straightaway center, not far from where a squirrel made an early appearance, for a three-run cushion. A squirrel also interrupted play in the fifth, racing across the plate an instant after Oswalt's pitch to Skip Schumaker passed for a ball.

Oswalt argued with plate umpire Angel Hernandez, asking for no pitch. On the next, Schumaker flied out.

In Game 3 Tuesday, a squirrel was seen scampering in foul territory along the third base line.

Five pitches into the game, the Phillies had a 2-0 lead with an assist from the late-afternoon playing conditions.

Jay, standing in bright sunshine while shadows, took one step in on leadoff man Jimmy Rollins' drive on the first pitch of the game and retreated too late for a ball just over his glove that bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double.

Utley tripled just inside the first-base line three pitches later and Pence lined an RBI single on the next pitch.

R.B. Fallstrom, Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash is arguably the best athlete playing for an Ohio pro sports team -- and maybe the most anonymous. (With poll.)

View full sizeTerry Gilliam, Associated PressRight winger Rick Nash is entering his ninth season with Columbus. The Blue Jackets will pair him with newly signed All-Star center Jeff Carter. Nash could have become a free agent last year but stayed in Columbus because, "I felt as though I owed it to the city and organization ..."

Among the state's best, he might also be its most anonymous.

Such is reality for the Blue Jackets' 27-year-old captain: a player regarded as elite in NHL circles and obscure in the minds of Cleveland and Cincinnati fans with little hockey intellect and enough losing teams.

Never mind that Nash has made more All-Star appearances than Reds slugger Joey Votto and has graced as many video-game covers as Browns running back Peyton Hillis. Or, that he exhibits the modesty and loyalty that fans say they still desire in their heroes.

The combination of his sport's 60-watt appeal in the United States and his team's inability to win with regularity has stunted the popularity of the six-time 30-goal scorer.

"To the average sports fan, Nash might be the best player in the world that nobody knows about," ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose said. "The kid has got everything -- size, speed, skill, strength, courage, the ability to shine on the world stage. But when you don't win, it's hard to gain recognition."

Nash and the retooled Blue Jackets will try broadening their base starting Friday night as they open the season at home against the Nashville Predators.

The club has increased its payroll to a franchise-high $63.1 million -- less than $1.5 million under the salary cap -- after a summer makeover that included the free-agent signings of defensemen James Wisniewski and Radek Martinek and winger Vinny Prospal.

The biggest splash, however, involved a trade for All-Star Jeff Carter, ending a decade-long search for a legitimate top line center for Nash.

General manager Scott Howson admits the occasion of Nash's 27th birthday on June 16 helped inspire the club's brain trust as it plotted roster changes. Blue Jackets management did not want him becoming hockey's equivalent to Archie Manning or Pete Maravich, great players consigned to bad teams.

Since entering the league in 2000, the Blue Jackets have accrued the league's worst points percentage (.450), managing just 738 of a possible 1,640 points, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They have made one playoff appearance, failing to win a game or hold a lead against the Detroit Red Wings in 2009.

As the team's longest-tenured player, Nash has endured his share of criticism. A small segment of fans has questioned his leadership and wondered if rebuilding the franchise wouldn't be more easily achieved by trading the one player sure to yield a sizeable return.

Howson has chosen the more conventional path.

"We just thought to ourselves, 'What can we do to help, Rick?' " Howson said. "Otherwise, we are just going to waste his prime years if we don't get moving.

"The conversations I've had with him [after] every year he's always said, 'Get us two more All-Stars.' "

In analyzing his career arc, there are LeBron James parallels.

Each is a former No. 1 overall draft pick. Each is a two-time Olympian and gold-medallist. Each spent years without strong supporting casts.

And in the summer of 2010, each had opportunities to become an unrestricted free agent.

You think Spike Lee and other New York Knicks fans were galvanized by visions of James in the Big Apple? Folks in hockey-mad Toronto would have uprooted the CN Tower and driven it to Columbus for the right to negotiate with Nash, who grew up in Brampton, Ontario.

"It was appetizing thinking about playing for the Maple Leafs," Nash said. "But I still felt there was a job to do here. I didn't want to take the easy way around it.

"I felt as though I owed it to the city and organization to try and bring a winning team and a championship here."

On July, 3, 2009, Nash signed an eight-year, $62.4 million contract extension. He rejected the Jackets' largest offer because he thought it hindered the club's chances of signing others.

"He told me, 'It's too much of the pie,' " agent Joe Resnick said. "Rick wanted me to go back and renegotiate for less."

The agent restructured the contract, adding an eighth season to lessen the Blue Jackets' salary cap hit. Nash could have enhanced his brand by playing in bigger markets. But heightened exposure doesn't motivate the five-time All-Star, who represents Under Armour and served as the cover boy for NHL 2K9 video game.

The laidback winger with the scruffy beard admits he would rather spend his free time with friends than in a studio shooting commercials.

Nash was vacationing at his cottage in Northern Ontario on July 8, 2010, the night James told a nation of his intentions to the join the Miami Heat.

"The Cavs seemed so close," Nash said. "LeBron had done so much for the franchise and the city, you would think he would have wanted to finish the job. But I can see it from his standpoint as well. When you don't win, you want to go to a winning team so, as an athlete, I can understand that part."

View full size

James has made two trips to the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Nash's postseasons have consisted mostly of world-championship appearances, tournaments stocked with NHL players whose teams miss the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Nash said it would be a "huge disappointment" if his career ended without a serious run at a title. The arrival of Carter from Philadelphia helps in his quest.

The Blue Jackets begin the season with the NHL's fifth- and sixth-leading goal scorers over the past four seasons in Carter (144) and Nash (143). No longer can defensive coverage overload Nash's side of the ice with Carter as a linemate. If the franchise can get fourth-year goaltender Steve Mason to return to his rookie form, the Blue Jackets will contend for the playoffs.

Nash hopes to reward Columbus fans for their patience and understands why not many from Cleveland and Cincinnati make the two-hour commute to Nationwide Arena.

"You have to win to earn respect as a team, to earn a buzz," Nash said. "We can reach out to those markets, but I don't think people will start coming down until we are playing in Game 7s or in a position to clinch a playoff spot."

Perhaps only then will the state's most obscure pro star be fully appreciated.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

Both Brewster and Crick are trying to prove they're worth the preseason hype.

View full sizeDave Weaver, Associated PressNebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick (94) will challenge an Ohio State offensive line that gave up nine sacks to Michigan State last Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mike Brewster knew months ago that Jared Crick was on the horizon. Football is a team game, but often you have to beat your guy for your team to win. The Ohio State center and the Nebraska defensive tackle should be knocking heads Saturday night, maybe both with something to prove.

Viewed by some draft analysts as a potential top-10 NFL Draft pick coming into the season, Crick hasn't quite played to that level. And Brewster has misfired on a few snaps and was part of the nine sacks allowed by the OSU offensive line against Michigan State last week. At their best, the seniors are still viewed as among the best at their positions in college football, and Saturday wouldn't be a bad time for either to have their best games of the year.

"It's going to be a challenge," Brewster said of Crick this week.

"He's a really good player. I've watched film, and he moves very well. He gets a lot of credit from the stuff I've read and seen, and those are the kind of games you really want to get up for. I'm really looking forward to it."

As preseason All-Americans, both, to various degrees, may have been victims of their own reputations at this early stage of the season. Brewster will be making his 42nd career start Saturday; Crick his 33rd.

View full sizePD fileOhio State center Mike Brewster.

"There's talk that maybe he's slipped," NFLDraftscout.com senior analyst Ron Rang said of Brewster. "I think that's just the fact that he has played for as long as he has. He's intelligent, he's physical, he's durable. Every time I've watched him, I've been impressed."

Rang has Brewster graded as a third-round NFL Draft prospect at this point. Wes Bunting, the director of college scouting for the National Football Post, sees Brewster as a second- or third-rounder.

Bunting said Brewster has been solid, maybe not as good as some expected, but he took the absences of quarterback Terrelle Pryor, receiver DeVier Posey, running back Dan Herron and left tackle Mike Adams into consideration.

"That's a lot of stress on him," Bunting said. "That will mature him for the NFL game. Does it make him look his best right now? No. But you've got to factor that in."

Calling Brewster one of the best centers in the country, Bunting praised his feet and his hands. And though Michigan State defensive lineman Jerel Worthy, another potential first-round pick, made several plays against the Buckeyes, Bunting thought Brewster held his own when they went head-to-head.

Besides Worthy and Crick, Brewster has several other intriguing interior-line matchups ahead with other potential high picks, including Penn State's Devon Still and Michigan's Mike Martin. But Crick, so far, is still seen as the best. He was named the Big Ten's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in The Plain Dealer's preseason poll.

"He did play so well last season, you came into this season thinking Crick could be a top-15 pick," Sporting News draft analyst Russ Lande said. "When you're talking about that, you're talking a dominating guy. What we saw against Wisconsin, he made one play at the beginning of the game, but he's not a guy really making an impact like a top-10 or top-15 guy. It concerns you a little bit. He's yet to have that game where you stand up and say that reminds you of the guy from a year ago."

Wisconsin redshirt sophomore left guard Travis Frederick seemed to handle Crick pretty well a week ago, and most of the work Saturday should fall to Brewster and OSU left guard Andrew Norwell, who is sliding over after starting five games at left tackle. Sometimes, Crick's responsibilities call for him to muck up the run game more than explode into the backfield, but at his best, he should do both.

Even if he has fallen off a bit, most analysts still see Crick, who missed Nebraska's win against Wyoming two weeks ago with concussionlike symptoms, as a late first-round or early second-round pick at worst.

"He's still so big and strong, he's one of the top guys. But he's not nearly the playmaker he's been in the past," Rang said. "The injury may have something to do with it."

On Saturday, Crick can influence that view. And so can Brewster.

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

Speedy Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez will make the defense pay if it doesn't do a good job of tackling, but he is prone to mistakes.

View full sizeDave Weaver, Associated PressNebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez could make it a long day for the Buckeyes on Saturday if they don't tackle well.

"He's Teddy Ginn fast," Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said Wednesday, referencing the former Buckeyes' receiver who is the starting point for all recent OSU speed discussions. "If he breaks through, he has a chance to go. He can take it to the house if he gets loose."

"The first thing I think of is he's like a Denard Robinson," said OSU senior linebacker Andrew Sweat, comparing Martinez to the Michigan quarterback. "He looks as fast as Denard on film. You've got to stop him before he can get going because not many people can catch him."

Martinez has 482 rushing yards on 83 carries this season, an average of 5.8 yards per run and 96.4 yards per game. He has also run for eight touchdowns. That compares with four passing touchdowns and an average of 165 passing yards per game. Martinez can be forced into mistakes, though, leading an offense that has fumbled 15 times this season, though only losing four, while throwing five interceptions.

"He needs to let the game come to him. He needs to make reads and not try to make a big play every time," said Nebraska coach Bo Pelini at his news conference this week. "Just take what is given. At times, he gets impatient and thinks he has to win the game himself. That is part of the growth as a quarterback."

So the Buckeyes have to rattle him while controlling the system. Haynes compared this week of practice to the preparation needed for Navy at the start of the 2009 season. Then, the Buckeyes had the entire preseason to get ready for the Midshipmen and their all-option offense. This time, the Buckeyes have a week of option lessons, knowing that's only part of what Nebraska does offensively.

"They run the option, but I wouldn't call them an option team," Haynes said. "It's a big adjustment. It takes you a little while to get used to the speed of it, once it's out there, because it's hard to simulate in practice."

The Buckeyes have been using several players, not just quarterbacks, to play the role of Martinez. The role for the defense against the option is assignment football, which, at times, may leave just one player designated to take care of Martinez. And that Buckeye has to make the tackle. After missing 27 tackles in the Miami loss, the Buckeyes have improved there.

So the challenge is to stop Martinez at what he does best as a runner, without doing so much that he beats the Buckeyes as a thrower. Haynes emphasized that the Buckeyes can't overcompensate by focusing on Martinez too much.

"That's when you get beat over the top or on a different run play," Haynes said. "So you've got to make a concerted effort for it, but not overplay it."

Personnel updates: Ohio State running backs coach Dick Tressel said backup running back Jaamal Berry is 100 percent healthy and should be part of the game plan Saturday. Last week, Berry was involved in an incident on campus in which he was confused and unaware of his surroundings, according to a police report. Ohio State said Berry underwent a series of tests that found no medical issues. He was in uniform and warmed up before last week's Michigan State game but did not play.

It continues to sound as if starting defensive end Nathan Williams will miss Saturday's game while still recovering from knee surgery. The comeback of receiver Corey "Philly" Brown remains on track, though, as Tressel said Brown continues to look fine in practice. He should be back Saturday after missing three games with an ankle injury.

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

Agent Kennard McGuire speaks up for Hillis in an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday but unwittingly does him no favors.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns running back Peyton Hillis sits Sunday near the end of the team's 31-13 loss to the Titans. Hillis carried just 10 times for 46 yards, leading to questions about contract maneuvers or whether he was in coach Pat Shurmur's doghouse for missing the Miami game with strep throat. Shurmur says neither is the case and Hillis should see more playing time.

Peyton Hillis collects agents the way he used to collect rushing yards and touchdowns playing for Eric Mangini.

His third agent in a year's time, Kennard McGuire, spoke up for Hillis in an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday but unwittingly did him no favors.

McGuire says he advised Hillis not to play on Sept. 25 against Miami out of concern for his health and his career. He said the decision wasn't connected to the stalled contract talks between the Browns and the Madden cover boy.

There's one perception problem right there. If McGuire did urge him not to play and had the best of intentions in doing so, it's no surprise if Hillis' absence is still interpreted as being connected in some way to his unhappiness over his contract situation -- either by fans or by his teammates.

McGuire is not a doctor and doesn't play one on TV either.

For some, it begs the question: Why would a player need an agent to advise him not to play?

Basically, McGuire's attempt to defend his client just draws attention to the fact it was Hillis who decided not to play.

It certainly doesn't help make the story go away during a bye week. And especially following a Sunday when center Alex Mack played on after needing IV fluids, and a day before undergoing an appendectomy.

McGuire says the contract situation is not affecting Hillis' professional approach to his job. I believe that. He told the AP he had been in "constant contact" with the Browns but the two sides aren't close to an agreement.

"He's human, of course it's on his mind," said McGuire. "Would it affect him being a pro? No. Does he feel underappreciated? Yes. He's human. We all in life have a perceived value of our worth now, but we do believe that he's deserving of something that mirrors his production of last year."

Hillis and the Browns started as a romance novel. Now it's a mystery complete with ESPN reports of unnamed players whispering he didn't force himself into the huddle against the Dolphins because he's feeling unloved.

I hold these Hillis truths to be self-evident:

• Pat Shurmur's misuse of Hillis Sunday and reliance on Montario Hardesty was not punishment for Hillis missing the Miami game. That's crazy.

• Hillis was sick enough to miss the Miami game.

• The Browns aren't crazy to think Hardesty has a higher ceiling than Hillis.

• After injury wiped out Hardesty's rookie season, the Browns need to find out about him.

• Once Hardesty dropped his third pass, the Browns needed to take a break from finding out about him.

• Hillis' contract situation makes finding out about Hardesty even more urgent.

• I haven't seen a Browns back run as impressively as Hillis did last year since . . . Reuben Droughns.

• On the free-agent market, Hillis would not be a dime-a-dozen back. But he wouldn't come close to breaking the bank.

• Hardesty's injury history increases Hillis' value.

• The West Coast offense could prolong Hillis' career but he needs to see how he fits in and Shurmur hasn't shown him that yet.

• All running backs are not created equal. Ones who seek out collisions don't last as long.

• Hillis and the Browns belong together. May I suggest a bye-week "It's Just Lunch" rendezvous?

Spinoffs

• Not saying Browns center Alex Mack playing 87 snaps Sunday after needing fluids, then undergoing an appendectomy Monday makes Hillis or anyone else who misses a game look bad. Just saying the new standard for toughness in Berea is risking a penalty for "11 men and an IV pole on the field". . .

View full sizeMCTKelly Shoppach.

• Only two catchers in baseball history have hit a pair of home runs and driven in five in a postseason game. Someone named Johnny Bench and, of course, everybody's answer, Kelly Shoppach . . .

• "Shoppach Powers Rays" didn't own the headlines for long, though. It was replaced by "Francisco Powers Phils" . . . Indians fans can live with whatever comes next, so long as it isn't "Tribe Signs Kearns". . .

• The Dodgers declined the $6 million option on Casey Blake . . . Or "Tribe Signs Blake". . .

• If a school like Vanderbilt uses a helicopter to impress while landing at a Georgia high school practice field for a recruiting trip, when does LSU launch its first cruise ship?. . .

• Isiah Thomas claims he experienced the same resentment aimed at LeBron James, saying, "It kind of comes with the territory when you're really good." And humble . . .

• I covered James here, and the petulant Thomas for long enough in Detroit to say with no fear of contradiction that "too good" wouldn't make the Top Ten list of reasons people had issues with them . . .

• Tiger Woods has fallen out of the Top 50 rankings. He returns to golf today at the Frys.com Open. No one knows when he will return to competitive golf . . .

• "NFL on Fox" rules analyst Mike Pereira overstepped his job description when he said Michael Vick should be suspended for complaining about officiating. Not to mention, when it comes to fining and suspending players, Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't really need any encouragement . . .

• Rumor mill: The NBA is locking out its players . . .

He said it

"Those guys are a part of who we are right now. They're a part of what we do." -- OSU coach Luke Fickell on why he wouldn't suspend Dan Herron and DeVier Posey for the remainder of the season.

Since what the Buckeyes do is get in trouble with the NCAA more often than they get first downs, that is hard to argue.

"Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood." -- Hank Williams Jr., who likened President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler, before adding, "I have always respected the office of the president."

Obviously.

You said it: The Expanded Midweek Edition

Bud: Did the Browns get caught looking ahead to next Sunday's "Woolly Bear Festival? -- Paul C., Maple Heights

Nice try, Goddard.

Hey, Bud: I think the Browns would perform better on defense if they were paid by the tackle. Are you paid by the word? -- Nate Johnson, Brunswick

No.

Bud: Montario Hardesty couldn't catch strep throat. -- Angelo, Cleveland

Come to think of it, Braylon never got it either.

Bud: Have you ever faked an injury to give a colleague more time to finish a story? -- Chas K., Cleveland Heights

The only thing I've ever faked is interest in "You said it" emails.

Bud: After reading Bill Livingston's article today on Ohio State: Did the suspended Ohio State players get "The Fickell Finger of Faith Award?" -- Kevin O.

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

Bud: Were any Browns players ejected for excessive standing during the Tennessee game? -- McKenna Schmidt

Repeat winners receive a sitting ovation.

Bud: Wouldn't "Madden Football" be more realistic if it included player contract problems, rookie head coaches and lousy receiving corps? -- Tom Hoffner

Repeat winners also receive a virtual parade down Euclid.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

SOLON, Ohio — Solon senior linebacker Nick Davidson can take the razzing from teammates. He just laughed last year when his teammates constantly joked -- calling him "stone hands" and "butterfingers" -- after he dropped two easy interceptions.

Solon linebacker Nick Davidson, left, is 5-8 (on a tall day) but packs a wallop. He leads the unbeaten Comets with 56 tackles going into tonight’s home game against undefeated Mentor. - (Lonnie Timmons III, PD)

SOLON, Ohio — Solon senior linebacker Nick Davidson can take the razzing from teammates.

He just laughed last year when his teammates constantly joked -- calling him "stone hands" and "butterfingers" -- after he dropped two easy interceptions.

Davidson also has his own way of dishing it out on the field. The three-year starter leads one of Ohio's best defensive units, despite being one of the smallest players on the field.

At 5-8, 190 pounds, Davidson leads the No. 3 Comets with 56 tackles. Solon (6-0) will need him at his best tonight as it hosts No. 2 Mentor (6-0) and its high-flying offense. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

"Nick's instincts makes up for his lack of size and is the reason he's usually a step or two ahead of everyone," Solon defensive coordinator Ed Bubonics said.

Size is a topic that comes up time and time again with Davidson.

"If Nick had the height, there'd be Division I and II college recruiters all over him," Comets head coach Jim McQuaide said.

Only a few Division III schools have shown interest thus far, but Davidson still manages to chuckle.

"Listing me at 5-8 is a bit of stretch," he said. "I'm more like 5-7."

Davidson was one of the tallest players on his fifth-grade team, but he hasn't grown much since then.

"Take his weight and what he can bench press, and he's one of the three strongest players on our team," said Comets senior receiver/cornerback Anthony Restifo, a friend of Davidson since they were toddlers.

Davidson's stubborn and aggressive sides earned him the nickname "Brick."

"Nick's a brick wall when someone tries to run through him," Comets senior receiver/safety Cory Stuart said. "He just doesn't budge and he's always outworked everyone."

It's seemingly as if Davidson knew others would eventually grow to his size and then sprout over him. That could be why Davidson always feels he has something to prove, whether it's at practice or in a game.

Falling 12 tackles short of the Comets' single-season record last season ate at him until a thought caught his attention during summer workouts.

"If God wanted me tall, he would have made me taller," said Davidson, the smallest in a family of four boys. "I always wanted to play Division I college football but finally realized it's not in the cards, so I'm leaning toward Mount Union or John Carroll."

Davidson uses his size to his advantage.

"When opposing linemen stand up to block or running backs come rushing through, they can't see me," said Davidson. "It's like I'm the element of surprise."

There's a lot at stake in tonight's Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game, and the buzz on the matchup is which unit will fold?

Mentor's no-huddle, five-receiver spread offense puts the ball in the air more than 32 times a game, while averaging 317 yards and 44 points. Solon's 4-3 defense has posted three shutouts and is surrendering just under six points a game.

"It will be different this game," Davidson said. "I'll have to look for the pass first, then the run, but the bottom line is I'll need to be where I'm supposed to be on every play."

McQuaide calls Davidson's style of play "sneaky" because of his knack for finding gaps and seams.

"Nick's in a class with plenty of talented players but he's held this group together," McQuaide said. "That's why he's one of four captains."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665

On Twitter: @BobFortuna

The Nick Davidson file

School: Solon.

Class: Senior. Age: 17.

Position: Linebacker.

Ht./Wt.: 5-8, 190.

Parents: Tony and Joanna.

Siblings: Tony, 20; Christopher, 19; Tim, 15.

Bench press: 225 pounds.

Squat: 480 pounds.

40: 4.5 seconds.

Shoe size: 13.

Hobby: Golf.

Favorite food: Flank steak, medium well.

Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden.

Favorite color: Orange.

Favorite book: "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Favorite movie: "Friday Night Lights."

Favorite music: Rap and country.

Colleges of interest: Kent State, Mount Union and John Carroll. He is interested in studying physical therapy.

-- Bob Fortuna

Randy Wolf gives up a first-inning grand slam to Ryan Roberts, Chris Young homers twice and the Diamondbacks beat the Brewers, 10-6, to force Game 5 in the NL division series.

View full sizeMatt York, Associated PressBrewers left fielder Ryan Braun can't reach a sixth-inning home run by the Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill on Wednesday in Phoenix.

PHOENIX — Slammed around again on the road, the Milwaukee Brewers no longer are the commanding leaders of their NL Division Series.

Randy Wolf gave up a first-inning grand slam to Ryan Roberts, Chris Young homered twice and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Brewers 10-6 on Wednesday night to force Game 5 in the NL division series.

The decisive game will be Friday in Milwaukee, where the Brewers won the series' first two games and had the best home record in baseball in the regular season (57-24). The 19 previous NL teams to take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-5 series all advanced.

The Brewers were beaten by a combined 18-7 in the two games in Phoenix after outscoring the Diamondbacks 13-5 in the two games in Milwaukee. Brewers pitchers allowed 24 hits in the last two games, 13 on Wednesday.

Colin Cowgill drove in two runs with a pinch-hit single off Wolf in the third.

Carlos Gomez hit a two-run homer off Diamondbacks setup man David Hernandez in the eighth to make it a more respectable final. It was Milwaukee's sixth home run of the series. Arizona has seven.

Jerry Hairston Jr. had two hits, including an RBI double, for Milwaukee. Ryan Braun also doubled in a run for the Brewers, who had 11 hits but stranded eight runners.

Game 5 will be a rematch of Game 1 starters Ian Kennedy for the Diamondbacks and Yovani Gallardo of Milwaukee. Gallardo allowed a run on four hits in eight innings in the Brewers' 4-1 victory in the series opener.

But the pitching deserted Milwaukee in the desert, as did the fans for Game 4. Attendance on Wednesday night was 38,830, about 10,000 fewer than the capacity turnout the previous night. Diamondbacks officials were quick to point out that 10,000 tickets were sold in the 24 hours after Tuesday night's 8-1 win.

The 35-year-old Wolf was on the ropes from the outset after the Brewers gave him a 1-0 lead in the first.

A leadoff single by Willie Bloomquist, a pest to Milwaukee all series, was followed by a one-out, four-pitch walk to Justin Upton and a single by Miguel Montgero to load the bases.

Rookie Paul Goldschmidt, whose grand slam made him a star in the Diamondbacks' 8-1 victory in Game 3, struck out looking. Wolf still had to face Roberts, whose grand slam in the next-to-the-last game of the regular season helped Arizona rally from a 6-1 deficit in the 10th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers to win 7-6.

Roberts did it again, hitting a 3-1 pitch down the left field line into the Diamondbacks bullpen and it was 4-1 in a hurry. A moment later, Young's solo shot into the seats in left-center, just left of the 413-foot sign, made it 5-1.

Young drove in three runs with the first two-homer postseason game in Diamondbacks' history. Aaron Hill also hit a solo homer. The four home runs in a game also were an Arizona playoff record.

The Diamondbacks became the second team -- with the 1977 Dodgers -- to hit grand slams in consecutive playoff games.

Still, the Brewers soldiered on against sputtering Arizona starter Joe Saunders, managing a run in each of the first three innings. Jerry Hairston Jr.'s RBI double in the third cut the lead to 5-3. That's as close as Milwaukee could get as Cowgill, pinch-hitting for Saunders, singled in a pair of runs off Wolf with two outs in the third and the lead grew to 7-3.

Wolf allowed seven runs on eight hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out two. Saunders also went three, giving up three runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson chose to put 22-year-old right-hander Jarrod Parker into the game to pitch the sixth, only his second major-league appearance. The Brewers loaded the bases with one out on Yuniesky Betancourt's single, a walk to George Kottaras and a single by pinch hitter Casey McGehee.

Brian Shaw relieved Parker and Corey Hart almost tied it with one swing, his hit to the wall in deep left-center was run down by left fielder Gerardo Parra, limiting the damage to a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to 7-4.

Bob Baum, Associated Press

Seven players, representing four pro sports and three cities, are the candidates.

Associated Press file photoThe Columbus Blue Jackets made Rick Nash, left, the first overall pick in the 2002 NHL entry draft.

Who is the most accomplished athlete playing for an Ohio pro sports team? It's an intriguing question. Does any one player stand apart from the rest?

Plain Dealer reporter Tom Reed writes that Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash "is arguably the most accomplished athlete playing for an Ohio pro sports franchise."

Nash begins his ninth season with the Blue Jackets on Friday night, when Columbus hosts the Nashville Predators in a National Hockey League season-opener. Despite Nash's resume, he might also be the most anonymous athlete among the state's elite, Reed writes.

Here, Nash gets as good a chance as any of his peers for, at least, a symbolic victory. He's listed among seven athletes, representing four sports, who are considered in our poll voting for the most accomplished athlete now playing for an Ohio pro sports team.

Each player is in the prime of his career or approaching it. And no, no Cleveland Cavalier who has much left to give his sport is included in this group.

What do you think?

Check out a special edition of Starting Blocks TV as Plain Dealer reporter Bob Fortuna breaks down tonight's Mentor-Solon game. Listen for Fortuna's score prediction near the end. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Check out a special edition of Starting Blocks TV as Plain Dealer reporter Bob Fortuna breaks down tonight's high school football showdown between second-ranked Mentor and third-ranked Solon. Listen for Fortuna's score prediction near the end.

In the show, hosted by Kristen Davis and Branson Wright, Fortuna explains why Mentor was moved ahead of 6-0 Solon in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll.

Fortuna also discusses if the Comets will be able to slow Mentor's five-wide receiver, no-huddle offense, and what will give Mentor problems in the matchup.

Fortuna is predicting a close game with Solon's 20-game regular-season home winning streak ending.

Related stories:

• 'Small' Solon linebacker Nick Davidson brings some big hits on opposing ball carriers

• High school football capsules for Week 7: No. 2 Mentor travels to No. 3 Solon tonight

Today live at 10 a.m. on "Browns Insider," join Tony Grossi and Dennis Manoloff as the talk about the Browns at the bye-week, the Peyton Hillis situation, coach Pat Shurmur's first four games, the upcoming schedule and more. They'll also read your chat room questions and comments.

Watch Browns Insider Live on cleveland.com Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Today live at 10 a.m. on "Browns Insider," join Tony Grossi and Dennis Manoloff as the talk about the Browns at the bye-week, the Peyton Hillis situation, coach Pat Shurmur's first four games, the upcoming schedule and more. They'll also read your chat room questions and comments.

Note: To turn off audio alerts in the chatroom, click on the round button on bottom left of the chat room, then preferences. Uncheck all audio options and save.

Can't make the live show? Come back to watch the archive this afternoon.

Was comments by Peyton Hillis' agent good or bad for him?

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis

Columnist Bud Shaw writes on Cleveland.com how agent Kennard McGuire, spoke up for Peyton Hillis in an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday.

McGuire says he advised Hillis not to play on Sept. 25 against Miami out of concern for his health and his career.

He said the decision wasn't connected to the stalled contract talks between the Browns and the Madden cover boy.

Did McGuire help or hurt his client with those comments?

Veteran broadcaster spent the past two seasons covering the Columbus Blue Jackets

Photo provided by Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Browns are turning into a soap opera.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis

What's a season with the Cleveland Browns without some drama? The latest drama involves Peyton Hillis and why he didn't play last month against the Miami Dolphins, and if it had anything to do with the contract he is seeking from the organization.

News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel writes how comments by Hilli's agent didn't help matters, and issues like this isn't looking good.

This is an ugly, ugly mess and the bye week isn't going to clean it up. Suspicion is piled upon suspicion, one of those suspicions being Coach Pat Shurmur reduced Hillis' playing time against the Titans last week to diminish Hillis' negotiating power.

The last charge is idiotic. Trailing, 31-6, in the third quarter was a much bigger factor.

Shurmur is going to be judged by his won-lost record. He is not going to decrease his chances of winning by sitting his best back just to get a better bargain for the Browns in what could be a season-long contract haggle.

More Browns

ESPN's Jamison Hensley gives us his report card for the quarterbacks in the AFC North.

CantonRep.com has this story on how the Browns' schedule is getting easier.

Peyton Hillis is defended by his agent.

Hank Williams Jr. will no longer sing the words "Are you ready for some football?" on Monday nights on ESPN.

AP

BRISTOL, Conn. — Hank Williams Jr. will no longer sing the words "Are you ready for some football?" on Monday nights on ESPN.

Each side claimed today it had decided to part ways after Williams' tune opened "Monday Night Football" for more than two decades. The network had pulled the intro for this week's game after the country singer used an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama on Fox News Monday morning.

Williams issued a statement Monday night insisting his remarks were misunderstood, then apologized Tuesday.

ESPN says: "We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams Jr."

The Ohio State offensive coordinators are not in a good position these days, especially after the offensive's pitiful performance last Saturday. It doesn't get any better when Ohio State plays at Nebraska on Saturday. On BuckeyeExtra.com: With the disaster of the Michigan State game in the past and the challenge of playing at Nebraska looming, the Ohio State offensive staff didn’t...

APOhio State head coach Luke Fickell.

The Ohio State offensive coordinators are not in a good position these days, especially after the offensive's pitiful performance last Saturday.

It doesn't get any better when Ohio State plays at Nebraska on Saturday.

On BuckeyeExtra.com:

With the disaster of the Michigan State game in the past and the challenge of playing at Nebraska looming, the Ohio State offensive staff didn’t need someone wielding a cattle prod to remind them that last week’s performance was unacceptable.

“The evaluation was: This isn’t a game of X’s and O’s, this is a game of participation and functioning well, and doing your thing,” running-backs coach and special-teams coordinator Dick Tressel said. “So make sure you work on your fundamentals and do what you’re asked to do well, and then go get that under control.”

He said he thought the message was understood by the players.

   

 Around the Horse Shoe

OSU struggles on offense to hit stride, writes Matt Markey of The Toledo Blade.

Ohio State's offense is near the bottom.

Doug Lesmerises writes on Cleveland.com about center Mike Webster.

The Omaha World-Herald has this story about OSU's offense.

Here's how The Lincoln Journal-Star breaks down the Buckeyes.

Browns safety says team can't wait to get back to practice and put a different foot forward for Oct. 16 game at the Raiders. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright.

The Browns are off for a few days as they head into their bye weekend. That gave today's SBTV guest, Browns safety T.J. Ward, a chance to check in and talk with host Branson Wright. (BTW, apologies for T.J.'s phone cutting out for a few seconds during the interview. It doesn't last long.)

Ward talks about the Browns' mindset after their 2-2 start; his football family that includes his father, Terrell, who played at San Diego State and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, and his brother, Terron, who is a freshman running back at Oregon State.

He also talks about growing up in the Bay Area and being a 49ers fan. He will return to his home area on Oct. 16 when the Browns play their next game at the Oakland Raiders.

SBTV will return Friday with Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Also, don't miss today's edition of the Browns Insider webcast, which streams each Thursday at 10 a.m. and then is archived at cleveland.com/browns.

Are you ready for some football? Hank Williams Jr. isn't anymore. The country singer and ESPN each took credit for the decision Thursday morning to no longer use his classic intro to "Monday Night Football." The network had pulled the song from the game earlier this week after Williams made an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama on Fox News on Monday morning.

Associated PressHank Williams Jr.

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Are you ready for some football? Hank Williams Jr. isn't anymore.

The country singer and ESPN each took credit for the decision Thursday morning to no longer use his classic intro to "Monday Night Football."

The network had pulled the song from the game earlier this week after Williams made an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama on Fox News on Monday morning.

"After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision," Williams said in a statement to the Associated Press. "By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It's been a great run."

But ESPN's statement said: "We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue."

The network said it informed Williams of the move Thursday morning.

Regardless of whose decision it was, one of sports' and entertainment's most visible partnerships is over. The song had been a "Monday Night Football" staple since 1989 and survived the game's switch of networks from ABC to cable a few years ago.

The song is based on Williams' hit "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight." The lyrics were changed each week to reflect the night's game.

ESPN will no longer have access to the music or words because Williams owns the publishing rights, the master recordings and the song.

Williams' statement on "Fox & Friends" comparing a golf game between Obama and Republican Rep. John Boehner to an outing featuring Hitler and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went viral after ESPN announced it would pull the intro late that afternoon.

Among Williams' defenders were Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar of "The View," who have a very different political viewpoint from the conservative Williams, but often are called out for their own comments.

"Those among us who are without sin, cast the first stone," Goldberg said.

"There really is no story here. The guy was sick. He couldn't go that day. The only ones pouring gasoline on this fire is the media. The fans don't care anymore. There has to be something else to talk about besides Peyton Hillis sitting out a game." - epbrown

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis has been the center of attention all week.

In response to the story Peyton Hillis' agent tries to cool illness controversy by pouring gas on it: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin, cleveland.com reader epbrown thinks the only people to blame for the Hillis story are the people in the media. This reader writes,

"There really is no story here. The guy was sick. He couldn't go that day. The only ones pouring gasoline on this fire is the media. The fans don't care anymore. There has to be something else to talk about besides Peyton Hillis sitting out a game."

CineSport's Noah Coslov chats with Doug Lesmerises from The Plain Dealer about the changes the Buckeyes need to make to win this week at Nebraska.

CineSport's Noah Coslov chats with Doug Lesmerises from The Plain Dealer about the changes the Buckeyes need to make to win this week at Nebraska.

For more Cinesport video, go here.