Defensive lineman John Simon had four tackles for loss while showing once again he's the Buckeyes' best defender.

View full sizeBrooke LaValley, Columbus DispatchJohn Simon (54) wraps up Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase for a second-half sack Saturday afternoon during the Buckeyes' 17-7 victory over the Illini.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- John Simon seemed like he was everywhere -- because he was everywhere.

The Buckeyes' best defender continued to move around the defensive line in Saturday's 17-7 win over Illinois, lining up on the inside or the outside and, either way, often reaching the Illini's backfield.

"He played that end spot a little bit and then we put him down inside and he gave us a little bit of speed in there," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said, adding that opponents get accustomed to 300-pounders Johnathan Hankins and Adam Bellamy on the inside, and Simon's quickness "is a changeup we sometimes tried to get."

It worked. Simons works. Always.

"He just goes as hard as he can go," Heacock said. "You'll never find a play he doesn't give it all. He's unbelievable. He's a warrior."

Simon is a guy who doesn't say much, but it's impossible for others to say too much about what the junior means to the defense. Saturday, he had two sacks of Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and four tackles for loss, the most by a Buckeye since 2007. It ranks second on the all-time single-game list for Ohio State.

That pressure kept Scheelhaase from playing to the level he'd shown this season. He finished 20-of-34 for 169 yards, with two interceptions and one touchdown, and ran 16 times for 49 yards. There were several snaps when you could only shake your head as Simon stopped plays in the backfield before they even got started.

"We take pride in our versatility and guys being able to play multiple positions to give them different looks," Simon said. "We knew they have a bunch of great playmakers, but we had to do our best to provide pressure, and giving them different looks helps."

Defensive end Solomon Thomas saw his five-game suspension end last week, but he still didn't play against Nebraska after off-season surgery. He was out there Saturday in the Leo defensive end position where the Buckeyes are still missing Nathan Williams. Thomas didn't do much himself, but just his presence allowed Simon to often move to his more natural position as a strongside end or tackle.

Perhaps worrying about Simon's position is silly. As long as he's on the field somewhere, the Buckeyes will be happy.

Bollman's plan: Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman's game plan drove more than a few fans crazy on Saturday, but it didn't bother me much at all.

Last week in the loss to Nebraska, the Buckeyes helped blow a 21-lead by not running the ball enough. So more running against Illinois was better than that.

Two weeks ago in the loss to Michigan State, the Buckeyes' conservative plan made much less sense because they trailed the Spartans the entire game. Ohio State kept pounding the same ineffective runs while seemingly waiting for its defense to score.

Against Illinois, the Buckeyes took a 3-0 lead on their opening series with a 10-play, 45-yard drive that included four runs by Braxton Miller, three by Dan Herron and two by Jordan Hall. With that lead, taking the safe route until Illinois managed some offense made a lot more sense.

Finally, the Buckeyes were able to run some draws and other plays that typically work off passes -- without ever running the passing plays. "Threat of the pass" more than actual passing is what Bollman talks about, and that made sense.

The Buckeyes ran out of the pistol, which is a modified shotgun with the running back behind the quarterback. They ran out of the I. They ran option. They ran more of variety than against Michigan State. A couple quarterback draws by Miller, including one for 35 yards, were huge plays.

"You're right, that still goes into the equation, of him being able to run the ball, and that factors into how a team rushes or blitzes or has to be concerned with the edge," Bollman said.

In the end, the Buckeyes knew Illinois had won its first six games against offenses that work primarily out of the spread.

"We had a game plan coming in," head coach Luke Fickell said. "I don't think they had seen much running the first six games."

So Ohio State ran.

Certainly, some easy routes to tight end Jake Stoneburner and some screens to the running backs should develop as passing options at some point. But here's a question for Ohio State fans:

Would you take an 8-4 regular-season record if it included the Buckeyes completing one pass per game? Or would it drive you crazy?

Do you believe the Buckeyes have to do more to develop Miller for the future?

That's extreme. But in the weeks ahead, running the ball and defense should remain the best way for Ohio State to win.

For the first time this season, the Buckeyes emerged from a game with legitimate reasons to feel good about themselves. Watch video

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- What may Luke Fickell do with some momentum?

For the first time this season, the Buckeyes emerged from a game with legitimate reasons to feel good about themselves. The Akron win wasn't competitive. The Toledo win was nearly a loss. The Colorado win, frankly, inspired a false sense of confidence, as the Buckeyes seemed to think they had found themselves, but then they lost their next two games.

Now, after the first-year coach and his team spent a week getting questioned, they played smart, solid defense, won on the road for the first time and will now enter a bye week on a wave of good feelings.

"We're not going to let this define us right now," Fickell said Saturday, repeating the same thing in victory that he'd said after some losses. "That momentum is huge, that feeling is so huge. That's what drives you do this stuff."

For the first time this season, there's a chance for those good feelings to grow. The Buckeyes are off next week, which means they can't lose. Receiver DeVier Posey is the only Buckeye still suspended.

The Wisconsin game is ahead, but the Buckeyes should enter that with a nothing-to-lose attitude. Fickell always said he prefers criticism to praise, and maybe he's not in the praise area quite yet.

But the coach, and his team, should be able to catch their breath.

Some quick grades from the Buckeyes' first Big Ten win of the season. Watch video

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Some quick grades from the Buckeyes' first Big Ten win of the season.

B -- Ohio State's field goal/punt decision making

Last week at Nebraska, the Buckeyes passed up a 49-yard field goal try, after calling two very difficult and unsuccessful pass plays on second and third down, before choosing to punt. Ohio State could have gone ahead two scores with a field goal, and instead Nebraska eventually rolled to a seven-point win.

Saturday, the Buckeyes passed up a 48-yard field goal try for a punt, and it was great. Ben Buchanan's kick went for only 19 yards to the 12. But Illinois didn't do anything with the possession, eventually fumbling and setting up Ohio State's last touchdown.

The Buckeyes were worried about the wind, again. But this was different in two ways. At least the Buckeyes ran on second and third down, giving themselves a better shot at a closer field goal -- even though the runs went for negative-2 yards.

When the Buckeyes made this call, they already had a two-score lead. Another field goal would have made the lead only 13-0 instead of 10-0.

So you see, punting really is a good thing. In the right spots.

B+ -- Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby

The redshirt freshman said something this week he didn't really mean to say, mentioning that he didn't think there was anything special about star Illinois receiver A.J. Jenkins.

"That wasn't the way I meant it," Roby said Saturday. "I did catch a little grief. But it's fine."

He was fine Saturday. His interception in the third quarter, which he returned 36 yards, set up the Buckeyes' first touchdown. The pass from Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase hit him in the chest, but there's something to be said for catching balls you're supposed to catch. How many interceptions have you seen Ohio State defenders drop in recent years?

"It's a game of momentum," coach Luke Fickell said. "One thing we lacked on defense is making some plays. So to have a play there, that's what this game is all about."

Roby was also a big part of preventing big plays. Jenkins had 450 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the previous two games, with four scores going for at least 30 yards.

"A big thing we always talk about is giving up the big play, and to be quite honest, we felt that we had to improve on that," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "The guys had great discipline and eye control and all the things we talk about."

Roby wasn't perfect. Jenkins still had eight catches for 80 yards. But the longest completion was a 21-yard pass from Scheelhaase to Jenkins. The Buckeyes will take that any day.

"It's just doing your job," Roby said. "When everybody doesn't do their job, that's when big plays happen. Big plays come when people mess up."

Roby, and his teammates, didn't mess up. Finally, Jenkins did. Illinois' last offensive play was a pass on fourth-and-3 with 1:11 to play when Jenkins and Scheelhaase had a miscommunication. Jenkins, covered by Roby, ran toward the end zone while Scheelhaase bounced a throw several yards in front of him. The Illini were done.

D -- Illinois coach Ron Zook

Now, 6-1 is nothing to scoff at. The Illini are still on track for a more than solid season. But they didn't put on their best show in the biggest game of the season.

"For whatever reason we didn't play the way we needed to play at times," Zook said. "You can't scrap the season. We have a chance to be pretty good."

After botching a two-point conversion call last week, Zook made a less questionable decision late in Saturday's game, but one still open to second-guessing.

Illinois needed two scores late, and had to recover an onside kick as well. But the Illini at least had to get one score first. On their final drive, the Illini called a pass on fourth-and-3 that fell incomplete when kicking a 34-yard field goal and then trying for the touchdown after the onside kick try was an option.

"We talked about it," Zook said. "We needed two scores and we felt like the best decision for us was at fourth-and-3 to get the first down and go from there."

B-W sacks Polar Bears quarterbacks three times and has two interceptions.

B-W (5-1, 4-1) sacked Polar Bears quarterbacks three times and had two interceptions.

The Yellow Jackets totaled 293 yards rushing, and quarterback Ryan O'Rourke (Avon) only passed 13 times, completing five for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Justin Buenger led ONU with 96 yards rushing and a touchdown on 26 carries.

John Carroll 33, Muskingum 14 Devin O'Brien passed for three touchdowns and ran for one as the Blue Streaks (4-2, 4-1 OAC) blew out the Muskies (4-2, 3-2) in University Heights.

O'Brien completed 11 of 17 passes for 147 yards and carried 17 times for 40 yards. He was sacked three times.

Blue Streaks linebacker C.J. Seitzinger had 15 tackles.

Mount Union 56, Heidelberg 7 Jasper Collins caught eight passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns as the Purple Raiders (6-0, 5-0 OAC) crushed the Student Princes (4-2, 3-2) in Tiffin, Ohio.

Mount Union's Jeremy Murray carried 26 times for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Germany Woods (St. Edward) led the 'Berg with 63 yards on 24 carries.

Notre Dame College 49, Ave Maria 3 The Falcons (5-2) set school records in total yards (549), rushing yards (306) and passing yards (243) in the rout of the Gyrenes in Naples, Fla.

Shawn Riley ran for 156 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. QB Rob Partridge passed for 200 yards and rushed for 83.

Case Western Reserve 34, Hiram 7 Erik Olson threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns and Bryan Metlesitz (North Royalton) caught eight passes for 71 yards and a touchdown as the Spartans (5-1) mauled the visiting Terriers (1-6).

Hiram QB Brandon Hanna was 21-of-40 passing for 158 yards.

Wabash 37, Oberlin 23 The Yeomen (2-4, 1-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) rallied from a 27-point third quarter deficit and trailed by just seven midway through the fourth quarter before succumbing to the visiting Little Giants (6-0, 2-1).

Oberlin QB Josh Mandel was 18-of-39 passing for 188 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once and sacked six times.

Yeomen RB Drew Mixter caught three touchdown passes and completed a pass for a two-point conversion during a 12-minute span of the second half.

Washington (Mo.) 24, Wooster 20 The Fighting Scots (2-4) lost two fumbles, including one returned 11 yards for a touchdown, and lost to the Bears (3-3) in St. Louis.

Wooster quarterback Brett Frongillo completed 16 of 29 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and was sacked once. Scots running back Robert Flagg had 103 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Grand Valley State 61, Lake Erie 31 The Lakers (4-3, 4-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) scored 28 straight points in the fourth quarter to turn a close game in Painesville into a rout.

The Storm (1-6, 0-6) allowed 340 yards rushing.

Lake Erie quarterback Sean Bedevelsky (Brunswick) was 22-of-38 passing for 280 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.

The Storm's David Romeo (Eastlake North) had four carries for 79 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 43 yards and another score.

The lockout can't keep Tom Reed from answering questions in this week's mailbag.

Sue Ogrocki, Associated PressThe arrival of Omri Casspi is not seen by the Cavaliers as the final answer to their needs at small forward.

Hey, Tom: If the Cavs really believe Omri Casspi is a top-flight NBA small forward, what position do they look to target with their first pick next year? Would they really pass on a Harrison Barnes because they have Casspi? -- J Smith, Rocky River

Hey, J: The Cavs like Casspi, but I don't think that would prevent them from selecting Barnes if they were in position.

It's believed he was one of the players the Cavs were keenly interested in last spring until he decided to stay at North Carolina.

Hey, Tom: I see that the Cavs have the right to swap first-round picks with Miami next June. Can they can swap any first-round pick for Miami's or does it have to be the pick they earn during the season? -- Doug Bell, Broadview Heights

Hey, Doug: I'm not sure I understand your question. I'm assuming you're supposing the Cavs trade a player for an additional first-round pick. But as it pertains to the Heat, it would be a pick the Cavs earn with their record.

-- Tom

The best position for a promising Indians hitter tops this week's mailbag ... and what about those high-end free agents?

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerThere's plenty of certainty about Jason Kipnis' bat, but some Tribe fans wonder if he would help the team more in the outfield in 2012.

Hey, Hoynsie: With three decent options at second base, does it make sense to put Jason Kipnis back in center field? Also, do you see the Indians making an offer for Yonder Alonso? -- Jeff Mount, Dublin.

Hey, Jeff: What three decent options are you talking about -- Jason Donald, Cord Phelps and Luis Valbuena? If I'm the Indians, I keep Kipnis at second. They've spent a lot of time and energy moving him from the outfield to second base.

Yonder Alonso put up some nice numbers this year. What makes you think the Reds would want to trade him?

Hey, Hoynsie: With Nick Hagadone looking fairly good in September, what are the chances we trade Rafael Perez in the off-season? -- Adam P., Wheeling, W.Va.

Hey, Adam: Hagadone's control and command still leave something to be desired. Rafael Perez, except for the 2009 season, has been a durable and reliable reliever. Unless he out-prices himself in arbitration this winter, I'd keep him.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do the Indians have enough bullets left in their minor-league system to make a serious offer for Joey Votto? He kills lefties (.950 OPS) and is signed for two more years and the Reds are listening. -- Steve Alex, Gainesville, Fla.

Hey, Steve: Votto will make $9.5 million in 2012 and $17 million in 2013? Bullets or no bullets, you know the answer.

Hey, Hoynsie: If a player misses the season, such as for Tommy John surgery, does he still get a year towards free agency or arbitration? -- Dan Duke, Columbus.

Hey, Dan: If he's in the big leagues at the time of the injury, yes.

Hey, Hoynsie: I noticed Jason Kipnis had only 136 at-bats this year. Will he be considered a rookie next year? -- Pete Grace, West Park.

Hey, Peter: Kipnis can no longer be considered a rookie. The cutoff is 130 at-bats.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think that last year's first 45 games and the fact that the Indians traded for Ubaldo Jiminez will change the perception of free agents and their handlers on the organization? Might some quality players be willing to play for the Tribe? -- Jason Vorhees, Sandusky.

Hey, Jason: Money, buckets of it, changes the perception of free agents. Winning is a distant second. And right now, no one is giving a gold star to the Tribe's front office for the Jimenez deal.

Hey, Hoynsie: So the Tribe isn't interested in the prime free agent first basemen this winter, but now Progressive Field is a winter theme park w/windmills. Might they host the circus this summer when on a west coast trip? -- Terry Funk, Cleveland.

Hey, Terry: As long as the Brandon Koehnke's grounds crew doesn't mind cleaning up after the elephants, why not?

Hey, Hoynsie: The Dolans have always said they will spend money when the time is right. That being the case, why is signing a Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols off the table for us? Cutting ties with Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona make a deal like that nearly revenue neutral, would generate fan interest and revenue and would immediately make our lineup feared by opposing pitchers. -- Ed Spencer, Ashtabula

Hey, Ed: If you think if the Indians could afford Pujols or Fielder simply by not picking up the options on Sizemore and Carmona, you've been watching too much reality TV.

The Cardinals are paying Pujols $16 million this season. Carmona and Sizemore's options for next year combined are $16 million. Pujols, conservatively, could ask for between $25 million and $30 million a year this winter on the free agent market.

Fielder is making $10.5 million from the Brewers this year. With Scott Boras as his agent, that will more than double annually. The only way Pujols and Fielder are coming to Cleveland is if they sign with an American League team that makes a stop at Progressive Field in 2012.

-- Hoynsie

Put a guy on a cross-country flight, and he develops a lot of thoughts about the Browns and Tribe.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe Browns are counting on younger linemen Shawn Lauvao (66, blocking for Montario Hardesty against Miami) and Jason Pinkston to develop quickly as starting guards this season.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Browns hit the West Coast, which prompts plenty of talkin' ...

About the Browns at Oakland ...

1. The Browns enter ranked 28th in rushing, which would have been impossible to believe at the start of the season. You'd figure with Peyton Hillis returning and Montario Hardesty finally healthy, the Browns had to be in the middle of the pack -- even with injuries to starting linemen Eric Steinbach and Tony Pashos, who returned to play in Week 4.

2. Part of the problem is teams are packing the line of scrimmage with eight defenders, daring the Browns to pass. Of course, that was the case last season. But with Steinbach at left guard and the underrated Floyd Womack at right guard, the Browns were one of the better run-blocking teams in the league. Those two veterans joined Pro Bowlers Alex Mack and Joe Thomas. Only right tackle was a problem after Pashos was hurt.

3. When Steinbach (back surgery) and Pashos (foot injury) were ruled out before the season opened, the Browns had a discussion about where to use rookie Jason Pinkston. He played left tackle at Pitt, and the fifth-rounder seemed a natural to replace Pashos at right tackle. But the Browns decided his best long-term position was guard, so he replaced Steinbach.

4. Why guard for Pinkston? He is listed at 6-4, and that is optimistic. Like most teams, the Browns prefer their tackles to be at least 6-5 to make it harder for pass rushers to get their hands up and block a pass. The Browns believe Pinkston can start at guard for a long time.

5. Right guard Shawn Lauvao had a "phenomenal" preseason according to one Browns executive. He and Pinkston have been up and down during the regular season, but the Browns believe Lauvao, a 2010 third-round pick, also can develop into a long-term starter. Lauvao and Pinkston started the season on a line with Artis Hicks or Oniel Cousins -- two guys cut late from other teams' training camps -- filling in at right tackle.

6. Now healthy, Pashos had a strong game against Tennessee. ProFootballFocus.com gave Pashos the highest grade of any Browns lineman in the loss to the Titans.

7. Even if Mack plays today, he hasn't really practiced since having an appendectomy on Oct. 3. Yes, Oakland ranks 22nd against the run, but the Raiders have access to TV and know about the Browns' offensive struggles. They also have 14 sacks, tackle Richard Seymour owning five. So they can bring pressure without a lot of blitzing -- especially with the Browns being so vulnerable in the middle of the line.

8. The Browns have allowed only seven sacks this season -- so perhaps they can keep the heat off Colt McCoy. But sometimes, sacks don't tell the entire story. McCoy ranks ninth with 25 quarterback hits. Remember, the Browns have played one fewer game than most teams because of the bye week. So he has been pressured.

9. Joe Haden probably will not be able to play because of a knee injury. Joshua Cribbs also has a knee problem, but intends to play. Can he return kicks? There were too many games last season where a banged-up Cribbs was on the field, but just not effective. ProFootballFocus ranks Haden as the No. 4 cornerback in the NFL. Sheldon Brown is No. 52. Nickel back Dimitri Patterson (expected to start if Haden is out) is ranked No. 13.

10. Oakland has allowed only five sacks this season, the second fewest in the NFL. The Browns had trouble getting pressure on Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (no sacks, one QB hit). So the Browns are again facing a good offensive line.

About the Browns ...

View full sizeSam Riche, MCTRookie Jabaal Sheard has played well, but hasn't gotten very much time to rest in his rookie season with the Browns. The team hopes newly-activated Auston English will help in the defensive line rotation.

1. The team decided to show goodwill to Marcus Benard by paying the remaining $370,000 on the defensive end's contract. They didn't have to do so because Benard's motorcycle accident was a non-football injury. It is very possible that he could still be fined. But the Browns believe this sends a positive message to his teammates and other free agents. Benard faces several legal issues as he was driving with a suspended license before the accident.

2. Benard was never able to blend into the 4-3 defense. He played only 26 snaps in the first four games. He had only six in his last game. While the Browns say they are worried about defensive ends Jayme Mitchell and Jabaal Sheard combining to play 92 percent of the snaps this season, they obviously didn't think Benard was capable of giving them a break.

3. The Browns are expected to activate Auston English, who had four sacks in the preseason. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma by GM Tom Heckert, and played in the United Football League with Hartford in 2010. The hope is English, 24, can develop into a viable reserve. It would be a surprise if English played much Sunday.

4. Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin has played 85 percent of the snaps, rookie Phil Taylor is at 65 percent. The Browns have been using Scott Paxson and Brian Schaefering as backup tackles.

5. Some emailers complain about McCoy having passes batted down. According to ProFootballFocus, Kevin Kolb (10) leads the NFL in that department. Next are Matt Schaub (eight), Sam Bradford (seven), Kyle Orton (six), Donovan McNabb (five), Mark Sanchez (five) and McCoy (five).

6. The Browns have stressed to McCoy that he needs to get rid of the ball faster -- and he also can get out of the pocket quicker when feeling the rush. The West Coast offense creates opportunities for a quarterback to throw on the run.

7. Dropped passes obviously hurt quarterbacks. Bradford (17) has had the most dropped, followed by Josh Freeman (15), Andy Dalton (14) and McCoy (13). Four were by Hardesty in the Tennessee game.

8. I hear about $8 million of the four-year, $18.5 million contract given to linebacker Chris Gocong is guaranteed. Heckert is a Gocong fan. He drafted the linebacker in Philadelphia, then traded for Gocong and Sheldon Brown not long after taking the Browns job.

9. Lawrence Vickers has played only four snaps this season in Houston. He signed a two-year, $3 million deal ($500,000 signing bonus) after leaving Cleveland. The Browns believed they could replace him with Owen Marecic, and they have been pleased with his performance as a blocker and on special teams.

10. Some fans wanted the Browns to pick up Lee Evans, but the veteran has caught only two passes for Baltimore. Former Brown Braylon Edwards has only four catches in two games for the 49ers and is out with a knee injury.

About the Tribe ...

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe Indians are hoping some off-season strength work can help develop Ubaldo Jimenez's lower body, giving him a more reliable base for his pitching motion in 2012.

1. The Indians are sending assistant strength coach Nelson Perez to spend much of the winter in the Dominican Republic, where he can work regularly with Ubaldo Jimenez, Fausto Carmona, Carlos Santana and other Tribe players in that area. Perez will pay special attention to Jimenez, who believes his 2011 season started poorly because he arrived in spring training with a groin injury that took a long time to heal.

2. Perez will work with Jimenez to build up the pitcher's legs and lower body. The Indians believe that is part of the reason for the drop in Jimenez's velocity from an average of 96.1 mph in 2010 to 93.4 in 2011.

3. In 2010, Jimenez sometimes was clocked at 100 mph. He didn't come close to that with the Tribe. One idea is that if Jimenez's lower body is stronger, he'll be able to throw harder -- the legs can be nearly as important as the arm in generating speed. The next move is to simplify -- both his delivery and usage of his pitches. He sometimes throws as many as six pitches, too many for a guy with a fastball that should average 95 mph.

4. Jimenez will be 28 in January. He was 10-13 with a 4.68 ERA between the Indians and Rockies. With the Tribe, it was 4-4 with a 5.10 ERA. Trying to find some sunshine among the gloom, the Indians' media notes say he was 3-3 with a 4.06 ERA in his last seven starts. Unfortunately, he gave up 10 earned runs in his final 12 innings of the season.

5. This is the same Jimenez who was 44-33 with a 3.63 ERA from 2008-10 pitching in hitter-friendly Colorado. In addition to his groin injury, Jimenez was on the disabled list in April with a torn cuticle on his right pitching thumb. It's possible that between the groin and thumb injuries, Jimenez altered his delivery and that led to his problems.

6. The real key with Carmona will be his work with Dave Miller, the new bullpen coach. Miller is replacing Scott Radinsky, recently named the pitching coach. When Carmona hit bottom in 2009 and was shipped to Arizona at midseason, it was Miller who tutored him. The Indians hope Miller can help Carmona again.

7. The Indians don't say this, but their realistic goal is for Carmona to resemble the 2010 model: 13-14 with a 3.77 ERA. Like Jimenez, he will be 28 next season. Yes, the Tribe will pick up his $7 million option for 2012, unless they have a drastic change of heart.

8. While decision has not been made on Grady Sizemore's $9 million option, the Indians are giving serious consideration to picking it up. Apparently, Sizemore's agent is not interested in an incentive-type contract -- which I believe the Indians should offer. If Sizemore declines, I go with Michael Brantley in center and use the $9 million to shop for a left fielder who can hit.

About Jason Donald ...

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerJason Donald did enough in Arizona to give the Indians reason to believe he can provide utility depth for the infield and outfield next season.

1. Jason Donald is rising in the eyes of the front office. Donald recently spent a few weeks in the Arizona fall instructional league playing the outfield -- especially left and center. The Indians came away very impressed and are talking about ways to have Donald in the lineup several times a week.

2. Start with this fact of baseball life: Someone always gets hurt. The Indians had their entire starting outfield on the disabled list at one point, along with several infielders. The Tribe believes Donald can play nearly any position except catcher. They really like him at second base, short and third. The outfield has added to his value.

3. A right-handed hitter, Donald actually hits lefties -- unlike several of the Tribe right-handed batters. He is a .328 hitter (.886 OPS) against lefties in his two-year career. It's .249 (.635) against right-handers. At the very least, he must be in the lineup every time the Tribe faces a lefty.

4. Asdrubal Cabrera played 151 games and clearly wore down during the season -- hitting .244 (.729 OPS) with 11 homers and 41 RBI after the All-Star break. He had an outstanding season overall -- .273 (.792 OPS) with 25 homers and 92 RBI. But the shortstop needs more rest, and Donald can provide that.

5. Donald hit .318 (.766 OPS) overall in 132 Tribe at-bats. His season started with a hand injury in spring training, then a knee injury. He wasn't fully healthy until July. That he finished strong is impressive. In 428 career at-bats, Donald is a .278 (.713 OPS) hitter with five homers and 32 RBI.

6. While the 27 year old would have some trade value, he is very important to the Indians. They believe with Donald and Jack Hannahan, they have excellent infield depth. They also know Hannahan can take over at third base if Lonnie Chisenhall is injured, or has a major sophomore slump. Hannahan batted .250 (.719 OPS), and was 29-of-90 (.322, .871 OPS) after the All-Star break. All year, he was superb defensively.

About Baldwin-Wallace ...

This email came from Mark Winchell after he read my story on the undefeated 1961 Baldwin-Wallace team:

"I had the opportunity to play four years of football [linebacker] for the Yellow Jackets from 1998 to 2001, earning three letters. To hear you mention some of our coaches, made me smile from ear to ear.

"I was recruited by Coach John Snell. His passion for B-W is unbridled and sincere. He bleeds brown and yellow. Bob Fisher was a larger part of our daily interaction as the D-Coordinator ... He would yell through a megaphone 'look at the man standing next to you and tell him, you can count on me!' My time at B-W shaped my life. I met my beautiful wife, earned a great degree and had the opportunity to play college football with and against many of my lifelong friends."

The weekly mailbag is full of questions for beat writer Tony Grossi.

View full sizeDavid I. Andersen, The Plain DealerC'mon ... who could possibly forget Spurgon Wynn? After all, the Browns chose him instead of an available Michigan quarterback by the name of Brady in the 2000 draft.

Hey, Tony: Can you think of another Browns team about which fans' opinions changed so much from week to week? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.

Hey, Paul: Good one. No.

Hey, Tony: Me and my boy were talking about starting QBs for the Browns since 1999. We came up with eight off the top of our heads. I know there has to be more. Help me out and name them all and the year they started games in. -- Scott Harley, Parma

Hey, Scott: The Sweet Sixteen roll call: Ty Detmer (1999), Tim Couch (1999-03), Doug Pederson (2000), Spergon Wynn (2000), Kelly Holcomb (2002-04), Jeff Garcia (2004), Luke McCown (2004), Trent Dilfer (2005), Charlie Frye (2005-07), Derek Anderson (2006-09), Ken Dorsey (2008), Brady Quinn (2008-09), Bruce Gradkowski (2008), Jake Delhomme (2010), Seneca Wallace (2010), Colt McCoy (2010-11).

Hey, Tony: After four weeks of tape, what is your revised prediction for the Browns' final win-loss record? I think they will be lucky to win six games. The defense looks improved excluding last week, but the offense once again looks utterly incapable of making up a sizeable deficit. December looks brutal. Give me a reason to believe otherwise. --Greg Stelz, Durango, Colo.

Hey, Gref: Until proven wrong, I'll stick with my preseason prediction of 7-9. Don't ask me to name the five games they win, though.

Hey, Tony: What do you think of a compromise to the new kickoff rule? How about adding that if the kick flies out of the end zone and cannot be returned, the ball is placed at the 35-yard line. This would at least give the receivers a chance at a return. -- Peter Freed, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Peter: Like it. But coaches would persuade their owners to vote against it. In the NFL, rules changes are voted on. They aren't just implemented by the rules committee.

Hey, Tony: Can you put people at ease? One, how many games do people think the Browns are gonna win with a first-year coach and no real camps? Two, what are (fans) expecting from McCoy being that this should be considered his rookie season and add in the ending from the first point? Three, I expected the Browns to be 2-2 at this point of the season, who could seriously think better? Seriously, Cleveland Clinic is gonna see an increase in cardio patients. -- Niko Bencun, Stephenson, Mich.

Hey, Niko: This is the cumulative effect of losing year after year after year.

Hey, Tony: 1.) Do you see Evan Moore being used more after the bye? It seems to me they need to be able to stretch the field and I think Moore could help the running game by getting the safety out of the box. 2.) How has Pinkston graded out at guard through the first four games? I know Week One was a little tough on him, but I haven't heard his name mentioned since then ... which I think is good, if he's not being mentioned, he's not making glaring mistakes. -- Andy, Richmond, Va.

Hey, Andy: 1.) The coach said he intends to get Moore some action after the bye. 2.) Jason Pinkston, according to the coach, improves each week. I think there will be an effort to expand his game and actually lead some sweeps by pulling. Eric Steinbach was good at that and the Browns really need to try to get their backs to the perimeter more.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis didn't get all that many carries two weeks ago against the Titans? Has anyone heard about that? Or his contract talks? Anyone? Anyone?

Hey, Tony: Please pass on to the Browns organization that most fans find the Peyton Hillis contract situation ridiculous. Between the contract situation and benching him, it looks as though they are heading in another direction. That will be the last straw for a lot of fans, including me. I will root for whatever team Hillis ends up on, even if it is the Steelers. I would gladly fire Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur if it means keeping Hillis. -- Jared Pelcic, Elyria

Hey, Jared: You value Hillis more than Holmgren, Heckert and Shurmur combined? Wow. Hillis for mayor of Elyria!

Hey, Tony: I know Tom Heckert has final say over roster moves and ultimately made the decision, but could you tell me who within the organization originally had the idea and suggested that Peyton Hillis be included in the deal that sent Brady Quinn to Denver? -- Brent Lare, Lorain

Hey, Brent: The way the trade was portrayed was that Eric Mangini and Heckert both liked Hillis and wanted him included. I do know that from the start, Mangini talked up Hillis -- even before Hillis emerged as an offensive force. I think Heckert viewed Hillis as a good backup player who exceeded his expectations. Mangini, I believe, put a much greater value on Hillis as a feature back.

Hey, Tony: Why is everyone making such a big deal about Hillis sitting out a couple weeks ago? It's a complete non-issue. The Browns won the game! The running game wasn't hurt at all. In fact, I think Montario Hardesty had the best rushing performance by a Brown so far this season. Also, why isn't this illness being chalked up to the "Madden Curse?" Hahaha. -- Clint Mayo, Wichita, Kan.

Hey, Clint: I agree that "strep throat-gate" should be put to rest. The issue moving forward is whether or not the Browns and Hillis agree on a new contract.

Hey, Tony: If the Browns and Hillis do not come to an agreement on a contract extension, will the Browns be able to put any kind of tender on him so there is some kind of compensation when his contract ends this year? I do not believe he is worth the franchise tag. -- Darrin Demshar, Jefferson, Ohio

Hey, Darrin: If no new contract is signed, Hillis will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Browns will get nothing in return if he walks.

Hey, Tony: Until the offensive line's pass protection and run blocking is improved, it will be unfair to judge the play of Colt McCoy and the running backs. -- Patrick Nardini, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Hey, Patrick: I think it is fair to judge McCoy over the span of 16 games this year. That would give him 24 career starts. No quarterback gets perfect protection all the time. The offensive line isn't the best ever to line up, but it certainly isn't the worst.

Hey, Tony: Like every other Browns fan, I am impatient for the team to be successful, and I am looking for signs of hope. This year's team is struggling, but at least it's young and (hopefully) has an upside. The core of the team is made up of young players. The past several years, we seemed to be crappy and the team was a bunch of veterans. I don't think this team can be picked to win any game this year; its just not at that point yet. But they are heading in the right direction for next year. Is this a reasonable view, or am I whistling past the graveyard of another season ... and coaching regime? -- David King, Joelton, Tenn.

Hey, David: I would agree with you. It's a reasonable view of the current state of the team.

Hey, Tony: You've mentioned Colt McCoy's arm strength as a possible concern. I am starting to see that defenses, since they're not afraid of getting beat over the top, are cheating up and jamming the Cleveland running game and intermediate passing routes. Can the Browns scheme around this or at some point do you need a QB with the arm strength to make a D pay for cheating up on him? One more question. I know McCoy is effective on the move, but at some point, don't you have to make throws from the pocket so that you're not always playing on half a football field? That seems to be a limitation, too (but I know the shaky O-line play has been part of this). -- Jeff Biletnikoff, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Jeff: I think the Browns can scheme to compensate for McCoy's arm strength to a degree. I have maintained that to take the team to the Super Bowl, McCoy will have to make some throws at some point in a season which, frankly, I don't think he is capable of making. I also agree with your point about throwing on the run. It's great to be able to do that on occasion, but a quarterback has to conduct most of his business from the pocket to effectively beat a defense.

Hey, Tony: While I am a fan of the Belichick/Mangini style of football, I'm more a fan of not changing systems every full moon. I simply want you to answer the question of how Mangini de-emphasized the QB position. -- Mike B, Dover, Ohio

Hey, Mike: You are a relentless defender of Mangini. Mangini stated in words, and certainly demonstrated in his actions, that the quarterback was not the most important position on the field. If you examine his five years as head coach -- three with the Jets and two here -- he almost always had quarterback "issues." The really good coaches are really good managers of the quarterback position. I don't believe Mangini is particularly good at managing the position.

Hey, Tony: I have been a fan for over 50 years and I don't think that I am owed a great team. I think this administrative staff is making and will continue to make progress in elevating the organization. Most people look for a quick fix and there are precious few of those out there. -- Steve Landram, Saint Cloud, Fla.

Hey, Steve: Keep the faith. Everyone will want to be there when they turn it around.

Hey, Tony: What is it with the Browns and Hillis' contract? They did the same thing with Josh Cribbs and Phil Dawson. Is this a game they like to play with the players? -- John Smith, Akron

Hey, John: I thought the present regime was very kind to Cribbs, who had three more years left on his contract. On Dawson, I just don't think they value a kicker too highly on a team still struggling to score. As for Hillis, they may see his role changing as Montario Hardesty develops and they don't want to sign him to a contract they will regret in a year. It's the business of football.

Hey, Tony: Where did Auston English go after roster cutoff? -- Jack Moore, Canadian, Texas

Hey, Jack: English immediately was signed to the Browns' practice squad. In that capacity, he was able to attend all meetings and participate in all practices. That is why he should be able to contribute when called on.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerFor a guy who led the Browns to twice as many losses as wins, Eric Mangini has a persistent band of supporters each week in Hey, Tony!

Hey, Tony: Let's compare this year's Jets with last year's Browns and ultimately Shurmur vs. Mangini. Last year the Browns had the one of the toughest schedules in the league and almost beat three (Jets is the almost team) playoff teams. This year the Jets with their franchise QB Sanchez are now 2-3 (they should be 1-4 but the Cowboys gave them a game). Mangini gave them that franchise QB and on paper the Jets seem to be a much more talented team than the Browns. Fast forward to this year and the Mangini-less Browns have a very easy schedule for the first eight games. Can you still look at the big picture and say Mangini wasn't "The Browns' Next Bill Belichick?" -- Rick DelPrado, Middletown, Conn.

Hey, Rick: I suppose you can analyze the situations frame by frame and cite several areas in which Mangini was quite good. I would agree with that. You can also cite specific games -- or specific parts of games -- in which his Browns functioned exceptionally well. You can also weigh the strength of the schedules he played against and measure the quality of his rosters. Ultimately, head coaches are judged on their record and 10-22 was simply not good enough. His two Browns teams were unspectacular, inconsistent and old. I don't think I'm breaking new ground here.

Hey, Tony: Maybe the Browns organization was right about Lawrence Vickers' catching ability because if you watch the highlights of the Texans game, he drops a wide-open catch that would've gone for a touchdown. -- Malek, Cleveland

Hey, Malek: OK. So don't throw the rock to him.

Hey, Tony: I now live in Boston, which is the pinnacle of overreacting sports fans. Every time the Patriots have a bad game fans clamor for a fire sale and to let the rebuilding begin. With all this nonsense about if McCoy is a failure because he's been mediocre in four games, are Cleveland fans vying for Boston's title? -- Greg Kerr, Boston

Hey, Greg: Cleveland fans retired that trophy long ago.

Hey, Tony: I grew up in Euclid and lived there for my first 35 years. I was 12 when the Browns won their last championship. Now I am a die-hard Browns fan in a black and gold neighborhood. It's tough. Anyway ... what happened to Carlton Mitchell? I thought he was in the plans for this year. -- Greg Miheli, New Castle, Pa.

Hey, Greg: Mitchell's demise was a broken finger in training camp. It robbed him of the chance to move up the depth chart. Once the regular season begins and all attention is focused on preparing for the next game, it's extremely difficult for a young player to work himself back into prominence unless an unforeseen circumstance (injury, trade, etc.) opens the door of opportunity.

Hey, Tony: Since Colt McCoy was one of the most accurate passers in the NCAA in the spread, why not incorporate some of that in our West Coast offense? Defenses wouldn't be able to stack line to deter the run, our WRs are some of the best run-blocking WRs in the league, It would help settle our offensive line and it would help create a rhythm for the offense. That's all Carolina is doing for Cam Newton. At some point we have to put our players in a position to succeed. P.S. Free Marcus Bernard & Evan Moore! -- Jason, Bedford Heights

Hey, Jason: The easiest way to duplicate McCoy's success at Texas would be to schedule Baylor, Oklahoma State, UTEP and other college teams. But of course, that is folly.

Hey, Tony: I was disgusted with most of the submissions last week. We are four weeks into the season, and already the naysayers are up in arms. Anyone who thought this offense would be running smoothly was dreaming. Anyone who thinks they are better than Holmgren at evaluating McCoy's ability is delusional. Let's all take a deep breadth and let the season play out. -- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitch: I don't have a pithy response.

Hey, Tony: I'm heading to Cleveland for the Seahawks game and a three-day weekend. What are your suggestions for top three can't-miss things to do in Cleveland? Best burger in town? -- Paul Marston, Seattle

Hey, Paul: One dinner in Little Italy. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or one of the splendid museums at University Circle. A round of golf at Sleepy Hollow from the tips (weather permitting, of course). Bonus activity: Take a hike in the Metroparks and admire the fantastic fall colors.

Hey, Tony: Whether it was Dabol's system or Shurmur's, I'm baffled at the number of pass attempts to our TEs versus WRs. Is is simply that our WRs can't beat man coverage and/or find holes in the zone and our TEs can? -- Scott C, Sarasota, Fla.

Hey, Scott: Although the number of receptions by wide receivers are up over last year, I expected more of a difference in the position in the new offense. There's still time for that to happen and I expect there will be an emphasis on getting the ball to Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs in the coming games.

Hey, Tony: It's fair to say that the Browns got absolutely trounced by the Titans. The very next week, the Titans played a Steelers team that had taken a great deal of national criticism. This aged and criticized Steeler team crushed the Titans. Is this connection between teams at all an indicator of where the Browns sit in relation to the Steelers? -- Scott Yehl, Princeton, N.J.

Hey, Scott: Have the Browns closed the gap on the defending AFC Champions? No. How far apart are they? We will see when the teams meet twice in December.

Hey, Tony: Do you feel that Mangini set this franchise back with his trades, FA pick-ups and draft selections? Secondly, how far away do you think the Browns are from contending for the AFC North title, a playoff spot, or even a winning season? It just seems teams go from bad to Super Bowl contenders in just two or three years, but I don't see the Browns being a SB contender anytime soon. -- Alex Lawhorn, Hillsboro, Ohio

Hey, Alex: The 2009 Browns draft was an unfortunate leap backwards. As far as contending, if Colt McCoy picks up his game, and Tom Heckert has another outstanding draft in 2012, the team should be in good shape. If McCoy proves not to be the guy by the end of this year, you can not consider the Browns contenders for anything until they find a quarterback.

Hey, Tony: The Philadelphia Eagles have started 1-4. Is there any talk around the league that the Eagles miss Tom Heckert? They sure look different in terms of talent level. -- Tim Schag, Lake Elsinore, Calif.

Hey, Tim: Andy Reid makes all the major personnel decisions in Philadelphia. Always did when Heckert was there, too.

Hey, Tony: I always try to look at contract negotiations from both sides. I understand Peyton Hillis is "only" making $600K but he has had one big season thus far. Though I agree a raise and extension is due (and am hoping one is reached), don't you feel Hillis's bellyaching and whining to the media is growing a bit old? -- Joshua Jones, Fullerton, Calif.

Hey, Joshua: I know there are people who agree with you.

Hey, Tony: Is it possible we didn't and aren't going to draft or sign any offensive weapons until we find out what QB we will build around? Could this be hurting our development or evaluation of a QB if we don't supply him with the proper tools? Could the WRs we have prosper with another QB or scheme? I thought the WCO would help the WRs, but I think I'm wrong. -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: I am weary from over-analyzing the receiver situation. I wish they would bring in a blue-chip player at the position to put us all out of our misery.

Hey, Tony: Count me in the small group of Browns fans who is against giving Hillis a very lucrative long-term deal. I love the way he plays and there is no doubt he is very good running back. However, he is not Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, MJD or even Ray Rice. He is not a game breaker and he takes a physical beating meaning he won't last long. I would like to see the Browns give a substantial but reasonable three- to four-year deal. Like they did with Cribbs. -- Ryan F, Behind Enemy Lines, Md.

Hey, Ryan: I am uncomfortable injecting myself into negotiations between a player and team. I will just say that there are two sides to every story and we have not really heard either side when it comes to details of the negotiations.

View full sizeAP fileSome Browns fans want to compare Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Browns' Colt McCoy, but they forget that Fitzpatrick has been in the NFL for seven years.

Hey, Tony: Don't you think the play of the Buffalo Bills should give some of the negative Cleveland fans hope? They've gone from third worse last year to 4-1 so far this year. Both have similar quarterbacks -- small, smart with average arms. The Browns also have extra first- and fourth-round picks. The Eagles' woes after signing all those high-priced free agents also indicates the Browns are going about trying to build a winner the right way. Also, I'm not sure I understand the thought that Peyton Hillis' value to the team has diminished because of the West Coast offense. He catches the ball well and a big power back with good speed is not easily found. I think he's the face of the team right now, a real blue collar player. Lastly, can the Browns put a franchise tag on him if they couldn't sign him? -- Paul Naudain, Portland, Ore.

Hey, Paul: 1. The comparison of McCoy to Ryan Fitzpatrick fails to point out two things. Fitzpatrick has been in the league seven years, McCoy is going on two. Fitzpatrick also is 6-2 and 230 pounds -- 1 1/2 inches taller and about 15 pounds heavier than McCoy. 2. I agree that the Browns are much better with Hillis on the team. But you must understand that Hillis and his agent have certain financial goals they want to reach and they may not be in concert with what the Browns want to pay. 3. Putting the franchise tag on Hillis would mean a one-year guaranteed contract of about $9 million. I don't think that is in the cards.

Hey, Tony: Is arm strength something a QB can improve from certain workouts or is it just one of those things when either you have it or you don't? -- Stan I, Solon

Hey, Stan: Mike Holmgren has said arm strength can be improved. I believe, at the NFL level, either you have it or you don't.

Hey, Tony: Is there an inside story as to why Peyton Hillis hasn't been re-signed yet? Seems to be a no-brainer. -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio

Hey, Greg: Reasons the Browns might not want to break the bank for Hillis: 1. Not a breakaway runner. 2. Durability issues. 3. One proven season. 4. Montario Hardesty. 5. Future direction of the offense.

Hey, Tony: Please rank the starting quarterbacks for the AFC North and why you rank them at each spot. -- Dennis Stallworth, University Heights

Hey, Dennis: 1. Ben Roethlisberger: As tough as they come, hard to bring down, makes plays in the clutch, proven leader. 2. Joe Flacco: Big arm, still developing, lacking the signature win to move him into the next class. 3. (tie) Colt McCoy: Admirable intangibles, impressive work ethic, able to make plays out of the pocket, needs to be more accurate, can't make all the throws. 3. (tie) Andy Dalton: Only five games into his career, is winning while developing, shows many important qualities.

Hey, Tony: Will the Browns be patient with Colt McCoy or is this a "show me" season? -- Gary Putz, Webster, N.Y.

Hey, Gary: My gut is they will be patient, but McCoy better show something over the next 12 games.

Hey, Tony: So here we are, another season and another club making a complete 180-degree turn while the Browns look about the same as ever (I'm thinking 2-2 is more about the level of teams we've faced than our ability). San Francisco is looking like a fine football team and off to their best start in years, and they have a new coach, new offense, and just like the Browns had very little off-season to prepare. What are the major advantages you think the 49ers held before this season started (if any), and do you think team management understands the true frustration of the Cleveland fans? -- Doug Shaffer, Orange, Calif.

Hey, Doug: The 49ers have been collecting quality players on defense for years. I am surprised that new coach Jim Harbaugh has quarterback Alex Smith playing at a level he has never approached before. Also, Frank Gore is a premier running back. He fits perfectly for the tough, physical attitude Harbaugh wants, as evidenced by his teams at Stanford. As for Browns management, I think it understands the true frustration of Browns fans. Just look at the empty seats in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Hey, Tony: I was skeptical of your comments that the Browns need a playmaking wide receiver until I watched our local college football team. While last year San Diego State possessed a potent offense, this year the offense is underwhelming. Basically all the players came back on offense except the wide receivers, who both made pro. (Brady Hoke left also -- beware all OSU fans, he is good!) I realize now that a quality receiver can make an average offense and quarterback look great. -- John Hurlburt, San Diego, Calif.

Hey, John: The Browns have to upgrade the receiver position.

Hey, Tony: I'm glad to see that Greg Little is a starter now. 1) Do you think that Shurmur will continue the crazy amount of rotations on offense now that we're past the bye week? 2) When will Carlton Mitchell get some playing time? -- Jamey Majoros, Concord

Hey, Jamey: 1. No. 2. Mitchell is fading into obscurity. He needs a break -- an unforeseen opportunity and then he needs to capitalize on it.

Hey, Tony: There has been much talk about how Evan Moore is a good pass-catching tight end but a poor blocker. Considering the team's glaring need at wide receiver, why don't they simply make him a full-time wide receiver? His size would make him a matchup nightmare for corners, especially in the red zone. -- Rob Hill, York Township

Hey, Rob: Moore already is used as a wideout in many situations. Keeping him as a tight end affords him some mismatches that would not be available if he lined up as a receiver all the time. In other words, he can beat safeties and linebackers. Good cornerbacks, however, would disrupt his route-running and cover him fairly easily.

Hey, Tony: Ravens' center Matt Birk was fined for removing his microphone during the game last week. I never knew centers were required to wear them. Could you explain why they wear them and why the league would fine a player for not wearing it? -- Justin Mitchell, Rio Rancho, N.M.

Hey, Justin: Apparently, the league is bowing to its network partners and requiring a few linemen on each team to wear a microphone to enhance audio for TV broadcasts. That should tell you everything you need to know about the league's priorities.

Hey, Tony: Since the new stadium, the Browns have not displayed any replays that were controversial. This suppresses and stifles fan game excitement. Can't the Browns see the negative affect this has on the crowd? -- Dick Ellison, Silver Lake

Hey, Dick: I don't know if I agree. I've seen some controversial plays on replay. Every play that is challenged by replay review is shown.

-- Tony

Monsters' best offensive effort not enough vs. Marlboros.

TORONTO, Canada -- Lake Erie scored more goals in its game Saturday (three) than it had in its previous three games (two).

However, the Monsters allowed five goals Saturday and lost to the Marlies in Toronto, 5-3, to extend their losing streak to start the season to four.

Luke Walker gave the Monsters a 1-0 first-period lead with a goal at 4:05. The Marlies came back to take the lead, 2-1, but David van der Gulik tied the game with 57 seconds left in the period.

Toronto scored twice in the second period and got an empty-netter in the third before the Monsters potted their third goal, which came off the stick of Justin Mercier.

Walker and van der Gulik each finished with a goal and an assist.

Monsters goalie Trevor Cann faced 21 shots and stopped 17.

Lake Erie has a rematch with the Marlies at 1 p.m. today in Toronto.

Jockey Scott Spieth and trainer Tim Hamm dominate the Best of Ohio stakes on a breezy, cold Saturday afternoon at Thistledown.

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — Jockey Scott Spieth and trainer Tim Hamm dominated the Best of Ohio stakes on a breezy, cold Saturday afternoon at Thistledown. Spieth rode three of the five stakes winners and Hamm would have trained three, too, if judges hadn't denied an interference claim.

The veteran mare Pay The Man ($3), with Luis Gonzalez in the saddle, notched her fifth win in six starts this year in the $75,000 Best of Ohio Distaff for mares 3 years old and up. It wasn't without incident, as jockey Yamil Rosario aboard Muir Woods filed an objection after finishing second in the 1 1/8-mile race.

"If Pay The Man hadn't bumped my horse twice, we'd have won," said Rosario. Pay The Man jostled Muir Woods coming out of the final turn, and midway through the stretch. Muir Woods' trainer Hamm agreed, but the judges did not, giving Pay The Man the victory. Ready to Rock was third.

Owned by Florida's Pyrite Stables and trained by Miguel "Angel" Feliciano, Pay The Man covered the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:51.3.

Hamm began the stakes day with an upset in the $75,000 John W Galbreath Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. The railbirds sent Motega off as the 1-9 favorite after she'd won her four career starts, but Hamm figured his Private Cause had the edge as the youngsters tackled a longer, 1 1/16-mile test for the first time. He was right, as Motega faded in the stretch and Spieth rode Private Cause ($9.40) to win her second in four starts in 1:48.1. Hope Glitters was third.

"I was glad to race the longer distance with Private Cause," said Hamm. "I was tired of chasing that other filly."

Motega won their last meeting, a 6-furlong race, but Hamm said Private Cause is bred for distance racing, while her rival is a sprinter.

"When Kira's Wink put pressure on Motega early, that let me settle in with Private Cause," said Spieth. "When Private Cause made her move in the final turn, I knew it was over."

Owned by Bruce Ryan and Hamm's Blazing Meadows Farm, it was the second win in four starts for Private Cause.

Hamm and Spieth also scored in the $75,000 Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds, with License to Bling ($7.60), cruising to a 1 1/8-mile win in 1:49. It was the second win in four starts for License to Bling, owned by Blazing Meadows Farm, Larry Lehman Stables and Jim Messenger. License to Bling was followed to the wire by Diavoletto.

Spieth won the $75,000 Best of Ohio Endurance, letting the amazing 10-year-old stakes star Catlaunch plow most of the road before pushing Thats a Heckofacat past him for a victory over a mile and a quarter.

"I was hoping the No. 4 horse [Ten Martinis] would prompt Catlaunch to run hard early, and he did," said Spieth. "I didn't want to try and catch Catlaunch, I wanted to be able to go right by him."

Spieth guided lightly favored Thats a Heckofacat ($6.40) to a 4 1/4-length victory in 2:04.1. It was the 4-year-old gelding's second win in six starts this season for owner Barbara Johnson and trainer William Cowans. Catlaunch, a winner of four straight this year before losing his past two starts, was second and Bold Captain third.

Rosario and Sneak a Cold Treat ($3) let Klassy Korbin set the pace in the 6-furlong $50,000 Best of Ohio Sprint, then roared past to clinch Sneak a Cold Treat's fourth win in five outings this season in 1:11.3 for trainer Jamie Ness and owner Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. Klassy Korbin hung on for second, with Perfectly Played third.

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

Eight years after his first Cup title, Matt Kenseth is back in the hunt.

Associated PressMatt Kenseth raises the trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Matt Kenseth won his only Cup title in 2003 and NASCAR immediately changed the championship rules.

He always resisted the urge to take it personally despite the overwhelming evidence that his methodical but nondescript season forced NASCAR to pump some life into the system by creating the current Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Now, eight years later, he's finally back in the title hunt.

Kenseth won Saturday night's race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, passing Kyle Busch on a restart with 25 laps remaining, to grab his first victory of this Chase.

It moved him two spots in the standings to third, and he's only seven points behind leader Carl Edwards at the halfway point of the Chase.

"It doesn't really matter to me that much what everybody thinks," Kenseth said. "We're in it or out of it or whatever. What's important to me is trying to win races and trying to be competitive and go do the best job we can do every week.

"If somebody wants to say I'm boring or whatever — I was hired to try to go win races and try to run good and that's what I try to do every week."

But the path to the championship may have become just a little clearer Saturday night.

Five-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson was in a hard accident that sent him spiraling in the standings.

He was running seventh with 17 laps remaining when contact with Ryan Newman sent him headfirst into the wall. The hit was so hard, his back tires briefly lifted off the track.

He finished 34th and dropped to eighth in the standings.

"That one stung for sure. Pretty big impact," Johnson said.

Johnson, winner of last week's race at Kansas, had started the race ranked third in points and only four points behind Edwards. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, and had dismissed the idea of falling prey to the so-called cover jinx.

After notching his lowest Chase-race finish since he was 38th at Texas in 2009, he may now be wondering if the curse is credible.

"This is not going to help us win a sixth championship," he admitted.

Because it can change so quickly, Kenseth was more even-keeled than normal in his celebration. It's hard to look too far ahead with such a tight field and Talladega looming next week.

"What happened to Jimmie Johnson is a sobering lesson for everyone," winning car owner Jack Roush said.

That's probably what Kyle Busch thought, too, after dominating the race only to come up short in his bid for his first win in a Chase race.

Busch had to change his engine before the race and started last in the 43-car field. Although he was initially frustrated with his car, he rallied to lead a race-high 111 laps and finish second, his best showing so far in the Chase.

"We drove up through the field and we got in position to win the race ... just got out drove there by Kenseth there on the restart," Busch said. "He just flat out drove right past me like I was standing still. The frustration is, again, we did not finish where we wanted to, which could have been a real win, a real highlight.

"The next frustration is we have yet to win a Chase race, and I'm sure I'll be hearing about that for the next four years if I continue that."

Edwards finished third, but leaned into Busch's car after the race to discuss what Edwards felt was aggressive driving in the closing laps.

"We should definitely be racing each other hard. It's just that there's a difference between racing hard and then cutting across the guy's nose," Edwards said. "I just let him know that next time that happens, I'll just stay where I'm at and he can drive across my hood and wreck himself."

But there was no chance in this one turning into a feud as Busch quickly diffused the situation.

"There was no malicious intent involved to cause anything or to hurt his chances at finishing second or anything," Busch said. "It was just a product of what we had at the end going for everything we could, and trying to come home second."

Edwards seemed to buy the explanation and the two shared the dais in the post-race news conference without incident.

"He told me that he didn't mean to do it, and so I got to believe that," Edwards said.

Kasey Kahne and Marcos Ambrose, two drivers not competing for the championship, finished fourth and fifth. It was the third straight top-10 finish for Ambrose, the first time in his career he's pulled that off.

Kevin Harvick was sixth, and he went from one point behind Edwards to fourth.

"One of the goals we wanted to achieve was to get through these first five races, with not too much damage," Harvick said.

"So five points, if you would have told me we would come out of Charlotte with only a five-point deficit going into the next five races, I would be really happy."

AJ Allmendinger was seventh and was followed by pole-sitter Tony Stewart, who overcame late contact with Greg Biffle to finish eighth.

"We still have half of the chase races to go, a lot can happen," Stewart said.

Denny Hamlin was ninth and Ryan Newman rounded out the top 10.

Kurt Busch was 13th, his Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski finished 16th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 18th, Jeff Gordon was 21st and Johnson was the lowest finishing Chase driver.

Webb Simpson shot a 1-under 69 on Saturday and is tied for third heading into the final round of the McGladrey Classic.

Associated PressWebb Simpson watches his drive off the 10th tee during the third round of the McGladrey Classic golf tournament at the Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island, Ga., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Webb Simpson shot a 1-under 69 on Saturday and is tied for third heading into the final round of the McGladrey Classic.

Simpson and world No. 1 Luke Donald are vying for the PGA Tour money title and both have said they will play next week at Disney. Simpson trails Donald by $68,971, but could move into the top spot with a strong round Sunday.

Simpson also is looking for a tour-leading third win this year, which could make him the favorite for PGA Tour player of the year.

Michael Thompson had three early birdies and finished with a 67 to move into the lead at Sea Island, one shot better than second-round leader Billy Horschel. Thompson had one of three bogey-free rounds on the day and is 13-under 197.

Trevor Immelman, who has only two top-10 finishes on Tour since winning the 2008 Masters, matched the Seaside Course record with a 62 and is tied with Simpson at 11 under. Louis Oosthuizen (69), the 2010 British Open champion, Jeff Overton (66), Kris Blanks (66) and Nick O'Hern (69) are tied at 9 under.

Horschel (70) led by as many as three shots and had a one-shot margin when he hit his tee shot at the par-4 16th hole into a lateral hazard. He eventually posted a double-bogey.

Thompson made all three of his birdies on the front nine and parred every hole on the back. He had an 8-foot putt for birdie on the closing hole, but the ball caught a piece of the cup and trickled out.

"I thought it was the best putt I hit all day," Thompson said. "Something yanked it left. But I'm very happy. I played bogey-free on Saturday, which is always a good thing no matter where I stand."

Horschel, a second-year pro, has competed against Thompson before. Horschel was a three-time All-American at the University of Florida, and Thompson went to Alabama.

Horschel was 14 under through 15 holes on the sunny, windless day. But he got "too quick" on his tee shot at No. 16, and watched in dismay as the ball started left and stayed left, dropping into the hazard. He had an 11-foot putt for bogey, and missed it after playing his previous 20 holes at 7-under par, with no bogeys.

"I guess the ball wanted to go in there," Horschel said of his shot at No. 16. "It was a quick swing ... I get a little quick at the top. I'm fortunate to be as close to Michael as I am. I could be two or three shots behind."

Horschel got up and down for par at No. 18 after his second shot went into a sandy area right of the green. He splashed the ball out and made a 10-foot putt.

"I was rooting for him," Thompson said. "I never root for someone to hit a bad shot."

Thompson and Horschel continue to thrive on familiar ground. Thompson won the 2008 Southeastern Conference individual championship at nearby Frederica Golf Club, and Horschel won the 2009 SEC title at Sea Island.

''You can't win the tournament on Saturday," Horschel said. "I'm one back and in the final twosome. It would be nice to be one ahead but I'll take it."

The Browns' passing isn't fancy at this point in the season but that's not a good enough reason to pine for infantry football, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeMark Duncan, Associated PressA 2-2 record hasn't gone very far in pacifying disbelieving Browns fans when it comes to the West Coast offense. But all one has to do is look around the NFL to realize that the emphasis of winning teams in succeeding in the air, not the ground, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have the right idea. This hasn't always been the case.

They're just caught between what they want to be when they grow up and their best chance to win games now with the personnel they can trot out against a pretty friendly schedule. You can beat the Indianapolis Colts running the ball -- and maybe, we'll find out, even the Oakland Raiders. You can't consistently beat the best teams these days without a sophisticated and surgical passing game. For various reasons, the Browns have neither.

They have been, however, committed to the pass. Much to the dismay of two groups, the Peyton Hillis Fan Club and the Friends of Eric Mangini. Even though it's clearly the way of the league regardless of climate.

This is not just the Year of the Quarterback but the Era. Peyton Manning isn't even available this season to pad numbers already threatening the record book. Ten quarterbacks have thrown for 400 yards in a game during the first five weeks of the season. That's the fourth most in NFL history.

Third most: 2010, when there were 13.

Cam Newton did it twice in Carolina. Both were losses but both were decided by a touchdown. Michael Vick did it once in a 24-23 loss, Matt Schaub in a 25-20 loss. These are not merely the efforts of quarterbacks trying to cover huge deficits. Three QBs have surpassed 400 yards in victories.

The biggest margin for a losing team throwing for 400 yards happened when Chad Henne and Miami lost, 38-24, to New England. Tom Brady also went over 400 in that game. So it's not as if teams are falling desperately behind and simply getting lots of yards underneath a soft defense (as the Browns did against Tennessee). Not only in the West Coast offense are "pass-first" and "pass-often" mainstream philosophies.

You can blame the Browns for not giving Colt McCoy bona fide targets at wide receiver. And since you can, let's. They have compromised his development by not upgrading the position through free agency or at the top of the draft (see Julio Jones and A.J. Green). That's not to excuse his spotty play. It's just a fact.

You can also make the case that running in critical situations would also have worked to McCoy's and the offense's overall benefit. Instead, Pat Shurmur, in his first year of double duty as head coach and offensive coordinator, has become too distracted and too cute in his play-calling.

All that is fair game. In fact, the focus is even sharper on Shurmur in Oakland, since his team arrives with fresh legs after the bye week and his staff has enjoyed two weeks to probe Oakland for weaknesses. Just don't blame the Browns for failing to embrace infantry football in 2011. Hillis ran over tacklers in the first half of last season. I know. I know. Mangini's philosophy helped the Browns defeat New England and New Orleans.

Hillis was fun to watch, too, until the work load ran him into the ground.

The Browns under Shurmur haven't abandoned the run philosophically. Mostly, they've misused it. It has to be a part of what they do, but it can't be primarily what they do if they want to move beyond even 8-8 mediocrity.

"We are who we are, a West Coast offense and that's it," Josh Cribbs told reporters this week.

Despite what we're seeing, that's not a bad thing.

Spinoffs

The Mountain West and Conference USA want to create a mega-conference with between 20 and 24 teams. Ridiculous as it sounds, it would stretch from West Virginia to Hawaii with stops in Florida and Idaho. How long before a university president says it's not about the money but "an opportunity to teach our student-athletes geography?" ...

In a show of team unity, the 1-4 Philadelphia Eagles bolted the locker room door this week, leaving the media on the other side. In a further demonstration of the harmony and cohesiveness on display this season, they inadvertently locked out teammates, including Vick. ...

As discussions continue about conference reshuffling, nothing says Big East like Central Florida ... unless it's Boise State. ...

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo says the Cowboys will win the Super Bowl "at some point." ... In related news, the check could be, at some point, in the mail. ...

Philadelphia Flyers fans booed a commercial featuring Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh, Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres. Why wouldn't they? I mean, other than the fact the three were appearing in a Hockey Fights Cancer public service commercial. ...

The man who threw the hot dog at Tiger Woods during the Frys.com Open said he was inspired by the movie "Drive" and wanted to do something "courageous." If he stopped to think about the ingredients in a hot dog, he could've avoided arrest and accomplished his lofty goal simply by eating it. ...

The NCAA found no violations at Auburn stemming from Cam Newton's career there. No, the organization's new chief investigator does not go by the name, Orenthal James Simpson or even Reggie Bush.

View full sizeAP photoThis Brewer has been all smiles during Milwaukee's postseason run.

Don't look for Charles Barkley to sing the praises of Twitter. "Tweet is for losers," Barkley said on his Web site. "And what I mean by that, if you wake up in the morning and you're worried about what I'm doing, you a damn idiot."

Just to clarify. If you wake up every day hoping Barkley will rip the Miami Heat and LeBron James for something, you're just a Cavs' fan. ...

Separated at birth

Jerry Hairston Jr. and comedian Chris Kattan -- Mike S

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Michigan coach Brady Hoke -- Mike Knapp, Wellington

You Said It

View full sizeAP photoThis veteran comic has a good time, all the time.

(The Slightly Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Following in the footsteps of World B. Free, Chad Ochocinco and Metta World Peace, have you ever considered changing your name?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

Yes. I often consider changing to what my father-in-law of 20 years calls me: "Whatshisname."

"Hey, Bud:

"If Tom Brady was anywhere on I-71 at the time of his accident would the NFL make Marcus Benard sit out the first five games next year?" -- Dan Coughlin

No. I do, however, expect refs to some day soon penalize opposing players for shaking Brady's hand too hard following the coin flip.

"Bud:

"Last week I sided with the NBA owners, this week the players. With no underdog in this fight, I am writing off the NBA for good and just always siding with you." -- Tim Corbett, Ladera Ranch, Ca.

That's one way to go. You are aware I once said Wayne Kirby should play ahead of Manny Ramirez, right?

"Bud:

"The Indians have completed their 111th season and remain stuck at two World Series titles, for an all-time success rate of .018. Given that that number is much closer to Matt LaPorta's batting average than Ubaldo Jimenez's ERA, what do you think? Contention in 2112?" -- Ron

You meant 2012 ... I think.

"Bud:

"Did the game recap for Sept. 25th -- Browns vs. Dolphins -- read: Peyton Hillis dnp-ad (did not play, agent's decision)?" -- Thomas Hughes

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

"Bud:

"With regard to the proposed turbine(s) at Progressive Field, isn't it safe to assume someone in the Tribe's front office misunderstood Manny Acta's stated desire to 'see more power generated in 2012?'" -- Jeff, Westlake

Repeat winners receive a LaPorta autographed windsock.

Pat Shurmur has promised to get the ball more to some of his best playmakers. Now, he wants them to show they deserve it.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerGreg Little has had some good moments in part-time play this season, but he figures to get more touches Sunday against the Raiders.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Some of them asked for it. Others didn't ask and will get it anyway. Whatever the case, Browns coach Pat Shurmur has called upon those getting the ball more beginning Sunday in Oakland to step up and make plays.

"The challenge is for the guys [who] are getting more of an opportunity to dig in and make it happen," said Shurmur. "That's the message to the guys that are getting more of a shot: 'Okay here we go, make it happen.'"

During the bye week, Shurmur identified several playmakers who will get more touches: rookie Greg Little, who's patiently waited his turn, will start and be groomed as the No. 1 receiver; tight end Evan Moore -- who's been vocal about wanting the ball more -- will get it; and running back Peyton Hillis, who's also made it known he wants more carries, will get the chance to pound the ball.

Others, such as Josh Cribbs and Ben Watson, will be relied upon more to jump start an offense that's 26th in points per game and has journeyed into the red zone only nine times -- tied for second-worst in the league.

"I think it's great," said Little. "That's the type of player you want to be. You want to be the player they want to go to when the game's on the line. Coach wants guys that want the ball every single play, and that's the type of player I've always been."

Little will try to take advantage of being singled up on a rookie cornerback in Oakland's man-to-man scheme. The Raiders, 28th against the pass, are also giving up scads of yards through the air -- almost 300 per game.

"Coach has a great game plan for us this week and it's going to be exciting," said Little, who's making his first career start and looking for his first score. "I think that first touchdown could be coming this weekend."

Receivers coach Mike Wilson is excited about Little's ability.

"I coached Anquan Boldin in Arizona, and he quickly reminded me of Anquan," said Wilson, who played with Jerry Rice in San Francisco. "He's a very physical guy who's also very athletic. He can sink hips, get in and out of breaks, can block inside. Greg is just scratching the surface of his potential."

Wilson said Little is further along at this point than another premier receiver he's coached -- Larry Fitzgerald.

"Larry struggled a little bit his first year and I don't think Greg is struggling," said Wilson. "He's got a good football aptitude and he's going to be a very good player."

Moore, who has only seven catches but two touchdowns, doesn't plan on changing his approach. The problem has been so few trips inside the red zone, where Moore is a focal point.

"Anytime we're called upon, we've got to make plays -- no matter what the situation, no matter what point in the season it is," he said. "It's a challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

Another development will be Cribbs coming in off the bench consistently as the third receiver behind Little and Mohamed Massaquoi.

"He's gotten tremendously better," said Wilson. "He's a phenomenal athlete, a playmaker. Our philosophy is that we've got to get the ball in his hands. I've tried to embrace Josh, let him run normal receiver routes and get open. He runs good routes. I told Josh when I came in, 'you've proven all you can as a return guy, your next step is to be a great wide receiver and play the position,' and he wants to do that. Josh is really just a magical guy. When he gets the ball in his hands, he makes things happen."

Shurmur has also promised to get the ball more Hillis, who had only 10 carries for 46 yards against the Titans, in part because the Browns fell behind. But running more -- especially against the Raiders' 22nd-ranked run defense -- is music to Colt McCoy's ears.

"I think coming off this bye week, we've got to be more effective running the ball," McCoy said. "When we do that, I think we become more settled, more consistent."

The challenge for McCoy and the offensive line --- one that might be without center Alex Mack -- is not letting the tall Raiders linemen bat down his passes. Last week, they knocked down seven of Houston's Matt Schaub's. Mack is recovering from his Oct. 3 appendectomy and won't know until game time if he can play. If not, Steve Vallos will replace him.

"You have to be aware of those guys," said the 6-1 McCoy. "It's something they're pretty good at because of their size. If they get stoned at the line, they're just going to play your eyes and get their hands up, so you can't really think about it too much."

McCoy knows it will be largely up to him to help the Browns overcome the emotion-packed, sold-out O.co Coliseum, where the game will be a tribute to the late Al Davis.

"Across the league, everybody is mourning Al Davis' death," said McCoy. "I know they are over there, so it'll be a big game for them, but it's a big game for us, too. We're going on the road, but coming off a bye week we really need to go out there and play well. That's important to us."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The Rangers are going to the World Series for the second straight year and they're doing it with a bang.

View full sizeCharlie Riedel, Associated PressNearly two hours after eliminating any suspense with a nine-run third inning, the Texas Rangers could finally begin to celebrate their second consecutive American League pennant following a 15-5 demolition of the Tigers Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- In November the Texas Rangers set a goal. Not only did they want to return to the World Series, they wanted to win it.

They completed step one in rousing fashion Saturday night with a 15-5 victory in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to eliminate an injured, but game Detroit team at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

They are the first team to make consecutive appearances in the World Series since the Yankees went four straight years from 1998-2001.

As they did last year, the Rangers clinched with a Game 6 victory. Last year they beat the Yankees, and this year they beat the team that defeated the Yankees in the ALDS.

Texas lost the 2010 Series to San Francisco in five games. This year they will face the winner of the NLCS between St. Louis and Milwaukee, which resumes Sunday in Wisconsin with the Cardinals holding a 3-2 lead.

Game 1 of the World Series starts Wednesday in the National League.

After losing to the Giants, manager Ron Washington and his players met in November before heading home.

"We made a group commitment," said Washington. "We weren't very happy with the results, and we knew were were a better team that we showed."

Before the meeting ended, Michael Young, who has been on the Rangers roster longer than any other player, gave his teammates a parting thought.

"Michael Young said, 'Enjoy your winter, but don't turn it off mentally. We're capable of getting back,'" said Washington. "From Day One of spring training they committed themselves to doing just that." 

The Rangers, 52-25 at home this year, started the celebration early Saturday by scoring nine runs in the third inning.  Guess who pushed the plunger on the inning?

Young, missing for much of the postseason, started the scoring with a two-run double and ended it with a two-run double. He added a homer in the seventh to give him five RBI.

Young entered the game hitting .182 (4-for-22) in the ALCS and .162 (6-for-37) in the postseason.

"He's the spirit of this club," said Washington. "He wasn't producing in the playoffs, but he came through when we needed it. It just seemed as if he saved his best for last. To me, he put us on his back tonight." 

Nelson Cruz, the ALCS MVP, added a two-run homer in the seventh off Brad Penny for a 15-4 lead. It gave him a record six homers and 13 RBI for a single postseason series. The Rangers finished with 17 hits.

The Tigers hit four homers, including two by Miguel Cabrera and one each by Jhonny Peralta and Austin Jackson.

After Young tied the score, 2-2, with his double in the third against Max Scherzer, the beating began. Adrian Beltre singled home Young for a 3-2 lead. Scherzer walked Mike Napoli and Cruz to load the bases. Lefty Daniel Schlereth relieved and gave up a two-run single to David Murphy to make it 5-2.

Rick Porcello relieved and pinch-hitter Craig Gentry loaded the bases when Ramon Santiago fielded his slow roller and was unable to force Murphy at second. Ian Kinsler hit a two-run single to left to make it 7-2 as Gentry stopped at third.

After Gentry, running on contact, was caught in a rundown between home and third on Andrus' grounder, Hamilton was intentionally walked. Young followed with his second double, a blooper just inside the right-field line. Ryan Perry, the fourth Tiger pitcher in the inning, retired Beltre on a fly ball to left to end the inning.

Young is the first player in LCS history to have two extra-base hits in the same inning.

The nine-run inning was the Rangers' biggest in franchise history. They sent 14 men to the plate.

GM Jon Daniels, however, was not ready to say the Rangers were an elite team just because they were the first team in 10 years to make it to the World Series two straight years.

"I think the teams that did it before us actually won the World Series," said Daniels. 

The Tigers made it 9-4 on Jackson's two-run homer in the fifth. It was the third homer lefty Derek Holland allowed and ended his night one out away from qualifying for the potential victory.

The Rangers stretched the lead to 10-4 on Hamilton's sacrifice fly in the fifth. They continued to stretch it in the sixth on two-outs singles by Gentry and Kinsler off Penny.

Detroit, trying to force a seventh game, took a 2-0 lead on homers by Cabrera and Peralta in the first two innings. Cabrera, who homered again in the eighth, finished with three homers in the ALCS and four in the postseason. He's hit in 13 straight ALCS games.

Manny Ramirez and Pete Rose hold the LCS record with 15-game hitting streaks. 

"After those two homers, I thought we had this game," said Peralta. "Then they changed everything. They started scoring and didn't stop."

Victor Martinez, Delmon Young and Alex Avilla played much of the series injured for the Tigers. Magglio Ordonez was lost during the ALCS to a broken ankle.

"I'm managed a team that won the World Series, but I don't think I've ever been prouder of a team than I am of this team," said Tiger manager Jim Leyland. "It was stacked against us, but they gave everything they had."

The Tigers won the AL Central, the ALDS and reached Game 6 of the ALCS by winning 39 of their last 47 games. Their sprint through the AL Central starting in mid-August convincingly changed the Indians and White Sox from contenders to pretencers. 

"This team gave every ounce of energy it had," said Leyland. "We got beat by the defending champion, and they defended their championship. They should be going to the World Series and they are."    

Scherzer allowed six runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings. He threw 62 pitches, 32 balls and 30 strikes. Here's a hint, whenever a pitcher throws more balls than strikes bad things happen.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

College athletics need boosters to survive financially, but it's a tricky dance. Coaches and administrators must court boosters while keeping them at arm's length and playing by NCAA rules.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoFormer Ohio State athletic booster Bobby DiGeronimo once was held in such high esteem at the school that he would have sideline access to football games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Now he's barred, and can't even purchase season tickets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Deposed Ohio State University athletic booster Bobby DiGeronimo was once so embraced by the school that he was invited to watch football games from the sidelines, visit the postgame locker room and travel with the team to some road games.

He became so close to former Ohio State football coach John Cooper and assistant coach Fred Pagac that the two attended his mother's funeral Mass.

And when DiGeronimo's 3-year-old grandson died from bacterial meningitis, Cooper and Dave Kennedy, Ohio State's strength coach at the time, drove up from Columbus to spend the day with him.

But a relationship nurtured on mutual benefit for more than 30 years suddenly ended last month when Ohio State, while involved in a programwide NCAA investigation, banned DiGeronimo from any association with its athletics department for 10 years.

College athletics need boosters to survive financially, but it's a tricky dance. Coaches and administrators must court boosters and treat them like royalty, while keeping them at arm's length and playing by NCAA rules.

When the athletic booster-university relationship goes bad, the breakup is often public and messy, especially at a major college program, such as Ohio State and recently at the University of Miami and USC.

Reputations are tarnished. Deep loyalties are severed, and it's painful -- as DiGeronimo has realized.

"No one's hurting more in this world right now for what's happened," said former Ohio State basketball coach Eldon Miller.

View full sizeAPOhio State Athletic Director Gene Smith.

The definition of a booster is broad: anyone who contributes; is the parent or guardian of an athlete; provides summer jobs or other allowable benefits; holds or has ever held season tickets; or promotes the program in any way. And once identified as a booster, you're a booster for life, forever bound by NCAA rules, warns Ohio State's guide to its athletic program.

The university blamed DiGeronimo for breaking NCAA rules by allowing OSU football players who appeared as guest celebrities at his annual charity dinner to be paid -- which DiGeronimo has apologized for -- and for paying players employed by his family's company, Cleveland-based Independence Excavating, for hours they didn't work -- a charge he refutes.

"We have been providing work opportunities at the request of the university for nearly 30 years and have always been in compliance with not only our company policies but also the directives that we have received from the Ohio State athletic department," read the statement DiGeronimo released the day Ohio State revealed he had been barred.

No more buying season tickets. No more comp tickets from players, coaches or alumni. No more contact with coaches or administrators. No more attending practices or games, even with tickets already bought for this season. They were deactivated.

Athletic Director Gene Smith wrote in the official disassociation letter that DiGeronimo's actions had embarrassed the university.

This for a man who was welcomed by football and basketball coaches as he treated them to weekly spreads of Italian food.

Miller became so close to DiGeronimo that they exchanged Christmas cards. DiGeronimo always included pictures of his eight kids, seven of whom attended Ohio State.

"I love Bobby D. He's a great family man," Miller said in a recent interview. "You don't have to spend a lot of time with somebody to know what's important to him."

DiGeronimo was already a loyal Ohio State sports fan when Miller, who coached the Buckeyes from 1977 to 1986, approached him about a summer job for Jim Smith, an OSU forward from Cleveland's East Tech.

Ever since, he had been what universities refer to as "a friend of the program" -- apparently without a hint of ever breaking NCAA rules.

During the news conference to announce additional player penalties and DiGeronimo's ban, AD Gene Smith cited the pending NCAA investigation to side-step a question about whether the booster was ever on the university's radar or warned about overstepping his bounds.

Boosters secure programs' survival

Colleges cultivate booster support because athletic programs couldn't survive financially without them.

At Ohio State, for instance, roughly two-thirds of the $15.5 million the athletic department spent on scholarships in the last fiscal year was covered by the 4,300-member Buckeye Club. Membership requires a $1,500 donation at the lowest level to at least $25,000 at the highest.

Each level comes with perks. The main selling point is the ability to buy season tickets and choice parking (which costs about $1,200 a year), although newly added at the highest "All America" level is a one-time pregame sidelines pass.

But, like DiGeronimo, who said in an interview last month that he donated about $7,500 a year, some boosters gain access not afforded to all.

View full sizePD fileBert and Iris Wolstein were athletic boosters for Ohio State.

The names of late Cleveland real estate developer Bert "Bart" Wolstein and his wife, Iris, adorn the southeast tower of Ohio Stadium for their contributions to the stadium's 2001 renovation. Iris Wolstein said former Ohio State AD Andy Geiger would invite her husband to watch from the sidelines.

"And, many times, he was invited into the locker room by the coaches," she said. "He would give them motivational speeches, which, you know, Bart could do."

The Wolsteins, who became friends with Gene Smith and his wife, were also invited to travel with the team for some games, she said. At Texas, they were given a tour of the school's athletic facilities, and they paid their way to fly with other boosters on the team charter to watch Ohio State beat Miami for the national championship in 2003.

"People become boosters for a lot of different reasons," said Bob Vecchione, executive director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics in Westlake. "Most of the time, people would want to donate money because it's a way for them to give back."

In exchange, benefactors enjoy VIP treatment that can range from simply gaining first crack at hard-to-get season tickets, to enjoying access to the athletic director, coaches and players and the cachet that comes with it.

View full sizeAP fileFormer Ohio State football coach John Cooper.

DiGeronimo and Cooper, who invited him to watch from the sidelines, became close. In 2006, Cooper visited DiGeronimo's company to give a motivational and team-building speech. Bill Conley, a former Ohio State player and assistant coach, provided the same favor two years earlier.

DiGeronimo said he got to know many of the players over the years, including Ohio State standouts from Eddie George to Beanie Wells, and still considers Robert Smith a good friend.

In fact, Robert Smith texted a message of support to DiGeronimo after the booster accepted blame for players being paid at his February charity fundraiser.

DiGeronimo said he is also close with Glenville High School coach Ted Ginn, whose program has delivered many players to Ohio State. He helped Ginn when his track team needed uniforms and has donated to his foundation. When DiGeronimo needed Ohio State players for his gala, he would often call Ginn to ask them.

He attended Ted Ginn Jr.'s high school graduation party, where he met Troy Smith, who was already an Ohio State quarterback.

"And then those guys started working for us whenever they got any time off, whether it be a week here, a week there. That's how it all got started and that's how [the charity appearances] got started," DiGeronimo said.

When boosters become employers

Besides providing donations, meals for the coaches and emotional support as a loyal fan, DiGeronimo ingratiated himself with Ohio State athletics by providing seasonal jobs for players -- because coaches asked him to.

The NCAA allows players to work for boosters as long as the jobs are valid and the players are paid the prevailing rate for hours they actually work.

After DiGeronimo's firm hired basketball player Jim Smith as a favor to Eldon Miller, he was approached with the same request by Ohio State assistant football coach Randy Hart.

Hart, a Willoughby South grad who now coaches the defensive line at Stanford University, said Ohio State players were hired for summer construction and other seasonal jobs back when college athletes weren't expected to train year-round the way they do now. He knew the players really worked, he said, because "they all moaned and groaned" about how tough it was.

Former Ohio State and NFL quarterback/punter Tom Tupa said he worked for DiGeronimo, a longtime family friend, when not in summer school. He said he drove a water truck to keep dust down at work sites, learned soil-testing and worked as a flag man and go-fer.

More recently, DiGeronimo described seeing current Buckeyes DeVier Posey and Daniel Herron in yellow construction boots, cleaning the streets at a property the company rented off Carter Road in the Flats.

"There was never any question about Bob's integrity or the players' integrity, in my mind," Hart said. "I don't think anybody came to Cleveland to check on them, but I think they had a form to fill out. You'd have to check with compliance [official] on that."

Relationships were once even closer

At one time, boosters legally acted as an extension of the athletic department.

Pagac, the former Ohio State assistant football coach and friend of DiGeronimo's, said he was in charge of finding players summer jobs as part of "The Committeemen" program.

The Committeemen, drummed up by Woody Hayes, were a network of Ohio State boosters who identified and recruited high school football players until the NCAA banned schools from the practice.

"Bobby was basically like one of those guys every program around the country had," said Conley, now head football coach at Ohio Dominican.

Pagac, now defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, said companies that hired Ohio State players were offered the chance to buy two season tickets.

"Back when Earle [Bruce] was here and John Cooper was here, every employer was told if a kid missed work to fire him," he said. "There were a few [fired], that's for sure."

He wasn't sure how the university checked to make sure the jobs were real and the players weren't overpaid.

"I don't have the answer for that one," Pagac said.

Neither Bruce nor Cooper returned phone messages requesting an interview for this story.

Once a university's compliance department or the NCAA determines that rules have been broken, a coveted booster can quickly become persona non grata, as DiGeronimo has after decades as an Ohio State go-to guy.

And when the relationship implodes, it can shut down the benefits for both sides.

Longtime Kent State Athletic Director Laing Kennedy, now retired, said it was rare when he had to tell a booster to back off for getting uncomfortably close to the program, but it did happen.

He recalled a booster who always seemed to wind up with a field pass to stand next to the football team and, in some cases, the coach, during games.

While that was not an NCAA violation, Kennedy was concerned, among other things, that the booster might be friends with an agent or working for one. When the situation was brought to his attention, Kennedy told the booster he couldn't be on the sidelines anymore.

"Basically, he was angry," Kennedy said. "He stopped giving."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: blubinger@plaind.com, 216-999-5531

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Joshua Gunter, The PDWill the Browns give Peyton Hillis the rock against the Raiders?

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It feels as if it's been months since the Browns played a game.

View full sizeAP photoWould Brandon Lloyd immediately be a starter if he was acquired by the Browns? Of course, says Terry Pluto. But that doesn't mean fans should expect the team to be interested.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Pregame scribbles in my Browns notebook ...

1. It feels as if it's been months since the Browns played a game. It also feels as if time stopped around two events: Peyton Hillis not playing against Miami because of strep throat, followed by Pat Shurmur calling a franchise-record 61 passes in the 31-13 loss to Tennessee. That also related to Hillis, because he carried the ball only 10 times.

2. Then came the bye week, and what has been nearly two weeks of All-Hillis, All The Time sports talk. Hillis needs a game, and a good one. Shurmur needs to show that he is serious about running the ball. Fans desperately need something else to talk about.

3. Which brings me to Brandon Lloyd. Finally, something different to discuss. I'm glad to do it, even if it's to say that I'd be shocked if the Browns traded for Lloyd, who has been made available by Denver. Lloyd is 30 and in the final year of a $1.4 million deal. He has 19 catches and only one drop, and certainly is good enough to start for the Browns.

4. It's doubtful General Manager Tom Heckert will be interested in a 30 year old who can be a free agent. That's especially true because Denver will want at least a middle-round draft pick.

5. Lloyd was a Pro Bowler last season with a career-high 77 catches, 11 for TDs. But in the four previous seasons, he didn't reach 30 receptions in any year. That was with three different teams, including Denver. This season, 15 of his 19 catches have been for first downs -- averaging 14.9 per reception. He averages only 2.6 yards after catch (YAC).

6. If the Browns were a serious playoff contender, I could imagine Heckert making a strong bid. But not this year, when the Browns are using a dozen players in their first or second pro seasons as starters or key backups.

7. Two things Heckert wants out of this season is to watch his young players, and also to add draft picks for 2012. In a conversation this week, Heckert stressed again that he is very anxious to see what the young receivers can do -- especially now that Greg Little has joined Mohamed Massaquoi in the starting lineup. He believes Massaquoi is just now close to 100 percent after missing all the preseason games with a bone chip in his left foot. He also had some minor injuries in the first four regular-season games.

8. It's been a strange year for Little, the team' second-round pick. He has played the most snaps (229) of the receivers. He has caught 14 of 21 passes thrown in his direction, with only one drop. But he's run mostly short patterns, catching the ball with little room to create a big gain. He's averaging a very mediocre 3.6 YAC.

9. Little's longest gain has been 25 yards. He has no TD catches, averaging 9.4 yards per reception. He obviously is a gifted athlete who began his career as a running back at North Carolina. The Browns need to make him more of a threat.

10. Tight end Ben Watson leads the team in receptions (16) and targets (29). So he remains Colt McCoy's favorite receiver. But McCoy has been throwing to Massaquoi -- 28 targets, 14 catches. None of the receivers have excessive drops.

11. Snap counts for receivers and tight ends: Watson (255), Little (229), Massaquoi (189), Joshua Cribbs (147), Robiskie (132) and Evan Moore (46). We will see if the Browns get more from Moore. They have thrown to him 12 times, and he has seven catches -- two for touchdowns. Moore's blocking issues are why he doesn't see more action. I'd just use him as a slot receiver in passing situations because he is such a huge target.

Mack's streak of never missing a game alive after appendectomy 13 days ago.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Browns fared 1 for 2 in getting key starters ready for today's game against the Raiders.

 Center Alex Mack was made active, but cornerback Joe Haden was not.

 Mack had an appendectomy 13 days ago and practiced only on Friday over the past two weeks. He has never missed a snap, much less a game, in his two-plus NFL seasons.

 Haden suffered a knee sprain saving a touchdown on a tackle of Tennessee receiver Nate Washington two weeks ago. Haden played some after the injury, but did not finish the game. He did not practice since then, but the Browns listed him only as questionable.

 Haden was on the field during pre-warmups today, but did not run. He tossed passes gingerly until retreating to the bench to watch his teammates.

 Other inactives for the Browns:

 QB Thad Lewis, WR Carlton Mitchell, S Eric Hagg, OT Oniel Cousins, OL John Greco and TE Jordan Cameron.

 Dimiitri Patterson will start for Haden and Buster Skrine will come in three-cornerback packages.

It's the first game Donovan has missed in 13 years.

View full sizeWKYC photoBrowns play-by-play broadcaster Jim Donovan did not make the trip to Oakland with the Browns.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan did not make the trip with the team because he felt ill before it left Cleveland on Friday afternoon.

It's the first game Donovan has missed since taking over as Voice of the Browns in 1999.

Donovan realized his goal of recovering from a bone marrow transplant in June to treat leukemia and returned to the microphone for the Browns' regular-season opener. It is not uncommon for recipients of the procedure to experience high fever throughout their recovery.

WTAM sports director Mike Snyder filled in for Donovan as play-by-play announcer.