Cleveland State senior guard Tre Harmon was one of the first-team all-league preseason selections.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerCSU senior guard Tre Harmon (3) earned preseason All-Horizon League honors on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two-time NCAA runner-up Butler was picked Tuesday to win the Horizon League men's basketball title for the third straight year, in voting by league coaches and sports information directors.

The Detroit Titans dominated the first-team all-league selections with three, including sophomore guard Ray McCallum Jr., who was voted the preseason Player of the Year. Cleveland State senior guard Tre Harmon was also one of the first team selections.

Detroit, which has first-team picks in 6-9 Eli Holman, 6-7 Chase Simon and McCallum, son of head coach Ray McCallum, is expected to challenge the Bulldogs for the top spot in the league. CSU was third in the voting.

Butler returns four key components from last season in 6-10 center Andrew Smith, who was named to the HL preseason second team, and guards Chase Stigall, Ronald Nored and sixth-man Khyle Marshall.

Cleveland State returns five veterans: Harmon, guard Jeremy Montgomery, forwards Tim Kamczyz and D'Andray Brown and center Aaron Pogue. Brown, a three-year starter, returns after missing last season with a wrist injury and will replace Norris Cole, the HL's Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Browns' inability to make plays downfield takes pressure off opposing defenses. And, more Browns links.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe Browns' Josh Cribbs catches a 33-yard touchdown pass from Colt McCoy during Cleveland's 17-16 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 25. It's just one of eight 20+-yard plays thus far for the Browns this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns would certainly like to establish a consistent running game.

Regardless of who runs the football for the Browns and who blocks for them, though, it's a complicated matter.

That's because opposing defenses are hardly in fear of the Browns' ability to stretch the field.

Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal about the Browns' lack of big plays (referring to coach Pat Shurmur and quarterback Colt McCoy):

The most startling statistic from the Browns' first five games is this: They have had only eight offensive plays longer than 20 yards. That's the fewest in the league.

Shurmur said there is more than throwing deep to gaining bigger chunks of yardage. When the West Coast offense works smoothly, receivers catch short passes in stride and turn them into longer gains. Last week, McCoy said running after the catch is something the receivers have to work on, but part of that is also McCoy getting them the ball in open space. For that to happen, the receiver has to separate from the defender.

"I don't know about (throwing) down field," Shurmur said. "There are times in the game when he was off the mark. We'll just keep working on getting him better. There's nothing specific. Each pass play has a component of protection, a component of a route, route depth and then an accurate throw tied to mechanics. We just have to get better at all of it."

The Browns (2-3) host the Seattle Seahawks (2-3) on Sunday at Browns Stadium.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi's scouting report on the Seattle Seahawks; Terry Pluto's column that health, not drama, is at the center of the relationship between running back Peyton Hillis and the Browns; Grossi's story that the trade deadline has passed and Hillis remains a Brown; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-Seahawks game; and, much more.

And, check Cleveland.com's Browns History Database, which includes the Plain Dealer game story on every regular season and postseason game in Browns history.

Goal to goal

The Browns must get their offense going earlier in games, Vic Carucci writes for clevelandbrowns.com.

The Browns don't make a trade, but sign running back Chris Ogbonnaya and waive running back Armond Smith. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

What did you really expect from the Browns this season? By Alex Lubetkin for Dawg Pound Daily.

Pat Shurmur finds that it's not always easy to be the Browns' head coach. By Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

A couple Browns mentions in the AFC North Stock Watch on ESPN.com. By Jamison Hensley.

About the Browns, Seattle's next opponent, on Seahawks.com.

It's wait-and-see on who will be Seattle's quarterback against the Browns: injured starter Tarvaris Jackson or backup Charlie Whitehurst. A story on The Olympian.

Comparing the Browns and Seahawks' statistics. From the Seattle Times. 

Luke Fickell has seen the wobbly passes from freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, but he's sure the spirals will come more consistently with experience.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain Dealer"We've got to throw the short game better," Luke Fickell said of helping Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes' passing game. "We've got to throw some things to give him the opportunity to get comfortable and to get his feet underneath him, to get some confidence. But we have to do what we do well."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The ducks have been obvious. Ohio State coach Luke Fickell has seen some of the wobbly passes thrown by freshman quarterback Braxton Miller. So, with a smile, he agreed that not all of Miller's 51 aerials this season have been spirals.

"That's true. That's a good observation," Fickell joked.

The solution?

"We're going to try to stretch his hand out, see if he can get a bigger hand and get a better grip on the football."

Any other ideas?

"He throws a good football, he really does," Fickell said. "I think that comes down to patience and being relaxed and getting more used to what you do."

That could be right. It doesn't appear the Buckeyes' bye week -- they don't play again until hosting Wisconsin on Oct. 29 -- includes rebuilding Miller's mechanics. Footwork and throwing motion were conversation topics throughout the career of former QB Terrelle Pryor, but Miller arrived in Columbus with a more polished delivery. Nearly every one of his games, however, has included at least one flutterball.

Fickell said the wind was a major issue during Saturday's win at Illinois, but nerves may have played a part at times.

"The Colorado game, I think the first couple came out of his hand, I'm not sure if they weren't end over end," Fickell said Tuesday. "But he's going to continue to get better."

Fickell noted that in high school and during preseason practices, Miller showed he had more than enough zip on the ball. And they were spirals.

Seven weeks into the season, Miller, having played six games, is 25-of-51 for 403 yards, with five touchdowns and two interceptions. In his four starts, Miller is 16-of-35 for 251 yards. He hasn't yet completed more than five passes as a starter or thrown for 100 yards.

Fickell said Tuesday, in his only meeting with reporters during this off week, what many have been thinking, that the Buckeyes need to give Miller same easier passes to throw.

"We've got to throw the short game better," Fickell said. "We've got to throw some things to give him the opportunity to get comfortable and to get his feet underneath him, to get some confidence. But we have to do what we do well."

Twitter advice: Running back Carlos Hyde and receiver T.Y. Williams used Twitter to write about their frustrations with their roles in the offense since Saturday. Hyde later deleted his tweet. Fickell said players are reminded regularly that they are representing the entire team when they use social media, and are told about what the coaches like and don't like.

But Fickell didn't indicate any particular emotions about this round of Twitter activity.

"These guys are competitors," he said. "And when you're competitive you want to be out there. If they didn't want to be out there, you'd be more worried about the guys. But how you handle a situation and how you react is every bit as important as the situation itself."

Bye week plans: The Buckeyes had a shorter practice Tuesday, only 45 minutes long, but should have normal practice Wednesday and Thursday. They'll have off Friday and Saturday before coming back to practice Sunday to get ready for Wisconsin.

"I'm not a big bye week guy," Fickell said, "but we've got to handle it."

Fickell wanted his players to know that working on fundamentals was more important than rest this week, though he did want to give them some breaks.

Personnel updates: Redshirt freshman running back Rod Smith warmed up with the linebackers before the Illinois game, and has been moved to that position, at least on a part-time basis. A star of bowl practice a year ago, Smith had high expectations for 2011 but fumbled twice in early games and is behind Dan Herron, Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde on the depth chart, with Jaamal Berry probably ahead of him as well.

"We're looking at what's best for this team right now," Fickell said, "and Rod jumped over and is playing a little bit of defense because he knows he might be doing even more on special teams."

Smith covered kickoffs on Saturday. Fickell said he continues work as a scout team running back as well.

Stating cornerback Travis Howard came out late against Illinois with what Fickell said was a twisted ankle, but Howard practiced Tuesday and should be fine.

Fickell still didn't give a completely straight answer, but indicated more than ever that Kenny Guiton is the backup quarterback, ahead of former starter Joe Bauserman.

How the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are trending going into the World Series.

View full sizeJeff Roberson, Associated PressWith 10 homers in his first full season in the majors, Cardinals third baseman David Freese broke out with an MVP effort in the NL Championship Series with a .545 batting average against Milwaukee.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Here's a look at how the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are trending going into the World Series.

Trending up:

Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz: ALCS MVP hit .364 (8-for-22) with six homers, two doubles and 13 RBI in the six-game victory over Detroit. Cruz set records for homers and RBI for a single postseason. He has 12 postseason homers in the last two years.

Cardinals third baseman David Freese: NLCS MVP hit .545 (12-for-22) with three doubles, three homers and nine RBI against the Brewers. Like Cruz, Freese struck from the bottom of the lineup, batting sixth in the NLCS, while Cruz batted seventh.

Rangers bullpen: Texas is 4-0 with four saves and a 2.34 ERA (11 earned runs in 42 1/3 innings) this postseason. Alexi Ogando (2-0, 0.87) has 12 strikeouts and two walks in 10 1/3 innings. Scott Feldman (0 earned runs, 8.2 innings), Neftali Feliz (1 run, 7.2 innings, 4 saves), Darren Oliver (1 run, 4.0 inn.) and Mike Adams (2, 6.1 inn.) have been effective.

Cardinals bullpen: Relievers are 4-0 with four saves and a 2.55 ERA in the postseason. Closer Jason Motte has four saves and has not allowed a run in eight innings. Other contributors include Lance Lynn (0 runs, 5.1 inn.), Octavio Dotel (1, 6.2) and Fernando Salas (1, 9.2).

Speed game: The Rangers stole only three bases in the ALCS as they out-slugged the Tigers, but they're capable of playing NL ball. Elvis Andrus stole 37 bases and Ian Kinsler had 30 during the regular season. They may have to use their speed more since St. Louis has the home field advantage, but they'll also have to contend with Yadier Molina.

Rally Squirrel vs. Nolan Ryan: The Cardinals have the Rally Squirrel. It's been rumored that he migrated to Busch Stadium from Progressive Field, but there's no hard evidence to back that up. No team president gets more air time than Ryan as he sits behind the plate. On his way to the Hall of Fame and the all-time strikeout record, Ryan never showed the kind of emotion he does in the box seats.

Trending down:

Texas' lefty starters: The Rangers will start three lefties in C.J. Wilson, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland. In the postseason, the Cardinals hit .275 (28-for-102) with five homers and 11 RBI against lefties. They faced two lefties in the NLDS, beating Cliff Lee but losing to Cole Hamels. Milwaukee's Randy Wolf beat them in Game 5 of the NLCS. Wilson, Harrison and Holland were a combined 0-1 with a 6.65 ERA (17 earned runs in 23 innings) in the ALCS.

Cardinals starters: If ace Chris Carpenter, who will face Wilson in Game 1, has a sore right elbow, St. Louis' World Series might be short. The Cardinals' rotation went 1-2 with a 7.03 ERA (19 earned runs in 24 1/3 innings) in the NLCS. Carpenter won Game 3 against the Brewers, lasting only five innings. He told reporters on Tuesday that he had some soreness, but he's ready to start.

Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland: Last year, he hit .462 (6-for-13) with a home run and three RBI in the Series. He'll be lucky if he gets off the bench. Moreland hit .111 (1-for-9) in the ALCS.

Home field advantage: Thanks to Prince Fielder's game-winning homer in the All-Star Game, the Cardinals have home field advantage. It's bad news for the Rangers and worse for baseball as it continues to play the biggest series of its season under two sets of rules that continually put the American League club at a disadvantage. In the last 25 World Series, the team with the home-field advantage has won 20 times.

Quick hooks: With the state of each team's rotation, this World Series could be one long pitching change, which always makes for great TV. Tony La Russa set an NLCS record with 28 pitching changes. Ron Washington made 25 during the ALCS. At least you'll have time to make a snack -- or a five-course meal -- without missing a pitch.

The unknown: The Rangers and Cardinals have played each other only three times and that was in 2004. It has left both managers and coaching staffs scurrying about studying video and scouting reports.

The 107th World Series could dominated by the bullpens of the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.

View full sizeDilip Vishwanat, Associated PressChris Carpenter is the only Cardinals starter who has a complete game in the postseason, as he eliminated Philadelphia in Game 7 of the NL Division Series. A solid -- and lengthy -- effort in Wednesday's Game 1 of the World Series would ease the pressure on a St. Louis bullpen which was extensively used against the Brewers in the NLCS.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Outside of the closer, most bullpen pitchers could walk down a busy street and no one would notice. That may change when the 107th World Series opens Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.

The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals were carried to the Series by their bullpens and hitters. The starting rotations weren't involved. It's not like they weren't invited, they just didn't pitch well.

Texas set-up man Mike Adams says it's the time of the year where managers' fast-twitch muscles hit the passing lane.

"During the regular season, I know for a fact you can't run the pen like you do in the postseason," said Adams. "It's a big stage right now. There's a little quicker trigger finger on the starters right now. It's do or die baseball.

"Sometimes we have to put the relievers out there a little earlier than we'd like, too."

The Rangers' bullpen went 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in the ALCS to beat the Tigers in six games. Overall, they have a 2.34 ERA this postseason.

"We like the attention we're getting, but we hope our starters give us seven innings every outing," said Adams. "If they do that, I like our chances."

It's the same story for the Cardinals. The St. Louis pen is 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA this postseason. In their six-game NLCS victory over Milwaukee, the pen allowed six earned runs in 28 2/3 innings.

"The bullpen is the thing I'll probably remember most about this year," said manager Tony La Russa, "besides showing the heart that we did in coming back."

The Cardinals trailed Atlanta for the wild card by 10 1/2 games on Aug. 25.

While the bullpens have soared, the starters have crashed. This coming after a regular season in which starting pitchers dominated in both leagues. St. Louis starters went 1-2 with a 7.03 ERA in the NLCS. Chris Carpenter, who faces C.J. Wilson in the World Series opener, had the lone win. Texas starters went 0-2 with a 6.59 ERA. In two starts, Wilson went 0-1 and allowed eight runs in 10 2/3 innings.

"A lot of it has to do with the ebb and flow of the game," said St. Louis bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist, when asked about the starters' struggles. "I'm sure there's a fatigue factor. Do I have a definitive answer? No."

Perhaps that's why La Russa and Washington weren't ready to announce their entire rotations. Washington said Colby Lewis will start Game 2 Thursday. "We're still a little up in the air after that," he added.

La Russa revealed a little more. Jaime Garcia will follow Carpenter in Game 2 and probably Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson would start Games 3 and 4, respectively. La Russa said he wanted to wait to talk to pitching coach Dave Duncan before making it official. Duncan was at home with his wife, who is being treated for cancer.

Then La Russa made this observation.

"If this become a starting pitching series, don't be surprised," he said. "The talent is there. What's happening right now is if a guy is not sharp, the offenses are creating damage, so you go to a reliever."

During the regular season Wilson went 16-7 with 2.94 ERA. He threw a career high 223 1/3 innings in 34 starts and might be feeling the affects of all those innings.

"The starting pitchers on our team talking about it," said Wilson. "We're here to win. However we have to win really doesn't matter. If we only get to throw five or six innings, that's fine because our bullpen is awesome.

"Their bullpen is good, too. That's just the way it's been shaking out."

Five or six innings? If the starters on either team could guarantee that, there would be dancing in each bullpen at Busch Stadium.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Jake Westbrook missed the party when the Cardinals didn't put him on the roster for the NLCS. He's back on the roster for the World Series and couldn't be happier.

View full sizeAP file"I don't know how they'll use me, if it will be out of the pen or what, but I'm super excited," says former Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook, who will be on the active roster for the Cardinals in the World Series.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Jake Westbrook doesn't know if or when he'll pitch. The fact that he actually has a chance is the big thing.

Westbrook was told Tuesday that he'd made the Cardinals' World Series roster. He was on the roster for the NLDS, but didn't make the NLCS.

"I don't know how they'll use me. If it will be out of the pen or what, but I'm super excited," said Westbrook, who went 12-9 with a 4.66 ERA in 33 starts this year.

"It was disappointing not to be on the NLCS roster, but to be back on it as this point for the World Series is great," he said. "Just to have an opportunity to contribute is pretty awesome."

Manager Tony La Russa wouldn't confirm that Westbrook was on the roster.

"Jake is getting a lot of strong consideration just because of his talent and the fact that we're playing three games in Texas' ballpark."

La Russa could have been referring to a couple of things in that statement:

• Texas hits a ton in Arlington. A pitcher coming out of the bullpen who could give the Cardinals two or more innings would be essential.

• The Cardinals and Rangers haven't played each other since 2004. Westbrook, however, is familiar with them from his days with the Indians.

• Perhaps, La Russa would give him a start in one of the middle three games of the Series.

"I was inconsistent this year," said Westbrook. "I had some good games and some really bad games. I just wasn't consistent with my pitches and couldn't get deep into games.

"I walked a lot more guys than I was used to."

Westbrook walked a career-high 73 batters in 183 1/3 innings. He missed most of the 2008 and all of the 2009 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

"I felt strong and made every start this year," said Westbrook, who is signed through 2012.

Come clean: Last off-season the Cardinals wanted Lance Berkman to re-sign. The Rangers were also after him. He returned to the Cardinals and told a Houston radio station in January that the Rangers were an "average" team after losing Cliff Lee to free agency. He said the Rangers got lucky by reaching the World Series last year and their pitching staff pitched over its head.

When the media talked to Berkman before Tuesday's workout, he said, "I'm not afraid to say, 'Hey, I wasn't right.'"

Berkman added, "Certainly the last thing I want is to have the entire state of Texas to be mad at me. I don't want to disrespect any players the Rangers have, because they have a fine baseball team. I think if you say enough things publicly, eventually you're going to say some things that are probably not great, and that's the case here."

At the All-Star Game this year, Berkman wrote a note to Texas lefty C.J. Wilson, apologizing. In Game 1 of the World Series, they'll be facing each other.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

NBA players and owners spent a marathon 16 hours meeting with a federal mediator and planned to return early Wednesday to continue the talks.

Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA players association, arrives for labor talks between the NBA and players' association, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK — NBA players and owners spent a marathon 16 hours meeting with a federal mediator and planned to return early Wednesday to continue the talks.

They didn't emerge with the deal Commissioner David Stern wanted Tuesday, but things went well enough that owners decided to alter their plans after previously saying they weren't available Wednesday.

The sides met beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday and went late into the night, finally breaking after 2 a.m. Wednesday. It was more than twice as long as any previous negotiating session since owners locked out players when the old collective bargaining agreement expired June 30.

Both sides left the meeting without commenting at the request of federal mediator George Cohen.

Owners originally ruled out labor talks for Wednesday and Thursday because they have two days of board meetings planned, but the labor relations committee that was set for a morning presentation will instead return to resume discussions with the players.

Owners still will meet later in the day to discuss plans for expanded revenue sharing among teams. Players have wanted that as part of the CBA process, believing it's a way for the league to address its losses. But Stern said it can't come until after the labor deal, so they first know what savings are coming from there.

Although the fact that talks didn't break off is good news, one person with knowledge of the process said not to presume there was any serious progress. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of Cohen's request.

Joining Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and other top league officials Tuesday were 13 team executives making up the labor relations committee, including Dallas owner Mark Cuban, Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Knicks owner Jim Dolan, Spurs owner and committee chair Peter Holt and Heat owner Micky Arison. The players had their entire executive committee, led by president Derek Fisher of the Lakers, except for Bucks guard Keyon Dooling.

The sides have been divided mostly by two issues, the division of revenues and the structure of the salary cap system.

Players oppose a hard salary cap, and they believe owners' attempts to make the luxury tax more punitive and limit the use of spending exceptions will effectively create one. Also, each side has formally proposed receiving 53 percent of basketball-related income after players were guaranteed 57 percent under the previous collective bargaining agreement.

Stern said last week that he wanted a breakthrough Tuesday, even saying his "gut" told him there might not be games on Christmas Day if there wasn't an agreement before his owners' meetings.

Tuesday marked the 110th day of the lockout. Stern wiped out the first two weeks of the season — exactly 100 games — last week. The cancellations marked the NBA's first work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games.

More could be coming without a new collective bargaining agreement soon. The sides have been going nowhere despite frequent meetings in recent weeks, so Stern said they welcomed help from Cohen, who was present for talks between NFL owners and players for 16 days in February and March before that mediation broke off.

Indians DH Jim Thome will become the first baseball player since Babe Ruth to address the Cleveland City Club. He will speak Monday at noon at the Marriott at Key Center.

Chuck Crow, The PDJim Thome will speak at the City Club on Oct. 24.

Indians DH Jim Thome will become the first baseball player since Babe Ruth to address the Cleveland City Club. He will speak Monday at noon at the Marriott at Key Center.

Indians radio voice Tom Hamilton will be the moderator. Tickets for members are $35, non-members $50.

Thome, the Indians’ all-time home run leader, returned to Cleveland in a late-season trade with Minnesota. For more information, call 216-621-0082 or go to cityclub.org.

Coach Thad Matta hopes someone can step up on defense like David Lighty.

APFormer Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Ohio State star David Lighty will play in Italy.

While Greg Oden recovered from wrist surgery in 2006, Lighty began his freshman year in the starting lineup because he was active and tough enough to guard power forwards. At one point or another during his career, he guarded all five positions.

“He’d get switched on a guy in a game,” Matta said, “and I was like, ‘I don’t care. He can guard anybody.’ ”

Asked last week, before the start of preseason practice, if he has anyone like that on this team, Matta said, “We’re working on that. That’s something we’re challenging these guys with.”

Baptist writes how sophomores Jordan Sibert, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and J.D. Weatherspoon are candidates to fill that void.

All three hope to carve out a niche in the rotation as the Buckeyes wend their way toward their Nov. 6 exhibition game against Walsh and the start of the regular season Nov. 11 against Wright State.

And the surest way to earn minutes for Matta, they’ve learned, is to guard somebody.

 

Around the Horseshoe 

The Buckeyes are looking inward during the bye week.

Doug Lesmerises writes how experience will be the key for Braxton Miller.

The Cleveland Browns' offense needs to start faster.

The Plain DealerBrowns quarterback Colt McCoy.

Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the Cleveland Browns, especially quarterback Colt McCoy, needs to start faster.

For example, Schudel writes how McCoy completed 21 of 45 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns in Oakland. Over the first 55 minutes, he was 11 of 29 for 104 yards.

And there's more. The most startling statistic from the Browns' first five games is this, writes Schudel, the Browns have had only eight offensive plays longer than 20 yards. That's the fewest in the league.

One of McCoy's problems in the losses to Tennessee and Oakland was the Browns had virtually no run offense in either loss. McCoy threw 61 passes in the 31-13 loss to the Titans and 45 passes against the Raiders, when a hamstring injury sidelined Peyton Hillis after just six carries.

Coupled with that is the notoriously slow starts Shurmur is getting weary of explaining. The Browns have been outscored, 34-3, in the first quarter. They have outscored opponents, 88-83, over the final three quarters.

In other news, the Browns didn't make any news at the trade deadline.

The Browns made no trades before the NFL trade deadline of 4 p.m. Tuesday, but they did pick up a running back from the Texans' practice squad. Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported teams were trying to persuade the Browns to trade Peyton Hillis.

More Browns

Will the revenge factor work against Seattle on Sunday?

There was nothing special about the Browns' special teams last week.

Columnist Terry Pluto on the health, not the drama in Berea.

The Seahawks were interested in Carson Palmer.

Canton Charge coach Alex Jensen learned from Rick Majerus,

Associated PressNew Canton Charge coach Alex Jensen learned under St. Louis coach Rick Majerus.

Todd Porter of CantonRep.com writes about the journey made by Canton Charge coach Alex Jensen.

Jensen, the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBDL team,  played college basketball for Rick Majerus at Utah. And he had been a coach for Majerus at St. Louis.

Canton’s new head coach is embracing his new home.

“This was a gut feeling and an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Jensen said. “You’re an extension of the Cavaliers.”

As a player, Jensen helped the Utes reach the NCAA championship game in 1998 against Kentucky.

Jensen is especially a good fit for the Charge because he has been where most of his players are about to be.

He has played overseas. He spent four months playing minor-league basketball in the CBA for a team not funded nearly as well as Canton or with a training complex as nice.

Charge players are chasing a dream. Jensen is the guy who has to make sure he develops the future and wins at the same time.

More basketball news

Coach Alex Jensen will take charge of the Canton Charge.

More on coach Alex Jensen.

Alex Jensen is a believer in his college coach.

Tom Reed writes on Cleveland.com about Charge coach Alex Jensen.

Skang Mercurio and Carmen Bill, working together at 22nd and Chester, were the center of the area's bowling at a time when it was one of the city's favorite sports.

In the middle decades of the last century, bowling was a major sport in Cleveland.

Skang and Bill's Bowling Alley was a true leader in Cleveland bowling. There were NO big superhouse bowling establishments back in the '40s or '50s. If you wanted to bowl, downtown Cleveland led the way.

At Skang and Bill's, you had a 12-lane house with PINBOYS!!!! No automatic pinsetters.This house was home to many big local tournaments, the Central States, Police and Fire Dept. leagues, Tri-State Womens, the original five-month-long doubles classic where you and your partner entered, paid a fee and bowled a three-set game and your combined score was posted and all tried to beat that score each week.

Carmen Bill was a true leader in many ways. I saw his kindness to many different people. Needed a tip, he was there to give FREE help. Out of money, Carmen would often not charge you anything.

The location on 22nd and Chester with only street parking was a landmark for bowling for years. In 1962, when Carmen was taken ill and the Erieview project and Cleveland State projects came, the business had to close its doors forever. The new and big superhouses were being built in the suberbs and the downtown area was on its last legs. The Chester, 30th and Playhouse Square lanes were on their way out, too.

-- Gary Bill, Florida

Skang Mercurio

Editor's note: The "Skang" in Skang and Bill's was Cleveland bowling legend Walter (Skang) Mercurio. According to his obituary in the January 1972 Plain Dealer, he was "regarded as one of the all-time great match-game bowlers." He is a member of the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, and had a career that stretched over more than three decades.

His individual accomplishments are far too numerous to list, but he probably is best remembered by bowling veterans for the phenomenal 238 average he compiled over a 75-game season at the old Tomasch alleys on the west side in the 1934-35 season. That feat earned Mercurio recognition in a Ripley 'Believe-It-Or-Not' cartoon at the time. Another world record ... was for bowling 65 games without an error. This occurred during a match against Adolph Carlson in Chicago in 1929. He missed the 10-pin in the ninth frame of his 66th game to end the string. ... He won many all-events titles, including the World tournament in 1927 and 1930 ...[and] captained the world match-game champions who reigned for five years beginning in 1930.

He got his nickname as a young sandlot ballplayer when friends called him "Wally Schang," after a star catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics. That got shortened to "Schang," and then slid into "Skang."

Carmen Bill

Mercurio had operated Erie Lanes on Chester Ave. near East Ninth in the 1930s, and later went into partnership with Carmen Bill -- himself a top local golfer who would serve terms as president of both the Greater Cleveland Bowling Proprietors Association and the Cleveland Professional Golf Association (not to mention the Ohio Italian-American Golf Association), and win the Cleveland Senior PGA championship three times. Bill, whom The Plain Dealer described in 1927 as "one of Cleveland's classiest golfers," died in October 1963.

The Cleveland Memory Project has a photo of the outside of Skang & Bill's. 

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Should the Cleveland Indians make some deals with the Boston Red Sox?

PD FileCleveland Indians Jim Thome shares a laugh with ex-teammate Omar Vizquel.

Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald writes how since there is a two-year window in which team officials feel the Tribe has a legitimate chance to win its division, now is the time to go for it.

Even if it means making a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox are going to have to make changes, and there are two high-priced players whose value is at rock bottom right now. Two players who, if the Red Sox are inclined to move them, could significantly improve the Indians, who are always in "buy low" mode:

John Lackey and Carl Crawford.

Lackey is almost certainly gone from Boston, writes Ingraham. He was 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA this year. But Ingraham argues that prior to Boston, Lackey was one of the best pitchers in the American League.

In his last five years with the Angels, he was 69-38 with a 3.49 ERA. That includes 19 wins and an AL-leading 3.01 ERA in 2007.

Signing with Boston was a bad career move. Lackey's career ERA at Fenway Park is 5.45, compared to 3.88 everywhere else.

And when it comes to Crawford?

He's another one who isn't suited for Fenway. His career batting average at Fenway (.275) is 20 points lower than it is everywhere else (.295).

More Tribe

Jim Thome will speak at noon on Monday at the Marriott Key Center.

Paul Hoynes writes on Cleveland.com how former Tribe pitcher Jake Westbrook could appear in the World Series.

Josh Tomlin supports the Texas Rangers in the World Series.

It's about the bullpens in this World Series.

APAlbert Pujos

It's likely the World Series will be about the bullpens. Reporter Paul Hoynes writes on Cleveland.com how the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals were carried to the Series by their bullpens and hitters.

The starting rotations weren't involved, Hoynes writes, it's not like they weren't invited, they just didn't pitch well.

Texas set-up man Mike Adams says it's the time of the year where managers' fast-twitch muscles hit the passing lane.

"During the regular season, I know for a fact you can't run the pen like you do in the postseason," said Adams. "It's a big stage right now. There's a little quicker trigger finger on the starters right now. It's do or die baseball.

"Sometimes we have to put the relievers out there a little earlier than we'd like, too."

The Rangers' bullpen was so good that the bullpen went 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in the ALCS to beat the Tigers in six games.

More World Series news

The Rangers and the Cardinals have powerful lineups.

Are position-by-position match ups in baseball as meaningful as in other sports?

Which team has the edge in the World Series?

The Cardinals and the Rangers are ready for the World Series.

Bryan Burrell is reading between the lines when it comes to Albert Pujos.

Bengals owner Mike Brown is now praised by fans in Cincinnati.

APCincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown is the son of football legend Paul Brown.

The worst organization in sports ---- The Cincinnati Bengals ---- with one of the worst owners in sports ---- Mike Brown --- is now getting love from the flock in Cincinnati.

Those same fans that slammed Brown for being cheap, allowing first-round picks to miss most of camp in contract disputes, are now giving praise for trading Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders.

This is the same Brown who said he would hold his ground and not trade Palmer, despite his demands.

One of the best columnist in the country, Paul Daugherty of Cincinnati.com, writes how this is the finest hour in Brown's history.

Click here for the applause.

Let me repeat that, given that charity toward the Bengals president hasn’t exactly been a hallmark of my 23 seasons here: It was his finest hour.

In return for a 31-year-old QB with an injury history – a QB who was in the team’s tail lights, regardless – the Bengals got the Raiders first-round pick in 2012 and potentially their first-rounder in 2013. 

Brown could have held fast, refused to deal Palmer even as his stand hurt his team. Instead, he put personal feelings aside for the betterment of his club. It was his finest hour. 

Finest hour? Maybe. But it's the rest of the time Bungals Bengals fans need to worry about.

Magic Johnson makes comments about LeBron James.

AP File PhotoMagic Johnson

Magic Johnson is in the news for the wrong (unless you're from Cleveland) reasons because of his comments about LeBron James at a recent outing.

He made some comments last weekend that might be misinterpreted.

Johnson was asked to weigh his legacy as a Hall of Fame member of the Los Angeles Lakers and as a businessman.

“That’s easy. Putting people to work in minority communities,” he said (via ESPN). “There's going to always be great players in basketball. There's going to always be guys who win championships in the NBA, except LeBron.”

Was Magic out of line?

PD Ohio State reporter says coach has done well in a tough situation, but some areas could have been better. Watch video

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

The Ohio State Buckeyes are on a bye week, and coach Luke Fickell said Tuesday that he's not a big fan of bye weeks. Do you think the week off is a good thing for the Buckeyes at this point? That's our question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, who says OSU can use the opportunity to catch its breath. Doug also gives a grade to Fickell's performance so far; talks about which Buckeye he thinks is the team MVP at the break; and talks about why Buckeye fans should be interested to see Michigan State and Wisconsin play Saturday.

SBTV will return Thursday. And remember to catch this week's Browns Insider show that streams live Thursday at 10 a.m. at cleveland.com/browns.

Cornerback Joe Haden, safety Ray Ventrone also on injury report.

PDLinebacker Scott Fujita was sent home today with concussion symptons. His status for Sunday is uncertain.

BEREA -- Browns linebacker Scott Fujita was sent home today because of concussion symptoms, jeopardizing his status for Sunday's game against Seattle.

 Coach Pat Shurmur also said cornerback Joe Haden (knee), running back Peyton Hillis (hamstring) and safety Ray Ventrone (hamstring) would try to do something at practice, but wouldn't be involved in team drills.

 "I can't tell you the status of all four of these guys for the game Sunday," Shurmur said.

 Fujita suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter in Oakland on Sunday. Teams have been put on notice by the league office to err on the side of caution with players who have suffered concussions. Kaluka Maiava would replace Fujita.

 Haden has not practiced with the team since suffering a knee sprain in the Tennessee game two weeks ago.

 "He will do more than he did last week, but I can't tell you how much," Shurmur said.

 Hillis suffered a strained left hamstring in the first quarter in Oakland. Shurmur said he'll do some light running today and did not rule him out practicing later in the week.

 But the acquisition of running back Chris Ogbonnaya, who was signed off Houston's practice squad, was a tip-off that Hillis could miss Sunday's game. Ogbonnaya played several games for the Rams in 2009 when Shurmur was their offensive coordinator.

 "I think he's a good zone runner, good in pass protection, catches the ball well," Shurmur said. "I have some history with him. So when he was available, and I'm not sure of Peyton's availability, we felt a need to get a guy who's logged more time in the league than Armond (Smith). That's why we did it."

 On other issues:

 * Shurmur said he has had conversations the last two days with Josh Cribbs, who spoke out after the loss in Oakland and said he can make more impact returning to the kick coverage teams than he makes on offense.

 Shurmur said "it was a nice talk," but he wouldn't disclose what was said. Shurmur also declined to answer if Cribbs would, in fact, return to the coverage teams because "that's strategy."

 * Shurmur said that quarterback Colt McCoy "needs to play better" and complete passes for the offense to work. He cited fundamentals as the main reason for McCoy's inaccuracy, and insisted McCoy was not losing confidence.

 "It's fundamentals and it's learning to make all the throws necessary, and doing it over and over. I don't think this young man lacks any confidence. He's ready to go and play Seattle," Shurmur said.

"This is a team we could, and probably should, beat. Wish Haden could play opposite Rice. That will be a big issue. Seahawks can only stop the run but we're a passing team. If we can contain McFadden, at least compared to what he was doing to other teams, Lynch shouldn't be a big problem. Cribbs playing more special teams should help things. I think Little will get his first TD." - Scott Player

View full sizeAP Photo | Ted S. WarrenPete Carroll brings his Seattle Seahawks to Cleveland on Sunday.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns to face a revamped Seattle Seahawks roster: Tony Grossi's Scouting Report, cleveland.com reader Scott Player thinks Sunday's game is one the Browns should win. This reader writes,

"This is a team we could, and probably should, beat. Wish Haden could play opposite Rice. That will be a big issue. Seahawks can only stop the run but we're a passing team. If we can contain McFadden, at least compared to what he was doing to other teams, Lynch shouldn't be a big problem. Cribbs playing more special teams should help things. I think Little will get his first TD."

"I love watching former Cleveland players play in championship games! It's like watching the downtrodden and oppressed escape to freedom and prosperity in a brave new world about which we know nothing." - 42warfield

View full sizeAP Photo | Gene J. PuskarJake Westbrook has a shot at a World Series ring with the Cardinals.

In response to the story Former Cleveland Indians starter Jake Westbrook beaming over return to St. Louis active roster: World Series Insider, cleveland.com reader 42warfield is ready to watch another former Cleveland athlete play for a title. This reader writes,

"I love watching former Cleveland players play in championship games! It's like watching the downtrodden and oppressed escape to freedom and prosperity in a brave new world about which we know nothing."