If the rest of the World Series is played like the first two games, it will definitely remembered as a Fall Classic.

View full sizeRon T. Ennis, Fort Worth Star-TelegramDirk Nowitzki had no problem finding the strike zone with the ceremonial first pitch of Saturday's Game 3 of the World Series at Rangers Ballpark.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The first two games of the World Series have been tense and well played.

The Cardinals won the opener, 3-2, on a pinch-hit single by Allen Craig, who is trying to make the 107th World Series his calling card for bigger and better things. Texas won the second game, 2-1, on sacrifice flies by Josh Hamilton and Michael Young in the ninth inning against a St. Louis bullpen that been a steel wall through most of the postseason.

One of the best parts of the series came in the fifth inning of Game 2. There was no score, but the Cardinals had runners on first and second with two out against right-hander Colby Lewis. Rafael Furcal sent a hard grounder past second base. It looked like a sure single and a 1-0 lead for St. Louis. Shortstop Elvis Andrus made a diving stop behind the bag and flipped the ball out of his glove to an empty second base.

"I didn't see [Ian] Kinsler, but I knew he'd be there," said Andrus. "It's like a catcher making a throw to a base that isn't covered. You throw to the bag because someone will be there."

Said Kinsler, "That's just an incredible play. It's a difficult play if you take the ball out of your glove and throw it. To do it out of your glove ... it was a ridiculous play. A game-saving play.

"You get a kick out of a play like that. This game has been played for a long time. There's a lot of great moments. To be a part of something like that is great. I hope I can be a part of more."

In the ninth inning he was. Kinsler blooped a single to left center field against closer Jason Motte. Texas was losing, 1-0, and Kinsler knew he had to steal second off Motte and strong-armed catcher Yadier Molina. With Andrus trying to bunt, Kinsler stole second just ahead of a strong throw by Molina.

"The umpire [Ron Kulpa] was right on top of the play," said Kinsler. "He had a great look at it. It was a very clean play. [Molina] made a great throw because I thought I was going to get in there easy."

Kinsler took third on Andrus' single and scored on Hamilton's sacrifice fly. Andrus, who took second on Albert Pujols' missed cutoff and advanced to third on Hamilton's fly ball, scored the game winner on Young's sacrifice fly.

"It seems like just about every game we've played throughout the playoffs has been tremendous," said Kinsler. "These last two games have definitely raised the bar. They've been a lot of fun to be a part of.

"When you play in a city like St. Louis ... you see the history they have. You see all those World Series flags flying. The fans are great just like they are in our ballpark. It's going to be a great series."

Repeat performance: In the first two games, Texas right-hander Alexi Ogando has been brought in to face pinch-hitter Craig. Each time Craig has produced an RBI single. Craig was the starting right fielder in Game 3, but that didn't mean Ogando-Allen III couldn't happen.

"I don't avoid any matchup during the course of a game," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "If a situation dictates that I have to bring Ogando in and Craig is up there, it will happen."

In his first at-bat Saturday, Craig homered with one out in the first for a 1-0 lead. The homer made him 3-for-3 in the World Series.

Instructions, please: Dirk Nowitzki, 7-0 power forward for the NBA champion Mavericks, threw out the first pitch Saturday night. Former President George W. Bush will do the honors Sunday followed by Cowboys Hall of Famer Roger Staubach on Monday.

What goes into making a good first pitch?

Said Edwin Jackson, who will start for St. Louis on Sunday, "The only advice you can give is throw hard."

Manager Tony La Russa had this advice, "Get short enough to the plate where you won't bounce it because the worst thing to do is bounce it. Then you look like you don't belong. If you're going to make a mistake, throw it over his head because then arm is just strong, not weak.

"I think Dirk could take just one big step and hand him the ball."

Nowitzki, throwing from the rubber, threw a strike to Young. He gave Young a hug and gave the crowd the Rangers' claw sign.

The other side: On Friday, Pujols said he didn't have to apologize to the media for pulling a no-show following his ninth-inning error that help set the stage for Thursday's 2-1 loss.

In the other locker room, Young said, "I do think it's a responsibility [to talk to the media]. You guys have a job to do. These are big games. It's just a matter of trying to being respectful."

Finally: Washington, in St. Louis, in mentioning the managers who have influenced him named Doc Edwards. Washington played for Edwards in Cleveland in 1988. From that team, Washington, Buddy Black, Terry Francona, John Farrell and Dave Clark have gone on to manage in the big leagues.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

By Eric Willemsen Associated Press SHINICHIRO TANAKA/ASSOCIATED PRESSLindsey Vonn wins the women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on Saturday. SOELDEN, AUSTRIA -Lindsey Vonn used a blistering finish to win the season-opening World Cup giant slalom Saturday and become the fifth female skier to win a race in all five Alpine disciplines. The three-time overall champion was fourth after the...

By Eric Willemsen Associated Press

SHINICHIRO TANAKA/ASSOCIATED PRESSLindsey Vonn wins the women's giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, on Saturday.

SOELDEN, AUSTRIA -Lindsey Vonn used a blistering finish to win the season-opening World Cup giant slalom Saturday and become the fifth female skier to win a race in all five Alpine disciplines.

The three-time overall champion was fourth after the opening run before an impressive finish to win in a combined time of 2 minutes, 24.43 seconds.

Vonn is the second American skier to complete the discipline sweep after Bode Miller.

"I can't believe this. This is a big dream coming true," Vonn said. "A win in GS has always been so far out of reach for me. I knew that maybe one day I could win. But I definitely did not plan to do it here."

Vonn edged Olympic champion Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany by 0.04 seconds, while Elisabeth Goergl of Austria was 0.40 behind in third.

The discipline sweep has been achieved by Austria's Petra Kronberger, Sweden's Pernilla Wiberg, Croatia's Janica Kostelic and Sweden's Anja Paerson.

"I came into this race with not much confidence," said Vonn, who skipped most training sessions this week after hurting her hip in a crash during practice. "I just tried to have two good runs, to ski fast but not to do something special."

Overall World Cup champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch finished 3.13 seconds back in 24th. The German skier lost almost two seconds in her opening run and misjudged a turn while attacking in the second.

"You should not overrate the first race of a season," said Hoefl-Riesch, who has yet to win GS race. "There have been winners in Soelden that did not win much later in the season."

Vonn also matched Paerson's career tally with her 42nd World Cup victory. Only Austria's Annemarie Moser-Proell (62), Switzerland's Vreni Schneider (55) and Austria's Renate Goetschl (46) have won more races.

Vonn admitted to nerves after she placed fourth in the opening run.

"I feared that I might hold back too much," said Vonn, who has won 35 of her races in downhill and super-G and has struggled for consistency in the technical races. "But my coaches told me before the second run to have confidence and to ski as fast I can."

Vonn has duplicated her switch to men's skis for speed events with a switch in GS, using the same skis as world champion Ted Ligety. She said the equipment change plus offseason training was paying off. She preferred not speculate on her chances of winning the overall title back from Hoefl-Riesch.

"Well, it's very early days," Vonn said. "I have a lot of momentum and confidence going into the rest of the season."

Federica Brignone of Italy took a commanding first leg lead, but she skied out early in her second run. World GS champion Tina Maze of Slovenia, who many consider a contender for the overall title, placed 23rd.

Rebensburg, who won here last year on her way to the discipline title, led Vonn by 0.26 after the opening leg but was still satisfied to take second.

"Reaching the podium in the first race is always a positive signal," Rebensburg said.

A two-time gold medalist in speed events at the worlds, Goergl said she was helped by completing several training runs on the glacier last week.

Vonn's teammate Julia Mancuso had two runs without obvious mistakes and finished 10th.

Vonn's win was the first by an American female skier in a World Cup GS race since Julie Parisien won in Waterville Valley in 1991. And it was the first such victory on European soil since Tamara McKinney won in Zwiesel in 1984.

The season-opening World Cup weekend ends Sunday with a men's giant slalom.

By Mattias Karen Associated Press LEWIS WHYLD/APAn aerial view of London's Wembley Stadium, shot in 2007. Tampa Bay plays Chicago today in an NFL game there on Sunday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he can envision the league expanding to London sometime in the future. London -- The NFL is considering a plan to have a few teams play...

By Mattias Karen Associated Press

LEWIS WHYLD/APAn aerial view of London's Wembley Stadium, shot in 2007. Tampa Bay plays Chicago today in an NFL game there on Sunday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he can envision the league expanding to London sometime in the future.

London -- The NFL is considering a plan to have a few teams play regularly in Britain to build an overseas following -- part of the league's evaluation about whether a franchise could be permanently based in London.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday the league is looking into whether such a scenario would "advance our cause here by growing the fan base quicker." He is talking to several teams about becoming regulars in the British capital, a development he thinks would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do -- have a franchise here in London."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their second trip in three years to Wembley to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It is the fifth regular-season game held in London since 2007.

The league decided this month to keep playing in London through at least 2016, with an aim to play at least two games a year.

Goodell said multiple games in Britain could happen as early as next year, and he hopes more teams will agree to make regular trips.

"We want as many teams to come over. We want to see the more popular teams come over," Goodell said at a question-and-answer session with international fans. "Should we focus on just a couple of teams as consistently coming back here to build a fan base around those teams? The Bucs are coming back now for a second time in a five-year period of time. And the idea is, will that allow them to build a fan base quicker?"

Goodell praised the Glazer family, which owns both the Bucs and Premier League team Manchester United, for taking a leading role in promoting the game overseas. He said the Bucs are one of several teams the league has been in discussions with over more London visits.

"Obviously, the Glazer family has an interest over here with Man U," Goodell said. "And I think they want to see the Bucs become a global franchise. And I think that's a great thing for Tampa. I think it's a great thing for the NFL."

The league's ambitions haven't been dampened by a decrease in ticket sales this year. Sunday's game is the first of the five regular-season games at Wembley that is not expected to be a sellout. Organizers say an estimated 75,000 tickets have been sold, with the stadium's capacity about 82,000.

Goodell echoed organizers' claims that the lower sales were caused by the lockout, which meant tickets didn't go on sale until September -- several months later than usual.

"We started late," Goodell said. "But we're thrilled with our ticket sales. We obviously love to sell as many as we have, and we're still selling."

He said the NFL has no plans to play in other European countries in the near future, looking to establish as big a presence as possible in Britain first.

"We want to bring our game to continental Europe. The issue is, we want to make a success out of it in the U.K.," he said. "We think this (London) has got all of the basics that we need to be successful. It's got an advanced fan base, a strong media market, a great stadium. We have a long history here. So all those things contribute, let's make it work. And if we can be successful here, then we can take that model, potentially, to continental Europe."

Goodell was joined by Jerome Bettis, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back who is one of several NFL stars who have flown to London to promote the game. "The Bus" was given a warm reception by a knowledgeable group of about 100 fans, but said he's had to tweak his nickname this week to fit in.

"I'm a double-decker now," he said.

The Bobcats and Bowling Green are a half-game behind Temple heading into the final weeks.

View full sizeEd Suba Jr., Akron Beacon-JournalAkron's Karl Bostick, center, has the ball stripped by Ohio's Tremayne Scott in the first quarter of the Bobcats' 37-20 victory Saturday.

AKRON, Ohio -- Ohio University took care of business against the Akron Zips on Saturday, 37-20, and was rewarded when division favorite Temple was upset at Bowling Green. That turns the Mid-American Conference's East Division race into a wide-open affair in the final weeks of the season.

The Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 MAC) are a half-game behind Temple (5-3, 3-2), along with Bowling Green (4-4, 2-2). OU and Temple now prepare for a Nov. 2 matchup in Athens. The Falcons will try not to stub their toe with a game Saturday at Kent State (1-6, 0-3).

The Bobcats toasted Akron's defense for 556 yards. The lone bright spot for Akron was the play of backup quarterback Patrick Nicely, a Willoughby South graduate. He replaced a battered and generally ineffective Clayton Moore, who passed for 125 yards and rushed for 48.

Zips coach Rob Ianello, however, saw it a bit differently.

"I thought [Moore] played his butt off," Ianello said.

But it was clear he had no help.

"I'm absolutely disappointed with today," Ianello said. "Ohio University dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage, and that disappoints me with our team. It's hard to win when you can't run it, and they went up and down the field."

Akron tailback Jawon Chisholm, once on pace for a 1,000-yard rushing season, had his second straight subpar effort with 48 yards on 21 carries. Meanwhile, Bobcats quarterback Tyler Tettleton went 21-of-29 for 328 yards and two TDs, and tailback Donte Harden rushed for 123.

OU had 319 yards of offense at the break to just 136 yards for Akron, but stalled several times inside the 20 for a 13-3 halftime lead. The Bobcats' touchdown was a 78-yard pass from Tettleton to LaVon Brazill, who caught the ball in stride and sprinted untouched to the end zone.

"Manley Waller just took the cheese on that one," Ianello said of victimized cornerback.

Other than that, the Bobcats were forced to settle for field goals of 24 and 27 yards, allowing the Zips to stay within range as Moore's scrambles were the best offensive weapon.

Akron's score in the opening half was a 43-yard field goal by A.J. Fox early in the second quarter.

The Zips got themselves into a bigger hole to start the second half as a 27-yard, rugby-like punt out of the end zone gave the Bobcats a first down at Akron's 36. On the first play from scrimmage, Tettleton found Riley Dunlop for a 20-3 lead. From there, the rout was on.

The Zips could not generate much offense, but OU came to their assistance. A long lateral pass was dropped by the Bobcats, and it was recovered and returned 30 yards by linebacker Nico Caponi to the Bobcats' 4. It took four plays, but Moore's pass to Keith Sconiers for a 4-yard touchdown got the Zips to within 23-10.

The Bobcats answered with a 75-yard, 13-play drive, capped by a 1-yard Tettleton TD.

OU backups delivered the final touchdown, while another Fox field goal and a 6-yard Nicely pass to Marquelo Suel with 2:11 to play wrapped up Akron's scoring.

Folk hero status for the Browns should be reserved for the next person to lift the Lombardi Trophy, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren finally spoke to the local Browns fans this week. If what he said was perfectly rational, the response was something else, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Holmgren learned something about Browns fans this week. Some of them don't need much to get their feelings hurt.

So in a Seattle radio interview, the Browns' president said he probably wouldn't be in Cleveland 10 years. Why, the nerve. He's 63. That sounds downright ... reasonable.

"I'd like to see improvement here," Holmgen said. "Lay the foundation so they can feel good about their team again."

"They" and "their" bothered some people, judging the reaction. Not Holmgren's use of the low-bar "improvement," despite this town having seen that already before under Butch Davis (2004) and Romeo Crennel (2007). "They" and "their" got the attention.

People here just want to be loved. Is that so bad? Only when it gets in the way of rational judgment.

The most important message Holmgren delivered when he patched things up at a Wednesday press conference wasn't that he likes this city and feels part of it. Who cares how he refers to the fan base here -- short of calling people "infidels" -- if he can come close to doing what he did as a coach in Green Bay and Seattle?

In saying Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis need to show something this season -- one to secure the quarterback job, the other to get paid what he thinks he deserves -- Holmgren struck the proper tone. In the case of Hillis, that tone is especially important in denting the folk hero status he has earned among an easily pleased fan base after one good season. All the better if the Madden cover boy was starting to believe it, too.

Hillis seems to be following the Josh Cribbs model for getting paid. Rally the fans with talk of how much you love it here. Hope the team gives into the pressure. The difference is Cribbs had a much better resume, as well as some love-it-here credibility from his days at Kent State. After one season with the Browns, Hillis somehow got media mileage out of saying he was worried he might not retire here.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoPeyton Hillis became a fan favorite after his 2010 season. That he hasn't come close to duplicating that performance in 2011 doesn't bother supporters who are happy to spend any amount of the Browns' payroll to keep him.

Seriously? That's talking marriage on the second date.

Holmgren appears to understand Hillis had more value (and more success) in a pound-the-ball offense running behind a line, tight ends and Lawrence Vickers. And that just because McCoy shows some promise as a starting quarterback, being a championship quarterback is something else entirely.

"Until you find the man that you think can be the man, you might make changes every year," Holmgren said. "I'm not opposed to that. You have to find that person."

The ceiling of expectations here for too long has been "8-8 mediocrity" with a slight chance of "better-than-average." However much time Holmgren devotes to the team president's job, it's time for that to change.

SPINOFFS

Was listening to the "Jim Rome Show" on WKNR Wednesday when they interrupted with a "breaking news" bulletin. Turns out it wasn't Gaddafi captured and killed.

Holmgren was addressing the media.

When that qualifies as breaking news, Holmgren really needs to get out more...

Browns owner Randy Lerner hired Holmgren to put a winning team together and be the "credible" voice and face of the franchise. With a head coach whose plate is full (to put it kindly) and a GM who keeps a low profile (to put it even more kindly) Holmgren shouldn't be making Punxsutawney Phil Savage look like a regular in front of the cameras...

Another (Holmgren) thing: It was striking how easily Holmgren ignored his role and the role of Pat Shurmur in the Hillis saga and other team issues while putting the onus on the media. In suggesting the media is helping create distractions, Holmgren concluded by saying, "I know you want us to do well. ... You can help with the formula, I guess that's what I'm saying. I appreciate it..."

The Browns control their own message on their Web site and on their new one-hour daily radio program on WKNR. How about this arrangement? Let the rest of us ask questions -- hopefully, on occasion, questions ticket-buying fans would ask if given the chance. Players and coaches answer them. Or not. Their choice.

Then the team president making $8 million a year helps put out whatever fires he feels need dousing before the flames reach five-alarm status. That way everyone is doing the job they were hired to do.

Seattle is coming off a bye week. Teams coming off byes last week went 1-5. Trend or aberration? Three of the losers: Browns, Rams, Dolphins. Combined record entering last Sunday: 2-10. Each played on the road, so take that into account. Dallas lost at New England. Washington lost to a better-than-their-record Eagles team. Only the Ravens won, beating Houston at home.

In other words the better team won every game, which is another way of saying don't bet the house on the Browns, or the garage. But maybe the carport...

Teams coming off byes this week: Seattle (at Cleveland), Arizona (Pittsburgh), Denver (at Miami), Kansas City (at Raiders), San Diego (at Jets), Tennessee (Houston). Only the Titans are favored...

The NFL fined safety Troy Polamalu $10,000 for using a cell phone on the Steelers' sidelines during Sunday's game against Jacksonville. He did so to let his wife know he was OK after leaving the game with a mild concussion. I don't want to say the NFL under Roger Goodell is heavy-handed but what would a guy get fined for ordering takeout? The same?...

Former Indians' pitcher Doc Gooden admitted in an interview with ESPN's "E:60" he missed the Mets' World Series parade in 1986 and instead watched it on TV at the Long Island apartment of a drug dealer he barely knew. This comes as a shock to all those who suspected he was at church...

When a story about OSU head coach Luke Fickell and freshman Braxton Miller carries the headline, "Coach thinks QB will throw spirals," um, there's a long, long way to go...

Congress is urging a ban on chewing tobacco at the World Series out of concern that players are setting a bad example for young people. In related news, players are urging a ban on C-SPAN for the same reason...

HE SAID IT

"That's why I'm bad at Scrabble."-- Baseball analyst Tim McCarver to radio host Dan Patrick, after saying during a broadcast, "It's a five-letter word. S-T-R-I-K-E."

Yes, but if you ever need the intentional walk explained in 1,500 words or more, he's your man...

YOU SAID IT

(The Occasionally Acclaimed Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Who will get an NFL team first: L.A. or London?" -- Joe S

I was hoping Cleveland.

"Hey Bud:

"Now that baseball is naming its 2011 award recipients, is Jon Lester a leading candidate for the "Colonel Sanders Award"? -- George D

Not sure. I do know the Sox just signed the Miller High Life guy as a spring training invitee.

"Bud:

"Jeff from Westlake is a very clever contributor. Always print his comments." -- Agnes Tilisky

Thanks, Mrs. Jeff from Westlake.

"Bud:

"Any truth to the rumor Israel secretly hired Mike Ditka to advise them during its recent trade negotiations with Palestine, which resulted in Israel receiving one soldier in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners?" -- Len, Chesterland

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

"Bud:

"I read that Joe Haden changed agents. Is he looking for a second opinion about whether his knee is healed enough to play on Sunday?" -- Chuck Levin

Repeat winners get covered in glory.

"Hey Bud:

"Did somebody give Manny Acta bad directions to Zuccotti Park? I swear I saw him holding up a sign outside of Yankee Stadium that read "We Are the 99 percent." -- Wayne Kuznar

Repeat winners also get depressed watching "Moneyball."

There's certainly more than one Cavaliers fan who is skipping all the labor strife and going directly to next summer's talent search.

View full sizeGerry Broome, Associated PressThe NBA season is in limbo and the college season hasn't begun, but there's always time to speculate about a 2012 draft and North Carolina's talented forward, Harrison Barnes.

Hey, Tom: Since it looks like basketball is dead at least until the new year, I'd like to jump the gun and look at the draft. With the players we have right now, if the Cavs somehow manage to get the first pick again, what position do you see them trying to address with the players that might be available? -- J. Smith, Rocky River

Hey, J.: The Cavaliers need a shooting guard badly. But if North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes is on the board when they pick, it's hard to imagine them passing on him.

Hey, Tom: Do you have any insight as to how "Charge" was selected as the Canton team name? I'm OK with it, in a lukewarm way, I suppose, but just where did that name come from? Were "Moving Picks," "Technical Fouls," and "Flagrant-2's" given due consideration as candidate names? Just wondering. -- Chuck Slone, Louisville, Ky.

Hey, Chuck: I'm guessing no on your suggestions. The Cavaliers did a lot research with the Canton market, including focus groups and man-on-the-street interviews. They tried to meld the Cavs' brand -- team colors, logo -- with Canton's "passionate and supportive" sports community. Or, so they say. The nickname is OK, the logo is pretty sweet.

Hey, Tom: Looking backwards for a moment, what did the Cavs gain by the sign and trade of LeBron James? -- Lou Kovach, Cary, N.C.

Hey, Lou: The Cavs picked up two first-round picks (2014, 2016) from Miami and the Heat's 2012 second-round pick from New Orleans and a future second-round pick.

The Cavs also have the right to swap first-round picks with the Heat in 2012.

Hey, Tom: Are Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson playing at all this off-season? I would hate for the lockout to have a negative impact on their development as players in the time leading up to their first season in the NBA. -- John Vodrey, Shaker Heights

Hey, John: Both are attending college and working out on their respective campuses. Irving is at Duke and Thompson at Texas. It's good to see athletes making constructive use of the lockout, but your point is well taken. This is an important year of development that might be victimized by a labor dispute.

-- Tom

Rookie defenseman Stefan Elliott scored his first professional goal at 3:24 of overtime to give Lake Erie the win.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Rookie defenseman Stefan Elliott scored his first professional goal at 3:24 of overtime to give Lake Erie a 3-2 win over the Crunch Saturday night, the Monsters' first victory of the 2011-12 season.

It was the second straight night the two teams played overtime. The Crunch won on Friday, 4-3.

The Monsters opened the scoring with a first-period goal from Adrian Foster, with assists from David Van der Gulik and Greg Mauldin.

Syracuse's Kyle Palmieri, who leads the American Hockey League with eight goals, scored in the second period to tie the score. It was Palmieri's third in two nights against the Monsters.

The Crunch went ahead, 2-1, at 10:39 of the third on a power-play goal by defenseman Nick Schaus.

Lake Erie answered with a goal by defenseman Cameron Guance with 2:22 remaining, with assists from Elliott and Luke Walker.

The 20-year-old Elliott, a second-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2009, and Van der Gulik share the team scoring lead with four points (one goal and three assists).

The Spartans have won five straight games prior to next week's home game vs. Chicago.

Senior Daniel Vasil kicked a game-winning, 31-yard field goal in overtime as Case Western Reserve won its nonconference finale, 24-21, over host Wooster on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans (6-1) have won five straight games heading into their University Athletic Association opener and home finale against the University of Chicago (Ill.) next Saturday at Case Field.

Wooster drops to 2-5 overall and has lost five straight to CWRU.

Baldwin-Wallace 75, Wilmington 0: Junior quarterbacks Ryan O'Rourke (Avon) and Andrew Dziak (Maple Heights/Padua) combined for six touchdowns, and the Yellow Jackets accounted for 580 total yards, defeating the Quakers in Wilmington in an Ohio Athletic Conference game.

It was the second straight season B-W shut out Wilmington.

The 75 points was the second time in school history during the modern era that the team has scored 70 or more points. B-W blanked Heidelberg, 71-0, during the 1982 season.

B-W improves to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the OAC. The loss drops the Quakers to 0-7 overall and 0-6 in the OAC.

Mount Union 27, Capital University 7: The No. 2-ranked Raiders' defense forced four turnovers and held the Crusaders (3-4, 3-3) to a season-low 156 yards in an OAC game in Columbus.

Mount Union (7-0, 6-0) got two field goals from Tyler Almeida (Elyria). Running back Jake Simon (Parma Heights/Holy Name) ran for a 25-yard touchdown in the second half.

With Jonathan Quick in net, the Los Angeles Kings feel confident enough to beat any team in the NHL.

Associated PressLos Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick makes a save during the third period of their NHL hockey game against Dallas Stars, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, in Los Angeles. The Kings won 1-0. (AP Photo/Bret Hartman)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With Jonathan Quick in net, the Los Angeles Kings feel confident enough to beat any team in the NHL.

Now the only question is how long can Quick keep his shutout streak going.

Quick became the first goaltender in the franchise's 44-year history to record three consecutive shutouts and defenseman Jack Johnson scored in the third period of a 1-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

"It feels great to have that done — but at the end of the day, it's one game and two points. That's all I was focused on," Quick said after his 17th career shutout.

"It's a long season, and we have to keep this momentum going. We've got guys battling at all areas of the rink, especially in the D-zone, where they're battling along the wall and in front of the net and clearing out rebounds. They're doing their job extremely well, and it's making my just that much easier."

Quick, who had three shutouts last December, joined Felix Potvin as the only Kings goalies with three shutouts in two different months. Potvin had a club-record four in March 2001.

"He deserves this as much as anyone, and we're so happy for him and really excited for him," Johnson said after scoring his third game-winner of the young season.

"All the top goalies in the league like Tim Thomas and Ryan Miller, they all have the same characteristic — they never quit on a play. Even when it seems like Quicker is down and out, he keeps coming and makes that miraculous save."

Coming off victories against St. Louis and Phoenix, Quick stopped 28 shots to help extend the Kings' winning streak to four games and end Dallas' at five.

"Anytime a goaltender gets a shutout, everyone contributes. But you've got to give him a lot of the credit," Kings coach Terry Murray said. "He's focused on the play and he's aggressive to the shots. Tonight he was again on his game, and he just followed up on the game at Phoenix and brought the same game here tonight."

Quick extended his scoreless streak to 188 minutes and 10 seconds, breaking the club mark of 185:55 by Rogie Vachon during the 1975-76 season.

The closest the Stars came to scoring was when Michael Ryder hit the crossbar with a 30-foot wrist shot over Quick's left shoulder early in the third period.

Andrew Raycroft stopped Los Angeles' first 23 shots before newcomer Mike Richards won a faceoff deep in the Dallas zone. Johnson got a cross-ice pass from Rob Scuderi and took a one-timer from the right point that beat Raycroft to the glove side at 15:02 of the third while Steve Ott was screening his goalie.

"Just before we lined up, we talked about Richards wanting to win the faceoff on his backhand, based on what the other centerman was doing," Johnson said. "We were trying to set it up like that the whole game, trying to get a quick one-timer off the faceoff and create havoc. And if it was a clean enough win, Scuderi was going to try and set me up for a one-timer."

Raycroft was in net for a 5-2 loss at Chicago on Oct. 8 before Kari Lehtonen started the next five games — winning them all and allowing eight goals during that stretch.

"I don't think there are a lot of things in the game we can complain about, besides finishing," Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. "Sometimes the puck just doesn't go in for you, and we didn't get one tonight. When we have success, we're getting pucks deep. With guys like (Anze) Kopitar and Richards, you don't really want to play in your zone. So the easiest way to defend is to play in the offensive zone."

The Stars, coming off a 3-1 win at Anaheim, had a 21-19 shots advantage through two periods against the Kings with Raycroft making his second start of the season.

"We're a confident group now and we have enough swagger now and cockiness that if we play well, we're going to beat anyone," Johnson said. "The only way we're going to lose is if we beat ourselves."

Notes: Quick, who has stopped 175 of 180 shots in his six games this season (5-0-1), is the first NHL goalie with three straight shutouts since Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in December 2008. ... Johnson did not have a game-winning goal in the NHL prior to this season. ... Dallas RW Radek Dvorak, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent in July, hasn't scored a goal in eight games with his new club. ... Kopitar played in his 400th regular-season game and Ott appeared in his 500th. ... Among the sellout crowd of 18,118 was Dodgers first baseman James Loney. ... The Kings are 16-2-2 against Dallas since Jan. 12, 2008.

Beat writer Paul Hoynes ponders the Tribe's level of minor-league talent and the Matt LaPorta disappointment.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta's inability to muster any consistent production at the plate has made him a major disappointment with the Indians.

Hey, Hoynsie: It was disappointing to read a column this week that suggested that there is little bona fide position player talent in the Indians' farm system. Some time ago I believe you offered the opinion that the Indians have passed on drafting players due to their expected signing bonus. Who were some of those players? -- Louis Garcia, Cleveland

Hey, Louis: Granted there are not waves upon waves of talented position players in the Tribe's farm system, especially when it comes to outfielders. Remember, however, that the Indians ended last year with the third-youngest roster in the big leagues. Translation: a lot of their prospects are already in the big leagues, which leaves the cupboard bare in the minors.

As for who the Indians steered away from in the draft because of large signing bonuses, Jered Weaver comes to mind. But they certainly aren't the only team to do that, which is why the current negotiations between owners and players is trying to revamp the draft.

Hey, Hoynsie: First off, let me say I'm not Matt LaPorta's biggest fan, but I don't get why fans are hating on him so much. Weren't we hoping he hit around .260 with 15-20 HRs? Take a look at these stats: 107 games, .247 average, .711 OPS, 23 doubles, 11 HRs and 53 RBI. To me that's a successful year when you [consider] the amount of games he played and the fact he was injured. Is it just the fans are too impatient or is he really that hopeless because if so, what am I missing? -- Alex H., Cleveland

Hey, Alex: When the Indians acquired LaPorta from Milwaukee for C.C. Sabathia, they said he was the key player in the trade. He hasn't done much to support that claim. He's inconsistent, doesn't put the ball in play and strikes out way too much. One of the reasons he didn't get more playing time was because of that inconsistency.

If LaPorta is still with the team when spring training opens next year, the Indians have made it clear he's going to have to win the first-base job. To date, he has not given them the kind of return they were expecting.

Hey, Hoynsie: What do you believe to be the greatest need for the Tribe this off-season? Is that kind of player available -- and if so, who could it be? -- Todd Edmond, Tiffin

Hey, Todd: The Indians need a productive hitter that they can slide into the middle of the order. It would be nice if he could play one of the corner positions -- first base, third base, left field or right field.

Before you ask, Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are not options.

Hey, Hoynsie: If CC Sabathia opts out of his contract with the Yankees, is the Tribe the odds-on favorite to sign him? -- Russell Edgerton, Cleveland

Hey, Russell: This has to be an alias. No rational-thinking Indians fan would ask this question and attach their real name to it.

Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance the Indians try to sign Texas Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Angelo: Did the Body Snatchers get you, too?

Hey, Hoynsie: I know he's had some injuries, but do you think the Tribe would be interested in trading for Kevin Youkilis? I think the Red Sox are looking to shake some things up in their clubhouse and he would be a much needed right-handed bat. He can play third, first and DH. He'd be able to rotate with Lonnie Chisenhall, Matt LaPorta and Travis Hafner. I appreciate what Shelley Duncan and Jack Hannahan did this year, but he's a clear upgrade. -- Jamie Vitonis, Boston

Hey, Jamie: Would you give up Chisenhall or Jason Kipnis for Youkilis? The Ohio native is 32 and has missed parts of the last two seasons with a list of injuries including a bad thumb, sports hernia and strained back. He'll make $12 million in 2012 with a club option worth $13 million in 2013.

Definitely like Youkilis' swing, but it looks like you'd be getting a player on the decline if you traded for him.

Hey, Hoynsie: I couldn't help but notice during the postseason games that Detroit's Victor Martinez had so much pine tar on his bat that he got it all over his uniform. Did he always do that? -- James Wensits, South Bend, Ind.

Hey, James: I noticed the pine tar as well on Martinez's bats. I don't recall him loading his bats like that when he was with the Indians, but hitters are creatures of habit. I don't think they change much.

-- Hoynsie

It's a near flood of questions that have reached Tony Grossi's mailbag.

View full sizeAP fileSome Browns fans will never forgive the organization for not drafting Clay Matthews in 2009.

Hey, Tony: Every time I watch Clay Matthews I get frustrated because it appears the Browns had two chances to draft him that year. He would have been a fan favorite plus his talent was apparent. What happened? -- Nancy Whitmire, Jacksonville, Fla.

Hey, Nancy: The previous regime liked Alex Mack better.

Hey, Tony: I know it didn't make a difference in the end, but wasn't Hue Jackson's decision to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking the chip-shot field goal one of the worst you've ever seen? How do you not make it a three-score game? Were the Raiders trying to run up the score? -- Jamie Vitonis, Boston

Hey, Jamie: Agree that that decision was a head-scratcher. Maybe it was out of Sebastian Janikowski's range. You know, too close?

Hey, Tony: Any reason why the Browns would not go after Brandon Lloyd? Our receivers are the worst in the league! Other than our 2012 draft picks and Atlanta's No. 1, do we have any other extra picks? -- Kris Kent, Canonsburg, Pa.

Hey, Kris: Lloyd is 30 and will be a free agent after the season. I would submit that the Rams' receivers are worse. Coincidentally, the Rams ultimately acquired Lloyd. The Browns own Atlanta's first- and fourth-round selections, and Denver's sixth.

Hey, Tony: It's becoming clearer that Colt McCoy is not the guy. His strengths were supposed to be football IQ and accuracy. Neither have been apparent in good-weather games against the softest portion of the schedule (and I don't believe the lack of experience excuse, he's played in 12 plus games over nearly 11/2 seasons). Things will get much worse in November/December when the weather will further limit the throws he's capable of making and playing four games against the Steelers and Ravens spells a lot of losing. My question is this: Projecting a 4-7 win season and a draft slot of 5-10, will the two 2012 first-round picks (guessing Atlanta's to be 15-20), the 2012 fourth from Atlanta, and a first from 2013 be enough for Andrew Luck? If not, how many additional picks would be required? Regardless of how people feel about McCoy, if you thought the next Peyton Manning was available, it would be stupid to not get him. -- Greg Cooper, Huntsville, Ala.

Hey, Greg: I would imagine three No. 1s and a No. 4 would be in the ballpark to move up for Luck. Would I do it? Without the slightest bit of hesitation.

Hey, Tony: Is the Browns' front office so out of touch with its fan base that it is playing games with the Peyton Hillis situation? That stadium will be empty next year if Hillis is not on the roster. I am a Browns Backer, work with 40 plus Browns fans, and friends and family combined agree on one thing: We finally have a nationally recognized hero in Peyton Hillis who makes these games watchable, sign him! If they don't I will be a fan of wherever Hillis lands. -- Gregg Juchum, Brunswick

Hey, Gregg: It takes two sides to make a deal. You are basically saying: Pay Hillis whatever it takes to keep him on the team. I'm sure Hillis appreciates the sentiment, but I don't think the Browns share it.

Hey, Tony: Why do teams and/or players negotiate contracts during the season when it becomes a distraction to the team and player? It seems it would make more sense to do this during the off-season. -- Joel Emrick, Sidney, Ohio

Hey, Joel: Good point. The problem was the owners' lockout shut down all NFL business for four months. When business resumed, there was so much to take care of that renegotiating contracts took a backseat. However, that didn't prevent new deals for Joe Thomas, Evan Moore, Chris Gocong and Ahtyba Rubin from happening.

Hey, Tony: With five games in the books, here is a draft question for you. In the 2012 draft do you take the best receiver available (Justin Blackmon) or the second-best QB (Landry Jones) since no way could they pry Luck loose from whoever drafts first? -- Terry T, Portland, Ore.

Hey, Terry: I haven't studied the players, or their backgrounds. Why commit to either until you have to? Let the season play out before worrying about the draft.

Hey, Tony: The question isn't about the Browns, but it is a football question. Who decided that the Dallas Cowboys should be known as "America's Team"? I just heard it again and it makes me crazy. They aren't my team and never will be. I root for whoever is playing against them. -- Jane Hilf, Cleveland

Hey, Jane: The term "America's Team" was coined by NFL Films, when it did one of those season highlight films on the Cowboys in the 1970s. Initially, the Cowboys didn't like the moniker, but they found it to be a lucrative promotional tool. The fact you root for whomever plays against them proves it is a rather effective slogan.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerSure, Browns fans want more from Colt McCoy ... then again, it's kinda hard to throw touchdown passes from this position.

Hey, Tony: After watching the Raiders D put a smack-down on Colt McCoy and the Browns' offense, how much longer is it going to take for Mike Holmgren to realize McCoy doesn't possess the skills to be an effective NFL starter and put Seneca Wallace in there? Lastly, are the Browns ever going to wear their Brown jerseys again? I ask because changing jerseys could be the one thing to get McCoy and the Browns' offense over the hump. -- Doug Furtado, Vermilion

Hey, Doug: There is no sentiment within the organization to play Wallace ahead of McCoy. This season was dedicated to finding out whether McCoy can be the franchise quarterback. It will take 16 games to make a viable evaluation. Your assumption about changing jerseys to change McCoy's luck is one reason I have re-instituted my moratorium on uniform questions. I am sure you realize there is no correlation and you are just trying to get under my skin.

Hey, Tony: I was not a Eric Mangini fan but I can say without a question the team was better prepared on game day. The team is putting Colt at a disadvantage and he will never make it the whole season. We give a team 14 points on special teams? You've got to be kidding me. At this point do you feel the only other opportunity for a win will be against the Rams? Do you think 3-13 is the best they can do? They are regressing each week. -- Joe Maloney, Woodland, Calif.

Hey, Joe: I don't know exactly if Woodland, Calif., is in the north or south of the state. Regardless, please stay off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hey, Tony: I am finished. ... I am 57 and grew up with good Browns football with my dad. This is another joke. Twelve years is too much. They should have stayed away. I guess I'll go back to the Packers, who were my team when the Browns moved. I mean ... it's so sad and embarrassing to watch. Don't you agree? -- Brian Principe, Lakewood

Hey, Brian: Stay off the I-480 bridge.

Hey, Tony: I expected much better Sunday in Oakland coming off the bye week. The offense and special teams are major disappointments. Are my expectations too high? -- Stan Maziejka, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Hey, Stan: Yes. They are five games into a totally new program.

Hey, Tony: What has happened to Colt McCoy? Or is he not the guy? -- Lou Kovach, Cary, N.C.

Hey, Lou: McCoy has 11 games to prove he is the guy. The defenses he'll oppose don't get any easier in the second half of the schedule.

Hey, Tony: Will the Browns realize the dismal state of affairs that exists in Berea (as they have so often done in the past) and actually do something about it? Where was Hillis? Is McCoy the real deal? Is Shurmur the answer? Come on, Holmgren, enough of the excuses! I can't take anymore of this ineptitude! I spent $330 for NFL Ticket for this? -- Martin Micco, Kamuela, Hawaii

Hey, Martin: Why do fans assume that teams coming off a bye automatically have some type of strategic edge? It's an assumption that is totally unsubstantiated.

Hey, Tony: We're going to put the ball in our playmakers hands. That's what Shurmur said. My question is, "What playmakers?" The offence is pathetic (same as last year) the defense can't stop anybody (same as last year). Is there any hope that the Browns will be even mediocre this year? It [stinks] living down here by Cincinnati and hearing about the 4-2 Bengals when the Browns should be the improving team. Talk me in from the ledge. -- Ralph Reis, Fort Mitchell, Ky.

Hey, Ralph: Two things about Cincinnati: The Bengals have more talent. The Bengals provided their young quarterback with a stud young receiver. Brilliant, no?

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis has found that getting yards against NFL defenses is easier -- when healthy -- than finding an agreement with management over a new contract.

Hey, Tony: OK. The whole Hillis situation is just plain weird. It's the coach's decision to pull him out, then it's a hamstring, then magically he's healed and playing. I have not read from any writer exactly what Hillis is asking for and exactly what the Browns are willing to pay. Or even, how far apart are they? How about some details? -- Ernie Logothetides, Lyndhurst

Hey, Ernie: I only have theories because the sides are not talking. I've heard the Hillis camp is asking in the $8 million-a-year range. I've heard the Browns are in the $4 million-a-year range. Quite a wide gap, if those figures are in the ballpark.

Hey, Tony: You knew I was gonna bring up the special teams debacle (being I'm a big supporter of Eric Mangini). Maybe Mangini (the new Cleveland Bill Belichick) was onto something with the special teams play being an important part of the game. It just cost us a game this week. -- Rick DelPrado, Middletown, Conn.

Hey, Rick: Took this long for somebody to bring up special teams?

Hey, Tony: The Lions go from zero wins to a strong team with a 5-1 record in three years. The 49ers put in place a new coach and a new offense without an off-season and they are sitting at a very relevant 4-2. Quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and Cam Newton play well as rookies. The Browns are stuck in the mud, again. What will the spark be that finally turns this team around? Other than Peyton Hillis as mayor of Elyria, of course. -- Jared Pelcic, Elyria

Hey, Jared: A good quarterback makes geniuses of a lot of people. New Orleans was the worst franchise in the NFL until Drew Brees rescued it. Matthew Stafford is doing the same for Detroit.

Hey, Tony: Where is Lawrence Vickers? Why is a rookie fullback being relied upon to take over that monumental task of making his running backs look good? -- Matthew Loar, Muncie, Ind.

Hey, Matthew: Vickers is riding the bench in Houston. Simply put, the Browns did not like Vickers. I've heard it was more a personality thing than a football decision.

Hey, Tony: McCoy and the Browns have played five games this year and to be honest, McCoy has looked below average to poor. The only times he has looked good have been when he ran the two-minute offense vs. Miami to win the game and the second-to-last drive vs. Oakland. Can you explain why the Browns won't go no-huddle in the middle of games to keep the defense honest? So far our offense has looked horrendous outside of those two drives. Why not mix in what works every once in a while? -- Greg Johnson, Chardon

Hey, Greg: When we ask those questions we do not get definitive answers. Perhaps they are working on it behind closed doors.

Hey, Tony: I watched a little of the Lions game and was amazed to see a QB who could throw and receivers who could catch. I was so envious. I wouldn't mind if the Browns would just show up, but they are unprepared, seem to have no game plan and no discipline. I am 63 years old, have been a life-long fan and people who know me know I love the Browns. But I am worn out. Any advice for a truly depressed fan? -- Debbie Badonsky, Kettering, Ohio

Hey, Debbie: The Browns are 2-3. Two years ago, they started out 1-11. It was worse then, believe me.

Hey, Tony: What are the chances the front office is second-guessing their decision on Shurmur? His offense is the second-worst in the NFL, his play-calling does not even come close to playing to the strengths of what "talent" he does have, he stubbornly sticks with rookie guards when they have made mistake after mistake, his inconsistent lineups have ticked off or alienated Hillis and Cribbs, the team's two best (only two) playmakers, and his love affair with Hardesty has left a "Braylon Edwards" amount of drops snuffing out drives. -- Chris Zanon, Canton

Hey, Chris: I didn't sense this panic when the Browns started 1-4 under the previous coach.

Hey, Tony: On paper it looked as if they had two weeks to prepare for the Raiders but on the field it looked like everybody took the two weeks off. The new, no pads, no hitting during the week walk-through practice sessions don't seem to be helping anyone get into a rhythm for game day and I can't see this team getting any better during the season without dedicated, intense practices during the week. If teams like Alabama, LSU, and Oklahoma practiced like the Browns do, it wouldn't matter what their recruiting classes were like, they would look like the Browns on game day. I think how you play is a reflection of how you practice. The 49ers are in a similar situation to the Browns with new coaches, new systems and new players. Do you think because Jim Harbaugh is an intense coach that the 49ers are having more intense practices and that is why they are improving or seem to be improving every week? -- Jan Bilson, Bradenton, Fla.

Hey, Jan: Apparently, you have been privy to the Browns' practices. I, as a member of the media, only get to view the first 30 minutes. So you are telling me something I didn't know. I am sure that hard-practicing Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma would compete well against the likes of NFL teams Oakland, Tennessee and Cinicinnati. Yes, Harbaugh is an intense coach and the 49ers are doing well. Bartender, I'll have a double, please.

Hey, Tony: 1) Where does the root of the offensive struggles lie, with McCoy or Shurmur? 2) If the season ended today and the Browns had to prepare for the draft, and you were in charge, would a QB be a priority? 3) Aside from Andrew Luck, who are the other key QBs expected to enter the draft? -- Sean S, Chandler, Ariz.

Hey, Sean: 1. McCoy. 2. Yes. 3. Landry Jones of Oklahoma is considered the next-best QB.

Hey, Tony: Why aren't the Browns not wearing their home colors (brown and orange)? If you look around the stadium you will see brown and orange, not white. We love to see our home team in their colors. -- Doyle Miller, Cleveland

Hey, Doyle: Crickets.

Hey, Tony: I am listening to your podcast today. I am retired in Florida and don't get real good info on what is happening with the Browns. It sounds as if the offense is not clicking and Shurmur is the OC. Any talk on GM or Mike Holmgren getting concerned about Shurmur's play calling? -- Rich Shawbell, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Hey, Rich: As a former coach, Holmgren knows that his West Coast offense needs time for everyone to function with the precise timing needed to make it work right.

Hey, Tony: Why isn't Cribbs returning kicks and punts? In Chicago I see Devin Hester doing a great job on special teams and serving as an effective second or third wide receiver. If Cribbs had become an elite No. 1 receiver I'd get it, but that's hardly the case. -- Doug Shaffer, Orange, Calif.

Hey, Doug: OK, folks, time to start watching the games before submitting questions. Cribbs is returning kickoffs and punts. It's just that most of the kickoffs against the Browns have been blasted out of the end zone as a result of the dumb new kickoff rule.

Hey, Tony: At the beginning of the season we were treated to a flurry of stories about the players delight with Shurmur "treating them like men," etc., after their treatment under the previous coach. Now that we are hearing of the complaining and squabbling, are we returning to the Crennel days of the inmates running the asylum? -- David King, Joelton, Tenn.

Hey, David: Just because a couple guys are frustrated with their playing time doesn't mean the inmates are running the asylum.

Hey, Tony: When your best offensive weapon this year is a TE (Ben Watson) and you don't really have any WRs that keep defensive coordinators up at night, can you tell me why in the world the Browns didn't pursue Brandon Lloyd for the bargain-basement price of a low draft pick in 2012? -- Jeff Biletnikoff, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Jeff: It should be obvious to any Browns fan that the club committed the 2011 season to seeing what they had in their present WR corps.

Hey, Tony: I have heard you and others identify the lack of quality wide receivers being one of the problems with this year's team. I agree but feel the lack of a true No. 1 receiver is impacting every play the offense runs. The Browns face seven- and eight-man fronts most of the time, which makes it hard to run and brings more pressure than the line can block when we try to pass. Do you agree with this assessment? -- Fred Burke, Richmond, Va.

Hey, Fred: It's one reason I was against trading the No. 6 pick and falling 21 spots and not taking the second-best receiver.

Hey, Tony: I have heard and read many theories about why the Browns' offense has looked so stagnant. Watch the Browns games with a stop watch in your hand and see how long it takes for Colt to get rid of the ball! Not only does he take well over four seconds to make a decision but he never makes all of his reads, either. My question is what has this coaching staff done to him? -- Gary Alfrey, Medina

Hey, Gary: McCoy was a mystery to opponents last year. Now they have a book on him. I know that after four of the five games, he has expressed the point that he saw things on defense that he did not expect. Overall, McCoy is getting much better coaching in his second season.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs has improved as a receiver this season, says Tony Grossi.

Hey, Tony: What do you think of Cribbs' reaction to your question concerning special teams at the end of the game? I'm wondering if part of his frustration was a byproduct of apparently not being where he was supposed to be on a deep throw in the first half. It brings up the $60 million question once again: Are the receivers not getting open and/or are they not sure where to be, or is McCoy just throwing inaccurately and/or not reading the defenses correctly? -- John Neiswander, Berthoud, Colo.

Hey, John: The weird thing is I think Cribbs is better as a WR than he's ever been. As for the chicken-and-egg question regarding the passing game, I will say this: When a quarterback is averaging 19 incompletions a game, it can't be all on the receivers.

Hey, Tony: With the lack of development at the QB position, what's a plausible root cause? 1. Colt isn't a player capable of development? or 2. Shurmur is not capable of developing the position given his current role as head coach? -- Michael Cosgray, Cincinnati

Hey, Michael: You're not even considering that five games is too little of a sample for making conclusions on McCoy or Shumur.

Hey, Tony: There was a feature interview with Paul Warfield in the USA Today last week. Warfield stated that Art Modell was left with little choice regarding the move after voters rejected a plan to renovate Municipal Stadium. I don't remember that vote. More fantasy from the mind of Paul Warfield? -- Matt Dennis, Cleveland

Hey, Matt: Voters passed the half-baked stadium renovation plan by a 60-40 margin. The fact is Modell already had agreed to take the Maryland money and stadium deal.

Hey, Tony: Now that Patricia Modell has passed and Art is in poor health, why not lighten up and let Art join the NFL Hall of Fame. Perhaps it would even be a good omen for the new Browns to move upward. The Modells were good for Cleveland when they lived there and your block is starting to look far too vindictive. -- Jay Lenrow, Baltimore, Md.

Hey, Jay: I think it's time to consider Robert Irsay for the Ravens Ring of Honor.

Hey, Tony: We're playing worse this year with more talent. And an easier schedule. And no rotation at quarterback. And Hardesty is back. Mangini wasn't perfect, but good god, he was better than what we got now. Sheesh. -- John Baughman, Lorain

Hey, John: Mangini wasn't perfect? Don't be so hard on him. He won five games two years in a row, for crying out loud.

Hey, Tony: I've had enough about folks saying because of the lockout McCoy stinks (new offense, etc.). How is it that the Bengals have a rookie QB and a new offense and are strides ahead of the Browns? Is it that Dalton is that much better than McCoy, more playmakers in Cincinnati? -- Craig L, Tinley Park, Ill.

Hey, Craig: It's an interesting dynamic going on in Cincinnati. I'll be very interested to see the Dalton Gang vs. the Browns on Nov. 27 in Cincinnati. My hunch is that Dalton is benefiting from a better running game and a true No. 1 receiver.

Hey, Tony: Shurmur seems to be avoiding doing things that were successful last year to do it his way. Is this more about his ego or more about trying to get the team to do it his way? Or a little of both? -- Bill Dragon, Mount Vernon, Iowa

Hey, Bill: If you're referring to the way the Browns ran the ball last year -- lining up two tight ends, a fullback and Peyton Hillis and handing off play after play -- Holmgren and Shurmur are in agreement that to win games you need to throw successfully and run when you want to run. To run the ball simply to be able to say, "We're in the top 10 in running the ball" doesn't make sense if you win five games and are incapable of throwing it. So the Browns are trying to develop their passing game. I think we can all agree that it takes more than five games to implement a completely new offensive system.

Hey, Tony: There has been a lot of talk about Al Davis but no talk I have seen about who is taking over ownership of the Raiders. Does he have a wife? Family? Partners? Who gets the keys to the car?-- Bill Dragon, Mount Vernon, Iowa

Hey, Bill: Wife Carol Davis and son Mark assume ownership of the Raiders.

Hey, Tony: Why is it so difficult to get the ball into Josh Cribbs' hands? They threw him one screen pass that went for 23 yards. Why isn't there more of this? Until they can get Cribbs the ball in space so he can make plays, I believe he is insignificant on offense. -- David Fain, Macon, Ga.

Hey, David: I am in total agreement.

Hey, Tony: Unless I miscounted the wins and losses, aren't the numbers of Bernie Kosar and McCoy very similiar during the same number of rookie starts? Also, what were some of the concerns during Kosar's rookie year and do you see the same concerns with McCoy? -- Rich Salois, Missoula, Mont.

Hey, Rich: It's a fair discussion, though the teams were at different stages of development with different levels of talent. Kosar and McCoy also were two distinctly different quarterbacks with different skill sets. One obvious difference is that Kosar knew how to beat a blitz as a rookie.

Hey, Tony: On Tuesday, after the Oakland loss, USA Today reported that "TV cameras at one point appeared to show Browns running backs coach Gary Brown telling Hillis to get away from him on the sidelines" sometime in the late second or early third quarter. To my knowledge, the MRI results for Hillis haven't been announced yet, leading me to believe this might be a concerted effort to depress his numbers, and by proxy his "value," when a new contract is finally negotiated. What do you make of this entire situation? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

Hey, Tim: Hillis suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter. For whatever reason, the Browns' PR staff failed to deliver this information in a timely fashion. A perfect storm of miscommunication, confusion and lack of accountability created the erroneous impression that Hillis was benched by the coach. How this can happen at the NFL level is an issue the club should investigate and correct.

Hey, Tony: I have a few questions. First, I haven't heard much about staph infections. Has this problem been resolved? Second, what is the status of Joe Jurevicius' lawsuit against the Browns? Does Colt McCoy remind you of Charlie Frye? -- Mark Patti, Hartville, Ohio

Hey, Mark: 1. Yes. 2. Jurevicius came to an undisclosed settlement. 3. To be honest, at times he does.

Hey, Tony: After the loss to the Titans I have to admit I was wrong about McCoy, as clearly he is substandard. Ergo, do you think Holmgren has lost faith as well and would we offer our first-round picks in 2012 and our first in 2013 to move up to No. 1 overall for Luck? Finally, if Jim Harbaugh was our coach, don't you think we would be at least 3-2 vs. 2-3? -- Mark Tucker, Boston

Hey, Mark: It would take more than three No. 1s to move up for Luck. I think Holmgren still has faith in McCoy. Speculating on the Browns' record with Harbaugh is a waste of energy.

Hey, Tony: The no-huddle offense we see McCoy run at the end of games seems to have some success, but hasn't it performed well enough to deserve more of a look? -- Josh Weaver, Lancaster, Pa.

Hey, Josh: The Dolphins played soft zone coverage at the end of their game, giving McCoy short passes to avoid getting beat deep. Ultimately, they played not to lose and lost. Defenses play differently at other points of the game. That said, I would like to see the Browns try a no-huddle attack earlier in games.

Hey, Tony: Since the Browns' braintrust has totally blown up the team for younger, inexperienced and average talented players, by the time there is a competitive team on the field will Shurmur still be the Browns head coach? -- Rex Hamlett, The Villages, Fla.

Hey, Rex: Yes.

Hey, Tony: I took a hard game-by-game look at the 2010 St. Louis Rams to try to make sense of what is happening to our Browns. What was evident was that the same exact problems that McCoy is having now happened to Sam Bradford in 2010. Blogs were screaming about the inept play-calling by Shurmur, Bradford's inaccuracy, that they never threw the ball down field and never used Stephen Jackson. For 2010 Bradford had an average per attempt of only 5.95 yards. You have been very critical of McCoy and that he is the sole reason for our problems but based on everything considered I believe Pat Shurmur is in way over his head and McCoy will continue to struggle and be blamed. -- George Schmidt, Cleveland

Hey, George: Some thoughts: 1. Bradford was a rookie. McCoy is a veritable rookie. Rookie QBs struggle no matter the offensive system. 2. Jackson had more than 300 carries last year and more than 1,200 yards. 3. The Rams dropped seven passes in the deciding final game against Seattle.

Hey, Tony: I see Shurmur as the real issue this year for the Browns, do you agree? The man is predictable and it seems he has not a ounce of faith in his players. -- Dustin Fox, Lakewood

Hey, Dustin: Don't agree. Predictable? Passes on third-and-1? A pitchout to the No. 3 halfback on fourth-and-1? No faith in his players? Don't agree.

Hey, Tony: Any thoughts about having Kellen Winslow Jr. come in at the beginning of training camp to talk to the players about proper motorcycle use? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.

Hey, Paul: He'd be the last guy to give such a talk.

-- Tony

When the Browns knocked out Oakland quarterback Jason Campbell last Sunday, it changed a lot of lives in a hurry.

View full sizeAP photoThis tackle of Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell by Scott Fujita (99) and Chris Gocong forced Campbell out of Sunday's game and Oakland's hand a day later in a trade with the Bengals for Carson Palmer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals pulled off the blockbuster deal for quarterback Carson Palmer to beat Tuesday's trade deadline, a thought entered the mind of Browns linebacker Chris Gocong.

"I was thinking [it's] funny how one tackle can change a lot of people's lives. It's crazy," Gocong said this week.

Gocong and teammate Scott Fujita combined on the tackle of Jason Campbell last Sunday in Oakland that not only changed lives but also quite possibly changed the fortunes of two franchises.

On a third-down play in the second quarter, Campbell scrambled away from pressure and ran up the middle. Gocong wrapped Campbell around the waist and Fujita wrapped him on top. As Campbell went down with Fujita on top of him, Campbell's collarbone slammed into the ground.

"I heard him screaming something, holding himself," Gocong said.

The collarbone was broken. With the Raiders' fragile playoff hopes left in the shaky hands of Kyle Boller, Oakland coach Hue Jackson put the forces in motion to trade for Palmer, who had unofficially retired rather than play for the Bengals.

Jackson was the perfect intermediary for this deal. He coached Palmer during his greatest seasons -- first at USC and then at Cincinnati -- and also maintained a good relationship with Bengals President Mike Brown.

Brown received heat for stubbornly declining to trade Palmer, but Jackson, filling the authority void created by the death of Al Davis, made him a ridiculous offer. The Raiders gave up a first-round pick in 2012 and a first- or second-round pick in 2013.

This was a rare trade that had multiple winners and losers. Here's how we break it down:

Winner: Brown and the Bengals.

Brown is famously impervious to criticism and heat from media and fans. He stood his ground -- partly because he was so hurt by the stance of Palmer, whom he liked a lot -- and ultimately got more for Palmer than anyone in the NFL dreamt.

Regardless of his infamous unpopularity, Brown was one of the smartest men in the NFL long before backing into this trade. He deserves an "atta boy" from his local customers for holding to his strong convictions and improving his team's future.

Winner: Jackson and the Raiders.

Jackson cemented his emerging prominence with the Raiders. Sure, he overpaid. But what's the price for a Super Bowl these days? He views Palmer as his ticket. No coach knows Palmer better. The Raiders have now traded their first four selections and their seventh in the 2012 draft. But they will recoup a few compensatory picks after the third round because of the loss in free agency of Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery.

Winner: Palmer.

His selfish strategy paid off. He got everything he wanted -- a free pass out of Cincinnati onto a legitimate playoff team with a coach he loves. The time off also helped his problematic elbow to further heal.

Loser: Campbell.

A good full season would have greatly enhanced his value as a free agent next year. Had he taken the Raiders to the playoffs, they would have re-signed him to a market-value contract. Now he will be cast aside in free agency and likely not attract nearly the same money. The brutal business of the NFL claims another victim.

Loser: The Browns.

The Bengals were the closest team in the division the Browns could hope to overtake. This bounty of high draft picks won't help the Browns close the gap. Yes, the Browns have two No. 1s in 2012, also. But here's the difference: The Bengals have a promising passing duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green already functioning together and developing a chemistry that will expedite both players' development.

Once a team has its quarterback and No. 1 receiver on hand, it can use its high picks to collect other pieces to the championship puzzle. (Detroit is the most recent example that comes to mind.)

The Browns still don't have a No. 1 receiver and have now admitted, through President Mike Holmgren, that they are not sure about quarterback Colt McCoy. They're running in quicksand while trying to catch the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Three years ago, the Buckeyes finished strong by running the ball, and that should be Ohio State's plan for the last five games of this season.

View full sizeSeth Pearlman, Associated PressA renewed emphasis on Dan Herron and the rest of the Ohio State running game -- even taken to an extreme -- may be the best solution for the Buckeyes for the rest of the 2011 season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One completion per game is extreme. One completion per game isn't balance. One completion per game, as Ohio State had in its win over Illinois last weekend, probably won't cut it over the Buckeyes' final five games of the regular season.

But seven completions per game? Seven might be perfect. It's the number that worked before.

Over the final five games in the 2008 season, when Terrelle Pryor was a freshman, the Buckeyes went 4-1. The only time they tried more than 15 passes, and completed more than nine, was in the one loss, a 13-6 defeat against Penn State.

In wins over Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan that season, Ohio State scored an average of 41 points. The typical offense in those four wins? It was 48 carries for 249 yards on the ground, and Pryor going 7-for-12 for 121 yards through the air.

So far through seven games this season, here's Ohio State's typical offensive game: 43 carries for 175 yards; 9 for 20 for 128 yards.

So in the back half of the season, the Buckeyes actually need to run more than they did in the first half. The Illinois game, which saw the Buckeyes gain 211 yards on 51 carries, was actually the right idea. With Mike Adams back at left tackle for the last two games, and Dan Herron back as the starting running back last week, Ohio State is more equipped to make that happen.

"We're definitely confident we can run the ball on teams," Adams said in the midst of Ohio State's bye week. "I definitely think we're a very physical football team, especially up front, and we pride ourselves on moving guys off the ball.

"As an offensive line, you like that a lot when you're running the ball and they know it and you just go out there and say, 'Stop me.' That's definitely a way to get momentum on your side, to run the ball all over a defense."

The idea may apply specifically next Saturday night when Ohio State hosts Wisconsin in primetime, with the Buckeyes looking to avenge their only loss from 2010. The Badgers were leading the nation by averaging 50 points per game entering the weekend, and the way OSU fullback Zach Boren sees it, the offense is the best tool for keeping Wisconsin off the scoreboard.

"If your offense is out there that much, then they can't score that many points," Boren said. "One of the main keys is you have to control the ball yourself and eat up some clock and I think the way we've been running the ball, we'll be able to do that."

The Buckeyes also showed that in the loss to Nebraska two weeks ago, running 41 times for 243 yards while completing just six of 18 passes for 108 yards. Boren said in that game he played 55 snaps, a huge number for a fullback. But Boren is as consistently good at his job as any Ohio State player, and the Buckeyes are better when he's on the field. More running means more Boren, and that's a good thing, too.

"I'll take that," Boren said of the 55 snaps. "My body feels it a couple days later, but I just like being out there and competing. As long as we get the win, I don't care."

This should be the way to get the wins. Currently at 4-3, the Buckeyes have to believe that 8-4 is an attainable goal, with November made up of home games with Indiana and Penn State and road trips to Purdue and Michigan. With the energy that should be flowing through Ohio Stadium on Saturday, beating the Badgers isn't out of the question, either.

But this is no time to get fancy.

Ohio State entered this week ninth in the nation in rushing attempts, with 300. Freshman Braxton Miller is enough of a run threat to help keep defenses honest, and coach Luke Fickell said the Buckeyes need to work on giving him more short passes to complete. Good thought. But if the Buckeyes end up throwing a lot in any game this season, it is more likely to be because they have to rather than because they want to.

If senior linemen like Adams, Mike Brewster and J.B. Shugarts can create consistent holes. If a fullback like Boren can make consistent blocks. If the Buckeyes can consistently vary their run looks between the I and the option. If tailbacks like Herron can consistently break the first tackle attempt they face.

If all that happens, then 8-4 is definitely in play. Maybe even one completion could work again.

There's a case to be made that this is the biggest game of Pat Shurmur's young coaching career.

View full sizeMark Duncan, Associated PressWith the home fans already frustrated twice this season, Pat Shurmur, Colt McCoy and the Browns badly need a good performance -- and a victory -- today vs. Seattle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Really, the sky isn't falling, even if we are talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. If the Browns can beat Seattle -- Why not? We're not talking about Vince Lombardi's Packers -- the Browns will be 3-3 for the first time since 2007. Before that, it was 2003 and 2001. That's right, only three times since the team returned in 1999 have the Browns been .500 after six games. They were 4-2 in 2001 (their best start ever), but that team faded to 7-9.

2. There's a case to be made that this is the biggest game of Pat Shurmur's young coaching career. First of all, it's at home -- where the Browns are 1-2. Both losses were stinkers: the Sleeping Defense game (27-17 to Cincinnati) and the 31-13 spanking by Tennessee.

3. In the last three years, the Browns are 7-17 at home. Only once (7-1 in 2007) have they had a winning home record since 1999. Part of the reason the home folks often turn angry is that the Browns too often have saved their worst for the paying customers.

4. Yes, Seattle is coming off a stunning 36-25 victory at New York. But the Seahawks are 2-3, aren't sure who should be the quarterback and have allowed 20 sacks, No. 2 in the NFL. The Seahawks have also given up 45 quarterback hits, also No. 2. The Rams with the shell-shocked Sam Bradford led the league in quarterback hits and sacks.

5. By comparison, the Browns have allowed only nine sacks, their 31 quarterback hits are tied for ninth.

6. This from ProfootballFocus.com on Jabaal Sheard: "He is currently ranked No. 3 in our Rookie of the Year race, mostly on the strength of his pass-rushing abilities. He has 12 pressures, two quarterback sacks and two quarterback hits. He has proven to be a 3-down left defensive end."

7. There is much talk about the no-huddle offense used by Seattle in its last six quarters, producing an impressive 57 points. The Browns should not be as vulnerable as most teams as they rarely substitute on defense. D'Qwell Jackson has played every snap, while Sheldon Brown has missed only one and T.J. Ward has missed two. On the line, Jayme Mitchell (92 percent of snaps), Sheard (90 percent), Ahtyba Rubin (85 percent) and Phil Taylor (65 percent) carry a heavy load.

8. The point is the Browns rarely substitute unless it's to take out a linebacker for an extra defensive back -- or to alternate Michael Adams and Usama Young at safety. So the quickness of the no-huddle should not impact them.

9. Yes, I'm also wondering when the Browns will come out in the no-huddle offense early in a game. Colt McCoy often played it last season with Eric Mangini, who believed McCoy's ability to recognize defenses and keep the offense organized worked well in the no-huddle.

10. Since Joshua Cribbs talked about going back to coverage units on special teams, I tried to check how often he has played that role. I couldn't find any hard data. But in 2007, he had 23 tackles on special teams to lead the Browns. In 2008, it was 22 tackles, again the most on the team. After Mangini became the coach, Cribbs began to play more on offense -- and less on coverage. He had nine special teams tackles in 2009, zero in 2010 and only one this season.

11. In the last four years, Cribbs' percentage of offensive plays has risen from 16 to 49 percent.

12. Here's the problem for the Browns: They really do want to run the ball more, but this may be a very hard week to do so. That's because A) Seattle ranks No. 1 against the run. B) Peyton Hillis (hamstring) may not play. C) Montario Hardesty has only one run over seven yards in 40 carries. D) Hardesty also has struggled catching the ball (six drops), which hurts because screen passes may work against Seattle.

13. Hopefully, the Browns will have Joe Haden back. The longest pass against him has been for 18 yards. Yes, he was charged with the 41-yard touchdown pass in that Sleeping Defense against the Bengals, but that was not his fault. Receivers against Haden are 11 receptions out of 26 targets (42 percent), the fifth-lowest percentage of any cornerback. In the loss to Tennessee, receivers caught only one of four passes when covered by Haden.

About Lee Evans...

This email came from Joe Allie: "As a local kid (from Bedford) who has had a pretty decent professional career playing on also-ran Buffalo teams, Lee Evans deserved a better comment from you, or at least a more complete comment (than last Sunday's mention). In fact Lee does have only two receptions this season. But, he has been down with a severe ankle sprain since week two. You mentioned Braylon Edwards' injury. Why no mention of Lee's (ankle)? I'd stack Lee's career numbers against any and all Browns' wide receivers over the span of his career to this point -- and I'm confident Lee would be superior to all of them: 43 touchdowns and 379 receptions with an average yards per catch of 15.8."

About the Tribe's attendance ...

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians fans had more to cheer about in 2011, which gave the team the biggest attendance boost in the major leagues.

1. No team had a bigger increase (449,191) than the Tribe this season. They still ranked No. 24 with 22,726 a game, so this is not a blast from the past of the 1990s with a sellout every night. To the Indians, it was encouraging to see improvement from 2010's attendance of 1,391,644 (28th).

2. The Indians edged out Texas (441,778) for the biggest increase. The Rangers also averaged 36,382 fans and nearly drew 3 million. San Francisco (350,036) had the third-largest increase. The biggest drops were the Dodgers (627,179) and Tampa Bay (335,814).

3. It seems Tampa Bay is just a hopeless baseball situation. The Rays drew only 1,529,188 fans for a team that won 91 games and made the playoffs. This came after they were 96-66 in 2010 and made the playoffs. In 2008, they went to the World Series. How can this team average only 18,879 fans and have the second-largest drop in baseball? Very rarely do I think a team should consider moving, but Tampa Bay doesn't seem to care about the wonderful young teams that have been on the field in the last four years.

4. According to the Tribe's internal statistics, most of the new tickets sold were in the $10 and $8 range. Fans especially embraced the $10 bleacher seats -- and that will be the price again in 2012. The $8 were in the upper deck. So the Indians were excited to see the increase, but it didn't bring in a major haul of cash compared to the 1990s when suites and prime seats were often sold first.

5. The Tribe started at about 7,000 season tickets on opening day, and ended at 8,700. Remember, partial plans are combined in the count. Four people who bought 20-game tickets plans become one season ticket. In other words, that 8,700 is a very fluid number as it's not backed heavily with corporate, full-season dollars.

6. The Tribe season-ticket base dropped from 15,100 in 2008 (after the playoff appearance) to 11,900 in 2009, 8,100 in 2010 and 7,000 at the start of this season. That meant they had to sell 15,726 tickets for each game to reach the final season average of 22,726.

7. At their peak, the Indians averaged about 27,000 season tickets in the late 1990s.

8. The good news (in addition to the rise in attendance) is the response of fans in surveys. Most enjoyed the ballpark experience and viewed it as a good place for families. They were caught up with team's hot start and embraced the return of Jim Thome for the final six weeks of the season.

9. While fans didn't pay major bucks for tickets, the Indians were wise to try to keep prices low and bring fans into the park -- where they can buy shirts, concessions and other souvenirs.

10. Television ratings were double that of 2010, and nearly matched 2007 when the Tribe won 96 games and went to the playoffs.

11. The most popular promotions remain Dollar Dog Night and fireworks.

12. Fans also liked the team's advertising approach ... The What If? and This Ball Is campaigns that were heavy on nostalgia and silent about pushing ticket plans. President Mark Shapiro believes this is the approach that helps fans connect with the team and remember good times at the park in the past.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerAkron's Zeke Marshall, still just a junior, provides a 7-foot foundation for the Zips to make another run to a MAC title and NCAA tournament berth.

About Akron basketball ...

1. Benedictine product Nick Harney had 30 points and nine rebounds in the Zips' most recent scrimmage. Coach Keith Dambrot said, "Nick had not been practicing well, but he really turned it on in the scrimmage. He has a lot of natural ability."

2. Dambrot is using Harney and Euclid product Demetrius Treadwell at power forward, but it's doubtful either will start. That spot is held down by Nick Cvetinovic, who is a second-team all-MAC player. "Treadwell and Harney remind me of [Jeremiah] Wood and Rome [Romeo Travis] when they first arrived," said Dambrot. "We'll see if these guys end up being as good as Rome and Wood."

3. The Zips have more size and depth than ever before under Dambrot. There's 7-foot center Zeke Marshall: "He's improved a lot -- I just wish he'd realize that he can be great." The junior is a defensive force in the middle. Add in Cvetinovic, Treadwell and Harney and that's four players in the front court. Dambrot also is pleased with power forward Josh Egner from Massillon Jackson.

4. The Zips will start Alex Abreu at point guard, but Dambrot is looking a backup. Xavier transfer Brian Walsh is a possibility. At 6-5, he also may play shooting guard. Dambrot believes sorting out his backcourt could be a key to the season.

5. The Zips have been to the NCAA tournament in two of the last three seasons. Expectations are high once again, and this is one of his most athletic teams ever. "But they still have to develop that Akron toughness," said Dambrot. "We are a little naked when it comes to leadership, some of our upper classmen have to step up. But you're right, we can be pretty good by the end of the season."

Pujols matches World Series record for homers shared by Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson.

View full sizeEric Gay, Associated PressAlbert Pujols drove a high fast ball off the back-wall of the lower-deck bleachers in left field for a three-run homer off the Rangers' Alexi Ogando in the sixth inning of Game 3 Saturday night in Arlington. It was the first of his three homers on the night.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Albert Pujols can be a free agent this winter. If he doesn't stay in St. Louis, perhaps he'd like to play for Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He certainly seemed to enjoy his look at the ballpark Saturday night.

Pujols hit three homers among his five hits to lead the Cardinals to a 16-7 victory over the Rangers in Game 3 of the World Series. St. Louis leads the series, 2-1.

Pujols is just the third player to hit three homers in a World Series game. Babe Ruth did it twice for the Yankees in Games 4 of the 1926 and 1928 World Series against St. Louis. Reggie Jackson, another Yankee, did it in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.

The Cardinals first baseman set a World Series record with 14 total bases. His five hits and six RBI tied World Series records. In short, it has to be the greatest one-game offensive performance in World Series history.

"We always like a lot of noise in the dugout when we're on the road," said manager Tony La Russa. "I mean the other team has 40,000 to 50,000 fans in the stands.

"One of our guys shouted to Albert in the middle innings, 'Have a day they'll never forget.' That's what he did.

"This is the latest example of how great he is."

After two tense, low-scoring games at chilly Busch Stadium, Game 3 was played in 80-degree temperatures at a ballpark where offense rules and pitchers cry. The teams combined for 23 runs and 28 hits.

"To be in the same company as Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson is pretty special," said Pujols. "They are great players. To do it on this stage, is amazing. But I didn't walk into the ballpark thinking I'm going to have this kind of game.

"So I can enjoy it for a minute before getting ready for tomorrow."

Pujols, hitless in his first seven World Series at-bats, fueled the offense with five straight hits after grounding out to third in the first. The biggest and loudest was a three-run homer off Alexi Ogando in the sixth. The homer, a line drive to left, hit off the facing of the club level and was measured at 423 feet.

"It was a fastball up," said Pujols.

In the seventh, Pujols hit a second homer, this one a two-run drive to center off Mike Gonzalez, to make it 14-6. Pujols hit Gonzalez's first pitch 406 feet, giving him 829 feet of homers on consecutive swings. In the ninth, he finished his fireworks show with a solo shot to left center than earned him a brief silent treatment from the Cardinals' bench before they mobbed him in the dugout.

"The second homer was on a fastball that was middle in," said Pujols. "I think the third was off a cutter."

Before Saturday night, Pujols made most of his World Series news for blowing off reporters after Thursday's 2-1 loss in Game 2. He made a critical error in the ninth inning when Texas scored scored both its runs.

Asked if that motivated him Saturday, Pujols said, "Not really. I've been in the middle of things before that get blown out of proportion. To tell you the truth I was embarrassed to be stuck in the middle of that. No one even mentioned the great pitching performances in those games by Jamie Garcia and C.J. Wlson."

Pujols and Yadier Molina drove in 10 of the Cardinals 17 runs. Molina hit two doubles and a sacrifice fly.

"Yadier is not only the best catcher in the game, but he's the best clutch hitter I've ever seen," said Pujols.

Texas manager Ron Washington said his pitchers couldn't keep the ball down or out of the middle of the plate against Pujols and the rest of the Cardinals.

"I've seen Albert on TV, but I'll tell you tonight was something special," said Washington.

St. Louis, building on Craig Allen's first-inning homer, made it 5-0 with four runs in the fourth. A blown call and an ugly error by first baseman Mike Napoli led to the early exit of Matt Harrison.

Pujols opened the inning with a single. Matt Holliday followed with a double play grounder to shortstop, except it wasn't called that way. Elvis Andrus flipped to Ian Kinsler at second to force Pujols, but Kinsler's throw to first was off target. Napoli still tagged Holliday with a back-hand tag, but first-base umpire Ron Kulpa called him safe.

Lance Berkman singled and David Freese doubled to score Holliday. Harrison intentionally walked Yadier Molina to load the bases and that didn't work out so well either. Jon Jay sent a grounder to Napoli. He gloved it on the run, but his throw home for the force was low and away. It skipped past catcher Yorvit Torrealba as two runs scored for a 4-0 lead as Molina went to third and Jay to second.

Ryan Theriot singled home Molina. Rafael Furcal sent a grounder back to the mound. Harrison grabbed it and threw out Jay at the plate, who was running on contact. Scott Feldman relieved and retired Craig to end the inning.

Kulpa told a pool reporter after the game that he missed the call.

"I saw a replay when I walked off the field and the tag was applied before his foot hit the bag," said Kulpa.

The Rangers made it 5-3 in the fourth as Michael Young and Nelson Cruz homered off Kyle Loshe. Young hit a leadoff homer and Cruz hit a two-run homer for his seventh of the postseason. After Napoli singled, Fernando Salas replaced Kyle Lohse.

Napoli advanced to third on a ground out and Torrealba's single. The rally ended when Kinsler sent a fly ball to left field. Holliday made the catch and threw to Molina, who tagged the sliding Napoli to complete the double play.

The Cardinals stretched the lead to 8-3 with three runs in the fifth. Pujols hit a leadoff single and Feldman walked Holliday and Berkman to load the bases. Freese sent a slow chopper to third to score Pujols for his second RBI of the game and 16th of the postseason.

Molina's two-run double to left completed the scoring.

The Rangers offense kept purring with three runs in the fifth. They opened with four straight hits by Andrus, Josh Hamilton, Young and Adrian Beltre. Andrus scored on Young's double past third and Hamilton scored on Beltre's single off Lance Lynn. Napoli's sacrifice fly scored Young. The inning ended with the bases loaded when Kinsler popped out.

Ogando, untouchable in the ALCS, has not been the same pitcher in the World Series. He started the sixth and allowed four runs, three earned, in just one-third of an inning. Mike Gonzalez relieved with the bases loaded. He gave up a sacrifice fly to Molina to make it 12-6 before ending the inning.

It was not a good night to be a starter. Harrison allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He threw 73 pitches, walked three with one strikeout. Lohse, making his first start in Arlington since 2006, allowed three runs on five hits in three innings.

Decades ago, U.S. wildlife officials imported Asian carp to America to help with weed and pollution control. It was their lack of action that allowed the fish to escape into the wild and dominate any river and lake they have reached. Will history repeat itself as Asian carp target the Great Lakes?

View full sizeD'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerA crew of fisheries biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources use electroshock equipment to stun jumping silver carp in the Illinois River at Lacon, Ill.

CHICAGO — The Asian carp infesting the major rivers of America didn't sneak into the country in the ballast of ocean freighters, as so many invasive species have. They didn't slowly invade through freighter locks and into the Great Lakes, as the sea lamprey did.

Decades ago, federal and state officials purposefully imported carp, which they believed were "the wonder fish."

The carp were imported because officials were eager to find a safer way than chemicals to control weeds, algae, sewage and parasites. Grass carp eat as much as three times their body weight in weeds each day, replacing the toxic chemicals commonly used for weed control.

But during the past four decades, not only have the Asian carp escaped into the wild, they also have expanded their reign to rivers and lakes across America -- as state and federal officials have stood idly by.

The next decade is a crucial time in the battle against the Asian carp. There is ample evidence that the fish could devastate the Great Lakes, and they might eventually dominate all the major rivers and lakes of North America.

The question now is whether government agencies will act quickly to protect the Great Lakes, or fail to head off the carp again and allow history to repeat itself.

'Wonder fish' comes to America

The four species of Asian carp that are now the scourge of Middle America -- silver, bighead, grass and black carp -- were first brought to the United States in the 1960s.

It started with grass carp, a fish that gobbles vegetation and could clean up America's weed-choked ponds and lakes.

To federal officials, the most important carp were the silver and bighead. They feasted on algae and sewage and satisfied a movement in the 1970s to use a chemical-free method to battle pollution. Bighead and silver carp would consume polluted organic material.

To U.S. and state wildlife officials, the Asian carp experiment was worth the risk. The fish were so effective at their jobs that Arkansas raised and released 380,000 of them in public waters and private fish farms.

Also, aside from doing their jobs well, Asian carp are popular food fare in Asia. Commercial fishermen and fish farmers hoped a market for them could be found in America.

But in the 1990s, the Asian carp began their full assault on America's freshwater rivers and lakes. The blame was placed at the feet of Southern fish farmers, who allowed the carp to swim during high water from their ponds into the wild waters of North America.

In reality, published reports by fisheries experts say, the greater responsibility lies with the state and federal officials who brought the fish here -- blinded by the promise of the fish -- and then stood idly by as they mobilized.

Carol Engle is one of the authors of "Invasive Asian Carps in North America" and chairwoman of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff -- in a state that was ground zero for the importation and expansion of Asian carp.

Engle's research indicates that most Asian carp escaped primarily from federal and state fish facilities, not from catfish ponds after flooding in the 1990s.

The first grass carp spawning ponds were at a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facility in Stuttgart, Ark. In May 1966, according to "Invasive Asian Carps in North America," fertile grass carp fry escaped. They were observed swimming through screens on the rearing troughs and into Bayou LaGrue, which flows into the White River, about 15 to 20 miles from the Mississippi River.

Five years later, adult grass carp were found as far north as Illinois.

As for silver and bighead carp, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission was actively raising both at four sites in 1982, including Hill's Lake, where local sportsmen boat and fish. The carp could have escaped from any or all those sites. Mallard Lake in northeastern Arkansas was drained into the St. Francis River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, after silver carp failed to control algae there.

Learning from the past?

Jerry Rasmussen was a district biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for three decades, starting in the 1970s. In the 1990s, he began to sound the alarm about Asian carp.

"I basically said that we'll know who to blame when these fish become a major disaster," Rasmussen said. "I had been taught that populations of any new critter, with no diseases or predators to worry about, will take off."

Now retired and working with Natural Resource Management Associates in LeClaire, Iowa, Rasmussen has spent years giving talks around the Great Lakes region about the perils of Asian carp.

He also did the groundwork for a Journal of Great Lakes Research article, "Dividing the waters: The case for hydrologic separation of the North American Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins."

Rasmussen says there are simple lessons to be learned from the Asian carp's history in America. He blames the importation of the fish, as well as a political system that bends over backward to promote and protect commerce, yet fails to protect the environment.

"When the USFWS was criticized for the importation of Asian carp many years ago, it turned over the program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture," Rasmussen said.

"All federal and local officials wanted to do were help Southern fish farmers. They didn't care about what would happen when these fish got loose. The ponds used by fish farmers are built on river bottoms and can't be drained."

Today, Illinois officials keep dragging their feet, Rasmussen said, believing that it's more important to keep barges moving through a canal than to seal off the Chicago waterways from the Great Lakes to keep out the Asian carp.

"The [federal] Asian carp czar [John Goss] listens to the interests of commerce," Rasmussen said. "Goods being shipped down the Chicago Canal that could just as easily be moved by train and truck. Politicians don't want to do anything."

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

The Asian carp is a frightening fish, and if they make it to the Great Lakes, life on Lake Erie will change in ways we have never seen.

View full sizeD'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerThe busy Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal that flows through downtown Chicago enters Lake Michigan through a series of locks. A recent report said that 17 state attorney generals now want to sever that connection to prevent Asian carp from gaining access to the Great Lakes.

To put it bluntly: The Asian carp is the most frightening fish I have seen in 30-plus years of covering the outdoors.

If they make it to the Great Lakes, life on Lake Erie will change in ways we have never seen. In the worst case, boaters and personal watercraft users will have to contend with the dangers of flying silver carp. Fishermen will find it hard to catch walleye and yellow perch. And commercial fishermen will be hard-pressed to catch enough yellow perch and walleye to meet our demand.

Federal agencies say they've got the situation under control. From electric barriers to commercial fishing nets and constant monitoring, they are sure they can keep this foreign fish we've invited into our waterways from invading the Great Lakes.

These are the same federal agencies who failed to contain the Asian carp in the South and allowed them to become the most hated fish in America.

We are at a crossroads, a time when something must be done, and soon.

Nothing short of these steps must be taken to keep the Asian carp out of the Great Lakes:

1. Shut down the Great Lakes gateway

Closing the main connection from the rivers to the Great Lakes -- the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal -- is mandatory. The Asian carp has put the Chicago locks in the spotlight, and they are a barrier with a track record that is already abysmal.

The gateway allowed zebra mussels -- brought by ocean freighters to the Great Lakes -- to escape years ago to the Mississippi River watershed.

It will be economically painful for Chicago and Illinois to lose the important commercial connection to the Mississippi River. At stake, however, are the Great Lakes and their $4.5 billion fishery. The Great Lakes are a recreational wonderland and, despite some reports to the contrary, most Great Lakes experts are sure the noxious carp would find much of the Great Lakes to be hospitable, especially Lake Erie, with its shallow, extremely fertile Western Basin.

Forget about developing markets for Asian carp around the world or putting a bounty on them. There is no future in embracing Asian carp and trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. No matter how you slice them, or how the best chefs prepare them, they're carp. Americans don't want to eat them.

An appeal to sport anglers to catch great numbers of Asian carp is futile. Asian carp eat vegetation, algae and mollusks, and once they begin to grow, they have no predators. They won't bite on minnows or night crawlers, or chase a lure. The only sport harvest method that has worked has been shooting the flying silver carp with a bow and arrow, which is costly and time-consuming.

A bounty is pointless. Oregon has been trying for years to eliminate squawfish -- now called northern pikeminnow -- that eat precious salmon smolt on the Columbia River. The state spent $1.2 million on bounties, with little effect.

Closing the connection to the Great Lakes is the only answer.

2. Slow the carp invasion

Federal and state officials must use any means to eliminate Asian carp wherever they're found, from lowering water levels -- the carp prefer high water for laying eggs -- to netting the fish and dumping them in landfills.

The quest must not be hampered by political or economic concerns. A future that includes massive numbers of Asian carp in North American rivers and lakes is unacceptable.

The unpopular aspect of killing millions of Asian carp will be the death of native species of fish. But state and federal hatcheries can efficiently replace the schools of native fish.

We know how to eliminate all fish in a body of water by pouring rotenone into the system. Rotenone temporarily removes all the oxygen, and all fish will die. That includes all the bass, shad, catfish and crappie that sport fishermen love to catch.

Lower the water levels of the rivers and lakes infested with Asian carp.

On the Illinois River, Illinois fisheries biologist Rob Hilsabeck told me that spring rains and high currents promoted premier spawning activity of Asian carp. Lowering the water levels will slow the current and concentrate the massive schools of carp. As oxygen levels are depleted, all the fish in the system die.

The city of Decatur, Ill., recently lowered the water levels between two Lake Decatur dams connecting it with the Sangamon River. The low water and lack of oxygen killed surprising numbers of bighead and silver carp. While officials are concerned about the stinking mess, they wouldn't raise water levels and risk the Asian carp getting into Lake Decatur.

They have reason to worry. The bighead carp has somehow found its way into the Iowa Great Lakes, a group of natural glacial lakes in northwestern Iowa that are a popular vacation area. Most likely, the carp gained access after flooding on the Missouri and the Little Sioux rivers. The bighead carp had to swim over a pair of dams during high water, showing a determination to increase their range.

Silver carp DNA was found in Minnesota's St. Croix River this summer. If the fish are there, they will threaten a $2.7 billion fishing industry.

3. Fund the research and controls

Teams of the best and brightest fisheries experts from federal agencies, universities and the private sector need to work together in the common fight to eliminate Asian carp. While we're at it, find ways to eliminate the common carp, too, a stocking mistake by federal officials in the 1800s.

At the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee meeting in Port Clinton earlier this year, Regional Director Leon Carl of the U.S. Geological Survey provided hope. Carl said researchers were exploring biocides that could be fatal to an individual species of carp. Nanoparticles containing a poison could be disguised as the algae or plankton carp prefer to eat.

If we can land a man on the moon, place a land rover on Mars and put one man's heart in another man's chest, there is a chance that we can stop the onslaught of this invasive species.

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

Montario Hardesty will start in place of Hillis and linebacker Kaluka Maiava will replace Scott Fujita, who was ruled out on Friday with his concussion.

JOHN KUNTZ/THE PLAIN DEALERBrowns running back Peyton Hillis will sit out the Seahawks game with his pulled hamstring.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Peyton Hillis is out for today's game with his pulled hamstring and cornerback Joe Haden will play despite being listed as questionable with his sprained left knee.

Montario Hardesty will start in place of Hillis and linebacker Kaluka Maiava will replace Scott Fujita, who was ruled out on Friday with his concussion.

Hillis suffered the pulled hamstring early on in the Raiders game last week. He returned to action for two plays in the fourth quarter to help out on pass protection, but realized "it wasn't the smartest idea.''

Hillis, who also missed the Dolphins game with strep throat, is having a down season. He is ranked 34th in the NFL with 211 yards on 60 carries for a 3.5-yard average.

Hardesty will make his second start of the season as the featured back. He's credited with one other start this season, but only because he appeared in the backfield on the first play along with Hillis. In his previous start he rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries vs. the Dolphins for a 4.8-yard average. He also caught three passes for 19 yards that game.

Hardesty struggled with blitz pickup last week against the Raiders and has dropped six passes his last two games, but said he's determined to have a better game today.

Haden, who suffered the sprained knee Oct. 2 against the Titans, practiced for the first time on Friday and ran and jumped well.

For the Seahawks, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) is inactive and Charlie Whitehurst will start. It will be his first start of the season and third overall in the NFL.

Join cleveland.com's live chat during the Browns vs. Seahawks game today at 1 p.m. Interact The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff live from the press box at Cleveland Browns Stadium as they describe the action on the field and post scoring updates. Stay logged on to listen to post-game show.

cleveland.comJoin cleveland.com's live chat from Browns Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Join cleveland.com's live chat during the Browns vs. Seahawks game today at 1 p.m.  Interact The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Joey Morona live from the press box at Cleveland Browns Stadium as they describe the action on the field and post scoring updates.

You can also get updates from The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter and in their in-game blog.

After the game, stay tuned to listen to Manoloff and Morona break down the game and take your chat room comments and questions.

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Live audio: Click on play about 15 minutes after the end of the game to listen to our live post-game show with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff.

Jabaal Sheard is making life miserable for Seahawks rookie right tackle James Carpenter.

View full sizeAmy Sancetta, Associated PressLeon Washington doesn't get far with the opening kickoff following a sure tackle by Cleveland's Titus Brown.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Notes, observations and some facts on the first quarter ...

• In his first game back from high ankle sprain, Titus Brown makes a big hit on Leon Washington on the opening kickoff at the 14.

• Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is out with a back injury.

• Seahawks' first drive implodes on four penalties and one sack in five-play sequence. Hmmm, didn't Seahawks have two weeks to prepare for that opening drive?

• Browns go backwards on their first possession and have to punt from own end zone.

• Josh Cribbs zero yards on two punts. No jumpstart from special teams, so far.

• Browns punt when Colt McCoy pass on third-and-2 is too high for Ben Watson. McCoy missed open Cribbs on first down and was almost intercepted.

• Whitehurst sacked on third down by Jabaal Sheard and Ahtyba Rubin. Seahawks rookie right tackle James Carpenter is having a tough game already vs. Sheard.

• Browns get initial first down with four minutes left on third-and-1 pass to Montario Hardesty. Hardesty then converts again on toss play for 6 yards.

• McCoy sacked on blindside blitz by Cam Chancellor. Penalty thrown for leading with helmet, though McCoy's movement evaded the helmet hit. Cheap call.