How would you grade coach Pat Shurmur?
The Cleveland Browns are tied for second place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns have one of the better defenses in the league, and despite not having many play makers on offense, the Browns are a 1 1/2 games out of first place.
And when you add in the injuries, coach Pat Shumur has still led the Browns to a 3-3 record. Are you happy with his job so far?
Union chief: “I think we’re within reach – and within striking distance of getting a deal,”
“I think we’re within reach – and within striking distance of getting a deal,” Hunter told reporters Thursday night in New York. “It’s just how receptive the NBA is, and whether they want to do a deal.”
Stern and Hunter were both upbeat Thursday night after seven hours of talks, and the commissioner actually dropped in on the union news conference, standing in the back of the room. As Hunter was asked when a significant move would come in negotiations, Stern shouted: "Tomorrow."
"There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot tomorrow," Stern said in the league's press conference. "I think that Billy and the union's negotiators feel the same way. I know that ours do."
Cleveland.com will supply updates as news from the talks becomes available.
A World Series game to remember.
For those who stayed up late last night, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the World Series.
It was one of the most exciting games (and finishes) in World Series history. St. Louis Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell writes:
In the upper reaches of Busch Stadium on this chilly Thursday night, the huddled masses of Cardinal Nation could not stop shivering. This was another one of those dramatic, stomach-churning nights when you are reminded of how the World Series is more than a baseball game. It's group therapy, comic theater, exasperating drama and particularly on nights like this an open-air insane asylum.
The loss was so disappointing for the Texas Rangers, that columnist Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News compared the Rangers to Bill Buckner.
The Cardinals were one strike away from elimination in the ninth and tied it. They were one strike away from elimination in the 10th and tied it.
And, in the end, after a marvelous game of brilliant highs and lows, the Rangers face what the Red Sox faced in 1986.
How do they come back and win Game 7 after this?
More World Series
Here's the video of last night's finish.
Paul Hoynes was there, and here's his take on the thrilling finish.
Game 6 was one incredible finish.
This was the most thrilling victory in their lives.
WFNY discusses what the Cleveland Browns need to do to bring home a win in San Francisco against the Niners
Every Friday leading into a Sunday contest for the Cleveland Football Browns, WFNY provides a roundtable-like discussion featuring each writer and his feelings on what the Dawgs need to do in order to leave the contest victorious. On the flip side of the coin, we aim to feature at least one voice from the opposing team who in turn aims to provide a bit of a contrast; a devil's advocate if you will.
This season, we will share some of our thoughts with the loyal readers of cleveland.com while inviting you all to continue the conversation with your fellow fans.
Without further ado, this season's Week 8 edition of The Browns Will Win If...
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Scott: ...Peyton Hillis (or Montario Hardesty in the event of a lingering hamstring) and TJ Ward play their best games of the season. In Ward's case, as mentioned yesterday, he may need to play the best game of his young career, helping the front seven in stopping Frank Gore and his five yards per carry while ensuring that his fellow defensive backs continue playing at a high level - the pair of San Francisco tight ends assuredly have a different idea. Colt McCoy should be able to skirt by unscathed if Pat Shurmur decides to utilize his running game by smashing the admittedly tough Niner's defense right in the mouth and do so very early. Set the tone with a physical style of play which should subsequently open up the passing game. Without Massaquoi and Watson, this part could be a dicey proposition; Greg Little, Evan Moore and (huzzah!) Carlton Mitchell will have to make the most out of every opportunity they receive.
TD: ...a miracle happens and the offense actually contributes to this one. To be honest, I just don't see how this team has a shot to pull of a win in San Francisco. The Niners are coming off a bye which is on the heels of their signature win of the season, the comeback win over the Lions in Detroit. They are 5-1 and have also beaten the Eagles in Philly and a 48-3 thrashing of Tampa Bay. The O-line better show up in this one considering Colt McCoy has spent most of the season running for his life and most likely will be without Ben Watson, Mohammad Massaquoi, and Peyton Hillis.
Click here to continue reading "The Browns Will Win If..."
Believe it or not, Tony Grossi picks the Browns over the 49ers. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Bill Lubringer (where's Chuck?) and Branson Wright.
It's Friday, so that means its "Hey Tony" with Cleveland Browns beat writer Tony Grossi.
Today, Grossi answers questions about the kickoff rule, Mike Holmgren's future, coach Pat Shurmur's grade, and which former Browns player should get elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tony also shocks Branson and Bill with his prediction.
SBTV returns on Monday.
And remember to catch this week's Browns Insider show that streams live today at 10 a.m. on Thursdays and is available on archive now.
Browns running back Peyton Hillis (hamstring) and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion) didn't practice, but tight end Ben Watson (concussion) returned to the field.
BEREA -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis sat out practice again today with his pulled hamstring, decreasing the likelihood of him playing Sunday in San Francisco.
Hillis practiced on Wednesday, but felt sore on Thursday and rested. Coach Pat Shurmur said Thursday he hoped Hillis could still play Sunday, but it's still uncertain.
Shurmur will address the media after practice at about 1 p.m.
In other Browns news, tight end Ben Watson, who suffered a concussion against the Seahawks, returned to the practice field today and worked with the first-team offense. But receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who also suffered a concussion against Seattle, was idle.
It appears Watson will play while Massaquoi will not.
Linebacker Kaluka Maiava, who injured his knee in practice on Thursday, watched from the sidelines and defensive back Ray Ventrone (hamstring) rested. Right guard Shaun Lauvao (knee) worked with the first team.
Ohio State's defense wants to step up on Saturday against Wisconsin.
Ohio State's defense will get the opportunity to prove itself on prime-time TV against Wisconsin on Saturday.
Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch writes how that will be a tough task for the Buckeyes.
That’s even though the usually burly, bullish Badgers have never looked more frightening than they do this season under the direction of senior transfer Russell Wilson. The quarterback’s ability to keep plays alive, running and passing, was on display again last week as he rallied the Badgers from 14 points down to tie Michigan State in the fourth quarter — only to see the Spartans win on a Hail Mary touchdown pass.
The Buckeyes will have to deal with quarterback Russell Wilson. But that's not all they'll have to deal with.
But look at Wisconsin's statistics: They are second in the Big Ten in rushing (252.1 yards per game), first in passing (259.6), first in total yards (511.7) and first in scoring (47.4 points).
Around the Horseshoe
Russell Wilson takes advantage of transfer rule.
Ohio State history lesson.
Wisconsin's special teams hope to rebound.
"I am glad that Hardesty has stayed healthy this year to fill in for Hillis. He is essentially a rookie coming off a major knee surgery and knocking off some rust and he's performed pretty well. I don't know why some people feel the need to bash Hardesty in order to show support for Hillis. I like Hillis as much as the next guy and he is our starter when healthy, but Hardesty is an important part of our backfield even when Hillis is healthy." - Rael4422
In response to the story Cleveland Browns RB Peyton Hillis questionable, WR Mo Mass out, TE Ben Watson returns from concussion, cleveland.com reader Rael4422 thinks Hardesty's development is vital, with or without Hillis. This reader writes,
"I am glad that Hardesty has stayed healthy this year to fill in for Hillis. He is essentially a rookie coming off a major knee surgery and knocking off some rust and he's performed pretty well. I don't know why some people feel the need to bash Hardesty in order to show support for Hillis. I like Hillis as much as the next guy and he is our starter when healthy, but Hardesty is an important part of our backfield even when Hillis is healthy."
"The question is not, "Did he play hard in 2011?" It's "Is he worth $9 million in 2012?" If you had not watched Grady play early in his career, would you even consider $9 million for a guy who has been injured so much the last 3 years? And his speed has obviously decreased and he is not a base stealing threat. If the Tribe were to pay out $9 million for a broken down outfielder from another team, the fans here would rightfully howl their heads off." - TribeFanEvenWhenTheyLose
In response to the story Cleveland Indians should take time to think before re-signing Grady Sizemore: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader TribeFanEvenWhenTheyLose doesn't think Grady Sizemore is worth $9 million. This reader writes,
"The question is not, "Did he play hard in 2011?" It's "Is he worth $9 million in 2012?" If you had not watched Grady play early in his career, would you even consider $9 million for a guy who has been injured so much the last 3 years? And his speed has obviously decreased and he is not a base stealing threat. If the Tribe were to pay out $9 million for a broken down outfielder from another team, the fans here would rightfully howl their heads off."
The religious Tebow is known for taking a knee to pray during games. His signature move -- also known as "Tebowing" -- is trending today on Twitter. People are posting all sorts of photos of themselves "Tebowing" on public streets, in ballet class, in hospitals, at work, even while seated on toilets in public restrooms. There's a mocking website - Tebowing.com -- that posts the photos and sells "Tebowing" merchandise.
When it comes to on-field celebrations, dances and signature moves in the NFL, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is pretty low-key. He doesn't seize endzone cameras, a la Chad Ochocinco. He doesn't do a Lambeau Leap, abuse goalposts, spike the ball or dance like a foot. Whenever he scores or wants to give his team a little boost, the religious Tebow simply kneels down on one knee, puts his right fist to his forehead and offers up a little prayer to the Almighty.
Apparently, he gets down on his knees enough to irritate people, because his signature move -- also known as "Tebowing" -- is trending today on Twitter. People are posting all sorts of photos of themselves "Tebowing" on public streets, in ballet class, in hospitals, at work, even while seated on toilets in public restrooms. There's a mocking website - Tebowing.com -- that posts photos and even sells T-shirts, baby bibs and hoodies in Broncos blue and orange, emblazoned with the following defintion of "Tebowing"
(vb) to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.
We're not quite sure why they haters are hating on Tebow when there are plenty of other NFL players and professional athletes with more obnoxious moves. But something about his genuflecting sure has stirred up the World Wide Web. MTV has gotten in on the Tebowing action via MTV Clutch. Heck, even Tebow himself is weighing in on his Twitter page, saying he loves "Tebowing," and even highlighting favorite photos from around the Web.
As for us, we see one definite upside to the whole thing.
Maybe people will stop "planking."
Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot hosts News and Notes with Ben Watson, Carlton Mitchell, Joe Thomas, Greg Little and Colt McCoy as they prepare for the game against the San Francisco 49ers on the West Coast Sunday. Watch video
Talks end after about six hours on Friday. Split of basketball revenue seems to be main stumbling block.
As Ohio State honors Jim Tressel in another on-campus display, members of his most illustrious recruiting class try to redeem themselves for losing to Wisconsin and for the scandal that led to his forced resignation.
Columbus -- Ohio State commemorated Jim Tressel's career with a mural earlier this season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, headquarters of the football program. Tuesday, soon after his successor, Luke Fickell, had spoken to the media, Ohio State revealed another tribute to Tressel in the Fawcett Center, where much of the athletic administration is housed.
The words displayed there were a favorite saying of Tressel's: "On your best days, be great. On your worst days, be good. Every other day, get better."
The effect was to urge his former players to seize the day -- or, with Wisconsin coming to the Horseshoe for an 8 p.m. game Saturday, the night. Their arc of improvement must be continuous. Obstacles they face are only opportunities by another name.
But why the rush to honor Tressel before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions makes its final ruling in late November or early December? Especially since the cover-up by Tressel of the trinkets-for-tattoos scandal not only caused a dozen victories from last season to be vacated, but also, through the suspensions dealt to the violators, severely damaged this season.
Furthermore, can any inspirational words from their former coach, or any stoic examples of perseverance from their current one, enable the players from the 2008 recruiting class, one of Ohio State's most ballyhooed ever, to go out under anything but a cloud?
This was supposed to be the class that, in the words of former quarterback and NFL defector Terrelle Pryor, would get Tressel over "that little hump" of losses in the previous two seasons' BCS championship games and give him his second national championship. The 2008 class was one of the top three in the land in recruiting evaluations, and Pryor was the No. 1 prize in the country.
It did not work out the way everyone at OSU hoped, and now the remnants of the class are left to try to establish a legacy that will include something besides regret and recriminations. For their role in the ouster of the beloved and successful Tressel, some members of the Class of 2008 are probably more reviled by their own fans than any OSU players in history.
The irony is that, in the eyes of the NCAA investigators, the sins of Pryor and the other suspended players are far less than those of Tressel.
Wisconsin is the game on which the season turns because, with only a little help from Penn State's opponents, the Buckeyes can still reach the Rose Bowl by winning out. It would be a fourth straight BCS bowl appearance.
Pryor has become a non-person at OSU, his name seldom mentioned, even by former teammates. Yet he was the team's sun for three years. Players who orbited closest to him, like wide receiver DeVier Posey, now serving a 10-game suspension, bear the scorch marks.
Going strictly by attractiveness to the NFL, left tackle Mike Adams will become the best player in the Class of 2008. He will probably be a first-round draft pick, despite serving a five-game suspension in the memorabilia sale scandal and another suspension for the Southern California game in 2009 for violating team rules.
Mike Brewster, despite a habit of bad snaps in the shotgun formation, and J.B. Shugharts, despite a habit of false starts, have been starters on the offensive line. Andrew Sweat starts at linebacker.
Jake Stoneburner is a good tight end, although he should have caught the touchdown pass from Joe Bauserman against Miami. Others had less successful careers. Cornerback Travis Howard from the '08 class was suspended for two games in the scandals involving a Cleveland booster. Speedy wide receiver and return man Lamaar Thomas transferred. Injury ruined what is probably the final season of defensive linemen Nathan Williams. Etienne Sabino took a redshirt season in the middle of his career and is a sometime starter at linebacker.
Wisconsin is cast as a revenge game now at Ohio State. Yet, had OSU beaten the Badgers in 2010, the Buckeyes would probably have played Auburn in the BCS championship game.
Had they won it, after the email trail implicating Tressel in the cover-up came to light, they would have been stripped of the championship. The Badgers actually might have done the Buckeyes a favor last season.
But by honoring Tressel before the final assessment is made of his damage, Ohio State does itself no favor. Tressel's words remain, but so do his misdeeds.
Catcher Luke Carlin spent last season at Class AAA Columbus. He missed five weeks with a sore right elbow.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Indians have re-signed catcher Luke Carlin to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training in February.
Carlin, 30, spent last year with the Class AAA Columbus Clipps, the Indians top farm club. He hit .213 (40-for-188) with eight doubles, five homers, 27 RBI in 63 games. He missed five weeks of the season with a sore right elbow.
He has appeared in 52 big leagues games, including six with the Indians at the end of the 2010 season.
The Rangers and Cardinals will play the first Game 7 in the World Series since 2002.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Here are the tonight's lineups for Game 7 of the World Series tonight at Busch Stadium.
Rangers: 2B Ian Kinsler (R), SS Elvis Andrus (R), CF Josh Hamilton (L), DH Michael Young (R), 3B Adrian Beltre (R), RF Nelson Cruz (R), C Mike Napoli (R), LF David Murphy (L), LHP Matt Harrison (14-9, 3.39, 1-1, 5.02).
Cardinals: 2B Ryan Theriot, LF Allen Craig (R), 1B Albert Pujols (R), DH Lance Berkman (S), 3B David Freese (R), C Yadier Molina (R), SS Rafael Furcal (S), CF Skip Schumaker (L), RHP Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45, 3-0, 3.30).
Lineup notes: The Cardinals took outfielder Matt Holliday off the World Series roster because of a bruised pinky finger on his right hand suffered in Game 6. He was replaced by outfielder Adron Chambers. MLB had to approve the move, based on findings that the injury would have put Holliday on the disabled list during the regular season. Napoli was in the lineup after injuring his ankle going into second base during Game 6. He had x-rays and they were negative. Cruz, who strained his groin muscle in his 11th inning at-bat, was a gametime decision.
Him vs. me: None of the St. Louis starters have more than one hit against Harrison. Napoli is 4-for-8 with two homers and five RBI against Carpenter.
Umpires: H Jerry Layne, 1B Greg Gibson, 2B Alfonso Marquez, 3B Ron Kulpa, LF Ted Barrett, RF Gary Cederstrom.
Browns running back Peyton Hillis sits out Friday's practice and is iffy for the 49ers game, receiver Mohamed Massaquoi is out with his concussion, and Ben Watson will play after being cleared with his concussion. Watch video
Browns running back Peyton Hillis sat out practice again Friday with his pulled hamstring and is questionable for the 49ers game, and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was ruled out with his concussion.
But tight end Ben Watson returned to the practice field Friday after also suffering a concussion against the Seahawks and worked with the first-team offense. He's listed as questionable, but should be available for duty against the 5-1 49ers.
"(Hillis) ran inside," said coach Pat Shurmur, who brought Hillis along on the trip. "He was able to run. He'll be available to play and if he can play, he'll play." Watson, who also suffered a concussion early in training camp, isn't exactly sure when he suffered the concussion in the game.
"At some point I started having concussion-like symptoms as far as the fogginess and a little bit of a headache," he said. "Sometimes I've had one before where you knew you had one and then sometimes you kind of get those symptoms and as soon as I came over and told the training staff, they took me out obviously and wanted to evaluate me."
He admitted he does worry about the cumulative effect of the concussions.
"You don't know if it's a genetic predisposition people have to certain diseases later on or if it has to do with head trauma," said Watson. "Whatever it is, we don't know. But it is definitely something that you think about and the more knowledge we have about head injuries, the more precautions. It's something that you have to go on by feel. You don't even think about coming back until you're symptom-free and that's why we have the steps in place just to make sure guys are taken care of."
He said there's been a code about coming out of a game hurt, which has led to guys playing with concussion-like symptoms over the years.
"There's been a stigma in contact sports like the NFL and the NHL that you kind of play through these things if you can't see blood," he said. "But I think things are changing. Again, I think our training staff did a good job of letting guys know the information."
He said his perspective has changed now that he has three children under 3 years of age.
"I look at everything differently now that I have a family," he said. "You think about everything differently when you have children because you just don't know the long-term effects. You have to listen to yourself and you have to think about people other than yourself, obviously."
With Hillis out of practice on both Thursday and Friday after working on Wednesday, Montario Hardesty is set to replace him as the starting running back for the second straight week, with Chris Ogbonnaya serving as the third-down back again. Hardesty, who rushed for 95 yards last week, will try to grind it out against the league's second-ranked run defense, one that's yielding only 74.7 yards per game.
Without Massaquoi -- who leads the Browns with 239 yards receiving on 18 receptions -- Josh Cribbs will start opposite Greg Little. Second-year wideout Carlton Mitchell, who was active in Week 3 vs. Miami, will play on both offense and special teams
Other injuries: Defensive lineman Auston English injured his knee in practice on Thursday and has been ruled out for the game. Linebacker Kaluka Maiava sat out practice with his knee injury and is questionable. Several other Browns are questionable: cornerback Joe Haden (knee), right guard Shaun Lauvao (knee), right tackle Tony Pashos (knee), defensive back Ray Ventrone (hamstring).
Hillis hitched: Hillis apparently got married on Tuesday in Arkansas, according to Arkansas360.com. He was back on the practice field on Wednesday. Hillis, who got engaged about a month ago, married Amanda Brown from Oklahoma, the report said.
Bryant fined: Seahawks defensive tackle Red Bryant, who blocked two Phil Dawson field goals, was fined $15,000 for head-butting Alex Smith at the end of the Browns' 6-3 victory. He was ejected from the game and his penalty prevented his team from getting the ball back with a chance to win at the end. Bryant accused Smith of taking cheap shots at him during the game, and Smith said the charges were untrue. He stressed that he's never been called a dirty player in his seven years and doesn't know what Bryant's talking about.
Mitchell on JUGS: Mitchell will be ready when called upon. He bought a JUGS pass-catching machine in the off-season, and has been using it everywhere, including inside his downtown apartment, in the hallway and in his parking garage.
"I still never thought of a name for it," he said. "I love that thing. It's probably the best investment I've ever had. I'll be in the hallway of the condo shooting JUGS or in the parking garage. I got caught a couple of times. I took it to the gym. It helped a lot. I caught about 1,000 balls a day."
The hallway? Doesn't he have to worry about a little old lady coming out of her apartment and getting JUG'd?
"Yea, it's more pressure than being here (at practice)," he said.
He said he's launched the ball from behind the machine by himself and then chased it down.
"I've done that a couple of times," said Mitchell. "I caught up with it. I saw Andre Johnson do it on a fantasy thing and I wanted to try it."
Breaking down the four components of today's Ohio State football game: mental, physical, emotional and, a part of the game that's too easy to forget these days, the fun.
The Mental
Wisconsin's offensive line has garnered attention this season for its size. The Badgers average 6-foot-4 and 322 pounds with left tackle Ricky Wagner (6-foot-6, 320 pounds), left guard Travis Frederick (6-4, 330), center Peter Konz (6-5, 315), right guard Kevin Zeitler (6-4, 315) and right tackle Josh Oglesby (6-7, 330). The Buckeyes aren't far behind on the offensive line, averaging 6-5 and 307 pounds, an inch taller and 15 pounds lighter, with Mike Adams (6-8, 320), Andrew Norwell (6-5, 308), Mike Brewster (6-5, 305), Jack Mewhort (6-6, 303) and J.B. Shugarts (6-7, 300).
The line that dominates the opposing defense could go a long way toward deciding a winner tonight. First, the OSU big guys have to stay in place.
The Buckeyes have 15 dead-ball penalties on offense this season, including three false starts per game in each of the past three games. Nothing hurts a run game like an unnecessary 5-yard penalty early in a series, and OSU offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jim Bollman agreed that all false starts are "intolerable." So why are they happening? Basically, he said his linemen have been scared into flinching when potential blitzes are pointed out or other line calls are made.
"Usually a guy is tensed up, ready to go, really trying to come off the ball, and all of a sudden someone will make a call that is often truly trying to be helpful and if he's not ready for that call, he'll flinch," Bollman said.
Bollman said his linemen need to have the poise to handle those calls and be ready for them. This is not a game for the Buckeyes to be putting themselves in holes.
But they also have to be aware of the snap count, believing they did learn some things several weeks ago when Michigan State's players indicated after the Spartans' win that they knew the OSU snap count. Bollman said that goes along with a freshman quarterback, but added "you've got to be more flexible in some of that stuff."
So vary the snap. After the snap, it's great to be big and strong. Before it, size doesn't matter. Just stillness.
The Physical
There's a part of Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson's game that should remind the Buckeyes of what former OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor did to teams for three years. The Buckeyes saw Pryor do it in practice. They've also seen what speedy, run-first quarterbacks like Michigan's Denard Robinson and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez can do. But for big-play ability within a conventional offense, learning from Pryor isn't a bad way to prepare for Wilson, who is slower and 7 inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter, but . . . you get the picture.
Ohio State certainly has to stop the run. But the type of offensive plays that the Buckeyes need to avoid are what Wilson did in the fourth quarter at Michigan State last week. The first was a 22-yard touchdown run when the pocket collapsed and Wilson pump-faked a defender on his way to the end zone. The other was a 42-yard completion after he escaped the rush, turned his back to the line of scrimmage while circling away and threw the ball 55 yards in the air to set up the tying touchdown.
"I think they're very similar," OSU cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson said of Wilson and Pryor. "When you get outside the pocket, quarterbacks like (Wilson), not only can they look downfield and make a throw 50 yards, they can also run 50 yards. As a defensive player, that always puts you on alert because we have to stay in lanes and cover longer."
Count tonight how many times Wilson turns what looks like a potential sack into a big play. More than one would be bad news for Ohio State. If it happens, OSU coach Luke Fickell said his veterans need to help the young defenders regroup immediately.
"You can't live in fear your whole life," Fickell said. "Whether it's of a guy breaking away or a guy slipping a tackle, it's going to come down to guys making plays. Do you have some more awareness because of his abilities? Definitely. But you can't sit there and say we can't ever do anything because he could hurt us."
The Emotional
Unlike Camp Randall Stadium, Ohio Stadium doesn't shake. So the Buckeyes won't have the edge that Wisconsin enjoyed last season. But there's little doubt that if the Buckeyes are going to win, the crowd has to play a part.
So far this season, OSU fans have witnessed blowout victories over Akron and Colorado, a near-loss to Toledo and a 10-7 loss to Michigan State that was almost the Buckeyes' first home shutout in 27 years. Can the fans remember how to get into a tight, well-played game, if that's what tonight becomes? At least Ohio State has asked fans to dress in scarlet, so maybe it'll look like Camp Randall.
"It's going to be unreal," OSU fullback Zach Boren said. "I hope the fans help us out, because when we went up there last year, that stadium was crazy. The fans were yelling and you could barely hear yourself think, and we hope it's like that this year."
"Last year when Wisconsin took the kickoff back, the crowd was behind them and they got pretty emotional," OSU tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "That's probably why we didn't play a great first quarter. At Nebraska, the crowd got behind them in the second half, and they got all emotional and probably had a little edge."
So can the Buckeyes fans do the same? Stoneburner has no doubt.
"I've never played in a stadium that's been louder than ours at certain points," he said.
The Fun
You can't have fun if you can't play. A year ago, Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland missed the Ohio State game while sitting out the season after shoulder surgery forced him to redshirt. So the only time the Buckeyes have seen the Dayton-area product in person, he was a third-down pass rush specialist as a true freshman in 2009. Now Borland is the Badgers' middle linebacker and leads the Big Ten with 71 tackles.
"Borland is an interesting guy," OSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said. "He does a great job."
Along with junior Mike Taylor, he gives the Badgers a very good pair of linebackers, and Borland and OSU running back Dan Herron should be butting heads much of the night. But just getting on the field full-time against the Buckeyes is a big step for Borland.
"That was a great game, a great atmosphere at home," Borland told the Wisconsin State Journal this week. "I was excited just to witness it, let alone think I could have played in it. It will be fun to be a part of it this year."
Doug Lesmerises' key to the game.
Ohio State playing with nothing to lose: Look at Ohio State's recent defeats. The Buckeyes often have a lot to lose. A national title. A bowl game. A shot at the Big Ten title. Hope -- at least in some of the losses this season. When you've won six straight Big Ten titles on the field, "Ahh, what the heck," isn't an attitude that pops up a lot.
That's what should be there tonight.
Wisconsin's loss to Michigan State put the Buckeyes back in the Big Ten race, and that gift should be treated as a bonus. Wisconsin is a seven-point favorite and for the first time since 1963, the Badgers are the only ranked team in this matchup. I still think pounding the run is the Buckeyes' best strategy through the rest of the Big Ten season, when winning with a small number of completions is possible. But they have to loosen up tonight in every phase.
That doesn't mean having Braxton Miller throw it 35 times. But wouldn't a Jordan Hall halfback pass be nice tonight? A double reverse to Corey "Philly" Brown? A fake punt? And this doesn't only mean trick plays. Blitz Russell Wilson in ways the Buckeyes haven't previously shown this season. Anticipate that the same-old same-old won't get it done, and don't be afraid to lose 50-10 if a couple risks go wrong.
The Wisconsin defense has flaws, but with the way the Badgers can score on offense, this isn't a game to go man-to-man and just try to win on talent. Creativity and risk-taking is the call. A game in which the Buckeyes don't turn it over, run the ball pretty well and limit Wilson's big plays could sounds like a 30-20 loss to me.
Ohio State is an underdog. Play like it.
Ohio State could use a breakout from quarterback Braxton Miller as a poll shows how much the fans still miss former coach Jim Tressel.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State fans pine for their old coach, revile their old quarterback and can't decide what to do with the current coach. Who's left to judge? The freshman quarterback making his fifth career start, and first in a home night game, against No. 12 Wisconsin today.
A poll of 341 Ohio State fans released Friday by Public Policy Polling showed how much Buckeyes fans are hanging on to the past when it comes to former coach Jim Tressel.
Sixty-three percent believe Tressel should still be Ohio State's head coach, compared to 24 percent who are glad he resigned.
Seventy-eight percent approve of the work Tressel did as coach, compared to 12 percent who disapprove.
Fifty-nine percent think the football program is in worse shape than when Tressel took over in 2001, compared to 13 percent who think it's in a better position.
Those who think the program is in worse shape have only the NCAA violations committed by Tressel and some of his players and the school's handling of the situation to blame. And former quarterback Terrelle Pryor seems to be taking the brunt of that. In the poll, 58 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion of Pryor, while just 19 percent had a favorable opinion.
As for the present, fans are almost evenly divided on what should happen to first-year coach Luke Fickell: 35 percent want to keep him after this season, 30 percent don't and 35 percent aren't sure.
OSU fans know what they miss, but don't know what to think of what they have. So, in the name of giving fans something to grab onto, it would seem to be a good time for a breakout game from new quarterback Braxton Miller.
"I just see a different guy than I saw against Michigan State [four weeks ago]," OSU center Mike Brewster said. "He's so much more confident, and I'm sure he understands and feels way more confident with the offense and controlling the huddle and all these little things. I think he'll go out and play like he knows how to play and be natural."
Miller has been nearly impossible to get a read on so far this season. Consider the process.
Against Akron he played in relief of starter Joe Bauserman and looked good throwing his first career touchdown pass, but remember how impressive Bauserman seemed that day as well?
Against Toledo, he didn't play at all, presumably while nursing an injury that wasn't divulged until after the game.
Against Miami, he played a bit, completing two passes, but was yanked at one point during the loss after a fumble.
Against Colorado, he made his first career start and threw two touchdown passes among five completions. And that was considered success.
Against Michigan State, he and the offense struggled to the point where Bauserman relieved Miller in the fourth quarter and led the only scoring drive in a 10-7 defeat.
Against Nebraska, he looked sharp and confident in the first half as the Buckeyes took a 20-6 lead at the break, but the team crumbled and lost after he left the game with a third-quarter ankle injury.
Against Illinois, he got his first Big Ten win while completing one pass.
And so Miller sits with 16 completions in 35 attempts for 251 yards in four games as a starter. It's hard to identify the face of Ohio State right now. Maybe defensive lineman John Simon? While a big game from the quarterback may not be absolutely necessary for the Buckeyes to beat the Badgers, it sure would give fans something to talk about. For now, there are only reports of progress.
"He's working at it and there is marked improvement day to day, week to week," OSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said. "We can all see it, we can all feel it. It's got to transform on the field, but if you don't see it on the practice field, it's not going to go on the field very often. I think we're moving along in the right direction."
Bollman sees it in Miller's accuracy and his growing grasp of the details. Miller's receivers see it as his passes reach them.
"When a guy comes out of his break, the ball is there when it's supposed to be there," tight end Jake Stoneburner said.
The poll, conducted between Oct. 13 and Oct. 16, also asked about former Florida coach Urban Meyer and found that 26 percent of fans want him as the next OSU coach, 27 percent don't and 47 percent aren't sure. The poll didn't include a question about Miller.
If it had, fans almost certainly would have wanted him to do two things. Throw. And win.
UPDATED: Chris Carpenter pitches six strong innings to lead St. Louis over Texas in Game 7 and win the World Series on Friday night at Busch Stadium.
ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals, following the script to the end, spotted the opposition a lead before coming back for the final time this season Friday night to win Game 7 of the World Series at Busch Stadium.
After Texas took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, St. Louis turned to starter Chris Carpenter and its loaded lineup to produce a 6-2 victory for its 11th world championship in franchise history.
"It's unbelievable, amazing, incredible," said manager Tony La Russa. "That's the only way to describe it."
Carpenter, working on three days' rest, pitched over a shaky first inning to win his second game of the series and improve to 9-2 in his postseason career. He is the first pitcher to start three games of a World Series since Arizona's Curt Schilling in 2001.
The last Cardinal to do it was John Tudor in 1985.
In his career, Carpenter has made two starts on three days' rest. Both came this postseason.
He did much better Friday than in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies. The Phillies rocked him for four runs on five hits in three innings. Carpenter held the Rangers to two runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked two to go 2-0 in the World Series and 4-0 in this postseason.
Carpenter and the Cardinals should remember to thank Joe Torre, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, and other officials who decided to postpone Game 6 because of rain that never really fell in convincing fashion. The game, originally scheduled for Wednesday, wasn't played until Thursday. It gave Carpenter an extra day's rest.
La Russa didn't announce that Carpenter was going to start for certain until Friday.
"I talked to Dave Duncan [pitching coach] on Friday morning," said La Russa. "I said what about the alternatives to Carpenter? He said there are no alternatives. It's Chris Carpenter and he hung up."
Texas didn't do much of anything after the first. The Rangers may have been drained of emotion after losing Game 6 in 11 innings, 10-9. They entered that game with a 3-2 lead in the series. Twice they were within one strike of winning their first world title, but couldn't get strike three for the final out.
The loss ended the Rangers' streak of 46 straight games without losing two straight. It was the longest streak since the 1995 Indians.
The Cardinals have been to 18 World Series, winning their first one since 2006. They are 8-3 in Game 7s.
What a run it has been for St. Louis. They trailed Atlanta by 10 1/2 games in the wild card race on Aug. 25. They went 30-13 the rest of the way, but still weren't assured of a postseason spot until they beat Houston on the final day of the regular season and Atlanta lost to Philadelphia.
In the NLDS against the favored Phillies, St. Louis trailed, 2-1. They forced a fifth and deciding game in which Carpenter out-pitched Roy Holliday for a 1-0 victory.
Then came Game 6 of the World Series. St. Louis rallied from a 7-5 deficit in the ninth inning and a 9-7 deficit in the 10th.
David Freese, named MVP of the World Series, hit a two-run double Friday night in the first off Matt Harrison to pull St. Louis into a 2-2 tie. It was all the encouragement his teammates needed.
Freese, also the MVP of the NLCS, drove in a record 21 for the postseason. He had 55 RBI in the regular season.
"This means everything," said Freese, who grew up just outside of St. Louis. "The excitement my family and friends have felt over this entire ride."
Freese won Game 6 with a leadoff homer in the 11th. He tied it with a two-run triple in the ninth.
"I'm trying to soak this whole thing in," said Freese. "It's going to take me a while to figure out what this meant. I'm sitting here right now, and I can't believe what we did."
Allen Craig gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead with a homer in the third off Matt Harrison. They made it 5-2 with two runs in the fifth without the benefit of a hit.
Scott Feldman walked Yadier Molina with two out and the bases loaded to make it 4-2. C.J. Wilson relieved and continued his disappointing postseason by hitting Rafael Furcal to force home another run. For Molina, it was his second bases-loaded walk in as many games.
Wilson, a free agent this winter, had a brutal postseason.
'To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158
On Twitter: @hoynsie
