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Grady Sizemore: Good move or bad by the Cleveland Indians to let him go? Poll

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After 7 1/2 seasons with the Indians, injury-prone Sizemore became a free agent Monday when Cleveland declined his $9 million option for 2012.

grady-sizemore.jpgCenter fielder Grady Sizemore was an all-star caliber player for the Indians from 2005-08, but injuries limited him to 70 games per season from 2009-11.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former all-star center fielder Grady Sizemore became a free agent Monday when the Cleveland Indians declined to pick up the $9 million option on his contract for 2012.



Sizemore, 29, played in just 71 games last season. He hit .224 (60-for-268) with 21 doubles, one triple, 10 homers and 34 RBI. Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer's Indians beat writer, reported on Cleveland's decision to decline the option year on Sizemore's contract.




Sizemore has undergone five surgeries in the last three years: one each on his left knee, right knee and left elbow, and two on his left groin. Sizemore played 639 of a possible 648 games from 2005 through 2008, but only 210 of a possible 486 games over the last three years.



The left-handed Sizemore, usually batting leadoff, hit .281 in the four seasons from 2005-08. He played in an average of 160 games a season, averaging 116 runs, 180 hits, 41 doubles, eight triples, 27 home runs and 81 RBI. He also averaged 82 walks, 29 stolen bases and eight caught stealings. Those numbers made it easy to accept his 143 strikeouts per season.



During the four years, Sizemore made three American League all-star teams, won two Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger award. Beginning in 2005, he finished 23rd, 11th, 12th and 10th in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.



Over the last three seasons (2009-11), though, Sizemore hit .234. He played an average of 70 games a season, averaging 41 runs, 65 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 36 RBI. He averaged 29 walks, 71 strikeouts, six stolen bases and four caught stealings.





Scribbles in Terry Pluto's Tribe notebook about Derek Lowe, Grady Sizemore and the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation

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Why pick up $5 million of his $15 million salary for a pitcher who was 9-17 with a 5.17 ERA for the Braves?

derek_lowe.jpgDerek Lowe won a World Series and threw a no-hitter during his time with the Red Sox.

1. I received a few emails from fans wondering why the Indians would want a 38-year-old Derek Lowe. Why pick up $5 million of his $15 million salary for a pitcher who was 9-17 with a 5.17 ERA for the Braves? Won't he stand in the way of Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister or David Huff making the starting rotation?

2. Always remember this, especially about starting pitchers: Some always gets hurt. Now, a question, who was the only Tribe starter not to miss a turn in 2011? The answer is Justin Masterson. And who were the only two pitchers who were in the April rotation and still there in September? Fausto Carmona and Masterson.

3. Now you know why the Indians not only traded for Lowe, but also picked up Carmona's $7 million option. You need at least eight starters to make it through most seasons. Even Carmona did 15 days on the disabled list with a leg injury sustained during a bunt attempt in July.

4. Here was the Tribe rotation breaking training camp: Mitch Talbot, Carlos Carrasco, Josh Tomlin, Masterson and Carmona. Talbot went down with an elbow injury. He was replaced by Alex White, who started three games and then suffered a finger injury, knocking him out for most of the season until he was traded to Colorado in the deal for Ubaldo Jimenez.

5. And yes, Jimenez was on the disabled list in April with the Rockies, starting only three games as he recovered from a "torn cuticle on his right pitching thumb," according to the Tribe media guide. He also pitched with a sore groin pull.

6. Carlos Carrasco? By the end of July, he was done for the year with an elbow injury that required reconstructive surgery.

7. Josh Tomlin is supposed to be healthy, but he went on the disabled list in late August with the first elbow problem of his career.

8. Lowe has not been on the disabled list since 1995. He was considered a major disappointment in Atlanta, where he signed a four-year, $60 million deal before the 2009 season. In three years, he had a 40-39 record with a 4.57 ERA. Of course, you also have to question the Braves' wisdom in giving a 35-year-old that massive four-year contract.

9. This from Mark Bradley in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Sending Lowe to Cleveland for a minor-league pitcher while agreeing to absorb two-thirds of the $15 million Lowe still is owed . . . that's how much the Braves wanted rid of Lowe. The team that doesn't have much to spend is willing to spend $10 million to make him go away. It's a trade that will please Braves fans, who never much cared for Lowe, but it's also a cold reminder that the best-laid plans often land in yonder trash can. As promised, Lowe ate innings -- an average of 192 of them over his three seasons as a Brave. They just weren't very good innings."

10. Now, the pressure will not be on Lowe to be an ace and live up to a huge contract as his 39th birthday approaches. Maybe that 0-5 record and 8.57 ERA in the September heat of a playoff race indicates will prove the Braves are smart to dump him, replace him with one of their prospects and at least save $5 million.

11. But from the Tribe's view, if Lowe is a bust, they can simply cut him and eat what is left of the $5 million deal. If he pitches reasonably well, they can trade him to a contender if the Indians fade -- his $5 million contract will make him attractive. I see no real downside.

12. Why run through all the injuries of the rotation? To demonstrate that, Gomez, McAllister, Huff and possibly Scott Barnes (coming off knee surgery) all probably will have a chance to start at some point in 2012.

13. Do understand that $5 million of the $8.5 million they saved by not picking up Grady Sizemore's option (He has a $500,000 buyout) went to Lowe. They may be able to put together about $5 million for another player, but some of Sizemore's money has already been spent.

14. The Indians should just open with Michael Brantley in center and shop for a corner outfielder who can hit -- rather than try to sign another center fielder.

15. The player traded to the Braves is Chris Jones, a 23-year-old lefty who was 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA at Class A Kinston. He is very tough on lefties and could eventually earn a spot in a big-league bullpen. But he's not considered a prime prospect.

CC Sabathia, former Cleveland Indian, says on a video via Twitter that he's staying with the New York Yankees

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Report says remainder of left-hander's contract gets bumped from four years and $92 million to five years and $122 million.

cc-sabathia3.jpgCC Sabathia's big league contracts have totaled around $100 million in 11 years as one of baseball's best pitchers and, reportedly, he'll get another $122 million over the next five years.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Add another $30 million to the bonanza former Cleveland Indian -- and, apparently, still New York Yankee -- CC Sabathia has gained as one of baseball's premier pitchers.

Starting Blocks, on Sunday night, posted a report about the contract status and the career timeline of Sabathia, who signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees as a free agent after the 2008 season.

Now, ESPNNewYork.com reports that Sabathia will stay with the Yankees:

Sabathia, who had until midnight Monday to opt out of his existing deal, announced in a video that he and the Yankees have come to terms on a contract extension that will keep the husky left-handed ace from exercising his opt-out clause and testing free agency.

"My goal the whole time was to be able to finish my career as a Yankee," Sabathia said in a video posted on Twitter. "I look forward to seeing everybody out at the ballpark next year."

The total deal is for five years and $122 million, which is instead of the four years and $92 million remaining on his original contract, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Sizemore's intensity shortened career in Cleveland

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Much of the fan mail to players on the last Indians team to reach the playoffs went to the one who was hardest to reach. Grady Sizemore's locker at Progressive Field was in front of a huge pillar. Baskets of bubble gum, sunflower seeds, and, back in the day, chewing tobacco, were perched on the top of a large...

Much of the fan mail to players on the last Indians team to reach the playoffs went to the one who was hardest to reach. Grady Sizemore's locker at Progressive Field was in front of a huge pillar. Baskets of bubble gum, sunflower seeds, and, back in the day, chewing tobacco, were perched on the top of a large counter next to the pillar. The fan letters went there.

sizemore.jpgGrady Sizemore slides headfirst into second with a double against Baltimore on July 17.

That mail will be delivered to a different address as of Monday, when the Indians declined to exercise their option on the injury-plagued outfielder's contract. What will remain are memories of a proud, private man who always gave his best and who, by so doing, was not built to last.

To speak to Sizemore in the Indians clubhouse, you had to squeeze past the counter and the pillar, stepping carefully over the feet of the players sitting on stools near him, and lean into the crowd of reporters customarily sardined into the space. You had to listen closely, for he spoke in a whispery rush of words.

Sometimes, you can learn a lot about a person from his lair. Not from Sizemore.

He did not really enjoy interviews. He underplayed his performance when talking about himself because he was convinced nothing he said could matter more than what he did. The game had taken almost all he had to give, anyway.

He was a favorite not only for his dashing looks but also for his dusty, diving style of play. Sizemore played all-out, as hard as he could, day-in, day-out. He missed nine games, total, from 2005-08. He led the American League in 2006 in the biggest thing for which a leadoff man is responsible -- runs scored. He led the league in plate appearances in the World Series near-miss season in 2007.

He played with the desperate hustle of someone on the fringe of the roster, not the center fielder who was probably the Central Division's best player in those years. He never took a game for granted, becoming a 30-30 man in home runs (33) and stolen bases (38) in 2008, when the sell-off began of the players who made 2007 possible.

Sizemore played as if it meant too much to him to throw away a single at-bat or to leave even one extra base untaken. He led the league in doubles in 2006. He ran every ball out, from spring training to October's bright lights.

The covenant he had with the game was not broken at his choosing. The intensity that made him so good also is what made the brilliance short-lived. The walls he ran into, the doubles he legged out in a cloud of dust and the players he bowled over wore him down.

The memories will be of Sizemore crashing to the plate on a wild pitch in the "Bug Game" in the playoffs against the Yankees in 2007, upending pitcher Joba Chamberlain as he covered the plate, making Sizemore the very symbol of the upset the Indians were springing.

And they will be of Sizemore, a native of Seattle, tearing toward the plate in his hometown, from second base on a single to right field, where lived Ichiro Suzuki, with all that speed of his own and all that arm. Speed kills, and the death blow in that game was delivered when the flying Sizemore beat the sizzling throw for the winning run.

And they will be of Sizemore, slamming into the fence with such force against the Angels that an overhead camera shot showed the boards of the fence here buckling from the impact.

Sizemore was a candle, burning at both ends, not from too many late nights, but from too much fire. Elbow, groin, both knees -- he endured five operations in three years. It diminished him as a player and made extending his contract a poor risk for a small-market team like the Tribe.

Yet he played the game the way the most driven players have played it from the time of Pete Reiser and Enos "Country" Slaughter, through Pete Rose to today's era of enormous contracts. He played the way we would have if we had been good enough, squeezing every drop out of his talent.

In the Indians' minor-league complex in Goodyear, Ariz., every kid trying to make the big-league roster for years has walked past a photo of Sizemore, his face contorted, his body straining, running it out. Because nothing else would do. Because nothing else was honorable.

Cleveland Browns running back Montario Hardesty is out for multiple weeks

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Browns running back Montario Hardesty is out for at least two weeks with a torn calf muscle, and the Browns are expecting Peyton Hillis to return in Houston on Sunday. They'll also try out running backs Tuesday in Berea. Watch video

Berea -- Just when Browns running back Montario Hardesty was getting his swagger back, he suffered a torn right calf muscle against the 49ers and is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks.

"Yes, it will be games," said Browns coach Pat Shurmur. "It will take him a little time to heal up from this injury. I can't tell you how many. It's very, very doubtful he'll play this week. He's in a boot at this point."

The Browns are hoping Hardesty can make it back in a couple of weeks, but it could take longer depending on the severity of the tear and how fast he heals. Shurmur described the injury as "a moderate tear of the medial gastrocnemius" muscle, which is the large muscle in the calf. Full recovery can take as long as six to eight weeks.

The Browns are expecting running back Peyton Hillis to be back from his pulled hamstring this week and be ready for Sunday's game in Houston, but his return is not certain. Hillis practiced last Wednesday, felt sore and sat out the next two days, and missed the San Francisco game. He stood at midfield in a warm-up suit before the game, launching passes toward the goalpost with quarterback Thad Lewis.

Just in case, the Browns will work out running backs in Berea on Tuesday. Among them will be Thomas Clayton, who was on the Browns' practice squad last season and was active for two games. He carried the ball once for zero yards. Clayton was a 2007 sixth-round pick of the 49ers out of Kansas State.

"We'd like to have a guy that can come in that's going to be able to be up and running here in a couple days," said Shurmur. "Typically, those are guys that have some NFL experience.

The Browns also have Chris Ogbonnaya, who was signed off the Texans practice squad Oct. 18 and will be looking forward to facing his former team. Ogbonnaya was pressed into service Sunday and played almost every down, in addition to special teams.

"I commend him for the job he did," said Browns tight end Alex Smith. "The game's not going to stop and wait for anybody, so whoever's up, let's get going."

In reality, the Browns are counting on Hillis to make it through the week and carry the load in Houston.

"We're hopeful," said Shurmur. "He's day to day. So we'll see how he progresses."

Hillis pulled the muscle early in the Raiders game Oct. 16 and has missed the past two games. All told, he's played in only three full games this season, so a strength of the team has become a liability. The Browns were supposed to have Hillis, Hardesty and third-down back Brandon Jackson sharing the load this season. Instead, Jackson was lost for the season to a turf toe injury on Aug. 19 against the Lions, and now Hillis and Hardesty are both ailing.

It's why Ogbonnaya was suddenly the featured back Sunday after less than two weeks with the team.

"Our list of runners has increased," said Shurmur. "We like to think we can still run the football. Whoever's running the ball, whoever's lining up at tailback, will have that opportunity. We've sustained some injuries, and we've had our first, second and third guy get hurt. We just have to keep playing, and I told the team this, too: Once you make the first excuse, it's a slippery slope. There are no excuses."

The Browns also have Armond Smith on the practice squad and Josh Cribbs willing to do anything that's asked of him. Earlier this season, he said not to rule him out playing in the backfield.

"Josh can do a lot of things," said Shurmur. "That'd be a good choice."

But, he added, "We have to go down [to Houston] with a plan to try and beat them, regardless of who's playing."

Gocong's stinger: Linebacker Chris Gocong, who sat out all of preseason with a neck stinger, either aggravated it or suffered a different one in San Francisco. He left in the fourth quarter and didn't return.

Patterson OK: Cornerback Dimitri Patterson gave the Browns a scare when he went down with a knee injury in the third quarter, but he felt better Monday. He underwent an MRI and didn't have results yet, but was confident it wasn't serious.

"My leg got stuck in the ground," said Patterson. "I was coming up to try to make a tackle and it hyperextended on me. I was able to finish the game. I'm pretty confident about it, so we'll see what the MRI tells me."

He said he returned to the game because it was close. "It was one of those tough-fought games," he said. "It was a fight all day. But at that time, I felt I could go."

He added: "It looked worse than what it was. If you looked at it, you would've thought I tore everything out. I'm fortunate to be saying that I feel pretty good today. We'll see."

Other injuries: Shurmur said receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion) did some light running and is making good progress. . . . Defensive lineman Auston English (knee) most likely will be out again this week.

Cleveland Browns P.M. links: An offensive positive -- Jordan Norwood, tight ends caught 11 of 12 passes thrown their way

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Not much is going right for the Browns' offense. Links to numerous Browns' stories.

evan-moore.jpgBrowns tight end Evan Moore catches a pass from Colt McCoy for a first down during Cleveland's 20-10 loss at San Francisco on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As bad as the Cleveland Browns' offense was during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco, a little something good could be detected here and there.

Mike Wilkening of ProFootballWeekly.com took stock of the Browns' performance, and finds among the few positives:

WR Jordan Norwood — Targeted two times in the first six games, Norwood was a much bigger part of the offense Sunday, catching five passes for 32 yards. QB Colt McCoy threw his way six times.

Browns tight ends — Benjamin Watson, Alex Smith and Evan Moore combined for six catches for 101 yards. Every pass McCoy threw to a tight end was caught.

The Browns (3-4) visit the Houston Texans (5-3) on Sunday.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's report that running back Montario Hardesty will be sidelined with a calf injury, and that the Browns are looking to add a running back; another report by Cabot on the Browns' injuries; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-Texans game; Tony Grossi's podcast, talking about the Browns; and, much more.  

Goal to goal 

A transcript of coach Pat Shurmur's Monday press conference, on clevelandbrowns.com.

Houston head coach Gary Kubiak is not bothered that the Texans -- the Browns' next opponent -- are being accused of dirty play. By John McClain for the Houston Chronicle.

The Browns need to run some two-minute offense, Marla Ridenour writes for the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Browns' running back situation is a major concern, Mike Wilkening writes for ProFootballWeekly.com.

Browns report card from the 49ers game, by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Browns simply are not looking good, Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository.

The Browns defense initially struggled but continued to persevere against the 49ers, Matt Florjancic writes for clevelandbrowns.com.

Josh Cribbs made a play, but the offense continues to struggle, writes Vic Carucci for clevelandbrowns.com.

The 49ers game shows that the Browns simply need better players, Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Lacking depth at running back, due to injuries. By Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Further review of the Browns-49ers game, by Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

Browns injury updates by Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Offensive struggles continue, and notes from the Browns-49ers game, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Glenville is normally in playoffs, but Tarblooders are usually better: Tim's Take

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Why isn’t Glenville in the football playoffs and who’s to blame? Funny you should ask. It’s a popular question these days.

GlenvilleTed Ginn's Glenville Tarblooders went 6-3 and missed the playoffs.

Why isn’t Glenville in the football playoffs and who’s to blame?

Funny you should ask. It’s a popular question these days.

First, this team just wasn’t as good as the Tarblooders squads that reached the playoffs 11 of the previous 12 seasons. That clearly was evident in mistake-filled losses to St. Edward, Camden County (Ga.) and St. Ignatius.

So, the Tarblooders can start by looking in the mirror. They went 6-3 and needed to play better. In Division I, Region 1, there is little margin for error, especially against their nonleague schedule.

Second, there’s the question of the bizarre circumstances surrounding the Rhodes-Glenville game that was never played.

According to Cleveland athletics administrator Leonard Jackson, Rhodes had nine players available to play against Glenville on Sept. 16 because 32 players had been ejected during a fight against Cleveland Central Catholic the week before, and by state rule, they received one-game suspensions. Jackson said Rhodes Principal Diane Rollins decided not to play, believing the Ohio High School Athletic Association would rule it a forfeit.

OHSAA spokesman Tim Stried said it offered to space out those suspensions over the season so Rhodes could play every game; however Jackson said he was unaware of such an offer.

The OHSAA ruled the game a no-contest, not a Rhodes forfeit, which meant Glenville did not receive much-needed points in the computer poll, which is used to determine which teams advance to the playoffs.

“As we understand it, the Cleveland administration told Rhodes, ‘ You’re not playing. You’re going to face a one-game suspension.’ We look at that as a no-contest,” Stried said.

Left unsaid is the worry that, if forfeits were used in similar situations, leagues or teams could conspire to cancel meaningless games to boost a team’s playoff chances. Stried said there has been a spike in teams choosing not to play games this fall.

Then a funny thing happened down the road in Warrensville Heights five weeks later. Shaker Heights Principal Michael Griffith refused to allow his team to play on Warrensville Heights’ muddy field on Oct. 22, saying it was unsafe.

The OHSAA told Shaker Heights it was in breach of contract and ruled the outcome a forfeit.

In both situations, school administrators kept teams off the field. One was a no-contest, the other a forfeit.

“We look at [that situation] as very different,” Stried said. “Shaker showed up at Warrensville. The host school and the game officials said the field was playable, and Shaker refused to play.”

In the end, neither scenario mattered to Glenville.

Glenville would not have made the playoffs had Rhodes forfeited their game, according to playoff computer points guru Joe Eitel. He said Glenville would have finished ninth, with a final average of 18.6965 points, to eighth-place John F. Kennedy’s 19.7000 points.

Eitel pointed out something even more important. The nine-team Senate plays seven league games, so there’s a rotation of opponents. Glenville did not play John Marshall, which finished 6-4. JFK beat John Marshall.

“Swap out one of the two games [against 1-9 East Tech or 0-10 Collinwood] for a win over John Marshall, and [Glenville] would have been in, even with the no-contest against Rhodes,” Eitel said in an email.

So, JFK made the playoffs — for the second year in a row — and its reward is to play at No. 1 seed Mentor on Saturday. That’s a mixed bag, of course. But JFK serves as a reminder that, as inspirational as Glenville’s program has been since 1999, it’s not all about the Tarblooders in the Senate, nor should it be.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD


St. Ignatius is No. 1 in final Plain Dealer High School Football Top 25 Poll

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Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses. 1. St. Ignatius, 8-2 (3): Hosts Boardman on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal. Wildcats, by two Tim Shenk field goals, edged archrival St. Edward to earn the PD poll championship.

St. Ignatius' Eric Williams jumps up to congratulate teammate Blake Thomas, after Thomas scored a third-quarter touchdown Saturday in a victory over St. Edward. The Wildcats, at 8-2, are No. 1 in the Plain Dealer poll.

Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

1. St. Ignatius, 8-2 (3): Hosts Boardman on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal. Wildcats, by two Tim Shenk field goals, edged archrival St. Edward to earn the PD poll championship.

2. St. Edward, 7-3 (2): At No. 8 Cleveland Heights on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

3. Mentor, 9-1 (1): Hosts John F. Kennedy on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

4. Solon, 9-1 (4): At No. 15 Willoughby South on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

5. Walsh Jesuit, 8-1 (7): Hosts West Geauga on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

6. Lake Catholic, 9-1 (8): Hosts Benedictine on Friday in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

7. Avon, 9-1 (5): Hosts Highland on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

8. Cleveland Heights, 9-0 (11): Hosts No. 2 St. Edward on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal. Tigers snapped Maple Heights’ win streak at 23 games and clinched Lake Erie League title with a 20-12 victory.

9. Maple Heights, 8-1 (9): Hosts Shaw on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

10. Chagrin Falls, 10-0 (10): Hosts Firelands on Friday in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

11. St. Vincent- St. Mary, 8-2 (6): At No. 21 University School on Saturday in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

12. Aurora, 9-1 (12): Hosts Madison on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

13. Hudson, 9-1 (14): Hosts Findlay on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal. Explorers sealed outright Northeast Ohio Conference River Division championship in 31-17 win over North Royalton.

14. Wadsworth, 9-1 (16): At Canton GlenOak on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

15. Willoughby South, 8-2 (17): Hosts No. 4 Solon on Saturday in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

16. Twinsburg, 7-3 (19): Season is over. Tigers shocked previously unbeaten Mentor to share NOC Valley Division crown with Solon and Mentor.

17. Kent Roosevelt, 9-1 (24): Hosts Warren Howland on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal. Rough Riders are Portage Trail Conference Metro Division champs after 42-35 victory over Ravenna.

18. Ravenna, 8-2 (13): Hosts No. 25 Southeast on Friday in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

19. Glenville, 6-3 (18): Plays in Senate Athletic League title game, TBD.

20. Tallmadge, 8-2 (20): Hosts New Philadelphia on Friday in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

21. University School, 9-1 (21): Hosts No. 11 St. Vincent- St. Mary on Saturday in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

22. Midview, 8-2 (22): Season is over.

23. Kirtland, 10-0 (23): Hosts Columbiana on Friday in a Division V regional quarterfinal.

24. Avon Lake, 8-2 (—): Season is over. Shoremen finished season with seven straight wins and Southwestern Conference crown.

25. Southeast, 10-0 (—): At No. 18 Ravenna on Friday in a Division III regional quarterfinal. Pirates earned PTC County Division title and unbeaten regular season.

Dropped out: Elyria, North Ridgeville.


High School Boys Soccer: Today's Regional Semifinal Previews

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Division I, Region 1 St. Ignatius vs. Massillon Jackson

Division I, Region 1

St. Ignatius vs. Massillon Jackson

Where: Ravenna High Stadium, 345 E. Main St., Ravenna, 7 p.m. Call 330-296-3844, Ext. 3042.

Records: St. Ignatius 18-1, Jackson 13-4-2.

What to watch: The Wildcats are halfway to the goal of defending their state title and come in with a 13-game winning streak. They have outscored opponents, 69-10. In three playoff wins, they have outscored foes, 12-0. But they needed an overtime goal to knock off St. Edward in the district final. The Wildcats defeated the Polar Bears, 2-0, in September and won last year's regional final, 4-0. The Polar Bears have outscored three playoff opponents, 16-1. The winner plays the Aurora-Mayfield winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Rocky River.

Aurora vs. Mayfield

Where: Revere High, 3420 Everett Road, Richfield, 7 p.m. Call 330-523-3204.

Records: Aurora 13-4-2, Mayfield 15-1-3.

What to watch: Aurora moved into Division I after reaching this level last year in Division II. The Greenmen knocked off Solon in the district final to advance and have outscored opponents, 49-28. However, they dropped the season opener to Mayfield, 5-0. The Wildcats are having their best season, with the lone stumble a loss to North Royalton. They own a 57-13 advantage in scoring. Seniors Nate Shultz (13 goals) and Joey Wise (11) pace the offense. Massillon Jackson stymied them at this point last season. The winner plays the St. Ignatius-Massillon Jackson winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Rocky River.

Division I, Region 2

Copley vs. Avon

Where: Bay High, 29230 Wolf Road, Bay, 7 p.m. Call 440-617-7400.

Records: Copley 13-2-4, Avon 18-0-1.

What to watch: After allowing eight goals in a 1-2-2 start, the Indians have given up nine goals the rest of the way. They advanced with a shootout win against Medina. Riley Grant has 15 goals and eight assists to pace the offense. The Eagles are one of three undefeated teams left in the division. They have outscored opponents, 55-8, but won all three playoff matches by a goal. They won a shootout opener against Westlake and then had to defeat both Avon Lake and Amherst for the second time this season. Senior Ryan Poyle leads the attack with 25 goals, with Brendan Cannon and Niko Telidis contributing eight each. The winner plays the Toledo St. John's Jesuit (16-2)-Perrysburg (12-5-2) winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Sandusky High.

Division II, Region 5

Chagrin Falls vs. Marlington

Where: Solon High, 33600 Inwood Road, Solon, 7 p.m. Call 440-349-6244.

Records: Chagrin Falls 12-4-2, Marlington 14-2-1.

What to watch: The Tigers lost three of their last five to end the regular season. They needed overtime to get past Beachwood for the second time this season and defeated University School, 3-2, in the district final. They have used balanced scoring in building a 41-19 goal advantage, with Alex Hallwachs at eight goals and Matt Simon with seven. The Dukes have put in 86 goals and allowed 12. They have outscored three playoff opponents, 18-0. They have a 0-0 tie against Revere in the season's second match. The winner plays the Revere-Lakeview winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Nordonia High.

Revere vs. Cortland Lakeview

Where: Brecksville-Broadview Heights High, 6380 Mill Road, Broadview Heights, 7 p.m. Call 440-740-4770.

Records: Revere 15-0-4, Lakeview 16-1-2.

What to watch: The No. 2-ranked Minutemen are out to return to Columbus, where they lost a heartbreaker a year ago. Coach Sandor Jakab, with three state runner-up finishes in 21 years, has reloaded a club that went 20-3 last season. Revere outscored opponents, 46-13, during the season and has a 5-0 advantage in the playoffs. Senior Colin Romisher leads the offense with 18 goals. The No. 8-ranked Bulldogs' lone loss was in the second-to-last game of the regular season. They have outscored opponents, 13-1, in the playoffs and 88-15 overall. Louie Novakovich has 25 goals, and teammate Zack Wolff has 13. Winner plays the Chagrin Falls-Marlington winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Nordonia High.

Division II, Region 6

Padua vs. Lexington

Where: Sandusky High, 2130 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, 7 p.m. Call 419-625-3543.

Records: Padua (10-7-2), Lexington 12-6-1.

What to watch: This regional semifinal matches teams that have rallied down the stretch. The Bruins started off 0-4-1. They knocked off Bay, 2-1, in overtime to win the district. Matt Stewart has eight goals, Steven Petrash seven and Josh Kawa six. Padua has not made the final four of the state tournament since 1978. The Minutemen lost both their first two and last two matches of the regular season. They won two overtime contests in the playoffs to advance. The winner plays the Ottawa-Glandorf (16-1-2)-Bowling Green (7-11) winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Lexington High.

Division III, Region 9

Elyria Catholic vs. Hawken

Where: Brunswick High, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick, 7 p.m. Call 330-273-0496.

Records: EC 15-3-1, Hawken 14-4.

What to watch: The Panthers are looking to get past this round after winning a district for the second straight year. Their losses were to Division I Avon and Strongsville and Division II Bay. They have outscored opponents, 83-17, and 16-1, in the playoffs. David Elwer (18 goals, 17 assists), Vincent Faraji (14 goals, 15 assists) and Ryan Lutke (seven goals, 12 assists) are the offensive leaders. The Hawks are seeking their 10th trip to the final four, with a title in 2000 and six second-place finishes. They got through a three-match losing streak late in the season and have a 15-2 goal advantage in the playoffs, 61-28 overall. David Nelson and Tom Granot pace the attack. The winner plays the Columbiana Crestview (17-1-1)-Doylestown Chippewa (14-4-1) winner Saturday, 3 p.m., at Ravenna Stadium.

Cleveland Browns: How many passes will Colt McCoy need to throw for a victory vs. Houston? Poll

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How many passes will Colt McCoy have to throw against Houston to give the Browns a chance to win?

hardesty-run-dolphins-squ-jg.jpgMontario Hardesty and the Browns are looking for some daylight.

The injuries at running back continue to pile up for the Cleveland Browns. Peyton Hillis missed last week's game due to a pulled hamstring, and there's no guarantee that he will play on Sunday against Houston.

And if he does, he probably won't be 100 percent. And the Browns lost running back Montario Hardesty to injury last week against San Francisco. Hardesty's expected to miss several games before he returns.

So even if Hillis starts this week, can the Browns actually depend on their running game to propel them to victory? And if that's the case, how many passes will quarterback Colt McCoy have to throw to give the Browns a chance to win?


Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: Opportunity is here for Indians; Tribe declines Grady Sizemore's option; pitcher Derek Lowe joins the Tribe

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Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore could return.

grady-sizemore.JPGView full sizeGrady Sizemore

It looks like the Cleveland Indians will make some moves during the offseason because they believe their window for contention has arrived, writes MLB.com reporter Jordan Bastian.

These moves, however, may have started when with the trade in July that landed starter Ubaldo Jimenez, and sent Cleveland's top two pitching prospects packing, for evidence of the Tribe's confidence level.

The Indians feel that a push to the postseason is a realistic goal.

"We've transitioned from that developing team to a contending team," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said at the end of the season. "Our sole focus is to do what we can to build around a very talented nucleus to put ourselves in a position to have a chance to play meaningful games not only in September, but in October next year.

But given the youthful roster, and the wave of injuries that struck the team throughout the year, it would be understandable for the Indians to simply be content with their showing, writes Bastian.

 "We just can't sit here and be satisfied," Acta said.

  

Around the horn

Could Grady Sizemore return?

Tribe allow Sizemore to walk, and acquire Derek Lowe.

The Indians can't afford to get emotional with decision.

Pitcher Derek Lowe joins the Tribe.

Browns Insider video questions wanted: Skype now or email us whenever

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Got a Browns question for Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show? Skype us from 10-11 a.m. or email us your videos.

skype_logo_.pngWe'll be taking your Skype calls live from 10-11 a.m.  Tuesday. Add clevelanddotcom to your Skype contacts.

Got a Browns question for Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show?

If you answered yes to either questions, then we want to hear from you!

What's wrong with Pat Shurmur's offense? Have you seen enough of Colt McCoy to make a judgment? Do the Browns have any shot at winning in Houston? 

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today from 10-11 a.m.

We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to our panel of Browns experts.

The call will be recorded and played during Thursday's live show.

Once again, lines will be open from 10-11 a.m.

Here's what to do:

1. Log into your Skype account. Don't have one? Create one and download the software here.

2. Add Skype name "clevelanddotcom" to your contacts list and place a video call to us.

3. A cleveland.com producer will answer your call and record it. Selected videos will be played during Thursday's live show, when Grossi, Cabot and Manoloff will answer the questions.

4. Once again, we'll be taking calls from 10-11 a.m. today. If the line keeps ringing or your call is rejected, that means it's busy. Try again in a few minutes.

5. You can also email your videos to sports@cleveland.com or upload them to YouTube or cleveland.com and send us the link.

Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Coach Pat Shurmur doesn't pass the eye test; Montario Hardesty is out; are the Houston Texans playing dirty?

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The Cleveland Browns are 3-4, just like the 2001 New England Patriots that won the Super Bowl.

patandcolt.jpgPat Shurmur and Colt McCoy.

CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doerschuk reminds us how the Cleveland Browns are 3-4 under coach Pat Shurmur just like how Bill Belichick’s 2001 Patriots were 3-4.

The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl. That's where the comparisons should end.

The 2001 Patriots shocked the world by winning the Super Bowl. That team stands as a warning against snap judgments.

The Browns’ play in losing three of their last four games, however, has been way too disjointed to imagine Shurmur’s first year will begin to glow any minute now.

Doerschuk also writes how the last time Cleveland was 3-4 was in 2008. GM Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel both lost their jobs within 24 hours of a 4-12 finish.

The 2001 Patriots righted themselves behind a defense coordinated by Crennel. Dick Jauron’s defense has been a bright spot for the 2011 Browns. It slipped a bit after the San Francisco game, but it held the 49ers to a field goal in the second half, and it is still ranked sixth in the league.

 

More Browns

Montario Hardesty is out, and now the tryouts begin.

Here's the Browns report card for last Sunday's game.

The Texans are accused of playing dirty.

Cleveland Browns need to treat Josh Cribbs like their No. 1 offensive playmaker, says Mary Kay Cabot (SBTV)

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Plain Dealer Browns reporter says Cribbs has shown the ability to be the team's top big-play threat. Watch video


Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by sugared-up Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.


The Browns head to Houston on Sunday to take on the Texans, with a running back corps that is banged-up and short-handed. How many passes do you think Colt McCoy will need to throw Sunday for the Browns to win? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who answers that and other questions. She talks about whether anything can be read into coach Pat Shurmur's short press conference Monday; and if we may see Josh Cribbs playing in the Browns backfield. Mary Kay also talks about the Browns offense and how they should approach Cribbs' role in it.


SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises talking Buckeye football heading into Saturday's game against Indiana.

Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: Buckeyes still in the mix; determination on defense pays off; wide receivers seek respect; November has always been a month to remember for OSU

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Ohio State Buckeyes are still in the running.

Luke FickellOhio State head coach Luke Fickell.


Despite losses to Michigan State and Nebraska, the Ohio State Buckeyes are still in the race to win a Big Ten title.

In the Leaders Division, Penn State is 5-0 and holds what's essentially a two-game lead over three teams at 2-2: Ohio State, Wisconsin and Purdue, writes Fox Sports reporter Zac Jackson.

But Ohio State will steamroll Indiana this week before finishing at Purdue, vs. Penn State and at Michigan. If the Buckeyes win out and Penn State loses twice (two parts of that scenario are linked, obviously), Ohio State will win the division. Another Buckeyes loss would leave Ohio State needing Penn State to lose out and Wisconsin to drop another one. The thought of Ohio State-Michigan deciding at least one and maybe two division titles is a tantalizing one.

Jackson takes a look at some of the big games on the remaining schedule, including Ohio State at Michigan on Nov. 26.

Luke Fickell is looking to keep his job. The Buckeyes could be looking to cap an incredible finish. And big-talking Brady Hoke could have a chance to be a real Michigan hero, either as a spoiler, a division-clincher or maybe even both.

 

Around the Horseshoe

Determination on defense pays off.

OSU's wide receivers seek respect.

Tattoo parlor owner could serve time near Columbus.

This has always been a good month for the Buckeyes.

 


Cleveland Browns sign RB Thomas Clayton -- source

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Clayton was with the Browns twice last year and was active for two games.

thomas clayton peyton hillisThomas Clayton, far left, played two games with the Browns last season.

CLEVELAND -- The winner of the Browns' tryout at running back is Thomas Clayton.

 The Browns have signed Clayton to patch the leaks springing up at the position, according to a league source.

 Clayton, 5-11 and 222 pounds, had two stints with the Browns last year. He was signed to their practice squad in September, lost to the New England Patriots, and then claimed off waivers from the Patriots in December. He was active for two games, receiving only one carry against the Jets, before being waived.

 Clayton was signed because of the loss for 2-4 weeks of Montario Hardesty (partially torn calf muscle) and the uncertainty of Peyton Hillis (hamstring), who has missed the last two games.

 The Browns have not confirmed the transaction.

Loss to Twinsburg drops Mentor to 55th in Rivals national poll

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 MENTOR, O. - Mentor, a Week 10 loser to Twinsburg, has slipped from 25th to 55th in the latest Rivals national high school football poll. St. Ignatius remained at 86th while St. Edward fell from 45th to 88th.   Hilliard Davidson is ranked 43rd, Cincinnati St. Xavier is 85th and Middletown's 87th. Colerain, ranked 77th in Rivals, is also...

 MENTOR, O. - Mentor, a Week 10 loser to Twinsburg, has slipped from 25th to 55th in the latest Rivals national high school football poll. St. Ignatius remained at 86th while St. Edward fell from 45th to 88th.


  Hilliard Davidson is ranked 43rd, Cincinnati St. Xavier is 85th and Middletown's 87th. Colerain, ranked 77th in Rivals, is also 46th in ESPN.

NBA lockout is possibly headed for long winter like the NHL experienced

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The NBA is headed into the same path as the NHL.

david sternDavid Stern

Bill Mann writes on Market Watch how the NBA could possibly scrap its entire season like the NHL experienced several years ago.

And ex-Boston Bruin Bill Guerin warns NBA players it’s not worth it.

“I learned a big lesson: It’s not a partnership,” Guerin told a Texas newspaper recently. “It’s their league, and you are going to play when they want,” said Guerin, who played for eight NHL clubs and won Stanley Cups in New Jersey and Pittsburgh before retiring last year.

“We could have waited two years and they would have waited us out. When you are in the heat of battle, and you are fired up, you don’t think what they are doing is right. But it’s not about what is right or wrong. It’s their league. It’s theirs.” It’s their money, too.

So that means the NBA players will get slapped with a hard salary cap — just like the NHL owners got after the disastrous strike and that the strike-averse NFL also has, Mann writes.

What a waste for the NBA, after one of the most exciting finals ever, when L. James and his Florida-sized ego were sent packing.

 

Tim Tebow is not the answer, says Boomer Esiason

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Tim Tebow clearly isn't the answer.

tim tebow 2.jpgTim Tebow could use a quicker release on his throws.

There was no dramatic comeback last Sunday for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. He was 18/39 for 172 yards in a blowout loss to the Detroit Lions.

Tebow was so bad that former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason says it's a bad move to start Tebow.

“(Starting Tebow) is a bad move for two reasons,” Esiason said Monday, via CBS New York (listen to the audio here). “One is, I don’t believe that Tim Tebow knows what he’s doing on the football field. … Number two, those hits that are coming his way are coming with authority. Meaning that players are out to get him.”

It was also learned that an unnamed Lions player told Yahoo.com's Michael Silver that Tebow was a joke.

“Can you believe No. 15 (Tebow)? Come on – that’s embarrassing. I mean, it’s a joke. We knew all week that if we brought any kind of defensive pressure, he couldn’t do anything. In the second half it got boring out there. We were like, ‘Come on – that’s your quarterback? Seriously?’”

And ESPN analyst Merril Hoge, one of Tebow's biggest critics, echoed many of the sentiments Esiason brought up, writes Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com.

"And watching last week's tape, the thing that was most disturbing was his ability to not understand where the ball has to go. His (lack of) awareness is mind-boggling to me," Hoge said Monday.

 
 

 

Cribbs needs to get touches - Browns Comment of the Day

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"Their inability to get Cribbs five to 10 touches a game is ridiculous. He should be used out of the backfield on obvious passing downs and he can take a handoff occasionally. It's time to take a real look at him in that role with the lack of talent on this offense." - bluebengal

josh-cribbs.jpgView full sizeHow to use Josh Cribbs has been a question that has confounded a number of Browns' coaches.
In response to the story Cleveland Browns need to treat Josh Cribbs like their No. 1 offensive playmaker, says Mary Kay Cabot (SBTV), cleveland.com reader bluebengal thinks the Browns need to get Cribbs more touches. This reader writes,

"Their inability to get Cribbs five to 10 touches a game is ridiculous. He should be used out of the backfield on obvious passing downs and he can take a handoff occasionally. It's time to take a real look at him in that role with the lack of talent on this offense."

To respond to bluebengal's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.
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