On June 27, 2002, then-GM Mark Shapiro acquired future All-Stars Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore in one trade for the Indians. It could have led them into another stretch of winning. It didn't happen, but the trade itself cannot be faulted.

View full sizeAP fileIn 2005, Brandon Phillips (left) and Grady Sizemore offered a bright future up the middle for the Indians, who also obtained Cliff Lee in the Bartolo Colon trade in 2002.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was the kind of trade that makes general managers famous and puts World Series banners on the top of their ballparks.

On June 27, 2002, Mark Shapiro, then the general manager of the Indians, sent Bartolo Colon to the desperate Montreal Expos for Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore. The Indians threw in Tim Drew, a failed No. 1 pick, and took back veteran Lee Stevens to balance what was left of Colon's $4.5 million contract.

The immediate reaction in Cleveland was negative -- extremely so. Phillips, Lee and Sizemore were prospects. Phillips, 20, was the most experienced with just 37 games at Class AAA. Lee, 23, was 7-2 at Class AA. Sizemore, a high-school quarterback who turned down a scholarship to play for the hometown Washington Huskies, was 19 and hitting .258 with no homers at Class A.

Colon was the Indians' No.1 starter with a legitimate 99 mph fastball. He would win 20 games that year and a Cy Young award in 2005.

In a larger sense, the trade ended the most concentrated run of winning baseball in Indians history. When Shapiro traded Colon, it meant he was starting over. Phillips, Lee and Sizemore were going to be the cornerstones of a new era.

Nine years later, they are gone. Sizemore was the last to depart, limping into free agency Monday when the Indians didn't exercise his $9 million club option for 2012.

The gold standard

When John Hart, Shapiro's predecessor, acquired Kenny Lofton from Houston for Willie Blair and Eddie Taubensee on Dec. 10, 1991, he was touched by magic. Hart acquired what could be the best leadoff hitter/center fielder in franchise history for trinkets. Four years later the Indians were in the World Series for the first time in 41 years.

The Indians won six AL Central titles and two pennants in seven years from 1995-2001. There were a lot of good players already in place, and Hart would add more, but there can be little argument that Lofton was his signature trade. Shapiro's deal was three times better.

Consider what Phillips, Lee and Sizemore have accomplished since making their big-league debuts with the Indians. Phillips and Sizemore have combined for two 30-30 seasons, seven seasons of 20-plus homers, three seasons of 90-plus RBI, six seasons of 100-plus runs and nine seasons of 22 or more steals. They combined to win five Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and make five All-Star teams.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCliff Lee won 83 games for the Indians before being dealt to Philadelphia in 2009.

Lee is a three-time All-Star who has won 119 games since making his first big-league start on Sept. 15, 2002. He went 22-3 in 2008 to win the Cy Young and give the Indians their first 20-game winner since Gaylord Perry in 1974. He is also one of the best postseason pitchers in the decade, going 7-3 and appearing in two World Series.

Yet Shapiro's Indians only made the postseason once.

The difference, of course, is that Phillips and Lee didn't accomplish all those things with the Indians. While that meant Shapiro's cornerstones never bore the full weight of sustained success, it cannot diminish the value of the trade. Among general managers, it is the gold standard for dealing a highly-paid veteran nearing the end of his contract for the ripest fruit of another team's farm system. It is why teams from the filthy rich Yankees to the poorest small-market club guard their prospects with cutlasses and a brace of pistols.

A ton of information

Shapiro replaced Hart as GM after the 2001 season. In December, in his first big deals, he sent future Hall of Famer Robby Alomar to the Mets for Alex Escobar, Matt Lawton, Jerrod Riggan, Earl Snyder and Billy Traber. Lawton was the best player out of the bunch and he was only so-so.

The deal was done like many others Shapiro had witnessed as Hart's assistant. A bunch of baseball people sat in one room, going through scouting reports and stat books. They raised their hands to give opinions. The Indians wanted some big leaguers, some prospects and some in-between players because they were trying to contend and rebuild at the same time.

Shapiro was not happy with the way the trade was conducted or the results. By the time July arrived, he had much better idea what he needed to do when it came to trading Colon.

First, he had clarity. The Indians were rebuilding from top to bottom. They no longer were trying to please everyone, they simply needed as many talented prospects as possible. They had time as well. After identifying possible trade targets, Indians scouts saw each player several times. Shapiro wanted fresh information and he got it by the ton.

It was no accident that the Indians settled on the Expos. In December of 2001, Expos owner Jeff Loria sold them to MLB and purchased the Marlins from John Henry, who was buying the Red Sox. Many of the Expos' front office and baseball people followed Loria to the Marlins. Others simply left and joined other teams.

Tony LaCava, Montreal's director of player development, joined the Indians before the 2002 season as a scout. Dave Malpass, a former Montreal scout who recommended that they draft Lee, was already working for the Tribe. That kind of inside information gave Shapiro a big edge.

The Indians knew more about the players in the Expos system than a lot of the new people MLB hired to run the team on and off the field. Indians manager Manny Acta was one of the newbies, hired to be the third-base coach and infield instructor on manager Frank Robinson's staff.

"When that trade was made, we knew about Brandon Phillips because he'd been in big league camp," said Acta. "We knew a little about Cliff Lee because he 7-2 at Double-A. But no one knew anything about Grady Sizemore."

The Expos were in a vulnerable position. They were almost contracted following the 2001 season. The Colon deal may have been an attempt to keep them afloat or make them attractive enough to entice a buyer. At the end of the 2004 season, they were moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Nationals.

Expos GM Omar Minaya was under orders from MLB not to take on any more salary. Colon still had money left on his contract, so to offset that Shapiro agreed to take back Stevens' $4 million contract. It's a common tactic these days in deals, but it was rare in 2002 and lent a creative touch to Shapiro's work.

Shooting stars

Phillips made his big-league debut on Sept. 13, 2002. Lee made his two days later. Sizemore wouldn't arrive until July 21, 2004.

The Indians waited four years for Phillips to become the star that he is today with Cincinnati. They gave him 804 plate appearances, 459 in the big leagues, but it never happened. He butted heads with former manager Eric Wedge, who in 2006 picked Ramon Vazquez as his utility infielder over Phillips, who was traded to Cincinnati on April 17 of that year.

Lee pitched well with the Indians, going 83-48 with a 4.01 ERA. He won 18 games in 2005 to go along with his Cy Young season in 2008. Yet in 2007, when the Indians fell a victory short of the World Series, Lee was a non-factor. He missed spring training because of an abdominal injury and spent most of August in the minors because he wasn't pitching well. He did not make the postseason roster.

On July 29, 2009, with ownership fretting over losing a possible $16 million, Lee was dealt to Philadelphia. He had one year remaining on his contract.

Sizemore, from 2005-08, looked like the second coming of Lofton. He had more power, a little less speed, but the same raw game-changing talent in center and the leadoff spot. Injuries, however, cut deep into his game over the last three years. Finally, they made him expendable.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCloser Chris Perez is the most prominent descendant from the Bartolo Colon trade who remains on the Indians' roster.

Left in the ashes

What did the Indians get in return from a trade that was intrinsically great, but never delivered in the won-loss column?

There will be no return for Sizemore unless he's re-signed. His injuries limited him so much over the last two years that he didn't qualify as a Type A or B free agent. If a team does sign him, the Indians won't get any compensation.

The Indians' return for Lee consists of two injured pitchers in Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, utility man Jason Donald and backup catcher Lou Marson. Carrasco is probably the best of the bunch. He had one good month last year, but will miss next season with Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Knapp, supposedly the key to the deal, is coming off his second major arm surgery and is a long shot to ever pitch in the big leagues.

Phillips, the least productive of the three in an Indians uniform, brought the best return. Just pay attention because you could get lost in the turns. The Indians received Jeff Stevens from the Reds for Phillips on April 17, 2006. They traded Stevens and two other minor leaguers to the Cubs for infielder Mark De Rosa on Dec. 31, 2008. On June 27, 2009, they traded De Rosa to St. Louis for Chris Perez and Jess Todd.

Perez is not fun to watch in the ninth inning, but he knows how to save a game.

Still, as Hart once said, closers can fall out of a tree. A Gold Glove second baseman, a Gold Glove center field and Cy Young winning left-hander, not so much.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

As the Buckeyes put up three 100-yard rushers, it may be time to stop waiting on the passing game.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerDan Herron broke free on this third-quarter run against Indiana, easily reaching the 100-yard mark -- finishing with 141 against the Hoosiers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A game with three 100-yard rushers in the same uniform doesn't come around all that often. Given recent trends, it should happen again for Ohio State in 2033.

Dan Herron (141 yards), Carlos Hyde (105) and Braxton Miller (105) on Saturday became the first OSU trio to hit triple digits since Dante Lee, Scottie Graham and Carlos Snow did it against Northwestern in 1989. It has only happened two other times in Ohio State history: Leophus Haden, John Brockington and Rex Kern in 1970 against Duke, and Galen Cisco, James Roseboro and Donald Clark in 1956 against Indiana.

So it's not easy. But it sure is easier than Ohio State throwing consistently.

Saturday's 34-20 win over Indiana may have been the final sign. It's time to stop waiting for the passing game to find itself. Let go of the dream. It's not Braxton Miller's fault entirely. He still doesn't have anyone to catch the ball, at least not on the kind of routes the Buckeyes are running.

"We could have thrown the ball a little more, but hey, the run was working," fullback Zach Boren said. "The line controlled things up front, which made it easier."

This all sounds very familiar. Miller finished 5-of-11 for 55 yards. Last week against Wisconsin, he finished 7-of-12. Before the Wisconsin game, I wrote that seven completions a game might be the number Ohio State needed for the offense to work. It seemed like Saturday might be the exception to the rule. It did not seem like the type of game in which the number of completions would go down.

Center Mike Brewster was fired up about the running game, and talking about when the passing game comes around. But what if that doesn't happen?

"Then we'll keep rushing," Brewster said with a laugh. "We'll keep rushing. We've got a lot of good guys up front and the best fullback in the country, there's no doubt in my mind about that. And the running backs we've got, it's a good combination."

That's not true in the pass game, where running sharp routes continues to be an issue. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman talked specifically about a play in the red zone on Saturday, when the Buckeyes emptied the backfield and put Miller in the shotgun on second-and-goal from the 8. Indiana blitzed, and the six-man pressure sacked the freshman easily.

Bollman said it should not have been difficult to identify that blitz and find the hot route. Clearly, that didn't happen. But Bollman didn't necessarily blame Miller. He wasn't sure if the hot receiver was ready for the ball.

Primarily, what was Bollman happy about? That Miller didn't put the ball up for grabs. What happened on the next play? Miller scored from 20 yards out. On a run.

Where's the pistol? Against Wisconsin, Ohio State ran out of the pistol formation almost 40 percent of the time, typically lined up with Miller in the shortened shotgun with Herron behind him and Boren next to him. Against Indiana, the Buckeyes used the formation just twice.

Considering how well the formation seemed to work last week, and how the Buckeyes, despite their big yards, sometimes weren't able to run the ball consistently against the Hoosiers, this seemed an interesting choice.

"It went on the shelf for a little while," Bollman said of the formation. "There are a few weeks left in the season. It could easily come back."

Asked why the Buckeyes didn't go back to that formation which had seemed to work so well, Bollman said, "We thought for the things we were doing this week, it wasn't a big gigantic necessity for us. Can it come back next week? Certainly."

More Simon: Consider this the weekly reminder that John Simon is good at football. The junior defensive lineman continues to prove his value every week. Saturday, he led the Buckeyes with 10 tackles, including three for loss.

At this point, All-Big Ten looks like almost a sure thing. Now All-American honors and the Big Ten defensive player of the year award have entered the conversation.

Some quick grades from Saturday's game against Indiana.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain Dealer"I felt like if I was just going to be patient, then I'll have another opportunity sooner or later to be out there," said Carlos Hyde before his big effort Saturday. "And I have to take advantage of that."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Giving some early grades from Saturday's game against Indiana.

A -- Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde

The sophomore's quick complaint on Twitter after the Illinois loss three weeks ago has been noted, but teammates and coaches in the last two weeks have said Hyde was handling himself well after rushing for more than 100 yards against Nebraska and then getting no meaningful carries against Illinois or Wisconsin.

With Jordan Hall sidelined by a high ankle sprain Saturday and Jaamal Berry suspended, it was clear that Hyde would get more of a chance. He seized the opportunity. Spelling starter Dan Herron in the tailback rotation, Hyde carried 15 times for 105 yards and scored the game's final touchdown on a 2-yard run after setting it up with a 47-yard dash.

"I thought he ran the ball really hard," offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said. "He's had a good attitude about things all along."

Hyde seems like a solid teammate who vented some understandable frustration after his role was diminished. His role may change again. Asked if Hall would be back next week, Bollman said he was hopeful that he would be. But on this day, at least, Hyde's patience paid off.

"I felt like if I was just going to be patient, then I'll have another opportunity sooner or later to be out there again," he said. "And I have to take advantage of that and today I took full advantage of it."

B -- Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson

It might be difficult to give the coach of a 1-9 team any kind of passing grade, but you can see how there's hope for the future with the Hoosiers.

Wilson has a reputation as an offensive mind, and he might have the quarterback to run his system in true freshman Tre Roberson. Wilson's game plan kept the Buckeyes off balance, with an up-tempo pace, quarterback runs and a solid mid-range passing game.

"Out-schemed" was uttered by more than one Buckeye. Indiana gets credit for that.

D -- Ohio State's defense on Indiana's game-tying touchdown pass

Indiana receiver Kofi Hughes released off the line without a problem on third-and-7, running free for a 34-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20 with 6:56 left in the third quarter. A week ago, the Buckeyes let a receiver release untouched and safety Christian Bryant was put into a no-win situation as Wisconsin hit the Buckeyes for the go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes.

This time, OSU coach Luke Fickell said the greater fault rested with the coaches.

"I'm going to put that one on myself," Fickell said. "It's not a real good third down and long call. ... Bad call, bad time for us, and [we] kind of turned the guy loose. But we gotta put ourselves into a better situation, put the guys in a better situation."

The problem, other coaches and players said, was calling a corner blitz on that side of the field and playing a two deep zone behind it. Once again, a safety was forced into trying to play two receivers running down the field without being rerouted, and once again, it led to a touchdown.

Once again, the Buckeyes still came back to make sure the mistake didn't cost them the game.

ELYRIA, Ohio -- Playoff football offers no solace to first-timers. No breaks are given. Slack being cut because you are new to this is not an option. Games must be won, they are not handed to you. Despite a stirring second-half rally, Cleveland Heights learned the bitter lesson of first cuts being the deepest on Saturday when St. Edward...

St. Edward junior running back Dwayne Aaron carries Bryce Jones of Cleveland Heights for a few extra yards during Saturday night's game. - (Tim Harrison, Special to The Plain Dealer)

ELYRIA, Ohio -- Playoff football offers no solace to first-timers. No breaks are given. Slack being cut because you are new to this is not an option. Games must be won, they are not handed to you.

Despite a stirring second-half rally, Cleveland Heights learned the bitter lesson of first cuts being the deepest on Saturday when St. Edward dominated early and put together a late game-clinching drive en route to a 28-14 victory in a Division I regional quarterfinal game front of a standing-room crowd in Crawford Field.

It was the first playoff appearance in Heights history.

Can anyone say, "St. Edward vs. St. Ignatius, Part II"? That's what we'll have next week after St. Ignatius beat Youngstown Boardman.

In a game that took more than three hours to play and featured athletic play after athletic play and a scary injury, the biggest play might have been a dead-ball foul.

St. Edward, the reigning Division I state champ, had a 21-14 lead when it faced a fourth-and-4 situation at the Heights 25 with 2:23 to play. As Jake Wilhelm lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt with the wind at his back, Cleveland Heights jumped offsides. The miscue gave the Eagles new life in the form of a first down. Four plays later Kenny Butler scored his second touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run, icing the victory.

The close call did not impress Heights coach Jeff Rotsky.

"I'm proud of our kids but I am so sick of this moral victory stuff," he said, looking up to sky in dismay. "I'm fed up with it. We had a chance. We had a chance. We had so many chances. We were moving the ball. At some point you gotta make some decisions in your life. At some point you gotta say it's just not good enough to be here."

St. Edward let its big Eagles eat, so to speak, as coach Rick Fonotti unleashed his massive offensive line and instructed Butler and tiny Dwayne Aaron to follow them. Quarterback Ryan Fallon attempted just six passes, completing two. It wasn't necessary to throw because Aaron rushed for 205 yards on 33 carries and Butler went for 108 on 20. They both scored twice.

"We knew they were going to pose some problems defending the run because they are a good football team," Finotti said. "Their athleticism concerned me. They made some plays when we thought we had them."

Cleveland Heights trailed, 21-6, at the half but struck quickly in the third quarter when Marcus Bagley scored on a 12-yard run at the 9:34 mark. After the Tigers converted a 2-point conversion on a pass from Bryce Jones to Sheldon Gibson, it was a one-score game.

Both teams were able to move the ball but were unable to cross the goal line until Butler's clinching score.

Jones completed 11 of 27 passes for 96 yards. The biggest completion, however, was made by Bagley, who took a lateral from Jones and hit a wide-open Marcus McShepard for a 54-yard touchdown with 2:21 remaining in the first half. The Tigers finished with 103 yards rushing, with McShepard leading the way with 78.

St. Edward dominated early. Staying exclusively on the ground on its first possession, it went 63 yards in seven plays with the ball in Aaron's hands every step of the way. The 5-5, 165-pound junior dashed, darted and, on some carries, bulled his way, culminating the sequence by going the final 10 yards.

St. Edward, ranked second in The Plain Dealer and in the playoffs for the 17th time, scored on its second possession, this time on a 15-play, 87-yard march in which Aaron was the main character. Make that the only character. He gained 79 yards on 14 carries with the rest of the yardage coming on penalties.

Cleveland Heights junior Anthony Simmons was injured in the second quarter when it appeared his was inadvertently kicked by a teammate and then a St. Edward player fell on top of him. He lay motionless for a short time before moving his legs. However, he was strapped to a board and taken to the hospital. No word on his condition was available.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com; 216-999-5169

On Twitter:@TimRogersPD

Hebron, Ohio -- They had checkered flags at the finish. The only thing missing were the red-yellow-green Christmas tree lights used to start drag races. Runners peeled around the National Trail Raceway course so fast, it's a wonder they weren't burning rubber Saturday at the state cross country meet. One guy even ran 2 miles with one shoe and...

Lakewood senior Nick Jackosky earned the final medal after placing 15th in Division I. - (Photo by IMPACTACTIONPHOTOS.COM)

Hebron, Ohio -- They had checkered flags at the finish. The only thing missing were the red-yellow-green Christmas tree lights used to start drag races.

Runners peeled around the National Trail Raceway course so fast, it's a wonder they weren't burning rubber Saturday at the state cross country meet. One guy even ran 2 miles with one shoe and still placed 10th, beating his regional time by 22 seconds.

The championship meet was moved to the grounds of the quarter-mile drag strip this year because the previous site, Scioto Downs horse track in nearby Columbus, is preparing to install slot machines and the Ohio High School Athletic Association doesn't want gambling present at its events.

National Trail built a cross country course this summer that is only slightly more hilly than a mall parking lot.

"There was nothing even resembling a hill for where we're from," Berkshire coach Julie Coles said.

Course designers threw in some extra turns and a few dips, but with a dry, hard track Saturday, if runners didn't drop 10 seconds off their personal bests, they weren't trying.

"It was surreal," said Woodridge senior Drake Sulzer, who slashed 15 seconds off his PR and placed fourth in Division II. "I came across the first mile in 4:50 and said, 'Holy smokes, this is the fastest I've run this season.' I was almost breaking 10 [minutes] for the 2 [miles], and I'm thinking, 'I should be feeling pain right now.' It didn't come for me until the last 800."

Independence coach Craig Polman wasn't impressed.

"I personally don't feel this is an acceptable cross country course," he said. "This isn't track season. It's cross country season. Cross country is meant to have varying terrain. They selected it, and we have to compete on it. Personally, I would like a more challenging course."

The meet has become a victim of its own success. The OHSAA bills it as the largest meet in the country, drawing a crowd of more than 12,000 last year. Attendance figures weren't available Saturday, but the main grandstand was nearly full throughout the day.

Several coaches said they might change their training regimen and schedule to prepare for the flat course, but they are vexed because many area teams run a hilly regional at Boardman.

Brothers in arms: Independence's Polman brothers, senior Ryan and junior Kyle, have been good for each other on the course. The past three years, Ryan placed second, first and fifth, while Kyle was ninth, 12th and fourth.

Off the course, it's a different story.

"I think we're ready to kill each other when we're at home," Ryan said. "We fight over everything. We fought over what seat we were going to sit in on the way down.

"But to be honest, it's really enjoyable to know you have somebody out there to work with who can push you through all these races."

Said their father and coach, Craig Polman: "I think it's been a great success. I've thoroughly enjoyed it."

The brothers were also starters on the soccer team, which was eliminated in a district final last week.

Lost and fast:Westerville North junior Jacob Dumford lost his shoe about 600 meters into the Division I race and finished 10th in 15:42. He was third at the Pickerington regional in 16:04.

Medal winner: The top 25 are All-Ohio and the top 15 are honored on the awards stand with medals. Lakewood senior Nick Jackosky finished 15th in Division I by less than a second.

"I'm so pumped. It means a lot," he said.

Mann of the day: Longtime area coach Dick Mann was honored by the state coaches' association for completing his 103rd season (combined) as a track and cross country coach. He is an assistant coach at Laurel School.

Big finish: After finishing 11th in the Division II state meet a year ago when Rocky River placed third as a team, senior Elyse Bierut made the transition to Division I competition look easy at this year's state meet.

She turned in a runner-up finish in 18:08.46 and battled with champion Claudia Saunders of Cincinnati Princeton (18:04.5) for much of the race.

"It feels awesome," Bierut said. "I had a lot of momentum from last week, and I was just trying to stay out as much as I could with the [other leaders]. Towards the end, I started looking around and realized that the worst I could do was get fourth, and that wouldn't have been too bad."

Bierut, who stayed with Saunders until about the final 300 meters, has verbally committed to run for Elon University.

Not disappointed:Medina senior Anna Boyert has been through enough big meets to know exactly where to position herself.

In what was her fourth state meet appearance, she found herself in an unexpected spot early on -- in the lead.

Boyert couldn't hold it and ended up fourth for the second consecutive year. She finished in 18:12.49 behind Saunders, Bierut and Beavercreek's Sydney Leiher (18:10.21).

"I'm happy with fourth," Boyert said. "It was a good race and a good field. It was cool running on a new course. I was definitely hoping to get the win, and I was leading the race for most of it."

Boyert, who finished 14th as a freshman and 27th as a sophomore, was one of six Northeast Ohio runners to finish among the top 25 to earn All-Ohio honors.

Settling for sixth: With three seniors among its top runners a year ago, the Magnificat girls team wasn't expected to add a fourth consecutive state championship.

The Blue Streaks, who were back at state for the ninth year in row, made it seven consecutive seasons of placing at least among the top six, as they finished sixth with 195 points. Brunswick won its first girls title with 113.

Abigail Marquard, who was the Blue Streaks' only senior at state, finished a team-best 26th (18:50.88).

Freelance writer Jarrod Ulrey contributed to this report. 

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - Drew Barksdale is a playmaker. The Solon junior wide receiver who fills in at quarterback occasionally utilized his quickness and finesse en route to three touchdowns in a 37-12 victory over host Willoughby South in a Division I, Region 1 quarterfinal.

Solon receiver Cory Stuart loses the ball on an early hit by Mentor's Logan Urban during an Oct. 6 game won by Mentor. The teams will meet Saturday in a Division I regional semifinal. - (John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - Drew Barksdale is a playmaker.

The Solon junior wide receiver who fills in at quarterback occasionally utilized his quickness and finesse en route to three touchdowns in a 37-12 victory over host Willoughby South in a Division I, Region 1 quarterfinal.

"Drew's done that all year," Solon head coach Jim McQuaide said. "He's a guy that can run the ball while he's back there, and he can throw the ball, too.

"He's a good athlete, and he's made some big runs this season."

Barksdale tossed one touchdown and rushed for two more, while gaining 80 rushing yards on seven attempts. He also caught four passes for 35 yards.

"It was a fun game tonight, and I was very pumped," Barksdale said. "I've just got to give it up for my team, making plays for me and putting me in positions to score."

Now all eyes are on next week's rematch against top-seeded Mentor, which will be played Saturday at a neutral site to be determined today. The teams met Oct. 6 at Solon, and the Cardinals came away with a surprisingly easy 44-20 victory.

"We've got a huge test next week, and we've got to prove we can be on the field with them because they beat us pretty good the first time," McQuaide said.

Although South started with an early lead Saturday, Solon produced a 27-point run which sealed a the victory.

The brunt of that run occurred when Solon (10-1) scored on three straight second-quarter possessions, giving the Comets a 23-6 halftime lead.

Solon's Alex Knight kicked a 31-yard field goal for the team's only score in the first quarter. South's Kareem Hunt, who gained 125 yards on 20 carries in the first half, punched in a 1-yard touchdown, giving South its only lead of the game, 6-3. From that point on, Solon controlled, as the Comets went on the 27-point tear.

Patrick Kramer ran in an 11-yard touchdown, regaining the lead, 10-6, with 11 minutes remaining in the half. Kramer completed 18 of 26 passes for 180 yards.

Barksdale was at the helm during the final two first-half touchdowns.

He tossed a 13-yard touchdown to C.J. Hanna, then followed with a 41-yard touchdown run, breaking tackles and side-stepping South defenders.

Solon led, 23-6, at the half.

Solon's offense found a little luck for their fourth straight score on the opening drive of the second half.

After South forced a fumble, which rolled into the end zone, Darian Hicks fell on the loose ball for a touchdown.

South pushed for one last score.

Hunt, who rushed for a game-high 231 yards on 31 carries, broke loose for an 87-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, leaving South with a 30-12 deficit.

Barksdale rounded out the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run with 9:47 remaining in the game.

Plain Township, Ohio -- Two-time state wrestling champion Nick Tavanello has had many takedowns in his career, but none might be remembered more by Wadsworth fans than the one he had Saturday night. Shifted to defensive end against Canton GlenOak's football team, the 6-foot, 248-pounder sacked Reid Worstell with 29 seconds left to seal an incredible Division I, Region...

Wadsworth football player Nick Tavanello sacks Reid Worstell with 29 seconds left to seal incredible Division I, Region 2 quarterfinal win against second-seeded Golden Eagles. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

Plain Township, Ohio -- Two-time state wrestling champion Nick Tavanello has had many takedowns in his career, but none might be remembered more by Wadsworth fans than the one he had Saturday night.

Shifted to defensive end against Canton GlenOak's football team, the 6-foot, 248-pounder sacked Reid Worstell with 29 seconds left to seal an incredible Division I, Region 2 quarterfinal win against the second-seeded Golden Eagles.

The sack highlighted an improbable, come-from-behind victory by the seventh-seeded Grizzlies in a 35-28 slobberknocker. Wadsworth's Jack Snowball scored the game-winner with 1:12 remaining.

Down, 28-14, with 10:31 remaining, Wadsworth (10-1) scored 21 unanswered points for the right to play third-seeded Hudson (10-1) next week at a site to be determined.

"We talked all week that GlenOak is a great team with great players," Grizzlies coach Greg Dennison said. "Probably something bad was going to happen for us to overcome.

"We just started playing as a unit, defensively. They're a great offensive team with weapons all over the place. Our kids knew we had to hit to have a chance."

For 24 minutes, the Grizzlies were the ones taking the lumps, as Ohio State recruit Bri'onte Dunn (28 carries, 169 yards, three TDs) was dishing out bruises in big doses.

After halftime, the senior managed 52 yards.

While Snowball (36 carries, 157 yards, three TDs) was the star offensively, Ryan Wise -- who missed his junior season with an injury -- certainly turned things around for the Grizzlies.

With the score tied at 28, Worstell underthrew a wide-open Dashawn Hall. Wise snatched the ball at the Wadsworth 40 and returned it to the GlenOak 39.

Six plays later, Snowball ran it in from 7 yards out to seal the win for Wadsworth.

"We came out down [14] in the second half and said, 'We have to play our hearts out,' " Snowball said. "But anything can happen.

"It was pretty amazing. Sitting in the locker room at halftime, there was no panic in anybody. You looked around and it was, 'We know what we gotta do.' We knew it could be done. Since freshmen year, this is what we wanted."

The comeback started with a 65-yard pass from Snowball to Mitch Gordon that set up a 1-yard run by Bret Baughman with 9:17 remaining.

Snowball scored his second TD with 3:51 left to knot things up, then iced things in front of a stunned crowd at Bob Commings Field 2 minutes and 39 seconds later.

"We just regrouped at halftime," Tavanello said. "We knew we had to come out and stop them. That's exactly what we did."

The Cavaliers are trying to build a feeder program with their D-League franchise in Canton.

CANTON, Ohio -- It looked like a scene lifted from somebody's man cave on fantasy draft day.

Four members of the Cavaliers organization on Thursday night hunkered down around a table filled with laptops and data on stage at the Edgewood Community Center. As names appeared on a computer screen, a young woman using a dry-erase board chronicled the first-round selections in the NBA Development League draft as Canton Charge fans helped themselves to snacks supplied by the Cavs.

When the minor-league team announced it had chosen Tyrell Biggs, a University of Pittsburgh product with the No. 15 overall pick, there was polite applause.

In the evening's biggest surprise, the 25-year-old Biggs appeared from behind a curtain and fielded questions from the audience. The first came from a woman who innocently asked: "What position do you play?"

From this humble beginning, the Cavs look to build a feeder program that could benefit them as the D-League expands and the player-participation system evolves. After decades of paying little mind to minor-league development, the NBA appears serious about following models established by the NHL and Major League Baseball. If that's the case, the Cavs could be ahead of the curve.

In the summer, they became one of just five NBA teams to own and operate a D-League franchise, purchasing a club in New Mexico and relocating it to Canton. There are also four other "hybrids" in the 16-team league, which allows for an independent owner, but cedes basketball operations to a single NBA franchise.

How quickly are times changing? Four years ago, there was only one single-affiliate D-League team (Los Angeles Defenders) run by the Lakers.

"The NBA has approached the league with a great amount of support," said Wes Wilcox, the Cavs' director of player personnel who doubles as Charge general manager. "NBA teams in turn are coming to the league because it's great place for us to [develop] pro personnel.

"We get to dictate and make the decisions and put all the work that goes into those decisions."

The Cavs have shared D-League affiliations in years past, partnering with the Toronto Raptors most recently in Erie, Pa. Now, they have complete say over every facet from coaching to player personnel to marketing to the wine-and-gold color scheme.

When the Charge opens at home on Nov. 25 against the defending champion Iowa Energy, the team will implement offensive and defensive philosophies of Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. Cleveland personnel will be able to control the minutes of players and place them in desired situations.

The training-camp roster includes draft choices, tryout attendees and holdovers from the New Mexico franchise. Once the lockout ends, the Cavs can assign first- and second-year pros under NBA contacts to Canton.

With the minor-league affiliate just 60 miles south on Interstate 77, a player can practice with the Cavs in the morning and play with the Charge at night. Last season, the franchise saw marked improvement from guard Christian Eyenga, who had three stints in the D-League.

"You look at the guys sitting at the end of an NBA bench and the players sitting behind them in suits and how are they developing?" ESPN analyst and former NBA coach Hubie Brown said this summer. "A coach is working with guys in his rotation and if you're not in that rotation it's hard to develop as a young player. Those guys need to be playing somewhere."

The NBA is increasing its use of the D-League. At the end of last season, 23 percent of NBA players had some D-League experience.

In 2009, the Memphis Grizzlies sent No. 2 overall draft pick Hasheem Thabeet (now with Houston) to the minors. Twelve players with D-League ties have won NBA titles, including former Cavs guard Shannon Brown with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The league has not only produced NBA-ready players, but coaches and executives (New Orleans GM Dell Demps) as well.

"What players are going to maximize their potential and take advantage of the opportunities?" Wilcox said when asked about his philosophies on development assignments.

The importance of the D-League could grow coming out of the lockout. There is speculation a new collective bargaining agreement could include provisions that benefit single-affiliate, minor-league franchises like Cleveland.

The addition of a third round to the NBA draft would allow teams to make greater use of the D-League. Whether it's in this deal or future ones, some believe basketball will follow other sports in creating two-way contracts in which players are paid significantly less while in the minors.

The Cavs control all 10 of their minor-league roster spots as oppose to 21 franchises having to share their D-League affiliations with two other NBA teams.

D-League expansion seems inevitable. For now, however, the Cavaliers appear well positioned on the development front.

A lack of draft success in 2008 and 2009 is one of the areas holding back the Browns, says Terry Pluto.

View full sizeMarcio Jose Sanchez, Associated PressTackle Ahtyba Rubin (tackling Frank Gore during last Sunday's game in San Francisco) is the lone member of Eric Mangini's 2008 draft to still be with the Browns.

HOUSTON, Texas -- A change to standard time never slows opinions on the many topics in Cleveland sports, as Terry's talkin' ...

About the Browns' lost drafts ...

1. Now that Brian Robiskie has been waived and claimed by Jacksonville, how many players do the Browns have left from the 2008 and '09 drafts? Four. It's not as if those drafts were in the Blanton Collier era. Tom Heckert took over as general manager in 2010, and those drafts of 2008-09 made his job even tougher because there were so many holes to fill.

2. The only player remaining from the 2008 draft is Ahtyba Rubin, and at least he is a terrific defensive lineman. This was the draft after the 10-6 season when the Browns decided they needed to bolster their defensive line. The top pick in 2008 left as part of the Brady Quinn deal with Dallas. The second-rounder went to Green Bay for Corey Williams. The third-rounder was shipped to Detroit for Shaun Rogers.

3. So the Browns' first pick in 2008 was fourth-rounder Beau Bell, a linebacker out of UNLV. In addition to Rubin, others selected were Martin Rucker, Paul Hubbard and Alex Hall. At least Heckert used Hall as part of deal to add Chris Gocong and Sheldon Brown.

4. Rogers has started three games for the Saints, and has 14 tackles. Williams has started all eight games for the Lions and has 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Browns received a fifth-round pick for Williams, which they used as part of the Montario Hardesty trade.

5. In 2009, there was a lot of trading. But in the end, the Browns still have Alex Mack, Mohamed Massaquoi and Kaluka Maiava. They had three picks in the second round -- Robiskie, Massaquoi and David Veikune. That was a huge missed opportunity, as you usually can find starters in the second round.

6. So out of those two drafts, the Browns have three starters: Mack, Rubin and Massaquoi. Rubin and Mack are very good players, but drafts are also supposed to supply depth. It's not as if the players in the lost drafts of 2008 and 2009 were wiped out with major injuries. They just weren't good enough.

7. When the Browns waived Robiskie, they were saying Jordan Norwood is a better player. Norwood's quickness has helped him get open early, something the Browns want in the West Coast offense.

About the Browns' running game ...

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis fell out of favor so quickly in Denver, Terry Pluto is wondering if the reason is now showing up in Cleveland.

1. At the start of training camp, the Browns had just signed Brandon Jackson. He had missed only seven games the previous three seasons in Green Bay, none in 2010. He's 26, so not old. They also had Hardesty and Peyton Hillis. You'd think at least two of those guys would be healthy for most games. Jackson is out for the season with a foot injury. Who knows when Hardesty will return from that partial tear of his calf muscle. With Hillis having another hamstring injury, who can guess when he will return?

2. Hillis missed the final month of 2008 with a torn hamstring. His current injury is in the other leg, but it is a concern. It's silly to suggest that Hillis hasn't been playing because of contract issues. To get paid, he has to play and produce in his free-agent year.

3. But there are warning sirens. He has been confronted by teammates about his work ethic. There are stories now emerging of throwing a football at the goal posts when sitting out last week. That explains reports of nameless players wondering if he could have played.

4. A year ago, no one questioned his dedication or toughness. Then came the 1,177-yard season, the Madden cover and his hiring and firing agents (three in 2011). This is why team president Mike Holmgren went from "working like crazy" to sign Hillis to a position of waiting until after the season.

5. It always seemed strange how quickly Hillis fell out of favor in Denver. Perhaps his lack of maturity was the reason. It would be interesting to know what the Browns would do if the agent for Hillis called and said, "You know that last offer you made us ... we'll take it." In fact, Hillis should tell his agent to do just that because his value is dropping every week.

6. Back on the field, the Browns are 29th in total rushing yardage, a dismal 31st in average per carry -- 3.2 yards. Yes, injuries are a big factor. But the young guards -- Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston -- are having a harder time than the Browns want to admit. Right tackle Tony Pashos is dueling with his cranky ankle. So they really have only two reliable blockers -- Alex Mack and Joe Thomas.

7. Do the Browns miss fullback Lawrence Vickers, a powerful blocker? To an extent, but Vickers never played more than 41 percent of the snaps in any season with the Browns. Last year, it was 39 percent for Eric Mangini, who loved the guy. The problems with the young guards and Pashos are far more severe. In Houston, Vickers played only four snaps in the first four games. He has played about 30 percent of the snaps in the last three games.

8. In the last two games, the Browns have been relying on Chris Ogbonnaya. He was claimed off Houston's practice squad and was the backup running back in his college career at Texas. He had only 140 carries in four seasons, 74 (for 373 yards) as a senior. Yes, the Longhorns are usually loaded at tailback, and he is a good receiver out of the backfield when he did catch 48 bases as a third-down back in his senior year.

9. As for Thomas Clayton, he has 17 yards in seven NFL carries. He has been on practice squads with San Francisco, New England and the Browns. He was a high school All-American who started his college career at Florida State and ended it at Kansas State. His best season was 637 yards as a junior at KSU.

10. All of this makes me wonder, "Joshua Cribbs in the backfield at least some of the time?" This is not just something that I've mentioned over the years, but so have many fans who recall Cribbs as a 1,000-yard rusher as a quarterback at Kent State. If Hillis is out for several weeks, this becomes a desperate situation for the Browns – who can't just rely on Ogbonnaya and Clayton.

About the Tribe ...

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIs veteran lefty Rafael Perez likely to be dangled by the Indians in search of offensive help this winter?

1. There has been some speculation that the Indians may trade Chris Perez, because they have Vinnie Pestano as a possible closer. Working against that is the free-agent market, which is rich with closers -- Ryan Madson, Jonathan Papelbon, Francisco Rodriguez, Heath Bell, Francisco Cordero and Joe Nathan. For all the fans' complaints about Perez, he was 36-of-40 in saves, that 90 percent mark being No. 4 in the AL. He also has converted 46 of his last 50 saves in one-run situations, which is a superb 92 percent.

2. A very attractive reliever is Rafael Perez, who was 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 2011. He's a 29-year-old lefty with a career 3.64 ERA. Many teams are desperate for lefty relievers, and the Indians have Nick Hagadone as a possible replacement. They also have veteran Tony Sipp (who also could be available). It would be a surprise if Sipp and Rafael Perez both return.

3. The Indians also may be in position to deal Joe Smith (3-3, 2.01 ERA). The only AL relievers with better ERAs were Dave Robertson (1.08), Greg Holland (1.80) and Mariano Rivera (1.91). The Indians are stacking up young bullpen arms. They believe Zach Putnam is big-league ready. While he wasn't promoted in September, the Tribe would not be shocked if Chen Lee makes the team out of spring training. He was 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA at Class AAA, fanning 43 in 32 innings. He threw in the 92-95 mph range with a nasty slider.

4. Now recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery, Hector Rondon is pitching well in winter ball. Once a hot prospect as a starter, the Indians have moved him to the bullpen for 2012.

5. It was a classy move for Tribe General Manager Chris Antonetti to fly to Arizona to tell Grady Sizemore in person last week that the Indians would not pick up his $9 million option. They met for lunch, and Antonetti delivered the news early. He offered to leave if Sizemore was upset, but Sizemore said to stick around. They talked for more than an hour. Sizemore said he wanted to stay with the Tribe, but also understood the business part of the game.

6. The Indians told Sizemore they were open to him coming back on a contract with incentives. Sizemore said he would consider it, but first his agent wanted to see what was available on the open market. Odds are long he will return.

7. Why did the Indians pick up Fausto Carmona's option for $7 million, and add Derek Lowe at $5 million? Because they believe (as do many other teams) that the market for mediocre starting pitching will be outrageous. The first indication is Washington signing Chien-Ming Wang for $4 million. He had major shoulder surgery in July 2009, and didn't pitch again until late this season. He has started only 20 games the past three years.

8. The Tribe's 2010 Opening Day rotation was Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot and Carmona. By September, only Carmona and Masterson were still in the rotation. Carrasco and Talbot are out of the picture for 2012.

9. Yes, the rotation seems set with Ubaldo Jimenez, Masterson, Tomlin, Lowe and Carmona. But Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, David Huff and others will have their chance. These guys get hurt. Odds are one will have a miserable season. You usually need at least eight starters to make it through a season. Last year, the Tribe had eight pitchers start at least 10 games ... and that doesn't count Alex White, who went down with a finger injury after three starts.

10. While the Indians will bid on some free agents, they have a much better chance of finding a hitter via a trade where they pick up part of the contract. The Tribe did that with Kosuke Fukudome last season when he was acquired from the Cubs, and are paying $5 million of Lowe's $15 million salary in 2012.

About Cleveland State basketball ...

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland State's Gary Waters is excited about the depth of talent on the 2011-12 Vikings.

1. Gary Waters has high praise for Anton Grady, the freshman from Cleveland Central Catholic. The coach said he expects the 6-8 power forward "to play quite a bit." He praised Grady for his work ethic, for his ability "to pick up what we are doing really quick." He said if Grady concentrates, "he can become a dominant rebounder."

2. Waters also praised the coaches and teachers at Central Catholic for "installing a lot of discipline in Anton." He said Grady hasn't missed a class or been late for anything. He believes Grady has the most natural basketball ability of any recruit in his six years at CSU. Yes, Norris Cole is the best player in the Waters Era, but remember how CSU was Cole's only Division I offer.

3. Waters plans to start his five veterans -- Jeremy Montgomery and Tre Harmon in the backcourt, Aaron Pogue at center with D'Aundray Brown and Tim Kamczyc at forward. All are seniors except Kamczyc. Waters believes Harmon (13.2 points last season) can be the team's leading scorer. Cole -- the only starter not returning -- was a 21-point scorer last season and is now with the Miami Heat.

4. Brown missed all of last season with a wrist injury. He could be the team's best all-around player as he's a superior defender and effective rebounder at 6-4. In 2009-10, he averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and shot 51 percent.

5. Waters raved about freshman Charlie Lee, saying the 5-9 point guard could "play a lot this season. Of all the freshman, he's the most ready to play right now."

6. Pogue has lost 22 pounds, dropping from 285 to 263. At 6-9, Pogue had some very good moments inside, but has been foul prone. The hope is fewer pounds translates into more mobility and fewer fouls.

7. Sebastian Douglas was a redshirt last season after a knee injury. He is a 6-4 guard from Houston. When Harmon was out for a while in training camp with a concussion, Douglas took his spot in the starting lineup. "We just have so much more depth than last year," Waters said. The Vikings were 27-9 last season, 13-5 in the Horizon League. They went to the NIT, and have been picked to finish third in the Horizon once again.

8. Former Vikings Josh McCoy and Charlie Woods have transferred to Division II Missouri-St. Louis, where they are immediately eligible to play. The same is true of Shaker Heights product Anthony Wells, who transferred to Indiana (Pa.).

The Monsters have been shut out five times in 14 games this season.

HAMILTON, Ontario -- It was another blank look from the Monsters.

Aaron Palushaj scored a second-period goal for the Bulldogs, and goalie Nathan Lawson made sure it held up. Lawson recorded 24 saves as Hamilton edged Lake Erie, 1-0, in American Hockey League play Saturday at Copps Coliseum in Ontario.

The Monsters have been shut out five times in 14 games this season.

Cedrick Desjardins stopped 29 shots for the Monsters, who were outshot, 14-6, in the first period.

But the Bulldogs did not break through until Palushaj's power-play tally with one minute to go in the second period. Former Monster Brian Willsie and Olivier Fortier earned assists.

Hamilton was 1-for-5 on the power play, while Lake Erie was 0-for-4.

What do we know of the Browns' young QB? Hardly anything. Nothing conclusively damning, but not much encouraging either.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerOther than figuring out that Colt McCoy can take a punch -- and a sack -- repeatedly, there haven't been all that many positive developments when it comes to the development of the Browns' second-year quarterback, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What a difference a year doesn't make...

Colt McCoy makes his 16th NFL start Sunday in Houston. Since he's had two head coaches and two offensive coordinators and has operated under polar opposite philosophies, 16 games constituting a "season" is misleading. Nevertheless, it's a benchmark and a good time to ask what we've learned about McCoy under Pat Shurmur that we didn't know from watching him play last season.

The answer: hardly anything. Nothing conclusively damning, but not much encouraging either.

We know he can take a punch. That he's mobile. That he's smart. That he can "manage a game," which is a catch phrase meaning the head coach doesn't really trust the quarterback. That maybe some day McCoy can be Alex Smith, which would be marginally promising if you believe in the small sample of success currently on display in San Francisco and if you believe that's all the Browns need from their quarterback.

They need more from McCoy. The ceiling has to be higher than that. They are committed to a pass-first offense. That requires the quarterback to win games, not just work in a custodial capacity.

After 15 starts, McCoy has thrown 15 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions and has completed less than 60 percent of his passes. In his seven games under Shurmur, his completion percentage has sagged even while spending most of his time throwing to short-range targets.

It's an exaggeration to say he could've had a dozen more passes intercepted just this season, but not by much. What recommended him last year was his accuracy, at least until the weather turned. And his poise. Too often this season he's missed open receivers and looked as if his hair was ablaze in the pocket.

The front office did him no favors weapons-wise. Remember when Mike Holmgren suggested last year he thought the wide receivers were better than they looked in Brian Daboll's system? How'd that work out?

The offensive line has let McCoy down, too. But that's no reason to prop him up with a shotgun-only offense or a hurry-up offense. It's the NFL. A quarterback needs to run the entire offense.

The Browns haven't made it easy to evaluate McCoy but they have nine more games to do exactly that. Can he operate a passing game that keeps opposing defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage? Can he make the throws the offense and game situations require when the wind kicks up and the snow begins flying?

Last year was about finding out if he could be a NFL quarterback. This year is about finding out if McCoy can be a West Coast quarterback, the centerpiece of the offense.

At mid-term, you'd have to grade on a serious curve to say he's passing the test.

If that's his idea of fun and games, he really should get out more...

NFL Network's Mike Lombardi says he plays a weekly game at NFL Films. Lombardi puts the Browns' offense on his screen, calls a friend who coached in the league and tells him the personnel group, formation and line of scrimmage and if there's motion on the play. Based on that information, Lombardi asks the former coach to tell him the exact play that will be run.

Lombardi wrote that the coach is "correct about 95 percent of the time. No lie. The Browns are so integrated into the West Coast system that their predictability is becoming legendary around the league."

He says an exclusive West Coast team hasn't won the Super Bowl since 2002. I'm 95 percent sure Browns fans don't consider 10 years without winning a long time.

Wishful thinking upon a star...

In 2008, Grady Sizemore hit 33 homers and stole 38 bases. Last year he stole zero bases.

Since '08, he's had five surgeries and played in 210 of 486 games.

"I really think it changes the free-agent marketplace for outfielders," agent Joe Urbon said of Sizemore after the Indians didn't pick up the center fielder's option. "He certainly adds star power to it."

Especially, you know, if you haven't seen any games in the past three years.

SPINOFFS

Peyton Hillis' leverage after Montario Hardesty's injury didn't even last as long as a Kardashian marriage...

Hillis had to be told by a group of Browns players that a) getting married in Arkansas during a game week when he should've been getting treatment was a bad idea; and b) letting his agent tell him not to play against Miami sent a terrible message.

Who's advising him, LeBron's guys?...

This much-acclaimed-by-me Sunday Spin does not include results of Saturday night's scheduled celebrity boxing match between Jose Canseco and Lenny Dykstra. You're welcome....

Suffice it to say since Canseco sent his twin brother, Ozzie, to fight for him last time and Dykstra was a late-minute replacement for White House dinner crasher Tareq Salahi, it's easy enough to project a beaten-to-a-pulp loser in this matchup without actually seeing a punch thrown: Anyone who paid $19.95 to watch.

View full sizeAP fileOnce the world's greatest athlete, he's known for some high-profile family members.

In yet another matchup furthering America's reputation as a great country, Nadya "The Octomom" Suleman was scheduled to fight Amy Fisher...

Caddie Stevie Williams apologized for making a racial reference about Tiger Woods at a caddies awards banquet in Shanghai. Every time Williams talks, Woods looks more justified in firing him...

Williams was receiving a tongue-in-cheek award for "celebration of the year" in Shanghai for making Adam Scott's win at Bridgestone all about his own revenge on Tiger. Good to see he's over the breakup and learned a lesson...

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Troy Polamalu and Kenny G -- Bob H, Medina

View full sizeMCT photoHe's had plenty of high-profile talent around him, too. He departs his chosen field at the very top.

Bruce Jenner and Tony LaRussa -- David Jaye

HE SAID IT

(And it sounded good. It just didn't make much sense)

"We're bringing 53 men to the Apocalypse and we ain't bringing flowers." -- Ravens LB Terrell Suggs on Sunday night's game in Pittsburgh.

Who can forget the famous scene in "Apocalypse Now" when Lt. Bill Kilgore says, "I love the smell of napalm and a fresh wrist corsage in the morning?"

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Do opposing defensive coordinators take their bye week the week of the Browns game?" -- JJ

No, they do not. But with the help of Soap Opera Digest, they catch up on their favorite shows and what's happening with Peyton Hillis.

"Bud:

"Did any wide receivers try to sneak into last week's running back tryouts?" -- Pat Lee

No. Unfortunately, no running backs did either.

"Dear Bud:

"Ohio State's throwback uniforms against Wisconsin got me to thinking. Do you ever write your columns in your throwback underwear?" -- Jim O, Chardon

No, only throwback Spandex.

"Hey Bud:

"The NFL Red Zone shows all the teams when they reach the Red Zone. Do you think there is a chance I can see the Browns on there at least once before the season ends?" -- John Hruby, Poland

Depends on whether there's a NFL Red Zone Classic channel.

"Bud:

"Since Pat Shurmur's Monday press conference lasted 10 minutes, and the head coach wants the offense to reflect his offensive philosophy, is it safe to assume the offense will be on the field 10 minutes against Houston?" -- Jeff, Westlake

Only if they can run the ball.

"Hey Bud:

"Any truth to the rumor that Fuzzy Zoeller has just hired Steve Williams to be his new caddie?" -- KO Bossy

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

"Bud:

"Was the Wayback Machine invented for Cleveland sports?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners receive a case of nostalgia.

Separated at birth: Brian Daboll's offense and Pat Shurmur's offense." -- David Orloff

Repeat winners also get deja vu.

Three wins in seven games? Barely more than 14 points a game for an "improved" offense? The natives are getting restless.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe Browns are counting on younger linemen Shawn Lauvao (66, blocking for Montario Hardesty against Miami) and Jason Pinkston to eventually grow into their roles on the offensive line.

Hey, Tony: Has the Browns' O-line been sufficiently whupped by the DLs of superior NFL teams for Pat Shurmur to understand to draft a RT, and hopefully, a LG, in the first two rounds of the 2012 draft? Or does he just hope the league continues not to test for Geritol? -- Chuck Pirrone, Columbus, Ohio

Hey, Chuck: First, it's GM Tom Heckert who decides which positions to address in the draft. In his two drafts with the Browns, Heckert selected right guard Shawn Lauvao in the third round in 2010 and left guard Jason Pinkston in the fifth round in 2011. I thinks those players are struggling through some growing pains but Heckert believes they will be starters for a long time. Now he needs to draft an offensive tackle relatively high to plug in at right tackle.

Hey, Tony: While I can certainly understand the running back situation in Cleveland with all the injuries why are we looking at Thomas Clayton once again? Is this the best we can do to help out the running game temporarily? -- Martin Pollock, Harvest, Ala.

Hey, Martin: Contrary to some reports, there wasn't even a tryout of running backs. Clayton was the only one brought in last Tuesday. They needed someone with some familiarity to get him up to speed quickly. Clayton played for RB coach Gary Brown last year. Thus, he "won" the tryout.

Hey, Tony: What has been the biggest concern/surprise for you so far in the Mike Holmgren era? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

Hey, Michael: The fact that after making a big coaching change and adding a few players, Holmgren still presides over a pretty inept offense.

Hey, Tony: Will you please provide us with an update as to Jordan Cameron's development? It seems he has the athleticism to develop into a pretty good TE, however, I really haven't heard a whole about him since training camp. -- Rob Edinger, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Rob: Cameron has been active in recent games, but has played mostly on special teams. He's No. 4 behind three pretty good tight ends. Nobody really expected him to be much more in the mix as a rookie.

Hey, Tony: Since watching another dismal performance by Colt McCoy against Seattle, I can't stop thinking about Andrew Luck implications in the next draft. What if the Colts or the Rams end up getting him? What happens to Peyton Manning or Sam Bradford, or to be more precise, is there a chance that the Browns somehow trade for one of them? -- Miroslav Stefanovic, Serbia

Hey, Miroslav: I don't foresee the Browns making a run at Luck.

Hey, Tony: Before Eric Steinbach went on the DL, the offensive line was considered a strength on the team. Now, with two rookie guards and an oft-injured (and out of shape) right tackle, they appear to be mediocre at best. How are they actually grading out? Also, does the nature of Steinbach's back issue necessarily mean he's done? -- Ken Knapp, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Hey, Ken: I don't have any grades on the linemen. I would say trust your eyes. There are obvious inconsistencies at the guard and right tackle positions. The guards are developing players and right tackle Tony Pashos has been playing with an ankle problem. Steinbach's back issue was corrected by surgery and he is expected to return in 2012.

Hey, Tony: Why is everyone including you (C+ grade?) unfairly blaming Pat Shurmur for the offensive struggles when it is clear that Colt McCoy is not a starting-caliber QB in a QB-driven league? If told before the season started that the Browns would start 3-3 (Instead of Colt's play not because of it), everyone would have said "that's about right," particularly for a rookie HC and new coaching staff, or am I missing something? -- Joe Crespo, Houston

Hey, Joe: A fortuitous early schedule has helped the Browns' record, but in general I agree with you. Shurmur is a natural target for the offensive doldrums because he elected not to hire an offensive coordinator in his first season as head coach. Still, everything on that field is a reflection of him. Everyone had higher hopes for the offense, including me, based on some early success in preseason.

Hey, Tony: Is there a guideline in the new CBA concerning the number of concussions a player can sustain before risking permanent damage? It seems a guy like Ben Watson might need to retire if he gets concussion-like symptoms randomly. -- Lou Kovach, Cary, N.C.

Hey, Lou: Last month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified each club of the league's new policy on concussions. It states: "The player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptomatic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant." The policy pertains to practices as well as games. There is nothing in the policy that limits a player's career based on a number of concussions he might suffer.

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressThere's been a call for more speed on Browns ... perhaps someone like Armond Smith.

Hey, Tony: The more I think about our offense the more I want to pull out what little hair I have left. Why are we only seeing long passes to Josh Cribbs instead of short, quick slants and dumpoffs? He is our only receiver we have who really can benefit from the WCO. And why not experiment more with some speed guys like Armond Smith and Buster Skrine? Not so much end arounds but again, quick slants and dumpoffs. Let their speed create big plays. Is Colt just unable to hit receivers in stride? Our offense is going backwards. Why not look for hidden offensive talent? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: I'm with you. When I talked to former Giants and Browns linebacker Carl Banks in the offseason for a story on the West Coast offense, he mentioned that he thought Cribbs would benefit immensely from the system. It just seems like defenses are disrupting the Browns' ability to execute that quick-throw rhythm expected from the WCO. They play the Browns' receivers tight and take those routes away because they don't respect Colt McCoy's ability to stretch the field.

Hey, Tony: How similar is the Browns rebuilding process to the Buffalo Bills, they had a dreadful start last year implementing a pass happy offense but in the second half of the season that offense started clicking on all cylinders. I try to preach that to other Browns fans. Am I that far off? -- Justin Sack, Phoenix

Hey, Justin: The overriding point is that any new offense is going to take time to develop. One obvious difference is the Bills caught lightning in the bottle with Ryan Fitzpatrick, a late-blooming quarterback with many years experience in the NFL.

Hey, Tony: I'm a McCoy supporter, but I can't deny that Andrew Luck looks like the real deal. It'll cost a lot, but with their youth and potential are the Browns really in that bad of a position to make that trade? As general manager, what holes do you think we'd still need to address and could you get it done with the picks you had left? -- Paul Straub, Orlando, Fla.

Hey, Paul: I've heard the pricetag to move up for Luck would be a minimum of three No. 1s, with one this year in the top 10. If the Browns did that, they would have to certainly use their remaining early picks on a receiver and offensive lineman. They also would have to be more aggressive in free agency than they were in 2010. You'd have to say other positions of need would be running back, and depth everywhere else.

Hey, Tony: When will the Browns stop pretending Tony Pashos and Sheldon Brown are starters in the NFL? Please don't defend Brown with that pick vs. Seattle. He's lucky he wasn't arrested for mugging. Pashos is an embarrassment. -- Mike B., Dover, Ohio

Hey, Mike: As an avowed defender of Eric Mangini, it seems the present regime can't do much to please you.

Hey, Tony: Read your article about kickers becoming "too good." I'd like to get your opinion on the following rule change which would take effect when I become king: On kickoffs, if the ball is kicked out-of-bounds on the fly, penalty places the ball on the 40, as presently. If it bounces or rolls out-of-bounds before getting to the end zone, the receiving team takes possession at that yard line, just like a punt. I think the change would add an interesting element to the game, requiring more precision than distance kicking, and may cause receiving teams to use two returners to cover the field, reducing the number of blockers by one, or risk bad field position. BTW, I happen to enjoy watching teams (not QB'd by Elway) try to succeed in 90-yard drives. -- Seren Hrachian, Athens, N.Y.

Hey, Seren: Your suggestion is intriguing to me. I agree it would lead to more strategy, more directional kicking and less all-out booming. I intend to bounce it off Phil Dawson.

Hey, Tony: Are you in the same state of misery that we are in enduring yet another high school-level offensive performance in San Fran? This game is yet another obvious example of why McCoy is not the answer and won't be after the "full sixteen game evaluation." Missed throws to open receivers, no pocket presence, fumbles, check down after check down. Do you think we should stop criticizing McCoy and Shurmer's effectiveness and hope that all this continues so we can finally draft an elite QB? Got to go because I missed the McCoy fumble and have to rewind the DVR and check it out. -- Doug Furtado, Vermilion

Hey, Doug: I'm not ready to give up on McCoy and I don't think the Browns are, either.

Hey, Tony: Is it normal for a long-time Browns fan to begin thinking that the punt is the most exciting part of watching a game? I mean, getting it down within the 5-yard-line certainly warrants 300 bucks for NFL Network! Also, what do you think goes through Colt McCoy's mind when he is sitting there on the sidelines watching the defense playing most of the game week after week because he can't engineer a drive? -- Steve Jones, Youngstown

Hey, Steve: I have to go wipe the sarcasm off my hands now.

Hey, Tony: Can you please tell Browns management that to sell a product, you must have something people want. No one wants to watch this crap they call an offense. How can they think anyone should pay to watch this? Oh, and if we don't pay minimum 32 bucks to watch this live, we can't watch it on TV. If I could, I would watch another team, but I can't. This is the biggest scam in the country. -- Brian Weisman, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Brian: I will pass along your sentiments.

Hey, Tony: Do the newspaper reporters fly the same plane as the team on the way home from away games? -- Joe Palmer, Cleveland

Hey, Joe: No.

Hey, Tony: I wonder what excuse the Browns offense will have this week? Mike Holmgren brought Seneca Wallace in when he came here and what is the reason for not giving him a chance to start? First they brought in Jake Delhomme and after last season named McCoy the starter. Wallace has at least five years in the league and has been in the West Coast system all the time. Shurmur has experience in all phases of the offense and can't put together a basic offense. What is the deal with these issues? -- James Williams, Cleveland

Hey, James: Wallace agreed to a three-year contract knowing that he would be the backup quarterback while the team tried to develop McCoy. Holmgren knows Wallace better than anyone. If he thought he should be the starter, that change would be made. The offensive development obviously has suffered from injuries to the running backs, inconsistencies on the offensive line, a glaring lack of playmakers at the wideout position and McCoy's inexperience.

Hey, Tony: Why doesn't Colt McCoy get protection? No wonder he drops the ball, he has to run for his life. The players either don't like him or they don't know how to play the game. Cause it's happening every week. -- Jane Kraft, El Paso, Texas

Hey, Jane: The lack of running game obviously is the root of the problem. It's easier to pass protect on third-and-3 than on third-and-13. That said, one of the facts of life for an NFL quarterback is his protection is going to be porous at times. The quarterback's going to have to find a way to make plays. A play here, a play there. Suddenly the defense has to respect the whole field.

Hey, Tony: This offense has lots of issues, but the biggest one could be Shurmur's insistence on instituting his offense all at once. I understand why he would want to do this eventually, but is he being inflexible? The Browns have looked decent running the no-huddle ... actually, that's the only time they seem to produce. Shurmur has got to let go and let his QB take control of the offense. He seems to avoid the no huddle unless or until absolutely necessary. What we see each week on offense seems to scream of a coach who is demanding that his offense plays "his way" regardless of what his player's strengths are. But don't they have got to grow into this system at their pace? Do you think that Shurmur could be actually standing in the way of his own offense improving? -- Jason Stipanovich, Parma

Hey, Jason: My biggest knock on Shurmur is that he tried to go from Point A to Point D without touching Points B and C. By that I mean he gave Colt McCoy too much responsibility right off the bat. I think he should have leaned on the running game he inherited early to help the offensive line and McCoy settle into a rhythm together. I do think the absence of the off-season minicamps with his new team has much to do with the slow development of the offense.

Hey, Tony: Today, I decided to end the longest running personal addiction of my life, being a fan of the Cleveland Browns. When I was 10 years old, I happened to pass by my uncle's room, where he was listening to the Browns' game on the radio. That was in 1948, the Browns were playing San Francisco, in the old All-American Conference. From Gordon Cobbledick and Chuck Heaton, to Mary Kay Cabot, Tony Grossi, Terry Pluto, et al at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I have followed my favorite team, all over the world, on radio, TV or however I could. I leave the Browns fan bus, today. I am 73 years old and I am confronted with this team never winning anything during the remainder of my lifetime. I write because someone should monitor the fans' continued commitment to the Cleveland Browns, or the lack thereof. Thanks to you and your colleagues at the Plain Dealer, both past and present. -- Wayne Hopewell, Colorado City, Colo.

Hey, Wayne: Well, you're certainly welcomed back at any time.

Hey, Tony: With the Browns needing a playmaker on offense why don't they give Terrell Owens or a Randy Moss or even Kenny Britt a call? I know they bring a lot of baggage but at least for one year it couldn't hurt? -- Chris Archer, Belpre, Ohio

Hey, Chris: Obviously, the Browns are not alone in deciding against bringing in any of your candidates. Couldn't hurt? Actually, it could.

Hey, Tony: In the game vs. the 49ers, the Browns had third and five at midfield with about 15 seconds left before the end of the half. The QB lined up under center with a RB behind him, and they ran a half-hearted play fake that no one in Candlestick Park bought. What were they thinking? Do these silly calls happen to every team during the course of an NFL game, or is it indicative of sub-par game management by the offensive coaches in Cleveland this year? -- JT, San Diego

Hey, JT: I must say, I run across these strange, inexplicable play-calls in every coaching regime. I remember harping in 2005 about the Browns running play-fake passes on third-and-12 without any semblance of a running game.

Hey, Tony: This question is not brought on by the struggles of Colt McCoy or anything like that but more so curiosity since there's a lack of info on him. Anyway, have you gotten a chance to see Thaddeus Lewis in practice? If so, how does he look or what do the staff say about him? -- Phil Smith, Westlake

Hey, Phil: The media are allowed to view only the first 30 minutes of practice. There's no real chance to see much of Lewis in that time. So I still have no real observation about him, since I have never seen him play. He was picked up by the Browns because Shurmur had him for one year in St. Louis and felt he was a good developmental prospect.

Hey, Tony: As a long-time fan, it's painful to watch this year's version of the Browns. So, tell me if this is the reality of the situation to ease my mind: The focus this year is NOT on winning but on evaluating the current roster to establish a draft and F/A wish list at the end of the season, and for the coaches to settle in to their roles. As much as the fans want to win now, the Holmgren/Heckert regime will need a couple of years to undo the debacle of the past decade in order to form a team of solid players to fit the new offensive and defensive schemes. If this is the case, I can accept the poor performances and won't feel like I'm wasting my Sunday afternoons in a sports bar. -- Ken Knapp, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Hey, Ken: This idea of needing 3-5 years to build a winner in the NFL is malarkey. I can recount numerous instances of teams turning over its coaches and rosters and winning in two years. Bill Parcells did it with four different teams. I think the Browns are trying to win and rebuild at the same time.

Hey, Tony: I ignored your advice and went over the Bay Bridge to watch the Browns and 49ers game. My wife had to blind fold me on the trip home until we got over the Bay Bridge. I have come to grips with reality and this year is just another year to wait for the draft. ... Why can other teams turn it around in a couple of years and we keep going in circles? -- Joe Maloney, Woodland, Calif.

Hey, Joe: I'm sure the owner is asking the same question.

-- Tony

A Midwestern team's World Series success has at least one Tribe fan baffled.

View full sizeRobert Cohen, St. Louis Post-DispatchLance Berkman and Octavio Dotel (right) had a role in only one of the Cardinals' 11 World Series triumphs, so what is this "small-market" team doing right?

Hey, Hoynsie: It seems much of the problems the Indians have is from a lack of payroll and playing in a small market. St. Louis is a small-market team, but they just won their 11th World Series which is second to the Yankees. What is their key to their success? -- Richard Darabant, Corbin, Ky.

Hey, Richard: They have ownership with deep pockets that can maintain a $100 million payroll and a fan base that has topped three million in attendance for 13 of the last 14 years. Good ownership, good players, good management and good fans. What else is there?

The Indians had that from 1994-2001, but it's been lacking on all four fronts since then.

Hey, Hoynsie: Since the Indians didn't pick up Grady Sizemore's option, can they offer him arbitration at a lower price than his option that was worth $9 million? -- Dan D., Columbus

Hey, Dan: They could, but it won't happen because it wouldn't make sense.

Sizemore is a free agent. The only reason the Indians would offer him arbitration is if he was a Type A or Type B free agent and they could get draft picks as compensation if he signed with another team. Sizemore is not ranked as a free agent because of his lack of production over the last two years. If he signs with another team, the Indians won't be compensated.

Hey, Hoynsie: How can the Indians not pick up the option on Sizemore? Worst case Grady flops and the Indians flop and he is traded for minor leaguers. Best case the Indians flop in 2012, Grady starts off hot and the Indians trade him to a contender in the NL for minor-league prospects. The Indians need offense and defense. Who can they possibly sign/trade for who is better than Grady? -- Jim Markart, Sunnvale, Calif.

Hey, Jim: I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but I imagine that the Indians should be able to acquire an outfielder who will be able to play more than 70 games in 2012. In the last three years, that has been Sizemore's average. As for trade value, Sizemore has none because of his injuries.

Hey, Hoynsie: What's up with Trevor Crowe? I saw him get hurt again on a diving play late in the year, but they never said if it was serious. He's never really had a chance to show what he can do when healthy. Will he get another shot or is he another first-round miss? -- Steven Alex, Gainesville, Fla.

Hey, Steven: The Indians just outrighted Crowe to the Class AAA roster to make room on the 40-man. I bet he gets invited to spring training. At the end of the season, trainer Lonnie Soloff said Crowe's bruised shoulder wasn't serious.

Hey, Hoynsie: It is always made public who finished second, third, etc., for Cy Young and MVP for each leagues. Are runner-ups listed for the Gold Glove? Specifically, were Asdrubal Cabrera and Jack Hannahan even close to winning at their positions? -- Rich Smith, Columbus

Hey, Rich: Until the Gold Glove awards made their TV debut last week, just the winners were announced. To fill the air time, and to create some drama, ESPN named three finalists at each position. Cabrera was a finalist at AL shortstop. Hannahan didn't make the finals at third base, but Fausto Carmona (yes, I was surprised, too) was a pitching finalist.

Hey, Hoynsie: Now that the starting rotation is set with the addition of Derek Lowe, who are the free agents the Indians can make a realistic run at? I have heard Coco Crisp's name, but he has no power and is not the kind of outfielder this team needs at the moment. -- Todd Edmond, Tiffin

Hey, Todd: Agree with you about Crisp, but his teammate, left fielder Josh Willingham, is an interesting player. He has power and would allow Michael Brantley to play center. The A's, however, are expected to offer him arbitration, which means the Indians could lose draft picks if they signed him.

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick, pursued vigorously by the Indians at the July trading deadline, is a free agent as well.

-- Hoynsie

The Bruins crushed the Maple Leafs 7-0 while the Red Wings easily dispatched the Ducks 5-0.

Trevor Bayne earned his first career NASCAR Nationwide victory after he passed dominating teammate Carl Edwards following a tremendous restart with seven laps remaining Saturday at Texas.

Associated PressTrevor Bayne (16) holds up the trophy after winning the the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Trevor Bayne earned his first career NASCAR Nationwide victory after he passed dominating teammate Carl Edwards following a tremendous restart with seven laps remaining Saturday at Texas.

Bayne won the Daytona 500 this year but had never won in his previous 76 Nationwide starts in the series where he is a regular for Roush Fenway Racing.

"It's been a long time coming," Bayne said. "That ending there was cool to get to go up against Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin. ... Right before that last caution, I didn't think we were going to have a shot because we were about half a track behind Carl. I thought the car was good, but I just didn't think we'd have enough time."

Edwards, the Cup points leader, led 157 of 200 laps at the 1½-mile, high-banked track. He was still in front when Jason Leffler hit the wall and brought out the final caution. Bayne was then fourth.

After helping push Edwards forward on the restart, Bayne was able to get around Hamlin, who then passed Edwards and finished second while filling in for Kyle Busch.

Bayne was confident his car would be strong for a short run after the last restart. He led only the final six laps, the fewest laps led for a Nationwide winner at Texas, and won with an average speed of 143.464 mph.

"We had gained three or four spots every restart all day," he said. "With us being in fourth position, that was about the number of cars we could pass and we were just able to get a great restart. ... We had enough power to get by (Hamlin) and able to get to the bottom and get on Carl's left rear a little bit and get by him."

Bayne's victory was owner Jack Roush's 299th NASCAR win and secured Ford's third manufacturing championship in the series.

Nationwide points leader Ricky Stenhouse finished sixth and has a 17-point lead over Elliott Sadler with two races to go. Sadler, who came in 15 points back, finished ninth after running ahead of Stenhouse for much of the race.

"That's better than where we were when we came in and that's really all we can ask for," Stenhouse said.

Hamlin took over Joe Gibbs' No. 18 Toyota for Busch, and had to start 40th after the unexpected driver change.

Busch was barred from driving in the Cup and Nationwide races. NASCAR took that rare step after Busch deliberately wrecked championship contender Ron Hornaday Jr. in the Truck Series race Friday night.

By the midpoint of Saturday's race, Hamlin was already up to third behind Edwards and Clint Bowyer, who finished fourth.

Back in February, the 20-year-old Bayne became the youngest Daytona 500 winner in race history when he won the season opener.

Now a year after his Cup debut at Texas, Bayne has his first Nationwide victory at the same track. It comes during an up-and-down year that includes a month when he missed five races because of an inflammatory condition.

"I don't know if you could script a story like the year I've had," Bayne said. "It's crazy to think only one year ago I was making my first Cup start and to come back here to Texas and get our first Nationwide win, this is a place I'm gonna love from now on. But this year has been a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but I think the people around me and myself, we've tried to stay right here the whole time. We've tried not to ride it to the top or ride it to the bottom and that's been important for us."

Edwards said the victory was huge for Bayne.

"He's been through a lot that anybody in his position would consider that a big journey that he's been on and to be as young as he is and to have so many changes in his life right now, and for him to handle everything as gracefully as he has, I think, says a lot about him," Edwards said. "So it's neat to see someone like that have some success."

After his No.1-ranked LSU team gutted out a brutal game of I’m tougher than you with No.2-ranked Alabama, after the Tigers survived a fistfight of a game by finding a way to win in overtime when they probably shouldn’t have, Miles served up another plate of nutty. He wouldn’t mind playing Alabama again.

AP PhotoLes Miles and LSU survived their toughest test yet, defeating Alabama on the road, 9-6.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Of all the crazy, of all the unorthodox and unthinkable from Les Miles year after year, this may be the nuttiest.

After his No.1-ranked LSU team gutted out a brutal game of I’m tougher than you with No.2-ranked Alabama, after the Tigers survived a fistfight of a game by finding a way to win in overtime when they probably shouldn’t have, Miles served up another plate of nutty.

He wouldn’t mind playing Alabama again.

And there’s only one place the Tide and Tigers can play Round 2 after Saturday night’s 9-6 LSU victory: the BCS National Championship Game.

“It would be an honor to play that team again,” Miles said.

Here’s the best part: the LSU players, the guys who traded blows in a vicious, physical game, want another shot at Alabama, too.

“I would love to do that again,” said LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery. “I think the world wants a rematch.”

It may not be as far-fetched as you’d think.

In this demolition derby of a beauty pageant we call the BCS, anything is possible. In the 13-year history of the controversial series, we’ve seen teams that haven’t won their own division play for it all, and teams that lost their last game of the season play in the big game.

Why not two teams from the same conference?

“I can’t imagine,” said LSU safety Eric Reid, “there are two better teams out there.”

At this point, it’s becoming more evident whether we like it or not. Considering two-thirds of the BCS vote is human-poll based (coaches, Harris Poll), it’s certainly conceivable that the Tide won’t drop too far with the loss—and could make it back if those in front stumble. It also helps that while Alabama and LSU were pounding on each other in a game that looked more like something you’d see on Sundays, the rest of the nation grew more distant in the rearview.

No.3 Oklahoma State was playing another Big 12 game of last team with the ball wins, scoring a combined 97 points with Kansas State and further weakening its 111th-ranked defense. Stanford rolled through another game against a Pac-12 afterthought (Oregon State), in what can only further degrade the Cardinal’s strength of schedule.

And finally we have Boise State. The non-BCS Broncos are utterly bored with the Mountain West, giving voters an eyeful with back-to-back ugly wins over Air Force and UNLV.

Those three unbeaten teams are the last hurdle between a rematch of the Southern Fried Fistfight. If you think you’re sick of the SEC winning it all the last five seasons, wait until the rest of the nation is boxed out of the biggest game of the year.

“If we continue to keep the foot on the pedal,” said Alabama center William Vlachos, “we have a chance to do something very, very special this season.”

Translation: win the BCS National Championship without winning the SEC Championship.

LSU’s victory put the Tigers in prime position to win the West Division and play the East champion (likely Georgia) in the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers still must beat No.6 Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La. November 25, but for now they are the clear leader in the race for New Orleans.

No matter what it looked like Saturday night.

“That’s tough football,” Miles said. “Just moving the chains in this type a game is an advantage.”

You wanted a street fight? You got it. Forget about Game of the Century; this thing set back offense to the stone ages.

I’m not exactly sure, but I think I saw Mr. Slate screaming at Fred Flintstone to “Throw the rock!”

But as bad as it looked—the teams combined for 15 points and 534 total yards; Oklahoma State had 52 points and 575 yards alone—beauty is in the eye of tight coverage and run defense and tackles for loss. Or as they like to say in the SEC: big boy football.

Only in the SEC can rock-em sock-em defense overshadow inept offenses. Or maybe, just maybe, those weren’t inept offenses. Maybe it was simply two dominant defenses dictating the game.

It’s not like LSU and Alabama have been slugs this fall on offense. The Tide were 11th in the nation in scoring offense before this game; the Tigers were 12th. Maybe we should embrace the beauty that is standing toe-to-toe.

Alabama missed four field goals: one was blocked and three—including a 51-yarder in overtime—never really had a chance. LSU threw two interceptions, and completed nine measly passes.

But there’s something comforting about two teams that combine for 11 tackles for loss; about a game that included 22 series and 118 plays and needed overtime to find a winner.

“It’s not all beautiful,” Montgomery said. “Who says it has to be?”

Maybe it’s not a beauty pageant after all. Maybe it’s just about the two best teams earning enough BCS points to play for it all.

LSU wants it again. Who are we to say no?

Join cleveland.com's live chat during the Browns vs. Texans game today at 1 p.m. Interact The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Joey Morona as they describe the action on the field, post scoring updates and field your questions and comments.

APThe Browns are expecting a heavy dose of Arian Foster this afternoon.

Join cleveland.com's live chat during the Browns vs. Texans game today at 1 p.m.  Interact The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Joey Morona as they describe the action on the field, post scoring updates and field  your questions and comments.

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.

Enter your name and log onto the chat room below. Java is required to participate in the chat. Download it here

Note: To turn off audio alerts, click on round button on bottom left of chat room and click on preferences.

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.

Texans running back Arian Foster has 110 rushing yards. Browns have 112 total yards.

View full sizeGeorge Bridges, MCTHouston's Arian Foster finished three quarters with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Texans continue their dominating afternoon.

HOUSTON -- Notes, observations and some facts on the third quarter ...

• Tony Pashos is questionable with a knee injury. On third play, Brooks Reed races by for sack of Colt McCoy.

• Arian Foster and Texans' zone-blocking scheme is wearing down Browns D-line. Foster for 27, Foster for 11, Ben Tate for 8.

• Browns defense finally stiffens up inside 5. Force two Matt Schaub throwaways and short Neil Rackers field goal.

• Rookie tight end Jordan Cameron makes first NFL catch for 7 yards.

• McCoy has team on move after completions of 13 yards to Ben Watson and 19 to Josh Cribbs. Of course, this tease blows up in an incompletion and a McCoy sack. Phil Dawson makes 51-yard field goal.

• Now Ben Tate is running like an All-Pro. Long, long day for Browns' defense.

"My tattoos are a personal reflection of the things that I have been through in my life . . . my struggles and accomplishments. They also represent my interpretation of the world around me."

Allison Carey, The Plain DealerSteve Babyak: "My tattoos are a personal reflection of the things that I have been through in my life ... my struggles and accomplishments."

Steve Babyak, 44, Perry, respiratory therapist.

Tattoos: I have a sleeve on my left arm, so it's hard to say. Maybe 10.

Location: Arm, back, shoulder.

Estimated cost: $2,000.

Ink master: Al Garcia, Alligator Ink in Mentor.

Story behind the tattoo: "I won the Golden Gloves in Youngstown in 1986. I was runner-up in 1992. I used to spar with Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. The last time I sparred was with Kelly Pavlik. He hit me once and I thought, 'OK, I'm too old for this.' My tattoos are a personal reflection of the things that I have been through in my life . . . my struggles and accomplishments. They also represent my interpretation of the world around me."

Have a tattoo with an interesting story? Email mheaton@plaind.com.

Mohamed Massaquoi leaves with another head injury as Colt McCoy absorbs a pounding but still guides Browns to meaningless TD.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerUnlike the Texans' running backs, the Browns' Chris Ogbonnaya seldom found his path free of obstacles -- including this effort in the second quarter. Ogbonnaya's 28 yards led the Browns on the ground.

HOUSTON -- Notes, observations and some facts on the fourth quarter ...

• Browns lose receiver Mohamed Massaquoi with head injury. Was his first game back after concussion.

• Neil Rackers' 50-yard field goal makes it 30-6, Houston.

• Hey, a 20-yard completion to Josh Cribbs.

• On third-and-1 from Texans 35, Browns handoff inside to Thomas Clayton. Pffft. Loss of 2. On fourth-and-3, handoff to Clayton. Great spot gives Browns the first down. Even when they wave white flag, they don't get their way.

• Brooks Reed creams McCoy as he lets go of the ball. Greg Little soars above Kareem Jackson to make a 24-yard catch at the Texans 5.

• McCoy finishes off the lone TD drive with a 2-yard pass to Josh Cribbs. The 2-point try was intercepted.

• Onside kick fails, but gets TV credit for good concept. That's called faint praise.

• Houston content to keep gouging the Browns' defensive line for steady gains. Browns call timeout on third on two, but Derrick Ward gets the first down. Browns call final timeout anyway.

• Averaging more than seven yards a carry, Ward stripped by Chris Gocong at the line of scrimmage, first recovered by Phil Taylor, who loses it 15 yards downfield where Eric Hagg recovers and advances to the Texans' 35. Houston challenges and call is reversed when replay shows Ward's left elbow down before ball came out.

• Two-minute warning arrives, Ward converts a fourth-and six on a sweep right (perfect reflection of Browns' defensive failures) and Texans run the clock out.