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BRI split isn't only issue - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"As a NBA fan in Cleveland, I don't really care about the BRI or what kind of split each side gets. I want to know if we will get a hard salary cap, a franchise tag and sign-and-trade rules. It is these things that matter, because it will make the league more competitive - and probably more profitable." - BestQBsince99:TimCouch! OUCH!

nba-players.JPGView full sizeThe NBA players and owners have been unable to come to an agreement.
In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers union rep Anthony Parker pessimistic on NBA offer as deadline approaches, cleveland.com reader BestQBsince99:TimCouch! OUCH! doesn't care about all the BRI talk. This reader writes,

"As a NBA fan in Cleveland, I don't really care about the BRI or what kind of split each side gets. I want to know if we will get a hard salary cap, a franchise tag and sign-and-trade rules. It is these things that matter, because it will make the league more competitive - and probably more profitable."

To respond to BestQBsince99:TimCouch! OUCH!'s comment, go here.

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

Joe Frazier deserved more from Philadelphia

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If Philadelphia is the city of Brotherly Love, why didn't it give more love to Joe Frazier?

joef.jpgJoe Frazier


One of my favorite tasks as a member of NABJ's Sports Task Force, is coming up with sports figures to honor in the city of our annual convention.

Prior to last summer's convention in Philadelphia, members were asked for nominations to give our annual Pioneer award, the highest award given by the task force.

I entered only one name.

As a boxing aficionado, and a fan of Muhammad Ali, I didn't hesitate to nominate Ali's greatest adversary in the ring ---- Smokin' Joe Frazier.

On August 5, Frazier was honored and given the award at the convention center in downtown Philadelphia. The same Philadelphia, the so-called city of Brotherly Love, and one of the mecca's of boxing, treated its greatest fighter with brotherly like.

What does winning the gold medal in 1964 get you in Philly? How about winning the heavyweight championship? Or does it matter Frazier kept his gym open to help train kids and keep them focused on something positive?

Well in Philadelphia you get a statue for pretending to be a boxer in a series of movies, when a living and breathing champion is right there in your town.

Maybe in Frazier's death he will receive a deserving honor, instead of the city's left hook to his chin. 





Local youth tennis standout Kyle McPhillips to play for UCLA

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WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - Willoughby's Kyle McPhillips, regarded as one of the top junior tennis players in America, will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday to play for UCLA. She said she will receive a full scholarship. She chose UCLA over Duke and Stanford. McPhillips, 17, said she chose UCLA because "it offers a well-balanced college life" of strong...

Willoughby resident Kyle McPhillips will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday to play tennis for UCLA. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - Willoughby's Kyle McPhillips, regarded as one of the top junior tennis players in America, will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday to play for UCLA. She said she will receive a full scholarship. She chose UCLA over Duke and Stanford.

McPhillips, 17, said she chose UCLA because "it offers a well-balanced college life" of strong academics, challenging tennis and an attractive social scene.

"I liked it from the first time I stepped on the campus," she said. "I looked for a school that would offer me a balanced college experience. It is strong academically and the tennis is very good. And, you can't beat the weather."

McPhillips, who will graduate from Andrews Osborne Academy in the spring, finished third in the Division I state tournament in 2008 while attending Willoughby South. She transferred to AOA because it was more flexible when it came to her rising career on the national junior circuit.

UCLA's women's program is ranked fifth in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Bruins made it to the final four in team play last spring, losing to eventual national champion Florida.

McPhillips scaled back her involvement in high school tennis once she transferred to AOA. She has been ranked first in junior tennis in several age groups since she was 14.

Ohio State Buckeyes at Purdue Boilermakers: Who will win and by how much? Poll

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Buckeyes, 6-3, are on a three-game winning streak. Purdue, 4-5, seemed to be improved before getting walloped in its last two games.

corey-philly-brown.jpgOhio State's Corey "Philly" Brown returns a punt during the Buckeyes' 49-0 rout of Purdue last Oct. 23 in Columbus.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes visit Purdue's Boilermakers on Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana.



Ohio State seeks its fourth straight win. The Buckeyes, 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten Leaders Division, stiil hope to catch division-leading Penn State (8-1, 5-0). The Nittany Lions, their play suddenly overshadowed by the sex abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky -- a situation that apparently threatens the job of legendary head coach Joe Paterno -- host Nebraska (7-2, 3-2 Legends Division) on Saturday and visit Ohio State on Nov. 19.



Purdue had shown signs of improvement prior to its last two games. The Boilermakers' game results, in order: 27-24 win vs. Middle Tennessee; 24-22 loss at Rice; 59-0 win vs. Southeast Missouri State; 38-10 loss vs. Notre Dame; 45-17 win vs. Minnesota; 23-18 loss at Penn State; 21-14 win vs. Illinois; 36-14 loss at Michigan; 62-17 loss at Wisconsin.



Ohio State's game results: 42-0 win vs. Akron; 27-22 win vs. Toledo; 24-6 loss at Miami (Fla.); 37-17 win vs. Colorado; 10-7 loss vs. Michigan State; 34-27 loss at Nebraska; 17-7 win at Illinois; 33-29 win vs. Wisconisn; 34-20 win vs. Indiana.



Ohio State walloped Purdue, 49-0, last Oct. 23, as Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises detailed in his game story.




Ohio State, Penn State fans should be united in wanting college football to do what's right - Doug Lesmerises blog

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What no fan wants is a game that is bigger than honesty or morality.

joe-paterno.jpgPenn State coach Joe Paterno
COLUMBUS - When it comes to a "scandal" and whatever that word means in college football in these times, Ohio State and Penn State don't belong in the same sentence, paragraph or story.

Yet fans of both programs, who in another world would be thinking about a showdown in two weeks that may decide the Leaders Division title, should be on the same side.

Both fanbases want to win. And they want to win with dignity and pride and faith in what goes on at their football programs and their schools. That's not too much to ask, and today, that's something Buckeyes and Nittany Lions can be united in demanding.

Public universities of adjoining states with powerful football traditions, Ohio State and Penn State have never been rivals like Ohio State and Michigan. But much of what the Buckeyes and Wolverines dislike about each other is fueled by their differences.

Ohio State and Penn State fans may understand each other a little bit more. Every time Jim Tressel repeated his story of interviewing, as young coach, with Joe Paterno for a low-level job, both Buckeyes and Nittany Lions could smile. Tressel was telling that story again a year ago.

It seems like a decade ago. College football should not be so difficult.

Today, Saturday scoreboards don't compare to real-world realities about protecting children and acting by a human code that puts the safety of the innocent above everything else. That much is obvious.

Failings there are human issues, not football issues. What is right doesn't have a fight song.

Nothing compares to the Penn State allegations. On some level, it's unfair to call them "Penn State" allegations. Jerry Sandusky, a former football assistant, is accused of multiple unconscionable acts. And the administration of the football program, athletic department and university have questions to answer - some legally, some only ethically - about why they didn't do more to report what they were told about Sandusky's alleged abuses.

But hundreds of thousands of other Penn Staters are no different than they were last week, last month or last year.

We don't know exactly what motivated the adults at Penn State to not do more, what came from negligence, what from any sort of loyalty to a former employee, what from a desire to protect a football program. 

If there's anything this story has in common with other issues in the sport in the last year (and maybe there is nothing), it may be found in the answers to questions like these:

Is the game so big that some are willing to protect it ahead of simple, human ideals?

Is college football bigger than morality? Is it bigger than honesty?

Are those is charge of the programs loved by millions so hell-bent on protecting those programs and their successes and the money they generate, that they are acting in a way that no true fan would want them to act?

When Penn State visits Ohio Stadium on Nov. 19, there is no reason for Ohio State fans to remind those in blue and white that what some at Penn State have been accused of is "worse" than what happened at Ohio State. Everyone understands that there is a higher authority than the NCAA.

There should be handshakes at tailgates, not arguments. There should be empathy for fans who started the season thinking about football and will end it pondering much more complicated issues.

What happened at Penn State doesn't change what happened at Ohio State. Rules still were broken. No one caught speeding gets off by telling the cop, "At least I didn't steal the car."

But there's no reason to compare. You want the same thing.

There is always room to debate the particulars or analyze the details. But for these two schools and the people who make Ohio State and Penn State what they are - alumni and fans and players and families - there are no differences.

You wear different colors. You root for opposing outcomes. But you're on the same side.

On the other side is anyone around the game who believes college football is more important than doing right.

 

Cleveland Browns have played 200 games since returning to the NFL in 1999 -- just 67 wins: Historical video

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Browns' futility actually extends back decades. Video included of the No. 1 song in the nation the last time the Browns won a playoff game on the road.

browns-fans.jpgBrowns fans haven't seen their team enjoy much success over the last four decades, besides a couple brief intervals.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nobody can blame it on being an expansion team, or the conditions under which the Cleveland Browns re-entered the NFL, any longer.



The Browns' 30-12 loss to the Texans in Houston on Sunday marked the team's 200th regular season game since returning to the NFL as a franchise prior to the 1999 season. Owner Art Modell had moved the original Browns to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens, following the 1995 season.



Now, after 11 1/2 seasons, the post-expansion Browns have a 67-133 record. That's 67 wins and 133 losses. How bad has it been? With a 3-5 record this year, the Browns have actually raised their 1999-2011 winning percentage from .333 to .335.



Some pundits, with some merit to their claims, said the post-expansion Browns were doomed to early failings because the team's re-entry into the NFL occurred under less favorable terms than other expansion teams had benefited from (see Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars' early seasons).



Now, 12 years later, that's no longer a viable excuse. The Browns went 9-7 in 2002, their fourth season, and made the playoffs. Fittingly, their fourth quarter collapse enabled the Pittsburgh Steelers to post a 36-33 comeback win over the Browns, as Tony Grossi reported in his playoff game story for The Plain Dealer (cleveland.com's Browns History Database features Plain Dealer game stories on every regular season and playoff game in Browns history through 2010).



Cleveland has not made the playoffs since. The only other season in which the Browns posted at least a .500 record was in 2007, when they went 10-6 but were denied a playoff bid by losing the AFC North championship tie-breaker to the Steelers and a wild card tie-breaker to the Tennessee Titans.



Unfortunately, most of the Browns' often-cited tradition is owned by a past growing dimmer by each losing season. Cleveland and the Detroit Lions are the lone longtime teams to have never played in a Super Bowl, which was first played following the 1966 season.



In fact, the Browns' standing in the NFL hierarchy began to seriously diminish in the 1970s. From 1974 through the team's departure at the end of 1995, the Browns' win-loss record was 161-174-1, with the advances to the AFC championship games in the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons enabled by just one playoff win each time. Of course, losses to the Denver Broncos followed on each occasion.



Cleveland's last playoff win, in fact, was on Jan. 1, 1995, when the Browns -- coached by Bill Belichick -- defeated the (ironically) New England Patriots, 20-13. Mary Kay Cabot wrote the Plain Dealer game story.





Perhaps nothing captures the Browns' perpetual futility more than this: They have not won a playoff game on the road since Dec. 28, 1969, when they walloped the Cowboys, 38-14, in Dallas. The late Chuck Heaton wrote The Plain Dealer game story.



Perspective, I: The Browns have won four total playoff games since that win at Dallas 42 years ago. Now, when a team doesn't earn a first-round playoff bye, it has to win four playoff games (including the Super Bowl) in one season to win the NFL championship -- as some teams have done.



Perspective, II: The Browns have won two playoff games on the road (1955, 1969) during their 58 seasons (prior to this season) in the NFL. Quarterbacks Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens and Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets still have legions of critics. Flacco, though, in his three seasons prior to 2011, has been the QB for four Ravens' playoff wins on the road. Sanchez, in just his first two NFL seasons prior to 2011, has been the QB for four Jets' playoff wins on the road.



Video: The No. 1 song in the nation on Dec. 28, 1969 -- the last time the Browns won a playoff game on the road -- was "Someday We'll Be Together" by the Supremes.



Can the Cleveland Browns' Pat Shurmur coach? We may soon find out: Terry Pluto

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Over the next two weeks, the Browns and Pat Shurmur face their most revealing tests of the season.

shurmur-arms-spread-2011-game-jg.jpgBrowns head coach Pat Shurmur faces his former team the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
Over and over, fans have asked if Pat Shurmur is the right man to coach the Browns.

Just as they ask if Colt McCoy is the right quarterback.

The answer is . . . who knows?

But we can learn a lot about both men in the next two games.

Both are at home. Both are against bad teams. Both games are possible wins for the Browns -- despite their current depressed and distressed condition after being pounded in Houston and San Francisco the past two weeks.

St. Louis and Jacksonville have a combined 3-13 record. Even more encouraging for the Browns is that these two teams have combined to score more than 16 points only twice in those 16 games.

That's right, more than 16 points just twice in 16 games.

The Browns have done it four times . . . OK, only once more than 17 points.

But the fact is two bad teams are coming to town with dismal offenses and young quarterbacks.

Sunday's opponent is St. Louis with a 1-7 record and quarterback Sam Bradford leading the league in quarterback sacks and hits. He was in a walking boot Monday, but said he felt fine.

Just as McCoy said he was OK as he was wrapped in nearly more ice than a snow cone in the locker room Monday.

McCoy is ranked 27th in QB rating, Bradford 30th and Jacksonville's Blaine Gabbert 34th. St Louis (Steven Jackson) and Jacksonville (Maurice Jones-Drew) have excellent runners, and the Browns are 30th against the run.

So if they lose these games on defense, it's because they didn't stop the run -- because all both teams can do is run.

Shurmur and his coaches must make some changes if they are to win these two games -- and bring some hope to a fan base that feels as if it's taken more hits than McCoy.

The 3-5 Browns have a chance to be 5-5 but things have to change.

How can the Browns play 16 quarters -- every first quarter and every third quarter of the season's first eight games -- and not score a touchdown?

It points clearly at flaws in preparation.

Furthermore, they have allowed 58 points in the first quarter, third most in the NFL. So the defense is as much to blame as the offense.

The Browns know the Rams and Jags will run the ball, so figure out a way to defend it with some authority. There is no need to worry about Bradford (three touchdown passes this season) or Gabbert (five touchdown passes) attacking through the air.

Shurmur needs to make a little list and check it twice.

He must pretend he's the opposing defensive coordinator. What Browns players do you fear the most? You can't pick Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty or Mohamed Massaquoi -- as all are likely to be out this weekend.

Of his healthy players, who has the best chance of producing on offense?

Here's my top three: 1) Joshua Cribbs. 2) Ben Watson. 3) Greg Little.

You can add Evan Moore, or debate the order.

It starts with Cribbs, who leads the Browns with the most plays of at least 20 yards.

So why did Chris Ogbonnaya have more touches than Cribbs against the Texans? Why can't Cribbs play in the backfield, at least some of the time? The alternatives are two guys (Thomas Clayton and Ogbonnaya) who have combined for 53 career NFL carries and a 2.9 yards per carry average. Why keep handing them the ball?

Early in the season, Shurmur tried a strange fourth-and-1 sweep to Armond Smith that was a flop. He also had Cribbs attempt a pass, which failed. And after that, it's been the same stuff over and over. Yes, the offensive line is weak -- and that's all the more reason to give the ball to people who can break a tackle.

Try some no-huddle, some shotgun . . .

None of this would make a real impact against top teams such as Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston.

But that's not who is on the schedule. Coaching can make a difference in these games, and it's time for Shurmur and his staff to do just that -- something different.

NBA Players reject latest offer from the league, hope for another meeting ahead of Wednesday deadline

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Union met for about three hours without taking a vote or talking seriously about decertification

hunter.jpgNBA union chief Billy Hunter and players rejected the latest offer, but hope to meet with the league on Wednesday
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A day after Cavaliers union representative Anthony Parker voiced his disapproval with the latest NBA proposal, his peers joined in the chorus.

Union officials, flanked by 29 of the 30 NBA player reps, rejected the league’s offer Tuesday in New York even with the knowledge that commissioner David Stern might cancel games through Christmas.

The players association did not, however, dissolve the union as some feared and held out hope it could meet with the league one more time before Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline to accept a deal or receive a significantly worse one.

In this high-stakes labor game of chicken, the union essentially was calling the league’s bluff, banking that it will return to the negotiating table rather than imposing a “reset” offer that includes a reduced split of the revenue pie and hard salary cap.

The commissioner is expected to make a statement shortly, addressing the union's decision.  

Stern has said on at least two other occasions that the league’s “next offer” would be less, but did not deliver on those vows. Over the weekend, he threatened to drop a 50/50 split of basketball-related revenue (BRI) to 47 percent for players.  
 
“We’ll just wait and see what it is the league does,” union chief Billy Hunter told reporters in New York. “I’m convinced that they would come back and do a 50-50 deal.”
 
Parker attended the meeting, which lasted roughly three hours and included 43 players. He could not immediately be reached for comment. The only team not represented was the Boston Celtics.

No official vote was taken on the league’s offer, although ESPN reports the player reps gave Hunter the OK to accept the 50/50 split if the owners made concessions on systems issues.

Hunter said the main obstacle remains a handful of issues and that they go beyond “tweaks.” The issues cited: sign-and-trade restrictions to tax-paying teams, the mid-level exception, the tax cliff on big-spending teams and escrow.

If the league is willing to bend slightly on several issues, a new agreement could be within reach.

“Players are still of the mindset they will not accept a bad deal,” Hunter said. “That's the message we have to send to the other side.”

From “underground” channels, Hunter said he hears the league might cancel games through Christmas if no deal is reached.

ESPN reported Monday night that “hardline” owners, dissatisfied with Stern’s 50/50 proposal, were hoping players rejected the proposal so the reset offer could be put on the table.    

“The players are saying we understand position (of hardline owners), but we're not intimidated,” Hunter said.

Former president Bill Clinton was at the New York hotel where the news conference took place and chatted with players and union officials. 



Cleveland Browns host the St. Louis Rams: Who will win and by how much? Poll

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Browns are 3-5. Rams, whose offensive coordinator last season was Browns head coach Pat Shurmur, are 1-7.

edwards-winslow-jurevicius.jpgThe Browns' Kellen Winslow, Jr. (80, center) is congratulated by Braylon Edwards (17, left) and Joe Jurevicius (84, right) after Winslow's catch of a Derek Anderson touchdown pass in Cleveland's 27-20 win over the Rams in St. Louis on Oct. 28, 2007.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' trophy collection isn't especially impressive this season.



A 3-5 Browns record is what it is. But the quality of the three wins, well....Cleveland has wins over the NFL's only winless team (Indianaplis Colts), over a one-win team (Miami Dolphins) and a two-win team (Seattle Seahawks).



But, opportunity knocks. Looking ahead just a bit, the Browns could get to .500 by winning their next two games: against the St. Louis Rams, who are 1-7, on Sunday, and against the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 20. Both games will be at Browns Stadium.



First, the Browns game against the Rams on Sunday. St. Louis was 7-9 last season with Pat Shurmur as its offensive coordinator. Shurmur, of course, is in his first season as the Browns' head coach.



The Rams' game results this season, in order: 31-13 loss to Philadelphia; 28-16 loss at the New York Giants; 37-7 loss to Baltimore; 17-10 loss to Washington; 24-3 loss at Green Bay; 34-7 loss at Dallas; 31-21 win vs. New Orleans; 19-13 loss (overtime) at Arizona.



The Browns' results: 27-17 loss to Cincinnati; 27-19 win at Indianapolis; 17-16 win vs. Miami; 31-13 loss to Tennessee; 24-17 loss at Oakland; 6-3 win vs. Seattle; 20-10 loss at San Francisco; 30-12 loss at Houston.



Cleveland's history with the Rams goes back to before the Browns existed. The Rams' franchise began in Cleveland in 1937, and continued here through 1945. The Cleveland Rams played their last game before moving to Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 1945, and it was for the NFL championship. The Rams defeated the Washington Redskins, 15-14, before 32,178 fans who braved sub-zero temperatures at Cleveland Stadium.



The Browns were born in 1946, and after winning all four championship games in All-America Football Conference history (1946-49), joined the NFL in 1950. Ironically, Cleveland won the 1950 NFL championship by defeating the Rams, 30-28, at Cleveland Stadium. In 1951, the Browns lost the NFL title game to the Rams, 24-17, at Los Angeles. Then, in 1955, Cleveland captured the league title with a 38-14 rout of the Rams in LA, in quarterback Otto Graham's final game.



Click on to the games in the paragraph above to read The Plain Dealer's game stories. They are included in cleveland.com's Browns History Database, which includes Plain Dealer game stories on every regular season and playoff game in Browns history through 2010.



The Browns and Rams have played 18 regular season games, with a 9-9 split. The teams have met just three times since the Rams moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis prior to the 1995 season, the Rams winning twice.



The last game between the teams was on Oct. 28, 2007, when Cleveland won at St. Louis, 27-20, making the Browns 4-3 and the Rams 0-8. Tony Grossi wrote The Plain Dealer's game story. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson completed 18 of 25 passes for three touchdowns with no interceptions. Braylon Edwards caught eight passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns and Joe Jurevicius had five catches for 76 yards.




Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Could Browns lose to a 1-7 St. Louis Rams team? Maybe

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Browns are 3-5, with their wins over three teams with a combined three wins among them. More links to Browns stories.

sam-bradford2.jpgSt. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford (with the football) had a superb 2010 rookie season, but has struggled this season with injuries and a subpar supporting cast.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have three wins this season: one over a team with no wins (Indianapolis Colts); another over a team with one win (Miami Dolphins); another over a team with two wins (Seattle Seahawks).

The one-win St. Louis Rams would seem to be right in the Browns' wheelhouse, a batting practice-speed, belt-high fastball looking big as a beach volleyball.

That's not the way the Bleacher Report sees Sunday's Rams-Browns game in Cleveland playing out. Joe Hunley writes for the Bleacher Report:

Prediction

The Browns look tired and lost—a team without direction. They enter this game without a rushing attack to take heat off a questionable passing attack. The Rams will copy the game plan of every team that faces the Browns—blitz, blitz and blitz—and take out the runner on the way to Colt McCoy.

Rams 24, Browns 17

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Terry Pluto's column that we may soon learn more about the coaching abilities of Browns boss Pat Shurmur; a story on how the Browns have done in their first 200 post-expansion games, and their struggles over four decades; Terry Pluto's podcast; Mary Kay Cabot's inteview on Starting Blocks TV, talking about the Browns; her story that the Browns are frustrated after Sunday's 30-12 loss in Houston; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-Rams game; and, much more.

End-arounds

The Browns are getting worse, Mike McLain writes for the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

The current strength of the AFC North makes things even tougher for the Browns. On WaitingForNextYear.com.

The AFC North Stock Watch (not good for the Browns). By Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

Maybe it's time for the Browns to try an "East Coast Offense," Jim Ingraham writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard is making an impact for the Browns, Brian Murtaugh writes for the Bleacher Report.

The Browns sign fullback Eddie Williams to the practice squad and release fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou. From clevelandbrowns.com.

Opponents are running the football on the Browns, Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A Browns Report Card, by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Browns are struggling to stay competitive, from The Sports Xchange on FoxSportsOhio.com.

Dumping the West Coast Offense would not solve the Browns problems, Vic Carucci writes for clevelandbrowns.com.

The Browns are trying to stay positive despite the injuries and losses, Scott Petrak writes for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Cleveland Browns Team Report on USAToday.com.

St. Louis Rams: Tony Grossi's scouting report

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Tony Grossi's takes an in-depth look at the St. Louis Rams.

bradford.jpgSt. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford returned for Sunday's game in Arizona after missing two games with a sprained ankle. The Rams have had trouble protecting the quarterback.

Kickoff: Browns vs. St. Louis Rams, Sunday, 1 p.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Rams' record: 1-7.

Most recent game: Lost at Arizona, 19-13, on Sunday in overtime.

Coach: Steve Spagnuolo, 9-31, third year.

Series record: Browns lead, 11-10 (including postseason).

Most recent meeting: Browns won, 27-20, Oct. 28, 2007, in St. Louis.

League rankings: Offense is 23rd overall (18th rushing, 26th passing), defense is 24th (32nd rushing, 12th passing) and turnover differential is minus-2.

Offensive overview

Coordinator Josh McDaniels installed the offense he oversaw at New England. He wants to push the ball downfield with more vertical pass routes. The longer dropbacks would be set up by a strong running game led by Steven Jackson. The problem is Sam Bradford's protection has broken down and injuries have eroded the receiver position. McDaniels adjusted by trying a no-huddle, up-tempo game plan against Green Bay. It resulted in more than 400 yards of offense, but Bradford suffered a high ankle sprain on a sack on the last play. He missed two games and played with the injury Sunday.

Defensive overview

In theory, Steve Spagnuolo likes to supplement pass pressure from his front four with big corners playing press-man coverage on receivers. Injuries have decimated his secondary, however. Eight cornerbacks were lost for the season, including the two starters. The cornerbacks still standing are Al Harris, who is 37, and Josh Gordy, a first-year player Green Bay cut in training camp. Spagnuolo has been forced to bite the bullet and retreat to a Cover 2 look that tries to keep plays in front of the secondary. He has gotten seven sacks from defensive end Chris Long and a couple from rookie Robert Quinn, but the defense has taken a major step backward. It's No. 32 against the run this week.

Special teams overview

PK Josh Brown is 11-of-14 in field goals with a long of 49 yards. Punter Donnie Jones is 22nd in gross average (44.4 yards) and 21st in net (37.9). There were two breakdowns Sunday in Arizona -- a blocked field-goal attempt and a 99-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime that cost them the game. Otherwise, the coverage teams have been solid. The return game suffered the loss of Danny Amendola to a season-ending injury. Ex-Browns camp hand Quinn Porter has taken over kick-return duties.

Players to watch

Quarterback Sam Bradford: The 2010 offensive Rookie of the Year has struggled in a new offense his second season. He is completing only 54.7 percent of his passes and his 72.3 passer rating ranks 30th among starting QBs.

Running back Steven Jackson: A big-time back who still is the key to their hopes of scoring. He has had 289 rushing yards over the past two games and is on pace for 1,200 despite missing essentially three games with a quad muscle injury.

Defensive end Chris Long: The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long leads the team and is tied for sixth in the league with seven sacks. He will come mostly from the right side of the opposing offensive line.

Injury report

WR Greg Salas (broken leg) was put on injured reserve. WR Danario Alexander (hamstring) has missed the past two games. Brandon Gibson (thigh), DT Darell Scott (concussion), DE Gary Gibson (back, hip), TE Lance Kendricks (mid-foot sprain), S Darian Stewart (ankle), LB Josh Hull (hamstring), RB Jerious Norwood (hamstring), DE Eugene Sims (shoulder) and Bradford (high ankle) will be limited this week. OT Jason Smith (neck, concussion) is not expected to practice today.

Small world

McDaniels attended Canton McKinley High School and John Carroll University. . . . Pro scout Jonathan Gannon attended St. Ignatius High School. . . . Offensive lineman Jacob Bell attended St. Ignatius and Miami (Ohio) University. . . . Left tackle Rodger Saffold attended Bedford High School. . . . Linebacker James Laurinaitis and long snapper Jake McQuaide attended Ohio State. . . . Porter spent time on Browns practice squad in 2010-11. . . . Defensive back Rod Hood was in Browns training camp in 2009.

St. Louis Rams suffering through a miserable season

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A lot of parallels exist between the Browns and St. Louis Rams, but the visitors to Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday are the team having the worse season.

spags.jpgIt's been a rough season so far for Steve Spagnuolo and the 1-7 St. Louis Rams.
BEREA, Ohio — There are several parallels and connections between the Browns and the St. Louis Rams, who make a rare visit to Cleveland on Sunday.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur worked two seasons as the Rams' offensive coordinator for coach Steve Spagnuolo. Both men are branches of the Andy Reid coaching tree rooted in Philadelphia.

Both teams are experiencing difficult seasons.

Both teams have quarterbacks struggling and taking a physical beating in their second seasons while learning offensive systems new to them.

Both teams have had problems at offensive line and receiver.

When you examine the Browns (3-5) and Rams (1-7), you may be surprised at which team is having the rougher season.

Which quarterback is suffering more?

Believe it or not, it's Sam Bradford. The Heisman Trophy winner and 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year trails college rival Colt McCoy in completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.

Bradford has had to adjust from Shurmur's West Coast offensive system to the more vertical philosophy brought by new coordinator Josh McDaniels. Protection breakdowns and lack of playmakers at receiver have put Bradford in harm's way every game. His 25 sacks are five more than McCoy's, even though Bradford missed two games with a high ankle sprain -- the same injury which downed McCoy as a rookie.

Which team was more active in free agency?

The Rams. In the real first off-season of new owner Stan Kroenke, the Rams didn't break the bank for a high-profile free agent but they did sign 12 experienced players, including running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, defensive tackle Justin Bannan and safety Quintin Mickell.

After injuries knocked out a couple of receivers, the Rams were the team that eventually traded for Brandon Lloyd, whom McDaniels made a star in Denver. Lloyd has been the Rams' leading receiver in the three games since joining them.

Which team's star running back has played through injuries?

That would be the Rams' Steven Jackson. He suffered a pulled quad muscle on a 40-yard touchdown run in the season's first game. The injury affected Jackson for three games. Recently, he has resembled his old Pro-Bowl self, running for 130 and 159 in the Rams' past two games.

Which team has been more decimated by injuries?

The Rams. At least Jackson and Bradford are still active. Not so lucky were receiver Danny Amendola (dislocated elbow) and starting cornerbacks Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher, all of whom are out for the season. In fact, as many as eight cornerbacks have been on the team's injured reserve list. Some have since been waived.

Which team's coach is on the hot seat?

The Rams'. Spagnuolo is 9-31 in 2 1/2 seasons. After falling one win short of winning the NFC West Division last year, the Rams were pegged by many to claim the division in 2011.

Kroenke was persuaded by his football department to write the checks for the free-agent spending spree. Kroenke and his family also own the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Arsenal FC of the English Premier League.

Spagnuolo's tough season has gone largely unnoticed locally because of the euphoria that became the St. Louis Cardinals baseball season. But now that the World Series is over -- and Kroenke's NBA team is idle because of that sport's owners lockout -- some in St. Louis believe that the final eight games will dictate Spagnuolo's future as Rams coach.

Browns add FB: The Browns re-signed fullback Eddie Williams to their practice squad. He was on their practice squad the first week of the season before Seattle signed him to its active roster. The Seahawks recently released him. To make room, the Browns released fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou from their practice squad.

Ohio State football coach Luke Fickell wants more turnovers from his defense

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Turnovers were one of Luke Fickell's focal points from the moment he took over at Ohio State. But the Buckeyes haven't taken the ball away as much as he hoped.

turnovers.jpgWhile the Ohio State defense for the most part has been effective this season, coach Luke Fickell would like to see players such as defensive backs Bradley Roby (25) and C.J. Barnett (4) take the ball away from opposing offenses more often.

Columbus -- Turnovers were part of the Luke Fickell creed, the only real measurable aspect of the three-part pledge Fickell made at the end of his first news conference in June as Ohio State's football coach.

The goal was to lead the nation in effort, turnovers and toughness, Fickell said then, spelling out his keys to success.

As for effort, the Buckeyes (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten) have bounced back with three straight wins after a 3-3 start. As for toughness, defensive lineman John Simon still puts on an Ohio State helmet, so that seems covered.

As for the turnovers, the Buckeyes have created 14 and given up 10 this season. That plus-four margin ranks Ohio State 31st in the country, but after finishing in the top six in turnover margin each of the past three years, is that good enough heading into Saturday's game at Purdue?

"My opinion would be that we probably haven't got as many defensively, and we've done a decent job offensively at not turning the football over," Fickell said Tuesday.

In Fickell's view, a lot of the fast-paced, high-scoring offenses that get 80 or more snaps a game are made for turnovers. Stopping teams cold isn't as much of an option as it used to be. Making them pay for their mistakes is a must. Indiana was one of those offenses, and the Buckeyes didn't get their first turnover Saturday until Travis Howard's interception with just over four minutes to play.

This season, 56 teams in the country, including five in the Big Ten (Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan, Nebraska and Illinois) average more than 400 yards per game. When the Buckeyes went undefeated during the 2006 regular season, the number of teams over 400 yards was 24. Fickell's natural instincts are more in line with that past, though he said he can appreciate all kinds of football.

"I think some of those situations you do put your defense in a tough situation if you're throwing the ball 65 times and you're going to turn it over three or four," Fickell said.

But if the turnovers don't come, then the defense can be in trouble. Turnovers aren't required for winning -- the 2007 OSU team went to the national title game with minus-three turnover margin. But especially with a more limited offense this season and a defense that, at times, is more bend-not-break than anything else, turnovers can be a game-saver. Two years ago at Purdue, the Buckeyes lost the turnover battle, 5-3, and the game, 26-18.

Part of getting turnovers is luck. Part of it is having the playmakers that the Buckeyes, on some level, are still looking for. Often, turnovers come from pressure, either hitting the quarterback and forcing fumbles, or creating interceptions by pressuring the quarterback into making awkward throws.

"I would say turnovers are effort plays and hitting from behind when they don't see you coming and really focusing on ripping the ball out," Simon said Tuesday. "We definitely need to work on that."

Swarming to the ball and tackling as a team has also been a problem at times.

"I don't think we've done a good job of it," safety Tyler Moeller said of the turnovers, adding they need to work on "stripping the ball and running to the ball.

"When that ball's on the ground, we need to do a good job of picking it up and creating that turnover," Moeller said.

Fickell's turnover focus goes both ways, however. And though he threw an interception and lost a fumble against Indiana, freshman quarterback Braxton Miller has been relatively careful with the football. Asked why he focused so much on turnovers in his philosophy, Fickell said it was because it dealt with the entire team.

"It's something that brings both the offense and the defense and the special teams together," Fickell said. "Everybody has a part in the turnover margin, whether you're an offensive guy or defensive guy. It's not just on one side of the ball."

Injury update: Starting right tackle J.B. Shugarts didn't practice Tuesday after injuring his knee against Indiana and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Freshman Antonio Underwood, listed as the No. 2 right tackle on the depth chart, played there in practice, with starting right guard Jack Mewhort and former starter Marcus Hall also working some at right tackle. ... Starting running back Dan Herron said the ankle he first aggravated against Wisconsin is fine and he'll continue to play. Herron also said backup running back Jordan Hall, who missed the Indiana game with an ankle sprain, practiced a bit Tuesday and expects to play Saturday. Fickell said that hopefully Hall will be ready. ... Fickell said quarterback Braxton Miller is fine after taking a hard shot to his hip while delivering a pass Saturday.

Cleveland State men's basketball team wants best efforts to come at right times

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The Vikings will focus will developing their young players and aim to be at their peak for Horizon League opponents and the conference tournament.

D'Aundray Brown.JPGView full sizeD'Aundray Brown returns to the Vikings after missing last season because of a wrist injury.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The stars seemed to align for Cleveland State's men's basketball team at the beginning of last season.

The Vikings got off to a hot start, had a future NBA Draft pick in guard Norris Cole and owned Ratings Percentage Index numbers that kept the Vikings in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid all season long. Cleveland State finished 2010-11 with an RPI of 43 and had only one loss outside of the top 100 -- Detroit -- all season.

"Our first half of the season, I thought we played extremely, extremely well," CSU coach Gary Waters said. "I thought we were as good a team, mid-level, as there was in the country. We were playing as well as we could play."

Yet in the end, even though the Vikings finished in a three-way tie with Butler and Milwaukee atop the HL standings, their postseason fate came down to what CSU did in the Horizon League Tournament.

There, the Vikings came up short, losing in the semifinals to Butler, 76-68.

So this season, CSU will go a different route, determined by the current state of its basketball team. The focus will be on having the Vikings develop their young players and be at their peak for the HL season and the conference tournament.

"If we are .500 [after finishing the nonconference schedule], I think we have been a success," Waters said. "Because the next games will make our season. Those games will decide where we are going."

Twelve of CSU's first 14 games are against nonconference foes, with 16 of the final 17 contests in the Horizon League.

Cole was a Miami Heat draft pick, yet five starters are back for CSU. How? Because 6-4 swingman D'Aundray Brown missed last season with a wrist injury. Sharpshooting guard Tre Harmon (13.2 ppg) also returns.

But a freshman class Waters describes as "the best ever" at CSU is a key, as several rookies -- including 5-9 guard Charlie Lee and 6-7 forward Anton Grady -- have shown enough promise to push starters to the bench.

It is the third straight season with a different game plan to reach the NCAA Tournament, which CSU did in 2009, scoring an upset over Wake Forest.

Teams outside the major conferences generally need to have several marquee nonconference wins, and/or have an overall RPI at 30 or higher to be an at-large NCAA team. Beyond that, the only way in is to win the conference tournament and the automatic berth that comes with it.

In 2009-10, CSU played a nonconference slate that included Ohio State, West Virginia and Kentucky, to name a few, but did not pull off an upset. It did not win the HL tournament.

This season, the Vikings won't be playing the RPI numbers game. They want to be the last Horizon League team standing. The only ranked team on CSU's schedule is No. 7 Vanderbilt. The Vikings open the season against the Commodores in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday. Other nonconference foes include Akron, Kent, Hofstra and Rhode Island.

"We play 12 [nonconference] games in the early season -- not that it will make or break us, but it will identify us," Waters said. "If you remember three years ago, we played a tough schedule and did not fare as well. But I thought it helped us identify ourselves for what we had to do for the future.

"In my estimation, we've got to get more than 10 points a game off the bench. But I think we can. This year is going to be a big key in role definition. The players have got to accept roles. If they accept roles, this could be a good year."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Northeast Ohio men's college basketball capsules

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Akron travels to Mississippi State, and Cleveland State hosts Division III John Carroll.

Zeke Marshall.JPGView full sizeAkron center Zeke Marshall.
Akron at Mississippi State

Tipoff: 7 p.m., Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.

TV/radio: ESPNU; WARF AM/1350.

Update: Akron, playing its opener, rarely faces teams from the six power conferences, but Mississippi State (1-0) is one it has defeated before, 83-72, in the 2005-2006 season. With 7-0 Zeke Marshall and 6-8 Nik Cvetinovic, the Zips have the size inside to contend with MSU. The challenge will be how much defense and scoring come from the backcourt. MSU opened the season with a 76-66 victory over Eastern Kentucky, a team Akron played (and according to some, dominated) in a private scrimmage 10 days ago.

Next for Akron: Saturday vs. Hiram, 7.

Cleveland State vs. John Carroll

Tipoff: 7 p.m., Wolstein Center.

Update: This is the second local exhibition game for John Carroll, which lost at Akron last week, 84-62. CSU has a combination of old and new. Five starters return, including 6-4 D'Aundray Brown, who missed last season with a wrist injury. The new include four freshmen, including 6-7 Anton Grady from Cleveland Central Catholic. Another new face, 5-9 freshman guard Charlie Lee, has been compared to former CCC standout Earl Boykins, who played at Eastern Michigan.

Next for CSU: Sunday at Vanderbilt, 2.

-- Elton Alexander


Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Kyrie Irving hints at playing overseas if NBA lockout lingers

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The top overall pick played just 11 games last season because of injury.

Kyrie Irving welcome assemblyKyrie Irving, the No. 1 draft pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers, high fives students at Green Primary School during an assembly in September.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the NBA lockout persists, Kyrie Irving might consider playing abroad.

Irving, drafted No. 1 overall by the Cavaliers in June, said on his Twitter account late Tuesday night he's weighing his decision.

"If a deal doesn't get done soon . . . overseas here I come," he wrote.

Irving, 19, is taking classes at Duke, where he played one season for the Blue Devils. He was limited to just 11 games due to turf toe. In September, Irving had said he planned to remain in school during the lockout, but he appears to be wavering.

It's unclear if he has a potential deal waiting for him. Many overseas leagues have begun.

OHSAA boys soccer: Revere rides through Lexington and into Division II final

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ASHLAND, Ohio — Revere's boys soccer team will get a third chance to win its first state championship. Tuesday night in a Division II state semifinal match at Ashland Community Stadium, Revere (18-0-4) defeated Lexington (14-7-1) in a matchup of Minutemen, 5-1. Revere will play Dayton Carroll (22-0) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Columbus Crew Stadium in the...

ASHLAND, Ohio — Revere's boys soccer team will get a third chance to win its first state championship.

Tuesday night in a Division II state semifinal match at Ashland Community Stadium, Revere (18-0-4) defeated Lexington (14-7-1) in a matchup of Minutemen, 5-1. Revere will play Dayton Carroll (22-0) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Columbus Crew Stadium in the Division II championship game.

"We knew that we had to be aggressive tonight," said Revere head coach Sandor Jakab, whose team tied a season-high in goals. "We knew we had to come out aggressively and go after them, which we obviously did."

This is Revere's third appearance in the state title game (1995, 2010) and fifth time in the state semifinals (1995, 2000, '04, '10).

"It's so much different than last year," said senior forward Colin Romisher, who scored twice against Lexington. "It's so much more intense for me this year than it was last year. It seems like it for the team, too. We're just so excited to go back, and hopefully win."

Revere wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, scoring in the third minute. Drew Kimberly's 40-yard free kick found the head of Romisher, who flicked the ball over the head of Lexington goalkeeper Kyle Dunlap and into the goal.

The score moved to 2-0 in the 14th minute when Luke Kasson scored from point-blank range on a feed from Hazem Najjar.

Lexington scored a goal just before the end of the first half and went into the break down, 2-1.

Revere quickly got that goal back, scoring in the first minute of the second half on Romisher's second goal of the game -- this one on a penalty kick.

"Colin's been fantastic," Jakab said. "He's in a zone right now, and he believes in himself and believes he can score on anybody at any time. He's a gamer. He's definitely a gamer."

"When they got that one goal, we talked at halftime and calmed everyone down and we realized we're much better than this team," Romisher said. "I'm trying to lead by example, so I just went as hard as I could."

The lead then grew to 4-1 in the 46th minute when Nolan Dyko scored after collecting a rebound. Finishing off the scoring for Revere was C.J. Hlay with a goal in the 74th minute.

Revere outshot Lexington, 10-4. Revere keeper Joel Gerberich made two saves, both in the first half.

Dusty Sloan is a freelance writer in Ashland.

OHSAA boys soccer: Biran Drockton's goal puts Hawken in Division III final

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BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Marshall Plow had nothing to do with the golden goal Brian Drockton scored to lift Hawken to a 2-1 Division III state semifinal win over Mansfield Christian at Judy Kirsch Field in Brunswick. Damon Butler didn't help part the Flames' defense with 4:44 remaining in the first overtime on Tuesday, either.

BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Marshall Plow had nothing to do with the golden goal Brian Drockton scored to lift Hawken to a 2-1 Division III state semifinal win over Mansfield Christian at Judy Kirsch Field in Brunswick.

Damon Butler didn't help part the Flames' defense with 4:44 remaining in the first overtime on Tuesday, either.

And Spencer Mischka didn't help Drockton's poise under pressure when the junior punched in the game-winner that lifted the Hawks (18-4) to the finals.

Then again, the trio -- all Hawken graduates who played in a state championship -- had everything to do with the Hawks' win over the Flames.

"It helps because other teams respect us, but it's kind of difficult because teams bring their best because we have such a long history," Drockton said. "We're just glad to continue it and add to the history."

Add a new name to the lore at Hawken as Drockton scored the third goal of his career in dramatic fashion.

With the Hawks dominating play -- they outshot Mansfield Christian, 15-2 -- the dam finally broke.

Tom Granot sent a shot on net that was blocked by the Flames' defense. The ball squirted out to Drockton, who sent a screamer past a defenseless Robbie Barnhill.

The shot came from 16 yards out, lifting Hawken to its eighth state final and first since 2007.

"Tom took a shot and the ball bounced off," Drockton said. "I was just going for a trap to see if I could just dish off a shot. But it opened up and I had to take it. I've never been a scorer, but this is a great goal. I can't describe it."

Drockton's tally saved what could have been a heartbreaking night for Hawken as Mansfield Christian (15-3-3) nearly pulled off the upset.

Granot put Hawken up, 1-0, off a through ball from Grant Baltes. Granot waited for Barnhill to come off his line and then beat the junior keeper to the right.

Josh Cochran scored the equalizer from 12 yards out with just over 15 minutes left, sending a shot past a diving Peter Labes just inside the right post.

The Hawks play Worthington Christian (17-4-1) at Columbus Crew Stadium at noon on Friday.

The Warriors have reached the finals four years in a row.

"They're a great team," Granot said.

"I'm just excited to play such a great opponent and play on such a great field. It's going to be great to be with my team and get the opportunity to play in Columbus."

Brad Bournival is a freelance writer in North Royalton.

Horizon League 2011-2012 men's basketball season preview

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Detroit has a chance to end Butler's rule at the top of the conference.

Aaron Pogue.JPGView full sizeCleveland State needs Aaron Pogue to stay out of foul trouble this season.

The consensus pick is for Butler -- back-to-back NCAA Tournament runner-up -- to again finish No. 1. The Bulldogs finished in a three-way tie atop the league standings in 2010-11 with Milwaukee and Cleveland State before winning the HL Tournament and going on another NCAA Tournament run. But a team that could dethrone the Bulldogs is Detroit. Underachievers last season, the Titans are now seasoned at every position and could arguably have three first-team all-league players in 6-10 Eli Holman, 6-6 Chase Simon and 6-1 Ray McCallum Jr. Butler will groom 6-6 sophomore forward Khyle Marshall as its new headliner. Here is Plain Dealer reporter Elton Alexander's look at the league, in predicted order of finish:

1. Detroit

Coach: Ray McCallum (44-53, four years at UD; 214-203, 15 years overall).

2010-11: 17-16, 10-8.

Key returners: Ray McCallum Jr., 13.5 ppg, 4.8 apg; Chase Simon, 13.5 ppg; Eli Holman, 11.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg.

Overview: Four starters return on paper, but the 6-10 Holman is currently on leave of absence, which takes a big chunk of offense and rebounding out of the lineup. Team underachieved last season, so the test for McCallum Jr. and Sr. will be leadership on the bench and the floor to get this team to play at its peak. LaMarcus Lowe, a 6-10, 200-pound senior, will have to step up until Holman returns.

2. Butler

Coach: Brad Stevens (117-25, five years).

2010-11: 28-9, 13-5.

Key returners: Andrew Smith, 8.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg; Ronald Nored, 5.0 ppg; Khyle Marshall, 5.8 ppg.

Overview: Most of the headliners who started on two straight teams that went to the NCAA title game are gone. But an experienced bench now steps up, led by Nored, Smith and Marshall. Nored is the lead defender at guard, while the 6-11 Smith patrols the back line and provides inside scoring when needed. The key will be how fast the 6-6 sophomore, Marshall, blossoms into an elite performer.

3. Cleveland State

Coach: Gary Waters (100-71, six years at CSU; 271-206, 16 years overall).

2010-11: 27-9, 13-5.

Key returners: Tre Harmon, 13.2 ppg; Aaron Pogue, 8.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg; Jeremy Montgomery, 11.6 ppg.

Overview: Lots of size and firepower as five starters return, including 6-4 senior D'Aundray Brown (8 ppg), who missed last season with a wrist injury. Two keys will be 6-9, 265-pound Aaron Pogue, who must avoid foul trouble, and a bench of talented freshmen, led by 6-8, 215-pound Anton Grady out of Cleveland Central Catholic.

4. Youngstown State

Coach: Jerry Slocum (58-121, seven years at YSU; 638-446 overall).

2010-11: 9-21, 2-16.

Key returners: Damian Eargle, 11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg; Ashen Ward, 8.9 ppg.

Overview: The 2010-11 record does not show the Penguins had their moments, including a win over Butler, and were generally a tough out. Four returning starters led by the 6-7 junior Eargle, sophomore guard Kendrick Perry (9.0 ppg) and senior swing Ward give YSU as much experience as most teams in the league.

5. Valparaiso

Coach: Bryce Drew (first year).

2010-11: 23-12, 12-6.

Key returners: Ryan Broekhoff, 10.3 ppg; Eric Buggs, 2.8 ppg, 3.1 apg.

Overview: Drew takes over from his father, Homer, who retired. Five players return at 5.0 ppg or more as nine redshirt sophomores or juniors abound. Proven veterans -- if not starters -- at every position, led by Buggs with his defensive pressure at point guard. International flavor from Jamaica to Australia. Freshman 6-10 center Vashil Fernandez could be key.

6. Green Bay

Coach: Brian Wardle (14-18, one year).

2010-11: 14-18, 8-10.

Key returners: Alec Brown, 10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg; Daniel Turner, 6.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg.

Overview: Nearly all of the Phoenix backcourt scoring punch has departed, but the 7-1 Brown showed signs last season of delivering big offensive numbers inside, along with being a defensive presence with 67 blocked shots. He has some baseline help in Turner, yet both are sophomores, meaning this team will have to mature quickly, especially the unproven backcourt.

7. Milwaukee

Coach: Rob Jeter (101-89, seven years).

2010-11: 19-14, 13-5.

Key returners: Tony Meier, 12.3 ppg; Kaylon Williams, 8.3 ppg.

Overview: The Panthers mirror most of the league that lost the bulk of its experience and firepower. However, in the 6-8 Meier, Milwaukee has the top returning 3-point shooter in the HL (44.3 percent); and Williams, a guard, posted the lone triple double in the league last season. Evansville transfer James Haarsma (10 ppg, 7 rpg) will be a key addition.

8. Wright State

Coach: Billy Donlon (19-14, one year).

2010-11: 19-14, 10-8.

Key returners: Cole Darling, 4.3 ppg; Johann Mpondo, 3.2 ppg.

Overview: While the top four scorers are gone, the next five players who all averaged double-figure minutes return. A summer trip to Italy not only was good for extra practice, but also helped to define new roles. N.C. State transfer guard Julius Mays (4.6 ppg) will be counted on heavily with a team carrying eight freshmen.

9. Loyola

Coach: Porter Moser (first year; 105-101, eight years overall).

2010-11: 16-15, 7-11.

Key returners: Ben Averkamp, 12.0 ppg; Walt Gibler, 9.4 ppg.

Overview: The loss of starting PG Courtney Stanley to anterior cruciate ligament injury for the season is a negative for Moser's first year with the Ramblers. But he does have some returning firepower in Averkamp and HL Sixth Man of the Year Gibler. Also, a refurbished arena should be a boost.

10. Illinois-Chicago

Coach: Howard Moore (7-24, one year).

2010-11: 7-24, 2-16.

Key returner: Paris Carter, 4.8 ppg.

Overview: Second-year coach must completely rebuild as the bulk of 2010-11 veterans have departed. The Flames will have one of the biggest rosters in the league, with 6-9, 282-pound Darrin Williams, 6-7, 230-pound Carter and 6-8, 220-pound Hayden Humes, a transfer from Toledo.

The league's top five players

1. Chase Simon, Detroit, 6-6 Sr. G

Size alone will get him a look from NBA scouts, but he's a mid-range scorer with 3-point capabilities, which is hard to find.

2. Eli Holman, Detroit, 6-10 Sr. C

Natural rebounders are few and far between, so Holman can dominate play with his glass work alone.

3. Ray McCallum Jr., Detroit, 6-1 So. G

With a season of experience under his belt, McCallum can solidify his credentials as a leader by taking the Titans to the top of the league.

4. Damian Eargle, Youngstown St., 6-7 Jr. F

Quietly one of the most athletic and productive baseline players in the league, offensively and defensively.

5. Ronald Nored, Butler, 6-3 Sr. G

A career defensive stopper who is still capable of taking and making the big shot.

-- Elton Alexander

Case Western Reserve hosting Division III soccer tournament: Northeast Ohio College Notebook

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The school is hosting both men's and women's tournament games this weekend at Case Field.

case field.JPGView full sizeCase Field in Cleveland.

Case Western Reserve will host men's and women's matches in the NCAA Division III soccer tournament this weekend at Case Field.

In the men's tournament, Saturday's games are Ohio Northern vs. Rose-Hulman at 5 p.m., and DePauw vs. Case Western Reserve at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's winners will play on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Spartan men won the University Athletic Association championship to earn their bid. CWRU (14-4, 5-2 UAA) is led by senior All-America forward Vinny Bell (Valley Forge), who ranks in the top five in the nation in points per game (2.88). He also owns school records for career goals (42), career points (99), goals in a season (19) and points in a season (48). Senior defender/captain Niro Wimalasena started his 74th career match on Saturday night -- also a school record.

Freshman forward Patrick O'Day has 10 goals and eight assists, and junior midfielder Eric Erb has eight goals and three assists.

In goal, senior Ben Yabrow is 14-4 with 54 saves and four shutouts.

The women's tournament will see Eastern vs. SUNY-Cortland playing Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by Lebanon Valley vs. CWRU at 1:30 p.m. The winners will play Sunday at 1 p.m. The CWRU women earned the first bid in program history following a 12-3-3 regular season.

The Spartans are led by junior midfielder Kendra Simmons (Walsh Jesuit) with seven goals and four assists. Senior Kristina Vaci (Mentor), junior Maeve Goede (Westlake) and the Spartan defense have been one of the nation's best, allowing just 0.52 goals per game. In goal, senior captain Anna Kennedy has recorded 71 saves with a 0.48 GAA.

NCAA-bound: Baldwin-Wallace's men's soccer team (16-5) received its first-ever NCAA Division III national tournament berth. The Yellow Jackets will play at host SUNY-Oneonta in Oneonta, N.Y., on Saturday at a time to be announced. Regional championship matches will be played Sunday.

The Yellow Jackets are led in scoring by senior forward Carlin Vandendriessche (Medina), who has an Ohio Athletic Conference-leading 16 goals and five assists for a school-record 37 points. Joining him up front are freshman Ben Deighton (Revere), who has five goals and one assist; and senior Noah Eubanks, who has a pair of assists.

In the midfield, junior Kirk Graf is second on the team with eight goals and six assists. Pat Brennan (Walsh Jesuit) is third with seven goals and seven assists.

The defense is led by senior Tommy Kramer, sophomore Judson Sprandel (Green) and freshman Vince Milner (Mayfield). Goalkeeper Ryan Hulings backs a defense that gives up 1.02 goals per game. Notable: Mount Union's women's volleyball team will make its second NCAA Tournament appearance when it meets Lebanon Valley in the first round in Aston, Pa., on Friday at 12:30 p.m. The Purple Raiders (24-7) won the OAC Tournament. The regular-season champion, Heidelberg, earned the OAC's automatic bid; Mount received one of the 20 at-large bids. ... Cleveland State's men's soccer team hosted Loyola in the opening round of the Horizon League Tournament on Tuesday. CSU entered the match 9-8-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the HL. ... Mount Union junior Rob Brocious (Mentor) is the OAC Men's Swimmer of the Week. Brocious won five events over the weekend as Mount Union dropped dual meets to John Carroll and Ohio Wesleyan. ... Mount Union junior Katy Alkire (Firestone) is OAC Women's Swimmer of the Week. She won four events in dual-meet wins over John Carroll and Ohio Wesleyan.

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