Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot preview the Browns' game against the St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns Stadium Sunday. Watch video
The decision by the trustees comes hours after Paterno announced that he planned to retire at the end of his 46th season.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The day was always coming. The old coach was 84, and each new season brought questions whether it would be his last. No one, though, expected it to happen quite like this.
The Penn State board of trustees voted unanimously to fire football coach Joe Paterno on Wednesday night amid the growing furor over how the school handled sex-abuse allegations against an assistant coach. Penn State President Graham Spanier also was ousted.
The massive shakeup came at the end of a day that started with Paterno announcing he planned to retire at the end of his 46th season, saying he wanted to finish with "dignity and determination." But the board decided he had to go immediately.
"The university is much larger than its athletic teams," board vice chair John Surma said during a packed news conference.
Paterno and Spanier were informed of the decision by telephone.
"We were unable to find a way to do that in person without causing further distraction," Surma said.
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as interim coach while Rodney Erickson will be the interim school president.
Earlier in the day a tearful Paterno, who won more games than any coach in major college football history, stood in an auditorium in the Penn State complex and told disbelieving players that he planned to retire at the end of the season.
Not because he was too old or couldn't win anymore, but because of the child sex abuse scandal involving longtime assistant coach and onetime heir-apparent, Jerry Sandusky.
"Success With Honor" was ending in disgrace, and the tears flowed from behind the thick eyeglasses.
"In all the clips I've seen of him, I've never seen him break down and cry," quarterback Paul Jones said. "And he was crying the whole time today."
Cornerback Stephon Morris said some players also were nearly in tears themselves.
"I still can't believe it. I've never seen coach Paterno like that in my life," Morris said.
"He spent his whole life here, and he dedicated everything to Penn State," added safety Nic Sukay. "You could really feel that."
Paterno said in a statement he was "absolutely devastated" by the case, in which Sandusky has been charged with molesting eight boys over 15 years, with some of the alleged abuse taking place at the Penn State football complex.
"This is a tragedy," Paterno said. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."
Paterno has come under harsh criticism -- including from within the community known as Happy Valley -- for not taking more action in 2002 after then-graduate assistant and current assistant coach Mike McQueary came to him and reported seeing Sandusky in the Penn State showers with a 10-year-old boy. Paterno notified the athletic director, Tim Curley, and a vice president, Gary Schultz.
Paterno is not a target of the criminal investigation, although Curley and Schultz have been charged with failing to report the incident to the authorities.
Paterno's ouster came three days before Penn State hosts Nebraska in its final home game of the season, a day usually set aside to honor seniors on the team.
He appeared on the practice field earlier Wednesday in his signature khakis and navy windbreaker. Within five minutes of the start of practice, PSU officials told reporters to step back and then erected tall wooden boards in front of the fence.
The decision to remove the man affectionately known as "JoePa" brings to an end one of the most storied coaching careers -- not just in college football but in all of sports. Paterno has 409 victories -- a record for major college football -- won two national titles and guided five teams to unbeaten, untied seasons. He reached 300 wins faster than any other coach.
Penn State is 8-1 this year, with its only loss to powerhouse Alabama. The Nittany Lions are No. 12 in the Associated Press poll.
After 19th-ranked Nebraska, Penn State plays at Ohio State and at No. 16 Wisconsin, both Big Ten rivals. It has a chance to play in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 3 in Indianapolis, with a Rose Bowl bid on the line.
After meeting Tuesday, the board said it would appoint a committee to investigate the "circumstances" that resulted in the indictments of Sandusky, Curley and Schultz in the scandal and alleged cover-up.
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into whether Penn State failed to report incidents of sexual abuse on campus, as required by federal law.
Sandusky, who retired from Penn State in June 1999, maintained his innocence through his lawyer. Curley has taken a leave of absence and Schultz has decided to step down.
The committee will be appointed Friday at the board's regular meeting, which Gov. Tom Corbett said he plans to attend, and will examine "what failures occurred and who is responsible and what measures are necessary to ensure" similar mistakes aren't made again.
In his initial statement, Paterno said the trustees should "not spend a single minute discussing my status" and have more important matters to address.
According to the grand jury report, Paterno informed Curley and Schultz of his meeting with the graduate student but said Sunday he was not told about the "very specific actions" of the sexual assault.
Critics say Paterno should have done more.
"When an institution discovers abuse of a kid, their first reaction was to protect the reputation of the institution and the perpetrator," John Salveson, former president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said this week.
Sandusky founded The Second Mile charity in 1977, working with at-risk youths. It now raises and spends several million dollars each year for its programs. Paterno is listed on The Second Mile's website as a member of its honorary board of directors, a group that includes business executives, golfing great Arnold Palmer and several NFL Hall of Famers and coaches, including retired Pittsburgh Steelers stars Jack Ham and Franco Harris.
On Wednesday, Sandusky's portrait on a mural in State College was painted over.
In his statement, Paterno said: "I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief."
He went on: "I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today."
AP sports writers Genaro C. Armas, Nancy Armour and Jim Litke in State College contributed to this story.
As college rivals, Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford were stars competing for the ultimate prize. They meet in NFL for the first time Sunday as beaten quarterbacks struggling with new systems and depleted teams. Watch video
BEREA, Ohio — When Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford meet for the first time in their NFL careers Sunday, it will be under much different circumstances than in their Red River Rivalry in college.
They held the fastest guns in the West when they staged some classic shootouts. McCoy threw for 324 yards in a 28-21 Texas loss to Oklahoma in 2007. The next year, Bradford posted 357 yards and five touchdowns -- yet lost, 45-35.
Bradford was hurt early in their final head-to-head meeting. McCoy prevailed in that one and also beat Texas' greatest rival as a freshman before Bradford got on the field.
Neither left college with a national championship ring. Their consolation prizes weren't bad. McCoy rang up the most all-time college wins, and Bradford took home a Heisman Trophy.
Passing along the same trails, they became friends. Now they're sharing amazingly similar experiences as professionals with the Browns and St. Louis Rams.
Both are struggling in their second seasons, dealing with protection breakdowns, receiver issues and trying to operate offensive systems new to each without the benefit of typical off-season minicamps.
"We're kind of in unique situations," McCoy said.
"We kind of flip-flopped offenses without an off-season."
Yes, McCoy is running the West Coast offense that Bradford learned as a rookie, and Bradford is running the New England offense that McCoy learned as a rookie.
"I think we've probably talked more since we've been out of college just because we've been through some of the same things, shared some experiences in the league," Bradford said on a conference call.
One of the most recent times they talked was when Bradford called McCoy to get tips on rehabbing from a high ankle sprain. Yes, Bradford suffered the dreaded injury this year. McCoy had it last year and missed three games.
Their NFL career paths have intersected in other ways.
Bradford was the Rams' and the NFL's first overall draft pick in 2010. His offensive coordinator at the time was Pat Shurmur, who now is McCoy's head coach. When Shurmur scouted quarterbacks before that draft, he spent as much time on McCoy.
"I watched every one of their throws from college, junior and senior year," Shurmur said. "They all kind of ran together. Throw after throw after throw."
The Browns wound up selecting McCoy in the third round 84 spots after Bradford. But not before President Mike Holmgren made one last pitch to the Rams to try to move up from No. 5 to select Bradford.
It turned out that Bradford stepped foot on the Cleveland Browns Stadium field before McCoy. In the second preseason game of 2010 -- first at home for the Browns -- an injury to Rams starter A.J. Feeley on the first series put Bradford in the game prematurely. McCoy waited until a cameo appearance in the fourth quarter to make an inauspicious home debut.
After Bradford's next practice game, the Rams put him in there for good. He took every snap at quarterback, set numerous NFL rookie records, led his team to a surprising 7-9 record and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
McCoy had his moments in the middle of his first season, too, upsetting New Orleans and New England and nearly pulling out a win over the Jets.
But now each is learning that automatic success is not sustained in the NFL. McCoy's Browns are 3-5 and Bradford's Rams are 1-7. This week, McCoy ranks 28th among NFL quarterbacks. Bradford is 31st.
"I always had a great deal of respect for Colt as a winner," Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "They'll do that there, too. This is an up-and-down season, a tough haul.
"I think their offense is fighting the same hurdles as us in a lot of ways. It's been a new system in a short amount of time, and yet I see a lot of flashes of Colt executing that offense the way Pat wants it to be. I think they're on track, and I see a lot of positives."
Bradford is learning the longer pass routes contained in the playbook of new coordinator Josh McDaniels, of Canton and formerly of New England, subjects him to more hits. He was sacked 34 times in 16 games last year. He has been sacked 25 times in six games this season.
"He helped the St. Louis Rams win seven games [last season], and I think he's a fine quarterback," Shurmur said. "I'm assuming that he's making that same progress this year.
"I know he's had the injury that's kept him out a couple weeks. Based on what I saw last week [against Arizona], Sam went in there and executed pretty well. You could tell he wasn't totally 100 percent physically. But he's a tough guy, and I think he's developed well. He'll continue to develop within their system."
The bottom line to the quarterbacks' struggles is learning a new system with new teammates forced to play because of injuries to regulars.
"I think quarterbacks at this level are here because they know how to play the game," Shurmur said. "You learn a system, and then in order to execute efficiently, you've got to get used to the pieces around you. When you have a chance to be in a system for a long time, it helps. As you're learning it, then everybody has to kind of grow together. And I think sometimes it affects the quarterback."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670
On Twitter: @Tony Grossi
The Penn State scandal hits close to home for Browns receiver Jordan Norwood, who volunteered for Jerry Sandusky's Second Mile. Watch video
BEREA, Ohio — Browns receiver Jordan Norwood was hit hard by the Jerry Sandusky scandal because the former Penn State receiver knew Sandusky and often volunteered for the former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator's charity, The Second Mile.
The charity serves children who face adversity, and Sandusky -- arraigned on 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight boys -- met most of his alleged victims through the charity.
"I was certainly shocked," Norwood said Wednesday. "Above everything else, my heart goes out to the young men, the young boys and the families that were affected."
Norwood, who played at Penn State from 2005 to '08, became a member of the Penn State family in 2001 when his father, Brian, became safeties coach there, a position he held until 2007. The elder Norwood is now in his fourth year at Baylor, where he's currently associate head coach/safeties. Norwood is also close to Sandusky's son, Jon, the Browns director of player personnel.
"I know Jerry and participated in his Second Mile foundation, as did a lot of the athletes there and did some good things and helped out with a lot of kids there myself," said Norwood. "It's something personal for me."
He acknowledged that the situation is heartbreaking. "Yeah, sure it is," Norwood said. "There's no doubt [it's hard on the entire Penn State family], it's tough and unfortunate -- more so for the young men and young boys that were involved."
Norwood said his good friend, Browns nose tackle Phil Taylor -- who also played at Penn State before transferring to Baylor -- also has been rocked by the scandal. Sandusky maintained an office in the football department after he retired in 1999 and was frequently around the program.
"Yeah. Those that know, just as if it was anyone else in any other company or university, people get affected," said Norwood.
Norwood, who has a larger role in the offense with Mohamed Massaquoi recovering from a concussion, said he has been able to focus on preparing for Sunday's game against the Rams.
"When I'm on the practice field and in this building -- other than for these few minutes right here -- I'm going to be focused on [the game]," said Norwood.
He said he has talked to his dad some about the situation, but not a lot. Hours before coach Joe Paterno was fired, Norwood also had no thoughts on what Paterno should do.
As for the players who will host Nebraska, Norwood said, "The Penn State family is very large, the alumni base is large, and there'll be a lot of support for those guys from myself and from a lot of people that know they need the support."
Cribbs in backfield? Browns receiver Josh Cribbs hinted he will make a long-awaited appearance in the backfield against the Rams.
"I can't give nothing away, but they put something in that's real special to me, and that's all I can say about that," he said.
Asked if he will be in the backfield, either at tailback or in the wildcat, Cribbs said, "We've got eight games left, and there's going to be some surprises out there this week."
He said he couldn't elaborate, "but you know my track record."
Question is, was Cribbs just giving the Rams something extra to think about? He later Tweeted, "I was just kidding, givin' em a good story lol there is nothing big for me in the package lol."
If that's the case, Cribbs did a fine job pulling off the ruse during his eight-minute interview. He said coach Pat Shurmur seems to be warming up to the wildcat and is ready to explore alternatives for an offense that's 29th in points per game.
"You'll probably see it when we're out there [practicing], 'Oh, OK, I've never seen that before -- or have I?' " Cribbs said.
Whatever the case, Cribbs is first on the team with three touchdowns and has a career-high 298 receiving yards, which is third on the team.
"I feel like the coaches are really making an opportunity for me to get the football more, and that's always good," he said. "I like to see myself with the football more. Other guys do, and I'm all for whatever we have to do. Greg [Little] is getting the football more. They're putting the ball in the playmakers' hands and giving them opportunities to make plays."
Ward in cast: Browns safety T.J. Ward is wearing a cast on his right foot and is likely to sit out the game.
"I can't tell you what's going to happen for Sunday," said Shurmur. "He's in a cast, he's getting it settled down and we'll just see."
The Browns might be very thin at safety, because Usama Young also sat out Wednesday with his hip injury.
It will most likely mean more time for rookie safety Eric Hagg, the Browns' seventh-round pick.
"I think it's an awesome opportunity," said Hagg, who had knee surgery Aug. 15.
Mo goes home: Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was sent home again Wednesday with his concussion symptom and likely will sit out the game.
Hardesty out: Shurmur ruled running back Montario Hardesty out for the game, but Hardesty -- who's in a boot -- said "without a doubt" he will play again this season.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670
On Twitter: @marykaycabot
The students filled two city blocks near the campus and turned over a media van before earth-moving equipment was brought in to right the vehicle. Members of the crowd also damaged at least two light poles.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa (Reuters) - More than 1,000 protesting Penn State University students poured into the streets around campus on Wednesday after head football coach Joe Paterno was fired in fallout from a child-abuse scandal at the school.
Chanting "Hell no, Joe won't go" and "We want Joe back," they also cursed former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who was charged on Saturday with sexually abusing eight young boys over a period of nearly 15 years.
Two other university officials have been charged with failing to report an incident in 2002 when Sandusky allegedly was seen sexually assaulting a child.
Paterno, who has been head coach for 46 years, was dismissed Wednesday by the university's board of trustees along with university President Graham Spanier hours after the U.S. Education Department announced an investigation of conduct at Penn State.
The students filled two city blocks near the campus and turned over a media van before earth-moving equipment was brought in to right the vehicle. Members of the crowd also damaged at least two light poles.
Scores of police and state troopers, some in riot gear, tried to clear the streets, and some officers used a chemical spray to disperse the demonstrators. Crowds thinned somewhat after a light rain began to fall.
At least three people were escorted away by police but it was not immediately clear if they were arrested. A police spokeswoman had said she was not aware of any arrests.
"I haven't seen this kind of student outrage about anything since I've been here," said Caroline Celoquin, a senior from Westchester, Pennsylvania.
Asked how she felt about Paterno being fired, Nicole Atlak, a freshman from Toms River, New Jersey, said: "Absolutely disgusted. From a student's perspective, it's like where do we go from here? We no longer have a president. We no longer have a 45-year legacy."
A student with a bullhorn addressed the crowd, saying: "I think it's only fair to let him (Paterno) ride out the season because this is the house that Joe built."
While most of the students were protesting the decision, some said they understood the move by the board of trustees and did not condone Paterno's failure to report the alleged sexual abuse to police. Still, the majority seemed more upset that Paterno was not allowed to complete the season, as he had wanted.
Paterno won more games than any other major college coach in history. He told a grand jury investigation that when he was informed in 2002 of his assistant coach's alleged sexual abuse of a boy, he passed the information on to the athletic director but did not follow up. The alleged abuse continued for several more years.
Racing secretaries Bill Couch at Thistledown and Northfield Park's Dave Bianconi have beaten some pretty long odds in 2011.
Racing secretaries Bill Couch at Thistledown and Northfield Park's Dave Bianconi have beaten some pretty long odds this year in attracting equine stars that have sparkled here and also gone on to shine on a national stage.
The last two winners of the Ohio Derby at Thistledown got their chances in the Breeders' Cup last Saturday at Churchill Downs. This year's Ohio Derby winner Caleb's Posse dominated in the stretch to win the $1 million BC Dirt Mile, while 2010 Ohio Derby champ Pleasant Prince came close in the $500,000 BC Marathon.
Caleb's Posse needed a big stretch run to take the $100,000 Ohio Derby on June 4. He was also a come-from-behind winner in the much richer BC Dirt Mile, and made it look a lot easier. With Rajiv Maragh in the saddle this time around, Caleb's Posse ($15.60) roared past eight rivals in the final going - including Preakness winner Shackleford - to win by four lengths in 1:34.59.
"You could see coming down the stretch that he had dead aim on the leader," trainer Donnie Von Hemel of Piedmont, Okla., told Reuters. "The last sixteenth of a mile, we just got to celebrate. It was the biggest (victory of my career). A million dollar race on Breeders' Cup Day."
The three-year-old is owned by the McNeill Stables and Cheyenne Stables.
Caleb's Posse won the Ohio Derby on June 4 with jockey Eusebio Razo Jr. aboard. The three-year-old needed a big blast in the Thistledown stretch to knock off 40-1 Marco's Fling in the 1 1/16-mile race, won in 1:43.1. The son of Posse was favored in the Grade III Ohio Derby on the strength of a victory in the $100,000 Smarty Jones on Jan. 17 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Caleb's Posse has been on a roll since his Ohio success, taking the Grade II Amsterdam Stakes and beating Uncle Mo at the wire in the Grade I King's Bishop Stakes, both at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He has pushed his career record to eight wins in 16 starts, with earnings of $1,153,379.
Pleasant Prince was the pacesetter in the BC Marathon, but couldn't hold the lead in the Churchill stretch. Afleet Again, an unlikely long shot at 41-1, roared past to score his first victory in nine starts this year. Ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, Afleet Again ($85.20) was followed home by Birdrun, Giant Oak and a fading Pleasant Prince. Afleet Again stopped the clock in the 1 3/4-mile race in 3:00.39 to win by 2 1/4 lengths.
Foiled Again, a veteran pacer that captured the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on July 23 against a well-matched field, sparkled last Saturday at Indiana Downs in Shelbyville, Ind. With Yannick Gingras driving, Foiled Again won the $205,000 Indiana Pacing Derby for Pennsylvania's Burke Racing Stable. Taking the lead at the quarter-mile, the 1-9 favorite paced a 1:49.2 mile. To make it a perfect night for the Burke Stable, Gingras also piloted their Hugadragon - another Dragon Again offspring - to victory in the $275,000 Monument Circle for three-year-old pacers in 1:50.4.
Foiled Again won the Battle of Lake Erie on a sloppy track at Northfield in 1:52 with young driving star Matt Kakaley in the sulky on a wet, windy evening. The 7-year-old also won the 2009 Battle of Lake Erie with Kakaley at the reins. Dragon Again won the Battle of Lake Erie in 2000.
Foiled Again has won 57 races and $3,334,555.
Heading north: A pair of young horsemen from Washington Courthouse, Ohio, a hotbed of harness racing, Tyler Smith and Mark Winters Jr. are trying to make waves at Northfield Park this winter. Smith, 18, raced here last spring and spent the summer at Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park, where he won more than $1 million in purses. Winters, 20, had raced at the Ohio county fairs, Scioto Downs and Lebanon Raceway.
Stahl scores on Friday: Driver Ryan Stahl of Republic, Ohio, stole the spotlight on the Friday night card at Northfield Park that features races for fillies and mares. Stahl rang up seven winners on the 13-race program, scoring with Game Danica ($4.60), Eagle winger ($8.60), Saratoga's Best ($3.20), Jellyfish Joy ($2.80), Can Doit Forever ($5.40), ICU Roller ($6) and Caribbean Cruise ($3.60).
Stahl has reined 304 winners this year and is second to Dan Noble in the Northfield Park standings. One of the continent's top drivers, Noble was briefly sidelined by a bad back and slipped out of the top spot in the North American driving standings this week. George Brennan (674 wins) took over the top spot, followed by Noble (667), Tim Tetrick (641), David Palone (634) and George Napolitano Jr. (490).
Has your perception changed when it comes to Joe Paterno?
Coach Joe Paterno's tenure at Penn State ended in scandal on Wednesday night. Paterno, the head coach at Penn State since 1966, was fired because he did nothing more than inform athletics director Tim Curley and university vice president Gary Schultz of allegations that his assistant sexually abused a 10-year-old boy in the shower in the Penn State locker room.
Paterno never personally called police.
Paterno, college football's winningest coach, was never accused by the NCAA of breaking its rules in 46 seasons. His players have a 90 percent graduation rate. He was the face of all that was good about college football.
Has it changed?
Should the Big Ten rename the Stagg-Paterno trophy?
CBSSports.com has this article on how the great grandson of Amos Alonzo Stagg is concerned about the family's association with Joe Paterno if more disturbing evidence is found in the case that has led to Paterno's firing.
Right now, the Big Ten football championship trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the Big Ten championship is called the Stagg-Paterno Championship Trophy.
Should Paterno's name be replaced?
The Cleveland-area native and Esquire writer has just released "The Whore of Akron," a book that recounts his love of Cleveland sports and hate for LeBron.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Apparently, some people aren't LeBron fans.
Poor King. Dude threw a TV party to benefit some kids, tell the whole world he was humble and that he was taking his thing to South Beach -- and somehow people managed to turn against him.
Ratings were good, but the script and cinematography left some wanting.
Wanting to wring his neck, in the case of Scott Raab.
The Cleveland-area native and Esquire writer has just released "The Whore of Akron," a book that recounts his love of Cleveland sports and hate for LeBron.
The reason for the latter comes down to "The Decision" to take his talents to South Beach. He isn't much of a Miami Heat fan, by the way: "They're preening, gutless chumps whose confidence seems more and more like delusion," writes Raab in his book.
So, is he just a hater or the sports version of Ahab going after Moby-Dick?
This week, you have two chances to find out:
• At 7 p.m. Monday, Raab will appear at the Happy Dog, 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, for "The Derision: Debating LeBron's Legacy." He'll debate Jimi Izrael, a Cleveland writer and author of "The Denzel Principle." And, yes, Izrael is more sympathetic to the King. Plain Dealer columnist Michael McIntyre will moderate the event. Good luck, Mike. Free. Call 216-651-9474.
• At 7 p.m. Thursday, Raab will make an encore -- a book signing and talk at Visible Voice Books, 1023 Kenilworth Avenue, Cleveland. Free. Call 216-961-0084.
Last chance before the teeth chatter
Yes, the Tremont ArtWalk runs year-round. But this month's installment might be the last that doesn't come with chattering teeth and frozen feet.
The event, which is held the second Friday of every month, brings together some 20 bars and galleries for a party from 6 p.m. to closing time. One last time to check out the art galleries and bars while the weather's still good, er, I mean, not terrible.
Quack, quack
I used to go quackers over Duck Island. I was looking for a no-man's land between the bars of Tremont and Ohio City, both overrun by a migration of feisty partyers.
For a few seasons, Duck ceased being a hip chick. But it's been quacking again -- thanks a gaggle of DJ nights.
At 8 p.m. Friday, Brandon Zano and Rob Ortenzi will flap around the place, 2102 Freeman Ave, Cleveland. They'll be hosting a dance-rock electro party. Free. Call 216-621-7676.
Fox and friends
Bill Fox fans have been waiting for a new disc for years -- 13 to be exact. They finally have their wish. Well, sort of.
The Cleveland singer-songwriter has just released "Before I Went to Harvard." It's a cassette of unreleased songs on Treasure Records, a new imprint founded by Gregory Lee Boyd.
Cassettes have been making a mini comeback of late. Boyd has already released 10 on tape and is expanding into vinyl. More on this later.
As for Fox, he'll be hitting the Happy Dog at 9 p.m. Sunday.
He'll be playing with Kasper Hauser, the vehicle for Thomas Comerford. The Cleveland-born, Chicago-based singer-songwriter has just released "Archive + Spiral," a disc of songs full of quiet but catchy countrified pop. Also on the bill is Jason Look of the Prisoners. $5.
Plain Dealer columnist says Penn State situation is one of the worst episodes in college-sports history. Watch video
Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.
Joe Paterno was fired late last night as football coach at Penn State. How has your perception of Paterno changed in the wake of the sex-abuse scandal at PSU? That is our question in today's Starting Blocks poll.
Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston, who covered Paterno's Penn State program years ago before he came to The PD. He says this is possibly the worst scandal in the history of college sports.
Livy also talks about why people should not compare what has happened with Paterno at Penn State with what happened with ousted coach Jim Tressel at Ohio State.
And he discusses whether the Big Ten Conference should rename the Stagg-Paterno Trophy, which is scheduled to be awarded to the winner of the league's first championship football game on Dec. 3 in Indianapolis.
SBTV will return Friday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.
And don't miss this week's edition of the Browns Insider show, which streamed live today at 10 a.m. and will be archived for your viewing pleasure.
This week on "Browns Insider," Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff talked about the Browns as they get ready for the St. Louis Rams. They also revisited the Browns' loss to the Texans, dove into the problems on offense and tackled your chat room questions and comments Watch video
This week on "Browns Insider," Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff talked about the Browns as they get ready for the St. Louis Rams. They also revisited the Browns' loss to the Texans, dove into the problems on offense and tackled your chat room questions and comments. Click on the video to watch.
Among the topics discussed:
- Is the defense overrated?
- What's the solution at running back? Is it Josh Cribbs?
- How do you grade the Browns at the midway point?
- Is the coaching staff letting the players down?
- Would the Browns be interested in Sam Bradford if the Rams get the No. 1 pick?
- Are the Rams in worse shape than the Browns?
- Who are you picking for this game?
- Plus a whole lot more.
This season looks good and the future bright for Cleveland State basketball as old hands return and new recruits sign in.
Cleveland, Ohio - Observations on Cleveland State's exhibition basketball game against John Carroll, and CSU's recruiting haul.
Senior D'Aundray Brown looks completely healed, and physically bigger, which should make his defensive presence even more imposing this season.
Freshman Anton Grady, the 6-7 forward from Cleveland Central Catholic, looks completely healed from the knee injuries that slowed his junior and senior seasons at CCC.
As the season goes on, Grady will be a force to be dealth with. Conversely, the one player who could benefit from a redshirt is freshman Marlin Mason. At 6-6, 210 pounds, athletically he is comparable to Grady, with much longer arms, but without the polish. More importantly, his body looks to have the capacity to get much bigger, perhaps up to 225-230 pounds, without losing athleticism. At that size, he could play any baseline spot and be effective against any team CSU might play.
And more talent is coming. Cleveland State hit the jackpot with its latest basketball recruiting class, hauling in a quality wing player in Junior Lomomba from Wisconsin.
Lomomba, a 6-foot-4 forward, is the No. 4-ranked player in Wisconsin and helped Madison Memorial High win a state title last year. Per various recruiting sites, he had offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Xavier, Baylor, West Virginia, Washington State and others. He is a first team All-State player who can play multiple perimeter positions and also has international experience, spending two years on the Canadian junior national team. Lomomba averaged 17.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last year.
Also joining CSU next year will be Bryn Forbes, a 6-foot-3 guard who averaged 13.6 points last season, helping Lansing Sexton High to a Class B state title in Michigan. Malik London, a 6-foot-8 forward from Chillicothe H.S., who averaged 11.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.0 blocked shots as a junior.
Internet recruiting sites can often be hard to decipher. Some players are critiqued early in high school, projected as future high-major players, then flatten out. What looks like a quality recruit may not be quite what is listed. The fact Lomomba actually visited the likes of Washington State and Cincinnati indicates a level of high-major interest, which points to projected ability.
The guess here is Lomomba needs to find a position, then flourish. Below the big six conferences, teams can put their best five players on the court, regardless of position, and flourish via mismatches, which should fit Lomomba. As for the rest, Forbes looks to be the requisite 3-point shooter; while London has the size and athleticism that should shine in CSU's up-tempo defense.
With two scholarships still to give, the Vikings can be selective, either with a forward transfer, a junior-college forward, and/or another quality wing.
Don't feel sorry for Joe Paterno. Feel sorry for the victims.
Shed no tears for Joe Paterno. Save your pity for the innocent boys who will grow up into tortured men, not JoePa, writes Chicago Tribune reporter David Haugh.
Haugh also wants you to spare him the indignation over the Penn State Board of Trustees firing Paterno on Thursday night over the phone.
Why?
Penn State removed Paterno from that job because, finally, somebody in Creepy Valley did the right thing. Somebody followed a conscience instead of a university handbook. That it came 13 years too late will haunt State College, Pa., forever. It will indelibly stain Paterno's Hall of Fame tenure, as if that matters.
It never will be enough for the alleged victims of Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant coach charged with 40 counts of child sexual abuse.
There are no winners here, all goats and no heroes, but Paterno's ouster was a development worth applauding more than protesting. This was a decision that should have provoked more acceptance than defiance.
Haugh also can't understand why the Penn State students rioted all over campus and tipped over cars and a satellite truck?
When will they realize, after the buzz wears off and sobering reality sinks in, that they were defending the right to cover up pedophilia? As much as they love JoePa, that's the harsh reality.
More on Penn State
Did Joe Paterno know more?
Aston Kutcher recants rant.
Worst ending for former coach Joe Paterno.
Penn State is still coming to grips after Paterno's ouster.
ABC News on Penn State scandal.
Penn State is now "UnHappy Valley" for the Nittany Lions.
PennLive.com and its coverage of the Nittany Lions.
Joe Paterno is going, going, gone.
New Penn State Coach Speaks
Penn State Interim Head Coach Tom Bradley spoke about taking the job in such stunning fashion, and Saturday's game against Nebraska in this video from CineSport.
For more Cinesport video, go here.
Kent State basketball loads up with recruits, including athletic New Yorker now at prep school.
Kent State men's basketball coach Rob Senderoff signed four players in his first recruiting class, with the plum being forward Chris Ortiz from South Kent Prep School in Connecticut.
The 6-8, 215-pound Ortiz, who led New York's Christ The King High to a city championship last season, will be expected to challenge early for playing time on a Kent baseline that loses its starting center and power forward after this season.
He is described on various Internet sites as a rebounder and lightning-quick defender who is explosive and has an inside-out tool set.
Ortiz will not only have the benefit of an extra year, playing at a prep school, but the native of Puerto Rico also has international experience. Last summer he averaged 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in the Nike Global Challenge, a showcase for prep talent around the globe.
He will be joined by 6-9, 195-pound power forward Khaliq Spicer from Detroit; 6-4, 240-pound junior-college power forward Darren Goodson, a native of Cincinnati; and 5-10 point guard Kellen Thomas from Indianapolis.
Spicer, like Ortiz, is a slender athlete also credited with the ability to rebound and block shots, but clearly has no bulk for post play.
That chore will go to the broad-shouldered Goodson, who averaged 17.1 ppg and 6.0 rebounds at Pensacola State JC in Florida.
FAIRBORN, Ohio - After trailing, 8-1, in the first set, Gilmour Academy's volleyball team settled down and swept Columbus Bishop Ready this afternoon in a Division III state semifinal. Game scores were 25-22, 25-18, 25-22 at Wright State's Ervin J. Nutter Center.
FAIRBORN, Ohio - After trailing, 8-1, in the first set, Gilmour Academy's volleyball team settled down and swept Columbus Bishop Ready this afternoon in a Division III state semifinal.
Game scores were 25-22, 25-18, 25-22 at Wright State's Ervin J. Nutter Center.
The win advances the Lancers into Saturday's state championship match against the winner of the other semifinal between Frankfort Adena and Casstown Miami East.
Gilmour finished second at the state tournament a year ago.
Can the Buckeyes make it four wins in a row? CineSport's Brian Clark and the Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises look into Ohio State's turnaround as they head to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers.
Can the Buckeyes make it four wins in a row? CineSport's Brian Clark and the Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises look into Ohio State's turnaround as they head to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers.
For more Cinesport video, go here.
Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion) sent home again. Kicker Phil Dawson (migraines) also sent home, but game status not in doubt.
Updated at 1:51 p.m.
BEREA -- You can just about scratch Browns safety T.J. Ward from playing in Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.
Ward's right foot is still in a cast. He injured the foot last Sunday in the Houston game.
"I'm not ruling him out, but there's a very good chance he won't play," coach Pat Shurmur said.
In Ward's place, rookie Eric Hagg has been working with the No. 1 defense all week.
"Eric is really a conscientious guy," defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. "If he has to play a lot, he'll know what he's doing. He'll give you an honest day's work."
In other pre-practice injury news:
* Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion) was sent home again. Massaquoi hasn't practiced all week.
* Place-kicker Phil Dawson was excused with migraine headaches. Shurmur isn't concerned about his status for the game.
* Cornerback Dimitri Patterson (knee) and free safety Usama Young (hip) did not do any work in the period of practice open to media. Shurmur was hoping they might be able to have limited work, but it did not come to pass.
"If I hear one more time what a winner Colt is, I'm going to get sick. He happened to play for Texas during a time when the team was loaded. Winning in college does not make you a NFL QB. Decision-making, accuracy and arm strength all contribute. Colt is not accurate. Colt cannot throw beyond 12 yards without winding up. Defenses do not have to respect his arm, so they crowd the box and send seven. The O-line has no chance with no threat of the ball going too far." - Wheels57
"If I hear one more time what a winner Colt is, I'm going to get sick. He happened to play for Texas during a time when the team was loaded. Winning in college does not make you a NFL QB. Decision-making, accuracy and arm strength all contribute. Colt is not accurate. Colt cannot throw beyond 12 yards without winding up. Defenses do not have to respect his arm, so they crowd the box and send seven. The O-line has no chance with no threat of the ball going too far."
"Why do people say nobody cares when they actually mean, 'I don't care'? Everyone has the right to decide what is important to them. There are a lot of things, including sports, that I don't care about at all. I happen to love the Cavs and really enjoy watching them play. I have a lot of friends who, like me, are very anxious for the NBA to get back to playing, the sooner the better." - cavcat
"Why do people say nobody cares when they actually mean, 'I don't care'? Everyone has the right to decide what is important to them. There are a lot of things, including sports, that I don't care about at all. I happen to love the Cavs and really enjoy watching them play. I have a lot of friends who, like me, are very anxious for the NBA to get back to playing, the sooner the better."
Urban Meyer will be in State College this Saturday to call the Nebraska-Penn State game for TV. He says he's happy with that role and not looking to return to coaching at this time.
Urban Meyer has been discussed by many as a prime candidate for the Penn State job left open by the firing of Joe Paterno.
For all inquirers, Meyer issued a statement Thursday that would seem to shoot down that possibility.
“I am very happy with my role at ESPN,” Meyer said. “I have no plans to return to coaching at this time.”
Of course, plans change.
Meyer will be working for ESPN in Happy Valley on Saturday when Penn State hosts Nebraska.
He stepped down from his job at Florida after last season, saying that he wants to spend time with his family. He’d previously resigned, then backtracked, due to health concerns.
Whether Meyer sticks to his stance, or if he could be wooed by the right person for the right job remains to be seen. If Luke Fickell, the interim coach at Ohio State, is not retained as the permanent coach, Meyer would be a popular name as a candidate for that job as well.
