New identity for the Baltimore Ravens

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated PressJoe Flacco

The Baltimore Ravens may have found an identity with a ground attack against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, writes Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun.

The Ravens ran the ball a record 55 times for 290 yards. Preson writes how it's ground and pound on offense.

Because of the Ravens' new approach of running the ball more often and their failures inside the red zone and in short-yardage situations, it's essential that the Ravens have a strong kicker.

More Baltimore Ravens

Five things Baltimore fans learned about the Ravens after their latest victory (Baltimore Sun).

Grades for the Ravens (Baltimore Sun).

Manny Ramirez is looking for another chance in baseball. When asked if he was interested, Indians GM Chris Antonetti was silent.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerManny Ramirez is seeking reinstatement to the big leagues.

DALLAS, Texas --News, notes and quotes from MLB's winter meetings at the Anatole Hilton Hotel.

-Indians GM Chris Antonetti had no comment when asked if he was interested in signing Manny Ramirez. The former Indians outfielder is seeking reinstatement from MLB's retirement list.

Ramirez, facing a 100-game suspension last season for violating MLB's drug policy, retired early last season with the Rays. MLB has announced that Ramirez would only face a 50-game suspension if he can find work with a big league club.

Since 2008, Ramirez has played with Boston, the Dodgers, White Sox and Rays. He hit 37 homers in 2008, but only 28 since. Ramirez's career numbers, without the two drug infractions, are Hall of Fame worthy at .312, 2,574 hits, 547 doubles, 555 homers and 1831 RBI.

He played with the Indians from 1993 through 2000.

-Ron Santo, the Cubs late third baseman, was elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday by a vote of the Golden Era Committee.

A player needed 12 votes to gain admission. Former Indian Minnie Minoso received nine. Louie Tiant, another former Indians, received fewer than three.

-The Indians have told catcher Carlos Santana that he cannot play winter ball. Santana, just over a year removed from surgery on his left knee, is coming off a season in which he led the Indians with 155 games played and finished second with 552 at-bats.

Santana, Fausto Carmona and Ubaldo Jimenez have been conditioning with Nelson Perez, Indians athletic trainer, in the Dominican Republic for the last five weeks. The Indians want Santana rested and healthy when he reports to spring training in February.

The switch-hitting Santana batted .239 (132-for-552) with 35 doubles, 27 homers and 79 RBI, 133 strikeouts and 97 walks. Santana's 27 homers set a club record for switching hitters.

-Jimenez, who did not pitch winter ball last offseason, will make his first start for Licey on Dec. 15. Manager Manny Acta will be on hand to watch.

-ESPN is reporting that the Indians are one of nine teams interested in free agent outfielder Josh Willingham. No surprise there because they tried get him at the trading deadline in July.

Willingham, a right-handed hitter, hit .246 (120-for-480) with 26 doubles, 29 homers and 98 RBI for Oakland last season.

-Kosuke Fukudome did a nice job for the Indians after being acquired from the Cubs for the stretch run, but it's unlikely they'll re-sign the free agent outfielder. It may have been a different story if Fukudome hit right-handed instead of left-handed.

With the re-signing of free agent Grady Sizemore, the Indians are expecting to open the season with three left-handed hitting outfielders in Sizemore, Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo.

-Right-hander Chad Durbin, the Indians other free agent, will not be back.

Plain Dealer reporter also says that Browns will need to reach a decision on Colt McCoy, despite injuries, dropped passes. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough, who is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a week of vacation.

The Browns took another one on the chin Sunday, this time losing at home to the Baltimore Ravens. Where do you place the blame for Sunday's performance? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who says there is plenty of blame to go around. Mary Kay also discusses where Josh Cribbs and coach Pat Shurmur stand; whether she thinks the Browns can win another game in 2011; and what the Browns need to do to compete in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff giving his take on where the Browns stand heading into Thursday's contest.

Did Sunday's loss stand out or was it just another in a series of dismal December losses the Browns have suffered? What's going to happen Thursday night in Pittsburgh? Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeAP Photo | Amy SancettaColt McCoy had another long day on Sunday afternoon against Baltimore.

Did Sunday's loss stand out or was it just another in a series of dismal December losses the Browns have suffered? What's going to happen Thursday night in Pittsburgh?

Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• If Colt McCoy plays four more games like he did Sunday, is there any way the Browns can go in to 2012 with him starting?

• Why has this run defense been so bad?

• Is this coaching staff still trying to figure out how to use Peyton Hillis?

• What fallout will there be if the Browns lose out?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Santo was a nine-time all-star third baseman for the Cubs, hit 342 home runs and won five Gold Gloves. A Cubs broadcaster for two decades, he was beloved by his fans for eagerly rooting for the team on the air.

Associated PressRon Santo played for the Chicago Cubs from 1960-73 and the Chicago White Sox in 1974.

DALLAS, Texas -- Ron Santo was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame on Monday, chosen by the Veterans Committee nearly a year to the day after the Chicago Cubs third baseman died hoping for this honor.

Santo, a Seattle native and Franklin High graduate, breezed in with 15 votes from the 16-member panel. It took 75 percent - 12 votes - to get chosen.

Santo was a nine-time All-Star, hit 342 home runs and won five Gold Gloves. He was a Cubs broadcaster for two decades, beloved by his fans eagerly rooting for his favorite team on the air.

Jim Kaat was second with 10 votes, Gil Hodges and Minnie Minoso each drew nine and Tony Oliva got eight on the 10-person Golden Era ballot. Buzzie Bavasi, Ken Boyer, Charlie Finley, Allie Reynolds and Luis Tiant each received under three votes.

Santo joined former Cubs teammates Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins in the Hall. That famed quartet did most everything at Wrigley Field through the 1960s and early 1970s except reach the World Series.

"It's really exciting because so many years that we had parties over to his house in spring training saying this is the year, I'd tell him this is the year you're going in the baseball Hall of Fame," Williams, a member of the voting panel, said at the baseball winter meetings.

"With Ernie, myself and Fergie, those players he played with ... to hear this kind of news today that he's inducted in the baseball Hall of Fame is really gratifying because so many times that we talked about it, it's a place he wanted to be," he said. "I'm really, really thrilled for him and his family. The one thing, of course, is he's not here to enjoy it, but his family will."

A star while playing with diabetes, a disease that eventually cost him both legs below the knees, Santo died Dec. 3, 2010, from complications of bladder cancer at age 70.

Santo will be inducted into Cooperstown on July 22, along with any players elected by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Jan. 9. Bernie Williams joins Jack Morris, Barry Larkin and others on that ballot.

Santo never came close to election during his 15 times on the BBWAA ballot, peaking at 43 percent - far short of the needed 75 percent in his last year of eligibility in 1998.

He had gotten closer in previous elections by the Veterans Committee. The panel has been revamped several times in the last decade, aimed at giving a better look at deserving candidates.

"I kept thinking that he would get in then, then, then and finally he got in, but it's a little too late for him to be there," said another veterans panel member, Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson. "It's hard to figure out why he hasn't gotten in sooner."

"He's just a terrific guy, he's baseball through and through, he's done a lot for the game of baseball in his career, and he's been though a lot of hardships physically and he was just a terrific player," he said. "He certainly belongs in the Hall of Fame. A long time coming. No one knows the reason he didn't get in when the writers were voting, but this process we have has been the fairest, I think."

Santo is the 15th third baseman in the Hall, including three from the Negro Leagues. He was a career .277 hitter and hit at least 30 homers every season from 1964-67.

Santo made his debut at 20 with the Cubs in 1960 and played his whole career with them until finishing with the crosstown White Sox in 1974.

Like Banks, Santo never got to play in a World Series. They came close in 1969, overtaken in the stretch by a New York Mets team managed by Hodges, the former Brooklyn star first baseman.

Cleveland Browns players talked in the locker room following their 24 - 10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Hosted by Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. Watch video

Kyrie Irving doesn't want to wait to become the Cavaliers' starting point guard.

Lisa DeJong | The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers' player Kyrie Irving.

 
With all due respect to Baron Davis,  Kyrie Irving wouldn’t mind taking over the Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting point guard job in training camp, writes Marc Spears of Yahoo.com.

The only thing in Irving's way is Davis. The Cavs have the option of using their amnesty clause on Davis to waive him, or start both players in the backcourt and start Irving at the point guard.

“It would be a great opportunity, but a little hard to see Baron go just based on having a veteran point guard there to help you make your transition,” Irving told Yahoo! Sports. “That’s something that I’m going to lose. But having the keys to the franchise is something that I’m excited about if it does happen. Either way, it will be a great opportunity with Baron or without Baron.”

And Irving is a fan of Davis, but if Irving has the choice to take the point guard job now or learn under a Davis, the choice is easy.

“I’d rather try to have the ability to go. I’ve been waiting for so long that I just want to jump right in, learn on the fly and just see how it goes.”

 

Robert Madison led football teams at East High and West Tech.

View full size

The Parma man, 71, died Saturday, Dec. 3, at Fairview Hospital after several years of illnesses.

Madison was an All-East Senate fullback at East High. In 1957, he ran 34 yards for the winning touchdown against a strong Cathedral Latin team. He played football at Colgate and later earned a master's degree at Case Western Reserve University.

In 1962, he returned to East to teach English, including Shakespeare, and serve as assistant coach. Two years later, at the unusually young age of 24, he became head coach. In the next game, East came within a couple of minutes of tying powerhouse Massillon Washington under new coach Earle Bruce, who later led Ohio State's team.

In 1973, Madison began 17 years of teaching and coaching at West Tech. He won championships and was named league coach of the year in 1975, 1987 and 1989. He coached the West All-Stars twice and served a term as president of the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association.

Colleagues said he spoke softly and prepared thoroughly. His honors included the association's Golden Deeds Award and the Cleveland Touchdown Club's Dr. Lee Tressel Memorial Award. In retirement, he helped Normandy's team.

Survivors include his wife, the former Elaine Buczek, three sons and three grandchildren. His son, Ryan, is athletic director at Parma Senior High.

Zabor will host a funeral at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

Nate Tibbetts has been coaching in the D-League since 2007

Joshua Gunter | The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers' coach Byron Scott made changes to his staff Monday, including the hiring of assistant Nate Tibbetts

There's one reason that the game will draw attention beyond its importance: Urban Meyer, who coached Florida to two national titles, will coach the Buckeyes in 2012.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerUrban Meyer, then Florida's coach, gets drenched by Gatorade at the end of the Gators' 41-14 national championship game win over Ohio State on Jan. 8, 2007.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Gator Bowl was once among college football's premier bowl games, ranking at the top of the second tier behind the venerable Rose, Cotton, Sugar and Orange bowls.

As the number of bowl games -- including, for instance, the Fiesta Bowl -- has multiplied and, more importantly, the BCS National Championship Game has entered the fray, the Gator Bowl's profile has diminished.

Now, though, the Gator Bowl returns to the national spotlight, if only for a few weeks. It may be that Ohio State vs. Florida in the Jan. 2 Gator Bowl will be the most-hyped matchup of 6-6 teams in bowl history.

Robbie Andreu writes for the Gainesville Sun -- the hometown newspaper for Florida's Gators -- why Ohio State vs. Florida will draw an inordinate degree of attention:

Other than the much-anticipated (and debated) SEC rematch in college football's national championship game in New Orleans, the Gator Bowl has perhaps the most intriguing story line of the bowl season.

Ohio State vs. Florida.

Coach Urban Meyer's future team against his former team in a rematch of the 2006 BCS Championship Game.

Because of the Meyer factor, this game will generate a great deal of national attention between now and the Jan. 2 game in Jacksonville.

But the coaches for both teams apparently are ready to downplay the whole Meyer effect.

“I don't think it will be any distraction. We've moved on,” UF coach Will Muschamp said after accepting the Gator Bowl's invitation Sunday night. “Urban did a great job at the University of Florida. I'm very appreciative of what he's done. We've moved on. We're looking forward to playing in the game.”

Meyer coached Florida from 2005-10, winning national championships in the 2006 and 2008 seasons. The Gators routed Ohio State, 41-14, to win the 2006 season title on Jan. 8, 2007.

Luke Fickell, who served as Ohio State's interim coach this season, will lead the Buckeyes in the Gator Bowl and then stay on Fickell's staff.

Andreu continues his report, quoting Fickell:

“I don't know that you could get any more distracted than what we've had,” said Fickell of an OSU program in the midst of an NCAA investigation and coming off the firing of Jim Tressel before the start of the season. “The guys are excited to have some clarity about what is going to happen in the future. “It's not nearly as hard on them. They feel clarity. Playing Florida and that other stuff with coach Meyer won't have an effect on our guys.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage includes Doug Lesmerises' report on the Buckeyes being matched against the Gators; Jodie Valade's story on how Urban Meyer drew inspiration from his father, Bud, who died on Nov. 11.

Also, Lesmerises' National College Football Insider, and how he voted in the Associated Press top 25 poll.

Buckeyes banter

The Gator Bowl, with Ohio State playing Florida, is ranked as the 11th best of the 35 bowl games. From CollegeFootballNews.com.

Ohio State recruiting update, by Tony Gerdeman for the-Ozone.net.

Ranking the Big Ten's teams, from Nos. 1 to 12. By Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett of ESPN.com.

Guide to the Ohio State vs. Florida Gator Bowl. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

Ohio State notes -- including a couple updates regarding Urban Meyer's staff -- by Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State notes and Gator Bowl details by Brandon Castel for the-Ozone.net.

An early look at the Gator Bowl, by Brian Bennett and Chris Low for ESPN.com.

Urban Meyer's Ohio State-Florida connection will help sell Gator Bowl tickets, writes Steve Stephens for the Columbus Dispatch.

Buckeyes face familiar foe under unusual circumstances. By Brandon Castel for the-Ozone.net.

Ohio State vs. Florida, statistically matching up, on ESPN.com.

"Give me Josh Willingham over Michael Brantley in left every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Maybe Brantley will make a big jump up this season, but so far his bat is that of a fourth outfielder and his glove is that of a left fielder only. He had some big hits last year, but unfortunately he didn't have enough regular old hits for me to want him to be a starter. And he doesn't have enough power to ever play a corner position for a contending team." - Schmoker

View full sizeAP Photo | Ben MargotThe Indians are reportedly interested in Josh Willingham.

"Give me Josh Willingham over Michael Brantley in left every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Maybe Brantley will make a big jump up this season, but so far his bat is that of a fourth outfielder and his glove is that of a left fielder only. He had some big hits last year, but unfortunately he didn't have enough regular old hits for me to want him to be a starter. And he doesn't have enough power to ever play a corner position for a contending team."

"Revenue split helps out owners of teams, but it doesn't help the fans one bit. I couldn't care less if the team saves money. I want to see the team win. The players were willing to give in on the BRI to keep their freedom of playing wherever they want to. And it's not a surprise that the small market teams gave into it, because owners are still business men. They know that winning is never a sure thing, but revenue split and receiving more of the BRI is, so they gave in to the players in order to secure guaranteed money." - benny1699

View full sizeAP Photo | John Minchillo, FileSome fans believe David Stern and the owners didn't get enough in return in the new CBA.

"Revenue split helps out owners of teams, but it doesn't help the fans one bit. I couldn't care less if the team saves money. I want to see the team win. The players were willing to give in on the BRI to keep their freedom of playing wherever they want to. And it's not a surprise that the small market teams gave into it, because owners are still business men. They know that winning is never a sure thing, but revenue split and receiving more of the BRI is, so they gave in to the players in order to secure guaranteed money."

Just what is the West Coast offense supposed to look like? With the Browns, it's hard to know.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerWith Pat Shurmur and an avowed offensive emphasis in the Browns' new management, the team for the fourth consecutive season will be in the bottom three in scoring. That's hard for Terry Pluto to understand or accept.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "What is your West Coast offense supposed to look like?"

I doubt Pat Shurmur thought my question at Monday's press conference was serious. To the credit of the Browns coach, he did say the short version was for the offense to be "efficient ... physical ... get completions ... get big plays ... put the ball in the end zone."

That probably is the goal of most offenses. It can also be said that no matter what you call the Browns' offenses since 1999, the bottom line was usually the bottom of the league in terms of production.

With the exception of 2007 when the Browns had one of those out-of-nowhere seasons with a 10-6 record and an eighth-ranked offense that scored 25 points a game, the Browns have labeled their offense different things. Fans usually just called them terrible, and had the stats to back up the insult.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Browns are destined to be in the bottom three in scoring. That's with three different coaches (Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini and Shurmur) and four different opening-day quarterbacks (Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Jake Delhomme and Colt McCoy).

No doubt all the changes have something to do with this bottomless pit of offensive futility. It's also why I'm not even sure what are signs of progress with this offense, which ranks 30th out of 32 teams. I know the West Coast offense is supposed to feature a lot of short and medium passes. The Browns throw a lot of those. They rank 30th in yards per attempt – 5.9. It's what St. Louis ranked with Shurmur calling the plays in 2010. To be fair to Shurmur, St. Louis now ranks 31st at 5.2 since he left

I know that it's supposed to create YAC -- yards after catch. The Browns rank 24th in that category. I know that it's supposed to use a lot of different players catching the ball -- receivers, tight ends and backs. Greg Little leads the Browns with 50 catches, followed by Ben Watson with 35. No one else has more than 29.

I know it's supposed to be crisp, and I know timing between the receivers and quarterback is important. Browns fans can make their own call here.

I know you are supposed to catch the ball in this offense, which is receiver-friendly. But with 30 dropped passes, the Browns are tied with Philadelphia for the NFL lead. Little is third in the NFL with nine.

Most of all, I know that this offense is supposed to be one of the main identities of this team. It's part of the reason Mangini was fired and replaced by Shurmur. It's why no receivers other than Little were added -- the offense was supposed to make the likes of Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie and Josh Cribbs better.

Robiskie was waived and claimed by Jacksonville. Massaquoi battled a concussion earlier in the season and now looks lost. No one will confuse Cribbs with Paul Warfield or Reggie Rucker, but he does lead the team with four touchdown catches. He was on the field Sunday, but not a single pass was thrown his way -- nor was any attempt made to get him the ball in any manner.

This is not about the being mauled by Baltimore. It was another lame display by the offense, but the Browns also faced a prime defense in a whipping wind and driving rain. But it is about six games of 14 or fewer points in this 4-8 season. It's about six points against Seattle, about a 13-12 loss to St. Louis.

It's about one touchdown in the first quarter, none in the third quarter this season. That's one touchdown in 24 quarters when the team leaves the dressing room. It's about an offense that is not supposed to be predictable, but is utterly unimaginative.

It's just so hard to watch because it's so boring.

Some fans want to trade the Browns' two first-round picks in 2012 to bring in a quarterback who is supposed to make everything better.

This is not an endorsement of McCoy, nor a defense. It's simply to say that either he does nothing for this offense, or it does nothing for him. Because not much happens, period.

Once upon a time in 2009 and 2010, the Browns had an above-average running game. Yes, the backs have been hurt, but they rank 30th in rushing.

This is not about junking the West Coast offense or turning Mangini and his staff in Paul Brown -- his record was 5-11 in each of his two years. But it is to say that I'm still waiting and watching for the new offense to show a little improvement over what we've been watching the last few seasons.

Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis are both injured with only a few days to heal before facing the Steelers' No. 1 defense. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns will go limping into Pittsburgh on Thursday night, thanks to a quarterback with a gimpy knee and a running back with a strained hip.

Coach Pat Shurmur said he expects Colt McCoy to play in Pittsburgh despite a sprained right knee suffered Sunday against the Ravens, but wasn't so optimistic about Peyton Hillis, who's "day-to-day" with the hip injury.

McCoy was spotted limping Monday afternoon at the Berea facility while walking down some stairs. The Browns have only one full day of practice -- on Tuesday -- in preparation for Thursday's primetime game.

"We'll just have to see," said Shurmur of McCoy. "[There's] no structural damage, and he's a little bit sore. He'll be day-to-day. I wouldn't say that ... he would miss the game."

McCoy sprained the knee with 5:07 left in the first quarter when 313-pound defensive end Arthur Jones stormed in and knocked him down after a screen pass. McCoy stood up and tried to put weight on the leg, but then he sat down -- and laid down for a moment -- before trainers accompanied him off the field.

He missed one play -- a 4-yard pass from Seneca Wallace to Greg Little -- that led to a punt, and returned on the next drive.

McCoy spent considerable time getting post-game treatment and had the leg wrapped in the locker room. He said the injury didn't affect his game, but he'd never admit it if it did.

"I think more than anything it stunned me," he said.

That makes three injuries in as many weeks for McCoy, who suffered an elbow injury in Cincinnati and aggravated a nagging shoulder injury against Jacksonville. If he can't play, Wallace will get the start.

If McCoy plays, will he have Hillis to help him? Hillis -- in his second game back from the pulled hamstring -- started against the Ravens' third-ranked run defense with carries of seven, nine and eight yards. But he gained only 21 yards the rest of the game, and by the fourth quarter was on a table behind the Browns' bench, being worked on by the trainers. He returned to the game, but only sparingly.

Shurmur said Hillis hurt the hip "just in general, running the football. He's sore today, so we'll just see how he does through the week here. It'll be a short week."

Hillis has not played in more than two consecutive games this season because of strep throat, a pulled hamstring and hip injuries.

If Hillis can't play, Montario Hardesty is eagerly waiting in the wings. Hardesty was pumped up with nowhere to go on Sunday, thinking he was going to play but mostly confined to the sidelines.

Afterward, he said he expected to play more, and wasn't sure why he didn't. Shurmur explained that he wanted to preserve Hardesty for the Steelers game, and now he seems prescient.

"I battled back from the calf and I'm just ready to play," said Hardesty. "We'll see what happens."

The guess is that McCoy and Hillis will be questionable at best for the Steelers' vaunted top-ranked defense. There is little time to heal bodies and psyches after a demoralizing 24-10 loss to the Ravens.

"There's not much you can do on the cleanup from Baltimore, so we're moving on to Pittsburgh," said Shurmur. "We'll practice [Tuesday] and we'll have more practice on Wednesday, get a plane and go down there. It's quick. But I'm used to it. I know how the schedule is supposed to go. We did it in Philadelphia a couple times."

Despite a 4-8 record and 14 losses in the last 15 games against the Steelers, Shurmur is trying to remain upbeat.

"I'm still excited to lead these guys and help pull through what it takes to win games," he said. "I'm excited and energized by the challenge that we have ahead. I'm not discouraged, not one bit.

"I'm disappointed when we lose. When we win, I'm happy for the players, I'm happy for the coaches, I'm happy for the fans, I'm happy for everyone that follows us, fights for us and the guys in the locker room that actually do it. That's what I'm happiest for, and I want them to have that feeling."

Ben Roethlisberger is 12-1 against the Browns. The Steelers are riding high after a 35-7 rout of the Bengals, and are in a division dogfight with Baltimore.

"It's another terrific team that we're going to face," said Shurmur. "They're coming off a victory, a division victory and we gotta get ready to go."

But will they have McCoy and Hillis to help lead the charge?

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Pittsburgh is finding more success through the air and is playing its best as the season hits the final month.

View full sizeGene J. Puskar, Associated PressBen Roethlisberger didn't need to throw much in Sunday's dismantling of the Bengals, but his 176 yards through the air moved him past Terry Bradshaw on the franchise's all-time pass yardage list.

Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Thursday, 8:20 p.m. in Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Record: 9-2.

Last game: Beat Bengals, 35-7, Dec. 4, in Pittsburgh.

Coach: Mike Tomlin, 57-26, fourth year.

Series record: Steelers lead, 62-56 (counting postseason).

Last meeting: Steelers won, 41-9, Jan. 2, in Cleveland.

League rankings: Offense is 11th (17th rushing, ninth passing), defense is first (seventh rushing, second passing) and turnover differential is minus-6.

Offensive overview: A walkover win against Cincinnati enabled them to dust off their running game and lowered their season pass-run ratio to 56-44. The new Steelers are throw-first, and that's not going to change. Ultimately, they want to be able to flip a switch and run whenever they want to, like New England, but it hasn't happened yet. To that end, they have switched up their tendencies and run out of spread formations and thrown out of their "big" package. Coordinator Bruce Arians just can't resist the temptation of letting Ben Roethlisberger throw to wideouts Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Wallace has developed into a more complete receiver and is able to make big plays with short passes. Brown is this year's new star, benefiting from the attention Wallace receives as a big-play threat.

Defensive overview: Even though they've both missed games because of injuries, linebackers James Harrison (eight sacks) and LaMarr Woodley (nine) will each post double-digit sack totals for the fourth year in a row. Harrison had three against the Bengals. Coordinator Dick LeBeau's defense often has been vulnerable to spread offenses because of a lack of depth at cornerback. But even though Bryant McFadden has fallen off to special teams duty, the cornerback situation is stronger than in recent seasons with starters Ike Taylor and William Gay, and backups Keenan Lewis and rookie Cortez Allen developing into fine players. Takeaways were a problem early, but they're coming in bunches of late. The defense had four takeaways in the first 39 quarters; eight in the last nine.

Special teams overview: Kicker Shaun Suisham is 18 of 24 in field goals with a long of 49 yards. He has 23 touchbacks on kickoffs. Punter Jeremy Kapinos replaced injured Daniel Sepulveda on Nov. 5. In four games, his gross average is 46.6 yards and his net is 38.5. Antonio Brown had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Bengals. He is second in the AFC with a punt return average of 12.2 yards and is third in kickoff return average (27.8). Of late, Emmanuel Sanders has spelled Brown on kickoffs.

View full sizeGene J. Puskar, Associated PressLed by James Harrison (left) and Troy Polamalu, the Steelers' defense is No. 1 in the league in yards allowed, permitting just 273 per game.

Players to watch

• Linebacker James Harrison: His hits on Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs last year helped to ignite the league crackdown on dangerous hits to the head. In four games since returning from a broken eye bone, Woodley has six sacks.

• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: Another quietly excellent year in the works. He's eighth in the NFL with a 93.6 passer rating. The Ohio native is 12-1 in his career against the Browns.

• Receiver Mike Wallace: As defenses drop back in respect of his over-the-top speed, he has developed as a playmaker with the short pass. He has 58 catches for 977 yards and eight touchdowns.

Injury report: LB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) and RB Mewelde Moore (hamstring) had to leave the last game. OG Ramon Foster (ankle) is questionable. LB Larry Foote (hamstring), LB Chris Carter (hamstring), DT Chris Hoke (neck), and WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) were inactive the last game.

Small world: Former Browns coaches include Bruce Arians (offensive coordinator), John Mitchell (defensive line) and Keith Butler (linebackers). ... Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner was born in Cleveland. ... LB James Harrison is an Akron native and played at Kent State. ... QB Ben Roethlisberger is a native of Findlay, Ohio, and played at Miami (Ohio).

Shurmur updates injuries and talks about the team's problems. Is asked what message he has for the fans.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns coach Pat Shurmur (front) as the Baltimore offense ran out the clock in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' 24-10 win at Cleveland on Sunday.

Berea, Ohio

Browns coach Pat Shurmur's Monday press conference

Shurmur's opening statement:

"Two guys I'll rule out this week, Quinton Spears and T.J. Ward. They will not be ready to play on Thursday. From the game yesterday, Peyton Hillis sustained a left hip strain and I'm going to list him as day-to-day. He is a little bit sore today. Mike Adams, no worse for wear. Chris Gocong, oblique strain, day-to-day, he'll be fine for Thursday. Colt (McCoy), knee sprain, no structural damage, a little bit sore but he'll be day-to-day. Tony Pashos, elbow strain, but he'll be fine. The rest of the guy's will be full go."

"As I mentioned yesterday, you've got to have a short memory when it comes to a day like that. When we win it's a team win that was a team loss. We didn't do anything well enough, we didn't score enough points, we didn't control the run. The two missed field goals and the turnover, those end up being ways to get them stopped, which kept the score relatively close, but we didn't and then we gave up a punt return for a touchdown. You win together, you lose together and we as coaches have to do a better job of getting our guys in the right spot so they can perform. That's where it's at we're on to Pittsburgh. It's a short week as we know. Basically, get a couple of walk-throughs and a big day of practice and then go play against an opponent. We know what they are on offense, with Ben Roethlisberger, outstanding running game and they're first (overall) on defense. Another terrific team that we're going to face, they're coming off a victory, a division victory and we've got to get ready to go. So that's where we're at."

(Questions are paraphrased)

Question: Is there any chance that McCoy won't play on Thursday?

Shurmur: "At this point we'll just have to see. I think he got hit on a screen pass. It was kind of a glancing shot and then he played the whole game so I think he's probably just sore. I wouldn't say that he would miss the game."

Question: Did you seen any progress yesterday?

Shurmur: "I saw some things we did well. We certainly didn't do enough things well enough to win the game though. There were some things we got better at, but not enough."

Question: What did you see that you thought was progress? 

Shurmur: "I'll keep that for a further conversation as we move forward. When you lose the game you didn't do anything well enough."

Question: How involved are you with the special teams, and will you look to make a change in coordinators?

Shurmur: "Well, I think we've had things happen during special teams. I think Chris (Tabor) is a fine coach and our guys are working extremely hard at it. We just need to find a way to be more productive and more consistent."

Question: What jumped out about the run defense from yesterday?

Shurmur: "We let them have some explosive runs, which you can't have. There's going to be times when the runners going to break through the linebacker level and you've got to get them on the ground. Then there are other times when they just picked away at us. There's a mixture of things there that we need to cleanup."

Question: Is it tougher when a division opponent beats you in a specific way?

Shurmur: "Well, the one game at a time scenario comes to mind right now and we'll get a chance to play these guys again here at the end of the year. So, it's one game at a time right now."

Question: Did yesterday show that the team has a long way to go to match up with Baltimore and Pittsburgh?

Shurmur: "Based on last night's performance against Baltimore, yes. I like to think that you're never as bad or never as good after a performance."

Question: How disconcerting was it for the Ravens to run the ball and not be able to stop them?

Shurmur: "Well, we just need to do a better job. I don't know what word I'll use other than we need to do a better job at stopping the run and you have to keep teams from scoring points. We found a way, basically, it was two touchdowns and a field goal. That's the important thing, eliminating scores and the important thing is to score."

Question: Was it an odd game defensively?

Shurmur: "Like I said, it's about eliminating the score. When you give up yardage and that's why the raw yardage numbers aren't always an indicator. Now, it was last night in some ways, but when you get them stopped that's the important thing. Get them stopped and disallow them from scoring."

Question: What's your mindset and the message to the team at this point?

Shurmur: "You just keep pushing. I think that's the important thing. If this were a real easy thing then everybody could do it and so I think you just keep pushing, you just keep pushing. You might get tired of me saying that, but that's what you do and try and find a way to win a game."

Question: Do you feel that you and your staff are putting players in the best position to succeed, or do you not have enough talent to succeed?

Shurmur: "Coaches and players, we've all got to do a better job, that's what I'll say."

Question: ARe you still excited to be a head coach after two-thirds of the season?

Shurmur: "I'm still excited to lead these guys and help pull through what it takes to win games. I'm excited and energized by the challenge that we have ahead and I'm not discouraged, not one bit. I'm not discouraged. Disappointed when we lose. When we win, I'm not so much happy for me when we win. I'm happy for the players, I'm happy for the coaches, I'm happy for the fans, I'm happy for everyone that follows us, fights for us and the guys in that locker room that actually do it. That's what I'm happiest for and I want them to have that feeling."

Question: How did Hillis get hurt?

Shurmur: "Just in general, running the football."

Question: Will Hillis practice?

Shurmur: "He's sore today, so we'll just see how he does through the week here. It'll be a short week. This see how he does through the week thing is a few hours I think."

Question: What's your message to the fans who may have lost faith, and did you see the empty seats in the stands?

Shurmur: "I don't know. I was pretty much concerned about what was going on, on the field. I understand why that happens. It was raining, it was cold, and we were down. I understand why that happens. I don't lose faith on things. I would hope and I would think that the fans won't as well. We're busting our fanny to get this thing right and it will get right."

Question: Why have teams like San Francisco and Carolina been able to make progress in winning games, and why do you keep saying the team is making progress, but it's not being seen in wins?

Shurmur: "I don't want to compare our teams to those teams. I think we got beat by the 49ers and they've had a nice year. We haven't played the Carolina Panthers, so I wouldn't compare us to them."

Question: Is it still tough to evaluate McCoy?

Shurmur: "I have a pretty good feel for what our players are and how they're competing through things. We have four more games here to help do that as well."

Question: How do you feel McCoy played this past week?

Shurmur: "He battled. He battled."

Question: Do you envision making some strides and then taking any step backs down the road?

Shurmur: "You want constant progress and you want it to show up as victories. We didn't play well enough last night to win. I think that's what happened."

Question: What does McCoy need to do to play better?

Shurmur: "I think every player that plays, you see good and bad things. I think every player just needs to be more consistent and every coach needs to be more consistent. There just needs to be more consistency from the first snap to the last. That comes basically by eliminating your errors. He's no different. When we ask the questions about Colt I think it can refer to everybody."

Question: What kind of identity do you want for the offense?

Shurmur: "We want an offense that's an efficient, physical offense that finds a way to score points. Enough points to win, that's what we want."

Question: What is the West Coast offense passing game designed to look like?

Shurmur: "You want to get completions obviously and you want to put the ball in the end zone. That's what you want to do. That's a quick question and there could be a long answer, but you need to get completions. You got to find a way to get big plays and you have to put the ball in the end zone. That's what we want to do."

Question: Do you find yourself saying "we got a long way to go?"

Shurmur: "No, I don't know if I've said that. I think we've got progress to make. When you're at this point in the season and you don't have as many victories as you want to have, then yeah, we got progress to make. I don't know if I would use the phrase 'long way to go'."

Question: Was it disturbing to see dropped passes and can you attribute them to the weather?

Shurmur: "Can't drop balls. Can't drop balls. You just can't do it, especially when they're catchable. We talk about it all the time and the players would tell you. Any ball in the air is ours. If it's thrown by our quarterback or there's, that needs to be the mentality and we've got to get that done."

Question: How about the Browns leading the league in dropped passes?

Shurmur: "We can't drop balls and that's unacceptable. We keep working to correct it. We'll make a special emphasis as we go."

Question: Is it discouraging that it seems the team is not fixing any of the mistakes that were made earlier in the season?

Shurmur: "You can't drop balls, I made that statement. I've seen things improve in areas. We'll talk about them at a later time. We don't want to drop balls, we got that. We need to do the things necessary to win games. Whether it started early or it's finishing late, we just need to keep getting better."

Question: How about the schedule for a Thursday night game?

Shurmur: "We're meeting today. Really there's not much you can do on the cleanup from Baltimore, so we just move right on to Pittsburgh. We've planned ahead on off days, not so much last week, but we've got a jump on what we need to get done. We will have meetings, a walk-through, because it's also important that we try to get their bodies right for a short turnaround. We will practice tomorrow and then have more practice on Wednesday, get on a plane and go down there. It's quick, but I'm used to it. I know how the schedule is supposed to look. We did it in Philadelphia a couple of times. I'm aware of how to do it."

Question: Is the team flying to Pittsburgh?

Shurmur: "Yeah."

Question: Do you have to coach differently when it comes to managing timeouts, regardless of a team's record?

Shurmur: "No, I wouldn't go back on that. I think it's important if you have the field and you have the timeouts, and you have an opportunity to get the ball back before the half, then you certainly use them. I don't care what your record is. I think that's important. You do what you can. Now when the field flips then you don't want to help them. They made a play on us. You don't want to help them. You never know what can happen. You force them to punt, you block a punt. They're all kinds of things. You don't try to characterize it based on, in my opinion, how you think your guys are doing."

Question: Why hasn't the team been able to make big plays?

Shurmur: "There have been games when it has happened, but there have been games when it hasn't on both sides. We've found a way to get some big plays. The idea is to score enough points to win and to keep them from scoring. That's the important thing. When you don't win you don't do that and that's what we need to do."

Question: What's your message to fans?

Shurmur: "I think it's just like everything you do. You just keep plugging ahead and this thing will turn when we least expect it. We just keep pushing. You just keep pushing. Again, I saw some eyes roll in here, so I can tell that maybe doesn't sink in real well. But, I will say this all you do is keep pushing. I don't have the memory of what's happened before. I do know this though, I've been around teams that have won and have built winners. You just be patient."

Question: Is this the core and foundation moving forward of a good team?

Shurmur: "Yeah, I think we've got some good young players that are doing some things well. Without talking about Jabaal Sheard again, played well again yesterday. Phil (Taylor) battled. You have a lot of rookies out there and a lot of first and second year players getting a lot of important playing time. I think that's important. We'll build on it."

Question: What is the mood and confidence level within the locker room right now?

Shurmur: "I think these guys want to win a game and they want to do what it takes to win. I think they're forging forward just like I am."

In an effort to stay basketball-ready during the labor impasse, the 20-year-old Thompson scrimmaged against NBA players training in Texas this fall.

View full sizeCharlie Riedel, Associated Press"Everyone is entitled to their opinion," Cavaliers rookie Tristan Thompson said Monday of fans critical of his selection with the fourth overall pick in last June's draft. "Some people were glad that they picked me, some were wondering if they should have picked the Lithuanian kid (Jonas Valanciunas). I want to come in and play my game and try to win their hearts."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Tristan Thompson's pursuit of higher education at the University of Texas took various forms during the NBA lockout.

The Cavaliers rookie took an introductory broadcasting course, learned about U.S. government, delved into African-American studies and got schooled in defending Tim Duncan on the low block. Actually, the last item isn't offered at UT. It was more of an extra-credit project in San Antonio.

In an effort to stay basketball-ready during the labor impasse, the 20-year-old Thompson scrimmaged against NBA players training in Texas this fall. He hooped with members of the Oklahoma City Thunder, including Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, in Austin. He also made several trips to San Antonio, where the power forward tested his game against a veteran with 21,663 points and four NBA titles.

"I was fortunate to be in that situation to play with other pros and stay in shape," Thompson said. "It was a great experience, guarding Tim Duncan. He's a Hall Of Famer."

Thompson's season figures to be quite a learning experience with the rebuilding Cavaliers. He was one of five players attending an open gym Monday at the franchise's Cleveland Clinic Courts practice facility in advance of Friday's start to training camp.

The lockout-shortened, 66-game schedule will challenge many players, but few more than rookies. A condensed training camp, limited practice time and a rapid-fire succession of games will make it difficult on a youngster trying to absorb coach Byron Scott's intricate Princeton offense.

"Whenever there is a shortened season you lose practice time, but you get to grow in the games," Thompson said. "I'm sure the coach will be on edge because it is a shorter season and it's about winning. You are going to make your mistakes and learn through the game."

The Cavaliers like the athleticism and defensive prowess of the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward. Some were surprised, however, when the club used the fourth overall pick on Thompson and allowed 6-foot-11 Jonas Valanciunas to fall to the Toronto Raptors in the next spot. It appears Valanciunas will remain in the Lithuanian Basketball League this season.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion," Thompson said. "Some people were glad that they picked me, some were wondering if they should have picked the Lithuanian kid. I want to come in and play my game and try to win their hearts ..."

ESPN's SportsScience evaluates Thompson's physical gifts

Thompson, a communications major, said he has taken two final exams, and is completing two others by email. In the coming days he will be joined in Cleveland by another college student, No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving, who's finishing up classes at Duke.

Rarely does the No. 4 choice arrive at training camp in the role of "the other draft pick." Not since 1983 when the Houston Rockets selected Ralph Sampson and Rodney McCray with the first and third selections has a franchise enjoyed two top-4 choices.

"I don't have to worry about anything," said Thompson, laughing. "All the pressure is on Kyrie. ... He's one of the faces of the franchises, you can say. I'm just coming in and doing what Tristan Thompson does well. Hopefully, the fans in Cleveland will love what I do and I'll help win some games."

Pat Shurmur says team's problems in holding onto passes is "unacceptable."

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain Dealer"You can't drop balls," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Monday after Evan Moore and other receivers had another trying afternoon on Sunday. "You just can't do it, especially when they're catchable. ... That needs to be the mentality and we've got to get that done."

BEREA, Ohio -- Here's a major reason the Browns are 30th in the NFL on offense and 28th with 14.6 points per game: They lead the league with 35 dropped passes, according to Stats LLC.

Rookie Greg Little, the Browns' main target, has dropped 11, including six in the past two weeks and two against the Ravens. Tight end Evan Moore dropped one in the end zone Sunday, and tight end Ben Watson let two slip through his hands.

"You can't drop balls," coach Pat Shurmur said Monday. "You just can't do it, especially when they're catchable. We talk about it all the time and the players will tell you -- any ball in the air is ours, thrown by our quarterback or theirs. That needs to be the mentality and we've got to get that done."

As for the Browns leading the league in that dubious category, Shurmur said, "I didn't know that. That's unacceptable and we keep working to correct it and will make a special emphasis as we go."

Not available vs. Steelers: Safety T.J. Ward (foot) and linebacker Quinton Spears (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the Pittsburgh game. Ward will miss his fifth straight game with a sprained foot. He said last week that he's still hopeful to return this season, but has only three games left to do it: at Arizona, at Baltimore and at home against Pittsburgh.

Aches and pains: Linebacker Chris Gocong suffered an oblique strain against Baltimore and right tackle Tony Pashos has a sprained elbow but Shurmur said both should be fine. He said safety Mike Adams came through fine with his shoulder injury. Adams, Peyton Hillis (hip) and Pashos were limited in Monday's light practice.

Mind the gap? Not Joe: Left tackle Joe Thomas disagreed with Josh Cribbs' postgame assessment that there's "a big gap" between the Browns and Ravens.

"That's one player's opinion," said Thomas. "I tend to disagree with that. I think we're just as talented as any team that we face and I think the bottom line is that it comes down to execution and who's going to execute on gameday."

Cornerback Sheldon Brown says "it's a copout" to use lack of talent as an excuse for a 4-8 record.

"We get paid to do a job," he said. "If you made it to this level, you have talent. It's time to look yourself in the mirror and say 'go out and do your job.'"

Brown said everyone needs to step it up a notch.

"At this given moment, I wouldn't say everyone is playing as good as they can," he said. "The teams that win, the more consistent football, they execute a majority of the time."

A message to the fans: Shurmur said he'd tell the fans that the Browns will "just keep plugging ahead, and this thing will turn when we least expect it.

"You just keep pushing. And again, I saw eyes roll in here, so I can tell that that maybe doesn't sink in real well. But I will say this, all you do is keep pushing. And I don't have the memory of what's happened before. I do know this, though, I've been around teams that have won and have built winners, so I think you just be patient.

"I think we've got some good young players that are doing some things well. Jabaal Sheard again played well yesterday. Phil (Taylor) battled. You've got a lot of rookies out there and a lot of first- and second-year players getting a lot of important playing time. So I think that's important and we'll build on it."

He said the mood in the locker room is still good.

"I think these guys want to win a game and they want to do what it takes to win," he said. "And so I think they're forging forward just like I am."

A daunting test: Cornerback Dimitri Patterson said the Browns will find out a lot about a lot of players in these last four weeks.

"We're going to see where they're at, their mental toughness," he said. "Everybody can play when things are going well. But can you play well when things are not going your way? That's the measure of a football player right there."

The Indians may have to wait until Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder sign before trying to upgrade at first base.

View full sizeChris O'Meara, Associated PressWith Tampa Bay in 2011, Casey Kotchman reached career highs in batting average (.306) and OBA (.378) and is a free-agent first baseman this winter.

DALLAS, Texas -- GM Chris Antonetti has moved quickly this off-season. He made his two biggest moves well before the winter meetings with a trade for Derek Lowe and the re-signing of free agent Grady Sizemore.

Antonetti's next move could be at first base, but he'll probably have to wait until Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder become many times richer than they already are. The two free agents have brought the first-base market to a standstill.

Until they sign, most available first basemen are expected to wait to see just what the market will bear. St. Louis is trying hard to keep Pujols, but the Miami Marlins are in the hunt. Milwaukee is doing the same with Fielder, but there is more interest in him because he's four years younger than Pujols.

The Indians are looking for an upgrade over Matt LaPorta. They were fortunate last year because Carlos Santana was able to split time between catcher and first base and still hit effectively despite a .239 average. If they could acquire a run-producing first baseman that allows Santana to spend the majority of the season behind the plate, it may produce the offensive jolt Antonetti seeks. The switch-hitting Santana could still spell the new first baseman to keep his legs strong.

"We can be flexible because Carlos' bat can play no matter where you play him," said Antonetti.

If LaPorta isn't the answer, the Indians could send him to Class AAA Columbus because he has an option left. The rest of their internal options aren't going to sell many tickets: Jack Hannahan and Michael Brantley. That's right, the Indians told Brantley to dust off his first baseman's glove in his exit meeting at the end of last season.

The Nick Johnson experiment didn't work. The Indians signed him last spring hoping his surgically repaired wrist would mend and allow him to rediscover his swing. It didn't happen and he's now a free agent. In the minors, there is no immediate help.

"We still think Matt has a lot of potential," said Antonetti. "He's demonstrated at times in the past that he can be a very effective major-league hitter.

"The challenge for Matt is to demonstrate that consistently over the course of the season. We're hopeful that he can do that and do that as early as next year, but right now our job is to build the best team we can and look at all avenues to improve the team."

LaPorta hit .247 (87-for-352) with 23 doubles, 11 homers and 53 RBI.

Here's his month-by-month performance: .247 in April, .240 in May, .239 in June, .217 in July, .246 in August and .333 in September. He was helpless against lefties, hitting .207 (18-for-87) with one homer and nine RBI.

Should the Indians wait until Pujols and Fielder sign, there's still the money thing. They don't have a lot left to spend, which probably takes them out of the range of Carlos Pena and other free agents like him.

Casey Kotchman might be a possibility. The Indians were interested him last winter before he signed with Tampa Bay for $775,000. Kotchman, a left-handed hitter, hit .306 (153-for-500) with 24 doubles, 10 homers and 48 RBI. He also played an excellent first base.

Trading is another alternative. If the Marlins sign Pujols, which is a big if, Gabby Sanchez might become available. Sanchez, a right-handed hitter, batted .266 (152-for-572) with 35 doubles, 19 homers and 78 RBI.

The Reds reportedly have talked about trading prospect Yonder Alonso, who is blocked by Joey Votto. They want a No.1 starter for Alonso, according to sources, something the Indians can't afford to trade.

The Indians have also talked to lower-rung free agents such as Casey Blake and Mark DeRosa, who were injured last year. They're both right-handed hitters who have seen time at first base.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

With November in the books, there are some interesting basketball story lines brewing in Horizon League men's basketball.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With November in the books, there are some interesting basketball story lines brewing in Horizon League men's basketball. After Cleveland State (8-1, 2-0), at the top of the list has been the play of Valparaiso under first-year head coach Bryce Drew.

The stunner of the opening weekend of conference play was Valpo (6-2, 1-0) going on the road to Butler (4-4, 0-1) and pulling off an upset. True, Butler is in the midst of reloading, but so are the Crusaders -- and they have a new coach. Valpo already has wins over Akron, Duquesne and the Bulldogs, with its losses coming against Arizona and Ohio State.

Milwaukee (7-1, 2-0) joins CSU and Green Bay (4-4, 2-0) as the only Horizon teams with two conference wins the first weekend. Both the Panthers and Phoenix got their wins at home. CSU did it on the road.

The Panthers have built their record to date on the back end of the college hoops landscape. The challenge gets tougher now with DePaul, Northern Iowa, Wisconsin and Marquette upcoming.

State of Cleveland: It isn't unrealistic to think the Vikings could start the season 12-2. Only a game at South Florida looms as a potential setback.

Robert Morris, nosediving Akron, Sam Houston State and Toledo are the other four nonleague games. Unfortunately for CSU, none of those teams will help the power ranking much as the season wears on.

Compare and contrast: In CSU's wins last week at Wright State and Detroit, the Vikings had three stretches of seven minutes or more without a field goal. Coach Gary Waters said that trend could continue all season. He has seen it before.

"It's going to be ugly for us sometimes," said Waters, who compared the Vikings to his first 20-win team at Kent State. "That first Kent State team that went to the NCAAs [1999], that was the ugliest team you could ever watch in basketball. But they could defend the heck out of you. That's what we do.

"We can weather those storms because we play defense. This team is a better defensive team than the one we had last year, and that's without the Defensive Player of the Year [Norris Cole]."

Still, the turnovers have occasionally gotten out of hand. The Vikings had 20 in a win at Kent State; 16 at Wright State; and 18 in the win against Detroit.

"When you've got veterans, they shouldn't be turning the ball over," Waters said.

MAC attack: The conference's surprise teams are Akron -- on the negative side -- and Toledo -- on the positive.

UT, which finished 4-28 last season, is 6-1, albeit against less-than-stellar competition. The real tests are upcoming, with games against Temple and Cleveland State. Still, it wouldn't be a stretch for the Rockets to have nine or 10 wins going into league play.

The Zips (3-4) have lost two straight and four of their past five after beginning the season with a 68-58 upset at Mississippi State. The Zips upgraded their schedule significantly this season, so a loss to Valparaiso, Duquesne, West Virginia or Middle Tennessee wouldn't be alarming. But a loss to all of them is.

Suspensions for point guard Alex Abreu (two games for violation of team rules) and Demetrius Treadwell (bar fight, one game) haven't made the path easy for coach Keith Dambrot, but there also seems to be an undercurrent of locker-room issues.

"The best way I can put it is, too many disruptions and too many distractions," Dambrot said.

The Zips have five days to prepare for Saturday's 2 p.m. game at Cleveland State. The Vikings are looking at a sweep of Kent State and Akron for a second straight season.