In winning its fourth straight game, Kent State (6-1) overcame a 29-26 halftime deficit with a 45-22 domination in the final 20 minutes.

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Chris Evans came off the bench to score 17 points and lead a second-half resurgence as Kent State routed James Madison, 71-51, Tuesday night.

In winning its fourth straight game, Kent State (6-1) overcame a 29-26 halftime deficit and obliterated the Dukes, 45-22, in the second half. James Madison (4-3) finished 24 points below its scoring average of 75 points.

The Dukes scored the first five points of the second half, including a 3-pointer by Humpty Hitchens (11 points) to take a 34-26 lead. An A.J. Davis 3-pointer made it 39-32, but Kent State fashioned a 10-0 run. It included Michael Porrini's 3-pointer and five straight points by Evans. He and Eric Gaines then scored 10 unanswered points.

Gaines, Porrini, Randal Holt and Justin Greene each scored 10 points for the Golden Flashes, who shot 51.9 per cent from the floor (27-of-62) to 33.3 per cent (21-of-63) for James Madison.

Cleveland Browns fans need to be patient.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns coach Pat Shurmur.

After so much enthusiasm at the start of the season, Cleveland Browns fans are in the midst of misery as their favorite team continues to remain at the bottom of the heap in the NFL.

CantonRep.com reporter Todd Porter writes how Sunday’s loss was just another illustration of just how far Cleveland has to go to catch up to the better teams in the NFL.

But Porter reminds us that tThe Browns are what you should have thought they were.

Why?

This is a team devoid of the kind of playmakers contending teams have. Look at the skilled position players on offense. Put yourself in the office of any of the other 31 general managers in the league and ask yourself this:

Which skilled player on Cleveland offense do you want on you team? Who are the one or two skilled players better than anyone you’ve got on your roster?

Keep looking.

Josh Cribbs might be the lone skilled player another GM would want, but they’d want him for his kick and punt return abilities, and those have fallen off, Porter writes. Cribbs remains a fan favorite.

He’s tired of losing. Welcome to the club, Josh. He also has dropped passes, and he isn’t setting the offense up with great returns.

More Cleveland Browns

No time to worry about recent loss (Ohio.com).

McCoy has added weight (The News-Herald).

Cleveland Browns Insider (Cleveland.com).

Chris Hoke is out for the season.

APJames Harrison

 Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes how the Steelers are dealing with the news that defensive lineman Chris Hoke is out for the season.

"It's going to be different," defensive end Brett Keisel said after learning Hoke's season -- and perhaps his career -- was suddenly over. "Today, I looked over, and usually him and Aaron sit together in our defensive line meeting room. It was just strange not seeing him there."

Hoke learned that he needs surgery, writes Bouchette, to repair a problem in his neck.  

More Steelers

James Harrison is a one-man wrecking crew (Ohio.com).

The Steelers may play without LaMarr Woodley (ESPN).

Curtis Brown is a special player (PittsburghLive.com).

Antonio Brown is the special teams player of the week (PittsburghLive.com).

Former OSU basketball player dies.

Columbus Dispatch reporter Bob Baptist writes how former Ohio State basketball player Brent Darby, 30, lost a battle against blood clots and died in a Detroit hospital.

“As a player, I characterized Brent in one word: winner,” said Stone, who coached Darby in high school in River Rouge, Mich., near Detroit, before joining him at Ohio State. Darby led his high-school team to state championships as a junior and senior and also won an AAU national championship.

Darby’s brother, Corwin Jones, said yesterday that doctors never found a cause of the clotting.

Darby went to a Detroit hospital Monday night complaining of pain in his back and legs and was sent home after seven hours, Jones said.

“We told them his history of blood clots. They didn’t X-ray him or anything,” Jones said. “They sent him home in a wheelchair. He came back later because he was hurting too bad. Another doctor did an X-ray and he had blood clots in his legs from the waist down. He stopped breathing.”

Darby played at Ohio State from 1999 to 2003. He ranks fourth in career three-pointers.

Around the Horseshoe

Ohio State has a Gator Bowl history (The Toledo Blade).

Ohio State hoops is something to cheer about (Columbus Dispatch).

We all make mistakes - and it's time to own up to mine.

We all make mistakes.

For years, I wrote that Julius Erving swooped around Mark Olberding of the Lakers on Erving's famous reverse-layup in the 1980 NBA Finals. It was Mark Landsberger.

There was a time, and not that long ago, that I goofed up the arithmetic of the Browns' special teams play and credited Ryan Pontbriand with a long snap to the punter of over 300 miles per hour, when it was really -- those pesky decimal points! -- in the 30-plus mph range.

Hey, I spent much of my life thinking pickles and cucumbers were completely different items, botanically speaking. You mean to tell me a crunchy dill is the same as that blanked cuke that keeps turning up in salads? I am still skeptical. No way.

So when I admit to a mistake in Wednesday's column about Colt McCoy by saying O.J. Simpson was steamrollered and marched upon in "The Naked Gun" by the Southern Cal band when it was really the movie's villain, Ricardo Montalban -- well, it is a small error compared to the jet takeoff snap or the cucumber conundrum.

Pontbriand was cut after several bad snaps and ejected from the team at about 300 mph, however.

And Simpson was clapped on the back as he sat in a wheelchair by Leslie Nielsen in the movie, after which he plunged over the rail of Dodger Stadium's top deck.

Thanks to the readers who caught the error. And O.J. deserved whatever happened to him, anyway.

On today's show, the Browns Insider team of Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff looked back at the loss to the Ravens, ahead to the Steelers game on Thursday and took your questions and comments. Watch video

On today's show, the Browns Insider team of Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff looked back at the loss to the Ravens, ahead to the Steelers game on Thursday and took your questions and comments.

Click on the video to watch them discuss these topics and more:

- What happened against the Ravens?

- Have the Browns made up their minds on Colt McCoy?

- What's up with Josh Cribbs being removed from the offense?

- What really happened during the 'rolling of the eyes' incident at Pat Shurmur's press conference?

- How do the Ravens and Steelers look at the Browns in the division?

- How can the Browns possibly beat the Steelers?

Plain Dealer Cavs writer says team might have the league's toughest schedule. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Bill Lubinger, who is standing in for Branson Wright.

The Cleveland Cavaliers finally had their 2011-12 schedule announced. How many games do you think the Cavs will win this season? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Tom Reed, who says that he sees the team winning 20-22 games and ending up with another high draft pick in 2012. He also talks about what to expect in the second year of coach Byron Scott; which games Cavs fans should be most excited about; and whether Kyrie Irving should be the starting point guard.

SBTV will return Thursday.

Omri Casspi is ready to go.

Associated PressFormer Sacramento forward Omri Casspi is now with the Cavaliers.

Physical condition was one of the concerns once the players returned from the lockout, writes News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan.

One player the Cavaliers don't have to worry about is small forward Omri Casspi, Finnan writes. He suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee in August while training with the Israeli national team.

The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder had two MRIs performed on his knee. The second one about three weeks ago gave him a clean bill of health.

"It came out extremely well," he said. "My knee was fully recovered. I've been working out for the last two months and am ready to go."

The Cavaliers acquired Casspi from Sacramento along with a conditioning first-round pick in June in exchange for J.J. Hickson.

More Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers schedule (Cleveland.com).

More on the upcoming schedule (Ohio.com).

Tyrell Biggs relishes role with Canton Charge (CantonRep).

"If I'm a GM on another team, I'm hoping the Browns are stupid enough to let Hillis go. Let's get real here - this year Hillis has been injured. How many other backs in the league are also injured, but Hillis, for whatever reason, has been ravaged by the press and fans. Why? What did he do that was so bad? Every time he plays, he contributes He's a downhill runner with great hands. How many of these guys are there in this league? Not many." - robbert

View full sizePD filePeyton Hillis

"If I'm a GM on another team, I'm hoping the Browns are stupid enough to let Hillis go. Let's get real here - this year Hillis has been injured. How many other backs in the league are also injured, but Hillis, for whatever reason, has been ravaged by the press and fans. Why? What did he do that was so bad? Every time he plays, he contributes He's a downhill runner with great hands. How many of these guys are there in this league? Not many."

"The Dolans have just moved to the point where they're no longer interested in giving young players that first large MLB contract. They think because they have a couple of players the system finally produced that they'll be able to duplicate that. While other teams are building, this ownership is pulling back even farther. Don't look for much help for the youngsters. They'll need to make it on their own and soon." - AxeMalvis

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerAsdrubal Cabrera is the type of player the Indians used to give extensions to in years past.

"The Dolans have just moved to the point where they're no longer interested in giving young players that first large MLB contract. They think because they have a couple of players the system finally produced that they'll be able to duplicate that. While other teams are building, this ownership is pulling back even farther. Don't look for much help for the youngsters. They'll need to make it on their own and soon."

"This was essentially a two star draft, and we got one at an important position in Irving. Irving does have all-star upside. The Cavs are not going to be a .500 team this year, but they will be improved just based on having Davis and Varejao the whole season, as well as the two kids playing minutes that used to go to garbage." - mazzmann

View full sizeAP Photo | Gerry BroomeCavaliers fans will get to see Kyrie Irving in action in less than 20 days.

"This was essentially a two star draft, and we got one at an important position in Irving. Irving does have all-star upside. The Cavs are not going to be a .500 team this year, but they will be improved just based on having Davis and Varejao the whole season, as well as the two kids playing minutes that used to go to garbage."

One victim claims abuse in 1997, the other in 2004.

Associated PressA Nov. 5, 2011 file photo shows former Penn State football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, center, wearing handcuffs as he is escorted to the office of Centre County Magisterial District Judge Leslie A. Dutchcot, in State College, Pa. Sandusky was arrested on additional charges added today.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Ex-Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested and arraigned today on new sex abuse charges brought by two new accusers, including one who claims Sandusky molested him numerous times in a basement bedroom, according to authorities.

The claims bring the number of Sandusky's alleged victims to 10 and he now faces more than 50 charges stemming from accusations he molested boys for years on Penn State property, in his home and elsewhere. The scandal has raised questions about whether Penn State officials did all they should have to stop the alleged activity and ended the careers of the school's president and football coach Joe Paterno.

Sandusky was first arrested last month and has said he is innocent. The new charges were brought after new accusers were questioned by a grand jury.

Like earlier accusers, both alleged victims say they met Sandusky through The Second Mile charity for at-risk children that the ex-coach founded in 1977.

"As in many of the other cases identified to date, the contact with Sandusky allegedly fit a pattern of 'grooming' victims," Attorney General Linda Kelly said in a statement. "Beginning with outings to football games and gifts; they later included physical contact that escalated to sexual assaults."

A call seeking comment from Sandusky's lawyer, Joseph Amendola, was not immediately returned. Sandusky has denied being a pedophile and has vowed to fight the case. In interviews with NBC and The New York Times, he has said he showered and horsed around with boys but never sexually abused them.

One of the new alleged victims, dubbed Victim 9 by prosecutors, claims he was first assaulted in 2004, and the other, called Victim 10, told the grand jury he was assaulted after being referred to Second Mile in 1997.

The ninth accuser, currently 18, was 11 or 12 when he first met Sandusky in 2004. Sandusky took him to Penn State football games and gave him gifts and money, and later sexually assaulted him during overnight stays in a basement bedroom in Sandusky's home, the grand jury said.

The accuser said that Sandusky forced the boy to perform oral sex and attempted on at least 16 occasions to anally penetrate him, sometimes successfully. "The victim testified that on at least one occasion he screamed for help, knowing that Sandusky's wife was upstairs, but no one ever came to help him," the grand jury report said.

The 10th accuser told the grand jury he was referred to The Second Mile in 1997, when he was 10 and experiencing problems at home. He also attended Penn State games, spent time at Sandusky's house, and was subjected to "wrestling sessions" in the basement of the home that led to Sandusky performing oral sex on the boy, authorities said. The accuser also detailed incidents at a pool on the Penn State campus, and a time when Sandusky allegedly exposed himself in a car and requested oral sex from the boy.

The new charges include four counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, all of them first-degree felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Sandusky also was charged with a count of indecent assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of children. Those are third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines.

He was arrested by state police and agents of the Attorney General's Office, and had a preliminary arraignment before Senior Magisterial District Judge Robert E. Scott of Westmoreland County. A preliminary hearing on the charges is set for Tuesday, the same day his previous case is set for a hearing.

Sandusky had been charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight young boys over a 15-year span.

With Pujols no longer an option, the wheeling-and-dealing Marlins have turned their attention to free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, according to the Daily News.

Albert Pujols has played his entire career with the Cardinals. (AP Photo)

Albert Pujols apparently is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals, at least in the opinion of the Miami Marlins.

After mounting a strong push to sign Pujols this week, the Marlins have dropped out of the race for the first baseman, according to the New York Daily News. Sources have told the newspaper that the Cardinals and Pujols are "a few million dollars apart" on a 10-year contract.

With Pujols no longer an option, the wheeling-and-dealing Marlins have turned their attention to free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, according to the Daily News.

For a time Tuesday, it appeared Pujols would be the latest high-profile free agent to sign with the Marlins—joining shortstop Jose Reyes and closer Heath Bell. The team reportedly offered the three-time NL MVP and nine-time NL All-Star a 10-year contract worth $220 million. However, the Cardinals then upped their offer to an identical 10-year, $220 million deal, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

FOXSports.com reported the Los Angeles Angles and Chicago Cubs also were in the mix for Pujols, though it never was confirmed whether their offers approached those of the Cardinals’ and Marlins’.

The Marlins had hoped to get a decision from Pujols on Tuesday night, but that never came. By Wednesday afternoon, they were ready to turn their focus to Fielder. In addition, Miami has been linked to free-agent lefthanders C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle.

Pujols has spent his entire 11-season major league career with St. Louis, which drafted him in the 13th round in 1999. He is a career .328 hitter and has amassed 445 homers and 1,329 RBIs. He has reached three World Series with the franchise, winning championships in 2006 and 2011.

Jamison regrets grumbling about losing his starting spot last season

View full sizeAP fileAntawn Jamison says he's eager to help mentor young forwards Samardo Samuels and Tristan Thompson -- even if that means a reduction in playing time.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Antawn Jamison is the only Cavaliers player who was a part of the 1998-99 NBA lockout that reduced the season to 50 games over three months.

So what was his initial reaction Monday night to the unveiling of the Cavs’ 66-game schedule, one that spans just 122 days?

“Wow. That’s all you can say,” Jamison said laughing. “Even though it’s 14 years ago, I was just thinking about how my body felt then as a rookie you try to mentally prepare yourself for so many games in a compact season.”

Jamison joined a group of 10 players working out Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic Courts practice facility. The 35-year-old power forward says his fractured left pinkie is completely healed and he’s eager to be part of the franchise’s rebuilding process.

He doesn’t expect to be traded or waived through the amnesty clause. (Baron Davis is considered the primary amnesty candidate, if the Cavs use the provision.)

“I look at it as, ‘If I didn’t go anywhere last year, I’m not going anywhere this year,’” said Jamison, who’s likely to start. “My value now is even greater than it was last year with Tristan and Samardo (Samuels) being here. These guys can learn a lot from me.”

A couple other Jamison, NBA notes:

• He had nine screws and two plates inserted into his pinkie and hand. He suffered the injury on Feb.27 in a game against Philadelphia. It’s a nasty looking digit that will could remain permanently crooked.

• Jamison said he regrets grousing last season when coach Byron Scott benched him in favor of J.J. Hickson. The experience, he said, toughened him mentally. He’s willing to mentor rookie power forward Tristan Thompson, even if it means serving as a backup again this season.

“Last year was a tough time. The coaching staff and me have a better understanding. I was disappointed with myself how I handled the beginning of the season. I love the organization.”

• Jamison was surprised by the off-season Hickson trade, but likes what he sees in Omri Casspi.

"I like what he brings to the table and what he brings to the this team, the toughness. He brings a certain dimension – being able to shoot it and put it on the floor and a certain toughness that we didn’t have last year,” he said.

• The Cavs have 10 of their 16 players participating in voluntary workouts at the facility. Rookie Kyrie Irving, finishing up classes at Duke, could be here as soon as Thursday. Davis is expected in town on Thursday night.

• NBA players were to begin voting electronically Wednesday on the new collective bargaining agreement. The rank-and-file have until late afternoon Thursday to complete voting.

Saturday night's $162,200 Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park is a return to the good, old days for trainer Ron Burke.

Photo courtesy of Dover DownsWestwardho Hanover wins at Dover Downs with a career best 1:49.1 mile with David Palone in the sulky.

 Saturday night's $162,200 Jay Auto Group Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park is a return to the good, old days for noted Pennsylvania trainer Ron Burke, who is bringing along heavily-favored Westwardho Hanover.

"We used to race some of our best horses in the Saturday night features at Northfield Park," said Burke, who lives in Canonsburg, Pa., just a stone's throw from The Meadows Racetrack.

 "Northfield Park is a great place to race, an Ohio track where people still like to come out and watch. Ohio is one state that truly loves harness racing."

Burke said he is rooting for Northfield Park to soon get new forms of gambling to enhance its purses and racing programs.

 "Casino gambling has given The Meadows a big boost," Burke said. "With Ohio's harness racing tradition, it can happen for Northfield Park, as well."

 It is costing $15,000 for Burke's Westwardho Hanover to be a supplemental entrant in the 10-horse field for the Cleveland Classic, a horse that has sparkled since Burke took over as trainer from Tim Pinske in late September. The sophomore has since won three races, with a pair of seconds and two thirds, for Burke and the Westward Ho Stable. Director of Racing Dave Bianconi has established Westwardho Hanover as the even-money morning line favorite to add to his season bankroll of $404,488, $351,368 since Burke took over the training.

"The biggest thing we did was to give Westwardho Hanover the opportunity to race more often," said Burke. "He's a beautiful animal, but has a tendency to be kind of lazy, an easy-going pacer. I felt he needed more racing experience, and we needed to be more aggressive with him. We pushed him harder and asked him to do more."

The son of Dragon Again responded, pacing a Dover Downs mile in a career best of 1:49.1 with Dave Palone in the sulky. Palone returns on Saturday, said Burke, who is also sending out Southwind Milo, who has raced in New York Sires Stakes this season. 

 Burke said the Cleveland area weather is his only concern. Last year, a snow storm hit the track as the horses went to post for the Cleveland Classic. Fans couldn't see the pacers as they headed down the backstretch, and the drivers were almost blinded by the snow. One More Laugh ($2.60), driven by Tim Tetrick, won in 1:52.1, a head better than Valentino.

"If the weather is good, the best horse usually wins," Burke said. "If the weather is really bad, it opens the door for an upset."

To try and watch last year's Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park as it is raced despite a blizzard, check the video below. The race call is a salute to premier track announcer Ayers Ratliff, who managed to describe the race in its entirety.

Holding the Cleveland Classic so late in the year gives Northfield Park a chance to attract top talent. It gives owners of three-year-old colts one last chance to race against their age group before taking on the powerhouse older horses in open races after Jan. 1.

Westwardho Hanover has the No. 5 post in the large field, the 11th race on a 14-race program. Top rivals Mystic Desire and Audreys Dream are expected to be hampered by the No. 9 and No. 8 posts, respectively, tough starting positions in a large field on a tight half-mile track.

"Mystic Desire has been racing against some tough company, winning 3 of 14 this year with career earnings of $607,924," said Bianconi. "Audreys Dream has been hot lately, coming off back-to-back wins at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. A Rocknroll Hanover gelding, he didn't race as a two-year-old, but paced a 1:50 career  mile last time out.

"They're both tough closers, but I think they're going to need someone to push Westwardho Hanover early in the race to give them a chance to come on at the end." 

 Completing the field are Southwind Milo, Best Man Hanover, Mach of Ballykeel, Upfront Ellijay Ed, Camgrandest, Something for Doc and Onhishonor Hanover.

$162,000 Jay Auto Group Cleveland Classic
Post    Horse                      Trainer                    Driver                     Morning Line 1.    Southwind Milo            Ronald Burke          Ryan Stahl             5-1
2.     Best Man Hanover      Perry Smith             Dan Noble             10-1
3.     Mach of Ballykeel        Richard Moreau       TBA                        20-1
4.    Upfront Ellijay Ed        James Arledge         Dan Noble              25-1
5.    Westwardho Hanover Ronald Burke          David Palone          1-1
6.     Camgrandest             Patrick Curtain        Eric Carlson            12-1
7.     Something For Doc     Brian Brown            Tony Hall                6-1
8.    Audreys Dream           Benjamin Wallace    Jody Jamieson        8-1
9.     Mystic Desire             Ross Croghan          Peter Wrenn          4-1
10.    Onhishonor Hanover Perry Smith             Dan Noble             15-1

 Noble clings to lead: Reinsman Dan Noble has been ringing up the wins at Northfield Park, and has needed every one of them to stay in the lead in the North American Driving Championships. Noble has 728 winners,  just one more than George Brennan after Tuesday night's action. Noble may have the edge as the two drivers head into the final few weeks of 2012. Brennan plans to miss the final week of racing, while Noble is ramping up to compete in every race at Northfield through Dec. 30, the final live racing program here.

 With the incomparable Tim Tetrick adding driving victories at a torrid pace, Noble will be looking over his shoulder. Tetrick, of Runnemede, N.J., set the national standard in 2007 with 1,189 wins. This year, Tetrick has 711 victories and if he wants to vigorously chase another national title, he could fill his driving dance cards at eastern tracks this month. 

 Tetrick must like to race, and often. While Noble has competed in 2,594 races this year, Brennan has driven in 2,658 and Tetrick has taken an amazing 3,201 sulky rides, an average of more than 66 races each and every week in 2011.

 Munroe joins OSRC: The chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party, Mark Munroe of Boardman was named to the Ohio State Racing Commission last week by Gov. John Kasich. Only one OSRC member, William Koester, still remains from the 2010 commission. Munroe isn't shy about his mission on the commission. He told the Youngstown Vindicator he's looking forward to representing the Mahoning Valley and supports the move of Toledo's Raceway Park to 186-acre Centerpointe business park in Austintown. 

 Penn National Gaming Inc. is ready to announce a moving date for Raceway Park, a harness racing track. PNGI is only waiting for relocation fees to be set and Ohio's seven tracks to get the green light to install video lottery terminals, or slots.

The Indians had interest in the veteran first baseman, but he apparently didn't return it.

View full sizeGene J. Puskar, Associated PressPotential free-agent first baseman Derrek Lee is apparently not that interested in an offer from the Indians.

DALLAS, Texas -- First baseman Derrek Lee will apparently turn down the Pirates' offer of arbitration by tonight's midnight deadline.

On the surface that would appear to be good news for the Indians. They've been interested in Lee, 36, since he filed for free agency at the end of last season. Apparently Lee's interest in the Indians is not as strong, which has all but scuttled a possible deal.

It's too bad because Lee's a right-handed hitter who offers more power and consistency than the Indians are getting from Matt LaPorta. Lee hit .267 (116-for-435) with 17 doubles, 19 homers and 59 RBI for Baltimore and Pittsburgh last year.

Lee made $7.25 million last year and has a history of back and wrist injuries. At the end of last season he talked about retiring.

First baseman Carlos Pena has already turned down the Cubs' arbitration offer. He's a left-handed hitter looking for a multiyear deal, which would probably put him out of the Indians reach. Pena hit .225 (111-for-493) with 27 doubles, 28 homers, 80 RBI last season. The Cubs signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract.

The Indians did meet with agent Scott Boras on Tuesday night. Boras not only represents Pena, but right-handed hitting outfielder Andruw Jones as well. Jones would fit in nicely with the Indians' left-handed dominated outfield.

The Indians would not lose a draft pick by signing Lee or Pena. The Pirates and Cubs would receive draft picks as compensation.

Scout's eyes: Here's what a scout said about veteran right-hander Derek Lowe: "He is going to support that pitching staff. He's not what he was, but he's not going to go down. He missed one start in the last four years."

The Indians acquired Lowe from Atlanta in on Oct. 31.

Thumbs up: Phillies manager Charlie Manuel on Sandy Alomar Jr., "I think he's ready to manage now. He's accountable. Players will follow him."

Alomar interviewed with the Cubs and Red Sox this winter.

Manuel was the Indians hitting coach when Alomar played with the Tribe. Alomar will be the Indians' bench coach this year.

Regarding Jim Thome, Manuel said he plans to get him 200 at-bats between pinch-hitting and playing some first base.

Words from Jose Reyes: The Marlins officially announced the signing of the former Mets shortstop to a six-year, $106 million contract.

Regarding leaving the Mets, he said, "It was time to move on. The Mets didn't want me there. They never made a real offer."

Marlins say shortstop Hanley Ramirez is ready to move to third base to make room for Reyes. That remains to be seen.

More Marlins: Following the official announcement of Reyes, the Marlins reportedly reached a four-year, $58 million deal with lefty Mark Buehrle. The deal would reunite Buehrle with former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

Texas had been interested in Buehrle, but felt he wasn't a good fit for their ballpark. They also felt he was better suited for the National League at this point in his career.

No dice: The Indians talked with reliever Dan Wheeler's agent, but bullpen help is not a high on their priority list. The Red Sox offered Wheeler arbitration.

Maybe yes, maybe no: The Indians haven't decided if they'll send scout to Texas next week to watch former Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya throw a BP session.

It's tough to get an accurate read on Colt McCoy because he doesn't have anyone to help him stretch the field vertically, says NFL Network's Mike Mayock.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerAs Colt McCoy prepares for his 20th start since debuting last season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Network's Mike Mayock still sees potential hindered by the Browns' inability to stretch the field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's tough to decide if Colt McCoy can be the Browns' quarterback of the future, because he doesn't have a deep threat like Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace or Cincinnati's A.J. Green, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who will work Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

"I think the kid's got the deck stacked against him a little bit right now," Mayock said in a phone interview. "They don't really have anyone like a Wallace or Green that can stretch the field for them vertically, and that's a difficult thing when you're a quarterback. Basically, you're kind of playing small ball. You're trying to run the football and move the chains with a lot of play-action and underneath stuff. And at some point, you've got to be more than that."

Mayock said Denver's Tim Tebow is getting all of the attention, "but Colt McCoy is one of the more interesting quarterbacks around the league that has to be evaluated. It's important to figure out whether or not this is your long-term guy."

Mayock, who's also the network's top draft analyst, charted all of the McCoy's 69 passes over the past two games (and one by Seneca Wallace) and pinpointed the major problem.

"I think the thing I've been frustrated with and it's not really just about Colt, it's more about what's happening offensively, is that by my notes, 55 of the 70 throws have been within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage," said Mayock. "Eight of them were between 11 and 20 and seven were 20 or more. I think it's really hard to evaluate a quarterback when he's not making the downfield throws."

Overall this season, McCoy is 30th in the NFL with an average gain of 5.90 yards per completion.

"He's not making the downfield throws and what's really happening is that teams are starting to squat on the wideouts, and it's difficult to watch when your offense is so compressed. It's an old-school West Coast offense -- a lot of three- and five-step drop, get the ball out of your hand. I understand it, but at some point you've got to watch this kid throw the ball. You've got to see more of the intermediate routes that demonstrate arm strength."

Mayock said it's imperative McCoy -- who's probable for tonight with his right knee injury -- proves he can succeed in bad-weather division games. In each of the past two games, against Cincinnati and Baltimore, McCoy has completed fewer than 50 percent of his attempts. Of course, at least 10 dropped passes didn't help.

"I'm a big believer that in the AFC North, you've got to have a quarterback who can hold up in the bad weather," he said. "Let's face it, the last couple of games by the Browns have been in tough weather, cold, rain or whatever. You have to have a quarterback with a big-enough arm that can hold up in the bad winds and all of the other elements."

Another reason for the compressed offense, Mayock said, is because of a lack of premier wideouts in general.

"Maybe the wide receivers aren't getting as much respect as you'd like," he said. "Greg Little is having a good year, but he's dropped four or five passes [actually six] in the two games I've watched. Mohamed Massaquoi is a pretty good receiver and Josh Cribbs obviously has the 'wow' factor, but he's certainly not a polished receiver."

Mayock has liked what he's seen from Little despite the drops.

"He's very raw, but I think he can develop into a very good NFL receiver. He's got good size and straight-line speed. But he certainly would benefit from having a Mike Wallace-type next to him."

Mayock saw sufficient arm strength from McCoy on a 24-yard TD pass to Jordan Norwood in the Bengals game, which made him think there's potential.

"He threw a seam route for a touchdown, and it was a really good throw," said Mayock. "Was it a strong-arm throw right down the seam? Yes. You go, 'that was pretty good.' So you take that in your head and you're going 'okay, if we had an A.J. Green or a Mike Wallace, would we be seeing more of that?' That's what makes this thing so difficult to evaluate."

Mayock said the Browns are doing what they can to win games, so they're not particularly interested in finding out of McCoy can get the ball downfield. "But they can see in practice whether or not he can make all the throws," he said.

Mayock said an encouraging factor is the team has the foundation for a good, young offensive line.

"If you have that, then should be able to run the ball in the AFC North," he said. "Then you have to decide: 'Can Colt McCoy be our guy if we get him the right weapons?' You have to look at a lot of things, including what does our wide receiver group look like this year and what will it look like a year or two down the road? What will we do to get an A.J. Green or a Mike Wallace, and what will that do for Colt McCoy?"

Last season, Mayock watched tape of the Browns' victory over New England last season and was convinced McCoy had a bright future.

"I thought he had a phenomenal game for a rookie quarterback," he said. "I remember watching the tape and thinking 'that's really good, that's something you can really work with.'"

Now after a 6-14 record in 20 starts, Mayock thinks the jury is still out.

"I'm anxious to see him in Pittsburgh against this No. 1 defense and see what happens," he said. "I need to see some more throws and I need to see him play against good defenses like these. ... If I were grading him right now, it would be incomplete."

The same goes for Browns coach Pat Shurmur, who said this week that he has a good read on McCoy, but will wait until the year is over.

"I think right now he's our quarterback. He's standing right next to me battling through this season and I think that's the important thing," Shurmur said. "We just keep battling, that's what we do."

He acknowledged that division games will carry the most weight. McCoy is 0-7 in the division.

"I think that's the starting point," he said. "That's how you get in the playoffs and it's the first goal of any organization is to win your division because then you're guaranteed a spot in the postseason. I think from a total evaluation standpoint, we'll have to look at the whole year in total."

Hillis questionable: Running back Peyton Hillis (hip) is among three Browns who were limited in practice on Wednesday and questionable for the game. The others are safety Mike Adams (shoulder) and right tackle Tony Pashos (ankle). Linebacker Chris Gocong (hip) and running back Montario Hardesty (calf) are probable.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The Vikings are in the midst of another push toward the Top 25, anchored by three straight road wins entering Thursday's game at Robert Morris.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer"If we keep winning ballgames, my point totals and everything will come along with that," says Cleveland State's senior guard Tre Harmon on his early shooting struggles this season. "I put the team first."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fast starts are nothing new for the Cleveland State men's basketball team. Last season, the Vikings came out of the gate with a 12-1 start, threatening to land in the Top 25 polls before a loss stopped that charge.

This season offers the same storyline. Going into Thursday's game at Robert Morris (7-2) in Pittsburgh, CSU stands at 8-1. The Vikings have flirted once with landing in the Top 25, and are now in the midst of another push, anchored by three straight road wins. Playing the Colonials marks the final game in a seven-game road stretch.

For CSU senior guard Tre Harmon, none of this early success is a surprise.

"This was one of our goals," he said. "It's what we expected. We worked all summer, and it's starting to show, starting to pay off. But we have one mission, and that's to stay humble to ourselves, don't get ahead of ourselves, and hopefully we can keep this streak going."

The streak has come while Harmon has been offensively inconsistent, averaging 9.4 points per game. Since scoring a season-high 20 in a win over St. Bonaventure on Nov. 18, Harmon has scored in double figures only twice in six games.

However, coach Gary Waters is not concerned. "As long as he's playing defense like he's been doing, it's hard to be upset," Waters said.

Harmon is not too worried, either.

"That's going to come," he said. "We've got a long season ahead of us. My job is to direct these guys into the right light so we can keep winning ballgames. If we keep winning ballgames, my point totals and everything will come along with that. I put the team first. My stats sheet will fill up as much as possible toward the middle and the end of the season. I'm just being patient and letting the game come to me."

Part of Harmon's struggles -- 34.4 percent from the field and 29.2 percent on 3-pointers -- could well be the result of trying to diversify his game. Known primarily as a 3-point ace, the California native spent last summer improving his other skills.

"My ball-handling, shooting off the dribble," he began. "Slashing and taking the ball to the basket. I know I can shoot. That's always going to be there. Now I've got to start playing above the rim. I worked on as much of my game as I could to make me a complete ballplayer."

A more complete Harmon would make the Vikings even more lethal as the season continues.

Peyton Hillis once seemed like the surest way for the Browns to match up with the division heavyweights. Now with Hillis fighting another injury, it's hard to imagine what could happen the next four weeks to restore trust between the Browns and Hillis for 2012.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerThere was a time just 12 months ago that the Cleveland Browns and Peyton Hillis appeared inseparable. Does anyone still have that feeling today? Anyone?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Step right up to the Peyton Hillis sideshow while it lasts...

Joe Theismann's take on Tim Tebow is to "enjoy the circus while it's in town." Unfortunately, that advice doesn't translate for Browns fans after 12 years of walking behind the elephants.

Hillis was the closest we've come lately to Tebow-like excitement here. But no longer is he the circus strongman who once upon a fairy-tale season represented the surest way for the Browns to ring the bells of the division heavyweights, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Now with one Ravens game down and the first Steelers meeting Thursday in Pittsburgh, it's difficult to imagine what could occur over the next month to restore trust between the Browns and Hillis going into 2012.

If management doesn't quite understand the prevailing depression around town in the first year of Pat Shurmur, Hillis' season is at the heart of it. So, to a lesser extent, is Colt McCoy. Nobody expected a winning record. But they did expect to go into 2012 knowing key pieces were not only in place on offense but boasting future promise. That's not the case with either McCoy or Hillis, let alone with the head coach.

Of the three, Hillis seemed the best bet to persevere. He was his old self on the first couple carries against Baltimore Sunday, then morphed into his newest incarnation for the remainder of the day. That included an extended period on the sideline nursing another injury.

I'm not sure what you'd call it when the most optimism one can stir where the Browns and Hills are concerned is that maybe, just maybe they can both agree now on his reduced market value. Yay ... I think.

Having thought he had earned something near Chris Johnson status on the Browns when the season began, his contributions now scream Chris Ogbonnaya. No one should expect him to see it that way, especially since he had reason to wonder where he fit in even before the strep throat and hamstring issues. What has to happen for Hillis to trust the Browns will use him properly next year -- if they didn't this season when he was clearly their biggest offensive weapon? On a team short of receiving skills, his legs (and hands) recommended him.

Though I will say Hillis quickly frittered away any sympathy stemming from the way they used him or his unsigned status. How can the Browns trust a guy who called his agent for advice on whether he should play with strep throat? Minus that, how much hope (and money) do they put into a running back who takes a beating and will always take a beating?

Hillis' future in Cleveland is muddled even more by the fact he isn't exactly backed up by an Ironman. They auditioned Montario Hardesty out of necessity, or at least in an attempt at leverage, but what have they learned about him that would make them feel good about letting Hillis walk?

Shurmur still uses the word "physical" when he talks about his ideal offense. But the Browns aren't that. And as they face a Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Pittsburgh finish -- with a challenge at Arizona thrown in -- there's no apparent joy to be found in watching what remains of the Hillis sideshow.

SPINOFFS

USA Today reported Tuesday the pursuit of Albert Pujols was down to three teams: the Cardinals, Marlins and a "third team that has not publicly identified itself."

Well-played, Chris Antonetti...

MLB is the first professional sports league to set a dress code for media. The list of banned fashions includes visible undergarments, excessively short skirts or anything with a team logo. That's fine. But the list also includes "bare midriff shirts." And that hurts, given that I've already sent my Christmas wish list to family and friends.

Dress Code Part II: Baseball's athletic trainers believe outsiders wearing flip-flops in clubhouses is unsanitary. No doubt about it. When media members get hit with flying jockstraps and balls of used ankle tape, at least they'll be wearing appropriate footwear...

The Boston Celtics will appear 31 times on TV. The Raptors and Cavs will appear once. Meanwhile the Lakers won't play in Cleveland, Indiana or Charlotte this season as part of the NBA's 66-game schedule.

Good thing the small-market teams used the lockout to wrestle back control of the sport in other meaningful ways, none of which comes immediately to mind...

A Canadian beauty queen faces criminal charges for her part in the Stanley Cup street riots in Vancouver last summer. Sophie LaBoissonniere is accused of taking part in a mob that burglarized a drug store. As the winner of the Miss Congeniality title at the Miss Coastal Vancouver pageant, LaBoissonniere faces a second charge of being overly ironic...

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerHe created great excitement on the field in a different Browns era ... until he didn't.

A New Yorker magazine profile of Jon Gruden points out that while he's famous for never criticizing players as a broadcaster, he often rips underachieving players in private. Obviously it's because the disingenuous Gruden wants to coach again and doesn't want to alienate anybody.

But the story said, "His enthusiasm isn't meant to fool the fans. It's meant to motivate and inspire them, as if they were players."

C'mon. Seriously now. I only hope the author of the story writes my obit.

SORT OF SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Tommy Vardell and the Touchdown Squirrel -- Bob H

2011 Cleveland Browns and the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010 Cleveland Browns. -- Matt D, Brunswick

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe biggest cheers in the stadium came from a lengthy dash from this Cleveland athlete ... who might be as fast as Touchdown Tommy.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

"Bud:

"Congrats on joining the Browns passing attack. I see that you equaled Josh Cribbs in the number of passes that Colt threw your way last Sunday." -- Gary, Wickliffe

We have something else in common. We both would've been happier spending the day in the Muni lot.

"Bud:

"What's your favorite thing about college basketball? That (A) the regular season is practically meaningless; B) a team can finish sixth in its conference and qualify for the NCAA tournament; or (C) the final minute-and-a-half of close, exciting games are anesthetized into tedium by six timeouts and 20 minutes of commercials?" -- Ignatowski

When Dick Vitale stops talking.

"Bud:

"The similarities between Norman Chad's Ask The Slouch and You Said It makes me wonder if you have considered hiring NBA players union lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to represent you in an infringement suit?" -- Tim Corbett

No. I can't say this often enough. They're totally different. One is cutting-edge funny. The other is "You Said It."

"Bud:

"I didn't believe the Harry Potter saga was real until Sunday when -- while sitting in Browns Stadium -- I saw Dementors descending from the skies, draining hope and sucking out every happy memory from the pitiful assemblage!" -- Dennis Kolesar

Don't be so dramatic. For me, the scene only conjured "Apocalypse Now."

"Hey Bud:

"I used the voice recognition feature on my Droid to ask what time the Browns game was on. It told me to go rake leaves. Is that why they call it a smart phone?" -- Bob H, Medina

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

"Bud:

"LeBron criticized the Cowboys' play in the fourth quarter of an important game. Does that make him the pot or the kettle?" -- Chuck Levin

Repeat winners receive a virtual trip to South Beach.

"Bud:

"Is betting on the Steelers this week gambling or an investment?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners also receive favorite status.

On Twitter: @budshaw

If the Indians had as good a read on Ubaldo Jimenez as they do Carlos Santana, they'd probably feel a lot better about the coming season.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"We feel that if he's able to control his lower half and be consistent with the strength of his stride, then the strike-throwing department will improve," Tribe manager Manny Acta said Wednesday of the team's optimism for Ubaldo Jimenez.

DALLAS, Texas -- Catcher, first baseman or DH, the Indians know one thing about Carlos Santana.

"I'll tell you what Santana is. Santana is a very good middle-of-the-order bat. Wherever you put him, he's going to produce," said manager Manny Acta to reporters on Wednesday at the winter meetings.

The Indians wish they had that much of a grasp on Ubaldo Jimenez. Is he the lead dog starter he looked like in the first part of the 2010 season for the Colorado Rockies? Or is he the mechanical mess they acquired in a trade that shook the organization on July 31?

This winter they have taken similar, but not identical steps to discover more about two of the players that will help determine if the Indians can improve on their 80-win performance last season. Santana and Jimenez have spent most of the off-season in their native Dominican Republic. Indians trainer Nelson Perez was sent there to oversee their conditioning sessions.

The Indians told Santana not to play winter ball because of his workload last season after undergoing knee surgery in August of 2010.

"Carlos was not tired," said Acta. "He wanted to play winter ball and I've always been a pro winter ball guy. ... But we are just trying to be cautious with him."

The Indians feel differently about Jimenez. He will make his first start of the winter ball season for Licey on Dec. 20. The debut was originally set for Dec. 15 with Acta in attendance, but he isn't able to stay until the new date. Instead, Acta will watch Jimenez throw off the mound at the Indians' academy in the Dominican.

The big thing the Indians want to do with Jimenez is try to get his delivery in order.

"His mechanics are a mess," said one scout. "The stuff is there, but he needs someone like Rick Peterson to get his mechanics straightened out."

Peterson at one time was a minor-league pitching coach for the Indians. He went on to coach in the big leagues with Oakland, the Mets and Milwaukee.

The Indians were in the AL Central race when they acquired Jimenez. There was no time to make big changes in his delivery to correct flaws that may have been caused by a hip and thumb injury in spring training. By the time the season ended, former pitching coach Tim Belcher and new pitching coach Scott Radinsky had already started to tinker with the 6-5, 210-pound right-hander. They made him hold the ball higher when he was in a set position. Then they worked on making his stride to the plate more consistent.

"We feel that if he's able to control his lower half and be consistent with the strength of his stride, then the strike-throwing department will improve," said Acta.

Jimenez struck out 180 and walked 78 in 188 1/3 innings. Strikeouts weren't the problem, the number of pitches were. Jimenez seemed to be 3-2 on every hitter he faced.

After going 19-8 in 2010, Jimenez didn't pitch winter ball. This off-season, Jimenez told the Indians he wanted to pitch in the Dominican to get ready for spring training.

"I think it's very important for him," said Acta.

Santana hit just .239 (132-for-552) in 2011, but had 35 doubles, two triples, 27 homers, 79 RBI and 97 walks. He was one of just four hitters to finish last season with at least 25 homers, 35 doubles and 90 walks. Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Joey Votto were the others.

"We didn't make that much out of the batting average because he walked 97 times," said Acta. "People sometimes get caught up in the old batting average stat. But that's only relevant if you don't walk at all.

"That fact that he kept his on-base percentage at .350 (.351) was good enough for us. ... What that tells us is he's better than .240. When he gets in the .280 and .300 range, we know how scary things are going to be."

Just where Santana will be playing at that time is unknown. He appeared in 95 games and catcher and 66 at first base.

"If we go out and get a first baseman or Matt LaPorta shows up in spring training and becomes the player we envision, it makes things easier for us," said Acta. "Not many teams have a catcher with Santana's kind of production."

On Twitter: @hoynsie