Steelhead trout fishing has been put on hold until local rivers and streams settle down, which should begin on the weekend.

Plain Dealer FileBad weather has made shoreline and boat fishing difficult the past few days, but the weather and the walleye catches should improve this weekend.

Steelhead trout fishing has been put on hold until local rivers and streams settle down, which should begin on the weekend. The night bite along the Lake Erie shoreline has slowed a bit, but walleye are still being caught while casting from shore. Inland lakes are giving up fair to good numbers of panfish.

Lake Erie

Bad weather has made shoreline and boat fishing difficult the past few days, but the weather and the walleye catches should improve this weekend. Anglers still are taking walleye after dark while casting from piers and breakwalls from Cleveland to Marblehead. Fishermen are casting suspending or countdown minnow-style plugs from shore, and trolling plugs along the shoreline.

Cleveland, Lorain, Huron and Lakeside all have been hot spots lately for night walleye fishing.

Rivers and streams

Local rivers and streams are still high and muddy, but steelhead fishing should improve this weekend as water levels go down and rivers begin to clear. Some local anglers are heading to Pennsylvania's Elk Creek, where conditions are good. Around Northeast Ohio, upstream tributaries of the bigger rivers should begin to give up steelhead trout over the next couple of days, with the Chagrin and Rocky the best bets for the weekend.

Anglers are working the deeper pools of the rivers with down-sized spawn bags, jig-maggot combos and minnows worked along the river bottom under a float. Fly fishers are casting egg patterns, bead-head nymphs and small streamers.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

Big trophy trout released at Punderson Lake still are biting, with Berkley Power Bait in orange and chartreuse the top baits, followed by jig-maggot combos and small in-line spinners and spoons. Some anglers are suspending bait under a float, while others are finding success by working baits on the lake bottom.

Trout also are being caught at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area on Power Bait, ice jigs tipped with wax worms or maggots and small spinners. Cleveland Metroparks winter trout stockings in ponds and lakes are scheduled to begin in the middle of December. The Medina County parks have stocked trout at the Plum Creek pond.

Bluegill and crappie are being caught around Portage Lakes and at Mosquito and Pymatuning reservoirs. The best fishing has been in 6 to 10 feet of water. Bass fishing is very slow. Walleye still are being caught on blade baits in the southern waters of Pymatuning Reservoir.

Tournaments and derbies

Walleye Fall Brawl Derby: The new leader is John Snow with a 29-inch, 11.73-pound walleye caught while trolling Lake Erie in the Cleveland area. The final weigh-in for the derby is 8 a.m. Sunday.

Patrick Sharp's overtime goal gave the Blackhawks a win over the Islanders, while Jose Theodore's 40 saves shutout the Bruins.

Patrick Sharp's overtime goal gave the Blackhawks a win over the Islanders, while Jose Theodore's 40 saves shutout the Bruins.

Until Haden's stumble, the Browns had matched the intensity of the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense and at times even outplayed it.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerD'Qwell Jackson (center, obscured) and Chris Gocong (51) apply the impacts that prevent Rashard Mendenhall from scoring on fourth down at the Browns' goal line early in the fourth quarter Thursday night.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Joe Haden hung his head at his locker and was visibly upset.

"Of course, I'm beating myself up," said the Browns cornerback, who gave up the 79-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown that sealed the Steelers' 14-3 victory over the Browns. "It just [stinks] that sometimes when you play so hard and so well all game, that one play can turn it all around."

With 2:52 left, Ben Roethlisberger, hobbling around on a sprained left ankle caused by a Scott Paxson sack in the second quarter, hit Brown on a little hitch route at about the Steelers' 34. While Brown was making the reception, Haden slipped and fell.

Brown turned on the jets and raced the final 66 yards to put the game out of reach and spoil perhaps the Browns' finest defensive effort of the season.

"I slipped," said Haden, who was caught by the comeback route. "No particular reason. I slipped and fell all the way to the ground. I tried to get up to chase him, but he's fast. He made a good play."

Until the stumble, the Browns had matched the intensity of the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense and at times even outplayed it. The Browns forced and recovered two fumbles inside the red zone to keep the game close in the first half and picked off Roethlisberger once.

They produced another goal-line stand in the fourth quarter -- their fourth of the season -- led by linebacker Chris Gocong.

With 12:53 left and the Steelers leading, 7-3, the Browns stopped Rashard Mendenhall on four straight runs. Gocong made the first two tackles, one after a 1-yard gain and one for a 1-yard loss. Mike Adams and Phil Taylor combined to stop Mendenhall after a yard on third down, then the Steelers went for it on fourth down. D'Qwell Jackson and Adams stuffed Mendenhall for no gain with 10:39 remaining.

"It was really nothing special. It was just backyard football," said Gocong. "They just ran right at us and we came out with the result that we wanted. As a team, we're playing well. We thought we were going to win it. It's one of those things. If four or five plays had turned out differently, we could've won this game."

The Browns were forced to punt, but on the Steelers' next drive, Adams picked off Roethlisberger on a deep pass over the middle intended for tight end Heath Miller. Adams sprinted 29 yards to start the Browns at their own 44, still down only 7-3.

McCoy was picked off for the second time on the ensuing drive, and Roethlisberger needed only two plays to find Brown on the little pass to the right.

"It just really hurts for us to play so well all game and have it end like that," said Haden.

The defense also came up big in the second quarter on back-to-back takeaways. The three turnovers came from a defense that was fourth-worst in the league with only 13 takeaways all season.

Kaluka Maiava forced Hines Ward to fumble at the Browns' 15, and Sheldon Brown recovered. Then, after Troy Polamalu picked off McCoy on an underthrown pass, the defense got the ball back again while the Steelers were threatening to score.

Haden, who also gave up a long bomb to A.J. Green in Cincinnati to set up the Bengals' winning field goal, forced Miller to fumble after a catch to the Browns' 8 and Jackson recovered.

Not long after, defensive lineman Paxson sacked Roethlisberger and knocked him out of the game briefly with a left ankle injury.

But the gimpy Roethlisberger rose from the ashes and beat the Browns again, this time on the 79-yard TD that was too much to overcome.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Roethlisberger felt like his ankle was "going to explode" when he injured it in the first half.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer"I thought my leg was broken, to be honest," Ben Roethlisberger said after Thursday's game against the Browns, talking about his second-quarter ankle injury. "It's one of the most painful things I've ever felt."

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The tattoo along the side of his foot just beneath Ben Roethlisberger's injured left ankle reads, "Psalm 37:34." One translation of the biblical verse is, "Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

It was, it turns out, prophetic for the Steelers quarterback in Pittsburgh's 14-3 victory.

He stumbled with 5:59 left in the first half when he was sacked by Browns defensive linemen Scott Paxson and Brian Schaefering. He fell, too, when Paxson popped Roethlisberger in his lower leg and it twisted awkwardly.

"I thought my leg was broken, to be honest," Roethlisberger said afterward. "It's one of the most painful things I've ever felt. I felt like my foot was outside my leg."

Immediately, Roethlisberger limped to the locker room. X-rays were negative, but it was, it turns out, a high ankle sprain. His Steelers were up only 7-3. They were tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the divisional lead coming into the game, with a 9-3 record. He needed Pittsburgh to win.

So when the second half began, Roethlisberger began warming up along the sideline. He threw awkwardly. He handed off without any grace. But he was there because he had to be.

"I just didn't want to let the guys down," he said.

He was not, as the Bible verse said, going to fall, even if he stumbled. He completed eight of 12 passes in the second half for 178 yards, finishing with 280 for the night. He connected with receiver Antonio Brown for a 79-yard touchdown pass with 2:52 remaining that put the game out of reach.

"He's one of the toughest competitors I've ever seen," said defensive end Brett Keisel.

Roethlisberger said he's not sure if he would have attempted to return to the game if Pittsburgh weren't battling Baltimore for the top spot in the standings. And he's not sure if he could have played if he hadn't looked into the eyes of his teammates in the first huddle of the second half and seen the reassurance he needed.

"To me, the look in their eyes was, 'We've got to protect this guy,'" Roethlisberger said. "They did a phenomenal job of keeping me clean."

The play that injured his ankle, in fact, was the only time Roethlisberger was sacked in the game, and he said he was surprised the Browns didn't blitz more in an attempt to hit him hard again in the second half.

His teammates, however, weren't surprised that he was back out there, limping on every play but making big plays whenever he needed to. He did so despite a constant feeling like his "ankle was about to explode."

"He's a warrior," said receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who scored the first Steelers touchdown, an 11-yard reception in the first quarter. "He's going to go out there and lay it on the line for his team."

As his foot permanently declares, he will stumble, but he will not fall.

Gilbert's email was sent to NBA Commissioner David Stern, among others.

View full sizeMark Duncan | Associated PressCavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not pleased with a trade that would have sent All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers and he put his thoughts in an email to the NBA Commissioner among others.

Browns didn't score in the last 54 minutes, 22 seconds.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns running back Montario Hardesty (left) tackled by Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns lost for the eighth time in their last 10 games on Thursday night, a 14-3 conquest by the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers had little trouble moving the ball against the Browns. Pittsburgh gained 7.4 yards per offensive play. Yet, Cleveland stayed in the game because its defense forced three turnovers and made a brilliant goal-line stand, denying Pittsburgh on four straight plays after the Steelers, with a 7-3 lead, moved to a first down on the Browns' 2 early in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland's special teams play was highlighted by punter Brad Maynard. Thanks to his boots, the Steelers had to begin drives at their 10 or inside it on four different occasions. Browns returner Josh Cribbs was sidelined by a groin injury in the second half. But, the special teams did nothing to damage the Browns' chances for victory.

The offense was the main culprit in the defeat. The Browns drove 78 yards on their game-opening drive, only to settle for a Phil Dawson 20-yard field goal.

Cleveland did not score in the final 54 minutes and 22 seconds of the game. For one reason or another -- every time they had the football the rest of the way -- the Browns could not sustain a drive and close it with points.

Certainly, there was more than one reason for the continuous failures. But, if you had to pick the most baffling, the most frustrating.....

Should Seneca Wallace have stayed in the game? Is this loss on Pat Shurmur, Colt McCoy or the defense? Are you at all encouraged by what you saw last night? Talk about these topics and whatever you like with other fans in our open Browns Fan Chat room. Just remember to play nice with others.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerTalk with other Browns fans in our open chat room.

Should Seneca Wallace have stayed in the game? Is this loss on Pat Shurmur, Colt McCoy or the defense? Are you at all encouraged by what you saw last night in the Browns' 14-3 loss to the Steelers?

Talk about these topics and whatever you like with other fans in our open Browns Fan Chat room. Just remember to play nice with others.

Then on Monday afternoon, listen and fire away with your questions for Tony Grossi as he'll join us for an audio chat at noon.

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

After all is said and done, things are similar to most seasons: Browns are 4-9; Steelers are 10-3. Links to more Browns stories.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerPittsburgh's William Gay (22) is tackled by Cleveland's Mohamed Massaquoi (11) after intercepting a pass in the Steelers' end zone during the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 14-3 win over the Browns. The Steelers led, 7-3, when the play was made.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Foget all the could-a-beens, woulda-beens and shoulda-beens.

For the Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, for that matter, the bottom line seems to be the same, year-in and year-out.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com sums up what the Browns' 14-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night means:

The Steelers (10-3) became the first AFC team to reach 10 victories, winning for the eighth time in nine games. Pittsburgh increased its chances for a wild-card spot (and could clinch a berth this weekend) and would take the lead in the division if the Ravens get upset by the winless Colts on Sunday. The Browns (4-9) clinched last place in the AFC North as well as their 10th losing season in 12 years since rejoining the NFL.

The Browns are off until Dec. 18, when they visit the Arizona Cardinals.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi's Steelers 14, Browns 3 game story; a Starting Blocks poll asking what the most frustrating issue for the Browns' offense was against Pittsburgh; Mary Kay Cabot's story about Browns' cornerback Joe Haden's slip on Antonio Brown's 79-yard, game-clinching touchdown pass reception from Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; Cabot's Cleveland Browns Insider, including the report on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy getting hit on Steelers' linebacker James Harrison's illegal tackle; Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin being interviewed about the Browns on Starting Blocks TV; Jodie Valade's story on Ben Roethlisberger playing through an injury; a Browns-Steelers photo gallery, by John Kuntz and Joshua Gunter; Bud Shaw's column that it was mixed results for Colt McCoy; and much more.

Goal to goal

Browns' fan reaction to Cleveland's loss, by Zac Wassink for Yahoo! Sports.

Feeling a little bit good about the game, despite the loss, by Vic Carucci for clevelandbrowns.com.

Dirty Steelers linebacker James Harrison flagged for illegal hit on Colt McCoy. By Chris Chase for Yahoo! Sports.

Ben Roethlisberger shakes off an injury to lead the Steelers to victory. By Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

Ben Roethlisberger shows that he's probably the NFL's grittiest quarterback, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

It's tough to defend the back-shoulder fade, which Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown connected on for the Steelers' game-clinching 79-yard touchdown pass. By Matt Bowen for the National Football Post.

Browns notebook by Marla Ridenour and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Browns throw away their chance. By Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Squandered opportunities hurt the Browns, by Ralph N. Paulk for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Browns mistakes costly in another loss to the Steelers. By Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

The end zone is again off limits for the Browns. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

What was supposed to be an easy Pittsburgh win turns into a drama. By John Mehno for the Altoona Mirror.

Steelers report card against the Browns, by Gerry Dulac for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Ben Roethlisberger thought his leg was broken. By Scott Brown for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The Indians weren't able to close a deal at the Winter Meetings, but general manager Chris Antonetti thinks there was progress in talks. More Indians links.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians general manager Chris Antonetti thinks that talks at the Winter Meetings have moved the team closer to a possible deal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Much of the off-season remains, but -- barring some behind-the-scenes activity that nobody is apparently aware of -- the Cleveland Indians showed no sense of urgency at the Winter Meetings concluded on Thursday.

Must we surmise, for instance, that the Indians are satisfied with a 40-man major league roster that, in terms of hitters, might be the most unbalanced toward left-handers in team history?

Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider makes the point that just because there's been no speculation involving the Indians doesn't mean they weren't trying to get something done:

A lot of people have been upset with the lack of rumors regarding the Indians. This is always the case as they run a tight ship by edict of former General Manager Mark Shapiro and current General Manager Chris Antonetti where they simply do not discuss potential trades or signings with the media. There are a few rare exceptions, but they are often very vague and not very forthcoming with what they are up to. Anytime you do see a rumor with the Indians, 95% of the time it is agent driven where the agent has informed the media that the Indians have talked to their client. This is a game agents play to put pressure on other teams by getting their client’s name out there and to create a market for them. So, again, just because there is a lack of rumors with regard to the Indians it does not mean they are doing nothing. They are doing just as much as anyone else working the phones, but they are just a lot less public with what they are doing.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' Winter Meetings Insider. Included in the report is general manager Chris Antonetti's claim that he's hopeful that the Indians are closer to making some kind of a deal that will improve the team, which went 50-67 after beginning the 2011 season with a 30-15 record.

Hoynes, who was in Dallas, also writes about the Los Angeles Angels stunning baseball with the free agent signings of a lock Hall of Famer, first baseman Albert Pujols (formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals), and a solid starting pitcher, C.J. Wilson (Texas Rangers).

Hoynes also wrote that the Indians are monitoring one of their starting pitchers, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, during the offseason.

Around the horn

Nothing was completed for the Indians at the Winter Meetings, but general manager Chris Antonetti claims progress was made. By Jordan Bastian for MLB.com.

In-depth scouting reports on two Indians minor leaguers: (1) on outfielder Donnie Webb; (2) on right-handed pitcher Marty Popham. Both reports by Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider.

Another elbow injury for Hector Rondon, who was one of the Indians' premier pitching prospects before the two injuries. On the blog, "Let's Go Tribe."

The Winter Meetings, on an Indians blog, "It's pronounced 'Lajaway.' "

Ubaldo Jimenez is a key to the Indians' 2012 hopes. By Jordan Bastian for MLB.com.

The American League Central Division -- with the Indians, division champion Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins -- isn't weak, it's average. On a Royals blog, "Royals Review."

Coach Byron Scott says he is best mentor for rookie Kyrie Iriving

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerThe future of Baron Davis in Cleveland is uncertain. The club said Friday no decision has been made whether to waive him.

Colt McCoy's father, Brad McCoy, said Colt doesn't remember anything after the vicious hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison and never should've gone back in the game.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy lays on the turf at Heinz Field as his teammates check to see if he is OK after a late helmet-to-helmet hit by Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison in the fourth quarter. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

BEREA -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy's father, Brad, said today that Colt doesn't remember anything after taking a vicious helmet to helmet hit from Steelers linebacker James Harrison and that he never should've gone back in the game.

 "I talked to Colt this morning and he said, 'dad, I don't know what happened, but I know I lost the game. I know I let the team down. What happened?''

 Brad McCoy, a lifelong high school football coach who coached Colt all through junior high and high school, said McCoy doesn't remember throwing the interception in the end zone three plays after he jogged back onto the field after missing two plays following the hit. The pick essentially cost the Browns the game and they lost 14-3.

 "He never should've gone back in the game,'' said Brad. "He was basically out (cold) after the hit. You could tell by the ridigity of his body as he was laying there. There were a lot of easy symptoms that should've told them he had a concussion. He was nauseated and he didn't know who he was. From what I could see, they didn't test him for a concussion on the sidelines. They looked at his (left) hand.''

McCoy also might have suffered a broken left hand on the hit, which resulted in a 15-yard roughing the passer call against Harrison.

Brad McCoy said he's also upset that coach Pat Shurmur said during his post-game press conference that Colt was fine to go back in the game when that wasn't the case. McCoy has suffered multiple concussions, including one in high school and one or two with the Browns.

 "After the game, the (public relations staff) made sure Colt's interview was brief and he couldn't face the lights in his press conference,'' said Brad. "The TV lights and the Stadium lights were killing him. Why would you say he was fine? That makes it even worse.''

Brad McCoy doesn't understand why the team wouldn't automatically neuro-test Colt after the crushing blow. It's not yet been confirmed that the Browns didn't neuro-test him after the hit. A call has been placed to the Browns seeking comment.

"Josh Cribbs suffered a groin injury earlier in the game and he was out for the rest of the game,'' said Brad McCoy. "Colt takes a severe hit like that and he's back in the game a play later? If he took another blow to the head, we could've been talking about his career here.''

Brad said when he first saw the hit, he thought Colt was done for the night. "And I certainly didn't think he'd be out only a play. It would've taken my high school trainer longer than that to determine if he was okay after a hit like that.''

He said Browns tight end Evan Moore had to drive Colt home after the team arrived in Berea early Friday morning. Colt drove himself to the facility this morning, but is believed to have been sent home without participating in team activities after being examined by the medical staff.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur will meet with the media at about 1:50 today. The Browns have followed the NFL's strict concussion protocol this season, including Thursday night when Ben Watson and Owen Marecic suffered concussions and were shut down for the night.

"Pat Shurmur has to have more brains in his head than to put McCoy back out there after getting his bell rung. Wallace came in and made a nice pass and set us up to score and take the lead. A few plays later, Colt comes back out and throws the interception. The D played tough, but at the end of the day, we lost. Blame Shurmur's play-calling and the offense at large for only scoring three points. If Pittsburgh only scores 14 points, you better win." - c-town still rocks

View full sizeAP Photo | Don WrightPat Shurmur and the Browns lost to Mike Tomlin and the Steelers Thursday night.

"Pat Shurmur has to have more brains in his head than to put McCoy back out there after getting his bell rung. Wallace came in and made a nice pass and set us up to score and take the lead. A few plays later, Colt comes back out and throws the interception. The D played tough, but at the end of the day, we lost. Blame Shurmur's play-calling and the offense at large for only scoring three points. If Pittsburgh only scores 14 points, you better win."

Plain Dealer Browns reporter suggests that QB might have been suffering concussion symptoms after hit from James Harrison. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough.

The Browns gave the Steelers a tough game Thursday night, but still came up short in a 14-3 loss.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi, who is back in town after covering the game and is answering fan questions about the game from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Tony talks about how the Browns had a chance to win the game but couldn't make the big plays when they mattered. He also discusses why he thinks the Browns didn't blitz more after Ben Roethlisberger was hurt in the first half; whether Colt McCoy should have gone back into the game after suffering a blow to the head from Steelers linebacker James Harrison; and whether Harrison should be suspended for the helmet-to-helmet hit.

SBTV will return Monday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot checking in with the latest from Berea.

The Cleveland Cavaliers held a press conference with head coach Byron Scott prior to training camp beginning Friday afternoon. Among the topics discussed were Kyrie Irving and how tough Camp Scott will be with the shortened schedule. Watch video

"My only question is if the owners didn't want this kind of thing to happen, why did they just agree to a deal that lets it? I don't see how the league can prevent this trade by having the commissioner veto it for 'basketball reasons' and no other explanation." - thespyder

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerDan Gilbert.

"My only question is if the owners didn't want this kind of thing to happen, why did they just agree to a deal that lets it? I don't see how the league can prevent this trade by having the commissioner veto it for 'basketball reasons' and no other explanation."

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the Browns followed proper concussion protocol after Colt McCoy was hit by James Harrison.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is slow in taking his helmet off on the sidelines after throwing an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter December 8, 2011, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Browns, 14-3. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said the Browns medical staff followed protocol and examined Colt McCoy on the sidelines for a concussion and that he showed no symptoms before he sent him back n the game.

Shurmur said he absolutely would not have sent McCoy back in the game if he had shown any symptoms following Steelers linebacker James Harrison's helmet-to-helmet hit.

He said McCoy did not exhibit concussion symptoms until he was leaving the locker room. McCoy couldn't handle the T.V. lights in the interview room and the Browns instructed reporters to keep the interview short.

 He said McCoy told him after his neurological exam on the sidelines "I'm ready to go.''

Shurmur said, "I can assure everyone that we followed protocol.''

He said the Browns are always careful to follow all of the NFL's strict concussion guidelines, as they did with fullback Owen Marecic and tight end Ben Watson, who both left the game with concussions.

Shurmur said he understands the emotions of McCoy's father Brad, who said the Browns should not have let McCoy go back in the game and that McCoy doesn't remember the hit or anything after it.

"I'm the father of a quarterback,'' said Shurmur, who's son, Kyle, started at quarterback for the St. Edward freshman team this year. "I understand the emotion.''

He said he'll reach out to Brad McCoy to make sure he knows the Browns did everything they could. "The McCoys are terrific people,'' he said. "We love their son.''

He added, "I feel very confident if he wasn't able to play, we would've stopped him.''

Shurmur added that he has strong feelings about Harrison's hit on McCoy, but declined to share them. Harrison will get fined for the hit sometime soon, possibly next week. He was fined $75,000 last season for a head-to-head hit on Mohamed Massaquoi and also struck Josh Cribbs in the head with his helmet.

Shurmur said McCoy also suffered a bruised left hand on the play and that it's not broken. It's not expected to affect him in Arizona. 

A frugal approach is the focus of this year's selection of Christmas gifts for anglers and hunters.

D'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerGifts for fishermen that should be a hit this holiday season are (left to right): Berkley's Mini Spooler; Hi-Seas fishing lines, Boomerang's Big Catch Pliers and Snip and the Energizer Micro LED Headlight.

These are tough economic times, making it a challenge to select affordable gifts to slip under the Christmas tree for people who like to hunt and fish. 

 There are gifts I'd certainly like to receive this year. I've had my eye on a slick over-and-under shotgun, as well as a level-wind reel with so many ball bearings I can cast all the way to Canton without a backlash. Neither will pass muster this year.

 For the annual list of recommended holiday gifts, I've taken the frugal approach. 

 Throughout the year, I jot down outdoors gear I think would be a welcome gift. This time around, I focused on less expensive items that will still make an angler or hunter smile on Christmas morning. Every selection, to my way of thinking, would be much better than a plaid tie, paper weight or gaudy shirt advertising beer, deer scent or a famous fishing hole.

With that in mind, here are some gifts for outdoorsmen that won't break the bank.

 Boomerang Snip and Big Catch Pliers
 A disciple of wearing fishing and hunting tools on my belt, the Boomerang Snip and Boomerang Pliers are quality made, easy to use and difficult to lose. The Snip is a line cutter that can handle thin monofilament or heavy braid. It has a tiny light to shine on the cutting job at hand. The Big Catch Pliers have needle-nose jaws of aircraft aluminum and carbide wire line cutters that are replaceable. Both have a 36-inch, retractable Kevlar cable that lets you hang them on a belt loop using a small carabiner, ready when needed.

After a few months of constant abuse, both look like new. The Snip is $15, the Big Catch Pliers $30. Get both for $40. Find out where at boomerangtool.com.

 Barrel Wizard
 I'm guilty of not cleaning my shotgun often enough. The Barrel Wizard made by Shooter's Choice in Middlefield makes it easy to remember that necessary chore with a multi-function cleaning rod ($36) that can travel inside of any 12-, 16- or 20-gauge shotgun barrel. Forget cleaning patches. The Barrel Wizard is designed to do the job with common, ordinary paper towels.

Spend another $18 for the Shooter's Choice Universal Gun Care Pack. It has containers of firearms bore cleaner, rust preventative and lubricant, three things needed to make a shotgun clean and bright. Visit shooters-choice.com.

D'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerHunters will get a kick from (left to right) Rig 'Em Right Decoy Anchors and locally-made gun cleaning products, including the Barrel Wizard, from Shooter's Choice.

 Energizer Micro LED Headlight
 If you spend time outdoors, you need a headlamp. I've worn one to cast for walleye after dark, scout the deer woods, dig around in the shed and barbecue on the grill after sundown. And that's just this week. I like the Energizer Micro LED Headlight because it's only $20 and needs only one AA battery. Outdoorsmen lose gloves, sunglasses, socks and flashlights, so I settle on less expensive models because I know they will disappear some day soon.

Energizer makes bigger, more powerful headlamps and flashlights. This one is lightweight and bright. It also has a red light to enhance night vision and warn other hunters I'm in the woods. Visit energizer.com.
 
 Fishing lines
 It's risky to buy lures, line or tackle for fishermen unless you know exactly what is wanted. Hi-Seas Line violates the rule. I've fished quite a bit this year with Hi-Seas Wildfire braided fishing line ($9, 12-pound test, 125 yards) and Hi-Seas fluorocarbon leaders ($8, 12-pound test, 25 yards). The fluorescent yellow line is easy to see when casting jigs and nightcrawlers for Mosquito Lake walleye, or jigging blade baits for crappie at Berlin Lake. The fluorocarbon leaders are invisible to fish.

Hi-Seas lines are hard to find locally, although the big mail order sites have it. Other brands of highly-visible braided lines are available at local tackle shops, including Power Pro and Stren Super Braid. The fluorocarbon standard was set by Seaguar years ago, and it's still one of the best - and most expensive. Check out hiseas.net.

 Rig 'Em Right Decoy Anchors
 Waterfowl hunters hate decoy lines. They always tangle in the decoy bag, around the boat and in the water. The lines and weights have to be replaced most every year and hauling a dozen decoys to the marsh is a pain in the back. This year, I bought a pack of a dozen Rig 'Em Right decoy anchors ($40) and, after the first trip was shocked they actually worked. The big 6-ounce weights slide up and down coated 54-inch anchor lines, perfect for shallow-water marsh waterfowl hunting.

Gathering the ends of the decoy lines and attaching them together with a carabiner, you can sling decoys, lines and weights over a shoulder without tangles. Or into a decoy bag. See how they work at rigemright.com.

 Berkley Mini Line Spooler
 The small Berkley Mini Line Spooler is a nifty stocking stuffer. It clamps to a fishing rod and holds a spool of fishing line while you fill the spinning or casting reel with fresh line. It's just $5. Visit berkley-fishing.com.

Herman will stay at Iowa State through the Cyclones' Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Rutgers.

Iowa StateNew Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman

Both players are participating in the opening day of training camp

View full sizeCleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, holding microphone, and Tristan Thompson signed their rookie contracts Friday

Cleveland Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur talked with the media in Berea after their 14 - 3 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Colt McCoy is being evaluated for post-game concussion like symptoms after a helmet to helmet hit by James Harrison. Hosted by Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. Watch video