The Browns didn't conduct the concussion test on Colt McCoy until the next morning, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.

APThe Browns may be violated NFL rules by not giving Colt McCoy a concussion test on the sidelines, ESPN reported.

BEREA -- The NFL's initial look into how the Browns handled Colt McCoy after his helmet-to-helmet hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison revealed that they didn't conduct the standard concussion test until the following morning, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported today.

Mortensen, during "Sunday NFL Countdown,'' said league sources told him that the Browns didn't perform the SCAT2 concussion test (sport concussion assessment tool) on the sidelines before they sent him back into the game after two plays. The two plays took a total of 80 seconds. McCoy was also down on the field for a few minutes after the hit.

When the test was conducted Friday morning, McCoy was found to have a concussion.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email response today: "We do not plan to comment on our discussion with the team.''

Mortensen also reported that McCoy's case will most likely spur the NFL to have an independent neurologist at each NFL game.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said during a press conference on Friday that the team followed the proper concussion protocal after the hit and that McCoy showed no symptoms. McCoy also told Shurmur he was ready to go back in the game.

“If he would have shown symptoms of a concussion then I wouldn’t have put him back in the game, absolutely not,'' said Shurmur, who goes by the decision of the medical staff. "We go through the strict protocol to evaluate whether there are concussion-like symptoms.''

A Browns spokesman said the team will have no further comment until Shurmur meets with the media on Monday.

Shurmur said he was not made aware of McCoy's concussion symptoms until he was leaving the locker room, and that he's usually one of the last to leave. By that time, McCoy had already gone to the podium for a the postgame interview, one in which a Browns spokesman asked that television lights be turned off and that the session be brief.

Before that podium interview, McCoy told reporters from the Elyria Chronicale-Telegram and foxsportsohio.com that he didn't remember the hit.

The next day, McCoy's father, Brad McCoy, revealed that McCoy not only didn't remember the hit, but also didn't remember anything that happened afterwards, including the interception in the end zone that helped cost the Browns the game, a 14-3 Steelers victory.

Brad McCoy said that from what he understood, no sideline concussion exam took place and that his son never should've gone back into the game.

He added that his high school trainer would've taken more time to determine if McCoy was okay before sending him back into the game after such a vicious hit. Harrison, who knocked receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs out of a game in 2010 with concussions, drilled McCoy in the facemask with his helmet.

McCoy fell hard onto his back and remained down for several minutes while two members of the medical staff leaned over him. His dad was convinced that he was knocked out cold -- and if that's the case, he shouldn't have gone back in the game.
 It remains to be seen if McCoy will be ready to play next Sunday in Arizona.
 

The point guard is seeking a second opinion on his back problem

Ron Schwane / Associated PressBaron Davis missed his third straight day of Cavaliers practice with what the team is calling lower back tightness

Paterno, who turns 85 on Dec. 21, is also undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for what his family has said is a treatable form of lung cancer. Son Scott Paterno has said doctors are optimistic about a full recovery from the illness.

Associated Press fileSources told the AP today that former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno fractured his pelvis in a fall Saturday night.

The former Penn State football coach was expected to make a full recovery after slipping Saturday and was admitted to the hospital the next day, the person added. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Paterno, who turns 85 on Dec. 21, is also undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for what his family has said is a treatable form of lung cancer. Son Scott Paterno has said doctors are optimistic about a full recovery from the illness.

Paterno initially hurt his pelvis in August after he was blindsided on the field during preseason practice. It was determined Paterno should remain in the hospital now to facilitate his regimen of cancer treatments while recovering from the pelvis injury, the AP was told.

The person declined to identify the hospital to maintain the family's privacy. An operator at the hospital in State College, Mount Nittany Medical Center, said Sunday there was no patient listing for Paterno.

Paterno was fired last month in the aftermath of child sex-abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who maintains his innocence. Paterno is not a target of the investigation.

Sandusky is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday after being charged Nov. 5 with the first set of child sex-abuse allegations that dated back to 1994

Amid mounting criticism that school leaders should have done more to prevent the alleged abuse, trustees dismissed Paterno four days later and accepted school President Graham Spanier's resignation under pressure.

Paterno hasn't spoken publicly since his firing. He was diagnosed with cancer several days later during a follow-up visit to the doctor for a bronchial illness, his family has said.

Scott Paterno told the AP last month the first and only incident reported about Sandusky to his father was in 2002 when— according to a grand jury report — a graduate assistant came to Paterno about an abuse allegation in the team showers.

According to the grand jury report, Paterno testified that he referred the account relayed by the assistant to his superior. Paterno has maintained that a more detailed description of what allegedly occurred in the showers was never passed on to him.

State police Commissioner Frank Noonan's reprimand that school leaders had a moral responsibility to do more than what was legally required raised pressure on the university and trustees.

Paterno has called the allegations against Sandusky troubling and urged the public to let the legal process unfold. He initially announced his retirement Nov. 9, taking effect at the end of the season. He called the scandal "one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more." The trustees fired him anyway, about 12 hours later.

The Nittany Lions' head coach for 46 seasons, Paterno amassed 409 career victories for a Division I record.

Houston, Baltimore, Patriots, Lions, Saints, Eagles, Jets, Jaguars and Falcons win.

Associated PressTexans wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) is congratulated by teammates Eric Winston (73), Wade Smith (74), Chris Myers and Jacoby Jones (12) after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Yates in the closing seconds to give Houston a 20-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL early afternoon games roundup

Texans 20, Bengals 19

Cincinnati, Ohio -- A rookie quarterback led the biggest drive in Houston Texans history, one that took them to the end zone and their first playoff berth.

T.J. Yates threw a 6-yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds left for a 20-19 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that put the Texans in the playoffs for the first time.

With their seventh straight win, the Texans (10-3) moved to the threshold of the playoffs. They hugged on the field then headed to the locker room, waiting for the final seconds of Tennessee's game to play out.

When time ran out on the Titans, preserving New Orleans' 22-17 victory, the Texans celebrated the AFC South title.

A most unlikely rookie took them the last step.

Yates, a fifth-round draft pick, got his chance when Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart suffered season-ending injuries in consecutive weeks. Making only his second start, Yates faced a daunting challenge — 80 yards to cover, only 2 minutes, 33 seconds left and no timeouts to help.

The Bengals are 7-6, the loss dealing a costly hit to their wild card playoff hopes. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, both 10-3, are in a first-place tie in the AFC North with three games to go, followed by Cincinnati and the Cleveland Browns (4-9).

Cincinnati couldn't stop Yates.

Yates scrambled 17 yards on third-and-15 to keep the drive going. A pass interference penalty on Adam "Pacman" Jones put the ball at the 6-yard line with 12 seconds left. After an incompletion, Walter lined up wide right, cut to the middle of the field and was uncovered at the goal line.

Offensive tackle Duane Brown ran to Yates and repeatedly slapped his helmet in celebration.

The kid had come through when it mattered most.

Only 41,202 fans — the second-smallest crowd in Paul Brown Stadium history — showed up to watch the Bengals turn themselves into a long shot for the playoffs. They'd lost three of their last four, including a 35-7 drubbing in Pittsburgh last week that essentially eliminated them from the AFC North race.

Now, they're going to need help getting the final wild card berth.

The Texans have kept winning while losing quarterbacks. They took the final step into the playoffs without leading receiver Andre Johnson, who was inactive Sunday because of a strained left hamstring.

Yates and a solid defense pulled them through. Yates went 26 of 44 for 300 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and five sacks.

Houston's defense was the stingiest in the AFC, and came through after the Texans fell behind 16-3 at halftime. Andy Dalton was sacked and fumbled, setting up Yates' 6-yard touchdown pass that got the Texans some momentum early in the third quarter.

The Bengals managed only 81 yards in the second half.

Ravens 24, Colts 10

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Baltimore Ravens took another step toward securing a postseason berth, and the hapless Indianapolis Colts slipped a notch closer to matching one of the NFL's most dubious records.

Terrell Suggs had three sacks and forced three fumbles as part of an overwhelming defensive performance by the Ravens, who kept Indianapolis winless with a 24-10 victory.

Baltimore (10-3) limited the Colts (0-13) to 167 yards — just 53 through three quarters. Were it not for a touchdown on the game's final play, Indianapolis would have been held without a TD for only the second time since the 2003 season opener.

Associated PressRavens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) delivers a pass under pressure from Colts defensive end Robert Mathis (98) during Baltimore's 24-10 win over Indianapolis.

Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes and Ray Rice ran for 103 yards and a score to help the Ravens win their fourth straight and improve to 7-0 at home. Baltimore is tied with Pittsburgh for the lead in the AFC North, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker because of their two wins over the Steelers.

The Ravens had lost eight straight to Indianapolis, but Peyton Manning was healthy and at the top of his game. He has yet to play this year because of a neck injury.

Dan Orlovsky, the third Colts quarterback to start in place of Manning this season, went 17 for 37 for 136 yards and an interception. He was sacked four times and hounded throughout the game by Suggs.

The game was far more lopsided than the final score would indicate. Baltimore led 17-3 at halftime and 24-3 in the third quarter, and the Colts drove 76 yards in the final two minutes in a drive that ended with Orlovsky throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme as time expired.

Indianapolis has three games left in the season. If the Colts don't win, they will join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only NFL team to go 0-16 in a single season.

The Ravens needed less than five minutes to take the lead for good. After the Colts went three and out following the opening kickoff, Lardarius Webb returned a punt 27 yards in the Indianapolis 40 and Flacco capped a six-play drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.

Baltimore's next march covered 66 yards over 13 plays and ended with a 36-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff for a 10-0 lead.

The first quarter ended with the Ravens holding a 111-10 advantage in yardage and an 8-1 lead in first downs.

Nothing changed in the second quarter. Baltimore forced a punt and Flacco went 5 for 7 for 54 yards in a 10-play drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown run by Rice.

Indianapolis finally got into Baltimore territory when Joe Lefeged returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards. Orlovsky then completed a fourth-down pass to Dallas Clark, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal to make it 17-3 late in the half.

Baltimore went ahead 24-3 with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Flacco rolled to his right and was near the sideline when he threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta in the middle of the end zone.

Flacco went 23 for 31 for 227 yards.

Patriots 34, Redskins 27

LANDOVER, Maryland -- Rob Gronkowski got his record, and the New England Patriots' bend-but-don't-break defense almost broke.

Gronkowski set the NFL single-season mark for touchdown catches by a tight end, and Jerod Mayo's interception of a tipped pass with 22 seconds to play preserved the Patriots' 34-27 win over the Washington Redskins.

Tom Brady completed 22 of 37 passes for 357 yards with three touchdowns — two to Gronkowski — and survived an interception in the end zone as the Patriots (10-3) won their fifth straight game and won at Washington for the first time in franchise history. The Redskins were the only current NFL franchise New England had never beaten on the road.

Brady (294) also moved ahead of Warren Moon into sole possession of sixth place for most touchdown passes in NFL history and reached the 4,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his career. Gronkowski caught six passes for 160 yards.

Rex Grossman was 19 of 32 for 252 yards, and Roy Helu (126 yards) became the first Washington rookie to run for 100 yards in three straight games. But it wasn't enough for the Redskins (4-9), who have lost eight of nine.

With the Patriots leading by seven in the fourth quarter, Brady had a chance to extend the lead, but he was picked off in the end zone by Josh Wilson with 6:30 to play. Afterward, Brady was involved in a heated exchange on the sideline with an assistant coach.

The Redskins took advantage of the miscue, driving from their own 20 to the New England. But Santana Moss' catch at the goal line was negated by a pass interference call on the receiver, and then Moss tipped a pass into the hands of Mayo to save the day for a New England defense that ranks last in the league in yards allowed.

There was lots of scoring, and nearly every drive had a highlight.

Already playing without tight end Fred Davis and left tackle Trent Williams — both suspended for the rest of the season last week for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy — the Redskins lost another offensive starter during pregame warm-ups when right tackle Jammal Brown injured his right groin.

So, with Washington starting its sixth different starting offensive line in nine weeks, it was almost predictable that Grossman would hold the ball too long in the end zone while undrafted rookie left tackle Willie Smith was getting beat by ex-Redskins defensive end Andre Carter. Carter jarred the ball loose, getting his 10th sack of the season, and Vince Wilfork recovered for a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead before the game was three minutes old.

After that, it was mostly offense, and Gronkowski had the best highlights in a series that lasted all of two plays: one remarkable, one record-setting.

On the first, he made a diving catch, got up, dragged DeJon Gomes and Reed Doughty a few yards and escaped while tiptoeing along the sidelines as cornerback DeAngelo Hall stood and watched. Gronkowski tiptoed again when hit by Wilson and stumbled ahead before falling to complete the 49-yard gain.

On the next play, Gronkowski was open to catch Brady's 11-yard pass, his 14th touchdown reception of the season, passing Antonio Gates (2004) and Vernon Davis (2009). Gronkowski unleashed an almighty spike and retrieved the ball for safekeeping, just as he did last week when he thought he had set the record, only to realize that the play had been scored as a lateral instead of a pass.

Washington's Jabar Gaffney was a bit overenthusiastic while celebrating the game's next touchdown, a 9-yard catch. He leaped into the first row of stands — but no one caught him and he sank behind the barrier.

The next score came on the first offensive play of the year for Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks, who took a pitch on a double reverse and flung his first career pass — 49-yards to Moss give Washington a 17-14 lead.

A couple of curious personal foul calls for hits to the quarterback, one on Carter and one on Washington's London Fletcher, highlighted a pair of field goal drives that left the score tied at 20 at the half. The whistle on Fletcher appeared particularly egregious; the refereed announced that Fletcher hit a late-sliding Brady with a forearm to the head, but Fletcher's arm clearly hit the quarterback in the chest.

The second half continued at the same whiplash speed, with three third-quarter drives going for touchdowns. Gronkowski broke rookie Ryan Kerrigan's attempt at a tackle and padded his record with a 37-yard scoring reception, and David Anderson's first TD catch since 2008 tied the game at 27 on the next drive. Then it was Brady to Wes Welker for 24 yards to restore New England's lead.

Lions 34, Vikings 28

DETROIT, Michigan -- The Lions are still in prime position in the NFC wild-card race — but just barely.

Vikings backup quarterback Joe Webb fumbled deep in Detroit territory in the final seconds, and the Lions escaped with a 34-28 victory over Minnesota.

Linebacker DeAndre Levy appeared to get away with grabbing Webb's facemask before the fumble.

Matthew Stafford threw for two scores in the first quarter to give Detroit one of its three-touchdown leads. But the Vikings, playing for pride, nearly rallied from a 31-14 halftime deficit.

The Lions (8-5), seeking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season, were in a precarious spot after losing five of seven.

Webb led the Vikings (2-11) to touchdowns on his first two drives after rookie Christian Ponder was benched and was a yard away from another TD.

On first-and-goal from the 1 with 9 seconds left, a replay appeared to show Levy grabbing Webb's facemask, but a flag wasn't thrown. The ball popped free at the 11 and was batted back toward midfield by Detroit's Stephen Tulloch. Webb ran it down and tried to pick it up, but the ball came loose again and Cliff Avril finally fell on it at the Minnesota 43 to end the game.

A penalty would've given the Vikings one more shot to score with no time on the clock. Levy was credited with the sack and forced fumble.

Avril had jumped offside on the previous play to stop the clock and put Minnesota a yard closer to the end zone.

The Lions almost blew a big lead as the Vikings did in Week 3 against them.

Detroit won at Minnesota 26-23 in overtime after trailing 20-0 at halftime. This time, Detroit led by 17 after two quarters despite making just five first downs and going 0-for-5 on third down.

The Vikings committed four turnovers, including a play when running back Lorenzo Booker fumbled without being touched.

Ponder was benched after his fourth turnover. He fumbled on his first play of the game, getting stripped by Avril, and Tulloch recovered for a score. Ponder threw an interception on his fourth snap to set up Stafford's first TD pass. Alphonso Smith made his second interception early in the second quarter and returned it for a TD to give Detroit a 28-7 lead.

Ponder's day was done after he threw a third interception on the opening drive of the third quarter, faking a handoff to no one, rolling right and throwing over the middle to cornerback Eric Wright.

Webb replaced Ponder and promptly scored on a 65-yard run to pull Minnesota within 31-21.

The Lions stalled at the Vikings 2 on the ensuing drive, and instead of going for it on fourth-and-1, they settled for Jason Hanson's field goal and a 34-21 lead.

That almost wasn't big enough.

Webb made plays with his legs and arm on his second drive, capped by a 2-yard toss to Toby Gerhart that pulled the Vikings within six midway through the fourth quarter.

Stafford was 20 of 29 for 227 yards.

Ponder was 11 of 21 for 115 yards with two touchdowns. Webb ran for 109 yards and was 12 of 23 for another 84.

Ponder and Webb didn't have the luxury of handing off to Adrian Peterson, who missed his third straight game with a sprained left ankle. Percy Harvin had a career-high 10 receptions for 109 yards and a score.

Detroit was missing starting running back Kevin Smith (right ankle), two starters in the secondary — Louis Delmas (right knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (left knee) — and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who served the second of his two-game suspension for stomping on a Green Bay Packer on Thanksgiving.

Saints 22, Titans 17

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Drew Brees showed Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker how to close out a win.

The New Orleans veteran threw two touchdown passes to Marques Colston in the fourth quarter to lead the Saints to their fifth straight victory with a 22-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

On third-and-6, Brees threw 35 yards to a wide-open Marques Colston, who jumped into the air just in front of the goal line at the middle of the field, caught the ball and fell forward into the end zone, making it 16-10 with 12:39 to play.

The Saints (10-3) converted two third downs on their next drive before Brees connected again with Colston on a scoring pass, this time for 28 yards.

The touchdown gave New Orleans a 22-10 lead with 7:01 left, and Colston finished with 105 yards on seven catches.

Associated PressSaints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) scores a touchdown on a 35-yard pass from Drew Brees during New Orleans' 22-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Brees, who was 36 for 47 for 337 yards, joined Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas as the only quarterbacks to throw a touchdown pass in 40 straight games. He also extended his NFL-record streak of games with 20 or more completions to 33.

He has 39,413 yards passing in 150 career starts. That ranks just behind the 39,498 yards passing Dan Marino achieved in his first 150 starts.

The Titans (7-6) twice had the ball in the final minutes with a chance to win, but fell short.

Their loss allowed the Houston Texans, which won at Cincinnati on Sunday, to clinch the AFC South and kept them from gaining any ground in a crowded race for the second AFC wild-card spot.

Locker hit Nate Washington on an 18-yard pass on second down, and Chris Johnson ran 3 yards around the left end to convert a fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive.

Faced with another fourth down at the Saints 24 with 2:18 left, Locker kept the ball. Though a replay seemed to show he picked up the needed yard, the officials ruled him down with no gain, and the Titans did not challenge the ruling.

Tennessee held New Orleans on the next drive, and Washington caught a 40-yard pass from Locker with 27 seconds left, setting up another chance for a Titans rally.

Locker spiked the ball at the Saints 5 to stop the clock, but his pass on second down to Marc Mariani in the end zone was batted down by Tracy Porter, and Jo-Lonn Dunbar sacked a scrambling Locker on third down as time expired.

The rookie quarterback entered the game with the score 3-3 with 11:13 left in the second quarter, replacing Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck hurt his left calf after trying to chase a pass of his that had been tipped and left the field and watched most of the game from the sideline, filling in for Locker on a single play after the backup took a hard hit.

Locker was 13 for 29 for 282 yards and a touchdown, and Washington finished with 130 yards on six catches and a score. Johnson, who was coming off consecutive games with more than 150 yards rushing, had just 23 yards on 11 carries.

Locker ran for a second touchdown, scrambling around the right end and meeting Roman Harper at the corner of the end zone. He stretched the ball over the pylon with his right hand as he spun in the air, and the play was upheld on review to make it 10-9 with 2:19 in the third quarter.

Washington caught a 65-yard TD pass from Locker and broke a tackle before tripping into the end zone to cut New Orleans' lead to 22-17 with 5:58 left.

Penalties and other mistakes kept New Orleans' league-leading offense from getting any rhythm through three quarters, and three times the Saints got within 11 yards of the end zone only to settle for a field goal.

An illegal formation penalty negated an 8-yard pass from Brees to Jimmy Graham that would have made it first-and-goal at the 3 for the Saints. They settled for a 25-yard field goal to make it 3-0 with 9:54 in the first quarter.

Brees drove New Orleans down the field just before halftime, but was sacked by rookie Karl Klug for a loss of 7 yards on first-and-goal at the 5. A well-covered Lance Moore couldn't grab a 11-yard touchdown pass, and John Kasay kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 15 seconds before halftime.

Brees appeared to connect with Graham on a 4-yard touchdown at the edge of the end zone, but a replay showed the tip of Graham's right foot touched out of bounds. New Orleans coach Sean Payton challenged the ruling, which was upheld, and Kasay kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 9-3 with 3:51 left in the third quarter.

The Saints also missed another scoring opportunity early in the first half. Darren Sproles returned a punt 82 yards to the end zone, but the score was negated on a holding call on Dunbar.

The only other time the Saints didn't score a touchdown in the first half was in their 31-21 loss at St. Louis on Oct. 30.

Eagles 26, Dolphins 10

MIAMI, Florida -- Early in the game, Michael Vick's helmet went rolling into his end zone, an apt symbol for the direction of the Philadelphia Eagles' season.

Time to concede? Not quite. Not against the self-destructive Miami Dolphins.

Vick made a triumphant return from an injury by throwing for 208 yards and a touchdown, and the Eagles totaled nine sacks in their 26-10 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Philadelphia took advantage of three takeaways to score 24 points during a nine-minute span in the second quarter, and later sent Miami quarterback Matt Moore to the sideline with a head injury.

The Eagles (5-8) won for only the second time in the past six games and still need a sweep of the final three games to have any chance of repeating as NFC East champions. The Dolphins (4-9) had a three-game home winning streak snapped and sank deeper into last place in the AFC East.

Jason Babin led the Eagles' pass rush with three sacks to increase his season total to 15, and he forced a fumble. Moore's replacement, J.P. Losman, was sacked by Phillip Hunt for a safety.

Vick, back after missing three games with broken ribs, won for only the fourth time in his past 12 starts. He went 15 for 30, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson.

Vick, who had said he would run less in the wake of the injury, carried only twice but did scramble several times to extend plays. LeSean McCoy rushed for only 38 yards, but scored two touchdowns to hike his season total to 17.

Dolphins Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long left the game in the first quarter with a back injury, and after that they had trouble blocking the Eagles. Philadelphia's short-yardage defense stuffed Miami on four possessions, twice on fourth down and twice to force kicks.

The Dolphins went 3 for 18 on third- and fourth-down conversions.

Miami's lone touchdown was set up by an early blocked punt. Moore threw only his second interception in the past six games, lost a fumble and was sacked four times. He left the game midway through the second half after being hit from behind as he threw an incomplete pass.

The Dolphins' offensive ineptitude negated a lot of good work by their defense. McCoy, who came into the game second in the NFL in rushing, averaged only 1.4 yards on 27 carries. Jason Taylor sacked Vick twice in first eight minutes to increase his career total to 138½, which ranks sixth all time.

Miami's Jimmy Wilson blocked a punt to set up the game's first score, which came when Moore hit Brandon Marshall on third down for a 16-yard score.

A gamble by the Dolphins then backfired when they tried a 55-yard field goal that fell short. Vick took advantage of the field position to drive his team 54 yards for a tying touchdown, which McCoy scored on a 2-yard run.

Turnovers by Miami on consecutive possessions led to 10 points for the Eagles.

Kurt Coleman intercepted Moore's pass when he threw deep into triple coverage, and his return to the 1 set up a touchdown run by McCoy.

On the next series, Asante Samuel forced a fumble by Davone Bess and recovered, and the Eagles kicked a field goal to lead 17-7.

The flurry of turnovers continued. Eagles punt returner Jackson tried to get tricky, throwing a lateral across the field to Curtis Marsh, who lost a fumble at his 24. That gave the Dolphins a chance to get back into the game, but on the next play Moore lost a fumble when sacked by Babin, ending the threat.

The Eagles then moved 73 yards in just four plays, and Vick's strike to a wide-open Jackson made it 24-7.

Jets 37, Chiefs 10

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets got going in a hurry — for a change — and never stopped.

The Kansas City Chiefs? Well, this is one they'd like to quickly forget.

Sanchez threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores as the Jets kept pace in the AFC playoff race by cruising to a 37-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Jets, plagued by slow starts all season, scored 28 points in the first half and were helped by an inept Chiefs offense that managed just 4 total yards in the first two quarters.

Sanchez was 13 of 21 for 181 yards before being pulled for Mark Brunell with the game in hand, and was cheered warmly in pregame introductions after being booed in the team's last home game two weeks ago. Shonn Greene had a season-high 129 yards rushing and a score, and Santonio Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson each caught touchdown passes for the Jets (8-5), who have won three straight and improved to 6-1 at home.

It might have been a costly win, though, as starting safety Jim Leonhard was lost early with an injured right knee. There was no immediate word on the severity.

Tyler Palko was sacked five times by the Jets in a miserable outing by the penalty-plagued Chiefs (5-8) a week after the quarterback earned his first victory as a starter at Chicago. He was 3 for 8 for 11 yards in the half, sacked three times, and the Chiefs had 4 total yards and one first down, compared to the Jets' 16. Palko had a much better second half, finishing 16 of 32 for 195 yards and a touchdown and an interception.

Dwayne Bowe dropped a would-be touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter, but things got ugly for the Chiefs way before that.

In the most brutal stretch for Kansas City, the Chiefs were penalized five times for 81 yards during the Jets' final touchdown drive. One of those was an unsportsmanlike conduct call on coach Todd Haley, who let his frustrations out on the officials. Kansas City finished with 11 penalties.

Sanchez's 1-yard run gave the Jets a score on their first drive, as New York got off to the type of quick start it has been lacking most of this season. But, it began ominously as Sanchez was forced to call a timeout — to loud boos from the fans at MetLife Stadium — before New York even ran a play because of some apparent confusion about which personnel should've been on the field.

The Jets rebounded nicely with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that was jumpstarted by Greene's 31-yard rumble on the opening snap and helped by Patrick Turner's 10-yard catch on third-and-4 from the Chiefs 40. On third-and-goal from the 3, Sanchez threw incomplete into the end zone, but Chiefs cornerback Javier Arenas was called for holding, giving the Jets a new set of downs at the 1.

Sanchez took the snap, faked the handoff to Greene and it appeared every Chiefs player bit as the Jets quarterback rolled to his left and strolled into the end zone untouched for his career-high fourth rushing touchdown of the season.

Ryan Succop's 53-yard field goal with 4:36 left in the opening quarter made it 7-3.

Palko, starting again with newly signed Kyle Orton inactive with an injured right index finger, made a poor throw intended for Steve Breaston that Leonhard stepped in front of and picked off easily early in the second quarter. But, Breaston grabbed Leonhard for a twisting tackle on which the safety's right knee was injured. Leonhard was helped to the sideline by two trainers, carted to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game.

On the next play, Sanchez, facing heavy pressure, dumped the ball off quickly to Greene, who zipped down the left sideline 36 yards before going out of bounds at the 2. After Tomlinson lost 2 yards on a run, Sanchez found Holmes in the middle of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown and a 14-3 lead with 10:02 left in the half.

Greene's 7-yard touchdown run put New York ahead 21-3 with 3:56 remaining, after a called fumble was challenged by coach Rex Ryan and overturned by officials. Tomlinson had a 31-yard catch-and-run to get the Jets down to the Chiefs 13. Greene then took the handoff on the next play, scooted 6 yards, Tamba Hali knocked the ball loose, but the running back was ruled down. Greene rumbled up the middle on the next play and ran over a Chiefs defender on his way into the end zone.

Tomlinson made it 28-3 with 1:15 left in the half when he took a screen pass from Sanchez, made a few cutback moves and got a big block from center Nick Mangold for a 19-yard touchdown. It marked the first time the Jets scored 28 points in an opening half since scoring 40 against St. Louis in 2008.

Things started getting out of hand midway through the third quarter when the Chiefs were called for three straight penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct on an irate Haley, helping move the Jets all the way from their own 3 to the 43. A few plays later, Brandon Flowers and Kendrick Lewis were called for consecutive pass interference penalties, bringing the ball to the 4.

On third-and-goal, Sanchez took the snap and rolled into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown and a 35-3 lead.

One of the few highlights for the Chiefs came when Jerheme Urban caught a 24-yard touchdown pass — in between four Jets defenders — to make it 35-10 with under 13 minutes left.

Sione Pouha tackled Jackie Battle for a safety late in the game after T.J. Conley's punt was downed at the 1.

Jaguars 41, Buccaneers 14

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Maurice Jones-Drew set a franchise scoring record, interim coach Mel Tucker got his first victory and Jacksonville did something it hadn't done in more than 13 years.

It was a near-perfect day in an otherwise miserable season for the Jaguars.

Jones-Drew scored four times, setting the franchise record for career touchdowns, and the Jaguars scored 41 unanswered points in their 41-14 win over the turnover-prone Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jones-Drew finished with 136 total yards, including 85 on the ground against one of the league's worst run defenses.

Tampa Bay's bigger problem in its seventh consecutive loss was turnovers.

The Buccaneers (4-9) had seven of them, helping set up each of Jacksonville's four touchdowns in the second quarter. The Jaguars (4-9), who hadn't scored more than 20 points all season, scored four times in a span of 7:32. They scored on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since Nov. 1, 1998, at Baltimore.

That also was the last time Jacksonville had scored 28 points in a quarter.

Josh Freeman and Preston Parker had a lot to do with Jacksonville's latest scoring frenzy.

Freeman, back after missing last week's game against Carolina because of an injured throwing shoulder, threw two interceptions and fumbled near the goal line. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 181 yards and was benched late in favor of Josh Johnson.

Parker's day was nearly as bad. He fumbled two punts, both caused by special teams ace Montell Owens, and had a costly penalty. Colin Cloherty, signed off the practice squad Friday, scooped Parker's second fumble and returned it 4 yards to give the Jaguars a spark.

Blaine Gabbert found Marcedes Lewis behind the defense for a 62-yard gain on the next drive, setting up Jones-Drew's 1-yard score that tied the game at 14.

Two plays later — after Parker was flagged for holding — Freeman fumbled at the 1-yard line as Daryl Smith sacked him. Nate Collins recovered in the end zone to make it 21-14.

Freeman threw an interception on Tampa Bay's next possession. Jacksonville turned the short field into a 28-14 lead when Gabbert found Jones-Drew with a short pass near the goal line. Drew stretched the ball over the pylon for his 71st touchdown in 90 career games, breaking the team record held by Fred Taylor.

Jones-Drew didn't celebrate. Instead, he simply jogged back to the bench with the record-setting football.

He wasn't done, either.

The player Bucs coach Raheem Morris dubbed a "rolling ball of butcher knives" earlier in the week made it 35-14 in the fourth when he caught a short pass near the goal line and plowed through two defenders for another score. He also scored from a yard out late.

Gabbert completed 19 of 33 passes for 217 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The only downside for Jacksonville, which ended a three-game slide, was injuries. The Jaguars lost receivers Mike Thomas (concussion) and Cecil Shorts (hamstring) and place-kicker Josh Scobee (leg) during the game.

Scobee's injury forced the team to go for a fourth-and-9 play late in the game and also attempt a 2-point conversion after Jones-Drew's fourth touchdown.

Linebacker Russell Allen had to kick off, providing some levity in a blowout. It looked more like an onside kick than anything.

When the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Jaguars had even more fun by dosing Tucker with ice water.

Falcons 31, Panthers 23

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Matt Ryan led Atlanta to another comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers, keeping the Falcons in the playoff chase.

Ryan threw two of his four touchdown passes in the fourth-quarter to rookie Julio Jones and the Falcons erased a 16-point deficit for a 31-23 victory. Ryan finished with 320 yards and his four TD passes matched a career high.

Atlanta (8-5) remains in playoff position in the NFC wild card race.

The first time the teams met, the Falcons trailed by three points in the fourth quarter but rallied for a 31-17 win on Oct. 16. For the Panthers (4-9), it was the sixth time this season they've lost after being ahead or tied in the fourth quarter.

Cam Newton started strong, completing 9 of 14 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Panthers built a 23-7 lead. But Newton was intercepted twice in the second half, including once on a poor decision where he tried the shovel the ball ahead with his non-throwing left hand as he was falling to the ground. The result was a gift interception for Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson.

Ryan cashed in two plays later as running back Marquizz Rodgers beat linebacker James Anderson for a 31-yard touchdown.

Ryan's comeback shouldn't surprise anyone — he seems to have Carolina's number. He's won six of his last seven starts against the Panthers.

He was particularly sharp in the second half, throwing for 232 yards and three scores. The Falcons are 21-0 when Ryan finishes with a quarterback rating of 100 or more.

Jones, who finished with 104 yards receiving, was quiet for most of the game but caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Falcons a 24-23 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Despite their struggles in the second half, the Panthers looked poised to regain the lead, but Newton couldn't hook up with Greg Olsen in the back of the end zone and the Panthers had to settle for a 36-yard field goal attempt.

Olindo Mare, just as he'd done against Minnesota, pushed a potential go-ahead his field goal wide left.

The Falcons seized the momentum.

Two plays later, on second-and-11, Jones caught a pass over the middle and broke a tackle and raced 75 yards to the end zone.

Earlier this week Panthers coach Ron Rivera said this was a statement game for his young team.

"The statement is that we still have a long ways to go as a football team," Rivera said. "We're a young team. You have to keep the foot down on the accelerator which we didn't do today."

Cavaliers fans can not only see Gibson playing basketball on Fox Sports Ohio this winter but also follow his real-life adventures with celebrity wife Keyshia Cole on a yet to be determined network. The couple filmed "Family First," a six-episode series, that Gibson expects to air starting in February.

Gus Chan, Plain Dealer fileDaniel Gibson is living proof that a celebrity marriage and life on a reality TV show is not a formula for divorce court.

Cavaliers fans can not only see Gibson playing basketball on Fox Sports Ohio this winter but also follow his real-life adventures with celebrity wife Keyshia Cole on a yet to be determined network. The couple filmed “Family First,” a six-episode series, that Gibson expects to air starting in February.

The show focuses on Cole’s singing career and her life with an NBA player and 1-year-old son, Daniel. Gibson believes their relationship is meant to last -- unlike the 72-day marriage of Humphries and Kim Kardashian.

“There’s nothing superficial or fake about us,” Gibson said. “We’re living it. So whatever we do, we wouldn’t mind putting it in front of the fans, we’re just being who we are. That’s the fun thing about it.”

One episode is dedicated to the renewing of the couple’s vows in Hawaii. Filming a reality show was part of a hectic offseason that saw Gibson training for basketball and learning how to box in his native Houston.

An avid fight fan, Gibson stepped into the ring to improve his hand speed and endurance.

“I never got knocked out, but I sparred a little bit,” he said. “I threw a couple jabs. I’m going to knock somebody out, actually. I’m pretty good .¤.¤. A lot of my friends are amateur boxers so I just got in with them.”

View full sizeAP fileSinger Keyshia Cole

Gibson enters his sixth NBA season as part of a crowded backcourt that includes Kyrie Irving, Ramon Sessions and Baron Davis. While Davis is likely to be released, Gibson isn’t sure if he will play point guard or shooting guard.

He spent a portion of his extended offseason working on ball-handling skills.

“Wherever I’m placed on the floor, I think I can be very effective,” he said.

“I’ll just leave that to coach [Byron] Scott. Every day I get out there to the gym and work as hard as I possibly can and show him what I can do. Then I’ll allow him to make those decisions.”

Gibson’s basketball workouts will be part of the reality show. His coach is planning no cameo appearances, however.

“I told him I’m not going to be part of that,” Scott said. “I might just go on one show to show him that Coach is still the best shooter in the gym.”

Baron update: Davis missed his third consecutive day of training camp Sunday with what the team is calling tightness in his lower back.

Unlike the first two days of practice, Davis was not at the training facility. He was seeking another opinion on the injury, Scott said. Davis suffered from back pains last season, as well.

The club has until Friday to decide whether to waive the 32-year-old point guard through the amnesty clause.

“It’s unfortunate with the injury,” teammate Antawn Jamison said. “I talked to him yesterday and he wished he was out there practicing with the guys.

“It’s something that [General Manager] Chris Grant and the rest of the front office has to deal with. I’d love to have him here. Hopefully, he can get healthy and contribute and, if not, it’s part of the business and you have to move forward."

Growth spurt: Christian Eyenga arrived at camp 2 inches taller than a season ago. The 22-year-old is now 6-7. Scott said jokingly: “Hopefully, he can grow three more inches and we can play him at center."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

If Scott's penchant for second-season turnarounds continues, The Q's events manager might not want to book many May concerts.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressCavs coach Byron Scott chats with his rookie point guard, Kyrie Irving, at training camp Friday in Independence. Can Irving do for this Cavs team what a young Jason Kidd did for the Nets in 2002?

If Scott’s penchant for second-season turnarounds continues, The Q’s events manager might not want to book many May concerts.

The Cavaliers in the 2012 playoffs? That’s a scenario as unlikely as the New Jersey Nets reaching the 2002 NBA Finals.

Logic suggests the Cavaliers will contend only for a top-5 draft pick come spring. They lack high-end talent and proven scoring from the wings. The lockout-shortened season will afford precious little practice time for rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

But if Scott can spur improvement the way he did in his second years in New Jersey and New Orleans, the upcoming Cavaliers season should keep fans’ interest at least until Indians pitchers and catchers report.

“I don’t know what the formula is,” Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison said. “He is a very hands-on coach. I think the players have the utmost respect for him and buy into what he’s trying to do. ... I know we do believe in what he brings to the table.”

Scott guided the 2001-02 Nets to a 26-win spike from the previous season en route to the NBA Finals. Four years later, his 2005-06 New Orleans Hornets collected 20 more victories than in the previous season.

Why did those teams make such dramatic jumps?

“Probably because they get used to coach Scott,” Scott said laughing. “.¤.¤. Obviously, players had a lot to do with it as well. Hopefully we can have that same kind of success here.”

In each case, a new point guard and infusion of young talent were instrumental. The Cavs will have both, although Scott concedes his 19-win club from a season ago is not as far along as his previous teams.

The Nets set a franchise record with 52 victories after acquiring point guard Jason Kidd in a trade. The leadership of Kidd, development of youngsters Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson and return to health of Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn aided in one of the NBA’s greatest about-faces.

New Jersey was swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. The Nets made it again a year later only to lose to San Antonio in six games.

While a veteran point guard revitalized the Nets, Scott relied on a rookie in New Orleans. That is, after he jettisoned Baron Davis.

Chris Paul won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 as the Hornets finished 38-44. The point guard and third-year forward David West became All Stars and provided a solid foundation for New Orleans, which won 56 games two seasons later.

Whether Irving and Thompson can develop as rapidly adds intrigue to this season.

Scott said Paul and Irving have a similar ability to process information. The coach knows the condensed schedule - the Cavs play 66 regular-season games in 122 days - will challenge his kids. He believes, however, their basketball acumen will enable them to endure rough stretches.

“Unlike most rookies, you can tell [Irving] one time and he gets it right there,” Scott said. “It doesn’t take him three or four times to get it. Tristan is the same way. We can tell him something either offensive or defensively and he has it.”

Scott likes the energy of his team and the direction it’s heading. His players will have a better idea of what is expected, particularly as it pertains to his intricate offense that had to be scaled back last season.

The coach is a realist, though. Many of the Cavaliers were part of the league-record 26-game losing streak. The Nets and Hornets went through nothing as painful on the court.

“We won [19] games last season and if we make the jump and win 20 extra games, that’s an improvement,” Scott said. “We have to keep taking small steps and get better.

“It is a process, it is going to take time and we all have to be patient. I’m a pretty patient guy, but I still like winning, that’s the bottom line.”

Scott finds himself starting another second season, trying to resurrect another franchise. Maybe he goes 3-for-3, but the Cavaliers will keep scouting Davis, Barnes and Drummond just in case.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

One of the two best true freshman quarterbacks from the 2008 college football season strode to the stage in New York on Saturday night and accepted the Heisman Trophy. The other was Terrelle Pryor.

Sharon Ellman, APBaylor quarterback Robert Griffin III strikes a Heismanesque pose in a game against Texas Tech.

Late in 2008 and in early in 2009, Ohio State’s Pryor or Baylor’s Robert Griffin III was an interesting question to ponder. Both had taken over behind center as true freshmen QBs in BCS conferences, the only players in the nation who did that in 2008.

Both were exceptional athletes -- Pryor the No. 1 recruit in the 2008 class at 6-6 and 235 pounds, Griffin a nearly world-class hurdler at 6-3 and 210 pounds. Both were among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, with nearly unlimited potential.

When the Buckeyes played Texas in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2008 season, the comparison that Longhorns defender Brian Orakpo made when asked about Pryor was what Texas had seen against Griffin earlier in the year.

“We watched a lot of film, and he’s very similar to Griffin,” Orakpo said. “We’re very familiar with those types of quarterbacks.”

They were that type. But the point here isn’t to use Griffin to show what Pryor failed to do. It’s to use Pryor to reinforce how impressive Griffin’s accomplishment is.

Talent takes you so far, but what Griffin did on and off the field at a program that average college football fans know nothing about created the type of player and person who earned every inch of that Heisman.

It was Griffin who lost most of his sophomore season to a knee injury, not Pryor, but it was Pryor who got derailed. That can happen to any player. So even when it’s possible to look back, as can be done with Griffin, and see that, as a freshman, he flashed what eventually landed him on that stage on New York, you can never take it for granted. Griffin progressed every year, improved as a passer, flourished in an offensive system that was more wide-open than anything Pryor every played in, and gave himself the chance to be great.

That’s not always easy.

Before the 2009 season, Stewart Mandel at SI.com compared the two and wrote that he would take Pryor, believing him to be a more gifted passer, and predicting he would become “the most dominant player in the country over the next two years.”

At the Heisman Pundit website, the choice was Griffin in a close call.

It doesn’t mean that Pryor won’t end up being a superstar (I think he will). But I think Griffin has more natural ability and football intelligence and has a chance to become a more complete quarterback.

At the time, I can remember asking Pryor about Griffin briefly, the Buckeye expressing his admiration for the Baylor Bear. I also wrote plenty during the next two years about Pryor’s Heisman chances, his school, his high profile and his highlights giving him every advantage. Winning the Heisman is more like winning an Oscar than winning an MVP award - your story and exposure can matter as much as your stats - and, at the very least, Pryor knew people were going to see his movie.

We all know how that went. Entertaining. Dramatic. A lot of high points and a few lows. Some surprise departures of some supporting characters. Abrupt ending. So some Ohio State fans may have watched Griffin accept his Heisman and thought briefly, “Yeah, that could have been Pryor.”

But sometimes what a good film does best is illustrate how difficult it is to make, and how necessary it is to appreciate, a great one.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

For more Cinesport video, go here.

Josh Willingham, with a .477 slugging percentage and a .332 on-base percentage, is looking for a three-year deal. It has been reported that he was looking for a three-year contract worth $36 million. That's probably too high for the Indians.

APJosh Willingham batted .246 with 29 homers and 98 RBI last season for Oakland.

It has never been a question of knowing what they need. The Indians know they need to score more runs to be better in 2012.

The question has always been, how do they fill the need?

Take free-agent outfielder Josh Willingham for example. He's a right-handed hitter who batted .246 with 29 homers and 98 RBI last season for Oakland. He's not going to re-sign with the rebuilding A's.

Willingham, with a .477 slugging percentage and a .332 on-base percentage, is looking for a three-year deal. It has been reported that he was looking for a three-year contract worth $36 million. That's probably too high.

A more realistic number would be $9 million to $10 million a year. Willingham, 33 in February, made $6 million this year.

If the Indians signed Willingham, it would definitely cause some changes. He would be the starting left fielder for sure, which would push Michael Brantley into a head-to-head competition with Grady Sizemore in center field, or to the bench, or Class AAA Columbus in anticipation of Sizemore's first trip to the disabled list.

A thin roster would be deepened.

From the outside looking in, it's hard to imagine General Manager Chris Antonetti having enough money to make a deal like that. He would probably have to trade away other pieces of the club to create that salary space or get a Christmas bonus from owner Larry Dolan.

Still, there have been talks between Antonetti and Willingham’s agents, but it doesn’t sound as if anything is close to getting done.

The Twins, Rockies, Rays and Mariners have also had interest in Willingham this winter. When free agent Michael Cuddyer signs, that may loosen the market on Willingham.

The Baltimore Sun reported Sunday that the Indians are close to signing outfielder Felix Pie to a minor-league deal. The Indians say nothing is official.

Pie, 26, has never matched the buzz that surrounded him when he came up with the Cubs, but he can fly and play all three outfield positions. He would be a good insurance policy based on the injuries that have hounded Sizemore, Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo the past couple of years.

The Indians have little outfield depth, and a guy such as Pie makes sense.

Other outfield options such as Jason Kubel, Coco Crisp and Cody Ross remain. If the Indians are having trouble affording Willingham, Cuddyer is definitely out of their reach.

The Indians have explored their options at first base as well.

Houston talked to them about Carlos Lee last week at the winter meetings. Lee is making $18.5 million in 2012, and the Astros would have to get much more than half that to make a deal work.

Derrek Lee, who turned down an arbitration offer from the Pirates, has interested the Indians all offseason. Lee hasn’t returned the interest.

Casey Kotchman is another possibility, but he doesn’t offer as much power as incumbent Matt LaPorta.

The Indians touched base with Casey Blake’s agent. They view the former Indian as a role player, helping at third, first, left and right field. That seems to be as far as the conversation went.

Antonetti has explored trades as well. They have pitching to offer but would talk about almost anyone in the organization.

They are in a position where they can’t say no without thinking about it.

Let’s talk: The Indians talked to Jack Hannahan’s agent last week at the winter meetings. Hannahan is eligible for arbitration, but nothing serious was discussed because today is the deadline for teams offering their players contracts for 2012.

The Indians are expected to tender Hannahan a contract, and Hannahan wants to return. If the Indians didn’t offer him a deal, he might be in for a bigger payday, considering the contracts free-agent utility men Willie Bloomquist, Ramon Santiago and Jamey Carroll have signed this winter.

It’s happening again: The grief the Indians have taken for trading starters CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee will probably never end. So it’s hard to imagine what Oakland fans are going through this winter since GM Billy Beane is at it again.

The man who traded Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Dan Haren, among other top-shelf starting pitchers, is sending another A’s rotation to the far corners of the MLB. He traded right-hander Trevor Cahill to Arizona during the weekend after spending all last week trying to trade lefty Gio Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey.

Cahill and Gonzalez are both young and talented, but Beane needs as many top-10 prospects as possible to rebuild the A’s for 2014, when his team could move into a new ballpark.

10 years after: Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $275 million deal with the Yankees in 2007 when he was 32. His batting averages since signing: .302, .286, .270 and .276. His homer totals: 35, 30, 30, 18. His RBI totals: 103, 100, 125, 62. His games played: 138, 124, 137, 99.

During the weekend, a New York columnist called A-Rod’s contract an albatross.

Albert Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 million deal with the Angels last week at 31. It will be interesting to see what the Angels think of this deal as they near the halfway point in 2016, when Pujols will be 37.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Snyder has ruined a tradition-rich franchise, Norman Chad writes.

APSporting a team pullover, shades and a bad attitude, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is about as cool as warm beer to the few Washington fans who can still recall the team' proud past.

In a landmark legal action, today I am announcing People v. Daniel M. Snyder, filed in D.C. Superior Court.

This is sort of a class-action suit — representing 80,000 Redskins season-ticket holders and 4.3 million Redskins fans in the Washington metropolitan area, as well as 17.8 million other Redskins fans worldwide, all of whom would prefer to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal (and the possibility of increased parking fees).

I speak for almost all of them in regard to our pain and suffering during the 46-year-old Redskins owner’s sour reign since 1999.

Here are the charges:

• He has ruined a tradition-rich franchise. In 12 seasons under Joe Gibbs (1981-92), the Redskins totaled eight playoff appearances and three Super Bowl titles. In 12 seasons under Snyder’s ownership (including four years of Gibbs’ second coaching stint), the Redskins have totaled three playoff appearances and no Super Bowl titles. It’s as if he bought the Grand Canyon and turned it into a stone quarry.

• Paying no respect to those who came before him. The late Jack Kent Cooke built (and paid for) the Redskins’ new stadium in Maryland. To honor him after his death, it was named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. One of Snyder’s first actions as owner was to recast the stadium as FedEx Field. He could have gotten the corporate money and left the Cooke name as part of the stadium.

• Fatal attraction to high-priced, low-performing free agents. Jeff George, Deion Sanders, Adam Archuleta, Jeremiah Trotter, Brandon Lloyd, Albert Haynesworth, et al.

• Increasing ticket prices, decreasing quality of product. If a bag of M&Ms kept getting smaller — with a worse taste — and the cost kept going up, would you keep buying it?

• For 6½ years, the primary voice for the team’s player personnel decisions was a chap by the name of Vinny Cerrato. If Vinny Cerrato ran a 7-Eleven, within two years, it would be open four hours a day.

(Column intermission: For the second time in three years, Couch Slouch must apologize for an inexcusable, inscrutable Team of Destiny selection. In 2009, I picked the Lions, who went 2-14. In 2011, I picked the Vikings, headed for 2-14. If I could, I would sue myself. As it is, my parents have filed papers to legally change their last name to avoid further shame.)

• Suing dozens of season-ticket holders who asked to be released from multiyear agreements. This included taking to court a 72-year-old grandmother — a season-ticket holder since the early 1960s — who, because of the economic downturn, could no longer afford her $5,300-a-year contract for two loge seats.

• He once cut down trees near his home that were protected by the National Park Service. In Snyder’s defense, he got himself a spectacular view of the Potomac River!

• He once tried to ban pedestrian traffic into FedEx Field. I wish I were making this up. But, in 2000, Snyder attempted to stop fans — trying to save on parking fees by leaving their cars nearby and walking to FedEx Field — from entering the stadium grounds on foot. The ban was in the name of “pedestrian safety.”

• He banned signs and banners from FedEx Field in 2009. Some of them were critical of Redskins ownership. Of course, the policy, we were told, was meant to protect spectators from getting injured by signs. (Note: “Getting crushed by a falling sign” remains the fourth-largest cause of accidental death at U.S. stadiums.)

• The man has no sense of humor. If Chris Rock walked into Snyder’s office and started to riff, he would send him to the personnel department to fill out some paperwork.

• Hiring a public-relations guru to cleanse his image. You are who you are, and you can pretend to be someone you are not, but at the end of the day, you’re still who you were.

• He sued a reporter, Dave McKenna of the Washington City Paper, because McKenna portrayed Snyder negatively through an avalanche — no, make that a tsunami — of incriminating factual information. Uh, I believe it’s called the First Amendment.

• The one decent thing Snyder could have done is change the team’s offensive nickname, but he wouldn’t know decent if it jumped in his lap and sang, “Hail to the . . .”

Redskins? It’s embarrassing.

Ask the Slouch!

Q:Does Tim Tebow rock your boat, or do you want to toss him overboard? — Jeremy Madison, Spokane, Wash.

A:It’s hard not to root for the guy, because he’s cut from a different cloth and throws the ball like it’s a Gummi bear stuck to his hand, but I’m neutral on Tebow Time.

Q:In order to sell more merchandise at The Slouch Store, do you ever write columns in your throwback underwear? — Jim Ondrey, Chardon.

A:My entire body — as well as my body of work — is throwback, sir.

Q:If Joe Theismann were to officiate over a wedding, would there be an opportunity for the bride and groom to recite their vows? — Scott D. Shuster, Watertown, Mass.

A:Pay the man, Shirley.

Q:Could Siri replace Shirley? — Andrew Sharp, Pittsburgh.

A:What are you, nuts? One is a voice, the other is a vision.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles.

The Cavaliers are holding their annual Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts this morning. Get Twitter updates from The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com and then stay tuned later for video interviews and photos.

The Cavaliers are holding their annual Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts this morning. Get Twitter updates from @PDCavsInsider, @treedpd, @dan_labbe and @glennmooreCLE and then stay tuned later for video interviews and photos.

Should the NFL fine the Cleveland Browns for delaying the concussion test on Colt McCoy?

APCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12).

Mary Kay Cabot writes on Cleveland.com how the NFL's initial look into how the Browns handled Colt McCoy after his helmet-to-helmet hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison revealed that they didn't conduct the standard concussion test until the following morning, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.

Mortensen, on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” said league sources told him that the Browns didn't perform the SCAT2 concussion test (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) on the sidelines before they sent him back into the game after two plays. The two plays took a total of 80 seconds. McCoy was also down on the field for a few minutes after the hit.

Should the NFL fine the Browns?

The Cleveland Browns continue to defend their position when it comes to Colt McCoy.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerQuarterback Colt McCoy.

Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald writes how the Cleveland Browns are defending its decision to send quarterback Colt McCoy back into the game only two plays after he got nailed by Pittsburgh's James Harrison.

This was a bad hit, writes Ingraham, but McCoy, who was led off the field following the hit, jogged back onto it two plays later.

How long does it take to run two plays? Sixty seconds? Two minutes? Not very long. According to the Browns, it was long enough for them to administer all the necessary tests to prove that McCoy was alert and healthy enough to re-enter the game.

According to McCoy's father, who was understandably upset, his son doesn't remember anything that happened after the hit and should not have been put back in the game. That McCoy perhaps wasn't clear-headed when he re-entered the game is a legitimate question to ask because on the last two plays he ran after the vicious hit, McCoy was penalized for intentional grounding, and then he threw an interception.

Ingraham writes how this is serious McCoy's father has basically accused the team of sending his seriously injured son back into a game. The Browns say he was fine.

More Cleveland Browns

The Browns did not test Colt McCoy on the sideline (Ohio.com).

Browns didn't check Colt McCoy (The News-Herald).

McCoy's status is still uncertain (CantonRep.com).

McCoy is not the man yet in a quarterback league (MansfieldNewsJournal.com).

Here's something to blame (dawgpounddaily.com).

Cleveland Browns didn't conduct concussion test (Cleveland.com).

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was absent from practice today with the concussion suffered Thursday night against the Steelers.

AP PhotoColt McCoy missed practice Monday with a concussion.

BEREA -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was absent from practice today because of the controversial concussion he suffered in the Steelers game Thursday night.

Two of his teammates who suffered concussions that night also were absent from the indoor session: tight end Ben Watson and fullback Owen Marecic.

It was the third concussion for Watson this season and the second for Marecic. 

McCoy's concussion is controversial because the Browns have said they administered the proper concussion tests before sending him back into the game, but a report Sunday by ESPN's Chris Mortensen said they didn't. Sources told Mortensen that the standard SCAT2 test wasn't conducted until Friday morning,

Browns coach Pat Shurmur will address Mortensen's report after practice, probably around 12:15.

If McCoy can't play, Seneca Wallace will get the start Sunday in Arizona. McCoy has suffered at least one other concussion, when he was in high school. Teams need to be even more careful with players who have suffered multiple concussions.

McCoy suffered the head injury when Steelers linebacker James Harrison drilled him in the facemask with his helmet with a little less than six minutes left in the game. He remained down on the field for a few minutes and then spent only two plays -- totaling 80 seconds -- on the sidelines. Total time from the hit to returning to the game was 3:50.

The next day, McCoy's father, Brad McCoy, a longtime high school football coach, said his son didn't remember anything after the hit and should've never gone back in the game. After the collision, McCoy threw an interception in the end zone that helped cost the Browns the victory. They lost 14-3.

In other Browns news, linebacker Scott Fujita made an appearance on the sidelines after undergoing recent surgery to repair two broken bones in his right hand.

Daniel Gibson spent time in the ring.

PD FileCleveland Cavaliers' Daniel Gibson.

Daniel Gibson participated in some serious training during the offseason. It most of it had nothing to do with basketball.

Bob Finnan of The News-Herald writes how Gibson stayed in shape by getting into the boxing ring.

"I never got knocked out, but I sparred a little bit," he said. "I threw a couple jabs."

He went to a boxing ring in Houston.

"A lot of my friends are amateur boxers, so I just got in with them," Gibson said.

He said it was a new experience. Other than a few scrapes in high school, he had never gotten in a ring and actually boxed.

"It's a lot of fun," Gibson said. "I like it."

He didn't suffer any black eyes or bloody noses. His wife, singer Keyshia Cole, would have frowned on that.

More Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrell Biggs hopes to make the most of his opportunity (CantonRep.com).

Daniel Gibson gets ready for reality TV plunge (Ohio.com).

Cleveland Cavaliers media day (Cleveland.com).

Boobie Gibson and Keyshia Cole (Cleveland.com).

Free-agent guard Anthony Parker re-signed a one-year contract with the Cavs. Forward Omri Casspi missed practice after bumping knees with Luke Harangody in practice on Sunday but is expected to play Friday at Detroit.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerAnthony Parker, left, is back for a third season with the Cavaliers.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Free agent guard Anthony Parker signed a one-year deal to return to the Cavaliers on Monday, becoming a possible starter at shooting guard and bringing veteran leadership to the locker room of this young team.

"It feels good to be back,'' said Parker, 36, who reportedly drew interest from the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks as well. "At the beginning [of free agency] my goal was to sit down and analyze every situation and determined what the best place for my family and myself was, and it's here. I'm just excited to be back, excited to see the guys and the coaches and everybody on the staff and get another year going.''

Asked why it was here, Parker said, "One of the things that I analyzed in the process was the interest shown by the team. I think that's a good indicator of where you fit in with that organization and how they plan to use you. From the beginning, even from last year, Cleveland was the team that showed the most interest.''

Parker originally signed with Cleveland on July 13, 2009. Over the past two seasons with the Cavs, he has started 146 of the 153 games he has played in, averaging 7.8 points on .415 shooting, including .398 from 3-point range, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28.6 minutes per game.

Last season, he started 65 games and averaged 8.3 points on .399 shooting, including .379 from 3-point range, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 29 minutes a game.

But the Cavs have maintained all along that his leadership in the locker room was as important as what he brought to the court.

"Bringing back Anthony was a high priority for us,'' general manager Chris Grant said. "We place great value on the leadership, professionalism and veteran presence he brings both on the court and in the locker room.''

Added coach Byron Scott, "It's just good to have another great guy, great player. That veteran leadership and experience will help out with some of our young guys.''

Parker will join the team for practice this afternoon but guard Baron Davis has left the team to get a second opinion on his ailing back, and forward Omri Casspi bumped his right knee on a screen by Luke Harangody on Sunday and could be out a couple of days. Scott said he thought Casspi would be available for Friday's exhibition game at Detroit.

Also, Grant announced that the Cavs have received an extension on the trade exception they received in the deal for LeBron James in the summer of 2010. They have until Dec. 16 to use it, although they are unlikely to do so.

First-year Kenston football coach Pete Thompson's contract will not be renewed, Athletic Director Lynn Gotthardt said Monday. "The administration decided to go in a different direction,'' said Gotthardt, who declined to elaborate.

First-year Kenston football coach Pete Thompson's contract will not be renewed, Athletic Director Lynn Gotthardt said Monday.

First-year Kenston football coach Pete Thompson's contract will not be renewed, Athletic Director Lynn Gotthardt said Monday.

"The administration decided to go in a different direction,'' said Gotthardt, who declined to elaborate.

Thompson remains at Kenston as a social studies teacher. He teaches U.S. history and advanced-placement government.

He was Kenston's defensive coordinator for 12 years prior to being named head coach in May. He was 38 at the time, and previously had not been a head coach.

Kenston was 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division last season. It lost to Chardon and playoff qualifiers Hudson, Chagrin Falls and Aurora.

The Bombers defeated Brush, Wickliffe, Orange, Perry, Harvey and playoff qualifier West Geauga. Thompson was not immediately available for comment.

Plain Dealer reporter also says Browns should not seek to send a message during Jan. 1 rematch against Steelers in Cleveland. Watch video

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

The Browns are still dealing with fallout from the concussion QB Colt McCoy suffered during Thursday night's 14-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFL is in discussions with the Browns about whether they handled McCoy's concussion appropriately during the game. Do you think the Browns should be fined for sending McCoy back into the game when they did? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who broke the story Friday about McCoy's father not being happy about the team's handling of his son. Mary Kay says there are still many unanswered questions about the situation.

She also says she thinks there may be an NFL rule change during the offseason because of McCoy's concussion; and she says the Browns should not take matters into their own hands and try to repay Harrison for the hit when the teams meet for the second time on Jan. 1.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff talking Browns.

Kelly Pavlik and Joe Loew are no longer a team.

Associated PressKelly Pavlik has his arm raised in victory.

A partnership spanning two decades has finally come to an end after Jack Loew confirmed that he is no longer the trainer of former undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, according to this article on WorldBoxingNews.com.

Loew, apparently, has had problem with Pavlik over the past few years with issues inside and outside of the ring.

Lowe says:

“When you can’t control a fighter outside of the ring, it’s time to walk away.

“I have no control of Kelly outside of the ring anymore and I refuse to take the heat for things I can’t control."

Pavlik, 29, has been out of the ring since May this year and recently cancelled a scheduled return with just days’ notice, which seemed to contribute to this time being the final straw for Loew.

Tony Grossi tackled your questions about Colt McCoy's concussion, the loss to the Steelers and this Sunday's game against the Cardinals during his weekly chat earlier today on cleveland.com

Tony Grossi tackled your questions about Colt McCoy's concussion, the loss to the Steelers and this Sunday's game against the Cardinals during his weekly chat earlier today on cleveland.com.

Click on the play button to listen or download the podcast here. Among the topics discussed:

- Will Colt McCoy play Sunday against Arizona?

- Who's to blame for putting McCoy back in the game with a concussion?

Chat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

- Has Pat Shurmur had too much on his plate this season?

- Should the Browns consider Robert Griffith III come draft time?

- Have the Browns made up their minds on Colt McCoy's future as the starting QB

and a whole lot more!

Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions spoke to the media today at Cleveland Clinic Courts as part of Cavaliers Media Day. Watch video