D'Qwell Jackson is first altnerate at ILB and Josh Cribbs is second alternate at kick returner and third alternate at special teamer.

Tony Dejak, Associated PressJoe Thomas has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. He also has played every offensive snap since he joined the Browns in 2007.

Joe Thomas has it going now.

The Browns' left tackle earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl berth on Tuesday. He was named a starter. No other Browns player made the regular roster.

"It's a tremendous honor any time you can get named to the Pro Bowl," Thomas said. "For me to represent the Cleveland Browns for a fifth time is kind of hard to believe. It never gets old."

D'Qwell Jackson was named first alternate at inside linebacker and Josh Cribbs was second alternate at kick returner and third alternate as a special teamer.

Thomas is the first Browns player since Jim Brown to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. Brown did it nine years in a row. The last to do it five or more times was Leroy Kelly from 1967 to 1972.

Thomas was the NFL's third overall draft pick in 2007. In that rookie year, Thomas started what has become kind of an obsession for him -- playing every offensive snap for the entire season. That streak has continued this year through 15 games.

"I try not to think about it too much," he said. "Crazy things can happen. But I do kind of pride myself in being a guy out there every play. As an offensive lineman, it's important for us to be out there, to be next to each other, every play and every game."

What's made Thomas' consecutive Pro Bowl streak more impressive is that the Browns have had terrible offensive teams and records since his rookie season. They were 10-6 in 2007, but the past four years have gone 4-12, 5-11, 5-11 and so far 4-11.

In August, Thomas, 27, signed a seven-year contract for a potential $84 million with $44 million guaranteed. At the time, Thomas was euphoric about the possibilities with a new coach on board, Pat Shurmur.

His optimism hasn't waned during one of the more difficult seasons of the team's expansion era.

"I see this thing heading in the right direction," Thomas said. "I see us developing young players. We're more competitive in every game. It's not going to be long when we're winning those 10-games plus on a consecutive basis."

Until that happens, other deserving players on the Browns will have to wait for Pro Bowl recognition. Thomas said he felt Jackson was deserving, along with center Alex Mack (who made it as an alternate last year) and defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin.

Jackson finished third in the fan vote and third overall among inside linebackers. He was named first alternate behind Baltimore's Ray Lewis and Kansas City's Derrick Jackson

Jackson wrote on his Twitter account: "I want to thank all the fans for their support voting me as 1st alternate behind Ray Lewis and Derrick Johnson. They are well deserving."

Jackson could have a higher honor awaiting him. He is a leading candidate to be named the NFL's comeback player of the year.

The drama over who made the Pro Bowl is actually more interesting than the game itself. It will be played Sunday, Jan. 29, in Honolulu.

Coach Byron Scott is wasting no time putting Kyrie Irving in pressure situations.

Gus Chan, The Plain DealerCoach Byron Scott, left, is giving rookie point guard Kyrie Irving the ball at crunch time.

With less than six minutes remaining and his club trailing by seven points, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott replaced his most effective player with a rookie point guard searching for his rhythm and jump shot.

Without context the decision sounds indefensible, and it's certainly one Miami's Erik Spoelstra or Boston's Doc Rivers won't have to make anytime soon. But Scott's objective is more complex, his balancing act more delicate than many of his peers this season.

The Cavaliers coach is simultaneously trying to win games and develop youngsters. Sometimes, those desires intersect to form peculiar moments like the one Monday night at The Q as Ramon Sessions, the game's leading scorer, was subbed out for 19-year-old Kyrie Irving, who had hit 1-of-8 shots to that point.

It wasn't an exhibition or a meaningless late-season game, but the opener in front of a sellout crowd. Scott said he's sure some fans second-guessed the move in the Cavaliers' 104-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

But it's one the coach made after mulling it for more than two minutes.

"It's a developmental thing right now," Scott said. "I've got to get this young man (Irving) used to closing out games and I have to find out what he has, what he's made of when the games are on the line in situations like that."

In his 12th season as an NBA coach, Scott estimates it's just the third or fourth time he's replaced a hot hand – Sessions had 18 points and six assists – in favor of a player on the learning curve. It's one thing for coaches to say they want to cultivate rookies. It's another to do it with a game on the line a season removed from a league-record 26-game losing streak.

Of course, Irving isn't some kid fresh from the NBA Development League. He's the top pick in the June draft, and one of the Cavaliers' future cornerstones. Irving finished the night with six points on 2-of-12 shooting, while adding seven assists.

"I can sit here and put two minutes on the clock (at practice) and say we're down four," Scott said. "It still doesn't simulate what you are going to go through when the game is on the line and you've got 17,000 people in the stands as well. As many times as he can be put in that situation the better off he will be."

How will it play with season-ticket holders or the veterans who hear the horn and see Irving or Tristan Thompson, 20, trotting onto the floor? Some wondered how Baron Davis would react to such a scenario. The injured point guard was waived two weeks ago and signed by the New York Knicks.

Sessions, who's spent much of his four seasons as a reserve, said he understands what the Cavaliers are doing. He offered no objection Tuesday to Scott's late-game decision.

"That's what the Young Fella is here for," Sessions said. "He started the game and he is going to finish it. The Young Fella is really talented. You guys have seen that. That's his job."

Almost immediately after entering the game with 5:28 left Irving launched a long jumper his coach termed a "rookie mistake." Nevertheless, Scott liked that the point guard wanted the ball and wasn't afraid of the moment.

Irving converted 1-of-4 shots down the stretch along with three assists, a turnover and a steal. After the game, he appreciated the coach's show of faith and his teammates' support. Sessions reminded him of his 7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and that 65 games remain.

Scott said once Irving gets accustomed to playing with the starters he and Sessions could see time in the same backcourt.

Irving wasn't made available to the media Tuesday following a flurry of interviews the past few days. After patiently answering every question Monday night, he tweeted: "Learning process . . ."

His coach figures to give him many opportunities to learn with the clock ticking down and the outcome undecided.

Almost a Gator, Ohio State freshman Ryan Shazier is now ready to face Florida in the Gator Bowl as part of a new starting linebacker group.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerRyan Shazier committed to Florida when Urban Meyer was coaching the Gators, then switched to Ohio State after Meyer left. Monday in the Gator Bowl, he'll get a chance to play against the school he almost attended.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- Nothing was going to keep Ryan Shazier out of this Gator Bowl, apparently. Not a school choice, not a coaching change, not a sprained knee ligament. He was going to be part of Ohio State vs. Florida one way, and on one side, or another.

Ohio State's freshman linebacker has spent the past month since he was injured in the Michigan game rehabbing his left knee and getting accustomed to the knee brace he expects to wear on Monday in the Gator Bowl against the Gators.

"If it starts to bother me, I'll take it off," Shazier said Tuesday.

He won't be taking off his Ohio State jersey, though he easily could be on the other sideline in this matchup of 6-6 teams. A native of Plantation, Fla., Shazier originally gave an oral commitment to Florida when Urban Meyer was the coach there. When Meyer retired a year ago, Shazier reopened his recruiting and chose Ohio State. Now he's playing for the Buckeyes, in his home state, against the team he nearly played for, while getting ready to play next year for the coach he nearly committed to, Meyer, and the coach who drew him to Ohio State, Luke Fickell.

"It's crazy," Shazier said. "I'm happy. I'm where I want to be. I'm really happy I got both of them."

And Shazier said Meyer did tell him in the past few weeks, "I knew I'd coach you one day."

In the Gator Bowl, the Buckeyes will get what a lot of fans have been looking for all season, and what was going to be the plan at the end of the regular season before senior Andrew Sweat got hurt. Though both are weakside linebackers, Sweat and Shazier will start together for the first time this year, with Sweat moving to middle linebacker to make it work. Both players are excited about the possibilities. Sweat was the Buckeyes' leading tackler through the first 10 games, averaging 6.8 per game. Shazier was the leading tackler in the final two regular-season games when starting in place of the injured Sweat, averaging 11.5.

Shazier admits that both he and his father check out what fans are writing on the Internet, and they knew that potential pairing was popular.

"Sometimes when people say things, I try to prove them wrong," Shazier said. "Sometimes we read that, and sometimes we read the other end of it, too. So we're just trying to prove them right, and to help this team be successful."

For Shazier, that means playing healthier than he did against the Wolverines, when he played with one functioning leg in the second half.

He injured his knee chasing Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, though he couldn't find on film how the injury really happened.

He just knows he's ready for this game, against a Florida team that features a freshman class he knows so well, that he was just talking to one of the Gators on Tuesday. And he knows he will be better than he was last time out.

"Oh, I'm going to feel a lot better than I did in the Michigan game," Shazier said.

Backup QB to Hawaii: Former Ohio State backup Taylor Graham has been granted his release by Ohio State and told The Plain Dealer on Tuesday that he will transfer to Hawaii. After redshirting in 2010 and serving as the No. 4 quarterback this season, Graham, a dropback passer, was looking for a chance to play and thinks he found it with new Hawaii coach Norm Chow. Chow, then the offensive coordinator at UCLA, had recruited Graham out of high school.

"I did not want to leave all my teammates at Ohio State," Graham said. "I love them and wish them the best, but I'm a competitor and I want to play, and I felt it was time to move on. I do not regret coming to Ohio State. I enjoyed every minute I was there."

Graham is the son of former quarterback Kent Graham, who also transferred in the middle of his career, starting at Notre Dame before coming to Ohio State.

Graham will have to sit out the 2011 season and then have two years of eligibility remaining.

"My parents are excited, but it is so far away," said Graham, an Illinois native. "They understand, though, that I'm chasing my dream.

"And I want to play."

Notes: The Buckeyes arrived in Florida on Tuesday and will hold their first practice Wednesday morning at the University of North Florida. The Florida Gators, with their campus just 70 miles away in Gainesville, practiced in Jacksonville on Tuesday. . . . Ohio State is staying in a hotel on the property of the TPC Sawgrass, a golf course that hosts a PGA Tour event and features the well-known island green on the 17th hole. Several players toured the course Tuesday, while a few took shuttles to the beach. . . . A team welcome dinner was held at the hotel, with most of the players wearing black golf shirts with an OSU logo. It brought to mind the attire glitch of two years ago when quarterback Terrelle Pryor and two other players were prevented by Jim Tressel from attending a dinner at a prime rib restaurant the week of the Rose Bowl because they were wearing jeans. Back then, that qualified as a Buckeye controversy.

Stow girls rally after falling behind, 12-0.

It's always a good feeling to shoot the basketball well out of the gate.

Problems arise, though, when hot hands go cold and the Holy Name girls ran into a huge problem during Tuesday's 66-55 loss to Stow at the two-day Fight Or Flight Invitational, hosted by Twinsburg.

"We lost intensity in that second quarter and we missed a lot of easy layups, but we have to knock down those shots," said Holy Name coach Kim Jones after watching her team go up, 12-0, only to then fall behind at halftime, 39-27.

The Green Wave (4-4) bolted out to a 23-12 lead after making 11 of its first 19 shots, but Holy Name then went ice cold, missing 17 of 18 shots in the second quarter.

A lot of that had to do with Stow coach Bob Podges, who pulled his starters four minutes into the game and kept them out a full quarter.

"We didn't start out well so I wasn't surprised we were taken out," said four-year starter/Eastern Michigan softball recruit Alex Shaver. "The players who came in did a nice job."

Senior Emma Kosmach, juniors Heather Graehling, Abbie Lawson, Allyson Iwanski, sophomore Madison Baer and freshman Christina Vaughan combined for 21 points for Stow (6-2) while the starters watched.

The long breather seemed to fire up Shaver, who responded with a team-high 18 points. Samantha Shaver, Lexi Stefanov and Graehling chipped in eight points apiece for the Bulldogs, ranked 11th in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll. Holy Name senior forward/Mercyhurst recruit Taylor Krusinski finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

"Outside of [Twinsburg's] Malina [Howard], that's the best post player we've seen," said Alex Shaver.

In other games in the tournament:

Midpark 61, Toledo Notre Dame Academy 55: The second-ranked Meteors (6-1) had sophomore Stasha Carey, senior Brittany Smith and Nebraska recruit Rachel Theriot score 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win. They also held a 38-27 edge in rebounds, paced by Carey's 13 boards and seven by Theriot, who chipped in five assists, three steals and four blocks.

Malcolm X Shabazz (N.J.) 53, Hathaway Brown 45:The Bulldogs (4-0), ranked No. 8 in USA Today, outscored the defending Division II state champions, 34-24, in the second half for the win. The Blazers (4-3), ranked 14th in the area, had Nia Marshall score a team-high 18 points while Shabazz's Aliyyah Handford scored a game-best 20 points.

Toledo Rogers 68, Lake Ridge Academy 45: The 16th-ranked Lions (2-3) couldn't overcome a 31-18 halftime deficit, despite the 11-point effort of Monet Saunders and 10-point performance from Detroit Mercy recruit DaVonna Bradford.

Medina 46, Cloverleaf 32: A 7-0 run in the second quarter put the 22nd-ranked Battling Bees (7-1) ahead after trailing, 8-5, in the first quarter. It was the seventh straight win for the Bees, who got 10 points and seven rebounds from junior Sarah Kinch. Seniors Haley Ploucha and Katie Simpson scored 10 points each for Cloverleaf (4-7).

Warren Howland 51, Mentor 37: The Cardinals (3-4) dug themselves too big of a first-quarter hole by falling behind, 15-5. Junior Lauren Stefancin had 11 points for Mentor.

Youngstown Ursuline 48, Cleveland Central Catholic 23: Ursuline (6-1) sprinted to a 16-6 first-quarter lead against the inexperienced Ironmen (4-5). Terris Mitchell's eight points led the 2007 Division III state champ Central.

Action in the tournament continues Wednesday.

Brunswick boys knock off Mayfield.

Brunswick played its way into The Plain Dealer Top 25 on Tuesday when it rolled past 18th-ranked Mayfield.

The unranked Blue Devils will get a chance to validate their appearance tonight when they go against top-ranked Shaker Heights in the championship game of the eighth annual Brunswick Holiday Tournament. Shaker Heights beat a young Solon team in the first game.

"Some people might look at The Plain Dealer and think this was an upset, but I would disagree," coach Joe Mackey said of his team's 61-43 victory over the previously undefeated Wildcats. "Mayfield is a good team, they are very well coached. But we fully anticipated that we would win this game."

The victory raised Brunswick's record to 7-1 overall, with the lone loss coming against former No. 1 Garfield Heights.

So, how does Mackey see tonight's game against Louisville-bound Terry Rozier and the rest of the Raiders?

"It will be a challenge for us," said Mackey. "They have a guy going to Louisville and athletes all over the floor. But, we're looking forward to it. I think having played Garfield is in our favor."

Brunswick used a 2-3 zone to discourage the Wildcats (6-1) from driving to the basket. It was a defense that Mackey shunned until last year.

"If you would have come to me a few years ago and told me that we'd be playing this much zone defense, I probably would have told you that I'd rather coach in pink pants than play a zone," he said. "But, it is what it is and we are what we are. I think we took Mayfield out of their comfort zone."

The Blue Devils had four players score in double figures as sophomore guard Ryan Badowski -- who started last year as a freshman -- and 6-3 junior Kyle Wheeler finished with 14 points each. Jason Swords, one of three seniors on the roster, came off the bench to score 12 points and 6-6 junior Taylor Armagost also came off the bench to score 10, grab seven rebounds and block two shots.

Brunswick made 20-of-44 field goal attempts but was a dead-eye 16-of-19 at the free throw line, including 11-of-13 in the third quarter.

Mayfield made just 17-of-53 shots and got to the free throw line just six times. Coupled with 21 turnovers, that made for a long night.

"We turned the ball over 21 times against a 2-3 zone," said coach Keith Leffler. "Their zone slowed us down. Our ability to score allows us to set up our press and that's helped us win games. We didn't shoot it real well tonight."

Shaker Heights 63, Solon 39: Rozier, arguably the best player in Greater Cleveland, scored the 1,000th point of his career en route to a team-high 15-point night in helping the Raiders improve to 7-0.

The 6-2 senior was hampered by foul trouble and missed most of the first half but took control once he returned. Senior Kash Blackwell scored 14 points and 6-4 Robert Fomby finished with 10. Despite Rozier missing significant playing time, the Raiders built a 27-15 lead at the half by holding the Comets (1-5) to five baskets before intermission.

Solon, which started three sophomores and was playing its fifth undefeated opponent in six games, got 12 points each from 6-3 juniors Hari Fair and Josh Glass.

Shaker had a 23-16 advantage in rebounding through three quarters, at which time it had a 46-28 lead. Coach Danny Young used his depth early and often, using 11 players in the first half.

Wednesday's consolation game starts at 6 p.m., followed by the title game.

Did Joe Thomas deserve another Pro Bowl honor?

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns left tackle Joe Thomas.

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas earned his fifth straight trip to the Pro Bowl. Thomas allowed only three sacks this season, but many of you have posted on Cleveland.com that Thomas didn't deserve his Pro Bowl honor.

Thomas, however, was voted to the Pro Bowl by his peers. But should a player on a losing team receive consideration among the best of the best?

Or is Thomas just that good?

“I heard about this trip to Pittsburgh. I wasn’t sure how much fun I could have around Pittsburgh fans, but when I heard how much fun everyone was having, I had to make the trip.”
-- Mike Fain Maple Heights resident and Cleveland Browns fan, on taking a bus to Pittsburgh to see the Browns play the Steelers Watch video

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerBrowns and Steelers fans board a bus to Pittsburgh for the teams' most recent game earlier this month after gathering at Skeets' bar in Cleveland.

Mike Fain shares his passion for his favorite football team with many Cleveland Browns fans. And Fain remains faithful despite the Browns’ struggles since they re-emerged in 1999.

Fain is so dedicated that on a Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8, he and a horde of partygoers stood in line in front of Skeets’ VSP Lounge on East 93rd Street ready to board two charter buses to Pittsburgh to watch their Browns play the despised Steelers.

But this isn’t a trip to watch the Browns in person. It’s a trip to watch them on TV at a bar.

A can’t-miss good time

For nine seasons, local bar owner Charles “Skeets” Rogers has teamed with a handful of bars in Pittsburgh for this event. When the Browns play in Pittsburgh, an average of two buses travel to a Pittsburgh bar. When the Steelers play at Cleveland Browns Stadium, as they will this Sunday, several buses of fans from Pittsburgh travel to Cleveland and convene at Skeets’ bar.

What started as an excuse for Steelers fans to visit Cleveland has blossomed into a can’t-miss function similar to a holiday celebration. Except this one happens twice a season.

“There’s the rivalry between the two cities and the two teams, but these events are one big party,” said Rogers, 53. “My patrons can’t wait for the Steelers fans to come here, but they also look forward to making the trip to Pittsburgh.”

Fain, of Maple Heights, waited a long time before joining. This was just his second trip in the series.

“Over the years, I heard about this trip to Pittsburgh,” said Fain. “I wasn’t sure how much fun I could have around Pittsburgh fans, but when I heard how much fun everyone was having, I had to make the trip.”

While the Browns struggle, the Steelers remain one of the NFL’s elite teams. The Steelers have dominated the series, 21-4, since 1999, but the rivalry still runs deep.

And that’s one of the reasons Fain, 47, says he hates everything about the city of Pittsburgh, and right now only a football game gives him reason to board a bus to watch the game.

“I’d go to these games at Skeets’, and the Steelers fans were actually really cool,” said Fain, dressed in his Browns sweatshirt and cap. “So I figured I could at least go to Pittsburgh.”

City employee Ginger Strong would rather watch the game in person, but the bus ride and party in Pittsburgh is the next best thing.

“I can drink and have fun and I don’t have to worry about driving,” Strong said.

‘A true visitors welcome’

The idea for these trips developed in 2003 when Pittsburgh residents Runa Lester and Sherri Howell, who promote bus trips, asked Rogers if they could bring three busloads of fans from Pittsburgh to his bar. Lester and Howell, both Steelers fans, sought out a safe and friendly environment to cater to their customers. Lester, who previously frequented Skeets’, saw Rogers’ bar as a good fit.

“We wanted people to feel like they were at a tailgate party,” Lester said. “And Skeets’ is big enough inside, and he has grills outside. And because of being there before, I knew his patrons would treat us well, and they still do.”

Skeets treated his own patrons well with brunch before they boarded the buses on Dec. 8. Once on board, the party favors were distributed, some provided by Skeets’, and the others brought on by the riders.

After a nearly two-hour delay while waiting on the second bus, the group departed from East 93rd.

Old-school hip-hop played over the sound system and for many, the aisles became the dance floor as the buses cruised the Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes. The main dancing machine was Steelers fan Duane Scott of Columbus. Many of the riders had a request for Scott. “Sit down!” and “[Expletive] the Steelers!”

Despite friendly threats of being locked in the restroom, Scott continued to dance and brag about his favorite team.

“I’m on this trip because my fraternity brother Bill Aden told me this would be the liveliest bus ride I’d ever go on,” said Scott, while wearing his Troy Polamalu Steelers jersey. “And Bill didn’t lie. We have Steelers/Browns and Browns/Bengals events in Columbus, but nothing like this.”

Indeed.

The buses finally arrived at the Galaxy Lounge in Homewood, Pa., as “Let’s go Steelers!” chants by several women clad in team jerseys welcomed the arrival. It continued as the buses emptied. But in the midst of the heckling, several Browns and Steelers fans embraced, laughed and mentioned how the Steelers or the Browns were going to win.

A sea of black and gold jerseys, caps, jackets and Terrible Towels greeted the Browns fans when they entered the Galaxy Lounge, which had a feeling of visiting relatives who happen to cheer for the opposing team.

“There’s always love among us,” Fain said.

“Here you have alcohol involved and there hasn’t been any incidents because people look forward to the trip itself,” Aden said. “It’s like going to Vegas. You’re so enamored about the visit that you’re mainly focused on having a good time. When we arrive, it’s a true visitors welcome.”

In the end, it’s just a game

Derrick Hemby, owner of the Galaxy Lounge, doesn’t understand why fans need to hate each other, although Steelers-Browns is one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries, dating to 1950.

“I was in Baltimore for a Steelers and Ravens game, and when we got off the bus in our Steelers jerseys, we were looking at each other like we were enemies,” Hemby said. “But once you sit down and rub elbows with someone who happens to cheer for another team, you realize there’s more to life than football.”

That is certainly true, but Galaxy Lounge’s DJ Roc did his best to instigate the masses. Whenever the Browns made a mistake, DJ Roc would remind his listeners. And when the Steelers scored, DJ Roc played one of the Steelers theme songs. He considered the song, “I’m a Loser,” by the Beatles as the theme song for the Browns.

“It’s all in fun to harass Cleveland and talk stuff,” DJ Roc said. “I like to get the Browns fans riled up.”

As time ran out in the Steelers’ 14-3 win, conversations switched to New Year’s Day, when the Steelers and their fans visit Cleveland.

“We’ll definitely be there,” Hemby said.

After hours of drinking, eating and suffering another disappointment, the Cleveland fans shared the same objective for the ride back home.

“Sleep,” Strong said. “I have to work in a few hours.”

“The game is over, but the party must continue,” Rogers said. “We came partying, and that’s the way we have to leave. The party continues at Skeets’ on New Year’s Day.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

bwright@plaind.com, 216-999-4671

Despite the longtime, intense rivalry between the Browns and Steelers, once in a while Cleveland and Pittsburgh fans manage to develop rather friendly relationships.

Lonnie Timmons III / The Plain DealerBrowns fan Frank Richardson Jr. and his girlfriend, Steelers fan Kim Page, met four years ago at an event for Steelers and Browns fans. The couple fell in love and now have a 10-month old son, Frank III. Photographed on Friday, December 23, 2011.

Despite the longtime, intense rivalry between the Browns and Steelers, once in a while Cleveland and Pittsburgh fans manage to develop rather friendly relationships.

Four years ago, during yet another Steelers win over his favorite team, Browns fan Frank Richardson Jr. tried to ignore the ridicule being heaped upon him in a bar by playing pool. But just as he was ready to put the football game behind him, Richardson’s future — dressed in a Steelers jersey — greeted him with a gem of a pickup line.

“Some lady walks up to me with a Troy Polamalu jersey on and says, ‘How can you root for the Browns?’ ” said Richardson, of Bedford.

Four football seasons and many Browns losses later, Kim Page, of Penn Hills, Pa., and Richardson are still a couple, and are the parents of 10-month-old Frank III.

“I still get teased by Steelers fans on how could I be with a Browns fan?” laughs Page, who moved from Steelers Country to Browns Town. “But they say maybe Frank will come over to the Steelers side.

“That won’t happen; he’s too much of a die-hard Browns fan.”

But not enough for Richardson to keep the Steelers’ influence away from their son. When Page travels back home, the baby will often return to Cleveland dressed in black and gold.

“When my son’s in Pittsburgh, I have no control,” Richardson said. “But I’m not worried. He’ll hear too much barking from me to become a Steelers fan.”

Mentor dominated in its opener at the 29th Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn., as the Cardinals handled Hurley (Va.), 102-29, in boys basketball on Tuesday. Senior forward Justin Fritts led a quartet of double-digit scorers with 25 points as the Cardinals (5-0) opened up a 62-22 lead at halftime. Danny Wallack had 19 points, Jeff Foreman 15 and Conner...

Mentor dominated in its opener at the 29th Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn., as the Cardinals handled Hurley (Va.), 102-29, in boys basketball on Tuesday.

Senior forward Justin Fritts led a quartet of double-digit scorers with 25 points as the Cardinals (5-0) opened up a 62-22 lead at halftime. Danny Wallack had 19 points, Jeff Foreman 15 and Conner Krizancic 10.

Ranked No. 3 in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll, the Cardinals connected on 18 3-pointers in 46 attempts.

No. 10 Stow 65, Roosevelt 39

Senior guard Kyle Scelza tied the school record with 11 3-pointers on his way to 38 points for the host Bulldogs (6-0). Matt Beech added 13 points.

The Rough Riders are 4-2.

No. 11 St. Peter Chanel 72, East Tech 61

The visiting Firebirds (5-0) went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter to take control.

Senior Damon Jones had 16 points and 11 assists for Chanel, with sophomore Ismael Hargrove contributing 13 points, 12 rebounds and junior Montel Goodwin also scoring 13. Senior Ramon Sheffield had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Scarabs (4-2).

Walsh Jesuit 73, Ellet 51

Nick Foschia had 15 points and Henry Trimpe 11 for the host Warriors in the nonleague contest. Ryan Walsh had 19 for the Orangemen.

Willoughby South 74, Geneva 43

Tyler Herron had 27 points and 19 rebounds for the host Rebels (6-2, 5-0) in the Premier Athletic Conference. The Eagles dropped to 0-6, 0-4.

Girls basketball

No. 20 Manchester 54, No. 5 Solon 48

The Panthers (8-0) went 22-for-28 at the line to knock off the Comets (5-2) in the Lady Vikes Classic at North Canton Hoover.

Senior guard Angie Durgala led the winners with 19 points. Kristen Confroy had 12 points for Solon.

Hockey

St. Ignatius 7, Padua 0

Senior forward Paddy Spellacy scored twice as the undefeated Wildcats (19-0) won at their holiday tournament in Brooklyn. Senior goaltender Bobby Fricker got the shutout.

Elyria Catholic 7, Massillon Jackson 6, SO

The Panthers won the shootout on junior Colin Lester's third goal at the Cleveland Heights Holiday Tournament. Junior Nate Wilkie had two goals for the winners.

Shaker Hts. 10, Benedictine 0

Junior Jacob Shick had four goals for the Raiders at the Cleveland Heights tournament.

Boys bowling

Roosevelt 2,246, Coventry 2,201

Brandon Klembus rolled a 183-222–405 series to pace the Rough Riders (5-2, 1-1) in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division match. Justin Ortscheid had a 378 series for the Comets (2-7, 1-2).

Girls bowling

Roosevelt 1,885, Coventry 1,766

Marika Pittinger rolled a 329 and Micayla Moore a 310 for the Rough Riders (6-2, 2-0) in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division contest. Karlee Evans had a 394 series for the Comets (4-6, 1-2).

Boys swimming

Kenston 104, Willoughby South 76

Senior Christian Carter won the 200- and 500-yard freestyles, with junior David Metz winning both the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke for the Bombers.

Girls swimming

Kenston 108, Willoughby South 68

Freshman Sophie Kocheff won the 200 free, 500 free and was on two winning relays for the Bombers. Junior teammate Alanna Hanlon won the 50 free and 100 breaststroke, along with two winning relays.

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We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to our panel of Browns experts.

The call will be recorded and played during Thursday's live show.

Once again, lines will be open today until 11 a.m.

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Questions and answers from a Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer.

Associated PressLinebacker Marcus Benard gets one of the eight sacks the Browns had of Ben Roethlisberger in their 13-6 win over the Steelers in 2009.

The Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford a loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but the Browns can feel better about themselves, especially during the offseason, with a victory.

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich does this Q and A with Scott Brown, who covers the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Q: What’s the latest injury update on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the Steelers’ most recent game with a high-ankle sprain suffered Dec. 8 against the Browns?

A: Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t give a lot [Tuesday during his news conference]. He said he’s hopeful that Ben Roethlisberger and a couple other injured Steelers, center Maurkice Pouncey and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, will play. But he’s very noncommittal when it comes to Roethlisberger. When asked if he will practice him Wednesday, he said that they’ll see, so not a whole lot of clarity when it comes to who will play quarterback for the Steelers. Although he did say if any of the injured guys are healthy and ready to go, they will play, which indicates they’re not gonna just sit Ben and give him another week to get healthy. Basically, if he’s cleared by the medical staff and thinks he can go, thinks he’s OK on the ankle he injured earlier this month, he’ll play against the Browns.

Ulrich also asks Brown how wasJames Harrison’s helmet-to-face mask hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy viewed in Pittsburgh?

A: As far as the hit, the Steelers are pretty tight-lipped about it. It’s something that’s been a point of contention, the way the league has come down on them in their eyes since that Harrison hit in the Browns game last year in October, when he knocked out [wide receiver] Mohamed Massaquoi and got fined $75,000 for it. They’ve been pretty vocal ever since then through the end of the season about how they thought the league was targeting them and targeting James Harrison. They’ve kind of changed their tune, and they’re not talking about it as much.   

More Cleveland Browns

Rushing with the Steelers (Post-Gazette.com).

Joe Thomas makes another Pro Bowl (Cleveland.com).

Does Joe Thomas deserve the Pro Bowl nod (Cleveland.com)?

Despite the rivalry, two fans fall in love (Cleveland.com).

These Browns/Steelers fans enjoy the ride (Cleveland.com).

Mike Tomlin bring own approach (Tribune-Review.com).

Turns out all the talk about Norris Cole's remarkable play during Miami's abbreviated training camp might not have been an exaggeration.

By Jim Litke, Associated Press columnist

Miami Heat guard Norris Cole celebrates after scoring two points during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Cole scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Heat nearly blew a 20-point lead before beating the Celtics 115-107. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

That deflating sound you hear is the suspense beginning to leak out of the NBA season.

Yes, it's only a few days old, but a fifth of the schedule has already been erased by the lockout and if Miami figures out how to attack zone defenses, it's over. No team is going to beat the Heat then. In the opener they blew out a Dallas team that came back to steal the finals by gumming up Miami's offensive machine with a zone. On Tuesday night, they outlasted a Boston team that deployed the same defense in the second half to avoid getting run out of the gym. Though the Celtics clawed back within three points at the 2-minute mark, in the eight quarters the Heat have played, they've trailed for only 14 seconds. Get used to it.

Miami has already fixed the problems that were so apparent when LeBron James and his super sidekicks, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, made their debut together against Boston to kick off the 2010 season. They can play sustained, ferocious defense and they're even more opportunistic — and spectacular — than they were in transition by the end of last season. Even so, Miami coach Eric Spoelstra used some of his free time during the lockout to pick the brains of some of the country's best coaches — Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Kentucky's John Calipari and Oregon football coach Chip Kelly, who runs a particularly hectic version of the no-huddle spread offense — looking for ways to rev up Miami's attack. The lessons appear to have taken. The faster pace and extra space on the floor means more room for James, Wade and Bosh to take advantage of individual matchups, which plays into Miami's strength.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't need to consult the scoreboard at halftime to convince him of that. He watched the finals, saw how well a zone worked for the Mavericks, and despite a commitment to man-to-man defense from the outset of his NBA career, began working on the scheme over the summer. Boston unveiled its version in the third quarter, while the Heat stood around and settled for jumpers, and the Celtics slowly climbed back into the game. An 18-6 run over the final 6 minutes of the period — Miami helpfully misfired on its last eight shots — brought the Celtics to 91-83. That margin seemed comfortable enough, though, until former Heat guard Keyon Dooling scored seven straight points to cut it to 108-105 with 2:02 left.

In Wade and James, the Heat have two of the best finishers in the game, but they still haven't sorted out the question of who is going to finish which game, especially when they're facing a zone. They still hadn't when crunch time came against Boston — the duo combined for just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting in the fourth quarter Tuesday night — but might have come up with an alternative. That would be rookie point guard Norris Cole, who had his hands filled most of the night trying to slow down his opposite, Boston's Rajon Rondo, but found his shooting touch from the perimeter when the Heat needed him most. In quick succession, James and Wade played supporting roles to set Cole up for jumpers and he drained both. Turns out all the talk about Cole's remarkable play during Miami's abbreviated training camp might not have been an exaggeration.

"He's earned their respect. Even though it's been a short period of time, about three weeks, because he's pure, he's all about the team. He's mature ... and he gets them the ball. You're always a popular guy," Spoelstra said, "when you find people when they're open."

Whether Cole turns out to be a dependable alternative at the end of games remains to be seen. He's likely to get the chances, though, because the Heat are certain to see plenty zones before the season has run its course. And either way, considering how little preparation the lockout afforded them, they're certainly going to get better at countering it. Based on the admittedly slim evidence of two games, they've already figured out almost everything else.

"We have confidence in whoever's on the floor at that time," said James, though he said much the same thing with less conviction last season.

If that turns out to be true this time around, look out.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has not been cleared to practice for the Steelers game, and Seneca Wallace is likely to start.

Cleveland Plain DealerColt McCoy has not been cleared to practice for the Steelers game.

BEREA -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (concussion) has not been cleared medically to practice for Sunday's game against the Steelers, meaning his season is most likely over.

Seneca Wallace (0-2) is expected to get his third straight start of the season and the first of his career against the Steelers.

McCoy is lifting weights, running and attending team meetings, but has not been given the green light to participate in drills.

Coach Pat Shurmur said McCoy is getting better, but until he's been cleared to practice, his status for the Steelers game is a moot point.

McCoy suffered the concussion Dec. 8 against the Steelers when linebacker James Harrison smashed him in the facemask with his helmet. He sat out the losses to Arizona and Baltimore.

McCoy finished the season with a 4-9 record and a 74.6 quarterback rating. He threw 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

In other Browns news:

* Wide receiver Jordan Norwood has also not been cleared to practice with his concussion, suffered in the loss to Arizona.

* Receiver Josh Cribbs has been name the Browns nominee for the 2011 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his community service.

* Shurmur said he expects his players to play within the rules when it comes to facing Harrison, who's given three Browns players concussions since last season.

Despite a late charge, St. Edward fell, 52-46, to St. Augustine (New Orleans) in the opening round of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Undefeated St. Augustine is the No. 25 team in ESPN's national poll.

Despite a late charge, St. Edward fell, 52-46, to St. Augustine (New Orleans) in the opening round of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Undefeated St. Augustine is the No. 25 team in ESPN's national poll.

The Eagles fell behind 21-15 at the half, and cut the deficit to 23-22 in the second half. The Eagles trailed by 11 going into the fourth quarter, but they fought back and cut St. Augustine's lead to four with 1:30 left.

Myles Hamilton led the Eagles with 16 points.

St. Vincent-St. Mary 83, Marion Franklin 55

Fighting Irish coach Dru Joyce collected his 200th career victory. He's now 200-59 at SVSM. Since 2001, he has won a national championship, three state titles and five regional championships.

Streetsboro 66, Gilmour Academy 57

Jordan Matusik scored 16 points to lead the Rockets in the second game of the Gilmour Holiday Tournament. Streetsboro will play West Geauga in the championship game tonight. Gilmour will play at 4:30 in the consolation game against Hawken.

Hockey

St. Ignatius 7, Padua 0

In the St. Ignatius Christmas Tournament, senior Paddy Spellacy scored two goals and Eamonn Walsh, Beck Schultz, Colton Reimenschnider, Zak Shockley and Taylor Wolf scored a goal each to lead the Wildcats.

Elyria Catholic 7, Massillon Jackson 6

Colin Lester scored three goals, including the winning goal in a shootout, to give the Panthers the victory during the Cleveland Heights Holiday Tournament.

Girls basketball

Laurel 59, Brooklyn 53

Alexis Guy and Katie Kajfez scored 16 points each to lead the Gators in round one of the Gator Classic Holiday Tournament. The Gators will play Padua at 6 tonight in the championship. Brooklyn will face Normandy in the consolation game.

Hudson 76, Westlake 56

Hudson jumped out on previously unbeaten Westlake, 28-14, in the first quarter and cruised from there. Four Hudson players scored in double figures, led by Christie Wade with 17 points.

Magnificat 85, Indian Rocks Christian

Magnificat had four players in double figures, led by Paige Wise who scored 23 points. Magnificat hit 13 three-pointers. Magnificat will play Gilmour in the finals of the Gilmour Holiday Tournament tonight.

Twinsburg 60, Shabazz 48

Ashley Morrissette scored 22 points and Malina Howard added 15 in the Tigers victory in the Twinsburg Fight or Flight Invitational.

LYNDHURST, Ohio - Brush senior Pharaoh Brown will give Oregon his oral commitment tonight, a source has told The Plain Dealer. Brown will announce his decision during the Offense-Defense High School All-American Bowl, which will be played in Dallas' Cowboys Stadium, the source said. Brown declined to comment.

Brush senior Pharaoh Brown will give Oregon his oral commitment tonight after initially pledging to play for Michigan. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

LYNDHURST, Ohio - Brush senior Pharaoh Brown will give Oregon his oral commitment tonight, a source has told The Plain Dealer.

Brown will announce his decision during the Offense-Defense High School All-American Bowl, which will be played in Dallas' Cowboys Stadium, the source said. Brown declined to comment.

Brown is a 6-7, 225-pounder who played tight end/defensive end this past season for the Arcs. Despite playing tight end for only the first time this year, Brown caught 32 passes for 753 yards and 10 touchdowns. He recorded 47 tackles and 12 sacks on the other side of the ball.

The Division I All-Ohio second-teamer originally committed to Michigan but the Wolverines lost interest after finding out Brown visited Oregon the weekend of Nov. 19.

Oral commitments are nonbinding. National Signing Day is Feb. 1.

"I think coach Scott is still trying to figure out what and who works the best together on the floor right now. If this was a normal season, we would still be very early into the start of preseason, but since things are as they are right now, he is doing everything on the fly, so to speak. He is doing some things a coach would only do in training camp to try and get a feeling of what and where they are as a squad. I think it shows him to be a very intelligent coach - to use a few games early in the season, win or lose, to see what will work best for them down the road." - rlinc2u

View full sizeGetty ImagesByron Scott.

"I think coach Scott is still trying to figure out what and who works the best together on the floor right now. If this was a normal season, we would still be very early into the start of preseason, but since things are as they are right now, he is doing everything on the fly, so to speak. He is doing some things a coach would only do in training camp to try and get a feeling of what and where they are as a squad. I think it shows him to be a very intelligent coach - to use a few games early in the season, win or lose, to see what will work best for them down the road."

On today's "Browns Insider" show, Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff look back at the loss in Baltimore, preview Sunday's season finale against the Steelers and ahead to the offseason and the draft. Watch video

On today's "Browns Insider" show, Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff look back at the loss in Baltimore, preview Sunday's season finale against the Steelers and ahead to the offseason and the draft.

They also tackle your questions and reveal their picks for the upcoming game.

Click on the video to watch. Among the topics discussed:

- Who's to blame for all the mistakes made in the Ravens game?

- Have all the blunders taken away from the fact the Browns have played better the last 3 weeks?

- Will the Browns make a deal to get the No. 1 pick in the draft?

- What do the Browns think of Robert Griffin III?

- Should the Browns retaliate against James Harrison?

- Is it better to lose than beat the Steelers on Sunday?

- Who will the Browns be interested in for offensive coordinator?

and a whole lot more!

Pressed about Peyton Hillis' future, coach Pat Shurmur declines to say he wants the running back to remain a Brown.

AP PhotoThis is a sight you won't see the rest of the season -- Colt McCoy throwing a ball. He still has not been cleared to practice prior to the season's last game on Sunday.

BEREA -- Colt McCoy was absent again from practice because he wasn't cleared to return by Browns doctors.

 Today was the 21st day since McCoy played in the Dec. 8 game in Pittsburgh after suffering a concussion on a vicious hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

 McCoy's practice status routinely has been the first question asked of coach Pat Shurmur at his daily press briefing. Shurmur consistently has declined to elaborate on exactly what symptoms McCoy is experiencing.

 Although Shurmur would not rule out McCoy from the season-ending game Sunday against Pittsburgh, it's obvious he will not play. It means he missed the final three games after his concussion -- longer than any player on the Browns this year with the head injury. Tight end Benjamin Watson also missed the last three games, but he was placed on injured reserve following his third concussion of the season.

 Shurmur said he didn't think there was anything about McCoy's concussion injury that would suggest long-term concerns.

 "He's getting better every day," Shurmur said. "Every injury's different. Every rehab's different.
 
 "He's been good. He's been anxious to get out there and play. He knows there's a process to go through. He looks fine. I don't ask him every moment how he's feeling."

 In other pre-practice tidbits:

 * Shurmur said receiver Jordan Norwood (concussion) and right tackle Tony Pashos (stomach virus) would not practice.

 * Pressed on the future with the Browns of running back Peyton Hillis, Shurmur would not say that he absolutely wants him back.

 "I think it's important that we investigate everything," he said.

 * Shurmur called Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III a "tremendous player" and admitted he is interested in watching him in the Alamo Bowl tonight.

 "Yeah, once our day is over, I'll find a way to watch that game," he said.

"Don't sell the farm for a QB. Get some talent around him before making a major QB move. Without a supporting cast, any QB is just going to be beaten senseless." - rokkdawg

View full sizeAP Photo | Paul SakumaAndrew Luck is the quarterback coveted by the teams vying for the top pick - and those interested in trading in to the top pick.

"Don't sell the farm for a QB. Get some talent around him before making a major QB move. Without a supporting cast, any QB is just going to be beaten senseless."

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy talked to the media for the first time since being diagnosed with his concussion Dec. 9, and said he's feeling much better. He declined to re-create the events of that controversial night. Watch video

AP PhotoCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy spoke for the first time since being diagnosed with his concussion.

BEREA -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy spoke publicly for the first time Thursday since being diagnosed with his concussionafter the Pittsburgh game on Dec. 8.

He declined to re-create that fateful and controversial night, refusing to answer questions about what he does and doesn't remember about the crushing hit by linebacker James Harrison and the aftermath.

McCoy did praise the Browns medical staff for their handling of the situation, despite the fact they didn't see the hit and unwittingly sent him back into the game with the concussion. "Our medical staff does an outstanding job and that should never be in question.''

* He said the Browns won't hold his father Brad McCoy's comments to the Plain Dealer against him. McCoy said that his son had a concussion after the huge hit and should not have gone back into the game. "I don't think it has any effects here,'' said McCoy.

* He said he's addressed things with his dad, but chooses to keep them private.

* He declined to say what his lingering symptoms are but said "I'm feeling a lot better. I can tell you that I'm making progress.'' He wishes he could play Sunday but has no idea if he'll be active. "I'd do anything to be out there. I'd love to. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute to the team this weekend.''

* He said he wants to be a Cleveland Brown for the long-term.  "I love this place. I want to be part of the resurrection with the Browns.''

* He said the hardest part is not being around his teammates and not being able to help them in games.

* He said the feedback from the Browns about him "has been positive'' but that he doesn't know what their postseason evaluation will be.

* He said of the NFL's handling of the situation, "I think that their first priority is safety of the players.''

* He said he's not worried about the long-term effects. "I'm really close (to being healthy) and I feel good. I feel much better.''

* Asked if the hit was a cheapshot and if he has any animosity toward Harrison, he said, "No, I really have no opinion. I think the league has handled that. And I'm doing the best I can to move forward and to get healthy and get back and help our team.