Lesnar retired from the UFC after Overeem stopped him with one vicious kick to the body at 2:26 of the first round in their heavyweight bout Friday night, leaving the UFC heading into 2012 without its biggest pay-per-view star.

Brock Lesnar reacts to his first round TKO loss by Alistair Overeem, of the Netherlands, right after their UFC 141 heavyweight mixed martial arts match, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Lesnar retired after Overeem stopped him with one vicious kick to the body at 2:26 of the first round. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

LAS VEGAS — Brock Lesnar took one last kick to his stomach and crumpled at the side of the cage, unable to fight back when Alistair Overeem pounced.

Lesnar had been finished by a 6-foot-5 Dutch kick boxer in the first round at UFC 141. A few minutes later, the UFC's former heavyweight champion finished his own meteoric mixed martial arts career.

Lesnar retired from the UFC after Overeem stopped him with one vicious kick to the body at 2:26 of the first round in their heavyweight bout Friday night, leaving the UFC heading into 2012 without its biggest pay-per-view star.

"This is the last time you'll see me in the octagon," Lesnar said.

Largely thanks to his fame from a career in pro wrestling, the hulking Lesnar (5-3) played a significant role in expanding the UFC's profile and fan base over the past four years. He beat Randy Couture in 2008 to win the heavyweight title, defending it twice before losing the belt to Cain Velasquez last year.

But Lesnar has fought just three times in the past 2 1/2 years while dealing with bouts of a lower-intestinal ailment that nearly killed him. The accumulation of pain and rehabilitation finally undid Lesnar, whose famed strength and stubbornness couldn't overcome diverticulitis.

"I've had a really difficult couple of years with my disease, and I'm going to officially say tonight is the last time," Lesnar said.

Lesnar's return from a 14-month injury absence was a short, one-sided beating. After taking damage from two knee blows early on, he couldn't recover from a kick to the liver from Overeem (36-11), who made a stellar UFC debut despite getting cut near his right eye by a punch from Lesnar.

The 34-year-old Lesnar's announcement stunned fans who already realized he faced a difficult matchup in the UFC's traditional end-of-the-year event in its hometown. The matchup was a classic MMA clash of styles, with Lesnar's brute wrestling contrasting sharply with Overeem's vicious striking.

"I had no idea he would do that, (but) am I surprised? No," UFC President Dana White said. "Brock Lesnar has made a lot of money in his career and has achieved a lot of things. ... He brought a lot of excitement to the heavyweight division. What he accomplished in a short amount of time is amazing, but I get it. It doesn't shock me."

Overeem is three years younger but much more experienced than Lesnar, hurting the former champion at least twice earlier in the round while Lesnar failed in his attempt at a one-legged takedown.

"I promised my wife and my kids if I won this fight, I would get a title shot, and that would be my last fight," Lesnar said. "But if I lost tonight ... you've been great."

Overeem will get the next shot at UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, who watched from a seat near the octagon.

Overeem is a champion kick boxer who has fought in multiple promotions over the past decade, winning titles in Dream and Strikeforce with nearly unbeatable striking and size. He joined the UFC in September, finally presenting his formidable skills and intimidating physique to the sport's largest audience.

"My experience in UFC was, it's huge," Overeem said. "I think it's like 100 times bigger than Strikeforce. K-1 (kick boxing) is big, but this is a lot bigger. I was a little bit blown away, still am. I loved every second of it."

White might have given an immediate title shot to Overeem if the timing had been better, but Dos Santos only claimed Velasquez's belt in early November. Overeem welcomed a debut against Lesnar, even guaranteeing a knockout in the first two rounds.

"First or second round, I promised," Overeem said.

Lesnar hadn't fought since losing his heavyweight belt to Velasquez in October 2010, cancelling a bout against Dos Santos last June in Vancouver after another flare-up of diverticulitis. The former NCAA wrestling champion and fake WWE wrestler kept his unparalleled popularity during his recovery, and Lesnar used the time off to modify both his diet and his standup game, attempting to improve his biggest weakness.

As it turned out, Lesnar couldn't improve enough to contend with the supremely skilled Overeem, who embraced Lesnar afterward.

The undercard at the MGM Grand Garden featured two upsets: Lightweight Nate Diaz won a bloody unanimous decision over Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone with superior boxing, and Johny Hendricks stopped welterweight star Jon Fitch with one punch just 12 seconds into their bout.

In the co-main event, Diaz (15-7) backed up his tough talk and rude behavior in a fight that had the sellout crowd on its feet as he battered Cerrone, nearly a 3-to-1 favorite in the MGM Grand sportsbook, for most of the three-round standup fight.

Diaz, the brother of bad-boy welterweight Nick Diaz, picked apart Cerrone's defense for most of the fight, leaving Cerrone bloody after his first loss in seven fights since September 2010.

Cerrone (17-4) knocked down Diaz at least a half-dozen times with kicks and leg-whips, but Cerrone refused to fight Diaz on the ground, repeatedly allowing Diaz to get up.

The unusual strategy showed respect for Diaz's ground skills, but also minimized the importance of those knockdown shots in the eyes of the judges, who scored the bout 30-27 twice and 29-28 once, all for Diaz.

Hendricks (12-1) ascended to elite status with one sneaky left hook that caught Fitch (27-4-1) right on the button, flattening the favored San Jose fighter, whose return from a 10-month absence was stunningly brief. Hendricks, a two-time NCAA champion wrestler at Oklahoma State, completely stunned Fitch, who had lost just one fight since December 2002.

Early in the pay-per-view portion of the card, Swedish light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) stopped veteran Vladimir Matyushenko with a perfect left hand midway through the first round.

Unbeaten featherweight Jim Hettes got new fans' attention with a comprehensive thrashing of veteran Nam Phan, repeatedly threatening to finish the fight with strikes and ground work.

Dane Brugler, a native of Warren, recently joined CBSSports.com's draft coverage after producing his own comprehensive draft preview for several years.

View full sizeDarren Abate, Associated PressWith obvious physical gifts, a strong -- if unpolished arm -- and plenty of pre-draft hype, is Robert Griffin III the second coming of Cam Newton, or Michael Vick?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Assuming he opts to enter the NFL Draft, we're going to be hearing a lot about Heisman Trophy-winning Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III from now through April.

We're giving the first word to Dane Brugler, a native of Warren, Ohio, who recently joined CBSSports.com's draft coverage after producing his own comprehensive draft preview for several years. In the first of what will be dozens of mock drafts for the Web site, Brugler projected Griffin going to the Browns on the No. 4 pick. The official draft position for the Browns won't be known until the conclusion of this weekend's games. The Browns can draft anywhere from third to eighth.

Brugler said his gut feeling is the Browns would prefer to support Colt McCoy with playmakers from the draft. "But this draft doesn't have an A.J. Green or a Julio Jones," he said.

What about Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State?

"I like Blackmon, but he's not in the same class as Green and Jones. He's not even up with Dez Bryant," Brugler said.

That's got to be a punch in the stomach to Browns' fans, who have starved for an elite wideout since Braylon Edwards came apart in 2008.

Anyway, here is Brugler's assessment of Griffin, who accounted for just one passing touchdown in Baylor's 67-56 win over Washington in the Alamo Bowl Thursday night:

"Griffin is a special, special player. Coming into this season, he was more unpolished, but he stepped up and carried that team. He's probably one of the best deep throwers in this draft, if not all of college football.

"He has all the arm strength [he needs]. He's an effortless thrower, but the mechanics aren't there. He doesn't step into his throws enough. He has happy feet in the pocket and there are questions about his field vision. He abandons his reads too quickly."

The negatives attached to Griffin are similar to those used against NFL No. 1 pick Cam Newton a year ago. Griffin said that Newton's "mind-boggling" success his rookie season -- particularly his immediate improvement as a passer -- will benefit how pro teams look at the dual-threat, athletic college quarterback, such as Griffin.

But Brugler asserts that a more apt comparison of Griffin's talents is Michael Vick.

"If there is a linebacker separating Cam Newton from the end zone, he's going to run over him," Brugler said. "Griffin can't do that. He doesn't have the same type of build to withstand that beating in the NFL."

Newton is 6-5 and 248 pounds. Griffin is listed as 6-2 and 220. His official measurements will come from the NFL scouting combine next month. Vick is 6-0 and 215.

"They're similar in build," Brugler said of Griffin and Vick. "They both have all the arm strength you would possibly want. I think Vick was more polished as a passer in terms of mechanics. But Cam Newton has proved you don't need the prototypical mechanics. Griffin arms everything, doesn't step into throws. But it might work for him."

Brugler said that Stanford's Andrew Luck clearly is the No. 1 prospect in the draft.

Dane Brugler's 2011 Draft Preview was sort of an underground sensation last year. It opened doors for him, which could lead to his ultimate goal of working in an NFL personnel department. Last spring, Brugler, 25, received a formal day-long interview with the New England Patriots that included breaking down game tape and lengthy conversations with coach Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio, Patriots player personnel director.

A hiring freeze caused by the owners lockout submarined a job offer, but Brugler later received a hand-written letter from Belichick expressing his appreciation for Brugler's work.

North nuggets

Josh Cribbs' 84-yard punt return for a touchdown last week was the third long scoring return yielded by the Ravens this year. That's tied for most in the NFL. ...

After missing eight games with an ankle injury, Ravens receiver Lee Evans and quarterback Joe Flacco can't get on the same page. Evans didn't have a catch in four passes against the Browns, including one intercepted in the end zone by Sheldon Brown. ...

With a win against Baltimore, Bengals' Andy Dalton can join Ben Roethlisberger,  Flacco, Matt Ryan and Kyle Orton as the only NFL quarterbacks to produce 10 or more wins in his rookie season. ... The Bengals' A.J. Green is the first rookie receiver to earn a Pro Bowl berth since Anquan Boldin in 2003. ...

Steelers linebacker James Farrior, who turns 37 next week after completing his 15th NFL season, said he has no plans to retire. ... The expected starting offensive line Sunday for the Steelers -- Max Starks, Trai Essex, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert --would be their ninth different starting combination in 16 games.

Stat of the week

With a New England win, Bill Belichick can reach 175 career wins in the fourth-fewest games, behind Don Shula, George Halas and Curly Lambeau.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

In the Cowboys-Giants showdown, the favorite comes down to which QB Tony likes.

View full sizeBill Haber, Associated PressDrew Brees has one more game to stretch out his new single-season passing yardage record after breaking Dan Marino's mark last Monday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tony Grossi's take on Sunday's games.

Carolina at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

TV: WJW Channel 8

Early line: Saints by 9.

Tony Grossi's take: How come Drew Brees never has a tired arm? Saints, 30-27.

N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.

TV: WOIO Channel 19.

Early line: Dolphins by 2.

Tony's take: Dolphins more likely to lie down in finale. Jets, 24-17.

Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 8 p.m.

TV: WKYC Channel 3.

Early line: Giants by 3.

Tony's take: I break it down to Eli Manning vs. Tony Romo. Giants, 27-23.

Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Early line: Bears by 1.

Tony's take: Suppose Jared Allen will try hard for sack record. Vikings, 17-14.

Detroit at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Early line: Lions by 3.

Tony's take: Matt Flynn auditions for new team. Packers, 24-20.

San Francisco at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Early line: 49ers by 101/2.

Tony's take: Rams do their part in trying to catch Colts. 49ers, 23-0.

Tennessee at Houston, 1 p.m.

Early line: Texans by 11/2.

Tony's take: Texans have never lost last game under Gary Kubiak. Texans, 24-21.

Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m.

Early line: Patriots by 111/2.

Tony's take: Bills wrap up seventh straight losing season. Patriots, 27-20.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Early line: Jaguars by 5.

Tony's take: Maurice Jones-Drew presents outgoing owner with final win. Jaguars, 17-13.

Washington at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Early line: Eagles by 9.

Tony's take: Win doesn't obscure terrible Eagles season. Eagles, 26-16.

San Diego at Oakland, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: Raiders by 3.

Tony's take: Chargers in unfamiliar lame duck mode. Raiders, 27-20.

Kansas City at Denver, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: Broncos by 3.

Tony's take: Kyle Orton avenges Broncos, assuring Romeo Crennel of permanent head coaching job. Chiefs, 21-17.

Seattle at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: Cardinals by 3.

Tony's take: Marshawn Lynch has turned into a monster. Seahawks, 30-24.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: Falcons by 101/2.

Tony's take: Bucs lose their 10th in a row. Falcons, 31-17.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 4:15 p.m.

Early line: Ravens by 3.

Tony's take: Too much riding on it for Ravens to stumble. Ravens, 27-17.

GROSSI UPDATE:

Last week overall: 9-7 .563

Season overall: 157-83 .654

Last week vs. spread: 7-9 .438

Season vs. spread: 120-115-5 .510

Senior Ashen Ward, a 6-3 swingman out of St. Joseph High, delivered nine of his 15 points down the stretch to keep the Penguins on top.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerTrevon Harmon left Saturday's game with concussion symptoms after colliding on the court with a Youngstown State player during the Vikings' loss to the Penguins.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Facing the bottom of the Horizon League barrel in Youngstown State, the Cleveland State Vikings dove in and rarely surfaced, suffering a stinging 73-67 loss Saturday afternoon before 3,513 in the Wolstein Center.

Senior Ashen Ward, a 6-3 swingman out of Villa Angela-St. Joseph, delivered nine of his 15 points down the stretch to keep the Penguins on top in a game they led much of the way. The Vikings did nothing they traditionally do against opponents more highly regarded than YSU, and paid for it dearly.

Adding to CSU's woes was the loss of senior guard Trevon Harmon to a concussion early in the second half. His availability is day-to-day.

CSU entered the game holding the opposition to 26.7 percent 3-point shooting. The Penguins made 50 percent (8-of-16). The Vikings average forcing 19.2 turnovers. The Penguins committed 15, and only three came in the final 3:36, when CSU was within 61-58. Before Saturday, only one team had reached 70 points against the Vikings. Now it's two.

While this is only the third loss for the Vikings (12-3, 2-1 Horizon) on the season, it's the first setback at home.

"It's a crushing loss, because it is at home," CSU head coach Gary Waters said, noting the Vikings' first two league wins were on the road. "We just gave that advantage back."

The Penguins were the better team for most of the 40 minutes as they calmly handled CSU's defensive pressure. Three players posted double figures, led by Damian Eargle's 20 points. But it was Ward who knocked down a big 3-pointer for a 64-59 YSU lead, then followed with a driving, twisting layup for a 66-59 lead before YSU closed the game out at the line.

Ward's first basket in that run came after CSU's Charlie Lee kicked the ball off his foot and out of bounds. Ward's second came after Jeremy Montgomery did the same thing.

"Two unnecessary turnovers," Waters said.

The Penguins (7-6, 2-1) snapped a four-game winning streak, and are tied for first place in the HL standings.

"These guys are a sneak-up team," said CSU's Montgomery, whose 21 points and torrid 3-point shooting in the first half gave CSU a 31-29 lead at halftime. "We took those guys for granted and came out on the wrong side."

Youngstown State built a 19-7 lead as the Penguins limited their turnovers early. Then Montgomery went to work.

The first 3-pointer from the stocky 6-2 senior guard from Chicago tied the game at 20. The second came with a finger pointed at his defender. The third came with three fingers raised to the CSU band, then the fourth came with a scream as he back-pedaled down the court.

YSU took the lead back to start the second half before a Montgomery trey tied it at 40. But Ward answered with a 3-pointer and YSU never trailed again.

Through three games, swingman Omri Casspi hasn't been the shooter the Cavaliers envisioned.

View full sizeJulian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free PressWhile he struggles to find his points, Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi (rear, against Detroit's Jonas Jerebko) is being encouraged by coach Byron Scott to keep working on defense.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The good news is that Omri Casspi has a pretty good idea of exactly what's wrong with his outside shooting touch, of why he's made only four field goals through three games and is shooting a paltry 26.7 percent.

The bad news is that it will not be an easy fix.

"I feel like I'm thinking too much during the game about my shot, about what kind of shots I need to take," Casspi said. "I've just got to let it go. Clear my mind and play the game and enjoy it."

It's a task both easy and difficult, but Cavaliers coach Byron Scott on Saturday had a simpler idea for the 6-foot-9 swingman: Don't worry about it one bit. Focus, instead, on defense.

"I think that's the first thing," Scott said. "Go into the game thinking about that end of the floor, don't even worry about the offense. That will take care of itself."

Both the Cavaliers and Casspi hope Scott is right. The 23-year-old Israeli came to the Cavaliers as part of an off-season trade that sent power forward J.J. Hickson to Sacramento. Casspi earned a starting spot based on his dogged pre-season play, but so far, hasn't displayed the form he did in two seasons with the Kings, where he averaged 42.9 percent from the field.

Despite Casspi's woeful start, Scott said he has been pretty pleased with his defense. In training camp, Scott compared Casspi to a "pit bull" for his aggressive approach. While Casspi might not be quite that fierce consistently, he's not acting like a Chihuahua, either.

"He's allowing that length and athleticism to work to his advantage," Scott said. "Every now and then he plays a little bit soft when I want him to be a little more aggressive. ... I think he's been solid on that end of the floor. But I think he could still be better."

While Casspi works on the defensive side, Scott just might tinker on the offensive end to provide a little help.

"Offensively, we're going to work some things to see if we can get him the ball in some of the areas he likes to get it," Scott said. "I'm trying to get a feel for Omri as I am Kyrie [Irving] and some of our other guys that are new here."

Casspi, for his part, will also work on not worrying so much.

"I've just got to let it go, I guess," he said. "I've got to play my game and run and cut and just clear my mind. Play the game of basketball."

Seems easy enough.

Making an impression: As Casspi struggles, Scott has turned to Alonzo Gee more often at small forward and has been pleased with the second-year player's production. Scott called Gee the "most improved" of the young Cavaliers returning to Cleveland.

"He's taken his game to a different level," Scott said. "He just jumped to a different level [in the off-season], and I think it's shown in the first few games. ... This summer he took a gigantic leap as far as doing the things we need him to do. And his confidence level is extremely high, he knows he can play in this league."

Gee is averaging 10 points on 66.7-percent shooting, and adding 3.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

Dribbles: Forward/center Anderson Varejao did not participate in the light practice Saturday, instead undergoing treatment on a back injury suffered Friday night against Indiana. He is expected to play Sunday against New Jersey. "Because of the way he plays, he plays so hard and plays with reckless abandon, he's going to take some of the falls he takes," Scott said. ... Varejao is averaging 12.7 points and 10 rebounds. ... Shooting guard Daniel Gibson participated in practice despite a sprained right ring finger suffered against the Pacers. X-rays taken during the game were negative.

"This is our Super Bowl, against the Steelers, right here, right now," said receiver Josh Cribbs.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe Browns have promised to bring plenty of energy to playing the Steelers and Rashard Mendenhall Sunday afternoon in the season finale. "This is our last game and we have nothing to lose," says defensive end Jabaal Sheard. "Everybody here wants to go out with a win."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns New Year's resolutions: Win a division game, beat the Steelers for only the second time since 2003, and help prevent Pittsburgh from winning the AFC North Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

"This is our Super Bowl, against the Steelers, right here, right now," said receiver Josh Cribbs. "This is our playoffs."

If the 4-11 Browns can knock off the 11-4 Steelers, they'll avoid their second sweep by the division since 1999. The only other time it happened was in 2006 under Romeo Crennel -- en route to a 4-12 season.

"It would be meaningful most to our fans," said Cribbs, who had a 84-yard punt return for a touchdown in Baltimore last weekend. "We have to instill within the guys how important it is and keep them from checking out. If I see a guy thinking about other plans, I'm like, 'hey, man, we're going to get this win first.' Then we're set for the whole off-season."

Team leaders Cribbs and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson -- both Pro Bowl alternates -- have spent much of the week impressing upon the younger players the importance of finishing strong.

"You want to leave a lasting impression for the guys in the locker room as well as the coaches," said Jackson, the Browns' Player of the Year. "We want to come out and play our best game, so we can go out and have something to talk about in the off-season. Whether a guy played well or not, the last impression stretches a mile long."

Say all you want about the close games the Browns have played in the division, they mean nothing unless you win, Jackson said.

"We haven't gained the respect that you want," he said. "We've lost the games. You get respect by winning and we've got to win our division first if we want to have a chance to do anything next year. We haven't won a division game all year. It would be a major boost for the young guys to understand that we can compete in this division and we can win a close game. The first and the last one are very important."

Cribbs refuses to believe the stadium will be filled with more Steelers fans and their terrible towels.

"A lot of people will want to say they're not going to the game, but Browns fans will be there," he said. "Our fans always support us, rain, snow, sleet. I don't believe the hype about our fans trying to give away tickets. Our fans will be there in record numbers. We just got to do our part."

The Browns would take great satisfaction in preventing the Steelers from winning the AFC North. A Steelers loss would mean a Ravens' division title by virtue of their sweep of the Steelers this season, regardless of Baltimore's game at Cincinnati. If both teams win, the Ravens earn a first-round bye, and the Steelers earn a wild-card berth. If the Bengals (9-6) win, they can also secure a wildcard spot.

"I know if we can get a win and kind of stumble [the Steelers] a bit, it would mean a lot," said Jackson.

The game marks the third straight start for Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace, who's confident no one has quit.

"It's because we love our group," said Wallace. "But at the end of the day we're all men and we've all got to look across at the other guy and say 'hey, I didn't quit on you.' Your peers are the ones that look at you everyday and if they feel like you've quit on them, it's kind of tough to get that back as a player."

More importantly, Wallace said, is that he's seen guys like receiver Greg Little and running back Peyton Hillis getting better over the past few weeks. "That's the biggest thing, is that there's improvement, and we can carry that over into next season," he said.

Hillis rushed for 112 yards against the Ravens last week, averaging about 105 yards over his past two games. He hasn't fared well against the Steelers in his three outings against them, mostly because he hasn't been healthy. His high game against Pittsburgh was 41 yards rushing and 49 yards receiving on Oct. 17, 2010.

"I've never backed down from a challenge," said Hillis. "The Steelers are a great defense. No doubt about it. But if we do our job up front on offense we can run the ball on anybody. I'm very confident, and I'm a lot healthier than I was a few weeks ago. When you're feeling healthy and confident, a lot of good things can happen."

The Browns have repeatedly said they won't try to retaliate against Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, who drilled Colt McCoy in the facemask with his helmet on Dec. 8 and ended his season with a concussion.

"As long as [Browns fans] take the fine, I'm happy to go in and do whatever it is they'd like me to do," joked Little. "The personal vendettas, we're not about. We're about winning the game and if my assignment is to go block 92, I'm going to do what I'm supposed to do, but I'm not going to go and take a cheap shot on him."

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to start despite still hobbling on the high ankle sprain courtesy of Browns defensive lineman Scott Paxson on Dec. 8.

"This is our last game and we have nothing to lose," said defensive end Jabaal Sheard. "Everybody here wants to go out with a win. We want to start the new year right. I think there will be a lot of intensity out there."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

"Flat" was the operative word from CSU after the game. Flat-footed defense. Flat-footed rebounding. Flat emotionally against a team fired up to knock off a local rival.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland State's D'Aundray Brown finds plenty of Youngstown State defense on this second-half drive to the basket as the Penguins Shawn Amiker (left) and Josh Chojnacki challenge Brown's shot.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Forty-one points, 20 rebounds and nine assists.

That's what it took for Cleveland State to beat Youngstown State in the final game between these two teams last season. For Norris Cole, it was one of the greatest boxscore lines ever: 41-20-9. It also was a strong hint that the senior guard could be a valuable part of an NBA team.

Just ask the Miami Heat, where Cole comes off the bench and is averaging 11.0 points and shooting 45 percent in his first four pro games.

But no more Cole was just part of the reason that Gary Waters feared Saturday's game with Youngstown State. "They start five guys, and all five can score," said the Cleveland State coach. "And they knew it took Norris having that great game to beat them. They were ready for us."

CSU was not prepared for the Penguins, who upset CSU, 73-67, at Wolstein Center. It was YSU's second victory in three Horizon League games, matching CSU (12-3) in conference records.

Youngstown State was sizzling from the field, shooting 58 percent -- 8-of-16 on 3-pointers. This against a team that ranked No. 8 in the country in defensive 3-point field goal percentage (25 percent). The Vikings were outrebounded (29-24) by a smaller team and seemed baffled by the different zone defenses employed by the Penguins.

"Flat" was the operative word from CSU after the game. Flat-footed defense. Flat-footed rebounding. Flat emotionally against a team fired up to knock off a local rival.

Consider that Warren Harding product Damian Eagle scored 20 points with 10 rebounds, while Ashen Ward (Villa Angela/St. Joseph) had 12 of his 15 points in the second half.

Waters has some issues. Starting center Aaron Pogue is hobbled by thigh injury, and in the second half, starting guard Tre Harmon suffered a concussion.

"But we just didn't play well," he said. "There is only one way for us to play -- it's win with defense."

This is an experienced CSU team that starts four seniors and a junior. But it lacks a future NBA first-rounder such as Cole. Nor does it have a reliable scorer, as D'Aundary Brown leads the team at 12.4 per game. Next is Harmon at 11.4. Saturday, Jeremy Montgomery delivered 21 points, Brown scored 20. So offense wasn't the problem. At least, that would have been true had CSU held Youngstown under 60 points, Waters' goal for his team in each game.

YSU's 73 points was the most Cleveland State has allowed all year.

"We had a good crowd [3,513] and they gave us energy," said Waters. "We didn't give them the performance they deserved."

In many ways, it's amazing the Vikings are 12-3. They have been winning while shooting only 43 percent from the field. They have knocked off Vanderbilt, Kent State, Akron, Toledo and Wright State despite a huge deficit in free throws attempted (339-206). They also are being outrebounded, and the key to their victories is forcing nearly 20 turnovers a game.

But not Saturday, as Youngstown lost the ball only 15 times.

Long after the game was over, Waters let out a long sigh. His team is 58-13 at home since the start of the 2007-08 season. That's part of the reason he called this "a crushing loss."

"Now, we start over," he said. "We go back to the basics. Back to defense. Back being the team that can't rely on someone like Norris Cole to bail us out in a game like this -- because he's gone."

The development of the Buckeyes' freshman QB will be displayed for a final time Monday against the Gators.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerBraxton Miller can't walk on air quite yet, but he remains the biggest reason why there's optimism for the start of the Urban Meyer era at Ohio State beginning in 2012.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The quarterback of the future at Ohio State, Braxton Miller, succeeds Terrelle Pryor, who traded his own wider horizons for cash and tattoos gained in scandal.

In the Gator Bowl Monday against Florida, Miller becomes the first Ohio State freshman quarterback to start a bowl game since Art Schlichter in the 1978 Gator Bowl.

Pryor ran by far the most plays at quarterback as a freshman in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas three seasons ago, but senior Todd Bpeckman took the first snap. This enabled OSU to say, truthfully but also disingenuously, that Pryor should not be charged with the loss on his ballyhooed 31-4 starting record.

Pryor destroyed his college career because he had a voracious sense of entitlement, one that rivaled that of his Twitter and texting buddy, LeBron James. The catalyst for the memorabilia sale scandal that brought down former coach Jim Tressel, Pryor entered OSU as the most heralded recruit in the nation. He left with red flags flying about his character on draft boards all around the NFL, finally landing with the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the supplemental draft.

Miller was well-known in the Ohio high school ranks, but was the No. 34 recruit in the country. He was not invited into the diva circles of celebrity jocks as a freshman. Shaquille O'Neal did not give him public pep talks. Nothing was expected of Miller this season until he had to deliver something big in a hurry after Pryor's suspension and defection to the NFL.

Pryor's offensive line was so suspect when he was a freshman that he was forced to rely on his own size (6-6, 235) and speed to combat the pressure defenses put on him. For all that, however, he could hand off to Beanie Wells and throw to Brian Hartline.

Behind a makeshift line, Miller ran for both big gains and his life this season. He was missing what seemed like half of the Ohio State offense at times, due to injuries and the various suspensions.

It says much that his freshman stats still stack up well against those of Pryor.

The freshman Pryor threw for 1,311 yards, completing 60.6 percent of his passes, with 12 touchdowns to four interceptions. He rushed 631 yards with a 4.5-yard average and six touchdowns. He also caught a TD pass, from Boeckman. He barely played in one game, against Ohio.

Miller finished the regular season with 997 passing yards on a 50 percent completion rate with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, nearly the same ratio as Pryor. Miller rushed for 639 yards with a 4.7-yard average and six touchdowns. He missed all of the Toledo game and played sparingly against Akron and Miami.

Perhaps significantly, Miller rushed for 100 or more yards in three of his last four games and missed by one yard of making it four or his last five.

"He's a fabulous athlete," said Florida coach Will Muschamp. "It's the off-rhythm plays that strike you the most. He creates things in the pocket and in one-on-one matchups. The biggest concern is tackling. We have to tackle him."

Miller seems to break almost as many arm tackles as Pryor, who feinted and probed rather than taking on tacklers for the extra yard. By contrast, Miller flung himself into Penn State tacklers late in the game on a fourth-and-5 like a man wading into a brawl, coming down a yard short in a narrow loss. He has lateral quickness that makes football a game of power hopscotch.

"You have to understand how hard it is for a freshman, whether he's a quarterback or not," said Luke Fickell, who will be OSU's head coach for the last time in the Gator Bowl. "New school, all the study hours. A lot of young guys have it easy in high school because they're so much better than everyone else. They come here, and everybody is better, and they have to prepare better. To see how Miller prepares at a young age, just the whole process that we see in practice day to day and week to week, gives you so much hope."

Pryor usually reverted to bad habits in the crunch. He was the same quarterback for three years, always needing reassurance from sycophants despite his prodigious gifts.

Miller was a much different quarterback by the time of his explosive running and passing against Michigan than he was in his unsure debacle at midseason against Michigan State. Players returning from suspension gave him more weapons. He also, however, overcame a lame-duck coaching staff whose flaws were magnified once the micro-managing Tressel was ousted. He had an interim coach in Fickell whose expertise was on the defensive side of the ball. He had to make a lot out of a little.

Next season's coach, Urban Meyer, is waiting in the wings. Meyer, with two national championships, has a way with offense and with quarterbacks. Someday, we will talk about Meyer and Miller, and how the former made the latter a very tough act to follow.

On Twittter: @LivyPD

With one week in the books, here's one man's opinion of the NBA power rankings.

View full sizeJim Mone, Associated PressA fast start for Dwyane Wade and the Heat doesn't change the fact that it's a title season or nothing once again in Miami.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With one week in the books, here's one man's opinion of the NBA power rankings.

1. Miami Heat -- The Heat's season doesn't begin until June and the conference finals.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder -- Durant's buzzer beater against Dallas might be first highlight on way to MVP season.

3. Portland Trail Blazers -- Aldridge and Blazers are piling up the points.

4. Chicago Bulls -- Schedule maker gave the Bulls four games out west to open.

5. Indiana Pacers -- Acquisition of David West will make them the best small-market hope in the East.

6. Atlanta Hawks -- Hawks won their first two games by a combined 50 games. Enjoy it why it lasts.

7. New Orleans Hornets -- Chris who?

8. Golden State Warriors -- The Mark Jackson era begins with a focus on defense.

9. Orlando Magic -- The Dwight Howard saga won't end well here.

10. Los Angeles Lakers -- Mike Brown breathing a bit easier after back-to-back wins.

11. San Antonio Spurs -- Good regular season team, no longer a post-season threat.

12. New York Knicks -- Baron Davis' back can't heal quick enough.

13. Denver Nuggets -- Putting up points not a problem, as for defending ...

14. Los Angeles Clippers -- The transition won't happen overnight here.

15. Milwaukee Bucks -- Bucks need to stay healthy to compete.

16. Philadelphia 76ers -- Sixers have a tough test out West.

17. Houston Rockets -- Quality mid-week win over San Antonio.

18. Toronto Raptors -- If Casey can get the Raps thinking defense they could be improved.

19. Charlotte Bobcats -- Kemba Walker will be at The Q on Tuesday.

20. Boston Celtics -- They need Paul Pierce back to begin climb up standings.

21. Memphis Grizzlies -- Griz will be OK after two losses to good teams.

22. New Jersey Nets -- Will they still be relevant when Lopez' foot heals?

23. Sacramento Kings -- Cavs fans will have a rooting interest in the Kings all season because of possible first-round pick.

24. Dallas Mavericks -- The champs will rebound, but losing Chandler and gaining Carter won't make them title contender.

25. Utah Jazz -- Ugly, ugly start. Not scoring or defending.

26. Phoenix Suns -- Tough to see Steve Nash going out this way.

27. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Man-making, seven-game road trip is looming.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves -- These guys could be fun to watch even if they don't win much.

29. Washington Wizards -- Andray Blatche introduces himself as one of the captains to home crowd and then pops off to press about not getting ball enough. Can't make this stuff up.

30. Detroit Pistons -- Mayor Dave Bing could come out of retirement and be a difference maker.

Indiana is the ninth team to defeat both a No. 1 ranked team and the No. 2 team in the same season since 1996-97.

View full sizeAP photoVictory Oladipo revels in Indiana's triumph over Ohio State Saturday night in Bloomington, Ind.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana did it again. Three weeks after upsetting No. 1 Kentucky, the Hoosiers took down No. 2 Ohio State.

Victor Oladipo scored the go-ahead basket with 36 seconds left Saturday and Jordan Hulls finished with 17 points, giving the No. 13 Hoosiers a 74-70 victory -- the school's first-ever sweep of the nation's top two teams.

"They've been punking us the past couple years and we realized that," Oladipo said. "This year we had to go toe-to-toe with them."

The Hoosiers (13-1, 1-1 Big Ten) didn't back down.

Indiana became the ninth team since 1996-97 to beat No. 1 and No. 2 in the same season and joined Kansas in 2007-08 and Louisville in 2003-04 as the only teams over that span to achieve the feat in the same month. Against Kentucky, the Hoosiers needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Christian Watford to win it.

On Saturday, the Hoosiers needed Oladipo's layup, three free throws from Hulls and Watford, a rebound from Watford and a steal from Oladipo in the final 36 seconds to seal it.

Ohio State (13-2, 1-1) was led by Aaron Craft with 16 points and Jared Sullinger with 15 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn't enough to extend their five-game winning streak or the school record six-game winning streak against the Hoosiers.

The Buckeyes spent most of the day buried in foul trouble, and never could quite dig themselves out.

They squandered an early 19-9 lead, watching the Hoosiers close the half by converting back-to-back turnovers into easy baskets. That gave Indiana a 33-32 lead.

It was the same story in the second half.

Ohio State looked as if it might pull away after taking a 44-41 lead with 15:33 left, but the continual foul problems allowed Indiana to hang around.

The Buckeyes took a 68-67 lead when Sullinger made the basket, drew the fifth foul on Cody Zeller and then capped it with a free throw.

Jones answered with a layup to make it 69-68 and then Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas made a 15-foot jumper to give the Buckeyes a one-point lead with 1:51 to go.

That's how it stayed until Hulls forced a turnover with a deflection, and Jones tossed the ball up the court to Oladipo for a layup and a 71-70 lead with 36 seconds left.

Ohio State called its final timeout to set up a play, but Craft's bounce pass went through the hands of Sam Thompson. Hulls made 1 of 2 free throws after getting fouled.

William Buford's 3-pointer would have given Ohio State the lead again with about five seconds to go, but Watford grabbed the errant shot and made two free throws to seal it.

The Cavaliers are offering $10 dollar discounts for Sunday night's game against the New Jersey Nets to fans showing their ticket stubs from the Browns-Steelers game.

View full sizePhil Masturzo, Akron Beacon-JournalThere are some die-hard fans for the Cavaliers, but the team knows it has to be creative to maintain a reasonable attendance in what figures to be another rebuilding season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even in boom times, when LeBron James called The Q home and his teams played deep into May, the Cavaliers were never the only game in town.

The new reality in the post-LeBron, post-lockout era, however, is they are attempting to create ticket traffic from another game.

The Cavaliers are offering $10 dollar discounts for Sunday night's game against the New Jersey Nets to fans showing their ticket stubs from the Browns-Steelers game. The football game -- moved from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- won't end until well past the 6 p.m. tipoff, but the Cavs are looking to lure fans who might be tempted to leave early or not go at all.

Say what you will about the strategy, but it's one the Cavaliers marketing department never would have had to consider several years ago. The club places sheets of paper on seats open for season-ticket purchase during the exhibition games. In 2009, as Shaquille O'Neal was about to join forces with James, observers marveled at how few seats were available -- a testament to the club's popularity.

But a superstar's departure and a five-month labor impasse have the Cavs trying to develop interest in a young team with another No.1 draft pick in Kyrie Irving. Unlike 2003, when James arrived a season after the club drew an average of 11,496 fans, the Cavaliers will fall before they rise at the box office.

Multiple sources have told The Plain Dealer the season-ticket renewal rate hovered just above 30 percent before the lockout ended on Nov. 26. The Cavaliers were one of a handful of teams with more than 10,000 season-ticket subscriptions last season and some estimate that figure was closer to 15,000 when all the partial plans were counted.

It's believed the renewal rate has improved since the lockout ended, but in a league where anything below 65 to 70 percent is considered poor, the Cavaliers' decline is eye opening. Even the Sacramento Kings, who finished last season among the bottom five in attendance and in the standings, reported a season-ticket renewal rate about 80 percent.

The Cavaliers would not comment on the figures, but officials haven't been blindsided by the development. Last season was one of the most lucrative in club history despite winning just 19 games and losing a league-record 26 straight, despite seeing the franchise value drop 26 percent from $476 million a season earlier, according to Forbes.

The Cavaliers maintained their season-ticket base because fans had to renew well in advance of James' July 8, 2010 free-agent decision. The combination of ticket sales, sponsorship, local television rights and a substantially-reduced payroll allowed the club to profit after seasons of needing so many playoff wins just to break even. They also avoided the luxury tax as the rebuilding process began.

But make no mistake, they knew they would take a hit this year and reacted accordingly. Season-ticket rates were reduced and buyers given two free tickets to last week's opener, which did sell out. Fans purchasing tickets to the Cavs' preseason game were offered a free ticket to any game in January.

"Our business metrics including Web site traffic, corporate partners, broadcast ratings and retail merchandise, are very healthy, but we certainly have room for growth now," Cavaliers senior vice president of communications Tad Carper wrote in an email. "We will continue to work very hard to earn fan support and it's a great time to jump on board for the exciting future we have ahead with this team."

The Cavaliers and owner Dan Gilbert are now in the business of selling hope and potential. They will market Irving and fellow first-rounder Tristan Thompson, who have both enjoyed impressive stretches in their first three games. Behind the curtain of another presumptive losing season likely awaits another top-five draft pick in June.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers retain one of the NBA's top-10 local television deals that reportedly pays them $25 million per season. Despite the drastic drop off in season-ticket sales, lots of the high-end seat owners hung around.

As the seasons unfurls, it will be interesting to see what kind of walk-up crowds the Cavaliers attract. For the past eight seasons, it was rarely a concern but times have changed -- and don't think they haven't taken a peek at the Indians' schedule in April.

Rookie rankings

(statistics are through Friday)

1. Kemba Walker, Charlotte, G

Stats: 9.7 points, 3.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds.

Comment: The 21-year-old Bobcat is another rookie who had lots of college seasoning at UConn.

2. Norris Cole, Miami, G

Stats: 11 points, 2.3 assists, 2.3 turnovers.

Comment: He was very good in first two games. He also finished the week, ending Thursday, 3-0.

3. Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers, G

Stats: 13.3 points, 6 assists, 2.3 turnovers.

Comment: The top pick rebounded in Detroit after an uneven opening night.

4. Brandon Knight, Detroit, G

Stats: 14 points, 1.7 assists, 2,7 turnovers.

Comment: Lost in the Cavs' big win at Detroit was Knight's 23-point effort.

5. Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers, F

Stats: 8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocked shots.

Comment: His .643 field goal percentage includes several monster dunks.

6. MarShon Brooks, New Jersey, G

Stats: 15.3 points, 1.3 assists, 1 turnover.

Comment: The Nets guard is shooting 49 percent off the bench.

7. Jeremy Pargo, Memphis, G

Stats: 11.3 points, 5.0 assists, 2.3 turnovers.

Comment: Pargo is averaging 26.5 minutes off the bench.

8. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota, G

Stats: 8.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 turnovers.

Comment: Will the wait be worth it for the Wolves?

9. Derrick Williams, Minnesota, F

Stats: 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 turnovers.

Comment: No. 2 overall pick gets his first head-to-head match-up with Irving on Friday.

10. Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento, G

Stats: 10.0 points, 2.7 assists, 2.7 turnovers.

Comment: Coaches want him to take more shots.

The last word

"Funny when he tells me ... 'Coach, I've been doing this a long time.' 'Long time? You still got snot runnin' from your nose!'" -- Byron Scott, Cavaliers coach, on rookie point guard Kyrie Irving

Luke Fickell said Stoneburner didn't take part in bowl practices in Columbus and has done a few things in Jacksonville while trying to get back.

View full sizeAP photoStoneburner is tied with Corey Brown for the team lead with 14 catches, but he had just two catches in the last five games.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- More experienced quarterback? Check. Best running back? Check. Top receiver? Check? No. 1 tight end? Probably not.

Ohio State's offense won't be at full strength for Monday's Gator Bowl as head coach Luke Fickell said Saturday that junior Jake Stoneburner will either be out or limited against Florida after having knee surgery about four weeks ago. Fickell said Stoneburner didn't take part in bowl practices in Columbus and has done a few things in Jacksonville while trying to get back.

"I don't know how available he'll be," Fickell said. "He obviously won't be able to play a ton, because he's not in shape to get back in there. But we hope we have some situational things where we can use him.

"It's really going to be a situation of trying to figure out what he can do best for the team."

So while Braxton Miller, Dan Herron and DeVier Posey should be ready for the Gators, the Buckeyes will have to rely on Reid Fragel for most of the work at tight end. Stoneburner is tied with Corey Brown for the team lead with 14 catches this season, but he had just two catches in the last five games of the season.

Personally, it's a tough spot for Stoneburner, who along with the rest of the current juniors will miss a bowl game as seniors because of the bowl ban for 2012 handed down by the NCAA. This is Stoneburner's last shot at the postseason.

"It's kind of bad timing," said senior center Mike Brewster. "But it's definitely something he needed to get cleaned up in his knee. I know he's been rehabbing trying to get back."

Stoneburner is among the players that many think could benefit the most from Urban Meyer's style of spread offense. Meyer, for instance, had great success at Florida with tight ends like Aaron Hernandez, who won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end after catching 68 passes for 850 yards in 2009.

"The first thing is who the tight end is," Meyer said several weeks ago. "If he's not a good player, he will not get the ball. What I do every week is take the top 10 playmakers on the team and say this guy needs to touch the ball seven times, this guys needs to touch the ball 12 times. So I'm not worried about the position, I'm worried about the player.

"I really like [Stoneburner's] ability. Can he improve? If you sat with Jake, he'd say yes. But the top five guys touch the ball a lot."

Meyer sees Stoneburner as that kind of player. At his best this season, that was the case. But it doesn't sound like he'll be that kind of player on Monday.

Buckeye bits: Asked for details on the status of freshman backup running back Rod Smith, who is not in Florida after missing the team charter, Fickell said, "We're going to focus on the guys we have here. We're not going to focus on those we don't have." ... The Buckeyes held their final Gator Bowl practice Saturday morning before both teams attended a Gator Bowl luncheon. Florida practiced in the afternoon following the luncheon, while the Buckeyes held a walkthrough at EverBank Field. ... The players will rest and stick around the hotel Sunday. The Buckeyes had the chance to attend the Jacksonville-Indianapolis Colts game, but chose not to.

What's it like for Florida fans at the Gator Bowl? Imagine if Jim Tressel was getting ready to take over the Gators.

View full sizeStephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel"I'll be home and watching it," Urban Meyer said in Columbus several weeks ago of Monday's Gator Bowl between Ohio State and Florida. "I love both places and I have a lot invested in both places and a lot of respect for both places." He has not been seen in Jacksonville this week.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Imagine if on Jan. 3, the morning after the Gator Bowl, Jim Tressel was taking over as the coach of the Florida Gators. How would Ohio State and its fans have handled the last month?

"I think there would be a lot of bitterness," Ohio State president Dr. E. Gordon Gee told The Plain Dealer on Saturday. "I think there would be a lot of concern because the university and the coach become so identified with each other. There's no doubt about that. I can understand some of the Florida feeling."

Though Tressel will be in town Sunday in his role as a replay consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, who end their NFL season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, no one is calling the Gator Bowl the Tressel Bowl. It's the Urban Bowl, for the former Florida coach now waiting to take full control of the Buckeyes on Jan. 3. Or, as Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi suggests, the Urban Meyer Traitor Bowl.

Except Meyer apparently will not be here. An unusual month for both programs will end on Monday presumably without the man who has been its greatest topic of discussion. Meyer hasn't set foot in Jacksonville this week and has said more than once that he has no plans to attend the game.

"I'll be home and watching it," Meyer said in Columbus several weeks ago. "I love both places and I have a lot invested in both places and a lot of respect for both places."

So much of the week has been spent avoiding what can't be avoided, the fact that most of the players on the Florida roster were recruited by Meyer, and most of the players on the Ohio State roster will start playing for Meyer on Tuesday.

"Our coach has been very mature about all this," Gee said. "He's had nothing to do with this football team. In terms of coaching, our coach is Luke Fickell. On Jan. 3, he becomes one of Coach Meyer's major assistants, but he's the coach, he's in charge. And Coach Meyer and I just texted back and forth five minutes ago, and I don't know where he is. But I know on Jan. 3, at 7 o'clock in the morning, he's going to be in charge and he'll have his first meeting.

"Being in the public eye for so long, I know how easy it is to let your ego get in front of your common sense. He's a guy who obviously has more common sense than ego, unlike the guy who's talking right now."

Self-deprecation was a theme when discussing Meyer this week. First-year Florida coach Will Muschamp interrupted a question about the Meyer Bowl on Saturday to ask, "Who?" with the smile of someone who has been asked too often about his predecessor.

"I think absolutely none, zero," Muschamp said of the Meyer effect on this game. "I really don't think it has any effect. He's going to be the head coach at Ohio State next year, not right now. It's about players playing the game on Jan. 2 in the Gator Bowl."

That reasoning is why Fickell broke in to stop a question to the Buckeyes about their feelings on an imaginary Tressel-to-Florida scenario before an answer could be given.

"We're not going to talk about it," Fickell said. "We're going to talk about stuff this week, about this team."

The goal on both sides has been to keep Meyer in the past and the future, not the present, but it's hard to ignore the rarity and intensity of the situation.

The reaction of Florida players this week to Meyer ranged from appreciation to frustration. Meyer didn't just coach the Gators for six seasons before stepping away after the 2010 season, he was still consulting into February with this Florida team before officially taking an analyst job with ESPN. Welcomed as a hero in Ohio, his move has been accompanied by some anger in Florida.

"I think it's better than he isn't here. I'm afraid it might be a little rough coming here," said Ohio State fan Darrin Gabers, who moved from the Toledo area to Celebration, Fla., two years ago and is surrounded by Gator fans. "They were very unhappy."

Gabers was walking around the Gator Bowl parade in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday in an "UrbanNation" Ohio State T-shirt, one of several along the parade route. No "Urban Liar" shirts, made by the same company, were spotted on any Florida fans.

"I don't hold any grudge against him," Florida fan Scott Wisker, 49 of Tampa, said at the parade. "He did a great job at Florida, he left; it's not big deal to me."

But this is a reminder to everyone. Among the 35 bowls, 10 involve at least one team with a head coach who won't be the head coach next season. So flux isn't unusual. But this Gator Bowl is. Frankly, the game probably needs the extra kick.

According to Steve Tremel, chairman of the Gator Bowl selection committee, both teams returned about half of their ticket allotment. Florida started with 15,000 tickets and Ohio State with 12,500. He said local ticket sales have been better.

When picking the Gators and the Buckeyes for this game, Tremel said getting a rematch of the national title game from five years ago, and two programs with strong traditions, was more important that the Meyer angle.

"When Urban was announced [as the OSU coach], we thought it was would bring some more allure to the game, but pretty early in the process we thought we had a shot at Ohio State and it would be great," Tremel said.

Still, Tremel did admit he initially thought Meyer might be around the game a bit more.

"We thought it would be good if it happened, but to be honest, we weren't sure if he showed up if he'd be on the QT," Tremel said.

Even without being in town, Meyer will cast a shadow.

Cavaliers beat writer ponders one of sports' rebuilding debates.

AP PhotoByron Scott and Kyrie Irving.

Hey, Tom: People talking about building the right way is through the draft, but isn't tanking a season to get a better draft position dishonest to the game? -- Brian Peters, Houston

Hey, Brian: I don't think the Cavs are losing games intentionally. They are managing their assets, trying to build through the draft and trades. Other teams do the same thing, most notably Oklahoma City, whose general manager traded two All-Stars before the team left Seattle so as to start over again.

I think Byron Scott's decision to play Kyrie Irving over Ramon Sessions in the final minutes of the opener was fascinating, but it's not tanking. He's trying to get his rookie guard experience in big moments that cannot be simulated in games.

My favorite example of tanking came during the 1983-84 hockey season when the Pittsburgh Penguins were trying to position themselves to draft Mario Lemieux. The Penguins had a backup goalie win three straight games only to get sent to the minors.

-- Tom

The new year can't prevent some 2011 topics from filling up Paul Hoynes' mailbag.

View full sizeAP fileAlbert Pujols was the fantasy free-agent desire of thousands of Indians fans. But Paul Hoynes says the chances of the Indians landing the slugger was never as simple as making a legitimate offer.

Hey, Hoynsie: I am sick of the strategy of signing the David Delluccis and Austin Kearns of the baseball world. Seriously, wouldn't it make more baseball and business sense to pay Albert Pujols $26 million instead of Derek Lowe ($5 million), Grady Sizemore ($9 million if he earns all his performance incentives), Fausto Carmona ($7 million) and a free agent to be named the same money? Can you imagine the excitement and millions this would have generated for the team? I'd much rather take our chances with Pujols and the rest of the roster without those other guys. -- Bill Reinke, Keene, Texas

Hey, Bill: I can feel your frustration, but why would Pujols sign here? Not to mention, you seem to be talking about a one-year deal. Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 million deal with the Angels. That means they're paying him an average of $25 million every year from 2012 through 2022.

Without Sizemore, and two of their scheduled top-five starting pitchers, do you think the Indians would be good enough to win the AL Central or the wild card with Pujols? Do you think they'd be good enough to generate enough revenue to pay Pujols for the rest of his contract?

Still, just to add to your frustration, if you added Pujols' $25 million salary to the $49 million payroll the Indians opened last season with, it would be $74 million. Far behind the $100 million payrolls of the Tigers, Twins and White Sox.

Hey, Hoynsie: I understand why the Indians are bringing Jose Lopez to camp. If he returns to form it is a great move. If he is washed up, then they haven't lost anything. I wonder why they also don't make a similar offer to former Indian and free agent Kevin Kouzmanoff. He is two years removed from being a productive right-handed power bat.

He could potentially split time at third and first and provide power and run production. Have you heard any talk about him being invited to spring training? -- Denny Pinch, Arlington, Va.

Hey, Denny: They've had no contact with the Kouz this winter. Right now Tribe has Lonnie Chisenhall, Jack Hannahan, Jason Donald and Lopez to play third.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Yankees and Red Sox just got billed $17 million for the luxury tax. How much of that will go to Indians owner Larry Dolan? -- Lee Petersen, Medina

Hey, Lee: The luxury tax, from what I can gather, is not tied to revenue sharing. The biggest bite, about 75 percent, goes to player benefits. The majority of the rest goes to MLB's Industry Growth Fund.

Hey, Hoynsie: The fact that the Indians made an offer to Carlos Beltran is a good sign and suggests the team isn't going to stand pat. But now that he turned them down, where can they go from here? Carlos Pena? -- Steven Alex, Gainesville, Fla.

Hey, Steven: Pena is still available, so I guess he's an option. I would imagine the first base market won't really shake loose until someone signs Prince Fielder.

Hey, Hoynsie: What if the Indians asked for Vernon Wells and Kendrys Morales plus money from the Angels for bullpen help and prospects? Wells is owed $62 million over the next three years. Would the Indians make the move if the Angels offered to eat $20 million of Wells' contract? The Angels lose a bad contract and open up a spot for Mike Trout, plus get bullpen help. The Indians get a quality right-handed bat in Wells and a quality switch-hitting first baseman in Morales, if he's healthy. -- Tim Summa, Clarks Summit, Pa.

Hey, Tim: Like the fact that you're turning over every rock, but it's way too much of a gamble for me.

The Indians are one season away from getting out from under Travis Hafner's contract and you want to bury them again with Wells. Loved Wells through much of his career in Toronto, but he's on the downside of his career.

Regarding Morales, it's hard to imagine making a trade for him at this point of the off-season. I think you'd at least want to see him play for part of the 2012 season since he didn't play at all last year because of a broken left leg.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you or any of your colleagues have any plans to interview one of the Dolans before the season starts? Personally, I'd like to read about their short- and long-term plans if they have any. -- Nancy Furgens-Burns, Cleveland

Hey, Nancy: I'd like to read that as well.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians' flirtation with Carlos Beltran that you wrote about, to me, shows nothing more than a public relations move to help save face. They knew that he would never accept the offer. He snubbed them once, they knew he would do it again. If the Indians want to impress me, go sign Prince Fielder. They can always trade him a couple years down the road when their self-imposed window is closed. -- Tim Fisher, Massillon

Hey, Tim: After all the slings and arrows the Indians have absorbed over the last decade, why would they be worried about saving face now? How much worse can it get?

The Indians made a legitimate offer to Beltran. Sure, his agent, Dan Lozano, probably used it to squeeze a few more dollars out of St. Louis, but that's how the process works. Why else would they have been willing to make trades to take on Beltran's salary unless they were serious?

Hey, Hoynsie: Either the Plain Dealer accidentally printed last year's winter meeting article ("Winter Meetings -- Was the Tribe there?") or this is two years in a row they have done nothing. Would it not be better if management just stayed home and used the travel savings to buy a decent free agent? -- Marc Levin, Napa, Calif.

Hey, Marc: Somebody such as Felix Pie?

-- Hoynsie

The Monsters have won three in a row and are above .500 (16-15-1-1) for the first time this season.

HAMILTON, Ontario -- Patrick Bordeleau and Zach Cohen scored their first goals of the season to help the Lake Erie Monsters earn a 3-2 shootout win Saturday over the host Hamilton (Ontario) Bulldogs.

The Monsters have won three in a row and are above .500 (16-15-1-1) for the first time this season. They stand third in the Western Conference North Division, three points behind first-place Toronto.

The Monsters trailed, 1-0, in the third period until Bordeleau, who dropped gloves with AHL penalty-minutes leader Zack FitzGerald three minutes into the first period, potted the game-tying goal at 4:09. Cohen, who earned an assist on Bordeleau's goal, put in the go-ahead goal 11 minutes later.

Late in the third period Hamilton (13-14-1-4) pulled its goalie for an extra attacker and the Bulldogs' Olivier Forcier got the puck past Monsters goalie Trevor Cann to tie the game, 2-2, with 38 seconds left.

Cann stopped four of five shooters in the shootout while Patrick Rissmiller and Tyson Barrie got shots past Bulldogs goalie Robert Mayer.

Cann made 29 saves in the game, Mayer 19.

The Monsters are off until Wednesday, when they host the Oklahoma City Barons at The Q.

After the Barons' visit, Lake Erie hits the road for five games and won't play again at The Q until Jan. 19.

Happy New Year ... and Terry has some ideas for what would improve the local teams in 2012.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs remains the most impactful Browns player in 2011 -- and that's not a good thing, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For a new year, some new thoughts ...

About the Browns

1. It's time for fans to face the truth. Their team is nearly empty of playmakers on offense, other than having a big-time left tackle in Joe Thomas. The Browns ranked 30th in runs of at least 20 yards. They have five -- three from Chris Ogbonnaya, one from Peyton Hillis and one from Colt McCoy.

2. They ranked 30th in passing plays of at least 20 yards. Guess who leads the team in that category? It's Joshua Cribbs with eight, and questions remain about him even being a starting receiver in the NFL. Next is Greg Little with six.

3. All of this screams Playmakers -- Get the Browns some playmakers!

4. It also underlines that the West Coast Offense is no magic formula. It is no better than whatever was used by the Browns under Eric Mangini. In fact, in some categories, they are worse. No one claimed the Browns would become a top-10 team on offense. But they averaged 16.9 points under Mangini in 2010, 13.9 this season. You can argue that Hillis was injured much of this season, but the Browns kept getting quarterbacks hurt in 2010.

5. My point is absolutely nothing changed in the big picture when it comes to offense. Maybe the passing is a little better, as Little does have 61 catches. They have 16 TD passes compared to 13 a year ago. But the running game is much worse. The goal is the end zone. The Browns simply can't find it.

6. The team must undertake a wide-ranging offensive upgrade. That means you don't trade tons of draft picks to move up and grab a quarterback. It means you admit a need for two receivers, and one should be a veteran with the ability to make clutch catches in traffic.

7. The running game must be a concern. Do they re-sign Hillis after this injury-prone season? They certainly can't count on Montario Hardesty, because he can't stay healthy. Ogbonnaya is a nice backup. Brandon Jackson will be back from his foot injury, but he is not considered a heavy-duty running back.

8. It's amazing the same team that opened training camp with real depth at running back -- Hillis, Hardesty and Jackson -- may need to add a running back. Hillis has battled several injuries and has been fully healthy for only about four games this season.

9. None of this is an enthusiastic endorsement of McCoy. He does not have the physical gifts to be an elite quarterback. But other than Andrew Luck, that guy doesn't appear to be in the draft. Robert Griffin III is a playmaker, but exactly how does he fit into the passing offense? Everything he does is out of the shotgun, which is not the favorite formation of the Browns. He is most dangerous running around, rather than taking a quick drop back and zipping a short pass.

10. Maybe the Browns would be willing to turn their offense upside down for Griffin. If they do draft him, they must institute some major changes. If not, it's a wasted pick.

11. But even with Griffin, they have so many questions at wide receiver and running back that must be filled. Yes, they need a right tackle.

12. The Browns may wonder why the media and fans have been so negative. It's more than the 4-11 record. It's how the team raised expectations for the offense, but didn't deliver. This has been a bad, boring team on too many Sunday afternoons.

View full sizeDuane Burleson, Associated PressOne night on the bench may have been just the right amount of Byron Scott discipline for second-year big man Samardo Samuels of the Cavaliers.

About Samardo Samuels

One of Byron Scott's main jobs this season is to teach his young players what it means to be a pro. Scott was not pleased when Samuels showed up with too much weight once the lockout ended. But more troubling, Samuels didn't seem to understand that his conditioning was a problem.

As Samuels told Tom Reed: "Everyone came back out of shape, the lockout went long. He's the coach, if he thinks I could have been in better shape, that's his opinion. I think I'm in pretty good shape and ready to go."

To Samuels' credit, he worked hard once training camp opened. But Scott wants his 21-year-old forward/center to understand the NBA is a serious business -- and that Samuels can become a very good player if he stays focused.

So Samuels sat in the opener. He was back on the court for the rest of the games, and played well.

Scott is coaching for the long haul. He is not afraid to lose a game now to send a message that will be meaningful later. He did that early last January when he was demanding, begging and praying that J.J. Hickson would hit the boards. Get 10 rebounds a night, was Scott's message. Hickson wasn't interested.

Then Hickson showed up for a Jan. 5 game and found out that he was out of the lineup, out of the rotation and on the bench. In the first two months of the season, Hickson averaged 5.1 rebounds. After the benching, it was 11.1.

Yes, Hickson's playing time increased after Antawn Jamison was injured -- but anyone could see that it was his attitude that changed.

Samuels started 10 games at the end of last season -- averaging 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds. Scott likes Samuels and believes he can before a very viable big man. But he also knows Samuels can pack on the pounds on that 6-9, 260-pound frame.

Samuels not only is bullish strong, but he has surprisingly quick feet. Scott doesn't want Samuels to lose that edge.

About the Cavaliers

1. Wonder how long it will be before Alonzo Gee replaces Omri Casspi in the starting lineup -- something I suggested after the opener. The Cavs need an athlete playing next to Antawn Jamison, who is slow on defense. Gee was on the court with the starters during crunch time of the 98-91 overtime loss to the Pacers. The fact that we're debating Gee vs. Casspi shows the need for a small forward, but the Cavs know that. Their problem was there wasn't a small forward in the draft worthy of a high pick.

2. Some fans will say Derrick Williams can play there, but he is splitting time between both forward spots coming off the bench in Minnesota, averaging 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds. He will be a good NBA player, but Williams is not the fleet athlete the Cavs need at that position.

3. But neither is the 6-9 Casspi. He is only 23, so maybe he will begin to figure it out. But he has averaged 21 minutes in the first three games, and shot 4-of-15 from the field. He's 1-of-3 on 3-pointers and has taken only four free throws. He is supposed to be an active, athletic player, but hasn't shown it. The Cavs will give him plenty of chances because they are so thin at that position.

4. Yes, Kyrie Irving missed that layup at the buzzer that would have won Friday's game. But the fact that he can create shots and get to the rim in clutch situations is encouraging. Irving is grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game and bounced back well from his opening-night clunker. He needs to not settle for the jumper, as teams are backing away from him -- daring him to shoot outside. His cross-over dribble moves are so effective, he can beat most defenders off the dribble.

5. It's great that Ramon Sessions has improved his outside shot -- and that he's made more 3-pointers (four) this season than all of last year (three). But the Cavs don't need Sessions falling in love with his long-range jumper. He is 4-of-11 on 3-pointers, only Anthony Parker (5-of-12) has attempted more. Like Irving, Sessions is a superb driver to the basket. Entering this season, Sessions was 10-of-71 (14 percent) on 3-pointers for his career.

6. Anderson Varejao is averaging 12.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and working hard to play interior defense. He also has had several crashes and falls. The Cavs must watch his minutes, because the last thing they need is Varejao getting hurt.

7. Byron Scott told me this about Tristan Thompson: "He's always in the gym, if you want him to take 1,000 free throws, he'll take 1,000 and more. You want him to practice 2,000 post-up moves, he does it, no problem. That's another reason he has a chance to be a good player."

About new Akron football coach Terry Bowden

I talked to Bowden at halftime of the Akron/VCU basketball game. Some quick thoughts:

1. Bowden was introduced to the fans during the game, and received a huge ovation. It was a very nice gesture to thank basketball coach Keith Dambrot "for showing us how to win at Akron."

2. I doubt Bowden is in it just for the pay. He spent the last three years at North Alabama, where his annual salary was $100,000. He earned far more than that in 10 years of TV work and public speaking. But he wanted to get back into coaching. He knows Akron is his last chance to prove he can be a successful Division I coach.

3. Bowden's five-year contract with the Zips is for $375,000 annually, the same salary former coach Rob Ianello received before being fired after two years with a $250,000 buyout. Ohio's Frank Solich ($476,000) is the MAC's highest-paid coach, followed by Miami's Don Treadwell ($413,000), Toledo's Matt Campbell ($400,000) and Western Michigan Bill Cubit ($380,000). It's believed Temple's Steve Addazio is making more than $400,000, but I couldn't find his exact contract. Kent State's Darrell Hazell is the league lowest-paid coach at $300,000.

4. When Bowden was hired at North Alabama, he took 22 transfers from Division I schools in his first season. It's doubtful he'll bring in that many to Akron. North Alabama is Division II, meaning players from Division I could transfer and be immediately eligible. But look for Bowden to bring in transfers from some schools, especially in the South. He also will look for some junior-college players. Not only have the Zips (five victories in the last three years) been big losers on the field, they also had a lot of players leave in the last few seasons.

5. Bowden knew Wayne State coach Paul Winters (a former Akron assistant) was being courted. He said he understood why the Zips would want the Akron native, and didn't try to get involved until Winters made a decision. "If Paul wanted it and they wanted it, then it should have happened," said Bowden. After Winters turned down the job, Bowden said that he and the Zips "had a mutual interest" and he really wanted the job.

View full sizeAP photoShelley Duncan posted an .808 OPS in 2011 and finished the season with a flourish. Will the Indians find a better option as a right-handed first baseman?

About the Indians

1. The team is playing the waiting game while some good relievers remain on the free-agent market. Once they are signed, teams that failed to add bullpen help could turn to the Tribe for a deal.

2. The Indians would like to do something about a first baseman. They appear committed to Carlos Santana against lefties, with Lou Marson catching. When a right-hander is on the mound, Santana will catch. No commitment has been made to Matt LaPorta.

3. If the Indians don't add a first baseman, it's possible they will use Shelley Duncan at first some of the time -- and newcomer Aaron Cunningham in the outfield. But that's not the main plan, and they will continue to pursue an established hitter.

4. Season ticket sales are up, according to team president Mark Shapiro. They opened last season at 7,000 season tickets and ended around 8,500. They will combine multi-game packages to count as one season ticket. There has not been an flood of new sales, but the team should add some new customers.

5. Bruce Fine was one of the Tribe's owners in the Nick Mileti/Ted Bonda era. He died of cancer this past week in Phoenix.

Will Browns fans attend Sunday's game against the Steelers? Maybe yes, maybe no. But they're certainly keeping busy with ideas for the off-season.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerMatt Flynn has thrown exactly five passes entering the final week of the 2011 season, so Tony Grossi isn't exactly buying some fans' interest in the Packers' backup QB.

Hey, Tony: Do you have any feel for the potential of Matt Flynn? I expect the Browns will have a complete scouting report on him from Mike McCarthy, so they should know what he can do. He obviously will know the offense. Can he lead a team to the Super Bowl if he has the right cast around him? -- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitch: The Browns' pro personnel department has to do a thorough job of examining Flynn and projecting him as a starting quarterback. There's not much video of him in the NFL. They shouldn't trust McCarthy's personal opinion. They have to evaluate him on his skills -- not the skills of players around him. They must decide whether Flynn is the next Matt Schaub or the next Kevin Kolb, or something in between. The question should be: Can Flynn take the Browns to the Super Bowl? The question should not be: Is Flynn better than Colt McCoy? Keep in mind that Flynn was a seventh-round draft choice. There are reasons for that.

Hey, Tony: The new kickoff rules have marginalized Josh Cribbs' talents in the return game. The last two seasons have shown he's just not cut out to be a receiver. Why not see if his success on kick coverage can translate to the defense? In my opinion he has the size and speed and head hunting instinct to be a legit safety. Or am I nuts? -- Rich Aronson, Bay Village

Hey, Rich: Seems everyone wants Cribbs doing something else. For a team lacking offensive playmakers, he's needed more on that side of the ball. I agree that Cribbs is a fine tackler on special teams. But learning a new position at this stage of his career seems to me the wrong way to go.

Hey, Tony: What effect do you think, if any, will Matt Barkley's announcement to stay in college have on Cleveland's front office to take a QB? Also, do you think Cleveland has enough to trade up to the No. 1 pick or if it's worth it for them to trade for Andrew Luck? -- Matthew Mierzwinski, Foxboro, Mass.

Hey, Matthew: Barkley's decision to return to USC hurt every team looking for a quarterback and helped every team high in draft amenable to trading down. It's all about supply and demand. One less potential franchise quarterback increases the price tag of the remaining ones eligible. I think the Browns have the ammunition to trade up to No. 1 only if St. Louis passes Indianapolis for the top spot. The Colts will not trade it, but the Rams are open to it.

Hey, Tony: Do you agree we need to bring Peyton Hillis back next year? Everybody agrees this team is in desperate need of playmakers. I believe the reason Hillis was sub-par this year was truly his health and likely the struggles of both guards this year and the loss of Eric Steinbach. Let's keep the only playmaker we have, and focus on the guards, WR, and especially the QB in free agency and the draft. Many mock drafts have us taking RB Trent Richardson in the first round. Note to Tom Heckert, maybe the two best RBs in the league -- Maurice Jones-Drew and Adrian Peterson -- are on teams worse than the Browns since they have no passing games. Doesn't that prove you need to start with the pass? -- Nathan Cornell, Minneapolis

A: Hey, Nathan: It takes two sides to make a deal. Nobody is considering the fact that Hillis turned down a contract offer. He probably feels he can do better in free agency. Doug Dieken believes New England will pursue him in free agency. Your point about MJD and Peterson is right on. A franchise running back does not have the same impact as a franchise quarterback.

Hey, Tony: If the Rams happen to get the No. 1 pick, do you see the Browns making a move to get that pick or at least making a move to get Sam Bradford? -- Jamie Hill, Pelham, Tenn.

Hey, Jamie: Sources tell me the Rams will not trade Bradford but would listen to offers for the No. 1 pick. I think a Browns' trade with the Rams would be doable.

View full sizeAP fileIs Drew Brees an accurate vision of what Colt McCoy might become in the NFL? Many fans are believers, but Tony isn't.

Hey, Tony: I'm not sold on Colt McCoy but wonder if he has really had a chance. Colt has close to the same statistics as Drew Brees through his first two years. Do you think there is any chance that Colt could flourish if surrounded by better talent, and given time like Brees? -- Joe Spoonemore, Massillon

Hey, Joe: Don't make the mistake of evaluating quarterbacks by comparing statistics. If you look closely, Seneca Wallace's career stats are better than McCoy's. The professional evaluators don't look at stats and don't look too closely at supporting cast. They study the video of the player -- his mechanics, arm strength, pocket presence, mobility, escapability. They test his acumen for reading defenses and measure his capacity to lead. A quarterback has to have a certain level of physical skills to perform at a high level in the NFL. For the most part, statistics are irrelevant.

Hey, Tony: Can the Browns use the transition tag on Peyton Hillis, which gives them the option of matching a competitive teams offer? -- Darrell Zauszniewski, Maple Heights

Hey, Darrell: Sure, but it comes with the price tag of giving Hillis a qualifying offer for one year at the average of the top 10 salaries at running back. That would be around $8 million, I'm guessing. If no team made Hillis a multi-year offer, the Browns would be stuck with a hefty one-year salary and cap number for a running back with one career 1,000-yard rushing season.

Hey, Tony: Using free agency and the draft, the Browns fix the right side of the offense line. Get a big playmaker at wide receiver. Re-sign Hillis together with healthy Brandon Jackson, Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya. Do the Browns really need a new QB? -- Warren Reinhard, Rocky River

Hey, Warren: Do you really think your moves would give the Browns an elite offense?

Hey, Tony: Why is everyone obsessed with Colt McCoy? If we have a chance at Luck or RG3 we shouldn't even think twice about drafting or trading for either one. If not, we might win a few more games with the other first-round picks and maybe sniff at .500 or just over, but never really have a chance at drafting such a QB for some time. -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: Of the last 20 quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl, only four were drafted after the second round -- Mark Rypien, Brad Johnson, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner.

Hey, Tony: OK, Colt's not it, at least in the AFC North. Yet, we all know he's not done here yet. With that said, what do you think of Nick Foles of Arizona in the third round? Size, mobility and arm are all on the plus side and he's had a very solid three-year run on an otherwise poor Arizona team. -- Jimmy D., Elyria

Hey, Jimmy: Instead of taking yet another stab in the dark, I would prefer devoting all scouting resources to evaluating the top quarterbacks available, choose one and get him.

Hey, Tony: How can you stand to read some of the personal attacks I have seen posted about you and other PD writers? The funny thing is that when these tough guy posters are confronted by you guys they instantly wilt. If the people in Cleveland don't appreciate the hard work you guys do, those of us residing across the country are truly grateful for the PD staff, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. -- Tyrone Patterson, Tucson

Hey, Tyrone: Thanks and Happy New Year to you. Fortunately I have a thick skin.

Hey, Tony: I just read Mary Kay's article on Rich Gannon's thoughts on Colt and I couldn't agree with Gannon more. I'm sick of NFL analysts and Browns fans alike claiming that Colt is not the guy. Don't you think its way too early to make that call? -- Jay Lindseth, Princeton, N.J.

Hey, Jay: I didn't hear the broadcast, but somebody told me Gannon delivered a slightly different message during the showing of the game in Baltimore. I was told he was extolling the virtues of Seneca Wallace and suggesting he shouldn't be overlooked as the starter.

Hey, Tony: If the Steelers and Ravens have consistently won with defense and having a solid running game, why are we so infatuated year after year with the QB position? The Steelers and Ravens won for years with Stewart, Maddox, Dilfer, and Boller as their quarterbacks. -- Chad, Wadsworth

Hey, Chad: Steelers won nothing of note between Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger. The Ravens' 2000 Super Bowl championship was the result of one of the greatest single-season defensive performances in NFL history. Without the QB, you're just running on a treadmill.

Hey, Tony: I like Colt McCoy a lot, I am not sure why you do not. What was Drew Brees and others' records their second year in the league? If I am right they were not pretty good. So give the kid a break, would you? If we have a chance to get Andrew Luck let's go for it, but other then that I think McCoy can take us to the playoffs. -- Roger Perdue, Middletown, Ohio

Hey, Roger: My criticism of McCoy is nothing personal. I like him a lot, too. I think his physical skills are limited.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerPat Shurmur thinking about his resignation? That may be the wishes of some Browns fans, but isn't likely any part of the Browns head coach's mindset.

Hey, Tony: Will you ask Pat Shurmur if he will consider resigning and if not ... does he feel like he is capable of doing the job given his own review of this season? -- Rev AC, Seattle

Hey, Rev: Will add them to my list.

Hey, Tony: Here's a few moves for the Browns to jump start their search for talent. First, trade Josh Cribbs and a draft pick (third round?) to Eagles for DeSean Jackson. We need speed. Second, draft Robert Griffin III as our new QB. Pick best RT or speed OLB with second first-round pick and use second-round pick on the position that we did not pick up in Round 1. Look for depth at defense (LB and/or DBs) and at RB (since they will not resign Hillis) in free agency. Keep either McCoy or Wallace as backup QB. Thoughts? -- Steve Smith, Cincinnati

Hey, Steve: You lost me on the trade for Jackson. He'll be a free agent.

Hey, Tony: Hillis looks like he could help the team when healthy. What are the chances we are able to sign him and focus on other needs in the draft and free agency? -- Chris, Columbus

Hey, Rich: I believe the chances are zero.

Hey, Tony: I can't believe what I heard Dieken say on Sunday Strategy. He said it was interesting that Colt McCoy may have played his last game in Cleveland due to a phone call to his dad. I saw that as a direct shot to Mary Kay Cabot who simply followed a story. Either I misunderstood Dieken or he has no idea what a reporter does. -- Rusty Stoner, Columbus

Hey, Rusty: Dieken was not taking a shot at Mary Kay. It was his opinion that McCoy's father's comments hurt McCoy's standing within the organization. Time will tell if he is correct.

Hey, Tony: What do you think of Robert Griffin? We both are not sold on Colt and I am ready for a strong candidate at QB. -- Justin Coulter, Austintown, Ohio

Hey, Justin: Griffin appears to be a fine young man. As an NFL quarterback, I would be cautious in believing the hype.

Hey, Tony: Do you still disagree with the swap of draft picks by the Browns last year? Please keep in mind that Greg Little is having a statistically better season than Atlanta's Julio Jones and is second to Cincinnati's AJ Green in rookie receptions. -- Dennis Stallworth, University Heights

Hey, Dennis: To repeat, I said at the time of the trade that I was uneasy with it and felt they were giving up an elite player for extra bodies. I also said the trade would look much better when the 2012 draft rolls around. Sure, it's looking good now that another losing season is over.

Hey, Tony: Is it realistic to expect elite free agents to sign with the Browns? After all, this is Cleveland and these are the Browns. -- Al Winterhalter, Brecksville

Hey, Al: The biggest reason the Browns can't attract elite free agents is because of their recent history of losing. Given the choice of joining a contender or joining a loser, 98 out of 100 players would choose the former.

Hey, Tony: I think the Browns should trade for the Patriots' Ryan Mallett. What do you think? -- Bill Russ, Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey, Bill: No, thanks.

Hey, Tony: In your Christmas Day, "Hey Tony" you said, "I find the 'winner' label a little tiring for a quarterback who is 6-15 in his NFL career." Wow, I guess you would have canned Troy Aikman then, as well? He was 1-15 before Dallas began putting playmakers around him. Maybe your judgment has been clouded by 13 seasons of inept coaching? -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.

Hey, Rich: Aikman had evident physical talent from the start. Surrounding McCoy with Pro Bowl players is not going to improve his arm strength.

Hey, Tony: I see you're in full spin mode for the current joke of a head coach. Shurmur is an embarrassment to the profession, handing off to the 3rd string TE then defending it like it's in the playbook, his laughable clock management at the end of the first half. But let's give him another year you say? How come you never afforded the prior HC the same accord? Because you didn't like him perhaps? In my opinion here's the bottom line: It's time for Lerner to sell. The Browns have changed coaches, personnel, front office people and the one common denominator is an owner who holds no one accountable and apparently couldn't hire a janitor sans screwing it up. -- Mike B, Dover, Ohio

Hey, Mike: Here we go again. The prior HC had three years experience at the job before arriving in Cleveland. Nobody ran him out of town after his 5-11 first season. As for your second point, go find somebody with $1 billion to buy the team.

Hey, Tony: Last week, a reader posed a question as to whether Colt McCoy can be fairly assessed. You answered that he could, because a QB should be assessed by his individual skill-set -- "his arm, his ability to function in the pocket, his ability to see the field and read defenses, his ability to anticipate routes and place the ball where it needs to be." Now, I have no idea if Colt McCoy is the answer, and frankly I do not think he is. But outside the arm element, it seems that every other aspect of your skill-set of your evaluation directly correlates to the QB's grasp of the offense. How well one knows the offense allows him to anticipate routes, helps him to know what to look for in a defense, and the inability to do either of those things results in someone looking skittish in the pocket. I believe you also said Drew Brees had a "noodle-arm" when he was still on the Chargers -- so, who knows? -- Sam Toth, Cleveland Heights

Hey, Sam: Never in my life have I said Drew Brees had a noodle arm at any time in his career. Good grief, can't anyone see the difference in his arm strength compared to McCoy's?

Hey, Tony: How come 90 percent of the questions you address are from people out of state? Why not give some us "locals" an opportunity to ask intelligent Browns questions, too? -- Bill Logan, Avon

Hey, Rich: Like this one?

Hey, Tony: In my mind, the Browns legacy is defined by their great running backs. Marion Motley, Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Leroy Kelly, all in the Hall of Fame ... then Greg Pruitt and Kevin Mack ... then, nothing for 22 years. Would you agree/disagree that having a great RB is central to a championship grade offense? -- Bill Carothers, Chagrin Falls

Hey, Bill: I don't disagree with the great running back lineage you cite. However, the Browns' dynasty was established by a passing attack led by Otto Graham that was ahead of its time and took its opponents by storm for about a decade. Do the names Dante Lavelli, Mac Speedie and Ray Renfro ring a bell? They were awesome receivers during the Browns' dynastic years. So, no, I would not agree with your premise, especially in this era of the NFL.

-- Tony

Even if the Browns don't surprise the Steelers on Sunday, things are already looking up. After last year, that's a given. No?

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerIs your head ringing? Feel beaten to the punch, over and over again? No, you're not the Browns' QB, but just a victim of Cleveland sports in 2011, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It wasn't the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Happy New Year.

Now duck. Watch out for imploding hopes, shattered dreams and James Harrison. Walk lightly. You have not yet been medically cleared to follow Cleveland sports in 2012.

We suspected you would by now, even after five consecutive Browns' losses and the betting-line odds for Sunday suggesting No. 6 is on the way. You're the resilient type, after all. But trying to wrap your head around the Browns' clock management just before halftime in Baltimore last week proved to be a "significant setback."

So if you must watch Steelers-Browns, treat it like a solar eclipse. You might want to look through special glasses. Not just the usual beer goggles.

Of course, there's always a chance the Browns will stun the Steelers and kick-start this year like no christening of a sports calendar in recent memory. But even if they don't, things are already looking up. After last year, that's a given. No?

Highlights of 2011 for the Browns, Cavaliers, Indians and Ohio State make for a short roll call.

The Indians' 30-15 start was the best of it, even if a 50-67 finish followed. In an attempt to secure a spot in the postseason and set themselves up nicely for 2012, they traded their top two pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez. The Indians rescued Jimenez from the altitude of Denver only to find he had issues with the latitude and longitude of the strike zone here.

While no Cleveland team finished with a winning record in 2011, the Indians were closest at 80-82. That's not great, but let's put it in perspective. Brown and orange confetti stores would open all over town if the Browns ever go 7-9, fighting for space with sculptors of marble sports statues.

So now that we have the on-field highlights of the three professional teams out of the way...

The wish for 2012 is that the best of Cleveland sports will stand on its own merit, that it won't just be borne from the worst of times or out of spite for vanquished rivals. That was the legacy of 2011.

To get Urban Meyer, Buckeyes' fans had to lose Jim Tressel.

View full sizeAP fileA 55-point loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles was the deepest moment of despair for a Cavaliers team that hardly knew what hit it in the 2010-11 season.

To get two Top 5 picks in the NBA draft required, in part, a season in which the Cavs got the best of the Clippers in a trade while also matching the old Tampa Bay Buccaneers of John McKay in losing 26 straight games. It's hard to forget the battle cry sounded by J.J. Hickson, who said, "If we stay persistent, I think we'll get a couple wins before the season is over."

The long losing streak was so soul-draining that former NBA great Reggie Miller had a message for Cavs' fans in a conference call. "I'm praying for you," he said. "I've said a prayer. I know things look bleak but it will be answered."

Prayer was necessary in 2011. McKay's old sense of humor would've helped, too. Not just around the Cavs, but the Browns, also. We really could've used McKay, who once told the Tampa media, "You guys don't know the difference between a football and a bunch of bananas."

After a media member delivered a case of bananas to McKay, the following week McKay said, "You guys don't know the difference between a football and a Mercedes-Benz."

Here in 2011 we learned the difference between Eric Mangini's 5-11 and Pat Shurmur's 4-11. One win so far. Not surprisingly, Mike Holmgren believes differently. It was the topic of a December lecture he delivered to critical media and skeptical fans.

"It's not business as usual with the Cleveland Browns," Holmgren said sternly.

Give him this much. Just as Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson significantly improved the Cavaliers' outlook for 2012 -- if not immediately became the answer to Miller's prayers -- the Browns have three of the top 38 picks in the next draft.

One of these years, though, we're going to have to break through to a new dimension not experienced since the late 1980s, one where the NFL draft doesn't double as Cleveland's Super Bowl. One of these years there will be more riding on what happens in Browns' football in January than in April.

(I know, I should never write a column while drinking Christmas Ale on New Year's Eve.)

For now, of the three teams in town the only one that looks capable of contending in 2012 is the Indians.

At any rate, tread lightly into the new year. Things are either looking up for you or you're seeing stars. Hard to tell.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerTheir 30-15 start didn't translate into a playoff run, but at least the Cleveland Indians were interesting through most of the 2011 season.

BEST OF CLEVELAND SPORTS

(11 in '11 Edition)

1. Urban Meyer hired.

2. Nick Gilbert picks winning Lotto for Cavs.

3. Indians start 30-15, setting up summer of contention.

4. Cavs beat Heat in March after staging a December Hug-A-Thon with LeBron James.

5. Jim Thome returns to Indians.

6. Peyton Hillis makes Madden cover.

7. Miami Heat loses to Dallas Mavericks.

8. Heat loses to Mavericks with James fading in fourth quarters.

9. Heat watches Mavs hoist banner on Christmas Day.

10. Browns play 16 games instead of 18 as NFL owners once threatened.

11. Did we mention the Heat lost to Dallas?

WORST OF CLEVELAND SPORTS

(11 in '11 Edition)

1. Jim Tressel resigns.

2. Colt McCoy returns with concussion in 14-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

3. Cavs lose 26 straight games.

4. Hillis takes agent's advice, skips Miami game with strep throat.

5. Cavs score 57 against Lakers, lose by 55.

6. OSU gets bowl ban three weeks after hiring Meyer.

7. Browns lose opener to Bengals on The Nap.

8. AFC title game: Steelers or Braylon Edwards in the Super Bowl, what's your pleasure?

9. McCoy misses final three games with concussion.

10. Browns suffer double-digit loss season for the 10th time since 1999.

11. Heat favored to win NBA title in 2012

11 MEMORABLE QUOTES OF 2011

1. "Are you kidding me? I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me." -- Ohio State president Gordon Gee, asked if Tressel's job was in jeopardy.

2. "What's not to like?" Nick Gilbert, son of Dan Gilbert, after the Cavs won the NBA draft lottery.

3. "When it does happen, don't come to me for extra tickets to a playoff game or something. Don't do that. You're either with us or you're not." -- Mike Holmgren, on how it's not business as usual in Berea.

4. "When will we just change the name of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?" -- Cavaliers' owner Gilbert, protesting the rumored Chris Paul-to-Lakers trade in a message to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

5. "We almost always almost win." -- Josh Cribbs after a close loss to the Bengals in November, unintentionally giving the Browns a marketing slogan.

6. "We tried to hand him the football and he dropped it, that's the thinking." -- Pat Shurmur, asked for his thinking after calling a handoff to tight end Alex Smith filling in for injured fullback Owen Marecic in a crucial red zone play against St. Louis.

7. "I really think it changes the free-agent marketplace for outfielders. He certainly adds star power to it." -- agent Joe Urbon on Grady Sizemore's free agency before Sizemore took a paycut to re-sign with the Indians.

8. "I've been around here long enough that I've seen a lot of bad stuff." -- D'Qwell Jackson after the Browns' defense fell asleep against the Bengals in the season opener.

View full sizeAP photoAt the very least, Kansas football is getting a lot smarter -- if he does say so himself.

9. "I like his aura." -- Joe Haden on Shurmur in training camp.

10. "I don't worry about what Kirk Herbstreit says, to be honest with you. (Pause) Has he beat Michigan?" -- Terrelle Pryor, told that the former Buckeyes QB said if Pryor left Ohio State after his junior season it would be addition by subtraction.

11. "I'll be shocked and disappointed and on the offensive. It'll be behavior you haven't witnessed [from me]." -- OSU AD Gene Smith in July when asked how he'd react to a bowl ban.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

(Best of 2011)

Charlie Weis and Chaz Bono -- Anthony, Solon

(First of 2012)

View full sizeAP fileHe's got some moves, but wouldn't likely be seen in Lawrence, Kansas.

Dave Chappelle and Byron Scott -- Mike P, Euclid

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"South Florida newspapers run LeBron's photo two or three times in each edition. What Cleveland sports figure merits similar coverage?" -- Jim D., Richmond Heights

You mean other than the Touchdown Squirrel?

"Bud:

"After stops in Pittsburgh, Arizona and Baltimore, the 'Traveling Circus' is performing in Cleveland this Sunday. Any tickets left for this three-ring affair?" -- Kevin O

I thought I told you not to come to me for extra circus tickets.

"Bud:

"Be honest, in arguments with your wife, are you like the Browns against the Steelers? Winning twice in a decade?" -- Russ

I don't keep track. The one I do remember was in January '03 when I was way ahead, foolishly took marital advice from Butch Davis instead of Foge Fazio and lost the argument in epic fashion.

"Bud:

"Here's another new game we can all play. James Harrison saying the Browns should be fined because they let Colt McCoy play after that illegal wallop is like ... a drunk driver suing Toyota because the car he plowed into was not stronger!" -- Jim, Shaker Heights

Harrison has routinely tested twice the legal limit for chutzpah, according to league officials.

"Bud:

"I recently finished reading The Whore of Akron about LeBron James. If someone was writing a book about you, what would it be called?" -- Bill Lehky, Strongsville

If you are a regular reader of Spin, you should know. The Bore of Cleveland.

"Bud:

"I see Braylon was cut by the 49ers. If only he had gone to Stanford." -- Pat

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

"Bud:

"If Pat Shurmur was in charge of the clock, would it still be 2011?" -- Michael Sarro

Repeat winners get spiked.

"Bud:

"Is Matt Barkley allergic to brown?" -- Joe S.

Repeat winners get the business, as usual.

On Twitter: @budshaw

This season has been so boring, so dismal that I just want to close my eyes and make it all go away.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerAs the losses piled up this season, Pat Shurmur seemed occasionally bewildered by the Browns. For Terry Pluto, the primary sensation as the season ends today is simply fatigue.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Browns notebook before the Pittsburgh game...

1. Confession time: I'm just so ready for this season to be over -- and it's not because I want to spend the next four months agonizing over the draft. Even if the Browns manage to win today -- and I did pick them to beat the Steelers, don't ask me why -- this season has been so boring, so dismal that I just want to close my eyes and make it all go away.

2. Closed eyes may be the best way to watch this game. So why did I pick the Browns to win, especially since this game is important to Pittsburgh in playoff positioning? I picked the Browns because every year nearly every bad NFL team wins at least one game for absolutely no reason. It just happens. In 2008, Romeo Crennel's Browns hammered the New York Giants (35-14) during a 4-12 season. In 2009, Eric Mangini's Browns dumped the Steelers (13-6) in a snowstorm. In 2010, the Browns upset New England and New Orleans.

3. My goodness, Chris Palmer was 2-2 against the Steelers, and 3-25 against everyone else. In 2003, a 5-11 season, the Butch Davis Browns crushed Pittsburgh, 33-13. Strange things do happen, but not often against Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 21-2 vs. the Browns since Palmer left.

4. This year's Browns have victories over four teams (Miami, Seattle, Indianapolis and Jacksonville) who are a combined 18-42. Only Seattle (7-8) is even semi-respectable. I would feel better if Mangini were coaching it because he loved facing the Steelers. He also loved playing in the kind of conditions that send the Weather Channel into frenzy of dire warnings and hints of the end of the world as we know it.

5. What Pat Shurmur has been able to do is keep his men playing hard. What the rookie coach hasn't done is come up with an imaginative game plan that makes you believe an upset is possible -- or at least make the games entertaining.

6. That is another reason I want the year over -- very few games have been fun to watch. Their best victory of the season was 6-3 over Seattle, a home game where poor Phil Dawson had two field goals blocked because of breakdowns on special teams.

7. I don't want a return to the Mangini Era because I don't want Eric Mangini making trades and running the draft. They have only three players from his 2009 draft, in which they had three second-round picks. Alex Mack was a solid first-rounder. From the second round, only Mohamed Massaquoi is left -- and you have to wonder about his future. Brian Robiskie and David Veikune were waived. Besides Mack and Massaquoi, there's Kaluka Maiava, a fourth rounder. That's it.

8. But I like Mangini the coach. I liked his emphasis on special teams. I like the demands of discipline and intolerance of dumb penalties. I liked some of his creative ideas on defense. I liked the power running game. I liked the fact that I at least knew what he wanted done and how his team was supposed to play.

9. OK, I didn't like back-to-back 5-11 records. But I also never thought this team could be worse.

10. For what it's worth, I picked the Browns to finish 6-10 -- in each of the last three years. It's not exactly a lofty goal, but they failed to reach it -- again.

11. Assuming Mike Holmgren sticks to his word and comes back with Shurmur as coach, the Browns must do a better job of explaining what the team is supposed to do on the field. I know, win games. But how? What is the identity? After 15 games and two quarterbacks, I still have no idea of what is supposed to be Browns' version of the West Coast offense.

12. But most of all, I feel for the fans. Many of you have told me in person or via email that you feel the same way -- get this miserable year over. That is a very sad commentary on the NE Ohio franchise that has received the most love and given back so little in return.