Butler is 10-2 against Cleveland State since 2006, but the Vikings get another shot tonight at Indianapolis.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerCoach Gary Waters has been successful overall at Cleveland State, but he's still searching for answers against Butler.

It is considered the toughest road swing in Horizon League men's basketball: playing at Butler and Valparaiso.

Gaining a split is considered a job well done for any road team, and little shame is attached to losing them both. Winning both is rare.

Cleveland State (14-3, 4-1) gets its chance beginning tonight at Butler (9-8, 3-2).

The Bulldogs have gone 10-2 against CSU since Gary Waters became head coach in 2006. The Vikings' only win at Hinkle Fieldhouse came in the 2009 Horizon League Tournament championship game.

So the 7 p.m. ESPNU matchup takes on special meaning for CSU senior guards Jeremy Montgomery and Trevon Harmon, who are yet to win a regular-season game at Hinkle.

"Butler has always been a rivalry," Montgomery said. "Those guys come in and play hard. They've taken some stuff away from us the past few years. We want to get back at them. That's why this is a big game for us."

Butler beat CSU three times last season, including an easy 79-56 win in the first meeting in Indianapolis.

"I feel like the last few years, we weren't quite focused enough going up there," Harmon said. "You've got to be very prepared to take on Butler."

CSU played much better the second game, yet lost, 73-61, at the Wolstein Center. The third game, in Milwaukee for the league tournament, was close until late 3-pointers gave Butler a 76-68 win.

CSU wants to set the tone this season with a victory in the first game between the two league powers, and then take that momentum into Sunday's game at Valparaiso.

"We're going in there with all guns a-blazing," Waters said. "If you can do something like [sweep], it changes the whole dynamics of the league."

Butler is a team in transition this season with a lot of new players, and without its traditional array of perimeter shooters. The Bulldogs rank in the bottom of the HL in 3-point shooting, field-goal shooting and free-throw shooting, three areas they normally dominate.

Butler 7-0 junior center Andrew Smith has given CSU fits. Last season, he had games of 22 points and 10 rebounds; 12 points and eight rebounds; and 13 points and five rebounds.

This season he is averaging 10.1 ppg and 5.6 rebounds.

Beyond Smith, the Vikings match up well. And considering this may be the last time Montgomery and Harmon play in Hinkle, they want to make it memorable.

"It's been a great experience playing there in college," Montgomery said of CSU games in historic Hinkle. "We'd love to go in there and take their hearts from them."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

McGregor narrowly missed making the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic teams as a 10,000-meter runner. On Saturday in Houston, she and other Northeast Ohio runners will try to make the 2012 U.S. team at the marathon trials.

View full sizeChris Clark, Grand Rapids Press via APWilloughby South grad Katie McGregor, 34, has twice narrowly missed making the U.S. Olympic team as a 10,000-meter runner (2004, '08). Saturday, she will attempt to make the 2012 team as a marathon runner.

Katie McGregor has run thousands of miles in her shoes. She's comfortable in them now.

McGregor, a Willoughby native, narrowly missed making the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic teams as a 10,000-meter runner. Setbacks like those can be devastating to an athlete who has worked for years with that singular goal. McGregor said she has found a proper perspective to view her past while continuing toward the same goals.

"Not making the team a few times, I realize this is a passion. I love to compete," she said. "Sometimes, that doesn't mean winning. I love running and appreciate the bad things, too, and they make me appreciate the good moments even more.

"You put so much time and effort into things, you're probably going to be more disappointed at times than you are extremely excited. I decided a few years ago I wasn't going to be disappointed all the time. I know I can't be at my best every single time."

View full sizePD fileWillowick resident Nicole Camp, seen above winning the Cleveland Marathon in May 2011, is competing at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday.

Undaunted, McGregor has expanded her Olympics quest. She has added an event to her forte -- the marathon -- and is in Houston for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials Saturday. She also plans to run the 10,000 at the track and field trials in June.

The Summer Olympics are July 27-Aug. 12 in London.

For the first time, the women's and men's marathon trials are being held on the same course and the same day. About 14 Ohio runners and natives are expected to be among the 223 women and 158 men competing, including two-time Cleveland Marathon champ Nicole Camp of Willowick, reigning Akron Marathon champ Becki Michael of Akron, and former Malone College All-American Leo Kormanik of Akron.

The top three women and top three men make the Olympic team. The trials are being held early, so more track runners such as McGregor and 2008 Olympic 10,000 bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan entered with the plan to run both events. Thus, the women's field is considered the deepest in U.S. trials history. Among the many contenders are Boston Marathon 2011 runner-up Desiree Davila, who is the top qualifier at 2:22; 2004 marathon bronze medalist Deena Kastor, and 2008 Olympian Magdalena Lewy Boulet.

McGregor, 34, is a bit of a wild card. She has run just three career marathons, but always has been a strong road racer. The Houston course, like the London course, has three, fan-friendly and mostly flat loops, which should well suit McGregor.

McGregor's most recent 26.2-miler was the 2010 New York City Marathon, in which she was the second American in a personal-best 2:31. That same year, she was the U.S. champion at 10 miles, 10 kilometers and 25 kilometers. She was the USA Running Circuit overall winner, and USA Track and Field named her Women's Distance Runner of the Year. Last year, she was the U.S. 10K runner-up and USA Running Circuit runner-up.

"I feel like I'm capable of making the Olympic team, and I'm really well prepared and have some experience behind me," she said. "I know this will be one of the toughest races I've ever been a part of, and it's important to stay relaxed . . . I want to have a good race whether I make the team or not."

McGregor, who lives in St. Louis Park, Minn., is a fulltime pro runner who runs for Team Minnesota and is sponsored by Reebok. She grew up in Willoughby, where she was a multiple state champion at South High, and was a three-time NCAA champion at Michigan.

She has no immediate plans to stop running.

"It might not come as easily now as it once did, and that's OK," she said.

View full sizeABJAkron Marathon winner Becki Michael, an Alliance native, will compete in the marathon Saturday.

The other area entrants are not considered contenders, and are looking toward Houston as a big step in their careers.

"I'm excited. This has been my goal for two years now," said Camp, 26, a transportation analyst for Lincoln Electric in Euclid. "I want to PR [personal record], maybe by a couple minutes."

Camp's best time is 2:43 at the 2010 Columbus Marathon. Michael qualified in 2:40, which she ran in Minnesota in 2009.

"My goal is to break 2:40 for the first time," said Michael, 28, a pharmacy technician. "I think I can be in the mid-30s placewise. I have to race smart."

Kormanik, 29, is a rare distance standout from Akron's Ellet High who blossomed at Malone College, where he was a two-time NAIA All-American. This will be his third marathon.

"It's fun to be at this level," said Kormanik, a sports chiropractor. "Being at the same race as a lot of those elite guys . . . it's a cool feeling."

Favorites

Women

Magdalena Lewy Boulet: Qualified in 2:26:22 at the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon; 2008 Olympian.

Desiree Davila: Fastest qualifier; second at 2011 Boston Marathon by two seconds in personal record 2:22:38; 2008 Olympian.

Shalane Flanagan: Only her second marathon, but a strong contender; she was second in New York City in 2010 (2:28:40), the same race where Katie McGregor was 10th overall and the second American; Olympic 10,000 silver medalist in 2008; defending IAAF World Cross Country champion.

Kara Goucher: Second-fastest qualifier with a 2:24:52 in 2011 Boston Marathon; ran the 5,000 and 10,000 at 2008 Olympics; trains with Flanagan.

Deena Kastor: Does she still have it at age 38? Won bronze at the 2004 Olympics and won the 2008 trials; has not run well since giving birth in early 2011.

Men

Brett Gotcher: Ran a 2:10 in Houston in 2009, but has yet to regain that form.

Ryan Hall: The runner to beat, he owns the three-fastest qualifying times, topped by his 2:04:58 at the 2011 Boston Marathon, the fastest qualifying time in trials history; 2008 Olympian.

Meb Keflezinghi: Owns the next four-fastest qualifying times after Hall, headed by his 2:09:13 at 2011 NYC; 2004 Olympic silver medalist; he's 36.

Dathan Ritzenhein: Ran a 2:10 at the 2009 London Marathon; second to Hall at the 2008 trials, then finished ahead of Hall in Beijing.

Galen Rupp: A surprise entry because he has never run a marathon and is among the top 5,000 and 10,000 runners; smashed U.S. 10,000 record last year (26:48).

Locals

Women

Nicole Camp, Willowick, 26: Two-time defending Rite Aide Cleveland Marathon champion, personal record 2:43 at Columbus Marathon, Sterling native, ran at the University of Toledo, Lincoln Electric transportation analyst.

Katie McGregor, St. Louis Park, Minn., 34: Willoughby native is a professional runner who was the U.S. Women's Distance Runner of the Year in 2010; PR 2:31 at 2010 NYC marathon, where she was the second American and 10th overall; placed fourth at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic trials in the 10,000 meters; has run NYC twice and Boston once.

Becki Michael, Akron, 28: Won 2011 Akron Marathon, Alliance native, qualified with a 2:40 she ran in Minnesota in 2009, placed second in her first marathon in 2008 in Austin, Texas, and was 13th at the U.S. championships in 2009, pharmacy technician in Akron.

Mandy Yates, 33: Longtime Medina resident recently moved to Florida; qualified by winning the 2010 Wineglass Marathon in Corning, N.Y., in 2:44.

Men

Leo Kormanik, Akron, 29: Qualified with a 2:18 in Duluth, Minn.; Akron sports chiropractor; Ellet graduate; two-time NAIA All-American at Malone College; his wife, Jennie, is a highly regarded 1,500-meter runner.

Ryan Kienzle, Canton, 25: Qualified with 1:04.38 in the Philadelphia Half-Marathon; ran a 2:29 at 2011 Houston Marathon; four-time NAIA All-American at Malone College; GlenOak graduate; Canton middle school teacher.

Other Ohioans

Women

Anna Alyanak, 33, Dayton, 2:34; Sarah Bashinski-Flament, 36, Poland, 2:43; Kara Storage, 30, Beavercreek, 2:41; Tara Storage, 30, Beavercreek, 2:40.

Men

Craig Leon, 27, Van Wert, 2:18; Brian Olinger, 28, Westerville, 28:08 (10,000 meters); Jason Ordway, 24, Bellbrook, 2:18; Josh Ordway, 31, Bellbrook, 2:15.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Meyer introduces his new assistant coaches on Thursday and says the Buckeyes are looking to add four or five more recruits before signing day on Feb. 1. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The original plan was for Ohio State football to start its off-season conditioning program next week. Instead, it started the beginning of this week. The new boss couldn't wait.

"I feel as good as I've felt in many, many years, and I'm anxious to get going," said OSU head coach Urban Meyer on Thursday, "which is probably the reason these guys are out there early in the morning. And I'm anxious to get out on the road recruiting for the next three weeks. 'Revitalized' is a strong word, and an appropriate word for where I am right now."

Starting at 5 a.m. each morning, the Buckeyes have been dealing with new strength coach Mickey Marotti, who holds an assistant athletic director title and was Meyer's right-hand man at Florida. He sees the same thing in his friend, calling Meyer "100 percent juiced and revitalized."

On Thursday, Marotti and the five new assistant coaches hired by Meyer were officially introduced, with most admitting they don't yet know a lot about their current players. Recruiting, up until National Signing Day on Feb. 1, has been the focus. What Marotti knows is what he has seen in the workouts, with the players only conditioning so far and actually hitting the weight room for the first time today. Neither Meyer nor Marotti liked what they saw on Day 1, though Marotti said that isn't unusual after bowl games.

View full sizeJonathan Quilter, Columbus Dispatch via APOhio State football coach Urban Meyer says he's feeling good and is eager to get to work with the Buckeyes.

Meyer, for now, said his team's ability to work is average.

"The third day, I could walk around and say this was decent," Meyer said. "The first day, you kind of have a sick feeling in your stomach, like, 'What was that I just watched?' "

Here's what else was talked about by Meyer, Marotti and the five new assistants:

On a rough current scholarship count, with the 19 current oral commitments to the 2012 recruiting class and the players on the roster, the Buckeyes seem to be at their limit of 82 scholarship players, with the number reduced from 85 by NCAA sanctions.

Meyer, however, said the Buckeyes are looking to add four or five more recruits before signing day, and he can make that work because of the players he expects to leave the program. So far, only quarterback Taylor Graham has transferred, but it happens with every new coaching staff, though Meyer said he's hoping there isn't a mass exodus that would leave the program shorthanded.

"There's a natural attrition," Meyer said. "That happens when a coaching staff comes in because it's so different. And I think this one is going to be quite a bit different."

As for the recruiting so far, Meyer said, "I feel OK. If we walked away right now, I'd feel good, not great. The next four or five [recruits] are going to be key. We had that nice run in December, but the next couple weeks are big."

Offensive coordinator Tom Herman will call the plays on game day, probably from the press box, while Meyer said he would only be "the veto guy," which sounds similar to how Jim Tressel explained the game-day responsibilities with the offense. Offensive line coach Ed Warinner holds a co-coordinator title but said he's clearly behind Meyer and Herman when it comes to input.

But this will be a Meyer offense, with the staff adjusting to his ideas. Meyer said he's too far along in his coaching career to be dealing with coordinators who think they want to do it their way.

"He knows the offense well enough to where he can make suggestions and give his valued input through the course of the game," Herman said, "but the play-by-play calling is going to be left up to me."

Meyer clarified his policy on social media, saying the players haven't been banned from Twitter but they are forbidden from writing anything about the team and will be monitored. Meyer reserved the right to institute a ban down the road if needed.

Meyer addressed cornerback Dominic Clarke's drunken-driving charge, saying he doesn't have all the information yet but he's "very, very disappointed." He said the situation will be dealt with "swiftly and sternly at the appropriate time." Clarke entered a plea of not guilty Thursday.

OSU assistants

Ohio State's full assistant-coaching staff, including titles and previous school, with the final two hires of Ed Warinner and Tim Hinton made official Thursday.

Offense

Tom Herman: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, Iowa State.

Ed Warinner: Offensive co-coordinator/offensive line, Notre Dame.

Stan Drayton: Running backs, Ohio State.

Tim Hinton: Tight ends/fullbacks, Notre Dame.

Zach Smith: Receivers, Temple.

Defense

Luke Fickell: Defensive coordinator/linebackers, Ohio State.

Everett Withers: Defensive co-coordinator/assistant head coach/safeties, North Carolina.

Taver Johnson: Cornerbacks, Ohio State.

Mike Vrabel: Defensive line, Ohio State.

Key dates ahead

Feb. 1: National Signing Day.

April 23: Spring game.

Sept. 1: Opener vs. Miami (Ohio).

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

What: National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Festival. When: Saturday. First round, 9 a.m.; final is at 5:15 p.m.

St. Edward 195-pounder James Suvak, bottom, who won this match against Perry’s Jojo Tayse at the Walsh Ironman last month, heads into the weekend and the anticipated showdown with national No. 1 Blair Academy with a 15-1 record. - (Karen Schiely, Akron Beacon Journal)

What: National High School Coaches Association Wrestling Festival.

When: Saturday. First round, 9 a.m.; final is at 5:15 p.m.

Where: Pleasant Valley High School, Brodheadsville, Pa.

Website: Free live webcast of the final on nhsca.com.

What's at stake: Authors of the two most respected national polls, Bob Preusse of Amateur Wrestling News and Josh Lowe of Intermatwrestle.com, both said the winner between No. 1-ranked Blair Academy and No. 2 St. Edward will be ranked No. 1 in next week's poll barring an unusual circumstance.

Notable: St. Edward and Blair are in opposite pools and wrestle three dual meets, then a semifinal. St. Edward starts against Benton, Pa., Souderton, Pa., and Bergen (N.J.) Catholic. Wrestling analysts say it would be shock if St. Edward and Blair Academy do not meet in the final. Both teams probably will rest some starters in early-round dual meets. Blair Academy is a private school in Blairstown, N.J.

Last year: Blair won at St. Edward, 39-15.

-- Tim Warsinskey

TALE OF THE TAPE: St. Edward vs. Blair Academy

St. Edward

Ranked No. 2 by Amateur Wrestling News and Intermatwrestle.com; 15-0 in dual meets; finished second at Walsh Jesuit Ironman; won The Clash dual-meet tournament in Rochester, Minn., beating the Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 13 teams in the country; has won 11 national poll titles.

Blair Academy

Ranked No. 1 by Amateur Wrestling News and Intermatwrestle.com; 1-0 dual-meet record; won tournament titles at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, Beast of the East in Delaware and PowerAde in Pennsylvania; has won nine national poll titles.

Note: Individual national rankings below list Amateur Wrestling News first, Intermatwrestle.com second.

106 pounds

St. Edward: Freshman L.J. Bentley (9-8, two pins).

Blair: Freshman Jordan Kutler (14-6).

Notable: Neither placed at Ironman. Tossup match, one that St. Edward needs to win.

PD pick: Bentley.

113 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Alex Moore (12-4, six pins), fourth at Ironman.

Blair: Sophomore Joey McKenna (16-1), ranked fifth/third nationally, Ironman runner-up, did not make weight at PowerAde, two-time Cadet Greco-Roman national champion.

Notable: McKenna has two wins over Aaron Assad of Brecksville. Moore beat Assad in OT.

PD pick: McKenna.

120 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Colin Heffernan (5-0).

Blair: Sophomore P.J. Klee (18-5), ranked 19th by Intermat, reached the finals of Beast of the East and PowerAde, and was sixth at Ironman.

Notable: Heffernan is an unknown at this weight. He was out of the lineup while working his way down to 120 after wrestling 130 last season. Looked good at Ohio Duals.

PD pick: Heffernan.

126 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Dean Heil (14-1, six pins), ranked third/second, Ironman champion and Outstanding Wrestler, two-time state champion.

Blair: Senior Max Hvolbeck (21-5), ranked 12th/15th, Stanford recruit, PowerAde runner-up and seventh at Ironman.

Notable: Heil beat Hvolbeck by decision in 2009-10. Blair looks at this match as a possible upset, and the Eagles are hoping for bonus points.

PD pick: Heil.

132 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Edgar Bright (18-2, five pins), ranked sixth/eighth, Ironman runner-up, Cadet national champion.

Blair: Senior Mark Grey, (16-2), ranked second/second, Cornell recruit, fourth at Ironman, became the first four-time Beast of the East champion last month despite a sprained ankle, won PowerAde, Fila Junior national team member last year.

Notable: Grey is a load, but Bright has been on a roll since losing in last year's state final. Perhaps the toughest match to call.

PD pick: Grey.

138 pounds

St. Edward: Senior Nick Barber (18-4, two pins), placed fifth at Ironman.

Blair: Senior Todd Preston (23-1), ranked fourth/fourth, Harvard recruit, third at Ironman, beat then-No. 1 Nate Skonieczny of Walsh Jesuit in the PowerAde finals, 2-1, in overtime.

Notable: Preston beat Barber, 1-0, in the consolation semifinals at Ironman. Barber is highly underrated and has a team-high 78 takedowns and five tech falls. Expect another close bout.

PD pick: Preston.

145 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Markus Scheidel (17-6, five pins), sixth at Ironman.

Blair: Sophomore Dylan Milonas (23-1), ranked fifth/ninth, won Ironman and Beast, PowerAde runner-up, Cadet national champion.

Notable: Blair is looking for bonus points here, but Scheidel is a competitive, tough-minded wrestler.

PD pick: Milonas.

152 pounds

St. Edward: Senior Matt Van Curen (12-5, four pins).

Blair: Junior Russell Parsons (21-3), fourth at Ironman.

Notable: Parsons beat Van Curen, 7-4, in Ironman quarterfinals. Van Curen did not place. Van Curen is fully capable of stealing this match.

PD pick: Parsons.

160 pounds

St. Edward: Senior Jacob Davis (15-6, six pins), sixth at Ironman.

Blair: Junior Patrick Coover (15-6), seventh at Ironman fifth at Beast and fourth at PowerAde.

Notable: Did not meet at Ironman; Davis split two matches with a wrestler that beat Coover. Davis has been coming on strong and a win here would be a huge momentum swing for the Eagles.

PD pick: Davis.

170 pounds

St. Edward: Senior Mark Martin (16-1, six pins), ranked fourth/fifth, Ohio State recruit, Ironman champion.

Blair: Junior Addision Knepshield (9-3) or junior Jack Wedholm (20-6). Knepsheild placed fifth at Ironman, but injured his knee at Beast and did not wrestle at PowerAde. Wedholm took sixth at PowerAde.

Notable: Blair coach Jeff Buxton declined to name a starter. Martin beat Knepshield by major decision at the Ironman. St. Edward could use a pin here.

PD pick: Martin.

182 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Domenic Abounader (17-1, nine pins), ranked 11th by Intermat, Ironman runner-up, Cadet national runner-up.

Blair: Senior Michael Mocco (16-6), Harvard recruit, fourth at Ironman, placed at Beast and PowerAde.

Notable: Abounader has defeated Mocco twice, by pin and decision. Can he get bonus points again?

PD pick: Abounader.

195 pounds

St. Edward: Senior James Suvak (15-1, six pins), ranked 20th by Intermat, Virginia recruit, third at Ironman.

Blair: Junior Frank Mattiace (15-3), ranked 15th by Intermat, Ironman champion, won Beast and third at PowerAde.

Notable: Mattiace beat Suvak last year, 6-1. They did not meet at Ironman. Suvak has won by major decision, tech fall or pin 11 times. Could be a lot of drama here.

PD pick: Mattiace.

220 pounds

St. Edward: Senior Ty Walz (17-3, seven pins), ranked 14th by Intermat, Virginia Tech recruit, fifth at Ironman, junior freestyle all-American and past Cadet national champion.

Blair: Senior David Farr (18-6), sixth at Ironman.

Notable: Walz beat Farr at Ironman, 6-5. He's likely to increase that margin.

PD pick: Walz.

285 pounds

St. Edward: Junior Joe Belford (2-3).

Blair: Junior Brooks Black (22-0), ranked first/first; won the Ironman, Beast and PowerAde; he is 6-4, 240.

Notable: St. Edward starter Greg Kuhar, ranked fourth and a former Cadet national champion, is out with a knee injury. Coach Greg Urbas said Belford will start. Blair is counting on bonus points.

PD pick: Black.

The path to victory

St. Edward: The Eagles winning seven matches, as predicted here, is considered a stretch by most observers. The real key is getting bonus points from the likes of Heil, Abounader, Martin or Walz, while not giving up bonus points at more than one weight. Every St. Edward winning scenario has at least two wins from the lower weights Bentley, Heffernan and Heil. An Eagles victory means heroes, and the candidates are just about every other wrestler in their lineup. Bright, Barber and Scheidel have the intangibles, and Van Curen is capable of piling up points in a hurry.

Blair: Winning at 106, 120 and/or 195 would give the Bucs a big edge. They need to stay the course at the middle weights and stay off their backs at the upper weights while coming up big at heavyweight.

PD pick

St Edward 25, Blair Academy 24.

Which QB in the postseason would have looked good in a Browns uniform?

APTim Tebow

There are plenty of great quarterbacks in (and just got eliminated) in the postseason. Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and Drew Brees just set an NFL record for passing yards in a season.

But what about Tim Tebow? He doesn't always look good, but somehow he helps his team win.

Which QB in the postseason would have looked good in a Cleveland Browns uniform?

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerColt McCoy CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doerschuk writes how Browns general manager Tom Heckert said on a recent radio interview how Colt McCoy is the guy right now when it comes to the Browns quarterback. The Browns have been weighing a run at a free-agent quarterback, a possible trade for a passer, or a QB splash on...

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerColt McCoy

CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doerschuk writes how Browns general manager Tom Heckert said on a recent radio interview how Colt McCoy is the guy right now when it comes to the Browns quarterback.

The Browns have been weighing a run at a free-agent quarterback, a possible trade for a passer, or a QB splash on Day 1 of the draft, April 26.

Heckert is saying fairly nice things about McCoy, who has started 16 of the Browns’ last 19 games, with a 4-12 record.

“We’ve seen enough of Colt,” he said, “that we think he has a chance to be a good player for us.”

NFL rules bar Heckert from talking about potential free agents or trade targets, writes Doerschuk. 

More Browns

Josh Cribbs led the team in special teams tackles last year, statistically speaking (Dawgs By Nature).

Cleveland fans yearn for competitive teams (Cleveland.com).

Tony Grossi has plenty to say about Robert Griffin III and Tom Heckert's 2010 draft. Watch video

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

It's "Hey, Tony! Friday and Tony Grossi answers questions about the NFL Draft, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, and the west coast offense.

Grossi also doesn't surprise us with his answer to today's poll.

SBTV returns on Monday.

Which retired NBA player could make a successful comeback?

APRasheed Wallace

Columnist Adrian Wojnarowski writes on Yahoo.com about the possible return of Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace, who retired after 15 seasons in 2010, has been working out and probing some close league friends about possible destinations to sign for the rest of the season, sources said.

Wallace is 37, but he had been one of the most versatile and talented power forwards of his era. He averaged 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds over his 15-year career.

If not Wallace, which player could make a "successful" comeback? 

Does Manny Ramirez deserve another chance to play Major League Baseball?

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerManny Ramirez

If you believe him, former Cleveland Indians outfielder Manny Ramirez says he's a changed man.

Ramirez also says he wants to return to the game that he retired from after a second violation of baseball's performance-enhancing drug rules. He chose retirement over serving a 100-game suspension.

Now, Ramirez wants to land a tryout with a major league team for spring training, hoping that his filing for reinstatement and having his ban shortened from 100 games to 50 games will show teams that he's changed.

"I want to show people that Manny can change, that he can do the right thing," Ramirez told ESPN's Pedro Gomez in an interview. "And to show people that I still can play. I don't want to leave the game like I did. I also want to show my kids that if you make a mistake, don't quit. Just go back and fix it. And if you're going to leave, leave the right way."

Ramirez is working out in Florida.

"RG3 is smart, has a strong arm, is accurate and mobile. No trades up, but we would be fools not to take him at No. 4 if he is there." - gavrick

View full sizeAP Photo | Darren AbateRobert Griffin III

"RG3 is smart, has a strong arm, is accurate and mobile. No trades up, but we would be fools not to take him at No. 4 if he is there."

The differences between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Gus Ruelas / Associated PressLos Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown has coached two of the best players in the NBA in LeBron James, when Brown was in Cleveland, and Kobe Bryant with the Lakers.

Ben Bolch writes in the L.A. Times how Brown talks about the similarities and differences between James and Bryant.

"They're both competitive, they both want to win," Brown said when asked about Bryant and James. "There's just a different feel to the two guys that it's hard to put into words right now. They're both obviously guys that know how to perform at a high level.

"Their games are very different on both ends of the floor, but especially offensively. LeBron is a guy who is still learning and still growing and the reality of it is, being down there with Dwyane Wade is helping him. Every year, every game, he's getting better."

When it comes to personalities, Brown says LeBron is more youthful and Bryant is more serious.

More Cleveland Cavaliers

Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com writes about the Cavaliers facing their former coach in Mike Brown tonight.

Mary Schmit Boyer writes on Cleveland.com about Mike Brown's adjustment to Hollywood.

Paul Coro writes in The Arizona Republic on how the Cavaliers spoiled Michael Redd's debut with the Suns.

"Hope things work out for Mike Brown. He deserved better and did not deserve the way he got canned, but then again that's the life of an NBA coach - hired to be fired. Don't think he could have done anything more. He wasn't counting on the so-called best player in the NBA to quit on him, like what happened vs the Celtics in the playoffs." - tribe37

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerThis is how Mike Brown's coaching tenure in Cleveland came to an end.

"Hope things work out for Mike Brown. He deserved better and did not deserve the way he got canned, but then again that's the life of an NBA coach - hired to be fired. Don't think he could have done anything more. He wasn't counting on the so-called best player in the NBA to quit on him, like what happened vs the Celtics in the playoffs."

"This could work out perfectly. Manny had his suspension dropped from 100 to 50 games. By the time he became eligible, Hafner or Sizemore (or both) would be on the DL anyway." - Galen 35

View full sizeMike Carlson | Associated PressManny Ramirez.

"This could work out perfectly. Manny had his suspension dropped from 100 to 50 games. By the time he became eligible, Hafner or Sizemore (or both) would be on the DL anyway."

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In a rare change of opinion, the Ohio High School Athletic Association board of directors overturned its previous ruling and approved the transfer appeal of John Hay boys basketball player Maurice O'Field. The vote, announced today, was 9-0.

John Hay basketball standout Maurice O'Field will be in uniform when the Hornets play at Solon on Saturday. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In a rare change of opinion, the Ohio High School Athletic Association board of directors overturned its previous ruling and approved the transfer appeal of John Hay boys basketball player Maurice O'Field.

The vote, announced today, was 9-0.

John Hay coach Chris Sanders said the 6-foot-4 O'Field will be in uniform when the Hornets (5-5) play at Solon on Saturday.

"I'm happy. I can't wait to get back," said O'Field, who learned the news during science class. " I've been working out with some of our football guys so I feel I'm in pretty good shape. It might be slow going at first but I'll get back."

Earlier, the board had ruled that O'Field had transferred from Cleveland Heights to John Hay explicitly for athletic reasons. After hearing more information from O'Field and his mother, Kesha Richardson, during Wednesday's appeal meeting in Columbus, the board believed the transfer was made for socio-economic reasons and that the family had relocated to Cleveland.

A key piece of evidence is Richardson, a single parent, has two other children enrolled in Cleveland schools. O'Field's younger brother, Raqwan, attends Collinwood. His younger sister, Raquel Latimer, attends Memorial, an elementary school.

The board originally approved O'Field's transfer in November but then contacted John Hay administrators in early December and said it had received additional information that led it to believe O'Field had transferred to John Hay for athletic reasons.

O'Field played in the Hornets' opening night win over East Tech, scoring 15 points and getting nine rebounds.

Transferring for athletic reasons is prohibited by OHSAA bylaws.

John Hay is O'Field's third school. He played his freshman season at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin before transferring to Cleveland Heights.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

trogers@plaind.com; 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Cavaliers were beaten by 55 points in their last visit here against the Lakers

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCavs rookie Kyrie Irving looks to build on his back-to-back 20-plus point games Friday in Los Angeles

Twenty years after he became head coach of the Browns and 10 years after his first Super Bowl win, Bill Belichick still leaves no stone unturned in his search for a competitive edge, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

Winslow Townson, Associated PressThe decision by Bill Belichick, left, to hire former Denver coach Josh McDaniels, left, as offensive coordinator this week isn't an example of villainy, as some have claimed. It's just a very smart football move.

He hasn't played it nearly as convincingly as Tim Tebow has warmed to the chandelier-swinging hero entrance, but that hasn't curbed attempts this week to portray Belichick as football's dark overlord.

Belichick had the unprofessional gall or good sense (pick one) to hire back his former offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, the coach who drafted Tebow and who coached the Broncos as recently as the 2010 season. (My answer: good sense.)

The timing -- just days before the Broncos face New England tonight in Foxboro -- suggested to some a breach of coaching decorum at best or, at worst, another reason to juxtapose the Broncos-Pats matchup as Good vs. Evil.

Belichick has been searching for a competitive edge forever. It's why, 20 years after taking his first head-coaching job with the Browns and 10 years after his first Super Bowl title, he's the greatest coach of his generation and belongs high on the list of all-timers.

As the New York Giants defensive coordinator before coming to our town, the story goes that Belichick would sift through the trash in the visiting coaches' booth after games looking for information -- plays, notes -- on the theory that one coach's trash could well be his treasure.

Spygate wasn't a direct descendant of his Oscar the Grouch routine, more like a deceitful third cousin. Spygate didn't just trample the spirit of the rules. It trampled the rules. The McDaniels hire doesn't belong in the same conversation.

Broncos' head coach John Fox doesn't seem bothered by it. Belichick's Patriots defeated the Broncos this season without McDaniels on staff. McDaniels spent the season in St. Louis and was freed up by a regime change.

Belichick's offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien, is leaving to take the Penn State coaching job. Belichick, who knows talent, whether it's in uniform or in a coach's meeting, simply turned the clock ahead on McDaniels' employment.

Will he explore McDaniels' insights on the strengths and weaknesses of Broncos' players? He's a fool if he doesn't. And Belichick is nobody's fool (despite his acquisitions of Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco).

Some are fond of pointing out that Belichick hasn't won a Super Bowl since 2004, as if winning them were really as easy as he made it look in collecting three titles in four seasons. It took the greatest play in Super Bowl history (David Tyree) to keep Belichick from winning four Lombardi trophies in seven years.

His record since the last Super Bowl title -- 86-26 -- doesn't exactly suggest misplaced mojo. He's won with and without Charlie Weis, Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel, General Manager Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels (none of whom won much without him). And even one season without Tom Brady.

After losing Brady in the 2008 season opener -- and 11 other Patriots to the injured-reserve list -- the Patriots finished 11-5. They became only the second team in a 16-game regular season to miss the playoffs with that many wins, losing a tiebreaker to the Miami Dolphins.

One of Belichick's greatest attributes is his adaptability. Another is his attention to exhaustive detail.

When McDaniels was Belichick's offensive coordinator, Belichick sent him on an off-season scouting mission to the University of Florida to study the spread offense of Urban Meyer's Gators.

Belichick wasn't looking for an offensive system overhaul. He was looking for new thoughts on using the slot receiver in a spread passing attack.

What sometimes looks like arrogance and disdain on Belichick's part isn't that. Or at least it's more than that. Belichick would've made a good CIA agent.

Pittsburgh's defensive approach against the Broncos last week smacked of arrogance. The Steelers brought every one except Mean Joe Greene to the line of scrimmage, daring Tebow to throw.

Belichick won't be so obvious. He knows the shortcomings of his own defense. He has 2011 game experience against Denver on which to draw.

New England 34, Broncos 24 sounds about right. That would've been the case with or without a late addition to Belichick's coaching staff.

The Frozen Diamond Faceoff What: No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 13 Michigan Wolverines. When: 5:05 p.m. Sunday. Where: Progressive Field. TV: Fox Sports Ohio. Getting to know the Buckeyes and Wolverines Ohio State: Program began in 1963; a charter member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in 1971. Michigan: Program began in 1922; joined the CCHA in...

The Frozen Diamond Faceoff

What: No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 13 Michigan Wolverines.

When: 5:05 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Progressive Field.

TV: Fox Sports Ohio.

Getting to know the Buckeyes and Wolverines

Ohio State: Program began in 1963; a charter member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in 1971.

Michigan: Program began in 1922; joined the CCHA in 1981.

JOHN KUNTZ/THE PLAIN DEALEROhio State and Michigan will play hockey Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field, in the Frozen Diamond Faceoff.

CCHA championships

Ohio State: Tournament, 2 (last in 2004); regular season, 1 (1972).

Michigan: Tournament, 9 (last in 2010); regular season, 11 (last in 2011).

NCAA tournament

Ohio State: 6 (last in 2009).

Michigan: 34, an NCAA record (including the last 21, an NCAA record for consecutive appearances).

Frozen Four appearances

Ohio State: 1 (1998, national semifinalist).

Michigan: 24, an NCAA record (last in 2011).

NCAA championships

Ohio State: None.

Michigan: 9, an NCAA record (1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1996, 1998).

Memorable moments

Ohio State: Won the first CCHA tournament in 1972 with a 3-0 championship game win over Saint Louis University. Moved into Value City Arena for the 1997-98 season and made its first NCAA tournament appearance, advancing to its only Frozen Four, losing a semifinal game to Boston College, 5-2.

Michigan: Hosted "The Big Chill at the Big House" on Dec. 11, 2010 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan defeated Michigan State, 5-0, before an announced crowd of 113,411, setting a world record for attendance at a hockey game. Defeated Ohio State, 21-0, on Feb. 8, 1964, the NCAA Division I national record for margin of victory.

All-time coaching wins

Ohio State: Jerry Welsh, 1975-95, 328-381-56 (.463); John Markell, 1994-2010, 280-267-56 (.511); Harry Neale, 1966-70, 49-48-3 (.505); Dave Chambers, 1970-72, 44-14 (.759).

Michigan: Red Berenson, 1984-present, 740-347-77 (.669); Vic Heyliger, 1944-57, 228-61-13 (.776); Al Renfrew, 1957-73, 222-207-11 (.517); Dan Farrell, 1973-80, 135-129-6 (.511); Edward Lowrey, 1927-44, 124-136-21 (.479).

Notable NHL players

(Statistics through Wednesday's NHL games)

Ohio State: Ryan Kesler, 2002-03, center, Vancouver Canucks, eighth NHL season, 143 goals, 176 assists, 523 games; Jamie Macoun, 1980-82, defenseman, 17 NHL seasons from 1982-99, 76 goals, 282 assists in 1,128 regular season games, 10 goals, 32 assists in 159 playoff games. Played for 1989 Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames and 1998 champion Detroit Red Wings; Rod Pelley, 2002-06, center, Anaheim Ducks, fifth NHL season, 223 games; Dave Steckel, 2000-04, center, Toronto Maple Leafs, seventh NHL season, 348 career games; RJ Umberger, 2000-03, left wing, Columbus Blue Jackets, seventh NHL season, 130 goals, 162 assists, 516 games.

Michigan: Red Berenson, 1959-62, center, 17 NHL seasons from 1961-78, 261 goals, 397 assists, 987 games. Six-time all-star. Played for 1965 Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens; Michael Cammalleri, 2000-02, left wing, Calgary Flames, ninth NHL season, 186 goals, 220 assists, 533 games; Jack Johnson, 2005-07, defenseman, Los Angeles Kings, sixth NHL season, 325 games; Mike Knuble, 1991-95, right wing, Washington Capitals, 15th NHL season, 271 goals, 261 assists, 1,008 games. Played for 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings; Mike Komisarek, 2000-02, defenseman, Toronto Maple Leafs, ninth NHL season, 490 games; John Madden, 1993-97, center, Florida Panthers, 12th NHL season, 162 goals, 183 assists in 869 regular season games, 21 goals, 22 assists in 134 playoff games. Played for 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils and 2010 champion Chicago Blackhawks; Brendan Morrison, 1993-97, center, Calgary Flames, 14th NHL season, 200 goals, 401 assists, 921 games; John Sherf, 1932-36, became the first American citizen to play for a Stanley Cup champion, the 1937 Detroit Red Wings; Marty Turco, 1994-98, goalkeeper, 10 NHL seasons from 2000-11, 273-165-26-40 record in 504 games; Aaron Ward, 1990-93, defenseman, 15 NHL seasons from 1993 to 2010, 839 regular season games, 95 playoff games. Played for 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and 2006 champion Carolina Hurricanes.

How they match up: Ohio State is 14-4-3, including 11-1-3 in the last 15 games. Michigan is 12-8-4, including 5-0-2 in the last seven games.

This season

Ohio State won at Michigan, 2-1, on Nov. 18; Ohio State won at Michigan, 6-5, on Nov. 19. The teams also played Friday night in Columbus.

Coaches

Ohio State: Mark Osiecki, second season, 29-22-7 (.560).

Michigan: Red Berenson, 28th season, 740-347-77 (.669).

Leading scorers

Ohio State: Chris Crane, 12 goals; Ryan Dzingel, 12 assists; Chris Crane, 21 points.

Michigan:David Wohlberg, Alex Guptill, 10 goals; Lee Moffie, 16 assists; David Wohlberg, Chris Brown, 21 points.

Goalkeepers

Ohio State:Cal Heeter, 12-2-3, 2.02 goals against average; Brady Hielle, 2-2-0, 1.83 GAA.

Michigan: Shawn Hunwick, 12-7-3, 2.38 GAA; Adam Janecyk, 0-1-1, 3.17 GAA.

Coming in 2013: Big Ten hockey:Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State -- current CCHA members -- will join Minnesota, Wisconsin and Penn State to form the six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference beginning in the 2013-14 season. Minnesota and Wisconsin are now in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Penn State now fields an American Collegiate Hockey Association club team and is ramping up its varsity program with a new arena and scholarship players.

(Note: All statistics for current Buckeyes and Wolverines players and coaches are prior to Friday night's Michigan at Ohio State game).

-- Compiled by Mike Peticca, Plain Dealer Reporter

Up one blind alley, down the next. GM Chris Antonetti is still trying to improve the Indians offense. He didn't come out and say it Friday in a meeting with reporters, but it's clear he's still trying to acquire a first baseman. He met with owners Larry and Paul Dolan this week to see if Carlos Pena could be...

Up one blind alley, down the next. GM Chris Antonetti is still trying to improve the Indians offense.

He didn't come out and say it Friday in a meeting with reporters, but it's clear he's still trying to acquire a first baseman. He met with owners Larry and Paul Dolan this week to see if Carlos Pena could be squeezed onto the roster. Casey Kotchman is another free-agent possibility.

Pena and Kotchman are left-handed hitters. Derek Lee, a right-handed hitting first baseman, is still unsigned, but apparently doesn't want to play for the Tribe.

CHUCK CROW/THE PLAIN DEALERFinding a quality first baseman is a priority for Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti this offseason.

The one first baseman that could cure a lot of the Indians ills, Prince Fielder, is strictly a look but don't touch trinket. He's going to cost way too much money, but he has definitely brought the first-base market to a standstill.

"At some point, some of these other guys are going to make a decision," said Antonetti. "Are they going to continue to wait or do they want to find a spot right now?"

If free agency doesn't offer a solution, Antonetti said there are trade possibilities.

"There are still a handful of free agent alternatives and another handful of trade alternatives," said Antonetti. "It's not 20 guys deep, but it's more than just a couple."

The Angels, with first base reserved for Albert Pujols, have two first basemen who might be available for trade -- Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales. Trumbo hit .254 (137-for-539) with 29 homers and 122 RBI last year as a rookie. Morales, a switch-hitter, is still recovering from a broken left leg that prohibited him from playing last year.

Matt LaPorta is the Tribe's incumbent. Indians hitting coach Bruce Fields spent four days with LaPorta last week in Florida working on his swing. Antonetti said Fields was exited about what he saw, but will that be enough to save LaPorta's job?

Pena made $10 million last year with the Cubs. He's looking for a multiyear deal and it's probably going to be a tough fit to squeeze him onto the Tribe's roster.

"We have some flexibility to improve the team," said Antonetti. "Whether or not that flexibility and the player's desire align on value and fit, we don't know yet."

When the Indians came close to signing Carlos Beltran to a two-year $24 million deal in December, it was understood that they'd have to make some trades to take on his salary. It would likely be the same with Pena.

No Manny: Manny Ramirez, third on the Indians all-time home run list with 236, is trying to make a comeback after sitting out last year because of a second steroid suspension. He will not make it in Cleveland.

"It's not the best position [player] fit for us," said Antonetti. "Manny's contributions will be more in the batter's box and we already have a DH." Ubaldo update: After Ubaldo Jimenez made one start in winter ball, he caught the flu and decided not to pitch again. He has worked on his conditioning, concentrating on his core and legs.

Strength coach Nelson Perez, who has spent the winter working with Jimenez, Carlos Santana and Fausto Carmona in the Dominican Republic, is happy with Jimenez.

"He had a groin injury last year coming out of spring training and that had an impact on his delivery," said Antonetti. "He wasn't able to execute his delivery and that led to some inconsistencies." Up for grabs: Antonetti said Lonnie Chisenhall and Jack Hannahan will compete for third base in spring training. Jason Kipnis has a leg up on the competition at second. More invitees: The Indians have invited right-handers Hector Ambriz, Austin Adams, Chen-Chang Lee, Tyler Sturdevant, catcher Chun Chen and outfielder Chad Huffman to big-league spring training next month in Goodyear, Ariz.

To date the Indians have 15 non-roster players coming to camp. Welcome aboard: Adam Everett, who started last season as a utility infielder for the Indians, has been hired as a special assistant to baseball operations. He'll be in spring training working with the infielders. Finally: Infielders Chin-Lung Hu, Argenis Reyes and right-hander Willy Lebron signed minor league deals with the Tribe. They will report to minor league camp in late February.

Hu played 22 games with the Mets last year. This is Reyes' second engagement with the Tribe. Lebron pitched in the Royals system last year.

Cavaliers face former head coach Mike Brown tonight in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are 8-4 on the season. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed @pdcavsinsider.

The Cavaliers have a tough assignment tonight on the second-night of a back-to-back, traveling to Staples Center to take on former head coach Mike Brown, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed @PDCavsInsider in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m.

(AP) -- Mike Brown was unable to win an NBA title with LeBron James during his five seasons as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If Kobe Bryant can somehow manage to keep playing as well as he has lately, Brown might have a good chance to win a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

After back-to-back 40-point performances, Bryant looks to stay hot as the Lakers try for a fifth consecutive victory Friday night when Brown faces the Cavaliers for the first time since they fired him two years ago.

APMike Brown went 272-138 in 5 seasons with the Cavaliers.

Brown went 272-138 in Cleveland, guiding the club to the NBA finals in 2007 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2009. However, after the Cavaliers were upset by Boston in the 2010 semifinals, he was let go. Brown spent last season as a studio analyst for ESPN, then was named coach of the Lakers in May after Phil Jackson retired.

Brown's tenure in Los Angeles got off to a rough start when the Lakers (8-4) dropped their first two games, but they have since won eight of 10.

Despite a sore wrist, Bryant has been the major reason for his team's turnaround, averaging a league-high 30.3 points. He's averaged 36.7 on 50.3 percent shooting in the last six.

One night after posting a season-high 48 in a 99-83 home win over Phoenix on Tuesday, Bryant scored 40 in the Lakers' 90-87 overtime victory at Utah.

"You know Kobe's going to get a volume of shots; he's going to get the ball all night long and you have to trust that you have good help behind you and make it tough for him," Utah guard Raja Ball said. "He's going to score his points. Scorers in this league, I've always subscribed to this theory, they're going to get their points... you just have to make him take a field goal percentage to your liking."

Bryant last scored 40 or more in three straight games during a five-game run March 16-25, 2007. He averaged an astonishing 53.6 points during that span.

He totaled 30 points on 38.2 percent shooting while the Lakers split their two meetings against the post-James Cavaliers in 2010-11.

He had 13 and was barely needed in Los Angeles' 112-57 rout of Cleveland at the Staples Center on Jan. 11, 2011. The Cavaliers shot 29.9 percent and did not score more than 16 points in any quarter of that contest.

Times appear to be better for Cleveland (5-5), which avoided a third straight defeat with a 101-90 win at Phoenix on Thursday to improve to 2-3 on a seven-game trip.

"It was a good win for us," coach Byron Scott told the Cavaliers' official website. "I thought we did some really good things."

The Cavaliers are a much different team than the one Brown coached in his final season. There's no James or Shaquille O'Neal, but 2011 No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving and veteran Antawn Jamison have provided a more competitive product than the club that finished 19-63 last season.

Irving had 26 points with six assists and scored 12 straight points during one stretch of the first half Thursday. Jamison added 23 after scoring 22 during a 113-105 loss at Utah on Tuesday.

Irving has averaged 22.3 points in his last three games.

At 3-4 away from home, Cleveland is four shy of matching its entire road win total from 2010-11.

GM Chris Antonetti is still pursuing a hitter, likely a first baseman, to help the Indians' offense. Could it be Carlos Pena? Or perhaps Casey Kotchman?

View full sizeChris O'Meara, AP file photoCarlos Pena, shown above with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 but played for the Chicago Cubs in 2011, might be an option for the Indians at first base.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Up one blind alley, down the next. GM Chris Antonetti is still trying to improve the Indians' offense.

He didn't come out and say it Friday in a meeting with reporters, but it's clear he's still trying to acquire a first baseman. He met with owners Larry and Paul Dolan this week to see if Carlos Pena could be squeezed onto the roster. Casey Kotchman is another free-agent possibility.

Pena and Kotchman are left-handed hitters. Derrek Lee, a right-handed hitting first baseman, is still unsigned, but apparently doesn't want to play for the Tribe.

The one first baseman that could cure a lot of the Indians' ills, Prince Fielder, is strictly a look but don't touch trinket. He's going to cost way too much money, but he has definitely brought the first-base market to a standstill.

"At some point, some of these other guys are going to make a decision," Antonetti said. "Are they going to continue to wait or do they want to find a spot right now?"

If free agency doesn't offer a solution, Antonetti said there are trade possibilities.

"There are still a handful of free-agent alternatives and another handful of trade alternatives," Antonetti said. "It's not 20 guys deep, but it's more than just a couple."

The Angels, with first base reserved for Albert Pujols, have two first basemen who might be available for trade -- Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales. Trumbo hit .254 (137-for-539) with 29 homers and 122 RBI last year as a rookie. Morales, a switch hitter, is still recovering from a broken left leg that prohibited him from playing last year.

Matt LaPorta is the Tribe's incumbent. Indians hitting coach Bruce Fields spent four days with LaPorta last week in Florida working on his swing.

Antonetti said Fields was excited about what he saw, but will that be enough to save LaPorta's job?

Pena made $10 million last year with the Cubs.

He's looking for a multiyear deal and it's probably going to be a tough to get him onto the Tribe's roster.

"We have some flexibility to improve the team," Antonetti said. "Whether or not that flexibility and the player's desire align on value and fit, we don't know yet."

When the Indians came close to signing Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $24 million deal in December, it was understood that they'd have to make some trades to take on his salary. It would likely be the same with Pena.

No Manny: Manny Ramirez, third on the Indians' all-time home run list with 236, is trying to make a comeback after sitting out last year because of a second steroid suspension. He will not make it in Cleveland.

"It's not the best position [player] fit for us," Antonetti said. "Manny's contributions will be more in the batter's box and we already have a DH."

Ubaldo update: After Ubaldo Jimenez made one start in winter ball, he caught the flu and decided not to pitch again. He has worked on his conditioning, concentrating on his core and legs.

Strength coach Nelson Perez, who has spent the winter working with Jimenez, Carlos Santana and Fausto Carmona in the Dominican Republic, is happy with Jimenez.

"He had a groin injury last year coming out of spring training and that had an impact on his delivery," Antonetti said. "He wasn't able to execute his delivery and that led to some inconsistencies."

Up for grabs: Antonetti said Lonnie Chisenhall and Jack Hannahan will compete for third base in spring training. Jason Kipnis has a leg up on the competition at second.

More invitees: The Indians have invited right-handers Hector Ambriz, Austin Adams, Chen-Chang Lee, Tyler Sturdevant, catcher Chun Chen and outfielder Chad Huffman to big-league spring training next month in Goodyear, Ariz.

To date the Indians have 15 nonroster players coming to camp.

Welcome aboard: Adam Everett, who started last season as a utility infielder for the Indians, has been hired as a special assistant to baseball operations. He'll be in spring training working with the infielders.

Arbitration time: The Indians had seven players eligible for salary arbitration, and they all filed Friday to take part in the process. Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Justin Masterson, Hannahan and Joe Smith will exchange 2012 salary figures Tuesday with the Indians.

Throughout the big leagues, 142 players filed for arbitration.

Finally: Infielders Chin-Lung Hu, Argenis Reyes and right-hander Willy Lebron signed minor-league deals with the Tribe. They will report to minor-league camp in late February. Hu played 22 games with the Mets last year. This is Reyes' second engagement with the Tribe. Lebron pitched in the Royals system last year.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158