The emergence of the San Francisco 49ers doesn't offer instant hope for the Browns but their version of the West Coast Offense translates well enough to work in the AFC North.

View full sizeJim Gensheimer, MCTSure, Alex Smith was a No. 1 draft choice, but the San Francisco 49ers' success with the West Coast offense in 2011-12 is a reflection on the scheme and the coaching of Jim Harbaugh at least as much as their previously underperforming quarterback, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Blaming the Browns' season on the West Coast offense is like blaming "Jack and Jill" on Al Pacino...

The West Coast offense has a track record. It's looked good when displayed on wide screens in other cities. It has played to adoring crowds. Just because it fell into disfavor around here as something not quite manly enough at worst, or simply poorly paced and outdated at best is no reason to question the chosen script in Berea.

Jim Harbaugh's fire and the 49ers' running game won rave reviews as a sequel to Bill Walsh's critically acclaimed West Coast offense in San Francisco, even while people were walking out on the Browns' version here. If the fact that it's worked in Green Bay, among other less than sun-drenched climates, fails to convince you, Harbaugh proceeded on a trip that has delivered the 49ers to home-field advantage in Sunday's NFC Championship game.

Certainly it helped that he shared the division with Seattle, Arizona and the Rams while the Browns were dealing with the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals. There is no shortage of differences why the 49ers turned it around so quickly after a 6-10 season and why the Browns somehow managed to win four games a season after winning five.

Their first-year head coach had already done an impressive reclamation job at Stanford. So Harbaugh wasn't quite Pat Shurmur's definition of a rookie. The difference only grew more stark as the wins piled up in San Francisco and the blundering kept showing up here.

They had Harbaugh. You had Shurmur. They had Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. You had Peyton Hillis and Evan Moore drifting in and out of the huddle. They had Alex Smith. You had Colt McCoy, then Seneca Wallace.

That's not to say McCoy couldn't develop into a quarterback to steer the Browns to a conference title game. I don't see it, but certainly it's possible. Just because Smith did it, though, is no blueprint for McCoy.

Smith was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2005 draft. NFL people -- talent evaluators like Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert -- identified Smith as a top prospect. McCoy's development, whatever it turns out to be, won't be launched from the same starting point as was Smith's. Doesn't mean it can't end up greater, but that will be determined on arm strength, pocket presence, poise, accuracy and other factors -- not on the totally unrelated success of Alex Smith or some other late bloomer.

Harbaugh needed a lot more than a game manager from Smith against New Orleans. He needed a quarterback to match touchdown passes with Drew Brees. For one playoff game at least, Smith was all that. That's what the Browns will need to ask of their starting quarterback to win playoff games.

But the least of the concerns about the Browns' slow crawl of progress and the direction they're blazing (sorry, wrong word) toward contention is the offensive system.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain DealerKyrie Irving has remained impressively humble so far in his rookie season, which is welcomed by both Byron Scott and Cavaliers fans.

SPINOFFS

Great to see Dan Gilbert continue his shopping spree and his commitment to Cleveland by purchasing the Gladiators.

Now, Dan, can we show you something in brown and orange?...

Even better to see Zydrunas Ilgauskas back with the Cavaliers...

LeBron James never liked Austin Carr calling him the "L Train" for reasons that -- going out on the limb here -- had something to do with being egotistical enough to like being called "King" and to sport a "Chosen1" tattoo.

Kyrie Irving comes off so well-grounded at age 19, something tells me the nickname possibilities are wide open for ... Dr. K, I presume...

Semih Erden was intriguing enough in scoring 14 points against Golden State Tuesday that we anxiously await the Full Erden. A.C., you're welcome...

Overexposed Tim Tebow turned down CBS' offer to have him in the studio Sunday, showing again that he has more good sense than most of the people reporting on him or ripping on him or claiming God's intervention on his behalf...

Brian Billick says Tebow is going to have to cut back on lifting weights if he's ever going to have a fluid throwing motion. "There's three people that can't lift the way Tim Tebow does: pro quarterbacks, pro tennis players and golfers," Billick was quoted saying.

You might think that sounds too simplified. But not when Tebow makes Brady Quinn look like Montgomery Burns...

With the NBA season well underway, a source says Dwight Howard is "intrigued" with the idea of playing for the Clippers. Hopefully, the Orlando Magic's ongoing season won't inconvenience his career plans in any way...

The New Zealand Farmers Federation wants sheep shearing to become an Olympic sport. A federation spokeswoman says competitive sheep shearers clip up to 700 sheep over an eight-hour period -- a challenge comparable to running two marathons back-to-back.

Seven hundred sheep? Big deal. That's not nearly as much fleecing as the Browns have done since 1999 and they certainly don't deserve any medals...

Milwaukee's Ryan Braun will accept the NL MVP award from the Baseball Writers of America Saturday night while facing a 50-game suspension for a failed test that showed an elevated testosterone level.

What is the sound of one-hand clapping?...

If Braun's appeal fails and he is suspended, I hope to see him sometime soon on an episode of Tru TV's "Operation Repo"...

View full sizePD fileHe'll make them pay, even without a jump shot.

HE SAID IT

"There's a lot worse stuff going on out here than what I got in trouble for." -- PGA Tour pro Matt Every on the Golf Channel after he was asked about his three-month Tour suspension for marijuana possession in 2010.

The hard-hitting Golf Channel didn't ask the obvious follow-up question -- presuming, I guess, he meant John Daly's pants.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Tim Misny and Danny Ferry -- Gary Mendrala

Erik Spoelstra and Mayor Dennis Kucinich -- L.L.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

View full sizeAP fileHad a jumper, but paid (too much?) money to Donyell Marshall, Wally Szczerbiak and ... Jiri Welsch?

"Bud:

"Tiger Woods' former swing coach, Hank Haney, has a book coming out about their association titled 'The Big Miss.' Is that golf jargon or another slam against an IHOP staffer?" -- Joe Percio

Well done. In the pool on who was most likely to insult the Women of IHOP, I had Gordon Gee.

"Bud:

"How many Gordon Gees does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to hold the light bulb, the other to turn the ladder." -- Brian, Parma

You forgot the other one who slanders the electric company with an inappropriate one-liner about electrocutions.

"Hey Bud:

"Have you ever received tickets, TVs or trips from readers so they could get in 'You said it'?" -- Doug, Westlake

I have only received one-way Greyhound tickets with no strings attached.

"Voice of Reason:

"In Sunday's paper, it was written that one plan to use when building a quality winning team is to acquire players of high character. That sounds like a great idea, but what plan do you think the Ravens and Steelers follow?" -- Dan Okress

They continue to err on the side of acquiring talent.

"Bud:

"Do you think New England got the idea to run the tight end out of the backfield against the Broncos from the Browns?" -- Bill Gedeon, Niles

Quite possible. Though the difference is Bill Belichick knew Aaron Hernandez was in the game at the time.

"Hey Bud:

"Looks like the Browns asked Mike Martz to be their new offensive coordinator." -- Matt D., Brunswick

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

"Bud:

"Do you think Jim Tressel is a man haunted by regret -- he didn't fire OSU President Gee when he had the chance?" -- Chas K, Cleveland Heights

Repeat winners receive a gag order.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Nathan and Troy Tomasello long to be Olympians, one in the summer, the other in winter, one on a padded wrestling mat and the other on unforgiving ice.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III, The Plain DealerCVCA junior Nathan Tomasello is a two-time state wrestling champion with Summer Olympic aspirations. His brother, Troy (right), attends Normandy and dreams of Winter Olympic glory as a figure skater. It "would be a dream, summer and winter Olympians in the same family," says Nathan.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There is a saying among parents of twins, as well as some researchers, that every twin is unique. It's a way of emphasizing individuality for kids who receive constant comparisons.

The poster children for that uniqueness wake up each morning in Parma, then spend the rest of their days heading in opposite directions while sharing the same ultimate goal. Nathan and Troy Tomasello long to be Olympians, one in the summer, the other in winter, one on a padded wrestling mat and the other on unforgiving ice.

As 17-year-old fraternal twins, they look nothing alike, which is normal, and they act even less alike. Attending different schools in different counties and in different grades, they don't spend much time together, and aren't very close.

Even the one trait they share most -- being elite young athletes -- sets them apart in an unusual way. Nathan is among the best high school wrestlers in the nation, and Troy is emerging as one of the top junior men's figure skaters. Could they have chosen two more polar opposite sports?

Nathan is a state and national champion in an ancient sport so macho it grants five minutes of timeouts for bleeding. Troy is a rising talent headed to his third national competition this weekend in a sport that rewards artistic expression and is set to music.

"I think it's funny the sports are so opposite," Troy said.

It hasn't always been a laughing matter, especially for Troy. He endured much teasing about being a figure skater in junior high at a time when the most recognizable American male skater was flamboyant Olympian Johnny Weir. It led to Troy choosing to attend Walsh Jesuit and later Normandy instead of his home high school in the Parma district, Valley Forge.

"Seventh and eighth grade was the worst with skating and school, and kids thinking it was a gay sport," he said. "I didn't go to Valley Forge because I didn't want to see them again."

His coach, Glyn Watts, said he was worried at the time Troy might quit. Now a high school senior, Troy believes the experience made him stronger and he no longer worries what others think or say.

"I'm proud of what I'm doing," Troy said. "I'm benefiting from it, and it's the right decision for me."

Troy will compete in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships next week in San Jose, Calif. Troy, who moved up last year from novice, is one of 12 junior men's qualifiers. His short program is Sunday and his long program Tuesday. If he does well, he will compete internationally for Team USA.

Nathan, a junior at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, entered into elite status last summer. He won the 112-pound weight class at the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., regarded as the most prestigious tournament for high school-age wrestlers.

Nathan spurned a trip to Mexico with Team USA so he could concentrate on winning nationals. He later accepted an invitation to practice at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., where CVCA grad and two-time world bronze medalist Harry Lester took him under his wing.

The Tomasello brothers have crisscrossed the country to rise above their peers, and they have climbed high enough to see parallel paths to their ultimate goal.

"That would be a dream, summer and winter Olympians in the same family," Nathan said.

The costly fork in the road

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer"If anyone tries to make fun of [skating]," says Nathan Tomasello of his brother, Troy, "they're going to get a lot from me because they don't know how hard skating is."

Growing up, the twins were teammates in soccer, basketball and baseball. They attended learn-to-skate lessons as 8-year-olds at Parma's Ries Ice Rink, after which Troy wanted to continue with lessons. Nathan had had enough. Their mother, Sue, signed Troy up for private lessons at the Strongsville Skating Club, run by the nationally-renowned Watts.

A couple years later during soccer season, a practice was canceled one day and Nathan accompanied a buddy to his youth wrestling practice. Wrestling rooms have been Nathan's second home ever since.

The family's initial investment of a few hundred dollars in ice skating has grown to a monthly average of more than $1,000 in expenditures, Sue Tomasello said. She went back to work as an accountant at a Cleveland property management firm while her husband, Tom, picked up more hours as a pipe fitter at the ArcelorMittal steelworks in Cleveland. Troy also had to leave Walsh Jesuit and get a part-time job. Every time he sets foot on the ice, the family pays at least $50 to cover lessons. His skates alone cost more than $1,000.

If Troy makes Team USA, some of his expenses will be paid. Nathan has received full college scholarship offers.

Sizing them up

At 5-81/2, Troy is five inches taller than Nathan, and in his skates, Troy has a long, graceful appearance. Troy is quick to smile, friendly and approachable. At practice this week, younger girls lit up when he stepped off and ran his fingers through a mop of wavy black hair. "Go wish Troy good luck," a mother encouraged one girl.

Nathan sports a short-crop haircut and an intense gaze right off a Marine recruiting poster. His torso is chiseled. Nathan competes at 113 pounds and can bench press 225 pounds. "He's built like a truck," Troy says.

Nathan is quiet and serious, but always polite. Depending on how little he has had to eat while cutting weight, and how near he is to a big match, he can appear grumpy.

"I don't talk to him at all during wrestling season," Troy said. "He can't eat and he's crabby. He got his braces off on a Tuesday and I didn't notice until Saturday because that was the first time he smiled."

Both are sharp students and carry grade-point averages above 4.0. Ivy League schools are among those recruiting Nathan, who leans toward a math-related field. Troy plans to attend college close to home, perhaps Baldwin-Wallace, so he can continue to train with Watts.

There is one other very strong trait they share and deeply admire within one another. They are driven to succeed in exceedingly individual endeavors. While both are gifted athletes, their level of success is a reflection of their work ethic. Nathan said they come by it honestly from their parents.

Nathan's practice intensity is legendary at CVCA. After going home and doing his homework, he heads to a gym to lift weights every night, or to Elyria coach Erik Burnett's famed "Barn" in Lorain County, where many highly ranked wrestlers gather for additional workouts, especially on Sundays.

Nathan sees the same level of commitment from Troy, and that's why Nathan makes sure his friends and others respect Troy's accomplishments.

"If anyone tries to make fun of [skating], they're going to get a lot from me because they don't know how hard skating is," Nathan said.

A year apart, both are on track

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer"I don't talk to him at all during wrestling season," Troy Tomasello says of his brother, Nathan. "He can't eat and he's crabby. He got his braces off on a Tuesday and I didn't notice until Saturday because that was the first time he smiled."

While Troy is a senior at Normandy, Nathan is a year behind at CVCA. Sue and Nathan said he was so small in junior high, weighing 78 pounds, he chose to repeat the eighth grade so he would be more mature in high school.

The extra year has paid dividends. He has won two state titles and is halfway to becoming a rare four-time state champion. Nathan is the No. 1-ranked 113-pounder in the country according to Amateur Wrestling News. Ohio State, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Harvard, Penn, Cornell and others are recruiting him.

For Troy, if he remains on his current trajectory, he could be competing next year in senior men against the stars of the sport, his coach said.

"Then he could be looking at a world team spot," Watts said. "He's got the talent. You need some luck, but I don't see any reason why he couldn't go a long way."

At the U.S. Championships next week, Troy is aiming for a crowd-pleasing long program in San Jose's "Shark Tank," home of the NHL Sharks. Troy's gray costume features long rows of white shark teeth, and he'll skate to the theme from "Jaws." He will attempt a pair of triple-triple jump combinations, plus a three-jump combination.

The key element Troy has begun practicing is a quadruple jump, a must for senior men, and he has the right coach for it. Watts helped develop 2002 Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel, who was known as the "Quad King" during his heyday. Watts has been saying for years Troy reminds him of Goebel, and he believes it even more now.

"It's a manner they have," Watts said. "He goes about competition the way Timmy used to. He sizes up his competition and makes up his mind who he has to beat. He has this inner self that he knows what he has to do, and he's very capable of doing it. It's something you can't really teach."

Troy and Nathan attend each other's competitions when schedules allow. Troy said he truly appreciated having Nathan in the stands during an important recent regional competition, which Troy won.

While their mother worries the twins have grown apart in recent years, Nathan said the bond they share is strong.

"I'm proud of him. It feels good to have someone in the family doing so great like that," Nathan said. "I really am happy for him and what he's accomplished. I hope he can skate in nationals and the Olympics. He's my brother, so I love him."

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Walter Offutt led five Ohio double-figure scorers with a career-high 19 points in the lopsided win.

ATHENS, Ohio -- Walter Offutt led five Ohio double-figure scorers with a career-high 19 points and the Bobcats defeated Kent State, 87-65, on Wednesday night.

D.J. Cooper added 18 points, Nick Kellogg 15, Ivo Baltic 11 and Reggie Keely 10 for the Bobcats (14-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference)

Ohio forced 91 turnovers in its previous four games and continued that trend, scoring 25 points off 19 turnovers. The Bobcats also outscored Kent State, 22-4, on second-chance points, while winning the battle of the boards, 37-25.

After the Golden Flashes (12-5, 2-2) used a 23-7 run to take a 30-25 lead, the two teams traded baskets. Ohio then used a 14-6 run to end the half with a 41-38 lead.

Ohio opened the second half on a 21-2 run, keyed by Cooper's eight points.

Chris Evans led Kent State with 18 points. Michael Porrini added 14 points and Justin Greene 10 for the Golden Flashes.

Zach Filzen scored 21 points and Buffalo remained undefeated in the MAC East.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Zach Filzen scored 21 points and Buffalo remained undefeated in the MAC East with a 82-70 victory over Akron on Wednesday night.

The Bulls (8-6, 4-0) trailed, 22-20, with nine minutes left in the first half and scored the next seven points. Titus Robinson's three-point play started the spurt. Buffalo led the rest of the way, snapping its two-game losing streak.

The Zips, who trailed, 40-32, at halftime, cut it to three, 72-69, with 1:35 remaining. But Buffalo scored the next six points to pull away, capped by Jarod Oldham's three free throws.

Javon McCrea added 15 points and Mitchell Watt and Oldham finished with 11 apiece for the Bulls.

Quincy Diggs and Nikola Cvetinovic led the Zips (11-7, 3-1) with 17 points each. Zeke Marshall added 13 points for Akron, which had won eight of its previous nine and four straight coming in.

Here's today's sports listings on TV and the radio for the Cleveland area.

Associated PressThe Blue Jackets' Rick Nash (left) celebrates a goal by Derick Brassard during Columbus' 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night in Columbus. The Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators tonight in a game televised by FoxSports Ohio at 7.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today on the air

GOLF

9 a.m. Volvo Champions (tape), Golf Channel

3 p.m. Humana Challenge, Golf Channel

HOCKEY

7 p.m. AHL, Milwaukee Admirals at Lake Erie Monsters, AM/850 radio

7 p.m. NHL, Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, FoxSports Ohio (Game preview)

7 p.m. NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, NHL Network

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Lafayette at Holy Cross, CBSSN

7 p.m. Wake Forest at Duke, ESPN (Game preview)

7 p.m. Vanderbilt at Alabama, ESPN2

8 p.m. William & Mary at VCU, ESPNU

9 p.m. North Carolina at Virginia Tech, ESPN

9 p.m. Illinois at Penn State, ESPN2 (Game preview)

10 p.m. San Francisco at Gonzaga, ESPNU

10:30 p.m. UCLA at Oregon State, FoxSports Ohio

NBA

8 p.m. Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat, TNT (Game preview)

10:30 p.m. Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz, TNT

TENNIS

7 p.m. Australian Open, third round, Tennis Channel

11 p.m. Australian Open, third round, ESPN2

3 a.m. (Friday) Australian Open, third round, ESPN2

WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL

6 p.m. Nebraska at Ohio State, Big Ten Network

8 p.m. Purdue at Indiana, Big Ten Network

9 p.m. Portland at San Diego, CBSSN

Tony Grossi joins Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff to talk about the Randy Lerner interview, RG3 trade rumors, the hiring of Nolan Cromwell and more live at noon.

Watch today live at noon.

What did you think of Randy Lerner's interview on WTAM with Mike Trivisonno last night? Is there anything to make of the trading up to draft RG3 rumor? Does the hiring of Nolan Cromwell mean Mike Sherman is on his way as offensive coordinator?

Today live at noon on "PD Sports Insider," join Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff along with special guest Tony Grossi to talk Browns and more on 'PD Sports Insider.'

Note: To turn off audio alerts in the chatroom, click on the round button on bottom left of the chat room, then preferences. Uncheck all audio options and save.

About the show: "PD Sports Insider" airs live every Monday and Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also Skype in or email their video questions during the week.

Owner Randy Lerner blames himself for the Cleveland Browns' disappointing seasons.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerRandy Lerner and Jim Browns.

Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner had a few things to say about the Browns on the Mike Trivisonno show on WTAM.

Lerner talked about his critics, Mike Holmgren, and his expectations when he took over the team in 2002.

When asked about his reputation as an 'absentee owner,' Lerner said, "I do care. Of course I care. I don't know ways of showing you care are clear to me other than to provide support and show up. It sickens me when we lose games. It sickens me when we have a season like we’ve just had."

» Related story on the web:
Quotes: Randy Lerner Talks Cleveland Browns with WTAM’s Mike Trivisonno (WaitingForNextYear.com)

To cheer or not to cheer when it comes to LeBron James in the Olympics.

Andrew Mills / Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger LeBron James

We all know how LeBron James disappointed this city by taking his talents to the South. We all know he is the enemy of this state, and blah, blah, blah.

But does the hatred for LeBron end for two weeks in the summer when he represents this country in the Olympics?

Bob Frantz of The News-Herald writes:

So how will the people of Northeast Ohio react when Team USA takes the floor with James alongside Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant? Will we set aside our feelings in the interest of unity and patriotism, cheering every LeBron basket or block? Or will we cheer for the American squad in spite of his presence, hoping he is but a footnote to the team's accomplishment rather than its centerpiece?

So what will you do?

Yu Darvish, the best pitcher in Japan, is headed to Texas.

APYu Darvish

Have you heard of Yu Darvish? Well you will this coming baseball season. Darvish has been the best pitcher in Japan for several years.

He signed a $60 million deal with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

How good is he?

Darvish had a 93-38 record with a 1.99 ERA in 167 games the past seven seasons in Japan. The 25-year-old right-hander, who is 6-foot-5, was already a two-time MVP of Japan’s Pacific League and a five-time All-Star. He led the league in strikeouts three times and ERA twice, and averaged 205 innings pitched over the last five seasons.

The Rangers scouted Darvish for the past two years.

The Indians signed veterans Jeremy Accardo and Fred Lewis to minor league deals. Accardo saved 30 games in 2007 for Toronto. Lewis hit .282 and scored 81 runs for San Francisco in 2008.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have added another pitcher and outfielder for spring-training competition. Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 20.

They signed right-hander Jeremy Accardo and outfielder Fred Lewis to one-year minor league deals with invitations to spring training with the big league club. Accardo, 30, pitched with Baltimore last year, going 3-3 with a 5.97 ERA in 31 appearances. He struck out 23, walked 18 and allowed 43 hits in 37 2/3 innings.

Accardo made his big league debut with the Giants in 2005. He moved to Toronto in 2006 and stayed with the Blue Jays until 2010. His best season came in 2007 when he went 4-4 with a 2.14 ERA and converted 30 of 35 save chances. In his career, he's 38-for-52 in save opportunities.

The Indians have invited four pitchers to camp with big-league experience in Accardo, Chris Ray, Chris Seddon and Robinson Tejeda.

Lewis, 31, has played with San Francisco, Toronto and Cincinnati. He spent last year with Cincinnati, hitting .230 (42-for-182) with seven doubles, three homers, and 19 RBI in 81 games. He opened the year on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle.

The left-handed hitting Lewis played left and right field with Cincinnati. He stole 17 bases for the Blue Jays in 2010 and 21 for the Giants in 2008. He's a career .267 (412-for-1,542) hitters with 91 doubles, 21 triples, 27 homers and 136 RBI in 517 games.

Lewis hit .282 (132-for-468) with 81 runs, 25 doubles, 11 triples, nine homers and 40 RBI for the Giants in 2008.

Pitchers: Accardo, Ray, Seddon, Tejeda, Austin Adams, Hector Ambriz, Chen-Chang Lee and Tyler Sturdevant..

Catchers: Luke Carlin, Chun Chen, Michel Hernandez, Matt Pagnozzi.

Infielders: Andy LaRoche, Jose Lopez.

Outfielders: Lewis, Chad Huffman, Felix Pie.

The early success of the Cavaliers is shocking news.

The PDCleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao gets fouled by Detroit Pistons small forward Austin Daye.

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost LeBron James last year, and they finished with a horrible record, which meant a lottery pick (and the first pick) in last year's NBA Draft.

So that means the Cavaliers should be one of the worst teams in the NBA, right?

New York Times reporter Rob Mahoney writes how the Cavaliers are tied with the New York Knicks for the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Being on the playoff fringe isn’t a great accomplishment in the grand scheme of the league, but the Cavs’ competency is sudden and, on first glance, a bit baffling. Cleveland was able to add two top picks (Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson) in the off-season thanks to some lottery luck, but this is, more or less, the same team that lost 63 games a year ago. Are we really to believe that those rookie additions alone – coupled with Anderson Varejao’s return from injury – were enough to right the most depressing team in basketball?

Anderson Varejao's rise has been a big plus for the Cavaliers. Mahoney writes how Varejao hasn’t been a solid rebounder this season, but an exemplary one.

More Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are in good hands with Anderson Varejao (Cleveland.com).

Z returns to Cavaliers in front-office (Ohio.com).

Kyrie Irving is no ordinary rookie (CantonRep.com).

Toros defeat the Charge (CantonRep.com).

Plain Dealer Indians reporter says Japanese star will have to adjust to Texas Rangers' hitter-friendly ballpark. Watch video

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

The Texas Rangers have acquired one of the most prized pitchers available this offseason, signing hard-throwing Yu Darvish from Japan to a $60 million contract. Do you think Darvish will perform well enough to pitch in the 2012 All-Star Game? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Indians reporter Paul Hoynes.

Hoynsie discusses why first baseman Prince Fielder's free-agent courtship is taking so long; which two prospects Tribe fans should keep an eye on during spring training; and how the arbitration cases of Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and Rafael Perez might be resolved.

SBTV will return Friday.

Actor Rob Lowe, not Peyton Manning, announces Manning's retirement.

APRob Lowe

There's still no word from Peyton Manning, but actor Rob Lowe tweeted that Manning would retire later in the day.

That was on Wednesday.

Archie Manning, Peyton's dad, laughed he was told about the tweet. 

Lowe is friends with Colts owner Jim Irsay. So I guess that gives Lowe some type of inside info?

Lowe talked further about his tweet on Ellen.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown will face former Cavaliers forward LeBron James tonight.

John Kuntz | The Plain DealerThe good old days with LeBron James and coach Mike Brown.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown no longer has LeBron James to deal with as a player on his team. James is in Miami and Brown is now coach of the Lakers.

But when Brown and James were on the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was a relationship doomed from the start.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo.com writes how the organization and Brown gave James too much freedom.

But it wasn't all that bad for Brown. Because of James, Brown was the NBA’s Coach of the Year, reached the Finals, and he's now coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

No one loses sight of it, least of all Brown. In so many ways, Brown’s indebted to James. James gave him a chance to win every game, every playoff series, and that’s the ultimate measure of a coach-player partnership. And yet as the Lakers meet the Miami Heat here, there will be no longing for LeBron out of Brown. No real nostalgia.

When Brown was finally fired, it was no accident that James’ name was omitted from the coach’s statement.

Simpson has been under investigation since September, when agents from California tracked a package shipped to his home in northern Kentucky.

Associated PressCincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson has been indicted for marijuana trafficking.

COVINGTON, Kentucky --Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson was indicted on Thursday for marijuana trafficking, leaving him subject to a jail sentence and punishment from the NFL.

A Kenton County grand jury indicted the four-year veteran on one count of marijuana trafficking in excess of 8 ounces, a felony count that carries up to five years in jail. He’s scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 30.

Simpson is the third Bengals player to get in trouble with the law since last July. Running back Cedric Benson served five days in a Texas jail for assault and was suspended for one game by the NFL. Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday to disorderly conduct at a Cincinnati bar last summer and was sentenced to community service.

All three players can become free agents after completing the final years on their contracts.

A Bengals spokesman said the team was aware of Simpson’s indictment but had no comment.

Simpson has been under investigation since September, when agents from California tracked a package shipped to the receiver’s home in northern Kentucky. They said it contained 2 ½ pounds of marijuana. No charges were filed at that time.

Simpson’s girlfriend accepted the package at the home, said Michelle Gregory, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Justice. Teammate Anthony Collins was visiting Simpson’s home at the time, but was cleared of any involvement.

A search of Simpson’s home also turned up 6 more pounds of marijuana, smoking pipes and scales, authorities said.

Simpson hasn’t spoken about the package or the investigation with the media. The second-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina had his best season yet, catching 53 passes for 758 yards and four touchdowns. The Bengals won a wild card playoff berth but lost to Houston in the first round.

Simpson finished third in catches on the team behind rookie receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham. His most visible moment came in during a 23-16 win over Arizona on Dec. 24, when he vaulted over a linebacker and landed on his feet in the end zone like a gymnast.

He was inconsistent as the Bengals’ No. 2 receiver, held to two or fewer catches in seven games. He had three catches for only 33 yards in the playoff loss at Houston.

The Bengals had 10 players arrested during a 10-month span from April 2006 to June 2007. Receiver Chris Henry was the biggest repeat offender, one of the factors in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cracking down on player misconduct.

The Bengals managed to stay out of trouble for the most part until last July, when Benson was arrested in Texas following an altercation with a roommate in Texas and Jones was arrested in downtown Cincinnati.

Both were subject to punishment from the NFL even though their arrests occurred during the lockout.

Benson initially received a three-game suspension from the NFL that was reduced to one game after an appeal, which he served during the season. Jones also is a repeat offender and subject to league discipline should he sign with another team.

Video: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson does a flip into the end zone for a touchdown.

Burke, a four-time Winter X Games champion, suffered "irreversible damage to her brain" according to a statement released by her publicist on behalf of her family.

Associated PressSarah Burke, here with a gold medal after winning a Winter X Games competition, has died, nine days after suffering injuries during a training run crash.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday, nine days after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe during a training run in Utah.

Burke, who lived near Whistler in British Columbia, was 29. She was injured Jan. 10 while training at a personal sponsor event at the Park City Mountain resort.

Tests revealed Burke sustained "irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest,'' according to a statement released by Burke's publicist on behalf of her family.

A four-time Winter X Games champion, Burke crashed on the same halfpipe where snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffered a traumatic brain injury during a training accident on Dec. 31, 2009.

As a result of her fall, Burke tore her vertebral artery, which led to severe bleeding on the brain, causing her to go into cardiac arrest on the scene, where CPR was performed, according to the statement by publicist Nicole Wool.

Wool said Burke's organs and tissues were donated per her wishes.

"The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received from all the people Sarah touched,'' the statement said.

Burke was the best-known athlete in her sport and will be remembered for the legacy she left for women in freestyle skiing.

She set the standard for skiing in the superpipe, a sister sport to the more popular snowboarding brand that has turned Shaun White, Hannah Teter and others into stars.

Seeing what a big role the Olympics has played in pushing the Whites of the world from the fringes into the mainstream, Burke lobbied to add superpipe skiing to the Olympic program, using the argument that no new infrastructure would be needed - the pipe was already built - and the Olympics could get twice the bang for their buck.

She won over the Olympic bigwigs, and the discipline will debut at the Sochi Games in 2014.

Burke, who was favored to win a fifth X Games title later this month, would have been a favorite for the gold medal in Sochi, as well. Instead, sadly, the competitors will have to toast to her memory when they make their debut on what will be the sport's grandest stage.

"Sarah, in many ways, defines the sport,'' Peter Judge, the CEO of Canada's freestyle team, said before her death. "She's been involved since the very, very early days as one of the first people to bring skis into the pipe. She's also been very dedicated in trying to define her sport but not define herself by winning. For her, it's been about making herself the best she can be rather than comparing herself to other people.''

Burke's death continues a sad string of stories involving some of the best-known athletes in the wintertime action-sports world. Pearce's injury - he has since recovered and is back to riding on snow - was a jarring reminder of the dangers posed to these athletes who often market themselves as devil-may-care thrillseekers but know they make their living in a far more serious, and dangerous, profession.

Burke's death also is sure to re-ignite the debate over safety on the halfpipe.

The sport's leaders defend the record, saying mandatory helmets, air bags used on the sides of pipes during practice and better pipe-building technology has made this a safer sport, even though the walls of the pipes have risen significantly over the past decade. They now stand at 22 feet high.

Some of the movement to the halfpipe decades ago came because racing down the mountain, the way they do in snowboardcross and skicross, was considered even more dangerous - the conditions more unpredictable and the athletes less concerned with each other's safety.

But there are few consistent, hard-and-fast guidelines when it comes to limiting the difficulty of the tricks in the halfpipe, and as the money and fame available in the sport grew bigger, so did the tricks. Snowboarding pioneer Jake Burton once told The Associated Press that much of this was self-policed by athletes who, because of the nature of a sport often considered less competitive and more communal, knew when to draw the line.

It's an opinion shared by many.

"There are inherent risks in everything,'' Judge said. "Certainly, freestyle skiing has one of the greatest safety records of almost any sport. Freestyle is a very safe sport in large part because we had to build a safe sport in order to get into the Olympics.''

Burke's biggest accident before this came in 2009 when she broke a vertebrae in her back after landing awkwardly while competing in slopestyle at the X Games. It was her lobbying that helped get slopestyle - where riders shoot down the mountain and over "features'' including bumps and rails - into the X Games after much back and forth.

It wasn't her best event, but she felt compelled to compete because of her advocacy of it. She came to terms with her injury quickly.

"I've been doing this for long time, 11 years,'' she said in a 2010 interview. "I've been very lucky with the injuries I've had. It's part of the game. Everybody gets hurt. Looking back on it, I'd probably do the exact same thing again.''

She returned a year after that injury and kept going at the highest level, trying the toughest tricks and winning the biggest prizes.

The tragedy brings a much-too-early end to a life of fame the skiing star lived both inside and out of the halfpipe.

A native of Midland, Ontario, Burke won the ESPY in 2007 as female action sports athlete of the year.

In 2010, she married another freestyle skier, Rory Bushfield, and they were headliners in a documentary film project on the Ski Channel called "Winter.''

In her interview two years ago, Burke reflected on the niche she'd carved out in the action-sports world.

"I think we're all doing this, first off, because we love it and want to be the best,'' she said. "But I also think it would've been a great opportunity, huge for myself and for skiing and for everyone, if we could've gotten into the (Vancouver) Olympics. It's sad. I mean, I'm super lucky to be where I am, but that would've been pretty awesome.''

A little more than a year later, with Burke's prodding, her sport was voted in for 2014.

Those who consider themselves hardcore basketball fans should catch one of Cleveland State's games and try to figure out the Vikings for themselves. This a compliment to coach Gary Waters and his players.

View full sizeRobert Scheer, Indianapolis StarCleveland State's D'Aundray Brown dunks on Butler during the second half of the Vikings' 76-69 victory last week at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — "How are you winning so many games?" I asked Gary Waters.

The Cleveland State men's basketball coach laughed.

He knew what I meant . . . at least, sort of.

The Vikings are 15-4 overall, 5-2 in the Horizon League as they host Wisconsin-Green Bay today at 8 p.m. at the Wolstein Center. First-place Wisconsin-Milwaukee is in town Sunday for a 2 p.m. game.

Those who consider themselves hardcore basketball fans should catch one of these games and try to figure out the Vikings for themselves.

This a compliment to Waters and his players.

But think about CSU: No player is averaging 12 points a game. The leading scorer is D'Aundray Brown at a modest 11.8 per game -- and he's the team's defensive stopper.

Their leading rebounder doesn't even start -- freshman Anton Grady, the Central Catholic product who gets 5.1 rebounds per game.

The opposition has taken a stunning 198 more free throws, and the Vikings are being out-rebounded.

"Not by that much," said Waters.

View full sizePD fileCoach Gary Waters.

It's 15 total rebounds.

"Much better than last year," said Waters, still laughing.

That's because the veteran coach knows something about his team and about how to win games at places they aren't supposed to win. Remember it was Waters who took Kent State to its first NCAA Tournament.

He led CSU to the second NCAA Tournament in school history. This should be his fourth time in the past five years to win at least 20 games.

"We press you, we trap you and we make you turn the ball over," said Waters. "We defend. We're aggressive. We're unselfish. We're not afraid to play ugly."

He paused.

"Sometimes, real ugly," he said. "The uglier the game, the better for us."

The Vikings are holding the opposition to 59.3 points and forcing 18.2 turnovers a game.

Their goal is harassing teams into 20 turnovers, which has happened six times. They also want to hold them below 50 points -- they have done it four times, including a truly ugly 45-43 victory at Wright State.

Ugly equals winning

"If you want a nice, little basketball game, that's not us," said Waters. "We are all over the floor. We have a bunch of guys who know what it takes to win here."

Waters built his first CSU winning team around J'Nathan Bullock and Seton Hall transfer Cedric Jackson. That also was the start of the Norris Cole era. Cole, now with the Miami Heat, averaged 21.3 and 16.3 points in his last two CSU seasons.

Jackson played briefly with the Cavs and two other NBA teams (12 total games) in 2009-10. He is with the New Zealand Breakers, where he was voted the top passer in the Australian League by writers who cover the pro game Down Under.

Bullock is averaging 18.7 points for the top team in Iceland.

"We have seniors who have been around the program for a long time," said assistant coach Jayson Gee. "That's a big part of our success this season. They were around that NCAA team [in 2009 with Jackson and Bullock]."

Tre Harmon, Aaron Pogue, Jeremy Montgomery and Brown are four seniors who start.

Not everyone was impressed by the experience, as CSU was voted to finish third in the Horizon.

That still could happen, as the league is tight. But the fact the Vikings defeated Butler, 76-69, in front of 7,994 fans at Hinkle Field House last weekend is "huge," to quote Waters.

CSU was 0-3 against Butler last season, and Waters had a 2-10 record against the Bulldogs before that victory.

Winning close ones

Butler coach Brad Stevens called the Vikings "a mature team," adding they have "grown up" together.

And if it takes floor burns and sweat-drenched defense to win, this team has delivered.

CSU is 7-0 in games decided by five or fewer points, and has won four times on its final possession. Montgomery is a 35 percent shooter, but he has won two games with clutch shots.

CSU also has victories over local MAC rivals Kent State and Akron, along with an upset at Vanderbilt.

Waters is raving about Tim Kamczyc, the former star quarterback at Strongsville who was rated a 3-star college football prospect by Rivals.com. But he wanted to play basketball, walked-on at CSU and not only earned a scholarship, the junior also is in his second season as a starter.

At 6-7, he is an undersized power forward, but Waters says Kamczyc added 15 pounds to his 220-pound frame -- and now is "football strong, they can't throw him around underneath any more."

A 5.9 scorer and 43 percent shooter last season, Kamczyc is averaging 9.1 points and shooting 58 percent, and he scored 17 at Butler.

"People watch Tim and say, 'The boy can shoot the ball, and he's real unselfish,' " said Waters. "You can see his confidence growing."

Waters said while Kamczyc is a junior, he is "part of our senior leadership group because he'll be our only senior next year."

The coach gushes about Grady, who is averaging 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in the past four games. It's rare that a non-redshirt freshman plays such a major role for CSU, "but Anton has to be the man next year. He's good enough to do it," said Waters.

But for now, CSU and its four seniors are winning games their own way.

"All I know is our fans love our team," said Waters. "And I do, too."

To reach Terry Pluto: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com; 216-999-4674

The two biggest outdoor shows of the year are both being held through Sunday at The I-X Center in Cleveland.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, Plain Dealer file photoNathan Snyder has to jump through hoops to draw some attention to his booth at the Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show in 2010 at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

The boat show admission is $12, while the outdoor adventure show is $10. The I-X Center parking is $8. Show hours are slightly different.

The boat show is open today 3-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The outdoor show is today noon-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

While boats are in the spotlight at the Mid-America Boat & Fishing Show, the Angler's Alley stage will be in full swing. The Saturday seminars include the noted walleye team of Matt Davis and Dan Gies at 4:30 p.m.; Lorain walleye pro Jonathan Shoemaker at 1:30 p.m. and sonar expert Lance Valentine at 3 p.m.

A kids fishing clinic headlines the Sunday stage at 1 p.m.

The Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show features noted archery trick shot artist Byron Ferguson, retrieving dog trainer Jim Beverly and the Bone Collector Crew, television hunting stars Nick & T-Bone. The show has fishing and hunting seminars and pavilions dedicated to recreational vehicles, ATVs and camping.

Walleye on tap: Local walleye fishing experts will put their favorite fish in the spotlight on Jan. 28-29, hosting the Lake Erie Walleye Wisdom seminars at Vic's Sports Center in Kent. The seminars are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, with tickets $25. Call Gary Zart (216-849-4954). The event benefits the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The lineup of walleye experts includes Ryan Buddie, Mike Knippenberg, Scott Geitgey and Zart.

Out and about: Blaine Downing of Parma has been named the 2011 Ohio Watercraft Officer of the Year by the Ohio Division of Watercraft.

• Ohio deer hunters have donated 80,000 pounds of venison, and sportsmen can add to that total through Feb. 5 by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

• The deadline to apply for special days of rainbow trout fishing in 2012 at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery near Sandusky is Jan. 31. Enter the $3 lottery at wildohio.com.

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

The Monsters have a two-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Admirals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Monsters' power play, slumping again, cost them an opportunity for two points Thursday night. They went 0-for-4 with the man-advantage in a 3-2 overtime loss to Milwaukee at The Q.

Chris Mueller scored on a penalty shot at 3:33 of OT as the Admirals avenged a 3-2 overtime loss to Lake Erie at the Bradley Center last Sunday.

The Monsters (18-19-2-1) had a two-game winning streak snapped. They are in Grand Rapids tonight for the second of three games in three days.

"I thought we did some good things, and the effort was there for the most part," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "But they were 2-for-5 on the power play, we were 0-for-4. That's the difference in the game."

Lake Erie is 4-for-37 on the power play in its past nine games after going 7-for-26 in the five before that.

Mueller created his own man-advantage in the 4-on-4 extra session, then was dragged down in the slot by Monsters defenseman Cameron Gaunce. Mueller went top shelf on the penalty shot to beat goalie Trevor Cann.

"We had a bad read at the blue line," Quinn said. "Two of our guys banged into each other, and Mueller slipped between them on the breakaway."

The Monsters, who played in their 20th one-goal game (10-7-2-1), are in fourth place in the five-team Western Conference North Division.

"We just need to keep getting points," Quinn said. "There's so much parity in this league, you can move up the standings in a hurry."

Milwaukee opened the scoring at 7:29 of the first. Kyle Wilson gathered a rebound and poked it past Cann on the power play for his ninth.

At 10:40, Monsters winger Justin Mercier broke loose, skated down the slot and cut to his left. A goal appeared certain -- until Admirals goalie Jeremy Smith somehow blocked the shot.

Less than three minutes later, Smith denied Monsters winger Hugh Jessiman. It was a cut below the save against Mercier but still superb. Smith finished with 23 saves.

Mercier tied it at 1:23 of the third. As a Lake Erie power play elapsed, Mercier beat Smith from in tight for his eighth.

Less than two minutes later, Monsters center Ryan Stoa committed a hooking penalty. Milwaukee made it hurt, Scott Valentine lit the lamp at 4:25.

The Monsters pulled even for the second time when Gaunce scored at 14:33. Gaunce fired a wrister through a screen created by teammate Mark Olver. Olver played in his fourth game, and first at home, after missing the first 36 overall because of injury.

The Monsters have been dealing with a rash of injuries and illnesses. Quinn and assistant coach David Oliver were on the bench despite suffering from flu-like symptoms. Defenseman David Liffiton did not play because of illness.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com; 216-999-4664

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Gerald Coleman from the East Coast Hockey League has been an immediate help to the Monsters as the team deals with injuries in the goalie ranks.

View full sizePDLake Erie Monsters coach David Quinn.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On paper, the Monsters entered the season with a formidable goaltender duo in Cedrick Desjardins and Trevor Cann.

Injuries have a way of shredding paper. Desjardins, an AHL All-Star, has not played since Dec. 28 because of a lower-body issue. There is no timetable for his return.

From Dec. 29 through last Saturday, Cann started seven straight games, with mixed results.

Regardless of performance level, Cann was going to need a breather -- especially because he has been playing through lower-body discomfort.

So Monsters General Manager and assistant coach David Oliver went fishing in Alaska. Oliver reeled in Gerald Coleman from the ECHL, and the payoff was immediate. Coleman made 27 saves as the Monsters defeated the Milwaukee Admirals, 3-2, last Sunday at the Bradley Center.

"Just another example of Ollie doing what he does: Finding people who can help us," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "Coleman was highly regarded in the ECHL, and he showed us why against Milwaukee. He came up big in a big spot, on the road against a quality opponent."

Coleman, 26, made his pro debut with Springfield of the AHL in 2005-06. His only NHL experience came during that season, when he played two games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He eventually landed in Alaska, where he went 30-15-1 for the ECHL's Aces last season. For the Aces this season, he is 17-4-2 with a 1.80 goals-against average.

"He has a big body, and he's still young enough for a goalie," Quinn said.

Coleman, a native of Romeoville, Ill., is listed at 6-4, 214.

Quinn said the Monsters have only had Desjardins and Cann dressed for the same game three times.

Mauldin still out: Monsters forward Greg Mauldin, projected to be a big part of the offense this season, remains sidelined indefinitely because of an upper-body injury.

He has scored seven goals in 27 games. Worn down: As if key injuries aren't enough, the Monsters' locker room has been invaded by a flu bug. At the moment, Quinn appears to be getting the worst of it.

"I'll survive," he said. "At least I don't have to go out and play with it."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com; 216-999-4664

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd