A look at the top five impact freshman for 2012, with anonymous comments—it’s against NCAA rules for coaches to publicly comment on recruits—from a BCS coach.
By Matt Hayes
Sporting News
Tigers revealed two weeks ago that Martinez tore his left ACL during offseason conditioning, saying he would "most likely be lost" for the 2012 season.
DETROIT, Michigan -- Victor Martinez had knee surgery and will need a second operation, another indication he is likely to miss the entire 2012 season.
The Detroit Tigers star had microfracture surgery Friday to repair the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee. He is projected to have anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on the same knee in six to eight weeks.
The team announced Monday that Martinez, 33, was expected to be out for the year.
When the Tigers revealed two weeks ago that Martinez tore his left ACL during offseason conditioning, they said the designated hitter would "most likely be lost" for the 2012 season.
Detroit signed Prince Fielder last week to make up for the loss of Martinez, investing $214 million over nine years in the free agent slugger.
Martinez hit .330 with 103 RBIs in 2011, helping the Tigers win the division in his first season with them. He signed a $50 million, four-year contract before last season.
Fielder matched his career-high .299 batting average last year -- his seventh with the Milwaukee Brewers -- with 38 home runs and 120 RBIs. He finished among the top five in AL MVP voting for the third time.
Detroit won the AL Central by 15 games last year, advanced past the New York Yankees in the playoffs and was eliminated by Texas in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.
Martinez, a switch-hitter, has a .303 career batting average with 143 home runs and 741 RBI in 1,149 games.
Martinez came up to the major leagues with the Cleveland Indians late in the 2002 season and played part of the 2003 campaign with the Tribe.
In the four-year span from 2004-07, Martinez hit .302 for the Indians, and averaged 21 homers and 99 RBI.
After an injury-plagued 2008 season, the Indians traded Martinez to the Boston Red Sox on July 31, 2009 for right-handed pitchers Justin Masterson and Bryan Price and left-handed hurler Nick Hagadone.
Martinez has made the American League all-star team four times, including three times with the Indians. He played 821 games for Cleveland, mostly at catcher, batting .297 with 103 homers and 518 RBI.
The Lakers aren't going to be the only contender looking for a veteran point guard between now and the deadline.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ramon Sessions' name has been linked to trade rumors since the June night the Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving in the draft.
The asset-poor New York Knicks were believed to have interest in the backup point guard as the lockout ended, but plucked an injured Baron Davis from waivers instead. Now, comes a Yahoo report the Los Angeles Lakers have inquired about Sessions.
Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant wouldn't be doing his job if he weren't listening to offers. Sessions and starting power forward Antawn Jamison are the Cavaliers most likely to be dealt before the March 15 deadline.
The Lakers' interest in Sessions is understandable given their need for a veteran point guard to back up 37-year-old Derek Fisher. With Steve Blake injured, they have turned to rookies Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris. The Lakers also reportedly are considering free agent Gilbert Arenas.
The rebuilding Cavaliers might be tempted to part with Sessions for a first-round pick. The Lakers have their own and a top-20 protected first rounder acquired from Dallas in the Lamar Odom deal. But it's hard to imagine the Lakers parting with either first rounder until they know what's happening with the Dwight Howard saga.
In other words, don't expect a deal for Sessions to get done immediately, if at all. He is making $4.3 million this season and has a player option for $4.6 million for the 2012-13 season. It's unclear whether Sessions plans to exercise the option. It's believed he hasn't made that decision.
The Lakers easily could absorb Sessions' contract with the $8.9-million trade exception received in the Odom deal. He is averaging 9.1 points, 4.3 assists and 21 minutes in support of Irving, whose minutes figure to grow.
Yes, Sessions is shooting just 34 percent, but if he were dealt to a contender he'd be asked primarily to organize and run an offense, not supply points. The Lakers aren't going to be the only contender looking for a veteran point guard between now and the deadline. Grant can afford to be patient.
MENTOR, O. - Mentor senior defensive tackle Jack Hanley has given Army his oral commitment. "I was recruited by the Army and Air Force and visited both places a couple weeks ago,'' said the 6-3, 260-pounder. "Army was just the right fit for me, location-wise, education-wise and coaches-wise and the chance to serve my country is a great opportunity.''...
MENTOR, O. - Mentor senior defensive tackle Jack Hanley has given Army his oral commitment.
"I was recruited by the Army and Air Force and visited both places a couple weeks ago,'' said the 6-3, 260-pounder. "Army was just the right fit for me, location-wise, education-wise and coaches-wise and the chance to serve my country is a great opportunity.''
Hanley, who accounted for 70 tackles, including 23 hurries, nine for loss and four sacks, will major in mechanical engineering.
Andrews will emcee the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's annual awards banquet Thursday at the Renaissance Hotel downtown.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Erin Andrews is more than just a quality reporter for ESPN. She is a brand.
Andrews will emcee the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's annual awards banquet Thursday at the Renaissance Hotel downtown. The event is sold out. Plenty of recognizable names will attend, but Andrews likely will create the most buzz. How do we know this?
Twitter.
In the 21st century, where social media reigns, Twitter serves as a strong indicator of popularity. Andrews had a cool 1.075 million followers as of Monday. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, as big as he is in these parts, had 49,800.
Given that Andrews' assignments often put her on college campuses, starry-eyed students no doubt have played a large role in the name recognition. That is the innocent side.
Andrews also is well-known because of what happened to her beginning in 2008. Michael David Barrett filmed a nude Andrews multiple times through the walls of hotels; one of the videos went viral. Barrett pleaded guilty in December 2009 to interstate stalking and was sentenced in March 2010 to 2 1/2 years in prison.
Andrews has tried to move on from the very public humiliation. It has not been easy. She remains an engaging, funny person -- but some of the words come with an understandable edge.
Andrews recently spoke by phone from her Manhattan residence.
PD: What do you make of the Erin Andrews phenomenon, where you have attained somewhat of a rock-star status?
EA: I always wanted to do this for a living, but, obviously, I never dreamed it would get like this.
I kind of laugh about it, because I've never looked at myself like that. I wouldn't say it's been difficult adjusting to it, but it's been different.
Unfortunately, there have been situations in my life over the past couple of years that have forced me to change the way I live, how I travel, things like that. There are precautions I've had to take. I've been burned as much as anybody. At the same time, I know I have a great job and I'm very thankful for all the fan support.
PD: How wild is it to walk into college venues and see giant pictures of your face in the stands?
EA: Honestly, I don't need to see my nose that big. I'm already very self-conscious of my nose, and to see it on a huge cut-out. .... It's fun, though. I'm really thankful because I've never played and I've never won anything. I think it's great that kids get so excited about it. I get it, too, because I'm still such a huge sports fan. I was like that at school.
PD: What is an unusual autograph request that pops into your mind?
EA: Last year at Villanova, a kid took a dorm-room screen, blew up my picture and put it on the screen. He held it up with a big stick. I said, "Dude, where did you get a screen like this?" He said, "I took it from my dorm; I need to have it back tonight." I said, "Sounds good, I guess."
PD: A cursory Google search of your name uncovers such phrases as "arguably the most revered female broadcaster --"
EA: Oh, my gosh.
PD: And then there's this: "She's on the Mount Olympus of hot sports reporters --"
EA: Oh, god. Geez.
PD: How do you process those types of statements?
EA: When people say, "You're so hot," I say, "I've got a pimple on my face and need to work out some more." I don't take myself too seriously. I'm self-deprecating. The biggest thing for me is, I'm in a pair of sneakers every time I don't need to be dressed up. I'm such a tomboy, such a daddy's girl.
PD: On the college campuses, in particular, how do you handle the goofus-- or 10 -- who yells, "Erin, will you marry me?"
EA: Unfortunately, it gets a lot nastier than that. It's why I would never bring my father or a boyfriend to the game. I've had security guards who followed me and said, "It's bad that you have to listen to this." I tell them, "I don't. I have earpieces."
PD: You no doubt have people trying to catch you in "gotcha" moments.
EA: Sure. I had it happen to me at the College World Series, soon after the incident. A guy screamed in front of me, "Nice video!" I didn't need to listen to that. I feel like people will back down when you come up to them and you're not cursing or saying anything nasty. You're just saying, "Grow up. There's no need for that. There are kids around here."
PD: But have you ever wanted to spin on someone and drop a few expletive bombs?
EA: Of course. We all have. But that's when you need to remember that cameras and camera phones are waiting to catch it. I could lose my job if I were to lose it on somebody.
PD: How do you deal with the pro athlete who asks you out?
EA: Maturely. I'll leave it at that.
PD: Did you long ago concede that female sports reporters/anchors -- especially those who happen to be attractive -- face a higher burden of proof than that of any male colleague?
EA: It's looked down upon, almost as if you can't do both. You can't look a certain way and know sports: She just got her job because of the way she looks. Are you joking? I've got girlfriends who want me to be more girly. My friend is in the apartment talking about window treatments and a side table and I'm like, "When is the Pro Bowl on?"
PD: Are you ever concerned that the Erin Andrews phenomenon obscures the quality of work, where you don't get taken seriously enough?
EA: In my career and in my life, I'm done worrying about what's on the blogs and message boards. I know that the players and coaches respect me and trust me; they know how invested I am in my job. Coaches return my calls, I'm privy to inside information, not because of the way I look but because of how I do my job.
PD: The players must have been impressed when, during a baseball telecast several years ago, you absorbed a line-drive foul ball to the jaw and lived to tell about it.
EA: I was working Dodgers-Mets in New York. I was recording what happened in the previous at-bat and, all of a sudden, somebody yelled, "Look out!" My spotter, the guy who was supposed to be protecting me, put his head down. I turned right into it.
PD: Ouch.
EA: My first reaction was, "Holy crap." I worried I might have lost some teeth. Then, I was embarrassed. When you work with men, you don't want them to carry your luggage. You don't want to be late for dinner because they'll think you're primping.
I didn't want them to see me cry, and initially, I didn't. I told everyone to leave me alone. I grabbed a diet Coke and took a sip. A couple of innings later, though, my dad called and I started bawling.
PD: End result?
EA: We eventually had it looked at. The surgeon said, "Your jaw should have shattered. We have no idea how it didn't." I had taken a clean hit, but there wasn't a crack and I didn't lose any of my teeth. I just had an awesome bruise, and I wanted to wear it loud and proud.
Indians' first exhibition game will be on March 3 against Cincinnati. Links to stories on elite Indians prospect Francisco Lindor, Indians Hall of Fame and more.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three weeks from today, on Feb. 20 in Goodyear, Arizona, the Cleveland Indians' pitchers and catchers will report for spring training.
Three days later, the rest of the team will report, and on Feb. 25, the first full-team workout will be held.
The Indians and Cincinnati Reds both make Goodyear Ballpark their spring training homes. The teams will open their exhibition game schedules by playing each other on Saturday, March 3.
The Indians, 80-82 last season, open the 2012 campaign at home on Thursday, April 5, with the first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. against the Toronto Blue Jays (81-81) at Progressive Field.
The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com cover the Indians. Beat writer Paul Hoynes will again be in Goodyear to report on the team.
Talkin' Tribe
Shortstop Francisco Lindor, 18, and the Indians' first pick in last June's draft, is ranked 32nd among baseball's top 100 prospects by MLB.com. By Jordan Bastian for MLB.com.
MLB.com's top 100 prospects list, and the page for Lindor, the only Cleveland organization player on the list.
The Detroit Tigers now have Prince Fielder, but they still have to play the games to win the American League Central Division, where the Indians finished second last season -- though 15 games behind Detroit. On Indians Prospect Insider.
A statistical breakdown of outfielder Michael Brantley's at bats in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. On the blog "Let's Go Tribe."
Health is a key for the Indians outfielders, including projected starters Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore and Michael Brantley, Jordan Bastian writes for MLB.com.
Indians notes and commentary, by Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider.
Pitcher Gaylord Perry -- a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer -- former Indians player and broadcaster Jack Graney and former trainer Jimmy Warfield have been named to the Indians Hall of Fame. Stephanie Liscio writes about Graney -- an Indians player from 1910-22 and radio announcer from 1933-53 -- and Susan Petrone writes about Perry for the blog "It's pronounced 'Lajaway.' "
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian answers readers' questions about the Indians.
Catching up with The Tribe on Tour, by Susan Petrone for the blog "It's pronounced 'Lajaway.' "
General Manager Tom Heckert said at the end of the season that the Browns would talk to the agents for all of their free agents and hoped to re-sign some.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns would like to re-sign running back Peyton Hillis, who worked his way back into the team's good graces over the final six weeks of the season, a league source said.
Hillis, who becomes an unrestricted free agent March 13, showed the Browns enough over the final six games -- both on and off the field -- that they'd like to have him back at the right price. The Browns can re-sign their own free agents at any time.
General Manager Tom Heckert said at the end of the season that the Browns would talk to the agents for all of their free agents and hoped to re-sign some. He cited D'Qwell Jackson and kicker Phil Dawson as two the Browns would pursue.
But Hillis made his way onto that list down the stretch, including a 112-yard rushing performance against the Ravens on Dec. 24, averaging 4.7 yards on his 24 carries during a 20-14 loss.
A day after the season ended, Browns coach Pat Shurmur said, "I'll tell you what, Peyton and I had a great conversation yesterday. He's an all-star player who was dealing with injury in the middle part of the year and then came back, and I really liked what he did at the end of the season."
After recovering from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss five games in the middle of the season, Hillis rushed 101 times for 376 yards over the final six games, including a 99-yard game in Arizona. He averaged 62.6 yards during that span, which projects to 1,002 yards over a 16-game season.
Hillis made his thoughts clear the week after that Ravens game.
"I'm a Cleveland Brown at heart," he said. "Since I've been here, I fell in love with the fans and the city and the people that live here. They've been nothing but 100 percent supportive through everything when I talk to them. And it's good to have a second family backing me like that."
The Browns are not believed to have had any contact with Hillis' agent, Kennard McGuire, since midway through the season, but are expected to contact most of the agents over the next month or so.
In November, around the time the Browns' leadership group met with Hillis to help him get re-focused, the Browns had all but decided to let him walk in free agency. By then, he had endured his strep throat incident and had gone back to Arkansas at midweek to get married instead of receiving treatment to try to play with the hamstring injury.
But Hillis settled down off the field and played well on it. Whether or not they can agree to a deal remains to be seen, but the Browns are more open to it now.
On Twitter: @marykaycabot
Who would be on a Mount Rushmore for coaches? My guess: Bear Bryant, Knute Rockne, Woody Hayes and -- yes -- Joe Paterno.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If there were a Mount Rushmore for college football coaches, would Joe Paterno, the all-time leader in major-college victories, be on it?
Or would the child abuse scandal involving a former aide -- a scandal in which the late Penn State coach was explicitly exonerated legally, a scandal in which he followed prescribed procedures for reporting the allegation -- keep him off it?
I say yes to Paterno. But who joins him?
Bear Bryant changed with the times and even was ahead of his time to some extent, in appointing African-American assistant coaches in the Deep South at Alabama. Wherever he went, whether it was to a basketball school (Kentucky) or a military one (Texas A&M) or to his glory days at his alma mater, Bryant was a huge winner. But some of his teams in the rough-and-tumble days of the 1950s were bought and paid for.
Knute Rockne recruited some of his best players out of the police lineups and pool halls, but he put Notre Dame on the map. It is the greatest name in college football history, faded though it has become, despite NBC's best efforts to depict its games as nationally meaningful.
Ohio State's Woody Hayes belongs up there, too. The punch that concluded a career of sometimes ungovernable temper displays does not wipe out his four national championships won or shared in the important polls. Hayes' outsized personality dominated the Big Ten; his rivalry with Bo Schembechler was the conference's all-time best; and he turned his offense into a life choice. The Buckeyes moved straight ahead, with no tricks, and they were precise in execution and painstaking in preparation.
Some argue that Bobby Bowden at Florida State won nearly as many games as Paterno, won as many national championships and did not suffer such a ghastly scandal at the end of his career.
But I keep thinking back to the Sugar Bowl after the 1999 season, in which Bowden won his second national championship. In the middle of the game, the grandfatherly Bowden turned his back to the field (and Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Michael Vick) and gave a detailed sideline interview. Bowden was a media favorite, but he was not the most engaged game-day guy.
The other big winners of the past -- Darrell Royal, Bud Wilkinson, Bob Devaney, John McKay -- sort of run together, lacking the emphatic personality and strong resume of Hayes, the six national titles of Bryant, the longevity of Paterno, or the special circumstances of Rockne at Notre Dame.
How about a place for Eddie Robinson, second to Paterno in victories? Robinson's Grambling teams didn't beat the best, but in the Tigers' heyday, that might have been only because they didn't get the chance to play them.
Maybe there should be a spot for one of the current coaches. Alabama's Nick Saban has three national championships, two in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and one at LSU. He has won it all two of the last three years.
Urban Meyer has two skins on the wall and is certainly expected to nail another one or two up in Columbus.
But who couldn't win at Bama, Ohio State, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma or Michigan? (OK, Rich Rodriguez). To some extent, college football is like baseball. There's no "cap" on the advantages the traditional college powers have.
So how about Chris Petersen at Boise State, who took a total outsider and made it close to elite? He would get the nod over Gary Patterson at TCU, both because Patterson works in talent-rich Texas and because TCU had a pre-existing, if dormant, football reputation before him.
Pop Warner was the first Chris Petersen, turning an Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pa., into a power with innovations that were ahead of his time and a player named Jim Thorpe.
Military academy football has its own dynamic and its own proud, patriotic appeal. Earl "Red" Blaik coached the last military college football dynasty at Army.
The seriously overlooked Wayne Hardin won the Army-Navy game five straight times and turned out two Heisman Trophy winners in Annapolis. He also coached the last academy to play for a national championship in Roger Staubach's Midshipmen. After he was fired, Hardin also produced several NFL players and actually went to and won a bowl at Temple, a commuter school in a daunting Philadelphia neighborhood.
Finally, there are coaches like Bill Snyder at Kansas State, Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern and Joe Tiller at Purdue, who won at programs that were very down. They don't belong on the sport's Mount Rushmore. But they show why this Final Four is tougher to crack than the one at the end of March.
On Twitter: @LivyPD
CLEVELAND, O. - John Hay senior two-way lineman Chris Collins has decided to continue his academic and athletic careers at Toledo. The 6-4, 260-pounder, who recently gave the Rockets his oral commitment, made an unofficial visit to Kent, had Akron offer him a scholarship and also officially visited Eastern Michigan.
CLEVELAND, O. - John Hay senior two-way lineman Chris Collins has decided to continue his academic and athletic careers at Toledo.
The 6-4, 260-pounder, who recently gave the Rockets his oral commitment, made an unofficial visit to Kent, had Akron offer him a scholarship and also officially visited Eastern Michigan.
"Toledo is two hours away, just far enough to be on my own but not too far in case I need to go home,'' said Carter, who will play defensive end at the next level. "I'm real impressed with the new coaching staff at Toledo and there's a real family atmosphere.''
He'll major in exercise science.
Cleveland State will play Drexel, Akron travels to Oral Roberts and Kent State hosts College of Charleston in a non-TV game.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Both Cleveland State and Akron landed television games for their Feb. 18 BracketBuster matchups, which were announced Monday evening. But the pairings lack sizzle, and for CSU may not help in lifting its at-large NCAA tournament resume.
CSU (18-4/RPI 54), the No. 1 team in the Horizon League, was paired with Drexel (17-5/RPI 87) out of the Colonial Athletic Association at 11 a.m., in the Wolstein Center on ESPNU. Akron (14-7/RPI 58) the first-place team in the Mid-American Conference, was paired with Oral Roberts (20-4/RPI 49) out of the Summit, at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
"I think this is a very good match-up for us," Vikings head coach Gary Waters said. "Drexel is one of the best teams in their conference. They have a lot of size inside, a very good group of guards and have been playing very well of late."
Still, it's a must-win if the Vikings have any at-large aspirations. Cleveland State's resume wouldn't easily absorb a home loss to a team more than 30 RPI points behind the Vikings, from a conference ranked two spots behind the Horizon (currently 15th) in conference RPI. Drexel was picked to win the CAA this season, but are tied for second with VCU.
Akron travels to Tulsa, Okla., to play a team the Zips defeated at home last season, 84-80. This is a golden chance for the Zips to bolster a decent at-large resume against another conference's first-place team. A triumph, combined with notches over Mississippi State and Marshall, could be huge for Akron on Selection Sunday.
"The good thing is, we played them last year, and one other time before that," Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said. "They're very talented. But at least we know them, which is good. That will be a big game for us. We got to take care of business before that. But a big game, for sure."
The Horizon League got two teams on TV with Valparaiso (15-8) playing at Loyola-Marymount (13-9). The MAC got three TV games with Ohio (17-4) hosting North Carolina-Asheville (16-7) and Buffalo (12-6) at South Dakota State (17-6).
For the just the second time since the 2003 debut of event, Kent State (14-7) did not get a TV slot. The Golden Flashes will host the College of Charleston. KSU is honoring the 2002 Elite Eight NCAA Tournament team that night.
"I think we got a good opponent with great history," KSU head coach Rob Senderoff said. "Antonio Gates' last college game was in the NIT against the College of Charleston. It will be a great series for us."
Giants won at New England, 24-20, on Nov. 6. Patriots have won 10 straight since, while New York is on 5-game win streak. More links to Giants vs. Patriots.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The New York Giants and New England Patriots will play the 46th Super Bowl on Sunday in Indianapolis.
Earlier this season, on Nov. 6, the Giants won at New England, 24-20. Remarkably, the game was scoreless at halftime.
New York, which made the playoffs by winning the NFC East, is 12-7 counting its three postseason wins. New England, which won the AFC East and earned a first-round playoff bye, is 15-3 and on a 10-game winning streak since its loss to the Giants.
Patriots vs. Giants is a rematch of the 2007 season Super Bowl. New York earned a 17-14 win over New England, ruining what had been a perfect season for the Patriots. A breakdown of the game statistics and plays is on pro-football-reference.com.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com ranks, from 1 to 48, all of the starters (including kickers and punters) for the Patriots and Giants, and notes that he -- if based on his rankings -- expects a close game.
Prisco writes (with Nos. 3-48 following this excerpt):
Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants, the two combatants in this week's Super Bowl, each have five players ranked up in my top 10 of starters in the game.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tops the list -- who could argue with that? -- and he has three of his offensive teammates with him in the top 10.
The Giants' top player is defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is ranked second on my list. He had three offensive teammates and one defensive teammate joining him in the top 10.
Each team has 10 players in the top 20, again indicating we should have a close game.
Let's hope that's the case. Here's the list, go ahead and start the debate.
1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots -- Easiest pick of them all. He is one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants -- He is a freakish talent who plays hard all the time. His ability to rush the passer somewhat overlooks the fact that he is a good run player.
The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com covers the Browns and the NFL. Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot will arrive in Indianapolis on Wednesday to cover the Super Bowl.
Giants vs. Patriots
Patriots and Giants insist things are different from their last Super Bowl meeting, but not really, writes Peter King for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.
Super Bowl storylines, by Vinnie Iyer for SportingNews.com.
New England tight end Rob Gronkowski says he will play, but high ankle sprains aren't easy to shake, Clark Judge writes for CBSSports.com.
Redskins linebacker London Fletcher -- from Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and John Carroll University -- talks about the Patriots and Redskins. By Don Banks for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.
A feature story on Patriots' running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who has set a record for not fumbling. By Les Carpenter for Yahoo! Sports.
The Giants say their season turned around when they were 6-6 and had a game in Dallas. By Dan Graziano for ESPN.com.
Wide receiver Deion Branch is enjoying the role of being one of the Patriots' veterans. By Chris Burke for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.
Giants vs. Patriots II is worth the four-year wait, writes Barry Wilner of the Associated Press in a story carried on Yahoo! Sports.
This story, by Mike Lopresti for USAToday.com, claims that there's more to Patriots coach (and former Browns coach) Bill Belichick than his "stony facade."
An OHSAA committee is working up a pair of seven-division playoff proposals for its Board of Directors to consider.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With a possible Division I football playoff fix on the horizon, expect "competitive balance" to once again be a trending term for Ohio high schools this spring.
In an Ohio High School Athletic Association survey of principals, many said the biggest knock against last May's failed competitive balance referendum was it did not address the imbalance in Division I -- the huge enrollment disparity between the smallest Division I school, Avon Lake with a three-grade boys enrollment figure of 494, and the largest, which is Cincinnati St. Xavier at 1,161.
An OHSAA committee is working up a pair of seven-division playoff proposals for its Board of Directors to consider. One would split Division I in half, creating two 60-team divisions, and leave the remaining five 120-school divisions alone. The other would put the 64 largest schools in Division I, and realign the remaining schools into six additional divisions of about 110 schools each.
In the last 12 years, 37 of the 48 Division I state football semifinalists were among the largest 64 schools. The 11 remaining semifinalists from smaller Division I schools included four appearances by Massillon, two by Glenville and one each by Massillon Perry and North Canton Hoover.
Both proposals have merit. The first proposal seems more likely to receive board approval because smaller schools dislike the 64-team idea. They don't like its "roll-down effect" of dropping larger schools into lower divisions.
Regardless, the OHSAA has a better game plan than it did a year ago. Fixing Division I while simultaneously working on a new competitive balance referendum boosts both improvements. Granted, the Division I fix is only for football. The Division I disparity is even larger in basketball and other sports, but in Ohio, football comes first and everything else is details.
The OHSAA competitive balance committee meets Tuesday in Columbus with a goal of finishing by March a new referendum for this May's ballot. The biggest sticking point is the "tradition factor," which many "no" voters last year said punished schools for being successful.
OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross believes the tradition factor is the underlying reason the issue needs to be addressed because parents and students clearly choose schools based on athletic success.
"Without the tradition factor, [the referendum] would have passed," Ross said. "But without the tradition, you wouldn't have a competitive balance issue."
Total separation of public and private schools, as advocated by Wayne County superintendents, appears to be a dying, if not dead, issue.
There was talk after last May's referendum failure that a petition would be circulated for next May's ballot. That more drastic referendum would seek separate playoffs. About 18 percent of OHSAA schools are private, yet they dominate many sports at a much higher rate.
The Wayne County group did not present a petition by the December deadline. Instead, Triway Schools Superintendent Dave Rice wrote a letter asking the OHSAA Board of Directors to write its own referendum for separate playoffs. If separate playoffs are created, the OHSAA knows private schools will likely leave the OHSAA to form their own association, so the board basically ignored Rice's request.
No bureaucracy, especially one as profitable as the OHSAA, looks for ways to cut off its nose to spite its face.
On Twitter: @TimsTakePD
Plain Dealer reporter says RB's 2011 season was an aberration and that Browns should let bygones be bygones. Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by the inoffensive Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.
According to a story today by The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are now open to the option of keeping free-agent running back Peyton Hillis on the roster for 2012. Which running back would you like to see in the Browns' backfield in 2012: Hillis? Alabama standout Trent Richardson? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.
Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who says he wants to see Hillis back with the Browns in 2012.
Dman also talks about Super Bowl XLVI and whether defense still wins championships; which team he thinks will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night; and why he thinks Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has been better than advertised so far.
SBTV will return Wednesday.
Kyrie Irving has numbers similar to another rookie who played for the Cavaliers.
Jessee Dorsey of The Bleacher Report writes how rookie Kyrie Irving has surpassed early expectations and is putting up numbers similar to another player who was a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
And we're not talking about Jason Kapono.
Irving, writes Dorsey, is putting up similar offensive numbers to LeBron James in his rookie season with 18 points a game (compared to LeBron's 21) and shooting percentages at 51 from the floor, 41 from downtown and 81 percent from the free-throw line (LeBron put up 42-29-75 over his first season).
Before the season started, the biggest concern over Irving's game was his ability to shoot the ball, a criticism he's blown out the window at this point. Now, the biggest problem he's having is transitioning to playing defense against NBA-caliber point guards. Lucky for Irving (and all of Ohio), Cleveland employees a coach who is not only great with defense, but with point guards as well.
Irving's play, writes Dorsey, has fans hopeful for the future.
Kyrie Irving isn't impressed with his exploits in Boston, writes Mary Schmit Boyer on Cleveland.com.
Kyrie Irving is in elite company, writes Jason Lloyd on Ohio.com.
Rookie point guard is not afraid to take chances, writes Bob Finnan of The News-Herald.
Loss to Cavaliers was a lesson learned by the Celtics (Boston Globe).
Coach must decide whether to start Alonzo Gee or Mychel Thompson at shooting guard.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Byron Scott is not sure who he will start at shooting guard Tuesday night against an opponent he assumes is "pissed off."
The Cavaliers stunned the Celtics, 88-87, Sunday night in Boston on Kyrie Irving's last-second shot. They won with a short-handed lineup that will remain that way tonight at The Q.
Anthony Parker (lower back) and Daniel Gibson (neck infection) are out. Gibson is still hospitalized in Boston with what doctors term a "soft tissue infection." He is being treated with antibiotics.
Scott must decide between super sub Alonzo Gee and rookie Mychel Thompson at shooting guard. Each contributed to Sunday's victory. Whether he starts or not, tonight's game represents a huge opportunity for Thompson, who had played just two minutes this season prior to playing the entire fourth quarter Sunday. It will give Scott a chance to see what he has in the undrafted free agent.
Scott certainly won't get any sympathy from Boston's Doc Rivers, who has been dealing with injuries since the season started. But the Cavs have some issues to deal with at guard. Parker's back has flared up twice in this compressed season and it's not like there are many breaks for the 38-year-old to get some rest.
Ramon Sessions can't really play major minutes at shooting guard because somebody needs to give Irving a breather. Sessions and Irving haven't looked comfortable being on the floor at the same time as both are used to running the offense. Meanwhile, Byron said it's hard for them to practice together as someone has to play second-string point guard when they scrimmage.
Gee continues to be one of the best stories of the season. His versatility has been invaluable for Scott. We're talking about someone who played power forward at Alabama -- albeit an undersized one at 6-6 -- and is now adjusting to the roles of small forward and shooting guard.
NOTES
• The Cavaliers roster is at the maximum 15 players so they cannot just sign guard Manny Harris, who's playing for the D-League Canton Charge, without waiving somebody.
• Irving has had two consecutive dramatic fourth quarters. In just 12-plus minutes he has 29 points and a game-winning shot. "He is beginning to take over in the fourth quarter, "Scott said. "The trick is, can you continuously do it? He’s off to a pretty good start.”
• Center Jermaine O'Neal (knee) is expected to return to the Celtics lineup. Point guard Rajon Rondo is questionable.
PROJECTED LINEUPS: Cavs -- Kyrie Irving, Mychel Thompson, Omri Casspi, Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao. Celtics -- Avery Bradley, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal.
Can the Indians lock up some of their good young players to longterm deals? What could the Cavaliers get in return for players like Ramon Sessions and Antawn Jamison? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.
Can the Indians lock up some of their good young players to longterm deals? What could the Cavaliers get in return for players like Ramon Sessions and Antawn Jamison?
Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.
Among other topics discussed:
• Will Shelley Duncan see significant playing time at first base?
• Should the Cavaliers consider trading Anderson Varejao?
• If the Cavaliers made the playoffs, how would that change their approach to building the team?
• Do the Browns have a realistic shot at Matt Flynn?
• What do you think of hiring Brad Childress as the offensive coordinator?
You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.
Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.
Has Michigan State become an additional rival for Ohio State?
Todd Porter writes on CantonRep.com how Ohio State and Michigan State (Urban Meyer and Mark Dantonio) are even bigger rivals since Meyer helped MSU recruit Se'Von Pittman change his mind and join the Buckeyes.
Porter writes how a gentleman’s agreement with former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel is no longer in play.
“(The agreement) has been between the coaches,” Narduzzi said. “Jim Tressel and Mark Dantonio would never call or talk to each other’s commitments. People coach Dantonio knows well don’t come in and take players away. When you do, you lose friendships over that.”
Michigan State’s coaching staff certainly learned a lesson.
“It sets a tone and starts a recruiting rivalry,” Narduzzi said. “I guess it’s fair game. You don’t want it to be that way, but that’s how it is.”
Michigan State had four assistant coaches assigned to recruit Ohio. An indication that a recruiting rivalry is heating up? Dantonio is assigning a fifth coach to Ohio.
More Ohio State Buckeyes links
Some website called Aaron Torress sports has this blog on how one loss changed Michigan, West Virginia and Ohio State.
Doug Lesmerises writes on Cleveland.com how recruit Armani Reeves fills a need for the Buckeyes.
Urban Meyer is getting it done when it comes to recruiting, writes Fox Sports reporter Zac Jackson.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. picks up Ohio State's mess, writes Rob McCurdy on MansfieldNewsJournal.com.
"It's just enjoyable watching Irving and Andy play so well together. If Gee keeps coming on, SG and center will be the first 2 positions they will be looking to improve on. Either a solid backup at center for Andy or a starting center so Andy can move to power forward again. And a solid shooting guard obviously." - tudefit
"It's just enjoyable watching Irving and Andy play so well together. If Gee keeps coming on, SG and center will be the first 2 positions they will be looking to improve on. Either a solid backup at center for Andy or a starting center so Andy can move to power forward again. And a solid shooting guard obviously. BTW - That last shot by Boston scared me because I thought sure it was going in."
Vince Wilfork was asked on Tuesday how, in his eight years with the New England Patriots, he has survived the changes in where he plays, in what his duties are, in who his linemates and defensive mates are, what philosophy and scheme they play; and how he's thrived all along the way.
For more Cinesport video, go here.
Wednesday is college football's national signing day. Buckeyes' recruiting class is ranked third-best in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Profiles and videos on all 23 Ohio State recruits.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- College football's national signing day for the high school class of 2012 is on Wednesday.
According to most ratings, the day is a bonanza for the Ohio State Buckeyes and their new head coach, Urban Meyer.
The Buckeyes, with their 23 commitments so far, have the third best class in the nation, behind first, Texas, and then Alabama, according to Scout.com. Also, Rivals.com ranks Ohio State's recruits as third-best in college football, with Alabama No. 1 and Texas No. 2.
Ohio State's recruits include one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, four offensive linemen and one "athlete." And, three defensive ends, one defensive tackle, three linebackers and four defensive backs.
The Buckeyes' recruits, in alphabetical order, linking to their Rivals.com profiles, and with videos beneath their names:
Warren Ball, running back (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
De'van Bogard, defensive back (video by RedshirtScouting, on YouTube):
Jacoby Boren, guard (video by RedshirtScouting, on YouTube):
Taylor Decker, offensive tackle (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Bri'onte Dunn, running back (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Pat Elflein, guard (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Frank Epitropoulos, wide receiver (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Cardale Jones, quarterback (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube. Note: Jones is a 2011 graduate of Cleveland Glenville High School, and has attended Fork Union [Virginia] Military Academy this school year):
Najee Murray, defensive back (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Joey O'Connor, offensive tackle (video by MyAltitudeTV/Blake's Magnificent Seven, on YouTube):
David Perkins, athlete (video by 247SportsStudio, on YouTube):
Josh Perry, linebacker (video by 247SportsStudio, on YouTube):
Se'von Pittman, defensive end (video by RedshirtScouting, on YouTube):
Tyvis Powell, defensive back (video by ascsports, on YouTube):
Armani Reeves, defensive back (video by CarolinaBlueDot.com, on YouTube):
Luke Roberts, linebacker (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Tommy Schutt, defensive tackle (video by 247SportsStudio, on YouTube):
Ricquan Southward, wide receiver (video by BigCountyPreps, on YouTube):
Noah Spence, defensive end (video by easternparecruits.com, on YouTube):
Blake Thomas, tight end (video by ScoutingOhio.com, on YouTube):
Michael Thomas, wide receiver (video by utrhighlightvideos, on YouTube):
Adolphus Washington, defensive end (video by RedshirtScouting, on YouTube):
Camren Williams, linebacker (video by CarolinaBlueDot.com, on YouTube):
