Miguel Gonzalez to appear in nationally televised bout against Mike Dallas Jr. It's the headliner on the ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" from Arlington, Texas, at 9 p.m.

Joe Maxse's Boxing Insider appears Tuesdays on cleveland.com and in The Plain Dealer.

Miguel Gonzalez has paid his dues. Now it’s time to reap some benefits.

But if the Cleveland junior welterweight is going to do that, he had better win Friday’s nationally televised bout against Mike Dallas Jr. It’s the headliner on the ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” from Arlington, Texas, at 9 p.m.

A mainstay on the local amateur scene since he was 16, Gonzalez has put together a solid 20-2 record as a professional, with 15 knockouts. He will be the first to tell you he needs this win.

“It’s the most important fight of my career,” said Gonzalez, who leaves today for Texas. “We’ve been looking for fights like this. Unfortunately, it’s the way the business of boxing goes.”

Out of Lincoln-West and John Marshall High, he competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2004 and 2008, earning a spot as an alternate for the Beijing Games. He won the USA Boxing national title at 132 pounds in 2008, then decided to turn pro.

“Boxing has become a part of my life,” said Gonzalez, trained by his father, Sonny, and uncle, Carmelo Gonzalez. “I’ve had two roadblocks, but I don’t consider them losses. I came back and knocked the guy out and the other I took on three days’ notice. He won’t give me a rematch.”

After losing in his fourth bout on a decision to Eric Ricker in May 2009, he stopped Ricker in four rounds in March 2011. He has won 14 straight since dropping a decision to Angelo Santana in October 2009.

Dallas, of Bakersfield, Calif., comes in at 17-2-1 (7 KOs) and finds himself at a crossroads as well.

“Conditioning and talent are going to give me an edge,” said Gonzalez, a left-handed fighter. “And I hit hard to the body. I’m a counter-puncher and slick on defense. It will give me an edge if he hasn’t worked with a lefthander.”

Gonzalez just signed a contract with Philadelphia-based Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions.

Silver champs: Cleveland amateur boxers did a nice job at the Silver Gloves national tournament in Kansas City, Mo., for fighters ages 10-16.

The Untouchable Boxing Academy, in the Lonnie Burten Recreation Center, produced 80-pound champion DeAndre Williams and runner-up Khalil Osaze at 100 pounds. With girls competing for the first time, Dazzalin Turner won the 156-pound title and Tiarra Conwell was the runner-up at 75. Untouchable coaches were Donyelle Bell, Abdul Muhaymin and Charles Conwell.

The Inner City Youth Boxing Club produced the 112-pound runner-up in Iris Young. She is coached by Fred Wilson out of the Downtown YMCA.

Amateur show: King’s Gym is putting on a card on Friday at the PSI Institute in Randall Park Mall, 21210 Emery Road, in North Randall at 7 p.m. It’s directly across from the main entrance to Thistledown Race Track in the former JCPenney building. Tickets are $40, $35 and $25. Contact Ed King at 440-439-5464.

Women’s trials: The U.S. Olympic Trials to determine the women’s boxing team to the Summer Olympics in London are under way in Airway Heights, Wash. The winners in the three weight divisions — 112, 132 and 165 pounds — will advance this summer to the Women’s World Championships in China, where they must place in the top eight in their divisions to earn the trip to England.

Barberton’s N’yteeyah Sherman, the lone Ohioan, won her opening match at 132.

Cleveland’s Cashmere Jackson did not qualify in the women’s weight classes, but will go to China at 141 pounds.

This date: Leon Spinks decisioned Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in Las Vegas in 1978. It was Spinks’ eighth pro fight.

Remember: Congressman Dennis Kucinich is hosting a free event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Cleveland’s Johnny Kilbane winning the featherweight title. The gathering takes place Friday at the West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Road, in Olmsted Falls at 7:30 p.m. It is not a fundraiser. Call 440-235-5868.

Friday: Showtime’s “ShoBox” series will be in Santa Ynez, Calif., where Thomas Dulorme (13-0, 10 KOs) faces Aris Ambriz (16-2-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant NABF welterweight title at 11 p.m.

Saturday: Showtime has a doubleheader with former champion Paul Williams (40-2, 26 KOs) taking on Nobuhiro Ishida (24-6-2, 8 KOs) in a junior middleweight match in Corpus Christi, Texas. Light heavyweights Tavoris Cloud (23-0, 18 KOs) and Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs) open the show at 10 p.m.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Have a question for Indians closer Chris Perez? Now's your chance to ask him. Join Glenn Moore today at 2:30 p.m. for the fourth edition of 30 Minutes of Pure Rage. They will have special guest from ESPN's SportsNation, Michelle Beadle.

ESPN/Plain DealerJoin Tribe closer Chris Perez as he will have ESPN's SportsNation Michelle Beadle as a special guest at 2:30 PM.

Join Glenn Moore today at 2:30 p.m. for the fourth edition of 30 Minutes of Pure Rage. They will have special guest from ESPN's SportsNation, Michelle Beadle.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Chris' remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

You will be able to call in to ask Chris your question as well. The number to call is 440-678-7599.

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.

The Big Ten, best known as a football conference, could change that in some sorts with a flood of teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Terry Gilliam, Associated PressOhio State's Jared Sullinger.

The Big Ten is having a solid season in college basketball this year. The Big Ten (best known for its football) is rated as the top conference in college basketball.

If that's the case, how many teams will represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament?

Is it possible that 10 of the 12 teams will make the tournament? That means every team with the exception of Nebraska and Penn State could advance to the Big Dance.

Or do you need at least a .500 record in your conference to get an outright bid?

Got a Browns or Indians question for The PD Sports Insiders? Skype in or email us your video questions to appear on an upcoming show. Our Skype line will be open until 11 a.m. today.

We'll be taking your Skype calls about Cleveland sports until 11 a.m. Add clevelanddotcom to your Skype contacts.

What will it take to move up in the draft? Who will the Browns be zeroing in on at the NFL combine? Will the Indians make any other moves before spring training?

We want your video questions about the Browns and Indians for an upcoming episode of the 'PD Sports Insider' show, seen live every Monday and Thursday at noon on cleveland.com.

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today until 11 a.m.

We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to Dennis Manoloff, Bud Shaw, Mary Kay Cabot or Paul Hoynes. The call will be recorded and played during an upcoming live show.

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

Here's what to do:

1. Log into your Skype account. Don't have one? Create one and download the software here.

2. Add Skype name "clevelanddotcom" to your contacts list and place a video call to us.

Watch every Monday and Thursday live at noon.

3. A cleveland.com producer will answer your call and record it. Selected videos will be played during an upcoming live show, when Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and their special guest will answer fans' questions.

4. Once again, we'll be taking calls until 11 a.m. today. If the line keeps ringing or your call is rejected, that means it's busy. Try again in a few minutes.

5. You can also email your videos to sports@cleveland.com or upload them to YouTube or cleveland.com and send us the link.

Irving sat out the last three games with a concussion

The Plain DealerCavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has been activated and will play tonight

Got a Browns question? Send it in! Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot will answer questions every Sunday online and in The Plain Dealer. Submit a question today.

Got a Browns question? Send it in!

If you've got questions about the NFL Draft, free agency or anything related to your favorite NFL team, Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's got answers. Just submit your question by filling out the form here.

Every Sunday, Mary Kay's responses will appear online here and in The Plain Dealer. What are you waiting for? Send in your question today.

OSU beat writer also talks about offensive tackle Mike Adams and what he brings to the table for the NFL Draft. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough.

The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team scored a solid win at Minnesota on Tuesday night. At this point, the Big Ten Conference is ranked the best in the nation this season. But how many bids to the NCAA tournament do you think the league will receive? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer OSU beat writer Doug Lesmerises, who says that he thinks seven are in, and as many as nine could make it. Doug also talks about OSU coach Thad Matta's use - or lack of use - of his bench, and whether that may change after Tuesday night's game.

Doug also breaks down Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams, who is being projected as a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft.

SBTV will return Thursday.

Trevor Crowe, Indians No.1 pick in 2005, will try to make the Indians 25-man roster as a long shot.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTrevor Crowe is the latest player to receive a non-roster invitation to spring training.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians just keep inviting players to spring training.

Former No.1 pick Trevor Crowe was the latest to receive a non-roster invitation to big league camp. The Indians currently have invited 21 players to camp on minor league deals. That does not include the 40 players on the major league roster and Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, who is on the restricted list.

Hernandez does not count against the 40-man.

Indians pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Monday and start workouts on Wednesday in Goodyear, Ariz.

Crowe missed much of last season as he recovered from surgery on his right elbow and right shoulder. He played six games for the Arizona Rookie League Indians and five for Class AAA Columbus before joining the Tribe on Sept. 7.

He hit .214 (6-for-28) with one double and two RBI for the Indians. His season entered Sept. 24 when he strained his right shoulder diving for a line drive. Crowe was the Indians first round pick in 2005.

The Indians should know later this week or early next week if veteran right-hander Jon Garland passes his physical. If so, he'll come to camp on a minor league deal.

Here are the Indians spring training invitees:

Pitchers (nine): Jeremy Accardo, Austin Adams, Hector Ambriz, Chen-Chang Lee, Chris Ray, Chris Seddon, Tyler Sturdevant, Robinson Tejeda and Dan Wheeler.

Catchers (four): Luke Carlin, Chun Chen, Michel Hernandez and Matt Pagnozzi.

Infielders (three): Gregorio Petit, Andy LaRoche and Jose Lopez.

Outfielders (five): Crowe, Chad Huffman, Fred Lewis, Felix Pie, Ryan Spilborgs.

ESPN says analyst Ron Jaworski has signed a five-year contract extension to appear on other ESPN programming, thus leaving the "MNF" broadcast team he was a part of for five seasons.

Associated PressFormer NFL coach Jon Gruden will work his fourth season as a "Monday Night Football" game commentator in 2012, continuing with play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico.

BRISTOL, Connecticut -- "Monday Night Football" is switching to a two-man booth.

ESPN said Wednesday that analyst Ron Jaworski had signed a five-year contract extension to appear on other programming on the network and would no longer join play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico and color commentator Jon Gruden on Monday nights.

Jaworski called "Monday Night Football" games the past five seasons. The former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback will work various ESPN studio shows year-round.

Gruden joined MNF in 2009 after coaching the Raiders and Buccaneers and agreed to a five-year extension in October. This is the first time in 15 years ESPN has used a two-person lead team on its NFL game coverage.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters are in assembly-line mode these days.  Another game, another one-goal victory.  The Monsters built a fat lead early, squandered it, then righted themselves for a 4-3 defeat of the Texas Stars on Wednesday morning at The Q.  Patrick Rissmiller scored the game-winner less than one minute into the third period and goalie Gerald Coleman made 30...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters are in assembly-line mode these days.

 Another game, another one-goal victory.

 The Monsters built a fat lead early, squandered it, then righted themselves for a 4-3 defeat of the Texas Stars on Wednesday morning at The Q.

 Patrick Rissmiller scored the game-winner less than one minute into the third period and goalie Gerald Coleman made 30 saves. Rissmiller owns game-winning goals in three straight games.

 The Monsters (25-22-2-2) have won a season-high four in a row -- all by one goal -- and six of seven. The only blemish since Jan. 27 is a shootout loss at Houston.

 "It's a lot of fun to be a Monster right now,'' winger Greg Mauldin said. "The guys enjoy being around each other. It's a great atmosphere. We have good goaltending, good team defense and we're burying our chances when we need to.''

 Lake Erie (54 points) moved past Rochester (53) into second place in the Western Conference North Division. Toronto leads with 62.

 In the race for the Calder Cup playoffs, the Monsters are one point out of the eighth and final spot in the conference.

 "I thought we played a great game from start to finish,'' Monsters coach David Quinn said. "We played to our identity. We were fast, we possessed the puck, and we made smart decisions.''

 Fan support Wednesday came with a decidedly higher pitch than usual. The crowd of 8,933 included an estimated 7,000 children who attended as part of the Monsters' annual "Student Education Day'' promotion. Faceoff was a tad past 10:45.

 "It's always fun to play in these games,'' Quinn said. "It's loud, and I think we win over new fans every time we do this. We practice every day at 10:30, so there isn't that much of a change for our guys.''

 In the first period, the Monsters taught the Stars a lesson in how to dominate.

 Mauldin opened the scoring with a wrister from the left circle at 6:55. It came on the power play.

 At 11:37, Brad Malone created an opportunity and fed Justin Mercier, who zipped into the slot and beat goalie Tyler Beskorowany. Texas had communication issues in its end.

 At 18:11, Dean Strong created the three-goal cushion.

 The Monsters, who out-shot the Stars, 18-8, in the first period, continued their strong play through the first half of the second. When they finally hit a rough patch, Texas pounced.

 The Stars scored at 14:27 when Lake Erie was unable to clear. They scored again at 17:13 and on the power play at 19:05.

 "After the first 34 minutes, it was 3-0 -- and I thought it should have been 6-0 or 7-0,'' Quinn said. "Then you give up three goals in a five-minute span, and you're a little frustrated because their goals came too easy.''

 Rissmiller put the Monsters back in control with superb stick work. He circled behind the cage, faked a shot and eventually went top-shelf with the backhand. Mauldin earned one of the assists.

 The Stars had no answer for the 6-4, 225-pound Rissmiller's size and strength.

 "He told me, 'I was going to pass to you, but I decided to go backhand,''' Mauldin said. "I told him, 'That's fine.'''

 Coleman improved to 8-2-1 in 11 games. He has started every game during the unbeaten-in-regulation run.

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

Browns, barring a trade, own the fourth and 22nd overall picks, and don't forget No. 37. Cleveland offense was among the NFL's worst in 2011 (and before) and most mock drafts have the Browns addressing that area.

Associated PressOklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon (with the football) is among the players who might be available at the No. 4 overall pick, currently held by the Cleveland Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL draft is scheduled for April 26-28, and the Cleveland Browns' plans, or rumored plans, will be a major topic of conversation as the dates approach.

Cleveland, thanks to its 4-12 record in 2011 and a trade with the Atlanta Falcons on the first day of last year's draft, owns the No. 4 overall pick in the first round, and another first-rounder, at No. 22.

Draft talk will only escalate with the NFL Scouting Combine happening in Indianapolis on Feb. 22-28. The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com cover the Browns and the NFL. The PD's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff will be in Indianapolis to report on the combine.

It's the time of year when everyone has an opinion, and the avalanche of mock drafts help provide fodder for all the speculation.

Most mock drafts confirm what most Browns fans believe: that the team's most urgent priorities are on offense.

Let's link to a few mock drafts that have been published in recent days:

Browns draft who?

Browns pick one player to throw the passes and another to catch them. On thepigskinreport.com.

For CBSSports.com, Rob Rang and Dane Brugler agree on what the Browns do at No. 4, but Rang has Cleveland going defensive at No. 22.

Browns take a quarterback in the second round. Would he still be on the board? Newnfldraft.com's mock draft includes all seven rounds.

The Browns, with three of the first 37 overall picks, go offense-defense-offense, predicts mynfldraft.com's two-round mock draft.

TRADE! TRADE! Browns make big news very, very early. So says WalterFootball.com.

The Browns seek a pass-run balance with their first two picks? Thebiglead.com thinks so.

For the Browns, first it's the pass-catcher, and then the pass-thrower. An NFL Network mock draft on NFL.com.

"So what are you saying we should sign him? I hope not. You will lose all credibility if you think we should sign Randy Moss. Everybody knows Randy Moss is a Hall a Fame candidate, but his career as a great player is over. The fact of the matter is Randy Moss is a slacker." - hopeanddream

Winslow Townsend | Associated PressOne cleveland.com reader hopes the Browns do not bring in Randy Moss.

"So what are you saying we should sign him? I hope not. You will lose all credibility if you think we should sign Randy Moss.

Everybody knows Randy Moss is a Hall a Fame candidate, but his career as a great player is over.

The fact of the matter is Randy Moss is a slacker. He doesn't want to work full time. Randy wants to work when Randy wants to work. The other players see this and think it is the thing to do. If this is the type of people you want working for you, do yourself a favor and never go into business."

The Pacers are on a four-game losing streak and are dealing with some injuries, but still, they are 17-11 after finishing below .500 each of the last five seasons. Links to more Cavs-Pacers and other stories.

Associated PressRoy Hibbert (left), one of the NBA's premier centers, and the Indiana Pacers play the Cavaliers tonight in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavs, 10-16, are expected to have Kyrie Irving, their standout rookie point guard, back in the lineup -- as The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed writes. Irving missed the last three games with a concussion.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are 17-11 despite a four-game losing streak and seem on track to re-gain the status they enjoyed during much of the 1990s and early 2000s: one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers have finished below .500 in each of the last five seasons, something that had happened to them just once in the 14 prior years.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes -- besides Reed's story on Irving's expected return -- Reed's Cavaliers Insider, and also a story, with video, of Cavs players singing a Valentine song to their fans. Also on that video, Alonzo Gee and Samardo Samuels present gifts to three wives of military men.

Cavs post-ups

Pacers at Cavaliers game preview, by Conrad Kaczmarek for the blog "Fear The Sword." 

The task ahead for the Cavs, without Anderson Varejao, is difficult. It does give center Semih Erden a chance to show he deserves playing time. By Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. 

Kyrie Irving talks with the media, on video, after today's shootaround in preparation for tonight's game against the Pacers. On NBA.com/cavaliers.

Semih Erden gets the chance to show the Cavs he belongs in their plans. By Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Kyrie Irving will play tonight against Indiana, Jason Lloyd writes for the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Pacers' leading scorer, Danny Granger, has a sprained ankle and might not be able to play against the Cavs. Included in Mike Wells' notebook for the Indianapolis Star.

Pacers struggle in Tuesday night's loss to the Miami Heat. By Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.

The well-rested Cavs face a rather worn-down Pacers team. On the blog "WaitingForNextYear."

"Surely out of those guys we can get a good number of well pitched games.We need a big bat and Hafner can be the guy. We certainly don't have anyone else to take his place if he stays healthy and hits just a little better than last year." - joedean

Ted S. Warren /AP PhotoOne cleveland.com reader would rather take a chance with Travis Hafner in Cleveland than trading for A.J. Burnett.

"Terry, I am with you. I will take my chances with Hafner. If he can play 120 games and hit 15 homers and knock in 70 runs, I will be happy. If the Yankees want to give us Burnett and pay his salary except for maybe the $7 million we owe Carmona, then I will trade them a minor leaguer for him.

I know we need pitching but the likelihood of him being more than a 3 or 4 is not good. Besides, if Garland is healthy and can give us innings, he will do us as much good as Burnett and we still will have Hafner. I agree that our starting pitching will determine how far we will go but if Hafner hits well and plays at least 120 games along with Sizemore, we will be competitive. Jimenez, Masterson, Tomlin, Lowe, Garland, Slowey, Carmona/Hernandez, Barnes, Huff, Gomez,McAllister,etc.

Surely out of those guys we can get a good number of well pitched games.We need a big bat and Hafner can be the guy. We certainly don't have anyone else to take his place if he stays healthy and hits just a little better than last year. "

To help fans and media understand the selection process, the NCAA adds links on its website that rank teams by RPI and team sheets that break down the raw numbers for every game played.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerAkron's Zeke Marshall (44) playing defense against Kent State's Justin Manns (33) in the 2011 Mid-American Conference championship game, won by Akron, 66-65 in overtime. In recent years, no matter how well MAC teams play, only the champion gets selected to play in the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA has, for the first time, posted credentials for every Division I team to add transparency to the process of selecting the 68 teams for the NCAA tournament.

It still won't be easy when the time comes to make the decisions.

Jeff Hathaway, chair of the NCAA's Division I Men's Basketball Committee, said Wednesday that college basketball is filled with more quality teams this season than ever before.

To help fans and media understand the selection process, the NCAA has added links on its website that rank teams by RPI and team sheets that break down the raw numbers for every game played.

     -- Associated Press

The NCAA Division I men's basketball website

On the website, principles and procedures for tournament team selection, seeding and bracketing

"The bottom line for me is that he's a playmaker," says the NFL Network analyst. "Bottom line ... that's what this league's all about, especially at that position."

AP photoNFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock likes Colt McCoy, but thinks the Browns need an upgrade at quarterback.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock said Wednesday he "loves everything about'' Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and that the Browns should do everything they can to land him in the draft, including trading up.

"As much as I like Colt McCoy, I still think they have to look to upgrade that position and I think they have to do whatever it takes to get there,'' said Mayock of grabbing Griffin. "If it's me, yeah, I'm looking at that real hard. I want to go get RG3.''

Mayock said he'd consider a free agent such as Green Bay's Matt Flynn, too, but that he'd focus on moving up to No. 2 and giving the Rams the Browns' No. 4 and No. 22 overall picks to take Griffin.

"If you're talking purely draft, I'm looking to move up to No. 2 as opposed to No. 3, because if I move to three what if the Redskins come up to two? Obviously I'd like to give less -- I'd rather not give up No. 22 also -- but I think that's shortsighted when you're talking about trying to secure your future at the most important position in all of sports.''

Mayock stressed that if the Browns draft Griffin, they'll need to adapt their offense to suit his strong arm and world-class speed instead of molding him to their West Coast offense.

"I thought the coaches around the NFL last year did a better job than with rookie quarterbacks than they’ve ever done,'' said Mayock. "They adapted some of their offense to suit what the rookie quarterback does best. Look at Cam Newton. Look at (Andy) Dalton. Look at (Christian) Ponder. They gave those kids chances to make plays in comfortable situations.

“If Cleveland moves up to get this kid, they have to make this kid comfortable. He’s too explosive and too much of a playmaker to have him just sit there and read the triangle the West Coast offense is. In other words, (new offensive coordinator) Brad Childress and that group of coaches in Cleveland is going to have to change some things to make this kid the playmaker he is.''

Mayock described Griffin as "one of the most gifted kids in the last several years in this draft.

"Is there some downside to Robert Griffin? Yes, there is. However, you probably have the opportunity to move up and get him if you want him, and to me that's a pretty exciting proposition to build your young franchise around maybe the most exciting player in this year's draft.''

He said Flynn would provide "a more conventional NFL-style attack, versus with Griffin, grab a hold of the seat of your pants and we're going for a ride. It might be really special, and on the other hand, it might not. I think it's intriguing.''

Mayock said that although he loves "everything about the kid,'' he does have one question, and that's where the shred of doubt comes in. "He doesn't throw with anticipation, mostly because he doesn't have to,'' said Mayock. "In that offense, there's minimal footwork and they spread it out so wide. He's got some talented, gifted receivers, and he's got great touch and accuracy in medium and deep (throws). He's got arm strength, he's got athletic ability, he takes hits, but he doesn't anticipate throws.

"He waits until they develop and then throws them. My only question is, will he develop it? You won't find it at the combine. Where I think you'll find it is when teams meet with this kid and they sit down and put the tape on and they break it down with him and talk football and ask him what he sees or doesn't see.''

Despite that, Mayock thinks the Heisman Trophy winner is well worth the two No. 1s.

"I think it will be a hell of a ride,'' he said. "The more tape I put on of this kid, the more fun I have watching him. I was pleasantly surprised by his pocket awareness, his eyes down the field, and his physical toughness is outstanding. He takes a lot of hits and it doesn't bother him. All of those things mean a lot to me. And again, the one "however'' piece of it is just that he's going to have to learn to anticipate and get the ball out of his hands more quickly so he doesn't continue to take those kind of hits.''

Mayock said Griffin brings the one element the Browns really need.

"The bottom line for me is that he's a playmaker,'' said Mayock. "Bottom line, he's a playmaker and that's what this league's all about, especially at that position.''

Mayock said the comparisons between Griffin and 2011 rookie sensation Cam Newton make no sense.

"I think RG3 is a more natural thrower of the football, even though Cam was also,'' said Mayock. "I think RG3 looks down the field and throws more routes, and I don't think we had any of the off-the-field issues that we had with Cam. From my perspective, you're looking at a clean kid and now you're just trying to evaluate the football piece of it. To me it's a completely different animal.''

He said Griffin's height -- he's listed as 6-2 but some might think he'll be closer to 6-1 at the combine -- won't be an issue.

"This kid I think is such a great athlete that he can find lanes differently and still keep his eyes down the field and still make plays,'' said Mayock. "He's not just a runner. I think people are getting hung up on that. I think he's a gifted thrower also.''

He said the Browns would have to be looking at Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon and Alabama running back Trent Richardson if they don't draft Griffin.

"Blackmon and Richardson are two very logical people if you stay there at four,'' he said.

”The last (running back) you banged the table this hard for was Adrian Peterson when he came out of Oklahoma,'' said Mayock. "I think his height, weight speed toughness all adds up to a pretty solid pick. I would surmise absolutely (he's a good pick for the Browns).''

Villa meets Browns: The Browns confirmed that the manager of Randy Lerner's Aston Villa soccer team was here for a few days this week visiting with coach Pat Shurmur and other members of the organization.

Manager Alex McLeish was here to pick up coaching tips from Shurmur in the midst of his team on the verge of relegation from the English Premier League, according to the Associated Press.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner told the AP that MeLeish "is always looking for any advantage he can get and he felt this was an ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with his American counterparts at the Browns.”

During the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend, Allen Iverson was booed by the fans, won the MVP award in the Rookie Game, and foreshadowed thrilling and ultimately deflating events to come in Cleveland.

View full sizeAP fileAllen Iverson had a haunting want, a consuming need, to win on the basketball court that was only equaled in his era by Kobe Bryant, writes Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Allen Iverson came out of the rubble of the mean streets, bringing the new urban culture of defiance and disdain into our living rooms and, during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend here, squarely into our faces.

He was the Most Valuable Player of the Rookie Game at what was then called Gund Arena. The shockingly small (6 feet, 165 pounds), swift and almost savagely competitive 76ers guard, all braided and tatted up, symbolized a generational shift that neither the NBA nor its corporate clientele found comfortable. Cleveland fans deafeningly booed him.

Later in his rookie season, isolated on Michael Jordan, he crossed over with his dribble with such finger-snapping, eye-blinking quickness that Jordan stumbled the wrong way, recovering too late to contest a feathery 17-foot jump shot. No one in the NBA was ever quicker than Iverson, who said bluntly, "I clowned him."

Taken as a boast, it was in fact only the truth by Iverson's lights. He was convinced that no one could stop him on the court.

With the news this week that Iverson is broke, it seems clear that only Iverson could stop Iverson.

He ran through $154,494,445 (pronounced, "Holy moly, more than a hundred-and-a-half million bucks.") in salary from the 76ers. That took lots of partying, lots of posse members, and big lots of diamond-encrusted jewelry, personal hair stylists and other assorted perks that NBA superstars enjoy at the expense of common sense.

In retrospect, that 50th anniversary celebration of the NBA in 1997, while meant to salute the 50 greatest players of all time, was really about the new forces that were going to distort pro basketball for both good and bad. Kobe Bryant, fresh out of high school, won the Slam Dunk Contest that year and would eventually take his place in the top 10, possibly even the top five, players of all time. Iverson dominated the game devoted to the new faces.

During the moving halftime ceremony, Boston's Bill Russell, introduced next-to-last, unobtrusively extended his arm to George Mikan, the first great star in the league, so that the frail Mikan, introduced last, could haul himself up on the riser on which the players stood.

We were so busy looking back at the members of the all-time top 50, that we did not appreciate how Iverson in many ways foreshadowed the arrival of a star-crossed Cavaliers superstar in the next century. LeBron James would pass, of course, sometimes too readily. Iverson could never conceive that anyone would be a better choice to win a game than himself. But the hangers-on, the entitlement culture, the subordination of "team" to "me" were all present here, too.

It always seemed that Iverson had a good heart, but bad judgment. He paid for the funeral of a Philadelphia man who died of a gunshot wound after he refused to hand over his Iverson jersey to a gang of teen-agers. Yet many noted that Iverson had his own history with firearms, once pulling a gun on a relative during a feud with his wife.

Iverson was sincerely humble and appreciative about representing his country in the 2004 Olympics in Greece, but could not keep the lifestyle issues from shaping how he was perceived. He arrived at the team's training camp near Jacksonville, Fla., in a stretch limousine that seemed so self-indulgent that it mocked the self-sacrifice coach Larry Brown was preaching.

Today, now that Iverson has lost the step that made him so indefensible, who will extend a helping hand?

I'm not going to waste your time by trying to drum up sympathy for Iverson. He had as many as 30 retainers/parasites living off his wages during the good times. He wasted his money. With his infamous rant in 2002 about the worthlessness of practice, he even seemed not to value his own ability.

The crux of Iverson's appeal to his admirers was partly his runt-of-the-litter size, but mostly his willingness to take punishment and big shots in large quantities. He was never able to blend his own ability with that of his teammates, and so he was an outrage to purists.

But Iverson had a haunting want, a consuming need, to win that was only equaled in his era by Bryant, whose size made him much more capable of carrying a team. "Basically," Iverson said, "I just throw my heart out there on the floor."

It wasn't enough to make up for all his baggage. But, as Cleveland would come to learn, it was still a great deal.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

The Indiana Pacers come into town tonight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have lost two straight. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.

The Indiana Pacers come into town tonight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have lost two straight. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

AP PhotoDavid West and the Indiana Pacers come into town tonight to face the Cavaliers, who have lost their last two games.

As much as he hated not playing the last three games, the Cavaliers rookie guard appreciated a little the time off.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer"I kind of took it as a break for me, honestly," Kyrie Irving said of his four-game absence with a concussion. "It couldn't have come at a better time. ... I feel fresh."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are better ways to earn seven days off than recovering from a concussion. But Kyrie Irving will take the rest where he can get it.

As much as he hated not playing the last three games, the Cavaliers rookie guard appreciated a little the time off. He was symptom-free by Friday and spent the next four days fulfilling the NBA-mandated return-to-play protocol, as part of the new concussion policy.

"I kind of took it as a break for me, honestly," Irving said. "It couldn't have come at a better time. I'm going to be even busier next weekend with the All-Star [weekend]. It's good to get a break. ... I feel fresh."

Irving was playing well at the time of his Feb. 7 concussion, averaging 18 points and 5.1 rebounds. But in a condensed season, the minutes and back-to-back games add up.

Next weekend, as many of his teammates are relaxing, Irving and fellow rookie Tristan Thompson will compete in the Rising Stars Challenge, which features many of the league's top first- and second-year players. The game is part of All-Star Weekend in Orlando.

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott was asked if the week off could help Irving avoid the psychological "rookie wall" that affects some first-year players. Irving played just 11 games last season at Duke due to injury.

Scott is skeptical about the theory.

"I don't know about that rookie-wall stuff," he said. "I don't buy that crap. If you're in great shape, you're in great shape. I know they only play a certain amount of games and by the time we get to the All-Star break, we've exceeded what guys normally play in the college game. But I still don't buy that. I think Kyrie will be fine."

New pickers: The absence of Anderson Varejao (fractured wrist) manifests itself in many ways. For instance, Irving returns without his primary high-screen setter. Antawn Jamison likely will set more screens for Irving -- perhaps up to 75 percent of them, according to Scott -- with centers Semih Erden, Samardo Samuels and Ryan Hollins also pitching in. With Varejao, it was almost always a pick-n-roll, where with Jamison it will be more pick-n-pop.

"It's not that much different from Antawn," Irving said. "I know what he is going to do. Most of the time he is going to pick and pop. With Semih, I just have to get a good feel for him."

Oh, Canada: Samuels will spend part of his All-Star break in the Bahamas. It won't be all fun in the sun, though. As you might recall, Samuels, a Jamaican, could not play in Toronto in January because he had lost his passport and work visa during the lockout. He was supposed to get his new documents in Ottawa, but instead will head to the Caribbean because the process is quicker, Samuels said.

Impression time: Point guard Ben Uzoh, who's here on a 10-day contract, wasn't bashful in his Cavaliers' debut on Saturday night. He scored a bucket while playing in the final 5:24 of the 99-84 loss. Even more impressive, he managed three shots and two offensive rebounds in a seven-second span.

Scott said Uzoh received a little razzing during the team's film session.

"In my situation, it's my job to get somebody's attention," Uzoh said, laughing.

Injury updates: Cavaliers shooting guard Anthony Parker, out of the lineup since Jan. 29 with a back injury, could return to practice later this week with a chance of playing next week. ... Indiana forward and Cavs killer Danny Granger missed the game with a sprained ankle. He has averaged 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds against the Cavs.

Actors' guild: Irving is putting lessons he learned in his Duke theater class to use. He already has appeared in two commercials in his rookie season. His first spot was for ESPN, while his latest is for Pepsi Max. In the new commercial Irving shows what lengths he would go for a lifetime supply of the drink.

"It's something that comes natural," Irving said. "Once the camera is on I enjoy having a good time."

Stipe Miocic knocks out Phil De Fries to continue a run at the UFC heavyweight title.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons,
The Plain DealerOakwood Village firefighter Stipe Miocic, captured during a workout with coach and corner-man Marcus Marinelli at StrongSty;e gymin Independence, took the next step towards a UFC heavyweight title on Wednesday night with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated Phil De Fries in Omaha.

OMAHA, Neb – Northeast Ohio's Stipe Miocic took the next step into what's looking more and more like a bid for the UFC heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated Phil De Fries Wednesday night.

Miocic shrugged off a couple of right hands from the Briton that landed squarely on his chin, and hit him with a staggering right counter of his own. De Fries never had a chance, and lost the fight after the referee stopped it 43 seconds into the first round.

“Once he started forward, he was fine,'' said Miocic's trainer, Marcus Marinelli, who owns and runs Miocic's home gym, StrongStyle Fitness in Independence.

“He hit me and Marcus screamed at me to go and do my thing,'' said an obviously pumped Miocic in a post-fight phone call from Omaha.

Miocic landed a straight right that wobbled De Fries, and smelled blood. It took him just seconds until he landed another right, then another that sent the Briton to the canvas.

Alistair Overeem, the current UFC heavyweight titleholder, remains in Miocic's sights.

“Not now,'' said a realistic Miocic, “But if I keep getting better … ''