Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

Brian Ching scores late as the Houston Dynamo ties Columbus Crew, 2-2

0
0

Ching took a pass from the right side by Will Bruin, who had the Dynamo's first goal in the 59th minute, and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.

brian-ching.jpgBrian Ching of the Houston Dynamo scored in the 81st minute.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brian Ching scored the tying goal in the 81st minute to give the Houston Dynamo a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.

Ching took a pass from the right side by Will Bruin, who had the Dynamo's first goal in the 59th minute, and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.

"Both teams probably felt like they could have walked away with three points," Houston assistant coach Wade Barrett said.

Eddie Gaven scored twice for the Crew (2-3-1).

The Dynamo is 2-1-2 on their season-opening seven-game road swing before christening its BBVA Compass Stadium on May 12 vs. D.C. United.

"We didn't play great but it's another point on the road," Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat said. "We're not too disappointed with that."

Gaven countered Bruins' score in the 63rd minute with a toe poke after the Dynamo mishandled a clearance. He then put the Crew ahead 11 minutes later with a strike from 22 yards after Aaron Schonfeld chested the ball to him.

"It was kind of a bang-bang play with their goalkeeper and the ball just kind of just popped out to me," Gaven said. "It might have hit off their guy's shin as it trickled in, but it was just nice to see the ball cross the line."

He then put the Crew (2-3-1) ahead 11 minutes later with a strike from 22 yards after Aaron Schonfeld chested the ball to him.

"We're happy we scored two goals but I don't think any of us should be happy with the draw," Crew defender Josh Williams said. "We should have won that game."

The Crew almost did but Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall made two saves from close range on Olman Vargas and defender Andre Hainault then cleared an attempt by Aaron Schonfeld off the goal line in the 89th minute.

"This team's got each other's back so it's not a surprise at all to turn around and find a defender right there on the line to clear it off," Hall said.

The second-half outburst was uncharacteristic of the teams. Houston had three goals in its first four games and the Crew entered with four.


Ohio State spring game: Doug Lesmerises' video analysis

0
0

What did we learn about the Buckeyes at Urban Meyer's first spring game? How did the team develop in spring workouts? CineSport's Brian Clark asks Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer. Story includes video from the game.


doug-lesmerises-cinesport-brian-clark.jpg

What did we learn about the Buckeyes at Urban Meyer's first spring game? How did the team develop in spring workouts? CineSport's Brian Clark asks Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer.

More videos from Doug Lesmerises:

Ohio State's Urban Meyer after spring game

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller after spring game

Pittsburgh Steelers on the clock: Cleveland.com fans' NFL mock draft 2012 - You vote

0
0

With the 24th pick in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers select....Who do you say? This is another pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by you in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

jerel-worthy.jpgMany analysts believe Michigan State's Jerel Worthy (right) can play tackle in a 4-3 defense or nose tackle in a 3-4.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, who do you say the league's teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26?

So far, going into this poll for the Pittsburgh Steelers' selection, you have made 23 picks. Two more polls will go up on Cleveland.com on Sunday, and three on both Monday and Tuesday, completing the 32-pick first round.

Here's who the fans have selected so far:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB-DE, Alabama

17: Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE-LB, Illinois

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OT-G, Georgia

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 24th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers finished the 2011 season with a 12-4 record.

The Steelers' primary needs include offensive tackle, guard, running back, nose tackle and inside linebacker.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.





Cleveland Browns pick at Nos. 4, 22 and 37 in NFL draft; a look at previous players picked there

0
0

Part 8 of NFL Draft Special: Nos. 4, 22 and 37: A rundown of players chosen previously where the Browns are scheduled to pick in 2012.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the fourth, 22nd and 37th picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have the highest three slots of any team. So how valuable are these picks? History suggests draft position is pure crapshoot.

Quarterback Philip Rivers was the No. 4 pick in 2004 and turned out so well that the Chargers rewarded him with a 6-year, $92 million contract in 2009. But Cincinnati grabbed Peter Warrick at No. 4 in 2000 and the "can't-miss" wide receiver from Florida State was a bust.

Closer to home, the Browns took quarterback Brady Quinn at No. 22 and he flopped, while defensive end Jabaal Sheard, taken No. 37 last year, had an impressive rookie season.

Here are the players taken 4, 22 and 37 since the Browns' return to the NFL in 1999. These lists may help prepare you for who the Browns will (or should) land in this year's draft.

Players chosen No. 4 overall

Year Player Pos. Team School
2011 A.J. Green. WR Cincinnati Bengals Georgia
2010 Trent Williams OT Washington Redskins Oklahoma
2009 Aaron Curry LB Seattle Seahawks Wake Forest
2008 Darren McFadden RB Oakland Raiders Arkansas
2007 Gaines Adams DE Tampa Bay Buccaneers Clemson
2006 D'Brickashaw Ferguson T New York Jets Virginia
2005 Cedric Benson RB Chicago Bears Texas
2004 Philip Rivers QB New York Giants North Carolina State
2003 Dewayne Robertson DT New York Jets Kentucky
2002 Mike Williams T Buffalo Bills Texas
2001 Justin Smith DE Cincinnati Bengals Missouri
2000 Peter Warrick WR Cincinnati Bengals Florida State
1999 Edgerrin James RB Indianapolis Colts Miami (Fla.)

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Players chosen No. 22 overall

Year Player Pos Team School
2011 Anthony Castonzo OL Indianapolis Colts Boston College
2010 Demaryius Thomas WR Denver Broncos Georgia Tech
2009 Percy Harvin WR Minnesota Vikings Florida
2008 Felix Jones RB Dallas Cowboys Arkansas
2007 Brady Quinn QB Cleveland Browns Notre Dame
2006 Manny Lawson OLB San Francisco 49ers North Carolina State
2005 Mark Clayton WR Baltimore Ravens Oklahoma
2004 J.P. Losman QB Buffalo Bills Tulane
2003 Rex Grossman QB Chicago Bears Florida
2002 Bryan Thomas DE New York Jets Alabama-Birmingham
2001 Will Allen CB New York Giants Syracuse
2000 Chris McIntosh T Seattle Seahawks Wisconsin
1999 Lamar King DE Seattle Seahawks Saginaw Valley State

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Players chosen No. 37 overall

Year PIck Player Team School
2011 Jabaal Sheard DL Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh
2010 Allen, Nathaniel FS Philadelphia Eagles South Florida
2009 Alphonso Smith DB Denver Broncos Wake Forest
2008 Curtis Lofton LB Atlanta Falcons Oklahoma
2007 Eric Weddle SAF San Diego Chargers Utah
2006 Jimmy Williams CB Atlanta Falcons Virginia Tech
2005 Shaun Cody DE Detroit Lions USC
2004 Teddy Lehman OLB Detroit Lions Oklahoma
2003 Jonathan Stinchcomb T New Orleans Saints Georgia
2002 Andre Gurode G Dallas Cowboys Colorado
2001 Idrees Bashir FS Indianapolis Colts Memphis
2000 Travis Claridge G Atlanta Falcons USC
1999 Jon Jansen T Washington Redskins Michigan

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Sunday, April 22 television and radio sports listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

0
0

Highlights include Indians at Oakland and Cavaliers at San Antonio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings
 
AUTO RACING

7:30 a.m. Bahrain Grand Prix, Speed Channel

12:30 p.m. STP 400, WJW

BASEBALL

1 p.m. Texas at Detroit, TBS

1:35 p.m. AEROS at Reading, AM/1350

2 p.m. CAPTAINS at Kane County, AM/970

2:10 p.m. Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs, WGN

4:05 p.m. INDIANS at Oakland, STO; AM/1100

8 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Boston, ESPN

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Noon Georgia Tech at North Carolina, ESPNU

3 p.m. Georgia at Florida, ESPN2

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

3:30 p.m. Missouri at Oklahoma, ESPN

CYCLING

12:30 a.m. (Monday) Liege-Bastogne-Liege (tape), NBCSN

GOLF

9 a.m. China Open, final round (tape), Golf Channel

1 p.m. Legends of Golf, WOIO

3 p.m. Texas Open, WOIO

MENS COLLEGE LACROSSE

3 p.m. ACC Tournament, ESPNU

MOTORSPORTS

5 p.m. FIM World Superbike (tape), Speed

11 p.m. AMA Pro Racing (tape), Speed

NBA

1 p.m. New York at Atlanta, ESPN

3:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, WEWS

7 p.m. CAVALIERS at San Antonio, FSO; FM/100.7

NHL PLAYOFFS

12 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, NBC

3 p.m. Boston at Washington, NBC

8 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver, NBCSN

RODEO

6 p.m. PBR Series (tape), CBSSN

SOCCER

6 p.m. MLS, New York at D.C. United, ESPN2

A review of cornerbacks, quarterbacks and offensive tackles taken high in the NFL draft

0
0

Part 7 of NFL Draft Special: Other positions: A rundown of cornerbacks, tackles and running backs taken in the Top 5.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In addition to quarterback and wide receiver, talk about the Cleveland Browns using their top pick in the NFL Draft on a running back, offensive tackle or cornerback has dominated the endless chatter.

Which of these three positions have other teams gambled on most often with the top five picks of the draft?

There have been 11 cornerbacks, 19 offensive tackles and 32 running backs taken since 1970. By comparison, 39 quarterbacks have gone this high during the same time period -- since the AFL-NFL merger.

Here are the top five picks for conerback, offensive tackle and running back:

Cornerbacks taken in the Top 5 - 1970-2011

Year PIck Player Team School
2011 5 Peterson, Patrick Arizona Cardinals LSU
2003 5 Terence Newman Dallas Cowboys Kansas State
2002 5 Quentin Jammer San Diego Chargers Texas
1998 4 Charles Woodson Oakland Raiders Michigan
1997 3 Shawn Springs Seattle Seahawks Ohio State
1997 5 Bryant Westbrook Detroit Lions Texas
1992 5 Terrell Buckley Green Bay Packers Florida State
1991 3 Bruce Pickens Atlanta Falcons Nebraska
1991 5 Todd Lyght Los Angeles Rams Notre Dame
1989 5 Deion Sanders Atlanta Falcons Florida State
1976 5 Mike Haynes New England Patriots Arizona State

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Offensive tackles taken in the Top 5 - 1970-2011

2010 4 Trent Williams Washington Redskins Oklahoma
2009 2 Jason Smith St. Louis Rams Baylor
2008 1 Jake Long Miami Dolphins Michigan
2007 3 Joe Thomas Cleveland Browns Wisconsin
2007 5 Levi Brown Arizona Cardinals Penn State
2006 4 D'Brickashaw Ferguson New York Jets Virginia
2004 2 Robert Gallery Oakland Raiders Iowa
2002 4 Mike Williams Buffalo Bills Texas
2000 3 Chris Samuels Washington Redskins Alabama
1997 1 Orlando Pace St. Louis Rams Ohio State
1995 2 Tony Boselli Jacksonville Jaguars USC
1989 2 Tony Mandarich Green Bay Packers Michigan State
1988 4 Paul Gruber Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wisconsin
1984 2 Dean Steinkuhler Houston Oilers Nebraska
1980 3 Anthony Munoz Cincinnati Bengals USC
1978 4 Chris Ward New York Jets Ohio State
1977 4 Marvin Powell New York Jets USC
1973 3 Jerry Sisemore Philadelphia Eagles Texas
1972 3 Lionel Antoine Chicago Bears Southern Illinois

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Running backs taken in the Top 5 - 1970-2011

2008 4 Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders Arkansas
2006 2 Reggie Bush New Orleans Saints USC
2005 2 Ronnie Brown Miami Dolphins Auburn
2005 4 Cedric Benson Chicago Bears Texas
2005 5 Cadillac Williams Tampa Bay Buccaneers Auburn
2001 5 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers Texas Christian
2000 5 Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens Tennessee
1999 4 Edgerrin James Indianapolis Colts Miami (Fla.)
1999 5 Ricky Williams New Orleans Saints Texas
1998 5 Curtis Enis Chicago Bears Penn State
1995 1 Ki-Jana Carter Cincinnati Bengals Penn State
1994 2 Marshall Faulk Indianapolis Colts San Diego State
1993 3 Garrison Hearst Phoenix Cardinals Georgia
1990 2 Blair Thomas New York Jets Penn State
1989 3 Barry Sanders Detroit Lions Oklahoma State
1987 3 Alonzo Highsmith Houston Oilers Miami (Fla.)
1987 4 Brent Fullwood Green Bay Packers Auburn
1986 1 Bo Jackson Tampa Bay Buccaneers Auburn
1983 2 Eric Dickerson Los Angeles Rams SMU
1983 3 Curt Warner Seattle Seahawks Penn State
1981 1 George Rogers New Orleans Saints South Carolina
1981 3 Freeman McNeil New York Jets UCLA
1980 1 Billy Sims Detroit Lions Oklahoma
1980 5 Curtis Dickey Baltimore Colts Texas A&M
1978 1 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers Texas
1978 5 Terry Miller Buffalo Bills Oklahoma State
1977 1 Ricky Bell Tampa Bay Buccaneers USC
1977 2 Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys Pittsburgh
1976 3 Chuck Muncie New Orleans Saints California
1976 4 Joe Washington San Diego Chargers Oklahoma
1975 4 Walter Payton Chicago Bears Jackson State
1974 2 Bo Matthews San Diego Chargers Colorado

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

Quarterbacks taken high in NFL draft produce mixed results

0
0

Part 6 of NFL Draft Special: A quarterback? The bust factor for picking a quarterback early is high, but so can be the reward.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns got outbid for the No. 2 pick and a shot at Baylor's Robert Griffin III. But that didn't slam the door on the possibility of drafting a quarterback in this year's NFL Draft.

The stock on Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill has shot up faster than shares of Apple computer since his last college game on New Year's Eve. Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden has also drawn rave reviews.

History suggests it can be risky to pick a quarterback so high. Remember Tim Couch and Akili Smith from the 1999 draft? But if a team's scouts are accurate, investing a high pick on a quarterback can pay off big-time. Remember Donovan McNabb from that same '99 draft?

Two of the seven All-Pro quarterbacks over the last 10 years were chosen high; the other five, not so high.

Below you'll find lists of the quarterbacks named All-Pro over the last 10 years, and the quarterbacks chosen fifth or higher overall since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Where All-Pro quarterbacks from 2002-2011 were drafted

Year Pick Player Drafting Team School
1998 1 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Tennessee
1995 3 Steve McNair Houston Oilers Alcorn State
2005 24 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers California
2001 32 Drew Brees San Diego Chargers Purdue
1991 33 Brett Favre Atlanta Falcons Southern Miss
1987 98 Rich Gannon New England Patriots Delaware
2000 199 Tom Brady New England Patriots Michigan

Sources: Sports Reference LCC and The Plain Dealer

Quarterback chosen fifth or higher since 1970

Year Pick Player Team School
2011 1 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers Auburn
2010 1 Sam Bradford St. Louis Rams Oklahoma
2009 1 Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions Georgia
2009 5 Mark Sanchez New York Jets USC
2008 3 Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons Boston College
2007 1 JaMarcus Russell Oakland Raiders LSU
2006 3 Vince Young Tennessee Titans Texas
2005 1 Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers Utah
2004 1 Eli Manning San Diego Chargers Mississippi
2004 4 Philip Rivers New York Giants North Carolina State
2003 1 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals USC
2002 1 David Carr Houston Texans Fresno State
2002 3 Joey Harrington Detroit Lions Oregon
2001 1 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons Virginia Tech
1999 1 Tim Couch Cleveland Browns Kentucky
1999 2 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles Syracuse
1999 3 Akili Smith Cincinnati Bengals Oregon
1998 1 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Tennessee
1998 2 Ryan Leaf San Diego Chargers Washington State
1995 3 Steve McNair Houston Oilers Alcorn State
1995 5 Kerry Collins Carolina Panthers Penn State
1994 3 Heath Shuler Washington Redskins Tennessee
1993 1 Drew Bledsoe New England Patriots Washington State
1993 2 Rick Mirer Seattle Seahawks Notre Dame
1990 1 Jeff George Indianapolis Colts Illinois
1989 1 Troy Aikman Dallas Cowboys UCLA
1987 1 Vinny Testaverde Tampa Bay Buccaneers Miami (Fla.)
1986 3 Jim Everett Houston Oilers Purdue
1983 1 John Elway Baltimore Colts Stanford
1982 4 Art Schlichter Baltimore Colts Ohio State
1982 5 Jim McMahon Chicago Bears Brigham Young
1979 3 Jack Thompson Cincinnati Bengals Washington State
1975 1 Steve Bartkowski Atlanta Falcons California
1973 2 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts LSU
1971 1 Jim Plunkett New England Patriots Stanford
1971 2 Archie Manning New Orleans Saints Mississippi
1971 3 Dan Pastorini Houston Oilers Santa Clara
1970 1 Terry Bradshaw Pittsburgh Steelers Louisiana Tech
1970 3 Mike Phipps Cleveland Browns Purdue

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

About the numbers: In an attempt to grade success, The Plain Dealer matched draft lists with a decade of AP All-Pro teams from 2002 to 2011. That's a high bar to set - finding an All-Pro - but what NFL general manager wouldn't be thrilled with that outcome? Special teams players were excluded because most were undrafted free agents.

List of receivers taken fifth or higher in the NFL draft is impressive

0
0

Part 5 of NFL Draft Special: A wide reciever? Using a top pick on a wideout is not such a bad idea, history shows.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns desperately need a deep-threat, quick-strike wide receiver.

But should the No. 4 pick be spent on a wideout, and, in particular, Oklahoma State's speedy 6-1, 215-pound Justin Blackmon?

One theory is that a fourth pick is too valuable to use on a receiver.

But the list of receivers chosen fifth or higher is impressive, with players like All-Pros Calvin "Megatron" Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald in the modern era back to the Browns' selection of Gary Collins with the fourth pick in 1962.

Here are the receivers chosen fifth or higher since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970:



Year Pick Player Team School
2011 4 A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals Georgia
2007 2 Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Georgia Tech
2005 3 Braylon Edwards Cleveland Browns Michigan
2004 3 Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals Pittsburgh
2003 2 Charles Rogers Detroit Lions Michigan State
2003 3 Andre Johnson Houston Texans Miami (Fla.)
2000 4 Peter Warrick Cincinnati Bengals Florida State
1996 1 Keyshawn Johnson New York Jets USC
1995 4 Michael Westbrook Washington Redskins Colorado
1992 4 Desmond Howard Washington Redskins Michigan
1984 1 Irving Fryar New England Patriots Nebraska
1984 4 Kenny Jackson Philadelphia Eagles Penn State
1980 2 Lam Jones New York Jets Texas
1979 5 Jerry Butler Buffalo Bills Clemson
1978 3 Wes Chandler New Orleans Saints Florida
1972 4 Ahmad Rashad St. Louis Cardinals Oregon
1971 4 J.D. Hill Buffalo Bills Arizona State

Sources: NFL and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.


All-Pro receivers are chosen higher than other positions in the NFL Draft

0
0

Part 4 of NFL Draft Special: By position: All-Pro wide receivers have been found higher in the draft, on average, than other positions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns need a running back, wide receiver and an offensive tackle. They could use another lock-down cornerback, are thin at linebacker and their quarterback is unproven.

So which position has historically delivered the best payoff when chosen among the top 10 of the NFL Draft?

All-Pro wide receivers over the last 10 years were chosen higher in the draft, on average, than any other position, followed by tight end, defensive back and offensive line.

But there is a caveat. Quarterback ranks low, in large part, because New England's Tom Brady was a sixth-round, No. 199 overall pick in 2000, throwing off the average at a position where only seven different players have earned All-Pro status over the last decade.

Here is the average draft selection for All-Pros over the last 10 years by position:

Position All-Pros
Percent
in Top 10
Average overall
draft position
Wide receiver 20 25% 35.0
Tight end 7 0% 41.1
Defensive back 39 26% 50.2
Offensive lineman 44 23% 51.7
Linebacker 38 16% 53.0
Defensive lineman 49 16% 53.3
Quarterback 7 29% 55.7
Running back 28 21% 67.2

Sources: Sports Reference LCC and The Plain Dealer

Search The Plain Dealer's draft archive to find every pick since the first draft in 1936.

About the numbers: In an attempt to grade success, The Plain Dealer matched draft lists with a decade of AP All-Pro teams from 2002 to 2011. That's a high bar to set - finding an All-Pro - but what NFL general manager wouldn't be thrilled with that outcome? Special teams players were excluded because most were undrafted free agents.

Most All-Pros are found in first round of NFL Draft, but No. 1 overall isn't necessarily the best

0
0

Part 3 Draft Special: Round 1: Most All-Pros are found in the first round, but not necessarily at the top.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When mining for NFL gold, look to round one of the draft.

If history repeats itself, more future All-Pros will be taken in the first round of the draft than the other six rounds combined. But having the No. 1 overall pick isn't necessary -- at least in improving the odds of finding a future All-Pro.

All-Pro rosters from 2002-11 included only four former No. 1 picks -- offensive tackle Orlando Pace (from the 1997 draft), quarterback Peyton Manning (1998), defensive end Mario Williams (2006) and offensive tackle Jake Long (2008).

The Browns pick fourth this year. There were just as many All-Pros taken in that spot as first. Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (1996), cornerback Charles Woodson (1998), running back Edgerrin James (1999) and defensive end Justin Smith (2001) were all No. 4 picks.

The Browns also pick 22nd: This has been an unlucky position, with no All-Pro selections over the last 10 years. (They should try to trade down to 24, where seven future All-Pros have been found -- the most of any first-round position.)

In an attempt to grade success, The Plain Dealer matched draft lists with a decade of AP All-Pro teams from 2002 to 2011. That's a high bar to set -- finding an All-Pro -- but what NFL general manager wouldn't be thrilled with that outcome? Special teams players were excluded because most were undrafted free agents.

all-pros-by-round.jpgView full sizeMore than have the drafted All-Pros have been taken in the first round.
all-pros-first-round.jpgView full sizeAll-Pros drafted in the first round are not concentrated in the highest picks.

New England Patriots best, Cleveland Browns worst at finding All-Pros in the NFL Draft

0
0

Part 2 of NFL Draft Special: Team-by-team: Patriots have been the best and the Browns have been the worst in drafting future All-Pros; a leaguewide look.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The New England Patriots and Cleveland's old friend, Bill Belichick, find more stars through the NFL Draft than any other team

Fifteen AP All-Pros from 2002-11, excluding special-teams players, were drafted by the Patriots since quarterback Rich Gannon in 1987, dating back to before Belichick was the coach. Not surprisingly, the Patriots have won more games than any other team over the last 10 seasons.

Conversely, the Browns have found the fewest All-Pros in the draft -- they were absent from the draft from 1996-98 -- and own the NFL's second-worst record over the last decade.

Excluding undrafted and special-teams players, 232 different draftees since Jerry Rice in 1986 became an All-Pro at least once over the last 10 seasons.

This will come as no shock, but a team's ability to find eventual All-Pros in the draft and its winning percentage is no coincidence.

The chart below shows the number of All-Pros and the team originally drafting each.

Use the arrows to sort each column.

Sources: Sports Reference LCC and The Plain Dealer

About the numbers: In an attempt to grade success, The Plain Dealer matched draft lists with a decade of AP All-Pro teams from 2002 to 2011. That's a high bar to set -- finding an All-Pro -- but what NFL general manager wouldn't be thrilled with that outcome? Special teams players were excluded because most were undrafted free agents.

2012 NFL Draft offers hope for Cleveland Browns with a league-high 13 picks: a draft analysis

0
0

Part 1 of NFL Draft Special: The Cleveland Browns, the worst team in recent history for finding All-Pros in the draft, have hope this year because of a league-high 13 picks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In the NFL Draft, there is hope.

The Cleveland Browns have stockpiled picks according to the team's stated rebuilding plan, now in year three under President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert.

Entering Thursday's draft, the Browns have 13 picks -- more than any other team -- and five of the top 100 (Nos. 4, 22, 37, 67 and 100), where future All-Pros have historically been found. (St. Louis and New England also have five of the top 100.)

"We're sitting at [No. 4] right now," Heckert said during a post-season press conference in early January. "It's going to be tough to screw that one up."

Tough, but when playing the inexact and over-analyzed roulette wheel that is the NFL Draft, not impossible. As is the case at a roulette table, there are winners and losers.

In an attempt to grade success, The Plain Dealer matched draft lists with a decade of All-Pro teams. That's a high bar to set-- finding an All-Pro -- but what NFL general manager wouldn't be thrilled with that outcome?

The Browns' failure to consistently identify and develop All-Pros in the last 10 years is why the franchise has struggled. They've drafted just two future All-Pros, and one -- wide receiver Braylon Edwards -- is long gone. This, despite drafting high so often because of their poor won-loss record. The analysis found that teams which accumulated more early picks, such as the Patriots, also found more future stars.

No team has had more picks in any one draft since the expansion Browns returned in 1999. More swipes at the lottery certainly improve the odds of not screwing up, but the Browns are Exhibit A that the draft is more than a numbers game:

• The Browns also had five of the top 100 picks in 1999, 2000 and 2010.

• They had 13 picks in 2000, too, including No.1 overall.

JOE-THOMAS-DRAFT.JPGThe Cleveland Browns biggest draft day catch in recent years was 2007 pick Joe Thomas, who went fishing with his dad on draft day.

They grabbed Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown with the top pick, took wide receiver Dennis Northcutt in second round and cornerback Lewis Sanders and tight end Aaron Shea in later rounds.

"You find someone better," former Browns President Carmen Policy said after making Brown the first pick in that draft, "and that man is Superman."

But injuries were his kryptonite. Brown never panned out and, beyond the other three, the Browns had nothing to show for all the picks they had. Oh, they also chose quarterback Spergon Wynn in the sixth round, 16 spots ahead of future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady.

• The Browns had four of the top 67 picks in 2009, as well, choosing center Alex Mack (No. 21), wide receiver Brian Robiskie (36), wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (50) and defensive lineman David Veikune (52). Mack is an anchor on the offensive line, but Robiskie is history, Veikune plays in Canada and Massaquoi is facing a make-or-break season.

The Browns had a different set of draft "experts" spinning the wheel in 2000 and 2009, but the Holmgren-Heckert-led team can't afford a similar batting average.

Just how important is drafting well?

"I think it's paramount," said NFL.com's personnel guru Gil Brandt, who guided the Dallas Cowboys' drafts for nearly 30 years.

If building success in the NFL starts with the draft, it's clear why Browns fans have had so little to cheer about over the last decade.

Some 121 of the more than 2,500 players drafted in the last 10 years have developed into All-Pros -- a select honor voted on each year by the Associated Press. (The analysis excludes special-teams players because many are undrafted free agents.) Just two of those All-Pros were Browns -- Edwards and four-time All-Pro tackle Joe Thomas. A third, special-teamer Josh Cribbs, was an undrafted free agent.

Poor personnel judgment is partly to blame for the Browns' draft-day mishaps over the last 10 years. But in a system that rewards the best draft positions to teams with the worst records, they've also failed to accumulate top 100 picks -- or hang on to those prime positions -- despite the team's poor record.

If the Browns trade down from No. 4 Thursday, it will be the third time in four years they've dealt a high draft slot for a lower one plus extra picks. The number of high draft choices that have failed miserably in Cleveland and elsewhere -- and the GMs who chose them -- could fill the Dawg Pound.

"There's always some mistakes made," said Brandt, comparing his experience in drafting running backs Calvin Hill (first round, 1969) and Bill Thomas (first round, 1972). Pre-draft evaluations suggested both players had similar promise. But Hill busted his back to improve, he said, while Thomas's definition of working out was playing tennis three times a week.

Hill wound up rushing for more than 6,000 yards and 2,800 yards receiving in 156 games for the Cowboys. Thomas ran for 36 yards in a career that lasted just 27 games with three teams.

"Some guys just rise to the occasion," Brandt said.

But when done right, the draft's top 100 has proven to be fertile territory. Three-fourths of the eventual All-Pros drafted in the last 10 years were top 100 picks. The Browns, despite compiling one of the worst records in football, have had only 29 top 100 picks throughout the decade -- mainly because of trades. Only six teams have had fewer.

Meanwhile, New England, despite consistent success on the field, accumulated the second-most top 100 picks (36), again through trades. And the Patriots have found more All-Pros than any other team.

The odds of finding an All-Pro improve dramatically when a team has a top-five pick. However, the Browns, despite all the losing, have drafted in the top five just twice, hitting on All-Pros Edwards and Thomas. They traded the No. 5 pick in 2009, dealt their first-round slot (No. 22) in 2008 and traded down from No. 6 last year.

After a 4-12 season, the Browns find themselves sitting in the top five again. Holmgren and Heckert are on the clock.

Denver Broncos on the clock: Cleveland.com fans' NFL mock draft 2012 - You vote

0
0

With the 25th pick in the first round, the Denver Broncos select....Who do you say? This is another pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by you in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

michael-brockers2.jpgLouisiana State defensive tackle Michael Brockers has outstanding agility for his size.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, who do you say the league's teams should pick in the first round of the draft on Thursday?


So far, going into this poll for the Denver Broncos' selection, you have made 24 picks. Tonight, another poll will go up on Cleveland.com, followed by three on both Monday and Tuesday, completing the 32-pick first round.


Here's who the fans have selected so far:


1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford


2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor


3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal


4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State


6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State


7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame


8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M


9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina


10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa


11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford


12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College


13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina


14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama


15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State


16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB-DE, Alabama


17: Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama


18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE-LB, Illinois


19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor


20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina


21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OT-G, Georgia


22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech


23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama


24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama


The 25th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos finished the 2011 season with an 8-8 record.


The Broncos' primary needs include wide receiver, guard, center, defensive tackle, inside linebacker and the secondary.


Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.




Live Browns and NFL draft chat with Mary Kay Cabot, Dennis Manoloff and Glenn Moore at 8 p.m.

0
0

It's finally here. The NFL Draft is only days away and what do you think the Browns should do at No. 4? Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

brandon-weeden-justin-blackmon.jpgView full sizeWill the Browns end up with the Oklahoma State tandem of Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden during this week's NFL Draft?
Who will the Browns pick at No. 4? Will they pull the trigger on a trade? Will they go defense?

Mary Kay Cabot's latest mock draft has the Browns selecting Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Tonight at 8 p.m., in a special live audio chat, join The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff, along with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore as they talk about all the possibilities in the draft and what the Browns should do at No. 4.

What do you think the Browns should do? Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

In the meantime, read what Mary Kay (@marykaycabot), D-Man (@dmansworldpd) and G-Mo (@GlennMooreCLE) have to say about the draft on Twitter. We'll see you at 8 p.m.

NFL Draft 2012: Cleveland Browns and offensive line (video)

0
0

Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff of The Plain Dealer break down the top offensive linemen available in this year's draft. Watch video

Plain Dealer reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff break down the Browns and how they figure into the 2012 NFL Draft in this seven-day series of videos that will run through Tuesday.

This year's draft will begin with the first round on Thursday. The second and third rounds are on Friday; with the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday. The Browns own the fourth pick and the 22nd pick in the first round. The top three picks, in order, are held by the Indianapolis Colts, the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings.

See how Mary Kay breaks down the top picks in her latest mock draft.

The series:

Wednesday: Running backs

Thursday: Defensive backs

Friday: Wide receivers

Saturday: Linebackers

Sunday: Offensive line

Monday: Defensive line

Tuesday: Quarterbacks

To reach this Plain Dealer videographer: dandersen@plaind.com

On Twitter: @CLEvideos



Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for tough task against surging San Antonio Spurs

0
0

Cavaliers conclude season with a pair of back-to-back games

Cleveland Cavaliers lose to San Antonio Spurs, 125-90.View full sizeThe Cavs could be without Alonzo Gee on Sunday as they face Danny Green and the Spurs.
SAN ANTONIO –The last meeting with the Spurs on April 3 marked one of the lowest moments of the season for the Cavaliers.

Kyrie Irving re-injured his shoulder, the Cavs dropped a 125-90 decision for an eighth straight loss and Antawn Jamison spoke openly after the game about teammates laughing in the locker room following such defeats.

It would be foolish to think they will avenge that loss Sunday night in AT&T Center against an opponent that has won six straight and the last four games by at least 21 points. But coach Byron Scott wants a more competitive effort and to build on Friday’s 98-90 win over the New York Knicks.

It is an important game at both ends of the standings. The Spurs, who boast the league’s second-best home record at 26-5, are closing in on home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.  Meanwhile, the Cavaliers (21-41) have the fifth-worst overall record, one win more than Sacramento and one fewer than Golden State, New Jersey and Toronto.

Translation: Another win or two could prove costly to the draft-lottery, ping-pong ball counters. Adding to the intrigue is the lineups opponents will use against the Cavaliers, who finish with a pair of back-to-backs against San Antonio and Memphis and Washington and Chicago. If the Bulls have the East wrapped up will they rest their starters on Thursday?

The Cavs get another look at former draft pick Danny Green tonight. He scored 19 points against them on April 3. The emergence of Green and Kawhi Leonard has lightened the load on some of the Spurs’ veterans.

The Cavaliers did not shootaround this morning so we have no update on Alonzo Gee (ankle). Assuming he’s out, the starting lineup should be the same as Friday.

PROJECTED STARERS: Cavs – Irving, Harris, Parker, Jamison, Thompson. Spurs – Parker, Green, Leonard, Duncan, Blair


SS Jason Donald does a nice job filling in: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

0
0

Manager Manny Acta says Jason Donald has contributed offensively and defensively in Asdrubal Cabrera's absence. Cabrera is expected back at short on Tuesday.

jason donald.jpgJason Donald is expected to go back to his role as utility infielder when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera returns to the lineup Tuesday against Kansas City.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Indians played their sixth straight game Sunday with Jason Donald at shortstop in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, who left the team Monday in Seattle to return to Venezuela following the death of his grandfather.

Cabrera played the first three of this trip in Kansas City. It's been all Donald since then.

When asked how Donald has done, manager Manny Acta said the legend of Wally Pipp and Lou Gehrig will not be repeated.

"I think it's safe to say Asdrubal will be back at shortstop Tuesday," said Acta. "But Jason has done a nice job. He's contributed at both ends."

Donald entered Sunday's game against the A's hitting .263 (5-for-19) with three runs and two RBI in the last five games. Overall, he's hitting .241 (7-for-29) with three RBI.

"Jason was responsible for driving in the winning run in the big come back in Seattle (Tuesday)," said Acta. "He's made some nice plays on defense. I think it's good that he's got some extended playing time and at bats."

The Indians, who entered Sunday with a 7-1 record on this trip, are 4-1 with Cabrera on the bereavement list.

"I just think it's good we've won without one of our best players," said Acta. "We knew our depth would be better this year. . .especially with guys like Donald. This is his third year here. It's about that time where guys like that him can feel more settled up here and fell more comfortable going out there."

Today's lineup:

Indians (8-5): CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis (L), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), 1B Jose Lopez (R), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), SS Jason Donald (R), LF Aaron Cunningham (R), C Lou Marson, RHP Justin Masterson (0-1, 6.48).

Athletics (7-9): 2B Jemile Weeks (S), SS Cliff Pennington (S), RF Josh Reddick (L), CF Yoenis Cespedes (R), DH Kila Ka'aihue (L), LF Seth Smith (L), C Kurt Suzuki (R), 1B Daric Burton, 3B Eric Sogard (L), RHP Tyson Ross (0-0, 3.00).

Lineup news: Casey Kotchman, 0-for-16, was not in the Tribe's starting lineup. Catcher Carlos Santana and left fielders Shelley Duncan were also rested.   

Umpires: H Ron Kulpa, 1B Jim Wolf, 2B Derryl Cousins, 3B Alan Porter. Cousins, crew chief.

Next: The Indians are off on Monday and open a three-game series against Kansas City on Tuesday night.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. links: Urban Meyer brings up-tempo passing game; he's running the OSU football show

0
0

Reports on the play of quarterbacks Braxton Miller and Kenny Guiton, and on Corey Linsley, Michael Thomas, football and basketball commitments and more.

braxton-miller.jpgQuarterback Braxton Miller warms up before Ohio State's spring game on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes football team made, in a sense, its competitive debut with Urban Meyer as the head coach on Saturday.

Even if it was Buckeyes vs. Buckeyes.

It was OSU's annual spring game, and included in Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage is Doug Lesmerises' Scarlet vs. Gray game story; Bill Livingston's column on Urban Meyer and his first Buckeyes spring game; Lesmerises' story on the Buckeyes' new starting center, Corey Linsley; Lesmerises' video analysis of the game.

Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch analyzed the game, including the passing game, featuring Buckeyes' starting quarterback Braxton Miller and backup Kenny Guiton: 

For fans of aerial displays, this spring game hit the mark. The two quarterbacks combined to complete 40 of 55 passes for 443 yards (Miller was 24 of 31 for 258; Guiton 16 of 24 for 185), and each threw an interception. And get this: Meyer thought both could have been sharper. He wants Miller to be more accurate. And Guiton’s interception, which came on a fourth-quarter drive that could have given the Gray the lead, was the result of being late, which Meyer said is Guiton’s primary problem. Both worked from four- and five-wide sets most of the day, and threw from the pocket, on the rollout or scrambling, while operating a no-huddle, up-tempo offense. It featured myriad crossing patterns, including the lone TD pass, from Guiton to Devin Smith on a deep route that set Smith free to catch and run.

Buckeyes story links

Urban Meyer is running the show for Ohio State football. (By Zac Jackson, FoxSportsOhio.com)

A report card on the Buckeyes' spring game. (By Jon Spencer, Mansfield New Journal)

The spring game indicated that -- with Urban Meyer as the coach -- the Buckeyes' offense will be run at a stepped-up pace. (By Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch) 

Urban Meyer has a clear objective -- to improve the Buckeyes' passing game. (By Marla Ridenour, Akron Beacon Journal).

Receiver Michael Thomas, who caught 12 passes in the spring game, is featured in the Ohio State notebook. (By Tim May, Columbus Dispatch) 

The Buckeyes show off a quick-tempo passing game in the spring game. (By John Kampf, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Generally, despite mistakes and all, the spring game showed much of what people wanted to see. (By Todd Porter, Canton Repository)

The Buckeyes get an oral commitment from one of the nation's most heavily-recruited linebackers, Alex Anzalone of Wyomissing High School in eastern Pennsylvania. (By Tony Gerdeman, the-Ozone.net)

The Ohio State basketball team gets an oral commitment from combo guard Amedeo Della Valle of Henderson Findlay Prep in Nevada. (By Brandon Castel, the-Ozone.net)

Dead for 78 minutes, Bolton's Fabrice Muamba speaks: 'I'm very much alive'

0
0

English soccer player Fabrice Muamba calls his recovery "more than a miracle" in his first interview since going into cardiac arrest during a match. He still doesn't know if he will play again.

fabrice-muamba-041612.jpgThis photo made available by Barts Health NHS (National Health Service) Trust shows Dr Andrew Deaner, left, Bolton midfield soccer player, Fabrice Muamba, and Dr Sam Mohiddin, the senior cardiologist who has been in charge of Fabrice's care throughout his time at the hospital, as the Bolton Wanderers footballer was discharged from hospital Monday, April 16, 2012.

LONDON — English soccer player Fabrice Muamba calls his recovery "more than a miracle" in his first interview since going into cardiac arrest during a match. He still doesn't know if he will play again.

The Bolton midfielder's heart stopped beating during last month's FA Cup match at Tottenham, but he was able to walk out of the hospital earlier this week and return home.

"For 78 minutes I was dead and, even if I lived, was expected to have suffered brain damage," Muamba told Sunday's edition of The Sun newspaper. "But I'm very much alive and sitting here talking now. Someone up there was watching over me."

The 24-year-old Muamba collapsed on the field 41 minutes into the match at White Hart Lane.

"I felt very slightly dizzy. It wasn't normal dizziness — it was a kind of surreal feeling, like I was running along inside someone else's body," Muamba said. "I had no pain whatsoever. No clutching at my chest or tightness like you see when people have heart attacks in movies. Just an odd feeling that's impossible to explain. Then I started to see double. It was almost like a dream.

"I could see Spurs players running around in the distance and saw two Scott Parkers and two Luka Modrics. That was when I realized something was seriously wrong."

Muamba praised Andrew Deaner, the cardiologist who left his seat at the match to help medics treat the player.

"He is the reason I have been able to hold my baby son again and continue my life," said Muamba, who is recovering at home with his 3-year-old son Joshua and fiancee after being discharged from the hospital Monday — just over a month after he suffered the cardiac arrest March 17.

"It would be great to play football again and I hope that will happen," Muamba said. "But it's even greater just to live life and love my family. I'm a lucky man."

Ben Curtis, former British Open champion from Kent State, wins the Texas Open

0
0

The 2003 British Open champ gets his fourth career PGA Tour win and first since 2006. After the round, Curtis fought back tears while saying: "It's been a tough couple of years."

ben-curtis.jpgBen Curtis during the final round of the Texas Open on Sunday. Curtis won the tournament for his first PGA Tour win since 2006.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Ben Curtis won the Texas Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title since 2006, holding off Matt Every and John Huh in a tense back-nine finish for a two-stroke victory.

(Texas Open leaderboard)

Curtis birdied the par-5 18th for an even-par 72 and 9-under total. It was a redeeming and emotional win for the 2003 British Open winner who had only limited tour status after a long slump.

After the round, Curtis fought back tears while saying: "It's been a tough couple of years."

Every had a 71 and lost a chance at his first tour win with four blown putts. Huh roared back with a 69, but the Mayakoba Classic winner fell just short.

Curtis, a former Kent State star, now has four career PGA Tour wins.

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images