Browns picked the Boise State defensive lineman in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

Associated PressBoise State's Billy Winn (left), a sixth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, may have the versatility to play both tackle and end in the NFL.

BEREA, Ohio

Conference call with the media for Boise State defensive lineman Billy Winn, who was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

(On if he is more comfortable at defensive tackle or end):

Winn: "I'm about halfway, right there in the middle. I feel like I have the versatility to play both. I am a quick learner. I can adapt to both and play both."

(On if he was expecting to be picked in the second round):

Winn: "I was but scheme-wise, personnel-wise things change. I am just really excited to be a Brown."

(On if his medical concerns might have scared teams away):

Winn: "They may or may have not, but like I said I am excited to go out there and compete. I am blessed to have this opportunity to play for the Browns."

(On what injury he had that teams would worry about):

Winn: "I had a few during my career but those are in the past. This is me and I am here."

(On who he is as a player and what he needs to work on):

Winn: "I am a good decision maker on the field. I make a lot of good things happen. Along with that, I make a conscientious effort on the field to stay in good position to make those plays and stay productive. I have great athleticism. Some area of concerns I would say are my fundamentals, no one is perfect at those. Everyone can get better at those."

(On if his weight lifting record was set in high school):

Winn: "Yes, ma'am it was."

(On if he is still into lifting weights):

Winn: "I take a lot of pride in the weight room. I strive to be the best in there. I feel like a lot of that in the weight room has set me up for what I am doing right now."

AVON, Ohio — Rocky River coach Julie Achladis was interrupted by a phone call Saturday when talking about her team's victory at the 2012 Avon Jim Reynolds Relays, named after the legendary former Avon coach who was in attendance. It was one of her athletes, Elyse Bierut, wondering when she was coming to the bus so they could go...

Rocky River's Elyse Bierut. - (PD file)

AVON, Ohio — Rocky River coach Julie Achladis was interrupted by a phone call Saturday when talking about her team's victory at the 2012 Avon Jim Reynolds Relays, named after the legendary former Avon coach who was in attendance.

It was one of her athletes, Elyse Bierut, wondering when she was coming to the bus so they could go home. Achladis' reply, "We're talking about you, Elyse."

With good reason, too.

The Pirates senior had a great day on the track, despite poor conditions that at one point included snow and sleet. Not only did she win the open 1,600-meter run with a 5:08, the second-fastest time ever in the meet, but her anchor leg (also a 5:08) for the 4x1,600 relay (Maddie Connelly, Anna Eversman, Maddy McDonough and Bierut) helped the team smash Magnificat's year-old record by 20 seconds with a 21:32.22.

River bested second place Avon Lake, 86-60, to win its fourth Avon Relays in the past five years.

"It's exciting. The girls have been having a great season, and we have placed in every meet," Achladis said. "So there were no surprises. Last year [during the meet] we were on spring break, so we wanted to come back and show what we could do. We're really pleased."

In a meet that saw many records broken, Lorain's Alicia Arnold had a great day, winning the 100-meter dash (12.54) in record time, and she was part of the 4x100 relay (Melody Ferris, Brittany Cook, Andresja De'Armas and Arnold) that set a record (48.78).

"We all did so well, we all worked so hard as a team," Arnold said. "Things are only going to get better. We worked together as a team, and when it comes together, it is phenomenal."

Bay's Amelia Strickler had the top throws in the shot and discus. Strickler tossed the discus 122-7 and won the shot with her throw of 40-11, besting Avon Lake's Christine Bohan by just inches in each event.

Bohan also took first in the pole vault (10-6) and third in the high jump (5-6).

The boys side of the meet came down to the last race. Although Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy finished second in the 4x200 relay (Sherman Kortze, Kevin Moore, Drew Jordon and Arthur Dunkley), it was able to overtake Westlake in the team standings, 83-77. The Demons' 4x200 team was disqualified.

"They really ran well today," CVCA coach Tom Port said. "This is two weeks in a row, in really lousy conditions, and they really came out to run."

CVCA relied on its depth in the speed events and was led by Kortze. He finished second in the 100 meters (11.52) and anchored second-place finishes in the 4x100 and 4x400.

North Olmsted's Marc Remy won the 100 meters with a record time of 11.15. Lorain set records in the 4x100 and 4x400.

Reggie Williams played a big part in the Titans' success.

Williams had the top long jump of the day with a 21-0 3/4, and was part of three winning relay teams, the 4x100, the 4x200 and the sprint medley.

"It was pretty good day, bad weather. I didn't do as well as I liked in the long jump, but I managed to get one," Williams said. "Today turned out pretty good. A lot of teams surprised me today. CVCA, they came to play. But it was a good meet."

Runner-up Westlake, behind Carl Laux (139-1) and Alex Busser (126-6), won the discus relay, but Avon Lake's throwers led the pack. The Shoremen's Max Seiple the winner in the discus with his 139-2, while Jake Young (55-5) won the shot.

Matt Pawlikowski is a freelance writer in Cleveland.

Browns President Mike Holmgren disputed a report that the Browns got fooled into trading up a spot with the Vikings to draft Trent Richardson. He did insist that the Browns not let Richardson slip away.

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerBrowns President Mike Holmgren saw to it that the Browns didn't let Trent Richardson slip away.

CLEVELAND -- Browns President Mike Holmgren disputed a report that the Browns got fooled into trading up to No. 3 with the Vikings to draft Trent Richardson.

 Mike Freeman of cbsports.com reported Friday that several team executives told him the Vikings were bluffing in regards to multiple teams trying to trade up to No. 3 to draft the Alabama running back.

 Freeman reported that the Browns were the only team to buy the fake, giving up  fourth, fifth and seventh-round picks to move up one spot.

 "Contrary to what was written and said yesterday, we had to compete,'' said Holmgren. "We weren’t the Lone Ranger in that deal.''

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told ESPN Friday morning that multiple teams were after the pick, even hours before the draft.

But Holmgren also stressed that he urged general manager Tom Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur not to let Richardson slip away.

 "You don’t want to be up there, really,'' he said. "But we were up there so it was very, very important who we chose there. That’s why we targeted Trent. We didn’t want to lose him.

 “My conversations with Pat and Tom were 'if you even think somebody is going to is jump us, then what are we going to do to prevent that from happening? We had that conversation many, many times – how far were we willing to go to do this? Tom did a masterful job of setting that thing up. I thought it was an excellent trade because we got the player who, Lord willing, stay healthy and all those things, is going to be a really fine player for us for a long time.''

 Later, when asked if he had a larger role in this draft, Holmgren gave insight into a discussion that took place in regard to the draft. He did not identify it as the Vikings trade, and a team source said it had nothing to do with that.

 "I won’t tell you exactly what it’s about, but this is typical of what might happen,'' he said. "I said, ‘Tom, do you want to do this?’ He said, ‘I don’t think I do. I think it’s too much or too strong or whatever.’ I said, ‘well, we might have to.’ And he goes, ‘well, if we have to, then you’ve got to tell me, because I won’t do it.’ And I said, ‘OK, then I might have to tell you. Fine.'''

 He said all's well that ends well.

 "But that’s a healthy way to go about it,'' Holmgren said. "No one’s strangling anybody or pushing anybody and we talked about that, and Pat’s kind of the peacemaker in the group. We all have our moments, but it’s real healthy and I trust them a lot.”
 

Dave Miller has spent the past 19 years in the organization as a scout, minor-league pitching coach and pitching coordinator.

View full sizeAP

Dave Miller has spent the past 19 years in the organization as a scout, minor-league pitching coach and pitching coordinator.

What's impressed you the most about the members of the Bullpen Mafia?

"The biggest thing is watching the guys' routines. To see how committed they are to routines, how professional they are. There's a reason these guys stay up here. They don't tinker a lot. When they're going good, they stay consistent. When they're struggling, they don't want to change too much."

How have your duties changed going from minor-league pitching coordinator to big-league bullpen coach?

"They've changed a lot. I oversaw six pitching coaches and 80 pitchers in the organization as a coordinator. Now I'm focused in on seven relievers and giving [pitching coach] Scott Radinsky feedback on the starters."

You're familiar with many of the pitchers on the Indians' 12-man staff from your time in the minors. How does that help you?

"It's helped because I really haven't had to get to know the guys on a personal level. C.P. [closer Chris Perez] and Dan Wheeler were probably the only guys in the bullpen that I didn't know from the minors. It helps because I know the guys' amateur backgrounds. How they went through the minor leagues, what adjustments they had to make to get to the big leagues and, when they got to the big leagues, what made them successful, what made them tick.

"When they did get to the big leagues, I stayed in touch with [pitching coaches] Carl Willis, Tim Belcher and Scott Radinsky on the things they were doing to make them successful and any kind of adjustments they were making."

You pitched seven years in the minors with Baltimore. What kind of pitcher were you?

"I was a sinker/slider guy. Jason Bere [Indians special assistant], when we go golfing, looks at my legs and says, 'You were a sinker guy.' I made it to Class AAA and had some shoulder injuries that derailed me, but I wanted to stay in the game."

How closely do you work with pitching coach Scott Radinsky?

"We talk before the game, before we stretch, after we stretch, after the game. He's closer to the action, and I want to know how our guys did.

"There's constant communication. We have a good relationship. We were together in the minor leagues. . . . We've always had a good relationship, and it just continues."

Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Columbus Crew 1-0.

Columbus, Ohio (AP) — Lee Young-Pyo scored off a free kick in the 74th minute to help the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday night for their sixth shutout of the season.

AP PhotoVancouver Whitecaps' Young-Pyo Lee, left, of South Korea, and Camilo Sanvezzo, of Brazil, acknowledge the crowd while celebrating their 1-0 win over FC Dallas during an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, British Columbia on Saturday April 21, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

"Tonight was one of the first games this season where maybe a couple of things bounced our way and went our way," Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said. "Early in the game, Columbus came out strong and put us under a lot of pressure and they continued to do that in the first half."

The Whitecaps (4-2-2) had few chances from the run of play, but took advantage of a restart on the lone goal. Young-Pyo lofted the shot from 24 yards over goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum's outstretched hands and into the upper-left corner — a play that both sides agreed was supposed to be a crossing pass.

"It was a cross that was meant to be a cross and unfortunately it went the other way," Gruenebaum said. "He got a little bit lucky. I got caught maybe taking a step forward, then couldn't get my body back and was stuck just jumping straight up. I don't know if he hits it a few more times if he even comes close to that. I don't think he meant to do that."

The Crew, 2-4-1 and winless in four games, had the best opportunity to score in the first half in the 16th minute when Josh Williams' bicycle kick hit the crossbar. In the final 7 minutes before the break, the Crew forced goalkeeper Joe Cannon to make saves on Eddie Gaven and Aaron Schoenfeld from distance.

Cannon also made two early saves for Vancouver.

"That's a fantastic base for us to build from," Rennie said. "Joe made a couple of big saves."

Columbus had a goal called back in the third minute when a foul was called on Chad Marshall as Williams footed a corner kick into the goal.

"The ref said guys were grabbing," Williams said. "It's basically every play in MLS. I'm not sure what the call was there."

Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Tom Reed offers an analysis of each player.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, Plain Dealer file photoThe Cavaliers missed forward/center Anderson Varejao's presence under the basket.

Omri Casspi

Contract status: Signed through 2012-13.

Stats: Averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists while shooting 40.3 percent.

Notable: Scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting against Phoenix on March 25. . . . Tied his career high with 12 rebounds against Sacramento on Feb. 19.

Comment: A disappointing first season in Cleveland.

Semih Erden

Contract status: Restricted free agent.

Stats: Averaged 3.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.3 assists while shooting 52.7 percent.

Notable: Set a career high with 18 points and set a season high with eight rebounds and field-goal percentage at 87.5 percent (7-of-8) in 32 minutes against Indiana on Feb. 15. . . . Missed games with a fractured right thumb and a sprained right ankle.

Comment: Despite some flashes, Cavs still aren't sure what he can do.

Alonzo Gee

Contract status: Restricted free agent.

Stats: Averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists while shooting 41.2 percent.

Notable: Scored a career-high 22 points at New Jersey on April 8. . . . Had 20 points and five rebounds at Orlando on Feb. 3. . . . Had a career-high 13 rebounds at Atlanta on March 21.

Comment: The Cavs' most-improved player faded down the stretch.

Daniel Gibson

Contract status: Signed through 2012-13 (team option).

Stats: Averaged 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists while shooting 35.1 percent.

Notable: Scored a season-high 19 points against New Jersey on Jan. 1. . . . Missed games with a soft tissue infection in his neck and a torn tendon in his left foot.

Comment: Frequent injuries have made him inconsequential.

Luke Harangody

Contract status: Restricted free agent.

Stats: Averaged 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists while shooting 35.4 percent.

Notable: Recorded season highs in points (16), rebounds (10) and steals (three) at Washington on April 14.

Comment: Maximum effort all of the time.

Manny Harris

Contract status: Under contract for 2012-13 (non-guaranteed).

Stats: Averaged 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists while shooting 40.0 percent.

Notable: Had his best game of the season against the New York Knicks on April 20, with a season-high 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, all defensive. . . . Had 18 points at Detroit on April 17.

Comment: Came on strong down the stretch.

Kyrie Irving

Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.

Stats: Averaged 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists while shooting 46.9 percent.

Notable: Presumptive favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, MVP of Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. . . . Hit game-winning layups at Boston, vs. Dallas and at Denver, as well as a pair of game-winning free throws against Sacramento. . . . Scored a career-high 32 points against New Jersey on Jan. 27, 21 in fourth quarter.

Comment: Much, much more than anyone could have dreamed.

Antawn Jamison

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

Stats: Averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists while 40.3 shooting percent.

Notable: Registered season-high 34 points twice -- against Milwaukee on Feb 10 and at New Jersey on April 8.

Comment: A pro's pro.

D.J. Kennedy

Contract status: Under contract for 2012-13 (non-guaranteed).

Stats: Averaged 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists while shooting 41.7 percent.

Notable: In his NBA debut against Washington on April 25, he had 12 points and six rebounds.

Comment: Maybe next year.

Anthony Parker

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

Stats: Averaged 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists while shooting 43.3 percent.

Notable: Tied his career high with 27 points at Milwaukee on April 4. . . . Had eight rebounds at Washington on March 3.

Comment: Another true professional.

Samardo Samuels

Contract status: Under contract for 2012-13 (non-guaranteed).

Stats: Averaged 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists while shooting 45.5 percent.

Notable: Started the season off strong with 17 points at Detroit on Dec. 28 but then faded. . . . Had his best rebounding night of the season at Indiana on April 13, when he grabbed 10.

Comment: Too little too late?

Donald Sloan

Contract status: Under contract for 2012-13 (non-guaranteed).

Stats: In Cleveland, averaged 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists while shooting 40.3 percent.

Notable: Scored a career-high 15 points against Orlando on April 15. . . . Registered a career-high 14 assists at New Jersey on April 8.

Comment: Another steal from the D-League.

Tristan Thompson

Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.

Stats: Averaged 8.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists while shooting 43.9 percent.

Notable: Had the two best nights of his career at New Jersey with a career-high 27 points on March 19, then pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds on April 8.

Comment: Hard worker with tremendous upside.

Anderson Varejao

Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.

Stats: Averaged 10.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists while shooting 51.4 percent.

Notable: Had a career-high 20 rebounds, including a career-high 10 offensive rebounds, against Boston on Jan. 31. He also had a season-high 20 points in that game. . . . Had 17 rebounds and 17 points against Dallas on Feb. 3. . . . Was lost for the season when he suffered a fractured right wrist Feb. 10.

Comment: His value becomes clearer when he's absent.

Luke Walton

Contract status: Signed through 2012-13.

Stats: With Cleveland, averaged 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists while shooting 35.3 percent.

Notable: Scored seven points against Phoenix on March 25.

Comment: Not sure where/if he fits in.

-- Mary Schmitt Boyer

With Kyrie Irving as their centerpiece, the Cavs proved they could contend with a modest lineup that competed hard on an almost nightly basis.

View full sizeGus Chan, The Plain DealerCavs rookie guard Kyrie Irving exceeded all expectations this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavaliers' recently completed season was really two seasons -- one of revival, the other of survival.

It was a lockout-shortened campaign cleaved on March 15 when the Cavs, with an eye toward the future, traded guard Ramon Sessions to the Los Angeles Lakers for essentially the No. 24 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and the right to swap first-rounders in 2013. Struggling to overcome the loss of Anderson Varejao to a season-ending wrist injury, the Cavaliers slowly transformed from a plucky playoff contender to a glorified NBA Development League team.

They went from rookie Kyrie Irving leading them to fourth-quarter comebacks and upset wins over Dallas and Oklahoma City to someone named D.J. Kennedy leading them in minutes and points in the home finale. They went from coach Byron Scott saying, "Nobody in the NBA world thought we would be in this position right now," at the All-Star break to "congratulating" his team on their effort in a 16-point loss at San Antonio a week ago.

The Cavaliers were 16-25 before the trade deadline and 5-20 after it. The franchise hope is that something positive will come from both segments.

With Irving as their centerpiece, the Cavs proved they could contend with a modest lineup that competed hard on an almost nightly basis. That promise has helped the franchise already achieve a 75 percent season-ticket renewal rate.

'' As for the final 25 games, which included a 50-point, third-quarter deficit in Detroit, the Cavaliers slid from the middle of the pack to the bottom of the standings. They will draft no lower than sixth and, if the draft lottery goes chalk, will have the No. 3 overall selection. They also have the Nos. 24, 33 and 34 picks.

"[The off-season] could be big for us," said Irving, a prohibitive favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors. "I can't wait to play with the guys we have coming back and the new additions. It's kind of mind-boggling what can happen over the next few months."

Irving along with fellow rookie Tristan Thompson and Alonzo Gee give Cavs fans reason for optimism in the post-LeBron James era.

On Friday, as Scott and General Manager Chris Grant met with reporters, they cautioned faithful that another non-playoff season is possible, and there will be no quick fixes through free agency. But the emergence of Irving has accelerated the rebuilding process.

The Cavs earned two more victories than last season and improved their winning percentage from .232 to .318. They were competitive on the road and -- before the trade deadline -- their longest losing streaks measured four and six games. The relentless Varejao was enjoying an All-Star-caliber season prior to breaking his wrist Feb. 10. Antawn Jamison's ability to stretch the floor gave the Cavs a second scoring option and ensured Irving's drive-thru lane was open late into the night.

But when the game beckoned for a hero, it was the rookie point guard who always answered the Bat Signal. Statistical gurus will use numbers to say Irving was among the league's most clutch players. Historians will use variables -- at least 18 points and five assists -- to say Irving's rookie season was on par with those of former No. 1 draft picks such as Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

Most fans, however, just used the eye test to say Irving is the best thing to happen to the Cavs since his buddy James left town. He dominated fourth quarters, hit game-winning shots and made his teammates believe no deficit was insurmountable. The Cavs beat the defending champion Dallas Mavericks at The Q and shocked Oklahoma City on its home floor.

Irving proved not only coachable, but he built a strong relationship with Scott, who mentored Chris Paul to stardom.

"He helped me develop as a player on and off the floor," Irving said. "I could come to him and talk about anything on my mind and just be myself."

Into early March, Thompson and Gee were quality reserves who helped the Cavs boast one of the league's top benches. Quarterbacked by Sessions, the second unit was more athletic than the starters and supplied great energy. Scott was like a hockey coach in that he didn't make substitutions as much as he rolled five-man units. Gee was often first off the bench to replace underachieving Omri Casspi, and he defended tenaciously against the likes of James, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. A season after playing in the D-League, Gee blossomed into one of the league's most improved players, averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Thompson had the biggest learning curve among the three promising youngsters. He was limited offensively and was asked to switch from power forward to center because of the lack of depth at the position. On March 18, Scott moved Thompson into the starting lineup, where he remained the rest of the season. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in 25 starts.

Irving's smooth, steady transition made Thompson's rookie year seem more awkward. Thompson endured the typical ups and downs of a first-year player. He showed flashes of potential with blocked shots and big dunks while also failing to the hold onto the ball in traffic and taking too long to release shots.

Thompson, 21, needs a big off-season of development and should benefit from his first NBA Summer League in July.

The promotion of Thompson and Gee, along with the subtraction of Sessions, crippled the Cavs' bench and contributed mightily to the late-season swoon. If Irving or Jamison weren't on the court, the team had little chance of scoring. In a nine-game stretch from March 23 to April 6, the Cavs tallied more than 90 points once.

Some fans are happy to see Jamison, a free agent, depart, but statistically, he will leave a big hole in the lineup. An excellent rookie season by whomever the Cavs take with their first pick probably only equals Jamison's output of 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. It's one of the reasons Scott already is managing expectations for next season.

The Cavs' tumble to the third-worst record was spectacular. They lost nine straight and 12 of 13 in one stretch. With Irving sidelined due to a shoulder injury, one of the only players who made them watchable was a 27-year-old D-Leaguer named Lester Hudson. Carrying a chip on his shoulder large enough to bear NBA Commissioner David Stern's autograph, the streaky guard hit big shots, scored lots of points and drew praise from team owner Dan Gilbert on Twitter.

Hudson embodied the club's survival mode as he scored 23 and 26 points in consecutive games to earn a second 10-day contract. He was one of eight D-Leaguers on the roster this season. Unable to reach an agreement, however, Hudson finished the year with his hometown Memphis Grizzlies.

He did not accompany the team to San Antonio last Sunday when the effort put forth in a 114-98 loss to the Spurs earned praise from Scott. The coach was sincere as he congratulated his players for just playing hard. It told fans all they needed to know about the state of the team and reminded them how much had changed since Varejao and Sessions had been removed from it.

These were two seasons in one. If Irving, Thompson and Gee can evolve and management can add a couple of key pieces this summer, perhaps next season won't be as disjointed.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

Unofficial Browns list of undrafted free agent signings, according to nepatriotsdraft.com

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerOhio State right tackle J.B. Shugarts.

Here's an unofficial list of Browns undrafted free agent signings, according to nepatriotsdraft.com

Josh Cooper, WR, Oklahoma State
Jermaine Saffold, WR, Missouri St
Andrew Sweat, LB, Ohio State
Matt Cleveland, OT, Idaho
Antwuan Reed, CB, Pitt
J.B. Shugarts, OT, Ohio State
Jake Anderson, OT, Akron
Johnson Bademosi, SAF, Stanford
William Green, DE, Florida
Tashaun Gipson, S, Wyoming

Also on the list, according to Aaron Wilson of scout.com,  is OL Garth Gerhart of Arizona State.

Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Tom Reed answers readers' questions.

View full sizePDAlonzo Gee

Q: Hey, Tom: With the [NBA] lottery approaching soon, do you think the Cavs will re-sign Alonzo Gee to a two- or three-year contract? Also, do they decide to opt out with Daniel Gibson's team option to create more cap space? -- Mike Langshaw, North Royalton

A: Hey, Mike: There's little doubt the Cavs will make a qualifying offer to Gee and try to sign him to a multiyear contract. I've gotten no indication from Gee he wants to play elsewhere, so it's just a matter of striking a deal. I'll be interested to see how much the Cavs offer him. He's a starter right now on a bad team, but ultimately he might return to the bench where he was so effective to begin the season. The Cavs love his energy, athleticism and attitude. As for Gibson, about half of his $4.8 million for next season is guaranteed. My guess is he will be back with the team, at least to start the season. But Gibson needs to find a way to remain healthy and rediscover his jump shot.

Q: Hey, Tom: With a core of Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and our upcoming lottery pick, the Cavs have a legit shot at contending for a championship in the future. I love Andy [Varejao], but he will be past his prime once we are ready to contend.

With our bright future in mind, what type of draft pick or young player would [GM] Chris Grant potentially look to acquire in return for Varejao? -- Norman Volsky, Columbus

A: Hey, Norman: Deep down, I don't think the Cavs would mind terribly missing the playoffs one more season to secure another lottery pick before making their run at perennial playoff participation. One way this possibly could be achieved is trading Varejao. His injury this season was the turning point. I think you would need to get a first-round pick and a young big man back for a deal to make sense. Varejao is well-respected by the Cavs' management and coaching staff, so it's going to take a good offer to part with him. But your point, also made by others, is very valid.

-- Tom

With the 17-and-under games being played at Barberton High, most of those coaches sat in bleachers or under the baskets at the four courts featuring teams from all over Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana and Canada.

View full sizePD fileSt. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce.

BARBERTON, Ohio — The last weekend of spring college basketball recruiting brought out a plethora of head coaches and assistant coaches for the King James Shooting Stars Classic this weekend.

With the 17-and-under games being played at Barberton High, most of those coaches sat in bleachers or under the baskets at the four courts featuring teams from all over Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana and Canada.

This is the seventh straight year for the event, promoted by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School boys basketball coach Dru Joyce, who noted that despite AAU competition around the country, his event has actually grown.

"This is actually our largest event ever," Joyce said Saturday. "We ended up with 620 teams registered, and 610 showed up in all age groups. In the top age groups, 15s, 16s and 17s, we had 270 [teams]. So we feel blessed."

The one plus for Joyce is after so many years, he knows core NCAA rules well enough that his events are regulated to avoid conflicts. Where possible, coaches enter and exit the arenas in different doors than the players. Grandstands are roped off to keep parents and coaches in different areas, and more.

"There's always a new rule, it seems, but we do work to stay on top of it the best we can," Joyce said.

Eye on bigs: The Shooting Stars Classic is one of at least five different AAU events going on around the country, so not all the big-name college coaches were in attendance.

However, all the regional major conference schools were represented, and midmajor college coaches were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder at some games inside Barberton High, as there were perhaps more than the normal number of potential midmajor post players on hand to be evaluated.

"That's what the coaches have been telling me, particularly the midmajor coaches," Joyce said. "Perhaps, we have held our ground well."

The Cincinnati Lakers, in particular, drew a lot of attention as 6-9 Isaiah Johnson (Cincinnati Walnut Hills), 6-9 Garrett Mayleben (Milford) and 6-8 Patrick Wrencher (Cincinnati Moeller) were on the same roster and offered a lot of variety to choose from. The nearly-300-pound Johnson had the soft hands and inside scoring ability coaches love but lacked mobility and showed no inclination to rebound.

Mayleben was the most active of the three, running the court, going after rebounds and defending. But his lack of bulk especially in the upper body needs to be addressed. Wrencher did not touch the ball nearly as much as the other two. But like Mayleben, he ran the court well, and definitely went after more rebounds than Johnson.

Another team, Ohio Hoopsters out of Columbus, also had a pair of interesting big men in 6-10 Alassane Kah and 6-9 Malik Dimes (both of Columbus Walnut Ridge), who both showed athleticism and above-the-rim capabilities offensively and defensively.

Viking kudos: While looking at future recruits, at least some coaches took time to congratulate Cleveland State on its quality recruiting class due this fall, which includes highly regarded 6-4 guard Junior Lomomba (Madison, Wis., Memorial) and 6-9, 260-pound post player Aaron Scales (Charlotte, N.C., American Basketball Institute). Also talked about was junior-college center Majok Majok (Midland, Texas, Junior College), who hasn't signed yet. But opposing coaches universally said he would be in a Vikings uniform as well.

CSU assistant Larry DeSimplare took the compliments in stride but did respond to the idea Cleveland State is now primed to take advantage of a window of opportunity to become the face of Horizon League basketball, now that Butler appears headed to the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"We need the local media to tell all the good things we've been doing, not be so negative," he said.

DeSimplare then noted it was Butler that did the same thing, stepping up to replace Xavier in 1994 when the Musketeers left the then-Midwestern Collegiate Conference, also for the A-10.

Valentine arrives: Popular college basketball official Ted Valentine was on hand for the Shooting Stars Classic, offering insight to young officials working the AAU games and also interacting with some college coaches, who clearly still wanted to get an answer to a call.

"I can't sit still," Valentine said. "So opportunities like this give me a chance to see both young players and young officials. You can always learn something if you look for something to learn."

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

Getting the perfect trip, Podges Lady overtakes the heavily favored Destiny's Chance at the wire to win in the first start of the season for both.

Burke had the upper hand in the stake with four starters in the eight-horse field, including stakes star Destiny's Chance, a winner of seven of 14 races last year and $287,908. The railbirds sent Destiny's Chance off as the prohibitive 2-5 favorite, with legendary driver Dave Palone in the sulky, and she looked every bit a winner early on, with a commanding lead for most of the mile.

Palone notched relatively slow fractions early, hitting the half-mile in 57.1 seconds, with Podges Lady right behind. When Princess Cruiser came up on the outside going to the three-quarter-mile pole in 1:25.3, it appeared Podges Lady might not see daylight. Stahl found a sliver of room on the rail in midstretch, though, and slipped past for the victory in 1:54.2.

"When we got some room [on the rail] in the stretch, my horse really dug in," Stahl said, adding it was one of the biggest stakes wins of his career.

Podges Lady, owned by Sawgrass Farms of Lockport, Ill., and trained by Joe Seekman, paid $12.80, $4.40 and $3.20. Destiny's Chance paid $2.20 and $2.10, followed a length back by Princess Cruiser, who paid $4.20. The daughter of The Panderosa won three of 13 starts last year and $214,728. Seekman said she's staked pretty heavily, especially in Pennsylvania, the rest of her sophomore season.

An AFC executive provides perspective on the Browns' draft, while the Cavaliers' own chance to improve is just a few months away.

View full sizeBrody Schmidt, Associated PressBrandon Weeden's arm strength figures to give the Browns' offense more credibility in the AFC, a conference team official told Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After a full weekend of heavy-duty football construction, a few impressions ...

An outsider's look at the Browns ...

I talked to a vice president from a rival AFC team, here's what he had to say about the Browns' draft:

1. "Unless all 32 teams are wrong, Trent Richardson will be a star. Him in the backfield gives our defensive coaches something to worry about. That was never really the case, not even when they had [Peyton] Hillis. At least not like Richardson. Our personnel people love his talent, toughness and work ethic."

2. "Think about playing in the AFC North. The other three teams have big, strong quarterbacks -- especially [Pittsburgh's Ben] Roethlisberger and [Baltimore's] Joe Flacco. Those guys can take some hits and throw the ball into the wind and rain. Andy Dalton [Bengals] is not quite like that, but he's pretty good. We never thought Colt [McCoy] measured up in that division. Not enough arm strength in the wind, rain, snow and cold."

3. "We had [Brandon] Weeden rated higher than [Ryan] Tannehill. Better arm, more experienced, more mature."

4. "The Browns had to take a shot with Weeden. They couldn't come back with Colt as a starter and expect a big change on offense. Weeden is more like Dalton than he is like Flacco or Roethlisberger, but he should be an upgrade over Colt. We thought Colt couldn't consistently get the ball down field, no matter who they had at receiver."

5. "The Browns should keep Colt as a backup, he'll do a good job."

6. "We didn't have [right tackle Mitchell] Schwartz [second-round pick] rated as high as the Browns. We had him in the third round."

7. "We play a 3-4 so we didn't spend much time on [defensive tackle] John Hughes. He's mostly a 4-3 guy. We do really like their tackles -- [Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor]. Guess they wanted depth. [Jabaal] Sheard was a great pick last year for them in the second round."

8. "They still have a long way to go, but Richardson and Weeden have to make them better."

About Brandon Weeden and Browns quarterbacks ...

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerIn their third draft together, Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren created a signature moment -- for good or bad -- for their Browns' regime.

1. For Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert, the decision to draft Weeden is one that may define their time with the Browns. It will look great if Weeden has an Dalton-type rookie season (20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 80.4 QB rating) while the Browns come even close to .500. Dalton helped the Bengals make the playoffs, and the Browns don't have enough talent to do that in the AFC North. But if Weeden and Richardson lead them out of the 4-12, 5-11 rut of the past four years, this draft will be perhaps the best since the Browns returned in 1999.

2. If Weeden flops, fingers of blame will easily be pointed at a front office that used the No. 22 pick on a 28-year-old quarterback. He is the oldest player ever picked in the first round. Weeden needs to show an immediate return, because time is not on his side and the Browns are giving him the job.

3. In their third year running the Browns, this is the biggest draft risk of the Holmgren/Heckert regime. They believe in Weeden. Coach Pat Shurmur has to stop himself from some uncharacteristic gushing about the Oklahoma State quarterback. They believe he has the size, the maturity and arm strength to be a viable starter in the rugged AFC North.

4. The Browns believe Weeden has mental toughness from his frustrating five-year experience as a failed minor-league pitcher who never rose above Class A in the Yankees' farm system -- then recreated himself as a college quarterback. To get a picture of what Weeden endured in the minors, read "The Bullpen Gospels" (the language is raw, but the story is powerful) by former Kent State pitcher Dirk Hayhurst.

5. Shurmur and new offensive coordinator Brad Childress were on the Eagles' coaching staff when Donovan McNabb entered the NFL in 1999. They helped teach him the West Coast offense. At St. Louis, Shurmur was the coordinator when St. Louis drafted Sam Bradford, and helped him learn to take snaps. They are confident Weeden is a quick study.

6. The challenge for Shurmur and Childress will be to convert Weeden from the college spread offense, where he's almost always in the shotgun, to the WCO. Last season, the Browns were in the shotgun 48 percent of the time -- 27th of 32 teams. Detroit (80 percent) led the way, followed by Buffalo (75 percent) and New England (74 percent).

7. Here's one more plea for the Browns to keep McCoy, who is paid $540,000 and $570,000 over the next two seasons. Compare that to the near-$2.5 million paid annually to Seneca Wallace. Since Wallace has shown little interest in helping young quarterbacks, it makes no sense to keep him.

About right tackles and first guesses ...

1. There is no problem with drafting Schwartz in the second round. I don't worry that some drafting services have him in the third round. He started 51 games at California, played two years with center Alex Mack. He's played 35 games at left tackle, 16 at right tackle. Made first team All-Pac 12 as a left tackle. Unlike some left tackles who have to adjust to a new position with the Browns, that won't be a problem for Schwartz.

2. The Browns have Joe Thomas and Mitchell at the tackles, Mack at center and youngsters Jason Pinkston and Shaun Lauvao at the guards. They appear in very good shape for several years. The Browns absolutely love Schwartz. They targeted him in the second round and believe in his physical toughness, durability and run-blocking skills.

3. By failing to sign a strong right tackle in free agency such as Eric Winston, the Browns needed to use a second-round pick on the right tackle -- rather than a receiver. Of course, signing a veteran receiver could have helped when it comes to plugging holes.

4. I pushed for the Browns to sign Winston when Houston cut him in a salary-cap squeeze. He went to Kansas City on a four-year, $22 million deal. It appears at least $9.3 million is guaranteed, perhaps more. It's not an outrageous contract for a 28-year-old tackle who started every game for Houston since 2007. The Browns had the cap room to beat the Chiefs' offer.

5. When the Browns made the decision to draft Weeden while only signing veteran free-agent defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker, they simply created too many holes to fill in the draft. That led to them not taking a receiver in the first three rounds.

6. None of this is to second-guess drafting Schwartz. It's simply to say not signing a receiver or right tackle made it harder on draft day because their high picks went to fill other needs.

About the Cavaliers ...

View full sizeAP fileWith the Cavaliers third in the current NBA draft order and no worse than sixth, Terry Pluto has visions of Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in wine and gold.

1. Cleveland is the town of drafts, and the Cavs will pick no worse than No. 6 in the NBA Draft. They have the third best chance to win the lottery and pick first. One second to dream ... Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving ...

2. OK, back to reality. The Cavs should come up with a good player with their top pick. It's possible one of these small forwards could be available: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (my favorite) and Harrison Barnes, depending upon how the luck of master coin-flip caller and NBA lottery winner Nick Gilbert holds out.

3. The Cavs also have 24th pick (from the Lakers for Ramon Sessions), along Nos. 33 and 34 in the second round. It's doubtful they will want four rookies, so don't be surprised if they trade one of these picks. With three between 24-34, they have value.

4. Daniel Gibson has a $4.8 million option for next season, with about $2.4 million guaranteed. He had another year with injuries, and shot only 35 percent from the field. Gibson has missed 62 games over the past three seasons. I do think the Cavs will probably pick up his option, but it's hard to count on him.

5. Omri Casspi had a chance to establish himself as a small forward, but averaged only 7.1 points and shot 40 percent in 21 minutes a night. He lost his starter's spot to Alonzo Gee. The Cavs still need shooting guards and small forwards, same as a year ago.

6. This is amazing: In 364 minutes (299 with the Cavs), Luke Walton did not attempt a single free throw! He averaged 2.0 points in 14 minutes a game for the Cavs. He was part of the Sessions deal, so the Cavs could add the Lakers' No. 1 pick. He's under contract for $5.8 million next year, but it's hard to imagine him on the 2012-13 roster.

7. It's Irving's outside shooting that gives him a chance to be a great player: 47 percent from the field, 40 percent on 3-pointers and 87 percent at the foul line. The reason he can drive to the basket so effectively is that opponents must respect his outside shot. Coach Byron Scott believes Irving's rookie season was even more impressive than Chris Paul's -- coached by Scott in New Orleans. He averaged 18.5 points in 30 minutes per game on a team that had few players who could create their own shots.

8. If the Cavs can keep Anderson Varejao healthy ... they were 10-15 with him in the lineup, 11-30 without him. When Irving and Varejao both played, the Cavs were 9-12. I'm anxious to see the interior defense next season with Varejao and Tristan Thompson, who really improved in the second half. Irving had 24 games of at least 20 points, and Antawn Jamison had 22. No one else had more than three. They must find another scorer, especially with Jamison headed elsewhere.

About the Indians ...

View full sizeAP fileWith slumping bats hurting the Indians at several positions, Matt LaPorta (right, with Carlos Santana) could slug his way back to Cleveland in the near future.

1. Watching Shin-Soo Choo go down with a tight hamstring and Shelley Duncan showing that it's tough for him to play every day, I began looking at the minor-league stats. The star at Class AAA Columbus is Matt LaPorta, who entered Saturday hitting .371 (1.130 OPS) with six homers and 15 RBI in 18 games. He has played five games in left field, the rest at first base.

2. LaPorta has always hit at Class AAA, where his career mark is .321 (.924 OPS) with 29 homers and 94 RBI in 486 at-bats. He probably will keep hitting, and at some point, the Tribe will probably be forced to give him another chance. Too bad that he had a miserable spring, because left field was there for him.

3. Duncan entered Saturday batting .167 with 15 strikeouts in 32 at-bats over his previous 10 games. This season, he is 7-of-19 (.368) against righties, 6-of-36 (.167) against lefties. Yes, the Tribe continues to prepare Johnny Damon to share left field. Of course, the Indians really don't know if the 38-year-old Damon can physically handle it. He played only 16 games in the outfield in 2011, 36 in 2010. He has been mostly a DH the past two years.

4. Another issue could be Casey Kotchman, who entered the weekend batting .148. Yes, he's a terrific first baseman. But he hits for little power, so they need the Kotchman of 2011 (.306), not the Kotchman of 2010 (.217). But LaPorta could come into play at first base if Kotchman continues to struggle.

5. Great to see Strongsville and Kent State product Anthony Gallas hitting .343 (1.054 OPS) at Class A Carolina.

6. Jason Kipnis looks like an all-around athlete, especially at the plate where he already has three homers, two triples and a double. He's batting .257 after a slow start. He's stolen four bases in five attempts and has scored a couple of dramatic runs. He is fun to watch.

There are Indians fans still complaining about the return their team received when Lee was traded to the Phillies in 2009 for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Jason Knapp a year after he won the American League Cy Young Award.

View full sizeMarcio Jose Sanchez, Associated PressThe Indians' trade of pitcher Cliff Lee, above, in 2009 hasn't panned out well for the Tribe.

Time has proved that the Indians were burned to a crisp in the Cliff Lee trade. The Yankees, to date, have merely had their fingers singed in the acquisition of Michael Pineda from Seattle. Burned is burned, but the pain comes in degrees.

During the winter, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman sent Jesus Montero, a promising young hitter and so-so catcher, to Seattle for Pineda, a monster starting pitcher. On the same day, Cashman signed free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. It looked as if New York's fragile starting rotation had been given a shot of spinach.

Last week, it was announced that Pineda, who hasn't thrown a pitch for the Yankees in the regular season, will miss the year with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

For perspective, there are Indians fans still complaining about the return their team received when Lee was traded to the Phillies in 2009 for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Jason Knapp a year after he won the American League Cy Young Award. Carrasco will miss most, if not all, of this year following Tommy John surgery. Donald and Marson are reserve big leaguers, while Knapp's career could be over.

Knapp, the key to the deal from the Indians' perspective, has already had two operations on his right shoulder since the trade. He didn't pitch last year and he may not pitch again. The Indians expected him to come to spring training in February ready to go, but he's been doing his rehab work in New York under Dr. David Altchek, who performed last year's surgery.

The 6-5, 242-pound Knapp won't be 22 until Aug. 31, but he has yet to advance past Class A ball. The chances of him reviving his career don't look good.

So while Yankees fans are grumbling that Cashman received damaged goods in Pineda, imagine what they'd be saying if they had to deal with the returns for Lee?

Cashman doesn't think Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik slipped him a mickey.

Pineda went through a physical, including an MRI exam, right after the trade and passed. When his velocity dropped in spring training, he had an MRI exam and no tear in the labrum was found.

The tear was discovered last weekend, when Pineda cut short a rehab start because of pain in his shoulder.

The Indians couldn't say the same about Knapp. They made the deal knowing that Knapp was on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis. Knapp made four starts at Class A Lake County after the trade before he needed his first operation.

No one with the Indians ever publicly said the Phillies stiffed them, but the relationship between the two teams has cooled considerably.

Cashman has been the Yankees' GM for 15 years. He knows what awaits him.

"This is a massive decision gone wrong right now. So all scrutiny is fair," he told ESPNNewYork.com.

What about Pineda being damaged goods?

"How can you not ask a question like that?" Cashman said. "It's a fair question, but I can tell you, we did everything possible to be sure Michael Pineda was healthy."

The two trades share a common thread. After the Indians traded Lee to the Phillies, Philadelphia shipped him to Seattle after reaching its second straight World Series so it could have enough money to work a deal for Roy Halladay.

When the Mariners faded in 2010, they put Lee on the market. Cashman thought he had a deal in place for Lee, but at the last minute, Zduriencik sent Lee to Texas. Montero was a key part of the package the Yankees were offering, but Zduriencik liked Texas first baseman Justin Smoak more.

After Lee helped the Rangers reach the World Series in 2010, he became a free agent. He turned down a bigger offer from the Yankees to return to the Phillies.

Pineda, 23, went 9-10 last year with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts for the Mariners. If all goes well, he's expected to pitch for the Yankees sometime next year.

Carrasco could rejoin the Indians sometime late this year. Donald and Marson are decent spare parts. Knapp, however, will probably never make it to the big leagues with the Indians.

All trades are built on risk. When pitchers are the key components, the risk multiplies because anything can happen.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

UPDATED story, with photo gallery: Dan Haren out-pitches Jeanmar Gomez to beat the punchless Indians, who have gone 10 games without hitting a home run.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Baseball is a game of surges, retreats and a lot of standing around.

Jeanmar Gomez surged Saturday afternoon, throwing his slider for strikes whenever he wanted for six innings on a cold, wet day.

His Indians teammates, however, weren't moving in the same direc-

tion, as they lost to Dan Haren and the Angels, 2-1, at Progressive Field.

Gomez, in his first start since serving a five- game suspension for hitting Kansas City's Mike Moustakas on April 14, allowed two runs on five hits.

"I felt that Gomez did a fantastic job," said manager Manny Acta. "He pitched ahead the whole day. He threw that slider basically at will for strikes."

Haren beat Gomez at his own game.

He threw a variety of pitches for strikes, no matter what the count, as he held the Indians to one run on four hits in eight innings.

"He's always been able to keep us a little off balance," said leadoff hitter Michael Brantley.

Haren (1-1, 3.34) struck out seven and walked two on 119 pitches. He retired nine straight twice and put down in order the last four hitters to face him. Scott Downs, given the closer's job when this series opened Friday, worked a perfect ninth for his first save of the season.

"We couldn't execute or do anything against Haren," Acta said. "We had a few opportunities, but we didn't move the guy to third and didn't get the big hit."

The Angels, who have had a disappointing April to say the least, ended a five-game losing streak. They took a 1-0 lead in the first on a single by Kendrys Morales off Jason Kipnis' glove at second.

Brantley started the bottom of the first with a double, but Kipnis couldn't advance him to third as he hit a fly ball to left. Asdrubal Cabrera grounded out to first as Brantley took third, but with two out, Travis Hafner flied out to center.

The Angels made it 2-0 on Torii Hunter's leadoff homer in the fourth. It was Hunter's second homer in as many games and came off the same pitch from two different pitchers.

"He hit a backdoor sinker," said Gomez (1-1, 2.35). "He hit the same pitch from Justin Masterson on Friday."

Hunter had gone 77 plate appearances without a homer before Friday. He has 28 career homers against the Tribe.

The Indians scored their only run in the fourth on Jack Hannahan's two-out single. Kipnis opened the inning with a single and Cabrera walked before Haren retired the next two batters. Hannahan is hitting .583 (7-for-12) with runners in scoring position and two out.

A wild pitch moved Cabrera to third and Hannahan to second, but Haren struck out Shelley Duncan to end the inning. The Indians put just one other runner -- Duncan in the seventh inning -- in scoring position the rest of the game.

"We've struggled against Haren for a while now," Acta said. "He has a good cutter and makes it hard for lefties to put it in play. And he's got the deception in his delivery where he pauses before throwing the pitch."

Haren is 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in his career against the Indians. In the past two years, he's 2-0 against them, allowing four earned runs in 311/3 innings.

In their first nine games, the Indians hit 16 homers. They haven't hit one in the past 10. It's their longest homerless streak in almost 30 years. They went 14 games without a homer in 1983 from Aug. 10 through Aug. 27.

Carlos Santana hit the Indians most recent homer -- April 17 in Seattle. He's hitting .226 (7-for-31) since.

"That's how the game goes. It evens out," Acta said. "We're going to hit another one, believe me. . . . When you have such a long season, everything comes in cycles."

The Indians' offensive problems at home continue. They're hitting .206 (71-for-345) and averaging a little more than three runs per game at Progressive Field. On the road, they're hitting .281 (89-for-317) and averaging six runs per game.

Rain delayed the start of Saturday's game for two hours and 27 minutes.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Highlights include Angels at Indians and NBA and NHL playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

11 a.m. Sao Paulo Indy 300, NBCSN

1 p.m. Grand Prix of Miami, Speed Channel

7 p.m. Spring Nationals (tape), ESPN2

BASEBALL

1 p.m. Burlington at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/970

1 p.m. Detroit at N.Y. Yankees, TBS

1:05 p.m. Altoona at AKRON AEROS, AM/1350

1:05 p.m. L.A. Angels at INDIANS, STO; AM/1100

1:30 p.m. Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, WGN

8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Texas, ESPN

COLLEGE BASEBALL

1 p.m. Oklahoma State at Kansas State, ESPNU

2 p.m. Georgia at LSU, ESPN2

3:30 p.m. Arkansas at Florida, ESPN

4 p.m. Iowa at Minnesota, BTN

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

Noon Minnesota at Penn State, BTN

2 p.m. Michigan State at Nebraska, BTN

CYCLING

10 p.m. Tour de Romandie, final stage (tape), NBCSN

EQUESTRIAN

2 p.m. Rolex Championships, WKYC

GOLF

9 a.m. Ballantine’s Championship (tape), Golf Channel

1 p.m. Zurich Classic, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Zurich Classic, WOIO

3 p.m. Mobile Bay Classic, Golf Channel

MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE

3 p.m. Patriot League final, CBSSN

MOTORSPORTS

8 a.m. MotoGP WC, Spanish Grand Prix, Speed Channel

Noon MotoGP Moto2, Spanish Grand Prix (tape), Speed Channel

NBA PLAYOFFS

1 p.m. Utah at San Antonio, ESPN

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

7 p.m. Boston at Atlanta, TNT

9:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TNT

NHL PLAYOFFS

3 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia, WKYC

8 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix, NBCSN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE

1 p.m. Atlantic 10 final, CBSSN

Angels right fielder Torii Hunter gives the Indians a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning when he loses Asdrubal Cabrera's fly ball in the sun.

It's not 18-8, but it is first place in the AL Central at the end of April.

What it took to get there could already fill a telephone book, but it is enough to say that Derek Lowe and the sun were on the Indians' side Sunday in a 4-0 victory over the Angels at Progressive Field.

At this time last year the Indians were the talk of baseball. They were off to an 18-8 start that would soon grow to 30-15. On April 30, they led the AL Central by 41/2 games, a lead that eventually reached seven games before the great crash that a lot of wise old baseball men had quietly predicted.

Paul Hoynes' video recap

This year the Indians are supposedly made of sterner stuff. They have certainly gone about it in a lower key, but after Sunday's victory ended a 3-3 homestand, they found themselves all alone on top of the division at 11-9 with a one-game lead over the big-money White Sox and the bigger-money Tigers.

They have done it with a spotty starting rotation, a bullpen that found itself after the first home series and an offense that has been as quiet as a public library over the past 11 games.

Oh, and they caught a big break in the fifth inning when with two outs Gold Glove outfielder Torii Hunter lost Asdrubal Cabrera's routine fly ball to right field in the sun. Aaron Cunningham and Michael Brantley raced home on the error for a 2-0 lead against Ervin Santana (0-5, 5.58), who no-hit the Indians the last time he faced them on July 27.

"You can't beat God's light," said Hunter, who has made the fewest errors (36) of any big league outfielder in history with at least 4,525 chances. "You can't beat the sun. You battle, you battle, but no matter what kind of glasses you're wearing, you can't see it.

"It almost hit me in the head."

Cabrera, for some reason, did not want to talk to reporters after the game. Maybe he thought he should have been credited with a double and two RBI.

"Today we got a break. Everybody needs a break here and there," said manager Manny Acta. "We put ourselves in that position to take advantage of the break."

The Angels were supposed to challenge Texas for supremacy in the AL this year. They were going to do it with an offense led by Albert Pujols and a great starting rotation. Pujols, who signed a 10-year, $254 million contract over the winter, just finished a terrible April in which he hit .216 with no homers and four RBI in 88 at-bats. The rotation, however, has been good.

In this three-game series, in which the Indians opened and closed with a win, the Tribe matched the Angels arm for arm.

Lowe (4-1, 2.27), Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez combined on a three-hit shutout. Lowe, 38, went 7 innings. He allowed three hits, walked two and recorded 13 outs on grounders in 107 pitches.

While Hunter was being blinded by the light, Lowe's right fielder, Cunningham, was defying the laws of physics. Angel prospect Mike Trout sent a two-out liner to right in the sixth. Cunningham, moving toward center field, stumbled, slipped and then bounded into the air to make the catch.

"We asked him after the game if he knew he fell," said Brantley. "He said, 'No, it was just a reaction.' "

The only time Lowe was in trouble was when Maicer Izturis walked and Chris Iannetta singled with two out in the eighth. Pestano relieved and walked Trout to load the bases. He ended the tension by striking out Howie Kendrick.

Pestano has 14 strikeouts, at least one in each of his 11 appearances, in 9 innings.

"I think the best play of the game was Cunningham's," said Lowe. "That play kept me going because you never want to give a lineup like that extra outs."

The Indians made it 4-0 in the eighth. Pinch-runner Jason Donald scored when reliever Kevin Jepson threw away Jack Hannahan's sacrifice bunt attempt. Shelley Duncan followed with a sacrifice fly.

The offense managed just 16 runs in the homestand. The Indians have not hit a homer in 11 straight games, their longest streak since a 14-game drought in 1983.

What the Indians did do was quickly end any thought that Santana might throw another no-hitter. Brantley started the game with a single to left.

"I was aware of what happened last year," said Brantley. "We all were."

New scoring directive gives Torii Hunter an error on ball lost in sun: Cleveland Indians chatter.

Amy Sancetta, Associated PressEven with his shades on, Los Angeles Angels' outfielder Torii Hunter was unable to overcome the glare of the sun and lost sight of Asdrubal Cabrera's fly ball in the fifth inning. Two runs scored and Hunter, a multiple Gold Glove winner, was charged with an error.

Clubhouse confidential:  In the past Asdrubal Cabrera might have been credited with a two-run double when Angels right fielder Torii Hunter lost his fly ball in the sun in the fifth inning Sunday. Two runs scored and Cabrera reached second when the ball fell next to Hunter.

Hunter, instead, was charged with an error even though he never touched the ball. MLB told the game's official scorers during the off-season to call an error on such plays where a fielder sees the ball, but loses it in the sun.

If it was clear Hunter didn't see the ball off the bat, and he signaled for help, it might have been ruled differently. But Hunter looked like he had it all the way until right before it hit the ground.

Hunter's 36 career errors in 4,525 chances are the fewest by any outfielder in big-league history with at least 4,500 chances.

Stat of the day: This year's edition of the Indians is the fifth in franchise history since at least 1918 to draw 100 or more walks in the first 20 games of the season. The other four Tribe teams are 1955 (113 walks), 1951 (107), 1997 (103) and 1925 (100).

The current Indians have 102 walks.

The Browns took a bold step Thursday by drafting Brandon Weeden. Keeping Colt McCoy only muddles the statement they made, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressThere's a new No. 1 QB in town. It's Brandon Weeden, holding up a jersey with GM Tom Heckert. Unfortunately for Colt McCoy, it's best if the Browns set him free to find work elsewhere in the NFL.

The old saying about the backup QB being the most popular guy in a losing football town might be even more true if he's last year's starter, stood up to the hardest of knocks, and has shown a toughness about him that fits the city's self-image.

It's especially true if the perception exists that last year's tough, likeable boy-next-door No. 1 quarterback had no substantial help and is now paying the price for it.

That's why Colt McCoy can't be part of the Browns' 2012 plans. Sorry. Doesn't matter if he comes cheaply or even willingly. Doesn't matter if he's a good teammate or a capable Plan B in case of injury. Can't happen.

Keeping McCoy around muddles the bold move made in drafting Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round.

The Browns can't be expected to win immediately with Weeden under center in the West Coast offense, particularly since he's unaccustomed to both -- being under center and the WCO.

The last thing Weeden needs is dealing with McCoy's incumbency in a sentimental football city housing convincing arguments claiming he never really got a chance.

That he received only grudging attention from the Eric Mangini-Brian Daboll regime.

Gene J. Puskar, Associated PressColt McCoy was a good soldier with the Browns and was forced to play with a supporting cast that was suspect at best.

That he inherited a new offense, coordinator and head coach without even a legitimate off-season to get acclimated.

That he lost his running game.

That he got little to no help receiver-wise from his front office.

That he stood by as the Browns chased Robert Griffin III, heard them voice a half-hearted commitment to him when the pursuit failed, then watched as they drafted Weeden and named him the starter on the same night.

Nobody can possibly feel good about how it went down for Colt McCoy. But it's counter intuitive to think that keeping him in the mix behind Weeden is one way to make it up to him -- since the cold-hearted alternative is cutting him before training camp if the Browns can't work a trade.

The Browns know it looks and feels, especially after the report claiming they assured him they weren't going to draft a quarterback in the first round.

Head coach Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert categorically denied that ever happened. Not knowing the source of the report, I can only say the Browns' denial seems credible. I mean, what about the off-season suggested they were committed enough to McCoy to give him any assurance on the eve of the draft?

When they negotiated with the Rams for the No. 2 pick? When Mike Holmgren admitted to looking at 10-12 quarterbacks over the winter?

Colt McCoy could've felt good about the fact that they didn't bring in just anybody to try to replace him but that was hardly enough reason to feel secure.

Now, the Browns can do themselves and him a favor by cutting ties. Brandon Weeden would be on the fast-track if he were a 23-year-old No. 1 pick. He'll be 29 in October. There's no time to waste. They need to clear the path for him. That's harder with McCoy here.

Problem is the Browns have no leverage in striking a deal for McCoy because teams realize they must move him. Knowing how highly they regard him as a teammate and leader, there's a genuine reluctance to simply cast McCoy off. It would look like the ultimate insult.

The benefit to keeping him on the roster and bringing him to camp is negligible. Is he better than Seneca Wallace? Only in the long run. They're both backups.

There wasn't much difference between the Browns with Wallace at quarterback and the Browns with McCoy at quarterback. If anything, Wallace was the quicker decision maker. The only reason for McCoy to get the nod over Wallace is that he'd theoretically have the higher ceiling as a younger player.

With the Browns no longer thinking of him as a starter, short term or long term, there's no upside to keeping him around. Not for him. Not for anyone.

Cleveland native Jason Dufner gets first PGA Tour win, beating Ernie Els in a playoff in Avondale, La.

See video of winning putt

Gerald Herbert, Associated PressJason Dufner hoists the trophy after winning the Zurich Classic in Louisiana.

Avondale, La. -- Jason Dufner's recent late-tournament struggles made it easy to understand why a putt under 2 feet on a playoff hole at the Zurich Classic made him more nervous than the thought of getting married next weekend.

"There's a been a good bit of pressure," the native of Cleveland said. "People talking about, 'Why aren't you winning? Why can't you close the deal? . . . Friends, family, media, even people in my inner circle. And not in a negative way, but when you're leading tournaments going into weekends and you're finishing 24th, there's going to be some questions."

Not anymore.

Dufner maintained his composure through not one, but two playoff holes against one of the more accomplished veterans in the game Sunday, beating Ernie Els with a birdie on their second extra trip up the par-5 18th to win for the first time in 164 starts on the PGA Tour.

The win should also stamp out some of the bad memories haunting Dufner since the Masters, when he shared the lead after two rounds but faded to 24th. The 35-year-old Dufner also held five previous leads through two rounds -- two this year, only to fade down the stretch.

Entering the fourth round with a two-shot lead in New Orleans, Dufner shot a 2-under 70 at TPC Louisiana, while Els had a 67 to match Dufner for a course-record 19-under 269 total.

Both missed birdie putts within 8 feet on the par-5 18th on the first playoff, so they went back to the 18th tee for the second extra hole, which Dufner won by hitting the green in two strokes and tapping home a short birdie putt after Els' birdie attempt from the fringe narrowly missed.

Dufner was born at Fairview Hospital and his family lived on West 136th Street off Lorain Avenue. They moved to Olmsted Falls when Dufner was 18 months old. At age 11, they relocated to Washington, D.C., and eventually Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Dufner still has many family members in the Cleveland area.

Dufner lost playoffs last year to Mark Wilson in the Phoenix Open and Keegan Bradley in the PGA Championship for two of his three career runner-up finishes.

"It's always really tough playing on Sundays whether you're in the lead or middle of pack, and today I was fighting, trying to win event, and I think I showed myself a good bit out there," Dufner said. "It was tough. Ernie made a great run at me and it felt like with five or six holes (to go) we were probably going to be battling for the win.

"To get the monkey off of my back, it's a great feeling."

The 6-foot-3 Els, who goes by the nickname "The Big Easy," hasn't won on the PGA Tour since the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, a little more than two years ago.

He did not have a single bogey in the final round or playoff, and would have won his 19th career PGA Tour title in, of all places, the Big Easy, if he could have made a birdie putt of a little less than 6 feet on the first playoff hole. He pushed it more than 2 feet past the edge of the hole.

"It was a nice little charge I made and, you know, nice to catch the leader," Els said. "I had a chance to win the tournament with a 6-footer and missed it, but I made quite a few putts on the back nine to keep myself in it. . . . Hit the ball pretty well today -- no bogeys on the final round -- so there's a lot of positives."

On the second playoff hole, Els' tee shot went into a fairway bunker, and his second shot landed 137 yards from the pin. His third shot landed on the fringe, nearly 19 feet from the pin, but he nearly saved birdie from there, his putt missing by 2 inches.

Dufner then made his birdie putt from less than 2 feet, and in his typically low-key way, briefly raised both arms to acknowledge the cheering crowd before casually walking off the green to accept some congratulatory hugs, including from fiancee Amanda Boyd.

"It's awesome. He's been so close so many times. I don't feel like it's real," Boyd said. "It will be a good wedding."

Dufner called it a "great wedding present for both of us."

"It helps with paying for the wedding, obviously," added Dufner, who earned $1,152,000. "They're a little more expensive than I thought or had imagined. ... It'll be a big celebration not only for our marriage but also for my first victory out on the tour."

Luke Donald shot a 67 to finish third at 17 under, and move past Rory McIlroy for the No. 1 ranking in the world.

"That's a nice consolation," Donald said, adding that the rankings could change again when he takes next week off and McIlroy is expected to play. "It's been going back and forth a little bit. Rory's turn next week. ... It was a little bit of a motivation to try and play well today."

Defending Zurich Classic champ Bubba Watson, playing for the first time since a life-changing win at the Masters over Easter weekend, entered the final round eight shots off the lead. He was unable to mount a charge after bogeys on his first two holes. He wound up tied for 18th at 11 under, a solid outing by most standards, but one of his worst finishes of the year.

"All in all, pretty good week being tired, coming back for the first time after winning the Masters, all this different media attention," Watson said. "It's something you got to get used to. (It) wears on you, tires you out. Somehow I finished -- I'm in the top 20. A lot of guys wished they did that."

Els and Dufner were tied at 19 under after 11 holes. Els made par on each of his final seven holes of regulation. Dufner made par on his final eight, none more difficult than on 16, when he hit into water, but salvaged par with a 44-foot putt.

Els' 17-foot birdie putt on 18 missed by about an inch, opening the door for Dufner to win in regulation if he could birdie the 585-yard hole to cap his fourth round.

While Els was on the practice green preparing for a possible playoff, Dufner chipped on to set up a potential winning putt from 10 1/2 feet.

Although he could not convert, pushing the ball about a foot past the right edge of the hole, he made up for it in the playoff.

Now it's on to a mid-season wedding, though honeymoon plans are a little unclear and may be on hold until after the British Open.

"The honeymoon is going to be at The Players Championship," Dufner joked about the event in two weeks at TPC Sawgrass. "They got an island green. Pretty cool event."

Now that the Browns have made the bold move to turn their offense over to rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, they should do themselves a favor and provide him with a veteran mentor to help show him the way, Mary Kay Cabot writes.

BROWNS ANALYSIS

Brody Schmidt, Associated PressAlthough he's 28 years old, Brandon Weeden is still a rookie QB and would benefit from having an experienced quarterback help teach him the ropes of the West Coast offense.

Now that the Browns are grooming former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden to be their starter, it's time to provide him with his second-best friend after star running back Trent Richardson: a veteran quarterback who's willing to mentor him.

Even though he's 28 and more mature than most rookie quarterbacks, Weeden would benefit from a veteran who not only knows his role, but relishes it, much like Gary Danielson with Bernie Kosar in 1985 and 1987-88 and Jake Delhomme with Colt McCoy in 2010.

It's a role that 10th-year pro Seneca Wallace isn't ready to play yet, and a major reason the Browns will strongly consider parting ways with him before the season. Wallace readily admitted last season that he wasn't willing to mentor McCoy and share all the secrets of the West Coast offense. Besides, he's set to make $2.4 million in 2012, most of which the Browns could save on their cap by releasing him.

McCoy foundered at times last season, in part, because he no longer had big brother Delhomme around to show him the way. Delhomme, who spent last season with the Texans and is contemplating retirement, is the kind of role model that Weeden needs to get ready for opening day.

Whether or not the Browns keep McCoy -- and they've made no guarantees they will -- they need to add a player-coach for Weeden, one who can help him with the nuances of the West Coast offense. Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who had his best years under Pat Shurmur and Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress, is a free agent, but he's likely too large a name for the role.

Another option might be former Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley, who served as Sam Bradford's mentor in 2010 in St. Louis, when Shurmur was offensive coordinator. An 11-year veteran and current free agent, Feeley was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of 2001 when Shurmur and Childress were there and spent six seasons as a backup over two stints. In 2002, he came off the bench and won three of four starts to keep the Eagles' playoff bid alive until McNabb returned from injury.

In 2010, the Rams signed Feeley to mentor No. 1 overall pick Bradford, and help school him on the West Coast scheme. "I'm going to try to work with (Bradford) every day," Feeley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Anything that I picked up by being in this offense for (so long), I'm going to give it to him. I'm going to try to help him out as much as I possibly can."

With that kind of support, Bradford went 7-9 that season and almost led St. Louis to the playoffs.

"(Bradford) competed through the off-season and became the starter day one," Shurmur said Saturday. "We were a couple plays away from winning the division on a team that time wasn't all that explosive on offense either."

Feeley doesn't have much starting experience -- he's 8-10 in his career -- but he did manage to come off the bench last season in place of the injured Bradford when the Rams were 0-6 and engineer a stunning 31-21 victory over the Saints. It was one of the Rams' two victories last season.

There's another precedent for Shurmur and Childress when it comes to mentoring. In 1999, the Eagles brought in former Green Bay backup Doug Pederson, then 31, to help McNabb. That was back when rookie quarterbacks actually had a chance to watch and learn for a few games. Pederson, who served the same role in Cleveland for Tim Couch a year later, started the first nine games before McNabb took over.

If the Browns don't like any of the current free agent quarterbacks, they can always hope a good one shakes loose over the next couple of months. But Browns President Mike Holmgren cautioned that the wrong mentor can be a detriment.

"A lot of those guys mentor the wrong way," he said. "They want to play. So listen to (the coach). It's a little overrated in my opinion."

Weeden might not need as much hand-holding as other rookies, because he left home at the age of 18 to chase his dream of pitching in the big leagues, and spent five years in sleepy towns and on long bus rides, doing his own laundry and taking care of himself. He's married and older than most of the players on the team.

But it doesn't mean he couldn't use a Delhomme-Danielson type presence to start his NFL career off right.

Undrafted free agents: Weeden's second-leading receiver last season at Oklahoma State, Josh Cooper, was among the undrafted free agents signed by the Browns on Saturday and Sunday. The Browns haven't announced the moves yet, but here's an unofficial list, according to various sources: cornerbacks Mike Allen of James Madison, Emanuel Davis of East Carolina and Antwuan Reed of Pittsburgh; Akron offensive lineman Jake Anderson; Idaho offensive tackle Matt Cleveland; Arizona State center Garth Gerhart; Wyoming safety Tashaun Gipson; Florida defensive end William Green; Central Florida linebacker Josh Linum; receivers Jermaine Saffold of Missouri State and Bert Reed of Florida State; Ohio State offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts; and Ohio State linebacker Andrew Sweat.