NFL players such as the Browns' Joe Haden deserve every penny they can make, just not until they've proven themselves.

Jeff Roberson / Associated PressWhy is the man in the red jersey, Sam Bradford, smiling? Probably because he just signed a deal worth up to $78 million with $50 million guaranteed with the St. Louis Rams.

Joe Haden is the seventh-luckiest man alive.

The rest of the biggest benefactors from an NFL economic system about to go bye-bye also include Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Trent Williams, Eric Berry, Russell Okung, Rolando McClain, C.J. Spiller and Tyson Alualu.

Haden is one of the six members signed in the most recent NFL Draft class top 10. The Browns did a deal with Haden for five years and $50 million, with $26 million guaranteed.

That was Saturday. Sunday they went to church and prayed it works out.

The combined guaranteed money for a group of premier draft picks yet to play a down in the big leagues: $204 million. When Suh, Okung, Spiller and Alualu sign, the number will approach $300 million.

They can all count their blessings along with their signing bonuses because a rookie wage scale is coming.

Say what you will about the No Fun League, but the NFL usually gets things right. It's why football was returned to Cleveland in 1999, why instant replay is an integral part of the game while baseball still ponders its implications and why The Shield beat other leagues to the punch in steroid testing.

The salary inequity that makes Bradford richer than Tom Brady will be the next fix.

For organizations constantly picking at the top of the draft -- the Browns do come rather quickly to mind in that category -- change can't come soon enough.

Look, don't confuse this with the usual fan rant about player salaries. I actually had a guy at a tire store gripe about player salaries just last month, telling me: "We're like doctors here. If we make a mistake with your car, you can die. And we only get $8 to $9 an hour."

And I thought Dr. Goodwrench was a made-up name.

When the market speaks, it isn't saying athletes are more important than teachers, police officers and firefighters. It's saying they're more entertaining to watch. People want to see Peyton Manning play quarterback. They'll pay for Steve Carell to make them laugh in a movie. Unfortunately, nobody's scalping tickets to a class on American history.

David I. Andersen / The Plain DealerBrowns fans have seen plenty of examples of high draft picks who get big contracts and then go out and prove they weren't worth the price. Included in this group is Gerard Warren, whom the Browns selected over Richard Seymour and LaDanian Tomlinson in the 2001 draft.

Go to the Browns training camp on a day when the heat and the pads are on. Better yet, stand on the sidelines of an NFL game. Then try to begrudge players what they make.

I'm a player's guy, especially NFL players. Their careers are short and in constant jeopardy. They should get every penny they can once they've shown they are worthy of it.

The inequity at the top of the draft is problematic for other draft picks who might well outperform the blue chippers. In the salary cap era, it's a slap at veterans who have proven themselves.

Washington tight end Chris Cooley wrote in a recent blog that "if a rookie in any other profession can step on the scene and make more than someone with a proven track record, the business would turn upside down."

I don't think fans care about money unless a holdout happens because of it. But they should care about the rookie wage scale because it could spread money around to deserving players no matter where they were drafted, and it could give their favorite team a better chance to fairly compensate and keep proven veterans.

Joe Haden could become that kind of proven talent. If the Browns were right about him, they have signed an All-Pro corner. If they missed, they have just guaranteed $26 million in a draft that has become the biggest dice roll in sports.

Manager Manny Acta did not expect Kerry Wood to get traded before Saturday's deadline. Wood came off the disabled list before the game and the general feeling was that he'd have to pitch a few times in August to attract the interest of a team. Acta planned for Wood to pitch the seventh inning in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Toronto, but he received word not to put him in the game. That's when he knew a deal was in place.

View full sizeAssociated PressNew York Yankees reliever Kerry Wood pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays defeated the Yankees 3-0.

INDIANS CHATTER

Clubhouse confidential: Manager Manny Acta did not expect Kerry Wood to get traded before Saturday's deadline. Wood came off the disabled list before the game and the general feeling was that he'd have to pitch a few times in August to attract the interest of a team.

Acta planned for Wood to pitch the seventh inning in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Toronto, but he received word not to put him in the game. That's when he knew a deal was in place.

The Yankees told Wood that they'd seen enough of him in the past and on video to make the deal.

Back-room dealing: The negotiating GM Mark Shapiro and assistant GM Chris Antonetti did in preparation for their trading blitz last week was nothing compared to what's going on now. With veterans Jhonny Peralta, Austin Kearns, Jake Westbrook and Wood traded, the remaining Indians are trying to stake claims to the most precious commodities of all -- the departed veterans' lockers at Progressive Field.

The bargaining was going on after the Indians' 5-4 victory over Toronto on Sunday. It will be interesting to see who lands where when the team returns home Friday after a four-game series in Boston.

Stat of the day: Rookie Jeanmar Gomez became the fifth Indian to win his first two big-league games. The others are Scott Lewis in 2008, Roy Smith in 1984, Luis Tiant in 1964 and Dewey Metivier in 1922.

Source: baseball-reference.com.

-- Paul Hoynes

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot reports on what happened during day two of training camp in Berea.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot reports on what happened during day two of training camp in Berea.

The last time we saw Jeanmar Gomez, he was packing his bag and catching a flight to Durham, N.C., to join the Class AAA Columbus Clippers after beating Detroit in his big-league debut on July 18. He reappeared Sunday and pitched five innings to earn the victory in the Indians' 5-4 win over Toronto at Rogers Centre.

View full size Canadian Press via APCleveland Indians starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during first-inning AL baseball game action in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.

They can do the improbable and walk away smiling. Not to mention victorious.

The last time we saw Jeanmar Gomez, he was packing his bag and catching a flight to Durham, N.C., to join the Class AAA Columbus Clippers after beating Detroit in his big-league debut on July 18. He reappeared Sunday and pitched five innings to earn the victory in the Indians' 5-4 win over Toronto at Rogers Centre.

The starting rotation has been torn by trades (Jake Westbrook) and injuries (Mitch Talbot and Aaron Laffey). It's so jumbled that not only did Gomez face the Blue Jays on three days' rest, but so did fellow rookie Josh Tomlin on Saturday. Pitching raw rookies on short rest is an invitation to a beating, but the Indians came away with two one-run victories over the power-hitting Jays.

The best thing about Sunday's win was that Gomez didn't have to catch a flight back to Columbus. He flew with the team to Boston and, depending on what roster manipulation takes place to get a starter for Tuesday, he should get a chance for a healthy dose of big-league life.

Gomez (2-0, l.50 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits in five innings. Like Tomlin, he was on an 85-pitch limit. He'd thrown 80 through five when manager Manny Acta pulled the rip cord.

The Indians won the series, 2-1. They won the season series, 6-4.

"We played a good series," said Acta. "The kid made the most of his 80 pitches. Our bullpen was huge. Raffie Perez and Joe Smith got us through the eighth, and Chris Perez closed the deal."

Asdrubal Cabrera gave Gomez a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the first. After Trevor Crowe walked against Jesse Litsch (1-5, 5.79) to start the game, Cabrera was down in the count, 1-2. He choked up on the bat and bounced a drive off the top of the fence in right field for his second homer of the season.

"The guys were kidding me when I got back to the dugout," said Cabrera.

Jason Donald, who homered in the sixth for what proved to be the winning run, said, "People were saying, 'Is that what you call a wall scraper or a wall bouncer?' "

Toronto tied the score, 2-2, on the bat of Adam Lind. He hit a leadoff homer in the second and an RBI single in the third.

The Indians scratched out two runs in the fifth for a 4-2 lead. Carlos Santana drew a bases-loaded walk off Brian Tallet, who relieved Litsch with a 1-0 count on Santana. Cabrera scored the second run on Matt LaPorta's double-play grounder.

When Donald homered to make it 5-2 in the sixth, it looked like things were under control. Not quite.

The Blue Jays lead the AL in homers. They showed why in the seventh as Yunel Escobar and Jose Bautista hit consecutive two-out homers to make it 5-4. Escobar homered off Tony Sipp, and Bautista connected off Frank Herrmann for his 32nd homer.

"They made it a game with two swings," said Acta.

Rafael Perez started the eighth with two quick outs. When Lyle Overbay singled, Joe Smith relieved to face All-Star catcher John Buck.

"No problem," said Smith. "I either give it up or get the game to CP [Chris Perez]."

Buck, with 14 homers, worked the count full before striking out on an inside fastball.

Perez gave up a leadoff single to Travis Snider in the ninth. DeWayne Wise sacrificed him to second, but Perez retired Escobar on a fly ball to left and struck out Bautista, the AL home run leader, on four pitches for his 12th save.

He saved Saturday's victory, but not before loading the bases with one out.

"I had to get the tying run in scoring position again," said Perez. "I guess I like to live dangerously."

When asked before Sunday's game if he had to take a realistic approach to the rest of the season in terms of wins and losses, Acta said no way. "I'm never realistic," he said. "I'm an optimistic fool. I come here every single day thinking that it's baseball and on any given day Jeanmar Gomez can beat any of these guys he's facing. That's the way I approach it because it happens in the game."

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer, FileCleveland Indians manager Manny Acta during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on April 18, 2010.

TORONTO, Canada -- Do not talk to manager Manny Acta about realism and how it pertains to an inexperienced and stripped-down Indians club. He's a dreamer. A baseball dreamer.

After last week's trades, the Indians have only two players on their 25-man roster over 30. One of them is Travis Hafner, the DH with the big contract who hasn't played in four days because of a sore right shoulder. The other is outfielder/first baseman Shelley Duncan.

When asked before Sunday's game if he had to take a realistic approach to the rest of the season in terms of wins and losses, Acta said no way.

"I'm never realistic," he said. "I'm an optimistic fool. I come here every single day thinking that it's baseball and on any given day Jeanmar Gomez can beat any of these guys he's facing. That's the way I approach it because it happens in the game.

"In the long term it doesn't usually work out that way, but life is about choices and attitude. I know what's ahead of us and what's in front of me."

The dreamer was smiling after Sunday's 5-4 victory over Toronto. Gomez, a rookie pitching on three days' rest in his second big-league game, went five innings for the win.

Quick hits: Short Indians notes:

Acta said Sunday that Michael Brantley will be recalled soon from Columbus. He's been up with the Indians twice.

Acta added that Nick Weglarz, another Columbus outfielder, could get a call as well if he keeps performing well. Weglarz is hitting .286 with 17 doubles, six homers, 20 RBI and an .889 OPS through 50 games.

Luis Valbuena started at third Sunday after Jayson Nix made two errors in a three-game period since being given the job following Wednesday's trade of Jhonny Peralta.

Jason Donald, Jordan Brown and Trevor Crowe were college teammates at the University of Arizona.

Anthony Reyes' rehab start at Class AA Akron didn't go well Sunday. He allowed nine runs on six hits in 1 innings. Reyes, coming back Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, threw 50 pitches, 27 for strikes. That's that: Jordan Brown finally made his big-league debut Sunday. After being called up Saturday to replace Austin Kearns, he DH'd Sunday and took an 0-for-4.

"It was nerve-wracking," said Brown. "I've never been happy after an 0-for-4, but it was nice to do it and get it out of the way. Now we go to Boston and I hope we keep winning."

Brown's family will join him in Boston. Into the void: Acta said he'd like to see Asdrubal Cabrera assume a leadership role on the club now that most of the veterans have been traded or released.

"Asdrubal brings a lot to the table," said Acta. "He's a very nice team player. He'll bunt on his own when he's trying to get things started for us.

"He's the right guy to start leading these kids. He's been in the big leagues for almost four years now. He's been in the playoffs with the Indians. I'm expecting him to take on a bigger role and we've talked to him about it."

Cabrera said that's fine with him.

"Manny talked to me about it in spring training," said Cabrera. "I know what Manny likes. I'm going to try and be a really good teammate with everybody.

"I feel really good about it. We have a young team here, but everybody wants to win." He's the man: Chris Perez really has been the Indians' closer most of the season. Kerry Wood started the year on the disabled list, returned to save eight games and then went back on the DL.

In all that downtime, Perez was the closer. Now with Wood traded to the Yankees, there's no doubt.

"I was nervous when Kerry was activated on Saturday," said Perez. "I was walking around on eggshells wondering what they were going to do."

Wood was traded during Saturday's game.

"It all worked out," said Perez. "Kerry is going to a playoff contender, and I'm getting my chance. This is what I've dreamed of and worked hard for since college. I hope I come out on top more times than not."

Dave Oates played his way into the record book on Sunday when he shot a 1-under 70 to win the David K. Barnes Summit County Amateur golf championship at J. Edward Good Park with a 36-hole total of 3-under 139. It marked the fourth time Oates has won the event, tying him with Barry Terjesen for the most titles in the 36-year history of the tournament.

LOCAL GOLF

AKRON, Ohio -- The fourth time was just as charming as the third.

Or the second. Or the first. Maybe more so.

Dave Oates played his way into the record book on Sunday when he shot a 1-under 70 to win the David K. Barnes Summit County Amateur golf championship at J. Edward Good Park with a 36-hole total of 3-under 139.

It marked the fourth time Oates has won the event, tying him with Barry Terjesen for the most titles in the 36-year history of the tournament.

"It's certainly nice to win this a fourth time," said Oates, a history teacher and golf coach at Canton Central Catholic. "A lot of good players have been in it over the years. I'm happy to have won, and I'd like to get at least one more."

Compared to his two most recent victories, which required playoffs, this one was less stressful as Oates survived consecutive bogeys on the final two holes to win by two shots over fellow Cantonite Kurt Peterson (70-71) and two shots over Orrville's Brian Lisic and former Walsh Jesuit standout Ross Beal of Uniontown.

There were two key holes in Oates' victory. Playing the nines in reverse order, he protected his first-round lead by making the turn in 2-under 34. After a bogey on the first hole -- Oates' 10th of the day -- he blocked his second shot on the 472-yard, par-5 second hole and ended up about 15 yards to the right of the green. He chipped in for eagle.

"That was really big, especially after the bogey on the first hole and the bad second shot on two," he said.

Oates followed with four straight pars, while Peterson nipped at his heels until they reached the 441-yard seventh. After Peterson stuck his approach to five feet and eventually made birdie, Oates trumped that by rolling in a 50-foot putt, also for birdie, that broke about 10 feet to the right.

"When it got to about 10 feet, I knew it was dead center," said Oates, who showed a rare sign of emotion by lifting his putter in the air as the ball approached the hole.

Rookie cornerback Joe Haden came up in a few controversial reports in the past few months, but the Browns and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan have assured him he is wanted on the team.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerIf getting $26 million in guaranteed money from the Browns was not proof enough that the team wants him, rookie Joe Haden has taken comfort from a talk with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan put top pick Joe Haden's mind at ease regarding the Kyle Wilson controversy -- specifically, reports that Ryan wanted to draft the Boise State cornerback instead of Haden.

Wilson was selected No. 29 by Ryan's twin brother, Jets coach Rex Ryan. Haden, a Florida star who signed his five- year, $50 million contract Saturday night and practiced for the first time Sunday, went No. 7 overall to the Browns.

During Jets minicamp the week after the draft, Rex Ryan told reporters: "There is somebody that I really know well for a long time that basically said that he was their guy, and they picked a lot earlier than us.

"You can probably figure it out. That's who he wanted, and then after practice, I'm like, 'Yep. I guarantee you were right because this guy is the real deal.' "

A source in New York confirmed Rex was talking about Rob. But Rob wasted no time assuring his new cornerback that he was wanted by the Browns all along.

"Coach Ryan came up to me during rookie camp," Haden said. "He was like, 'Joe, I worked out Kyle Wilson, and I said he was the best defensive back I worked out. I said that because I didn't work you out. [Defensive backs coach] Jerome Henderson worked you out and some other defensive backs, and you were the best DB he worked out.'

http://videos.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/2010/08/cleveland_browns_top_draft_pic.html

"He was like, 'Joe, don't worry about that. It was nothing like that. We're so glad you're here,' and all of that stuff. cleared it up for me and made it a whole lot better. I don't care what everybody else says. Coach just told me exactly what happened."

It was the second of three times in his months-old pro career that Haden has been blindsided by adversity.

The first came during the NFL Combine in February, when Haden ran a disappointing 4.57 and 4.60 in the 40-yard dash. Many experts predicted he would fall out of the top 10. But Haden's father and trainer, Joe Sr., revealed Haden was suffering from lower back pain and shouldn't have run at the Combine. He rebounded at his Pro Day, clocking between 4.39 and 4.42. He also ran well for Henderson when he traveled to Maryland to work him out individually.

"Before that happened at the Combine, I always had everything laid out for me all the time," Haden said. "I never really had any controversy or any real struggles. After the Combine, when I ran slow -- and I know I'm fast -- man, it was crazy. I just realized how many people are on your side one second, and as soon as something happens, it feels like the world came crashing in."

The third instance came last month when former Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi, an analyst for NFL Network and a harsh Mangini critic, wrote on NFL.com that "coaches around the league" say Haden struggled at minicamp and may be too slow to play cornerback in the NFL.

"I'm not even worried about that," said Haden. "He's not here or in this inner circle. He's not my coach. I talk to my coach [Henderson] all the time, and he tells me, 'Joe, just compete, Get better. You just have to understand the playbook, and you're going to be perfectly fine.' He said one of the hardest positions to come in and play other than quarterback is cornerback. It's not just about ability. You have to understand the game."

Haden admitted after minicamp that he wasn't playing as fast as he'd like because he still was processing all the new information. So he spent the past six weeks poring over his playbook.

"As long as I know what's going on, I can play full speed," he said. "If you're out there reacting, you'll get beat. I feel like [Sunday] I did a whole lot better than the last time I was on the field. I felt a whole lot faster, and my legs felt fresh."

Browns coach Eric Mangini said all the rookies played slowly in minicamp, "but he's a good person, he's a smart kid, he's a hard-working kid. Those things will serve him well to get caught up."

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJoe Haden is a happy camper on his first day of practice as a Cleveland Brown.

Mangini made no promises that his $50 million man will be a starter on opening day, the way Darrelle Revis, his Jets cornerback, was as a rookie.

"Everybody's different," said Mangini. "Revis is Revis, and Joe is Joe. He'll get opportunities, and we just really have to see how it plays out. I like to think that he'll be as competitive as he possibly can be."

He said Haden, who broke up a few passes Sunday and gave up a few others, might start some games and not others depending on the opponent.

"With as many multiple-receiver teams that we face, we need to be able to play three, four cornerbacks in different spots," said Mangini. "He'll get plenty of chances to show what he can do."

In the meantime, Haden is looking at all this controversy as a blessing.

"You know who's got your back when you go through adversity," he said.

Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Joe Haden was in pads Sunday after he signed a five-year, $50 million contract yesterday.

Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Joe Haden was in pads Sunday after he signed a five-year, $50 million contract yesterday. He missed a full week of camp for rookies and two practices of training camp. Head coach Eric Mangini says he has some catching up to do.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Eric Wright might also play nickelback

BEREA - Browns cornerback Eric Wright has a new role to add to his starting duties: nickelback. The Browns are giving him a shot at the crucial job of covering the slot receiver on third down, and he hopes it's permanent.

"Nickelback is a position I'm playing a little bit at this point, and I'm trying to master that craft," he said. "I spent the whole off-season studying players at that position. It definitely helps. It's something that a lot of players do."

One player Wright studied often was Packers 13-year pro and six-time Pro Bowler Charles Woodson.

"Charles Woodson plays on the outside and does a great job for the Packers, and when third down comes around, he slides inside and plays the nickel," said Wright. "It's just a huge opportunity to go out there and use your playmaking ability. Usually on third down, the ball goes in the slot or somewhere in the middle. I'm extremely excited to learn a new position, for one to help the team out, and also to be a little more versatile, add more value and also get an opportunity to make more plays. It's a challenge, and it's fun."

The Browns have struggled to find the right nickelback over the years, and are hoping Wright can lock down the spot. Last season, Hank Poteat started in that role and Mike Adams finished. It's also a contract year for Wright, and could enhance his market value if he succeeds at it.

But a new role isn't all that's changed for Wright. He's also changed his number to 21, which he began wearing in honor of his idol, Deion Sanders. It worked out perfectly, because Sheldon Brown wanted Wright's No. 24. Top pick Joe Haden also wanted No. 21, but Wright got first dibs. Haden is wearing No. 23.

"I'm back to the number I've worn since I was 8 years old, and I've been trying to get it since I was a rookie, so I finally got an opportunity to jump back into the number," said Wright. "It feels good. It fits. I feel comfortable, and it just makes me feel that much better."

He said he originally chose it because of Sanders, "but I made it my own."

Hillis highlights: Running back Peyton Hillis has been taking advantage of his second-team reps with rookie Montario Hardesty sidelined with a twisted knee. During Sunday's practice, Hillis displayed excellent hands, catching several passes out of the backfield and turning them upfield for long runs. In a two-minute drill, he parlayed a short catch into a 26-yard blast that set up a field goal.

At 241 pounds -- he's still putting back on some weight from a flu that kept him out of some OTAs and minicamp -- he provides a big, bruising back and a jumbo backfield when paired with fullback Lawrence Vickers.

"With both of us in there, we can move the pile a little bit and get that tough yardage," he said.

Coach Eric Mangini knows full well what Hillis can do. He once scorched Mangini's Jets for 129 yards while with the Broncos.

As for his great hands, he said: "I've always thought that was one of my main strengths every since I was a kid. Hopefully, I can continue that."

He acknowledged the great opportunity to get reps, "but Montario's a great back, and we can't wait for him to get back." Wallace competing: Mangini still hasn't declared a starting quarterback, even though Jake Delhomme is taking the bulk of the first-team reps. He said nothing's changed. "Seneca will have chances to work with the first group," said Mangini. "That's not uncommon. I've been happy with his progress from OTAs to now. . . . It's clicking, and you see that. He's got a good arm. He's an accurate passer. He can make some plays with his feet, which is nice to have that to work against defensively as well. I'm really encouraged by his very early progress." Rogers on offense? Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, treated observers to an impromptu post-practice session on the JUGS pass-catching machine Saturday. He missed the first four but caught the next five. Then, he started to show off a little, getting down on his knees and catching balls one-handed. He did a great job with his left hand but struggled some with the right. But it was an impressive enough performance for Mangini to at least consider granting Rogers his wish.

"I did not see him. Did he look pretty good?" asked Mangini. "He's lobbied to play some tight end on the goal line and some fullback on the goal line, so who knows?"

He also said Rogers will work some at defensive end, both right and left.

"He'll be good at it," Mangini said. "They're a little bit different reads, but for a guy like him, he'll learn it pretty quickly. The technique is relatively consistent with what he does at nose guard. It'll be a nice way to have some more depth in there and have some added size."

The Buckeyes should be officially announced as the Big Ten's preseason favorite later this morning.

It's a month until Ohio State kicks off against Marshall on Thursday night, Sept. 2. That means, of course, that football is here.

The Buckeyes are back in Columbus this week in advance of moving into the team hotel on Thursday and starting preseason camp Friday. Everything is moved up for Ohio State since the Buckeyes are opening the season on a Thursday night, two days ahead of the usual schedule.

Three players - Cameron Heyward, Bryant Browning and Dane Sanzenbacher - are in Chicago, though, for what is either a reward or a punishment: Talking to reporters for two days. Jim Tressel is there as well, and I'm on my way. All 11 Big Ten coaches will hit the podium at 11 a.m. today, and we'll talk with conference boss Jim Delany as well.

That means there should be some news about expansion specifics, though it's likely only to be a timetable for when those decisions should be made. So don't expect to learn about a Big Ten title game or how the league will be split into divisions today. But there's still plenty to talk about.

Marvin Fong | The Plain Dealer Will Terrelle Pryor be named the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year for the second straight season?

One thing we'll learn quickly is the conference predictions from the media. My top three were Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, and it's obvious that the Buckeyes are the preseason favorite, with the Hawkeyes and Badgers second and third in some order.

As for preseason player of the year, OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor probably will repeat as preseason offensive player of the year, though my vote went to Wisconsin tailback John Clay. The candidates for defensive player are Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones, Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn and Ohio State defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. This vote went to Jones.

And I'll add this - I finished my AP preseason ballot on Sunday night, though the AP poll won't be released until Aug. 21. To my own surprise, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Iowa all made my top 10. This could be a good year for the league.

Expect regular updates today, Tuesday and for, oh, the next five months or so, on this blog and on Twitter @OSUsportsfromPD as well.

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is not shy when it comes to voicing his opinion. He has stirred the pot a bit with his latest comments. In his recent interview, Guillen said Asian players are given privileges in the the United States that Latinos are not afforded. For example, Guillen said it's unfair that Japenese players are assigned...

Mark Duncan | Associated PressChicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and umpire Joe West.

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is not shy when it comes to voicing his opinion. He has stirred the pot a bit with his latest comments. In his recent interview, Guillen said Asian players are given privileges in the the United States that Latinos are not afforded.

For example, Guillen said it's unfair that Japenese players are assigned translators when they come to the U.S. to play pro ball, but Latinos are not.

Guillen also said players from Latin America are considered too old to sign if they're past 16 or 17, yet college prospects from the U.S. are often signed at age 22 or 23.

Guillen also said he's alone in teaching Latinos about banned drugs.

"I'm the only one to teach the Latinos about not to use," he said. "I'm the only one and Major League Baseball doesn't [care]. All they care about -- how many times I argue with the umpires, what I say to the media. But I'm the only one in baseball to come up to the Latino kids and say not to use this and I don't get any credit for that.

"They look at you and they say, 'Good for you Ozzie,' " he said. "Ozzie said it, don't worry about it. If somebody else said it they would be playing that [stuff] every day on the jumbotron. ... I'm the only one that came up with that idea. I did it for the Latino kids. ... I want to help those kids."

Oh, no! The Indians didn't just trade HIM?!

View full sizeCourtesy of Cleveland State University LibraryRocky Colavito was swapped to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn just two days before the 1960 season began. Among longtime Tribe fans, mere mention of that trade can start tongues wagging and fingers pointing.

An Ohio State player has been named a preseason player of the year every season since 2002.

Best team, best offensive player - it was no surprise that Ohio State was picked at the top of the Big Ten in voting revealed today.

In a poll of media attending the Big Ten meetings in Chicago today, the Buckeyes were predicted to win their sixth consecutive Big Ten title, with Iowa chosen to finish second and Wisconsin third.

The offensive and defensive preseason players of the year were repeats as well, with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones following their preseason selections from a year ago.

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was the last Big Ten player to repeat a preseason selection, chosen as the defensive player of the year before the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Darron Cummings, Associated PressOhio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was named the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year for the second consecutive season.

This is the first time since 1998 that both selections were repeats, when Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne were picked in consecutive years.

As you may remember, Pryor did not follow up last season's preseason pick with a postseason selection. Wisconsin running back John Clay was named the postseason offensive player of the year by coaches and media last season, and he was my preseason pick this year.

Jones was named the postseason defensive player of the year by the media in 2009, with Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick chosen by the coaches.

Pryor's selection continues a remarkable run for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have had a preseason player of the year on at least one side of the ball every year since 2002.

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson said in recent interviews that they would have never teamed up with each other like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But someone created this picture (above) and it has circulated on the web. What if?  

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson said in recent interviews that they would have never teamed up with each other like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But someone created this picture (above) and it has circulated on the web.

What if?

"This isn't as bad as it looks. He'll miss a few weeks, be behind from the start and be playing catch up the rest of the way, but we have Harrison and some other good backs. He's an injury-prone talent who we took a risk on. I wouldn't say that we blew the pick just because of a twisted knee. Only time will tell if this pick was good, bad or great." - cavsliveon

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerRookie Montario Hardesty (31) will miss some time at the beginning of training camp with a twisted knee.

In response to the story Rookie running back Montario Hardesty out with a twisted knee: Browns Insider, cleveland.com reader cavsliveon thinks some fans are overreacting to the injury to Hardesty. This reader writes,

"This isn't as bad as it looks. He'll miss a few weeks, be behind from the start and be playing catch up the rest of the way, but we have Harrison and some other good backs. He's an injury-prone talent who we took a risk on. I wouldn't say that we blew the pick just because of a twisted knee. Only time will tell if this pick was good, bad or great."

The Big Ten will hold its annual media day today in Chicago, and John Mutka writes on Post-Tribune.com how the usual suspects of Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa, will lead the charge in the conference. Mutka also writes how fans can expect a tailback-dominant conference, led by Wisconsin's John Clay and Penn State's Evan Royster. Fourth of July-type fireworks should light up...

Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times QB Terrelle Pryor on the run.

The Big Ten will hold its annual media day today in Chicago, and John Mutka writes on Post-Tribune.com how the usual suspects of Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa, will lead the charge in the conference.

Mutka also writes how fans can expect a tailback-dominant conference, led by Wisconsin's John Clay and Penn State's Evan Royster.

Fourth of July-type fireworks should light up your television sets on Saturdays at Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan. All three schools return 10 offensive starters to crank up formidable attacks.

No individual standout will be scoped more closely than OSU's Terrelle Pryor, a 2,000-yard passer who also rushed for nearly 800 yards. His receiving corps starts with Devier Posey, who caught 60 passes, eight of them for touchdowns, and Dane Sanzenbacher, who sprinkled six TDs among 36 receptions.

 

 

Expansion

Nebraska will not join the Big Ten until 2011, but Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne will participate in the Big Ten meetings.

The Chicago Tribune gives us a timeline on how Nebraska ended up in the best conference in college sports.

June 10: A Big Ten source tells the Tribune that Nebraska will be formally invited to join the league.

Comment: Will the Big Ten stop at 12? For now, yes.

June 11: Citing a unanimous vote by Big Ten CEOs, Delany welcomes Nebraska to the league, calling it "a phenomenal fit." Competitive fairness and rivalries will trump geography in creating divisions. Nebraska will join July 1, 2011, and Delany is "presuming" the Big Ten will create a conference championship game.

Comment: Osborne says he would like Nebraska to join the Big Ten "tomorrow."

 

Championship game

Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News writes that Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit are seen as the front-runners should the Big Ten add a title game. More than likely, that title game would take place at either Ford Field in Detroit or Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

In the last two years, Lucas Oil Stadium hosted the 2010 NCAA Final Four and nearby Canseco Fieldhouse has been the site of the Big Ten basketball championship tournament since 2008. Ford Field has hosted a Final Four (2009) and a Frozen Four (2010), as well as every Mid-American Conference football championship game since 2004.

"We stand behind Ford Field for what it's been as a destination venue since its opening in 2002," Lions general manager Tom Lewand said. "We think the Detroit community is one that would openly support the Big Ten championship."

 

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes, today's guest, talks about the recent trades and where the Indians go from here.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright. Today's highlights:

• It's no surprise the Indians traded more players over the weekend before Saturday's deadline. In a Starting Blocks poll, we ask you to vote for your favorite Indians player that was traded away over the years.

• Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes, today's guest, talks about the recent trades and where the Indians go from here.

While many people believe the Indians have a colossal rebuilding project ahead of themselves, Hoynes sees a lot of promise on the field. Although the team is young and many players need time to develop, Hoynes says management has an interesting mix to work with.

Hoynes also weighs in on White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's remarks Sunday about Asian players given privileges Latinos are not afforded.

Starting Blocks TV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston. If you have a question for Bill, post it in the comments below and we'll try to ask him during Tuesday's show.

"The big story today should be Tomlin. It looks like we may have found a long term starter, and that's not insignificant. The guy looks like he can pitch." - tribefever32

View full sizeThomas Ondrey | The Plain DealerJosh Tomlin has impressed in his two starts since coming up from Columbus.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians beat Toronto, 2-1; trade Kerry Wood to Yankees, cleveland.com reader tribefever32 thinks the performance of Josh Tomlin has gotten lost in all the trade news. This reader writes,

"The big story today should be Tomlin. It looks like we may have found a long term starter, and that's not insignificant. The guy looks like he can pitch."

"The NBA cannot allow their players to also run sports agencies while playing. A total conflict of interest and it brings a corrupt stench to the league that will never go away. Honestly, Stern needs to draw the line here or forever be LBJ's puppet, just like ESPN is." - Ctown-kb

View full sizeAssociated PressMaverick Carter (center) is the CEO of LRMR, but some fans wonder if LeBron James' involvement should raise red flags for the NBA.

In response to the story LeBron James' basketball camps push the line in regard to recruiting amateurs for sports agency: Hey, Brian!, cleveland.com reader Ctown-kb thinks David Stern should be concerned about LeBron James' role in LRMR. This reader writes,

"The NBA cannot allow their players to also run sports agencies while playing. A total conflict of interest and it brings a corrupt stench to the league that will never go away. Honestly, Stern needs to draw the line here or forever be LBJ's puppet, just like ESPN is."

Tony Grossi's observations on the Browns' morning practice on Day 3 of training camp.

BEREA -- Observations, opinions and some facts on the Browns morning practice ...

 * The only rookies currently working with the first team are safety T.J. Ward and guard Shawn Lauvao. Lauvao is the indirect beneficiary of Tony Pashos' time on the sideline with cold symptoms. Floyd Womack has moved over to Pashos' right tackle spot, giving Lauvao the spot at right guard.

 * Ward got beat by fullback Lawrence Vickers on a route up the center of the field. Delhomme put the ball on the money, in stride, enabling Vickers to separate for lots of yards.

 * Lauvao also is getting snaps at center with the third team. The top backup center behind starter Alex Mack currently is Tony Yates.

 * Receiver Brian Robiskie made a nice leaping catch in the corner of the end zone on a lob throw from Jake Delhomme. Robiskie, who looks more comfortable and fluid in his second camp, said the quarterbacks are putting the ball in the right places. Robiskie is pressing Josh Cribbs for the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Mohamed Massaquoi.

 * The linebackers with the first team lined up this way: Matt Roth, Chris Gocong, D'Qwell Jackson and Scott Fujita.

 * Delhomme hit James Davis on a nice screen play. Somehow, nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin became the only defender in pursuit. Davis separated easily, but the 330-pound Rubin had to impress coaches by chasing him valiantly for about 25 yards.

 * Eric Wright intercepted Delhomme in the end zone on a pass intended for Chansi Stuckey. Delhomme just threw it up, as Stuckey was surrounded by three defenders.