Browns punter Dave Zastudil revealed he's been recovering from a torn patella tendon but is optimistic he'll be ready for the opener.

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerBrowns punter Dave Zastudil is optimistic he'll be recovered enough from a torn patella tendon to start the opener.

CLEVELAND -- Browns punter Dave Zastudil said he's been recovering from surgery to repair  a torn right patella tendon, but that he hopes to be ready for the start of the season Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay.

 "Over time, the patella tendon had some issues with it and I had to get surgery to help that tendon out,'' Zastudil said. "I'm trying to be smart about it  and make sure my volume doesn't get too high. I look forward to getting better everyday. My whole goal is to be ready for the first game in September.''

 Zastudil succumbed to the injury in November and was placed on injured reserve for the final eight games. Despite that it's his non-kicking leg, it's still a tough rehabilitation process.

 "All of your pressure's on your plant leg,'' he said. "As long as you get it warmed up real good and you keep your leg strong, that's the best way to keep that knee healthy.''

 Zastudil is splitting the punting duties in camp with Reggie Hodges, who punted in Zastudil's place for the second half of 2009.

 "I take every training camp as competition,'' said Zatudil. "Reggie's trying to win a job and I'm trying to win a job and it's healthy competition. He's making me better an I'm making him better and we're here competing for the job.''

He said the injury was not caused by working too much in training camp last season.

 "The coaches are really great with us,'' he said. "It was kind of a freak thing with me. It seems like it was just building over time. I got it taken care of and I look forward to having a great year healthy. I'm very optimistic I'll be ready to go.''

NBA TV will announce key nationally broadcasted games for the 2010-11 NBA season Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerLeBron James

NBA TV will announce key nationally broadcasted games for the 2010-11 NBA season Tuesday at 7 p.m.

In the past, the league would just release the schedule in a memo, but in the age of TV specials (i.e.The Decison), everything has become an event. So in a special program, NBA TV will reveal which teams will be featured during ESPN and TNT's opening week coverage, as well as Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchups.

One source told Starting Blocks that the Miami Heat will open the season at The Q against the Cleveland Cavaliers. If that's true, it will be like the Baltimore Ravens first game in Cleveland against the new Browns.

NBA.com will exclusively announce the full 2010-11 regular season schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

In other news, despite selling out of season tickets, working for the Miami Heat cost many their jobs.

Browns defensive back Joe Haden enjoys a 'You love me! You really love me' moment with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

View full sizeThe young Browns receiving corps, including Brian Robiskie, who couldn't quite get his feet in bounds for a catch against the Steelers last year, must erase the errors of 2009.

President Mike Holmgren, whose resume indicates a certain talent for evaluating quarterbacks, knew he had to upgrade. Holmgren believes ex-Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme still $7 million worth of gas left in his tank. And Seneca Wallace, who was brought into Seattle by Holmgren, is part of the mix in Berea now, as is the next-big-thing, Texas' record-breaking Colt McCoy.

But the reality is you could bring in a genetically engineered combination of Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Brian Sipe and (gack) John Elway and it wouldn't make a difference if the guys who are supposed to catch the ball have what we like to call Roberto Duran appendages (i.e. Stone Hands).

Joel Thorman, writing for sbnation.com, pointed out that that Delhomme, Wallace, McCoy and whoever else the Browns put under center will be throwing to the same receiving corps. It's a seriously sobering thought.

The Browns' group of receivers were among the worst in the league last season, even when Braylon Edwards was still on the roster. The group was young, inexperienced, and perhaps most importantly, didn't have an accurate quarterback delivering the football.

This year, in terms of players, nothing has changed. The team will try to go with youngsters Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, and Chansi Stuckey as their top three receivers. None of those players are going to make defensive coordinators lose any sleep, so fans can only hope that they have improved in their second year with the team.

On the plus side, the Browns added veteran tight end Ben Watson to the roster this season. Watson is an immediate upgrade over what the Browns had last year, and if Delhomme isn't comfortable with his wide receivers, he should find some relief in Watson.

Hmmmm. Starting Blocks is thinking about picking up Watson in the ol' fantasy league draft. There could be worse picks.

Oops. Shouldn't say "picks" in any story that has Delhomme's name in it.

The tight end position looks so much better this year. Ben Watson is a savvy veteran slated to be the starter, but don't count out Evan Moore.

Moore has looked great, catching several passes while proving to be a mismatch against anyone trying to cover him. Last year at this time, Browns fans didn't know who Moore was.

Here's a hint: He's a pretty smart dude. Guy graduated from Stanford with a pair of degrees, a bachelor's in political science and a master's in sociology. What's more, the guy only got to play in five games last year, and led all tight ends in receptions and yards . Which sounds really cool until you realize by his "team-leading" numbers were 12 receptions for 158 yards and zero touchdowns.

Not so, said Joe Haden, talking to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. The rookie who signed a $50 million contract ($26 million guaranteed) said Ryan "cleared it up for me" in a one-on-one conversation.

Cabot also talked to cornerback Eric Wright, who could end up playing nickel -- and covering the slot receiver on crucial downs. That item is part of her Browns Insider, which also carries items about Shaun Rogers lobbying (successfully?) to play a little tight end from time to time.

OK, let's say you just got out of business school, and finished at the top of your class. Great potential, etc. Ya think you're going to make more than the CEO at your company? Ya think you SHOULD make more than the CEO of your company? Columnist Bud Shaw points out that that is exactly what happens in the NFL, where a guy who is drafted in the top 10 makes more money than veterans who've been doing their jobs for years. Is that right?

"What is it about Chekwa that so many writers and coaches think so much of him? He has consistently gotten burned by even average receivers and seems to always be late to the plays. I am certainly no expert, but you would think that a supposedly really good defensive back would have some good plays that stand out in everybody's mind. I cannot think of one time that he has made a great play since he has been at OSU, and it's not like teams try to avoid him." - buckeyedaveinnc

View full sizeAP Photo | Ross D. FranklinChimdi Chekwa has not made a good impression on some Buckeyes fans.

In response to the story Ohio State Buckeyes secondary should give defense some confidence: Hey, Doug!, cleveland.com reader buckeyedaveinnc doesn't understand why Chimdi Chekwa is held in such high esteem. This reader writes,

"What is it about Chekwa that so many writers and coaches think so much of him? He has consistently gotten burned by even average receivers and seems to always be late to the plays. I am certainly no expert, but you would think that a supposedly really good defensive back would have some good plays that stand out in everybody's mind. I cannot think of one time that he has made a great play since he has been at OSU, and it's not like teams try to avoid him."

Terrelle Pryor is expected to win college's top award ... and probably be a bust in the NFL.

View full sizeAP FileRoger Staubach poses with the Heisman Trophy he won in 1963 as the quarterback of Navy. Terrelle Pryor of OSU is expected to contend for the Heisman, which may work against him careerwise; Staubach and Stanford's Jim Plunkett are the only two quarterbacks to win Heismans AND a Super Bowl.

For all the notoriety he receives we do not think highly of quarterback Terrelle Pryor  as an NFL prospect.  He’s a terrific athlete with an NFL arm.  He makes plays with his legs if nothing is available through the air.  He powers the ball into targets or easily drives passes downfield.  Pryor also loses nothing throwing on the move.  Yet Pryor is more athlete than quarterback to this point, more thrower than passer.  His mechanics are inconsistent, his field vision is less than adequate and Pryor’s pass placement is poor.  Pryor offers better physical skills when compared to Tim Tebow yet at the same time has a fraction of the intangibles and leadership ability of the former Gator.

Perhaps Ohio State's biggest obstacle is the schedule, as the Buckeyes have to go to Madison and Iowa City and host Miami and Penn State. The game against Iowa could decide who goes to the national championship, and given the Buckeyes' recent success against the Hawkeyes, expect Ohio State to be heading to Glendale (Arizona).

"The fans don't doubt Jerome Harrison. The fans I know love him. We have been clamoring for him to get more touches for a very long time. Last year's performance in those final games sealed it. How on earth could the Browns doubt him now? He was sensational last year. It has been making me sick to see all this attention go to Hardesty for nothing, but I never doubted Harrison would be the man this year." - nemo1043

View full sizeTracy Boulian | The Plain DealerSome Browns fans aren't sure why Jerome Harrison's performance at the end of 2009 wasn't enough to make him the starter from Day One in 2010.

In response to the story A healthy Jerome Harrison lugging a sizeable chip on his shoulder as Cleveland Browns camp begins, cleveland.com reader nemo1043 thinks there's plenty of support for Harrison among Browns fans. This reader writes,

"The fans don't doubt Jerome Harrison. The fans I know love him. We have been clamoring for him to get more touches for a very long time. Last year's performance in those final games sealed it. How on earth could the Browns doubt him now? He was sensational last year. It has been making me sick to see all this attention go to Hardesty for nothing, but I never doubted Harrison would be the man this year."

"Westbrook? Good organizations don't trade guys like him. Every year he goes out, eats innings, keeps the team in nearly every game and wins 14-15 games a year. And he's affordable. He'll never win a Cy Young - maybe never be an All-Star - but he's the type of guy you build a rotation around, especially when all your other pitchers are kids. That the Indians salary-dumped him tells you all you need to know about the Dolans and their 'commitment' to winning." - pereubu

View full sizeAP Photo | Nam Y. HuhSome Indians fans weren't happy with the team's decision to trade Jake Westbrook.

In response to the story Tribe's trades make a young team even younger: Cleveland Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader pereubu doesn't like the idea of the Indians trading a pitcher like Jake Westbrook. This reader writes,

"Westbrook? Good organizations don't trade guys like him. Every year he goes out, eats innings, keeps the team in nearly every game and wins 14-15 games a year. And he's affordable. He'll never win a Cy Young - maybe never be an All-Star - but he's the type of guy you build a rotation around, especially when all your other pitchers are kids. That the Indians salary-dumped him tells you all you need to know about the Dolans and their 'commitment' to winning."

The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Jake Delhomme during the off-season to come in and provide the leadership that the front office thought was missing on the offensive side of the ball.

The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Jake Delhomme during the off-season to come in and provide the leadership that the front office thought was missing on the offensive side of the ball. He is eager to get a fresh start and lead the Browns after a bad year last year with Carolina.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot report on what happened during day three of training camp in Berea.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot report on what happened during day three of training camp in Berea.

Manny Acta perserveres despite a losing record and an ever-changing roster.

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerWith apologies to the skipper in "Bull Durham," managing the Indians may be the toughest job in baseball ... as Manny Acta has learned. And by most accounts, he's done it pretty well.

Now pitching for the Cleveland Indians . . . Charlieeeeeeeee Brooooowwwwwn.

Hey, it could happen. Went back and checked against the Opening Day roster, which was, you know, like work, and discovered that 11 of the 25 men on the roster that day aren't with the team right now. Some of 'em, like Grady Sizemore, are hurt. Some of 'em, like Jake Westbrook, were dealt. And some of 'em, like . . . well, you know . . . just stank.

You gotta feel for manager Manny Acta, in a lot of ways. Math isn't Starting Blocks' strongest suit (the shoes have to come off if we count above 10), but by our reckoning, that's 44 percent of his team gone. Don't know too many businesses that could do well in the face of a 44 percent turnover rate.

In that light, it's not so surprising that the Tribe has lost 61 games, but it dang sure is amazing that the Indians have won 44 games.

And it's also amazing that Acta continues to be upbeat. Here's how the Newark Star-Ledger put it:

Acta was brought here to shape that core. He intends to supervise a franchise's return to relevance. And although the Indians are 43-61, Acta says he has a better chance to actually see it through.

"This is the happiest I've ever been in my baseball career," said Acta, who a little more than a year ago was fired by the hapless Nationals. "This is a real good situation. It's a little bit more advanced than the one I had in the past because the amount of pieces already in place here and the rich farm system we have here."

True that. And the best part for Acta is that he hasn't had to rely on scouting reports. With all the injuries, then the recent trades of Jake Westbrook, Austin Kearns, Jhonny Peralta and Kerry Wood, he's been able to see that farm system for himself.

In person.

Bad timing


John Lackey takes the hill tonight for Boston when the Tribe returns to Fenway Park, and unfortunately for the Indians, he seems to have found his groove.

Tony Lee from nesn.com, had this to say about the starters – Lackey for the Red Sox and Fausto Carmona for the Indians -- who open the four-game series in Boston:

Lackey has settled in as the second half has begun, just as he said he would. In three starts since the All-Star break he is 1-0 with a 1.61 ERA.

In his return to Anaheim six days ago, Lackey allowed two runs in 71/3 innings to reach double figures in wins for the eighth straight season. He is 6-6 with a 3.71 ERA in 14 career starts vs. Cleveland.

Carmona has been excellent much of the season but is coming off a disastrous start against the New York Yankees on Wednesday. In just 2 innings of an 8-0 loss, he gave up seven runs on 10 hits.

The 26-year-old is 1-3 with a 5.16 mark vs. the Sox.

Oh, well. At least we can watch Victor Martinez play again.

Branyan bonus


Rob Neyer writes a blog for espn.com called "Sweet Spot." In today's installment, the guy hits out awaaaaaaaaay back, talking about the benefits of the Russell Branyan trade to Seattle.

So our GM made a trade: He sent the (underperforming) slugger to another team and got three prospects back, one of whom was a Triple-A first baseman he could drop right into the starting lineup. The youngster rewarded his faith with a .286/.351/.490 line that's even better than that of the player he traded. Plus he's young and cost-controlled and actually gives a Rolling O about improving his defense. And we haven't even mentioned the other two "free" prospects.

This is essentially the trade the Cleveland Indians pulled off when they sent Russell Branyan to Seattle.

While I can't tell you much about Placeholder Jones or Warm Body Smith, the two (ostensible) prospects they actually got in return, I can tell you that since being returned to the majors, Cleveland's own Matt LaPorta has been the real live middle-of-the-order bat that he was supposed to turn into eventually. And although there are obviously other factors involved (LaPorta worked on his swing in Columbus, normal development), the fact is that LaPorta looks a lot more comfortable at first base than he ever did in left field, and getting to play every day seems to help as well.

Neyer continues with a fairly accurate analysis, and even better, looks into the deals of the past few days. It's a nice piece, very intelligent. And we know that because Starting Blocks agrees with just about everything he said.

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 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."

"Why do the Browns insist on trying to fit a square peg into a round hole? Josh Cribbs is not a receiver and he will never be an effective receiver. Keep him in the backfield and let him rush the ball. What is so difficult about this concept?" - EricCartman13

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerJosh Cribbs has yet to develop into a reliable receiver for the Browns.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns hope to get more production out of Josh Cribbs as a receiver: Hey, Tony!, cleveland.com reader EricCartman13 wishes the Josh Cribbs-as-receiver experiment would end. This reader writes,

"Why do the Browns insist on trying to fit a square peg into a round hole? Josh Cribbs is not a receiver and he will never be an effective receiver. Keep him in the backfield and let him rush the ball. What is so difficult about this concept?"

Tressel OK with his team being a target while chasing a sixth straight conference title.

Ohio State notes from conference interviews today

* Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said fullback Jermil Martin has not been working out with the team and will not be part of preseason camp. But Tressel expects everyone else on board, including incoming freshman running Roderick Smith, who may be delayed while his NCAA paperwork in finalized, but who is completing the academic requirements for admission, according to Tressel.

* In position battles, Tressel said junior Mike Adams will probably work with the first time at left tackle on the first day of practice Friday. But he said someone else could easily be with the first team the next day. Senior Andrew Miller is the most obvious other candidate in that battle, though Tressel also mentioned sophomore Marcus Hall and freshman Andrew Norwell.

At safety, Tressel said Tyler Moeller, coming back from a head injury, will start camp as the starter at the star position, which is the extra defensive back in Ohio State's nickel defense. Senior Jermale Hines, who has played the star in the past, would remain at his safety spot in that formation.

* Delany said there is a consensus in the league about going to a nine-game conference season, and he hopes to adopt the increase in either two or four years. However, as Ohio State officials have done in the past, Jim Tressel explained how a nine-game home schedule could cost the school a nonconference home game, which means costing Ohio State several million dollars. But Ohio State could be coming around on this. Seems like it could be a go for 2015.

* On an experienced offensive line, Tressel said he needs to see better communication, and he mentioned how senior left guard Justin Boren is sometimes focused so much on making his block, he doesn't talk about what needs to go on around him.

 * Ohio State was tabbed as the conference favorite by the media, and Tressel didn't hide from it.

"I think we're a capable team. I think we should be a team that's being targeted," Tressel said.

Joel Reinders, aka the Big Reindeer, has the size, now he needs the knowledge to make the Browns' roster as an offensive tackle prospect.

Gus Chan / The Plain DealerRookie Browns lineman Joel Reinders puts his size to good use in this blocking drill against linebacker Jason Trusnik Monday at the Browns' training camp.

BEREA, Ohio -- In a now-famous YouTube video that has produced more than a half-million views, Joel Reinders smashes defenders like bugs on a windshield.

The 21/2-minute video is a highlight reel of Reinders' one full season at Canada's University of Waterloo in Oakville, Ontario, hastily requested by agent Gil Scott to attract NFL interest.

"I was bigger than everybody, so I stood out," said the Browns' rookie offensive tackle prospect. "The biggest guy I played against was probably 6-3, 250."

At 6-7 and 320 pounds, Reinders still stands out as one of the biggest players at Browns camp. But he's got a few teammates on the defensive side who can look him in the eye, such as rookie linemen Clifton Geathers (6-7, 300) and Kwaku Danso (6-5, 336).

"It's not anything I'm used to," Reinders said. "Off the field, it's uncommon for me to run into someone like that. Now I'm literally running into them every play."

Reinders' size and surname (it's pronounced RINE-ders) has made him an instant curiosity among spectators early in camp.

"Robert Royal calls me the Big Reindeer," Reinders said. "Coaches say I have a lot of potential because of my size."

As an undrafted free agent signed to fill out the team's rookie camp, Reinders already has survived two roster cuts. He is one of seven undrafted players -- among 10 originally signed -- to advance to training camp.

"I like him," coach Eric Mangini said Monday. "He's really big, athletic. He's holding his own. He doesn't have a lot of experience, so he's fighting that a little bit. He gets a little better each practice. With his limited exposure to playing and the continued coaching that he gets, we will see some nice jumps. Early on, I'm really pleased with what he's done."

All of which is not that surprising to Scott, who long ago cornered the NFL market on Canadian players.

"Yeah, he's a long shot considering that he played, what, 11/2 years at a Canadian school," Scott said. "But I've had a number of guys over the years, and guys with his size and athletic ability every team wants."

Reinders went to Waterloo on a basketball scholarship. He switched to football his third year. He played eight games at right tackle in his career. Scott discovered Reinders at the Canadian league's evaluation camp -- the CFL equivalent of the NFL combine -- just 20 days before the NFL draft.

"I compared his times to those at the NFL combine and he would be third or fourth in all of them," Scott said. "He was thinking of the CFL. I told his parents I think I can get him in the NFL. You just can't find guys 6-7 and 310 with his athletic ability."

Reinders grew up playing hockey and basketball, so that accounts for quick feet uncommon for a tackle his size.

Scott emailed the link of Reinders' highlight video and also that of his E-Camp workouts to NFL teams. Three wanted to sign him after the draft, and he chose the Browns, who seemed most interested.

Despite already being signed by the Browns, Reinders was drafted in the CFL's second round by Toronto.

"He would've been the first player taken in the CFL draft if he hadn't already signed," Scott said.

Reinders said it would have "blown me away" to know two years ago that he would eventually be competing in an NFL camp. He compared the level of play at Waterloo to that of a Division III American college football program. But he thinks he's tasted enough of the NFL to believe "I can do this."

Reinders has gotten more reps with the second team at right tackle because projected starter Tony Pashos has been out with cold symptoms.

"Rookie camp was something else. I definitely struggled with that, just because I'm not used to the amount of plays," he said.

"Now I'm learning a lot from Floyd [Womack] and John [St. Clair] and Tony [Pashos], when he's in. Eric Steinbach actually has really helped me out in meetings. I sit right behind him and if I make a mistake he kind of turns around and whispers a little something about my technique or something. Then seeing Joe Thomas every day in the film room is something else. He's almost robotic the way he moves."

For someone with so little exposure to the game, every day is a learning experience. Reinders is particularly looking forward to the Browns' exhibition opener at fabled Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Aug. 14.

"I've never actually been to an NFL game before, so that will be my first," he said.

It is said that quitters never win, and winners never quit. But how much do you want to bet against the Miami Heat?

Lynne Sladky / Associated PressIn Miami, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are surrounded by admirers. But away from their South Florida coccoon, James and Bosh may find it harder to shake a more skeptical basketball fan, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quitters never win, and winners never quit. Every coach told you that.

Every coach was wrong.

Today the NBA has a "super" team that is molded out of quitters, although is hard to see what's so super about it. LeBron James and Chris Bosh, late of Cleveland and Toronto, respectively, expect to win enough rings in Miami, in combination with Dwyane Wade, to become "bling" kings.

Alas, controversy might be brewing over the use of king for anyone other than royalty, like Aethelred the Unready, and narcissistic NBA stars, like LeBron the Uncrowned.

There's a regular little quitting bee going on in Miami. Both James and Bosh left as free agents, both under a cloud of accusations by officials of the Cavaliers and Raptors that they quit on their teams to ease their exits.

Toronto president Bryan Colangelo said Bosh "checked out" on the Raptors, declining to play after he was given medical clearance, as the team lost a fight with the Chicago Bulls for the final playoff berth.

James played -- although it was hard to see to what effect -- in the Game 5 rout by the Celtics. Afterward, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert publicly apologized for the lack of effort his team showed in that game. It proved to be merely the warmup pitches for the thunderous "chin music" symphony he composed for fans after James left.

Gilbert charged that James quit in the final three games of the six-game Celtics series and the final game last season against Orlando.

James departed Cleveland on a tsunami of self-delusion and megalomania. In Miami, he has relied on Wade, who seems to the quasi-adult of the "Three Megos," to defend him. The poor fellow, said Wade, was simply confused by the Celtics' defense. It was as believable as when NBA Commissioner David Stern said of James on the execrable "The Decision" show, "His honesty and integrity shine through."

"I play this game as hard as I can every time I step on the court," Bosh said, responding to the "checked out" allegation. "On the back of my jersey it says 'Bosh'. The Boshes are hard workers. We have a lot of pride in what we do, in our jobs and in life."

Every coach also told you that you played for the name on the front of the jersey, not for the name on the back. Every coach was wrong again. Bosh was far more concerned with the name on the back.

The scandal of the summer has been the great success James and Bosh could reap on their new team after giving less than their best to their old ones. Regarding the fifth game and denials that James quit, the best thing to remember is Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's remark about obscenity: "I know it when I see it."

Any half-way intelligent fan or reporter knows James quit.

This is the blighted fruit that grew from the bad seed Stern planted a generation ago, when individual stars became more important for marketing purposes than teams. The NBA has become a league in which players are rewarded for giving less than their best.

In a proto-Bosh move, Vince Carter pouted his way out of Toronto and landed with a contender in Orlando this past season.

At least Wade's defense of James didn't include James' unexplained elbow injury. He left that to James, who would invoke the funny bone alibi, only to downplay it. That was because, James was such a shining example of perseverance and all.

Such mystery injuries have happened before. George McGinnis and Moses Malone both suffered headline-grabbing setbacks on the eve of playoff series when they played in Philadelphia. Neither showed any adverse effects from them in their play. But some players need a crutch.

James and Bosh needed an exit strategy.

The one they developed could be called "how to succeed in basketball without really trying."

Carlos Carrasco is not an option because of a sore right elbow. Travis Hafner could be placed on the disabled list Tuesday if sore right shoulder doesn't respond.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerA strong performance with AAA Columbus has helped David Huff get another start with the Indians, as he fills in for the injured Mitch Talbot on Tuesday in Boston.

BOSTON, Mass. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Red Sox tonight in the first game of a four-game series at Fenway Park.

Fenway Park's dimensions: Left field line 310 feet, left field power alley 379 feet, center field corner 420, right center field power alley 380, right field line 302. Height of the Green Monster (left field wall), 37 feet.
 
Pre-game notes

Game 106: Left-hander David Huff will rejoin the Indians to start against the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Huff opened the season in the Tribe's rotation, but was optioned to Class AAA Columbus after going 2-9 in 13 starts.

Huff has gone 6-0 in seven starts at Columbus. He's allowed 18 earned runs on 51 hits in 42 2/3 innings. He has 32 strikeouts and 10 walks.

The rotation is in a state of flux because of Jake Westbrook's trade on Saturday and the back injury that put Mitch Talbot on the disabled list Friday. The Indians' rotation currently looks like this: Fausto Carmona, Huff, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez.

It will stay that way until Talbot comes off the disabled list on Aug. 14. Manager Manny Acta staid then it will be a choice between Huff and Gomez as to who stays.

"Josh Tomlin is going to stay in the rotation," said Acta. "We want to get an extended look at him."

If Carlos Carrasco wouldn't have injured his right elbow in a start at Columbus, he would be up here now instead of Huff, Tomlin or Gomez.

"It's a bad break for him," said Acta, "but I don't think it will take him out for the next two months. We should still be able to get a look at him."

What about Aaron Laffey? Acta said when Laffey (tired left shoulder) comes off the disabled, they'll have to see if he'll stay in the rotation or go back to the bullpen.

"A lot will depend on how the guys in the rotation are pitching," said Acta. "We'll make a decision base on what's best for him and what's best for us."

DL-bound? Acta said if Travis Hafner's right shoulder keeps him out of the lineup Tuesday, he would probably go on the disabled list. Hafner missed his fifth game with soreness in the shoulder after taking batting practice Sunday in Toronto.

"Today's BP will determine if he would be available off the bench and play on Tuesday. Or we'll have to make a decision. It's getting to that point where it's a lot of days in a row without him."

Hafner expected to play Sunday against Toronto.

"It's just a matter of it bouncing back and getting in a good spot to play, at least a few games in a row," said Hafner.

Said Acta, "It is a concern because in spring training he felt close to 100 percent healthy."

Third base: Jayson Nix was back in the lineup tonight at third. He's struggled since being given the first shot at the position following last week's trade of Jhonny Peralta.

"If he can't handle it," said Acta, "we'll have to mix and match over there. We can't forget about Louie Valbuena and Andy Marte."

Lineups

Indians (44-61): CF Trevor Crowe (S), SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), C Carlos Santana (S), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), DH Jordan Brown (L) LF Shelley Duncan (R), 3B Jayson Nix (R), 2B Jason Donald and RHP Fausto Carmona (10-8, 3.92).

Red Sox (60-45): SS Marco Scutaro (R), RF J.D. Drew (L), 1B Kevin Youkilis (R), DH David Ortiz (L), C Victor Martinez (S), 3B Adrian Beltran (R), LF Ryan Kalish (L), 2B Bill Hall (R), CF Eric Patterson (L) and RHP John Lackey (10-5, 4.26).

Umpires: H Mike DiMuro, 1B Tim Welke, 2B Jim Reynolds, 3B Bill Welke. Tim Welke, crew chief.

Quote of the day: "I think the good Lord is a Yankee," Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, from Baseball Almanac.

Next: LHP David Huff (2-9, 6.04) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (2-1, 6.33) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.

The Republic of South Africa, located at the southern tip of Africa along the Atlantic and Indian oceans, has held its own on the world golf stage and at the many events held at Firestone Country Club over the years.

Peter Morrison / Associated PressLouis Oosthuizen is merely the latest South African golfer to impress in the sport, as the British Open champ will make his first appearance at Firestone in this week's WGC-Bridgestone.

SOUTH AFRICANS AT THE BRIDGESTONE
Tim Clark
Age: 34; Hometown: Durban
Best Firestone finsh: Tied for sixth, 2007 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
World ranking: 23.
Notable: Won his first Tour event earlier this year, capturing The Players Championship. Prior to that he had seven runner-up finishes, including the 2006 Masters.

Ernie Els
Age: 40; Hometown: Johannesburg.
Best Firestone finish: 5th in 1999 NEC Invitational.
World ranking: Seventh.
Notable: Like World Golf Hall of Famer and fellow countryman Gary Player, Els truly is an international competitor with more than 50 wins worldwide. Has won three majors.

Retief Goosen
Age: 41; Hometown: Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg).
Best Firestone finish: Tied for fourth, 2008 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
World ranking: 16th.
Notable: After winning six times on the PGA Tour and 22 times worldwide, he went almost four years without a victory until the 2009 Transitions Championship.

James Kingston
Age: 44; Hometown: Ottosdal.
Best Firestone finish: 78th in 2008 WGC-Bridgestone.
World ranking: 112.
Notable: Became the oldest winner on the European Tour when he won the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Louis Oosthuizen
Age: 27; Hometown: Mossel Bay.
Best Firestone finish: First appearance.
World ranking: 16th.
Notable: Went from virtual unknown to star status by winning the British Open. Best finish on the PGA Tour was a tie for 20th in last year’s WGC-CA Championship.

Hennie Otto
Age: 34; Hometown: Boksburg.
Best Firestone finish: Tied for 77th in 2003 WGC-Bridgestone.
World ranking: 230.
Notable: A veteran of the European Tour, he has won nine times since 1991 on the Sunshine Tour, played in South Africa.

Charl Schwartzel
Age: 25; Hometown: Verceeniging.
Best Firestone finish: Tied for 36th in 2006 WGC-Bridgestone.
World ranking: 28th.
Notable: Regarded as the next big star from South Africa. Was second in the WGC-CA Championship, tied for third in the Houston Open, tied for 30th in the Masters (after an opening 69) and tied for 16th in the U.S. Open.
— Tim Rogers

• Bridgestone spectator/ticket information

AKRON, Ohio -- It started with Gary Player and has been maintained by players such as Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and most recently, Louis Oosthuizen.

The Republic of South Africa, located at the southern tip of Africa along the Atlantic and Indian oceans, has held its own on the world golf stage and at the many events held at Firestone Country Club over the years. The country will be well represented when the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational is held this week on the South Course.

Will the Summer of South Africa continue? Will any of the country's seven players scheduled to play here be able to enhance the warm and fuzzy feeling stemming from a successful presentation of the World Cup, which was cranked up a notch when the relatively unknown Oosthuizen won the British Open?

At Firestone, Els, Goosen and Oosthuizen will be joined by fellow countrymen Tim Clark, young Charl Schwartzel and lesser-known Hennie Otto and James Kingston. All have been successful in Europe and have spent some time in the U.S. This from a country that is the 25th largest in the world with a population of approximately 49 million, but where golf ranks a distant fourth in popularity behind soccer, rugby and cricket.

Player won three times at Firestone -- the 1965, 1968 and 1972 World Series of Golf and Fulton Allem won the 1993 NEC World Series of Golf. Els has finished as high as fifth and is currently the leading money winner on Tour and the FedEx Cup points leader.

How has the RSA been able to produce so many successful golfers? Player, a World Golf Hall of Famer, offered three reasons.

"We have always had strong youth programs in South Africa and this has certainly helped develop the current crop of our top players," Player said in an e-mail interview. "And, we have over 300 sunshine days of weather per annum, which also helps."

More significantly, Player pointed to what beats underneath the golf shirt.

"Our young players are not spoiled and do not have an attitude of entitlement," he said. "They are tough and know they have to work hard to compete overseas."

South Africans also point to the Ernie Els Foundation, formed in 1999 and designed to help disadvantaged children. The South African Junior Golf Foundation is 50 years old. The American Junior Golf Association is in its 32nd year.

"However, there has been a trend of kids starting to play the game at a much younger age and golf clubs are allowing kids to join at a much younger age," said Dennis Bruyns, Chief Executive of the PGA of South Africa, also via e-mail. "Children play a wide variety of sports at school in South Africa, ensuring that they are physically literate from a young age, giving them the fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination necessary to excel at a sport like golf."

Bruyns credits both organizations for the development of Goosen, Els, Clark, Schwartzel and Rory Sabbatini. Oosthuizen's victory at St. Andrews was met with profound pride by many South Africans, according to one life-long resident.

"Oosthuizen is for now, pretty much a household name amongst the sporting-mad South African public," said Neil Cloete, also via e-mail.

As for the success at Firestone, Player did not have an answer.

"I always enjoyed coming to Firestone and have fond memories of the tournament and especially the fans," he said. "It's difficult to say why South Africans have played well at Firestone. It is just one of those tournaments and courses where we seem to excel."

A wide-open race in the MAC's West will provide an opportunity for any team that can develop quickly this fall.

Amy E. Voight / Toledo BladeToledo's Eric Page (12) should be one of the Mid-American Conference's top wide receivers, but the Rockets will need to find some other offensive performers to place around him this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A quickie preview of the Mid-American Conference's West Division football competition in 2010.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

WEST DIVISION CAPSULES

(In predicted order of finish)

WESTERN MICHIGAN

Coach: Bill Cubit, 6th year, 34-27 record.

Last season: 5-7, 4-4.

Offense (8 starters returning): No returning QB or TB starter only means there is no face for this offense. But Cubit has never had a team that couldn't score (24.7 ppg last season) and a key to what generates points is on hand. Four OL starters should aid the arrival of WMU's next QB and RB. Also, three proven WRs return, led by Jordan White (53 rec., 681 yds., 4 TD).

Defense (7 starters returning): Strong up the middle with safeties Mario Armstrong (62 tackles) and Jamail Berry (58 tackles, 5 INT), LB Deauntay Legrier (44 tackles) should anchor a defense that should improve on its 418.8 ypg allowed last season. Improve upon the 19 team sacks and the Broncos will likely be among the best in the league.

Special teams: Soph. punter Ben Armer (39.0) returns as one of the MAC's best. Kicking game needs a lift.

Overview: In the tough MAC West, a lack of a proven QB can doom a season. But Cubit's history is once he finds his man, all systems are go. With no offensive juggernaut in the division, WMU can rise to the top fast. An improved defense also makes all things possible.

Key game: Oct. 23, at Akron -- Broncos and Zips have had some weird games over the years.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Coach: Jerry Kill, 3rd year, 13-13 record.

Last season: 7-6, 5-3.

Offense (6 starters returning): QB Chandler Harnish (1,670 yds, 11 TD) should raise his passing numbers significantly, particularly with WR Landon Cox (45 rec, 4 TD) returning. Yet NIU is defined by its tailbacks. One must emerge.

Defense (11 starters returning): Tough to find a problem on this side of the ball. The best of the bunch is DE Jake Coffman (39 tackles, 8.5 sacks), LB Alex Kube (60 tackles) and safety Tracy Wilson (93 tackles). A jump in turnovers (8 INT) is all that's needed.

Special teams: FG kicker must emerge.

Overview: Everything seems poised for a dominant season for the Huskies, including a soft MAC beginning (Akron) and ending (Ball State, Eastern Michigan), albeit all on the road. Somehow it's too perfect, even with the best 2009 defense (329.9 ypg/21.6 ppg) returning completely intact. But score more than the 28.6 ppg. from last season and the Huskies could roll.

Key game: Oct. 30, at Western Michigan -- NIU has few road MAC challenges, but this is one.

Carlos Osorio / Associated Press Will Central Michigan find a suitable replacement for Dan LeFevour, who dominated the MAC for the last four years?

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Coach: Dan Enos, 1st year, 0-0.

Last season: 12-2, 8-0.

Offense (6 starters returning): Leading passer and rusher (QB Dan LeFevour) and top receiver from last season are all gone, leaving a gaping hole at offensive skill positions. Top candidates are QB Ryan Radcliff (115 yds., 2 INT) and RB is Carl Volny (390 yds., 3 TD).

Defense (6 starters returning): The secondary must be completely rebuilt, but LB Nick Bellore (132 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is a great anchor in the middle while DL Sean Murnane (39 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and John Williams (29 tackles, 2.5 sacks) should solidify the line.

Special teams: P Brett Hartmann (38.4 ypg) is solid; K is needed.

Overview: This championship program is on its third coach in five seasons, but only its second QB, which is the major concern. Four OL starters return to protect the new QB and open holes for a new RB as well. Defense should be solid in the MAC West where a lot of transition is going on.

Key game: Oct. 2 vs. Ball State -- A must win at home between road games at Northwestern and Virginia Tech.

TOLEDO

Coach: Tim Beckman, 2nd year, 5-7.

Last season: 5-7, 3-5.

Offense (7 starters returning): Prolific 2009 offense (438.2 ypg) returns all key players minus a veteran QB. Key among point producers will be WR Eric Page (82 rec., 7 TD), while QBs Austin Dantin and Alex Pettee and RBs Morgan Williams and Adonis Thomas battle for starting roles.

Defense (7 starters returning): The Rockets were a sinking ship on defense last season (407.4 yards allowed, last in red zone defense), so while many veterans return only LB Archie Arnold (116 tackles) and S Jermaine Robinson (58 tackles, 3 sacks) seem secure in their positions.

Special teams: Improvement needed in kicking game.

Overview: If the Rockets can maintain their offensive production from last season they won't be worse than .500. But if the defense does not improve, it's tough to see UT getting any better. Over the long haul, defense will determine any bowl chances.

Key game: Oct. 16 vs. Kent State -- Can't afford to lose at home to potent, but unproven, MAC team.

BALL STATE

Coach: Stan Parrish, 2nd season, 2-10.

Last season: 2-10, 2-6

Offense (10 starters returning): QB Kelly Page (1,019 yds, 7 TD) was working on a solid 2009 season before being injured. A healthy season, combined with more production from veteran RB MiQuale Lewis (871 yds., 5 TD) could lift this team.

Defense (7 starters returning): While most starters return, none played on the defensive line. If BSU finds some linemen, OLB Robert Eddins (55 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 FF, 2 blocked kicks) and SS Sean Baker (61 tackles, 4 INT) should hold up the back end.

Special teams: MAC's top kicker, Ian McGarvey (18 of 21); No. 4 punter, Scott Kovanda (40.0 yards).

Overview: The Cardinals have an offense that showed signs of potency before Page's late-season injury. It will take a couple of early upsets (at CMU, vs. WMU) to get into the West race.

Key game: Oct. 16 vs. Eastern Michigan -- Loser of this game likely headed to the back of the MAC West pack.

EASTERN MICHIGAN

Coach: Ron English, 2nd season, 0-12.

Last season: 0-12, 0-8.

Offense (6 starters returning): RB Dwayne Priest (633 yds, 7 TD) has a proven nose for the end zone, and TE Ben Thayer (29 rec, 2 TD) will be a solid outlet for whatever QB emerges. Three OL starters provide experience, but depth is an issue.

Defense (6 starters returning): Three veteran DL starters give the Eagles a chance to be solid up front, as EMU allowed a MAC-worst 427.2 yards last season. But there is also a need to improve on the sack numbers (17) and overall turnovers (23) to make a jump up the ranks of MAC defenses.

Special teams: Improvement needed in the kicking game.

Overview: Tough schedule (at Ohio State, at Vanderbilt, at Virginia) will not make rebuilding easy for English.

Key game: Oct. 2, vs. Ohio U. -- EMU will surely be the underdog, but still a must-win to avoid an 0-5 start to the season.

The Big Ten won't be changing its name, but will soon change a lot of other things, including a possible move to a nine-game conference schedule in a few years.

M. Spencer Green / Associated PressBig Ten commissioner Jim Delany is flanked by Penn State's Joe Paterno and Nebraska AD Tom Osborne as the conference announced some preliminary plans when the conference officially expands with new addition Nebraska in 2011.

CHICAGO -- Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany stood in the middle Monday, with Penn State coach Joe Paterno on his right and former Nebraska coach and current athletic director Tom Osborne on his left. That photo told the story the Big Ten wanted to sell at its conference meetings.

"I assume they wanted people who were really old in the same picture," Osborne said.

Penn State and Paterno joined the Big Ten 20 years ago and Nebraska and Osborne won't officially enter the league until next July, but expansion, and change, was the topic of the day in Chicago.

In the absence of certainties, here are the probabilities explained by Delany on Monday.

• The name isn't changing. That's for sure.

"The Big Ten is the Big Ten regardless of the number," Delany said.

• A championship game is coming for 2011, but there is so much else going on, Delany expects that the league will pick a host site for just one year, because there won't be time to fully evaluate the options. That could bode well for Indianapolis, which already hosts the league's basketball tournament.

• Osborne, who sat in on the athletic director meetings, said there was a lot of agreement on potential division alignment, but Delany said that likely won't be announced for another 30 to 45 days. Competitive balance remains the first priority, and Delany said records from 1993 on, when Penn State joined the Big Ten, will be used to judge that balance.

The primary question is whether traditional powerhouses Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State could be in the same division. Delany may have indicated that would be difficult.

"We would be inclined to try to create and move teams into divisions where the east division is as powerful as the other division," Delany said.

Delany said he could imagine Ohio State and Michigan in the same division or opposite divisions, but either way, they will play each other every year.

• A nine-game conference schedule, as opposed to the current eight-game schedule, appears to be on the horizon. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has explained the school's previous position that playing five conference road games some years, and losing a nonconference home game, would cost an athletic program that supports 36 sports millions of dollars.

But Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith seemed more receptive to the idea if it helps the conference.

"I think to play each other more is what our fans want, and I think that's what the athletes want," Delany said.

He said he'd like to move to that possibly in as quickly as two years from now, but Osborne expected that already scheduled nonconference games would delay it until at least 2015.

Buckeye leaves: Tressel said fullback Jermil Martin has not been with the team this summer and won't take part in preseason camp, but otherwise the rest of the roster is on track to report on Thursday. Tressel said incoming freshman running back Roderick Smith is finishing an academic obligation and may have some paperwork to finalize, but he will be at Ohio State. ... Tyler Moeller, recovering from a head injury that cost him last season, is listed as the starting nickelback right now. Jermale Hines, who played that "star" position in the nickel in the past, would stay at his safety position in that defense. ... Junior Mike Adams will open camp as the leader in the left tackle fight, but Andrew Miller, Marcus Hall and freshman Andrew Norwell remain possibilities. ... The backup quarterback job is open as well, with veteran Joe Bauserman fighting redshirt freshman Kenny Guiton and true freshman Taylor Graham.

Chris Perez stops Boston rally in ninth to earn his 13th save in Tribe victory. It was Perez's eight straight save conversion.

Charles Krupa / Associated PressIndians catcher Carlos Santana sits on a cart with his left leg in an air cast as he is taken off the field after a home-plate collision with Boston's Ryan Kalish in the seventh inning of the Indians' 6-5 win at Fenway Park on Monday.

BOSTON, Mass. -- Catcher Carlos Santana, the flower of the Indians' farm system, was carted off the field at Fenway Park in the seventh inning Monday night following a collision at home plate that left him with an injury to his left leg.

The injury overshadowed the Indians' 6-5 victory over the Red Sox.

With one out and Ryan Kalish on second base, pinch-hitter Daniel Nava sent a single to right field. Kalish tried to score, and arrived at the plate as Shin-Soo Choo's throw from right field. Santana tried to block him off the plate with his left leg and was knocked head over heels.

Plate umpire Mike DiMuro called Kalish out when he saw that Santana kept possession of the ball. It was obvious Santana was in a great deal of pain. There was no official word from the Indians on the extent of the injury.

Santana's leg was fitted with an orange air cast and he was driven off the field to a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Fenway. Santana was tended to by one doctor and several trainers and medical personnel were working on him. The Indians trainers were Ricky Jameyson and Jeff Desjardins. Head trainer Lonnie Soloff was not on the trip.

Manager Manny Acta and several of Santana's teammates offered him comfort.

It is the fourth time a member of the Indians has been carted off the field this season following an injury. Asdrubal Cabrera, David Huff and coaching assistant Ruben Niebla were the others.

Fenway Park has been a house of horrors for Fausto Carmona. There were the consecutive blown saves in August of 2006. Then there was the beating in Game 6 of the ALCS in 2007. His regular-season record at Fenway before last night was 0-2 with a 40.50 ERA.

Carmona (11-8, 3.78) exorcised those demons. In seven innings, he held the Red Sox to two runs, one earned, on eight hits. He struck out five, walked one and left with a 6-2 lead after seven innings.

Boston made it 6-5 on Adrian Beltre's three-run homer off Frank Herrmann in the eighth. It was Beltre's second homer in as many at-bats -- his leadoff homer in the seventh off Carmona made it 6-2 -- and his 19th of the season. Beltre has three homers against the Tribe this year.

Rafael Perez started the seventh and gave up one-out singles to Jed Lowrie and David Ortiz. Herrmann relieved and retired Victor Martinez before giving up Beltre's homer.

Chris Perez came on for the ninth to record his 13th save. It was his third save in as many days. He is 13-for-16 in save situations, having converted eight straight.

The Indians took a 6-1 lead with three runs in the sixth. Choo's bases-loaded, two-run single was the big hit. Boston brought in left-hander Dustin Richardson to face Choo with two out and he lined the first pitch he saw into right field.

John Lackey (10-6, 4.78) put himself into trouble as he walked Jordan Brown, gave up a single to Shelley Duncan and walked Jayson Nix to load the bases with no one out. Jason Donald struck out, but Trevor Crowe drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-1. Manny Delcarmen replaced Lackey and retired Asdrubal Cabrera on a foul pop to third.

That's when Choo delivered.

It was a big night for Duncan, who had a career-high four hits.

The Indians took a 2-1 lead on Duncan's two-run double off the top of the Green Monster with two out in the fourth. Matt LaPorta singled and Brown collected his first big-league hit with a double past first to get Duncan to the plate.

After Lackey walked Nix, Donald singled through the left side. Third base coach Steve Smith, with two out, waved Duncan home, but Kalish threw him out.

In the third, Boston's Marco Scutaro hit a leadoff double. He went to third on a groundout and tried to score on Kevin Cash's fly ball to left. Duncan made the catch and erased Scutaro at the plate with good throw.

Boston took a 1-0 lead in the second. David Ortiz hit a leadoff single and went to third when LaPorta let Victor Martinez's double play grounder go through his legs. Adrian Beltre scored Ortiz with a long sacrifice fly to right field. Choo made a leaping catch near the warning track and uncorked a great throw back to first to keep Martinez from advancing. Carmona walked Kalish, but struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

Lackey allowed six runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven, walked five and threw 107 pitches. Lackey came into the game with a 6-6 record against the Tribe.