Catcher Carlos Santana and DH Travis Hafner were placed on 15-day disabled list by the Indians. Left-hander David Huff and catcher Lou Martson recalled from Class AAA Columbus to replace them.

Charles Krupa / Associated PressThis collision with Boston's Ryan Kalish in the seventh inning of Monday's game at Fenway Park left Indians catcher Carlos Santana with a hyper-extended left knee and strained ligaments.

BOSTON, Mass. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Red Sox tonight in the second 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 107: The bodies keep coming and going.

Rookie catcher Carlos Santana and DH Travis Hafner were placed on the 15-day disabled list before tonight's game. They each underwent MRI scans and other tests in Cleveland today.

Santana suffered a hyper-extended left knee and a high grade sprain (tear) of the lateral collateral ligament. The LCL is located on the outside part of the knee as opposed to the anterior cruciate ligament, which runs through the middle of the knee.

Lonnie Soloff, the Indians head athletic trainer, said the team is still gathering information on how to treat such an injury. He said surgery is a possibility.

Soloff said Santana, one of the key players in the Indians' rebuilding plans, could be out for more than 15 days. If surgery is needed, he'd could miss the remainder of the season.

"We're in the process of gathering information on how to handle this not only in a baseball player, but in a baseball player whose primary position is catcher," said Soloff. "We'll have a more efficient update later in the week."

Santana has the knee immobilized and is getting around on crutches.

Despite the possibility of surgery, Soloff considers Santana fortunate that he wasn't injured more seriously in the collision at the plate with Boston outfielder Ryan Kalish.

"I think all of us fear the worst just watching it on real time or on replay," said Soloff. "You fear for potential fractures, ligament injuries, the knee joint, cartilage issues.

"At this point, we did not unearth any of that. We do feel fortunate."

The stability of Santana's knee over the next few days, said Soloff, will probably determine if surgery is needed.

Hafner has been out of the lineup since July 29 with soreness and fatigue in his right shoulder. Hafner underwent surgery on his right shoulder two years ago.

"It's certainly the same shoulder, but I wouldn't classify it as the same injury," said Soloff. "Our sense is it will continue to improve as it has been over the last five days."

Hafner's treatment includes scapular stabilization, rotator cuff strengthening, ice, anti-inflammatory drugs and stretching.

New guys: David Huff and catcher Lou Marson were promoted from Class AAA Columbus to take Santana and Hafner's spots. Huff and Marson formed the battery for tonight's game against Boston.

They both opened the season with the Tribe.

"Marson will be our catcher," said manager Manny Acta. "He was our starting catcher before we brought up Santana."

Marson didn't turn any heads with his bat Columbus. He hit .202 (25-for-124) with seven doubles, four homers and 14 RBI. He's hitting .191 with the Indians.

Lineups

Indians (45-61): CF Trevor Crowe (S), SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), DH Jordan Brown (L), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), 2B Luis Valbuena (L), 3B Jayson Nix (R), C Lou Marson and LHP David Huff (2-9, 6.04).

Red Sox (60-46): SS Marco Scutaro (R), CF Darnell McDonald (R), C Victor Martinez (S), DH David Ortiz (L), 3B Adrian Beltre (R), 1B Mike Lowell (R), 2B Jed Lowrie (S), LF Bill Hall (R), RF Ryan Kalish (L) and RHP Josh Beckett (2-1, 6.33).

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

Quote of the day: "A catcher and his body are like the outlaw and his horse. He's got to ride that nag till it drops," Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench from the Baseball Almanac.

Next: RHP Justin Masterson (3-10, 5.55) vs. LHP Jon Lester (11-6, 3.05) Thursday at 7:10 p.m.
 

Heeding calls to acquire a veteran receiver, Mike Holmgren turned to an old friend to provide leadership for the Browns' younger players.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerAt 37 and nearly two years removed from significant playing time, Bobby Engram believes he still has something to contribute to the Browns as training camp gets underway. "I see [football] as a blessing, not a chore," he said. "Training camp gets a little tough, but there's nothing like playing on Sundays, man."

BROWNS TRAINING CAMP LOG: AUG. 3
What happened: Coach Eric Mangini surprised his players by announcing at their daily morning briefing that they would not do any physical work on the practice field. They spent the day in meetings and the weight room. This was an unusual schedule change so early in camp, but the first-year players had been working for seven days prior to the arrival of the veterans.

Injury report: The following players remain on the physically unable to perform list until they pass the team’s physical exam: Nose tackle Shaun Rogers (leg), defensive end C.J. Mosley and cornerback Coye Francies.

Wednesday’s schedule: Practices at 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:45-7:45 p.m. For updates, call 877-627-6967.
— Tony Grossi

BEREA, Ohio -- The oldest player at Browns training camp is not quarterback Jake Delhomme or kicker Phil Dawson. Each turned 35 in January.

Bobby Engram's age, 37, kind of sneaked up on everyone. He looks 10 years younger.

"Thirty seven is young," coach Eric Mangini, 39, mused.

In the game of life, yes. But for the position of wide receiver, 37 normally qualifies you for an NFL AARP card.

"There are no pass routes for 37," suggested one NFL source.

Which begs the question: Why did the Browns bring Engram to camp? Like Delhomme and a few others on the Browns' 2010 roster, this one falls on President Mike Holmgren.

"There's a lot of reasons," Holmgren said.

"He's a special man. He's one of those rare guys that you want other players, particularly young players, to be around. He's played a long time but he kept in great shape. He's an amazing guy, physically, that way."

Bonds form between coaches and players, and there is a real one connecting Holmgren and Engram. They shared a Super Bowl season in Seattle in 2005, winning the NFC Championship.

"They make a lot of money playing this game, but that ring is really something not everyone gets," Holmgren said. "You appreciate -- at least the teams I was involved with -- while you had different players in different cities, the common thread is they were unselfish teams. In my opinion, it was what a team should be.

"I think Bobby absolutely has that [quality]. He was always a leader in the receiving group for me. He is involved with sickle cell anemia through his foundation. I just like who he is. I absolutely believe there's a carryover on the field with guys like that."

John Froschauer / Associated PressBobby Engram has 650 catches in the NFL, good for 7,751 yards and 35 touchdowns over 14 seasons since being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1996.

The year after Seattle's Super Bowl season, Engram was diagnosed with Graves' disease, which causes the thyroid gland to be overactive. The symptoms -- irregular heart beat, fatigue and insomnia, among others -- ruined his season and caused him to miss nine games.

After treatment, Engram responded with the best year of his career -- 94 catches for 1,147 yards and six touchdowns -- at the age of 34.

Engram left the Seahawks when Holmgren left the sideline for a one-year sabbatical. He appeared with the receiver-starved Kansas City Chiefs last season, but asked for his release in November. He had five catches in five games. He has 650 catches in 14 NFL seasons.

"We just decided that things didn't work out the way anyone of us had planned," Engram said. "They were gracious enough to let me go. I've just been training since then. Last year was kind of a year off for me."

In early July, long after everyone called for the Browns to add a veteran receiver, Engram was invited by Holmgren to join a small group of unsigned receivers and work out in front of the coaches. He was signed just a couple weeks before training camp started.

"I kind of had to have a real good idea, at least in my mind, of what we had [at receiver]," Holmgren said. "I just felt we needed a veteran, experienced guy in the group, certainly through training camp, at the very least."

Despite the presence of Holmgren and former Seahawks teammate Seneca Wallace, Engram quickly observed that one of his challenges here would be to learn an offense different from the one he knew for eight seasons in Seattle.

"There's very little [similarity]," he said. "They've added a few things here and there, but this is Dabe's [coordinator Brian Daboll's] offense. The guys have been helping me out, putting me in the right spots. I've been trying to mentally get caught up."

He has been assured by Holmgren that there will be "no free lunch," no guarantee of a roster spot.

"I've got my work cut out for me," Engram said. "They've got some talented young guys. I think the competition only makes you better. At end of the day, they will make the decision on what's best for the Browns."

He wouldn't say if he considers the Browns his last team. He only knows that he's not finished playing.

"Why, should I stop?" Engram said. "I see [football] as a blessing, not a chore. Training camp gets a little tough, but there's nothing like playing on Sundays, man. That window of opportunity still to get back to a Super Bowl [is alive]. That's what drives me.

"Why not? God blessed me with the tools to run and catch and be productive on the football field and then I can use this to do some great things off the field as well. It gives you a platform and a podium that not a lot of people have."

Stuart Appleby hopes the confidence of last weekend's 59 and the home cooking of his wife's family in North Canton can help him in the Bridgestone Invitational this week.

Kyle Green / Roanoke (Va.) Times via APBy posting a stunning final-round 59, Stuart Appleby revitalized his golf career just in time for this week's 'homecoming' at the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

• Bridgestone spectator information | Thursday tee times

AKRON, Ohio -- Stuart Appleby didn't forget about his anniversary. He still remembers when he first met his wife, Ashley, 10 years ago. How they dined at LeFever's River Grille in Cuyahoga Falls, shared stories and tears and the first glimmers of love.

No, he didn't forget any of it. It's just that he almost didn't make it back to the Bridgestone Invitational to celebrate it.

It took shooting a 59 in the final round and winning The Greenbrier Classic on Sunday before he earned an invitation back to Akron, where he first met Ashley when a mutual friend set up the two during the then-NEC Invitational in 2000. Even more significant, Appleby's historic round of 59 -- only four other PGA players have recorded a score that low -- helped him to earn his first PGA Tour win in four years.

He hopes it's the kind of momentum-shifting victory that can turn around a slumping game and a streak of 358 consecutive rounds without shooting better than 65.

And he hopes the home cooking of his in-laws in North Canton, while having his wife and three young children nearby, can provide the kind of comfortable return he has experienced in 12 straight Bridgestone Invitational appearances.

"I feel like a local here more than any other tournament," said the Australian-born Appleby. "I can't think of another tournament that feels so familiar."

Part of that is because Firestone Country Club is where Appleby first met Ashley, then a 21-year-old senior at Mount Union. Appleby was only two years removed from the tragic death of his first wife, Renay, who was crushed between two cars at a London train station after the 1998 British Open. Appleby and Ashley had dinner after they met briefly at the golf course, visited Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and began a romance that would result in their 2002 marriage.

University of Mount Union photoStuart Appleby and his wife, Ashley, pose with their children (daughters Ella, 5, Mia, 4, and infant son Max) on the campus of Ashley's alma mater, the University of Mount Union.

Part of the familiarity is also because he is one of only four players who has competed in every Bridgestone Invitational, a tournament he tied for second at in 2008.

So breaking his winless streak last week was important for more than remembering how he first met his wife. It also could be what re-ignites his career. Appleby has won eight previous Tour titles, but none since 2006. This year he missed the Masters and the British Open, and would have missed Akron until something clicked Sunday and he began playing with remarkable smoothness.

He opened at the Greenbrier with rounds of 66, 68 and 65. His putting had been strong for weeks, and his long game was more consistent than ever. The game, suddenly, began to slow down for him.

"It's really hard to describe it," Appleby said. "I just felt very relaxed. I walked a lot slower Sunday than I probably normally do. I slowed myself down a lot, and I think that kept me a little bit more in the rhythm of how I was thinking and actually how I was playing the game."

More than anything, Appleby remembered the kind of player he had been when he was ranked among the top 30 players in the world. Appleby is now No. 94 according to the latest world rankings.

"When you start pushing, you start getting more tense," Appleby said. "You don't tend to be aware of those levels, as well, when you're tense. You're just going in a circle and chasing your tail and you think you're doing the right things.

"I just had to focus," he continued. "I thought, 'I'm getting pushed out of the majors.' I'm not in all the world events, and I was becoming a regular in my mind. I wanted to get back to that level of golf."

Appleby estimated that 75 percent of the joy he felt Sunday came from winning the tournament -- not from shooting a 59. His 59 is the second on the Tour in less than a month, following Paul Goydos at the John Deere Classic under "lift, clean and place" conditions.

But Appleby hopes to ride the momentum in Akron, where he has plenty of happy family memories.

"I could be funny and say every round after that is going to feel like I'm playing bad," Appleby said. "But I'll be realistic. The 59 is behind me and it doesn't happen very often. I'll just be getting back to shooting more normal scores that you might see. Hopefully good ones."

Oosthuizen bridge: British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen said he has yet to drink out of the Claret Jug he earned for his tournament victory, but he found a couple other ways to celebrate his victory. When he returned home to family's dairy farm in South Africa, his parents had affixed a banner to the front gates saying, "Home of the Claret Jug."

"It was quite special when I drove in there," Oosthuizen said Tuesday.

Then last week, Oosthuizen had a bridge in his hometown course, Albertinia Golf Club, dedicated to him. A bridge over the ninth hole now has a plaque with his name and "Open Champion" engraved on it.

Chip shots: Defending champion Tiger Woods is looking for his first PGA Tour victory since the 2009 BMW Championship. He has now gone seven starts since a victory, the second-longest drought of his career. In 10 Bridgestone starts, Woods has never finished outside the top five. ... A total of 14 international players from six countries have combined to win 16 of the first 33 PGA Tour events this year. Appleby was the latest. ... Additionally, the international players are young. Eleven players under the age of 30 have won 12 tournaments this season.

Jim Tressel can't imagine Ohio State and Michigan not playing each other every year. But he can imagine playing the Wolverines at a different time of the season.

Tony Ding / Associated PressJim Tressel and Rich Rodriguez will once again renew acquaintences in the season finale for Ohio State and Michigan this year. But when the Big Ten breaks into divisional play, the date of the classic football rivalry could change significantly.

CHICAGO -- The Ohio State-Michigan game isn't going away. On that everyone in the Big Ten agrees -- the Buckeyes and Wolverines must play every year.

OSU coach Jim Tressel explained Tuesday, however, exactly how he could understand if the game moved from the end of the regular season when the Big Ten splits into two divisions for 2011. Ohio State has finished the regular season against Michigan every year since 1943.

"In my lifetime, it has been at the end of the year, so that's what I know," Tressel said. "But if you have 106,000 or 109,000 there and the place is berserk, I don't care when it is. It could be in July and you'd enjoy it."

No one knows for sure how the divisions will be broken down, though that could be announced in about a month. There are various theories about whether Ohio State and Michigan should be in the same or opposite divisions. Avoiding an immediate rematch, against any team, in the Big Ten championship game is high on Tressel's list, regardless.

So his suggestion is that teams play divisional games for the last three games of the regular season to ensure that a cross-division matchup wouldn't be immediately repeated. It's a reasonable point, but it would require an Ohio State-Michigan shift if the teams aren't placed in the same division.

"It wasn't always the end of November, if you go back in history," Tressel said. "It wasn't always when it is now and it's not always going to be when it is now. That's the way it is. But they'll figure it out. I think change is exciting."

Tressel understands that part of the allure is the buildup to the game and the idea that each week both teams are trying to improve in order to be at their best for their rival.

"It does maybe give you a chance to get better by the end of the year," Tressel said. "But if you have to be good in October, we're playing somebody in October. So it could be Michigan."

Martin to transfer: Tressel said sophomore Jermil Martin of Glenville is planning to transfer and Tressel said he understands. Martin got caught between playing tailback and fullback, with the depth chart deep at both positions.

Jensen Lewis, third base coach Steve Smith and Boston's Josh Beckett were ejected after an eighth-inning shoving match.

Elise Amendola / Associated PressBoston pitching coach John Farrell, right, holds back Adrian Beltre after Beltre had a pitch from Indians reliever Jensen Lewis go behind him in the eighth inning of Tuesday's game at Fenway Park. Both benches cleared with some pushing and shoving, with Lewis and Indians coach Steve Smith along with Red Sox starter Josh Beckett ejected.

BOSTON, Mass. -- The only noise the Indians made Tuesday night at Fenway Park came in the eighth inning when Jensen Lewis threw at Boston third baseman Adrian Beltre to start a bench-clearing shoving match near the mound.

Lewis, Indians third base coach Steve Smith and Boston starter Josh Beckett were ejected by play umpire Tim Welke in Boston's 3-1 victory.

Beckett (3-1) allowed one run on three hits in eight innings. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.

David Huff, just back from Class AAA Columbus, took the loss. Huff (2-10) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The Indians' only run came on Lou Marson's leadoff homer in the third. After that, Beckett held them to one hit. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 25th save.

The trouble started when Beckett hit Shin-Soo Choo in the right knee in the third. Choo stole second on Beckett's first pitch to Shelley Duncan. Beckett threw over Duncan's head on the pitch. Beckett also hit Duncan in the first inning.

In the seventh, Justin Germano threw behind David Ortiz's legs with two out.

Lewis started the eighth and threw at Beltre. He missed him, but both teams rushed the field.  Duncan and Beckett were screaming at each other in the middle of the scrum.

At the end of the confrontation, Smith and Boston pitching coach John Farrell were yelling at each other. Then Boston manager Terry Francona had to be restrained from going after Smith.

First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. replaced Smith at third. Hitting coach Jon Nunnally took over at first. Joe Smith replaced Lewis on the mound.

Huff had trouble keeping Boston within the playing dimensions of Fenway Park. Mike Lowell, just off the disabled list, hit a two-run homer over The Green Monster in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.

In the fourth, Bill Hall lifted a homer over The Monster to make it 3-1.

The loss ended the Indians' three-game winning streak.

Life in Miami was not always good for Ted Ginn Jr. as a member of the Miami Dolphins. Ginn was traded to the San Francisco 49ers over the summer and the 49ers have high hopes for the speedster. The 49ers need Ginn's speed to stretch the defense. That's something they haven't had in years. Reporter David White of SFgate.com...

APTed Ginn Jr.

Life in Miami was not always good for Ted Ginn Jr. as a member of the Miami Dolphins. Ginn was traded to the San Francisco 49ers over the summer and the 49ers have high hopes for the speedster.

The 49ers need Ginn's speed to stretch the defense. That's something they haven't had in years.

Reporter David White of SFgate.com writes:

Not since Terrell Owens in 2003 have the 49ers had a consistent deep threat. Ginn, who was a high school senior and the fastest prep 110-meter hurdler in the nation at the time, might be just what the 49ers' Big Man on Campus offense has lacked.

"You know, I hope so," offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said.

Of course he does. Last year's offense was virtually all short- to mid-range projectiles, allowing defenses to cheat toward the line of scrimmage.

The 49ers, writes White, has the potential to put up 1,000 yard numbers. Ginn also has to shed his reputation of dropping passses.

Ginn showed none of those problems Tuesday. He caught every pass thrown his way - even if he had to slow down and reach back for a 40-plus-yard grab, as he did during team drills.

"I've got a chip on my shoulder," Ginn said. "A real big chip. I ain't gonna go out and make all these big, spectacular sayings and things like that. Go out there and play football. That's what I'm getting back to."

That opener between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat just got more interesting, especially if Shaquille O'Neal indeed signs with the Celtics. Sources tell ESPN.com that O'Neal will join the Green Team and this will help stabilize the Celtics frontcourt since starting center Kendrick Perkins will miss at least four months in the regular season due to knee surgery. That means...

(Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer)Shaquille O'Neal has many young fans.

That opener between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat just got more interesting, especially if Shaquille O'Neal indeed signs with the Celtics.

Sources tell ESPN.com that O'Neal will join the Green Team and this will help stabilize the Celtics frontcourt since starting center Kendrick Perkins will miss at least four months in the regular season due to knee surgery.

That means Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal will hold it down until Perkins returns.

With the addition of Shaq, the Celtics would have the sort of height Ainge only dreamed about during flirtations with Robert Swift. Suddenly, Boston would boast a 7-foot-1 body it could mix and match with Jermaine O'Neal (6-11), Glen Davis (6-9), Kevin Garnett (6-11), Semih Erden (7-0) and (when healthy) Perkins (6-10). Heck, Boston might even have the most intimidating frontcourt in the East if Wallace (6-11) decides to come back for one more rodeo.

But Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes this union with Shaq could also blow up in the Celtics' faces.

After all, O'Neal didn't exactly integrate seamlessly last season with Cleveland -- a team that won 61 games and earned the top spot in the East (before being bounced in the second round of the playoffs by the Celtics). Isn't winning supposed to cure all that ails?

And can Shaq truly be happy coming off the bench? It might work only because Shaq knows his time is running out and if he wants to win another ring, he has to do whatever is necessary. Plus, it is likely Shaq will respect coach Doc Rivers.

A gifted field and Tiger Woods' struggles in the wake of his marital scandal make picking a winner in the 2010 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational a tough task.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter,
The Plain DealerTiger Woods draws a bead on a putt en route to winning the 2009 installment of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

"About time! I am going to the store tomorrow to get me a new Shelley Duncan jersey." - cargo7777

View full sizeAssociated PressShelley Duncan was not afraid to express his displeasure with Josh Beckett last night.

In response to the story Tempers flare as Cleveland Indians lose to Boston, 3-1, cleveland.com reader cargo7777 loves the fire he saw from the Indians last night. This reader writes,

"About time! I am going to the store tomorrow to get me a new Shelley Duncan jersey."

"I think he helps Boston and maybe, in turn, helps keep the Heat out of the championship series. He did pretty well for the Cavs until his thumb injury, and it's not his fault that Mike Brown didn't use him properly in the playoffs and LeBron James had no intention of beating Boston." - tudefit

View full sizeLynn Ischay | The Plain DealerShaquille O'Neal's time in Cleveland had its good moments - and its ugly moments.

In response to the story Shaquille O'Neal will join the Boston Celtics, cleveland.com reader tudefit thought Shaq did a respectable job while in Cleveland. This reader writes,

"I think he helps Boston and maybe, in turn, helps keep the Heat out of the championship series. He did pretty well for the Cavs until his thumb injury, and it's not his fault that Mike Brown didn't use him properly in the playoffs and LeBron James had no intention of beating Boston."

"I just don't see this guy making the team, and if he does, I don't think it's a good thing. The receiving corp this year is going to be green and there is no way around that. I don't think that a set of 37-year-old legs makes that any better." - 30yrBrownsFan

View full sizeGus Chan | The Plain DealerBrowns wide receiver Bobby Engram looks to get open against defensive back Larry Asante during training camp.

In response to the story At 37 an NFL graybeard, Bobby Engram believes he can add life to Cleveland Browns receiving corps, cleveland.com reader 30yrBrownsFan doesn't want to see Bobby Engram make the team. This reader writes,

"I just don't see this guy making the team, and if he does, I don't think it's a good thing. The receiving corp this year is going to be green and there is no way around that. I don't think that a set of 37-year-old legs makes that any better."

"Pryor may indeed drop back to pass 30-35 times a game this year. But he'll end up running the ball on half of those plays. And I think that's a good thing. What a weapon this kid is!" - pieroghi

View full sizeAP Photo | Matt YorkTerrelle Pryor will make plenty of plays with his legs in 2010.

In response to the story Jim Tressel thinks OSU's Terrelle Pryor could throw the ball 30 times a game this season, cleveland.com reader pieroghi thinks many of those "throws" could in fact turn in to runs. This reader writes,

"Pryor may indeed drop back to pass 30-35 times a game this year. But he'll end up running the ball on half of those plays. And I think that's a good thing. What a weapon this kid is!"

Cleveland sports bloggers hit on plenty today as they talk about the 4 in the Browns 3-4, the atmosphere at Browns Stadium, whether fans should expect a thank you from LeBron and whether Justin Masterson should be in the rotation.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerThe addition of Scott Fujita should boost the talent level of the Browns' linebackers.

Browns

WaitingForNextYear: "What should be the strength of the Browns defense in terms of talent can currently best be described as 'deep.' But fans shouldn't let this be a complete detraction. What the current crop of [linebackers] provide this year is an attack that may be put together as compensation for top-level talent, but it is one that may also be extremely tough to plan for." » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "The rest of us were basically raised going to Browns games at Municipal Stadium since we were five, and we'll be fine. Our kids will hear the f-bombs and insults and will understand that they're not allowed to say those things. They'll also understand that people don't act like they do at Browns games anywhere else. They'll understand that something special is going on at the Stadium, and that a certain element of chaos is an important part of that." » Read more

Cleveland Reboot previews the AFC North.

No Logo Needed offers you eight locks for the Browns in 2010, among them Jerome Harrison rushing for 1,400 yards.

Cavaliers

Cavs: the blog: "I guess it's a chicken or egg thing, right? LeBron goes on TV and says he doesn't care about Cleveland. In response, Cleveland has a semi-riot against LeBron and burns his jerseys in effigy while his former owner attempts to put a curse upon his house. Is LeBron's snubbing of Cleveland a response to the hatred/jersey-burning, or is it further evidence that he never cared about Cleveland in the first place? Most Cleveland residents will likely say the latter, but I think expecting LeBron to publicly thank Cleveland at this juncture was perhaps a bit unrealistic." » Read more

Indians

Land Loyalty: "After getting an extended look at Justin Masterson as a starter, I think it's about time to move him back to the bullpen. He has the kind of stuff that can be dominant as a setup man to Chris Perez. The biggest advantage the Indians could get toward a faster rebuilding project is to find an effective combination at the back end of the pen." » Read more

Plain Dealer golf writer Tim Rogers, today's guest, also offers tips for the best places for fans to watch the golfers, and where the tournament can be won and lost.

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 Kristen Davis and Chuck Yarborough. Today's highlights:

• The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational starts Thursday at Firestone Country Club in Akron. Vote in our Starting Blocks poll that asks you to predict the winner.

• Plain Dealer golf writer Tim Rogers, today's guest, is picking Lee Westwood to unseat defending champion Tiger Woods.

Rogers says Woods will once again enter the tournament expecting to win but believes the rest of the field no longer thinks it is playing for second place. Rogers also offers tips for the best places for fans to watch the golfers, and where the tournament can be won and lost. The Bridgestone Invitational starts Thursday at 8:30 a.m. 

Who's number one? Running back Jerome Harrison ended last season with the idea that he would come into camp as the top dog. All he did was end last season with a 561-yard three-­game flourish that ranked among the best in NFL history. And Scott Petrak writes on northcoastnow.com that the only reward Harrison received was a one-year contract tender from...

The Plain DealerJerome Harrsion

Who's number one?

Running back Jerome Harrison ended last season with the idea that he would come into camp as the top dog. All he did was end last season with a 561-yard three-­game flourish that ranked among the best in NFL history.

And Scott Petrak writes on northcoastnow.com that the only reward Harrison received was a one-year contract tender from the team rather than a long-term deal. And the Browns made a  draft-day trade to move up in the second round to take Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty.

New general manager Tom Heckert had sent the message that he didn’t trust Harrison to last a season as the No. 1 back.

The conventional wisdom of NFL decision-makers is that the smaller the running back, the greater the odds of injury. Therefore, it’s less likely he can carry the rushing load for an entire season.

“I don’t get tired of hearing it,” Harrison, 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds — about 2 inches and 20 pounds less than the ideal run­ning back — said this week at Browns training camp. “It’s because of my size. “When big running backs get hurt, it’s OK, it’s fine. When a little running back gets hurt, he’s injury-prone and this and that. You just laugh at stuff like that because it really does­n’t make any sense.”

NFL concussions

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich writes about the violent nature of football and how those violent collisions define the game.

But when Browns training camp opened, the consensus among players was that progress is being made.

''I think there have been some great steps taken in the last year,'' said Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the NFL Player Association's executive committee. ''Obviously, this is an issue that has been at the forefront for the last couple of years. But this is the first time I think everyone is starting to look at it a little more seriously. It's nice that the league might finally be acknowledging the fact that there could be a connection between professional football and post-career head trauma 'cause for the longest time they denied that link.

''I think [it was important] last year up on Capitol Hill when you see Rep. Maxine Waters from California basically saying you sound like the cigarette companies back in the '80s denying the link. I mean that's how ridiculous it was. So the fact that there's starting to be some acknowledgement of that is a good thing, and I think it's a step in the right direction.''

No place like home

Receiver Chansi Stuckey is more comfortable as a member of the Browns this season, especially since its his first training camp with the Browns.

He joined the team last fall following a trade between the Browns and the New York Jets. This is Stuckey's fourth year in the league.

Theresa Neuhoff Audia of The News-Herald writes how it was a rocky year last season for Stuckey after he was traded. It took him time to get adjusted.

"It took a lot for me. It was a big maturation process. I think I grew as a person, as a man. It helped me to be able to train better for training camp this year."

In 11 games with the Browns he had 19 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown.

"I am more comfortable this year," Stuckey said. "I know the guys, I have a home to go to. It's a great feeling."

Indians players are trying to prove they belong, while it's a critical series for the Red Sox in the standings.

Elise Amendola, Associated PressRed Sox pitching coach John Farrell (center) holds back Adrian Beltre (left) after Indians pitcher Jensen Lewis threw a pitch behind Beltre on Tuesday night.

The Cleveland Indians' roster includes several fringe major leaguers trying to establish themselves as everyday position players or as reliable pitchers, and many youngsters trying to establish themselves as legitimate big leaguers.

They have a 45-62 record, but the Indians usually play with some spirit, as demonstrated during Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Boston.

Baseball has traditionally been a game in which players, managers and coaches are quite sensitive to being "dissed," "shown up" or challenged. That was on display Tuesday night, when the Tribe and Red Sox' antipathy for each other resulted in an eighth-inning brouhaha that resulted in three ejections.

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes writes about the scuffle and the events leading up to it in his game story.

We'll see what, if any, residual effect remains from Tuesday's edginess. The teams play again tonight in a game previewed on cleveland.indians.mlb.com. Right-hander Justin Masterson (3-10, 5.55) pitches for the Indians while lefty ace John Lester (11-6, 3.05) takes the mound for the BoSox.

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Paul Hoynes' Indians Insider and Indians Chatter, featuring an update on catcher Carlos Santana's knee injury. Cleveland and Boston have split the first two games of the four-game series, with the Indians winning, 6-5, on Monday night.

Lewis vs. Beltre

Referring to a pitch by Indians reliever Jensen Lewis, part of what Sheldon Ocker writes in his game story for the Akron Beacon Journal:

The pitch was a fastball that rocketed over the ducking head of Adrian Beltre, who hit two home runs and had five RBI Monday night and took offense at what he considered an intentionally menacing pitch.

''It was a fastball inside that just got away from me,'' Lewis said. ''The guy hit two home runs, so he wants to get [his arms] extended.''

Beltre began walking toward the mound, yelling at Lewis. He was intercepted by the umpires, but players from both dugouts ambled onto the field in case hostilities developed. Soon, Beckett was trying to charge one of the Indians (possibly Shelley Duncan).

Germano joins in

The BoSox are at a critical point in their season. Peter Abraham writes about Tuesday night's game for the Boston Globe:

The Red Sox trail the Yankees by 5 1/2 games in the wild-card race with the teams getting ready to start a four-game series in New York on Friday.

That there is still fight left in this Sox team was evident in the eighth inning, when the benches cleared.

Beckett had hit two Indians during his outing and Cleveland clumsily tried to retaliate.

Justin Germano threw a pitch behind David Ortiz in the seventh. Jensen Lewis then did the same in the eighth with Beltre up. That prompted the teams to assemble on the infield once Beltre took a step toward the mound.

Lewis was ejected, as was Beckett for trying to get at Cleveland left fielder Shelley Duncan. Indians third base coach Steve Smith was tossed as well after he and Francona had to be separated.

“Interesting day,’’ Francona said.

Huff and puff

Jim Ingraham reports for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:

The loss goes to Huff, who is accumulating some interesting if not impressive numbers. In the last two years at Columbus, over 14 starts, he has a record of 11-1 and a 4.06 ERA.

However, this year with the Indians, his record is 2-10 with a 5.97 ERA.

"Huff had a lot of traffic (on the bases) and a lot of pitches for 5 1/3 innings, but I'll take the three runs for the time he pitched," said Acta.

And...

Indians notes by Jim Ingraham for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

The Akron Beacon Journal's Sheldon Ocker reports on the condition of Carlos Santana's knee and writes his Indians notebook.

Where the Indians began the week on ESPN.com's power rankings.

Sports Illustrated's SI.com has a photo gallery of some players whose contracts are being paid by a former team, including an ex-Indian.

Cleveland Browns

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerDave Zastudil hopes to be back by the opener, but went to have his surgically-repaired knee re-checked by his surgeon.

CLEVELAND -- Some news and notes from the Browns training camp, Wed. Aug. 4:

* Punter Dave Zastudil went to have his surgically-repaired knee re-checked by his surgeon and should be back by Thursday. Coach Eric Mangini said it's common for players to do that. Zastudil said Monday he was optimistic he'll be ready for the opener. He hasn't practiced since then.

* Running back Peyton Hillis (leg) is close to getting  back to action after missing two practices. Hillis sat out some organized team activities and June minicamp with what he said was the flu. He lost about 12 pounds during the ordeal.

* No real update yet on  defensive back Chris Roberson (leg), who was carted off the field just minutes before practice ended after trying to defend a deep pass to Josh Cribbs.

* Mangini showed the team some clips Tuesday of running back James Davis, who threw couple of nice blocks in one-on-one pass-rush drills on Monday.

* Cornerback Gerard Lawson impressed the staff today with two interceptions,  one off of Colt McCoy and one of off Seneca Wallace. Sheldon Brown also picked one off  Jake Delhomme intended for Brian Robiskie.

*  Robiskie caught a 50-yard touchdown pass over Mike Adams from Delhomme.

* Linebacker Titus Brown joined the bike brigade with an undisclosed ailment.

Two INTs for Gerard Lawson are highlight of morning practice.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerCleveland Browns' Shaun Rogers is carted off the field during a game in Cincinnati last season.

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

 * Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who still hasn't passed his physical, did some work on blocking sleds with a trainer nearby. It appeared a sign of progress that Rogers might soon come off PUP and rejoin his teammates. But coach Eric Mangini threw water on that thought when he said, "I don't think we're close right now. I think we're quite a ways away."

 * Nice day for reserve defensive back Gerard Lawson. He stepped in front of rookie receiver Johnathan Haggerty and intercepted a pass thrown by Colt McCoy. Later he picked off Seneca Wallace on a pass intended for tight end Evan Moore. Lawson lost some status as a core special teamer in Mangini's first season, so anytime he shows up on practice video is a good thing for him.

 * Jake Delhomme also suffered an interception by Sheldon Brown in man coverage against Brian Robiskie. But a few plays later, Delhomme connected with Robiskie on a long completion over Mike Adams in the end zone. Robiskie might have pushed off, but no flag was thrown.

 * Earlier, Delhomme was a little late and short trying to get the ball to Chansi Stuckey, who got behind a DB. Stuckey got his hands on the ball, but couldn't hold on.

 * Cornerback Chris Roberson suffered a leg injury in coverage of receiver Josh Cribbs. He was carted off the field. Mangini had no update afterwards. Cribbs made an acrobatic one-hand grab on the play while falling to the ground.

 * Nobody hits the pads or blocking sleds harder among the defensive linemen than nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin. After subbing for the injured Rogers and making five starts last year, Rubin appears determined to keep the spot.

 * Punter Dave Zastudil is getting his right knee checked by his own doctor, Mangini said. Zastudil has not been seen the past few days after disclosing he had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon.

 * Defensive line coach Bryan Cox likes to get under the skin of his players. During a break, he told them, "Remember, if I yell at you, I don't hate you. I just dislike you."

 * One of the nastiest players on defense is linebacker Matt Roth. There's no tackling, but Roth knocked big tight end Benjamin Watson off his feet with just a quick pop during a play.

Allenby withdraws because of a knee injury. His spot will not be filled.

View full sizeAssociated PressRobert Allenby hits off the second tee during the third round of the British Open at St. Andrews on July 17.

AKRON, Ohio - Australian Robert Allenby has withdrawn from the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, tournament officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

Allenby withdrew because of a knee injury. His spot will not be filled.

Allenby has played in 17 events in 2010, with two runner-up finishes. He stands 12th in the FedEx Cup points standings.

The tournament runs Thursday-Sunday at Firestone Country Club in Akron.  

Darrell Bevell says after a practice today that Favre will play this season if his ankle allows it. Favre's agent says Favre plans to play if healthy, and Favre will visit his surgeon next week. Earlier reports this week indicated Favre would retire.

Rogelio V. Solis, Associated PressBrett Favre (second from left) helps Oak Grove High School football players learn how to slip defenders during their football practice today in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell says Brett Favre will play this season if his ankle allows it.

Bevell spoke on Wednesday after a morning practice in Mankato. He has been close friends with Favre dating back to when Bevell was the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers.

Bevell says he has spoken to the 40-year-old quarterback recently, but not in the last 24 hours. He says it's been his understanding all along that if Favre's surgically repaired left ankle heals well enough, Favre will return to play for the Vikings this season.

Favre's agent, Bus Cook, also said Wednesday that Favre plans to play if his health holds up. He says Favre will visit his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, next week.

Earlier this week, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Favre had told the team he wasn't going to return for a second season in Minnesota.