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Cleveland Browns 19, Detroit Lions 17, final: Browns in-game updates

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Thaddeus Lewis shines in the fourth quarter as he leads the Browns' backups past Detroit's extra players.

ward-sims-rejoice-brns-lions-2012-jk.jpgView full sizeT.J. Ward (left) celebrates with David Sims after Sims' tumbling interception in the final seconds sealed the Browns' 19-17 victory Friday night over the Lions.

DETROIT -- Well, that was surprising, wasn't it?

After the Lions gouged the Browns' run defense for four Joique Bell runs that totaled 51 yards to set up a 40-yard field goal for a 17-10 lead, it seemed the meaningless part of the game had arrived.

Not for Thaddeus Lewis. The fourth-string QB scrambled out of the Lions' grasp on a 11-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Adonis Thomas' 3-yard run. Lewis hit Bert Reed for 21 yards and Thomas for 25 while running for 18 yards himself. The Browns went for two points -- who wants OT in the preseason -- by Thomas was stopped well short up the middle.

The Lions were unable to run out the clock, and Lewis got one more chance with 2:18 remaining on his own 30. He found Dan Gronkowski for 19 yards, Reed for 17 more and then Gronkowski again to the Detroit 26.

Jeff Wolfert's 45-yard field goal was good with 28 seconds remaining. David Sims' interception three plays later ended matters.


Quick Slant: Cleveland Browns 19, Detroit Lions 17

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Rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin displays some speed. Watch video

DETROIT -- Quarterback Brandon Weeden made his debut, but rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin made the biggest impression in the Cleveland Browns' 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions in Friday night's preseason opener.

Click here to watch post-game video on a mobile device.

What did we learn: Despite an interception and a fumble, Weeden did some good things, completing his first two passes and not rushing his throws. We already knew about Weeden's strong arm, and it was on display with his 34-yard pass to Benjamin in the first quarter.

Benjamin (two catches for 46 yards) gives the Browns something they have not had in years -- speed.

First team offense: The Browns want Trent Richardson to energize the running game. So with him out with a knee surgery, it was quarterback Colt McCoy who led the Browns in rushing in the first half. Montario Hardesty, in for Richardson, had 16 yards on four carries. His longest run was seven yards.

First team defense: The Lions want to improve their running game, and the Browns may have given them some confidence. The Lions averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the first half, running at rookie tackles John Hughes and Billy Winn. Kelland Williams rushed for 69 yards on eight carries in the first half (8.6 yards per carry), including a 33-yard run.

Injuries: Too many. Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was hit following a reception in the first quarter. He left the game with a head injury and did not return. Tight end Jordan Cameron, cornerback Dimitri Patterson and defensive tackle Scott Paxson were all injured and did not return.

What's next: The Browns play at Green Bay on Thursday.

The agony of defeat is felt by Americans Uceny, Mitchell in Olympic track and field

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Injured 400 runner Manteo Mitchell and fallen 1,500 runner Morgan Uceny experienced the difficult side of the Olympics during what has been a successful Games of track and field for Team USA.

uceny-olympic-mile-fall-2012-ap.jpgView full sizeAmerican runner Morgan Uceny reacts after falling during the women's 1,500-meter final Friday in London.

LONDON -- Supported by metal crutches, his left foot in a walking boot, Manteo Mitchell's voice cracked as he spoke Friday night about the reason he wasn't on the track in the men's 4x400 relay at Olympic Stadium. On that same track, Morgan Uceny pounded her fists and shed tears of anguish after falling in the women's 1,500 meters.

Through 38 track and field events at the London Olympics, the United States leads the way with eight gold medals (Russia is next with four) and 26 total medals (the Russians and Jamaica are next with 10). But not every American track athlete will leave London on a high.

In a slow-paced 1,500, the 27-year-old Uceny went down at the start of the final lap, accidentally brushed, but not forcefully so, by another runner. She immediately pounded the track three times and then covered her head with her hands, all too familiar with the feeling after falling in the 2011 world championships as well.

"Horrifying," was how teammate Shannon Rowbury, who finished sixth, described the feeling. "Twice in a final, to have that happen, the same girl," she said.

Ranked among the top runners in the world, Uceny didn't have one of the faster times among the entrants this season, but in a slow race where winner Asli Cakir Alptekin of Turkey came home in just 4:10.23, Uceny looked like a strong medal candidate when she went down in sixth place.

Those are the risks of crowded distance races. "Too many bodies, too slow a race," said Great Britain's Lisa Dobriskey.

For Team USA men's 4x400 relay, the problem was running out of bodies. After winning gold every time they'd competed in the event since 1952, the Americans took the silver when 33-year-old 400 hurdler Angelo Taylor, a replacement after three other runners were injured, was run down on the anchor leg by the Bahamas' Ramon Miller.

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Watching from as close to the track as he could was Mitchell, who broke his left fibula while running the first leg of the relay in Thursday's heat. He ran the final 200 meters of that heat as "every step I took was like Jell-O." He said he'll be in the boot for four to six weeks.

"I'm just heart-broken," Mitchell said. "I just really wanted them to get the gold. You never know what I could have done."

He did all he could Thursday. He said he was considering pulling up at 220 meters when he saw teammate Josh Mance motioning for him to run on the videoboard.

"I couldn't leave those three guys behind me hanging," Mitchell said. "I guess you could call it God or adrenaline or the spirit of the USA. Definitely the spirit of the Olympics was in me and I didn't want to quit."

He said doctors told him with another four or five strides, his bone may have poked through his skin. Friday he was left to take a photo of the results on a television in the post-race interview area, which he said he'll make the background of his computer until Team USA wins gold again.

"I can guarantee you at the world championship we will not lose," Mitchell said.

But whenever there is a loss, there is also a victory. For the Bahamas, it was the nation's first track and field gold medal won by male athletes in Olympic history. For 23-year-old relay member Demetrius Pinder, it was for his sister, a 32-year-old mother of two who unexpectedly died of a heart attack two weeks ago.

"I thought about her straight through to the Olympic Games. It was all heart," Pinder said. "I know she was there with me. I know things happen for a reason. This isn't the end for me. I'm going to have good days after this."

For him, Friday was a start.

CORRECTION: This story was corrected to say this was the Bahama's first gold medal in track for male athletes, not for any track athletes. The Bahamas has three previous gold in women's track.

Cleveland Browns' Brandon Weeden: How would you grade his play? -- poll

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What did you think of rookie QB's first NFL action?

Gallery preview

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns opened their preseason tonight with a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions. With rookie running back Trent Richardson sidelined after having his knee scoped this week, the spotlight was even hotter on rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, who saw his first action as a pro.


From Mary Kay Cabot's game story:

In three series of action against the aggressive Lions' defense on Friday night, Weeden completed three of nine attempts for 62 yards, with one lost fumble, one interception and a dismal 19.0 rating. It wasn't exactly the error-free ball that Weeden had hoped to play, but coach Pat Shurmur complimented him nevertheless.
"I thought Brandon did a good job," said Shurmur at halftime of the Browns' 19-17 victory at Ford Field. "It looked like the game was slow for him. He was out there and he executed pretty well. I think he would want that one back on the interception. It was in tight coverage. The ball was a pretty good ball and we've got to make that play."

How would you grade Weeden's performance?






Concussion on first play ends Mohamed Massaquoi's night: Browns Insider

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Coach Pat Shurmur said after the Browns' 19-17 win that Massaquoi did suffer another concussion -- a conclusion the receiver disputed on his Twitter account.

Gallery preview

DETROIT -- The momentum Mohamed Massaquoi was building in training camp lasted all of one preseason play.

The Browns' receiver, who has a history of concussions, was crunched by Detroit safety Erik Coleman after an 11-yard reception from Brandon Weeden on the team's first play from scrimmage Friday night. Massaquoi got to his feet, but it wasn't long before a trainer escorted him to the Ford Field locker room.

Coach Pat Shurmur said after the Browns’ 19-17 win that Massaquoi did suffer another concussion -- a conclusion the receiver disputed on his Twitter account.

“No! Precautionary! Cant wait to get back to work!” Massaquoi wrote.

The starting wideout has had at least two documented concussions the past two seasons that included the devastating helmet-to-helmet shot by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison in 2010.

Some contend Massaquoi hasn't been the same receiver since the Harrison hit. He managed just 31 catches for 384 yards and two touchdowns last year. In the off-season, team President Mike Holmgren predicted a big season for Massaquoi, saying, "I think he's finally gotten over the concussion thing he had."

But it didn't stop the club from selecting receiver Josh Gordon with a second-round pick in the supplemental draft. In the final season of his rookie contract, Massaquoi, 25, responded well to the challenge for his starting spot. He has been sharp throughout camp, drawing praise from Shurmur.

It's unclear how much time fourth-year wideout could miss. He did not return to the sidelines.

“He’s going to deal with this and he’s going to go through the process,” Shurmur said. “When he’s healthy enough to play we’ll put him back in there and not before that.”

Depth concerns: The Browns' depleted defensive front seven suffered another loss as defensive tackle Scott Paxson suffered a second-quarter knee injury. The veteran is one of the linemen subbing for Phil Taylor (torn pectoral).

With Ahtyba Rubin (slight pelvis tear) being eased back into the lineup -- he did not play Friday night -- the Browns are young and thin up the middle. The Lions rushed for 115 yards in the first half.

The news was no better in the secondary as cornerback Dimitri Patterson suffered an ankle injury after teammate Ray Ventrone accidentally undercut him trying to make a tackle. A lengthy Patterson absence would be significant as he is expected to replace Joe Haden should the cornerback be lost for the first four games to a failed drug test.

Shurmur gave no indication on the severity of either injury.

Loophole closed: If it's true Haden tested positive for Adderall, as has been reported by ESPNcleveland.com, and didn't have clearance from the NFL beforehand to use it for a medical reason, he most likely won't have any recourse. Before 2010, players could obtain a "Therapeutic Use Exemption" after a positive test. In 2010, that loophole closed.

"The union joined us in deciding to bring our program in line with how the Olympics issues TUEs," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, speaking in general terms about the policy and not about Haden, said. "They have to be obtained in advance. It was decided there were too many problems with issuing retroactive TUEs."

Benny and his jets: The most impressive Browns debut belonged to receiver Travis Benjamin. The diminutive speedster caught a 34-yard from pass from Weeden on the Browns' first possession. He finished the night with two catches for 46 yards.

Benjamin also handled kickoff return duties as special teams ace Josh Cribbs dressed for the game, but did not play. The versatile University of Miami product had two returns, averaging 27 yards.

“Travis looked in this game like he’s looked in practice,” Shurmur said. “I think that’s an encouraging thing because he’s been able to bring it to the game. He looked fast on the returns and he caught the ball well and caught it with his hands.”

Switching sides: Rookie offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz had a difficult debut against a rugged Lions defensive line. On the Browns' first possession, he was whistled for a false start and allowed a sack that resulted in a Weeden fumble.

Like many rookie offensive linemen, Schwartz must adjust to the speed and fury of the pro game. Having Ndamukong Suh line up in your vicinity doesn't make it easier.

The Browns' coaching staff elected to leave Schwartz in the game longer than most of their starters, even switching him from right tackle to left tackle after All-Pro Joe Thomas departed.

“We wanted him to play the first half and play as much as he can,” Shurmur said of Schwartz. “There was no other design than he was going to play a half.”

Grateful for chance: Defensive tackle Kiante Tripp said he's confident he will be cleared of charges in connection with a suburban Atlanta burglary July 1.

He was one of three suspects police arrested and charged with burglary and firearm possessions. They were caught by police fleeing from a residence after a neighbor called to complain about three men with guns in the apartment, according to a report.

"I wasn't actually doing anything," Tripp said. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time ... I knew I was innocent from the beginning. I got my lawyer on it ASAP and everything is looking good."

The second-year player expressed his gratitude to the Browns for making no snap decisions on his future. Tripp, who appeared in three games last season, is listed as a third-teamer on the depth chart.

Different vantage point: Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron called plays from the press box booth at Ford Field instead of from the field. Offensive coordinator Brad Childress also is in the booth.

Inactives: Browns held out of Friday night's game: Usama Young, Trent Richardson, Eddie Williams, D'Qwell Jackson, Marcus Bernard, Rubin, Ben Watson, Frostee Rucker, Taylor.

Special occasion: Shurmur was pleased with the effort of his special teams, which finished its night with Jeff Wolfert’s 45-yard field goal in the final seconds. The Browns coverage units yielded no long runs and punter Reggie Hodges pinned the Lions inside the 10 with a first-half punt.

Best for last: The nicest catch of the night came courtesy of backup defensive back David Sims. The second-year pro made a one-handed interception as he was falling to the ground to seal the victory.

Saturday, August 11 television and radio sports listings for Cleveland and northeast Ohio

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Highlights include Olympics, Boston at Indians and third-round play at the PGA Championship.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

Auto racing

NASCAR:

Nationwide Series, Zippo 200 qualifying, 9:30 a.m., ESPN2;

Zippo 200, 2:15, WEWS Ch. 5

Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup Series at The Glen qualifying, 11:30 a.m., ESPN2

Rolex Sports Car Series:

Continental Tire 200, 6, Speed Channel

Baseball

Little League playoffs:

Midwest Regional final, teams TBD, 2, ESPN

Northwest Regional final, teams TBD, 4, ESPN

New England Regional final, 6, ESPN

West Regional final, teams TBD, 8, ESPN

MLB:

N.Y. Yankees at Toronto, 1, MLB Network

Boston at CLEVELAND INDIANS, 6:05, SportsTime Ohio

Detroit at Texas, 8:30, MLB Network

Golf

PGA of America:

PGA Championship, third round, 11 a.m., TNT;

PGA Championship, 2, WOIO Ch. 19

USGA:

U.S. Women's Amateur Championship semifinals, 3, Golf Channel

Horse racing

NTRA:

Fourstardave Handicap, 6, NBC Sports Network

NFL

Preseason:

Houston at Carolina, 7, NFL Network

Tennessee at Seattle, 10, NFL Network

Olympics

Track and field, 4 a.m., NBC Sports Network; noon, NBCSN;

Taekwondo, 8 a.m., NBC Sports Network; 2:15, MSNBC; 5:30, NBCSN

Various sports TBA, 9 a.m. and midnight, Telemundo

Canoeing, 10 a.m., WKYC Ch. 3

Men's soccer, 10 a.m., NBC Sports Network

Women's volleyball, 10:45 a.m., WKYC Ch. 3

Men's field hockey, 10:30 a.m., MSNBC; 3, MSNBC

Women's basketball, noon, MSNBC; 4, WKYC Ch. 3

Cycling, 12:45, WKYC Ch. 3; 2, WKYC Ch. 3; 2:45, WKYC Ch. 3

Rhythmic gymnastics, 1, WKYC Ch. 3

Modern pentathlon, 1:45, MSNBC

Wrestling, 2:15, WKYC Ch. 3; 12:30 a.m. (tape), WKYC Ch. 3;

Various events TBA, 3, WKYC Ch. 3

Women's handball, 3:30, NBC Sports Network

Boxing, gold-medal finals, 3:30, CNBC

Prime-time coverage: Track and field, gold medal finals: men's 4 x 100 relay, men's 5,000, men's javelin, women's 4 x 400 relay, women's 800, women's high jump; men's diving, platform gold medal final; women's volleyball, gold medal final, 8 (tape), WKYC Ch. 3

Various events TBA, midnight, Telemundo

Rodeo

Professional Bull Riders:

Express Classic, 8, NBC Sports Network

Soccer

World Football Challenge:

Real Madrid vs. Celtic, 1:55, ESPN2

Softball

Senior League World Series:

Championship game, teams TBD, noon, ESPN

Tennis

ATP World Tour:

Rogers Cup semifinal, 4:30 (tape), ESPN2

Rogers Cup, semifinal, 6:30, ESPN2


London Calling: Talking SEC speed at Olympic Stadium with Jeff Demps

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In the same year in which he played against Ohio State in the Gator Bowl, the former Florida running back ran in the Olympics.

JEFFDEMPS.JPGFormer Florida running back Jeff Demps shed his helmet to run in a 4x100 relay heat for Team USA at the London Olympics on Friday.


LONDON - As Jeff Demps took off for Team USA in the leadoff leg of the 4x100 relay heat Friday, I was waiting for the chant I'd heard in stadiums this size in the past.

“S-E-C. S-E-C.”

It never came. Apparently the citizens of London aren't up with American college football. And Florida football fans were thinking too much about preseason practice to fly to London and watch an old Gator run. But less than nine months after I was talking to Demps before the Gator Bowl (he ran for 30 yards on seven carries against Ohio State), I was talking to Demps again at Olympic Stadium.

So was that SEC speed?

“This is definitely SEC-caliber speed right here,” Demps said with a laugh. “Maybe even faster than that.”

Though he was part of setting an American relay record Thursday at 37.38 seconds, Demps will not run in the final tonight. At the very least, after doing both track and football in college, he has tasted both of his sports on their greatest stages.

“The bus ride over here brought me back to that '08 national championship game,” Demps said. “It's a little bit different, because with football you've got that big crowd, but you've got your helmet on and all your pads and you're kind of locked in and focused. Out here, you've just got your uniform on and everyone can see your face. I had a lot of fun out here today.”

For Ohio State fans wanting Urban Meyer to recruit speed to Columbus, this is the bar. Sometimes SEC speed is also Olympic speed.

– Doug Lesmerises


Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden has rocky debut, but Browns beat Lions 19-17

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Brandon Weeden had a rocky debut against the Lions, losing a fumble, throwing a pick, and watching some of his best weapons go down with injuries. Watch video

weeden-pass-lions-horiz-jk.jpgView full sizeBrandon Weeden didn't have the best of debuts, completing just three of nine attempts in the first quarter Friday against Detroit -- with a fumble and interception. But Pat Shurmur was pleased, and the Browns' subs bounced back in the second half for a 19-17 victory in the preseason opener.

DETROIT -- It's a good thing quarterback Brandon Weeden has a pitcher's mentality and a short memory. His rookie debut is one he'll mostly want to forget.

In three series of action against the aggressive Lions' defense on Friday night, Weeden completed three of nine attempts for 62 yards, with one lost fumble, one interception and a dismal 19.0 rating. It wasn't exactly the error-free ball that Weeden had hoped to play, but coach Pat Shurmur complimented him nevertheless.

"I thought Brandon did a good job," said Shurmur at halftime of the Browns' 19-17 victory at Ford Field. "It looked like the game was slow for him. He was out there and he executed pretty well. I think he would want that one back on the interception. It was in tight coverage. The ball was a pretty good ball and we've got to make that play."

Weeden was also upbeat about his night.

“I felt in complete control,” he said. “Yeah, the numbers weren't great, but I didn't expect them to be. I knew I was going to make some mistakes here and there. But it's just how can we fix those mistakes and move forward.”

It didn't help Weeden that he was without starting running back Trent Richardson and tight end Ben Watson and that he lost starting receiver Mohamed Massaquoi after the first play of the game.

Weeden started off on a high note, completing a 12-yard pass to Massaquoi and a 34-yarder down the deep left side to rookie speedster Travis Benjamin.

"Travis can fly,'' said Weeden. "I put it out there and he made a heck of a catch.''

But a concussion to Massaquoi on that opening play foreshadowed an injury-marred and disappointing first half for the starters.

Massaquoi, who's suffered concussions in each of the past two seasons, was hit in the head and sent to the locker room by the trainers. He argued before heading in and later tweeted that it was precautionary, but with his history -- and the Browns' concussion-plagued 2011 -- he lost the battle and was done for the night.

Weeden threw the ball away on what was supposed to be a middle screen to Hardesty after that deep ball to Benjamin, and then threw too low for rookie Josh Gordon in the left flat.

Gallery preview

That's when another rookie, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, began a series of his own costly growing pains. First, he false-started on third down. Then, he let defensive end Willie Young storm past him to strip-sack Weeden. Young recovered the loose ball.

"It was my fault,'' said Schwartz. "Young went inside and I didn't react quickly enough. I'm not sure what happened on the false start. Maybe I flinched. I've got a lot of stuff to work on. Too much pressure. I've got to keep getting better, keep using my hands better.''

Weeden's only other completion of the night was on the second play of the next drive, a 16-yarder to tight end Jordan Cameron, who came into the game with high hopes but left in the second quarter with a back injury after a sensational 42-yard catch from second-teamer Colt McCoy.

That same drive, Lions cornerback Dwight Bentley almost picked off a short pass intended for rookie receiver Josh Gordon, who showed some rust from sitting out football last season. He failed to secure any of the three passes thrown his way.

"Josh was out there competing,'' said Shurmur after the game. "If you remember last year when Greg (Little) first came, he (struggled) some too early on.''

Three plays into his third and final possession, Weeden was intercepted by Bentley, who jumped Little's route and came up with the ball to set up a Detroit touchdown.

"It was a little miscommunication,'' said Weeden. "He came in and I thought he was going to keep working back out. We talked about it and we'll get it corrected.''

The Lions converted the pick into a 5-yard touchdown run by Keiland Williams for a 7-0 lead with a minute left in the quarter.

Weeden's rocky start wasn't the only grim news of the half. In addition to Massaquoi, the Browns lost cornerback Dimitri Patterson (ankle), defensive tackle Scott Paxson (knee) and Cameron (back) to injuries. They were already shorthanded with several veterans sitting out, including defensive tackle Ahytba Rubin (pelvis) and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.

Paxson and Patterson were injured on back-to-back plays in the second quarter. Paxson could miss some time with his injury, while Patterson hobbled off but stayed on the sidelines. The Browns can ill afford to lose Patterson -- who gave up a 27-yard pass to Calvin Johnson -- considering they might be without Joe Haden for the first four games of the season for reportedly violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

With Massaquoi out, Benjamin stepped in and played well. In addition to his deep ball from Weeden, he caught a 12-yarder from McCoy and finished the first half with the two catches for 46 yards.

"Travis Benjamin made some plays,'' said Shurmur. "Travis looked in this game like we've seen him play in practice.''

McCoy, embroiled in a battle for the No. 2 job with Seneca Wallace, played with a lot of moxie, taking some chances and showcasing his mobility. He finished 6-of-8 for 88 yards.

"I thought it went well for the most part, but we had seven penalties in the second quarter, and I think we were in first and 20 like two or three times,'' said McCoy. "All in all, I'd like to get in the end zone, but we scored three and moved the ball well.''

Often criticized for his lack of arm strength, McCoy heaved the ball deep over the middle for Cameron, who came down with the 42-yarder and was immediately drilled by former Browns safety Sean Jones. Cameron came down hard on his back and remained down for a few moments. He was helped off the field and then sent to the locker room after an exam on the trainers' table.

With the Browns falling behind, 14-3, in the second quarter, Montario Hardesty didn't have much of a chance to prove he deserves reps when Richardson returns from arthroscopic knee surgery. He rushed four times for 16 yards, with a long gain of 7. Brandon Jackson added 18 yards on six carries in the first half.

It was a night for plenty of backups to get live game reps. Third-round pick John Hughes started inside with Paxson, and Emmanuel Stephens started at right end with both Frostee Rucker (knee) and Marcus Benard (undisclosed) sidelined.

In the third quarter, Wallace pulled the Browns to within 14-10 on a 12-yard pass to rookie Brad Smelley. Thad Lewis then led a fourth-quarter charge with Adonis Thomas scoring from three yards out. The Browns went for two and failed, but Lewis got a second chance in the two-minute drill and moved the team smartly into field goal range. Jeff Wolfert's 45-yarder for the win with 28 seconds left was true.

David Sims' interception on a Hail Mary by Kellen Moore ended the game.

For a team just hoping to escape with no further injuries, it was a pleasant way to begin the trip back to Cleveland.

"We had a lot of rookies in there playing with a team that went 10-6 last year, and I'm not down at all,'' said Shurmur. "A lot of young guys had an opportunity to play.''

On Twitter: @marykaycabot


Is Manny Acta at the heart of the Cleveland Indians' 'boring' baseball? Hey, Hoynsie!

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There's plenty of questions in this week's mailbag for beat writer Paul Hoynes.

acta-watches-2012-vert-cc.jpgView full sizeManny Acta's quiet countenance during Indians games has irritated fans wanting more emotion. But beat writer Paul Hoynes says the franchise's issues are more than a calm field general.

Hey, Hoynsie: Emotionless, unproductive, unexciting, boring. That is what describes a Manny Acta-led team. This is why he never has had or will have a winning record in a season. Why are you, Indians' management and apparently the general Indian Nation putting up with this type of performance? -- Stanley Laybourne, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Hey, Stanley: It's hard to blame one man for an organizational failure that has already taken root before he was even hired.

Hey, Hoynsie: Last week, you asked GM Chris Antonetti if manager Manny Acta would return in 2013. Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to ask the GM if he expected to be back for 2013? -- Terry Ross, Cleveland

Hey, Terry: Not sure if asking GM Chris Antonetti if GM Chris Antonetti would be back next year would have gotten the answer you seek.

Hey, Hoynsie: Can you ask the Tribe when it is going to finally pull the "what if" commercials? -- Luke Murphy, Cleveland

Hey, Luke: I heard they have a new advertising campaign coming out. It asks "How come?"

Hey, Hoynsie: I agree with you that more teams might be interested in trading for Shin-Soo Choo and others this winter rather than at the trade deadline. Do you know what the rush was to trade Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez and their modest contracts at the trade deadline in 2009 rather than in the winter? -- Jason Leach, Highland Heights

Hey, Jason: Then-GM Mark Shapiro was told by ownership that the team was going to lose between $12 million and $16 million in 2009. They gave him a choice of trading Lee and Martinez in 2009 or keeping them through the remainder of their contracts in 2010 and not being able to add anyone else to the ballclub.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians have said they will pay for free agents when the time is right. Presumably they'll have money to spend this off-season with the contracts of Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Derek Lowe and others coming off the books. Yet in the past 10 years, they have made only one major free agent acquisition (Kerry Wood) with the rest being bargain-basement pickups. Is there any reason for Indians fans to believe this off-season will be any different? -- Rich Smith, Columbus

Hey, Rich: I can't think of any.

Hey, Hoynsie: I don't want to overreact to the recent losing streak, but with so many key players in the latest rebuild not developing as hoped for, and too many holes to fill in the short-term, is another total rebuild on the horizon? -- Steve Alex, Gainesville, Fla.

Hey, Steve: I don't think so. I think they have a core of players in place that they can build on.

Hey, Hoynsie: How does the Indians' collapse fall in the record books? -- Marylou Dixon, Centerburg

Hey, Marylou: The Tribe's 11-game losing streak fell one short of tying the franchise record set in 1931.

Hey, Hoynsie: Your thoughts on this theory regarding the Indians' dismal slide to oblivion: Once the players realized that management would not swing a big-time deal to help the team at the deadline, and knowing they themselves wouldn't be traded after July 31, the team packed their bags mentally and slipped into the "going through the motions" mode for the last couple of months of the season. -- Joseph Ladd, Cleveland

Hey, Joseph: There may be something to that theory. I think they players knew they could use some help. But I talked to a couple who were glad the front office didn't make any deals. They felt that one deal wouldn't be enough to correct everything that is wrong with this team.

Hey, Hoynsie: Does anyone other than me think that the Tribe is in desperate need of both a pitching and hitting coach? -- Sandy Ford, Columbus

Hey, Sandy: As you can see, the Indians already made one of the changes you recommended.

Hey, Hoynsie: What are the chances the Tribe will hire a real pitching coach next year? -- Bob Morman, Newbury

Hey, Bob: I'd say pretty good. Pitchers need a pitching coach to tell them what day they're pitching. Without that, you'd have chaos.

Hey, Hoynsie: A manager's job is to get the most out of the players on his team. Three Indians have had good years, two average, and the rest mediocre to abysmal. This is the second year his team has crashed after the All-Star break. How can you possibly say Acta is doing a good job? -- Mitchell Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitchell: Actually, it's pretty easy. I just say, "Acta is doing a good job."

Hey, Hoynsie: It seems like the thing the Indians need most -- even more than a starting pitcher or a right-handed bat -- is a clue. Do you think management will ever get one? -- Ron Rajecki, North Olmsted

Hey, Ron: Don't know about Indians' management, but I've been clueless for as long as I can remember.

Hey, Hoynsie: Does the Dolan family know they are so disliked by this fan base? Can they honestly not afford to put money into this team? I just cannot believe how far this team has fallen since the days of Dick Jacobs. -- Walter White, Reading, Pa.

Hey, Walter: The Dolan family is well aware of how they're viewed by some Indians fans. All they have to do is count the empty seats at Progressive Field to realize that.

Hey, Hoynsie: As a matter of formality, why have the Indians not put Travis Hafner on waivers to see if somebody will want his bat at a discount? Is it simply because the front office would have to pick up much of his remaining salary and they'd rather have his services in that case? -- J.P. Davis, Akron

Hey, J.P.: Almost all players in the big leagues go through waivers in August. If a team claimed Hafner, I think the Indians would be thrilled.

Hey, Hoynsie: What is a "fairly high-leverage inning" that you quoted Manny Acta as saying in reference to using rookie Cody Allen recently? -- Ruth Ross, Cleveland

Hey, Ruth: Sorry for the shop talk. A "fairly high-leverage inning" would be the seventh with the Tribe leading by three or fewer runs. If Joe Smith or Tony Sipp were unavailable that day, Acta said he could see giving Allen a chance to pitch in such a situation.

Hey, Hoynsie: Since Larry Dolan's misstatement about wanting to contend for the World Series every year, have you heard his son or his front office communicate that winning baseball is priority No. 1? -- Lori Wilson, Euclid

Hey, Lori: I don't think Larry Dolan made a misstatement. He had just purchased the Indians, a team who grew up rooting for, and was excited about the prospect. Just like LeBron James was when he promised Miami Heat fans multiple NBA titles. I wouldn't hold that against Larry. I hear Antonetti and Acta talk about winning being the No. 1 priority of the Indians almost every time I talk to them.

Hey, Hoynsie: Does Justin Masterson have any options left? Maybe he needs to go back to the minors and figure some things out? -- Jimmy Moss, Pittsburgh

Hey, Jimmy: Masterson has two options left, but I don't see him going to the minors.

-- Hoynsie

Inside the USGA ropes with rules official Patty Jacobson: 'We're there to help the players'

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Enforcing the rules and making decisions are why officials like Jacobson are on site, walking the course during a match. She is there to help the players.

jacobson-usga-official-horiz-to.jpgView full sizeUSGA rules official Patty Jacobson and walking scorer Jeff Haas had a quiet afternoon's work on Wednesday at the U.S. Women's Amateur at The Country Club. "The problems come when (players) don't call on us beforehand and go ahead and make a mistake," she said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was a little before 11 a.m. when Patty Jacobson walked onto the first tee at The Country Club in Pepper Pike.

It would be an uneventful afternoon and most of the time Jacobson views that as a good thing. At the same time, she admits that she likes the action when it arises.

"One of our officials once said that our job is about four hours of boredom with a chance of having about 10 minutes of sheer panic," she said.

Ah, the life of a United States Golf Association rules official.

Working a match in which no rulings are required, no penalty strokes are handed out and no disqualifications are issued is what everyone wants. Still, enforcing the rules and making decisions are why Jacobson is on site, walking the course during a match. She is there to help the players. She and her cohorts want to be involved.

Jacobson, who lives in Shaker Heights, is one of about 50 officials working the 112th annual U.S. Women's Amateur and the only one from Ohio. The U.S. Am, whose week-long run at Country ends with Sunday's 36-hole finale, is about the 30th high-profile event Jacobson has worked since she became part of the USGA team in 2000.

"My husband [David] had just retired and we were planning on spending a lot of time in Florida," she said. "I had been involved as an officer with the Cleveland Women's Golf Association and Oakwood Country Club and I enjoyed it. I just didn't want my mind to turn to mush. So, I decided to pursue the rules thing. It worked out perfectly. It fit beautifully into my life at the time."

To become part of the USGA officiating committee, Jacobson attended a three-day seminar in Houston, sitting in a classroom for eight hours a day listening to rules officials. At the end, she took a 100-question exam that took more than three hours.

"I am not afraid to say that it was hard, very hard," Jacobson said of the test.

She said she returns every year for a refresher and to stay on top of rule changes.

A popular conception is that the rules of golf and its enforcers are there to penalize players for anything short of failing to hit a trash basket with a broken tee.

Not true, they will tell you.

"We are there to help the players," Jacobson said. "We are there to interpret the rules for them, hopefully before they make a mistake. We love it when players call for us to make a ruling or seek advice. That's what we're there for. The problems come when they don't call on us beforehand and go ahead and make a mistake."

Rules officials receive no compensation outside of free meals at the tournaments they work and the USGA-issue clothing. They pay for their transportation to all tournaments and their housing in each city.

"We are volunteers," said Jacobson.

Jacobson arrived at the first tee wearing a walkie-talkie and headset and a draw-string bag. In the bag are some of the tools of her trade: the Rules Notebook, a publication distributed prior to each event that covers practically everything that could arise; a pin sheet, a watch, a timesheet to keep the players up to the prescribed pace of play, the rules of the day, a guide on drop locations and a roll of dental floss.

Dental floss? "I use it to determine if a ball is out-of-bounds or not," she said.

Luckily, nothing occurred in her match that required a ruling. One player asked if she was in a hazard and asked if she was permitted to ground her club. She was not in a marked hazard and Jacobson told her she was permitted to ground her club.

A few holes later, however, a caddie pointed out that a cup had been damaged, probably by a caddie in an earlier match carelessly returning the flag to the hole. A portion of the rim had been crushed.

"I thought it was unplayable," she said.

Jacobson tried to repair the damage with her hands but determined it needed attention from the greens superintendent. She alerted USGA officials and within minutes a crew arrived at the green. It was determined the hole needed to be moved.

"That hardly ever happens," she said of the new hole location. "It's a good thing we were in match play because the hole would be the same for everyone that followed. Had it been stroke play the hole could not have been moved because that would have changed the course for the groups behind. In match play no one was given an advantage by moving the hole. It played the same for everyone."

The uneventful day was contrary to what happened during stroke-play qualifying a few days earlier. Jacobson was required to make eight rulings in her first eight holes. Nothing controversial, just simple interpretations of the rules.

She also told the story of one player, whose ball had rolled into the short rough off the tee.

"She didn't say anything until after the round," Jacobson related. "But she came to me and said that her ball had stopped just short of an animal's tooth. She said she didn't move the tooth but wondered if she would have been permitted. Of course, the tooth was a loose impediment and she could have moved it had she wanted."

Mary Ann Bierman, a veteran of many local and national tournaments, said the officials are usually correct in their rulings.

"In all the years I've played, I think I had one instance where a rules official made a mistake," she said. "But the mistake was rectified and the correct ruling was made. For the most part, the officials all do a terrific job. ... They just enforce what the USGA tells them they have to enforce."

Jacobson has one hard and fast rule that is not included in the Rules of Golf. It is a rule she religiously believes in and encourages everyone to follow.

"Golf is a game of integrity," she said. "That's the bottom line."

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Zach McAllister goes eight innings as Cleveland Indians beat Red Sox, 5-2

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Brent Lillibridge, who didn't do a whole lot in his 10 games with the Red Sox this season, had three hits, including a homer, to lead the Indians.

Gallery preview

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In his last start Zach McAllister allowed nine runs in 1 2/3 innings. Seven of the runs were unearned, but still nine runs in six outs is not a good ratio.

McAllister was much better Saturday night and so were the Indians in a 5-2 victory over Boston at Progressive Field.

After his shortest start of the season, McAllister came back with his longest, going eight innings and allowing two runs on three hits. The eight innings were a career high.

"That was definitely something I needed," said McAllister.

Brent Lillibridge was another Indian in search of a big night. Not to make up for one bad game, but for a season played in a blur. He started the year with the White Sox, who traded him to the Red Sox for Kevin Youkilis, who traded him to the Indians for a minor league pitcher after designating him for assignment.

"It's been a whirlwind," said Lillibridge, who had exactly two hits in 10 games with Boston.

Saturday night Lillibridge rode the wind instead of getting pushed around by it. In his first three at-bats he went 3-for-3 with a homer, single and double. He drove in two runs and scored two, the second on a squeeze bunt by Lou Marson for a 4-2 lead in the seventh. The Indians, under Acta, are 2-for-2 this season and 6-for-7 overall in squeeze bunts.

"It was a great bunt by Marson," said Lillibridge.

Marson is the Tribe's squeeze bunt expert. On July 24, Marson scored on Aaron Cunningham's squeeze in a 3-2 victory over Detroit.

Lillibridge went into the game with two RBI for the season. Starting at third base, he opened the third with his first homer of the season, a drive into the left-field bleachers against Franklin Morales (3-3, 3.29). Morales had retired six straight before Lillibridge's homer gave the Indians a 1-0 lead.

It was his first homer since Aug. 31, 2011 against the Twins.

In the fifth, Michael Brantley drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a balk. After Brantley took third on Shelley Duncan's slow grounder to short, Lillibridge delivered him with a single to center to pull the Indians into a 2-2 tie.

He started the seventh with a double before scoring on Marson's squeeze.

"Lillibridge had a great night," said Acta.

McAllister (5-4, 3.46) retired nine straight before Boston took a 2-1 in the fourth. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a leadoff double. Carl Crawford sent a sacrifice bunt back to McAllister. He turned to throw to third to get Ellsbury, but Lillibridge was charging the bunt and wasn't covering the bag. By the time McAllister wheeled to throw to first, Crawford was safe.

"I heard (three, as in throw to third), but I should have gone to first," said McAllister.

Dustin Pedroia sent a bouncer to Lillibridge. He could have thrown to second to start a double play or thrown to first to hold Ellsbury at first, but just held the ball as Boston loaded the bases.

"I heard Jacoby running hard from third and I looked over," said Lillibridge. "Then he stopped and it was too late to go to first. It's something I'll learn from."

Adrian Gonzalez double to left field to score Ellsbury and Crawford, but when Pedroia tried to sneak home on the tail end of the play, good relays by Shelley Duncan and Lillibridge cut him down at the plate.

McAllister got out of the inning with no further damage. He allowed just one more hit.

"Zach McAllister was the man," said Acta. "Their right-handed hitters went 0-for-14 against him. He was dominant the whole night."

Following Marson's squeeze bunt, Ezequiel Carrera added an RBI single in the eighth for a 5-2 lead.

"The two-run lead (on the squeeze) was big because we wanted McAllister to pitch as long as he could," said Acta. "To take a three-run lead was huge because you want to give you want to give your closer some breathing room, especially against that team."

Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 31st save.

It's Green vs. Ko in 36-hole finale of U.S. Women's Amateur

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Jaye Marie Green, 18, of Florida, will face New Zealand 15-year-old Lydia Ko in Sunday's 36-hole match play final at The Country Club.

ko-womens-amateur-2012-to.jpgView full sizeAt 15 years, 3 months and 18 days, Lydia Ko can become the second-youngest champion in the 112-year history of the U.S. Women's Amateur on Sunday.

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- The reward for surviving six days of intense golf competition on a challenging course under varying weather conditions against high-quality opponents is more of the same.

That's what Floridian Jaye Marie Green and New Zealander (by way of Korea) Lydia Ko face when they play Sunday for the U.S. Women's Amateur championship at The Country Club in Pepper Pike.

The 36-hole finale -- and there is no reason to believe it will end any sooner given the skill and tenacity of the competitors -- is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., with the second round scheduled for 1 p.m. It will be telecast on The Golf Channel at 3 p.m.

Green, 18, of Boca Raton, Fla., made her way to the match-play final by defeating Nicole Zhang, 20, of Canada 2-up on a windy and gray Saturday in the first of two semifinals. Ko, the top-ranked player in the world rankings, followed a short time later after eliminating second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn, 16, of Thailand, 3-and-1.

At 15 years, 3 months and 18 days, Ko can become the second-youngest champion in the 112-year history of the event, following Kimberly Kim, who was 14 years, 11 months and 21 days when she won the title in 2006.

Ko was near perfect when she ended the match on the 17th hole with a birdie. She would have been 6 under had it been medal play. Jutanugarn wasn't bad, either, coming in at 1 under.

Green and Ko took the lead for good in their respective matches with birdies on the 371-yard fourth hole, with Ko making a 30-foot putt for birdie and Green making a 6-footer. Ko needed just 23 putts and said it was one of the best putting days of her career.

Green, who will pass up a college scholarship to attend the LPGA Qualifying school, made the turn at 2-up and extended her lead by hitting a cut 8-iron to four feet and making the birdie putt on the 146-yard 11th. Khang retaliated with a birdie on the 12th and cut her deficit to 1-down with a birdie to Green's par on the 450-yard 16th.

After halving the 17th with pars, Green hit her second shot on the 385-yard closing hole, which played directly into the wind, to within 15 feet. Needing to win the hole to force extra holes, Khang conceded when her chip shot was far off the mark.

"Just knowing that I'm still in the running to be the United States champion gives me the chills," said Green," who lost in the second round of last year's tournament. "She hung in there the whole time. I really feel like I'm dreaming."

Ko, who won the 2012 New South Wales Open in January at age 14 to become the youngest player ever to win a professional tournament, took a 2-up lead when Jutanugarn three-putted the par-5 16th and closed the match one hole later when Jutanugarn's approach missed the green to the left and rolled down a large slope and her recovery fell woefully short of the hole.

By reaching the final, Green and Ko receive exemptions to next year's U.S. Women's Open providing they retain their amateur status.

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Roberto Hernandez will face Angels on Wednesday: Indians Insider

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Roberto Hernandez's journey from identity fraud to his return to the mound with the Indians is scheduled to end Wednesday when he faces the Angels.

ROBERTO-HERNANDEZ-CAPTAINS.JPGView full sizeRoberto Hernandez has a 2-1 record with a 4.07 ERA in four starts with Lake County and Columbus since returning to the United States.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Roberto Hernandez will officially take the mound with the Indians on Wednesday against Los Angeles at Angel Stadium. When he made his last big-league start on Sept. 25, he was known as Fausto Carmona.

It's been well documented how all that changed in January when Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic for using a false identification to try and obtain a U.S. visa. Ever since, he's been trying to make it back to the big leagues as Hernandez.

Hernandez, who will face Ervin Santana, is expected to take left-hander Chris Seddon's spot in the rotation. Seddon started Friday, as did Hernandez for Class AAA Columbus.

Manager Manny Acta wouldn't say what moves will be made to make room on the 25-man roster.

"We'll activate him Wednesday," said Acta. "It buys us a few more days to make a decision. It will give us a day or two to get our bullpen in order. We had a couple of guys overworked during the losing streak, particularly Vinnie Pestano and Tony Sipp."

Hernandez allowed one run in seven innings Friday as Columbus beat Indianapolis. He struck out five, walked one and allowed four hits in earning the victory. Friday was the last day of his three-week suspension for identity fraud.

"Our minor-league people liked the way he threw the ball," said Acta. "It was better competition than at (Class A) Lake County. He threw seven good innings and he's ready to go."

Hernandez, in four starts during his suspension, went 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA. He made two starts at Class A Lake County and two at Columbus. He struck out 20 and allowed 11 earned runs, 25 hits and four walks in 24 1/3 innings.

The Indians, still feeling the effects of their 11-game winning streak, are going with a 13-man pitching staff.

Pain in the neck: Second baseman Jason Kipnis isn't expected to return to the lineup until Monday night against the Angels. He's suffering from a stiff neck.

Acta said Kipnis slept wrong following Wednesday's noon start against the Twins and has had a stiff neck ever since.

Tough break: Will Middlebrooks, Boston's rookie third baseman, suffered a broken right wrist after being hit by a pitch from right-hander Esmil Rogers on Friday night.

Rogers, with an 0-2 count, hit Middlebrooks with a 95 mph fastball.

"Bad spot," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. "It was straight on the bone."

Middlebrooks was placed on the disabled list Saturday. Boston recalled Danny Valencia from Class AAA Pawtucket. Valencia arrived just before Saturday's game.

Rogers said he simply was trying to pitch inside.

"In an 0-2 count, I don't want to hit anybody," he said. "I was going for the strikeout, and I threw a fastball that ran hard through the zone. Anytime I can make that pitch, I'm going to make it. I need to pitch inside to be effective."

The Indians have seen their share of third basemen get drilled and break bones in hands. Early in spring training 2011, White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd plunked Jason Donald, who suffered a fractured left hand. Donald had been competing for the starting job at third base.

On June 29, Baltimore lefty Troy Patton hit Lonnie Chisenhall with a 91-mph pitch on the right arm. Chisenhall fractured his right ulna and needed surgery.

Turnaround: Sipp had a combined ERA of 5.89 (12 earned runs in 18 1/3 innings) in May and June. In July and August, Sipp has a 1.88 ERA (three earned runs in 14 1/3 innings).

Finally: Congratulations to Gaylord Perry for being inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame before Saturday's game. Trainer Jimmy Warfield, who died in 2002, and Jack Graney, the first player to become a play-by-play announcer, were inducted into the Tribe's Distinguished Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel. Graney played for the Tribe from 1908-22.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The best and worst Olympic moments from the 2012 London Games

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The best and the worst from the two weeks of the Games, as selected by writers Doug Lesmerises and Tim Warsinskey.

bolt-blur-4x100relay-2012-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeUsain Bolt's anchor leg finish to nip Ryan Bailey and the Americans at the finish of the 4x100 was a fitting end to Bolt's second sensational Olympics.

LONDON -- The best and the worst from the two weeks of the Games, as selected by writers Doug Lesmerises and Tim Warsinskey.

The highs

1. Usain Bolt wins three golds, calls himself a living legend: USA swimmer Missy Franklin said the athletes in the dining hall started cheering when Bolt walked in one day, so what's the world supposed to do when he's actually running? In his three gold-medal finals -- the 100, the 200 and the 4x100 relay -- Bolt was in action for about 40 seconds. But they may have been the most electric 40 seconds of the Games.

He waved to the crowd like Queen Elizabeth before the 200, as concerned with his planned intro moves as with his race. He's track royalty. As he told spring teammate Yohan Blake in 2010, "You came around at the wrong time, because this is my time. These next two years are mine." These two weeks certainly were.

2. Team USA's women's 4x100 relay breaks a 27-year-old world record: Americans broke seven world records here -- five in swimming, one in shooting and one in track -- and all by women. None was more impressive than the 40.82 run by Elyria's Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix (who won two other golds as well), Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter.

"I looked over at the clock and I saw the time and it was 37, 38, 39, and in my head I said, 'We just did it,'" said Jeter, who ran the anchor leg. "I didn't know we went 40.82, but I knew we ran well. We just made history and I was so blessed to run with these women."

3. Jessica Ennis leads Great Britain's medal haul: The heptathlete dazzled her home crowd with an expected victory, one of 28 British golds so far, that elicited what may have been the largest roar of the Olympics.

"That was the loudest thing I've ever heard when Jessica Ennis won the gold medal," said her male counterpart, Team USA decathlon Olympic champ Ashton Eaton.

Kept out of the Beijing Olympics by injury, she served as the face of the Games coming in, lived up to the hype and won't be leaving Great Britain's consciousness any time soon.

"I've had great support, although I have been under a huge amount of pressure," Ennis said in victory. "The crowd helped me and I can't believe I've done it."

4. Gabby Douglas gives U.S. women's gymnasts a sweep of the team and all-around gold: The 16-year-old continued her country's gymnastics tradition and made history.

"Those are the two biggest medals and that's a first time in the history of USA gymnastics," team coach Marta Karolyi said. "We are happy for what we got."

Douglas also was happy with the title that often goes with gymnastics success, as America's Sweetheart. "It is definitely fitting because everyone says they love my smile, so why not use it on the floor?" Douglas said.

5. Michael Phelps says goodbye after a record 22 Olympic medals: Asked before the Games what keeps him motivated, Phelps said, "How many toppings do I want on my sundae?"

While adding six medals to his haul, four gold and two silver, London also made him human. His fourth-place finish to start the Games in the 400 IM and his silver in the 200 butterfly after gliding to the wall accentuated how amazing eight golds in eight races in Beijing really was.

After coming to London with 14 career golds and two bronze medals, at least the silvers completed his collection.

The lows

Gallery preview

1. Worst men's boxing team in U.S. history: Red flags flew when the coaching staff was replaced weeks before the games. Alarms went off when Cincinnati's Rau'shee Warren failed to win a bout for the third straight Olympics, the last two of which he was predicted to win gold. The U.S. men did not win a medal for the first time.

It should be noted that Cleveland's Terrell Gausha should not be included in this condemnation because he won a fight and fought well in his loss. Also, the U.S. women won a gold and bronze in three weights.

"We are disappointed in boxing," USCO CEO Scott Blackmun said. "We want to do better. I don't mean in the people. But we are disappointed we didn't do better. We can do better and we have to focus on how. We have to fix that. We are going to sit down and look at where we are and make some changes."

2. Losing to win, the bad girls of badminton: Four women's teams were kicked out for intentionally tanking pool-play matches.

No. 1-seed China, South Korea and two Indonesian pairs got the boot for code of ethics violations that included "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport." The teams were trying to manipulate the quarterfinal bracket, and in the case of the Chinese pair, so they would not have to face another Chinese pair until the final. It became such a farce that the crowd booed the South Korean and Chinese teams in a match neither tried to win.

The fiasco highlighted a larger issue in pool-pool sports with predetermined bracket draws: Is it OK to lose to give yourself a better chance to win a medal? The answer is no. It's the Olympics. The core practice is that athletes should give their very best whenever possible.

3. U.S. wrestling lacks luster: With two weights yet to be wrestled Sunday, the U.S. has just one gold and two bronzes in Greco-Roman and men's and women's freestyle. The U.S. team continues to struggle with international style of defensive wresting and too often left outcomes in the hands of lazy, incompetent match officials.

The biggest disappointment on the team was Akron's Justin (Harry) Lester. It wasn't so much that he didn't win a medal. He lost to the eventual silver medalist in the quarterfinals. More shocking was the listless way he wrestled, especially in a repechages match he needed to win to have a shot at a bronze medal. He clearly gave up. It was an embarrassing performance.

4. The world view of Lolo Jones: She's a very pleasant person and a fine athlete and indeed suffered heartbreak when she hit a hurdle and didn't win a medal in 2008. But the overblown buildup Jones received this year had more to do with the notions that she is beautiful, she made a big deal about being a virgin and she posed partially nude.

The reality is she was not a strong medal contender this year and the public preoccupation with the latter three factors overshadowed a great race between gold medalist Sally Pearson of Australia, who broke the Olympic record, and U.S. champ Dawn Harper, who tied the old record and took silver while American Kellie Wells won bronze. Jones was a distant fourth.

5. U.S. men blown out of the gym: The U.S. men's gymnasts dominated qualifications, lending credence to its pre-Olympic hype. Then it fell apart.

The men placed fifth. The individual performances were just as bad. Danell Leyva won a bronze, but was the top qualifier and had to rally to get the medal. John Orozco qualified fourth and placed eighth. No one came close to a medal in the apparatus finals.

America's women steal the golden spotlight at 2012 London Olympics

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The American women have led the way as Team USA wrapped up the medal count with a day left in the Olympics.

womens-hoops-gold-pose-2012-ap.jpgView full sizeThe U.S. women's basketball team dominated France for the gold medal on Saturday, and then enthusiastically struck a pose after the medal ceremony.

LONDON -- Team USA's volleyball team looked a bit in shock Saturday at the medal ceremony, maybe because the gold medalist Brazilians were bent over doing a team drum roll on the podium as the Americans were accepting their silvers.

Or maybe because American women had grown accustomed to golden success as the stars of these Olympics.

As the London Games end Sunday, the United States has locked up the top spot in the medal count, with 102 medals and 44 golds compared to 87 and 38 for China. As the United States Olympic Committee gleefully pointed out, if the American women broke off into their own nation, USAW, they'd be second in the gold medal race on their own, trailing just the Chinese. They have outpaced the USA men in golds, 29 to 14, and in overall medals, 58 to 43.

"I'm thrilled to see how well the women have done and thrilled to see how well the United States has done," said Middletown native Kayla Harrison, who won the first Team USA gold in history in Olympic judo. "It feels amazing to be a part of something so much bigger than myself, and to be able to say I'm a strong, confident young woman and Olympic champion is amazing. I hope we have a million little girls who are inspired right now."

While American men have won gold in 10 percent of their events, the women have won gold in 22 percent of theirs. Of the seven world records set at these Games -- five in swimming, one in shooting and one in track -- all came from women.

USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said the benefits continue to be reaped from the 40-year-old Title IX initiative that provides women athletes with the same opportunities as men.

If you fund them, they will win.

"Title IX really gave us a head start," Blackmun said. "I think the rest of the world is doing the same thing at this point and I'm glad we got ahead of the curve."

He pointed out that both China (49 to 36) and Russia (43 to 35) also have more medals from women than men. The Jamaicans, who have forged an intense sprint relay with Team USA among both the men and the women, appreciated the world record of the 4x100 USA relay team on Friday for what it did for a lot of women athletes.

"We always show up and the ladies of the United States always show up as well," said Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the gold medalist in the individual 100 meters. "And I think it has shed a lot of light on the sport, especially for females, because everyone is talking about [Usain] Bolt, but now we can talk about the ladies are running some wonderful times."

Though Missy Franklin won five swimming medals, including three golds, Claressa Shields won a gold medal in boxing while no male boxer even reached the quarterfinals and Serena Williams dominated both doubles and singles in tennis, some of the greatest exploits have come in team form, including a fifth consecutive gold for the women's basketball team.

The women's water polo team won gold while the men play for seventh place Sunday. It was Team USA vs. Team USA for the gold in beach volleyball while neither men's team reached the semis. The women's soccer team won gold before a record crowd while the men didn't even qualify for London. The two women's track relay teams won gold while the men's teams both took silver.

While both swimming medley relays won gold, it was only the women who put four individual gold medalists in the water (Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt) and smashed the world record.

The volleyball team was hoping to join that list Saturday but settled for silver, still better than the men, who lost in the quarterfinals. Team USA had beaten Brazil in pool play and dominated the first set Saturday, then saw the Brazilians make adjustments they couldn't match, taking three straight sets and beating the Americans for Olympic gold just as they did four years ago.

Outside hitter Destinee Hooker said she had watched the women's water polo team win and had talked to Shields "and it really gets you motivated.

"But if one person gets shut down, we need to be there for each other," she said, "and today we weren't there."

It was the exception.

The American men certainly did a fine job, with more total medals than the men from any other nation, while ranking third in male golds behind China and Great Britain. But while men dominate the American sports scene every minute of the day year-round, these two weeks were an homage to American women.

"I'm proud to see Team USA as a whole doing awesome," said water polo player Brenda Villa. "But as a female does it give you a little extra smile? It does."

This even as some believe that women still aren't viewed quite the same as men. Lolo Jones, after finishing fourth in the 100-meter hurdles, was upset by a story that said the attention she received came primarily because of her good looks and her marketing.

That caused Centerville native and Olympic weightlifter Holley Mangold to write on Twitter, "It's crazy [Jones] gets flack for being an attractive athlete and I get flack for not being attractive enough."

For most of the Olympics, what the Team USA women athletes did was more than enough.

"I think our society puts a lot into how women look and what they wear," Harrison said. "I think that being a strong female competitor is the best thing we can do to fight that. It doesn't matter how we look when we have on the gold medal we just won."


Can the Cleveland Browns' defense withstand the hits? Hey, Mary Kay!

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Defense is the concern in this week's reader mailbag.

jauron-teach-2011camp-horiz-cc.jpgView full sizeDick Jauron has his work cut out for him during training camp with a roster thinned by injuries and suspensions.

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns can perform defensively? What did Dick Jauron turn out last year without OTAs and true camp? I think that the panic of Joe Haden and Trent Richardson is not as bad as people think. We have several players in the secondary that can play. Buster Skine, Patterson, and Dockery have shown excellent ball-hawking potential. If we get the push up front the defense can handle the few mishaps that has happen. Remember we had a good defense. -- James Williams, Cleveland

Hey, James: The defense has suffered its share of adversity already with major injuries to Phil Taylor and Chris Gocong, and the possible suspensions of Haden and Scott Fujita. Jauron faces a big challenge in getting youngsters such as John Hughes, Billy Winn, Buster Skrine and James-Michael Johnson ready to play key roles.

Hey, Mary Kay: It seems that positive changes are in the works. How many NFL teams don't have cheerleaders, besides the Browns? How many teams don't have logos on their helmets, besides the Browns? How many teams are named after a coach/owner of the past, besides the Browns? Isn't it time to come up to speed with other NFL teams overall? -- Alex, Parma

Hey, Alex: New owner Jimmy Haslam will embrace change and I think that's fantastic for the Browns. There's a whole generation of that haven't experienced winning, and Haslam might need to shake things up a little to get those younger fans on board. History's great, but it's time to start some new traditions.

Hey, Mary Kay: With Gocong out all year and Fujita out the first three, have you seen if the Browns moved Marcus Benard back to OLB where he once was effective as an edge rusher? With Maiava as a liability at the edge and with a rookie on the other, the Browns need instant help and Benard may be part of the answer. -- Scott Carpenter, Sarasota, Fla.

Hey, Scott: The same thought has crossed my mind, but Benard is primarily an edge-rusher and wouldn't be as effective as an outside 'backer in the 4-3 as he was in the 3-4, where he registered 7.5 sacks. By the way, I'm hearing he should be back in practice in a day or so. Still not sure what ails him.

-- Mary Kay

Doug Lesmerises' Olympic memory: A Disney World of experiences

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A reporter's first Olympic experience came together in wonder and convenience at the London Games.

oly-stadium-fans-2012-london-ap.jpgView full sizeThe moments around the big events, like walking to and from the Olympic Stadium, are just as meaningful in the memory bank for Doug Lesmerises.

LONDON -- The skinny, bald guy in a black T-shirt and jeans getting mobbed at the mall had the night before run 800 meters faster than anyone in history, as much a blur on my iPhone as Usain Bolt had been in the 200.

For me, that moment was the London Olympics.

First, David Rudisha of Kenya was getting recognized. These 16 days belonging to athletes like that.

"Rudisha for me is the No. 1 guy out there," said South African 400 runner Oscar Pistorius, the Olympian who ran on prosthetic legs. "He's that gifted and he's a truly humble sportsman. The world can take so much from the way he comports himself. I'm blown away by the way is so humble."

Second, the mall was so close. Rudisha could slip out of the Olympic Village, go that familiar 800 meters or so and hit the escalator into Europe's largest mall for a Build-A-Bear or some Indian street food or whatever a gold medalist was craving.

Wonder and convenience. It's a lovely combination.

For my first Olympics, I was prepared for a camp experience -- you survive it in the moment then get back to your couch in Ohio and look back with fond memories. It wasn't that. It was Disney World, and all I had to do was pick the event to ride that day.

The press buses ran on time, the London public transportation system was all-encompassing and everyone spoke English. Sure you get tired, but (don't tell the bosses), sleeping until noon a couple days really catches you up.

The nights I stayed at Olympic Stadium past 3 a.m., and walked through a nearly empty Olympic Park on the way to the train, I always marveled at being there with the world and getting to shut the place down.

It was never as crowded as expected, my taxi driver complaining once about the lack of tourists. I felt it at interviews, shocked that someone could win a gold medal and I'd be one of three U.S. journalists there to talk to her, as I was with Jamie Gray at shooting. I asked Kayla Harrison what went right, Jordyn Wieber what went wrong and always could get what was needed for my story, even with LeBron James after the basketball quarterfinals. I didn't expect that.

I'm far from an expert on a lot of Olympic sports, but as I always said, asking the winners if they're happy and the losers if they're sad goes a long way.

Of anything I've covered, nothing compares to Olympic track and field, with multiple events contested simultaneously and furiously. Bolt entertains as much as any athlete I've encountered, but looking through my binoculars to catch the leaders on the backstretch in a distance race, each section of the stadium cheering as they passed, was just as great of a show.And I didn't let it pass me by.

I felt my appreciation constantly, sometimes enough to almost bring tears to my eyes. My 23 days in London were an honor and a privilege, as every day I asked the question, "Am I really at the Olympics?"

And one day I also asked, "I wonder if David Rudisha got a gelato?"

Tim Warsinskey's Olympic memories: There's no believing the sound

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It never dawned on me how overpowering the sound of the Olympics would be.

farrah-10000m-oly-reax-2012-ap.jpgView full sizeMo Farah's reaction to winning the 10,000 meters was no less dramatic than that of the 80,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium in London.

LONDON -- You've watched the London Olympics on your flat screen, your computer or, heaven help you, your phone. Each device no doubt provides memorable images, and those of us fortunate to see the Games in person can say the same thing with our own eyes.

But what I will remember most about my first Summer Olympics isn't what I saw, it's what I heard. In my excitement to actually watch Usain Bolt run and Gabby Douglas soar, it never dawned on me how overpowering the sound of the Olympics would be.

London 2012 opened my ears. I absolutely loved listening to events. The sounds brought the Olympics alive in a way TV, even with stunning technology, can never approach.

How does the Olympics sound?

Rowing is such a quiet activity normally. At the Eton Dorney venue, so many sheep graze near the starting area that rowers can hear them "baa." Once the race starts, rowers hear a distant rumble build to a crescendo as they stroke 2,000 meters toward the 30,000 fans seated near the finish. It's not much of a sport to watch in person. You can barely see who's winning until the end. But the climactic cheer is worth the trip to the English countryside.

Equestrian sounds funny. Of course, the Olympics draw fans who don't spend a lot of time around horses, so they giggle every time one poops on the arena floor. But there is respectful silence while horse and rider navigate jumps in a beautiful arena, until a rail is knocked to the ground, which is followed by a group "awww." Then more silence until a burst of applause as the last jump is cleared.

More humor? At track, how funny it is to hear cheers in waves when runners clear each 400-meter hurdles barrier, as if that was unusual. It lends suspense and anticipation to the next hurdle. Will she clear it? Yes! She did! Yayyy!

Those crowds act in unison. The fighting and strength sports at cozy and loud little arenas tucked inside the giant Excel Center produce competing, international sounds. Pockets of flag-waving fans cheer in a half-dozen different languages at once while action takes place on three mats. Where else but at wrestling and weightlifting can "I-ran! I-ran!" drown out "USA! USA"?

I've yearned to see Olympics track since Canton's Dave Wottle wore his hat while winning the 800 meters in 1972. Track and field is the core Olympic discipline. It was a thrill to see and hear 22,000 savvy fans engrossed in the U.S. track and field trials in Eugene. But 80,000 in Olympic Stadium? The sound of it blows me away. I've heard 80,000 going crazy, long ago, at Browns games. This does not compare.

My first night at track, I was caught off guard at the heart-jumping clamor that emerged when Great Britain's Jessica Ennis finished the 800 to win the heptathlon. Really? Who screams at the heptathlon? Olympics fans do, especially when it's a home girl winning.

Track fans are asked to be quiet when races begin. Hearing 80,000 go silent puts you on edge, and when the loud tone to start the men's 100 goes off, the roar detonates as if shot out of a 80,000 cannons for 10 seconds of sheer madness.

Nothing in my decades as a sports fan and journalist has ever been like the sustained aural tornado that erupted during the last lap of what traditionally is the most boring event in track -- the men's 10,000 meters. It was the loudest I've ever heard a stadium. Ever.

When Great Britain's beloved Mo Farah sprinted to the gold medal, the sound vibrated through me and nearly lifted me out of my shoes. I'll never forget it.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' first practice game, the impact of two contracts on the Indians and a Cavalier with something to prove

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Sorting through plenty of emails on the Browns' exhibition opener keeps Terry Pluto busy.

weeden-chased-lions-jk-vert.jpgView full sizeBrandon Weeden felt a real NFL pass rush on Friday, and getting experiences like that in the preseason is much more important than the actual results, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What can you learn in the Motor City? Let's start talkin'...

About the Browns ...

Many of my emails from fans after the Browns preseason game were like this on my Facebook page:

"It's a lousy team being led by a rookie QB and ... a lousy head coach ... (Brandon) Weeden's problem is A) He's not 22, so he needs to catch on faster. B) He might be washed away with the rest of this regime if he ends up being the starter on a 2-14 train wreck when the next front office moves in."

Hey, the guy played almost one full quarter with no Trent Richardson and in a dome on the road against a team that was 10-6 last season. Nine passes, that's enough to judge, right?

Or as someone posted under one of my Browns' stories: "Brady, Brady!"

Was that a plea to bring back Brady Quinn? Really?

An NFL scout from another team told me to check on Andy Dalton's preseason in 2011 as a point of how little we can learn about rookie quarterbacks in the early games.

Josh Kirkendell wrote this in the Cincy Jungle Blog after Dalton's first two preseason games in 2011:

"If we exclude a pair of knees taken to end the first half against ... the New York Jets, quarterback Andy Dalton has led 11 offensive possessions this preseason which have resulted in:

1. Three interceptions.

2. Five punts (three of which were 3-and-out).

3. A missed field goal.

4. A converted field goal.

5. A touchdown.

6. Just under half (5) of Dalton's 11 possessions have gained 10 yards or more."

This is not to pick on Kirkendell, who also knew this was such a small sample. But it's what happens in the preseason when all of us -- media and fans -- make so much out of so little. Eleven possessions ... it's barely one half of football. Just as Brandon Weeden was 3-of-9 passing with a fumble and an interception.

If this were the regular season, he plays the second quarter.

Weeden's struggles shows why he needs to play a decent amount in the preseason. The game is faster. Players are allowed to tackle him, something not permitted by any team in training camps. It makes sense not to hit QBs in camp. But it also makes sense to play the QB (especially a rookie) in the preseason where he will get hit and so he can get used to the speed of the game. Yes, the game is faster. Much faster. Especially in Detroit on turf.

By the way, in Dalton's third preseason game -- when they finally let him play for a while, he was 11-of-17 for 130 yards.

Part of the reason backup quarterbacks often look good in the preseason is they are allowed to play longer -- and they also face inferior defenses. But simply being on the field helps.

About Colt McCoy ...

mccoy-pass-lions-2012-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeWin, lose or overtime tie, there's always a number of Colt McCoy believers eager to defend their hero.

George Gortz believes I have been unfair to McCoy. Here is part of his email: "The kid plays his heart out as a rookie with a lousy O-line and worst receivers in the league. Play-calling stunk and he fights on.

"The writers throw one question after another at him trying to get him to say something negative since Brandon Weeden was drafted. McCoy says his job is to compete for the starting QB position. The guy wants to be ready to compete.

"Between the Browns and the media, you guys decide how many times you are going to discuss this man's fate and whether he would or should or could be traded. Then you all corner him in the locker room hoping he understands that, get your quotes and beat him up some more in the papers.

"Terry Pluto writes about McCoy: 'He has to come to terms with the fact that being a star in Texas doesn't count anymore.'

"Really? Exactly how does McCoy do that? And why would he try? He's a professional. What does the media want him to do?

"May I suggest a good start to the process would be for the media ... leave the kid alone instead of asking him endless questions and then picking apart his answers."

(Dear George, the reality of being a quarterback is that part of your job is to deal with questions, good, bad, stupid or strange. You don't have to answer them all, but a quarterback is always interviewed nearly every day. That has been the case for 50 years in the NFL.)

About Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook ...

hafner-bench-injury-2011-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeThe many times that Travis Hafner was not available for the Indians will be one of the legacies of the slugger -- just as much as his once-frequent blasts to Pronkville.

As Hafner went on the disabled list with back problems, it made me wonder if he's played his final game with the Tribe. Because if he does want to come back in September, why would the Indians play him? He's not in the plans for next year. They plan to look at other players.

In a real sense, it's finally over for Hafner and the Tribe. He played 60 games, batting .239 with 11 homers and 32 RBI.

Think back to July 2007. The Indians were in first place in the AL Central. Hafner signed a 4-year, $57 million extension that began in 2009. In 2007, he played 152 games, hitting 24 homers with 100 RBI. From 2004-06, he averaged 31 homers, 110 RBI and batted .307.

Hafner would never again play more than 118 games (2010) in a season. He never again hit more than 16 homers or drove in more than 57 runs. This is his ninth trip to the disabled list. Hafner is making $13 million this season. Next year, the Indians will pay him $2.5 million as a buyout for the final year of his contract.

Also in 2007, the Indians extended Westbrook's contract, giving him $33 million for three years (2008-10). Starting in 2008 until he was traded in the middle of 2010, Westbrook had elbow surgery and made only 26 starts. He was 7-9 with a 4.30 ERA.

So the Indians committed $80 million to Westbrook and Hafner, and received so little in return because of injuries.

Here's what Hafner and Westbrook chewed up on the payroll after their extensions:

2008: $18 million of $79 million payroll.

2009: $22 million of $81 million payroll.

2010: $22 million. The Indians paid about $18 million before Westbrook was traded. Payroll was $61 million.

2011: Hafner, $13 million of $52 million.

2012: Hafner, $13 million of $65 million.

This is not about dumping on Hafner, who got hurt. It is to show that the two biggest contracts given out during in the Dolan Era (2000-present) backfired. It's also a reason they are careful now to make long-term commitments.

About the Indians ...

1. The Indians plan to have Roberto Hernandez make as many starts as possible in the rotation as they try to figure out what to do with the former Fausto Carmona. He'll start Wednesday against Los Angeles. His contract is for $2 million this season. The Indians have a $6 million option for 2013, and they are desperate for starting pitching. Hernandez will be 32 in December and the Indians want to see if he helps them.

2. Jeanmar Gomez has thrown 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts at Class AAA Columbus, and he could be promoted soon. He is 6-2 with a 2.59 ERA for the Clippers. When it comes to the 2013 rotation, only Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson and Zach McAllister (probably) appear likely to start. After that comes a parade of Corey Kluber, Gomez, Hernandez (maybe), Chris Seddon and Josh Tomlin. They do like Tomlin in relief.

3. The case for pitching coach Scott Radinsky being fired is that so many starters regressed (Masterson, Tomlin, Gomez) or stayed the same with a 5.00 ERA (Jimenez). The case against Radinsky being fired is that I'm almost always against dumping the coach during the season unless the man has some type of character flaw. Radinsky does not.

4. In 2010, the Indians fired batting coach Jon Nunally in the middle of the season. In 2003, Eric Wedge dismissed pitching coach Mike Brown in spring training, because he wanted Carl Willis. Former General Manager John Hart fired a few pitching coaches during the season during Mike Hargrove's tenure. Rarely does it change anything.

5. I don't know why the Indians bothered to trade for Brent Lillibridge as opposed to just recalling Jason Donald from the minors to be the utility man. The Tribe said they wanted Donald to play every day in Class AAA a little longer ... and work on his defense. Donald has now replaced Jose Lopez on the roster as an extra infielder.

About the Cavaliers ...

gibson-trey-knicks-reax-vert-mf.jpgView full sizeDaniel Gibson's frequent trips to the disabled list have undermined his value to the Cavaliers. That figures to make his 2012-13 season -- the last under his current contract -- pivotal to his NBA career.

1. The Cavs wanted C.J. Miles for a couple of obvious reasons, starting with he can play shooting guard and small forward -- two of the weakest spots on the team. Miles was in town last week, working out with some of his new teammates. He said he wanted to play for Byron Scott and with Kyrie Irving. Miles had some of his best seasons in Utah with Deron Williams, a very good point guard.

2. But they also know that Daniel Gibson is in the last year of his contract, which pays him a healthy $4.8 million. Meanwhile, Gibson has battled injuries the last three seasons, missing a total of 72 games. He had a miserable year on the court in 2012, shooting career low 35 percent, averaging 7.5 points.

3. The price tag for players such as Gibson has dropped. Consider the Cavs signed Miles for $4 million over two seasons, with the second year not guaranteed. Miles was paid $3.7 million annually for the previous four years. Gibson needs to play well and stay healthy to secure a decent deal next season.

4. The Cavs are still talking with Alonzo Gee about a multi-year contract. He is a restricted free agent and could accept a one-year, $2.8 million qualifying offer. That would make him unrestricted next summer.

5. Small forward Omri Casspi is in the final year of his contract, meaning the Cavs could be without Gibson, Gee and Casspi after the 2012-13 season. That would leave them with Miles and Dion Waiters at the wing positions. Next summer is when the Cavs also should begin to make significant moves to upgrade the roster. Waiters has also been in town working out at the Independence facility and is said to be getting in much better shape.

6. Scott has told Miles that he has a chance to start, he can compete with Waiters for shooting guard and Gee for small forward.

7. The Cavs passed up Jonas Valanciunas to pick Tristan Thompson at No. 4 in the 2011 draft. Valanciunas is a 7-footer from Lithuania. He was picked by Toronto and signed this summer with the Raptors. He's playing very little for the Lithuanian Olympic team -- averaging 3.6 points in 10 minutes per game. The key will be patience, as he's only 20.

8. The Cavs insist Thompson has taken major steps forward with his offense, so we'll see if that turns out to be true. He has been at the training facility more than any other player in the off-season.

Will fans take offense with the Cleveland Browns' defense? Bud Shaw's Sunday Sports Spin

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Dick Jauron is the Browns' defensive coordinator, but he may need some magical skills to pull off a successful product with his team's limited roster.

lions-smith-run-browns-squ-mct.jpgView full sizeKevin Smith and the rest of the Detroit running backs had little problem finding room against the Browns defense on Friday night. That's a big concern for fans who so far have been focusing on the team's young offensive additions, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the Browns don't find more depth and more run stoppers, what we will see in 2012 is a defense get sawed in half.

You can only hope the next time you hear an ad campaign claiming, "The Magic is Back," it refers to Dick Jauron and the Copperfield impersonation he's going to need to pull off as coordinator of the Browns defense.

Joe Haden could miss four games. Scott Fujita is still on the hook for three. Chris Gocong is out for the year. Phil Taylor won't be around anytime soon. That was all in the making before Friday, when the Detroit Lions found holes to run through as big as a Pilot Flying J 18-wheeler parking space.

The sight of Scott Paxson hurt and in distress didn't help. It was just a reminder that the Browns are painfully young and even more painfully thin in critical areas of their defense. With all the attention paid the quarterback situation specifically -- and the attempts to address the lack of playmakers in general -- we've overlooked what challenges the Browns face when the other team's quarterback is on the field.

Matthew Stafford is the least of it. The 2012 season presents Jauron's defense far bigger things to worry about than it faced a year ago -- a bunch of elite quarterbacks who must be respected by a defense that overplays the run at its own risk.

The list, presuming reasonable health for all: Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Michael Vick, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Joe Flacco, Carson Palmer and Matt Cassel.

You wouldn't put games against Dalton, Fitzpatrick, Palmer and Cassel in the same sleepless nights category as the Mannings, Romo, Vick, Roethlisberger and Rivers. And Luck and Griffin IIII are -- like Weeden -- new at this sort of thing. But taken together, it's daunting.

It was difficult, if not impossible, to find a quarterback matchup that favored the Browns in 2011 (Sorry, Colt). Now it might be even more difficult in Weeden's first year, given the casting call the 2012 schedule brings.

For the Browns to stay in games, they're going to need to be much more prolific offensively than we think is probable with rookies at so many key positions.

Or Jauron is going to make some really good quarterbacks disappear.

Yu not gonna believe dis

titans-britt-pushup-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeTitans wide receiver Kenny Britt hasn't been able to focus on the field ... not with his impressive Twitter skills.

The Tennessee Titans fined wide receiver Kenny Britt for missing a mandatory scheduled rehab session. Britt, arrested eight times since 2009 and facing DUI charges from a July incident in which he tried to enter an Army base at Fort Campbell, Ky., posted an image of the fine on Instagram.

He wrote, "Yu gotta be (expletive) kidding me.. walk back to dis.. Don't dey know I have kids .. I'm tired of did (expletive)."

I don't know what's funnier -- his reaction or Yahoo Sports! feeling the need to translate his words with the following paragraph:

"Yu stands for 'You.' Dis stands for 'This.' Dey stands for 'They.' Did stands for 'This.' The (expletives) are profanity. Translation (without expletives): 'You got to be kidding me.. Walk back to this.. don't they know I have kids.. I'm tired of this.'"

Somebody's gotta be kidding me. Just not sure who.

On a related front, the Browns are happy to say they've never had a player try to get away from them by joining the Army.

SPINOFFS

Indians' GM Chris Antonetti said the club held off firing pitching coach Scott Radinsky during their crash-and-burn for fear it would look as if Radinsky "bore the whole brunt of the streak."

So they waited two games. And lo and behold, it doesn't look at all like he took the fall. ...

Indians' owner Paul Dolan says the team isn't for sale but would welcome a minority investor. Not that the Dolans are desperate on multiple fronts, but sources say 49 percent will get you five starts a week in left field. ...

There's only one pertinent question about the Cavaliers' acquisition of C.J. Miles. Is he related to Darius? ...

Browns' cornerback Joe Haden would not comment on his possible suspension for reportedly testing positive for Adderall, saying only that he was thankful for "all the Haden Nation supporters."

Didn't know there was Haden Nation. But if he misses 25 percent of the season for doing something this dumb, his supporters will have to stay up all night trying to think of a way to justify his actions. ...

NFL rules stipulate you must inform the league if you have a medical prescription for Adderall. Giants safety Tyler Sash didn't and was hit with a four-game suspension. Sash said his prescription is to help him with anxiety over public speaking. He also said he was "highly disappointed by the league's decision in this matter."

I think he means the decision to enforce a rule he or his agent (or both) should've known about. ...

Eagles' coach Andy Reid lost his son. Just a few days later he coached in a game?

"My son wouldn't want it any other way," Reid said.

The fair thing is to refrain from judging Reid. In the meantime, it's pretty easy to judge the importance of an exhibition game. ...

Terrell Owens signed with Seattle and announced, "I have changed."

"No, I haven't," said his other 23 personalities in unison. ...

HE SAID IT

"If the queen of England came onto the mat, I would probably double-leg her." -- U.S. Olympic gold medalist wrestler Jordan Burroughs.

And immediately surrender in a purse beating while bodyguards looked on.

HE SAID WHAT?

"The trade hasn't hit home yet." -- Dwight Howard on getting dealt to the Lakers.

After all, he's only been demanding an exit from Orlando for a year and a half.

HE TWEETED IT

(One last time)

score-mug-97-ap.jpgView full sizeHe was one of the great arms and great voices of Cleveland's summer team.

"I'm done with twitter. Try to be fan friendly and all I get is criticism. I wasn't blessed with 5 tools. I worked hard to get here." -- Angels' backup catcher Bobby Wilson just before deleting his Twitter account.

Another great moment in anti-social media.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Jimmy Haslam III and Herb Score -- Rob James, Columbus

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber and actor Mark Wahlberg -- Rich Mach, Twinsburg

Travis Hafner and those statues on Easter Island -- Ted Soberay

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

haslam-mug-2012-practice-to.jpgView full sizeHe's still new around here, but he's clearly the face of Cleveland's deepest passion.

"Bud:

"Since Adderall usage is so prevalent, will Shaw's Spin request sample vials from contributors for a test?" -- Michael Sarro

No, but I have often thought about requiring at least a GED.

"Bud:

"How much longer until we start seeing promos for 'the official thong of the Women's Beach Volleyball Association'?" -- Ignatowski

Hopefully before sumo becomes an Olympic sport.

"Bud:

"If the trampoline is an Olympic event, can it be very long before Spin writing becomes one too?" -- Chas K, Cleveland Heights

If horse ballet is in the Olympics, I'd like to think there's room for another pursuit often associated with the stables.

"Hey Bud:

"Now that the Indians finally rid themselves of that awful Radinsky, will their team average finally climb above the Mendoza line?" -- Dan Coughlin

Don't demean Mario Mendoza unless you can prove Manny Acta wouldn't bat him fourth.

"Hey Bud:

"In your job as a PD columnist do you ever get tired of all the entries to 'You Said It' that ask you about your job as a PD columnist?" -- The Lone Scribe, Elyria

Yes. That's why yours is so refreshing.

"Bud:

"Did the PD have a five-year plan when they hired you?" -- Bob Jackson

No. Not at all. I asked only for a window of opportunity. They offered a keyhole.

"Hey Bud:

"Are you worried that if the Olympic Badminton Committee ever investigated Cleveland sports that you would be out of a job?" -- Matt D., Brunswick

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Will the Indians wait till the off-season to promote Mark Shapiro?" -- Russ G

Repeat winners receive only a good review.

"Bud:

"I am really going to miss all those shots of Randy Lerner celebrating Browns' victories from his loge." -- Tom Goldy

Other repeat winners will just have to use their imagination.

On Twitter: @budshaw

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