Fox 8 in New Orleans reports that Mathieu's adoptive father, Tryone Mathieu, says player is in recovery center and is being counseled by former NBA player and Cavaliers coach John Lucas.

APTyrann Mathieu

NEW ORLEANS -- Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu has entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston since being dismissed from the Tigers, according to a television report.

Fox 8 in New Orleans reports that Mathieu's adoptive father, Tryone Mathieu, says that the 20-year-old star cornerback and punt returner known as the "Honey Badger" has been at the Right Step recovery center and is being counseled by former NBA player John Lucas.

Tyrone Mathieu says his son is committed to restoring his health and won't play football until he is confident that his rehab is complete. That may rule out the possibility of Mathieu transferring to a school at the FCS level and playing this season, after which he would be eligible for the NFL draft.

No one from Mathieu's family appeared on camera in the New Orleans television report. Lucas has not returned a phone message left by The Associated Press.

LSU has said that about 20 college football programs have asked for permission to speak with Mathieu about transferring. Mathieu has visited McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., where classes began Wednesday.

Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., also has been granted permission to speak with Mathieu but has not met with him yet. Classes at Nicholls begin Aug. 22.

It remains unclear what Mathieu's future may hold if he sits out this season entirely. LSU coach Les Miles has declined to close the door entirely on the possibility, however remote, that Mathieu could play for LSU again in 2013. Miles said last Friday, when he announced Mathieu's dismissal, it would make more sense for Mathieu to transfer. Since then, he has said he can only guarantee Mathieu won't be playing for LSU in 2012 and declined to speculate beyond that.

Miles and LSU officials have also said that they've offered Mathieu whatever help he needs to transfer.

The only public statements Mathieu has made since his dismissal consist of a few posts on the social network website Twitter, where he has also changed his avatar from a photo of himself in an LSU uniform to a motto displayed in white letters on a black background, reading: "Be yourself. There is something that you can do better than any other. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that."

One of his recent posted messages says: "Patience.... Sometimes you have to stop doing what is easy and begin to do the things that are hard."

Mathieu emerged as one of college football's biggest stars in 2011, his sophomore season, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

He also won the Bednarik Award as national defensive player of the year last season. He scored four touchdowns -- two on punt returns and two on fumble returns -- intercepted two passes, caused six fumbles and recovered four.

He was expected to play a leading role in LSU's effort to return to a second consecutive national title game.

Last season, LSU's only defeat was a 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS championship game.

"These preseason games mean nothing when it comes to determining how well a team will do in the regular season. A team can go 0-4 in the preseason and make the playoffs, while another team can go 4-0 or 3-1 in the preseason and finish with an awful regular season record. Based on last night's game, I now predict the Browns will finish 5-11 rather than 4-12." - MistakeByTheLake

View full sizeAP Photo/Jeffrey PhelpsWill a good preseason record translate to a good regular season record for the Browns?

"These preseason games mean nothing when it comes to determining how well a team will do in the regular season. A team can go 0-4 in the preseason and make the playoffs, while another team can go 4-0 or 3-1 in the preseason and finish with an awful regular season record. Based on last night's game, I now predict the Browns will finish 5-11 rather than 4-12."

How did Roberto Hernandez do in his first start of the season? What is going on with Jason Kipnis? Listen to Paul Hoynes' latest podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerWhat is going on with Jason Kipnis? Paul Hoynes answers your Tribe questions.

How did Roberto Hernandez do in his first start of the season? What is going on with Jason Kipnis?

The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Who will play the corner positions in 2013?

• What has been the problem with Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez?

• Will Shin-Soo Choo be moved?

• Who can you expect to be called up in September?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to follow Hoynes on Twitter.

Here are scribbles in my notebook after the Browns 35-10 preseason victory at Green Bay.

View full sizeAP Photo/Ron SchwaneMontario Hardesty rushed for a touchdown last night, but also had one fumble.

1. I love how Pat Shurmur kept giving the ball to Montario Hardesty, especially after the back fumbled on his first carry. Hardesty finished with 45 yards on 12 attempts, not great but solid. More importantly, he stayed healthy and looked like an NFL running back -- not the injury-prone second-rounder of the last two years.

2. Yes, everyone is saying all the right things about Trent Richardson coming back from his "minor" knee surgery by the opener, but the Browns must have another running back ready -- just in case Richardson is out. Hardesty took some steps in that direction. As Shurmur said, "He looks like a different guy."

3. Hardesty came to camp having to prove he can stay healthy and be productive, because the Browns do have four backs: Richardson, Hardesty, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson with NFL experience. Not all of them will make the team.

4. Brandon Jackson had a modest night with 35 yards in 14 rushes. The Browns do like him as a third-down back who can catch passes. Hardesty had six drops in limited play last season.

5. The Browns' emphasis on running the ball, and the excellent blocking, were very positive. Establishing the run is critical in most games, but it really helps a rookie quarterback. Brandon Weeden used his arm to keep drives alive, rather than trying to make big plays. He also knew he was playing the entire first half, unlike last week in Detroit.

6. Weeden had no turnovers, was 12-of-20 passing for 118 yards. He had one bad throw that could have been picked off, but wasn't. He made real progress. He looked more at ease, less bothered by the rush. That makes sense. He didn't even play a full quarter in Detroit, and was only 3-of-9 in passing. You could sense that Weeden and Hardesty knew they were going to play important roles in the first half, and that alone helped their confidence.

7. The blocking was good. The blocking was very good at times. The blocking should make fans feel better about Mitchell Schwartz and the young linemen.

8. I do hope this game allows some Browns fans to just chill out about Weeden. Based on some of my emails and calls that I received on talk shows, you'd have sworn the Browns had taken another Spergon Wynn after last week's game in Detroit. This is not to turn Weeden into Otto Graham,, but can we just let him play and not obsess over every throw in preseason games?

9. Colt McCoy (4-of-6, 58 yards passing) was reliable again. Yes, the Browns should keep him as a backup. And yes, I think they will. And yes, I have been writing this same thing for months because he is the guy the coaches would have started if the Browns had failed to draft a quarterback.

10. Josh Gordon caught two passes for a 19.0 average. He dropped one. He ran a poor route on another that could have created an interception. He looked a little more at ease. And like Weeden, he has yet to play even four full NFL quarters in the preseason.

11. Jordon Norwood (2 catches, 26 yards) has looked like a reliable slot receiver in the first two preseason games.

12. Oniel Cousins...two penalties. Why? Even as a backup lineman, the Browns must find someone better. He was overmatched last season.

13. Phil Dawson is amazing. Now, he kicks field goals in the 50-54 yard range as if they are extra points.

14. It would have been a different game had Aaron Rodgers played longer. But after he torched Joe Haden for a touchdown, I thought the secondary held up well when it did face Rodgers. Can seventh-round Trevin Wade be a good cover guy? So far, he has impressed the coaches in that role. Craig Robertson so doing the same for me at linebacker, making me wonder if the Browns have found useful players whose names no one knew a few months ago.

15. There still were too many sloppy penalties, but overall, the team made a significant step forward.

Vrabel said the defensive line needs to get into better condition, but if he has four top guys and they don't get tired, they'll play the entire game. Watch video

COLUMBUS – So, Ohio State fans, what did I miss?

I am home from London and back with the Buckeyes, after driving hundreds of you away from my Twitter feed with Olympic spoilers and badminton updates. After taking two days to re-introduce myself to my family and the new family puppy that doubled in size during the 23 days I was gone, I got back to football today at Ohio State interviews.

I offered a quick hello to Urban Meyer, told him where I'd been, and he asked if I watched Usain Bolt. I guess he really does like speed. I also mentioned I did actually speak to one of his former Florida players, Jeff Demps, who ran a leg in a prelim for the Team USA 4x100 relay.

But enough of that.

Assistant coaches Mike Vrabel, Tim Hinton, Stan Drayton and Zach Smith were available for interviews today, as was right tackle Reid Fragel and backup fullback Adam Homan.

I was most interested in Vrabel, who has moved from coaching the linebackers to coaching the defensive like this season, has moved from having one of his best friends, Luke Fickell, as his boss to having him more as a peer with Fickell now the defensive coordinator instead of the head coach, and who is working for a guy in Urban Meyer who has a good relationship with Bill Belichick, Vrabel's former coach in New England.

“I think they want a prepared football team for the games and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his football team prepared,” Vrabel said when I asked for shared traits between Meyer and Belichick. “Whether that's replay a down or replay a series if it's not right, it's no different than what Coach Belichick used to say, 'Let's not confuse activity with achievement.' Go out there and break a sweat may not necessarily be getting anything done, and we're going to go out there and work for two hours and it may take us three hours, but we're going to get two hours of good work in.”

The OSU defensive linemen last season talked several times about how Vrabel, even as the linebackers coach then, worked with them on how to use their hands. So when asked about his switch of responsibilities, Vrabel mentioned teaching his guys to play physical and square and “play with violent hands, and that's what we're teaching every day. We've got to know what to do, but that's going to be how we do it.”

Despite losing Adam Bellamy for now, Vrabel seems to be working with the best batch of talent on OSU's roster, with the defensive line led by John Simon, Johnanthan Hankins and Michael Bennett. Long-time defensive line coach Jim Heacock always talked about wanting to rotate eight guys on the line if possible. I asked if Vrabel wanted to rotate there this season.

“We're going to play the best players,” Vrabel said. “If I think I've got four really good guys and they don't get tired, they'll play the whole game. That's what I'm used to. The game I came from, the best players played. If you don't get tired, you'll play the whole game. So if we have guys that get tired, we'll rest guys, but the best guys will be out there.”

And for now, Vrabel said the defensive line isn't in the condition it needs to be.

“We need to be in better condition,” Vrabel said. “We're not ready to play the game. We're doing some things good, but where are we on the seventh, eighth play of a drive? I see us do things well early, and then we get tired.”

Both teams were missing numerous starters, and the Packers played the ones they had less than the Browns played theirs, but Cleveland's effort was solid nonetheless. Packers may need to improve their backup quarterback situation. More Browns' story links.

Associated PressBrowns' rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden had a solid performance in Cleveland's 35-10 preseason win at Green Bay on Thursday night.

That was a good effort.

Never mind that Green Bay treated the game like a scrimmage and the Browns starters played more than the Packers … it’s been a long time since so much positive came out of a game. The Packers may have seemed woefully disinterested, but it was a game the Browns needed.

Today's episode of Sports Insider, The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed discussed Brandon Weeden's performance Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers with host, cleveland.com's Glenn Moore. Watch video

On today's episode of Sports Insider, The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed discussed Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden's performance Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers with host, cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

Tom gave his reaction to Weeden's throws and despite having two potential interceptions, he did play much better than last week against the Lions.

He also talked about the defense and how they improved as well, forcing Aaron Rodgers to run and be the team's leading rusher.

Click play to watch the video.

Make sure to follow Tom on Twitter, @treedpd, and read his posts on the Browns.

Be sure to check out Sport Insider everyday on cleveland.com as we will be speaking with Plain Dealer reports and other media members and athletes from around the country.

You can follow Glenn on Twitter, @GlennMooreCLE.

Buckeyes are counting on Shazier and Grant to solidify a linebacking group that might be the biggest concern on a defense that returns nine starters. Coaches like the play of safety Barnett. More Buckeyes story links.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerRyan Shazier (10) -- here tackling Penn State running back Silas Redd (25) during Ohio State's 20-14 loss to the Nittany Lions last Nov. 19 -- and Curtis Grant are talented sophomore linebackers for the Buckeyes.

It could be described as pressure. Ryan Shazier and Curtis Grant prefer to consider it incentive. On a defense with nine returning starters, Ohio State is banking on two sophomores to solidify a linebacking group that is regarded as its biggest question mark.

Fifth-year senior Etienne Sabino is being counted on to build on his strong Gator Bowl performance at strong-side linebacker. But Shazier at weak-side linebacker and Grant in the middle must blossom if the Buckeyes are to rebound from last year’s disappointing performance.

Coach Urban Meyer hasn’t shied away from saying how much the linebackers must improve.

“It’s not really pressure,” Grant said. “It’s motivation. I look at it as the way he wants me to play for him.”

The questions about Shazier and Grant are grounded in their experience, not their ability or desire.

Kipnis has been stuck on 11 homers since June 17. Sometimes a pitcher must limit the damage. McAllister, in 78 innings, has allowed four fewer unearned runs than the entire White Sox' staff. More Indians story links -- such as Tribe bosses going quiet on social media.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerMore disconcerting than Jason Kipnis' drop in batting average over the last couple weeks is his string of 165 at bats without a home run.

Browns receiver Travis Benjamin and tight end Jordan Cameron return to practice Friday.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerTravis Benjamin was back at work in Browns practice on Friday afternoon.

BEREA, Ohio -- Help is on the way for the Browns receiving corps.

Receiver Travis Benjamin and tight end Jordan Cameron returned to practice Friday after sitting out the Green Bay game and the week of practice leading up to it.

Cameron suffered a bone bruise in his back after he came down hard on it in Detroit, following a 42-yard catch from Colt McCoy. Benjamin suffered an undisclosed ailment during the Detroit game but was back for the light practice Friday in shorts and shells.

"I was kind of nicked up,'' said Benjamin. "It wasn't really as sore. I had a few minor problems, but it’s OK now.''

He said he didn't feel he missed much in his week out. "Actually I was here the whole time,'' he said. "I watched film, watched practice, made sure I stayed on top of everything so I could be still in the game.''

Benjamin said he could've played in Green Bay if he had to. "Coach Shurmur knew my intentions,'' said Benjamin. "He just didn't want me to play.''

Cameron, who was having a strong camp before the injury, was glad to be back out there.

"Sitting behind the last week, you kind of lose something, obviously,'' he said. "You’re not getting the reps I’ve been getting. But it kind of gives you a chance to get the mental aspect going. You kind of sit back and watch things, sit back and watch each play, watch the technique of the guys going ahead of you. I've kind of been doing that. But definitely losing the reps doesn’t help.''

He said he was bugged when he had to come out off the game in the second quarter in Detroit.

"I wanted to be out there and keep playing and kind of showcase what I’ve been doing during camp. But it happens, it’s part of the game, you bounce back and I’ll be good.''

Making his case: Third-round pick John Hughes, starting at right defensive tackle in place of Phil Taylor, has played well the first two games in a bid to replace the injured Phil Taylor in the season opener.

"I feel I'm doing all right so far,'' he said. "Just like any other player who kicks himself a lot, I feel like I have a lot more to work on. But I feel like I'm progressing pretty well.''

In the second quarter Thursday, Hughes read a middle screen from Graham Harrell perfectly and crushed running back Marc Tyler for a 3-yard loss.

"We actually had a game called, and I wrapped back around and I saw him,'' said Hughes. "So I actually looked at the quarterback. I thought he looked at me for a second. I'm like, 'You gonna throw it?' I'm like, 'alright, throw it.' And I went after it.''

Hughes and sixth-round pick Billy Winn start inside at tackle with both Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin (pelvis) sidelined. Rubin has missed both preseason games, but has been practicing.

No problems: Rookie cornerback Trevin Wade was back practicing today after leaving the field on a cart in Green Bay. "He was sore,'' said Shurmur. "He's okay.''

Making strides: Rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz fared better against Green Bay's zone-blitzing than he did against Detroit's wide-nine defense, one that's similar to what the Eagles play.

"He made improvements,'' said Shurmur. "We obviously were able to run the ball more and we did it by design, and I thought it helped us. I think he can be a fine run blocker, so that helped him. The pass-rush was a little different scheme than we saw against the Lions, but he got to see different things and that was good too.''

Comings and goings: Right tackle Oniel Cousins and receiver Rod Windsor sat out practice with soreness from the game. ... Many of Thursday's injured remain out, including tight end Ben Watson, cornerback Dimitri Patterson and defensive tackle Scott Paxson. ... Defensive end Frostee Rucker returned to action (in shorts and shells) wearing his knee brace.

Trims coming: The first roster cut to 75 will take place Aug. 27, three days after the third preseason game against the Eagles. Final cuts from 75 to 53 will take place Aug. 31.

“When it comes down to just a pure 53-man roster, we have some decisions to be made,'' said Shurmur. "I’ll kind of keep private what those are, but we’ve got more players at each position than we can keep. I think there are some tight little battles in there that we’ve got to get sorted out in the next three weeks.”

Sooner or later the light goes on for every team that isn't going to make the postseason. The light has been shining in the Indians eyes for a while now.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerZach McAllister goes for his sixth victory of the season tonight against Oakland.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Indians have 44 games left in the regular season entering Friday's series opener against the A's at the O.co Coliseum. It's time to get realistic about where they stand.

Just where might that be? Try out in the cold. The real cold.

They are 11 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central. It's their biggest deficit of the season. In the race for the wild card, Baltimore and Tampa are tied for the first two spots. The Indians are 10 games behind the leaders.

It's over. It has been over since the 11-game losing streak from July 27 through Aug. 6. The streak dropped the Tribe from 3 1/2 games out of first place to 10 1/2 out.

But just to make sure everyone is on the same page: To finish .500, the Indians would have to go 27-17. Raise your hand if you think this team is going to play .614 ball from here through Oct. 3.

To finish with 85 wins, the Indians would have to go 31-13. This from a team that has yet to win more than four games in a row this season.

Here's one more. To finish with 90 wins, the Tribe would have to play .818 (36-8) ball the rest of the way.

There is always another game in baseball, but eventually the numbers catch up to every team. Consider the Indians caught.

Tonight's lineups:

Indians (54-64): 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 1B Carlos Santana (S), CF Michael Brantley (L), LF Jason Donald (R), DH Shelley Duncan (R), 3B Brent Lillibridge (R), C Lou Marson, RHP Zach McAllister (5-4, 3.46)

Athletics (62-55): CF Coco Crisp (S), 2B Jemile Weeks (S), LF Yoenis Cespedes (R), 1B Chris Carter (R), RF Brandon Moss (L), DH Johnny Gomes (R), 3B Josh Donaldson (R), C Derek Norris (R), SS Cliff Pennington (S) and LHP Tommy Milone (9-9, 3.91)

Umpires: H Joe West, 1B Sam Holbrook, 2B Andy Fletcher, 3B Rob Drake.

Indians vs. Milone: Lillibridge is the only Indians player to face Milone and he went 0-for-3.

A's vs. McAllister: No A's have faced McAllister.

Next: RHP Corey Kluber (0-1, 8.56) will face the A's and former Indian right-hander Bartolo Colon (9-9, 3.55) Saturday night at 9:07 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Former Aurora defensive lineman Adam Bellamy has left the Ohio State football team for personal reasons, but the door is open for his return.

OSU photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Adam Bellamy, the former Aurora High captain who started nine games on Ohio State's defensive line last season, has left the football for personal reasons.

Ohio State made the official announcement on Friday, but Mike Vrabel, Bellamy's position coach, left open the possibility of a return.

"Adam is working through some personal family matters right now and when he gets that taken care of, we will welcome him back with open arms," Vrabel said before Bellamy's departure was announced by a team spokesman. "We miss him in our [meeting] room and when Adam gets those things taken care of he's going to be able to come back."

A fourth-year junior who helped lead Aurora to the Division III state title in 2008, the 292-pound Bellamy had been listed as a co-starter coming into preseason camp. The Buckeyes still have 13 scholarship players on the defensive line, the deepest position on the roster.

It turned out that Urban Meyer isn't facing a numbers crunch despite having only 82 available scholarships, with the NCAA docking Ohio State three for this season because of previous NCAA violations. Bellamy is the 11th player to leave the football program since Meyer was hired, with five transferring, four getting kicked off the team and one other taking a medical hardship.

The roster currently sits at 77 scholarship players, so even if Bellamy and/or linebacker Storm Klein, who is off the team but could return if his court situation clears up to Meyer's satisfaction, do return, there will be plenty of room.

Dunn not guilty: Freshman running back Bri'onte Dunn was found not guilty of disorderly conduct in an Alliance courtroom Friday. The misdemeanor charge had stemmed from a traffic stop in July.

Bits and pieces: Freshman offensive lineman Joey O'Connor, a four-star recruit from Colorado, had surgery on his left knee and will be forced to sit out the season as a redshirt. That leaves the Buckeyes with 13 healthy scholarship offensive linemen. ... Five freshmen have so far had the black stripe removed from their practice helmets, a sign that they are no longer playing like freshmen. Defensive lineman Adolphus Washington was the latest to join the group after impressing Vrabel by beating a starting offensive lineman on three straight plays in practice. He joins former Glenville defensive back Devan Bogard, offensive lineman Taylor Decker and defensive linemen Noah Spence and Tommy Schutt. ... The players move out of their fall camp rooms and into their regular housing following Saturday's practice. Classes begin on Wednesday.

The Indians continue their west coast trip tonight in Oakland to take on the Athletics. First pitch is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Indians continue their west coast trip tonight in Oakland to take on the Athletics. First pitch is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android to get Tribe updates on your mobile device. Read on for a game preview.

View full sizeAP Photo/Ben MargotOakland Athletics' Kila Ka'Aihue, right, slides to score behind Cleveland Indians catcher Lou Marson during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 22, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. Ka'Aihue scored on a single by A's Kurt Suzuki.

Manny Acta didn't want to expound Friday on his critique earlier in the week on the Indians' offensive needs for next season. Then again, there was no need.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCasey Kotchman's slugging percentage of .352 entering Friday night is 17th in the American League among first basemen.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Manny Acta wasn't nearly as talkative Friday night as he was earlier in the week when asked about the needs of the Indians' offense headed toward 2013.

During the first stop of this nine-game, 10-day West Coast trip in Anaheim, Calif., Acta said it was no secret that the Indians had to find a solution in left field, first base, designated hitter and, perhaps, third base. Acta was asked before Friday's game if all those areas could be addressed during the off-season.

"I'm not going to comment on that," said Acta.

Whether someone above him in the team's chain of command was unhappy with his comments is not known, but he certainly wasn't revealing any trade secrets.

The offense has been a work in slow motion all year. In the American League they're ranked ninth in runs (501), average (.253) and hits (1,012), seventh in doubles (206), 11th in homers (107), seventh in on-base percentage (.325) and 11th in slugging percentage (.394).

Since the All-Star break, the Indians are averaging 3.5 runs per game.

Here's a closer look at the positions Acta talked about:

• Left field: Departed Johnny Damon started 52 games and it's hard to remember any of them. Shelley Duncan has started 50 games.

Ezequiel Carrera has been getting a lot of playing time lately, but Jason Donald made his debut Friday because Acta wanted another right-handed bat in the lineup against A's lefty Tommy Milone.

Tribe left fielders rank last in the AL in runs (48), 13th in average (.221), 11th in homers (10) and 13th in RBI (44).

• First base: Casey Kotchman is the main first baseman, starting 94 games. He's hitting .226 (79-for-349) with 11 homers and 42 RBI. Carlos Santana made his 17th start at first Friday, but he's still considered the Tribe's starting catcher.

Jose Lopez and Matt LaPorta have also played first. LaPorta is at Class AAA Columbus and Lopez was released. Tribe first basemen rank 11th in runs (53) and average (.233), 10th in homers (16) and seventh in RBI (58).

• Third base: Jack Hannahan has started 62 games. Brent Lillibridge made his sixth start Friday, while Donald has made four starts at the hot corner. Injured Lonnie Chisenhall (right ulna) and Lopez also started games at third.

Tribe third basemen rank 14th in runs (39), eighth in average (.256), 13th in homers (nine) and 10th in RBI (55).

• Designated hitter: Injured Travis Hafner has been the primary DH with 56 starts. Santana is next in line, but Acta has used 10 players there. Tribe DHs rank 11th in runs (47), 12th in average (.231), seventh in homers (18) and 11th in RBI (52).

Another opinion: Right-hander Josh Tomlin will be in Los Angeles on Tuesday to get a second opinion on his right elbow from Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Tomlin was placed on the disabled list to make room for Roberto Hernandez on the 25-man roster. Tomlin is 5-8 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 games, including 16 starts. Late last season Tomlin was shut down with pain in his right elbow. He's been pitching on and off with the same kind of pain this year.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Mike Vrabel is charged with molding the most talented unit on the Ohio State roster -- the defensive line.

View full sizeKyle Robertson, Columbus DispatchAfter a year coaching the linebackers, former NFL standout Mike Vrabel has a simple philosophy for his new students, the Ohio State defensive line. "We're going to play the best players," he said Friday. "If I think I've got four really good guys and they don't get tired, they'll play the whole game."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Even while serving as the Buckeyes' linebackers coach a year ago, Mike Vrabel would work with Ohio State's defensive linemen on better using their hands.

"Violent hands," was what Vrabel, now the defensive line coach, said Friday, adding that to playing physical and playing square as the basics of his philosophy. "That's what we're teaching every day," he said. "We've got to know what to do, but that's going to be how we do it."

The deepest and most talented portion of Ohio State's roster is now in the hands of the former Buckeye who made his name in the NFL but is in just his second season as a coach. Vrabel takes over a group that had been under the tutelage of long-time assistant Jim Heacock. Led by John Simon and Johnathan Hankins, maybe the two best players on the roster, the rest of the unit is young and deep, born of two strong recruiting classes and now led by a coach in an entirely new position from a year ago.

Last season, Vrabel joined the staff to work under one of his best friends and his former Buckeye teammate, Luke Fickell. Now Fickell, the defensive coordinator but no longer the head coach, is more peer than boss.

Vrabel filled Fickell's spot coaching the linebackers, but now he's back with the linemen. His new boss, Urban Meyer, has a strong friendship with the man with whom Vrabel's spent much of his time in the NFL, New England coach Bill Belichick.

"I think they want a prepared football team for the games and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his football team prepared," Vrabel said when asked for shared traits between Meyer and Belichick. "Whether that's replay a down or replay a series if it's not right, it's no different than what Coach Belichick used to say, 'Let's not confuse activity with achievement.'

"Go out there and break a sweat, [that] may not necessarily be getting anything done. And we're going to go out there and work for two hours and it may take us three hours, but we're going to get two hours of good work in."

Despite the potential on the line, Vrabel said there is work to be done. "We need to be in better condition," he said. "We're not ready to play the game. We're doing some things good, but where are we on the seventh, eighth play of a drive? I see us do things well early, and then we get tired."

Heacock always talked of a defensive line rotation in the hopes of avoiding those problems. Ideally he wanted to go eight men deep, but last year's Buckeyes didn't have the manpower to do it. The line looked tired while, for instance, giving up a second-half lead at Nebraska.

With Ohio State's offense planning an up-tempo, no-huddle attack, there's a chance the Buckeyes could move the ball quickly and put their defense on the field for longer stretches, making the need to stay fresh on the line even more important.

With Simon at the Leo rush end spot, Hankins at defensive tackle, Garrett Goebel at nose tackle and Michael Bennett at the strongside end serving as the expected starters, there seemingly are young Buckeyes pushing to make the rotation.

Freshmen Noah Spence at the Leo position and Adolphus Washington at defensive tackle are candidates, as are sophomores Steve Miller and Joel Hale. Then there's fifth-year senior Nate Williams, who is coming off major knee surgery. His absence devastated the defense a year ago, but if he can go, and the coaches expect he can, he will play, even if only in bursts.

But Vrabel is not committed to a rotation.

"We're going to play the best players," Vrabel said. "If I think I've got four really good guys and they don't get tired, they'll play the whole game. That's what I'm used to. The game I came from, the best players played. If you don't get tired, you'll play the whole game. So if we have guys that get tired, we'll rest guys, but the best guys will be out there."

The defensive line could be the best that Ohio State has to offer in 2012. But the coaches aren't going to assume that until they see it.

"The spread offense, shovel passes, all that kind of stuff is cool, but at the end of the day, if you have a good defensive line, there's a good chance you're going to have one of the best teams in the conference," Meyer said. "I like our guys. I don't love 'em."

Simon he does love. Hankins, a junior, is projected by many as a potential top 10 NFL draft pick. But the group as a whole -- that's in Vrabel's hands.

With so many of his skill players in and out of the lineup with injuries, Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden has had a tough time developing chemistry with the first-teamers. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio — Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden has been working overtime to get on the same page with his skill players, especially the young ones such as receivers Greg Little and Josh Gordon.

Problem is, he hardly even has the book on some of them yet because of injuries.

With a little more than three weeks left before the Sept. 9 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Weeden hasn't had his full complement of weapons in practices or preseason games.

In Thursday's outing in Green Bay — which was a quasi-dress rehearsal for Weeden — the following key players were out with injuries: starting running back Trent Richardson (left knee scope), starting receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion), rookie receiver Travis Benjamin (undisclosed), starting tight end Ben Watson (undisclosed) and second-team tight end Jordan Cameron (bone bruise in back).

Fortunately for Weeden, Cameron and Benjamin returned to practice Friday, but with so many guys in and out of the lineup, the rookie quarterback hasn't been able to establish consistency with the the first-teamers.

"That's the one challenging thing,'' Weeden said. "Being a rookie, I'm still learning the guys as well as they're learning me. There's a lot of guys cycling through — and I think that's good for us (in preseason). But once you get to the regular season, you want to be throwing to the same guys all of the time.''

Weeden, who's completed 15 of 29 attempts for 180 yards and a 56.7 rating, was starting to develop chemistry with Massaquoi, Benjamin and Cameron when they got knocked out of action in the Detroit game Aug. 10. Watson has been sidelined since Aug. 4, and Weeden's falling behind on timing with Richardson.

"Not having those guys ... it's tough on our offense, but fortunately these games don't count as a win-loss,'' Weeden said. "Those guys are key assets to this offense and guys we're relying on to make a lot of plays for us."

Weeden, who has yet to throw a TD pass in 11 series, completed his first pro attempt to Massaquoi for 12 yards in Detroit, and then lost him to a concussion. On his second attempt in Detroit, Weeden hit a streaking Benjamin in stride for a 34-yarder down the left sideline and the two were heating up. But Benjamin is just getting worked back into the lineup.

Weeden was lighting it up with Cameron in practice, and also completed a 16-yarder to him in Detroit, but Cameron suffered a bone-bruise on a 42-yard catch from Colt McCoy in the second quarter and missed the whole next week.

"Sitting behind the last week, you kind of lose something obviously,'' Cameron said. "You’re not getting the reps I’ve been getting. But it kind of gives you a chance to get the mental aspect going. You kind of sit back and watch each play, watch the technique of the guys going ahead of you. But definitely losing the reps doesn’t help.''

Cameron is convinced there's plenty of time to get ready.

"Yeah, definitely,'' he said. "We've been jelling pretty well here during camp and I think it’s going to continue to go as this week continues.''

What Weeden has been able to do is work after practice to correct the mistakes he's had with Little and Gordon. In Detroit, a pass to Gordon on a comeback route was nearly picked off, and one to Little was swiped when Little stopped his route shorter than Weeden anticipated. Weeden and Little ran the play over at least five times after practice last Sunday to correct the mistake.

In Green Bay, both Gordon and Little dropped easy passes, Gordon a little hitch at the Green Bay 25 and Little a wide-open gimme near midfield. Gordon also came up short on a route for the second straight week, and the ball was almost intercepted again.

“Me and Greg are getting on the same page,'' Weeden said. "We’re working hard at it. We’re communicating a lot about a lot of different things. The route with Gordon – I talk to him before the game, during the game and after the game about certain things I see I think he can do. I’m not a receivers coach, so I don’t know how to tell him to run a route, but (I tell him) what I’m thinking as far as when I’m going to pull the trigger."

Weeden said he had no qualms about going back to Gordon, who caught a 19-yarder from him earlier in the game.

"You have to,'' he said. "That was my first read and it was there. He had cushion and it was perfect -- the exact look we wanted. I'm not going to change my reads and how I feel. I trust Josh and I'm not going to work the other side of the field just because it's him and the same thing happened the week before.''

"Everybody was criticizing me for 15 plays (in Detroit),'' he said. "You can’t get into a rhythm in 15 plays. The more reps I get, the better I’ll see the field.”

The payoff for Weeden will come when most of the injured starters such as Massaquoi, Watson, Richardson and the rest are game-ready.

"When you throw (them) in our lineup, we've got some guys to throw it to, which is nice,'' he said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Highlights include Indians at Oakland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

8:30 a.m. Pure Michigan 400 practice, Speed Channel

9:30 a.m. VFW 200 qualifying, Speed Channel

11 a.m. Pure Michigan 400 “Happy Hour Series,” Speed Channel

12:30 p.m. VFW 200, Speed Channel

2:30 p.m. NAPA Auto Parts 200, ESPN

7 p.m. Rolex Sports Car Series (tape), Speed Channel

BASEBALL

11 a.m. Junior League final, ESPN2

Noon Little League World Series, ESPN

3 p.m. Little League World Series, WEWS

3:30 p.m. Boston at N.Y. Yankees, WJW

6 p.m. Little League World Series, ESPN

7 p.m. Lansing at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/1330

7 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Kansas City, WGN 

7 p.m. L.A. Dodgers at Atlanta, MLB Network

7:05 p.m. Reading at AKRON AEROS, AM/1350

8 p.m. Little League World Series, ESPN

9:07 p.m. CLEVELAND INDIANS at Oakland, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100 

EXTREME SPORTS

1 p.m. Dew Tour, Pantech Beach Championships, WKYC 

GOLF

1 p.m. Wyndham Championship, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Wyndham Championship, WOIO

3 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, Golf Channel

4 p.m. U.S. Amateur Championship semifinals, WKYC

6:30 p.m. Safeway Classic, Golf Channel 

HORSE RACING

5 p.m. Alabama Stakes, Sword Dancer Invitational, NBCSN 

MOTORSPORTS

3 p.m. AMA Motocross, Unadilla National, WKYC

4 p.m. AMA Motocross, Unadilla National, NBCSN

10:30 p.m. MotoGP WC qualifying (tape), Speed Channel 

NFL

7 p.m. N.Y. Giants at N.Y. Jets, NFL Network

10 p.m. Dallas at San Diego, NFL Network 

RODEO

8 p.m. Bass Pro Shops Chute Out, NBCSN 

SOCCER

9:50 a.m. Sunderland vs. Arsenal, ESPN 

SOFTBALL

5 p.m. Junior League final, ESPN2 

TENNIS

1 p.m. ATP, Western & Southern semifinals, ESPN2

7 p.m. WTA, Western & Southern semifinals, ESPN2 



From 1984 through 1986, the Browns enjoyed a remarkable influx of talent, and 1985 seventh-round pick Langhorne could have got lost in the shuffle. Instead, he emerged as a key play-maker.

Plain DealerReggie Langhorne was among a group of receivers who combined with quarterback Bernie Kosar to give the Browns a dynamic passing game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 88, Reggie Langhorne, wide receiver, 1985-91

From 1984 through 1986, the Browns enjoyed a remarkable influx of talent, mostly via the regular NFL draft, the NFL supplemental draft and the supplemental draft of players from the failing United States Football League; and by signings of other players from the USFL and Canadian Football League.

As a 1985 seventh-round draft pick out of Elizabeth City State, wide receiver Reggie Langhorne could have got lost in the shuffle, but instead, he emerged as one of the clutch play-makers for the Browns during one of the most exciting (though relatively brief) eras in team history.

Langhorne caught just one pass, though he did contribute on special teams, during his rookie season, as the young Browns' team made the playoffs by winning the AFC Central Division, despite an 8-8 record.

Cleveland made the postseason each of the next four seasons, winning a playoff game three times, each before AFC Championship Game losses to the Denver Broncos (the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons).

Langhorne was an integral part of a dynamic passing attack -- a fearless 6-2, 200-pound wideout with good if not blazing speed and the strength and determination to catch the football in a crowd. He added another key element to the offense with his solid blocking.

In seven playoff games from the 1986 through 1989 seasons, Langhorne caught 26 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns.

No Browns receiver posted overwhelming single season stats during Langhorne's career (except Webster Slaughter's 1989 campaign), as quarterback Bernie Kosar spread the action between wideouts such as Langhorne, Slaughter and Brian Brennan; and aging tight end Ozzie Newsome and various running backs.

Following his rookie year, Langhorne caught 260 passes for the Browns over the next six regular seasons. Somewhat oddly, he scored just 15 regular season touchdowns, in large part due to the specific routes the Browns favored inside the red zone. Langhorne, though, made significant plays as indicated, in part, by his 13.8 yards per catch during that span.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: From NFL Films "Game of the Week," Reggie Langhorne catches three key passes from Bernie Kosar (on the first play of the video, and about 6:25 in and 9:00 in), totaling 103 yards, during the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Oct. 5, 1986, snapping Cleveland's 16-game losing streak in Pittsburgh (note that about 2:40 in, the announcer mistakenly refers to Webster Slaughter as Langhorne on an incomplete pass):

UPDATED: The Indians fall to 1-3 on this West Coast trip as Oakland scores two times in the eighth inning for a 6-4 victory.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Sometimes good things are just too good to believe.

Maybe that was Zach McAllister's problem Friday night at O.com Coliseum. Shelley Duncan hit a grand slam to give him a 4-0 lead, but the rookie right-hander squandered it almost as quickly as he received it. McAllister wasn't around when Oakland beat the Indians, 6-4, but losing that four-run lead didn't help matters for manager Manny Acta's listing ballclub.

The A's, masters of the walkoff victory this season, struck one inning ahead of schedule to hand the Indians their 16th loss in the past 20 games. Joe Smith, who got a big out in the seventh inning, didn't do well in the eighth.

Smith (7-3) walked Chris Carter to start the eighth and gave up a single to Brandon Moss. When Josh Reddick, a left-handed hitter, pinch-hit for Jonny Gomes, Vinnie Pestano relieved and gave up a bloop single to load the bases. Josh Donaldson followed with his fourth straight hit to break the 4-4 tie.

Cliff Pennington followed with a one-out sacrifice fly to Shin-Soo Choo in right field. Moss scored on a close play. This season Pestano has allowed just three of 18 inherited runners to score.

The win went to Jordan Norberto (4-1). Grant Balfour pitched the ninth for his 10th save.

"I was ahead of both those guys, 0-2, in the eighth and couldn't put them away," said Smith. "Sometimes you're going to blow one and I blew this one tonight."

Choo gave the Indians a chance to break the tie the eighth. After being hit by a pitch by Norberto, he advanced to second on a fly ball. But Norberto struck out Michael Brantley and retired Jason Donald on a soft liner to first.

The Indians are hitting .219 (55-for-251) with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. Is it any wonder they're 10-24 since the break?

Duncan gave the Indians a 4-0 lead with the first grand slam of his career. Duncan hit a 3-2 pitch over the fence in left with one out in the fourth off lefty Tommy Milone. It was just the second slam the Indians have hit this year.

Carlos Santana started the inning with a walk. Brantley hit a single that left fielder Yoenis Cespedes lost in the twilight. It was originally ruled an error, but the official scorer changed the play after the game. Donald followed with a single to load the bases.

Duncan has 11 homers, five against lefties.

"You're hoping those runs will get the team going, that it will create some momentum to carry over into the rest of the game," said Duncan. "But that was the only bad inning Milone had and their bullpen was great."

It did not take long for the A's to tie the score.

McAllister, after pitching three scoreless innings, gave up three runs in the fourth. Carter singled and Brandon Moss walked to start the inning. After Gomes struck out, Josh Donaldson doubled to score Carter and send Moss to third.

With the infield playing back, Derek Norris sent a grounder to third as Moss came home and Brent Lillibridge threw to first for the second out. Pennington, struggling to hit McAllister's 95 mph fastball, sent an 83 mph breaking pitch into right field for a single to make it 4-3.

To put it mildly, it was not a good time to throw Pennington an off-speed pitch.

"I can't expect this guy, who just came up from Triple-A, to pitch like a 10-year veteran," said Acta. "He made some mistakes on pitch selection. That one really hurt because it came after two out and he had thrown the ball by him in the at bat before that."

The A's tied it, 4-4, in the fifth and a stolen base proved to be critical.

Jason Donald, making his first start in left field, made a great sliding catch in foul territory to retire Jemile Weeks to start the inning. Cespedes, the next hitter, doubled past third. With Carter batting, Cespedes easily stole third and scored on Carter's sacrifice fly to center.

Cespedes came into the game hitting .368 (42-for-114), the second-highest average in the American League since the All-Star break. The steal was his 11th.

"That's another thing some of our young pitchers have to improve upon," said Acta. "We have two of the best throwing catchers in the league over the last two years. We're not doing a very good job of holding runners.

"He needs some work on that, but I'm not expecting to have a finished product in his first year up here."

McAllister was clearly frustrated by his performance.

"A 4-0 lead is a nice thing to have," said McAllister. "Every pitcher wants to go out and put up a zero after that, get the guys back in the dugouts and score more runs. It's frustrating when you're not able to do that."

The Indians squeezed Milone, facing them for the first time, for 95 pitches in five innings.

Asdrubal Cabrera doubled with one out in the first, but Shin-Soo Choo flied out to left and Santana grounded out.

Brantley started the second with a single, but Milone retired the next three batters. Milone allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits in five innings.

McAllister pitched out of trouble in the second. Josh Donaldson singled and went to third as Derek Norris doubled off the fence in left field. He struck out Pennington to end the inning.

McAllister allowed four runs on eight hits. He threw 91 pitches, 63 for strikes, including six strikeouts and one walk.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Browns kicker wants fans to know that he appreciates how you have made him feel.

View full sizeMark Duncan, Associated Press"There is a real bond between the fans, the city and this team," Browns kicker Phil Dawson says of playing in Cleveland. "The people here have made my family and me feel so welcome."

BEREA, Ohio -- Phil Dawson gets it.

The Browns kicker wants fans to know that he appreciates how you have made him feel.

"When I first came here [in 1999], some of the older Browns told me about how this is a special place to play," said Dawson. "It took a while, but I feel it. Every time I come through that tunnel on Sunday and hear the Cleveland fans..."

Dawson stopped, wanting to make his words as precise as his steps before attempting a 50-yard field goal.

"There is a real bond between the fans, the city and this team," he said. "The people here have made my family and me feel so welcome."

Dawson is 37. He's been the kicker ever since the Browns returned in 1999. Probably no one but Dawson remembers that he wasn't drafted when he came out of Texas in 1997.

Or that in 1998, he was cut by Oakland and New England. Or that in 1999, he was one of three kickers who came to Browns camp, with no guarantee of making the team.

They cut the other two kickers. But just as he thought the job was his, Chris Boniol, a five-year NFL veteran, arrived in the final week of training camp. He survived that challenge, too.

When coach Chris Palmer said he had made team, it was with these words: "We'll start with you." That was it. The implication was clear -- no promises.

"Those words have always stayed with me," said Dawson. "I'm one kick away from losing a job. Down deep, every kicker knows that."

A fan favorite

Thomas Smith: "Ever since 1999, when the Browns came back, there has never been a more memorable or dependable player than Phil Dawson! When he goes on the field, it's money in the bank. ... They should put his name on the Ring of Honor now!"

Cal Carlisle: "Phil Dawson is the best kicker the average NFL fan has never heard of. The fact that he has gotten better with age is truly remarkable."

Andrew Clayman: "He is the calm weather in the eye of a ceaseless storm. A safety net. A fearless foot. A gridiron diplomat. Sometimes wearer of a first-class mustache. Team dad."

Who would forget this memorable game-tying kick in 2007 vs. the Ravens?

Dawson is 12th in field-goal accuracy in NFL history, making 83 percent. If he played on better teams, he'd be a Pro Bowler. Only coaches, teammates and Browns fans truly know his value. He has won 15 games with kicks in the fourth quarter or overtime. Two have been from more than 50 yards, including a stunning 56-yarder at frigid Buffalo in 2008.

While the stats show he was 24-of-29 in field goals last season, three were either blocked or ruined by bad snaps. Dawson still claims a fourth was good, that the officials missed the call. Since Dawson rarely complains, he may have a point. Or in this case, three points. He was 7-of-8 on field goals from more than 50 yards.

This from a man who is on his fifth head coach and sixth special teams coach.

"I have embraced this place," he said. "I know that there has been some insecurity with all the [coaching] changes and because I've been going year-to-year [with his contract]. My children [two boys and a girl] have pretty much grown up here."

Dawson sold his West side house in 2010 and moved back to Texas, assuming the Browns would not bring him back as his attempts to secure a long-term contract failed. But the team has instead kept control of him the last two seasons as a franchise player, a one-year deal that pays him $3.8 million this year.

A sense of humility

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer"I have embraced this place," says Dawson (with his daughter, Sophiann, during 2012 training camp). "I know that there has been some insecurity with all the [coaching] changes and because I've been going year-to-year [with his contract]. My children [two boys and a girl] have pretty much grown up here."

Jeff Howard: "I went to church with Phil in Frisco, Texas from 2001-04. The Browns were never on TV here, so I didn't know what he looked like. I asked him what he did for a living. He told me he worked for the NFL. ... He was almost embarrassed, and not because the Browns were so bad. It was because he didn't want to be put on a pedestal. That's how down to earth he is."

Robbie McGowan: "I met him at a Gladiator game. He was talking to everybody. Signing autographs for kids (And some adults). A true gentleman. When I see Mr. Dawson come out to kick; that is my time to get a refill on my drink. Because I know he is money all the time. Great guy. Pay the Man!"

Tom Ford: "I heard Phil speak at Providence Church in Avon a couple of years ago. Very humble and mild-mannered. You could clearly tell it wasn't all about Phil. You could also tell the other Browns on the stage with him looked up to him in the way they interacted with him."

More than once in a 20-minute conversation, Dawson said, "This is a very humbling job." That's because a kicker is mostly noticed when he misses.

The kicker knows some teammates will never view him as a football player. He doesn't take part in blocking or tackling drills. He usually practices by himself, or with his long snapper and holder. He doesn't pay the physical price in terms of broken bones, bruises and blood spilled on the field. But the emotional burden is heavy, the pressure to be perfect unrelenting during the season.

Most football players, coaches and fans have little idea what it takes to do his job -- and the job does seem relatively simple.

So much happens prior to kickoff. Dawson spends a week watching the weather. On game day, will it be windy? Will it rain or sleet or snow? Where is the weather coming from? Before the game, he tries to find his range so that he can tell his coach how far he can connect on a field goal.

"If I don't do that before the game, in the heat of the moment if the coach asks -- I'll try it from anywhere, and could end up hurting the team," he said. "I have to be brutally honest so that we can plan."

It's a matter of trust. The coach has to trust his kicker. The kicker has to trust the snapper to get the ball to the holder. The holder has to catch and quickly angle the ball just right for the kicker. They all have to trust the blockers.

"It's kicking the ball through the yellow posts," Dawson said. "It's what I love and what I hate. It's my chance to help the team, and the last thing I want to do is let the team down."

Heading into his 14th season here, you can be sure no one has ever said that of Phil Dawson.

The comments from readers came from Terry Pluto's Facebook page. He asked for input on Dawson, and there were more than 60 posts within the first 90 minutes.