What are your expectations in this season of change: Nine wins? Ten wins? More?

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerUrban Meyer watches as his team warms up before the spring game in April.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's a lot new with the Ohio State football program in 2012. A new coach in Urban Meyer. A new offense, under new coordinator Tom Herman. A new coaching staff.

There are new captains: Defensive lineman John Simon, defensive lineman Garrett Goebel, linebacker Etienne Sabino, fullback Zach Boren and running back Jordan Hall. From Sunday's story by Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises:

There are just 13 scholarship seniors on the roster. Sabino, Boren and Simon represented Ohio State at the Big Ten meetings in Chicago, while Hall, who was suspended for the first two games last season for taking impermissible benefits at a charity event, has received lots of praise from Meyer. Goebel, a low-key but steadying force on the interior of the defense, is perhaps the most surprising choice, but he's also a player who has always done his job -- on and off the field -- without much fanfare.

Ohio State opens its season against Miami of Ohio on Sept. 1.

Also, the Buckeyes on this year's squad will have the new experience of being banned from a bowl game and the Big Ten Championship game because of NCAA sanctions stemming from the tattoo scandal and coverup during coach Jim Tressel's tenure.

With all that as a backdrop, how many games do you think the Buckeyes will win this season?

Despite the Cleveland Browns, the AFC North is rated the best division in the NFL. Watch video

Reporters watched a bit of practice this morning, with John Simon one of the Buckeyes not out there. Watch video

COLUMBUS – Reporters took in about the first half hour of Ohio State football practice this morning. A few updates:

* Urban Meyer had knocked on wood Monday night about his team's relative health at this point in the preseason. Star defensive lineman John Simon was not out at practice today, but the word from the Buckeyes was that it's nothing serious that would keep him out of game action.

* Philly Brown, whom Meyer called the No. 1 receiver on Monday, was working on the side early on after getting extra tape on his right ankle.

* Also on the defensive side, two other starters, lineman Michael Bennett and linebacker Ryan Shazier, stretched with the team but wore green jerseys that signified they were limited in what they could do. Again, the Buckeyes aren't reporting anything serious with new injuries that would keep any of their main guys out on Sept. 1.

* Freshman offensive lineman Kyle Dodson was also in a green jersey, and Meyer opened practice by welcoming him back in front of the entire team.

* Among the players on the side and in uniform but not participating were running back Jordan Hall, defensive lineman Nathan Williams and safety Jamie Wood. As we know, Hall is out for at least the first week after foot surgery, while Williams continues to come back after missing virtually all of last season with serious microfracture knee surgery.

* The main theme of Meyer's talk to the team before practice, which you can hear a bit in the video, was about competitive excellence. He told them that mentally soft players won't play.

* I'm always interested in how the Buckeyes look in their nickel defense. Christian Bryant seems like an ideal guy to fit into that "star" position as the fifth defensive back, where he can get closer to the line of scrimmage and make some big hits. But during a bit of what we saw, it seemed that Bryant was staying at safety, with Corey Brown see more reps at the star position.

"After watching the video, I have a few problems with Perez. His response was not becoming of a professional and he did more to embarrass the tribe faithful in this horrific season. When the Oakland fan addressed the issue of standings with Perez, he responded that he didn't care and then went on to ask the fan if he knew what his salary was." - TribeInTexas

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerMany cleveand.com readers have a problem with what Chris Perez said in his exchange with an Oakland A's fan.

"After watching the video, I have a few problems with Perez. His response was not becoming of a professional and he did more to embarrass the tribe faithful in this horrific season. When the Oakland fan addressed the issue of standings with Perez, he responded that he didn't care and then went on to ask the fan if he knew what his salary was. Perhaps this is the downfall of the 2012 Indians, neither the players, front office, or ownership cares about the standings, only about their salary and profit margins. Not the type of people I want to root for..."

"Keep McCoy and lose Wallace. There is more upside to McCoy, the cost is low, and he has a leadership and team quality that you have to like in this time of big money and big heads. I do not think he is a distraction and as a matter of fact I think he will give Brandon lot's of help during game time as to what he sees on the sideline. Seneca is out." - wilda12

View full sizePeggy Turbett/ The Plain DealerWho is the better backup quarterback?

"I am really getting excited for the real games to begin. My NFL Sunday ticket is locked and loaded for my Browns.

Keep McCoy and lose Wallace. There is more upside to McCoy, the cost is low, and he has a leadership and team quality that you have to like in this time of big money and big heads. I do not think he is a distraction and as a matter of fact I think he will give Brandon lot's of help during game time as to what he sees on the sideline. Seneca is out."

Buckeyes open first season with Urban Meyer as coach in 11 days, at home against the RedHawks. Linsley moves from guard and tries to replace a former All-American center, Mike Brewster. More Buckeyes story links.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerCorey Linsley (71) moves from guard to center this season, taking over for four-year Buckeyes' standout Mike Brewster (50).

The Buckeyes have entered a new phase. Gone are the grueling practices intended to weed out major contributors from those merely content to be along for the ride. Now it’s about preparing for the Sept. 1 opener against Miami University.

“We’re going to try to go win a game now,” Meyer said. “Today was all game planning, a lot of scout work. It’s much different this week than it was last week.”

That’s not to say that all issues with the Buckeyes have been resolved. The competition at right tackle between converted tight end Reid Fragel and freshman Taylor Decker remains up for grabs. Same goes at tight end with Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett.

On today's episode of Sports Insider, The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw joined cleveland.com's Glenn Moore talks about what the punishment should be for Chris Perez in regards to his exchange with an Oakland Athletics fan, Manny Acta and how much time Brandon Weeden should play on Friday. Watch video

Browns RB Trent Richardson is one of five NFL rookies featured in GQ Magazine's NFL Kickoff issue.

View full sizeTrent Richardson's sartorial style gets some national publicity in the September GQ.
(Photo by Peggy Sirota, GQ)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Proving that ... well, not exactly what it proves, but Browns RB Trent Richardson is one of five NFL rookies featured in GQ’s Magazine's NFL Kickoff issue.

The players are wearing coats touted by the magazine as the best for fall.

The story notes: “In Cleveland, one legend towers above the rest: Jim Brown. Alabama star T-Rich plans to change all that by the time he’s done. 'Everyone will be comparing themselves to me.'"

In one image, he wears a $250 Banana Republic bridge coat (shown here). In another photo, he sports a $4,395 Burberry Prorsum double-breasted topcoat. Don't worry, he can afford it.

See the GQ story and more photos here.

Michigan hasn't won a Big Ten Conference championship since 2004.

APMichigan Wolverines football coach Brady Hoke answers questions during the team's media day this month.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Brady Hoke's leadership. Denard Robinson's talent. An improved defense and the first win in a BCS bowl since 2000.

Michigan has restored some of its lost luster and just three years after losing a school-record nine games, college football's winningest program is nationally relevant again.

When he was hired to replace Rich Rodriguez, Hoke scoffed, "This is Michigan for God's sake," after being asked about the Wolverines slipping. Nineteen months later, he couldn't fathom the idea that more people hold the program in a higher regard now than they did during the Rodriguez era.

"I don't understand why anyone wouldn't respect whenever anyone says, 'This is Michigan,' " Hoke said. "This is Michigan football -- it's 11 national championships and 42 Big Ten championships."

Michigan, though, hasn't won a conference championship since 2004. That is the longest drought since the program went from 1950 to 1964 without winning a title.

While many praised the Wolverines during the 11-2 season capped by a Sugar Bowl win, the players are still beating themselves up about losing to Michigan State and Iowa to spoil their chances of competing for the league title they covet.

"Last year was a failure for Michigan," offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said. "A lot of people were patting us on the back, but we weren't happy, because we wanted to win the Big Ten title and we didn't."

Michigan should have a shot at the title if it can defeat MSU on Oct. 20 at home; beat Nebraska the next week on the road; and close the regular season with a road win over Ohio State in what will the NCAA-sanctioned Buckeyes' final game of the year.

The Wolverines will improve their chances in those key games if Robinson can strike a balance with the running game that he's a big part of by making defenses respect his arm and the defensive line exceeds expectations.

APDenard Robinson wants to cut down on his interceptions in 2012 after throwing 15 a year ago.

Robinson ran for 1,176 yards -- 5-plus yards per carry -- and 16 touchdowns. But he had 15 interceptions with his 20 throwing TDs, and his completion percentage slipped to 55 percent. He stayed healthy, unlike the previous year, because Fitzgerald Toussaint ran for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

Toussaint, however, was suspended for the first week of practice because of a DUI charge, and Hoke hasn't said if he'll play against defending champion Alabama on Sept. 1 at Cowboys Stadium in suburban Dallas.

Returning reserve running backs Thomas Rawls, Vincent Smith, Justice Hayes, along with freshmen Dennis Norfleet and Drake Johnson, will get a chance to play more than anticipated if Hoke benches Toussaint longer than a game.

Michigan's receiving game, which relied on senior Junior Hemingway last season, took a couple hits in the offseason. Darryl Stonum was dismissed for breaking one too many team rules, and Roy Roundtree needed knee surgery this month. Hoke said there's a "good" chance Roundtree will be healthy enough to play in the opener.

The Lewan-led offensive line is hoping some candidates emerge to replace All-American center David Molk and offensive tackle Mark Huyge.

Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and Will Heininger left big voids on the defensive line, so the Wolverines are counting on Will Campbell, Craig Roh and Jibreel Black to fill them. Campbell has lost about 20 pounds to get down to 308, trying to live up to the hype he had arriving on campus three years ago.

"I'm trying to live up to those expectations," he said. "This is a huge opportunity for me."

Roh and Black, meanwhile, packed on pounds to push pockets and stop the run.

"The biggest thing is that their weight gains have been pretty good and substantial and they've done it the right way," Hoke said. "Now, can they take the 70 plays of knock-'em-back football?"

Michigan's top players in the back seven are linebacker Kenny Demens, who easily led the team in tackles last year, along with cornerback Blake Countess and safety Jordan Kovacs.

Kicker Brendan Gibbons returns after making 13 of 17 field goals, including one in overtime to beat Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. Will Hagerup and Matt Wile are competing to be the team's No. 1 punter.

With the Crimson Tide up first, it won't take long for Michigan to find out how good it is this year.

"You come to play football at Michigan to play in those kind of ballgames," Hoke said. "You're expected to play and perform. Playing the defending national champs is always something that is a great challenge and a great opportunity. Going to play the game in a venue like the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, I think is going to be a lot of fun.

"You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."

Forward C.J. Miles excited for change and chance to play for Byron Scott.

View full sizeAP file"I thought he'd have an opportunity to play both two and three, get an ample amount of time," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott says of new guard/forward C.J. Miles (34). "I'm the type of coach who's going to work him, but I want him to know that I want the other abilities he has inside of him to come out."

AKRON, Ohio -- C.J. Miles thinks he has a pretty good idea what to expect from no-nonsense coach Byron Scott.

"I played for Jerry Sloan," a laughing Miles said of the legendary tough guy former coach of the Utah Jazz.

"One of the first things Jerry Sloan ever said about me to the media is 'I can't give him a jock strap one day and a diaper the next day,'" the veteran wing player said. "After that, I pretty much figured it out."

Two-way honesty is just fine with Miles, who is so excited to be part of the Cavs that he showed up at the team's 27th annual Youth Fund Golf Classic at Firestone Country Club on Tuesday even though he doesn't play the game. He just wanted to make the scene, an attitude that delights General Manager Chris Grant.

"He's so excited to be here," Grant said. "He's in a good place, which is a big piece of being a good player -- you're comfortable with who you are and where you're going."

After seven years in Utah, the 25-year-old Miles thought it was time for a change. He liked what he saw going on in Cleveland with its young core of Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters, and he welcomed a chance to play for Scott.

"I chose it based on the best basketball situation ... trying to continue to grow as a basketball player and to be a part of something was the biggest thing," said the 6-6, 210-pound Miles, who signed a two-year, $4 million deal. "Seeing how we could grow together was a big thing."

Scott thinks Miles can play shooting guard or small forward, and believes he will blossom in a different system than Utah's, which emphasizes the point guard and power forward.

"I just thought that he had so much left in him basketball-wise that's really untapped," Scott said. "I think there are so many other things he can do on the basketball court. I was honest with him. I told him how I felt. I told him I thought he would be a great fit for us.

"I thought he'd have an opportunity to play both two and three, get an ample amount of time. I'm the type of coach who's going to work him, but I want him to know that I want the other abilities he has inside of him to come out."

Injury updates: Trainer Max Benton said Irving's broken right hand is coming along just fine, and Scott agreed.

"You could tell on the phone he's getting anxious to get on the floor and start playing basketball, which is a great thing," said Scott, who added he saw Waiters working out last week in Los Angeles after not seeing him since the summer league in Las Vegas.

"He looked a whole lot better," he said. "His conditioning was so much better. A lot of guys came to me and made comments about how good he looked. He's on his way. He told me he was in good shape. I said, 'You're not ready yet. You've got six weeks to go, son. You better make sure you keep working like you're working.'

"He's on the right path. You can tell he put in some work. He's healthy again. Right now he's working hard and that's a good thing. I like what I saw last week. I like his work ethic. I like the way he played last week. Conditioning-wise he has come a long way from summer league to now."

Roster update: Grant is happy with where the Cavs stand heading into training camp.

"It hasn't been a summer where you have enormous big press conferences all the time, but I think we've had a real solid summer where we've addressed a lot of needs and we'll continue to grow," said Grant, who remains hopeful the team will come to terms with restricted free agent swingman Alonzo Gee.

Grant also expects guard Kelenna Azubuike, obtained from Dallas in the draft night trade that brought in Tyler Zeller, to be in training camp.

"He's made a big jump health-wise," Grant said of the guard who has battled knee injuries. "He's really coming along. His knee looked healthy. He was moving around better. He was very active. He has put together back-to-back workouts, which is a good sign. So we'll see how he does in training camp."

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

1B Lars Anderson (.251) and DH Matt LaPorta (.267) each drove in three runs, and 2B Cord Phelps (.284) and LF Russ Canzler (.260) each knocked in two as Columbus won an International League contest Tuesday in Louisville, Ky.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 10, Bats 7

1B Lars Anderson (.251) and DH Matt LaPorta (.267) each drove in three runs, and 2B Cord Phelps (.284) and LF Russ Canzler (.260) each knocked in two as Columbus won an International League contest Tuesday in Louisville, Ky.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 3, Aeros 2

CF Tyler Holt (.257), RF Jordan Henry (.265) and 1B Jesus Aguilar (.185) each had two hits, but Akron lost an Eastern League game in Erie, Pa.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats 4-0, Nationals 0-3

RHP Jordan Cooper (7-7, 4.16 ERA) allowed five hits in five innings, and LHP J.D. Reichenbach (4.66) gave up one hit in two innings to finish off the shutout for visiting Carolina in the first game of a Carolina League doubleheader.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 6, Lugnuts 0

LHP Daniel Jimenez (2-3, 5.24) allowed two hits in seven innings, and he combined with two relievers on a three-hit shutout for host Lake County against Lansing (Mich.).

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Muckdogs 4, Scrappers 1

RHP Luis Morel (2-4, 4.46) allowed four unearned runs and struck out nine in six innings as Mahoning Valley lost a New York-Penn League game in Batavia, N.Y.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Road Warriors 4, Crushers 2

Paul Fagan (7-7, 3.25) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings as host Lake Erie lost to the Frontier League’s traveling team.

Paul Hoynes will chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's recent play and the latest news on Grady Sizemore and Josh Tomlin.

Paul Hoynes answers your Indians questions today at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes today at noon as he talks Tribe baseball.

Paul will chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's recent play and the latest news on Grady Sizemore and Josh Tomlin.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Hoynsie's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

"I hope Tomlin comes back stronger and better. Wish I could say the say the same for Grady Sizemore." - durhamlou

View full sizeAP Photo/Kathy WillensOne cleveland.com reader hopes Josh Tomlin comes back stronger from injury.

"I hope Tomlin comes back stronger and better. Wish I could say the say the same for Grady Sizemore."

Most coaches know they are in a unique position to speak into the lives of their players. A teenager will sometimes accept words from a coach rather than those of a parent -- even if the parent has been delivering the same message for years.

And you thought coaching high school football was all about Xs and Os, blocking, tackling and making sure these kids begin to learn something about what it means to be young men.

That's all true.

But as the season kicks off across Ohio Thursday, many coaches want their players to remember something about the year besides the final scores, the big plays and the friendships.

Most coaches know they are in a unique position to speak into the lives of their players. A teenager will sometimes accept words from a coach rather than those of a parent -- even if the parent has been delivering the same message for years.

So many coaches come up with slogans for the season.

As Mark Iammarino of Chagrin Falls said: "A slogan should not be an end result. It should be a state of mind...a resounding message that you follow and send to your opponents."

Or it could be something you carry around for years, as Fairview's Tom Narducci suggests his players do with their "Playbook for Life."

Or it could simply be two words the players see every time they walk on the field. "EARN IT." That's what's painted in 8-foot letters on the press box at Shaw's stadium.

BSTW

You'll find the letters BSTW on Eastlake North's football jerseys, on T-shirts, on the license plate of coach George Burich's 2010 Ford pickup -- and even on Burich's customized Nike shoes.

"It goes back to my senior year at North," Burich said of the 1994 season. "It was something [coach] Dan Kukura had us chant."

Burich has been teaching and coaching at his alma mater since 1999. He married Gina, the homecoming queen. His parents went to Eastlake North. His grandfather was a janitor at the school. His 7-3 record last season was the Rangers' best since Burich's senior year.

So what's the big deal with BSTW?

BELIEVE in your SELF.

BELIEVE in your TEAM.

BELIEVE in a WIN.

"It starts with personal accountability," said Burich. "A lot of players don't realize how good they can be. They lack confidence in themselves, their team and they need to realize this is a very special time in their lives."

That will be critical this season as North lost 27 seniors and returns only four starters: Ben Josipovic, Ron Boldon, Austin Gomez and A.J. Strnad. A star receiver last season, Josipovic (3.4 grade-point average) is moving to quarterback to help the team.

"We've never been to the playoffs," said Burich. "To get there, we do need BSTW."

BURN THE SHIP

Can a football team use a story about Hernando Cortez, the words of T.S. Eliot and the phrase "Burn the Ship" for inspiration?

Western Reserve Academy in Hudson will find out.

Coach Jeff Hildebrand will find out.

He sent a long email about how in 1518, Cortez was sent to conquer Mexico, especially the Aztec empire of 5 million people with his 600 soldiers, 20 horses, 10 cannons and 11 ships. When the soldiers came ashore, Cortez ordered the ships burned. The confidence of Cortez and his troops so frightened the Aztecs, that they surrendered.

Hildebrand said fear is often our biggest enemy, and it prevents us from taking some necessary risks in life.

He then quoted Eliot the poet: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."

Especially when they know there is no turning back.

When you're 1-8 in each of the past two years, why not dig deep for a little inspiration?

BE EXCELLENT

Narducci, Fairview's coach, studied a program called "Character Matters" by Wade Salem.

Each week he discusses a theme that corresponds with one of the letters that spell out "BE EXCELLENT."

A few examples:

B as in "Balance: Be ready to do what's right."

E as in "Energy: Be The Fuel."

The players keep a binder with the lesson of the week, along with their playbooks. Is that a reason Fairview opened last season with five losses, and then closed it with five victories in Narducci's first year at the school?

"I really don't know," he said. "Just as I don't know what impact this has on the players. Maybe not much right now, but they may remember it later."

But this much he does know: "Most of the kids still have their binders from last year," he said. "That means something to me."

TOGETHER

One word, chanted after practice.

Benedictine coach Ben Malbasa knows the word together "sounds like a cliche, but it's something that really does apply to our school and our team."

The Catholic school on Cleveland's East Side has a team that is almost a 50-50 white/black racial mix. It is Catholic kids, and others who are not but wanted a private all-boys school education.

Also, Malbasa took over a team that was 2-8 in 2010 (14-36 the previous five years) and led them to a 7-4 record -- along with the school's first playoff appearance since 2005.

"It really was a matter of coming together," he said. "We have only 40 kids for varsity and junior varsity, but those 40 are together and dedicated to the program."

Malbasa then mentioned three of his players receiving Division I college interest: Marshall Howell (Cleveland), Jaylen Funches (Euclid) and Pete Cvijanovich (Concord).

"They're kids from three different places and three different backgrounds," he said. "Our school is about bringing together people like that."

EARN IT

Shaw coach Rodney Brown wants his players to realize that last year's playoff victory was more than the first in school history -- it came from hard work.

"It was earned," he said. "Most people know that in our neighborhood [East Cleveland], we don't have the advantages of some other places. We have to face some adversity that comes with being in the city.

"We're stressing to the kids that just because we made the playoffs last year, there are no guarantees. The tide can turn quickly against us, be it in football or life."

To that end, he had the phrase "EARN IT" painted at Shaw Stadium.

BLOOD AND BONES

Elyria Catholic coach Mike Polevacik says the "Blood and Bones" motto is not what you may think. It's not about breaking an opponent's bones and having him bleed all over the field.

"We're a Division IV school," he said. "We play a lot of Division I and II teams. We have only 34 players, and it's easy to look over at the other sidelines and see all those players -- sometimes, twice as many as we have."

Polevacik says, "It's 11-against-11 on every play. It's their blood and bones against our blood and bones. We may be the underdog, but God gave us the same kind of bodies as he gave them."

The motto is something the team says together and it's something he mentions in speeches.

Quarterback Jeremy Holley is 6-foot-5 and the 3.4 student is receiving a lot of Division I college attention. Junior lineman Dakota Tallman already has an offer from Bowling Green.

"Then there's Will Washington," said Polevacik. "He's a running back, a linebacker and a tough kid from Lorain who's not afraid of anyone -- he's what I mean by Blood and Bones."

WIN THE DAY

Last season was a shock to Padua coach Tony Shuman and his staff.

"And our players, too," he said. "We were 2-8. In the previous five years, we had five winning records, went to the playoffs four times."

Assistant coaches Andy Comer and Kevin Kubit were talking about how the team needed to put last season far behind them.

"We can't win yesterday's game," said Shuman. "Kevin and Andy came up with the idea of winning today."

By that, Shuman means how the players approach everything from lifting weights to dealing with demanding classes. He said some players are dealing with members of their family who are ill, and other personal issues.

"It's about football and life," said Shuman. "We've put 'Win the Day' on shirts, on signs in our weight room and at the stadium. We used it at our youth camp. The guys have grabbed onto it."

Padua has 82 players, including 40 sophomores.

Shuman told the story of guys needing to "Win the Day" by cleaning up the locker room. They joked about it, using the motto.

"But they also did a good job on the locker room," he said. "Those are the kind of things we're talking about."

JUST PLAY

Two simple words that seem so obvious -- "Just Play" -- but it's also tempting to make football complicated.

At Garfield Heights, offensive coordinator Lance Reisland and his father, head coach Chuck Reisland, were talking about how it's so easy to lose focus.

A player scores a touchdown, and then launches into an elaborate celebration dance. Another player is taunted into losing his temper, suddenly fists and penalty flags fly.

Then there are the issues of jealousy and second-guessing the coaches that happens to every team, every season.

"We just need to play," said Chuck Reisland, who has been coaching for 40 years, the last 17 at Garfield.

That became the motto.

"One way to be the best you can be is to just play the game," said Lance, who has been at Garfield for 16 years. "Act like you've been in the end zone before. Act like you're too good for the trash talk."

FORTITUDE

At Lutheran West, coach Dave Stupka asked his team to find a theme and a Bible verse to match for the season. This is Stupka's first season as coach, taking over a team that was 2-8 last season.

He consulted with several players, especially senior captains Chris Ranc and Ryan O'Connor.

"I never had slogans for my teams when I coached at Midpark or Chanel," said Stupka. "But it's a tradition here. We came up with 'Fortitude,' because it is hard to keep doing the right thing on or off the field."

They picked Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you don't give up."

"We realize that the 'harvest' is not always winning the game," said Stupka. "But it is making progress."

The parents of seniors painted "Fortitude, GALATIANS 6:9" on the walkway to the school's Alumni Field. They also painted little longhorns with the number of each senior player.

ALL IN

Over the past three years, Chagrin Falls is 40-4. In that span, the Tigers have been to the Division IV state championship game twice, and the Division III semifinals last season. For a long time, Chagrin Falls had good teams -- but never teams like this.

The goal has become to win a state title, and being "All In" is what it takes.

"By 'All In,' I mean things like it's not a crime to play junior varsity football as a junior," said the coach, Iammarino. "We've had a lot of seniors the last few years -- 21 this year. And some played J.V. as juniors, then came up to help the varsity as seniors."

"All In" means doing your school work. It means respecting teachers. It means listening to coaches, encouraging teammates.

The slogan will appear on T-shirts and banners.

"You can't do it your own way," said Iammarino. "You must follow the team. If it's all about your personal success, then you are not going to add to the greatness of the team. Being 'All In' means we have one heartbeat."

And that's the type of heartbeat every coach wants for his team.

Keith holds off challenge from newcomers to keep his starting job; KSU opens Aug. 30 vs. Towson.

Photo courtesy of KSUSpencer Keith held onto the job as Kent State's starting quarterback. Coach Darrell Hazell named Keith the winner of this summer's QB competition today.

KENT, Ohio - It wasn't until Tuesday night, waiting for Kent State football coach Darrell Hazell to name a starting quarterback, that senior Spencer Keith failed to get a good night of sleep.

"Last night I definitely rolled around some,'' Keith said.

But that's the last one, because this morning Hazell anointed Keith as his starting quarterback.

"He won the job,'' Hazell said. "Spencer is our guy, and he doesn't have to look over his shoulder.''

Hazell said Keith's continued ability not to turn the ball over - he had no interceptions the final five game last season - played a big part. So did the calmness he showed in the face of competition from junior-college transfer David Fisher and freshman Colin Reardon during the spring and fall camp.

Keith will stay at the helm of a team that finished 5-7 last season, 4-4 in Mid-American Conference play.

"He was fired up, but tried not to show it,'' Hazell said of when he told Keith the news. "You could tell he was excited."

KSU opens its 2012 schedule on Aug. 30 vs. Towson.

Originally facing a domestic violence charge, Klein entered a guilty plea for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Storm Klein hopes to be back in a Buckeye uniform soon.

COLUMBUS – Former Ohio State linebacker Storm Klein has entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct, resolving a previous domestic-violence charge, and the senior hopes the change in his case allows him back on the Buckeyes' football team.

Klein was dismissed from the team by coach Urban Meyer this summer.

An OSU spokeswoman said that there will be a reassessment of Klein's status, but gave no timetable as to when that may happen.

Klein's lawyer, Larry James, told The Plain Dealer that Klein is currently off scholarship and he can't afford to pay for Ohio State on his own. James said Klein is on schedule to graduate in the spring.

Now on semesters instead of the quarter system, Ohio State starts classes today. James said Klein won't be attending, but he hopes his client can get his status with the Buckeyes resolved and be in class by the end of the week.

Klein's trial was scheduled for Monday, but it was pushed back to Sept. 24 because, James said, the judge had a case to deal with before it. That would have forced Klein to miss least the first four games of the season and the first month of school, so James sought a plea deal.

James said he spoke with Meyer on Monday morning, and Meyer told him to inform him when Klein's legal status had changed. Now that it has, James said information about the lesser plea has been forwarded to people in the football program.

Meyer has specifically mentioned violence against women as something he won't tolerate in his program. James contends that Klein's former girlfriend has recanted her allegations that led to the charges.

Asked about Klein's suspension from the team before a court resolution, with the chance to come back after the resolution, James said, “The coach has said that, 'These are my core values. If you find yourself in harm's way, we are going to err on the side of the integrity of the program. So debating that will take you no place.' These are his rules.”

James previously represented Buckeyes like Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey and Dan Herron in their dealings with the NCAA, and given that the program is coming off a time of NCAA violations and sanctions, having strict guidelines for the players is an obvious repercussion.

“The situation at Ohio State is that everybody is on eggshells,” James said. “So you have these areas where a coach says, 'These are my core values, this goes to the heart of our integrity, and if you have allegations against you, you're going to do time out of the program.' ”

James said the only question now is whether this was Klein's final chance in the program or not.

Linebacker James-Michael Johnson's father knew best.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson.

That's when Michael Johnson made a decision. He took a week's vacation from his job with a Bay Area communications company, and told his son this: "We are going to school -- together." 

Johnson wasn't sure what that meant. School? Together?

"For a week, he went to every class with me," said Johnson. "I was embarrassed. He sat next to me. He helped me take notes."

It took a while, but his grades improved. So did his attitude.

"But I don't think it would have happened if my father didn't go to school that week [in the seventh grade] with me," he said. "I really don't."

Is it surprising to hear that Grady Sizemore will not play this season? What is the future for the starting pitching? The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore will not play this season. Paul Hoynes talks about Sizemore's future with the team, if there is any.

Is it surprising to hear that Grady Sizemore will not play this season? What is the future for the starting pitching?

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

Among other topics discussed:

• Do the Indians rebuild?

• Should Chris Perez be fined and/or suspended?

• Is Manny Acta on the hotseat?

• If the Indians trade away Shin-Soo Choo, will they want pitching or hitting?

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

Be sure to follow Hoynes on Twitter.

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur removed cornerback Joe Haden from the field after taking down receiver Travis Benjamin on a completed pass into the end zone during the last day of training camp. Watch video

Colon 39, pitched for the Indians from 1997 until being sent to the Montreal Expos in a major trade during the 2002 season.

Associated PressOakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon has failed a Major League Baseball drug test, according to a report.

Colon resurrected his career after a controversial stem-cell treatment. He is 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA for the A's this year after going 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA with the Yankees last year.