UPDATED: After an awful August, the Indians are 4-2 in September.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Indians returned to Target Field, the headwaters of their discontent, Friday night.

This is where the 11-game losing streak that turned into a 5-24 August and ruined their season began July 27. It's far too late for revenge, but at least the Indians put a little more distance between themselves and last place in the American League Central with a 7-6 victory against the Twins.

Left-hander David Huff, in his 2012 debut after spending the entire minor-league season at Class AAA Columbus, came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning to relieve struggling Jeanmar Gomez and retired 10 straight to win his first game in the big leagues since Aug. 29, 2011. Huff (1-0) struck out four.

"They always give us a heads-up on what our chances of getting into the game are," Huff said. "I was told I had about a 10 percent chance of getting in there tonight.

"I was on eight days' rest, so I figured there was no way I was getting in."

"But Dan Wheeler [who opened the season with the Tribe] told me in Columbus when that phone rings, you be ready no matter [what]."

Huff threw 73 percent of his pitches (24-of-33) for strikes.

"David Huff pretty much saved the day for us," said manager Manny Acta.

As for the Indians returning to the place where their season turned sour, Acta was philosophical.

"The past is history," he said. "The future is unknown. The present is a gift. That's why it's called a present."

Honest, that's what he said.

"I read it in a book," said Acta with a laugh.

The Indians took a 7-4 lead with three runs in the seventh. Jason Kipnis opened the inning with a walk against Tyler Robertson (1-2). He reached second on a botched pickoff attempt and an error before Robertson walked Asdrubal Cabrera and was replaced Alex Burnett.

Carlos Santana forced Cabrera at second on a grounder to first, but Santana managed to run his way out of a double play as Kipnis went to third. Michael Brantley broke the 4-4 tie with a single to right for his second hit of the game.

"Michael has done that for us the whole season," Acta said.

Rookie Russ Canzler followed with his third hit of the night, an infield single to load the bases. Not to be outdone, Casey Kotchman reached on a bad-hop single over Burnett's glove to score Santana. The Indians made it 7-4 when pinch hitter Cord Phelps walked to force Brantley home.

Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez protected the lead from there. Huff recorded the first out of the seventh before Smith relieved and ended the inning. Pestano and Perez each gave up a run, as Perez converted his 35th save in 39 chances.

The Indians, trailing, 4-0, hit their way into a 4-4 tie with two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings.

Canzler made it 4-2 with his first big-league homer, a two-run drive with one out in the fourth off Liam Hendriks after a Brantley single.

"The two-run homer by Canzler was huge," Acta said. "We're down by four at the time, and if we don't get those two, things may have ended differently."

Canzler hit 22 homers and drove in 79 runs in Columbus.

The Indians tied it in the fifth. Jack Hannahan, playing in front of his hometown crowd, opened with a line-drive double off the wall in right-center field. It was the hardest ball Hannahan has hit since the All-Star break.

Shin-Soo Choo followed with a bouncing single over second base. Third-base coach Steve Smith did a great job waving Hannahan home ahead of Ben Revere's off-line throw.

"It was a gutsy call by 'Smitty' because Hannahan broke back on the ball," Acta said. "No guts, no glory."

Kipnis sent Choo to third with a bloop double over third base. With runners at second and third, the Indians were poised to have a big inning. They were lucky to tie.

Cabrera popped out to second. Santana sent a bouncer to first, with Choo running on contact. Justin Morneau threw home, and Choo was tagged out in a rundown as Kipnis moved to third. Hendriks intentionally walked Brantley to face Canzler with the bases loaded.

Canzler sent a slow roller down the third-base line for an RBI single to make it 4-4.

Chris Parmelee's sacrifice fly off Gomez in the second gave the Twins a 1-0 lead. They added three more runs in the third, two coming on Josh Willingham's bases-loaded single. Willingham ended the night with 101 RBI this season.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

With one of the league's youngest teams playing one of the league's toughest schedules, Browns' head coach Pat Shurmur faces a daunting challenge in impressing new owner Jimmy Haslam III, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe smiles of preseason don't really matter now that the first real game under new owner Jimmy Haslam has arrived for Browns head coach Pat Shurmur.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- No football town takes to the underdog quite as warmly as this one. So if there are any extra group hugs to go around after Colt McCoy was embraced as the winner of the backup quarterback competition, Pat Shurmur should be next in line.

A year ago, Shurmur was without an off-season training program, a big-armed quarterback, a dependable running game, veteran wide receivers and an offensive coordinator. His No. 1 running back needed his head examined (and it wasn't for strep throat) One day Peyton Hillis was denying a report he wanted to join the CIA. The next he was being joined in wedlock. During a game week.

Shurmur didn't know who would carry the ball snap to snap. Of course that didn't explain how tight end Alex Smith ended up with it out of the fullback spot.

With all that behind him, Shurmur came to camp this season to learn the team had been sold and the future of Mike Holmgren -- the man who hired Shurmur -- was suddenly unclear.

Then linebacker Chris Gocong was lost for the year. Trent Richardson needed another knee procedure. Joe Haden became the second defensive player to face the possibility of suspension, along with Scott Fujita, who received a temporary reprieve a few days ago.

Oh, and on the eve of a season opener against a much-stronger opponent, he was asked for his thoughts on the Browns' commemorating the passing of Art Modell.

"My focus is on my football team and what happens once we kick the ball off," Shurmur said.

Understandable. Once the ball got kicked off against the Bengals in the 2011 opener, Shurmur got called for a penalty for running into the referee. The bookend to that was the Bruce Gradkowski to A.J. Green pass that caught the Browns sleeping.

No worries. Holmgren was telling everyone still awake by season's end that Shurmur would be the coach here for a long time. That's not entirely out of the question, but clearly in a state of serious flux.

What does he have to do to keep his job? GM Tom Heckert's draft picks -- starting with Brandon Weeden and Richardson -- need to blossom in Shurmur's offense, especially since he's retained play-calling duties. The Browns have to show consistent improvement over four months. If a first impression is going to be a challenge given the early schedule, Shurmur's young team will have to finish better than it started.

It will also need to slay a couple dragons in a division Haslam knows pretty well from his time as a minority owner in Pittsburgh.

This franchise is beyond stale. While Haslam has paid homage to the stability he witnessed in Pittsburgh, a lot will go have to go right for Shurmur to make a case for himself. It's the difference between him becoming the coach Holmgren guaranteed would be the answer to the Browns' instability and being remembered as another Chris Palmer.

We know better than to ask what could go wrong against the Eagles. The better question is what could go more wrong?

The Browns are 1-12 in season openers since 1999, all but one of which has been played at home. But that's not to say all season openers in Cleveland are created equally dismal.

View full sizeDavid I. Andersen, PD fileA mystified look on Dwayne Rudd's face resulted in a shocked fan base after the 2002 opening day loss to Kansas City.

Spin's Feeble Five

5. 2008: Dallas 28, Browns 10 -- Winner in the non Pittsburgh-related mismatch category.

Cowboys become one of six Opening Day opponents since 1999 to run for more than 150 yards. Outgained Browns, 487-205. Tony Romo throws for 320, Derek Anderson for 114. Yeti sighting reported during game. Turns out it was D.A. loping for 24 yards as the Browns' second-leading rusher.

4. 2007: Pittsburgh 34, Browns 7 -- Not as bad as the 1999 opener. But tell me the last time a team started a quarterback (Charlie Frye) in its season opener, benched him and then traded him two days later. Oh and the Steelers ran for 206 yards.

3. 2011: Bengals 27, Browns 17 -- Answering the question whether the NFL should test for Ambien. In a somnambulant lack of focus, the Browns fail to get out of the defensive huddle and allow a 41-yard touchdown pass from Gradkowski to Green with 4:31 remaining.

Bengals score again when Cedric Benson runs 39 yards for a TD inside two minutes. At least Shurmur wasn't penalized for running into an official in his NFL debut. Oops. Scratch that.

2. 2002: Kansas City 40, Browns 39 -- Dwayne Rudd rips off his helmet in premature celebration, giving the Chiefs one last play. Morten Anderson's 30-yard field goal wins it, ruining a three-TD, 326-yard passing performance by Kelly Holcomb.

Browns defy an absolute. You get a Kevin Johnson-to-Quincy Morgan TD pass, you should absolutely win.

1. 1999: Steelers 43, Browns 0 -- The game that prematurely began Tim Couch's career as a pinata and set an "Friday the 13th" tone for the next 12 years (and counting). Steelers had 33 first downs. Browns had two. Steelers rushed for 217 yards. Browns rushed for nine. Browns had 40 total yards.

Before the schedule was made for that season, we'd written that the only right way to come back to the NFL after three years of darkness was against Pittsburgh.

#whatagreatcallhuh?

Honorable mention: 2001 9-6 loss to Seattle on a 52-yard field goal with seconds remaining; 2003 9-6 loss to Indianapolis on 45-yard-field goal with a second remaining.

Memories.

SPINOFFS

View full sizeAP fileThis has not been Roger Goodell's greatest week as NFL commissioner.

Credit David Modell for doing the right thing in asking the Browns to forego a public remembrance of his late father. Nothing good, or heartfelt, could've come from it.

Worst-case scenario. It would've made Bottlegate look like a church service. ...

Whatever happens from here, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell over-reached so egregiously in dealing with Scott Fujita, Jonathan Vilma, Anthony Hargrove and Will Smith it's good to see him get his knuckles whacked by a three-person panel temporarily overturning the suspensions.

Somehow, Goodell wanted the players association to stand with him against the bounty system in New Orleans. And I want to believe the role of Thor came down to myself and Chris Hemsworth. ...

Lance Armstrong is banned from the Chicago Marathon. One less sub-three hour marathoner in Paul Ryan's pace group. ...

Bovada put out odds on the first NFL coach to be fired this season. It can't be any comfort to Shurmur that they put him third, behind Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt and San Diego's Norv Turner. And, in doing so, misspelled Shurmur's name. ...

The online betting service also lists an over/under on Weeden's yards-per-game at 195 1/2. I'd bet the over, just figuring this team isn't going to be playing with many leads this season. ...

More pertinent to the 2012 season: Weeden's yards per completion must be higher than the 5.9 average McCoy had a year ago or get ready for another football apocalypse.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Hey Bud:

"Before he crossed the Delaware, General Washington said, 'These lads will follow me to Hell.' What do you think General Pat will say to the Browns before they take the field on Sunday?" -- Russ

"That's the broom closet, guys. The locker room door is over there."

"Bud:

"What if? What if Sports Spin wins a Pulitzer?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

According to the latest Vegas odds, the participants in the condiment race at Indians games have a better chance of winning the Olympic 100 meters.

"Bud:

"Since 1999, have the Browns ever executed a screen pass for a first down?" -- Tom Goldy

No. Team sources tell me they didn't want to show much in the first 13 years.

"Bud:

"What is the real wager between you and the other PD writers over the Browns' season record?" -- Paul S

Winner gets playoff tickets from Mike Holmgren.

"Hey Bud:

"He fired Paul Brown during a newspaper strike, was responsible for ending Jim Brown's career, joined the AFC for cash, traded Paul Warfield and moved the Browns for money for his family. Somehow, I feel no pity." -- Russ

If you want to get bogged down in the facts, that's your call.

"Bud:

"Have you ever told your editors they should shell out more money and get some better writers?" -- Edward Aube

No, but he's been on such a roll lately I believe Chris Perez has.

"Hey Bud:

"Technically, didn't Scott Fujita lose his appeal since he now has to play three more games with the Browns this year?" -- Matt D, Brunswick

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection"Bud:

"What happens to Grady Sizemore's personal days?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners have to watch from the sidelines.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Dalton Williams leads the Zips with 313 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Miami -- Jake Medlock threw for 209 yards and rushed for 141 as Florida International defeated Akron, 41-38, in overtime Saturday in Miami.

Medlock, who threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns in his debut last week, opened the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run.

However, Akron's Dalton Williams threw three straight touchdowns to give the Zips (0-2) a 20-7 lead before Medlock's touchdown pass to Jairus Williams cut the deficit to 20-14 at halftime.

Williams threw his fifth touchdown to Marquelo Suel to give Akron a 38-35 lead with 1:53 to play, but FIU's Jack Griffin connected from 30 yards out as time expired.

Akron lost 3 yards on its overtime possession before Robert Stein's 45-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Griffin's 41-yarder in overtime gave a victory to the Panthers (1-1).

Safety John Cyprien led the FIU defense with 11 tackles. The junior, who had nine tackles last week, now stands 10 tackles shy of tying the school-record of 302 total.

Williams led Akron with 313 yards passing.

After a few years off the grid, The Predictors mixes in cleveland.com staff with local and national celebrities. They will pick winners (with the spread) of every NFL game throughout the season.

Glenn Moore

Dan Labbe

Joey Morona

Dennis Manoloff

Adam "The Bull"

Dustin Fox

Michelle Beadle

The Miz

Chris Perez

Chad Zumock

Jamal Anderson

Matt Iseman

Plain Dealer Browns reporter says fans should keep an eye on rookie WR Josh Gordon.

Receiver Josh Gordon has a chance to be a big-play target for the Cleveland Browns.

1. 33 is greater than 3

For all the talk about quarterback Brandon Weeden, the performance of running back Trent Richardson is more critical to the Browns' success. How quickly Richardson can get up to speed following the arthroscopic procedure to his left knee could make the difference between a 6-10 season and a 2-14 season. A healthy Richardson could take pressure off Weeden and accelerate the quarterback's development.

2. All eyes on Gordon

After a slow start to training camp, rookie receiver Josh Gordon is looking more comfortable by the week. The Browns used a second-round supplemental pick to acquire him so there will be immediate expectations. Gordon has the size and potential to be a dynamic playmaker.

3. Helped wanted

The Browns were thin at linebacker before Chris Gocong was lost for the season to a torn Achilles. The Browns have to hope James-Michael Johnson develops quickly. D'Qwell Jackson will be solid if healthy, but this unit is facing lots of challenges.

4. Change is coming

New owner Jimmy Haslam strikes me as a passionate man who won't be patient in his rebuild. He knows it's all about winning and unless there is an unexpected harvest of it, the Browns could be looking at a new president, general manager and coach next season.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

If the Browns are going to be successful this season they'll need their rookies to play well.

PD Browns defensive linemen John Hughes.

1. Will the kids be all right?

The success of this season will largely depend on how all of the rookies fare. Five will start or play key roles on offense, five or six others on defense. Overall, there are 15 rookies and 27 players with one year of NFL experience or less. All of that youth brings mistakes but also exuberance.

2. Take it away

No matter how young the Browns are, they can win games if they win the turnover battle. Since 1999, teams that win the turnover battle win the game almost 80 percent of the time. In preseason, the Browns turned the ball over too much. Last year, the Browns protected the football, tying for fourth with only 19 giveaways. But they were horrible in takeaways with only 20. That won't cut it this year.

3. Rookie DTs

The Browns got heat for overdrafting Cincinnati's John Hughes in the third round but looked prescient when starter Phil Taylor tore a pectoral. Hughes looked stout in preseason but might give way in the starting lineup to fellow rookie Billy Winn, a sixth-round pick from Boise State. Expect them to remain in the rotation when Taylor returns.

4. Don't forget Cribbs

Say what you will about Josh Cribbs as a receiver, but he always makes plays with the ball in his hands. He might not run precise routes, but he's crafty and physical enough to get open and make yards after the catch. Last season, he finished second on the team in receptions (41) and receiving yards (518). An average of one out of every 10 catches was a TD. Cribbs on offense still makes sense to me.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

Here is the final Browns roster for 2012, in a one-piece printable table.

Here is the Cleveland Browns' complete team roster for 2012. You can find player stats here after the season begins. The active-players table can be sorted by each of the headers.  Click once to sort by a column, once more to sort it in reverse.

A 6-12 mark is the best Plain Dealer staff see the Browns doing this season.

MARY KAY CABOT

AFC North: Steelers

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Ravens, Chargers

AFC champ: Patriots

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC East: Giants

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Eagles, Bears

NFC champ: Packers

Super Bowl champ: Packers

Browns finish: 6-10, fourth

Browns comment: Kids do the darndest things. Maybe they'll surprise us all.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are the favorite pick of Plain Dealer football reporters to win the Super Bowl. Nam Y. Huh l Associated Press

BILL LIVINGSTON

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Chiefs, Steelers

AFC champ: Patriots

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Saints

NFC East: Cowboys

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Bears, Falcons

NFC champ: Packers

Super Bowl champ: Packers

Browns finish: 4-12, fourth

Browns comment: If Trent Richardson is healthy, how much difference will he make? This season, not much.

DENNIS MANOLOFF

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Chargers

AFC wild cards: Steelers, Broncos

AFC champ: Patriots

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC East: Eagles

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Giants, Panthers

NFC champ: Panthers

Super Bowl champ: Patriots

Browns finish: 5-11, fourth

Browns comment: Rebuilding pains persist, record-wise, but hope becomes evident, especially at quarterback and running back.

TERRY PLUTO

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Chiefs

AFC wild cards: Steelers, Broncos

AFC champ: Patriots

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC East: Giants

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Bears, Eagles

NFC champ: 49ers

Super Bowl champ: Patriots

Browns finish: 6-10, fourth

Browns comment: And this will be success as it's their best record in five years!

TOM REED

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Steelers, Chargers

AFC champ: Patriots

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Saints

NFC East: Giants

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Eagles, Atlanta

NFC champ: Packers

Super Bowl champ: Packers

Browns finish: 4-12, fourth

Browns comment: Just too many "ifs" and rookies to see much improvement in the standings.

BUD SHAW

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Chargers

AFC wild cards: Steelers, Bills

AFC champ: Texans

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC East: Giants

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Bears, Eagles

NFC champ: Packers

Super Bowl champ: Packers

Browns finish: 5-11, fourth

Browns comment: The schedule isn't as tough as it looks, but given the inexperience on this team the sledding will be.

BRANSON WRIGHT

AFC North: Steelers

AFC South: Texans

AFC East: Patriots

AFC West: Raiders

AFC wild cards: Ravens, Chiefs

AFC champ: Texans

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC East: Giants

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Eagles, Bears

NFC champ: 49ers

Super Bowl champ: Texans

Browns finish: 4-12, fourth

Browns comment: "Deja vu all over again."

It's Brandon Weeden's time. How much worse can he be than the motley crew of QBs who preceded him?

Browns quarterbacks Jeff Garcia, Todd Husak and Kelly Holcomb walk along the field during a May 2004 practice in Berea.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Evidence suggests that the Browns wouldn't recognize a quarterback if Dr. Frank Ryan sat down next to them to explain why Gary Collins was so open in the 1964 NFL Championship Game.

Suffice it to say that ghastly decisions have been made routinely ever since the team returned in 1999, such as the Browns' selection of Spergon Wynn at No. 183 overall in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, 16 picks ahead of Tom Brady.

I'm going to throw out the dross (I know, I know; an argument can be made that they're all dross) of Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski, Doug Pederson, Luke McCown and Wynn. No one ever had big plans for them.

That leaves a thematically appropriate 11-man QB corps.

Counting them down, worst to first (which in this case isn't going real far):

11. Ty Detmer, 1998, (0-1 record as a starter) -- The role model for Charlie Frye, Detmer, supposedly the savvy veteran who would buy time for Tim Couch, was benched at halftime of the 43-0 season-opening loss to Pittsburgh in 1999. Special memory: Hilariously, he returned to throw seven interceptions for the Lions against the Browns in 2001.

10. Jake Delhomme, 2010, (2-2) -- The second Detmer experiment, coming here as another savvy veteran, he proved to be more washed up than driftwood on the Lake Erie shoreline. Special memory: There was nothing special about Delhomme at that stage of his career.

9. Jeff Garcia, 2004, (3-7) --Signed as a free agent by Butch Davis, Garcia feuded with offensive lineman Ross Verba and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Special memory: Garcia's "Bluto Game," a 0.0 QB rating against Dallas in 2004, bringing to mind future senator John Blutarsky's GPA at Faber College in "Animal House."

8. Frye, 2005-07, (6-13) --With 14 TD passes and 23 picks, Frye, a fan favorite because he was from the area (the University of Akron and Willard, Ohio), was benched after one half of the opener in 2007 and traded for a sixth-round draft choice two days later. Special memory: Coach Romeo Crennel flipped a coin to decide whether Frye or Derek Anderson would start. Perhaps the coin should have.

7. Brady Quinn, 2007-09, (3-9) -- With only a 52.1 percent completion figure, a pathetic statistic in today's possession-passing game, Quinn managed 10 TDs and nine picks with a 67.2 QB rating. Special memory: Defensive tackle Shaun Smith belted Quinn in the face in the weight room.

6. Trent Dilfer, 2004 (4-7) --He actually leads this class in remedial quarterbacking in average passing yards per game (211.) Special memory: Worst quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl, with (doh!) Baltimore.

5. Seneca Wallace, 2010-11 (1-6) -- Limited playing time, good mobility and a non-Garcian QB rating (76.6) combined with a positive (6/4) TD/interception ratio to suggest he deserved more looks. Special memory: Yanked by Pat Shurmur after a snappy, professional-looking completion in the red zone against Pittsburgh for a concussed Colt McCoy, who had just been scraped off the turf.

4. McCoy, 2010-11, (6-15) --His surprising 20/20 TDs to interceptions ratio was a result of garbage time scores to get the Browns within a recovered onside kick of tying or winning in the final seconds. Special memory: Said "the hay is in the barn" before his first start in Pittsburgh. With his protection, the barn, unfortunately, was on fire.

3. Couch, 1999-2003 (22-37) -- Mediocre all the way with 64 TDs, 67 picks and a 75.1 rating. Even with all the excuses made for him on an expansion team (166 sacks!), he was one of the great draft busts of all time. Special memory: Turning long scoring passes into 50-50 balls because of a lack of arm strength.

2. Kelly Holcomb, 2001-04, (4-8) -- It's not his fault that 33 points weren't enough in the playoffs against Pittsburgh (thank youuuu, Dennis Northcutt) nor 48 enough in Butch Davis' last game at Cincinnati. His 26/21 TD/picks ratio is the best of the restoration era. Special memory: Broke his leg on a quarterback sneak.

1. Anderson, 2006-09, (16-18) -- The most startling season in recent memory (29 TDs, 19 picks) actually led to a Pro Bowl appearance in 2007. It was fool's gold. Anderson finished as a Brown at 46/45 in TDs/picks. Special memory: After his fourth pick in a loss against Cincinnati in 2007, in a game that could have clinched the playoffs, Anderson ran off the field, hands clasped to his helmet, as if fearful his head might pop off, like a champagne cork.

Few of these guys even had a big moment, and when they did, it was too big for them. Now it's the turn of the 17th starter since 1999, soon-to-be 29-year-old rookie Brandon Weeden.

Here's looking at you, sort-of kid.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

AFC North looks as strong as last year with three teams picked to go better than 8-8.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff breaks down the 2012 AFC divisional races, listed in his predicted order of finish, with predicted record in parentheses:

NORTH

Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

The Ravens were a dropped pass by Cleveland native Lee Evans from playing the Giants in the Super Bowl last season. No reason they can't be at the doorstep again. They have a steady, if enigmatic, offense and an ageless defense that feeds off intangibles. Their veteran leadership on both sides enables them to rise to the occasion in big games more often than not.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

No matter how many issues surround Steelers personnel, the team is projected to contend annually. Why? They are the Steelers. (See: culture of winning). Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a slight rotator-cuff tear to add to his already beat-up body parts, but somehow, some way, he will perform at a high level. The defense needs to overcome the humiliation of being bounced from last year's playoffs by Tim Tebow, passer.

Running back Ray Rice is looking to have another big seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

When not much is expected of the Bengals, as was the case entering last season, they tend to surprise. They were supposed to be awful, then went 9-7 and made the playoffs -- albeit by feasting on lesser lights. But Cincinnati over the past couple of decades has failed to deliver in those times when hopes are high, so we'll see. The second-year duo of quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green is fun to watch.

Cleveland Browns (5-11)

The Browns are rebuilding and young -- a potentially toxic combination in a division where the other three teams are coming off playoff berths. Learning curves of running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden, the Browns' first-round picks in April, will go a long way in determining whether Browns stay competitive against a schedule that projects to be nasty.

SOUTH

Houston Texans (11-5)

The Texans have a right to wonder what might have been if quarterback Matt Schaub had been active for a playoff game at Baltimore last January. Reserve T.J. Yates simply did not have the tools necessary, and the Texans were dismissed. They took a hit in losing defensive end Mario Williams to free agency, but they still are plenty good. They appear even better given the state of the division.

Tennessee Titans (8-8)

The Titans went 9-7 last season, but they easily could be 0-4 at this year's quarter poll (New England, at San Diego, Detroit, at Houston). In part because of doubts surrounding the quarterback position -- Jake Locker was named starter over Matt Hasselbeck in training camp -- Tennessee desperately needs running back Chris Johnson to return to dominant form. He rushed for a pedestrian 1,047 yards on 262 carries in 2011.

Indianapolis Colts (6-10)

A 2-14 record in 2011 brought the first overall pick in April. The Colts used it on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who certainly looks the part as he attempts to succeed Peyton Manning. The addition of Luck, alone, won't mean instant contention, but it should be enough to overtake the Jacksonville Jaguars and escape the division's cellar.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

The Jaguars went 5-11 last season, two of the victories coming against Indianapolis. New coach Mike Mularkey has a full plate. Blaine Gabbert, based on stats and the eye test, was perhaps the worst quarterback in the league last year. He will need to improve exponentially to give running back Maurice Jones-Drew some help. Don't bank on it.

EAST

New England Patriots (14-2)

The Patriots are the NFL's version of the Yankees: perennial threats to win it all. They keep winning because of quarterback Tom Brady's video-game passing offense, an offense that actually has gotten better on paper. Whether they will return to the Super Bowl depends on the defense, which appears to have improved -- a scary thought for the rest of the league.

New York Jets (8-8)

If the Lombardi Trophy were awarded to the team that talks the most, the Jets would win every year that Rex Ryan remains coach. OK, we get it, Rex: You believe in your guys. Foremost among the challenges this season is to get the most out of quarterback Mark Sanchez while Tim Tebow is smiling and high on life in the "backup" role. Brady and Belichick aren't nervous.

Buffalo Bills (7-9)

They made a cannon-ball splash in free agency, signing defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson as bookends to a 4-3. Regardless how much better the defense is, Buffalo won't bust out of a cycle of losing until their quarterback play is consistently good. Harvard-educated Ryan Fitzpatrick seeks redemption after throwing 23 interceptions last year for a 6-10 club.

Miami Dolphins (3-13)

Patience of the fan base will be tested again this season as the Dolphins rebuild under new coach Joe Philbin. Reversing the fortunes of the previous three seasons (7-9, 7-9, 6-10) likely will depend on how quickly rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill develops. In the interim, it is difficult to imagine Miami finishing anywhere but last in an otherwise stacked division.

WEST

San Diego Chargers (11-5)

One of these seasons, coach Norv Turner and quarterback Philip Rivers are going to team up to win something of significance. As disappointing as they and the Chargers were last season, finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs, once again it's difficult not to pick them to win the West because they have enough talent. Rivers needs to cut down on the picks (20 in 2011).

Denver Broncos (9-7)

The Broncos won the division and beat the Steelers in the playoffs last season -- and the bigwigs were thrilled to part ways with the quarterback who helped get them there. Tim Tebow has been replaced by free-agent signee Peyton Manning, who should have Denver in contention again provided his surgically repaired neck holds up. That is a huge question mark, though.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

When Todd Haley mercifully was fired in-season last year, Romeo Crennel took over and the players responded. The Chiefs handed Green Bay its first loss and, in the season finale, defeated Denver. The lovable "RAC" returns without the interim tag and no doubt will have the defense humming. The offense, "led" by quarterback Matt Cassel, is the concern.

Oakland Raiders (5-11)

In 2011, the Raiders were so desperate after losing quarterback Jason Campbell to injury against the Browns in Week 6 that they pulled Carson Palmer off the living-room recliner in a trade with Cincinnati. Palmer shook off rust in time to throw for big numbers in two of the last three games, but it's probably too much to ask him to carry Oakland to the playoffs. The defense simply isn't good enough.

Terry Pluto doesn't think the Browns will win a lot of games, but they will play better with a young and improving team.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe success of Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) will go a long way toward determining the future of coach Pat Shurmur.

Talking to myself about the Browns season . . .

Question: The Browns' final record will be?

Answer: Make it 6-10.

Q: Didn't you say they'd be 6-10 last season?

A: And the year before that ... and the year before that ... and

Q: And what?

A: And for the fourth year in a row, I'm picking them at 6-10. And I'm going to keep picking them at 6-10 until they finally get to 6-10.

Q: Is that a rather low bar of excellence?

A: It's not even mediocrity, but let's be real. In the past four years, the records were 4-12, 5-11, 5-11 and 4-12.

Q: Ugh!

A: Is that a question? Never mind, I get the point. This is a team where 6-10 would be progress.

Q: So what's the point?

A: I don't think the Browns will win a lot of games, but 6-10 with a young and improving team is a possibility.

Q: Do you think the fan base will settle for that?

A: The fan base has been subjected to the worst football in the NFL for the past 13 years. And that came after the franchise revealed its darkness of the soul by moving the Baltimore. Settle? The team has average 4.5 victories in the past four years, 5.6 victories in the past 10 years.

Q: Pass the Tums.

A: Exactly.

Q: Are you really talking about rebuilding?

A: Rebuilding what? You have to have had something built right to try to rebuild. The Browns have not had consecutive winning seasons since 1986-89. What's to rebuild? All of those players are retired. It's build, baby, build.

Q: And here come the excuses?

A: Here comes a rookie running back in Trent Richardson. And the rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden, the 11th different opening day starting quarterback in the past 13 years. And here comes a rookie receiver in Josh Gordon, a rookie linebacker in L.J. Fort, a rookie tackle in John Hughes. All except Gordon are expected to start. And Gordon will play a lot.

Q: Sounds bad?

A: It sounds like a team that will lose more than it wins. But it could be good if Weeden becomes a viable quarterback. ... If Richardson is a 1,200-yard rusher. ... If young receivers such as Greg Little, Travis Benjamin and Gordon produce. It could be promising, if the young defense continues to make progress.

Q: Do you think Weeden is a franchise quarterback?

A: I doubt it. A franchise quarterback is someone such as Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger or the Manning brothers. It's a guy who has been in the league for several years and won a lot of games. There are very few franchise quarterbacks, and the term is thrown around too often.

Q: So you don't like Weeden?

A: Just the opposite, I do like him. I like his arm strength and accuracy. I just hope the line blocks well enough so he doesn't end up feeling like a potted plant by mid-season.

Q: Haven't we heard all this before?

A: Browns fans have heard everything before when it comes to promises about the future except, "Super Bowl tickets on sale next week."

Q: So this is more of the same?

A: I don't think so. We'll learn more about Tom Heckert's drafting skills this year. But I like what Heckert has done the past few seasons. I do think he is putting in a decent foundation.

Q: What if new owner Jimmy Haslam doesn't think 6-10 is good enough?

A: If Haslam doesn't want to call 6-10 a success, he's right. If he says he's not content with 6-10, that's correct. But if he wants to fire everyone in Berea because they had a 6-10 record with a lot of young players in key roles -- he needs to reconsider.

Q: So what will Haslam do?

A: I have no idea, other than do a better job of marketing the team from the top down because he is a retail guy thanks to his truck stops. How he'll handle the losing, how he looks at the big picture of running a football franchise -- no one knows.

Q: How many games does Pat Shurmur need to win to stay as coach?

A: Can we just let the guy coach and see how the team plays? He went out and added two veteran offensive assistants in Brad Childress and Nolan Cromwell. He had a very rocky rookie year at 4-12, but coaches can improve just as players can get better. Let's give him a chance, rather than staying in the Browns State of Mind where we always are looking for the next coach and/or the next quarterback to be the savior.

Q: So 6-10 and vague promises about the future are the best you can do?

A: Hey, it's an upgrade over what we've been watching the past four years.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

"Look what Bernie did for this city," Weeden says. "If we can win some games and get this town excited about what we're doing here, it would be extremely special."

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden - who spent five years in minor league baseball before walking on to the football team at Oklahoma State - has rubbed shoulders with Roger Clemens and George Steinbrenner, threw a 97 mph fastball in high school, is great friends with pro golfer Rickie Fowler, has a 4-handicap of his own, and once left his brand new Hummer on the side of the road to get to a football game.

Here's a look at the Browns' new but old rookie quarterback:

Q: Why baseball over football as a kid?

A: My younger brother Ty and I both played baseball all the time. I was later drafted by the Yankees, and he was drafted by the Red Sox. I started playing tackle football in middle school, but I was way too small.

Q: You're 6-3, 220 now. Hard to imagine you puny.

A: I was about 5-7, 135 as a freshman, maybe even 5-5. I got to 6-1 the summer before my sophomore year and by the end of my sophomore year almost 6-4. But I was so skinny and frail -- about 160. In 7th, 8th and 9th grade I had no business playing football.

Q: But at 16, your high school football coach wanted to see your stuff?

A: He heard I had a gun. There was a fire extinguisher about 35 yards across the gym. He said, "See if you can hit it?" I smoked it and knocked it down.

Q: The rest of your family?

A: I've always had a very close-knit family. Ty is 24 and my youngest brother Cameron is 21. He got all the brains and decided he didn't like sports. Our parents never pushed us. Baseball is just what Ty and I always wanted to do.

From the time he was a 4-year-old T-baller, Weeden was a fast riser in youth athletics in Oklahoma, always the youngest on the team. Courtesy Weeden family

Q: Your fastest fastball in high school?

A: 97 mph. I needed to get the last three outs to get us to the state championship. It was like 96, 96, 97, boom, boom, boom. I don't think I ever clocked a 97 in the minors. 96 tops.

Q: You were the first player chosen by the Yankees in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft out of high school. How did that feel?

A: When you're 18 years old, you're on top of the world. You think $560,000 (signing bonus) is going to last the rest of your life. Honestly, more than anything, to see a check from the New York Yankees signed by George Steinbrenner for that amount of money, that's a dream come true. Any kid would be overwhelmed by that and I was. It was a pretty cool to start my life.

Q: So you left home at 18?

A: I flew to Tampa two days later. I had to live on my own and do my own laundry. Talk about your life changing overnight. The next year, I bought a car and drove across the country by myself. I had to grow up fast, which has helped me along the way. Every kid should have to do it.

As his baseball career wound down with the High Desert Mavericks, Weeden got needed support from his wife, Melanie, to return to college and pursue his football ambitions. Courtesy Weeden family

Q: What kind of car does a new hotshot Yankees minor league pitcher buy with his signing bonus?

A: The H2 Hummer. I was one of the first ones in Oklahoma City to have one, and I thought I was so cool. They were so new and I stood out like a sore thumb. It was like, "Oh, there goes Brandon." I loved it though, man. It was one of my favorite cars.

Q: But your first road trip didn't go so well?

A: I was driving to an OU-Texas football game right after I got it. I was still 18. It had 652 miles on it and the transmission went out. I was going 80 mph down the highway. I left it on the side of the road. Left the keys right under the front tire. I think that's the maddest my parents have ever been at me. I left a $53,000 car on the side of the road so I could get to the game.

Q: Your favorite George Steinbrenner moment?

A: He lived in Tampa, where I was playing Class A ball. He was the most intimidating person I've ever been around in my entire life. If he's coming, you get out of his way. During a game one night, a bunch of us pitchers were watching the game and the Boss starts walking toward us. There were two empty chairs, one next to me. We were all like "Oh God, please don't sit next to us." Sure enough, he sits right next to me. We started talking and he was the nicest, most genuinely awesome guy. Great story teller. He told stories about how he made all of his money. He told stories about his horseracing and about his family. It was really cool. It was the fastest game in rookie ball I've ever been through. Now that he's passed away, I realize it was a pretty special deal.

Q: Your Roger Clemens encounter?

A: He was in Tampa rehabbing a groin. So I got to meet him and talk to him a little bit and it was obviously a dream come true right there. I watched him do some stuff on the mound. It was obviously pretty cool.

Q: How did you meet your wife Melanie, whom you married in 2009?

A: We met through one of my buddies who played pro baseball. We went to her house. She says it was love at first sight for her. I had a girlfriend at the time and I was still getting over that. But Melanie and I started talking and hit it off.

Q: What was it about her?

A: Honestly, the reason I fell in love with her so much so quickly was (that) we'd be at my house or my buddies' houses, we'd be sitting around drinking beers or whatever, she'd come over and she was so much fun to be around. She fit right in with the guys. She's a cool girl.

Q: How did she take the news that you were going back to college at 23 to play football?

A: That was not an easy conversation. She was like, "Are you crazy?" I've put her through so much and she's never batted an eyelash. She's just genuinely extremely supportive, never questions anything. And we've got an unbelievable relationship. She's a special girl. I'm lucky to have her.

Q: And she's a football fan of course?

A: She is now, but I had to get out a piece of paper and draw little Xs and Os. She didn't know what a receiver was.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden dressed up in support of his fellow former Oklahoma State University standout, Rickie Fowler, during the final round of The Memorial this summer. Columbus Dispatch via AP

Q: You donned the Rickie Fowler orange-on-orange at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus recently. How did you and Rickie become friends?

A: We came to Oklahoma State the same year. I took on golf and kind of became close with the guys on the golf team. Both of us have a dirt bike background. We just hit it off. He's a heck of a guy. What he's done for golf for this generation is amazing. He's extremely laid back. Just a good dude. He has no ego at all.

Q: Your own handicap?

A: I've gotten down to a 2, but right now I'm about a 4. I've been a little busy.

Q: Is the tour in your future?

A: I'd love to. My dream would be to play on a mini-tour, just to do it. That would be pretty cool. I don't know. It depends on how much I play when I'm done. Probably quite a bit.

Q: Other ways to spend your free time?

A: We have a lake house north of Tulsa. We park the boat and spend time with family and friends. It's kind of an escape for the whole family to get away from the stress of life and be around the people you care about.

Q: Life after football?

A: I've got good ties with the oil and gas business. In Oklahoma, it's booming. It always has kind of been. I've become close with a lot of people that are in that industry. If I was going to coach, I'd probably coach college football. But the oil and gas industry is always something I've found interesting.

Q: On your iPod?

A: I'll listen to some rap, but I'm more country. Anything but really hard heavy metal.

Q: On your bucket list?

A: 1. Play Augusta. I've been to the Masters twice and it's awesome. 2. Go to the new Yankees Stadium. 3. Travel all over Europe.

Q: The perfect day with your dad and brothers.

A: 18 holes, go watch a game somewhere and grill steaks on my parents' patio. To travel and see a bunch of parks and stadiums as a fan would be great.

Q: Do you ever dream you're back on the mound?

A: No, I don't miss it as much as people would expect. The last couple of years took the fun out of it for me.

Q: You've become good friends with Bernie Kosar. What's some advice he's given you?

A: Don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to. Go play football. He's told me several times, watching me throw a football is like artwork. He said just go throw the football and do what you do best and help this team win games.

Q: Your hopes and dreams for here?

A: This city is such a sports-driven town. If we were able to win some games, this town would just erupt. To be a quarterback that's part of that? Look what Bernie did for this city. If we can win some games and get this town excited about what we're doing here, it would be extremely special.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

The NFL is pass happy in 2012 but that doesn't change Trent Richardson's value to a victory-starved team.

At 230 pounds, Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson will bring good size to whatever hole he runs through.

Finally, we can talk about Trent Richardson.

And, happily, it's not to ask what he thinks of Colt McCoy.

The drum beat for Richardson fell silent in early August after knee surgery. Without Richardson showing why the Browns chose him No. 3 overall, a football town yearning for some serious optimism from its poor huddled team was instead subjected to an excruciating conversation about quarterbacks the Browns hope not to play this season.

Richardson is so important to the development of an underwhelming offense and underaged team that if the Browns think he can play against Philadelphia in the season opener, it's smart to wait a week and be sure of it.

Erring on the side of caution in August makes no sense if you throw it to the wind the first weekend of September.

"I can't wait to see him in pads," Browns' defensive end Jabaal Sheard told reporters this week, speaking for a fan base, locker room, coaching staff and, no doubt, a new owner with roots in the SEC.

It not only beats watching him ride a bike in shorts, Richardson in pads is integral to the maturation of Pat Shurmur's offense. Blaming the lack of accomplished receivers for Colt McCoy's season taking on water in 2011 isn't wrong. It just ignores the fact that Shurmur (and McCoy) couldn't depend on the running game handoff to handoff, let alone week to week.

Richardson looks like the fix. He is uniquely built to carry a NFL running game. At 5-9, he is short without being little, a runner who won't be easily located behind his offensive line.

At 230 pounds, he's got 20 pounds on Baltimore's Ray Rice and Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew. When tacklers do find him, some will wish they hadn't.

"He has everything you want in a running back," said cornerback Joe Haden, who played against Richardson's Alabama Crimson Tide while at the University of Florida.

Hopefully for the Browns that includes two good knees. That's a requirement to help correct the notion that drafting a running back in the Top 5 is folly in a quarterback-driven NFL. (And one critic who thinks that even as running backs go, Richardson is "ordinary." But more on Jim Brown later.)

What made Richardson a smart pick for the Browns isn't just his unique size and strength or his quickness. He can pick up the blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield -- two rather important ingredients to keep a running back on the field in obvious passing situations.

Six or seven seasons of an All-Pro caliber running back would not qualify as a short-lived career in a town dying to see a back -- any back -- produce even two good years consecutively.

In the same "everything is relative" vein, not impressing Jim Brown isn't quite the same as not impressing, say, Browns' training camp star Ben Gay.

You hope Brown was lashing out at Browns' President Mike Holmgren or simply comparing Richardson to himself when he said this on the day the Browns moved up to take Richardson:

"I think he's ordinary. I think the kid is a good working back, and if you've got everything else around him he can play his role. But when it comes to outstanding, I don't see anything outstanding about him."

We'll find out if Brown is right. But if the Browns had everything else -- franchise quarterback, big-time wide receiver, All-Pro pass rusher, shut-down corner -- they probably wouldn't have been in a place to draft Richardson or have the salary cap room to afford him.

Richardson's reaction to Brown's slam suggests more good things about him. After initially dismissing it, he has embraced it as another challenge in a short life filled with them on and off the field.

"In my head, that means I have a lot of work to do," Richardson said before adding that he has "big shoes to fill."

Lots of rookies come into the league not knowing anything about the football tradition in their new town. Richardson was slapped in the face with it. He responded to Brown's comments the way you'd like to think he will after his first collision with James Harrison or Ray Lewis.

He also knows what isn't part of Browns history.

"Hopefully, I can be one of the guys to be on a Super Bowl team in Cleveland," Richardson has said.

For now, he looks like the right kind of running back in the right place.

As far as the right time goes, he figures to be the most stabilizing influence and quickest learner on an offense featuring a big-armed rookie quarterback and raw wide receivers going through some serious on-the-job training.

More: Cleveland Browns 2012 Preview »

Philadelphia Eagles, underachievers in 2011, are hungry and dangerous.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff breaks down the 2012 NFC divisional races, listed in his predicted order of finish, with predicted record in parentheses:

EAST

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

Entering last season, backup quarterback Vince Young spoke of the Eagles being a "dream team." They proceeded to suffer numerous injuries and finish 8-8, needing to go 4-0 in the last four to break even. With Young gone, the Eagles can focus on just playing football. They are dangerous on both sides of the ball and on special teams, and they are hungry. The Browns get the first look, today in Cleveland.

New York Giants (10-6)

The Giants under coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning have an unusual formula for winning Super Bowls: Periodically struggle in the regular season, win on the road in the playoffs, then face the mighty Patriots in the grand finale. The Giants won it all after 2007 (10-6) and 2011 (9-7), defeating New England (which had 16-0 and 13-3 regular seasons) each time. New York is even more talented this season; if the players stay interested, they could win the division.

AP file Michael Vick (7, avoiding Green Bay's Desmond Bishop) and the Philadelphia Eagles have high hopes for this season after finishing strong in 2011.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

Few, if any, teams in pro sports have received more hype and delivered so little since the mid-1990s (one playoff victory). Quarterback Tony Romo no longer is the lovable underdog from Eastern Illinois; he's the thirtysomething who gets injured and sacked, the latter total at 36 last season on an 8-8 team. Don't believe the hype: The Cowboys again will tease every once in a while, but they are going nowhere but down.

Washington Redskins (6-10)

The Redskins are coming off a mess of a season, having gone 5-11 to finish in last place. (Incredibly, two of the victories came against the Giants.) Time for Robert Griffin III, whom Washington drafted No. 2 overall after reportedly out-maneuvering Cleveland in a trade with St. Louis, to throw and run to the rescue. RG3 will be electric -- but not without growing pains. And the supporting cast needs work.

NORTH

Green Bay Packers (13-3)

Expect the Packers to shake off that blowout home loss to the Browns in the preseason. LOL. They might not go 15-1, as happened last season, but they will be plenty good. The fulcrum is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2011 was merely 45:6. As an elite passer, Rodgers makes receivers seem better than they actually are. Too bad he can't play defense.

Chicago Bears (9-7)

The Bears will push the Packers because they have star-caliber players on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Quarterback Jay Cutler's thumb injury effectively sunk Chicago last year after a 7-3 start; it finished 8-8. Among the additions is receiver Brandon Marshall, a mercurial but immensely talented player who once teamed with Cutler in Denver. Defense needs to get to the quarterback.

Detroit Lions (9-7)

The Lions improved by four victories to 10-6 last season, thanks largely to sensational performances from Matthew Stafford (5,038 passing yards, 41 TDs) and Calvin Johnson (1,681 receiving yards, 16 TDs). No reason to think Stafford and Johnson can't be as good, but a periodically leaky defense, especially against the run, could prove to be the stumbling block.

Minnesota Vikings (3-13)

The Vikings, coming off a 3-13 season, desperately need running back Adrian Peterson to return to form after tearing his left ACL in December. Quarterback Christian Ponder has shown flashes of quality, but he remains a ways away from potentially carrying an offense. Minnesota is in the wrong division to be vulnerable on defense: Its 28.1 points allowed last year ranked 31st.

SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

Coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan have done great things in Atlanta -- except win playoff games. During their tenure, the Falcons are 43-21 in the regular season, 0-3 in the postseason, including a 24-2 loss at the Giants last year. All Smith and Ryan can do is keep pounding at the door until they knock it down. The talent is in place, most notably at the skill positions on offense.

Carolina Panthers (11-5)

Center Ryan Kalil made noise this summer by using a newspaper ad to guarantee a Super Bowl victory. Kalil is an important player, but he is not the key to making it stick. That burden/responsibility belongs to quarterback Cam Newton, who seeks to build off a dynamic rookie year. Newton and his potent offensive cast need to give a pep talk or three to the defense, which was bad in numerous areas last season.

New Orleans Saints (9-7)

After going 13-3 last season and winning the division, the Saints were eliminated by San Francisco. Then came the real headache: bountygate. A major part of the NFL's punishment was to suspend coach Sean Payton for the upcoming season. If any quarterback can achieve despite not having his coach, Brees can. But it is too much to ask Brees and the Saints to sustain their level of excellence after what happened.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)

The Buccaneers were one of the NFL's most disappointing teams last season, going from 10-6 in 2010 to 4-12. They lost 10 straight to close, which cost Raheem Morris his job. Greg Schiano brings enthusiasm and more enthusiasm from the college ranks (Rutgers). His top two tasks: Get quarterback Josh Freeman to return to the form that had him ticketed for stardom two years ago; shore up a defense that allowed NFL-worst 30.9 points per game.

WEST

San Francisco 49ers (10-6)

Oft-maligned quarterback Alex Smith did an excellent job of "managing" the 49ers to a 13-3 record last season (after 6-10 in 2010) and performed well in a playoff victory over New Orleans. But when coach Jim Harbaugh needed him most, Smith sputtered against the Giants in the NFC title game, the 49ers losing in overtime, 20-17. The 49ers will be the class of the division again, with or without a contribution from Randy Moss.

Arizona Cardinals (7-9)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald deserves better. He is perhaps the best at his craft, but imagine the ceiling if an upper-tier quarterback were throwing to him. As it stands, John Skelton is that guy. The Cardinals, 8-8 last season, feature a defense that is young and fast and improving.

Seattle Seahawks (3-13)

What, exactly, coach Pete Carroll is up to in the great Northwest is known only to Carroll. At the very least, his Seahawks should be entertaining, although the additions of Terrell Owens and former Brown Kellen Winslow did not work out. Seattle's biggest problem is with the most important position on the field: Rookie Russell Wilson gets the nod at quarterback.

St. Louis Rams (3-13)

The Rams were big-time bad last season, going 2-14. One of the victories came against the Browns in Cleveland, 13-12. Steve Spagnuolo, yet another terrific coordinator who flopped as a head coach, was jettisoned in favor of Jeff Fisher. Quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, won't be as mediocre as he was last season. Even if he plays well, though, St. Louis remains a long way away from respectability.

The 2012 Cleveland Browns roster is surprisingly young, but also full of exuberance.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns tight end Ben Watson, one of the team's elder statesmen at 31, surveyed all the newbies around him at the Browns practice facility and then nailed it.

"In this locker room, my 3-year-old is old," Watson said. "I mean goll-ee! We are a young team."

In a year when new owner Jimmy Haslam is watching closely, the kids are going to have to come through in a big-way to give this regime a fighting chance. On final cutdown day, the Browns had the third-youngest team (25.62) behind the Rams and today's opponent, the Eagles.

The roster features 15 rookies -- second-most in the NFL behind the Rams' 17 -- one first-year player in linebacker Craig Robertson and 11 players with only one year under their belt. That's more than half the 53-man roster with a year's experience or less.

"It's obviously nothing we planned," said Browns general manager Tom Heckert. "We wanted the best 53 guys no matter what position. I don't want to be callous here, but they know if they aren't performing we can make changes real (fast)."

Besides, the Browns are confident the youngsters will give them a shot of adrenaline.

"These guys are enthusiastic and they're excited about playing," said Heckert. "Not talking bad about older players, but when you see a bunch of young guys running around, it invigorates the older guys we have. It's a different atmosphere when you have a young team. I don't look at it as a negative at all. We like these guys."

* -- Denotes a rookie.

QUARTERBACK

Starter: Brandon Weeden.

Backups: Colt McCoy, Thad Lewis.

Analysis: Oddly enough, in the midst of the youth movement, the Browns drafted the oldest player ever selected in the first round in Weeden, who will turn 29 next month. Only nine guys on the roster are older than him. He's got a sensational arm, but will have to adjust to big-time pressure and not turn the ball over.

"I don't have any reservations about him being good," said Heckert.

McCoy has a much better command of the offense this year, and what he lacks in a gun, makes up for it with mobility.

"If something happens to Brandon, he can win games for us," said Heckert.

Lewis is a development third QB.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Starters: Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi.

Backups: Josh Gordon*, Travis Benjamin*, Josh Cribbs, Jordan Norwood.

Analysis: The Browns' big upgrade at receiver this year came in the form of rookies Benjamin and Gordon. Benjamin can bolt and Gordon is a tall, big-body who almost looks like a tight end.

"Something clicked for Gordon two weeks ago and he started picking things up," said Heckert.

The challenge will be to find enough reps for both of the rookies, who might rotate in.

"Benjamin can legitimately fly," said Heckert.

The Browns can also play four wides at times now. They're also looking for a big year from Mohamed Massaquoi and plan to use Jordan Norwood and Josh Cribbs in the slot when they can.

Offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, right, is one of 15 rookies on the Cleveland Browns' opening-day roster in 2012.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters: Joe Thomas, Jason Pinkston, Alex Mack, Shawn Lauvao, Mitchell Schwartz*.

Backups: Oniel Cousins, John Greco, Ryan Miller*.

Analysis: Three of the five starters (Pinkston, Lauvao and Schwartz) have one year of experience or less. The other two are Pro Bowlers. Thomas says this unit will be a strength of the offense in 2012. A key will be how second-round pick Schwartz fares against some of the league's top rushers, including Philly's Jason Babin (18 sacks in 2011) right out of the gate. Pinkston and Lauvao should pick up their games with a season under their belts. Cousins can fill in at tackle and Greco at guard and center.

Last season, right tackle Tony Pashos played on a bum ankle and never practiced, so Schwartz should be an upgrade. It might take some time for the right side to jell.

TIGHT ENDS

Starter: Ben Watson.

Backups: Jordan Cameron, Alex Smith.

Analysis: The Browns cut Evan Moore this year and went with only three tight ends. "But if they're healthy, they're going to be really good," said Heckert. Watson, who's season was shortened by concussions, can do it all. Former hoopster Jordan Cameron was the Browns "it" player in camp and they have high high hopes. He'll need to work on his blocking, but "we think he's going to be really good," said Heckert.

Smith can block and is also a decent receiver. The Browns play plenty of two-tight end sets, so there figures to be reps aplenty.

RUNNING BACKS

Starter: Trent Richardson*, Owen Marecic.

Backups: Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson, Chris Ogbonnaya.

Analysis: Fireplug Trent Richardson has all the hallmarks of a superstar: explosiveness, vision, quickness. Question is, how much of a setback was his preseason left knee scope? Montario Hardesty withstood plenty of hits in extensive preseason action, but fumbled twice and had one bad game. It took Brandon Jackson a game to get his sea legs back after sitting last year, but came around. The Browns like Chris Ogbonnaya and kept him as insurance against injuries. Owen Marecic isn't flashy but smart fullback never misses block.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters: Jabaal Sheard, Ahtyba Rubin, John Hughes*, Frostee Rucker.

Backups: Juqua Parker, Billy Winn*, Ishmaa'ily Kitchen*, Emmanuel Stephens.

Analysis: Rucker, the Browns' primary free agent target, should bring good pressure from the right side and take some pressure off Sheard. Parker is also dangerous off the edge. Relentless Ahtyba Rubin could make some Pro Bowl noise if the defense is good. Rookies Hughes and Winn will rotate at injured Phil Taylor's spot until at least midseason. Winn gets good penetration up the middle, something a QB loathes.

"Both of the young guys look really good," said Heckert. "We'll use both."

Rucker also brings a dynamic personality. "Frostee and Juqua are vocal," said Heckert.

LINEBACKER

Starters: Scott Fujita or James-Michael Johnson*, D'Qwell Jackson, Kaluka Maiava.

Backups: Tank Carder*, L.J. Fort*, Craig Robertson*.

Analysis: With Fujita suspended, only two of the linebackers on the roster have ever played in an NFL game (Jackson and Maiava). Nevada's Johnson is a high-motor guy but missed a few weeks with an oblique injury. Rookie Fort is set to start in his place. Losing Chris Gocong (Achilles) for the year was a huge blow, but Jackson is as solid as they come and Maiava is active.

"This is going to be a little up in the air," noted Heckert.

He acknowledged that Fort and first-year pro Craig Robertson will have to grow up fast.

"Are they going to make some mistakes? Yes," said Heckert. "But they'll do it at 100 mph. D'Qwell and Kaluka know what they're doing so we should be fine."

SAFETIES

Starters: T.J Ward, Eric Hagg.

Backups: Usama Young, Ray Ventrone, Tashaun Gipson.

Analysis: Former seventh-rounder Eric Hagg, a ballhawk at Nebraska, breaks into the starting lineup opposite Ward. The Browns are counting on Ward, who missed eight games with a sprained foot last year, to step up and make impact plays in his third season. Usama Young has been slowed by a quad, but seems ready. The others will mainly help on special teams. The Browns kept Gipson over David Sims because of his phenomenal athletic ability.

CORNERBACKS

Starters: Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown.

Backups: Buster Skrine, Dimitri Patterson, Trevin Wade*, Johnson Bademosi*.

Analysis: If the Browns lose their shutdown corner Haden for four games to a suspension, it'll be a huge blow. He's studied tons of film and is poised for a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Brown is 33, but still has the smarts, savvy and skill to play at a high level. Patterson will play in the nickel or start in place of Haden, while Skrine and Wade will play key roles in sub-defenses. Bademosi is a special teams phenom. The key for the cornerbacks is to get some picks this season. Last year, Haden and Patterson had none and Brown had two.

"I think we're really, really deep there," said Heckert.

SPECIALISTS

Starters: K Phil Dawson, P Reggie Hodges, LS Christian Yount, PR Josh Cribbs, KR Jordan Norwood.

Backups: Benjamin, Skrine, Norwood.

Analysis: The Browns aren't worried about two blocked Reggie Hodges punts in preseason, because they didn't have all their starters on the field. The coverage teams should be improved with Cribbs helping out and all of the young guys.

Phil Dawson is one of the best in the business and is also booming kickoffs. Cribbs will return punts and kicks, but the Browns hope to get speedster Benjamin in on the action.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

How did Braxton Miller lead the Buckeyes past Central Florida? What improvements can be made by Urban Meyer's squad? The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises reports from Ohio Stadium.

How did Braxton Miller lead the Buckeyes past Central Florida? What improvements can be made by Urban Meyer's squad? The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises reports from Ohio Stadium in the video above. Video includes clips from Urban Meyer's post-game press conference.

For game highlights, click on the video below.

Pat Shurmur, Brad Childress and Mike Holmgren know what it takes to succeed, as Weeden becomes the first rookie quarterback to start for the Browns on opening day.

BEREA, Ohio -- In the office of Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren hangs a photo of the former Green Bay Packers coach caught in a rare moment of tranquility with Brett Favre on the sidelines.

"It's the one picture I have of him where I'm not strangling him, I am talking to him calmly," Holmgren said, half jokingly.

When most fans conjure a young Favre, they see him streaking down the field to celebrate a touchdown or eluding a rush to complete an improbable 35-yard thunderbolt.

What they tend to forget is his four fumbles in one game; his penchant for lining up the Packers in bizarre formations; and his maddening habit of throwing a 98-mph fastball in the red zone when a touch pass would have sufficed.

"He was like a wild Indian," the Browns executive said.

Like every quarterback associated with him in the past decade, Browns rookie Brandon Weeden has asked Holmgren what it was like to coach the iconic Favre. How was it that he turned an unbridled talent drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991 into one of the game's greatest passers?

As Weeden makes his NFL regular-season debut today against the Philadelphia Eagles, he will not be without coaches and executives who know how to develop quarterbacks. Holmgren did it with Favre and Steve Young. Offensive coordinator Brad Childress helped oversee the rise of Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. Coach Pat Shurmur worked with Sam Bradford during his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in St. Louis in 2010.

Each man has offered parcels of advice to the unconventional 28-year old rookie with the strong arm and dubious task of turning around a perennial loser.

"I'd be crazy not to listen to guys like that," Weeden said. "I'm like a sponge. I'll ask them questions, especially Mr. Holmgren. He's at practice all the time and will say, 'We ran this play with Brett.' And I'll ask him how Brett approached (a situation) ... Leading up to this, these guys have been a huge asset to me."

Weeden joins an AFC North Division in which the other three starting quarterbacks – Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton – all led their teams to the playoffs in their rookie seasons.

Although few expect that trend to continue, the influence of Shurmur, Childress and Holmgren should help Weeden as he becomes the Browns' first rookie quarterback to start on opening day in franchise history.

There are many keys to shepherding a young signal-caller. The Browns braintrust shared a few from previous stops on their way to this moment.

Give and take

Mike Holmgren, right, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre made an intriguing and successful combination with the Packers. Green Bay Press-Gazette

Holmgren used to dread calls from NFL Films during Favre's first few seasons in Green Bay. He knew what president Steve Sabol wanted and, regardless of the company's promises, how the video would turn out.

"Every once in a while they'd want to wire me for sound and I'd say, 'No, we're not doing that.' " Holmgren recalled. "(Sabol would say) 'Please, let's do this,' because Favre was a character and I was emotional, so they thought it would be great.

"(Sabol) said, 'Whatever we take, we'll show it to you.' He wasn't altogether truthful ... Here was this wild kind of stallion, tremendous guy, loved him to death, loved coaching him. But goodness gracious, at times it would just be … "

Holmgren didn't finish the sentence. The exasperation on his face completed it for him.

Favre was blessed with a rocket launcher for a right arm and a streak of stubbornness that stretched from his hometown of Gulfport, Miss., to Green Bay.

Holmgren immediately recognized Favre's immense physical skills, but knew they needed to be harnessed. In the 1992 preseason, Favre threw one touchdown and six interceptions.

"He had always played the game a certain way and it had been good for him," said Holmgren of the Southern Mississippi product. "He could throw the ball into small windows, he could take chances that other quarterbacks couldn't take because of his ability to deliver the ball. So he was a little bit at times out of control in my opinion."

Favre made his first start in Week 4 for an injured Don Majkowski. It didn't take long for the rookie head coach and second-year quarterback to clash. Favre's daring and improv both delighted and bedeviled Holmgren. The quarterback led the Packers to a 9-7 record and their first six-game win streak since 1965.

In their exit meeting, Holmgren gave Favre a list of things he needed him to improve for the '93 season. The Stallion was not initially receptive.

"He said, 'Mike, I play the game the way I play the game.' " Holmgren recalled. "And, I said 'OK, then you are always going to be 9-7 or 8-8. You might have a good year but that's where the team is going to be and I know you want to be better than that, I know you do.' He said, 'I do.' So I said, 'Let's work with me on this and let's try to control this.'

"To his credit he did that."

The Packers qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 11 years the next season on the way to making back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 1996-97. As time passed, Holmgren and Favre learned to give and take. The coach lived with the occasional bad read. The quarterback accepted more structure in his game for the chance to make big plays.

Holmgren sees great potential in his latest quarterback. He loves Weeden's strong arm and predicts he will be as good as any rookie this season – a bold statement given the hype surrounding Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and Washington's Robert Griffin III.

But don't expect Holmgren to be in Weeden's ear every time he spots a mistake or flaw. That's the coach's responsibility, the team president said. Holmgren was raised in a San Francisco 49ers culture fostered by Bill Walsh. There is only one message and it comes from the coach.

"I had Steve Mariucci and Sherm Lewis on my (Green Bay) staff, and I told Brett they will coach you, but the stuff I tell you is what you have to do," Holmgren said. "What I say, is what you have to do. They all had to know to teach it my way.

"How Pat decides to do it is up to him. To grow in this business, I hope he listens to some of the stuff I tell him. I'm sure he does."

Donovan McNabb became one of the NFL's elite under the tutelage of current Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress. AP file photo

Speed of learning

Rookie quarterbacks must adapt quickly to the speed and ferocity of the NFL. McNabb's first taste came as then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue called his name as the second overall pick in the quarterback-rich 1999 draft.

Moments after the Browns chose Tim Couch with the first selection, Eagles fans lustily booed the decision to take McNabb. Childress, the former Eagles quarterbacks coach, couldn't fathom the reaction.

"That was one of those years of the quarterback," Childress said. "I saw Daunte Culpepper, Akili Smith, Donovan, Brock Huard, Tim Couch ... and we felt like we got the best one."

History would prove Childress and the Eagles correct. McNabb led them to five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance; while Couch and Smith became the kind of busts not fit for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The teaching process began minutes after McNabb entered a limousine that shuttled him from the draft in New York to Eagles minicamp. Childress sat in the back seat instructing him on snap counts and formations. He can still picture the rookie's first pass in spring practice.

"He threw this seam ball and everyone went 'Whoa,' " Childress said. "And, it was a good, 'Whoa.' "

Brad Childress is in his first season with the Browns as their offensive coordinator.

McNabb played sparingly in the first eight weeks – the Eagles started veteran Doug Pederson -- and the rookie didn't make his first start until the Eagles' ninth game. Childress recalls brilliant flashes, but also a youngster adjusting to the speed of the game both mentally and physically. He chuckles at the memory of a relentless Warren Sapp chasing McNabb all over the field in the quarterback's second regular-season game in Philadelphia.

"It becomes about how fast you can process the game," said Childress, joined on that Eagles staff by Shurmur, who coached tight ends. "It was getting the ball out to the right person when he got blitzed – we put in a whole series of blitz drills because the worst thing a quarterback can do is hold the ball."

In 2000, McNabb finished runner-up to St. Louis running back Marshall Faulk as the league's Most Valuable Player, but Childress said it would take him one more season to become a polished quarterback. McNabb guided the Eagles to the first of four straight conference championship games in 2001.

The Browns offensive coordinator believes his newest pupil has the makings of a quality player.

"I don't see any sense that it is too big for him," Childress said. "I see him making throws that need to be made around the football field."

Weeden said recently he knows all the plays, but Childress said it's about more than cover-to-cover memorization. The play starts in the huddle with a quarterback who inspires confidence in his teammates.

"It's the verbiage and the nomenclature, you are directing somebody with everything that comes out of your mouth," Childress said. "Once you say all that stuff – and you say it from rote - then you have to process it in those few seconds as you go to the line of scrimmage."

And, after that, you must deal with the 11 defenders on the other side of the ball who want to play Warren Sapp to your rookie Donovan McNabb.

Sam Bradford of the Rams works with Pat Shurmur in 2010. AP

Sam I Am?

Shurmur sees parallels on the resume and the practice fields. Sam Bradford and Weeden: a couple of Oklahoma-born kids who stayed in their home state to direct big-time college programs.

Even now as the Browns coach watches Weeden miss throws to a receiver in practice, he says its like being back in St. Louis in 2010.

"When Brandon isn't on the same page with one of his (receivers) he goes over and says, 'You and I are going to get this thing after practice.' Bradford did the same thing. They are quick to correct themselves and they are trying to do everything right."

Shurmur, who served as the Rams' offensive coordinator, hopes there will be at least one more similarity. He wants to provide Weeden with a robust running game to relieve pressure from the passing game.

The Rams' Stephen Jackson carried the ball 330 times – the second-most attempts behind Atlanta's Michael Turner that season – for 1,241 yards. The emphasis on the ground game and a solid rookie season from Bradford allowed the Rams to improve from 1-15 to 7-9 and score an additional 114 points.

Shurmur would be the first to admit it's hardly a unique formula. In their rookie seasons, Roethlisberger had Jerome Bettis and Flacco had a trio of effective backs, including Ray Rice.

"At some point in every ball game the quarterback's best friend is his running back," Shurmur said. "It's very comforting when you can just turn around and hand it to him and say, 'Take it for awhile.' "

Whether the Browns will rely as heavily on Trent Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick, is not yet known. He did not play a preseason game after undergoing his second arthroscopic procedure in seven months on Aug. 9 to repair his left knee.

"We need to be able to develop a running game where we can consistently run it and gain yards," Shurmur added. "That's very important. Not to mention the synergy it brings to the play-action pass and the time it gives the quarterback to throw."

Developing mental toughness is critical to leading young teams. Bradford demonstrated it in 2010 as he threw 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while starting from Week One. The Rams quarterback regressed a season ago, completing just 53.1 percent of his passes during an injury-plagued year in which he was sacked 36 times in just 10 games.

Bradford and Weeden have something else in common as a new season kicks off. They are leading two of the league's youngest teams. As of Tuesday, the Rams had the most rookies with 17, followed by the Browns with 15, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"They make mistakes like young guys do but they don't repeat them," Shurmur said. "Sam has that ability to leave a bad play behind him. So does Brandon. That is a natural toughness that good quarterbacks develop. I think the good ones aren't afraid to say 'I screwed that one up, but I'm going to make the next play my best.' "

Most national outlets are forecasting a long season for the Browns. Shurmur, Childress and Holmgren will help guide their rookie quarterback through it. Preferably without anyone getting strangled.

The American Hockey League is composed of 30 teams in six divisions. Eight teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.

About the AHL

Western Conference

North Division: Rochester, Toronto, Lake Erie, Abbotsford, Hamilton.

Midwest Division: Chicago, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Peoria, Rockford.

South Division: Houston, Charlotte, Texas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division: Portland, Providence, Manchester, St. John's, Worcester.

Northeast Division: Albany, Bridgeport, Springfield, Connecticut, Adirondack.

East Division: Hershey, Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Syracuse, Norfolk.

Playoff format: Eight teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs: The three division winners will be seeded first through third in order of points, and the next five teams in order of points will be seeded fourth through eighth.

• Eighty-eight percent of current NHL players played in the AHL.

• There were 329 players who played in both leagues last season.

• Thirteen of the 30 teams are owned by their NHL affiliate.

• Two teams, including the Monsters, are owned by NBA franchises.

• One club is owned by a Fortune 500 company.

• The 2012-13 AHL All-Star Classic is Jan. 27-28 in Providence, R.I.

• Two outdoor games will be played. Grand Rapids will host Toronto on Dec. 30 at Comerica Park in Detroit, and Hershey will host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL Outdoor Classic on Jan. 20.

-- Source: AHL.com

Giants will play either Washington or St. Louis for the NL pennant starting Sunday.

Giants catcher Buster Posey (right) is congratulated by Marco Scutaro (19) after Posey's grand slam during San Francisco's series-clinching 6-4 win over the Reds in Cincinnati on Thursday. Associated Press

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Not just any comeback would get San Francisco back to playing for a pennant. It would take one of Giant proportions.

And Buster Posey believed it could happen. Even after the Giants left the West Coast down two games, the National League batting champion insisted his team could pull it off, despite the long odds.

With one swing, he got everyone else believing it, too.

Posey hit the third grand slam in Giants' postseason history on Thursday, and San Francisco pulled off an unprecedented revival, moving into the championship series with a 6-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

"You don't want to be in a lose-and-you're-out scenario," reliever Jeremy Affeldt said, wearing a brace on his left wrist so he didn't hurt it in the champagne-flavored clubhouse celebration. "We've been in that situation for three days. We're probably going to sleep well tonight."

They'll play either Washington or St. Louis for the NL pennant starting Sunday, not caring at all who they face.

"We could go up against anybody at any time," shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "Being down 2-0 and coming back and winning three at their place, it's an unbelievable feeling."

The Giants became the first NL team to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the division series, which began in 1995. Major League Baseball's changed playoff format this season allowed them to become the first to take a best-of-five by winning the last three on the road.

Posey's second career grand slam off Mat Latos put the Giants up 6-0 in the fifth and sparked a joyous scrum in the San Francisco dugout. The ball smacked off the front of the upper deck in left field, just above Latos' name on the video board.

For the first time in the series, the Giants could exhale.

"I don't think anybody gave up," Posey said.

Will Clark, in the 1989 NLCS, and Chuck Hiller, in the 1962 World Series, hit the other Giants slams in the postseason.

Matt Cain and the bullpen held on, with more help from Posey. The All-Star catcher threw out Jay Bruce at third base to snuff out a sixth-inning rally that cut it to 6-3. The Giants had a pair of diving catches that preserved the lead in the eighth.

There was more drama in the ninth. Ryan Ludwick singled home a run off Sergio Romo. With two runners aboard, Romo fanned Scott Rolen to end it.

The Giants raised their arms, hugged and huddled by the side of the mound, bouncing in unison.

"It was a spectacular moment," outfielder Hunter Pence said.

In Cincinnati, the home-field meltdown had a sickeningly familiar feeling. The Reds haven't won a home playoff game in 17 years. After taking the first two on the West Coast, all they needed was one more at home, where they hadn't dropped three straight all season.

"You get tired of the disappointments, but then you get over it," manager Dusty Baker said. "It hurts big-time."

Once Posey connected, the Reds were the ones facing a steep comeback. They've never overcome a six-run deficit in the playoffs, according to STATS LLC.

Couldn't do it this time, either.

"Buster Posey's swing was a series-changer," said Reds star Joey Votto, standing on second base when the game ended. "That made it very difficult to come back. You know they're going to throw the kitchen sink at us."

The Giants never trailed in any of their three postseason series when they won it all in 2010. They beat the Braves 3-1 in the division series, knocked out the Phillies 4-2 for the NL title, then took four of five from Texas for their sixth World Series title and their first since they moved from New York to San Francisco in 1958.

They really had to scramble this season to get another shot at it.

The bullpen took a huge hit when closer Brian Wilson blew out his elbow, and that was just the start. All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera got a 50-game suspension in August after a positive testosterone test, taking a .346 hitter out of their lineup. The Giants have decided not to bring him back, even though he's eligible to return for the NL championship series.

Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum pitched so poorly — 15 losses — that he got relegated to the bullpen for the division series.

And don't forget that Posey was coming off a broken leg that wiped out most of his 2011 season, making a great comeback of his own.

"Unreal," Romo said, with champagne dripping off his scraggly beard. "That guy's definitely the MVP of our team. We believe he's the MVP of the league. We wouldn't be here without him, that's for dang sure. He's the one that's been the face of the team all season long. What a great story with all he's been through last year."

The Reds won't forget the first inning of the series, when everything changed. Ace Johnny Cueto pulled muscles in his right side and had to leave the game. He wound up getting dropped from the playoff roster because of the injury.

Latos pulled them through that opening game, pitching in relief on short rest for a 5-2 win. Latos came to Cincinnati from the Padres at a high price — pitcher Edinson Volquez and three former high draft picks — and with a clear purpose in the offseason. He was expected to take them to the next level.

The right-hander allowed three hits through the first four innings, then fell apart in the fifth. Crawford had an RBI triple and scored on rookie shortstop Zack Cozart's error. A four-pitch walk and a single loaded the bases for Posey.

As soon as he connected, Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan stood and turned away, unable to watch the ball head for the seats.

Cincinnati's 17-year history of playoff futility was about to go on.

NOTES: Posey's other career grand slam came on July 7, 2010 at Milwaukee. ... The Reds are 3-3 in winner-take-all playoff games, including 1-2 in best-of-five series and 2-1 in best-of-seven series. .. Teams that lose the first two games in a best-of-five series are 7-59 all-time. ... Cain gave up six hits and three runs in 6 2-3 innings, the longest appearance by a Giants starter during the series.

The Lake Erie Monsters, young and speedy, open their American Hockey League season Thursday night at The Q in downtown Cleveland.

Lake Erie Monsters new head coach Dean Chynoweth talks to the team during the first day of training camp Oct. 3 in Strongsville. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Monsters coach Dean Chynoweth would have preferred more time to prepare his young club for the AHL season, but training camps being as condensed as they are, it was not possible.

Chynoweth does not believe in whining or excuse-making, so in his mind, the Monsters are as ready as they ever will be for tonight's game against Oklahoma City at The Q.

Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30.

"Everybody's excited to play for real," Chynoweth said. "We've had a short time together, but the guys have worked hard and there's a lot of enthusiasm. We expect to have a great atmosphere."

As of Thursday, more than 10,000 tickets had been sold for the opener of Lake Erie's sixth season and Chynoweth's first as its head coach.

The Monsters will face a team projected to make plenty of noise in the AHL. The Barons, affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, are loaded. Most of their best players were in Edmonton last season.

"They have a number of top-end players whom Edmonton sent down," Chynoweth said. "It's a good challenge for our group to see those guys first-hand. It will be a test for us and very entertaining for the fans."

The Monsters counter with speed, speed and more speed. Here are some nuggets from Lake Erie's roster as it stood Thursday afternoon (several changes are possible in the coming days based on players returning from injury):

• Seventeen of the 28 players spent time with the Monsters at some point last season. Of those, Patrick Bordeleau has been with the team the longest; 2012-13 is expected to be his fourth full season in Cleveland.

• Six of those 17 played in the NHL with the parent Colorado Avalanche last season (Mike Connolly, David van der Gulik, Tyson Barrie, Mark Olver, Brad Malone, Stefan Elliott).

• Newcomer Bill Thomas also played in the NHL, with the Florida Panthers.

• Four players spent last season with other AHL teams (Geoff Walker and Bryan Lerg, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; Thomas, San Antonio; Sean Sullivan, Worcester and San Antonio).

• Four players were in the lower minor leagues last season (Barry Goers, Las Vegas/ECHL; Ben Wilson, Allen/CHL; Dean Strong, Kalamazoo/ECHL; Matt Tassone, Ontario/ECHL).

• Four players were in juniors last season (Andrew Agozzino, Niagara/OHL; Calvin Pickard, Seattle/WHL; Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury/OHL; Mitchell Heard, Plymouth/OHL).

• Two players spent last season overseas (Thomas Pock, Sweden; Sami Aittokallio, Finland).

• Three players were in college last season (Karl Stollery, Merrimack; Jamie MacQueen, Bemidji State; Paul Carey, Boston College). All played for the Monsters at the end of last season after they finished their collegiate season.

• There are 21 Canadian-born players, five US-born, one from Finland (Aittokallio) and one from Austria (Pock).

Chynoweth said Pickard and Aittokallio are "fairly even" in the race to be No. 1 goalie. Both will play this weekend because of the schedule.

"It's a matter of getting in the games to see where they are," Chynoweth said. "Then you let one separate, if that's the case. I'm a believer that, even though we are a developmental league, if a guy takes an [advantage] and keeps it, and he's played well enough, the other guy needs to stay ready. It won't be a rotation.

"Both guys are extremely competitive. They'll get stretches at a time, I'm sure, when they get to run with it. If they show some fatigue or get tired or have some poor games, the other guy will get a crack."