Highlights include Cavaliers' home game against Philadelphia.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

GOLF

3 a.m. (Thurs.) DP World Tour Championship, Golf Channel

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

5 p.m. Maui Invitational, fifth-place game, ESPN2

7 p.m. Cancun Classic, CBSSN

7 p.m. Delaware vs. Kansas State, ESPNU

7 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at William and Mary, NBCSN

7:30 p.m. Maui Invitational, third-place game, ESPN2

8 p.m. UNC-Wilmington at Purdue, Big Ten Network

9:30 p.m. Cancun Classic, CBSSN

9:30 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Michigan, ESPN2

10 p.m. Maui Invitational, championship, ESPN

NBA

7 p.m. Philadelphia at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/1100

7:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Oklahoma City, ESPN

SOCCER

2:30 p.m. Champions League, Anderlecht vs. AC Milan, Fox Sports Ohio

WOMEN'S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

9 p.m. Arkansas vs. Louisiana State, ESPNU

At 6-4, the Steelers are contenders in the division and wild-card races, but they seemingly are doing it with duct tape and paper clips.

The Steelers will count on veteran backup QB Charlie Batch to avoid errors in filling in for injured teammates Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich Sunday in Cleveland. AP file

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Since 2001, the Steelers have followed a two-on, one-off script. They make the playoffs in consecutive seasons with double-digit victory totals, then miss with a single-digit total.

If the Steelers manage to change the pattern and qualify for three straight postseasons for the first time since the 1990s, they will have overcome plenty of obstacles. At 6-4, the Steelers are contenders in the division and wild-card races, but they seemingly are doing it with duct tape and paper clips.

Mike Tomlin is a no-excuses, "Next Man Up" head coach. Publicly, he remains steadfast. Privately, though, he must be wondering ... from where his next quarterback will come. In Pittsburgh's season of injuries, quarterback tops the significance list.

Ben Roethlisberger, among the NFL's best at his position since his rookie year in 2004, started the season opener at Denver. That did not necessarily mean he was healthy. Roethlisberger had told reporters in training camp that his right rotator cuff wasn't right.

Roethlisberger has been no stranger to injuries of varying degrees, on or off the field. But they rarely keep him from playing. He remained highly productive this season until Nov. 12 against Kansas City, when a sack forced him to exit in the third quarter. He was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain and dislocated rib.

How long Roethlisberger will be sidelined is uncertain, but he will not return in time to face the Browns on Sunday. That rates as great news for the Browns, given Roethlisberger's ownership of them and his success playing NFL games in his native Ohio, be it in Cleveland or Cincinnati.

Byron Leftwich relieved Roethlisberger against the Chiefs and had a small role (7-of-14, 73 yards) in a 16-13 overtime triumph at Heinz Field. The victory came with an asterisk because the lowly Chiefs were the vanquished, but the Steelers didn't care because they had won four straight.

Last Sunday against Baltimore, Leftwich made his first start since 2009. It did not go well. He went 18-of-39 for 201 yards and one interception in a 13-10 loss at Heinz Field. The Steelers fell two back of the Ravens in the AFC North.

Whatever report Browns scouts filed on Leftwich is no longer relevant. He cracked ribs early in the Baltimore game and is out for Sunday. The Steelers likely will turn to veteran Charlie Batch, who just the other day was their third quarterback. Batch debuted in the NFL with Detroit in 1998. Batch is 5-2 as a sub starter since his debut with Pittsburgh in 2003.

So a 37-year-old who has not thrown a pass in a game that matters since Dec. 24, 2011, will lead the Steelers into Cleveland. The club also added quarterback Brian Hoyer, a St. Ignatius grad who previously played for the New England Patriots, to the roster.

The Steelers can't be entirely comfortable about having Batch lead the way, but they probably aren't anxious, either, because the Browns have brought out the best in them for a while -- no matter the personnel.

The Steelers have won four straight and 16 of 17 since November 2003. The defeat in that span occurred Dec. 10, 2009, in Cleveland; the 13-6 final marked the first time since October 1992 that the Steelers had been held to single-digits against the Browns.

Offensive overview

In his third season with the Steelers, Mike Wallace is averaging better than 12 yards a catch and has six touchdown receptions. AP file

Batch's most recent playing time came in a start against the Rams last Dec. 24. He was 15-of-22 for 208 yards and one interception in a 27-0 victory. Batch appeared in four games last season, including an 0-for-2 against the Browns on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh.

Batch, a product of Eastern Michigan, has thrown for 10,610 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career. His passer rating, 77.8, is a good indicator of his career -- nothing spectacular but far from awful. In a word: functional. He remains in the league because of intangibles which include accuracy, quick release and a solid grasp of coordinator Todd Haley's offense.

Tomlin and Haley will ask Batch to "manage the game," staying away from errors that put his team in position to lose. When Batch drops back, the Browns can expect to be dinked and dunked. He does not have a big arm, and it is difficult to imagine him at this stage making plays outside the pocket.

Batch has quality targets at his disposal, including receivers Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Heath Miller. Miller figures to be especially busy if the passing game is more horizontal than vertical.

Pittsburgh, thanks again to injuries, has struggled to run the ball. The offensive line and backs have been banged up. Against the Ravens, Jonathan Dwyer led with 12 carries for 55 yards. Rashard Mendenhall had 11 carries for 33 yards. Dwyer is the season's leader with 89 carries and 410 yards.

Defensive overview

Steelers defenders Larry Foote (left) and Lawrence Timmons (stopping the Browns' Peyton Hillis in 2011) have been productive performers for years in Pittsburgh. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Even with a healthy Roethlisberger, the Steelers rely heavily on their defense. With Batch the starter, how the defense performs almost certainly will determine the outcome.

Ageless coordinator Dick LeBeau's attacking 3-4, featuring its requisite assortment of zone blitzes, is a defense that keeps quarterbacks up at night. Even the elites will have problems; Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden must be decisive in order to give himself a chance to solve LeBeau's rush and coverage riddles.

Pittsburgh's front seven thrives on creating confusion, which leads to double-clutching, which leads to sacks or turnovers. The Steelers thrive on physicality and closing speed to get it done.

Weeden can lean on his backup, Colt McCoy, and, perhaps, Tim Tebow for inspiration. On Oct. 17, 2010, McCoy faced the Steelers in Pittsburgh for his first NFL start. He was 23-of-33 for 281 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 28-10 loss. Tebow, as a member of the Broncos in last January's wild-card game, was 10-of-21 for 316 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-23 overtime victory in Denver.

LeBeau's genius is best measured over the years. Rosters invariably change but LeBeau's defenses remain formidable. Outside linebackers, in particular, have become stars by allowing his system to work for them.

Linebackers Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons rank first and third, respectively, on the Steelers with 71 and 59 tackles. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley leads with four sacks.

Special teams overview

Shaun Suisham is 21 of 22 on field goals and perfect on 20 extra points. His longest field goal is 52 yards. Drew Butler is averaging 43.6 yards gross and 38.1 net on 41 punts. Rookie Chris Rainey has returned the vast majority of the kickoffs (23 for 27.8-yard average) and Antonio Brown most of the punts (15 for 7.1-yard average).

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Has T.J. Ward suffered from his own hits? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Browns safety T.J. Ward has delivered some hard hits in the NFL, including last Sunday's hit on Kevin Ogletree of the Dallas Cowboys.

But Tony Jones of Shaker Heights wants to know if Ward has hit someone so hard that it rang his bell.

Do you have a question for T.J. Ward?

Each
week, he'll answer Browns and NFL questions posed by fans through
Branson Wright's video camera. You'll be able to catch Branson at
various locales in Cleveland. When you do, tell him you have a question
for T.J.

Ohio native and former Buckeyes assistant Meyer will experience his first Ohio State-Michigan game as OSU's head coach. Defensive lineman Simon leads with his work ethic and play. More Ohio State story links.

Urban Meyer (front), on Saturday, will experience his first Ohio State vs. Michigan game as the Buckeyes' head coach. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State's Buckeyes will play Michigan's Wolverines -- the game which many observers regard as college football's greatest rivalry -- on Saturday in Columbus.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage includes cleveland.com's new Ohio State vs. Michigan: The Rivalry section, which links to Plain Dealer game stories on every Buckeyes-Wolverines game since 1897. The section includes photos and videos, records and other information.

Besides the rivalry, though, there is much at stake in Saturday's game. It's the last of the season for Ohio State, which is serving a one-year ban from the Big Ten championship and bowl games due to the memorabilia for tattoos/cash fiasco.

The Buckeyes, though, at 11-0, can close out an undefeated, untied season, and they'd like to move up from their No. 4 national ranking. They have clinched the Big Ten Leaders Division championship with a 7-0 conference record and, despite the ban from the title game, will be officially recognized as division champions.

No. 20 Michigan is 8-3, 6-1, and tied with the No. 17 Nebraska Cornhuskers for first place in the Big Ten Legends Division.

Also check cleveland.com's sister website, mlive.com, featuring Michigan Wolverines coverage.

Buckeyes story links

Defensive lineman John Simon leads the Buckeyes with his work ethic and play. (By Austin Ward, BuckeyeNation ESPN.com)

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer understands the significance of the Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines games. (By Brandon Castel, the-ozone.net)

Ohio State-Michigan games are often decided up front, at the line of scrimmage. (By Shawn Mitchell, Columbus Dispatch)

What Urban Myer had to say, especially regarding Saturday's game against Michigan, during his radio show. (By Brandon Castel, the-ozone-net)

With the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, the Big Ten is changing. Ohio State must make the best of it. (By Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio State can go 12-0, but not go any further. That makes some unhappy. (Akron Beacon Journal/Associated Press)

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and Michigan coach Brady Hoke appreciate the previous coaches at the two schools. (News-Herald/Associated Press)

Ward plans to appeal the fine.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward was fined $25,000 by the NFL today for his fourth-quarter hit on Dallas Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree -- a hit the league determined was an illegal blow to the head.

Ward, who was also fined $15,000 in 2010 for his hit on Bengals receiver Jordan Shipley, will appeal. He hit Ogletree in the chest first and then apparently made slight incidental contact with his facemask.

Ogletree, who knocked heads with Buster Skrine after the initial blow by Ward, has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Redskins with a concussion. Skrine also suffered a concussion and didn't practice today.

"It's not fair," Ward said of the fine. "Maybe if I tried to celebrate or something afterwards, I could see it. But I thought it was a clean, fair hit and I walked away. It's not my fault. He was falling as I went to hit him."

Ward said the fine letter explained that repeat offenders will be punished more severely, "but it wasn't even similar to the hit I had before," he said. "I could see if it was a repeat offense for the same year. But that was three years ago."

He said he doesn't think the current crackdown on even incidental contact with a helmet will help matters.

"It's not going to change it," he said. "Things are going to happen. The next thing you're going to see if guys with blown-out knees, because they're going to start getting hit low. I think it's taking away from the game: If I hit you in your chest and your facemask touches this much?"

Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron agreed with Ward, saying it was a clean hit and that he wouldn't coach him to do anything differently.

Ward's fine came the same week that Ravens safety Ed Reed was initially suspended a game for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Reed appealed and had the suspension rescinded. His fine was also reduced to $50,000 from more than $423,529.

1. Game strategy will remain basically the same since the National Federation of State High School Associations' basketball rules committee in May voted down a proposal to add a shot clock. It's surprising it hasn't happened yet considering most high school sports prepare student-athletes for the next level by adopting college-style rules. 2. Walsh Jesuit won't have the tall...

It didn't take long for Paul Gerycz to return to coaching. After resigning as Brunswick's coach in 2010 to see more of his daughters' games, he is in his second season as an assistant at Olmsted Falls, where his daugher Allison plays.

1. Game strategy will remain basically the same since the National Federation of State High School Associations' basketball rules committee in May voted down a proposal to add a shot clock. It's surprising it hasn't happened yet considering most high school sports prepare student-athletes for the next level by adopting college-style rules.

2. Walsh Jesuit won't have the tall youngsters it was expected to suit up. Six-foot sophomores Macy Kaisk and Alexandra Wiskes are not on the team. According to Warriors coach Pete Zaccari, "Macy transferred to Barberton but isn't playing, and Alex has stress fractures in her shins and is out for the season."

3. A young Bay team got a little younger over the summer when it learned 6-1 senior and three-year starter Taylor Seton and her family were moving to St. Louis. Seton averaged double-doubles last season in points and rebounds while also setting three school records for blocked shots. That leaves Claire Werblak as the Rockets' lone senior.

4. Paul Gerycz didn't stay away from the sidelines very long. Gerycz, who resigned as Brunswick's coach in 2010 after seven seasons to be able to attend more of his daughters' games, is an assistant coach at Olmsted Falls for the second consecutive year. His daughter, Allison, is a senior guard who averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and totaled 21 3-pointers a year ago.

1. Hathaway Brown (22-5 in 2011-12, Division II state champ): No other Division II team sports a trio with as much height as the four-time state champion Blazers with 6-foot-4 Stephanie Poland, 6-1 Vanessa Smith and 6-0 Nia Marshall. 2. Solon (22-4, Division I regional runner-up): With Kristen Confroy, Martha Thompson, 6-0 Alexis Gray and Joran Bikelja in the...

Forward and Princeton recruit Vanessa Smith leads Hathaway Brown as the Blazers try to win their fifth straight Division II state championship this season. - (Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

1. Hathaway Brown (22-5 in 2011-12, Division II state champ): No other Division II team sports a trio with as much height as the four-time state champion Blazers with 6-foot-4 Stephanie Poland, 6-1 Vanessa Smith and 6-0 Nia Marshall.

2. Solon (22-4, Division I regional runner-up): With Kristen Confroy, Martha Thompson, 6-0 Alexis Gray and Joran Bikelja in the fold, there's no reason why the Comets can't qualify for the Division I state tournament.

3. Wadsworth (22-4, Suburban League champ, Division I regional runner-up): The Grizzlies return plenty of experience in Rachel Goddard, McKenzie O'Brien, Sabrina Parsons, Taylore Robinson, Haley Hassinger, Peyton Booth and Hannah Centea.

4. Twinsburg (17-3, Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division and Division I state champ): Many believe the Tigers' glory days are over but Ashley Morrissette, Char'Dell Dunnigan, Brooke Thompson-Smith, Mercedes Hobbs and Baleigh Reid have other ideas.

5. St. Vincent-St. Mary (16-8, Division II district runner-up): The Fighting Irish are optimistic and for good reason. Shannon Jack, Jordan Korinek, Kiley May and Cassie Jakubick earned 16 wins as sophomores without 5-11 North Carolina junior transfer Alexis Taylor.

6. Archbishop Hoban (19-4, Division II district runner-up): A dedicated senior class, headed by Meghan Donohue, Natalie Bender, Allie Griffith, Emma Horning and Sandra Dickos, should give second-year coach Scott Callaghan a season to cherish.

7. Hudson (18-5, Division I sectional champ): The Explorers have decent size in Hannah Boesinger, Allison Zullo, Brynne Drohan and Kelly Gough to make a legitimate run at the Northeast Ohio Conference's tough Valley Division title.

8. Walsh Jesuit (18-5, North Coast League Blue Division and Division I sectional champ): Senior Jessa Gilberto and sophomores Lilli Piper and Anna Hall are the most experienced players on a team that, for the better part, is rebuilding.

9. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (14-9, Division I sectional champ): TheBees will have plenty of scoring and rebounding thanks to the return of Sarah Coronel, McKensey Ryan, Mary Schentur and Jessica Lesecky. Also, winning 11 of their last 13 games is a huge plus.

10. Holy Name (16-7, North Coast League White Division and Division II sectional champ): TheGreen Wave's inside game will be their forte with 5-11 Erica Davis and 5-10 Jackie Cook, but Rachel Kucharczyk, Taylor Verba, Toni Dickson and Emily Davis can score from the perimeter.

11. Lake Ridge Academy (9-6): The Lions have finished serving their two-year postseason ban from the Ohio High School Athletic Association and seniors Sydney Clark, Monet Saunders, Sharday Baines and Kyndall Wellons have only one thing on their minds -- to win a Division IV state title.

12. Midpark (21-3, Southwestern Conference and Division I district champ): The Meteors graduated plenty of talent, but the cupboard's not bare and they want to leave their mark in the school's final year before merging with Berea.

13. Magnificat (19-5, Division I district champ): The graduation of their entire starting lineup means a slow start is probable, and the maturation process needs to be quick because the Blue Streaks' demanding schedule leaves little margin for error.

14. Gilmour Academy (20-4, Division III district runner-up): Outstanding post player Jess Janota will be surrounded by speed and shooters, and the return of junior Kelsey Dugger from a torn ACL gives the Lancers stability at point guard.

15. Ravenna (22-1, Portage Trail Conference Metro Division and Division II sectional champ): Moniqua Smith and 5-10 junior Fallon Schwab-Davis headline a young Ravens team, which will rely heavily on promising sophomore and freshman classes.

16. Woodridge (22-1, Portage Trail Conference County Division and Division II sectional champ): The Bulldogs return a solid nucleus in Kapri Watson, Morgan Thompson, Kara Kelleher and Lizzie Wilkerson but it's the younger players who need to prove themselves.

17. Aurora (12-9): Four-year starters Allison Howard and Camilla Brown join Erin McNamara to provide much-needed leadership to the Greenmen.

18. Mayfield (12-9, Division I sectional runner-up): The Wildcats could be a force with one of the area's better guards in Shannon Zajec, and veterans Halle Rubino, Madison Snider and Kylie Tritt, coupled with Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy transfer Sydney Shanaberger and freshman Alex Pasquale.

19. Brunswick (15-9, Division I district champ): Gabbie Bulic, Bri Moss, Courtney Laudato and Monica Watson bring scoring and rebounding, but the Blue Devils' key is the ability of ace defender Paige Salisbury to quickly get the ball up the court.

20. Medina (18-5, Northeast Ohio Conference River Division champ, Division I district runner-up): The Battling Bees have a formidable senior trio in Sarah Kinch, Angela Tesny and Alexis Smith, along with junior veteran Casey Midlik, but will need the newcomers to step up.

21. Norton (18-5, Division II sectional champ): The Panthers have a pair of solid players in 5-9 Cara Cook and Jaclyn Fortner, and the return of Brooke Robinson from season-ending surgery will only make them stronger but depth is a major concern.

22. Mentor (11-14, Division I district champ): The Cardinals seem to have all the ingredients: 6-1 post players in Lacey Miller and Christine Dawson, a scorer in Lauren Stefancin and an improved ball handler in Kayla Gabor. All they need is a signature win.

23. Kenston (15-7, Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division champ, Division I sectional runner-up): Catherine Rachek, Grace Moran, Mandy Marchant, Jasmine Gentry, Tara Teeples, Rebecca Deuley, Marion-Margaret Brosko, Katie Coverdale and Allie Molnar give the Bombers the experience and depth to play an up-tempo style.

24. Glenville (18-4, Senate Athletic League champ, Division I district runner-up): All eyes will be focused on 6-0 super sophomore Latrice Legion but Keesha Henderson's ability to score, play defense and dish the assists is the X-factor.

25. Eastlake North (18-4, Premier Athletic Conference and Division I sectional champ): TheRangers have a superior junior class with Lynsey Englebrecht, Halle McKinley, Lexi Balausky and Steph Chlad, but their lack of height could wear them down.

Trent Richardson put the Cleveland Browns' loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday on his shoulders when he talked in the locker room Wednesday . "You can put the game on me. I'm going to man up to my mistakes and my faults." Watch video

Ashanti Abshaw, Cleveland Heights, G, 5-8, Jr.: Averaged 12 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals but will be expected to do much more in guard-oriented offense. Hannah Boesinger, Hudson, F, 5-11, Sr.: Youngstown State recruit will need to better her 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals since she'll be looked to be the team leader.

Basketball fans might want to check out a Glenville game this season to see sophomore forward Latrice Legion, right, who is being called the most talented player in the Senate Athletic League since Barbara Turner. - (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

Ashanti Abshaw, Cleveland Heights, G, 5-8, Jr.: Averaged 12 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals but will be expected to do much more in guard-oriented offense.

Hannah Boesinger, Hudson, F, 5-11, Sr.: Youngstown State recruit will need to better her 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals since she'll be looked to be the team leader.

Gabbie Bulic, Brunswick, P, 6-5, Sr.: Michigan volleyball recruit is a hoops standout, too. School's leader in career blocks averaged 13.8 points and 11.8 rebounds.

Greta Burry, St. Joseph Academy, F, 6-2, Jr.: Averaged 12 points and nine rebounds but missed a significant amount of time because of an ankle injury.

Stasha Carey, Midpark, F, 6-3, Jr.: One of two remaining standouts from last season's stellar group. Averaged 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, three steals and 2.1 assists.

Kristen Confroy, Solon, G, 5-8, Jr.: Natural shooter who makes other players get better. Averaged 15.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 4.6 rebounds.

Cara Cook, Norton, G, 5-9, Sr.: Great passer and ball handler who averaged a team-leading 16 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.2 steals and one block.

Kim Cook, Holy Name, F, 5-10, Jr.: Division I prospect missed all but three games due to a torn ACL. Averaged 7.2 points and 6.9 rebounds as a freshman.

Sarah Coronel, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, PG, 5-10, Sr.: Versatile, big-game player who averaged 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Megan Donohue, Archbishop Hoban, P, 6-2, Sr.: Had 10-plus Division I college offers before picking Siena. Used her size and strength to average 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

Lynsey Englebrecht, Eastlake North, G, 5-7, Jr.: Smart player who is money from around the arc. Made good on 56 3-pointers and committed only 1.7 turnovers a game.

Nicole Felice, Laurel, PG, 5-7, Soph.: Broke onto the scene as a freshman and was the team's leading scorer in the postseason. Averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 steals.

Rachel Goddard, Wadsworth, PG, 5-7, Sr.: Nothing flashy but she is her team's heart and soul. Averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals.

Brianna Goodrich, West Geauga, P, 5-11, Sr.: Four-year starter was the team's leader by averaging 11.5 points and 10.8 rebounds.

Alexandria Harris, Lorain, P, 6-3, Sr.: Averaged 11.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 blocks but there's plenty of room for the Penn State recruit to get better.

Porshae Hearn, Kenmore, G, 5-8, Sr.: Cleveland State recruit can also play forward. Averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Allison Howard, Aurora, F/G, 5-10, Sr.: Dependable and can play all five positions. Averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals.

Shannon Jack, St. Vincent-St. Mary, G, 5-8, Jr.: Athlete who leads a talented junior class. Averaged 13.5 points, including 50 treys, and shot 47 percent from the arc.

Jess Janota, Gilmour Academy, P, 6-3, Jr.: Will improve her 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.5 blocks if she uses her size to become more aggressive and physical.

Mary Jones, Elyria, F, 5-6, Sr.: Undersized frontcourt player is a legitimate scorer. Averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Also totaled 27 treys.

Sarah Kinch, Medina, G, 5-9, Sr.: Northern Kentucky recruit is looking for even better numbers after averaging 11 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals as a junior.

Jordan Korinek, St. Vincent-St. Mary, C, 6-1, Jr.: Athletic player with a nice 15-foot jumper. Averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and close to two assists a game.

Latrice Legion, Glenville, F, 6-0, Soph.: TheSenate Athletic League hasn't had a player with this much talent since Barbara Turner. Averaged 16.2 points, 15 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Nia Marshall, Hathaway Brown, P/F, 6-0, Sr.: Cornell recruit plays stronger than she looks. Averaged 13 points, 8.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 blocks.

Sabrina Mclin, Shaw, G, 5-9, Sr.: Expect more from this athletic and quick player than the 13 points and 3.5 steals she averaged a year ago.

Abby Miduri, North Royalton, G, 5-2, Jr.: Came out of nowhere last season to average 12.4 points, including 23 3-pointers, along with 2.5 steals and 2.1 rebounds.

Grace Moran, Kenston, G, 5-6, Jr.: Great ball defender, good lateral movement. Averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 steals and 2.1 assists. Can control the game without scoring.

Ashley Morrissette, Twinsburg, G, 5-9, Sr.: Purdue recruit is fundamentally sound. Averaged 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and one block.

Alexis Parsons, Riverside, G, 5-6, Sr.: She is her team's offensive and defensive key and averaged 13.2 points, 3.7 steals and 2.6 assists.

Mariah Pearson, Harvey, G, 5-6, Sr.: Lockdown defender who can knock in deep jump shot or the pull-up. Averaged 20.9 points, 4.2 steals, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Monet Saunders, Lake Ridge Academy, F/C, 6-1, Sr.: Has greatly improved in four years. Averaged 12 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as a junior.

Katie Smith, Fairview, G, 5-8, Jr.: Played like a senior while defending the opposing team's top player. Averaged 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 steals and three assists.

Moniqua Smith, Ravenna, G, 5-4, Sr.: "Moe Moe" has made a habit of leaving opposing teams screaming "No Moe." Averaged 11 points, six steals and four rebounds.

Vanessa Smith, Hathaway Brown, F, 6-1, Sr.: Princeton recruit is smooth and makes it look like she never breaks a sweat. Averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and one block.

Katlyn Snyder, Normandy, G, 5-5, Sr.: Consistency best describes her game. Averaged 12.4 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Jenna Stegmaier, Cuyahoga Heights, PG, 5-9, Soph.: Good defender who can also get to the rim to draw fouls. Averaged 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks.

Hallie Thome, Chagrin Falls, C, 6-4, Soph.: Fluid post player made an immediate impact a year ago by averaging 17.3 points, 12.4 rebounds and 4.3 blocks.

Martha Thompson, Solon, G, 5-8, Sr.: Xavier recruit averaged 16 points, five rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.2 steals after transferring from Lake Ridge Academy.

Morgan Thompson, Woodridge, G, 5-7, Soph.: Can score from anywhere. Should break every school scoring record before she graduates. Averaged 14.2 points and 2.3 steals as a freshman.

Ashley Tyna, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, G, 5-7, Jr.: Three-year starter runs the court well. Averaged 14 points, 3.4 steals, three assists and 2.5 rebounds.

Gabby Vitez, Revere, P, 6-1, Sr.: Athletic and versatile. Averaged 7.8 points and close to six rebounds per game.

Lizzie Wilkinson, Woodridge, C, 6-0, Sr.: Three-year captain can clean the glass and reject shots. Averaged 16 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks.

Shannon Zajec, Mayfield, G, 5-7, Jr.: A pure shooter who will become an even better all-around player. Averaged 19.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Maggie Zimmerman, Westlake, G, 5-8, Sr.: Three-year starter is her team's most experienced player. Averaged 13.1 points, 3.5 steals and 2.4 assists.

Gabby Zuccaro, Hawken, P, 5-10, Sr.: Solid perimeter shooter for a post player. Averaged 14.4 points and 8.6 rebounds while totaling 22 blocks and 22 3-pointers.

The idea of inflatable white flags for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh can't possibly pack much of a wallop with Browns fans.

Wondering why the Pittsburgh Steelers have won 16 of their past 17 games against the Cleveland Browns? The Steelers give their fans "Terrible Towels.'' The Browns give their fans white flags. Next question? Dave Martin, Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Whew, good thing Jimmy Haslam is running things now.

The Browns and Ticketmaster have put their heads together -- or not -- to give fans attending Sunday's game against Pittsburgh white inflatable flags to wave.

There is an orange helmet on the flag and the name "Cleveland Browns," presumably to clear up any confusion over which side has customarily given up hope of going home with a win.

The Browns have lost 16 of 17 to the Steelers.

So this isn't the most questionable promotional idea you can imagine. Losing 17 of 17 would make it that.

I don't want to say the Browns and Ticketmaster aren't thinking things through here.

But just in case the Browns are not up on their battle symbolism, somebody warn them that if the Steelers offer the gift of a Trojan horse, chances are Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu are going to spill out of it and do some damage.

Most of the wackiest sports promotions in history are intentionally designed to amuse the fans in attendance, provide pleasure even.

Some go horribly wrong from there as we learned from "Ten Cent Beer Night" and "Disco Demolition Night."

Others in that category:

"Ball Day" -- The Dodgers handed out souvenir baseballs to their fans in August 1995. That game ended in a rare forfeit after an argument between Dodgers players and umpires became so heated fans threw hundreds of baseballs on the field.

"Derek Lowe Poster Night" -- Lowe, the Red Sox closer at the time, entered the game with a three-run lead in the ninth and melted down. He gave up five runs.

Fans littered the field with his posters and the game had to be stopped. Outside Fenway, Lowe contends, he saw fans feeding his posters into a bonfire.

That can happen. But it takes a special promotion to alienate fans from the beginning. Inflatable white flags take a deserving spot in that lineup:

"Pre-Planned Funeral Night" -- The Hagerstown Suns brought their fans to the ballpark thinking about their own mortality and sent one lucky? fan home with a $6,500 funeral completely paid for. A depressing time was had by all.

"Salute to Indoor Plumbing Night" -- The idea behind the West Virginia Power promotion was to shut down all the stadium rest room facilities and have fans use portable toilets so they'd go home with a better appreciation of modern conveniences. The board of health nixed it.

"Nobody Night" -- The Charleston Riverdogs locked paying customers out for the first five innings so they could make history with a game played in front of -- you guessed it -- no one. What a deal.

Actually, Browns fans might prefer that compared to surrender symbolism.

But let's not be too hard on the folks in Berea, who were obviously trying to come up with an answer to the Terrible Towel.

It's not as if Roberto Duran will walk to midfield as honorary captain Sunday, flip the coin and declare "No mas" if the Browns lose the toss.

When asked, I believe he was unavailable.

What's behind Door No. 3?

Be careful what you're thankful about in Cleveland sports. There's always a catch.

Ben Roethlisberger is out for Sunday's game.

So the Steelers are down to their third quarterback.

The catch? Charlie Batch suits their offense better than No. 2 quarterback Byron Leftwich, last seen throwing passes with all the touch of Zeus firing thunderbolts.

Batch is 5-2 as a starter in place of Roethlisberger, though he hasn't thrown a pass in a real game in 2012.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who doesn't exactly have a deft touch in handling quarterbacks, let Leftwich play last time out with damaged ribs. He chose not to use Batch.

The Steelers are running a shorter passing offense, ostensibly meant to keep Roethlisberger healthier this season. Batch doesn't have a strong arm but has shown a nice touch and the ability to slide around in the pocket.

"We know Batch from years previous," Pat Shurmur said this week. "I think when veteran quarterbacks come in they tend to do well."

You can be sure the Steelers aren't coming in waving white flags.

Spinoffs

Jack Taylor, a Division III basketball player from Grinnell College, scored 138 points against Faith Baptist Tuesday. Taylor thanked his teammates for being unselfish.

In another example of his overflowing gratitude, he took 108 shots and had no assists.

One reason I'm thankful to be writing sports in Cleveland. Never been trampled in a championship parade.

Another reason why Charlie Batch starting for Pittsburgh instead of Byron Leftwich isn't necessarily a break for the Browns. Batch is a smart player with a quick release.

Not saying Leftwich plays dumb, just that he has as longer windup than Ubaldo Jimenez.

And just as pretty.

Baltimore safety Ed Reed's one-game suspension for repeated helmet-to-helmet hits was reduced to a $50,000 fine when the man hearing the appeal, former coach Ted Cottrell, determined the hit didn't warrant such heavy-handed discipline.

So, why $50,000?

More evidence the NFL has no idea what it's doing in policing its own game.

Here's one easy rule to help clear things up. Until James Harrison serves a one-game suspension, nobody else can.

Another reason to be thankful for Cleveland sports in 2012. Not much post-game traffic.

Of Big Ten expansion, Gene Smith said, "It raises all ships."

Conference realignment is such a money grab, he meant pirate ships loaded with treasure.

The University of Miami self-imposed a bowl ban for this season.

But, hey, who will ever forget OSU's performance in last year's Whateveritwas Bowl.

Rutgers is giving up more than people think in leaving for the Big Ten, but hopefully someday it will find a way to replace traditional Big East geographical rivals like Boise State and San Diego State.

How many decades before Buckeye fans -- full of the kind of intensity only a bitter rival can trigger -- start sneering about "That School Up in North Jersey?"

Comes word from makeNFLplayoffs.com that the Browns can no longer win the division.

As for that Browns-make-the-playoffs wishbone pull today, it has a 0.04 chance of going your way.

Note to Browns players: Sunday, when Plaxico Burress says "party at my house in December," don't take the bait.

He tweeted it

"Browns-Cowboys going into overtime is the equivalent of all-you-can-eat at Golden Corral" -- Eric Stangel, writer and producer for "Late Show With David Letterman."

That's a terrible thing to say about Golden Corral.

He said it

"Get your divorce papers ready or make this marriage work" -- Louisville coach Rick Pitino on the message delivered inside conference realignments.

Not sure that's the best analogy for Rick Pitino.

You said it

(The Thanksgiving Edition Featuring Seven of Spin's Nine Readers)

Bud: Did the Browns rename the cornerback position and call it piggyback? -- Larry Rose, Diamond

Just because Plaxico Burress is offering 50 percent off Cedar Point prices for all rides Sunday at the stadium is no reason to jump to conclusions.

Bud: Is it true Mr. Lerner held out for slightly over $1 billion so he had enough money to afford a pair of Browns season tickets next year as well as parking and a hot dog for every game? -- Keith, Cleveland

No doubt prices will go up. As for your estimate, I checked with industry analysts and they don't believe it'll cover the hot dog.

Hey, Bud: Is it true the wacky design on the compression undershirt that Braxton Miller wears was inspired by the pattern of one of Terrell Pryor's tattoos? -- Geoff, Shaker

Asking me about anything related to fashion is like asking Tom Waits how to hit the high notes.

Hey Bud: With Holiday shopping in full gear, ever thought of publishing "The Best of Shaw's Spins." Or would that mean dealing with book signings, bodyguards and put you in a higher tax bracket? -- Doug, Westlake

Catsup, Mustard and Relish will co-author a tell-all before there's enough "Best of Spin" entries to attract a publisher.

Bud: Is there anything more reminiscent of Midwestern college football tradition than a cool autumn breeze coming off the banks of the Hudson? -- Dan, Akron

Not unless it's the Potomac.

Bud: After the impressive 2-8 start by the Browns, isn't it time for everyone to admit that the primary problem for the 2011 Browns was Colt McCoy? -- Dave Uible, Rocky River

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

Bud: Do you think all student-athletes who are joining a new conference are properly vetted? It is important to limit all unabashed money grabs, such as the selling of team memorabilia. -- Dan, Akron

Repeat winners get duped.

Collins got to know Irving when his son, an assistant coach at Duke, was recruiting the point guard.

Philadelphia coach Doug Collins calls Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers a 'brilliant young player.' Matt Slocum, Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Philadelphia coach Doug Collins loves Kyrie Irving.

He has known the Cavs star point guard since Collins' son, Chris Collins, started recruiting Irving to Duke while he was in high school.

While Irving's absence for the next four weeks with a fractured left index finger definitely makes things easier on opponents, Collins really sounded sad when discussing the loss of Irving.

"I hate it because I've got personal interest in Kyrie," Collins said. "My son recruited him to Duke so there's a family bond there. I hate to see anybody get hurt. Kyrie's such a brilliant young player. He's had some freak things with the hand and the finger and some different things. He actually had that injury down at Duke with the toe. So as a young player, he's been beat up a little bit.

"I hope that this is not going to be something that he's going to be nicked up in his career because he's a fabulous player. To me he's sort of a combination of Isiah Thomas and Chris Paul when I watch him play. He can get anywhere he wants to get on that floor with the ball. He can shoot it, gets to the free-throw line. He plays at a great pace. When you're out there with him, if you're his teammate, you can read what he's doing.

"That's a huge loss for them."

Who's No. 2?At Wednesday morning's shootaround, Cavs coach Byron Scott said he would continue to use Omri Casspi as his backup small forward while C.J. Miles tries to work himself out of a slump. Miles is shooting 21.8 percent from the field, but Scott said he has been working hard at practice this week. Perhaps that's why, in Wednesday night's game, Scott inserted Miles ahead of Casspi in the first quarter.

"That's what he understands as a veteran, is that when you're going through something like this, all you can do right now is work your butt off at practice and try to come out of it and when he gets his opportunity again, be ready to take advantage of it."

Cast your ballots: Cavs fans can vote to see Tuesday's game between the Cavs and the visiting Phoenix Suns on NBA TV. Voting is open on NBA.com, the NBA Facebook Page, Yahoo.com, mobile web, mobile Game Time app and Twitter.

Fan club: NBA TV's Greg Anthony is a huge fan of 76ers guard Jrue Holiday. Speaking during halftime of Tuesday's NBA TV Fan Night broadcast of the Lakers' 95-90 victory over Brooklyn, Anthony said, "Jrue Holiday might be the most improved player in the NBA."

The last word: From Scott, on Jack Taylor of Grinnell, who set the NCAA basketball scoring record with 138 points on Monday against Faith Baptist Bible College, "Wow. What's the world coming to?"

The rookie running back says he particularly regrets trying to go up and over the line in a fourth-quarter play from the Dallas 1-yard line. Watch video

Getting stuffed on this play at the goal line against Dallas is not sitting well with Cleveland Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- Trent Richardson squared his shoulders Wednesday and heaped the blame for Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss in Dallas on them.

Specifically, he pinned it on his failure to score from the 1 in the fourth quarter, when he tried to go up and over the line instead of hitting a hole. It wasn't the play he was looking for there, but he nevertheless took the rap.

"I can't take it back now, but it happens," the rookie running back said. "I didn't see what I thought I saw. I tried to jump over the pile and I didn't score. I guess you can put the game on me. I guess I'm the reason why we lost."

At first, it almost seemed like Richardson was saying it tongue-in-cheek. But he was serious.

"I'm really saying it," he said. "You can put the game on me. I'm a man. I'm going to man up to my mistakes and my faults. No man is scared away of his own faults or decision-making. I made my decision and I messed up. That happens when you make decisions right on the run. It just happens."

Richardson said he wanted the ball with the game on the line, but "the play I wanted, we didn't call. Like I say, I'm with coach with whatever he calls."

Richardson wouldn't say what play he was hoping to run.

"I'm going to leave that alone. Coach made his decision and I agree with everything called."

Lead blocker Alex Smith cleared some room on the play but Richardson chose to go over instead of through.

"Like I said, it's much more than that," he said. "Maybe if I wouldn't have jumped over, maybe the hole would've closed even faster. Maybe the hole opened up because I jumped over. There's much more than what y'all see on the outside."

Richardson, who rushed for 95 yards on 28 carries for a 3.4-yard average and caught six passes for 49 yards, found no solace in that the Browns came back and scored on their next possession -- a 17-yard TD pass from Brandon Weeden to Ben Watson to go ahead, 20-17, with 1:07 left in regulation.

He was miffed at himself for a number of plays, including one in the fourth quarter where he tried to juke past safety Gerald Sensabaugh in the flat, but Sensabaugh instead punched out the ball. Fortunately for the Browns, Richardson recovered, but it killed the drive at the Browns' 16, and Dallas scored on the next drive to go ahead, 17-13.

"I fumbled and that rarely happens," Richardson said. "That's my second time fumbling this year. He made an excellent play on the ball. His facemask hit right on the ball. I wish I would've run through him instead of trying to shake him. I made a poor decision. That's what happens when your legs get [dived] at the whole game. You make decisions like that."

In the second half and overtime, Richardson ran 12 times for 33 yards for a 2.75-yard average. On four of those runs, he was stopped for no gain, including three in the final 3:30 of regulation and once in OT. The overtime stuff came on the first play of the Browns' only drive, when they were at their own 10-yard line. They went three-and-out and lost when the Cowboys kicked a field goal on the next drive.

"His eyes could have been in a couple different spots that maybe would have been advantageous for him, but by in large, he's usually going to do pretty well with those," offensive coordinator Brad Childress said.

Richardson, who stands 15th in the NFL with 670 rushing yards, is still suffering from torn cartilage in his ribs and isn't 100 percent. But he never considered missing time, and still wants to be the closer.

"Oh yeah, that's what they picked me for," he said. "That's why they jumped up spots. I do feel it's on me, but I can't get down on myself and have a bad game this Sunday. That game's over with. I beat myself up after the game and watched the film on the plane. I knew I could've made better decisions, but I'm not going to go the whole week [upset] because life to me is much more than football.

"I've got a family at home, and I've got teammates around me that don't want me down. I can't have [them] looking at me like, 'This is what a first draft pick is supposed to be doing?' "

Richardson scoffed at the notion that perhaps he's dancing too much.

"I can make smarter decisions, but me dancing around too much? Nah," he said. "People don't see what I see. Everybody with a clicker in front of the TV or in the stands might see something different, but it's way faster and there's a lot more going on in the game."

He said it's not a matter of him using moves that worked in college but are not working as well in the NFL.

"Nah, I still do the same stuff and it still works," he said. "It's probably me not being 100 percent yet and me not trusting some of the stuff I usually do. I just have to get back to being me. I do the same stuff I did in college, high school and little league. That's what got me here. If y'all want me to switch up my game, I can't help it."

Childress said Montario Hardesty, who averaged 5.8 yards per carry on four attempts in Dallas, has been hitting the hole faster.

"[Hardesty] gives you a little different tempo," Childress said. "It's a great to have two backs that give you a different pace. A defense kind of screws its cleats into the ground one way for one guy and all of a sudden a guy that's a change-of-pace guy comes in."

But he cautioned faster is not always better.

"It's not," he said. "Particularly when you're running against the zone run scheme. You're trying to put those blocks on linebackers at the right pace. That's where we talk about smooth to the hole, speed through the hole. We don't want it to be a race to the hole, because it wouldn't time up with what's happening in front of them."

But Richardson, who will go against the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense Sunday, will still get most of the reps, Childress said.

"We can coach him up and get him a little bit better, and get his eyes back in the right spot if they happen to wander in the wrong spot," he said.

Weeden felt Richardson was being too hard on himself.

"I don't agree one bit," he said. "He rushed for 95 yards. He played hard. I can see why [he's taking the blame], because he's that kind of guy. He's a competitor and a team player. It says a lot about his character to say that, but he's a hell of a player. I'll take more of the blame than he does."

Maurice Clarett, who helped lead Ohio State to a national championship in his only season on the field, will be back Saturday with coach Jim Tressel and the rest of the 2002 Buckeyes.

Maurice Clarett played in only one Ohio State-Michigan game, but it was one of the biggest, a 14-9 victory that set the stage for the double-overtime win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Amy Sancetta, Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Between the first and second quarters on Saturday afternoon, one of the most complicated relationships between past and present in college football will offer itself to the 105,000 fans in Ohio Stadium.

The last undefeated Ohio State team will share the field with this undefeated team.

The 2002 Buckeyes and the 2012 Buckeyes.

Jim Tressel, the coach who led that team and caused this team to suffer NCAA sanctions.

Urban Meyer, the coach who snuffed out the dreams of another undefeated hopeful, the 2006 Ohio State team, and who is now a Buckeye and carrying a perfect record.

And, at the heart of it, a running back who flashed across Ohio State's screen for one season, then seemed on the verge of bringing the program down himself, spent 31/2 years in prison and now will step on the field at the Horseshoe for the first time since he gained 119 yards in helping to lead a 14-9 win over Michigan 10 years ago.

Maurice Clarett said he doesn't reflect on his Ohio State past, not because he wants to forget it, but because he remains a member of Buckeye Nation.

"I still believe I'm a part of Ohio State, so I don't break it up," Clarett told The Plain Dealer in a recent phone interview. "There were some down times, there were some great times, but all in all, I still feel close and connected and part of what is going on and what is relevant.

"And I only say that because I've been back and feel the connection and the love."

Clarett said he is moving back to Columbus from Omaha, Neb., where he played in the UFL, the football minor league that closed up shop a month ago. He has been around for several OSU games this season, taking photos with fans and attending events with former teammate Roy Hall's foundation, Driven, to help in the community.

"It's nothing but positive responses," Clarett said of the reaction in Columbus. "People say what took place is in the past, and they love and appreciate what took place on the field, and they want to see me do well."

Now this team is doing well, trying to become the sixth OSU squad to finish with an unblemished record.

"I think they're solid," Clarett said. "More than anything, I don't think there's been a lot of breakout players other than Braxton [Miller] on offense. I know coach Meyer has a lot of young guys who need to learn the offense, a lot of guys who don't come from that system, and I believe he will recruit guys who fit his scheme.

"They came out strong and these guys have been playing with character. I don't want to say anything bad about their talent. They've had some good times and it'll carry over to next season. But, all in all, I think there are great things ahead and winning brings in a lot of recruits. A lot of young guys are just fascinated with coach Meyer in general, and I think it'll be a great deal."

Clarett was one of Tressel's first major recruits, and he showed why right away. But his actions off the field caused him to be suspended by Ohio State for the 2003 season, and he never played another down for the Buckeyes. Ohio State, though, did not suffer as a program.

So after serving his prison sentence from 2006 to '10 after a guilty plea to aggravated robbery, Clarett was back at Ohio State that summer, with Tressel's help. He took summer classes and used Ohio State's workout facilities, even interacting with the players at times.

However, with Meyer now in charge, Clarett said he has no connection with the administration or football staff. But he still talks with Tressel. He said he was at the former coach's home two weeks ago. And Clarett wouldn't be around this weekend if Tressel weren't here.

"I felt like if anything was supposed to take place, I felt like coach Tressel should be involved," Clarett said. "Regardless of what took place politically off the field, I wanted to leave that off the field, leave it in a different box. But for the fans and people who appreciated our season and supported it, I thought everyone should be invited."

And they were. Ohio State was fine with that. Most of the players from 2002 will be greeted and applauded Saturday as nothing short of football heroes. Also, Clarett, Tressel and several other Buckeyes will be in Cleveland on Tuesday night for a public banquet hosted by the OSU Alumni Club of Greater Cleveland.

"A lot of those guys have been around the program while I was here, so a lot of those guys I probably know by face at least," senior safety Orhian Johnson said. "Just looking at it, just knowing that you're around greatness and stuff like that, it's just a reminder that this is the Ohio State University."

Clarett is eager to see former teammates he hasn't seen in a decade and share "some rich laughs."

"I won't call them cheap laughs, because there weren't any cheap moments," Clarett said. "It was a blue-collar culture, and I think that stemmed from the top down, from coach Tressel. We didn't have any superstars, but we had a lot of grungy types who worked hard and stuck together, guys who were about the team."

A lot can happen in 10 years. Clarett is proof of that. He has self-published a book based on his prison writings and ESPN is filming a documentary on him as part of its "30 for 30" series. He is hoping to continue his education and get more involved in community outreach.

Saturday, he just wants to be with his former teammates, and celebrate a team that didn't lose. After a break to applaud the past, the 2012 Buckeyes will try to become one of those special teams, too. Because if you don't lose, you can always come back, seemingly no matter what else has happened.

"Of course I'd like to come back for a 20-year reunion," Clarett said. "I know a lot of those guys from '68 [the last undefeated team before 2002] still come back. I understand how hard it is to win a championship and how hard it is to go undefeated. The more and more you get away from it, you understand that."

Browns safety T.J. Ward is not very thankful for the $25,000 fine the NFL handed him for his hit on Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree.

A picture is worth . . . $25,000? Brandon Wade, AP

T.J. Ward's Thanksgiving week involved a lot of give and take.

It began with him giving turkeys to families in need and ended with the NFL taking $25,000 from him for what he felt was a legal hit.

Ward, who will appeal, struck Cowboys receiver Kevin Ogletree in the chest with his shoulder, but the NFL determined that Ward's momentum drove him upward, where he made contact with Ogletree's helmet. Ward's hit forced Ogletree to knock heads with onrushing cornerback Buster Skrine, and the violent helmet-to-helmet collision forced Ogletree and Skrine out of the game with concussions.

Ogletree has been ruled out for today's game against the Redskins, and Skrine was held out of Wednesday's practice. His status for the Steelers on Sunday is uncertain as the Browns work through the concussion protocol.

"It's not even fair," Ward said. "It's not fair at all and if you look at the hit a thousand times, it's not an illegal hit at all."

Ward's fine came the same week Ravens safety Ed Reed was initially suspended a game for repeated helmet-to-helmet hits -- including one on Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders last Sunday. Reed appealed and the suspension was overturned and the fine reduced from $423,529 -- one game check -- to $50,000.

The letter notifying Ward of the fine admonished him for being a repeat offender, one who knocked Bengals receiver Jordan Shipley out of a game in 2010 with a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit. Ward was fined $15,000 for that hit. He was penalized for roughing Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco on Nov. 4, but wasn't fined.

"I could see if I taunted [Ogletree] or celebrated after the hit or anything," Ward said. "I thought it was a clean, fair hit and I walked away. Then I saw the flag and I was like, 'OK, whatever.' "

"I think it was completely legal. I aimed for his chest, I hit him in his chest, he was falling forward. No part of my helmet hit his helmet. No part of my shoulder pad hit his helmet. If it did at any part, it was probably the aftereffect or the end of the hit. But you know I think it was just a blown call and a blown punishment by me getting fined."

Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said he wouldn't coach Ward to do anything differently.

"I saw the replays multiple times and I didn't see any head-to-head contact on that play," Jauron said. "I don't know if anybody else did. I don't know what you tell him. They have to figure it out. I don't know what you tell the defensive player today."

Ward said it is increasingly hard on defenders.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "I could see if I came under him, like the Shipley hit, you can take that for example. By the rules, I deserved that fine or whatever. I hit him under his helmet, under his facemask. This one, not at all. I hit him in his chest. Freeze frame, you can see the pictures and everything, it's in his chest. My head is completely to the side. It's almost like he's over my shoulder. I'm gonna appeal it and see what happens."

Ward said quarterbacks are just as responsible.

"They throw the balls, they try to fit them into tight spots and we have to react," he said. "If you look at it, defensive players are fined way more than offensive players. We're put in the worst predicaments. We can't hit them. We can't grab them. We can't do anything. It's hard to play football and it's very hard to play defense. It's just hard."

Ward couldn't stomach the entire letter right away.

"I really just wanted to see what the price was," he said. "I put it down. I didn't want it to ruin the rest of my day."

Ward said the crowd reacting to the Ogletree-Skrine collision may have influenced the flag.

"During the game, [referee] Ed Hochuli said that I used my forearm into his helmet, which I don't even think he saw the hit because my forearm was at my stomach, so how could I put it up to his helmet?" he said.

As for the appeal, he said, "We're appealing to the people that fine us, so it's kind of hard."

Haden practices: Help is on the way. Cornerback Joe Haden, who missed the Cowboys game with a pulled oblique muscle, was on the field Wednesday on a limited basis. However, three other defensive backs were not: cornerbacks Dimitri Patterson (ankle) and Skrine, and safety Ray Ventrone (calf) . . . Two other Browns were limited besides Haden -- receiver Josh Cooper (knee) and defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin (calf/back). For the Steelers, several key players sat out Wednesday, including receiver Jerricho Cotchery (ribs), defensive end Ziggy Hood (back) and safety Troy Polamalu (calf). Receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) was limited.

Wavin' the white flag: Ticketmaster is running a promotion Sunday at Browns Stadium where all fans in attendance will receive a white inflatable flag with "Browns" and a Browns helmet on it.

Really? A white flag? As in surrender? For a 2-8 team facing its arch rival Terrible Towel-waving Steelers who have won 16 of the past 17 against the Browns?

The white flag giveaway is getting a lot of run on social media sites.

"Is this white flag thing true?" Browns safety T.J. Ward Tweeted. "If so . . . the white flag giveaway needs to be white flagged!"

Sounds like a Cleveland joke waiting to happen.

Harrison featured: Former Browns running back Jerome Harrison's harrowing experience with a brain tumor will be featured today on CBS' "The NFL Today." The segment is titled "The NFL Trade That Saved A Life."

Harrison was in the process of being traded from the Lions to the Eagles in October 2011, and when in Philadelphia for a medical exam, doctors discovered he had a brain tumor. Harrison was rushed back to Detroit for surgery, which was expected to take three hours. Twelve hours into the procedure, doctors told Harrison's pregnant wife, Michelle, that they could not predict the surgery's outcome. Harrison suffered a series of strokes the next day and has been rehabbing ever since. Michelle Harrison narrates the story as she and her husband talk about the ordeal for the first time.

Mattison was Meyer's defensive coordinator when the Florida Gators stomped No. 1 Ohio State after the 2006 season.

Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and Urban Meyer were assistant coaches together at Notre Dame, and Mattison later served as Meyer's defensive coordinator at Florida. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If you could hire one guy to stop Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, one defensive coach to match wits with Meyer's way of moving the ball, who would it be?

How about the first guy Meyer called when he made his biggest move, taking the head coaching job at Florida? Because that's the guy who's going to try to stop Meyer and Ohio State on Saturday at the Horseshoe.

Greg Mattison worked with both Meyer and Michigan head coach Brady Hoke early in his career. He was an assistant with Hoke at Michigan from 1992 to '96, then served as an assistant with Meyer at Notre Dame from 1997 to 2000. When Hoke was hired at Michigan, Mattison left his job as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator to join him in Ann Arbor.

Heck, if he wasn't already locked in with the Wolverines, he might have received another call when Meyer took over the Buckeyes.

"He was the first phone call I made when I got the job at the University of Florida, to find out if he'd go with me," said Meyer, as Mattison was still coaching at Notre Dame at the time. "We lived next to each other at Notre Dame for a long time. I know he's a great recruiter. We recruited together for many, many years. I've just got a lot of respect for him as a coach."

And he has to have some concern that Mattison knows just how Meyer thinks and what he wants to do as a coach.

"That enhances [the game] a little bit," Meyer said. "I know we've spent a lot of time now having conversations about how they'll play us, and that's probably the only thing that really matters now."

Ohio State fans have seen before what happens when Mattison knows what a team is going to do. It was his game plan that sent Gators defensive ends flying at Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith during the 2007 national championship game when Meyer, Mattison and the Florida Gators dominated Jim Tressel's Buckeyes, 41-14.

Mattison later used the Buckeyes for a case study of how to figure out an offense.

At a speech in March 2007, Mattison noted that, for instance, of 90 formations he had scouted when Ohio State lined up two running backs and two tight ends, the Buckeyes ran the ball 80 times. The result was that the Gators were calling out plays before the Buckeyes even ran them, and the OSU players knew it.

Now, however, Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman are different. They typically aren't predictable, and for the most part, they have made good adjustments in the second half. Last week against Wisconsin wasn't one of those times.

"We have to open this offense up and trust that good things are going to happen," Meyer said.

Against Mattison, that's even more critical, although Mattison said their shared past doesn't provide much of an edge.

"It's been a long time," Mattison said at a news conference in Ann Arbor this week. "When you get older, your mind is one of the first things that goes. In football, what happens is every place you're at, you put everything into that. It's like you don't remember those things that happened before. You don't really focus on that. And then when you're on different sides of the football, you concentrate on your side of the football. We've been focusing just on their offense, what they've done, and go from there."

The relationship remains, though.

"Oh, yeah. We'll always be friends," Mattison said.

And Saturday, that friendship won't hurt when Mattison is figuring out how to stop the Buckeyes.

Turkey plans: Ohio State is practicingThursday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. and then concluding practice with the tradition of senior tackle. It's actually the 100-year anniversary of the tradition, where each senior is recognized before the entire team and then hits the blocking sled one final time. According to Ohio State, the tradition began in 1913.

"It's one of the greatest traditions," Meyer said. "I learned it here. I've done it every place I've ever been because I learned it here. It's one of the great traditions to send off a young man to represent his last practice as a Buckeye."

The Buckeyes have 21 seniors on the roster -- 13 scholarship players and eight who came to Ohio State as walk-ons.

The scholarship players are defensive linemen John Simon, Nathan Williams and Garrett Goebel, linebackers Zach Boren, Etienne Sabino and Storm Klein, cornerback Travis Howard, safeties Orhian Johnson and Zach Domicone, offensive lineman Reid Fragel, fullback Adam Homan, receiver Jake Stoneburner and punter Ben Buchanan.

The walk-ons are defensive linemen Dalton Britt, Kharim Stephens and William McCary, linebackers Stewart Smith and Ross Oltorik, defensive back Vincent Petrella, receiver and special teamer Taylor Rice and quarterback Justin Siems.

After senior tackle, the players are free to go home for Thanksgiving. Those who don't live close by may go with a teammate or friend or eat at the home of their position coach.

Everyone must report back by 1 p.m. Friday.

Crisler coached at UM from 1938 to 1947, with his last team finishing 10-0 after a Rose Bowl thrashing of Southern Cal.

New coach Fritz Crisler and team captain Fred Janke before the start of spring practice in 1938. Associated Press

Rookie remembrances

Looking back at first-year coaches in the OSU-Michigan rivalry:

Fritz Crisler coached the Wolverines from 1938 through '47. That last team, known as the "Mad Magicians," went 10-0 and blanked Southern Cal, 49-0, in the Rose Bowl. Crisler was credited with creating the "platoon system," where players played either offense or defense instead of both. He finished 71-16-3 at Michigan and served as the school's athletic director from 1941 to '68. Here is an excerpt from The Plain Dealer's account of Crisler's first OSU-Michigan game in 1938, won by the Wolverines, 18-0:

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 19 -- The might and majesty of Michigan football again prevails.

A Michigan team like that of the best good old days -- staunch, resourceful, always alert -- today closed its year of renaissance with a smashing victory over Ohio State, 18 to 0.

Before 67,554 persons in Ohio Stadium, punting, passing and needing no prayer, Fritz Crisler's Wolverines brought to a close the Buckeyes' four-year domination over the men of Ann Arbor.

Ohio State was beaten largely by an Ohioan. Paul Kromer, the Lorain tornado, wearing on his back the significant number of one of Michigan's famed plays -- No. 83 -- was the balance wheel and man of all work as the Wolverine attack raged to triumph.

Kromer, 20-year-old sophomore, did not figure in the scoring, but wound up gloriously his first season of college competition. He played for 55 of the 60 minutes, handling the punting, doing much of the ball carrying and passing, and winning acclaim as the steadiest and smartest performer on the field.

Read OSU-Michigan game stories from 1938 and every other year in the series at cleveland.com/osu-michigan.

Jeremy Pargo replaced Kyrie Irving in the starting lineup and scored a career-high 28 points, with five rebounds and four assists, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 92-83 victory that snapped their six-game losing streak.

Updated at 11:35

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott knew he'd be without point guard Kyrie Irving against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night at The Q. It was announced Monday that Irving would be out four weeks with a fractured left index finger.

Then, just before tipoff, Scott lost shooting guard Daniel Gibson, his most consistent bench player, with continued soreness in his right elbow. Gibson also missed Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

Scott also had a pair of players -- starting power forward Tristan Thompson and backup center Tyler Zeller -- wearing masks to protect a broken nose and broken cheekbone, respectively.

None of it mattered.

Jeremy Pargo replaced Irving in the starting lineup and scored a career-high 28 points, while also delivering five rebounds and four assists, to lead the Cavs to a 92-83 victory that snapped their six-game losing streak. They also had lost six straight to the Sixers.

"I don't think anybody expected JP to come in and play the way he did," a beaming Scott said after the game. "I think you've got to give him a lot of credit. He works his butt off every day at practice. The last couple of games, getting a chance to play, he's come in and done what he's supposed to do. We talk about opportunities. He took advantage of it."

Pargo, traded to the Cavs from Memphis over the summer for D.J. Kennedy, took a page out of Irving's playbook and used a combination of driving layups and four 3-pointers, hitting some big shots when the Cavs needed them most. After the Sixers' small lineup closed to within 79-77 late in the fourth quarter, Pargo scored on a swooping layup to start the Cavs on a 13-0 run that decided the game. He had a rebound, an assist and a 3-pointer in the run.

"I wanted to come out aggressive, play within myself and do whatever it took to win the game," Pargo said. "You don't want to come out and force things. This was a big win for us. Hopefully, this is the start of something special."

Rookie Dion Waiters added 16 points, Alonzo Gee had 14 points -- including four 3-pointers -- and Anderson Varejao had 10 points and 19 rebounds as the Cavs improved to 3-8. Reserve C.J. Miles, who had been struggling mightily and was shooting 21.8 percent, had a season-high 13 points while making 3-of-4 3-pointers.

Jason Richardson and Jrue Holiday each had 16 points for the Sixers, who shot just 36 percent (31-of-86) and slipped to 7-5.

But there was no doubt who the hero was on this night.

"Pargo played the game of his life," Philadelphia's Thaddeus Young said. "It was like playing a guy in a video game, like NBA 2K."

Pargo had moved ahead of Donald Sloan in Scott's rotation the past couple of games, and Scott thought moving him into the starting lineup was a natural progression.

"Another guy who's very good on the defensive end, especially picking up guys full court," Scott said in explaining his decision. "He's a very good man-on-man defensive player, pretty good off the ball as well, one of our best communicators on the floor. I think that helps our guys on both ends of the floor.

"Offensively, I'm not asking him to do anything he can't do. I know he can run the show. I know he can push the tempo. I know he makes good decisions. If he has open shots, I want him to take them with confidence.

"The game plan doesn't necessarily change. We just try to do it a little bit better."

They certainly were able to do that in the first half. Pargo had 13 points -- the only player in double figures -- while making five of 10 shots as the Cavs built a 19-point lead before settling for a 47-35 advantage at halftime. Philadelphia, playing on the second night of a back-to-back after Tuesday's victory over Toronto, shot just 26.7 percent in the first half (12-of-45). But seven straight points by Richardson started the Sixers on a 15-5 run to open the third quarter, and suddenly the Cavs' lead was down to 52-50. The Cavs responded with their own 13-0 run, including 3-pointers by Waiters and Gee, and rebuilt a 68-58 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

With big rivalry games on tap this weekend, the ineptitude of the Clevelnd Browns against the PIttsburgh Steelers is especially stark compared with the recent success of Ohio State against Michigan.

Under coach Jim Tressel, who brought in such star players as Akron's Beanie Wells (28), the Buckeyes had a great run against Michigan, going 9-1 on the field against their hated rival. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Almost every weekday afternoon Dustin Fox, a talk show host at 92.3 The Fan, hears the voices of frustration pouring through his headphones. It is the soundtrack of our sporting lives in Cleveland.

Anger over another Browns defeat. Impatience with the Cavaliers rebuilding process. Disgust with how none of the teams can woo top-drawer free agents to our shores.

Like other sports hosts in town, Fox is part therapist, part preacher as he counsels, consoles and challenges callers. But unlike others, Fox sometimes will be thanked on air for what he did a decade ago as a member of the Ohio State football team: win a national championship and consistently beat a hated rival.

"Some fans will tell me the (Buckeyes' 2002 BCS) title has been the only one in their lifetime," Fox said. "It makes me happy, but it also makes me sad because these people deserve so much more."

Rivalry weekend beckons for Buckeyes, Cavs and Browns fans. Ohio State hosts the Wolverines on Saturday afternoon with a chance to cap a perfect season under imperfect circumstances. The Cavaliers minus Kyrie Irving visit LeBron James and the NBA champion Miami Heat on Saturday night. Finally, the struggling Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon.

These are the types of matchups that can embolden or emasculate a fan base. In recent years, they have served to remind us why the Buckeyes are only gaining popularity in our region. They win when others do not and beat the teams that matter most to us.

OSU is 9-2 against Michigan since Fox's freshman season of 2001, a mark that has helped produce six Big Ten titles (another vacated) and seven BCS bowl appearances. In that same span, the Browns are 2-21 against Pittsburgh including a playoff loss. Jimmy Haslam might own the Browns, but the Steelers remain their masters.

It was announced Wednesday fans attending the game will receive inflatable white flags with orange helmets on them courtesy of Ticketmaster. Waving white flags in front of the Steelers? In what community college marketing class would this project receive a passing grade?

For longtime Cleveland Brown Josh Cribbs, there have been plenty of long days on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom E. Puskar, Associated Press

Browns coach Pat Shurmur was asked what still makes Browns-Steelers a rivalry given its lopsided recent history.

"We're in the (AFC North) division, we're geographically close and it just naturally is," Shurmur said. "It just is."

Not exactly Jim Tressel standing up in front of arena full of Buckeye fans and assuring them they will be proud of their team the next time it plays its arch rival. But say this for Shurmur and the young Browns (2-8) – they have played hard if not well. No white flags in that locker room, especially given a chance to play against the Steelers third-string quarterback Charlie Batch.

"It'll mean everything for the city and our fans," special teams ace Josh Cribbs said. "So that's why I'm going to be egging the guys on. Not that they need it, but I'm going to be still standing there like, 'You know what this means for our city? We've lost a lot of games, but we can make it right.' "

The Heat meant nothing to Cavaliers fans until 2003 when the keepers of David Stern's draft lottery ping pong balls delivered James to Cleveland and Miami drafted Dwyane Wade. Wade won a title in his second season and James reached the NBA Finals in 2007.

The Cavs and Heat delivered some riveting regular-season games and it was natural to assume a playoff rivalry would burgeon. But James broke Cleveland hearts on July 8, 2010 and the Cavs have won once in their past seven tries against Miami.

Last season, a flirtatious James hinted of a possible return to Cleveland in 2014 then embarrassed the Cavs, 111-87, at The Q. Coach Byron Scott confessed his team looked "scared" and James was last seen skipping out of the gym, flinging his headband into the stands and slapping hands with fans who had come to boo him.

James has drawn criticism from locals for his support of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. But, like a lot of Northeast Ohio kids growing up at the turn of the century, he is a Buckeyes football fan. Just as he was bursting into the national conscious as a precocious sophomore at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, the Buckeyes were putting an end to more than a decade of dominance by the Wolverines.

Ohio State beat Michigan just twice in John Cooper's 13 seasons as coach (2-10-1 from 1988 to 2000). Seven of those losses denied the Buckeyes of either a Big Ten title, a Rose Bowl berth, or pursuit of a national championship.

"This area has always supported Ohio State, but there was a bit of a lull there," Fox said. "When you beat your rival it starts to give you something to hang our hat on."

The Buckeyes-Wolverines series turned on the hiring of Tressel, a son of Berea who placed a profound emphasis on the rivalry and closed the pipeline of Ohio talent flowing to Michigan.

The '02 title team was peppered with Northeast Ohio talent featuring Maurice Clarett, Michael Doss, Alex Stepanovich, Matt Wilhelm and Fox. The Glenville connection that included Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. only strengthened the region's bond to Columbus.

Membership in the OSU Alumni Club of Greater Cleveland has grown steadily in the past decade, said spokesman Laura Ambro. Huge wins over Michigan, such as the epic 42-39 battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in 2006, further burnished the program's image in the eyes of Cleveland fans desperate for a winner.

Not even the school's series of scandals has done much to curb popularity. Clarett clashed with the university and the NCAA. Players were caught accepting money from rogue boosters. Tattoos and memorabilia led to the fall of Tressel and this year's bowl ban. The Buckeyes just kept winning.

How many teams, college or pro, can replace a Jim Tressel with an Urban Meyer in a year?

In Cleveland, we're conditioned to believe big-name players and coaches won't come here. Too cold. Too Middle America. But being an Ohio State fan means the top recruits are always on your radar. There are no three-year rebuilding plans. The Horseshoe is a college football equivalent to Yankee Stadium or Staples Center.

When the bowl ban was announced last December, OSU seniors such as defensive end John Simon had a free pass to transfer without sitting out a season. They all stayed. They will play their final game as a Buckeye on Saturday against Michigan in hopes of avenging last year's loss and finishing the season undefeated.

In the past decade, rivalry games for Cleveland fans have been met with as much trepidation as excitement. We worry what will go wrong. It's why fans around here keep thanking Fox and other Buckeyes.

Nobody will be waving white flags Saturday at noon.

"Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback that has had a lot of playing experience in this league. He has won a lot of games. I have a lot of respect for Charlie, I always have," Dick Jauron said.

Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron held his weekly press conference with members of the media on Wednesday in Berea. This transcript is provided by the Cleveland Browns Media Relations staff.

(On if we should expect to see more Johnson Bademosi at cornerback) – “It depends on the injury situation, but he did a really nice job filling it. He got tested, obviously with the talent level they have in Dallas. He did a nice job. We really like Johnson. He’s very into it and clearly he’s a very tough guy. He wants to do it badly. He wants to do it well. He wants to do it as well as you can possibly do it. He works at it all the time. (He’s a) terrific young man.”

 

(On how hard it is to teach the guys defensively not to touch guy five yards down the field when the offensive player is initiating) – “It’s tough. It’s a judgment call, and our officials are the best in the world at what they do. It’s just a very, very difficult game to officiate. Things are so fast and so physical on both sides of the ball.”

 

(On if T.J. Ward has to do anything differently with the penalties he’s been getting) – “I think just keep doing what he’s doing. I saw the replays multiple times and I didn’t see any head to head contact on that play. I don’t know if anybody else did. I don’t know what you tell him. They have to figure it out. I don’t know what you tell the defensive player today.”

 

(On what you tell the defense in regards to aiming for the sternum and the receivers dropping their heads) – “All we tell our entire defense is don’t ever intentionally hit another player in the head or the neck. Don’t hit the quarterback intentionally in the knees in the pocket. Other than that, you’ve just got to play, because there’s no way that you can make an adjustment in a split second where the offensive player ducks his head or dips his shoulder, or turns or twists or whatever they’re going to do. The quarterbacks throw them into tough spots. Maybe they should stop the quarterback from throwing the ball in those tough spots. Put some of the onus on the offense occasionally.”

 

(On how the defense prepares for Charlie Batch) – “There are very few people that are Ben Roethlisberger anywhere. Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback that has had a lot of playing experience in this league. He has won a lot of games. I have a lot of respect for Charlie, I always have. He’ll certainly be able to control the football game, understand their offense and everything they do. He won’t have the arm strength, clearly, that Ben has. Again, there are very few that do anywhere. We’ll have our hands full with their speed and their skill, and just their overall ability on the offensive side.”

 

"Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback that has had a lot of playing experience in this league. He has won a lot of games. I have a lot of respect for Charlie, I always have," Dick Jauron said. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

(On if Ed’s Reed suspension makes him think of what guys can and can’t do) – “I understand what you’re saying. Ed Reed’s a great player, clearly a Hall of Fame player, and not a cheap shot player by any stretch of the imagination. No, I’m not sure there is any other way to coach it than how we’re coaching it. To say what I said earlier, play as hard and as fast as you can, and don’t intentionally hit another player in the head or the neck, ever. Then we can live with what happens because we have to. You can’t wait to see what the offensive player is going to do with his body before you strike a blow. If you do intentionally hit somebody in the head or the neck, you should be penalized and fined.”

 

(On where his friendship with Dick LeBeau originated) – “Actually, I was introduced to him as a rookie in Detroit as a player, because I had just missed him by a year. The defensive players obviously thought the world of him. We played, at least this is what I believed what happened; we played in Philadelphia that year. Coach LeBeau was coaching their special teams. I believe that was his job at that time. The guys introduced us before that game and then I got to play for him in Cincinnati.”

 

(On how long he played for LeBeau) – “Two years.”

 

(On if the Steelers defense is playing better than last year) – “I don’t know much. I don’t see them on defense.”

 

(On if his defense is playing better this year) – “I said going in, we’re better, we were deeper. We’ve had a number of injuries. We were deeper going into this year and all around we were more talented. I didn’t know statistics except for the win loss things, really aren’t significant to me anyway. I thought we’d be a deeper and better and faster defense.”

 

(On if Buster Skrine’s too small to play on the outside all the time) – “I don’t think so. Buster, he’s very much the kind of player you want to coach every day. You want to be around this kind of guy. He just will battle and fight and try to do, technique wise, what he’s taught and never quits. He’s obviously at a disadvantage against some receivers that are big receivers. He’s a good player, and he’s just going to get better. Obviously, you’ve got to eliminate a number of the penalties. Some of them, you obviously don’t agree with. Some of them, they are penalties. You’ve got to battle out there, because the offense clearly is pushing and shoving and grabbing. If you just accept it, you just get pushed all over the field.”

(On if the illegal contacts don’t always get called so he thinks he can do it or if it’s poor technique) – “Some of them, they are not poor technique. You’re in front of a receiver; you’re not going to get out of his way. Let him run down the field. They miss some, they make some. It’s a hard game to play and it’s a hard game to officiate. Like I said, they’re the best in the world. Whenever they throw a flag, half the people are mad at them.”

 

(On what has prevented Bademosi from playing more cornerback) – “Really just lack of experience, and lack of technique work the way we want it. That’s really it.”

 

(On if he sees Bademosi having a future in the NFL as a cornerback) – “I do. I think it’ll take him time. He’s going to work his way into it. The experience last Sunday was invaluable to him. I do, I think he can play.”

 

(On if he thinks the pass rush was so effective against Dallas because Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin are back) – “I think it had some impact inside. I didn’t change their protection schemes. Phil and Rub are good players. They are big, strong, physical players inside too, which helped us. Sometimes those things happen, where we really needed to get that kind of pressure on this guy, because he was a very talented quarterback. Their skill people are extremely talented down there. We needed all of that to keep it close.”

 

(On if Rubin and Taylor’s presence changed the scheme) – “I don’t think they changed scheme to block those guys. Their protection scheme wasn’t significantly different.”

 

(On if the inexperience at linebacker limit what they can do scheme wise) – “Not necessarily, no. I don’t think so.”

 

(On if LeBeau’s scheme totally different from what he does) – “Believe it or not, we don’t talk a lot of football. We’re on opposing teams in the same conference and division. Generally when we talk, we talk about other things.”

 

(On if they didn’t talk about football as far back as 20 years ago) – “Yeah, probably.”

 

(On him knowing LeBeau a long time) – “I have known him a long time. Fortunately, for me, I’m not sure how he feels about it (jokingly).”

 

(On Juqua Parker) – “Tremendous player. (He has) strength, great bull-rush and quickness off the edge. He’s just a proven player.”

  

"If Coach Scott can turn Pargo into [Ramon] Sessions it would be great," HowWilly posts.

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jeremy Pargo (8) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers' Spencer Hawes in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, in Cleveland. Pargo, playing in place of injured starter, Kyrie Irving, scored 28 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 92-83 win. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

The Legend of Jeremy Pargo (because Pargosanity doesn't sound right) began last night at The Q, as the Cavaliers point guard scored a career-high 28 points in a win over the Sixers.

Also emerging from obscurity was C.J. Miles, who scored a season-high 13 points.

Can the two keep it up while Kyrie Irving recovers from injury?

In today's Comment of the Day, HowWilly writes,

"If Coach Scott can turn Pargo into [Ramon] Sessions it would be great. It will be interesting to see his next few games and see if the confidence he gained last night will get him through nights when his shot is not falling. I hope Miles continues to score at the rim before hoisting 3s."

What do you think? Post in the comments section below.