1. Shaker Heights (21-3 in 2011-12, Division I district champion): The Raiders lost Terry Rozier but return Kash Blackwell (6-5), Rosel Hurley (6-6), Mel Leach (6-0) and Esa Ahmad (6-7), and added dynamic freshman Keith Griffin (6-0) and 6-1 transfer Kaleb Roy (6-1). 2. St. Ignatius (16-6, Division I sectional champion): The Wildcats have the key ingredients: experience, a...

Shaker Heights coach Danny Young will rely on returning players such as Mel Leach, right, after the Raiders lost Terry Rozier to graduation. - (Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer)

1. Shaker Heights (21-3 in 2011-12, Division I district champion): The Raiders lost Terry Rozier but return Kash Blackwell (6-5), Rosel Hurley (6-6), Mel Leach (6-0) and Esa Ahmad (6-7), and added dynamic freshman Keith Griffin (6-0) and 6-1 transfer Kaleb Roy (6-1).

2. St. Ignatius (16-6, Division I sectional champion): The Wildcats have the key ingredients: experience, a skillful guard in Francisco Santiago, size in 6-6 Alex Papesch, 6-6 David Black and 6-5 Derek Sloan and athletic and savvy point guards Brian Fisher and Danny Bova.

3. St. Edward (18-8, Division I regional champion): With his brother Myles graduated, it is Marsalis Hamilton's turn. The 6-3 junior joins 6-4 Tony Vuyancih, 6-6 senior Tim Stainbrook, 6-6 sophomore Kipper Nichols and point guard Royal Eddie to give the Eagles a solid foundation.

4. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (15-9, Division IV district runner-up): Some believe the Vikings are the best team in the area with 6-3 Duane Gibson, 6-9 Carlton Bragg, 6-7 Demonte Flannigan and emerging 6-2 sophomore Brian Parker. 'A fifth state title is not out of the question.

5. Garfield Heights (18-5, Division I district runner-up): The loss of Tony Farmer will hurt, but freshmen Willie Jackson (6-5) and Frankie Hughes (5-10) join 6-10 David Bell, 6-3 Al Burge, 6-3 David Wright and 5-9 Robbie Hurst. The Bulldogs might struggle early.

6. St. Vincent-St. Mary (16-9, Division II regional runner-up): Coach Dru Joyce is still waiting on footballers Jordan Hargrove and Fransohn Bickley, but 6-6 senior Nick Wells, 6-5 junior transfer Jalen Hudson and can't-miss freshmen VJ King and Henry Baddley should be able to hold the fort.

7. Mentor (22-3, Division I district champion): The biggest team in coach Bob Krizancic's 20 seasons with eight players at 6-4 or taller. Nice blend of seniors (guards Jeff Foreman, Brody Nelson and Michael Gallagher) and juniors (forward Brandon Fritts and guards Conner Krizancic and Caleb Porter) provide a formidable nucleus.

8. Brunswick (15-6, Division I sectional champion): Injuries to 6-3 Ryan Badowski and 6-7 Taylor Armagost might slow the Blue Devils' start. But, it's the finish that counts and Badowski, Armagost and 6-5 Kyle Wheeler can help a team finish strong. Depth could be an issue.

9. Central Catholic (11-12, Division II sectional champion): Freshmen Tervell Beck and Brandon Peters are expected to add additional spice to a lineup that already includes five players with experience. Junior Chelvonte Montgomery and fellow guards Greg Snyder and Greg Alexander are the foundation.

10. Archbishop Hoban (15-7, Division II district runner-up): The Knights lack formidable size, but seniors DeAllen Jackson, Jaelen Hollinger and Saadiq Muhammad are solid. Quickness is an asset. Freshman Anthony Christian could work his way into the starting lineup.

11. Richmond Heights (24-2, Division IV regional runner-up): Multitalented guard Rico Jones leads a tall and experienced lineup bolstered by the addition of Jameel Moore, a 6-5 transfer from Brush. Improving on last season could be tough, but 6-6 Tavonte Harris, 6-5 Frank Barber and 6-3 Arthur Christian could make it happen.

12. John Hay (16-8, Division II district runner-up): Talented 6-5 senior Maurice O'Field heads a lineup that could include no one under 6-2 and multiple go-to guys such as Joshua Lumbus and Tijuna Umar. Those three averaged 40 points and 21 rebounds among them.

13. Cleveland Heights (17-5, Division I sectional champion): Junior guard Marcus Bagley would be a star on any team. The Tigers are a little short in the size department with 6-7 Antonio Harper the only significant player over 6-6.

14. Benedictine (14-9, Division II district champion): Senior Westley Parr (6-7) leads and talented juniors Gary Williams (5-9), Tysean Powell (6-6), T.J. Steele (5-7), Jordan Philpotts (6-2) and Nick Meek (6-5) will follow. Expect growing pains as Parr and Ashier Poole are the only seniors.

15. Medina (10-16, Division I regional runner-up): The Bees have increased their depth from last year and have added 6-9 freshman John Teske. Seniors Billy Geschke, Logan Winkler, Brian Letts, Dillon Wiesler and others gained valuable playing time last season.

16. Buchtel (9-10): The Griffins experienced a rare down year in 2011-12 when underclassmen peppered the lineup. Look for a return to normalcy -- i.e. Akron City Series contention and beyond -- behind seniors Elijah Bell, Tyler Jones, Sable Cooper, Jalen Ruffin, Monte Hicks and Erron Cosey.

17. Firestone (16-7, Division I district runner-up): Size could be a problem but athleticism and skill are not. Seniors Kevin Gladney, J.T. Lane and Chaz Brantley fit that description. Throw in 6-4 junior Evan Kennerly and talented 6-2 sophomore Reggie Rogers and the Falcons become a contender.

18. Beachwood (14-9, Division III district runner-up): The Bison will be guard-heavy with 5-10 junior point John Davis III, 6-0 Julio Stevens, 5-8 Trey Sanders and 5-6 Al Hodge. Seniors Jordan Richardson and Jon Tramer, both 6-3, and outstanding 6-3 freshman Ronald Jones will help them improve'.

19. Bedford (9-13): Third-year coach Matt Miller is cautiously optimistic, but guards Aaron Beidleman and Chris Carter and post Dawud Fisher-Grace make the Bearcats a Lake Erie League contender. Sophomore Mike Smith played significant minutes as a freshman.

20. Brush (19-4, Division I district runner-up): Big men Brandon Dawson (6-4) and Joey Scampitilla (6-11) will have to make up for the loss of Pharaoh Brown and Curtis Oakley to graduation and another player who transferred out. A 51-18 record over the past three seasons speaks volumes for the program.

21. Barberton (14-7): Sophomore Josh Williams averaged 15 points and four assists while setting numerous school freshman scoring records, and 6-3 guards Scott Sabol and Nate Painter also return as starters. Senior Jerry Williams, Josh's older brother, adds a presence inside.

22. Norton (17-5, Division II sectional champion): Over the past three seasons, the Panthers have gone 53-14. Senior Tyler Sherman (6-7), junior Aaron VanBuskirk (6-6) and senior Matt McGlone (6-4) give the team more height than most in the Portage Trail Conference.

23. North Royalton (13-9, Division I sectional champion): Eight players, including three starters, return. Freshman Omari Spellman (6-6) will provide help inside to go along with guards Travis Tarnowski, Evan Wypasek, Nick Krempasky and Nick Woods.

24. Westlake (19-3, Division I sectional champion): Junior Gavin Skelley and senior Bryan Guzik, both 6-7, man the inside. Seniors Shawn Turk, Bryan MacKenzie, Jamie Lackner and Danny Strodtbeck lend experience and skill.

25. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (13-10, Division II district runner-up): Looking to build on last year's tournament finish, the Lions have nice size in 6-9 Chris Shkil, 6-4 Daniel Sapp and 6-5 John Cirillo.

Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks accused Rucker of cutting the legs out from under Steelers' offensive linemen on Sunday. Watch video

Browns defensive lineman Frostee Rucker rejected a complaint by the Steelers' Max Starks of improper tactics in last Sunday's Cleveland victory. "We don't come here with excuses if we don't come out on top," he said Wednesday. "They have more going on negative than we do." John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive end Frostee Rucker is baffled by comments from Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks accusing him of cutting the legs out from under Steelers' offensive linemen on Sunday.

The Browns defense forced eight turnovers and held the Steelers to 49 yards rushing in a 20-14 win.

"I don't understand it," Rucker said. "I've played for seven years. I never heard that. A defensive line cutting? What does that mean? We just made the plays to win the game."

Several other defensive linemen also said they were unclear about Starks' remarks. The teams meet again for the regular-season finale on Dec. 30.

"Cleveland came up with some creative things, cutting offensive linemen. I'd never seen that in my nine years in the NFL," Starks told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after the game. "But it happened, so the Steelers are now going to think it's all right doing that."

It is not illegal for defenders to cut an offensive lineman and it's a tactic sometime employed in goal-line stands allowing linebackers a more unobstructed path to the ball carrier.

Asked Wednesday to provide more clarity, Starks told the Tribune-Review it was Rucker who did the cutting and that the two players have had a contentious relationship over the years. Rucker spent six seasons with AFC North rival Cincinnati.

The free-agent acquisition said the Browns did nothing out of the ordinary against the Steelers.

"We don't come here with excuses if we don't come out on top," said Rucker, who played 49 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday. "We give the team credit. They have more going on negative than we do."

"We don't come in here and cry about holding calls or anything like that. I don't know what to say about that."

Jackson honored: Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his role in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh. Jackson led the Browns with nine tackles, while also forcing a fumble and recovering another.

It's the first time the seventh-year veteran received the weekly honor. Jackson was asked about gaining more personal recognition if he played for a team with a better record.

"That's something you think about after the season, but I'm not about personal accolades," he said. "It's great, don't get me wrong. I put a lot of pride into what I do and I'm passionate about what I do. I love what I do and I love playing here in the city of Cleveland."

Patterson update: Cornerback Dimitri Patterson returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last six games with a left high-ankle sprain and a torn ligament. Patterson was limited in practice and didn't say for sure if he would play against Oakland.

"You don't want to be a liability and that was my main focus," Patterson said. "When I'm out there I want to be an asset. I feel right now I can be, so I'll just take it day by day."

Patterson likely will return to his role as the team's primary nickel back.

Carder responds: Rookie Tank Carder apologized Wednesday for his homophobic slur on Twitter, calling it inappropriate.

"I regret it and I deeply apologize," Carder said. "It wasn't used as a word to hurt people in the first place. It was slang. I can promise you it will never be used again."

Carder also apologized on his Twitter account Monday nearly a week after using the slur in an angry response to one of his social media followers. Reporters asked him what prompted his contrition regarding the Nov. 21 tweet, which he initially stood by, writing he was "unapologetically strong."

"Whenever people started getting offended," Carder said. "I had no idea. When I said it was not intended to be offensive to the gay community at all. When people started getting offended and tweeting me that's when I started to realize what I said was inappropriate."

Carder declined to say whether he had been fined by the team. Coach Pat Shurmur, no fan of social media, spoke to Carder about the tweet, which he labeled "very wrong" and not something the Browns condone.

Carder, a former TCU linebacker, said he received an email from former TCU player Vince Pryor, who revealed he was gay to his coaches and teammates while in college. Pryor wrote an open letter to Carder condemning his tweet for Outsports.com, a Web site covering gay sports news.

The Browns rookie said he plans to respond to Pryor's email.

No Babin interest: The Browns were not one of the teams that placed a waiver claim on defensive end Jason Babin, who was released by Philadelphia on Tuesday. Babin was awarded to the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9), who had the worst record of teams making a claim.

Browns injuries: Special teams ace Josh Cribbs, who injured his shoulder in Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, did not practice on Wednesday. Safety Usama Young has not been cleared for practice after being concussed against the Steelers. Safety Ray Ventrone said he's close to returning from a calf injury.

Raiders injuries: Oakland running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson returned to practice Wednesday. Both players have missed the past three games with high-ankle sprains. Barring setbacks, McFadden is likely to start for a team that ranks 29th in rushing, averaging 82.6 yards per game.

Defensive tackle Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring) remains out of practice.

Mary Kay Cabot contributed to this report.

Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights, F/G, 6-7, So.: His best basketball lies ahead but he's drawing interest from several high-profile Division I schools. Averaged seven points and 5.8 rebounds. Ryan Badowksi, Brunswick, G, 6-3, Jr.: Drawing interest from Cleveland State, Lehigh and St. Francis after averaging 16 points and earning All-NEO Inland District honors.

St. Edward's Marsalis Hamilton, right, and Shaker Heights' Kash Blackwell, left, will be counted on to help lead their teams this season. Shaker Heights is ranked No. 1 and St. Ed's No. 3 in The Plain Dealer's preseason Top 25. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights, F/G, 6-7, So.: His best basketball lies ahead but he's drawing interest from several high-profile Division I schools. Averaged seven points and 5.8 rebounds.

Ryan Badowksi, Brunswick, G, 6-3, Jr.: Drawing interest from Cleveland State, Lehigh and St. Francis after averaging 16 points and earning All-NEO Inland District honors.

Marcus Bagley, Cleveland Heights, G, 6-0, Jr.: One of the best all-around athletes in Northeast Ohio. Averaged 13 points and four rebounds. Will probably play Division I football but could start for any high school hoops team.

Aaron Beidleman, Bedford, PG, 5-10, Sr.: A four-year starter, he is capable of shooting off the dribble or scoring on the run. Fully recovered from knee surgery two years ago. Look for an improvement on his 8.5-point scoring average.

David Bell, Garfield Heights, P, 6-10, Jr.: Was averaging nine points and six rebounds a game before suffering an injury late in the season. With two seasons to go, he has offers from Kent State, Cleveland State, Ohio and Wright State.

Elijah Bell, Buchtel, G, 6-1, Sr.: An injury in the last football game of the 2011 season limited him to the final 10 games. When he's healthy, he's one of the best in Akron.

Kody Bender, Elyria, G, 6-0, Sr.: Averaged 15.5 points and 3.6 assists per game. Appears headed to West Liberty.

Phil Black, Maple Heights, G, 6-1, Sr.: Was an All-Lake Erie League choice after averaging 14 points a game.

Kash Blackwell, Shaker Heights, F, 6-5, Sr.: Averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in earning All-Lake Erie League and All-NEO Lakes District honors. Will be a key part of the Raiders' rotation.

Zack Brandy, Hudson, G, 6-0, Sr.: A fine shooter and scorer, he has an opportunity to reach the 1,000-point mark for his career.

Chris Carter, Bedford, G, 6-2, Sr.: Will seldom leave the floor. Was in the top three in every major statistical category last year, scoring 10.1 points, getting 5.3 rebounds and issuing 2.9 assists.

Arthur Christian, Richmond Heights, F, 6-3, Sr.: Played a significant role in the Spartans' 24-2 record and lengthy postseason run.

John Davis III, Beachwood, G, 5-10, Jr.: Is drawing attention from Kent State, Akron, Cleveland State and others after earning honorable mention All-Ohio honors and scoring 16 points and handing out six assists a game.

Brandon Dawson, Brush, F, 6-4, Sr.: Bigger and stronger than one year ago when he averaged six points and five rebounds. He will be the Arcs' go-to guy in tough situations.

A.J. Edwards, Twinsburg, F, 6-5, Sr.: His 16 points and nine rebounds per game have attracted interest from Gannon and IUP.

Dawud Fisher-Grace, Bedford, P, 6-9, Sr.: Just coming into his own as a high school player. Inserted into the lineup halfway through the season and he and the team showed improvement. Scored 7.2 points and grabbed 6.2 rebounds per game.

Demonte Flannigan, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, F, 6-7, Sr.: A Cleveland State recruit, he scored 16.5 points, grabbed 10.6 rebounds and blocked 2.2 shots a game. Can be as good as he wants to be.

Jeff Foreman, Mentor, G, 6-3, Sr.: One of two returning starters from last year's 22-3 team, he averaged nearly 11 points per game but scored in the 20s several times.

Brandon Fritts, Mentor, F, 6-4, Jr.:Injured ankle last week and will get several games off to start the season following a long football season. Scored nearly 10 points and pulled down about seven rebounds a game.

Billy Geschke, Medina, G, 6-1, Sr.: Can get to the basket or score from the perimeter with a nice soft touch. Has a chance to be a 1,000-point scorer after averaging 19.5 last season when he keyed the Bees' dramatic run to the Division I regionals.

Duane Gibson, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, G, 6-3, Sr.: The Evansville recruit had twice as many assists (154) as turnovers last season while averaging 10.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Kevin Gladney, Firestone, F, 6-4, Sr.: Before he heads to Nebraska to play football, he is expected to repeat his 16-point, 14-rebound per game performance of last year.

Marsalis Hamilton, St. Edward, F, 6-3, Jr.: Has an offer from Kent State. Not afraid to do the dirty work under the boards. Will be a major player on one of the area's major teams.

Ishmael Hargrove, St. Peter Chanel, F, 6-2, Jr.: Was a key component in the Firebirds' drive to the Division III final four when he scored 7.8 points, got 7.7 rebounds and two steals every game.

Jeremy Holley, Elyria Catholic, C, 6-6, Jr.: Averaged 17.2 points and 12 rebounds last season and should help the Panthers contend in the North Coast League and beyond.

Jaelen Hollinger, Archbishop Hoban, F, 6-2, Sr.: What he lacks in size for a wing, he makes up for in hard work. The Knights' best rebounder, he pulled down 5.5 while scoring 10 points a game.

Rosel Hurley, Shaker Heights, G/F, 6-6, Jr.: Was an All-Lake Erie League player after averaging seven points and almost six rebounds on a team that was dominated by the talented Terry Rozier, who graduated. His numbers will increase.

DeAllen Jackson, Archbishop Hoban, G, 6-1, Sr.: Suffered a broken bone around his eye but still managed to average 18 points a game. Terrific athlete who knows how to get the ball in the basket.

Rico Jones, Richmond Heights, G, 6-0, Sr.: Is one of the premier guards in Northeast Ohio, especially in Division IV. Scored 14 points and had four assists per game in leading the Spartans to a runner-up finish in the regional tournament.

J.T. Lane, Firestone, C/F, 6-4, Sr.: Named third team All-Ohio, he averaged 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Akron City Series and district runners-up.

David Linane, Gilmour, G, 5-11, Sr.:His 19.6 points, four assists and 3.8 steals per game earned him special mention on the Division III All-Ohio team.

Chris Link, Padua, F, 6-6, Sr.: Will help lead the Bruins' resurgence after averaging 15 points and nine rebounds last year.

Joshua Lumbus, John Hay, G, 6-3, Sr.: One of the Hornets' all-around talents, he averaged 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Chelvonte Montgomery, Central Catholic, G, 6-2, Jr.: Kent State is showing interest after he averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last year.

Maurice O'Field, John Hay, F, 6-5, Sr.: Could emerge as one of the top talents in the area, especially if he improves on last year's performance when he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.

Alec Papesch, St. Ignatius, P/F, 6-6, Sr.: Can score and rebound. Got 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds every night last season.

Westley Parr, Benedictine, F/C, 6-7, Sr.: Strong inside game. Averaged 6.8 points and five rebounds for the Bengals' regional qualifying team.

Tyler Ptacek, Padua, G, 6-3, Sr.: One of the area's leading scorers (23 ppg) returns. Committed to UNC-Wilmington. Made a sizzling 81 percent of his free throws and scored in double figures in 19 of 20 games.

Darryl Richards, Kenston, G, 6-3, Sr.: Outstanding athlete -- plays quarterback in football and runs track -- who is very quick with the ball. Scored 10.2 points and had 6.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Francisco Santiago, St. Ignatius, G, 6-2, Sr.: Very skilled scorer and leader. Look for a hike in his 9.8-point scoring average, as well as his assists, steals and rebounding numbers.

Chris Scott, Nordonia, C, 6-7, Sr.: As the only player on his team taller than 6-4, he will be counted on to repeat his outstanding numbers from last year -- 15 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Tyler Sherman, Norton, F, 6-7, Sr.: Has a chance to dominate in the Portage Trail Conference. Came close last year when he scored 16 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked three shots every game.

Chris Shkil, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, C, 6-9, Sr.: Will be a force to contend with inside. Scored 12 points and had seven rebounds per game and blocked 87 shots.

Gavin Skelley, Westlake, F, 6-7, Jr.: Played well enough as a sophomore to draw inquiries from Cleveland State, Bucknell and several Mid-American Conference programs. One of the leading scorers on a team that had a 19-3 season.

Derek Sloan, St. Ignatius, F, 6-5, Sr.: Knows how to finish, as his 8.8 rebounds attest. Will score more than his 13.1 average from last year.

Cordell Smith, Shaw, G, 5-10, Sr.: His 18.5 scoring average shows he knows how to get the ball in the basket and his 3.4 steals per game show he knows how to get the ball in his hands. Cleveland State, Wright State and Fairmont State showing interest.

Aaron VanBuskirk, Norton, F, 6-6, Sr.:Teams with Tyler Sherman to give the Panthers a powerful 1-2 punch inside. Scored 15 points, had 10 rebounds and three blocked shots per game.

Tony Vuyancih, St. Edward, G, 6-4, Jr.: Was a valuable weapon coming off the bench in the Eagles' drive to the final four. Will start this year and like his father and older brother, he knows how to score.

Josh Williams, Barberton, PG, 6-2, So.: Already has an offer from Akron. Set numerous freshman scoring records when he poured in 15 points a game while handing out four assists. Can be as good as anyone to come out of the storied program. 

1. The addition of two regular-season games -- from 20 to 22 -- will mostly benefit younger players, sophomores and freshmen who frequently split time between the varsity and JV squads. Under the old rule, players were allowed to play 90 quarters during the regular season (overtime is not a separate quarter, just an extension of the fourth). Adding...

1. The addition of two regular-season games -- from 20 to 22 -- will mostly benefit younger players, sophomores and freshmen who frequently split time between the varsity and JV squads. Under the old rule, players were allowed to play 90 quarters during the regular season (overtime is not a separate quarter, just an extension of the fourth). Adding the two games increases that to 110, giving those borderline players more of an opportunity to gain varsity experience.

2. Parity prevails, at least for this season. This is a season in which it would not be a surprise if the team ranked 25th in The Plain Dealer Top 25 beat the top-ranked team. Or any version thereof.

3. Is there anyone capable of emerging as a definitive player of the year for the area? Right now, I see no one. And everyone, if you get my drift.

4. I still agonize every time I remember Cleveland Heights point guard Tyree Gaiter breaking his wrist in the final minute of the Tigers' 17th game last season, his senior year. I'm sure I'm not alone.

See profiles on 13 dynamic freshmen below, as well as 10 more newcomers to watch CLEVELAND, Ohio - High school basketball has been played in this country for more than 100 years.

St. Vincent-St. Mary freshman guard VJ King is part of a deep and talented Class of 2016 in the Cleveland/Akron area.

See profiles on 13 dynamic freshmen below, as well as 10 more newcomers to watch

CLEVELAND, Ohio - High school basketball has been played in this country for more than 100 years.

But the sport keeps getting younger.

More and more underclassmen are not only earning spots on their respective varsity rosters, but they also enter the ninth grade already penciled in as a starter, or at least a vital cog in the team's makeup.

It used to be that if you earned a spot on the varsity as a sophomore, you were hot stuff. If you were a starter, my gosh, you were probably dating the senior homecoming queen. A freshman? Unheard of.

Clark Kellogg didn't start as a freshman at the old St. Joseph. Jerome Lane didn't become a starter at St. Vincent-St. Mary until the end of his sophomore year.

"Times have changed," said Lane, an assistant coach at Firestone. "The kids today are playing basketball year-round, from the time they're old enough to dribble."

If Greater Cleveland/Akron is any barometer, yesteryear's sophomores are today's freshmen, and they don't fit the mold of the skinny 14- or 15-year-olds we all knew -- or, in many cases, were -- as ninth-graders.

These kids are big and strong. They can dunk with ease and drop in 3-pointers as if they were tossing a wad of paper into a waste basket. They have been cross-dribbling since they were babies and don't hesitate to put the ball between their legs, behind their backs or even between an opponent's legs. They know how to attack a 2-3 zone or break a full-court press as well as they know their cell numbers. Where youngsters used to come to high school to become stars, many of today's kids arrive that way.

Especially this season, which kicks off Friday across the state. There are about 20 freshmen who might see playing time this week and next, when many schools open their seasons. Many will start. One name that keeps coming up in the basketball community is VJ King, a 6-foot-7 guard at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

"Potentially, this is the best and deepest class of freshmen I have seen in my 16 years of covering the Cleveland/Akron area," said John Stovall, recruiting editor for ESPN.com and co-owner of Prep Spotlight Magazine and recruiting service. "I know a lot of people don't care for the AAU, but it's the AAU and summer basketball that is responsible. Kids today are playing organized basketball at a much earlier age, and they are competing at the highest levels. And a lot of them have their own private workout people."

Chas Wolfe, director/owner of Prep Scouting LLC and director of several tournaments held in the area, said the Class of 2016 will hold its own, statewide and beyond.

"The depth is there and the level of play is there from top to bottom," he said. "It is not sporadic. This class is as good as any freshmen class there is."

So here is a baker's dozen of who will probably be cooking up some sizzle sooner, rather than later, at a high school near you.

MEET THE DYNAMIC FRESHMEN  

Henry Baddley

St. Vincent-St. Mary

Age: 14.

Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 160.

Middle school: Wadsworth.

Position: Forward.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: The peer pressure.

I need to improve on: Staying focused in school and on the basketball floor.

I pattern my game after: Carmelo Anthony.

I am most excited to compete against: The best players in the country.

The person I look up to the most: My parents.

My teammates don't know: That I like to listen to rhythm-and-blues music.

Coach's take: "He is very long and athletic. He has shown that he can be an aggressive rebounder. Once he gets acclimated, he is going to be very good." -- SVSM coach Dru Joyce.

Tervell Beck

Central Catholic

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 185.

Middle school: Marion Seltzer, Cleveland.

Position: Forward.

Other sports: Likes volleyball.

Hardest part of being in high school: The schoolwork.

I need to improve on: Controlling my emotions.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Durant.

I am most excited to compete against: No one. I just want to play basketball.

The person I look up to the most: My mother.

My teammates don't know: That I don't like chicken.

Coach's take: "He can play any position. He is very athletic, very unselfish and very coachable." -- Central Catholic coach Jonathan Harris.

Anthony Christian

Archbishop Hoban

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 180.

Middle school: Emmanuel Christian Academy, Akron.

Position: Guard/forward.

Other sports: Football.

Hardest part of being in high school: Switching from a middle school environment to a high school environment.

I need to improve on: Rebounding and shifting to the basketball.

I pattern my game after: Teammate DeAllen Jackson.

I am most excited to compete against: St. Vincent-St. Mary.

The person I look up to the most: Teammate Jaelen Hollinger.

My teammates don't know: That I love to cook when I get bored.

Coach's take: "The older players have really helped him understand the standards and expectations of Archbishop Hoban. He is a better-than-expected practice player and has great court vision. There is a lot of upside." -- Hoban coach T.K. Griffith.

Derek Funderburk

St. Edward

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 180.

Middle school: Heskett, Bedford.

Position: Forward

Other sports: Rugby.

Hardest part of being in high school: Time management.

I need to improve on: My overall strength.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Garnett or Kevin Durant.

I am most excited to compete against: Cleveland Heights.

The person I look up to the most: Kevin Durant.

My teammates don't know: That I live down the street from St. Edward and walk to school.

Coach's take: "Derek has a tremendous upside, and his length, work ethic and understanding of the game will make him a high-major recruit. He is a big kid that is very skilled inside but has the potential to play the wing because of his ability to handle the ball." -- St. Edward coach Eric Flannery.

Keith Griffin

Shaker Heights

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 180.

Middle school: Shaker Heights.

Position: Point guard.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: The amount of schoolwork and how hard you have to work to keep up.

I need to improve on: Being a leader on the floor, even though I'm only a freshman.

I pattern my game after: Chris Paul.

I am most excited to compete against: Garfield Heights.

The person I look up to the most: Former Raider Terry Rozier.

My teammates don't know: That I really like Honey Buns.

Coach's take: "He is quick and athletic and can make plays for himself and for others. Defends his position very well. A fine perimeter shooter." -- Shaker Heights coach Danny Young.

Frankie Hughes

Garfield Heights

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 160.

Middle school: Garfield Heights.

Position: Guard.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: Knowing how you have to work and put forth an effort.

I need to improve on: Staying confident.

I pattern my game after: Kobe Bryant.

I am most excited to compete against: A lot of big-time high schools.

The person I look up to the most: Coach (Sonny) Johnson.

My teammates don't know: I like to eat pizza and taco salad.

Coach's take: "He is a very good shooter, a very good passer and has a very high basketball IQ for a 15-year-old." -- Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson.

Willie Jackson

Garfield Heights

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 200.

Middle school: Garfield Heights.

Position: Guard.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: Varsity basketball practice.

I need to improve on: Understanding the game.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Durant.

I am most excited to compete against: Shaker Heights.

The person I look up to the most: LeBron James.

My teammates don't know: I am very laid-back.

Coach's take: "He is an athletic, physically gifted wing who can slash to the basket. He's also a very good rebounder, especially on the offensive end. He's just learning the game." -- Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson.

Ronald Jones Jr.

Beachwood

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 200.

Middle school: Beachwood.

Position: Wing/post.

Other sports: Track and football.

Hardest part of being in high school: Doing homework after basketball practice.

I need to improve on: My ballhandling skills.

I pattern my game after: Rudy Gay.

I am most excited to compete against: St. Edward and Kipper Nichols.

The person I look up to the most: Teammate John Davis.

My teammates don't know: I'll always have their backs, no matter what.

Coach's take: "He is at his best in the open floor, attacking the rim, but he has great touch around the perimeter. He has a great physical frame because of his length and his strength. Should be a force on the glass for the next four years." -- Beachwood coach Jason Pecjak.

VJ King

St. Vincent-St. Mary

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 180.

Middle school: United Faith Christian Academy, Charlotte, N.C.

Position: Guard.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: The peer pressure.

I need to improve on: Staying focused.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

I am most excited to compete against: The best teams in the country.

The person I look up to the most: My dad.

My teammates don't know: I play golf.

Coach's take: "He has all the skills. He is capable of taking the ball to the rim. A lot of big men wait to block shots. He is more aggressive. He can shoot the ball well from the 3-point line. In fact, you are more surprised when he misses a 3-pointer than when he makes one." -- SVSM coach Dru Joyce.

Brandon Peters

Cleveland Central Catholic

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 5-9, 156.

Middle school: Bedford Heights.

Position: Point guard.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: Staying up on my grades.

I need to improve on: My overall game.

I pattern my game after: Kyrie Irving.

I am most excited to compete against: Other high schools.

The person I look up to the most: Kyrie Irving.

My teammates don't know: That my favorite color is orange.

Coach's take: "Brandon is very strong for a freshman and his basketball IQ for a freshman point guard is off the charts. And he is not afraid to lead his older teammates. Truly a coach on the floor." -- Central Catholic coach Jonathan Harris.

Omari Spellman

North Royalton

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 225.

Middle school: Hoosac Prep School, Hoosick, N.Y.

Position: Post.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: Doing homework.

I need to improve on: My post moves.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Durant.

I am most excited to compete against: Brecksville-Broadview Heights for the Honey Jar and Strongsville, because the game is at The Q.

Person he looks up to the most: My mother, Teresita Jones-Thomas.

My teammates don't know: My middle name.

Coach's take: "Simply put, Omari is a presence on defense. He has a tremendous wingspan and great timing on blocking shots from off the ball. He rebounds well and has a solid basketball IQ for his age. He has a nice touch around the hoop and also is a very good passer." -- North Royalton coach Tim Matus.

Deven Stover

St. Ignatius

Age: 14.

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 165.

Middle school: Solon.

Position: Guard.

Other sports: Football and track.

Hardest part of being in high school: Being a freshman, getting direction and advice from many people all the time and having to sort it all out.

I need to improve on: Consistency in my all-around game and knowing when I have to take it to another level.

I pattern my game after: Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.

I am most excited to compete against: Any competition and the best talent possible.

The person I look up to the most: My parents.

My teammates don't know: I can cook and my favorite celebrity is Ciara.

Coach's take: "Deven plays with a nonstop motor. His energy is completely contagious. He is a fearless attacker. He is gifted with an incredible feel and high IQ for the game. He is able to compete at a high level while maintaining complete composure." -- St. Ignatius coach Sean O'Toole.

John Teske

Medina

Age: 15.

Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 185.

Middle school: Root Middle, Medina.

Position: Post.

Other sports: None.

Hardest part of being in high school: Doing homework.

I need to improve on: My strength and defense.

I pattern my game after: Tyler Zeller and Dwight Howard.

I am most excited to compete against: Varsity players.

The person I look up to the most: My grandfather, James Zuideman.

My teammates don't know: That I was on the swim team for four years.

Coach's take: "John has come a long way in a short period. He has very good touch for a big man and is skilled and athletic. He has a chance to be very, very good." -- Medina coach Anthony Stacey.

MORE FRESHMEN TO WATCH 

Here are 10 additional freshmen to keep an eye on, now or in the future:

Mike Archiable, 6-3, West Geauga

Cam Brandon, 5-9, Bedford

Luke Farrell, 6-5, Perry

Yavari Hall, 6-2, Warrensville Heights

Teddy Hughes, 6-2, Revere

Mark Kostelac, 6-9, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin

Justin Layne, 6-2, Benedictine

Armond Perry, 6-1, Bedford

Micah Potter, 6-6, Mentor

Lamont Rhodes, 6-4, Bedford

Omri Casspi has become a 3-point marksman, ranked fifth in the NBA at 50 percent.

Omri Casspi (36) has provided needed points off the bench for the offensively-challenged Cavaliers. "The last 3-4 games he's hitting his shot," says coach Byron Scott, "doing a much better job on the defensive end. He's doing it on both ends right now." AP file

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- By Omri Casspi's estimation, he's actually doing better than he ever envisioned.

The Cavaliers swingman is hitting 50 percent of his 3-point attempts through 11 games. After an off-season spent focusing on improving his long-distance shooting, and a solid showing with the Israeli National Team in the summer, Casspi figured he'd be better than his disappointing numbers last season.

But his goals were somewhat more modest.

"I feel like I can shoot 40-plus percent from three," Casspi said. "That's what I need to aim for -- 40-45."

Given that Casspi has taken 22 3-point attempts in 11 games, however, knocking in 11 is a good -- if somewhat skewed -- start. The truer test will be whether he can maintain that accuracy and his role as a reliable reserve. Over the last four games, Casspi is averaging 8.3 points.

"I turned to him because C.J. [Miles] was struggling," coach Byron Scott said of Casspi's increased play. "That's the biggest reason. And Omri's taking advantage of the situation. He's played some good ball. The last 3-4 games he's hitting his shot, doing a much better job on the defensive end. He's doing it on both ends right now."

Casspi hit all four 3-point attempts in 15 minutes against Miami, which helped keep the Heat defense off-balance. He is tied for fifth in the league in 3-point percentage, though his 22 attempts are far fewer than Ray Allen (51 attempts, 53 percent) or O.J. Mayo (82 attempts, 52 percent).

Casspi merely shrugged when informed of his ranking. "It's a consequence of hard work in the summer, all the hard work that I put in."

Casspi said he worked on improving the arc of his shot. Meanwhile, Casspi monitors the violence in his native Israel, worrying about his younger sister who is in the Israeli Army and an older brother who is in the Army reserves.

"It's amazing that he's able to play with all that stuff that is going on," Scott said. "But then again, maybe being on the court is his safe haven, as well, because I know when he's probably not on the court there's a lot going on in his mind right now."

Injury update: Guards Dion Waiters and Daniel Gibson had MRIs Wednesday to assess their injuries. Waiters' MRI confirmed a bruised left ring finger. He is cleared to play and will continue to receive treatment.

Gibson's tests confirmed a bruised right elbow, but no other issues. Gibson, who missed Tuesday's game with the injury and has sat three of the past six games, will continue to receive treatment. He is day-to-day.

The Vikings (5-2) made 17 points off turnovers and had 19 second-chance points.

CSU guard Bryn Forbes. CSU photo

MUNCIE, Indiana -- Bryn Forbes scored 18 points and Cleveland State beat Ball State, 69-63, on Wednesday night.

Forbes was 4-of-8 from 3-point range.

Charlie Lee had 16 points and six assists. Devon Long added 10 points. Tim Kamczyc and Mason Marlin had eight rebounds and seven points apiece.

• Final Cleveland State-Ball State boxscore

Ball State shot 40 percent from the field for the game and led, 34-30, at halftime. The Vikings (5-2) shot just 37.9 percent in each half. But they made 17 points off turnovers and had 19 second-chance points, as compared to 11 and six for Ball State.

Jesse Berry scored 28 points for Ball State. Chris Bond added 12. Majok Majok had eight rebounds.

The loss gives the Cardinals (2-3) a three-game losing streak.

Brandon Weeden on Wednesday passed his concussion tests and was cleared to practice on a limited basis. Watch video

Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden has been cleared to practice today after passing his concussion tests this week. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- After getting knocked out of the Pittsburgh game Sunday with a concussion, Brandon Weeden sat in the Browns' locker room with his uniform on, begging doctors to let him return to the sidelines to watch the rest of the game live instead of on TV.

"Of course, they wouldn't let me," he said Wednesday. "It was so frustrating. I tried, but I was disappointed by it. I wanted to finish that one. But it was nice to celebrate with the guys after the game in the locker room."

Weeden on Wednesday passed his concussion tests and was cleared to practice on a limited basis. He was also told he will start Sunday in Oakland.

"A lot of it's out of my hands, but I wanted to do everything on my part to come back and play," he said. "But it's not like an ankle or a hand or something. It's your brain and you've got to be smart. That was my first and foremost worry, to make sure I'm 100 percent. It was going to be hard for me not to make that trip. I'm going to be there and I'm going to play."

Coach Pat Shurmur said Weeden will start, barring unforeseen setbacks.

"Then of course Colt [McCoy would] start," he said. "[But] we're moving ahead with Brandon."

Shurmur said McCoy will get a few more reps than usual, just in case.

Weeden said it was his first concussion and described it as mild.

"I never got knocked out," he said. "I was conscious the whole time, just a little foggy. In the locker room, I wasn't too scared about it."

He suffered it late in the fourth quarter of the Browns' 20-14 victory when he was yanked down by blitzing linebacker Jason Worilds and banged his head on Joe Thomas' leg.

"I knew it didn't feel right," he said. "I thought I hit a helmet when I first did it. Then I came off the sideline and I was fine. I answered all the questions, I was good, I was just kinda in a little fog. Being my first one, I didn't really know what to expect. They were smart and took me back there and did all the mandated tests. Once I got back there, I was like, 'I just don't feel 100 percent.' "

He was set to go back in, and the Browns had to hide his helmet.

"I never want to come out of a game," he said. "I'm too competitive and I felt like I'd been hit a lot harder. I felt like I could still play. We were just talking about what we were thinking about for the next series and next thing I know I'm walking to the locker room."

It was the first time Weeden left a game because of injury, including his two seasons as a starter at Oklahoma State.

"I played through a high ankle [sprain] . . . and ruptured a tendon in my thumb and played through it," he said. "It's going to take a lot to get me out of a football game."

Despite wanting to return, he's grateful he didn't.

"I don't want to be 50 years old and not remember playing in the NFL," Weeden said. "I'd much rather sit out five minutes of a game than risk the long-term effects."

Before Weeden left the game Sunday, the Browns managed just 20 points despite five takeaways by the defense; scored two TDs on four trips to the red zone; converted only 3 of 14 third downs; and scored 17 points off the Steelers' turnovers, a point total the rookie quarterback and Shurmur acknowledged wasn't enough.

"What's important for Brandon is to play a style of quarterback that leads us to victories," said Shurmur. "We could talk about yards, we could talk about all the ways you want to rank certain things, but his game needs to constantly improve and he's got to strive to get us in the end zone and help us win football games. He's had some good games, he's had some games that were not so good ..."

The statistic Weeden would most like to improve this season is his 55.9 completion percentage, which ranks him 32nd of the 34 quarterbacks who qualify.

"It's not where I want it to be," he said. "I was about 73 percent last year and 71 percent the year before. I want to be a completion junkie. I missed some gimmes as Pat would say that could really help now in [getting] the numbers where I want them to be. If you can execute the little gimmes, your numbers will steadily improve."

Weeden hopes he'll have all five remaining games to do just that.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Randal Holt added 21 points for Kent State on 5-of-9 shooting from behind the arc.

Senior forward Chris Evans led Kent State to an overtime victory over Youngstown State on Wednesday with 24 points and 10 rebounds. PD file

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Chris Evans finished with a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds to help Kent State beat Youngstown State Wednesday night in overtime, 85-78, in non-conference action.

Both teams missed opportunities to close out the game in regulation. With 1:14 left to play, Kamren Belin missed a potential go-ahead free throw for Youngstown State (3-4). Randal Holt missed a 3-pointer for Kent State (5-2) with three seconds left.

In the overtime period, Kent State went up, 78-74, on a three-point play by Darren Goodson with 2:21 left, and used free throws the rest of the way to hold on to the victory. Kent was 8-of-9 from the free-throw line in the overtime period.

Holt added 21 points for Kent State on 5-of-9 shooting from behind the arc.

Kendrick Perry led Youngstown State with 26 points.

Browns and Raiders are both 3-8. Cleveland lost at Oakland, 24-17, last Oct. 16.

Browns tight end Alex Smith catches a one-yard touchdown pass from Colt McCoy during Cleveland's 24-17 loss to the Raiders in Oakland Oct. 16, 2011. Joshua Gunter, Plain Dealer file

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns play the Raiders in Oakland on Sunday.

Both teams are 3-8. The Browns are coming off a 20-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Browns Stadium. Oakland lost its fourth straight game, 34-10, to the Bengals in Cincinnati.

The Browns have scored 19 points and given up 22.5 points per game. Oakland is scoring 19.8 points and allowing 32.4 points per game.

Cleveland began the season with five losses: 17-16 to the Philadelphia Eagles at Browns Stadium; 34-27 to the Bengals in Cincinnati; 24-14 to the Buffalo Bills in Cleveland; 23-16 to the Ravens at Baltimore; 41-27 to the Giants in New York.

Then, the Browns posted their first win, 34-24, over the Bengals at Browns Stadium. They lost to the host Indianapolis Colts, 17-13, in Week 7, then defeated the San Diego Chargers, 7-6, in Cleveland. Following their bye week, the Browns lost at home, 25-15, to Baltimore. They then lost to the Cowboys, 23-20 in overtime, at Dallas before returning home to defeat Pittsburgh.

The Raiders opened their season with a 22-14 loss to the Chargers in Oakland, then lost to the Dolphins, 35-13, at Miami. Oakland defeated the Steelers, 34-31, at home, before losing on the road to the Denver Broncos, 37-6, and the Atlanta Falcons, 23-20.

Oakland then earned a 26-23 overtime win at home over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and defeated the Chiefs, 26-16, in Kansas City. The Raiders' current streak of four straight losses: 42-32 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Oakland; 55-20 at Baltimore; 38-17 at home to the New Orleans Saints; the 34-10 loss at Cincinnati.

The Browns lost at Oakland, 24-17, last Oct. 16.

D'Qwell Jackson, middle linebacker for the Cleveland Browns, was named AFC Player of the Week by the NFL for the game he had against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watch video

Highlights include Louisville at Rutgers college football and New Orleans at Atlanta in the NFL.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

7:30 p.m. Louisville at Rutgers, ESPN

GOLF

9:30 a.m. Nedbank Challenge (tape), Golf Channel

3 p.m. World Challenge, Golf Channel

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Kentucky at Notre Dame, ESPN2

7 p.m. New Hampshire at UConn, Fox Sports Ohio

7:30 p.m. South Carolina at St. John's, ESPNU

9 p.m. Marquette at Florida, ESPN2

9:30 p.m. Seton Hall at LSU, ESPNU

NBA

8 p.m. San Antonio at Miami, TNT

10:30 p.m. Denver at Golden State, TNT

NFL

8 p.m. New Orleans at Atlanta, NFL Network; FM/92.3

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

8 p.m. Virginia at Minnesota, Big Ten Network

Deshaun Thomas scored 16 points, but Ohio State lost to Duke on Wednesday night, 73-68. Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 11 apiece. The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises reports. Watch video

 Deshaun Thomas scored 16 points, but Ohio State lost to Duke on Wednesday night, 73-68. Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 11 apiece. The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises reports.

Check out more post-game video from the locker room below.

UPDATED: Ohio State's offense falters in the second half and No. 2 Duke avenges last year's loss to Ohio State, pulling out a 73-68 win in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Watch video

DURHAM, N.C. — The Cameron Crazies came ready. Their tents pitched outside Cameron Indoor Stadium since Sunday (the line forms a month early for the North Carolina game), the Duke student section passed out info sheets as the doors were opened and blue-painted bodies stormed in.

There were tidbits on every Buckeyes player and coach Thad Matta (Aaron Craft's girlfriend's name and where they went on their first date; the fact Matta is balding and once chewed gum he dropped on the court).

So they chanted “Why, Greg, Why?” at former Duke player Greg Paulus, now a video assistant at Ohio State. And they held signs featuring a photo of Craft in a curly, blonde wig.

But the Buckeyes were ready, too. And on one of the toughest courts in America, where Duke had won 96 straight nonconference games dating back to 2000, No. 4 Ohio State overcame foul trouble, some rough early shooting and a Cookie Monster pinata in the front row to take an eight-point lead into halftime.

But Ohio State's offense faltered in the second half Wednesday, Duke found its footing and those blue bodies in the stands found more to shout about as the No. 2 Blue Devils avenged last year's loss to Ohio State, pulling out a 73-68 win in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The overall challenge finished in a 6-6 tie.

“I'm not happy,” Matta said. “We had chances to make plays and we didn't make plays. They scored two times in a row on the same play and we knew it was coming and we didn't guard it the way we were supposed to guard it. Yeah, it's early in the season, but you can't give that up two times in a row.”

What went wrong for the No. 4 Buckeyes (4-1) was a mix of early-season growing pains and issues that could potentially bother them all season. A defense-first team, Ohio State got blitzed by 50 second-half points by Duke, including 17 from freshman guard Rasheed Sulaimon after a scoreless first half. Ryan Kelly hit two big 3's to tie the game at 53 and give the Blue Devils the lead at 56-53 thanks to miscommunications by the OSU defense.

“The game of basketball, on the road sometimes on the offensive end shots won't fall, but we had to get some stops and we didn't get the stops we needed,” Deshaun Thomas said.

That should improve. But the offensive questions were there before the season and showed up again Wednesday night. Thomas battled foul trouble in the first half, sitting out 10 minutes, and still finished with 16 points, making 3 of 6 3-pointers. But Matta said Duke was sticking to Thomas in the second half, not switching off screens, and the result was a lot of chances for point guard Aaron Craft. And it wasn't his night.

“I pressed a little bit and started missing some shots, and I got some wide-open shots and I was missing them,” Craft said. “They just stopped guarding me toward the end and I just couldn't knock down shots. Sometimes that happens.”

He was 3-of-15 from the field for 11 points, with just one assist and three turnovers.

“Aaron had some great looks at the basket, and they didn't go down for him,” said Matta, who was fine with the number and types of shots Craft took. “Those are the ones we knew we were going to have to make. We felt like if Duke had a weakness, which we couldn't find much, it was going to be our guards were going to have to make plays off ball screens.”

Throw in Shannon Scott and Lenzelle Smith, and the OSU guards were a combined 8-of-35 (23 percent) for 27 points.

As a team, the Buckeyes shot 34 percent while Duke shot 47 percent, including 58 percent in the second half.

“If you told me we'd shoot 34 percent, I'd say we'd get run out of the gym,” Matta said.

In the first half, with Thomas and Craft benched by fouls, the Buckeyes not only stayed in the game, they controlled it.

LaQuinton Ross helped fill the void left by Thomas, with Ohio State's leading scorer shouting to the roof after Ross drained a 3-pointer. With Amir Williams (10 rebounds, six of them on the offensive end) battling on the boards and Shannon Scott running the show, the Buckeyes reaped minute after minute of invaluable experience.

“We knew we had to come in and be ready to play,” Scott said. “In the first half we did a good job of that. In the second half, we didn't take it to the next level. We played not to lose instead of playing our game. We probably played the clock in the second half. We weren't trying to do the same things we did in the first half. Our shots weren't falling, but we still have to attack.”

Matta said the Buckeyes couldn't attack as much because Duke kept scoring and preventing the Buckeyes from getting out in transition. And the Blue Devils were getting it from everyone. Big man Mason Plumlee's one-handed dunk on a fast-break lob with just over 17 minutes left in the game brought Cameron back to life, the OSU lead cut to 33-27 as Matta called a timeout.

“The crowd was sensational,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewksi said, noting that not every home game for Duke comes with this level of intensity from the students.

He wanted the crowd to own part of this win.

“When our fans left tonight, they could say we won the game,” Krzyzewski said. “And that's when Cameron's great.”

But even as Duke rolled, the Buckeyes hung around, still leading, 51-46, with under eight minutes to play after Thomas, with a leg kick, drained a 3-pointer in front of the Ohio State bench.

“Up five with eight minutes to go, here? I'll take that any time,” Craft said.

It wasn't enough on this night.

The Blue Devils eventually got it back to even and then took the lead on those Kelly 3-pointers, that 56-53 lead with 5:38 to play Duke's first edge since 9-7. Duke got the lead out to eight points before a mini-rally by the Buckeyes cut it back to 66-64 with 29 seconds left after two free throws by Scott. But Quinn Cook hit six straight foul shots for Duke to it put away.

Plumlee led Duke with 21, while Sulaimon had 17 and Kelly scored 15. Thomas (16), Craft (11) and Smith (11) were the Buckeyes in double digits.

So in a tough road loss, when they had the lead for much of the game, there was a lot to learn.

“We definitely can get something out of this,” Scott said. “We know the way we played in the second half, we can't play like that anymore. We can't beat great teams if we play like that. If we get a lead, we've got to extend it. We can't play the clock.”

And there were also points to question.

That blue body paint, that rough shooting and the No. 2 team in the country?

That was too much to handle. Duke and the Cameron Crazies won't follow the Buckeyes back to Columbus. But they will have to find ways to score.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com

The Cavaliers bring in Zydrunas Ilgauskas to help teach Tristan Thompson how to avoid getting his shot blocked.

Tristan Thompson, left, has had a lot of his shot his shots blocked this season, so the Cavs have asked Zydrunas Ilgauskas to give Thompson a few pointers on how to get his shots off cleanly. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If it seems as if second-year forward Tristan Thompson often has his shots blocked by an opponent, it's probably because he does.

According to the website 82games.com, Thompson's shot is blocked 22 percent of the time when he throws the ball at the rim. Further, Thompson's attempts when "close" to the basket -- in essence, not a dunk but not a jumper -- is a staggering 37 percent.

By comparison, Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is blocked 4 percent of the time, overall, and 10 percent when he attempts a "close" shot.

Enter the solution: Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Byron Scott brought in the former Cavaliers big man and current assistant to the general manager Thursday to teach Thompson a thing or two about how to avoid being blocked. Ilgauskas was strolling the Cavaliers practice facility in street clothes Thursday.

The main thing Thompson needs to work on, Scott said, is making quicker decisions -- and moves.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas PD file

And barring the ability to do so, Scott would prefer that Thompson kick the ball back out to the guard when he gets an offensive rebound, instead of going straight up for a put-back.

"A lot of times [when] he gets it, he puts it on the floor and he's trying to gather," Scott said. "By the time you do all that, you've got two bigs or three guys surrounding you, and they're just trying to push him under the basket even farther. Now he's going up, and most of the time, it's against somebody who is 6-11 or 7 foot, so he's at a disadvantage."

The 6-9 Thompson might be smaller than the 7-3 Ilgauskas, but the Lithuanian still has some tricks to teach. In Ilgauskas' final season in the NBA, with Miami, he was blocked 4 percent of the time and 15 percent of his "close" shots.

" 'Z' has shown him some things I think can be really good for him. It's just a matter of him implementing it to be a little more effective," Scott said. "I think he has that in him. It's just a matter of continuing to do it."

Defense starts with a Gee: A few games ago, Alonzo Gee was assigned to defend Miami's LeBron James. The 6-6 Gee not only gives up a couple inches to the 6-8 James, but also about 30 pounds in muscle.

Several games before that, Gee was tasked with slowing down Oklahoma City's 6-9 Kevin Durant.

Against the Atlanta Hawks, Gee knows who he will defend, too.

"Whoever gets hot, I guess," he said.

The Cavaliers' starting small forward doesn't produce a ton of points (11.8 per game), but Cleveland has come to depend on him as its most valuable defender. Gee has guarded smaller, quicker players and bigger, stronger players.

Typically, though, he just picks up the foe who's playing best.

"I don't hesitate with him guarding anyone we put him on," Scott said. "And the one thing about him is he accepts the challenge. Like I say with Andy, when we put Andy on guys, you don't really worry about that matchup. There's certain guys, obviously, in this league who are going to give Alonzo problems, but for the most part, you don't worry about it most of the time when he's guarding someone."

Harangody waived: The Cavaliers waived forward Luke Harangody and signed forward Kevin Jones on Thursday. Jones was assigned to the NBADL Canton Charge, where he has been playing since the start of the D-League season. In three games, the 6-8 Jones is averaging 27 points on 54 percent shooting and 13.7 rebounds. "Obviously, he's doing a heck of a job down there," Scott said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654

Rain is needed to get the steelhead trout fishing back on track in Northeast Ohio, but Lake Erie walleye are biting out west during the day, and along the shoreline from Huron to Cleveland after dark.

A man casts his fishing rod into the smooth waters of Lake Erie on the end of the pier at Huntington Beach in Bay Village during a warm day on Nov. 21. Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer

Lake Erie walleye fishing continues to be fair to good during the day and after dark. Low, clear water has resulted in mediocre steelhead trout fishing in area streams. Panfish, bass and some saugeye are being caught from area reservoirs. Warming weather and moderate winds could lure fishermen out this weekend, despite rain in the weekend forecast.

Lake Erie

Daytime fishing for walleye has been best on Western Lake Erie, with good fishing reported around Green and Rattlesnake islands, west of Kelleys Island and Catawba and in the near-shore areas off Camp Perry and the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. Anglers are trolling deep-diving Husky Jerk and Reef Runner lures in blue-chrome and pink colors.

Night fishing has been fair from Huron to Cleveland, with trophy walleye caught just at dusk and throughout the night while trolling. Pier anglers are not doing as well, but some walleye are being caught casting from traditional spots, including the East 72nd Street pier in Cleveland, the Lorain breakwall, Huron Pier and Lakeside Pier on Marblehead. Pier action has been spotty.

Yellow perch fishing is still in the doldrums, although some anglers have caught perch by searching for cleaner water. The best depth this week has been 45 to 50 feet of water off Cleveland.

Rivers and streams

Steelhead trout and fishermen have been hard to find, with low, clear water foiling the trout and many sportsmen heading to the woods for Ohio's deer gun season.

The best locations for steelhead have been the lower stretches of the big Grand River and little Conneaut Creek, where fall-run steelhead trout were released in the upper stretches by Pennsylvania. The combination of Ohio and Pennsylvania trout stockings should make Conneaut Creek a hot spot this winter.

Fishermen are hoping for big rains heading into the weekend to provoke a run of steelhead trout from Lake Erie. Anglers have been casting small spawn bags and jig-maggot rigs under a float in the deeper pools, while fly fishers have down-sized their flies to fool wary trout. The top offerings include 6mm to 8mm plastic beads in orange, chartreuse and pink, with small bead-head nymphs and egg patterns also catching trout.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

Low water and waterfowl hunters are making fishing difficult on many inland lakes. Largemouth bass fishing is picking up, with some catches reported on blade baits, swim baits and jigs slowly worked on channel bends and deep points.

As usual, the Portage Lakes continue to be a top spot for bluegill and crappie, with Nimisila in the spotlight. Some crappie are being caught at Wingfoot, West Branch and Mogadore lakes on minnows under a float. Saugeye are starting to hit jig-twister tail rigs in the Charles Mill Reservoir spillway area. Late-season muskie fishing is waking up at Leesville, West Branch and Pymatuning lakes.

Trophy fish

Bret Berkey's 14.5-pound, 30.25-inch walleye continues to lead the Fall Brawl walleye derby, which runs through Sunday.

-- D'Arcy Egan

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio says the biggest concern is still Asian carp gaining access to the Great Lakes and Lake Erie.

Asian carp now dominate the fish population of the Illinois River, and studies are not needed for proof. Boaters can provoke the schools of silver carp into jumping with the noise of their boat motors. D'Arcy Egan, Plain Dealer file photo

Sen. Sherrod Brown is leading the fight to stop Asian carp from infesting the Ohio River Basin, introducing the Strategic Response to Asian Carp Invasion Act, designed to develop state and federal strategies to halt the spread of the invasive fish along Ohio's southern border.

Co-sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the legislation enables the federal government and state and local entities "to develop a plan to control and prevent Asian carp from entering streams and rivers in our state," Brown said during a phone interview. "The continued movement of Asian carp up the Ohio River could grind to a halt Ohio's multimillion-dollar fishing and boating industries."

Schools of Asian carp are already swimming in Ohio's portion of the Ohio River. Silver carp, the acrobats that vault out of the water when disturbed, have been seen by fisheries experts in Ohio's Great and Little Miami rivers, tributaries of the Ohio River near Cincinnati. The noxious carp have displayed an ability to circumvent Ohio River locks and dams. They could eventually reach Pittsburgh's Three Rivers area, where the Ohio River joins the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

"We want to give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Corps of Engineers, local wildlife agencies and state governments the resources to stop the spread of Asian carp," Brown said. "There won't be gridlock on this, no partisan divide, as we've had in the Chicago area where they're fighting separation [of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan] to protect economic interests in Chicago and Northern Illinois."

Brown said the biggest concern is still Asian carp gaining access to the Great Lakes and Lake Erie. The most likely route would be Asian carp from the Illinois River swimming through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and into Lake Michigan, despite electric fences built to stop them. Lake Erie is considered the most favorable Great Lakes habitat for Asian carp.

Sportsmen's Act not dead: Brown insists the Sportsmen's Act of 2012 -- a bipartisan conservation bill containing 17 provisions for anglers, hunters and fish and wildlife conservation -- is not dead.

The Senate defeated it, 50-44, Monday night along partisan lines. Republicans complained it contained a new tax, boosting the cost of a federal duck stamp required by hunters from $15 to $25, a provision supported by conservation groups and waterfowl hunters.

Revenue from the federal duck stamp is used to buy wetlands for waterfowl, prompting $132 million in new spending over the next decade.

"The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 will be passed by the end of the year," said Brown. "We thought it would go smoothly. The legislation was delayed because its sponsor [Sen. Jon Tester of Montana] was in a tough race for re-election. We'll fix things and get it passed."

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama said the legislation violated the Budget Control Act of 2011, which set spending caps. The bill was backed by groups as diverse as Ducks Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation and National Rifle Association.

Out and about: The Fall Brawl walleye derby ends Sunday, with an awards party Dec. 8 at the old Sheffield Lake post office, 4214 Ivanhoe Ave., Sheffield Lake. . . . Duck hunter Daniel Khalil Jr., 35, drowned Saturday when he and two other men fell out of their boat while hunting on Mosquito Reservoir in Trumbull County. . . . Ohio hunters tagged 1,338 wild turkeys during the fall season. . . . The lone hunting accident reported during deer gun week was a Thursday morning self-inflicted gunshot wound to the foot of a Carroll County deer hunter.

Deer opener: Hunters checked 29,297 deer on Monday's opening day of the deer gun season, a 24 percent increase after big rains hampered opening-day success in 2011.

Deer Program Administrator Mike Tonkovich matched apples to apples, reporting this year's opening day was well below first-day totals in 2009 (33,607 deer) and 2010 (37,805 deer). Tonkovich had expected a good harvest Monday, driven by the excellent weather. The deer expert did forecast a 5 percent to 10 percent decline as Ohio's deer herd continues to shrink.

The top opening-day counties were: Coshocton (1,199); Muskingum (1,102); Tuscarawas (1,901); Guernsey (858); Harrison (845); Knox (830); Ashtabula (816); Licking (805); Carroll (776); and Washington (747). The deer gun week ends Sunday, followed by an extra weekend gun season Dec. 15-16.

The opening-day deer harvests in Cleveland-area counties were: Cuyahoga (five); Lorain (202); Geauga (157); Lake (55); and Medina (202).

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

New Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry hopes to repeat the success he had in Cleveland.

Atlanta General Manager Danny Ferry, who played in Cleveland for 10 years and served as its GM for five, hopes to bring the success he found with the Cavs to the Hawks. "€œI would love to win at a very high level," says Ferry, who was also in San Antonio's front office. Johnny Crawford, Atlanta Journal Constitution

ATLANTA, Ga. — Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry was sitting in an empty Philips Arena after practice Thursday, talking about his vision for the franchise he joined June 25 -- the first time in 22 years he has worked somewhere other than Cleveland or San Antonio.

"We're going to do things well here," said Ferry, who also carries the title of president of basketball operations. "We're going to invest in things that our players see. We're going to invest in things that our fans see. We're going to invest in a lot of things you don't see, from behind the scenes. Our owners are committed to do so and felt like that was important.

"We'll make this place have a really strong foundation. That goes in steps, and we're taking those steps."

In the past five months, it seems as if the Hawks, under Ferry, took giant steps -- and at a rapid pace. Not that the Hawks were in bad shape, having been to the playoffs five straight seasons. But Ferry wasted no time in making changes.

Three days after he was hired, the Hawks drafted John Jenkins of Vanderbilt and Mike Scott of Virginia. Within a week, Ferry had hired Wes Wilcox from the Cavs as his assistant general manager and later named the Cavs' Garin Narain as his vice president of public relations. On July 11, he traded All-Star Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets for five players, a first- and second-round pick and other draft considerations and acquired Devin Harris from the Utah Jazz for Marvin Williams. The next day, he signed free agent Lou Williams, and on July 16, he acquired veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for cash.

Whew.

The remade Hawks started slowly this season, but they have come into tonight's game against the Cavs with the longest current winning streak in the league -- six games -- and a 9-4 record, including a 5-2 mark at home.

Ferry said he didn't come to the job with any sort of mandate to shake things up.

"I didn't know how this team could be changed from a roster standpoint," he said Thursday. "Trades, oftentimes, it's timing. Maybe two weeks before, that trade wouldn't have happened.

"I think that was a win-win situation. I think we were in a place that, within this new CBA [collective bargaining agreement] and with where we were as a team . . . it was a hard decision. You don't like to trade good players. But it was probably the appropriate decision for us moving forward. I think for Brooklyn, it was the right decision. They got a good player with Deron Williams, and moving into a new arena and all. I think it was good for Joe, probably. It's an exciting opportunity for him as well. I think it was one of those situations where everyone walked away feeling like it was good for both teams and the player."

Ferry admitted it was also a hard decision leaving San Antonio, where he had won an NBA title in 2003. He and wife, Tiffany, and their five children, ages 6 to 16, have looked at moving to Atlanta as an adventure, even if it has taken Ferry some time to adjust to a place where he doesn't know all the ushers and security guards as he did in San Antonio and Cleveland, where he played for 10 seasons.

Asked what one thing he would like to bring to Atlanta after his five years as the Cavs' general manager, he laughed and said, "I would love to win at a very high level."

Indeed, under Ferry and his assistant, Chris Grant, the Cavs had a 272-138 record, a .663 winning percentage, recorded the two best seasons in franchise history in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and reached the NBA Finals in 2007. Ferry was part of an operation that included coach Mike Brown and star LeBron James.

He would like to build a similarly successful franchise in Atlanta -- in a similar fashion.

"I think, from an organizational standpoint, I felt like we were strong and had good people," he said, mentioning Grant and former Assistant General Manager Lance Blanks, now in Phoenix, among others. "That's one thing that I hope here -- that the people I work with grow and develop. That's really the [Gregg Popovich] and R.C. Buford model in San Antonio. You're given so much exposure, and your opinions and your work count. I felt like we had that in Cleveland, and I want to have that here as well -- find really good people and really talented people, trust them and grow together."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

The Browns could find out if they’re mudders Sunday in Oakland. Heavy rain and wind is expected for their game against the Raiders.

The website ProFootballFocus.com ranks Joe Thomas as the top pass-blocking tackle in the NFL this season. Tony Dejak, Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Forget the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Browns may have to deal with the Pineapple Express.

It appears the Browns will be playing in windy and wet conditions Sunday at O.co Coliseum as the result of a tropical storm scheduled to hit the Bay Area this weekend.

"What are they calling it? The Pineapple Express?" Browns coach Pat Shurmur asked. "I guess that's a fancy name for a storm.

"I think it started in the Hawaiian Islands. I'm not a meteorologist, I'm going to handle that in the off-season. We'll be prepared for it. Our guys do a pretty good job of hanging on to the football."

Weather reports indicate there is an 80 percent chance of rain Sunday accompanied by 30- to 35-mph winds with gusts to 45.

Brad Childress, Browns' offensive coordinator, was asked if foul weather was factored into the game plan.

"What you factor in is trying to beat the defense you think you're going to see," Childress said. "I don't think they have a typhoon defense or something like that. While our special teams coach may have a typhoon return, I don't think we have a typhoon offense."

The Browns and Raiders are each 3-8 this season. The Raiders beat the Browns, 24-17, last year in Oakland, but the Browns have won seven of the past 10 matchups.

"The Raiders' defense is a big and physical, aggressive group," offensive tackle Joe Thomas said. "They're a team that has gotten a lot of personal fouls since they've been together. All across the front, they're not backing down to anybody.

"They're definitely a group that tries to intimidate you. No matter what happens out there, you have to keep your head. It doesn't help anybody if you get thrown out of the game."

As for playing in the wind and rain, Thomas couldn't be happier.

"I can't wait," he said. "I love the bad weather. The more rain, the more snow, the colder it is, the offensive line likes playing in it. . . . I think we're all mudders on the O-line."

He's No. 1: Pro Football Focus rates Thomas as the top pass-blocking tackle in the NFL this season.

The website calculates that Thomas has allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits and eight hurries. On average, he has allowed one quarterback disruption per game.

Childress was asked what makes Thomas effective.

"He's got great feet," Childress said. "He has a good reach and can use his hands to separate and get people to stay away from him. He's got good balance and has the ability to sit down on a rush when somebody wants to bull-rush him.

"He can drop his weight. Some of those big guys, those aircraft carriers, can't do that. Plus, he's very smart and takes great notes."

Hold on: In the Browns' 20-14 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday, the teams combined for 19 penalties. Nine were holding penalties, four against the Browns.

Asked why there were so many holding penalties, Childress said, "You'd have to ask Carl Paganelli [the umpire on the officiating crew]."

Injury update: Return man Josh Cribbs, nursing shoulder and chest injuries, did not practice but said he was all right. He would not comment on his injury.

Defensive back Usama Young (concussion) did not practice.

Defensive back Dimitri Patterson continued his comeback from an ankle injury that has caused him to miss five games. "The challenge for him is to get healthy so he can be on the field and play," Shurmur said.

Finally: Asked to describe the Browns' defense, which caused eight turnovers against the Steelers, Childress said, "They're like a bunch of fire ants. . . . They take the ball off people and people aren't readily wanting to have the ball taken off them. I see lots of guys on the ball. It's like a feeding frenzy."

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

Rymkus was a star offensive tackle for the Browns in their first six seasons, and at the same time excelled on defense for two years and part of another.

Lou Rymkus (left, 44), George Young (52) and Lou Groza (back left) are among the players with coach Paul Brown after the Browns' 21-7 AAFC championship game win over the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 11, 1949 at Cleveland Stadium. Associated Press

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

No. 55, Lou Rymkus, offensive tackle/defensive tackle, 1946-51

The Washington Redskins picked Lou Rymkus of Notre Dame in the seventh round of the 1943 NFL draft. He immediately exceeded expectations, starting at both offensive and defensive tackle and making first-team all-NFL as a rookie. Rymkus even scored two touchdowns, one on a 21-yard interception return, the other on a four-yard run with a recovered fumble.

That, though, would be Rymkus' lone campaign with the Redskins. Following the season, and with the United States still in the midst of World War II, Rymkus joined the Marines. He served at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in 1944 and 1945, and for several months at Pearl Harbor.

Rymkus trained Navy recruits at Great Lakes, which was located near Chicago. The training station fielded a powerful football team that played elite college teams and was coached by former Massillon High School and Ohio State coach Paul Brown, a commissioned Navy lieutenant.

Brown, of course, was the first coach of the Browns, who began play in the new All-America Football Conference in 1946. Rymkus chose to not return to the Redskins and the NFL, and signed with the Browns before the start of their first season.

Rymkus, beginning his Browns career shortly before his 27th birthday, played six years for Cleveland, never missing a game. The Browns reached the championship game in all of his years with them and, in fact, in each of their first 10 seasons as a franchise: the first four (1946-49) in the AAFC; the next six (1950-55) after they joined the NFL when the AAFC folded.

Rymkus started at both offensive and defensive tackle during his first two Browns campaigns. Though he was one of the game's premier run-stoppers on defense, Brown figured that as deep as the Browns were, it would be sensible to play Rymkus only at right offensive tackle, where he could help protect star quarterback Otto Graham. Rymkus did, however, start on both lines again during part of the 1950 season.

Rymkus was first-team all-AAFC in each of the league's four seasons, then earned second-team honors in both of his NFL seasons. He had played much of his career with a bad knee, and retired following the 1951 campaign.

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

Video: Lou Rymkus (44) is at right offensive tackle for the Browns, in some action from Cleveland's 30-28 NFL championship game win over the Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Stadium on Dec. 24, 1950: