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Hey, Mary Kay! Why aren't the Browns throwing downfield as much lately?

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Got a Browns question? Send it in. Submit your question at cleveland.com/heymarykay, and Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the Sports section. All Mary Kay's answers are archived online.

browns-wide-receivers.JPG Browns wide receivers Greg Little and Josh Gordon haven't had many opportunities for a big play the last few games. (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

Got a Browns question? Send it in. Submit your question at cleveland.com/heymarykay, and Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the Sports section. All Mary Kay's answers are archived online.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Is it me, or have (Pat) Shurmur/(Brad) Childress not been throwing the ball downfield enough lately? . . . I believe our wideouts are really progressing, and it would put some fear in opposing defenses! — Thaddeus Landers, Youngstown

A: Hey, Thaddeus: Brandon Weeden has been trying to cut down on his picks and is taking fewer chances. But if it's not raining hard today in Oakland, he has a chance to make some big plays against a porous defense. The Raiders are giving up more than 40 points per game during their four-game losing streak and have surrendered 23 touchdown passes, tied with Washington for most in the league. Next week's foe, Kansas City, is tied for second most with 22.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think that the Browns will have Josh Cribbs next year? He has been vocal about his desire for more touches and seems to want out if he is not going to get them. — Nathanael Ressler, Mount Vernon, Ill.

A: Hey, Nathanael: Cribbs wants to finish his career here, but it all depends on what the new regime thinks of him and how much they're willing to pay him. He's done a great job on special teams this season, cre- ating great field position from both a return and coverage standpoint. Both sides will let the season play out before discussing his future.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Where do the Browns stand with regard to the salary cap? Will not the 2013 draft choices be somewhat dependent upon what is done in free agency to address areas of need, and what latitude do the Browns have to make a play? — Mike Egan, McAllen, Texas

A: Hey, Mike: The Browns are in good fiscal shape heading into the off-season, with about $15 million in cap space. That will enable them to extend some of their players and sign a few free agents. Filling a few holes in free agency will take the pressure off the draft. But Joe Banner, like Tom Heckert, believes in draft first, with free agency a distant second.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Why don't the Browns have someone coaching Brandon Weeden on the sidelines during the game? No playbook pictures, no consulting, no headphones. I've seen him pacing nervously. Why don't they have someone to explain to him during the game what is happening? He gets to the line and has to wait for instructions. If he knew what the offensive coaches are planning, he could respond quicker with his own call. — Nick Montagner, Paris, Ohio

A: Hey, Nick: Weeden is constantly being coached up on the sidelines by quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple. Colt McCoy also helps him. He studies in-game photos and tries to make adjustments. The trio of Childress, Shurmur and Weeden have worked hard to streamline the communication process. It has been better the past two games. 



Cleveland Browns looking to end 12-game road losing streak in Oakland

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With their final two road contests in Denver and Pittsburgh, Sunday's game against the 3-8 Oakland Raiders likely represents the Cleveland Browns' best chance to get a win away from home.

browns-richardson.JPG If the Sunday forecast for Oakland is correct and the game is played in heavy rain, look for Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson, here on his way to the end zone last week against Pittsburgh, to get a lot of work.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Browns are on a mission to obliterate the Dirty Dozen Sunday in Oakland.

No, not the Raiders or their intimidating fans, but the 12-game road losing streak the Browns have suffered since venturing out to O.co Coliseum last October.

The streak, longest active in the NFL, stands at five this season, which gives the Browns three more chances to snap it. With the final two games of the year in Denver and Pittsburgh, today's game against between these two 3-8 teams marks the best chance to deep-six the dubious distinction.

"I can't speak for last year, but this year, we want to go on the road and win," said quarterback Brandon Weeden. "We've got to get the monkey off our back. We've been close on the road and that's the thing. We've won three at home, but we're still struggling to find one on the road and I don't know what it is. But this would be a nice way to start and it'd be nice to take that six-hour plane ride home after a win."

The game also marks a chance for the Browns to win two straight for the first time since weeks two and three of last season. If they win this one, they can get on a little roll, with dates up next against the 1-10 Chiefs and 5-6 Redskins.

"It's real important," said Joe Haden. "We say after every win we want this feeling again, then we lose. That feeling, it's all good for a week and then you go right back to feeling like crap. You don't want that to happen. You want to keep it going. We just got to go out there and win."

Of course, a lot depends on the weather today in Oakland, with the forecast calling for torrential downpours and possible flooding. If the rain subsides by game time, it could be a big day for Weeden, who's coming off a concussion suffered last week against the Steelers. The Raiders have surrendered 23 touchdown passes this season, tied for most in the league.

"When you look at the Oakland Raiders, I see a bunch of big, 6-foot-6, 300-pound linemen who can really rush the passer, guys in the back who can cover, guys that can really play," said Weeden. "That's all I can really judge on."

If conditions are poor, look for Trent Richardson to have a monster game against the Raiders' 28th-ranked run defense. Over the past four games, the Raiders have yielded 728 yards rushing and nine TDs. Over that same span, Richardson has rushed for 407 yards and two scores.

Fellow rookie Doug Martin of Tampa Bay ran all over the Raiders for 251 yards on Nov. 4, and Cincinnati's Benjarvis Green-Ellis broke free for runs of 48 and 39 yards in a 34-10 Bengals victory last week. The Raiders will also be without starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who was suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He'll be replaced by Omar Gaither, who's yet to take a defensive snap this season.

"When Doug's out there, he's doing his thing and when I'm out there, I'm doing my thing," said Richardson. "I'm playing with my team and whatever they're gonna allow me to have and my offensive line allows me to rush for, that's what I'm gonna rush for. I'm not challenging, and I know Doug ain't challenging me to live up to what he did so far."

The Browns will face an old foe in former Bengals' quarterback Carson Palmer, who's 9-3 against them with 25 TDs and 14 interceptions. But he's never faced this new Browns defense, which sacked Tony Romo seven times two weeks ago and had eight takeaways against the Steelers last week.

"He stands in there and takes a beating at times, but he's able to get the ball and put the ball in the right spots," said Raiders coach Dennis Allen.

The Raiders are hoping to have starting running back Darren McFadden back from an ankle injury, but it will be a game-time decision. In McFadden's absence, converted fullback Marcel Reese has averaged 4.8 yards per carry in three starts and has caught the ball well out of the backfield.

"He's a huge talent, extremely fast," defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said of McFadden. "He's faster than players generally have a feel for. You've got to have an edge on every defense, but he can outrun your force, and still turn the corner and gain yards. You definitely don't want to see him in the open field. They'll use him out of the backfield to catch the ball. They'll flank him out as a receiver. He's a very dynamic player. I don't know if he was the first pick in the draft but he was top five [No. 4 in 2008] and you can see why whenever you see him on tape."

Despite the Raiders' four-game skid, the teams they've lost to are 17-8 over the past seven weeks, including the 9-2 Ravens and resurgent Bengals. "I think they're a little underrated like we are," said Thomas.

Little added: Browns receiver Greg Little was added to the injury report and is listed as probable with knee injury.

Sports Insider: Tom Reed recaps Browns-Raiders, Pat Shurmur's coaching

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On today's episode of Sports Insider, The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed joined cleveland.com's Glenn Moore to talk about Browns-Raiders. Watch video

AX128_1191_9.JPG Pat Shurmur
On today's episode of Sports Insider, The Plain Dealer's Tom Reed joined cleveland.com's Glenn Moore to talk about Browns-Raiders.

Tom talked about Pat Shurmur's coaching and praised the head coach for going for it fourth down and not being "cute" with play-calling.

Brandon Weeden had his best performance of the year with passing yards and conducted a pivotal drive at the end of the game that secured a Browns victory. Tom discussed his performance.

Josh Gordon has stepped up his production in the last few weeks and has stood out as a top receiver for Weeden.

And finally, Sheldon Brown had one of his best games defensively for the Browns, coming up with a big interception towards the end of the game. Tom talked about his game and how the defense played well.

Click play to watch the video.

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

And check out Sport Insider every day on cleveland.com as we will be speaking with Plain Dealer reporters and other media and athletes from across the country.

You can follow Glenn on Twitter, @GlennMooreCLE.

Cleveland Cavaliers P.M. links: Patience with Tristan Thompson; looking for a win tonight in Detroit

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Second-year forward-center Thompson is having some problems, especially on offense. Cavs visit the Pistons tonight. More Cavaliers story links.

tristan-thompson.jpg Cavs forward-center Tristan Thompson (13) is struggling to improve his game, especially on offense.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Detroit Pistons tonight.

The Cavs are 4-13 and the Pistons 5-13, but the teams have taken different directions toward those records. Cleveland has lost 11 of its last 13 games. Detroit has won five of its last 10 after an 0-8 start.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Jodie Valade's story that Cavs' rookie center Tyler Zeller is starting to adjust to playing in the NBA; Mary Schmitt Boyer's "Hey, Mary!," answering readers' questions about the Cavs and the NBA.

Forward-center Tristan Thompson, selected by the Cavs out of Texas with the fourth pick in the first round of the 2011 draft, has not yet made the progress many fans had hoped for in his second season.

The 6-9 Thompson has not established himself as a defensive stopper. He is averaging an acceptable 7.9 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game.

It's at the offensive end of the court where Thompson's struggles are most evident. He's averaging just 8.8 points, with his 46 percent field goal shooting quite subpar considering that most of his shots come from within a few feet of the basket. It doesn't help that Thompson is  making just 57 percent of his free throws.

Yet, Thompson doesn't turn 22 until March 13. Jason Lloyd writes for the Akron Beacon Journal that the Cavs are staying patient with him, in part because of his solid work ethic. Lloyd writes:

“I think he’s getting frustrated because he’s not scoring in the paint like he thinks he should,” Cavs coach Byron Scott said. “But again, as much as he’s worked on all the stuff on the offensive end, that’s not the reason we drafted him. We drafted him because of his energy and how hard he plays. I think sometimes he’s losing focus in that area because he’s focusing on trying to score.”

Thompson has been awful around the rim, converting just 48 of 82 opportunities inside 3 feet, according to the reputable website basketball-reference.com. That .585 shooting percentage around the rim ranks 85th in the league.

Thompson’s biggest problem is with blocks. Scott said he is spending too long gathering the ball, particularly after offensive rebounds, and by the time he’s ready to go back up, taller defenders are in position to swat it away.

The Cavs brought Zydrunas Ilgauskas into practice last week to work with Thompson, both to give him tips on his footwork and to give the Cavs an experienced 7-foot shot blocker for Thompson to work around in practice.
Cavaliers story links

Previewing the Cavaliers at Pistons game. (nba.com/cavaliers)

It's a winnable game for the Cavs in Detroit tonight. (By Conrad Kaczmarek, Fear The Sword)

Debating some matters on the Cavs and the NBA. (By Kevin Hetrick, Cavs: The Blog)

Video: Center Tyler Zeller talks with the media on Monday, after the Cavs prepare for tonight's game in Detroit. (nba.com/cavaliers)

The Cavaliers might have a difficult decision ahead, considering that if star center Anderson Varejao would be made available for a possible trade, he might be the most sought-after player in the league. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

Point guard Kyrie Irving's contract status .... and other Cavs observations. (By Bob Finnan, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Should the Cavs trade Anderson Varejao? (By Dani Socher, Cavs: The Blog)

The Cavaliers move up three spots in these new power rankings. (ESPN.com)

Tristan Thompson and the Cavs are working on improving his offensive game. (By Bob Finnan, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

The Pistons look to re-gain their winning momentum when they play the Cavaliers tonight. (By Vincent Goodwill, Detroit News)


Cleveland Browns News and Notes after win over Raiders -- Monday Browns Blast (video)

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Cleveland Browns News and Notes with Josh Gordon and Pat Shurmur the day after their 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Hosted by Plain Dealer's Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns News and Notes with Josh Gordon and Pat Shurmur the day after their 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders.  Hosted by Plain Dealer's Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot.

Click here to watch this video on a mobile device

To reach this Plain Dealer videographer: dandersen@plaind.com

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller misses out on New York trip, not named one of 3 Heisman Trophy finalists

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Miller seemed to be close to an invitation, but didn't put up huge numbers in the Buckeyes' last two wins over Wisconsin and Michigan.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller was not invited to New York as one of the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, it was announced Monday night. The Heisman will be awarded on Saturday.

Miller seemed to be right on the edge of an invite, but he didn't put up huge numbers in the Buckeyes' last two wins over Wisconsin and Michigan and fell back in the race. The Heisman varies year to year on inviting three, four or five finalists.

Miller still could finish in the top five, but there must be a pretty big gap between the top three and fourth and fifth place. Last year, there were five finalists.

Everyone knows that Ohio State is tied with Notre Dame for the most Heismans with seven. But beyond winning, the Buckeyes are regularly in the mix. Miller still could make this the 18th time that a Buckeye has finished in the top five in the voting. Troy Smith was the last OSU winner in 2006, and the last Buckeye in the top five before Smith was Orlando Pace, who finished fourth in 1996.

Every straw poll and projection has Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel becoming the first freshman to win the award, with Notre Dame senior linebacker Manti Te'o second. Kansas State senior quarterback Collin Klein is the other finalist.

Miller is still positioning himself for next year, when he's expected to be in the Heisman race again and the Buckeyes should start the season ranked in the top five. There are no guarantees, however. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball was a finalist last season as a junior and didn't make it back this year.

Miller already picked up a major award by winning the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year Award. Asked last week by The Plain Dealer about the possibility of being a Heisman finalist, Miller said "That'd be a nice little trip to be recognized as one of the best players in the nation."

He'll miss out on the trip this year. But there are chances ahead. And he's not the player he can be down the line.

"Braxton fundamentally, if he becomes fundamentally the best quarterback in America, I think he will be the best quarterback in America," OSU coach Urban Meyer said last week. "I think it'll be comical what he'll do. But he's not there yet."

Ohio State Buckeyes who have finished in the top 10 of the Heisman balloting

1942 - Gene Fekete, 8th

1944 - Les Horvath, winner

1945 - Warren Amling, 7th

1950 – Vic Janowicz, winner

1954 – Howard Cassady, winner

1955 – Jim Parker, 8th

1958 – Bob White, 4th

1960 – Tom Matte, 7th

1961 – Bob Ferguson, 2nd

1969 – Rex Kern, 3rd

1969 – Jim Otis, 7th

1969 – Jack Tatum, 10th

1970 – Rex Kern, 5th

1970 – Jack Tatum, 7th

1973 – John Hicks, 2nd

1973 – Archie Griffin, 5th

1973 – Randy Gradishar, 6th

1974 – Archie Griffin, winner

1975 – Archie Griffin, winner

1979 – Art Schlichter, 4th

1980 – Art Schlichter, 6th

1981 – Art Schlichter, 5th

1984 – Keith Byars, 2nd

1986 – Chris Spielman, 10th

1987 – Chris Spielman, 7th

1995 – Eddie George, winner

1995 – Bobby Hoying, 10th

1996 – Orlando Pace, 4th

1998 – Joe Germain, 9th

2006 – Troy Smith, winner

Wins and losses have never measured the quality of Romeo Crennel: Bill Livingston

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Pat Shurmur said he "doesn't want to imagine" what the Chiefs, Sunday's upcoming opponent, went through last weekend.

crennel-pregame-2012-tear-ap.jpg The record of the football teams he coaches never have reflected the true value of Romeo Crennel, writes Bill Livingston, and the events of the last few days only reinforce that opinion.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Romeo Crennel began almost every news conference when he coached the Browns by asking, "How's everybody doing today?"

It was probably just a habit, but the moment of civility stood in marked contrast to the demeanor of his mentor, Bill Belichick, who never really cared how anybody who was not in the locker room (and not many who were) was doing. When a reporter would ask Crennel in turn how he was doing, he would usually say, "I'm hanging in."

A whole value system was encompassed in those comments -- the expression of concern for others in Crennel's opening greeting and the doggedness in hard times evident in his reply.

Now the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Crennel kept his team hanging in after Saturday's suicide of linebacker Jovan Belcher from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Both Crennel and GM Scott Pioli witnessed the suicide in the parking lot of Kansas City's practice facility Saturday. Earlier, Belcher had shot and killed his girlfriend, Kassandra Perkins, the mother of the couple's three-month-old daughter.

Crennel consulted with his team captains, who -- although many outsiders argued that the NFL should have cancelled the game -- felt, as did their coach, that playing was the best way to deal with the tragedy. It was not making a God of football, as critics say. It was using work as therapy. With a good leader, professional athletes, given their sharpness of focus and their deep bond as members of a virtual family, are capable of doing extraordinary things in a crisis.

quinn-crennel-2012-chiefs-vert-ap.jpg After Sunday's game, Kansas City QB Brady Quinn tenderly rested his head on Crennel’s shoulder on the field, and later spoke of the coach as a "leader of men."

The Chiefs won only their second game of the season, 20-17, against Carolina behind strong performances by former Browns quarterback Brady Quinn and running back Jamaal Charles, whose wife is a cousin of Belcher's slain girlfriend. Former Browns running back Peyton Hillis scored a touchdown in the victory. Afterward, Quinn, who tenderly rested his head on Crennel's shoulder after the game ended, spoke of the coach as a "leader of men."

"I can only imagine what Romeo and his staff and the players -- and I don't want to imagine -- what they were going through," said Browns coach Pat Shurmur, whose team meets the Chiefs Sunday on the lakefront. "You see what can happen when a group of guys bond together for some reason."

Shurmur and the Browns were stunned in their own right when a member of the team's grounds crew committed suicide Saturday at the team's Berea headquarters. "We play these games on Sunday, but there is some real-life, tragic stuff going on around us all the time," Shurmur said. "It's thought-provoking and sad, but we have to do our best to move forward."

As for Crennel, he was raised to do his duty, from the moment he was awakened with "Reveille," played on an air bugle by his father, John, an Army sergeant, until he went to bed, perhaps after the two discussed Shakespeare. Joseph Crennel named his daughter Juliet, as well as his son, after characters in Shakespeare's play.

The victory Sunday probably won't save Crennel from another firing. But it says much about the character of the man known as "RAC" (for Romeo A. Crennel) around the NFL.

Crennel coached the Browns from 2005-08, averaging six victories per season. He lasted as long as he did because of the anomaly of the 2007 season, when Derek Anderson played as he never did before or since. Cleveland had a 10-6 season and just missed the playoffs. Then Anderson went back to being the usual Anderson, and Crennel was fired after a 4-12 season in 2008.

Crennel got the Browns' job when he was 58. Maybe he didn't have the desire to deal with such undisciplined players as Braylon Edwards, who sabotaged one season by gashing his foot while running barefoot in the grass after practice, or Kellen Winslow, the spoiled son of a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

When former GM Phil Savage became embroiled in a nasty, personal dispute with Winslow, Savage never showed up to answer media questions. Crennel stood in for him.

When Savage cursed a taunting fan by email, he ducked inquiries on that, too. Crennel took the questions again.

It is not a surprise that, in the greatest crisis of his career over the weekend, Crennel did what had to be done.

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Miss Maudie says to Scout of her father, Atticus Finch, "There are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." Crennel possesses similar qualities of decency, loyalty and compassion, things which cannot really be measured on a scoreboard.

It is just as well, for they amount to so much more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Twinsburg takes over No. 1 spot in Plain Dealer girls basketball Top 25 poll for week of Dec. 2, 2012

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Records through Sunday (Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

Twinsburg is the new No. 1 team in The Plain Dealer's girls basketball Top 25 poll thanks to last week's victory over Wadsworth.

Records through Sunday

(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

1. Twinsburg, 3-0 (4): Hosts Walsh Jesuit on Wednesday.  Defending Division I state champions made Wadsworth their 49th consecutive win over teams from Ohio.

2. Solon, 2-0 (2): At Shaker Heights on Saturday.

3. Walsh Jesuit, 3-0 (5): At Twinsburg on Wednesday.

4. Hathaway Brown, 2-2 (1): Hosts Canton McKinley on Saturday.

5. Wadsworth, 2-1 (3): Hosts Cloverleaf on Wednesday.

6. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 2-1 (6): Hosts Youngstown Ursuline on Wednesday. Fighting Irish got all they could handle before defeating visiting Lake Catholic in four overtimes.

7. Magnificat, 3-0 (9): At Lake Catholic on Wednesday.

8. Hudson, 2-1 (7): At Stow on Saturday.

9. Medina, 3-0 (11): At Parma on Wednesday.

10. Archbishop Hoban, 1-2 (8): Hosts Northwest on Wednesday.

11. Highland, 3-0 (--): Hosts Green on Wednesday. Hornets overcame 7-point halftime deficit to sting host Brecksville-Broadview Heights.

12. Midpark, 1-1 (12): Hosts Berea on Wednesday.

13. Gilmour Academy, 3-0 (14): Hosts Orange on Wednesday.

14. Holy Name, 1-1 (10): At St. Joseph Academy on Wednesday.

15. Aurora, 3-0 (17): Hosts Perry on Friday.

16. Kenston, 3-0 (18): Hosts Euclid today.

17. St. Joseph Academy, 3-0 (--): Hosts Holy Name on Wednesday. Jaguars' high-intensity offense and defense has been no match for opponents so far.

18. Tallmadge, 2-0 (--): Hosts Revere on Wednesday. Blue Devils held Ravenna to four points over the second and third quarters in road victory.

19. Mentor, 2-0 (23): Hosted Chagrin Falls on Monday.

20. Brunswick, 2-1 (19): Hosts Mentor on Wednesday.

21. Westlake, 3-0 (--): Hosts Olmsted Falls on Wednesday.

22. Copley, 2-0 (--): At Nordonia on Wednesday.

23. Chardon, 2-0 (--): At Geneva on Dec. 12. Hilltoppers made strong Premier Athletic Conference statement by defeating defending champ Eastlake North.

24. Chagrin Falls, 3-0 (--): Played at Mentor on Monday.

25. Elyria, 2-0 (--): Played at Avon Lake on Monday.

Dropped out: Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Lake Ridge Academy, Woodridge, Mayfield, Norton, Ravenna, Eastlake North, Riverside.


Cavaliers at Pistons: Game preview and Twitter updates

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The Cavaliers will look to get back on tract as they travel to Detroit to face the Pistons. Get Twitter updates from Mary Schmitt Boyer (@PDCavsInsider) and Jodie Valade (@JodieValade). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Cavaliers will look to get back on tract as they travel to Detroit to face the Pistons. Get Twitter updates from Mary Schmitt Boyer (@PDCavsInsider) and Jodie Valade (@JodieValade) in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.



AX224_2161_9.JPG Detroit Pistons' Greg Monroe (10) takes the ball around Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, of Spain, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis.


(AP) -- While their road games have been mostly lackluster, the Detroit Pistons are on the verge of their longest home win streak in three seasons.


A matchup with last-place Cleveland on Monday night would appear to give the Pistons a good opportunity to accomplish that goal, but the Cavaliers have proved a little more competitive lately.


Detroit (5-13) dropped to 1-10 on the road with a pair of double-digit losses this weekend, but now it opens a three-game homestand looking to win five straight at The Palace of Auburn Hills for the first time since Nov. 29-Dec. 12, 2009.


The Pistons, though, will likely need a better shooting performance to secure that victory. They hit 34.1 percent from the field in a 92-77 loss to Dallas on Saturday.


Combined with its effort in a 90-78 defeat to Memphis on Friday, Detroit missed nearly 100 shots (58 of 157) and was 9 of 37 from 3-point range over the weekend.


"We missed 29 shots within two feet of the basket. We've got to make those shots," coach Lawrence Frank said following Saturday's loss. "We just have to have more resolve. This was a game that could have gone either way."


The Pistons haven't had such problems in Detroit lately as they've topped 52.0 percent shooting in each of their last two home games and four of five. They've made a stellar 44.8 percent of their 3-point attempts on their own floor this season (43 of 96).


Detroit will try to continue that success against Cleveland (4-13), which is 2-9 away from home. The Cavaliers, though, snapped an eight-game road losing streak Friday with a 113-111 win over Atlanta, then nearly earned back-to-back victories for the first time this season when they returned home the next day.


They led Portland by two with 2.5 seconds to go in double overtime, but Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to hand them a 118-117 loss.


"We just have to continue to play hard and keep trying and eventually we'll get it done," said Alonzo Gee, who tied a career high with 22 points to lead eight Cavs in double figures.


Cleveland had won four straight over the Pistons before losing the final two meetings last season, shooting a combined 34.5 percent. Detroit won 116-77 at The Palace on April 17 in the most recent matchup as Brandon Knight scored a career-high 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting.


Knight averaged 22.8 points on 69.2 percent shooting in last season's four matchups. The second-year point guard had a team-best 20 points Saturday and is averaging 18.7 over the past six games - Detroit is 3-3 in that span - after scoring 10.7 per game during the team's 2-10 start.


It's unknown if the Cavaliers will have top draft pick Dion Waiters available after the guard left in the second overtime Saturday with an ankle injury. He's third among rookies with 15.2 points per game.


Anderson Varejao dislocated his right ring finger in the opening quarter, but he returned midway through the next period and recorded his eighth consecutive double-double (19 points, 17 rebounds).


Varejao has played in only one of the Cavaliers' last seven games against the Pistons.

GM Chris Antonetti won't close door on Grady Sizemore after latest knee surgery

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Indians GM Chris Antonetti answered questions Monday on a variety of subjects from reporters on the first day of the winter meetings.

antonetticc.jpg Indians GM Chris Antonetti still trying to improve the Indians' roster for the 2013 season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Indians GM Chris Antonetti met with reporters Monday on the first day of the winter meetings at the Opryland Hotel. Here are a few highlights:

-MLB.com reported Monday that free agent Grady Sizemore underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in September while he was still a member of the Indians.

The Indians signed Sizemore to a one-year $5 million deal last year, but he didn't play because of a herniated disc in his back and pain in both knees. After multiple comeback attempts failed, the Indians shut down Sizemore and sent him home to Arizona. There was no word about his latest knee surgery until Monday.

Joe Urbon, Sizemore's agent, said Monday that Sizemore will try to play again. Urbon confirmed Sizemore's surgery to MLB.com.

Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2011. It takes between nine and 12 months to recover from microfracture surgery.

When asked if he still might be interested in signing Sizemore to a minor league deal for this season, while letting him rehabilitate his knee, Antonetti said, "We wouldn't close any doors. What we've talked about with Grady is if there's a right fit, and it made sense, we wouldn't close any doors on it."   

-Antonetti said the urgency to sign a starting pitcher did not increase following right-hander Corey Kluber's knee surgery last week. Kluber should be ready to compete for a spot in the rotation in late February.

"It remains a goal of ours to add alternatives to the starting rotation," said Antonetti.

-Antonetti continues to look for a first baseman.

"We feel we have some internal options, but we're not going to limit ourselves in the way we can potentially improve," he said. "If there's the right first baseman out there, who we feel can improve the team, we'll look to do it."

-Antonetti is hopeful that Matt LaPorta, coming off hip surgery, can still be an option at first base.

"It's an important offseason for Matt," said Antonetti. "He has to accomplish his rehab goals this offseason and come into spring training trying to win a spot."

LaPorta is out of options and would have to make the big league club out of spring training.

-Russ Canzler, a September call up, is another first base candidate.

"He got his first opportunity at the major league level to get extensive playing time," said Antonetti. "He showed some promise, but it's hard for any player in his first major league exposure to show any kind of consistency."

-The Indians have been linked to free agent center fielder Shane Victorino, but it
appears Michael Brantley will be their starting center fielder in 2013.

"Michael has the ability to go to left field if we thought that would be best for our team," said Antonetti, "but we're confident Michael will be our center fielder."

Victorino has let it be known that he's willing to play left and right field.

-Last week the Indians non-tendered veteran lefty Rafael Perez. Antonetti said he'd try to re-sign Perez, but he feels comfortable about his left-handed relief options in the pen.

"We've got Nick Hagadone, Scott Barnes and Tony Sipp coming back," he said. "Those are three pretty good left-handed options."

Kent State anticipating benefits of bowl practice time: MAC Insider

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KSU coach Darrell Hazell talks bowl preparation, possible job options and status of star back Dri Archer.

hazell-ksu-2012-horiz-ap.jpg "Every time a job comes open, my name is mentioned," KSU head football coach Darrell Hazell said. "That's an honor, but I can't discuss all the rumors that are out there."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The grief of a double-overtime loss in the Mid-American Conference title game has been replaced at Kent State with the euphoria of a Jan. 6 berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. It will be the third bowl game ever for Kent, the first in 40 years.

One big bonus to bowl games is the extra practice time. Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell is quite familiar with bowl prep, as a former assistant at Ohio State. Kent will play Arkansas State (9-3) in the 9 p.m. Jan. 6 GoDaddy.com bowl.

"We're going to have 14 to 15 practices between now and the bowl game, and that speaks to the development of young players," Hazell said. "You can't put a measurement on how important those things are for us getting better in the future."

The coach said Kent will practice a few times this week and a few times next week.

"Then the week prior to Christmas we'll give the guys off, roughly from the 21st of December and get them back the night of the 27th for a team meeting," Hazell said. "Then we'll practice two or three times before we take off on the second [of January]."

Dodge ball: Hazell's name has already been mentioned for several coaching openings around the country. The second-year Kent coach made it clear he is not seeking any jobs, but was more vague about interviewing for opportunities that might come his way.

Internet and wire reports had Hazell meeting with Cal officials on Sunday. On Monday, word leaked from Purdue that Hazell was meeting with the Boilermakers.

"Every time a job comes open, my name is mentioned," Hazell said. "That's an honor, but I can't discuss all the rumors that are out there. I even hear a rumor this morning that [running back] Dri [Archer] might be leaving [for the NFL]. When something significant happens, whether it's two years from now, three years from now, whenever it happens, I'll be sure to be loyal to you guys.

"I'll tell my family first, my athletic director second, my team third, then I'll come to the local media, but I'm not going to discuss all the rumors that are out there."

Stay or go: Hazell said he has not talked to Archer about possibly jumping for the draft, but he is prepared for the presentation.

"We'll look at the numbers, hear from the NFL about where guys might be taken. We'll lay all that out for him, 'if this, this and this were to happen, here is where you might land in the draft.' But I think, in my perception of where Dri is right now, it would probably do him good to stay."

While Archer had a strong season -- 1,352 rushing yards with 15 TDs, 539 receiving yards with four TDs, and three scores on kickoff returns -- it was his first full season of college competition. With a year of experience under his belt, his resume for the NFL could be glossier after the 2013 season.

"There's nothing like experience," Hazell said, indicating that would be a big addition to Archer's game in the future.

Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Josh Gordon making big plays; Montario Hardesty helps at running back

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Rookie wide receiver Gordon is averaging 19 yards a catch. Getting good work from Hardesty can help not only the overall offense, but Trent Richardson, too. More Browns story links.

josh-gordon2.jpg Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon catches what became a 44-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden during Cleveland's 20-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday in Oakland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns will seek their third straight win on Sunday, when they play the Kansas City Chiefs at Browns Stadium.

The Browns, who began the season with five straight losses, are 4-8 following their 20-14 home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 25 and Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Raiders in Oakland.

The last time Cleveland won more than two games in a row was in 2009. The Browns were 1-11 then closed the campaign with four straight wins, saving then-coach Eric Mangini's job for one more season.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story on highlights from coach Pat Shurmur's press conference, including Shurmur saying that he's not thinking about his future with the Browns, but about preparing the team to play the Chiefs; Dennis Manoloff's report card on Brandon Weeden's game against the Raiders, breaking down the passes thrown by the quarterback; the Sports Insider video, with Tom Reed and Glenn Moore talking about the Browns; and more stories, commentary, videos, photos and polls.

Rookie Josh Gordon is emerging as a big-play wide receiver for the Browns. Cleveland surrendered a 2013 second-round draft pick to select Gordon in a supplemental draft last off-season. After a slow start to the campaign, Gordon has caught 34 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns. His 19 yards-per-catch is among the best numbers n the NFL, and a throwback to the days when teams were more willing to throw the football downfield.

Gordon caught six passes from Brandon Weeden for 116 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown, during the Browns' 20-17 win in Oakland on Sunday.

Fred Greetham writes about Gordon for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report:

Gordon made some plays early in the season that displayed his big play ability, but a big drop in the end zone on a potential game-winning touchdown against the Colts was one fans remember. However, Gordon didn’t let it faze him and hasn’t had a documented dropped ball since.

“When you have a situation (drop) like that, you can’t let it linger too long,” Gordon said. “You can’t dwell on things in the past or it will affect you. I just try to move on.”

Shurmur said Gordon works very hard to continue to improve.

“I think every field opportunity he has had in practice, he is working to try and improve,” Shurmur said. “Time will tell but I’m impressed with the way he has played. When you get a guy who can get to the end zone, it makes defense wonder how to stop him.”

Shurmur said the way he stretches the field cannot be understated.

“With him, he kept working and it’s important to have guys who can make plays in chunks,” Shurmur said. “I don’t think we’ve had too many guys around here (in the past) that could do that.”
Browns story links

Continuing to work running back Montario Hardesty into games can help the Browns' offense and help Trent Richardson be effective. (By Craig Lyndall, WaitingForNextYear)

Cornerback Sheldon Brown, 33, isn't as fast as he used to be, but he can still make some key plays. (By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)

The Browns are making progress, but is that enough to convince new owner Jimmy Haslam to keep Pat Shurmur on as coach? (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Creating a winning momentum the rest of the season is more important for the Browns than improving their draft position. (By Jamison Hensley, ESPN.com)

Observations, notes and what-ifs on the Browns. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Podcast: Discussing the future of Pat Shurmur as the Browns' coach. (Jeff Schudel and Mark Podolski, News-Herald)

Cornerback Sheldon Brown makes some key plays to help the Browns to a win. (By Matt Florjancic, clevelandbrowns.com)

More looking back on the Browns' win at Oakland. (By Jamison Hensley, ESPN.com)

Josh Gordon has the first 100-yard receiving game of his NFL career. (By Matt Florjancic, clevelandbrowns.com)

Brady Quinn, the former Browns' quarterback, was effective throwing the football downfield for the Chiefs in their 27-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. (ESPN.com)

The Chiefs, following a win, can't hide that they're hurting after Saturday's tragedy. (By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports)

 

Cleveland Heights cornerback Marcus McShepard headed to Northwestern: High School Newswatch

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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Cleveland Heights cornerback Marcus McShepard has made an oral commitment to Northwestern. McShepard (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) was a lock-down corner for the Tigers and had 27 tackles, a forced fumble and five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He also scored on a kickoff return.

Cleveland Heights cornerback Marcus McShepard orally committed to Northwestern on Sunday, selecting the Wildcats over Penn State, Illinois and Air Force. - (OhioHelmetProject.com)

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Cleveland Heights cornerback Marcus McShepard has made an oral commitment to Northwestern.

McShepard (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) was a lock-down corner for the Tigers and had 27 tackles, a forced fumble and five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He also scored on a kickoff return.

McShepard committed Sunday after visiting the campus. He said he also considered Penn State, Illinois and Air Force. He plans to study mechanical engineering.

"I wanted a school that had a prestigious name for academics, but at the same time is competing at a big-time level, and coming off that visit, I felt they fit that criteria," McShepard said. "The coaches were very similar to my high school coaches and myself, and I felt comfortable within my first hour. I enjoyed being there."

- Tim Warsinskey

Ignatius soccer players to national game:St. Ignatius seniors Tyler Sanda and Jacob Roth will participate in the High School All-American Soccer Game in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 8, Wildcats coach Mike McLaughlin said.

The East vs. West game will be played in conjunction with the NCAA Division I men's soccer final four. McLaughlin coached in last year's contest.

Sanda, named the Division I player of the year by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association, had nine goals and nine assists for the Wildcats this season. Roth, a defender, had five goals and nine assists as the Wildcats went 15-1-3, their loss coming against St. Edward in the district final, 2-1, on a shootout.

- Joe Maxse

 

Proposed OHSAA referendum again pushes private-public athletic divide: Tim Warsinskey's Take

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A proposed OHSAA referendum would create a great sea change in Ohio high school sports when it would go into effect -- likely not until 2013-14.

mentor-fritts-stiggy-fanning-gc.jpg In May, the state will decide if a split in athletic competition should be permanent between public and private schools -- ending rivalries such as St. Ignatius vs. Mentor.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tiny Takes from a big weekend at the state football championships:

It was a tiny moment, but hugely symbolic at the end of a fantastic weekend filled with hot games and mild weather in Stark County.

The final score from Saturday's Division I title game was 20-12, giving Cincinnati Moeller the 2012 Division I state championship over Toledo Whitmer, and completing an even split for private and public schools in the six divisions. Moeller and Division II champ Toledo Central Catholic and Division III winner St. Vincent-St. Mary are private schools. Public schools won Divisions IV, V and VI: Clinton-Massie, Coldwater and Maria Stein Marion Local, respectively.

In May, the state will decide if a split should be permanent between public and private schools. Principals of member high schools are expected to vote on a proposal to separate playoffs in all sports. The OHSAA has yet to release the language of the referendum, but if it passes by simple majority, it would create a great sea change in Ohio high school sports when it would go into effect -- likely not until 2013-14.

A petition to force the vote was delivered to the OHSAA on Friday, Triway Superintendent Dave Rice said in a statement, and the OHSAA is expected to place the issue on its May ballot. The petition calls for separate tournaments in all sports.

It has come to this because the OHSAA and its members swung and missed in 2010 and 2011 on referendums to recalculate how private and some public schools are assigned to divisions based on a wide range of factors. Each referendum was a step toward more equitable playoffs, and each failed by a narrow margin because members quibbled over details such as free lunch counts and tradition factors.

Now comes the most drastic measure, one that would make a public school's route to a state title more fair, public school champions more abundant and their championships less meaningful. It makes more sense to have private schools and public schools with open enrollment play in higher divisions because of the advantages of their geographic reach, than it does to eliminate private schools from the picture entirely.

I still want to see Mentor play St. Edward and St. Ignatius in the playoffs, and although some coaches and administrators might feel otherwise, I believe the kids want to play those games, too.

If playoffs become separate, private schools will push to leave the OHSAA and form their own association. Good, you say? They'll write their own recruiting rules, and it will be open season on public school athletes -- more than ever. Private schools will be free to openly offer athletic scholarships.

This also would be bad news for private schools, many of which will have incredibly difficult times filling out schedules. Longer road trips and less visibility will put possibly fatal pressure on the private schools that are struggling to stay open. It's a sad statement, but without a sports profile, some might be doomed.

Seventh sense: The OHSAA did take a small step in the right direction by slicing off part of Division I to create a seventh football playoff division, reducing the huge enrollment disparity between the mega high schools and the run-of-the-mill Division I schools beginning in 2013.

If the referendum passes in May, expect the OHSAA to abandon that format because it would be pointless to have it for one year, then realign everything for the private-public split.

If the seven-division state finals take place next year, the OHSAA is to decide the schedule format this week. Spokesman Tim Stried said it is leaning toward a three-day tournament with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The OHSAA doesn't appear concerned about going up against the NFL on Sunday, and would rather do that than have two days of the tournament on school days.

Attendance down: With the exception of a spike last year, state football finals attendance continued a decade-long downward trend. The six-game total was 43,911, down 4,784 from last year when there were five games involving Northeast Ohio teams. The average attendance between 1999 and 2008 was 57,016.

Kirtland and St. Vincent-St. Mary were the only Northeast Ohio finalists this year.The biggest drop was for the Division I final. It drew just 8,834, which was 3,347 fewer than last year's final between St. Ignatius and Pickerington Central.

A title for Toth: Amiable Nick Toth finally got his ring Saturday, in his 40th year of coaching. A Cleveland native and longtime area coach, he was coordinator of a Toledo Central Catholic defense that played a masterful Division II final Friday, beating Trotwood Madison, 16-12.

Toth, 65, joked he feels just like Steelers Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who didn't win a Super Bowl until he was 69.

"This feels great," he said. "You feel just great for the kids. It's not only the excitement on their faces, it's knowing they did it the right way and they conducted themselves like young men."

It was a typical sentiment from Toth, who loves to win, but has always put educating his players above winning. Toth was most happy about having his daughter, Tracy, in the stands with her three children. Toth said Tracy and his other daughters, Tammy and Karen, have battled cancer in recent years and are cancer-free today.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Pat Shurmur on job security with Cleveland Browns: 'Play it out and see what happens'

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Browns coach Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert have this young Browns team headed in the right direction. But will it be enough for Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner? Watch video

shurmur-press-2012-horiz-gc.jpg "It's always good to hear good things," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said of compliments from new owner Jimmy Haslam before Sunday's win over Oakland. "But I do know this: what's important for me -- and it's very narrow-minded -- is this next game, period. And then whatever gets determined gets determined."

BEREA, Ohio -- With their jobs on the line, Browns coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert have won four of their last seven games to improve to 4-8 and still haven't been eliminated from playoff contention. But will it be enough for owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner to keep them around?

Haslam and Banner will reserve judgment until after the season, but reports are swirling and speculation is rampant.

The latest has Pro Football Weekly publisher and editor Hub Arkush reasserting on his syndicated show on 92.3 The Fan Saturday what CBS Sports Jason LaCanfora reported last month: that Heckert is likely out and former Browns personnel chief Mike Lombardi is likely in as GM.

Lombardi, now an NFL Network analyst, worked with Banner in Philadelphia and the two have maintained a relationship. Arkush told The Fan's The Bull and Fox Show Monday that he's heard from "some very good sources" that Lombardi will be Banner's right-hand football man.

"According to some people I trust, they think there's a very good chance that could happen," said Arkush. He went on to say that "with a new GM, they like to have their own people in place, and I think that's going to be the problem for Pat Shurmur."

LaCanfora, who worked with Lombardi at NFL Network and has remained close, has also been reporting that Lombardi is likely Banner's top choice. Banner, in an interview with The Plain Dealer last month, said of LaCanfora's report, "Since I haven't even decided whether I'm keeping the people that are here, at best it's wild speculation and in this case it's unfounded. Somebody's taking a shot in the dark. They could be right or they could be wrong."

Shurmur, coming off a 20-17 victory in Oakland, his second straight, was more interested in discussing Sunday's game against the still-reeling and grief-stricken Chiefs than his job security.

"I don't want to talk about my future, OK?" he said. "I'm trying to make this the best Monday of the year. And I'm trying to get our team ready to play the Chiefs. I don't look at it that way [if he'll get a fair look]. I'm not taking any half-swings here. We'll just play it out and see what happens."

Shurmur was happy to hear that Haslam, who said last week that the Browns could just as easily be 6-5 and that they're close to being contenders, sees the team's progress. But that's not what's foremost on his mind.

"It's always good to hear good things," he said. "But I do know this: what's important for me -- and it's very narrow-minded -- is this next game, period. And then whatever gets determined gets determined. What I can control right now with this football team is what happens this week, and that's where my focus is."

He said he doesn't view the recent turnaround as vindication.

"I don't take this personally," he said. "My concerns are always for our team and our coaches. I really believe in this group we have and I really believe this is the foundation of something that could be really good. Until we start winning football games, that's what shows it."

"Some of the other stuff about me personally -- what more can they say about me? Right? think that's where the thick skin part comes in."

While he declined to defend his performance, he was effusive in his praise of Heckert, who this year drafted starters in Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, Mitchell Schwartz and James-Michael Johnson. He's also drafted or signed key contributors such as Billy Winn, John Hughes, Craig Robertson, Johnson Bademosi and Tashaun Gipson.

Over the past three weeks, the defense alone produced seven sacks in Dallas, eight takeaways against the Steelers and a clutch interception by Sheldon Brown that helped preserve the victory over Oakland. It's yielding only 17 points a game over the past six weeks.

"Tom knows personnel," said Shurmur. "Our team looks a lot different than it did last year and we're finding a way to improve. We have some impact players on this football team now that we didn't two years ago. So that's a good thing."

Shurmur added that the young players are nowhere near as good as they're going to be.

"I look forward to seeing these guys have good careers, very productive careers, hopefully all of them here in Cleveland," he said.

He stopped short of saying the Browns, who have also beat the 7-5 Bengals, 4-8 Chargers and 7-5 Steelers in recent weeks, have turned the corner.

"What I do know is we beat a quality opponent at home last week [Pittsburgh] and we won a game on the road and now what we've got to try to build on that," he said. "When you're working with young players and only time will tell how good they can be, you see guys improve and I think that's a good thing."

He also refused to make too much of the Browns' 4-3 record over the past seven games following an 0-5 start.

"We're moving forward with our eyes set on the next one," he said. "[You] do what you can to win each week and add them up at the end. I felt us improving throughout the beginning of this season and we couldn't get over the hump. Now we're finding a way to get over the hump."

When asked about still being a young coach, he quipped, "I don't feel young." But he did allow, "Any time you do something more and more you get better at it. It becomes clearer.

"There are things I see better now. I know my coaches and players better. I understand how everybody on our team is going to respond in most situations. Yeah. I think there's things we're doing better, me included."

As for whether or not this is the best he's felt about his team in two seasons, he said, "I feel good about where we're going, we've just got to keep going. It's easy to let that momentum stop. That's what I'm guarding against."

He was also pleased to hear that team captain D'Qwell Jackson predicted after the Pittsburgh game that the Browns would win out.

"He's mature enough to know that it takes going through this process and he's one of the guys that helps me keep the guys going the right direction," Shurmur said.

Will the right direction save their jobs? They'll know in a month.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot


With Dion Waiters sidelined, Cleveland Cavaliers fall to Detroit Pistons, 89-79

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Without starting shooting guard Dion Waiters, the Cavaliers lose a second straight game.

zeller-pistons-2012-mct.jpg Tyler Zeller denies this drive by Detroit's Andre Drummond in the first half Monday, but also collects a foul in the process. Zeller had eight points and five rebounds in the Cavaliers' loss.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Cavaliers have weathered eight games without their star point guard, their leading scorer and face of the franchise. They've been nail-biter close in all but one loss as they've scrapped and clawed.

Losing the top two leading scorers was too much for the Cavaliers on Monday, however.

Without both Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, the short-handed Cavaliers fell to Detroit, 89-79, in front of an extremely sparse crowd at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Waiters missed the game with a sprained left ankle suffered in Saturday's double-overtime loss to Portland. The rookie is day-to-day while he receives treatment on the injury.

Without Waiters, small forward Omri Casspi slid into the starting lineup, pushing Alonzo Gee to shooting guard. Out-of-sync from the start, the Cavaliers shot 25 percent in the first quarter, and fell behind by as many as 21 before clawing back.

They got as close as seven in the fourth quarter. But the Pistons hung on while holding Cleveland to 33.7 percent shooting.

Anderson Varejao did record his ninth straight double double with 17 points and 18 rebounds.

The Cavaliers are 2-6 during Irving's absence. Irving and Waiters combine to average 38.1 points per game.

Rookie WR Josh Gordon proving to be fast learner: Cleveland Browns Insider

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Josh Gordon is proving more than worthy of the supplemental draft pick the Browns used to get him.

gordon-weeden-tap-2012-jg.jpg Brandon Weeden acknowledged Josh Gordon's 44-yard touchdown catch during the first half of Sunday's game in Oakland.

BEREA, Ohio -- Tom Heckert took some criticism for spending a 2013 second-round pick in last summer's supplemental draft on receiver Josh Gordon. But no one's scoffing at the Browns' general manager now.

Teams that passed on Gordon have to be kicking themselves.

In Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Raiders, Gordon set season highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (116) while catching his fifth TD, a 44-yarder. All of his scores have been on receptions of 20 yards or longer -- the average length is 46 yards.

He's the first Browns rookie to record five or more receiving touchdowns since Andre' Davis had six in 2002, and is the first Brown to record five or more in a single-season since 2007 when tight end Kellen Winslow (5) and wide receiver Braylon Edwards (16) accomplished the feat.

Among rookies, Gordon ranks first in receiving yards (646) and receptions for 20 yards or longer (12), is tied for first in receiving TDs (5), tied for sixth in scoring (30) and is sixth in receptions (34). His average of 19.0 yards per catch is the third-highest among all NFL players with at least 20 receptions.

All from a guy who sat out of football in 2011 and didn't even know he was declaring for the supplemental draft until two days beforehand.

"He came here not in shape, he came here not knowing the offense, he came here not knowing our quarterback, he came here not knowing the tempo of this game," said coach Pat Shurmur. "All of that's been developed parallel. I guess he came here not knowing what a real grind this is for a player who wants to make an impact. He's making progress."

The Browns have done a great job of coaching up Gordon, but he also arrived with soft hands, a large frame, great speed and fluid moves.

"He's big and he's fast and he can catch," said Shurmur. "But all the rest of it needs to be developed. ... There's a lot that goes into it. There's a lot of big, strong, fast guys walking the streets that cannot play receiver in the NFL."

Receiving comes so naturally to Gordon, he can't explain it. "I've had a lot of people tell me that and I couldn't really understand it," he said. "I tell them that's just how I play."

Gordon, whose dropped pass in Indianapolis was critical in the Browns' loss, never let the play stay in his head.

"You can't let it linger too long," he said. "You can't keep dwelling on the things in the past that held you back. You move forward and get better and gain more confidence with each game."

Shurmur said Gordon and Greg Little have stepped up their games ever since the Browns cut down on rotating other guys in after the bye week.

"We've kind of established who our guys are," said Shurmur. "We have Josh in the game most of the time. We have Greg Little in the game most of the time. We kind of get the third and fourth guys in there with [Travis] Benjamin and Mo [Massaquoi]."

The Browns have added more routes to Gordon's repertoire. "I've polished my skills on a lot of them," he said.

Shurmur acknowledged Gordon is becoming the big-play guy the Browns sorely need.

"He's got tremendous skill and ability," he said. "Time will tell how good he can be. I'm impressed with the direction he's going.

"When you put a guy on the field [who] can make big plays and get in the end zone, that's when all of a sudden the guys sitting around playing defense go 'OK, how are we going to handle this?' I'm not sure we had a lot of those guys running around here last year."

Praising a veteran: Shurmur credited Sheldon Brown, who came up with the big pick off Carson Palmer that set up the Browns' 94-yard drive late in the fourth quarter Sunday.

"He's made impact plays for us," said Shurmur. "He's had three interceptions, all of which ended with points for us.

"Against Pittsburgh he picked off the out-route in front of our bench, in front of Plaxico [Burress]. ... He's kind of a steady guy, what you tend to get from guys who are veteran players. They know what their strengths and limitations are and they learn how to play within the scheme. Behind all that, Sheldon's a true pro and I appreciate that, too."

Delivering a big hit: Shurmur complimented Little's block that sprung Massaquoi for another 20 yards on a 54-yard catch-and-run.

"He made an outstanding block," said Shurmur. "He got poked in the eye and we had to call a time out. We were going to throw to him the ball on the next one. He was on the sideline getting care. Greg is a tough, physical guy. He found a way to catch the ball consistently."

Next, on Travel Channel: The Browns' new series, "NFL Road Tested: The Cleveland Browns," premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m, on the Travel Channel, which has partnered with NFL Films and Dee Haslam's RIVR Media.

"The show is going to provide unprecedented access to a team during the regular season," said producer J.W. Johnson, Jimmy Haslam's son-in-law. "It's a behind-the-scenes look at things that have never been seen before."

The show, which will air five episodes, includes features on players such as Phil Dawson and T.J. Ward with their families.

"That whole thing's been fun," said Dawson. "It makes you a little more careful how you conduct yourself. They came down to Austin on the bye week, so they were able to see me and my family back home all together and any chance I get to showcase them is fun for me."

Johnson said there will be plenty of shots of Jimmy Haslam at games and traveling with the team.

"Obviously Jimmy is very passionate -- as is the entire family -- about this organization and we all want to win football games," said Johnson. "Seeing how passionate he is about the game and the team is very special."

Haslam described the show as "a softer version of Hard Knocks."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Cleveland Browns' Pat Shurmur says his future's not the issue; preparing team for Kansas City Chiefs is

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Shurmur says, "I'm not taking any half-swings here. We'll just play it out and see what happens."




PAT-SHURMUR-WEEDEN-RAIDERS.JPG

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur talks with quarterback Brandon Weeden during the second half of Sunday's win over the Raiders.





BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur, despite winning four of his last seven games to improve to 4-8, declined to predict what Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner will decide after the season.

"I don't want to talk about my future," he said. "I'm trying to make this the best Monday of the year, and I'm trying to get our team ready to play the Chiefs, and then after that, so on and so forth. I don't look at it that way, I really don't. I'm not taking any half-swings here. We'll just play it out and see what happens."

He appreciated Haslam's remarks last week that the team is on the right track and "very close" to being a contender, but isn't worried about those things yet.

"It's always good to hear good things," he said. "I do know this. What's important to me -- and it's very narrow-minded -- is this next game, period. And then whatever gets determined gets determined, but what I can control right now with this football team is what happens this week."

Some other quick highlights from Shurmur's press conference the day after the Browns defeated the Oakland Raiders:

On the victory: "For the second week in a row we found a way to win a game that was hard-fought, and each game you find a way to win the game or lose the game. I'm happy for our guys."

On cornerback Sheldon Brown: "Sheldon (Brown) for the most part I thought played extremely well. When you limit scoring like we did -- forget yardage, forget all of that stuff -- when you limit scoring in the meat of the game, that's the most important thing and we got turnovers."

On the 94-yard drive: "In that drive Brandon (Weeden) was 5-for-6, we ran the ball effectively, and at the end of the game by putting the ball in the end zone, it creates a two-score game which actually changes it for the opponent. Anytime you do something once, then you become confident you can do it again."

On if team has turned the corner, winning four of last seven: "I don't know about turning the corner, but we beat a quality opponent at home last week and we went on the road and won on the road. Now what we've got to do is try to build on that."

On if he feels vindicated: "My concerns are for this team, and I really believe in this group we have. And I really believe that this is the foundation of something that can be really good. Some of the other stuff about me personally? What more can they say about me, right?"

On Browns GM Tom Heckert: "Tom knows personnel. Last year, our team looked a lot different than it does this year, and we're finding way to improve, so we've got some impact players on this football team now that we didn't have two years ago. That's a good thing."

On rookie receiver Josh Gordon: "He's big and he's fast and he can catch. Those are three things that let's all assume he was born with. The rest needs to be developed. He came here not in shape, he came here not knowing the offense, he came here not knowing our quarterback, he came here not knowing the tempo of this game, and all of that's been developed parallel. And I guess he came here not knowing what a grind this is for a player that wants to make an impact. And so he's making progress."


Cleveland Cavaliers P.M. links: Byron Scott still finds net; playing without scorers/playmakers

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Cavs coach Scott, who scored more than 15,000 NBA points, still bests players in shooting contests. Sidelined Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters set up teammates' chances, too. More Cavs story links.

byron-scott4.jpg Byron Scott (4), now the Cavaliers coach, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers against the then-New Jersey Nets in 1997, the final year of his NBA career.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to turn their early season struggles around on Wednesday night, when they host the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavs are 4-14, with losses in 12 of their last 14 games. NBA Central Division rival Chicago is 8-7 going into its home game tonight against the Indiana Pacers.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Jodie Valade's game story on the Cavs' 89-79 loss to the Pistons in Detroit on Monday night; the report that the Cavs have recalled forward Kevin Jones from the Canton Charge; a video with Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer and CineSport's Noah Coslov discussing that the Cavs had talent issues before injuries to point guard Kyrie Irving and guard Dion Waiters, along with a story on the subject; Valade's Cleveland Cavaliers Insider, leading off with backup point guard Donald Sloan.

With Irving (hairline fracture of left index finger) and Waiters (sprained ankle) both out against the Pistons, the Cavs were not only short on scoring, but on players who can create shots for teammates.

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott knows what it's like to be a player on the receiving end of scoring opportunities. Scott was a fine scorer and shooter during his 14-season NBA career, 11 of the years spent with the Los Angeles Lakers. He totaled 15.097 points on 48.2 percent shooting from the field.

Scott, now 51, can still stroke the basketball, according to part of a report on the Cavaliers by Jason Lloyd for the Akron Beacon Journal:

* Funny pregame story from Byron Scott. Jeremy Pargo owes him 20 pushups because Scott beat him in a shooting contest. Afterwards, Scott told Pargo to go watch some old NBA tapes of Scott’s shooting performances. “I used to do this for a living,” Scott said.

* He has beaten most everyone on the roster, including Irving, in his shooting contests – although Irving and a few other players have also gotten him. He said the only player he ever coached he couldn’t beat was Peja Stojakovic. In one game of around the world against Stojakovic, with five shots from five spots around the 3-point line, Stojakovic spotted Scott five shots. Byron was allowed five shots from each spot, while Peja was only took four. Scott went 17 of 25 … Stojakovic went 18 of 20. He made his last 12 shots to win it.
Cavaliers story links

The Cavs compete, but playing without scorers Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters is too much to overcome against the Pistons. (By Sam Amico, FoxSportsOhio.com)

Eight games in six cities over 13 days, with two top scorers out. That proves too much for the Cavs. (By Kevin Hetrick, Cavs: The Blog)

Cavaliers notes, beginning with the backcourt injuries and with Omri Casspi getting a start. (By Bob Finnan, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Video: Ten top Cavaliers' plays from the month of November. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Pistons block the Cavs ..... and, Detroit coach Lawrence Frank compliments Cavs' center Anderson Varejao. (By Vincent Goodwill, Detroit News)

Some Cavaliers statistics of interest. (nba.com/cavaliers)

The Cavs, without their backcourt scorers, can't get it done offensively against the Pistons. Game story. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

The loss to the Pistons underscores what it's like for the Cavs to play without both Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. (WaitingForNextYear)

Observations on the Cavaliers' loss in Detroit. (By Conrad Kaczmarek, Fear The Sword)

A tough night for the visiting Cavaliers, as the Pistons win at home for the fifth straight time. (By Vincent Goodwill, Detroit News)

The Pistons' defense handles the Cavs' short-handed offense. Game story. (Elyria Chronicle-Telegram/Associated Press)


Things we know from Browns win, trade ideas for Tribe and Cavs thoughts after loss: Blog Roundup

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Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are The Cleveland Fan, Wahoo's on First and Cavs: The Blog.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.




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Have Pat Shurmur and Brandon Weeden turned the corner?





Cleveland Browns


Gary Benz over at The Cleveland Fan has a list of things we know after the Browns win over the Raiders on Sunday.
"What is perhaps different at the moment though is that both the head coach and the too-old rookie franchise-quarterback-to-be may be growing up together, a good thing. There are several ways in which Sunday's victory doesn't come about. Among the biggest, though, has to do with head coach Pat Shurmur's on again off again confidence in his offense and, by proxy given his role in that offense, himself. Sunday it was on again as he made two crucial, correct, 4th down "gambles" that kept drives alive, resulted in points and, ultimately, the victory.


Not too long ago Shurmur would have punted on 4th and 1 from the opponent's 45 yard line late in the game. In fact he essentially did that twice and on both occasions the team trailed and lost. Yet here was Shurmur, his team clinging as always to a precarious lead like a teenager clings to his iPhone, having made a grand defensive gesture deep in their own red zone thanks to Sheldon Brown's interception and deciding to take a chance with the clock winding down. His quarterback awarded that in-context bravado with a 3-yard quarterback sneak for the first down that beget a 23-yard reception on the next play that beget a predictable Raiders' penalty that beget the Trent Richardson touchdown that effectively put the game out of reach. It was a potential early career defining 94-yard drive for their quarterback."

Cleveland Indians


Evan Vogel at Wahoo's On First writes about a trade scenario that consists of the Indians trading Chris Perez to the Reds.
"This deal doesn’t make fantastic sense now that the Cincinnati Reds have signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million deal, but with the potential move of Aroldis Chapman to the rotation, acquiring Perez would give the Reds the three-headed monster that they had in Chapman, Broxton, and Sean Marshall late last season. So how can this deal help both teams?


Devin Mesoraco turns 25 years old in June and he is under team control until 2018; he’snot even eligible for arbitration until 2015. The 15th overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft was a bust in his first two years in the minors, posting a .244/.310/.390 slashline over 691 plate appearances with 35 doubles and 17 home runs in 2008 and 2009. Mesoraco then erupted in 2010, posting a .302/.377/.587 triple-slash with 25 doubles and 26 home runs in 451 plate appearances over three levels."



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You can't replace Anderson Varejao.





Cleveland Cavaliers


Kevin Hetrick at Cavs: The Blog talks about the Cavaliers' loss to the Pistons last night.
"This will sound odd, because he finished with 17 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 steals, but occassionally I thought Andy looked a step slow tonight. Did he need to play 39 minutes, when the team trailed by twenty in the third, two nights after playing 47 minutes in the second game of a back-to-back? Perhaps I am just overly intrigued by the Spurs and the career-management feat they are pulling off with Tim Duncan (a 28 PER and he’ll be 37 by the playoffs!), but the Cavs play two more 4 games in 5 day stretches this month. The last game of both is a roadie. I say sit Andy for both. Two games rested now, could mean something when Cleveland is ready to contend again."

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