After leading Wisconsin Badgers to Rose Bowl, Bielema will make move to the Southeastern Conference with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas will name Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema its new football coach, a source familiar with the hiring has told The Associated Press.

Over the weekend, Bielema led the Badgers to the Big Ten Championship in a rout of Nebraska, earning Wisconsin its third straight Rose Bowl berth.

Bielema will sign a multiyear contract soon, according to the person, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the school had not yet made an official announcement.

Bielema was 68-24 in seven seasons at Wisconsin, including an 8-5 mark this season.

The unranked Badgers and the No. 8 Stanford Cardinal (11-2) will meet in the 99th edition of the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. It was not immediately known if Bielema will coach the Badgers in that game.

Wisconsin seemed highly unlikely to make their third straight Rose Bowl after a series of narrow losses, but they stunned Nebraska 70-31 on Saturday in the Big Ten title game to earn yet another sun-splashed break from the Wisconsin winter for their hearty fan base.

The Badgers finished third in the Big Ten Leaders Division, but capitalized on their chance to play for the title with Ohio State and Penn State ineligible for postseason play. After routing the Cornhuskers, the Badgers became the first five-loss team ever to reach the Rose Bowl -- and just the second Big Ten team to play in three straight Rose Bowls, joining Michigan in the late 1970s.

Wisconsin wasn't as mediocre as its 7-5 regular-season record indicated, however. Those five losses were by a combined 19 points, including three overtime defeats -- and the Badgers left little doubt they're the best bowl-eligible team in the Big Ten with their demolition of Nebraska, the odds-on favorite to return to the stadium where the Huskers lost to UCLA back in September.

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has been in the market for a new head coach since April 10th, the day he fired Bobby Petrino for his laundry list of misdeeds.

The Razorbacks (4-8, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) had a tough season, and Long didn't wait long to announce that interim coach John L. Smith wouldn't return next season.

Long reached his decision on Smith's fate quickly following the season-ending 20-13 loss to No. 8 LSU. The athletic director told the former Michigan State and Louisville coach of his decision Saturday morning, though Smith will remain with the program as a consultant through the end of his 10-month contract on Feb. 23, 2013.

While Smith didn't prove the long-term answer for Arkansas, his tenure did allow Long to research and identify interested coaches across the country.

The Razorbacks, 21-5 the last two seasons under Petrino, entered the season full of their usual Petrino-like bravado -- openly talking about the possibility of winning the SEC and a national championship. Their hopes were based on the return of senior quarterback Tyler Wilson and a healthy Knile Davis at running back.

Golden Flashes look to bounce back from the loss to Princeton, against a Bucknell team that has defeated Purdue and George Mason. Stories on Buckeyes' Deshaun Thomas and LaQuinton Ross, on Akron's Zips, and more.

Forward Chris Evans, averaging 18.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and two assists, and Kent State's Golden Flashes play at Bucknell tonight. Associated Press

This is a potential rebound game for the Golden Flashes, who are coming off an ugly 62-50 loss to Princeton in which coach Rob Senderoff questioned his team’s effort. Kent State entered the game averaging 18 second-chance points but had only three against the Tigers while shooting 34 percent from the floor. ... Bucknell, of the Patriot League, is off to a hot start in 2012 and has wins over Purdue and George Mason. The Bison’s only loss was 60-57 at Penn State.

"Sloan should be commended for staying ready and playing rather well when called upon lately. For a pair of minimum salary backup PG's, they are giving the Cavs solid NBA quality play at the point in Kyrie's absence." - rwbbowg

One cleveland.com reader says Jeremy Pargo, above, and Donald Sloan have done a decent job filling in for Kyrie Irving. AP Photo/Danny Johnston

"Sloan should be commended for staying ready and playing rather well when called upon lately. For a pair of minimum salary backup PG's, they are giving the Cavs solid NBA quality play at the point in Kyrie's absence."

Frostee Rucker visits local elementary school for job well done to support the community. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Luca Sgro, a third-grader at Center Elementary in Mayfield, wanted his school to do its part for the holidays.

So with help from his mom, Pam Schutt, they came up with the idea of turning a school-wide food drive a competition. Schutt knew a friend of Cleveland Browns defensive end Frostee Rucker, so she asked if Rucker would participate.

Once Rucker agreed, the week-long competition was about which grade could bring in the most items, and the winning grade would receive a visit from Rucker.

Sgro's class won the competition and the over 4,000 items raised by the school were donated to the Vineyard Community Church in Wickliffe. But the biggest winners were the over 25 families that received the donated food.
 

In five games in the NBADL, Kevin Jones averaged 23.6 points (third in the league), 12.6 rebounds (third) and 1.4 steals in 41 minutes a game (fourth).

Kevin Jones was third in scoring in the NBA's D-League before being called up by the Cavaliers on Tuesday. PD file

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Byron Scott is a realist.

His Cavaliers are 4-14 heading into Wednesday night's game against Chicago at The Q, 20th in offense, last in defense. Only one team -- Washington -- has a worse record.

The Bulls are leading the Central Division, and Scott will coach a team without Kyrie Irving (fractured left index finger) and possibly rookie Dion Waiters, whose sprained left ankle makes him a game-time decision.

The Cavs did call up undrafted rookie forward Kevin Jones from Canton on Tuesday, but Scott's not sure he's ready to play, since Jones told him at Tuesday's practice that he doesn't remember much of the offense.

There was the briefest pause after Scott said that, and one veteran reporter just couldn't resist.

"He'll fit right in," the wag said. Scott could only laugh and say, "That's pretty correct."

Jones, 6-8, 250 pounds, has been playing well for the Charge. In five games, he's averaging 23.6 points (third in the league), 12.6 rebounds (third) and 1.4 steals in 41 minutes a game (fourth). He has four double doubles.

He admitted he was surprised to be back so soon after the Cavs cut him during camp, and said he had no preconceived notions about how he'll be used.

"I'm just here to do whatever coach needs me to do, whether that's just practice or minutes," the West Virginia product said. "I'm just here to mature and grow and be a factor whether it be on offense or defense. Just try to bring as much energy as I can."

Even if he didn't remember a lot about the offense, he still impressed Scott on Tuesday.

"Even today, not knowing what we're doing, he just has a nose for the ball," Scott said. "He made a couple of nice offensive rebounds and tipped 'em back in, knocked down his little jump shot when he had it.

"It was just really trying to get him acclimated to what we're doing on both ends of the floor. We'll have to wait and see. It was his first practice."

Scott said last week there probably was not a spot for Jones in the rotation, but seemed to waver on that a bit on Tuesday.

"I still don't think so," he said. "I would like to see him with a couple more practices under his belt, see how he handles everything that's going on.

"But, like I said, today I was a little surprised that he played as well as he played, so maybe he'll continue to surprise me."

One thing that did surprise Scott was the team's 30-17 deficit after the first quarter at Detroit on Monday. He started Jeremy Pargo for Irving, moved Alonzo Gee from small forward to shooting guard and inserted Omri Casspi at small forward.

Asked if he'd return to that group against Chicago, Scott said, "If I had to answer that right now, probably not. [Trailing] 30-17 wasn't what I envisioned in the first quarter, getting off to that bad start. Just looking at that aspect of it, I would have to say right now about 75 percent pretty sure it probably won't be the same lineup."

As of Tuesday evening, several reports had Hazell accepting the head coaching job at Purdue, which reportedly has a press conference set for Wednesday.

KSU head football coach Darrell Hazell has been linked to the vacant coaching position at Purdue. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The postseason college coaching lottery is in full swing with Kent State's Darrell Hazell's name in the midst of much of it.

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, nothing was official. But Kent State athletic department sources anticipated Hazell to be gone -- either to Purdue or somewhere else -- perhaps as early as Wednesday morning.

ESPN reported Tuesday night that Purdue will introduce Hazell as its new coach on Wednesday. But there also is speculation from Wisconsin, which lost Bret Bielema to Arkansas, and at Louisville, where a vacancy is anticipated soon.

The buyout from Hazell's original five-year contract, projected to be between $700,000 and $900,000, is not a deterrent for the man who led the Golden Flashes to an 11-2 season and a spot in the Jan. 6 GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

There are reports of a Wednesday morning team meeting at Kent, but no official word of when or where. Earlier in the day KSU players were claiming rumors of Hazell's departure were just that.

"To all my fellow Flashes ... stop spreading the rumors, it's not true," kicker Freddy Cortez tweeted. "Nothing is official yet, as of now he is still a Golden Flash."

After Kent's 11-2 season ended last Friday with a double-overtime loss in the MAC title game to Northern Illinois, 44-37, Hazell's name was being mentioned for several jobs around the country. Monday, he was vague about interviewing for opportunities.

Neither Hazell or Kent athletic director Joel Nielsen had publicly addressed the growing rumors about Hazell and Purdue.

Edwards had eight catches for 74 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season. He was waived with an injury distinction, but no specific injury was cited.

Braylon Edwards during the Browns' 2009 training camp. Cleveland traded him to the New York Jets four games into the season. Plain Dealer

News and notes from the Cleveland State, Kent State and Akron men's basketball programs.

A lingering knee injury for Cleveland State's Anton Grady could sideline him for the 2012-13 season as an injury redshirt. John Kuntz, PD file

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the mend pretty much describes Cleveland State's Vikings (6-2) eight games into the men's basketball season.

At the beginning of the season the focus was on 6-9 junior Luda Ndaye's recovery from off-season hip surgery, and freshman Junior Lomomba's mending foot injury. Since then, sophomore Anton Grady has joined the list with a knee (meniscus) injury that will have the 6-8 power forward out until January, and brings into question the possibility of a redshirt.

Meanwhile, Ndaye is playing, but not quite up to speed, while Lomomba has seen action only in one game, but could see more as soon as Saturday when the Vikings play at No. 25 North Carolina State. It was thought that the 6-4 Lomomba may have reinjured the foot fracture, but doctors say it is only a bruise.

"We're trying to get him back at the end of the week," head coach Gary Waters said. "He's playing at about a 40-percent clip. But that 40 percent is about 80 percent of some of our other guys."

Ndaye has never been a power player, despite his size. Now he is more hesitant as he gets back into shape.

"He hasn't been the same," Waters said. "He's not as mobile. What you see is what you get."

On the mend II: The Vikings are not the only team with major health issues.

Kent State (5-3) will be without freshman forward Chris Ortiz at least until mid-January with a broken foot. This is a major loss as the 6-8 native of New York was far and away the most dependable baseline player among Kent's newcomers.

This puts a premium on 6-5 junior Darren Goodsen, 6-7 junior Bryson Pope and 6-9 junior Melvin Tabb to step up.

Goodsen was a dominant scorer at Pensacola Junior College but has had only one productive scoring game to date. Pope has been solid defensively, but the Tulsa transfer has struggled with turnovers and scoring. Tabb, who began his career at Wake Forest before Midland (Texas) JC, has also been inconsistent.

In Kent's last home loss to Princeton, the trio combined for seven points and four rebounds in 48 minutes.

On the road: Akron (4-2) is on the road the next two games against two of the best players on their schedule.

First up, at 2 p.m. Sunday, will be No. 16 Creighton (7-1) and 6-8 forward Doug McDermott. The junior leads the Blue Jays in scoring at 21.3 points a game, including 46 percent shooting on 3-pointers.

After that, Akron travels to Detroit on Dec. 15 to play the Titans, and 6-3 point guard Ray McCallum Jr. The Titans (2-4) are not off to a very good start, which is not unusual for a program expected to contend for the Horizon League title.

McCallum, son of head coach Ray McCallum, led the Titans to the NCAA Tournament last season, and now is averaging 21.2 points per game shooting 50 percent from the field.

Linebacker Banks made the Pro Bowl in four of his five seasons with Cleveland, but was often embroiled in controversy.

The Browns picked Chip Banks of Southern California with the third overall pick in the 1982 draft. Here, Banks (right) goes after Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter during USC's 17-16 Rose Bowl win over the Buckeyes on Jan. 1, 1980. 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. 54, Chip Banks, linebacker, 1982-86

Linebacker Chip Banks' football talent was off the charts. The problem was whether his on-field production offset the turmoil that often embroiled him.

Banks was such a good player for the Browns that they put up with him for five seasons. He was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1982, made various first- or second- all-NFL or all-AFC teams in four seasons, and went to the Pro Bowl four times.

Cleveland selected Banks out of USC with the third overall pick in the 1982 draft. To his credit, he never missed a game with the Browns, helping them to AFC Central Division championships in 1985 and 1986.

Banks was fast, strong and rangy, a fine run-stopper and pass rusher, and sound in pass coverage. Some observers, however, while acknowledging his excellent play, felt he wasn't quite the game-changer they had anticipated he'd be. With the Browns, Banks totaled five interceptions, six fumble recoveries and 27 1/2 quarterback sacks. He also had 1 1/2 of the Browns' nine sacks in their 23-20 two-overtime win over the New York Jets in a 1986 season playoff game at Cleveland Stadium.

Banks staged a short holdout during Cleveland's 1985 training camp and another of nearly a month the following summer. He didn't attend a couple mini-camps. He seldom talked with most teammates and coaches.

The Browns talked with the Buffalo Bills about trading Banks to them for their pick, the first overall, in the 1985 supplemental draft. Cleveland sought the pick so they could select Miami (Fla.) quarterback Bernie Kosar. When Banks heard of the discussions, he threatened to retire if the trade went through. Instead, the Browns sent their first-round picks in the regular 1985 and 1986 drafts, a 1985 third-rounder and 1986 sixth-rounder to Buffalo for the supplemental pick which they did, of course, use to acquire Kosar.

Banks and Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer didn't always see eye-to-eye. Finally, the team had enough, and dealt Banks to the San Diego Chargers. In the deal, the teams swapped second- and third-round picks: San Diego acquiring the 24th and 53rd overall selections, and the Browns getting the fifth and 32nd picks. Cleveland used the first of them to take Duke linebacker Mike Junkin, a pick considered among the worst in team history. At No. 32, the Browns landed Miami (Fla.) offensive lineman Gregg Rakoczy.

Banks' problems only multiplied in San Diego. After one season, he was suspended for violating the NFL's drug policies, forcing him to sit out the 1988 campaign. The NFL reinstated Banks prior to the 1989 trade deadline. That enabled San Diego to trade him to the Indianapolis Colts for a conditional pick -- which turned out to be a third-rounder -- in the 1990 draft.

Banks finished the 1989 season with the Colts and played three more years for them, getting nine sacks in his final season. He had never made another Pro Bowl team after leaving the Browns.

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

Video: Much of the national telecast of the Browns' 24-21 playoff game loss -- they had led, 21-3 -- to the Dolphins on Jan. 4, 1986 in Miami. Chip Banks (56) plays left outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense.

Bielema was just 1-5 against Ohio State but he had turned into a coach the Buckeyes loved to hate.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Big Ten lost a good coach and Ohio State lost a great villain Tuesday when Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema bolted for Arkansas when everyone thought he was just getting his Badgers ready for a third straight Rose Bowl.

His departure is blow for the conference, with the Big Ten champ (even if it is a five-loss champ) losing its coach to a mid-level SEC program. If you can't beat them, take their money and join them never rang so true.

In February, Bielema infamously said "We at the Big Ten don’t want to be like the SEC, in any way, shape or form," an observation about Urban Meyer's recruiting style at Ohio State. Now Bielema is surrounded by those ways, shapes and forms.

It's fun to say that Bielema was scared off by Meyer, but no coach would ever run scared from Meyer and an otherwise easy division into the SEC West and the arms of Nick Saban, Les Miles and Kevin Sumlin.

What does the new Arkansas coach have in common with those three men, who are the head coaches at Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M and went a combined 32-5 this season? They have all Big Ten roots.

Bielema played at Iowa and coached at Wisconsin, Saban was the head coach at Michigan State, Miles was a player and assistant at Michigan and Sumlin was a player and assistant at Purdue. And now they're in the best football conference in the country, while the Big Ten is adding teams but losing coaches.

In the six-team Leaders Division, Indiana's Kevin Wilson, who has coached the Hoosiers for two seasons, is the longest-tenured coach. And that's where expansion plays into this.

The only possible expansion math that works for Big Ten fans – who are otherwise losing on tradition and geography – is that money buys better football. Expansion = TV viewers = money = more money to spend = better coaches and assistants = better football teams = more competitive teams on the national scene.

The addition of Rutgers and Maryland opened up some recruiting markets for Big Ten schools that might help raise the level of play in the Big Ten. But someone has to coach the talent. So while the ridiculous escalation in coaching salaries may be distasteful – the AP reported that Bielema is getting a six-year contract for $3.2 million a year, which is a $700,000 raise – that's the marketplace.

When the Big Ten expanded, I asked Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith why his department needed more money. He talked about putting it back into the university as a whole. That's not how it is at most schools. But Big Ten schools also aren't bankrupt. So if the Big Ten wants to be elite, it needs to hire that way.

When is a Big Ten school going to make a move and put up the money that gets TCU's Gary Patterson or Boise State's Chris Peterson or Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris or Louisville's Charlie Strong or Utah's Kyle Whittingham to come aboard?

Not that this is the only measuring stick that matters, but Meyer and Michigan State's Mark Dantonio (Cincinnati) are the only Big Ten coaches with experience as a head coach at another BCS school or in the NFL. Meyer was an exceptional circumstance. But a regular basis, you don't see the Arkansas coach leaving for Wisconsin, or former NFL bosses like Saban, Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino (the former Arkansas coach whose personal life blew up his career) landing in the Big Ten.

Instead, the man who looked like a long-term foil for Meyer is off after going 68-24 in seven years with the Badgers, including a 37-19 conference record that included two first-place finishes and this year's third-place finish in the Leaders Division that got Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl anyway.

He was just 1-5 against Ohio State, but that included Ohio State's last-minute win in 2011 and the overtime win this year, when Bielema was on the edge of tears afterward. He always wanted to beat the Buckeyes badly, and he showed it. He wasn't afraid to take some jabs at the conference's best team and he was a guy that OSU fans grew to dislike, calling him Bert instead of Bret.

He was a great villain in the rivalry in the best sense of the word, more outwardly confrontational than Brady Hoke at Michigan. The Ohio State-Wisconsin rivalry has really evolved in the last few years, and Bielema was a huge part of that. Ohio State senior right tackle Reid Fragel wrote on Twitter after the Bielema news broke: "Scared him right out of the Big Ten ..."

How great is that? Not many opposing coaches can elicit that kind of reaction from a Buckeye.

Bielema's one win over Ohio State, in Madison in 2010, killed the Buckeyes' national title hopes, leaving them, ironically, to face Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Terrelle Pryor said after that game that Ohio State would have beaten that Wisconsin team nine out of 10 times, so when Pryor left Ohio State under the specter of NCAA violations before the next season, Bielema was disappointed.

"There wasn’t any question who won that football game," Bielema said. "The only bad thing about Terrelle leaving is .. we really wanted to play that game against him [this year]. Unfortunately, we won't."

That's how Ohio State fans should feel now. They really wanted to play Bielema again. For the Big Ten, and this new rivalry, it's unfortunate they won't.

Does the Indians' significant -- if failed -- offer for the free-agent outfielder bode other off-season deals?

Shane Victorino, who has had several big moments like his game-tying homer in the 2008 NLCS for the Phillies, will play for Boston instead of the Indians in 2013. AP file

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- There are two ways of looking at the Indians getting slapped in the face by free agency Tuesday, when outfielder Shane Victorino signed with Boston.

No.1: No big surprise, it happens every winter.

No.2: They lost Victorino, but where in the heck did a $44 million offer come from and what does it mean for the rest of the off-season?

Victorino, 32, signed a three-year, $39 million deal with Boston. The Indians countered with four years for a total of $44 million only to come up empty.

The Indians pursued the switch-hitting Victorino since he filed for free agency at the end of last season. Boston had the same idea and despite a terrible showing last season is probably closer to making the postseason than the Indians.

Victorino probably would have played left field in Cleveland. He'll play right for the Red Sox after hitting .255 (152-for-595) with 29 doubles, seven triples, 11 homers and 55 RBI last season for the Phillies and Dodgers. He scored 72 runs and stole 39 bases in 45 attempts.

On Monday, the Red Sox reached an agreement with catcher-first baseman Mike Napoli for the exact same deal they reached with Victorino, three years and $39 million.

So where does that leave the Indians? Providing they don't put the $44 million back in the vault, they have some money to pursue other players.

Joe Bick, agent for Kevin Youkilis, met with the Indians on Tuesday. It didn't sound like anything is too far down the road, but Youkilis is a viable option for the Tribe's vacancy at first base. He's said to be seeking a two-year deal. The White Sox and Yankees are also interested in Youkilis, who made $12.25 million last season.

Power-hitting Mark Reynolds, 29, is on the market as well. Baltimore non-tendered him last week after he hit .221 (101-for-457) with 23 homers and 69 RBI in 135 games in the regular season. In 2011, Reynolds hit 37 homers and 86 RBI, despite a .221 batting average.

Reynolds, who can play first, third and outfield, made $7.5 million last season. The Indians, as of Tuesday evening, had not met with Reynolds' agents.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have spent the off-season looking for a shortstop. Right now, they have Cliff Pennington. The Indians have been dangling shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to see if they can maximize his value. The Diamondbacks have been shopping outfielder Justin Upton for much of the year.

The power-hitting Upton will make $38.5 million over the next three years. That's less than the Tribe's offer to Victorino, so perhaps there's a deal there.

Arizona GM Kevin Towers, however, said Tuesday that Upton's contract seemed a little more manageable in light of what Victorino, Angel Pagan (four years, $40 million) and B.J. Upton (five years, $75 million) have signed for recently. Upton, 25, hit .280 (155-for-554) with 107 runs, 24 doubles, four triples, 17 homers and 67 RBI. The right-handed hitter played mostly right field.

The Indians, Rangers and Mariners are said to be interested in him.

On the pitching front, the Indians remain interested in Edwin Jackson, the free agent right-hander who went 10-11 in 31 starts for Washington. Until late last season, Jackson was represented by Scott Boras. Jackson is now represented by Legacy Sports, the same firm that represents former Indians CC Sabathia and Travis Hafner.

The two parties have not met at the winter meetings, but the change in agents should make for smoother negotiations. At the GM meetings, Boras, who represents Shin-Soo Choo, questioned Indians ownership on how committed it is to winning.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Devareaux Manley led Kent State (5-4) with 15 points, but the Golden Flashes struggled in the second half.

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Mike Muscala tallied 27 points, three assists and two blocks as Bucknell beat Kent State, 76-60, Tuesday night and improved to 8-1 for the first time since 2005-06.

Muscala added six boards while Bryson Johnson and Ryan Frazier scored 13 points apiece. Joe Wilman pulled down 10 rebounds to help Bucknell control the boards, 34-22.

• Kent State-Bucknell boxscore

Bucknell led, 32-31, at the break and extended their lead to 43-35 behind a Muscala tip-in. Kent State rallied to close the gap to 57-51 after Chris Evans hit a 3-pointer, but Muscala converted a layup, 3-pointer and a jumper on consecutive possessions to put Bucknell up for good.

Muscala, who is the only Division I player averaging at least 15 points and 12 rebounds per game, leads Bucknell in most statistical categories, including scoring (17.8), rebounding (12.1), blocks (2.0) and assists (2.0) through nine games.

Devareaux Manley led Kent State (5-4) with 15 points.

Former Tribe third baseman Jack Hannahan could be staying in the AL Central for the 2013 season.

Jack Hannahan could be a good left-handed fit at third base for the White Sox, who are looking to balance a predominantly right-handed lineup. AP file

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Indians fans could still see a lot of Jack Hannahan next season. He just won't be wearing a Tribe uniform.

At least one AL Central team has made Hannahan a big-league offer. The White Sox and Twins are the leading candidates. Hannahan is from St. Paul, Minn.

The Indians non-tendered Hannahan on Friday, making him a free agent. The White Sox are looking for a left-handed hitting third baseman. Hannahan fits that profile, although his best role is probably that of a utility player. Kevin Youkilis played third last season for Chicago after being acquired from Boston. He's a free agent and the White Sox could bring him back.

"There are options that are there," said manager Robin Ventura, when asked about the third-base job. "I don't want to go down the road of just naming what they are, but you are looking at a team that's fairly dominant right-handed. You have to look at maybe left-handed options that might fill that one or other spots."

Hannahan struggled much of last season with a sore back. He hit .244 (70-for-287) with four homers and 29 RBI in his second season with the Tribe.

The Twins are also looking for a third baseman. GM Terry Ryan wants to bring in an third baseman to compete with Trevor Plouffe.

"We need competition in all parts of our ball club," said manager Ron Gardenhire. "We need everybody to be pushed. It's no secret we've scuffled through the last two years and I don't think anyone should think their job is safe."

Look, but don't touch: The Mets reportedly have interest in set-up man Vinnie Pestano. They're not the first team to inquire about Pestano, but the Indians have made it clear he's not going anywhere.

On the move: Indians new catcher Yan Gomes will play for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic. Brazil had to qualify for the tournament and Gomes recently delivered the game-winning hit to beat Panama.

Brazil is in Pool A, which begins play March 2 in Fukouka, Japan. Gomes, who is scheduled to report to spring training with pitchers and catchers on Feb. 10 in Goodyear, Ariz., is going to be a traveling man this spring.

So far, no Indians have been named to Team USA, managed by Joe Torre. The team begins play March 8 against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Award time: Paul Hagen was elected the 2013 winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink award. Hagen, who has written and reported on baseball for 40 years, currently writes for MLB.com. He did the bulk of his work with the Philadelphia Daily News.

Hagen received 269 of the 421 ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who have been members for 10 or more years. Jim Hawkins, who covered the Detroit Tigers for much of his career, received 87 votes. Russ Schneider, who covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer, received 60 votes.

"I'm disappointed, but not surprised," said Schneider. "I know there are a couple of thousand baseball writers who would have liked to make the final ballot."

New guy: Arizona signed veteran utility man Eric Hinske to a one-year deal. Manager Kirk Gibson sees him as a bench player, who can help at first, third and the outfield.

No surprise here, but Gibson thinks former Tiger teammates Jack Morris and Alan Trammell should be in the Hall of Fame. They're both on the ballot.

New arm: The Nationals came to terms with right-hander Dan Haren to a one-year, $13 million deal. Haren, who struggled with injuries last season with the Angels, must pass a physical.

"If we get that [physical] finalized, he'll be a great addition," said manager Davey Johnson.

Closer R us: Joe Nathan saved 37 games in 40 chances for the Rangers last season, but that didn't stop them from singing former Royal Joakim Soria to a two-year, $8 million deal. Soria is coming off Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and won't be to open the season on time.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Coach Romeo Crennel leads a still-numb team into Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. There are other subplots.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Through 12 weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs were laughingstocks. They had provided more than enough punch lines for a comic's monologue.

The tone changed tragically last Saturday. Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend before driving to Arrowhead Stadium and committing suicide. A Kansas City police spokesman said Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel for what they had done for him, then walked away and shot himself in the parking lot of the practice facility.

Suddenly, Kansas City's one-victory season meant nothing. Howls for Pioli's dismissal were postponed indefinitely.

The Chiefs opted to play the next day against the Carolina Panthers in Arrowhead, and the NFL did not stand in the way. Crennel coached and the Chiefs won, 27-21, to improve to 2-10. Because of the tragedy, details of the Chiefs' victory seemed inconsequential, certainly to the outside world. But if Chiefs players and coaches allow themselves any time to analyze the game, they can feel good about multiple items. Among them:

• The end of an eight-game losing streak.

• The first home victory of season in seven attempts. K.C.'s other victory was at New Orleans in Week 3.

• A banner day for quarterback Brady Quinn. He was 19-of-23 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He posted a 132.1 passer rating and his 82.6 completion percentage set a franchise record. The TD passes were Quinn's first two in three years.

• A touchdown on the opening drive. It was the Chiefs' first such TD since Dec. 26, 2010; the 28 weeks without one had been the NFL's longest active streak.

Recognizing that emotion was a driving force for their team Sunday, Chiefs fans are wondering where this caliber of performance has been hiding -- even as it came against the Panthers, who fell to 3-9. Entering training camp, the Chiefs were not projected to be Super Bowl material, but they were not projected to lose 10 of the first 11, either. Just two years ago, Kansas City went 10-6 and made the playoffs.

The playoff team ranked in the top 14 in offense and defense for points and yards. It featured a quality running back (Jamaal Charles), high-end receiver (Dwayne Bowe) and steady quarterback (Matt Cassel). The coach was a young offensive mind, Todd Haley.

The 2010 season turned out to be a fluke. In seasons 2007-09, the Chiefs combined to win 10 games and owned respective point differentials of -109, -149 and -140. In 2010, the differential was +40. In 2011, the differential was terrible again (-126) and the record sub-.500 (7-9). Haley had been replaced by Crennel on an interim basis late in the season. Charles, Bowe and Cassel remained.

Brady Quinn had a stunning performance against the Panthers, going 19-of-23 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Ed Zurga, Associated Press

The affable Crennel's second gig as a full-time NFL head coach began with a 16-point home loss to Atlanta and an 18-point road loss to Buffalo. The victory over the Saints provided hope, but that quickly gave way to despair. The nine-game skid included several close defeats, including to Pittsburgh in overtime and to Baltimore by three.

In Week 11, the Bengals rolled the Chiefs, 28-6, in Arrowhead. That was followed with a competitive game against Denver, losing at home, 17-9. Then came the tragedy and the surreal defeat of Carolina.

Crennel is one of the NFL's most respected people, and he has been a rock for his organization in the shootings' aftermath. As a head coach, though, doubts persist. It did not work out in Cleveland (24-40 from 2005-08) and it is not working so far in Kansas City.

Crennel leads a still-numb team into Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. That the Browns are the opponent makes for a multi-layered subplot. Other former Browns on the Chiefs include Quinn, running back Peyton Hillis and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Quinn's victory Sunday was his first as an NFL starter since Dec. 20, 2009. That day. Quinn went 10-of-17 for 66 yards and two interceptions as the Browns defeated the Chiefs, 41-34, at Arrowhead. Quinn's most important task was handing the ball cleanly to Jerome Harrison, who rushed 34 times for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Cassel threw for 331 yards and two TDs.

Offensive overview

Quinn has gotten the nod over Cassel, who opened this season as the starter. He sustained a concussion, then lost his job to Quinn, who then had a concussion of his own. Quinn returned in relief against the Bengals and started against Denver.

Quinn made his NFL debut with the Browns in 2007, appearing in one game. He played three games in 2008 and 10 in 2009 before the Browns traded him to Denver in March 2010. Quinn did not play a game in two seasons with the Broncos and did not throw another pass that counted until relieving Cassel in Week 5 against Baltimore.

Quinn was mediocre against the Broncos -- his third start of the season. It made the terrific performance against Carolina that much more startling. He was 8-of-9 on third down and, according to ESPN Stats and Information, went 6-of-7 for 132 yards on passes traveling at least 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

Bowe caught four passes for 64 yards Sunday and leads the Chiefs with 57 catches for 731 and three touchdowns. He has a combined 12 receptions and zero TDs in his past four games, but he must be accounted for. Bowe's proponents will argue that erratic QB play is most responsible for his numbers not being commensurate with his skill set.

The Chiefs go as the run goes. Charles had 27 carries for 127 yards Sunday and leads the team with 222 for 1,055 and three TDs. Hillis rushed 12 times for 19 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Hillis has 59 carries for 193 yards.

Justin Houston leads the Chiefs in sacks, with 10, including this one of Carolina's Cam Newton. Jeff Siner, Charlotte Observer

So, even though the Browns are facing a 2-10 team, their defense cannot afford to take anything or anyone for granted. The Chiefs feature a quarterback coming off a terrific game; a talented receiver; a dangerous tailback; and, in Hillis, a motivated, bruising running back and former Madden cover boy.

Daboll took plenty of heat for his play-calling in Cleveland (2009-2010), so he figures to be extra-amped for this matchup. It would be hard to envision Daboll not opting for at least a couple of wrinkles or gadgets. In the first quarter against Denver, Daboll dialed a direct snap to Hillis, who threw incomplete intended for Quinn. It came on third-and-3 from the Denver 16. The Chiefs are 7-of-10 on fourth down.

Defensive overview

With the Chiefs at 1-7, Crennel fired himself as defensive coordinator and handed those duties to linebackers coach Gary Gibbs. Kansas City uses an attacking 3-4. Right inside linebacker Derrick Johnson leads with 97 tackles. Left outside linebacker Justin Houston owns 10 of his team's 21 sacks.

The Chiefs are ranked 26th against the run, giving up 129.3 yards per game. They rank ninth against the pass, giving up 219.9 yards, but it is not necessarily because of stellar work. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown for 2,774 yards at a 60.3 completion rate, averaged 8.3 yards per pass and posted a 103.0 rating. They have thrown for 25 touchdowns and been intercepted seven times.

Kansas City has faced the other three AFC North teams. Here is how their defense fared against the quarterbacks, plus total yards allowed:

• Oct. 7 vs. Baltimore (L, 9-6): Joe Flacco was 13-of-27 for 187 yards and one interception. Total yards: 298.

• Nov. 12 at Pittsburgh (L, 16-13, OT): Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich were a combined 16-of-32 for 157 yards and one TD. Total yards: 249.

• Nov. 18 vs. Cincinnati (L, 28-6): Andy Dalton was 18-of-29 for 230 yards and two TDs. Total yards: 409.

Special teams overview

Ryan Succop is 25-of-28 on field goals, with a long of 53 yards. He has missed twice from 30-39 yards. Dustin Colquitt is averaging 45.8 yards gross and 40.4 net on 58 punts. Shaun Draughn has handled most of the kickoff returns (22 for 23.5-yard average) and Javier Arenas most of the punt returns (29 for 9.7-yard average).

We invited local high school football players and fans to share their favorite moment from the 2012 season on Twitter. Here is a sampling of their Tweets. "Padua/Holy Name 3OT game. Bruins come back from 16-0 halftime deficit to tie it in the final minute. Best game of Fall Sports" -- @BruinsReporter

One fan's top memory of the football season was watching St. Ignatius running back Tim McVey, pictured, score seven touchdowns in the first half of a playoff game against North Royalton. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

We invited local high school football players and fans to share their favorite moment from the 2012 season on Twitter. Here is a sampling of their Tweets.

"Padua/Holy Name 3OT game. Bruins come back from 16-0 halftime deficit to tie it in the final minute. Best game of Fall Sports" -- @BruinsReporter

"My [St. Edward] Boys and I beating Ignatius in the 50th Rivalry game & blocking the punt that helped set up the game winning drive #edsup" -- @Conking2

"Seeing Justin Szabo [from Garfield Heights] play for 1st time after battling cancer. The ovation he got gave me chills." -- @IAmNumber24

"North Royalton-Brecksville Week 1 shoot-out @ Browns Stadium." -- @dan_labbe

"Nordonia's comeback win over Green and Nordy making it to playoffs after a 2-8 season last year." -- @DaveNupe

"watching the Chardon Hilltoppers return to football relevance while uniting a community following an unthinkable tragedy" -- @gmoser148

"when mentor had the two point conversion in 3OT vs. Ignatius" -- @_LIZ_IS_ON_FIRE

"Tim McVey's 7 TD runs in [St. Ignatius'] Regional Semifinal vs North Royalton...all in the first half!" -- @rrmccormick

"Westlake exorcising the 'demons' of no SWC championship since 1984! Or defeating Avon lake since 1989!" -- @DemonAthletics

"Glenville beating Solon bad after a tough loss vs st Ed's" -- @Chris50_

"Mike LaManna's toughness displayed in [St. Ignatius'] game tying drive in Regional Final vs. Mentor. 39 second drive to tie game at 35." -- @JohnFanta13

"Rushing for career high 190 yards and 5 TDs vs Black River" -- @Jason_Kish_9

"ANY connection between [Chagrin Falls'] Iammarino brothers! Too many great plays to pick just one..." -- @CFCoachBA

"The Flea Flicker in the St. Edward vs. St. Ignatius game! #edsup" -- @Dan_Gallagher_  

In trying to explain the tragedy and how warning signs might have been missed, Quinn spoke of a society preoccupied with cell phones and social networks. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Former Browns quarterback Brady Quinn played arguably the best game of his career under the most trying and remarkable circumstances on Sunday in Kansas City.

But his thought-provoking words in a news conference that followed the Chiefs' victory a day after teammate Jovan Belcher murdered his girlfriend and killed himself were perhaps more compelling than his on-field performance.

In attempting to explain the tragedy and how warning signs from Belcher might have been missed, Quinn spoke eloquently of a society preoccupied with cell phones and social networks such as Twitter, but increasingly disengaged with face-to-face communication. He said, "When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really mean it?"

Quinn talked to Cleveland reporters Wednesday on a conference call and expanded on a point receiving national attention.

"It was something from my experience of growing up in an age when you didn't even have a cell phone when you were in junior high and now it's like every kid's got a cell phone and every kid's on the Internet," said Quinn, a Browns first-round draft pick in 2007. "The relationships you have with people face-to-face on a daily basis kind of gets brushed aside for everything else that's out there. A lot of times people hide their issues, their problems, they don't talk to anyone until it's too late."

Quinn's inspiring effort during and after the Chiefs' 27-21 win over Carolina -- he completed 19 of 23 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns -- have won him almost universal praise. But the quarterback and the Chiefs (2-10) are still trying to process the horrific events of last Saturday which left a three-month-old girl without her parents.

Quinn spoke to the media Wednesday less than three hours before members of the Chiefs attended a memorial service for Belcher. The quarterback said the team's emotions remain raw.

"We're still kind of in the midst of the storm right now," said Quinn, named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. "You've got to try to be able to climb to a higher point to get a better vantage point and I don't think I'm going to be able to do that until we have some more time away from the situation."

Quinn praised coach Romeo Crennel, who witnessed Belcher fatally shooting himself at the team's complex, for being a "rock" and a leader during an emotional time. The Columbus native is trying to prepare for a return to Cleveland and a game against his former team, where he spent three largely unproductive seasons. He was traded to Denver in 2010 for running back Peyton Hillis, who's now a teammate in Kansas City.

"Things never go the way you expect them to in life," Quinn said of his time with the Browns. "My mind's not really on my career. If I've learned anything in my career, it's that you really can't take things past one day at a time. This league, it's such a roller coaster ride no matter who you are that you've just got to continue to try to get better every day and focus on the task at hand. That's got to be where your focus is."

Playing with pain: Browns halfback Trent Richardson said he took another shot to his injured rib cartilage in Sunday's win over the Raiders. It occurred on the Browns' second series, Richardson said, after he caught a short pass from Brandon Weeden.

"I just played through it," said Richardson who continues to wear a flak jacket. "That's one thing I've been known to do. I've just got to fight through it."

Richardson, who originally injured his ribs against Cincinnati on Oct. 14, has averaged 25 carries over the last five games. He is resigned himself to playing in pain until season's end.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I know in my head I can't let the team down," said Richardson. "Injured or not, if I feel like I can play. ... I gotta keep going. My momma always taught me to never give up and keep fighting."

Against the Raiders, he finished with 72 yards rushing and a touchdown on 20 carries. Richardson also caught three passes for an additional 23 yards.

Young returns: Safety Usama Young returned to practice, and expects to play Sunday against the Chiefs. Young suffered a concussion in the Nov. 25 win over Pittsburgh in a collision with Steelers tight end Heath Miller.

He admitted to being knocked unconscious on the play.

"[Miller] was in the open field and I got a little beside myself and said, 'I'm gonna try to knock this ball out,'" Young said. "I tried to put hat on the ball and, at the last second, he tucked it. And, he had a lineman on his back, too, so that's about 500, 600 pounds coming at me full speed ahead and I took the brunt of the hit and was out."

Young, who said it was his first concussion, is likely to rotate with Tashaun Gipson against the Chiefs. The Browns had all 53 players on the active roster in practice.

"That rarely happens," Young said. "For that to happen, to be at full strength or close to full strength, that's a beautiful thing."

Good news: Guard Jason Pinkston has been cleared by doctors to resume working out, he reported on his Twitter account Wednesday. The club placed Pinkston on season-ending injured reserve after a blood clot was discovered on Oct. 19.

"Finally cleared to lift & condition full time!! Appreciate the thoughts and prayers!!!" Pinkston wrote.

DeLeone benefit: A fundraiser dinner will be held in the honor of former Browns offensive lineman Tom DeLeone on Saturday at Weymouth County Club in Medina. DeLeone, a member of the 1980 Kardiac Kids team, is battling brain cancer.

About 15 members of the 1980 team, including coach Sam Rutigliano and players Thom Darden and Mike and Greg Pruitt, are expected to attend. The event is being hosted by the Medina County Community Fund. Ticket packages are $250 (VIP) and $150 (Dawg Pound) and details can be found at the Web site: mccfund.org.

The event for VIP guests starts at 4:30 with wine tasting and the dinner is set for 6:30.

Brownies: Cornerback Dimitri Patterson (ankle) said he was a healthy scratch for the Raiders game. He has not played since the Oct. 7 game against the New York Giants. ... Rookie offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz was tabbed as the fourth game captain.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Plain Dealer reporter Bob Fortuna topped the 12-man panel of sportswriters and area football players predicting the winners of the six state championship games last week. Fortuna went 5-1 with correct picks in Division I (Cincinnati Moeller), Division II (Toledo Central Catholic), Division III (St. Vincent-St. Mary), Division IV (Clinton-Massie) and Division VI (Marion Local).

Plain Dealer reporter Bob Fortuna correctly predicted five of the six football state champions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Plain Dealer reporter Bob Fortuna topped the 12-man panel of sportswriters and area football players predicting the winners of the six state championship games last week.

Fortuna went 5-1 with correct picks in Division I (Cincinnati Moeller), Division II (Toledo Central Catholic), Division III (St. Vincent-St. Mary), Division IV (Clinton-Massie) and Division VI (Marion Local).

The only final he missed was Division V, which saw Coldwater edge Kirtland. Second place was shared between three panelists who went 4-2 — St. Ignatius lineman Jimmy Byrne, Avon running back/defensive back Ross Douglas and PD sportswriter Tim Warsinskey.

WESTLAKE, Ohio - There is something about Friday night mud. Maybe it's because you don't see it as often as you used to. With so many high schools having new-age turf fields, players walk off after 48 minutes of football as clean as, well, Mr. Clean.

Westlake's Shawn Turk works up a sprint in the mud for a touchdown during a win over visiting Brecksville on Oct. 26. - (Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer)

WESTLAKE, Ohio - There is something about Friday night mud.

Maybe it's because you don't see it as often as you used to. With so many high schools having new-age turf fields, players walk off after 48 minutes of football as clean as, well, Mr. Clean.

No more mud-caked cleats and garish grass stains, numbers obliterated and helmets all scarred with the glop and goop from good old fashioned wet Earth.

But that was definitely not the case the final weeks of the season at Westlake. In a scheduling quirk, the Demons played their final three games of the regular season at their muddy home -- and they made the most of it.

With no margin for error, Westlake parlayed its home-field advantage for gritty wins against Midpark, Berea and Brecksville-Broadview Heights to win a share of its first Southwestern Conference title since 1984 and earn a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 1989. They relished every grimy down.

The 17-0 finale against Brecksville was played in a downpour and all the muck worked to Westlake's advantage. The Demons' down-to-Earth offense put together a 97-yard drive that did not seem possible given the conditions.

As much as the slop helped the Demons, you had to feel for the pass-first Bees and their senior quarterback Tommy Tupa, whose season and high school career ended in a shutout. That did not seem possible, especially way back on a sunny August day when the Bees put up big numbers in losing to North Royalton, 54-42, on the pristine field at Browns Stadium.

That's football, and all the Demons reveled in it as they splashed around at the finish with a league trophy in tow. All-purpose senior Logan Paul, underrated at both running back and linebacker, had more mud on him than a barnyard pig. But none of it could hide the huge smile of accomplishment as he hugged deserving coach Mark Campo.

But in one of those football as life turnabouts, a week later Westlake was at home once again to take on Mansfield Madison in the opening round of the playoffs. Once again the rain and mud were plentiful, with Westlake more than happy to get down and dirty with it.

However, a resilient Madison tied the game late and won it by completing its only pass for a touchdown to open overtime. The Demons came up a yard short of the end zone on their subsequent possession to end their season with a sodden thud, 14-7.

Plenty of tears fell with the raindrops as the senior players trudged off their home field one last time. It was time to move on to basketball, wrestling, baseball, track, and for some, graduation.

One of these years Westlake will come up with the dough to put in one those nicely printed fields as well it should. But a little something will be missing.

Those who watched their boys celebrate one night and cry on another will well remember that mudbowl field of dreams.

DeLamielleure, a future Hall of Famer who had already been first-team all-pro five times, strengthened an already solid offensive line when the Browns acquired him in 1980.

Joe DeLamielleure blocking in front of Mike Pruitt during the Browns' training camp in 1982. Plain Dealer

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. 53, Joe DeLamielleure, guard, 1980-84

Joe DeLamielleure was 29 prior to the 1980 season, when the Browns traded a 1981 second-round draft pick and a 1982 third-rounder to get him from the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo had taken Michigan State's DeLamielleure with the last pick in the first round, No. 26 overall, of the 1973 draft. He would play 13 NFL seasons, and be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

DeLamielleure gained fame as the leader of Buffalo's "Electric Company," the linemen who blocked for O.J. Simpson during his best seasons -- most notably, in 1973, when Simpson set a then-NFL record of 2,003 rushing yards in a 14-game season.

DeLamielleure made various first-team all-NFL teams and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last five years with Buffalo before being dealt to the Browns. The Bills had endured four straight losing seasons and were looking to put finishing touches on their youth movement/rebuilding process when the trade was made.

The Browns already had a fine offensive line. The acquisition of DeLamielleure allowed them to move Cody Risien from left guard to right tackle. Doug Dieken and Tom DeLeone stayed at left tackle and center, respectively, while Robert E. Jackson could play either guard, Henry Sheppard had played guard and tackle and Gerry Sullivan could fill in almost anywhere.

"Joe was very athletic. He was real smart, a tough guy," Sam Rutigliano, then the Browns' coach, recently told The Plain Dealer. "He was an outstanding run blocker and a good pass blocker who learned to become a great pass blocker.

"He fit in beautifully. Getting Joe was like hitting an inside straight, with the fine linemen we already had. He was very fast and a guy way ahead of everybody in his strength training. A consummate team player."

DeLamielleure again made various first-team all-pro lists and played in the Pro Bowl in 1980, the first of his five seasons with the Browns. That was the season when the "Kardiac Kids" Browns won the AFC Central Division title with a string of dramatic wins, led by quarterback Brian Sipe, the NFL's MVP.

Rutigliano said that one of the first things he did after being named the Browns' coach in 1978 was to call Sipe, who had become Cleveland's starting QB in 1976.

"I need five 'condominiums' in front of me," Sipe had told the coach, referring to offensive linemen, "and to be surrounded by smart guys."

DeLamielleure's blocking not only aided the passing game that featured Sipe and a deep and talented group of receivers such as Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome, but also paved the way for bruising running back Mike Pruitt.

DeLamielleure didn't miss a game in his first seven years with Buffalo and then with Cleveland. He was 34 when the Browns waived him near the start of the 1985 season. The Bills signed the still-popular DeLamielleure, and he played in 10 of 16 games before retiring.

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

Video: Surprisingly, not much video is available online of the early 1980s Browns. Here, from NBC's telecast, the Browns -- with Joe DeLamielleure (64) at right guard -- have the football and try to protect a fourth-quarter lead in a game they eventually lost on the last play to the Vikings, 28-23, on Dec. 14, 1980 in Minnesota:

Browns tackle says: "He decided his contract was more important than coming out and playing and helping his team win."

BEREA, Ohio -- Joe Thomas, the Browns' five-time Pro Bowl tackle and team captain, blasted former teammate Peyton Hillis Wednesday for crippling the 2011 offense over his contract dispute, for refusing to play sick and for creating a distraction.

"I think it was better for both sides [that he left]," Thomas said of Hillis, returning Sunday as a running back with the Chiefs. "At that point, the situation with him here was toxic. He didn't want to be here and players didn't want him here and it's better just for a fresh start at that point."

The Hillis saga of 2011 began when he left on the day of a home game against Miami in Week 3 with strep throat and the flu. His then-agent, Kennard McGuire, said he advised Hillis not to play.

"You guys tell me -- you think strep throat and I don't know whatever else injuries he had [a pulled hamstring] should keep you out of an NFL game? Or several?" Thomas said. "All I know is [center] Alex Mack had appendicitis. His appendix blew up, and he played."

Thomas, who was part of a group of team leaders that staged a midseason intervention with Hillis, said the back drastically changed in his contract year.

"He decided that his contract was more important than coming out and playing and helping his team win, and it left us without a running back," Thomas said. "To have Peyton going through a contract dispute and basically refusing to play, it was a big distraction. And then we had a few injuries that hurt us further with Montario [Hardesty] being down and Brandon Jackson, losing him in training camp.

"[Hillis] decided to go about trying to get a new contract a certain way and ended up hurting the other 52 guys in the locker room. That was his decision."

Thomas said teammates tried to talk to Hillis, to no avail. Hillis, who with the rest of the Chiefs is grieving the murder-suicide of teammate Jovan Belcher, declined an interview request this week.

"People who thought they were very close friends with him ... he wouldn't listen to anybody," Thomas said. "He thought he knew what was the right way to do it and it ended up hurting everybody, not just himself. It was a tough situation."

Thomas said it was "one weird thing after another" with Hillis, including his midweek wedding and launching the ball through goalposts from midfield in San Francisco when he was inactive with a pulled hamstring.

"When you're 'injured' and you should be getting treatment, to go do your own thing repeatedly was just disrespectful more than anything to his teammates," Thomas said.

Former Browns right tackle Tony Pashos, after reading Thomas' remarks, tweeted, "U can tell it was hell when Joe speaks out about it. He just gave u guys the tip (of the iceberg)." Pashos also tweeted, "Now just imagine Colt (McCoy) having to deal with that and all the other trash going on."

In training camp, Thomas told reporters that if the team had to choose up sides, no one would pick Hillis. "He wasn't real popular around here, the way he went about his business. Not that they didn't like him as a person, just the way he hurt the team from not coming to play," said Thomas. "That's the No.1 thing."

He said Hillis' behavior was out of character after a stellar 2010, in which he rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 TDs.

"He was everything people knew about him -- hard-working, blue-collar, tough, would do anything for anybody on the team," Thomas said. "All he cared about was winning, and then all of a sudden the next year all he cared about was trying to get his new contract."

Did it have anything to do with him being on the Madden video game cover?

"Maybe," said Thomas. "I think he was just getting some poor guidance on how to go about his business. I don't begrudge a guy for trying to get his contract. This is a business for us just like it's a business for the owners. I just think there's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it, and the way he chose really hurt the team."

Thomas said rookie Trent Richardson stands in stark contrast.

"You can't say enough about things that Trent does for this team and how humble he is, coming off of an incredibly successful career at Alabama, being the No. 3 pick, having a very successful rookie season," Thomas said. "He's just a great person and a great teammate.

"Obviously he was nicked up earlier in the season and he still goes out there and runs people over on Sunday. And I think you can appreciate that."

In Kansas City, Hillis delivered a poignant pre-game speech about pulling together in the aftermath of Belcher's death.

"It was a powerful moment," quarterback Brady Quinn told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington. "We needed something to bring us together, and Peyton's speech before the game did it. He talked about how this whole situation brought him closer to his faith, how it made him think about life and what we're here for. He hoped we'd play for each brother next to us, because we're family."

In the off-season, Hillis signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs for $2.8 million -- including $2.4 million guaranteed -- after the Browns failed to make an offer. Will former Browns and current Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll let Hillis make a statement on the field Sunday?

"I'm sure he'll probably want to come in here and prove they made a mistake by not resigning him," said Thomas. "It will be interesting to see how many opportunities they give him."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot