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December is the saddest time of the year for Cleveland Browns fans: Terry Pluto

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Being a Browns fan is like looking under the tree to see what was left for you by the football Santa. But it's empty, except for needles dropping off a dying tree.

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DENVER -- As the Browns were losing, 21-6, at the end of the third quarter, I began to think about the team's fans.

It's been so long since any of these late-season games meant anything to those who love the orange helmets. It's led to some fans watching these games more out of a sense of duty or habit rather than anticipation of having some fun.

The last time December mattered to the Browns was 2007, when the Browns finished 10-6, but missed the playoffs. In 2002, they were 9-7 and made the playoffs. In all the other seasons since the team returned in 1999, these December game have been about as appealing as a clump of soot-stained snow.

As Christmas approaches, being a Browns fan is like looking under the tree to see what was left for you by the football Santa. But it's empty, except for the needles that dropped off a dying tree.

This is not to question the effort of the Browns in this 34-12 loss at Denver. The Broncos have won 10 in a row. Peyton Manning (30-of-43, 339 yards and three TDs) is giving a Hall of Fame performance at age 36. He has 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Amazing for a guy who didn't play at all in 2011 because of a neck injury, one that has required multiple surgeries.

I didn't think Brandon Weeden played badly -- although he missed Josh Gordon for what could have been a 40-yard touchdown pass. His throw was short and very wide.

The Browns actually put together an excellent drive to open the game. But they failed to throw once into the end zone when they had first down at the Denver 8. On third-and-9, it was a crossing pattern to rookie Josh Cooper, who dropped it on the 7. You have to at least try once to score a touchdown.

I don't know if Weeden didn't see anyone open in the end zone, or if the play calls set up the short throws. But it was a wasted opportunity. I still think the Weeden can become a viable NFL quarterback. I do think some of West Coast offense with all the quick throws is not an ideal fit for him. But I also don't know how often Weeden is settling for the short pass.

Weeden was 12-of-19 for 104 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Colt McCoy came in and had the same problems faced by Weeden -- the Browns were losing, Denver was blitzing and McCoy was harassed. Same as Weeden on this long Sunday afternoon.

McCoy made a very nice throw to Greg Little for a 6-yard touchdown, completing an 80-yard drive. That was in the fourth quarter, when the verdict was final. But give McCoy credit for moving the team, regardless of the circumstances. McCoy was 9-of-17 for 79 yards. He had that touchdown pass to Little, and he also was sacked four times.

You can say that McCoy should have started instead of Weeden this season. But given the youth and the several weak areas on the team, it's hard to imagine they'd be any better than this season's 5-10 record.

The Browns end the season next week at Pittsburgh. Not long after that, you can expect Pat Shurmur to be fired as coach, and GM Tom Heckert may also be let go. But it feels like months that the speculation about Shurmur and Heckert have dominated the news.

The next coach will be the seventh since 1999.

This is not to turn Shurmur into Paul Brown, but it is worth asking, "Is it always the coach?" Or, "Is it always the quarterback?"

No doubt, fans are asking those questions and this one, too: "Will anything ever change on the field?"


Browns at Broncos post-game show with Glenn Moore and Dennis Manoloff: Podcast

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The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore recapped the game and gave their thoughts on the play of the Browns, offensively and defensively.

AX107_369D_9.JPG View full size Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) in the third quarter.  

In the span of about five minutes, Peyton Manning threw his third touchdown pass of the afternoon, Von Miller knocked the opposing quarterback out of the game and the Denver Broncos completely demoralized the tenacious-but-overmatched Cleveland Browns.

During that third-quarter flurry Sunday, the Broncos looked a lot like the best team in the AFC, and with one more Sunday like this one, they could go into the playoffs as just that.

Manning threw for 339 yards and three scores and Miller was in on two sacks, the second of which ended Brandon Weeden's day, leading Denver to a 34-12 win - a victory that pulled the Broncos (12-3) into a tie with Houston for the best record in the conference.

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore recapped the game and gave their thoughts on the play of the Browns, offensively and defensively.

Among other topics discussed:

• Play of the secondary against Manning.

• Weeden's progress this season.

• Looking ahead to Browns-Steelers next week in the season finale.

Read what D-Man (@dmansworldpd) and G-Mo (@GlennMooreCLE) have to say on Twitter.

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Follow our coverage on Twitter

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Nick Swisher agrees to contract with the Cleveland Indians: What they're saying about the 4-year/$56 million deal -- story links

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The free agent leaves the Yankees after four seasons with them, and is set to become the Indians' right fielder. Links to stories on Swisher's agreement to join the Tribe.

nick-swisher3.jpg Outfielder Nick Swisher, who played the last four seasons with the New York Yankees, has agreed to a four-year contract with the Cleveland Indians.  


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nick Swisher, the switch-hitting outfielder, has agreed to a four-year/$56 million contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' story on the Tribe's contract agreement with the veteran free agent, and several other reports.

The deal reportedly includes a vesting option of $14 million for the 2017 season, which would make the total package worth $70 million for Swisher, 32. The Columbus native and former Ohio State star has played nine major league seasons, the last four with the New York Yankees. In his eight full big league campaigns, Swisher has hit .256, averaging 31 doubles, 26 home runs, 83 RBI, 83 walks and 132 strikeouts.

Ken Rosenthal writes for Fox Sports what the Indians are trying to accomplish during their busy offseason:


The Indians, after signing free agent Mark Reynolds to play first base, will use Swisher, a switch-hitter, as a replacement for Shin-Soo Choo in right field.



The team recently traded Choo to the Cincinnati Reds in a deal that eventually landed them four players from the Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks, including center fielder Drew Stubbs and right-hander Trevor Bauer.



While the Indians’ approach appears curious – the team is signing a major free agent at a time when it is entertaining trades for right-hander Justin Masterson, closer Chris Perez and others – the club has an explanation.



Masterson and Perez are two years away from free agency. Choo was one. The Indians, a low-revenue club, are trying to thread the needle, and improve the team both short- and long-term.



The way the Indians see it, they have a strong core of pre-arbitration players, including second baseman Jason Kipnis, catcher Carlos Santana and outfielder Michael Brantley; third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and reliever Vinnie Pestano.



The Indians’ primary goal in any trade is to find young starting pitching that can A) add to their 0-to-3 core and B) make their 2013 rotation more presentable. That is why the acquisition of Bauer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft, fit the plan.



Swisher, in the view of the Indians, would remain good enough for long enough to contribute when the team got good again.

Nick Swisher and Indians story links



In a major shift in how they do things, the Indians land Nick Swisher with a big contract, showing that they want to be competitive again. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Comparing Nick Swisher and the player he replaces in right field, Shin-Soo Choo. (By Jeff Ellis, Indians Prospect Insider)

It's now for sure. Nick Swisher is a former Yankee. He agrees to a contract with the Cleveland Indians. (By Mark Feinsand, New York Daily News)

The Indians made an appeal to Nick Swisher to come "home," and it worked. (Associated Press/Sports Illustrated)

Nick Swisher accepts a four-year contract offer to return to Ohio and play for the Indians. (By C. Trent Rosecrans, CBSSports.com)

The contract agreement with Nick Swisher means the Indians must contend soon, and that will depend on much more than Swisher. (By Jim Piascik, Indians Prospect Insider)

Nick Swisher's Twitter account says he's going to be a Cleveland Indian. (By Chris Assenheimer, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette)

The Indians land their right fielder by agreeing to terms with Nick Swisher. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Yes, there are risks, but there are lots of reasons why it's worth taking them in acquiring Nick Swisher. (WaitingForNextYear)

The Indians get the player they wanted, Nick Swisher. (By Adam Burke, The Cleveland Fan)

The contract, Nick Swisher and "The Big Picture" on what the deal means for the Indians. (Let's Go Tribe)

Detailing the recent moves made by the Indians. (By Stephanie Liscio, It's pronounced "Lajaway")


Terry Pluto's postgame scribbles for Cleveland Browns-Denver Broncos

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The Browns are clearly caught in the malaise of a team finishing up a disappointing season, with changes on the horizon.

cribbs-fumble-brncs-2012-jk.jpg View full size Josh Cribbs lost this fumble in the fourth quarter, then lost his temper after the conclusion of the Browns' loss in Denver.  

DENVER -- Scribbles in the aftermath of Sunday's thumping by the Broncos.

1. Something happened to the Browns after they had a 14-10 lead at halftime of last week's Washington game. They were outscored, 28-7, in the second half, and then absorbed Sunday's beating. They have been outscored 62-19 in the last six quarters. It has been a total collapse, as the Browns have lost all confidence and sense of purpose built during their three-game winning streak.

2. So now they go to Pittsburgh with a 5-10 record. Brandon Weeden has a shoulder injury, and it's doubtful he'll play. Trent Richardson's left foot was in a walking boot Sunday night. Joe Haden is the only starter in secondary who started when the season opened. Players are angry, discouraged and there is a real sense of gloom -- and it began in the Washington game.

3. This 22-point defeat was the worst in Pat Shurmur's two seasons. With all the speculation of changes coming, there is a sense many players just want the season to be over. They won't say it. But at 5-10, with key starters injured, others physically and emotionally worn down -- they just want the year to be over.

4. I wish some players would think about who pays their salaries -- the fans. Josh Cribbs has been very good to the community since joining the Browns in 2005. But he's frustrated and spending too much time reading responses on Twitter. He Tweeted this: "I see all the negativity on twitter after I gave my life to this [crap]. So 2 all u who are against me [Bleep] all y'all! I'm still gonna do me!"

5. Message to Cribbs: When you Tweet something like that, then you also need to hear that the fans didn't fumble a punt early in the fourth quarter to set up a Denver touchdown.

6. Cribbs has fumbled five times on kickoffs and punts this season, losing two. No doubt he's upset because his contract is up and it appears Travis Benjamin will be the returner in 2013. But that's still no excuse. Cribbs has to know many of his Twitter followers are kids. To Cribbs' credit, he did delete the tweet.

7. I have always liked Cribbs, dating back to when he was a freshman QB at Kent State. He's emotional and can say some very silly stuff. But I've always thought he's one of the good guys among the pro athletes in town.

8. Colt McCoy played relatively well in his first meaningful action. He had appeared in other games, but just to hand off the ball. McCoy entered Sunday late in the third quarter. He put together a nice 80-yard drive, ending with a six-yard touchdown pass to Greg Little.

9. McCoy was 9-of-17 for 79 yards, and was sacked four times. The coaches say he has been very professional after losing a starting job for the first time at any level. McCoy is not the most physically-gifted quarterback, but he's a class act and that's why I advocated so hard for the Browns to keep him. He is always prepared to play.

10. Trent Richardson ran the ball well (53 yards in nine carries), but the Browns once again fell behind and kept throwing. Richardson has 950 yards rushing, the most of any Browns rookie. The previous record was 942 by Jim Brown. But Brown did it in 12 games, while Richardson has played 15. So let's not start any comparisons.

11. The most improved Brown from a year ago is Little, who caught six more passes. He has 50 receptions and is dropping fewer balls, running better routes and continuing his excellent blocking.

12. Former Brown Mike Adams signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Denver before the season. The 31-year-old safety has played 91 percent of the snaps here. The Browns didn't offer him a chance to return. "I didn't want to sugarcoat it," he said Sunday. "I'd been there for five years, so to go against these guys and get a win was really special." He had four tackles, defended two passes and recorded a quarterback hit.

Denver's defense delivers some old-fashioned Orange Crush on the Cleveland Browns

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The Browns were the latest victims of a Broncos defense that has developed into one of the best in the NFL.

mccoy-hit-adams-2012-jk.jpg View full size Colt McCoy struggles to get rid of the ball as he's hit by Denver safety Mike Adams -- a former Browns teammate -- late in Sunday's game against the Broncos. "They were in that situation where they had no choice really but to pass," said Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. "That's what you live for."  

Brian Howell

Special to The Plain Dealer

DENVER -- The Broncos' defense figured out early this season that when Peyton Manning can get them a lead, life is a little more fun.

The Browns were the latest victims of a Broncos defense that has developed into one of the best in the NFL and becomes relentless with a lead. On Sunday, Denver held the Browns to 233 yards in offense, made Trent Richardson a non-factor for much of the game and sacked Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy six times.

Five sacks came after the Broncos extended the lead to 21-6 late in the third quarter.

"They were in that situation where they had no choice really but to pass," said Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, who had one sack. "That's what you live for. We live and die to pass rush. As a D-lineman you want to get sacks."

The Browns actually had some success running the ball. Richardson averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and Wolfe gave the Browns credit for their run game.

"They've got a great running back in Trent Richardson and a great offensive line," Wolfe said. "Alex Mack and Joe Thomas are two of the best guys I've played against all year. Those two guys are really good. They do a really good job on their double-teams, so it was just being disciplined and doing our job."

Throughout its 10-game win streak, much of the Broncos' job has been to protect the leads Manning gives them. With the Browns forced away from the run game, that made the job easier.

Richardson finished with 53 yards on nine carries, but had five carries on the first possession of the game. He didn't have a single carry in the final 27 minutes, as the Broncos pulled away. Taking away the run game was key for the Broncos, knowing that the Browns had a rookie quarterback.

"Oh yeah, that's especially important because now we can disguise it and force him to make decisions that possibly he don't want to make," said safety Mike Adams, who played for the Browns from 2007-11.

Of course, even veteran quarterbacks have a tough time trying to come back against a pass rush that features Von Miller, who has a team-record 17.5 sacks this season, and Elvis Dumervil, who has 11 sacks and ranks among the top five in team history.

"Once we make teams one-dimensional, it's Miller and Doom time," Adams said. Dumervil finished with two sacks and Miller had 1.5 on Sunday.

Miller's sack of Weeden late in the third quarter knocked the rookie out of the game. The Broncos said that didn't really change the game much. Although McCoy is more of a threat to run, he absorbed four sacks.

"That's why we complement our offense so well," Wolfe said. "Once we get rolling, we're all right."

Brian Howell is a free-lance writer based in Denver.

Cleveland Browns defense no match for 'best QB in the game today'

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Peyton Manning feasted on a depleted secondary that began Sunday without two safeties and lost cornerback Sheldon Brown to a second-quarter concussion.

decker-td-brnc-brns-2012-jk.jpg View full size Denver's Eric Decker keeps a firm grip on his second-quarter touchdown against Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown Sunday afternoon.  

DENVER -- Facing the Manning brothers is a difficult enough task with a complete complement of healthy defensive backs.

For the second time this season the Browns were at less than full strength against a member of the NFL's First Family of Quarterbacks, and got punished again. Peyton Manning feasted on a depleted secondary that began Sunday without two safeties and lost cornerback Sheldon Brown to a second-quarter concussion en route to 34-12 Denver victory.

Manning, who had enough time in the pocket to dial up Outlaw Country, completed 30 of 43 attempts for 339 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos won their 10th straight game.

"We played the best quarterback in the game today," Browns defensive end Frostee Rucker said.

In early October, the Giants' Eli Manning carved up a Joe Haden-less defense with three touchdowns and 259 yards in a 41-27 win. On that day, the Browns lost cornerback Dimitri Patterson to an ankle injury that kept him sidelined until Dec. 9.

Patterson was released earlier this week without explanation and claimed by the Miami Dolphins. While Patterson was contributing four tackles in a Dolphins' win Sunday, his old team was trotting out rookie Trevin Wade to replace a concussed Brown.

"I stay away from the front office stuff that's going," said safety Usama Young when asked about the decision to cut the veteran defensive back. "I take care of business on the field. If you get caught up in that stuff your head is going to be spinning."

One source said Patterson got into a disagreement "with someone in power and we'll leave it at that."

The Browns (5-10) played virtually the entire game in nickel coverage against the league's second-highest scoring team. They shifted Young to strong safety with T.J. Ward (knee) out and started Eric Hagg in place of Tashaun Gipson, who suffered a foot injury in practice on Thursday.

Employing a no-huddle offense, the Broncos scored touchdowns on their first two possessions as Manning completed 12 passes for 120 yards. The TDs came on wondrous strikes to Demaryius Thomas (22 yards) and Eric Decker (10). Brown had good coverage on both.

"They just put it in the one spot he couldn't get there," Haden said. "[Brown] looked like he touched the ball on both of them."

The afternoon only got worse for Brown, who sustained a concussion after absorbing a vicious shoulder-to-shoulder hit by Brandon Stokley on a crossing pattern. The Broncos receiver was flagged for pass interference -- or more accurately, an illegal pick. Stokley did not just screen Brown but appeared to drive his shoulder into the 33-year-old back, who never saw it coming. Brown lay on the field for at least a minute as concerned players from both teams took a knee nearby. He was eventually helped to the sideline.

"[NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell and them are going to check that one out," Haden said of the hit.

Young kept the Broncos out of the end zone for a third time in the first half with a diving interception in the closing seconds. But Manning drove Denver 91 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown on their first possession of the third quarter.

The Browns, who entered play tied for seventh in sacks (36), rarely got a mitt on Manning -- much less plant him on the turf. That spelled doom for a secondary chasing receivers all over the field. The club has allowed 62 points in the last six quarters, dating to the home loss against Washington.

"We have to find a way to [make plays] on a regular basis later in the game," Young said. "We couldn't make stops later in the game when we had to."

Emotional Josh Cribbs caught up in profane Tweet: Cleveland Browns Insider

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DENVER -- Pat Shurmur repeatedly has voiced his dislike for social media and its potential pitfalls for players. Browns receiver Greg Little and reserve linebacker Tank Carder made news for nasty exchanges with fans earlier in the season. Sunday night, it was special teams ace Josh Cribbs who was ensnared. Cribbs lashed out at some followers of his @JoshCribbs16...

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DENVER -- Pat Shurmur repeatedly has voiced his dislike for social media and its potential pitfalls for players.

Browns receiver Greg Little and reserve linebacker Tank Carder made news for nasty exchanges with fans earlier in the season. Sunday night, it was special teams ace Josh Cribbs who was ensnared. Cribbs lashed out at some followers of his @JoshCribbs16 account after a 34-12 loss to Denver in a game in which the veteran fumbled a punt and had a long return nullified by penalty.

"I see all the negativity on twitter after I gave my life to this (stuff)," he Tweeted. "So 2 all u who are against me (Expletive) all y'all. I'm still gonna do me!"

Cribbs deleted the Tweet, but later acknowledged his frustration with series of posts

"We battle like gladiators on the field every week & we put our all out there, so 2 come off the field to the bs ppl put on twitter smh."

"2 all browns fans who are with us win or lose, we got Pitt next week & this loss makes us hungry for a W!!! #GoBrowns"

"Yea I had a moment smh..... wooossssahhh aiiight man I 4got each day there are a new breed of haters out there disguised as fans!"

Cribbs is one of the club's most popular players and won the fan vote for AFC Special Teams player. He also might be playing his final game as a Brown next week in Pittsburgh. Cribbs is a free agent at season's end.

What a kick: Phil Dawson converted a season-long 53-yard field goal early in the third quarter. His 13 field goals of 50 yards or longer since 2011 are tied for the most in the NFL. Overall, he is 28 of 29 on attempts this season.

Familiar face: Broncos safety Mike Adams has spent most of his nine-year career in a Browns uniform, playing for them from 2007-11. He wanted to stay in Cleveland this year, but that didn't work out. So, he had some motivation going against them Sunday.

"I was excited," he said. "I had to calm myself down because I was too involved in wanting to make a big play instead of just handling my business. [Broncos cornerback] Champ Bailey calmed me down a little bit and I got to just focus on what I had to do."

Adams finished with four tackles, had a big hit on former teammate Colt McCoy and knocked down two passes.

"Yeah, I did pretty well today," he said. "I wanted to turn [those defended passes] into interceptions, but it's all right."

Protection issues: The Browns allowed a season-high six sacks to the Broncos, all in the second half. The Broncos entered the game with the league's second-most (42) sacks and came after Brandon Weeden and McCoy as Denver extended its lead.

"That's kind of an offensive lineman's worst nightmare," guard John Greco said. "You get behind and you abandon the run game and it becomes a blitz fest out there."

Scoreboard watching: At 12-3, the Broncos still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Fans know it, and they cheered when the Houston Texans, who currently hold the top seed, lost to Minnesota. If the Texans lose next week and the Broncos win, they'll be the top seed.

"Most definitely [we want it]," Von Miller said. "That's what we're out to do."

Like the fans, the Broncos are paying attention to rest of the league.

"We all have our eye on it," Adams said. "You can't say we're not looking and not paying attention, because we're all paying attention. I saw the Patriots almost lost. We're watching that stuff, too, but at the end of the day, it don't matter. We're just looking for that next challenge and the next game."

Nothing to it: The Broncos converted nine of 15 third downs against the Browns, including six of their first eight attempts.

"We need to do a better job all around on third downs and get ourselves off the field," rookie cornerback Trevin Wade said.

Record day: Peyton Manning threw at least three touchdowns in a game for the 72nd time in his career. It tied the NFL mark of Brett Favre.

Brownies: First-year linebacker Craig Robertson recorded a career-high 14 tackles, surpassing his previous best of eight, which he recorded twice this season. ... Safety Usama Young recorded five tackles and an interception. He has three interceptions on the season which is a career-high and tied for the team lead. . . . Fullback Brad Smelley made his NFL debut and caught a pass.

Free-lance writer Brian Howell contributed to this report.

Cleveland Browns' Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson injured in 34-12 loss to Broncos

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Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson and Sheldon Brown all leave the game with injuries as Broncos dominate the second half.

DENVER -- Brandon Weeden left the Browns locker room wincing in pain with a right shoulder injury Sunday night. Trent Richardson hobbled out with a walking boot on his left foot for the long trek to the team bus, where a bunch of dejected players and coaches sat waiting for him.

The Browns were crushed, 34-12, by the Denver Broncos, as Peyton Manning (339 yards and three touchdowns) was more than their depleted secondary could handle. But the loss of their two-first round picks to injuries stung just as much. At this point, it looks like both might sit out next week's finale in Pittsburgh.

"You never want to see anyone go down," said quarterback Colt McCoy, who finished the game and produced an 80-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. "We hope, as a team, Brandon's okay. We hope Trent is all right."

The loss dropped the Browns to 5-10 -- their 11th double-digit loss total in 14 seasons and the fifth straight. The 12-3 Broncos, meanwhile, won their 10th straight. It was the Browns' largest margin of defeat this season, and they've been outscored 72-33 the last two weeks.

"That record sucks," said Joe Haden, who lost bookend corner Sheldon Brown to a concussion in the first half. "Everybody is disappointed. We can't keep coming in here and talking to y'all and saying 'this is what they did.' They just beat us."

Weeden (12-of-19, 104 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) was knocked out of the game with 3:54 left in the third quarter when Von Miller exploded in on Weeden's right side and sacked him for a 9-yard loss. Weeden got up slowly, grimacing in pain and shaking his right arm. He walked off with the trainers and soon headed to the locker room.

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"I just took advantage of an opportunity," said Miller, a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "I think they miscalculated on that play and let me come free. If I get an opportunity, you have to capitalize on it and fortunately I was able to do that."

In the locker room, Weeden needed help from tight end Alex Smith in getting a pad off, and declined to elaborate on his injury. "I'm all right," he said. "I'll talk to you on Wednesday."

Richardson suffered the ankle injury on the Browns' next-to-last play, when former teammate Mike Adams drove McCoy into Richardson's ankles as the back was blocking linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

Richardson (nine carries for 53 yards, 5.9 average) limped off and was carted in after the game. He underwent X-rays, which were negative. Richardson tried to answer a few questions at his locker, but two members of the Browns public relations staff prevented him from talking. He managed to say the ankle wasn't broken.

"I'll be alright," he said. "I'm fine."

Later, as he limped toward the bus, he re-iterated he was okay. "I wouldn't be walking if it were broken," he said.

McCoy didn't remember falling on Richardson's ankle.

"I was just trying to not get knocked out," said McCoy, who was sacked four times and hit a few others as the Broncos pinned their ears back.

McCoy lamented the loss of Richardson on a day when he was rumbling through the Broncos' second-ranked run defense. He broke Jim Brown's rookie rushing record (947 in '57) and now has 950, but his bid for 1,000 is in jeopardy.

"I really felt like he was running the ball as well as he's run in a while," said McCoy.

Several players were miffed that the coaching staff kept calling long passes in the final minutes. The Browns passed four times on the last possession and McCoy scrambled once. Why didn't they just hand off and get out alive?

"That's a question you can ask Pat, honestly," said McCoy. "I took off a couple times because that was just the only thing to do."

The Browns were down, 21-6, when McCoy entered the game, and it was 31-6 after the Broncos cashed in on Josh Cribbs' muffed punt at the Browns' 19. But McCoy (9-of-17, 79 yards, 1 TD) led an 80-yard march that ended in a 6-yard TD pass to Greg Little. Along the way, he completed passes of nine and 21 yards to Travis Benjamin and a 12-yarder to Little. He also completed a six-yarder to Richardson on fourth and 5.

"I was excited to get out there," said McCoy. "It took a couple series getting used to the pocket. I hadn't had any reps, hadn't sat back there in a while -- so getting a feel for how those guys were playing, I maybe missed a couple throws early. A couple times I just threw the ball in the dirt to let those guys rest. We were throwing the ball down the field and those guys were tired."

McCoy found Benjamin again for 16 yards on the next drive, but failed to connect with Ben Watson several times. By then, the Broncos and their formidable pass rush were teeing off. They came in second in the NFL with 42 sacks and tacked on six more.

McCoy declined to speculate whether he'll play in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have been eliminated from a playoff berth.

"I haven't even gone there," said McCoy. "I don't know even what's wrong with everyone. I'll strap it up and be ready to play, but to be honest, I don't know the situation."

The Browns will also be hard-pressed in the secondary if Brown can't play. Brown, who was drilled by Brandon Stokley -- who was flagged for pass interference -- with 3:26 left in the third, came in warning the younger players that they'd have great coverage and that Manning would still beat them. That's exactly what happened to Brown on Manning's first two TDs -- he had tight coverage on Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, but the two caught TD passes of 22 and 10 yards.

"Sheldon had his hands on the ball on one of them," said Buster Skrine. "The receiver just held on."

Even Manning's teammates marvel at him.

"He don't look like he's 36 years old," said Miller. "He's still throwing the ball everywhere, still getting it done. He's still looking like one of the best football players ever to play the game."

After the game, Cribbs' frustration boiled over and he Tweeted an angry message to his "haters." He later deleted the Tweet. It was just one more negative sign of the times, along with Weeden wincing and Richardson hobbling.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot


Best 2012 Cleveland and Northeast Ohio sports photos by Plain Dealer photographers (gallery)

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Plain Dealer photographers choose their favorite images from 2012 The Year in Sports.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland's Year in Sports 2012 brought lots of change.

The Indians got a new manager in Terry Francona.

The Browns got a new running back in Trent Richardson, a new quarterback in Brandon Weeden, a new owner in Jimmy Haslam and a new CEO in Joe Banner.

Who knows? Before the calendar turns to 2013, the Browns also may be looking for a new coach and a new general manager.

The Cavaliers got a new shooting guard in Dion Waiters, and a new collection of players wearing masks to protect their faces from injuries.

But even with all the change, one thing remains constant in Cleveland sports: a suspicion that next year won't bring a championship, either.

As Bud Shaw wrote in his Shaw's Sports Spin on Thursday:

People here weren't created paranoid. They've just found perfectly good reason to expect the worst over the years.


With Joe Banner announcing Alec Scheiner as team president in charge of business matters, the immediate worry -- because that's what we do best -- is that Banner wants to direct all his attention to meddling in and lording over the football operation.


The concern is that we had it all wrong. Jimmy Haslam doesn't want to be Jerry Jones. Joe Banner wants to be Jerry Jones.


Is it justified? Not really. Is there evidence to support it? Not much.
. . . Let's wait until something goes wrong.


Around here, after all, it usually doesn't take long.

While we ponder what's ahead in 2013, let's take a few minutes to enjoy the best Cleveland and Northeast Ohio sports photos of 2012, as produced by The Plain Dealer's award-winning staff of photographers.


Tristan Thompson's play has improved recently: Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"I think it has been an advantage for Tristan Thompson to play with Andy, you can see some of Andy's style rubbing off on Thompson. Thompson has had 9 rebounds at least in the last 7 of 8 games and has always played good defense." - rome

thompson.jpg View full size One cleveland.com reader says Tristan Thompson's play has improved recently.  
In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers end 9-game losing streak to Milwaukee Bucks with a 94-82 win, cleveland.com reader rome says Tristan Thompson's play has improved recently. This reader writes,

"I think it has been an advantage for Tristan Thompson to play with Andy, you can see some of Andy's style rubbing off on Thompson. Thompson has had 9 rebounds at least in the last 7 of 8 games and has always played good defense. You can also see him helping out more defend other players, blocking shots or making it harder for other players to shoot in the paint. TT is improving and showing he was a good pick out of that draft."

To respond to rome's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day".

NFL Roundup: AFC, NFC playoff pictures starting to take shape

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All set in the AFC, except for the matchups. As for the NFC playoff race, there's still plenty of intrigue.

AX059_11A6_9.JPG View full size Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) makes a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.  
All set in the AFC, except for the matchups.

As for the NFC playoff race, there's still plenty of intrigue.

Indianapolis finished off its remarkable one-year turnaround by beating Kansas City 20-13 Sunday to grab an AFC wild card. The Colts went 2-14 in 2011, drafted Andrew Luck first overall and now are 10-5.

"We were a confident locker room from Day 1," Luck said. "I remember going in trying to gauge the feel of what it would be like, and guys were confident. There are guys on this team who have never missed a playoff, those guys know how to win, and I think they imparted that on the younger guys in the locker room, and I think it worked out."

Cincinnati made the playoffs for the second straight year, the first time the Bengals managed that since 1982. They beat archrival Pittsburgh 13-10 on Josh Brown's 43-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining.

The Bengals have been around since 1968. This is the first time they'll make the postseason in two straight non-strike years.

"I know they just think that there's some complex; there's no complex, you've just got to come play and win," coach Marvin Lewis said. "This group in there has very little history of anything."

Baltimore clinched the AFC North by routing the New York Giants 33-14. Houston owns the South even though it lost to Minnesota 23-6. Denver has the West and won its 10th in a row by romping over Cleveland 34-12. New England is the East champion and beat Jacksonville 23-16.

As for the NFC, Seattle's 42-13 victory over San Francisco muddled the West, but earned the Seahawks at least a wild card. The 49ers lead the division by a half-game and have clinched a postseason berth.

North winner Green Bay's 55-7 rout of Tennessee moved it up to the second seed behind South champion Atlanta. The Falcons have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs after defeating Detroit 31-18 on Saturday night.

The East lead belongs to Washington thanks to a 27-20 win at Philadelphia, while the Giants fell to the Ravens and Dallas was beaten 34-31 in overtime by New Orleans. The Redskins and Cowboys meet next Sunday, with the winner taking the division.

Washington also can get a wild card, as can New York, but the defending Super Bowl champion Giants need lots of help.

Chicago's 28-13 victory at Arizona kept it in the wild-card chase.

Also Sunday, it was St. Louis 28, Tampa Bay 13; Miami 24, Buffalo 10; San Diego 27, the New York Jets 17; and Carolina 17, Oakland 6.

___

COLTS 20, CHIEFS 13

At Kansas City, Mo., Luck threw for 205 yards to break the single-season rookie record, and his touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne late in the fourth quarter put Indianapolis in the playoffs.

Luck surpassed Cam Newton's year-old record of 4,051 yards passing by a rookie in the second quarter, and then came through in the closing minutes. He marched Indy to the Chiefs 7, then found Wayne in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal for the go-ahead score.

It was the seventh time Luck has rallied his team to victory in the fourth quarter.

Darius Butler returned an interception 32 yards for a TD in helping the Colts (10-5) join the 2008 Miami Dolphins as the only NFL teams to win at least 10 games after losing 14 or more the previous season. The Chiefs are 2-13.

BENGALS 13, STEELERS 10

At Pittsburgh, Brown missed a 56-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter, but earned a second chance when Reggie Nelson picked off Ben Roethlisberger and returned it to the Pittsburgh 46 with 14 seconds remaining. Andy Dalton hit A.J. Green for 21 yards on the next play, setting up Brown's winner.

Dalton completed 24 of 41 for 278 yards and two interceptions for the Bengals (9-6), who snapped a five-game losing streak to Pittsburgh (7-8).

SEAHAWKS 42, 49ERS 13

At Seattle, Russell Wilson threw four touchdown passes to move into second place for TD passes by a rookie. Marshawn Lynch scored twice in front of Seattle's rocking crowd.

Wilson threw TDs to Lynch, Anthony McCoy and two in the second half to Doug Baldwin to give him 25 for the season, one shy of Peyton Manning's record of 26. Lynch added 111 yards rushing and a 24-yard TD run on Seattle's opening drive that set the tone.

Richard Sherman returned a blocked field goal 90 yards for a touchdown and added an interception for the Seahawks (10-5).

Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers (10-4-1) struggled with the deafening noise echoing around CenturyLink Field, making for a miserable 49th birthday for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.

REDSKINS 27, EAGLES 20

At Philadelphia, the Redskins are on the brink of their first division title in 13 years.

Rookie Robert Griffin III threw two touchdown passes in his first game back from a knee injury and Kai Forbath set the NFL record for consecutive field goals to begin a career.

Nick Foles drove the Eagles to the Washington 5 before his intentional grounding penalty ended the game.

The Redskins (9-6) have won six in a row. They haven't reached the playoffs since 2007.

Trying to play spoiler, the Eagles (4-11) fell short in what could've been Andy Reid's last game coaching the team at home. Reid is unlikely to return to Philadelphia for his 15th season next year.

SAINTS 34, COWBOYS 31, OT

At Arlington, Texas, Garrett Hartley kicked a 20-yard field goal in overtime. Drew Brees threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns and led a drive to the winning kick. The Saints lucked out before the winning kick when a fumble by Marques Colston rolled forward about 20 yards to the Dallas 2. Jimmy Graham recovered.

The Cowboys (8-7) lost despite rallying for two touchdowns in the final 3:35 of regulation. Tony Romo, who threw for 416 yards and four scores, hit Miles Austin for the tying touchdown with 15 seconds left in regulation.

The playoff hopes for the Saints (7-8) ended with Minnesota's win against Houston.

RAVENS 33, GIANTS 14

At Baltimore, Joe Flacco threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns as Baltimore won the AFC North.

The Ravens (10-5) led 24-7 at halftime and cruised to the finish behind a short-handed defense that harassed quarterback Eli Manning and limited New York (8-7) to 186 yards.

Baltimore amassed a season-high 533 yards, 289 in the first half. The victory ended a three-game skid for the Ravens.

VIKINGS 23, TEXANS 6

At Houston, Adrian Peterson rushed for 86 yards, falling far short of the 2,000-yard mark.

Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass, Toby Gerhart added a score and Blair Walsh kicked three field goals for Minnesota (9-6).

The loss kept the Texans (12-3) from clinching home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They failed to score a TD for the first time in six years.

Peterson had his lowest rushing total since getting 79 yards on Oct. 14 in a loss at Washington. He has 1,898 this season and needs 208 yards to break the NFL single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson.

BRONCOS 34, BROWNS 12

At Denver, Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes for the 72nd time of his career. Manning finished with 339 yards on 30-for-43 passing.

Von Miller was in on two sacks for the Broncos (12-3), the second of which knocked Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden out of the game with a right shoulder injury.

If Denver defeats Kansas City at home next week and Houston loses at Indianapolis, the Broncos would be the AFC's top seed.

PACKERS 55, TITANS 7

At Green Bay, Wis., Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, Ryan Grant scored twice and Randall Cobb set a single-season franchise record for net yardage.

The victory ensured the Packers (11-4) will at least be the NFC's No. 3 seed, but currently are No. 2. It was the first time the Packers have scored more than 50 points since 2005.

Jake Locker was sacked seven times and picked off twice, and Tennessee (5-10) scored with 1:39 left to avoid the shutout.

BEARS 28, CARDINALS 13

At Glendale, Ariz., Chicago's defense scored two touchdowns.

Charles Tillman returned an interception 10 yards for a score, the third pick he's brought back for a touchdown this season and the eighth overall by Chicago, one shy of the NFL record. Zack Bowman returned a fumble 1 yard for another Bears score.

Brandon Marshall caught six passes for 68 yards and a TD, breaking the franchise record for yards receiving in a season.

Chicago (9-6) snapped a three-game slide and won for just the second time in seven tries. The Cardinals (5-10) lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

PATRIOTS 23, JAGUARS 16

At Jacksonville, Fla., Tom Brady overcame a rough start by throwing two touchdown passes. Brady threw two interceptions in the first quarter, the second helping the Jaguars (2-13) build a 10-0 lead.

But the Jaguars faded in the third quarter for the fourth consecutive week, lost for the 11th time in the last 12 games and set a franchise record for defeats in a season.

Brady hooked up with Wes Welker for a 2-yard score on the second play of the fourth quarter, putting the Patriots (11-4) ahead 23-13.

FALCONS 31, LIONS 18

At Detroit on Saturday night, Matt Ryan matched a career high with four touchdown passes, two to Roddy White.

The Falcons (13-2) pulled away with Ryan's fourth TD pass to Michael Palmer in the fourth quarter.

Detroit (4-11) dropped its seventh straight game.

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice's NFL single-season yards receiving mark of 1,848. He also became the first player with 100 yards receiving in eight straight games and the first with 10 receptions in four games in a row.

RAMS 28, BUCCANEERS 13

At Tampa, Sam Bradford tossed a pair of touchdown passes and rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins scored his fourth TD of the season.

Bradford connected with Lance Kendricks on an 80-yard scoring play and the Rams (7-7-1) intercepted Josh Freeman four times, turning three of the turnovers into TDs. Jenkins' pick and 41-yard return came in the second quarter.

Steven Jackson rushed for 81 yards and one TD, moving within 10 yards of reaching 1,000 for the eighth consecutive season for the Rams. Tampa Bay fell to 6-9 after its fifth straight loss.

DOLPHINS 24, BILLS 10

At Miami, Reggie Bush caught two touchdown passes and scored on a short run.

Six minutes after they won, the Dolphins (7-8) were eliminated from playoff contention when Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh.

The Bills (5-10) came into the game assured of missing the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year.

Bush's first TD catches of the season covered 17 and 12 yards.

CHARGERS 27, JETS 17

At East Rutherford, N.J., San Diego sacked Greg McElroy 11 times, ruining the quarterback's first NFL start, and Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes.

McElroy, the third-stringer starting for the benched Mark Sanchez, moved the offense for the Jets (6-9) early but faced pressure all game.

With a chance to get New York back into it with less than 5 minutes remaining, McElroy was sacked by Shaun Phillips and lost the ball. Phillips recovered and San Diego (6-9) sealed the win.

Rivers had touchdown tosses of 37 yards to Danario Alexander and 34 yards to Antonio Gates.

PANTHERS 17, RAIDERS 6

At Charlotte, N.C., Cam Newton threw for 171 yards and a touchdown and ran for 60 yards and another score as Carolina won for the fourth time in its last five games.

The Panthers (6-9) held the Raiders (4-11) to 189 total yards and 12 first downs in a game featuring several shoving matches, plenty of heated exchanges and six unnecessary roughness penalties — including one that sidelined Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer for the day.

The Predictors: Week 16 NFL Picks

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Only one more regular season week of play left and Glenn Moore holds a one-game lead over Tribe closer Chris Perez.

predictors logo
Only one more regular season week of play left and Glenn Moore holds a one-game lead over Tribe closer Chris Perez.

No change in the top half of the standings, but Adam "The Bull" has regained bragging rights over his broadcast partner, Dustin Fox over at 92.3 The Fan.

With Fox's below .500 week, WWE's The Miz is only a few games from climbing out of last place.

Previous results: Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 - Week 9 - Week 10 - Week 11 - Week 12 - Week 13 - Week 14 - Week 15

(Bold teams are winners, strike-thru teams are losers)

glennnumber1.jpg Glenn Moore
Glenn Moore, Sports Producer at cleveland.com

(8-8 this week, 135-104 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Raiders (+8.5), Bills (+4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Redskins (-5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Browns (+13.5), Bears (-5.5), Seahawks (+1), Chargers (+2.5)

pereznumber2.jpg Chris Perez  
Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians

(9-7 this week, 134-105 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Bills (+4.5), Bengals (+4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Redskins (-5.5), Rams (+3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Browns (+13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Chargers (+2.5)

jamalnumber3.jpg Jamal Anderson  
Jamal Anderson, Former All-Pro running back - Atlanta Falcons

(10-6 this week, 131-108 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Raiders (+8.5), Bills (+4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Redskins (-5.5), Rams (+3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Chargers (+2.5)

zumocknumber4.jpg Chad Zumock  
Chad Zumock, Comedian

(9-7 this week, 129-110 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Titans (+12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Steelers (-4), Jaguars (+14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Eagles (+5.5), Rams (+3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Jets (-2.5)

beadlenumber5.jpg Michelle Beadle  
Michelle Beadle, NBC Sports

(8-8 this week, 127-112 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Raiders (+8.5), Bills (+4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Redskins (-5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), Seahawks (+1), Jets (-2.5)

joeynumber6.jpg Joey Morona  
Joey Morona, Managing Producer at cleveland.com

(11-5 this week, 126-113 overall)

Lions (+3.5), Packers (-12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Cowboys (-3), Redskins (-5.5), Rams (+3), Ravens (+2.5), Vikings (+7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Cardinals (+5.5), Seahawks (+1), Chargers (+2.5)

dannumber7.jpg Dan Labbe  
Dan Labbe, Social Media Producer at cleveland.com

(10-6 this week, 123-116 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Raiders (+8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Bengals (+4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Eagles (+5.5), Rams (+3), Giants (-2.5), Vikings (+7.5), Browns (+13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Chargers (+2.5)

isemannumber8.jpg Matt Iseman  
Matt Iseman, Comedian/Host of American Ninja Warrior on NBC

(9-7 this week, 122-117 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Redskins (-5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Jets (-2.5)

bullnumber9.jpg Adam "The Bull"  
Adam "The Bull", WKRK/92.3 The Fan

(10-6 this week, 121-118 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Packers (-12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Bills (+4.5), Bengals (+4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Cowboys (-3), Redskins (-5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Vikings (+7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), Seahawks (+1), Jets (-2.5)

dennisnumber10.jpg Dennis Manoloff  
Dennis Manoloff, The Plain Dealer

(8-8 this week, 120-119 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Titans (+12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Cowboys (-3), Redskins (-5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Broncos (-13.5), Bears (-5.5), Seahawks (+1), Jets (-2.5)

foxnumber11.jpg Dustin Fox  
Dustin Fox, Former NFL cornerback, Ohio State Buckeye, WKRK/92.3 The Fan

(5-11 this week, 117-122 overall)

Lions (+3.5), Packers (-12.5), Raiders (+8.5), Bills (+4.5), Steelers (-4), Patriots (-14.5), Colts (-6.5), Saints (+3), Eagles (+5.5), Buccaneers (-3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Browns (+13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Chargers (+2.5)

miznumber12.jpg The Miz  
The Miz, WWE Superstar

(8-8 this week, 113-125 overall)

Falcons (-3.5), Titans (+12.5), Panthers (-8.5), Dolphins (-4.5), Steelers (-4), Jaguars (+14.5), Colts (-6.5), Cowboys (-3), Redskins (-5.5), Rams (+3), Giants (-2.5), Texans (-7.5), Browns (+13.5), Bears (-5.5), 49ers (-1), Jets (-2.5)

Cleveland Browns' injured 1st-rounders Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson not ruled out for finale at Steelers

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Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson left Denver with injuries, but haven't been ruled out for the season finale in Pittsburgh.

The Browns are evaluating quarterback Brandon Weeden's sprained right shoulder and running back Trent Richardson's sprained left ankle from Sunday's 34-12 debacle in Denver, but coach Pat Shurmur hasn't ruled either of them out for Sunday's season finale in Pittsburgh.

In case Weeden can't go, the Browns signed quarterback Thad Lewis off the practice squad to provide a little insurance. To make room, they placed receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (knee) on injured reserve.

"Brandon, at this point, it's a sprain, so we'll see where that goes," said Shurmur. "In the case of Trent, the X-rays didn't show a break, but we haven't finished up the evaluation. He was actually feeling better today. So we'll see how that goes. Either one of 'em, no, I wouldn't rule them out yet."

Richardson, who broke Jim Brown's rookie rushing record of 942 yards in Denver, needs just 50 more to reach the coveted 1,000-yard milestone in the finale, something he's admitted is important to him.

"I want to see if he can come back and play," said Shurmur. "I think it's important if guys are physically able to play, they play. That's the competitive nature of this game."

Shurmur said the fact that Richardson has screws in each of his ankles from two ligament surgeries in high school will be taken into account.

"We want to do what we can to win this football game," said Shurmur, "but we're obviously going to consider their health."

If Richardson rests, Montario Hardesty will get the nod against the Steelers' second-ranked run defense. Hardesty ran three times in Denver for 14 yards for a 4.7-yard average, and Richardson ran nine times for 53 yards (5.9 yard a carry) with a long gain of 14 before the running game became moot. Sunday's game is relatively meaningless, with the 7-8 Steelers knocked out of playoff contention on Sunday.

"I thought [Richardson] ran the ball well," said Shurmur. "He had a couple of runs where they could've been lost yardage plays and he made nice gains out of it. Of course, you'd love to have him involved running it throughout but when you . . . get down by three scores, the game changes."

Shurmur felt Weeden managed the offense well before he was knocked out of the game on a sack by linebacker Von Miller with 3:54 left in the third quarter and the Browns trailing 21-6. He completed 12 of 19 attempts for 104 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a 77.5 rating. Overall, he's 32nd out of 34 ranked QBs in the NFL with a 72.6 rating.

"I thought he was playing a pretty efficient game," said Shurmur. "He was getting rid of the football against a pretty good rush. . . . For the most part, I thought he was pretty good with his throws."

Shurmur acknowledged that Weeden needs to produce touchdowns instead of the two field goals but "he was playing much better than he did the week before [against the Redskins]. I'll give you that."

If Weeden can't play, Colt McCoy will get his first start of the season. In Denver, he completed nine of 17 attempts for 79 yards, with one TD, a 6-yarder to Greg Little to cap an 80-yard drive. He was also sacked four times and was off the mark repeatedly with Ben Watson.

"Colt battled," said Shurmur. "It's a difficult situation when you got into a game as a backup, especially at the end of the game where you're trying to play fast and you're in the two-minute drill."

Shurmur defended his decision to pass on every play on the Browns' final two-minute drive with the Browns trailing 34-12. That, and the decision to call three timeouts on the Broncos' previous drive angered several players, who were miffed that Richardson got hurt pass-blocking on the final drive and that McCoy got sacked twice and drilled once by Adams on a meaningless possession.

"So you just run the ball and get out of there, warm up the buses? Is that what?" asked Shurmur. "We're trying to do what we can to move the football. At that time it was a three-score game, so typically that means throw it. You don't want anybody to get hurt. . . . But I think it's important to try to do what we have to do to win the game."

He reserved comment on McCoy's remarks that he threw some balls in the dirt a few times to let the linemen rest.

"I guess I didn't listen to it that way," Shurmur said. "It's not bad to throw the ball away if it's deemed necessary. I'll have to get more information on those comments before I can comment."

McCoy was thrilled with the chance to play despite the tough situation he was thrust into.

"I was glad we got to throw the ball around," he said. "It was the first time I've really thrown with these guys since I don't know when, never in a game. I thought those guys did a great job. There were a couple times where we were off a little bit just because I couldn't get a feel for them exactly, but in a situation like that it's a really tough spot to be in. . . . You just try and handle it the best you can."

Question is, will he get to do it again in Pittsburgh?

Going through another regime change, grades for Weeden and McCoy: Browns Blog Roundup

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

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




AX151_676A_9.JPG


Time for another regime change?





 

Cleveland Browns


Kevin Nye over at Dawg Pound Daily talks about going through another regime change.
"The Browns are not terrible. They’re just not very good. It’s exhausting to see this week in and week out, but the fact that there was a three-game winning streak (which, if you recall, included a game where you could have stopped watching at the end of the third quarter because it was a near-blowout…in the Browns’ favor) tells you that this team has a puncher’s chance at competing.


With that in mind, regime changes are just aggravating. I jumped off the Pat Shurmur Support Cart (much smaller than a bandwagon) about six weeks ago and refuse to alter my position. However, the talent has improved on this team, and the young players are major contributors. General manager Tom Heckert needs to stay, I was lukewarm on president Mike Holmgren, and I just don’t want more change in the front office. But it’s coming. We all know it’s coming. It’s going to change, I’m going to get mad, I’m going to argue with people about it, we’re not going to come up with a conclusion, and we’re going to wait and see how it is in two years. This is a terrible cycle. Wake me up in two years."

Chris Pokorny at Dawgs By Nature has an instant reaction to the Browns' loss to the Broncos.
"Things just didn't go Cleveland's way in general. A duck by Manning after pressure fell on green turf. A tipped pass by a receiver deflected right to Brandon Stokley for a completion. The Broncos muffed two punts, but fell back on top of both of them. Joshua Cribbs muffed one punt and Denver instantly recovered. Next week's game still has personal meaning because it is Pittsburgh, but this has to be the final straw for head coach Pat Shurmur. Yes, the injuries on defense really hurt Cleveland's chances this week, but there has to be accountability for the Browns' issues on both sides of the ball when they face stiffer competition."



AX095_681D_9.JPG


Colt McCoy came in when Brandon Weeden suffered an injury yesterday.





 

Mike Hoag at Bleacher Report gives his performance grades for Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy.
"BRANDON WEEDEN: C-


Quarterback is and will continue to be a position of concern for the Cleveland Browns until they can find a reliable signal caller. Neither Brandon Weeden nor Colt McCoy showed that either should be at the helm of a successful NFL franchise with their performances in Week 16.


Weeden, though, played relatively well in the early going of this game. He started by completing several passes into tight windows and moved the ball effectively on the opening drive of the game. Some miscues and overthrown passes continued to plague the rookie QB.


Both times the Browns got within striking Weeden and the offense laid up and failed to put the ball into the end zone.


Colt McCoy: D+


Colt McCoy took over at QB at the end of the third quarter and continued behind center for the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter. His first pass attempt of the game didn’t go very well. The former starting QB badly overthrew his target over the middle.


McCoy was visibly rusty, throwing several balls into the grass before they reached his intended targets. He showed a lot of the same things he did as a starter. His saving grace, a 6-yard TD completion to Greg Little, came after a questionable pass interference call gave the Browns the ball inside the Broncos’ 10-yard line.


Despite putting up seven points, McCoy was way off on many of his throws and took four sacks in just one quarter of action."

Have a post that you think should be featured in our daily Blog Roundup? Email the link here. You can also follow Glenn on Twitter.

NFL playoffs 2012 scenarios heading into Week 17

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All six teams in the AFC have been decided; NFC has several teams still alive.

AFC

CLINCHED: Houston, AFC South; Denver, AFC West; New England, AFC East; Baltimore, AFC North; Indianapolis, No. 5 playoff spot; Cincinnati, No. 6 playoff spot.

HOUSTON (at Indianapolis)

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win or tie, or

• New England loss or tie, or

• Denver loss

Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:

• Win, or

• Tie AND Denver loss or tie, or

• New England loss or tie AND Denver loss

DENVER (vs. Kansas City)

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win or tie, or

• New England loss or tie

Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:

• Win AND Houston loss or tie, or

• Tie AND Houston loss

NEW ENGLAND (vs. Miami)

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win AND Denver or Houston loss

Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:

• Win AND Denver and Houston loss

NFC

CLINCHED: Atlanta, NFC South and home-field advantage; Green Bay, NFC North; San Francisco, playoff spot; Seattle, playoff spot

GREEN BAY (at Minnesota)

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win, or

• Tie AND San Francisco loss or tie, or

• San Francisco loss AND Seattle loss or tie

SAN FRANCISCO (vs. Arizona)

Clinches NFC West with:

• Win or tie, or

• Seattle loss or tie

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win AND Green Bay loss or tie, or

• Tie AND Green Bay loss

SEATTLE (vs. St. Louis)

Clinches NFC West with:

• Win AND San Francisco loss

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win AND San Francisco loss AND Green Bay loss

WASHINGTON (vs. Dallas)

Clinches NFC East with:

• Win or tie

Clinches playoff spot with:

• Chicago loss AND Minnesota loss

DALLAS (at Washington)

Clinches NFC East with:

• Win

NEW YORK GIANTS (vs. Philadelphia)

Clinches playoff spot with:

• Win AND Dallas loss or tie AND Chicago loss AND Minnesota loss

MINNESOTA (vs. Green Bay)

Clinches playoff spot with:

• Win, or

• Tie AND Chicago loss or tie, or

• Dallas loss or tie AND N.Y. Giants loss or tie AND Chicago loss

CHICAGO (at Detroit)

Clinches playoff spot with:

• Win AND Minnesota loss or tie, or

• Tie AND Minnesota loss




Cleveland Browns: Pat Shurmur press conference transcript for Monday

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Coach Pat Shurmur defends his decision to leave Trent Richardson in when the game was out of hand.

BEREA -

 

(Opening Statement)- "Going back on the game, of course, that was a disappointing loss. I'm not discouraged. It was disappointing. It was 14-3 at halftime. We knew we had to score touchdowns to keep up with them, because they've got a ball control offense and they score lots of points. It was 14-3 at half, we came out took the first drive the second half, went 14-6. However we got to that point, we were within one score. After that of course, it got stretched out on us. I'll go back to it; we've got to learn how to finish. We played an outstanding football team. I think that's pretty obvious watching them play. They played extremely well. They threw one interception, and then they exposed themselves to a couple turnovers on muffed punts. Other than that, they took care of the football pretty well. They ball controlled it and got points. When we did turn it over on the muffed punt ourselves, then they got points. We got beat by a good football team, had even more young guys out there playing, which I'm sure we can talk about. It was a good opportunity for a lot of young players to be out there battling, and you can see we've got a long way to go."

(On the status of Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden)- "We're evaluating. We got banged up a little bit, so we're still evaluating those injuries. In the case of Trent, it involved his ankle. The x-rays didn't show a break, but we haven't finished up the evaluation. He was actually feeling better today, so we'll see how that goes. Brandon, it was his right shoulder. At this point, it's a sprain, so we'll just see where that goes."

(On if he would rule them out for Sunday)- "Either one of them no. I wouldn't rule them out yet."

(On why they left Richardson in the game at the end before his injury occurred)- "That's good that you bring that up. Joe Thomas was in there, Alex Mack. We were down to, obviously Brandon was out of the game, Colt's (McCoy) in the game. Somebody's got to try to tell me who our good players are and who they aren't. We were in there trying to win a football game. That's why we did it. Trent was in and out of the game pretty consistently."

(On why would they play Richardson against Pittsburgh with the injuries he has sustained)- "I want to see if he can come back and play. I think it's important that if guys are physically able to play, they play. I think that's the competitive nature of this game."

(On why they passed more instead of running the ball at the end of the game)- "You just run the ball and get out of there, and warm up the busses? We were trying to do what we can to move the football. At that time, it was a three score game. Typically that means throw it. You don't want anybody to get hurt. Nobody wants to be hurt in a game like that, but I think it's important that we try to do what we have to do to win the game."

(On why would they risk Colt McCoy getting hurt by passing more with Weeden already out of the game)- "I get it. So, what are we going to do? Stop playing? You could run the ball, and then your running backs get hurt as well."

(On possibly allowing Denver's defense to disregard the run based on the amount of passing that occurred)- "I think what you do each week, is you see where you're at and you get ready to play the next one. I understand where you're going with all of this. I don't want any of our guys to get hurt. Anybody that's on the field is exposed to injury. That's the reality of this business, unfortunately. You don't want guys to get hurt."

(On McCoy saying that he threw a couple passes into the dirt on purpose to give the guys a break)- "I haven't seen Colt today. That's the first I've heard of it. I guess I didn't listen to it that way. It's not bad to throw the ball away if it's deemed necessary. I'll have to get more information on those comments before I can comment."

(On if Sheldon Brown came back with the team)- "Yeah. Sheldon's here."

(On if John Greco hurt his hand)- "His thumb, yeah. He'll be okay."

(On why he deferred after winning the coin toss)- "I like having the ability to get the ball in the second half. I trust our defense. I knew we were going to get good field position. I trust our defense. That's why. I just chose to do that."

(On if it matters to him who the quarterback is)- "I think it's important. I think they are a good football team. They are a good football team on offense and defense. I trust our units. In that situation, you never know how the end of the game is going to be. We deferred, they got the football. Unfortunately, they went down and scored. We got the ball, went down and scored as well, but we got three instead of seven. In the second half, we took the ball. They actually chose to take the wind in the third quarter, which in the fourth quarter then would have given us the wind. Unfortunately, the score stretched out and we lost. There are reasons why that can help you."

(On if that's as good as he's seen Richardson run the ball recently)- "I thought he ran the ball well. He had a couple of runs where they could have been lost yardage plays and he made nice gains out of it. I thought he ran the ball well. Of course, you'd love to have him involved running it throughout. When you get into a two-minute drill and you're down by three scores, the game changes."

(On the hit that resulted in Sheldon Brown's injury)- "Third down situations, sometimes obvious man situations, you try to rub routes, they are not picks, they are rubs. Sometimes there's contact like that. I don't think anybody was trying to hurt anybody."

(On if the hit looked more excessive)- "No, properly called a foul, but I don't think anybody was trying to hurt somebody."

(On how close he is to being where he wants the team to be)- "We played against a playoff team that was quarterbacked by a Hall of Fame quarterback. Middle of the third quarter it was 14-6. Then it kind of got away from us. Those are the things that I look at as we go. I saw a lot of guys playing hard. We were ready to play the game. Again, we played against a good football team that played well. We didn't do enough things to win it."

(On if Buster Skrine lacks confidence with the penalties called against him)- "No, he challenges. I think Buster's penalties are aggressive penalties. He challenges, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, there are times when you get called. Buster is a tough guy that loves to play the game and he challenges. He's learning a lot. Every time he's on the field, I think he learns a lot and he's getting better. I think that's what's important."

(On if he talked to Joshua Cribbs about his tweet)- "I did. Of course that's not acceptable. We had a little conversation about why I don't like that and how he shouldn't do that. I think he's remorseful. I added to that, that he shouldn't be reading tweets after the game as well. I think, outside looking in on a locker room, you folks report on it, but emotions are raw when you don't win a game. I think he understands that. It's very important that you try to gather yourself and gain composure. We're all competitive people. It's also important that we use good judgment. I think part of using good judgment is don't read that stuff, just don't, because that won't infuriate you more."

(On how he found out about Cribbs' tweet)- "I was informed. There are people around here that are, and that's something that I needed to know of course."

(On if Cribbs was fined for the tweet)- "Again, anything that happens I wouldn't comment on. There are league issues and there are team issues. That's a team issue."

(On if he senses that the momentum has dissipated after the Washington loss)- "That's what winning does. We all know the fun in this business is winning. That's the emotion that's created when you win. Unfortunately, we have meetings like this when you don't win. I think the big thing is we just keep moving, and put the pieces back together here and get a team ready to go play Pittsburgh. That's what we have left."

(On where his team is overall with one game remaining)- "I think we've made as a team, I'm talking about the way we function, the players that we've added, and the young players. I feel like we're much improved from a year ago. The Washington Redskins, we were 14-10 at halftime. Against the Denver Broncos here, we were down 14-3, took the first series of the second half, score, and went 14-6. Then it got away from us in both situations. Then okay, where do you start? You start talking about finishing and all those things. Maybe that's what comes with these guys having a little more experience, add a few more players. Everybody functions a little bit better together than you need to be. There are a lot of years around here where I don't know what it was, but I do think that we're building a team that's relevant. You have to be relevant before you can be a playoff team. Then once you're in the playoffs, then anything can happen. We've seen that. It's somewhat of a journey. That's just the way it is. We've had to make this journey, this year with change and looming change. That's what you push through. What I as a coach look at, is these individual players that are getting better, how they are working together, how guys are fighting through injury. When we do have injury, next man up, he gets an opportunity; we see what he can do as we move forward. Those types of things. I mentioned it last week; we're one of the 20 teams that are not in the playoffs. We are one of 20, where you want to be one of 12, because we've see where last seeds have won Super Bowls and all that. Unfortunately, we're one of the 20 and so as we push through this now, we've got to keep making decisions based on making this team better. Unfortunately that involves change too."

(On how Weeden was playing before he got injured)- "I thought he was playing a pretty efficient game. He got sacked once in the big red zone prior to Phil (Dawson). He was getting rid of the football against a pretty good rush. Of course, when he got hit, it was actually a hot throw. We've got to get rid of the football there. They forced us where they brought one extra. For the most part, I thought he was pretty good with his throws. There was one off the mark a little bit, the one hopper."

(On the throw to Josh Gordon)- "It was a slant route. I would say that, that probably wasn't his best decision. For the most part, aside from the fact that we kicked field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, he was playing much better than he did the week before. I'll give you that."

(On how McCoy played overall)- "I think Colt battled. That's not an ideal situation at the end of the game. You're in a two-minute drill, he scrambled. The two point play was a quarterback draw, we had a mobile quarterback in there. We actually had what we were looking for. We've just got to find a little better crease for it. I thought he battled. It's a difficult situation when you go into a game as a backup, especially at the end of the game where you're trying to play fast and you're in the two-minute drill."

(On being more aggressive in the red zone)- "I think what happens and I don't know if you're referring to any specific plays from yesterday, but we had plays with routes in the end zone, and they played a soft four deep look. They forced us to check the ball down. I think there are times when we've been very aggressive. Yesterday, of course, we got down there once and we had to kick a field goal. We got stopped in the big red area and the last drive we scored. That was good. We threw the ball in the end zone and scored. I think when you say that, my thought is, 'Okay, what situations?' You want to be aggressive. You want to have a touchdown to check down mentality, but if they take away the touchdown throws, you've got to throw it, catch it and run it in. That's the way it works."

(On if there's anything they can do as a team to be more aggressive)- "You've got to stay balanced. Each team you play has a little bit different philosophy of how they want to play you. Pittsburgh Steelers, they don't want you to run the ball into the end zone. This team here did not want you to throw it into the end zone, by the way they played for the most part. How you attack it changes a little bit."

(On what a win against the Steelers would do for their confidence in the offseason)- "We all know how important the rivalry is with the Steelers. Yeah, it would be a big deal. Last year, last game of the year, correct me if I'm wrong, but we were throwing a Hail Mary for the win on the last play of the game. We actually had guys in the position to make the play, unfortunately we didn't. That would have been fun for that day of course as we moved into the offseason, because unfortunately we were one of the 20 last year that wasn't in the playoffs."

(On the line sliding left on the play that Weeden was injured)- "They extra guy caught us from the right side. The balls got to get out. To that point, though, he hadn't really taken many hits."

(On the Broncos defense bringing pressure)- "It wasn't a slide, it was a base protection."

(On if he's seen steady progress before the last two games)- "I think, you've got to look at the season in its entirety. Unfortunately you win and lose games, and we've lost two. There was a period there that we won three in a row. We're working a lot of young players that in my opinion are going to provide a great foundation for this team. You've got to start somewhere. As I mentioned, we believe in basically getting those players from the draft and you supplement it of course with free agency. Those are the things you look for."

(On if there is something he can pin point in regards to the defense giving up a lot of points)- "I think they are very well-coordinated and they are a team that scores a lot of points. On defense early in the game, there were not a lot of sacks, not a lot of craziness. Then as the game gets stretched out, and it gets to be two and three scores, then they can be a little bit more heroic with what they do. It's more of a pass first type of situation. They keep the pressure on you because they do a good job of controlling the football and getting points. It's a well-coordinated operation; they've got two edge rushers that are very good. They've got a very well-coordinated, good team. That was the case last year, and they played winning football. Now I think with the addition of Peyton Manning and the way they play offense, its ball control in terms of how they operate. On the other side of the ball, and this was the case when Peyton was in Indy, you have to be perfect and not make mistakes. That's why I say it's coordinated."

(On how much did injuries play into the secondary struggling)- "Those are excuses. The next guy up has to play well. That's it. I wish there was more there for you, but that's what it is."

(On if he thinks he's further up on the pecking order of non-playoff teams than last year)- "I believe that we're a better football team, more ready to make the next jump than we were last year. I believe that just by the way I see the team functioning."

(On Richardson having ankle issues in high school being more concerning with the injury now)- "We're going to evaluate him as we go. Again, like I said, I haven't ruled him out, but we'll have to see where he's at as we move forward. We're going to do what we can to win this football game, but we obviously are going to consider their health. I don't want any of them to get hurt. As you're playing games, unfortunately, things happen. I go back to the Patriots, their tight end got hurt on a field goal. It's an unintended deal. You don't want your guys to get hurt. I think all our players are good. If they are up and in there playing, they play."

 

Cleveland Indians give their fans a Christmas gift: reasons for hope -- Terry Pluto

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Terry Pluto can't believe it's Christmas and he's talking Tribe, but the Nick Swisher signing, other moves have him doing just that.

NICK-SWISHER-REAX-STRIKEOUT.JPG The signing of free agent Nick Swisher, shown reacting to a called third strike during his stint with the New York Yankees, has helped the Cleveland Indians show they are trying to turn the francise around.  

I never dreamed the best news on the local sports front would be coming from the Tribe.

Since October, virtually everything coming from Progressive Field has been . . . well, a sign of progress.

Maybe it won't matter.

Maybe the Indians will be yet another baseball team that "wins the offseason press conferences," but loses on the field when the games count.

Maybe Trevor Bauer will spend more time in battles with his coaches and catchers than opposing hitters. And maybe Mark Reynolds and Drew Stubbs will set franchise strikeout records, and deliver little else.

Maybe it will be June and Terry Francona will be wishing he was back in the ESPN broadcast booth rather than in the Tribe's dugout.

Or maybe not.

With Christmas here, I'm thankful that we can actually talk Tribe on Christmas without launching into a long lament of complaints.

The signing of Nick Swisher ($56 million for four years) is a sign that ownership knows it has to do something.

This is a team that has lost at least 93 games in three of the last four years, the worst four-year stretch in the history of the franchise. Fans have been so turned off by the Tribe that another do-nothing winter would tear out the hearts and stomp the life out of the few who remain interested.

Cash from TV

The Dolan family will be coming into some extra cash whenever the sale of STO is finalized. They also will receive about $24 million in 2014 when the new national television contract kicks in.

The Dolans insist they lost money last season. Forbes Magazine will probably differ, as it usually does. Because the Indians are a private company and do not have to make any of their financials public, it's impossible to make an accurate guess about the bottom line.

But Tribe fans needed to see the team aggressively recruit and then sign a free agent the caliber of Swisher, a durable outfielder who puts 25 homers and 90 RBI next to his name every season. He also is an upbeat guy, an Ohio State product.

While the Yankees weren't thrilled with Swisher's postseason slumps (.162 in the last four postseasons), Tribe fans will embrace his usual regular-season production and worry about the playoffs if Swisher and Tribe actually play October baseball.

That's not likely to happen this season.

But the Tribe believes Swisher can be an effective player throughout the four years on his contract.

Yes, he's 32 and it's likely his skills in right field will diminish in the next few seasons. But he is a solid first baseman, and can move to that position if needed.

The fact is the Tribe has no prime prospects in the outfield or first base at the upper levels of the farm system. It was imperative that they spend for Swisher to fill one of the gaps.


Pitching needed

Unless general manager Chris Antonetti can find some more starting pitching, this team may not even finish at .500.

For all the impressive offseason moves starting with the hiring of veteran manager Terry Francona, the Tribe remains the team with the highest earned-run average in the American League.

It must be said that the 21-year-old Bauer may not be opening-day ready. The rest of the rotation begins with Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez, both coming off the worst seasons of their careers. The remainder of the rotation will come from several young guys with huge question marks next to their names: Carlos Carrasco, Zach McAllister, Corey Kluber, Jeanmar Gomez and Bauer.

An already strong bullpen added more depth when the Tribe picked up Matt Albers and Brian Shaw in the Shin-Soo Choo/Bauer deal.

From the moment the season ended, I have expected them to trade Chris Perez. Not because of his mouth, but because he will be paid more than $7 million in 2013 as he is arbitration-eligible. Also, they have Vinnie Pestano ready to close, and several candidates (Joe Smith, Cody Allen, Albers) to move into Pestano's eighth-inning set-up role.

I hear the Tribe has about another $7 million to spend. If they deal Perez, it could be as much as $15 million -- depending upon whom they receive in return.

The Indians have retooled their outfield with Swisher and Stubbs joining Michael Brantley. That group is superior offensively and defensively to what Tribe fans have watched the last few seasons.

They do have Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera (if he's not traded) coming back. Third base now belongs to Lonnie Chisenhall; Reynolds takes over at DH. The Tribe would like to find someone who can DH and perhaps play some outfield.

If they trade Cabrera for pitching, newly acquired Mike Aviles is the shortstop. He may be a slight upgrade in the field, but won't supply the same offense as Cabrera.


Moves had to be made

Some baseball people have questioned the signing of Swisher, saying why overpay for a 32-year-old when your team is not ready to contend. The Indians know that these experts don't fully comprehend the gloom hanging over the franchise. There is justified skepticism in the fan base about ownership being willing to spend to improve the franchise in the short term.

From the outside, it's easy to say, "Blow it up, trade everyone, go young."

Tribe fans have endured two of those scorch-the-diamond approaches -- in 2002 and again in 2009. The first one worked, the second one didn't.

The Choo deal (the Indians added $3.5 million to make it happen) along with the signings of Swisher and Reynolds ($6 million for one year) have at least made the Tribe relevant in this offseason.

The Indians can't lose 90-some games again. They can't have another season where every significant move seems driven by cutting payroll. They can't pretend the hiring of Francona is a magic pill that leads to legitimacy.

The Swisher signing indicates they know that.

Now, we'll see what else they do before spring training. At the very least, this offseason at least has their hard-core fans paying attention once again.

Terry Pluto: terrypluto.com

Facebook: facebook.com/terrypluto

Sports stories: cleveland.com/pluto/blog/

Faith stories: cleveland.com/pluto/faith

Have to give the Tribe's front office credit with Nick Swisher signing: Comment of the Day

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"I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to the Dolans for stepping up to pay for some talent. If the starting pitching bounces back, this team has a chance to win the division." - TurkeyJonesing

X00113_9.JPG View full size One cleveland.com reader gives the Indians' front office credit for signing Nick Swisher.  
In response to the story Cleveland Indians, Nick Swisher agree on 4-year $56 million deal, cleveland.com reader TurkeyJonesing says he gives the Indians' front office credit for signing Nick Swisher. This reader writes,

"I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to the Dolans for stepping up to pay for some talent. If the starting pitching bounces back, this team has a chance to win the division. All I ask is to be a legitimate contender in a pennant race. If the team can get in the playoffs, anything can happen. The Giants and Cardinals are perfect examples; pitching is the key. Go Tribe!"

To respond to TurkeyJonesing's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Aurora secures $4.7 million funding for Chagrin River restoration, will purchase Aurora Golf Club

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The city of Aurora will implement the project. The city will purchase the golf course from owner J. Hunter Banbury for $3.9 million, while the remaining funds will be used for habitat restoration.

AURORA.JPG In this photo taken in August, 2008, Kelly Krusoe, then a senior at Walsh Jesuit, hits a driver down the par 5 first hole at Aurora Golf Club.  

AURORA --

Ohio EPA director Scott Nally announced Monday that the city of Aurora will receive $4.7 million to purchase Aurora Golf Club to restore and protect more than a mile of the Aurora branch of the Chagrin River.

Nally said the funding will come through the Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program. It will allow the city to acquire 186 acres of the golf course, remove manmade structures like bridges, restore the river's natural flow and floodplain, and protect the property from future development.

"The environment gains to be realized from Aurora's restoration project are enormous," Nally said.

The project will restore and protect more than 33 acres of forested riverbank, 14,000 feet of stream and 13 acres of high-quality wetlands.

Mike Settles, a spokesman for the Ohio EPA, said the water resource program is part of Ohio's Water Pollution Fund, which is a revolving loan program that provides low-interest loans to cities for wastewater treatment improvements.

Settles did not dispute the fact that the Ohio EPA acted quickly after the agency accepted public comments through December 14.

"The comments provided no new information," Settles said. "We had already determined that there would not be a negative impact to the environment and in fact, water quality would improve significantly."

Settles said the city of Aurora will implement the project. The city will purchase the golf course from owner J. Hunter Banbury for $3.9 million, while the remaining funds will be used for habitat restoration.

Aurora law director Alan Shorr said Banbury, who purchased the golf course in 2009 for $2.5 million as the head of Aurora Recreation LLC, will keep 6.7 acres and the clubhouse.

Aurora resident Bill Avalon, who lives near the 87-year-old golf course was unhappy with the news. The original nine holes were built in 1925 and designed by Bertie Way, who also designed the famed Firestone Country Club South Course.

"It's sick and sad that a great piece of property is forever gone, and won't be utilized to help the city," Avalon said. "With the bridges gone, it won't be of use as a park. And the EPA has admitted in the past that water quality flowing through the golf course is fine.

"Our house values around the golf course will also go down as a result of a now overrun piece of property," he said.

Settles said Nally's decision can still be appealed with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission by calling (614) 466-8950.

Success of Cleveland welterweight Shawn Porter tops wish list for Cleveland boxing

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Boxing columnist Joe Maxse expresses holiday wishes for the success of Cleveland area box in the coming year, including safety for participants, continued success for welterweight Shawn Porter and for middleweight Kelly Pavlik's comeback.

It's been quite a year for the ring game, with all the ups and downs of a sport that expects the unexpected. Here's a short Christmas wish list:

• Safety for all the amateur and professionals who put themselves at risk in every bout.

Porter Gomez Boxing.jpg Welterweight Shawn Porter, right, forced Alfonzo Gomez to seek cover in San Jose, Calif., in July. Porter won the bout by unanimous decision. Here's looking for a big year ahead for the undefeated Clevelander.  

• A big, big 2013 for undefeated Cleveland welterweight Shawn Porter, on the verge of reaching the top.

• For former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik to come through in his comeback against super middleweight champion Andre Ward. Originally set for Jan. 26 in Los Angeles, it has been moved back because Ward suffered a shoulder injury. No date has been set, but Feb. 23 is in the mix.

• A nice start to his professional career for Olympian Terrell Gausha of Cleveland.

• For a Cleveland-area promoter to step forward and start putting on some pro shows.

• For continued success to Cleveland junior middleweight Willie Nelson, like Porter, on the cusp of reaching the peak.

• For the Cleveland Golden Gloves organization to have a successful 2013 tournament and produce a national champion.

• For longtime trainer Richie Giachetti to finally get a deserved spot in the boxing Hall of Fame.

• For increased financial backing to all the amateur coaches working to keep boxers in their gyms.

• To keep in our thoughts and prayers the boxers and personalities we lost in 2012, such as: legendary Clevelander Jimmy Bivins and Akron's Michael Dokes; trainers Emanuel Steward and Angelo Dundee, fighter Hector Camacho and all-around character Bert Sugar.

Around the ring: Once again, Tomasz Adamek (48-2, 29 KOs) got the benefit of a split decision against Steve Cunningham (25-5, 12 KOs) on Saturday in their nationally televised bout from Bethlehem, Pa. Two judges had it for Adamek, 116-112 and 115-113, with the other for Cunningham, 115-113.

Cunningham was IBF cruiserweight champion when he lost a split decision to Adamek four years ago. The NBC Sports Network is offering numerous replays of the match this week, including today at 5 p.m., so you can judge for yourself.

 Amateur news: Cleveland's West Side Boxing Club has the first show of 2013 when it goes at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland on Jan. 19.

The annual Cleveland Golden Gloves will stage all its sessions at the Brook Park Recreation Center on April 5, 6, 13 and the finals on April 20. This week in history: Sugar Ray Robinson won a unanimous decision against Tommy Bell in New York to claim the vacant welterweight title on Dec. 20, 1946. Robinson, whose real name was Walker Smith Jr., compiled a career record of 173-19-6, with 108 KOs, from 1940 to 1965. He died on April 12, 1989 at age 67.

 Looking back: HBO will replay seven of its "Boxing's Best" 2012 bouts this week, beginning tonight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Miguel Cotto at 11 p.m. The rest of the schedule is:

Wednesday -- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez, 11 p.m.; Thursday -- Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto, 11 p.m.; Friday -- Antonio DeMarco vs. Adrien Broner, 11 p.m., and Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson, 11:45 p.m.; Saturday -- Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado, 11 p.m., and Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, 11:40 p.m. The bouts will also be available on HBO on Demand. Taking a break: The ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" are off this week. The show returns Jan. 4 with super featherweights Rances Barthelemy and Arash Usmanee from Miami, Fla.

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