Maybe Chip Kelly would have worked in Cleveland, but he faced long odds without any NFL experience.

View full size While the idea of hiring Ken Whisenhunt doesn't excite many Cleveland Browns fans, he is a proven NFL coach who did take a team to the Super Bowl. Paul Connors, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Maybe Chip Kelly and the Browns would have worked.

Maybe the Oregon coach could have ripped up the roster and put together a new one quickly to fit his system.

Maybe Kelly is The Next Great Thing.

Zachary Thornton emailed me: "I'm consistently amazed at how (little) NFL coaches understand about statistics and probability. ... There are so many decisions made in the NFL because "that's the way it's always been done." There is a new era of football coming to the NFL, and Chip Kelly's brand is what it's going to be."

Maybe ... but I doubt it.

Obviously, new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner were enamored with Kelly, or they would not have spent so much time courting him.

But rather than feeling rejected because Kelly wasn't sold on the Browns and the talks fell apart for whatever reason, I'm relieved.

Yes, the Browns missed Kelly, their No. 1 target.

Yes, they were intrigued by Doug Marrone (the new Bills coach) and Bill O'Brien (stayed at Penn State), but those two are no longer on the market.

Yes, they may make one more run at Nick Saban, but he appears to be staying at Alabama.

But I'm not upset by any of this.

I don't want a coach who will re-invent the game, a coach such as Kelly with no pro experience.

Nor do I want a coach who has power over the college draft -- and that's why the Browns maybe should reverse their field and hire a general manager first.

As for a coach ... when I mentioned names such as Ken Whisenhunt, Bruce Arians and Lovie Smith -- many fans moan.

Whisenhunt (Arizona) and Smith (Chicago) were recently fired. Arians is 60 years old and has been a career assistant before being an interim coach with the Colts this season.

If they want to try something different, how about Brad Seely? The veteran special teams coach (now with San Francisco) has a knack of organization and success. John Harbaugh was a veteran special teams coach when hired by Baltimore in 2008.

Being fired should not be a disqualification for the next job.

So how about these names: Mike Shanahan and John Fox?

Both have hot quarterbacks and hot teams. Both were fired and considered retreads when hired by their respective teams.

I've been receiving emails about how Whisenhunt hasn't done much since Kurt Warner retired ... well, is that a surprise?

No quarterback and you go nowhere in the NFL.

Green Bay's Mike McCarthy and Houston's Gary Kubiak were both veteran assistants before receiving a chance to run their own teams. The Browns interviewed Kubiak at least once (1999) and passed.

Now, they are very successful coaches.

Browns fans know Bill Belichick was fired in Cleveland, went back to being a defensive coordinator with the Jets before hooking up with Tom Brady and becoming a legend in New England. Belichick's record in games not started by Brady is 53-53.

Pete Carroll was the head coach of the Jets and New England before going to USC, then leaving for Seattle.

The Harbaugh brothers (Jim and John) both had extensive pro backgrounds as players or assistant coaches before becoming head coaches.

I throw out all those names because I doubt any -- except perhaps Shanahan and Carroll -- created a real buzz when they were hired. All have their teams in the playoffs.

These days, you hear the phrase "winning the press conference."

Perhaps Kelly would have done that for the Browns, assuming he talked up his electric offense and seemed really excited about coaching the orange helmets. Mike Holmgren "won" his early press conferences, too.

But the bottom line is winning games, and I had serious doubts Kelly could have done that here.

In the nine games Varejao has missed with a bruised knee, Thompson is averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.

View full size The Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson is averaging a double double with Anderson Varejao out with a bruised knee. Tony Dejak, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For ages, Tristan Thompson has needled his good friend Anderson Varejao about how greedy the Brazilian center is. Varejao swipes all the rebounds, Thompson has moaned. Varejao's active play doesn't leave much room on the court for anyone else to maneuver, Thompson has complained in jest.

What if Thompson's gentle jokes were true, though?

In the nine games that Varejao has missed with a bruised right knee, Thompson has begun to blossom into a regular solid contributor for the Cavaliers at power forward. He's averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds over those nine games, and Saturday against Houston he logged his career-high in rebounds when he snagged 16.

All are better than his season averages of 9.6 points and 9.0 rebounds that includes games in which Varejao has played.

And overall, he's been more active, more steady for the Cavaliers.

"The way he's playing right now, if Andy were healthy we'd be that much better," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said.

Scott is hopeful that Varejao can practice Tuesday and return for the Cavaliers' home game against Atlanta on Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, that leaves just Monday's game at Chicago as Thompson's final opportunity to solidify his improved play in hopes that it will continue once Varejao returns to the lineup.

"I'm just playing," Thompson said. "Just being active. That's my role -- play hard, rebound, run the floor. That's what I'm here to do."

In fact, Scott counters that Thompson's improvement without Varejao is a direct result of playing with the energetic and talented center for most of the season.

"The way he's playing right now, a lot of that is due to Andy, going against him every day in practice, and playing with him every single day in practice," Scott said. "He gets to see how hard Andy goes, and I think that's why Tristan's playing so well. And the fact that a lot of the work he did this summer and a lot of the work he did this season is starting to pay off."

Sizable impact: Newly signed Shaun Livingston has already become a Scott favorite and has earned a spot in the rotation -- including key fourth-quarter minutes against Houston on Saturday -- in part for one important reason: He's 6-foot-7.

Livingston is taller than swingman C.J. Miles (6-6), and can play everything from point guard to small forward. Against the Rockets, he played alongside Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

"He can guard ones, twos, threes, and that's a good luxury to have," Scott said. "Especially a guy with his experience. That's something I haven't had and it's been fun watching that the last couple games."

Samuels waived: The Cavaliers waived forward Samardo Samuels on Sunday. The roster now stands at 14 players, and NBA teams are allowed to sign players to 10-day contracts beginning Monday.

Samuels played in 18 games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.9 minutes. Signed as a free agent for the 2010-11 season, Samuels has averaged 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes for the Cavaliers.

He recently was sent to the Cavaliers' Development League team, the Canton Charge, for two games. His non-guaranteed contract would have become guaranteed for the remainder of the season on Thursday, per NBA rules.

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore talked about the latest developments as the Browns continue their search for a head coach.

Who will Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner target as their new coach? (Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer)  

• Who are other candidates?

• Any chance Chip Kelly changes mind?

• Can Jimmy Haslam still make a splash?

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

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BEREA, Ohio -- The day did not start well for Cleveland Heights basketball coach Andy Suttell. Then, things kind of went downhill.

BEREA, Ohio -- The day did not start well for Cleveland Heights basketball coach Andy Suttell.

Then, things kind of went downhill.

Before Cleveland Heights would face rival Shaker Heights -- the top-ranked team in The Plain Dealer Top 25 -- in the Cleveland Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace, Suttell knew he would be without Kory Pearson. The talented 6-3 junior had suffered a concussion in practice prior to the Tigers' upset loss at Shaw on Friday.

On his way to Berea for Sunday's game, Suttell learned he had severe plumbing problems at home.

Then, with 3:10 left in the first quarter and his team trailing, senior guard Dairyon Davis suffered a gastly injury to his thumb. The injury was so severe -- it caused Suttell to look away at first glance -- Davis was immediately taken to a hospital by Athletic Director Kristin Hughes.

"It did not look good," Suttell said in a phone interview long after the game. "But the good news is that it wasn't broken. There might be some ligament damage."

To put the finishing touches on a pretty lousy day, the Tigers lost to Shaker Heights, 70-68, after leading, 67-61, with 57 seconds to play.

Getting a jump: The St. Ignatius team and coaching staff arrived at Ursprung in time to watch rival St. Edward and Cincinnati Summit Country Day open the event. The Wildcats were not there to support the Eagles against an out-of-town opponent. St. Edward and St. Ignatius renew their rivalry on Jan. 19 at Sullivan Gymnasium. Of course, the St. Edward staff hung around to watch St. Ignatius play St. Vincent-St. Mary in the second game.

No couch potatoes: Even though they were playing in the final game at 7:30 p.m., John F. Kennedy coach William Marrow brought his team for the entire day.

"The kids wanted to come and watch some good basketball," said Marrow, whose team played St. Peter Chanel in the final game. "It's better than having them sitting at home or hanging around outside in the cold."

Collegiately speaking: Scouts from Akron, Dayton, Fairmount State, Kent State, Marietta, Baldwin Wallace, Ashland, Defiance, Hiram, Otterbein and American University attended the event.

He'll be back: Tournament promoter Jeremy Treatman termed the event a success and said plans are under way to return to the area next year. Treatman, from Philadelphia, said the attendance was "in the vicinity of 1,300."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Despite going 7-9, Glenn Moore of cleveland.com still holds an one-game lead on Indians' closer Chris Perez.

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Marshawn Lynch ran for 131 yards, and Russell Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 187 yards and ran eight times for 67 yards for the Seahawks. Griffin left with the injury in the fourth quarter.

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch eludes Washington linebacker London Fletcher on his way to a 27-yard touchdown run during the Seahawks' 24-14 NFL wild card playoff win over the Redskins.
Associated Press




 

LANDOVER, Md. — Russell Wilson raced ahead to throw the final block on Marshawn Lynch's fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown run, doing just enough to get in the way of the Washington Redskins safety near the goal line.

Less than a minute later, Robert Griffin III's knee buckled as he tried to field a bad shotgun snap, the pain so bad that he didn't even try to recover the ball.

The last rookie quarterback standing in the NFL playoffs is Wilson — the third-round pick who teamed with Lynch on Sunday to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 24-14 victory over Griffin and the Redskins.

"Marshawn always tells me, 'Russ, I got your back, no matter what,'" Wilson said. "So I just try to help him out every once in a while."

And the latest debate over the wisdom of keeping an injured franchise player on the field — when he's obviously nowhere near his best — starts with coach Mike Shanahan, who let Griffin keep going until the QB could absolutely go no more.

"I think I did put myself at more risk," Griffin said. "But every time you get on the field, you're putting yourself on the line."

Lynch ran for 132 yards, and Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 187 yards and ran eight times for 67 yards as Seahawks overcame a 14-0 first-quarter hole — their biggest deficit of the season — and will visit the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Griffin was headed for an MRI exam to determine the extent of the damage on his re-injured right knee. He was already playing with a big black brace, having sprained the lateral collateral ligament about a month ago against the Baltimore Ravens. He hadn't looked his usual self in the two games he had played since, and he was obviously hobbled after falling awkwardly while throwing an incomplete pass in the first quarter Sunday.

In the fourth quarter, Griffin labored on a 9-yard run that made him look 32 years old instead of 22.

"He said, 'Hey, trust me. I want to be in there, and I deserve to be in there,'" Shanahan said. "I couldn't disagree with him."

Shanahan said he'll probably second-guess himself over his decision. He has the entire offseason to do so. And, whatever the injury, Griffin at least has time to recover.

Meanwhile, Wilson will carry on. The day began with three rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs, but No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck was eliminated when Indianapolis lost to Baltimore.

Seattle is riding a six-game winning streak, having left behind any doubts that the team can hold its own outside the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks were 3-5 on the road in the regular season and had lost eight straight road playoff games, the last win coming in 1983 against the Miami Dolphins.

"It was only two touchdowns, but it's still a big comeback and, in this setting and the crowd, it's a marvelous statement about the guys' resolve and what is going on," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "It's not about how you start but how you finish."

Seattle's defense shut down the Redskins after a rough start. Washington had 129 yards in the first quarter and 74 for the rest of the game. Griffin was 6 for 9 for 68 yards and two touchdowns after 15 minutes; he was 4 for 10 for 16 yards with one interception the rest of the way.

"It was hard to watch RG3 tonight," Carroll said. "It was hard on him. He was freaking gallant."

The numbers were reversed for the Seahawks, who rediscovered Lynch in the second quarter and put together three consecutive scoring drives to pull within a point, 14-13, at halftime.

Steven Hauschka, who injured his left calf during the first half and had to relinquish kickoff duties, nevertheless sandwiched field goals of 32 and 29 yards around a 4-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Michael Robinson. Wilson fumbled on the TD drive, but the ball was fortuitously scooped up by Lynch, who ran for a 19-yard gain.

The Seahawks controlled the second half, but then it was Lynch's turn to fumble — at Washington's 1-yard line. The Redskins recovered this one, and the Seahawks had another drive get to Washington's 28 before a sack forced a punt — rather than a long field goal attempt by an injured kicker.

But the Seahawks kept coming. Wilson led the way for two big change-of-direction runs by Lynch in the game, the second one a 27-yard scoring run with 7:08 remaining.

A 2-point conversion gave the Seahawks a 21-14 lead, and then came the moment that essentially put the outcome to rest.

On the second play of the Redskins' next possession, Griffin's knee bent the wrong way on a second-and-22 at the Washington 12. He lay on the ground as the Seahawks pounced on the ball.

Griffin walked off the field under his own power, but he was done for the night. By the end of the game, he was sitting alone on the white sideline bench, his brace discarded on a bench next to him.

With good field position, the Seahawks kicked a short field goal to give them the insurance they needed. Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins, subbing for Griffin, was unable to rally the Redskins in the final minutes.

"Despite the fact that we have a 'nobody' team," Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said, "a team not full of first-rounders and things like that, we have a lot of guys that play at a high level."

NOTES: DE Chris Clemons, Seattle's best pass rusher, hurt his left knee in the third quarter and did not return. He will undergo an MRI. "We're concerned about it," Carroll said. ... Redskins LG Kory Lichtensteiger re-injured his sprained left ankle in the first quarter. ... The playoff meeting between the two teams was the third, but first outside Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-10 in January 2006, and 35-14 in January 2008. Those were the last two postseason games played by the Redskins.

Chip Kelly's removal from the list of Browns' coaching candidates puts lots of names in the hat. Links to stories about the Browns' search for a new head coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Friday, it looked as if the Cleveland Browns coach search might be nearing a conclusion.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly was reportedly on the verge of being named the 14th full-time head coach in Browns' history.

But, speculation runs rampant in the NFL, and to quote baseball legend Yogi Berra, "It ain't over till it's over."

Now, as part of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com's Browns coverage, Mary Kay Cabot reports that, according to a source, the "Browns walked away from Oregon coach Chip Kelly because they weren't sure his heart was 100-percent into leaving Oregon."
 
Such news means that the updates, reports and rumors regarding the Browns' coach search will continue for an undetermined time.

Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository that the stop-and-go nature of the Browns' search for a head coach isn't that much of a surprise (referring to Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner):

Don't say Mr. Haslam didn't warn us all at the top: You're going to hear a million names.

Gruden, Cowher and Saban could be back on the table (if they were ever off on the table of Jimmy and Joe) and it wouldn't bother us.

Ken Whisenhunt, quite the Cowher type (without quite the Cowher record) bears watching.

It was interesting to wake up and find that Doug Marrone and the Bills shared an overnight epiphany.

At least J&J avoided a hefty second dinner bill with Mr. Kelly. Negotiations are tricky and back and forth. Mr. Banner is supposed to be a sly one.

Did Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians want to coach the Browns? He has not yet been given an interview, at least not reported to have been given one. (Stampede Blue)

Could Alabama coach Nick Saban get in the mix as a Browns' coaching candidate after the Crimson Tide plays Notre Dame in Monday night's national championship game? (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

The Browns, by being so quiet during their coach search, are opening themselves to rumors and inaccurate reports. (By Craig Lyndall, WaitingForNextYear)

Chip Kelly is out of the mix as a Browns coaching candidate. (By Jeff Schudel, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

The Browns are looking for someone other than Chip Kelly to be their next coach. (By Scott Petrak, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette)

Nike chairman and co-founder Phil Knight, a major Oregon booster, is making a big effort to keep Chip Kelly with the Ducks. (By Brian McIntyre, Yahoo! Sports)

Either Chip Kelly turned down the Browns, or turned them off, leaving them without an immediate replacement. (By Tony Grossi, espncleveland.com)

So far, a futile waiting game on who the Browns' next coach will be. (By Jon Stinchcomb, Dawgs By Nature)

The Browns won't be hiring Oregon coach Chip Kelly. (FoxSports.com/Associated Press)

For a second straight year, Chip Kelly might forego the NFL and go back to Oregon. (By Ken Goe, The Oregonian)

Haynes says offensive coordinator Brian Rock and defensive line coach Brian George will be members of his staff next season.

View full size New Kent State coach Paul Haynes hopes to have his coaching staff set by the end of next week. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

MOBILE, Ala. -- Incoming Kent State head coach Paul Haynes said before the GoDaddy.com Bowl at least two current KSU coaches -- offensive coordinator Brian Rock and defensive line coach Brian George -- will be retained on a staff he expects to finalize by the end of next week. The biggest plus is retaining Rock.

Haynes said he believed knowing there will be some stability would help ease the minds of the players.

The first order of business for the new staff will be recruiting, and on that front he said there could be some transfers on the way. Still, the first order of business is locking in the early commitments. He also said Ohio will be the initial target area for Kent recruits.

Mello Yello: Kent State unveiled their bowl helmets, complete with a different logo jointly designed by outgoing Kent coach Darrell Hazell and outgoing assistant athletic director Tom Kleinlein. Credit Hazell with the "K" on the back of the helmet and Kleinlein, now the AD at Georgia Southern, with the "eyes" on the front.

It was Hazell who promised his team they would switch to gold helmets when the team played in a bowl game. Since the end of the season they have practiced in all gold helmets, but the logos were not applied until the night before the game.

One more year: While Kent State slotback Dri Archer will make his decision soon about returning for 2013, or going to the NFL, at least one teammate believes Archer is leaning toward wearing blue and gold once again.

"Dri should come back," injured receiver Tyshon Goode said. "I didn't see any indications of him entering the draft. I'm pretty sure he wants to graduate. Me and him talked about that, he wanted to get his diploma. No rush."

While his teammates obviously hope he stays, junior defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix said they've pretty much left him alone while Archer weighs the decision.

"Dri is Dri; he's a great athlete. I'm sure if he decides to come back he'll dominate like he did, and he'll be successful if he makes the decision to leave," Nix said. "He's a man, and he's got to make the best decision for himself and his family. It's obviously a big decision."

Haynes said he will speak to Archer about his future after the bowl game.

BEREA, Ohio -- With less than one minute remaining and his team trailing by six points, Shaker Heights basketball coach Danny Young stood in front of his team's bench with his arms folded, his mind crossed and a look of bewilderment etched on his face. "I was thinking back to last year when they beat us by 30 and...

BEREA, Ohio -- With less than one minute remaining and his team trailing by six points, Shaker Heights basketball coach Danny Young stood in front of his team's bench with his arms folded, his mind crossed and a look of bewilderment etched on his face.

"I was thinking back to last year when they beat us by 30 and thinking they were going to get us again," Young said. "I would have another year of hearing, 'You can't beat Heights.' I thought the ship had sunk."

The final 57 seconds of Shaker's 70-68 victory on Sunday did not unfold the way Young envisioned or the way Cleveland Heights coach Andy Suttell had hoped.

Shaker and Cleveland Heights could play on a weekday morning in an empty gymnasium and the tension would still be as heavy as three feet of snow.

So, it's only reasonable that it would be that thick in front of about 1,300 fans in the marquee game of the Cleveland Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic in Baldwin Wallace University's Ursprung Gymnasium.

The Raiders (9-2) scored nine of the final 10 points in the last 57 seconds to send their rivals, ranked eighth by The Plain Dealer, to their second loss in three days. Their record fell to 5-3.

While junior Rosel Hurley earned team MVP honors for his 17-point performance -- eight in the fourth quarter -- it took more than one MVP performance to win this game.

Senior guard Mel Leach, arguably the best sixth man in the area, scored four of his 12 points in the crucial stretch, had the biggest steal of the game with about 10 seconds remaining and made two free throws that enabled Shaker to tie the game at 68. Sophomore Esa Ahmad finished with 19 points and six rebounds and also had a key steal and senior Kash Blackwell had eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

"I want to do what's best for the team," said Leach, who added that he accepts his role because he usually plays starters' minutes. "I'm a senior and this is my last year and I just want to get down to the state tournament and if that means coming off the bench and doing what's best for the team I don't have a problem."

Leach's steal led to a Hurley free throw -- accompanied by an intentional foul call --with 6.6 seconds left that gave the Raiders their first lead since the third quarter and one they didn't relinquish. Ahmad added another freebie with 5.7 seconds left and a Heights desperation shot in the waning seconds was on line but short of the basket.

Senior Antonio Harper earned MVP honors for Cleveland Heights with 15 rebounds and eight points while junior Marcus Bagley led the Tigers with 16 points.

Summit Country Day 61, No. 2 St. Edward 56: The Eagles (7-3) had a chance until turning the ball over with six seconds to play. Country Day, the reigning Division III state champion, was led by its guard tandem of Cincinnati recruit Kevin Johnson and junior Antonio Woods. Woods led everyone with 20 points and the 6-2 Johnson finished with 16 as the Silver Knights improved to 9-0. Cincinnati Country Day led, 57-56, when Johnson made two free throws with 13.1 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Eagles turned the ball over and Woods came up with the loose ball. Sophomore Kipper Nichols led the Eagles with 16 points and junior Marsalis Hamilton had 15. Country Day made 13 of 14 free throws to 19-of-26 for the Eagles.

No. 7 SVSM 76, No. 3 St. Ignatius 73: The overall record of 5-5 might not be impressive but the Irish now own victories over St. Edward and St. Ignatius, ranked second and third, respectively, by The Plain Dealer. The Irish, ranked seventh, made 26-of-35 free throws to 17-of-24 for the Wildcats, who lost for the second day in a row to fall to 6-2. SVSM also overcame a 32-point, 11-rebound performance by 6-6 Alec Papesch by having four players -- game MVP Nick Wells (16), Jaylen Hudson (15), freshman VJ King (13) and Fransohn Bickley (12) -- score in double figures. St. Ignatius had a seven-point lead in the third quarter but SVSM's full-court pressure, sparked by Bickley, King, Jordan Hargrove, Travonte Junius and Jarel Woolridge fueled an 18-5 run.

"That was a good win for us," said SVSM coach Dru Joyce, whose team has won three straight games. "We needed a win like that."

No. 11 Richmond Heights 61, No. 13 Brunswick 51: Led by its senior quartet of Rico Jones, Jameel Moore, Arthur Christian and Frank Barber, the Spartans won for the second times in as many days to improve to 6-2. Jones, who earned game MVP honors, finished with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Barber had 11 points and a team-leading six rebounds, Christian had 14 points and three rebounds and Moore finished with 10 points and two blocked shots. Junior guard Ryan Badowski scoerd 19 points for the Blue Devils (5-7) to earn team MVP honors.

St. Peter Chanel 58, John F. Kennedy 50: The Firebirds (6-4) led from start to finish as game MVP Ishmael Hargrove scored 11 points and senior Mario Greene and junior Aaron Ivory had 10 each. JFK (4-5) was led by senior guard Ramon Bell, who finished with 15 points.

Two of college football's most storied programs play for the title on Monday night. Links to stories about the players and the teams.

An artist on a Florida beach puts the finishing touches on the BCS National Championship logo. Associated Press  

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for college sports coverage, including Jamie Turner's look at the matchups in the Notre Dame vs. Alabama game. Also, check cleveland.com's sister website, AL.com, for Alabama vs. Notre Dame coverage.

Yahoo! Sports carries Tom Castro's Associated Press preview story on the game matching two of college football's most tradtion laden-teams. He sums it up:

These teams have each won eight AP national titles, more than any other program. They can only hope to match the drama of the last time they met for a championship, when the Parseghian-led Irish beat Bear Bryant and the Tide 24-23 in the 1973 Sugar Bowl to win the AP title.

The squads matched up again the next season in the Orange Bowl, with the Irish winning 13-11. Those were among six all-time meetings, five of which have been won by Notre Dame. The last one came in 1987, a 37-6 Irish victory.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has directed two national championship defenses with the Crimson Tide, and though the current defense may not be the best, it's one of his favorites. (By Chris Low, ESPN.com)

For Notre Dame to win, it needs redshirt freshman quarterback Everett Golson to play as well as he ever has. (By Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com)

Linebacker C.J. Mosley might be the most important player on Alabama's defense. Yet, he's not even listed as a starter on the depth chart. (By Stewart Mandel, Sports Illustrated SI.com)

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly gets a big reward for the dues he's paid. (By George Schroeder, USAToday.com)

Alabama coach Nick Saban, with a win, might be considered by some as college football's best coach ever. That would not quiet the talk about whether he'd return to the NFL. (By Michael Rosenberg, Sports Illustrated SI.com)

Notre Dame's offense relies on running backs Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III. (By Lenn Robbins, New York Post)

Jeremy Shelley, who kicked five field goals in Alabama's 21-0 national title game win over Louisiana State last season, doesn't mind the pressure. (By Dan Wolken, USAToday.com)

 Alabama has quite a pair of running backs with Eddie Lacy and T.J. Feldon. (By Jeremy Fowler, CBSSports.com)

There's quite a buildup to the Notre Dame vs. Alabama game. Will the game live up to it? (El Paso Times/Associated Press)

The Golden Flashes, playing in their first bowl game in 40 years, see a last-gasp drive end on downs at the Arkansas State 20 with just under a minute left.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Kent State came up just short of a spectacular finish and suffered a 17-13 loss to Arkansas State on Sunday night in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Facing a fourth-and-8 at the Arkansas State 25 with 1:00 left, quarterback Spencer Keith tried to run for a first down but was stopped three yards short to bring the Darrell Hazell era to end at Kent State. Hazell is leaving to coach at Purdue, and his replacement, Paul Haynes, was at the game.

"I saw an opening and thought I could break that last tackle," Keith said. "I saw a huge opening and started running. I saw the backer and thought I could get by him, but he got me by the shoestrings."

The third bowl game in KSU history, and first in 40 years, was played before 37,913 fans. The Red Wolves got just enough offense from its quick tempo offense to beat the Golden Flashes (11-3), who played much of the fourth quarter without speedster Dri Archer, who left the game with an apparent knee injury.

"It was a disappointing ending for us," Hazell said. "I thought Arkansas State did an excellent job keeping us off balance with their hurry-up. Obviously we didn't do enough in the red zone, and we had to settle for some field goals."

Kent held ASU to its lowest offensive output (285 yards) for the season, while generating 350 yards of its own, including 193 on the ground. But just could not get in the end zone enough.

Kent State held the Red Wolves (10-3) on their first possession, then immediately marched to the Arkansas State 1 behind runs of 14 yards from Trayion Durham and 32 yards from freshman Julian Durden. But the drive ended when Keith's third-down pass was tipped and intercepted in the end zone.

Kent's defense again forced a punt, with Kent's offense taking over at its 6. The Flashes now tried to feature Archer, but the Red Wolves were prepared for the Kent speedster and forced a KSU punt that ended a scoreless first quarter. The Red Wolves still could not solve Kent's defense, which forced a three-and-out, giving the Flashes the ball back at the KSU 34.

Kent State went back to Archer, who produced a 44-yard run to get into Arkansas State territory. Archer then took a reverse for 16 yards and a touchdown for a 7-0 lead with 12:10 to play in the second quarter. It came with a cost, however, as receiver Matt Hurdle was whistled for a personal foul after the play, then called for unsportsmanlike conduct for taking his helmet off on the field.

As a result, Kent had to kick from its 10. Arkansas State took the kick at its own 28 and returned it to Kent's 39. But Kent's defense was now seething. A Dana Brown sack on the first play was good for a 9-yard loss, then another stop in the backfield for a loss of 2 yards led to third-and-21. Another stop for no gain led to yet another ASU punt.

Kent's offense stalled, but after the punt Arkansas State went to its quick-step offense and put the Golden Flashes on their heels. The Red Wolves went 60 yards in nine plays on the giddy-up, often snapping the ball before KSU defenders were in position. And when it appeared Kent might have forced a fumble after a first-down reception, ASU snapped the ball before replay officials could signal a stop.

Kent was tied at 7 with 5:40 to go before halftime. After a short kickoff Kent started on its 35. Durham gained 9 on first down. But an offside penalty then two more runs left Kent facing a fourth-and-1. The Flashes opted to punt, but ASU's offense was now in quick rhythm.

Once again they went on the move, at one point getting an easy five yards when Kent couldn't get enough men off the field. Then with 1:13 to play ASU quarterback Ryan Alpin scrambled and found his favorite receiver, J.D. McKissic, for a 31-yard touchdown to give the Red Wolves their first lead, 14-7.

The Flashes responded with a short drive and a 42-yard Freddy Cortez field goal to cut ASU's lead to 14-10 at halftime. But the template for this game was now set.

A Kent State defense that was stellar the first 25 minutes became a gassed unit playing against Arkansas State's quick tempo offense. By halftime the Golden Flashes were not only gasping, but staring at a 14-10 deficit. A Kent defense that allowed ASU just 30 yards the first 25 minutes gave up 148 the last five minutes of the half.

If Kent was going to pull this game out, the defense could not wilt again.

Kent immediately went out of character to start the second half, trying to throw the ball with poor results. ASU returned Kent's punt to its own 45, but the Flashes appeared set to stop the Red Wolves on a third-and-8 but instead were called for pass interference, keeping the drive alive. Seven plays later, Arkansas State kicked a 25-yard field goal to take a 17-10 lead with 8:35 to play in the third quarter.

Kent answered with a long drive that featured the bull runs from Durham, and a 15-yard screen pass to Durham as well. But once in the red zone the drive-stalling gadget play to Archer was snuffed out, then Archer dropped a first-down pass forcing Kent to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Cortez to trail, 17-13, with 1:44 to go in the third quarter. Kent's defense held giving the offense the ball to start the fourth quarter.

But Kent struggled on offense, and it didn't help that Archer was out with a knee injury. The Flashes got the ball back at their 23 with 4:50 left and started moving down the field.

Durham would bull across midfield for a first down. Then Chris Humphrey would drop a pass in the end zone. But Keith would keep the drive alive with a clutch 15-yard pass on fourth down, giving KSU the ball at ASU's 27. But that was it for Kent, as a Durham run for 2 yards and two incompletions set up Keith's fourth-down scramble that came up short, effectively ending Kent's season.

Highlights include Notre Dame vs. Alabama in the BCS national championship football game, and the Cavaliers at Chicago.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV sports listings

AUTO RACING

2 a.m. (Tuesday) Dakar Rally, stage 3 (tape), NBCSN 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

8:30 p.m. BCS Championship, Notre Dame vs. Alabama, ESPN 

GOLF

4 p.m. Tournament of Champions, Golf Channel 

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

6:30 p.m. Notre Dame at Cincinnati, ESPN2

7 p.m. Indiana at Penn State, Big Ten Network

NBA

8 p.m. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS at Chicago, Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM/1100-AM radio 

NBA D-LEAGUE

10 p.m. Springfield at Reno, CBSSN 

With Chip Kelly out, the Cleveland Browns go to Plan B and C.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The big question today is where do Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner go from here?

Not only did the Browns lose out on Chip Kelly, who apparently will remain at Oregon,  but they also lost out on Syracuse coach Doug Marrone (now with the Buffalo Bills) and Bill O'Brien, who will remain at Penn State.

Tony Grossi writes on ESPNCleveland how the Browns may now switch their focus on a few more candidates, which may include Alabama coach Nick Saban:

Reportedly, the Browns intend to interview Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who was Butch Davis’ coordinator in 2001 through 2004; and Marc Trestman, the Bernie Kosar-era Browns assistant who reinvented himself in the Canadian Football League and coached the Montreal Alouettes to two Grey Cup championships and a 59-31 record in five seasons.

They could re-interview Arizona defensive coordinator Ray Horton and fired Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt.

They may also dip into the standard pool of NFL assistant coaches, which includes Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer of Cincinnati, Mike McCoy of Denver and Greg Roman of San Francisco.

The Chicago Bears will interview Seattle OC Darrell Bevell (Chicago Sun-Times).

Jay Gruden will interview with the Arizona Cardinals (Yahoo Sports).

The Philadelphia Eagles interviewed Denver OC Mike McCoy (CSNPhilly.com).

"He brings experience, excitement, and awesome offensive mind - Go meet with him after the game and let him know we will wait for him! He would do better than Chip in my opinion already understands NFL and what works these days." - dmudpt10

One cleveland.com says the Browns should show interest in Kyle Shanahan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)  

"Kyle Shanahan is seriously interested in HC positions until after the post season...He would be great!!! I am sure he would listen to the Browns with the early draft pick, cap space, and how well we stayed with them during the Redskins / Browns this season.

He brings experience, excitement, and awesome offensive mind - Go meet with him after the game and let him know we will wait for him! He would do better than Chip in my opinion already understands NFL and what works these days."

Browns walked away from Chip Kelly because they weren't sure his heart was 100 percent into leaving Oregon, a league source said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns walked away from Oregon coach Chip Kelly on Sunday afternoon because they weren't certain his heart was 100 percent into leaving the Ducks, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

Late Sunday the Browns' suspicions were confirmed when Kelly decided to stay at Oregon, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. In doing so, he left both the Browns and Eagles at the altar the same way he did last year at this time to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner committed to bringing a championship team to Cleveland, they weren't about to settle for anything less than a 100 percent commitment, the source said.

Realizing that Kelly, 49, was waffling on whether or not to jump to the NFL or stay with the Ducks for a fifth season, Haslam and Banner removed themselves from the running and flew home from Arizona -- where they had been camped out since Tuesday -- to restart their coaching search with his name scratched off the list.

Two names on the Browns' radar in their second wave of interviews are Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman, according to Jason Cole of Yahoo.com. Both are former Browns offensive assistants, with Arians serving as offensive coordinator under Butch Davis from 2001 to 2003 and Trestman tutoring Bernie Kosar in 1988-89. Arians was hospitalized with a possible virus during the AFC wild-card game Sunday and might need some time to recover before he can interview.

The Browns have also interviewed former Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, fired Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, who was hired by the Bills, and Penn State's Bill O'Brien, who opted to stay at the university and received a raise in the process.

The Browns interviewed Marrone, 48, for a second time on Saturday night while they were waiting on Kelly. They may have interviewed others, but they're not revealing or confirming them. There's been plenty of speculation that Haslam will make a pitch for Alabama coach Nick Saban, who will coach the Crimson Tide Monday night in the BCS national championship game against Notre Dame, but Saban has insisted he's not leaving Alabama.

The Browns' exit from the Kelly sweepstakes left him to decide between the Eagles and staying at Oregon.

Even if Kelly had decided on the Eagles, the Browns were at peace with their decision, the source said, because they want a coach with no second thoughts about the job.

The Eagles also sensed that Kelly might slip away, because they left Arizona Sunday afternoon and flew to Denver, where they interviewed Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. They're also set to interview Arians and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. They were hoping to talk to Marrone before the Bills grabbed him.

Kelly also received heavy pressure to stay at Oregon from alum Phil Knight, the Nike chairman and co-founder, according to NFL.com's Ian Rappaport. Besides, he made no promises heading in.

"It's more a fact-finding mission, finding out if it fits or doesn't fit," Kelly said after the Ducks beat No. 7 Kansas State, 35-17. "I don't really have any preconceived notions about it."

On Friday, the Browns met with Kelly for seven hours and came close to reaching a deal, according to NFL.com. But Kelly opted to proceed with his interviews with the Bills and Eagles instead. The two sides agreed to meet again for dinner Saturday night, with the Browns lawyers on hand to complete the deal. Reportedly, Kelly told the Browns they were the front-runners.

He talked to the Bills Friday night, but they were never considered major players. The Eagles met him for lunch on Saturday, which set up a showdown between Banner and his former employer and boyhood friend, Eagles owner Jeff Lurie. But the lunch stretched into the dinner hour, and it's still unclear if the Browns met with him again that night.

By Sunday afternoon, the Browns had had enough and boarded their jet for home, where they'll regroup for round two. They reportedly liked Whisenhunt, who went 45-51 in six seasons as the Cardinals head coach. The Browns' special teams coach in 1999 under Chris Palmer, Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl during the 2008 season, and was offensive coordinator of the Steelers (2004-06) when they won the Super Bowl in January 2006.

Arians, 60, who was fired by Davis here after the 2003 season, guided the Colts to a 9-3 record this season after coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia. He's also strongly endorsed by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Trestman, who worked with Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden before the draft and thinks highly of him, will also interview with the Bears on Monday, according to reports. He's made numerous NFL stops and has worked with the likes of Super Bowl quarterbacks Steve Young and Rich Gannon.

Fortunately for Haslam, he was prepared for the coaching search to have its ups and downs.

"Our goal is to get the best person and if we happen to find that person within a week, that's great," he said Monday. "And if it takes a month, that's great also."

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are Wahoo's on First, Dawg Pound Daily and Fear the Sword.

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

Will Banner and Haslam change the culture? (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)





 

"A few weeks ago I was legitimately upset that the Browns were about to fire general manager Tom Heckert. He did a tremendous job drafting players who made an impact for the team over his tenure and, in my opinion, did not deserve to get fired. Yet, as the news loomed and it became clear that Heckert was out, there was no longer any point in being concerned about it.

Things are going to be done within the organization that I have no input on. Forever. I will (most likely) never have any pull within the Cleveland Browns, so I can’t be mad when they do things differently than how I would do them. I’ve written before that I think fans should just trust the decision-makers because it’s their job to make those decisions while we sit around and judge them between beers. I stand by that statement.

Of course, since I didn’t want Heckert to go, I will unquestionably fight the urge to get mad when the new regime comes into place. I’ll be lukewarm on whomever the Browns hire, both at general manager and head coach. I’ll avoid my friends’ questions about what I think of the hire by shrugging off a five-word answer and sweep everything under the rug in the spirit of “wait and see.”"

"So who bats leadoff? Here are the contenders for the title and their qualifications, or lack thereof.

1. Michael Brantley: Let’s just put this out there. If we’re being honest with ourselves, there is a very stereotypical reason why Brantley is constantly mentioned as the lead-off hitter: he has some speed, he’s the center fielder, and he’s African-American. Basically, Brantley fits the stereotype of any leadoff hitter in any movie ever made. The problem is he hasn’t been very good in that role. When penciled in as the first hitter in the order, Brantley is batting .267 with an OBP of .314. Not exactly awful. However, when you break it down further Brantley is only batting .234/.280 leading off an inning regardless of where he hits in the lineup and .213/.251 when leading off the game. In all honesty, batting leadoff is not something he’s particularly good at. It also doesn’t make much sense considering how he flourished in the middle of the order last season."

Has C.J. Miles played up to standard? (Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer)





 

"Recently, Miles moved into the starting lineup and pushed rookie Dion Waiters to the bench. While it's disappointing to see Dion come off the bench, it really helps Miles. When the Cavs signed Miles, Byron Scott was really excited about him because of what he does well and how that fits in Cleveland's offense. He comes around screens and shoots off the catch particularly well. We've seen that in recent weeks as he is draining tons of jumpers and his form is virtually perfect when he doesn't have to dribble.

At this point, it's looking more and more like the Cavs will keep C.J. next year as well. Hopefully, he ends up being a strong leader of the second unit as Waiters becomes more comfortable in the NBA and is ready to be a starter. But for now, Miles is doing a nice job as a complementary scorer next to Kyrie Irving."

Trevor Bauer, a young right-handed pitcher known for his long toss warm-up routine before starts, was traded to the Cleveland Indians from the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the deal that sent Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds. The Indians introduced him to the media at a news conference at Progressive Field. Watch video

After being rebuffed by Chip Kelly, the Browns realize they are in a coaching free-for-all with four other teams and are now willing to look at candidates with a history on the defensive side of the ball.

View full size Is the presence of Joe Banner limiting the Cleveland Browns' search for a new coach? Perhaps, but let's see who ends up getting the job before condemning the Browns' CEO. Tony Dejak, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In Round Two of the coaching search, diligence is the Browns' best friend.

What makes the Browns an attractive destination isn't their cob-webbed tradition or the new management team or even a rabid fan base, since that could just as easily turn on a coach and try to chase him out of town.

It's simple math -- being one of 32 places a head coach can work (not including Canada) -- and even that number isn't what it seems.

Nineteen teams have changed coaches since the end of the 2010 season -- that stat compliments of the Dallas Morning News. If that instability isn't a deterrent to college coaches who have built kingdoms (Chip Kelly), it's reason for coaches with options to sit back and pick their spots.

We've even seen coaches with less clout than Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden take their names out of the candidate pool. That's not in direct response to the quality of the Browns' opportunity. But Joe Banner's promise to surround himself with the "best of the best" in building his organization was always fanciful in regard to the head coach.

We're talking about one of the least successful franchises in the league over the past two decades. And the roster, while young and talented, is first and foremost young.

In this re-booted search, the Browns are just another player in the free-for-all. No better.

And somewhat worse for the way the organization is structured, what with a CEO in between the prospective head coach and owner Jimmy Haslam III.

The coaching fraternity is a close one. Exactly which of the big-name coaches would have sided with Banner over Andy Reid in Philadelphia?

There are forces working to put Gruden and Philadelphia together. It looks like a long shot. None have bothered to try to put Gruden and the Browns together for a reason. It's Banner.

This is not to say the Browns won't end up making a good hire with Banner running the search.

From the outset, I always expected they'd hire a first-time NFL head coach. Someone Banner and Haslam can stamp as their own. Their answer to Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Reid back in the day in Philadelphia. That hasn't changed.

The organizational structure increases those odds.

Banner argued that hiring a GM type first would limit the coaching search. We need to see the coach they end up with before we can discount that for sure but Banner, too, looks like a limiting factor.

One way the Browns can widen the search is to look at both sides of the ball -- not just where they started with Kelly. We're seeing that they're willing to do so by bringing in Bengals' defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, for instance.

No NFL executive is as offensive-minded as John Elway in Denver. Still, his first coaching hire was the one you'd wish for the Browns then and now: John Fox.

Zimmer's fiery personality is intriguing. But he's had nine interviews and, not many of them second interviews. Why? If it's his gruff delivery, no big deal. If it's a buttoned-down offensive philosophy, see ya. He'd be picking the offensive coordinator after all.

Some good defensive coaches have presided over high-scoring teams over the years, including one who used to wear a Hefty bag at training camp. It shouldn't have to be an offensive coach, just the right coach.

The Browns have interviewed from the ranks of college, the unemployment line, assistants and even a Canadian Football League coach.

In fact, if you haven't been interviewed, check your cell phone battery.

The competition is still strong with only Kansas City (Reid) and Buffalo (Doug Marrone) landing coaches.

Did they underestimate the fierceness of the free-for-all? Or just their own attractiveness?

We can't say for sure yet.

We just know that a lot of factors make them just another team with a job opening.

And that when they finally make the hire they'll say he was their first choice all along.

Spinoffs

View full size Seven Cy Young Awards were not enough to get Roger Clemens into the Baseball Hall of Fame in this year's voting. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press  

•The clause that kept Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa out of the Baseball Hall of Fame this time around asks voters to take "integrity" into account.

Thanks for not making that retroactive, said the ghost of Ty Cobb.

And dozens of others players, including amphetamine users from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

•So no living player was elected to Cooperstown. Can't wait for the induction ceremony, emceed by John Edward and James van Praagh.

Nothing says baseball is a game for today's generation quite like a Hall of Fame ceremony with no living, breathing inductees.

•Lance Armstrong will appear on Oprah next week, where he likely won't be grilled about his doping as much as engaged in heartfelt conversation about a complex life as a world-class athlete and cancer survivor.

At least give me Barbara Walters asking, "If you were a PED, which PED would you be."

•Here's how bleak things are for the Cavs: The definition of a positive turn of events is that Anderson Varejao is out six to eight weeks but his quad injury is a "longitidunal split" instead of a tear.

The argument that Andy Varejao should have been traded because he'll be on the downside of his career by the time the Cavs are any good was obviously off the mark. He'll be using a walker by the time the Cavs are any good.

•Darnell Dockett of the Arizona Cardinals was so mesmerized with Katherine Webb, the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, he sent her a Tweet during Monday's national championship game: "hit me when this game is over lets go to wing stop then king of diamonds."

Somehow she found the resolve to turn down a complete stranger offering to take her to a gentleman's club.

#Missedopportunity.

My guess: Darnell Dockett got confused and meant to direct Tweet Brent Musberger.

•Don't know why Brent Musberger made such a big deal about Katherine Webb's beauty and how boys in Alabama should grow up perfecting the forward pass in hopes of attracting a future Miss USA contestant.

Like a lot of women her age, she's only hanging with the quarterback until she meets a 73-year-old sportscaster.

•NFL mock drafts are out for 2013, which fills a void no one noticed.

•Andrew Bynum update: still not playing and a free agent at the end of the season.

How will the Cavs ever recover from not acquiring him?

•Andy Reid says with the first pick in the draft the Kansas City Chiefs do not necessarily need to pick a quarterback, that it simply "has to be the right thing."

Looking at the suit he wore to his news conference, may we suggest they draft Carson Kressley from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

•Arian Foster is using a Boston Globe column ripping the Texans as underachieving patsies as his Twitter Avatar in advance of Houston's playoff game against the New England Patriots.

Because playing for a trip to the AFC title game can't possibly be motivation enough.

•Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte will appear in a reality show called "What would Ryan Lochte do?"

Let me go out on a limb here. Play dumb?

He said it

"We've been blessed with the No. 1 pick in the draft" -- new Chiefs' coach Andy Reid.

In watching the Chiefs' 2012 season, KC fans obviously didn't know a blessing when they saw it.

You said it

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

Hey Bud: The Browns courting Chip Kelly reminds me of my last date: used, abused and paying for dinner -- Russ

Understood. My dating career included similar endings to the Kelly flirtation, with more than one woman listening to my pitch and then deciding to return to the convent.

Hey Bud: Do you receive thousands of emails from which you choose five or six for each column or do you receive just five or six emails that you put in each column? -- Tim, Twinsburg

You know this town. For each column, I use the five or six emails out of a thousand that don't mention The Drive, The Fumble or Red Right 88.

Bud: What's your early take on the Browns' 2015 head coach search? -- Paul Wehner, Snellville, Ga.

I believe the Browns will have learned a lesson from this current search and, instead of a nine-hour dinner, will limit Chip Kelly to a six-hour lunch.

Bud: Have you ever been showered with Gatorade? -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Hts.

No. But keep in mind that being a sportswriter I've only occasionally been showered with anything.

Hey Bud: Isn't it amazing the Patriots won three Super Bowls before Chip Kelly started coming to their practices? -- Matt D, Brunswick

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

Bud: When asked about a possible bust in Canton, Ray Lewis said he couldn't comment on a pending case -- Jim Corrigan

Repeat winners fit the one-T-shirt law and the law wins.

The Cavaliers look to get back on the winning track as they face the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena tonight.

The Cavaliers look to get back on the winning track as they face the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena tonight. Get Twitter updates from Mary Schmitt Boyer (@PDCavsInsider) and Jodie Valade (@JodieValade) in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Minnesota Timberwolves' Andrei Kirilenko, left, of Russia, guards against Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith (5) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 108-103. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)  

(AP) -- The Atlanta Hawks suddenly find themselves mired in their longest losing streak of the season.

Bud Grant and Marv Levy believe Trestman has what it takes to be an NFL head coach

BEREA, Ohio – Browns coaching candidate Marc Trestman will make a seamless transition from the Canadian Football League provided he remembers a few simple rule changes and field adjustments, said two NFL legends who successfully negotiated similar jumps.

Punting on third down is frowned upon by the American fan base. Employing 12 men on offense or defense will draw a flag every time. NFL end zones aren’t the size of mall parking lots like they are in Canada.

“You do have to adapt a bit, but it’s the same game,” former CFL and NFL coach Marv Levy said. “The same things that win in the U.S. win up there. If you run, throw, block, tackle, catch, kick better than your opponent, you’re probably going to win. It’s still about fundamentals and teaching.

“I have been very impressed with Marc. I know he’s being considered for several jobs and I think he’d make a darn good NFL coach.”
 
Levy and Bud Grant -- a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers who excelled on both sides of the Ambassador Bridge – believe Trestman would have no trouble making the conversion back to the American game. He’s spent the past five seasons coaching the Montreal Alouettes, winning Grey Cup titles in 2009-10.

Grant and Levy offered the 56-year-old former Browns offensive coordinator and long-time NFL assistant strong endorsements Wednesday. Trestman has been interviewed by the Browns and Chicago Bears in recent days.

“He’s made all the stops and coached in almost every capacity,” said Grant, who guided the Minnesota Vikings to four NFC titles in the 1960s and 70s. “We try to make football more complicated than it really is. Coaching is coaching whether it’s here or in Canada. The same principles apply.”

Levy and Grant are each familiar with Trestman, the Browns offensive coordinator in 1989 when they reached the AFC Championship Game. Trestman is a Minneapolis, Minn., native who tried out for Grant’s Vikings as a defensive back in the late 1970s before earning his law degree from the University of Miami and serving as Bernie Kosar’s quarterbacks coach with the Hurricanes.

Grant hired Trestman and Pete Carroll, now coach of the Seattle Seahawks, in 1985. Trestman toiled for eight NFL franchises then became head coach of the Alouettes in 2008. One of Trestman’s early acts was to invite another Grey-Cup-winning Alouettes' coach to training camp. It was the 87-year-old Levy.   

“Marc’s a good teacher,” said Levy, who guided the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s. It’s about more than just knowing the game, it’s being able to convey it to players in a manner where they buy in and understand it . . . Good teacher, works well with everyone in the organization and he’s a straight shooter. Those are qualities that are so important as a head coach.”

Both coaches said Trestman is innovative without, in the words of Levy, “being off the wall.” Trestman has twice served as offensive coordinator on teams (San Francisco and Oakland) that finished first in passing.

Despite 17 seasons as an NFL assistant, Grant believes Trestman’s five years of head-coaching experience are important to the men doing the interviewing this week.

While Levy and Grant are the most successful examples, other coaches such as Rod Rust and Hugh Campbell have toggled between the NFL and CFL. One of the NFL’s former top executives, Bill Polian, scouted for Levy in Montreal.

Levy, who won two CFL championships, said the Canadian league offers the best football outside the NFL. The Grey Cup winner, he added, would “dominate” the best college teams.

“The difference between the college and the pro game is unbelievable, even up there,” Levy said.  

Grant, 85, a four-time Grey Cup winner with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, remains close with Trestman who returns to his native Minnesota in the offseason.

“He’s got the experience, dedication and smarts for the job,” Grant said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to hire him.”