Links to stories on new coach Chudzinski and more -- including the possibility of the return of quarterback Derek Anderson, who made the Pro Bowl with the 2007 Browns, whose offensive coordinator was Chudzinski.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns hired Rob Chudzinski as the 14th full-time coach in team history on Thursday, and re-introduced him to Browns fans on Friday.

Chudzinski, who had been the Carolina Panthers' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, is a familiar name. The 44-year-old Toledo native was the Browns' offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008, and their tight ends coach in 2004.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes numerous stories, columns, photos and videos on Chudzinki.

A coach's success or lack of depends in large part, of course, on what the players do.

The Browns went 5-11 last season. They are 23-57 over the last five campaigns, including a 4-12 record in Chudzinski's second and final season (2008) as the Browns' offensive coordinator. Cleveland was 10-6 in his first year, 2007. The Browns' offense ranked eighth among the NFL's 32 teams in 2007 and 31st the next year.

Given the Browns' recent struggles, it's somewhat understandable if Chudzinski doesn't want to say much about the team's personnel just yet. And, Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository that Chudzinski is doing just that -- not really commenting on the team's players:

Here’s basically the entirety of what Chudzinski said about his 2013 roster in a 40-minute briefing:

“The players that are here ... it is a young group.”

Perhaps the third-most-important decision for the Haslam regime — behind picking Chudzinski and next the personnel chief — will be judging whether Brandon Weeden is the man, or was a wasted first-round pick.

Here’s everything Chudzinski said about the 29-year-old quarterback:

“I’ve seen a little bit. Until I see the 16-game schedule with our staff, I’m not going to comment.”

The Browns are projected to have nearly $50 million in salary cap space, giving them the ability to replace Weeden by trading for a quarterback.

The Browns might bring back quarterback Derek Anderson. He made the Pro Bowl with them in 2007, when Rob Chudzinski was the team's offensive coordinator. (By Mike Cairns, newsnet5.com)

The Browns, with an advantageous salary cap situation, new leadership and a recent history of losing, could be quite active in free agency. (By Jeff Schudel, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Rob Chudzinski would like to hire San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano to run the Browns' defense, but so far, the Chargers are standing in the way. (By Jeff Schudel, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

It looks like George Warhop will be on Rob Chudzinski's staff, staying on as the Browns' offensive line coach. (By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)

An indication that Chris Tabor may return as the Browns' special teams coach. (By Chris Pokorny, Dawgs By Nature)

Reasons why Browns fans should be optimistic about Rob Chudzinski being the new coach. (By Nick Dimengo, Bleacher Report)

It's not his Ohio roots and Browns background that landed the Cleveland coaching job for Rob Chudzinski. It's his reputation and record. (By Scott Petrak, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette)

Only time will tell if the Browns' hiring of Rob Chudzinski will work out. (By Thomas Moore, The Cleveland Fan)

No, Rob Chudzinski isn't as well known as were some other Browns coaching candidates, but Browns fans need to wait and see before drawing conclusions. With video. (Yahoo! Sports)

George Warhop is staying with the Browns as their offensive line coach. (By Chris Pokorny, Dawgs By Nature)

Having a good quarterback is a necessity to reach the NFL playoffs. Looking at it from a Browns perspective. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Rob Chudzinski returns to near home, where his football story began. (By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)

Might the Browns bring back quarterback Derek Anderson, who made the Pro Bowl with them in 2007, when Rob Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator? (By Steve DiMatteo, Dawg Pound Daily)

The Browns' players on offense will benefit from the hiring of Rob Chudzinski. (By Will Burge, ESPNCleveland.com)

Observations on the possibility of the Browns switching to a 3-4 defense. (By Jimmy Weinland, Dawg Pound Daily)

Ohio State's upset of second-ranked Michigan came down to the game within a game of the teams' point guards, the Buckeyes' Aaron craft and the Wolverines' Trey Burke.

View full size Michigan's Trey Burke steals the ball away from Ohio State's Aaron Craft during the Wolverines' second-half comeback Sunday afternoon in Columbus. The duel between the two star point guards was at the center of the Buckeyes' 56-53 victory, says Bill Livingston. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer  

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Because Aaron Craft was shadowing Trey Burke, and because the Michigan point guard gets to the basket at some interval between a blink and a tic, the Ohio State big men would run out in the early going to present their own obstacles.

"Stop helping!" barked Craft, Ohio State's point guard.

Thad Matta knew that was an expression of Craft's feel for the game. "We gave them two three-pointers," said the OSU coach, as the Wolverines found the man left open.

It was also Craft being Craft. "You love a kid like that," said Matta.

"He's the best defensive player I've ever seen," said Michigan coach John Beilein, whose team's first loss kept the Wolverines from ascending to the No. 1 spot in the polls.

The Buckeyes beat Michigan, 56-53, in an intense defensive game, which really devolved into the game within a game of Craft vs. Burke. The upperclassman, the 6-2 junior Craft, went against the underclassman, the 6-0 sophomore Burke. The floor captain, Craft, whom Matta anointed when Craft and Jared Sullinger entered Ohio State together in 2010, had to try to stop the arch rival's floor captain, Burke, whom Matta spurned although Burke went to the same Columbus high school as Sullinger.

Sullinger is now playing with the Boston Celtics after leading Ohio State to last year's Final Four. Craft and Burke, who fed the ball to Sullinger in college and at Northland High School, respectively, now subsist on the fuel of their rivalry. Neither player subordinates his team's goals to his own, although Burke seemed to be trying to prove so much to the hometown university last year that he sometimes forgot the ultimate determinant of superiority is on the scoreboard.

Asked if Burke made it personal Sunday, Craft said, "I think a little bit. It's always in the back of your mind. If you tend to make it personal in games like this, you tend not to play your best. He's still learning. He's a sophomore. The sky is the limit for him at this point."

"I love playing against Craft. He makes me better," said Burke.

Craft widely outplayed Burke in the opening half, as OSU took a lead that stretched at one time to 21 points. The noise in sold-out Value City Arena, the ferocity of the Buckeyes' effort, the hunger they brought to the game after three straight losses to ranked teams -- it all rattled Michigan's younger team.

Burke crowded Craft so much that the OSU point guard repeatedly burst past him to the basket in those moments. "This was their first road game in the Big Ten?" said Craft (it wasn't, as Michigan had won at Northwestern). "They had never experienced it. It's easy to be amped up and try to do things they couldn't."

Michigan clawed back by stumping Ohio State with a zone and slowing down the Buckeyes' transition offense. The score was even only once, though, at 46.

Urged on by the din the crowd made, Ohio State inched back ahead, 52-46. Then Burke, with his flair for the dramatic, stole the ball outright from Craft, picking his pocket near midcourt and hurrying to the basket ... only to be fouled as the hustling Craft raced from behind and slashed Burke before he could bring the ball up and lay it in with 1:42 remaining.

"Good thing we don't have continuation, because he made the layup," said Craft.

Michigan wasn't in the 1-and-1 free-throw situation yet, so the six-point lead stood.

The first and last shots Burke took were three-pointers that went in, the former for Michigan's only lead in the first half-minute, the last with one second left to create the final score. In between were three that he missed. The last miss, in the last 16 seconds, was for the game.

With Ohio State leading, 52-50, in the last 30 seconds after a timeout, Tim Hardaway Jr. moved toward the arc to set a screen from Burke. Craft felt him with a defender's sixth sense, then brushed him aside, like an unwanted intruder. Burke never motioned for another screen. Craft never beckoned for help.

"They only needed a two, so that presented another challenge," said Craft.

Burke, a dazzling penetrator, shoots 60 percent inside the arc, 39 percent outside it. The idea was not to run him off the arc, but to make him take a tightly contested three-pointer. With three seconds left on the shot clock, Burke stepped back from Craft's challenge and shot a three from the right wing.

Out of his hand, it looked so pure you wondered what it would do to the collective psyche of an Ohio State team that had played so hard, only to lose. But it burrowed down, then popped out. OSU's Lenzelle Smith Jr. claimed the rebound. The Buckeyes made their free throws, and Michigan never got as close again.

"It was a good shot with the clock running down," said Beilein.

"A big-time move," said Matta.

"I thought he made it," said Craft.

"Halfway down," said Beilein.

All the way out, though. All the way memorable, too.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Tom Brady became the winningest quarterback in postseason play, throwing for three touchdowns Sunday to beat Houston 41-28 and lift the New England Patriots into the AFC championship game.

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) pulls in a 47-yard pass from Tom Brady as Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson chases him during the first half of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)  

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady is so good at this playoff thing he seems to be going for a championship every year.

He gets another chance to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl after earning his record 17th postseason victory in New England's 41-28 victory over Houston Sunday. Brady even outdid his childhood hero, Joe Montana, and a fourth NFL championship would equal Montana's haul.

"I love playing, I love competing, I love being a part of this organization," said Brady, who threw for three touchdowns and 344 yards. "I think I've just been fortunate to play on some great teams over the years. I never take it for granted."

Next up is Baltimore, which stunned top-seeded Denver in double overtime Saturday, and lost 23-20 at Gillette Stadium last January in the last step before the Super Bowl. But the Ravens beat the Patriots in Week 3 this season at Baltimore.

"I think the two best teams are in the final," Brady said. "Baltimore certainly deserves to be here and so do we."

Seldom-used Shane Vereen scored three times, twice on pinpoint throws from Brady, as New England (13-4) beat Houston (13-5) for the second time in a month.

Brady was missing some key helpers, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, who broke his left arm and is out for the rest of the playoffs, a person with knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press.

However, he got the usual outstanding performance from Wes Welker, his favorite target the last six years. The AFC's top receiver with 118 catches this season, Welker looked like he might reach that total against Houston's befuddled defense. He caught six in the first half for 120 yards, including a 47-yarder, and wound up with eight for 131.

And the AFC East champion Patriots got more than anyone could have predicted from third-string running back Vereen, who scored their first two TDs on a 1-yard run and an 8-yard pass. He capped his biggest pro performance with an over-the-shoulder 33-yard catch early in the fourth period.

It was Brady's 41st postseason TD pass, behind only Brett Favre (44) and, you guessed it, Montana (45).

Nice company to be keeping.

"I grew up a 49ers fan," Brady said after throwing for three touchdowns in the AFC divisional playoff. "Joe Montana and Steve Young ... those guys are in another class.

"I hope I am around for a few more years," the 35-year-old Brady added with a smile.

The boost from Vereen offset the loss of not only Gronkowski, but running back Danny Woodhead (thumb) in the first quarter.

"Shane had a great game, just a huge growing up moment for him, very special," Brady said. "There were a lot of guys who made a lot of plays."

New England's defense helped put away the Texans. Rob Ninkovich's leaping third-quarter interception stopped a drive, and six plays later, Brady hit Brandon Lloyd for a 6-yard score.

Although the Texans got two fourth-quarter TDs on passes by Matt Schaub, their season ended with four defeats in their last six games. That slump cost the AFC South champions the top seed in the playoffs, forcing a trip to New England after they beat Cincinnati in the wild-card round.

The Texans couldn't measure up.

"Whenever the season ends, no matter when, it's really hard," tight end Owen Daniels said. "The farther along you get, the harder it is to take. It's one we wanted to win really bad. It's tough to swallow ... but one team gets to have a smile on their face at the end of the season, and it's not us this year."

Unlike their 42-14 loss here a month ago, the Texans didn't fold early. J.J. Watt, their dominating defensive end, bothered Brady, and when they fell behind 17-3, they had the fortitude to climb back.

Arian Foster did all the work after Danieal Manning's second big kickoff return, this one a 35-yarder that had 15 yards tacked on when kicker Stephen Gostkowski brought down Manning with a horse-collar tackle. The Pro Bowl runner covered all 47 yards on a five-play drive and his 1-yard run — he barely squeezed into the end zone — made it 17-10.

Houston forced a three-and-out, and a short punt gave the Texans another shot just before halftime. They got close enough for Shayne Graham to kick a 55-yard field goal as the half ended.

But the Patriots pulled away in the third quarter for coach Bill Belichick's 17th postseason win, third behind Tom Landry (20) and Don Shula (19).

Now come the Ravens.

"It's sweet just playing in the AFC championship," defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. "It's a team that beat us earlier this year at their house, and a team that's riled up for us."

Needing a quick jolt after being blown out by the Patriots on Dec. 10, the Texans got it on the opening kickoff from Manning. He took the ball 6 yards in his end zone and never hesitated in returning it. He broke free at the Houston 30 and wasn't run down until reaching the New England 12.

That spark didn't even last one play, though, and Houston wound up with Graham's 27-yard field goal 63 seconds in.

And when the Texans closed the first half with a 10-point spurt, they wasted the momentum by allowing a quick touchdown drive to open the third period. Brady went to the familiar (Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez) on that series before second-year back Stevan Ridley scored on an 8-yard burst.

New England lost Gronkowski and Woodhead almost immediately. Gronkowski missed five regular-season games with a broken left forearm, but returned for the finale. Eight Patriots plays on offense and he was gone again.

So Brady found other targets; he probably could complete passes to Belichick for big gains.

Vereen was an unlikely star. After gaining 400 yards overall during the season, he picked up 124 against the Texans. He had four touchdowns in the regular season.

"I don't come into the game knowing how much anyone is going to play," Vereen said. "I come into the game ready to go, and if my number is called, I do my best for the team."

NOTES: Brady is 3-2 in Super Bowls and if he reaches a sixth, he'll join a club that currently totals one player: defensive tackle Mike Lodish. ... New England has played in eight AFC championship games, going 7-1, including 5-1 with Brady and Belichick. ... Brady threw for 344 yards, and Schaub threw for 343. Schaub's TD passes were 25 yards to DeVier Posey and 1 to Foster. ... Foster had 90 yards rushing, the first time in four playoff games he did not reach 100. But his 515 tie for most in a player's first four playoff games with Denver's Terrell Davis.

Morin made big plays as a receiver and excelled as a blocker at tight end during his 10-year Browns career.

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

No. 49, Milt Morin, tight end, 1966-75

Tight end had become a big-play position in the few seasons preceding Milt Morin's NFL career.

Tight ends Mike Ditka, John Mackey and Jackie Smith began their pro careers in the early 1960s, and their big-pay capabilities led them to the Hall of Fame in Canton.

Morin didn't quite make the same impact on the game as they, but he was a star in his own right, excelling at every duty asked of a player at his position.

Cleveland drafted Morin out of the University of Massachusetts with the 14th pick in the first round of the 1966 draft. Immediately plugging in Morin as the starter, the Browns moved versatile Johnny Brewer to a position of need at linebacker. Brewer had performed admirably as the Browns' starting tight end for four years, making some key catches, but contributing mostly with his fine blocking.

Morin brought everything to the position. He was one of the league's bigger tight ends, at 6-4 and about 240 pounds. He ran fairly well, but it was an intriguing set of other abilities that made Morin a play-making receiver. His agility and good hands helped him make difficult catches whether running open or in a crowd. Then, his strength took over. Would-be tacklers bounced off Morin like bowling pins.

His strength, technique and athleticism made Morin an excellent blocker. He was a perfect complement to the team's accomplished interior linemen such as Gene Hickerson, Dick Schafrath, Monte Clark, John Wooten, John Demarie and Fred Hoaglin. It wasn't unusual to see Leroy Kelly running the Browns' famed power sweep with Morin helping to clear the way.

Morin made the 1968 and 1971 Pro Bowl teams. He earned first-team all-conference honors in both years, and second-team recognition in 1973. Morin played his entire NFL career with the Browns. He missed a combined 11 games in his first two seasons, then played in every game over his final eight campaigns.

NFL teams didn't pass as often then as now, but Morin put up fine numbers for the era. He caught 271 passes for 4,208 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. He averaged 15.5 yards a catch, showing his ability to get downfield and to turn short passes into significant gains.

Morin caught 17 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns in seven playoff games. The Browns posted impressive playoff wins over the powerful Dallas Cowboys in 1968 (31-20 at Cleveland Stadium) and 1969 (38-14 in Dallas). Quarterback Bill Nelsen connected with Morin on eight completions -- several of them in key situations -- for 99 yards and a score in the two contests.

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

Video: From a segment of the 1968 Browns highlights film, narrated by radio play-by-play announcer Gib Shanley. About 3:35 in, Browns tight end Milt Morin (89) is featured:

He is the first Buckeye recruit from Cass Tech since Vernon Gholston in the Buckeyes' 2004 class.

Junior cornerbackl Damon Webb from Detroit became the second oral commitment in Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class on Sunday. Rivals.com  

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As noted by one staffer, Ohio State beat Michigan twice Sunday, once on the basketball court and again in a football recruiting battle. Detroit junior cornerback Damon Webb wrote on his Twitter account that he has decided to play for the Buckeyes, joining Glenville lineman Marcelys Jones in the Buckeyes' 2014 class.

Ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, Webb also had offers from Michigan, Michigan State, LSU and Wisconsin, among others.

Webb plays at Cass Tech in Detroit, the same school that produced former Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, a 2004 recruit. But the school has provided many more players to Michigan. According to the Detroit Free Press, Cass Tech has produced at least 26 Division I players since 2002, and seven of them went to Michigan, more than any other school. Three Cass Tech players are pledged to Michigan in the 2013 class.

Getting an oral commitment out of that school, and a player that Michigan had interest in, is a move that could be bigger for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes than just this one player.

Usually a glib interview subject on a variety of topics, there is almost never a question Byron Scott won't answer -- until he gets back in southern California.

View full size Cavaliers coach Byron Scott (instructing Kyrie Irving during a December game) made it clear Sunday that just because he's back around his former team for a night, he isn't focusing on what's wrong with the Lakers. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer  

LOS ANGELES -- Byron Scott is in an awkward position whenever he comes back to face the Lakers.

As a former star on the Showtime teams that won three NBA titles, the Cavaliers head coach is often asked to assess the current state of affairs here -- as are many of his former teammates. But as one who has been a head-coaching candidate here, Scott wants to make it clear that he is not trying to second-guess Mike D'Antoni with regard to what's going on with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and the rest of the current Lakers.

Usually a glib interview subject on a variety of topics, there is almost never a question he won't answer -- until he gets back here. Here's the exchange from Sunday's pre-game interview session before the Cavaliers faced the Lakers.

Reporter: What do you make of what's going on with the Lakers?

Scott: "I don't make anything of it. People think I'm joking when I say I don't really pay a whole lot of attention to what the Lakers are doing right now. I've got my own problems to worry about. I know they're struggling. I know they lost six in a row. Other than that, I really don't pay a whole lot of attention to what's going on."

Reporter: You have the perspective of playing in Showtime. What would be your advice to them?

Scott: "I don't have any advice. Mike is the coach. I think he'll do a fine job."

Reporter: There is a lot of shock out there over what has happened. From your vantage point, looking at them and scouting them, is there anything you can put your finger on -- aside from the injuries. We all know that's an issue.

Scott: "Not really. I think the main thing is they haven't had all those guys together for an extended period of time. Steve Nash was hurt. Now you've got Dwight and Pau down. I think that's probably the biggest reason that they haven't played or meshed together as everybody expected them to be at this particular point."

Scott was more engaging when talking about Kyrie Irving and the proposed but not scheduled one-on-one matchup with Bryant, or comparing Irving to a young Chris Paul, whom Scott coached in New Orleans. When the cameras and microphones and tape recorders were turned off, he talked animatedly about his golf game.

But he clammed up when the topic strayed too close to the Lakers' locker room.

Reporter: Are you surprised Antawn Jamison is not playing a bigger role with the Lakers?

Scott: "I don't have a clue. Again, that's trying to go in their locker room and figure out what Mike is doing and I have no clue."

More Irving: D'Antoni got a chance to watch Irving during the pre-Olympic training camp this summer in Las Vegas when Irving was a member of the U.S. Select Team that worked out against the Olympians. D'Antoni was an Olympic assistant to Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Irving at Duke, and most of what he learned about Irving came from Krzyzewski.

"He's a great kid," D'Antoni said. "You can see how he conducts himself each game, how hard he plays. Just his skill level, he'll be one of the best."

The last word: From D'Antoni, asked what the Cavaliers are missing without Anderson Varejao, out for six to eight weeks after surgery to repair a split in his quadriceps muscle: "A lot. He's the glue for any team he plays for, just his rebounding and his energy, his defensive ability. He's always giving us a lot of problems, whatever team, when we're going against him."

The provisional roster for the U.S. team will be announced Thursday.

View full size Chris Perez had 39 saves for the Indians in 2012, and will be on the U.S. team at the World Baseball Classic in March. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

View full size Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano couldn't hide his excitement Saturday. PD file  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez, the Indians' 1-2 bullpen punch, have committed to pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Team USA begins WBC play March 8 against Mexico.

Pestano and Perez both Tweeted the news Saturday evening. Tweeted Pestano: "Just got the second best phone call of my career. I'm going to be wearing the Stars and Stripes in the WBC. #trulyhonored #childhooddream."

Tweeted Perez: "I am happy to say that I will be pitching for Team USA in the upcoming 2013 WBC. #Honored #Humbled #Ready."

Perez converted 39 of 43 save chances last season. Pestano, who finished second in the American League with 36 holds, was his primary set-up man. Despite losing 94 games last year, the Indians went 24-12 in one-run games thanks largely to the work of front-line relievers Joe Smith, Pestano and Perez.

The provisional roster will be announced Thursday. Former Yankees manager Joe Torre will manage Team USA.

Highlights include Cavaliers at Sacramento.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

2:30 a.m. (Tuesday) Dakar Rally, Stage 9 (tape), NBCSN 

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Louisville at UConn, ESPN

7 p.m. Norfolk State at Howard, ESPNU

9 p.m. Baylor at Kansas, ESPN

9 p.m. Jackson State at Prairie View A&M, ESPNU 

NBA

10 p.m. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS at Sacramento, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/1100 

SOCCER

2 p.m. Premier League, Arsenal vs. Manchester City (tape), Fox Sports Ohio

TENNIS

2 p.m. Australian Open, first round (tape), ESPN2

9 p.m. Australian Open, first round, ESPN2

3 a.m. (Tuesday) Australian Open, first round, ESPN2 

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7:30 p.m. OHIO STATE at Purdue, Big Ten Network

According to sources, Banner and Whisenhunt could not reach an agreement on how much say the front office would have in rounding out the coaching staff, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported.

Ken Whisenhunt interviewed a second time with the Browns on the same day the team hired Rob Chudzinski as head coach. AP

Ken Whisenhunt appeared to be the frontrunner for the Browns' head coaching job after a second interview last Thursday. Just hours later, the Browns announced that Rob Chudzinski got the job.

What may have happened?

CBS Sports' NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported Sunday the Browns front office wanted input on the hiring of Whisenhunt's coaching staff.

La Canfora's writes,

"According to sources, Banner and Whisenhunt could not reach an agreement on how much say the front office would have in rounding out the coaching staff. Whisenhunt wasn't seeking any personnel control or anything out of the ordinary for a head coach, but Cleveland's front office wanted input on certain staff issues and ultimately were most comfortable with a rookie head coach."

Whisenhunt has since interviewed for the Chargers' head coaching position.

Browns add to front office: The Browns have hired Jaguars general counsel Sashi Brown to handle contracts and negotiations, La Canfora also reported.

D.A. coming back? Could quarterback Derek Anderson be headed back to Cleveland? The Browns have been in contact with Anderson, according to WEWS Newschannel 5's Mike Cairns.

"Looks like it is time to make a return to a familiar place for some unfinished business," Anderson posted on his Facebook page, according to Jeff Schudel of the Lake County News-Herald. "I'd be honored to return to Cleveland to play football if the fans would have me."

Anderson had his best season with the Browns in 2007 when new head coach Rob Chudzinski was offensive coordinator. The two worked together last year in Carolina.

Eagles interview Billick: The Philadelphia Eagles interviewed former Ravens coach and current Fox analyst Brian Billick for their coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the meeting told the Associated Press on Sunday. Billick, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl title in the 2000 season, met with the Eagles on Jan. 7, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss it. Billick, 58, hasn’t coached since 2007. He was 80-64 in nine seasons with the Ravens.

During tonight's interview with Winfrey, Armstrong is expected to reverse course and apologize, as well as offer a limited confession about his role as the head of a long-running scheme to dominate the prestigious bike race with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs.

AUSTIN, Texas — As days of preparations dwindled to hours before his blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong went out for a training run and then retreated behind the stone walls of his Austin compound to huddle with a handful of close advisers.

After more than a decade of denying that he doped to win the Tour de France seven times, Armstrong was scheduled to sit down Monday for what has been trumpeted as a "no-holds barred," 90-minute, question-and-answer session with Winfrey. He is expected to reverse course and apologize, as well as offer a limited confession about his role as the head of a long-running scheme to dominate the prestigious bike race with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs. Winfrey and her crew will film the interview at Armstrong's home and broadcast it Thursday on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

If he was feeling any pressure, Armstrong hardly showed it during a jog under bright skies Sunday, even as members of his legal team began arriving one-by-one at his home nearby.

"I'm calm, I'm at ease and ready to speak candidly," he told The Associated Press, but declined to reveal how he would answer questions about the scandal that has shadowed his career like an angry storm cloud.

Armstrong was stripped of all seven Tour titles last year in the wake of a voluminous U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that portrayed him as a ruthless competitor, willing to go to any lengths to win the prestigious race. USADA chief executive Travis Tygart labeled the doping regimen allegedly carried out by the U.S. Postal Service team that Armstrong once led, "The most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

Yet Armstrong looked like just another runner getting in his roadwork when he talked to the AP, wearing a red jersey and black shorts, sunglasses and a white baseball cap pulled down to his eyes. Leaning into a reporter's car on the shoulder of a busy Austin road, he seemed unfazed by the attention and the international news crews that made stops at his home. He cracked a few jokes about all the reporters vying for his attention, then added, "But now I want to finish my run" and took off down the road.

The interview with Winfrey will be Armstrong's first public response to the USADA report. A person with knowledge of the situation told the AP on Saturday that Armstrong will give a limited confession and apologize. He is not expected to provide a detailed account about his involvement, nor address in depth many of the specific allegations in the more than 1,000-page USADA report.

In a text to the AP on Saturday, Armstrong said: "I told her (Winfrey) to go wherever she wants and I'll answer the questions directly, honestly and candidly. That's all I can say."

After a federal investigation of the cyclist was dropped without charges being brought last year, USADA stepped in with an investigation of its own. The agency deposed 11 former teammates and accused Armstrong of masterminding a complex and brazen drug program that included steroids, blood boosters and a range of other performance-enhancers.

After he was stripped of his Tour titles, Armstrong defiantly tweeted a picture of himself on a couch at home with all seven of the yellow leader's jerseys on display in frames behind him. But the preponderance of evidence in the USADA report and pending legal challenges on several fronts apparently forced him to change tactics dramatically. And he still faces legal challenges.

Former teammate Floyd Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for doping, has filed a federal whistle-blower lawsuit that accused Armstrong of defrauding the U.S. Postal Service. The Justice Department has yet to decide whether it will join the suit as a plaintiff.

The London-based Sunday Times also is suing Armstrong to recover about $500,000 it paid him to settle a libel lawsuit. On Sunday, the newspaper took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune, offering Winfrey suggestions on what questions to ask Armstrong during their talk. Dallas-based SCA Promotions, which tried to deny Armstrong a promised bonus for a Tour de France win, has threatened to bring yet another lawsuit seeking to recover more than $7.5 million an arbitration panel awarded the cyclist in that dispute.

The lawsuit most likely to be influenced by a confession might be the Sunday Times case. Potential perjury charges stemming from Armstrong's sworn testimony in the 2005 arbitration fight would not apply because of the statute of limitations. Armstrong was not deposed during the federal investigation that was closed last year.

Many of his sponsors dropped Armstrong in the wake of the USADA report — at the cost of tens of millions of dollars — and soon after, he left the board of the Livestrong cancer-fighting charity he founded in 1997. Armstrong is still said to be worth about $100 million.

Livestrong might be one reason Armstrong has decided to come forward with an apology and limited confession. The charity supports cancer patients and still faces an image problem because of its association with Armstrong. He also may be hoping a confession would allow him to return to competition in the elite triathlon or running events he participated in after his cycling career.

World Anti-Doping Code rules state his lifetime ban cannot be reduced to less than eight years. WADA and U.S. Anti-Doping officials could agree to reduce the ban further depending on what information Armstrong provides and his level of cooperation. USADA officials said in a recent interview that the cyclist's cooperation could well initiate a "pathway to redemption."

"Browns will have too many defensive lineman once they incorporate the 3-4. Expect Phil Taylor or Ruben to be traded. I see Sheard, and Winn as the ends. I can see the Browns picking up best available linebacker or Corner with #1 Pick." - DawgOnDaStreets

One cleveland.com reader says the Browns will have too many defensive lineman if they switch to the 3-4 defense. Lynn Ischay, Plain Dealer file  

"Browns will have too many defensive lineman once they incorporate the 3-4. Expect Phil Taylor or Ruben to be traded. I see Sheard, and Winn as the ends. I can see the Browns picking up best available linebacker or Corner with #1 Pick."

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

Could the NBA see a Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James reunion in the summer of 2014? Don't be surprised if the Cavs at least pursue LeBron if he becomes a free agent after next season.

Could the NBA see a Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James reunion in the summer of 2014? Don't be surprised if the Cavs at least pursue LeBron if he becomes a free agent after next season, a report says.

Regardless of where his football life would take him, Rob Chudzinski remained close to his high-school teammates from Toledo.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Plain Dealer reporter Tom Reed over the weekend produced a compelling story on Cleveland.com about new Cleveland Browns coach Rob Chudzinski.

It's an off-the-field story about Chudzinski's relationship with his childhood friends in Toledo and his strong passion for the Browns that started as a youth:

But it was at St. John's where the dreams of a slow-footed, yet sure-handed tight end manifested themselves. Chudzinski ran with a circle of athletic friends that included Brady, John Ragan, Mark Fabian and the gregarious, barrel-chested Miller. Each enjoyed success after graduation and many were influenced by former St. John's football coach Fred Beier, who died in 2004.

More NFL news

Blogger Mike Pettica compiles a list of stories on new coach Rob Chudzinski (Cleveland.com).

Baltimore Ravens' Ayanbadejo gets the trash talking started (Yahoo.com).

Former OSU receiver DeVier Posey, now of the Texans, suffers a torn Achillies' (Houston Chronicle).
 
New England TE Rob Gronkowski breaks his forearm again (Boston Herald).

Heartbreaking loss means Seattle Seahawks' season ends too early (Seattle Times).

Atlanta Falcons deliver in clutch over Seahawks (AJC.com).

The day after for the Denver Broncos (Denver Post).

Michael Crabtree makes a playoff splash for the 49ers (SFGate.com).

Who will carry the ball for the Packers next year (PackersNews.com)?

Cincinnati reporter ranks the Cincinnati Bengals and their season (Cincinnati.com).

Is something special brewing with the Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore Sun)?

San Diego Chargers interview Bengals' OC Jay Gruden for head coaching job (NFL.com).

Cardinals and Chargers are interested in Broncos' OC Mike McCoy (SBNation).

Derek Anderson wants to return to the Browns (cleveland.com via News-Herald)

Tribe closer Chris Perez had a 1-3 week and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore was able to win two games and force a tie.

Chris Perez  

Glenn Moore  

Jamal Anderson  

Chad Zumock  

Joey Morona  

Matt Iseman  

Michelle Beadle  

Adam "The Bull"  

Dennis Manoloff  

Dan Labbe  

Dustin Fox  

The Miz  

Dwight Howard returns to the lineup and scores 22 points as the Lakers snap a six-game losing streak. Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters score 15 each for the Cavaliers.

LOS ANGELES -- Not much has gone right for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. So in an effort to rally his troops after a blowout loss to visiting Oklahoma City on Friday night, Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni figured he would try to get his beleaguered squad to look forward instead of back.

"Our season starts Sunday," he said, referring to a date with the Cavaliers at Staples Center.

In that case, the Lakers are undefeated after a 113-93 blowout victory over the Cavs.

With Dwight Howard making a surprising return to the starting lineup after missing the past three games with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the Lakers jumped out to a 13-4 lead and were never threatened. Cavs coach Byron Scott pulled his starters midway through the fourth quarter.

"You've got to give them a lot of credit," Scott said as his team fell to 9-30.

They came out focused and aggressive from the start. With the young group that we have, you can't allow a team to get out to a 17- or 18-point lead in the first quarter and expect to try to come back all night long.

"They've got too many veterans, too many good players to do that. We didn't come out with the right frame of mind to start. We started to fight and get ourselves back into the game. But that's too deep of a hole to dig against a veteran team like that."

The Cavs did beat the Lakers, 100-94, on Dec. 11 in Cleveland.

But both squads looked a lot different Sunday.

Kobe Bryant had 23 points, and Howard added 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a six-game losing streak to improve to 16-21.

Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters each had 15 points for the Cavs, Alonzo Gee had 14 points, and Tristan Thompson had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Cavs. In the first game against the Lakers, Irving and C.J. Miles had 28 points each. Sunday, Miles was 1-for-9 and scored just five points.

"He just missed shots tonight," Scott said of Miles. "He was obviously very disappointed in the way he played. But I also thought Kobe starting on Kyrie, some of the matchups they had, they came out much more aggressive. They didn't sit back. They were the initiators, and I thought that was the biggest difference."

You would never know there was anything wrong with the Lakers the way they started the game. They shot 65 percent in the first quarter en route to a 37-20 lead -- tying the most points a Cavs opponent has scored in a quarter this season. They outrebounded the Cavs in the first period, 13-6, and outscored them in the paint, 18-10. Bryant had 12 points, and Howard 10 points and five rebounds. Irving led the Cavs with seven points in the first quarter.

The Lakers led at the half, 57-45, and the Cavs were within 57-47 after a hook shot by Thompson to open the third. But the Lakers went on a 12-2 run for a 69-49 lead with 8:27 left. The last six points of the run came on a 3-pointer and then a three-point play by Metta World Peace, his first points of the game.

"We didn't play well," Scott said. "That's my feeling. I'm disappointed. I know we're a better basketball team than what we showed tonight."

On today's episode of Sports Insider, The Charlotte Observer's Joe Person joined cleveland.com's Glenn Moore to talk about Rob Chudzinski's time with the Carolina Panthers and how Pat Shurmur would fit in as offensive coordinator. Watch video

 

Does Joe Banner have too much power over the Cleveland Browns? Who will be the next GM of the Browns? CineSport's Noah Coslov and The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw discuss.

 

Is Rob Chudzinski the right hire for the Browns? Is LeBron James returning to Cleveland a realistic scenario? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com’s Glenn Moore.

Is Rob Chudzinski the right hire for the Browns? Terry Pluto talks about this and more during his weekly podcast. (Lonnie Timmons III / The Plain Dealer)  

Is Rob Chudzinski the right hire for the Browns? Is LeBron James returning to Cleveland a realistic scenario?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com’s Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Search for a new GM.

• Chudzinski's time at Carolina.

• Will Cavs still look to trade Anderson Varejao if he returns before the trading deadline?

• Is Dion Waiters developing enough this season?

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

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

McCoy has been the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator.

SAN DIEGO, California -- Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has agreed in principle to become head coach of the division rival San Diego Chargers, two people with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

The people spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because McCoy's hiring hasn't been announced.

The 40-year-old McCoy replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.
.........

The Plain Dealer has reported several times that the Cleveland Browns are expected to hire Turner as their offensive coordinator. Most recently, PD Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot referred to Turner and San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano in her story about discussions the Browns had with Ken Whisenhunt in their head coach search, which, of course, ended with the hiring of Rob Chudzinski.

Cabot wrote:

Chudzinski, 44, is expected to name fired Chargers head coach Norv Turner his offensive coordinator when Turner returns from a vacation in Hawaii with his family. Chudzinski also is targeting Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano for the same position here.

(Continuing the AP report on Mike McCoy:)

McCoy's hiring comes three days after the top-seeded Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in a home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The coaching search was led by Tom Telesco, who was hired as Chargers GM last week. Telesco also is 40.

The Broncos have won consecutive AFC West titles. McCoy tutored quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow in 2011, and Peyton Manning in 2012.

Denver swept the Chargers in 2012, including an epic 35-24 victory at San Diego on Oct. 15 when Manning calmly led them back from a 24-0 halftime deficit.

With the Chargers, McCoy will work with Philip Rivers, who struggled this season, in large part because of a shaky offensive line. Rivers was sacked 49 times and committed 22 turnovers, giving him 47 turnovers in two seasons.

McCoy played quarterback at Long Beach State and Utah before moving on to the NFL Europe and the CFL. He began his pro coaching career with Carolina in 1999 before moving to the Broncos in 2009.

With Anderson Varejao sidelined, Irving is the Cavs' lone all-star candidate. Waiters' shot selection has been a topic of discussion during his rookie season, though he had a big game on Monday night in Sacramento. More Cavaliers story links.

Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving is averaging 23 points, 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 35.6 minutes per game, while shooting 46 percent from the field, including 41 percent on 3-point shots. Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer  

The Cavs (9-31) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (20-17) on Wednesday night and the Utah Jazz (21-19) on Saturday night. Cleveland returns home to play the Boston Celtics (20-17) next Tuesday night.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's game story on the Cavaliers' loss at Sacramento, with video highlights; Glenn Moore's report on fan reaction to speculation that LeBron James could return to the Cavs following the 2013-14 season; Terry Pluto's podcast, during which he talks about the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians; and more.

Cleveland will be halfway through its 82-game schedule following Wednesday night's game at Portland. The Cavs' 9-31 record is second-worst in the NBA. The Charlotte Bobcats also have just nine wins, but three fewer losses. The Washington Wizards place last in the overall standings, with a 7-28 record. Washington, though, has won its last three games -- the last two following the return of star point guard John Wall, who had been sidelined all season with a knee injury.

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao had been a legitimate candidate for the Eastern Conference all-star team until sustaining a right quad injury, which required surgery and will probably sideline him for about two more months.

Still, despite their record, the Cavs have yet another all-star candidate -- point guard Kyrie Irving, the NBA's Rookie of the Year last season.

J.A. Adande and Israel Gutierrez discuss for ESPN.com what players might make it to Houston for the All-Star Game on Feb. 17.

Adande writes:

And, sorry, I'd have to put Brandon Jennings ahead of Irving as well. Jennings has the Bucks hanging on to a playoff spot, while we're still waiting for the Cavs to hit double-digit victories. Jennings is averaging 20 points and seven assists in Milwaukee's victories. Irving will get his share of trips to the All-Star Game. For now, he still has the rookie-sophomore game to get him a trip to Houston.

I understand knocking Irving for his team's win total (heck, if Anderson Varejao had stayed healthy, he'd probably be the best Cavs candidate), but let's be honest, people decide who they want to see in an All-Star Game, then create an argument for them. And my argument for Irving is this: That dude is good! Better than Jennings. And Jennings is another player reportedly on the trade block, which can't possibly enhance his All-Star argument.

A breakdown of Dion Waiters' shot selection during the Cavs' 113-93 loss to the Lakers on Sunday night -- when he went 7-of-18 from the field for 15 points in 26 minutes -- with a chart showing the shots he's taken this season, prior to the Cavs' loss at Sacramento on Monday night. Against the Kings, Waiters scored 33 points in 29 minutes on 12-of-18 shooting, lifting him to a 38.5 shooting percentage for the season. (By Sam Vecenie, Fear The Sword)

On a night when the Cavaliers didn't otherwise excel, Dion Waiters played with determination and got big results. (By Sam Amico, FoxSportsOhio.com)

Video: Dion Waiters talks with the media following the Cavaliers' loss at Sacramento. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Video: Kyrie Irving is interviewed following the Cavs' loss to the Kings. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and small forward Omri Casspi have strong ties to Sacramento, which apparently is on the verge of losing the Kings to Seattle. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

The Cavs' Omri Casspi still has fans in Sacramento. (By Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee)

Despite Dion Waiters' career-high 33 points, the Cavs lose at Sacramento, 124-118. Game story. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

Sacramento Kings 124, Cavaliers 118. Game story. (News-Herald/Associated Press)

The Kings end a four-game losing streak with their win over the Cavs. Game story. (By Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee)

Which Cavaliers players will and will not be around Cleveland for a while. A slideshow. (Bleacher Report)