Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski introduced Norv Turner as offensive coordinator at the news conference in Berea. Watch video

"I think Chud will not coach like Pat Shurmur or Mangini. We are going to see a very agressive team on both sides of the ball regardless of the score. Chud is going to turn the players loose and let them play. Ray Horton will Blitz often, that is why we need another cover corner." - Steven

With Rob Chudzinski, the Browns will be more aggressive on both sides of the ball. (Lonnie Timmons III / The Plain Dealer)  

"I think Chud will not coach like Pat Shurmur or Mangini. We are going to see a very agressive team on both sides of the ball regardless of the score. Chud is going to turn the players loose and let them play. Ray Horton will Blitz often, that is why we need another cover corner."

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner say it's too early to evaluate Weeden - or any other offensive players. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said today "I think it's premature'' to say that Brandon Weeden will be the starting quarterback in 2013.

At a press conference to introduce longtime NFL head coach Norv Turner as his offensive coordinator, Chudzinski also said Turner will call the plays.

Chudzinski said it was an easy decision because "Norv's been one of the best play-callers in the league for a long time.''

Turner will also serve as quarterbacks coach, and Chudzinski will not hire an additional one.

Turner was reluctant to provide too much of an evaluation of Weeden because he hasn't had a chance to study him on film yet.

But he did say, "I think he has the skill set we're looking for. He certainly has a big arm.''
 
He said he can already see some things that Weeden needs to improve on, but that he's excited to work with him. "A lot of guys have had their best season when I was coaching them,'' Turner said.
 
Turner also said he's familiar with Colt McCoy from when he came out of Texas. "He brings a different style than Brandon. He's been productive when he's played.''

Turner, who has coached five running backs to the NFL rushing title, said he is thrilled to have Trent Richardson on the roster. "He's an amazing player. He made an amazing, explosive run against us (in October).''

Chudzinski said he and Turner won't necessarily look for a dual-threat quarterback like Cam Newton, whom Chudzinski coached in Carolina. "You can win in a lot of different ways,'' Chudzinski said.

With upcoming free agency and the draft, he said the staff will dig in and evaluate all of the players, particularly the quarterbacks, to see what they need to upgrade.

MEDINA, Ohio - The 2007 Medina High School graduate won the Ohio high school all-around state championship three consecutive years along with six apparatus state titles, and then went on to have a successful career at Kentucky despite battling a sprained ankle her junior and senior year.  "I competed all-around my first two years, competed in only two...

Former Medina gymnast Emilie Rymer once dreamed of being an Olympian. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

MEDINA, Ohio - The 2007 Medina High School graduate won the Ohio high school all-around state championship three consecutive years along with six apparatus state titles, and then went on to have a successful career at Kentucky despite battling a sprained ankle her junior and senior year. 

"I competed all-around my first two years, competed in only two events as a junior and in everything except vault as a senior," said Rymer, 24. "And vault was my best event." 

Rymer, who has a younger brother and sister, earned a bachelor's degree in communications/leadership development at Kentucky. 

Nobody in the history of the OHSAA gymnastics meet has ever scored a 10.00 in any event, but Rymer owns the state record in the all-around (38.600), uneven bars (9.625) and vault (9.80). Her highest score on the collegiate level was a 9.925 on vault. 

"I was always hard on myself, so I never felt I deserved a perfect score in any event, at any level," said Rymer.


Like any high-level gymnast, Rymer had dreams of becoming an Olympian and devoted most of her time toward that goal when she was an eighth-grader by practicing two hours before school and four hours after school.


"I finally realized I didn't have a prayer of making it, since only seven make the Olympic team," said Rymer. "I also realized I wasn't having a normal life." 

Rymer still visits the gym to keep in shape. She also water skis, goes camping and enjoys cooking in her spare time. 

"My mom's always kidding around with me because I watch a lot of those cooking shows on television," she said. "I often try some of the recipes I see on the various shows, because I enjoying trying new things." 

Rymer has no regrets and would encourage anyone who is thinking about competing in gymnastics. 

"I tell the kids I work with to work hard, but take it day by day," she said. "I tell them they're going to have days when practice is hard, but tomorrow's another day so keep on going." 

Rymer's presently a gymnastics instructor at Pinnacle Sports and will wed Ricky Lumpkin next month. Lumpkin, a former football standout at Kentucky, is now a nose tackle for the NFL Arizona Cardinals. 

"I'm looking forward to moving to Arizona," said Rymer. "I love warm weather." 

Highlights include Toronto Marlies at Lake Erie Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets at Colorado Avalanche hockey.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AHL

7 p.m. Toronto at LAKE ERIE MONSTERS, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/850

CYCLING

3:30 p.m. Tour Down Under, stage 3 (tape), NBCSN

EXTREME SPORTS

3 p.m. X Games, ESPN

9 p.m. X Games, ESPN

GOLF

5 a.m. Qatar Masters, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open, Golf Channel

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. Purdue at Michigan, ESPN

7 p.m. Tennessee at Mississippi, ESPN2

7 p.m. VCU at Richmond, CBSSN

8 p.m. Murray State at Tennessee Tech, ESPNU

9 p.m. UCLA at Arizona, ESPN2

9 p.m. Wyoming at UNLV, CBSSN

10 p.m. Stanford at Colorado, ESPNU

11 p.m. BYU at Gonzaga, ESPN2

NBA

8 p.m. New York at Boston, TNT

10:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Phoenix, TNT

NHL

7 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, NHLN

9 p.m. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at Colorado, Fox Sports Ohio

TENNIS

Noon Australian Open, men's semi (tape), ESPN2

3:30 a.m. (Fri.) Australian Open, men's semifinal, ESPN2

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

6:30 p.m. Minnesota at Penn State, Big Ten Network

8:30 p.m. Northwestern at Purdue, Big Ten Network

WOMEN'S COLLEGE GYMNASTICS

6:30 p.m. LSU at Alabama, ESPNU

eke Marshall scored 18 points and tied his own school record with nine blocked shots as Akron defeated Toledo, 71-56, in men's college basketball Wednesday night to extend its winning streak to 10 games for the first time in 40 years.

 Toledo – Zeke Marshall scored 18 points and tied his own school record with nine blocked shots as Akron defeated Toledo, 71-56, in men's college basketball Wednesday night to extend its winning streak to 10 games for the first time in 40 years.

The Zips (14-4, 5-0 Mid-American Conference), who won 14 straight in the 1972-73 season, jumped out to a 15-point lead but went cold after Chauncey Gilliam's 3-pointer made it 30-14 at the 7:31 mark. Akron did not score again for more than 5 minutes en route to a 36-21 halftime advantage.

After the Rockets (6-10, 2-3) closed to 40-32 with 15:48 remaining, the Zips hit five straight 3-pointers – three by Gilliam and two by Alex Abreu – to lead, 55-39.

Akron's Demetrius Treadwell had his second straight double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, Gilliam added 12 points on 4-of-5 3-point shooting and Abreu finished with 11 points.

Rian Pearson led Toledo with 16 points.

Football Inside Out NFL Analyst Boomer Esiason shares memories of Super Bowl XXIII with CineSport's Noah Coslov and weighs in on unsung Super Bowl performances as well as the ideal coach.

 In today’s episode of Football Inside Out, NFL analyst and 1988 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason shares his memories of Super Bowl XXIII, Tony Gonzalez's legacy in the NFL, Bill Belichick's coaching legacy and weighs in with CineSport's Noah Coslov and on the unsung Super Bowl performances of the past.

Football Inside Out can be watched twice a week through the Super Bowl at cinesport.cleveland.com

Get your questions ready and join Cavaliers beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer today at 11 a.m. as she talks Cavs basketball with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

Talk Cavs basketball with Mary Schmitt Boyer today at 11 am.

She will talk about the Cavaliers' trade with the Grizzlies, Anderson Varejao's season-ending injury and Kyrie Irving's performance against Celtics.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Mary's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Today, live at 12:30 p.m., on PD Sports Insider, join Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore as they will be talking Tribe with Cleveland Indians reliever Joe Smith.

Watch PD Sports Insider live at 12:30 p.m. today on cleveland.com.  

Quarterbacks and wide receivers are not the only players who benefit under Norv Turner's offensive schemes.

Running back Trent Richardson. Tony Dejak, Associated Press  

But Turner has also had his share of fine running backs, and because of that, columnist Bill Livingston writes on Cleveland.com how Trent Richardson will benefit from the addition of Turner. Turner is quoted in the story:
 

"I got a chance to see Trent first hand. He made an amazing, explosive run against us in October. It was a rainy day, and he's an impressive young player," said Turner. "I've been fortunate through most of my [coaching] stops to be with outstanding, great running backs, guys who have characteristics like Trent."

In all, Turner has coached three backs (Emmitt Smith, who is from the same Pensacola, Fla., high school as Richardson, Ricky Williams and LaDainian Tomlinson) who have led the NFL in rushing a combined five times.

If that happens, Richardson may get the chance to prove Turner is everything the Browns hope he can be.

More Browns and NFL news

Bengals player moved by Pro Bowl pep talk (Bengals.com).

Steelers QB Charlie Batch is a candidate for a prestigious award (Post-Gazette).

Here are four events that turned the Ravens' season around (Baltimore Sun).

Harbaugh tested Kaepernick on the road in 2011 (SFGate.com).

Tim Brown backs off "sabotage" comments (NFL.com).

Norv Turner and Rob Chudzinski are reunited with the Browns (CantonRep.com).

Regarding Browns QB Brandon Weeden and Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens (CantonRep.com).

Sean Payton is ready to move forward after reinstatement (Yahoo.com).

Ray Lewis is not a murderer, he's inspiration to the Ravens (CBSSports).

Darrelle Revis of New York Jets could get traded . . .  (ESPN).

. . . but Rex Ryan reportedly does not want to trade him (PFT.com).

Rob Chudzinski names Norv Turner as offensive coordinator (Cleveland.com).

Mary Kay Cabot talks about the Norv Turner hire (Cleveland.com).

In this video, coach Chud says the Browns will play a hybrid of the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses (Cleveland.com).

How did the Cavs pull off their trade with the Grizzlies? Will Tristan Thompson keep his current high level of play up? Mary Schmitt Boyer answered these questions and more during her weekly podcast.

Mary Schmitt Boyer talks about Anderson Varejao's injury and more during her weekly podcast. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)  

How did the Cavs pull off their trade with the Grizzlies? Will Tristan Thompson keep his current high level of play up?

Plain Dealer Cleveland Cavaliers beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer answered those questions and more in her weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Anderson Varejao's injury.

• Kyrie's performance against Celtics.

• Will the Cavaliers make another big trade?

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

Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski added two more assistants today, a source told The Plain Dealer. Former Colorado head coach Jon Embree will coach tight ends, and former Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker will guide outside linebackers.

Former University of Colorado head coach Jon Embree will join Rob Chudzinski's staff with the Cleveland Browns, The Plain Dealer learned today through a source. AP file  

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns have hired former Colorado head coach Jon Embree to coach tight ends on head coach Rob Chudzinski's staff, a source told The Plain Dealer today.

They also have added former Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker to coach outside linebackers, a source confirmed. Baker's hiring was first reported by Clarence Hill of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram.

Embree, a former tight end for the Rams in 1987-88, spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Buffaloes, where he went 4-21, including 1-11 in 2012 before being dismissed in November.

Prior to that, Embree was tight ends coach of the Redskins in 2010 and  the Chiefs from 2006-08.

Embree also spent three seasons as an assistant at UCLA and 10 at Colorado, his alma mater. He takes over a position that includes Jordan Cameron, Alex Smith and Ben Watson, who will become a free agent on March 12.

Baker coached the Cowboys' defensive line the past two seasons under former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who was fired by the Cowboys. In 2012, the Cowboys finished 19th in defense, including 22nd against the run and 19th against the pass. They were 16th in sacks per pass attempt.

Baker brings 17 years of NFL coaching experience, mostly with the defensive line. The Browns have hired former Jaguars assistant Joe Cullen to coach their defensive line, but Baker played outside linebacker at Maryland (1981-83) and coached the position at Georgia Tech from 1987-95.

Before joining the Cowboys, he coached for the Panthers, Rams, Vikings, Lions and Chargers. In the first of his two seasons with the Panthers in 2009, his line accounted for 25.5 of the team's 33 sacks. That season, end Julius Peppers recorded 10.5 sacks to earn his fifth Pro Bowl selection, and Baker helped the defense finish fourth in the NFL in both pass defense and percentage of passes intercepted. In 2010, he guided a Panthers line that had three of its members finish in the top-10 on the team in tackles.

Chudzinski will add a few more assistants, including a running backs coach. Gary Brown is not expected to be retained.

Youngster's feat sparked a successful Twitter campaign to have him included in the day's best sports plays.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nothing but net.

That's how Owen Groesser's high-arcing 3-point shot ended up, sparking a Twitter campaign to recognize his heart-warming accomplishment.

Groesser is being recognized on ESPN's "SportsCenter Top 10," the feature that recognizes the best plays in sports from the past day.

From an ESPN.com report:

Groesser, a junior high student with Down syndrome, made a pair of 3-pointers in his school's basketball game Wednesday, prompting a Twitter campaign that resulted in a highlight on "SportsCenter."

According to ABC affiliate WXYZ in Detroit, Groesser had not played this season for Van Hoosen Junior High School, which was playing its season finale Wednesday.

But after entering late in the game, Groesser received a pass beyond the arc and sank a 3-pointer, sparking a wild celebration in the stands. Groesser also made another 3-pointer, finishing with six points in approximately two minutes of playing time.

Groesser's exploits hit the internet, and friends and teammates went to Twitter after the game, calling on ESPN to recognize Groesser with the rally call #GetOwenOnSportsCenter. The grassroots campaign worked.

Video: ESPN's "SportsCenter" Top 10 features one of the two 3-pointers that Owen Groesser, a student with Down syndrome, hit in a two-minute span during his middle school game on Wednesday:

The Indians will get a chance to gauge how five of their top minor league prospects respond to big league camp this spring. Piltchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 10.

Jesus Aguilar, shown getting tagged out in an attempted steal of third base at last year's All-Star Futures Game, has been invited to big league camp by the Indians. Jeff Roberson, Associated Press  

CLEVELAND -- The Indians have invited five players from their minor league system to train with the big league club this spring. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 10 to Goodyear, Ariz.

The five are first baseman Jesus Aguilar, right-handers Preston Guilmet and Matt Langwell, left-hander Giovanni Soto and catcher Roberto Perez. There's a chance Matt LaPorta could be invited as well.

Aguilar, 22, is one of the few Indians' prospects who hits for power. In 127 games between Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron last year, he hit a combined .280 (123-440) with 31 doubles, two triples, 15 homers and 71 RBI, which ranked 4th among Indians farmhands. The 6-3, 257-pound right-handed hitter for the World Team in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City.

Baseball America ranked Aguilar as the Indians 10th best prospect entering the 2013 season. Aguilar, who was excused from the Indians winter development program to play winter ball in Venezuela, has hit 34 homers in his last two seasons.

Guilmet, 25, last season converted 24 saves in 29 chances at Akron. In 2011, he was 35-for-36 in save situations at Class A Kinston. Since being drafted by the Tribe in ninth round in 2009 out of the University of Arizona, Guilmet has saved 70 games.

Langwell, 26, was a combined 4-0 with a 2.74 ERA in 42 appearances last season at Akron and Class AAA Columbus. Langwell, a right-hander, averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The Indians drafted him in the 11th round in 2008 out of Sam Houston State College.

Perez, noted for his defensive skills behind the plate, batted .212 (60-for-283) with 16 doubles, two triples, one homer and 31 RBI at Akron. Perez, 24, threw out 41 percent (35-for-86) of the baserunners who tried to steal on him. The Indians drafted him in the 33rd round in 2008 out of Lake City (Fla.) Community College.

The Indians acquired Soto, 21, from Detroit in a deal for shortstop Jhonny Peralta in 2010. He went 6-9 last season at Akron, throwing a no-hitter on July 15 against Altoona. Soto struck out 100 and walked 49 in 121 1/3 innings last season. He is scheduled to pitch for his native Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Al "Bubba" Baker would not have changed the way he played, despite the long-term risks. Watch video

 CLEVELAND, Ohio - It was easy for Al "Bubba" Baker to take up football while growing up in Newark, N.J. And it wasn't because of the girth that helped create his nickname.

Baker said growing up in a city like Newark didn't lend itself to many sports outlets like golf or tennis, but once he was introduced to football, he made the best of it, and that led to a solid career that included rookie of the year in 1978 for the Detroit Lions.

In an interview with Branson Wright at Dylan's Barber Salon on West Ninth Street, Baker talks about his time with the Cleveland Browns in 1987, 1989 and 1990; concussions; and life as owner of Bubba's Q BBQ.

Watch live as cleveland.com will have a video stream starting at 5:30 p.m. with Cleveland sports talk and interviews with celebrities that are attending the 13th annual sports awards. Join cleveland.com's Glenn Moore, Dan Labbe and 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter as they host the live show from the pre-ceremony reception.

Joe Thomas and his wife at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards in 2010. Plain Dealer File Photo  

The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards will honor professional, amateur, collegiate and high school athletes tonight at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom.

On today's PD Sports Insider, Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore talked with Cleveland Indians reliever Joe Smith about the upcoming season and the Tribe's acquisitions. Watch video

Can the Tribe contend in 2013? Was Mike Lombardi the right hire for the Browns?

- Browns coaching staff.

- Is Brandon Weeden the QB in 2013?

Stay tuned for the next show Thursday, January 31 at 12:30 p.m.

Be sure to like PD Sports Insider on Facebook

About the show: PD Sports Insider airs live every Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw, Dennis Manoloff and cleveland.com's Glenn Moore, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also their video questions during the week.
Fans who miss the live show can watch the archive, available a few hours later.

Defensive lineman Simon had been playing linebacker at Senior Bowl practices. Winters is a highly-rated guard. Savage is the former Browns general manager. More Senior Bowl story links.

John Simon prior to Ohio State's 2012 season finale, a 26-21 win over Michigan on Nov. 24 in Columbus. Simon missed the game with a knee injury. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer  

Coaches, scouts and front office personnel representing all 32 NFL teams-- including, of course, the Cleveland Browns -- are on hand.

They pay as much attention to how players fare in practice sessions as they do in the game itself.

Ohio State's John Simon, who excelled on the defensive line for the Buckeyes, lined up at linebacker during Senior Bowl practices this week.

Zac Jackson, writing for FoxSportsOhio.com, reports, though, that Simon is nbow sidelined:

A shoulder injury forced John Simon out of the Senior Bowl, a source told FOXSportsOhio.com, and it will require a further inspection and an opinion from orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Whether that visit has taken place or what, if anything, was found remains unclear.

Simon participated in just one practice here this week before withdrawing from the game with that he said was a lingering injury from last season. He played hurt for his entire senior season at Ohio State, and still played well enough to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. A knee injury kept him out of the season finale vs. Michigan. Simon said this week that the knee was healed....

The Tennessee Titans are among the teams interested in Kent State's highly-regarded guard, Brian Winters. (By John Glennon, The Tennessean)

Former Browns general manager Phil Savage, the new director of the Senior Bowl, has done a fine job bringing in a variety of talent, including some impressive small-college players. (By Pat Kirwan, CBSSports.com)

Official website of the Senior Bowl. (SeniorBowl.com)

Surprises, players on whom there is divided opinion and small-college standouts at the Senior Bowl. (By Jene Bramel and Matt Waldman, New York Times)

Some of the players who were impressive during Wednesday's Senior Bowl practice. (By Russ Lande, National Football Post)

Some of the players who have struggled the most at this week's Senior Bowl practices. (By Russ Lande, National Football Post)

Notes and observations from Wednesday's Senior Bowl practice. A slideshow. (Bleacher Report)

Video:Senior Bowl practices continued with Desmond Trufant standing out and Denard Robinson struggling again on Wednesday, as CineSport's Brian Clark and National Football Post's Russ Lande discuss in this video.

Now in its 13th year, the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards will honor professional, amateur, collegiate and high school athletes tonight at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom. The event will be hosted by ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt.

Browns kick returner Josh Cribbs is a previous winner of a Cleveland Sports Award. Plain Dealer File Photo  

 

Attending the sports awards tonight? Tag your photos on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #SportsAwards and we may feature them on cleveland.com.

Highlights include Milwaukee Bucks at Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

BOXING 

9 p.m. Brian Vera vs. Sergiy Dzinziruk, ESPN2  

10 p.m. Raymond Serrano vs. Emmanuel Taylor; 

Demetrius Andrade vs. Freddy Hernandez, Showtime 

CYCLING 

3:30 p.m. Tour Down Under, stage 4 (tape), NBCSN 

EXTREME SPORTS 

3 p.m. X Games, ESPN 

10:30 p.m. X Games, ESPN 

GOLF 

4:30 a.m. Qatar Masters, Golf Channel 

3 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open, Golf Channel 

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 

7 p.m. St. Edward at Elyria, AM/1320 

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL 

7 p.m. Loyola (Md.) at Manhattan, ESPNU 

9 p.m. Green Bay at Milwaukee, ESPNU 

MENS COLLEGE HOCKEY 

7:30 p.m. Ferris State at Notre Dame, CBSSN 

7:30 p.m. Miami (Ohio) vs. Bowling Green, SportsTime Ohio 

7:30 p.m. Yale at Cornell, NBCSN 

8 p.m. Minnesota State at Minnesota, Big Ten Network 

MENS COLLEGE WRESTLING 

6 p.m. Northwestern at Michigan State, Big Ten Network

NBA

7:30 p.m. Milwaukee at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, Fox Sports Ohio; AM/1100 

8 p.m. San Antonio at Dallas, ESPN 

NHL 

7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Detroit, NHL Network 

TENNIS 

Noon Australian Open, mens semi (tape), ESPN2 

3 a.m. (Saturday morning) Australian Open, womens final, ESPN2 