Highlights include NFL Pro Bowl.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV sports listings

AUTO RACING

9 a.m. 24 Hours at Daytona, end of race, Speed Channel

BOWLING

Noon PBA, League Play, Round 1, ESPN

BULL RIDING

8 p.m. PBR Built Ford Tough Series (tape), CBSSN

CYCLING

12:30 p.m. Tour Down Under, final stage, NBCSN

EXTREME SPORTS

2 p.m. X Games, ESPN

9 p.m. X Games, ESPN

GOLF

1 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open, WOIO

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon Lafayette at Lehigh, CBSSN

1 p.m. Michigan State at Indiana, WOIO

3:30 p.m. California at Colorado, Fox Sports Ohio

3:30 p.m. Iowa at Purdue, Big Ten Network

6 p.m. Florida State at Miami (Fla.), ESPNU

6 p.m. Michigan at Illinois, Big Ten Network

8 p.m. Creighton at Southern Illinois, ESPNU

NBA

1 p.m. Miami at Boston, WEWS

3:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, WEWS

6:30 p.m. Atlanta at New York, ESPN

NFL

7 p.m. Pro Bowl, WKYC; FM/92.3

NHL

3 p.m. Buffalo at Washington, NHL Network

8 p.m. Minnesota at St. Louis, NBCSN

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. OHIO STATE vs. Penn State, Big Ten Network

1 p.m. TCU at Texas Tech, Fox Sports Ohio

1:30 p.m. Saint John's at Louisville, ESPNU

2 p.m. North Carolina at Miami, ESPN2

2 p.m. Xavier at Richmond, CBSSN

3:30 p.m. Missouri at Texas A&M, ESPNU

4 p.m. Fresno State at Colorado State, CBSSN

4 p.m. Purdue at Michigan State, ESPN2

Here's a look at the latest news and some of the top storylines coming out of New Orleans as we officially kick off Super Bowl Week.

Here's a look at the latest news and some of the top storylines coming out of New Orleans as we officially kick off Super Bowl Week:

The Big Buzz: It's the quarterback, stupid!

It's the Har-Bowl! The Bro Bowl! The Super Baugh!

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws a pass during the first half of the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers meet in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)  

Ok, ok. Enough already. Yes, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh and San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh are bothers. We get it. But you know things are out of control when even the Harbaughs are tired of all the Harbaugh talk. Let's move on, shall we? Time to focus on two men who will actually play in Super Bowl XLVII.

Because, as Hall of Fame sportswriter Peter Finney of The Times-Picayune points out, the Super Bowl always comes down to the quarterbacks. And in this instance, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick each has quite a story: (via NOLA.com)

This time such legendary names as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady will be watching a quarterback who didn't start for the San Francisco 49ers until midseason face a quarterback whose Baltimore Ravens weren't supposed to make it to Super Bowl 2013.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) rolls out of the pocket to throw against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game in Denver. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers meet in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)  

SI.com Senior Writer Peter King writes that the big-play ability of Flacco and Kaepernick, two quarterbacks who almost no one expected would be here, will be the main attraction in New Orleans next Sunday:

That's going to be one of the great things about this Super Bowl. We'll be watching two quarterbacks who can throw beautiful deep balls. One can run as well as any quarterback ever has. Flacco wasn't good enough to start at Pitt (so they said), and thus transferred to Delaware. Kaepernick didn't have much college football interest (well, Dartmouth wanted him), but Nevada offered him a full ride after watching him play a basketball game. True story.

So it's Nevada versus Delaware, in Ray Lewis' last game, in a brother-versus-brother Super Bowl, with the 49ers back in the saddle baby. This is going to be a fun game.

With Senior Bowl week just finished, Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune looks at how far Flacco and Kaeperick have come since they played in the annual college all-star affair in 2008 and 2011, respectively: (via NOLA.com)

Both came from small schools - Delaware and Nevada. Both needed to play head and shoulders above the rest to draw the eyeballs of coaches and scouts in their direction.

Fast forward for each quarterback in to the present and quite a few more eyeballs will be watching them Feb. 3.

But let's not forget the Harbaugh boys completely. Jim gets a lot of credit for his decision to bench starter Alex Smith in Week 11 and unleash Kaepernick. And give John his due for the daring in-season firing of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron that has since sparked Flacco to a magnificent postseason. Those two coaching moves have become the defining moments of this NFL season, writes Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com:

In the middle of two seemingly successful NFL seasons, they both cut bait with guys who'd been with them from the start of their head-coaching careers and got them where they were -- incredibly difficult midseason decisions that didn't have to be made. And neither guy -- nor team -- has looked back.

Watch Schrager and fellow FoxSports.com analyst Alex Marvez debate some of the other less-hyped story lines of Super Bowl week:

Headlines

• Criminal charges won't be filed against Michael Crabtree following allegations of sexual assault against the 49ers wide receiver. (via NFL.com)

• Ravens safety Ed Reed says he will not follow teammate Ray Lewis into retirement after the Super Bowl. (via USAToday.com)

• Some NFL officials are questioning the league's process for selecting the Super Bowl referee. (via Yahoo! Sports)

• Super Bowl offers a chance for "The Blind Side" family reunion for Ravens' Michael Oher. (via NOLA.com)

• Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says that he did not push for the firing of former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and that the decision was orchestrated solely by coach John Harbaugh. (via SI.com)

• Still stinging from the NFL commissioner's handling of the Saints bounty scandal, many in New Orleans aren't exactly putting out the welcome mat for Roger Goodell as the city gets set to host the Super Bowl. (via Yahoo! Sports)

• It seems like all of Las Vegas has a betting interest in 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. (via ESPN.com)

• Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell says he wants to be a head coach again. (via USAToday.com)

What they're saying

Baltimore Ravens Matt Birk (right) talks with teammate Gino Gradkowski during football practice Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton).  

• Baltimore center Matt Birk tells USA Today that the Ravens are preparing for what they expect to be the most physical Super Bowl in NFL history:

"It should be a bloodbath," the 15th-year veteran told USA TODAY Sports Saturday. "We have all offseason to heal up. So nobody will be saving anything."

A man once spotted by teammates admiring his oiled-up physique in the mirror before a game (and blowing kisses to his massive biceps) now takes pride in the less conspicuous elements of his craft.

• Cam Cameron, fired by the Ravens in December, actually praised the decision in an interview with the New York Times this week:

"It was a brilliant move," Cameron said Wednesday at his home outside Baltimore. "Everyone on the team took a look in the mirror after that."

• Jensen Moore, sports public relations specialist and assistant professor at LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication, tells NOLA.com that the shift in the public's perception of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis from vilified criminal to revered warrior has a lot to do with the sincerity of his repentance since being charged with murder 13 years ago:

"(Athletes) need to put their actions behind (their words of repentance) - not just go out and talk about it like a public service announcement," Moore said. "There are tons of players who are productive for their teams, but then you have somebody like Ray Lewis who is out there doing service and preaching to people, showing people through his service that he cares. That's what's gonna prove it."

San Francisco 49ers place kicker David Akers (2) practices at an NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. The 49ers are scheduled to play the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)  

• 49ers kicker David Akers, who has battled through some serious struggles this season, still hasn't discovered the reason behind his misfires: (via USAToday.com)

"You look at those things and say, 'What's the difference?' You look at the film and see your form, and the form looks pretty good. It's just one of those things. I just scratch my head. I talk to a lot of guys that I talk to when I'm doing well and when I'm not, and they say to just keep fighting through it. That's the only thing I can do right now."

• Ravens safety Barnard Pollard tells CBSSports.com Senior Columnist Clark Judge that he believes the NFL's struggle to curtail big hits and injuries could eventually lead to a player's death and bring about the league's demise:

"Like I said, I pray it never happens, but you've got guys who are 350 pounds running 4.5 and 4.4s, and these owners and coaches want scout-run blockers and linemen to move walls. At the same time, they tell you, 'Don't hit here, and don't hit there, or we'll take your money.' Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I just believe one day there's going to be a death that takes place on the field because of the direction we're going."

Super fun

• Get alphabetical with a complete guide to Super Bowl XLVII from A to Z, courtesy of ESPN.com.

• A profile of the artist behind Colin Kaepernick's much-discussed tattoos, from Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports.

• Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Super Bowl photos of all time, assembled by SI.com.

• A look at the best and worst NFL coaching performances of 2012, from Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com.

• Some perspective on the challenges Alicia Keys faces in singing the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl, from Alison Fensterstock of NOLA.com.

• The stories of five unlikely Super Bowl heroes and a look at where they are now, from ESPN.com.

For complete coverage all week long, check out NOLA.com's Super Bowl Central.

Novak Djokovic completed his work before midnight Sunday in Australia, defeating Andy Murray in four sets for his third consecutive Australian Open title and fourth overall.

View full size Novak Djokovic kept his celebration after Sunday's Australian Open title a bit more muted than in 2012. But he said the victory meant just as much. "It's very thrilling. I'm full of joy right now," he said. "It's going to give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, that's for sure." Dita Alangkara, Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia -- No shirt ripping or bare-chested flexing this time.

Novak Djokovic completed his work before midnight Sunday in Australia, defeating Andy Murray in four sets for his third consecutive Australian Open title and fourth overall.

It was also the second time in three years Djokovic had beaten his longtime friend in this final. So the celebration was muted: a small victory shuffle, raised arms, a kiss for the trophy. No grand histrionics, although that's not to say the moment was lost on him.

"Winning it three in a row, it's incredible," Djokovic said after his 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2 victory Sunday night. "It's very thrilling. I'm full of joy right now. It's going to give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, that's for sure."

Nine other men had won consecutive Australian titles in the Open era, but none three straight years. One of them was Andre Agassi, who presented Djokovic with the trophy.

A year ago, Djokovic began his season with an epic 5-hour, 53-minute five-set win over Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open, the longest Grand Slam final. He tore off his shirt to celebrate, the TV replays repeated constantly at this tournament. He mimicked that celebration after coming back to beat Stanislas Wawrinka in five hours in a surprisingly tough fourth-round victory this time.

Since then, he's looked every bit the No. 1 player. He said he played "perfectly" in his 89-minute win over fourth-seeded David Ferrer in the semifinals Thursday night. Murray struggled to beat 17-time major winner Roger Federer in five sets in the semifinals Friday night, and still had the bad blisters on his feet to show for it in the final.

Highlights from Sunday's men's final

In a final that had the makings of a classic when two of the best returners in tennis were unable to get a break of serve in the first two sets that lasted 2:13, the difference may have hinged on something as light as a feather.

Preparing for a second serve at 2-2 in the second set tiebreaker, Murray was rocking back about to toss the ball when he stopped, paused and then walked onto the court and tried to grab a small white feather that was floating in his view. He went back to the baseline, bounced the ball another eight times and served too long.

After being called for a double-fault, Murray knocked the ball away in anger and flung his arm down. He didn't get close for the rest of the tiebreaker and was the first to drop serve in the match -- in the eighth game of the third set. Djokovic broke him twice in the fourth set, which by then had turned into an easy march to victory.

"It was strange," said Djokovic, adding that it swung the momentum his way. "It obviously did. ... He made a crucial double-fault."

Murray didn't blame his loss on the one distraction.

"I mean, I could have served. It just caught my eye before I served. I thought it was a good idea to move it," he said. "Maybe it wasn't because I obviously double-faulted.

"You know, at this level it can come down to just a few points here or there. My biggest chance was at the beginning of the second set -- didn't quite get it. When Novak had his chance at the end of the third, he got his."

View full size Novak Djokovic dominated the final week of the Australian Open, claiming his sixth Grand Slam tournament title. Dita Alangkara, Associated Press  

Djokovic had five break-point chances in the opening set, including four after having Murray at 0-40 in the seventh game, but wasn't able to convert any of them.

Then he surrendered the tiebreaker with six unforced errors. Murray appeared to be the stronger of the two at the time. He'd beaten Djokovic in their last Grand Slam encounter, the U.S. Open final, and had the Serb so off balance at times in the first set that he slipped to the court and took skin off his knee.

Murray held serve to open the second set and had three break points at 0-40 in the second game, but Djokovic dug himself out of trouble and held.

"After that I felt just mentally a little bit lighter and more confident on the court than I've done in the first hour or so," Djokovic said. "I was serving better against him today in the first two sets than I've done in any of the match in the last two years."

Djokovic said he loves playing at Rod Laver Arena, where he won his first major title in 2008. He now has six Grand Slam titles altogether. Federer has won four of his 17 majors at Melbourne Park, and Agassi is the only other player to have won that many in Australia since 1968.

Djokovic was just finding his way at the top level when Agassi retired in 2006, but he had watched enough of the eight-time major winner to appreciate his impact.

"He's I think one of the players that changed the game -- not just the game itself, but also the way the people see it," Djokovic said. "So it was obviously a big pleasure and honor for me to receive the trophy from him."

Agassi was among the VIPs in the crowd, along with actor Kevin Spacey and Victoria Azarenka, who won the women's final in three sets against Li Na the previous night.

Murray broke the 76-year drought for British men at the majors when he won the U.S. Open last year and said he'll leave Melbourne slightly more upbeat than he has after defeats here in previous years.

"The last few months have been the best tennis of my life. I mean, I made Wimbledon final, won the Olympics, won the U.S. Open. You know, I was close here as well," he said. "No one's ever won a slam [immediately] after winning their first one. It's not the easiest thing to do. And I got extremely close.

"So, you know, I have to try and look at the positives of the last few months, and I think I'm going the right direction."

AKRON, Ohio - Archbishop Hoban has hired Youngstown native Tim Tyrrell as its new football coach. Tyrrell returns to Northeast Ohio after spending five season as head coach at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood, Fla. Tyrrell amassed a 39-18 record at Chaminade-Madonna, including a 13-1 record and trip to the state semifinals in his second season.

Archbishop Hoban has hired Youngstown native Tim Tyrrell as its new football coach, replacing 19-year veteran Ralph Orsini. Orsini's contract was not renewed.

AKRON, Ohio - Archbishop Hoban has hired Youngstown native Tim Tyrrell as its new football coach.

Tyrrell returns to Northeast Ohio after spending five season as head coach at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood, Fla. Tyrrell amassed a 39-18 record at Chaminade-Madonna, including a 13-1 record and trip to the state semifinals in his second season.

He was named South Florida coach of the year by the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun Sentinel in 2009 and district coach of the year in 2009, 2011, and 2012.

Tyrrell was the head coach at Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas for seven seasons. He also served as tight ends/tackles coach at Youngstown State from 1991-2001.

Tyrrell graduated from Youngstown Ursuline and Youngstown State, where he was a member of the 1993, 1994, and 1997 Division I-AA National Championship teams.

He replaces Ralph Orsini, whose contract was not renewed after 19 seasons. Orsini compiled a 131-83 record, taking 10 teams to the playoffs, the last in 2009.

The Knights finished 2-8 this season and went 1-9 in 2011.

In the cold of winter, the Cavaliers suddenly bring some warmth for basketball fans.

View full size Kyrie Irving's game-winner against Toronto set off a celebration that Omri Casspi (hugging Irving) and Wayne Ellington extended well after the end of the Cavaliers' 99-98 victory Saturday night. Chris Young, Canadian Press  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When do the Cavaliers play next?

It's been a long time since I asked that question with a sense of expectation -- as in, "I can't wait to see the Cavs play again." I know, it's one good week, a modest 3-game winning streak for a team in the midst of another lottery-locked season.

But if you love basketball and have been paying any attention at all -- hasn't this been fun? The Cavs knocked off the Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday. They came from 20-points behind to mug the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. They fell behind by 11 points after three quarters Saturday ... and won again in Toronto.

Then there's Kyrie, a player turning in a star who is gifted enough to go simply by one name. Kyrie walked the ball up the court against the Raptors with the clock ticking down and lofted a 28-footer with less than a second left -- three-pointer! Cavs win, 99-98, at Toronto.

Kyrie has played a grand total of 85 NBA games, and he already has five game-winning shots. This season, he's averaging 24.2 points, shooting .475 from the field, .410 on 3-pointers. He can do everything on offense, from drive to the basket and score with either hand, make medium-range jumpers, running 1-handers off the glass or terrific 3-pointers.

Yes, 20-year-old Kyrie Andrew Irving is a legitimate All-Star, and not just because the Eastern Conference coaches voted him on to the team as a reserve. He is turning into a great player -- and I use "great" very rarely -- as we watch.

In the month of January, he's averaging 26.7 points, shooting 49 percent from the field. So he's not just piling up points by jacking up shots. As coach Byron Scott says, "He's playing the game."

It's turning into winning basketball, as the Cavs have won four of their last five.

Also in January, Tristan Thompson is averaging 14.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and shooting 52 percent. The power forward from Canada is even making 67 percent of his free throws. At 6-9 and with super-springs for legs, Thompson is combining with Irving to run some very productive pick-and-rolls.

Irving and Thompson were the franchise's two first-round picks in 2011. It appears General Manager Chris Grant is indeed building a team that may be worth watching. The second-season improvement of Thompson is reason for fans to have patience with rookies Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller.

The 7-foot Zeller is struggling some nights as the starting center, averaging 9.5 points and 7.7 rebounds (shooting only 37 percent) since Anderson Varejao was injured. The best news is the addition of veteran big man Marreese Speights to carry some of Zeller's load. The 6-10, 255-pound Speights can score inside and is hard to move when he sets up near the rim.

Wayne Ellington has helped with his outside shooting, 43 percent on 3-pointers this season. In an interview after his game-winning shot, Irving talked about the trade that brought Speights and Ellington and said, "Thank you, management."

The players needed to see the front office do something to improve the roster. The coaches needed a few more veterans to help train the rookies. The fans needed a team that just might win some games, and not just look like a summer-league team whose final score really doesn't matter.

I know, the Cavs are 13-32. But I also know they are 5-5 in the last 10 games. I know that Irving is a joy to behold, and Scott suddenly looks like a much-smarter coach with a few veterans coming off the bench.

So when do the Cavs play next? It's Tuesday night at home against Golden State. Could be worth checking them out.

1. Given the fact that Mentor gave nationally-ranked Huntington Prep (W.Va.) a good game and given the fact that St. Edward defeated nationally-ranked Mater Dei (Calif.) and gave Prep a game last year, is it any wonder area coaches feel Ohio gets the short shrift from the national pollsters? 2. By all accounts the second Dunk 4 Diabetes was...

Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins, the top-ranked prospect in the country. - (Courtesy of The Herald-Dispatch)

1. Given the fact that Mentor gave nationally-ranked Huntington Prep (W.Va.) a good game and given the fact that St. Edward defeated nationally-ranked Mater Dei (Calif.) and gave Prep a game last year, is it any wonder area coaches feel Ohio gets the short shrift from the national pollsters?

2. By all accounts the second Dunk 4 Diabetes was a success. More than 1,996 fans watched Mentor battle Huntington Prep on Saturday night and tournament director Chas Wolfe estimated total attendance at 4,000 for the two days at Walsh University in North Canton.

3. If I hear one more coach, assistant coach, trainer, parent, sibling or girlfriend yell, "And one," when they believe their favorite player has been hacked or hammered while going to the basket, I'm going to scream.

4. Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins is a superior talent and undoubtedly will eventually get paid handsomely to play basketball. But any talk that he is equal to LeBron James at this stage of both their careers is just silly.

Phil Dawson and Josh Cribbs could well be representing the Browns for the final time today. So, there you have it, a reason to watch the Pro Bowl, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

View full size Phil Dawson -- not for the first time -- ended his Browns season with a tip of the helmet to Cleveland fans at the conclusion of the home schedule. But there seems little reason not to believe it was a real farewell, says Bud Shaw. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Aloha means goodbye, too.

There are a couple reasons to watch the Pro Bowl Sunday. A few more if you also happen to have the flu and a broken leg.

Let me rephrase. There are at least two good reasons to record the game. No, not to see if it's possible to play 60 minutes of football without anyone suffering a turf stain. Nothing against Joe Thomas, but we should watch because of Phil Dawson and Josh Cribbs, who more than ever appear to be playing their final game on behalf of the Cleveland Browns.

Another new regime sweeps through Berea as Dawson and Cribbs head toward unrestricted free agency in March. It's not as simple, though, as saying the Browns should pay whatever it takes to bring Dawson or Cribbs, or both, back.

Now more than ever, Dawson may want to play closer to home (Texas), or for a winner. He deserves that almost as much as he deserves a fat contract. The amazing accuracy he demonstrated while kicking in an unforgiving stadium all these years makes him even more attractive on the open market.

"The coaches and Michael [Lombardi] will make that call [on re-signing Dawson]," owner Jimmy Haslam said Thursday at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. "You have to remember we have a completely new set of individuals. [Head coach Rob Chudzinski has] been here, what, 10 days now? And really, they've been focused on hiring a staff. ... They've just now started looking at our team. So those decisions will be made over the next few weeks."

The Browns could more easily replace Cribbs. People know how much they'll miss Dawson if he's somewhere else next season. Still, they underestimate Cribbs' absence. As much as the NFL is devaluing the kickoff, the playoffs showed why it's still a dynamic play.

View full size The Browns have been genuinely pleased that Josh Cribbs got a chance to play in Honolulu on Sunday. But that doesn't mean that he's part of their 2013 plans. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

Cribbs is on the downside. Some people think he's selfish because he talks about how much he could help the offense if they'd just cut him in on the action. To me, it's simple. You volunteer for the coverage teams. You're the first one down. You keep going back after vicious collisions. You're not selfish. Too talkative, maybe but not selfish.

"I don't know if there's a tougher player in the NFL than Cribbsy," said Haslam. "Just like everybody else, we'll have to take a look at where Josh is and where he fits into our plans. But we certainly appreciate the unbelievable effort and job that he's done.

"And we're really happy that he got to go to the Pro Bowl. He really deserves that. He's a quality guy. He works his tail off. I don't know anybody that's ever played the game that's been as good at returning and covering kicks as Cribbsy is. He's a great player, a great athlete and as tough as they come."

If that last part sounds like a final tribute from Haslam, it's probably the case.

Joe Banner didn't make his reputation in the NFL acting out of sentiment, no matter how much the Browns are under the salary cap. In fact, he made his reputation doing the exact opposite, contesting dollars on players' contracts in Philadelphia. Maybe even cents.

So say hello to three Browns' Pro Bowlers Sunday and then get ready to say goodbye to two of them.

Deception is already the key to Ray Horton's defense.

The Browns have agreed to a contract with their new defensive coordinator. Now they just have to agree on the defense he'll coach. Chudzinski keeps referring to a "3-4, 4-3 hybrid."

Horton's view?

"It'll be a 3-4 defense, the same defense we ran [in Arizona]," he told 910 AM in Arizona. "It won't be a hybrid unless you're playing golf."

Why the difference, and it semantics? As head coach, Chudzinski might well ask Horton to introduce some flexibility into his base defense. But clearly they hired him to run the 3-4. Since the Browns have a number of players who don't exactly fit, they're simply trying to downplay the size of the adjustment.

The outspoken Horton will meet the media Tuesday. At least I believe they've agreed to do it Tuesday.

SPINOFFS

• Major League Baseball has issued a rule change regarding the pickoff move where the pitcher fakes a throw to third and spins to throw to first. It is now considered a balk. That was on the books as a legal move for a long time, during which the deception caught no one over 9 years old.

• The Akron Zips gave out a LeBron James Bobblehead Saturday night, a reminder of the great college career he never had there.

• A fantasy football group wants to petition President Obama to declare the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday, saying it would make the streets safer, promote a productive environment for work on Tuesday and recognize America's most popular sporting event.

Thank you much, said the Chinese.

• Kobe Bryant made $59.8 million in off-the-court revenue last year, according to Forbes magazine. James was second at $57.6.

That should teach James there's still a price to be paid in lost popularity for The Decision.

• The Phillies will pay Delmon Young a $600,000 bonus if he makes weight at various times during the 2013 season. He will receive $100,000 for each successful weigh-in. The first three times he has to make 230 pounds -- a 10-pound loss. The last three he must make 235.

Because getting paid a million dollars on a one-year contract to play baseball just isn't enough incentive.

View full size Is being a bad coach in the Super Bowl the same as committing "sabotage" on your team? In Bill Callahan's case, Bud Shaw isn't buying it. AP file  

• Tim Brown backed off comments claiming that former Raiders coach Bill Callahan "sabotaged" the Raiders' chances in Super Bowl XXXVII against Tampa Bay and head coach Jon Gruden.

"I never called it sabotage," Brown told Dan Patrick. "I think in my statement last Saturday night, I said that's something that we can't prove. But it's something that was brought up."

So what did he say if he didn't call it "sabotage?"

"We all called it sabotage," Brown said in the previous interview.

I think he sabotaged his own retraction.

• Jerry Rice came to Brown's defense and made basically the same claim.

"For some reason -- and I don't know why -- Bill Callahan did not like me," Rice said. "In a way, maybe because he didn't like the Raiders, he decided, 'Maybe we should sabotage this a little bit and let Jon Gruden go out and win this one.'"

Maybe Callahan didn't like Rice because he knew he was the kind of guy who might wait 10 years to make a reckless claim that a coach threw a Super Bowl.

• Some librarians have moved Lance Armstrong's book, "It's Not About The Bike" into the fiction section following his public admission of doping.

In addition, two readers from Sacramento have filed a lawsuit claiming Armstrong passed his book off as non-fiction. They want restitution now that he admitted he cheated in winning seven Tour de France titles.

Because up to the point of his admission, nobody in this world capable of critical thought and sound mind would have had a single reason to doubt the existence of a clean Tour de France winner.

HE TWEETED IT

"I never needed the money. Give me a dollar and a ball. Bet I come back #HallofFame" -- Lions receiver Titus Young, threatening to quit and seemingly unaware that the ticket prices in Canton have gone up.

YOU SAID IT

(The Slightly-Expanded-But-Not-By-Popular-Demand Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Assuming the PD gives you a per diem for every Browns press conference, have you moved to a higher tax bracket?" -- Eric Kiska, Lorain

Let's just say from where I sit, Phil Mickelson is a "taker."

"Hey Bud:

"Why is it that whenever the Browns are looking for a new head coach, they almost always almost hire their first choice?" -- Ed Stagl, Berea

Anyone can win hiring from the top of their list. I mean look at the Steelers. The Browns prefer a challenge.

"Bud:

"Has anyone ever sent you a T-shirt for a good article?" -- Peggy Good

I'll let you know.

"Dear Bud:

"During my recent exile to the Island of Patmos, I had a vision of Four Horsemen galloping across the horizon. They were named War, Famine, Pestilence and Derek Anderson. Can you interpret this for me please?" -- Jim Latronica, Brunswick

I need more information. Was Chud there blowing a cavalry bugle?

"Bud:

"Superbaugh or Harbowl?" -- Michael Sarro

Knitting needles or sharp stick?

"Hey Bud:

"Do you think Manti Te'o also dated Fawn Leibowitz from Emily Dickinson College? She was going to make a pot for him!" -- Kristyn "Oke" Okress

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"With the signing of the new defensive line coach, are the Browns going to be able to sniff out a naked reverse before it develops?" -- Jim W

Repeat winners get the help they need.

"Bud:

"Will Charlie Manuel be the first baseball manager to use an interpreter?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners' T-shirt requests get lost in translation.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot joined Baskin and Phelps on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) today to talk Browns.

Mary Kay Cabot

Irving led the league with 35.7 points per game and shot.612 from the field.

Kyrie Irving, shown driving against the Bucks last week, led the league with 35.7 points per game last week. AP  

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Kyrie Irving was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for his efforts in three Cavaliers victories, the NBA announced Monday.

Irving averaged 35.7 points per game, which led the league in scoring, and shot .612 from the field (41-for-67).

"He's had one of probably the best weeks of his life," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said.

"He got named to the All-Star team, was Athlete of the Year in Cleveland, then he goes out and averages about 35 points. So he's had a pretty good week."

Irving also could move into the starting role in the All-Star after Boston Celtics starter Rajon Rondo tore his ACL over the weekend. The coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team makes the final decision.

This week, Irving had the game-winner in a 99-98 triumph over Toronto on Saturday, and poured in 40 points on 16-of-24 shooting in a 95-90 victory over the Boston Celtics.

"I mean," James said, in awe of his surroundings, "this is the White House."

View full size LeBron James and the Miami Heat visited the White House this afternoon. Associated Press  

WASHINGTON -- The Miami Heat, or what President Barack Obama called "a little up-and-coming basketball team," visited the White House this afternoon, one of the perks of its 2012 championship.

Obama's love of basketball and a chance to mix it up with champions was obvious. But LeBron James was the one who seemed star-struck.

"I mean, we're in the White House," James, who grew up in Akron and became a star in Cleveland before leaving for the Heat, said to laughter. "...I mean, we're kids from Chicago and Dallas, Texas and Michigan and Ohio and South Dakota -- Miami. And we're in the White House right now. This is like, 'Hey, mama, I made it.'"

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Everybody please have a seat. Well, today I am honored to welcome a little up-and-coming basketball team -- (laughter) -- to the White House called the world champion Miami Heat. (Applause.)

Now, for many of teams that come here, this is a lot of cameras in one place. It’s a little overwhelming. (Laughter.) But for the Heat, this is what practice looks like. (Laughter.) This is normal. I know this is the first trip for some of these players, but a few of them were here a couple of years ago for a pickup game on my birthday.

Now, I’m not trying to take all the credit, Coach, but I think that it’s clear that going up against me prepared them to take on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. (Laughter.) It sharpened their skills. It gave them the competitive edge that they needed. And I think part of the reason they came back today is they want another shot at the old guy. (Laughter.)

But first, I have to congratulate the Heat on their well-earned title. This team traveled a long road to get to where they are. In 2011, the Heat got all the way to the finals only to come up short. But when you fall, the real test is whether you can ignore the naysayers, pick yourself up and come back stronger. And that’s true in basketball, but it’s also true in life. That’s exactly what these guys did.

Instead of getting down, they got better. Dwyane Wade worked on his core. LeBron learned some post moves from Hakeem. Shane Battier came on board. They became a more complete team. They got to know each other better and trust each other more. And they became more fun to watch.

In Game Four against the Thunder last year, we saw LeBron carried off the floor with cramps, only to come back a few minutes later and hit a dagger of a three-pointer to put the Heat ahead. During Game Six, we saw him pull off one of the greatest performances in basketball playoff history, dropping 45 points -- and he had a scary look in his eye. (Laughter.)

We saw Dwyane Wade, the heart and soul of this team, continue to do whatever it takes to win, including leading the team in blocks. And at the post-game press conferences, he dressed well enough to land himself in GQ magazine. (Laughter.) Show them your kicks here, Dwyane. (Laughter.) If any of you can pull this off -- (laughter) -- other than Dwyane Wade, let me know. We saw Chris Bosh get injured, but get healthy right at the perfect time and do outstanding work throughout the rest of the playoffs.

And it wasn’t just the Big Three. Mike Miller could barely walk. Mike, you look better now. (Laughter.) You looked broke down last year -- (laughter) -- but still hit seven three-pointers in the final game. I don’t know how he did it because he could not walk. He looked like an old man. Mario Chalmers earned himself a nickname from Dwayne Wade that I’m not allowed to repeat. (Laughter.) But he did a great job.

Shane Battier, as always, played impeccable defense, hit big threes. Juwan Howard -- “Grandpa” -- became the first member of the Fab Five to win a ring. And Coach continually set the tone and kept these guys motivated the entire way.

So that team mentality -- with everybody doing their part -- is what finally put the Heat over the top. And it’s especially impressive when you think about everything they’ve had to deal with over the last few years. This team inspired a lot of passions on both sides. And I’m just talking about their dance moves. (Laughter.) We saw that video, LeBron. (Laughter.)

But even though I’m a little disappointed that the Bulls didn’t make it, I do want to congratulate the Heat for a well-earned championship. LeBron said, “It’s about damn time.” And I want to thank them for taking the time this afternoon to spend with wounded warriors at Walter Reed, because you guys are heroes to them but they are heroes to all of us.

And let me just say one last thing about these guys, and I mentioned this as we were coming in. There’s a lot of focus on what happens on the court, but what’s also important is what happens off the court. And I don't know all these guys, but I do know LeBron and Dwayne and Chris. And one of the things I’m proudest of is that they take their roles as fathers seriously. And for all the young men out there who are looking up to them all the time, for them to see somebody who cares about their kids and is there for them day in and day out, that's a good message to send. It’s a positive message to send, and we’re very proud of them for that. (Applause.)

So congratulations, again, to the Miami Heat. And now we are going to take a picture that makes me look very short. (Laughter.) I’m accustomed to it, but first I’m going to ask Coach to say a few words. (Applause.)

COACH SPOELSTRA: Well, on behalf of Micky Arison, Pat Riley, the entire Miami Heat organization, and our families, we want to thank you for your hospitality today to be in the White House and also to be inspired by the great men and women of the Walter Reed Hospital. We are honored and truly, truly humbled to be here.

We actually hope that this team serves as an inspiration to the nation of what a group can do when you come together and sacrifice your egos for a greater goal; to come together with a real hard-hat work ethic, and to be able to persevere through adversity and a whole heck of a lot of criticism -- (laughter) -- and still be able to accomplish the ultimate dream.

THE PRESIDENT: Fantastic. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

MR. JAMES: Am I supposed to say something?

THE PRESIDENT: You can if you want. It's your world, man. (Laughter.)

MR. JAMES: On behalf of myself and my teammates, we just want to thank you -- to piggyback what Spo said -- for the hospitality, for allowing us to be, I mean, in the White House. I mean, we're in the White House. (Laughter.) And Coach said -- and the Prez said this real casual. So I mean, we're kids from Chicago and Dallas, Texas and Michigan and Ohio and South Dakota -- (laughter) -- Miami. And we're in the White House right now. This is like, hey, mama, I made it. (Laughter and applause.)

MR. WADE: All I've got to say is we've got a 10-day contract left?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

MR. WADE: Pick my man up. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: You guys could use a shooter. (Laughter.)

MR. WADE: My point guard. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.)

 

First-year Tribe skipper will be on MLB Network talking about the new book he co-authored, "Francona: The Red Sox Years."

New Indians manager Terry Francona had a .574 winning percentage in eight seasons as the Boston Red Sox' skipper and has a .529 career winning percentage including four years as the Philadelphia Phillies' manager. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer  

Terry Francona, hired as the Tribe's skipper on Oct. 6, will be the guest on a new edition of MLB Network's "Studio 42 with Bob Costas" on Wednesday night at 9.

Francona will talk about his new book, "Francona: The Red Sox Years," co-written with Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy.

According to a release from MLB Network:

Throughout the hour-long interview, Francona talks about his departure from the Red Sox in 2011; his relationships with Boston’s front office, players and media during his tenure; how the 2011 Red Sox compared to the 2004 World Series-winning team; and managing today’s Cleveland Indians, the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997 to 2000, and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan when he was a member of the Double-A Birmingham Barons in 1994.

Francona was a first baseman-outfielder for 10 major league seasons (1981-90), including the 1988 campaign with the Indians. His dad, Tito Francona, played the same positions for 15 years (1956-70) in the bigs, and was a fan favorite in his six seasons (1959-64) with the Indians.

Some excerpts from Francona's interview with Costas:

.....On what he's looking forward to with the Indians:

"I’m honestly excited to see how good we can be. We’re in a little different place than maybe the ’04 Red Sox were. We’re younger. I’m kind of looking forward to being able to get on the field and maybe making an impact with guys as opposed to maybe putting fires out, maybe being a little bit more of a coach again. I missed that so I’m excited."

"Probably the greatest hitter I’ve ever seen. When he steps out of the batter’s box, all bets are off."

"Boston is a wonderful place to work. It’s a hard place to work, but it’s a great place. If you like baseball, there’s probably no better place. The way it ended isn’t the way I would’ve scripted it, and so, I probably do harbor some feelings of where I wanted them to care more about me a little bit than I felt they did."

"I think there were guys who had earned my trust, guys I had won a couple of World Series with, and I think they probably, at some point, took advantage of that a little bit. That’s on me, too. That was my responsibility. I tried to be the same manager [I was] in 2004. In 2011, we started 2-10, then we went 80-40. For me to change my stripes halfway through September, I didn’t think that’s the way to do it."

"One, if you tell him no, he’s gonna find a way to make the answer be yes. … I thought if he was willing to spend another thousand at-bats, he would’ve found his way to the big leagues, maybe as an extra outfielder or something. I don’t think it was fair to talk about it until then. But think about it, he hadn’t played for 14 years and that was high school. He goes to Double-A, he steals 30 bases, he drove in 50 runs."

PD boys basketball Top 25 Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

St. Edward and sophomore Kipper Nichols, center, jump two spots to No. 2 in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 boys basketball poll after a big week, which began Jan. 21 with a win over national power Mater Dei (Calif.). - (Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)

PD boys basketball Top 25

Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

1. Mentor, 13-3 (1): At No. 8 Cleveland Heights on Saturday. Cardinals gave nationally-ranked Huntington Prep (W.Va.) a scare before losing by two.

2. St. Edward, 12-4 (4): Hosts Youngstown Ursuline on Tuesday. Did the Eagles make a statement by beating nationally-ranked Mater Dei (Calif.)?

3. St. Ignatius, 12-3 (3): Hosts No. 14 Glenville on Friday. Life without Alec Papesch has been livable so far as Wildcats win four of five.

4. Shaker Heights, 11-4 (2): At No. 2 St. Edward on Friday. Victory over reigning state champ was sweet, but loss to Hudson leaves sour taste.

5. Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 13-2 (5): At Trinity on Friday.

6. Garfield Heights, 12-3 (6): Hosts Medina on Feb. 5.

7. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 7-7 (7): At No. 18 Brush on Tuesday.

8. Cleveland Heights, 9-3 (8): At Bedford on Friday.

9. Central Catholic, 10-4 (9): Hosts St. Peter Chanel on Friday.

10. Richmond Heights, 11-2 (10): At Fairport Harding on Tuesday.

11. Beachwood, 12-2 (11): Hosts Cardinal on Tuesday.

12. North Royalton, 14-1 (12): At Valley Forge on Tuesday.

13. Nordonia, 12-2 (13): Hosts No. 20 Walsh Jesuit on Tuesday.

14. Glenville, 13-2 (14): Hosts East Tech on Tuesday.

15. Green, 14-1 (15): At Copley on Friday.

16. Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 13-1 (18): Hosts Midpark on Tuesday.

17. Twinsburg, 10-3 (19): At Revere on Tuesday.

18. Brush, 10-3 (16): Hosts No. 7 St. Vincent-St. Mary on Tuesday. A 46-point loss does no wonders for your ranking, let alone your psyche.

19. Archbishop Hoban, 11-3 (17): At Canton GlenOak on Tuesday.

20. Walsh Jesuit, 11-3 (20): At No. 13 Nordonia on Tuesday.

21. Maple Heights, 12-4 (22): At Lorain on Friday.

22. Barberton, 9-5 (21): Hosts Cuyahoga Falls on Tuesday.

23. Brunswick, 8-8 (25): Hosts No. 17 Twinsburg on Friday.

24. Hudson, 10-4 (--): At Highland on Tuesday. Explorers test Top 25 waters after win over Shaker Heights. Will they float or sink?

25. Elyria, 11-4 (23): Hosts Vermilion on Tuesday.

Dropped out: Shaw.

PD girls basketball Top 25 Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

Hudson's girls basketball team defeated Magnificat and Stow last week, and jumped one spot to fourth in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll.

PD girls basketball Top 25

Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

1. Twinsburg, 17-0 (1): At No. 2 Hathaway Brown on Wednesday.

2. Hathaway Brown, 14-4 (2): Hosts No. 1 Twinsburg on Wednesday.

3. Wadsworth, 15-2 (3): At Copley on Wednesday.

4. Hudson, 15-2 (5): At Aurora on Wednesday. Explorers moved up in poll thanks to victories over Magnificat and Stow.

5. Solon, 13-3 (6): Hosts No. 6 Walsh Jesuit on Tuesday.

6. Walsh Jesuit, 13-3 (4): At No. 5 Solon on Tuesday.

7. Magnificat, 12-6 (10): Hosts Holy Name on Wednesday. Visiting Blue Streaks cashed in at the foul line to defeat rival St. Joseph Academy.

8. Archbishop Hoban, 11-4 (8): Hosts Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on Monday.

9. St. Joseph Academy, 16-2 (7): Hosts Brush on Thursday.

10. Stow, 12-5 (9): At Massillon on Wednesday.

11. Midpark, 12-3 (13): At North Olmsted on Wednesday.

12. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 11-5 (12): Hosts No. 6 Walsh Jesuit on Thursday.

13. Brunswick, 13-5 (14): At No. 15 Medina on Wednesday.

14. Mentor, 11-6 (17): At Cleveland Heights on Wednesday. Cardinals defeated Walsh Jesuit but got reality check in loss to defending Division I state champion Twinsburg.

15. Medina, 12-5 (11): Hosts No. 13 Brunswick on Wednesday. Bees took a thrashing at the hands of host North Royalton.

16. Chagrin Falls, 13-4 (15): Hosts Brush on Wednesday.

17. Gilmour Academy, 15-2 (16): Hosts Perry on Tuesday.

18. Lake Ridge Academy, 15-2 (18): Played at Holy Name on Monday.

19. Lake Catholic, 9-8 (20): Hosts Mayfield on Wednesday. Cougars continued their move up the ladder by beating Kenston in key nonleague road test.

20. Kenston, 12-4 (19): Hosts Chardon on Wednesday.

21. Cuyahoga Heights, 14-2 (21): Played at Normandy on Monday.

22. Manchester, 16-3 (22): Hosts Indian Valley on Wednesday.

23. Lakewood, 15-2 (23): Hosts Vermilion on Wednesday.

24. Euclid, 14-3 (--): At North Royalton on Wednesday. Panthers avenged loss to Cleveland Heights to take over sole possession of first place in Lake Erie League.

25. Southeast, 11-4 (25): At Garrettsville Garfield on Saturday.

Dropped out: Elyria Catholic.

CHARDON, Ohio - Byron Morgan has decided to step away from the football sideline. The veteran coach announced his retirement Monday after six seasons at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. He led the Lions to an 8-3 record in 2012, winning the North Coast League Blue Division, and their first appearance in the Division III playoffs.

Byron Morgan has been on the sideline at NDCL the past six seasons and announced his retirement on Monday. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

CHARDON, Ohio - Byron Morgan has decided to step away from the football sideline.

The veteran coach announced his retirement Monday after six seasons at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. He led the Lions to an 8-3 record in 2012, winning the North Coast League Blue Division, and their first appearance in the Division III playoffs.

"I didn't want to make a hasty decision," said Morgan, who coached 14 years at Mayfield and 13 at Solon. "After the semester break, I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision at the right time.

"We were hired six years ago to build the program and I think we did that. It's been a nice ride."

In 33 seasons, Morgan compiled a 232-104-3 record. His 1984 Mayfield club was 11-1 and he reached the Division I state semifinals with his 12-1 Solon team in 1996. In 2000, the Comets (14-1) lost to Upper Arlington, 15-9, in the Division I title game.

Morgan was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

He lives in Willoughby with his wife, Jan. Morgan's sons, Jason and Kevin, were NDCL assistant coaches this past season.
 

Speights could be a free agent as he has a player's option on his contract for next season, and other teams are interested. Waiters stays put though C.J. Miles is now healthy. More Cavaliers story links.

Marreese Speights (left) during the Cavaliers' 113-108 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks last Friday night -- his first game with the Cavs. Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers go after their fourth win in a row on Tuesday night, when they host the Golden State Warriors. 

It won't be easy for the Cavs (13-32). The Warriors are 26-17 going into their game tonight against the Raptors in Toronto. NBA standings show the Warriors have a solid chance to be among the eight Western Conference teams to make the playoffs. Golden State's last winning record was in the 2007-08 season, and the last time the Warriors made the playoffs was in the 2006-07 campaign.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Jodie Valade's story that Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week; Terry Pluto's column that the Cavs' recent play has created some optimism; Mary Schmitt Boyer's story that Irving -- named to the all-star team last week -- has keyed the Cavaliers' improved play.

The Cavaliers have wins in both of their games (113-108 over Milwaukee in Cleveland on Friday night; 99-98 at Toronto on Saturday night) with forward-center Marreese Speights and shooting guard Wayne Ellington coming off the bench, and playing well. They were obtained in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies last week.

Speights has a $4.5 million option on his contract for next season. Sam Amico writes for FoxSportsOhio.com that it's possible Speights won't be with the Cavs for long, as the Feb. 21 trade deadline approaches:

Rumors say the Cavs may be willing to move Speights at the trade deadline, and while they really like him, it wouldn’t be a major surprise. He can opt out of his contract at season’s end and will be looking to get paid.

Bob Finnan wrote a couple days ago for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:

Speights had the ability to veto his inclusion in the trade to the Cavs. By doing so, he gave up his "Bird" rights, which means the Cavs cannot exceed the cap to re-sign him. He has a player's option on his contract for next year worth $4.5 million. If he plays well in the second half of the season, agent Andy Miller might recommend pursuing a multiyear deal.

And, last Friday, Marc Stein wrote for ESPN.com, on the Eastern Conference section of his Weekend Dime, that Speights, guard Daniel Gibson and small forward Omri Casspi are the Cavs most likely to be dealt by the trade deadline -- with an explanation of why it might make sense to trade Speights. Stein wrote:

The Cavs obviously aren't in the playoff hunt and word is they're already receiving interest in Speights, who possesses a $4.5 million player option for next season. The Cavs are also armed with $12 million in expiring contracts and roughly $4 million in leftover cap space for the summer, which means they've got the tools to continue to be active before this deadline.

Daniel Gibson and Omri Casspi, according to NBA front-office sources, are the most likely Cavs to be dealt along with Speights, who had to give his consent to be sent to Cleveland as one of the 13 players in the league this season (see Box No. 6 here for the detailed explanation) possessing the sort of unique one-year contract that creates trade-blocking power.

Cavaliers story links

The Cavaliers' modest winning streak will keep Dion Waiters in the starting lineup at shooting guard, for now. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

Observations on the Cavs' improved play, and on Kyrie Irving and the team's new players. (By Austin Carr, cavfanatic.com)

Video: Guard Wayne Ellington is interviewed after Monday's practice. (nba.com/cavaliers)

Video: Coach Byron Scott talks with the media after Monday's practice. (nba.com/cavaliers)

The Cavs have moved up five spots (from last place) in two weeks in the power rankings. (ESPN.com)

Kyrie Irving deserves to start in the All-Star Game. With video of Irving's game-winning 3-point shot on Saturday night in Toronto. (By Brendan Bowers, Stepien Rules)

Kyrie Irving is flourishing in his new role as the Cavaliers' leader. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

The accomplishments are beginning to pile up for Kyrie Irving. (By Bob Finnan, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

The best ways for the Cavs to utilize the players acquired in the trade with Memphis. A slideshow. (By Greg Swartz, Bleacher Report)

Kyrie Irving is on his way to becoming the NBA's premier point guard. (By Ryan Bothmann, Bleacher Report)

Kyrie Irving is the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in at least three straight games before turning 21. (WaitingForNextYear)

Fred Nance will work closely with Browns CEO Joe Banner in his new role as Senior Advisor and Special Counsel.

Fred Nance, shown in a file photo with former team president Mike Holmgren in the background, will remain with the Browns as Senior Advisor and Special Counsel. Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Fred Nance will remain with the Browns in his new role as Senior Advisor and Special Counsel, the club announced today.

Since joining the Browns in 2009, Nance had served as General Counsel while remaining a partner at the Squire Sanders LLP law firm, where he has practiced for 35 years. He will continue with the firm in his new role with the Browns.
 
Nance will work with Browns CEO Joe Banner, President Alec Scheiner and new General Counsel Sashi Brown on a variety of strategic and development matters.

"We are fortunate to have someone with Fred’s knowledge and expertise continue to serve our organization,” said Browns CEO Joe Banner in a release. “Fred’s track record as a top sports attorney is reflected in his having been a finalist for the position of NFL Commissioner in 2006.  As a Cleveland native, Fred’s keen awareness of the local landscape has been invaluable for the franchise over the last several years, and we are thrilled that his passion for Cleveland and the Browns will continue to benefit our club.”

Money can't buy happiness. But in baseball, it can go a long way toward staging a victory parade.

View full size Terry Francona's arrival to Cleveland has generated plenty of deserved optimism for the 2013 Indians, says Bill Livingston. But that doesn't mean that Francona's success wouldn't be enhanced by a more competitive payroll. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Money can't buy happiness. But, as Rhett Butler told Scarlett O'Hara, it can buy the most amusing substitutes.

With Indians manager Terry Francona, it probably was enough to put him into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hand-wringing about the Boston Red Sox trade of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919, the so-called "Curse of the Bambino," became a cottage industry for writers in New England. The struggles of the Red Sox followed themes of Nemesis and Puritan denial. No lead was safe in Fenway Park.

They should have followed the money instead.

Francona, in his first year in Boston in 2004, not only won the World Series, but managed the only team in baseball history to overcome an 0-3 American League Championship Series deficit -- and against the Yankees!

He got the Red Sox job after Grady Little was too stupid to take Pedro Martinez out of the seventh game of the ALCS in 2003 against the Yankees. Three years later, thanks to third-base coach Joel Skinner and the "Stop Sign From Hell," Francona's Red Sox overcame a 3 games-to-1 deficit against the Tribe in the ALCS, then won the World Series again.

Sometimes, pure, dumb luck is a big factor in sports success. But money plays a big role, too.

Both times the Red Sox won the World Series, they had the second-highest payroll in baseball, the only major sport in this country without a salary cap.

Playoff baseball is a crapshoot. It is not damning that Francona won one playoff series in his last four years, although the Red Sox missed the postseason entirely in his final two seasons. Joe Torre won only one series in his last four seasons with the Yankees, too.

Yet during the long years without victory parades, Boston managers were hardly passed over when it came to sizing the goat's horns. John McNamara, for example, left wicket-legged Bill Buckner in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the Mets, rather than use defensive replacement Dave Stapleton, with disastrous results.

In neither the case of McNamara nor of Little, however, were starting pitchers alleged to be consuming fried chicken and beer in the clubhouse during games. That was the most shocking part of Boston's epic unraveling in September, 2011. In Francona's last season there, the Red Sox lost a nine-game September lead by dropping 20 of their last 27 games.

Despite "Fried Chickengate" and Francona's admission that he could no longer reach some of the players, he is generally viewed sympathetically, as a man wronged by aloof owners with superficial concerns.

In his forthcoming book "Francona: The Red Sox Years," Francona and former General Manager Theo Epstein charge that Boston ownership was too interested in image, as projected by good-looking players who would generate higher cable television ratings among women viewers.

Still, one of the players those bottom-line owners acquired on telegenic grounds was Adrian Gonzalez. In 282 games in Boston in 2011-12, he hit 42 home runs, drove in 203 runs, and hit .321. They are better overall numbers than the Indians' most glamorous free agent signing, Nick Swisher, had with the Yankees.

In Cleveland, Francona approaches the coming season as a heroic figure with a vast fund of goodwill. Fans dream that he might snap the Tribe's streak of 64 years without a World Series title, exorcising along the way twice as many curses (those of Bobby Bragan and Rocky Colavito) as in Boston.

The bad news is that the payroll here is going to be more like the Philadelphia teams Francona managed prior to the Red Sox. The Phillies, saddled with payrolls ranked in the lower half of the major leagues, never reached the playoffs or had a winning season then.

Even after the Dolan family sold SportsTime Ohio to the Fox network in the off-season for a reported $230 million, the Indians' 2013 payroll probably will be just under $70 million this season. That's in the bottom 10 overall.

The STO money was why the Tribe could afford to sign Swisher to a four-year, $56-million contract. Fans, apathetic after years of fiscal conservatism, reacted as if he were the second coming of Stan Musial.

In 2014, an additional $25-$28 million will be available to each team when new national TV contracts begin. The catch, however, is that it's all relative. The same TV tide that floats the Wahoo canoe also lifts the payroll of the big-market battleships.

Teams can win on comparatively low budgets -- Oakland, where Moneyball analytics began, Tampa Bay, where years of losing provided significant draft assistance. But the margin for error is slight.

Francona can only do so much. Managers have no magic wand, although money works nicely in its absence.

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - Senior Darryl Richards had a pretty good season playing quarterback for Kenston. But he will be playing wide receiver at Toledo next fall.  The 6-3, 180-pound Richards made an oral commitment on Monday to play for the Rockets.

Darryl Richards will play wide receiver for the Toledo Rockets. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - Senior Darryl Richards had a pretty good season playing quarterback for Kenston. But he will be playing wide receiver at Toledo next fall.

 The 6-3, 180-pound Richards made an oral commitment on Monday to play for the Rockets.

"My parents told me to look at a program that will love you all four years," said Richards, who helped the Bombers go 7-5 and reach the Division III playoffs. "It's a big weight off my shoulders. I can go to a place I truly love."

Richards accounted for more than 3,000 yards of offense last season. He helped the No. 8-seeded Bombers defeat top-seeded Tallmadge, 29-26, in the first round of the Division III playoffs.

He visited Louisville and was considering Indiana as a  possible choice. He said returning to wide receiver will not be a problem.

"I definitely like it," he said. "I'm going back to my roots. I'm looking forward to experience of going to the Division I level and going against great corners."

The Rockets open the 2013 season at Florida and Richards said he expects to play against the Gators. 

Richards said he intends to major in sports medicine or architectural engineering.

He led the Bombers to a 7-5 record and first-round upset of top-ranked Tallamadge in the

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school boys basketball teams in the fourth of seven weekly Associated Press polls, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses). DIVISION I

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school boys basketball teams in the fourth of seven weekly Associated Press polls, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses).

DIVISION I

1, Cols. Northland (20) 16-0 227 2, Cin. Walnut Hills (3) 16-1 183 3, Norwalk (1) 16-0 166 4, Westerville N. 13-1 154 5, Tol. St. John's 13-3 133 6, Mentor 13-3 95 7, St. Ignatius 12-3 93 8, Tol. Cent. Cath. 11-2 72 9, Tol. Whitmer 12-4 54 10, Cin. Moeller 14-2 34 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Shaker Hts. 20. 12, Huber Hts. Wayne 16. 13, Reynoldsburg 13.

DIVISION II

1, Day. Thurgood Marshall (20) 13-1 235 2, Day. Dunbar (2) 13-3 179 3, Cols. Watterson (1) 12-1 174 4, Cols. Brookhaven (1) 13-2 139 5, Kettering Alter 13-2 123 6, St. Clairsville 11-1 99 7, Can. S. 14-2 96 8, Trotwood-Madison 12-2 80 9, Granville 12-3 34 10, Franklin 13-3 29 Others receiving 12 or more points: 10, St. Vincent-St. Mary 29. 12, Vincent Warren 23. 13, Central Catholic 20. 14, Tontogany Otsego 18.

DIVISION III

1, Cin. Summit Country Day (9) 15-1 211 2, Lima Cent. Cath. (5) 15-1 203 3, Ottawa-Glandorf (2) 14-1 180 4, Bloom-Carroll (4) 16-0 171 5, Findlay Liberty-Benton 13-1 126 6, St. Bernard Roger Bacon (2) 15-2 121 7, Ironton (2) 12-2 98 8, Versailles 12-2 64 9, Beachwood 12-2 45 10, Oak Hill 13-3 18 Others receiving 12 or more points: None.

DIVISION IV

1, St. Henry (12) 15-1 211 2, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (7) 13-2 198 3, New Madison Tri-Village (3) 16-0 179 4, Bristol (1) 13-0 139 5, Cols. Africentric 14-2 119 6, Old Fort 16-1 108 7, Richmond Heights 11-2 81 8, Newark Cath. 13-3 69 9, Ft. Recovery 14-2 66 10, Tol. Christian 12-1 46 Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Edgerton (1) 20. 12, New Bremen 14.  

No. 11 Ohio State defeated Michigan, 56-53, on Jan. 13 in Columbus. The teams meet again on Feb. 5 in Ann Arbor.

Ohio State's Aaron Craft (right), regarded by some observers as the nation's top defensive guard, covers Michigan's high-scoring guard, Trey Burke, during the Buckeyes' 56-53 home win over the Wolverines on Jan. 13. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer  

The Michigan coach just hadn't checked them yet.

"I've been absorbed in Northwestern tape," Beilein said.

The Wolverines are No. 1 in The Associated Press' college basketball poll for the first time since their Fab Five days 20 years ago, but Beilein is determined not to get carried away with all this recognition.

Michigan took over the top spot after a 74-60 victory at Illinois on Sunday night. Next up on the schedule is Northwestern, and there's no reason for the routine to change.

The Wolverines are 19-1, 6-1 in the Big Ten. Their lone loss was to Ohio State's Buckeyes, 56-53, on Jan. 13 in Columbus. Ohio State (15-4, 5-2), which visits Michigan on Feb. 5, is ranked 11th this week, moving up from No. 14 a week ago.

The Buckeyes play two games before meeting the Wolverines in Ann Arbor: They host Wisconsin's Badgers (14-6, 5-2) on Tuesday night and go to Nebraska to play the Cornhuskers (11-10, 2-6) on Saturday night.

Ohio State trails the No. 3 Indiana Hoosiers (18-2, 6-1) by one game in the Big Ten standings and the No. 13 Michigan State Spartans (17-4, 6-2) by a half game.

(Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises' game story on the Buckeyes' 56-53 win over the Wolverines and PD columnist Bill Livingston's commentary on the game)

"Our goal at Michigan is to be No. 1 in the Big Ten. When you achieve that honor, you will have a chance at the national championship," Beilein said. "All through the year polls will spark great interest among college basketball fans everywhere and that is always good. Our coaches and players, however, will remain focused on our goals of improving daily and competing for the championship within our conference."

Michigan is doing pretty well in that regard, too. The Wolverines tied for the Big Ten title last year, and they're deadlocked atop the league right now with No. 3 Indiana. The Hoosiers host Michigan on Saturday night.

Michigan received 51 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel Monday. Kansas moved up one spot to No. 2 and had 13 first-place votes. They are the only one-loss teams in the poll. Indiana, Florida, which drew the other first-place vote, and Duke complete the top five.

Duke, which was No. 1 last week, dropped after being routed 90-63 by Miami in the third-worst defeat by a top-ranked team. It was the second straight week the No. 1 team lost.

The Wolverines advanced from No. 2 to become No. 1 for the fourth time. They were at the top for 10 weeks in 1964-65, eight weeks in 1976-77 and three weeks at the start of 1992-93, the Fab Five's second and final season together.

That season, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson made it to the national championship game for the second straight year.

Jackson now lives in Texas, but he roots for the Wolverines from afar.

"I'm excited about it and I'm very proud of those boys," Jackson said in a telephone interview Monday. "I'm really excited and pleased about what Coach Beilein has done to turn the program around."

Michigan fell on hard times after the Fab Five moved on, in part because of NCAA sanctions related to that era. Beilein took over in 2007 and made the NCAA tournament in his second season with the Wolverines, but the program's rise didn't really begin until two years ago.

In January 2011, Michigan was 1-6 in Big Ten play when the Wolverines shocked Michigan State in East Lansing. Michigan took off after that victory, reaching the NCAA tournament that year. The following season, the Wolverines won a share of their first conference title since 1986.

Now the Wolverines are national title contenders thanks to guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway and a talented group of freshmen -- although the toughest tests are still to come.

After hosting Northwestern on Wednesday night, Michigan faces a four-game stretch against Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State.

"What I'd like to see is what we've already seen," Beilein said. "That they're on a mission to be the best that this team can possibly be."

Michigan is the second Big Ten team to be No. 1 this season. Indiana was the preseason No. 1 and stayed there for the first five weeks of the regular season. Duke moved in for four weeks before Louisville and the Blue Devils both held it for one week.

Rounding out the top 10 are No. 6 Syracuse, followed by Gonzaga, Arizona, Butler and Oregon. Miami rode its win over Duke to an 11-place jump in the poll, from 25th to 14th.

Fourteen ranked teams, including half of the top 10, lost at least one game last week. Four teams, including Louisville, which dropped from fifth to 12th, lost twice last week.

San Diego State and Marquette returned to the rankings this week, replacing Virginia Commonwealth, which was 19th, and Notre Dame, which was 24th.