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Tiger Woods puts finishing touches on four-stroke victory in San Diego

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It was the 75th career win for Woods on the PGA Tour, seven behind the record held by Sam Snead.

woods-wins-sandie-2013-ap.jpg View full size An even-par final round was more than enough to clinch the weather-delayed Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego for Tiger Woods.  

SAN DIEGO -- Tiger Woods is a winner again at Torrey Pines, and the only question Monday was how long it would take him to finish.

Woods stretched his lead to eight shots in the Farmers Insurance Open before losing his focus and his patience during a painfully slow finish by the group ahead.

Despite dropping four shots over the last five holes, he still managed an even-par 72 for a four-shot victory on the course where he has won more than any other in his pro career.

He won the tournament for the seventh time, one behind the record held by Sam Snead, who won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times. It was the eighth time Woods won at Torrey Pines, which includes his playoff win in the 2008 U.S Open.

This one was never close.

• Final scores from Torrey Pines.

Woods built a six-shot lead with 11 holes to play when the final round of the fog-delayed tournament was suspended Sunday by darkness. He returned Monday -- a late morning restart because CBS Sports wanted to show it in the afternoon on the East Coast -- and looked stronger than ever until the tournament dragged to a conclusion.

Having to wait on every tee and from every fairway -- or the rough, in his case -- Woods made bogey from the bunker on the 14th, hooked a tee shot on the 15th that went off the trees and into a patch of ice plant and led to double bogey, and then popped up his tee shot on the 17th on his way to another bogey.

All that affected was the score. It kept him from another big margin of victory, though the message was clear about his game long before that.

One week after he missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, he ruled at Torrey Pines. It was his 75th career win, seven short of the Snead's all-time tour record.

"It got a little ugly toward the end," Woods said. "I started losing patience a little bit with the slow play. I lost my concentration a little bit."

He rallied with a two-putt par on the 18th hole to win by four shots over defending champion Brandt Snedeker and Josh Teater, who had the best finish of his career. Like so many of his big wins, the only drama was for second place.

Brad Fritsch, the rookie from Canada, birdied his last two holes for a 75. That put him into a tie for ninth, however, making him eligible for the Phoenix Open next week. Fritsch had been entered in the Monday qualifier that he had to abandon when the Farmers Insurance Open lost Saturday to a fog delay.

Woods effectively won this tournament in the final two hours Sunday, when he stretched his lead to six shots with only 11 holes to play. Nick Watney made a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth when play resumed to get within five shots, only to drop three shots on the next five holes.

Everyone else started too far behind, and Woods wasn't about to come back to them.

Even so, the red shirt seemed to put him on edge. It didn't help that as he settled over his tee shot on the par-5 ninth, he backed off when he heard a man behind the ropes take his picture. Woods rarely hits the fairway after an encounter with a camera shutter, and this was no different -- it went so far right that it landed on the other side of a fence enclosing a corporate hospitality area.

Woods took his free drop, punched out below the trees into the fairway and then showed more irritation when his wedge nicked the flag after one hop and spun down the slope 30 feet away instead of stopping next to the hole.

He didn't show much reaction on perhaps his most memorable shot of the day -- with his legs near the edge of a bunker some 75 feet to the left of the 11th green, he blasted out to the top shelf and watched the ball take dead aim until it stopped a foot short.

He failed to save par from a bunker on the 14th, and he hooked his tee shot so badly on the 15th hole that it traveled only about 225 yards before it was gobbled up by the ice plant. He had to take a penalty drop and wound up making double bogey.

More than his 75th career win, it was a strong opening statement for what could be a fascinating 2013.

Before anyone projects a monster year for Woods based on one week -- especially when that week is at Torrey Pines -- remember that he just missed the cut last week in Abu Dhabi. Woods said he wasn't playing much differently, and would have liked two more rounds in the Middle East. Instead, a two-shot penalty for a bad drop sent him home.

Still, in healthier and happier times he usually was sharp coming after a long layoff. Throw out the trip to the Arabian Gulf, and he is.

Was this a statement? Woods was eight shots ahead with five holes to play when he stumbled his way to the finish line, perhaps from having to kill time waiting on the group ahead. Erik Compton, Steve Marino and Fritsch had an entire par 5 open ahead of them at the end of the round.

Still, Woods played a different game than everyone else at Torrey Pines.

"I think he wanted to send a message," said Hunter Mahan, who shares a swing coach with Woods. "I think deep down he did. You play some games to try to motivate yourself. There's been so much talk about Rory [McIlroy]. Rory is now with Nike. That would be my guess."

Mahan got a good look at Woods this week, playing in the group behind him on the front nine because Mahan was first off on the two-tee start.

"He looked strong," Mahan said. "He had great control of his swing. He was hitting some strong shots, different from any other player I saw out here."

Woods is not likely to return to golf until the Match Play Championship next month.


Pioneer Athletics supplies paint for Sunday's Super Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans

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Pioneer Athletics will supply the Superdome with field paint for the Super Bowl on Sunday. The Cleveland company has been selling athletic paints for more than 40 years, but Sunday will be the first time it's gotten its products into the biggest game of the year.

Gallery preview

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland will be all over the field Sunday at the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Not the Cleveland Browns -- but red, purple, gold and white from the city will be there.

Pioneer Athletics, a Cleveland company founded in 1905, provided the field paint that will be used in the New Orleans' Superdome. It's the first time Pioneer has supplied the nation's biggest game since it began making paints for grass and artificial turf more than 40 years ago.

"We've done a lot of [college] bowl games over the years, and we work with a lot of pro teams" including the Cleveland Browns, Pioneer President Doug Schattinger said. "We're used to the spotlight. We just need to prove our value to the NFL."

The indoor paint is special stuff. Paint crews have to be able to clear away old paint and use stencils to put the complicated team and league logos on the field -- all in a few hours. Yet the paint has to be durable enough to withstand 300-pound players tackling each other on top of it.

The bulk of the company's business is making white paint to mark field lines for dozens of sports. It makes paints for grass and artificial turf and striping machines to paint lines on the field, all from its one factory near Interstate 71 and West 150th Street.

At the plant Monday, workers were mixing up red and blue paints and pouring them into 5-gallon buckets. When Schattinger asked where that batch was going, an employee proudly shouted "New Orleans. It's for the Super Bowl."

Unlike the paint counter at home improvement stores, the mixing area at Pioneer is massive. Two-story tall tanks mix water with pigments to create paint in huge containers. Workers put empty five-gallon buckets on scales where machines fill them to the proper weight.

Lining the walls next to the mixing area are the raw materials - pallets stacked with one ton lots of supplies. One-ton lots of processed clay used in white paint are the sizes of small cars.

All around the facility are flags and posters from the Cleveland Browns, the New Orleans Saints and dozens of college teams that Pioneer supplies. The Saints and the Superdome have been big clients for nearly a decade.

Schattinger said just because Pioneer has been supplying paint to New Orleans didn't mean the company would automatically get the big game.

The NFL has its own painting crew for the Super Bowl, and several times over the past few decades, another supplier got the job at stadiums that Pioneer supplies.

This year, the Superdome grounds crew convinced the NFL that Pioneer was the best paint for the stadium.

Having a different NFL grounds crew handle the painting may have been a good idea. Schattinger admitted that it would have been very tempting to get some of the Cleveland Browns' colors on the field in New Orleans.

"If we were painting it ourselves, we'd have found a way to sneak some of it in there," Schattinger joked.

After winning the contract, Pioneer found out that supplying a game posed a bit of a problem.

When temperatures dropped down to the single digits last week, none of the company's usual trucking companies would guarantee delivery of a liquid product cross country out of fear that it would freeze. They couldn't send the paint via air either because it would have sat on the runway too long, also leading to a paint freeze.

"Two of our employees rented a [heated] truck and drove it down to Tennessee" where a shipping company was willing to overnight it to New Orleans, Schattinger said.

Problems like that pop up all the time. It's all part of being part of high-profile events that don't last very long.

"Most of our product gets cut off and thrown away within a week of use," Schattinger said.

The field paint industry took off in the 1970s when changing wastewater standards made it nearly impossible to use standard wall paints on grass.

Schattinger said field paints often get washed into storm sewers and enter the drinking water supply, so it has to be cleaner than other paints.

"It's got to look good on the grass, be good for the grass, be good for the ground and look great on TV," Schattinger said.

Cleveland Cavaliers being careful to maintain their winning ways

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Superstitious Cavaliers hope to improve upon three straight wins by not changing anything.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When everything is going well, no one wants change. After all, why mess with success?

So the Cavaliers aren't going so far as to stick with the same socks they've worn for their past three games -- all victories -- but they're superstitiously keeping many things the same. Dion Waiters, inserted into the lineup for a sick C.J. Miles, will remain a starter. Marreese Speights, acquired last week in a trade from Memphis, will continue to come off the bench in relief of rookie Tyler Zeller.

And Kyrie Irving will continue to play as he did last week -- the Cavaliers hope, at least -- in earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors while leading the NBA with 35.7 points per game.

Byron Scott admitted to eating the same lunch since his Cavaliers won their third straight game, the first time Cleveland has won that many in a row since March 2012. If the Cavaliers triumph Tuesday against Golden State, they have the opportunity to finish January 7-7 -- the first time they have not had a losing month since April 2010.

"I was about to change [lunch] and then we won three in a row, so I said I guess I better stick with it for right now," Scott joked.

He's keeping Waiters in the starting lineup in large part due to the streak -- and not just because Miles is still regaining strength after his bout with illness.

"It's probably because of the performance of the starting unit," Scott said. "They've played pretty well together. I think with that starting unit, period, they're like 6-4. As young as they are, they still play pretty good."

Waiters has been average, at best, in averaging 9.7 points on 35-percent shooting as a starter. But with newly acquired Speights and Wayne Ellington coming off the bench, the Cavaliers have found new life. Speights has 27 points and 11 rebounds in two games, and his veteran experience has helped immensely on the defensive end of the floor, in particular.

"I think we're all playing with confidence," said Ellington, who has 15 points in two games, including 4-of-7 beyond the arc. "We're all playing with a lot of energy. I keep saying 'energy' because that's just how it feels right now. Everybody's really enthusiastic, everybody's picking each other up, everybody's cheering each other on.

"We're just playing team basketball. Kyrie's doing what he's doing and we're all just filling in."

Irving's production has been some of the best of his career. Last week, he knocked in 61 percent of his attempts, and drained the fifth game-winner of his career against Toronto. Plus, he might be a starter for the Eastern All-Stars after Boston point guard Rajon Rondo learned Sunday he has a torn ACL. The coach of the East squad will name the replacement starter.

"He's had one of probably the best weeks of his life," Scott said. "He got named to the All-Star team, was (Greater Cleveland Sports Association's Professional) Athlete of the Year in Cleveland, then he goes out and averages about 35 points. So he's had a pretty good week."

Irving, whose player of the week honor is the first of his career, shrugged off the accolades. That humble attitude is one more thing that remained the same, too.

"This has been a very good week for our team," he said. "We're working hard and making progress. While I'm honored to win the award this week, the most important and exciting thing is our success as a team and continuing our focus to keep getting better every day."

Andy sighting: Anderson Varejao was back at the Cavaliers practice facility Monday, rehabbing after his Jan. 10 surgery to repair a quad injury. Varejao was in the hospital less than a week ago recovering from a blood clot in his lungs. He remains out for the rest of the season.

Cleveland Browns: Former teammate says Ray Horton will eventually become a head coach

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Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joe Kelly said Ray Horton showed signs of a coaching career in college. Watch video

 

BEREA, Ohio - It didn't take long for then-freshman linebacker Joe Kelly to notice something different about his fellow University of Washington teammate, senior defensive back Ray Horton.

In the midst of the chaos of this specific college football game, Kelly not only was impressed by the calm demeanor of Horton, but also by how his audience included the coaching staff.

""We were in a timeout and the coaches are talking, and then they ask Ray what he thinks and what we should run," said Kelly, who also was a teammate of Horton as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I'd never seen a coach listen to a player. As a linebacker, I knew what I had to do, but Ray not only knew what he was supposed to do, but he knew what every other player was responsible for on the defense."

Today, Cleveland Browns coach Rob Chudzinski introduced Horton as the team's new defensive coordinator. Horton comes to the Browns from the Arizona Cardinals, where he guided a defense that led the league in passer rating allowed (71.2) and interception percentage (4.4 percent). It was also a defense that ranked second in third-down efficiency (32.9 percent).

During this morning's press conference, Horton talked about his relationship with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Their relationship developed when LeBeau was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati and when Horton worked for LeBeau in Pittsburgh.

"He and LeBeau were really tight in Cincinnati," Kelly said. "LeBeau is the reason why Ray's into coaching. LeBeau has a complex defensive system, and Ray and LeBeau would have these deep, complex conversations about defense."

During today's press conference, Horton talked about his disappointment in not getting hired as a head coach, but Kelly said it's only a matter of time before Horton is given a chance.

"One of the reasons why you need Ray as a head coach is because he can relate to my homeboys in South Central LA, and he can hang with someone like President Obama," Kelly said. "It takes a special person to be able to communicate with people from all walks of life."




Terry Pluto talks Art Modell, Ray Horton, Cavaliers and Indians - Podcast

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Columnist Terry Pluto talked about the Browns' new defensive coordinator, Art Modell's chances at the Hall of Fame and more in his weekly podcast.

RAY-HORTON.JPG View full size Ray Horton was introduced as Browns defensive coordinator in Berea on Tuesday.  

Will Art Modell make it to the Hall of Fame? Will the Cavs make another deal?

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

Among other topics discussed:

• Roles for current Browns players in a 3-4 defense.

• Browns' biggest draft and free agency needs.

• Indians' options at DH

• Development of the Cavaliers' two No. 4 picks.

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

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

What is your favorite Super Bowl ad of all-time? - This week's Twitter Twenty

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What is your favorite all-time Super Bowl ad? Your favorite Super Bowl halftime show? Those are the questions we’re posing this week to the Twitter Twenty, a group of local Twitter users selected by The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.

screen-cap.jpg View full size  
What is your favorite all-time Super Bowl ad? Your favorite Super Bowl halftime show?

Those are the questions we’re posing this week to the Twitter Twenty, a group of local Twitter users selected by The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.

Join the conversation by using the hashtag #cle20 in your tweets. Even if you’re not already on Twitter, you can follow the discussion in the live updates below. We’ll regularly refresh membership in the Twitter Twenty.

If you’d like to sign up, contact @dan_labbe or @denisep on Twitter.

Laurel goalkeeper Rachel Piccus to play soccer at Xavier

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SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - Rachel Piccus will continue her soccer career at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Piccus intends to sign with the Musketeers on NCAA national signing day, Feb. 6.

Goalkeeper Rachel Piccus helped Laurel reach the Division II state title game. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - Rachel Piccus will continue her soccer career at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Piccus intends to sign with the Musketeers on NCAA national signing day, Feb. 6.

"I've known since last spring I was going there," said Piccus, a four-year starter for the Gators. "I visited and loved the school and the campus. The coach [Woody Sherwood] is taking the program to a higher level."

Piccus said she intends to major in biology, with medical school a possibility. She is receiving a partial scholarship.

With Piccus tending the net, the Gators went 14-6-1 in 2011 and were the surprise team of the tournament as they reached the Division III state title game.

 

Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed discuss the Cleveland Browns hire of Ray Horton as defensive coordinator (video)

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Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed talk about defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who was introduced to the media by head coach Rob Chudzinski today at a news conference in Berea. Watch video

 

BEREA, Ohio -- Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed talk about defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who was introduced to the media by head coach Rob Chudzinski today at a news conference in Berea.

Click here to watch this video on a mobile device

To reach this Plain Dealer videographer: dandersen@plaind.com

On Twitter: @CLEvideos


Tom Reed talks about Art Modell's Hall of Fame chances on 92.3 The Fan

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Tom Reed joined Baskin and Phelps on 92.3 The Fan today to talk about Art Modell's Hall of Fame chances and new Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

RAY-HORTON.JPG View full size Tom Reed talked about Ray Horton on 92.3 The Fan this afternoon.  
Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tom Reed joined Baskin and Phelps on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) today to talk Browns.

Tom talked about whether Art Modell will get in to the Hall of Fame and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

Each weekday, Plain Dealer reporters and writers will share their insights on sports topics on The Fan. You can also catch their views on Sports Insider.

Bud Shaw talks about Browns' switch to multi-front defense: Video

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How will newly-hired defensive coordinator Ray Horton change the Cleveland Browns defense? CineSport's Noah Coslov and The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw discuss Horton's impact on the Browns.

How will newly-hired defensive coordinator Ray Horton change the Cleveland Browns defense? CineSport's Noah Coslov and The Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw discuss Horton's impact on the Browns.

For more video from CineSport, click here.

Cleveland Browns' fans just hope Ray Horton is change for the better: Terry Pluto

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No matter what the Browns call their new defense, Ray Horton has to find a way to make it work without getting rid of key players.

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton introduced New defensive coordinator Ray Horton's background with thje Steelers is a reason to like this hire.  

BEREA, Ohio -- Confession time: I'm schemed out.

Bet that's true of most Browns fans, who have watched so many coaching changes since the team returned in 1999.

New head coach Rob Chudzinski introduced Ray Horton as the new defensive coordinator to the fans and media on Tuesday.

I like Ray Horton. I like how he does have a Steelers background. I like how he took an Arizona defense ranked 29th, and took it to 18th and 12th within two years. I like that he has a bit of an edge and some swagger and how his teams ranked No. 2 in the percentage of blitzes last season.

While he probably said it too much, I liked his general approach of wanting to "attack" on defense, and doing it with "big guys who can run and little guys who can hit."

When it comes to the type of defense that Horton will play, it sounds like an Eric Mangini/Rob Ryan 3-4 that includes a variety of formations.

Chudzinski called it a "hybrid" between a 4-3 and a 3-4. Horton had dismissed that term on a radio talk show last week, saying he plays the 3-4. He said something about only using a hybrid on a golf course.

Tuesday, Chudzinski and Horton said there was no difference, just "a matter of semantics."

I say it's a matter of stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, creating turnovers and controlling the passing game.

Horton explained: "We may be a 3-4 on one snap, we may be a 4-3 on another snap, I guarantee you we will be a 5-2 sometimes and we will be a 4-4 sometimes. We are a multi-front attacking defense and that's the most important thing."

At this point, I doubt any of us really cares how Horton gets it done.

Chudzinski likes the "hybrid" or "multi-front" look on defense.

Why does Chudzinski favor changing the defense?

He said those different formations were more of a challenge when he was calling plays for the Browns (2007-08) and Panthers (2010-11) -- at least compared to a basic 4-3 defense.

No matter what defense they play, the Browns must find at least one more cornerback and safety to boost the secondary. They also may need more linebackers for the 3-4 setup.

In the fall, the Browns will open their 15th season since the return in 1999. Horton will be the ninth defensive coordinator.

Think about that for a moment ... 15 years, nine different defensive coordinators.

Only one (Todd Grantham) has lasted more than two years. He was hired by Romeo Crennel in 2005, and fired in the middle of the 2008 season.

The highest ranking defense was 10th. That was in 2011, the first year of the 4-3 defense with Dick Jauron.

The Browns dropped to 23rd last season.

Over the years, the Browns have switched between the 4-3 and 3-4 ... not sure how many times. So the fact that Horton wants to change it again means this is business as usual for the Browns.

The issue will be can he make it work? Can the alterations be made without casting off some of the talent on defense because players such as Jabaal Sheard, D'Qwell Jackson and some of the defensive tackles seem to better fit the 4-3?

Finally, can the Browns develop an identity on defense so that two years from now, we're not listening to another coach with another scheme?

That's really Horton's main job -- develop a defense that is worth keeping around.

 

Ohio State adds former Buchtel WR Corey Smith as 23rd pledge in 2013 recruiting class

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After two years in junior college, Smith will fill a playmaker spot in this class that Ohio State was searching for.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State has added the extra playmaker that it was looking for in this 2013 recruiting class as BuckeyeSports.com and other outlets are reporting that former Buchtel receiver Corey Smith has decided to become a Buckeye.

Smith is coming out of East Mississippi Community College and had previously given an oral commitment to Mississippi State. He also played one year at Grand Rapids Community College. He will have two years of eligibility remaining at Ohio State.

“Corey has so much talent, it's scary,” said Ricky Powers, his coach at Buchtel and a former running back at Michigan. “On top of that, he's a hard worker. And to get to the point that he is right now, it's amazing that he's come back. I think he can come in right away and be a big-play guy. He has that potential. I'm not just saying that because he was one of my guys.

“I love the Big Ten, and I played in the Big Ten, and Corey is fast. You've never seen someone run routes like this. He's deceptively fast, and he can catch. If Ohio State got him, God bless them, they'll win a lot of games with him.”

Smith is ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, which ranked him as the overall No. 18 junior college prospect in the country. Ohio State now has 23 oral commitments in its 2013 class, with National Signing Day eight days away. With current scholarship numbers, the Buckeyes should be able to add one more recruit to the class. But getting a receiver like Smith fills a need.

Smith's final game at Buchtel was the Division III state title game as a junior in 2010. In the spring of 2011, before his senior year, the school realized that Smith's previous early high school year before he transferred to Buchtel would probably not allow him to graduate with the credits he needed to play right away in Division I football. Powers said Tuesday it was almost like Smith didn't exist at his previous school, and Buchtel's academic counselors decided his best path was to take the GED and move on to junior college.

Smith did that, and after two years he's now ready for the Big Ten, on and off the field.

“People don't understand how hard it is to go to junior college,” Powers said. “I don't know too many kids who could come from where Corey Smith has come from and do all the things he had to do. And I think he's a little more mature now. I'm glad it happened this way. He was around some people that wanted to accomplish some goals and now look at him. When you talk to him, he's a different kid now. I'm elated for him.”


Cleveland Browns defensive coodinator Ray Horton stays away from minority hiring questions: Browns Insider

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Fritz Pollard Alliance would like to see Rooney Rule expanded for minority interviews

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton expressed disappointment Tuesday over getting bypassed for three head coaching jobs, but said he didn't believe race played a role in the decision-making process.

No minority candidates were hired for the NFL’s eight head-coaching vacancies and the seven top front-office openings this month. The shutout prompted a group promoting NFL minority hires to lobby the league to expand its interview process.

But during his introductory news conference Tuesday, Horton downplayed the issue when asked about it.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all for minorities,” said Horton, who is black. “I was disappointed for Ray Horton. I can’t speak for anybody, but myself. That’s another label and I’m not one to put labels on people.”

Horton, a former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, interviewed with the Browns, Cardinals and Buffalo Bills. He said the trend this cycle was to hire offensive-minded coaches. Seven of the eight vacancies were filled by offensive coordinators with Jacksonville’s Gus Bradley, the former Seattle defensive coordinator, the lone exception.

The NFL has four minority head coaches, the fewest since 2003 when it had two, according to the Fritz Pollard Alliance. The league implemented the Rooney Rule that year requiring teams to interview a minority candidate for head coaching and top football personnel jobs.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance is lobbying the NFL to expand the Rooney Rule to include openings for assistant head coaches, coordinators and team presidents. About 70 percent of the league’s players are minorities, an NFL spokesman estimated.

“I respect the process and the process this year appeared to be offensive-minded coaches for the most part,” Horton said. “That’s what the ownership wants. You can’t control what they want, you can just control yourself and how you prepare just as I do each week.

“I’m just disappointed because you have expectations. I have expectations for our team, for our defense and if you don’t meet them, you’re disappointed. I’m not mad, I’m not frustrated. Disappointment is the right adjective for me because I was disappointed and you move on.”

Horton, who said he was excited to be part of the Browns staff, was asked if he thought the Rooney Rule works.

“This is my personal opinion and I can’t speak for anybody else whether minority or not or whatever that label may be, to me I believe that every NFL team owner is trying to get the best coach for their team,” Horton said. “I don’t think anybody goes into it thinking, ‘I’m going to hire this guy because of ‘X’ reason other than he’s going to lead the team to victory.’”

Horton, who wears his hair braided, said he brought up his distinctive look during his round of coaching interviews.

“Sometimes it is (an issue) and you want to be forward with how you present yourself,” he said. “I’m sure the 3-4, 4-3 (defensive fronts were) an issue here. That’s not an issue to me. I just wanted to be up front and open because it is an abnormality if you will.”
 
GOCONG UPDATE: The Browns likely will be adding linebackers to the roster as they implement multiple fronts. One player returning from injury will be Chris Gocong, who missed all of last season with an Achilles tear. Gocong is the team's best outside linebacker, and his absence was noticeable.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said Tuesday he believes Gocong will be ready for the season opener, but didn't offer a definitive timetable for his return.

“I would think (he’s) ready for the season," Chudzinski said. “Short of that I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen.”

The coach said he’s not certain if Gocong will play inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment or outside linebacker.

NO BIG DEAL: Chudzinski downplayed Horton’s claim from a radio interview last week that Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner would have joined him in Arizona had he been named Cardinals’ head coach.

“Everybody wanted Norv Turner,” Chudzinski said. “It’s not that big a deal, really to me. I feel fortunate we were able to get Norv here and Ray here as well.

“Norv’s already getting climatized, I saw him out jogging the other day with his shirt off through Berea. He’s excited to be here. Norv’s been great already. He’s running up and down the hallways, he’s talking about new plays and different things and everything else.”

MORE ASSISTANTS: The Browns added two more assistants Tuesday, while retaining a third. They hired former Detroit Lions assistant secondary coach Daron Roberts as the defensive quality control coach and former Carolina Panthers defensive assistant Bobby Babich as their assistant defensive backs coach. Babich is the son of current Jacksonville defensive coordinator Bob Babich. 

The team also retained special teams assistant Shawn Mennenga.

DROPPING IN: Chudzinski said he met Monday with backup quarterback Colt McCoy, who dropped  by the training facility. The coach already had spoken to both McCoy and Brandon Weeden by phone.
 


Northeast Ohio wrestling leaders for week of Jan. 29, 2013

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a look at Northeast Ohio wrestling leaders for the week of Jan. 29, 2013. See the note below for how to get your wrestlers recognized. 106 pounds: Tony DeCesare (Nordonia-Fr.) 33-5, Paul Petras (Padua-So.) 33-5, Louis DeMarco (Hawken-So.) 30-4, Noah Baughman (Wadsworth-Fr.) 28-6, Nick Orr (Cuyahoga Heights-Jr.) 27-6, Rick Rudd (West Geauga-So.) 24-5, David...

Beachwood wrestler Ryan Harris ranks tops among local wrestlers at 160 pounds with a 32-0. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a look at Northeast Ohio wrestling leaders for the week of Jan. 29, 2013. See the note below for how to get your wrestlers recognized.

106 pounds: Tony DeCesare (Nordonia-Fr.) 33-5, Paul Petras (Padua-So.) 33-5, Louis DeMarco (Hawken-So.) 30-4, Noah Baughman (Wadsworth-Fr.) 28-6, Nick Orr (Cuyahoga Heights-Jr.) 27-6, Rick Rudd (West Geauga-So.) 24-5, David Brunner (North Olmsted-Jr.) 24-8, Terrell Grant (Archbishop Hoban-So.) 20-10.

113: Mike Santillo (St. Edward-Fr.) 28-5, Armando Torres (Elyria-Jr.) 28-4, Ebrahim Elbagory (Euclid-Jr.) 28-6, Evan Collier (North Ridgeville-Jr.) 27-2, Jake Zernaitis (Crestwood-Jr.) 26-2, Dominic Meehan (Brooklyn) 26-6, Andre Herron (North Royalton-Jr.) 26-7, Montori Armstrong (Collinwood-Sr.) 26-8, Andrew Coghill (Nordonia-Jr.) 26-11, Andrew Wallace (Kent Roosevelt-So.) 25-8, Andre Stowers (Maple Heights-Fr.) 25-11, Collin Dees (Perry-Jr.) 24-4, Zach Klima (Avon Lake-Fr.) 20-8.

120: Nick Collica (Nordonia-So.) 32-8, Brandon Thompson (Solon-Sr.) 30-2, Sammy Gross (Beachwood-Jr.) 30-2, Dan Bartinelli (North Royalton-Sr.) 30-4, Jacob Spino (Independence-So.) 30-4, Tim Mecklenburg (Lutheran West-So.) 30-6, Tony Becker (Padua-Sr.) 29-6, Walker Chieffe (University-Jr.) 27-9, Drew Dickson (North Ridgeville-Sr.) 26-2, Anthony Tutolo (Lake Catholic-Jr.) 26-3, Conner Nemec (Crestwood-Jr.) 25-5, Garrett Carter (St. Vincent-St. Mary-So.) 25-11, Tom Palisin (Fairview-Fr.) 25-14, Connor Gray (Wadsworth-So.) 24-6, Brandon Francik (Maple Heights-Jr.) 24-9, Andrew Petersen (Aurora-Jr.) 23-6, Ben Darmstadt (Elyria-Fr.) 22-4, Tyler Workman (Parma-So.) 22-4, Corey Pastva (Southeast-Fr.) 20-6.

126: Josh Gunter (Coventry-So.) 31-10, Nate Frye (Cuyahoga Heights-Jr.) 29-5, Darrion Overall (Elyria-So.) 27-6, Isaac Collier (St. Edward-Fr.) 26-7, John Williams (Bedford-Jr.) 24-7, Joey Bernosky (Avon Lake-Fr.) 24-6, Mike Rix (St. Vincent-St. Mary -Sr.) 23-1, AJ Vetturini (West Geauga-So.) 23-10, Chris Wymer (Solon-Jr.) 22-11, Lewis Roginsky (Brooklyn) 21-3, Tj Malkus (Berkshire-Jr.) 20-3, Alec Benedetti (North Royalton-Jr.) 20-5.

132: Shawn Williams (Bedford-Jr.) 31-4, Luke Roginsky (Brooklyn) 29-7, Walter Gibson (St. Vincent-St. Mary -Jr.) 29-8, Heath Phillibert (Nordonia-Jr.) 26-9, Nathan Gregory (Hudson-Sr.) 25-5, Sonny Shump (Barberton-Sr.) 24-1, Hunter Ladnier (St. Edward-Fr.) 24-8, Adam Salti (Olmsted Falls-Jr.) 24-8, Cody Vander Maas (Berkshire-Jr.) 23-3, Kevin Swaney (Archbishop Hoban-So.) 23-7, Samuel Matzek (North Olmsted-So.) 22-8, Mike Hollingsworth (Clearview) 21-5, Josh Hillier (Crestwood-Sr.) 21-9, TJ Levitsky (Parma-Sr.) 20-0.

138: Kyle Kaminski (Padua-So.) 34-3, Zack Lake (Coventry-So.) 34-8, Graham Montague (Independence-Sr.) 33-6, Mike DeCesare (Nordonia-Jr.) 33-6, Mathias Zollinger (Wadsworth-Sr.) 31-2, Ryan Skonieczny (St. Vincent-St. Mary -Jr.) 31-8, Dylan Kager (Crestwood-Sr.) 30-0, TJ Yurick (Olmsted Falls-Sr.) 30-10, Jesse Orantek (Elyria-Jr.) 29-7, Darsheed Mustafa (Euclid-Sr.) 24-6, DeJon Moss (Maple Heights-Jr.) 26-3, Cody Charvat (Berkshire-Jr.) 24-5, Jake Taylor (Fairview-Jr.) 23-13, Colin Heffernan (St. Edward-Sr.) 22-2, Jim Hiller (Twinsburg) 22-8, David Cozat (Warrensville-Sr.) 21-3, Nick Marquard (St. Edward-Jr.) 21-5, Matt Hollingsworth (Clearview) 20-5.

145: Ian Standen (Brookside-Jr.) 35-8, Jairod James (Bedford-Jr.) 29-1, Jake Urich (Nordonia-Jr.) 28-5, Michael Robertson (Maple Heights-Sr.) 26-7, Dominic Monaco (University-Sr.) 24-4, Brian Evans (Aurora-Jr.) 24-9, Michael Belknap (Archbishop Hoban-Sr.) 23-5, Jason Kaser (Berkshire-Sr.) 22-9, Edgar Bright (St. Edward-Sr.) 21-1, Dave Docherty (Parma-Jr.) 23-4, Joey Ciacchi (St. Edward-Jr.) 21-7, Louis Marrone (Benedictine) 20-13.

152: Tom McNulty (Padua-Sr.) 33-4, Seth King (Hawken-Jr.) 32-4, Anthony Collica (Solon-Sr.) 31-1,

Melvin Johnson (Maple Heights-Sr.) 29-4, Alec Fetzer (Revere-Sr.) 29-7, Ross Torgerson (Cuyahoga Heights-Sr.) 29-7, Aaron Miller (Kent Roosevelt-Sr.) 26-6, Chris Weber (Midpark-Sr.) 25-7, Derrick Foster (Clearview) 23-4, Garrett Gerardi (Crestwood-Sr.) 23-8, Rob Alcorn (West Geauga-Jr.) 23-13,

Anthony Tutolo (Lake Catholic-So.) 22-7, Max Furst (Benedictine) 21-14, Markus Scheidel (St. Edward-Sr.) 20-3.

160: Ryan Harris (Beachwood-Jr.) 32-0, Deshon Johnson (Maple Heights-Sr.) 31-5, Zeck Lehman (Revere-So.) 30-7, Mitch Minnich (Fairview-Sr.) 30-11, Michael Coleman (Hudson-Jr.) 28-4,

Alec Schenk (Perry-Jr.) 28-4, Shane Mast (Wadsworth-So.) 27-9, Deandre Mills (Kent Roosevelt-Jr.) 26-9, Adel Shoman (North Olmsted-Sr.) 24-4, Thomas Gabyak (Highland) 22-5, Robbie Cramer (Benedictine) 22-11, Nick Schondel (Archbishop Hoban-Sr.) 22-12, Dionte Childress (Warrensville-Sr.) 20-5, Colin Riley (North Ridgeville-Jr.) 20-9.

170: Richard Robertson Jr. (Maple Heights-Sr.) 33-1, David Eippert (West Geauga-Jr.) 33-4, Tevin Harvey (Barberton-Sr.) 31-5, Tim Knipl (Wadsworth-So.) 31-6, Ahmad Khatib (Revere-Jr.) 30-7, Ralph Johnson (Lakewood) 25-9, Chris Azzarello (Benedictine) 24-7, Kaz Struna (Lake Catholic-Jr.) 20-10, Shaquille Morehouse (Solon-Sr.) 20-11, Jacob Jones (North Olmsted-So.) 20-9.

182: Stephen Suglio (Revere-Sr.) 32-2, Hunter Thorton (Barberton-Sr.) 32-7, John Spurney (Kent Roosevelt-Jr.) 29-4, Eric Claren (Nordonia-Jr.) 28-6, Alexander Belaia-Martinouk (North Olmsted-Sr.) 28-3, Brandon James (Southeast-Sr.) 27-3, Brad Simon (Berkshire-Sr.) 25-8, Andrew Liese (Lutheran West-Sr.) 23-8, Kenny Jackson (Crestwood-Jr.) 22-5, Aaron Adkins (St. Vincent-St. Mary -Jr.) 22-6.

195: Aaron Tschantz (Barberton-Sr.) 37-3, Jerek Cropper (Coventry-Fr.) 32-8, Adam Kluk (Highland) 30-4, Alex Stotter (Hawken-Jr.) 28-6, Nick Bina (Nordonia-So.) 28-9, Josue Corales (Rhodes-Sr.) 27-3, Marquise Copeland (Bedford-So.) 27-6, Nick Dzurnak (Padua-Sr.) 25-12, Jim Szep (Lake Catholic-Sr.) 24-3, Austin Kuchta (Elyria Catholic) 22-0, Bryan Jones (Cuyahoga Heights) 22-9, Mike O’Malley (St. Edward-Fr.) 21-3, Tyler Keating (Fairview-Sr.) 21-5, Zack Vehar (Hudson-Sr.) 21-5, Conor Kilbane (Benedictine) 21-11, Larenz Robertson (Maple Heights-So.) 20-12, Justin Halaska (Parma-Sr.) 20-2.

220: Vern Rowe (Barberton-Sr.) 38-2, Mark Weddell (Coventry-So.) 31-8, John Hoffman (Midpark-Sr.) 28-5, Alex Scotton (Independence-Jr.) 28-6, Garrett Snyder (North Royalton-Jr.) 26-6, Adam Kuchta (Elyria Catholic) 22-0, Alex Woicehovich (Nordonia-Jr.) 22-4, Micky Carrasco (Aurora-Jr.) 21-10, Jake Totten (Revere-Sr.) 20-6, Conor Kilbane (Benedictine) 20-8.

285: Travis Gosnell (Coventry-Sr.) 36-3, Paul Deely (Independence-So.) 29-5, Billy Miller (Perry-Jr.) 28-1, Daryk Maki (Wadsworth-Sr.) 24-4, Drek[kda: cq:  ] Brumley (St. Vincent-St. Mary-So.) 24-5, Kostas Parrish (University-Jr.) 24-6, Allen Viancourt (Benedictine) 24-7, Josh Burger (Aurora-Fr.) 23-8, Antonio Witherspoon (Maple Heights-Jr.) 21-10.

Attention wrestling coaches: Wrestling coaches are asked to e-mail top individual records each week to Gary Kanaga at Gary.Kanaga@nordoniaschools.org. Send the wrestler’s first and last name, school, year in school, win-loss record and weight class. The minimum is 20 wins. Each week, the e-mail must be received by 10 p.m. on Monday.

Golden State Warriors without three starters for game against Cleveland Cavaliers

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Guard Stephen Curry, center Andrew Bogut and forward Harrison Barnes are sidelined for the finale of Golden State's four-game trip.

_warriors-curry.jpg View full size Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will miss Tuesday's game in Cleveland with an ankle injury.  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Golden State Warriors are without three starters for their game Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Guard Stephen Curry, center Andrew Bogut and forward Harrison Barnes are sidelined for the finale of Golden State's four-game road trip.

Curry, who is averaging 21 points, twisted his right ankle in the third quarter of Monday night's win over Toronto and didn't return.

Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he doesn't know how long Curry, who has had surgery on the ankle in each of the past two offseasons, will be out.

Bogut, who returned Monday after missing 38 games with an injury to his left ankle, likely won't play in back-to-back games until after the All-Star break. He scored 12 points and had eight rebounds in 24 minutes against Toronto. Bogut played in four games after having ankle surgery in April, but was shut down in November. He's averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Barnes, taken with the seventh pick in the 2012 draft, injured his left knee against Toronto and was still experiencing soreness Tuesday. Barnes, who started the first 44 games, is averaging 8.9 points.


Four local girls basketball teams among Division I top 10 in Associated Press state poll for week of Jan. 29, 2013

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 COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school girls 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

Solon's Alexis Gray attempts a free throw during a loss to Twinsburg on Dec, 12. Solon is ranked 10th in the latest Division I state AP poll. - (Tim Harrison, The Plain Dealer)

 COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school girls 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. Twinsburg (21)17-0 228

2. Mason (1) 17-0 188

3. Kettering Fairmont (1) 15-1 155

4. Centerville 17-1 154

5. Reynoldsburg 16-2 117

6. Wadsworth15-2 105

7. Dublin Coffman 15-1 72

8. Hudson15-2 59

8. Perrysburg 14-1 59

10. Solon13-3 25

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11. North Canton Hoover 24; 12. St. Joseph Academy 20; 13. Gahanna Lincoln 15.

DIVISION II

1. West Holmes (16) 16-0 213

2. Clyde (2) 18-0 193

3. Oxford Talawanda (1) 19-0 151

4. Hathaway Brown (3)14-4 131

5. Jackson 17-0 113

6. Kettering Alter 16-2 101

7. Geneva (1) 14-1 82

8. Bellbrook 15-2 65

9. Tol. Rogers 13-3 64

10. Bellevue 14-2 32

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11. Archbishop Hoban 27; 12. Celina 24; 13. Canfield 17; 14. Beloit West Branch 13.

DIVISION III

1. Smithville (20) 18-0 219

2. Archbold (1) 17-1 171

3. Richwood N. Union 17-1 123

4. Proctorville Fairland (1) 15-0 117

5. Columbus Africentric 15-5 114

6. Orrville (1) 14-2 106

7. Gilmour Academy15-2 96

8. Versailles 15-2 81

9. Beachwood 15-1 60

10. Anna 9-4 28

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11. (tie) Casstown Miami East, Beverly Ft. Frye 26; 13. (tie) Middletown Madison, Canton Central Catholic 13.

DIVISION IV

1. Ottoville (19) 17-0 219

2. Berlin Hiland (2) 14-2 187

3. New Madison Tri-Village 15-1 151

4. Ft. Loramie 14-2 150

5. Newark Cath. 13-1 124

6. Hamler Patrick Henry (1) 15-1 122

7. Bridgeport 15-1 85

8. Lake Ridge Academy (1)15-2 58

9. Reedsville Eastern 15-3 33

10. Zanesville Rosecrans 16-1 30

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11. Mansfield St. Peter's 26; 12. New Riegel 23.

 

Byron Scott impressed by Mark Jackson's work with Warriors: Cleveland Cavaliers Insider

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Jackson and Scott were teammates in Indiana in 1994-95.

incavs-jackson.jpg View full size Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson.  

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and Golden State coach Mark Jackson played together in Indiana during the 1994-95 season, and their respect for each other was evident before their teams faced each other on Tuesday night at The Q.

"I think Jack's doing a great job," said Scott, adding that he never thought Jackson would become a coach. "They put a lot of pressure on him this year when everybody was predicting that Golden State would be in the playoffs. Obviously, they're one of the top five seeds in the Western Conference, so he's doing a great job.

"He's got some great players, and I think he's finally gotten to them to the point where they understand they have to play defense on a night-to-night basis to give them a chance to win because they are so explosive offensively. But that's where I see the biggest change. They're holding their opponents to 43.5 (percent) from the field. So from a defensive standpoint, they're getting the job done."

Jackson said he always knew Scott would become a coach.

"He was on the back nine as a player, but he was very competitive, he was always ready," Jackson said of Scott. "He was a pro. He was a leader. He was a coach in practice and in games. He made guys better just by his presence and by his little nuggets [of wisdom] every now and then in the battles. So there was no question he was going to be a coach."

Scott said the most important thing he learned playing with Jackson in Indiana happened away from the court.

"It was just a fun bunch of guys that had a will to win," Scott said. "But we had a lot of fun doing it and just enjoyed each other. That's why I always go back to that camaraderie and how important that is to be successful in this league. We had great chemistry and camaraderie on that team, and I think that's one of the reasons why we were so good."

Center spot: Golden State center Andrew Bogut did not play against the Cavs because the Warriors played Monday night in Toronto. As he continues to recover after ankle surgery, the Warriors have decided not to play Bogut in back to backs. But Jackson loved what he saw with his whole team together in Monday's 114-102 victory.

"A thing of beauty," Jackson said. "We're a different basketball team with him in the lineup -- his ability to defend, catch, finish, make plays, rebound the basketball, set screens. He just compliments everybody on the floor. It's a beautiful thing. The game is much easier for those guys.

It's scary when you put him in that lineup, the weapons that we have and how we can utilize him."

Said Scott: "Any time you can add a 7-footer that plays the way he plays, passes the ball the way he passes the ball, can anchor your defense down there with blocks and sometimes just altering shots, it obviously helps your defense as well. With most teams, if you have a point guard as good as [Stephen] Curry and a big as good as Bogut, you have a pretty good chance of winning some basketball games on a night-to-night basis.

"They are a very good basketball team. There's no doubt about that."

The last word: From Jackson, on Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, "I think Kyrie Irving, you could make a case, is as good as any point guard in basketball."

St. Ignatius hockey team in first place of the Ohio High School Athletic Association poll for seventh straight week

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Here’s the seventh weekly Ohio High School Athletic Association state hockey poll (first place votes in parentheses). 1. St. Ignatius (10) 100

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Here’s the seventh weekly Ohio High School Athletic Association state hockey poll (first place votes in parentheses).

1. St. Ignatius (10) 100

2. Toledo St. Johns  88

3. Shaker Heights  63 

4. University School  62

5. Sylvania Northview  51

6. Walsh Jesuit  50

7. St. Edward  45

8. Olentangy Liberty  32

9. Lake Catholic  22

10. Holy Name  9

Others receiving votes: Gilmour Academy, Rocky River, Columbus St. Charles, Hudson, Olentangy Orange, Toledo St. Francis, Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, Dublin Jerome. 

 

Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton doesn't see need for an overhaul to run his 3-4 scheme

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Ray Horton says he loves the way the Browns are built, adding: "I've got the perfect mix here of big guys that can run and little guys that will hit."

BEREA, Ohio -- New Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton said Tuesday that he doesn't envision a massive overhaul in personnel to switch to his new 3-4, multi-front, attack-minded scheme.

That's because he already has the two key ingredients he needs to power his aggressive, Pittsburgh-like defense.

"I've got the perfect mix here of big guys that can run and little guys that will hit," Horton said in his introductory news conference.

He repeated the "big guys that can run, little guys that can hit" credo so many times that it became a refrain during the press conference, and one that will be the hallmark of the Horton era. But that's exactly what he saw when he flipped on the film to study the Browns for what initially was a head-coaching interview.

He saw guys like rookie defensive Billy Winn picking off a pass against the Steelers and making plays downfield. He saw tackle Ahtyba Rubin hustling to the ball and making plays all over the field. He saw guys like safety T.J. Ward thumping receivers and separating running backs from the ball.

"I love this team," said Horton, who spent the past two seasons as Arizona's defensive coordinator. "I love the way it's constituted right now, because they give effort from the first game against Philadelphia all the way through to the last game against Pittsburgh.

"When you watch our defensive line, they get after the quarterback, and then they turn and run and make multiple plays downfield. And then you see our little guys, who you know can run, but the thing that impressed you is they can hit. If you can give me that for 16 weeks like they did, you don't need anything else."

Horton spent seven seasons as a defensive backs coach in Pittsburgh (2004-10) absorbing the defensive genius of coordinator Dick LeBeau. But Horton refused to get hung up on labeling his defense even though he stressed last week in an interview on 910 radio in Arizona that he will run a 3-4 front, and coach Rob Chudzinski described it as a 3-4, multi-front scheme.

"I don't really care what we are on defense," Horton said. "I want to know what are we going to look like. We're going to look like an aggressive, forward-attacking defense . . . and I've seen that on tape.

"That's the most important thing to me – what do we look like, not what we line up in. We may be a 3-4 on one snap. We may be a 4-3 on another snap. I guarantee you we'll be a 5-2 sometimes, and we'll be a 4-4 sometimes. We are a multi-front, attacking defense, and that's the most important thing."

Likewise, Horton stressed that the current players on the roster, who spent two years in the 4-3 under previous coordinator Dick Jauron, shouldn't get concerned that they might not fit into the new scheme.

"Our guys can play a multitude of things (and) we're going to be a defense that gives offenses problems," said Horton. "I don't like to get pigeonholed into, 'Well, he is this.' We're going to be a team that looks at the offense and tries to take away what they do best.

"That may mean one snap being 5-2, the next snap it may be 4-4. It will be predicated by what the offense does. We have athletes that can stand up, that can put their hand in the ground, that can run, so that's why I go back to the multi-front defense.


"I can't tell you what we're going to be right now. It depends on who we line up game one against and what do we need to take away."

Chudzinski, who has already talked to many of his new players including linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, also urged his defenders not to worry that they'll be the odd man out.

"If you're a good football player, you're a good football player," said Chudzinski. "I don't think that the scheme is so different that good football players don't fit and won't be able to play in this scheme."

At the end of the season, several players, such as defensive end Jabaal Sheard, expressed concern over a switch to the 3-4, which could mean a move to outside linebacker for Sheard, at least in some fronts.

"I've been playing the 4-3 the last eight years, basically all of my career," said Sheard. "Obviously, I like the 4-3 and I think it's a great defense . . . I think we should just stick to the 4-3 and keep it going."

Can Sheard make the transition to outside linebacker if necessary?

"I would hope my answer would be, 'Let's not put limits on what players can and cannot do,' " said Horton.

"Jabaal is a guy that I have seen on film that can rush the quarterback and is athletic. What we are going to do as a coaching staff is put each one of our guys in the best position. I'm looking at the offense we are playing and what they do best and what can I do to take it away. (Sheard) may be a strong safety some time, he can be a linebacker, he can be a D end. I want him to tell me what he can do best and not put a label on what he is."

Horton also noticed that players such as Winn have the versatility to play inside or out.

"I've seen Billy quite a bit during the season, and he came up with a fantastic interception where he was rushing, the ball was tipped and he came back and made a great diving catch, and that goes back to my point of what these big men can do," said Horton. "They can all run and they're athletic, and so it just gives us the ability to move guys around. Maybe Billy's inside, maybe Billy's outside, maybe he's dropping because he's so athletic. And that's what we're talking about (with) this defense."

In regards to players such as Jackson, who excelled in the 4-3, Horton says he'll be open-minded to their input. He said Jackson contacted him right away and "was anxious."

"That's one of the things I do well is I let the players tell me what to do, because they will by how they play, how they react, what they do on the field, what they do in the meeting room," said Horton.

"I like to be malleable where I'm not so rigid that 'This is it. This is the only way to do it.' You've got to be flexible and let your players tell you what they do best. All I'm asking my players to do is trust us as a coaching staff that we will put them in great positions."

Horton, who played 10 seasons as a defensive back for the Bengals and Cowboys and spent most of his career as a secondary coach, is excited to inherit 2010 first-rounder Haden and second-rounder Ward, who are hitting their prime. Last season, his Cardinals finished second in the NFL with 22 interceptions, including seven by former first-rounder Patrick Peterson, who also led the league with five fumble recoveries.

"What I see in TJ is a player who is dynamic in the run game, a player that's going to get better because he's a smart player that will hit," said Horton. "He's a smaller guy, he's not a big man, but he will hit you.

"I'm excited for a chance to coach him and grow with him and understand what he does best. He will tell me what he does best by how he practices, how he plays and again it's limitless what we can do with players who can run and hit."

As for Haden, he said, "good hands, good feet, takes good keys, can play the ball and he'll tackle. A lot of (success is) predicated on how the guys next to him and in front of him play. If you're on a good team it's easy to be good. As the defense comes along, everybody will get sucked up in that jet stream of, 'Wow, this is a good defense because I can make a play.' "

s30brownsf.jpg New Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton, left, answers questions after being introduced by Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski, right, during press conference at the Browns practice facility in Berea, Ohio, on Jan. 29, 2013.      

One thing is for sure: Horton's defenses will blitz, much like LeBeau's in Pittsburgh. Last season, the Cardinals pressured more than any other team in the league except for the Houston Texans.

In his radio interview last week, Horton promised the Browns' defense will "look exactly the same" as the Steelers and mirror them.

"I bring a lot," said Horton. "I bring little guys, corners, they blitz, I bring big guys, I drop big guys into coverage. I think when you put pressure on the quarterback, everybody gets better. You get more sacks. You get more turnovers. So that to me is the key, pressure on the quarterback."

Chudzinski stressed that Horton's ability to show multiple looks and be aggressive makes him the perfect fit.

"His pressure packages are outstanding," said Chudzinski. "He brings 'em from all over the place, different guys, but he's still sound in his schemes. It's a tribute to Ray and the job he does. He's very competitive, a fiery guy as a coach. He relates very well to the players and is an outstanding teacher, and those are all three qualities that bode well for us here and help us be the best we can be."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-9994670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Lakewood hockey continues to roll in division play: Winter Sports Insider

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LAKEWOOD, Ohio - When it comes to playing division hockey games, no team does it much better than Lakewood. The Rangers have not lost a divisional game in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League since January 2010, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy knocking them off. They are 31-0-1 since then in the former Blue Central Division and in this...

Lakewood's Colin Scheel, left, leads his club in scoring with 18 goals. - (Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - When it comes to playing division hockey games, no team does it much better than Lakewood.

The Rangers have not lost a divisional game in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League since January 2010, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy knocking them off. They are 31-0-1 since then in the former Blue Central Division and in this year's Blue Central West. Since the 2009-10 campaign, they are 41-1-1.

The Rangers are 17-4-2 overall and 10-0-1 in the division this year, the only blemish a 4-4 tie against Brooklyn in December.

"We've been fortunate in the Blue Division," said seventh-year coach Josh Dress. "Looking back, I remember [that loss to CVCA], but as the games go by it kind of gets put in the back of your head."

Dress, 30, played at Brooklyn under coach Mike Wrost and brought his one-time coach to Lakewood as his assistant. He credits his defensemen, seniors Aaron Kovach and Colin Scheel, along with juniors Matt Johnson and Tom Kettel, for holding down the back line.

Scheel leads the club with 18 goals and 13 assists, with senior forward Chris Richardson at 11 goals and 20 assists. Freshman forward Jake Gregory has 13 goals and 11 assists, with junior wing Zach Moran at 11 goals and nine assists.

Sophomore forward Nate Bonacuse gave the club a boost to start the year when he filled in for injured junior goaltender Hunter Nugent, who returned the lineup a month ago.

Lakewood has earned a spot in the Baron Cup III Tournament. The Rangers will try to wrap up another unbeaten divisional season when they host Bay on Friday at 6 p.m. 
 
Stingy: St. Ignatius is on a roll in more ways than one. The Wildcats notched their 14th straight win on Tuesday night with a 5-0 blanking of Strongsville. It was also their third straight shutout and sixth in the past seven games.

The Wildcats, 24-4-3 and 7-0-2 in the Red North West Division, have had the luxury of alternating senior goaltenders Bernie Cook and Mike Mulach, with Sean Williams thrown in the mix. The trio each took a turn in the last three games.

Cook is 9-3-3, with two shutouts; Mulach is 11-1, with six; and Williams is 4-0, with two. They have combined to allow 45 goals for a 1.45 goals against average.

St. Ignatius, ranked No. 1 in the state, winds up the regular season against No. 7 St. Edward (16-12-2, 4-3) on Saturday at Brooklyn's Coyne Recreation Center at 4:45 p.m.

Baron Cup: The annual Baron Cup tournament will get under way on Monday for its annual one-week run at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn to determine champions from the Red, White and Blue Divisions of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League.

Once again the tournament will have eight teams in each division of single-elimination play, with Baron Cup I for Red Division teams, Baron Cup II for the White Division and Baron Cup III for the Blue Division.

Pairings will not be finalized until weekend play is finished. All three championship games will be played on Feb. 10.

Unless there is a last-minute change of heart, this will be the final Baron Cup as presently constituted.

Seven private schools from the Red Division - Holy Name, Lake Catholic, Padua, St. Edward, St. Ignatius, University School and Walsh Jesuit - along with independent Gilmour Academy, will be leaving the GCHSHL to form their own Great Lakes League starting next season.

Girls bowling

Bulldogs still unbeaten: Green entered the week 12-0. It has won the Black Tiger, Midway Christmas and Nordonia Knights tournaments and is riding a 40-match win streak in the Greater Summit League.

Madison Summers owns the team's high series of 483 while Carlee Gross has rolled the high game of 264.

- Bob Fortuna

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