"I feel like a piece of me is missing now," Kyrie Irving said Thursday. "The relationship I developed over the two years with him has been very special. It's hurtful." Watch video

 INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- It seemed to be hardest on the Cavaliers' younger players.

Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson often referred to Byron Scott as a father figure, so when Scott was fired by the Cavaliers on Thursday, the two were shaken.

"I feel like a piece of me is missing now,'' a somber Irving said. "The relationship I developed over the two years with him has been very special. It's hurtful.

"This is all new to me right now, emotions are running high. I'm just trying to get over the loss of my basketball father, as I've called him.''

Irving denied that his relationship with Scott deteriorated.

"It didn't deteriorate, not one bit,'' he said. "From the first time I met him to now, our relationship has only grown stronger.''

Thompson choked up while talking to reporters about Scott. "He's going to always have a special place in my heart because he was my first NBA coach,'' he said. "He's definitely helped me become a better player and a better man off the court. I'll definitely pay respect to him, and he definitely is going to mean a lot to me moving forward. We'll definitely stay in touch because I respect him as a man.''

The decision to fire Scott after three years and a 64-166 record was hard on GM Chris Grant, too.

"Today's a very difficult day personally and professionally,'' Grant said during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. "I have an enormous amount of respect for Byron and what he has done for this organization, personally and professionally. But we just felt that at this juncture, based on the fact that we weren't making enough progress as a team, that this was the right decision.

"Certainly there were challenges -- injuries and the age of our roster -- and we are all accountable for that, including myself. Once again, we felt this was the right decision for us to capitalize on this opportunity to continue to grow going forward. That will start today with us looking for the next coach for this basketball team."

Scott's biggest problem was that his team ranked last in the league defensively all season, as far as opponent field-goal percentage. Grant is looking for significant improvement in that area.

"Moving forward we'll look for someone with proven success and look for somebody who is strong defensively with proven systems,'' Grant said. "We'll look for somebody who is a teacher. We'll look for somebody who is a grinder and a worker."

Scott did not return a call from The Plain Dealer, but in a release issued by the team he said, "I want to thank Chris Grant, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers organization for the opportunity I had to coach this team the last three seasons. Anita and I have enjoyed our time here in Cleveland and greatly appreciate the support we received from this special community and the many friendships we developed. I am certainly proud of the progress that many of our players have made and greatly appreciate the dedication of my coaches and our team in our efforts to attain the success we all desired.''

Grant said no decision had been made with regard to the rest of Scott's coaching staff. He also declined to address any specific possible candidates, including former coach Mike Brown, who was fired by the Lakers and whose family is interested in returning to the area.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was attending the NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York and did not attend Thursday's press conference. While he thanked Scott in the press release issued by the team, he also said he supported the move.

"Although we saw progress with young individual player development, we did not see the kind of progress we expected on the team level this past season,'' Gilbert said in the release. "We understand it was challenging with the injuries, but when you are at our stage in the building process, you don't only measure team progress in wins and losses.

"It has been our strong and stated belief that when our team once again returns to competing at the NBA's highest levels it will be because we have achieved our goals on the defensive side of the court.

"Our fans have been incredibly loyal and supportive during these transition years. They deserve better than we have been delivering as of late and it is our full intent to deliver them the kind of competitive team that they expect to see on the court beginning next season.''

As the NFL continues to put an emphasis on passing and the game continues to give the advantage to the offense, teams are looking for safeties to counter that. Who are the Top 5 in the 2013 NFL Draft? Chris Fedor gives his list.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's getting tougher to play safety in the NFL.

The league continues to crack down on hits on defenseless receivers and helmet-to-helmet contact. Covering tight ends has become more of a challenge as they become increasingly bigger, faster and more athletic.

For teams looking for a safety, it's about finding versatile players who can support the run and match up with tight ends and slot receivers in what's become a passing-first league. None of these players is an elite talent, but this is a deep class and there are future starters (Fresno State's Phillip Thomas, Georgia's Bacarri Rambo and Georgia Southern's J.J. Wilcox to name a few) that didn't make this list.

1. Kenny Vaccaro, 6-0, 214 pounds, Texas

After being named first-team All-Big 12 in 2011, Vaccaro had every opportunity to leave for the NFL. He returned for his final season in Austin hoping to become the best defensive back in the country. That didn't happen, but he still had a productive year (92 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 7 passes defensed).

Vaccaro can do everything asked of a safety and he can do it well. He can play in the box and help support the run. His strength allows him to match up with tight ends, and his athleticism allows him to line up in the slot and cover wide receivers.

While Vaccaro doesn't have a great burst and his 40 time (4.63) at the Scouting Combine was a bit disappointing, the former Longhorn is exactly the kind of versatile safety that NFL teams are searching for in a game of matchups and is a sure-fire first round pick. The only question is how high he goes.

2. Jonathan Cyprien, 6-0, 217 pounds, Florida International

Florida International's Jonathan Cyprien hasn't garnered the same kind of attention as other safeties this year but he deserves it. Associated Press  

Cyprien didn't get the same kind of recognition as some other high-profile safeties in this year's class. But he should have.

Cyprien has been a reliable player at Florida International since his freshman year, when he made seven starts and finished second on the team with 78 tackles.

He started 45 games during his career at FIU, but saved his best for last. Cyprien finished up his senior year with 93 total tackles and earned first-team all-conference honors. Following in the footsteps of his former teammate, T.Y. Hilton (Colts), Cyprien earned a trip to the Senior Bowl. He has used this offseason to rise up draft boards.

Cyprien is an aggressive safety who is known for playing with full-speed effort on every play. The school's all-time leading tackler is a reliable and violent hitter. He does his best work near the line of scrimmage but also has the athleticism and range to hold in coverage at the next level.

Cyprien is a playmaker in the secondary who shows good ball skills but also takes chances. His aggressive nature causes him to get out of position at times and miss some plays. But the small-school prospect has big game and could sneak into the first round.

3. Matt Elam, 5-10, 208 pounds, Florida

Elam was a very highly regarded prospect coming out of high school. The Florida native chose to play in Gainesville. It took him a year of playing on special teams before he finally got his opportunity to shine. The two-year starter at Florida is a better college player than his brother Abe (Chiefs), a former Brown.

Matt Elam is a bit undersized but he plays much bigger. Elam excels when things get physical near the line of scrimmage and is known for bone-crushing hits and highlight-reel plays.

The problem is, he never played with the kind of consistency teams would like to see. Elam plays the game with a lot of emotion and passion and became one of the leaders of the Florida defense.

Like most of the safeties in this year's class though, Elam's aggressiveness can get him into trouble and out of position. He goes for the big hit constantly, so he is not a reliable tackler.

There are lots of things to like. Elam is an enforcer-type of player, but his lack of consistency and his over-aggressive nature makes him unreliable at this stage of his development.

4. Eric Reid, 6-1, 213 pounds, LSU

Will Eric Reid's play ever match his physical tools? Associated Press  

Reid's best season at LSU came in 2011 when he was a sophomore. Teamed up with Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne, the Tigers boasted one of the best secondaries in college football.

Reid started all 12 games as a sophomore and finished the season as LSU's leading tackler (76). He also added 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles. His play during his sophomore season earned him second-team All-SEC honors. But Reid's 2012 campaign was not nearly as strong, and it has caused his stock to drop.

Reid is tall, athletic and fast. He checks off all the boxes when it comes to measurables and physical tools. He is a powerful tackler who has the ability to deliver the big hit. He plays the run and the pass effectively. He has excellent closing speed and the range to make plays all over the field.

But his 2012 season will be extremely tough to ignore. He was inconsistent, often finding himself out of position and drawing penalties. If Reid ever learns to harness his aggressiveness and play smarter, he has the ability to be an impact safety.

5. D.J. Swearinger, 5-11, 208 pounds, South Carolina

Swearinger was headed to "Rocky Top" to help anchor the Tennessee defense out of high school. He changed his mind when Phillip Fulmer resigned as head coach. Tennessee's loss turned into South Carolina's gain. Swearinger became a four-year starter and captain of the defense. He had his best season in 2011, registering 80 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. Swearinger played both cornerback and free safety his final season and was once again productive (79 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 interceptions and 7 pass breakups) on his way to being a second-team All-SEC selection.

Swearinger is aggressive, physical and feisty. He was extremely productive at South Carolina and showed off some versatility. However, his home in the NFL will be as an enforcing safety. He has a tendency to play out of control. He uses his hands too much in coverage, and it could lead to some penalties. But Swearinger puts fear in receivers going across the middle. The banger in the secondary is the kind of player who will be receiving a lot of attention from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell because of his violent hits.

Also see:

Chris Fedor's Mock Draft 5.0: New destinations for Geno and Milliner

More Chris Fedor's Top 5...

• Cornerbacks
  
• Outside linebackers
  
• Inside linebackers
• Defensive ends
  
• Defensive tackles
• Offensive guards
• Offensive tackles
• Tight ends
• Wide receivers
• Running backs
• Quarterbacks

Third in a series of position previews leading up to the NFL Draft next week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Third in a series of position previews leading up to the NFL Draft next week. Previously, defensive backs and the defensive line. Today, linebackers.

Best of the best

Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

6-6, 248, 4.54

The Browns could have a serious decision to make if Jordan is available when they select. The Oregon product is the explosive pass rusher that seems perfectly suited for Ray Horton's system. He possesses tremendous athleticism even as he needs to gain strength, particularly in his upper body. Jordan is recovering from a torn labrum

Best of the rest

Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

6-4, 241, 4.53

He's a defensive end who would be viewed as an outside linebacker by the Browns. He's a lean, dynamic athlete who some think will be a better pass rusher at the NFL level.

Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

6-3, 245, 4.92

Slid down the draft board over concerns about his health (spinal stenosis) and a subpar pro day. Jones is an explosive pass rusher who last season led the nation in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles. Jones is a bit undersized and relies heavily on his speed.

Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

6-1, 241, 4.78

It has been a difficult 2013, to say the least. The embarrassing revelations of the fake girlfriend combined with a poor performance in the title game and draft workouts has hurt his stock. Te'o is still considered a late first-round pick. His biggest question is whether he possesses the speed to track down NFL ball carriers on the edge.

Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

6-0, 246, 4.70

Minter was part of an outstanding LSU defense. He is a smart player who relies more on his instincts than his athleticism. How that translates to the NFL remains to be seen.

Others to watch

Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia

6-3, 242, 4.68

A converted safety, Ogletree is a playmaker with good speed and instincts. Served a four-game ban reportedly for violating a substance-abuse policy. Also was arrested for DUI. He could slip into the second round.

Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State

6-1, 241, 4.68

There's a lot to like about his instinctual style of play, but his lack of size worries some. He's projected as a second-round pick.

Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut

6-1, 245, 4.62

Another smart linebacker with good speed, but not a lot of size. Lauded for his competitiveness.

On the Browns

Starters: Paul Kruger, D'Qwell Jackson, Craig Robertson, Jabaal Sheard.

Backups: Tank Carder, L.J. Fort, Quentin Groves, James-Michael Johnson, Adrian Moten.

Level of need (1 to 10): Seven.

The decision to switch to a 3-4 defense presented a challenge for a franchise that was short on proven backers last season when it employed a 4-3 front. The Browns added pass rush specialist Paul Kruger and Quentin Groves through free agency while cutting Chris Gocong. They are shifting left defensive end Jabaal Sheard to right outside linebacker, a move that promises to be a major training-camp talking point.

Do the Browns need another pass rusher? Do they have enough size with their inside backers? Some believe they can get by with a combination of D'Qwell Jackson, Craig Robertson and James Michael Johnson. Others aren't as certain. This position figures to offer plenty of temptation and intrigue throughout the draft.

Curt Morehouse, office manager at W.N. Morehouse Truck Line in Omaha, Neb., took to Facebook and blasted Pilot Flying J on Friday after reading an FBI affidavit that claimed Pilot employees defrauded unsuspecting trucking firms.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Curt Morehouse saw the shortfall in his books long before the 120-page FBI affidavit delivered the news about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's family business, Pilot Flying J.

At first he thought it was a simple mistake. Then, he learned otherwise.

The affidavit, unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, Tenn., says Morehouse's company, W.N. Morehouse Truck Line in Omaha, lost nearly $150,000 in rebates over a period of several years from Haslam's company. The document says Haslam, CEO of the nation's largest chain of truck stops and travel centers, knew about the fraud, as he was in business meetings where it was discussed.

"I felt like I was getting ripped off," Morehouse said in an interview with The Plain Dealer.

The office manager at the fourth-generation family business with a fleet of 100 trucks said he realized he was getting shorted when he carefully checked records last spring that were stored in his company's "fuel optimizer" software. Pilot Flying J called it an error -- a change in sales staff -- and gave him $80,000 and more rebates.

On Friday, after reading the FBI report, Morehouse took to Facebook and blasted Haslam's company and Brian Mosher, Pilot Flying J's director of national sales. Mosher urged sales associates to prey upon unsophisticated companies, according to the FBI affidavit.

"We had a feeling that the error was not an accident, but had no proof," Morehouse wrote. "It is now obvious from the affidavits that it was not an accident. We hope that Mr. Haslam has the courage to make whole the other companies that his company defrauded. Brian Mosher called the companies that he was defrauding "unsophisticated." I hope Mr. Mosher's cell mate is also "unsophisticated."

No one has been charged in the case, though FBI and IRS agents are investigating allegations of conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud. Authorities used the document to search Pilot Flying J's headquarters in Knoxville on Monday and the homes of sales associates.

Western Express in Nashville also learned of the scheme on its own. On Friday morning, the company's president and chief executive officer Paul Wieck waded through the affidavit. The document says Western audited its bill and found it had been shorted $1 million.

"At a minimum it's very disappointing information," said Wieck, who has been at the 2,500-truck company since 1997 and took over as CEO when founder Wayne Wise died in August 2010.

Wieck said he was dismayed by the list of Pilot Flying J employees, including regional sales managers, who were, according to the document, a part of the fraud.

"A lot of those folks that are mentioned in the affidavit are people that I know, that I trusted," Wieck said. "And I'm sure Jimmy (Haslam) is disappointed in the actions of his associates."

When Western told Pilot Flying J about the shortfall, the two companies negotiated an unusual settlement: John Freeman, Pilot Flying J's vice president of sales, offered to cut the business a check. Instead, according to the affidavit, Western asked Pilot Flying J to buy a plane, which Western owed $1 million on.

"So I bought the (expletive) airplane," Freeman said, according to the FBI affidavit.

In a conversation secretly recorded by an FBI informant, Freeman said Haslam knew about the Western case, according to the affidavit. Freeman told the informant that he called Haslam about the shortfall.

Unlike Morehouse and Western, Owen Shrock said he did not notice a problem with Pilot Flying J. Then he saw his company's name in the affidavit Friday morning.

"I had no idea," said Shrock, the owner of Shrock Trucking of Springfield, Mo., a company with 51 trucks.

The document says sales officials at Haslam's company wanted to change the price discount of the business without telling him. Shrock said that he has not found any financial irregularities and doubts Pilot Flying J shorted him.

On today's episode of Sports Insider, StepienRules.com's Brendan Bowers joined cleveland.com's Glenn Moore to talk about the firing of Byron Scott and who should be on the list to replace him.

 

The Indians head on the road to start a series in Houston against the Astros.

Brett Myers gets the start tonight against the Astros. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)  

Game 15: Indians (5-9) vs. Red Sox (4-11)

First pitch: 8:05 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.

TV/radio: STO; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS FM/100.7.

Starting pitchers: RHP Brett Myers (0-2, 8.82 ERA) vs. RHP Lucas Harrell (0-2, 5.63 ERA)

Box score | MLB scoreboard

» Get updates from Paul Hoynes in the pressbox here

» You can also follow Tweets about the game and post your comments below.

Tweets from @clevelanddotcom/indians

Matt Albers, placed on the restricted list by the Indians, could be activated on Monday.

HOUSTON, Texas - The Cleveland Indians have placed right-hander Matt Albers on the restricted list due to a family issue.

Albers was originally placed on the paternity list and then the family medical emergency list. He was scheduled to be activated today, but the Indians decided to put him on the restricted list to give him more time at home.

There is no time restriction on a player on the restricted list. Albers does not count against the Indians' 25- or 40-man rosters.

Albers was born in Houston and lives in Woodlands, Texas. He threw a bullpen today at Minute Maid Park. He'll do the same thing on Saturday and could be activated on Monday in Chicago.

"We have told him multiple times if he's not ready, we fully understand that," said manager Terry Francona. "But right now, that's the plan."

The Indians acquired Albers, Bryan Shaw and Trevor Bauer from Arizona during the offseason.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - Four athletes from Gymnastics World have qualified for the USA Gymnastics national championships following their performances in the recent Region 5 championships in Lansing, Mich. Alecia Farina, who led Brecksville-Broadview Heights to a 10th consecutive state championship and won four of five events in the state meet last month, finished fourth on the vault, the balance...

Brecksville-Broadview Heights freshman Alecia Farina is among four locals who reached USA Gymnastics' national championships from their performances at the Region 5 championships in Lansing, Mich. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - Four athletes from Gymnastics World have qualified for the USA Gymnastics national championships following their performances in the recent Region 5 championships in Lansing, Mich.

Alecia Farina, who led Brecksville-Broadview Heights to a 10th consecutive state championship and won four of five events in the state meet last month, finished fourth on the vault, the balance beam, the floor and the all-around and was ninth on the bars in the 14-15 age group to advance to the nationals next week in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Mary Jane Horth, a senior at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, won the floor and beam and tied for the all-around title in the 18-year-old division. Monica Batton, a junior at Nordonia, advanced in the 16-17 division by finishing seventh in the all-around and Katie Fiorilli, a senior at Solon, qualified in the NIT Division of the nationals by finishing 10th in the all-around.

The top seven in the Region 5 event advanced to the nationals, while those finishing lower are extended an opportunity to compete in the NIT Division.

Four area coaches and three former coaches will be honored Thursday when the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association holds its annual awards banquet at Harry's Steakhouse in Independence. Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Babe Kwasniak, whose team won the Division IV state championship over Leipsic, and St. Ignatius coach Sean O'Toole are the boys coaches who will be honored. Geneva...

Villa Angela-St. Joseph boys basketball coach Babe Kwasniak, who led the Vikings to the Division IV state title, will be recognized by the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association on Thursday. - (John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

Four area coaches and three former coaches will be honored Thursday when the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association holds its annual awards banquet at Harry's Steakhouse in Independence.

Villa Angela-St. Joseph coach Babe Kwasniak, whose team won the Division IV state championship over Leipsic, and St. Ignatius coach Sean O'Toole are the boys coaches who will be honored. Geneva coach Nancy Barbo and St. Joseph Academy's Maggie Ferrando are the girls coaches.

The organization also will present its Golden Deeds Awards to former coaches Babe Topole (Rhodes), Art Daniels (Elyria and Westlake) and Gretchen Taylor (Glenville). Cost is $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers and includes a buffet style dinner. For more information call Larry Arthur, 216-651-0222, ext. 229 or email at larthur@ignatius.edu.

A drop in production in 2012 may cause NFL teams to view Johnathan Hankins as something less than an every-down defensive lineman. If that's the case, it could cost him.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The goal was always to get Johnathan Hankins on the football field for more plays. He was that good, and the Buckeyes needed him.

The Ohio State defensive tackle reported to Columbus as a freshman in 2010 at around 350 pounds. But by his junior year, he played at 320 and was out there for nearly every snap for several games during the Buckeyes' 12-0 season in 2012.

When the season ended, Hankins announced he was turning pro. He said he'd been told he was a probable first-round pick by the NFL's draft advisory board. He was ranked as a top-20 pick by CBSSports.com analysts Rob Rang and Dane Brugler at the time and was listed ninth by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. among his best draft prospects.

Now, with the draft less than a week away, Hankins isn't a first-round pick anymore. Of the nine draft analysts on NFL.com, none have him in the first round, and it's the same from Kiper and Todd McShay at ESPN.com. Rang and Brugler have dropped him as well. Rang now has him going in the second round, 55th, to Green Bay, while Brugler has him at No. 52 to Minnesota.

What happened? Sounds like too many snaps.

"What he did as a sophomore was special. But he had a more impactful role this year and he didn't step up and take over that role, and I think that's a big part of it," Brugler said Friday. "The production wasn't there. He played a lot of snaps, and it's not that he takes plays off, but that he wears himself out."

Hankins had 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack in 2012. In one more game, he had 67 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three sacks in 2011. That may cause NFL teams to view Hankins as something less than an every-down player. If that's the case, it could cost him.

Defensive tackle Michael Brockers was the No. 14 pick in last year's draft and signed a four-year contract for $9.52 million. Defensive tackle Devon Still, taken 53rd by Cincinnati, signed for $3.77 million over four years.

Hankins is Ohio State's top draft prospect. If he does fall, the Buckeyes would be left without a first-round pick for the third time in four years. Between 2004-09, Ohio State had 13 first-round picks. The only one since then has been defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who went No. 31 to Pittsburgh in 2011.

Defensive lineman John Simon and offensive tackle Reid Fragel are the Buckeyes' next best prospects. Both could go in the third round. Linebackers Nate Williams and Etienne Sabino, tight end Jake Stoneburner, fullback Zach Boren and cornerback Travis Howard also could get drafted.

According to numbers crunched by NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt, Ohio State's 70 draft picks since 2001 rank second in the country, behind only the 71 of USC. So the numbers should be there again. There just may not be a Buckeye called during the first round.

After his performance before scouts at Ohio State's Pro Day in March, Hankins felt good about his prospects and what he'd done.

"I'm a big guy, and I've very athletic and I can move, and I'm not just a one- or two-down player," he said. "I can play all the downs.

"I expect to be a first rounder, that's one of my goals. If it happens it happens. If not, I'll keep working to get better."

OSU defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said he saw that size and skill from Hankins during his time in Columbus.

"I think he did everything we asked him to do and everything we would have expected him to do," Fickell said. "That kid has got all the intangibles. He's not scratched the surface on how good he can be, because physically he'd still a young kid."

Fickell understands the debate about Hankins as an every-down player, and believes coming back as a senior could have helped refine his body for the NFL. But Fickell also talked about working as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in 2001 and thinking defensive tackle Ryan Pickett might be a third or fourth-round pick. Instead Pickett went 29th in the first round and has played in the NFL for 12 years.

Hankins would take that kind of career, even if the draft doesn't go as expected. In one recent mock draft, Kiper had Hankins falling to the third round to Oakland. SI.com draft analyst Tony Pauline said Hankins' stock may have reached the point where he'll now be one of the best values in the draft.

Kiper still thinks Seattle, in the second round, could be a logical landing spot.

"He wasn't as dominant this year as he was two years ago," Kiper said, "but he's got a lot of ability."

Ohio State NFL draft capsules (links are to NFL.com's evaluations)

Zach Boren, FB, 5-11, 238, 5.00 (40 time)

Notable: Boren moved from FB to LB in the middle of last season to fill a need. The flexibility might help him as teams consider his special teams value. A smart player and sturdy blocker, he's an old-school fullback -- a position fewer teams are looking for. He could be a late-round pick.

Reid Fragel, OT, 6-8, 308, 5.14

Notable: Making the switch from tight end, Fragel played one year of right tackle but showed the natural skills and size that make him easy to project. There's a lot of upside, which could cause a team to take a chance as high as the third round.

Johnathan Hankins, DT, 6-3, 320, 5.31

Notable: Projected in the fall as a potential top-10 pick, Hankins left after his junior season but now seems unlikely to go in the first round. He's got pretty quick feet for his size and can play the run or pass, but a strong group at his position could push him into the second round.

Travis Howard, CB, 6-1, 200, 4.63

Notable: The first-team All-Big Ten selection wasn't invited to the combine but could wind up a late-round pick. He has good size and intercepted four passes as a senior.

Etienne Sabino, LB, 6-2, 247, 4.75

Notable: As a fifth-year player, the Florida native emerged as one of the Buckeyes' vital leaders. But he's not a great athlete and doesn't have the instincts to make up for that. Still, he should come off the board sometime after the fifth round.

John Simon, DE/OLB, 6-1, 257, 4.68

Notable: He became Urban Meyer's guy as a senior, and his drive and desire, on the field and off, are unquestioned. Likely moving to outside linebacker, Simon has shown pretty good athleticism and could go as high as the second round if a team falls in love with the Youngstown native as Meyer did.

Jake Stoneburner, TE, 6-3, 252, 4.65

Notable: Playing receiver and tight end his last year, Stoneburner didn't put up huge numbers, but he's still a solid athlete as a catch-first tight end or H-back. He just wants to hear his name called and that should happen in the later rounds.

Nate Williams, OLB/DE, 6-3, 241, 4.88

Notable: Bouncing back from microfracture surgery, Williams was limited by soreness at times but has said he feels like a new man during pre-draft workouts. Now playing what he always thought was his more natural linebacker position, he could be a late-round pick.

Watch a clip from Jimmy Haslam's press conference today in Knoxville. Video is courtesy WKYC.com via WBIR.com.

Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Flying J, speaks during a press conference at the company headquarters Friday, April 19, 2013. (AP Photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cleveland Browns owner and Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam says he hasn't done anything wrong and isn't stepping aside amid a federal investigation of his company's business practices.

Haslam spoke to reporters in Knoxville on Friday, a day after a federal court unsealed an FBI affidavit in an ongoing investigation of customer rebate fraud at Pilot Flying J.

He answered just one question during the 8-minute press conference. "Are you going to take the Browns to the Super Bowl?" a reporter offered as Haslam was leaving. "Eventually, yes," Haslam replied, laughing.

Watch the entire Haslam press conference below.  Video is courtesy WKYC.com via WBIR.com.

Associated Press contributed to this report

Heard before the opening of this weekend's series between the Indians and Astros.

View full size Ryan Raburn wasn't given an error as the ball bounced away from him on Mike Napoli's triple on Thursday, but the misplay reflects the Indians' defensive struggles early in the 2013 season. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer  

HOUSTON -- Heard before the opening of this weekend's series between the Indians and Astros.

Clubhouse confidential: Brad Mills, the Indians' third-base coach, says his son, Beau, has retired from baseball and is raising bucking bulls on a ranch in Orange, Texas, just outside of Houston. Beau was the Indians' No.1 pick in 2007.

"We've been raising bucking bulls for the last three or four years," said Mills. "Beau is doing that full time now. We're going to take some of the [Indians] out there Saturday."

Mills says he owns nine young bulls that have never been ridden.

"Beau likes it," said Mills. "He came to me and said, 'Dad, I'd like to do this.' I told him, 'As long as you're going to give me the best effort and get after it. It's not going to be easy.' He's doing a good job at it."

Back home: Michael Bourn is on the disabled list with five stitches in the index finger of his right hand, but he made the trip with the Indians. Bourn is from here, went to the University of Houston and played for the Astros.

Stat of the day: The Indians entered Friday night with the lowest fielding percentage in the AL at .976. They've made 12 errors in 509 chances. They're tied with the Angels for the most errors in the league.

Brett Myers, once again, is having trouble keeping the ball in the park.

HOUSTON, Tex -- It's boom-boom time once again for Brett Myers.

The Indians veteran right-hander surrendered consecutive homers to J.D. Martinez and Rick Ankiel in the second inning Friday night to give Houston a 3-0 lead. Myers has allowed 10 homers in 18 1/3 innings this year.

The 10 homers are the most allowed by a pitcher in the big leagues this season.

Myers, a former Astro, retired the side in order in the first, but invited trouble by walking Carlos Pena with one out in the second. Martinez followed with a two-run shot to right. Ankiel followed with another homer to right on a 2-2 pitch.

Earlier in the at-bat, Ankiel just missed a homer down the right field line.

Tonight's lineups:

Indians: LF Brantley, 2B Kipnis, SS Cabrera, RF Swisher, DH Giambi, C Santana, 1B Reynolds, 3B Chisenhall, CF Stubbs, P Myers.

Astros: 2B Altuve, CF Maxwell, C Castro, DH Carter, 1B Pena, LF Martinez, RF Ankiel, 3B Dominguez, SS Gonzalez, P Harrell.

Umpires: H Marquez, 1B DiMuro, 2B Bellino, 3B Barrett. Barrett, crew chief.

Brown, a defensive specialist, was hired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011 and fired just five games into this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has emerged as the leading contender to replace the fired Byron Scott, two longtime NBA insiders told The Plain Dealer on Friday, and the team may move quickly to hire him.

Neither Brown nor Cavs General Manager Chris Grant could be reached for comment. Calls to Brown's agent, Warren LeGarie, were not returned on Friday.

Brown, fired by the Lakers five games into this season, told The Plain Dealer on Thursday night that he had not yet been contacted by the team but would listen if they called. He and his family had decided to return to the Cleveland area before the Cavaliers job became available.

Though the team wants to be thorough in its search, timing could be an issue as Scott's firing on Thursday was the first of many expected in the league. Detroit also fired Lawrence Frank and Philadelphia's Doug Collins stepped down. More vacancies are expected, though Brown told The Plain Dealer he was in no rush to return to coaching. The Lakers still owe him about $8 million.

In discussing Scott's firing on Thursday, Grant said the team was not making enough progress, especially defensively.

"Moving forward we'll look for someone with proven success and look for somebody who is strong defensively with proven systems," Grant said. "We'll look for somebody who is a teacher. We'll look for somebody who is a grinder and a worker."

Though that description fits Brown perfectly, Grant declined to speak about any specific candidates. Grant and Brown are close friends.

Brown's return would not be unprecedented. The Cavaliers dismissed Bill Musselman late in the 1980-81 season, but rehired him to finish the 81-82 campaign. Bob Bass had four separate stints in San Antonio, and Cotton Fitzsimmons had three in Phoenix. Other coaches who coached the same team twice include Pat Riley in Miami, Lenny Wilkens in Seattle, Dick Motta in Dallas, Don Nelson in Golden State and Gene Shue with the Clippers and Washington, though they weren't all fired and rehired.

Meanwhile, in Miami, former Cav LeBron James said reports of Brown's possible return "should be real," according to the Associated Press. The comment is interesting given James' rumored consideration of opting out of his contract in 2014. When Brown was fired in 2010, it was thought part of the reason was to keep a dissatisfied James happy.

Draft order: In addition to their lottery pick, the Cavs will have the No. 19 spot in the NBA Draft's first round as the result of two drawings on Friday in New York that broke a tie among the Lakers, Houston and Chicago.

Each team finished the season with a 45-37 record. Houston won a tiebreaker with Chicago and the Lakers, and then the Lakers won a tiebreaker with Chicago. Houston will draft 18th and Chicago 20th.

The Cavs got the Lakers' pick as a condition of the trade that sent Ramon Sessions to Los Angeles last season. The Cavs got the right to swap Miami's No. 1 pick, obtained in the James trade, with the Lakers' No. 1 pick, provided Los Angeles made the playoffs.

Staff changes: The Cavs have released assistant coaches Paul Pressey and Joe Prunty. Assistants Jamahl Mosley and Nate Tibbetts remain. In addition, the contracts of trainer Max Benton and strength and conditioning coordinator Stan Kellers have not been renewed.

Indians third base coach Brad Mills reflects on his tenure as Houston's manager.

View full size Nick Swisher is helpless to prevent a second-inning homer by Houston's Rick Ankiel Friday night at Minute Maid Park. Pat Sullivan, Associated Press  

HOUSTON -- It's funny how things go in baseball.

Last season, Manny Acta sat in the visitor's dugout at Minute Maid Park and talked about why he took a job managing the Indians instead of the Astros after the 2009 season. Acta had been offered both jobs, but felt the Indians offered a better opportunity for long-term success even though he had deep roots in Houston.

When Acta turned the Astros down, they hired Brad Mills, Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston.

On Friday afternoon, Mills sat in the same dugout Acta occupied last year. The Indians' third-base coach talked about his 2 1/2 years managing the Astros, which ended on Aug. 18. A little more than a month later, Acta's tenure in Cleveland ended as well.

"It's definitely different coming back here," said Mills. "I have such fond memories here. I love the city and the people. We got in at 3 a.m. and my phone started ringing at 8 a.m. But it was definitely different coming into town and driving past the ballpark."

Just as they were under Mills, the Astros are rebuilding. They went 76-86 in 2009, 56-106 in 2010 and 39-83 when he was fired in August. This year Houston not only moved from the National to the American League, they opened with the lowest payroll in the big leagues at $18.7 million.

"I think there's more than one way to skin a cat," said Mills. "There has been a lot ballclubs that have done that. You change regimes and the way you do things a little bit.

View full size Brad Mills says he isn't bitter about his time as Astros manager. Chuck Crow, PD  

"I think they've seen a lot of progress with a lot of the players who have been here for a few years with a Jose Altuve, Justin Maxwell, J.D. Martinez and Jason Castro. These guys have progressed ... So to answer your question, let's wait and see."

The Houston job was Mills' first as a big-league manager. It still tugs at him.

"You spend almost three years with a lot of those players," he said. "Your heart is with those guys because you're with them every day for six or seven months.

"It's weird. For nearly three years you're with them every day and then there comes a day when you're not with them. So this is different. It's kind of fun to come back and see them."

The Astros played in the National League from their 1962 debut until this season. They're now in the AL West, giving both leagues 15 teams and introducing interleague play on every day of the regular season.

"It was really odd to see the DH in the lineup here," said Mills.

Managing the Astros was not an easy gig. The farm system was barren and the big-league club had a lot older players on the decline. It was one of the reasons Acta didn't take the job. Mills knew all that going in, but had no regrets.

"Being cynical, that doesn't help anybody," he said. "Maybe for those 30 minutes that Saturday night in August [when he was fired], maybe I was. But then I quickly realized it wasn't helping me at all or anyone else I was talking to."

Albers update: Francona said right-hander Matt Albers could be activated Monday even though he was placed on the restricted list Friday.

The Indians placed Albers on the restricted list to give him more time to be with his family. They would have had to activate him Friday from the family medical emergency list after he'd already been on the paternity list.

There is no time restriction on a player on the restricted list. Albers does not count against the Indians' 25- or 40-man rosters.

Albers, born in Houston, threw a bullpen at Minute Maid Park Friday. Francona said he'll throw again Saturday.

Two-out mojo: Other than a top-to-bottom hot streak, what can the Indians do to get their offense going?

"If we don't get it going where everybody is hitting, we need a two-out hit," said Francona. "We've had some opportunities, but they've all been with two out."

Finally: Jason Kipnis (left elbow) returned to the lineup after missing five games. ... Catcher Lou Marson (neck) caught four innings Thursday and is scheduled to catch six or seven innings Saturday in his rehab with Class AAA Columbus.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says "there are no such plans" to ask Haslam to remove himself from operational control of the Browns during FBI probe.

BEREA, Ohio -- The NFL has no plan to ask Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to remove himself from operational control of the franchise while the FBI investigates his company's alleged fraud scheme, a league spokesman told The Plain Dealer on Friday.

The response from league spokesman Greg Aiello came in reaction to a report on espncleveland.com, quoting an anonymous source, that the NFL might ask Haslam to step aside. The report suggested that Haslam might be required to stay away from the team's headquarters during the proceedings.

According to documents filed in federal court Thursday, Pilot Flying J engaged in a fraud for "many years" by keeping millions of dollars owed to customers in gas rebates. It also states Haslam knew the company was shortchanging the clients.

As expected, Haslam flew to Cleveland on Thursday to help prepare for next week's NFL draft, and planned to stay through Friday. Instead, after the 120-page affidavit was unsealed and details of the alleged fraud scheme emerged, Haslam flew back to Knoxville to conduct a Friday press conference in the boardroom of Pilot Flying J.

There, an upbeat Haslam admitted he's been "rocked back" by the FBI raid and investigation, but maintained his innocence. He didn't address the Browns until he was exiting the boardroom and a reporter asked him if he'll take the team to the Super Bowl. "Eventually, yes," Haslam said with a broad smile.

A source said Haslam still plans to return to Cleveland next week for the draft, which is Thursday through Saturday.

While the NFL awaits the outcome of the investigation, some of Haslam's fellow owners are "absolutely terrified," according to Mike Freeman of CBS Sports. One NFL source told him: "More than a few owners are scared to death. The fear is that even if he did nothing wrong, the damage of the investigation alone, and the headlines that come with it, could damage a Browns organization trying to steady itself."

Some league officials told Freeman they haven't been this worried about an owner since Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was involved in a corruption case of a former Louisiana governor and ceded control of the San Francisco 49ers to his sister in 1997.

The league didn't encourage DeBartolo to step aside, but endorsed the decision. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue eventually suspended him for the 1999 season after DeBartolo pled guilty to failing to report an alleged extortion plot involving a gaming license for a riverboat casino.

According to the The Knoxville News Sentinel, Pilot Flying J has retained the attorney that represented DeBartolo in that federal criminal case, Aubrey Harwell, Jr., of Nashville.

Other NFL owners have been forced to give up their teams in the face of scandal. Victor Kiam sold his share of the Patriots in 1992 when facing bankruptcy, and Leonard Tose was forced to sell the Eagles because of a gambling debt almost a decade earlier.

Since then, the league has done a more thorough job of vetting prospective owners, and a noted sports law expert, Michael McCann, said he's surprised the league didn't catch wind of the FBI's probe.

Haslam passed two background checks -- the first when he purchased a minority stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008. The league looked into Haslam and his company again last summer.

"I know the amount of documentation they have to provide when they want to become owners -- a tremendous amount of financial records," McCann, director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the University of New Hampshire, said. "It raises the question 'What more could they have done to identify this?'"

ESPN NFL Business analyst Andrew Brandt, who worked for Green Bay and Philadelphia, said Browns CEO Joe Banner has ample experience running a franchise. Brandt doesn't expect the club to be distracted as it prepares for the draft and training camp.

"Beyond the negative PR it will have little effect on operations," he said.

Brandt said he couldn't imagine the NFL advising Haslam to sell the team or step aside unless significant new evidence surfaces. McCann said such a move -- without at least an indictment -- would set a precedent.

It could take more than six months to produce an indictment in such a complex case.

"This is cause for concern for the NFL," said Brandt. "But they aren't going to do anything rash or anything soon. It's obviously not good news, but we have a long way to go before there is potential discipline. That is, unless evidence came to light that was very substantial."

While Haslam's image will take a hit, Brandt does not believe it will hurt the team's chances of landing free agents and re-signing its own players.

"Potentially it could, but remember players and agents are most interested in two things -- money and opportunity," Brandt said.

Plain Dealer reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed combined for this report.

Haslam's second meeting with reporters in three days came a day after a 120-page FBI search warrant affidavit was unsealed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, Tenn., involving Pilot Flying J. The document says Haslam and company president Mark Hazelwood knew about a fraud scheme committed by top sales officials at his company, as it was discussed in business meetings.

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Friday that he would remain the president of his family business, Pilot Flying J, amid a federal investigation into the company's rebate program.

"Somebody asked me today if I would step down as president,'' Haslam told reporters in a brief statement at Pilot Flying J's headquarters in Knoxville. "I thought to myself, 'Why would I do that? Candidly, I haven't done anything wrong.''

Haslam refused to answer any questions, other than a reporter who asked if Haslam would lead the Browns to the Super Bowl. He broke into a smile as he left the company's board room.

Haslam's second meeting with reporters in three days came a day after a 120-page FBI search warrant affidavit was unsealed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, Tenn., involving Pilot Flying J. The document says Haslam and company president Mark Hazelwood knew about a fraud scheme committed by top sales officials at his company that targeted some unsophisticated trucking companies. (Read the full text of the affidavit in the document viewers below).

The document says Pilot Flying J sales employees withheld fuel price rebates and discounts from certain complaints to boost the profitability and increase their commissions. Federal agents used the document to gain a judge's permission to search Pilot Flying J and some homes Monday.

No one has been charged.

Haslam said the company has had a "solid sales week'' in the days following the federal raids. He called Friday "a really good sales day.''

Haslam has also met with reporters briefly on Tuesday. He said then that the case focused on rebates to "a very insignificant number" of trucking company customers that were owed rebates that were never paid. On Friday, he echoed that, but he used different words, saying the number of companies involved was a "very small percentage of our diesel fuel business.''

Haslam was in Cleveland on Thursday to prepare for the team's draft next week. He cut the visit short and returned to Knoxville. His public relations firm announced that Haslam would make a statement.

Haslam's chain of 600 truck stops is a second-generation company.

The billionaire magnate's father, James Haslam II, got into the business when he opened his first service station in 1958. By 1973, Pilot had more than 50 stations and annual sales of $30 million. In 1981, the company opened its first travel center, in Corbin, Ky.

With construction and buyouts of other service station chains, Pilot eventually grew into the largest supplier of diesel fuel to over-the-road trucks and the sixth-largest privately held company in the nation.

Haslam stepped down as CEO of Pilot last fall, relinquishing his corporate job to John Compton, a former president of PepsiCo.

Then in February, Haslam suddenly returned to the helm of the family business, saying he missed running the chain of truck stops and travel centers.

Compton remained an adviser to the company. Calls this week to Compton's home were not returned.

Jeff Cornish, a Pittsburgh consultant who was chief financial officer at Pilot, remained a big fan of Haslam after he left the company nine years ago. Cornish said he didn't have any sense of the inner workings of Pilot today.

"If what they say is true, it's pretty shocking," he said Friday. "But I think you just have to let the investigation take its course."

That cautionary note was also sounded by Virginia Davidson, a former federal prosecutor and now head of the white-collar practice at Calfee, Halter & Griswold in Cleveland.

"This is, so far, a hearsay affidavit of one person," Davidson said of the document, filed by FBI agent Robert Root. "It's a very low standard of proof that an agent has to submit to a magistrate.

"It's a far cry from taking evidence to a grand jury, which again can be based on hearsay. And then in order to find a person guilty a jury has to find that every element of a crime has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

Davidson noted that an FBI agent said in the affidavit that law enforcement agents had not yet listened to all the secretly recorded conversations among Pilot employees that were used to bolster the FBI's request for a search warrant.

"If not even the FBI has listened to all the evidence yet, who knows what might come out to exonerate someone," she said.

Some question whether what took place at Pilot Flying J rises to a criminal offense or whether it is simply business.

"If a seller intentionally deceives a buyer to deprive the buyer of money, especially if it was a pattern, that's fraud, and that's criminal," Davidson said. "It can be a civil matter at the same time. If interstate wires or the U.S. mail was used to carry it out, it's federal wire or mail fraud. And if two or more persons agreed to it, and one of them did even one thing to further it, it's a conspiracy," she said.

"But it's crucial not to jump ahead of an investigation. Even the agent who swore to the affidavit had not listened to all the conversations that the FBI had recorded before asking to search homes and businesses," she said. "What if something in one of those recordings suggests innocence?"

Not until after the agents and prosecutors have looked at all the search evidence, recordings, interviews and documents will they make decisions about who, if anyone, to prosecute. The time between the search and any indictments can be minutes or years; only the government can answer that, she said.

She also noted the fact that trucks use fuel to travel interstate is likely enough to meet the interstate commerce requirement.

On Thursday, Jimmy Haslam's brother, Bill, the governor of Tennessee, released a statement, saying he "has faith in Pilot to do the right thing, and he continues to have absolute faith in his brother's integrity. This investigation is in the early stages, and the governor would encourage people to withhold judgment until all of the facts are known."

With Alison Grant

Watch the entire Haslam press conference below.  Video is courtesy WKYC.com via WBIR.com.

Fourth in a series previewing the top players by position available in this year's NFL Draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fourth in a series of positional previews leading up to Thursday's opening night of the NFL Draft. Previously, defensive backs, defensive line and linebackers.

Best of the best

Geno Smith, QB, WVU

6-3, 218, 4.56

Possesses a live arm, and has put up eye-popping numbers with the Mountaineers. Hasn't thrown many interceptions. His lack of consistency, though, is puzzling. He doesn't possess great pocket awareness, doesn't always recognize disguised coverages and tends to hold onto the ball too long. This is the best of the best.

Best of the rest

Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

6-2, 227, 4.95

Plays the game with a linebacker's mentality. A gritty and competitive QB who can throw with velocity and touch. Don't be surprised of his old coach, Doug Marrone, takes him with the eighth pick.

E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

6-5, 237, 4.59

Multi-dimensional quarterback who could be on the Browns' radar if they trade down. He certainly passes the eye test with a great size and good speed. Must learn to be more poised in the pocket.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

6-3, 227, 4.93

Barkley's decision to return for another season might have proved costly. He had an average senior year, one marked by a shoulder injury. He's an accurate quarterback, but doesn't possess a big arm. Might have been a better fit for the Browns' last regime that favored the West Coast offense.

Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State

6-7, 225, 4.94

Good size, big arm, heady quarterback. Footwork and leadership among the question marks.

Others to watch

Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

6-7, 215, 4.93

Just a two-year starter who had a rough senior year. Possesses excellent size and can make all the throws.

Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

6-6, 232, 5.04

Good size, fine touch, but struggled against top-rate competition.

Matt Scott, QB, Arizona

6-2, 213, 4.63

A dual threat who could a developmental QB picked in the final round.

On the Browns

Starter: Brandon Weeden. Backups: Jason Campbell, Thad Lewis

Level of need (1 to 10): Six

Will the Browns give Weeden one more season? We should know the answer a week from now. The field of quarterbacks does not possess the quality of a season ago when Weeden was the fourth one chosen. Weeden seems better suited for the vertical game coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

But the Browns have worked out many of the top quarterbacks. Is the interest genuine or as part of a high stakes poker game that is the draft? The Browns desperately need a cornerback and perhaps another edge rusher as they convert to a 3-4 defense. The quality in the first round is better at those positions. The Browns have to know that.

In sports, the emphasis is on winners. in tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombings and the Newtown, Conn., shootings that were being commemorated there, it should be on those who carry on.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In sports, we write about winners.

Said Patton in front of the big flag, "Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser." Said Lombardi, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."

No need for the first name in either case. They're icons.

Winning big. Winning The Big One. Winning ugly. Just win, baby. Nobody says, "Just go on." But it is the best tribute to the human spirit.

It is what so many have done after the barbaric gunfire of Newtown, Conn., and the barbaric bombs of the Boston Marathon. It is what Newtown survivors were doing at the 26th mile, the one dedicated to the 20 small children and six educators slaughtered at Sandy Hook Elementary School -- just going on, one foot in front of the other, until it was over. The Newtown parents and survivors wore T-shirts, on which each mile of the 26-mile-plus race was dedicated to one of the dead. They were within sight of the finish line.

Then the bombs went off.

After the toll of the dead and the mounting, horrific toll of the maimed, the almost unfathomable visitation of violence near the Newtown runners is another ugly scar on an ugly day in an ugly week.

On Wednesday, the simplest proposal for background checks on prospective gun owners failed in the U.S. Senate, although 90 percent of Americans in polls have repeatedly supported them. A certain level of carnage in American society was ratified by the senators beholden for their seats to the gun lobby. Live with it. Die with it.

The bombs seem senseless, the bill's failure callous, but the long, hard race itself gives those who must carry on a metaphor for their journey. For terrorists to strike the country's oldest and most iconic marathon was a deeply symbolic gesture, just as was the timing of the terrorist attacks in 2001, on the same date as the phone numbers of the national emergency hotline, 911. In a marathon, the goal for the overwhelming majority of runners is not victory, but refusal to quit. Their resource is the will to carry on.

"The greatest thing about David is not that he won. It is that he went," said the Reverend Marvin McMickle at the 1999 funeral of the Browns' great fullback and racial pioneer, Marion Motley.

It took a long time to understand that. Without the glory of victory, perseverance brings its own honor. Staying the course is important.

View full size Fans, accompanied by the Fenway Park organist, sing the national anthem before Saturday's game between the Red Sox and Royals, hours after police captured the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings. Michael Dwyer, Associated Press  

I covered one Boston Marathon, in 1974, postponing a flight to New York from Boston during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals to do so. Neil Cusack of Ireland won the men's division. (The great African runners hadn't even started dominating the event). Miki Gorman of the United State won the women's division. She got one paragraph in my story, which, only two years after the passage of Title IX forbidding sexual discrimination in any federally-assisted athletic activity, was about what I was expected to write.

I instead wrote about the sign in the shop window near "Heartbreak Hill," supposedly the most discouraging part of the course. It was a twist on the Thomas Paine line that read, "These are the times that try men's soles."

The soul of the Boston Marathon, of any marathon really, is not in the fastest runners, though. It is in the ordinary people who keep going. They are the ones who came to see how much they could endure, the ones who reach the finish line two hours and more after the elite runners amid the cheers of family, friends and well-meaning strangers. They are also the ones who came to pay witness to an unspeakable massacre.

That is when the bombs went off. That is where terrorists tried to strike at the heart of one of the great populist events in this country. That is when another kernel of violence exploded.

After one suspect was killed in a shootout and the other was wounded, then captured in the Boston suburbs, retribution and justice could not erase the memories of the losses Boston suffered. We lost something more when we realized in midweek that the instruments of governance are broken.

The Boston Marathon will be run again next year, and the other race continues, too. Someday, the Newtown innocents will be remembered, not only for promise lost, but also for change wrought. It won't be the finish line, but it will be a win.

Kent State and Akron look to improve on their running games as both teams point towards their spring football games, next Saturday.

View full size Kent State scored 36 rushing touchdowns last season, including this one by the returning Dri Archer, and will rely on the ground game again in 2013. But coach Paul Haynes needs to see a little more production from the backs than he did during Saturday's jersey scrimmage. G.M. Andrews, Associated Press  

Considering what returns under center around the Mid-American Conference, and what returns two steps back of that, any MAC team not perfecting its running game during spring football is likely wasting time. Count both Kent State and Akron in that company.

The Golden Flashes had their "Jersey" scrimmage Saturday, normally the best gauge of where KSU football is headed into the fall as it puts first team offense and defense against each other with the winner getting to wear the colors, blue. The fact the defense won is no surprise. But the fact the offense did so little raised a few eyebrows, although head coach Paul Haynes was not surprised.

"What I expected is what I saw," Haynes said. "We wanted to concentrate on the run today."

But that concentration, on snowy turf and in 30-degree weather, did not result in much execution. Dri Archer had one run of 14 yards, and Trayion Durham had one of 8. That was about it for highlights as the defense spent most of its time behind the line of scrimmage.

"We've got a long way to go there, attitude-wise," Haynes said. "I keep reminding them, we lost our last two ballgames, so we are not where we want to be. If you want to be a champion, we need a championship attitude, and we're not there yet."

An offensive line Haynes has said was progressing nicely did very little to show it's ready to pave the way for repeat 1,000-yard rushing seasons for Archer and Durham.

"I know this, you have got to run the ball to be successful," Haynes said. ". / . We have to pop it in the hole, and every hole is not going to be wide open for you. Sometimes you have to create one, and we have the type of backs that can do that, but they have to do it."

Saturday, they didn't. But Kent gets one more scrimmage opportunity in its spring game, next Saturday at 6 p.m. in Dix Stadium.

Ground Zip: Akron coach Terry Bowden continues to be upbeat about the growth of his Zips this spring.

"I've said all along if we don't have major injuries we're going to make improvement in the spring," Bowden said on the MAC's spring football coaches teleconference. "We're going to get better. If not everybody, some of them. And we're making improvements. When you've been 1-11 for three years, improvement is what you are looking for.

"I don't know that we are going to solve all of our problems this spring. Some of it is going to come with development, the rest is going to come with additional talent. We are a much better football team right now than we were during the season."

Bowden pointed to tailback Connor Hundley's 60-yard touchdown run in a recent scrimmage as both a highlight, and an indication the team is making steps forward.

"We haven't had a long [touchdown] run since I came here over a year ago," Bowden said. "I told the players that was the biggest thrill I've had, seeing a tailback go over 50 yards. The defense has had their way most of the spring."

For a league that has hung its hat for more than a decade on quarterbacks, this season MAC tailbacks should once again rule. The two teams in the MAC title game last season, champ Northern Illinois and Kent State, got there by running the football. While Bowden still wants a gunslinger offense, he is not oblivious to the obvious.

"Most importantly, we have got to run the football better," Bowden said. "That was a part of our offense last year. But it wasn't a big enough part because we weren't good enough at it."

Bowden will get another look, 1 p.m. Saturday, when Akron holds its spring football game at InfoCision Stadium.

On the run: To emphasize how much the run game has returned to the MAC, six of the top 10 rushers in the league last season topped 1,400 yards, and all of the top 10 return for this season. Kent had two 1,000-yard rushers, but Northern Illinois led the league in rushing, averaging 238.2 yards per game, just ahead of KSU's 224.8 ypg.

NIU (44 TD) and Kent (36) were far and away the most productive getting into the end zone with the ground game with Ohio (24) a distant third. Finally, 10 of the 13 teams in the MAC averaged at least 4.4 yards per rush last season, with NIU and Kent both leading the way, averaging 5.4 yards each per carry.

So why pass?