Ohio State Football
A Vince Young look in his eyes.
A look that says, "There's no way Ohio State is losing while I'm wearing its uniform."
Young had that look at this time last year, in the run-up to Texas' upset of USC to win the national championship. The confidence was unmistakable. The charisma was palpable. The leadership was remarkable. And the end result -- an epic performance in the Rose Bowl -- was certainly memorable.
Young passed the pregame look test in L.A., and you'd have to say Smith has passed it as well out here in the desert. Whereas Florida quarterback Chris Leak possesses all the facial expression of a Vulcan, Smith has a glint in his eyes that suggests he's in charge.
And he has been in charge on all his most pressure-packed days as a Buckeye.
Big Game Troy has three career 300-yard passing games: two against Michigan (last season and this season) and one in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. In the games that received the biggest buildup this year -- at Texas, at Iowa, Michigan -- Smith completed 67 percent of his throws, with 10 touchdown passes and just one interception. His finest game as an unheralded sophomore also was against Michigan: three touchdowns accounted for and a career-high 145 rushing yards.
When the stakes are highest, Smith has a Youngian combination of confidence, charisma and leadership.
Cleveland Browns Football
While his first words expressed disappointment, head coach Romeo Crennel did take time during his season-ending press conference Monday to highlight some of the positive aspects of his team -- namely, several emerging players.
The first player mentioned by Crennel was 2006 first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley. Wimbley accomplished more than many expected after transitioning from collegiate defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker as a pro.
Wimbley marked 11 sacks -- the most ever by a Browns rookie -- to finish tied for sixth in the AFC in sacks with as many as established stars like the Ravens' Adalius Thomas and Oakland's Derrick Burgess. He finished second in the NFL behind the Bears' Mark Anderson in sacks by a rookie. He also marked 67 tackles, good enough for fourth on the team, with eight tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries.
After Wimbley, Crennel lauded tight end Kellen Winslow -- arguably the team's most valuable player on offense in 2006.
With 11 catches in the season finale against Houston on New Year's Eve, Winslow tied a career high for receptions in a single game, but he also tied the Browns' 22-year-old single-season receptions mark set by Ozzie Newsome in 1983 and '84.
"For him that was a pretty big accomplishment because he hasn't played in two years," Crennel said. "Talking with him (Sunday), just to finish the season was (big) for him. He's looking forward to next season to try and improve and get better."
Winslow finished ninth in the NFL and tops among tight ends with 89 receptions for 875 yards.
Cleveland Cavs Basketball
After their finest week of the season, the Cavaliers probably should've earned themselves a vacation.
They are indeed getting a trip -- it just won't be for pleasure. But it will certainly be with momentum.
The Cavs summoned enough energy to outlast the New Jersey Nets on Saturday, winning their fourth consecutive game, 96-91. It meant a 4-0 sweep in the week and a 7-1 finish in a key stretch leading up to their longest West Coast road trip in seven years: two weeks and seven games.
Cleveland Indians Baseball
The Indians have found a closer. Again.
Free-agent right-hander Keith Foulke and the club finalized a one-year, $5 million deal on Thursday with a mutual option for 2008. Performance incentives can push Foulke's salary to $7 million.
The club made room for Foulke on its 40-man roster by designating reliever Brian Sikorski for assignment.
Foulke, 34, is the fourth veteran reliever signed by the Tribe this offseason and the third with closing experience. He will vie with Joe Borowski for the ninth-inning duties, though the two could very well end up sharing the responsibility over the course of the season.