Tom Withers, Author at The Rapid City Post

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, left, and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) greet each other after an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Browns’ Shedeur Sanders is keeping his focus on improving after a strong 3rd start

December 10, 2025

Shedeur Sanders is still learning to decipher NFL defenses, recognize coverages and make smarter decisions. He can already read the room. The rookie quarterback is staying focused on improvement despite being named Cleveland’s starter for the rest of this season following a four-TD performance against Tennessee. Sanders insists he’s not concerned with whether he has shown Cleveland enough to end its long search for a franchise QB. The fifth-round pick has risen from draft outlier to fourth-stringer to starter while proving the Browns hope in another rotten season. He’ll get a tough test Sunday when the Browns visit the Chicago Bears, who lead the league with 18 interceptions.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) is pressured out of the pocket by Baltimore Ravens' Dre'Mont Jones (41) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to make his first NFL start for Browns on Sunday against Raiders

November 19, 2025

Shedeur Sanders will make his first NFL start on Sunday in Las Vegas as the Browns turn to the high-profile quarterback while fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel recovers from a concussion. Sanders replaced an injured Gabriel for the second half of last week’s 23-16 loss to Baltimore. It was a shaky debut as Sanders, who was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round, completed just 4 of 16 passes with an interception. He also was sacked twice and fumbled once. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Gabriel remains in concussion protocol. Sanders will be the 42nd quarterback to start for Cleveland since 1999.

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) looks to shoot between Atlanta Hawks' Luke Kennard (3) and Kristaps Porzingis, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Donovan Mitchell scores 37 points as Cavaliers down Young-less Hawks 117-109

November 2, 2025

Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 37 points, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 117-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Mitchell was back after missing Friday’s loss to Toronto with hamstring tightness. The six-time All-Star went 8 for 15 from 3-point range. It was Mitchell’s 200th game with the Cavs, who are 139-61 when he’s on the floor. Jalen Tyson made five 3s and scored 18 for Cleveland. Jalen Johnson scored 23 for the Hawks, who will be without star guard Trae Young for at least one month because of a sprained knee ligament.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) attends an NFL football practice at The Grove in Watford, England, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Shedeur Sanders promoted to Browns backup QB, will be behind rookie Dillon Gabriel against Steelers

October 10, 2025

Shedeur Sanders will back up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday in Pittsburgh, meaning the Browns will face the rival Steelers with two rookie quarterbacks. Sanders has been inactive for Cleveland’s first five games as the Browns develop him. But they think he’s ready to be their No. 2 despite not appearing in a regular-season game. Sanders’ promotion came in the aftermath of the Browns trading Joe Flacco this week. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced his decision following Friday’s practice, adding that he has confidence Sanders is ready for the promotion.

CORRECTION CORRECTS HITTING ON THE FACE BY PITCH - Cleveland Guardians' David Fry falls back after being hit in the face by a pitch in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Guardians’ David Fry sustains broken nose and facial fractures after being hit in face by pitch

September 24, 2025

Guardians designated hitter David Fry sustained a broken nose and facial fractures after he being hit in the face by a pitch from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal in the sixth inning of Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the Tigers. The victory moved the Guardians into a tie for first place in the AL Central. Fry squared around to try to bunt a 99 mph fastball from Skubal and the pitch struck him in the nose and mouth area. As Fry collapsed and grabbed his bloodied face, a visibly shaken Skubal threw off his glove and cap as Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt and trainers rushed onto the field.

CORRECTION CORRECTS HITTING ON THE FACE BY PITCH - Cleveland Guardians' David Fry is hit in the face by a pitch in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Guardians’ David Fry hospitalized after being hit in face by pitch during crucial win over Tigers

September 23, 2025

Guardians designated hitter David Fry was expected to be hospitalized overnight after he being hit in the face by a pitch from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal in the sixth inning of Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the Tigers. The victory moved the Guardians into a tie for first place in the AL Central. Fry squared around to try to bunt a 99 mph fastball from Skubal and the pitch struck him in the nose and mouth area. As Fry collapsed and grabbed his bloodied face, a visibly shaken Skubal threw off his glove and cap as Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt and trainers rushed onto the field.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi walks off the mound after the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Cleveland, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

No no-no: Slade Cecconi flirts with ending Guards’ long no-hitter drought in 10-2 romp over Royals

September 8, 2025

Slade Cecconi didn’t need anyone to tell him he was throwing a no-hitter. He found out on his own. Stealing a glance at Progressive Field’s giant scoreboard, Cecconi noticed something unusual — zeros. Cecconi took a no-hitter into the eighth before Kansas City’s Micheal Massey hit a single to spoil the right-hander’s bid to throw the majors’ first no-hitter this season and end Cleveland’s 44-year drought without a no-hitter. That hardly mattered as the Guardians rolled to their fourth straight win, 10-2 and jumped the Royals in the standings. Cleveland’s last no-hitter was Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.

Cleveland Guardians' Slade Cecconi pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Cleveland, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Slade Cecconi loses no-hit bid in 8th, Guards rout Royals 10-2, stay in thick of AL wild card race

September 8, 2025

Slade Cecconi took a bid to end Cleveland’s long no-hitter drought into the eighth inning, and the Guardians rolled to a 10-2 win over Kansas City and leapfrogged the Royals in the AL wild-card race. Cecconi was six outs from throwing the first no-hitter in the majors this season — and Cleveland’s first since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981 — when Kansas City’s Michael Massey singled leading off the eighth. With the win, the Guardians moved past the Royals into second place in the AL Central and stayed in the thick of the tight playoff chase. Cleveland entered 2 1/2 games behind Seattle for the third wild-card spot.

Tom Withers.