GM Mark Shapiro still hasn't made a trade when the Indians are in contention that puts them over the top.

And don't give me Kenny Lofton.

Shapiro is still of the mind-set that he won't trade a prospect for an expensive veteran. The Indians couldn't trade someone better than Kyle Davies to get Octavio Dotel?

Shapiro's resume is spiffy but it is missing the moves that make a GM great.

Now, I still think they can make the playoffs but they are one more bad arm in the bullpen from possibility not being able to hold off the Yankees or Mariners.

I am of the belief that doing something in the playoffs this year with C.C. Sabathia a year away from free agency is going to easier than next year when Sabathia's pending departure is going to be the story.

The trade of Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics is great for the NBA for two reasons. One, one of their classic franchise is in the news for a good reason, and two, with the Eastern Conference weak, it will make the playoffs more interesting.

It also will drive TV audience. Don't forget it is all about TV and the power of the NBA is in the west. Not a good thing for the league.

Take the Celtics to the Western Conference, who knows if they make the playoffs. In the East, they are right there with the Pistons and Cavs.

This is like the trade of Charles Barkley to the Rockets to team with Olajuwon and Drexler.

KG and Paul Pierce and Ray Allen isn't bad. It might be getting old but it isn't bad.

What is more important to fix via a trade for the Indians?
1. Right field and left-handed hitter
2. Backup infielder, Mike Rouse is struggling.
3. Bullpen
4. Starters

It seems that any starting pitching will be too expensive, so I think the bullpen is the mostly likely fix. Look for David Weathers to be the guy that Shaprio adds.

The outfield help might be just more Gutierrez and less Nixon.

The backup infielder could come in a trade, maybe for a Class A or AA player, but Luis Rivas might be the guy — He's at Buffalo — to look to instead of Rouse.

1. Ravens: They seem to be getting older and lost young linebacker Adalius Thomas to the Patriots but they were 13-3 last season.

2. Steelers: Finished in the top 10 in the league and helped the team recover to 8-8. New coach, Mike Tomlin, and Dick LeBeau are cooking up new ways to use Brett Keisel.

3. Browns: If they stay healthy on the corners, they are better than Bengals. Kamerion Wimbley needs to take another step, and Eric Wright needs to play like a first-round pick.

4. Bengals: Defense is the reason this team hasn't got over the top.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told the Des Moines Register that adding a 12th team will be considered due to the new Big Ten TV Network.

The targets are mostly likely Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse. Pitt would bring Pittsburgh and bridge the gap from Cleveland to Pittsburgh as far as drawing TV viewers. Rutgers,, in theory would bring New York City and New Jersey and possibly bridge the gap from Penn State to NYC, but that is debatable. Syracuse is the state university of New York state.

All 3 have positives and negatives, but the real problem would be the Big Ten having a championship game. Does the OSU-Michigan game go away every season or do they both get in the same division so they could play every year, but then the Big Ten would never have Ohio State and Michigan in the title game.

But when it comes to TV and money tradition usually dies. Just ask fans of the great Oklahoma-Nebraska games. That no longer is an every year occasion.

Possible divisions
East
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Indiana
Pitt/Rutgers/Syracuse

West
Minnesota
Illinois
Northwestern
Iowa
Wisconsin
Purdue

OR

North
Minnesota
Michigan
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Penn State
Northwestern

South
Ohio State
Indiana
Purdue
Iowa
Illinois
Pitt/Rutgers/Syracuse

1. Steelers with Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Cedric Wilson, Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth: New spread offense should lift numbers for all, particularly with Holmes.

2. Bengals with Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry (8 games) and Reggie Kelly: Would be first if Henry was allowed to play instead of spending so much time in police lines.

3. Browns with Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicious and Kellen Winslow: Depth is a problem and QB, too, but these guys can play if given the ball.

4. Ravens with Todd Heap, Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason: Could be better but Mason is 33 and McNair, I think, is 92.

Fixing a game is bad enough but Bill Simmons of ESPN.com sums up the problems of the NBA quite well.

Here is a link.

Look for more on the University of Akron's new football stadium on Ohio.com and in the Beacon Journal on Saturday.

For an early peek go to Mike Rasor's UA blog on Ohio.com

1. Willie Parker, Steelers: Just keeps getting better. Was All-Pro last season and future seems bright.

2. Willis McGahee, Ravens: Very talented but seems like the Ravens will have to adjust to his style.

3. Rudi Johnson, Bengals: Should have better numbers than he does.

4. Jamal Lewis, Browns: Needs to prove that he is not finished. One-year deal might be what gives him reason to shine.

Breaking down the AFC North quarterbacks:

1. Carson Palmer, Bengals: Great talent but still needs to show that he has recovered from knee injury and can lead a team with expectations. Disappointing in 3-game losing streak to end last season.

2. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Another talented QB who already owns a Super Bowl ring. He also needs to show that he is back from injury and can adapt to a new coach and coordinator.

3. Steve McNair, Ravens: Seems older than he actually is. He could return the team to the playoffs or be injured before the first game.

4. Derek Anderson, Browns: Showed some flashes but no track record and no mobility means that Charlie Frye will play some.