Kickoff approaches, and the Browns have a couple surprise inactives.
Kelly Butler will not play, meaning Nat Dorsey is the third tackle. Wide receiver Travis Wilson also is inactive.
The rest of the inactives are punter Dave Zastudil, defensive back Gary Baxter, fullback Charles Ali (Lawrence Vickers apparently is over his hamstring injury and will start), linebacker Willie McGinest and guard Isaac Sowells.
Derek Anderson will be the backup quarterback. Brady Quinn is listed as third.
One item to watch: Who will hold for Phil Dawson? Zastudil, the normal holder, is out with a back injury. The new punter is Paul Ernster. Zastudil and Dawson worked together all last year and all training camp.
On to the game.

So you check online and see that Akron is up 2-0 over Ohio State in the first half, and you start to channel flip to see the game. At halftime, the score is 3-2, which allows you to dream — what an upset this would be!

So you go to watch. Alas, the Big Ten network is not carried on your cable system, so you're out of luck. Just like you were out of luck last week when Michigan lost to Appalachian State.

Of course, the Big Ten needs its network to increase its bank account. Showing games on free networks naturally no longer cuts it.

And the cable companies … well if someone can explain this tier and premium stuff to me then they understand the NFL's tuck rule.

As you're left to follow the internet or radio regarding Akron-Ohio State, you just think … sometimes the TV system just stinks.

Patrick McManamon recently was named the lead sports columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com.

He had been the beat reporter on the Browns since their return in 1999 with a short stint working for the Browns Web site in the middle of that time with the Beacon Journal.

He also has been a beat reporter on the Miami Dolphins.

Pat is planning on writing on any topic in sports 3 to 5 time per week with his thoughts on the Browns appearing on this blog and the Browns blog.

Enjoy and let us know your thoughts.