Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw puts news from the sports world through his spin cycle

Shaun Rogers wants out?

If married couples put the same amount of work into relationships that Rogers and Eric Mangini have invested in theirs, every town in America would be lit up like Las Vegas.

At least as far as the neon signs advertising "Drive-Thru Divorces."

The craziest aspect of this alleged estrangement - and it's difficult to pick one - is that coach Mangini and Browns GM George Kokinis say the first question they'll ask scouts about prospective players is, "What kind of person is he?"

An unsatisfactory answer to that question supposedly ends any real interest the Browns have in that character-flawed risk of a player.

Yet the new regime hasn't exactly reached out to players already on the roster - even when they're in the same room - apparently because the coach is evaluating them as talent first.

The only thing missing in the fortress of solitude that is the Browns headquarters these days is a moat.

Rogers is supposedly upset that Mangini twice snubbed him, once at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Jan. 23. Reporters in attendance saw the nonexchange. Strangest of all is that of these two sizable people, neither decided to try to be the bigger man and say hello.

"I didn't even realize Shaun was there at the time," Mangini said at his Feb. 4 news conference. "I know that's probably hard to believe considering how big he is and how big I am. It's like two destroyers missing each other."

Yes. He's got that much right. It's hard to believe. Likewise, it's hard to fathom Rogers wanting to be released even though he's owed $15 million in guaranteed money, especially on the basis of a couple of perceived snubs.

Rogers has heard enough of Mangini's reputation as a taskmaster to suspect that the country club in Berea is closed. Mangini probably doesn't sound like his idea of a good time, which is hardly a reflection on the head coach.

Because players have an affinity for millions of dollars, and coaches dedicated to stopping the run are attracted to linemen the size of mountain ranges - not to mention the salary-cap hit in releasing Rogers - the Pro Bowl nose tackle isn't going anywhere.

I'm not predicting happily ever after. More like stuck with each other.

They're back?

USA Today did a story on comebacks in sports to mark Tiger Woods' return this week in match play. The story compared it to Michael Jordan leaving to try baseball, then winning three NBA championships in the sequel to his career.

Then came a brief discussion of athletes and teams that didn't fare too well in their returns and the following line:

"Cleveland is still waiting for a title after the return of the Browns in 1999."

This is believed to be the first and last time the Browns are mentioned within two sentences of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

Tiger feels stronger than ever

Woods says the time off spent rehabbing his knee makes him stronger than ever.

"Stability is something I haven't had in years," Woods told reporters this week at the Accenture Match Play Championship. "So it's nice to make a swing and not have my bones move."

Maybe now he'll be able to win every once in a while.

The doctor is out

The Cavs are freezing season-ticket prices.

"Cavaliers season-ticket holders and supporters have been nothing short of fantacular, not only this season but many seasons in the past," said owner Dan Gilbert.

The Cavs are doing this during a historically successful season, not in answer to putting a poor product on display for years. Now, let's declare a stupendacular moratorium on coining any more Dr. Seuss words.

He's just not that into them

The Knicks and Stephon Marbury are over.

Marbury and the Knicks made Shaun Rogers and the Browns look like Tracy and Hepburn (kids, ask your parents).

After languishing on the bench all season, Marbury reached an agreement on his release and is free to sign with another team. He'll be eligible for the playoffs since his release came before Sunday's deadline.

The Celtics need scoring punch off the bench. According to reports, several Celtics have "reached out" to Marbury. The Celtics seem unconcerned about Marbury's reputation for destroying locker room chemistry.

"The great thing about this locker room is that Doc [Rivers] can coach," Celtics guard Ray Allen told ESPN.com. "The coaches can coach. They don't have to manage this team. The [veteran] players do a great job making sure that we are all prepared to play every day and we keep whatever grumblings down."

The Cavs have reason to worry about the Celtics, Marbury or no Marbury.

That worry, though, will lessen if the Cavs get the No. 1 seed in the East. I don't see the Celtics beating the Cavaliers in Cleveland. Boston was 3-9 on the road in last year's playoffs, with three of those losses coming at The Q.

The Cavs are betting chemistry means something. I don't know. But I'm pretty sure lack of character means as much or more.

The idea of Marbury hitting a big shot to beat the Cavs the way P.J. Brown did?

I see him missing and blaming it on the cheap shoes he's wearing before I see him being the difference.

You said it

"Bud:

"On Baseball [a k a Fraudball], does anyone give a damn that their heroes are fake?"

Don't ask me. My hero is Spider-Man.

*

"Bud:

"While Grady Sizemore is easily our best and most exciting player, should a story on his improvement mention how he plans to cut down on his high strikeout totals and getting his batting average back to a respectable [for a star] .290?" - Dan.

Dan, by now you've probably read Paul Hoynes' story discussing exactly that and the Indians' explanation that batting average is overrated. That's their story and they'll stick to it - until he hits .300 one year and batting average will suddenly become more evidence of his greatness.

*

"Hey Bud:

"Can we get A-Rod's cousin to come back one more time to give him an injection of truth serum?"

After watching A-Rod interviewed twice now on his steroid use - only as a Texas Ranger and only for three seasons, of course - I think he has built up an immunity to truth serum.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

Previous columns online: cleveland.com/columns