Savage has the chops after all.
For Browns' fans under the age of 35, there's a story to be told - in the mid-80s, a local kid who played QB was highly-touted coming out of college and wanted to play in Cleveland. Bernie Kosar worked the system and became the face of the franchise through its most productive period since the days of Jim Brown. The only thing that kept the Browns of the late 80s from reaching the Super Bowl was the inability ot get Denver's #7 off the field on third down in the post-season.
Some 20+ years later, Brady Quinn had a similar wish to play in Cleveland. The similarities don't stop there. Quinn and Kosar had a lot of the same football "intangibles." Both have high football IQs, were very productive for big-time programs and were highly touted coming out of college.
The difference - Quinn has a better arm and is a lot more athletic than Kosar, who was often referred to as looking like "a giraffe in heat" when he played for the Browns.
Today, for better or worse, the Browns have a face on their franchise again.
That's a good start.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
2007 Early Draft Observations
Browns' Moves
It isn't any more complicated than the following - Joe Thomas better be a ProBowl caliber OL in the next three years having been taken at #3 overall or the Browns have underachieved again with a high #1 pick. Here's hoping they got it right.
I wanted Quinn desperately because QB is their biggest need. When they took Thomas, I turned off the set and worked out. It is now 2:40 p.m. as the television is turned back on and Quinn is still on the board. The Browns should be moving heaven and earth to get back in the first round to take him. Offer your #2, your #3 and whatever esle it takes to get Quinn. This a a rare opportunity to take advantage of circumstances that were unexpected. This is where you find out if your GM has the chops.
It isn't any more complicated than the following - Joe Thomas better be a ProBowl caliber OL in the next three years having been taken at #3 overall or the Browns have underachieved again with a high #1 pick. Here's hoping they got it right.
I wanted Quinn desperately because QB is their biggest need. When they took Thomas, I turned off the set and worked out. It is now 2:40 p.m. as the television is turned back on and Quinn is still on the board. The Browns should be moving heaven and earth to get back in the first round to take him. Offer your #2, your #3 and whatever esle it takes to get Quinn. This a a rare opportunity to take advantage of circumstances that were unexpected. This is where you find out if your GM has the chops.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
No Excuses
Second Season Expectations
The Cleveland Cavaliers should reach the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Anything short of that would be a disaster. They head into the 2007 post-season healthy, with home court advantage in rounds one and two, and facing opponents that are very beatable due to their talent level, playoff experience and injuries.
This corner expected a second consecutive 50 win season and a second round out again prior to the 2006-07 season beginning. However, the playoff match-ups could not have fallen into place any better for Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers. Had the Cavaliers upgraded their roster this season, we might be talking about them reaching the Finals with the bracket that awaits.
We still see the Pistons coming out of the East again and facing the Spurs in the Finals. In order for the Cavaliers to reach the Finals, they will need other scorers on their roster besides James to step up in the post-season and give them CONSISTENT play. Last year, Z was invisible, Gooden was so-so and Hughes was dealing with the death of his brother. As was the case in '06, James cannot do it alone - not when you get into post-season when the game slows down, the defense heats up and the warts are exposed.
Browns On The Clock
I keep reading and hearing from the local media how hard it is to get it right when drafting players in the first round in the NFL. That's ridiculous. No one expects you to nail it every time, but the most embarrassing statistic in sports today is that the Browns have had 71 draft choices since returning to the league in '99 and not one has earned a pro-bowl berth.
Next week, the Browns will have the #3 pick overall. Please - don't try to get cute. For the last time - take QB Brady Quinn, and if he's off the board, take WR Calvin Johnson. If either of these two remain when you go on the clock, run your pick to the front of the room - don't walk it up. I believe these two players will be both earn pro-bowl mentions sooner rather than later, and will be cornerstone players for whatever franchise takes them.
The last three quarterbacks we loved coming out of college included Donovan McNabb, Drew Breez and Vince Young. And that's without watching much Saturday football or paying any attention to combine results. No, it's not that difficult to get it right. It's a lot lot more difficult to get them ALL (71) wrong.
The Cleveland Cavaliers should reach the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Anything short of that would be a disaster. They head into the 2007 post-season healthy, with home court advantage in rounds one and two, and facing opponents that are very beatable due to their talent level, playoff experience and injuries.
This corner expected a second consecutive 50 win season and a second round out again prior to the 2006-07 season beginning. However, the playoff match-ups could not have fallen into place any better for Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers. Had the Cavaliers upgraded their roster this season, we might be talking about them reaching the Finals with the bracket that awaits.
We still see the Pistons coming out of the East again and facing the Spurs in the Finals. In order for the Cavaliers to reach the Finals, they will need other scorers on their roster besides James to step up in the post-season and give them CONSISTENT play. Last year, Z was invisible, Gooden was so-so and Hughes was dealing with the death of his brother. As was the case in '06, James cannot do it alone - not when you get into post-season when the game slows down, the defense heats up and the warts are exposed.
Browns On The Clock
I keep reading and hearing from the local media how hard it is to get it right when drafting players in the first round in the NFL. That's ridiculous. No one expects you to nail it every time, but the most embarrassing statistic in sports today is that the Browns have had 71 draft choices since returning to the league in '99 and not one has earned a pro-bowl berth.
Next week, the Browns will have the #3 pick overall. Please - don't try to get cute. For the last time - take QB Brady Quinn, and if he's off the board, take WR Calvin Johnson. If either of these two remain when you go on the clock, run your pick to the front of the room - don't walk it up. I believe these two players will be both earn pro-bowl mentions sooner rather than later, and will be cornerstone players for whatever franchise takes them.
The last three quarterbacks we loved coming out of college included Donovan McNabb, Drew Breez and Vince Young. And that's without watching much Saturday football or paying any attention to combine results. No, it's not that difficult to get it right. It's a lot lot more difficult to get them ALL (71) wrong.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Kudos To The Tribe
Jake Westbrook
I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. Such is the case when it was recently announced that #2 starter Jake Westbrook signed a three-year/$33 million extension with the Indians. I never thought this would happen. The Indians have lost numerous top-flight free agents over the past 10 years. Making Westbrook the highest paid player annually in Tribe history sends a positive message to the fans. Westbrook is not a #1 starter, but he is reliable, consistent, relatively young and very durable. The length of the contract is about right. The terms - $11 million a year - gives the Indians a small hometown discount. And the deal shows other Tribe players the team will step up to the plate if you meet them halfway.
Now the tough part. How does the team reach a deal with similar core players - C.C. and Haffner - before they complete their free agent seasons in 2008? The odds are the Tribe will not be able to sign both. Haffner and C.C. are worth more in the open market than Westbrook and the team simply doesn't have a large enough revenue stream to sign both and still leave enough budget space to sign the biggest fish of all, Grady Sizemore, down the road. For now however, ownership, Mark Shapiro and Jake Westbrook deserve kudos for getting this deal done. It gives the team a solid two-year window (2007 & 2008) to contend with all key parts present and accounted for. I for one am glad I got this one wrong.
Early Impressions
I actually have watched some of the Tribe games in April. And I like what I see. The starting pitching and the offense should both be among the top 1/3 in the American League. That's not a bulletin. The defense and bullpen are still question marks however. The only outstanding defensive player is Grady Sizemore in center and he lacks a strong throwing arm. The Tribe has slightly above average to below average players elsewhere when you compare them to the rest of MLB. And the bullpen still has to prove it can bounce back from a horrid 2006 season.
Fundamentals will also be key to winning more one run games. That's where the manager (Eric Wedge) will be evaluated in terms of whether he gets an extension or not. He has to make sure the team does the little things well - move runners over, hit cutoff men, take the extra base when appropriate, not get picked off bases, etc...
Regardless, the core players should keep this team in contention if they stay relatively healthy. The key will be if ownership steps up to the plate come July if another piece of the puzzle or two need to be added for the stretch run. After the Westbrook signing, indications are, this time around, lack of money won't stand in the way of improving the roster for a late run. We'll wait and see.
I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. Such is the case when it was recently announced that #2 starter Jake Westbrook signed a three-year/$33 million extension with the Indians. I never thought this would happen. The Indians have lost numerous top-flight free agents over the past 10 years. Making Westbrook the highest paid player annually in Tribe history sends a positive message to the fans. Westbrook is not a #1 starter, but he is reliable, consistent, relatively young and very durable. The length of the contract is about right. The terms - $11 million a year - gives the Indians a small hometown discount. And the deal shows other Tribe players the team will step up to the plate if you meet them halfway.
Now the tough part. How does the team reach a deal with similar core players - C.C. and Haffner - before they complete their free agent seasons in 2008? The odds are the Tribe will not be able to sign both. Haffner and C.C. are worth more in the open market than Westbrook and the team simply doesn't have a large enough revenue stream to sign both and still leave enough budget space to sign the biggest fish of all, Grady Sizemore, down the road. For now however, ownership, Mark Shapiro and Jake Westbrook deserve kudos for getting this deal done. It gives the team a solid two-year window (2007 & 2008) to contend with all key parts present and accounted for. I for one am glad I got this one wrong.
Early Impressions
I actually have watched some of the Tribe games in April. And I like what I see. The starting pitching and the offense should both be among the top 1/3 in the American League. That's not a bulletin. The defense and bullpen are still question marks however. The only outstanding defensive player is Grady Sizemore in center and he lacks a strong throwing arm. The Tribe has slightly above average to below average players elsewhere when you compare them to the rest of MLB. And the bullpen still has to prove it can bounce back from a horrid 2006 season.
Fundamentals will also be key to winning more one run games. That's where the manager (Eric Wedge) will be evaluated in terms of whether he gets an extension or not. He has to make sure the team does the little things well - move runners over, hit cutoff men, take the extra base when appropriate, not get picked off bases, etc...
Regardless, the core players should keep this team in contention if they stay relatively healthy. The key will be if ownership steps up to the plate come July if another piece of the puzzle or two need to be added for the stretch run. After the Westbrook signing, indications are, this time around, lack of money won't stand in the way of improving the roster for a late run. We'll wait and see.
Kudos To The Tribe
Jake Westbrook
I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. Such is the case when it was recently announced that #2 starter Jake Westbrook sgned a three-year/$33 million extension with the Indians. I never thought this would happen. The Indians have lost numerous top-flight free agents over the past 10 years. Making Westbrook the highest paid player annually in Tribe history sends a positive message to the fans. Westbrook is not a #1 starter, but he is reliable, consistent, relatively young and very durable. The length of the contract is about right. The terms - $11 million a year - gives the Indians a small hometown discount. And the deal shows other Tribe players the team will step up to the plate if you meet them halfway.
Now the tough part. How does the team reach a deal with similar core players - C.C. and Haffner before they complete their free agent seasons in 2008? The odds are the Tribe will not be able to sign both. Haffner and C.C. are worth more in the open market than Westbrook and the team simply doesn't have a large enough revenue stream to sign both and still leave enough budget space to sign the biggest fish of all, Grady Sizemore, down the road. For now however, ownership, Mark Shapiro and Jake Westbrook deserve kudos for getting this deal done. It gives the team a solid two-year window (2007 & 2008) to contend with all key parts present and accounted for. I for one am glad I got this one wrong.
Early Impressions
I actually have watched some of the Tribe games in April. And I like what I see. The starting pitching and the offense should both be among the top 1/3 in the American League. That's not a bulletin. The defense and bullpen are still question marks however. The only outstanding defensive player is Grady Sizemore in center and he lacks a strong throwing arm. The Tribe has slightly above average to below average players elsewhere when you compare them to the rest of MLB. And the bullpen still has to prove it can bounce back from a horrid 2006 season.
Fundamentals will also be key to winning more one run games. That's where the manager (Eric Wedge) will be evaluated in terms of whether he gets an extension or not. He has to make sure the team does the little things well - move runners over, hit cutoff men, take the extra base when appropriate, not get picked off bases, etc...
Regardless, the core players should keep this team in contention if they stay relatively healthy. The key will be if ownership steps up to the plate come July if another piece of the puzzle or two need to be added for the stretch run. After the Westbrook signing, indications are, this time around, lack of money won't stand in the way of improving the roster for a late run. We'll wait and see.
I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. Such is the case when it was recently announced that #2 starter Jake Westbrook sgned a three-year/$33 million extension with the Indians. I never thought this would happen. The Indians have lost numerous top-flight free agents over the past 10 years. Making Westbrook the highest paid player annually in Tribe history sends a positive message to the fans. Westbrook is not a #1 starter, but he is reliable, consistent, relatively young and very durable. The length of the contract is about right. The terms - $11 million a year - gives the Indians a small hometown discount. And the deal shows other Tribe players the team will step up to the plate if you meet them halfway.
Now the tough part. How does the team reach a deal with similar core players - C.C. and Haffner before they complete their free agent seasons in 2008? The odds are the Tribe will not be able to sign both. Haffner and C.C. are worth more in the open market than Westbrook and the team simply doesn't have a large enough revenue stream to sign both and still leave enough budget space to sign the biggest fish of all, Grady Sizemore, down the road. For now however, ownership, Mark Shapiro and Jake Westbrook deserve kudos for getting this deal done. It gives the team a solid two-year window (2007 & 2008) to contend with all key parts present and accounted for. I for one am glad I got this one wrong.
Early Impressions
I actually have watched some of the Tribe games in April. And I like what I see. The starting pitching and the offense should both be among the top 1/3 in the American League. That's not a bulletin. The defense and bullpen are still question marks however. The only outstanding defensive player is Grady Sizemore in center and he lacks a strong throwing arm. The Tribe has slightly above average to below average players elsewhere when you compare them to the rest of MLB. And the bullpen still has to prove it can bounce back from a horrid 2006 season.
Fundamentals will also be key to winning more one run games. That's where the manager (Eric Wedge) will be evaluated in terms of whether he gets an extension or not. He has to make sure the team does the little things well - move runners over, hit cutoff men, take the extra base when appropriate, not get picked off bases, etc...
Regardless, the core players should keep this team in contention if they stay relatively healthy. The key will be if ownership steps up to the plate come July if another piece of the puzzle or two need to be added for the stretch run. After the Westbrook signing, indications are, this time around, lack of money won't stand in the way of improving the roster for a late run. We'll wait and see.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Riley & Baseball In April
Pat Riley
Pat Riley deserves votes for this year's NBA Coach of the Year award. After the loss of Dwayne Wade to injury, one of the NBA's very best players, the Heat have won 2/3 of their games down the stretch and have actually moved up the Eastern Conference standings. Credit Riley for getting the most out of that team and the Heat veterans for finding a way to win without Wade.
Indians' Opener
I have wondered for years why there is baseball in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, etc... in early April - especially when there are plenty of warm weather cities and domed stadiums that can accomodate MLB games in April. Watching a couple innings of the 2007 Indians' opener against the Mariners reminded me how ridiculous the schedule makers look each spring.
Pat Riley deserves votes for this year's NBA Coach of the Year award. After the loss of Dwayne Wade to injury, one of the NBA's very best players, the Heat have won 2/3 of their games down the stretch and have actually moved up the Eastern Conference standings. Credit Riley for getting the most out of that team and the Heat veterans for finding a way to win without Wade.
Indians' Opener
I have wondered for years why there is baseball in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, etc... in early April - especially when there are plenty of warm weather cities and domed stadiums that can accomodate MLB games in April. Watching a couple innings of the 2007 Indians' opener against the Mariners reminded me how ridiculous the schedule makers look each spring.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Nancy & Syria
I applaud the Washington Post's April 5 editorial condemning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's freelance trip to Syria.
Ms. Pelosi clearly misinterpreted the 2006 midterm election results. The elections gave democrats control of Congress, not the executive branch of government - the one in charge of U.S. foreign policy.
Pelosi gave our enemies dangerously mixed signals in a time of war, reinforcing what many already believed - that she is in way over her head as the #3 person in line to the U.S. Presidency.
Ms. Pelosi clearly misinterpreted the 2006 midterm election results. The elections gave democrats control of Congress, not the executive branch of government - the one in charge of U.S. foreign policy.
Pelosi gave our enemies dangerously mixed signals in a time of war, reinforcing what many already believed - that she is in way over her head as the #3 person in line to the U.S. Presidency.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Indians '07 & Roger
I have to admit I don't pay attention to exhibition baseball. To be honest, didn't even watch a single Indians' game from beginning to end in '06. This is coming from someone who listened to the tribe's west coast games late at night on a small transistor radio back when I was in my teens during the 70s. As you get older, priorities change.
Regardless, I figured I would get on record as to how the Indians will do this summer. Even without paying close attention, I'm still brighter than most fans who hang on every move the Wahoos make. Remember, I have common sense on my side.
In '05, Shapiro had an excellent off-season and they won 93 games. In '06, his moves didn't pan out and they struggled - winning 78. A medium market team doesn't have much room for error. Plus, the Dolan family has shown absolutely NO inclination to spend money during the season to upgrade the product for the stretch run - see '04 & '05.
That leads us to '07. It's basically the same team coming back from '06 with the exception of a revamped bullpen. The odds are the bullpen will be better - it can't be much worse. Although, the lack of true closer bothers this observer. But without the flexibility to add pieces to the puzzle in-season, unless everything falls into place, we can't see the Tribe reaching the post-season. So let's go with a respectable 88-74 mark in '07, due mostly to a solid offensive core (Sizemore, Haffner, Martinez) and quality starting pitching, but no October baseball in Cleveland once again.
Roger Clemens
Am I the only one that is bothered by the annual Roger Clemens Watch? Granted, he's a first ballot Hall of Famer - no argument there. But this guy has re-defined the term 'hired gun." The last time I checked, he was playing in what is considered somewhat of a team sport. Meanwhile, Clemens chooses when he plays and how often he even has to show up in uniform. I guess if you are as good as Clemens, in a free agent driven sport where only a few teams can truly compete, you can name your price. But that doesn't make it right. What if others began pulling this stunt? I wonder if they would be given the same pass he's been given.
Regardless, I figured I would get on record as to how the Indians will do this summer. Even without paying close attention, I'm still brighter than most fans who hang on every move the Wahoos make. Remember, I have common sense on my side.
In '05, Shapiro had an excellent off-season and they won 93 games. In '06, his moves didn't pan out and they struggled - winning 78. A medium market team doesn't have much room for error. Plus, the Dolan family has shown absolutely NO inclination to spend money during the season to upgrade the product for the stretch run - see '04 & '05.
That leads us to '07. It's basically the same team coming back from '06 with the exception of a revamped bullpen. The odds are the bullpen will be better - it can't be much worse. Although, the lack of true closer bothers this observer. But without the flexibility to add pieces to the puzzle in-season, unless everything falls into place, we can't see the Tribe reaching the post-season. So let's go with a respectable 88-74 mark in '07, due mostly to a solid offensive core (Sizemore, Haffner, Martinez) and quality starting pitching, but no October baseball in Cleveland once again.
Roger Clemens
Am I the only one that is bothered by the annual Roger Clemens Watch? Granted, he's a first ballot Hall of Famer - no argument there. But this guy has re-defined the term 'hired gun." The last time I checked, he was playing in what is considered somewhat of a team sport. Meanwhile, Clemens chooses when he plays and how often he even has to show up in uniform. I guess if you are as good as Clemens, in a free agent driven sport where only a few teams can truly compete, you can name your price. But that doesn't make it right. What if others began pulling this stunt? I wonder if they would be given the same pass he's been given.
Indians '07
I have to admit I don't pay attention to exhibition baseball. To be honest, didn't even watch a single Indians' game from beginning to end in '06. This is coming from someone who listened to the tribe's west coast games late at night on a small transistor radio back when I was in my teens during the 70s. As you get older, priorities change.
Regardless, I figured I would get on record as to how the Indians will do this summer. Even without paying close attention, I'm still brighter than most fans who hang on every move the Wahoos make. Remeber, I have common sense on my side.
In '05, Shapiro had an excellent off-season and they won 93 games. In '06, his moves didn't pan out and they struggled - winning 78. A medium market team doesn't have much room for error. Plus, the Dolan family has shown absolutely NO inclination to spend money during the season to upgrade the product for the stretch run - see '04 & '05.
That leads us to '07. It's basically the same team coming back from '06 with the exception of a revamped bullpen. The odds are the bullpen will be better - it can't be much worse. Although, the lack of true closer bothers this observer. But without the flexibility to add pieces to the puzzle in-season, unless everything falls into place, we can't see the Tribe reaching the post-season. So let's go with a respectable 88-74 mark in '07, due mostly to a solid offensive core (Sizemore, Haffner, Martinez) and quality starting pitching, but no October baseball in Cleveland once again.
Regardless, I figured I would get on record as to how the Indians will do this summer. Even without paying close attention, I'm still brighter than most fans who hang on every move the Wahoos make. Remeber, I have common sense on my side.
In '05, Shapiro had an excellent off-season and they won 93 games. In '06, his moves didn't pan out and they struggled - winning 78. A medium market team doesn't have much room for error. Plus, the Dolan family has shown absolutely NO inclination to spend money during the season to upgrade the product for the stretch run - see '04 & '05.
That leads us to '07. It's basically the same team coming back from '06 with the exception of a revamped bullpen. The odds are the bullpen will be better - it can't be much worse. Although, the lack of true closer bothers this observer. But without the flexibility to add pieces to the puzzle in-season, unless everything falls into place, we can't see the Tribe reaching the post-season. So let's go with a respectable 88-74 mark in '07, due mostly to a solid offensive core (Sizemore, Haffner, Martinez) and quality starting pitching, but no October baseball in Cleveland once again.
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