Reggie Bush is a prime example of how the media can create a monster.
The #2 pick overall in the 2006 draft was called everything from the “new OJ” to “Superman” and everything in between coming out of USC.
The talking heads can do that – create such high expectations that make it next to impossible for that player to reach the bar. They did it with Michael Vick when he came out of Virginia Tech and followed the same template when talking about Reggie Bush.
We liked Reggie coming out of college but questioned if he could carry the heavy load a #2 overall pick (running back) would be required to handle to be worthy of that choice.
As a rookie, the reviews were mixed. He didn’t find the end zone until week #7 while also providing a handful of exceptional athletic highlights before the season ended. His team had a tremendous year – but it wasn’t because of Reggie. He was what we would call a “good supporting actor” on a very good offense.
To his defense, Bush was never given enough touches every week from the tailback position to show if he was worthy of the #2 overall pick. They lined him up everywhere “looking for mismatches” we were told. His defenders stated he wasn’t built to carry it 25 times a games. Plus, the Saints already had an established NFL quality back who needed his touches.
Fine. I can buy some of that, but not all of it - not at the financial investment required for a #2 overall pick. It's all about getting value for your pick.
Coming out of college, we had seen enough of Bush to call him a bigger version of Eric Metcalf. That's not bad for those of you who remember Metcalf. He did eventually have more success as that slot receiver/third down back than he did as a running back.
But Bush is bigger and stronger than Metcalf was. And after Deuce MacAllister’s season-ending injury on Monday night, the Saints sit at 0-3 and are desperate for someone to rescue their season.
Here’s a novel idea – give the ball to “Superman.”
The Saints should RB in the backfield and give him his 25 touches every week for the next 13 weeks. That’s 325 opportunities to prove the Saints got real value at #2.
Here's hoping Bush finally gets a chance to show what he can do and goes off.
That would be good for Reggie, good for the city of New Orleans and good for the NFL.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Browns Post Script
He Said It
“We couldn’t cover, we couldn’t stop the run, no matter what front we seemed to be in,” Crennel said. “They were able to run through us. We were out of position. They gained over 100 yards rushing. That seems to be par for the course around here.”
If that doesn’t sound like a coach who is very close to losing his team nothing does. A couple more comments like that after an ugly loss and a change at the helm will have to be considered.
Indians’ Cover
The Browns are very fortunate the Tribe clinched their division on the same day they lost to a team that had not won in almost a year. One could argue the loss out west was as embarrassing as any in recent history. The Tribe’s celebration took some of the sting out of the loss – initially.
We suspect after a couple days pass, the fans and media will focus in on the large egg laid by the Browns. That will not be good news for Browns’ players, coaches, management and ownership A tremendous amount of pressure will be on the organization come next week to get a win before they play the Pats.
“We couldn’t cover, we couldn’t stop the run, no matter what front we seemed to be in,” Crennel said. “They were able to run through us. We were out of position. They gained over 100 yards rushing. That seems to be par for the course around here.”
If that doesn’t sound like a coach who is very close to losing his team nothing does. A couple more comments like that after an ugly loss and a change at the helm will have to be considered.
Indians’ Cover
The Browns are very fortunate the Tribe clinched their division on the same day they lost to a team that had not won in almost a year. One could argue the loss out west was as embarrassing as any in recent history. The Tribe’s celebration took some of the sting out of the loss – initially.
We suspect after a couple days pass, the fans and media will focus in on the large egg laid by the Browns. That will not be good news for Browns’ players, coaches, management and ownership A tremendous amount of pressure will be on the organization come next week to get a win before they play the Pats.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Browns-Raiders/Week #3
Good teams simply do not lose to Oakland. Heck, average teams don’t lose to Oakland. Actually, since October of 2006, no one loses to Oakland – until now.
Something had to give. It was long-term futility versus short-term futility - the worst team in football since 1999 playing the league’s most inept team the past year +.
Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, the Oakland Raiders survived and won a game Cleveland desperately needed if it hoped for a good start to the 2007 season.
The game ended when Oakland blocked the Browns’ game-winning field goal attempt, but the contest was not lost on that single play.
It was lost when the Browns allowed a rusher go for over 100 yards (Lamont Jordan) for the third consecutive week.
Cleveland lost when it could not muster any offense in the first half of play, due to poor quarterback play, costly penalties and the line’s inability to open holes for the running game.
The contest was lost when the Browns’ defense couldn’t stop the Raiders on third and 23 – allowing a first down and eventual field goal.
The Browns lost when after taking a 17-16 lead, permitted the Raiders to go on a 15 play/80 yard drive for a touchdown, mostly on the ground while chewing up nine minutes of clock in the process.
All the momentum gained from last week’s seven-on-seven drill, known as the win over the Bengals, went bust Sunday afternoon out west.
Now the Browns come home to take on a very physical Ravens team and follow that up with a game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. They could be looking at 1-4 before playing Miami just ahead of the bye.
Unless their play dramatically improves, by the time the Indians’ post-season run ends, the Browns’ hope for a competitive season may have also come and gone.
I wish I could be more positive, but the pictures don’t lie.
Something had to give. It was long-term futility versus short-term futility - the worst team in football since 1999 playing the league’s most inept team the past year +.
Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, the Oakland Raiders survived and won a game Cleveland desperately needed if it hoped for a good start to the 2007 season.
The game ended when Oakland blocked the Browns’ game-winning field goal attempt, but the contest was not lost on that single play.
It was lost when the Browns allowed a rusher go for over 100 yards (Lamont Jordan) for the third consecutive week.
Cleveland lost when it could not muster any offense in the first half of play, due to poor quarterback play, costly penalties and the line’s inability to open holes for the running game.
The contest was lost when the Browns’ defense couldn’t stop the Raiders on third and 23 – allowing a first down and eventual field goal.
The Browns lost when after taking a 17-16 lead, permitted the Raiders to go on a 15 play/80 yard drive for a touchdown, mostly on the ground while chewing up nine minutes of clock in the process.
All the momentum gained from last week’s seven-on-seven drill, known as the win over the Bengals, went bust Sunday afternoon out west.
Now the Browns come home to take on a very physical Ravens team and follow that up with a game against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. They could be looking at 1-4 before playing Miami just ahead of the bye.
Unless their play dramatically improves, by the time the Indians’ post-season run ends, the Browns’ hope for a competitive season may have also come and gone.
I wish I could be more positive, but the pictures don’t lie.
Sunday Quickies
Here are a few quickies before the Browns take on the Raiders later in the afternoon.
Brownies
This one against the Raiders is as close to a must win as you can get.
Why, you ask?
First, the Raiders aren’t likely to have a winning record this season – so this is very winnable.
Secondly, a 2-1 start gives this team a good chance to be 3-3 at the break after week #6. That may not be Indianapolis territory, but for Browns’ fans, it means for the first time in several years they won’t be thinking about next year’s draft before the cold November rain hits.
It also gives Romeo a little breathing room.
And sadly, they haven’t won back-to-back games since the middle of the 2003 season. That tells you all you need to know about the state of this franchise. If not now, when?
Scout Talk
I had an extensive conversation with a scout yesterday discussing numerous issues related to the NFL and how it works. It was very interesting and informative for this observer. Note that this gentleman is not employed by the Cleveland Browns.
The consensus around the league, according to him, was that the Browns are headed in the right direction in terms of “they have some good players now.” That’s a direct quote.
He also loved the Joe Thomas pick and felt Brady Quinn would be a good QB in this league. “They’ve got a quarterback now” is how he put it.
He also took a jab at the Browns when he looked at me with a smile on his face and asked, “What, you didn’t like Charlie Frye as your starter?”
His position was that Frye is an NFL QB, just not a starting QB. That’s not a news bulletin of course. We just wish the Browns had figured that out months ago.
Ditto for DA, who gets his second start of the season today.
I’m torn. I know this franchise cannot truly move forward until Quinn starts taking snaps and learning. In order for that to happen, DA would have to implode at some point today or very soon. Although a likely scenario, that’s not a good short-term result for the team. If that were to happen today for example, it would likely mean a very winnable game was lost.
Manager of the Year
Look for Tribe manager Eric Wedge to win the Manager of the Year Award in 2007.
If he were an ice cream, Wedge would be vanilla. That’s the way he manages, handles the media’s questions and generally comes across to the fans. However, he has the Indians headed for the post-season battling for the best record in the game. If it’s all about wins and losses – which it is – you have to give him his due.
One more comment on the Tribe’s hammer this year – their two set-up men (Rafael B. & Rafael P.). I can’t remember the last time a team had two set up men with these numbers in the same season. They have been dominant all year long from start to finish. That’s amazing and the main reason this team is where it is – along with the two horses in the rotation.
It’s still all about pitching.
We had the Tribe winning 89 before the season started. They’ve blown that prediction out of the water and they should be a tough out with their pitching in the post-season. Here’s hoping they play fundamentally, sound baseball and some of their bats deliver in the clutch come October.
Say It Ain’t So Sasha
According to reports, Sasha Pavlovic is threatening to play in Europe this season if he doesn’t get a contract extension to his liking from the Cavaliers.
Is that a promise?
Here’s a mediocre player who was MIA – like most of his teammates – in the post-season last spring, and now he wants paid. Only in America!
Hey Sasha, enjoy Belgrade in the winter.
The Cavaliers should take every penny they were allocating for Pavlovic and lump it in with what they were going to use to sign Anderson V. and get that deal done. He can’t score if he was in the gym by himself, but you can depend on AV just about every night to bring energy to the floor with him. And he gets under the opposition’s skin. He must be doing something right.
We’ll have a Browns recap after the game.
Brownies
This one against the Raiders is as close to a must win as you can get.
Why, you ask?
First, the Raiders aren’t likely to have a winning record this season – so this is very winnable.
Secondly, a 2-1 start gives this team a good chance to be 3-3 at the break after week #6. That may not be Indianapolis territory, but for Browns’ fans, it means for the first time in several years they won’t be thinking about next year’s draft before the cold November rain hits.
It also gives Romeo a little breathing room.
And sadly, they haven’t won back-to-back games since the middle of the 2003 season. That tells you all you need to know about the state of this franchise. If not now, when?
Scout Talk
I had an extensive conversation with a scout yesterday discussing numerous issues related to the NFL and how it works. It was very interesting and informative for this observer. Note that this gentleman is not employed by the Cleveland Browns.
The consensus around the league, according to him, was that the Browns are headed in the right direction in terms of “they have some good players now.” That’s a direct quote.
He also loved the Joe Thomas pick and felt Brady Quinn would be a good QB in this league. “They’ve got a quarterback now” is how he put it.
He also took a jab at the Browns when he looked at me with a smile on his face and asked, “What, you didn’t like Charlie Frye as your starter?”
His position was that Frye is an NFL QB, just not a starting QB. That’s not a news bulletin of course. We just wish the Browns had figured that out months ago.
Ditto for DA, who gets his second start of the season today.
I’m torn. I know this franchise cannot truly move forward until Quinn starts taking snaps and learning. In order for that to happen, DA would have to implode at some point today or very soon. Although a likely scenario, that’s not a good short-term result for the team. If that were to happen today for example, it would likely mean a very winnable game was lost.
Manager of the Year
Look for Tribe manager Eric Wedge to win the Manager of the Year Award in 2007.
If he were an ice cream, Wedge would be vanilla. That’s the way he manages, handles the media’s questions and generally comes across to the fans. However, he has the Indians headed for the post-season battling for the best record in the game. If it’s all about wins and losses – which it is – you have to give him his due.
One more comment on the Tribe’s hammer this year – their two set-up men (Rafael B. & Rafael P.). I can’t remember the last time a team had two set up men with these numbers in the same season. They have been dominant all year long from start to finish. That’s amazing and the main reason this team is where it is – along with the two horses in the rotation.
It’s still all about pitching.
We had the Tribe winning 89 before the season started. They’ve blown that prediction out of the water and they should be a tough out with their pitching in the post-season. Here’s hoping they play fundamentally, sound baseball and some of their bats deliver in the clutch come October.
Say It Ain’t So Sasha
According to reports, Sasha Pavlovic is threatening to play in Europe this season if he doesn’t get a contract extension to his liking from the Cavaliers.
Is that a promise?
Here’s a mediocre player who was MIA – like most of his teammates – in the post-season last spring, and now he wants paid. Only in America!
Hey Sasha, enjoy Belgrade in the winter.
The Cavaliers should take every penny they were allocating for Pavlovic and lump it in with what they were going to use to sign Anderson V. and get that deal done. He can’t score if he was in the gym by himself, but you can depend on AV just about every night to bring energy to the floor with him. And he gets under the opposition’s skin. He must be doing something right.
We’ll have a Browns recap after the game.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Bells & Whistles
Bells & Whistles Are Nice, But Players Are Better
The Cleveland Cavaliers just unveiled their new basketball operations center & training facilities – the Cleveland Clinic Courts, in Independence, Ohio, complete with a state of the art training room electronically linked to the world famous Cleveland Clinic, special high tech video rooms, 3x the basketball court space as Quicken Loans Arena, lavish player areas fit for a king - literally, all with a great view of the Cuyahoga River Valley.
The estimated cost of the facility - around $25 million, all coming out of the deep pockets of Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert.
We applaud Gilbert for following and one-upping Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban's model when it comes to sparing no expense to make NBA players feel they are part of a first-class operation.
We only hope for one thing – it attracts real talent, real soon.
Don’t get me wrong, a state of the art training facility hooked up to the Cleveland Clinic is nice – but I would rather have a true point guard who can actually make an open jumper on a consistent basis.
I like the idea of high tech video equipment, but a real defensive presence in the front court with a mean streak who can defend, block shots and rebound would make me happier.
Huge, new court space helps, but maybe, just maybe, another player who can create his own shot without 23's help might improve the yearly win total and make this team more dangerous in the post-season.
Lavish player areas, complete with a heated parking deck sounds great, only if another true
all-star besides LJ parks his BMW there on a regular basis on his way to the Cavaliers’ morning shoot around.
Again, I’m not complaining.
I hope this makes “The Chosen One” happier. In the end, that’s what this is all about – trying to keep him in a Cavaliers’ uniform well-beyond the length of his current contract.
But something tells me he would be even more impressed with a little help on the court in terms of an influx of talent, than all the bells and whistles $25 million can buy you off the court.
The Cleveland Cavaliers just unveiled their new basketball operations center & training facilities – the Cleveland Clinic Courts, in Independence, Ohio, complete with a state of the art training room electronically linked to the world famous Cleveland Clinic, special high tech video rooms, 3x the basketball court space as Quicken Loans Arena, lavish player areas fit for a king - literally, all with a great view of the Cuyahoga River Valley.
The estimated cost of the facility - around $25 million, all coming out of the deep pockets of Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert.
We applaud Gilbert for following and one-upping Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban's model when it comes to sparing no expense to make NBA players feel they are part of a first-class operation.
We only hope for one thing – it attracts real talent, real soon.
Don’t get me wrong, a state of the art training facility hooked up to the Cleveland Clinic is nice – but I would rather have a true point guard who can actually make an open jumper on a consistent basis.
I like the idea of high tech video equipment, but a real defensive presence in the front court with a mean streak who can defend, block shots and rebound would make me happier.
Huge, new court space helps, but maybe, just maybe, another player who can create his own shot without 23's help might improve the yearly win total and make this team more dangerous in the post-season.
Lavish player areas, complete with a heated parking deck sounds great, only if another true
all-star besides LJ parks his BMW there on a regular basis on his way to the Cavaliers’ morning shoot around.
Again, I’m not complaining.
I hope this makes “The Chosen One” happier. In the end, that’s what this is all about – trying to keep him in a Cavaliers’ uniform well-beyond the length of his current contract.
But something tells me he would be even more impressed with a little help on the court in terms of an influx of talent, than all the bells and whistles $25 million can buy you off the court.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A Win Is A Win
What a difference a week makes.
After week #1, the Browns were steamrolling downhill, seemingly headed toward another long, painful season in the eyes of most objective observers.
That may still be the case, time will tell.
One week later, they sit at 1-1 going west to play a very beatable Oakland team in week #3.
I won’t even try to begin to explain the 51-45 win over the Bengals. I can’t. I’m not smart enough to figure this one out.
They got the W. That’s all that matters.
I can’t explain how Carson Palmer threw six touchdown passes and lost.
I can’t explain how Derek Anderson made like Dan Marino, putting up a career-game just one week after looking so terrible in the opener and through much of the pre-season.
I can’t explain how the Browns had a quarterback throw five touchdown passes and have a 200 yard rusher in the SAME GAME. I wonder how often that has happened in the NFL?
I can’t explain a game where two NFL teams combine for well over 1,000 yards of offense.
None of it makes any sense. But who cares?
The Browns got the W. That’s all that matters.
Now there is some hope where there was once total despair. Everyone associated with the Browns will sleep much better tonight. Okay, everybody but the defensive coaching staff.
At least for one week, Browns’ fans can hold their heads high – they beat a divisional foe at home and sit at .500 heading west.
Forget the over-analysis of this one. This game was a freak – a contest that defies description. We aren't likely to see anything like this for a very long time.
The Bengals pulled a trifecta of total defensive incompetence – they never got near the passer, they had numerous busted coverages and could not stop the run.
The Browns were almost as bad on that side of the ball – thankfully, just almost.
Had they lost 52-51, Browns’ fans would be miserable once again this evening, whining about bad football and bad karma.
Instead, they got the W. That’s all that matters.
It’s the NFL remember - where parity rules.
After week #1, the Browns were steamrolling downhill, seemingly headed toward another long, painful season in the eyes of most objective observers.
That may still be the case, time will tell.
One week later, they sit at 1-1 going west to play a very beatable Oakland team in week #3.
I won’t even try to begin to explain the 51-45 win over the Bengals. I can’t. I’m not smart enough to figure this one out.
They got the W. That’s all that matters.
I can’t explain how Carson Palmer threw six touchdown passes and lost.
I can’t explain how Derek Anderson made like Dan Marino, putting up a career-game just one week after looking so terrible in the opener and through much of the pre-season.
I can’t explain how the Browns had a quarterback throw five touchdown passes and have a 200 yard rusher in the SAME GAME. I wonder how often that has happened in the NFL?
I can’t explain a game where two NFL teams combine for well over 1,000 yards of offense.
None of it makes any sense. But who cares?
The Browns got the W. That’s all that matters.
Now there is some hope where there was once total despair. Everyone associated with the Browns will sleep much better tonight. Okay, everybody but the defensive coaching staff.
At least for one week, Browns’ fans can hold their heads high – they beat a divisional foe at home and sit at .500 heading west.
Forget the over-analysis of this one. This game was a freak – a contest that defies description. We aren't likely to see anything like this for a very long time.
The Bengals pulled a trifecta of total defensive incompetence – they never got near the passer, they had numerous busted coverages and could not stop the run.
The Browns were almost as bad on that side of the ball – thankfully, just almost.
Had they lost 52-51, Browns’ fans would be miserable once again this evening, whining about bad football and bad karma.
Instead, they got the W. That’s all that matters.
It’s the NFL remember - where parity rules.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Goodell Misses The Point
Integrity of Game Issue
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the ball with the lightning-quick slap on the wrist on the Pats’ and their head coach, Bill Belichick.
Less than a week after finding out the Patriots committed a pre-meditated offense in attempting to swipe the Jets’ signals last Sunday in the season’s opener, the league has already passed judgment.
Without getting into the specifics of the punishment, it’s too early a call and certainly not strong enough.
Bill Belichick is a head coach - meaning he is an authority figure who should set a positive example, not show players how to cut corners.
Plus, the fact that this was premeditated makes it all that much worse.
Let me get this right – a player goes to a nightclub, gets in trouble and breaks the law, leading to an eventual sit-down with the commissioner and suspension. But a coach, who sets out to break the rules, gets fined only, and the team loses either a #1 pick or a #2 & #3 based on where the team finishes?
Did Goodell call Belichick on the carpet?
Did he inquire as to how long this has been going on?
Has he interviewed past and current Pats’ employees to get to the bottom of this?
The fact the punishment has already been determined indicates the league wants to move on.
Something stinks here.
A double-standard seems to exist in terms of how the league treats players and coaches. How else do you explain such swift action?
What’s the rush?
There have been rumblings throughout the league for several years that strange things happen when you play the Pats, especially at their place – coaches’ head sets not working in the middle of a key drive, quarterbacks’ receiver transmitters shorting out at the most opportune time, etc…
This morning on a nationally syndicated sports talk show, one host mentioned that he is aware of at least one NFL team that specifically brings hard wire headsets on the road with them when they play New England.
I wonder why?
If you are Goodell, why not investigate this further now that you have just cause to do so?
If nothing more is discovered – fine. But, if this is a pattern of behavior on the part of the Pats, the league should want to know about it and come down hard – thus setting an appropriate example this will not be tolerated. And if it leads to other teams doing the same thing, then so be it.
The idea is to get it right, not move on fast.
Most important of all, if the commissioner is truly concerned about cleaning up the league’s public image when it comes to players’ off-the-field behavior, then he should be even more concerned about coaches’ in-game behavior, because these actions in question (Belichick’s cheating) go directly to the integrity of the game – pro sports’ #1 commandment of providing an even playing field.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the ball with the lightning-quick slap on the wrist on the Pats’ and their head coach, Bill Belichick.
Less than a week after finding out the Patriots committed a pre-meditated offense in attempting to swipe the Jets’ signals last Sunday in the season’s opener, the league has already passed judgment.
Without getting into the specifics of the punishment, it’s too early a call and certainly not strong enough.
Bill Belichick is a head coach - meaning he is an authority figure who should set a positive example, not show players how to cut corners.
Plus, the fact that this was premeditated makes it all that much worse.
Let me get this right – a player goes to a nightclub, gets in trouble and breaks the law, leading to an eventual sit-down with the commissioner and suspension. But a coach, who sets out to break the rules, gets fined only, and the team loses either a #1 pick or a #2 & #3 based on where the team finishes?
Did Goodell call Belichick on the carpet?
Did he inquire as to how long this has been going on?
Has he interviewed past and current Pats’ employees to get to the bottom of this?
The fact the punishment has already been determined indicates the league wants to move on.
Something stinks here.
A double-standard seems to exist in terms of how the league treats players and coaches. How else do you explain such swift action?
What’s the rush?
There have been rumblings throughout the league for several years that strange things happen when you play the Pats, especially at their place – coaches’ head sets not working in the middle of a key drive, quarterbacks’ receiver transmitters shorting out at the most opportune time, etc…
This morning on a nationally syndicated sports talk show, one host mentioned that he is aware of at least one NFL team that specifically brings hard wire headsets on the road with them when they play New England.
I wonder why?
If you are Goodell, why not investigate this further now that you have just cause to do so?
If nothing more is discovered – fine. But, if this is a pattern of behavior on the part of the Pats, the league should want to know about it and come down hard – thus setting an appropriate example this will not be tolerated. And if it leads to other teams doing the same thing, then so be it.
The idea is to get it right, not move on fast.
Most important of all, if the commissioner is truly concerned about cleaning up the league’s public image when it comes to players’ off-the-field behavior, then he should be even more concerned about coaches’ in-game behavior, because these actions in question (Belichick’s cheating) go directly to the integrity of the game – pro sports’ #1 commandment of providing an even playing field.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Cheaters Never Prosper
Belichick’s Troubles
It could not have happened to a nicer guy.
That was my first reaction when “football genius” Bill Belichick was caught cheating – taping the New York Jets’ coaches on the sidelines last Sunday in an attempt to steal signs.
First, let’s have a little background check for those of you below the legal drinking age.
Belichick was not considered a “football coaching genius” when he ran the Cleveland Browns. In fact, in five years’ time in the early to mid-90s, he posted a very mediocre sub-.500 record, managed to alienate a good bit of the fan base in NE Ohio and treated much of the media with absolute distain.
Basically, he was a very arrogant head coach with a losing record.
What changed?
He got a second chance in New England and made the most of it.
Mind you, most will tell you he is still very arrogant, but the difference now is his arrogance has been given a pass by many because he is winning big-time.
That’s the nature of this business unfortunately. If you win, you get a pass for most of your foibles. It’s not right, it’s just so.
I hate that about sports. I believe you should treat everyone with some semblance of respect unless they make clear they deserve otherwise.
Belichick’s rise as a “football coaching guru” can be directly charted to when Drew Bledsoe went down and Tom Brady took over at quarterback. We’ll give credit to Belichick for drafting Brady – although he must not have seen that much in him since he waited until round six to pull the trigger on Brady back when.
Regardless, MR. Bill gets kudos for finding a future Hall of Fame signal-caller and riding him to three Super Bowls.
No, I don’t like Mr. Bill – never did, never will.
I must not be the only one. Belichick has been on the outs for a while with both his mentor, Bill Parcells, and his former pupil, Eric Mangini, current head coach of the Jets.
Having said all that, I may be the only individual to have stated that Belichick’s three Super Bowl wins in four years during football’s free agency era is professional team sports' greatest accomplishment in the past 40 years.
I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
But now we find out Bill cheats. He even cheats after he’s been told by the league office not to cheat.
Arrogance is a wicked vice, isn’t it?
Well, count me in the group that won’t shed any tears for Mr. Bill. He walked out of his press conference on Wednesday, again showing his arrogance and unwillingness to face the music.
Memo to Bill – this isn’t going away. More questions need to be answered – like how long has this been going on?
Those who spent time under Belichick as his “film guys” should be nervous right now. The NFL will be calling soon to see who was spying for Bill and who wasn’t.
The league should not punish Belichick and the Pats until ALL the facts are in.
But let’s assume he’s been doing this for a while. If that’s found to be the case, two #1 draft picks, a four-game suspension of the head coach without pay and a seven-figure fine on the Pats sounds about right.
This guy has made a lot of enemies around the league. I doubt very much this discovery happened by accident. Somebody probably turned him in or at least gave the league a head’s up that something was very fishy in New England.
Now his reputation has a coaching wiz takes a hit. That’s too bad.
Everyone has always applauded Belichick for being “ahead of the curve.”
In recent years, we often heard from announcers and so-called experts that “the Pats are such a smart team, they always seem to be in the right position to make plays.”
Well, maybe that’s because Bill and his boys knew what was coming.
It could not have happened to a nicer guy.
That was my first reaction when “football genius” Bill Belichick was caught cheating – taping the New York Jets’ coaches on the sidelines last Sunday in an attempt to steal signs.
First, let’s have a little background check for those of you below the legal drinking age.
Belichick was not considered a “football coaching genius” when he ran the Cleveland Browns. In fact, in five years’ time in the early to mid-90s, he posted a very mediocre sub-.500 record, managed to alienate a good bit of the fan base in NE Ohio and treated much of the media with absolute distain.
Basically, he was a very arrogant head coach with a losing record.
What changed?
He got a second chance in New England and made the most of it.
Mind you, most will tell you he is still very arrogant, but the difference now is his arrogance has been given a pass by many because he is winning big-time.
That’s the nature of this business unfortunately. If you win, you get a pass for most of your foibles. It’s not right, it’s just so.
I hate that about sports. I believe you should treat everyone with some semblance of respect unless they make clear they deserve otherwise.
Belichick’s rise as a “football coaching guru” can be directly charted to when Drew Bledsoe went down and Tom Brady took over at quarterback. We’ll give credit to Belichick for drafting Brady – although he must not have seen that much in him since he waited until round six to pull the trigger on Brady back when.
Regardless, MR. Bill gets kudos for finding a future Hall of Fame signal-caller and riding him to three Super Bowls.
No, I don’t like Mr. Bill – never did, never will.
I must not be the only one. Belichick has been on the outs for a while with both his mentor, Bill Parcells, and his former pupil, Eric Mangini, current head coach of the Jets.
Having said all that, I may be the only individual to have stated that Belichick’s three Super Bowl wins in four years during football’s free agency era is professional team sports' greatest accomplishment in the past 40 years.
I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
But now we find out Bill cheats. He even cheats after he’s been told by the league office not to cheat.
Arrogance is a wicked vice, isn’t it?
Well, count me in the group that won’t shed any tears for Mr. Bill. He walked out of his press conference on Wednesday, again showing his arrogance and unwillingness to face the music.
Memo to Bill – this isn’t going away. More questions need to be answered – like how long has this been going on?
Those who spent time under Belichick as his “film guys” should be nervous right now. The NFL will be calling soon to see who was spying for Bill and who wasn’t.
The league should not punish Belichick and the Pats until ALL the facts are in.
But let’s assume he’s been doing this for a while. If that’s found to be the case, two #1 draft picks, a four-game suspension of the head coach without pay and a seven-figure fine on the Pats sounds about right.
This guy has made a lot of enemies around the league. I doubt very much this discovery happened by accident. Somebody probably turned him in or at least gave the league a head’s up that something was very fishy in New England.
Now his reputation has a coaching wiz takes a hit. That’s too bad.
Everyone has always applauded Belichick for being “ahead of the curve.”
In recent years, we often heard from announcers and so-called experts that “the Pats are such a smart team, they always seem to be in the right position to make plays.”
Well, maybe that’s because Bill and his boys knew what was coming.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Turn The Page
Addition By Subtraction
I have had a number of friends e-mail or call me this afternoon wanting to know my thoughts on the Browns trading Charlie Frye.
Most inquired about my degree of happiness.
“You must finally be happy, you got your wish,” one said.
“It’s got to make you feel good now that Frye is gone because it clears the way for your boy, Quinn,” another suggested.
“The Browns finally took your advice about the quarterbacks,” a third mentioned.
On and on it went.
Let’s get one thing straight. I am not happy because Charlie Frye was traded today. It does not give me any joy. It was simply addition by subtraction – nothing more, nothing less.
Why you ask?
The answer is simple – he had no business taking snaps for the Browns this season. Period.
I am sure Charlie Frye is a nice guy. The fact that he has a job as an NFL quarterback tells you that he is a truly wonderful athlete since he is considered one of the top 90 people in the world at what he does.
But that’s the problem. He’s among the 90 best at what he does – he’s not in the top 30. He’s not a starter – not even close.
The Browns basically forfeited their opener by playing someone they knew was not a starting NFL quarterback – something we have been saying for over a year. And ditto for Anderson.
These guys might be among the 90 best at what they do, but neither should be taking snaps for an NFL team on a regular basis if the goal is to win more than you lose.
The last time I checked, that was the objective. “You play to win the game,” remember?
The Browns had the whole off-season to acquire a veteran signal-caller who had a measure of success on his resume and could legitimately keep the seat warm until Quinn was ready.
They did nothing.
Instead they forced us to watch Frye and Anderson stumble through the pre-season. They played so poorly, instead of earning a ticket on the bench or out of town, they earned playing time in the carnage that was the Steelers’ opener.
What’s worse, we had some members of the local media carry the Browns’ water in print and on the air once again, this time claiming the only route to go was with Frye and/or Anderson in the opener.
These people either spent too much time at the Browns’ media buffet table and not enough time watching practice or they need eye laser surgery.
The media can be wrong – it usually is. I have absolutely no faith in 90% of those who watch this team and report on it for a living. Those of you who “get it” know who you are.
But professional talent evaluators shouldn’t be wrong this often – especially when evaluating – here we go again – THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION ON THE FIELD!
You screw this position up, you are really behind the eight-ball.
Charlie Frye is to the Browns what Chad Ogea was to the Indians 10 years ago. The difference, Ogea, a career #5 starter, had two good months. Frye never put two good games together back to back.
There’s a reason for that – he’s a #5 starter. Get it?
How many games are you going to win throwing a #5 starter? Not many, right? Especially in our division, where the other teams have at least a #3 or a #2 (aka a good QB). That’s how you go 1-12 in divisional play the past two years plus.
We said back in 2005, quarterback was this team’s most pressing need. If we can figure it out, why can’t the Browns?
You see, this was never about Brady Quinn. I think the kid will eventually be a very good quarterback in this league. But we have to wait and see. I think he’s “got it.” But I could be wrong.
Frye and Anderson are different stories. We had quantitative evidence they weren’t very good by NFL standards. We’ve watched them play. Unfortunately, ALL the Berea talent evaluators since the Browns’ return in 1999 seem to catch on too late.
No, I’m not happy they (Browns) finally figured it out as far as Frye is concerned. The media and fans get a pass because they don’t know any better and some probably fell in love with the “local boy plays for the home team story.” Had Frye graduated from Mississippi, they might have turned on him sooner.
What’s the Browns excuse?
Frye is, I believe, the only starting quarterback in NFL history to start game #1 of the season then be traded. I could be wrong. And I’m sure someone will point that out to me if he’s not the first.
But you get the point. One day, he’s carrying the fortunes of a $700 million franchise as the starter in the opener, the next he’s gone for a second day draft choice - which is what we said he was worth on these same pages prior to the draft.
It makes you wonder if there are any adults in charge over in Berea because it looks to me like they are flying by the seat of their pants. That’s scary.
No, I’m not happy I’m right. I wanted to be wrong. I wanted Charlie Frye or DA to do some positive things on Sunday leading the Browns to a 1-0 start. That would have made me happy. But deep down, no, I didn’t expect much. I’ve seen this before and I have a good common sense meter.
If it looks, smells and walks like a duck, it ain’t no elephant!
You see, I don’t blame Frye or Anderson. They are who they are – excellent athletes capable of earning a living in professional sports – at least for the time being – but expected, by the Browns’ hierarchy, to do things they can’t do.
I blame the Browns’ organization – specifically Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage for being wrong – AGAIN!’
You screw up the right corner position for a time – it hurts, but it isn’t fatal. You screw up the tight end spot, your team suffers but it’s not life-threatening. You screw up the quarterback position and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to tell if your team is any good because it all starts with the guy pulling the trigger.
If you are asking a #5 starter to give you a quality start every time out, it ain’t going to happen.
How do you climb out of a 5-0 hole after three innings, time and time again?
You have to get that position right. And if you get it wrong, please fix it sooner rather than later.
The trading of Frye is a start – addition by subtraction again.
Now let’s focus on the job at hand.
There are 15 games left to play. Give the rookie the ball and keep it simple stupid (KISS) for a while.
How do you do that, you ask?
Tell him to hand it to #31 a lot and throw it to #80 as much as possible. If #80 is covered, check down #84 or to the running back out of the backfield,and throw it in the stands when not sure. Finally, once in a while, throw #17 a bone, but understand he’ll tease you with brilliance one day and disappoint you the next.
Come on Browns. Figure it out.
This isn’t rocket science. You spent a lot of money in the off-season on the offensive line. They should be able to keep the kid in one piece. You have a quality NFL back, one of the game’s best receivers – notice I said receiver and not tight end – in Winslow.
You have what should be a middle of the pack defense, led by an excellent young player in Wimbley. You defense with Wimbley, Peek and Thompson rushing the quarterback looks intriguing and should get you off the field sooner.
You still need to shore up the run defense. And if it means putting eight in the box more often, or being creative, so be it. Coach ’em up and finds ways to get better.
As we said after game #1 – all is not lost. The waiting game will soon end and the Browns will finally turn the page when they turn it over to #10.
Then, one of three things will happen with Quinn – he’ll struggle a lot and often, he’ll struggle some but get better or he’ll play very well as a rookie.
Two of those three are good things. I like those odds a lot better than with Frye and Anderson.
I have had a number of friends e-mail or call me this afternoon wanting to know my thoughts on the Browns trading Charlie Frye.
Most inquired about my degree of happiness.
“You must finally be happy, you got your wish,” one said.
“It’s got to make you feel good now that Frye is gone because it clears the way for your boy, Quinn,” another suggested.
“The Browns finally took your advice about the quarterbacks,” a third mentioned.
On and on it went.
Let’s get one thing straight. I am not happy because Charlie Frye was traded today. It does not give me any joy. It was simply addition by subtraction – nothing more, nothing less.
Why you ask?
The answer is simple – he had no business taking snaps for the Browns this season. Period.
I am sure Charlie Frye is a nice guy. The fact that he has a job as an NFL quarterback tells you that he is a truly wonderful athlete since he is considered one of the top 90 people in the world at what he does.
But that’s the problem. He’s among the 90 best at what he does – he’s not in the top 30. He’s not a starter – not even close.
The Browns basically forfeited their opener by playing someone they knew was not a starting NFL quarterback – something we have been saying for over a year. And ditto for Anderson.
These guys might be among the 90 best at what they do, but neither should be taking snaps for an NFL team on a regular basis if the goal is to win more than you lose.
The last time I checked, that was the objective. “You play to win the game,” remember?
The Browns had the whole off-season to acquire a veteran signal-caller who had a measure of success on his resume and could legitimately keep the seat warm until Quinn was ready.
They did nothing.
Instead they forced us to watch Frye and Anderson stumble through the pre-season. They played so poorly, instead of earning a ticket on the bench or out of town, they earned playing time in the carnage that was the Steelers’ opener.
What’s worse, we had some members of the local media carry the Browns’ water in print and on the air once again, this time claiming the only route to go was with Frye and/or Anderson in the opener.
These people either spent too much time at the Browns’ media buffet table and not enough time watching practice or they need eye laser surgery.
The media can be wrong – it usually is. I have absolutely no faith in 90% of those who watch this team and report on it for a living. Those of you who “get it” know who you are.
But professional talent evaluators shouldn’t be wrong this often – especially when evaluating – here we go again – THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION ON THE FIELD!
You screw this position up, you are really behind the eight-ball.
Charlie Frye is to the Browns what Chad Ogea was to the Indians 10 years ago. The difference, Ogea, a career #5 starter, had two good months. Frye never put two good games together back to back.
There’s a reason for that – he’s a #5 starter. Get it?
How many games are you going to win throwing a #5 starter? Not many, right? Especially in our division, where the other teams have at least a #3 or a #2 (aka a good QB). That’s how you go 1-12 in divisional play the past two years plus.
We said back in 2005, quarterback was this team’s most pressing need. If we can figure it out, why can’t the Browns?
You see, this was never about Brady Quinn. I think the kid will eventually be a very good quarterback in this league. But we have to wait and see. I think he’s “got it.” But I could be wrong.
Frye and Anderson are different stories. We had quantitative evidence they weren’t very good by NFL standards. We’ve watched them play. Unfortunately, ALL the Berea talent evaluators since the Browns’ return in 1999 seem to catch on too late.
No, I’m not happy they (Browns) finally figured it out as far as Frye is concerned. The media and fans get a pass because they don’t know any better and some probably fell in love with the “local boy plays for the home team story.” Had Frye graduated from Mississippi, they might have turned on him sooner.
What’s the Browns excuse?
Frye is, I believe, the only starting quarterback in NFL history to start game #1 of the season then be traded. I could be wrong. And I’m sure someone will point that out to me if he’s not the first.
But you get the point. One day, he’s carrying the fortunes of a $700 million franchise as the starter in the opener, the next he’s gone for a second day draft choice - which is what we said he was worth on these same pages prior to the draft.
It makes you wonder if there are any adults in charge over in Berea because it looks to me like they are flying by the seat of their pants. That’s scary.
No, I’m not happy I’m right. I wanted to be wrong. I wanted Charlie Frye or DA to do some positive things on Sunday leading the Browns to a 1-0 start. That would have made me happy. But deep down, no, I didn’t expect much. I’ve seen this before and I have a good common sense meter.
If it looks, smells and walks like a duck, it ain’t no elephant!
You see, I don’t blame Frye or Anderson. They are who they are – excellent athletes capable of earning a living in professional sports – at least for the time being – but expected, by the Browns’ hierarchy, to do things they can’t do.
I blame the Browns’ organization – specifically Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage for being wrong – AGAIN!’
You screw up the right corner position for a time – it hurts, but it isn’t fatal. You screw up the tight end spot, your team suffers but it’s not life-threatening. You screw up the quarterback position and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to tell if your team is any good because it all starts with the guy pulling the trigger.
If you are asking a #5 starter to give you a quality start every time out, it ain’t going to happen.
How do you climb out of a 5-0 hole after three innings, time and time again?
You have to get that position right. And if you get it wrong, please fix it sooner rather than later.
The trading of Frye is a start – addition by subtraction again.
Now let’s focus on the job at hand.
There are 15 games left to play. Give the rookie the ball and keep it simple stupid (KISS) for a while.
How do you do that, you ask?
Tell him to hand it to #31 a lot and throw it to #80 as much as possible. If #80 is covered, check down #84 or to the running back out of the backfield,and throw it in the stands when not sure. Finally, once in a while, throw #17 a bone, but understand he’ll tease you with brilliance one day and disappoint you the next.
Come on Browns. Figure it out.
This isn’t rocket science. You spent a lot of money in the off-season on the offensive line. They should be able to keep the kid in one piece. You have a quality NFL back, one of the game’s best receivers – notice I said receiver and not tight end – in Winslow.
You have what should be a middle of the pack defense, led by an excellent young player in Wimbley. You defense with Wimbley, Peek and Thompson rushing the quarterback looks intriguing and should get you off the field sooner.
You still need to shore up the run defense. And if it means putting eight in the box more often, or being creative, so be it. Coach ’em up and finds ways to get better.
As we said after game #1 – all is not lost. The waiting game will soon end and the Browns will finally turn the page when they turn it over to #10.
Then, one of three things will happen with Quinn – he’ll struggle a lot and often, he’ll struggle some but get better or he’ll play very well as a rookie.
Two of those three are good things. I like those odds a lot better than with Frye and Anderson.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Browns' 2007 Opener
Don't Lose Hope
I'm writing this before the game ends. I've seen this movie before.
What do you want me to say? It's only one game - albeit it a bad one.
What did you expect from this bunch? Hey, at least they didn't have any problems getting plays off like the pre-season.
Other than that, I can't think of anything positive to say.
At this rate, RC may not make it to week #6.
Look at the up side, it will force this dysfunctional management team/coaching staff to play Brady Quinn before they, and the blind mice in the local media, want to.
We've seen the past - the future is now.
Think about it, can it be any worse?
By the way, look for some local scribes to go to the "This team has bigger problems than just the QB position" theme.
I can't wait to clean my behind with that copy.
Tell me something I don't know - like did you know the Japanese attacked Pearl Habor on December 7, 1941?
Remember - stay strong Browns' fans. It's only one of 16. Thank goodness.
I'm writing this before the game ends. I've seen this movie before.
What do you want me to say? It's only one game - albeit it a bad one.
What did you expect from this bunch? Hey, at least they didn't have any problems getting plays off like the pre-season.
Other than that, I can't think of anything positive to say.
At this rate, RC may not make it to week #6.
Look at the up side, it will force this dysfunctional management team/coaching staff to play Brady Quinn before they, and the blind mice in the local media, want to.
We've seen the past - the future is now.
Think about it, can it be any worse?
By the way, look for some local scribes to go to the "This team has bigger problems than just the QB position" theme.
I can't wait to clean my behind with that copy.
Tell me something I don't know - like did you know the Japanese attacked Pearl Habor on December 7, 1941?
Remember - stay strong Browns' fans. It's only one of 16. Thank goodness.
Random Thoughts Sept9'07
Kudos To Wedge & Shapiro
Let me be the first one to officially congratulate the Indians' organization, especially its architects, Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge, on winning the Central Division. One must give credit where credit is due.
Yes, I know there are still games to play, but the Tribe would have to collapse like a cheap tent in order to blow this lead this late. Their pitching is simply too good to let that happen.
It has been a very strange season getting to this point however.
If someone said back in early June this team would win the division based on strong pitching - that prediction would have looked foolish. After 50 or so games, the Tribe was among the league-leaders in runs scored and home runs, but the overall pitching was in the middle of the AL pack at best. Since that point, the pitching has been outstanding while the offense has been average to woeful at times.
Speaking of pitching, that's what won it for them in the end. It all starts and ends there. The Tribe's two big horses - Sabathia and Carmona - have been outstanding all year long. That kept them (Tribe) away from extensive losing streaks - even when the offense faded in the middle of the season.
Couple that with the fact that Bird has a been solid at #3 and Westbrook got himself straightened out after coming off the DL, and you have a starting staff that carried them to contention.
What put them over the top however has been the dominance, and there is no other word for it, of Perez and Betancourt.
The Tribe's set-up men both have ERAs under 2.00, and amazingly neither one has struggled for any length of time in 2007, giving Eric Wedge a hammer any time the Tribe led or kept it close after seven. Set-up men do not bring huge stats to the table, but intelligent baseball people know how truly important they are. The Indians of the late 90s did it with a big-time offense and an even deeper bullpen than the Tribe possesses today.
Strangely, this team, has we have pointed out in previous entries, is better suited for a deep playoff run than the all-star teams the Tribe fielded 10 years ago.
Having Sabathia and Carmona on the hill in as many as five of seven games in a seven-game series gives the Indians more than a fighting chance. In the past, the Indians, with their big bats and power bullpen, were built for the long haul - the regular season.
In 2007, unlike in the past, they will have the advantage going into post-season with arguably two #1 starters - their achilles' heel 10 years ago.
Of course, they have to officially win the Central first. Relax, those of you who have been through "Red Right 88," "The Drive," "The Fumble," and "The Shot." The glass is half full this time.
The only warning we raise is this team is not fundamentally sound in terms of putting the ball in play consistently, moving runners over, bunting, etc...
In the playoffs, games are often decided by those who does the little things well. The Tribe simply hasn't and doesn't. Eric Wedge deserves credit for bringing this team this far, but this fact has to worry him and GM Mark Shapiro.
We will be watching this closely. This corner has harped for several years about this team's aparent lack of fundamentals. That has to change to some degree come October for a deep run to occur.
Finally, we stated on these pages one week into his call-up that Asdrubal Cabrera was perhaps the best pick-up any team made for the stretch run this season. We haven't seen anything to change our minds, one month later. He has a plan at the plate, gets quality at bats, even against good pitching, and he's been solid defensively.
Again, we credit Mark Shapiro for making the move and inserting him into the line-up. It was easier to let Josh Barfield play through his season-long woes. But Shapiro and company saw fit to put the kid in the line-up. He's rewarded them by giving the Tribe a shot in the arm.
As we stated back in August - in Cabrera, you are seeing the Tribe's starting shortstop for 2008 and well beyond. That doesn't mean we are giving up on Peralta. It will simply give the Tribe options. That's always good.
Savage Possibly Pressuring RC
This will be the last time we say it - PLAY QUINN.
The Browns' hierarchy is taking the safe route by playing Charlie Frye and using him to absorb the pounding the team is likely to take playing against some of the league's better defensive units early in the season.
We get it - they don't want to overwhelm the kid (Quinn) this early.
I don't buy it - never have and never will. That strategy possibly cost the Titans a playoff spot last season when they sat Vince Young until week #4. And the pounding he took his rookie year, didn't seem to affect Troy Aikman's development, nor Peyton Manning's.
The point is, using the "we don't want to ruin the kid by putting him out there too early" line is often a cop-out and nothing more. Unfortunately, the media often buys it hook, line and sinker.
There is a reason so much attention is paid to the QB. He's crucial to your success - often the face of the franchise. Choosing the right QB often makes a coach's career (Bill B. in NE/i.e. Tom Brady) or gets one fired (Sam R. in Cleveland/i.e. Paul McDonald). Choosing the starting left defensive end or center doesn't have the same effect.
If this goes according to past history, he'll (Quinn) be in there soon enough anyway. As we state back in July - every snap taken by Frye, Anderson or Spergon Wynne, and not taken by Quinn, slows down this team's development.
But will it be in time to save RC?
There is no better way to learn the job unless you are out there making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. Holding a clipboard doesn't allow you to adjust to the speed of the game as much as taking snaps.
I understand what they are doing, but I don't like it. Furthermore, I wonder how much pressure Phil Savage is putting on his coach, RC, not to play Quinn this early. All his (Savage) pre-season comments, dating back to when Quinn was drafted, gave indication the kid would not play day #1 and the GM thought it was a bad idea to throw him to the wolves this early.
If I were RC, I would privately tell Savage -"You pick the players and I decide when they play. That's how it works."
Savage is going to show RC the door if they get out of the gate slowly - regardless of what he says publicly. If RC's instincts are to play Quinn sooner rather than later, and the team shows steady improvement under the first year signal-caller, it will make it harder for Savage to can the third-year coach.
If Crennel agrees with the company line that Frye gives them a better change of winning now - and this plan fails, then he's gone. RC will take the fall for this organizational decision - not Savage.
Of course, there is always the chance Frye plays well and the Browns are sitting at a respectable 3-3 or better at the break. For RC's sake, I hope that's what happens.
Otherwise, Crennel takes the fall, Savage brings in Cowher or Marty, and gets the credit for making a great hire. Life's not fair, is it?
Cavs' Plan For 2007-08
I'll make this one simple - The off-season inactivity speaks volumes.
I get it, Danny Ferry is expecting the 2007-08 Cavaliers to stay relatively healthy as they did a year ago, ride 23 to the playoffs, face a first round opponent with its best two players out with injury, advance, face a .500 second round opponent, advance to the semis, then have #23 score the team's final 25 points in crucial game #5, carrying them to the Finals.
Good plan.
We all know in the East, #23 can probably carry a good intramural team to the playoffs - especially if a couple of those weekend warriors can knock down open 18 footers.
That's no the point. The job of a GM is to improve the squad. Ferry has done absolutely nothing to do that since being swept by the Spurs back in June.
If you stand pat - you lose ground. Period.
Ferry must be working off a different playbook. This isn't the Spurs, a team he worked for, that had three All-Star players, and you tinkered around the edges putting together the rest of the roster from year to year.
This is the Cavaliers. It's 23 and as we stated back in November - "and 11 role players."
Again, inactivity won't work here. Playing it safe isn't the best way to get back to the Finals Danny.
The way I see it Danny - if you've been cashing Dan Gilbert's checks this past summer, you should blush some when doing so.
Let me be the first one to officially congratulate the Indians' organization, especially its architects, Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge, on winning the Central Division. One must give credit where credit is due.
Yes, I know there are still games to play, but the Tribe would have to collapse like a cheap tent in order to blow this lead this late. Their pitching is simply too good to let that happen.
It has been a very strange season getting to this point however.
If someone said back in early June this team would win the division based on strong pitching - that prediction would have looked foolish. After 50 or so games, the Tribe was among the league-leaders in runs scored and home runs, but the overall pitching was in the middle of the AL pack at best. Since that point, the pitching has been outstanding while the offense has been average to woeful at times.
Speaking of pitching, that's what won it for them in the end. It all starts and ends there. The Tribe's two big horses - Sabathia and Carmona - have been outstanding all year long. That kept them (Tribe) away from extensive losing streaks - even when the offense faded in the middle of the season.
Couple that with the fact that Bird has a been solid at #3 and Westbrook got himself straightened out after coming off the DL, and you have a starting staff that carried them to contention.
What put them over the top however has been the dominance, and there is no other word for it, of Perez and Betancourt.
The Tribe's set-up men both have ERAs under 2.00, and amazingly neither one has struggled for any length of time in 2007, giving Eric Wedge a hammer any time the Tribe led or kept it close after seven. Set-up men do not bring huge stats to the table, but intelligent baseball people know how truly important they are. The Indians of the late 90s did it with a big-time offense and an even deeper bullpen than the Tribe possesses today.
Strangely, this team, has we have pointed out in previous entries, is better suited for a deep playoff run than the all-star teams the Tribe fielded 10 years ago.
Having Sabathia and Carmona on the hill in as many as five of seven games in a seven-game series gives the Indians more than a fighting chance. In the past, the Indians, with their big bats and power bullpen, were built for the long haul - the regular season.
In 2007, unlike in the past, they will have the advantage going into post-season with arguably two #1 starters - their achilles' heel 10 years ago.
Of course, they have to officially win the Central first. Relax, those of you who have been through "Red Right 88," "The Drive," "The Fumble," and "The Shot." The glass is half full this time.
The only warning we raise is this team is not fundamentally sound in terms of putting the ball in play consistently, moving runners over, bunting, etc...
In the playoffs, games are often decided by those who does the little things well. The Tribe simply hasn't and doesn't. Eric Wedge deserves credit for bringing this team this far, but this fact has to worry him and GM Mark Shapiro.
We will be watching this closely. This corner has harped for several years about this team's aparent lack of fundamentals. That has to change to some degree come October for a deep run to occur.
Finally, we stated on these pages one week into his call-up that Asdrubal Cabrera was perhaps the best pick-up any team made for the stretch run this season. We haven't seen anything to change our minds, one month later. He has a plan at the plate, gets quality at bats, even against good pitching, and he's been solid defensively.
Again, we credit Mark Shapiro for making the move and inserting him into the line-up. It was easier to let Josh Barfield play through his season-long woes. But Shapiro and company saw fit to put the kid in the line-up. He's rewarded them by giving the Tribe a shot in the arm.
As we stated back in August - in Cabrera, you are seeing the Tribe's starting shortstop for 2008 and well beyond. That doesn't mean we are giving up on Peralta. It will simply give the Tribe options. That's always good.
Savage Possibly Pressuring RC
This will be the last time we say it - PLAY QUINN.
The Browns' hierarchy is taking the safe route by playing Charlie Frye and using him to absorb the pounding the team is likely to take playing against some of the league's better defensive units early in the season.
We get it - they don't want to overwhelm the kid (Quinn) this early.
I don't buy it - never have and never will. That strategy possibly cost the Titans a playoff spot last season when they sat Vince Young until week #4. And the pounding he took his rookie year, didn't seem to affect Troy Aikman's development, nor Peyton Manning's.
The point is, using the "we don't want to ruin the kid by putting him out there too early" line is often a cop-out and nothing more. Unfortunately, the media often buys it hook, line and sinker.
There is a reason so much attention is paid to the QB. He's crucial to your success - often the face of the franchise. Choosing the right QB often makes a coach's career (Bill B. in NE/i.e. Tom Brady) or gets one fired (Sam R. in Cleveland/i.e. Paul McDonald). Choosing the starting left defensive end or center doesn't have the same effect.
If this goes according to past history, he'll (Quinn) be in there soon enough anyway. As we state back in July - every snap taken by Frye, Anderson or Spergon Wynne, and not taken by Quinn, slows down this team's development.
But will it be in time to save RC?
There is no better way to learn the job unless you are out there making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. Holding a clipboard doesn't allow you to adjust to the speed of the game as much as taking snaps.
I understand what they are doing, but I don't like it. Furthermore, I wonder how much pressure Phil Savage is putting on his coach, RC, not to play Quinn this early. All his (Savage) pre-season comments, dating back to when Quinn was drafted, gave indication the kid would not play day #1 and the GM thought it was a bad idea to throw him to the wolves this early.
If I were RC, I would privately tell Savage -"You pick the players and I decide when they play. That's how it works."
Savage is going to show RC the door if they get out of the gate slowly - regardless of what he says publicly. If RC's instincts are to play Quinn sooner rather than later, and the team shows steady improvement under the first year signal-caller, it will make it harder for Savage to can the third-year coach.
If Crennel agrees with the company line that Frye gives them a better change of winning now - and this plan fails, then he's gone. RC will take the fall for this organizational decision - not Savage.
Of course, there is always the chance Frye plays well and the Browns are sitting at a respectable 3-3 or better at the break. For RC's sake, I hope that's what happens.
Otherwise, Crennel takes the fall, Savage brings in Cowher or Marty, and gets the credit for making a great hire. Life's not fair, is it?
Cavs' Plan For 2007-08
I'll make this one simple - The off-season inactivity speaks volumes.
I get it, Danny Ferry is expecting the 2007-08 Cavaliers to stay relatively healthy as they did a year ago, ride 23 to the playoffs, face a first round opponent with its best two players out with injury, advance, face a .500 second round opponent, advance to the semis, then have #23 score the team's final 25 points in crucial game #5, carrying them to the Finals.
Good plan.
We all know in the East, #23 can probably carry a good intramural team to the playoffs - especially if a couple of those weekend warriors can knock down open 18 footers.
That's no the point. The job of a GM is to improve the squad. Ferry has done absolutely nothing to do that since being swept by the Spurs back in June.
If you stand pat - you lose ground. Period.
Ferry must be working off a different playbook. This isn't the Spurs, a team he worked for, that had three All-Star players, and you tinkered around the edges putting together the rest of the roster from year to year.
This is the Cavaliers. It's 23 and as we stated back in November - "and 11 role players."
Again, inactivity won't work here. Playing it safe isn't the best way to get back to the Finals Danny.
The way I see it Danny - if you've been cashing Dan Gilbert's checks this past summer, you should blush some when doing so.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Browns' Opener, sept5,'07
Just Win Baby
The Browns open the 2007 campaign on Sunday hosting a divisional rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are coming off a .500 season with a new head coach in tow.
There is some uncertainty in the Steel City as to how good this team will be in 2007.
Gone is the fixture on the sideline, Head Coach Bill Cowher, and the mainstay of the defense, Joey Porter, among others. The signal-caller, Ben Roethlisberger, who was dubbed a “franchise quarterback” by many after his 2005 season, also enters week #1 with something to prove.
These guys are certainly beatable right now.
It should be a winnable game for the Browns, right?
Unfortunately, Vegas thinks otherwise, making the pumpkin heads four point underdogs in their own building. The experts feel it will be competitive, but in the end, the Steelers will find a way to win. Unfortunately, they usually do in this series.
But this one is truly winnable, for all the reasons stated and more.
The Browns must get out of the gate quickly in 2007. They can’t afford not to.
Their coach’s job is at stake, their horrid record within the division is at risk (1-11 since 2005) and year #3 of the Savage-Crennel regime should finally be able to provide an opening-day win at home against a team that was 8-8 a year ago. Shouldn’t it?
The word we used was “win” – not be “competitive” as Vegas and many Browns fans expect.
It’s time this regime and Browns’ ownership be held to a higher standard. We discussed it in our last post – the successful “lowering of expectations” by this organization has been clever. But it’s year #3 now of regime #3 since 1999.
It’s time to deliver. No more excuses. That includes Romeo, Phil and certainly ownership – especially ownership that has been around since day #1 of Browns II.
Somehow, someway, this team needs to win early – perhaps more so than any other team in the NFL. These guys need something good to happen now. The players, organization and fans all need something or someone to believe in.
Perhaps Charlie Frye will be that guy. This corner has long been a proponent of letting Brady Quinn learn on the job. But here’s hoping the University of Akron grad plays well against the Steelers. A poor early showing by Frye and company will only make matters worse for the team. No one wants that.
Let’s hope Cameron Wimbley plays like the Pro-Bowler everyone expects him to be starting on Sunday.
Perhaps Leigh Bodden can stay healthy and finally show off his cover skills by keeping Hines Ward and company in check.
Maybe Jamaal Lewis will find a lot of daylight running for 100 yards behind Joe Thomas, as the rookie blocks like a true #3 overall pick.
And speaking of #3 picks, it would be nice to believe Braylon Edwards got the drops out of his system in the pre-season finale and he’ll turn it up a notch come game-day.
Hope spring eternal before the opener.
Everyone is sitting at 0-0. What’s in the past stays in the past, right?
So what if the Browns have had a terrible winning percentage at home since their return. So what if the Steelers usually not only beat the Browns when they play, but also beat them up in front of our eyes. So what if the national pundits have the Brownies once again as one of the league’s laughingstocks this fall.
It all starts anew at 1 p.m. come Sunday and Browns fans want to have fun – whether they are in full dog regalia in the stands, in front of their plasma television sets with their replica Jim Brown #32s on or in some dive somewhere across this great land at a Browns' Backers gathering screaming and yelling with every first down – or lack there of.
But in the end, true fun is realized only if they come away with a “W” come Sunday. That's how it works.
You only leave the Stadium smiling from ear to ear if they get the win. You go outside and cut the grass willingly with a grin on your face if they beat the Steelers. You drive home from the bar very pleased if they take one from their hated rival in week #1.
As Al Davis so eloquently put it years back when he still had his fastball - “Just win baby. Just win!”
The Browns open the 2007 campaign on Sunday hosting a divisional rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are coming off a .500 season with a new head coach in tow.
There is some uncertainty in the Steel City as to how good this team will be in 2007.
Gone is the fixture on the sideline, Head Coach Bill Cowher, and the mainstay of the defense, Joey Porter, among others. The signal-caller, Ben Roethlisberger, who was dubbed a “franchise quarterback” by many after his 2005 season, also enters week #1 with something to prove.
These guys are certainly beatable right now.
It should be a winnable game for the Browns, right?
Unfortunately, Vegas thinks otherwise, making the pumpkin heads four point underdogs in their own building. The experts feel it will be competitive, but in the end, the Steelers will find a way to win. Unfortunately, they usually do in this series.
But this one is truly winnable, for all the reasons stated and more.
The Browns must get out of the gate quickly in 2007. They can’t afford not to.
Their coach’s job is at stake, their horrid record within the division is at risk (1-11 since 2005) and year #3 of the Savage-Crennel regime should finally be able to provide an opening-day win at home against a team that was 8-8 a year ago. Shouldn’t it?
The word we used was “win” – not be “competitive” as Vegas and many Browns fans expect.
It’s time this regime and Browns’ ownership be held to a higher standard. We discussed it in our last post – the successful “lowering of expectations” by this organization has been clever. But it’s year #3 now of regime #3 since 1999.
It’s time to deliver. No more excuses. That includes Romeo, Phil and certainly ownership – especially ownership that has been around since day #1 of Browns II.
Somehow, someway, this team needs to win early – perhaps more so than any other team in the NFL. These guys need something good to happen now. The players, organization and fans all need something or someone to believe in.
Perhaps Charlie Frye will be that guy. This corner has long been a proponent of letting Brady Quinn learn on the job. But here’s hoping the University of Akron grad plays well against the Steelers. A poor early showing by Frye and company will only make matters worse for the team. No one wants that.
Let’s hope Cameron Wimbley plays like the Pro-Bowler everyone expects him to be starting on Sunday.
Perhaps Leigh Bodden can stay healthy and finally show off his cover skills by keeping Hines Ward and company in check.
Maybe Jamaal Lewis will find a lot of daylight running for 100 yards behind Joe Thomas, as the rookie blocks like a true #3 overall pick.
And speaking of #3 picks, it would be nice to believe Braylon Edwards got the drops out of his system in the pre-season finale and he’ll turn it up a notch come game-day.
Hope spring eternal before the opener.
Everyone is sitting at 0-0. What’s in the past stays in the past, right?
So what if the Browns have had a terrible winning percentage at home since their return. So what if the Steelers usually not only beat the Browns when they play, but also beat them up in front of our eyes. So what if the national pundits have the Brownies once again as one of the league’s laughingstocks this fall.
It all starts anew at 1 p.m. come Sunday and Browns fans want to have fun – whether they are in full dog regalia in the stands, in front of their plasma television sets with their replica Jim Brown #32s on or in some dive somewhere across this great land at a Browns' Backers gathering screaming and yelling with every first down – or lack there of.
But in the end, true fun is realized only if they come away with a “W” come Sunday. That's how it works.
You only leave the Stadium smiling from ear to ear if they get the win. You go outside and cut the grass willingly with a grin on your face if they beat the Steelers. You drive home from the bar very pleased if they take one from their hated rival in week #1.
As Al Davis so eloquently put it years back when he still had his fastball - “Just win baby. Just win!”
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Phil Savage, Sept 02'07
Browns' GM Phil Savage is being intellectually dishonest when defending his coach as the Romeo Crennel Watch begins prior to the season opener next week against the Steelers.
It's year #3 of the Savage-Crennel Marriage in Cleveland and the two head into the season knowing full-well the team needs marked improvement for Crennel to last the season and earn a fourth year in charge.
Meanwhile, when asked about Crennel's tenure, Savage, instead of being a man of few words, as he should on this matter, responds with comments like "There is no Romeo Crennel Watch in this building on 76 Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea, Ohio."
Cute.
Or what about this nugget - "There's nobody else out there who could have won more that eight to 12 games over the last two years with the roster we've had and the circumstances and situations we've been through....motorcycle accidents, injuries all sorts of things. To expect anything different than that is unrealistic."
Really?
There you have it Browns fans - 10-22 is the best you could have expected from this franchise since 2005.
Whatever happened to his (Savage) initial comments when he was introduced to the media and the fans as the team's new GM?
Remember his comments then - something about changing the landscape and getting rid of that "whow is me attitude" and "dark cloud" view that permeated this town and its fans when it came to the Browns.
What a difference two years make - coupled with a 1-11 mark in divisional play and a 10-22 record overall.
Which is it Phil?
You wanted to change that perception when you were hired. Good idea.
You were given a honeymoon period and everyone bought your line the team was void of talent and it would take some time. We've heard it all before of course. The Butch Davis Era started the same way. The cupboard, we are told, is always bare in Cleveland and it takes time to build a winner.
Fine. How much time?
And please, don't insult the intelligence of the fans that "get it" by bringing "motorcycles accidents," "injuries" and "all sorts of things" into the conversation.
I thought you were a no excuse guy who was going to change the perception about this franchise.
Here is how you change the perception Phil - win!
Start by winning most of your homes games. Then steal a few on the road. And on the way, if you have some injuries, don't whine about it, just fix it, and keep winning.
No one is expecting a Super Bowl contender in 2007. But it is fair for the fans to expect a team to win more than it loses in year #3 of the Browns' rebuilding phase #3.
See Phil - this is your first rebuilding process. This is our third since 1999, and some of us, aren't buying the coolaid anymore. We never did.
Atleast be intellectually honest and when asked about RC's tenure, just follow the KISS philosophy - keep it simple stupid. When asked, tell the media he's your coach and you expect that to remain so and then say "next question."
We all know he's toast sooner rather than later if this team struggles out of the blocks again.
But don't go intellectually dishonest on us by telling everyone no one else could have done better coaching this squad the past two years, that the team overachieved in 2005, underachieved in 2006 and close it out with "motorcycle accidents, injuries and all sorts of things."
Otherwise, it sounds like you are taking the "wow is me approach" you once condemned.
You are paid to bring quality talent to town and RC is paid to coach 'em up so they at least win more games than they lose. That's how it works.
The bottom line is 10-22 since 2005 with an organization that is working one week before the season starts to lower expectations even in 2007.
What, we should be happy with 7-9 in year #3?
It shouldn't take four years to produce a playoff team. But if we see marked improvement in '07, I'm willing to wait. But I'll know marked improvement if I see it. The win column appears in the paper every week.
The attitude toward this team in town is one of deep affection. These are some of the best fans in all of sports. The fact that they support this product like they do in admirable. Bu they've been disappointed too many times to count. They hope for the best and expect the worst in Cleveland. That's where they got the "sky is falling" view on the Browns.
Can you blame them?
So reward them with wins, not excuses.
It's year #3 of the Savage-Crennel Marriage in Cleveland and the two head into the season knowing full-well the team needs marked improvement for Crennel to last the season and earn a fourth year in charge.
Meanwhile, when asked about Crennel's tenure, Savage, instead of being a man of few words, as he should on this matter, responds with comments like "There is no Romeo Crennel Watch in this building on 76 Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea, Ohio."
Cute.
Or what about this nugget - "There's nobody else out there who could have won more that eight to 12 games over the last two years with the roster we've had and the circumstances and situations we've been through....motorcycle accidents, injuries all sorts of things. To expect anything different than that is unrealistic."
Really?
There you have it Browns fans - 10-22 is the best you could have expected from this franchise since 2005.
Whatever happened to his (Savage) initial comments when he was introduced to the media and the fans as the team's new GM?
Remember his comments then - something about changing the landscape and getting rid of that "whow is me attitude" and "dark cloud" view that permeated this town and its fans when it came to the Browns.
What a difference two years make - coupled with a 1-11 mark in divisional play and a 10-22 record overall.
Which is it Phil?
You wanted to change that perception when you were hired. Good idea.
You were given a honeymoon period and everyone bought your line the team was void of talent and it would take some time. We've heard it all before of course. The Butch Davis Era started the same way. The cupboard, we are told, is always bare in Cleveland and it takes time to build a winner.
Fine. How much time?
And please, don't insult the intelligence of the fans that "get it" by bringing "motorcycles accidents," "injuries" and "all sorts of things" into the conversation.
I thought you were a no excuse guy who was going to change the perception about this franchise.
Here is how you change the perception Phil - win!
Start by winning most of your homes games. Then steal a few on the road. And on the way, if you have some injuries, don't whine about it, just fix it, and keep winning.
No one is expecting a Super Bowl contender in 2007. But it is fair for the fans to expect a team to win more than it loses in year #3 of the Browns' rebuilding phase #3.
See Phil - this is your first rebuilding process. This is our third since 1999, and some of us, aren't buying the coolaid anymore. We never did.
Atleast be intellectually honest and when asked about RC's tenure, just follow the KISS philosophy - keep it simple stupid. When asked, tell the media he's your coach and you expect that to remain so and then say "next question."
We all know he's toast sooner rather than later if this team struggles out of the blocks again.
But don't go intellectually dishonest on us by telling everyone no one else could have done better coaching this squad the past two years, that the team overachieved in 2005, underachieved in 2006 and close it out with "motorcycle accidents, injuries and all sorts of things."
Otherwise, it sounds like you are taking the "wow is me approach" you once condemned.
You are paid to bring quality talent to town and RC is paid to coach 'em up so they at least win more games than they lose. That's how it works.
The bottom line is 10-22 since 2005 with an organization that is working one week before the season starts to lower expectations even in 2007.
What, we should be happy with 7-9 in year #3?
It shouldn't take four years to produce a playoff team. But if we see marked improvement in '07, I'm willing to wait. But I'll know marked improvement if I see it. The win column appears in the paper every week.
The attitude toward this team in town is one of deep affection. These are some of the best fans in all of sports. The fact that they support this product like they do in admirable. Bu they've been disappointed too many times to count. They hope for the best and expect the worst in Cleveland. That's where they got the "sky is falling" view on the Browns.
Can you blame them?
So reward them with wins, not excuses.
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