Sunday Quickies

Tribe In Boston
They got the split. Now they come home and need to win at least two of three in their building.

CC wasn't sharp in the series opener. And no, it wasn't because of nerves and being over-hyped. That's silly. He was off, he couldn't get his breaking stuff over consistently, so a very patient line-up was able to make him bring the ball into the strike zone - locking in on his heater. Also, the Sox #3 and #4 hitters are in the zone right now. The Tribe was unable to cool them off. They are the ones who did the most damage.

By the way, the Tribe is going to have to make some adjustments when facing Beckett. If they are fortunate, they won't have to face him three times. At this point, he owns them.

As for game #2, Eric Wedge continues to push all the right buttons. He left the lefty (Nixon) in to pinch hit late against a lefty reliever instead of bringing in the logical choice off the bench (Michaels), and Trot blooped one in and started the extra inning rally. One must give credit where credit is due. Wedge is living right. It could be their year.

Secondly, on this night, the Tribe pen was a little deeper than Boston's.

Finally, the Sox advance scouts need to do their homework. Boston continues to challenge Peralta with fastballs, instead of going away with off speed stuff (i.e. sliders) - which is JP's weakness at the plate. They stayed hard and he made them pay. A friend, who is in the business of scouting players, explained it this way - "He tends to fly open early with his front shoulder which means he can't stay back long enough on breaking balls away."

NFL
A few thoughts from this week.

I heard the talking heads on ESPN this week discuss Matt Lienart and Vince Young and they agreed Leinart has been somewhat disappointing so far while calling VY a "superstar."

Now, I am VY's biggest fan, begging the Browns to trade up in the first round and get him two years ago. I felt he would be a 'special" player. However, he is NOT a superstar yet. Period. He has work to do. As for Lienart, there isn't enough body of work to make a judgment so far. Plus, he's hurt. You don't penalize a player for an injury.

Why doesn't New Orleans line up and give the ball to Reggie Bush 25 times a game out of the eye formation? We asked this several weeks ago when DM went down. If everyone agrees he's (RB) not an every down running back, then why did he go so high? Again, what do they have to lose? Make him a running back and see if he can have a real impact on the game and start earning that huge singing bonus.

PAC Man In Cleveland?
Many of you are going to shake your heads and think I have lost my mind, but here goes. I want Pac Man in Cleveland. Yes, the guy who has been in trouble more times than Shawn Kemp has kids. Yes, the guy who has been suspended for the first 10 weeks this season. Yes, the guy who can't stay out of strip clubs.

Listen now - he's arguably one of the top half dozen cover men in the NFL. He's in his mid 20s -his prime. He's available cheap. Lock-down corners are hard to find - like gold. I would use the same approach with him as I recommended with Tank Johnson when he was available - give him a short leash. If he screws up, he's gone. If he makes it - you have Bodden and Pac Man at the corners for years to come. It's not Dixon and Minnifield, but it's pretty good. I would also get him the rock on the offensive side of the ball a couple times a game. Maybe that incentive would keep him straight.

Browns Better Win
We are a couple hours away from week #6 kick-off and here is what I want to see today from the Pumpkin Heads:

A decisive win. Everything is lined up right for this to happen.

The defense hold Miami to two TDs or less. This should be a good week to get well with Miami's injuries and an 0-5 record.

K. Wimbley outplay Jason Taylor.

The Browns' safeties playing well.

The linebacking group having an impact.

Keeping a back under 100 yards.

Notice, I did not mention the offense. It is evident by now what they have on that side of the ball this fall - a very good offensive line (I know that's hard for Browns fans to accept after years of futility there), some talented receivers and a solid running game. If they get any consistency from the QB position, they should be in the top-half of the league in scoring in '07.

Play #10, please.