I'm Tardy This Week

I’m tardy. I apologize. It couldn’t be helped – trust me.

Browns
I almost fell asleep watching the Browns beat the Jets last Sunday. It was that bad. If you are any good, you beat the Jets by three scores – at least. We all know this team isn’t that good. But as we said back in early October, 10 wins is not out of reach. Now it’s well-within reach. As we stated a long time ago, there isn’t much difference between 6-10 and 10-6 in this league. That’s where the large majority of the league belongs.

Health, schedule and the bounce of the ball often determines whether you finish with 6 or 10 wins in any given campaign. It looks like the former in 2007.


By the way, don’t ask me to try and figure out what Eric Mangini was thinking. It’s fourth and 11 deep in Browns’ territory. No, the odds are you won’t make it, but so what? You have all three time outs remaining if you don’t convert on fourth down. Put nine in the box, get a stop and make the Browns punt from deep in their end.

The Jets would have gotten the ball in likely decent field position with over a minute remaining with no time outs. One minute is an eternity in the NFL – especially with teams dropping eight in coverage with no rush.

Jamaal Lewis’ run to ice it away was reminiscent of Kevin Mack - for those of you over the age of 35. The rest of you have no idea what I am talking about.

One more time – DA had all day to count the house on Sunday. This line IS the best pass blocking line in the NFL right now. I know the opposition has been, for the most part weak, but they handled the Steelers’ rush the last time out, and have pitched several shutouts in not allowing sacks in games. That’s some sick work being done behind a fairly immobile QB. Appreciate what you are watching.

Over the Cap & Lacking Talent
Why is it that the Cavaliers are over the salary cap and have to pay a luxury tax (around $8 million) this year, yet are void of talent after 23? That doesn’t make any sense, does it?

I’ll tell you why – Z is overpaid, Gooden is overpaid and Hughes is way overpaid.

I believe all this happened on Ferry’s watch. Meanwhile, Jason Kidd is available, but the Cavs “don’t have the pieces” to get him according to most experts. Let me interpret that for you – they have very little talent anyone would want. And they are over the cap. NICE!

Don’t worry, Superman will be back soon and they will start winning more than they lose again – at least until they hit a good team in the post-season.

Go Mark Go
The Indians are making noise about acquiring Rich Haren from Oakland . I guess his contract runs through 2009 and is market friendly (i.e. less than $9 per). If this move is made, it is to buffer the potential loss of CC – at least through ’09. Haren is one of the better starters in the American League. Adding him makes sense for when they deal CC. Notice, I said "when." I am thinking positively. It's the right move long-term for the club and you know it. We've covered this ground already. Trust me on this one.