Cavs, Tribe & NFL

Cavaliers
Some teams are built for the regular season (i.e. the high octane/littel or no defense Western Conference teams of the past 10 years, including the Kings, Mavs and Suns) and some teams are better suited for post-season play.

The Cavaliers are a better half court team after the 11-player deal and should be ready for a serious playoff run if healthy come April and May when the game slows down and execution in the half court becomes paramount. Adding a defensive presence in the post and shooters that should make the defenses pay for swarming 23 with multiple bodies should improve the Cavs' chances in the playoffs.

Kobe vs. 23
The national pundits are falling all over themselves proclaiming Kobe Bryant as ‘the game’s best player” and the “NBA’s MVP.” What did I miss here? LeBron James is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Bryant. This corner has stated that 23 has been the league’s best player the past two years. He took 11 role players to the Finals a year ago. Now he is putting up career numbers in 2007-08. It will be interesting to see which superstar – Bryant or James - takes his team farther in the playoffs this spring – another reason why the MVP award voting should not begin until June. Contrary to many experts who have the Lakers as the team to beat now in the West, my money is on James’ Cavaliers going deeper in the playoffs than the Lakers. We’re on record early – just the way we like it.

Barry Bonds
One of the greatest hitters of all-time is available and he can’t get a contract. The Cleveland Indians should move quickly and sing Barry Bonds for 2008. That’s right – sign Barry Bonds.

First, at his age, he’s perfectly suited to be in the American League – the league with the DH and small ballparks. Secondly, he would put rear ends in the seats. The Indians have had trouble drawing fans – barely breaking the two million mark in attendance recently with very competitive teams. Bonds would certainly draw fans. Third, and most importantly, the Indians need his bat. They underachieved at the plate in 2007 and could certainly use his presence in the middle of the order. Fourth, Bonds would provide insurance in case Hafner doesn’t rebound from the “off-year” he had in ’07. And finally, the “risk versus reward” part of the equation is in the team’s favor. He (Bonds) wants to reach the 800 home run mark, his asking price should not be that high and if you get 400-450 at bats from him at DH – it should be a win-win for all concerned. Besides, who better than Bonds to hit behind Victor this summer?

Pac Man
While we are at it, this corner wants to go back to the Pac Man well one more time. Hear me out, PLEASE. The Browns can get him for a second day draft pick. Talent-wise, he is one of the best cover corners in the NFL. You sign him cheap, tell him to stay clean and wait for the league to clear him to play. If all that happens and he dresses on Sundays at some point in 2008, he makes your defense better. That’s a defense that had trouble stopping the opposing cheerleaders from scoring in ’07. If he falls off the wagon, you cut him and move on. Again, this is a low risk-potentially high reward move. Do I expect him to make it? No. But again - it is worth a try at this price.

DA
As we print this entry, the Browns look as though they will tender DA a one-year deal and allow him to test the market. We’ve been clear on this since day one – if the Browns can get a #2 pick and an early second day pick for Anderson, they should make the deal and let him walk. That move would need to be followed by signing a quality backup QB to cover you in case Quinn goes down. Trent Green comes to mind immediately. Yes, I am getting ahead of myself, but here’s hoping the Browns take this particular fork in the road heading into 2008 and beyond. It would mean Savage and company would be taking somewhat of a risk since they know what they have in Anderson and they don’t know for sure what they have in Quinn. The media and fans of course would crucify the club if it doesn’t work, but it is the right move.

Cowboys
I hear Dallas is looking to move up in the draft to take D. McFadden and make him their featured back even though they have quality at that position already. Again, I love teams that are willing to role the dice. It’s easy to stand pat – especially if you already have a good product. But it takes real guts to let it fly. It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys can pull it off. I give Jones and company credit for wanting to gamble.

Bears
Then we have the opposite end of the spectrum – the Chicago Bears. The Bears RESIGNED Rex Grossman for 2008. No, it’s not April Fools Day. You wonder how the Bears ever made it to the Super Bowl two years ago with this group of decision-makers in charge.