Hits & Misses

Jay Cutler Is A Baby
He whined like a toddler after learning his new head coach might prefer to go with his guy (Matt Cassel). Then Jay Cutler asked to be traded while ignoring calls from the guy who signed his checks.

Once the Broncos had enough of this impetuous toddler and dealt him, Cutler told the world he didn’t want it to end this way – with a trade. Right.

The guy does have a big arm and a lot of up side, but he also carries with him a huge ego when you consider the fact that he’s a career sub .500 quarterback. Nonetheless, he does have skills.

Right now, he's a top-10 quarterback talent-wise in the NFL, who hasn't won a thing.

Now if only the talking heads would stop referring to him as a ‘franchise quarterback.” Once, again, that label should be placed on someone AFTER they have proven it, not before they are drafted (fill in this year’s phenom) or after a couple good statistical seasons.

I nearly pop a blood vessel when they go there.

Chicago Surprise
The Bears finally went after and acquired a legitimate quarterback (Cutler) - giving up what a quality, young NFL QB should be worth - two #1s.

Shocking!

The question remains – will they (Bears) let him sling it all over the park or will he also be throwing screens and running draws on 3rd and 8, like every other Bears’ quarterback since the Apollo space program got started.

Mr. Bill Got Taken
Cutler goes for a pair of #1s and Cassel goes for a mere #2? Granted, Cutler has put up some good individual numbers, but he's lost more than he's won and Cassel was 11-5 in his first year as a starter.

I know, I know - Cassel had a much better team around him. You're right. But Mr. Bill only got a #2? That one still confuses me.

Cavs Panic
The Cavaliers actually lost two straight games and I heard the local fans and media panicking already. Nothing has changed – if they secure home court, they win the NBA Championship. If they don’t, it still boils down to 23 having to outplay Kobe in game #7 - in LA of course. Either way, won’t it be fun to watch?

Butterfingers
Now that the Giants cut Plaxico, look for them to make a real push for Braylon Edwards. This long-discussed rumor actually makes sense now.

Here’s the rub – unless the offer is one they can’t refuse, I keep Butterfingers. I’ve done a 180 on this one after further enlightened thought.

Here's the accompanying thought process.

I’ve never liked dealing players when their value is at its lowest. Besides, he’s in his option year and should put up good numbers in ’09. He can’t possibly repeat 2008, can he?

Remember, this is coming from someone who wanted to deal BE a year ago when he actually had a ton of trade value. We were the only one with human DNA on that bandwagon then and may be in the minority now. I don’t care. I’m right.

Crabtree
I’ve gone back and forth on this one but finally have decided to come back full circle to our original first choice for what the Browns should do with their first round pick – take Michael Crabtree.

Having Crabtree on one side and Butterfingers on the other means one of the two will get consistent single coverage. It also gives them two legitimate starting NFL receivers – something they don’t currently have on the roster.

That’s really scary when you think about it.

Remember, while everyone is telling you their defense stinks – which it does – this is a team that set an NFL record of ineptitude by not scoring an offensive touchdown covering TWO complete holiday periods – Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I know they had no QB for much of that stretch, but they weren’t exactly lighting it up prior to DA and Quinn going down.

Lets’ just agree they need a ton of help on BOTH sides of the ball.

Now, here is the only scenario that changes my first round plans for the Brown/Orange:

If Denver, who has no QB, is willing to give Cleveland its two first round picks in order to move up to take Mark Sanchez at #5, I make that deal.

That would give the Browns two #1s and two 2s. You can fill several holes for a long time if you bat .750 with those four picks.

I would then pray the Samoan LB from USC drops and they can get him with the first #1and, then take the best available WR or RB with the other #1. With the two 2s, you take the best player(s) left on your board at that time – unless he’s a QB.

Finally, all this talk about a QB competition between DA and Quinn come the summer is BS.

Think about it - do you really think Lerner, who likes Quinn and has made public statements about finally wanting to see what he has in his investment (#1 & #2 for Quinn), would have hired Mangini if he thought the new coach was going to put the owner through another year of QB musical chairs?

What – you don’t think the QB situation came up during the interview process? Right.

Look for Mangini and his handpicked GM, to deal DA prior to or during the draft. Yes, his value is at its lowest also, but they can’t afford to keep two QBs with all those holes. We’ve covered this ground.

That begs the question – what can you get for him? Right know, I would settle for two 3s. I’ll also settle for one #3 coupled with moving up a few slots on day one of the draft if someone they love slips.

He’s (DA) their only real bargaining chip come draft day, this side of Buttefingers. And you simply can’t deal BE with Winslow already gone and Stallworth about to do time.

Draft Reminder
We go to this disclaimer every year but it needs repeating. It's not the first round that make a draft, it's what you do after the first round. A halfwit should be able to find a good football player in round #1. Good organizations consistently find good players after the commissioner leaves the "meet and greet" session near the podium aired on ESPN on draft day.

World Series Champions
Sorry. It’s the Yankees. They picked up most of the top free agents in the off-season - retooling their starting staff in the process. Spending well in excess of $200 million will do that for you.

I hope I’m way off on this one.

Indians
Why are so many baseball people picking the Indians to win the Central? I hope they are right, but Cleveland has too many fragile arms they are depending on to expect that staff to hold up over 162 games.

Secondly, if Cliff Lee's spring doesn't worry you, it should. I would take 16 wins from him right now and be happy, but no one really has a clue what he's going to do in 2009, and that should be cause for concern.

This is totally uncharted territory - a pitcher who was sent down one season (2007) coming back to win the Cy Young the next (2008).

And this guy starts the season as their #1. That's another reason I couldn't pick them to win more than 86-88 games tops.