Short & Quick

Short & Quick

J. Perala needs to produce better offensive numbers if he expects to be a viable candidate at 3B in the future for the Indians. If you are going to hit 15 bombs, drive in 75-80 runs and hit .275 playing that position, you’d better have a Brooks Robinson type glove. Even in the post steroids era, his current numbers make him a second division 3B. Yes, I’ve always been a Peralta fan, but I look at things objectively – always have, always will.

Matt LaPorta looks quick inside. Obviously, he’s more comfortable his second time around in the Bigs. He’ll need to consistently hit 25 bombs and drive in 90+ runs a year while hitting in the .280 range in order to even think about justifying Mark Shapiro’s acceptance of the Brewers’ package for CC. Otherwise, it was a complete give-away. It would be nice if an arm or two that came back this way in the deal also pitch effectively someday at the ML level.

Here are my impressions of the Browns after last night’s dress rehearsal against the Titans:

The defense has plenty of indians and no chiefs (S. Rodgers has been riding an exercise bike this pre-season so far). In other words, there’s plenty of average talent running around out there. If this coaching staff can produce a middle-of-the-pack defense statistically, it will be a minor miracle.

Remember this - since the team’s return in 1999, this franchise has not drafted an impact defensive player. That’s amazing and clearly evident when you watch them play.

The offense will likely produce middle-of-the-pack numbers. Quinn should improve steadily and will likely do a good job of protecting the ball – especially in this system which emphasizes screens and the short to intermediate routes. Lewis will get his 1,000 yards if he’s healthy. Butterfingers will be motivated to work hard and stay out of the limelight off the field in his free agent year. Furrey will help move the sticks on third down. Finally, J. Cribbs will get a few weekly touches on offense to make things exciting. Look for the two second round WRs to contribute at some point as well. If the offensive line plays relatively well, the offense will have its moments.

The special teams should be among the best in the league. Cribbs is special and some of the young players recently drafted look like they will make their mark on that unit this fall.

Mangini is as advertised – from the Mr. Bill school of coaching – no nonsense, audibly boring, well-organized and overly secretive. If he wins, he’ll be lauded for bringing discipline to this organization. If he loses, we’ll hear he wasn’t a good communicator/players’ coach.

Overall, I have seen better organization under Mangini – which is good. They are still not as physical as I would like to see, but that may yet change.

One more note from the dress rehearsal against the Titans. It was nice to see the Browns run the screen pass effectively all night. It’s been two decades (late 80s) since that’s been the case around here.

We suggested months ago the Broncos should acquire DA. He’s simply better than Kyle Horton. Horton, who is at best a second division starting QB, and that’s being kind, went down early. Even if he’s healthy, it will likely be a very long season in Denver.

It's not about the system, it's about talent - especially at the QB position!

Its prediction time – Browns go 8-8 in 2009. They will be improved simply from an organization and discipline standpoint. Nonetheless, there’s simply not enough talent on this team to be any better than a .500 team.

Quinn won’t give many games away and he will improve as the season progresses. The defense has to find ways to get off the field - which is problematic with so little talent. The special teams should win a couple games for them.

This league is set up so teams can go from 4 wins to 10 the following season. That won’t likely happen in Cleveland, but with good organization and a solid turnover ratio, you can get to .500, or close to it, quickly.

I realize Jerome Harrison has been hurt, but I hope they don’t cut him because Davis (6th round pick) has looked pretty good in camp. Harrison is a good third down back, and when given a chance in the past (albeit limited) to run between the tackles, he has produced.

Ditto for Kelly Shoppach of the Indians. We hear the Indians like their young catchers in the system. Power is power. I know he can’t hit for average and he strikes out a ton, but you have to keep your eye on the big picture. Shoppach can handle a staff and can hit the long ball. Besides, his price tag (around $2 million ayerage) isn’t unreasonable while you groom the kids.

Is it just me or is there too much Michael Vick reporting on the sports networks? Even the local 3 minutes sports shows are leading with this story. Enough already.

Ditto for the Teddy Kennedy 24 hour a day/full week eulogy. I know he served his country for over four decades. I get that he was the Senate’s “Liberal Lion,” championing the causes for the poor and underprivileged. And I’m well-aware he was a Kennedy – this country’s version of royalty in the minds of many – but the cable networks ALL went overboard with the coverage.

I expected it from MSNBC, the media mouthpiece for the Democratic Party and the current administration. And I also figured CNN would go the distance. But I didn’t expect Fox to cover his death from gavel to gavel.

Kennedy received coverage reserved for a president. And respectfully, that’s the point - he never reached that status.

Till next time.