Short & Quick

Congratulations Brady
Congratulations to Brady Quinn for being jettisoned from arguably the most incompetent franchise in sports today. Three different regimes told this kid he couldn’t play during his time in Cleveland. He handled the mismanagement as well as anyone could be expected to.

If I’m right, Denver is in good shape for some time to come. Regardless, for the last time – 11 starts complete with 10 TD passes, 9 picks and a 53% completion ratio simply is not enough work to evaluate a former #1 pick - especially when you throw in a dysfunctional organization and two different coaching staffs/systems in a three-year span.

By comparison, Mark Sanchez is being praised for taking the Jets to the playoffs in 2009 while throwing 12 TDs and 20 picks as a rookie. Come on.

If it’s only about winning games, then my boy Vince Young is a man among boys. Compare his career winning percentage (over .660) to some of the league’s all-time greats, including Steve Young (.657), John Elway (.643) and Dan Marino (.613), and you get my point.

So is it about wins, stats, or a combination of the two and more?

The point is as follows – you evaluate a quarterback on several levels – including wins, stats, fourth quarter play, leadership skills, consistency and overall development.

However - follow me here – you can’t make an accurate judgment on ALL those elements unless you have an appropriate amount of evidence to draw from. Mark Sanchez will be given the opportunity (aka: # of starts) to determine his own fate. Same for the young guns in Detroit, Atlanta, etc…

Good luck Brady.

This chapter is officially closed.

Want To Work In Sports Sales?
If the NFL weren’t a communistic fraternity and the Browns had to actually work to sell season tickets, those in charge in Cleveland would be doing a lot of heavy drinking right now.

Think about this – Who the hell in NE Ohio is excited about Jake D. becoming the face of this sad franchise?

Talk about buying the generic brand whose shelf life ended a while ago.

Look, I know JD is a good guy and a solid teammate, but does anyone really expect this guy to post a 2-1 TD/interception ratio and win more than he loses this season? Come on.

At best, he's keeping the seat warm. And that's the problem. The QB is the most important layer on your team. No one believes JD will be slinging in in Cleveland two or three years from now.

My Plan
What would I do? Glad you asked.

Draft Tim Tebow (aka: Holy Roller) in round 2, make Wallace your #1 out of the gate, develop an offense that utilizes their mobility to screw with opposing NFL defenses, and give the rookie freak a few snaps each week to see how he handles himself.

When he's ready, turn it over to him. He has an amazing resume, heart, superior athleticism and terrific leadership skills. That's a hell of a start.

Think about this - Who creates more buzz coming out of the second round – the Terry Robiskies of this world or the Holy Roller from the Gator state?

And another thing - I wouldn't screw too much with his throwing motion, footwork, etc. I don't want him thinking too much. Let the kid play on instincts. That's who he is.

Wimbley
Would I have dealt Wimbley for a #3? I guess it depends if I think Wimbley is a starting NFL linebacker. Obviously, the Walrus doesn’t.

Hell, they already have a ton of draft picks this April including a pair of 3s. Did they really need another second day choice? On the flip side, I know one thing, since his 11 sack rookie season, Wimbley didn’t affect many games in his area of strength – rushing the quarterback.

As you can see, I don't really think it matters all that much. Wimbley looks like another in a long line of first round busts in Cleveland.

Draft Pick Worth
One of my favorite pet peeves is the NFL’s infatuation with the worth of draft picks. You know this already.

Here’s another example in our own back yard. Does any serious person really think the sixth round pick the Browns got in 2050 for BQ is going to be a better player than Quinn?

More Draft Advice
Please don’t sit there and use all these picks and take the best guy left on the board when your time comes Browns. Target certain guys, trade up if you have to, using the multitude of picks you have, and get players who make plays.

Again – I want quality, not quantity. Hopefully, the Walrus believes in this philosophy. We know Mangini took the oppose approach when he was in charge.

By the way, speaking of Mangini, someone needs to tell me what his job description will be this coming season with the Browns - besides deciding if he’ll throw the red replay hanky during the game.

I don’t think the Walrus has figured out a way to take that job away from him too.

Back to the advice.

Yes, I still like the undersized Notre Dame receiver, the holy roller Florida QB with legs and the caucasian running back from Stanford.

If I’m running the Browns, I snatch up all three. Two years from now, all three of these players will be very productive pros. If not, you can let me hear it.

Cribbs
I was not clear enough on my prior analysis of Josh Cribbs’ new deal. He was worth whatever the Browns paid him. He’s their best player.

However, I don’t agree with the Walrus' view that Cribbs needs to be used more in the passing game. Hopefully, he was just blowing smoke.

Cribbs is not a starting NFL receiver!

We all know this. He’s not even a third receiver at this level. And to say otherwise, is silly.

If you want to get him the ball offensively, fine, let him line up in the backfield and throw him screens and flat passes. Or keep trying bubble screens and reverses when he's out from time to time.

The real problem is the team has NO wide receivers who are of quality NFL caliber on the roster at present. The young guys may get better. But as of now, they have a long, long way to go.

It's the weakest position on this team - and that's saying a ton. I am stunned they didn't address it yet in free agency.

March Madness
It’s that time of year again when we hear the usual cries to expand the NCAA basketball tournament because a handful of deserving teams didn’t get in.

Why screw with the most popular sporting tournament in this country's history?

Memo to the college basketball world and its fans – there will always be a few teams who could of/should have made the field regardless of the number you settle on.

Stop it already. It ain’t broke – so don’t even talk about screwing with it. The topic bores me and they keep bringing it up like %$#@ groundhog day.

Tiger
Tiger Woods is coming back to play in the Masters. Ask me if I give a $#@?

I’m just hope some bleach blonde MILF with fake jugs dashes past security and gives Woods a big kiss while his wife reaches for the 4 iron in the background and chases the wench through the hazard and into the lake. That’s what I want to see. Oops, I forgot – I don’t watch golf.

You know why I don’t watch golf – same reason I don’t watch tennis.

I can’t get into any sport where the fans have to sit, or stand, as if they are at calling hours at Aunt Sally’s funeral. There’s just something wrong about that in my book.

In golf, the ball isn’t even moving and the “athlete” (and I use that term very loosely) expects total silence or he gets pissed. What %$#@ssies!

I may be the only person who feels this way – but I don’t care. I just don’t get it.

And please don’t tell me there is immense pressure standing over a five foot put with a tournament on the line.

First, no one forced you to play this game. Besides, 80% of you couldn't do anything else in sports gear besides play frisbee golf. I said 80% - not 100%.


Second, the ball ain’t moving. Enough said.

And third, they set it up so absolutely no one can distract you.

Try going over the middle with an NFL safety making a B-line for you.

Maybe you’d prefer being on the road in the ninth with the game on the line trying to hit Mariano Rivera cut fastball with Yankee fans in the background screaming obscenities about your mom.

Or perhaps you’d like to take a charge from LeBron James in the open court.

Please. Pro golf is still mostly a rich kid sport played by pampered country club types. Until they allow fan involvement, count me out.

Back to Tiger.

I’ve actually heard talking head analysis stating Woods’ plight is arguably “the biggest scandal in sport history.”

What the hell is going on?

It’s like he’s the first pro athlete to step out on his wife. Geez – I’m stunned he had broads in every port.

Next you are going to tell me no one knew what was going on. Right. Bubbleheads don’t talk. And Woods can walk around without anyone noticing. The guy blends right in like the lawn furniture. Please.

The truth is he broke no law, yet he’s being treated like he’s Charles Manson.

Look, I know he broke his marriage vows. That’s between him and his family.

And yes, I know the PR ramifications when a world-class sporting brand is tarnished. I'm in the business and know a fair amount about it.

However, some of the media coverage is beyond ridiculous. Sports public figures who beat their wives, do crack cocaine, or drink and drive have been treated better.

The point – No, this is not the biggest scandal in sports history. Not even close. The media has taken off with this snowball and now it's a full-fledged avalanche.

This is about one of the world’s most famous athletes who couldn’t keep it in his pants – ever.

He needed to meet it head on, get it behind him and get back to work quickly. Instead he let it drag out, has ducked questions and has facilitaed the story line set by others.

Regardless, once he wins that first tournament, we’ll hear how he’s at home on the course and that allowed him to make such an amazing comeback.

Hell, the real test won’t be the golf, it will be in the bar/lounge later, when the cameras are turned off, and the bimbo golf annies surround him with their fake double Ds and ask him to buy the drinks as they stumble around offering him lap dances.

Lefty/Righty
When are the Indians going to add another quality right handed bat or two? Peralta is their only legitimate right handed bat in the line-up.

It should worry Tribe fans that with this glaring line-up imbalance, the powers that be have not assured Matt LaPorta 600 at bats for the upcoming season. Hell, the guy was the key piece in the CC deal two years ago, the team has no right handed power and he isn’t penciled in yet. What's going on?

If he can’t break into this line-up, we have a problem. It reminds me of those of us who continually begged the Browns to give Jerome Harrison 20 touches a game.

What did they have to lose? The same can be said for LaPorta. You need right handed bats in this line-up and it’s time to see if the CC deal wasn’t a total give-away.

Politics - Health Bill
A lot of folks are wondering why many democrats seem to be walking over a cliff in pulling out all stops to pass an extremely unpopular health care bill.

It’s simple. From PR standpoint, it’s better to pass an unpopular bill, and at least be able to claim a major win and celebrate its most consumer friendly parts while campaigning instead of being seen as losers by not passing the bill while having absolutely nothing to tout.

I’m not saying they can sell it, I’m just saying that’s the thinking. Better to have a few talking points than none at all.

Secondly, if you pass a bill of this size (17% of our economy), it’s an entitlement (free lunch) that will be extremely hard to repeal and a foot in the door on the road to socialized medicine.

You see, to the Progressive wing of Democratic Party (Obama, Pelosi, etc.) it’s worth losing Congress in 2010 to make history (aka: open the door to universal health care). It’s not any more complicated than that.

2012 Political Prediction
Have you started paying attention to the next president of the United States?

His name is Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. He’s in Congress and is the real deal. Ryan is young, likeable, intelligent, an expert on the machinations of legislation, yet can stand in front of a camera and explain it in simple terms to the American people. That ability is very important.

I would work on his campaign. Remember his name – he has all the tools you look for. And yes, he’s a Republican. Although labels don’t matter to me – talent and common sense do.

The End
We covered a lot of ground this time around. Stay well.

Short & Quick

I'm in a football mood tonight for some reason.

DA
I don’t care what he said on his way out. We knew he was soft when crowded in the pocket and said so before everyone else figured it out.

So it didn’t surprise me when DA whined about the fans on his way out the door like a 3-year old missing his tuggy. Someone forget to tell this meathead the quarterback gets too much credit when things go well and too much blame when things go south.

He was never bright enough to check down when on the field so why would anyone be surprised he gassed the fans after back-to-back horrid seasons.

The fact this guy earned LARGE paychecks from this sad organization for five years tells you all you need to know about the Browns and where they’ve been.

Thankfully, this will be the last time we go over this ground - thank goodness.

Here’s the best part – some team will pick this guy up and perhaps put their billion dollar franchise in his hands. Is this a great country or what?

Cribbs
He got more than I would have offered, but it’s not my money, so I’m happy he’s staying. The “Walrus” did it right.

Seneca
If you go way back, you’ll find I have always liked Seneca Wallace. Therefore, I applaud the move to bring him to town. I think the guy can start and be successful.

However, I would not bring in a retread quarterback on the down side of his career (aka Jake D.) now. I prefer giving Quinn 16 starts and having Wallace ready in the bullpen if Brady fails to reach the late innings. But you already know that.

If I’m the Browns, I certainly wouldn’t deal Quinn now. He has no trade value coming off another injury and mediocre numbers in limited play.

Again, you want to deal players when their value is at their highest – not lowest.

Of course that would take BOTH knowledge and guts - something most pro sports executives don’t have. You see, if you think the guy can’t play, but he’s coming off a big year, you risk your career if you make the move and are wrong.

Most of these weasels play it safe. God, I hate that. I like decision-makers with stones.

For Quinn’s sake, I hope he does get moved somewhere where he can play. We stated that during the 2009 season once Mangini pulled him. Obviously, his coach doesn’t think much of him.

The jury is still out if the Walrus feels the same way. If Quinn gets dealt for a dozen footballs and a tackling sled, then you have your answer.

West Coast In Cleveland
I keep hearing the Browns are going to run the West Coast offense in 2010. Am I the only one to think this is absurd?

I though Eric Mangini was the coach not the Walrus. What is Mangini doing there if the Walrus is making ALL the decisions – including what offense to run?

Unless I am mistaken, Mangini never ran the West Coast offense with the Jets nor in his first year with the Browns. It’s just a coincidence I guess then that the players and even the %$#@ coaches now have to learn yet ANOTHER new system.

So much for continuity.

At times, I feel like I’m in the wilderness trying to understand why everyone else isn’t asking the same questions.

Free Agents
I have no comment on the Browns’ free agent acquisitions. Why? I haven’t seen them play enough to form an opinion.

I assume they’ll help based on what the team had on the field in 2009. The right tackle position was a swinging gate at times and we already wondered out loud last fall why the Browns played a 3-4 when they had a tough time fielding three decent NFL linebackers.

Protected List
I don’t know how the NFL restricted and unrestricted lists work, but did you get a look at the talent (that’s a play on words) the Browns protected. Most of these guys would be backups elsewhere.

Who the hell is going to want linebacker Jason Trusnik, let alone give you a draft pick for him?

Here’s another one – I believe they placed a second round tag on a guy they picked up off the streets in the middle of the season – defensive lineman Matt Roth.

The sick part is this guy was one of their best defensive players by year’s end.

Bonus Wisdom
I know I repeat myself from time to time in terms of my philosophy on these matters. However, repetition improves retention. Hopefully, some of these pearls sink in over time.

Surprise Entry
One last note - what do you get when you have a 28-year old narcissistic quarterback, who has never been told to grow up, a new $102 million contract, college bars, body guards, booze and 20 year old coeds?

That's right - you get Big Ben hiring OJ's lawyer - check that, he's dead.

What a moron.

He's got the world by the stones, a bulls-eye on his chest for being a wealthy public figure, he's already been in trouble once and he still decides to hang out in college bars calling broads, 10 at a time even, to the back room while his boys keep the "Johnsons" out of the room.

Nice.

Till next time.