Short & Quick

Ichiro
I was made aware of an amazing stat the other day. Ichiro is closing in on either 10or 11 consecutive 200+ hit seasons. He’s in Ty Cobb/Pete Rose territory here. That’s amazing when you consider he's also been a Gold Glove caliber outfielder player during that span.

If you had to pick a First, Second & Third All-Time MLB team, he’d have to be on it. Of course, since he’s playing in Seattle, he’s gone relatively unnoticed. Imagine the run he’d be getting if he did his work in New York or Boston?

Jets
Speaking of New York - I don’t give a damn about the Jets and no, I don’t have them in the Super Bowl already like a lot of moron national pundits are predicting.

Their quarterback, already in the Hall of Fame according to some, has to do better than 12TDs/20INTs, especially when you consider he has a good running game and a very good defense.

Pre-Season Game 2/Browns Impressions
Same old same old when it comes to a pass rush or lack thereof. If they don’t blitz, they don’t come near the QB. That’s bad news waiting to happen.

Eric Wright is what I said he was two years ago–a nickel back at best. You’ll know their secondary talent is truly improving when this guy isn’t out there on every play.

As for Brandon McDonald – forget about it! I expect him to get cut.

For those morons who are raving about Jake D., I’ll jump on board when he completes a few downfield passes. Everything he’s done in the passing game to date has been underneath.

Yes, Seneca Wallace is still much better in my book – especially when you consider how weak their right side of the “O” line is. Wallace will keep many more plays alive that JD and he has a much better arm.

I’ll say it again – SW has been better than 50% of the starting QBs in this league since he’s been a pro. Period.

Their jumbo back combination of Vickers and Hillis is intriguing. Hillis runs downhill, he’s not flashy, but more athletic than he appears. Running back actually looks to be strength on this team – even if the second coming of Jim Brown Hardesty) according to some doesn’t play a lot.

Along with running back, I like the depth at linebacker. The new additions are actually starting NFL backers. They are good tacklers, are usually in the right place and seem to have a high football IQ.

The end result -this team should be improved against the run in 2010. That’s saying something when you consider this organization has been starting a ton of #2s since 1999.

The same can be said for S. Brown at corner. He’s their best corner right now – it’s not even close. As for the rookie from Florida – we shall see. It’s way too early to come to any conclusions. But if he’s truly talented and a quick study, he should pass up Wright rather quickly.

And no, I haven’t changed my mind. 7-9 looks about right still. I do believe however that Wallave might be able to get them to 8 or 9 wins if he took every snap in 2010.

What should one look for tonight's pre-season game #3 - the dress rehearsal?

Can JD complete a few passes downfield so teams don't put 8 in the box when it counts?

Can the receivers get open? Notice I said "receivers." Their TEs look solid.

Does the O line begin to open holes for J. Harrison like they did in December of last year?

Who the hell will handle the right guard and right tackle spots?

Can the Browns get a pass rushing just 4?

Are the corners making plays on a consistent basis or just tackling guys after the catch like we've been accustomed to seeing?

Indians
The Tribe may lose 100 after all – not that it matters. Regardless, the on the job training continues. Boy, this line-up really stinks without the young catcher in the 3-hole.

Look at the bright side, they are finding out who can and can’t play every day. The sad part is, many are failing the test.

I certainly hope they bring up their top 3rd base prospect in September and give him the final month’s 120 at bats. To do otherwise, makes absolutely no sense.

And if the kid struggles and hits 190, so what? He at least figured out what highway to take to work and where the weight room is located.

Speaking of the Tribe, I hope they bring back Jim Thome next year so he can close out his career in Cleveland. First, it would be good PR. Secondly, he's still good enough to hit somewhere in the middle of that order. Third, he'd come relatively cheap. And finally, the youngest team in baseball could use some veteran leadership.

We wondered why they went the Branyan route months ago instead of Thome in 2010. In 2011, they have a chance to get it right for all the right reasons. Besides, Thome is going to go into the HOF as an Indian. Why not finish up as an Indian?

Yes, I know he $#@ed us when he left for Phily. But it's time to move on.

Think about it. Next year's top of the order should look like this - 1-Sizemore, 2-Cabrera, 3-Choo, 4-Santana, 4-Thome. That's not top-shelf, but it's not terrible either.

Finally on the Tribe, I like Jason Nix. I hope they keep him. The guy won't hit for average, he's an average defender at best, but he can play several positions and has some legitimate pop in his bat.

Cavaliers
I’m told some national publications are actually predicting the Cavaliers to win more than half their games and be a playoff team. Right - and I spent 10 years as a Navy Seals even though I just learned to swim in 2009.

Based on their current roster, if they get 30+ wins, it will be a minor miracle. And I truly hope I’m dead wrong on this one.

And if I hear one more idiot say they hope the team tanks the season so they acquire a higher draft choice, I’m going to pop an artery. You play to win the game. Period!

Anyone with the opposite belief has never put a strap on in his/her life. Either that or they were pussies when they played.

Final Thought – “Tell a lie enough and it becomes the truth.” Lenin