Getting On Record

10 things

2011-08-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Lockout or no lockout, the Cleveland Browns STILL have the worst receiver corps in the NFL dating back since I started following the sport - circa 1970.

If John Hart had Antonelli’s balls, the Tribe would have had a World Series Championship or two in tow already. I have no idea if their big trade was a good one – I have never seen the dude from Colorado pitch – but I give the front office an A for effort. Unfortunately, they are likely to get no more than about 8 starts out of this guy the rest of the way, and with those bats, it likely won't matter. In a week's time, they might not be smelling .500. The one upside for the remainder of the year is the fact that the pitcher has the advantage the first time he faces you. You would think the large majority of the 8 starts are good ones if he's truly healthy and doesn't have a "2 cent" brain like Carmona.

Although, I would have chased a big bat or two instead of a potential #1 starter, I understand what the thinking process is – if they get to October, they have a potential true #1 for game #1, Masterson at #2 and Tomlin pitching game #3. The problem is the offense is so anemic, the Indians are likely to be out of it before we get to September. The only way they avoid falling out of it is if they can somehow survive this week’s road trip to Boston and Texas. I don’t see how with that offense.

Isn’t it time for the Matt LaPorta experiment to end? The guy hits for a mediocre average, has mediocre power (for a corner infielder) and is at best, a mediocre defensive first baseman. Yea, I know he’s young. But we are two years in now. How much longer do I need to wait? I never thought I’d say this but where is Nick Johnson when you need him?

We were wrong on Justin Masterson. He is turning into a very good starter. I still think he would have been lights out toward the back-end of the bullpen, but they got this one right – it seems. I never thought he’d consistently get out lefties the second and third time around.

Here's one we nailed early - DA is available now that the Cardinals picked up the Eagles' back-up? Any takers? Morons!!!

Speaking of "Right" - Eric Wright recently signed a one-year deal with that powerhouse Detroit Lions football team. What that tells you is there were NO takers for a multi-year deal! None. Nada. This reinforces what we had been saying for nearly three years - he ain't no good! And the best part is I heard a couple local scribes bemoan the fact that EW will be missed by the Browns because the team now lacks depth at that position and he might be a "decent nickel guy." And here I thought he was bordering on All-Pro a couple years back. Right. If some coach tells you the sky is yellow, are you going to believe that too? Another reminder why I follow this stuff less and less every year.

Grady Sizemore went from being one of the game’s 15 best players to a .230 hitting/injury-plagued talent. Those are facts. And no, I don’t want to hear the injuries are because he “throws his body around.” Who doesn’t? This should worry the Indians’ brass. Granted, it’s hard to tell what kind of numbers he would put up in the post-steroids era, but the fact that he hasn’t played a full season since, tells us a lot. The up-side is he can’t ask for billions when his contract is up since he’s damaged goods. This is sad. We never liked his approach at the plate (free swinger even with two strikes), but this team clearly misses his defense, 20+ steals and 25 bombs a year. And if he ever gets healthy, what kind of player remains?

Some high school coach in Cleveland wants to honor Jim Tressel by having all the area coaches wear ties on opening night in Ohio HS football this fall. Nice. I have a better idea – Why not have all the coaches write books on “integrity/doing it right” all the while acting like a deaf/mute while your players run wild, then follow it up by lying to your superiors and the NCAA when they ask what is going on, only coming clean when they have video of you hovering over the dead body with smoking gun in hand. Coaches, as a group, aren’t the brightest lot – you can quote me on that.

Hey, I heard some NBA players are going to play in Europe during the lockout. Right. Any moron who risks injury playing against plumbers in Tikrit deserves a high ankle sprain or worse. And any agent who recommends it just to get a paycheck should have his head examined.

The Patriots are at it again - trading near worthless future draft picks for talented, yet high maintenance pro talents. You can do that when you have a hallway full of Super Bowl memorabilia to show off in your complex - complete with a handful of Super Bowl trophies on display.

Better Late Than Never

2011-06-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

First, congratulations to Dallas for persevering and finally winning the NBA Championship. I am not a Mark Cuban fan, but he didn’t blow it up after several failures. He kept tinkering until he found the right combination. Most owners get impatient and blow it up if they level off at 50+ wins a season.

It helped facing a team with no interior scoring, a squad that lives off jumpers and minimal shot blocking inside. That allowed the Mavs to continually take the ball to the basket in crunch time without fear of being knocked down or getting shots blocked.

As for Dirk, we have ridden him and the Mavs hard for being soft in the past – and with good reason, but they finally started to shed that label. They added three players in the last couple years to help them get rid of that label – Tyson Chandler – a defensive minded post player, Jason Kidd, a gritty veteran and good defender and Caron Butler, a physical/talented wing player, who actually missed most of the season to an injury. Again, it helped playing the Heat – a soft team themselves with a superstar with mush for toughness.

Regardless, the Heat win the series if LeBron James shows up. Period. As for his disappearing act, don’t ask me to analyze it – I am not a psychologist. I have no idea why he wilted – again. I do know it’s in his head and not his body. His elbow was fine this time – I think. And no, I don’t feel sorry for him.

I found it interesting that the talking head postgame analysis focused on LeBron needing to get in the gym and work on his main weak over the summer – developing a post game. You think? We’ve been on that kick since 2004! Once again, it’s nice to see the rest of the planet coming around – once it’s so obvious even a child can figure it out. Yes, he does need to play without the ball and he needs to work on his jumper more, but the lack of doing the dirty work inside has kept him from reaching a special level as a player. Something tells me he’ll be out with JZ just as much as in the gym alone in July. Old habits die hard.

Can we now FINALLY stop the Michael Jordan comparisons, please? Even when we had LBJ pegged as the best player in the world as early as four years ago, we also stated that until he started winning multiple wins rings, you can’t compare him to MJ. Of all people, I wonder how Scottie Pippen, MJ’s running mate feels today after saying LBJ was in MJ’s league a few weeks ago.

This is why I can’t work in PR at the highest level – pro sports. Someone needed to tell Dan Gilbert, before the series ended, to keep his mouth shut if the Mavs won. Instead, he tweeted “there are no shortcuts to winning!” Like we didn’t know Dan. Had I been working for the Cavs, I would have taken his laptop away months ago. But then again, I would never have been offered the job following the initial interview – too blunt!

Ad for the Tribe, yes they are finally coming back down to earth. A 162-game season will do that to you – it eventually shows all your warts. However, if they can somehow weather the storm, they can still have a very competitive season. We’ll see how they handle themselves. Bottom line – it’s hard to win when your 3 & 4 hitters (Choo & Santana) are hitting .240. The good news during this stretch, if there is any, is the fact that the pitching hasn’t totally gone south.

The problem is as follows – this ownership is not likely to go add a piece or two via trade that will help stop the bleeding. That costs money. The players will likely be on their own.

And while we are on giving credit where credit is due, it’s finally good to see Travis Hafner , who we have blasted time and time again, earning some of that salary. He’s still on the DL way too much, but at least he’s not a physical liability any more when in the line-up. I hope he keeps it up – they need his bat, especially since several other key figures in the line-up are having off years offensively (fill in the blank with your choice of player this side of the SS).

By the way, my favorite storyline on the Tribe this year took place when Hafner recently came off the DL and a short rehab stint. He played on a Friday night then they sat him/rested him on Saturday before putting back in the DH spot on Sunday. What? He’s a F%$#@ing DH, how the hell was he not able to swing the bat 4x in back-to-back games after one day back up from Akron/Canton?

And no, I have no idea who the Cavaliers should draft. I simply haven’t seen enough of these collegiate players. I do know I would prefer to trade one of their two first round picks for an established outstanding player – preferably a wing player who can get buckets at will (aka: 18-20 a night). You simply can’t win in this league with all kids.

I do know one thing - their strongest position is point guard with Davis and Sessions. If they take T. Irving out of Duke, he’d better be a perennial All-Star, or it's a bad pick. I assume if Irving is their choice, a trade should be forthcoming soon after with one of their other guards. Again, I have not seen enough of these kids to give an opinion at this point. However, their GM and scouting staff get paid to get this right. There is little margin for error. And remember my approach – I would rather have a proven commodity than a rookie with potential.

As for their needs – an athletic small forward who can consistently score the basketball, a legitimate, physical center who can board, block shots and rebound, and a two-guard with size and athleticism. Notice the athleticism label coming up twice.

Why the hell would any established coach take the OSU job right now? The sharks will wait until OSU is about to come off probation before being serious about wanting that gig. That’s why they gave it to a guy in his 30s, who has never been a head coach before. I actually want to see this guy succeed. Trust me, the powers that be at OSU were forced to go this route. They want a shark in there as soon as possible. That’s why I hope he screws up their plan and wins.

And someone explain to me why the GEEK Gee and Smith, the AD, still have jobs? I mocked them after their press conference months ago, saying I would have fired them on the spot back then. Remember that moron Gee going to the “I hope coach Tressel doesn’t fire me” card? Nice. That’s a classic case of a guy with a high IQ having absolutely no common sense. I knew this guy was “off” when I realized he had a WEEKLY radio gig on the OSU football pre-game radio schedule. We hammered him then and were right on the money. Again, he was part of the problem.

By the way, next time, I will explain in detail why paying college athletes will do absolutely nothing to stem cheating. I am tired of hearing morons going to “let’s pay these kids.” They get paid – what the hell do you call a $100,000+ free education?

Be good.

May Entry

2011-05-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Steelers
You can see some things coming a mile away. Such is the case with the Steelers taking Iron Head’s kid out of OSU late in the first round of the recent NFL Draft. There’s a reason Pittsburgh is always competitive – they know what they are doing and keep it simple.

Blood Lines
The same goes for the Eagles landing Clay’s kid in the fourth round. I’d bet my next paycheck he overachieves at the next level. You take a kid like that in the fourth round on blood lines alone. What’s the risk?

Seneca II
By the way, I also like the V-tech QB (Taylor). I would have taken him had I been the Browns in the middle rounds. That’s the other dude I saw play and liked – as much if not more than the guys taken early.

Browns Draft
As for the Browns’ draft – I have no idea. I never saw any of their picks play. Remember – that’s my first rule of sports. The two kids above I saw play enough to tell you I believe they will be good pros and had hoped the Browns had snatched them up. The same goes for the red-headed TCU quarterback (Dalton) – who the Bills grabbed in round 2. I didn’t think any quarterback in this draft was worth a first round pick, and yet, a ton of them went early. We’ll see in a couple years if these draft gurus and player personnel wizards got it right and I’m just full of S#@. I don’t do this for a living. But I do have common sense.

Trading Down
I don’t have problems with Cleveland trading down if they didn’t think there was a perennial Pro-Bowler at 6 available. Let’s hope they are right. I do know if you can’t stop the run, you have NO chance of winning in the NFL. Even the Colts, who won a Super Bowl with a porous rush defense a few years back, actually stopped the run some in their post-season run that season. So taking a huge D-tackle 1 makes sense if he and Rubin stuff the run consistently the next few years. I don’t have hopes the end out of Pitt will get them 10 sacks a season because it’s never been done in this town since I landed from Europe in ’68. But here’s hoping this crew got it right. I would get the kid some immediate help on the other side so all isn’t on his shoulders next fall. That would be asking too much of a 22 year old. I’ll explain further soon.

Here's How You Tell
One final thing on the Browns – here’s how I will know if their new coaching staff
(#5 in 12 years) gets it: if Mohammad Ali, Robiskie’s kid and E. Wright are on this roster when September gets here. If they are considered relevant pieces of the puzzle come Fall '11, we might as well prepare for a sixth try in 14 years with another group of wizards at the helm two or three years from now.

Daddy Wants $180,000
I’m told C. Newton’s wants the #2 jersey, currently held by the Panthers’ starting QB (Clausen). What more do you need to know about this kid and why it was lunacy to take him #1 overall? It’s like playing the lottery. It’s a long shot at best this kid will be anywhere near worth the pick. How soon before we hear stories about Newton having poor work habits or his new teammates thinking he’s arrogant? This is a classic case of where the football people needed to be overruled by someone with common sports sense whispering in the owner’s ear to just say “NO” to Newton. Look for this guy to be a terrific locker room presence and the first one in and last one out at the facility every day. Right!

Nick is Right
By the way, I am starting to believe what one of my boys keeps telling me – that there is a Notre Dame bias out there. It sure seems that way when it comes to QBs. Clausen gets picked in round 1 just one year ago and the Panthers are ready to cast him aside for a head case and BQ is sitting at 3 in Denver and can’t sniff a #1 gig anywhere in this league even though 1/3 of the current starters are two consecutive bad outings away from wearing a ball cap once again and taking notes on game-day.

Banging That Drum Until it's Addressed
Back to the Browns - as for not drafting a stud receiver – relax. They can’t be that stupid. They will trade for or sign a couple quality veterans at some point. For starters, Steve Smith would be an excellent fit. That would be my first move when the smoke clears (agreement is reached)

Tribe Mystery
Don’t ask me to explain what the Indians are doing. They have one young (Tomlin), who throws in the mid to high 80s, and who has started his career with 17 consecutive starts where he’s gotten them to the 5th inning or better. Over 90% of the guys in the HOF didn’t do that. They also have the Jack Hannahan’s and Shelly Duncan’s of this world giving them clutch hitting – time after time. You get the point. I still think they will come back to earth, but if they keep this up for another couple weeks, they could play .500 ball the rest of the way and finish with around 90 wins – which would be enough to win this lousy division. Remember they play these bad teams within their division a ton with this silly unbalanced schedule. Enjoy it – no one saw this coming. It will be interesting to see if and when they are in the hunt come late July if ownership gets them another piece of the puzzle or two to make a serious run for October and beyond.

OSAMA
OBL is finally dead. Now, let’s clear up a couple facts some morons in the media don’t get. First, of course the Pakistani’s knew where he was. They put him there and told him to stay put. The dude was parked yards away from their version of West Point for Pete Sake in a huge compound with 12 foot walls and barbed wire. Nice. And second, there was no chance in hell he was going to be taken prisoner even though some in the media have actually reported our military had orders to “capture” OBL. Yea, and extremely good looking broads come cheap. This was a “kill” mission – simple as that. An assassination if you will. Did you really think we would take him alive and give him a world-wide arena to spew his garbage for the next 10 years? Even a soft democratic president understood this one. And credit Obama for going in with Navy Seals instead of a safer bombing mission of some type. Having boots on the ground meant more risk, but made identification a lot easier. And most importantly - made it clear this was all about "two taps to the head" mafia style. Good for you BA. Now if the Navy Seals could double up and silence a couple loud-mouth broads on “The View,” we’d all hang flags out in front for a month instead of just one week. There’s one in particular that truly gets under my grill – Joy Behar. I don’t believe in spousal abuse, but if I had to give a guy a mulligan on this offense it would be to her husband if he ever decided to go Johnson/Finnegan on her. Who could blame him? And by the way - screw those who want the photos released or video from the burial. There are morons out there you will never convince. They are the idiots (conspiracy theorists) who believe Tupac and Biggy are alive and well on a remote island in the South Pacific owned by Elvis and living in JFK's new crib. Let's hope most of these geniuses never reproduce.

Media Morons
Since I worked in it for 20 years, I can’t leave this computer without taking one shot at the sports media. The locals are in my sights this time. I heard and also read where some local geniuses are buying the company line that the Browns' holdover receivers are better suited for the new offense (WEST Coast) and therefore will be much more productive now. This begs the question - can they possibly be less productive? If Ali and Robo each catch 40 balls and score 5 TDs each we might be building a shrine to them here in Canton soon. I remind you - they were second round picks, not free agents out of Thiel College (PA). I actually heard “The Walrus” spew this same garbage the other day at a draft press conference. And there wasn’t one reporter who had the stones to ask him to explain that asinine statement further. And many are now repeating this reframe. Look – you have to be able to separate, catch the football and run with it with some authority after the reception if you are an NFL receiver. That’s the job description here. I don’t want to hear about hip movement, how fluid they are, their size or how they come out of their routes so cleanly. These guys CAN’T SEPARATE! So the rest don’t matter. Stop it Mike. You piss me off when you go there. There are a few of us – not many - who aren’t that stupid. And if you want to argue about it, I’ll just put the Jets’ game tape on that gives you visual evidence when the game was in the balance near the goal line, NY put the arguably the league’s best cover guy on Evan Moore - a part-time player/TE you picked up off ther scrap heap. Case closed.

This is my last entry for at least a month. I’m getting on that big bird (Delta) next week and visiting my home (Europe) turf till June 1.

I hope it was worthy of your time. Be good!

12 Items

2011-04-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

We'll cover a dozen items this time around in case we are out of action for a while (explained later).

I have never seen a college game where the teams locked down defensively as well as Connecticut and Butler did for 40 minutes a few weeks ago. No, it wasn’t an “ugly game” like many would have you believe. That was very good defense played by Butler and phenomenal defense played by the Huskies. Connecticut was more athletic and longer overall and that was the difference when the smoke cleared.

Some players get traded because they have a poor work ethics, some because they can’t knock down a jumper while others are banished elsewhere because they don’t guard anyone. In Phoenix, Jason Richardson was traded because he allegedly fathered a child with Hall of Famer Steve Nash’s wife. Ouch! By the way, that sort of drama happens more often than you think in pro sports.

Based on what I saw during the NCAA Tournament, there isn’t a lot of difference between the first pick in the upcoming NBA draft and the 10th. Therefore, the teams with the best player personnel departments will earn their keep this June.

Kudos to Byron Scott for getting the Cavaliers to play hard down the stretch. That’s not easy to do when you have the league’s worst record for all but one week of the season. By the way, the OSU kid (JS) is crazy if he doesn't come out early. He's a top-3 pick in my book based on what I saw. He is extremely polished with his back to the basket for a 19-year old, is fundamentally sound and has an NBA body. The only question with him is if he will eventually be just an 18/10 guy or 21+/11+ player. That answer will depend to a great degree on if/when he develops an elbow jumper facing the hoop. If he does, it will extend his career (less wear and tear inside) and make him awful difficult to defend. And yes, I know he doesn't play above the rim. But that's why he's so skilled below it. He's had to work at it.

The Indians are over .500 at the moment. Enjoy it fans – they won’t likely stay there. The starting pitching is mediocre at best and ditto for the offense and defense. Sorry. It is what it is. Now, if Sizemore comes all the way back, Travis Hafner dips his shoulder in steroids goo and Fausto Carmona goes off all year, they could contend, but I don’t see them going 3–for-3. A 75-87 record looks about right.

How does Cam Newton go from not being able complete passes playing simple catch with receivers in shorts and a t-shirt on a pro day to being considered the #1 pick in the draft? Someone explain that to me. While you are at it, explain how these same experts who think he should go #1 add that he’s "not polished, possesses poor mechanics, is somewhat immature, isn't ready for a pro-system, and is a project (aka: needs time on the bench)"? If you go #1, shouldn’t you be ready to play? If he’s the best player in this draft, I’m a founding member of mensa (“a top 2% intellectual” for those of you verbally challenged). The NFL first round is the easiest evaluation process to get right. You heard me. You have several years of tape on most of these guys, you have access to all their coaches, and opposing coaches, these kids aren't 18 and wet behind the ears but are in the early 20s already, and you get to pick them apart in person in Indianapolis and in individual personal workouts. Come on. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a duck.

Speaking of Newton, Auburn is putting up a monument/statue of him in front of their stadium, along with the school’s two previous Heisman Trophy winners. I’m not sure that’s a good idea, especially if/when the NCAA tells Auburn it has to give its national championship and Heisman (aka: Reggie Bush) back because of high jinks with Newton and/or his old man. I’d lay the odds at 50-50 right now of that happening. Of course, the statue will probably stay since the NCAA can’t make you take that down. Oh well, I guess one out of three isn’t bad. Those numbers get you into the baseball HOF.

My new whipping boy is Blake Griffith of the Clippers. Yes, I know he went 22/11 in his rookie year and he’s an exciting, hard-nosed player who will get better, but this dude has had more air time on ESPN than MJ received when he was winning titles every year. The guy can really dunk – we get it!

D. Ware of the Cowboys gave back his $60,000 check from the NFL Players’ Union given out to all NFL player so they feed their families and pay the light bill during the strike. The story isn’t that Ware did a nice thing by basically saying “I don’t need it, give it to someone who does.” The story here is that athletes who average $1.7 million a year in earnings need “get by” money during a work stoppage. Amazing. Geez, I wonder how long the average American can get by on $60,000? Obviously, pro athletes are a different breed or as that wise man Patrick Ewing once said – “Yes, we NBA players make a lot of money, but we also spend a lot of money too!” A mere $60,000 will probably last a month once you make the Mercedes and BMW payments, pay the mortgage on both houses, give cousin Sperm and aunt Pap Smear their allowances, buy the wife her anniversary present and take that two-week vacation to Bermuda.

I’m starting to wonder about our president. Even though I don’t agree with him on many issues, I have been a fan of his personality from day one – thinking he’s an okay guy. However, I’m having doubts. This past week he invited Paul Ryan – the dude I tagged as a great future presidential candidate two years ago – to his speech on attacking the debt problem. Ryan went and then had to sit there in the front row while Obama ripped his (Ryan’s) debt reduction plan to shreds, including a line or two about how “autistic children” would suffer dearly under Ryan’s Republican plan. Nice. I’m sure that made Ryan and the Republicans eager to start negotiations on finding middle ground with the President on tackling our huge national debt. Yes, Obama’s speech writers wrote the lines, but that doesn’t mean the President has to read them. Why not take the high road when you invite folks to dinner instead of slapping them in the face once they walk through the door? What did he gain by that approach other than hugs and kisses from his base. It seemed like a real bad play to me, and worse, it seemed cruel and unusual punishment at that. Like I said, I’m starting to think BO isn’t just a narcissist – something I can excuse him of being since he’s an historical figure – but he’s starting to look like an SOB as well. That play just wasn’t necessary and inappropriate in that setting my man. You’re better than that – or I thought you were.

The NBA playoffs begin promptly. I'll keep it simple - even with all their injuries and turmoil, I still like the Lakers and Celtics to meet in the Finals with LA coming out on top. Why? The Lakers have been there done that and they have a finisher when needed (KB). As for Boston, I'll take experience in a seven-game series every time over younger legs. I just think it's awful difficult beating quality veteran squads 4x in two weeks. And I didn't pick SA because I don't see Duncan having enough gas left in the tank to go 20/10 in a series against LA. Yes, I know LA can't stop quick point guards and Boston doesn't have real depth in the post any more (Perkins trade).

And in case I don't post before the upcoming NFL draft, I'll recap what I would do if I ran the Browns' ship, even though I will sound like a broken record. First, take the guy you have highest on your board in the first round. Period. If everyone on the planet thinks the LSU corner (PP) is the next Champ Bailey, why hesitate? If he's gone, go to the next guy on your list. Second, fill one of the two open receiver spots on the team and pass rush needs through free agency (when it gets here) and through being aggressive via trades. Remember, NFL teams treat draft picks like they are gold. The right team will give a you a quality NFL wideout or perhaps even a pass rusher for a 2nd round pick and a bag of footballs. I don't get it, but history tells us this is the norm. Would you rather have to depend on another rookie receiver to get you 75 grabs or someone who has already done it at this level? And if you read me, you know not to go to the "Yhey might have guys on their roster who might do that." We covered that years ago when everyone else, including the Browns, were walking around on all fours with that line.

By the way, I will be out of the country soon visiting relatives I have not seen since early in Reagan's first term. So if you need to reach me, get a hold of me before May 11. I will be unavailable until June 2. I will check my e-mail sporadically during that stretch. However, phone lines will be much harder to secure. Actually, I'll be in Pakistan following a couple leads on OBL's whereabouts.

Be good!

10 Items

2011-03-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

The United States military should not be in Libya. This is an Arab nation embroiled in a Civil War. Neighboring Arab nations should be involved instead if they so desire to help the helpless. The only reason we are present is due to Libya’s oil production –which only accounts for 2% of the world’s production. Our nation simply does not a strong strategic or national interest in Libya outside of its meager oil production. And if there were no oil there, we wouldn’t even be considering action. We did not engage in Rwanda or the Sudan, just to name a pair of places recently where genocide on a much greater scale took place. We can’t be the world’s policeman and then pick and choose which burglaries we investigate and which we don’t. And finally, this country has a $14 trillion debt and simply cannot afford to spend $100 million a day in someone else’s Civil War. Each of the tomahawk missiles we are launching off nearby ships coast $1.2 million apiece. You do the math – we’re at 124 and counting.

Jim Tressel recently self-imposed a 5 game suspension on himself. How nice of him. Look for the NCAA to hammer OSU and Tressel by giving him a full year suspension, to go along with multiple other sanctions, including loss of scholarships and no post-season appearances for 2 years. That’s what I would do if I were the NCAA and the allegations are found to be true. I just hope it doesn’t take the NCAA five years to make a decision.

And yes, if Bruce Pearl had his team in the top-10 and still alive in the NCAA tournament, he probably would still have his job at Tennessee. From what I can tell, Brigham Young is the only major college that maintains its credibility when it comes to mixing big time college sports and academics. But sex? Come on.

Chris Bosh, of the Miami Heat, recently complained he wasn’t getting enough touches. Nice. What did he expect choosing to play on a team with two superstars that dominate the ball? The guy is not only clueless but is arguable the softest player in the NBA today. Moron

Charlie Bach, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, may file for bankruptcy. What? The guy has been in the NFL forever, he got an
$11 million deal from the Lions way back when and he’s broke? This is one guy I wouldn’t trust my team to. If he’s that stupid where he’s made millions and still might have to pawn his championship rings to pay the bills, he can’t be trusted to run a team.

Along similar lines, A. Peterson of the Vikings recently compared being an NFL player to slavery. Wonderful. Tell you what – you give me his salary for the upcoming season ($10.7 million) and I will volunteer to ride in the interior of a slave ship taking off from Tripoli destined for the Outer banks.

I have never seen two bonehead plays in the closing seconds of a basketball game comparable to the Pitt/Butler game last week. The closest I can think of is when former Dallas Mavs’ guard Derek Harper dribbled out the game clock some 20 years ago, coming off a timeouts with seconds remaining, with the score tied.

Speaking of college basketball, I watched some of the tournament this past week and the NCAA needs to add an NBA style circle under the bucket so players aren’t allowed to take charges under the goal. When you penetrate to that point, you shouldn’t be penalized by having to avoid another defender who just sits under the basket waiting on you.

By the way, we were asked before the tournament who would win it. I told a friend I had not seen much college basketball this year, but the little I saw told me Ohio State has at least four players who will get looks at the next level. Therefore, I told him, take the Buckeyes – they have the most pros of the few teams I watched. I see no reason to change my mind after the first couple rounds. If the Cavaliers end up with Sullinger with their first pick and Lighty with their high second round choice, I wouldn’t be disappointed. Yes, I know they also own the Clippers’ #1. I just don’t have a pick there yet.

The moron who tried to tell me the Knicks are closing in on Boston and company in the East with the Anthony acquisition can apologize now. One final time – you have to defend to win big!!! Their coach doesn’t emphasize defense, and Amare and Carmelo don’t play it. What did you expect? Again – Carmelo Anthony is the most overrated player perhaps in the history of the game. His teams made the playoffs 7x while in Denver with a decent supporting cast. They made it out of the first round once. He doesn’t guard people, he hogs the ball, he doesn’t make teammates better and he sulks on occasion. As for Amare, he’s not far behind CA in terms of being overrated. He’s a scoring machine also – that’s it. I wouldn’t want either guy. By the way, where are those media geniuses who back in December were pushing Amare for MVP?

Reading my semi-weekly thoughts, when I get around to putting them in print, should be mandatory for those who do this for a living. Next, I'll be told Reggie Bush isn't a superstar.

10 Items

2011-03-06T15:18:00.001-08:00

Carson Palmer, another “franchise quarterback” who never was, wants out of Cincinnati. The guy allegedly made it be known he’d quit before playing again for the Bengals. Nice. Meanwhile, the front office, with a straight face, responded by saying he will not be dealt. Right. The guy is on the back 9 of his career, the teams he’s led have underachieved for the most part, he said he's done if you don't deal him and you want him back? Yea. Right. Who are you kidding? Get what you can and move on. The guy is doing you a favor.

In the middle of a serious economic downturn in the country, the NFL and the Players Union can’t figure out how to split up $9 billion. You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried. Here’s a solution – split it 50-50. The owners get their 18-game season and the players get lifetime medical care. Finally, veteran players get more guaranteed money left over after the Cam Newton’s of this world, who complete 11 of 21 passes throwing to an uncovered receiver in shorts in Indianapolis, don’t get $50 million+ right out of the gate because some team was stupid enough to take him in the top-5. Problem solved.

Speaking of Cam Newton – never invest a ton of money in a player, in any sport, who uses the word "ICON” when describing himself. Even the best modern day baseball player I have seen (Rickey Henderson) never went to the "icon" card. Yes, I know - he was the first to go "third person." I would argue you can do that after stealing 100 bases in a season. It's part of what made Ricky, Rickey.

The Cavaliers have hope. There, I said it. No, that’s not based on their win in New York against the Chauncey-less Knicks. They have a young point guard who has some skills (R. Sessions), a young post player who looks like he could be a consistent double-double guy down the road – no, not J.J. “I have atrocious hands” Hickson, but S. Samuels. They have also added a veteran guard in Baron Davis, who is still a top-10 point guard when motivated and asked to play 28-30 minutes a night instead of 38-40. Throw in an immediate impact player with their top pick in the draft, and at minimum, a top-8 rotation guy with the top-10 pick they got from the Clippers, and you have the makings of a semi-competitive team heading in the right direction next season. One piece of advice – I would dangle J.J. Hickson in the off-season and see what the market value is for him. If you go big in the draft and Andy V. returns from injury, Hickson could be dealt in a move to add a much-needed long, wing player who can score the ball.

The Browns resigned my boy Seneca Wallace. Go ahead and snicker, but the guy will be a good fall-back if Joe Thomas gets Colt McCoy killed on the way to his annual Hawaii vacation.

I have been asked who the Browns should draft. Since I haven’t seen most of these guys play enough, I can’t say for sure. I do know they desperately need a #1 and a #2 receiver, a true pass rusher, and a third down running back. Having said that, if there is a “Champ Bailey” on the board when they select at 6, I would take him if the #1 receiver is already gone. That would be copying the late 80s Browns when the Minnifield/Dixon combo roamed the secondary during the Kosar years. Having Joe Haden and friend gives your defense an identity for the next 10 years. Secondly, if Ironhead’s kid out of Ohio State drops to late in the first round due to his off-season surgery, I move up and grab him. I have seen him play enough to know he’ll be a good pro – whether you play him inside at tackle or outside at end.

Carmelo went to the Knicks and now I have to hear from the national media centered on the East Coast how New York is emerging as a potential contender. Wrong. One more time – you have to defend to win. The system in place in New York didn’t win anything in Phoenix and it won’t win in the Big Apple either. And by the way, the New York Knicks are the most overrated franchise in U.S. sports. I believe this “storied” franchise has won 2 championships. That’s 2, not 12, not 22. And please stop with how Madison Square Garden is the “mecca” for pro basketball. If New York is the “mecca,” what does that make San Antonio, Chicago, the Lakers or Boston?

Governor Scott Walker and John Kasich of Ohio are battling federal unions over compensation packages. To make a long story short, the public sector unions for years have been negotiating their benefits with folks they have helped get into office (mostly democrats). That leads to ridiculous pension plans for public employees when there is no adversarial relationship between the two sides in negotiations. They are beholding to each other. The states are broke, partly because of these more than generous pension plans. This is a key moment in this national debate on debt. If Walker and Kasich win, state governments will begin to right themselves financially and this wave will likely sweep across the nation. If the governors lose this battle, these public unions will get stronger instead of weaker and balancing state and federal budgets will be a pipe dream. One other note, in years past, state public workers were provided with generous pensions because they made a lot less than private sector employees – thus justifying those inflated pension plans. However, recent studies have shown public employees now make comparable salaries to private sector employees, making these pension plans problematic for the rest of us – the people that flip the bill. By the way, I am public employee now and expect to take a hit in terms of future pension benefits. I am okay with it. Everyone needs to have skin in the game. Everyone.

The answer is NO if you are asking me if the U.S. should get involved heavily in Libya’s emerging Civil War. We have enough problems at home to deal with. No, I am not an isolationist, but we can’t be the “world’s policeman” any more. Besides, real U.S. involvement would be spun as American intervention in another Muslim nation. You want to fly in some food and aid – fine. But beyond that, leave it up to Europe to handle this one. No, we shouldn’t be the lead dog in a no-fly zone. It’s not our business. I know that sounds cruel, but the only reason we are even considering action is because of Libya’s oil. Libya produces only 3% of the world’s oil, with Europe getting most of that oil. Like I said, it is time others with more at stake take the lead.

With the increase in oil prices, you will hear more political hot air in the coming weeks and months about drilling here and drilling now, building more nuclear power plants, more coal production, etc. The problem is simple – once the prices go back down, the public’s interest will wane once again. Unless the prices stay around $4 a gallon or more, there will not be the public pressure to force the political will for the federal government to move on this issue – especially with democrats in office. And stop with the “we need “alternative fuel sources.” Until someone comes up with an electric car that doesn’t cost $40 grand and doesn’t need to be re-charged every time you fetch groceries, no one is buying the crap. Check that - college professors, wealthy housewives with too much time on their hands and environmental nuts who think animals first and people second will fork out the cash and deal with the inconvenience. For the rest of us, thank goodness it’s still a free market and you can still purchase a Yukon or Denali if you have the cash. By the way, I drive a Honda Civic. I can’t afford the car I truly want – a black Audi or BMW with leather interior. As for energy, for years, I have been for all of the above regardless of what gas costs me. Unfortunately, there aren't enough of us to move Washington to act unless a sustained crisis takes hold.

Till next time. Be good.

10 Items

2011-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Yea, I took a week off - just like the Packers and Steelers.

Joe Thomas is outright stealing money. Not only did he get named to the Pro Bowl after having getting all three Browns’ QBs hurt, as we noted a few weeks ago, but he picked up another cool $1.5 million doing it. What genius front office wizard agreed to that little incentive in his contract and is he still employed by the Browns?

We like the Steelers 27-20 over the Packers – too physical and too much experience. How the Packers are favored over a team that’s been there done that, comes from a better conference, had a better record (12 wins to 10) and is a number #2 seed overall compared to a #6, is beyond me. The Steelers should be laying 3 1/3 in my book.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, we totally missed on Clay Mathews’ kid coming out of USC. We got it wrong. My apologies. Like I said several weeks ago – you never make the same mistake twice. His kid at Oregon will be an overachiever at the next level.

The Browns hired Dick Jauron (this is a correction - last week I wrote Dick Labeau) as their D-coordinator. Whoopie fizz! Until they get a couple pass rushers and a linebacker or two who play downhill, it won’t matter. You can dress up a pig, but it’s still a f%$#@ing pig. For example, both D-coordinators in the Super are considered outstanding at what they do, but it helps their resumes immensely having MVP-type players on the roster playing for them (i.e. Mathews/Harrison).

I hear the Lakers are old and done because they have a lousy record against very good teams. So what? It’s only the beginning of February. They will likely be left standing at the end. That’s who I would put my money on still. And you can probably get some decent odds taking LA right now in Vegas.

Why do they even play the NFL Pro Bowl? I have never watched more than 5 minutes of that game in my life. Moving it prior to the Super Bowl was a good idea – and we suggested it years ago – but now I want it abolished. It’s still unwatchable. You want to know when you have a gambling problem? You have a problem when you put $ on the Pro Bowl or which Super Bowl team wins the coin flip.

Some local talk show wizard stirred up conversation last week asking fans if the Browns should take Cam Newton because Cleveland has passed on Flacco, Big Ben, etc…, and now they have to face these “top tier” QBs in their division twice a year. First of all, they also passed on a ton of QB busts. And secondly, Flacco is better than average, Ben is going to the HOF, but no one is his right mind would say he carries teams like Manning and Brady do, and Carson Palmer is just about done. So stop the madness – no Cam Newton, please. This team has a dozen holes to fill. The Texas rancher proved he can play some. Now let’s find out how good he can be, starting with getting him a couple professional receivers and a pass rusher or two who can get him a few more possessions each week. By the way, I hear from the local media the Browns need a pass rush and some receivers. Really? Welcome on board fellas. It took you nearly 40 years on the pass rush. But look at the bright side – it only took two full seasons to figure out they were lacking at WR. Like I said several times, Mangini should have been canned based on his drafting second round busts alone.

The Indians’ equipment truck went west this past week without any fanfare. That organization went from the model of the mid-market MLB teams 10 years ago to an afterthought during the Mark Shapiro era. Meanwhile, their PR head was on the radio the other day spinning how they have been mostly competitive the past 10 years if it wasn’t for injuries and the loss of two Cy Young Award winners. Really? The last time I checked, had you allocated your funds properly you could have signed at least one of those two (CC). We gave you the blueprint a year in advance – use the money you were going to allocate for Hafner and add it in to what you offer CC. You can always get a decent DH, but you can’t find 20 game winners hanging on trees. As for the injuries – come on. The Packers lost ¼ of their roster early on this season and they are in the Super Bowl this week. Perhaps if you hadn’t blown so many draft picks over the past 10 years, you would have had some depth in the organization to withstand injuries better. Of course, the host never questioned DiBiasio. He didn’t know any better.

I almost feel sorry for Byron Scott. And I never feel sorry for a professional coach making several million dollars a year. But this guy went from thinking he was going to coach LBJ to coaching a CBA team. How that team never had a plan B in place is still beyond me. We begged and demanded they have one in place back in May of last year.

As for the Egyptian crisis, our friends/allies around the world must be thinking “Wow, this is how the U.S. treats a strong ally after 30 years?” Hosni Mubarek, the leader of Egypt, has been arguabl the United States’ strongest ally in the Middle East, this side of Israel. The guy is no wallflower. He’s an autocrat. We know. But he’s our autocrat. Now, the current administration wants him to high-tail it out the door yesterday, leaving a potential power vacuum behind. Nice. I’m not saying we should be telling this guy he should stay in power indefinitely, but the messages we are currently sending are the wrong ones and show off how naïve this administration is when it comes to foreign affairs. Then again, this is the same President who has said on numerous occasions he envisions a world without nuclear weapons. Right – and I believe in the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny.

10 things

2011-01-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

I saw about two minutes of the Seahawks – Bears game last weekend and turned it off. I tuned out and took a nap right after the Seahawks punted from what appeared to be the Bears’ 41 yard line on fourth and 1 early in the first quarter. I could be wrong on the yards and distance since I wasn’t paying close attention, but the point was Seattle was playing not to lose instead of playing to win. That told me it would likely be a long day for the under .500 playoff team led by one of many coaching carpetbaggers - Pete Carroll.

By contrast, The Patriots went for 2 down 2 to the Jets when most coaches would have played it safe and kicked the PAT. New England was playing to win. Granted they didn’t win, but you could clearly see with that move why the Pats overachieved all season long. We predicted NE’s playoff demise a week ago, but that won’t stop this corner from also making the case this was Mr. Bill’s best single-season coaching job ever. He didn’t win a championship, but did lead a team in transition to the #1 seed in the rugged AFC in 2010.

As for the playoffs, I have felt for the past few weeks the best organization in pro sports – the Steelers – would be the best bet to be left standing when the smoke clears. I see no reason to change that view. They are solid once again in all three phases, are experienced at playing at this time of year and are the most physical team left in the post-season. I would be surprised if the Jets keep it close this weekend. Of course, I have been wrong before.

Jim Thome re-signed with the Twins this past week. I wonder if the Indians made a pitch for him. He signed a one-year/$3 million deal. Granted, the Twins are a contender and he probably preferred such a club, but the Indians would have been wise to attempt to bring him back. It would be a good PR move and the guy is still a better left-handed bat than anything they have at 1B/DH heading into 2011.

Boy, did Brett Favre retire one year too late. His legacy was slightly tarnished by how he played this season, and the fact that for the first time in his career, he was banged up all year. More importantly, is reputation was damaged even more with the public airing of his alleged tendency to chase the office staff skirts. Had he not played in 2010, some of these sordid details might not have been made public, or at minimum, would not have received as much media attention since all Favre had to do was say the following to the commissioner or anyone else who asked – “Hey, I’m retired. This never came up when I was playing. And I’m not answering any questions now. I am no longer an employee of the NFL. Please respect my privacy wishes.”

The Indians hired Mike Hargrove recently as a “special assistant’ meaning he will be doing some consulting, working with players in Spring Training and doing some PR appearances. Good move. I prefer he were in the dugout full-time as the head chief and said so when the opening came up after the 2009 season. However, this is a step in the right direction. Grover has spent the bulk of his baseball career in this organization. He and his wife still live in town and are very active in the community. Besides all that, he knows what he’s doing.

The NFL really has it figured out. There’s a reason it is the most popular sport in this country by far. It has five distinct seasons – camp, the regular season, the playoff/Super Bowl, free agency and the draft. Each is covered by the media 24-7 with fans following every two-a-day session, rumor, 40 times, etc., like it’s the end of the world if your team doesn’t sign the Ravens’ free agent nickel back to a 4-year deal. Talk about PR heaven. This is why a semi-meaningless regular season Monday night football game outdraws a MLB championship series contest every time. And we are about to enter “draft-nick” heaven. This is when Mel Kiper and company become God-like in the minds of so many. This part of “NFL Year Round” is the most ridiculous season of all for me. Year in, year out, there are more free agents in the NFL than there are first round picks at any given time. That’s all you need to know about the “experts” and their views.

Every time Phil Jackson opens his mouth, I think “pompous ass.” Of course, if you’ve won as many titles as he has, you are allowed to be full of yourself. The fact that he has coached arguably two (MJ/KB) of the game’s half dozen best players of all-time doesn’t hurt.

Carmelo Anthony may be the most overrated NBA player of all-time. The guy has won absolutely nothing. He’s a terrific scoring machine. However, he’s an average rebounder, average passer, subpar defender and not exactly a team leader. When he came into the league, I compared him to Paul Pierce in terms of skill set when everyone else grouped him with James & Wade. I’m not sure now he will ever reach Pierce status although some morons already believe he’s there. Pierce already has a title, has improved his defense over the years, has been willing to sacrifice numbers for the good of the team and he doesn’t make waves. Pierce is going into the HOF. Bottom line – Anthony is not a “great player.” At least not yet, regardless of what you hear.

Am I the only one who thinks those damn hand dryers in the john are useless? It takes me longer to dry my hands than to take a piss.

10 Weekly Items

2011-01-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

10 Weekly Items

Don't you love how these morons in the media who spent a %$#@load of time last week going over the "strategy" for the new playoff overtime rules? What F%$#@ing strategy? Win the flip, take the ball and shove it down their throats for a touchdown and the game is over. The last time I checked, it’s awful hard to score if you don’t have the football. I'm sure there is some idiot out there that has it calculated you should defend first, especially if the wind is over 20 mph and there are at least 1,000 Jews and/or 5,000 Catholics (of which I am one) in the stands of a stadium that seats 65,000 or more - unless of course you have a starter on defense named Rex – then all bets are off. Ridiculous!

Here’s a warning to those NFL teams that are considering taking Cam Newton in the first round – don’t! Not because of talent level, although he’s is far from a polished passer, but because I would not make this guy the face of my franchise for the next 10 years based on his, let’s say, “checkered history.” Would I draft him – yes, in round 2 and no earlier. Had he gone 20-of-26 with 3 TD tosses and 80 yards rushing against Oregon, Kipper and company would have him in the top-5 – can you say J. Russell.

By the way, I saw where the Auburn All-American D-tackle was giving the Oregon All-American running back “the business” in that pile. You can tell a lot about a coach by how he handles that situation. I lose respect for a head coach who doesn’t pull the guy out for a couple plays after earning such a penalty. But then again, I have a suspicion we will hear more about Auburn and its recruiting of players (i.e. Cam Newton and/or others) in the future. Here’s hoping it doesn’t turn into another Reggie Bush case five years down the road and people are sending back the hard ware they won. Of course, in Newton’s case, his old man will probably have the stuff on E-bay by Spring Break.

I found it ironic the OSU defensive player who picked off that late Arkansas pass was one of five guys who sold stuff to help pay mom’s rent, buy pizza, or whatever. There is no way in the world those 5 players should have been playing in that game. The precedent set by the NCAA and OSU is clear – you F%$#@ up and we catch it before a BCS Bowl game, and we’ll give you a get out of jail free card until next year. What happens if one or more of these guys decides to turn pro now? Had Posey come up with 9 grabs, 111 yards and 2 TDs, and moved way up in the minds of pro scouts, he would have been crazy not to turn pro. Then what? And for Tressel to demand they come back before agreeing to play them in the game clearly smacks of pure personal gain for the coach. Tressel gets everything he wants – his team is intact going into the Arkansas game and stays intact through the large majority of Big 10 play in 2011. How convenient? Nice work Jim. Where the hell was the AD in all this? With all his faults, could you see Bobby Knight pulling this stunt?

As for paying college players, one last time – they get, at minimum, a $100,000+ education grant when on scholarship. Isn’t that payment enough?

Speaking of Oregon, how do you come up with a defense where you have a DE/OLB, who weights 250+ pounds, trying to cover a 190 pound wide receiver downfield? On more than one occasion, the Ducks had that coverage called. One more time – it’s impossible for a linebacker to stay with a running back, so how do you scheme a large defender matched up with a WR? It’s the equal of a basketball power forward trying to cover a point guard in space – can’t be done. Are you telling me there isn’t one coach on that Ducks’ staff that would red flag that during the 5 weeks of practice prior to this game? Here’s how it should go – “Hey coach (to D-coordinator), with all due respect, do you really think it’s a good idea to have one of our bigs trying to stay with that little guy downfield?

Coming on the heels of a 50+ point ass-beating by LA, it has been nearly 4 months since a number of my so called friends and acquaintances chastised me for predicting my Cavaliers unfortunately would win at the most 29 games and could very well be a mere 20 win team if they quit early and Byron Scott failed to motivate them to compete. You know who you are. I wouldn’t normally mention it, but a couple of you actually ridiculed me at the time, including one instance where the term “delusional” was used to describe me. So – who’s your daddy now?

I see where my boy Warren Cromartie ran his mouth on twitter. You have to love those social networking sites – ditto for the world’s premier narcissist (LBJ) taking a shot at the Cavaliers when they are down. As I have said, today’s technology, where every pro or major college athlete can let the world know what they are thinking in mere seconds, causes headaches for those in the PR business. The media loves it, but the PR pros have to deal with the ramifications. I’ll say this – if you run your mouth, you’d better be able to back it up or you look like a complete fool. Call me old fashioned, but I like folks who take the high road and just play. Good luck this weekend Tom Brady.

The Browns hired a new head coach this week and he isn’t a household name with a proven winning track record. That’s not the route I would have gone, but I wish him luck nonetheless. I know nothing about him other than the offense he ran last year was 26th in the NFL. Like everyone else, I’ll watch and see. But think about it – the bar has been set awful low around here since 1999. If he wins half his games or more, they’ll probably put a statue of him down Superior Avenue somewhere. And that’s the sad truth for the current NFL football climate in NE Ohio.

To close things out, I have one comment on the Arizona shooting incident of last week. This is for those morons who are trying to make more out of it than it is. Yes, it was tragic in many ways – especially for the loss of life and the effect on the families involved. However, it had absolutely nothing to do with our current political climate or discourse. And it had nothing to do with this nation’s value system as a whole. To draw some unsubstantiated parallels to politics or society borders on the ridiculous. Here’s the truth – in a nation of 308+ million people, you will have a few nuts. Period. And some of those nuts will unfortunately act on their sick belief system and harm others. It’s happened through history and will continue to happen. It can’t be avoided. Some folks simply aren’t wired right. And it’s an insult to my intelligence to try to link such an incident to other parts of society. So stop the nonsense you morons. Unfortunately, with our present 24/7 news cycle, everything is magnified, analyzed, taken apart and re-packaged by those who have agendas. I simply refuse to fall for this re-packaging of information, nor should you.

10 Things

2011-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

10 things

Okay, I’m back. Yes, I have a little “Favre” in me. I was asked to continue to give my thoughts on occasion, so I will.

How the hell did Joe Thomas make the Pro Bowl again? This guy single-handedly got two quarterbacks hurt this season, and he certainly wasn’t consistently dominant in the run game. Yet he’s All-Pro. Ditto for Josh Cribbs. At least Cribbs has a semi-excuse – he was banged up all year.

I heard two nutty things this past week. First, ESPN was doing a promo on fans being able to follow Andrea Kremer’s tweets from the sideline of some Bowl game. What cogent observations could she possibly have? Here’s one possibility – “Hey, the purple team looks nice with that black trim.” Come on. She knows football like I know truck tires. Secondly, Rob Ryan may get an interview for the Panthers’ head coaching gig. Right. This guy has done nothing to earn such respect. When was the last time his defense, either in Cleveland or Oakland, finished in the top-5 in any defensive category? He’s mostly hot air. Mind you, if I were a reporter, I’d want to cover him. He’s fun as hell. But if I were a GM looking for a head coach, you have to be kidding. His act wouldn’t be considered funny if his teams had a.350 winning percentage. Ditto for his brother in NY.

I still don’t know how the Patriots are doing with it kids on both sides of the ball. I know they are the current popular favorites to win the Super Bowl, but I just can’t see it - too much youth/inexperience. The one upside is the play of the offensive line. Those guys are giving Brady a ton of time right now and he’s put up sick numbers because of it – with the exception of the Browns’ game. I’ll root for my boy Manning and the Colts. I love quarterbacks who make “O” coordinators basically useless during a game. It reminds of the good old days when you didn’t have multiple substitutions on every down and you didn’t go to four wides on third and 1.

Those of you who love the Arkansas QB – I have two words for you DA! He looks like a very similar creature to me. Granted, I haven’t seen him that much, but tall QBs tend to flame out in the NFL. Again, I wouldn’t take a QB in the first round unless he was a dead ringer for John Elway. They simply miss more often than not for me to reach just because everyone is looking for the next Peyton Manning in round #1. The odds are against it - big time.

Actually, the kid I do like is probably a second day pick – T. Taylor of Virginia Tech. If I ran a team, I’d team him with my boy Seneca Wallace and put in a few running plays in that system and drive D-coordinators in the NFL crazy. But you know that already.

The Luck kid said he’s staying at Stanford – which is an okay decision this time around since there won’t be big money for high picks anymore after they hammer out a new labor agreement. If this were 2009 and the kid said he was staying, I’d say he’s plain nuts (see Bradford). Still, if he has an off year or gets hurt next year, his pocket book will be affected – although not to the same level as before.

Someone tell Gordon Gee, that moron, that TCU or Boise State would kick his team’s ass 7 out of 10 times if they played this year.

There is nothing like the “Legend” and “Leaders” Conference dominating once again during Bowl season. Once again, the Big 10 showed how mediocre that conference has been in football for the past 15 years or so. On the flip side, congrats to OSU for finally beating an SEC team, even if they needed a “Butterfingers” performance by the Razorback wide receivers to do it.

By the way, if the Browns ended up with Ohio State’s #97 in the draft– Ironhead’s kid – I wouldn’t be disappointed. My only concern for him is his stamina. He came out a lot in that game last week versus Arkansas. He needs to get in better shape if he wants to be a force at the next level. The “O” linemen in the NFL will make him work a hell of a lot harder than the college kids.

As for Mangini, let’s hope MH does the right thing finally in Cleveland and hires a guy who has “been there and done that” (aka: win big at the NFL level). No more experimenting with coordinators in this town please. We have said for over a year that John Gruden would likely be the team’s next head coach and see no reason to change that view. If the fat man doesn’t want the gig himself because he like stealing money – and who can blame him, hire one of your boys who has had mucho success already. That would be JG.

Till next time.

Announcement

2010-12-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

I did not share my thoughts last week because I was contemplating keeping such thoughts to myself from here on out.

In simple English, I am tired of not only being ahead of the curve, but of being the F%$#@ curve.

I'm bored by this stuff now because so much of it is obvious to me while it takes everyon else a S%$#@load of time to catch up.

I know it sounds pompous, but as Dizzy Dean said, "It ain't bragging if you can do it."

So the long and the short of it - no more telling the world Reggie Bush wasn't worth a top-5 pick, Peralta needed to be moved to a different position and Cabrera moved to SS, CC needed dealt before he walked (ditto LBJ), Butterfingers and DA needed to be dealt before their value dropped, the Browns' WR corps is of college quality at best, Eric Wright is not a quality starting corner, the Walrus should not have kept Mangini, the Cavs are a 29 win team - at best, etc...

No, I don't have a perfect batting average, but if you check my history, it's better than anyone else's - especially since I say it a year or two before everyone and I don't have the fatal gene the rest of the sports world has - sports amnesia (that short-term memory of only remembering the last week's action.)

Unless I get a clamor demanding I continue to express my thoughts publicly, I will keep them to myself.

Remember - Always piss standing up fellas and enjoy the holidays.

10 Things I Noticed This Past Week

2010-12-10T17:21:00.000-08:00

10 Things I noticed this past week follow.

Peyton Manning came out of a slump. That's all it was. You try to carry a team every week without your All-Pro tight end, no running game, an average offensive line and a mediocre defense. And no, it had nothing to do with "balance" versus a sinking Titans' team. They ran for just over 2 yard a carry for pete sake. Trust me, Tennessee was thrilled every time Manning handed it off.

Tom Brady has looked terrific after the Browns made him look like a rookie QB in his first pro start. And he's doing it with kids and some free agents around him. Think about it - what skilled player in NE, besides Brady, is having a Pro Bowl season?

Cam Newton's old man should not show up at the Heisman presentation. It will turn into a circus. Do you think the old guy will scalp his seat if he decides to stay home?

There is absolutely no reason to have the Baseball Winter Meetings any more. Only a handful of teams (Yankees, Sox, etc.) can afford the best free agents, can trade for the good players in the last year of their deal, etc. Why not do the boring stuff via teleconference and just have the big spenders meet on their own with the top player free agents and their reps? Hey, it would help with Global Warming right Mike D in Arizona? There would be fewer carbon emissions if fewer executives travel via air, right? Really, what does Pittsburgh's front office need to be there for anyway?

As an added bonus, I heard a "baseball expert" on ESPN this week telling the world sport is doing "extremely well" right now overall. Yea - tell that to K.C., who is about to unload its best pitcher, or San Diego, who just dealt its stud player before he could walk. Those Pirate and Indians are creating a ton of excitement for their fan base this off-season, aren't they? Morons.

Joe Haden would be having a Pro Bowl rookie season had he started from day one - as we implored the Browns to do back in August. He's looking more and more like their best #1 pick they've had since the team's return in 1999. Ofcourse, that's not saying much with their drafts.

I wonder who Mangini would have taken at #1 last Spring had he still been in charge, don't you? God help us. I still think he's gone at 7-9 if "The Walrus" (MH) gets the itch or if he (MH) can land Gruden. Think about it - the fact that Colt McCoy looks like a keeper will surely make the head coaching job more appealing for Gruden or the "Walrus" himself.

My prediction of 29 wins for the Cavs might be a reach after all. Remember, I said 29based on talent level. After what happened against Miami, we have also verified they have no "stones." That makes my 29 a potential reach. These guys may never show pride and man-up. Once it goes south, it takes leadership and toughness to get it back - exactly what this bunch lacks.

The local morons, who had them competing for the 7th/8th seed in the East, have decided it's Byron Scott's fault they are struggling so much. And I thought I heard it all. Amazing.

I have the Bills winning by 3 this Sunday in Buffalo. Do you think if you combined these two clubs, they'd be a playoff team? I'm not sure they would get to 10-6.

Short & Quick

2010-12-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Cavs
Over 20,000 in attendance and millions viewing on television witnessed a public ass-kissing last night when Le Bron James and the Heat hammered the Cavaliers in Cleveland – and I’m not referring to the final score. That matters little.

The Cavs players embarrassed themselves – not for their on-court performance mind you. I know they have minimal talent and will be fortunate to reach my 29 win total predicted for them back in November.

Rather, they made fools of themselves for not putting James on his ass once, and more importantly, treating him like one of their own during the game as he chatted away with their bench as the contest ensued.

Here’s a guy who leaves you high and dry, returns, kicks your ass on the floor, and you’re all smiles during and after the contest. What pussies!

The future of this franchise is in great hands, isn’t it? You want these guys in a foxhole with you, don’t you? Why didn’t they just ask James for his autograph while they were at it?

I have said over and over again, with each passing generation, we get softer and softer as a nation and it’s clearly reflected in our sports culture - from over-protection of our quarterbacks to so-called rivals" hanging out together and everything in-between. This proves it once again.

Had I been on that bench as he approached to chat, I would have told him to go F$#@ himself. Period. And that’s if I were wearing an assistant trainer shirt.

This has nothing to do with basketball Xs and Os or talent level. It has everything to do with having some pride and competing as a professional. The fans were more pissed than the players - and it showed. If you can't get up for that game, what motivates you to compete?

Hey, I guess it could have been worse – they could have all bent over as a group and let James choose who he was going to F$#@!

That was as disgusted as I have ever been watching a sporting event. Charles Barkley mentioned it in passing during his analysis. I was thinking the exact same thing and much worse.

I hope Byron Scott dressed them down in private. Because if he didn’t, we have a problem at the top as well. He’s from the “old School,” so I assume his public comments on the matter were strictly done to protect his guys – for now. If not, this franchise is truly doomed for years to come.

Browns
Yes, they have regressed the past two weeks after giving fans some hope the ship was headed in the right direction. The win against a 1-9 Carolina team was garbage in garbage out.

Now the locals have started the “Mangini Watch” again after wanting to give him a contract extension and also after concern the “D” coordinator was headed elsewhere for a head coaching gig. Right.

Moronic sports fans change their minds more often than a high maintenance broad with D cups.

As for going with Jake D. over Seneca Wallace, I have no idea what Mangini is thinking. This can’t make the team president (MH) happy, and will be taken into account at the end of the season – especially when Mangini is sitting at 6-10.

Relax Browns fans, Eric Wright has started practicing again following his injury. All is well. If Mangini sticks him back into the starting line-up, he’s asking to get fired. All 23 has done is get picks in three straight games while being named Rookie Defensive Player of the Month.

Big Business
Let’s see, two guys throw down in the middle of an NFL game and no one gets suspended. Nice. The fact that the Texans were on the NFL Network this past Thursday had nothing to do with the decision, I’m sure.

Nice precedent set. You can throw a guy’s helmet off and beat on him and lose all of $25,000. That’s chump change for these guys. I would have sat both dudes for 2 games minimum with a 100,000 fine a piece.

As for the NCAA deciding that your old man can shop you (Can Newton) to the highest bidder and nothing will happen to you, gives a green light to all the moms, pops, uncles, hangers-on, low-lifes, etc… to see what they can get because it isn’t going to affect the player’s eligibility as long as there’s nothing tracing it back to the player knowing about it. Nice.

And yea, I’m sure the player didn’t know dad wanted $180,000 from Mississippi. I'm sure Cam Newton and his dad never talk. Right.

Julian The Elf
Let’s hope the government has more success finding this Julian Assange, the elf that published documents embarrassing our government and diplomatic personnel this past week, than it has finding Osama Bin Laden.

Boy, we are good at keeping secrets aren't we? First, some dude who looks like the kid that always went out first in dodge-ball (a lowly private or something), downloads all these classified files, and gives them to a hair dresser (Assange), who tells you he's going to put them out there, and we can't stop him?

They've finally decided to start looking for this hair dresser. Nice. After his second download, mind you. The first took place this past summer.

Our nation's national security is in good hands, isn't it?

All is good though. We can relax. Sweden is on it, after him as well for some sexual assault beef. I can't see this guy assaulting a steak for dinner, let alone some skirt.

Assange can’t possibly be hard to find. I’m sure he wouldn’t be comfortable in a cave somewhere where you have to crap in a corner and not bathe for months at a time.

This guy (Assange) looks like he pisses sitting down and needs a butler to wipe his ass. Just put some resources near the local Star Bucks. This dude, I’m certain drinks lattes, and reads “Better Home and Garden” – or an Australian facsimile thereof.

Till next time. Be good.

Short & Quick

2010-11-24T14:39:00.000-08:00

Politics & Plane Travel
A couple things that seem obvious to me follow.

One more time – Sara Palin is disliked, and/or hated by the left because she’s a MILF who can recognize the difference between a man-to-man defense or zone (having been a former point guard), she cooks/cleans without bitching about it and knows how to load and fire a shotgun.

It ain’t brain surgery. Most of this country’s uptight broads can’t find a kitchen and have put on so much tonnage over the years thus making themselves attractive only to felons who are walking free after doing three years in the Mansfield Reformatory.

As for the men who don’t like her, the only thing I can think of is they have no balls or are gay. What’s there not to like?

Would I vote for her for President? Ask me that question when you tell me who’s she up against. And no, in my book, you don’t have to have an IQ of 150 to be the leader of the free world. A little common sense goes a long way. However, I was disappointed with her resigning as Governor. I know she wanted to cash in, but that would cost her some votes – including possibly mine. If you quit once, you might quit again.

As for this airport hullabaloo, I don’t get it. I don’t have a problem with going through a screening machine that gives off a little radiation. I’ll take that over the groping anytime if given a choice, unless of course, the skirt doing the groping has a slim waist and big jugs. Either way, I don’t care. This is a clearly an example of a story the media loves, so it (media) gives it legs (makes it bigger than it is). Stop bitching, get moving and get on the F%$#@ plane!

Browns

Trivia time – What team can go +5 in the turnover battle and still lose?

That’s’ right – the Cleveland Browns.

Geez, I wasn’t aware that if you put eight in the box and stopped Peyton Hillis, you could stop the Browns offense cold – especially with Josh Cribbs out of the line-up.

For those who wanted the play-calling to be more dynamic in that second half, I have one simple question?

Who in a Cleveland uniform did you want to get the ball to?

As for McCoy, we felt he was due to hit a wall and said so. He played okay. The dude is accurate as hell. However, on several occasions, he held the ball too long when he should have tossed it out of bounds. That has to improve. He looked indecisive for the first time. He’s allowed.

By the way, he made a couple excellent throws on that last drive – including the pass that got picked. He nearly stuck that into an impossible window. The dude is EXTREMELY accurate.

The “O” line had a bad day against the Jaguars. They didn’t run block well, nor did they give McCoy sufficient time to allow someone (anyone) to get open.

As for Sunday, yes, we see the Browns winning over Carolina regardless of who is under center. Both McCoy and Wallace should be able to put enough points on the board to earn a victory. But don’t expect a huge margin of victory. Besides, 23-20 still counts as a W.

My boy Vince Young seems to have worn out his welcome in Tennessee. If you can’t play for that guy (J. Fisher), you have issues. Again, we love his (Young’s) skill set, stating from day one this guy is a potential football freak. However, we can’t account for attitude, work ethic, common sense, selfishness, maturity, etc. Obviously, Vince has some issues that are not football related. That’s too bad. He’s only scratched the surface of what this corner thinks he’s capable of and has still won nearly 2/3 of the games he’s played in.

Maturity is a character trait that some people acquire later in life, or perhaps never at all. That is especially true for many babied athletes who have been "enabled" since their teenage years.

Vince seems like he has a very thin skin – not good for an NFL QB, where you are only as good as your last throw/game, unless your name is Manning or Brady.

Speaking for maturity, I’m curious to see how my other boy, Michael Vick, handles “Success II.” Remember, anyone can say and do all the right things when you’ve been humiliated. How do you handle your business when everyone is kissing your ass again is when you find out about a person. We’ll see this off-season with Vick.

Request Granted
Back to politics, a couple of you have asked me to handicap the Republican field for 2012. Here’s a very early, quick look.

S. Palin – likely unelectable. The media has destroyed her image by effectively building a narrative for 50% of the country that she’s a moron. She also hasn’t helped herself by leaving the governorship (already covered above). However, she’s the one the left wants to run against thinking she has the most holes (that’s not a play on words).

T. Pawlenty – nothing special.

M. Romney - Typical politician in terms of looks and approach. Has money and will have establishment backing but his health care approach (similar to Obamacare) when he was Mass. Governor and the fact that he’s a Mormon will hurt.

N. Ginrich – The smartest of the group, who would hammer Obama in a debate, but has baggage – including when he ditched his cancer-stricken wife for another babe a long time back. Not good.

Bobby Jindhal - I think I've F-up the spelling, regardless, he's intriguing. He's a hard target for the left to hit beacuse he's not a white middle-aged dude. The guy has doen a good job as Louisiana Governor and will likely run. I see him more as a #2, but then again, the Republicans are going to win his state and wouldn't need him on the ticket to do so.

M. Huckabee – I admire the guy. He lost a ton of weight and has done a nice job on his television show without losing credibility. Pretty bright and more likeable than most. Still, he wouldn’t be my first choice.

Yes, we still like Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who no one is including in either the first tier or second tier of candidates. Not only do we like him because he knows economics inside out (something that is desperately needed at the top right now), but because he’s a straight arrow and hard to hit from the left. He’s a nice, boring guy with a nice looking family. He’ll need a PR person around him who can take his skill set (knowledge of the issues) and couple that with some creative way to make him visually appealing to the public (aka: somewhat charismatic). Yes, I am available on a consultant basis. By the way, Ryan probably won't run.

Look out for Governor Christie of New Jersey. The fat boy is kicking ass and taking names, is good on camera and not afraid to mix it up. He's everyone's GOP VP early choice already because he comes from a coveted democratic state. I doubt he will run - too soon. However, his name will surface a lot, especially as the #2.

Aas for Marco Rubio, newly elected Governor of Florida - again, too soon, but a young, talented up and comer who is setting himself up nicely for 2016. He's the closest thing the Republicans have to a rock star in the party. Until we find out he sleeps with Romanian midgets - three at a time.

You would be amazed how much opposition research goes on. If you have a skeleton, they'll find it. That's why so many don't run.

There are a few others out there most of you don’t know of yet and/or will surface later, so I’ll stop there for now. We can cover those dudes at a later date.

Enjoy your turkey weekend.

Now time for a blast from the past - “Hey, who the hell is the athletic director around here?”

Be good!

Short & Quick

2010-11-17T08:39:00.001-08:00

Browns/NFL

Abe Elam made the play last week and failed to do so this past week versus the Jets. That is often what separates a win and a loss – one play you make or don’t make. Ditto for C. Stuckey, who turned it over in overtime when it looked like the Browns were reaching Dawson’s range.

Think about what the national media would be saying about Colt McCoy had the Browns won that game with a 50 yarder from Dawson in OT?

The kid shoved it down the Jets’ throats at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. He then had them nearing Dawson’s range when Stuckey coughed it up.

Credit should also go to the Jets’ DB for forcing that strip. That was no accident.

We all love Peyton Hillis, but the dude can’t continue to cough it up this much. This team simply isn’t good enough, in terms of talent, for your lead back to average double-digit fumbles a year – which is the pace he’s on.

And I don’t care that he runs hard and his style is conducive to fumbles. Your lead back has to take care of the ball. Period.

There actually are morons out there that wanted the Browns to sit on the ball late and play for the tie in overtime. One more time – “You play to win the game!”

I’m sure those same geniuses would be the first ones out of their seats cheering like a crack addict in a Copenhagen hash house if McCoy had connected with his tight end down the middle on that first down pass in their last possession.

We had the Jets winning a close one because this was simply a bad match up for Cleveland. The Jets stop the run and have arguably the best set of corners in the game.

The Browns, predictably, could not run it down their throats because NY could put 8 in the box to stop Hillis without any concern for the Browns’ wide outs hurting them.

Overall, this was the most entertaining/competitive Browns game I have seen in years, but I do have one criticism - I was not happy with the play selection when the Browns got in the red zone in the 3rd quarter.

They decided to throw three times from the 6-yard line instead of pounding Hillis inside. Play to your strengths gentlemen. Two shots with Hillis inside followed by a play action McCoy roll out giving him a simple pass/run option was needed there.

I feel sorry for Eric Wright. The locals are crucifying him. Let’s try this again – he’s not as bad as he’s looked this year and he was never as good as the rest of the civilized world thought (an NFL starting corner) last year.

The early-game loss at the other corner hurt and so did the Fujita injury. Yet, they hung in there. Good for them.

Just keep Mangini away from the early-look draft board if he's walking the halls and wants to peek in and give his two cents. He's a butcher there and proved it.

Okay, so I’m watching ESPN this past week and I keep seeing that the Redskins are about to give my boy Donovan McNabb $40 million of guaranteed money – at least that’s what the morons kept reporting making themselves look foolish to 1% of the population that “gets it.”

My reaction as I am sitting drinking a margarita – There is no way you give a 30-something QB who has been banged up that kind of guaranteed money. Why would you? Who the hell are you competing against?

The report made no sense even though ESPN ran with it for a couple days. Even the Skins aren’t that stupid. The end result – he didn’t get $40 guaranteed.

My question is this - How come ESPN had no one on salary that questioned this report/lunacy from the beginning? I might have missed it, but no one came on early and said the following – “Why would the Skins give McNabb, who is on the back-9 in football terms, $40 million up front when they don’t have to?

I really believe at times I’m living in an alternate universe.

Yes, we are picking the Browns to lose again this Sunday at Jacksonville. I am going on the theory that McCoy will hit a wall on Sunday. He hasn’t thrown a pick in three weeks. His only semi-playmaker out wide (Cribbs) is hurt, and he’s on the road. Sorry, we like The Jaguars 27-23.

As you can see, there is a pattern forming. The Browns have found an identity and are decent enough now to play teams relatively close, but don’t have the playmakers to finish most times out.

Again, if your QB doesn’t cough it up, your defense plays well in the red zone and you consistently win the special teams battle, you can be 8-8 in this league. This is the first rule of NFL football the way the game and rules (no true free agency) are structured and it has held true since the beginning of time. That’s why I keep repeating it.

The Browns “O” line deserves credit. They have done a good job of keeping McCoy clean the past few weeks.

By the way, kudos to Mangini for trying an on-side kick early. However, it would be nice if the guys on the kick-off team were told about it beforehand.

I like 23 returning kicks. I’d put him back there on punts as well if his hands aren’t made of stone. Then again, if they weren’t, he’d probably be a WR.

Cavs
My poor Cavs are about to start playing better teams. They have been able to stay above water (.500) due to a friendly early-seasons schedule. However, it might get ugly quick. Sit tight, the ride is going to be bumpy.

Early indications tell me coach Scott knows his stuff. Unfortunately, he has limited talent – which is the norm in the Eastern Conference. In simple English – there are a lot of bad teams in the East, the Cavs fit right in.

The only surprise so far – B. Gibson is playing his best basketball to date. He’s doing more than just spotting up. Let’s see if he can keep it up over 82 games.

Nothing else has surprised me about this team to date. They play hard and together, but lack raw talent and finishers.

And thanks for your response to my political piece last week. Yes, I am a jack of all trades and master of none.

To the few/proud - see you on the 23rd!

Short & Quick

2010-11-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

Browns

I have no idea what to make of the last two games other than to say the Browns seem to have gotten their sea legs under them when it comes to running the ball effectively on a consistent basis and the defense continues to play outstanding football in the red zone (See Elam’s strip). Couple that with a young quarterback who isn’t turning it over and you have a competitive team.

By the way - Elam's strip and fumble recovery prior to the half is arguably one of the three biggest plays this team has made this year. That was huge. It's what good players on good teams do that eventually gets you that "W" instead of playing well and losing.

Notice I said “competitive team” not “Good.” Listening to the local media and you would think Eric Mangini is now a genius and this team will run the table and finish 10-6 or no worse than 9-7. Right. Again, this is a classic case of short-term thinking at work.

You can’t produce a winning record without a consistent pass rush while also lacking NFL caliber receivers. However, one has to give to Mangini and company credit for “coaching these guys up” the past two games.

They are doing it with mirrors on defense and without quality NFL receivers on offense. That’s saying something.

We had them at 7-9 before the season started. It looked bleak several weeks ago. Now 7-9 looks reachable. Then again, they could go into a tailspin again. Anything is possible.

At least now, we know their personality - run the ball, try a few tricks and gimmick things up defensively. The key is doing it consistently week in week out.

Again, the bottom line is in the NFL, if you don’t’ cough it up, possess solid special teams and you bend but don’t break in the red zone, you can be in games late and win half of them. It shouldn’t be that hard.

Think about it - they are competitive without their outstanding special teams of the past. Cribbs has yet to make a game-changing play this year on special teams.

Separated At Birth

By the way, when I watch Colt McCoy play, a similar veteran NFL quarterback comes to mind. This guy has an outstanding career completion ratio (aka: very accurate), doesn’t turn it over very often, doesn’t possess a big arm, is undersized, somewhat mobile and generally underappreciated because he’s not 6-4/230 with a cannon.

His name?

Chad Pennington. CP’s problem has been staying healthy. Hopefully, McCoy won’t suffer the same fate. The next level up from Pennington in terms of this “genre” of quarterback is named “Montana.”

Now if McCoy reaches that level, we will have something really special. Of course, I’m not betting on it. The Joe Montana’s of the world come around every other generation.

Who's In Charge
I have been asked if I would start my boy, Seneca Wallace, if he’s healthy. Not at this point. I would ride McCoy and get him as much experience as possible. If he continues to win games, then you have a good problem going into next year – two guys who can flat out play. With injuries what they are, especially at QB with this team, you’ll need two guys there.

One thing is for certain – McCoy needs to get in the weight room this off-season.

One final thought on quarterbacks. The most important tool I look for in a quarterback has and always will be ACCURACY. Early returns tell us that’s McCoy’s strength. That’s a good thing.

Now let’s see if he can keep it going. A little more talent around him wouldn’t hurt either.

One of A Kind
One thought on P. Hillis - I simply can’t think of a player in recent history to compare him to. He’s faster and much athletic that Mike Alstot. And he’s much bigger than Jim Kick, an all-purpose back for the undefeated Dophins’ squad of the early 70’s.

I simply can’t think of a 245 pound running back that combines brute force and a fair measure of athleticism. Take a look at his game-ending TD run against the Steelers. He turned the corner and outran the Steelers’ outside linebacker who had the angle. Hillis was flat out faster and/or in better shape.

Versus the Jets
As for this week against the Jets, I simply can’t pick the Browns. The Jets are simply better – although I don’t consider them a true Super Bowl contender yet.

Simply put – if their quarterback doesn’t turn it over and makes a few plays, I see New York winning 23-17. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.

And no, Eric Wright should not be on Edwards tomorrow. He’s not big enough, physical enough or good enough.

One More Time
I also noticed last Sunday Evan Moore lining up more at WR. Why Mangini doesn’t just leave him there 50-60 plays a game is still a mystery to me. If I figured out early he’s better than our group of mediocre third receivers, why can’t he?

I’ll answer my own question – if Mangini sits M. Ali and Robiskie, it proves he didn’t know what the hell he was doing in the draft a couple years ago.

This is another classic example of why a head coach shouldn’t be drafting – it’s called "conflict of interest." It’s hard to sit guys you stuck your neck out for.

Think about it - M. Ali had a handful of catches for about 50 yards last week and that was hailed as a “very good” performance by some in the media in town. Talk about a low bar!

Pats Lack "O" Talent
Is it me or do the Patriots look like they are very pedestrian on offense?

I was stunned by the lack of skilled players on that team. I have no idea how they came into Cleveland with just one loss with that offensive talent pool. I know they are young and have had injuries, but the Browns looked like they had more playmakers than NE last Sunday. And that’s saying something.

Brady must be doing it with mirrors. By the way, he (Brady) actually looked confused against Cleveland. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Brady lost for the bulk of a game without facing a real pass rush.

My Bad
Looks like I was mistaken about Tampa Bay. When they played the Browns, they looked like a 5 win team at best. With half the season to go, they are overachieving in my book.

Cavaliers & LeBron
One final time – How does LBJ and the media get away with the “I/He wanted to go somewhere where he could win a title” excuse” when he played on a team the past two years that had the BEST record in basketball?

Am I living in the Twilight Zone? I heard a couple morons this week justify James’ move because Miami gives him a better shot at a title and they couldn’t win it in Cleveland. This is amazing logic to say the least.

If you play on a team that wins more games than ANYONE else over a two year period, logic dictates that team has a pretty good chance of winning it all. It doesn’t guarantee it of course, but where are you going to find a better team? In other words, how do you improve on the best record in the sport?

I have yet to hear anyone anyone echo my thoughts.

Overrated
By the way, Chris Bosh is Zach Randolph without the baggage.

For those of you who aren’t basketball junkies, that means he gets stats when it doesn’t count. In Randolph’s case, he’s also one of those guys the Head Coach/GM/COO has to be worried about in terms of getting that 2 a.m. phone call from the police or a local hospital.

I don’t think Bosh is a head case, but he hasn’t proven he’s special – even with his career 20/10 numbers. Remember, he couldn’t even get Toronto an 8th seed in all his time there.

Politics

Nancy Pelosi is the gift that keeps on giving.

An irony of the midterm elections is the fact that the remaining democratic contingent in Congress is even more left than prior to November 2. The majority of moderate democrats from swing districts lost. The only thing that remains are hard-core lefties from districts that lean way left (i.e. SF & inner cities).

This means Nancy “My brains are totally fried” Pelosi will remain as the democratic leader of the House – even though she will be in a diminished role as minority leader. This means Republicans can continue to use her as a poster child for what’s wrong with Democrats.

There aren’t enough sensible Democrats remaining in the House to stop her. Then again, if these so-called moderate Democrats had any common sense, they wouldn’t have walked the plank for Pelosi, Obama and company when the country warned them to vote AGAINST stimulus and health care reform.

These morons want it both ways. They showed no spine when it was clear many voted themselves out of office when they voted “yes” for legislation the majority of the country didn’t want. Now they complain about their leadership (i.e. Nancy and company) leading them into the fire.

Here’s my take – show some balls when the bullets are flying, not after the fact. No one put a gun to your head and forced you to vote with the lefties. Decisions have consequences you pussies!

I don’t recall one Democrat in office at the time standing up during the Health Care debate saying the following – “If we pass this, it will cost us dearly come November 2 and, more importantly, it’s bad legislation when you pass major legislation affecting 1/6th of the economy strictly along partisan lines (no Republicans joined in).”

Short & Quick

2010-11-05T07:30:00.001-07:00

Politics
Elections have consequences as I have often said.

The 2008 presidential election meant this country was going to lurch left – although many didn’t expect it to be such a sharp turn.

Well, the 2010 midterms provided a ‘correction.”

A correction is when the American people tell Washington they’ve got it wrong. In this case, it was as simple as a right/center nation reminding the President and his Democratic cohorts in the House and Senate of this fact.

Remember, every 15-20 years, we give liberals some power and they blow it. This time, they had maximum power (the executive and the legislative branches) and blew it faster than a fat boy downing a pair of twinkies at lunch while the jocks put gum in his hair.

That was my "bullying" reference since it's such a hot topic these days.

By the way, you know how you stop a bully - punch him in the face. And if he doesn't back down and kicks your ass, get your older brother involved or double team him with one of your boys and kick his ass.

Sensitivity training doesn't work with some people. They need beaten on to learn the most valuable lesson of all - there is always someone bigger, badder, and/or better than you.

Back on point.

The Democrats couldn’t help themselves. So they shot their wad so to speak (aka: spent like drunken sailors) until they couldn’t spend any more. And knowing their power was likely to be short-lived, they convinced themselves they had to pass as much liberal legislation as quickly as possible before the correction came.

You see, unlike others, I believe Obama, Pelosi and company knew full well they would lose much of their power in 2010. They saw the anger building (i.e. the town halls). They had pollsters telling them independents were pissed as far back as last year. They didn’t care. So they publicly said what they had to say (aka: “They’ll like the health bill once they know what’s in it.”) to pass the time while they lurched us left.

Either that or they were complete morons and misread the nation. No one walking on two feet is that stupid – not even Nancy Pelosi.

By the way, she's totally gone. I have a feeling, in the near future, we're going to get a scroll on CNN indicating she's dangling buck naked from the Golden Gate Bridge (her home base) singing "There once was a man from Nantucket..." while drinking Vodka straight from the bottle given to her by three circus clowns just passing through.

Back on point - again.

The end result – Obama’s agenda was on trial in the 2010 midterms but he wasn’t. So he didn’t care those he convinced to follow his lead walked the plank and lost their seats. It wasn’t him.

You see, it doesn’t take courage to pass unpopular legislation when you personally aren’t up for re-election. You let others fall on the sword and thank them nicely for being good soldiers as they clean out their Washington offices and turn in their leased condo keys.

Now let’s see how Obama handles matters over the course of the next two years when he’s up for re-election himself.

Will he drift back toward the middle or stay hard left and go down in flames in the next election, assuming the Republicans post a candidate that can walk, chew gum, isn’t a leper and has no child molestation convictions on his record?

My hunch is he’ll drift back toward the middle some to give himself a legitimate shot at re-election. Remember, all he needs is his base (liberals, AA, & Latinos) to turnout, which they likely will in 2012, and to recapture a majority of the all-important independent vote.

He gets the independents back by seeming reasonable and by telling them you don’t want the Republicans in charge of all three branches after the 2012 elections.

“You see how we screwed it up after 2008 when we had all the power? The Republicans will screw it up even worse.” That’s his upcoming narrative folks.

You see, unless the Republicans blow it big time, they are likely to keep the House and regain the Senate in 2012 based on redistricting – which going to take place, state by state. And with most states going red, the Republicans are doing the redistricting. In simple English, they get to “rig the game.”

For example, Obama is looking at a totally different Midwest map than he was two years ago. States like Indiana, Ohio and even Pennsylvania are likely to go Republican next time around. He simple can’t win the election (get electoral votes) without much of the Midwest in his pocket. It isn’t likely to be there next time around with many of these states now in Republican control (i.e. governors & legislatures).

So Obama will attempt to show he’s somewhat reasonable while telling the nation you want divided government – elect me while you stumble toward a Republican legislative branch.

His other alternative is to stay hard left and prove his critics right – that’s he’s a true lefty and doesn’t care about being re-elected. He just wants to fundamentally transform the country regardless of cost to him (no second term) and his Party (getting mauled in elections while he’s in charge).

My money is on him compromising some. Why? The guy’s got way too big an ego to not want the gig for another four years.

Short & Quick

2010-10-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

Browns
Win the turnover battle 4-0 + all trick plays work + 2 defensive TDS = Upset over defending Super Bowl Champions.

Congratulations to the coaching staff for having the players ready to play, an excellent game plan and the best single game execution yet in the Mangini Era. There’s no other way to describe the win over New orleans. We’ll soon see if this is an anomaly or a sign of things to come.

I was especially impressed with the running game late when the Browns shoved it down the Saints’ throats – chewing up time and adding a field goal to stretch the lead to 13.

The Browns were more physical than the Saints – which is a good thing after getting their butts kicked up front the past two weeks.

Do you think Scott Fujita was fired up? He played like a Pro Bowler against his old mates.

When you aren’t very good as a team, you get the third team doing the play-by-play and color. That was evident late when neither talking head mentioned if the Saints won their final challenge, Eric Mangini would take the “hands to the facemask” penalty – basically making the challenge moot.

It took them forever to figure that one out. What’s more perplexing is the fact that obviously no one whispered in their ear up in the booth to cove that ground.

The more you watch 43, the more you have to like him. He can’t cover anyone – that’s expected for a safety – but he’s always around the ball and will smack you in the mouth. On a negative note, he dropped another pick Sunday. He’s had at least two clear chances at INTs and failed both times the past two weeks. That’s the difference between being considered a good-looking rookie and a potential 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

Think about it – Ward might lead the team in tackles as a rookie DB. Couple that with a pick six or two gives you a player everyone is talking about.

A few more screens were in order yesterday to slow down the Saints’ pass rush.

Quiz – Which will have a harder time getting open (football) or open looks (basketball) – the Browns receivers or the Cavs' perimeter players this winter?

Think about it – we’ve covered it time and time again the lack of talent at WR on this team before anyone else started talking about it, but imagine how difficult it will be for the Cavs to score in the half court without anyone needing a double team nor any players who can take guys off the dribble.

It will be ugly to watch most nights. Be prepared Cavs fans. Why do you think Byron Scott wants to run so much with this bunch?

How does 29-53 sound? I have them going 21-20 at home and winning single digits on the road (8-33). No stars, little depth, and few players who can truly defend usually means a very rough road record in the NBA.

Regardless, unless Byron Scott is a wizard and a couple new guys can flat out play, I just don't see much room for error beyond 29 wins. Unfortunately, I see 28 on the top end for the Cavs. They are much closer to 20 wins than 35 victories in my mind.

Finally, what’s with the chew in Mangini’s mouth? Is he trying to show he’s a tough guy? Okay, I’ll back off. The guy did his best coaching job yet. Let’s let him enjoy it now that his job is secure until at least week 18. Why do you think he was smiling so much after the win?

The Browns can’t lose this week (bye), but a double digit loss (27-17) is in order the following week when they host the Pats. I don't buy they've turned the corner - lack of talent folks.

BQ
Are you telling me Brady Quinn couldn't be an effective starter for the Cardinals and that offense compared to what they are running out there behind center? Come on.

Till next time.

Short & Quick

2010-10-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

College
I don’t even know the kid’s name, but the Auburn quarterback looks like a poor man’s Vince Young to me. I saw the kid play over the weekend and was impressed by his size, speed and demeanor. And for those of you who still hate on my boy Vince, he’s still winning two of every three starts, and now that he actually has some weapons at WR, his passing numbers should get better.

I watched the Ohio State game over the weekend and was stunned by how bad Tressel’s special teams are. I’m told this has been an on-going problem all year. Of course, when you play Thiel (aka YSU), it doesn’t matter. This guy is as an “old-school” coach if there ever was one. For his ST units to be so bad must drive the dude crazy.

Watched five minutes of the Oregon game last night and realized they are using the fast paced offensive system I have always wanted to see employed. It’s basically a two minute offense being used for 40 minutes. For years, we heard you can’t run the hurry-up for the whole game because it will also tire your players (the offense). Oregon is showing teams it can be done.

In other for it to work, you have to have the talent (as always), depth (to keep people fresh) and be in great shape. They seem to have all three. I’m sure in a copycat world, everyone will be going to it in the coming years, especially if Oregon wins big this year (i.e. National Title).

Pros
The Colts basically do it at the pro level with Manning and company. Yet, my Browns are headed in the other direction with a 1970 approach of having Ed Potolak (look him up) as their main runner and receiver.

The irony is amazing to me. In the age of spreading the field, making defenses cover sideline to sideline/tackle in space, and getting off as many plays (mostly passing) as possible, Cleveland is back in the Dark Ages.

I know better than anyone that it’s their best chance to keep it close, but it doesn’t make it right. Boy do they have work to do in terms of upgrading their talent.

Memo to the Browns, here’s a second round wide receiver who can play – the Caucasian Buckeye wide out with the long name. I’ve seen the kid play 3x now and I don’t need to see more. He’s better than the garbage Cleveland puts out there now.

If Brett Favre sent unsolicited pictures of his schlong to a female Jets’ co-worker, he should be called on the carpet. If all he did was leave a phone message asking some slim-waisted, big-breasted 20 something year-old if she wanted to come over, then there’s no “there” there.

There’s a real line between harassment and some childlike mid-aged jock acting foolish. If it’s just a call, she can say $#@off. If he did more than that, he has bigger problems than a league fine and the NOW wenches who are unhappy with what nature gave them picketing his workplace. His old lady will unload on him and take half of what he’s worth.

Yea, Colt McCoy handled his first start well. No, I’m not ready to crown him king like some moron fans/media are right now in town. These are the same folks who would be ridiculing the organization for taking him had he gone 10-for-29 with three picks.

Obviously, he should be the starter from here on out. There’s absolutely nothing to lose – assuming you can keep him upright. Just like we said with Brady Quinn, the more experience you can get a young player (QB) the better. Unfortunately, they didn’t listen with Quinn. Hopefully, the Walrus will step in and make sure Mangini does the right thing.

One final note on McCoy – he needs to know where he is on the field. In the third quarter, he took a sack on third down that knocked them out of potential field goal range. There's no escuse for that - at any level. No one mentioned it on the broadcast, so I figured I’d do it.

Overall, the kid looks accurate and mobile. And I was impressed he got them in and out of the huddle without drawing flags. That’s also a good thing. Let’s see more of him now.

I just found out last Friday the Browns traded my boy Jerome Harrison. Here’s a guy who saves Mangini’s bacon last year. So Mangini turns around and rewards him by bringing in another back (Hillis) to take his place, then trades Harrison. Nice.

Loyalty works both ways in sports/business folks. If he didn't like him as their lead back, which was obviously the case, he should have done it before the season started when the kid’s value was higher. And, it would have given Harrison an opportunity to perhaps earn serious playing time with his new team. Now, the kid is back on the bench with his head spinning. He simply deserved better for saving Mangini’s job.

Yea, we almost nailed the Steelers’ score dead on - 27-10. See, I can be right sometimes.

When you lose the turnover battle 3-1 to a better team and you give up 5 sacks while registering none yourself, you have the makings of a bloodbath. Fortunately, it wasn’t a total embarrassment except for one thing – for the second straight week, the Browns were manhandled, beaten up, bullied. You choose the adjective. And this coach preaches toughness. Right!

There is absolutely no team identity with this bunch yet. After two years on the job, that’s another indictment of the head coach added to a horrid winning percentage.

So not only do we have a 1-5, bad, slow, under-talented team, but they are relatively soft compared to teams they've played. Nice. The only Browns’ player I see flying around causing havoc is #43. Check that - Josh Cribbs is mentally and physically tough as well.

Some other thoughts follow.

How much longer are they going to sit Haden on the bench on first and seconds down? Come on!

The Harrison hit on M. Ali deserved a flag. I’m not sure there is a clear solution to this mess but here’s my angle - go back to leather helmets. I’m not kidding.

If you wear a leather helmet (or a 21st century facsimile thereof ) you won’t lead with the head – ever, unless you are nuts. Everything else will follow – i.e. how tackling is taught).

No one asked me, but I would have neurologists, engineers and ex-players working together on head gear that’s light, still protects the athlete and simple. What they are wearing now looks like a weapon to me. And it's often used that way unfortunately.

I’m glad to see the Browns decided to change the snap count on occasion in the second quarter. The Steelers were getting a running start at McCoy until then.

Mangini elected to go into the locker room down 7-3 at halftime against the Steelers without even attempting to move the ball forward on the team’s last possession before the break. Doesn’t he know his players view that as a lack of faith in them? At least try a draw or screen.

Then he uses his timeouts with Steelers pinned back deep in their end prior to halftime, but DOESN’T attempt to rush the punter on fourth down with seconds remaining on the clock. What the hell is that?

New Orleans 34 Cleveland 17.

Till next time.

Short & Quick

2010-10-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Let’s get the bad news out of the way – Steelers 27 Browns 10. We can’t see how Cleveland will move the ball offensively, but we’ll give them double figures based solely on kindness. Obviously, this one has all the makings of getting real ugly quick if the Browns don’t man up at the line of scrimmage.

Speaking of line of scrimmage, I learned one thing from this past Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. Atlanta is very physical. They beat up the Browns – literally. What was especially disappointing was Darcy Egan’s buddy at left tackle. The former All-Pro (Joe Thomas) got beat like a South East Asian prostitute entertaining a pair of drunk/angry Merchant Marines. Thomas needs to spend less time doing a fishing show on Lake Erie and more time in the weight room. Is it me, or is he regressing?

The guy that destroyed him (Abraham) was a Pro-Bowl end made available by the Jets several years ago. At the time, we wrote the Browns should move heaven and earth to get him since true pass rushers aren’t made available every day and the Browns haven’t had one since Kennedy was banging chicks two at a time in the White House. Unfortunately, no one figured it out. Who needs a playmaker on defense anyway?

By the way, the rookie D-lineman for the Falcons (Biermann) may have made the most athletic play I have ever seen out of a near 300 pounder when he batted a pass in the air, caught it on a roll, got up and scampered the distance for a score. Meanwhile, our DBs can’t catch a cold on the rare occasion the opposing QB puts it in their hands.

Why the Browns don’t sign Antonio Bryant, a NFL #2 receiver currently looking for a job, is beyond me. You don’t need 20 years of watching film to determine Bryant is better than anything currently on the roster.

Why didn’t the Browns end the first half with a hail may pass from midfield? Why not take a shot? What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Look, we like Peyton Hillis. He’s a tough kid. But his running style is conducive to getting hit often from all sides. He won’t last very long in this league at this pace.

Did I mention the Browns may have less team speed that Hiram?

Overall, considering they have no pass rush and lack any true playmakers, the defense has performed relatively well. And no, I don’t blame the coordinator every time they blitz and get beat downfield. He has stones, realizes he has no pass rush and understands the guys on the field are not going to make many big plays on their own. He’s forcing the action. I prefer that approach than the sit back and give up 10 play/75 yards drives. Secondly, their red zone defense has been especially good.

Once again, no special plays on special teams. I never thought I’d say this, but Josh Cribbs has been MIA so far this season. He’s been the single most disappointing player in 2010. When you lack talent and your only playmaker isn’t making many plays – you have a real problem. To be kind, they are using him more in the basic offense due to lack of talent at WR. Still, that’s no excuse for not making an impact yet in his specialty. This week would be a good time to get it going.

As for Colt’s debut, my expectations are limited. This is perhaps the worst environment in football to make your first start (Pittsburgh). Still, he is getting paid. I expect a lot of running and dump passes. The offensive line MUST perform well this week. They handled the Ravens up front but then regressed against the Falcons. That can’t happen this week, or else they may be on their fourth QB before we even get to break week.

Right now, it looks like the Browns will realistically be sitting at 1-6 at the break. I doubt anyone with real street credibility (i.e. Chucky) would take the job in the middle of the season, but don’t be stunned if the “Walrus” make a change and turns it over to Ryan if they get blitzed the next two weeks (Steelers & Saints). The margin of defeat will be key for Mangini to keep his job through the holidays.

You know things are bad when all the local media has left is "They are playing better this year. They just don't have a lot of talent." Wow. And here I thought the idea in the multi-billion $ world of professional sports was to accumulate talented athletes, coach 'em up, and win a lot more than you lose. In Cleveland's NFL, it's turned into not looking bad when you lose.

Till next time.

Short & Quick

2010-10-06T07:51:00.001-07:00

Browns’ First W
The only conclusion I can come to from watching the Browns’ win over the Bengals is that Carson Palmer is on the back 9 of his career.

Matt Roth was able to make a couple of big plays rushing the quarterback. Part of the reason was that #58 was back in the line-up and often drew a chip from the back, allowing Roth to go one-on-one coming off the other edge.

On one of Roth’s two sacks, it was good coverage that allowed it to happen. The Browns will take it any way they can get it.

The Browns figured out in the past two weeks that they need to run the ball early and often. Had they employed that approach against their first two opponents they might not be sitting at 1-3 right now.

I give absolutely no credit to Mangini and his staff for getting it late. This wasn’t difficult to figure out – especially after how they won four in a row down the stretch in ‘09. The problem is you can’t win a lot of games in this league if you can’t throw it at all.

But that’s all they have right now – thanks to some horrid drafting. Take a look at the 3 #2s Mangini took in the 2008 draft and you’ll hurl chunks. That set this team in talent back several years. You can’t blow all three.

If you know what you are doing, 2 of 3 are starters and contributing heavily. If you don’t know what you are doing, 1 of 3 is helping. And if you are officially Joe Biden smart, all three have yet to do a damn thing (aka: Cleveland).

Cleveland actually had a wide receiver catch a pass in the third quarter I never heard of before (#85). Been there done that when it comes to that crew. Everyone else in town is starting to figure it out – two years late.

Seneca Wallace played well in his third start. He has improved steadily with each appearance. He should be sitting with 3 TDs and one pick had not a receiver had the ball bounce off his hands Sunday into the hands of a waiting DB.

What is just as important that fails to get noticed is the sacks he’s avoided with his mobility. He’s not Tom Brady, but he can play.

So Mike Alstot is back. Peyton Hillis did not rush for a ton of yards (27 for 102 yards), but kept the chains moving from time to time and was able to somehow turn the corner late in the game to pick up a first down and seal the win. What does that say about the Bengals D? Hillis will become a folk hero in town if he keeps it up with his hard-hat approach.

Now the down side – this is the slowest group of skilled players on an NFL roster I have ever seen. You have a fullback playing tailback and no speed (we’ve already covered talent) at receiver.

If I were coaching this group of WRs, I would play Evan Moore at WR much more. He may be slow (aka: a tight end), but he’s a big target, has good hands and seems to screen off defenders well. The touchdown pass Wallace hit him with came with Moore lined up wide.

It’s simple, if your #2 tight end is a better receiver than your #1 receiver, you play the tight end. Plus, Moore is somewhat of a hybrid. He’s not a true NFL tight end. He seems fairly comfortable in space. But what do I know?

The Browns punt and kickoff coverage units don’t get enough credit. Special teams play has been this team’s strength during the Mangini Era. On the flip side, the return units (Josh Cribbs & company) however, have not been stellar so far in 2010.

Teams seem to be adjusting to Cribbs in the wildcat formation. Maybe it’s because they can put 11 in the box knowing he’ll keeping it. They need to add a new wrinkle or two.

And I don’t like going to Cribbs at QB nearly as much this year when you already have a mobile guy in Wallace back there. The Browns need to utilize his ability to bootleg more often – especially in third and short situations and near the goal line. Get Wallace out in space on occasion and give him one pass option to go with the run option.

Falcons win 23-20. I actually think this one is very winnable if the Browns don’t cough it up and they can make a couple special teams plays.

I am just having a hard time picking them against a decent team when they have no passing game, the slowest skilled players in the history of the sport and a poor pass rush. If Atlanta has any talent (aka: “The Franchise” Matt Ryan) and the ability to adjust, they should win. I hope I am wrong.

McNabb
I was glad to see the Philly fans cheer Donovan McNabb. He earned it.

Indians
The Indians quietly Monday announced some front office shake ups. In simple English, they won 69 games, missed out on the playoffs for the eighth year in the last nine tries and everyone got promoted. I’m not making this up. Where do I go to get my application?

I Was Wrong
I need to fess up. I was obviously wrong about Steve Fuller (aka: Kyle Orton). Either that or little Belichick (aka: Josh McD.) is a hell of a QB coach. He took what was a back-up signal-caller in Orton and has turned him into a quality starter –or so it seems. Perhaps it’s a little of both.

This begs the question – How bad was Chicago’s offensive system and talent for all those years?

When I mess up, I fess up.

Classic Over-coaching
I caught the replay of LSU’s wonderful clock management against the Vols this past Saturday. I don’t know what was worse – LSU running guys in and out from the 1 yard line prior to the game’s last play or the Vols matching LSU’s madness by having 13 guys on the field.

Can you say OVERCOACHING? The specialization in football has gradually gone from the ridiculous to the sublime. These guys (coaches) spend way too much time looking at film and trying to come up with stupid schemes, plays and personnel groups to justify their jobs.

You are at the 1 yard line. Why the hell do you need to change personnel groups when you were already in your short yardage set prior to that play?

But then again, on third and inches, I would never put the QB in the shot gun and have the ball go back several yards before I try to go forward to get John Holmes’ type yardage. Call me crazy!

Cavaliers
If a team opens camp and no one hardly notices, did it happen? The Cavs have started playing exhibition games but they barely get a notice.

It will get much worse when they are sitting at 12-29 at the half way mark and the media & fans start dumping hard on Gilbert & company hard for not having a plan B. – something we have been saying for a long time.

To make matters worse, they just opened up a brand new two story gift shop at the Q. Obviously, when the team’s number crunchers planned that out they had 23 staying in town. Call me crazy, but I can’t see Daniel Green jerseys flying off the shelf.

And if anyone really thinks this team, as it’s constituted, has a chance at the 8th seed, they need a lobotomy. Again, I hope I am wrong and these coaches can squeeze champagne out of piss.

Till next week.

“Luck is the residue of hard work.”

2010-10-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Short & Quick

2010-09-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

Poor Eric
Here’s a riddle – What do you do when someone is clearly not getting the job done and keeps making the same mistakes over and over again? Answer – you replace him!

Obviously, the Cleveland Browns’ coaching staff did not take that course in personnel management 101.

Eric Wright, who we have been sounding the alarm bells about for two years, was beaten over and over again like a mouthy step child with bad habits and worse hygiene by the Ravens’ A. Boldin yesterday.

I actually felt bad for Wright, who was left out there on an island time and time again, much like a manager decides to leave his starter on the hill to eat innings down 7-0 early. The only difference is this – the Browns were still in this game.

What was Mangini’s and Ryan’s solution?

Leave him out there and occasionally sliding a safety over on top for help. That worked great by the way.

Obviously, there was never any serious thought to taking the guy off the field and replacing him.

Why would you do that? It’s not like you have a high first round pick on your bench who plays the exact same position ready to step in for just this kind of circumstance.

Here’s an out of the box thought – put Brown on Boldin and slide Haden over on Mason with some help on top if you think the rookie needs it.

Can you spell coaching malpractice? Look, these guys spend 24/7 looking at film and yet can’t make a common sense decision a pee wee coach could figure out.

It gets worse - Here's what their braintrust was saying - Eric Wright is our #1 corner. Why else would you put him on a futue Hall of Famer/their best WR?

A 12 year old who plays for the Catholic Youth Football League knows S. Brown is a superior cover corner. Keep breaking down film guys. It will all make sense someday.

Besides, if a guy is having a terrible day, get him off the field – for his own good. Wright’s head had to be spinning 100 mph. The last place he needed to be was on the field in the second half of that game making a fool of himself and costing his team dearly.

If you don’t want to sit him completely, make him the nickel back for a while to take some pressure off the poor guy.

Quick- What's the definition of insanity? Right. It’s doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. That would be the Browns’ coaching decision yesterday when it came to their secondary.

Now imagine being a player on that team and knowing you have to depend on that bunch(coaches) to make adjustments at halftime to win games. More on that two paragraphs down.

Anyone who had any doubts about Mangini being in over his head should have no more illusions. This was so poorly handled by this guy and his staff even the local media figured it out.

Need more evidence – this team led in the second half in all three games played to date, only to lose all three.

The way the game ended is indicative of the joke that is the Cleveland Browns – a player jumped off sides on 3rd and 4 late, securing the win for Baltimore. Come on –you can’t make this stuff up.

Women in Sports

Warning - I am about to cross the PC line here folks. Read at your own peril.

I am open-minded, but a local female scribe (ABJ) wrote a sidebar this morning with the narrative that Wright sat at his locker and took the heat for the poor play and the loss.

Okay. That’s easy to write and nice. Women like the touchy, feely stuff. I get it.

But the real story was what this broad buried in the piece. At one point she wrote that Wright was "on the verge of being a Pro-Bowl player coming into this season" or something to that effect.

Really? I never read that memo, and more importantly, someone forgot to tell the Ravens.

How the hell could anyone who knows anything about sports come to that conclusion? Understand this – this babe gets paid to watch football and report on it.

Here's my concern - Where the hell was her editor? The guy couldn’t do her a favor and take that line out and save her embarrassment.

He obviously asked her out on a date sometime back and she told him to take a hike, she had to attend practice and marvel at how the Browns throw effectively to their fullbacks. Or maybe not.

Here’s the problem with sports journalism in a nutshell – her editor probably had no idea that throwaway line made a fool of her.

Remember what we stated a long time ago when we started this work – less than 5% get it.

If I were her boss, I would have handed her an apron after she filed that piece and pointed her in the direction of the kitchen and told her to go practice making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for when she squeezes out some puppies.

Hey, at least broads have an excuse. Some male local talk show host got on the air yesterday and ridiculed the coaching staff for putting Wright on a #1 receiver saying he isn’t good enough to cover top flight WRs.

Boy, that takes huge stones after the guy puts on a show worthy on Dennis Northcutt on Monday Night football versus the Steelers when “Cutt” dropped all four passes thrown his way showing clearly that he wanted to get out of the cold.

Where was this genius two week ago?

Look, I saw Wright line up against Boldin in the first series and laughed out loud wondering how you put a nickel back on a true #1 receiver. Add the lack of pass rush and you had a trainwreck in the making.

The truth is I didn’t think the Ravens coaching staff was smart enough to go there time and time again. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Then I figured Mangini and his skinny D-coordinator would adjust accordingly. I was wrong again.

What’s next, the media calling for the rookie corner (#23) to start ahead of Wright this week? Geez, that’s really getting out in front of the story.

I apologize for my sarcasm, but I get closer and closer to quitting this column when I read and hear this stupidity time and time again.

Pass Rush Or Lack There Of
Another riddle – What’s worse, the Browns pass rush without Marcus Bernard or the team’s receivers? Answer – it’s a push.

The Browns turned Joe “I threw four picks last week and cost my team a win” Flacco into Dan Marino on Sunday. It helps when you can play pitch and catch without fear of being touched.

Speaking of the receivers, I heard another funny line prior to kickoff. One of the local talking heads was wondering how the Browns were going to adjust to
the “devastating loss of not having their possession receiver Brian Robiskie active.”

He was serious.

Something Positive
We saved some good news for last. The offensive line played very well yesterday against a very good defense. They pushed the Ravens’ front around and kept Ray Lewis' mouth shut for most of the game.

I ripped them last week, but they finally showed up Sunday. It’s about time.
That allowed Peyton Hillis to put on an “old-school” performance running straight ahead on every touch and rushing for over 140 yards.

One more time – you have to stay with the run and not abandon it early, especially when the alternative is to throw the ball to “Muhammad Ali” and “Stick With Me.”

This ain’t brain surgery folks.

QBs
One final point – It’s been impossible to judge a QB in this town the past two years since this bunch has been lining up at wide receiver. I know I keep belaboring the point, but you really have no idea how bad their receivers are.

Remember what I said last year - the worst group of WRs I have seen in Cleveland in 40 years of watching football.

Regardless, my boy Seneca Wallace was better this week – making the first guy miss, squeezing a couple in tight places and not making any glaring blunders.

Unfortunately, he just has no playmakers around him. There is no one on that roster that scares the defense. That is beyond sad.

And no, Josh Cribbs worries the defense, ne doesn't scare them.

Turnovers
Wouldn’t it be nice if the defense could force a turnover or two on occasion?

When you can’t rush the passer and don’t have any impact players in general you don’t force mistakes. It’s another glaring weakness on this team – among many others.

Expectations
We though this team could win 7 games this fall because of the additions at linebacker, the signing of a legitimate NFL starting corner and the hope they would run the ball effectively.

We also stated the following – “Unfortunately, this team is a lot closer to 5 wins than 9.” I hope I’m wrong, but if they don’t stay on the ground and can’t get to the quarterback, they might have a hard time reaching 5.

Next Week
Bengals 27 Cleveland 20. The Browns find another way to lose.

Short & Quick

2010-09-21T07:43:00.001-07:00

BROWNS WEEK #2 & MORE
You can’t open 0-2 against Tampa and K.C. It’s that simple. Not when you opened 1-11 last year before getting a handful of semi-garbage wins against poor teams while hardly completing any forward passes.

It made absolutely no sense for the new regime to keep Mangini, and we stated so at the time. And unfortunately, that decision will likely be reversed during the bye week if this team is sitting at 1-6 or 0-7 during that break.

The truth – Mangini has absolutely no one to blame but himself. Not only do his teams lose, but they lose with players he drafted. The wide receiver corps, the one we have ridiculed for over a year, features a pair of starting #2 picks HE drafted.

To be fair, the “Walrus” deserves some blame as well. He revamped a very weak secondary in the off-season. The same should have occurred at wideout. They are trying to win professional football games with good college receivers. Period.

Good teams (aka: Pittsburgh) find ways to win, while bad teams (Browns) seem to always find ways to lose. The truth hurts.

Some thoughts from the KC loss follow.

Marcus Bernard can rush the quarterback. He had one sack Sunday – granted a coverage sack at that – and forced a holding penalty on another strong rush from the outside. He also made a terrific play in space when he tipped a pass during a deep drop. He made plays in 2009 as well when given the opportunity. He should start. End of story.

It's official – the two young DBs drafted early can play. Along with Brown, Cleveland has ¾ of what potentially is a relatively strong secondary. The “Walrus” and his people deserve credit for addressing this problem and getting it right in the off-season.

Now the bad news.
My boy Seneca Wallace cannot go “DA” on us and throw a pick six. The Browns aren’t good enough offensively to make such a huge blunder and still win. Bad decision. Period. Yes, he rebounded and threw a long TD pass to Cribbs on the next series. But I can’t excuse it.

Take that bad play away and they probably win. Yea, but take that five-run third inning away and the starter pitched well. You simply can’t go there.

Someone needs to look it up for me, but this may be the first time in NFL history in the modern age where a team does not have a wide receiver with 50 catches on the year.

Who the hell on this team is going to get open enough to catch 50 balls? These guys couldn’t separate from their mom’s umbilical cord after the doctor cut them loose.

Hell, a former college quarterback (Cribbs) is more dangerous out wide than they are right now. Look for the local media to finally figure it out.

Most obvious line of the day everyone missed yesterday came when the television color commentator said the following late in the Chiefs/Browns game – “Brian Robiskie is not winning the release battle at the line of scrimmage.”

How the hell does #23 not know he’s not allowed to step in the end zone when covering punts?

My other boy, Jerome Harrison, did not make the first guy miss one time during his 16carries yesterday. No, the offensive line is not blocking well on the running game, but once in awhile, you have to make your own hole. JH was tripped up on several occasions by an arm tackle when he had a chance to turn a 3 yard carry into something more.

The most disappointing aspect of this football team after two weeks of play has been the offensive line play – especially the well-paid left side. They simply have not opened up many holes against two very poor run stopping units. This does not bode well for the future folks - like next week at Baltimore.

Look at the bright side - I heard all seven of the Browns’ next opponents had winning record in 2009. Now, I am on record on not giving much credence to past records as an indicator as to what will happen in the future. However, it’s probably safe to say Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England and New Orleans have a few more playmakers than TB and KC.

So let's get it over with - Baltimore 27-10 over Cleveland in week #3. No, I don't expect them to get totally buried. If they do, Mangini might not make it to break week.

How can anyone ever line up off-sides? I watched small college football in person for 19 years and can honestly say I can count on two fingers how many times I saw it called. I see it called every week in the NFL.

I heard my boy Vince Young was playing poorly and got pulled (again) against the Steelers. This seems to be a yearly occurrence. That’s a game he needed to play well in and win. Credit the best organization in sports for keeping things afloat and winning while using #3 QBs.

I am on record as being a Michael Vick fan in terms of what he brings to the table on the football field. That was not the case when he was drafted, but his on-the-field performance changed my views. Yes, he has proven he cannot be trusted to be the face of a franchise because of his off-the-field behavior. But facts are facts -you have to game-plan for him, unlike most guys who take snaps from center.

ODDS & ENDS
Am I the only one who doesn’t think Joe Torre should be up for sainthood? Here’s a guy who doesn’t win anything until he manages the highest payroll in baseball (New York). He then goes to another large market team (LA) and when it’s clear they are about to cut payroll due to a messy divorce at the top and who knows what else, he bails and says he may go elsewhere to manage next year at age 70.
Let me take a wild guess and predict he won’t end up in KC or Pittsburgh? Billy Martin he’s not.

I heard some national pundit going to the “See, the Rays are proving you can win consistently without a huge payroll” card. Right.

Stop it. Their front office folks, scouts, etc., are obviously very good. But when many of their their top players walk (free agency), they won't be in it every year. That's the shame of this one-sided system known as Major League Baseball.

Perhaps TB can beat the odds, much like Minnesota has, but everything has to go right in order to avoid that “short window of opportunity” a mid/small market has to win it all before the bulk of the talent leaves.

I heard a sick stat yesterday. Thomas Jones did not lose a fumble once in well over 300 carries in 2009. That’s pretty amazing.

OSU

How about a few cupcakes to go with those Canes?

I know OSU scheduled Miami (FL), but do you have to put all cupcakes around Miami when it comes to your non-conference schedule every year? Throw in a relatively weak Big 10 Conference, or whatever you call it now, and you basically have maybe three truly competitive games on the schedule all season long.

Why can’t OSU add a Boise State, or at least a Brigham Young home and home on the schedule from time to time, and play two competitive non-conference opponents a year?

Chris Speilman is going around the country trashing Boise State and saying they would have trouble in the Big 10. I like CS and what he stands for, but Boise State would compete for the Big 10 title. It's not their fault they are where they are. Besides, someone needs to tell Chris this isn't the Big 10 circa 1970. The conference doesn't carry that kind of weight any more. It's a good football conference, but nowhere near the top conference in the country.

POLITICS
First, the media and lefty politicians claimed the “Tea Party Movement” was part of an astro turf program – meaning it was a creation (aka: fake) and funded by the Republic Party and not a true people’s movement.

Second, they ridiculed it by calling them “team baggers,” a derogatory term referring to a sex act.

Then, they went to the “They won’t have any impact on the elections” line.

Now, they are honed in on the narrative that says – they are “kooks,” zealots,” right-wind nuts,” etc…

Even traditional republican operatives and reporters I respect are taking shot s at individual conservative candidates who they feel can’t win in the general election.

They all miss the point – It’s not about winning elections and getting republicans House and Senate leadership and committee chairmanship positions back, it’s about getting people in Congress who have principles and will seriously attempt roll back much of what has been passed in the past 18 months.

What good is it to send a Republican to Washington who looks and acts more like a Democrat when it comes to voting on legislation? That’s what the Tea Party people are saying. And besides, the public uprising is not “republican” based, it’s “Conservative” based. That’s what these folks are missing.

Of course, the media will continue to try to build the template/narrative these candidates are “radical” and/or “dangerous.”

They are also pushing hard on the talking point that the “Republicans are having a civil war within their party” line. Yet, they of course ignore the fact that many democrats running for re-election don’t want to be seen with the president publicly nor are any running on the party’s legislative successes – i.e. Health Care. Talk about a civil war?

It’s not going to work. The majority of the American people know that being fiscal responsible, federal government intrusion into health care, among other areas of private life, and keeping taxes relatively low are sound principles, not “wacky” ideas.

As someone who has a little experience in PR, it’s simple to analyze – if you don’t have anything to run on, attack your opponent. It’s called an “ad hominem” attack.

I don’t think it will work this time.

"You have a right to your own opinion, but not your own facts."

Short & Quick

2010-09-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

FYI - I am adding a blog that was misplaced elsewhere last week at the bottom of this latest entry. My apologies. I am a moron. I may have others, but I can't seem to find them at the moment. Sorry.

I know we predicted a loss last week, but that doesn’t mean the following adage isn’t true – “There are losses, then there are bad losses.”

Tampa was actually worse than I thought.

In the season opener versus Tampa, the Browns lost to a team that will be lucky to win 5 games this year.

The Browns lost to a team whose starting quarterback took 8 snaps during the pre-season – and looked the part.

The Browns lost to a team that had a wide receiver corps that wouldn’t dominate the SEC – much like their own.

The Browns lost to a team that was poorly coached. How else to do explain taking your best offensive player (Cadillac Williams) off the field late in the game near the goal line? The great Wayne Fontes did that on occasion with Barry Sanders when he went jumbo backfield. Good call.

The Browns lost to a team that was dead last in the NFL in rush defense in 2009 – even worse than their own. Yet, Eric Mangini and his wizard “O” coordinator who lost 70 pounds in the off-season – mostly brain matter it seems - gave Jerome Harrison less than 10 touches in the running game. That’s the same JH who single-handedly saved Mangini’s job last year by rushing for well over 500 yards in the team’s last four games – all wins.

The Browns lost to a team that had such low expectations there were so many empty seats in the stands it reminded me of Progressive Field in September – circa ’08, ’09, ’10. You get the picture...

The Browns lost to a team that had Rich Gannon, the color commentator, make this remark as he watched the Bucs play midway through the third quarter – “You can’t make this many mistakes and beat a good team.” Gannon of course did not factor in Tampa’s opponent – the Browns, who are not a good team.

A second Gannon observation that caught my attention came when he uttered these words after the Jake D. pick late in the first half that changed the momentum in the contest – “Jake knows better than that.” Really? I’m not so sure. Check his 2009 number s and the fact that he was available and everyone passed but the Browns.

By the way, I like JD’s personality and fire. But in sports, if you lead with your mouth and don’t perform, the guys will turn you off quicker than a prostitute looks for her panties after her fifth john in three hours.

Did you notice the separation, or lack thereof, by Cleveland’s receivers? The scary part is that came against a mediocre secondary. What happens when they play a team that can actually rush the passer with DBs that can cover?

We mentioned this early up top, but someone PLEASE explain to me why you would go away from the one thing that worked last year – JH running the football behind the line – specifically, the left side of the offensive line? This is a classic case of coaches having way too much time on their hands in the off-season and training camp to dream up schemes that $#@! things up. Keep it simple stupid (KISS) works in life and sports as well. You started to form an identity at the tail end of last year.

Why would you go away from it this quickly – especially against a team that can’t stop the run? I know, these coaches are all way too smart for me.
Nice job saving all those timeouts at the end of the game. They’ll come in handy next week. Oops. I forgot. They don’t carry over.

If I were the Bucs, I would have most certainly kicked the field goal on fourth down deep in Browns territory with under a minute remaining instead of going for it on 4th down. Get up so the Browns have to go the distance with seconds remaining and no timeouts.

The Freeman touchdown that beat Joe Haden to put Tampa up was an excellent throw. The coverage wasn’t that bad. Freeman actually made a good pass – one of the few on the day. Just a couple plays earlier, he missed a wide open receiver Joe Namath could probably still hit today while loaded on vodka cruising for babes.

By the way just about every media member in Cleveland had them winning on Sunday. Some even guaranteed it. The cool aid was only 69 cents a pack in Northeast Ohio last week. It will go up some this week however.

If they lose to the Chiefs, the “Walrus” and/or “Chucky” Watch will begin in Cleveland.

As we said last week, we like the Browns to beat the Chiefs in week #2. How does 23-20 sound? Why am I picking them after ripping them? Simple. Tampa, KC and Cleveland are all likely to finish under .500. Therefore, I assume if the three played each other in pool A – they would all split since none of them would likely be good enough to go 2-0. Make sense?

I may actually root for the Ravens against the Jets tonight. Then again, I can’t. I hope it ends in a tie.

The Steelers, playing with a college quarterback at the helm, beat the Falcons, who I am told, have a franchise quarterback leading them. How did that happen?

Another franchise quarterback, Tony Romo, couldn’t get it done in week 1 either.
One more time – a “franchise quarterback” is a guy that has done it for years and is going into the Hall of Fame. There are currently three playing that clearly deserve that moniker – Manning, Brady and Favre. Yes, McNabb and Drew Brees, two of my favorites coming out of college, would be in the discussion. If I missed someone, let me know. I make mistakes like everyone else.

Along with “great,” it is the most overused and inappropriately used term in sports. I should know, I study words for a living.

"You can judge the morality of a nation by the way it treats its animals."
Ghandi

OTHER RECENT ENTRY FOLLOWS BELOW

Why is the NCAA finally deciding to finally crack down on illegal agent-player contact? What, they weren’t aware of it in the past?

How are they physically going to get Reggie Bush’s Heisman? If I am right, the school and player each get one. Sure, Pat Haden can take USC’s Heisman and drive himself it to Indianapolis in his ‘97 Malibu. But how are they going to re-acquire Reggie’s version?

Why does the NFL have to go to 18 games? Why not an odd number – 17? That way, you can keep three exhibition games and not extend the regular season by two more weeks.

I saw where the NFL players showed symbolic union unity prior to the season opener last night between the Vikings and Saints. I wonder how long that unity will last six weeks into the lockout when a good percentage of these scholars are out of money and can’t make their BMW payment. Some may end up on my new favorite television show “Pawn Stars” and fork over their gold earrings and necklaces to buy food for their kids.

Why do I feel the Browns, if they improved at all from a year ago, should open 2-0 based on the opponents, but I know full-well they will find a way to %$#@it up. Perhaps it’s because they have no pass rush whatsoever and not one quality NFL receiver on the roster.

So here goes – Tampa Bay wins 24-23 as K2 makes a couple of big plays to seal it.
For the Browns sake, let’s hope he picks up a flag for taunting and another one for moving too early.

I wonder how many of the cool aid drinking Browns fans/media will do a 180 on Jake D. is he tosses Sunday’s game way with a couple ill-timed picks. Let’s hope he goes 17-for-25 for 200 yards with 1 TD and no picks. If that happens, they win.

And based on what has been written and said to date, how can the Browns possibly win a football game without M. Hardesty in uniform?

Is it just me or is there some light at the end of the tunnel with the Tribe. Even though no one is paying attention, I am actually somewhat encouraged by how some of their young starting pitchers are doing. Yes, I know there’s a lot less pressure when no one is paying attention in August and September when you are 20 games out.

Regardless, you want to see consistency from young players, and when you do, that’s a good indicator the guy might be reliable in the future. Getting Sizemore and Santana back in the middle of that line-up next spring should also help immensely with that anemic offense.

I would also strongly recommend re-signing Westbrook in the off-season if he wants to come back and would work relatively cheap. Having one or two veterans is always a plus.

“Speak so the lowliest can understand you.” Abraham Lincoln

Short & Quick

2010-08-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

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

Short @ Quick

2010-08-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

South Beach Déjà

I had a request to comment on Butterfingers, so here goes. And I thought I was done with him.

What are the odds two former well-known Cleveland athletes go to the “South Beach” card in the same year? This time its Braylon Edwards taking a shot at Cleveland as a hick town shortly following LBJ’s first utterances describing his exit from town.

James can at least play. He has a reason to be arrogant as hell. We already covered the fact that he had a whole market enabling him since puberty. You can see the narcissistic progression developing if you wanted to see it.

As for Edwards, some guys never get it and never will. And for me to beat on this guy again would be piling on. I could care less. It's just another case of a pro athlete with an inflated opinon of his self-worth.

Like there aren't many of those around? Be glad he's gone.

Media Morons
I have heard numerous local media morons whine about the fact the Browns’ starting running back is on the shelf for several weeks.

The problem is Jerome Harrison is fine. These geniuses already have the Browns' 2010second round pick out of Tennessee sharing time or playing ahead of Harrison.

I don’t mention his name on purpose. Until rookies do something, especially in the NFL where at least half flame out quickly, they should be seen and not heard.

Therefore, ‘No names please” until this young man makes plays on a consistent basis -when it counts.

As for the media getting their panties in a bunch because he’s not available just yet. Relax guys.

It’s pre-season and you have a starting back that went nuts when given the ball at the end of 2009. He gets first dibs. It’s that simple.

By the way, I was impressed with the safety from Oregon during the Browns’ first exhibition game. Yes, he got beat for a touchdown. But the coverage was pretty good for a safety and that quarterback/receiver combination in Green Bay will do that to you.

The kid flew around all night, hit people and generally made his presence felt. He looked like he belonged. Unlike others, I’m not going to get excited by one performance. That’s not how I roll. But it was a good a start. Hopefully, there’s more to come.

And no, I’m not excited they beat the Packers. I’m just pleased at this point they lined up right, didn’t get a ton of illegal procedure penalties, too much time in the huddle infractions or 12 defensive players on the field calls.

Baby steps my friend, baby steps.

I’ve got some politics for you now.

VP
Some media geniuses are pushing the idea Hillary Clinton will be Obama’s VP prior to his next term. Right.

Why would she want that gig and how does she benefit from such a move?

The answer is simple. She wouldn’t want it and she wouldn’t benefit.

Hell, we've already covered she could challenge him in 2012 and give him a run for his money.

The only reason he’d want her as #2 is to keep her from running against him. She’s not stupid. Her and her hubby (Bill) can figure that out if I can.

His offer, if it actually were to take place, to dump Biden and make her number #2 would be a classic case of “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”

Come on, she’s not going to fall for that twice.

Election Numbers
A writer wrote an OP ED recently surmising the President may attempt to win re-election solely by going after the 90+% African-American vote, 2/3+ of the Latino vote and approximately 37% of the white vote.

According to this writer, a heavy African-American and Latino turnout in 2012 would mean Obama could win re-election with less than 40% of the expected white vote.

I have no idea if the math actually holds up, but I do know it would be a terrible strategy for both Obama and more importantly the country. This man came to office under the guise of being a post-racial president.

And to follow a re-election strategy along these lines would further divide the nation. He doesn’t need that for his legacy and the country certainly would be worse off for it.

Hopefully, no one in the White House is contemplating such an approach. It would be disastrous for all.

We simply don’t need further identity politics – that is where folks are separated into individual groups with individual grievances. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party seems to be doing that more and more recently.

One could argue this strategy helped win them control of Congress and the White House.

But one could also make the argument it divided the country further and soon the nation will begin making a correction at the ballot box come November.

We shall see.

Robert Gibbs
The President’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, who’s main job is to keep a low profile and control news flow actually recently committed what is normally a fatal PR flaw by making news with comments attacking the left wing of the Democratic Party.

He stated that many in the left won’t be happy until the Pentagon (those who defend us) is shut down and we have a Canadian health care system in place.

He then went on to say these folks wouldn’t be pleased with Cleveland’s own Dennis Kucinich as president. Kucinich is about as far-left a Politian as there is in Congress. But to his credit, he (DK) doesn’t back down from his positions and ideas.

First off, Gibbs did this on purpose. How do I know? Because he still has his job. He’s the president’s mouthpiece and picking a small fight with the far left might even help Obama with some centrists. That's the strategy.

No, he didn’t do this at a bar late one night after a long day and several drinks. He did it during a scheduled interview with a Washington reporter.

It’s called being the president’s wing man – as simple as that.

Besides, he was dead on.

The far left is bashing a guy (Obama) who’s overall approval ratings are in the mid 40’s and falling because he is passing legislation and governing like a lefty. And these nuts want him to more further to the left?

Amazing!

Till next time. Be good.

South Beach Talent, J29'10

2010-07-29T12:40:00.001-07:00

Ultimate Narcissist
“I am taking my talents to South Beach next year.”

I still can’t get over that quote from LBJ. That 10 word sentence encompasses everything that is wrong with today’s athletes.

And did you expect anything less from a guy who wore a Yankee cap at Progressive Field for years?

That self-absorbed, I don’t give a damn about anyone or anything else dress code violation alone should have told the jock sniffing local sports fans & enabling local media he wasn’t staying put.

Could you imagine Larry Bird or Magic Johnson every talking like that?

Regardles, that's my new handle for awhile (South Beach Talent).

Pete Carroll
This guy takes himself way too seriously. He’s turning up everywhere on the television circuit pushing his new book which should be title “How I cheated like hell and got out of dodge before the posy caught up to me.”

And I am amazed no one has had the balls to ask him during these interviews why he skipped town before the NCAA came down on SC? Sports journalism is in a sad place right now. It’s all about kissing ass to get access and/or getting as much air time as possible.

Shelley Duncan
I took a shot at this guy a few weeks back. I apologize. I discovered he was the International League MVP last year posting 30/90 numbers. And from what I hear from someone who covers the Tribe daily, he works his ass off everyday, is a good teammate and plays the game the right way.

I like the underdog, so I hope he sticks around and can give the Tribe a decent right hand bat. Besides, I liked and rooted for his old man (Dave Duncan) when he was an Indians’ catcher ages ago.

Yea, I know he's (Duncan) not 24, but I like guys who grind it out and keep their nose clean.

Underdogs
Speaking of underdogs, am I the only one who is curious as to what type of team the Cavaliers will put together this coming season?

Hell, I may even buy a ticket to support Gilbert and company.

I was hoping they would land Matt Barnes, who can defend, plays with an attitude, is long and can play multiple positions. Unfortunately, the team will have to overpay free agents to go there right now. And in some cases, they still won’t come.

Regardless, I wish Byron Scott luck. He will need it. One thing is for certain, no one outside the Cavs’ locker room will have high expectations for 2010-11. Maybe Scott and company can use that as motivation for his troops. I will be watching to see how Scott and his staff handle this difficult franchise conversion.

Browns
Camp starts this weekend. How does 7-9 sound? I can’t imagine the Browns finishing with more than 7 wins – and that’s being relatively kind. They still have question marks at some of the most important positions on the field – quarterback, pass rusher, cover corner and wide receiver – and not necessarily in that order.

The sad truth is they are still a lot closer to being a poor 5-11 team than a playoff bound 11-5 squad. I hope I’m mistaken – but not likely.

What I am most amazed at is the fact that many in the local media along with the majority of fans are expecting a much better team based solely on the fact that the “Walrus” is in town running the show.

There’s only one problem, MH doesn’t throw the ball, catch it, sack the quarterback or cover NFL receivers for a living.

Super Bowl Picks
How’s Indianapolis and New Orleans sound? What again?

Yes, I know it’s tough to repeat in football because the playing field is level – unlike baseball, but I don’t see anyone better in the NFC than New Orleans, as long as they keep their QB upright.

And as long as Manning is slinging it in Indy, they will be in the hunt. I also still like New England because of Brady, but their defense has some holes.

I know it unfortunately won’t be the Browns and Lions playing in Dallas come February.

Notice, I always go with the teams with the QB. I never fell for the “you can win with a guy who manages the game” silliness we were being sold post-Trent Dilfer taking snaps in Baltimore. The same morons who were preaching that garbage 10 years ago are now telling the world you need a QB beacuse it's now a passing league.

What the hell have they been watching since the Reagan administration?

Which is it geniuses? And no, the rules haven’t changed that much since 2000. It has been a passing league for 30 years, not just the last five. Or haven’t you heard of Elway, Marino, Kelly, Fouts and company?

Yes, you can win big with a good running game, a very good defense and soid special teams – but it’s a lot harder to do so. Your margin for error is greater. Try coming from behind with that philosophy

NFL Lock Out
I’m told we are likely to have an NFL lockout prior to the 2011 season. Yea, that will go over well with fans during this economy.

Here’s my favorite part of the stupidity – the NFL Players' Association is holding seminars telling its players to save money in case the lockout comes. They are worried players won’t save and thus will eventually crack and push the union to making a bad deal just to get their checks again.

Can you imagine making $450,000+ a year – and that’s a conservative estimate of what a sixth rounder in his third year in the league makes – and not having enough money saved to keep your family upright for a few months? Amazing.

As NBA player rep Pat Ewing famously said during NBA labor negotiations years ago– “Yea, we make a lot of money, but we spend a lot of money too.” Classic!

Trading Deadline & More
The non-waiver wire deadline is fast approaching and the Indians were able to get a taker (Detroit) for J. Peralta and his $4 ½ million salary.

Peralta basically stopped hitting once he moved to third base – a position switch that should have been made years ago beacuse of Astrubal Cabrera being amuch better shortstop.

As I said many times, you can carry JP at shortstop when he consistently goes 20/80+ and .275 for you, but not if he’s going to go 12/70 and .260 for you. And since moving to third, he’s been that or worse. And third is still a spot that dictates offense first.

A question has been recently asked nationally as to why pitchers are starting to dominate again? Simple – steroids, or lack there of. Yea, there have been an inordinate number of no-hitters this season, but that’s simply an anomaly.

What is clear is that we have gone back (thankfully) in time to the pre-1990s era, where 30/100 is a very good power season at the plate, where a 4.00 ERA is just average again and doesn’t get you a 5 year/50 million deal, and where banging out 40 doubles is a good year. These are all good things.

Now if they would truly address revenue sharing and a hard salary cap, I might just begin paying attention again.

Fab 5
Not that you care – but here are the five baseball players I would pay to watch perform – Ricky Henderson, Joey Bell, Gaylord Perry, Ozzie Smith & Ken Griffey.

I chose Ricky because he’s Ricky. The best base stealer ever had a tremendous eye at the plate, could go deep right out of the gate and played with a swagger unmatched by any other pro athlete. He’s the only hot dog you couldn’t dislike. Why? Simple – because he’s Ricky. But forget all the nonsense and laughs. We are talking about the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time – and it’s not even close.

Joey Belle is #2 on the list, because in his prime before the hip problems, no one competed more at the plate than Joey. He absolutely never gave away an at bat. I respect that.

Gaylord Perry is #3 because he drove the opposition nuts – both when they were in the batter’s box, but just as important, in the dugout. No one got into an opposing team’s head like Gaylord. Even when he wasn’t loading it up, he made you think he was.

Ozzie Smith is #4 because he’s the best defensive player in the history of baseball in my humble opinion. I can’t speak for players before 1970, but in the last 40 years, no one has done it better while also playing the most important position on the field, this side of the pitching mound.

Ken Griffey is #5 instead of ARod – who I dubbed back in 2000 as potentially the greatest player in the game, because Griffey didn’t cheat and ARod did - allegedly. Early on when he was in Seattle and healthy, Griffey was the best player in the game, no questions asked. Injuries took a toll on his body, but in his prime, he was the ultimate 5-tool player.

Moron(s) of the Week
I’m driving to Akron to work this past week and decided to change from my CD playing Iron Maiden to a local radio sports talk show and what nonsense do I hear?

The two hosts are debating whether Ed Reed of Baltimore deserves to be in the Hall of Fame when he’s done playing. They actually debated this for a couple minutes. Amazing.

If Reed, arguable the game’s best defensive player when healthy doesn’t get into the HOF, then who the hell does?

One could even make the argument that for pound (Reed is about 5-11/200), he’s the best defensive player of the modern era – including my favorite Lawrence “I did not have sex with that underage hooker” Taylor.

I quickly turned off the radio and put Maiden’s “Fear of the Dark” back on the air.

Till next time - be good.

Gilbert & LBJ

2010-07-10T16:06:00.001-07:00

I have been asked by several of you to comment ASAP on the LBJ announcement.

Without getting into the weeds, this is the ultimate case of an owner, city, media and fans enabling a young athlete for years to do what he pleases, then crying foul when this man-child takes advantage of them one more time as he bolts out the door.

Commandment #1 in sports folks – ROOT FOR THE TEAM NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY, NOT THE PLAYER’S NAME ON THE BACK!

We’ve been over this many times. That's why I have never worn a player jersey and never will.

One day I will list all 10 - I promise.

Now back to the train wreck.

From what I have been told, Mike Brown and Danny Ferry, both no longer Cavalier employees, on more than one occasion tried to get Dan Gilbert to say “NO” to LeBron and his posy of friends who had free reign not only within that facility (The Q), but basically within that organization.

The owner did not dare take James’ toys away because he worried that would upset “the King.”

If you continue to enable a child, and never discipline him/her, will they ever respect you? Of course not.

When potentially half your personal wealth is wrapped up in one asset, you don’t rock the boat. And that’s the problem here folks. A sound businessman does not allow it to get to the point where a 25-year old kid and his childhood friends completely determine the fate of a franchise, no to mention the economic status of a major metropolitan city.

What Gilbert did was the equivalent of you or me going to Vegas and putting the bulk of our personal wealth on one single roll of the dice. That’s just not good business.

And of course, when the roll went bad, Gilbert completely flipped and went public. That's something you never do in PR. That’s why we have a "post-game cooling of period” my friends.

To make matters worse, Gilbert, surrounded by puppets himself, had no one savvy enough around him to either be able to talk him out of it or simply crash the Cavs servers so the owner couldn’t make a complete fool of himself.

That would have been my approach, followed by taking Dan the weightlifter out, getting him good and loaded, while no doubt having to listen to his childish bemoaning of what he had done for LeBron, Gloria and company for the past five years.

The truth is as follows – James took advantage of the system – which was his right. This isn’t 1810, its 2010 – slavery doesn’t exist anymore. The guy signed a three-year deal leaving him the out to leave. Then he did it. End of story.

We saw this coming a mile away. Anyone with common sense could see it.

What did you expect? He chose the 12-month out of the year beach and bikinis of Miami over the rustbelt and Ohio winters. That’s the simple truth of it. Think about it – many narcissistic, spoiled 25-year old professional athletes would do the exact same thing.

And no one individual in SPORTS HISTORY has ever been more spoiled than LBJ. A whole city was at his feet. You get what you deserve folks.

By the way, the clearest sign someone is totally self-absorbed is when the start talking in the "third person." James did it throughout the interview with that littel schmuck the oter night and has been doing it for several years now.

I do this for a living, remember? It's called speech class 101. Just actually pay attention to what people say, and more importantly, how they say it, and you'll have most of your answers.

God, how I wish I could fix a leaky roof or overhaul an engine. Instead, I know this silly %$#@. I'd give my left testicle to have a totally different skill set.

By the way, I thought the little schmuck doing the interview (Jim Gray or Grey - whatever) was just incompetent and continuing to just kiss ass, but I heard over the air yesterday that James' people paid him for that interview, not ESPN. No wonder there were no questions about game #5, among other pertinent issues that a professional interviewer should have addressed.

Back to poor Dan - he simply bet on red and it turned out black.

Yes Dan, I know your franchise worth just dropped by 50%. Yes, I realize the Cleveland casino you are investing in doesn’t look like it will be full come wintertime. Yes, I fully understand the on-the-court basketball ramifications for your team – 25-57 here we come.

But you put yourself in this situation and have no one to blame. No one enabled LBJ more than you. And if the kid had chosen to stay, you’d still be so far up his ass right now, you’d be able to tell us all whether he ate fish or chicken last night. So stop being a complete hypocrite. Grow up.

Had Gilbert treated James like an employee on occasion instead of his main enabler, it might have done some good long-term. Perhaps James would had had some respect for his boss when making his decision. Perhaps not. We shall never know.

And if Gilbert and company expected James to be loyal to his city, his team and his owner, they were thinking with their hearts instead of there senses. That’s always a bad plan if you are running a business.

Now man-up Gilbert, shut your mouth, hire some professionals, take their advice and work on trying to make the best of a horrible situation you helped create.

Besides, I don’t feel bad for you at all – you’re still going to be worth millions, just not as many. I feel for those downtown parking attendants, waitresses and cooks who will be out of a job when the Cavs average 10,000 fans instead of 20,000+.

As for you Dan, look at the bright side – you won’t have to put up with Gloria on the team plane anymore.

Anyone want to buy an NBA franchise cheap? I know where you can get a great deal. And with some stable leadership, long-term, it can potentially make you some money.

By the way, I officially begin a new job on my birthday (August 16). I will only have one boss (one school) instead of three. It's 5 minutes from my home and I love teaching/working there. And yes, I will still have time to brighten your week from time to time.

Be good guys. R. Jampo

Short & Quick

2010-07-07T21:51:00.001-07:00

Out of Control
The inmates have officially taken over the asylum.

That’s what I think of this summer’s craze with where LeBron and company will end up. And I say this less than 24 hours before James makes “The Decision,” as it’s being billed by ESPN for tomorrow’s 9 p.m. prime time James love fest.

I’ve been on record for several years in saying if I were a betting man, I’d say he’s (LBJ) leaving. I could care less what he actually decides to do, except that I feel for those businesses and individuals in downtown Cleveland that will be economically affected if James leaves.

As for those who live and die with this stuff – and you know who you are, I have one thing to say – Get a life!

If he leaves, please don’t grip and head to the locked garage to stick an exhaust pipe through the window of your 1985 Gremlin while turning on the ignition.

It’s not the end of the world. The sun will come up again Friday morning – I promise. In fact, it's supposed to be 85 and clear.

And why would you freak out over a guy who not only leaves his hometown, but decides to rub it in good and nasty by starring in his own one hour television special announcing the decision?

Finally, why go nuts over a dude who quit on his team in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5 versus Celtics)? I'll never let that go.

And if he decides to stay, that’s great for the Cavs and the community. But please, don’t get plastered and start setting cop cars on fire down Euclid like you are celebrating a world title.

He’s an athlete/entertainer – he didn’t just cure cancer or come up with a new cheaply produced and abundantly available energy source.

Look, like I said, I hope the guy hangs around, but as you can tell, I have lost a lot of respect for the man over the past couple years because of the way he’s handled this.

And as he’s gotten closer and closer to making his decision, it’s gotten worse and worse.

In the dictionary under self-centered, it says the following: “concerned only with one’s own self.” If should include a glossy 8x10 of LBJ for the way he’s dragged this out, oblivious of how it has affected everyone else.

And don’t try to sell me the ridiculous, narcissistic (aka: self love), made for television special with the “we are giving the commercial proceeds to charity” line.

I’m in the business, at least I was for a long, long time and pretty good at it too. I know PR bull when I see it. That’s just cover for LBJ and Nike to continue to build the James “Brand.”

Could you imagine Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or the real “23” pulling this “made for television” stunt?

And those guys each had multiple championships while LBJ has “Witness”
T-shirts available for sale at your local Drug Mart.

I actually had a semi-family member ask me if I’d like one for X-mas a couple years back.

He was surprised I didn’t have a "Witness" shirt since I worked in sports and lived in NE Ohio.

I then informed him I would rather he give me what they gave the American Indians in the 1840s – blankets with smallpox – than a “We are Witnesses” shirt. He was speechless.

I simply don't believe in hero worship - but you know that already.

Back on point - this is what happens when you’ve had your $#@ kissed since you were a freshman in high school x10. I don’t think anyone has ever told this young man when enough is enough, let alone “NO.”

And I say this regardless of what decision he makes on his basketball future. The guy simply needs to get a grip on reality before he starts believing his $#@ don’t stink!

Yea, I know, I'm really unloading on the guy but it's not like he's a low-life and beats women or gets plastered on a regular basis and then drives a two ton weapon on the open road.

I get it. Perhaps I'm a little over the top. But if you have a basic level of self-humility in your make-up, aren't you creeped out some by this spectacle?

Bosh & Johnson
As for Chris Bosh – come on. He didn’t want to go to Cleveland because it would hurt his “brand”? There’s that word again. This from a guy who has won as many NBA playoff series in his seven-year NBA career as you and me – none!

And Joe Johnson, a good NBA scorer and nothing more, got the max from Atlanta. Get serious. How many years experience of evaluating NBA talent do you need to have to realize that was a bad move - none.

I could go on, but why bother – you get the point.

Like I said – the inmates are running the asylum.

Brand
As for the "Brand" concept. This is a word that has gathered a ton of steam the past 10 years or so. It's popular in business, industry and academics. Now it has made its way into sports.

As someone who works in the field of words, I think it's way over-used and in many cases, silly even to reference the term, especially when you are an athlete who hasn't won a donut.

Again - some folks simply take themselves way too seriously.

Class Act & Humility
I wonder what Lenny Wilkens, a true NBA professional and terrific human being who played and coached in Cleveland, is thinking right now about LBJ and this whole circus?

To me it’s about carrying yourself with class and substance, it's not about image.
You see, the Lenny Wilkens' of this world never have to brand themselves.

Till next time. Be good.

Short & Quick

2010-06-28T21:51:00.001-07:00

Stay with me this time – I’ going to move quickly between traffic.

Stan the Man (Moron)
General Stanley McChrystal was recently relieved of his duties in Afghanistan for criticizing his civilian boss – the president. That’s a no no and he deserved to be canned for it.

However, what is more shocking is McChrystal and his staff giving this kind of access to a reporter from Rolling Stone Magazine. What did they think he was going to write?

Why not just let Osama Bin Laden in your weekly strategy meetings Stan? And by the way, don’t frisk him and his body guards as they enter the briefing room. They don’t mean any harm to Americans.

McChrystal deserves canned for stupidity alone. No wonder the war in Afghanistan is taking so long. We have morons in charge.

Then we find out McChrystal actually voted for Obama. What? Did he think that would ingratiate him and his staff with Rolling Stone?

Hey Stan, you wear a military uniform for pete sake – an American military uniform. They (Rolling Stone) wanted you’re ass and you served it up on a platter. Did you really think letting the world know you voted for Obama was going to lead to a fluff piece from a group of people who would like to see this country’s military embarrassed?

In all seriousness - this man served his country with honor for many years and we are all indebted to him. However, being naive can be a deadly weakness.

In this case, it (being naive) did McChrystal more harm than any bullet he ducked during his long and distinguished service to the nation.

I just wish he had someone around him with some PR common sense when the request from Rolling Stone came in. All this could have been avoided.

Speaking of Common Sense
While we are on the subject, I’m not a military man and never played one on television, but I hope David Petraeus’ first order is to loosen up the ridiculous rules of engagement in Afghanistan.

Make it simple – if you see a bad guy, shoot. If he drops his weapon but doesn’t surrender, shoot. If he goes into a crowd of locals, you are allowed to go get him. If bad guys go into a mosque, go in after them and forget offending the locals.

If these simple rules of engagement can’t be applied, then I say let's pack up and come home. End of story.

Erkel In Charge
Has anyone besides me noticed we have Erkel running our country?

President Obama is lauded by the Washington press corps for being a good athlete because they saw him put a basketball in a hoop – something none of them could ever do.

Most of those media members earned varsity letters in backgammon in high school you know.

The truth is Obama looks like the friendly, slightly retarded kid who always got picked last in recess when I see him running up and down the basketball court (aka: Obama with the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill).

And when he went bowling, he couldn’t come close to breaking 100. We mentioned at the time, no one, absolutely no one, should be president with that kind of game.

There’s a fat, drunk midget women out there with a stump for a leg who could break 100 a t your local bowling alley.

And did you see him when he threw out the first pitch back in April?

And I’m not a golfer, but I’ve seen his swing, and I am pretty sure with a couple weeks of practice, I could probably give the guy a game.

What’s next – are we going to see him strike out in slow pitch softball?

Again, I like the guy personally. I’m on record with that. However, if I were advising him, contrary to the morons who he has around him, I would tell the man, stay away from sports photo-ops, they aren’t helping.

The dud really needs my advice.

World Cup
The Italians giving up multiple goals in a game is like a solid Steelers’ defense getting torched for 40. My Azzurri were really bad – not advancing out of the first round.

As for the U.S. losing to Ghana, several U.S. media members were surprised with Ghana’s speed advantage over the USA. Really?

Next you’re going to tell me the sky is blue or that Al Gore expects his masseuse to play with his “Johnson” when she arrives to give him a rub down in an Oregon hotel room.

Did someone forget to tell these “sports experts” that our best athletes don’t play soccer?

Regardless, I liked the effort and solid team play from the U.S. squad. Overall, it was a decent showing for the U.S. on the world stage. And yes, I, unlike the other morons commenting on soccer, know of what I speak.

And no, I don’t have an opinion on replay and the officiating. Everyone is missing the point anyway. They don’t need replay as much as they need a second official on the field of play. You have one dude chasing the ball and having to keep an eye on 22 players. That’s ridiculous.

The side refs (dues with the sily looking flags) are there mainly to watch for off-sides, so their area of focus is narrow and doesn't really permit them to watch the rest of the action.

Think about it, in the NBA, you have three guys watching 10. Hell, even in the women’s game, they have three officials – although it’s not needed since the pace is so much slower.

Add another official who covers his half of the soccer field and you cut down on some of the missed calls. There, I fixed it. And yes, that’s the last time I will give this much space to soccer. Most of you don’t give a $#@! I know.

Baseball
Lefthanders nationwide should be mandated to donate 10% of their Major League checks to Jaimee Moyer. Here’s a soft-tossing lefty who didn’t figure it out until his early to mid-30s.

So now every manager/general manager is afraid of giving up on the soft-tosser too early for fear he’s the next Moyer. Right.

Speaking of soft-tossing lefties, if I ran the Indians, I would cut Aaron Laffey solely for this quote following his shelling after being called back up to the bigs to replace fellow soft-tosser David Huff.

“It’s kind of tough to do (go deep into the game) when you go back and forth for two years. I don’t expect to be 100% (ready to start) at this point in the season.”

Okay, I get it. So he got knocked around after coming back up because the Indians have jacked him back and forth from starter to reliever. Never mind the fact that he’s been lucky to draw a ML check at all based on past performances.

It’s someone else’s fault. Why, that post-steroids era 4.59 career ML era he has amassed deserves applause. Hell, why don’t we just make you the #1 starter and leave you alone Aaron. You’ve earned it. Moron.

How about "I just stunk tonight and didn't take advantage of my first opportunity after being called back up."

And by the way, as the Indians spend the next two months trying to dump salaries, let’s hope they don’t go off the cliff and deal Fausto Carmona. It seems like he’s figured it out – with some credit needing to go to new pitching coach Tim Belcher. Carmona is signed through 2014.

Listeb closely - there is NO good baseball related or economic reason to dump him. Period.

If you see this guy go, you should panic if you are an Indians’ fan. It would tell you the Dolans have absolutely no intention of putting a competitive team on the field anytime soon.

Hafner, Peralta and Wood should be gone. The main objective, as stated in previous posts, should be to add back of the bullpen help.

As for Westbrook, I would need to get in return a quality young Major Leaguer with skills to move him (Westbrook) right now.

Why?

A 2011 starting staff that features Carmona, Talbot and Westbrook is a decent starting point to work from in a mediocre division. You add a couple lefty bullpen power arms and move Justin Masterson to the back end of the pen, and you have the start of a decent staff.

I will keep beating that horse (Masterson to the pen) until they figure it out.

Great Thinking
I am told MLB is considering re-aligning the leagues based on market size. Really? Why not just admit the game is rigged? Could you imagine the outcry the first time the Kansas City Royals, winners of the small market league, beat the Yankees in a best of 7? Come on.

Just address the issue in the next collective bargaining agreement.

How do you do that you ask. Simple.

The mid and small market must force a lockout until this is address. They will need to stand, not only against the players and their union, but against the Yankees, Red Sox and the Dodgers of this world.

If handled correctly, public sentiment would be on their side. They just need the will and coordination to do it.

I’m available for consultation of course.

Speaking of player/management negotiations, did you ever wonder how ridiculous it is when you hear a professional sports union rep state he’s telling players to save up and prepare for a long strike/lockout?

These players are so stupid, even after being told trouble is coming, most of them couldn’t go more than six months without getting paid.

How the hell do you not have money saved if you’ve been making seven figures or close to it for several years?

Amazing.

Browns
Did you know that in 9 of the last 10 years, an NFL team has gone from 5-11 to 10-6 or better? I’m just reminding you, again, how much easier it is to run an NFL team.

Look – you can’t lose money the way it’s set up. You can re-sign most of your top players regardless of the market you are in without fear they will skip town. You can cut players a year after giving them a huge deal. And if you have half a brain in terms of talent evaluation, you should be able to turn a bad team into a good team relatively quickly.

This of course begs the question – why can’t the Browns do it?

Hey, we’ve been over this.

Let’s just remember to set the bar higher around here this year. There is no reason why this team, with some decent player personnel moves and solid coaching, can’t get into the playoffs in a couple years.

It starts with adding a couple quality veteran receivers before they break camp. It includes naming Seneca Wallace as your starter. And it involves giving Jerome Harrison the rock 22-25x a game – something they were finally forced to do at the tail end of last year.

Basketball
I can’t wait until the LeBron signing frenzy comea and goes. I’m already bored by it at this point. Here’s my advice to LBJ:

Sign with the home team that coddled you and surrounded you with enough talent to post the best record in the sport the last two years.

Sign with the city whose fans have embraced you and kissed your #@$# at every turn – even after you did the unforgivable in my book and tanked it in game #5 versus the Celtics.

Sign with the team and city you said emphatically you would bring a championship to.

Let me put it a different way LeBron– do you really want to be hated and despised in your hometown more than Art Modell is?

That would be some legacy.

By the way, why the hell would any superstar want to go to Chicago and play in Jordan’s shadow? That makes absolutely no sense.

And as for going to play with Wade in Miami – does LBJ really want to be his Scottie Pippen, because that’s how it would be seen? That’s his team and he already has a ring. You have jack!

And if you end up in New York or New Jersey, we know you’re more interested in being seen than winning titles.

One final thought. If the Cavaliers do resign James, the work isn't over. No, they don't need an verhaul lke everyone says. Again, the won more game sthan anyone the past two years.

You desperately need to get a 6-3/6-4 guard that can keep the opposing point out of the lane - one that can truly defend. And then you add a Marcus Camby type defensive presence in the post. A little toughness around the edges would also help.

One more thing, several of you have commented that I need to post more often. Fine, perhaps I will. However, please provide feedback as well so I know what is liked and disliked. And I don't mind constructive criticism. We can all learn from others.

I prefer feedback at my private home e-mail address most of you possess. Robert Jampo likes his low profile you know.

Be good!

Till next time. Be good.

Short & Quick

2010-06-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

Tony Hayward
What did the media whores who represent us and moron members of the press expect the guy to do when Tony Hayward, the CEO of BP, was dragged in front of the cameras in Washington DC?

Did they really think he would admit fault?

You had a better chance of getting him to accept responsibility for the Holocaust then admitting liability. The guy was doing exactly what his attorneys to him to do. And you & I would do the exact same if in his shoes.

The more I see from Congress, the more I dislike those hypocritical, over-bearing, self-important, half-wits.

And how about that representative from North Carolina, who when asked by a couple snot-nosed college kids a harmless question this past week, went off and grabbed one of them – first by the shoulders, then by the arm and not letting go. That arrogant bastard assaulted the kid - pure and simple.

The old prick kept asking, in his southern drawl – “Who are you? Who are you?” – as he grabbed the kid half his size who looked like he was going to piss his pants.

If that bastard put his hands on me without provocation, he would have ended up on the ground and in need of serious medical attention. I do not believe in violence as an option of first or second resort, but understand this - the only people permitted to touch me either have the same DNA as I do or must be sleeping with me at the time.

Dan Gilbert
You have to wonder who, if anyone, if advising the Cavaliers’ new GM Dan Gilbert. Did he really think a high quality coach would take the Cleveland job without knowing if LBJ would be here?

If he wanted Izzo, why not wait until July to contact him, after the world finds out if ‘The King Without a Ring” stays put?

Here’s my favorites as of today – of those individuals currently without an NBA head coaching gig - Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello & Byron Scott, in that order. Again, these gentlemen all have one thing in common – they get the most out of the talent they work with!

As you are aware, I also like Scott Skyles a lot, but he has a job. And no, I don’t want Larry Brown. The professional gypsy, who can coach, kept LBJ on the bench in international play several years ago. Trust me, LBJ remembers that. And if he doesn’t, a member or two of his entourage will.

Cavs’ Only Card
To his credit on this front, Dan Gilbert is playing the only true basketball related card he has with LBJ. The Cavs have contacted the Raptors about a sign and trade for Chris Bosh. Of course, in order for this to work, the Raptors have to be interested in what Cleveland has to offer (aka: Andy V or JJ Hickson, Mo Williams, a #1 pick, etc.), it has to work in terms of cap space, Bosh has to be interested in coming to Cleveland, and LBJ would need to sign off and agree to stay. That’s a ton of stars aligning in order to make it work.

However, it is the only way I see the Cavaliers being able to attract James with something that might entice him to stay.

By the way, in Bosh, you would be getting a younger version of the Lakers’ P Gasol – long, skilled and relatively soft. And yes, he’s better than anything the Cavaliers currently have on the roster.

3 Hole Hitter & Soft Tossers
My early impressions of Mr. Santana – the Tribe’s new catcher - are very positive. What jumps out is the patience he shows at the plate for such a young hitter. The Indians’ brain trust (oxymoron) must agree. They wasted no time putting him in the 3 hole.

If I were in charge of this merry band of men, besides working backwards in terms of building a strong bullpen and working back to the starters, I would also be searching high and low for a true leadoff hitter.

The Indians sorely lack a guy at the top of the order who works the count and can post a .400 on base percentage or better. I could care less what position he plays. Put him in the DH role if necessary. There’s nothing etched in stone that says your DH must be a power hitter.

The best of the Indians’ soft-tossing lefties (Mike Huff) is struggling once again this summer to get out of the fifth and sixth innings. Unfortunately, it looks more and more like he’s a fifth starter at best. If that is the case, then bring up a prospect who has earned a call-up to take his place. I have seen enough.

It took the Indians too long to call up Harvard’s Frank Hermann – who was lights out pitching in the minors and has been very effective in his short stay in Cleveland to date. What do you have to lose? Why you are at it – where is Michael Brantley and Matt Laporta?

I’m going to be beating this horse until I wear it out.

Browns
Look for the Browns to run the ball early and often this fall. In fact, don’t be surprised if this team ends the 2010 season among the league-leaders in rushing yards. I know that’s hard to believe considering the team’s past rush rankings. Follow me here.

First, J. Harrison established himself as a good-looking young back at the tail end of the season – once the genius Mangini activated him. At minimum, he looks like a guy who could get you 1,300 yards this fall.

If you believe the glass is half full, you are counting on him to break the Browns’ single-season mark for yards rushing.

That’s right, you heard it here first.

The record is 1,863 yards set by Jim Brown in 1963 – in case you were wondering. That’s 116.5 yards per game Harrison needs to average to break that mark. That’s doable if they commit to running the ball, he stays healthy and gets the bulk of the carries.

The Browns may opt however to rest Harrison on occasion and give their rookie back out of Tennessee (Hardesty) some action from time to time. They traded up to get Hardesty. Therefore, they must truly like his skill set. And remember, running backs come quickly at this level. The learning curve is rather short.

Can you say Mack and Byner? Yes, back in 1985, the Browns had two guys rush for 1,000 yards. I’m not saying that will happen either this fall, but I would not be surprised if this team rushes for well over 2,000 yards this season.

Third, with Jake D. taking snaps, you want to run the ball. Again, I want my boy, Seneca Wallace at the helm. We’ve liked him for years and hope he gets a legitimate shot at the starting gig.

I know one thing - “The Walrus” wouldn’t mind if he starts. Wallace played for him in Seattle and there’s a reason he kept him around so long.

One thing is for certain, if Mangini goes with Jake D. and he starts throwing picks left and right, expect a short hook.

Finally, would you throw the ball to this receiving corps? Unless they add a couple professional receivers soon, you are likely to see, by necessity, a very boring brand of football in Cleveland this fall.

Of course, the problem with being run-oriented is you can’t play catch-up and you’d better have a good defense that keeps it close.

Did I say you need a good defense? That's another issue for another time.

Farewell
Finally, a farewell to a sports icon – Manute Bol, who passed away recently.

The “Dunking Dinka” was a true pleasure to watch. As a youngster, I always pushed hard for the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire Manute and Mugsy Boggs so I could personally watch that freak show every night. They never took my advice ofcourse.

I argued with many that Mugsy, all 5-1 of him – was perhaps “pound for pound” the greatest athlete of our time. To be that short and have a lengthy NBA career spoke volumes. It wasn’t like he was playing golf or curling. He competed against the best athletes in the world and held his own while being eligible for "midget bowling."

As for Manute, and all 7-6/165 pounds of him, you always worried a stiff draft from an open gate would knock him over. Regardless, he was a very entertaining sports figure. May he rest in peace.

Till next time. And yes, I am still taking requests.

Short & Quick

2010-06-14T09:06:00.001-07:00

Izzo
Why would Tom Izzo come to Cleveland when it is 50-50 at best LBJ will be here?

Is doubling your salary worth it if you end up with your best player being Mo Williams?

Why would the Cavaliers want a college coach with no NBA experience to run a team potentially on the brink of winning a championship?

Name me a Hall of Fame college coach who was successful in the NBA? And Larry Brown doesn’t count. First, he’s a gypsy and second he had pro experience both as a player (ABA) and a coach.

One more time – hire an NBA coach who can take his and beat yours and take yours and beat his!

Again, Pat Riley & Hubie Brown come to mind. If they say no, got get Scott Skiles, whose teams always overachieve.

A Real Shocker
Big surprise – after nearly five years of investigation, USC is going on probation. Meanwhile as predicted here, Pete Carroll is able to skip town without any repercussions.

You want to know how you might reduce some of the cheating? Read the following.

Why doesn’t the NCAA just say if your program is put on probation, the head coach in question is banned for life from coaching at the college level?

That way, when Carroll and others like him flame out in the pros, they can’t go back to college to earn a living. That’s punishing the guy ultimately responsible and it would send a message to head coaches you can’t go to the “hear, see and speak no evil’ defense. The buck stops with you scumbag.

And how does the guy who caused all this (Reggie Bush) get to keep his Heisman?

It is not as though he was a third string kicker who had no input on the success of the season. If he shouldn’t have been playing, he shouldn’t be able to keep his hardware. And all the wins should be voided.

In high school athletics in Ohio, if you use an ineligible player – what happens afterwards doesn’t count. Period. With the NCAA, there is less incentive to stay clean. The cost and reward benefits of cheating don’t necessarily scare you away.

First, you have to get caught. Second, it takes the NCAA forever to make a decision. Third, you lose scholarships, not something that really hurts – like $. And fourth, you might get a slap on the wrist, depending on the penalties given.

It makes no sense to take away scholarships – that only hurts a future head coach and kids who had nothing to do with the cheating.

You want to make it hurt? Besides no post-season play and taking away past wins, fine the school severely. Nothing gets the attention of college presidents and athletic directors like putting the athletic program/school in the red.

Then they will thin twice about hiring a coach who can win but has a shaddy reputation.

There, I fixed the problem – kinda.

Draft
The Indians recently took part in the annual amateur baseball draft. I have an idea - in the future, why not let Gordon Gund make the picks for the Tribe. While we are at it, put him in charge of the Browns’ draft as well.

Can he do any worse?

It's all about pitching
One of you wizards recently asked me what I would do if I were in charge of the Indians.

What follows is my approach and general philosophy.

First, baseball is all about pitching. Therefore, if I have a strong staff, my margin for error elsewhere is much greater. I call it the "Lempke concept."

Those of you old enough to remember know the pitching heavy Braves of the 90s won year in year out with a second baseman named Mark Lempke who epitomized a player with limted skills - to put it kindly. In fact, the Braves had several players in the line-up that never scared you. But they could pitch - especially their starters.

However, since it is extremely difficult to put together a strong starting staff, why not focus your energy on building an outstanding bullpen first – aka: what John Hart did in the mid-to-late 90s with the Tribe. See, I can give Hart credit when credit is due.

Here’s how you start the process in Cleveland – we all know the Tribe will be shopping Kerry Wood, Johnny Peralta, Jake Westbrook and others prior to the trading deadline.

I would immediately instruct my scouts/player personnel people to identify the top lefty and righty relievers at the AA & AAA level in baseball.

In discussions with other teams, I would zero in on those specific prospects and make sure I come away with as many quality young bullpen arms I could acquire for those players that would be leaving town.

Teams are more likely to trade a quality young reliever than a starter. And the Indians in particular are currently in desperate need of lefty relievers for the parent club.

In other words – have a specific plan, do your research and carry it out. Of course, the down-side immediately in Cleveland is that I would be depending on scouts and player personnel people with poor track records.

I can’t fix everything right away.

Therefore, I would begin an exhaustive search for the best talent evaluators in the game – at all levels. In simple English, I would get all the other Major League teams pissed at me because I would legally raid their personnel staffs and create a new pay scale for scouts and player personnel people.

If a good, young scout with the Twins made $75,000 a year, I would double his salary with a chance to move up quickly. Word would spread and aggressive, quality talent evaluators would be sending me resumes daily.

I would also put extra incentives in – just like you do with players.

If you sign a 20th round pick who makes it to the bigs and contributes, you get a nice bonus. If you suggest trading for John Doe in LA’s minor league system, we get him and he turns out to be a first division player, you get a very nice bonus. If your 40th round gem makes the Major League All-Star team, you get a large bonus, etc…

Think about it, for the yearly cost of an average set up man ($2 million), you could add several good talent evaluators who would make a huge difference in terms of your overall batting average in making the right decisions on players – at all levels.

This type of strategy isn’t glamorous and would barely get noticed by the media and fans, but would be the type of forward thinking that in the long-run, improve your chances of success at the Major League level.

Duncan & More
Can someone explain to me what Shelly Duncan is doing in the line-up? Are you telling me you have no young hitter in the minors who deserves a chance to get some ML at bats against lefties? Is Matt Laporta that bad?

On a lighter note, the Indians finally called up catcher Carlos Santana. Finally.

Travis Hafner is starting to drive the ball some. I PRAY the Indians have enough sense to see if there’s a market for him out there. I doubt it, but if they could get someone to take him and half his salary (the Tribe would pay the other half) in return for a nominal prospect, it would be a huge win for the Tribe.

I would then put the money I saved into talent evaluation discussed above.

Kobe
I like him more and more. I haven't seen him smile very much when on the floor during the playoffs. He's all business. The Lakers are down 3-2 but I still like them to win. It would be nice if they fed the post more when they get back home. Just a suggestion. Give the Celtics credit, those old guys compete and they are extremely well-coached (Doc Rivers).

World Cup
Yes, I have watched several World Cup games already, including the USA’s gift 1-1 tie with England. I also got up at 7:30 a.m. this morning (Monday) watching the Netherlands (otherwise known as the “Orange Army”) earn a 2-0 victory.

No, I don’t have a favorite. I don’t know enough about these players to make such predictions. However, if you watch, several things will likely happen. They include the following –

Team Azzuri (Italy), the defending WC champs, will play boring soccer as usual but not be scored on during pool play. They traditionally have the best defense in the field. See, you learned something. Italy is the Michigan State basketball of World Cup soccer – they bore you to sleep and advance.

Brazil will sign the most autographs since none of their players carry last names.

England and Netherlands will battle for the title – no, not the World Cup title but the “most drunks who get in fights and have to be jailed till they sleep in off” crown.

Some poor player who commits an own goal (likely from a South American nation) will accidently fall off a cliff back home a year from now. Ditto for a ref who causes someone to lose.

A team representing either a Muslim nation or an African country will have the most defections – since losing in those countries often results in leg amputation when you get back home.

Finally, if there’s a terrorist act at the World Cup (heaven forbid), look for the nations of the world to apologize to the terrorist and FIFA to form a committee to study what can be done to avoid such future actions.

I told you, I’m a soccer wizard. Go AZZURI!

Short & Quick

2010-05-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

Toughness
After further analysis, it’s clear why the Boston Celtics advanced to the 2010 Finals – mental and physical toughness – something the Cleveland Cavaliers lacked.

We knew the “overrated” Magic didn’t have the toughness to advance this year, but we were in the weeds (geographically too close to the team) too much to realize Cleveland also lacked similar toughness.

My bad – I should have caught it earlier – like last year after the Orlando debacle. Toughness and grit can’t be measured. It’s either in your make-up or not –both as an individual and as a team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were the best team in basketball in back-to-back years in the regular season. However, they simply lacked toughness to get it done when it counted most.

How do I know this? Once is an anomaly, while twice in two years is a clear pattern.

Unfortunately, Cleveland fans are used to this after watching the Indians consistently flame-out in the post-season due to lack of an ace/clutch hitting and ofcourse the "soft" Cavs taking it on the chin in April and May year after year back in the Mark Price era.

Remember, when they could never get that key rebound when they needed it most? I loved watching those Cavalier teams, but they clearly didn't have that "it" needed to put them over the top.

You don’t get anything for dominating the regular season. That is, unless you like hanging up division banners/pennants. That gets old quickly.

Lakers In 6
Look for the Lakers to win in 6 – too much Kobe coupled with too much frontcourt length/talent. As we stated when he first became a Laker – the addition of Ron Artest should also make a difference in what should be a tough, physical series, especially at the defensive end.

MVP
By the way, I think until LBJ wins a title, calling him the best player on the planet is in great doubt. Yes, I was the first to say he was the best player in basketball three years ago. However, since then, the Cavaliers' front office has done just about all it could to surround him with the appropriate pieces to win that first elusive title. Simply put – LBJ & his teammates failed.

We can’t argue anymore he doesn’t have help. No, he doesn’t have Scottie Pippen, but well over 120 wins the past two regular seasons indicates to me there was certainly enough talent to reach the Finals either in ‘09 or this season.

All the players and Mike Brown must take some responsibility, but if you call yourself “The King,” you have to take the most heat.

This is a roundabout way of saying Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet – and he cements that fact if his Lakers beat the Celtics. Yes, Bryant has more help than James, but he plays in a tougher conference and he has a handful of rings already. Meanwhile, the King has no rings - nada! Those are undisputable facts.

By the way, something tells me this coming off-season, while James is running around with 50 cent, a dollar and a quarter and/or Usher, Bryant will quietly be in the gym working on his game. Personally, like Bryant's reclusive nature. Perhaps that's because he reminds me of me - not interested in attention. As for LBJ, go work on your post-up game please.

Yes, I’m being very critical of LBJ – but he deserves all of it and more – especially after his non-engagement performance in game #5 versus the Celtics. He’ll never live that down in my book.

Admiration
I do admire the Celtics for overachieving. Doc Rivers and company have gotten the most of this team when it counted most – that’s admirable. That's my favorite characteristic in sports - overachievers/getting the most out of yourself or your team. You simply can't ask for mre than that.

Free Agency
There are morons out there who have stated LBJ’s best bet is landing in Chicago – a talented young team with an outstanding point guard (Derrick Rose). Wrong!

Rose needs the ball in his hands 90% of the time to be effective. He’s not a shooter, he’s a scorer/slasher. Wherever he goes, James will dominate the basketball. In the Windy City, that will make Rose a much less effective player. Idiots.

One more time – if James is serious that all he wants is to play where he can win, then it’s a no-brainer – stay in Cleveland, where you have produced the league’s best record 2x in a row and have an owner willing to spend whatever it takes to make you happy.

Of course, I am the cynical kind – thinking for the past several years that James wants most to be the center of attention – THE pop culture icon if you will. I have said from the start he'll follow CC to the Big Apple. I hope I am wrong.

Speaking of Overachievers
My head coaching list consists of three in the following order – Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello and Scott Skyles (who is already employed). All have one key element in common I admire most in a coach – they get the most out of the talent they have.

And no, I don’t want some Hall of Fame college coach – not even coach K. It’s a totally different game at this (NBA) level, beginning with having to deal with men instead of kids.

And I could care less coach K has experience coaching the Olympic team. Last time I checked in the NBA, you don’t play Slovenia in a best of 7 come May.

Grady Sizemore
I can’t think of a player in ML baseball whose stock has dropped so much the past two years. He didn’t have a good year in 2009 and was hurt. He got out of the gate slowly once again in 2010 and then got hurt again.

Look at the bright side, if he keeps this up, the Indians might actually be able to afford him come his free agent season. Then again, they might not want him at that price for what he produces.

Super Bowl
I hope it is 10 below in 2014 when New York/New Jersey hosts the Super Bowl. That’s just a bad idea - Period. Look, I’m a traditionalist, but it just makes sense on numerous levels to play the Super Bowl in warm weather or inside.

Indians & Dry Heaves
If you want to throw up sometime, I have a way to make it happen. Go online, download and write down the names of the players Mark Shapiro and company acquired for CC and Cliff Lee. You’ll have the dry heaves by the fourth name you jot down.

How that guy has kept a job for so long is beyond me. His farm system hasn’t produced much talent, his major trades have been less than productive (to be kind) and his free agent acquisitions have been mediocre at best. And I didn’t even go into just one post-season appearance in a relatively weak division in nine years.

As GMs go, the guy (Shapiro) is the Matt Millen of Major League baseball.

And the team complains about fan apathy. Why should anyone care when the owner keeps people in charge who have a de ade long track record of ineptitude at various levels (farm system/trades/free agent pick-ups/WLs).

I believe strongly in being patient – but this is ridiculous.

Bring up all the damn kids at least!

World Cup
Yes, I will be watching some of the World Cup starting June 11. You are stunned I knew when it started aren’t you? Call me a freak – I don’t care.

I usually root some for the Italians while picking a small African nation or a facsimile thereof to cheer for as well.

Short & Quick

2010-05-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

I saw all over the cable networks yesterday that 186 dead sea turtles washed up on our southern shores due to the oil spill in the Gulf. It was as though life as we know it was about to come to an end. I’m sure there will be more in the coming days and weeks.

Meanwhile, the North Koreans torpedoed a South Korean boat – killing 46, which is an act of war, and the nutty Iranians get closer and closer each day to having a weapon that can wipe out Israel.

Yet, I am supposed to get worked up over sea turtles dying and the cost of shrimp to perhaps double next year.

Am I the only one who thinks we have entered a parallel universe – where everything and everyone is %$#@UP?

Here’s part of the solution when the bulk of this mess hits the shores – have BP hire and pay (say $25 an hour and benefits for a year) fishermen in the Gulf states who now can’t work to help clean up the mess.

There is more – the head of ICE, the feds responsible for sending illegal aliens back, recently stated he may not enforce Arizona’s new anti-illegal alien law. Mind you, this is a law favored by 70% of Arizonians and over 60% of Americans.

Yet, this administration seems hell bent on confusing the public by stating this law permits cops to pull anyone over they please and ask for ID.

This is a clear-cut lie and they know it.

Or perhaps they don’t, since several in the administration, including Attorney General Eric “I can’t utter the words radical Islam” Holder, haven’t read the law – all 18 pages of it. That’s the equivalent of half a chapter in any freshman science text at a community college near you. He must be too busy granting suspected terrorist Miranda rights as though they were born in Paris, Texas and lived on the family farm all their lives rasing cattle.

The law - available on line for all to read – clearly states no profiling is to take place and the individual(s) in question must already have draw the ire of safety units (i.e. been pulled over for speeding).

Regardless, this administration and its friends in the media want to politicize the issue, get the base jazzed and stir up animosity between ethnic groups. Nice.

What they don’t get is that the majority of Americans are smarter than that – we can read. The only people they are convincing are those incapable of reading or hard core lefties who think this country is the root of all evil any way.

Morons.

Last but not least – an assistant Secretary of State recently told the Chinese we in America have our own problems with discrimination – the new Arizona law.

Here’s a high ranking member of the U.S. State Department making a moral equivalence between a legal law passed by an individual state, and the Chinese, who arrest and incarcerate their own for merely uttering anti-government rhetoric, and shoot to kill people who come across their borders illegally from North Korea and beyond.

You can’t make this shit up if you tried.

What’s next – are we going to prosecute Navy Seals for roughing up a captured Al Qaeda member who killed Americans?

Oops! They did that already.

Remember what I stated way back when – every three or four election cycles, the American public forgets what it’s like to put liberals in charge and decide to hand them the keys to the car (i.e. Jimmy Carter in 1976). Once they crash it into the stop sign again (aka: over reach with policies the majority of the country disapproves of), the grown-ups are put back in charge.

2012 can’t come soon enough for many.

Long and Arduous

2010-05-15T14:57:00.001-07:00

We’ve covered some of this in our last two posts as we began to see the meltdown taking place. However, here are our final thoughts as to why the Cavaliers folded come playoff time after posting the best record in the league for the second year in a row.

Mind you, Danny Ferry, the GM, gets somewhat of a pass. In 2010, he provided this coaching staff with more bullets in the gun – allowing this group to play different styles of basketball with different combinations – something that was unavailable in 2009. There wasn’t much more he could do this time around going in short of acquiring a true Robin to Batman (LBJ) – which was unrealistic.

First, this team has lacked a consistent scorer (instant offense) off the bench, putting immense pressure on the starters to produce points every night. This is a minor flaw compared to the rest.

We simply got this one wrong – overrating his potential. Anderson V. is simply an energy and hustle player – not a starter. When he plays major minutes he wears down, and more importantly, you play 5-on-4 on the offensive end when he’s out there. He can’t score the basketball unless he’s laying it in. There is simply no reason to guard him.

Along the same lines, running screen and rolls with AV is and has been a terrible offensive option. You are bringing the one guy on the floor who can’t dribble, pass or score the basketball into the main offensive fray. Yes, on occasion he finishes with a layup. However, it is always a better option to have someone set the screen the defense actually has to guard outside of four feet. The Cavaliers have been doing the opposition a favor with this moronic screen/roll option for years. Jamison and James, for example, should have worked this to death this spring.

I was wrong again. Mo Williams is a not a prime-time performer and A. Jamison did not establish himself as that much-needed consistent #2 option offensively come post-season. If he’s not scoring points, Mo is too much of a defensive liability to help your team. In a seven-game series, that gets exposed – especially by well-coached teams. We saw this two years in a row. As for Jamison, he tends to play soft and was asked to do something he can’t do – guard Kevin Garnett in the post. Truth be told – having Williams and Jamison on the floor means you have two subpar/soft defenders playing at one time. Well coached, disciplined teams (i.e. Boston) take advantage of that in the half court in a long series – where every major wart is exposed.

This team has badly needed a true defensive presence inside to provide cover for poor perimeter defenders (i.e. Mo Williams). Mark Price had Larry Nance and Hot Rod Williams covering up his mistakes. The Cavaliers simply don’t have that kind of presence. Marcus Camby, or a facsimile there of, would have helped. You can’t consistently allow opposing guards to penetrate at will, breaking down your defense time and time again. It not only affects your defensive rotation but it is the quickest way to cause on the floor finger-pointing.

Much to my continued dismay, this coaching staff and LBJ James have refused to emphasize potentially one of his greatest strengths – the post-up game. On the road to slow down opposing runs or when LBJ is simply having a poor shooting night, having him post up in the half court makes it next to impossible for the opposition to guard him. It also saves on some of the wear and tear from LBJ driving to the basket and taking the constant pounding that follows. Finally, it forces him to get engaged on nights he shows low energy levels (see game #5 versus Celtics). He’s too big for smaller defenders and too quick for bigger defenders in the block. And if the double comes, the Cavaliers should get an excellent perimeter look time and time again off his post-up. It’s basketball malpractice this has not been emphasized the past several years.

Once again, Mike Brown and company were outcoached. Last year, Ron Jeremy got over on Brown and Hedo T. got paid thanks to the Cavaliers. This year, Doc Rivers took an aging team with next to no bench and handled Cleveland in six games. This actually included arguably Rivers’ best player (Paul Pierce) underachieving for much of the series.

Again, along the same lines, this team’s refusal to put one of the game’s best defenders (LBJ) on the opposition’s most potent player in that particular series (Hedo T. in ’09 or R. Rondo in ‘10) made it almost impossible to get control of the series. Having James take Rondo, at minimum at the end of quarters and in crunch time, might have made a difference. You cannot allow the opposition’s main ball-handler to go where he wants, do what he wants, when he wants! Yes, plugging that hole could open up others (i.e. Paul Pierce) but if you don’t plug the hole, it doesn’t matter. Running double teams at RR and taking the ball out of his hands on occasion was also an option not consistently utilized.

I never thought I would be saying this but LBJ simply quit in game 5 versus the Celtics. Check that, he never even tried. I have never seen this in professional sports in my life – arguably the best player in his sport not give 100% in the most important game of the season. That’s impossible to fathom and inexcusable. If I had a vote, hell would freeze over before I give LBJ my next league MVP vote. And this, once again, is the best reason to hold off on MVP voting in any team sport until a champion is crowned.

Finally, call it lack of heart, toughness or whatever term you prefer - this team is simply soft. There is no other way to explain back-to-back post-season “flame outs” as the owner called them, after posting the league’s best record. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers join other long-standing regular season juggernauts (Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, etc.) that consistently showed big during the first 82 but could never win a title and often exited early in April and May. The Cavaliers of the late 80s/early 90s were often accused of this, but they had an out – the real #23 (MJ). This group has no such crutch to lean on. Ownership and management would do well to acquire a couple players this off-season who bring more than mere statistics to the roster. Players who bring heart/toughness are in need here.

Yes, I had this team losing to the Lakers in seven in the Finals before the season started. When the playoffs began, there was no reason to think otherwise. Something went terribly wrong in the post-season. Eventually, we’ll find out what happened in terms of off the floor antics. When ownership breaks this thing up, the rats jump off the ship and turn on each other. That’s the way sports works. Unfortunately, that's the way life works for some.

Regardless, there is plenty of "on the court" fault to go around as you can see by this entry, starting with LBJ – who decided prior to game #5 that July had come early. The “King” has enjoyed a tremendous amount of positive press since he was a young pup – mostly deserved. He has exceeded all expectations in terms of pure talent level to date. But this is more than a black mark on his record. In my mind, what happened in game #5 against the Celtics supersedes anything positive he’s done to date – including game #5 versus the Pistons two years ago.

Think of it this way - even with everything we have catalogued in terms of what went wrong and why - if James plays like an MVP in game #5, the Cavaliers likely win this series.

As I said, what we witnessed (total lack of effort) was unprecedented and inexcusable.

Short & Quick

2010-05-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

We noted in our last entry that Cleveland’s game #4 effort – especially in the fourth quarter – was embarrassing. Well, it got worse.

What follows are some simple observations that should shed some light on the basketball abortion we are seeing take place in Cleveland.

This team will be ripped apart if they can’t advance beyond the second round after back-to-back 60+ win campaigns.

The Cavaliers are simply soft. If they lose this series, they will join the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, as regular season juggernauts that don’t have the heart to win in the post-season.

Someone told LBJ July has arrived early. How else do you explain him being completely MIA in arguably the most important game in franchise history (game #5)?

Two of my favorite players – Mo Williams and A. Jamison are poor on-ball defenders & the Celtics’ coaching staff is taking full advantage of those mismatches.

In Mo’s case, he simply can’t be on the floor in this series if he’s not scoring the basketball. We’ve said this already, but it needs re-stated.

Mike Brown and his staff have committed coaching malpractice once again (see ’09 Orlando series) by not having LBJ post up ONCE in game #5, when it was obvious 23's jumper wasn’t falling. Putting his ass in the torcher chamber would have forced 23 to engage, and thus demanded a Celtic double-team – opening up good perimeter looks for others.

Shaq’s inability to consistently finish inside has allowed the Celtics to play him straight up – closing off many of Cleveland’s perimeter looks.

The Celtics are wisely not covering Andy V. unless he is rolling to the basketball. This is forcing Cleveland to play 5-on-4 at the offensive end. Anytime AV takes a shot not considered a layup/dunk, the Celtics win that possession.

Once again, not one player not named James on Cleveland’s roster, has played consistently well throughout this series. This has made this mediocre coaching staff’s job that much harder trying to find the right combinations to play.

I’d be pissed too if I’m Dan Gilbert. He’s about to see the value of his team drop by 50% or more in a couple months when James walks, citing his inability to win in Cleveland. Talk about a stock market crash.

Some advice for this organization before game #6 - post James early and often, give Mo’s minutes to J. Moon if Williams has that “deer in a headlight look” early, run, run and run some more to avoid allowing the Celtics to clamp down in the half-court, put a body on Rondo and Allen on occasion (it’s okay to knock them down), show some physical and mental toughness, and PLEASE, stop with the silly pre-game & in-game sideline antics – save the energy this time for floor burns.

No, I have no idea what will happen in game #6 tonight, but I wouldn’t bet the mortgage the Cavaliers will man up – they haven’t yet. Here’s hoping I am wrong.

Short & Quick

2010-05-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

It Didn’t Have to Be This Hard

The best player on the planet blew it – not that he had much help. And the coaching staff still looks lost. That’s my view of what happened yesterday, especially in the fourth quarter of game #4 versus the Celtics.

The Cavaliers had an opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series and let it slip away. Not only did they waste the opportunity, they didn’t put up much of a fight.

There was no sense of urgency going into that final period. All we saw was a lack of concentration, terrible spacing offensively, turnover after turnover, missed open looks, no transition defense and a general lay-up drill for the Celtics.

The coaching staff is still out to lunch in terms of trying to figure out how to slow down R. Rondo – much like last year’s debacle when they turned Hedo T. into a superstar. This time around, they are turning a good player (RR) into a HOFer.

Double him early on and get the ball out of his hands, try J. Moon on him, and put the sport’s best athlete on him (LBJ) at key points – end of quarters and down the stretch.

Instead we get more of the same – the Cavaliers going small when they don’t have to anymore.

Yesterday, we had Anthony Parker allowing Rondo to pick up 18 rebounds on his way to a triple-double. It's one thing to not be able to stay in front of a smaller/quicker player, but allowing 18 boards? Come on. Can you play any softer?

It would also help if LBJ got some unexpected help, but that’s not likely to happen every night with this team. Shaq showed up, but no one else did yesterday.

A. Jamison has been okay at best during this series, and Mo Williams, who played poorly last time around in the post-season, is being totally exposed this spring.

He was manhandled by D. Rose in April and is being abused by RR in May. And with the exception of one terrific shooting half (game #2), he has been a total liability on the floor. I regret saying it, but facts are facts. Sit his ass down if he’s not making a ton of shots!

Yes, the Cavaliers are still in the driver’s seat having two of the next three at home. And yes, role players play better at home. But it didn’t have to be this hard.

Yesterday, they played like they felt they could turn it on and off when they wanted to (i.e. game #3). That's a recipe for disaster - especially if LBJ turns an ankle or they shoot 25-of-75 in game #7.

Unlike conventional wisdom you are getting elsewhere from the media and the Cavaliers themselves, the Celtics are not true champions who won’t go away quietly.

Here’s the real deal – they ARE old! They have a mediocre bench at best. KG can’t dominate every night anymore. Ray Allen is a shell of what he was three years ago. And the “great” Paul Pierce has been MIA this series. Those ae all facts. Do I need to go on?

This series should be 3-1 Cavs right now and they have no one to blame but themselves.

So where are we?

Here’s what you won’t hear elsewhere - Game #5 arguably becomes the most important single game in franchise history.

A Cavs loss tomorrow probably leads to an early out versus Boston. Then the snowball effect takes place – the media and fans go nuts, James has an excuse to scoot town citing he can’t win it here, and ofcourse the Cavaliers fire Brown and his staff.

Thus the window closes on what looked like a golden era in Cavs basketball. So much for winning multiple titles with James & company.

Just keeping it real.

Of course, winning two of the next three will avoid all this misery. Again, it didn’t have to be this hard.

Short & Quick

2010-05-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

Short & Quick

I know you missed me. Several of you complained. However, I was busy at my government job – working the Arizona border, tracking the coyotes who smuggle illegals into Tempe and points beyond.

Quiz
What do Matthew Stafford (13TDs/20 picks in ’09), Mark Sanchez, (12 TDs/20 picks in ’09) and this year’s quarterback draft class all have in common?

Answer – way too much.

The problem is hype. There’s too much of it. Because they play the game’s most important position, the media is fixated with their every move, twitch, thought, etc.

Some so-called experts fall in love with one, while others fall in love with the next guy in line.

I can't tell most of these guys apart. Really.

If I played audio clips of what those who get paid to evaluate talent said about past incoming “franchise” quarterbacks, you would laugh out loud.

The truth is 99% of the time, there is no John Elway in the current draft class – regardless what these morons tell you.

It’s all a big guessing game, with opportunity, coaching, the talent around you and heart determining the pro careers of these guys.

Browns Draft
Again – unless I see a lot of you, I don’t comment. I have no idea if these guys can play. I do know one thing – there are plenty of openings for playing time if these guys can walk and chew gum.

And yes – I am still waiting for this organization to add a professional wide receiver to this roster. That would make 1 on the roster if that takes place – if you are counting.

Josh McDaniels
A friend mentioned to me this guy might be the most arrogant coach alive – that’s saying something.

His analysis was based on the quarterback he went with last year (I can't think of his name right now but we'll just say Steve Fuller & be in the ballpark) and the fact that he added two more QBs (Brady Quinn & Tim Tebow) prior and during the draft.

His thinking is McDaniels figures he can coach anybody up. I’m not sure I agree, but I do wonder why you acquire Quinn, then go out and trade up to take Tebow.

Yes, I like them both, but why go after both of them? The last time I checked, you can only play one at a time. The correct process is to pick a young quarterback and let him learn from his mistakes while having a veteran backing up.

McDaniels’ logic escapes me right now. Perhaps my friend has it right – he’s arrogant. We’ll see.

My boy Quinn did come dirt cheap. That I get. As for adding my other boy Tebow, when you have other pressing needs, I'm not sure.

I give the kid credit for doing it his way however. But one thing is for certain – if the Broncos fail to make the playoffs this season, the “boy genius” will be on the hot seat and the butt of many jokes.

John Gruden
Staying on the QB theme – why is John Gruden now considered some QB Guru?

Don’t get me wrong, I love Gruden’s passion, but why is he now considered the go-to guy when talking QBs simply because he does an appealing television piece with a group of incoming NFL quarterbacks.

Remember, this guy went through more starting quarterbacks when he ran Tampa Bay than long haul truckers go through prostitutes.

By the way, I still have Gruden as 3-1 to be the Browns’ new head coach in 2011with “The Walrus” himself as the favorite at 2-1. The Walrus is 5-1 he'll take over the team mid-way throughg the season if Mangini gets out of the gate 2-6.

Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are clearly the best team in the east and should NOT have to go 7 prior to the Finals versus their likely opponent – the Lakers. We’ve said that all along. But if they do have to go 7, that’s why you play the regular season – to post the best record and get game 7 in your building. No excuses. Just win.

As I have said in the past, Danny Ferry has given Mike Brown a full clip to work with in 2009-10 – depth and the ability to play any style. They can go small, go big, go long, etc… If this team fails to reach the Finals, expect a new head coach in 2010-2011.

Who would I hire?

Glad you asked. Same guy I wanted last time – Pat Riley. My second choice is Hubie Brown – current television analyst And if you want me to go three deep – Scott Skiles, current Bucks’ head coach. Skiles’ teams ALWAYS overachieve.

All this is predicated on LBJ returning ofcourse. He he walks, it won't matter who coaches. Hell, no one will want the gig.

Of course, all of this talk won’t be necessary if Mo Williams plays well in the post season. The Cavaliers picked up my boy Antwan Jamison to protect themselves against Mo getting the “deer in headlight” look as he did last year in the post-season.

We covered this ground months ago. Simply put – the organization is not confident Mo can be that consistent second scorer when it counts most.

But if Mo can stay in front of opposing point guards on occasion and consistently give them 16-20 a night in May and June, the Cavaliers will be almost impossible to beat 4x in a seven-game series with Cleveland playing game 7 in its building.

This leads us to his performance in game #1 versus the Celtics. It was good to see Williams actually man up in the second half after getting abused in the first half by Rondo. This was a first and a good sign for the Cavaliers.

I don’t think anyone realizes how close Mo was to getting benched in that game and perhpas going into a funk for the series.

Williams actually showed some pride and stepped up after getting embarrassed. Usually, if Moe gets handled early, you don’t hear much from him the rest of the night. He fades instead of taking on the challenge. This was not the case in game 1against Boston. Hopefully, this will give him confidence to play consistent basketball through the rest of the post-season.

He doesn’t have to go off every night – just knock down the open looks, don’t turn it over, and PLEASE TRY to stay in front.

However, if he isn’t making shots and guys are flying by him – Brown has other options this time around. That’s why this team should come out of the east.

We have loved Mo since day 1 in a Cavalier uniform. Remember, we described him as the best player LBJ has ever played with before the rest of the world figured it out. However, he (MW) did not show up last season when it counted most. That hurt this team.

Management went out and added a true #2 scorer (A. Jamison) just in case Mo went AWOL at some point in the 2010 post-season. However, if Moe shows up, it should be 6games max versus the Celtics and the overrated Magic.

We’ll discuss the expected Lakers-Cavs series if and when that takes place.

MVP
Who were the morons who voted for Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant for MVP?

LBJ just earned his second straight MVP award. I have it at four in a row, but what do I know?

Do you remember the garbage team he took to the Finals when San Antonio swept them a few years back? Tell me he wasn't the best player in the league that year?

Regardless, the guy has gotten better in all phases every year with the one exception we have hammered for years – posting up.

If he ever truly worked and emphasized that part of his game, he would simply be unstoppable and the Cavaliers would be better for it.

I still believe he will average a triple-double for a full season at some point in his career – just to break the boredom.

But first thing first – he needs a handful of rings before the legend reaches epic proportions – at least in my mind.

Dallas Mavericks
Why can’t the basketball world figure this one out?

When you need to go out and acquire toughness to offset the softness of your best player (Dirk N.), you have a problem.

Yes, Dirk will go into the Hall of Fame. And yes, he’s the best shooting big man of all-time. But he's soft. Period. And therefore, his team is soft.

Teams either take on the personality of their coach or their best player. That's just the way it is. See, you learn something new every time, don't you?

He never made the adjustments necessary for his team to advance – get stronger, post up more often, go to the basket more, stop fading away so much, and improve his average passing skills. Doing those things would have made him better, his teammates better, and given his teams a better chance to advance come post-season.

I know it’s hard to get a superstar to buy in when he’s leading you to 50+ win seasons every year and earning MVP votes. But the Mavs have been flawed for years and ditto for Nuggets, whose superstar (Carmelo) is moody and mostly just a scorer.

I still hate it when people put Anthony in the same conversationa as LBJ and D. Wade. He's not in their league. He doesn't make others better ever night. How many times do I need to say it?

Jerry Sloan
I think Jerry Sloan is an amazing coach. His system works. Period. But if I were interviewing him after game 1’s loss to the Lakers, I would ask him why he didn’t take the ball out of Kobe’s hands down the stretch. Cardinal sin coach.

Sloan let the other team’s best player beat him. Game 1 is on him. I don’t care how many career wins Sloan has. You NEVER let the other team’s best player beat you if you can avoid it. In basketball, you can control that factor by doubling and tripling when necessary.

If Artest, Gasol, Odom, or fill in the blank make the plays to beat you, you live with it and move on. But why give the best player on the floor the opportunity to beat you?

Look, would you rather face the sixth hitter in the line-up with the game on the line or Eddie Murray in his prime?

Sloan didn’t make the correct coaching move, and the Jazz – my FAVORITE organization in sports because they do it the right way and their players play the right way – lost!

Stupid Statement of the Month
Every once in a while, you hear something said that instantly destroys someone’s credibility. It’s like an Indians’ announcer, who will go unnamed, who once wondered why the Indians were squeezing with two out and a runner on third.

They weren’t you moron, he was simply bunting for a hit hoping to catch the opposition sleeping – just like some dude in KC pulled on them last week.

I was watching some late afternoon sport talk show last week - which was my first mistake - when some female sportswriter, or whatever she was, mentioned in passing that Milwaukee Bucks' rookie B. Jennings would be a future MVP candidate.

Yea – and bats will fly out of my ass next time we turn the clocks back come fall lady.

Yes, Jennings had a nice rookie year – but future MVP candidate? How does one process that insanity? Maybe she had a bad hair day or was having her monthly cramps. Who knows. But this isn't limited to female media members mind you.

I hear such nonsense all too often and it makes me wonder how some of these people cash their checks without wearing masks.

It's really just a simple case of being exposed.

Again, one of my pet peeves in sports in full display - the media is now part of the show. Thirty years ago we didn't know who these people were or what most of them looked like. Now they have their own shows, are in front of us more than the athletes and coaches, and many show their biases, short-term sports memories,and in some cases, their pure ignorance, on a regular basis.

Which bring me the question - what does a sportswriter have to do to get fired? In other words, has one ever been canned for not knowing shit about sports?

Oil Spill
Okay – so now we won’t be able to drill for oil off our coasts because we had a spill off the Louisiana coast and a bunch of lobsters will turn up dead. Great. Why don’t we just go back to the wheel and buggy and before we had penicilin to cure crabs?

Hell, I don’t even eat at Red Lobster. The only fish I eat is shrimp.

When you try to advance the human condition, shit happens! It’s called the cost of progress. I'm not happy about it, but you don't tuck tail and run when something goes wrong. Too bad we are becoming so soft, we can’t even state the obvious.

Thank goodness this generation didn't fight WWII. We'd all be talking German right now or eating rice 3x daily.

Do me a favor, next time you see a smart car – take a look who is driving.

It’s usually an ugly broad from NOW (The National Organization of Ugly Women) or a bearded college professor who spent the late 1960s and early 1970s on a commune avoiding taking baths for fear it would drain our water supply, all the while growing lettuce and weed in the garden.

Had enough?

Short & Quick

2010-04-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Grand Experiment
A first took place in the history of baseball a couple weeks ago and hardly anyone noticed. Minnesota catcher, Joe Mauer, the best catcher in baseball, signed an 8-year/$180+ million deal with his hometown Twins.

This corner assumed he would be wearing pin stripes or Red Sox garb in 2011 since his current deal was up after 2010. That’s what usually happens when a small/mid-market superstar reaches free agency. That or he’s dealt for prospects prior to leaving to cushion the blow.

In this case, Mauer stayed home – literally, since he’s from Minnesota. No, he didn’t give his beloved Twins a hometown discounts based on the figures released. And that’s the point. The Twins still signed him – large market price tag and all.

That’s never been done before!

Folks in Cleveland can attest to that. Ditto for Oakland and other mid-size franchises that have had to say goodbye to stars they drafted, developed and nurtured.

We have been told over and over again that these mid-markets cannot sustain signing its stars and still remain competitive.

The logic is as follows – you can’t commit a quarter or more of your yearly 25 player budget to one guy and remain competitive.

Well, Minnesota is about to test that theory the Clevelands, Oaklands, Milwaukees, etc… have avoided at all cost.

Yes, I know the Twins have the added advantage of heading into a new ballpark. That should certain help with meeting budget. But the fact remains, the Twins paid what they had to in keeping their best player. Period.

Strip everything else from the scenario and you have the Twins saying we don’t care if Mauer goes down, we’re paying the price. We don’t care if he underachieves, we’re paying the price. We don’t care if he’s a shell of himself the last couple years of this deal, we’re paying the price. We don’t care if this deal makes him untradeable to 90% of the ML clubs, we’re paying the price.

Folks, that took balls – especially in this uncertain economic market.

To that, we say well done Twins.

This is your best player, a hometown kid, a great young man and a Future Hall of Famer. Regardless of whether it made sense or not economically, this was the right move for this organization, with this player, at this time in their history.

I’m not a bean counter, but I assume there were those in the organization that crunch numbers who stepped up and said this deal will make it difficult for this team to have the flexibility to remain competitive over the long-run.

Regardless, the Twins obviously looked at all angles and decided to make the fans happy. From a PR standpoint, this made sense. Try selling tickets, even in a new stadium, when you let the state’s biggest star go.

For their sake and for the other mid-market teams who will be watching this experiment closely (i.e. Indians), let’s hope it works and the Twins remain competitive while Mauer draws his millions.

If it does, perhaps other teams, on occasion, will bit the financial bullet and pay the price to keep a homegrown Future Hall of Famer. Besides, aren’t you like me and are sick and tired of seeing all these guys end up in Pin Stripes or Red Sox red?

Tribe Prediction
As usual, I haven’t paid attention at all to Spring Training. It means absolutely nothing. But this team is not hard to analyze. Nothing much has changed in the past couple years with the positive exception that it has become somewhat more athletic – which is a good thing.

The starting pitching is a huge question mark – therefore, anyone stupid enough to predict close to a .500 record or beter for this team either gets their monthly check for the Dolans, are diehard believers or have no clue.

The starting pitching is a huge question mark, the bullpen is adequate at best and the offense and defense are middle of the pack.

The good news is they have this ridiculously unbalanced schedule where you have most of your games against your division – which, once again, looks to be mediocre at best.

And yes, if Westbrook and Carmona come all the way back, you could rationalize the Tribe being in the hunt comes September. But that’s simply expecting too much.

Here’s a simpler way of deciding how good your team is – do the first versus second division checklist position by position. First division means the player you have is in the top 7 in his league while second division players are just that – they are in the bottom half of the league at their craft.

So let’s start with the Indians infield. Most fans can’t even name their starting catcher by name – second division. Their starting first baseman has a bad back and their #2 choice for that position is basically a rookie – second division. Their young, second baseman has some pop in his bat but is average defensively at best – currently second division. Their shortstop is very good – first division. Their third baseman is average at best at a run production position – second division.

The outfield is a little better with one of the game’s best centerfielders and a very good right fielder – first division. Left field is a huge question mark – second division. Meanwhile, the DH spot is a mess – second division.

And no, I don’t believe Travis Hafner is all the way back like some are predicting, since he’s not even permitted to play catch because of his injury. Here’s hoping my skepticism is inaccurately placed.

The starting pitching is clearly second division unless their #1 & #2 pitch like they did three years ago – and that’s the problem, therefore, second division. The bullpen’s closer is injured and there is no reason to believe this group, as a whole, will hold up over 162 games this summer – second division.

How does 74-88 sound?

Butler – Duke
I haven’t watched much DI basketball this season, but I like who ended up in the finals. Both Duke and Butler do it the right way. And neither team has a future terrific pro on its roster. Yes, both teams have players who might make it in the NBA, but these teams are in the finals because they defend, play well together and have high basketball IQs.

Like most fans, I hope Butler wins, since Duke has been there before and done that, but I don’t have a problem if the Blue Devils earn another title. Unlike, others, I don’t believe Duke represents the dark side. They go to class, stay out of trouble, win basketball games and graduate. What's to dislike?

Hero T.
I have heard several talking heads wonder what happened to Hero T. this season. He has underachieved in Toronto in their minds and currently finds himself in the coach’s doghouse.

The guy was never that good – we made that clear last spring when we stated Mike Brown got this guy paid by having a much shorter defender (Delete West) try to check him in the Magic - Cavs playoff series.

Let’s hope Brown and his coaching staff don't have another horrid series this time around. If he does, he won’t be coaching the Cavs in 2010-11.

Browns
I like the fact the Walrus seems to be inclined to trade draft picks for established NFL players – that’s a good thing based on the percentages. He recently picked up a starting linebacker and a quality NFL corner for a pair of mid to late picks.

Let’s hope he adds a pair of starting receivers by draft day as well. Using those extra third round picks to obtain receivers that can get open and catch the ball would help whoever takes the snaps.

A knowledgeable friend who follows this stuff closely tells me Eric Berry, out of Tennessee, is the guy the Browns should target in round 1.

I have not seen him play enough to comment, but if he’s clearly the best safety in the draft, I have no problem with him going to Cleveland.

Unlike many media types who have some silly formula that says you can’t this position this high or that high, I believe in taking the best player if he stands out in the crowd – regardless of where he plays.

As for the Browns, they have needs everywhere. So if Berry is their guy, be aggressive and go get him.

I am more intrigued with what they do in rounds 2 & 3, where they have some extra picks to play with. They CANNOT blow these picks like Mangini did a year ago when he butchered rounds 2 @ 3. Remember that debacle? Some of those guys were inactive during parts of the 2009 season while others made minimal contributions considering where they were taken and considering they joined such a bad team talent-wise.

Come to think of it, Mangini had Jerome Harrison inactive some last fall as well. Brilliant.

Bottom line – the Browns need playmakers on both sides of the ball. Either draft guys who will make plays or trade for them using your picks. Everything being equal, I prefer getting established NFL players because the margin of error is much smaller. But that’s just little old me.

Someone wrote a local column this weekend emphasizing how the Browns have aged quickly since the Walrus took over. The guys he’s brought in already have some mileage on them.

What did you expect?

He looked at film and saw the same thing we have seen live – the overall talent level stinks and most of the young players on this roster are back-ups at best.

Lore moves to come.

In case you were wondering - here are their weaknesses in order:

Wide receivers – the worst in the NFL
Cornerbacks – until the Brown pick up, among the worst in the NFL
Linebackers – not one impact guy on the roster
Safeties – not one impact player on the roster
Quarterback – Wallace will start the opener over Jake D. if the pre-season competition is truly open
D-line – slightly better than average if Rogers' motor is running
O-line – solid
Running back – if Harrison is 80% of what he did late, they are in good shape there

By the way, I left out pass rushers since the franchise hasn’t had a true, consistent pass rusher since the mid-70s when J. Sherk and W. Johnson were controlling the line of scrimmage in Cleveland.

Remember - a consistent double-digit sack performer coming off the edge would certainly make that secondary better.

That would be my #1 priority in any draft or via trade!

McNabb
I just heard my boy Donovan McNabb went to the Skins. The Skins will be better for it.

What I don’t like is how Philadelphia treated this guy after he played hard, played hurt and played well for them for so many years.

Loyalty works both ways and you can bet other intelligent players around the league notice such moves.

I am a little biased since I loved McNabb coming out of college. However, I would say that about any player who is a real pro for such a long period of time.

It would have been nice to see him play out his career in one city. You simply don’t see much of that anymore. That’s the romantic in me speaking of course. However, I do know the realities of sports better than most.

Good luck to McNabb in Washington.

Baseball Predictions
Unfortunately, if you take the Red Sox or Yankees and give everyone else the field, you have a better than 50-50 chance of being right. And thats' the problem with baseball.

I have no idea who will win. And frankly, I don't care. I just know I'll root for whatever team is still playing in October that got there with the smallest budget.

Short & Quick

2010-03-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-10T21:53:00.000-08:00

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.

Short & Quick

2010-02-21T09:43:00.001-08:00

Some of you reached out and complained, so here’s your fix. We’ll do this in chronological order since it has been a while.

Colts
How did bagging the end of the regular season and snubbing potential history work out for the Colts?

I mention this only because had Manning stuck it in the end zone in that final Super Bowl drive and a chip shot field followed in overtime, the pundits (aka: mentally challenged) would be justifying the Colts’ horrid decision to rest their starters late in the season for the Super Bowl run.

Of course, resting the starters or not resting them had absolutely nothing to do with Manning throwing a late pick on an in-route.

Here’s some advice to Colts’ management if you ever get in that situation again – which is highly unlikely – ask the players what they would want to do when sitting at 14-0.

I’d bet the house it would be unanimous – let’s play to win EVERY game and let the chips fall where they may.

Besides, that’s what they get paid to do – isn’t it?

Paying Josh Cribbs
What the hell is taking so long for the Walrus to get this done?

Yes, I know he doesn’t play every down and only touches the ball 10x a game. However, the facts are the facts. Josh Cribbs is your most dynamic offensive player. He’s been extremely consistent in his performance – a sign of greatness. He’s the only guy on your roster teams have to game plan for. I repeat – the ONLY such player on your roster. No, Jerome Harrison does not qualify – not yet. Cribbs is also just entering his prime years. He’s arguably your best player. He’s actually a Pro Bowler who plays in Cleveland. And finally, he’s the most popular player with the fans. Is that enough?

I can get this deal done in one Olive Garden meeting wit his representative. Extra salad and bread sticks please.

Tear up the old cntract in front of Cribbs and his agent before the appetizer arrives. Offer Cribbs a $3 million signing bonus and a new three year deal on top worth $2 million per for a total of $9 million. Have the $3 milion check on the tale so Cribbs can take it home with him along with his leftover lasagna.

Add some incentives – i.e. lead the league in kick return yardage ($100 grand extra), punt return yardage ($100 grand extra), $50 grand per touchdown, $100 grand per Pro Bowl appearance, etc. That gives Cribbs the possibility of making another million over the duration of the deal.

There – it’s done.

Almost forgot - I'd pick up the check of course.

You might have to tweak it a little, but I can’t imagine Cribbs and his people turning down $10 million over three years.

Indians
Okay – the Tribe already announced Shapiro and Antonelli will get newer, better titles and more dough nex year. This comes after this regime has posted a 1-for-8 performance in making the post-season.

Where do I go to sign up for this gig? Talk about low expectations for your executives.

Look, I firmly believe in PATIENCE & CONTINUITY in sports. I preach it every day. But this is ridiculous. In simple English we can all understand – these guys have been around almost a decade and have not won enough baseball games to warrant such a move at this time – not even close! So why reward them now.

What will the Dolans do if the Tribe goes 72-90 this summer – offer Shapiro part of the club? For the organization’s sake, I hope 2010 ends with the reverse – a 90-72 campaign. That would at least make these moves somewhat more palatable to the paying public instead of leading to more ridicule.

Look – if players are to be held accountable, the same goes for management. Shapiro and Antonelli might be terrific bosses to work for, good organizers, excellent fathers and husbands, and they probably love their pets too, but it’s still about winning.

Metaphor time again - this is like giving a career .260 hitting corner infielder with limited power and run production a raise.

Jamison
A. Jamison brings the Cavaliers even with the Lakers. Period. That’s the jist of what this addition means.

Before the season started, I had the Lakers beating the Cavs in the NBA Finals based mainly on the Artest acquisition. Look it up.

Even though Cleveland got longer and more athletic in the perimeter, and bigger and badder inside (Shaq), I felt the Lakers would squeak out a win in the Finals. Now it’s a toss up.

What will likely happen? It will boil down to which star plays best and which star gets the most help. Sorry – some times, the answer is obvious.

I do believe the Cavaliers’ brass is starting to sour a bit on Mo Willams coming up big in prime time. Thus, the addition of Jamison becomes even more important.

This corner loves Moe and stated he’s the best player LJ has played with since joining the Cavs. However, we also acknowledged he was MIA against Orlando last season. If Williams does show up in May and June, coupled with the other acquisitions, the Cavaliers will be holding a parade down Superior in June.

As of now, and even with his 0-12 performance in his Cavs debut notwithstanding, Jamison is the best pure talent 23 had played with. Sorry Mo – you need to move over. Hopefully, Jamison’s postseason performance will bare that out.

With Jamison, the Lakers won’t be able to run multiple defenders at LJ and leave Jamison open. With Jamison, the Cavaliers add a career 20/9 player who can STRETCH the defense, score in the block and get his own shot. That’s huge.

Simply put – he’s an All-Star talent. Yes, I know he’s 33, but look at his numbers, the guy is solid, night in night out. Plus, he’s under contract for two more years. And, he’s healthy and good in the locker room. Besides, if he were 28, he wouldn’t be available.

Remember what we told you about Amare. He’s playing with the one other guy in the league besides James that makes you look better than you are EVERY night – Steve Nash. Jason Kid was in that group, but father time has taken the consistent greatness away from Kidd.

Amare does not defend, has had multiple serious injuries and does not have the range Jamison possesses – not even close. And, he may opt out of his deal this summer.

Yes, he’s (Amare) a lot younger, but I am very glad Jamison is a Cavalier. He was always my first choice.

As you know, I’ve been pushing for him to wear a Cleveland uniform for a long time. Again, look it up. It’s the right fit at the right time.

Does it guarantee a title? Of course not. It just increases the margin for error. That’s all you can ask of management. Great get Danny. It’s exactly what I would have done.

Z
Look for him to be back with the Cavs before the playoffs. I don’t like the league rule that allows a team to dump a guy after getting him and him hooking back up with his old club for the homestretch, but if the rules allow it, the Cavs would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

And don’t believe the morons who are telling you will go to Dallas or San Antonio or Atlanta or Timbuktu.

Why?

The guy has made over $100 million in his career – all in Cleveland. It's not about money for him now. He’s got a chance to get a ring with the team he started with. They want him back. They need another big now. And just as important, his family will want him in Cleveland. His kids have started school in town. His wife knows where all the best malls are in Northeast Ohio. Get my point?

Why would he go elsewhere now and play for a team that has less of a chance to win the title? Do you think his wife and kids want to fly to Atlanta for all his playoff games or get in their SVU after parent-teacher conferences and drive a few miles to the Q?

Come on. This isn’t rocket science. If I'm wrong I'll be the first to admit it.

But here's likely how the conversation went.

Danny F: “We’ve got to put you in the deal to get Jamison Z. Sorry. But we want and need you back when the Bullets release you. You have my word. Tell the wife and kids it’s not personal, its business. You okay with that?”

Z: “Fine, as long as you don’t give away my locker. I want the same one I had for the last 12 years.”

Danny: “Done.”

Climate Change
Let me get this right. If the weather is warm, it’s because of global warming (aka: climate change). If we get a ton of summer hurricanes, it’s because of global warming. If we get record rain fall it’s because of global warming. Now we are told, if we get record snowfall, it’s because of global warming. Do they really think we are that stupid?

Look, if you want to buy a Prius, go right ahead. I’m not stopping you. I only hope when the brakes give out, you go into a huge snow embankment instead of over a cliff followed by a 300 foot drop. Of course, those brain-dead tree huggers will then assume climate change (i.e. huge snowfall) saved their lives.

Obama & Company
I still like the guy personally, but he’s about to commit political suicide like never seen before if he goes ahead with this so-called bipartisan commission on the debt. It’s just political cover for raising taxes – something he promised over and over again during the election he would not do to those making under $250,000 a year.

It seems he’s doing everything possible not to get re-elected.

The flip side is watching some of his Republican counterparts smile from ear to ear about the current political landscape. Most of these guys contributed to the debt by going along with the tarp bailout, by accepting pork projects in their districts and by not having the stones to step forward with real solutions on the huge entitlement programs that are weighing us down and adding billions every year to the deficit – i.e. social security.

Republicans are now seen as a lesser of two evils - not the solutions. However, they do stand to benefit greatly from this public tide. The key will be what they do with the power if they get it back so quickly after losing it.

Regardless, I love listening to most Democratic strategists when asked about the mood of the country. Here is their talking point answer – “The country is mad at EVERYONE in Washington, not just the democrats. It’s an anti-incumbent mood, not just anti-democrat attitude. Americans think Washington is broken.”

Geez that’s original. You can make a tape of that and run it at any point in recent history. It’s says and means nothing. I should know - I teach this stuff every day in class.

Let’s try this again. Democrats, for better or worse, controlled both houses of Congress and the White the past year plus. So this is on their watch.

We have been over this. They simply OVERREACHED, like they always do when they get real power. The morons simply don’t get that the country is still center right. Obama pushed hard left and let Pelosi and Reid take the lead - very, very bad idea.

The end result is the democrats may lose one or both houses of Congress in record time next fall. So stop telling me “the country is mad at Washington for nothing working together and getting anything done.”

You insult my INTELLIGENCE when you go there and I absolutely hate that. If you were right, they (the public) would boycott the elections instead of giving the republicans 40 seats in House and perhaps 8 seats in the Senate next fall.

More Obama
Should Republicans go to the Health Care Pow Wow scheduled by Obama this coming Thursday? In a word – yes.

However, they should just send their best people when it comes to Health Care. In other words, the guys and gals who know this subject inside out and can communicate their ideas well.

Remember, this is going to be carried live. Obama wants to match up against these "angry white old men who just say NO." Or a least that's what his people want this to look like.

If other republicans want to attend to get face time on television – which most politicians crave for – they can show up. However, I would demand they keep their mouths shut and let the "experts" do the talking to counter Obama’s charm.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Trying to keep Washington politicians away from the limelight is like the Browns drafting a Pro Bowler on defense – it just hasn’t been done, at least not since the Clay Mathews era.

Pardon The Interruption
I actually occasionally watch this show finding the hosts entertaining and knowledgeable. However, this past week, the bald headed white guy (Tony K.) actually criticized the NBA because it’s predictable – in that only a few teams have a chance of winning. I am paraphrasing of course. Amazing.

This is the same guy who keeps telling us LJ will end up in his (TK) hometown of New York next fall. And this is the same show that leads with the Yankees and Red Sox whenever possible.

If basketball is rigged, what about baseball, where many teams have next to no chance to win, and if they get a great young player (i.e. Joe Mauer in 2011) or core of players, those guys fly the coup when free agency rolls around.

In the NBA, a mid-size or small market can consistently compete based on how the sytem is set up, while that's not the case with MLB - not even close. And for TK to say otherwise, borders on lunacy.

We good for now? Again, I take requests.

Short & Quick

2010-01-23T19:59:00.000-08:00

Manning
Enjoy and appreciate watching Peyton Manning play. Before he’s finished, he may be in the discussion with Jim Brown as to who is the greatest NFL player of all-time.

He’s Dan Marino with a ring. And if he wins a couple more titles, he may go down as the best to ever play the game – regardless of position.

Whatever happened to wanting a quarterback to manage the game? Morons.

Look at three of the four teams remaining in the playoffs. Favre and Manning are first ballot Hall of Famers and Drew Brees will join them some day if he continues to play at this level for several more years.

Vegas
Not that anyone cares, but I like Indy big over the Jets and New Orleans to outscore Minnesota at home.

Think about what the buzz would be right now if Indy were 17-0?

I simply can't let them for the hook for that. And you can tell the players wanted it by their expressions sitting the pine in that second half versus the Jets the first time around. Even more reason why I think Indy will roll tomorrow.

We'll see - that's why they play the game.

Old School
Is it just me or is there something wrong with playing playoffs games inside in a sterile environment? I miss the weather factor. Perhaps I’m showing my age.

Reggie
Congratulations to Reggie Bush for playing lights out last week. I have been critical of Bush, questioning if he can run between the tackles coming out of SC and for being overhyped in general. I nailed it.

However, you can’t criticize his explosiveness. He “has it.”

The key between being good and special is simple - consistency. Las week, he was terrific and the Saints will need another outstanding outing tomorrow from him in order to advance to their first Super Bowl.

I'm rooting for Brees, Bush and company.

Kevin Durant
I still think he needs to spend serious time in the weight room, but obviously, this guy has skills. What I like best is his basketball IQ. It looks as though he may become the type of player that makes others around him better - the true sign of greatness.

Getting stronger will help him reach that level - especially when it comes to cleaning the glass. I already rate him higher than Carmelo Anthony - who still acts childish on occasion. Durant simply looks like he's easier to coach.

Politics
Many political pundits are analyzing why the electorate is running away from democrats faster than a graduation party in Brooklyn breaks up during a drive by.

It’s not rocket science. They (dems) over-reached as they always do when they get power – which thankfully isn’t often. Carter did it in the late 70s, Clinton did it in the 80s – but was smart enough to correct course after two years, and now Obama is in full democratic train wreck mode.

These guys win elections and think its time to establish a cradle to grave society with the federal government as the ultimate nanny. Wrong.

We covered this a year ago after Obama’s election. And as usual, Obama & the dems went way left with Heath Care, Cap & Trade and giving enemy combatants the same rights they would give a 16-year old scared punk who holds up a liquor store in Cleveland Heights with a 22. Smart move guys while unemployment went to 10%.

Combine all that with having Nancy “I am totally empty upstairs” Pelosi and Harry “Where is the nearest middle school” Reid on your television set every night, and you have a potential earthquake in the making come next November in the mid-terms elections.

Pelosi is a real basket case. It’s as though she has never heard of video tape. She says one thing one day and totally contradicts herself the next, thinking no one is paying attention. For example, "We WILL have health care reform before Christmas followed immediately by " We simply do not have the votes for health care reform."

Reid is just creepy. I haven’t figured him out yet, but there is something going on there. I have a feeling he spends some serious time in jammies with a rattle in hand singing show toons while watching Pee Wee Hermann reruns.

As for Obama, I like the guy personally – nice guy, good family and all. The problem is he seems to believe what the kooks (CNN, MSNBC, etc...) have been telling him for the past couple years – he can walk on water.

Well, reality has set in. Words don’t do the trick when people are out of work and you are printing money like crazy with no worries of the future consequences that brings (i.e. inflation & potential bankruptcy).

Memo to Mr. President – it’s no that the electorate don’t get what you have been saying, it’s that they don’t like ytour policies. Wake up.

You’ve been the most overexposed president in history while your job approval rating has sunk quicker than an Italian warship in WWII. Move to the center and you have a chance to get re-elected, otherwise, you are toast in 2012.

Actually, he’s fortunate the country’s move back to the center has happened so quickly. He has time to save his own hide – which is more than I can say for moderate democrats up for re-election in 2010 who joined his big government train this passed year (health care reform & cap & trade). There is something wrong about that but its reality.

How does he do it – by using the term “Islamic Terrorists” on occasion, by treating said terrorist as enemy combatants, by firing Eric Holder (aka: accepting his resignation), by focusing on real job creation 24/7 every day – no the phony “green job” crap, and by taking on the nuts on his left wing on occasion showing “Joe Six Pack” he has some stones, is a serious person and not a puppet of geeks and freaks who spend most of their spare time at Starbucks and think trucks are mere peasant vehicles.

As for health care, work with Republicans and do it in bits and pieces - starting with catastrophic coverage, being able to buy insurance across state lines, working on pre-existing conditions legislation and actually dealing with tort (lawyers) reform.

Like I said, it ain’t that complicated – this is a center right country. Again - every 12-15 years, we put democrats in charge for a change of pace, and every 12-15 years, they turn it over because they can’t help themselves.

Well done morons - this time in record speed.

Hey, MSNBC, how does my %$#@ taste?

USA #1
Speaking of the U.S., the work being done by this country’s military and mere U.S. citizens in Haiti has been amazing. Once again, this country has shown its compassion and caring – something the rest of the globe could learn from.

Till next time. Be well.

Short & Quick, J’9, '10

2010-01-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

Browns
So the Walrus decided to keep Mangini. It doesn’t make any sense to this observer for reasons already provided, unless the guy he really wanted didn’t want the job and/or MH himself plans on taking it easy one more year before going back to the sidelines himself in 2011 if Mangini posts a 6-10 campaign next fall.

Regardless, we hope it works out.

One positive sign from the '09 season – the Browns started, I said started, to form an offensive identity at the tail end of the season. Jerome Harrison stepped up and played exceptionally well. Many forgot he rushed for over 100 yards against the Steelers early in the season when Pittsburgh was healthy and playing well.

The guy looks like the real deal. Regardless, he’s earned the right to carry the load in 2010. One suggestion however – give him 20-25 touches a game, not 35. At 5-9/200+, he’s not built for 30+ carries a game – no one is at that level for long.

The Bullets & Agent Zero
We laughed when Washington gave quirky, injury-prone and one-dimensional Gilbert Arenas a $100 million deal several years ago. And now people are surprised this known goof-ball pulled a gun out in the locker room.

First, I’d venture to guess more than a few NBA players packed heat at work until this incident became public. These guys are used to doing what they want. However, most aren’t stupid enough to go Clint Eastwood on teammates. It serves the Bullets right for signing this guy when they could have saved a ton of money and even more headaches years back.

Pete Carroll
So Pete Carroll, who is just two games over .500 as an NFL head coach, is about to be given total control of the Seahawks. Why? What’s Carroll going to do when he doesn’t have 15 of the 22 best players on the field at any given time as he did at USC?

Tony Dungy, a true class act, said it best - "It's a lot easier to coach poor 19-year olds than rich 25-year olds!

Coaching in the NFL is a totally different animal. Call me cynical, but something tells me the USC program has more skeletons in the closet than is currently known and Carroll is skipping town before he has to answer some tough questions.

The NCAA does not like to come down hard on its flagship programs like USC, but they may not have a choice if more allegations become public and there's smoke and fire ivolved.

Baseball HOF
How does arguably the game’s best second baseman ever, Robby Alomar, not make it into the baseball HOF on the first ballot? I guess that spitting incident is still having its effect.

At least, Andre Dawson (“The Hawk”) finally got in. Dawson was a true five-tool player through much of his career before the knees went. One moron talking head commented that Dawson was a “marginal Hall of Famer.” Right.

If he played in New York/Boston his whole career, he would have been in the HOF long ago. Dawson was a Gold Glove right fielder, had the game’s best throwing arm and he stole three hundred bases while hitting 400 homers. The only other players to go 300/400 are named Mays and Bonds. Marginal my ass!

Underwear Bomber
Call me simplistic, but how is a 23-year old Muslim, from Africa, buying a one-way ticket with cash, with no checked luggage ALLOWED to get on a plane headed to the U.S.?

You don’t need high tech equipment or throw billions at the problem to figure this one out. It’s just common sense to pull this dude out of the line, make him strip and ask him a few directed questions. It’s like a Saturday Night Live skit come to life. If it wasn’t so ridiculous, it would be funny. Fortunately, it was just ridiculous and not tragic since the bomber failed to detonate his load.

Actually, you would think the terrorists who planned this were amateurs based on their approach. Unfortunately, the only ones more amateurish were those responsible for stopping this attack. Heads should roll.

Speaking of those responsible for protecting us - is it just me or why do I feel less safe every time I see Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Security, speak publicly? This woman looks like she couldn’t keep her 10 year-old nephew from getting into the X-mas cookies she baked, let alone keep Americans safe from Islamic terrorists who want to kill us.

Never mind she stated ‘the system worked” a few days after the incident. She just looks wrong for the job. Add the fact that she had no background in this line of work and you wonder why Obama picked her for this important job – protecting Americans. The only thing I can think of is he needed one more to check off the overweight, middle-aged woman quota for federal employees.

Learn & Enjoy, J'01, '10

2010-01-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year you freaks.

I have several issues to cover. So learn and enjoy.

The Walrus & Mangini
The same people (local fans & media) who wanted Eric Mangini run out of town six weeks ago now lean toward wanting "the Walrus" to bring him back next year following three straight Browns’ wins late in the season.

This is a classic case of “sports short-term memory” at work – being influenced mainly by what you just recently witnessed and having amnesia to past events.

I teach this in class and it's front and center in Cleveland as we speak.

One last time – Why the hell would the Walrus retain the one individual most responsible for him (MH) being hired in the first place?

Add the fact that Mangini doesn’t run the West Coast offense or the 4-3 defense, both favored by the Walrus, and you have ample evidence Mangini won’t be back, regardless of a few late season wins.

Again, that's why 95% of fans and 75% of the media have no clue what is going on beyond what's currently in front of their eyes. You, of course, are in that small company that "gets it" or you wouldn't be reading this.

Think of the Browns as having cancer. How do you cure the disease without treating the main cause? Just taking Mangini's GM and player personnel responsibilities away is not treating the disease, it's treating most of the symptoms.

His current supporters, most of which are only on board after a handful of wins over poor teams, want you to believe he might be a sub-par GM and talent evaluator, but he's a good coach. Really?

So 5-11 or 4-12 with potentially just one win over a +.500 team is empirical evidence he's worth keeping?

Please - I'm not in that 98%/75% grouping. Look - if you are going to blow it up - BLOW IT UP!

Jerome Harrison
Let me get this right – Jerome Harrison was not good enough to even make the dress list earlier this season, but now some are giving Mangini credit for discovering him. Right.

This is clearly another example of the poor talent evaluation skills of this current regime.

If you want more, just remember the mess that is the trio of 2009 Browns’ second round picks. One looks like a potential average #2 NFL WR at best (MM) and the other two were inactive most of the season. That type of draft day disaster sets you back ions.

Let’s hope the Walrus has as much better batting average in the draft.

Patience at QB
The Jets' and Lions' young starting quarterbacks have received more than passing grades in their first year of work from those that comment on NFL signal-callers.

However, when you look at Sanchez and Stafford’s first year numbers, you notice a ton more interceptions than touchdowns.

That’s not to saw both won’t eventually become good at what they do, but it’s a reminder that young QBs need time to develop.

Hopefully, the Walrus wil have that same attitude with Brady Quinn - who, by the way, has a much better TD to INT ratio in 2009, throwing to clearly inferior talent, than the players mentioned above.

By the way, I wonder where all the Sanchez ass kissers are today? Remember when most of the national media gave this guy the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in September and proclaimed him a "franchise QB" before he took one NFL snap?

Again, that's not to say Sanchez won't be a very good NFL QB someday, but you have to wait and GIVE IT TIME, instead of jumping to conclusions or the bandwagon based on MINIMAL EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE.

Quality Back-Up
Look for the Walrus to bring in a quality veteran to be a good #2. Then if BQ falls on his face in 2010, you have a plan B. That's what I would do if in charge.

Cavaliers Figure It Out
The Cavs have found their groove recently. It’s a combination of better play at the defensive end and improved individual play by Mo Williams.

Look- if Mo gets 20 & 6 or better, the Cavaliers can beat anyone – as they showed on their recent West Coast trip. Period.

The team is longer on the wings and more physical inside with Shaq. Those are both good things, but Mo is the key. He played poorly against Orlando in the playoffs and the Cavs lost.

Williams needs to play well throughout the playoffs to establish himself as a top-shelf guard and for this team to reach the Finals and win it.

Mike Leach
There are morons out there who are defending Mike Leach following his recent firing at Texas Tech. They point to his winning percentage and Bowl record at Tech. Nice.

I have no idea what took place, but obviously, the Tech administration’s initial investigation gave them enough cause for dismissal. If you want to defend Leach, fine, but don’t point to wins as a reason to cut the guy some slack for potential off-the-field offenses.

That’s called "enabling" and it occurs way too much in the business that is big-time sports.

Pats
Before the season started we picked the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. So we’ll stay with that pick even though some teams are playing better.

We’ll root for Indy because we love watching Peyton Manning – and that’s saying something since I don’t go there often. Bottom line – he’s one of the few athletes I would pay to watch play.

Pay To See Play
In football, here are the only others in my lifetime – Dan Fouts, Lawrence Taylor, Barry Sanders and Champ Bailey. In baseball, my list includes Gaylord Perry, Ricky Henderson, Nolan Ryan and Manny Ramirez (at the plate only). In basketball, it’s George Gervin, Larry Bird, MJ and AI. Steve Nash is on the bubble in my book.

Indy
Speaking of the Colts, you know my thoughts on not trying to go 19-0 – terrible move. All that can happen is bad - you lose your edge and it’s hard to flick the switch back on after several weeks off. Secondly, it goes against the most basic tenant of sports – you play to win the game! Indy did not do that last week.

This organization cheated its players and fans, cheated the concept of true competition and turned its back on potential history. And NO, if the Colts win it all, that won’t justify sitting Manning and company. There would be no empirical evidence a championship wouldn’t have been achieved had they played their starters throughout.

Shame on you Indy for turning your back on potential history. And yes, I blame the whole organization. When potential history is within reach, the head coach does not make this decision alone. It is too important. I can't imagine the GM and owner not being in on the decision-making process.

DI Bowl Season
The idea of waiting for as long as six to eight weeks to play your most important game of the season has always been the one yearly sports events that makes me laugh the most. It borders on the criminal if it weren't so ridiculous.

How the hell do you stay sharp when you don't play regularly?

It’s not done in any other team sport at no other level of play. Yet that’s the system in place. That continues to amaze me. That's another reason I dont take the current system seriously, regardless of who some alphabet organization (NCAA or BCS) tells me is #1 when the smoke clears.

Nick Saban
The nation's #1 "coaching gypsy" is back. He's special isn't he?

Nick Saban recently chastised the media for asking questions of his players about playing for a National Championship. Amazing.

And I'm sure when he goes into negotiating his next deal, he won't use winning national championships as leverage.

He's a great coach, but I root against him every chance I get. Why? Because it's always been ONLY about Nick Saban and it always will be.

Juts ask the countless players he lectures daily about commitment to each other and program, then bolts to the next job when he gets "Larry Brownitus."

T. Pryor
Congratulations to T. Pryor for playing his finest game on the big stage to lead OSU over Oregon. We've been on his case, noting he was far from a finished product while others were singing his praises before he earned it, then criticizing him unmercifully when he didn't live up to their expectations immediately.

Regardless, he was huge against the Ducks - good for him.

Does that make him a leading candidate for next year's Heisman? Of course not. The question of consistency still remains even though many "experts" will now sing his praises heading into '10 based on one performance. But at least, he stepped up and weathered the storm. That's the first sign of maturity and growth.

Now, hopefully, he'll continue to mature in other areas - like not honoring dog killers with eye black.

Eagles/Vick
Speaking of Michael Vick - What the hell were the Eagles doing naming him their most "courageous player on '09" or something to that effect. What's courageous about what Vick did?

When athletes do something stupid like this - like honoring Vick - it shows their tin ear to reality and reinforces society's view they are spoiled, pampered children in huge bodies.

Till next time. Stay well.

This & That

2009-12-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Colts
I agree completely with Michael Irvin. If you have a chance to go undefeated and be recognized as the greatest team of all-time, you go for it. The Colts are within striking range of that feat. To begin resting players is simply playing it safe and there is no guarantee those same players can turn the switch back on come playoff time.

This is history that’s being fooled with. That’s a serious thing. If you are banged up, you sit. If you get a nice lead, you can sit. Otherwise, go make history. Besides, this is mostly about one player anyway - Peyton Manning.

Steelers
Experts are lamenting the fact the Steelers are struggling. Some have even gone to the “They need to get back to running the football like the old Steelers did” card. Right.

They won the Super Bowl last season by having BR throwing the football to their talented receivers and by playing solid defense. They are struggling in 2009 mainly due to two factors - their talented quarterback is banged up, having taken a ton of hits again this fall, including suffering a recent concussion, and they lost arguably the league’s best defensive players to injury in Troy Paluamalu.

The close games the Steelers were winning in the past are losses this season. It happens.

No, an overhaul isn’t needed. I would be stunned to see what some are predicting at the end of the year – the firing of the special teams coach and offensive coordinator. That’s not what the Steelers do. They are the most patient franchise in sports. That’s a good thing. Look at their brand and winning percentage if you want proof.

Drew Brees
I recently watched the best free agent pickup of all-time in sports play and lose his first game this year.

Drew Brees is that man and he plays for the 13-1 Saints. We loved Brees coming out of college and wanted the Browns to chase him down when the Chargers soured on him. But that’s ancient history.

Draft
If I’m the Browns and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Su is on the board, I don’t hesitate. Add him to that defense, and the Browns will have their best defensive front since their return in 1999 - which isn't saying that much when you see where they've ranked every year in rush defense.

Two other guys I like coming out of the draft – Notre Dame’s Golden Tate and Stanford’s Toby Gerhart.

I can hear the draft experts already – Tate is too small and Gerhart is to slow. Right. Neither one will be a “Combine Freak.” So what? They were the best football players on the field just about every time they played this fall. That’s enough for me. They'll be good pros.

Are you sure Washington quarterback Jake Locker didn’t suffer a concussion this season? This guy needs his head examined. I’m told he’s a likely top-5 pick in April yet he decided to go back to college so he can play in a Bowl game in 2010.

First, his stock can’t get much higher. In fact, it can only get worse. Secondly, he could go down and lose millions (see Oklahoma QB). And third, no one is sure what the collective bargaining agreement will look like a year from now.

A rookie cap is coming fact. The NFL players have finally figured out NFL players who get the best deals are those who haven’t even paid their first union dues yet. Why the NFLPA hasn’t used that chip in the past to get better deals for its veterans is beyond me.

One more time – you attend college so you can make a good living once your college career ends. If you have an opportunity to win the lottery 32 credits shy of graduating, you go. Period.

Besides, when you move mom out of Gary, Indiana and buy her that condo on the beach in sunny Florida with a small portion of your signing bonus, she won’t be complaining you left early.

Browns
The Browns have won back to back games. That’s the good news. At least they have stopped embarrassing themselves. But let’s not get too excited. Two of their three wins are over the Bills and Chiefs where their quarterbacks completed a handful of passes each. That’s not impressive to this observer.

We did finally find a receiving group on par with the Browns. The Chiefs’ wideouts are horrible. Check that - at least they get open occasionally. But their hands, as a group, rivals Cleveland’s hapless bunch. The Browns’ receivers don’t get open, they run routes short of the sticks and they have trouble holding on to the ball.

Again, Eric Mangini won’t be back if the “Walrus” comes to town. I’ve had several semi-smart people tell me otherwise. I didn’t bother discussing it with them. It wasn’t worth it. They are wrong.

Who is stupid enough to take over an army and not put his own generals in charge of the troops?

John Gruden might be a good fit on the sidelines since he worked with the “Walrus” once. Gruden has a huge ego, but he can coach. We thought he was also a good fit for Notre Dame. If I’m Brady Quinn, I’m nervous if that happens. Gruden changes quarterbacks like most of us change underwear.

Speaking of my boy Quinn - he looked like DA yesterday against the Chiefs. That’s not a good thing. He sailed one pick and threw into double coverage on another. I do like the fact they finally used his athleticism in short yardage by having him play fake and keep it around the edge. That's a start. Now moving him out of the pocket in the red zone would be a nice next step.

We still believe BQ will be a very good quarterback. Like the Steelers, we are patient. As we stated earlier this season, it’s next to impossible to judge a Browns’ quarterback with this talent level at the skilled positions.

On a positive note, we like the no huddle and we like the fact Jerome Harrison is finally getting 20-25 touches a game (more on that later). Next is the dire need for wide receivers that can actually get open and catch the ball.

Case in point, on Quinn’s second pick Sunday, MM made a horrible adjustment on that deep ball. Quinn made a terrible decision in throwing the ball, but his receiver has to give him some help. MM has, on more than one occasion this fall, looked lost on deep balls. He did it to Anderson and now he’s doing it to Quinn. That’s not good. Yes, he’s a rookie, but it’s like trying to learn to bunt at the Major League level – you either know how to do it, or you don’t.

Sports Morons
Okay, I heard this one on the radio yesterday. One moron fan told a talk show host the Browns’ defensive is better without its best player, Shaun Rogers, on the field. It got worse. The host agreed. They figured Rogers shoots the gap too much, thus getting too much penetration, and not maintaining his “gap integrity.” Nice us of football jargon there.

That sounds good, until you ask NFL guards and centers who they would rather go up against – Rogers or Ahtyba Rubin. Look, I like Rubin. The second-year player has performed well when given the opportunity. But for anyone to think this defense is better with its only playmaker on the sideline in street clothes borders on the ridiculous. The scary part is that much of that listening audience probably agreed when the term "gap integrity" was used.

I quickly turned my radio back to Dave Ramsey – the dude who gives you advice on handling money. He knew what he was talking about.

Jerome
Congratulations to Jerome Harrison for setting the Browns’ team record for yards rushing in a game. Now, he needs to finish strong in the final two weeks and continue to establish himself as an every down back. We’ve always liked Harrison – especially in a no huddle system. He seems to be able to make the first guy miss on occasion – which is what you need to do when you aren’t 6-2/225. He has more drops than I’d like to see, but that's for another day.

Lessons Leared
One personal note - I am teaching my sports PR course after a two-year layoff this spring. Yes, I am looking forward to it. I’ll be able to influence 15-20 college kids this spring who either are going into the business or who love watching this stuff. My skills are limited, but this is one thing I do relatively well.

Get the Fruity Drinks Ready
I’ll see some of you tomorrow (22nd) at Olive Garden.

Health Care & More

2009-12-05T08:28:00.001-08:00

Health Care

As promised.

Approximately 75% of the country is relatively satisfied with its health care – both the system and the delivery of care. That means the proponents of health care overhaul are trying to swim upstream with a 40 pound weight on their backs.

Many in favor of a health care overhaul are well intentioned – helping those in need. Some are semi-socialists - wanting as much central government control and influence as possible in as many areas of life as possible. And some are just born followers or decision making-challenged, who do what they are told by their party leaders.

Regardless, the math is the math. It’s next to impossible to add 30+ million people to doctors’ waiting rooms across the country without it affecting the timeliness and quality of care.

It’s also hard to believe the federal government can provide a delivery system that’s on budget. History indicates otherwise.

What does this all mean?

If anything does get passed, it will be likely by watered down and relatively harmless to those who already have decent to excellent heath insurance/coverage – the 75% we mentioned earlier.

However, whatever passes will still allow its proponents to claim victory and move on to the likely next battleground – illegal immigration.

Either way, the party in power (democrats) seems to be taking a serious political hit for pushing something the majority of Americans don’t want. I guess we’ll find out if the polling is accurate come next November – in the mid-term election.

Some top democratic strategists are pushing the theory that if health care does not get passed, the base of the party (democrats) will be so disillusioned that it will fail to turn out to vote in 2010 – guaranteeing a huge republican victory.

That logic seems somewhat flawed to this observer who believes if health care does pass, that will only anger the opposition even more – creating a huge turnout to offset any base democratic turnout in 2010.

Again, we’ll have the answer in early November of 2010. Besides, a lot can happen between now and then. One year is an eternity in politics.

The bottom line is this has been a center right country for a long, long time. The 2008 election was not a monumental shift in the American political landscape as some tried to sell (see NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, Time, Newsweek, etc.).

The election of Mr. Obama was part cult of personality, part repudiation of republican control, part John McCain is a nice man but simply looks too old to do this difficult job, part the economy went to total hell less than two months before the election took place and part there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

It was as we have described in the past as "the perfect storm."

Today, it looks like some are having buyers’ remorse. Polls indicate Americans are most concerned about jobs and the deficit – that’s a good thing. Since when has our “spend-first and pay later society” truly felt concerned about putting everything on credit?

I would argue however if unemployment were at 8% right now – which is high but not staggering – Mr. Obama would be in much better shape politically, his health care proposal would have a real chance of passing, concern about the national debt would not be so high on the list of American concerns, and democrats would not be looking at a potential Waterloo next November.

Short of another 9-11 occurrence, it’s all about jobs – always has been and always will be.

As long as unemployment hangs around 10%, it looks to the American people as though Obama and company are in over their heads. You don’t need daily polling or a political science degree from Brown University to figure that one out.

Things could be worse Mr. President – gas could be at $4.00 a gallon – then you’d really be in trouble.

See, now you can carry on a conversation on the issue if it comes up at your upcoming X-mas work party as you munch on shrimp.

The Irish
According to the Notre Dame AD, Charlie Weiss sealed his fate with late November losses. What?

Does that mean if he beat Navy, he would have kept his job? Ridiculous.

How about analyzing his body of work instead? For $10 million a year, you expect more, much more. It’s that simple. Don’t give me any garbage about a win over Connecticut would have helped Weiss’ cause. You insult my intelligence when you go there.

No one has asked me, but John Gruden is the guy I would go after if I ran Notre Dame’s athletic department.

Chucky can coach, is the right age and has the right approach in dealing with recruiting 18 year olds.

He has the energy, disposition, personality and communication skills to deal with the media attention that comes with coaching at Notre Dame. Finally, Gruden has Notre Dame ties – his old man coached there.

Look, we all know the Notre Dame “Brand” isn’t what it once was. However, the Irish is still the most loved and most hated college sports program in the nation. That means the “Brand” still has some life.

And with the right person is in charge, it can become a gold mine once again – even in 2010.

Cavaliers
I don’t like the way they are winning – beating teams late with talent instead of with suffocating defense. But it’s early.

Indians
My boy Kelly Shoppach got dealt. I still like his bat – although is .214 average in 2009 hurt his case. Regardless, I don’t worry much about average from that position if you can call a game, throw out 30% of runners trying to steal and hit for power. We’ll see what he does in Tampa.

Besides, the Indians claim they have three catchers in waiting who can do much better. We’ll see. One thing is for certain, if a couple of these guys are for real, I suggest you deal one of them for some pitching sooner rather than later.

I’ll say it over and over again – this starting staff on paper stinks. That’s what happens when you deal two Cy Young winners, your #2 falls off the face of the earth (Carmona), your #3 goes down (Westbrook) and your much-heralded farm system can only deliver one soft-tossing mediocre lefty after another.

And since pitching is 70% of this game, the Indians head into 2010 with Trent Dilfer as their quarterback.

Browns
Not much this week. You see the same thing I see.

I have come to one conclusion however – this is the worse offensive talent in terms of playmakers I have ever seen on one team at the professional level – that’s after 40 years of watching folks.

We begged the Browns to draft some “playmakers” in the 2009 draft. They decided to continually trade down, accumulate picks and take a center #1.

How’s that working out?

We said the same thing when DA was at the helm earlier this season – it’s hard for any quarterback to get judged with this garbage around him. One could argue Brady Quinn had more offensive talent around him at Notre Dame. At least he actually had a pro tight end – who decided to go for the 60 feet, 6 inch gig instead of getting hit on every play. He also had an experienced “O” coordinator Charlie Weiss.

Regardless, it is what it is, and Quinn needs to show some improvement and consistency this month if he wants his stock to rise for 2010.

Life's not fair, but if you're BQ, when you begin to feel sorry for yourself, you need to realize it could be much worse - you could be digging ditches for a living instead of getting paid to play a game.

One more time – I would like to see Jerome Harrison get a full look in December. But then again, this offense not only lacks talent, but has absolutely no direction.

Harrison rushed for over 100 yards against the Bengals the first time around, and is hardly used the second time out against Cincy. What is the logic behind that decision?

We have complained over and over again the past 10 years that this team has absolutely no identity. As we speak, it’s like an amber alert is needed. It’s worse than no identity – you can’t even find the body.

Finally, answer me this question. In short yardgae situations, why don't the Browns consistently run over their left side - where they have spend a fortune recently on a guard in free agency, a tackle in the draft and a first round pick at center in 2009?

It seems to me if you can't consistently run behind those guys when you need it most, they ain't as good as advertised.

Let's at least find out one way or the other.

2009-11-26T20:36:00.001-08:00

If Brady Quinn is in Cleveland next year, we strongly suggest that commitment should be accompanied with a safety blanket – Charlie Weiss to run the offense. Weiss will soon be out of a job and the Browns will soon have a new team Czar who will demand to bring in his own GM & Head Coach. So it makes sense, if you finally commit to a quarterback, you make it as comfortable for him as possible. Of course, this makes too much sense to happen.

It was good to hear the Browns and the Bills are both looking at former Super Bowl winners to roam the sidelines or call the shots from above. It won’t guarantee success, but it’s the right call.

Which begs the question - what took so long? Sorry. I remain amazed and contemptuous of how billion $ organizations can be so dysfunctional for so long. But I’m sure their executives are impeccably dressed, get weekly trims and carry $500briefcases.

Nice performance by the Browns’ passing game against the lowly Lions. Compared to where they were as an offense, last week looked like a record-setter. However, we caution patience. There are six more games to be played and everyone is in on the audition. I’ll be more impressed with Quinn and the offense if they can establish some consistency the rest of the way. Three or four touchdowns in Cincy this Sunday would be a good start.

I was very disappointed in Eric Mangini’s decision to call time-out - allowing the Lions’ quarterback to get back on the field for the game’s final play last week.

But I was much more concerned that he spent the majority of the timeout complaining to the officials instead of getting his defense ready to get a stop. Finally, he came up with a hat trick by spending part of his Monday morning press conference whining about the interference call in the end zone and claiming the Lions were faking injuries to slow down the Browns’ hurry up offense.

Bottom line – the guy did everything wrong. Yes, you can excuse him for the timeout – that’s a judgment call, but the rest of it speaks volumes of him as a leader of men.

Let me get this right – Mangini’s football team, 1-8 going in, blows a 24-3 lead to a team that has won two games in the past 2+ seasons, and the head coach, who is supposed to set an example for his team, whines and complain for two days instead of taking responsibility for blowing a game that should have been won.

By the way, did anyone ever tell C. Stuckey it would be a good idea to stay in bounds after catching a huge third down completion when you are trying to run out the clock?

Then you wonder why coaches want players with high football/basketball/baseball IQs. The same can be said for Kamerion Wimbley several weeks ago when he decided to bat down a fourth down pass from the 1-yard line instead of making the interception -thus giving his offense possession on the 20 yard line after the touchback instead of the 1.

Perhaps that is a window into why Wimbley has never reached his full potential. He had a terrific rookie year, and when the NFL adjusted in year two, Wimbley has been incapable of adjusting to the adjustments.

There are thousands upon thousands of superior athletes who never reach their full potential. Game intelligence is important - otherwise the guys with the best bodies and fastest feet would always be the best players.

The Atlanta’s Hawks’ Josh Smith can play for me anytime – size, athleticism, quickness and a mean streak are qualities I like in a basketball player.

I know some of you don’t like what you are about to read, but if I were Danny Ferry, I would have a talk with AI about coming off the bench and giving the Cavaliers 25 minutes a night of instant offense.

If AI truly wants a ring – and he’s spent the last 10 years telling is just that - this is might be a good fit. If Iverson agrees and can tamp his ego, the question then becomes can Mike Brown handle LJ, Shaq and AI on the same team?

Where are all those football experts who were ripping Jim Tressel and his beleaguered quarterback several weeks ago. One local moron talk show host even suggested T. Pryor be moved to wide receiver. Nice.

Look, Pryor is not ready for the NFL – not even close. But give him credit. He dealt with the scrutiny and criticism of being the quarterback at OSU and has played better in recent weeks. Good for him. Our view hasn’t changed since we saw him first play in 2009 – he was overhyped coming into Columbus in 2009 and he wasn’t as bad as many proclaimed when the 2010 season was in peril back in October. He's an amazing athlete still learning to play quarterback. Period.

As for Tressel – he is what he is – an outstanding, yet boring, college football coach. The offense is the same it was when Pryor was missing wide open receivers and throwing multiple picks in the first half of the season. The difference – Pryor and company are making more plays. Some times, the answer is simple, but many make it more complicated than it is.

I am currently watching Colt McCoy throw touchdown passes all over the field and run for 150+ yards against Texas A&M. I’m sure Mel Kipper will have this kid as the #1 pick overall in 2010 after this one. And of course, if he throws three picks in the National Championship game, Kipper and company will drop him out of the top 15. Right.

Actually, McCoy looks pretty good to me, but so does the kid on the other team (Johnson). He (McCoy) probably sealed the Heisman votes with this effort. If he did, good for him, he seems like a decent kid.

Speaking of the draft - where are all those geniuses that had J. Russell as the #1 overall pick? I bring this up because the 2010 draft is fast approaching and we will soon begin hearing the endless daily spin. After years of simple personal observation, I truly believe you have to be a moron to consistently blow day 1 picks (#1 & #2 rounds). Yet I see teams do it every year.

Over-analysis is deadly. I truly believe if the draft took place two weeks after the Super Bowl, fewer mistakes would be made. Think about it - the more time you spend looking at a multiple choice question on a test, the more likely you are to go against your first instincts and get it wrong.

I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing some of you at dinner on December 22. If necessary, the table will be under Robert Jampo of course.

Next time – Health Care. I promise.

Criminalizing Terror

2009-11-20T12:26:00.001-08:00

Yes, I still take requests. Sorry here goes for those of you who seek some hot issues wisdom from the “Wizard.”

In the famous boring words of coaches and athletes everywhere - "we are going to take it one issue at a time however."

Enemy Combatants In New York Court House
So let me get this right – the current administration is going to provide the same constitutional protections to enemy combatants captured on some foreign battlefield as granted a 16-year old pimple-faced kid in Gary, Indiana, who shoplifts a pack of extra small rubbers from the local Revco.

What’s wrong with this picture? Hell, where do I start?

First, this has never been done. These terrorists are not U.S. citizens and were not captured – notice I said captured not arrested – on U.S. soil. Therefore, by definition, they are strictly enemy combatants and should be dealt with in military courts - i.e. military tribunals. That’s what has always happened in the past and no U.S. law that I know of has been changed recently to affect a change in process/venue.

Secondly, bringing them to New York and putting them on trial in a civilian courtroom provides them rights and privileges that will make it harder on the prosecution and easier for the defense to turn this into a three-ring circus never see before on this planet.

This will make the OJ Trial look like the local drunk’s bi-yearly traffic court case in Plano, Texas.

Can you imagine the motions to suppress that will come of this alone?

For example, these creatures weren’t read their Miranda Rights after capture. Does that mean that some of the evidence gathered will not permissible? And that’s just one example from a non-lawyer who has a merely primitive understanding of our criminal judicial system. Think what a sharp attorney can come up with?

Third, this will give these pricks the stage they seek. They will be able to spew their anti U.S. venom in from of the world stage for months and months, if not years.

Fourth, the security measure alone will cost taxpayers in excess of $100 million dollars for this trial.

Fifth, this is a slap in the face of relatives and friends of the victims of 9-11 who were killed a few short blocks away. The large majority of those who still grieve today do not want this trial in their backyard. This will only serve to make them relive the horrors of that terrible day.

Sixth, the President and his attorney general (Eric Holder) have both publicly stated they are “certain” convictions will results and these individuals will be put to death for their crimes.

There’s nothing like poisoning the potential jury pool, hey guys? A first-year law student would have tons of fun with these asinine and inappropriate statements prior to trial when the jury selection process gets here.

Seventh, what if, by some chance, one lone jury – with an IQ near the daily temperature in San Diego, holds out and the prosecution fails to get full convictions?

You say it isn’t possible? In the famous words of an OJ juror as she left the courtroom after the verdict - “I don’t know nothin’ about no DNA!” Enough said.

Eight – the administration keeps going to the “we want to show that we are better than they are and show everyone how our system of justice can work” card. Right.

Then how come everyone with a law degree who has commented on this move has alredy stated, if by some chance these animals are acquitted, they would be re-arrested the minute they left the courtroom on other charges.

In other words, they ain’t going free! Period.

Do you think that set of circumstances would go over well in Algeria or South Yemen?

This group of morons in charge spent the past three years telling us how the previous administration recruited tons and tons of terrorists for the bad guys with how they handled the War on Terror, Gitmo, water boarding, etc.

And I’m sure this trial won’t disintegrate into a freak show, the Muslim world will fully grasp the nuances of our judicial system, and by some slim chance these guys get off and are re-arrested immediately, that won’t piss off jobless, 20-year old Muhammad Akbar Hakim in some refugee camp somewhere in the middle of some god-awful desert - making him an easy recruit to slip on 50 pounds of TNT with the desire to blow himself up and as many as he can take with him in some mall somewhere in middle-America.

Finally, this simply was not necessary. The administration has made it clear other terrorists are and will continue to be tried with military courts/tribunals. They (Obama & Company) specifically chose to put the biggest fish on trial in our criminal court system.

This was a cold, calculated, horrid decision with a downside the size of a lunar crater.

And here’s the kicker – these pieces of crap ALREADY CONFESSED & have asked to be sent to martyrdom where they can meet up with their 72 virgins.

No one has explained to me yet why a trial is even necessary when they’ve pled guilty already.

A personal note from a Catholic is in order here - if there truly is a God, the 72 virgins waiting are actually be 40 year-old men who look like they’re 60, with pot bellies, smelly pits and formerly possessed full NAMBLA membership while of this earth.

Now the only question remaining is why would this administration take this route?

Of course some of it has to do with appeasing the political base (far left nuts) – who want to see Bush and the CIA on trial as much, if not more, than the mastermind of 9-11.

My guess is the rest is likely pure arrogance – the belief by this bunch that they know best. It’s similar to the current health care debate. Forget what the majority of the people want. We are the smart ones and we know what is best for the masses.

This is dangerously close to a Marxist line of thinking – the concept that the masses cannot think for themselves and need to be guided, manipulated and controlled.

You see, assuming there’s no boom boom in New York City during this trial, Obama and his crew get a two-fer!

What’s a two-fer? I’m glad you asked. They (Obama & crew) get to blame George Bush and the CIA (read: Water boarding) all over again while likely getting full convictions.

The problem is the downside – the biggest circus trial in history, at a ridiculous financial cost, and more importantly, emotional expense for those near Ground Zero, and the nation for that matter, a job made more difficult with many more potential roadblocks for the prosecuting attorneys, and a world-stage for those who hate this nation, both in the courtroom in shackles and outside the courtroom across the planet.

The problem is - this bunch in charge simply don’t care. They have an agenda and they are simply grinding it out. The term used to describe the current administration is “ideologues.”

I would simplify it and just say what we have here is the radical 1960s/70s crew that was busy smoking as much pot as possible, dancing naked to Joplin/Hendrix songs, organizing sit-ins across college campuses, and basically rebelling against authority at every turn, now finally in charge and making the decisions - with a charming, likeable, personable, 48-year old, who looks in way over his head, as their figure-head in charge.

It's the inmates running the asylum.

America wanted change - and they got it. Boy did they get it.

Next – the Health Care Debate or Palin Mania – you choose.

What You Won't Get Elsewhere

2009-11-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

You are warned - I'm not in a good mood as I'm writing.

Let's start on a positive note however.

I know you don't care, but so what. I'm 3-1 as head coach after a Saturday sweep, including a come from behind 3-point win against a solid squad. My sixth grade Catholic girls actually manned up, laid the wood defensively and executed down the stretch to earn the W. That's saying something when you are dealing with normally "soft" Catholic kids who are more concerned about getting an I-pod Touch for X-mas than putting a body on someone when rebounding.

I'm very proud of the little ones. Big one today - we play the league's version of the New York Yankees. Yes, I'm having a ton of fun. As I've said over and over again, I like working with children much more than adults. Perhaps that's why I'm anti-social unless you are paying me to communicate with others.

Gilbert & Bernie
Is it just me or is there something inappropriate about the owner of the Cavaliers (Dan Gilbert), and now an executive for the Cleveland Browns (Bernie Kosar), on all the local radio talk shows last week pitching the casino amendment in the state of Ohio?

I voted for the damn thing, but that’s not the point. It just isn’t right for individual in those positions to be publicly lobbying for such a proposition.

Regardless, I doubt their leagues’ respective commissioners will do anything about it. In Gilbert’s case, it looks like he’s angling to invest and make money on casino gambling in Cleveland. Why am I the only one who thinks that’s inappropriate as long as he owns the local basketball team in town?

Cavs
I am starting to fade on Mike Browns, and it has nothing to do with the Cavaliers’
3-3 record. It’s early and they will win a ton of games. My criticism of Mike Brown has a four-prong analysis attached to it.

First, you cannot play Z and Shaq together very often or for very long. You can’t defend quicker front lines that way, especially when they go pick and roll against you. Why he’s experimenting with this group confuses me.

Secondly, I agree with Charles Barkley when he insists, time and time again, the Cavaliers need to speed up the game. They have the game’s best open court finisher (LJ) – it’s not even close. This team should run as much as possible. Instead, they still walk it up too much for my taste.

Third, I am SICK & TIRED of watching screen/roll with LJ and Andy V. There is absolutely no reason to run it with Andy. He’s no threat to score unless he’s standing under the basket with no one around him. Therefore, when Andy sets the screen, all that does is bring a second defender to LJ. And when Andy rolls to the basket now, with Shaq in the line-up, the lane is clogged more than in the past, making the roll to the basket more difficult.

If you are going to run screen/roll, you HAVE to run it with someone who can score the basketball, otherwise it does no good. This is the third time I've brought this specific criticism up.

Finally, I refuse to let him (MB) off the hook for his match-up decisions versus the Magic last spring. His stubborness in keeping a smaller defender on Hedo T. made it easy for Orlando to run its half-court and get the exact shot they wanted time and time again.

James on Hedo T. was the right call. Period. All Brown did was get Hedo paid in the off-season.

Many Acta
Firs, I have no idea how this guy will do. I do assume they hired him for three reasons however.

He’s used to dealing with young (aka: bad) teams. He’s Spanish and that helps a lot these days. And finally, he comes cheap. Yes, I know he was prepared, did his homework and said all the right things in his multiple interviews with Mark Shapiro.

But something tells me Shapiro simply doesn’t have the make-up (aka: stones) to hire someone with clout.

You see, some people are more comfortable hiring individuals to work for them who won’t dominate them in any way. You know where I’m going. These bosses are “insecure,” to put it nicely.

More and more, I get the read Shapiro falls in this category. No, I didn’t want self-promoter Bobby Valentine. But an experienced winner at the helm would have been a better choice.

Here’s the question you have to ask – Did the Indians clearly upgrade in going from Wedge to Acta? There is absolutely no way of knowing the answer to that at this point. And that, my friends, is the problem.

Regardless, we wish Acta well. And again, it won’t matter until you get quality starting pitching. I keep repeating myself, don’t I? Remember, with repetition, come retention. Hopefully, some of this wit and wisdom is rubbing off on you.

Many Good Options
Never has there been so many qualified football people out of work and available. I've harped on three - Bill C., Marty S., and Mike S., time and time again. What's wrong with Tony Dungy? Absolutely nothing. Make it four.

Randy Lerner can't possibly screw this up again. Or can he? Read below.

Browns Mess
So it’s George Kokinis’ fault the Browns are a disaster. Then we are told that Eric Mangini will have a hand in picking his new boss. Amazing. Who the hell with any credibility would come here if that’s true?

My guess is Randy Lerner will come to his senses after talking to qualified individuals and realize no one will come here if part of the deal is Mangini absolutely stays in 2010.

Hey, some of the same media members who okayed the move to Derek Anderson now go on record as saying Brady Quinn wasn’t given enough snaps as the starter to find out if he can play or not. Nice.

Next, they’ll tell us unemployment seems to be high now that’s its reached 10.2%.

These are also the same morons who have decided the Browns will definitely have two new quarterbacks in town next fall instead of Quinn and Anderson without knowing who will run the show next fall.

Kudos to former Browns Head Coach Sam Rutigliano, who nailed it last week, when Browns’ television color commentator Doug Dieken echoed the current media line, stating neither quarterback has done the job and next year’s quarterback is elsewhere.

Rutigliano then responded by acknowledging Quinn’s poor play in the first 2 1/2 games, but made clear the Browns have well over two years worth of footage on Anderson to go by but less than six full games on Quinn.

If Randy Lerner wants a wise, old football man to lean on, he should contact Rutigliano and offer him a corner office in Berea. He can't do worse.

More Browns’ Mess
The more I think about the Browns, the more I get ticked off. These so-called experts sleep in their offices 24-7, fly all over the country checking out prospects in their underwear and watch film until they are blue in the face.

Why do these people make it more difficult than it should be?

Thus, I leave you today with the following - my thoughts, on record, in the order I wanted the Browns to go on the first day of the draft.

Remember, I’m no scout, have no GM experience and watched a lot less DI football last fall than your average drunk 35 year old wearing his Charlie Frye game jersey looking to get laid on the end of a bar stool in some wings joint, in heaven because he can watch six different conferences on large plasmas at one time will sipping his seventh Michelob Ultra.

Here were my exact words in print just after the draft.

“If you read my previous entry, you were aware I preferred quality over quantity in terms of draft philosophy and that I wanted Cleveland to come away with a minimum of two of the following five players (in order of importance), in the 2009 draft – Crabtree (TT), Maualuga (USC), Jenkins (OSU) Moreno (GU) and Wells (OSU). And yes, the way the draft evolved, they could have easily had a combination of the two considering Maualaga’s free fall into the second round, as well as other factors.”

Mangini's Meteoric Power Loss

2009-11-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

I did not watch the Browns’ game today. I went 1-1 with my 6th grade girls’ basketball coaching duties, losing 13-12 in the opener before earning a 40 point win in game #2.

The sad part is we underachieved in game #1. That one was very winnable. I’ll take the blame. Unfortunately, whether you lose by one point or win by 40 – they both count the same. We sit at .500 unfortunately.

As for the Browns – I DVRd it and flew through it quickly. Nice.

While the media is now writing about DA’s quarterback rating, Quinn’s $11 million bonus he doesn’t reach if he doesn’t play, the fact this franchise, dating back to its original founding some 70+ years ago, may have hit rock, I've kept my eye on the ball – the record-setting speed by which Eric Mangini has lost power an influence – and I am not talking over his players.

Bernie Kosar was added as a consultant two weeks ago and here’s my interpretation of that act because it weighs heavily on the future of this franchise with each new ass-whipping.

Randy Lerner added Kosar for two reasons. First, this was a PR move to keep the fans from burning him in effigy. We get it. Everyone over 40 who follows the Browns likes or loves BK - even though, at times, he sounds like a punch-drunk 45 year old ex-fighter.

Secondly, this is a clear indication Lerner is already fading on Mangini. Mangini is his hand-picked guy. The coach he (Lerner) had to have minutes after finding out Mangini had just been fired in New York.

And here’s where we are eight games into the Mangini regime - the expansion Browns of 1999 would be -2 over this bunch. That's all you need to know.

Remember, Mangini was put in TOTAL control. What no one has mentioned is that Mangini looks as though he has made a bad organization worse - not just the play on the field mind you, but the whole shootin' match. Lerner even let Mangini hand-pick his own GM. There is no one else to blame folks.

Look at the resume so far - Mangini signed the free agents, traded down on draft day time and time again looking for quantity instead of quality - passing up potential playmakers in the process, he traded Winslow and Butterfingers when their value was at their lowest, waited forever to select a quarterback as though he were guarding a national secret, then threw his choice overboard quicker than a Hollywood DIVA gets a divorce, and finally, he surrounded his quarterbacks with what look like generic collegiate receivers - two of which he drafted in the second round just a few months ago.

Unfortunately, there is more - like could you believe, in 2009, Jim Brown has scored as many rushing touchdowns for the Browns as all the backs on the roster combined - none!

I'll stop now. This isn't funny.

It's all on him folks - there is nowhere for Mangini to hide and he knows it.

So where are we?

Mangini knows he’s already in trouble.

How do I know this?

Simple. He couldn’t keep Kosar, someone with absolutely NO NFL experience in terms of front office work, from being added to “supervise.” Lerner has begun stepping on Mangini’s toes and it will get worse.

And please, don’t believe the report that is circulating locally the addition of Kosar was “suggested” by Mangini. The reporter who broke that story should never be permitted in front of a laptop again. Oh, yea - the control freak coach went to the owner and suggested he (Lerner) hire a consultant with no experience to oversee what he (Mangini) was doing.

Look, I don’t see Lerner firing Mangini during the off-week and paying him and his staff for the next 3 1/2 years. That would take huge stones and what would it prove?

What would I do if I were advising Lerner?

Okay, let’s go over our suggestions post-2008 first.

First, hire a HOF coach – either Marty or Bill Cowher. He didn't.

If neither one wants it, be PATIENT, go slow and get it right. He didn't.

Look – Mike Shanahan just became available.

No, no. no. Don’t make Mangini the offer. Talk to Shanahan first. He didn't.

And what are you doing Randy hiring a coach before picking a GM? You only do that if a Hall of Fame coach is about to come to town – like Marty, Bill or Mike. You don’t give a head coach that kind of control unless he’s earned it. Hell, even Marty got too much power in Cleveland by most accounts in the late 80s.

He didn't.

This is all on record.

Here’s what likely happened.

Randy Lerner had no one around him to tell him he was doing it WRONG. You see, most people value their paychecks more than their credibility. Lerner was bombarded by the media and fans that this time around he needed to hire someone with NFL coaching experience. And that’s exactly what he did. He hired Mangini. You could see this one coming.

I wrote after the hiring that I understood why he hired Mangini even though I wanted someone with a much better resume. I also wrote I understood why Mangini hired his own GM. I would do the same if given that kind of power. That doesn’t make it right.

So where are we now?

Bernie Kosar’s power will grow with every future loss. Look I love BK. It wasn't hs fault we didn't get to the Super Bowl, it was a lack of a pass rush. That too is for another day. But BK is a rookie all over again. Then again, how much worse can he do?

So what would I do if I had Lerner’s ear now?

Here’s more advice he won’t follow - spend the next two weeks (bye week time) in search of the best available Team President/GM who happens to be out of work. Bernie can consult – that’s fine. But bring in a pro and put him at the top of the hierarchy. I would also tell Lerner to “man up” and join the new “team president” on the podium when the announcement is made.

The fans need to see Randy Lerner and he needs to address the media – even if he’s not comfortable. His Howard Hughes act isn’t working. Look, I like owners who stay in the background, but this is ridiculous. It borders on the bizarre.

If Mangini does not like having a boss – too bad What is he going to do – quit and lose 3 1/2 years of checks? That won’t happen. Mangini needs to focus on coaching the team. Period.

Soon, you will begin hearing media morons and idiot fans calling for Mangini to be fired and the defensive coordinator to be named interim ASAP. It’s actually already started. Good idea.

The Browns’ defense has been outstanding this fall. I think they rank 32nd in a 32-team league. Obviously, this guy has earned a raise in title and pay. Oh, I get it - they weren’t embarrassed against the Bears, so the guy should get the gig. That’s what drunk fans dream up before sleeping it off.

Look, the truth is I don’t know where this train is going. We are truly in uncharted territory folks. I have been watching this team since the late 60s and I can’t remember it being this bad. But I know a runaway locomotive when I see one, and this baby has no brakes.

Lerner may surprise me and decide to blow it up after the season and start over – AGAIN. If that happens, ownership will surely look to finally hire someone with immense status/credentials to either run the show (team president) or coach (HOFer).

Regardless, if Mangini survives and is back coaching this team in 2010, one thing is certain, he won't be in charge of trading down on draft day and picking a right guard late in round one. Hell, if this coninues and they finish 2-14 or there abouts, he might not have the authority left to model the locker room again.

This is a truly a meteoric fall. Which begs the real question Randy - What did he (Mangini) ever do to earn such total control of a billion $ organization in the first place?

Packers-Browns Post-Mortem & More

2009-10-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Are you sure this isn’t 1999? Right now, the Cleveland Browns look like an expansion team. No NFL team should be consistently doubled and tripled in total yardage on an almost weekly basis.

This had the looks of a terrible match-up with the Pack's veteran lockdown corners up against a pair of kids at wideout for the Browns. The results were as expected. Ugly! Meanwhile, Green Bay came in having all sorts of problems protecting Rodgers. Today, he stayed clean and played pitch and catch.

What is it with running an inside handoff on 2nd and 17? Imagine how the huddle responds when DA barks out that call sent in by the wizards of smart – otherwise known as the Browns’ offensive coaching staff.

Why Green Bay decided to open the game running the ball on almost every down in their first series escapes me. All it did was give Rodgers and company just one first quarter possession.

Every time I see Kamerion Wimbley in space trying to cover a running back or tight end, I cringe. And here I thought they drafted him several years ago to rush the passer.

How do you run a defense that allows Donald Driver, the Packers’ best wide receiver, to run a seam route with no one covering him?

The Packers had so little respect for the Browns offense, they tried a 50+ yard field goal, giving the Browns the ball on their own 45 after the FG was missed.

After next week’s expected bloodbath in Chicago, Derek Anderson will have made as many starts this season as Brady Quinn has for his entire career (5). I am still amazed many in the media have determined Quinn can’t play after five NFL starts. They are either extremely intelligent or complete fools. I vote for the latter. There is only one local scribe, Tony Grossi, who nailed it when he stated weeks ago that Quinn has been “the most mismanaged player in Browns history since the team’s return in 1999.”

Even though Anderson is well on his way to losing the starting job in Cleveland for the third time in his career, I actually feel sorry for him. He doesn't have much of a chance with this group. No one does. Regardless, don't look for Mangini to make the QB switch. Clearly, Mangini doesn’t see Quinn as an NFL starter based on the fact he took forever to pick his starter and then had a quick hook less than three full games into the season. This leads me to assume he went with Quinn to start the season in part to placate the owner – who wanted to see his investment of three years ago on the field. Regardless, the sad fact is whoever takes the snaps with this bunch doesn’t have much opportunity for success when you consider the youth at receiver and at “O” coordinator.

I feel like I’m truly in the twilight zone watching Cedric Benson and Kyle Orton leading their respective teams to early success in 2009.

NBA
I like the Cavaliers and Lakers to play in the Finals with LA winning in seven. The Lakers have the large majority of their pieces back and have added a unique talent in Ron Artest. I just hope I’m wrong. Meanwhile, I picked the Cavs to reach the Finals because they added the "Diesel" inside, who still looks like he has 1/2 a tank left, and a pair of perimeter players who bring size and athleticism to the roster - something they neded desperately.

Indians’ Chief
I don’t know who they will choose but I don’t want Bobby Valentine. He’s a self-promoter first and last. I wanted Grover because of his track record in Cleveland. Whatever. Regardless, until they find several quality starters, it wouldn’t matter if Billy Martin, the best manager I’ve ever seen, comes back from the dead, they won’t succeed.

Browns - Steelers Post Mortem

2009-10-18T19:42:00.001-07:00

The Steelers were going to go for it on 4th and 10 from the Browns’ 35 in the first quarter. A procedure call prior to the snap changed their minds. I hate to see teams punt inside the opponent’s 40 and applaud Pittsburgh for the initial idea. The fact that Pittsburgh had absolutely no fear of the Browns' offense also helped.

The wildcat offense is a gimmick, but it can work on occasion however. What I don’t like is to see a quarterback (i.e. Derek Anderson) out wide in that offense. What’s he going to do out there? Why not put a receiver out wide in that set? At least then, the defense has to take his presence seriously.

The Brows have now scored four offensive touchdowns this season. That’s exactly one touchdown less than Tom Brady threw in his second quarter of play today. Nice.

Brandon McDonald is a perfect example of the Browns playing an NFL second teamer as a starter. He missed a couple more tackles today and had a pick go through his hands in the Browns' end zone this afternoon. Think about it - Thomas and Steinbach are the only offensive starters who would play elsewhere. Rogers, Jackson, Pool and perhaps Bowen are the only defensive starters who would see significant time on a decent NFL team. You do the math.

I am dumbfounded as to why the Browns have not given Josh Cribbs a new deal. Again, this is not MLB or the NBA – where the players have guaranteed deals. If you tear up his current contract, give him a new five-year package, then he goes down next year with an injury, you don’t owe him the final four years of the deal. Therefore, if this guy is your best player – which he is right now, and he wants to stay in town – which he does – why not fix this problem now? It’s not like this is going to start a run on Browns’ players wanting new deals. They don’t have anyone else who is close to Cribbs in terms of productivity.

Pittsburgh has an excellent passing game with a talented group of receivers in tow. I do think Big Ben holding the ball so long will, in the long run, be a negative for him and the franchise. Yes, it gives his receivers more time to get open. It also shows he’s extremely tough. However, taking that many hits, year after year, will eventually take its toll on his body and shorten his career.

I love the routes the Steelers run. They love crossing patterns, where the receivers are headed up field as they make the reception. It gives them multiple opportunities for yards after catch (YAC). It is also the most difficult route to cover when you are in man-to-man – where the defender is chasing a receiver across the field.

In the NFL, no team should outgain another 500+ yards to 190, like Pittsburgh did today against the hapless Browns. It’s one thing to see that in high school and college, where the talent difference can be huge, but not in the NLF – where they ALL get paid. That’s embarrassing. It makes one wonder what Eric Mangini, his staff and the Browns were doing in all those voluntary camps, mini-camps, two-a-days, etc… the past six months.

The Browns' lone touchdown today was a pass to the fullback. That’s right, fullback. Luckily, he (Lawrence Vickers) caught it. However, I would not suggest they make a habit of throwing to fullbacks on third down and goal. There’s a reason fullbacks block and do little else.

Only in Cleveland can the Browns give up the fourth most yards in a single game in team history while the offense produces one lone touchdown, yet the focus by some in the media is on why the refs gave the Steelers a first down after a fourth down play when the television angle seemed to show it might have been short.

With all the drops recently and general youth at wide receiver on this roster, does anyone really believe David Patten, a 13-year vet with rings, wasn't good enough to make this roster? Come on.

I saw Future Hall of Famer, according to the National Media, Mark Sanchez, throw three of his five picks today. He didn’t get pulled and likely won’t get pulled next week even though he has struggled the last three weeks. The Jets will show the appropriate amount of patience you need to display with a young quarterback you believe in. You see, now we find out about Sanchez, not when he was sitting at 3-0 with the media and fans so far up his rear they couldn't see any daylight.

The trading deadline is less than 48 hours away. How many more draft picks will Mangini and company try to acquire? A reminder - it's nice to have quantity, but I'd rather have quality (aka:talent/playmakers).

Browns Get A Win

2009-10-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Wow. I just witnessed the NFL’s version of a botched abortion. The Cleveland Browns’ 6-3 win over the Buffalo Bills might be the worst NFL game I have ever seen. Period.

Regardless, congratulations to Eric Mangini, his coaches and players for their first win of the 2009 season. It does count.

There were so many horrid things going on, I don’t know where to begin. For one thing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many procedure and false starts by an offensive line – at any level. I realize the Bills have been hit hard by injuries, but all their linemen do get paid, don’t they? Even at the high school level, you don’t get that much movement prior to the snap.

When was the last time you saw an NFL game where the best player on the field was the punter? The Browns’ Dave Zastudil nailed three punts inside the Bills’ 5-yard line and had 386 yards punting on the day.

How is it possible for a pro team to complete its first pass with just 0:37 left in the half? Perhaps that’s why the Browns’ coaching staff sat on the ball with decent field position, timeouts in tow and the wind at their back late in the first half up 3-0. That was beyond conservative and bordering on the ridiculous. They won, so no one will mention it but me.

Speaking of the ridiculous, “Butterfingers” left town but left his calling card. I counted five drops on the day for the Browns. It must be infectious. When was the last time the Browns had that many drops and Braylon wasn’t involved?

I’m no offensive coordinator and don’t play one on television, but I would have tried to get the ball to TO more often if I were the Bills. He was the best talent on the football field – this side of Dave Zastudil of course. Thankfully for the Browns, the Bills decided to spread the garbage around.

On a positive note – and trust me – I had to look long and hard for one, the Browns have posted back-to-back 100 yard rushers in consecutive games. I knew turning the offense over to Derek Anderson would pay big dividends.

October 21 is the trading deadline I’m told. If true, I reiterate my hope that Brady Quinn has a new home address on Thursday the 22nd. Here’s a kid who actually wanted to play in Cleveland, waited patiently for his opportunity, went down with an injury once that opportunity came, came back and had to win the job again, was given the reigns, then yanked less than three games in. Quinn stunk in is 10 quarters of play in ’09 – no argument there. But anyone who has seen this mess of an offense, the schemes they use, the personnel packages they employ, and the overall talent level they possess and thinks that kid got a good, long look at QB needs a lobotomy.

As for next week’s trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, I expect it to be as ugly as watching one of the Indians’ soft-tossing lefties (pick your favorite) try to get out a quality line-up without their best stuff. The Las Vegas line might actually reach 20 – something unheard of in NFL circles.

0-4 Browns

2009-10-10T20:27:00.001-07:00

The bar is so low in Cleveland when it comes to professional football that there were actually people locally praising the Browns’ effort against the Bengals.

That’s right, Cincinnati went on the road and gave up a ton of yards on special teams, fumbled a kick return deep in their end, couldn’t convert on a chip shot field or on a potential game-winning PAT late, allowed the Browns to produce their first 100 yard back in two years and still won.

Yet, the Browns were praised by many for “being competitive.” Nice.

Kudos to Josh Cribbs, who almost single-handedly won the game by giving Cleveland ridiculous field position time and time again, to rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who had a breakout game with eight grabs for well over 100 yards, to James Harrison, for rushing for over 120 yards, to safety Brodney Pool, for playing perhaps his best game as a pro, and to Shaun Rogers, who dominated on the kick block unit.

As for the rest of the players and coaching staff, this was a win that got away – nothing more nothing less. And the last time I checked, the goal is still to win the game in the NFL. Moral victories are nice when dealing with Little Leaguers, not professional athletes and coaches, who currently stand at 0-4, are paid to win, and not just to finally show up 1/4 of the way into the season.

This leads us to this week’s game between the sub par 1-3 Bills and the hapless 0-4 Browns. Contrary to the popular belief locally that the Browns are now finally headed in the right direction after at least showing up last Sunday, we believe the mediocre Bills will win at home unless they decide to play atrociously on special teams, let a back rush for 100+ yards against them in their building and turn in over to the Browns deep in their own end a couple times. Even with all that, they might still pull it off in overtime against this Browns team. Cincinnati did.

Let’s say 27-17 Bills with TO finally making some plays. As always, we hope we’re wrong and there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

One final note on last week’s loss at home to the Super Bowl bound Bengals - someone needs to tell Cleveland’s offense coordinator not to jump up and down giving high fives to anyone in the vicinity and generally cheering like a fat drunk in the top row of the stadium after his offense scores.

Act like you know what you are doing, instead of like you are thrilled to death your guys finally got it right for once. It just looks bad, very bad.

No, I didn’t forget about Butterfingers. What do you want me to say?

We had it right when we said you don’t take him at 3. We had it right when we said he was underachieving his first two years in the league and they should deal him while he still had some value. We had it right when we congratulated him on an outstanding season in 2007, but noted one season does not make a career. And we had it right when we named him “Butterfingers” long before anyone else figured it out.

We do wish him well with the Jets. Why shouldn't we? He’s probably play well there. He’ll also drop some ball because that’s what he does. Regardless, one good performance on national television while with thr Jets will probably get him a fat contract next year. Coaches never learn.

One thing is still certain – he was another huge miss in the draft for the Browns and epitomizes why this is organization has been so hapless regardless as to who is roaming the sideline and in charge since its return in 1999.

10 Thoughts On Browns Entering Week #4 versus Cincinnati

2009-10-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Right now, this team looks in total disarray – perhaps worse than it has looks at any time since its return. That’s saying something.

After three weeks, not one unit on this football team has improved over a year ago, and one could argue that every unit has regressed.

The coaching staff lost much of its credibility by pulling it’s starting quarterback just 10 quarter into the season after spending months painstakingly deliberating and making a choice as to who would run this team. Having said that, Brady Quinn needs to take responsibility for regressing as a player from where he was a year ago. Regardless, he clearly deserved more time to find his way – or not. There simply is not enough of a “body of evidence” to make a judgment on him as a starting NFL quarterback, and anyone who says there is should not be taken seriously. It's best for BQ to go elsewhere. A lot can change quickly in the NFL, but this regime, which is likely here for a while, just tossed him overboad. I suggest his agent get on the phone ASAP.

The team is a national joke after rewarding a player with a starting quarterback role after throwing three picks in two quarters of play. When has that happened before?

On three different occasions, in the same game, a running back pranced untouched into the end zone last week against a defense that looks as though it quit. When has that happened before?

As we expected, Mangini got absolutely no “Honeymoon Period” from the media and fans due to his “MR. Bill Management Style” and the team’s embarrassing start. That will only make it more difficult for the coaches to get the players to “buy in,” especially if they see everyone on the outside not buying in either.

I would like someone to explain to me how so many starters on this roster have kept their job after three weeks when so many players are underachieving – once again?

A reminder - over half of this roster is new. Mangini and company brought in their own people and then some. As someone who studies words for a living and is well-versed in sports PR, I don't want to hear "it takes time" or "change doesn't happen over night" from this regime. That's a copout and insults my intellligence. This is the NFL - where solid leadership on and off the field leads to marked improvement sooner rather than later.

This corner expects the Browns to be competitive against the Bengals. However, after what we’ve seen to date, it’s impossible for us to pick the Browns to win over a team that arguably should be 3-0 right now. We like Cincinnati, 33-23. No, there is no such thing as a moral victory in professional sports.

Where are Bill Cowher, Marty of Mike Shanahan when you need them? And to think all three were available when the Lerner family fell in love with Mangini. Ownership bypassed our first sports commandment - HIRE THE BEST TALENT AVAILABE TO RUN THE SHOW! But we’ve been over that ground numerous times. Having said that, intelligent followers should not fall into the same trap some media members and most fans will now fall into, and start demanding the coach’s head on a platter. As big a trainwreck as this seems right now, it’s way too early for that. Whether you like it or not, Mangini is here to stay. Besides, who is going to call him on the carpet -the general manager MANGINI hired?

Browns –Ravens Preview & More

2009-09-27T09:01:00.001-07:00

Browns –Ravens Preview

On paper, this looks like it will be reminiscent of the Browns in 1999, when they had problems getting the ball across midfield against a good defense. All indications point to this getting ugly quickly.

Add the fact that Jamaal Lewis is out, means that Brady Quinn is likely to have absolutely no running game against the Ravens’ defense.

The upside is that Jerome Harrison should get a good, long look today and he’d better take advantage of it. Regardless, unless the Browns have something up their sleeve, Quinn could take a pounding.

The Ravens so far in this young season crush the run – as always - but have had problems against the pass. The Browns’ problem is this – Who do they have to throw to? Their #1 receiver, Butterfingers, is being doubled, and no one else is capable of getting open consistently.

Yes, spreading the field and trying to get one-on-ones (i.e. Harrison versus a linebacker) makes sense. However, will the line protect long enough for Quinn to find the open man?

Like I said, it could be a bloodletting.

On the other side, it would be nice to see the Browns defense play four full quarters –regardless of what happens on the other side of the ball. I love how some pundits put the defense’s second half collapses on the lack of offense -thus the "D" being on the field too long and wearing down.

Here’s my answer – get some three and outs on occasion and you won’t be on the field so long. And while you are at it, how about forcing ONE turnover?

Ravens 27-10 sound about right. Here’s hoping I’m way off.

Quinn
I was asked by a friend this week if I already soured on BQ after my last post where I called his play “very poor.” Absolutely not.

However, BQ looked tentative and held the ball too long against a mediocre Broncos defense. For me to suggest otherwise and let him off the hook would be wrong. My credibility is more important to me than being right.

BQ should have the full 16 game schedule to be evaluated properly. And there will be serious bumps along the way – like right now. I’m very curious as to how he handles those down times and if he progresses properly.

Yes, there is little talent around him. However, BQ touches the ball on every down. The quarterback needs to lead by example – regardless of the circumstances around him. Over the courses of 60 minutes and 60-70 offensive plays, there are opportunities to make some plays. Here’s hoping that begins this week in Baltimore.

Mangini and Bottled Water
A big deal was made this week of Eric Mangini fining a player the league maximum (close to $2,000) because he didn’t pay for bottled water taken from the team’s hotel in Denver.

Mangini’s point is no one is better than anyone else and he expects everyone in the organization – players, coaches, PR people, secretaries, etc. to act like adults at all times.

I’m sure there is more to the story than what has been reported. Regardless, we don’t have a problem with his decision, only that it was made public. To his credit, Mangini doesn’t just talk the talk when he says he wants high character people on his team.

However, if you lose, stunts like this will be interpreted by the media and fans as childish and overbearing. If the Browns were 2-0 right now, everyone would be saying how Mangini is running a tight ship and his style of discipline works. Such is PR in the world of sport. The "immediately memory only" of fans and media has fascinated me for years.

Indians
It looks as though the Indians' everyday line-up is pretty much set for 2010.

It goes as follows – LaPorta (1B), Valbuena (2B), Cabrera (SS), Peralta (3B), Brantley (LF), Sizemore (CF) and Choo (RF), and Hafner (DH). The only question remaining is at catcher, where the organization has numerous, if not, good options.

Here’s the problem – can you name the teams #1, #2 OR #3 starter for 2010?

I know I’m beating a dead horse, but remember – without pitching, you have no chance to be good.

On another note, the Tribe barely avoided tying a team record for consecutive losses (12) this week. So they started slow in April and finished even slower in September.

Which begs the question – who will manage this club next year?

I'm already on record as wanting either Grover or Buddy Bell. These two have been part of this organization when it was winning and both possess ML managing experience.

What I don’t want is someone who hasn’t managed at the ML level before. That was just tried and failed with Eric Wedge. Yes, Wedge took over a rebuilding project. However, it needs to be noted he also had several teams that were expect to contend in a relatively weak division.

His resume only has one post-season appearance on it – and that was a flame job up 3-1 against Boston with quality starters (1 through 3) lined up to close it out.

No one would argue, even his most stauchest supporters, that Wedge got the most out of his talent base. Shapiro and his scouts were of litte help (AKA: see any draft class), but that's another story altogether that we've covered before.

Secondly, in all the years he has managed the Indians, I can count on just one hand the times I witnesses a squeeze/suicide bunt or a succesfull hit and run being put on. Perhaps I missed it on occasion, but it’s clear that Wedge did not do much to manufacture runs.

Remember - in the post-steroids era, a manager in the American League, once again, on occasion, needs to be able to manufacture runs.

Yes, the Indians will be more athletic next year and possess more overall foot speed as a team. That's a good thing. But if you don’t use those tools properly, it does you no good.

10 Things Following Browns-Broncos

2009-09-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

I’ve seen this movie before – last week in fact. The Browns were in it at halftime and folded in the second half – again. The offense was non-existent and the defense wilted. It's rare to see the exact same act in the NFL in back to back weeks.

Brady Quinn played poorly, and that’s being kind. Yes, he doesn’t have much help around him (aka: playmakers). Regardless, he gets paid to score touchdowns. Right now, after two weeks in 2009, he looks as if he’s taken a step backwards compared to where he was when he played against the Broncos a year ago. My boy will need to start making some plays very soon. Otherwise, I can see Mangini going to the bullpen sooner rather than later – especially if he actually believes there isn’t much difference between Quinn and DA.

What happened to the screen pass that was so effective in pre-season? The Browns ran it once against the Broncos.

Eric Mangini is big on holding players accountable – at least that’s what we are told. Then why didn’t Brandon McDonald get pulled for a few plays when he got called for a defensive holding on 3rd and 19 for the Broncos in the first quarter. That’s inexcusable. Besides, it’s not like he’s indispensable. The Browns right now may have the worse set of starting corners in the league.

That’s eight full quarters played without this defense coming close to forcing a turnover this season.

There’s way too much energy being expended by Quinn and company on offense pointing fingers at defenders before the ball is snapped. That’s getting old quick.

The Broncos offensive coaches made the Browns defensive staff look silly on third and goal from the 2-yard line in the first quarter. Denver called a timeout then isolated a tight end on Kamerion Wimbley out in space. Result – an easy touchdown pass for Kyle Horton. Whatever defensive scheme has Wimbley effectively playing corner needs to be junked immediately.

Am I the only one who thinks something must be wrong if either one of our second round picks at wideout can’t beat out Josh Cribbs? I've mentioned this before, but it is concerning for another reason besides not getting any productivity from second rounders drafted by a bad team. Having Cribbs play receiver also takes him off the punt coverage and kick-off coverage units – where he excels.

The Browns have a lot of NFL second teams starting. That’s not good.

It would be nice to see some called rollouts for Quinn deep in the red zone.

Final thoughts: The wolves will be out this week. The local media and fans were already whining after the Vikings loss. Many dislike Mangini because of his attitude, won’t give him any wiggle room and will bury him at the first sign of failure. And most fans begin calling for the back-up at the first sign of trouble at QB. That’s the lack of patience that as made sports followers so easy to ridicule. Regardless, this is not what you want to have on your resume (0-2) heading into Baltimore in week #3. Ouch!