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.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Short & Quick
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.
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.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Short & Quick
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?
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?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Short & Quick
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Short & Quick
Congratulations Brady
Congratulations to Brady Quinn for being jettisoned from arguably the most incompetent franchise in sports today. Three different regimes told this kid he couldn’t play during his time in Cleveland. He handled the mismanagement as well as anyone could be expected to.
If I’m right, Denver is in good shape for some time to come. Regardless, for the last time – 11 starts complete with 10 TD passes, 9 picks and a 53% completion ratio simply is not enough work to evaluate a former #1 pick - especially when you throw in a dysfunctional organization and two different coaching staffs/systems in a three-year span.
By comparison, Mark Sanchez is being praised for taking the Jets to the playoffs in 2009 while throwing 12 TDs and 20 picks as a rookie. Come on.
If it’s only about winning games, then my boy Vince Young is a man among boys. Compare his career winning percentage (over .660) to some of the league’s all-time greats, including Steve Young (.657), John Elway (.643) and Dan Marino (.613), and you get my point.
So is it about wins, stats, or a combination of the two and more?
The point is as follows – you evaluate a quarterback on several levels – including wins, stats, fourth quarter play, leadership skills, consistency and overall development.
However - follow me here – you can’t make an accurate judgment on ALL those elements unless you have an appropriate amount of evidence to draw from. Mark Sanchez will be given the opportunity (aka: # of starts) to determine his own fate. Same for the young guns in Detroit, Atlanta, etc…
Good luck Brady.
This chapter is officially closed.
Want To Work In Sports Sales?
If the NFL weren’t a communistic fraternity and the Browns had to actually work to sell season tickets, those in charge in Cleveland would be doing a lot of heavy drinking right now.
Think about this – Who the hell in NE Ohio is excited about Jake D. becoming the face of this sad franchise?
Talk about buying the generic brand whose shelf life ended a while ago.
Look, I know JD is a good guy and a solid teammate, but does anyone really expect this guy to post a 2-1 TD/interception ratio and win more than he loses this season? Come on.
At best, he's keeping the seat warm. And that's the problem. The QB is the most important layer on your team. No one believes JD will be slinging in in Cleveland two or three years from now.
My Plan
What would I do? Glad you asked.
Draft Tim Tebow (aka: Holy Roller) in round 2, make Wallace your #1 out of the gate, develop an offense that utilizes their mobility to screw with opposing NFL defenses, and give the rookie freak a few snaps each week to see how he handles himself.
When he's ready, turn it over to him. He has an amazing resume, heart, superior athleticism and terrific leadership skills. That's a hell of a start.
Think about this - Who creates more buzz coming out of the second round – the Terry Robiskies of this world or the Holy Roller from the Gator state?
And another thing - I wouldn't screw too much with his throwing motion, footwork, etc. I don't want him thinking too much. Let the kid play on instincts. That's who he is.
Wimbley
Would I have dealt Wimbley for a #3? I guess it depends if I think Wimbley is a starting NFL linebacker. Obviously, the Walrus doesn’t.
Hell, they already have a ton of draft picks this April including a pair of 3s. Did they really need another second day choice? On the flip side, I know one thing, since his 11 sack rookie season, Wimbley didn’t affect many games in his area of strength – rushing the quarterback.
As you can see, I don't really think it matters all that much. Wimbley looks like another in a long line of first round busts in Cleveland.
Draft Pick Worth
One of my favorite pet peeves is the NFL’s infatuation with the worth of draft picks. You know this already.
Here’s another example in our own back yard. Does any serious person really think the sixth round pick the Browns got in 2050 for BQ is going to be a better player than Quinn?
More Draft Advice
Please don’t sit there and use all these picks and take the best guy left on the board when your time comes Browns. Target certain guys, trade up if you have to, using the multitude of picks you have, and get players who make plays.
Again – I want quality, not quantity. Hopefully, the Walrus believes in this philosophy. We know Mangini took the oppose approach when he was in charge.
By the way, speaking of Mangini, someone needs to tell me what his job description will be this coming season with the Browns - besides deciding if he’ll throw the red replay hanky during the game.
I don’t think the Walrus has figured out a way to take that job away from him too.
Back to the advice.
Yes, I still like the undersized Notre Dame receiver, the holy roller Florida QB with legs and the caucasian running back from Stanford.
If I’m running the Browns, I snatch up all three. Two years from now, all three of these players will be very productive pros. If not, you can let me hear it.
Cribbs
I was not clear enough on my prior analysis of Josh Cribbs’ new deal. He was worth whatever the Browns paid him. He’s their best player.
However, I don’t agree with the Walrus' view that Cribbs needs to be used more in the passing game. Hopefully, he was just blowing smoke.
Cribbs is not a starting NFL receiver!
We all know this. He’s not even a third receiver at this level. And to say otherwise, is silly.
If you want to get him the ball offensively, fine, let him line up in the backfield and throw him screens and flat passes. Or keep trying bubble screens and reverses when he's out from time to time.
The real problem is the team has NO wide receivers who are of quality NFL caliber on the roster at present. The young guys may get better. But as of now, they have a long, long way to go.
It's the weakest position on this team - and that's saying a ton. I am stunned they didn't address it yet in free agency.
March Madness
It’s that time of year again when we hear the usual cries to expand the NCAA basketball tournament because a handful of deserving teams didn’t get in.
Why screw with the most popular sporting tournament in this country's history?
Memo to the college basketball world and its fans – there will always be a few teams who could of/should have made the field regardless of the number you settle on.
Stop it already. It ain’t broke – so don’t even talk about screwing with it. The topic bores me and they keep bringing it up like %$#@ groundhog day.
Tiger
Tiger Woods is coming back to play in the Masters. Ask me if I give a $#@?
I’m just hope some bleach blonde MILF with fake jugs dashes past security and gives Woods a big kiss while his wife reaches for the 4 iron in the background and chases the wench through the hazard and into the lake. That’s what I want to see. Oops, I forgot – I don’t watch golf.
You know why I don’t watch golf – same reason I don’t watch tennis.
I can’t get into any sport where the fans have to sit, or stand, as if they are at calling hours at Aunt Sally’s funeral. There’s just something wrong about that in my book.
In golf, the ball isn’t even moving and the “athlete” (and I use that term very loosely) expects total silence or he gets pissed. What %$#@ssies!
I may be the only person who feels this way – but I don’t care. I just don’t get it.
And please don’t tell me there is immense pressure standing over a five foot put with a tournament on the line.
First, no one forced you to play this game. Besides, 80% of you couldn't do anything else in sports gear besides play frisbee golf. I said 80% - not 100%.
Second, the ball ain’t moving. Enough said.
And third, they set it up so absolutely no one can distract you.
Try going over the middle with an NFL safety making a B-line for you.
Maybe you’d prefer being on the road in the ninth with the game on the line trying to hit Mariano Rivera cut fastball with Yankee fans in the background screaming obscenities about your mom.
Or perhaps you’d like to take a charge from LeBron James in the open court.
Please. Pro golf is still mostly a rich kid sport played by pampered country club types. Until they allow fan involvement, count me out.
Back to Tiger.
I’ve actually heard talking head analysis stating Woods’ plight is arguably “the biggest scandal in sport history.”
What the hell is going on?
It’s like he’s the first pro athlete to step out on his wife. Geez – I’m stunned he had broads in every port.
Next you are going to tell me no one knew what was going on. Right. Bubbleheads don’t talk. And Woods can walk around without anyone noticing. The guy blends right in like the lawn furniture. Please.
The truth is he broke no law, yet he’s being treated like he’s Charles Manson.
Look, I know he broke his marriage vows. That’s between him and his family.
And yes, I know the PR ramifications when a world-class sporting brand is tarnished. I'm in the business and know a fair amount about it.
However, some of the media coverage is beyond ridiculous. Sports public figures who beat their wives, do crack cocaine, or drink and drive have been treated better.
The point – No, this is not the biggest scandal in sports history. Not even close. The media has taken off with this snowball and now it's a full-fledged avalanche.
This is about one of the world’s most famous athletes who couldn’t keep it in his pants – ever.
He needed to meet it head on, get it behind him and get back to work quickly. Instead he let it drag out, has ducked questions and has facilitaed the story line set by others.
Regardless, once he wins that first tournament, we’ll hear how he’s at home on the course and that allowed him to make such an amazing comeback.
Hell, the real test won’t be the golf, it will be in the bar/lounge later, when the cameras are turned off, and the bimbo golf annies surround him with their fake double Ds and ask him to buy the drinks as they stumble around offering him lap dances.
Lefty/Righty
When are the Indians going to add another quality right handed bat or two? Peralta is their only legitimate right handed bat in the line-up.
It should worry Tribe fans that with this glaring line-up imbalance, the powers that be have not assured Matt LaPorta 600 at bats for the upcoming season. Hell, the guy was the key piece in the CC deal two years ago, the team has no right handed power and he isn’t penciled in yet. What's going on?
If he can’t break into this line-up, we have a problem. It reminds me of those of us who continually begged the Browns to give Jerome Harrison 20 touches a game.
What did they have to lose? The same can be said for LaPorta. You need right handed bats in this line-up and it’s time to see if the CC deal wasn’t a total give-away.
Politics - Health Bill
A lot of folks are wondering why many democrats seem to be walking over a cliff in pulling out all stops to pass an extremely unpopular health care bill.
It’s simple. From PR standpoint, it’s better to pass an unpopular bill, and at least be able to claim a major win and celebrate its most consumer friendly parts while campaigning instead of being seen as losers by not passing the bill while having absolutely nothing to tout.
I’m not saying they can sell it, I’m just saying that’s the thinking. Better to have a few talking points than none at all.
Secondly, if you pass a bill of this size (17% of our economy), it’s an entitlement (free lunch) that will be extremely hard to repeal and a foot in the door on the road to socialized medicine.
You see, to the Progressive wing of Democratic Party (Obama, Pelosi, etc.) it’s worth losing Congress in 2010 to make history (aka: open the door to universal health care). It’s not any more complicated than that.
2012 Political Prediction
Have you started paying attention to the next president of the United States?
His name is Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. He’s in Congress and is the real deal. Ryan is young, likeable, intelligent, an expert on the machinations of legislation, yet can stand in front of a camera and explain it in simple terms to the American people. That ability is very important.
I would work on his campaign. Remember his name – he has all the tools you look for. And yes, he’s a Republican. Although labels don’t matter to me – talent and common sense do.
The End
We covered a lot of ground this time around. Stay well.
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.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Short & Quick
I'm in a football mood tonight for some reason.
DA
I don’t care what he said on his way out. We knew he was soft when crowded in the pocket and said so before everyone else figured it out.
So it didn’t surprise me when DA whined about the fans on his way out the door like a 3-year old missing his tuggy. Someone forget to tell this meathead the quarterback gets too much credit when things go well and too much blame when things go south.
He was never bright enough to check down when on the field so why would anyone be surprised he gassed the fans after back-to-back horrid seasons.
The fact this guy earned LARGE paychecks from this sad organization for five years tells you all you need to know about the Browns and where they’ve been.
Thankfully, this will be the last time we go over this ground - thank goodness.
Here’s the best part – some team will pick this guy up and perhaps put their billion dollar franchise in his hands. Is this a great country or what?
Cribbs
He got more than I would have offered, but it’s not my money, so I’m happy he’s staying. The “Walrus” did it right.
Seneca
If you go way back, you’ll find I have always liked Seneca Wallace. Therefore, I applaud the move to bring him to town. I think the guy can start and be successful.
However, I would not bring in a retread quarterback on the down side of his career (aka Jake D.) now. I prefer giving Quinn 16 starts and having Wallace ready in the bullpen if Brady fails to reach the late innings. But you already know that.
If I’m the Browns, I certainly wouldn’t deal Quinn now. He has no trade value coming off another injury and mediocre numbers in limited play.
Again, you want to deal players when their value is at their highest – not lowest.
Of course that would take BOTH knowledge and guts - something most pro sports executives don’t have. You see, if you think the guy can’t play, but he’s coming off a big year, you risk your career if you make the move and are wrong.
Most of these weasels play it safe. God, I hate that. I like decision-makers with stones.
For Quinn’s sake, I hope he does get moved somewhere where he can play. We stated that during the 2009 season once Mangini pulled him. Obviously, his coach doesn’t think much of him.
The jury is still out if the Walrus feels the same way. If Quinn gets dealt for a dozen footballs and a tackling sled, then you have your answer.
West Coast In Cleveland
I keep hearing the Browns are going to run the West Coast offense in 2010. Am I the only one to think this is absurd?
I though Eric Mangini was the coach not the Walrus. What is Mangini doing there if the Walrus is making ALL the decisions – including what offense to run?
Unless I am mistaken, Mangini never ran the West Coast offense with the Jets nor in his first year with the Browns. It’s just a coincidence I guess then that the players and even the %$#@ coaches now have to learn yet ANOTHER new system.
So much for continuity.
At times, I feel like I’m in the wilderness trying to understand why everyone else isn’t asking the same questions.
Free Agents
I have no comment on the Browns’ free agent acquisitions. Why? I haven’t seen them play enough to form an opinion.
I assume they’ll help based on what the team had on the field in 2009. The right tackle position was a swinging gate at times and we already wondered out loud last fall why the Browns played a 3-4 when they had a tough time fielding three decent NFL linebackers.
Protected List
I don’t know how the NFL restricted and unrestricted lists work, but did you get a look at the talent (that’s a play on words) the Browns protected. Most of these guys would be backups elsewhere.
Who the hell is going to want linebacker Jason Trusnik, let alone give you a draft pick for him?
Here’s another one – I believe they placed a second round tag on a guy they picked up off the streets in the middle of the season – defensive lineman Matt Roth.
The sick part is this guy was one of their best defensive players by year’s end.
Bonus Wisdom
I know I repeat myself from time to time in terms of my philosophy on these matters. However, repetition improves retention. Hopefully, some of these pearls sink in over time.
Surprise Entry
One last note - what do you get when you have a 28-year old narcissistic quarterback, who has never been told to grow up, a new $102 million contract, college bars, body guards, booze and 20 year old coeds?
That's right - you get Big Ben hiring OJ's lawyer - check that, he's dead.
What a moron.
He's got the world by the stones, a bulls-eye on his chest for being a wealthy public figure, he's already been in trouble once and he still decides to hang out in college bars calling broads, 10 at a time even, to the back room while his boys keep the "Johnsons" out of the room.
Nice.
Till next time.
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.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Short & Quick
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.
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.
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