As we come to the end of another month, some comments on each of the Cleveland sports teams—

 

CAVALIERS

 

The wine and gold have played just two games this season, and there is every confidence they will be a championship contender, but a few things are irritating after training camp and these first two games. 

 

First, Mike Brown needs to shelve the idea of playing Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas at the same time.  For a coach who made his mark in the NBA coaching defense, he has to see that this is a huge defensive liability.  Toronto outscored the Cavs by a bundle when this duo was on the floor together. 

 

I understand the coach is still trying to find his rotation, but he needs to get J.J. Hickson and Jamario Moon on the floor more often.  Hickson will never learn to subtleties of NBA defense on the bench, and Moon brings the athleticism missing with Delonte West’s absence, particularly on defense. Anthony Parker is not cut out to playing 35-40 minutes per night. 

 

If you are built on defense, then put your best defensive team out there on a more consistent basis.

 

BROWNS

 

Their season is in the toilet, and the coach is talking about special teams.  I don’t claim to know more than an NFL coach, but I thought rookie Coye Francies looked pretty good in the pre-season games.  However, he’s been inactive for the last three games.

 

Why?  Apparently, because he’s not making an impact on special teams. 

 

Meanwhile, the Browns’ secondary is getting beaten like an egg.

 

Why not give Francies a shot at playing defensive back, the position he’s been trained to play?  Heck, right now the team is using a wide receiver as a nickel back. 

 

The guys on special teams are players who are back ups, because a coach doesn’t want to risk his starters on punt and kickoff teams.  Isn’t it more important to have guys play on every down, and play well?  If the rookie can perform better at CB than Brandon McDonald, then he should be on the field even if he’s not a good special teamer.

 

The Browns have a very good special teams unit.  However, they seem to have trouble stopping the pass and tackling.  Francies seemed like a guy willing to stick his nose in and hit someone. 

 

Mangini should worry more about receivers gashing his secondary than keeping a guy on the active roster who can cover kicks.

 

It’s another case of misplaced priorities for the Browns’ coaching staff.

 

INDIANS

 

Still recovering from watching Cliff Lee dominate the Yankees in game 1 of the World Series, it reminded me that Lee should still be pitching for the Tribe next season.  The Phillies will undoubtedly exercise the option on the southpaw’s deal for 2010, something the Indians could have done as well.

 

GM Mark Shapiro’s biggest need for next season is starting pitching, yet he traded one of the game’s best for a group of players who will not have nearly the same impact on the ’10 Tribe as Lee would have. 

 

Lou Marson might be the Indians’ starting catcher next season, and INF Jason Donald may be a platoon player at 2B with Luis Valbuena, but Shapiro could have easily have found people to take their places.  Behind the plate, you could keep Kelly Shoppach (yeck!) or promote Carlos Santana, and at the keystone spot you could keep Jamey Carroll, or sign another utility infielder.

 

Carlos Carrasco might be in next season’s rotation, but he also may have to start the year in Columbus based on his performance in September.  Jason Knapp, the so-called “key to the deal” had shoulder surgery a couple of months ago, and was in Class A ball anyway.  He is years away from appearing in the big leagues.

 

It would be one thing if Shapiro had received players who would impact the big league roster in 2010 for Lee.  He didn’t, and by the way, he still needs a starting pitcher…like Cliff Lee.

 

MW

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2009-10 season last night with high expectations…and a loss to the Boston Celtics.  While a victory would be have been nice, and needed with the success of our football and baseball teams, no one should be hanging their heads in shame over this loss.

 

Remember, the Cavs started last season 1-2, and finished 66-16.

 

The wine and gold looked like a team that was trying to figure out a way to play with each other.  You have to realize they changed 40% of their starting lineup with Shaquille O’Neal at center and Anthony Parker playing the #2 guard spot in place of Delonte West.

 

There was no rhythm to the offense with the guards ever mindful of O’Neal’s presence in the middle, as it seemed they were trying to force the ball inside instead of looking for shots.  Mo Williams took just eight field goal attempts, only one in the fourth quarter.  He needs to be getting 12-15 shots per night.

 

The Cavs shot just 41% for the night, and if you remove LeBron James’s 12 for 22 effort from that total, the rest of the guys wearing wine and gold shot 29%.  That’s not going to win a lot of games. 

 

The attack was stagnant, with the offense regressing into James handling the ball outside the three-point arc and initiating the play rather than getting the ball below the foul line and finishing.  LBJ had eight assists, but he would better served attacking the rim that playing out on the perimeter.

 

There is no question the team needs Delonte West healthy.  West provides an alternative at the point guard spot, and can share the ball handling responsibilities with Williams when both are in the game.  He’s also a very good defender.  That’s why the team is interested in Antonio Daniels, because Daniel Gibson simply cannot handle the ball well or start the offense.  Gibson had no assists in 13 minutes last night.  But keep in mind, Daniels is not a replacement for West.

 

Working new guys into the mix is not an excuse.  The Cavs have to be mentally tougher when things aren’t going well, and I think for the most part they are and they will be.  The coaching staff also has to recognize when the offense is back to the “everyone watches LeBron dribble”, and get back into a normal flow.

 

Also, Mike Brown played James too much, putting too much emphasis on this opening game.  In fact, when LBJ is pounding the ball outside, perhaps the coach should take him out and force other guys to get involved in the offense. 

 

Still, it’s just one game, and it was a game played against one of the NBA’s elite teams.  When you are playing these teams, you have to bring your “A” game, and the Cavs didn’t do that last night.  However, as they become more accustomed to playing together, they will get better as a team. 

 

Of course, the national “experts” have probably eliminated the Cavaliers from title contention.  Let them.  This team has talent, and will play better, probably starting tonight against Toronto.  Don’t worry, this season shapes up as one to enjoy.

 

JK

 

 

That's the best adjective that can be used to describe yesterday's 31-3 beating handed to the Cleveland Browns by the Green Bay Packers.  The word can be applied to the team's play on offense, defense, and the coaching philosophy.  If you have tickets to any of this team's remaining game, why would you use them outside of the cash used to buy them.  The Cleveland Browns are unwatchable as a sports product.

 

While most rational people did not expect a playoff appearance this season, nor did they figure a winning season was possible, what the fans thought would happen was improvement.  After seven games, this football team has taken a step backwards, and I, for one, would like to hear a good reason from Eric Mangini as to why this team is not better than the one who played for Romeo Crennel in 2008.

 

Their were very few dropped passes yesterday, and still Derek Anderson stunk the joint out.  He is becoming the Scott Mitchell of the 00's, having one good season, and fooling a lot of people in the process.  Anderson missed open guys, forced throws in to coverage, and had another game where he completed less than half of his throws.  This is despite hitting his first five passes.  After that beginning, DA went 7 of 24 through the air.  Those are simply not up to standards for an NFL quarterback.

 

This week or at least during the bye week, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should be removed of his duties.  Last week, the Browns were most effective using the "wildcat" formation.  This week, it was used just once.  Was Daboll trying to show how smart he is by confusing Green Bay and not putting the ball in Josh Cribbs' hands?  Cribbs isn't a receiver, but he gains yardage on the ground.  To not use him in this capacity tells me the Browns are not trying to win games.  There is a different agenda here. 

 

I don't know what it is, but moving the ball doesn't seem to be a priority.  The Browns have gained less than 200 yards in five of their seven games.  Something has to be changed.

 

The worst attribute a coach can have is stubbornness.  At what point will Mangini see that what he is doing is not working and try something else.  So far, he has changed one position, the quarterback.  That move has not brought about any difference,  save for the Cincinnati game where the offense showed some life. 

 

When Anderson was named the starter, supposedly it was because Quinn checked down to the tight end and running backs too much.  Yesterday, nine of Anderson's 12 completions went to running backs (four to Jerome Harrison, one to Lawrence Vickers) and tight ends (two to Michael Gaines and two more to Greg Estrandia).  So...

 

The coaching staff seems content to shove Jamal Lewis down our throats, eschewing the use of Harrison or the wildcat formation.  Harrison and Cribbs touched the ball on offense nine times in 52 plays.  Gee, wonder why they averaged less than three yards per play.

 

Defensively, Mangini brought in some former Jets (Kenyon Coleman and Eric Barton) to help shore up the run defense.  That hasn't worked either.  The Cleveland Browns are getting run over on a weekly basis to the tune of 170 yards per game.  And if you can't stop the ground game, you simply cannot be a good defensive unit.  Oh yeah, the secondary can't cover either, continuing to allow big chunks of yardage, yet rookie Coye Francies, impressive in the pre-season, can't get on the field. 

 

The only unit playing well is the special teams with Cribbs and punter Dave Zastudil leading the way.  The team's most effective play in a kickoff return.  Think about that one.

 

Regardless, Eric Mangini needs to give us some answers.  This team not only isn't as good as last year, they aren't as good as the team that started the season.  That's on the coaching staff.  They are getting overmatched on a weekly basis. 

 

This is a team in full reverse.  However, they have a lot of draft picks next year.

 

JD

 

 

 

 

Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro has narrowed his list of managerial candidates to four names:  Former Washington skipper Manny Acta, former Rangers and Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Dodgers’ bench coach Don Mattingly, and the Tribe’s AAA skipper Torey Lovullo.  All are interesting names with different backgrounds.

 

The thought here is that Acta is the frontrunner, although the team is still going through the interview process.

 

Acta’s record looks terrible, but you have to remember that the Nationals are one of the worst run franchises in baseball.  He went 73-89 in his first year, and followed that up with a 59-102 record in 2008, before getting fired at the all-star break with Washington sporting a 26-61 record. 

 

Before you dismiss Acta, remember that Casey Stengel didn’t have a sterling record as a manager before taking over the Yankees, and Terry Francona was run out of Philadelphia before leading the Red Sox to two world championships. 

 

I have no idea how Acta runs a game, but he managed with horrible talent, and didn’t win.  That’s not a crime.

 

Valentine seems like an odd fit for the Indians, but maybe he is the “different” voice the Tribe needs.  He’s had some initial success in turning losing teams into winners, and won a pennant with the Mets in 2000.  He took over the Rangers, a seventh place team in 1985 (he managed the last 129 games) and guided them to second in 1986.  He had five finishes over .500 in eight years.

 

With the Mets, he inherited a team that finished 78-84 in 1996, and guided them to five straight winning seasons before being let go following the 2002 campaign.  He’s a baseball lifer.

 

However, he probably didn’t help himself with the front office by admitting he knows little about the Indians’ players and the other teams in the Central Division.  In an organization that prides itself on preparedness, this didn’t help Valentine.

 

Mattingly has an impressive resume as a player, but has not managed at the big league level.  He has been on Joe Torre’s coaching staff with the Yankees and Dodgers, but has always been in the background, and has always been involved with big market franchises. 

 

I doubt Shapiro will take a chance on someone who hasn’t managed before. 

 

Which brings us to Lovullo, who probably is really being considered for a position on the new skipper’s coaching staff rather than as a manager.  Lovullo has managed in the Tribe farm system for a long time, but it would be a tough sell to the ticket buying public to hire a minor league manager whose team finished last in the International League last season.

 

Look, hiring a manager is important, but it’s more important to acquire talent, particularly starting pitching.  The previous manager’s biggest weakness in my opinion was handling the pitchers, especially the bullpen.  So, hopefully the guy Shapiro picks will be better in that regard. 

 

Still, no one would win if there weren’t better talent, especially in the starting rotation.  You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.  Just ask the guy who will likely be the Tribe’s 40^th manager, Manny Acta.

 

KM

 

The Denver Broncos hired a new coach this year and they are currently 6-0.  Josh McDaniels, the former Patriot offensive coordinator and a northeastern Ohio native has made some changes in the Mile High City, and as of this point in the season, those alterations have had a profound effect.

 

Meanwhile, back here in Cleveland, the Browns hired a new coach and they are struggling along at 1-5.  Eric Mangini, a former Patriot defensive coordinator and head coach of the New York Jets, has made sweeping changes here and seems willing to make more. 

 

Will the Browns ever reach the heights the Broncos are now enjoying?

 

McDaniels even traded his so-called “franchise” quarterback, Jay Cutler, received what many would consider a journeyman in return in Kyle Orton, and still Denver in winning.  Most experts thought the Broncos were devoid of talent going into the season, yet here they sit as one of the NFL unbeaten teams after six weeks.

 

Because of the trade, McDaniels picked up an extra first round pick, and although Robert Ayers and Knowshon Moreno are both contributing, they haven’t been difference makers.  Why have the Broncos zoomed to the top of the AFC, while the Browns look to be preparing for another top ten pick in the 2010 NFL Draft?

 

Both teams have outstanding tackles to anchor the offensive line in Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady.  However, the Broncos have better skill players, such as Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal at wide receiver.  The Browns have nobody of this ilk, and in fact, traded one of their few playmakers in Braylon Edwards. 

 

The difference is McDaniels looked at his roster, saw talent there, and decided to work with it, making some additions of players he liked.  Mangini decided to gut the roster, and bring in only guys he was comfortable working with.  That process takes more time.  Whether it will be more successful in the long run, only time will tell.

 

Coaches earn their money but handling some difficult players, something Mangini doesn’t seem to want to do.  McDaniels worked things out with Marshall, one of the many diva wide receivers in the NFL.  For Mangini, if you aren’t a certain type of player, then you are out of here.  Good coaches look at the talent available, and figure out how to get the most out of it.

 

Also, gutting the roster and getting draft picks in return seems like a good strategy, but you have to make the correct picks.  So far, no one can feel confident that the Browns will cash in on the extra picks they have accumulated.  The fact that out of the three second round picks from this past draft, only one is a regular contributor (Mohammed Massaquoi), doesn’t give fans a sense of optimism. 

 

Mangini’s method may ultimately work, but from a fans’ standpoint, most people were looking for improvement in 2009.  The people in Denver have seen a big step up, the people in Cleveland have not as of yet.  Most people thought the Browns underachieved last season, and the right coaching would lead to more wins.

 

As of now, it’s difficult to make that case.

 

JD

 

We have been a proponent over the past few years that a successful football team needs to run the ball to win, especially in the division the Cleveland Browns are in, the AFC North.  The past two weeks, coach Eric Mangini's squad has shown improvement in that area, having 100 yard rushers in each game.  Even in yesterday's 27-14 defeat in Pittsburgh, Cleveland averaged 4.0 yards per carry. 

 

The "wildcat" formation worked well in the first quarter yesterday, but after Josh Cribbs finally threw a couple of passes, and God forbid, one was picked off, the formation was shelved until midway through the third quarter.  That's a coaching mistake.

 

However, they have no passing game whatsoever. 

 

Yes, they did show some improvement because they completed two passes in the first half of the game, compared to two successful throws in the entire game against Buffalo.  That meant in their last six quarters of football, the Cleveland Browns completed just four passes.  Collegiate wishbone attacks of the 1970's and 80's had a better throwing game.  It really is absurd.

 

The Browns put together a nice drive in the third quarter by passing with Derek Anderson hitting a long one to Mohammed Massaquoi to set up a TD toss to FB Lawrence Vickers to cut a Steeler lead to ten points.  However, that was pretty much it in the air, as Brian Daboll's "air attack" netted just 106 yards for the game.

 

The thing we've learned is it doesn't matter who the quarterback is, Anderson or Brady Quinn, the offense philosophy designed by Daboll is archaic at best.  Experienced receivers or not, there have to be play designed to get guys open.  I believe we have found Bernie Kosar's first assignment in his new position with the organization.  Design a pass pattern that will result in an open receiver.

 

In regards to the quarterback, he continues to have problems playing decent on the road.  This is a problem because the NFL mandates that half of a team's games are away from home.  He also continues to struggle on short passes with touch.  Chansi Stuckey was said to have "dropped" a ball that he got one hand on running a short, maybe 10-yard pattern.  He really didn't have a chance to catch the ball, it was a poor pass.

 

Defensively, you knew it was a bad day when Kamerion Wimbley was sent home with the flu.  The team missed his pressure, although David Bowens did okay putting some heat on Ben Roethlisberger.  There were open receivers all day long in the porous Browns' secondary, as Big Ben threw for 417 yards.  Many times, Steeler receivers didn't have a Cleveland player within ten yards of them, as the coverage schemes were ineffective.

 

The defense did control the running game, holding Pittsburgh to under four yards per attempt, and that includes a 21-yard end around by Mike Wallace, who gained some extra yards after a missed tackle by CB Brandon McDonald, who Deion Sanders thinks is a poor tackler.  Seriously, McDonald's tackling is a huge problem which may land him on the bench next week.

 

Despite his interception, Cribbs was the bright spot of the game.  He ran for 45 yards in six attempts, and scored on another kick return, this one for 98 yards on a kickoff.  He is clearly one of the Browns' best players regardless of position.  Mangini and Daboll should be getting him the ball from scrimmage at least 10 times per game.

 

Who knows what the score of this game would have been had Pittsburgh not turned the ball over four times?  It could have been 48-14.  The Steelers looked like a sloppy football team yesterday, and their lack of a decent running game doesn't bode well for their future success. 

 

Also, I've never seen a game where the officials blew a measurement.  The league said it was a bad camera angle, but the players who were a yard away from the chains didn't have a bad angle.  It was a terrible call and hopefully the NFL will apologize for it this week.

 

In the same vein, maybe the Browns will also say they are sorry they haven't put in a passing offense.

 

JD 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you a fan that is depressed about the terrible state of the Cleveland Browns?  Are you still upset about the way the Indians’ season turned into a mess?  There is a remedy for the Cleveland sports fan, and they will start playing in less than two weeks.  There is a championship caliber team in this city, and they are the Cleveland Cavaliers!

 

They even have an owner that gets it (and is trying to bring a casino to the North Coast) in Dan Gilbert.  He understands that having star players and a great team puts people in the seats, and not vice-versa.  The Cavs front office is unafraid to take risks.  For example, they needed a post presence on offense and defense, so they went out and got Shaquille O’Neal, a future Hall of Famer. 

 

It’s reminiscent of the Indians of the late ‘90’s when John Hart would identify a weakness and owner Dick Jacobs would sign the check.

 

Can you imagine the Indians or the Browns making such a move now?

 

This team is poised to win a title.  They have the reigning league MVP in LeBron James and the aforementioned O’Neal, who has hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy four times in his illustrious career.  They have another starter who made the all-star team in Mo Williams, and their backup center has been an all-star three times (Zydrunas Ilgauskas).

 

After adding O’Neal, Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon over the summer, this is a team with few weaknesses.  And they are deep.  In fact, they can put out a second unit of Ilgauskas, second year man J.J. Hickson, Moon, West, and Daniel Gibson and beat a lot of team’s front line players. 

 

The wine and gold needed to improve their mid range shooting, so GM Danny Ferry signed Parker as a free agent.  They needed a perimeter defender to help stop the Rashard Lewis’ of the NBA, so they ink Moon as a free agent. 

 

Couple that with the improvement that Hickson has shown thus far in camp, and this is a very much-improved team from last season.  Remember, the Cavaliers went 66-16 last season.

 

Don’t be fooled by the final record either.  It would be very difficult to top those 66 victories, but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t better.  The Cavaliers under Mike Brown were always a tougher matchup in the playoffs than they were in the regular season.  Last year was the exception.  The moves made by Ferry makes the roster better for the playoffs. 

 

Many experts are saying that the Celtics and Magic are still the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference.  Let them say whatever they want.  Boston’s key players are aging.  Yes, Rajon Rondo is an improving player, but he’s not the type of player who can carry a team as of yet.  Orlando lost a key player from last season in Hedo Turkoglu and a promising young player in Courtney Lee.  Their acquisition of Brandon Bass concerns me more than getting me-first Vince Carter.

 

People forget that James will be just 25 years of age this December.  He’s still improving as a player, which has to be a frightening thought for other NBA coaches.  And you know O’Neal wants to get a complete set of rings for his hand before his former teammate Kobe Bryant.

 

Will they bring home Cleveland first title since 1964?  That’s uncertain, but what is for sure is that this edition of the Cavaliers is the best bet since those Indians teams of 1995-97 to get the job done.

 

JK

 

 

The game of baseball has a growing problem.  Not the umpiring, which has been horrible in the post-season.  Not performance enhancing drugs, which keeps rearing its ugly head with every name leaked from tests conducted several years ago.  It’s the growing disparity between the big market teams and everyone else, and the sport doesn’t seem concerned about it.

 

Commissioner Bud Selig likes to point out how only the Red Sox have won two World Series this decade (’04 and ’07), and that 22 out of the 30 MLB teams have made the post-season since 2000 as signs that competitive balance is alive and well in baseball.  That’s creative math in my eyes.

 

The problem is not how many cities have seen their teams in the playoffs over the last ten years, it’s that certain ballclubs are there every year.  The Yankees have qualified for the post-season in all but one year since 1995.  Boston and recently, the Los Angeles Angels are playoff regulars.  That’s the problem.  There is no down year for the big market teams. 

 

Supporters of the current system will point to Minnesota’s consistent success and Tampa making the World Series a year ago.  However, for all of the Twins winning, there are many more mid to small market teams struggling to be good on a yearly basis, such as the Cleveland Indians. 

 

And the Twins are the only smaller market team making the playoffs on a regular basis during this decade.  The Indians did the same thing from 1995-2001, but at that time the Tribe had one of the larger payrolls in the game.

 

In the next couple of years, great players such as Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, and Tampa’s Carl Crawford are going to hit free agency.  All of those teams have the same dilemma that the Indians had with C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez, and Cliff Lee.  Is it better to trade these guys a year early and get more in return or play out the free agent season and risk getting nothing in return? 

 

It would be a shame if these players had to go elsewhere because their contract offers will be so bloated that only the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Angels can afford them.

 

Having a strong farm system is very important for smaller market teams, but teams with money have an advantage in the draft because they can pick amateur players who are viewed by some teams as unsignable, and they can supplement their choices by signing high-ticket international free agents.  And the large market teams can use these prospects to trade in salary dumps by smaller market teams who can’t pay their star players.

 

Last year, the Yankees missed the playoffs.  They “rebuilt” by signing a former Cy Young Award winner, another serviceable starter, and a 40-home run guy.  Must be nice.  Imagine if the Indians could go out this winter and add Tim Lincecum, Prince Fielder, and Kyle Lohse.  Do you think they would be significantly better in 2010?

 

In the past, I sided with the players in baseball’s labor issues, because the owners were making way more money that the players, and competitive balance wasn’t a huge issue.  Think back to the early 1990’s.  Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Oakland were three teams making the post-season on a regular basis.  Heck, Montreal might have been the best team in baseball during the strike year of 1994.

 

This is also not to excuse the poor performance of the Indians’ organization over the past ten years.  The farm system has not been productive, and when they have spent money, it has not been spent wisely.  Being in a middle of the road market is not the only reason for the Tribe going to just one post-season since 2001, and only contending one other time in that span.

 

If things don’t change in the next collective bargaining agreement (can you say strike), the gap between the haves and have-nots is just going to get larger.  And if that happens, the chance for any team outside of the major media markets to have sustained excellence will be slim and none.  That’s not good for baseball.

 

MW

 

It’s a win.  No matter how you slice it, the Cleveland Browns won a football game yesterday, defeating the Buffalo Bills 6-3.  I wouldn’t recommend using this formula to win any other games this season, but it worked yesterday.  It’s a win.  Keep repeating, it’s a win.

 

The Browns won on a day where their quarterback completed just two passes on the afternoon.  Derek Anderson completed 2 of 17 throws for 23 yards.  Yikes!  Still, Eric Mangini got his first victory as coach of the Browns, and the team is now 1-4 for the season. 

 

The brown and orange’s best player on the day was their punter, Dave Zastudil, who pinned the Bills inside their own 5-yard line three times, and kicked the ball on the game’s deciding play, a fumble by returner Roscoe Parrish, who tried to pick up a rolling ball with less than three minutes to go.  The ensuing recovering by Blake Costanzo gave Cleveland the ball on Buffalo’s 15-yard line, and soon Billy Cundiff’s 18-yard field goal won the game.

 

The Browns had an effective running game for the second straight week gaining 171 yards on the ground, led by Jamal Lewis’ 117 yards on 31 carries.  If the running game wasn’t working, Cleveland may never have picked up a first down.   However, they struggled against the run once again, allowing 145 yards rushing by the Bills, although 40 of those were quarterback scrambles by Trent Edwards. 

 

Offensively, the third down conversion rate was terrible once again at 4 of 16 for 25%.  This is due to the total ineptness of the passing game, although to be fair, the Browns’ receivers dropped a number of catchable balls, most notably Robert Royal’s drop of a perfect Anderson pass in the third quarter which would have been a 30-yard gain.

 

The defense did hold Buffalo to just 6 of 17 third down conversions, had two more sacks, and won the turnover battle forcing three Bills’ mistakes compared to just one interception by Anderson. 

 

Completing just two passes is awful, but the offensive game plan was out of the Stone Age.  In the first half, the Browns attempted passes on first down just twice.  Granted, the running game was working, but after awhile, the Buffalo defense was stacking the middle of the line, and still offensive coordinator Brian Daboll kept jamming it in the middle.

 

Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler would have been proud of this offensive strategy.

 

At first, you figured the conservatism came from the wind conditions.  The Browns were going into the wind in the first quarter, and the philosophy would get more aggressive when the team had the wind to their backs.  But, it didn’t.  It was run the ball on first down, second down, and if the down and distance were favorable, run it again on third down.

 

Whether Anderson is calling signals, or it is Brady Quinn, this kind of attack isn’t going to make the quarterback look good.

 

Defensively, Rob Ryan’s crew was aggressive and put pressure on the Edwards all day.  Kamerion Wimbley continued his rebirth with a sack, his fourth of the season, equally his total from all last year, and just one off of his 2007 total of five.  Moving him around on defense has changed him back into the player he was in his rookie year, when he had 11 sacks.

 

Yesterday, the Cleveland Browns won with defense and special teams, a defensive coach’s dream.  However, you can’t win that way consistently in the NFL.  Still, a win is a win, and the Browns have their first one of the year.  More importantly, they have had two straight games where they have run the ball effectively, which is a must in the AFC North. 

 

If this team wants to have more success, their offensive philosophy has to get in line with the way the game is played today.  Yes, they have inexperienced receivers, but they have to develop a passing attack to be competitive week to week in the NFL.

 

JD

 

The Cleveland Indians just concluded their worst season since 1991, finishing with a 65-97 record, which included a 7-24 disaster from the first of September through the end of the campaign.  Now, it’s time to look forward to 2010 and for the first time since 2003, a new manager will be at the helm.

 

We have no idea who that will be, but hopefully it will be someone from outside the organization, a person with a fresh perspective on the talent that exists within the organization. 

 

And there is talent in the organization, without question.  Today, we want to take a look at who, barring trades, is a lock to be in the lineup or pitching staff going into the 2010 season—

 

There are three obvious fixtures in the ’10 Tribe lineup:  Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, and Grady Sizemore.  At 23 years old, Cabrera has become arguably the second best shortstop in the American League behind Derek Jeter, hitting .308 with 42 doubles.  As he gets older and stronger, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to imagine him as an 15-20 home run in the future.

 

The left-handed swinging Choo proved that last year’s outstanding second half of the season was no joke.  He batted .300 and ranked 8^th in the league in on-base percentage.  He had an OPS of 883, which is slightly higher than his career mark of 877.  He did strikeout 151 times (6^th in the AL), but says that is not acceptable.  He can hit in the middle of the order or at the top.  Pencil him into RF in 2010.

 

Sizemore suffered through an injury-plagued season and still had an OPS of 788.  He is also just 27 years old, the same as Choo.  Yes, he strikes out too much and his arm is weak, but he is still a very productive player.  The new manager may want Sizemore’s extra base power in the middle of the order, but he will most definitely be in the lineup next season.

 

There are several players who would probably have to play their way out of the starting lineup in spring training:  Matt LaPorta, Luis Valbuena, and Lou Marson.  LaPorta showed enough after his recall in August that he should be an everyday player in 2010, whether it is at 1B or LF.  Valbuena surprised everyone with his pop, getting 38 extra base hits in 398 at bats.  He will be just 24 years old entering spring training, the same as Cabrera, and barring an awful time in Arizona will be the starting 2B. 

 

Marson, another youngster who will be just 24 next season, should hold down the starting catcher’s job until Carlos Santana is ready.  Marson showed a good arm, is pretty patient at the plate, and has doubles power. 

 

Assuming his shoulder gets stronger and he stays healthy, Travis Hafner will be the DH, leaving 3B and either 1B/LF open. 

 

Some would say, you forgot Jhonny Peralta, but with his poor 2009 campaign (outside of his RBI total, it was mediocre) and his inflated salary, my guess is he will be moved in the off-season leaving the hot corner vacant. 

 

Here’s hoping GM Mark Shapiro opts for a couple of veteran right-handed bats, and the current make up of the team is heavily left-handed. 

 

As for the starting pitching, I don’t think anyone should be guaranteed a job, although it David Huff and Justin Masterson should have a leg up on the competition.  If Fausto Carmona is throwing strikes in camp, then fine.  If Jake Westbrook is healthy, then he is in. 

 

It has been written that southpaw Aaron Laffey is etched in stone as a starter, but his poor finish to the season should make him another in the possibility column.  It should be an open competition, so if Carlos Carrasco and Hector Rondon are lights out in Goodyear, they should open the season with the big club. 

 

This is another area in which a veteran innings eater needs to be obtained, either by trade or free agency, because the Tribe needs a reliable starter to keep pressure off of the bullpen.  Going with five guys who haven’t proved much or are coming off injuries is a recipe for disaster.

 

It was interesting to note that among the things Shapiro listed in qualities for a new manager was handling diverse personalities and handling a bullpen.  Part of the relief woes stems from the starters’ ineffectiveness, but another problem was the manager’s use of the ‘pen.  Wedge stayed with guys not getting the job done way too long (Rafael Perez this year, Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski last year), instead of going with the hot hand.

 

If Kerry Wood is not back, and I don’t think he will be, that puts guys like Chris Perez and Tony Sipp in line to close games.  It would not be a surprise if Jose Veras and Jess Todd were in the mix late in games as well.  Todd was handled poorly, being sent out for an extra inning many times after a good inning early in his call up instead of letting him build some confidence. 

 

The Cleveland Indians do not have a lot of money to spend because attendance will be down after a disappointing season.  Therefore, they have to use their resources wisely, and not pay big salaries to superfluous people.  They need starting pitching.  Here’s hoping they figure out a way to get some reliable arms.

 

KM

 

The Cleveland Browns announced today that they sent controversial wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets.  The Browns get two draft picks, reportedly 3rd and 5th round picks, WR Chansi Stuckey and LB Jason Trusnik, a special teams standout in return.

 

Edwards has been a polarizing figure since he was made the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Michigan.  He had a huge year in 2007 when the team went 10-6 and just missed the playoffs, catching 80 passes for 1285 yards and 16 touchdowns.  It was his only year of over 1000 yards receiving or more than 10 touchdowns, those figures being the goals of great receivers.

 

Obviously, the alleged incident late Sunday night in a nightclub was the last straw for Eric Mangini.  That, and the way Mohamed Massaquoi played on Sunday against the Bengals.  It has been reported that Edwards would likely have been traded before the NFL trading deadline even before this latest thing.

 

Edwards mentioned last week that he would likely leave after his contract ended at the end of this season, so at least the Browns picked up some draft picks and a couple of players, instead of getting nothing if he indeed left as a free agent.

 

The former University of Michigan standout's problem was basically that he thought he was better than he really is.  Elite wide outs have seasons like 2007 every year, not once in five seasons.  Edwards seemed to act and wanted to be treated like the Larry Fitzgeralds and Terrell Owens of the NFL, and he clearly isn't in that class. 

 

Stuckey is in his third year out of Clemson, and caught 32 passes last season, scoring three touchdowns, and so far this year has caught 11 balls for 120 yards and a TD.  He is more of a slot receiver and will likely be moved into a starting role for the Browns soon.  Trusnik is from Ohio Northern, and had six tackles and a forced fumble for the Jets in 2009.

 

The extra draft picks will help bring in more talent for next season, although the team will have to do a better job in picking players than they did this year where two of three second round picks can't do anymore than play special teams.

 

Getting back to Edwards, he seems like a good kid, but he needs to decide whether or not he wants to be a great football player, or a self-promoter who happens to play football.  The Browns got tired of waiting for him to grow up. 

 

JD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cleveland Browns came close yesterday.  They showed improvement.  They didn’t get blown out.  However, they still dropped to 0-4 after yesterday’s 23-20 loss in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. 

 

By the way, they showed enough improvement to no longer be considered the worst team in the NFL (see Rams, St. Louis).

 

The recurring theme for this football team is handling the running game and third down efficiency.  In both areas, the Browns improved on one side of the ball.  They rushed for 146 yards with Jerome Harrison leading the way with 121 yards in 29 carries.  Remember that the previous regime wouldn’t use Harrison, and I believe he is one of the legitimate playmakers this team has on offense.

 

However, the Cleveland defense still could not stop the run, allowing 154 yards rushing on 30 attempts, an unacceptable average of 5 yards per carry.  The defense also allowed the biggest play of the game, Carson Palmer’s keeper on 4^th and 10 with two minutes left in overtime.

 

On third down, the defense did hold their own, allowing the Bengals to convert just 5 of 18 conversions.  To be fair, they allowed 3 of 3 fourth down conversions including the previously mentioned key play of the game.  Unfortunately, the offense could convert just 6 of 19 third downs, meaning this area of the attack still needs improvement. 

 

Yesterday’s game marked the return of Derek Anderson to the quarterback position, and the emergence of rookie wide receiver Mohammad Massaquoi.  Anderson put 20 points on the board with a solid performance marred only by an interception in the red zone in the third quarter.  That’s what you get with Anderson. 

 

Besides the pick, the Browns had to settle for a 31-yard field goal after taking possession on the Bengal 14-yard line following a 50-yard punt return by Josh Cribbs.  That’s unacceptable.  You have to come away with a touchdown in that situation.  That’s why you cannot call Anderson’s day “great”.

 

As for Massaquoi, perhaps he can become someone who can take pressure off of Braylon Edwards, who was consistently double teamed yesterday and didn’t catch a pass.  Maybe Brian Robiskie can get involved in the offense next week.

 

Defensively, the Browns put pressure on Carson Palmer, recording two sacks and holding the Bengals to a net 221 passing yards.  Not bad, considering the weapons Cincinnati has on offense.

 

The team now takes its winless season to Buffalo Sunday for a game against the Bills.  The biggest question on offense is what we will see from Derek Anderson.  In the past, he had struggled to show consistency.  His performance is the key as to the Browns hopes of getting their first win next week.

 

JD

 

 

It’s never a pleasant thing to see someone lose their job, but it’s part of the deal in professional sports.  The Cleveland Indians have had disappointing seasons the past two years, so manager Eric Wedge was fired effective at the end of this season. 

 

While we advocated letting Wedge go early this season, it’s still tough to see a good man get let go.  And Eric Wedge is a good man and a class act. 

 

It’s kind of sad that his tenure will be more remembered for the collapses at the end of the 2005 season and in the 2007 ALCS than anything else.  However, baseball is a win and loss business, and after seven seasons, Wedge lost more games than he won.

 

An online survey asked fans to assess Wedge’s performance as manager of the Indians, his strengths and weaknesses.  Given the choices, it was funny that some of the things I thought were his strong points were also liabilities.

 

I respected his day-to-day; take one game at a time mentality because it is perfect for baseball and all sports for that matter.  You can only win today’s contest, and once that game is over, you play again tomorrow.  When you think about it, he’s correct.  Fans get caught in looking at the next ten, or twenty, or a month’s worth of games, but the players and manager can’t do that.  All they can control is the game at hand.

 

On the other hand, Wedge seemed to give his players too much of the benefit of the doubt at times.  He wanted to show confidence in those players who performed well for him in the past, but at times he stuck with them too long.  Think about how long guys like Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis were trotted out there with the game on the line when they clearly were not effective.

 

This confidence extended to his coaching staff.  The only changes to the coaching staff since 2005 involved first base coaches and bullpen coaches.  Perhaps a different bench coach, hitting instructor, or pitching coach would have made a difference when things got stagnant.

 

He also seemed to only be comfortable handling one type of player.  He could have never handled the Indians of 1995-2001 with some of the wild personalities on those teams.  He was right about Milton Bradley, but he seemed concerned that Brandon Phillips would turn into a carbon copy of him.  So, he didn’t get a second chance after failing in his rookie year.

 

I’m not one of those who think Phillips is the next coming of Rogers Hornsby, but he is a quality major league player.  He didn’t get a real chance in Cleveland.

 

I also think he relates well with younger players.  His “grind it out” mantra plays better with kids just trying to establish themselves at the big league level than with veterans.  Usually, the Tribe doesn’t have a lot of experienced players, but I don’t know how seriously some veterans take this advice. 

 

His most damning problem though was getting the team off to good starts.  Only once in Wedge’s tenure have the Indians had a winning record at the end of April, and that was in 2007 the skipper’s only division title.  That meant that Cleveland was always playing catch up.  In 2005, they caught up only to hit a cool streak on the last week of the schedule, but in the other years it was too much to overcome.

 

Next year, the Indians will have a new manager for the first time since 2003.  The new man may win more games (hopefully) and may be more open with the media, but it’s doubtful he will handle the job with more class than Eric Wedge. 

 

Good luck to him and his family.

 

MW