Summer update

I don't really have anything new to say. The Indians still suck, don't look to improve anytime soon and yet I still miss watching them over the all-star break. The Cavs have signed some people and didn't sign others. It is not worth thinking about until October and then it won't matter until May anyway. I can't really get excited about the Browns but I do feel that tinge of optimism creeping up my spine. My head is doing its best to protect my heart and my liver but it can only do so much.

The fat lady is ready to belt one out

June 14 seems like it was a long time ago. That was the night Cliff Lee almost pitched a no-hitter. The Indians had taken two of three from the Cards and the general feeling around town was things were starting to come together.

The Indians have won twice since then. Twice. And one of those wins was against the Pirates when the Tribe led 5-0 in the ninth and let it get to 5-4 with the bases loaded and full count before getting the win.

The season will continue on but all hope of meaningful games is lost. I have been ignoring the calls for Eric Wedge's head because well frankly it doesn't seem to be his fault. Listening to a mob never makes sense. But when the All-Star break rolls around it might be time to do a mercy killing. Let Wedge shuffle off before his stress gives him health problems. I know Wedge is not a quitter so the plug needs pulled for him. I don't blame Wedge for everything but for what needs to be done, he is not the right guy to do it. Wedge is too invested. A new interim manager is needed for what has to happen next.

The new manager should be Torey Lovuvollo or better yet if they could convince him Ellis Burks. Whoever it is, they should be told a simple truth. You are here to develop talent for the rest of the season. You are not going to be the manager next year. Forget about playing veterans because they are veterans. We need to see what the kids can or can't do. There is no reason to be hero and to try and manage a miracle. Show patience and encourage.

If you are going to waive the white flag and I don't see how you couldn't at this point, you have to completely surrender. By that I mean you can't still tinker and try different players at different spots to squeeze out wins. You take your lumps and let kids play.

For me that would be the end of Indians careers for Ryan Garko, Jamey Carroll, Jhonny Peralta, Ben Francisco and Kelly Shoppach for starters. All would be trade bait if you could move them. Outside of Peralta none of them have a future on this club past this year but I have tired of Peralta's act. I like Carroll but his type is a dime a dozen and if I can get value for him now I will. And even though he may be more productive than others, I need his at-bats for youngsters. I doubt anyone would be willing to trade for Pronk but I would listen.

From the Columbus the obvious is to call up Toregas to catch, LaPorta to play left and Brantley to play center field. I know LaPorta is back to being a first baseman. But I want to see if Toregas can handle a big league staff and I am shutting down Grady Sizemore for the rest of the year. There is no need for him to play with symptoms. Schedule his surgery for the day of the all-star game and get to healing. Martinez is the one guy I don't want to trade and I think his future is at first base. In the category I can't believe I am saying this call up Andy Marte and play him every day for four weeks. Maybe we will get lucky and he will find it or at least show enough promise to get value for him. Gimenez can backup the outfield spot and first base. Cabrera and Valbuena are penciled in as the double-play combo for the present and future. Shoo and Martinez are the leaders for the kids to follow. I dangle Cliff Lee but refuse to pull the trigger on a trade until I am overwhelmed. Lee can be valuable next season but I don't see him saying in 2011 so if some contending team wants to overpay I let them. But I am not giving him away.

No one wants to rebuild. But the only thing worse is refusing to acknowledge that a rebuild is needed. If you half-ass it, it just extends the losing. Right now I would rather watch kids try and fail then what the Indians are putting on the field. Give me a reason to hope for 2010 and beyond. Quit beating a dead horse.

If you want to make a change, you have to make a complete change.

In Danny I trust

I try to stay out of the silly season. At this point I trust Danny Ferry knows more than me. I know Dan Gilbert is willing to spend whatever it takes. I think they will do the smart thing.

I love how Charlie V has become the fan favorite. I am not saying I don't want him. I am just not sure he is the right guy at the right price for the right time. If signing him long term hurts us in the future to stay competitive than don't sign him. The kid has talent, I am just not sure he has championship makeup. He might be a get the money and shut it down type of guy. Look at Charles Boozer, he took the money from the Utah and then has acted like a baby ever since. Charlie has been a head case in Milwaukee. He tweets, he loses his cool in the wrong moment and he wasn't afraid to burn bridges.

If you want to put all your eggs in next year, I am OK with that if we win. I would almost prefer one year contracts for LeBron's last contract year. Keep flexible for the future. Basketball will be played in 2010 and beyond. If the Cavs do sign Charlie V, I will accept it is because Ferry did his homework. If we don't then it will be because Charlie wants cash not championships and I am OK with him elsewhere in that case.

But I know the fans will cry bloody murder if the Cavs don't sign him. And frankly I could care less what the rest of the fans think at this point.

Ramblings

Now snob isn't a word I would use to describe myself, but I guess who in their right mind would? Elitist has even worse connotations to me. I certainly don't consider myself better or superior than other people.

Yet I am finding harder and harder to sit in a room and listen to other people talk sports. I read sports forums out of boredom and learned a long time ago not to respond to idiotic responses or takes. Jim Rome has helped ruin sports. People can't discuss sports anymore. Everyone has to have a take and bring it hard. Around the Horn is speeding up the demise. There are idiots out there that think that show is news and Gospel. This attitude has creeped down to local hosts so where guys that seemed normal like Michael Reghi now just scream into mike. I can turn off the TV, the Internet and the radio. But unless I hide in my cave, it is hard to turn off loud people in public.

Thursday my power went out. It was too dark to read so I ventured out into the world. The first bar had a guy who bet a week's pay that in the Cavs first 15 games next season, Z would start more games then Shaq because "We wouldn't do that to Z."

Now that guy was mostly harmless. I could deal with that guy. But the crowd in my regular bar wasn't the regular crowd. I could take only so many Michael Jackson jokes* and talk of the Big Walleye coming off the bench.

*With my Internet out, I got a text that said "Mike Jackson died." Instantly I was crushed thinking that the former Indians relief pitcher died. I really liked that guy so I wrote back, "The relief pitcher?" And was promptly called an idiot and told that it was Michael Jackson who died. And my next thought was the Browns receiver? Seriously it never occurred to me to consider the singer.

So I moved to another bar. I sat in the middle. To my right where two older gentlemen watching the final innings of the Tribe game. To my left and down a couple of seats were four younger guys who obviously couldn't hold their liquor. They were also watching the game but also were talking about the draft.

Now the sound was off but so was the jukebox. There was no hiding from their conversation. Or to be more accurate - a series of shrieking yells.

I will spare you the details. But after a half hour of nonsense and whining. The Indians lost the game. And the reason the Indians lost the game was clearly Eric Wedge's fault. See after the Pirates stole third, Wedge had to walk the batter. HE HAD TO LOADED THE BASES FOR THE FORCE.

This one guy started screaming that Wedge had to be fired on the spot. Everyone knows you walk the hitter to load the bases with one out so you can get a force.

I should have stayed out of it. I had nothing to gain. But he was so loud and he was saying this after the fact. He didn't say it right when the steal happened. And his buddies were just slurping it up. And did I mention he was so loud. In a bar with just seven guys and a bartender. It should not be that loud.

So I said, "Sir do you know what the count was?"
And he said, "What?"
"Do you know what the count was?"
And his friend said it was "1-2"
"You wanted to intentionally walk a guy you were ahead in the count of."
"No I wanted to walk him before the first pitch?"
"When their were runners on just second and first."
"No they stole third?"
"In the middle of the at bat."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh"

Now my logic wasn't completely sound. And I don't even know it was 1-2 or 1-1. But I spoke calmly and it was enough to shut up them for a little while. And the old guy sitting next me nodded thanks and we started discussing sports. It was calm. It was friendly. It was nice. We talked about how Shaq would fit in. We talked about how the kid from Italy was really from Compton. We talked about Minnesota drafting every point guard they could find.

Meanwhile the guys on the other end were rallying. They were screaming about how the Cavs had to draft one of the Pitt guys. Notice they didn't say which one. They had no clues what their names were. But Jay Bilas or someone said they were good so they had to be the pick. The older guy asked me who I wanted and I told him, "Honestly I think Danny Ferry has researched this more than me. I will trust him."

And when the pick was announced as Christian Eyenga from the Congo, the guys at the other end of the bar, just like all the callers on the radio and all the posters on the Internet went nuts. Ferry is an idiot. Ferry should be fired. Every Cleveland GM and Coach sucks.

Seriously. Ferry trades for Shaq in the morning without giving up anything useful and now he is an idiot who needs to be fired. What because you have heard of these other guys they must be better? It is like the NFL draft and the fans wanting Rey Maualuga. Not only did the Browns trade down time after time but every other team passed on him too. And who took him the Bengals which would be the one team these same fans would claim are dumber than the Browns.

Whoever the Cavs took at 30 wasn't getting major minutes this season. And whatever minutes he got would be gone in the playoffs. Just look at our two rookie posts from this past season. Eyenga may never play but I like the risk. Why waste a pick on the bench when the plan is to sign veteran help to boost the bench. Ferry now has several guys stashed in Europe and if one of them turns into a player, it will look genius. Ferry was with the Spurs and no one has been better at getting foreign players. I will trust him.

I hear people talk about slots. How you can't take a 60 rated guy in the 30th spot. Why not? You know your needs. Why take the 30th ranked guy by ESPN when you have found a guy you like and think will work. If it doesn't work you will get fired but you are going to get fired some day anyway. You might as well trust your gut instead of the crowd. Plus if these draft experts were that smart, they would be GMs and not draft experts.

Tonight the Indians traded Mark DeRosa. The uninformed saw we got a relief pitcher with a high ERA. Oh the naughty words they sprayed over the web. F Dolan. F Shapiro. F Wedge. F Cleveland.

I know this town loves guys that are traded. In April, they were going nuts about sending three pitching prospects for a guy (DeRosa) who can't hit or field. Now they are moaning about trading one of our only good hitters who can play anywhere in the field. All these people who wrote off the Indians last week are now complaining we are waving the white flag.

Um Shapiro just turned around a guy, who is a free agent after the season and was had for minor prospects, for a live arm that at the start of season was the Cards third rated prospect and possible closer in waiting plus another player to be named later that Shapiro said was a significant part of the deal.

Does the trade make the last place Indians worse right now? Yes but it makes great sense for the future. And you may not have heard but there will be a next year.

Not everything Ferry or Shapiro have done has worked. You can question a lot of their moves. But you can't argue that they don't work their asses off. Ferry blew up his team two years ago and it made the Cavs real contenders. He saw it wasn't working and tried something else. Shaq may not work but Ferry is doing what ever he can. It is harder to believe in Shapiro. But I have agreed with most of his moves. They haven't worked. I don't know why Sizemore hasn't become a super star. I don't know why Peralta forgets how to hit sometimes. I don't know why every relief pitcher he signs starting walking everyone and every veteran bat he signs stops hitting. It is getting harder to blame that all on bad luck. But Shapiro has made some great trades. I trust him on trades.

I don't know why I bothered to write all this. Why I continue to post. But it has to be healthier than going to a bar where people don't know you and screaming YOU SUCK at the TV.

Shaq comes to Cleveland

Processing this Shaq deal has been tough. I have lots of mixed emotions. But I guess it boils down to this: Danny Ferry just got a Hall of Fame center for nothing.

We can talk about everything else later. But today the Cavs got a big man who can bang for Ben Wallace - who is retiring, Sasha - who the Suns cut and a second round pick that wasn't going to get in the rotation any way.

Now I know the first thought is too little too late. If only the Cavs had made this trade in February, we might be hoisting a banner. Maybe but that deal would have cost a lot more. Yes the Cavs may have over estimated family values back in February but Ferry learned a valuable lesson. Today he upgraded his roster and he did it without sacrificing any talent.

I understand Shaq is no longer the player he was but if LeBron can make Andy Varejao look good what will he do for Shaq. LeBron will find the Big Man the ball. This move also helps Z. Both Shaq and Z can play less minutes in the regular season saving their old bones for the playoffs.

This move does other thing as well. The Cavs tried the "we are family approach" last year. We heard how much everyone loved each but the truth was they didn't get it done. I expect a more mercenary approach this season. Rasheed Wallace, a man Cavs fans love to hate, will be the next big name to join the Wine and Gold. This team next season will not feel like a Cleveland team. It has been weird enough to have one superstar like LeBron, next season I expect will be like a year long Rock tour. There will be bright lights non stop. Having Shaq around I think will also help with the New York media spreading the LeBron is leaving rumors. Shaq will lighten the mood. This past season the Cavs never felt pressure until Orlando. It was a feel good story that hit a brick wall. Next season the pressure will be overwhelming from game one. The just one goal motto has real meaning now. Come next spring, I expect the Cavs to be a completely different team mentally.

Whether LeBron stays or goes, no one in Cleveland can control that. Danny Ferry is at least being pro-active. He is not standing pat. He is not going to just give it the old college try. He is showing LeBron I will do whatever I can go to give you the pieces to win. Shaq is here for one year. He is here to one-up Kobe, get one more ring and ride out into the sunset. After next season, if LeBron stays. Shaq's expiring contract can be turned into another big man in free agency.

But we have months to mash this all out. Bottom line is Danny Ferry got Shaq for nothing. That can't be bad.

Why I will never listen to Bob Frantz again

So this post is something completely different than it was supposed to be. It is late and I am sure I have more mistakes than usual in this post. I took a road trip with my father today. We drove to Pittsburgh and got there before the gates opened. We enjoyed the waterfront, we enjoyed batting practice, we even enjoyed the people who sat around us. We sat three rows from the field in the left field bleachers. It was almost a perfect day.

Then the ninth inning happened. I cannot and will not describe what happened. You can find that elsewhere. The important part is the ninth started with the Indians ahead 5-0. One Pirate fan all game kept telling everyone who would listen, "No worries. The Indians have to pitch in the ninth. Everything will be alright." He started saying this in the third inning.

Fast forward to its 5-4, the bases are loaded and it is a full count. I have to fast forward there because I was this close to falling into the fetal position and checking out mentally. This was the quietest crowd I had ever seen. Even as the ninth progressed. They never got that excited. I knew what was happening and they didn't seem to figure it out until the near end. They didn't even stand up until the bases were loaded. But those moments were almost too much for me. I thought this is what hell has to feel like. I wanted to be anywhere else. I was dreading the walk to the car. I was in that city at Peter's Pub when the Browns choked away the game in 2007 and that walk through those people for several blocks was the longest of my life.

But the Pirate batter who had earlier in the inning dumped one in the river popped up and the Indians won. Even when we win it feels like a loss.

So we get in the truck and head for home. I turn on WTAM. Now I have for the most part stopped listening to sports talk radio. It is too frustrating to me. I don't really care for any of the hosts or just about any of the callers. Now I used to listen to Extra Innings. I didn't always agree with Kevin Keane but I could accept him. Now every time I have ever heard Bob Frantz whether it be in the mid mornings or for Browns pregame or the handful times on Extra Innings, I didn't really care for him. He seems like a guy who knows a little about a lot of things, maybe just enough to be dangerous. But he doesn't seem like he knows a lot about any one thing. Now while I didn't always line up with Keane, he seemed to be to be a guy who couldn't believe he was being paid to talk about sports while Frantz is a guy who is paid to talk about sports. The difference to me is huge. It is why I love Tom Hamilton --mistakes and all-- and despise Joe Buck. Whether Tommy is talking Tribe or calling Big Ten basketball -- he is loving it. The man likes sports. Joe Buck was born into a family business. He doesn't even like sports that much. His call of the David Tyree Super Bowl catch is the perfect example. Could you imagine if Hamilton got to make that call? I don't know how many times at a game when something cool happens my brother has said to me "Tommy is going nuts right now."

So Frantz is not someone I listen to a lot. But there I was trapped in traffic trying to get out of enemy territory. And he starts using Hamilton's words out of content. Frantz wants to blame Eric Wedge. I don't agree but hey he gets paid to have an opinion. He rants and raves about Huff not pitching the ninth. Personally I was surprised Wedge sent Huff out for the eighth. Huff was already over 100 pitches after seven. And with the way our organization and 28 others are now babying pitchers especially rookie pitchers -- I said to my dad, "This is a guy managing for his job." I knew there was no way Huff would pitch the ninth. Now I know that pisses Bob Feller off but the game has changed. That was organizational policy -- it may be bullshit -- but it is the way things go now. If Wedge had sent Huff out you know the Internet would attack him. How dare you test a rookie arm for the sake of your job? To me Wedge sending Huff out for the eighth was a huge sign of his distrust in the bullpen. And I would bet if the lead was 2-0, Wedge may have said screw it and sent the kid out there. But up 5-0 despite the hellish season our pen has had, you have to trust them. It is their job. And when Herges failed, Wedge had to send in Wood. That is Wood's job. He gets paid a lot of money. He has pitched awful but you have to hand your closer the ball. While everyone else has given up on this team, Wedge has to believe. He has to send out guys to do their jobs until they pry the job from his cold dead hands. Wedge is a baseball guy. He may not be a good manager. But even with everything failing around him, he has to believe in what he believes in. You can't change styles or your rules to pacify an angry mob. If you listen to sports columnists, bloggers or radio show hosts you are going to get fired anyway. You might as well stick to your guns and get fired doing what you believe in.

Now I raised my eyebrows when Frantz went off how I couldn't believe his eyes when Herges walked out. Oh Frantz was foaming at the mouth. Now Frantz gets paid to talk about the game afterwards. Did he not notice we pinched hit for Huff in the top of the inning? So he was either taking creative license just to make a point or he wasn't paying attention. Neither is good. Anyway Frantz went on and on. For him keeping in Huff was a no brainer. For me Wedge did what any other manager in 2009 would have done. This is not the 70s.

But then Frantz crossed a line. He said he screamed himself hoarse cheering for the Pirates because the Indians did not deserve to win the game.

Now I understand getting mad. I understand turning off games and not watching anymore. I can accept someone saying I am not spending my money or my time on this team anymore. But never once has it occurred to me to cheer against a Cleveland team. You want to give up? You want to move on? OK, fine. But to turn on them because you didn't like a move? To openly root for Pittsburgh. No that is not OK.

I waited a moment for him to calm down. But he repeated it. He screamed until he was hoarse wanting us to lose. And I clicked off the radio.

Bob Frantz is done for me. Anytime I turn on WTAM and I hear his voice I will turn off the station. I am not saying this in anger. I am not saying this as a threat. Bob Frantz is not someone I want to know. Whether he was saying it because he thought it made good radio or he said it because he lacks character or he even thinks he is right, it doesn't really matter to me. Whether I agreed with Keane or not, I knew he was a fan. I believed Keane's passion. I think Frantz is full of crap. You don't have to be sports fan to work in sports radio. I get that. Frantz has the right to have any job he can get. If WTAM wants to hire him for Extra Innings may they do so forever. I won't protest. I won't tell others not to listen. But when I hear his voice, I will turn off the radio. Bob Frantz is allowed to have an opinion but I don't want to hear it. What he thinks is meaningless to me.

When the Indians game is over, for me personally, I want a Cleveland guy on the air. I don't have to agree with him. I don't even have to like him. But I want a Cleveland guy. A Cleveland guy might get pissed, he might want to fire everyone, he may threaten to quit watching. But a Cleveland guy never ever screams himself hoarse hoping a Cleveland team loses to a team from Pittsburgh. EVER.

You don't get a second chance for that.

Go Tribe!

The Tribe has lost six in a row. Message boards are overflowing with calls for the heads of Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro. The bandwagon is nearly empty. The season has been declared lost. And it seems like anyone with Internet connection has declared themselves done with the team until the manager is fired, the general manager is fired or the owners sell the team.

And yet at as 7 p.m. rolled around I found myself missing the fact there was no game. There is something about baseball that the other sports miss. There are only 16 Browns games. So each contest is the end all be all. You get full of passion and find yourself ready to hit something. After each game you find yourself exhausted filled with either anger or joy depending on how the game ended. For the Cavs you never know when they are going to play. The schedule makes no sense. There is no rhyme or reason. There is no flow. And the whole regular season is nothing but one long rehearsal. Eight teams in each conference get in and then play those long series that make the regular season almost irrelevant.

But baseball is almost every day. Yesterday is forgotten quickly as momentum is today's starting pitcher. I won't say that I accept losing but over the years I have had a lot of practice at it. Losing doesn't bother me as much in baseball than in the other sports. Football really sucks when your team sucks. The last half of the Browns season last year was torture. And regular season NBA can be a joke. Teams mail it in all the team. But since baseball can be such an individual sport, each game starts fresh and anything can happen. Maybe today there will be no-hitter, a triple play or a straight steal of home. Even at their worst the Indians still won 57 games and usually at least twenty more.

The Indians had three winning records during my childhood. They were 81-78 when I was three, 81-80 when I was six and 84-78 in that magical summer was I was 13 before I believed in curses. But I loved them. I loved listening to Herb Score on the radio and Joe Tait or Jack Corrigan on TV. When I got to go to a game I loved how green the grass was and the sounds of the wooden chairs I got to bang when there was rally. I love the sound of the ball hitting the bat and the thrill that a foul ball might come my way. I like to cheer the good guys and boo the bad guys. Whether I am drawing out Juuuuuuuuuuuuuulioooooooo or Choooooooooooooooo, I smile every time.

Sure I want to shoot the bullpen. I want strangle Garko or Peralta when they do something dumb. I get irritated by the stupidness of a grown man in a Ketchup costume or clueless fans that never shut up during a game. I want to win, believe me I want to win so bad that I get tears every time I watch the end of Major League.

But I love baseball. And I like watching it every day even if I know mostly likely at the end they are going to frustrate the hell out of me. Maybe these feelings are drawn out by the anger out pouring from all corners this week from all the people that jumped back on board after Lee's almost no-hitter. I have an everyday relationship with this team. I get you don't. I understand you are mad. I feel a little mad too.

So if you want to turn off the Tribe go ahead. If it ever gets better, I am sure you will be back. If you want to put Shapiro on your dart board in the privacy of your own home, go ahead. If you want to go to bars, get drunk and tell everyone how dumb Eric Wedge is after every play because you played the game and you know-- go ahead -- just stay at the other end away from me. But these gasps of organized revolt that want the fans to rise up and force to Dolans to act or sell because the people of Cleveland deserve better, just go away. Concentrate on taking care of your family. Put your energy into saving your neighborhood.

It is a game and a distraction. And I wish there was one on right now.

Snatching defeat from victory

When I left for my cousin's wedding yesterday, the Indians were ahead 7-2. Woke up to discover they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Watching the game today was like a slow burn to what seemed like inevitable result. It just seemed predestined to have Wood wander off the field in defeat.

The week began with a little bandwagon jumping. People kept telling me that things were starting to come together. "The Indians are going to win this, I can feel it."

Less than 24 hours later, the bodies started to hit the floor. After Monday's loss, the calls for Eric Wedge's head got louder and louder. And after today's defeat those same people who believed a division winner was likely told me they were done with the Tribe.

Sure the Tribe dropped five games this week -- five games that could have easily been wins. But the Indians haven't changed at all. They are still the same team. The bullpen is full of guys other teams didn't want. Injuries have forced guys into the lineup who should not be in the major leagues. Games out of first place don't mean much if you are double digits under .500. The Indians are what they are.

Not that there are not silver linings. DeRosa, Martinez and Choo are the real deal. I love this Luis Valbuena kid. Sparring injuries, the Indians should be set up the middle for years to come between Valbuena and Cabrera.

I personally don't see the point of firing Eric Wedge. I don't see how it would improve the bullpen. Putting Joel Skinner in charge changes nothing. The only reason to fire Wedge would be to waive the white flag. You would bring up Torey Lovullo to manage and lets the kids play out the string. That would mean trading DeRosa, Carroll and Shoppach. And trying to trade or just dumping Peralta, Francisco and Garko. That would mean letting Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta, Valbuena and either Wyatt Toregas or Carlos Santanna play every day and take their lumps.

You don't fire Wedge in order to make a run. The Indians have not played well but I don't buy it is because Wedge has lost the clubhouse. A new manager is not going to make our bullpen throw strikes or magically improve the baseball IQ of Peralta and Garko. If you want to make a statement and shake things up -- then fire one of those two players. It would make just as much sense.

The sad and ugly truth is the Indians are what they are -- a very flawed baseball team in a very flawed division. They were this way last Sunday and they are this way today.

Tempting fate

So the last two weeks I haven't watched much ESPN. You never know when they might start talking about an NBA final that I have no interest in. I have been getting my baseball news from MLB network.

Baseball is such a long season, it seems a little redundant to write something about every game. If the Indians are to climb out of it and get into a division pennant chase, it will be a slow build.

Tonight I went to the game at the Jake. It was my first night game of the season although the home opener did end around midnight. My last three games were all noon weekday starts and because of that there was no batting practice.

I have soft spot for batting practice. Watching towering shots. Watching kids scatter after them. The constant crack of the bat. The sense that anything can happen tonight.

When I was a kid, the Indians never had any chance of making the playoffs. But for any one game anything could happen. The Tribe could win. Someone could hit three or even four home runs. A triple play was possible, an inside the park home run or even a no hitter.

At every game I have ever attended, I have been aware there was a no hitter going until it wasn't. Sometimes the dream ended after just one pitch. But the dream was always there.

The Indians last no-hitter of course was a perfect game from Lenny Barker in May 1981. Unlike the 100,000 Clevelanders who claim to have attended the game, I missed it. In fact I didn't even watch the game. Even since I was a young child I have listened to or watched 98 percent of all Indians game I have been in town for. But I missed the perfect game because my mother and my sister wanted to watch the Gilligan Island reunion movie. I know the Globetrotters were in the movie and I will never forget when the bottom line scroll typed out -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Len Barker has just pitched a perfect game. I screamed. Even at eight year old, I knew my life would be defined by what I missed.

Now I have seen in person a no hitter. Well I watched most of it. In high school I worked as a vendor at Cleveland Stadium. And one game I noticed early what was happening and it was a slow business day so I quit early and found a seat. So I witnessed Dave Stieb of the Toronto Blue Jays finish off his no hitter against the Tribe.

But I have always yearned for one for the good guys.

The start of the game was right out of a Hitchcock movie. Dude those gulls are scary. I watched seats to my right, to my left and right in front of me all accept bird protein. I have never in my life wanted the National Anthem to start and finish. I needed a firework and fast. Those birds were fearless before the game. You had to keep a hand on your beer at all times. I get the birds weren't on the field yet but the Indians need to protect the fans before the game as well.

And then the game started. I had a feeling before the game but like I said I have had a feeling before every game. But I went to this game specifically because of the pitching match-up. And this time that feeling built and built some more.

My friend asked me if I was aware in third and I told him to shut up. Of course I was aware. Dude, Cliff Lee was dealing. He was getting ahead. He was being efficient. The game flew by and the chance got very real.

I handled myself well. I resisted calling my brother. I stayed calm. One batter at a time. When Choo made that nice catch to end the seventh. I believed it was going to happen.

And then I looked to the giant scoreboard and like always they had some game for some random guy pulled from the stands. This time it was a trivia question. And the woman wearing some kind of 80s costume and wig asked this dude, "Who was the last Indians pitcher to throw a perfect game?"

And my jaw dropped. You could hear guys scattered across the park mumbling, "Whythehellwouldtheytemptfateandaskthatquestionwhentheycouldaskanyotherquestion?"

I asked my buddy if he thought they picked that question at random before the game because it was an 80s weekend. He was frustrated and answered, "Does it matter? Cliff Lee had to hear that?"

And sure enough the next batter leading off the top of the eight was a weak hitting catcher who promptly ripped one down the line for a double.

I have lived here long enough to know the Cleveland Curse is just in my head. But it is also in the head of every Clevelander who pays attention to sports. Why do we feel the need to tempt fate?

Before the NBA finals, Joe Posnanski -- who is a native Clevelander and most likely the best sports columnist alive-- wrote an Sports Illustrated cover story about the Cavs. Now Joe is a great writer but this column was a gimmie. He just wrote what we have all lived. He made our story accessible for everyone else. Now Joe is a true talent but thousands of us could have written that column. And many of us have. But at the end of the story he tempted fate. He did not have to but he did. He acknowledged some people may believe in curses then he asked in his story for this to be on the cover. He has taken some abuse for the aftermath. It has also allowed people from across the country to rag on Clevelanders because some of us were stupid enough to blame Joe.

Well Joe asked for it. Sure there is no curse. But everyone knows if you taunt a curse -real or not-- and your team fails you accept the ribbings of your buddies. My only problem with Joe is I felt like this is a personal thing for us Clevelanders and he talked out of school. Which is his job of course. But when you spit in the wind, you can't get upset when it lands on you. And you certainly don't tell the whole world hey spit landed on me and play the victim.

So did the scoreboard ruin Cliff Lee's no hitter tonight? Of course not. That is completely irrational. Cliff hung a pitch and well compensated professional hitter ripped it.

But for the love of God, QUIT TEMPTING FATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In other words, words are just words. Sticks and bones break bones but words can never hurt you. But at the same time there is no reason to be a dick. There are times to talk and there are times to keep your mouth shut.

In my lifetime that other city now has 10 titles. I have none. The reasons for this are varied and well-documented. But at the same time I can only handle what I can handle. My psyche is fragile. There is no reason ever to taunt fate. Curse or no curse.

But the good news is the Tribe plays again tomorrow and you never know. In the week before Barker's perfect game, Burt Blyleven lost a no hitter late. The beauty of baseball is you never know what might happen that game. There is always a chance for history.

If you watch it they will ...

So today I decided to try something old. Instead of watching the Indians game, I went on the deck and turned on the radio. There I listened to Tom Hamilton while I read a book.

It was cool. I enjoyed it but then my toes got a little cold. But I also had a nagging feeling. The score was 2-0 as the sixth started and that voice in my brain said, "Go inside, turn on the TV and the tide will turn."

I didn't listen. Tommy said the ump blew a call at third and Kansas City knocked in two more runs. I gave in to the voice and went inside.

Sure enough before I could even warm up the recliner, the Tribe scored four times to tie the game. And in the next inning DeRosa hit a salami. Tribe wins 8-4.

And I can never go outside ever again.

Back from the dead

So on my Friday my acer laptop which was two years and one month old blew up. Dead dead and not just mostly dead. So I joined the revolution and bought my first mac. 

So I didn't get to post after Saturday's game. Strangely I was the least disappointed person in the bar. I tended to be older than most in attendance so I had lived through much worse. They missed Red Right 88, only saw The Shot in a Nike ad, were in diapers or barely potty trained for The Drive and The Fumble and still in junior high for Joe Table.  Their pain is mostly of the Browns and the Indians choke jobs in 2005 and 2007. Another advantage I had over most at this bar was that I actually watched Cavs games during the season. They knew we had won a lot of games but didn't understand how we won those games. Match-ups meant nothing to them. They just knew we had more wins and LeBron. So if we lost we must have choked. 

I am not going to defend Mike Brown. I don't understand why he played who he did and when he did. But I wasn't in that locker room. I would hope he had information they didn't have. 

I know my agenda is different than most in this town. I just want one. I just need one. Which ever of the Browns, Indians or Cavs gives it to me first will change my sports fandom forever. I will leave obsessive compulsive of watching every minute of every game and dial down from a 10 to a three or a four. So if losing in six to the Magic gets me closer to that one ring I take solace in that. The Magic were better than we were. You can't color it any other way. They out played the Cavs. You tip your hat. 

I am of the belief that winning a title would make it easier for LeBron to leave. And if he wins that one title and he wants to play in New York, I will drive him myself to the Big Apple and shake his hand. The kid gave all he had against the Magic and it wasn't enough. My bet is that this summer he will find another level. He will enter the gym earlier. He will stay later. He will push his teammates harder. He will care less about being a family and become more like Mike and find ways to will better play from his teammates. He will push for better players to join him. Regardless of whether he extends this summer, LeBron will be playing for a title next season. If he doesn't get one here, he knows history will look poorly on him. He knows this. He can't be what he wants if he never wins a title in Cleveland. 

If the Cavs had advanced I am not convinced they could have beaten the Lakers. Our front line got old fast in the playoffs. Our small guards got smaller in the playoffs. If having the Cavs lose in six to the Magic makes us better for next year, I am all for it.  I have waited 36 years, one more won't kill me.

But man does it suck. 

Another post

So last November, I bought six tickets for Jeff Dunham at $50 a pop. The dude cracks me up. It wasn't until the playoffs started that I realized I could have a conflict. And sure enough when the NBA released the schedule for Eastern Conference Championship series there was game five at the same time.

I mean I spent $250 on these tickets. What do I do? The show was scheduled to start at 7:30pm and the game not until 8:30pm so I thought maybe it won't be so bad. But of course it didn't start until 7:45pm and then it was just a warm-up act which was followed by a 15 minute intermission. How can you have an intermission before the show even starts?

I checked the score on my cell and the Cavs were up 22. Nice! I felt a lot better. I checked again and it was 1-point game at the half. I did not feel very good. The show which was a ton of fun ended and we were down eight. I felt sick.

Got to the car and Joe Tait was there to calm me down. We got home just in time to see Boobie hit a three near the end of the third quarter.

I have no words for LeBron James. What he does and the way he goes about doing it is beyond my comprehension. There has to be an easier way but you can't argue with his results. He once again put the team and by extension the city on his shoulders.

One hurdle down. A bigger hurdle awaits on Saturday. With LeBron on our side, I like our chances.

It hit the rim

What are you going to do?

Cry. Throw things. Kick the dog. Talk about curses. Give up and go home.

Or show up on Thursday. Play hard and see what happens. The Cavs need to win three in a row.

Sure this could have easily been a sweep. But a few things here and there then the Cavs are up 3-1. But the fact is the Magic have been better. They are up 3-1. They made 17 threes tonight.

I am not going to complain about any player or any call. The Cavs can quit or the Cavs try to become the ninth out of 188 teams to come back from a 3-1.

If the Cavs can defend homecourt, they could win a game six at Orlando and then come back home.

Forget the facts. Got no other choice.

Not sure this can be titled

I am not a rational sports fan. In fact I know my relationship with sports is very unhealthy. I am an addict. I can't walk away. I understand that most people can causally watch sports. They can take joy in playoff win without watching every regular season game. They can get to the ballpark in the third inning and leave in the eighth no matter what the score is.

A few years ago I was in San Francisco on the second to last day of the regular season. Both the Giants and A's were in the playoff chase and faced must wins. My cousin and I watched both games in a sports bar. Both teams lost in Cleveland-like fashion. The Giants blew a huge lead to their arch-rivals in the ninth. The A's also lost late.

But when we left the sports bar and wandered into downtown San Francisco. No one had any idea. Their was no gloom or doom. People had too many other interests to be devastated. The next day we went to see the Browns-49ers play. And as we traveled to the game on public transportation there was no sign that there was even an NFL game scheduled. When we got there the 49er fans were polite and nice to us. The Browns played horrible but won the game late with a bunch of field goals. 49er fan didn't fight. They didn't smash things. They went home and did whatever they do on a Sunday.

And frankly I was jealous.

I watched the Cavs game alone last night. Plans fell through and I just had a sense of doom. And as the game went on, it just seemed like the Magic were the better team. I thought if we lose this series, someone will try to name it. But there will be no name. The Magic are just playing better. They look like the more complete team. The series may have started with the Cavs as the favorites but the games have clearly showed the Magic are in control.

So I started watching the Indians game with my dad today. It was 7-0 and we decided to give up and watch the Breaking Bad episode that was saved on the DVR. When it ended the score was 10-2. My mom wanted to watch Bride Wars. It was hard to argue that a 10-2 game played by a last place team was important so put the movie in.

As the end credits started, I asked my mom if she thought the Indians had made a remarkable comeback. And in her ever positive manner she said yes. The game returned just as Martinez took a called strike two that was way out of the zone.

I gasped. My mom now in the other room said well what is the score. It was 10-9. Bases loaded. Two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth.

I said aloud, "I turned it back on too soon."

I felt like I had been kicked in the liver. Not the reaction most people would have. Instead of amazement, instead of joy. I thought I just jinxed them.

My thoughts told me that if Victor Martinez would strike out, I could never watch an Indians game ever again. I know that makes no sense. I know that way of thinking is insane. But in that moment I was convinced if I had just let the full credits roll, the Indians would have won. But now I had returned-- I who had quit on them and watched some stupid movie about brides instead-- I would ruin their moment.

Victor fouled off the next pitch. I felt sick to my stomach. I just knew bad was about to happen. And then Victor singled up the middle and the Indians won the game. We hit rewind on the remote and watched the entire comeback.

I felt not joy but relief. That lasted about a minute before I started thinking well maybe things can be different. Maybe this is the spark they needed. Forget the starting pitcher couldn't through strikes. Forget they are 10 games below .500. Forget how painful this season has been. Maybe they can get back into this thing.

Again completely illogical.

A few minutes later. I started thinking about how maybe LeBron can find a way to beat the Magic. The sense of dreading tomorrow's game four started to drift away. Maybe LeBron is so good, he can alter history.

And somewhere else, someone else will open their paper tomorrow and say, "Hey the Indians won last night-- nice!" Then go to work where they will see someone wearing a Cavs shirt and say, "So when do they play next?"

And when they get the answer they will reply, "It would be so nice if they won, don't you think?"

Yes it would.

Magic were better

All season long, the Cavs have spoken about being a family. They hang out together outside the games. They laugh with each other. They love each other.

We will see just how true that this. Because right now Charles Barkley was right and I was wrong. The Orlando Magic are the better team. It is hard to even be upset because there was no time during that game where I believed the Cavs deserved to win. Maybe LeBron had a chance to steal it but Magic were just better. Two of Orlando's best players in Lewis and Turkoglu didn't even play well and the Magic controlled the game. Orlando believes they are the better team and right now you can really argue otherwise.

LeBron saved his teammates in game two. He is the best basketball player in the world but I can't see him winning three more games by himself.

The Cavs as a family have to look at themselves in the mirror and step up. Brown has no faith in his bench. Williams and Z are hitting the shots they have to hit. The team is just standing there waiting for James to save them. You can't win that way.

Most disturbing is how tight they are playing in the fourth quarters of these games. Brown seems lost at what he wants. The players seem to be in a panic. There is no calm. There is no joy.
They are in trouble.

Lets hope that trust they claim in have in each other is true. And that it is enough to alter what appears to be a very short series.

what

i have nothing
there is nothing in my history
to prepare me for tonight

my whole life has been about accepting failure


i cannot for the life of me comprehend what happened
my brain cannot process

a mircale happened
and it makes no sense to me

we lost
then we won

what the fuck was that

i huged mancini
then mcnally
then keith

i got nothing
ureal

Oh no!

You try to hide your neuroses. You tell yourself that this time it will be different. That the SI cover means nothing. That the rust doesn't matter. You tell yourself that the past is irrelevant. All those little catch phrases of defeat are just empty words. You tell yourself that LeBron and the Cavs are for real. You allow yourself to trust. You replace hope with faith.

And then that happens.

Sure it is only one game. It takes four to win. But the first half went so well. And then the second half was nightmare. The Cavs quit playing defense. The bench was useless. The offense reverted to 2007. It was LeBron and four men watching.

And yet the game was still there to be won in the final seconds. But they lost. LeBron had 49 points and they lost. LeBron's 49 was part of the problem. He did it all himself. The offense was just him at the top of the key. While everyone else just waited. Not good.

The worst case scenario happened. The Cavs lost home court and now that pressure --the pressure of an entire city and its 45 years of built up stress in now directly on the Cavs shoulders.

Is all lost? No. But man has it gotten a lot harder.

Boston lays down

What a sad way to die. Boston coach Doc Rivers waived the white flag with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter. Most of his players quit much earlier. A Boston apologist might argue they ran out of gas. Their injuries and old legs went as far they could. I think Boston knew they couldn't beat the Cavs, knew they would be embarrassed and when they need to reach deep in this game seven, they quit. All the banners and all the ghosts weren't enough to muster any more fight. They took their title from last year and went home. They lost a game seven at home to an unworthy and flawed Orlando team. They broke down before taking on the team poised to take their crown. Just like a bully.

I wanted Boston. I make no bones about that. I wanted a chance to slap them around. I get that Garnett and Powe being hurt took some of the challenge away. But this team still had all stars in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. They had pieces. I feel a little cheated.

Orlando may prove worthy. Maybe I am wrong about their coaching. Maybe I am wrong about their style of play. I know Orlando can blow out the Cavs in any one game. And that could very feel happen in game one. The long layoff hurts the Cavs more against Orlando then Boston. The Magic are young and they aren't tired. The long wait could add rust to the Cavs. That rust would have flew right off against Boston. The rivalry would have seen to that. But even if the Magic win game one but I just don't see them draining a high percentage of threes four times in seven games. And that is what it will take for them to beat the Cavs. It is the Eastern Conference finals but maybe LeBron has a letdown because it is not Boston. Maybe he feels cheated too like I do.

Hate makes playoff series more fun. I hate Boston. I hate their players. I hate their fans. How can you hate Orlando?

Guess I will find a way.

Indians blow 7-0 lead and I do what?

As I watched the ball sail over the fence completing an Indians choke of a 7-0 fourth inning lead, there was no anger. I didn't throw anything. I didn't swear. I didn't demand the firing of anyone. I just switched the channel and moved on.

At the bar on Thursday night, someone who doesn't follow sports asked me how the Indians were doing. I told him they were dangerous. They were dangerous because they conveyed hope. Despite having the worst record in the American League, they were only a handful games out of first place. So no matter how bad they looked, there was still the semblance of hope. So my friend says so even if they won the division, it would be one and out in the playoffs. I told him no and that is why they are dangerous. They can hit. And in the playoffs you only need three good starters. We have a Cy Young, a kid who two years ago was second in the Cy Young voting and soon Jake Westbrook will return from injury. By September on paper, we could have three strong starters. We have a real closer. So if things fell a certain way in the rest of the bullpen, there is hope. But ultimately it is a false hope.

You can blame on the front office, the manager, the bullpen or any veteran who is performing below expectations. But the truth is something is rotten with this team. They seem hollow.

The Indians tease you just enough not to give up on them. But something is missing. And maybe that is why Wedge is such a tinkerer. This team seems like it should be able to win in this division. But everyone is just a little off so he slides people around in the field and in the lineup. He is convinced that the pieces are there to complete the puzzle. But they just don't fit. No matter what he tries.

Another friends interjected in the conversation that Wedge needed to just find one lineup. And my first friend asked what was he talking about? I said well for instance at times our catcher plays first, a natural first baseman plays left, a guy who played second base last season we play at third but sometimes he plays first or in the outfield but never second, a guy who was playing second now plays short, a guy who wants to play shortstop is now playing third which maybe they should have done in spring training. And there is guy who couldn't catch so we moved him to first but he sucks there so they are thinking of moving him to the outfield or DH but we have another guy who is now hurt and he can only DH so we have that going for us.

And I could see on my friend's face the phrase this is why I don't follow sports. And I envied him. Because if a miracle happens --and it will take a miracle of biblical proportions-- and the Indians win the division, my friend will be just as excited as me. He will watch the playoffs and take joy in any Indians win. While I feel compelled to continue to watch every single game because of that bastard of all emotions -- hope.

There is really nothing worse. I mean I watched my team blow a 7-0 lead and my reaction was well of course they did. Yet here I am waiting the first pitch of another game. Sports should be about joy and there is no joy in the Indians.

Afternoon game with my dad

One of the board members over at theclevelandfan.com decided to give away two great tickets to an Indians game. They decided to make it a contest asking why you deserved the tickets. I figured I didn't deserve the tickets but then saw it was for a day game on May 13 which happened to be my dad's 59th birthday. So I wrote a quick paragraph and figured I would take a chance.

As sweet as the seats were the best part was telling my dad we won. I handed him my laptop and showed him the post about the contest. Then I scrolled down and showed him my post. He laughed remembering how he put hot dogs in a thermos and cringed when he saw I mentioned we put them in the reduced bread we bought from the old Millbrook factory. He laughed again when I discussed scouring the Municipal Stadium parking lots for bottles and cans to recycle and how we used to sit in the yard listening to Herb Score on this giant radio he saved from the trash working for the refuse department. He would have us kids remove screws from old aluminum chairs so he could recycle them for extra cash that he used to send us to parochial school. When he got to the part where I wrote I had no idea we were lower middle class until I got to high school, his eyes teared up. It was a pretty sweet moment.

He was so excited. He wanted to get there as early as possible for batting practice. I told them they didn't have batting practice on afternoon getaway games but he wanted to get there as soon as the gates opened just like he did when we were kids and we sat along the right field foul poles for a buck. We were all smiles when we went to the will call and as fate would have it-- there were no tickets in our names. It was a very stressful half-hour as I had no idea what the real name was of the generous man who donated the tickets. But the wait was worth it when the tickets arrived. We sat in row BB in section 152 right behind home plate. Neither one us had ever sat that close at the old or new park. Fouls balls were peppered just behind us or to our right all game. We were two rows too close to have a real shot. But man was it fun thinking at any moment we could get a ball.

Martinez homered in the first and Cliff Lee had no-hit type stuff for the first six innings. My least favorite player Ryan Garko blasted a two-run homer and LaPorta ripped the first of what is hopefully many doubles in his career. Betancourt 's one inning of work was trouble free and Wood went 1-2-3 in the ninth. Tribe wins 4-0. The rain held off and it was a great day spent with Dad.

Thanks again to the cool people at The Cleveland Fan for honoring my dad with the tickets. It meant a lot to him and we had a great time.

Cavs keep on keeping on

In the final minutes of tonight's Cavs clincher against the Hawks, my mind wandered. Did I really want to wait another week or more to watch more basketball? I thought of all those businesses and bars that could benefit from a game five.

Really?

I had to shake myself awake. What the hell was I thinking? Have the Cavs spoiled me that much? You play to win the game. You beat the hell out of anyone that you can. Screw anything else but winning. I will just have to live without basketball for the next several days.

Did you see how Wally played tonight? Did you see how DeLonte played tonight? This team is on a misson. They smelled blood and finished the job. Nothing else matters.

Eight games of wins in double digits. Eight games when even when the score was close there was never any worry. Eight more to go.

Enjoy the rest.

How does one stay grounded during Cavs playoff run

Over the course of my life more than once I have believed a Cleveland team was going to win a championship and each time I have expressed this belief aloud or in print, something bad has happened. It has gotten to the point, where it seems even my happiness during a single game can lead to a depressing loss. It has become a joke among my friends and family. When Cleveland State had a big early lead over Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament, someone else among our viewing party said,"They are going to win."Another quickly said not to jinx them. And the first person stated, "I don't believe in jinxes." So I said well then want to me to say it. And the whole room screamed, "No!"

During game six against Detroit in 2007, I kept asking my friend if I could call my brother. I knew just the ringing of his phone would drive him insane that I was jumping the gun. My friend made me wait until there was less then a minute to go. Later my brother said his phone rang in the middle of the third quarter and he screamed, "That better not be my brother."

This Cavs season has made it hard on my not to express my innermost thoughts. Many times in conversation, in print or even alone I wanted to scream aloud what could be. It has been hard to stay grounded. And for that I have to thank the Cleveland Indians.

After each Cavs playoff annihilation, I have been sky-high. More than once I had to be careful not to shed a tear at just thinking what might be. But just when I think I have reached my limit of happiness, there is the Tribe to bring me back to earth.

The Indians truly suck. This season has been an even bigger nightmare than last season. Cabrera and Martinez are the only bright spots. The bullpen is mind-numbingly bad. They have been a complete joke. And yet I haven't reached a depressing low because of King James and the boys. It has been a nice balance.

After growing up in this town, it is easy to grow accustomed to believing it can always get worse. And just when all seems lost, a flicker of hope brings you back. You start to believe and then wham the worst happens. Case in point, I started this post in the top of the ninth with the Indians trailing 5-1. When I typed the word "Case" the Indians had made it 5-3 and put the winning run on first base. I thought "Oh my God this can change the whole season." And before I could even finish the sentence, Choo popped up and the game ended.

But what I love about LeBron James is even though he grew up among us, he is not one of us. He believes he will end this city's championship drought. His teammates believe. And that makes me want to believe. But I hold back because I know how much it hurts. I want it so bad.

The Cavs have made it look so easy. My first reaction is to get really nervous. It can't be this easy. It won't be this easy. They will be tested. But man does having LeBron James on your side make you feel safe. It gets me excited. But there is a lot of work left to be done. I need to stay grounded and take it one day at a time. And what better way to stay humble then to watch the Indians.

Oh Manny

I have always loved Manny Ramirez. I am a Manny apologist. When someone rants and raves about how he quit on the Boston Red Sox last season, my reply is simply "Fuck Boston."

I have been waiting for the day when it is revealed that Jim Thome was cheater and did steroids. I figure it is just a matter of time. I hate Jim Thome with a white-hot passion. I will boo him until the day I die but I have always apologized for Manny.

I think the simple reason is I have always viewed Manny as a child. If Manny is not the best right handed hitter of all-time, he is at least on the list. In my view Manny was Manny. He is strange and wacky and can fall out of bed and hit a baseball. When he left us and went to Boston, I blamed his agent. I never saw Manny as his own man, who made his own decisions. Thome on the other hand acted like he was Cleveland. He portrayed himself as our hero. He said what wanted to be heard. But when it came down to it, he left us for money. He betrayed us. Thome wore a mask. Thome was a fraud. Manny was just Manny. A born hitter who is easily misled.

My view is simplistic. It is most likely wrong and it is certainly unfair. But it also how I feel.

So today's news hit me hard. Manny was banned. He claimed it was his doctor's fault. But that claim seems hollow.

On the phone, my brother asked me what happened. When I told him he said it had to be a mistake. And I said that was my first reaction but it appears to be the same drug as the Balco guys so it didn't look good. My brother asked me why would Manny do that. All I had was maybe Manny wanted a 50-day vacation in the middle of the season. Nothing would surprise me.

But the truth is most likely Manny is a cheater and always was. See how I still have the most likely. I want to like Manny. I want to love Manny. He gives me reason after reason not to and I can't help myself.

Between this news and the suckitude that is the Tribe, baseball is a real bummer right now. Thank God for LeBron James.

Witness

As a Cleveland sports fan fearing the worst is normal. What isn't normal is being a number one seed that every national pundit is declaring will cake walk through the second round.

Human nature and history tell you to fear. To fear the long rest. To fear a disrepected opponent. To fear complancey. To fear the other shoe dropping.

And then just seconds into the game, LeBron sent his own message. Forget the past. I am here now. Witness.

That dunk didn't win the series. There is a lot more work to do. But it erased a lot of fear and bad thoughts. The kid is the real deal. He knows it. His teammates know it. But most importantly his opponents know it.

Strap in for what promises to be a month and half of fun.

LeBron MVP off the court

I recently reconnected with a college friend who is from the Detroit area. She mentioned how she is no fan of that LeBron. She said the way the media falls all over him makes her nervous. She wants to cheer for a team of good players and not just one superstar.

LeBron isn't perfect. There is the Yankees hat, hanging out on the sidelines with the Cowboys, he celebrates a little too much and acts like he is shot when he gets fouled.

But I have watched LeBron play basketball since he was 16 years old. It is amazing the man he has turned out to be. He had so many opportunities to mess this up. There were signs his senior year that he could make some mistakes. No one would have really blamed him. On the cover of SI as a high school junior. Given loads of cash three years before he could legally drink. Put on his hometown team surrounded by players like Ricky Davis and Darius Miles.

Instead he has grown up a solid citizen and the perfect teammate. The NBA's MVP is about on the court. There he has battled Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade for that right. But off the court there is no comparison. You don't see LeBron in the tabloids for marital problems. He could have demanded publicly his way out of Cleveland years ago. Kobe is always going to the media with his team issues. LeBron avoids that route.

Many compare LeBron to Michael Jordan. LeBron is a completely different player. Jordan left no doubt he was the man. He wasn't friends with his teammates. He wanted to win everything at all times. It led him to greatness but also loneliness. LeBron lifts his teammates not only with his play but also with his personality. LeBron could easily demand Jordan-respect from his teammates but he engages them. You can tell this Cavs team is having fun. His teammates not only respect him for his play but they love him for the man LeBron is.

And for his Cleveland fans, LeBron will never come out and say it but I think he has started to get it. He won't turn his back on his childhood heroes --the Yankees and Cowboys-- but I think he now understands our passion. Two years ago he would have worn a Cowboys jersey in that ad. Before the playoffs he acknowledged our hurt through the drive, the shot and Mesa. He wants to end our pain. Just having LeBron acknowledge that meant a lot to me.

LeBron could break our hearts yet here in Cleveland. You never really know who someone is. But I tip my cap at the man LeBron has become.

Bulls-Celtics

Watching the Bulls and Celtics has been fun. It has been a very entertaining series. But I imagine my perspective has been different than most who have watched it.

Naturally it has fueled my hatred of the Celtics. The Celtics are a bunch of arrogant bullies who love to play the victim. Paul Pierce earned my respect last season but he has lost most of it. He is a very unlikable man. I have taken great joy watching him miss important free throws and then be the goat last night when he got stripped by Noah of all people and then commit a stupid foul to force himself out of the game. You have to like Rondo's game but he is punk just like his older teammates. Rondo could have been tossed from the last two games and if they weren't playoffs games, he would have. And in a series he hasn't played in, Kevin Garnett still found a way to increase his unlikabilty.

And the thing is, as much as I would enjoy watching the Celtics lose game seven at home, I want to play them this year. It bugged me that they waived the white flag before the playoffs so they would have an excuse when the Cavs pummel them. Their fans including Bill Simmons are now saying this is their finals since they can't beat the Cavs. I so want Garnett to get healthy because I want to watch LeBron and company destroy these jerks and leave them no excuses. But I will gladly watch the Cavs slap around a banged up Celtics. I don't like these guys and I want to be the team to eliminate them.

And while pundits are praising the Bulls, I see something else. The Bulls have let the Celtics stick around and not the other way around. For every great thing Ben Gordon has done in this series, I would never want him on my team. He is having a great series but Rose should have the ball at the end of the game. For every great shot Gordon has drained, he has missed more. It seems to me his two biggest shots were more luck than skill. He has hurt the Bulls just as much in big moments. Also I think the Bulls has achieved in spite of their coach. He doesn't look like he knows what he is doing to me. I don't think he has any control over what is happening on the floor. That way work for a series but it won't for the long haul. People are saying Bulls have arrived for years to come. That may be true but I think it is more likely they will underachieve next season, ole Vinny will get canned and then maybe a good coach will find a way to make this team better. Because there is no doubt that Rose is truly the real deal.

It is easy to take shots at Mike Brown. This is clearly LeBron's team but Brown as much as any coach could has also made it his. Brown held back the offense for years but because of that the groundwork of a defense mentality has taken hold. Ferry has found the right type of players to back up his superstar and Brown is the right personality to guide the ship. Del Negro is just there. I get the feeling this is just a Bull flash in the pan.

Regardless I have not had been so engaged in a non-Cleveland playoff series in long time. Let's hope for five overtimes tomorrow night.

Indians limp along

On Tuesday during the top of the third inning, I thought to myself, "I can't believe the Indians season is over before the Cavs season."

Of course the Indians rallied and won the game. They won because Boston gave them the game but still it seemed like it was the type of win that could change things. Something went in our favor. On Monday Cliff Lee pitched like an ace and the Indians found a way to lose. I still have no idea why Wood was in the game. I would not have pitched him on Tuesday either. But what do I know.

Wednesday started with the news of Hafner to the DL. Strangely I did not see this as a bad omen. I was still confident and Carmona went out and pitched like an ace. The Indians were up 5-0 and everything seemed right. The bullpen with an assist from DeRosa then preceded to give the game away. I had been worried when the eighth started that we had no closer after pitching him in two straight non-save situations but the lead was lost before ninth even started.

Now the optimist can say Lee and Carmona seem to be on track. You can point to Sipp pitching well. You can add Perez is looking better. But the truth is this team doesn't have it. What is"it", I am not sure but this team doesn't have it. Sizemore seems like he should be a superstar but he isn't. The bullpen seems like it should be good but it isn't. The offense seems like it should be good enough but it isn't. This team is lacking something. And I don't know what it is. Sure there is more than enough of the season for them to find it but I don't believe in this team. And I am not sure why. It could be the lack of leaders that Wedge mentioned. It seems like Victor and Grady should be leaders. DeRosa was a leader in Chicago but you can't lead when you aren't hitting or fielding well. I can't believe what I am going to write next but this team misses Casey Blake. Who knew?

I don't want to write or even read that it is too early to panic. But this team seems to be lacking confidence. And I lack confidence in them. This team doesn't inspire me. I want to be wrong. I want them to catch fire. But I just don't think they will.

Quick thoughts

Cavs
Stay classy Pistons. What remains of the Pistons core of all-stars quit and I hope that shame follows them the rest of their careers. Those bullies sulked away. However Antonio McDyess proved his mettle. The vet played hard until the end. He will be a free agent and I would love him to become a Cav. At any rate, step one of the process is over. The Cavs get at least a week to rest and prepare for the next round.

Browns
I am so glad the draft is over. It is like election day. I get so tired of the hype and constant blowing of smoke. Things can just quiet down for a while. ESPN has been unwatchable the last few weeks. No one has any idea what any of these kids will do. I am just sick of hearing worthless talk. Wake me when the hitting starts.

Indians
Tony Sipp = Hope. I know that is too simplistic. But the Indians have not inspired much of the emotion this season. I saw the Indians go ahead 4-0 and then watched mostly basketball. I flipped over to see the score was 4-2 with the bases loaded. I was a little shocked to see Sipp thrown into the fire. But he responded big time with his strikeouts of Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel. The season has been a nightmare so far. Maybe Cabrera moving to the two hole and the arrival of Sipp can reverse the Indians fortunes.

It is about trust

In any relationship, trust is key. But when you have been burned so many times -- trust can be very hard. The past encroaches onto your present and you can't help having doubts whether they are justified or not.

For most sports fans in this town, the Cleveland Browns were our first true love. And there are many varied reasons for that. But all of that was changed when they left town. It was abrupt, it was violent and it was heart-breaking. Sure the Indians were there to pick up the pieces but they never quite got over the hump and won the World Series. So when NFL granted us another team three years later, there was still hope and an outpouring of support.

Now for the sake of this article, the front office is the part of the relationship we as fans have to trust. And it has been a series of turkeys over the last decade. First the flashy mob lawyer and his expensive suits. He showed off his Super Bowl rings, he had little to do with and installed his hand picked lackey to make our picks. It was all sizzle and no steak. And we stayed an expansion team.

Next was the supposed miracle worker. He had rebuilt a college power and had success in just in second year. But he built a house of cards. His draft picks were even worse. He walked like Napoleon but it was all an act. He quit in tears and whimpered back to college.

The next guy wasn't handsome but he was all about huge public gestures. He was bold and aggressive and after all we went through he seemed like a nice stable guy. But it turned out he had low self-esteem. He didn't feel like be belonged. He was petty and small. We heard the rumors but we as fans saved him from getting fired. We wanted to believe that he was finally the right guy for us. We were wrong. He destroyed us from within. And we are a bigger mess than we have ever been.

And now we have the estranged son of the man who was in charge when the Browns left town. The man who after the break-up went on to the toast of the leauge. He wasn't the reason the Browns left town but we hate him for being there and for ignoring our proud history while he was there. He grew from his mistakes here and became a champion without us. We can't help but see his estranged son as leftovers. Sure we want some of the magic we lost out on but we have our doubts he can do it.

And today many of us are going crazy on the Browns actions this off season and especially yesterday. Trading down and down and down and getting unflashy center. Not taking a big name defender that had not one but two teammates taken before him. This defender many of us said we had to have at 17 went to the one of the few teams people think have worse leadership then we do at 38 . Not taking a hometown running back with injury issues. Picking up receivers when we have none.

You have to trust. What choice do you have? Take away the history and on the surface the choices seem like solid football moves. Trust isn't easy. But if you want to profess anger. If you want to hate and moan and bitch and scream. Well it is time to end the relationship. Move on. You won't be missed. If you can't trust and who can blame you --- get out of the relationship. If you stay you are only hurting yourself and you are annoying the rest of us. I don't get hate for the sake of hate. Yes, the odds seem stacked against us but you have to give the new guy a chance.

Great day

Perfect weather outside. Best day of the year so far and I spent it inside watching television. And oh what perfect day it was inside as well.

The Cavs got off to a hot start and beat the Pistons. LeBron was LeBron but interestingly enough I was distracted during much of the game. Who would have ever thought a Cavs-Pistons playoff game would not be as compelling as what else was on.

I had two tvs on of course and most the first quarter I was focused on another NBA game. Young Mr. Rose was awesome as he led the Bulls to an overtime win over the Celtics. This whole Garnett being declared out for the playoffs has rubbed me the wrong way. It is as if they have given themselves an excuse not to win. Maybe Garnett is really out and maybe he will be back portrayed as the hero in the Eastern Conference finals but this hey we will try to make the conference finals as our new goal is bullshit. I wish Garnett was healthy because I want the Cavs to beat them at full strength. I don't want to hear any of this well if he had been healthy crap. So it was very enjoyable to watch Paul Pierce miss a free throw that would have won the game in regulation. And frosting on the cake to see the Celtics fall in overtime.

Soon after the Indians game started. And it looked like more of the same early. Carmona gave up a two-run dinger in the first and I was like here we go. When the Indians started the second, the Cavs were near the end of the second quarter. When the Indians finished batting in the second, the Cavs were well into the third quarter. And what a beautiful half-inning it was. The Tribe scored 14 runs on the hated Yankees. It was almost enough to get over the called third strike on DeRosa on Friday. Almost.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as destroying the Yankees. The 22-0 whupping a few years ago will always remain special in my heart. But 22-4 with six home runs is cool in its own right.

Two wins over the Yankees and Pistons with the Celtics losing as well makes for a great day and worth missing out on the awesome weather.

The end is the beginning

I was on the road back from Wisconsin tonight. I caught up with Joe Tait in the middle of the second quarter. Nothing makes a drive faster than Joe Tait. And for a meaningless game, it sure was a ton of fun.

No LeBron. No Mo. No Z. No Wallace. No Smith. And the Cavs led at the half against a team that had to have a win.

In the second half, Andy and DeLonte joined the missing in action and yet the reserves gave it a run. In the end the Cavs lost but I think much more was won that will better serve the team than a tie of the best home record ever. Boobie found his confidence. Wally found his groove and the rest of team got to break a sweat.

I even like the fact DeLonte was pissed he didn't play in the second half.

But most importantly, the Cavs are relatively healthy for the real season. And I for one can't wait.

Good and Bad

More quick thoughts on the good and the bad of Cleveland sports.

Cavs

Bad
-Count me in the worried the Pistons --especially Rasheed or Rip-- doing something stupid in the first round and messing up the Cavs. This team has survived injuries throughout the year but it will be tougher in the playoffs.

Good
-Homecourt is always better than being on the road especially for a game seven.

-The Cavs celebrations go against everything I have always believed but strangely I am OK with them. Again it goes against my Clevelander instincts but the thought of screw what Boston or anyone else thinks -- we are who we are c'mon get us -- I am on board. Let them be offended. Forget about their hypcorisy. Forget being humble until you win. LeBron is the King and if he wants to wear his crown before he earns it, OK back it up. LeBron won me over with his comments the other day. It is the first time I heard him acknowledge what we as fans have been through over the years. He knows our suffering. He feels it. He knows it is on his back to change us.

Indians

Bad
OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG

Good
I have been in Wisconsin so following the game play by play on the Internet isn't as painful of having to listen to Matt Underwood describe this horrid mess.

Browns (I said I wasn't going to think or write about the Browns until August but the schedule came out and I can't help myself.)

Bad
Everything that has happened since one in the afternoon on December 23, 2007.

Good
But if we can survive the first half of the season before the week nine bye. We end with five home games and three road games all against three of the other teams as bad as us last season in the Lions, Chiefs and Bengals. I know can't help myself. Forever Charlie Brown.

Short and sweet

Quick thoughts

-On paper and in reality, the Cavs whupping of the Celtics means nothing. But it sure was fun.

-Ben needs to be OK. We don't need him to start and he really doesn't need to play more than 20 minutes. But his presence will make everything easier in the playoffs.

-I never would have believed that Paul Pierce would be the only Celtic I respect. But it is true.

-Thank God the Indians got off the snide. My stomach couldn't take much more.

-It was nice to see Wood mow down three in a row in the ninth. Save or not, I can't remember the last time the Tribe got three strike out to end a game from their closer.

Boo

Attended the home opener and it brought back memories of my childhood.

On one hand, sitting in large cavernous park with a scattered thousand or two can be very charming. It is sort of fun to be able to hear the distinct voice of every single person in the park. You use the cold and empty seats to inspire your own fun. You bond with the rest of the brave and/or dumb souls.

On the other hand, you watch uninspired baseball. Guys, who don't care a fraction of those in the crowd, go through the motions. And just when you think that things will change, that there is chance for a win. They blow up with bad pitching and lazy defense. And you remember how cold it is and how stupid you are to stick it through with this team.

No one was really immune to the bad baseball yesterday. I am sure some said Sizemore uncharacteristly misplayed a ball before the delay. But I remember not going to the 2005 playoffs because of Sizemore misplaying a ball and game five against Boston in 2007 was changed forever by Sizemore misplaying multiple balls. Peralta lolly-gagged down the line after the rain then biffed one ball and watched other go back. Garko, Cabrera and Choo looked the like Keystone Kops as a ball dropped between and the scooted past them all to allow an extra run to go through. And Garko has to scoop up that ball. He is arguably the worst first baseman in the American League. They are major leaguers-- do your job.

Sure the frustration level is raised when the fans are used as pawns. I have never sat through a longer rain delay where it wasn't raining. Nothing like wasting an evening watching it not friggin rain. And hey it only took them 45 minutes to realize the Cavs could be on the big screen rather than some National League game no one in the crowd cared about. Once the game the started the Indians rewarded the fans who stayed by sending home all of the employees who served food and beer.

It is early in the season. There are 159 games left. But things better change because this team is bad. The pitching is bad. The defense is bad. And right now no one is worth cheering for.

Play Ball!

Baseball.

I can't say the word without hearing it in Earl James Jones voice.

The spring has been so long, that tomorrow's opener has almost snuck up on me. I had April 10 drilled in my head as the home opener so much that tomorrow's real opener almost slipped my memory. For me baseball always starts that first time you walk into the park and see all that green grass. It brings back of the memories of Childhood and all the promise that maybe this year will end differently.

At least this season we don't open with Chicago. The promise of snow has already wiped out the Sox's opener. Opening in Texas should bring safe weather. Nothing worse than an opener that isn't.

Last year hopes were high so it led to a brutal summer. This year is just filled with questions.

Can Lee remain an elite starter and be a true ace?
Can Carmona bounce back to be the ace he looked in 2007?
Can Reyes and Pavano stay healthly and balance the rotation?
Can any young left hander be consistent?
Will Wood anchor the bullpen?
Can Rafi right and left return to 2007 form?
Is Hafner done?
Are Francisco and Choo every day players?
Can Garko hit when it means something?
Is Peralta coming into his prime?
Can Cabrera hit in the first half of a season?
Will Shoppach hit enough to make Victor a first baseman?
Can Victor stay healthy?
Will DeRosa be to our club what he was to the Cubs?
Is Grady ready to be a superstar?

I dunno.

The starting rotation will answer the question whether the Tribe can contend. Last year what killed the team wasn't loss of production from Hafner and Martinez. It was the slow starts from Sabathia and Carmona plus the injury to Westbrook. The team hung tough until Westbrook went to the DL and then the 10 game losing division road trip derailed the season. Lee started last season as the fifth starter. Many of the local "experts" wanted Lee traded. And then when Lee started strong, these "experts" kept saying he can't keep it up. They are saying that again this year. And it makes sense. Not many pitchers have had a season he had last year let alone twice. He doesn't have to be that good but can he be a reliable stud again? I dunno. Carmona was our fifth starter in 2007. He was only there because Lee got hurt in spring training. And then when Lee was ready to go, Carmona only stayed because Westbrook went down. Neither Carmona or Lee have been the man heading into a season. Carmona had high expectations last year but he didn't live up to them. Can he be as dominant as his stuff indicates he can be? I dunno. I feel like Shapiro and Wedge are looking for lightning in a bottle out the fifth spot again. And that is why Reyes is really slated for that spot. Lets put a guy with potential great stuff in the fifth spot and get a beautiful surprise. It will take a career year out of Reyes or Pavano for the Tribe to contend. Or at the least a decent year from both. The bullpen looks on paper to be much stronger this year. If Wood can be the man then everything should line up. A set-up of Perez, Betancourt, Lewis and Smith could be one of the strong pens in the league. But if our starters can't get out of the fifth inning, the pen will be overworked and it could get ugly.

At one point Vegas and many "experts" were picking the Tribe to win the Central. Which is not a good thing. Lately it seems the favorite never wins the Central. But in the last few days more and more "experts" are picking the Twins and their pitching. It makes sense. Minnesota's pitching seems like more of sure thing. But will they have an offense? It depends on the health of Mauer and Crede. You can't discount the White Sox as unlikable as their manager and general manager are, they seem to know what they are doing. Detroit did themselves a favor getting rid of Sheffield. It will help the clubhouse. The Tigers can hit the crap out of the ball but can they pitch. Who knows if Kansas City is ready to grow up or not?

Like I said a lot of questions.

I think we will know fast. As easily as this roster could be a house of cards, it could be the real deal. If and it is a big if, the starting pitching falls together this team could very good and very dangerous. There looks to be hitting through out the line-up. There are plenty of near major league talent in the pipeline. A quick start can build confidence. A slow start could start a chain reactions of horrors.

But not knowing is half the fun. If they fail the Wedge/Shapiro haters can revel in I told you so's. If they win, there is nothing better than a pennant run.

Play Ball!

Much better

After two sub-par games, the Cavs rebounded with a 101-81 win over the Spurs who had all three of their Big Three healthy.

While ABC slobbered all over LeBron for being dominate --and he did score 38 points-- the game was changed with him on the bench. Mike Brown went small to start the second quarter by playing Mo, Delonte and Boobie all at the same time. The Cavs went plus 10 without the King and cruised from there. It was a nice win since Andy and his sore wrist joined Ben on the bench.

The first quarter defense was not pretty but the Cavs locked it down after that. Tim Duncan only scored six and Manu Ginobili managed only four. Mo and Delonte each scored 22 to support LeBron as the rest of the team only scored 22 total. But it was enough to get the mojo back. The Wizards are up next on Wednesday. I am looking for massive beat-down to erase the rest of the bad memories.

It isn't that bad

In a way it is funny. The Cavs already have 61 wins and the best record in basketball. Yet last night in the bar, you would think the sky was falling. Joe Average was cursing those high-paid bums.

Yes the Cavs were embarrassed last night and yes the two losses put the Lakers back in the race for homecourt advantage.

But in the grand scheme, it doesn't mean much. And if the Cavs had to lose, I think what happened ultimately will help more than hurt.

After 16-1 March where the team honestly didn't play its best ball, the team was due to be humbled. Against the Wizards they used a script that seemed to work over and over. They fell behind early and they tried to show up at the end. The worst team in the Eastern Conference however came to play that night and held the Cavs off. (It is more of a statement on the character of the Wizards -- how can a team with that much talent have that bad of a record-- they play hard when they feel like it rather than all the time) Last night the back to back caught up to them. While Cavs have played well in that situation all season, Orlando had a point to prove and they did just that.

But a seven game series is something else. What works in game one and game two won't keep working all series. When the Cavs lose normally it is because either and usually both Mo Williams and Delonte West aren't shooting well. Sometimes they turn it on late in a game to make a run but if they aren't hitting shots the Cavs are in trouble. And while that happened last night, I don't see it happening over and over in a seven game series.

The inside defense is a concern as has the overall defense the last two nights. But come playoff time, I can't imagine Coach Brown or LeBron allowing it to continue. The Cavs are built to be a defensive team and that will come through in the playoffs.

Losing is never fun. But you have to believe the Cavs will respond positively from being whupped. Winning can breed complacency. Hopefully being embarrassed will bring focus.

Ho-Him the Cavs win 60th

The Cavs won a franchise record 12th straight game today giving them 60 for the season and it isn't even the end of March.

For me the strangest part is how normal this seems. I was three in the Miracle Year so I missed that excitement. Pre-LeBron my most memorable playoff run was the four games George Karl and World B Free scared the Celtics in 1985. I had high expectations in 1989 before The Shot but after that I never really believed the Cavs could beat the Bulls.

Games 5 and 6 in 2007 against the Pistons were two of the most beautiful experiences in my life. But you knew there was no real chance the Cavs could beat the Spurs.

But here we are in 2009 and the Cavs have basically secured the top spot in East and are in real contention for the top overall seed. They have taken injuries and kept on rolling. In fact they are so good, the games have mostly gotten ho-hum. And that is weird. Every night the Cavs play, they are expected to win. LeBron is so good, we expect miracles on a daily basis.

That was driven home to me on Friday when I watched the game with my brother and cousin who barely get to watch games. LeBron made some play and both their jaws dropped. I didn't flinch because I see and expect that every night. I have started to take LeBron and his greatness for granted. We have had a magical season and it just seems normal.

And that is because just as Z and then LeBron said if the Cavs don't win a championship this year it will be a disappointment. The regular season is just about setting up the real season. The next few weeks are just the appetizer.

And that is something that is brand new.

CBS turns it over

Cleveland State and the city has waited 23 years for this moment. And I feel like CBS took it away.

The Vikings were outstanding. They controlled the game and led wire to wire. Wake Forest made a run but the Vikings held them back and built the lead back. As the final minutes ticked down, the game was no longer in doubt.

So CBS switched to the Ohio State game and then the Wisconsin game. I get it a little, they want to show the final moments of close games. But the Vikings were on channel 43 locally. If anyone in Cleveland wanted to switch over, they could to channel 19. But at the very least CBS should have switched back to show the final ten seconds. There was no action going on. You could see the final seconds tick in the boxscore while CBS cameras focused on the bench of a different game in a timeout.

I wanted to see coach Gary Waters walked across the floor and shake the other coach's hand. I wanted to see the reaction of the Viking players. And feel CBS cheated us out of that moment. Not everyone has the Direct TV package. This was a special case. Cleveland should have gotten to see the final moments of its hometown team. Especially since the Buckeyes were on a other local channel.

It took away a little of the joy. At least the Vikings get to suit-up again on Sunday.

Bracket Busters

The NCAA tournament has had a special place in my heart since I was 12 years old. From playing out the tournaments with my brother to skipping school on the first Thursday to when I was a teacher passing out teams to students as part of a lesson so we could have an excuse to watch the games in class to hanging out at the bar for four straight days watching basketball.

So with this latest economic downturn looking like I will never get paid to write again, I needed this tournament. Having Cleveland State, Akron and Ohio State all in the dance seemed like it would just add to the fun.

But never in my life has there been a more frustrating bracket. I can't find a way to fill out a satisfying one. And it is not that I can't make up my mind because I have so many choices but because I don't have any.

I don't pick teams I don't like to win. That may mean I will never win a bracket but I gave up gambling for money a while ago. If I am in a group playing for pride I want to win and keep my pride by not selling out and taking the teams I dislike. I am all about picking upsets but you just can't honestly pick a seed under six to make the Final Four and have respect for yourself.

Let's start in the East, obviously I can't take the one seed in Pitt for obvious reasons. I have nothing against the Panthers but I can't stand the thought of another title in Yinzer land. So fine you move to the two seed and they draw friggin Duke. That would be like cheering for the Yankees. So let's move to three where we find Villanova. On the surface that would be OK but then I find out they are playing the first two games in their home city of Philadelphia. First you can't cheer for the home favorite and screw Philly. That leaves Xaiver or Florida State and with a straight face you believe either of those squads are Final Four worthy. Errrrrrrrrrrrg.

In the South, the one seed is North Carolina. That would be like rooting for the Red Sox. And I am not going to do that. Oklahoma always reminds me of Oooooooooooooooooooooooklahoma and musicals have no place in basketball. I have always liked Syracuse but now after the Big East tournament that bandwagon is overwhelming. And frankly I am starting to get sick of Gonzaga. You can't be a Cinderella for a decade before you just become an overweight step-sister. And at the five is Illinois who scored 33 points in a game this year. Seriously that alone should have kept the Illini out of the tournament altogether.

In the Midwest the top five seeds are Louisville, Michigan State, Kansas, Wake Forest and Utah. Well since I am taking Cleveland State to knock off Wake and Utah. That leaves me with just three choices. And there are two reasons to pick Kansas to lose in the first round. First they are the defending champs and it is always good to see the champs go down early and they drew North Dakota State. The Bison are the true underdog story. First year in D-I eligibility for the tourney and the entire state is travelling to the game in Minnesota. I thought about Louisville but the last time I rooted for Rick Pitino he was at Providence and Billy Donovan hoisting up threes. So that leaves Michigan State which I was OK being Big Ten and all but the Final Four is in Detroit and I don't want to hear all the sappy stories about the Spartans winning at home. And it would just give Magic Johnson more face time and no one needs that.

In the West, we have UConn, Memphis, Missouri, Washington and Purdue. I get the feeling UConn isn't the real deal and Calhoun has basically become Crankshaft. Memphis is intriguing because they are not a part of the BCS and they came so close last year. But Calipari is basically Pitino Jr. so that ways on me. I know it isn't fair but both men just seem shady. Missouri is a fraud. And I just can't believe in Purdue. Washington is intriguing to me. But not sure the ghost of Antoine Tyler is enough for me to pull for them.

So what can bracket filler do?

Quick thoughts

-Pretty cool Cleveland State and Akron both made the tournament in 1986 and then not again until this year. Let just hope that both teams and the Buckeyes all play at different times.

-I will honest and say I really don't want to hear anything else about the Browns until Labor Day. Nothing good can come from it. I wish I could be in a vacuum away any and all Browns talk. I just don't want them to exist until the season is about start.

-I can't believe how bad the Cavs played on that road trip and somehow won all three games. What happened to the supporting cast and the defensive mindset?

-Opening Day for the Tribe can't come soon enough.

Vikings awake

I can't believe that it has been 23 years.

I wasn't much of a basketball fan growing up. I didn't even know Cleveland State existed and as far as my father was concerned Cleveland didn't have an NBA team. He referred to them as the Akron Cavs.

Everything changed in 1985. First I joined the school's basketball team. We only had a 7th-8th grade team. I wasn't very good. I didn't score until the final regular season game of my 8th grade year. But I played hard and I learned the game sitting next to the coach for most of the game. In 1984-1985 season the Cavs started 2-19. But thanks to a very young and skinny George Karl as coach and World B Free hoisting jumpers, they rallied to make the playoffs. In the first round they gave the Boston Celtics a real scare. I also became aware of the Vikings. They were decent but they didn't put their games on TV.

So in March 1985, my brother and I started a tradition that last until I left for college of playing the entire NCAA tournament in our backyard. We would play the last two minutes with our mom's egg timer. If it was a one seed vs a 16 seed, we would say the 16 is down 21. And the one playing a 16 would get a 30-footer worth 20 points before we started. Those games made me a better player and a better fighter as mom would have to invariably run out to break up a fight and then a hour later we would be back out there playing.

My infatuation with basketball was sealed into full-out love the next season thanks to Cleveland State. They were fun to follow. They played 94-feet and runned and stunned. A young freshman, Mouse McFadden, was the missing ingredient to an already strong team.

Of course 1986 was the only year ever my parents decided that for Lent we would give up TV as a family. I listened to Cleveland State's win over Indiana on the radio at school. And I actually watched the win over St. Joes because I was on a "camping trip" in the woods with a friend. I listened to the Navy game at home and was devastated when the Admiral got away with a foul allowing the Midshipmen to advance. It was only a few years ago when I finally got to see the game. And it was everything my mind's eye told me it would be.

I stayed with the Vikings the next few seasons. The games started getting shown locally and they had great battles with Southwest Missouri State. The Vikes went to two NITs and garnered the wrath of the NCAA for Manute Bol recruitment because the NCAA couldn't go after Kentucky and needed show strength somewhere.

And then it all literally went up in smoke, thanks to coach Kevin Mackey's well publicized troubles.

I was excited when coach Gary Waters was hired. I was prepared to cover them in my paper before my boss pulled his power play. I had an in with the coaching staff since Waters' longtime assistant Larry Desimpelare was the head coach of my alma mater while I was there. I was the first reporter to cover him. And when in his third season he finally won a conference game I rewarded him with the headline of "Larry gets first W-HAC"

I quietly watched the Vikings the last two years. The few times they were on TV I would watch but I can't say I followed them. When I went to the opening round game against Detroit, I knew more names from the 1986 team (McFadden, Ransey, Clinton, Mudd, Bryant, Stewart, Hood) than I did for this year's team (Bullock and Moore just because I covered him in high school). I left that game unimpressed. They did not play well and the ticket office was woefully unprepared. With two groups of people in front of us, it took 15 minutes to get tickets.

But I followed the win over Green Bay online and heading into tonight's match-up I was strangely nervous and excited.

Early on the Vikings look over-matched. Having seen Waters' Kent State teams play several times, it just felt like Cleveland State were not close to their level. Those Golden Flash teams seemed like the real deal but these Vikings struggled to score and could be sloppy on defense.

Then Jackson started hitting threes and the defense ratcheted it up. They took a six-point lead with just over six to play. But they couldn't stretch it. In the final minutes it seemed like just one more basket would be enough but the ball just didn't want to get in the hole.

In the final minute, they missed two big free throws. And I admit I was thinking to myself how did I let myself get trapped again. I let my nostalgic thoughts of youth -(I mean really believed they would win it all in 1986. A 14th seed meant nothing to a kid who just started his love affair with basketball. I knew nothing of automatic bids and that the Vikings didn't have one. It was only later that I understood the historical nature of what they did.)- allow me to think of the Vikings again as my team. Here I was the ultimate band wagon fan (something I rail against over and over) and I was going to have my heart broke.

And then they won.

I didn't cry but watching Waters almost cry made it touch and go for a moment.

I remember watching a Buckeye game a few years ago. And I while I like Thad Matta, I said to my friend I wish Cleveland State was relevant so I didn't have to follow the Buckeyes anymore. Now that had more to do with my Cleveland roots and dislike for drunks who never went to college yelling OH at the top of their lungs then the team itself. But I always feel like a carpetbagger when cheering for THE Ohio State.

And I believe Gary Waters knows this. He is aware of people like me. Cleveland State basketball is a sleeping giant. You win and this town will embrace them. Just going to the tournament will get him an extra recruit or two. But if he lost this game, Butler would be that farther ahead on the recruiting trail. Now he has a chance to build something special.

Thanks coach and give hell in the tourney.

Cavs given lesson from Celtics

The only silver lining in last night thrashing at the hands of the Boston Celtics is that Mike Brown and his coaching staff now have visual evidence of what the Cavs are lacking.

The most disappointing part of the game was how the Celtics dominated. Obviously Kevin Garnett did not play but usually the difference maker for Boston is how Rondo plays. Last night Rondo was no factor and the Cavs were still whipped. Boston dominated in the paint. Paul Pierce was the best player on the floor. And honestly the effort just didn't seem there for the Cavs.

Lebron had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. And after the game he was torched by radio hosts and fans across Northeast Ohio. He had a tough first quarter with a bunch of turnovers and a missed dunk and then it seemed like he was just content to hang out around the arc. I wish I understand what he is thinking when he does this. There must be a reason or a method. He is too smart and talented. There must be a reason.

Big picture this loss makes things harder. Boston restored their confidence that they are the kings and the Cavs have doubts dancing in their heads.

But like I said the Cavs now have visual evidence of their flaws in action. And there is plenty of time to resolve these issues. Not being able to win in Boston makes every regular season game that much more important.

No one said it would be easy.

Cavs find a way

On Thursday the sky was falling. The Cavs had their worst game of the year and lost Ben Wallace to a broken leg. And the schedule didn't look very kind with three games in the next four nights against playoff teams.

The sky is the limit now. The Cavs pulled out all three wins and it would seem Joe Smith is on his way to reinforce the bench.

The win against San Antonio was the only easy one as it should have been with the Spurs missing two all-stars. Cavs did not play pretty in Atlanta or Miami but they grinded out wins after trailing in the fourth quarter of each. This "No Excuse" team is living that motto to the fullest. On nights when their best effort wasn't there, the Cavs turned up the intensity on defense and found ways to win on the road. It warms the heart.

OMFG

-A broken fibula for Ben
-Delonte West looking tentative and lost
-LeBron with 21 points on 21 shots with one rebound and ZERO assists plus a limp

Bad bad day.

Heat check

Tonight I went to a sports bar that is a sports bar in name only. We got there moments before tip and sat down right in front of a huge projection screen. Poker was on and we had to ask to get the game put on. There were lots of other TVs in the place but no one was paying any attention to them.

When LeBron drained his three at the end of the first half. We were the only table in the entire place to notice.

The start of the second half was the same. But as LeBron got hotter, we got louder. And by the time he drained that 30-plus footer just two minutes into the third quarter, the entire bar was into the game and making noise.

And while it wasn't game five stuff against the Pistons, it was the type of effort that brings people together. The people in our bar and the players on that Cavs bench. The joy that poured from LeBron's teammates was just amazing. Forget picking up that extra piece, this team knows they have the horse to ride to a title. Every single one of those guys will run through a brick wall for LeBron.

And you have to love Big Z rushing to Andy's defense. Now I am much bigger fan of winning than I am for chemistry. But this team has chemistry oozing out of its pores. They have a super human leader and believe in him and each other. And that eases any lingering thoughts of shoulda coulda woulda from the trade deadline.

I understand why Danny Ferry is willing to take his chances. So breathe in Cavs fans the bandwagon is about to get very crowded.

Cleveland Sports Update

Yawn

Idle the Jet Please

I don't watch a lot of TNT and while Charles Barkley has been on his forced leave of absence I have watched even less. I saw some of the pregame before the Cavs played at Los Angeles and New York. And this weekend I have watched some of the All Star festivities.

And what I have taken from these experiences is that I really dislike Kenny "The Jet" Smith. Granted I don't watch him much but is Smith ever correct? Last night he basically declared Phoenix the winner in the Shooting Stars- they lost, he told Kevin Durant to go home when he got to C in horse- Durant won, he said that Daequan Cook had no chance in the 3 point shoot- Cook won and at the start of the dunk contest he basically eliminated Nate Robinson- who of course won.

But being wrong isn't my biggest problem with Smith, he is just an annoying idiot. TNT showed a special about dunks and many of the classics were ruined by Smith screaming and making it about himself rather than the dunk itself. Before the Cavs-Lakers game, he said the biggest thing about the game is LeBron had to put it on his shoulders and prove he was the better player. He didn't talk about winning the game but out-shining Kobe. I was dumbfounded. It should be about winning. Smith trumped this before the Knicks game. He again talked about LeBron having to send a message and do something special. I honestly thought then LeBron would do the opposite and maybe get 20 assists. Yet in the first quarter LeBron took every shot. Eventually he evened out and almost (or did) get a triple-double. But that first quarter made me nervous. The Cavs are not as good when LeBron looks to score rather than play his game.

Friday night I only watched the Rookie game because LeBron was on the mike. But Smith was so annoying that I couldn't take it and gave up rather quick. Smith basically insulted LeBron and hinted he would never be the man like Jordan unless he was in the dunk contest. That thinking is hogwash. First LeBron should not worry about Jordan. He should just be his own man. Second, he should not care what Smith or any announcer or ex-player thinks. LeBron should just be about winning. If he wins then all the praise in the world will take care of itself.

But apparently LeBron does care what Smith and his ilk think. He allow himself to be badgered into announcing he was joining the dunk contest in 2010. Now I don't care one way or the other but I don't like the trend. Smith is all about perception and not actual worth. If Smith has his way LeBron will be a Knick. Smith wants LeBron to be like Jordan and try to win everything at all costs. Which is ironic because while Smith likes to talk about how he won two championships- he only did it because Jordan took time off to play baseball. Otherwise he would be at home yelling at his TV rather than being on TV.

Come back soon Charles. Say what you want about the round mound of rebound but he doesn't take himself too seriously. He makes me laugh rather than puke.

Lakers send a message

Sunday's loss to the Lakers was just one game but man did the team from Los Angeles send a message to the Cavs. The second half was a whupping. Kobe sat on the bench for much of it and the Lakers slapped the Cavs around.

I took two things from that game.

First the Cavs can't trade Wally. He has become their most consistent three-point shooter and he allows Mike Brown a ton of flexibility. Wally allows the Cavs to play small or play big. He can bang some underneath and he can play at the two guard when needed. He is a big part of the Cavs success.

Second the Cavs are going to have to trade Wally. God bless JJ Hickson but against good teams and player he still looks like what he is -- a rookie. Man he did get torched. Hickson will be watching that tape with the coaches over and over. It is blue print on what else he needs to work on. Z opens the offense but he is limited on just who he can guard on defense. Ben and Andy can bring it on defense but you can't have both on the floor at the same time and still run an effective offense. The Cavs need another veteran front court player. And Wally appears to be the best bargaining chip to get one.

I know some will say the answer is right in front of us. Trade Wally, wait 30 days and let him get a buy-out and come back. But it isn't that simple. You would be asking Wally to give up some money and is suppose to do that and sit at home for 30 days out of loyalty? He hasn't been here even a year yet. And whats to say the Celtics or another contender wouldn't swoop in and sign him.

And I am not sure if the missing piece is out there. Brad Miller hasn't looked like himself this season. Mike Miller is struggling with his shot and even that isn't falling he isn't the post presence we need. I would rather have Wally. Vince Carter is a shooting guard and while adding Carter looks good in a video game I am not sure how he meshes on this team. I would love to get Antawn Jamison but I don't see that happening.

Personally I am for a smaller move. Just like every contender, I think the right piece is bringing back Joe Smith. Or doing what Boston did last year and convincing PJ Brown to come out of retirement for three months.

Danny Ferry has done a tremendous job turning over the roster since our Finals appearance. He has a tough decision ahead of him in the next two weeks. Does he stand pat? Does he risk another big move? Is there a small tweak available?

Frankly Ferry has earned the benefit of trust. He was correct last season with the blockbuster and I have faith he will do what is best for the club.

What a strange feeling to have about a general manger in this town.

Bench leads Cavs to win

If you want to boil it down in the simplest terms- the NBA regular season is really about three things:
1. Stay healthy
2. Find an effective rotation
3. Win enough to host a game seven if needed

And in that order. Losing or winning one game to Orlando, Boston, Detroit or even Washington doesn't mean much on the grand scale. The NBA is about winning four out of seven games come May and June. Winning or losing one game in January and February has very little effect on the playoffs. Sure you would rather be home for that game seven but when you have LeBron James and if your team is healthy and primed, home court isn't absolute.

So a bad fourth quarter against Orlando and great one against Detroit aren't worth going over board for. But at the same time, you have to love what transpired today in Michigan.

The Cavs did not play well the first three quarters. Z had some rust and Pistons surged to an eight point lead at the end of the third. Now I am sure the casual fan was screaming why is LeBron sitting for the start of the fourth quarter? Coach Brown would say it is about trust. For the first time in his career, LeBron can sit and not worry about the game falling apart. Resting LeBron now will pay dividends in May and June. He will be fresher and his teammates will have his trust. So down eight, the Cavs went with Mo, Z, Andy, Boobie and Wally to start the fourth. They preceded to go on a 15-2 run to change the game. Warms the heart doesn't it.

So while a win isn't life or death, it does make for a happier Sunday. I heard there is some kind of football game later today. Time to liquor up so I don't have to remember any of it.

"Good night Oakland we will let ourselves out"

When it left LeBron's hand, I had trained myself that it wasn't going in. We have seen that final play at the end of quarters and games many, many times over the years. And very rarely, it seems to work. LeBron stands around and then lets it fly. Often he misses.

Which made it all the more sweeter when it tickled the net. Fred has been waiting to make that call since he got here and I am glad Austin didn't have a heart attack.

Being shorthanded, this was a classic trap game. The Warriors beat Boston at home and they looked ready to beat the Cavs tonight. If you are going to be on a bad team in the NBA, Golden State is the perfect bad team. You get to live in San Francisco and take as many jumpers as you want. They don't even pretend to play defense. In fact they will let you shoot an open jumper because then they will get the ball back. On offense, whoever has the ball inside the timeline gets to shoot and they don't even pretend to rebound. It is playground ball and if you let the Warriors stay close they can and will beat you.

But LeBron got the ball last and he won the game at the buzzer. His numbers were once again eye-popping at 32-9-9. Mo Williams stepped up in the second half after an awful first half. Kinsey was awesome off the bench but everyone else on the team besides Ben had between 8 and 11 points. But Big Ben might have had the second biggest jumper of the night when he beat the buzzer late in the fourth.

Unless you are coach, this was a fun game to watch. And we can say that now after LeBron's heroics. With another game tomorrow in Utah, this was a big win.

Wow- I just watched Mike Brown's press conference. You have to tip your cap to Brown. After we survived Sasha's brain fart. Brown used what Golden State did on that play to get LeBron the Iso against Turiaf. Maybe he can coach.

Small gets it done

You have to give Mike Brown credit for this one.

The Cavs shot themselves to a big early lead over the listless Hornets. But with Z injured, Wallace still not himself and Anderson in foul trouble- it really seemed a matter of time before the rested Hornets would take over and win the game.

But Brown went small. LeBron basically played center in the fourth quarter with Wally at the four and three guards in Williams, Sasha and Boobie. It is not something that is going to work every night but it did tonight. And the Cavs won a game I thought they would lose.

A bump in the road

Well we knew it wasn't going to easy.

The Cavs began the night without their starting front court. Delonte West started off strong as the Cavs built a big early lead then West had one of the scariest head smacks I have seen. It was hard to watch and FoxSports followed with the live sound. Not good. The fact West made it back to the bench for the second half was impressive enough. And as scary as the head smack was the thought of that wrist being broken is scarier.

Mo Williams stepped up with his three-point shooting but he did not have the best game making decisions. Mo has meant so much to the team but there are still times when you shake your head and wonder what he was thinking.

One way to describe the game would be to call it gutty. Missing three starters, the Cavs still had the last shot to win the game. LeBron took a good shot and he missed it. But honestly until the overtime, the Bulls tried thier damnedest to lose this game and the Cavs kept finding way to let the Bulls stay close. I know they missed three important players and the refs made two bad calls back to back near the end of regulation. But the Cavs missed open shots and they made bone headed decisions and lost.

It happens. I expect tomorrow to be ugly as well. LeBron will need to score 50 to win that game and it might not be enough.

But it is January. There is no need to panic. We had the high of last Friday and now we have to ride out this stretch. The Cavs have talked about being a family all season. Reporters talk about this team having chemistry. Adversity is where you find out if that chemistry is real.

Here we go...

Wait who hired a coach before a GM?

So I have been reading a lot of criticism of the Browns hiring of Eric Mangini. Most of seems to be focused on one of two issues. First that the Browns did not hire a GM first and second that the Browns selected yet another coordinator from New England.

There has been a definite backlash and some nasty quotes. I have read that one than one Browns fan has declared they are no longer a fan. Well good riddance. No one cares. For those that have stayed, many are still flabbergasted that Randy Lerner would dare to hire a coach without a GM, what is he thinking?

Yet today in Denver Pat Bowlen, who is considered one of the best owners in sports, hired a 32-year old New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as the Broncos head coach. He did this before he hired a GM.

Why? He said because he felt he had the right guy and he wanted to get started hiring coaches and starting the process of fixing the Broncos.

Which is basically what Lerner said. And many here jumped all over him for that statement.

Now I don't know if Mangini will turn around the Browns. No one does. But I don't think a GM is more important than a coach. It is important to have a voice and face for a franchise. Lerner decided that Mangini is that guy. Now Mangini needs to build a staff and Lerner needs to find a GM who understands what Mangini wants. The fact Mangini wants a defense in the same vein that the Browns wanted before is a bonus. We should have more spare parts that should fit.

The truth is the Browns had the right guys in concept but not in execution. Savage and Crennel were perfect on paper. It just turned out Savage was good at talent evaluation but not playing well with others. Crennel was a great man who couldn't get players to do what he wanted them to do. The Baltimore/New England way wasn't flawed the men picked to follow it through were. It happens. It could happen again. But I feel like Mangini is the true protegee of Belichick not Crennel. Belchick failed here because he was stubborn and you could argue he had the wrong cook picking the ingredients in Mike Lombardi. Belichick learned from his mistakes and he got lucky in uncovering Tom Brady. One hopes Mangini learns his lessons and someone in the front office can egolessly pick the players that Mangini needs for his offense and defense to work.

I can't see the future. But I am willing to wait and see if Randy Lerner is right about Eric Mangini and whoever ends up the GM. I feel better about that than I do about McDaniels and Mike Nolan and an unknown GM in Denver.

Good Guys win

Now that was fun.



Now in the big picture it doesn't mean all that much. But without Big Z, the Cavs whupped the Celtics. The Cavs held serve. Over the last two years, the home team has won each time. Come May and June this game won't mean anything but it was a lot of fun.



Yet to completely contradict myself maybe there is something to take from this game.



While I don't think all would have been lost if the Cavs lost, this game proved what the Cavs have felt all long. They are among the NBA's elite. When the bright lights were turned on they answered the bell. This game can only help the Cavs growing confidence.



As for Boston, this game isn't the end of the world. But there has to be some tension in the locker room. Boston was on top on the NBA world on Christmas Eve. There was talk of 70 wins. Then the Lakers burst their bubble and Boston has lost six of eight coming into the game. Yet there were some that said Boston would come out and try to prove something. And what they proved is right now they are not a very good basketball team. Will they turn it around, most likely but panic started to set in during this game.



How can I say that?



Doc Rivers started to Hack a Ben with 5:18 left. And then soon after looked into the eyes of his Boston Three party and pulled the plug. The Celtics gave up in the fourth quarter. They are a beaten team. Last year they talked about their will and desire. Tonight they learned, they can't coast and just turn it on when they want. They gave their best shot and the Cavs kicked their ass. Will they respond and turn things around? I would imagine so. But this type of performance could lead to the Celtics making a panic move and adding someone like Stephon Marbury. Either way Boston will have to do something. I can't see them staying pat. They know the Cavs are much better then they were last year and they want no part of a game seven at the Q.



Come playoff time what happened tonight will have no real effect on any game, but enjoy tonight. It was a lot fun and adds fuel to the hope that this year is next year.

A coach is hired

Haven't we seen this movie?

Former New England Defensive coordinator hired as head coach with the thought one of Ozzie Newsome's assistants will soon be hired as the general manager.

I know it is easy to pile on Randy Lerner. His daddy paved the way for our team to leave town so he could buy us a new one three years later. Randy didn't ask to be an NFL owner. He had no experience at running a franchise before one was thrust upon him. His first set of hires didn't work out so well. Romeo was a life-long assistant. He had never been the head man before. He struggled at the managing of the clock and the egos in a locker room. The players all liked RAC but it didn't translate into respect on the field. The Browns had one good year helped by a very weak schedule. They were unable to grow from that experience into real winners. Phil was evaluator of talent. His previous boss sifted through his work and made the picks. Before Phil could scout and scout and scout some more. He was unable to work with other people. He was not a leader of me. He just wanted to be in charge. After his first year, he clashed with the other top front office man hired by Randy. Phil only survived because the fans came screaming to his defense. Randy listened to the fans.

It looks like we the fans were wrong. Phil wasn't the right guy. He threw his coach under the bus. He didn't see eye to eye with his coach and just did what he wanted. It cost both of them their jobs.

I give Randy credit. I don't know if Mangini is the right guy. But it would be easy to say I can't hire Mangini because the fans will think I am making the same mistake. Randy has to go with his gut. It is his call and he has to trust his instincts.

There is a lot to like about Mangini. He is young and bright. He is well organized and he has a plan. I like he has been humbled in New York. He should have a chip on his shoulder to prove himself. While one can say Romeo came from Bill Belichick's tree of coaching, Romeo was a staff member. Mangini was Belichick's pupil. He raised the kid from Browns ball ball to defensive coordinator. That is why having Mangini leave after just one year as coordinator to a division rival hurt so much. His "son" became his enemy instead of just a fellow coach anywhere else in the NFL. And it is most likely why Scott Pioli isn't the Browns new GM, if he went to work with Mangini, his friendship with Belichick is in jepordy. Now I know Mangini has his critics from what he did in New York and rightfully he should. This crap that he had Farve shoved down his throat is crap. He named his son after Farve. And if it is true, then Mangini should have learned a valuable lesson. He has to do it his way. Randy Lerner is the perfect owner if you are a coach. He is going to get out of the way and let you work. He will only step in when you embarrass the franchise and frankly that he is what Phil Savage did.

Turnover in the NFL can be very dangerous. When you tear up everything it takes a while to rebuild. If you believe the Browns weren't as good as they looked in 2007 and not as bad as they looked in 2008, having guys who are like the guys you had before isn't all bad. If George Constaza err Kokinis is the hire for GM. One would think he will know many of the same guys Phil Savage knew and maybe the entire department doesn't need to be torn up. I would argue Phil the man was found wanting more than Phil the scout. Where Romeo the man was beloved but Romeo the coach was found lacking.

I know it is easy to say Randy Lerner doesn't know what he is doing. But I am not so sure. While I wasn't a Romeo fan before he got here, I can understand the appeal. Maybe if Romeo ever got another chance, he will learn from his mistakes. Maybe he wouldn't have let himself be pushed around by Phil. Maybe he would have clamped down on Braylon's antics his rookie year. Maybe he would have known better who to hire as his coordinators. Who knows if he will ever get another chance. This is Mangini's next chance. The world of NFL seemed to think three years ago Mangini was destined to be a great coach. Hopefully he is better prepared this time. I believe he is worth the chance.

I read somewhere that this is Randy Lerner's last chance. And that's bullshit. Like Browns fans could force him to sell the team. People are hurting right now. They will forgive 90 percent of that hate by August. This town loves this team and all it will take is one win over the Steelers to forgive almost everything. But fans aren't going to quit and if you do-- good we don't need you anyway. But the idea the fans could force Lerner to sell, hogwash. Just ask Lions fans or Bengals fans and how hard they have pushed to get rid of their owners.

I have no idea if Mangini will turn the Browns around. But I like the hire better hiring Pioli and man who has never been a NFL head coach or then a 70-year old man or a rival who has nothing left to prove. Would I have waited for Bill Parcells, maybe? But something tells me we would have the same coach.

Either way what most fans forget is despite the fact Randy Lerner doesn't like interviews, despite the fact he is a rich man who inherited the team, he is in fact a successful businessman and he grew up one of us. He was there for Red Right 88, for the fumble, for the drive and for everyone one of the losses to Pittsburgh. He was embarrassed this year by his front office and by his team. He wants to make this right. The man hires people to run his businesses and he has a proven track record except in his most visible business. He was wrong last time. Last time he listened to others and trusted them. It ended up being a mistake. We can only hope this time he listened to his gut. If he believes Mangini is the man to right this ship. I am on board.

Not that I have any other choice.

Someone asked me why I was watching the last game of the year. We were down by 17 and time was running out. We had no chance.

Well what else would I do? A punt return and interception return for a touchdown and we are right back in this game.

I hope you are joking this person said.

Not unfortunately I wasn't. Go Browns.

Almost

Nuts.

Who put the game on at 1pm?

The two things I took from today's Cavs game were:
1. If the Wizards played as hard as they do against the Cavs every night, they would not be the worst team in the Eastern Conference. It is amazing how players can just not care and then turn it on for certain teams.
2. The Cavs are not the same team without Z.

Both were obvious and did not take any deep insight on my part. God Bless Andy and what he is doing offensively but without Z the offense stalls. I am all for getting the kids minutes but the Cavs are going to have to explore if there is a big man out there available who fits the following criteria:

1. A veteran post player who has been through the battles.
2. Can hit an open jumper.
3. Is not a huge liability on defense.

I am not too worried about the overall best record. Would I love to have home court and avoid the Orlando Magic, of course. But I believe this team can win on the road in the playoffs and play with anyone. Our frontline health worries me more. I sort expect us to drop as many games this month as we did the first two months of the season but it won't mean the roof is caving in. Z sitting out could be a blessing. It gets the kids minutes and it might push Ferry to bolster the frontline. And in the end, the less wear and tear on Z might be good too.

As for the game itself, when did they start calling travelling in the NBA? I loved the Mike Brown freak out. But I say boo to early afternoon games on a Sunday. I wanted to watch the NFL all afternoon and save my NBA for the evening. Now what I am going to do this evening.

Goodbye and Good Riddance to 2008

The best anyone can say about Cleveland sports in 2008 is that there is some semblance of hope for a better 2009.

The Indians fell on their faces in 08 but have had a solid off-season leading into the new year. Picking up Mark DeRosa for minor leaguers is an impressive move. He is a younger and cheaper Casey Blake. It is always good to hear the other team's fans upset when you pick up a guy so I expect DeRosa to quickly become a fan favorite here. He provides insurance as he can play 2nd or 3rd in case Peralta or Cabrera aren't ready for a switch or an injury moves things around. The Indians seem to play better in odd number years and the front office has improved the team.

The Cavs fell short last season but you could argue the team made itself better by taking that step back. Things have been great so far this season but the Cavs ended 2009 with a loss and have been a bit off the last few games. But Boston has also struggled during the same time period. It is that time of year in the NBA. We will find out a lot about the Cavs on January 9th against Boston but the truth is these two teams will butt heads in the playoffs and that is all that matters.

That football team of ours still has me pissed off. Lets worry about them next year.

Be safe out there. See you next year.

Let the bodies hit the floor

So the reports are in that Phil Savage isn't making the trip back to Cleveland. And that Romeo will have his chance to make his case to Randy Lerner to save his job. Word has it Romeo is well-liked and that Lerner appreciates the class act way Crennell handled being thrown under the bus by Savage. Is there anyway Romeo can save his job?

I can think of one. Here is a report from ESPN.

Now if Lerner was really ready to thrown $8 million to Cowher, he certainly would through that much at Bill Parcells to be the GM. If you looked at the rest of teams on the list, Lerner would be a preferred owner. You know Randy will jet back to England and let Bill do as he pleases will a blank checkbook. Parcells would then need an apostle to coach the team. Maybe Romeo is that guy. Maybe he isn't. But that would the only scenario that could save Romeo.

Parcells has never been my favorite coach. But you can't deny he brings leadership. It would be his voice throughout the organization. I don't see this as likely. But it is a hope and that is all we have left. And Parcells plus ??? is more appealing to me than Marty or Cowher or the flavor of the month. This team needs a voice more than it needs a coach. Savage proved he was not a leader of men. We need a leader.

Once upon a time

44 years ago today.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

Been out of town to celebrate an early Christmas with the family. The Browns game wasn't on TV where I was in Indiana. I watched a lot of highlight shows the last two days and never once was a highlight of the game shown. So all I know is the score and that's more than enough.

I saw Romeo claim he is the man for the job and I had to stifle a curse word because I was holding my 15-month nephew.

I read Braylon's quote today in Peter King's column on SI.com:

"I've given my all to this city for four years, and I realize it will never be enough. I went to the Pro Bowl last year and resurrected this team from the darkness, and nobody cared... My biggest problem is that I actually give a damn. I'm always rushing back from surgeries and injuries, never missing games or practices. But through this, I've learned how to overcome adversity. I'm also proud of how much my foundation has taken off. I've been doing all this community service in Cleveland. My charity efforts will only be in Detroit from now on.''
-- Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, in one of the most ill-timed rants in recent NFL history, to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

There is that man's true colors. I can't believe he could say that with a straight face. I have supported a lot of losers in this town for the last three decades. But I won't blindly cheer for someone who is a loser as a person. I don't care if Mr. Monday catches every pass thrown to him next year. I want him in a different uniform.

Steeler week has always meant something regardless of the record. I know I will watch the game but I doubt any thought of the game occurs to me until next Sunday. That is how far the Browns have fallen. Like I said I fight through losing. I can't stomach punks or coaches so out of touch. To me he holds some responsibility for Braylon. He has let Edwards have free reign. I will have to page through my blog to refresh my memory on the dates. But Braylon wasn't the saint people are trying portray. He got numbers but he hurt the team last season with selfish plays. He dropped passes. But he had Joe J to save him face on third down. While this year his running buddy Stallworth took away his preseason and his security blanket by being worthless.

I am not wasting any more words on either of them.

Hey a touchdown!

New game same story. Nothing new to report.

Quick thoughts

Cavs

I actually heard people at the bar whining about the Cavs losing to the Hawks. Put this into perspective, playing without two of their main rotation guys they went on the road for their fourth game in five nights, did not shot well or have their legs on defense- yet had a wide open three to force overtime.

You can't really ask for more than that.

Despite how many points Andy has scored the last few games, it is obvious how much the Cavs miss Z. Andy needs to pick and roll with LeBron or Mo where Z can just pick and pop. The big man's jumper opens the floor for the rest of his teammates. Teams can make Andy beat them and focus on the everyone else. Even though Andy has gotten better, do you really want him taking so many shots.

Indians

I am excited about Kerry Wood. Sure the skeptic in me is screaming ARM TROUBLE but at least the team is being proactive instead of pollyanna. The last few years, Dolan tied Shapiro's hands and said I hope everything goes right. This time he ponied up and looked to the outside. I know they spent more than they wanted and that might take a veteran starter out of the mix. I want a veteran starter more than a second baseman. Lee and Carmona looked good at the top. But each has been hurt one of the last two seasons. We need a veteran who eats up innings as the third starter. I like Reyes and you have all the lefties fighting for the fifth spot. But I would feel better if those lefties had one spot instead of two in the rotation. I heard the Marlins were looking to sign Paul Byrd if they can afford him so can the Tribe. I know the Byrd man drove me nuts at times but he looked to turn his season around last year after Bert Blyleven helped him out. You can say what you want about Travis and Victor getting hurt last year and how JoBo going down ruined the pen. But the Tribe was still in contention despite all that until Jay Westbrook got hurt. Starting pitching is the difference maker in the American League and we don't have the rotation we once had.

Browns

Is it wrong butI am worried the Browns will win out or win two of the last three and save Crennel and Savage's job. I know it is not likely but it seems like the kind of shit we would do. For three hours tonight I will cheer for us to win. But for the rest of the week, I want a new staff and a high draft pick we can turn into a linebacker. Crennel has proven nothing on the field and the more I hear Savage talk the more I think he is not leader of men. I don't doubt whereever Savage goes next he will do a great job scouting but neither man is suited for the postition they are in.

College football
The Heisman has become a joke. The winner is no more the best player in college football than the Chic Harley or the Maxwell Award is. The Heisman is just owned by ESPN which I guess makes it worth less in reality than the Chic Harley or Maxwell.

Quick hits

-I am not writing about any new player on the Indians until I see him hold up a Wahoo jersey at the press conference.

-I always liked Franklin Gutierrez but I don't know enough about the guys we got in exchange to really have an opinion about this trade. However the last two middle infielders we got from Seattle have turned out alright.

-This Monday's game is going to have a lot less luster than the first two this year, huh.

-Last night was a game the Cavs would have lost in years past. Let's hope the big man is alright.

Same game different day

Well the good news is that it was not a home game. But can you really blame the players for giving up when it is obvious the coaches have given up. Field goals? Punts at midfield when losing? Not bothering to challenge close calls?

I guess the only reason not to fire Romeo now is that we need to lose the next three to get a higher draft pick.

This team just isn't worth talking about.

Is this the real thing?

So last night at a bar, I spent a half hour talking about the Cavs. It is the month of December and strangers are discussing the red headed stepchild that is the Cavs. That shows just how disillusioned people are with the Browns and just how impressive the Cavs have been this season.

Now let me reiterate, people weren't discussing 2010. They weren't talking about LeBron's choice in sportswear or even his outstanding ability. They were talking Mo Williams, Delonte West, Wally, Z, Big Ben and the young rookies. As fans, we can see the chemistry.

Windhorst has hinted that it in fact real and today wrote his most concrete article about how this team is together and different.

Like most in this town, I tend to gravitate to the grey in the lining. I have been built up over and over only to come crashing down. So I have slowly embraced this team. I have been careful to stay at arms length.

But it is getting harder not to get excited.

This team looks like the real deal. And maybe all the 2010 talk is the perfect smoke screen. What they are doing is going mostly unnoticed. But I guarantee that Danny Ainge in Boston is paying attention. Danny Ferry has done his job assembling the pieces. Dan Gilbert has become the owner this town has always desperately pined for. He will spend whatever it takes. We have a superstar about to hit his prime. And he has a locker room of perfect teammates.

I promised myself I would not fall in love again. But it is getting harder and harder to stay at arms length.

A new way to lose

What else could happen in this season of horrors?

Our much-maligned defense held Peyton Manning and the Colts to three points. THREE POINTS and the Browns found a way to lose the game. As the clock ticked down, I was prepared to come to this blog and burned Derek Anderson at the figurative stake. But the man is in pain and his season is mercifully over. So the rant will be shelved as it wouldn't make me feel any better to spew it.

I guess the silver lining is as fans we will get what we wanted and that is the heads of Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage. With Coach Dorsey as the quarterback the rest of the season, the odds of the Browns getting that much needed stud linebacker get better. And maybe Chud will have no choice but to run our Flash version of the wildcat and put Harrison and Cribbs on the field at the same time.

I am sad. This isn't fun at all. And I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Cavs looking good

Tired of the soap opera that the Browns have become? Well the other soap opera in town is threatening to have its drama made irrelevant by its play on the court. While New York City and the National Media are making plans about LeBron and the summer of 2010, the Cavs are quickly becoming a major force in the NBA.

One of the biggest complaints with the Cavs over the last few seasons is how hard they made things on themselves. How many games did they either lose to terrible teams or at the every least get taken down to the wire? LeBron had to put up monster minutes because Mike Brown had no choice. Well if you have not been paying attention the Cavs are 13-3 and 9-0 at home. The last three games- they played three chump teams and blew out all three. The three losses were all on the road to Boston, New Orleans and Detroit and there is no shame there.

Tomorrow they play their fourth game in five minutes but fatigue isn't a worry because LeBron played 30, 17 and 30 minutes. The bench has played a ton and were game changers in New York. I can't remember the Cavs ever winning three blowouts in a row. The scary thing is they aren't even close to being where they need to be on defense yet. This team if it stays healthy is one of the best in the NBA and will be tough out in the playoffs.

The pieces are starting to fall in place around LeBron. The talent level is so much higher at every position from the 2007 team that made the finals. And Ferry has expiring contracts to make another move at the deadline.

The team is hitting on all cylinders so all the talk that the LeBron rumors are hurting the team sound silly. In face for the first time since LeBron has joined the team, he not only has talented teammates but he has teammates who are good teammates. The large egos of Ricky Davis and Larry Hughes are gone. The brain deadness of Drew Gooden is gone. You can tell the bench loves and appreciates being on a team with a superstar. Ben Wallace, Z, Mo Williams and Delonte West are the perfect group for LeBron. They will all work hard and not care about credit.

Let everyone speculate all they want. If the Cavs win on the floor, everything will take care of themselves.

Fates sealed

Romeo Crennel. Derek Anderson. Phil Savage.

All three of their fates were sealed today. All three have to lose their jobs. And if Randy Lerner is not going to pull the trigger, he has to sell the team. A teetering fan base got shoved over a cliff today.

This team lacks leadership and discipline. The lines of communication aren't open. Players are not giving their all. It starts with Phil Savage. He has done some good work on rebuilding the roster but the Winslow saga and the email exchange are prime examples of Savage's biggest weakness. He is not a leader. He is not a communicator. It is why he was almost let go after one season. The fans saved his job then. It should not be saved now.

Crennel's sins are different. For all his faults, it has been said that at least his players love him and believe in him. Well that is no longer true. He lost one of his most professional players in Jamal Lewis a few weeks ago. It has been said that one of Tom Coughlin's strengths as a coach is that he coaches the top third of his roster. If you believe players fit in three categories. There are the leaders, there are the disgruntled and there are all of the guys in the middle. By making his leaders happy, Coughlin wins over the middle and the disgruntled get left behind. If you coach to the disgruntled, the middle gets lost and joins the bottom instead of the top. By coddling Braylon Edwards, Crennel has lost his middle. Edwards has talent. But his lack of concentration and effort have helped sabotage this season. Quinn's second pick was Edwards fault. Quinn got benched and Edwards got every pass almost the rest of the game from Anderson.

I am not going to say that Quinn played awesome but you didn't see the confusion and the mistakes when he was in there. I don't know if it is just coincidence or he has a leadership style that is different but things are smoother when he is in the huddle. he is the quarterback of the future and the present. Anderson has a gun but he is not a leader. He does not inspire. Crennel in a panic went with Anderson and he got burned.

The problem is now what. What if Cowher got more loyalty to the Rooney family than Lerner has money? I don't know. But what is obvious is that Crennel, Anderson and Savage have left Lerner with no choice but to blow this up.

The three have made the cardinal sin. They have lost the fans.

Browns win again on Monday night

Derek Anderson owes Brady Quinn's agent a lot of money. If Quinn had not held out as a rookie, Anderson never sees the field last season and doesn't get paid last off-season. If Quinn had showed up last season day one, he would have started all sixteen games last season. Maybe the Browns would have won just eight games instead of ten but they didn't make the playoffs anyway. At any rate, the Browns would have been ahead of schedule this season, there is no doubt in my mind.

I like what I am seeing out of Quinn. Ignore his stats, Quinn did everything he had to tonight. He avoided the rush with one exception all night. Braylon Edwards may have put up some numbers but he let Quinn down twice big time. Once early in the first when the Browns would have had a first and goal and then late in the fourth when a catch would have kept the drive alive.

Regardless, the Browns won. And I think Quinn has shut idiots like Trent Dilfer up. Anderson should have never been the starter this season and the Browns have paid a price.

The defense did just enough. And can we book a ticket to Hawaii right now for Shaun Rogers. The man is a beast. He makes our whole defense go.

I still can't figure out why on offense that Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison don't touch the ball more. Cribbs doesn't care about his body or welfare and will do anything to score. And Harrison is just magic when he gets the ball. Both need to be more involved.

Call me crazy but a win like this just screams why Romeo Crennel needs to go. This team is one of the five most talented in the AFC. This season is lost and it really didn't need to be.

RIP Herb Score

I loved Herb Score like family. Growing up, not every game was on TV like it was now. SO much of my youth was spent listening to Herb call the games.

I wasn't old enough to have seen him play. But Herb was one of the best youth players of his generation before he was hit with a line drive. All reports say he never complained about what he could have been.

His last game behind the mike was game seven of the 1997 World Series. If life was fair, he would have went out on top after calling all those years when the team was awful. The fact he didn't get to call the Indians World Champions made that game all the more tragic.

I know he has suffered a lot the last decade after his car accident, so hopefully he is now at peace.

God Bless you Herb. And thank you for being a part of the family.

Quick thoughts

So this is what my life has been reduced to? Cheering madly against the Steelers. Thanks to the Browns that seems to be all that is left of this season. So while hope is lost, it is always fun to see the bad guys lose. That final pass was scary though.

The Cavs have won ugly the last two games. And that maybe more than anything has me working hard not to smile so much. It is way to early to get that invested in the Cavs but I am liking what I see out of this roster. Pieces are starting to fit together. I like what Mo brings to the team. I am liking what I see out of West. Our frontline depth concerns me some but the Cavs have the most money out or the contenders to offer McDyess or there is some bait in Snow and Wally's contracts to make a trade at the deadline. The roster has improved so much that Sasha is in mothballs. This team is much better than the team that went to the finals and better than the team that should have beaten the Celtics last season. This team could make things very interesting come spring time.

I am wondering since C.C. was traded to the Brewers in between will that lessen the blow and the boos if and when he dons a Yankee cap.?

And congrats to Dawn Moses and her Olmsted Falls volleyball team on winning the D-I volleyball title. The game was shown on Sportstime Ohio and if you are a high school sports fan the first game of the title watch was one for the ages. The Bulldogs won 39-37 in a game that took 40 minutes to play. It was as intense and back and forth as any sporting event could be. If they replay, you should check it out.

That wasn't fun

I am not angry more numb. For the second time in just five days, it was a long walk out of the stadium.

Has any NFL stadium ever been so quiet on a final drive? The Browns still had a solid chance to win and the crowd was silent. Even when the Browns led by 13, you could feel an uneasiness. The crowd was waiting for the bottom to drop out. And then the bottom did just that.

A few quick thoughts before I go pass out:

-Wow our pass rush sucks.
-Wow our secondary sucks.
-Jerome Harrison needs to touch the ball more.
-Josh Cribbs needs to touch the ball more on offense. When the ball was on the one, he should have been under center. He needs to be on the field for offense more. Hell maybe he should even play some linebacker. The dude makes every special teams tackle and every return he makes is fun to watch.
-For a first start Brady Quinn played very well. He is everything Anderson is not. Quinn is not going to throw the home run ball like Anderson but he can make the short throws Anderson can't. The change at Quarterback was the right move. Hopefully with an extended break, the coaching staff will be able to open the offense more for Quinn.
-Oh Winslow! He played a great game yet it was his mistake that turned the tide.
-Wow our secondary sucks.

Careful what you wish for

Well just hours after Romeo Crennel told the media there were no plans to make a change at quarterback, the Browns announced that Brady Quinn would start on Thursday night against the Broncos.

Short week. National TV. What could go wrong?

My guess is this call came from over Crennel's head. The proof would be that a decision was actually made. To proactively change something on the fly is not Crennel's style at all. I could just see ownership picturing 70,000 fans screaming on national TV for Anderson's head. The playoffs are lost so the Browns should wisely find out what they have in Quinn. And if it calms the fan base that is bonus.

I was at Sunday's debacle and have tickets for Thursday. Frankly I was not that excited to go to the game. Who wants to go to a funeral? This switch should fire up the crowd and make for a more exciting than it should be atmosphere on Thursday.

Only two days of practice and prep, no worries. But the Browns might as well start the future now.

Browns drop the ball

The game, and for that matter the season, was literally in the Browns grasp.

Up 14 in the third quarter, the Browns had the Ravens in the shadow of their end zone with a third and long. Flacco escaped the rush, completed a 20-yard pass and the Ravens began their march down the field. The Ravens rallied to tie the game but the Browns still had victory in their grasp. Derek Anderson threw a perfect strike down the middle of the field to a wide open Braylon Edwards but somehow Edwards dropped the ball. The game was still tied at that point but all confidence (both Anderson's and the crowd's) was lost.

The end isn't worth talking about and I have no new real ground to cover. Anderson is not the answer. He is inconsistent and maddening to watch. I really question Chud's play calling all game but especially on the interception that sealed the game. Third and eight at the 46 down three and you call a screen pass?

Two Browns really stood up. Joshua Cribbs was electric. He gave the Browns a chance to win and helped mask Anderson's incompetence. And I think there is no question that Shaun Rogers is the best Browns defensive player since their return. Rogers was a one-man wrecking crew, it is too bad he doesn't have more help.

After the game, we wandered over the Bruce Springsteen/Obama gathering. It was a little surreal but I am not sure there was 80,000 people there. Listened to Bruce sing and the start of Obama's stump speech, left just in time before the rain started. It was an interesting mix of angry drunken Browns fans trying to wade through people hoping to hear a message of change and hope.

Alas for the Browns, hope for this season is lost. Here is hoping that change in on the way sooner rather than later. Anderson is not the answer. Crennel doesn't seem to be the answer. And after the last few weeks, I am losing faith in Phil Savage as well.

It's not good.

Browns win

When the Browns win: food tastes better, tequila goes down smoother and life is easier. You can read the paper, watch ESPN and smile all day. Browns wins make everything better. Hope takes over and anything seems possible.

Yet I stand by my criticism of Derek Anderson. He is inconsistent and he is not the quarterback I want as my starter. The man is maddening. For every great throw, there is the lame duck. And while Chud made a brilliant call (And Anderson fulfilled it) on the fourth and one, sometimes our play calling is curious at best. Our calls between the forties is weird, I don't get it. Also I don't understand our play calling inside the five. I would make Josh Cribbs our Qb on the one but what do I know. But if I can yell out each play then I am guessing the other team's D coordinator can too.

However I can not remember the last time we had a high price acquisition who lived not only up but beyond expectation like Shaun Rodgers has. He is making me forget 92 was Micheal Dean Perry's number. Rogers is a game changer. And our linebackers own him a steak dinner.

I admit the second last pass of the game scared the crap out of me. As that ball bounced around I saw every painful final second loss we have ever suffered but Sorenson came in and cleaned up. It was beautiful.

We can worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Winning is good. We are just a game out of the wild card and everything is possible.

What a great day not only did the good guys (the Browns) win but the bad guys (those pukesburgers) lost.

Enjoy the week.

Savage and Browns make a mistake

Count on the Browns to take a bad situation and make it worse. I disagree with suspending Winslow. I believe not only is it a mistake, but it sends the wrong message.

Winslow was wrong with how he handled things after the game. He talked in anger and frustration. But he had a point. You just don't scream at the Gm in front of everyone and then talk to the press.

But to suspend him that is just as wrong. Winslow did not miss a meeting. Winslow did not hit a teammate. Winslow used words. They are just words. The Browns have coddled Braylon Edwards and his actions for years. He has never be suspended. Edwards has yelled at teammates. He has missed meetings. But the Browns have tolerated his actions.

On the other hand, Winslow got a staph infection something that has sidelined several players, spent time in a hospital and a week later was on the field. He runs his mouth and the Browns suspend him. I don't care what the players say but that has to divide the locker room. Winslow got slapped for biting his owner. The staph infection issues have to scare the players. And when Winslow was told to hide it and then talked about it, he got suspended. Phil Savage showed who was boss and made a statement. I don't think it was the right one.

I can't help but feel Savage has been planning to rid of Winslow for sometime. Winslow is right, he is a piece of meat. An affordable one right now but not one Savage wants to pay more. I think Savage knows Winslow and his agent Drew Rosenhaus, possibly one of the most evil and sought after agents in the world, were not going to live up to the next three years of his contract. It is why Savage drafted Rucker and why he is playing the tough guy know. I can see suspending a player who is hurting the locker room with his actions but I don't see Winslow doing that. He yelled at his boss, he should be fined. But Savage is hurting his football team just to hurt a player. And I think that is wrong.

Phil Savage has gotten mostly a free pass in this town since the fans saved his job after his first season. But I think it is time to turn the heat up. His drafts have been questionable. His faith in Edwards and Crennel can also be questioned. And this rash of staph infections is inconceivable and if he asked Winslow to hide it from his teammates, maybe he should be fired. The Browns have a lot of explaining to do and instead they suspend Winslow. Not good.

The wheels fall off

My boss didn't visit me in the hospital. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. The one guy I would have predicted to be the most real man in the locker room moaned after the game against his general manager not calling him when he got a staph infection. Man this team is in trouble.

Turns out Monday night was an aberration and not an adjustment. The old sins came screaming out. Braylon Edwards dropped passes for most of the game. Derek Anderson made poor throw after poor throw which he trumped with several horrid decisions. Yet at the end of the game, they had a chance to win.

And that is the concern. I don't just a chance to win. I want to win. I think Derek Anderson is the perfect back-up quarterback. I have felt that way for almost three years. He has a gun and when forced on the field, he can attack a defense. He can gunsling with the best especially in a comeback effort. But he is not a someone who can follow a game plan. He is not consistent. He is not reliable. He is not a manager of the game. He will make throws that will get scouts to drool but he is a coach-killer. I don't know if the kid back-up is the real thing but I am more than ready to give him the keys. And that isn't a reactionary view. Anderson wasn't very good the first few drives in the Giants win but after the huge bomb to Edwards, his confidence soared and the win was on. But I need consistency in my quarterback. The Browns got ball twice inside the 50 in the first quarter and squandered it. And yes Anderson threw the late touchdown to Edwards but he only got that chance because the defense forced a turnover. His decision making on the goal line on the series before combined with questionable play calling (If I can call out the play four times in a row so can the other team) should have cost the Browns the game right there. And on the final drive when he had to make the throws to get the Browns a few more yards, he fell apart.

I understand Romeo has loyalty but that loyalty is going to get him fired. It is time to play the kid. Anderson will show flashes of brilliance. But he isn't the guy. It is time to find out if the other guy is in fact the guy.

And the Winslow comments really bother me. I don't care if he is right. The Browns have had way too many staph infections. It is a problem and something needs to be done. But to say stuff like I could have asked for a trade or I could have pulled a Chad Johnson, please that is exactly what you just did. I would have chalked about his lack of production in that game to his illness or Anderson but those comments make me wonder about his commitment in the game. And I have never question K2's commitment before. He even got a jab in about his contract. It is that what this is really about. Be leader and stay committed to it. My boss didn't call, really?

Fudge us.

Notch one for the good guys

I can't stop smiling, how about you?

Every if came to fruition in that game. Anderson and Edwards stepped up and played like they did last year. Our young secondary change the game with three huge interceptions and solid play all night, our backup tight ends both had huge game in replace of Winslow and our offensive line dominated the game.

The Browns couldn't stay onsides on offense yet they still won the game against the defending champs by three touchdowns.

Was the season saved last night? Not really but it the Browns stayed alive. Hope is back on the docket. Road games against playoff teams loom the next two weeks, but if the Browns can repeat that effort, anything is possible.

In the whole nation, the only "expert" I saw to pick the Browns was Steve Young. After the game, he said the Browns offense was on par with New Orleans and that if they played to their potential, they could make the playoffs. And it is hard to argue with him, the Browns shot themselves in the foot all night and played without Winslow, yet were unstoppable. When the punter never steps on the field, you are going to have a good night.

It was a win that soothes the soul. A win that makes you forget all the wrongs of the first four games. It is a good night to be a Browns fan. Enjoy it.

Long wait for Browns football almost over

Two Sundays without Browns football in the middle of the season is way too long. It seems like months since they last played. One would think I would be anxious and excited about Monday Night Football returning tomorrow. But the opposite is true. I had a ticket to the game but I gave it up. I will still watch the game and try to will the Browns to a victory but being surrounded by drunks in what looks like it could be a funeral for the season doesn't sound like fun.

Rational thought tells you that the Browns have no shot to win on Monday. The Giants have looked really good, the Browns not so much. Any chance of over confidence was lessened when the Browns defensive line talked trash this week. Making you wonder about the NFL player's ability to be self-delusional. After the ugly win over the Bengals, players like Edwards and Anderson were talking about getting their swagger back. Those comments worried me. Have they no idea how bad they have played?

All of those feelings were before Kellen Winslow Jr.'s trip to the hospital this week. I will save the jokes for elsewhere on the Internet. But only the Browns could lose their best player and leader on the field during the bye week with swollen testicles.

I am sure once the ball is kicked off, I will be fine and into the game. And here is hoping that I have these players misread. Maybe they will rise to the occasion and in the bright lights, they will make a statement on national TV and save this season. Maybe Anderson and Edwards will redeem themselves. Maybe the defense will back up the words of players who haven't contributed much. Maybe the coaching staff will learn when to use timeouts and calls plays that benefit our talent. Maybe we will line up the right way and run the plays as called.

Lot of freaking maybes.

Ex-Tribe in the playoffs

As someone who travels to Milwaukee eight or more times a year, I saw up close how the city fell in love with C.C. Sabathia. The man could run for mayor right now. I would imagine no matter what uniform Sabathia wears next time he is in Miller Park, he will get a standing ovation. What Sabathia did since the trade was amazing. He literally pitched the Brewers into the playoffs by himself. His pitch counts were crazy and his performance in the season ending playoff clincher was pure balls. I was happy for Sabathia.

So his start today in Philadelphia leaves me a little sad yet at the same time comforted. You couldn't expect Sabathia to keep pitching the way he did on three days rest over and over so you can't label him a choker. He proved his worth down the stretch.

But if he would have went out and been dominating in the playoffs, I think it would have made last year hurt even more. I can't help but feel game five against Boston last year was our last best chance to win a World Series. That what if will always be there. I have cheered for Sabathia since the trade but when he failed today- my reaction was strangely relief. I was not happy he got squeezed by the umpire then light up for a grand slam but it brought me back to earlier this year when he helped torpedo our season by getting lit up. Obviously we had bigger problems than Sabathia, but his slow start was a big catalyst to this waste of a season. So while I was happy he got Milwaukee into the playoffs, I felt at peace when he was what he was for us. A good pitcher but not the messiah.

On another note, two ex-Indians hit huge home runs this week and I had vastly different reactions. I really hate Jim Thome. Just looking at the man makes my stomach turn. It had to be him that got the White Sox into the playoffs. It made this season even more painful. Yet I still love Manny. I could really care less what he did in Boston. I don't blame him and I will never boo him. I usually not a big fan of Bill Simmons, for me he is a lot like Dane Cook, I don't get the appeal. But this article pretty much hits the nail on the head for me. And Manny never won anything for me. He may have left Cleveland but he never betrayed me. He may gotten bad advice but he never pretended to be anything than what he is- one of the best right handed hitters of all time.

Browns win a game

Well that was an uninspiring victory. But hey a win is a win in the NFL right?

So let's concentrate on the positive aspects of the Browns win over the Bungles.

Ummmmm.

They won the game. And.........

Oh in the fourth quarter, they starting lining up the right way more often than they didn't.

Please pass the antacids.

Baseball is fun again

It would figure that as soon as baseball became fun again, the season entered its final week. I went to several games the last few weeks including the last two. The games have been fun and entertaining. Winning does that.

Tonight Jensen Lewis was nails in the ninth. He retired the first two then gave up a single and a double to put both the tying and winning runs on base. He stood firm however and struck out Jed Lowrie to end the game. The Tribe won its seventh in a row and prevented Boston from celebrating on the field a playoff clincher.

Winning is of course too late. But it is always better than losing. It makes you wonder how different this season could have been. Losing your three and four hitters was painful but the real season killer was the loss of Jake Westbrook. That forced youngsters into the rotation and put took a stopper out. The 10-game road losing streak that led to Sabathia being shipped out- is less likely to happen with Jake available. If the Tribe had last year's team this season, you would have to label them the favorites. But that is why you play the games.

The real winners this season are Choo and Shoppach. You would like to believe both have won spots for next season. Or will be used as valuable barganing chips to improve the ball club. Two other players had solid second halfs, one should return but I am not buying the other. Asdrubal Cabrera rebounded from his trip to minors. For the second straight year, he has hit well down the stretch. Hopefully he will learn his lesson and come to camp in shape and ready to go. And the other hand, it is time to say goodbye to Ryan Garko. He has had his share of RBIs since he failed to run out that grounder weeks ago but he has failed his in quest to stay on this team. He lacks power, he is a below average fielder and he is very inconsistent. My vote is moving Victor to first and keeping both Shoppach and Fasano.

This team has real needs. The bullpen needs a linchpin to hold it together. That can be either an established closer or a lights out set-up man. Lewis has bought himself a role but help is still needed. This team needs a veteran starter that eats innings, maybe two. But for me- and I have no idea if this player exists. But my dream free agent would be a second baseman who is a true lead-off hitter. I know Sizemore likes hitting leadoff but he will like winning even more. If we could find a stud top of the order guy - I love a lineup 2nd through 9th that features Choo, Sizemore, Martinez, Hafner, Peralta, Shoppach, Francisco and Cabrera. You can swap Choo and Francisco on the match-up.

Hope is dangerous concept. But this team may not be that far away.

Worst case scenario

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I left the Indians game early to watch that. What a disgusting mess.

A lot of faith was lost in that game.

Faith was lost in Derek Anderson. His decision making was poor. He looked lost and way over his head. This is not a new trend. As great as his numbers were last season, he has struggled since the halftime of the second Steelers game. That is also the moment, where the Browns went from carefree surprise to pressure-filled contender. He has handled it poorly. His reads are awful and frankly he looked scared to make a play after the second interception.

Faith was lost in the coaching staff for continuing to send out Anderson. I don't care how Crennel is in practice. He has shown no ability to adjust. He has shown no ability to make a tough decision. I want coaches who grab situations by the balls. This staff waits for things to come to them.

Faith was lost in Braylon Edwards. Top NFL receivers don't need help. They make plays. Edwards commits stupid penalties and drop balls.

I don't care about injuries. I don't care about excuses. The Browns got punched in the mouth early in the third quarter and their response was to cover up and hide. They rolled over.

At least now the pressure is off. The playoffs look to be impossible. Maybe that is what this team needs. No expectations.

Sickens the stomach doesn't it.

What makes this season so disappointing isn't just the losing. But the rolling over. The being unprepared. The inability to produce anything that could even be misconstrued as hope.

The Anderson era needs to end. And if it doesn't then the Crennel one will be soon to follow.

Went to a fight and baseball game broke out

I liked it.

Let's start with the fact that Gary Sheffield is a punk. He has always been a punk. He was punk in Milwaukee and San Diego and in all of his seven stops in the majors. He complains about being a designated hitter because he wants to play the outfield but he can't muster the effort when his manager puts him out there.

If you just read the paper tomorrow I am sure they will make it sound like Carmona hit Sheffield because he gave up a homer early in the inning, but that wasn't the case. There was an out in between and he hit him with an 0-1 count. Sheffield stared him down and Carmona gave it back to him. Sheffield carried the bat with him the whole way to first because you know he is a real man. So Carmona did what I would have done. He threw a fast ball to first so a tag could be slapped on Sheffield. And the punk took offense to that. He stepped towards Carmona and frankly Carmona kicked his ass. Then all hell broke loose. Little Asdrubal went in head first and Victor Martinez wasn't going to let anyone intimidate his pitcher.

The Indians got the last laugh as Shin-Soo Choo tied it in the eighth with a three-run blast and the Indians won it in the bottom of the ninth.

The brawl and the win showed the Indians still have fight in them. And I think it is exactly what Fausto Carmona needs going into the off season. Hopefully it will inspire him to a Cliff Lee like rebound season next season. This season was frankly a disaster. But at least the players didn't waive the white flag after it was lost. I think finishing above .500 while a disappointment will still be a positive heading into next season. Hopefully the Indians will return to the good odd year season after a bad even year season.

Same result

I am not convinced that we weren't the most talented team on the field but they won again. And you can't argue with that.

I do know that all the goodwill built up by Crennel, Anderson and Edwards was used up in this game. Romeo butchering of the clock was stomach turning. He looked amateur. Anderson's decision making was awful. It will be hard to defend him against cries for Quinn. I understand throwing away your pro bowl quarterback for an unproven youngster makes no sense. And while I don't advocate pulling the switch, I have no rebuttal for those that will scream for it. As for Braylon Edwards, I can't think of a Brown player ever, especially one as obviously talented as he is, that I have despised more. Simply put, he is the Browns version of Larry Hughes. I am so tired of watching him flap his lips and drop balls.

The Browns held the other team to 10 points and lost the game. I am speechless at the offense. I am speechless about the coaching. Another lost opportunity.

Being down 0-2 doesn't mean the season is over but the Browns have dug themselves a huge hole. And the blame is on Crennel, Anderson and Edwards. You can't do anything else. All three have a ton to prove in the next few weeks. A ton.

Take this game

I hate Pittspuke.

When I was a young child I was taught that Franco Harris was the Anti-Christ and Terry Bradshaw was Satan himself. The first time I ever saw a curse word written out was underneath the underpass that led to the Old Stadium and of course my least favorite city in the world followed it.

Now when my grandfather was a young man and as my father grew up, the Browns owned Pukespurgh. And by owned, I mean dominated. Yet they were always our rivals. Fans fought in the bleachers and the players fought on the field.

The tide turned in the 70s. There was the curse of Three Rivers and the fact when the Browns finally fell from football dominance, that other team rose from the ashes into a dynasty. Yet the rivalry never faded. Young Bernie Kosar broke the curse as the Browns made a short return to the NFL elite. And again that is when that other team took a brief fall. But the rivalry remained.

And then the Browns left town. While I can respect their owner for voting against the move and I can respect him for being the type of owner I dreamed we have, I won't ever say say anything else nice about him or that team.

When the Browns left town. We lost a lot. A lot of people crossed over to the dark side because the other team won a lot. The three year gap of no football and the horrid ownership and coaches we have been forced to allow those other fans to come out of the closet. They walk freely among us. I cringe every time I see a bumper sticker- it takes everything I have not to smash in the window. I won't buy anything from a store in a mall that has one of their jerseys in the window. I don't care how stupid that sounds. That store will never see any of my money. If you are a bar that freely invites their fans to your establishment, you will never see my money. I don't care how irrational that sounds.

I get if you were born on the other side of the state line. I won't tip my cap to you. I won't chuckle and say it is in all good fun, because it is not. But I understand you were born into your side just like I was born into mine. However if you are from here and you changed sides because they win more or you liked their colors. Don't ever speak to me.

Being a Browns fan is more than winning and losing. Seeing our a-hole owner stole the team away and he got a trophy for it burns. It is a white hot heat that will never fade. But why do I still hate the black and yellow even more than him and his bastard team.

The Browns were royalty that turned rotten. We fired Paul Brown. We ran off Jim Brown in his prime. We have made bad hire after bad hire. The team left and was replaced with pretenders. And yet the true fans stayed true. If you are fan you are allowed to question your team. You are allowed to get your heart broken. But as miserable as you get you do two things. One- you watch the Browns play every game and you let them carry you to highs and lows. And number two you hate that other team from across the border.

I have never liked that other team's fans. But I hate them even more now. Sure it has been your turn for way too long, you beat us over and over and over. But I hate more you because you act like their is no rivalry because you win all the time. We hated before you won. And we will hate with all of our hearts and souls even if we win the next twenty games. You act like we don't matter. You strut and your team has earned it. I see recently you were voted the league's best fans. Yet I wonder where you would be if you went through what we have gone through. It was easy to be a Browns fan in 50s and 60s. And it has been easy to be Pittspuke fan the last few decades. A lot of fun when you win all the time. We lose all the time lately. Yet our Browns Backers clubs are the biggest in the nation. We still sell out the games. And we still get our hearts broken all the time.

And I get that only that half the people who wear both colors are the real fans. That drunk kid wearing the Edwards jersey, he isn't really one of us. That girl in the pink Brady jersey, she is just there for the beer. If you act like this game is just like any other then you have forgotten what made both these teams. This game means more than anything other game. One of the reasons you won more than we have the last few years is that Cowher got it. Those first two seasons back, Palmer had no players but he got what was important. He only won five games but two were against you. The next idiot, he didn't get it. I am not sure this coaching staff and most of these players get it. This game means more than the other 14.

The Browns looked awful against the Cowboys. The real Browns fans saw that and it understandably has us worried. We know that won't get it done on Sunday. We aren't going to blindly say it doesn't matter. The Browns have to play better. And they need absolute effort to win this Sunday. We are tired of getting pushed around. We are tired of waiting for next year. And if this season doesn't live up to the promise- so be it.

But to the players that wear orange and brown. I don't care if your hammy hurts. I don't care if you are green and you are out there before you are ready. I don't care what how much pain you have- this is Steeler week.

AND IN THIS TOWN THAT STILL MEANS SOMETHING. PUNCH THEM IN THE MOUTH.

The whole nation will be watching on Sunday night. But don't give two shits about anything outside the 216. Not this week. Our legacy has been tarnished. Our team stolen. Our pride diminished. But we have stayed. Stand up for us this weekend. We need this game.

Stand up and take it for us. Sure we will follow you anyway. But we need this. Punch them in the mouth and take it.

The Browns whimper away week one

Well that wasn't any fun.

The Browns got beat and they got beat without much of a fight. I suppose it was more competitive than last year's opener when they were pistol-whipped but it certainly wasn't any fun.

Our secondary looked as green in person as it did on paper. Our linebackers were mostly invisible. Braylon Edwards was awful. Our offensive line got bullied for much of the game.

The Browns have a lot of excuses in place. Injuries, lack of prepartion and youth in key places. But none of them wash. People get hurt, others have to step up. I don't care how much practice you miss, if the ball hits your hands you have to catch. I don't care how young you are, you have to wrap up on tackles.

The Cowboys looked as advertised but the Browns did not put up much of a fight. The end result was a loss and the Browns better come up with a better game plan and execution of that game plan next week. It might only be week two but the season is already on the line. The bullies are coming to town and we have to punch them in the mouth.

Or else. It is already next year. And that is getting really old.

Season set to start

It is the eve of the Browns opener. And I am searching for what I am feeling as the season approaches.

The preseason could be seen as more of the same. Every single offensive skill player had an injury of some sort. Two offensive lineman are unavailable and their absence eliminates all depth at what was to be a strength. On the defensive side both safeties are hurting, both corners are green and any depth at linebacker was lost this week in practice when Peek was lost for the season. All of that has those that believe in curses screaming from the hills that the sky is falling.

The national media noticed. After building the Browns up in the Spring and anointing them contenders, they have already skinned their knees leaping off the bandwagon. If you believe in predictions the Browns should not bother showing up tomorrow. The national media is predicting a bloodbath.

I find this comforting for some reason. I like that expectations have been lowered. The Browns went 7-1 at home last season. They learned how to win. Now the Cowboys have been pencilled in as Super Bowl Bound. They had their own HBO show. They have declared themselves an all star team. Tell me that won't fire up the Browns. They are 5 1/2 underdogs at home. Tell me that won't insult Kellen and Braylon.

I have been wrong before but I don't see the Browns laying an egg tomorrow. Everything says they should but if this if going to be a good team then pride must rise to the top.

And I am calmly confident that they will.

ESPN keeps telling me what Cleveland wants

I live in Cleveland.

Somehow I have missed this groundswell of support for Brady Quinn to be the starting quarterback. It must be true because I keep seeing talking heads on ESPN tell me that most of the fans in Cleveland want Quinn to start.

Now I know that drunk chicks and white sunglasses wearing dudes love wearing the number the number 10 but how many of those "fans" ever make it through four quarters of Browns football.

If you listen to Tony Kornheiser, who hasn't been to town since Bernie played, there are monuments already erected for young Brady. And the rest of ESPN is spreading the same message that Brady is gospel here in town.

I understand the back-up is always the popular guy. I get that Quinn went to Notre Dame and his boyish looks sell magazines. And like many I am not completely sold on Derek Anderson. He has to prove that he can accomplish what he did last season while under the radar with the spotlight on.

But is any real follower of the Cleveland Browns clamoring for Brady Quinn to be the starting quarterback. IF Brady starts this season, hopefully he will be ready, but it would be a bad thing for the Browns. It would mean Anderson flopped or couldn't recover from his concussion. Teams that are rebuilding thrust young quarterbacks into the line of fire. Teams expecting to make the playoffs do not. Sure young signal callers like Tom Brady and Big Ben took their teams to the Super Bowl but I would argue each was a different situation from this year's Browns teams. Both of those quarterbacks entered the fray after the starter was hurt. Expectations were low and only ratcheted up when the teams got hot down the stretch. Expectations have never been higher here in Cleveland and throwing Brady out against the Cowboys and Steelers in the first two weeks would be asking a lot. Anderson's resume may be small but he has one.

Quinn may be a Pro Bowler one day. But right now he is green behind the ears and despite what ESPN keeps telling me the entire city believes, I don't see it.

Punched in the mouth

As I start to write this, just over two minutes have expired in the second quarter. And my honest reaction is this is absolutely the best thing that could have happened to the Browns.

And I am not talking about Derek Anderson possibly being hurt, you sick bastards. But instead just like the regular season opening game massacre embarrassed the team last year, there is nothing like getting your ass whooped to wake you up.

All the fawning press, beating on chests and dreams of new contracts will fade. Players will have to look at themselves and commit to more. More effort, more work and more commitment. The words of coaches will have more meaning. The Browns and their fans needed this slap in the face. Reality has come back to Cleveland. Last year means nothing. The Browns have a brutal schedule and they are not as good as they and we dream they are.

We can hope Cribbs and Anderson are not seriously hurt. But either way, I am glad the team got embarrassed on national tv in week two of the regular season rather than week one and two against the Cowboys and Pittspuke.

If the Browns are going to make the playoffs, they need to be better than last year. This first quarter and change showed they aren't there yet. And the whole nation saw it.

Lost Olympics?

Paul Newberry works for the Associated Press. I don't really know anything about him but if he is the guy AP assigned to cover Michael Phelps at the Olympics then he must be talented and know his stuff. It is Newberry's article that Yahoo.com and SI.com linked to after the race. I am sure it will appear in newspapers across the country.

His lead?

"His Olympics looking lost, Michael Phelps decided to flap those gangly arms one more time."

Really?

So the idea is if Milorad Cavic had decided to just push his fingers forward instead of up that Phelps, with six gold medals already under his belt, lost his Olympics.

Harsh world we live in.

For a least a week, Phelps has made swimming must watch TV. His quest has transcended the Olympics. Lots of people like me would watch any way but Phelps has become appointment viewing. But if he had come up short in that race or if he falls short in his final race-- how does that erase all he has accomplished? He is the greatest swimmer of all time. What makes Phelps so remarkable is that he is so good in every stroke. To think that if he wins just seven golds and one silver that he failed could only happen in America. Have we become that jaded? We are watching something special and remarkable yet it is like many, not just Newberry, who want some reason to tarnish it. I don't care if Phelps had lost that race. I don't care if the U.S. doesn't medal in the last race. What Phelps has done is so remarkable, it can't be tarnished.

I mean Muhammed Ali lost five times. Ty Cobb hit .366 for his career which means he failed nearly 64 percent of the time. Joe Montana lost an AFC Championship game. Tiger Woods has won 14 majors but he has lost 37. Carl Lewis was awarded nine gold medals but he lost the 200 meters in 1988 to teammate Joe DeLoach.

Phelps has rewritten the swimming record books. To not win eight medals doesn't change any of that. Newberry's lead was a poor choice but one I am sure his editors believe. It is the nature of the beast.

UPDATE
ESPN has a more positive version of the same article.

Golden race

I love the Olympics. Always have.

Most of the sports I know nothing about and don't follow until the Olympic torch is lit. But I find myself staying up all night watching team handball or fencing.

Every Olympics has multiple amazing moments. But tonight's 400-free relay is going to be hard to top. We keep hearing about Michael Phelps quest to win eight gold medals. But analyst Rowdy Gaines seemed to keep shooting that down. Over and over he said he couldn't see the French losing. He was still saying that with 25 yards to go. And yet there was Jason Lezak who kept closing and closing and then amazingly touched the wall first. It was a jump up and yell moment. Then to see the pure joy pouring out of Phelps, it was awesome.

My first Olympic memory is the U.S. hockey team's Miracle on Ice. I vaguely recall the summer boycott that summer so my first real Summer Olympics was 1984. McDonalds gave out cards which if a U.S. team won a medal you could get free stuff. A gold meant a Big Mac, silver was fries and bronze was a coke or ice cream. Thanks to the Soviet led boycott, we ate at McDonalds all summer. As a kid, everything was about the U.S. winning. As I got older, it became more about seeing athletes of any nation perform at their best. But I have to admit, tonight's 400-free relay brought the nationalist out in me. I stood and cheered. It would have sucked to lose to the French.

Favre it

At last our long national nightmare is over.

What were the chances that as I arrived in Wisconsin, Brett Favre would actually be in Cleveland? Strange huh.

I lost a lot of respect for Brett in the last month. (And to me also losing respect was ESPN's Mark Schlereth- his idiotic spew all day was disgusting.) I think Favre handled everything wrong and whether he meant to or not slapped a lot of his former teammates in the face. He retired. The Packers attempted to let him un-retire and he decided to stay retire. They based their draft and off season on him being retired. And when in July on the dawn of camp, Favre changed his mind - the Packers did the right thing. No one is bigger than the team. Not even a Hall of Famer.

A few things that really bothered me where these complaints Favre had:

Ted Thompson did not sign Randy Moss. To me that was throwing his receivers under the bus. The Packers were one play away from the Super Bowl last year and it was his poor interception in overtime cost the team. They had the players to win last year.

Ted Thompson did not interview Steve Mariucci when the head coaching job was vacant. Again he threw his coach Mike McCarthy under the bus. A man who got his team into overtime in the NFC championship last year. Everyone talks about how Favre had one of his best seasons last year. And why was that? McCarthy, for the most part, convinced Favre to pull back on some of his gunslinger antics and got him to play within the system. In 2005-2006, Favre threw 38 touchdowns but had 47 interceptions. Last season he threw 28 touchdowns and 15 picks. Some of that credit has to go to buying into film study and trusting his teammates rather than just tossing it up there.

The man is/was a great player. But I agree with Dr. Z at Sports Illustrated that in some ways Favre underachieved. I know it sounds weird but he won just one title. And he threw away chances for several more.

Most of the media danced around it but Favre was the goat in the NFC championship game. He may be the most talented quarterback of all time, certainly one of the most popular but the truth is despite his smiles and head slaps, he has never been team first. He has made selfish throw after throw over the years and that character showed the last month. Favre has always been about doing it on the field, for him to win in New York- he is going to have to work harder than he ever has in the classroom. It will be interesting to see how he handles this challenge.

During his hours and hours of discussion with Favre, McCarthy asked him if he was still committed to working hard in the film room and Farve said, "That's a good question." Yesterday McCarthy said in his press conference I asked him if he was committed to the Packers and if he had been, the discussions would have continued. And still Favre's hardcore fans, thought the team should have just handed him his job back. I don't get it. And for Farve to say yesterday that any fans who question his actions aren't hardcore Brett Farve fans after all. What an ego. He is perfect for New York. The man has the talent to make this work and if he succeeds, I will tip my cap to him. But I don't see it. And I certainly won't be cheering for him anymore.

Dog Days

The dog days of summer don't leave much to write about. The Indians are in extended spring training, I have nothing to say about Brett Favre that hasn't been said and there is nothing to write about the Browns until September.

I have found that I can no longer listen to talk radio or Around the Horn without getting irrationally mad about the stupidity of most sport fans so I quit listening and watching. I still watch every Tribe game but since winning isn't important I can relax and actually enjoy it.

The Indians season has tempered my enthusiasm for the Browns. Sure, I can feel the tide has turned just as you have but I am trying to keep an even keel until September. Freaking out every day over practice and hoping for no injuries is not productive for me or anyone else. I am just going to try and lay low until Labor Day.

Thankfully the Olympics start next week. It will be a great stress free distraction outside of the basketball games where the only outcome I really want is a healthy LeBron.

Army gets bad pr when they didn't have to

My father served a tour in Vietnam. Both my grandfathers fought in World War II. In high school I read Catch-22 and learned all I needed that the military was not for me. I respect those who serve our country in the armed forces. But being broken down into someone who can blindly follow orders at whatever the cost just isn't in my personality.

I am not going to write about policy but it amazes me for the brilliant people who serve in this country's armed forces, with what seems an unlimited budget -- how dumb the higher ups in the military seem to be. HBO's Generation Kill and a daily look at any major United States newspaper show just the latest examples. They sent our men into battle with the wrong equipment. They haven't taken care of the wounded at Walter Reed, hell they still mess around with giving the proper treatment to vets from Vietnam, Korea and beyond. Bureaucratic red tape harms our soldiers in the field and even years after. For all the pride I have in this country, I feel shame at how the military high levels and our government doesn't properly provide for the men who put their lives on the line.

So the whole case of Caleb Campbell seems insignificant on its whole. The Army told him he could enter the draft and play for a team that drafted him. The Lions did, signed him and he was told he could be a recruiter in the Detroit area. And then the day before camp, they changed policy and told him he couldn't play and to report for duty. And Campbell as he was trained to do did just that.

So is Campbell headed to Iraq, Afghanistan or a domestic base to provide an important service to his country. No he is headed back to be a grad assistant football coach for the Army.

I could care less if Campbell plays for the Lions or coaches football. The point to me is the Army took an insignificant thing and found a way to mess it up. They didn't have to give permission for Campbell to be drafted and then waited until the last moment to pull the rug. It appears small and petty and without thought or reason. It is bad p.r., they could have made him an graduate assistant coach months ago. And it isn't like it is without precedent, local boy Ben Miller worked out for the Browns for two years in training camp and then returned to the Air Force for his duty (where he also coached). When his two years were up, he tried out for the roster for real. But like I said the point isn't about playing football. It is about the grander scale of how can an organization filled with the brightest and best this country has to offer continue to be have people in positions of decision making who seem to have to no idea what they are doing.

Read Band of Brothers, Generations Kill and countless other books. Read more about Walter Reed and VA hospitals across the country. I could care less about Campbell. But this country needs to quit letting our soldiers suffer because of the chain of command is tied up by red tape, greed or indifference.

A good sports day

Not a bad day in sports.

Josh Hamilton put on one of the best shows ever in the home run derby. I don't care he didn't win. Watching that first round was awesome and a lot of fun. Honestly I could care less about rehashing his history. But to do that in front of all his peers at baseball's most famous site- very cool.

But the best news of the day was that Billy Packer will no longer call basketball games on CBS. The old cranky bastard will not be missed. I still don't know how he was able to be the lead analyst all these years. Good riddance.

Quick hits

I have been in Wisconsin since Wednesday and until today I have had no cable or internet access. But here are two quick thoughts:

1. If the Indians complete the sweep of the Rays tomorrow. I may not return home. If it takes me being out of town for the team to win. That's cool with me.

2. If somehow I ever became a billionaire, my dream has always been to buy that football team in Pittspuke. I would smile for the camera and then flick off the media and say I am moving the team to Albuquerque or Boise so those pieces of crap can feel my pain. Anyway I guess the team might be for sale, paging Warren Buffet.

A classic

I haven't posted that much lately because frankly there hasn't been much worth posting about. But today I watched maybe the greatest tennis match of all-time.

Roger Federer may be the greatest tennis player of all-time. If he was an American, the American Press would already have anointed him so. Over the last few years, one could argue he has out-tigered Tiger Woods in domination of a sport. The man is so talented, it is scary. Only a young Spainard named Rafael Nadal's dominace on clay has stopped Federer from winning a Grand Slam every year. In the last few months, Roger's hold on the sport has started to fade. He has been beaten several times as the rest of the world has caught up to him.

Federer had won five straight Wimbledon titles. Many thought this year's tournament would be the end of his reign. Today he faced off against Nadal and lost the first two sets. He battled back to win the third set in a tie-breaker and after facing two championship points, he won the fourth set also in a tie-breaker. Nadal finally broke through and won the fifth set 9-7 but only after Federer survived two more championship points.

The match was incredible. Two men at thier best giving their all. But my favorite part was how Federer lost. He didn't give it away, he did everything he could to keep it but Nadal was better. When it was over Federer showed the same class and grace he has always showed when he won. He smiled during the ceremony and used humor in his speech to the crowd. He tipped his racket so to speak to Nadal and said he would be back next year. In the crowd you could see where Federer got his class from, while Nadal climbed over the wall to celebrate with his family, Federer's father smiled and clapped inches away.

I heard countless times American reporters lament Federer's quiet personality and how it has hurt tennis. The man is a perfect champion even in defeat. And that is exactly what any sport needs.