It was a cold night, and I was packed into a small gym to watch my high school team in a pre-season scrimmage, and it was standing room only. Looking back, I probably did not realize the magnitude of what I was watching, but I would liken it to someone in the early ‘80’s in North Carolina who watched a skinny kid named Michael play in high school. The difference here is LeBron James was destined for the NBA, and being talked about as a freshman, while Michael Jordan was apparently being cut from his high school team.
I am a fan of all Cleveland sports, and thought that the Cavs were FOR SURE going to win at least one championship with him on our team, especially after making it to the NBA Finals in 2007. I also played the optimist in July 2010 thinking that he’d stay. And here we are, half-way through year #2 of the Miami Vice project, and there are whispers he wants back. Ugh.
Yesterday on ESPN, Brian Windhorst, who coincidentally, followed LeBron in high school and at Cleveland, and bolted to ESPN to write for the “Heat Index” in a much less publicized “decision,” wrote that LeBron might want to come back to Cleveland, and would not “rule out” the possibility. Huh???? Outside of the obvious of what he did to a yearning fan base, there is a laundry list of reasons why this is just another twist in the craziness that is the “chosen one.”
1. (Completely disregarding the shots that went back and forth between James and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert) Gilbert cannot comment on any rumors or things that James has said because it would result in a fine per the NBA’s rules about commenting on players under contract. Which leads to what seems like the obvious question: Why is James allowed to talk about this? He’s in year two of a deal which he cannot “opt” out of for another 2 seasons, so why can say things like this? Doesn’t make a lot of sense if you ask me.
2. Clearly his words carry very little, as many Clevelanders remember his guarantee that he brings a championship to the city of Cleveland before he leaves. Um, see, what ha ha happened was…
3. To me, this just seems like a ploy by James to garner some sympathy by fans. What it really seems like is just another way to drag a tortured fan base, tarred and feathered, through Public Square. I mean, let’s say he and Gilbert settled their differences and he came back, what does that make the fans look like if we embrace him again? Hypocrites? Fair weather? He’s just trying to play the fans and a city so he comes out looking like “not such a bad guy after all.”
4. Any Cleveland fan who says, “We don’t need him/we don’t want him/we’re better off without him” is lying. It is night and day the difference he made on the team and the city. And just because he left, doesn’t mean he still isn’t one of the top three players in the NBA.
5. What are you thinking if you are in the front office for Miami right now? It has been documented that James and team president Pat Reilly do not necessarily see “eye to eye” on everything. But hearing your star, prized free agent, comment about the possibility of leaving only two years after signing him has to be a little disconcerting.
6. As much as I would like to see him running the court in Cleveland (I still have my jersey, never burnt it, and never hated him for leaving, he was a free agent, but just could have handled it A LOT better) there is small part of me deep down who wouldn’t mind if Dan Gilbert stuck to his guns, and refused to talk to the diva. What is the worst that could happen? The King’s Curse? Add it to the long list of sports icons that torment the city.
James said if he returns he hopes the fans would embrace him again. For me, there are some stipulations that would have to happen in order for me to embrace him. First, is a public heart-felt apology. No big ESPN production, but either a local news outlet, or full page add in the Plain Dealer apologizing for the way it was handled, and that we deserved better. Something that doesn’t sound scripted, but words that are yours that you truly mean. Second, don’t come back if you win a championship in Miami. I don’t want you to come back and be like “look I won there, now I can win here.” We want you to win here, but we also want you to win here first. Third, if you come back, it better be for good, and you better openly state that you want to retire here.
It is just a bit funny, however, that James’ comments about returning back to the Cavs some day, come the eve before the Heat and James play in Cleveland. As if it were some sort of plea to soften the boos which will most certainly rain down. The notion of him playing with our young talent is entertaining to think about, but at the end there is that sour taste, and this city cannot bare something like that again
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Browns Issues Deeper Than Just a QB
Earlier this month the Browns’ brain-trust stated there would be an open competition for the starting quarterback spot and that Colt McCoy would not be labeled as the starter from day one of training camp, he would have to earn it. That’s fine by me. I think competition breeds excellence. Personally, as our quarterback depth chart stands right now, I think McCoy wins that battle. But there is a proverbial wrench being thrown into the mix, and it comes by way of the NFL Draft in April.
The Browns are sitting very pretty with the #4 overall pick, as well as the #22 pick in the first round thanks to the brilliant draft day trade of 2011 with the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, Julio Jones is a very talented player, but we managed to get a pirates bounty for an unproven rookie coming out of college, and it affords the Browns what they need most, more talent.
There is currently quite a bit of talk that the front office is very high on Robert Griffin III from Baylor University. The Heisman winner is ranked as the #2 quarterback in the draft (no surprise there) and many pundits have him going #2 overall. RGIII’s ascent has been rapid, I am sure many football followers had barely heard of his name before his unbelievable college season this past year. And I have to say he impressed me quite a bit with his ability to throw the ball down field with great accuracy. But I want to state this right now; I am vehemently against trading up to the #2 pick o take RGIII.
The Browns need to look at this draft realistically. Are the Browns just a quarterback away from being a playoff contender? The answer is most definitely NO. I know that quarterbacks are the keys to the offense, but the Browns have so many holes that no one quarterback can make those holes look smaller. This was a team that was 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game at less than 100, and was tied for the NFL lead in dropped passes by receivers. I just do not see how a rookie quarterback can come in and succeed with those two areas so glaringly lacking. The dropped pass issue MUST be fixed, that is inacceptable. The rushing game was hampered by injury to both the stable of backs and a few offensive linemen, but nonetheless needs to provide more support to whoever is the quarterback in 2012.
On defense the Browns took a substantial step forward in my opinion, only twice did they give up 30+ points, and were consistently in each of the divisional games they played. The passing defense finished 2nd in the NFL, while the rush defense was almost dead last. My point in outlining the deficiencies on both sides of the ball is to reiterate that a quarterback, especially one unproven at the NFL level, is not the answer in this draft for the Browns. Not with the quarterback likes of Matt Barkley, Aaron Murray, Tyler Wilson, E.J. Manuel, and Geno Smith coming out of school in 2013.
I have been on the Justin Blackmon bandwagon for a few years now it seems. And his performance in the Fiesta Bowl against Stanford only reinforced the way I felt. 8 receptions, 186 yards, 3 touchdowns. He looks every bit of the real deal. My only concern is that he will be gone before pick number 4. The Browns top priority should be Blackmon at number 4. If, however, he is gone by then here is the scenario I am hoping for:
Trade – the possibility to trade down is there, although that might make most fans cringe. I am not saying trade down to the middle of the round, but trading down a few spots and taking either Trent Richardson (RB from Alabama) or Morris Claiborne (CB from LSU) would provide an instant playmaker on one side of the ball. Note also, with the likely impending departure of fan favorite Peyton Hillis, Richardson would fill a huge need.
Stand pat – the Browns could also stay in the #4 spot and take either Richardson at four, or reinforce the offensive line with either of the two top rated tackles Ryan Kalil, or Reilly Reiff. I am not huge on taking offensive lineman that early however, especially not when you have your cornerstone left tackle, Joe Thomas, locked up for a long time.
Depending on which side of the ball the Browns go with in their first pick, which opens up possibilities for their second pick later in the first round. It would be my preference to target a linebacker with this pick, namely Courtney Upshaw from Alabama or Vontaze Burfict from Arizona State. Last year in the draft we addressed the defensive line with two solid picks, and this year the focus should be on the line backing corps which desperately needs speed and tackling presence. I would also target a linebacker here because I firmly believe that if we do not get Blackmon with the #4 pick, either Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery, or Kendall Wright will be around for our pick early in round 2, and those three wide outs are just a tick below Blackmon but still very talented.
With all of that said, trading up in the draft would go wildly against Tom Heckert’s draft pedagogy as he comes from the “trade down and stockpile draft picks” school of thought. With a plethora of picks, and early picks at that, I feel like this is a perfect time for the Browns to address their biggest need, and that is talent. The Browns lack talent in a few key places, and that probably cost them 3-5 wins in 2011. Put talent around the core you have; give Colt one more shot with a playmaker wide receiver; and if it does not work in 2012 then bring in a quarterback in 2013 with a skill position talent already around him.
The Browns are sitting very pretty with the #4 overall pick, as well as the #22 pick in the first round thanks to the brilliant draft day trade of 2011 with the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, Julio Jones is a very talented player, but we managed to get a pirates bounty for an unproven rookie coming out of college, and it affords the Browns what they need most, more talent.
There is currently quite a bit of talk that the front office is very high on Robert Griffin III from Baylor University. The Heisman winner is ranked as the #2 quarterback in the draft (no surprise there) and many pundits have him going #2 overall. RGIII’s ascent has been rapid, I am sure many football followers had barely heard of his name before his unbelievable college season this past year. And I have to say he impressed me quite a bit with his ability to throw the ball down field with great accuracy. But I want to state this right now; I am vehemently against trading up to the #2 pick o take RGIII.
The Browns need to look at this draft realistically. Are the Browns just a quarterback away from being a playoff contender? The answer is most definitely NO. I know that quarterbacks are the keys to the offense, but the Browns have so many holes that no one quarterback can make those holes look smaller. This was a team that was 28th in the NFL in rushing yards per game at less than 100, and was tied for the NFL lead in dropped passes by receivers. I just do not see how a rookie quarterback can come in and succeed with those two areas so glaringly lacking. The dropped pass issue MUST be fixed, that is inacceptable. The rushing game was hampered by injury to both the stable of backs and a few offensive linemen, but nonetheless needs to provide more support to whoever is the quarterback in 2012.
On defense the Browns took a substantial step forward in my opinion, only twice did they give up 30+ points, and were consistently in each of the divisional games they played. The passing defense finished 2nd in the NFL, while the rush defense was almost dead last. My point in outlining the deficiencies on both sides of the ball is to reiterate that a quarterback, especially one unproven at the NFL level, is not the answer in this draft for the Browns. Not with the quarterback likes of Matt Barkley, Aaron Murray, Tyler Wilson, E.J. Manuel, and Geno Smith coming out of school in 2013.
I have been on the Justin Blackmon bandwagon for a few years now it seems. And his performance in the Fiesta Bowl against Stanford only reinforced the way I felt. 8 receptions, 186 yards, 3 touchdowns. He looks every bit of the real deal. My only concern is that he will be gone before pick number 4. The Browns top priority should be Blackmon at number 4. If, however, he is gone by then here is the scenario I am hoping for:
Trade – the possibility to trade down is there, although that might make most fans cringe. I am not saying trade down to the middle of the round, but trading down a few spots and taking either Trent Richardson (RB from Alabama) or Morris Claiborne (CB from LSU) would provide an instant playmaker on one side of the ball. Note also, with the likely impending departure of fan favorite Peyton Hillis, Richardson would fill a huge need.
Stand pat – the Browns could also stay in the #4 spot and take either Richardson at four, or reinforce the offensive line with either of the two top rated tackles Ryan Kalil, or Reilly Reiff. I am not huge on taking offensive lineman that early however, especially not when you have your cornerstone left tackle, Joe Thomas, locked up for a long time.
Depending on which side of the ball the Browns go with in their first pick, which opens up possibilities for their second pick later in the first round. It would be my preference to target a linebacker with this pick, namely Courtney Upshaw from Alabama or Vontaze Burfict from Arizona State. Last year in the draft we addressed the defensive line with two solid picks, and this year the focus should be on the line backing corps which desperately needs speed and tackling presence. I would also target a linebacker here because I firmly believe that if we do not get Blackmon with the #4 pick, either Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery, or Kendall Wright will be around for our pick early in round 2, and those three wide outs are just a tick below Blackmon but still very talented.
With all of that said, trading up in the draft would go wildly against Tom Heckert’s draft pedagogy as he comes from the “trade down and stockpile draft picks” school of thought. With a plethora of picks, and early picks at that, I feel like this is a perfect time for the Browns to address their biggest need, and that is talent. The Browns lack talent in a few key places, and that probably cost them 3-5 wins in 2011. Put talent around the core you have; give Colt one more shot with a playmaker wide receiver; and if it does not work in 2012 then bring in a quarterback in 2013 with a skill position talent already around him.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
O M G
WARNING: This May Offend Some
Never have I ever been more reassured of my decision to study history and be subject to learning about the various different religions and religious denominations than I am right now. It comes with a somber undertone, but I am glad that I chose not to blindly dive head-first into something I do not fully believe in.
I need results, proof, something tangible that lets me know that it is feasible. Many of you asked for prayers, and prayed, and received prayers from all over. And what did it change? Your prayers have a batting average of .000 because the result never changed. I am just stating what I see, and in no way am I judging those who pray, or those who say they get strength, or comfort through prayer.
I can only believe in something that makes sense to me. And if it makes sense to you then by all means you should believe it. But please, do not judge me, or question me because I do not believe in something I cannot make sense of. In fact, if you think I am lost, or a radical, or crazy, and cannot get past your nearsightedness to see that there are other beliefs besides yours in this world, well then you are also subscribing to another institution of higher power: hypocrisy.
The close minded people that are reading this will probably infer that I am an athiest, or some form of anti-Christianity advocate. I am neither. I am just someone who does not see the proof that God has a role in our lives, and the way they play out. If that were so, why would God make us sick? Why wouldn't he just heal us? Why do we need medicine? Why would he let great people go so young? There is no explanation I have heard yet that proves God plays a part in any of those things.
God does not wound us, or heal us, or put us on the right path (if that were the case there would be no criminals) he lets us figure this stuff out on our own. Yes, I believe in God, or whoever "he" is, but I do not pray to him nor do I ask him to help me because he can't help me, only I can help me. He created man with everything needed to pave our own way in this world. He created man and nature, and that is where God, to me, ends. We live in a world dictated by nature, but you have all of the tools to be and do everything you have ever wanted to do.
Please do not mistake me as some sort of religious zealot, or preacher of new faith, it was called "Diesm,"and it was a wildly popular religious sect during the times of Enlightenment when man began to discover science, and nature's great powers. It makes sense to me. Mostly because its the only form of religion that has proven to me that it isn't about believing in something in something imaginary. It's about believing that nature is a powerful entity, and rules over all, and it has proof, just look at the awesome power of hurricanes and earthquakes.
Maybe this is my way of grieving, or maybe I am just fed up with being inundated by people who constantly fail to realize that their beliefs aren't the only way, and that their religion is not the only one around. This is not a cry out for help. I am not asking for your prayers. I am not anti-religion. Maybe I just want people to know that this is how I feel, and what I believe in, and want them to respect that.
I don't demean those who subscribe to Christianity. I don't talk negatively about those who are Muslim. I don't think down upon Catholics. I'm not against the Jews. Nor am I defiant towards Buddhists. If it makes sense to you then by all means believe in it! But that doesn't make one belief better than the other. The point, I think we have to remember, is this thing called "religion" is something man came up with, and like all things man has created, it is not perfect.
Never have I ever been more reassured of my decision to study history and be subject to learning about the various different religions and religious denominations than I am right now. It comes with a somber undertone, but I am glad that I chose not to blindly dive head-first into something I do not fully believe in.
I need results, proof, something tangible that lets me know that it is feasible. Many of you asked for prayers, and prayed, and received prayers from all over. And what did it change? Your prayers have a batting average of .000 because the result never changed. I am just stating what I see, and in no way am I judging those who pray, or those who say they get strength, or comfort through prayer.
I can only believe in something that makes sense to me. And if it makes sense to you then by all means you should believe it. But please, do not judge me, or question me because I do not believe in something I cannot make sense of. In fact, if you think I am lost, or a radical, or crazy, and cannot get past your nearsightedness to see that there are other beliefs besides yours in this world, well then you are also subscribing to another institution of higher power: hypocrisy.
The close minded people that are reading this will probably infer that I am an athiest, or some form of anti-Christianity advocate. I am neither. I am just someone who does not see the proof that God has a role in our lives, and the way they play out. If that were so, why would God make us sick? Why wouldn't he just heal us? Why do we need medicine? Why would he let great people go so young? There is no explanation I have heard yet that proves God plays a part in any of those things.
God does not wound us, or heal us, or put us on the right path (if that were the case there would be no criminals) he lets us figure this stuff out on our own. Yes, I believe in God, or whoever "he" is, but I do not pray to him nor do I ask him to help me because he can't help me, only I can help me. He created man with everything needed to pave our own way in this world. He created man and nature, and that is where God, to me, ends. We live in a world dictated by nature, but you have all of the tools to be and do everything you have ever wanted to do.
Please do not mistake me as some sort of religious zealot, or preacher of new faith, it was called "Diesm,"and it was a wildly popular religious sect during the times of Enlightenment when man began to discover science, and nature's great powers. It makes sense to me. Mostly because its the only form of religion that has proven to me that it isn't about believing in something in something imaginary. It's about believing that nature is a powerful entity, and rules over all, and it has proof, just look at the awesome power of hurricanes and earthquakes.
Maybe this is my way of grieving, or maybe I am just fed up with being inundated by people who constantly fail to realize that their beliefs aren't the only way, and that their religion is not the only one around. This is not a cry out for help. I am not asking for your prayers. I am not anti-religion. Maybe I just want people to know that this is how I feel, and what I believe in, and want them to respect that.
I don't demean those who subscribe to Christianity. I don't talk negatively about those who are Muslim. I don't think down upon Catholics. I'm not against the Jews. Nor am I defiant towards Buddhists. If it makes sense to you then by all means believe in it! But that doesn't make one belief better than the other. The point, I think we have to remember, is this thing called "religion" is something man came up with, and like all things man has created, it is not perfect.
Friday, January 6, 2012
BCMess
Well, 2011 has finally come to an end. And in terms of sports, more specifically college football, it has been one to forget if you ask me. Sure I know it is only because I am a Buckeyes fan, and witnessed probably the worst year in Ohio State football history. But even if you do not like the Buckeyes, the bowl games should be more than sufficient evidence to support my claims. And we can all give thanks to the BCS.
I will focus on the main BCS bowls, only because it has gotten ridiculously fatiguing trying to get excited for the Taxslayer.com Gator bowl; or dare I mention the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? What, did each player get a sack of potatoes as a bowl gift? But I digress.
Thanks to the BCS this is what we had to see:
1) The third best team in the Big10, a team that did not even play in the conference championship game, who some-how got a Sugar Bowl invite over the team that finished 2nd in the Big10, faced off against the 2nd place ACC team which lost to the same team twice, and that team got 70 hung on them in the Orange Bowl! (more on that later). Don’t give me any of that “overtime thriller” nonsense, that game was a snooze fest and many could argue the refs blew the call in OT.
2) The team that probably should have been in the National Championship game, Oklahoma State, with the freak-of-nature wide out, and two time Belitnikoff winner, Justin Blackmon faced off against future #1 draft pick Andrew Luck and Stanford. In my mind, the Fiesta Bowl was the only one the BCS got right, and it was an exciting game. A shame that Stanford’s kicker could not hit sand if he fell of a camel, but Blackmon and Luck both lived up to the hype. Here’s hoping Blackmon is wearing a Browns jersey come April.
3) The only reason WVU, and Clemson were in the Orange Bowl is because they had to be. Damn automatic bowl tie-ins. Sure WVU scored 70 points, but coming against an ACC team, and a team that lost 2 of their final 3 games on the way to the Orange Bowl it diminishes the accomplishment some. Lest not forget WVU, the Big East powerhouse that lost to Louisville, and Syracuse this year was barely ranked in the top 25, yet still made it to a BCS Bowl.
4) Sure the Rose Bowl saw a record for most points scored, and kudos to Oregon for winning their first bowl game since the second decade of the twentieth century (1916 to be exact). We did get to see Wisconsin lose the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year, and an assistant coach pick his nose and eat it on TV! (if you don’t believe me just YouTube it, you will find it). This matchup was fine by me, I like seeing the traditional PAC12, Big10 matchup in the granddaddy-of-em-all.
5) The rematch. Just when you try to get excited about the BCS National Championship game you remember the first time Alabama and LSU played to the 6-9 over-time thriller! LSU’s late three run home run in the top of the 10th helped seal the deal. Seriously though, I am with many of the AP voters who would have a hard time putting Alabama over LSU if the Tide won this game. LSU beat Bama at home! Alabama did not even win their SEC division let alone play in the SEC Championship game. But then you have to remember the father of the BCS is Roy Kramer. Who is Roy Kramer? Oh, just the former commissioner of the SEC…
Also, thanks to the BCS, here are few things we were robbed from seeing:
1) The winningest quarterback in college football history, and his number 7 ranked team, Boise State were delegated to the MAACO Bowl on December 22! Hope you tuned into ESPN3 to catch Kellen Moore dismantle Arizona State. Sure Boise State is not in a major conference, but they still finished the season in the top ten in the BCS standings.
2) The number 6 team in the BCS, Arkansas, will face the number 8 team, Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Neither of these teams won their conference, but both are ranked higher than the two teams that played in the Sugar Bowl.
3) Good thing we did not get to see the Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffith III, or RG3 to some, take his 12th ranked Baylor team to a BCS game. Again Baylor was ranked higher than both Michigan, and RG3
On Monday, January 9th (which also happens to be my birthday) we will get to see two teams who already played each other this year, play again. I predicted the score to be LSU 11 – Alabama 10, and that could be considered high scoring if you consider their last game. My only hope, at this point, is that Alabama wins by a field goal, and the AP voters still vote LSU as their national champions, thus leaving us with a split national championship, and possibly the beginning of the end for the BCS.
I will focus on the main BCS bowls, only because it has gotten ridiculously fatiguing trying to get excited for the Taxslayer.com Gator bowl; or dare I mention the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? What, did each player get a sack of potatoes as a bowl gift? But I digress.
Thanks to the BCS this is what we had to see:
1) The third best team in the Big10, a team that did not even play in the conference championship game, who some-how got a Sugar Bowl invite over the team that finished 2nd in the Big10, faced off against the 2nd place ACC team which lost to the same team twice, and that team got 70 hung on them in the Orange Bowl! (more on that later). Don’t give me any of that “overtime thriller” nonsense, that game was a snooze fest and many could argue the refs blew the call in OT.
2) The team that probably should have been in the National Championship game, Oklahoma State, with the freak-of-nature wide out, and two time Belitnikoff winner, Justin Blackmon faced off against future #1 draft pick Andrew Luck and Stanford. In my mind, the Fiesta Bowl was the only one the BCS got right, and it was an exciting game. A shame that Stanford’s kicker could not hit sand if he fell of a camel, but Blackmon and Luck both lived up to the hype. Here’s hoping Blackmon is wearing a Browns jersey come April.
3) The only reason WVU, and Clemson were in the Orange Bowl is because they had to be. Damn automatic bowl tie-ins. Sure WVU scored 70 points, but coming against an ACC team, and a team that lost 2 of their final 3 games on the way to the Orange Bowl it diminishes the accomplishment some. Lest not forget WVU, the Big East powerhouse that lost to Louisville, and Syracuse this year was barely ranked in the top 25, yet still made it to a BCS Bowl.
4) Sure the Rose Bowl saw a record for most points scored, and kudos to Oregon for winning their first bowl game since the second decade of the twentieth century (1916 to be exact). We did get to see Wisconsin lose the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year, and an assistant coach pick his nose and eat it on TV! (if you don’t believe me just YouTube it, you will find it). This matchup was fine by me, I like seeing the traditional PAC12, Big10 matchup in the granddaddy-of-em-all.
5) The rematch. Just when you try to get excited about the BCS National Championship game you remember the first time Alabama and LSU played to the 6-9 over-time thriller! LSU’s late three run home run in the top of the 10th helped seal the deal. Seriously though, I am with many of the AP voters who would have a hard time putting Alabama over LSU if the Tide won this game. LSU beat Bama at home! Alabama did not even win their SEC division let alone play in the SEC Championship game. But then you have to remember the father of the BCS is Roy Kramer. Who is Roy Kramer? Oh, just the former commissioner of the SEC…
Also, thanks to the BCS, here are few things we were robbed from seeing:
1) The winningest quarterback in college football history, and his number 7 ranked team, Boise State were delegated to the MAACO Bowl on December 22! Hope you tuned into ESPN3 to catch Kellen Moore dismantle Arizona State. Sure Boise State is not in a major conference, but they still finished the season in the top ten in the BCS standings.
2) The number 6 team in the BCS, Arkansas, will face the number 8 team, Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Neither of these teams won their conference, but both are ranked higher than the two teams that played in the Sugar Bowl.
3) Good thing we did not get to see the Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffith III, or RG3 to some, take his 12th ranked Baylor team to a BCS game. Again Baylor was ranked higher than both Michigan, and RG3
On Monday, January 9th (which also happens to be my birthday) we will get to see two teams who already played each other this year, play again. I predicted the score to be LSU 11 – Alabama 10, and that could be considered high scoring if you consider their last game. My only hope, at this point, is that Alabama wins by a field goal, and the AP voters still vote LSU as their national champions, thus leaving us with a split national championship, and possibly the beginning of the end for the BCS.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thanks a Lot NCAA! No, Really..
Last Tuesday, the NCAA announced, one year after the initial news of the “scandal” at Ohio State broke, its punishment for the football team. Most of the punishment was expected, probation, loss of scholarships, relinquishing the 2010 wins, but the one year – 2013 – bowl ban caught Buckeye Nation completely off guard. And they (Buckeye fans) made sure they voiced their disgust with the decision any way they could.
As a Buckeye fan, at first I was a little shocked, there was really no precedent that stated a bowl ban was the necessary punishment for the crime. Then I was mad, thinking we could have imposed a bowl ban for this year on ourselves and that might have been sufficient enough in the eyes of the NCAA. And then, after all of that, I sat down and realized that in reality, this might be a blessing in disguise…
Sure, it will be weird after beating Michigan in The Shoe on November 24th, to not have any bowl game to look forward to. It will be odd not pulling the old scarlet jersey out of the closet sometime around New Years 2013. And it is disappointing that Urban Meyer’s first year in Columbus he will not be allowed to possibly turn the ship around and get back to a big time bowl game. But like I said early, when I sat down and looked at things I realized that it was not necessarily all that bad.
Realistically speaking, in Myer’s inaugural season manning the ship, the Buckeyes have a lot of question marks. Most notably is the fact that sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller will be learning a new offensive system, and despite Meyer’s proven record of developing dominant dual-threat quarterbacks, it will take some time. Then there is the fact that none of our wide receivers will be older than juniors, and have a lot to prove after an awful 2011 campaign as a unit. The defense will more than likely remain just as solid as it usually is. Young linebackers who are playmakers will be asked to step up and contribute. The defensive line will be a strength, and a lot of youngsters are returning in our secondary.
When I sat down and looked at the 2012 schedule I cringed a little. It is not the most favorable schedule in the Big Ten. Sure there are the usual non-conference cupcakes that we will cut large checks to in return for an easy win. But there is also a Pac12 Cal Bears team coming to visit, regardless of whether they are a second tier Pac12 team they are still not in the MAC or some other mid-major conference. Then the Big Ten schedule is grueling; Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin and as usual Michigan. However, the MSU, PSU, and Wisconsin games are all on the road, and those are all tough places to play. Now, couple that with the paragraph preceding this one and it makes for a very tough road to hoe.
The “blessing” that I mentioned earlier comes in the form of the 2013 football schedule. Remember, 2012 will not see us in either the Big Ten Championship game, or a bowl game. But 2013 has no limitations, and our schedule certainly makes the sky that limit. An early season road trip to Berkeley to play Cal will be a nice early test. And the Buckeyes open the Big Ten with Wisconsin at home in week five. But the Big Ten scheduling rotation has us missing Michigan State, and Nebraska, and playing the likes of Northwester, Iowa, Penn State (at home), Illinois and Indiana before making the much anticipated trek up to the Big House.
Only adding to my excitement about 2013 is the fact that Braxton Miller will then be a junior. Urban Meyer will have two recruiting classes in Columbus (and this year’s already is chalked full of defensive talent). And it will be the second year of the offense running his system. Add that to the scheduling bit, and 2013 looks like the year Buckeye Nation should be salivating over.
For storied program like Ohio State being banned from a bowl game seems like one of the worst punishments it could receive. But, it takes pressure off of a new coach who came in with enormous pressure already. There is no pressure for the Buckeyes next year, but they do have time on their side. Time to develop an offense, time to develop young and talented players, and time to gain experience without having to worry about a loss here or a loss there. Meyer will obviously have to keep his group very focused, many youngsters who do not see the prize at the end of the tunnel might lose interest, but his reputation speaks for itself in that area. And it all shapes up for a BCS run in year two of Urban Meyer’s tenure.
And I am sure Buckeye Nation remembers how well year two of the last regime went…
As a Buckeye fan, at first I was a little shocked, there was really no precedent that stated a bowl ban was the necessary punishment for the crime. Then I was mad, thinking we could have imposed a bowl ban for this year on ourselves and that might have been sufficient enough in the eyes of the NCAA. And then, after all of that, I sat down and realized that in reality, this might be a blessing in disguise…
Sure, it will be weird after beating Michigan in The Shoe on November 24th, to not have any bowl game to look forward to. It will be odd not pulling the old scarlet jersey out of the closet sometime around New Years 2013. And it is disappointing that Urban Meyer’s first year in Columbus he will not be allowed to possibly turn the ship around and get back to a big time bowl game. But like I said early, when I sat down and looked at things I realized that it was not necessarily all that bad.
Realistically speaking, in Myer’s inaugural season manning the ship, the Buckeyes have a lot of question marks. Most notably is the fact that sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller will be learning a new offensive system, and despite Meyer’s proven record of developing dominant dual-threat quarterbacks, it will take some time. Then there is the fact that none of our wide receivers will be older than juniors, and have a lot to prove after an awful 2011 campaign as a unit. The defense will more than likely remain just as solid as it usually is. Young linebackers who are playmakers will be asked to step up and contribute. The defensive line will be a strength, and a lot of youngsters are returning in our secondary.
When I sat down and looked at the 2012 schedule I cringed a little. It is not the most favorable schedule in the Big Ten. Sure there are the usual non-conference cupcakes that we will cut large checks to in return for an easy win. But there is also a Pac12 Cal Bears team coming to visit, regardless of whether they are a second tier Pac12 team they are still not in the MAC or some other mid-major conference. Then the Big Ten schedule is grueling; Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin and as usual Michigan. However, the MSU, PSU, and Wisconsin games are all on the road, and those are all tough places to play. Now, couple that with the paragraph preceding this one and it makes for a very tough road to hoe.
The “blessing” that I mentioned earlier comes in the form of the 2013 football schedule. Remember, 2012 will not see us in either the Big Ten Championship game, or a bowl game. But 2013 has no limitations, and our schedule certainly makes the sky that limit. An early season road trip to Berkeley to play Cal will be a nice early test. And the Buckeyes open the Big Ten with Wisconsin at home in week five. But the Big Ten scheduling rotation has us missing Michigan State, and Nebraska, and playing the likes of Northwester, Iowa, Penn State (at home), Illinois and Indiana before making the much anticipated trek up to the Big House.
Only adding to my excitement about 2013 is the fact that Braxton Miller will then be a junior. Urban Meyer will have two recruiting classes in Columbus (and this year’s already is chalked full of defensive talent). And it will be the second year of the offense running his system. Add that to the scheduling bit, and 2013 looks like the year Buckeye Nation should be salivating over.
For storied program like Ohio State being banned from a bowl game seems like one of the worst punishments it could receive. But, it takes pressure off of a new coach who came in with enormous pressure already. There is no pressure for the Buckeyes next year, but they do have time on their side. Time to develop an offense, time to develop young and talented players, and time to gain experience without having to worry about a loss here or a loss there. Meyer will obviously have to keep his group very focused, many youngsters who do not see the prize at the end of the tunnel might lose interest, but his reputation speaks for itself in that area. And it all shapes up for a BCS run in year two of Urban Meyer’s tenure.
And I am sure Buckeye Nation remembers how well year two of the last regime went…
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
What Really Matters
This post will be a little bit different than any of the past posts, but its more than worthy of being posted and its necessary for all to know…
This post is about a close friend to me, my best friend in fact. The one person, who keeps me sane, keeps me young, and most of all keeps me happy. She has meant more to me than any coach, any game. She stands by me, right or wrong. She can make me laugh on my worst days, and keeps me grounded on my best. She makes me better, and her smile cures all. I feel her love all around me, no matter if I am near or far. She’s truly one of a kind, and her love is no different.
People express it in different ways, and many like to shout it from a mountaintop to let the whole world know. Well, this is my proverbial mountaintop:
MJ Lawson…you are amazing, you are my everything, and you are that exciting influence and that calm soothing touch. You are the coke to my Makers, salsa to my LP spesh, the potato pancakes to my Noshville breakfast! But more than any of that, you are my best friend, and the truest love I have ever known. I love you with every ounce of love I have to give, and always will.
This post is about a close friend to me, my best friend in fact. The one person, who keeps me sane, keeps me young, and most of all keeps me happy. She has meant more to me than any coach, any game. She stands by me, right or wrong. She can make me laugh on my worst days, and keeps me grounded on my best. She makes me better, and her smile cures all. I feel her love all around me, no matter if I am near or far. She’s truly one of a kind, and her love is no different.
People express it in different ways, and many like to shout it from a mountaintop to let the whole world know. Well, this is my proverbial mountaintop:
MJ Lawson…you are amazing, you are my everything, and you are that exciting influence and that calm soothing touch. You are the coke to my Makers, salsa to my LP spesh, the potato pancakes to my Noshville breakfast! But more than any of that, you are my best friend, and the truest love I have ever known. I love you with every ounce of love I have to give, and always will.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Weekend Rants
Brown and Out…
Another weekend, and yes, another Browns rant coming at you…
It is absolutely astonishing to me that our coaching staff cannot seem to find any continuity in our offense. You do not have to be an NFL expert to realize the Browns lack “playmaking” talent on offense, nor do you have to be an NFL expert to realize that Josh Cribbs is easily the best playmaker on our team. Which, makes it befuddling when you look back and realize he only touched the ball on Sunday during kick or punt returns. Mindboggling.
At this rate, the Brownies are headed towards another top ten draft pick, and unless their offense miraculously wakes up, more likely a top 5 draft pick (here’s hoping Atlanta continues to lose so we end up with two first round draft picks in the top 15-20)…Here is what the Browns should do with both of those picks; draft the best player available. I am not bemoaning the front office, yet, I understand they have only had two drafts, and both classes have produced very solid results. However, they cannot continue to trade down, stockpile draft picks, and take offensive lineman. Nor, should they package those two first round picks we do have, for the number one overall pick to take Andrew Luck. It is so clearly obvious that it would not matter if the Browns had Aaron Rogers at quarterback; we lack playmakers at skill positions which are what teams like Green Bay, and New England, and Pittsburgh have.
With that said, here is my Browns 2013 draft wish-list: 1) Justin Blackmon – he won the Belitnikoff as a sophomore, and has been nothing short of a beast for the #3 Oklahoma State team that should be playing for the national championship (more on that to come). 2) Trent Richardson – look I know we have Hillis, and Hardesty, but Richardson is one of those freak, once in a lifetime, Adrian Peterson type running backs that do not come along every year. 3) Morris Claiborne – LSU has a tremendously deep talent pool at defensive back, and Claiborne is only a junior, but he is a ball hawk, and putting him next to Joe Haden would be a lethal tandem for a long time. 4) Dont’a Hightower – it is grossly obvious that we lack linebackers that can make plays (proven by our awful rush defense) and Hightower can play any of the linebacker spots with his athleticism. 5) BJ Cunningham – here is a guy who probably will not go in the first round, but the WR from Michigan State proved all year why he will make his living on Sunday afternoons. Buckeye fans probably remember the torching he put on us: 9 catches for 154 yards and the Spartans only touchdown.
Chop It Up…
It is clear that we have a flawed system. We know this, and have for years, but this year might be one of the worst whack jobs the BCS has laid on us ever. We can start in the BCS National Championship game; clearly LSU deserved to be there, but how a team that finished second in its own division, and did not even play for its conference championship, and lost to LSU at home, makes it into the game is tough to explain. In my mind, if Alabama does win this game, there should be a split national champion because LSU proved through its body of work that it was the best team in college football. Oh by the way, Alabama did not beat a top ten team this year, while LSU beat three top five teams.
But wait, there is more! The biggest snub has to be Boise State. The #7 team got hosed so bad they are playing in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl. Maybe MAACO can paint over the car wreck that is the BCS. Even worse, two teams ranked lower than Boise State, and outside of the top ten (Va Tech #11, and Michigan #13) will face off in the BCS Sugar Bowl yet Boise State, South Carolina, Kansas State, and Arkansas who are all ranked higher than Virginia Tech and Michigan failed to receive a BCS bowl invite. And two teams ranked outside of the top 14 will play in the Orange Bowl thanks to the automatic tie ins, which means we get to see #15 Clemson, losers of 2 of their final 3 games, play #23 West Virginia who won the highly touted Big East. Hope you sense the sarcasm.
The reason for these choices and snubs is simple. To the BCS it is all about selling tickets, hotel rooms, merchandise, and plane tickets rather than putting the teams that deserve it in these games. Did Michigan and Virginia Tech have good years? Yes. Will they have large fan bases that travel well? Sure. But that should not be the reason the #7 team in the nation has to go play a pre-Christmas bowl game.
Let us hope that this will be the year that brings the BCS to its knees. I would not even care if players from Boise State, Arkansas, South Carolina, or Kansas State sold all of their stuff and pocketed some extra money. It would just be the money their schools are being swindled out of by the BCS’s gluttonous system.
Another weekend, and yes, another Browns rant coming at you…
It is absolutely astonishing to me that our coaching staff cannot seem to find any continuity in our offense. You do not have to be an NFL expert to realize the Browns lack “playmaking” talent on offense, nor do you have to be an NFL expert to realize that Josh Cribbs is easily the best playmaker on our team. Which, makes it befuddling when you look back and realize he only touched the ball on Sunday during kick or punt returns. Mindboggling.
At this rate, the Brownies are headed towards another top ten draft pick, and unless their offense miraculously wakes up, more likely a top 5 draft pick (here’s hoping Atlanta continues to lose so we end up with two first round draft picks in the top 15-20)…Here is what the Browns should do with both of those picks; draft the best player available. I am not bemoaning the front office, yet, I understand they have only had two drafts, and both classes have produced very solid results. However, they cannot continue to trade down, stockpile draft picks, and take offensive lineman. Nor, should they package those two first round picks we do have, for the number one overall pick to take Andrew Luck. It is so clearly obvious that it would not matter if the Browns had Aaron Rogers at quarterback; we lack playmakers at skill positions which are what teams like Green Bay, and New England, and Pittsburgh have.
With that said, here is my Browns 2013 draft wish-list: 1) Justin Blackmon – he won the Belitnikoff as a sophomore, and has been nothing short of a beast for the #3 Oklahoma State team that should be playing for the national championship (more on that to come). 2) Trent Richardson – look I know we have Hillis, and Hardesty, but Richardson is one of those freak, once in a lifetime, Adrian Peterson type running backs that do not come along every year. 3) Morris Claiborne – LSU has a tremendously deep talent pool at defensive back, and Claiborne is only a junior, but he is a ball hawk, and putting him next to Joe Haden would be a lethal tandem for a long time. 4) Dont’a Hightower – it is grossly obvious that we lack linebackers that can make plays (proven by our awful rush defense) and Hightower can play any of the linebacker spots with his athleticism. 5) BJ Cunningham – here is a guy who probably will not go in the first round, but the WR from Michigan State proved all year why he will make his living on Sunday afternoons. Buckeye fans probably remember the torching he put on us: 9 catches for 154 yards and the Spartans only touchdown.
Chop It Up…
It is clear that we have a flawed system. We know this, and have for years, but this year might be one of the worst whack jobs the BCS has laid on us ever. We can start in the BCS National Championship game; clearly LSU deserved to be there, but how a team that finished second in its own division, and did not even play for its conference championship, and lost to LSU at home, makes it into the game is tough to explain. In my mind, if Alabama does win this game, there should be a split national champion because LSU proved through its body of work that it was the best team in college football. Oh by the way, Alabama did not beat a top ten team this year, while LSU beat three top five teams.
But wait, there is more! The biggest snub has to be Boise State. The #7 team got hosed so bad they are playing in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl. Maybe MAACO can paint over the car wreck that is the BCS. Even worse, two teams ranked lower than Boise State, and outside of the top ten (Va Tech #11, and Michigan #13) will face off in the BCS Sugar Bowl yet Boise State, South Carolina, Kansas State, and Arkansas who are all ranked higher than Virginia Tech and Michigan failed to receive a BCS bowl invite. And two teams ranked outside of the top 14 will play in the Orange Bowl thanks to the automatic tie ins, which means we get to see #15 Clemson, losers of 2 of their final 3 games, play #23 West Virginia who won the highly touted Big East. Hope you sense the sarcasm.
The reason for these choices and snubs is simple. To the BCS it is all about selling tickets, hotel rooms, merchandise, and plane tickets rather than putting the teams that deserve it in these games. Did Michigan and Virginia Tech have good years? Yes. Will they have large fan bases that travel well? Sure. But that should not be the reason the #7 team in the nation has to go play a pre-Christmas bowl game.
Let us hope that this will be the year that brings the BCS to its knees. I would not even care if players from Boise State, Arkansas, South Carolina, or Kansas State sold all of their stuff and pocketed some extra money. It would just be the money their schools are being swindled out of by the BCS’s gluttonous system.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Urban Era
this last week have all but put it out of sight in the rear view mirror. I used to get utterly mad when the men of scarlet and gray lost to that team up north. Believe me; the times have been good in the past decade, not a whole lot to be upset about. But the decade before that, the years of my youth, prime years to be molded, were trying ones.
The two most polarizing images of my early pre-teen years are ones that I want to, but never will forget. Both of them resulted in Buckeye losses, both at the Big House, and both times the Buckeyes were done in by the eventual Heisman Trophy winner. The first image is of the punt return, and that idiot doing the Heisman pose in the end zone. The second, the fighting nuts were done in by a defensive back, an Ohio kid, another punt return, and an interception and just that picture of Charles Woodson with the rose in his mouth is enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out. (I still take joy in the fact that on Sunday Night Football he states his school as Freemont Ross HS, as if it is some plea to OSU fans he was sorry, but I digress)
Then came the golden years, the ten years where “the Vest” absolutely owned that state up north.
His record speaks for itself, 9-1* (technically we vacated the last win, but we all know who won
the game, that won’t change.) Tressel just got it, he understood what it was about, he understood
what “the game” meant, and he didn’t hide it, which is why his players flourished in it. He (Tressel)
also understood what it mean to the fans, to the students, to the alumni before he had even coached a
game, while being introduced as the new coach at halftime of a home basketball game he knew exactly what to say to inject energy and life into a fan base that was desperate for something, anything when it came to the game.
Last Saturday’s version of the game was one I had never witnessed before. I didn’t know how to
approach it. My disgust for that school remained at the levels it had always been at, but my attitude
towards what this game meant was distorted. The 2011 version of the Ohio State Buckeyes was
probably the worst in my lifetime; torn apart by controversy, an interim head coach, no senior
leadership, terrible tackling, and offensive offense, but that didn’t stop me from donning my scarlet
jersey every Saturday, or watching every game up until the last ticks came off the clock, but for the first time in a decade I was actually nervous about the game.
And, exactly what I thought would happen in the game, happened. Our team tackling was just a notch
above non-existent all year, and their scrambling quarterback gave us fits, just like I figured he would.
But, for a flittering moment after they scored what looked like the clinching touchdown I regained hope. Two flags on the same play, negating the touchdown, resulting in a field goal and a six point lead had me hoping that maybe their run of misery had one more chapter to be added. After being dominated most of the game, we had the ball with a chance to score a touchdown and win the game. It didn’t pan out the way I had wanted it to, but the game finally had that feel to it that it had lacked for the last ten years. It had that knock-down, drag out, brawl feeling that was a staple of this rivalry for over a century.
This year has been dubbed “the most trying year” of football at Ohio State. And with everything (off the field, and on) it probably was. A ceremonial bowl game with very little meaning is not something that Buckeye fans of my generation are used to, but it is the reality. But, there is new hope on the horizon. We got our new coach, and we have a quarterback, which is the one thing our new coach thrives at producing.
The loss in the 2011 edition of the game stung, no doubt, but it has been less than a week and it is
practically forgotten. Just days after “the most trying season” we are already headed towards “the
longest off season” in the history of Buckeye football, mostly because we can’t wait to see what’s in
store. In 274 days the next act in the long and storied history of Ohio State Football opens and it is
entangled with optimism, freshness, and renewal…Urban renewal.
Monday, November 21, 2011
No Need For Luck
Sunday’s win for the Browns, over the Jacksonville Jaguars, was the first step Colt McCoy took in telling the front office “I can do this.” Sure it was an “ugly” win, and yes he did have the interception in the red zone, which is an absolute no-no, especially when you are a team that already struggles to score period. But, McCoy rallied, himself and the troops, and brought the team back and threw what would eventually be the game winning TD to Josh Cribbs.
I have said all along that it is difficult to judge or compare McCoy to a west coast offense quarterback because the Browns simply do not have the weapons for him to throw to, and at times this year they have not had the offensive line either. McCoy currently ranks 20th in the NFL in passing yards, and of the 19 quarterbacks ahead of him, only 3 have fewer interceptions throw on the season. And, four, have doubled the amount of interceptions he has thrown. He (McCoy) takes care of the football; his red zone interception against the Jags was his first red zone INT of the season.
With all of that being said, he made up my mind on Sunday. It may have been ugly, or a struggle, or not flashy, but he proved that, if we get him some weapons on the outside, he can be a viable quarterback, and he can win you games. It has been a struggle, but McCoy has slowly gotten his completion percentage up to 60% on the season. Clearly, that pales in comparison to the staggering 72% clip that Aaron Rogers is completing, but, has him completing the second highest percentage in the division and only 3 percentage points behind Ben Roethlisberger.
There are a few signs of hope, mainly Greg Little, and Josh Cribbs, but it is clear that the Browns lack speed, size, and reliability on the outsides. Greg Little is showing that he has 1st round talent, but still shows inconsistency (see the deep ball down the right side in the 1st half that Little should have caught) and that is exactly NOT what the Browns need. Cribbs, on the other hand, has impressed me with is improvement as a receiver. We know he is electric on special teams, but the knock has always been he is unpolished as a receiver. This year he looks like a legitimate wide receiver, and he proves ever week that the more you get the ball in his hands the better the results on the field.
The Browns have two first round draft picks in the next draft, and there is some serious talent coming to the NFL, especially at the wide out position. The Browns would be best suited to use those picks on talent that can come in and help this team right away, as opposed to packaging them both for the first overall pick and taking Andrew Luck. It would not matter if we had Andrew Luck or Aaron Rogers right now, they would not have the necessary weapons to stand out in this offense. The improvements are there, but the Browns need talent at skill positions, and they have two chances to improve those positions in the first round.
I have said all along that it is difficult to judge or compare McCoy to a west coast offense quarterback because the Browns simply do not have the weapons for him to throw to, and at times this year they have not had the offensive line either. McCoy currently ranks 20th in the NFL in passing yards, and of the 19 quarterbacks ahead of him, only 3 have fewer interceptions throw on the season. And, four, have doubled the amount of interceptions he has thrown. He (McCoy) takes care of the football; his red zone interception against the Jags was his first red zone INT of the season.
With all of that being said, he made up my mind on Sunday. It may have been ugly, or a struggle, or not flashy, but he proved that, if we get him some weapons on the outside, he can be a viable quarterback, and he can win you games. It has been a struggle, but McCoy has slowly gotten his completion percentage up to 60% on the season. Clearly, that pales in comparison to the staggering 72% clip that Aaron Rogers is completing, but, has him completing the second highest percentage in the division and only 3 percentage points behind Ben Roethlisberger.
There are a few signs of hope, mainly Greg Little, and Josh Cribbs, but it is clear that the Browns lack speed, size, and reliability on the outsides. Greg Little is showing that he has 1st round talent, but still shows inconsistency (see the deep ball down the right side in the 1st half that Little should have caught) and that is exactly NOT what the Browns need. Cribbs, on the other hand, has impressed me with is improvement as a receiver. We know he is electric on special teams, but the knock has always been he is unpolished as a receiver. This year he looks like a legitimate wide receiver, and he proves ever week that the more you get the ball in his hands the better the results on the field.
The Browns have two first round draft picks in the next draft, and there is some serious talent coming to the NFL, especially at the wide out position. The Browns would be best suited to use those picks on talent that can come in and help this team right away, as opposed to packaging them both for the first overall pick and taking Andrew Luck. It would not matter if we had Andrew Luck or Aaron Rogers right now, they would not have the necessary weapons to stand out in this offense. The improvements are there, but the Browns need talent at skill positions, and they have two chances to improve those positions in the first round.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Just Another Day in the Life of a Browns Fan..
I am sick of hearing it. I refuse to listen to it. If one more person tries to tell me about their cities “bad luck” or “agony” when it comes to sports, I will lose it. I spent Sunday at a bar (the only place I can go to watch my Browns play) with friends from around the country who, because their teams were not playing at the time, sat and watched the Browns unimaginable loss to the 1-7 Rams with me. So, before I get to the game, these were our conversations:
Friend from San Diego: San Diego has the worst sports luck, but nobody cares because we have the best weather. Response I wanted to reply with: Oh really? I am sorry you have teams that make it to the AFC Championship games multiple years, and I am really, really sorry that you have the best weather. Please save it!
Friend from Minnesota: Minnesota has had some pretty bad luck, I mean, look at the Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves. Response I wanted to reply with: Please! You were a play away from going to the Super Bowl two years ago; the Twins won a world series in the 1990s, and let us not forget the Minnesota Lynx won the WNBA Championship this year! (Ok, ok, I know, yes I did reference a WNBA team, but seriously they won a championship, that is more than anything a Cleveland team has won in six decades!)
As the game unfolded, I proceeded to tell my friends about all things that have gone wrong in Cleveland sports, and to save myself, and Cleveland friends from an intense spike in blood pressure, I will not go into any details (if you want to know more, Google it or something). Here we go, for the Browns you have the Drive, the Fumble, Red Right 88, and that meltdown against the Steelers the only time we have made the playoffs since we returned. The Indians, probably had one of the best teams in baseball history in the mid 1990s, managed to blow a 2 out lead in the last inning of the 1997 world series, and lost in Game 7 in extra innings, and managed to blow a 3-1 lead in the 2007 ALCS to the Red Sox, who then went on to sweep the Rockies in the World Series. The Cavs have the “shot” by MJ to sink the higher seeded Cavs in the first round of 1989 playoffs, and I need not go any further into the recent memory of Cavs fans.
With all of that said, I sat and watched the Browns play, maybe, one of their most complete games of the season, and yet, they still managed to not find the end zone. The coaches pulled out the trick plays, wide receivers made plays, Colt McCoy was accurate, and still the Browns could not score a touch-down. Thankfully, Phil Dawson, the team MVP (yes I know, he is our kicker), was spot on from four different points kicking field goals in a windy Cleveland Browns Stadium from 44,32,29, and 43 yards, respectively.
And then, when it looked like the Browns had positioned themselves perfectly to have Dawson kick his fifth field goal of the day, and take the lead late in the fourth quarter, it happened. I have said it before, and I am sure I will say it again; it was one of those “only in Cleveland moments.”
It would have been Dawson’s shortest field goal of the day, two yards longer than an extra point attempt. A chip shot, as they like to call it. I sat there at the bar, with my temporary Browns fans friends, about to watch the Browns get a nice win, and all I could do was watch in disbelief, as the snap rolled and bounced to the holder, who somehow managed to control it and hold it, and then as Dawson managed to get the kick off, only for it to be deflected wide left with two minutes to go in the game.
Now, it is not entirely absurd that a snap is bad, it could happen to any team in the NFL. But then you realize that the Browns long snapper is a Pro-Bowler, one of the best in the NFL, and you watch the slow motion replay you see that somehow, some way, the Browns left guard, who should probably try out for Dancing With The Stars because he has to have the quickest feet in America, managed to deflect the snap with his leg, you realize how absurd this actually was. Bad snaps are one thing, but I have never seen a lineman deflect a snap with his leg on a field goal attempt.
I could not even be mad. I mean, sure, I was mad, but then I remember, “It’s the Browns, and I’m a Cleveland fan.” I have become so engrained with stuff like this, that I almost expect it to happen. The Cleveland Browns are clearly the poster child for Murphy’s Law.
So I do not want to hear it anymore, from anyone other than Cleveland fans. Please spare me from your, “it has been a couple of years since we won a championship” talk, or, “man my teams have really bad luck.” I do not, no, I cannot take it anymore, and if you don’t believe me, come join me this Sunday at the bar, and watch a Browns game with me (yes, I will be there, just like all the other weeks, in my jersey rooting on my team). I guarantee you will leave saying, “Man my team ain’t so bad after all.”
Friend from San Diego: San Diego has the worst sports luck, but nobody cares because we have the best weather. Response I wanted to reply with: Oh really? I am sorry you have teams that make it to the AFC Championship games multiple years, and I am really, really sorry that you have the best weather. Please save it!
Friend from Minnesota: Minnesota has had some pretty bad luck, I mean, look at the Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves. Response I wanted to reply with: Please! You were a play away from going to the Super Bowl two years ago; the Twins won a world series in the 1990s, and let us not forget the Minnesota Lynx won the WNBA Championship this year! (Ok, ok, I know, yes I did reference a WNBA team, but seriously they won a championship, that is more than anything a Cleveland team has won in six decades!)
As the game unfolded, I proceeded to tell my friends about all things that have gone wrong in Cleveland sports, and to save myself, and Cleveland friends from an intense spike in blood pressure, I will not go into any details (if you want to know more, Google it or something). Here we go, for the Browns you have the Drive, the Fumble, Red Right 88, and that meltdown against the Steelers the only time we have made the playoffs since we returned. The Indians, probably had one of the best teams in baseball history in the mid 1990s, managed to blow a 2 out lead in the last inning of the 1997 world series, and lost in Game 7 in extra innings, and managed to blow a 3-1 lead in the 2007 ALCS to the Red Sox, who then went on to sweep the Rockies in the World Series. The Cavs have the “shot” by MJ to sink the higher seeded Cavs in the first round of 1989 playoffs, and I need not go any further into the recent memory of Cavs fans.
With all of that said, I sat and watched the Browns play, maybe, one of their most complete games of the season, and yet, they still managed to not find the end zone. The coaches pulled out the trick plays, wide receivers made plays, Colt McCoy was accurate, and still the Browns could not score a touch-down. Thankfully, Phil Dawson, the team MVP (yes I know, he is our kicker), was spot on from four different points kicking field goals in a windy Cleveland Browns Stadium from 44,32,29, and 43 yards, respectively.
And then, when it looked like the Browns had positioned themselves perfectly to have Dawson kick his fifth field goal of the day, and take the lead late in the fourth quarter, it happened. I have said it before, and I am sure I will say it again; it was one of those “only in Cleveland moments.”
It would have been Dawson’s shortest field goal of the day, two yards longer than an extra point attempt. A chip shot, as they like to call it. I sat there at the bar, with my temporary Browns fans friends, about to watch the Browns get a nice win, and all I could do was watch in disbelief, as the snap rolled and bounced to the holder, who somehow managed to control it and hold it, and then as Dawson managed to get the kick off, only for it to be deflected wide left with two minutes to go in the game.
Now, it is not entirely absurd that a snap is bad, it could happen to any team in the NFL. But then you realize that the Browns long snapper is a Pro-Bowler, one of the best in the NFL, and you watch the slow motion replay you see that somehow, some way, the Browns left guard, who should probably try out for Dancing With The Stars because he has to have the quickest feet in America, managed to deflect the snap with his leg, you realize how absurd this actually was. Bad snaps are one thing, but I have never seen a lineman deflect a snap with his leg on a field goal attempt.
I could not even be mad. I mean, sure, I was mad, but then I remember, “It’s the Browns, and I’m a Cleveland fan.” I have become so engrained with stuff like this, that I almost expect it to happen. The Cleveland Browns are clearly the poster child for Murphy’s Law.
So I do not want to hear it anymore, from anyone other than Cleveland fans. Please spare me from your, “it has been a couple of years since we won a championship” talk, or, “man my teams have really bad luck.” I do not, no, I cannot take it anymore, and if you don’t believe me, come join me this Sunday at the bar, and watch a Browns game with me (yes, I will be there, just like all the other weeks, in my jersey rooting on my team). I guarantee you will leave saying, “Man my team ain’t so bad after all.”
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Happy Valley and the Shadow of Shame
He was the last “living dinosaur.” A Legend. His legacy was golden, and could not be touched. Or, so we thought. Joe Paterno stood for everything that was great about collegiate athletics: loyalty, he’s been coaching there for over four decades; passion, players go to Penn State to play for Coach Paterno because of his passion; integrity, when Paterno says something, you listen, he is the John Wooden of college football.
But, not long after winning his record setting 408th game on Saturday, all of that was about to come crashing down. The recent charges that his former assistant faces are brutal, disgusting, and could quite possibly tarnish everything that Paterno has done for Penn State, and college football. To the NCAA, this has probably been one of the longest years it can remember. Scandal after scandal, violation after violation kept coming across the desks of those in charge in Indianapolis. This, however, might be the straw that breaks the camels’ back.
This is not a scandal at Penn State it is a full fledged mess that came barreling over the top of the dam on Sunday. And, what this shows is just how flawed the NCAA and college athletics have been, for a very long time. What makes this even more disturbing, grotesque, unbelievable, insert your own adjective here, is that these acts were done by a person, by people, who were supposed to be the model, who were supposed to be leading our young individuals.
It is one thing when student-athletes make mistakes. And sure, trading your stuff for tattoos, or smoking dope, or taking money from someone associated with the school might seem stupid, silly, and ignorant. But when it’s the coaches, and administrators that are taking part in something that is profusely, and morbidly wrong, what does that say about the student-athletes. How can we degrade a student-athlete for being young and immature when the people leading and developing him or her are acting irresponsible, and decidedly more immature?
I do not want to get into the disgusting, and embarrassing details of what the former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, did or took part in. If you want to read more about that you can find it on your own time. What is bothersome to me, and should be to everyone, is that the graduate assistant coach who saw it, the head coach who is in charge, and the administrators who found out about it, never, not even once, contacted authorities to let them know that this was going on.
We are talking about children, many of whom were not even teenagers (not that it would make it OK if they were), who were victims of a sick, repulsive person. And the University just swept it underneath the rug and tried to pretend nothing happened. All they did was tell Sandusky he could no longer bring youth down on the field for football games. In fact, Sandusky was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday to see Paterno get his landmark victory.
I am not even sure how the NCAA will handle this mess. The comparisons of how they handled the scandal at Ohio State and LSU are not even in the same atmosphere of severity. To sit back and think about the media outrage, and societal outcry over what five student-athletes did at Ohio State by trading and selling their game jerseys and trophies for tattoos; I cannot even fathom how that would even come close to being comparable to what happened at Penn State. To think that Jim Tressel lost his job because he did not go directly to the AD when learning about the allegations when he first found out is a more punishable offense than Joe Paterno who simply told his AD what his graduate assistant had seen take place in the showers at the football facility is senseless. How could you believe that simply telling the AD about sexual abuse of a child was doing your duties? Not once thinking, “This is wrong. I should call the police.”
Paterno is not a viewed as a suspect in the investigation, but his statement ought to make him one. “If true…While I did what I was supposed to do with the one charge brought to my attention…I cannot help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.” Where to begin with this statement? Well, how about the beginning, if true? Clearly we have an eyewitness account of sexual abuse of a child, rape of a child, if true Joe? How about the “While I did what I was supposed to do...”? Really? You have a witness saying he saw a child under the age of 10 being sexually abused by an adult in the shower of the football facilities and all you are supposed to do is tell your AD? Last time I checked reporting child abuse or sexual abuse is the law. Just because you told your AD, and covered your tracks, does not get you off the hook for what you did not do.
Nor does it make what the graduate assistant who witnessed this act right either. The fact that the person who witnessed it and Paterno never followed up with this, nor ever contacted the police about what they saw is a matter of ethics, and moral judgment. And if the people in charge cannot make the right moral and ethical decision, how can we expect the student-athletes they are leading to do so?
But, not long after winning his record setting 408th game on Saturday, all of that was about to come crashing down. The recent charges that his former assistant faces are brutal, disgusting, and could quite possibly tarnish everything that Paterno has done for Penn State, and college football. To the NCAA, this has probably been one of the longest years it can remember. Scandal after scandal, violation after violation kept coming across the desks of those in charge in Indianapolis. This, however, might be the straw that breaks the camels’ back.
This is not a scandal at Penn State it is a full fledged mess that came barreling over the top of the dam on Sunday. And, what this shows is just how flawed the NCAA and college athletics have been, for a very long time. What makes this even more disturbing, grotesque, unbelievable, insert your own adjective here, is that these acts were done by a person, by people, who were supposed to be the model, who were supposed to be leading our young individuals.
It is one thing when student-athletes make mistakes. And sure, trading your stuff for tattoos, or smoking dope, or taking money from someone associated with the school might seem stupid, silly, and ignorant. But when it’s the coaches, and administrators that are taking part in something that is profusely, and morbidly wrong, what does that say about the student-athletes. How can we degrade a student-athlete for being young and immature when the people leading and developing him or her are acting irresponsible, and decidedly more immature?
I do not want to get into the disgusting, and embarrassing details of what the former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, did or took part in. If you want to read more about that you can find it on your own time. What is bothersome to me, and should be to everyone, is that the graduate assistant coach who saw it, the head coach who is in charge, and the administrators who found out about it, never, not even once, contacted authorities to let them know that this was going on.
We are talking about children, many of whom were not even teenagers (not that it would make it OK if they were), who were victims of a sick, repulsive person. And the University just swept it underneath the rug and tried to pretend nothing happened. All they did was tell Sandusky he could no longer bring youth down on the field for football games. In fact, Sandusky was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday to see Paterno get his landmark victory.
I am not even sure how the NCAA will handle this mess. The comparisons of how they handled the scandal at Ohio State and LSU are not even in the same atmosphere of severity. To sit back and think about the media outrage, and societal outcry over what five student-athletes did at Ohio State by trading and selling their game jerseys and trophies for tattoos; I cannot even fathom how that would even come close to being comparable to what happened at Penn State. To think that Jim Tressel lost his job because he did not go directly to the AD when learning about the allegations when he first found out is a more punishable offense than Joe Paterno who simply told his AD what his graduate assistant had seen take place in the showers at the football facility is senseless. How could you believe that simply telling the AD about sexual abuse of a child was doing your duties? Not once thinking, “This is wrong. I should call the police.”
Paterno is not a viewed as a suspect in the investigation, but his statement ought to make him one. “If true…While I did what I was supposed to do with the one charge brought to my attention…I cannot help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.” Where to begin with this statement? Well, how about the beginning, if true? Clearly we have an eyewitness account of sexual abuse of a child, rape of a child, if true Joe? How about the “While I did what I was supposed to do...”? Really? You have a witness saying he saw a child under the age of 10 being sexually abused by an adult in the shower of the football facilities and all you are supposed to do is tell your AD? Last time I checked reporting child abuse or sexual abuse is the law. Just because you told your AD, and covered your tracks, does not get you off the hook for what you did not do.
Nor does it make what the graduate assistant who witnessed this act right either. The fact that the person who witnessed it and Paterno never followed up with this, nor ever contacted the police about what they saw is a matter of ethics, and moral judgment. And if the people in charge cannot make the right moral and ethical decision, how can we expect the student-athletes they are leading to do so?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Dumb and Dumber..
As we get ready to sit down this weekend and watch a game that has been proclaimed "the game of all games" for two weeks now, I can help but think of how seriously flawed the NCAA is.
Sure, I will watch when #1 LSU invades Bryant Denny Stadium to take on #2 Alabama. But all I will be able to think about is 8 different players. Three who play for LSU and five who play or used to play for Ohio State.
I know, we've all been beaten to death with the scandal that "rocked" Ohio State, especially us Buckeye fans. We know Terelle Pryor is gone, and so is Jim Tressel, and that Boom Herron and Devier Posey, two cogs in our offense, we're suspended for 5 games, all over about $2,500 worth of tattoos. (ironically a couple of days go NCAA prez Mark Emmert made it ok for schools to add $2,000 to each student-athlete's scholarship to cover "incidental costs")
But the real reason I will be watching the three LSU players (Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware, and Tharold Simon) is because it is their first game back. They are returning to the field after being suspended for 1 game after testing positive for synthetic marijuana and violation the teams drug policy.
Where is the NCAA on this one????
Apparently trading your own stuff for tattoos is good for at least a 5 game suspension (even though former Georgia wide out A.J. Green was only suspended 4 for selling his jersey to an AGENT in 2010!) yet doing drugs during the season doesn't even warrant NCAA interest? The one game suspension was team imposed by coach Les Miles.
Now I'm sure everyone will think I'm just coming off as a homer, but, hello? Those three guys broke a law by taking illegal drugs (I'm not arguing for or against legalization here, simply stating as it stands today smoking pot is against the law), and the NCAA doesn't seem to care. But as soon as players start taking their own personal stuff, given to them by their institution or even the NCAA, and trading or selling it, they have a problem. Not to mention that for at least one of the players at LSU it was their "second offense" with the LSU substance abuse policy.
Now, I am not saying what the Ohio State players did was right, it is clearly a moral choice they were ok living with. And I'm not saying the way Jim Tressel handled it was the proper way to go about things. But, if the NCAA is going to continue to preside over college athletics, and continue to run these lengthy, costly investigations into players selling their jerseys, or receiving improper benefits then they need to be prepared to step in on instances like these, where players disregard the laws.
Ohio State had its season hijacked by the NCAA because 5 kids made a stupid decision, even though the stuff they traded was their own. LSU barely missed a beat when their three players were suspended for ONE measly game even though those kids made probably an even dumber decision.
The NCAA is balancing on a thin high wire, and if they are going to be the authority they want to be, then they need to handle everything that falls under their umbrella. Otherwise, their high wire act will come crashing down and bring a new era in college athletics. Who knows, maybe even a cleaner one.
Sure, I will watch when #1 LSU invades Bryant Denny Stadium to take on #2 Alabama. But all I will be able to think about is 8 different players. Three who play for LSU and five who play or used to play for Ohio State.
I know, we've all been beaten to death with the scandal that "rocked" Ohio State, especially us Buckeye fans. We know Terelle Pryor is gone, and so is Jim Tressel, and that Boom Herron and Devier Posey, two cogs in our offense, we're suspended for 5 games, all over about $2,500 worth of tattoos. (ironically a couple of days go NCAA prez Mark Emmert made it ok for schools to add $2,000 to each student-athlete's scholarship to cover "incidental costs")
But the real reason I will be watching the three LSU players (Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Ware, and Tharold Simon) is because it is their first game back. They are returning to the field after being suspended for 1 game after testing positive for synthetic marijuana and violation the teams drug policy.
Where is the NCAA on this one????
Apparently trading your own stuff for tattoos is good for at least a 5 game suspension (even though former Georgia wide out A.J. Green was only suspended 4 for selling his jersey to an AGENT in 2010!) yet doing drugs during the season doesn't even warrant NCAA interest? The one game suspension was team imposed by coach Les Miles.
Now I'm sure everyone will think I'm just coming off as a homer, but, hello? Those three guys broke a law by taking illegal drugs (I'm not arguing for or against legalization here, simply stating as it stands today smoking pot is against the law), and the NCAA doesn't seem to care. But as soon as players start taking their own personal stuff, given to them by their institution or even the NCAA, and trading or selling it, they have a problem. Not to mention that for at least one of the players at LSU it was their "second offense" with the LSU substance abuse policy.
Now, I am not saying what the Ohio State players did was right, it is clearly a moral choice they were ok living with. And I'm not saying the way Jim Tressel handled it was the proper way to go about things. But, if the NCAA is going to continue to preside over college athletics, and continue to run these lengthy, costly investigations into players selling their jerseys, or receiving improper benefits then they need to be prepared to step in on instances like these, where players disregard the laws.
Ohio State had its season hijacked by the NCAA because 5 kids made a stupid decision, even though the stuff they traded was their own. LSU barely missed a beat when their three players were suspended for ONE measly game even though those kids made probably an even dumber decision.
The NCAA is balancing on a thin high wire, and if they are going to be the authority they want to be, then they need to handle everything that falls under their umbrella. Otherwise, their high wire act will come crashing down and bring a new era in college athletics. Who knows, maybe even a cleaner one.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Show Them the Money
Today, NCAA President, Mark Emmert, came out and said he will be asking the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to okay a $2,000 hike for NCAA Division I student-athletes. Well, hmmmm, I wonder why the NCAA Prez has all of a sudden come to this conclusion. Stating that student-athletes do not have the opportunities to work outside of the classroom and playing field, he believes this will help "to more closely approach" the cost of attending college. This is just more proof that the NCAA really has no idea what is going on here.
The arguments for (and against) paying college athletes really has little to do with "more closely approaching the cost of college." It has a lot to do with the fact that universities are banking mega-millions on the athletes that bear their colors. Everyone buys their favorite players number, without the name on the back, and that is just one way schools are banking on a players' likeness. CNBC Sports Business guru Darren Rovell @darrenrovell has come up with an interesting proposition that seems to make sense to me:
On Sunday, Rovell tweeted: "On my NCAA jersey proposal player would get 4% of gross = $1.20/jersey. Gross price is what retailer pays, not what you pay." Therefore, with that proposal and his estimation of the number of Tim Tebow jerseys sold during his career at the University of Florida, Tebow would have made roughly $40,000 dollars. But remember, that is only 4% of what the school is actually making.
But, let's be honest, the schools are not really making the big bucks on jersey and merchandise sales, the real money is in the TV deals. And, there is no better example of this than the 2011 Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Arkansas. Everyone knows, Ohio State is currently waiting to hear from the NCAA Infractions Committee about what punishment it will receive for the "tattoo" scandal. And, most know that Ohio State, as a school, has already given up its wins from that entire season. However, I would argue that Ohio State should have given up all of the wins, EXCEPT, the Sugar Bowl win. Before the teams played in that game, the NCAA ruled all of the players listed in the scandal ELIGIBLE to play. Regardless of what the NCAA did, and did not know at that time, they said those players could play, and the main reason why they decided that was TV.
Nobody outside of the respective schools fans was going to tune in to watch the Sugar Bowl if three of Ohio State's top players, and most marketable ones at that, were not going to be on the field. It was a BCS game ($$$), between two top-ten ranked teams ($$$), on prime time TV ($$$), and the NCAA was not going to cost FOX any ratings.
The BCS distributed $174 million to conferences last bowl season. The Big10 and SEC made $27.2 million each for sending multiple teams to BCS Bowls. And, for some unknown reason, Notre Dame received $1.7 million from the BCS?!? Notre Dame hasn't been to a BCS bowl game since 2006, why they are receiving money each year from the BCS despite not making it to a BCS bowl game seems deficient. But, you have to realize, its all about the TV deals, and yet, nobody seems to realize that without the players, nobody would watch the games. Without the players, FOX, ESPN, and CBS wouldn't pay huge sums of money to broadcast the games, because nobody would watch.
I understand that scholarships that these athletes get pay their tuition to a higher education institution. But the price of the scholarship compared to the amount of money that schools make on the athletes (especially football and basketball players) doesn't add up. I am just not sure if 2,000 extra dollars is going to make up the difference either.
The arguments for (and against) paying college athletes really has little to do with "more closely approaching the cost of college." It has a lot to do with the fact that universities are banking mega-millions on the athletes that bear their colors. Everyone buys their favorite players number, without the name on the back, and that is just one way schools are banking on a players' likeness. CNBC Sports Business guru Darren Rovell @darrenrovell has come up with an interesting proposition that seems to make sense to me:
On Sunday, Rovell tweeted: "On my NCAA jersey proposal player would get 4% of gross = $1.20/jersey. Gross price is what retailer pays, not what you pay." Therefore, with that proposal and his estimation of the number of Tim Tebow jerseys sold during his career at the University of Florida, Tebow would have made roughly $40,000 dollars. But remember, that is only 4% of what the school is actually making.
But, let's be honest, the schools are not really making the big bucks on jersey and merchandise sales, the real money is in the TV deals. And, there is no better example of this than the 2011 Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Arkansas. Everyone knows, Ohio State is currently waiting to hear from the NCAA Infractions Committee about what punishment it will receive for the "tattoo" scandal. And, most know that Ohio State, as a school, has already given up its wins from that entire season. However, I would argue that Ohio State should have given up all of the wins, EXCEPT, the Sugar Bowl win. Before the teams played in that game, the NCAA ruled all of the players listed in the scandal ELIGIBLE to play. Regardless of what the NCAA did, and did not know at that time, they said those players could play, and the main reason why they decided that was TV.
Nobody outside of the respective schools fans was going to tune in to watch the Sugar Bowl if three of Ohio State's top players, and most marketable ones at that, were not going to be on the field. It was a BCS game ($$$), between two top-ten ranked teams ($$$), on prime time TV ($$$), and the NCAA was not going to cost FOX any ratings.
The BCS distributed $174 million to conferences last bowl season. The Big10 and SEC made $27.2 million each for sending multiple teams to BCS Bowls. And, for some unknown reason, Notre Dame received $1.7 million from the BCS?!? Notre Dame hasn't been to a BCS bowl game since 2006, why they are receiving money each year from the BCS despite not making it to a BCS bowl game seems deficient. But, you have to realize, its all about the TV deals, and yet, nobody seems to realize that without the players, nobody would watch the games. Without the players, FOX, ESPN, and CBS wouldn't pay huge sums of money to broadcast the games, because nobody would watch.
I understand that scholarships that these athletes get pay their tuition to a higher education institution. But the price of the scholarship compared to the amount of money that schools make on the athletes (especially football and basketball players) doesn't add up. I am just not sure if 2,000 extra dollars is going to make up the difference either.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Washington's Orders
You could feel the intensity in Busch Stadium. For five innings it mounted, and mounted until it reached the lights of the stadium. Up until the 6th inning there had been no runs and only 4 hits combined between the two teams. Momentum for the series hung in the balance, and the Rangers desperately needed a split on the road.
The Fall Classic is all about limiting mistakes, timely hitting, and solid pitching. And it's the managers job to make the best decisions for his team. In game one, the Cardinals' Tony LaRussa made all the right moves: pinch hitting for his ace after only 6 innings which resulted in the game winning RBI single, in game two he rode the hot hand and pinch hit the same guy in the same exact situation and it worked again!
On the other hand, the Rangers' Ron Washington made a few questionable calls during both games, and it is surprising to me that the Rangers aren't in a 0-2 hole. In game one with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Washington pinch hit a guy who had not played in the final 20+ games of the season. Needless to say he struck out, stranding the runners on base, and the Rangers lost game one 3-2.
However, the most questionable call, to me, that Washington made was to pull Colby Lewis, in the bottom of the 6th inning of game two, in favor of Alexi Ogando. Ogando, the same pitcher that gave up the base hit in game one that cost the Rangers the game, had a chance at redemption against Allen Craig, and gave up another go ahead single to the Cardinals pinch hit specialist. At the time the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead and that looked to be insurmountable.
Here is the problem I have with Washington's decision: to that point in the game, Lewis had thrown less than 100 pitches, had given up no runs, and only allowed 4 hits! If I'm the manager, it's Lewis' game to lose, if he would have been losing 2-0 or 1-0 then, yes, make the switch and let your bull pen keep you in the game. But in a scoreless game I'm living with my starter who has thrown a gem. Not to mention the fact that Washington compounded the poor decision by bringing in the same reliever to face the same hitter who won the game the night before.
Colby Lewis was throwing masterpiece and the only reason more people weren't talking about him was because Jaime Garcia was matching him pitch for pitch. But to take a pitcher out of a game in which he is throwing a shutout is an extremely questionable call to me. And the fact that the pitcher was not even to the 100 pitch mark made it even more questionable.
Luckily for the Rangers, the Cardinals bull pen had its first lapse of the post season and allowed the Rangers offense to come back and win the game. The win was big for the Rangers who were able to earn a split on the road, but maybe even more demoralizing for the Cardinals whom showed its first chink in its armor, and the bull pen is the last place you want to have a chink.
The Fall Classic is all about limiting mistakes, timely hitting, and solid pitching. And it's the managers job to make the best decisions for his team. In game one, the Cardinals' Tony LaRussa made all the right moves: pinch hitting for his ace after only 6 innings which resulted in the game winning RBI single, in game two he rode the hot hand and pinch hit the same guy in the same exact situation and it worked again!
On the other hand, the Rangers' Ron Washington made a few questionable calls during both games, and it is surprising to me that the Rangers aren't in a 0-2 hole. In game one with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Washington pinch hit a guy who had not played in the final 20+ games of the season. Needless to say he struck out, stranding the runners on base, and the Rangers lost game one 3-2.
However, the most questionable call, to me, that Washington made was to pull Colby Lewis, in the bottom of the 6th inning of game two, in favor of Alexi Ogando. Ogando, the same pitcher that gave up the base hit in game one that cost the Rangers the game, had a chance at redemption against Allen Craig, and gave up another go ahead single to the Cardinals pinch hit specialist. At the time the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead and that looked to be insurmountable.
Here is the problem I have with Washington's decision: to that point in the game, Lewis had thrown less than 100 pitches, had given up no runs, and only allowed 4 hits! If I'm the manager, it's Lewis' game to lose, if he would have been losing 2-0 or 1-0 then, yes, make the switch and let your bull pen keep you in the game. But in a scoreless game I'm living with my starter who has thrown a gem. Not to mention the fact that Washington compounded the poor decision by bringing in the same reliever to face the same hitter who won the game the night before.
Colby Lewis was throwing masterpiece and the only reason more people weren't talking about him was because Jaime Garcia was matching him pitch for pitch. But to take a pitcher out of a game in which he is throwing a shutout is an extremely questionable call to me. And the fact that the pitcher was not even to the 100 pitch mark made it even more questionable.
Luckily for the Rangers, the Cardinals bull pen had its first lapse of the post season and allowed the Rangers offense to come back and win the game. The win was big for the Rangers who were able to earn a split on the road, but maybe even more demoralizing for the Cardinals whom showed its first chink in its armor, and the bull pen is the last place you want to have a chink.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Bye Week Blues..
So the Browns have a bye this week, which means I'll have absolutely nothing to do on Sunday, except of course, listen to CBS analysts drool over the Patriots vs. Jets game. But I digress, since the season is a quarter of the way through, I decided to look at where the Browns are and make my assessment.
2-2 is nothing to scream about, and honestly it would look a lot better if the week two win had come against a Peyton Manning led Colts, but a win is a win and you take them however you can get them.
Through four games it look like Heck&Holms hit a home run in last years daft, and pair it with their first draft it looks like not just a solo homer either. In 2010 they took Haden, Ward, Hardesty, and McCoy, all of whom started week 4 for the Browns. This year they weren't flashy but solid in adding Taylor, Sheard, Little, Marecic, Pinkston, and Skrine. Right there is 10 players who we have all seen on the field this year.
As I just stated, the 2011 draft wasn't flashy, we didn't get that big, shiny name everyone thought we would with the 5th overall pick, but we may have made the best trade in Browns history. The trade the brass pulled off with the Atlanta Falcons was what might make the Browns a great football team. Instead of taking Julio Jones we added 4 draft picks, including another 1st round pick in 2012. That should have Browns fans really excited! (I'll get back to this later)
Looking at stats, here's something I found really interesting...
Here's the stat lines for two AFC North quarterbacks:
1) 49%, 973 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
2) 58%, 984 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Quarterback #2 is the starting quarterback for your Cleveland Browns and quarterback #1 is Joe Flacco. Everyone wants to judge McCoy and wonder if he is the franchise quarterback, but it's clear to me, given those stats that he can be. Flacco has many more weapons at his disposal on the outside than McCoy does.
Those stats bring me back to the two first round draft picks point I had earlier. It's easy to see the browns need a wide receiver who can make catches in traffic, win jump balls, and stretch a defense. And it is hard not to like Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State University. He is 6'1", 215 pounds and has the best hand in college football. Don't believe me? He won't the Belitnikoff award last year, as a sophomore! I know the front office has said they like the wide outs we currently have, but it would be hard not to like Blackmon lining up with Little on the outsides.
And since I'm on next years draft, and we have two first rounders, if you haven't seen LSU's defense play yet, you need to! I would love to see cornerback #17, Morris Claiborne, lining up opposite Joe Haden for years to come!
Ok, back to this years team..
Browns fans have been all in a tizzy with this Peyton Hillis situation, and the fact that he hasn't been rushing for large amounts of yards. The fact is, and all of us Browns fans will have to get used to this, that the days of grinding out yards for four quarters are gone! Holmgren is a west coast guy, Shurmur is a west coast guy, they throw, a lot! Those short, quick passes are like glorified hand offs.
It is nice to have a guy like Hillis who can drain clock when you have a lead, but those methodical, boring drives we've come to know and love are over! It's almost like we were brainwashed watching the old regimes, and that's what we've come to know. But that is not what Shurmur does, he throws, and throws some more. Luckily for us, Peyton Hillis has better hands than most of our receivers so we can continue to find ways to get him the ball!
With all that said, this team would probably look a lot more fluid offensively had the lockout not hijacked the new coaching staffs training camp work. We are getting to the point now where the coaches would have been by preseason had they been able to work with the players on the playbook over the summer. I feel like coming out of the bye week, the offense, should look much better from here on out. Which is good, because starting week 12 we have to run the gauntlet. We'll find a lot more out about this team in the final 6 game of the season.
2-2 is nothing to scream about, and honestly it would look a lot better if the week two win had come against a Peyton Manning led Colts, but a win is a win and you take them however you can get them.
Through four games it look like Heck&Holms hit a home run in last years daft, and pair it with their first draft it looks like not just a solo homer either. In 2010 they took Haden, Ward, Hardesty, and McCoy, all of whom started week 4 for the Browns. This year they weren't flashy but solid in adding Taylor, Sheard, Little, Marecic, Pinkston, and Skrine. Right there is 10 players who we have all seen on the field this year.
As I just stated, the 2011 draft wasn't flashy, we didn't get that big, shiny name everyone thought we would with the 5th overall pick, but we may have made the best trade in Browns history. The trade the brass pulled off with the Atlanta Falcons was what might make the Browns a great football team. Instead of taking Julio Jones we added 4 draft picks, including another 1st round pick in 2012. That should have Browns fans really excited! (I'll get back to this later)
Looking at stats, here's something I found really interesting...
Here's the stat lines for two AFC North quarterbacks:
1) 49%, 973 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
2) 58%, 984 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Quarterback #2 is the starting quarterback for your Cleveland Browns and quarterback #1 is Joe Flacco. Everyone wants to judge McCoy and wonder if he is the franchise quarterback, but it's clear to me, given those stats that he can be. Flacco has many more weapons at his disposal on the outside than McCoy does.
Those stats bring me back to the two first round draft picks point I had earlier. It's easy to see the browns need a wide receiver who can make catches in traffic, win jump balls, and stretch a defense. And it is hard not to like Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State University. He is 6'1", 215 pounds and has the best hand in college football. Don't believe me? He won't the Belitnikoff award last year, as a sophomore! I know the front office has said they like the wide outs we currently have, but it would be hard not to like Blackmon lining up with Little on the outsides.
And since I'm on next years draft, and we have two first rounders, if you haven't seen LSU's defense play yet, you need to! I would love to see cornerback #17, Morris Claiborne, lining up opposite Joe Haden for years to come!
Ok, back to this years team..
Browns fans have been all in a tizzy with this Peyton Hillis situation, and the fact that he hasn't been rushing for large amounts of yards. The fact is, and all of us Browns fans will have to get used to this, that the days of grinding out yards for four quarters are gone! Holmgren is a west coast guy, Shurmur is a west coast guy, they throw, a lot! Those short, quick passes are like glorified hand offs.
It is nice to have a guy like Hillis who can drain clock when you have a lead, but those methodical, boring drives we've come to know and love are over! It's almost like we were brainwashed watching the old regimes, and that's what we've come to know. But that is not what Shurmur does, he throws, and throws some more. Luckily for us, Peyton Hillis has better hands than most of our receivers so we can continue to find ways to get him the ball!
With all that said, this team would probably look a lot more fluid offensively had the lockout not hijacked the new coaching staffs training camp work. We are getting to the point now where the coaches would have been by preseason had they been able to work with the players on the playbook over the summer. I feel like coming out of the bye week, the offense, should look much better from here on out. Which is good, because starting week 12 we have to run the gauntlet. We'll find a lot more out about this team in the final 6 game of the season.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A MOST Valuable Player
The weeks have flown past and the NFL season is already a quarter of the way over! Hard to believe sometimes. What is also hard to believe, is the Indianapolis Colts are the worst team in the AFC! (I know that the Dolphins are also 0-4, however the Colts have a worse point differential so I am giving them the nod).
I am, believe it or not, ready to anoint a MVP for the 2011 season. I know it's only been four games, but this player is clearly, without a doubt the most valuable player to his team. My MVP of the NFL for 2011 is Peyton Manning. Yes, the same Peyton Manning that has not taken a snap this season, the same Manning who might not play at all this year, the same Manning who, whenever the Colts play, gets more airtime in the coaches box than the QB that is actually out on the field (for those of you who don't know it is Curtis Painter).
How can I make such a crazy claim, you ask? The Colts are currently 26th in the league in passing, and averaging a little over 15 points a game. That's just two scores a game! Unheard of in the previous eight seasons with Peyton at the helm.
To me, the most valuable player, is that player that means the most to their team. The player that, if you were to remove him from his team they would be the team that is affected the most negatively. Clearly the Colts are that team. Three out of the last six years the Colts started the season 9-0! This year, they are well on their way to 0-9, maybe even 0-for-the-year? (the schedule gets no easier including trips to New Orleans, New England, and Baltimore)
Clearly, Manning's value is not overshadowed. But, while I see him as the MVP, I also have another award to give out, and this award also goes to the Indianapolis Colts, it is the Least Valuable GM award.
In a state of the NFL that we are in, how could the Colts front office fail to do a simple task, get a viable back up? In a game where each and every snap puts you one snap closer to your final snap the brass in the Colts office failed the team, and the fans miserably.
I'm sure they didn't think Manning would get hurt, he had started 227 straight games. And yet a non-football injury might derail his 2011 season. However, it is the front office's job to stop that injury from derailing the team's season. And they did a terrible job at doing that (yes, I am saying that signing Kerry Collins two weeks before the season does not suffice).
Through four games the Colts have started two different quarterbacks, Kerry Collins, and Curtis Painter. Collins had completes 48% of his 98 pass attempts before giving way to painter who, in two games has completed 44% of his pass attempts. Peyton probably cringes when he looks at the stat sheets. But shame on the Colts for not having a long term plan, and looking for a young QB to be groomed by Manning.
This is nothing other teams forget to do. The ten years ago the Patriots had Drew Bledsoe go down only to watch a guy named Brady (who will probably end up winning the MVP this year) take over and well the rest is pretty much history. Three super bowls later Patriot fans are saying Drew who?
All I am saying that Peyton Manning is THE most valuable player to his team. And the Colts front office was too naive to think nothing could happen to him.
I am, believe it or not, ready to anoint a MVP for the 2011 season. I know it's only been four games, but this player is clearly, without a doubt the most valuable player to his team. My MVP of the NFL for 2011 is Peyton Manning. Yes, the same Peyton Manning that has not taken a snap this season, the same Manning who might not play at all this year, the same Manning who, whenever the Colts play, gets more airtime in the coaches box than the QB that is actually out on the field (for those of you who don't know it is Curtis Painter).
How can I make such a crazy claim, you ask? The Colts are currently 26th in the league in passing, and averaging a little over 15 points a game. That's just two scores a game! Unheard of in the previous eight seasons with Peyton at the helm.
To me, the most valuable player, is that player that means the most to their team. The player that, if you were to remove him from his team they would be the team that is affected the most negatively. Clearly the Colts are that team. Three out of the last six years the Colts started the season 9-0! This year, they are well on their way to 0-9, maybe even 0-for-the-year? (the schedule gets no easier including trips to New Orleans, New England, and Baltimore)
Clearly, Manning's value is not overshadowed. But, while I see him as the MVP, I also have another award to give out, and this award also goes to the Indianapolis Colts, it is the Least Valuable GM award.
In a state of the NFL that we are in, how could the Colts front office fail to do a simple task, get a viable back up? In a game where each and every snap puts you one snap closer to your final snap the brass in the Colts office failed the team, and the fans miserably.
I'm sure they didn't think Manning would get hurt, he had started 227 straight games. And yet a non-football injury might derail his 2011 season. However, it is the front office's job to stop that injury from derailing the team's season. And they did a terrible job at doing that (yes, I am saying that signing Kerry Collins two weeks before the season does not suffice).
Through four games the Colts have started two different quarterbacks, Kerry Collins, and Curtis Painter. Collins had completes 48% of his 98 pass attempts before giving way to painter who, in two games has completed 44% of his pass attempts. Peyton probably cringes when he looks at the stat sheets. But shame on the Colts for not having a long term plan, and looking for a young QB to be groomed by Manning.
This is nothing other teams forget to do. The ten years ago the Patriots had Drew Bledsoe go down only to watch a guy named Brady (who will probably end up winning the MVP this year) take over and well the rest is pretty much history. Three super bowls later Patriot fans are saying Drew who?
All I am saying that Peyton Manning is THE most valuable player to his team. And the Colts front office was too naive to think nothing could happen to him.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Trop is Half Full..
I have always said that I will argue with anyone willing listen that Cleveland has the best fans in the world. I will also argue that Atlanta could, quite possibly, have the worst. But, after last night, Tampa is giving Atlanta a serious run for their money.
Heading into September the AL East was a two horse race for the crown, and the runner up was easily going to take the wild card spot heading into October. However, after last night's Tampa Bay Rays win coupled with the Boston Red Sox loss, there is a tie for the wild card spot with only two games remaining in the season!
The Rays have had a roller coaster season to say the least, and it started in the off season with what seemed like almost complete overhaul of it's roster. Gone was outfielder Carl Crawford, the all time stolen base king in Rays history. Gone was first baseman Carlos Pena who provided power in the middle of the lineup. Their set up man, and closer from a year ago? Gone. The only two guys you probably could have named on opening day were Evan Longoria and David Price.
Heck, at the beginning of September you probably could have only named those two. 21 games ago they were 8 games out of the wild card and toiling towards the end of the season. Thanks to a nearly monumental collapse by the Beantown Sox the Rays now control their own destiny. And the sad part is, nobody in Tampa seems to care.
Monday night, starting the biggest series of the year, against the division rival, and champion Yankees, Tropicana Field held 18,772 people, or roughly 52% of what it can hold at capacity! (according to the espn box score).
Being transplanted down to Central Florida, and only an hour from Tampa, I have gotten to see many Ray game on local tv and it's almost comical, yet sad at the same time to see the stadium empty. Funny because you can see more blue seats than butts sitting in them, and I swear you can hear the echoes of the beer guy yelling "beer here" bouncing off the empty seats. But it is ultimately sad beyond belief that this team, which has battled it's way out of an almost impossible hole, has to go out and compete for a chance at the playoffs with nobody there to cheer. The fans of the Rays should be embarrassed! That is almost as bad as not selling out playoff games (cough, cough, Atlanta).
This is something the people of Cleveland would kill for. We got all jacked up because the Indians were "in the hunt" at the All-Star break! We got geeked when we brought back Jim Thome to bring back memories of the glory days of the mid-90's! The Rays are about to take down the mighty Red Sox, and their $160 million dollar payroll (to put it in perspective, the Rays 2011 payroll on opening day was $42 million)!
Maybe the worst part is that the Rays, should they make it into the playoffs, might have the best starting pitching out of any of the playoff teams! And as we saw last year with the San Francisco Giants, great pitching, and timely hitting can carry you to a championship...regardless if anyone is there to see it.
Heading into September the AL East was a two horse race for the crown, and the runner up was easily going to take the wild card spot heading into October. However, after last night's Tampa Bay Rays win coupled with the Boston Red Sox loss, there is a tie for the wild card spot with only two games remaining in the season!
The Rays have had a roller coaster season to say the least, and it started in the off season with what seemed like almost complete overhaul of it's roster. Gone was outfielder Carl Crawford, the all time stolen base king in Rays history. Gone was first baseman Carlos Pena who provided power in the middle of the lineup. Their set up man, and closer from a year ago? Gone. The only two guys you probably could have named on opening day were Evan Longoria and David Price.
Heck, at the beginning of September you probably could have only named those two. 21 games ago they were 8 games out of the wild card and toiling towards the end of the season. Thanks to a nearly monumental collapse by the Beantown Sox the Rays now control their own destiny. And the sad part is, nobody in Tampa seems to care.
Monday night, starting the biggest series of the year, against the division rival, and champion Yankees, Tropicana Field held 18,772 people, or roughly 52% of what it can hold at capacity! (according to the espn box score).
Being transplanted down to Central Florida, and only an hour from Tampa, I have gotten to see many Ray game on local tv and it's almost comical, yet sad at the same time to see the stadium empty. Funny because you can see more blue seats than butts sitting in them, and I swear you can hear the echoes of the beer guy yelling "beer here" bouncing off the empty seats. But it is ultimately sad beyond belief that this team, which has battled it's way out of an almost impossible hole, has to go out and compete for a chance at the playoffs with nobody there to cheer. The fans of the Rays should be embarrassed! That is almost as bad as not selling out playoff games (cough, cough, Atlanta).
This is something the people of Cleveland would kill for. We got all jacked up because the Indians were "in the hunt" at the All-Star break! We got geeked when we brought back Jim Thome to bring back memories of the glory days of the mid-90's! The Rays are about to take down the mighty Red Sox, and their $160 million dollar payroll (to put it in perspective, the Rays 2011 payroll on opening day was $42 million)!
Maybe the worst part is that the Rays, should they make it into the playoffs, might have the best starting pitching out of any of the playoff teams! And as we saw last year with the San Francisco Giants, great pitching, and timely hitting can carry you to a championship...regardless if anyone is there to see it.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Just Win Baby
It was one of those games that you should win. At home, against a team that hadn't won a game yet, and traveling into a raucous environment. But for 55 minutes it looked like, well, something you would typically see out of a Cleveland football team.
It was one of those frustrating ones to watch. And it looked like opportunity slipping away from us. The defense had done it's part, playing twice as long as the oppositions defense, and giving the team a chance to win. But the offense, that's what was so frustrating, and it took a huge blow before the game even started. Peyton Hillis was sent home with strep throat a couple hours before the game started, and you could just hear the whispers swirling around this on, "it's the Madden curse." On top of that, the wide receivers were non existent for the first three quarters and Colt McCoy was struggling to get the offense going.
Down 16-10 late in the 4th quarter I felt myself getting that mad feeling knowing what could have been if the Browns would have played to their potential. Then even more angry realizing we were about to lose to a team that was 0-for-the-year, on our home turf. Embarrassing, no excuse, unacceptable, just some of the thoughts running through my mind. Then I took a deep breath, realized I am a Browns fan, and began to accept it.
When we got the ball back on our own 20-yard line with less than 3 minutes to go needing a touchdown to win, there was no reason to believe we could gain 80 yards in that amount of time with the way our offense had been playing.
But as I watched with those thoughts spiraling in my head, my speculation about Colt McCoy began to come to fruition. I liked the Browns decision to draft McCoy, despite the fact he was "undersized" an lacked the "prototypical" arm strength coming out of college, I liked him because he won. He left the University of Texas as the all time winningest quarterback in NCAA history.
Sunday, he proved that. He struggled, the receivers struggled, the whole offense struggled throughout the day. But, when it mattered most, when his team needed it the most, he rose up to the challenge, he took the pressure, and his team, and put it on his shoulders. His numbers at the end of the day weren't flattering: 19/39, 210 yards, 2 td, 1 int, 71.5 passer rating. But the one thing that trumps all of those statistics is Ws.
And rookie wide out Greg Little put it best after the game, "I think the greatest statistics in the league are wins and losses. I don't think Colt cares about his completion percentage. You win the game, so that's all our team cares about anyway. He just stayed composed and made a lot of good plays. He was just very vibrant and upbeat and you could see that pouring out of him in his eyes. He made it happen for us."
That look in his eyes? That is the look of a winner. Someone not afraid to be "the guy" with the ball in his hands with the game on the line. And for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Browns seem to have found that guy.
It was one of those frustrating ones to watch. And it looked like opportunity slipping away from us. The defense had done it's part, playing twice as long as the oppositions defense, and giving the team a chance to win. But the offense, that's what was so frustrating, and it took a huge blow before the game even started. Peyton Hillis was sent home with strep throat a couple hours before the game started, and you could just hear the whispers swirling around this on, "it's the Madden curse." On top of that, the wide receivers were non existent for the first three quarters and Colt McCoy was struggling to get the offense going.
Down 16-10 late in the 4th quarter I felt myself getting that mad feeling knowing what could have been if the Browns would have played to their potential. Then even more angry realizing we were about to lose to a team that was 0-for-the-year, on our home turf. Embarrassing, no excuse, unacceptable, just some of the thoughts running through my mind. Then I took a deep breath, realized I am a Browns fan, and began to accept it.
When we got the ball back on our own 20-yard line with less than 3 minutes to go needing a touchdown to win, there was no reason to believe we could gain 80 yards in that amount of time with the way our offense had been playing.
But as I watched with those thoughts spiraling in my head, my speculation about Colt McCoy began to come to fruition. I liked the Browns decision to draft McCoy, despite the fact he was "undersized" an lacked the "prototypical" arm strength coming out of college, I liked him because he won. He left the University of Texas as the all time winningest quarterback in NCAA history.
Sunday, he proved that. He struggled, the receivers struggled, the whole offense struggled throughout the day. But, when it mattered most, when his team needed it the most, he rose up to the challenge, he took the pressure, and his team, and put it on his shoulders. His numbers at the end of the day weren't flattering: 19/39, 210 yards, 2 td, 1 int, 71.5 passer rating. But the one thing that trumps all of those statistics is Ws.
And rookie wide out Greg Little put it best after the game, "I think the greatest statistics in the league are wins and losses. I don't think Colt cares about his completion percentage. You win the game, so that's all our team cares about anyway. He just stayed composed and made a lot of good plays. He was just very vibrant and upbeat and you could see that pouring out of him in his eyes. He made it happen for us."
That look in his eyes? That is the look of a winner. Someone not afraid to be "the guy" with the ball in his hands with the game on the line. And for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Browns seem to have found that guy.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Just Sayin!
After a very solid start to the NFL week, we return to take on the second week of the NFL season.
Stephen and I eeked out a close one on our lock of the week with the Cardinals holding on in a red
zone stand to end the game. Both of our upset picks came in. Stephen was all over the Bills and they
dismantled the Chiefs. And even though I didn’t think Detroit deserved to be an underdog they still
handled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
Here’s the picks for week 2 in the NFL
“Master” Lock of the Week:
BC: Pittsburg Steelers -15 vs. Seattle Seahawks – This has all the makings of being a nightmare for the Seahawks. Pittsburgh’s home opener, and they were just completely embarrassed by division rival
Baltimore in week one. I expect the Steelers to come out and dominate this game in every phase.
Warren Sapp chimed in and said the Steelers are washed up, here’s their chance to show the NFL that
last week was just a fluke and not how their season will go.
SB: Detroit -7.5 vs. Kansas City – Detroit=up and comers. Chiefs = down and outers. That Chiefs
meltdown was a little expected and I don’t see it turning around on the road in Detroit. Plus, Eric Berry being hurt means Calvin Johnson will get a few more looks down the field against SS Jon McGraw who has only 7 INT’s in 10 years. I know 7.5 is tough to swallow at first glance but I can see Detroit doing this one by 10+ easy.
Upset Special:
BC: Chicago +7 @ New Orleans – I think that quietly the Bears are one of the best teams in the NFC.
They just happen to play in the same division as the defending Super Bowl Champs. This game will be emotional. With the passing of Brian Urlacher’s mother earlier this week, and his emotional return to the team to play this Sunday, I could see this being one of those games where the Bears pull together with the emotional lift of their mourning leader and pull the upset.
SB: San Diego +6.5 @ New England – yes, yes, yes I too watched Dr. Brady perform surgery on the
Dolphins on Monday night. Top to bottom everything was clicking. If there is one team in the AFC that should be able to keep pace, however, I think it’s the Chargers. They did finish #1 in offense and defense last season, remember? And with no major adjustments in their roster or staff, it’s not difficult to think they will be able to regain that form and compete with the elite.
JUST SAYIN Game of the Week:
BC: Houston -3 @ Miami – Both teams’ offenses were scorching in week 1. The problem is, Miami’s
defense looked like a submarine with screen doors, allowing Tom Brady to throw for over 500 yards on them. In comes probably the next most explosive offense. Week 1 saw the Texans put up 34 points in their sleep against a “Peytonless” Colts team. This is Houston’s big chance. Every year they have fallen just short of the Colts, and this year they have already beat them, and have a chance to move to 2-0 on the year and assert themselves on top of the AFC South Division….Just sayin!
SB: Washington -3 vs. Arizona – Redskins giving 3 is looking pretty sexy. If a rookie quarterback (Cam Newton) can throw for over 400 yards in his first career start, Rex Grossman should do ok right? Just sayin…
Stephen and I eeked out a close one on our lock of the week with the Cardinals holding on in a red
zone stand to end the game. Both of our upset picks came in. Stephen was all over the Bills and they
dismantled the Chiefs. And even though I didn’t think Detroit deserved to be an underdog they still
handled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
Here’s the picks for week 2 in the NFL
“Master” Lock of the Week:
BC: Pittsburg Steelers -15 vs. Seattle Seahawks – This has all the makings of being a nightmare for the Seahawks. Pittsburgh’s home opener, and they were just completely embarrassed by division rival
Baltimore in week one. I expect the Steelers to come out and dominate this game in every phase.
Warren Sapp chimed in and said the Steelers are washed up, here’s their chance to show the NFL that
last week was just a fluke and not how their season will go.
SB: Detroit -7.5 vs. Kansas City – Detroit=up and comers. Chiefs = down and outers. That Chiefs
meltdown was a little expected and I don’t see it turning around on the road in Detroit. Plus, Eric Berry being hurt means Calvin Johnson will get a few more looks down the field against SS Jon McGraw who has only 7 INT’s in 10 years. I know 7.5 is tough to swallow at first glance but I can see Detroit doing this one by 10+ easy.
Upset Special:
BC: Chicago +7 @ New Orleans – I think that quietly the Bears are one of the best teams in the NFC.
They just happen to play in the same division as the defending Super Bowl Champs. This game will be emotional. With the passing of Brian Urlacher’s mother earlier this week, and his emotional return to the team to play this Sunday, I could see this being one of those games where the Bears pull together with the emotional lift of their mourning leader and pull the upset.
SB: San Diego +6.5 @ New England – yes, yes, yes I too watched Dr. Brady perform surgery on the
Dolphins on Monday night. Top to bottom everything was clicking. If there is one team in the AFC that should be able to keep pace, however, I think it’s the Chargers. They did finish #1 in offense and defense last season, remember? And with no major adjustments in their roster or staff, it’s not difficult to think they will be able to regain that form and compete with the elite.
JUST SAYIN Game of the Week:
BC: Houston -3 @ Miami – Both teams’ offenses were scorching in week 1. The problem is, Miami’s
defense looked like a submarine with screen doors, allowing Tom Brady to throw for over 500 yards on them. In comes probably the next most explosive offense. Week 1 saw the Texans put up 34 points in their sleep against a “Peytonless” Colts team. This is Houston’s big chance. Every year they have fallen just short of the Colts, and this year they have already beat them, and have a chance to move to 2-0 on the year and assert themselves on top of the AFC South Division….Just sayin!
SB: Washington -3 vs. Arizona – Redskins giving 3 is looking pretty sexy. If a rookie quarterback (Cam Newton) can throw for over 400 yards in his first career start, Rex Grossman should do ok right? Just sayin…
Monday, September 12, 2011
That's Life....as a Browns Fan
Every season on Cleveland’s gridiron usually starts in the
dumps. Whether it be lousy front office, or player injuries in preseason camps,
and not to mention the fact we have to look up at the Steelers and Ravens all
year. Ugh...
But this season seemed to have a little bit of momentum
behind it. For one, we were all football starved for the length of the summer,
so there was just general excitement to get the players back out on the field.
Add in the fact that the Browns, until the last 5 games of the season, have a
considerably light schedule, and a new coach who scores points is now manning
the sidelines. The 2011 season seemed like a chance for the Brownies to make
some noise from day 1.
We got to open up at home against a Cincinnati team starting
a rookie QB and a rookie WR, and then catch an Indianapolis team that will bewithout the best quarterback in the NFL in week 2. I was getting giddy at the
thought of my Brownies being 2-0 to start the team. For the first time in a
long time the Browns were favored in their week 1 matchup, and not just favored
because they were the home team, they were 7 point favorites over the Bengals.
I was brimming with excitement at my opportunity to see the
Browns start the year off with a win for just the second time in thirteen
years. And as the game continued on and the Browns clung to a 3 point lead, the
defense had been making plays, Joe Haden looked every bit the part of a first
round draft pick out there swatting balls, and our two rookie defensive lineman
were holding their own. And then, in the fourth quarter, it happened…
Nothing new in the life of a Browns fan. Just another one of
those, “that can only happen in Cleveland” type plays that you rarely see in
football. The Bengals had broken the huddle early and rushed up to the line of
scrimmage and somehow manage to snap the ball before the Browns could even get
out of their defensive huddle. It resulted in the Bengals rookie wide receiver
walking untouched into the end zone for the go ahead score. And just like that
the game had slipped away. Bye- bye lead, good bye optimism, hello same old
song and dance.
I still watch every game and root for the team to win, that
will never change. The sad part is this team is actually a decent group, and
they have a chance to win games this year. But Sunday the entire team, coaches,
and players, were not prepared. You cannot win games committing 11 penalties,
and you certainly cannot win games when your players are confused about the
play call. The Bengals may have been sneaky about it, but you get a week to
prepare for different personnel looks.
Oh
well, there’s always next year, right?
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