The Browns put on another ho-hum performance losing to Denver, 17-7 at the Stadium yesterday.  Watching the game, one thing was painfully apparent:  The Browns’ offensive line is just awful.  Prior to the game, I thought the line was bad.  However, I underestimated how pathetic the guys upfront are, they are horrible.

 

Does Ryan Tucker have a tattoo that reads "Go past me"?  The supposed best of the linemen wearing the brown and orange is getting raced around like a NASCAR track.  Two weeks ago, it was Julius Peppers and yesterday it was Elvis Dumervil.  Tucker has no chance against these speed rushers.  The guard play doesn’t allow the team to develop any kind of running attack.  Reuben Droughns made some good runs yesterday just to fight his way back to the line of scrimmage.  Here’s hoping Phil Savage uses the same powers he used to find Kamerion Wimbley and D’Quell Jackson to find some offensive linemen for 2007.

 

In the meantime, isn’t it time to look at Nat Dorsey and Isaac Sowells?  The front office and the coaching staff like the potential of both players and maybe it’s time to see what they can do.  Really, could playing these guys make the line worse?  If Joe Andruzzi and Tucker were hurt these guys would have to play, so what exactly would be the harm. 

 

Another thing the coaching staff could do is leave more guys in to block.  On one of Dumervil’s sacks were he went around Tucker, Kellen Winslow Jr. was there, but went out on a pattern just as the Denver end was getting past Tucker.  Obviously, Tucker needs help against guy like this, so why won’t the coaches give it to him?

 

Defensively, the Browns played heroically considering they were on the field for the majority of the game.  Back up cornerbacks, Davin Holly and Ralph Brown have improved greatly from the first couple of games, and maybe their next step will be to hold on to an interception when it presents itself.  Willie McGinest played well too.  Wimbley continues to show how talented he is.  He looks to be an All Pro in the making. 

 

The only other good thing I can say about the Browns is they have played a brutal schedule.  The only game they were clearly outclassed was the Cincinnati game.  Otherwise, they’ve played pretty well against Carolina, Denver, New Orleans, and Baltimore.  The worst record out of that bunch is 4-2.  Look at next week’s opponent, the Jets.  Yes, they are 4-3 and people in Cleveland are declaring Eric Mangini a genius, but their victories are against the Titans, Lions, Dolphins (1 win each), and the Bills who have won two.  Heck, the Browns might be 3-3 or 4-2 against those teams.

 

JD

 

Wednesday night, the Cavaliers played an exhibition game against the Toronto Raptors in Rochester.  It was a Raptors’ home game and they advertised the game heavily in Rochester as a chance to see LeBron James play.  They were charging upwards of $150 per seat to see King James play.  One problem…he didn’t take the floor.

 

The people who paid out the cash were upset and rightly so.  They wanted to see one of the NBA’s best play in their town.  I think the Cavaliers are partially to blame and here’s why.

 

Cavaliers’ management has to understand that LBJ is one of basketball’s biggest attractions, and wherever they play James is going to be the focal point.  Now, I agree the LeBron played in the World Championships this summer and the team is trying to cut down on his minutes in exhibition games to cut down on the wear and tear on their superstar.  However, at a home game the night before, James played substantial minutes for a practice game. 

 

Knowing his importance to the sport, the Cavs could have sat James in the game at the Gund (he will play more than 40 games there this season, after all) and played him a little bit in Rochester.  Part of having a transcedent superstar on the team is realizing the responsibility you have to the sport.  I understand the people who had tickets to the game here on Tuesday night might have been unhappy, but if they weren’t paying a regular season price to an exhibition game, perhaps their disappointment would have been lessened. 

 

That’s the rub.  The wine and gold used to play one home exhibition game.  Now that LeBron is here, they play three.  Season ticket holders used to get the pre-season game for free, now they have to pay.  And with their good customers paying for the games, the Cavs feel obligated to play James in those home games.  That’ why he didn’t play in Rochester.  Coach Mike Brown didn’t want James playing on back to back nights, so of course he sat out the game on the road. 

 

The people in Rochester can blame greed for #23 not playing there on Wednesday night.  Their anger should be directed at the Cavs’ management.

 

JK

 

At the end of next season, Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro’s contract with the club could end.  There has been speculation that either the Dolans will not pay to keep Shapiro, or that the GM will tire of the ownership’s penny pinching and leave for greener pastures.  Here’s hoping the team offers Shapiro a long term deal because he is one of the most important assets the Tribe has heading into the future.

 

Shapiro is not perfect.  He has made bad trades.  All people in his position do.  However, he dismantled an aging ballclub during the 2002 season and had the team back into contention in 2005.  No, they didn’t make the playoffs that year and this year was a disappointment.  But, it is difficult to execute a rebuilding job that quickly.  The Tigers did it this year, but ask Oriole fans how their process is going (started in ’99, haven’t been close since), or ask Pirate fans (started in ’94, not close since).  Most baseball insiders know if the Tribe has a better bullpen in ’07, they will return to contention, if not qualify for the playoffs.

 

The general manager has also brought in a number of all-star type players.  The Indians of the late ’90s were filled with stars like Ramirez, Thome, Belle, Alomar, Vizquel.  Shapiro has traded for two players who are among the best players in the game:  Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore.  He was in the assistant GM when one of the best pitchers in baseball, C.C. Sabathia, was drafted.  Cleveland’s farm system is dotted with several top prospects, names like Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe are on everyone’s list of the who’s who in the minor leagues. 

 

For a team with payroll limitations, the farm system is the life blood.  Producing good players who are under a team’s control for six seasons, and usually at below market costs are very important for every team.  Look at the Yankees, where would they have been this year without Wang, Cano, and Cabrera.  The Tribe’s system is regarded as one of the best in the game.  Shapiro’s background is in player development, and he understands how important this aspect of the organization is.

 

Shapiro is very well respected throughout baseball.  As part of it’s 25th Anniversary, Baseball America listed people who would impact the game in the next 25 years.  Shapiro was on the list.  There is no question that if the GM wanted to leave or was not offered a contract extension, he would have a job in no time. 

 

Of course, he has weaknesses.  His trust in Eric Wedge would be regarded as one.  I’m sure Shapiro looks at it as a strong belief that the skipper is the man who will bring a title to Cleveland.  Any other negatives do not override the positives of his tenure as the GM of the Indians.  Larry Dolan needs to step up and keep Mark Shapiro in Cleveland.  It could be the most important move of the off season.

 

KM 

 

I have relatives who live in Michigan and they asked me if I was rooting for the Tigers against the Oakland A’s in the American League Champioship Series.  Of course, there is no way I can be supporting the Motor City Kitties.  In fact, it is galling to me to see the Tigers as the junior circuit’s representative in this year’s World Series.  Here’s why I’m sickened by this development–

 

Since 1990, Detroit’s basketball team, the Pistons, has won three NBA titles.  The first two by basically thugging their way to a title, stepping on the Cavaliers (in particular, Mark Price) to win the first won.  Lest people forget, the Cavs and the "Bad Boys" were battling for Eastern Conference supremacy until Rick Mahorn intentionally elbowed Price in the head.  The Cavs were never the same, and the Pistons won back to back crowns.

 

Detroit is called Hockeytown, USA, and the Red Wings won a few Stanley Cup titles (’96, ’97, and ’02) in the last ten years.  In the years they didn’t win, they were viable contenders to skate with Lord Stanley’s chalice.  The Lions stink on a regular basis which puts them on a par with our own Cleveland Browns, although the Motor City did have a team during that period of time, and they got to watch Barry Sanders run with the football, which at least meant the games were entertaining.

 

Now the Tigers are going to the World Series.  This is a team that has been awful over the past 15 years, losing 119 games (one short of the 1962 Mets record for futility) as recently as 2003.  This year, not only to they make the playoffs, they will be the favorites to win their first World Series since 1984.  It’s just unbelievable and unfair.  I agree with Browns’ GM Phil Savage’s attitude about the "woe is me" mentality which fuels Cleveland sports, but this is exactly why this attitude has developed. 

 

The Indians went to the playoffs six times from 1995-2001, made the World Series twice, but couldn’t cash in.  They faced pretty good teams in both fall classics.  This year, Detroit qualifies and the National League may as well be the International League.  It is very much inferior to the AL right now.  So much so that the Tigers will be the choice against either the Mets or the Cardinals. 

 

Another reason is we will all have to have about the genius of Jim Leyland if the Tigers pull it off.  Leyland is a good manager, there is no question about that.  But, much like Joe Torre when he managed the Mets and Cardinals, Leyland was no genius after the Marlins fire sale, nor was he real smart in Colorado.  My point is managers need players, and although Leyland sent a tone that poor play would not be tolerated, he prospered greatly from the performances by free agent Kenny Rogers and rookie Justin Verlander.  Without either of these pitchers, the Tigers are not in the playoffs, let alone the World Series.

 

The only optimistic thing I can think of at this point is LeBron and the Cavaliers start the regular season in a little over two weeks.  That means Cleveland’s best chance at a championship is starting soon.  At least we have that to look forward to.

 

MW

 

 

Everyone agrees that it was the bullpen and the infield defense that killed the 2006 Cleveland Indians.  Last night, I watched Mets’ Manager Willie Randolph bring Guillermo Mota (yes, that Guillermo Mota) into the eighth inning of first game of the NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES! with the game still on the line.  Surely, it would be no time before Cardinal hitters started knocking down the walls at Shea Stadium with line drives.

 

Image my surprise when Tim McCarver said no NL reliever had the fastball-change up combination of Mota, who struggled mightily in his tenure with the Indians.  Is the NL that bad that Mota can be a reliable set up man over there?  Then, I remembered the long line of relievers from the Senior Circuit who have failed in Cleveland in the last ten years.

 

The first one who comes to mind in Steve Reed.  A right handed sidearmer, Reed pitched five years in pre-humidor Colorado without having an ERA of over 4.50.  After coming over in a trade with the Giants, Reed had a 6.66 ERA with the Tribe.  His next two years were respectable, but neither season ended with an ERA of under 4.00.  Lefty Tom Martin came over in a deal after having a 2.03 ERA with the Astros.  His numbers with the Tribe?  12.89, 8.68, and 4.05. 

 

More known for coming to Cleveland in the Brian Giles deal, Ricardo Rincon is another National League guy who faired better before coming to Cleveland.  He saved 18 games in two seasons with Pittsburgh, in three and a half years with the Indians he saved two.  He never put up the numbers he achieved with the Bucs, although that may have something to do with Mike Hargrove using him more as a lefty matchup guy. 

 

John Rocker, Jarrod Riggan, Jose Jimenez.  All guys who had good seasons in the NL, but were miserable to watch in a Tribe uniform.  Yes, some guys did have some success:  Mike Jackson, Paul Assenmacher, and Bob Wickman.  Those guys are the exceptions and Jackson and Wickman had American League experience before going to the other league. 

 

Here’s hoping the relief pitchers the Tribe looks at for the 2007 season have proven themselves in the AL.  Otherwise, we might be singing the same bullpen blues we are warbling now.  Be careful if you get excited about getting a National League bullpen guy, your enthusiasm and an Indians’ lead may blow up in your face.

 

KM

 

 

Ever since The Plain Dealer’s Dennis Manoloff reported on going undercover as a Ravens’ fan at the Browns-Ravens game, the newspaper has been innundated with comments from fans, mostly going against the reporter.  I guess I should know better, but I am shocked at the negative reaction from Browns’ fans.  As a season ticket holder for the Indians and Cavaliers, I stay away from Browns games for a few reasons, one of which is the make up of the crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

 

The common defense of the feedback from Browns’ supporters is that it goes on at all NFL stadiums.  That doesn’t make it right.  So what if people in others cities act foolish.  Behavior like this doesn’t make you more of a fan than anyone else.  The problem is the NFL glorifies this type of fan, instead it should be making their stadiums a place where you want to take kids.  Right now, it’s not a friendly place for children, unless you want them to pick up a very colorful vocabulary.

 

This only happens with football.  Baseball and basketball fans don’t feel the need to talk like longshoremen in support of their teams.  I’ve attended Indians’ games in Detroit, Tampa, Chicago, and Minneapolis and have never had anyone screaming in my face because I was wearing Wahoo gear.  Basketball fans don’t seem to have the same "intensity" toward supporters of the other team, either (unless you are in Detroit or Indiana). 

 

It’s obvious that most of this behavior is fueled by alcohol.  You don’t see baseball or basketball fans gathering several hours before the game and drinking.  And it doesn’t happen just in Cleveland, tailgating occurs in every city with an NFL team.  Having a few drinks and watching a sport that is violent in nature brings out swearing, screaming, and over bizarre actions.  It still doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.  How many of these so called fans could describe a zone blitz or a cover two zone?  Probably about half.  The other half are there for a party, the football game is just an excuse.

 

That’s one reason why the Cleveland Browns continue to draw well despite having two decent teams in the last 15 years.  It’s an event.  These fans would prefer that the Browns win, but it’s not required for them to have a good time. 

 

My favorite letter to the editor was the guy who didn’t see anything wrong with the poor language and allows his son to participate with chants that feature bad language.  Fan of the year?  Maybe.  Parent of the year?  Most definitely.  Me, I’m happy to sit in my living room and watch the games on television.  I don’t have to battle the weather in November and December, and my kids won’t pick up some new words that won’t be tolerated in my house.

 

JK

 

Maybe the Browns’ coaching staff was thinking about some Arby’s products during yesterday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.  That might be the only logical reasoning for the game plan on offense yesterday.  The defense, which let the team down the first two weeks of the season, has straightened itself out and is now playing well despite not having starting cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Gary Baxter.  After two weeks of acceptable game plans with the ball, Maurice Carthon and Romeo Crennel took a step backward.

 

The Panther defense is one of the tops in the NFL.  They were among the most difficult teams to run against for the first four weeks of the season.  Yet, the Browns spent most of the first half trying to pound the ball on the ground on first down putting itself in second and long situations.  That meant Julius Peppers (who now is an honorary Brown since he spent so much time in the Cleveland backfield) and his friends are able to tee off on a suspect offensive line. 

 

We have said it before and we will say it again.  If your offensive line has problems, take some pressure off them by throwing on first down.  Run the ball enough to keep the defense honest so they are not putting a max rush on every down.  Using quick hitting passes to Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards would put you in 2nd and 4 situations, which would make the opponents play honestly on that down.  Five holding penalties and numerous sacks would not be the result.

 

Ryan Tucker may have a cold today from the breeze created by Peppers blowing by him.  I’ve heard guys with football knowledge say the guard play is what is killing the line, and Joe Andruzzi appears to be nearing the end of his usefulness as a good player.  It may be time to look to replace him.  The coaching staff is not blameless here, either.  It was apparent that Tucker couldn’t handle Peppers, not the coaches did not give him any help. 

 

Dennis Northcutt handed the Panthers their first touchdown on an interception off a deflected pass.  This is the third pick QB Charlie Frye has suffered this season because his receivers couldn’t hold on to the ball.  Playing Northcutt instead of Joe Jurevicius is a curious decision as well.  I’m sure the staff likes Northcutt’s ability to run after the catch, but the key phrase there is "after the catch".  The receivers’ first job is too catch the ball.  Remember Quincy Morgan?

 

Frye has had his share of turnovers, but his interception in the fourth quarter drew criticism from Rich Gannon and I don’t know why.  It was a bad pass, not a bad decision.  Frye is learning from his mistakes, and you don’t want to stop his competitive fire and his desire to make plays.  A worse decision was running a fullback pass on third and inches.  Carthon isn’t making that decision while being persued by large defensive linemen.  Here’s hoping the offensive line doesn’t get Frye killed by the eighth game of the season.

 

The bye week allows the coaching staff to make some changes and allows players to heal as well.  Getting Bodden and Baxter back will be a great lift to the defense.  Perhaps Andruzzi and Northcutt will be replaced.  Joshua Cribbs looks like he can return punts as well, and may be more productive as the slot receiver.  A 1-4 record and a game against Denver after the break isn’t exactly a recipe for optimism.  That’s what Browns’ fans have to look forward to.

 

JD

 

In GM Mark Shapiro’s year end "State of the Tribe" address, he indicated that the ballclub’s needs were limited to the bullpen and second base.  He talked that the offense, which finished 2nd in baseball in runs scored did not need any tinkering. 

 

The bullpen is the biggest need, undoubtedly.  My belief is rather than chase a closer who is not available, the Indians should stock up on established set up men, one of which could become the guy who gets the final three outs.  This year’s Tribe blew more games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings than in the final frame.  The early part of the season, when the campaign went south by the way, the problem was not Bob Wickman, it was getting to him.  Getting three experienced set up men (who have pitched and been successful in the American League) should be the biggest priority.

 

Second base is the next item for consideration, and no I don’t want Ronnie Belliard back.  He turns the double play well, but his range is mediocre, that’s why he plays in short right field.  Swinging a trade for Orlando Hudson would be a great idea, since he is a gold glove defender and has a little pop in his bat.  Otherwise, Shapiro should get a one year stop gap and plan on Trevor Crowe making the transition to the keystone in 2008.

 

However, even though the club scored a ton of runs in 2006, the offense needs to be addressed.  This team strikes out way, way, way, too much.  It lead the AL in whiffs.  Had Casey Blake not been injured this past season, the Tribe would have had five regular fan 100 times (Peralta, Sizemore, Hafner, Michaels, and Blake).  To me, that’s one reason this team loses close games.  It can’t do the little things at the plate because they don’t make good enough contact. 

 

I’m not talking about bunting.  That play is way overrated.  I’m talking about stealing runs early in games with ground balls and other outs.  Early in games, especially in the AL, defenses play back giving you free runs.  If the batter strikes out, the offense doesn’t take advantage.  That missing run can come back to haunt a team later in the game. 

 

Shapiro needs to get a professional hitter to bat after Travis Hafner.  Alfonso Soriano is NOT that guy.  Carlos Lee would be perfect, but will be too expensive.  Perhaps a hitter in the last years of his deal is out there and the Tribe can steal him for a year or two. 

 

Yes, the bullpen and 2B are the chief needs for the Tribe.  But ignoring the striking out problem on offense is like burying your head in the sand.  I don’t regard Mark Shapiro as an ostrich.

 

MW

 

Watching the Browns’ game yesterday, I turned to my wife early in the third quarter and told her the Browns would win the game.  Keep in mind Cleveland was trailing 21-10 at the time.  The reason for my optimism was the way the guys with the orange helmets were dominating the contest.  The Raiders scored on a horrible fumble call and a long run by LaMont Jordan.  Otherwise, the Browns controlled the contest. 

 

Early on the third down bugaboo came back for the Browns’ defense.  They would force Oakland into third and long situations and not be able to get off the field by allowing a first down.  However, as the game went on the defense got better.  In fact, Cleveland defenders held the silver and black to 4 out of 12 in third down situations.  Offensively, the Browns went 8 for 15 in these situations, which means the Raider defense had to stay on the field. 

 

The defense figured things out and overcame the loss of arguably its best player, Leigh Bodden to an ankle injury.  Coordinator Todd Grantham took advantage of facing a young QB by blitzing him constantly.  First round pick Kamerion Wimbley continues to impress sacking Andrew Walter twice.  Simon Fraser keeps making plays as he picked up a sack as well.  And it appears that Butch Davis left us at least two good players (Winslow) as Sean Jones had an interception and keeps playing well at safety.

 

The offense kept getting the ball to its best players, especially after Maurice Carthon rediscovered Kellen Winslow in the second half.  Winslow made the key catch of the game on a 4th and 8 early in the third quarter to continue a drive that resulted in his own TD.  Braylon Edwards caught six balls, and Reuben Droughns had his first 100 yard game of the season.  The only real negative was Frye’s horrible interception late in the fourth quarter.  Experience will tell Charlie to throw those away in the future. 

 

Joe Jurevicius returned to the lineup and scored his first touchdown in a Browns uniform.  I would be remiss if the special teams weren’t mentionned.  Joshua Cribbs had two long kickoff returns and Dennis Norhtcutt almost took a punt back the distance too.  All three returns were major factors in the comeback. 

 

Now, everyone must realize that Cleveland may have played the worst team in the NFL yesterday.  The Raiders are god awful, and it doesn’t help that their supposed best player, Randy Moss phoned one in yesterday.  Next week will be a different story as they take on the Carolina Panthers, one of the better teams in the NFC.  Romeo Crennel’s guys will have to continue to improve or they will be blown out.  But, some good things are starting to show for the Browns.

 

If he stays healthy, Winslow will be the second Brown to make the Pro Bowl since 1999.  Edwards is living up to his #3 pick in the draft status.  Frye is a gutty leader who can make plays.  On defense, players like Wimbley, Jones, and Bodden could give the orange and brown three legitimate defensive stars.  The Browns have now played two good games and two stinkers.  The three teams they lost to have combined records of 10-2.  It’s not like they are losing to the Titans or the 49ers.  Maybe some good things are on the horizon.

 

One thing is for sure.  This team needs the bye week to heal up some key players for the rest of the season.

 

JD

 

This is the saddest time of the year for a baseball fan.  The season is ending, the weather is getting cooler, and no playoffs again this year.  Even though I lived 37 years before the Indians played in a post season game, this five year drought is annoying as well.  Especially this year when we were all filled with hope.  I have a feeling that at least one key member of this year’s Tribe will not be in Winter Haven next February when spring training starts.  With three games remaining, here are some things we learned about the Indians in 2006.

 

1).  They have two superstars.  Too bad this isn’t the NBA, because that would be enough to get you close to a championship.  Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner are not only the Indians’ best players, they are among the best players in the game.  Sizemore is already being touted as a guy who might be THE best player in baseball in a few years.  He is putting up historical numbers at 24 years old.  Hafner is now the best player in baseball to never make an All-Star Game.  He is arguably the most potent offensive player in the game right now.  His mixture of power, average, and patience make him better than Boston’s David Ortiz.  If the Indians were contenders, both of these guys would be MVP candidates. 

 

2).  They have an ace starting pitcher.  C.C. Sabathia has blossomed since the All-Star break in ’05, and this year put together a tremendous season.  His 3.32 ERA ranks in the top five in the AL, and his six complete games lead the majors.  The only teams with better #1 starters in the American League are Minnesota (Johan Santana) and Toronto (Roy Halladay).  People will continue to complain about his weight and the way he wears his cap, the he’s only 26 years old and he’s won 81 games in the majors.  He’s developed into the ace of the staff.

 

3).  The farm system is starting to produce.  For years, baseball experts have been raving about the Indians’ farm system and this year fans started to see the fruits from the minors.  Lefty Jeremy Sowers made a great impression as a starter and will open 2007 in the rotation barring an injury.  Ryan Garko has been an RBI machine, and will likely be next season’s first baseman.  Kevin Kouzmanoff hit .380 combined in AA and AAA, and began his big league career with a grand slam homer in his first at bat.  Despite a 1-10 record, Fausto Carmona looks like he has a big time arm.  In addition, Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe had outstanding minor league seasons and will be among next season’s Top 100 Prospects.  The front office’s emphasis on player development is starting to pay off.

 

4).  Build a better bullpen.  I hope Mark Shapiro realizes this off season that it is important to build the bullpen from the ground up.  Get some good arm for relief and then look for the closer later.  Even with Bob Wickman on the roster, the relief corp was terrible.  Here’s hoping Shapiro act quickly to add some reliable arms to pitch the 7th and 8th innings as well as finding a closer.  Losing games in the ninth wasn’t the problem early in the year, the Tribe was blowing the games in the 6th, 7th, and 8th.  This was the major weakness on a club that finished in the top half of the AL in runs scored and starters’ ERA.   

 

Even though the loss of baseball is a tough thing to go through, the true baseball fan has the hot stove league to look forward to.  They can also keep their eye on the Arizona Fall League to see how the up and coming prospects are performing.  This is a key off season for the Cleveland Indians.  The building blocks are in place, no matter what the critics say.  If Shapiro pulls the right strings, the Indians can stop the current playoff gap at 5 years.

 

JK