A couple of weeks ago, after the Cleveland Cavaliers lost four in a row after the all-star break, we wrote that the wine and gold had a nice run, but they the lack of talent caught up with them.

However, six straight losses by the dysfunctional New York Knicks, coupled with a three game Cleveland winning streak, which included road wins at Denver and Oklahoma City, have put Byron Scott’s team right back in the mix for the post-season.

In fact, the Cavs sit just a game behind Milwaukee for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference after last night’s loss to Toronto.

The wine and gold have a chance to tie the Bucks tonight, with Milwaukee in a little state of flux after getting Monta Ellis (who won’t play tonight) from Golden State.

It still will be a long haul for Cleveland, mostly because the Bucks have the easiest schedule of the group of contenders, which also includes the Detroit Pistons.

With the NBA trade deadline here on Thursday afternoon, GM Chris Grant now has a quandary.  Does he keep the team intact for a run at the playoffs or does he deal some veterans to get younger players and/or more draft picks?

We have never been on the “try to lose” bus that many Cavs’ fans are on, but Grant shouldn’t be keeping anyone to get the 8th seed.

Why?

The first reason is that the real stars of this team are rookie Kyrie Irving, who will most certainly be the NBA rookie of the year, and his coach, Byron Scott. 

You get the feeling that even if Grant dealt Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions, Scott would keep the wine and gold competitive for the rest of the season, putting more on his best player.  Remember, Scott should get Anderson Varejao as a reinforcement in the next couple of weeks to pick up some of the slack.

Besides, neither player is part of the future here.  Jamison’s contract expires at the end of this season, and Sessions has a player option for next year which he certainly won’t pick up.  He’s good enough to be a starter on many teams, but won’t be here because of Irving. 

As a testament to the job Scott has done this year, please compare Cleveland’s roster to that of the Knicks, who have an almost identical record.  New York coach Mike D’Antoni has Carmelo Anthony, A’mare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and the latest “it guy” in the league, Jeremy Lin. 

The Cavs’ top four players are a rookie (Irving), a now injured big man (Varejao), Jamison, and their back up point guard (Sessions).  Isn’t that reason enough to think ahead to bring more talent in for the coach to work with?

Unlike some teams, Grant, Scott, and the rest of the Cavalier organization have brought in players who will and can work together.  They try to see if players can play together, and do what the coach demands, before bringing them in.

If the Cavs want to make the playoffs next year, a lottery pick will certainly help.  But if there is no divine intervention, that choice will be in the 5-10 range.  It’s unlikely they will get one of the top three players this summer.

So, they will fill one of their needs.  They still need more help at the traditional scoring positions, #2 guard and small forward.  They will have to get help there through trades.  A top free agent probably isn’t signing here.

That’s why the Cavs need to make a move.  They simply need more talent.

Imagine what Byron Scott and his rookie point guard can do with some more guys who can score.

JK

Do you want to know Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert is so popular in Cleveland?

He gets it. 

He understands what the sports fans of this area want, and he in uncertain terms, wants the same thing.  He wants to win and he tells everybody exactly that.

Yes, he mixes in a helpful portion of marketing schmaltz, but most fans on the North Coast would agree that Gilbert wants to win. 

Contrast that line of thinking with the other two professional teams in town, the Indians and the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns, the hallmark franchise for this city, a team that has undying support even though success on the field has been a rumor for most of the 12 years since they’ve been back in the NFL, simply have no clue what fans want.

To be sure, team president Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert have a plan to return to return this franchise to the glory days of the 1950’s and 60’s.  They simply do a poor job of communicating it to the fans. 

First of all, calling together a gathering of the media so Heckert can answer questions, but not allowing cameras and/or recording devices in the room is idiotic.  After all, don’t they understand the media’s job is to share the front office’s thoughts with the Browns’ fans, and what better way to do this than to let general manager be seen and heard?

Secondly, instead of dismissing big splashes in free agency, why not tell the supporters of the team that another 4-12 or 5-11 season isn’t acceptable, and the organization will do everything and anything to make this team a contender.  And a contender as soon as next season.

It is understandable that Holmgren and Heckert are sensitive about the past.  After all, they cannot be held responsible for the job done before them by the likes of Carmen Policy, Butch Davis, and Phil Savage. 

Still, Browns’ fans are frustrated and rightfully so.  They witnessed just two winning seasons since 1999, and most of those losing seasons aren’t 7-9 campaigns.  The ledger is filled with 4-12 and 5-11, just like the last four years.

Their frustration wasn’t eased over the weekend when Washington trumped Cleveland, and moved up in the draft to take Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, the hope for many Browns’ fans.

On the other side, the Indians have the PR game figured out, unless someone named Dolan decides to speak to the media.

They are very polished, citing statistics and market trends to support their way of doing business.  It certainly sounds good.

Still, it hasn’t produced success on the field.  No matter how the Tribe tries to paint it for the fans, the truth is eight losing seasons out of the last ten.

The latest Indians story is the two games theory.  If they had won one more game in 2000 and 2005, they would have made the playoffs each of those seasons.

And if my aunt had…

The point is they didn’t. 

It’s like Mark Shapiro and crew are lying to themselves trying to convince themselves they are doing the right thing. 

If saying the right thing was a competition, there would be a world championship trophy at Progressive Field.

Which is more frustrating?  The Browns don’t seem to understand they need fans, and the Indians take too much time trying to explain why they can’t compete.

With the title drought for the city’s football team at 48 years and the Tribe’s last World Series title being 64 years ago, the time for discussion is over.

As Al Davis would say, the best advice for those teams would be to just win, baby!

MW

The news came out of nowhere that the Washington Redskins had agreed to give the St. Louis Rams their first picks in 2012, 2013 and 2014, plus another 2nd rounder in order to move up to the #2 spot in this year’s draft.

Say goodbye to Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns’ fans.

The Redskins understand what the front office in Berea apparently doesn’t.  That today’s NFL is a quarterback league and if you don’t have a great one, you simply aren’t going to win.  So, Washington agreed to pay the king’s ransom.

As much as Colt McCoy played well in his brief stint in his rookie year, he still doesn’t look like a guy who can win a Super Bowl, even if he is surrounded by the right players.  Sure, he can probably get you to the playoffs, have an occasional year where the Browns win 9 or 10 games, but in the playoffs you need at least one great performance from your passer to advance.

Getting to the playoffs is nice, but in the past few years, QBs like Tim Tebow, Matt Cassel, Rex Grossman have guided their teams into the post-season.

However, quarterbacks who win the Super Bowl are elite:  The Manning brothers, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger.  You have to go back to Tampa Bay’s title in 2001 to find a non-Hall of Famer (Brad Johnson) who got the job done.

It has been reported that the Browns tried to move up like the Redskins did, and was willing to deal two additional first round picks to move up, but probably wanted those picks to be the #22 pick this year and another first in either ’13 or ’14, and the Rams wanted the picks in three straight years.

So, apparently the team wants to find a franchise QB, but they weren’t quick enough on the trigger.  If the rebuilding plan continues to progress the way Holmgren and Heckert want, they won’t be in a position to pick this high again.  Even a 7-9 finish puts you in the teens.

There likely is some relief in Berea this morning because it is believed that there are some in the organization who weren’t sold on Griffin as either a franchise quarterback or as someone who can run their beloved “system”.  Now, there is no chance they would have to take the Heisman winner, and they can move on.

But don’t they still need a QB?

It would not be surprising if GM Tom Heckert traded down from the 4th pick to get some more extra choices and then look at Texas A & M’s Ryan Tannehill as the future guy at the most important position on the field.

Or they could take Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon at that spot to secure a big time wide receiver, and then trade up from #22 to get Tannehill.

The team to watch is now Miami.  If Peyton Manning doesn’t go there (and we don’t think he will), then that puts Green Bay free agent Matt Flynn in play in south Florida.  Flynn would be reunited with his Packer offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, now the Dolphins head coach. 

If that happens, Seattle would be the only team standing in the Browns’ way of having Tannehill falling to #22.  The only other free agent that should garner significant interest is Jason Campbell, formerly with Oakland and Washington.

Would Seattle be interested in the former Auburn passer? 

It would also not be surprising to see Cleveland draft LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne in order to pair him with Joe Haden to give the Browns’ their best pair of CBs since the days of Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield.  Cleveland had a pretty good defense back then, didn’t they?

So, the days of endless Robert Griffin III debate is over on Cleveland sports talk radio.  Now, the discussion will center on who Heckert will take or whether or not the Browns will trade down.

Here’s hoping the front office has a solid plan B.

JD

While it is certainly a sign of spring to see baseball box scores and watch exhibition games (yes, that’s what baseball calls them) on television, it is funny that after a handful of games, people are making conclusions.

At this point, the only players who should be anxious for good results are those on the bubble for roster spots, and really, these guys can only play themselves out of coming north.

For example, it wasn’t good for Tribe reliever Frank Herrmann to give up four runs in the first exhibition game. 

Although Herrmann will get other opportunities, he better pitch well in his next outing if he wants to make the opening day roster.

It’s also not in Matt LaPorta’s best interests to struggle right out of the gate.  He’s a guy who needed to show immediately he could help the 2012 Indians.  

Instead, he looks like the guy who played here last season.

On the other hand, let’s hold off on putting Shelley Duncan in LF against Toronto on April 5th.

Certainly, Duncan should be the front-runner to take the spot, based on what he did in limited time last season.  However, he’s a dead fastball hitter, and most pitchers haven’t fine tuned their breaking stuff at this point in camp.

There is no question Duncan should and will open the season in Cleveland.  He earned that right with his season last year. 

Still, we don’t know if the right-handed power hitter can be successful playing every day.  His best role, and his most productive role, may be playing against left-handed pitching at either LF, 1B, or DH.

Since the Tribe has a shortage of right-handed hitters, Duncan would get plenty of at bats in this role.

Fans should not be concerned about the performances of Cleveland’s top two starters:  Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez.

Masterson showed last year he can be a consistent starter, but his delivery can get out of whack, and he may not have discovered his arm slot in his first start.

Jimenez is more of a concern since he struggled after coming over from Colorado last year, but he was throwing hard in his spring debut, and new pitching coach Scott Radinsky is trying to smooth out his mechanics.

If he continues to get hit, it won’t cause any warm and fuzzy feelings in the Tribe front office.

Speaking of the starting rotation, it will be interesting to see if RHP Jeanmar Gomez gets a legitimate shot.

After his return to the Indians in late August last season, Gomez went 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in six starts.  Those stats include a pasting at the hands of the Tigers in his last appearance (4.2 IP, 10 hits, 8 ER). 

He’s just 24 years old, and has a lifetime 9-8 record with a 4.58 ERA in 21 starts.  He certainly has more upside than Kevin Slowey or David Huff does.

Knowing the Tribe’s preference for veterans, Slowey has the edge.  However, if Gomez can keep putting up zeroes as he did in his first spring training outing (2 IP, 0 R), he could push to open the season in the rotation.

So, as you check the box scores from Arizona, look at the players who are borderline to make the 25 man roster.  See how they are doing. 

Keep an eye on guys like  Aaron Cunningham, Russ Canzler, Ryan Spilborghs, Felix Pie, and Fred Lewis.  In the bullpen, watch Herrmann, Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, and Jeremy Accardo

The final spots on the roster will come down to these players.  It’s too early to get excited right now.

MW

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

The Cleveland Cavaliers went in to the all-star break just a half game out of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but dropping their first four games after the seasonal intermission pretty much eliminates any thought of the wine and gold rising from the ashes of last season and making the post-season the following year.

Anderson Varejao’s broken wrist shortened a roster limited in talent to the point that coach Byron Scott is forced to giving playing time to people who may not be on NBA rosters a year from now.

Scott switched up his starting lineup following Friday night’s blowout loss at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, replacing Omri Casspi and Semih Erdin with Alonzo Gee and Ryan Hollins.

Not the move we would make, but it is understandable why the coach made the move. 

Erdin is certainly no Dwight Howard, but Hollins is a seven footer averaging two rebounds a game in 13 minutes.  He has athleticism, but at this point, can’t play basketball.  He may lead the league in getting his shot blocked.  Other than that, he’s alright.

Certainly, Gee has earned his way into the starting lineup, but why not put him at the #2 guard spot in place of Anthony Parker?

The organization has a weird fascination with Parker, who averages a little less than six points a night!  This is at one of the primary scoring spots for team throughout the league.  Parker is shooting 37% from the floor, 33% from behind the arc. 

Again, this is not to say Casspi is Larry Bird, but he is averaging a point and a half per game more than Parker in less minutes per game.

The only thing that makes sense here is that the trading deadline is less than two weeks away and maybe GM Chris Grant and Scott are trying to drum up some interest in Hollins and Parker.  Coaches and GMs around the league are intrigued by athletic big men, and veterans who can shoot the three ball.

Varejao’s injury has hurt the Cavs’ defense, which is where Scott wants to build this team, and the offense is too dependent on rookie Kyrie Irving and fellow point guard Ramon Sessions, who is also on the trading block. 

Veteran Antawn Jamison is the wine and gold’s second leading scorer at 17.7 per game, but he has taken 20% of the team’s shots from the field, and is making just 42%.  He’s also shooting just 62% from a line, a poor figure for the guy who gets there the most on this squad.

While certainly Irving is holding up his end of the bargain, the likely rookie of the year is scoring 18.5 points per game, while shooting 48%, he hasn’t been helped by others who were supposed to provide some points. 

Other than Irving, Jamison, and Varejao, only Sessions is scoring in double figures, despite shooting just 40%.  He does it by getting to the line as much as Irving, with less minutes on the floor.

Besides the struggles of Parker and Casspi, Boobie Gibson is shooting just 35%, meaning Scott is getting virtually no offense out of his #2 guards.  Casspi is shooting better than both which is why Gee should have replaced Parker in the starting lineup.

The former D-Leaguer would score in double figures with increased playing time (he’s at 9.8 now) and he’s shown to be a solid defender as well. 

It is probable that another switch in the starting lineup with come after the trading deadline and also after the Cavaliers are eliminated from the post-season picture. 

The organization needs to see if Erdin and Samardo Samuels can be contributors in the league, because Hollins has been around the association for a while, and just irritates because his athleticism doesn’t translate into basketball production.  Also, rookie Tristan Thompson’s minutes should increase.  He can be a guy who scores 10 and get 10 boards per night with increased minutes.

There is no question Grant needs to find some players who can put the ball in the basket for Irving to improve.  Having more weapons will just make him even better. 

Right now, his options to pass to are not very attractive.

JK

Well, that didn’t take long did it?

Exhibition games haven’t even started yet in Goodyear, Arizona and already Indians’ outfielder Grady Sizemore is injured yet again, and will likely miss the first two months of the regular season.  At least.

Many have already speculated what the Tribe will do to make up for the loss of the former all-star, but you won’t read that here.  Why?  Because we didn’t figure he would be healthy enough to make much of an impact in 2012.

Quite frankly, Sizemore was a risk, a smaller market team like Cleveland simply couldn’t take, and GM Chris Antonetti deserves the criticism he is taking for giving $5 million to a player who hasn’t been a major factor since 2008. 

It’s not his fault.  Injuries have plagued the man who put up MVP like numbers from 2005-08.  He’s had knee problems, a sports hernia, and now a bad disk in his back. He always played hard and with abandon.  But, it cost him his health.

It is understandable that the Tribe front office feels some loyalty towards a player who looked like he had a great future ahead of him,  He was acquired while he was still in Class A ball and grew up in the Cleveland farm system.  However, after three seasons where he was a shell of himself, Antonetti should have walked away after declining the team option for $10 million after last season.

The risk was too great, especially for a team who contended without Sizemore for much of last season, and had needs to fill in order to take the next step in 2012.

Manny Acta could have used a solid right-handed bat in the worst way, and there were several available through free agency, most notably Josh Willingham (now with Minnesota) and Michael Cuddyer (now with Colorado).  The money given to Sizemore could have been used to sweeten the pot to either player, and the Indians were reportedly in serious negotiations with Willingham.

Instead, the Tribe still is searching for a legitimate hitter from the right side and now they likely will not have Sizemore for the first half of the season.  That’s a tough thing to explain to the fans and your boss. 

Teams that claim to have to have limited payrolls simply cannot give that kind of money on the if come.  The Indians will tell you that Grady could have received that kind of money somewhere else, and he probably could have.  That doesn’t mean Cleveland should have paid it.

It’s simply a bad decision and bad business. 

The signing is symbolic of the Tribe’s off-season.  Instead of trying to ink one solid, impact player, Antonetti used his limited resources to accumulate of bunch of players who help the depth chart, guys like Derek Lowe, Casey Kotchman, and Aaron Cunningham. 

Those players are low risk, high reward because their salaries aren’t very high, but the Indians needed to add a quality player, and they failed in that regard.

Instead they are depending on young players like Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall to play older than they are, and also hope that Travis Hafner can play 130 games this year and be productive.

The biggest beneficiaries from the injury are Cunningham, Ryan Spilborghs, and Russ Canzler, all of whom figure into the picture in LF, with Michael Brantley assuming CF, 

It’s a shame that Grady Sizemore has suffered all of these injuries that have obviously affected his game.  However, the Indians should have made the right business move last year and put that cash to better, and safer, use.

KM

Now that the NFL Draft Combine is over and the rest of the country is in love with Robert Griffin III, it is now clear that the Heisman Trophy winner will be the second pick in April’s selection meeting.

Besides the Browns (and we still aren’t convinced that Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert want Griffin), the other teams said to be on the RGIII train are the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.

Other teams could be in the mix too, such as Kansas City, Seattle, and Tennessee. 

The biggest winner in this scenario are the St. Louis Rams, who have the second pick, and also already have their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, the overall #1 pick in 2010.

So, if Cleveland likes and wants the rookie from Baylor, there is no doubt the Browns have to trade up.  Hoping he will fall to #4 won’t work.

There is no question the Browns are in the best position to move up, as they have a pick in the top five and another at #22, the pick acquired from Atlanta last year.

None of the other teams who should be interested in a passer has those types of picks. 

Remember that the NFL’s free agency period will be before the draft, so a couple of teams in need with drop out after Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn find new places to play.

The fear is that Washington will go crazy and offer first round picks for the next three years to move up from #6 to get to the second pick in the draft.

If you’re the Browns, you have to say no to that, unless you can keep the pick at #22.

At that point, it really depends on how quickly the Rams want to get better.  If new coach Jeff Fisher wants to get better as quickly as possible, then dropping down two spots and gaining another first round choice would be the thing to do.

If they want to take a chance on the Redskins having another bad season, and feel next year’s Washington pick can be in the top ten, then the “Skins might be the way to go.

At what point do the Browns have to say no?

A fair package to move up two spots for a potential franchise quarterback would be the 22nd pick this year (along with swapping the 4th pick for the 2nd pick), a third rounder this year and a second rounder next season.

That way the Browns would be able to add some quality players to have around Griffin, and not have no other pick until #100 in the fourth round. 

With two picks in the 4th round, GM Tom Heckert would have ammunition to move up into the 3rd round if they see someone they like.

If they need to sweeten the pot, Heckert could always throw in another later round pick next year.

That’s not too much if you believe Robert Griffin III can and will be your franchise quarterback.

There is no doubt that because Cleveland has an extra first round pick this year, that they are in the best position to move up.  But that doesn’t mean St. Louis has to deal with them.

It’s the same as free agent bidding, it only takes one idiot to go wild and be willing to pay too high of a price. 

The Browns have to be willing to go a little higher than normal if they think they can change the future of the franchise in this year’s draft by getting the man everyone wants.

JD

Another All-Star weekend in the NBA has come and gone, and it is starting to look more and more like an event that’s time has passed. 

Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving was named the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge, although from the highlights shown on ESPN, you would only know that because of a shot of the Cavs’ rookie holding up the trophy.  There really wasn’t any footage from the game showing how he earned the honor. 

And the Slam Dunk contest becomes more and more of a joke every year.  It would be interesting to know if anyone has ever heard of Jeremy Evans prior to Saturday night. 

Anyway, back to the games that count, and the wine and gold plays its last game on a nine game home stand tomorrow night against the Celtics.  What does the second half hold for the Cavs?

The trading dealine is coming in the middle of March, and GM Chris Grant will probably be active in the market.  The most likely guy to go is point guard Ramon Sessions, because he has value around the league (the Lakers are the most common team discussed), and because he is a restricted free agent at the end of the year.

Sessions wants to have his own team to run, and in averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 assists per game in 25 minutes a night as Irving’s backup, he has shown the rest of the league that there isn’t much doubt he can do it. 

Since Anthony Parker’s injury, Sessions has been getting more time and is shooting the ball better as a result.  He’s even made 20 three-point shots this season (shooting 43%) after making just 13 in the previous four years he was in the league.

Grant should be able to squeeze a first round pick from his trade partner, but since it would appear only a contender would pull the trigger on a deal at the deadline, it will not be a lottery pick. 

Still, it’s a deal the GM has to make.

The other high-profile trade piece Grant has is veteran forward Antawn Jamison.  He’s averaging 17.4 points for the year, but 22.6 over the Cavs’ last ten games.  He’s also raised his shooting percentage to 44% in the month of February after struggling earlier in the season.

What Grant has to weigh is what is better for the future of the Cavs.  Is it better to deal the 35-year-old for young players and draft picks to a team looking for a boost going into the playoffs or would it be more beneficial for the wine and gold to simply let his contract expire after the season and gain valuable cap space.

If the GM can get a solid, young player, particularly a #2 guard or a small forward who can step right into Byron Scott’s rotation for Jamison, he’ll pull the trigger.  Getting players now would help speed up the rebuild, as those guys would be able to develop chemistry with Cleveland right now.

Plus, it would open up more playing time for Tristan Thompson, a better defender and rebounder, although he doesn’t score the ball like Jamison.  Still, Thompson is most definitely part of the future for Cleveland.

Although the Cavs are just a game and a half behind Boston for the last playoff spot in the East, Grant will probably not let the standings affect his thinking on deals. 

This is mostly because his team went into the year knowing this was the first step in the rebuilding process, so although it would be nice to get some post-season experience, Grant’s job is to look at the bigger picture.

The continued development of players like Irving, Thompson, and Alonzo Gee are more important to the future of the Cavaliers.  Plus, a playoff push is made more difficult because of the absence of Anderson Varejao, who will be out a few more weeks with a fractured wrist.

There is no question the Cavs are a fun and interesting team to watch on the floor, but that excitement will extend to the front office as the NBA trade deadline approaches.

JK

Sports fans around northeast Ohio spend much of the football season complaining how they need to hear from Browns’ owner Randy Lerner.

Usually, it’s the cry of he doesn’t care if his football team wins or loses, and we, as fans, need to know he has the same passion we do.

Maybe Lerner has the best idea.  Say nothing unless you are prodded, and even then, say little.

After hearing Indians’ owner Paul Dolan make the media rounds over the last couple of weeks, Lerner’s silence would be welcome.  And it would certainly make Tribe PR guru Bob DiBiasio’s job much easier.

The beginning of spring training is an anticipated event for a baseball fan.  We should be excited about which phenom is going to take Goodyear by storm, how hard Ubaldo Jimenez is throwing, and how Jason Kipnis reminds everyone of Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia. 

Instead, Dolan threw a wet blanket on that excitement.  And he wonders why people do not storm the ticket gate at Progressive Field to see the 2012 edition of the Indians.

As usual, Dolan’s message was filled with “can’t” and “won’t”.  The Tribe can’t spend with the bigger market teams, they won’t pay a single player more than $20 million per year. 

This year, he even added that Progressive Field isn’t big enough to allow his franchise to compete.  Really?  That beautiful ballpark is not even 20 years old, but perhaps the owner is bucking for a new bigger place to play?

Judging by the reaction of the fans who listen to sports talk radio, the owner’s words angered the fan base.  A fan base that is tired of waiting. 

In case Mr. Dolan doesn’t realize it, the Cleveland Indians haven’t won a World Series in 63 years!

Dolan talked about how the front office has worked hard to make sure the Indians have fielded competitive teams recently, unlike the Pirates and Orioles.  However, he should define what he means by competitive because in the last ten seasons, the Tribe has been over the .500 mark exactly twice (2005 and 2007).

He also complained at how the Indians have never been as bad as a team like Tampa Bay, so they didn’t accumulate a bunch of draft picks in the top five. 

We are not idiots.  That might be a good argument for an NBA team, but there are plenty of superstars in the major leagues who weren’t picked in the top five choice in the MLB draft. 

Remember Manny Ramirez?  13th pick overall.  Jim Thome was drafted in the 13th round! 

What should have Dolan said?

He should be positive, for one.  Talk about how his organization is obsessed with winning, and that they will do everything in their power to bring a title to this city. 

He could talk about how he will review the performance of his front office, and continued seasons of non-winning baseball will not be tolerated. 

He could talk about the good, young players on the roster right now, and that the Indians will do everything they can to make sure SS Asdrubal Cabrera and OF Shin-Soo Choo will continue in a Cleveland uniform for the foreseeable future.

Stop talking about finances!  No one cares. 

Obviously, the Dolans can own a major league baseball team, they bought one.  However, it appears they cannot run a major league baseball team.  And it seems like the local media doesn’t put a lot of pressure on them.

The most vociferous voices critical of recent Dolan platitudes are two guys who recently came to Cleveland and now work on 92.3 The Fan, Kevin Kiley and Adam the Bull.  Both have been stern in their comments that the message sent by the Tribe ownership is not acceptable.

It’s time for the Dolan family to stop producing excuses and start winning games. 

They’ve already brought a championship when it comes to telling the fans why it can’t/won’t happen.

MW

Most of the football talk in Cleveland at this time of year centers on the upcoming draft, and 2012 is no exception. 

The biggest name on the lips of Browns’ fans is Baylor QB and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.  Does GM Tom Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur want him, and can Cleveland get him on draft day.

There still are doubts as to whether or not the Browns actually want Griffin, but they are certainly perceived as a team who should be interested.

Many of the national experts say if the Browns do indeed draft the signal caller, they will need to adjust the offense to take advantage of Griffin’s talent.

That would mean more plays run from the shotgun formation, which Shurmur seemed to scorn last season for Colt McCoy, who is also more comfortable set up a few yards behind the center.

The head coach and team president Mike Holmgren have stated they prefer to have their quarterback under center, just like a “pure” west coast offense.

Look, quarterbacks need to take snaps from center, no one runs out of a shotgun at all times.  So, this is not to say that Shurmur should not develop his passers to be able to get the ball at the line of scrimmage, and be able to read defenses from that spot.

Even if Griffin is drafted, the coaching staff should work to get him comfortable playing from under center.  There is no question about that.

However, you still have to allow the guy to come in and do what he does best, and have him do it right away. 

If he’s as good as scouts say, he should be able to make a positive impact immediately for the Browns.  But you have to let him be the player he was at Baylor to some extent.

And the Browns need to start winning football games.  Everyone is aware the last three seasons have yielded records of 5-11, 5-11, and 4-12. 

It’s time to be at least a .500 football team if not better. 

It means the organization doesn’t have to time to teach a player who seems to be a top-notch prospect an entirely new way to play the game. 

Let him do what he does well.  Let him play in a style he is familiar with and succeed.

The bigger question is this:  Are Pat Shurmur and Mike Holmgren willing to do that?  The way they talk, they seem reticent, and if they are going to force Griffin to play one way and one way only, then 2012 is going to be yet another developmental year.

And developmental means another 4-12 or 5-11 campaign.

That’s not acceptable again.

The best coaches in sports take the talent they have and put those players in the best position to succeed.  Last year, Pat Shurmur didn’t do that. 

We can chalk that up to it being his first year on the job, but on the other hand there are a lot of former NFL coaches for whom it wasn’t enough to win, they had to win a certain way (see Mangini, Eric).

Look at the guy considered the best in the business, Bill Belichick.  He favored a strong defense and a running game when he was here, but when he got Tom Brady, he decided to air it out.

Don Shula did the same with Miami.  He won with Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Mercury Morris in the 70’s, but when he got Dan Marino, he switched his thinking to take advantage of Marino’s golden arm.

The point is this:  If the Browns draft Robert Griffin III, here’s hoping Pat Shurmur allows him to do what he can do, and not try to make him a “system” quarterback.

JD