Forget about house cleaning in Berea, it appears that GM George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini are conducting a demolition and rebuild of the Cleveland Browns.  Monday’s rumors of a possible trade of WR Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants for a veteran receiver and more draft picks added more fuel to this fire (no pun intended).

 

You get the idea that if the new management team could trade for 51 draft picks to go with Joe Thomas and D’Qwell Jackson, they would definitely go in that direction.

 

I don’t think Kokinis is out shopping players, but he is definitely interested in hearing what other teams would offer to get some of the players on the current Browns roster.  If nothing else, it gives him a sense of who has some worth in the NFL, and who has no business being on the roster of a successful team.  It is probably just confirming what he and Mangini already think.

 

The point is that Mangini and Kokinis want to gather as many draft picks as they can in this year’s draft to speed up the rebuilding process.  And they are willing to trade pretty much anyone on their roster to do it.  That doesn’t mean they will, it just means they are listening.  They are just answering to the question, “What will it take to get so and so?”  The correct answer for the Browns is, “What are you offering?”

 

So it is probably true that the team is not shopping Edwards, but they most definitely are listening to offers.  And not just for the former All Pro wide receiver, but also for anyone who wore a Cleveland uniform during last season’s 4-12 campaign.

 

Mangini also announced that there would be an open competition to see who will be the Browns’ starting quarterback.  Both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn will be given an opportunity to win the job.  Sure, and check the sky for pigs flying any day now.

 

The Browns are just making sure both guys have trade value before the draft at the end of April.  If Mangini announces one or the other as the starter, the signal caller who isn’t the starter’s value takes a dip.  This is just posturing on the part of the head coach.  He and Kokinis know whom the starter will be, and the other will likely be dealt on or before the draft.

 

I still believe Quinn is the guy Mangini wants to start, because he fits in better with the coach’s run the ball and control the game mentality than Anderson.  Also, Anderson has more trade value because he’s been to a Pro Bowl, and has more game experience that Quinn.  He would bring more back in a deal, which is another reason Anderson will likely be gone in a trade for more picks.

 

When the Browns start training camp in July, the only thing that will be the same will be the uniform.  George Kokinis and Eric Mangini are rebuilding this team from the bottom up.  Hopefully, they will be more successful than those who preceded them.

 

JD

 

It is difficult to tell what is adding up quicker for the Cleveland Cavaliers, victories or injuries.  In all seriousness, the wine and gold are on another winning streak, picking up their 9^th straight victory in New Jersey last night.  The Cavs came off a three game streak on the road to go to a period of playing eight of the next nine at home.  Since they are 32-1 at The Q this season, you could figure a long winning skein was on the horizon.

 

This team has now tied the franchise’s all time record for victories in a season with 57 triumphs, and they will likely surpass that mark on Wednesday night when the Nets visit Cleveland.  And they still have 12 games remaining in the season.  They have a huge leg up on having the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 4-1/2 game lead with a dozen to play, and the lead the Lakers by one game for the best record in the entire league.

 

The national media keeps talking about the injury to Andrew Bynum of the Lakers and how it impacts that team.  They talk about Kevin Garnett’s injury and how it affects the Celtics.  Boo hoo!  The Cavaliers have been banged up all season long, and they just keep winning.  That’s probably why it’s not discussed; the injuries have not caused any let up in the Cavs’ focus to win.

 

The only negative I can find with this team right now, is that they might have an adjustment period when Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak get back from their injuries.  Hopefully, they will return to the lineup with a week or two remaining in the schedule so any upset to the rotation will occur before the playoffs start.

 

Another decision Mike Brown faces is whether or not to return Wallace to the starting lineup when he does come back from his broken leg.  Anderson Varajao has played great as a starter, and he struggled when he went back to the bench after Zydrunas Ilgauskas came back from his ankle injury.  The Brazilian seemed to be feeling his way around when coming off the pines at that point.

 

My guess is Wallace will be put back into the starting lineup because of the Cavs’ overwhelming success this season, but his game would be perfect for a reserve role.  He’s an energy guy, who plays great defense at this point in his career.   He doesn’t block as many shots as he used to, but he still positions himself well on the defensive end, and bodies up well on opposing big men.

 

I thought the Cavs would be a title contender this season after getting Mo Williams, but I didn’t think they would be this good.  The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to win 65 games this season.  Think about that, they will finish the year with something like a 65-17 record.  It’s been a special basketball season for the wine and gold, and something tells me the fun is just beginning.

 

JD

 

The bad news involving Indians’ prospect Adam Miller is a reminder of two things.  First, pitchers are fragile.  Throwing a baseball overhand is not a natural motion, and firing it at upwards of 95 MPH puts even more stress on an arm, or in Miller’s case, a finger.

 

The second thing is that no matter who good a pitcher shows himself to be, whether it be in high school. college, or the minor leagues, until they prove it on the big league level, you simply cannot count on them.  It shows how lucky the Tribe was with a guy like C.C. Sabathia, who went from a first round draft pick to ace of the staff and a Cy Young Award winner.

 

It just re-emphasizes that you can never have too much pitching.  The old adage of just when you think you have enough, go out and get some more has never been more true.  Thankfully, the Tribe has guys like David Huff, Hector Rondon, and Kelvin de la Cruz on the horizon.  The more arms you have, the better off you will be. 

 

Look at a guy like Fausto Carmona.  He moved on to the prospect scene after winning 17 games at Lake County in 2004.  After a couple of years at higher levels in the minors, he was brought to the big leagues as a reliever, and did quite well as a set up man.  However, when placed in the closers’ role, he failed miserably.  Put back in the starting position in ’07 agreed with Carmona, and he went on to win 19 games for the AL Central Division champs.  What I am saying is that these guys can come quickly.

 

That’s why GM Mark Shapiro brought in all kinds of arms for spring training.  You never know when you’ll catch lightning in a bottle with a guy like Vinnie Chulk or Kirk Saarloos.  You also never know when an injury like Miller’s will come up.  Virtually all of the guys the team brought in as non-roster invitees have big league experience, so they are ready to step in if needed. 

 

That’s why I have a problem awarding a rotation spot to Carl Pavano.  Why not let him earn the spot?  If Scott Lewis and Aaron Laffey outperform Pavano, then let both lefties start the season on the big club.  Outside of Cliff Lee and Carmona, the top three starters in Arizona should get the nod to open the campaign with the Indians. 

 

I understand the ball flies in the desert, and the coaching staff has to examine the movement on pitches and the velocity involved, but performance should count as well.  Lee has been lit up thus far, but he earns that right because he won the Cy Young Award and has won 14 or more games in the big leagues in four separate seasons.  Pavano hasn’t earned that right.  He hasn’t had a good season since 2004. 

 

With two weeks to go in spring training, it’s time to for guys like Jeremy Sowers, Laffey, Zach Jackson, etc. to step up and start getting people out.  They need to earn their spots on the roster and not be handed one.  I’m sure starting on Monday, Eric Wedge will start managing a little more like he would in the regular season.  It’s been an extra long training camp due to the WBC, but the Tribe needs to "ramp it up" as the regular season is in sight.

 

KM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been reported that the only players Browns’ GM George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini have said they will not trade are OT Joe Thomas and ILB D’Qwell Jackson.  I have been supportive of a house cleaning for a franchise that has one playoff appearance in the last ten years, and finished 4-12 last season.  However, I do think this is taking things a little too far.

 

There is no question the Browns are devoid of a great deal of talent, their record proves that.  However, I simply cannot believe there are only two players on the team who the management feels are championship players.  I understand also that there is a difference between thinking a guy is talented, and saying that player will not be traded.  But, you can’t tell me that Mangini looks a game films, and only sees two players that are untouchable.  What about Shaun Rogers?  Braylon Edwards?  Josh Cribbs? 

 

This is one of those situations where a director of football operations is needed.  Someone to step in and tell Kokinis and Mangini that there are some players on the current roster, not all are former Jets, that can be useful, winning football players.  For example, how have the duo determined that Brady Quinn is not the answer at quarterback?  It is based on the 2-1/2 games he played in the regular season?  Or is it based on their evaluation of the former Notre Dame star when he was coming into the league? 

 

This is not to say Quinn will be a superstar.  I just want to know what they see that says he is a bust.  He certainly hasn’t played enough to tell anything one way or the other.

 

That said, if Jay Cutler is indeed available, the Browns seem to be interested.  They have a quarterback to give back in either Derek Anderson or Quinn, and whatever you think of either of the current Browns’ QBs, you have to admit that getting Cutler would be an upgrade for the team.  My guess is that new Broncos’ coach Josh McDaniels will work things out with the signal caller, but you never know for sure how these things work out.

 

Saying only two guys are untradable is saying you are willing to start over like an expansion team, and I’m sorry, there is more talent on the current Browns’ roster than there was in 1999, the year the team returned to the NFL.  However, most successful teams build through the draft, so I am in favor of getting as many draft picks as possible for guys who have more years behind them than ahead of them.

 

The Browns signed OT John St. Clair, formerly of the Bears, yesterday to replace Kevin Shaffer on the right side for the 2009 season.  Shaffer was not one of Phil Savage’s successes in the free agent market, and last year much of the pressure on Anderson and Quinn seemed to come from Shaffer’s side.  St. Clair is 32, and is probably a one year stop gap.  If the Browns can accumulate more draft picks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them go after another tackle as a bookend to Thomas.

 

JD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveland fans are funny.  They want their teams to win, because they have suffered through a ton of losing over the years.  However, once they start winning, they still aren’t satisfied, they want quality wins, they want wins playing the correct way.  That’s the lot of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  They are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA at 53-13, but still, many fans aren’t satisfied.

 

It is no secret that the wine and gold have a record of 1-5 against Los Angeles, Boston, and Orlando, the other teams that make up the top four records in the league.  Whether or not this means anything once the playoffs arrive is another topic all together.  I can tell you that of the six games played against these three teams, only two (a win vs. Boston, and a loss vs. LA) have been played at the Q, where the Cavaliers are currently 29-1.

 

Mike Brown wasn’t happy with his team’s defense on the West Coast road trip that saw the wine and gold give up over 100 points twice, and have to come from behind in all three games.  He has a right to be unhappy because he knows that defense is his team’s ticket to an NBA title.  Secretly, however, he is smiling because his team did what it had to do to get a win.  That’s the mark of a championship team.

 

The most important thing is to get the win, would anyone really like the Cavs to play poor defense and lose?  Of course not.  It shows something about the resolve of LeBron James and Mo Williams that this team has a “refuse to lose” mentality.  That mental toughness is needed come playoff time.

 

Boston beat Cleveland without Kevin Garnett at home, but overall, they have struggled with all their aches and pains.  Orlando had problems initially when Jameer Nelson was injured.  The Cavs?  They keep on rolling along, no matter what gets thrown at them. 

 

The Cavs now have seven of their next eight games at home, and virtually the only tough road game remaining on the slate is at Orlando.  Brown made an immediate adjustment for the defensive problems that plagued the team on the left coast.  He benched Daniel Gibson, who became a turnstile in recent weeks, allowing his man a free pass to the basket.  He also gave Darnell Jackson minutes as the fourth big man in the rotation replacing J.J. Hickson. 

 

The moves appeared to have some impact because the Cavs held the run and gun Knicks under 100 points for the first time in 26 games.  It was definitely a big improvement over the last two games against Phoenix and Sacramento, two squads that play a similar style to New York.  With Orlando visiting the Q tomorrow night, the defensive improvement was needed.

 

The Cavs now enjoy a 3-1/2 game bulge over Boston for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and a 4 game lead over Orlando.  If the Cavs go just 10-6 the rest of the season, the Celtics would have to go 13-2 to have a better record than Cleveland.  They are capable of that, but it is unlikely, probably as unlikely as the wine and gold going just 10-6 in those games, considering eleven of those games will be at home. 

 

The Cavaliers have put themselves in an outstanding position heading into the last sixteen games on the schedule.  The only things to keep an eye on now are the interior defensive improvement, if Ben Wallace returns, that will help, and getting rest for their prime players (James, Williams, Delonte West, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas).  

 

Those are the most important goals for the wine and gold with home court advantage in the East pretty much sewed up. 

 

MW

 

The regular season is still more than three weeks away, but the Cleveland Indians don’t seem to be closer to answering the questions they had regarding the opening day roster than they were when spring training opened in mid February.  GM Mark Shapiro and skipper Eric Wedge believe the Tribe is poised to contend in the AL Central this year, so they have some critical decisions to make.

 

When you feel you can win, and get to the post-season, every game becomes important.  That means the Tribe cannot afford to get off to a slow start, something that has been a problem in the Shapiro/Wedge regime.  The only season in which the Indians had a decent April was 2007, when they went on to win the division. 

 

The reason for the slow starts could be the insistence on going with borderline veterans who have not performed for the most part, instead of younger players who did well in camp, and probably deserved to make a final roster.

 

The starting rotation was a major cause for concern going into camp, and the situation is still as clear as mud.  Carl Pavano was virtually handed the third spot in the rotation, but hasn’t pitched particularly well in Arizona.  The Indians cannot afford to give the former Yankee free agent bust ten ineffective starts this season.  Pavano must start the season strong, or the team will be looking at another Jason Johnson situation.

 

It also appears the brass wants Aaron Laffey to be the fifth starter over Jeremy Sowers, David Huff, Scott Lewis, and Zach Jackson.  However, Laffey has also struggled in his outings thus far this spring.  Most experts have said that Huff has the most upside of this quintet; therefore he should get an opportunity to pitch in “A” games.  If he does well, he should be in the rotation to start the season.  There shouldn’t be any hidden agendas.

 

The last issue involves veteran OF David Dellucci.  He still has one year remaining on the three-year deal he signed in 2007, so based on past experiences, the Tribe may be willing to eat his contract.  At this stage of his career, Dellucci is a one-dimensional player.  He is a poor defensive outfielder, can really only handle LF, and doesn’t have a lot of speed.  That’s not really the versatility you need from the 25^th man on your roster.

 

Trevor Crowe’s name has been bandied about as a possibility for that spot, but shouldn’t he be playing everyday at Columbus?  It seems like a waste to have him sitting at the big league level, especially because Wedge is not famous for making big use of his bench. 

 

They player who should have that spot is Josh Barfield.  He has shown the ability in camp to play 2B, 3B, and the outfield, and of course, has speed so he can contribute as a pinch runner.  Also, having him on the big league roster frees up second base in Columbus for Luis Valbuena, who came over in the Franklin Gutierrez transaction.

 

Getting off to a good start is critical for the Indians, and particularly Eric Wedge.  Shapiro can talk about their partnership all he wants, but another bad start will put all kinds of heat on the skipper.  The Tribe can most definitely win the division, but they need to understand they have to put the best team on the field from day one, not the team they hope will be the best.

 

KM

 

The Cleveland Browns have been very quiet in the NFL’s free agency period.  They have not followed Phil Savage’s method of making a big splash by signing a big name free agent veteran, and instead have followed a more conservative path.  Not that I’m sold on Coach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis being the new hot management team in the league, I do understand what they are doing.

 

They are using the model of the division’s preeminent teams of the last ten years, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.  Neither of those teams delves heavily into the free agent pool.  They build their teams through the draft, using very good talent evaluation for the most part.  Quite frankly, it’s a system the Browns should have been using all along.

 

So far, the Browns have taken a very conservative approach inking a tight end that will compete for a starting job in Robert Royal, a defensive end who will compete for a starting position in C. J. Mosley, an inside linebacker to replace Andra Davis in David Bowens, and a special teamer/nickel back in Hank Poteat.  No one on this list is a flashy name, just solid players who won’t embarrass themselves. 

 

In trading Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay, Kokinis tipped his hand as to where his emphasis will lay.  He got two draft picks for the former All Pro tight end, one a second round pick this year.  There have been rumors that one of the quarterbacks, quite possibly Derek Anderson, will also be moved for more picks prior to next month’s selection meeting.  The Browns are trying to accumulate as many choices as they can in the draft.

 

That’s a smart move because there is no question this team needs an infusion of talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.  I’ve gone on record, as saying the only offensive player I would take in the draft is a running back to replace Jamal Lewis.  In fact, it would not be a surprise if Lewis were dealt on draft day for another pick.  Browns’ fans saw the best they will see of Lewis during the 2007 season.

 

This is not to say Savage’s forays in the process were wrong.  He needed to get people excited about the Browns, and his first signings included Joe Jurevicius and LeCharles Bentley, who injected some pride in the organization.  Remember, this was following a game in which Cleveland was embarrassed on Christmas Eve against Pittsburgh at home.  He needed guys who could start immediately, and he got players like Eric Steinbach and Lewis, who could play major roles right away.

 

However, now is the time to use the draft to get better.  It won’t make fans happy, because generally it makes for a longer rebuilding process, but the other way didn’t work.  Of course, this means that Kokinis and Mangini have to make the correct choices.  They cannot afford to make many mistakes.  Getting more picks though, gives the tandem more room for mistakes. 

 

The new Browns’ management team wants to build a foundation before they add the bells and whistles.  After watching the Steelers blow down the Cleveland house of straw year after year, it probably is the correct thing to do.

 

JD

 

Yes, the Cavaliers’ loss Friday night to the Boston Celtics was disappointing.  The wine and gold didn’t play well, and the young Boston inside trio of Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, and Leon Powe had their way with the Cavs in the paint.  Getting beat up inside is becoming a disturbing trend for Cleveland, as it occurred against the Lakers twice earlier this season. 

 

Sure, Ben Wallace didn’t play on Friday, but he was on the court against Los Angeles in those two earlier meetings. 

 

The Celtics put a greater emphasis on the game because a loss would have put them three out in the loss column, and virtually would have sewed up home court advantage for the Cavs.  Notice too that Boston lost yesterday at home, while Cleveland won its next game. 

 

Still, there is no reason to panic for one reason.  Mike Brown has shown the ability to make defensive adjustments in the playoffs.  I’m sure Brown doesn’t want to tip his hand in the regular season on how to combat the inside play of the Celtics.  That, and I don’t think Powe is going to shoot 10 for 11 in a playoff game.  However, there is something to be concerned about with the wine and gold…the bench.

 

Right now, Mike Brown is not getting much production off the pine, particularly on the road.  Wallace being out puts Anderson Varajao into the starting lineup, and actually that doesn’t affect the team too much.  Joe Smith will pick up the slack on offensive once he settles in, but where Wallace’s broken leg does hurt (no pun intended) is on the defensive end, where Smith doesn’t provide the muscle of Big Ben.

 

Offensively, the Cavs are starting to rely on LeBron James, Mo Williams, and Delonte West more and more because guys like Daniel Gibson, Wally Szczerbiak, and Sasha Pavlovic aren’t getting it done right now.  Gibson’s shot has been inconsistent all year long, and his ball handling continues to be suspect.  Szczerbiak was playing better when West was out, but doesn’t seem to have the same shooting touch since West returned.  Pavlovic needs to come back strong from his sprained ankle.

 

Friday night, the bench basically gave the Cavaliers nothing, forcing extra minutes for the starters.  These guys simply have to make open shots.  The Celtics double and triple teamed James, meaning there were some open looks, but these guys have to make them.  Don’t think Brown isn’t losing confidence in his backup perimeter players, either.  Check out the minutes played for these guys each night, they are declining.

 

Most NBA teams have difficulty winning away from home, because the lesser players develop a comfort level at their own arena.  The bench bunch generally doesn’t do as well on the road, and the wine and gold have to be careful not to develop that sort of situation.

 

These guys need to step up because when the playoffs start, teams are going to put more emphasis on stopping James and Williams.  Early in the season, the bench was very productive.  Maybe all the injuries have taken a toll on these guys, and they will be more productive with fewer minutes.  When the bench comes to play, the Cavaliers can beat elite teams on the road, but when they struggle, so does the entire team. 

 

JK

 

The baseball exhibition season is about a week and a half old, and already there are some good things that have occurred, and some disappointing things.  Here is a list of what gets classified as what after the first eight games down in Arizona.

 

 

Grady Sizemore’s slight groin injury normally wouldn’t be a good thing, but it does keep him in the Tribe camp, not with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.  Sizemore will be back in the lineup on Sunday as the DH, so it obviously isn’t a serious injury.  As an aside, many players dropped out of the WBC with a few days to go before the event started.  Teams do not want their players away from their trainers and support staff.  It could spell the end for the classic after just two competitions. 

 

Fausto Carmona.  Carmona came to camp a little overweight, but after a couple of two inning stints, he hasn’t shown any of the control problems he had last season.  He has thrown strikes, and is getting both the ground balls and the strikeouts that were a trademark of his 2007 campaign.  He intimated that he was trying to be too fine last season, and has gone back to throwing toward the middle of the dish, and letting his natural movement take over.  Carmona is the key to the ’09 season.  If he returns to something close to his ’07 form, the Tribe starting rotation gets a huge boost.

 

Victor Martinez.  The veteran backstop hit two home runs in the second exhibition game, showing power we did not see all last season.  Martinez’ elbow and leg problems obviously sapped him of his pop, and if he can get back to the 20 HR guy he has been in the past, it will be a great boost to the Tribe attack.

 

Young Hitters.   I realize most pitchers hasn’t started to mix in breaking pitches yet, but the performances of guys like Matt La Porta, Wes Hodges, Brad Mills, and Chris Gimenez bodes well if injuries occur during the regular season.  Columbus (AAA) should have a strong lineup with guys like La Porta, Hodges, Gimenez, Trevor Crowe, and Michael Brantley playing every day.

 

 

Who’s pitched their way out of Dodge?  Start with Edward Mujica, who has been lit up like the strip in Las Vegas in his three outings, and follow that up with veteran Tomo Ohka, who has thrown batting practice in his outings.  They will likely be among the first cuts in Goodyear, with Mujica likely being designated for assignment.

 

Adam Miller.  The hard throwing right hander just can’t stay healthy.  More finger woes are the problem this time, and the injury will probably cost him a spot on the final roster.  Miller has outstanding stuff, and a move to the bullpen was designed to keep him healthy.  His problems could open the door for a guy like Matt Herges, or maybe a Zach Jackson, if he doesn’t win a job in the starting rotation.

 

MW

 

The Cavaliers have guaranteed themselves of a split on this brutal road trip by beating the Atlanta Hawks, 88-87 last night.  Mike Brown took a huge risk by leaving LeBron James in for the entire second half with another tough game against Miami tonight, but it paid off.  Had the wine and gold lost in Atlanta, they would have faced the prospect of taking on Dwayne Wade and the Heat with a non-rested LeBron.

 

The best thing about the end of last night’s game was The King didn’t settle for a jump shot to win the game, he went to the basket and drew the foul.  When the Cavs went into the 1-4 set after getting the ball, I thought #23 would try to settle the game on a jumper, but he didn’t, he was aggressive and it paid off.

 

It also appears that help is on the way to replace the injured Ben Wallace.  Joe Smith and Drew Gooden both had their contracts bought out by the Thunder and Kings, respectively, and it appears GM Danny Ferry will choose Smith, and may have him in uniform Wednesday night against Milwaukee.

 

Smith is the choice because he can be trusted more on the defensive end by Brown.  Remember that Gooden rarely played in fourth quarters in his stint with the Cavs because of his problems with the defensive rotations.  That, plus the fact that Gooden is wildly inconsistent, makes Smith the better pick up.

 

Losing Wallace is a big blow, particularly on the defensive end, but it is not as critical of a loss as the injuries to Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Delonte West.  Anderson Varajao plays hard on the defensive end, and is a better offensive player.  Getting Smith cuts the time of rookie J.J. Hickson, but when you are driving for a title, you have to go with the experience that Smith gives you.

 

As we saw when Smith was here last season, he is a dependable big man who can make the 10-15 foot jumper on a consistent basis.  Shortly after the deal that brought Smith here at the deadline, we wrote that Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak were the big names in the trade, but Delonte West and Smith were the best players acquired.  He is just a solid contributor, and he will definitely help the Cavs.

 

As an added bonus, he should have some life in his legs because he hasn’t been playing recently.  His fresh legs will be a help to the wine and gold. 

 

After a tough start to the trip in Houston, the Cavaliers did what they had to do.  They beat a depleted San Antonio squad, and knocked off the Hawks to insure the split they needed.  They were also patient in passing on a big guy who didn’t fit in in Mikki Moore, and should get the guy they really wanted in Joe Smith.  All in all, it was a pretty successful trip no matter what happens tonight in Miami. 

 

JK