New Browns’ playcaller Jeff Davidson did what he should have done yesterday in Cleveland’s 20-13 victory over the New York Jets.  Facing a team with a subpar run defense, Davidson had the Browns run and run, and then run some more.  Reuben Droughns carried the ball 33 times in gaining 125 yards as Davidson took advantage of the Jets inability to defend the ground game.  Even though he got a little conservative in the 4th quarter, that’s what offense is all about.

 

It was only the second time this season that the Brownies called an effective game with the ball.  The first was the Ravens game when they took advantage of the "46" defense by throwing the ball on 1st and 2nd downs.  I understand that football teams have to have an "identity", but

running the ball against a team that cannot stop it is just smart football.  A rare special teams breakdown made the game closer than it should have been with the Jets running a kickoff back for a TD, and the usually reliable Phil Dawson missing a short field goal.  Had either of these not occured, it would have been a no sweat win for the brown and orange.

 

What really stood out to me was the play of the defense.  After the first quarter when New York went with a no huddle offense, the Cleveland defense totally shut down the Jets.  The usually efficient Chad Pennington had a horrible day and having a number of passes deflected at the line of scrimmage.  Sean Jones had an outstanding game with two interceptions, proving once again that Butch Davis did not leave the cupboard completely bare when he "resigned". 

 

Yesterday’s win also vindicated those who said the Jets were not as good as their record said because they had played such a weak slate.  The Jets are 4-4 and so is Carolina.  Since the Browns played both teams, who do you think is better?  The triumph also allowed the Brownies to move into a tie for third in the AFC North with the defending Super Bowl champ Pittsburgh Steelers.  How does that feel Pittsburgh?  Heck, you even lost to a team the Browns beat.

 

The upcoming game against San Diego is a different story.  The Chargers have La Danian Tomlinson, and the Browns must control him.  The best chance the Browns might have is if Marty Schottenheimer goes into "Marty-ball" mode.  Which brings up another question:  How can the Jets’ offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer survive holidays with his family.  Imagine the disapproving looks from Marty when Brian tells him he lined up his quarterback as a wide receiver in one formation.

 

The real test for Jeff Davidson will come when the opponent stops the run.  Then, Browns’ fans will see just how creative the new guy can be.  Until that time, give JD credit for committing to the run and following through.  It got Browns a win in his first game in the job.   

 

JD

 

 

Taking the time today to write about some stuff going through my head in recent days:

 

The so-called genius of Jim Leyland.  Kenny Roda’s man crush on Leyland has reached incredible proportions.  This is not to say the Tigers’ skipper is not a good manager.  Heck, he once stood up to Barry Bonds!  However, Leyland is not the reincarnation of John McGraw.  Detroit finished 8th in the AL in runs allowed last season, and this year they led the league in pitching.  That’s why the Tigers are in the World Series.  The emergence of Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and the signing of Kenny Rogers are the three biggest reasons Detroit won the pennant.  Leyland may have changed the losing culture in Motown, but the pitching is the reason they won.  If the Tigers’ manager is so smart, how do you explain playing the horrible Neifi Perez so much down the stretch.

 

The best in the NBA.  In Branson Wright’s question and answer column on Sunday, he was asked about LeBron James being the best player in the NBA.  Basically, his comment was since Dwayne Wade was on the Miami Heat and they are the champs, Wade would be considered the better player.  This kind of comment drives me crazy.  Wade is a great player, but he did have Shaquille O’Neal on his team.  If the Cavaliers had Shaq last season, do you think the Cavs would have won?  If winning titles is a criteria, then Steve Kerr is one of the all time greats of the NBA.  I’m so tired of hearing that Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing aren’t truly great players because their teams never won.  If there was a draft of all NBA players today, LeBron James would be the first pick.  Period.  That means he’s the best player in the league. 

 

Cavs’ Season Starts Wednesday.  With all of the hand wringing about the Browns’ offensive coordinator and the worry about whether or not Larry Dolan will spend money, there isn’t much talk about the opening of the NBA season next week.  Lest you forget, the Cavaliers should be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.  The Pistons lost Ben Wallace and are aging, and Shaq is another year older as well.  Meanwhile, at 21 years old, the Cavs’ resident superstar is still getting better.  Cleveland, Miami, and New Jersey are the frontrunners to get to the NBA Finals this season.  In a city starving for a winner, we all should be excited about that.

 

KM

 

The change in offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns was warranted, but hopefully this is the last change for the troubled franchise.  Many fans are calling for a coaching change due to the team’s poor record, but with all of the upheaval this franchise has gone through since returning to the NFL in 1999, another coaching change is the last thing this franchise needs.

 

The Browns’ organization was a mess two years ago when Butch Davis left.  The team was devoid of talent and the people who were judging the players were awful.  Sure, they made good picks in Kellen Winslow and Sean Jones, but overall many of the choices of Davis and his personnel guru, Pete Garcia missed the mark.  They simply did not play up to potential or were injury prone.  This is the mess that Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel took over before last season.

 

The offense has been a mess, but the defense is better than it was in 2004 and so are the special teams.  Crennel has to receive some credit for that.  Besides, starting over again will just mean getting new offensive and defensive coordinators, the players will have to learn a new system, and the new coaching staff will have to examine the talent and decide who stays and who goes.  That probably means another couple of years of losing for the Browns.

 

The current coach should get two more years to show his system is working.  I realize this is a painful thought for the fans who have seen just one playoff game played by the team since 1994.  They are frustrated and rightly so.  But building a winning team is not usually an overnight process.  Even teams that seemingly come out of nowhere are really building a foundation for several years before it shows up in the win-loss record.  Take the Bengals for example.  Most of their key players have been there for 4-5 years, they didn’t just arrive last season. 

 

No one wants to hear it, but the Browns have been in all but one game this season against opponents that have already won 19 games this season.  They are not losing every game 35-10.  If not for an odd decision by Carthon and Charlie Frye against the Ravens, the brown and orange would be 2-4, the same record as the Steelers.  It’s not a great record, but you take the sunshine where you can get it. 

 

Knee-jerk reactions are one of the reasons this franchise is where it is right now.  Giving Butch Davis personnel power, benching Tim Couch after he quarterbacked the team to the playoffs, trading a 2nd round pick to move up one spot in the draft are all examples of not thinking things through clearly.  The Browns don’t need another snap decision regarding Romeo Crennel.  He deserves the chance to see this thing through another full season.  Not allowing him to do so would be a mistake.

 

MW

 

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