02/10 (Not-so) Morning Minute: Cribbs to the Crib

Yes, today is the day of the Pro Bowl.  Yes, I know that Brett Frave and Tom Brady aren’t playing.  But frankly, I don’t care.  Because Braylon Edwards, Joshua Cribbs, Joe Thomas, Ryan Pontbriand and Derek Anderson are.  I know that the game has lost its luster over the years, but as a Cleveland fan that has had to put his Pro Bowl viewing on hold for the last seven years, I’ll be watching.

The PD ran a great piece in today’s paper, garnering a spot on the front page, about Cribbs and his philanthropic efforts on Cleveland’s East side.  What is an area that the NFL players are told to simply avoid, but his disire to effect children of need lead him there to make a change.

His desire to do things that he’s told he won’t be able to do obviously impacted more than one facet of his life, and with that he feels should be the motivation of others to do the same.  It is easy for me to sit here and vaunt over a Cleveland Browns player, but just check out the piece and you’ll understand what I’m saying.

Who out there is concerned about the Tribe pitching staff this season?  After I came across a piece directly relating to the arm of Fausto Carmona, and the 230-something innings he threw last year, Terry Pluto has picked up right where it left off – but he’s draping the curtain of concern over the entire staff.   Personally, I think we’ll be alright – especially given some other metrics used to discuss pitching stamina.  Carmona will likely be kept on a six-or-seven inning cap to start off the season, hopefully setting up another strong finish.  Sabathia will be Sabathia.  Was last season’s injury-free campaign the exception?  Let’s hope not.

When the Browns offered a (much-deserved) contract extension to Rob Chudzinski in attempt to keep him from venturing to depths of Baltimore, I recommended that the Giants do the same thing for their defensive coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo.  Well, after they did just that, the Washington Redskins were forced to look elsewhere and have apparently settled with Jim Zorn.  Since I do not personally know much about Zorn, I’ll direct you to Hogs Haven, where you’ll find a ton of blogger reactions.

Some quick bits to get you to the Pro Bowl:

– Michael David Smith is reporting on an NFL Network blurb that Ben Roethlisberger could be in for some big money.  Like, more-than-Romo type money.  Deserved?

– A humorous piece from the Ghosts of Wayne Fontes.  I especially like the part about Rich Rodriguez.  Like he deserves sleep anyways.

– It’s never too early to prep for next year’s Super Bowl.  Tampa Bay or bust!

– And finally, I feel compelled to mention this whole Chad Johnson bit.  Its good to see division rivals unraveling at the seems.