Can We Have a UFL Team?
December 2, 2009Averaging Out? Hickson Cools Off After Hot Streak As Starter
December 2, 2009New WFNY layout, new WFNY feature. With the majority of my posts being report-based, I wanted a place to do a little op-ed. I hope you enjoy it – as always, feedback is welcomed.
Using this space to air out some grievances, I was handed plenty of items from which to choose from. Cleveland sports can be giving like that…
The OC
Tis the title of one Brian Daboll. Though it should be left to that show on the WB – is it even still on? Either way, neither is Brian Daboll. Never was, really. Aside from the overtime game against Cincinnati and the shootout against Detroit, there has been nary a hint of any offensive cohesiveness, consistency or plan. From first-and-1o quarterback sneaks to three-straight wildcat plays from the two-yard line. All around failure. Do I think Charlie Weis is the answer? Not really. But similar to the D.A./Quinn debate, I know who isn’t the answer. And that man is Brian Daboll.
Coach of the Year
He has a killer eyewear contract and is able to enjoy one of the best seats in the house for one the NBA’s best teams. But aside from being a defensive mastermind, I can’t help but question Mike Brown’s coaching. He is one of the biggest beneficiaries of not only LeBron James, but also living in a city where he had Eric Wedge and has Eric Mangini for us to compare him to. I’m sure he’s a great guy, and is obviously successful. But there is a difference between not playing Zydrunas Ilgauskas and not talking to him about the issue for what is going on four days – and it is a national news story. I expect better communication with a coach and his/her team. LeBron’s comments, and Mike Brown’s follow-up are showing that there is not as much as one would hope.
“Hackers”
To the only people keeping the Cleveland Indians in the news at this point in the year. The Tribe will not be amongst the movers and shakers in free agency. They won’t be trading any big-named players, because we no longer have any. But they will succumb to the dark side of technology when pictures are allegedly stolen from the computers of significant others. I applaud Grady Sizemore for taking quick action on this matter, but no action can be quick enough for the Internet. Good luck at finding whomever leaked the goods…
To the Crib
The one player that the Browns can look to for a spark. The team captain. The only guy that opposing team’s fans actually no by name. But he was also the one guy that was the focus of CBS cameras on multiple occasions this past week, and he couldn’t have looked more unhappy to be on the field. Josh Cribbs is in the hunt for a new contract; he has been for quite some time. And if there is any time where that contract can be (hopefully) earned, it is now. Suiting up for an awful team, getting demolished in front of thousands is not a fun place to be. But in a “for better or worse” type mode, if Cribbs can play hard from beginning to end, it will be tough to ignore for whomever is making financial decisions come this offseason.
No Diving in the Pool
Leading with your head is never a good idea in football. Leading with your head after you have already had at least four concussions is an even worse idea. Now, we are staring at going the rest of the 2009 season without starting safety Brodney Pool. The Browns already count on a wide receiver to play DB, and have a cornerback that has regressed to rock bottom levels. If Pool’s career is in jeopardy, the defensive backfield becomes even more of a concern as we enter the offseason. Is thy answer Eric Berry? Whatever the answer is, it isn’t another year of Corey Ivy and Hank Poteat additions while other teams sign Mike McKenzie half way through the season and he makes an instant impact.
Triple-A
Joel Skinner may be willing to take a step back in his career to remain with the Tribe, but the same will not be said for Tory Lovullo. The former Clippers skipper was passed up for a spot with the big boys, and opted to head to the Red Sox organization like the John Farrells of the world did prior to him. I can’t say I blame him – the Clippers will get some big names in their park this season, but after being passed up several times and then dealing with a team that is unwilling to spend money, the position doesn’t exactly seem to be one of high-desire. He may not be a big league manager with the Sox, but he will be a part of an organization that takes advantage of the playing field. They win games, they’re successful and they have a GM that is willing to shell out some cash for future players. Players that he’ll get to coach up to the next level.
Great Seats Available
Raise your hand if you’re going to go out of your way to acquire tickets to this week’s Browns/Chargers game. Unless you are a giant fan of Antonio Gates, I doubt your hands left your keyboard. And for good reason. It’s going to be freezing, it’s going to be expensive to park, eat, drink, and frankly there are other things you can be doing with your time that would be more enjoyable. Per the Browns, “several thousand tickets” still remain. How many games can WJW/ESPN/Bud Light buy this year? They would be doing everyone a favor if they just let it go and let us pretend January 3rd was here this weekend.
Retribution
Getting a Phoenix Suns team on the second game of a back-to-back is a good start, but seeing some sort of point proven by Shaquille O’Neal would be that much better. While LeBron James’ bobblehead is revealed tonight, and Zydruans Ilgauskas looks to break the Cavaliers’ record for most games played, the other story will be Shaq suiting up against his old team – the one that essentially blamed him for their slide down the ranks of the Western conference. Their record thus far shows that they may have been on to something, but a decisive win – with some solid numbers by Shaquille O’Neal – would make tonight’s Cavs game that much more enjoyable.
11 Comments
I won’t even be watching the Browns game even if it doesn’t get blacked out. While most of that can be attributed to having to study for finals, I’m not sure I would watch it even if I didn’t have them.
blaming shaq for phoenix’s poor season is just an easy excuse. the problem wasnt shaq per se. Steve Kerr was just as much to blame, if not more. he brought in terry porter as head coach to implement a defensive-minded slow tempo philosophy. generally speaking, thats good for shaq. the problem was the rest of the personnel like nash, richardson and amare were not a good fit for that system. shaq put up decent numbers, but it was a bad system that did not fit the personnel and so they kept losing. then they fired porter and went to alvin gentry who uses a d’antoni kind of system. that, however, is NOT a good fit for shaq but is a good fit for the rest of the suns’ personnel. shaq in phoenix was a square peg in a round hole. it just didnt work due to coaching philosophies and overall personnel. credit Kerr for making the right changes and righting the ship, but blaming Shaq for the problem is just too simplistic.
Yea, and what’s the deal with airline food?!
Why hasn’t Daboll been fired yet? Or why haven’t we even heard of that being on the table? It needs to be done simply as a gesture to show us fans that the organization isn’t going to stand for incompetence anymore. Ten years of it has been enough.
The Browns management operates like a fantasy football team without an internet connection.
Daboll probably hasn’t been fired because it’s not fair to judge him when he’s not playing with an NFL roster.
That said, bring on Charlie Weis!
Here here on Cribbs, Scottie.
Who would fire Daboll? Mangini? He thinks Daboll is showing progress and doing a good job. It’s not like Mangini picked the players. Oh wait, he did. Sorry. Let’s give them about a decade so they can turn the roster over 2-3 times and then we’ll see a magic show.
Keep calm & carry on!
I’m sorry but whaaaaaaaaa! Do you people realize what Boston fans have gone through? Do you realize that they haven’t won a championship in over a year?
Love the new look! However, I admit, I will miss the old school logos from the old page…
Nice Clown Baby! Sadly, I live in Boston and had to listen to a bunch of whiny Pats fans complain during this week’s thrashing at the hands of the Saints. Talk about spoiled sports…
Good list Scott, I’d also like to add the following to be put ‘on notice’
1) Mark Shapiro – the meal was underdone and the chef got cooked, but who’s the guy who bought the groceries?
2) Bernie Kosar – come on BK, give the fans SOMETHING to be happy about. At least hold a press conference or something (and lie) to make us feel better.
3) Art Modell – just because…
On notice
1. Cleveland Browns- just because.
2. Cleveland Indians- it will be even more hard to watch them next year than the Browns right now.