Welcome To Browns Nation Mads

I dressed my youngest in her Cleveland Browns onezie today since it is game day. This is a tradition she will become a part of as a member of my bloodline and lineage. While my oldest remains in a "tug-o-war" between me and her Bungle loyalist on her mother's side, my youngest will be pure.

They both will end up Steeler fans when they hit adolescence and feel the need to rebel against me realizing what will hit home the hardest. But that is another blog post for another day.

Today I get to enjoy the fresh indoctrination of the baby into Brownshood. It is not a joy. There is nothing pleasurable about it really. It is a burden and a job that requires much stamina, patience and intestinal fortitude.

Some call it tough love.

But she will not need to prove her loyalty to anybody. No one will question it when they realize she is a life member of the Cleveland Sports Fan club.

My child, there will be much heartache in your future. You will learn to enter every new season with much anticipation and excitement only to have it stolen from you within minutes of its genesis. Maybe it will be three penalties on the kickoff. Maybe it will be an ugly turnover on the first play from scrimmage after said kickoff. Maybe it will be injuries to several critical starters before the season begins. Maybe it will be a loss despite leading the game when the clock struck 0:00.

Sometimes you will experience moments of seemingly pleasurable excitement only to quickly vanish like a chair pulled from underneath you while you hit the ground to the laughter of everyone.

You will always be ridiculed and out casted by fans of other teams for everything and anything. When the trend is to put down fans for being too obnoxious or over-the-top, you and your fellow fans will be top of the list even though our behavior is no different than most other legions.

When the trend is to make fun of fans that follow teams that lose, once again, you, I and our fellow fans will be at the top of the list despite teams like the Bengals, Lions and Rams that are just as bad or worse.

When it becomes trendy to be loud and crazy for your team, you will be no where near the top of the list.

When it becomes trendy to list all of the dynasties that have existed, your Browns' dynasty in the 50s will be conveniently "irrelevant" and outdated while the Packers in the first two Super Bowls soon after will still be legit.

And when the one thing you and I can stake claim to, heartbreak, is the trend.....again, we will be somewhere on the bottom of the list behind the "lovable losers," Chicago Cubs and the Seattles and Arizonas of the world.

You won't be able to win for losing.

Your sister, cousins, uncle and I are used to it.

Come. Join us in our misery.

(or at least mine)

Fake QB Controversey

When can we just name Brady Quinn the starting QB and be done with this foolishness?

I have no idea what Quinn has done wrong in his life to deserve this unwarranted disrespect. He got his butt beat down at Notre Dame and still managed to lead them to decent performances. Although I would question the validity of their appearances in BCS Bowl games, he managed to get them there unlike the QBs after him. He was stuck behind a mediocre at best offensive line and sorry defense.

But you never heard him complain.

He showed up at New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony as the "over hyped, undeserving" candidate that everyone who wasn't Catholic (unless they were a Buckeye fan too) rooted against and not only lost to Troy Smith but came in third.

But he didn't complain.

He showed up to the NFL Draft with much pomp and circumstance only to be the 2007version of Aaron Rodgers. He even left the view of cameras to avoid the embarrassment of dropping so far in the draft.

When he was finally picked, he never complained.

Then, as the 2007 season unfolded Derek Anderson took the stage as the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback and dazzled fans leading them to a 10-5 record under his helm despite numerous weaknesses that were covered by amazing catches by Braylon Edwards and defenses still trying to adjust to his scouting report.

But from the bench, Brady Quinn still didn't complain.

Anderson showed some glaring issues through the second half of 2007 and all of 2008 until he was injured. He could throw the deep ball and had plenty of strength for the out patterns but his touch was nonexistent underneath.

With minimal opportunities to contribute and demonstrate his skill, Quinn couldn't establish himself.

But, still, he never complained.

He has said all the right things. He has worked his butt off. When he has had chances, he has shown he can perform. In his first start against Denver in 2008, he went 23-35 for 239 yards and 2 TDs. He threw 0 interceptions. He then led the Browns to a victory over Buffalo the next week before getting hurt in Week 12 against Houston.

A new coaching regime has entered Cleveland, and still, Brady Quinn finds himself in a position in which he has to prove himself. It is like Groundhog Day for this guy.

So we watch him throw accurate pass after accurate pass. He demonstrates composure in the pocket. He leads the team in numerous drives. He takes control of the offense. He watches Derek Anderson throw bad pass after bad pass in scrimmages and preseason games. There is no improvement or learning curve in Derek Anderson's game whatsoever.

Yet, he still can't hear his coach just say, "You are the QB. Go get 'em."

But he doesn't complain.

So what is it going to take, Coach Mangini? How long are you going to play this Bill Belichick game of hide and seek with him and us fans? We've seen it before with Romeo Crennel and let me say, it didn't work. You aren't fooling anyone but yourself and your team.

I'm getting tired of this run around. I am tired of watching Anderson stink and still hear there is some sort of "battle" for the the number one spot. Just name the starting QB and move on.

It is Brady Quinn. Quit dragging this guy around like this. Even if he crashes and burns, he won't be any worse than DA.

If we are going to lose, at least lose with the guy we drafted for this position so I, and many other fans in his camp can shut up and turn the page, ready to start all over......again.

Monday Morning QB on a Sick Day

Today is a scary day in my household. A doctor's appointment is at hand that is requiring I take a whole day off of work. The emotions behind this appointment are probably justifiable enough to take a day off. So with a couple of minutes to spare here, I would like to share my thoughts on several happenings in the world of sports this past weekend.

1. Ohio State (9) v. Penn State (3).......

This game confirms what I have been saying for awhile: This Buckeye team is just not very good. My preseason optimism was quickly crushed after the abysmal showing against USC and once again, this weekend's game was more of the same.

The defense has been in the cross hairs of my criticism most of the season but I am beginning to come around with them. Their showing against Michigan St. impressed me. It was a road game against a good if not great RB in Javon ringer (Ohio Product) and they shut him down. The defensive line which I have been most disappointed in, played great. This led me to an optimistic feeling for the big showdown against border state rival, Penn State.

The defense held their end of the bargain. They were able to contain QB Daryl Clark (Ohio Product) and his potent PSU offense who were averaging around 45 points per game coming in. I still feel good about that. But true freshman Terrelle Pryor (PA product...yeah baby) wasn't able to get in the end zone and in the end, his mistake lost the game for us.

Before you are up in arms over that last sentence, read on. I am NOT about to pile on 19 year old Pryor playing under the lights in a nationally televised game for a top ten team with a fan base as rabid as any. NFL like expectations and pressure pour from the residents of Columbus, Ohio and alumni across the country and even the world. This kid is 19 years old without a full off season to practice, without a full season behind him, with a full course load during the week, only 5 months or so removed from his senior prom. Please, I am not expecting him to be perfect. But the fact is, that fumble lost the game.

It's ok though. It was a freak fumble. A good play by the defender. Pryor was hustling, trying to get a big first down. I can live with that. Like Tressel said, penalties are bad but sometimes a hustle, aggressive penalty is not AS bad. You'd rather a guy get flagged for something that was caused by hustle and effort than a lazy, stupid, mistake. Pryor was looking to win the game. The middle was clogged up. A quick bounce to his right could be free.

It wasn't.

That set up the PSU offense for their only TD of the game. And Pryor still had another shot to tie it. But fell short. Chalk this up to a learning experience. It is hard to say that for Ohio State who's expectations year in and year out is National Championship. In college football today, you can't live with mistakes and maintain those expectations. One loss and you are pretty much out. It is a playoff from week one. So it is very difficult to type those words out. But I need to stick with what I said earlier in the year.

I felt Todd Boeckman, a senior QB who led the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten title and national title appearance last year and even fielded some Heisman talk from national media types for a week or two, should be benched for Pryor. I fully understood what that meant. It meant we were going to deal with mistakes. It meant there would be freshman, rookie errors that Boeckman wouldn't have. But my reasoning was Pryor's athleticism and ability would outweigh his mistakes. I felt our offensive line is mediocre at best. I felt our WRs were overrated. I felt we needed something else to compensate and Pryor had that.

I also knew this was a risk. With the national title hopes dashed after the USC loss, I felt it was worth it. I didn't foresee Penn State's success though. I thought we would cruise through the weak conference schedule. I am not going to be one of these Sunday morning Johnny come lately's who call in to the radio shows (I am going to be one of the smart ones) and says whatever happened the past game was bad after it failed even though they were calling for it the whole week prior.

Example: "Put Pryor in . Put Pryor in. ....Why isn't Boeckman the QB????!" Hypocrites.

Also, I didn't realize we would have to resort to Tressel ball. Although I respect Tressel ball and I trust Tressel ball (see: 2002 BCS title season), it only works with a shut down defense. Now that the defense is beginning to fulfill that requirement, I was ok with playing that style against PSU. It seemed to be working too. But the sneaky problem with Tressel ball control game plans is that there is very little margin for error. Pryor made that error and it cost us.

I still love Pryor. I still think we will reap the fruits of this season next year. But I am not going to be positive about it anymore. I am going to be rotten, hard-to-watch-games-with Beau again. I know my role. I let you all down this week. I won't let it happen again.

2. Browns v. Jaguars.....

So I was back to my normal self Sunday morning swearing off the Browns and how much they suck. I had no reason to believe they would do anything worth watching later that afternoon and just as it should be, they win. See? I learned my lesson. How do I feel about this win?

Horrible.

That win was probably the worst possible thing that could have happened. Yes, it was a road win. Yes, it was against a legit team. Yes, it brings us to one game under .500 with Baltimore at home next week. Yes, we have a 4-4 record at the half way mark in sight. That win Sunday was better than any win last year. And the Giants game two Mondays ago was the biggest win in several years. Yes, the offense moved the ball. Yes, there were no penalties on the Browns. Yes, D.A. looked good. Yes, they got Lewis the ball. Yes, the offensive play calling of Chudzinski remains a positive. Yes, the defense showed more improvement against the run. Yes, the defensive backfield somehow contained the passing game JUST enough.

But it is all bad.

Derek Anderson had a good game. So that means he will remain the starter and come out next week sucking like he should. Romeo gets another week as coach meaning that will take more to fire him even though he truly isn't that good. Kellen Winslow is watching the team succeed without him and will become more disenchanted causing locker room strife. That will eat away at the team. And most of all, it keeps me coming back hoping on hope that maybe they are really as good as they looked that one game.....even though we all know they really are not.

3. Mike Singletary's Tirade........

Hell yeah!!! It is about time we see a coach take his team by the (expletive) and get control. Vernon Davis slapped an opponent disrespectfully in the face mask after a tackle and received a flag. Davis is one of very few "stars" on the San Fransisco 49ers this year. Even that title could be debated for him as he has under produced for a first round pick receiving millions of dollars for unproven talent. Singletary was ticked off. Not only did he bench Davis, he sent him to the locker room and told not to come back. Then in the post game press conference, he didn't let up. You could see the fire in his eyes and you could see he was determined to create the type of team atmosphere that needs to exist and he wasn't about to bow down to a player because of the money he made or his status on the team.

YES!!!!!!

The NFL is beginning to see more of this and it needs to continue. Kellen Winslow is the type of player that needs a strong kick in the ass like this to be honest, but I am not so sure his recent incident in particular this past week called for it. I am speaking more of the Terrell Owens type of stuff. That guy deserves a Mike Singletary boot up his you know what more than once. Can you imagine how Singletary would have dealt with T.O. when he was chewing out the offensive assistant coach on the 49er sideline several years ago? Oh, I would love to see that. But all these premadonnas need a wake up call.

Here's to people in authoritative positions like coaches (and teachers and principals and parents) taking off the kid gloves and taking back control. The inmates are running the asylum in sports and other arenas. I would love for that to stop.

Romeo MUST go!

"Oh Romeo. Oh Romeo. Wherefor art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)

Romeo Crennel is not a good coach. I'm sorry but this is a fact. I will pass on making fun of his personal weight issues. I won't comment on his stubborn effort to be vague in his injury reports. I won't go on about unsubstantiated positive outlooks in the interviews after we just lost by 3 or more touchdowns and continued a 5 game losing streak....again. No, I will just get to the reality of this situation with no personal attacks on who seems to be a perfectly nice guy. I doubt there is anybody I'd rather sit next to at the doughnut shop then.....nope, not gonna do it.

The Love Doctor, Romeo, was brought into Cleveland after Butch Davis was unceremoniously escorted out of town. Davis had a whirlwind of a stay in Cleveland acquiring some questionable draft picks and leading the team through some wild and crazy seasons. The two most memorable seasons were his first two when he posted a 7-9 and 9-7 record in 2001 and 2002 respectively making the playoffs by a wing and a prayer in '02. Davis finally ran out of gas midway through the '04 season leading to the Romeo Era in 2005.

Before his stint as head coach of the Browns (he was our defensive coordinator in 2000 as well), Romeo was highly regarded as one of the best assistants on the market while he coached Belichick's defense in New England. His Patriot defense was a big reason why they won those three Super Bowls earlier this decade. (clevelandbrowns.com)

But as most athletes and coaches experience, as soon as he set foot in Cleveland, all that success quickly evaporated. At first, one could understand. The cupboard was dry. Davis didn't leave much talent and what little was there, Kellen Winslow Jr., was busy riding motorcycles and injuring himself for seasons at a time.

Now he is in his fourth year. His 3-4 defensive scheme should be well in place. The talent should fit his plan. Phil Savage has gone out and signed a number of highly regarded players on both sides of the ball. Lerner is paying the money. The people surrounding Crennel are doing their jobs. To Romeo's credit, the team found some success in 2007 going 10-6 and looked poised to make a move. Savage signed legitimate defensive players at areas of need. He shored up the defensive line with Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams for instance. he drafted some young, talented linebackers. He also made moves on offense even though that was an area of strength from 2007.

So the excuses are done. This year is the year Romeo has to prove himself. So far he has failed miserably. Now comes my opinion.

I have not liked Romeo from the start. Last year's success was "fool's gold!" (Kevin Kasper, 9/22/08) I couldn't have said it any better Kevin. The 10-6 record created a positive feeling that covered the huge deficiencies. Derek Anderson is not as good as he looked. They won games against inferior opponents. They only beat 1 winning team last year. 7 of the 10 wins came at home. They couldn't run the ball consistently when they had to contrary to a casual observers look at Jamal Lewis' numbers. Lewis, with a history of injuries, his one year older.

All of this adds up to disaster that I was hoping wouldn't happen. I kept getting a hard time from people claiming I am such a pessimist and I can't ever be positive about anything because I said Romeo isn't any good even after last year and I predicted the Browns would be lucky to go 7-9 this year. I tried to be positive. I really felt like 4-12 was more realistic and even stated it to some friends, but when on the record I stuck with 7-9....just to show some "positivity."

Looks like I was right. Looks like this teams isn't any good. Braylon Edwards can't catch ANYTHING. Anderson is proving to be fool's gold himself not nearly playing like the first half of last year. Lewis can't get any carries due to our constant deficits. The defense is hanging in there against bad offenses but still not getting pressure on the QB. I guess the run defense has shown some improvement but we shall see how that holds out.

Anyway, I blame this on Romeo. The team is not prepared. They are already fighting with one another (see Edwards v. Anderson) There are undisciplined penalties. The game planning is weak. Players are STILL getting staff infections (i.e. Joe Jurivicius). Players are still getting injured left and right (i.e. Donte Stallworth in warm ups??? for 6 weeks???? What secret STD did he acquire?) Bottom line, we aren't winning games.

Why blame Romeo you ask? He can't be blamed for all of that. He is the head coach. He needs to bust some heads when this happens. He needs to motivate these players. He needs to get Edwards to catch a FREAKING BALL THAT MY DAUGHTER COULD CATCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!! He needs to get Quinn in there. He needs to get on Tucker's butt to scheme better defensive blitzes that don't get absorbed by a sorry Bungle offensive line. He needs to get on the trainers to prepare these guys to play without constantly getting hurt....EVERY YEAR!!

Changes need to be made. I love the new offensive coordinator Chudzinski. Keep him. I still trust Savage. He keeps signing big name guys. Freak things keep them from panning out...or their head coach does. He has drafted well thus far too.But everyone else including Romeo needs to get gone!

The only difference between now and 1999 is that we have some talent. Otherwise, we might as well start all over again. It is sad that we haven't even turned our calendars to Roctober and we are already forced to look to next year. Again. This is an all too familiar feeling. I am absolutely sick of it.

Browns Alphabet: ABCE..........

Obviously there is no place for D in the Cleveland Browns thinking. What the hell did I just watch? Well, the same old crap. New names, same garbage!

So much for any optimism for this team after the acquisitions of players who were really good on their prior teams but now join the long list of quality players who come to Cleveland to SUCK! See: Black Jack McDowell. Larry "Laura" Hughes. Jamir Miller. Chris Spielman. Keith "Hair Club for Men" Hernandez. Steve Carlton. Chuck "The Yankee Killer" Finley. Jeff Garcia. LeCharles Bentley. Andre Rison. Jerry Ball. Ted Washington. Willie McGinest. Joe Borowski. Keith Foulke. Paul Byrd. Darius Miles. Damon "Used To Be The Greatest Shooter On Earth Until I Came Here" Jones. The list goes on!


These guys are no different than any other scrub player we had last year or the last decade for that matter! (It is taking every ounce of class for me not to curse my way through this whole post. My mother reads this.)

I'm tired of the excuses. I'm tired of the "reasons." WIN THE DAMN GAME!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah and can Braylon Edwards catch a freaking ball that hits him in the hands or between the numbers??? Suit my butt up, I'll catch those! Come on! (Well, I probably would never have been able to get open like he did in the first place but you get my point....or be able to put my pads on correctly in the locker room before the game for that matter)

The worst thing that could have happened last year was for the Browns to go 10-6 against a weak schedule and still miss the playoffs as well as fooling us all (except me...ask my bro and dad about our talk at Northwestern) into thinking Romeo is actually a competent coach. HE STINKS!!!!!!!

I am so sick and tired of supporting this second, no third rate farce of an organization. I put my heart and soul into this team no matter what every stinking year and get this same crap back. I keep taking it and taking it. Steeler fans make a mockery of me and my team and I have nothing to say. Nothing. I am tired of it. I see why my Father-in-law quit going to games even though he has season tickets. I see why my old next door neighbor in high school quit watching out of concern for his health.

This is painful. So painful. My week is shot now. Shoot, my next 4 months are shot. With no Buckeyes success to fill the incompleteness, I don't know what to do. I don't even care about my fantasy losses this week. Thanks again Edwards. Your four drops could have been much needed points.

Screw this!

Cleveland Browns Report Card

I take you back 20 years. It was the eve of the 1988 NFL football season. While some people chose to use journals as an outlet for their feelings, keeping it hidden from any wandering eyes, I chose a plain notebook and filled it with my writings about the Cleveland Browns. I used the News Herald, the local Lake County newspaper, as my template writing several paragraphs of anecdotal review and opinion, a position by position report card for each individual game, quarter by quarter scoring recap, important statistical categories and predictions for the following week that included who was stronger at each position, keys to the game for both sides and finally the final score.

Without going into that much detail, this is my preview of the 2008 Cleveland Browns. I plan to post my predictions of the upcoming year in the near future.

OFFENSE
Quarterback: Derek Anderson returns after a break out year. He cooled significantly in the second half leading to some concern for the upcoming year. With the first round draft pick, Brady Quinn, waiting in the wings, Anderson needs to play well to avoid a brimming QB controversy which can quickly divide a team and begin a downward spiral. What Anderson brings is a strong arm, year of experience, chemistry with the multiple weapons in Cleveland's offense and head coach who does not question his spot as the starting QB as they open the year. What Anderson needs to improve is his touch on the shorter passes and consistency through the entire regular season.
GRADE:B-

Running Back:Jamal Lewis returns after a solid year rushing for 1,304 yards for a 4.4 average per carry. He was a huge surprise and big reason why the offense had so much success last year. It is going to be critical that he repeats this performance this coming year as the depth at RB is not strong. Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison are nice change of pace backs but they cannot carry the load. Look for Harrison to open a few eyes this season coming out of the backfield and on third downs and make sure you say you read it here first when he does. I don't anticipate All Pro numbers, just some added firepower and highlight plays.
GRADE:B

Wide Receiver: 2007 was a breakout year for Braylon Edwards. He made some dazzling plays that belong on "Top Plays" with the ESPN Sportscenter chime playing in the background. But he also missed balls that I think I could catch. It will be important that he finds more consistency this year. The addition of Donte Stallworth by GM Phil Savage was key with the staff infection (where have we heard this before) to Joe Jurevicious. He should bring a deep threat and winning experience with him. Other wideouts battling for the last spots include Travis Wilson, Syndric Steptoe, Efrem Hill, Kevin Kasper and more. Joshua Cribbs has locked in a spot with is returning abilities but more on that later. Wilson has shown flashes and Steptoe has shown promise on special teams as well. Kasper can't avoid the injury bug and Hill may be the odd man out. The WR spot behind Stallworth and Edwards will be key to the depth of this offense.
GRADE: B

Tight Ends: Kellen Winslow has matured quite a bit since he was drafted by Butch Davis. He is a legit top three TE in this conference if not league. It is a luxury to have him as another legitimate threat in the passing game helping the WRs should the backups not live up to expectations. His backup Steve Heiden is good enough to start on numerous NFL teams in my mind and gives the Browns depth at this position.
GRADE: A-


Offensive Line: Coming into the preseason I was high on this unit. Finally, it seemed like my Cleveland Browns had a strong offensive line. Not since the days of Mike Baab, Cody Riesen and Paul Farren (although I called him Paul Flag-en since he was either holding or false starting) have we had a line that actually allowed a QB to throw the ball on time and opened holes for RBs to run threw. The drafting of Joe Thomas and signing of Eric Steinbach as well as the emergency trade for Hank Fraley put Phil Savage atop the ladder in Cleveland GMs. But thus far in the preseason, they have looked downright abysmal!! I am getting Tim Couch flashbacks with the pressure being put on Quinn and Anderson and Dorsey. No holes for the RBs. It is really discouraging. So which line will show up this season? The line from 2007 or the line from this preseason?
GRADE: D- (if the preseason line shows up) B+ (if the 2007 line appears)

Overall Offense: C
Due to the Offensive line and the fact that everything stems from this unit and they are not looking good.


DEFENSE
Safeties: Sean Jones and Brodney Pool will start at the safety positions this year. Both safeties are solid but they need a stronger pass rush to help alleviate some pressure put on them in the secondary. For example Sean Jones was second on the team in tackles with 96. In a 3-4 defense, the linebackers need to be leading the team in tackles.
GRADE: C+

Cornerbacks: Leigh Bodden was traded and Devan Holly is injured leaving Eric Wright in his second year and Brandon McDonald, also in his second year as our starting cornerbacks. I liked what I saw out of both of them last year but, like the O Line, worry after what I have witnessed this preseason. The Giants absolutely destroyed and exposed Wright making him look bad....real bad. Against the Lions, every time I looked up a Lions receiver was wide open. Once again, which version of this position will show up this year? The 2007 cornerbacks? Or will the preseason cornerbacks appear?
GRADE: C (2007 version) F (Preseason 2008 version)

Linebackers: In a 3-4 the LBs are supposed to rack up tackles while the DL plugs the gaps. Last year the DL did not plug many gaps putting a big burden on the LBs as they tackled runners 3-4 yards beyond the line of scrimmage setting up manageable 2nd and 3rd downs for the opposing offenses and putting more pressure on the LBs to make plays. At the same time I have a hard time evaluating this position using stats because they are a bit inflated due to this system. Overall this position looks decent with some age and veteran leadership in Willie McGinest and Andra Davis as well as youth and athleticism with D'Qwell Jackson and Kameron Wimbly. Leon Williams in specific packages and Antwan Peek also show some promise. I feel Davis is overrated because his numbers may be a result of playing on mediocre to bad teams over the span of his career. McGinest is getting old. So all in all, this is a year Wimbly and Jackson need to come out. Watch Jackson. I feel a big year for him and remember.....say you read it here first when you do.
GRADE: C-

Defensive Line: Maybe the weakest position on the team last year, this unit has been revamped by Savage over the offseason. Key additions include Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Both players bring some talent to a struggling squad. Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith are serviceable but this unit must improve if the Browns are going to have any measured success on defense or as a team this year. Some sort of pass rush needs to exist to take the pressure off the DBs. Gaps need to be filled so the LBs can get in and tackle runners for 3-4 yard losses instead of gains. Pressure needs to be put on the opposing offense to convert 3rd and longs instead of 3rd and shorts. The DL, in my mind, is the most critical facet of this team this year. So far in the preseason....I have not see anything encouraging. Because of this observation, I am very pessimistic about the upcoming season.
GRADE: F

Overall Defense: D+
Again, one position brings this whole unit down.


SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicking Teams: Phil Dawson is as steady as they come. Some of those kicks against Buffalo in that blizzard last year were downright remarkable. His one weakness though is strength. From what I have seen in preseason, more specifically warm ups when I was at the game against the Jets, he must have raided Paul Byrd's locker and found some HGH. He was hitting them from 60 yards out. Granted, it's different with no rush or line in front of you, but the leg may be better than I thought. Dave Zastudil is a good punter. Point blank, he is good and dependable.
GRADE: A-

Return Teams: Joshua Cribbs was exciting to watch last year in this position. I hope he gets used in some QB/RB packages as well this year but one thing we know is he brings a legitimate threat to the return game. If he is not scoring he is changing field position in our favor. Not only does he return kicks well but he covers well too. Syndric Steptoe has shown some promise in the preseason as well. I doubt Cribbs will repeat last year's numbers because that rarely happens, but I feel he can still be considered a legitimate weapon returning kicks and punts changing momentum and the score in our direction.
GRADE: A

Coverage Teams: I'll be honest. I have a hard time feeling valid in my assessment of this dimension of the team because I am not football savvy enough know what is good and bad. I know Cribbs hustles and tackles. I don't recall giving up a large amount of touchdowns on special teams last year. So I would say this unit is solid.
GRADE: B+

COACHING/FRONT OFFICE
Coaching: Despite a 10-6 record last year I am still not sold on Romeo Crenel. Apparently the players like him. They seem to respond to him. Winslow's maturity may be a credit to Crenel's mentorship. A defensive minded coach, he should field a strong defensive team but that hasn't happened. It is highly possible that is a sign of the lack of talent more than coaching though. This year will be a make or break year for Romeo in my mind. TO get me to buy in, he needs to get this team to 8-8 at worst. It needs to be a solid 8-8, not smoke and mirrors 8-8.
GRADE: C-

Front Office: Phil Savage has won me over. Drafting Joe Thomas alone with that 3rd pick was a big winner. Getting Steinbach and Fraley were key acquisitions. Let's not forget he also signed LeCharles Bentley who didn't pan out due to injuries and (here we go again) staff infections, but was an All Pro at the time. He was able to use the draft to get Quinn and Wright. He drafted McDonald in the late rounds. He spent this offseason shoring up the WRs with Stallworth and getting much needed help on defense in Rogers and Williams. He also signed Lewis before last season as well which turned out well. He is a reason Derek Anderson is here starting too. Savage has won me over. There have been mistakes and there will be but if he keeps moving in this direction, the Browns will be a winner soon.
GRADE: A

Overall Assessment:
I worry very much after what I have seen in the preseason. I understand it's only preseason and Romeo has done a good job of not playing key guys with nagging injuries to avoid any serious damage, but there are scary signs that the first team offensive and defensive lines are in trouble. You win games in the trenches and those are the two weakest spots outside the defensive secondary which has zero depth. These three weaknesses may be lead to an ugly season. I know I usually go the way of pessimism with my teams, but this is legitimate, objective commentary that can't be explained away. I just hope these players show up in the regular season for real. There have been no encouraging signs this preseason.

OVERALL: C

Life After LeBron

I love LeBron James. I think and know he is the one chance our Cavs have at getting a NBA championship in Cleveland. I really want him in Cleveland for his whole career. I do NOT want him to leave for Europe, New Jersey or Manhattan. I will be devastated when he does.

With that said I now want to talk myself and the rest of Cavs nation off the ledge. We are being held hostage by one man. Our team, our owner, our GM, our fan base, our city are being held hostage by this King. We will continue to be hostages to him and his wishes for two more seasons. This one guy who is holding us hostage hasn't won an NBA championship. (I know, I know bear with me) Several teams have won NBA championships since he has been in the NBA without him. It can be done.

Yes, Cleveland....NBA championships CAN be won without LeBron James.

Now, don't take me for an idiot. It took a Dwayne Wade. Shaquille O'Neal. Tim Duncan. Kobe Bryant. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. So you need a or two superstars to do it and Cleveland has none beyond Mr. James. I get that.

But I am getting sick of allowing this man (a man who I truly enjoy watching and do not have any other problem with) hold me hostage like this! Gilbert has a big pocket. Contrary top popular belief Ferry knows what he is doing (see drafting Gibson. Trading nothing for Flip Murray. Getting Gooden and Andy for garbage when Boozer screwed us over. And he can't be blamed that a top tier FA Larry Hughes didn't live up to his billing). They may need to go out and get Wade or Bosh or both when James leaves. They are FAs that year too. In order to win the finals, it would take both with the roster we are looking at now, but why not?

James will leave. But we will still have basketball. Most importantly and my point of this post: Once the Browns are relevant again, who gives a damn about LeBron freaking James?! Shoot, the fumes of a playoff Cleveland Browns season alone can carry me to the draft in April and then training camp in the summer.

My first and most passionate love is the Browns. The Cavs and Indians are just filler until football starts. I mean really. I am not alone in this. So I am done letting LeBron hold me hostage. I will root to the bottom of my deepest basin for him and my Cavs, but I am not going to allow myself to care about his future here anymore. Whatever happens, happens now. I will still root for the Cavs 2011 and on with or without Mr. James.

I just need those men in orange helmets playing a bit north on E. 9th Ave to remain competitive and I'm good. A Tribe run in the steamy summer is icing on the cake!

(If Braylon could just figure out how to consistently catch the balls that hit him in the numbers...but I guess he is a Wolverine. We can only expect so much)

It's That Time of Year Again

This blog began at the genesis of this year, 2008. I have used it repeatedly to share my opinion, reflections, frustrations and joys. But the timing has not allowed me to write about something I hold very dear to my heart. Something I have been able to only scratch the surface of thus far in my blog. This wonderful, fulfilling, action packed, emotionally pulsating, roller coaster of a ride with drama, physicality, strategy, glory, sorrow, pain and anticipation is the not baseball, not basketball, not hockey, not tennis, not golf but football. Sweet, sweet, football.

Many friends of mine know my intense passion for this game and my teams. Most share the same feelings with varying degrees of intensity. Our conversations routinely morph into topics of football no matter where we try to start. Most of the time we just get right to the point and debate our ideas of roster moves and needs and coaching strategies or assessments of the above. To paraphrase my brother who may not even remember saying this: "There are three things in this world I love. My wife, my daughter and SPORTS! (To the chant of charge!) Sports, sports, sports, sports...." Of course, those were my words in place of his but with the same passion and voracity. Today, football goes in the "sports" slot of that famous line. I love baseball and basketball. But football is just so much better. The late George Carlin loved to lay out the toughness of the sport compared to baseball, but that is one of many aspects that put football at the top of the list.

Let me get to my point: The offseason provided many headlines for my Browns that I could have written about. The draft is always fun to watch even with no picks for my team until the third round (thanks to a Day 2 trade). The Spring Game in Columbus is a scrimmage teaser for those of us feening for the sport we love. But with my beloved Cavs fighting for a playoff run, I was more interested in sharing those thoughts at those times. So now my football discussion can and will begin in earnest.

Today marks the opening of Browns training camp. Plenty of new faces dawn the practice fields in Berea. Phil Savage has gone out of his way to sign much needed help on the defensive side of the ball. Shaun Rogers (Lions) and Corey Williams (Packers) will help out on the line. This improvement should allow the defense as a whole to improve as a steady pass rush will create more and better opportunities for the linebackers and secondary to do their jobs better. Donte Stallworth was an important acquisition with the injury to Joe Jurevicius. Resigning Jamal Lewis was important as well. The offensive line was the best its been since Kosar was behind the line in 1986. Cribbs has the return game looking good and Dawson is solid.

I would like to see another RB signed to add some needed depth there. Lewis is injury prone and while our current guys are good in spot duty, I just don't feel they can carry the load for several games if Lewis goes down. The defensive backfield scares me the most. I hope Romeo can scheme his way through the passing offenses we face this year or McDonald ends up being a stud. I am not too confident in either.

Overall, the schedule is not kind to the Browns this season. They won't be sneaking up on anybody either. We may be better than last year and still finish with a worse record. But the division just may be weak this year as well which means a worse record may still get them in the playoffs as ironic as that may sound. With that said, the AFC North will probably be dominant and the Browns will go 5-11.

(Notice no Brett Favre in that post?)

The Buckeyes have just about everybody returning this year outside of Vernon Gohlstein. I still think they have one of the best coaches in college football. The Big Ten will still be weak. There is no reason they shouldn't make it through the season, except unexpected injuries, with more than one or two losses. The problem is, with the past two disappointments in the BCS National Championship to the SEC, they are considered overrated throughout the nation. They will need to go undefeated with convincing wins over USC, nagihcim and any other surprise team (see Illinois last year) AND hope there is only one other undefeated team to even get a shot for the third straight year.

Doesn't it demonstrate how powerful the Buckeye football program is by the fact that they have been in three National Championships in six years with several other BCS bowls in between? Wow. And the recruits keep coming.

Boeckman should be solid with a whole season behind him. Wells has proven he can rush the football. The receiving corps are solid. The defense is experienced and talented. Don't let the national media fool you either....they are fast. Their 40 times are just as quick as the speedy Pac 10 or SEC. As much as I love Tressel he needs a defensive coach who can scheme better for spread offenses. They need to convert on third downs in big games better. I almost wish he would go back to old school Tressel ball that everybody hated and slow the game down to a brutal turtle pace. But the defense needs to be dominant. The verdict is out on that. With the experience and talent, one would think they will be.

Carson Palmer has initiated the talk with his anti-Buckeye talk. The first punch has been thrown. I know more is to come. I love it. This game is going to be so hyped. It will make the OSU/Texas games look like week one, nonconference cupcake games (see UM v. App St.....uhhhhhhhh no, don't. Doesn't really fit my example. But its fun to be reminded of it isn't it?) I can't wait. I just hope our Buckeyes take the high road and keep their mouths shut only saying the company line, "USC is a great team. Coach Carroll is a great coach. Just look at all their trophies. I'm just glad we get a chance to play them and see how we match up. It will be a true test of where we are and where we need to be." Let the fans and alumni say all the trash.

So this is the first of many posts regarding my true love. Football. I pray my teams are exciting and relevant all the way to January. Otherwise, my wife is in for many depressing weeks ahead from me. Mondays are never fun in the Huey household after a loss. Even if one of the teams won. This year some of those Mondays will be Tuesdays. Needless to say I haven't had many good autumn Monday in years!

Retirement in Sports

I read today that Trent Dilfer is retiring from the NFL. After a long, mediocre but relatively proud career (he did win one Super Bowl) including a stint with my beloved Cleveland Browns, I bet he will not be making a comeback.

But that's the point of retirement! According to dictionary.com , retire means to "withdraw or remove oneself."

Can someone please inform Micheal Jordan, Roger (Roid-ger in some circles) Clemens and most recently the publicity addicted Brett Favre? Of course these are just a few of many including: world famous soccer superstar Pele, Weed loving, newly Canadian Ricky Williams, basketball stars Charles Oakley, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, boxers George Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Muhammad Ali, tennis stars Bjorn Borg and Martina Navratilova and Olympian Jim Thorpe.

It is understandable that athletes in general have a hard time ending their careers. In order to be as successful as they are to get to the point of being a professional athlete, they need several particular traits including a competitive nature. This competitive nature or fire is what most likely plays the largest role in their lack of commitment to the "real world" of retirement because nothing in the "real world" can match the competitive nature of their job.

Also, as referenced at http://blogs.newretirement.com/2007/12/16/top-sports-anti-retirement-stories/, athletes deal with other contributing factors such as retiring at a younger age than most workers, addiction to the fame and publicity, addiction to the excitement of pro sports, and depression from the major life changes taking place.

With that said let me make it known that I am getting tired of the gone, back again story of Brett Favre and Micheal Jordan. Granted, Jordan managed to continue his excellence the second time around in Chicago showing that retiring for the baseball diamond was a mistake worthy and capable of being rectified, but to retire and come back again?! That was too much.

Brett Favre has commandeered the headlines in Green Bay and nationwide for several seasons now playing with spectators' emotions and interests about whether he will return to football or not. I try to understand his inability to stick with his retirement decision but this is getting old. This time around he held an official press conference to announce his retirement. But within weeks we heard about the locker remaining unavailable to other players and hints of a return. Now he is text messaging the front office of the Packers while they are on vacation. And ESPN has it on day and night. Kids at the Boys and Girls' Club are asking questions of the head coach Mike McCarthy about the possible return. Poor Aaron Rodgers, the QB in waiting for a number of years now, is continuing to answer for Brett's decision more than his own job.

It is as if Favre cannot take the spotlight leaving him. He has to keep control of the spotlight by throwing out just enough to bring it back to him so he can deny any of the rumors and "wash his hands" of the story. Yet, as soon as the media finally looks elsewhere, like clockwork, here come Favre again. So I spend my rides to softball listening to what team Favre would best fit in if Green Bay doesn't want him back. I also hear what Green Bay should do since Favre is a legend and it would be sacrilegious to get rid of him despite the serious need to move on and build for the future. And finally, what teams that Favre could play for are on the Packer's schedule meaning there could be the iconic Favre beating the home team Pack and the Lambeau crowd actually cheering since they love Brett more than the Packers.

I can't take much more of this. Mid summer is such a dry time for sports with baseball being the only real relevant sport of the major three in the U.S and 24 hour sports television and radio need filler but how about bringing some more smaller sports to light like Arena Football (C'mon Gladiators!) or soccer, or the upcoming Olympics instead of beating the same, tired story to death. I bet if the media stays away, eventually, so will Favre. But why would they when we, the fans, don't stay away either. I suppose if I want this to stop, I need to stop watching.

Oh no way. Nuh uh. H to the no!

State of my Blog and other Tidbits

State of Blog
Well, I started this blog earlier in the year in an effort to write more and avoid annoying people with emails about topics I like to debate or talk about. I also was hoping friends and strangers would browse through and join in with their opinions and perspectives to help me shape mine.

I like what has come of this so much that I am bugging my wife with the time I spend on here and have recently tried to ween myself off a bit to respect her needs. But I am not quitting this blog. Nor does she want me to.

Anyway, I have been sticking to the sports theme a whole lot of late which is cool. That is a huge part of my life. It is what I enjoy the most. I'd be a farce if I came on here saying I want to write about what I think about and enjoy and avoided that subject completely. There is more to me though contrary to popular belief. I think I have shown that with some of the posts I have put on here. I plan to get back to more of that.

Spirituality
Right now, nothing is coming to me to write about and I don't want to force it. Plus, the book I am reading on Buddhism is awfully dry. Not much to really write about. I am enjoying the book as I learn more about this way of life. It still appeals to me greatly. But I haven't had much I can reflect on that others would want to chime in on. That may change as I make my way through the book. I plan to read the Book of Matthew in the Bible after this. My Dad recommended it. I plan to discuss it and the comparison to Buddhism with my Dad, you and those in the blogosphere in the near future.

Education
I am really burned out with my career so my education reflections may be on hold. Plus summer is fast approaching...my "healing" time.

More Fatherhood
I also wanted to add that I love having a daughter and wife. When I hear "My Girl" by the Temptations I have these two beautiful people to think about and appreciate. Can't use that song with a son. Maybe in less than 7 months I'll have a son to experience the same kind of thing with as he grows up. Probably a different song though.



NFL Draft
I am watching the pre-draft special on ESPN and just have to say I love Tom Jackson. I always have. I have fond memories of when he and Chris Berman and Pete Forgot-his-last-name-but-he-has-since-passed began NFL Primetime in the late 80's / early 90s. I loved watching for Browns' highlights. It was the highlight of the weekend, ending it with the memory of a great Cleveland Browns victory. Anyway, this guy is steady and knows his stuff. It is the one thing that keeps me coming back despite the mindless laughing they all keep doing nowadays. For some reason we have to have a comedy up there for the fringe fans. I just want my football with some spontaneous humor from time to time. And I don't need the panelist cracking up all the freaking time.

Oh yeah, and the Browns had a kick ass draft last year with their acclaimed top three picks and the little talked about pick of McDonald at the DB position which made Bodden expendable. And this may sound funny since they don't have any picks the first day, but this year's draft is a good one in my mind because they used the picks to get Brady Quinn last year as well as Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers (who the Bungles tried to get) on the DL where we NEEDED help. More to come on this for sure.


Music
A band I have recently fallen in love with is The Hollies. My brother and dad would play "Bus Stop" in our basement back in the day when we had friends over and it was always a fond memory of mine. They did a great job and it was a cool tune. Later, I was able to parlay their musical talents into a little ditty for my wife at our wedding reception. I rewrote some of the lyrics to fit how my wife and I met and put it to the music of "Bus Stop." My bro and dad played behind me as I sang to my wife who had never heard this version before. Everyone watched. Those of you who know me know I can't sing to save my life and it wasn't pretty. But it was so much fun and I enjoyed every second of it and felt the rush of performing in front of close to 100 people if not more. It was also cool to meet up with my dad and bro to practice leading up to the "show." I enjoyed the bonding.

With that said, in my search to find a copy of "Bus Stop" I realized The Hollies had a number of songs I recognized and enjoyed. In fact I enjoyed them a whole lot! And many of their songs are so different than the others. They have songs like "Bus Stop" and then a more classic rock style "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress." Then the intimate "Air That I Breathe." The soft rock classic "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." The bee bop pop style "Carrie Anne" or "Just One Look." And these are just the popular hits. There is so much more about these artists I want to find. Yum, good stuff.