Cleveland Sports Nation Blog

3Q's: Should The Browns Sit Derek Anderson?

2009-10-25T18:05:00.033-04:00

First of all, my bad for not being around for a week. I was able to finish the Cavs season preview but couldn't gather enough will in this universe to put together a Browns Report Card these last 2 weeks. In compensation for my laziness errrr time away I give you this:

Here you go Nation, a picture with the Dos Equis guy on it. I'm sure the wait was worth it.

Now since the Browns decided to shed the rest of the Cleveland's Football dignity, I won't put up this week's Report Card. You can't pretty much answer that for yourself.

So instead, dropping an F filled and F Bomb filled report card for this week, what I will do is ask 3 Key Questions. The questions will be in the same vein as "why the hell didn't we do this?" and "what can can we improve, using this NFL Europe (RIP) roster?"

Here we go.

Q #1: Did the Wildcats go extinct against GB?
A: The reason why the wildcat works is that you don't need a QB for the hand off, so there's an extra blocker available. +1

We have a guy that runs it well, can throw it if called upon, and can break plays. +3

It takes pressure off the traditional run game, and the pass game. +2

So why not run this thing against the Packers after having decent success against the Steelers? -6,0000

It's mystifying.

The Stat line:

	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATING
D. Anderson	12/29	99	3.4	0	1	36.4

	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LG
J. Lewis	15	47	3.1	0	16

Seriously, couldn't an NFL coaching staff tell we needed a change of pace?

It's not as if the Wildcat is particularly complex or unsafe. What it does do is provide a mix up game, something that the New Browns have never had, and add something to the run game. (If not be our entire running game.)

And so what if the Packers game planned against it? I bet the Packers game planned against the Jamal Lewis Halfback plunge dive thing, but we run that thing 58454 times a game.

Go ahead and post one downside to running the Wildcat, say 10 times+? Name it.

By the way, Josh Cribbs covered the Bills Simmons' +3.5 spread... That's sad...

Q #2: Should the Browns sit DA and bring in Brady Quinn?
A: I asked this question in a live game thread: "If there is no one to see there to see the end of the game, does it mean it never happened?"

That's how bad it was at the end of the 3rd. The score was 30someting to 3. I forget exactly, I was probably incapacitated from inferior play.

What more perfect of an opportunity to bring in Brady Quinn, and see if he could sling it?

Let me say this: There wasn't any pressure of a comeback like when DA was brought in against the Ravens, this game was DONE. And they could have brought in Brady without needing a cemented QB switch.

Unfortunately Anderception was on the top of his game against the Packers.

It would have been a perfect time give Brady time on the field, and get another look, even for a quarter. No risk, no mess. Let's see what Brady could do.

We already knew what DA could bring 50% completions and below average decision making to the table, so what exactly was the loss there?

It would have been like pulling a starting pitcher (I would have named an Indians guy but I don't know any of their names) and bringing in a relief guy when down 10-1. If anything it would have been good for DA to let BQ finish that game.

As for picking a starting QB going forward, I answered that here. I chose Brady to start, from the start, and actually gave props to Mangini for sticking with the guy he chose initially (oops).

Brady was, is, and will be my answer.

And I'm not trying to say right I'm for that, because honestly I don't know if there's any right answers in this mess.

Q #3: Why is Jamal Lewises' corpse still a feature back in an NFL offense? And what can we do?
A: Yeah, Jamal Lewis is not very good.

I posted this in the Buffalo Report Card post found here:

"Taking out Jamal's run of 18 yards and Cribbs 31 yard gadget run, the Browns run game did this:
Browns: 122 yards on 39 carries for 3.1 yards
Jamal Lewis (w/o 18 yard rush): 99 yards on 30 carries for 3.3 yards
And not only that, Jamal brought the full post 2006 bag of tricks which included the choppy steps, the lack of speed, average power, and the inability to run in a straight line, something that still confuses me. So don't be fooled into thinking that we are capable or average just yet."

Jamal's stat line today.

J. Lewis

Car 15

Yds 47

Avg 3.1

Fum 0

Long 16

Not much of a difference huh, but the perception is that Jamal had a very good game against Buffalo as opposed to GB, even though he runs the same way and puts up the same average.

An Aside: And when I saw that toss sweep to Jamal and the inevitable 3 yard loss, I knew we had entered a place beyond the Browns Screen zone. If the Browns Screen Zone was the 5th Level of Hell of football play calls, the '3 years past his prime power back toss play' is at the 12th.

This is one of the few places in this offense where Eric Mangini and Terrell DaBoll (our heroic offensive coordinator) has OPTIONS.

Definition of Option: Having an Option means that you can do different stuff and doing different stuff is awesome. (as per Cleveland Sports Nation Dictionary)

Option 1: Throw in some Wildcat plays. (stated above in Q1)

Option 2: Let Jerome Harrison become a part of this offense.

Jerome Harrison is exactly what Jamal Lewis isn't. He can run faster then Jamal, has the ability to cut, has elusiveness, has the ability to move east to west, and can run in a straight line.

And by no means am I crowning Jerome Harrison as the savior either, but he can provide some homerun ability and a completely different look for a defense. If Jerome even got the ball 30 or 40 percent of the time, the Browns, would be better for it.

A running game that featured 60/40 Jamal and Jerome with the wildcat mixed in, sounds hell of a lot more formidable then a Jamal HB Suicide Dive.

So why are we letting these options go to waste? In an effort to prove what?

2009/10 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Preview of Glory

2009-10-17T09:12:00.024-04:00

Let’s get down to business; this is the Cleveland Cavaliers Preview of 2009/2010.

The one question that matters: Will the Cavaliers win an NBA championship?

It’s that simple, if the Cavaliers come up with anything less we’ve failed again.

If the Cavaliers actually do win… I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do, maybe get drunk and burn various household furniture in the street in the streets of Cleveland; it’s up in the air at this point.

2010, The Year of LeBron.

Anyway, this is Cleveland’s best chance in 15 years and I’ve found a way to figure out if the Cavaliers have what it take it takes to win an NBA Championship.

I created the Blueprint to winning an NBA Championship in my very first blog post a couple months ago in Building an NBA Championship in 5 Minutes or Less Part 1 and Part 2 columns.

I use Three Banana Theory or the 3B theory principles. It’ll make itself clear in the column, so here it is.

What every championship team needs:

The First Banana ~ LeBron James
Along with Kobe is the premiere first banana in the game today. And the reason LeBron isn’t a clear number one is this; would you rather have the best player in the game in LeBron for 3 and a half quarters or the best player in the game for the last half quarter in Kobe? Tough call.

But either way, we know that LeBron is a championship player, with a mental clock beginning to tick in his head. And by that I mean, “I’ve got to win now, because I know only have a set amount of chances to win Championships.”

Knowing that, we know we’ve got the most motivated and talented player in the NBA, aside from what I thought I was going to be in 8th grade.

In 8th grade I thought I was going to be the white Harold Miner.

First Banana Grade: 12/10

2008 Grade: 11/10

The Second Banana ~ Shaquille O’Neal
The biggest wild card out there this year for the Cavaliers. The Diesel was brought in to be the second banana (as per the blueprint):

A guy who can give you an efficient 16-23 points a game and a guy that everyone is confident can take over if needed.
The second banana works best when they actually know their role.

The thought the season hinging on a Shaq who played 28, 33, 61, and 40 games before playing 75 last year makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

However, there a few things that the Cavaliers have the luxury of doing with Shaq this year to keep him in second banana form:

The Cavaliers are going to win a ton of games. If the 2008 Cavs had a Madden rating in beating down bad teams it would be a 107. So Shaq should be on a pitch count and see the appropriate time on the bench.
He should know his role playing with LeBron. LeBron is the best all around player in the world and if Shaq can’t see that, he’s crazier then I give him credit for.

It might be a coin flips chance that he makes it into the playoffs fresh, but he has the ability to give the Cavaliers the consistent interior defensive and offensive presence.

He CAN be the second banana this year if he can bring his 2008 self to Cleveland.

Now is he a top second banana choice like a Manu, Pierce, Gasol, Young Kobe, or Bosh like I outline in the Blueprint? No, but he’s that important.

If not, it’s 2008 all over again.

Second Banana Grade: 7/10

2008 Grade: 7/10

Note: A marked improvement where we could push Mo Williams down the chain and fill in a completely new addition.

And if you are worried about the team T.O. like drama I wouldn’t worry about it. These types of drama kings burn bridges, but they always are good for that first year no matter where they go. They seem to be happy what that new car smell for a while or at least until the first season is over.

The Third Banana ~ Mo Williams
As the Blueprint would indicate every championship team needs an Uncle Phil, a guy that can produce consistently and that can blow up every few episodes. Mo did a great job being exactly that all season until sweeps week came around against the Magic. He froze on the big stage and completely lost his swagger.

His saving graces in 2010 are that he’s got Shaq to take lessen some responsibilities, and that he can carry the experience forward to this season.

The big question: Can Mo pull the trigger in the clutch when there’s 2 minutes left against X contender in the playoffs, when LeBron is triple teamed and Shaq is busy twittering about it on the bench?

Mo is a capable third banana but he needs the real Mo Williams to show up in the playoffs, and not have version.LarryHughes reappear.

Third Banana Grade: 7.5/10

2008 Grade: 3/10?

Note: We didn't even have a third banana last year, Delonte I guess?

The PLQSGs ~ JaMario Moon and Anthony Parker
The PLQSGs (prototypical long quick swing guys) are arguably as important at the Shaq signing.

If you didn’t close the page right after you read that, I know you saw the East Finals last year.

The Cavaliers were absolutely lit up by the 7 SGs and SFs that the Magic rotated on the court in that series.

We need guys that can hang ________ on the defensive end in the playoffs:

Rashard Lewis
Vince Carter
Mikael Pietrus
Paul Pierce
J.J. Redick
Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant
Ron Artest
Lamar Odom
Manu
Richard Jefferson

Now I’m praying we’ve got our answer. (I'd rather have Mitch Richmond but it's all good.) If these guys put together are half of 2008 playoffs Trevor Ariza, the Cavaliers will be in good shape.

An even better scenario would be flipping Z’s contract (sorry Z) and picking up another, more talented PLQSG at the NBA trade deadline.

PLQSGs Grade: 6/10

2008 Grade: 0/10

Note: Even though I’m not set on these guys, it’s an improvement over the 0/10 (Sasha Pavlovic) last year.

The Reliable Bigs ~ Shaq, Andy Varejao, Zydrunas Illgauskas, J.J. Hickson, Leon Powe
The 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers Reliable Bigs job description is basically this:

Getting in dudes’ ways and doing just enough to slow down the Garnetts, Howards, Duncans, Gasols of the league.
Making a lay up.
And straight from the Blueprint: “…make a play or two here and there, and play some solid defense. Caution: beware of stiffs.”

Shaq, Andy, and Z are all flying dangerously close to the no fly, stiff zone. (in this column, Sponsored by 'Pervis Ellison' )

The stiff zone unofficially sponsored by Pervis Ellison.

Can the rag tag group of the ‘5 years past there prime guys’, ’12 month sustained injury guy’, ‘overrated guy with big hair guy ’, and ‘raw athlete guy’ possibly stop a Garnett, Howard, Duncan scenario

……

…….

…….

…….

I wouldn’t bet on it.

Reliable Bigs Grade: 6.5/10 (with a healthy Shaq and Powe) 2/10 (without)

2008 Grade: 2/10

Note: Again we could flip Z (seriously, I still love you Z) for an interior guy near the trade deadline.

The Floor General ~ Mo Williams
My personal "most underrated thing"for the 2010 Cavaliers. If Mo Williams isn’t dribbling the ball up the court in key situations in the playoffs; you can pretty much count on us running the LeBroffense (the 1 on 5 kamikaze offense) for the third year in a row.

It is sooooo important that Mike Brown makes up an actual offensive attack and is confident enough to preserve the balance on offense.

Mo Williams needs to be running the offense otherwise you can count on LeBron court clearings at the top the key, looking up at the shot clock, and barrel into various overweight scrub big men just there to hack him.

Floor General: 6.5/10

2008 Grade: 5.5/10

Note: I'm hoping that with another season that Mo Williams will have matured more and be more comfortable as the leader of the team. He's no Isaiah Thompson but he can be a point guard on a championship team.

The Rest ~ Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Darnell Jackson
Delonte is the ultimate wildcard, the guy can put up 25 one night and then be found packing heat in his guitar case the next.

But if we can get some playmaking from Delonte, any shot making from Daniel Gibson, and some minutes from Darnell Jackson we can be happy.

The Rest: 7/10

2008 Grade: 4/10

Note: The Delonte thing really won’t be the much of a distraction. There’s been enough time between what happened and the season beginning.

And since we the Cavs have added depth at guard and another guy to score in Shaq there's even less pressure on court pressure for Delonte. I love it, he's got more room to maneuver and

2010 Cavs Predictions

2010 Cavaliers W/L 62-20

What I can tell you for sure is that the Cavaliers are the best team in the league at kicking the crap out of teams they need to beat.

Playoff predictions Shaq along with Mo being clutch will be the deciders later on the in playoffs. We know what we are getting from LeBron but it only counts for so much when the burden is all on his shoulders.

The Cavaliers beat the Celts and here’s why:

First Banana: LeBron over Paul Pierce, the Celtics have noone to top him.
Second Banana: Kevin Garnett over Shaq, though he'll be less effective
Third Banana: Ray Allen over Mo Williams, while they don't match up against one another, they both can provide similar production.

Overall, the Celtics have noone that can stop LeBron from putting 50 if he chooses. Paul Pierce could play up to LeBron a few years ago but not now. The Celtics are older across the board and bring in old Rasheed Wallace. The Celtics don't have enough to take advantage on the inside to offset the LeBron factor.

The Cavaliers can beat the Magic and here’s why:

The Magic got rid of the guy that took and hit every clutch shot against the Cavaliers last year, Hedo Turkoglu.

They overhauled controlled run and gun game that worked so well by switching Turkoglu for Vince Carter even though they could have used both. Vince suits more of a traditional style and the ‘different’ style was basically what beat the Cavaliers.

Because they got rid of their competitive advantage, Shaq is down low, and the Magic won't shoot 90% from 3 again, they can beat the Magic in the postseason.

The Cavaliers won’t beat the Spurs and here’s why:

They added a 4th banana in Richard Jefferson, that can hang with LeBron athletically.
The balance of the Spurs vs. the unbalanced Cavs attack. If Mike Brown hasn't found one in 4 years, why now?
While the Cavs have the best player on the floor, the Spurs might have the next best 4.
I try not to bet against the Spurs, Tim Duncan, Greg Popovich.

Final Prediction: Cavaliers lose in the NBA finals to the San Antonio Spurs 4-3

Is This The End For Brady Quinn?

2009-10-14T03:02:00.009-04:00

The Brady Quinn Trade Rumors are picking up and and snowballing down toward the October 20th NFL Trade Deadline.

Does the combination of Brady Quinn putting his Cleveland area house up for sale, and not being a part of Mangini's posse mean that Brady will get traded?

I love the Browns... they are only team in any sport that could complete the 'trade three 1st rounders' in 6 months trifecta.

If Brady Quinn does in fact get traded it will mean, for the 3rd time, a Browns 1st round draft pick with promise will be traded at the very bottom of their potential trade value.

Will Brady Quinn be the next the Brown traded for peanuts and that will outperform for another team? (I also wrote about this topic in the Browns Post-Braylon future here.)

Eric Mangini: Alex, I'll take a 4th round pick for Brady Quinn. : (

There is no way that Brady has much value; he has looked lost out on the field and he won't pay any immediate value to the team that goes for him.

That in addition to the Mangini looking more desperate to get out of this then an awkward blind date where the only conversation is about how long the waiter is taking, followed by even more akward time killing fake laughs.

Do you sit there and take it, or chance the third floor bathroom window?

Either way, this situation won't end up well.

Report Card Week 5: Browns at Bills

2009-10-11T22:37:00.019-04:00

Quarterbacking: F
The Stat Line: Derek Anderson 2/17 23yds 1.4avg 0tds 1 int 15.1 QB rating

The Response: The perfect storm. It happened. The combination of gale force winds, 6+ drops from the receivers (this includes Robert Royal dropping a 30 yard lob pass that hit him in the face), classic Cleveland Brown Run Run Pass (RRP) shenanigans, and DA just sucking overall.

What can we take forward from this? Nothing, forget that it ever happened.

DA is no way as bad as the stat line would show. Oh yeah DA sucked... and won with the fewest completed passes since the deadball era... but he is better then he showed on Sunday.

Running Game: C-

Looking purely at the rush total (the Browns rushed for 171yds by the way) you could try and convince yourself that, "hell yeah, the Browns are getting that running game we need on lock down and '03 Jamal is back and that Woody Hayes just came down from the heavens to grace the Browns run game."

Check this out:
Taking out Jamal's run of 18 yards and Cribbs 31 yard gadget run, the Browns run game did this:

Browns: 122 yards on 39 carries for 3.1 yards
Jamal Lewis (w/o 18 yard rush): 99 yards on 30 carries for 3.3 yards

And not only that, Jamal brought the full post 2006 bag of tricks which included the choppy steps, the lack of speed, average power, and the inability to run in a straight line, something that still confuses me. So don't be fooled into thinking that we are capable or average just yet.

P.S. James Harrison didn't bring his Cincy A game either (8 rushes for 21 yards) but he earned the chance to get more touches. I really don't see what the guy needs to do to get more chances; he already showed himself to be a guy who can handle at 15+ carries a game and provide some home run ability that Jamal doesn't have.

Receiving game: F
Of Derek Anderson's passes, the receivers dropped about half of them. Oops. But do remember:

Our receiving corp consists of 2 rookies
One of them in Mohammed Massaqoui who has been placed with no. 1 receiver duties in the NFL in 4 weeks
Chansi Stuckey, another random Jets back up who got off a flight from New York City 6 minutes before game time
Mike Furrey who spends much of his time running around our defensive backfield
And Royal Robertson who I'm am seconds away from crowning the 'new Braylon' because: He gets a bunch of passes thrown to him (because he is the safety checkdown guy) and drops pretty much everything that would be a 3 or lower of the difficulty scale

This posse would have its work cut out for it in the Big Ten let alone the NFL.

Run Defense: B+
The Browns run defense wasn't as sad as were usually accustomed to. Taking away the 40 rush yards by the new white Michael Vick, Trent Edwards, the Bills would have held to 105 yards on 31 carries = 3.8 yards a rush.

The whole group did a nice job against one of the better dual threat tandems in the league in Fred Jackson and Cleveland Sports Nation Legend, the immortal Marshawn Lynch.

The reason why the didn't get an A is because Trent Edwards got 40 yards rushing, you serious?

Pass Defense: A-
The Brown pass defense held Terrell Owens and Lee Evans to 55 yards receiving and Trent Edwards to 152 yards passing overall.

The pass defense played well but it had just as much to do with the heavy nautical gale force winds, Trent Edwards being the 2009 version of Brady Quinn, and the inability of the Bills pass game all year.

I personally think T.O. is probably at about Defcon 4 (5) for the T.O. meltdown crisis meter.

And if I had to place an over under on the first time T.O. loses on Trent Edwards or calls him gay on national TV stations, it'd be week 7. The combination of the Browns of all teams locking him up for 4 catches, a 0 catch game against Darrele Revis and the Jets, and finally a 2 catch game and loss against Carolina should just about do it.

Special Teams: A
Special Teams kicked ass in basically every way.

The special teams and the D is what we can take with us against Pittsburgh, besides a W; because we won I guess, the NFL technically has to give it to us.

Summary of the special teams and basically the whole game:

The kicker scored all of the Browns points
The punter punted it like a million times, putting it inside the 20 7 times and in the 1 3 times (I think that's right anway)
The punt coverage did some bad ass punt coveraging
The special teams fumble recovery at about the 20 in the last few minutes sealed the deal

Your week 4 MVP!11111 WOOOOO P Dave Zastudile

Official Grade for Week 2: C- Because the goodness of the defense and a W doesn't have the cosmic polarity needed to pull up the black hole of an offense.

My Personal Status this Week: Thinking that if there we're ever a win I wouldn't take it's this one. But we take what we can get...

The Browns Future Post-Braylon

2009-10-09T17:04:00.000-04:00

I know we got rid of a guy in Braylon that really didn't want to be here, and got into some trouble, and hasn't played well, but here is what worries me. The Browns are going in the complete wrong direction.

Eric Mangini is tearing down a team that was already torn down.

We have traded away in the last 6 months:

Braylon Edwards, a probowl receiver and a top 5 pick that has flashed the potential of being a top 5 receiver and is 26.
Kellen Winslow, a probowl tightend with top end talent, that caught 80 balls for us twice, and is 26.
(And people forget about this) A top 5 player in the 2009 NFL draft. From that you should expect a playmaker and an impact player for years to come. I.E. a Crabtree, Sanchez, Orakpo or whoever else was available.

What we got back:

Alex Mack (on the high end) a top center for the next decade.
Mohammed Massaqoui, flashed in the week 4 game but has been projected as a number 2 guy.
David Veikune, yeah uh David Veikune.
Various 5th round picks.
Jets legends Chansi Stuckey, Abe Elam, that one QB, the special teams dude, and another guy I can't think of.
3rd round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, someone with a 50/50 chance of staying in the league and whom we won't see for another year.

So in essence we traded 3 possible franchise cornerstones for a pieces parts poo poo platter. A platter that consists of guys that range from 'decent players' to 'might not be in the league in 2 years.'

So this is the key question. When and where are the Browns going to get the guys that are really good?

Like, championship teams have really really good players and some of those players have off the wall personalities. I don't think the Browns can just keep jettisoning every guy they don't like, get lesser value, and expect to win.

I don't even disagree with trading guys but the value needs to come with it, otherwise the team is regressing.

The Browns have already gotten rid of a top 5 pick. Gotten rid of 2 Probowlers. Not to mention Cleveland already being a destination where few quality free agents want to touch because our weather blows and the coach is an ass.

So, where are the premium players going to come from?

The Braylon Edwards to Jets Trade

2009-10-08T05:59:00.012-04:00

In case you are the only person that didn't know and you get all your Cleveland Sports News on this blog. I know I do. Here's what went down:

Cleveland Browns get:

Chansi Stuckey WR; a slot, back up type player
Jason Trusnik LB; a special teams guy basically
3rd round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft (could possibly upgrade to a 2nd)
5th round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft

New York Jets get:

Braylon Edwards WR; a huge boost, extra weapon, and down field threat for a Jets club that is already a contender in the AFC.

Braylon Edwards probably ended up dropping this pass, but he flashed greatness.

My thoughts on the trade and the ramifications of what went down are here.

2009 NFL Draft Do Over

2009-10-02T18:10:00.015-04:00

I know its 3 weeks into the season, but if I had to go back in time, (like some crappy Back to the Future spinoff movie) help GM George Kokinis, and make the picks myself. This is what I would draft.

The rules:

I’ll use all the information I know now to make the best picks. It’s 3 weeks in so it doesn’t change a whole lot.
I’m going to stick with the trade deals already done, using the other possible combinations would have been a pain in the ass, I am a lazy blogger.
Any of my new opinions in between the draft and now affecting my decisions, I’ll highlight in red.
I love talking about the NFL draft but I didn't have a blog 5 months ago, my bad.
I'll have the original Die Hard on in the background while I write this up.

1.21 (C Alex Mack) my pick: RT Michael Oher ~ I would have made this pick the day of the draft. Oher was talked about as being a top 5 talent and a prospect up there with Andre Smith. Then he fell to divisional douchebags the Baltimore Ravens. The guy was an absolutely ridiculous value at 21 and have been more important to the right side then I ever would have imagined a couple months ago.

Other options: Percy Harvin; Half crazy, apparently lives in 'Percyland' and has top 5 talent getting picked 15 spots too later. I wouldn't have touched him at draft time but the guy looks like he has some Randy Moss potential here. Early in his career he looks THAT good.
________

2.02 (WR Brian Robiskie) OLB Rey Maualuga ~ I think me and everyone else in Cleveland makes this pick. Playmaker, seemingly plays pissed off all the time, already a starter in Cincy, and a funny ass dude on hard knocks.

Other options would have been pass rushers and beast athletes Everette Brown, Clint Sintim, and Connor Barwin.
______

2.18 (WR Mohammed Massaqoui) RB LeSean McCoy ~ Our receiver depth was (and is) terrible but how did we not go for a playmaking dual threat RB here? I like Mohammed and he probably was the pick that disappointed me least, but how could they not see the glaring weaknesses at RB staring the Browns right in their face?

This coming from a guy who runs a 5 wide set every single play in Madden.

All of the seemingly common sense picks (Oher, Maualuga, McCoy, and Smith) are starting or seeing good amount of playing time already.

Other options: Current bad ass and former top 15 prospect S William Moore, WR Mohammed Massaqoui, DT Fili Moala, OLB freak of nature project Michael Johnson.
_______

2.20 (David Veikune) CB/S Sean Smith ~ Smith coming out of Utah was to be a projected corner at 6'4". Can you imagine how much Smith would have helped playing opposite of Eric Wright and moving McDonald to slot CB? Veikune is a project with average upside...

This is the pick that won the "I hurled the most Cheetos and F-Bombs at my TV award."

Other options: CB Sean Smith, Utah.
_______

4.04 (ILB Kaluka Maiava) S Chip Vaughn ~ I hate to be THAT guy but I don't care. We can't be drafting undersized guys in a 3-4 defense that relies on it's line backers to play big, fast, and physical.

The Browns could have used a physical and intangiblerific Vaughn... a big play and safety blanket TE... a good value at CB... a big, stretch out the field WR... all of which were still available over a projected backup linebacker.

Other options: CB D.J. Moore, WR Louis Murphy, TE Shawn Nelson
_________

6.04 (CB Don Carey) C A.Q. Shipley ~ Shipley is a little undersized but a top performer in the physical Big 11 conference. A 6th round pick for a guy with his kind of track record would have been an awesome value and possibly our answer at Center. Don Carey going down for the season made my decision a little easier.
_________

6.18 CB Coye Francies ~ Love it and loved it.

6.22 RB James Davis ~ Still my boy.
_________

Final 2009 Cleveland Sports Nation, NFL Draft list:
1.21 OT Michael Oher
2.02 LB Rey Maualuga
2.18 RB LeSean McCoy
2.20 CB Sean Smith
4.04 SS Chip Vaughn
6.04 C A.Q. Shipley
6.18 CB Coye Francies
6.22 RB James Davis

The Browns; the DA and BQ Meltdown of Week 3.

2009-09-28T16:43:00.007-04:00

You may or may not have read a couple posts down, in which I actually gave the Cleveland Browns credit for sticking with the guy they chose, Brady Quinn. And for not pulling a Todd Hailey and keeping a QB competition going while just giving 63 mil and the keys to the franchise to Matt Cassel.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why should I give the Browns credit for anything?

How the hell does Eric Manigini, as an 'NFL head coach' (I am about to citizen's arrest that title away from him) take out Brady Quinn when the game was lost by halftime? Then put Derek Anderson into a suicide mission.

A mission that would include trying to captain a 20+ point comeback, against a premium Ravens defense, that knows that the Browns will throw the ball on every play. He made a move that a drunk, incoherent, and pissed off fan would make during a game.

He's Derek Anderson, not effin' James Bond.

Let Brady finish the game.

Then at the very, very, very least switch to Derek Anderson week 4 against the Bengals with a clean slate. Instead it almost seems like Mangini enjoys crushing the confidence of of all the players on his team.

First it is waiting until days before game 1 to actually choose a QB... to this nonsense. The team was never ever given a chance to get behind someone.

I have never seen an organization that seems so lost and one that seems to set up it's players for failure like I've seen here in Cleveland.

Oh yeah and here is the weekly report card of week 3. I'll save us all some time.

Quarterbacking: F
Running Game: F
Receiving Game: F
Run Defense: F
Pass Defense: F
Special Teams: F
My personal status for Week 3: Def-con 4.5. I may be one more week from declaring the 2010 NFL Draft Cleveland's Superbowl.

Will Eric Berry be the prize for all the torture we have seen? Or will we trade back 30 spots to take the best guard available?

Official Grade for Week 2: F

At the very least this week will be very interesting up until the Browns actually take the field.

Late.

5 Quick Tips To Make The Cleveland Browns Viable:

2009-09-26T22:44:00.020-04:00

1.) Mangini needs to stop playing dictator and be an NFL coach.
I understand this is going to be an organization of control and that Eric Mangini wants to have the club exactly the way he wants it and blah blah blah. I get it… we all do.

It seems to me that he thinks his players are pawns in his personal game of chess.

Well as far as I can tell, football players are in fact human beings, and that they need to be completely in sync for any chance of success. They have to be willing to put it all on the line for one another and their coach.

So what happens when you back stab one of your players and drop a $1700 finefor a $3 bottle of water? I don’t know about you, but I’d find it completely ridiculous and wonder what the hell is going on inside this guy's head. And it wouldn’t surprise me if that wasn’t talked about throughout the locker room and throughout the league.

This kind of stuff spreads.

Mangini needs to stand back a bit manage the egos of his players and not just treat them like 5 year olds. This isn’t a college team with kids that will take any direction you give them. And just signing on backups that do all of your bidding doesn’t win championships either.

P.S. And what about free agents; if Cleveland wasn’t a less desirable destination already, adding ‘coach is an ass’ pretty much seals the deal.

2.) Take shots down field.
While we may not have a constant home run threat kind of team, the Cleveland Browns NEED to give defenses something to think about. Shrinking the field from the line of scrimmage to 5 yards down the field and asking for success consistently is just too much to ask. Having to run 14 plays to score a TD each time is too much to ask.

The Cleveland Browns aren’t a good enough team to play at that level of conservatism and be successful.

Braylon should be at the top of the league in penalties for excessive celebrations. The current situation is unacceptable.

You might say “Brady can’t recognize guys down field.” Definitely understandable.

My response would be to design some plays that can make it clearer for Brady. Some sort of designed roll out to Braylon's side or a play action pass never crossed anyone's mind?

3.) Throw the ball beyond the 1st down mark when it is 3rd down.
It's so obvious but is the most glaring, fixable weakness. Not to mention the thing that turns me from calm and attentive to Ron Artest. I swear all crappy teams have this problem. Well that and posting up 3’s on every decent offensive drive.

Cleveland Browns: 6/26 on 3rd down
Opposing Teams: 14/29

You can find those stats and other seasonal stats here. Check them out if you enjoy being sad, depressed, and disappointed.

4.) Play to our strengths.
Get Braylon the ball; he is our best (and arguably only) offensive threat. Let Josh Cribbs focus on being the best special team player in the league and wild cat option. Let Shaun Rogers run wild and give him support to maximize his effectiveness.

Running a certain system is good and all, but let the playmakers we’ve got make plays.

Let Shaun Rogers play tailback. He can do whatever the hell he wants, I don't care.

The Colts get the ball to Reggie Wayne because he is a playmaker. The Titans get the ball to Chris Johnson because he makes plays. The Ravens give Ed Reed extra freedom because he makes plays.

On the other hand the Lions can’t get the ball to Calvin Johnson and they are the Lions. The Bears moved Devin Hester away from returning kicks and isn’t nearly as effective.

5.) Less Browns screens and use more Bubble screens.
The Browns screen is the bane of my existence. It's on the short list along with cold weather, Miller Lite, Brett Farve, the TV show "Friends" and high maintenance chicks.

The definition of the Browns screen: that thing where the QB takes a 1 step drop, fires the ball laterally to the receiver behind the line of scrimmage, and proceeds to get dropped for a 3 yard loss.

If you just start paying attention to this, you'll see how many millions of plays are wasted on this nonsense.

Bubble screens, in contrast, are sweet.

It is the classic drop back, invite the pressure, and dump the ball off to the running back with blockers set up to be in front. It actually makes sense for a team that has an offensive line that collapses on itself like a dying star.

----------------------------------
You got any tips for the Browns regime? What would you do different?

Leave some comments.

Late.

At Least The Browns Aren't The Kansas City Chiefs

2009-09-25T18:28:00.010-04:00

I was watching some ESPN First Take (yeah, definitely not one of my proudest moments) and they were talking about which QBs were on the hot seat. You know, the usual stuff for ESPN the day after week 2.

They begin to roll through the usual suspects, JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Jake Delhomme, and then.......... Matt Cassell. I did one of those over-reactive double takes like they would do in 90s comedies. Points of reference would include, the times when the kids suddenly realize their parents are coming home early during a huge house party or when it dawns on the kids that they forgot grandma in Vermont.

Anyway if you didn’t already know, Matt Cassel, the Chiefs QB, this past off-season was brought in for an early 2nd round pick and given a 60 million dollar contract over 6 years with 28 million guaranteed. The whole sane world including me, would think the Chiefs gave up a king’s ransom for at the very, very least a Tony Romo, Matt Hasslebeck, Matt Shaub tier starting QB.

Then I found that Chiefs coach Todd Hailey recently said, "You’ve got to ultimately do what you think gives your team the best chance to win. If that means another quarterback being in there other than Matt Cassel, then sign me up." The guy almost sounds like he would be happier if someone other then Cassel was successful.

How about this… get behind the guy you just gave the keys to your franchise. The guy comes off an injury like 6 days ago, throws 2 picks against an underrated Raiders defense, and now Brodie Croyle is in the conversation?

What is going on here?

These coaches and GMs supposed to be smarter then me, and you, and anyone else we know. So why not evaluate the guys you have, and then MAKE A DECISION. Better yet make a decision before you give a guy Lil Wayne money.

Todd Haley: We just gave you enough money to buy your own private jet but you better watch yo back.

Haley also said, “Our whole goal is to get competition at as many positions as we can, quarterback being one of those.” Seriously? I understand the 3rd corner position being up in the air, or the 4th linebacker, but this is the leader of the team. It takes TIME to build consistency, belief, and chemistry with his guys.

And now you give Cassel something else to think about? And that something to think about is freaking Brodie Croyle?

So how long do you give the guy you gave All Pro money if he starts out up and down? 4 games? 8? But when Brodie comes in throws 5 picks in a game, where does that leave you? A complete and total melt down in KC... worse?

This isn’t Madden, where you can swap your QBs in and out every game because a guy’s overall number goes from 81 to a 79 and the backup is an 80.

Picking a QB works like this; make a decision on the better guy, inspire confidence in the guy you just chose and make sure the other guys are always ready to go. Seems simple to me anyway.

Oh yeah, and this article is just as much about the Browns as is the Chiefs. Stick with the guy you chose Eric Mangini until it is painfully obvious Brady Quinn is not the guy/

Browns Report Card Week 2

2009-09-23T19:13:00.009-04:00

Quarterbacking: D-
The performance at QB last week is something I really, really want to forget about. Brady just did not look comfortable in his own skin. Pressure was coming off and on, but he constantly put his head down and bailed out of the pocket a second to early.

Brady needs to stand tall in the pocket, make the decision, and just chuck the rock. When he has to take the hit, take the hit. When he has to scramble, scramble. I’m praying its something he and the coaching staff can work out as it goes.

The Browns organization needs to pull a Mighty Ducks and do the equivalent to tying Goldberg up to the goal posts and relentlessly firing hockey pucks at him. Goldberg realizes he’s OK and has nothing to fear; he then immediately turns into the Minnesota pee wee hockey Patrick Roy. The same type of realization needs to happen with Brady Quinn.

Mangini needs to turn Brady Quinn in a star QB as Gordon Bombay turned Goldberg (above) into Dominik Hasek.

Brady needs to shed that fear. Only then can he stand comfortably in the pocket and fire away to his receivers.

Running Game: D
The running game sucks. The Browns are unable to consistently create holes and allow Jamal bust of massive runs like he’s been used to. (aka the 12 yard run, because I think that as far as he can go)

Receiving: C-
Let’s end the debate right now. Josh Cribbs needs to do what he does best; play top end special teams and run the wildcat. Is that not enough? Just because a guy can make some plays in the open field doesn’t mean he should be a starting receiver in the NFL. Cribbs has never even played WR until now. C’mon Mangini, I'd like to be cowboys from Arizona or pimps from Oakland but it's not Halloween. Grow up; Peter Pan, Count Chocula.

We have guys that were drafted to be number 2s. You may have heard of them, they are Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Masseseseqkuois.

I hope Robo starts playing for the all the Free Brian Robiskie websites start popping up.

Robiskie is not running with the number ones because of his inconsistency at the receiver and special teams. Two things; how does a guy mature if he is not allowed to make mistakes? And since when do number 2 receivers, need to excel on special teams? He’s a top pick for a reason, let him make some plays. Top picks need to be allowed to make mistakes, it’s just a part of the game.

BYU rookie Austin Collie and Mount Union legend Pierre Garcon (one year out of D-3) are both starting for Indy. I realize it is Peyton Manning throwing them the ball, but it's vital that the rooks see a decent amount of time on the field.

Run Defense: F
What else can really be said? We haven’t stopped anyone in ten years. Not Natrone Means, not Correll Buckhalter. I’ve come to grips with this fact.

Pass Defense: F
When old white possession receivers repeatedly burn the corners, it’s probably a bad sign. It’s like Wally Szcerbiak posterizing an entire NBA ball club. It’s embarrassing, disheartening, and suicide for morale. Am I exaggerating? Maybe, maybe not…

My money is on Brendan Haywood (aka Wizards stiff) coming out of the right side of the pic and sending the ball into the 4th row.

Special Teams: B
Will our ‘future number 2 receiver’ Brian Robiskie fulfill his special team potential? Will Phil Dawson win the scoring MVP for the Browns for the 8th straight year? Will Josh Cribbs add defensive tackle to his poo-poo-platter of positional roles? Tune in throughout the season to find out.

Official Grade for Week 2: D-

My Personal Status: It’s like in Independence Day where the Alien mega ships are quietly hovering over important national buildings and you kinda know what’s going to happen next…

I think I might have halfway talked myself into a ‘kinda half outside chance’ at the Browns maybe stealing a win. If you didn’t close this page halfway through the sentence, here it is:

If the Browns can get into Flacco’s head early, the rest of the offense is definitely stoppable. They play makers on the outside are definitely containable.
The running backs will be the toughest test, so the Browns need to bring something special. The LBs need to play waaaaay over their heads.
The Ravens D has shown some vulnerability even with that Darren Sproles play that plays repeatedly on ESPN. He’s 5’3, get over yourself Ray Lewis.
The Browns need a big play or 5.
With Lewis, Harrison, and Davis, there needs to be some life in the running game. They don’t have to be world beaters, just mix the offense up and eat some clock.
Josh Cribbs needs to have a big game returning the ball. Like a TD and great field position big.

Everyone in the world thinks the Ravens will win and win big. EVERYONE. It’s one of those things where it is soooooooo lopsided that the Browns could stand a chance to win. And I pray… Amen…

The Case for Brady Quinn

2009-09-21T06:23:00.006-04:00

Brady sucked last week, Brady sucked this week. I get it.

But there's also the fact that QBs do suck in there first few starts. I know that Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez have been lighting it up but there situations are different.

Matt Ryan has a decent line, a 1700 yard runner behind him, and a coach that doesn't restrict the field for him. Sanchez (lets not forget he's only 2 games in) has a ridiculous front line, and a running game that allows him to throw the ball 15 or 20 times a game.

Give Brady a chance. He has freaking old JAMAL LEWIS as his number 1 behind him, a right side of the line that collapses habitually, and 1 solitary play maker that everyone game plans for. (Remember when people actually wanted to trade Braylon for a 2 and a 5?) Not to mention play calling that restricts him to 6 yards down the field.

Your Cleveland Browns running game in 2009.

Imagine a team with no run game (it's not very hard, is it?) that the coaching staff makes you throw it 25+ times a game within a 6 yard radius, and that has no creativity at all. All the while you've got 5 starts (give or take). (And don't forget the run run pass style of offense that keeps putting the Browns in 3rd and 8.)

I'm not saying Brady is going to be great. But throw him a bone, give him this year, and let him try to develop. Honestly, what the hell do we have to lose anyway?

Remember, if somehow he can improve in this horrid situation, he could be the greatest QB ever to live.

And if he is horrible this year, we can always edit this into the Jevan Snead for the Browns blog post. He's pretty sweet.

Cleveland Browns Report Card Week 1:

2009-09-14T03:53:00.006-04:00

Quarterbacking: D+
I wanted to have Brady higher but he was more on the side of Troy Smith in the OSU Florida National Championship game rather then a solid NFL QB. I think he counted to 2 one thousand then bailed out of the pocket faster then a bat out of hell. Unfortunately lack of poise in the pocket is pretty much the calling card of any backup QB. (It’s only game one but still)

And until garbage time, I only remember him throw one long pass and that was the turd he threw right to the Vikings defender. I hope Brady and the coaches can get some more chances down field next week.

You won't see more shirtless dudes in one place then a Brady Quinn Google pic search.

Running Game: C+
Considering the Browns were going up against the premiere run defense of our generation, they actually did alright. I gotta give Jamal his props because he was one of the few guys that who knew what the hell he was doing on Sunday.

Receiving Game: Inc
I couldn’t tell whether it was the Browns receivers not getting open or Brady not recognizing open receivers down field. What I could tell is that anyone including Royal Robertson (thanks Brian Billick) who ran a route between -2 and 4 yards down the had a pretty good day. That excites me about as much the weekly hungover phone call to my parents.

We’ll find out more next week.

Run Defense: D-
They bottled up ADP for like 2.5 quarters. And I bet you were feeling pretty good about our run defense up till half time. (Shit I know I was.)

Pass Defense: B
I think if they actually more of a job to do, this grade probably would have went down. Can’t complain though.

Special Teams: A
Answer me this: How the hell did the Browns of all teams end up with the most dominant special team player of all time? They just better not ruin Cribbs by burning him out playing too many different positions on the field. If the Browns hurt one hair on Josh's hair from overuse, I will burn… Utica… to the ground.

Josh Cribbs = The Jack Bauer of Cleveland Browns Fooball. Romeo, formerly the Kim Bauer.

The official Grade for week 1: D+

My personal status: Hoping that Troy Smith doesn’t show up to CBS next week.

There’s not a whole lot to take forward to next week. Personally I’ll just try and forget what happened. We are a team trying to put things together, playing a Superbowl contender that does certain things unbelievably well. Now if the Broncos come in here next week and Kyle Orton and Correll Buckhalter drop 34 on us next week there will be hell to pay.

James Davis OK For Week 1?

2009-09-12T21:10:00.006-04:00

The Canadian Press Reports, yeah I said the Canadian Press put out a report that Cleveland Browns RB James Davis incurred an unspecified injury to this head while getting in a minor car accident.

I'm pouring one out for our homie JD this weekend.

Lets hope that he's good to go for his sake and the sake of the Browns. We need him tomorrow to run for a 150, because that's our only hope. And if he comes back and tears up the Vikings after a crash. He will automatically become Cleveland's and the Cleveland Sports Nation Blog personal hero.

I'm Done With The Cleveland Indians. And You Should Be Too.

2009-09-12T20:39:00.000-04:00

I haven't ever boycotted a Cleveland team but I have finally drawn the line.

The Cleveland Indians spent the better part of the 2000s building a young team with star hitters and star pitchers we could get attached to. A team that we liked. And in '07 it culminated with a near run to the World Series. The Indians of '95 was starting to make its way back in a different form.

The Indians had the young players to compete year in and year out for seemingly a half decade or more... And it was all blown up in a matter of 18 months.

2007 Cleveland Indians

Victor Martinez C (28 years old)
Ryan Garko 1B (26)
Josh Barfield 2B (24)
Jhonny Peralta SS (25)
Casey Blake 3B (33)
Jason Michaels LF ( 31)
Grady Sizemore CF (24)
Trot Nixon RF (33)
Travis Hafner DH (30)
Fausto Carmona P (23)
Cliff Lee P (28)
C.C. Sabathia P (26)

Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera waiting on this bench.

Your 2009 Cleveland Indians:

J Carroll 2B
L Valbuena SS
S Choo RF
J Peralta 3B
T Hafner DH
M LaPorta LF
K Shoppach C
N Romero 1B
T Crowe CF
Fausto Carmona P
Carlos Carrasco P
Justin Masterson P

The Indians then traded any player of value and then tried to deceive us into thinking that it's us versus them, that we'rethe new prototype, and that the future would infact be ours. Wait, wasn’t '07 the future? We had the damn future two years ago. What is going to happen when (if?) the Tribe gets back to the top again? Another blow up and self off before we even reach the top?

When Albert wasn't running over trick-or-treaters he was a pretty sweet ball player.

The Indians were smart enough to realize how to accumulate talent and create a team. Then they panicked and blew it up when they knew GOOD PLAYERS WOULD ACCTUALLY AS FOR MORE MONEY. This is just as much MLB's fault for the ridiculous salary situation, but this is the Cleveland Indians and our problem.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (try to) build and spend around LeBron. The Cleveland Browns have spent, but unfortunately are the Browns. They are at least commited to bring a winner and an entertaining product.

The only main meal ticket right now is Travis "Vin Diesel" Hafner. The awesome thing about the Diesel is that you can use the Fast and the Furious lines in pretty much any baseball situation that he is in:

Like when at bat, "We're not on your block any more Tran (or insert X pitcher here). You better watch who you talk to like that."
Or "I never narc’d on nobody! I never narc’d on nobody!"

NNNNOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!111111

So I guess I'll see the 8 fans who are left and Vin Diesel (because you know he isn't going anywhere) in 2011. I guess that is when we are projected to be relevant again, if all of the prospects and luck break exactly right.

At least in the NFL and NBA, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!11 The Cleveland Indians and the MLB is far too predictable.

Indians Boycott Day: 42

Notre Dame vs. Michigan Live Blogcast 4th Quarter

2009-09-12T19:33:00.007-04:00

14:30: I gotta give it up to Tate Forcier. He went Allen Iverson, straight broke the ND DB's ankles, and then shot out of a cannon for a TD. The Michigan offense has gone fucking bananas in the second half. Mich leads 31-20.

Random Analysis: It looks like playing sup par in the first half helped the Wolverines in the 2nd. ND was probably cruising at the half and saying "lets do what we do and everything will take care of itself." Michigan on the other hand has adjusted their defense by sending in more guys to create pressure. And on offense they've added some more mix up in their run game. ND looks like it's been completely caught off guard the total yards are nearly identical again.

13:04: Golden Tate drops a sure cup cake home run touchdown pass. Then Clausen is forced to use a second time out. I'm not sure how many more stomach punches ND can handle. 3rd and 10 at the 30.

11:11: Golden Tate with another 30 yard TD drop in the endzone. Golden's unofficial drop stats: At least 2 catches, 100+ yards, 2+ Tds.

9:46: Golden Tate catches a TD identical to the Michael Crabtree catch against Texas Tech last year. Can he please decide whether he's really good or really sucks? ND scores and misses the 2, Mich leads 31-26.

9:02: ABC game break: Florida beats the shit of out Troy. Yeah thanks for the update guys.

7:42: Forcier makes his first big mistake of the day. He throws a pick to white DB and does the classic "I'm a DB and I got the ball so even if I have to run backwards I don't care cause I got the ball WOOOOOOO!!" I love it because you never know what will happen when a DB handles the ball. There's pitches, dudes palming the ball as they run, QBs trying to tackle and cacthing the occasional viscous block, guys running south to north, anything.

5:13: Straight methodical: ND takes it right down for a TD. ND leads 32-31.

5:10: ND then busts out the Boise State STATUE OF LIBERTY play for the 2. This game is absolutely ridiculous. ND leads 34-31.

4:15: College Game Break: Houston beats Oklahoma State 45-35. Andre Ware is smiling from up above... ninja edit, I just was told that Andre Ware is still with us...

3:20: Forcier rallies and takes Michigan to about mid field. Then on 3 and 14, guns a ball just out of a wide open receivers range. Mich punts and needs the defensive stop of a life time.

2:19: Clausen misses a wide open Shaq Evans with his back turned. ND punts.

1:40: Michigan and Forcier at the ND 40 and down 3. They can't afford to use the clock the way they did in the first half.

0:32: Again Mich uses up nearly 2 minutes to move about 20 yards. They also use up their last time out. Nice.

0:22: Forcier is a man child. He stands tall in the pocket and completes a pass to the 4.

0:16 Forcier again moving around like a mad man fires a pass to Mattews for a td with 11 seconds to go. The stadium is shaking at an 8.6 earth quake rating right now. And you know there's trouble when they flash to the hot chick and it looks like her boyfriend just broke up with here over text 30 seconds earlier. Mich leads 38-24.

0:00: Flash to Rich Rod awkwardly man hugging Tate Forcier thanking him for saving his job for another year.

Final, ND 34 Mich 38.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan Live Blogcast 3rd Quarter

2009-09-12T18:38:00.006-04:00

13:21: Michigan right off the bat turns into the Pat White/Steve Slaton West Virginia team. Forcier and Minor lead the Wolverines right down the field to the 2 yard line in the blink of an eye.

11:43: As weird as the drive begins, the drive gets stoned at the 2 yard line and Michigan is forced kick. The Michigan kicker shanks that kick. ND still leads 20-17.

9:43: After a seemingly normal run up the middle. The RB lays an egg and fumbles at the line of scrimmage. Whenever you think that ND wants to pull away they keep giving it back.

8:20: Shoelace brings Michigan to the 3 and Forcier tosses a short TD pass. The receiver burns what I think was a white DB. I might be talked into changing my mind about the winner if I see more then one white DB on the field at the same time for ND. Mich leads 24-20.

7:00: Ok everyone... lets welcome... for the first time today... the Michigan pass rush!11 (I guess it must have gotten stuck in traffic on the way to the stadium.) ND punts.

5:23: Apparently the Forcier's and the Clausen's are very familiar with each other and that they think each other are 'douches'. Okay I made that up but they do have a healthy dislike for one another. I like it.

4:30: Tate Forcier and Michigan line up at their own 40 on 4th and 3. Everyone in the stadium thinks Michigan and Rich Rod have gone insane. Forcier receives the deep shotgun snap, takes a few steps and then boots like a 50 yard pooch (sp?) punt and it gets downed at the 2. The crowd goes nuts.

3:06: Matt Millen tells us that ND can move up and down the field at will. It must be obvious if even MattMill notices.

2:50: Clausen throws a Browns screen that goes for -1 yards and gives ND a 3rd and 8. When are teams going to finally figure out that it Browns screen doesn't work? There are only 2 players in all of football that can pull it of, and neither Steve Smith nor Wes Welker play college football.

2:42: College Game Break: Houston is down 27-24 against Oklahoma State. Common Houston, lets rally up win one for Heisman legend Andre Ware.

1:03: I'm gaining my second wind after downing 28 ounces of diet Mountain Dew and apparently so is Michigan. Michigan ends the third in rhythm and in control at ND's 30.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan Live Blogcast 2nd Quarter

2009-09-12T17:29:00.006-04:00

12:34: Clausen plays pitch and catch with random receiver from the 2 and scores a TD. While Michigan leads 14-10, ND has looked more proficient and definitely has the momentum.

12:09: Holly Rowe reports that Michigan was about to bring in Denard 'Shoelace' Robinson. Apparently this guy is the Marcus Vick to Tate Forcier's Sean Glennon; and he doesn't like tying his shoelaces when he plays. I want to see Shoelace and I want to see him now.

10:16: ND gets a holding call followed by a delay of game. 1st and 25 for Clausen at his own 20. Millen reassures me that ND will be alright by midseason. Whew thank you Matt Millen.

8:05: Clausen has all day to throw and is basically sniping away from his island in the pocket. It doesn't look like Michigan has an answer on defense.

7:05: Clausen pulls the classic Xbox madden tactic, press pause, scroll through the available receivers, find the tallest guy, put him at your number so position so the best DB isn't covering him, and lob a pass to him in the end zone. TD ND. ND leads 17-14.

6:30: Shoelace is finally in the game. SWEET. Shoelace gets blown up immediately.

6:28: Shoelace is gone. Another 3 and out and that’s Michigan’s 3rd in a row.

5:37: ND's RB Armando Allen goes for another 12 yard run and is has about 100 yards already. It looks like Michigan's cracking and it can't hold anymore water. I'm sure they want to bail and get to half time about as much as I need to take a leak right now. ND driving and at the Michigan 30 again.

3:20: Michigan once again luckily holds ND to a field goal after ND gets a penalty negated a big gain. It appears the ghost of Romeo Crennel and the genius behind the bend don't break but we usually break anyway defense is on the sideline for this game. That could be Michigan's death sentence for this game. ND leads 20-14.

0:24: Rich Rod apparently to a semester at the Romeo Crennel school of clock management... They use up about a minute an a half (with timeouts) to move about 8 yards. This is crazy.

0:10: Timeout ND. What the hell could possess Michigan to waste all of this time? Well now that I think about it, what do I care? I want Mighian to lose.

0:05: The pocket collapses and Forcier gets plowed into the grass while just being able to throw the pass away. Michigan gets a field goal. ND leads 20-17. It seemed like Michigan was allergic to scoring a TD at the end of the half.

Prediction: The score is close. Both teams are trying really hard and stuff... ND wins by 30. And that's without bias. It's going to happen.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan Live Blogcast 1st Quarter

2009-09-12T16:25:00.005-04:00

Pregame: I grab a delicious generic strawberry jello cup and the first voice I hear? Matt Millen. Matt Millen destroys an NFL franchise and within the next month he's the next John Madden? He’s doing college football and I saw him on NFL live recently. How does this happen? What’s next Matt Millen Football 2k11 for Xbox 360?

Pregame: Why did I think Tate Forcier was a black guy? I guess that's how you know it's early in the college season...

13:45: 2 runs and a Browns screen thrown to the tight end. This makes me wonder why I wanted to Blog Cast this game today.

13:20: Clausen hits the tight end on a slant which turns into a 20 yard play. Michigan takes a page out of the Browns play book missing a minimum of 3 tackles on each play before getting anyone down.

11:30: ND driving gets to a 3rd and 5 on Michigan 10. Clausen in a 5 wide runs a QB sneak and gets taken down immediately. Someone needs to fire Charlie Weis on this play alone.

9:37: A quick 3 and out for the legendary Tate Forcier. The Michigan jerseys on my TV look like they are made out of a plusher, velvety material. I'm glad they have finally moved on and embraced their femininity.

8:30: Charlie Weis looks like he's reading of a off an Olive Garden menu over a college football play book. (Note I am not attacking Weis here, it actually looks like he's deciding on either the Pesto or the Fettuccini Alfredo) I guess that's why ND went 3 and out...

7:05: I actually like where Michigan is going. They are mixing up the run game, the Tate Forcier draw, and the deep pass. Forcier completes a 30 yard pass where the receiver makes a nice play to leapfrog the defender. Makes me start to think the Big 10 is finally moving into a positive direction.

6:10: With the good comes the thing I hate most. Forcier completes a Browns screen that gains -2 yards.

4:29: Michigan actually doesn't look horrible. Minor with a 20 yard run off a shotgun draw, then a TD on 1st and goal at the 3. 7-0 Michigan. Is Michigan back? Will they lose by only 2 Tds to the Bucks this year?

4:00: Taco Bell update. Wisconsin wins by a last second field goal over Fresno state to go to 2-0. Seriously isn't Wisconsin the lamest team in the Big 10? It's one of those inexplicable things but you just know.

2:22: ND scores off one of those drop back, purposely let the pocket complete collapse, open field to burn screen plays. Covers 50 yards in about 10 seconds. Thank you ND, for running a *practical* screen pass. One that invites in the D and actually gives the receiver a chance.

0:50: ND 3rd and 5 at the 15 runs a fade pass for the ND marching band on the left side of the end zone. ND hits a short field goal. Michigan leads 7-3.

0:36: In about 8 seconds Michigan scores on a kickoff return Josh Cribbs style. Then a quick pan over to the lame ND mascot with a "I can't believe this just happened awkward smile." The ND mascot is the Wisconsin of all mascots. Michigan leads 14-3.

Richard Seymour Sitting Out '09 In Oakland?

2009-09-11T23:32:00.010-04:00

Richard Seymour hasn't made a move at all since being traded just about a week ago and I can’t see him showing up to Oakland anytime soon. What I can see is Seymour sitting alone in the basement of his 20000 square foot mansion, gently sobbing, and watching videos of the good old days with the Pats.

Seymour is going from the premiere club in the NFL to becoming the best of the bottom of the barrel. Congratulations, Richard Seymour you're the new real life Vin Diesel from XXX.

Steve Francis cried on draft night and cited God's Will for not wanting to get drafted by the Grizz. Richard Seymour is probably figuring the same thing.

With the acquisition of a pissed off Seymour, the Raiders have legit ‘comical disaster of a lifetime’ potential.

The Raiders remind me of this season’s Hard Knocks. The Cincinnati Bengal organization is comprised of a random owner who seems to have too much control with too little football knowledge. And Marvin Lewis trying to corral a bunch of 8 year olds with millions of dollars, some accrued jail time, and access to twitter accounts.

The Raiders however, have the ability to up the stakes in every case. The Raiders are armed with the craziest, most Stalin like owner of any organization in sports. They also have their own group of even more disgruntled 8 year olds being lead by an Idaho coaching retread aka Tom Cable, now most known for allegedly blasting his assistant in his grill. I love it.

Just imagine a world with Hard Knocks, Oakland Raiders:

JaMarcus Russell showing up three hours late to practice in his recently bought chrome helicopter just like the platinum tank in the Make Um Say Uhhh video.
Darrius Hayward-Bey showing up day 1 in 2010 as the real life Willie Mays Hayes.
Seeing Jeff Garcia sneak hits of his flask while the QBs watch tape of the Saints preseason game.
Al Davis on a Playskool telephone Tom Cable set up to try and convince Usain Bolt to come play for him and the Raiders.
Richard Seymour pulling the classic Jim Halpert confused camera look thing 10 or 12 times each episode.

I seriously can’t see why Seymour wouldn’t want to show up to Raider practice?

With a little luck, Davis might take a nap and wake up thinking its a couple years later, then trade Seymour back to the Pats for a 4th round pick.

The possibilities are endless.

USC (-7) @ THE TERRELLE PRYOR UNIVERSITY

2009-09-08T19:29:00.000-04:00

I'm soooooo jacked for this week's OSU game. Eff yeah college football is back. It's so rare that you get two perennial top 10 powers to sack up and battle in the regular season. I am about as jacked to watch this game as I am to watch the '99 Royal Rumble on Justin.tv in like 10 minutes.

I am however, as worried about the Bucks as I am amped up. Just like you guys are. We all saw the massacre that was last year. Todd "Bend it Like" Beckman lead the Bucks into what looked more like a suicide mission then a college football game. It was a joke.

I'm not going to lie, this time around the Bucks need the ghost of Vince Young (no not the Titans one) to come from the heavens and bless Terrelle Pryor where he stands this weekend.

Vince Young errrrr Terrelle Pryor is going to have to show up huge on Saturday.

And while USC has Matt Barkley the first freshman starting QB since 1806 or whatever, they have ridiculous amounts of talent around him. USC has play makers at WR and an RB core deeper then most NFL Pro Bowl teams:

Jr. Joe McKnight (No.1 RB prospect in '07)

Sr. Stefon Johnson (No.2 RB prospect in '06)

Jr. Marc Tyler (No.2 RB prospect in '07)

Sr. CJ Gable (No.9 RB prospect in '06)

Sr. Allen Bradford (No.3 OLB in '06, yeah you read it right, he's an RB now apparently)

Jr. Emmanuel Moody (No.4 in '06, who had to 'downgrade' errrrr transfer to Florida because he couldn't get any playing time at USC)

What needs to happen for the Bucks is this... The Vest needs to bring his A+ game and not whatever the hell he brought against Navy in 'preseason'. The Buckeye D needs to force 3+ turnovers from either turnover prone Joe McKnight or the inexperienced QB Matt Barkley. And the 105,000 strong needs to cause a 9.7 earthquake that would take out half of Tokyo.

That all in addition to Terrelle Pryor going Criss Angel Mind Freak and walking on water. (BTW I'm convinced Criss Angel does magic, no not illusions, actual magic. I am convinced he can actually walk on water and levitate and probably fly. My friend is sure that they found this guy under a pyramid and I'm not so sure he's wrong.)

Anyway... BEWARE of this: If USC puts up 14 unanswered and the Shoe sounds like a library in the middle of the second, the Bucks could lose by 50.

Being honest with myself, I would make it rain PacMan style on USC -7. (That if I wasn't broke as PacMan probably is at this point.) My betting intuition tells me with OSU's recent track record and USC much deeper talent, that line is pretty low. Pray for the Bucks this weekend as at the very least we have a better shot then last year.

The Cleveland Sports Secret: Will The Real QB Please Stand Up?

2009-09-05T17:24:00.001-04:00

This QB controversy has been veiled in secrecy and even more controversy. So I asked myself why Mangini with his Belechikiian (sp?) ways would do all of this. Why would he not reveal who the starting QB was? Why would he keep the Browns looking more like Communist China during the 1970's rather then an average NFL club? Why?

Photo Location: Browns HQ; Berea, Ohio

We at the Cleveland Sports Nation Blog think that maybe they already know the QB answer... No not just Eric Mangini but team itself. Maybe Eric Mangini tells the offense, here's the deal, Brady is the starter but were gonna keep it a secret to try and screw with the Vikings heads week one.

Why even let anyone know the last week of preseason? The starters in the fourth week are sitting on the bench faster then I can even down my second beer, so why start them anyway? The Browns risk the king of all final preseason game clichés, the injury (dun dun dun).

The Belechikk way is to not tell anyone anything at anytime for any reason. I've seen writers say that he owes to it to the players and the fans to decide on a starting qb. My theory is that the players already know, and that we fans don't deserve jack except for W's and Championships.

Most of us have seen the possible 53 man roster, and as we know we need every single possible competitive advantage we can possibly get. It's like a week till the season starts so everyone calm down.

Save your angst until we're 2-6 halfway through the season like I am. (Reverse jinx... or is it?)

NFL Power Rankings: Where Are The Cleveland Browns?

2009-09-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

When you're new to writing stuff you have to jump some obstacles. Preseason is preseason. My Indians boycott (which has been going on since the soul of the team was traded away) still going strong. The Cavs still months away.

Since dissecting every preseason pass attempt by Brady Quinn sounds like the worst thing since being forced to watch the Shrek movie in High School. I'm busting out the NFL Power Rankings gimmick.

Yes I wrote them, yes they are 100% accurate, and yes they have arbitrary Madden style overall numbers.

1.) New England Patriots (97)
Yeah Denny Green I'm gonna crown their collective asses after the third week of the preseason. They are the most loaded team in the NFL an that's that.
2.) Philadelphia Eagles (93)
*Wonders if writing Michael Vick 50 times in a row would attract more readers...
3.) New York Giants (93)
Eli Manning is in the elite amongst the goofiest looking dudes in the league, but is not an elite quarterback. The rest of the team will carry him like they did in '07.
4.)San Diego Chargers (92)

The top receiver of our generation gets his ring this year.

5.) Indianapolis Colts (90)
6.) Tennessee Titans (89)
7.) Dallas Cowboys (88)
8.) Green Bay Packers (88)
9.) Minnesota Vikings (87)
10.) Chicago Bears (86)
I'm watching the US Open as I write this, and the bottom line says Rod Hood just signed a one year deal with the Bears. Yeah the one the Browns cut. I'm having rater's remorse about now.
11.) New Orleans Saints (86)
12.) Baltimore Ravens (85)
13.) Arizona Cardinals (85)
14.) Washington Redskins (83)
I'd have these guys in the bottom third if it weren't for Albert Haynesworth. The Skins are just so pedestrian.
15.) Houston Texans (82)
ESPN's and every other sports analyst's ultra super secret lead pipe safe sleeper every year. Then they go .500. My prediction they go .500.
16.) Atlanta Falcons (81)
No one thinks there is any fluke potential here?
17.) Seattle Seahawks (79)
18.) Carolina Panthers (79)
19.) Cincinnati Bengals (77)
The next line after Rod Hood reads, "Bengal's Andre Smith breaks foot." And I laughed and I laughed.
20.) Jacksonville Jaguars(77)
If the Jags get blacked out and no one sees them play. Did it ever really happen? That joke sucked but it was too easy.
21.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (76)
22.) Cleveland Browns (75)
Nothing ground breaking here. We've got some talent and some potential, some is the key word.

I hope Braylon's got the time to save the franchise while trying to become the first black James Bond.

23.)Buffalo Bills (73)
24.)New York Jets (70)
25.)Denver Broncos (69)
The part of the offense that was worth anything has either been traded away or been suspended. And the Broncos defense was better off not even showing up last year. I can't give them any love this year.
26.)Kansas City Chiefs (68)
27.)Miami Dolphins (68)
28.)Detroit Lions (67)
29.)Saint Louis Rams (66)
30.)San Francisco 49ers (66)
31.)Oakland Raiders (4)
They've actually got a bunch talent and I like them a lot. But for obvious reasons (Al Davis) they are accurately ranked.

15 Fantasy Football Sleepers You Can't Live Without

2009-08-29T03:55:00.000-04:00

This list is based off ESPN's top 200 list. Everyone I've got here is listed outside of the top 70 and may help you win your league this year. For the ones of people that read this blog, you can email me your fantasy questions at csnation1@yahoo.com and I can answer them on the blog.

Eddie Royal, Broncos (74)

Royal is Wes Welker with big play potential. With Brandon Marshall doing basically whatever the hell he wants (not including actually learning the Bronco playbook) Royal could easily catch 100 balls this year. Don't be surprised if he gets a ton of hype closer to the start of the season.

Jay Cutler, Bears (76)

Among the best young fantasy QBs in the league, Cutler is a steal in the 8th. The say he's got no weapons, they say he is playing in the cold weather, blah blah blah. I don't care. Cutler lights up scoreboards like Ricky Williams lights up the chronic. I think he's one of the guys that can make others better then they are. Love him with an upside guy like Carson Palmer. I'd figure at least one of these guys set the world on fire this year.

Jerricho Cotchery, Jets (84)

Cotchery is the ONLY option for the Jets. He's undervalued for a number one. Someone's got to catch the ball for the Jets right? Sorry Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney.

Carson Palmer, Bengals (86)

The guy has potential for 4200 yards and 30 tds, but he's an injury risk. My advice: man up and take a chance.

Lance Moore, Saints (93)

The Mark Duper to Dan Marino's OJ McDuffie. He had 5 games with at least 15 fantasy points in '08.

LeSean McCoy, Eagles (100)

He'll get his chance in Philly. Bryan Westbrook is tough but has more injury problems then Tim Taylor on a bad week of Home Improvement. Shady is a good bench option with potential to be a number 2 or 3 back if Westy misses portions of the season. (A must handcuff for Westbrook)

Derrick Mason, Ravens (101)

Can he put up another 1000 and 5 before he gently gets placed in some football museum... maybe?

Josh Morgan, 49ers (107)

Probably the number one guy in San Fran. With Crabtree and the Brain Trust (aka his crazy family advisers) turning down tens of millions of dollars, Morgan has even less players to share with. Break out potential.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks (127)

Great back up guy and spot starter. Awesome value late especially if you get a QB with a solid injury record earlier. Was a 6th or 7th round guy this time last year without TJ Housh.

Dustin Keller, Jets (132)

Tony Scheffler, Broncos (144)

Kevin Boss, Giants (139)

John Carlson, Seahawks (121)

Visante Shancoe, Vikings (179)

The five pack has very realistic 600 and 6 potential and can be found in the last few rounds. If you don't get a top TE, these guys can get you the production you need while you stockpile upside guys at RB and WR earlier.

Deep Sleeper Territory

Edgerrin James, Seahawks (Off List)

Off the radar right now. Seattle likely would not have signed him if he wasn't going to get a good amount of the carries. Very good upside for someone who might not get drafted at all.

Chris Henry, Bengals (Off List)

Way off the radar right now. As long as he can stay off the injury list or even better jail; he could feasibly catch double digit TDs for the Bengals. A last round swing for the fences.

Off Tangent: Jeremy Schaap Sucks

2009-08-25T23:14:00.001-04:00

I was listening to Romie on my local radio affiliate and came up ESPN’s extra points, aka those cheesy, kind of annoying mini-audio editorial things they play during the commercials. This one featuring Jeremy Schaap. It’s similar to watching a one minute version of that Cold Pizza show on ESPN 2. Watching it in its entirety I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.

Anyway, Jeremy Schaap’s mini-soliloquy just made so little sense I felt an obligation to write something. It is one minute long and you can listen to it here.

Jeremy Schaap’s main point is that the current crop of QB’s is squarely to blame for all of this Farve overkill in the media.

I'm paraphrasing but Schaap basically says, 'It's not Farve's fault that he is still compelling. (Something which I don’t dispute even though I’m a Farve hater.) Also that at 39 is a viable QB and that the current crop is so thin unlike when he was drafted. Back then there was: Montana, Marino, Young, Kelly, Sims, Elway, Aikman, Moon, Esiason (who threw 13 tds and 16 ints in '91), Cunningham, and Kosar.'

And at the end he drops a Shakespear bomb on you saying: "The fault lies not in Farve but in the NFL's own dim stars."

My point: No matter what era, there are QBs that are HoFers and Stars and the guys that are bad. Not everyone can be great. And 1991 was no different.

What he doesn't mention is that there were garbage QBs back then also. Check out these Tecmo Superbowl rejects: Jeff George, Ken O'Brien, Hugh Millen, Neil O'Donnell/Bubby Brister, Steve DeBerg, Jay Shroeder, Dave Kreig, John Freiz, Tom F'ing Tupa (Who is awesome and I want to take off this list), Chris Everett, Steve Walsh/Bobby Hebert, and a downside of his career Jim McMahon.

Old Brett Farve doesn’t cause this identical situation back in '91 for one of those teams?

Take the '91 Lions; they ended up going 12-4 and lost in round 2 (about what the Vikings would be predicted for the Vikings minus Farve) with Rodney Peete and Eric Kramer at QB. Don't tell me if this exact wouldn't happen back then with the Lions to get them over the top?

'91 Lions + '09 Farve?

This Farve nonsense is more a testament to his actions, the Vikings, digital media, and the ratings spikes when this stuff airs. The answer has to do with the lack of QB play in Minnesota but has nothing to do with the current state of the NFL quarterback.

The Brady, Manning, Breez, McNabb, Palmer, Warner, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Rivers, Cutler, Romo, Hasslebeck group isn't too bad either. Not to mention wild cards like Cassell, Sanchez, Flacco, Ryan, and Stafford.

Cleveland Browns: Top QBs in the AFC North?

2009-08-20T13:23:00.000-04:00

Here's the deal everyone. I am going to do a 12 part power ranking post on each of these categories: QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs, OLine, DLine, LBs, DBs, Offense, Defense, Coaching and Organization, and Overall.

(and don't worry they are all gonna be short and quick)

1. Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, C.Batch

The Steelers definitively have the best leadership at the QB position in the AFC North. While Roethlisberger doesn't have all of the physical tools that Palmer does, in the fourth quarter the guy is money. (I am slamming my face against the keyboard as I type this) He is best 4th quarter performer alongside Tom Brady in the last 15 or 20 years. (I am having sucidal thoughts typing that)

2. Bengals: Carson Palmer, JT O'Sullivan

The difference between 1 and 2 here is like a poor man's LeBron and Kobe debate. Would you rather have the best player in the game in the first 3.5 quarters? (Palmer/LeBron) Or have the best end of the fourth closer in the game? (Berger/Kobe) I chose the latter.

Carson is primed for a big season provided he isn't caught hanging out with Ced Benson's posse.

3. Ravens: Joe Flacco, T. Smith

Let me just say this first. I think he is a good QB and had a solid first year. But no one thinks he will have a sophomore slump this year? This guy is gonna keep getting exponentially better? 400 year old Derrick Mason is not going to keep holding up? I think something is going to give this year and he'll come back down to earth a bit. Baltimore also gets bonus points for having the Troy Smith running wilcat formation option thing as well.

4. Browns: Brady Quinn, B. Anderson

Sorry guys, we're last and we all know it. We don't even know who is going to start (even though we do). I am just hoping at least one of the two get some clarity and starting playing QB like they are capable of doing. We've seen flashes from both guys and they've both got potential to climb up this list.

It's 2009 And It's Our Turn To Shine (Pt 2) (Article)

2009-08-18T10:09:00.000-04:00

Fantasy Football Top 1- 24 [By the way, Pt 1 is 2 posts down (players 26-50)]

Oh man, it’s that time of year. It is probably my 6^th favorite time of the year, somewhere between St. Patrick’s Day and the Royal Rumble.

A time where fantasy football nerds (guys like me), casual fans, and your friends dad who has never actually watched football (but is in the league because you need a 10^th) all come together to craft an imaginary team that will determine the course of your respective friendships for the rest of the year. Will there be humiliation or constant gloating? This is what is at stake.

The scoring setup and my philosophies.

ESPN standard scoring setup (no points per reception)

ESPN standard positions (QB, RB, RB, RB/WR, WR, WR, TE, K, D, B, B, B, B, B, B)

I love to get running backs early and often and here’s why.

Top RBs tend to dry up much, much quicker then any other position.

I’d rather get a guy like Clinton Portis in the 1^st and settle for Wes Welker in the 5^th over Fitz and a Jamal Lewis (sorry Jamal) or Willie Parker.

RBs can be duel threat on the ground and in receiving game.

Hoarding RBs is awesome in general.

Final zen like advice: Anyone who gets an opportunity has value. Yes even Ced Benson.

Tiers (Y! avg draft position)

The [Almost] Sure Things

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (1.2)

2. Michael Turner, Falcons (2.6)

The Track Record

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (4.0)

4. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (8.2)

LT2 makes fantasy look good.

LaDainian Tomlinson has probably already seen his best years. I get it. However; he seems to be healthy and if he is 75% of what he was; he has 1200 yds rushing, 500 receiving, and 16td potential or more.

If you are going to chance on a guy (and no matter what pick all guys are risks) why not go for the guy who has done it and has I can win the league all by myself potential (ICWALBMP)?

Picking him as high as second would seem reasonable.

The One Year Wonders

5. Matt Forte, Bears (5.2)

6. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (7.7)

7. Chris Johnson, Titans (15.2)

Matt Forte: "Wait, so there's 2 Adrian Petersons? And one is on the Bears???"

Matt Forte has to be the guy with the most potential of the guys in this group. He's got the most duel threat (rushing and receiving) potential of the 3.

And most of all because he's not sharing the ball with anyone. DeAngelo has Jonathan Stewart to deal with. And Chris Johnson has Lendale White vulturing TDs at a Leroy Hoard type pace. What? Do you think the Bears are gonna make Forte split him with the fake Adrian Peterson or something?

Mr. Reliable

8. Clinton Portis, Redskins (18.1)

The X Factor

9. Brian Westbrook, Eagles (7.0)

The Number 2s

10. Steven Jackson, Rams (11.5)

11. Brandon Jacobs, Giants (13.8)

12. Marion Barber, Cowboys (24.7)

13. Steve Slaton, Texans (19.2)

14. Frank Gore, 49ers (13.1)

Kings of '07

15. Tom Brady, Patriots (16.2)

16. Randy Moss, Patriots (15.4)

Too easy Tom...

As one of the top anti Tom Brady guys, probably in the history of the world, you can’t deny the season he put up in ’07. He single handled put every guy who owned him the fantasy playoffs. Someone with that ICWALBMP could easily be drafted in the top 12. He has that same type of upside this year.

Provided he doesn’t get injured in a game or on the set of one of those lame Stetson photo shoots, he should have a monster season.

The Air Force

17. Calvin Johnson, Lions (21.2)

18. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (7.9)

19. Andre Johnson, Texans (16.4)

20. Drew Brees, Saints (11.7)

21. Steve Smith, Panthers (20.2)

The Meh guys with upside

22. Pierre Thomas, Saints (39.8)

23. Ryan Grant, Packers (50.4)

Cleveland Browns Preseason Game 1

2009-08-16T12:10:00.000-04:00

Remember, it's preseason.

Problems last year:

Couldn't score TD's.

Jamal Lewis extended his streak of 'not breaking a tackle' to 2 years.

Braylon forgot how to catch, hopefully not turning into football's version of Rick Ankiel.

Safeties smoked over the top, pretty much whenever the opposing team felt like it.

Derek Anderson throwing passes that hung in the air longer then most charter air flights.

No pressure on the QB unless we chose the Madden "aw EFF it just use the All Blitz" play.

Bernie Kosar's blatant lack of shampoo usage.

Remember, it's preseason.

Cleveland's boy DA didn't exactly gain support after the first preseason game.

Problems so far this year:

Couldn't score TD's.

Jamal Lewis extended his streak of 'not breaking a tackle' to 3 years.

Braylon forgot how to catch, hopefully not turning into football's version of Rick Ankiel.

Safeties smoked over the top, pretty much whenever the opposing team felt like it.

Derek Anderson throwing passes that hung in the air longer then most charter air flights.

No pressure on the QB unless we chose the Madden "aw EFF it just use the All Blitz" play.

Bernie Kosar's blatant lack of shampoo usage.

At the very,very least we know next week will get better. I don't even care if they come out and announce a CatWoman sequel at halftime. Next week will be better.

It's all good though, remember, its preseason.

The 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. The Past NBA Champions

2009-08-12T09:35:00.000-04:00

Cavs 4 best players

Cavs ~ LeBron, Shaq, M.Williams, D.West

More or less the 4 best players of the top challengers in 2010

Lakers ~ K.Bryant, P.Gasol, L.Odom, R.Artest

Celtics ~ K.Garnett, P.Pierce, R.Allen, R.Rondo

Magic ~ D.Howard, R.Lewis, V.Carter, M.Pietrus

Spurs ~ T.Duncan, M.Ginobili, T.Parker, R.Jefferson

The 4 best players on each of the last 10 championship teams

2009 [Lakers] ~ K.Bryant, P.Gasol, L.Odom, T.Ariza

2008 [Celtics] ~ K.Garnett, P.Pierce, R.Allen, J.Posey

2007 [Spurs] ~ T.Duncan, M.Ginobili, T.Parker, R.Horry

2006 [Heat] ~ D.Wade, Shaq, J.Posey, A.Mourning

2005 [Spurs] ~ T.Duncan, M.Ginobili, T.Parker, R.Horry

2004 [Pistons] ~ R.Wallace, R.Hamilton, C.Billups, T.Prince

2003 [Spurs] ~ T.Duncan, D.Robinson, M.Ginobili, T.Parker

2002 [Lakers] ~ Shaq, K.Bryant, R.Horry, D.Fisher

2001 [Lakers] ~ Shaq, K.Bryant, R.Horry, D.Fisher

2000 [Lakers] ~ Shaq, K.Bryant, R.Horry, D.Fisher

We've got the best player on the planet; is the supporting cast enough?

Building an NBA Franchise Power In 5 Minutes or Less (Pt 2)

2009-08-12T07:23:00.000-04:00

Check out Part 1 right here.

This post builds on all of the stuff mentioned above; surrounding the best players with these important pieces:

The PLQSGs

The 2 prototypical long quick swing guys, or PLQSGs. Guys who can hit open shots and play defense against the opposing teams best 2 or 3. These guys are becoming more and more relevant… Pietrus and Ariza may have been deciding factors on each of their respective conference championship finals.

Player Type: Thaddeus Young, Pietrus, Ariza, Rudy Fernandez

Salary: 1-6 mil

The Reliable Bigs

Some relatively cheap big guys that can make a play or two here and there, and play some solid defense. Usually looking for the guys on the up swing in there career or a bit on the downside for money purposes. Caution: beware of stiffs.

Player type: McDyess, Kendrick Perkins, Kurt Thomas, Joe Smith

Salary: 1-4 mil

Stiffs include: Shawn Bradley, Rasho Nesterovich, Sam Dalembert, Adonal Foyle, Jerome James,Ryan, Shawn Bradley again

I love the amount of results you get when googling 'Shawn Bradley dunked on'

The Floor General (I just think idea of Kevin Ollie being considered a floor general hilarious)

The importance of having a guy that fits the team’s identity can’t be understated. Countless years of having the Cavs using the 2 guard conversion has sold me. Having the guy who can bring the ball 10 feet behind the three line and then giving you the "OMG the Undertaker just kidnapped my daughter face" doesn't inspire confidence for a championship team.

You can either have the PG be one of the best players on the team or not. The key is at least having a guy that is comfortable and competent running the team.

Minimum player type or better: Derek Fisher, Andre Miller

Salary: Variable

The Rest

The rest should be good chemistry guys with some usable specialties that you can dip into when needed. Some extra shooters, rebounders, or energy guys are usually good fits. Having some of the top awkward man bench cheer leaders doesn’t hurt either.

Salary: Min-2 mil

What definitely not to do

Give second/third bananas first banana money and 5+ years. Don't make your franchise the next post 2000 New York Knicks. Patience is huge, if Lebron isn’t sitting there at number 1 don’t go after Jalen Rose at 14 mil a year.

Signing guys that jack up bad shots consistently, just cause a guy scores 22 a game for a garbage team doesn't mean that it translates. Needing 30 shots to score 22 doesn’t win championships. Ricky Davis and Jamal Crawford are never gonna be the best players on a championship team.

Be not willing to spend. It is inherently important that you spend money in the NBA. It is proven that established players win titles. You can throw together a bunch of young budding stars in baseball but rarely in the NBA.

Sign Eric Snow.

Boom, along with some common sense coaching you've got a winner. I'll be expecting a check in the mail NBA GMs.

Building an NBA Franchise Power In 5 Minutes or Less (Pt 1)

2009-08-10T05:50:00.001-04:00

The 3B (3 banana) theory (not totally my idea but I am a devout follower) is pretty much the most surefire way to be in contention for an NBA Championship year in, year out.

The concept is simple but has eluded most of the NBA GM profession since the beginning of time. From giving the Austin Crosheres of the world 50 mil, to the present day 15 mil a year Elton Brand contracts.

I feel a personal obligation to give 90% of NBA GM's the blueprint they need.

The First Banana
A superstar, a guy that you can depend to produce night in, night out. Someone who obviously has elite talent and knows when they have to be the man. Note: this doesn't mean going Vince Carter and jacking up three's when you are triple teamed.

A guy that needs to be game planned against every night, just like the terrorists should game plan specifically against Jack Bauer and not the dozens of government agencies in every season of 24.

Player Type: Kobe, Lebron, DWade, Duncan, Shaq (Lakers version)

Paid like a 1st Banana but shouldn't be: Arenas, Stoudemire, E.Brand, TMac

Salary: Up to max money

The Second Banana
A guy who can give you an efficient 16-23 points a game and a guy that everyone is confident can take over if needed.

The second banana works best when they actually know their role. W

hen you get the second banana trying to be the man or even worse having the Steve Francis putting up 30 shots a game, your team is destined to win 20 games. Or even beyond that giving Starbury the keys to the franchise and telling him he is the chosen one...

This also includes fringe first banana level guys willing to play nice and share the ball.

Player type: Manu, Pierce, Gasol (far and away the best second banana in the league), Young Kobe, Bosh

Paid like a 2nd Banana but shouldn't be: B.Gordon, A.Jamison, Iguodala, C.Maggette ~ A lot of guys that put up numbers just because they are on bad teams fit here.

Salary: Up to 13 mil

The Third Banana
More or less another guy the team can rely upon and another capable scorer. A take pressure off the top 2 guys and explode for 30 every blue moon.

You are looking for the Uncle Phil of the team. He’s not main guy, but he definitely delivers when called upon. This could also include former first and second bananas on the downside of their career willing to take a reserved role.

Player type: Ray Allen, Odom (when he feels like it), Ron Artest (minus the crazy)Paid like a 3rd

Banana but shouldn't be: A.Varejao, Villenueva

Salary: Up to 10 milMemo: Do not give Uncle Phil, Will Smith money.

Building an NBA Franchise Power In 5 Minutes or Less (Part 2) completes the rest of the blueprint every NBA General Manager Needs.