Cavs Stay Undefeated At Home

 By Johnny Russo

The Cavaliers win again with another blowout victory over the Golden State Warriors (5-11), 112-97. With this win at the Q, the Cavs improve to a league best 9-0 at home for the season. This ties a franchise record for the best start at home for a season.

Golden State's "run and gun" style of playing caught the Cavs off guard early in the first. They connected on their first 6 shots and jumped out to a 15-4 lead. By the end of the first, the Warriors held a 32-29 lead. 

"They play a funky style of basketball that we're not quite used to", said Mike Brown. "It gave us a ton of problems."

Cleveland kept the score close and trailed 40-41 mid-way through the second when Lebron James checked back in. He led the Cavs to a 58-52 lead at halftime and the momentum stayed with them throughout the rest of the game.

They led by as many as 28-points in the fourth and Cleveland's bench logged in the majority of the minutes in the final quarter. The Cavs have won their past four games by an average of 18 points per game. With these big leads, the starters have been able to rest throughout the fourth quarter and the bench has been getting some burn. It is important for the starters to get rest early in the season and for the 2nd unit to get more playing time because it will help this team stay healthy and become more ready for their playoff run. Lebron played only 17 minutes on Wednesday and just 30 minutes on Friday. 

"I feel great, the past three games I played 30, 17 and 30 minutes again", said James. Sometimes you play four of five nights and that fourth game could be bad, but I'm good, I'm great."

Lebron led the team with 23-points on 9-0f-13 shooting and also added 8-assists and 7-rebounds. Ilguaskas followed him with 21-points. Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson each had 16, while Delonte West added 13.

"We're playing great basketball right now", said James. "We're flowing the same way every game. We have the confidence flowing."

The Cavaliers improve to 13-3 and hold first place in the Central Division. They will take on Mo's former team, the Milwaukee Bucks (7-11) tomorrow night in Milwaukee. 

Shapiro's Needs Are Bigger Than His Wants

by Greg Kozarik

As the owners' meetings are set to take place starting December 8th in Las Vegas, Indians GM Mark Shapiro has his own wish list to work from. Shapiro has stated that his number one priority is a proven closer then followed by an infielder and another starting pitcher.

Shapiro thinks that this team is closer to being a winner than most people do. Sure the team finished with the best record after the All-Star break last season, but manager Eric Wedge's teams have always performed better when there is no pressure. Shapiro and Wedge are a bit further away than filling just a few holes.

Some of the closers that the Indians have a real possibility of signing or trading for are Trevor Hoffman, Jose Valverde, JJ Putz, Jason Isringhausen and Juan Cruz. All of these pitchers could be in the sights of the Tribe, but only if the price is right.

Another need for Shapiro is to add another infielder whether it is at second, shortstop or third base. The team has kicked the tires on Rafael Furcal, Joe Crede and Orlando Hudson, but Shapiro is afraid of their past injury history to offer either of them a multi-year deal.

This is where the Indians front office scares me to death as they are prepared to go into the 2009 season with a left side of the infield of Jhonny Peralta and possibly Casey Blake. Yes, the Casey Blake's sweepstakes has come down to the Indians and the Twins. It is believed that Blake will go to the Tribe with whatever offer that he receives and see if the Indians will match it.

Are you kidding me!! Blake, as I have stated many times, is a butcher in the field. He plays third base like he is using a shovel rather than a glove. As for Peralta, his errors might not be as high as some shortstops but that is because his range is amongst the worst in all of baseball. His ability to field a ball to the left is awful.

Shapiro thinks more of Peralta's defense than most scouts and this shows in his reluctance to move him to third. Also, this team is so infatuated with Blake that you would think that he is the second coming of Mike Schmidt. This is Shapiro's biggest problem as he overvalues his own team's talent.

The Indians should not be so fast to give up on Hudson in the free agent market. As time goes by, his asking price will come down and same with the amount of years he wants. Also, some other free agents that the Tribe should be talking with are Orlando Cabrera, Mark Loretta and Raul Ibanez.

Cabrera would be a nice addition because he is a proven hitter that could fill the void at the two-spot in the order. Loretta is a better overall player than Blake and adds some solid defense. As for Ibanez, he could fill that power-hitting outfielder the Tribe so desperately needs. None of these players are coming to Cleveland because they will command more dollars than Shapiro is willing to give up.

If all else fails, Shapiro needs to start letting guys in the farm system actually compete for major league spots. If you have a hole at third base, why not let Wes Hodges compete for the spot? Hodges can hit but Shapiro is convinced his defense is not good enough yet, Well, let me refresh his memory, neither was Jim Thome's when he was brought to the big leagues.

Another area that the Tribe needs to help themselves and they flat-out refuse to do this and that is moving Grady Sizemore out of the leadoff spot. Sizemore needs to be hitting third in this lineup. Shapiro needs to let Trevor Crowe, a former first-round pick, or newly acquired Michael Brantley compete for this job.

Crowe's path to the big leagues is blocked by Shapiro as he does so often with the younger players and Crowe is just not getting a chance to prove his worth. Shapiro has said that he is not interested in trading Franklin Gutierrez or Ben Francisco, thus meaning next year's outfield will include them along with Sizemore and Shin Soo-Choo.

The quiet winter thus far for the Tribe is not unusual for them. Fans miss the days of gunslinger John Hart pulling off major deals during the winter meetings. The one thing that is a positive for Shapiro is that he will listen to offers about all players. For example, Boston has called and talked to the Indians about trading for either Kelly Shoppach or Victor Martinez. As Shapiro knows from his years under Hart is that the best moves are the boldest moves.

Shapiro's downfalls are many but he needs to start realizing that this is not a championship team yet and that they are more than just a few pieces away. The Indians need to start filtering all these draft picks that Shapiro has made and start giving them their opportunities to prove that they can play at the big league level. Until then, this team will be on the merry go round adventure that we have seen since Shapiro has been in charge, never that bad -- but never good enough.

Cavaliers Shaping Into Championship Form

by Greg Kozarik

Championship is a word that the Cavaliers seemed to have taken to heart this season. Cleveland (13-3) dismantled the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, 112-97, to tie a franchise best start at home with a mark of 9-0.

This year's squad is no longer having those mental lapses where they give up big leads nor do they have trouble stepping on an opponent's throat to put a game out of reach. The team has bought into head coach Mike Brown's 'defense first' mentality more than ever this season led by LeBron James.

Forget all the talk that the New York and national media have made that James is heading to the Big Apple in 2010; let's worry about this season. James has more pieces than he has ever had and more than likely will get another piece come the February trading deadline.

For years, the fans have complained about the team not having a legitimate point guard and now with Mo Williams in the fold things are falling into place. Williams is averaging 15.9 points and 4.7 assists per game. Not eye-popping numbers but his play has been stellar as he can hit the open jumper consistently and his defense has been stellar.

Delonte West has really found his niche at the two-guard and is becoming a true shutdown defender. He has really improved his shot as he is hitting 52 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range. West and Williams are quickly becoming a very formidable backcourt and has given opponents fits this season.

Daniel Gibson is also thriving in his role as the team's sixth man. He has now developed a nice move to the basket rather than just a jump shooter. Gibson also has bought into his defense for the first time since he has been in the NBA.

The frontcourt has been playing well especially with Ben Wallace. Wallace had always said in training camp that the Cavs would be better with the trades made last season now that they have been together from the start of the season. 'Big Ben' is playing like he did when he was with Pistons and they won the championship in 2004.

Wallace has embraced being a leader and imposing defensive force once again. He is averaging almost two blocks a game and his offense, as little as there is, has been better than expected. He has added that toughness that this team has been missing all along.

The play of Anderson Varejao cannot be overlooked, as he has been playing better than he did at any point last season. Szczerbiak has also added some punch off the bench and really seems to thrive in that role. He has been a pleasant surprise and is not as bad on defense has he has shown in years past.

Brown has also broken from his style of barely giving rookies a chance. With the Cavs controlling the games thus far, Darnell Jackson and JJ Hickson have been able to get some valuable playing time. Hickson has even seemed to have worked himself into Brown's regular rotation.

The only Cavalier that seems destined for the exit is Sasha Pavlovic. As per usual when he enters the game, he seems lost especially on the defensive side. His shot has been lost for the past season and a half and his aggressiveness has not been there on a consistent basis.

That is just one downfall that this Cavalier team has shown and that is not a big problem as of right now. General Manager Danny Ferry will surely add to this team without destroying the chemistry that the current players have developed thus far.

With the dismal and dysfunctional organization that is the Cleveland Browns and the normal, boring off season that is what we have become accustomed to with the Cleveland Indians, the Cavaliers have given fans true hope for a championship. Maybe the other two GMs in town, Phil Savage and Mark Shapiro, need to apply for internships with the Cavs to see how Ferry goes about getting this team in place to win.

With all the problems that there is among Cleveland sports, the Cavaliers are becoming a true model of the way an organization is run. Forget about the stupid talk of what will happen in 2010, the time is now for the Cavaliers. This might be the team that ends the losing streak of no championships in this town since 1964. The time is now for the Cavs to claim their stake to the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Indians to Remain Active in Off-season; Where Have We Heard This Before?

By Tony Mazur

Paul Dolan has stated that the Indians front office will be active this winter in trying to build the team for the 2009 season. The 81-81 finish in 2008 disappointed many, so Dolan has put the weight on GM Mark Shapiro to improve the ball club.

I can recall this same dog and pony show about two years ago. The 2006 season did not live up to everyone's expectations, so the Dolans exclaimed to the fans that they will acquire some high-priced talent. The acquisitions, which included Trot Nixon, David Dellucci, and Joe Borowski, plus trading a proven third baseman in Kevin Kouzmanoff for a Josh Barfield, a mutant offspring of baseball talent. Granted, the Tribe won 96 games and made it to the ALCS, the players acquired before the 2007 season were complete duds.

With the exception of trading for Jamie Carroll, and signing Jorge Julio and Masa Kobayashi, Shapiro and the Dolans rested on their laurels, reminiscing about a season that could have been. 81-81 doesn't cut it, so they have to go back to work again.

The Indians are in the market for an everyday infielder. If Shapiro decides to move Jhonny Peralta over to third (he is currently playing there for the Dominican Republic), the Indians will sign a second baseman or shortstop, and have Asdrubal Cabrera fill in the gap. They had their eye on three-time Gold Glove Award winner Orlando Hudson and Dodger infielder Rafael Furcal, but it seems those rumors have dissipated. Other middle infielders available are David Eckstein, Orlando Cabrera, and Tribe killer Edgar Renteria.

If Peralta stays at short, a third baseman not named Andy Marte is in need. White Sox third baseman Joe Crede (a name I've been high on for a few years) has been brought up in hot stove talks, but his recurring back problems have thrown a monkey wrench in completing a deal. Rockies infielder Garrett Atkins's name has been mentioned, but his "rocky" defense (my head just popped out of a Laugh-In box as I typed that) has scared off the Tribe. And then we come to Casey Blake.

One of my issues with the Cleveland media is that they play favorites. Rather than report the facts, they'll let their personal feelings for a certain team or player (sounds suspiciously like the 2008 presidential election coverage) get in the way. I tell it like it is no matter what. Plain Dealer reporter Paul Hoynes neglects to mention in his November 27th article, when bringing up Casey Blake as a possible free agent acquisition, that he once played in Cleveland. And by once, I mean four months ago. Hoynes also mentions how Blake helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to the NLCS, picking up an NL West title along the way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but another former Indian in Manny Ramirez led that team. Blake hit .251 in 58 games.

Taking a phrase from Barack Obama's zombie-driven presidential campaign, "We need a change". And Casey Blake is not the change we are looking for. Let's not make him out to be the next Mike Schmidt.

The Indians are also looking for a closer, a position in turmoil since the Mike Jackson/Steve Karsay years in the late-1990s. Fortunately, there are closers available. The first one that comes to everyone's mind is Francisco Rodriguez. "K-Rod" set the all-time single season saves record in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Orange County, Southern California, and is looking for a hefty payday. The chances of Mark Shapiro pulling the trigger on Rodriguez is slim, but somewhat realistic.

Trevor Hoffman's name has been brought up, but, personally, if this was ten years ago, I would send the all-time saves leader a blank check.

Since trading away CC Sabathia and Paul Byrd, the starting rotation has thinned out. So far, nothing has piqued the interest of the front office, but that doesn't mean they cannot package a trade. In other words, Fausto Carmona will head the rotation, with a few players who make the league minimum behind him.

The Tribe's young but solid outfield has had their experience this past year, so we'll have to see how well they come together. For the time being, the outfield is the least of their concerns

It's a make-or-break year for the Cleveland Indians, and that means jobs will (or at least should) be on the line. Eric Wedge is on the hot seat, and if the Indians do not deliver in the first sixty games, Jeff Datz might be tapped to be the interim manager. A word of advice. If April and May 2009 looks comparable to April and May 2008, don't expect to see many fans in those dark green seats at Progressive Field. They'll be across the Gateway Plaza cheering on the only team of winners in this town.

Cavs take spirit out of Knicks

  

By Johnny Russo

I dont see why Lebron would want to play for the New York Knicks after the display that they put on last night. The Cavaliers absolutely dominated the Knicks from the get go, en route to a 119-101 victory. James' supporting cast showed up again and the Cavaliers had 7 players reach double figures. This was the highest point total for the Cavs all season and they improved to 11-3 and remain first in the Central Division.

Lebron scored 26-points through the first 3 quarters and he was able to sit out the entire fourth. Delonte West (the X-Factor) followed him with 16-points.

The Cavs didn't let all of the Lebron rumors or the howling Knicks fans become a distraction. The team remained focused and continued to execute. They were leading 67-38 at halftime, which is the most points scored in a half by them this season.

"They don't get caught up in that, man, and I don't either," James said. "We hear it every day, we see it every day on TV about 2010 all the time, we still go out and take care of business. We don't worry about what's going on. Me the leader, I can't let that faze me because I'm leading these guys onto something that we want to accomplish, and that's win an NBA championship."

Regardless of what happens in 2010, the bottom line is that the Cavs are currently playing some of the best basketball that Cleveland has seen in years and we are one of the elite teams and championship contenders in the league. 

The Cavs will host the Oklahoma City Thunder (1-14) tonight at the Q. The Thunder have lost 12-straight games and are currently the leagues worst team.

Crennel Gets His Wish Thanks To Quinn’s Finger

by Greg Kozarik

As the Browns get ready to prepare for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, that recurring nightmare has started again as Derek Anderson will be the starter. Brady Quinn found out that his broken finger has gotten worse and that he will need at least six weeks to heal, thus ending his season and granting Romeo Crennel his wish.

Do not get me wrong, Crennel is not wishing any injury upon any player, but it is obvious that Quinn is not his guy. Crennel has been devoted to Anderson since this is the guy that saved his job last season. I just wonder as Anderson throws pick after pick, will he put in Ken Dorsey to “give the team a spark”.

Quinn’s injury will put the rest of the season in the hands of Anderson, and it is Anderson’s chance to silence his critics. Browns fans will never have to wonder if Anderson is on a short leash because he will never be pulled by Crennel.

Crennel’s dedication to Anderson is baffling and thus furthers the reason why this is the wrong guy to lead anyone. Anderson has had bad game after bad game and Crennel told reporters after those games that he never thought of pulling DA. Why? I don’t know.

Take the Washington game, when DA looked like he was playing in his first NFL game and continued to hand the Redskins the game, the announcers and the CBS halftime hosts all called for Anderson to be yanked. That never happened and the Browns lost the game. This will hurt the Browns as Anderson’s bad performances will drop any of the trade value that he has left.

The happiest day for the Browns will come after the season when Crennel is fired. His incompetence and just plain stupidity will be the undoing of Crennel’s head coaching career. His undying love for Anderson also has become one of his biggest mistakes.

But again does it really matter who starts this Sunday when the stadium is only half-filled and the boos reign down on every missed opportunity and Braylon Edwards drop. Continuity is something every Browns fans want, but not when it is the wrong guy.

For every fan that thinks Crennel should be given another year, open up the yellow pages and find a good shrink to get your head examined. People who think that Crennel is the guy and has been given a raw deal, they do not understand football and should turn on Aston Villa soccer games and become a soccer hooligan.

The same goes for all the Anderson fans. Most fans are like me as they just wanted a winner whether the quarterback was Anderson or Quinn. The more games I watch Anderson, the more I feel like sticking myself in the eye with something sharp.

Anderson has the big arm that makes coaches and GMs salivate but his ability to read defenses is horrible. This is the same guy that panics when his headset in his helmet malfunctions. He is a quarterback and should have the confidence in making his own decision. Anderson also will never call an audible at the line of scrimmage and I used to think it was the coaching staff that didn’t allow him to. But after watching Quinn change plays, I realized that Anderson just is not smart enough.

This couldn’t work better for Crennel as his own ‘Golden Boy’ gets his starting job back. Crennel knows that GM Phil Savage will not make him switch to Dorsey as he did with Quinn. Crennel’s man-crush on Anderson just proves what a laughing stock he is as a head coach.

As ‘The Nutty Professor’ takes the field on Sunday, he might want to take a look across the field and see what a true quarterback looks like when he sees Peyton Manning. His dream of Anderson turning into that type of player is just a dream. Anderson is quickly turning into another Notre Dame quarterback, not Joe Montana, but closer to Rick Mirer.

Anderson might show glimpses of what he can do like the first eight games of 2007, but in the long run he will always return to that quarterback that looks lost most of the time. Remember Romeo; be careful for what you wish for. Phil Savage, just look at what you have created.

Brady Quinn Out For The Year

We'll have more on this Wednesday morning, but STC has learned that Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn is going to be shut down for the rest of the season. It apears the finger injury is worse than expected.

Shaun Smith Should Just Shut Up And Play Football

by Greg Kozarik

In all sports, there always seems to be that one athlete that talks a good game but never delivers when the lights are shining brightest. The Browns have their media darling in defensive lineman Shaun Smith, who seems to never be short of words each week.

This is coming from the biggest underachiever on the Browns defense. At times, Smith shows that he has the talent but he has yet to string that talent together for more than two games in a row.

The out-of-shape Smith told reporters Monday that the Cowher chants were a distraction on Sunday. To him? He didn't even play so how did they distract him? Was he even watching the game? Was he ordering food and lost track of his order because of the chants?

Most players will always defend their coach even if it is inevitable that the coach will be fired, but Smith just doesn't get it. Instead, he rips the fans by saying that they should walk in Crennel's shoes and see how it feels. Every fan would say yes to that because of the money that is being paid to him to be a football coach. Try working for a living Shaun!!

What would Smith do if he couldn't play football? He doesn't even know that answer. This isn't the first time he ripped the fans. A couple of weeks ago he blamed the fans for not getting behind the defense on third downs. Why should we? We know the opponent is going to get the first down.

Smith was mad when Jamal Lewis came out a couple weeks back and said that some of his teammates quit. Smith told reporters then "I'm no quitter." Really? Well if he has time, he needs to watch game tapes of his performances since he has been here. Many times, Smith stops pursuing once the play goes to the other side or gets past him. Watch Hanoli Ngata for the Ravens, this guy's motor never stops till the play is over.

Remember last year when the Browns lost that crucial game at Cincinnati, Smith was the one running his mouth at his former team leading up to that game. Then Smith was manhandled as the Browns lost 19-14 and would miss the playoffs. How about the comments he made when he told people that Chad Johnson punched Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in the eye after a 2006 playoff game. That story was untrue.

Smith, who signed as a restricted free agent in 2007, has not performed to his 4-year, 8.65-million dollar deal. This guy has missed four games this year but he is available to talk each week. Instead of talking to the media, why isn't he rehabbing his injuries? His stats for a defensive lineman are eye-popping this year--NOT!! He has 17 tackles and zero sacks. By comparison, Bengals defensive lineman, Domata Peko has 48 tackles, a half sack and a pass batted down. This is his replacement in the Queen City.

Last year was not stellar for Smith either as he played in 15 games with 62 tackles, three passes defended and two sacks. This year, you would think his numbers would be better playing with a guy like Shaun Rogers. With Rogers being doubled and tripled team most of the game, this should open up opportunities for Smith.

Smith is just an out-of-shape big mouth that needs to just shut his mouth and play football. This guy has some of the worst reaction times when the ball is snapped. His best attribute is when he is walking off the field because he is hurting his team not helping.

Once this season of unfulfilled expectations finally comes to an end, Smith better prove he is worth his money because the reality is that he could be gone at season's end. When you play like a dog, you deserve to be booed and if you don't like what the fans say, then prove it on the field. As for Smith, we will never see that since he is one of the biggest quitters on this team.

Crennel Proves Again That He Is In Over His Head

by Greg Kozarik

During the Browns debacle in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans, Romeo Crennel looked as he had no idea what was happening on the field, a look of total befuddlement. This is a look that Browns fans have seen way too often in the past four seasons from ‘The Nutty Professor.’

The Browns 16-6 loss dropped them to 1-5 at home which is tied as the second-worst home record in the league. Only the winless Detroit Lions have that mark beat as they sit at 0-5. This is hardly a mark of a playoff team or a good team, thus proving that the Browns are amongst the dregs of the NFL.

Crennel is not all to blame but he is a major problem for the Browns’ losing ways. Once again on Sunday, the team came out flat and unprepared for the game. This has happened every year since Crennel has been here. He flat out admitted that he had no idea why this happens after the game on Sunday. What?!!

It is unacceptable!! This team has no clue on what is going on. Crennel lets his coordinators do what they want and he never interferes during the game. Sunday, offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski became pass-happy and went away from the run that proved to be effective. Does Crennel even see what works for his team?

Most good things happen when Jerome Harrison is involved in the offense, but the genius that is Crennel, refuses to give him a lot of playing time. Instead, we have to see Jason Wright all the time. Are you kidding me?!!

Then Crennel changed from what he has done his entire coaching career when he pulled Brady Quinn in favor of the hero that is Derek Anderson. He did this after all the games that Anderson couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat and he stuck with him. He said he did it to “get a spark.” Worked great coach!

Last year, Anderson should have been pulled at Oakland, at Arizona and at Cincinnati and this year he should have been pulled against Baltimore, Cincinnati, Washington and at home against Baltimore. Instead in all of these games, Crennel felt his team didn’t need a spark and ran with Anderson.

The way he handles this team is beyond words. He really is lost and just does not have the personality it takes to be an NFL head coach. Just ask Chris Palmer, who is much happier as an assistant coach rather than the man in charge. Crennel has been given too much credit for the jobs he did as defensive coordinator for the Jets and the Patriots. There is a reason he hasn’t been a head coach in his 37 years of coaching.

Crennel has no control of this team which has been evident throughout this season. The constant mental mistakes this team makes are a reflection of the coach. How many false starts and illegal motions can Braylon Edwards commit? Shouldn’t the coach talk to him about this?

Crennel was grasping at straws on Sunday and it shows that this guy just does not get it as a head coach. Chants of ‘Cowher’ were not deafening yesterday so Crennel might not have even noticed them and that was only because the stadium was about a quarter-filled midway through the fourth quarter. Crennel surely must have noticed the empty seats and the fans lining up to get out of that stadium.

Owner Randy Lerner must have not been happy to see the empty seats, but wait he just doesn’t care because he has that soccer team in England to worry about. As I have written numerous times this year, it is time to clean house and start with Crennel. At this point of the season, I don’t care who takes over. Heck, go get Big Dawg from the pound and let him run this team. He couldn’t do worse.

Bill Cowher might still be a long shot because I just do not think he is coming out from his cushy job that he has now. But we need to start looking now and start talking to possible candidates. The first call I would make would be to Brian Billick. This won’t happen though because we are stuck to ride out on the good ship Crennel since Lerner does not have the guts to make a move now. Maybe he will when he sees the stadium at next Sunday’s game only half filled. Just remember who picked Crennel to be the head coach as well.

Rip Up Your Tickets

By Tony Mazur

This is a short commentary that I feel the need to share with the great people who tune into STC.

Do you have tickets to the remaining home games against Indianapolis or Cincinnati, throw them away. Tear them into confetti. Burn them. Eat them. I don't care what you do with them, just don't go to the games.

I am so angry with the Cleveland Browns right now. Scratch that. ALL SEASON I have been annoyed by them. The coaching decisions have been piss-poor, the entire offense has performed horribly, and the defense is comparable to that of a Special Olympics Pop Warner team.

Let's start with the quarterback situation. If Brady Quinn is not performing well in the backfield because of a bum finger, then why is he playing? However, if he was yanked for ineffective performance, that's on the coaching. Romeo Crennel made the decision to go with the young QB. If so, then STAY with that choice. In Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold", she sings the line "You change your mind, like a girl changes clothes". This line should be directed toward Romeo.

Second, the running back fiasco. I'm glad Jerome Harrison is getting in the game. But Chudzinski tried to be too cute. Jamal Lewis finally had a game where he pounded through the defense, but 10 carries does not cut it. Why abandon the running game?

Now onto the receiving core. Stop throwing to Edwards. I said it. There are some people who will stick up for Edwards on the STC airwaves, pointing out the fact that he caught five passes and throws one good block a game. But Braylon Edwards played like he had the flu. He continues to drop the ball, he runs horrible routes, and when the ball is not thrown to him, he stands there as if Medusa looked him in the eyes. I am fed up with Braylon. If this is a "What have you done for me lately" organization, then give him an ultimatum.

Next, I will call out Kellen Winslow, Jr. I understand that he's porcelain, but he has to attempt to make the tougher catches. Not every ball will be thrown to right to you. Plus, he leads the NFL in offensive pass interference penalties. Winslow was a non-factor, and has had a sub-par season (On a side note, the Browns won the two games that Winslow did not play in).

How was the defense today? The defense played excellent. And when I say excellent, it really means mediocre. Actually, mediocre is too nice a term. Even though they only gave up 16 points, they made Sage Rosenfels look like Bart Starr (24-32 for 275 yards and a touchdown). It seemed that Shaun Rogers is once again the only bright spot to the defense.

Again, I stress that you should not go to the remaining games this season. Give the middle finger to Randy Lerner and the rest of this corrupt organization. Send them the message we've wanted to give since 1999. But if you go to the next two games, it shows what lack of intelligence you truly have.

Cleveland Browns - Welcome To Rock Bottom

If there was ANY doubt going into today's game against the Houston Texans, those doubts have been eliminated.

The Cleveland Browns are finished. They have hit rock bottom. They are not worthy of your support. They are as abysmal a franchise as I have ever seen. They are worse than the Detroit Lions.

Worse than the Lions?

Yes.

At least the Detroit Lions play with some heart. They have no talent or direction - but they are at least trying. The Browns have talented players on their roster (well in theory anyway). They are as underachieving as I have ever seen.

In an obvious panic, Head Coach Romeo Crennel has decided to pull Brady Quinn and put in Derek Anderson. Way to stick to your guns, Romeo. You have just created ANOTHER QB controversy. Smooth move, pal.

Braylon Edwards? You are a fraud. You had a great 2007. That's the highlight of your career and from what I am seeing, it was the exception - not the norm - to one of the most overrated players to ever wear a Browns uniform.

You suck, pal.

The Cleveland Browns defense?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - nothing else needs to be said.

Thank you to Jamal Lewis who played with heart, intensity and some pride against the Texans. I apologize that your teammates let you down. You were right, Jamal - there are quitters on the team. Get out while you can. The Clevelamd Browns don't deserve you.

Phil Savage? Maybe when you can break away from sending nasty emails to the fans who pay good money to watch your horrible, heartless football team you can explain (again) what's wrong with this team (still).

And finally to Mr. Bill Cowher... don't do it. Don't come to Cleveland no matter how much money, power and control they let you have. It isn't worth it.

Nor is Cleveland Browns football.

Go Cavs!

Cavs Bounce Back From Detroit Loss

By Johnny Russo

The Cavaliers remain undefeated at home (7-0) after a commanding win over the Atlanta Hawks, 110-96. They led by as many as 28-points and shot 51% from the floor. Cleveland remains the only team in the Eastern Conference to remain undefeated on their home floor. If we continue to play at a high level, teams are going to have a very tough time beating us at the Q.

Cleveland dominated this game early on and scored the first 11 points of the game. Delonte West, once again, got it going for the Cavs and scored 9 of his 19-points in the first quarter. He has been filling the shooting guard position well and the team has been really impressed with his stellar play. He is shooting 53% from the floor and 49% from beyond the arc, as well as playing solid defense on a nightly basis. He helped hold Joe Johnson to just 4-points on 1-of-8 shooting. This is far below Johnson's 24 points per game average on the year.

This team has been showing that they are the best supporting cast to play along side Lebron since he came into the league. The scoring has been well balanced with multiple players scoring in double figures on a consistent basis. Players are becoming accustomed to their roles on the court and are following through with them.

Lebron led the Cavs with 24-points, 8-assists and 7-rebounds. Mo Williams followed with 23-points, 5-rebounds and 4-assists. Delonte added 19-points and Ilguaskas added 17.

Mo Williams is proving that he can play along side James just fine. He is getting his teammates involved as well creating for himself. Ilguaskas has been getting numerous uncontested jump shots right in his comfort zone and Lebron has been able to play off the ball more. Mo is averaging 17-points and 4.6-assists per game and has helped the Cavs take a jump to the next level.

After all of the drama that came with Anderson Varejao last season, it appears that he has formed back to the "Wild Thing" that helped us reach the NBA Finals two years ago. His contributions on the defensive end have been huge for this team when we are limiting Ben Wallace's minutes. Although he can still be a little "sloppy" at times, you can't put a price on the energy and hustle that he bring every night. He will do all of the things that will earn a win, but they won't show up on the scoreboard. Don't be fooled by looking at his numbers!

The Cavs will travel to New York to play a "new-look" Knicks team on Tuesday. The Knicks just traded away their top two scorers, Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, in order to create cap-space to sign a superstar in 2010. Let's just hope that superstar is not Lebron.

Ohio State-Michigan postgame analysis

By Rick Morris

[NOTE: This story was written after attending today's Ohio State-Michigan game in Columbus.]

After the mammoth OSU-Michigan game of '06, which featured the first #1 vs. #2 meeting in the history of the series and was arguably the biggest college football regular season game of the decade, the next meeting of the two teams in the Horseshoe would never be able to top the aura of that moment. But that clash set in motion a series of events that rendered this rematch a mirror image of the game of 20 years ago.

With Lloyd Carr already on thin ice with the Wolverine faithful after dropping four of his first five to the Buckeyes since Jim Tressel took over, the 2006 game loomed as a must-win for his talented squad. And when his biggest protector, Big Bo, passed away the day before the game, he knew that the alums would be even more empowered if he lost. In a thriller that somehow managed to exceed the hype, Ohio State prevailed, 42-39, and set the stage for Carr's final sad series of events at Michigan. The following fall, his team opened with a shocking upset at the hands of Appalachian State and closed with a plodding, uninspired loss to OSU that came just before his retirement announcement.

There were at least some surface similarities to the final days of Earle Bruce at Ohio State in 1987 and the open of the John Cooper era the next year. Like Carr, Bruce did not survive more than a season after his biggest booster and legendary predecessor Woody Hayes passed away (although, unlike Carr, Bruce went out with a shocking upset win in the big rivalry game). Like Carr, Bruce was succeeded by a flashy swashbuckler who was a complete outsider to the program. Having made a good part of his reputation by beating Michigan in the Rose Bowl at Arizona State (in what would later become a painfully ironic twist), Cooper limped through his maiden season with a record of 4-5-1 going into the home finale against Michigan. A 34-31 loss sealed a losing season, the first in decades at the school.

New Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was already assured a losing record coming into today's tilt, as his roster, depleted by 2007 graduations and completely unmatched to the new spread option he installed, came in at 3-8. Like Cooper's '88 Buckeyes, his Wolverines were given a small chance of victory and were in fact three-touchdown underdogs. Unlike Coop's team, though, Michigan could not keep the game close past the midpoint of the third quarter and ended up unraveling thoroughly en route to a 42-7 drubbing, one of the worst in the history of the series and an unprecedented fifth straight win for Ohio State in this rivalry.

Former Browns coach Butch Davis will deservedly take to his grave an idiotic comment from the day that running back Jamal Lewis carved his defense up for a then NFL-record 295 yards. His defense, he stated with a straight face, defended Lewis well for all but five plays. Rodriguez surely has too much of a survival instinct to break out such shameless spin to explain away today's game, but his team did in fact contain OSU except for big plays. Unfortunately for him, the Buckeyes had lots of them.

A defensive stalemate was broken open when Chris Wells rushed for a 59-yard touchdown to give Ohio State first blood. Subsequent scores from the Scarlet and Gray came from the following: a 53-yard touchdown pass from Terrelle Pryor to Brian Hartline, a 49-yard touchdown run from Dan Herron (that was immediately preceded by a 42-yard run by Wells!), an 80-yard punt return by former pariah Ray Small that set up a short TD pass to Hartline, a 35-yard pass from Pryor to Dane Sanzenbacher (an exquisite broken play that saw Pryor run around and elude tacklers effortlessly while waiting for a downfield option to materialize) that set up a short Herron TD run and a Marcus Williams fumbled punt recovery that set up a short TD pass from Todd Boeckman (who looked sharp in garbage time) to Hartline.

In between, Ohio State did struggle to move the ball via sustained drives. Pryor's inexperience did show itself in the form of his stats (5-13, 120 yards, two touchdown passes and one absolute lock-on interception early in the game -- after which he and his teammates got very lucky when Michigan botched a chip-shot field goal) and some coverage sacks that he took. Rodriguez tried to use his limited defensive resources to stack the box against the Bucks and had occasional success in the form of blitzes against empty backfield formations and a decent amount of run-stuffing. But these same moves left his team thin beyond the line of scrimmage and open to the big plays that decimated them.

Michigan's offense, meanwhile, was completely feeble until a 14-play, 65-yard TD drive in the late second quarter that followed an inexplicable Tressel decision to throw long on fourth-and-two from the Michigan 35. The Wolverines also moved the ball fairly respectably in the early third quarter before the Ohio State barrage, a 28-0 run to close out the scoring, that shut down what remained of the spirit of That School Up North.

Tressel showed considerable restraint down the stretch, in marked contrast to Woody's conduct in 1968 when he decided on a two-point conversion late in the game in a 50-14 rout. Ohio State fans to this day proudly remember his reply when asked why he went for two points: "Because I couldn't go for three!" The spirit of sportsmanship was considerably less popular four decades later with a bloodthirsty fanbase.

Cooper's initial missteps in 1988 went far beyond the home loss to Michigan. He developed a reputation as a money-grubber with his aggressive pursuit of any and all endorsements and he immediately began his signature practice of excuse-making and expectation-lowering (aided greatly by media sock puppets like Jimmy Crum, who circled the wagons by throwing Bruce under one of them when he claimed that the previous coaching staff had left the cupboard bare). Ultimately, Cooper could not have survived those thirteen interminable seasons without the support of a university president defiantly proud of his own cluelessness about college football like Gordon Gee. Unfortunately for Rodriguez, he has no such crutch, as the Powers That Be in Ann Arbor will have him on a short leash after this crushing climax to a nightmare season. Tressel will bring a team bereft of senior leadership into The Big House for the 2009 regular season finale. A bad effort against a vulnerable Ohio State, or another pathetic campaign leading up to it, will probably ensure that Michigan will have its third coach in as many visits to Columbus in 2010.

Savage’s Immaturity Grows as His Incompetence Shows

by Greg Kozarik

Once again the Cleveland Browns continue to be nothing more than an embarrassment to its fans as well as a joke amongst the rest of the league. Now G.M. Phil Savage has once again brought it upon himself and the organization as he continues to hide from his mistakes.

This whole emailing with another fan is not as bad as it seems but his reaction afterwards is. First off, why is he answering a discouraged fan who is emailing his inbox that you can find on the Browns website? I am sure every other GM in the NFL goes through this but does not respond to angry fans or even happy fans. This shows that Savage is just flat-out immature and unable to handle adversity.

Savage’s actions are just like an angry teenager not a GM running an NFL organization. He did this after the fans flooded the Browns office and came to his defense when it came down to him or then President John Collins back in 2006. This is something that cannot be tolerated and should not be. This would be the time for the ghost owner, Randy Lerner, to step in.

To make matters worse, Savage does not have the guts to face the media and talk about. Instead, he puts Romeo Crennel out in front of everyone to take the blame for him, just as he did with the debacle that was the Kellen Winslow staph infection. The Winslow incident still has not been completely cleared up by Savage but instead by Crennel.

Savage is currently out of town scouting and this also is unacceptable. Every other team hires competent scouts to do this and the G.M. will go scout when his team’s season is close to over or over, not in the middle of season. I know that most fans think it is over but until they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention the season is not over.

If he wanted to do all this scouting that he does, he should have taken the job, Director of Pro Player Personal, not GM. A general manager has more responsibilities than scouting players and he musty handle the team’s day-to-day operation. He disappears more often than Bigfoot.

All this travel for Savage is ridiculous because it has not helped the team since I have already detailed how awful his drafting has been. Who is more absent from the organization, Savage or Lerner? It is time for Savage to do his job and not run and hide from adversity.

Someone needs to send Savage an email and detail what GMs are supposed to do. This should help since he reads all his emails. This team has been a joke since they returned in 1999 thanks to bad hires and now add Savage’s name to that list.

Savage remains an embarrassment of the field and obviously was not prepared for this position. He supposedly learned from being under Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome. This couldn’t be further from the truth since Newsome knows how to handle his job and Savage does not.

More and more reports come out daily about the Browns pursuing Bill Cowher and Savage better hope that they are not true because if they are, he better get his resume updated. Don’t forget to put your incompetence and your inability to handle adversity in that resume Phil. If the Browns land Cowher, then Savage will have to call his buddy Kirk Ferentz at Iowa to see if there is a position for him.

This season has been nothing more than a soap opera. The soap opera started with the childish injury sustained by the malcontent Braylon Edwards to the fighting between players and Derek Anderson on the field to the Winslow incident to the quarterback switch to players calling out other players for quitting to email-gate. We also cannot forget to throw in the incompetent coaching by Crennel as well.

It is time for Lerner to cut his ties with Savage and fire him and then you can do the same with Crennel at the end of the season. The search needs to get going now and if you need help in telling Savage that he has been fired, well I am sure there are plenty of fans that will tell him through an email. Savage has now surpassed Crennel as the biggest joke inside the Cleveland Browns organization.

Despite Loss, Cavs Still Packing Punch

by Greg Kozarik

The Cavaliers fell apart late in the game on Wednesday and eventually lost to the Pistons, 96-89, and thus snapping their eight-game win streak. Despite this loss, the Cavs have a lot of to build on and are still one of the elite teams in the NBA.

During the win streak, the Cavs have seemed to take that next step that it needs to be a championship team. On Wednesday night, the Pistons opened up hitting 12-of-13 of their first shots of the fourth quarter and showed the poise that the Cavs have had throughout most of the season. This is what championship teams do!

A very nice surprise has been the play of guard Delonte West. West has been playing the two-guard and his game has improved mightily from where it was when he came to the Cavs last February. West is shooting 51% from beyond the three-point line and is shooting 52 % from the field.

Through 12 games, West has played tenacious defense for the most part and now fans understand why G.M. Danny Ferry had been trying to acquire the 6-foot-3 guard for the past two seasons. West has found a home and playing like the dynamic player he was when he played college ball at St. Joseph’s.

Most fans, including myself, were counting the days till the Cavs could trade forward Anderson Varejao without him having a say in where he went, it is a good thing Ferry didn’t try to trade him. Varejao is playing as good as he did two years ago with one major difference, he is now more consistent and playing in control.

‘The Wild Thing’ is playing like a man possessed. He has really developed that 15-foot baseline jumper and his defense has been superb. He is even hitting 70% from the free throw line. Head Coach Mike Brown can trust him once again down the stretch and does not have to be worried about Varejao playing out of control.

Finally, the Cavaliers are already reaping the benefits of having a second true scorer to go along with LeBron James and they have that in point guard Mo Williams. Williams has been playing well and his defense has been terrific. He moves around screens better than any guard in the Eastern Conference.

People in Milwaukee were so excited to get rid of Williams and they were even offering rides to the airport. Williams is only averaging 17 points-per-game along with a steal per game. He has been a true spark for this team and it shows why the Bucks are one of the sorriest franchises in the NBA. Thanks Milwaukee!!

Brown has been pushing the right buttons so far and of course James has been the MVP that we all know he is. If Ferry can add some depth in the frontcourt, then we can forget about the two other sorry franchises in this city and get ready for that parade downtown. The NBA championship is now within sight this year!

Good for Phil Savage

By Rick Morris

At this time when mindless negativity is so popular among the Browns fanbase (I know, I know, when is it unpopular in the fanbase?), somebody went over the top in an email to Phil Savage.

In that missive, the person blamed Savage for a great many matters that are the province of the coaching staff before comparing this front office unfavorably to that of BUTCH FREAKING DAVIS.

[Frankly, anybody who compares the talent on this roster to what Botch (he of the man-love for Kelly Holcomb and the goof who only drafted out of his Miami Hurricanes recruiting shoebox) left behind has been lobotomized. The depth is still not good and the linebackers and corners need to be upgraded, but there is nothing wrong with this team on paper by and large, especially compared to other rosters in the league. If Miami and Atlanta can win with their rosters, this team surely could win with the right coaching staff.]

Savage responded with an oh-so-appropriate F you to the fair-weather fan. I'm glad he did. There are legitimate criticisms to be made and my bet is that most of those (starting with Coach I'm Thinking Arby's) will be addressed this offseason. But the incoherence, the hysterical tantrums and the childish inability to see the progress along with the more obvious bad things ... I myself don't have patience for any of that and Phil Savage deserves credit for standing up for himself in the face of such idiocy. If anybody wants to cry about it, tough toenails.

Pluggin' Away

By Tony Mazur

Don't forget to check out "AM Mayhem" on Friday (11/21) and 10:30AM EST as "Punkass" from the TapouT Crew will give us a call to talk a little MMA and to promote their appearances at Great Lakes Mall, Great Northern Mall, and South Park Center Dillard's locations.

I will be sure to post updates when we confirm a guest for the show. If you happen to miss the show, you can always check out the STC Archives to hear past shows (Larry the Cable Guy called in on Monday's show).

2008 NWCA All-Star Classic Line-ups Complete

Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

I wanted to share this with everyone who reads our blog - we'll be talking about this on OHIO WRESTLING RADIO next Tuesday night.

Paul

++++++++++

MANHEIM, Pa. – The line-ups for the 43rd-annual NWCA All-Star Classic Presented by the United States Marine Corps have been set. This is the fifth year the United States Marine Corps has partnered with the NWCA as the presenting sponsor of this premier event. This event this year will be hosted by Ohio State at St. John Arena Nov. 24.

The Buckeyes last hosted the event in 1981. Ohio State's J Jaggers will compete this year at 141 pounds, marking the first Buckeye wrestler to compete in the All-Star Classic since J.D. Bergman in the 2004-2005 season.

The selection of Maryland’s Hudson Taylor at 197 gives the Terps their first All-Star appearance since Gobel Kline in 1969.

Oklahoma State, Iowa, and Iowa State added to their All-Star totals this year, they now have had 81, 73 and 65 wrestlers, respectively, selected all-time for the All-Star Classic.

Prior to the NWCA All-Star Classic, a dual meet will be held between two Ohio club teams. Jeff Jordan’s Team Jordan and Miron Kharchilava’s Team Miron will square off at 5p.m. The All-Star meet will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10. Children 6 and under are admitted free. NWCA Members receive a complimentary ticket when showing their NWCA membership card. Call TicketMaster at 614-431-3600 to order your tickets today or visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com. ESPNU will be airing the event on tape delay. Dates and times will be announced once they become available.

Full line-ups
125- #2 Troy Nickerson (Cornell) vs. #3 Charlie Falck (Iowa)
133- #2 Jayson Ness (Minnesota) vs. #4 Jimmy Kennedy (Illinois)
141- #1 J Jaggers (Ohio State) vs. #2 Nick Gallick (Iowa State)
149- #1 Brent Metcalf (Iowa) vs. #4 Darrion Caldwell (NC State)
157- #1 Jordan Leen (Cornell) vs. #7 Cyler Sanderson (Iowa State)
165- #1 Nick Marable (Missouri) vs. #2 Mack Lewnes (Cornell)
174- #1 Steve Luke (Michigan) vs. #2 Jay Borschel (Iowa)
184- #3 Phil Keddy (Iowa) vs. #4 Louis Caputo (Harvard)
197- #1 Jake Varner (Iowa State) vs. #2 Hudson Taylor (Maryland)
285- #1 Jared Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. #3 Kyle Massey (Wisconsin)

Honorary Coaches: Tom Ryan (Ohio State), Mark Manning (Nebraska), Jim Makovsky (Minnesota State- Mankato), Dave Malecek (Wisconsin- LaCrosse)

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.

Could This Be The Last Season For Edwards?

by Greg Kozarik

Despite Braylon Edwards catching eight passes for 104 yards on Monday night’s win against Buffalo, questions remain about the receiver. This malcontent continues to draw the ire of most Browns fans with his consistent drops, bad route running and quitting when not involved in the play.

On Monday night, quarterback Brady Quinn hit Edwards at the Bills’ five-yard line and after he jumped up to catch the ball he looked to brace himself, as he fell he lost the ball. A couple plays later, Quinn threw a quick slant to Edwards but the ball sailed incomplete because Edwards was bumped at the line of scrimmage and quit his route.

These are many of the problems that swirl around this wide receiver diva. He thinks he is better than he is but in all reality he is not. Is this surprising? No it is not because he is the same immature player he was at the University of Michigan.

This is the same player that was suspended in his freshman year. Drops and having alligator arms were something that most Wolverine fans were used to from Edwards. The Browns were not in love with him before the 2005 draft and Savage made a comment to the media that it was the one year you didn’t want to be picking in the top 10.

After his first season with the Browns, which was an injury-shortened year, he told people close to him that he couldn’t wait to become a free agent and leave Cleveland. Now, after one good year, he thinks he is the second coming of Jerry Rice. He is good at one thing—dropping passes.

Edwards is more worried about other things other than being the best football player he can be. Remember when he took the helicopter down to see the Ohio State-Michigan game, thus missing curfew the night before a game? Romeo Crennel and the Browns did nothing and let him off the hook. Remember this training camp when this same buffoon is screwing around in his socks and then got cleated and needed stitches? Is he 10 years old?

Edwards still is counting the days to his free agency and now so are some Browns fans. He continues to never block, quit on routes and drop passes. Anyone can do that. But if the Browns are smart, trade him while he still has some value.

Could he be traded straight up for the Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin, who desperately wants out of Arizona? The one problem who have there is that Edwards has great size at 6’ 3” while Boldin is listed at 6’1” but that might be a stretch. Maybe he still can bring back a first-round pick come April but is it worth it?

The Browns do have some options in free agency this coming off-season. Some receivers that will be available that I would rather have than Edwards are the Bengals’ T.J. Houshmanzadeh, the Bills Lee Evans and Seattle’s Bobby Engram. Houshmanzadeh and Evans I would take over Edwards just to rid the Browns of the malcontent. Engram should be looked at to replace Stallworth, not Edwards.

If the Browns traded for a draft pick, they would have to trade into the top five to get the best receiver in the draft in Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. There are some receivers that might be available later in the first round or in the second round. The list of quality receivers include Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin, Florida’s Percy Harvin, Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, Penn State’s Derrick Williams and Oklahoma’s Juaquin Iglesias.

For some reason, wide receiver is usually the position that is hardest for rookies to really adapt to. More become busts than studs after being drafted. In 2005, six receivers were drafted in the first round and there are no studs in that list. Roddy White is having a season like Edwards had last year while Matt Jones and Mark Clayton are nice players. Troy Williamson is nothing more than a special-teamer and Mike Williams is out of the league.

The pampering that is needed for Edwards just is not worth it. Even though Edwards is better than former Brown Kevin Johnson was, Johnson was a better teammate than Edwards. We need to only look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Hines Ward and that is the way a receiver should play. He plays and contributes even when his number isn’t called.

Too many times Edwards quits or runs the wrong route just like a young Randy Moss. The difference is that Moss has more talent in his shoelaces than Edwards has overall. The reality for Browns fans is that the time is near to start cleaning house because this one is barely standing. Edwards should be shopped in the off season and addition by subtraction will be the Browns gain.

Despite Win Browns Defense Has Many Holes To Fill

by Greg Kozarik

The Browns got extremely lucky on Monday night, as they actually were able to hang on to the 29-27 win despite giving the game away as per usual. The Bills fans saw something that has become all too familiar and that is a missed field goal that sailed wide right to seal the Browns' victory.

The win is nice but something very disturbing continues to rear its ugly head—missed tackles. Tackling is a staple in football but for some reason this team continues to miss tackles and take bad angles at the opposing players. This is something that should be fixed in training camp.

Head Coach Romeo Crennel runs a spring break type of resort that everyone else calls training camp. He proclaimed when he took this job that he was a teacher of football but what is he teaching.

Some players need to be taken out of this discussion and those two players are DT Shaun Rogers and LB Willie McGinest. Rogers has been nothing short of spectacular this year and McGinest looks as if he has hit the fountain of youth. The 15-year veteran finally is earning his money.

Watching the defense last night became excruciating. Buffalo's second-year running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch were made to look like O.J. Simpson and Thurman Thomas by a backpedaling Browns' defense. Those two backs rushed for a combined 179 rushing yards and 99 receiving yards.

Thank goodness for the Browns that Bills quarterback Trent Edwards continues to regress in his development. Edwards was setting up camp in the backfield as he had all day to throw once Buffalo's offensive line started to double-team Rogers.

Now let's look at some of the individual efforts by the Browns defense. It is time to sit Kamerion Wimbley. This guy looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. A simple stutter step by Lynch on the Bills first touchdown brought Wimbley out of his jock. This guy has become a bust and moves as if he has cement shoes on.

Crennel said they would move him around to open things up for him, so on Monday night he was in coverage more than rushing the quarterback. When he does rush the quarterback his one move cannot get by any offensive lineman. Where is the teaching for this kid?

One player that the team needs to cut ties with is linebacker Andra Davis. There were numerous times that he just stopped pursuing on plays. Talk about quitting!! I have never seen Ray Lewis stop on a play and seen him come from behind to make plays. Davis has not played hard since Butch Davis was head coach. He is slow and for a linebacker, his tackling skills are amongst the worst on the team.

In the same mold of Davis is D'Qwell Jackson. Jackson whiffs on tackles and also stops once the play goes past him. Plus, when he drops in coverage, there is not one tight end he can cover in the league. Where is the teaching for Jackson on how this game is played?

Another player who gives up is defensive lineman Shaun Smith. This is all on him. If he played as good as he talks, he would be a perennial Pro Bowler. This guy plays at half speed most of the time and he needs to learn to shut his mouth and learn to play football.

One more player is Eric Wright. He is a good player except for his tackling. He looked like a scared schoolgirl when he saw Lynch coming at him. He needs to watch tapes of Daylon McCutcheon when it comes to tackling. Deion Sanders didn't tackle but he did everything else above and beyond his ability. Wright is far from being Sanders.

It is great that the Browns got the win, but just remember it is only a mirage. Some of the better offenses will pick this defense apart and I am sure that Sage Rosenfels and Andre Johnson are licking their chops for a chance to play against this porous defense. Good thing we have a defensive guru for a head coach!!

Squeeler fans cry about refs

By Rick Morris

Boy, for all of the Squeeler fans crying about the sand in their va-jay-jays after the controversial call at the end of the day yesterday that cost their team the cover, you get the feeling there's a whole armada of double-wides that are going into foreclosure right about now.

Cavs, NBA's Hottest Team

By Johnny Russo

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rollin!

After seven straight wins we stand first in the Central Division and second in the Eastern Conference with an 8-2 record. NBA.com currently has us ranked #1 in the league in power rankings. Even Charles Barkley (who loves to slam the Cavs) has picked us to come out on top of the Eastern Conference at the end of the year. The rest of the league better watch out because we are climbing to the top!

Lebron James has won back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards, showing that his commitment to the Olympics over the summer has not slowed him down a bit. Over 10 games, Lebron has averaged 29.8 points, 8 rebounds and 7.3 assists. His leadership skills have improved dramatically since last year and he is dedicated to leading this team to the franchises first championship ever. 

Our team remains undoubtedly one of the top defensive teams in the league. We have slipped up a few times this year by letting teams score points in bunches, but we locked down on defense down the stretch of games and came out with wins. 

Ben Wallace has looked rejuvenated on the defensive end and has been a key presence in the paint. He has pulled down double-digit numbers in rebounds in four of the ten games despite his sore back (which hasn't seemed to have been bothering him much) and his banged up right knee. 

Although our team has had a defensive identity in the past, it has been entertaining to see our offense running up the scoreboard. We have scored 100-points or more in six of our past seven games. With the improved depth on the team there are many different players that can light up the scoreboard. With so many outside shooters we have been able to spread the floor well and it has been harder for teams to come at Lebron with double-teams. Especially when we run our three guard lineup with James playing power forward. This gives us three shooters on the floor and James is now playing off the ball where he is getting the easiest buckets of his career.

Our team is quickly developing a swagger and our players are more confident than ever! Throughout every game this year, the bench has been up and cheering for the players on the court as if it were a playoff game. This is type of energy and motivation this team needs to be successful. Everybody seems to be understanding their roll and players are willing to make sacrifices for the better of the team. This kind of chemistry will take this team to the next level and make us one of the top championship contenders. 

Cleveland fans, buckle your seat belts and let's enjoy the ride!!!

It Is Time For Lerner To Sell

by Greg Kozarik

The time has come for one Randolph Lerner to just cut bait and sell the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are more than a football team. It is a business and it is obvious it is one business adventure that Lerner has never wanted to be involved in.

When his father, Al Lerner, won the chance to own the expansion, this was something he was passionate about. When he passed away in 2002, Randy Lerner was given the team, something that he did not want but felt obligated to honor his father’s wishes. Now he is just running a proud franchise into the ground.

If it was not for that zombie, Al Davis and the way he is running the Oakland Raiders, the Browns would be the laughing stock of the NFL. Lerner does not need to be like Jerry Jones but he needs to be more like Dan Gilbert and the way he handles the Cavaliers.

Sure Lerner shows up to every home game but the fiasco that is the Browns is just a runaway train. Where was he with the whole staph infection situation? Where was he with the Kellen Winslow situation? These are two major issues that he was nowhere to be found. Look how he handled the John Collins process a couple of years ago.

He hired a GM in Phil Savage who has no idea that there is more to being a general manager than traveling to scout college games. Savage should be director of football operations much like Dwight Clark was when he was here and Lerner needs to hire a Carmen Policy-type person to handle the other side of the Cleveland Browns.

Browns legend Bernie Kosar speaks on the local talk shows about how much Lerner cares for the Browns and how losses tear him up. Lerner spends money on football players but Savage makes the decision on you to get and that obviously is not working. But does Lerner really care?

Did he not learn from the way the Browns were run when Butch Davis was the head coach? Davis tried to become the dictator of the organization and the team quickly when down the drain. Davis was a joke in the way he ran the team and the way he treated the players. This should have been a huge lesson for Lerner.

Lerner is now letting Savage run rough shot throughout the organization. He needs to reel him in and as the season becomes more about where the Browns will be drafting in April than winning football games, he needs to show some backbone.

The Aston Villa soccer club that Lerner owns has had some success since he has bought the team. He has hired some competent people to handle the day-to-day operations and the fans love him. Why can’t he do that here? He can start by firing that fraud of an NFL coach, Romeo Crennel.

This whole organization needs direction from the top down to the bottom. Since Lerner does not care how his team is perceived by the fans (despite what that buffoon Trent Dilfer says), the media and his peers in the NFL. Sell now Randy, your time has come! We need an in flux of new blood throughout the entire Cleveland Browns organization.

Cavaliers hold off Jazz, 105-93

by Ben Chew

The Cavaliers continue their winning ways as they take out a injured Utah Jazz line-up by the score of 105-93. Lebron James lead all scorers with 38 points in a game that was a-typical of a Cavalier win.

The Jazz who were playing in the fifth game of their road trip looked hungry to get a win and through the 1st half it appeared that they were ready to end the Cavaliers seven-game winning streak. Utah was without Deron Williams who didn't travel with team due to an sprained left ankle, Andrei Kirilenko with a dislocated right finger, and Mehmet Okur due to personal reasons.

The Jazz lead by as many as nine points going into the second half when the sleeping giants of the Cleveland Cavaliers were awoken by three point baskets by Mo Williams and Delonte West. Daniel Gibson hit a key three to end the quarter as the Cavaliers outscored the Jazz 34 to 23 in the 3rd quarter.

It was a homecoming for some of the Utah Jazz as Carlos Boozer who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002 and former Ohio State center Kosta Koufos saw action for the Jazz due to the depleted line-up.

Head coach Mike Brown was impressed with the resliance of the team but also noted due the injuries that the Jazz had, he personally had to switch and change his rotations due to the different line-up that the Jazz gave him. The Jazz have not won in Cleveland since 2005.

More Reasons Why Crennel Hasn't A Clue

by Greg Kozarik

Head Coach Romeo Crennel continues to prove that he really is lost when it comes to running a football team. The latest clues have come this week with his comments on running back Jerome Harrison and safety Sean Jones.

Let's start with Jones, who revealed on Friday to reporters that he his not happy about being rotated in and out and that his surgically repaired knee is just fine. But so-called 'doctor' Crennel disagrees and says that Jones' knee swells up after games.

So what is really going on? Jones claimed that his knee does not swell up and that he feels just fine with how it is progressing. His play proves that as he has had a nice season despite his interception totals being down.