It’s time to end all All-Star Games
Yesterday the sports world was treated to the NHL All-Star Game and the NFL's Pro Bowl. What a yawn!!! The NHL game ended up 12-9 with Team Chara defeating Team Alfredsson. The score was indicative of many hockey all-star games in the past. It kind of reminded me of games we used to play on the street many years ago. And by the way, whatever happened to the Eastern Conference vs the Western Conference. Team Chara vs Team Alfredsson?? Please!!!
While the Pro Bowl identifies each team by its conference name, the game itself is a joke. How many NFL games this year came close to scoring 100 points?? Again this is typical of the Pro Bowl, where there are restrictions on what the defense can do and the players enjoy soaking up the bright Hawaiian sun. Usually a lot of points is entertaining but not when it is apparent that some players are going through the motions. And please, don't talk up playing for conference pride because that ended years ago.
Unfortunately, all-star games have become a joke. What is suppose to be an exhibition of the best talent turns into a contrived facsimile of how the respective games are actually played. Case in point: Steven Stamkos was awarded a penalty shot during yesterday's game. He made a goofy spin move that was easily stopped. Maybe Steven thought he was still in the Skills Competition's breakaway contest because I find it hard to believe that he would have pulled that in a regular season game. But hey, this is the all-star game and its about having fun.
In my opinion, all-star games should be eliminated. Just think, with respect to Major League Baseball, the NHL and the NBA, the regular season could end a week sooner and answer the critics who say that they are too long. That's not to say that there can't be all-star teams but they should be announced at the end of the regular season with no game to be played.
Baseball always had the best all-star game. It has been called, "The Midsummer Classic." But it too has lost its pizazz. What made it a classic was that you were going to see players from the two leagues face each other that you might not see happen unless their respective teams made the World Series. Hank Aaron facing Jim Palmer. Now, with interleague play, that matchup could take place in a mid-week game in May.
I'm probably in the minority but I could do without all-star games. They have become a joke and the respective leagues go through all kinds of trouble to try to make them relevant and interesting. For a die-hard fan like me, their efforts are pointless. There will be some who will say to me that if I dislike them so much I just shouldn't watch them. Well, I haven't watched an all-star game in its entirety in over 10 years and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Browns Organization Continues To Be A Joke
As many of you know I have been a Browns fan for my entire life going back to the early 60's. I remember their last NFL Championship in 1964. Since then there have been plenty of disappointments. The 1965, 1968 and 1969 losses in the NFL Championship games. Red-Right 88 in the 1981 playoff game loss against the Oakland Raiders. The Drive. The Fumble. Another 1989 AFC Championship loss. And then the team moving to Baltimore after the 1995 season.
In 1999, the Browns were back and it has been a series of missteps. When the Browns hired Mike Holmgren to be President of the team it was believed that for the first time Randy Lerner had someone who had a football background to lead the team, Carmen Policy notwithstanding. However, Holmgren's regime has provided enough fodder to make one wonder if this organization will ever get out of its own way and continue to be nothing more than a joke. Let's look at the record.
When Holmgren came in he elected to keep Eric Mangini on as head coach, even though we knew that Holmgren and Mangini were not on the same page philosophically. Then, he hires Pat Shurmur who has had no head coaching experience but we are told that he has an offensive mind. Really!!! Not sure we saw much difference between Shurmur's offense and Brian Daboll's, even though one can make the argument that Colt McCoy played better under Daboll.
Of course, under Daboll, McCoy had a running game led by Peyton Hillis. The same Peyton Hillis who the Browns have in essence run out of town and by doing so have created another hole that needs to be filled. So a team devoid of playmakers loses another one. Speaking of McCoy, the whole mishandling of the concussion he received in Pittsburgh was a huge black eye. Holmgren's ridiculous and totally unbelieveable explanation that no one saw the viciousness of the hit was a joke. The fact that this kid was allowed back on the field was a disgrace. And if my memory serves me correctly, Holmgren went after Browns fans basically saying you are either with us or against us.
This season's end of the year press conference with Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert was also disturbing. Holmgren told us that we need to have faith in him and his management team. He further said that Pat Shurmur was going to be a head coach here for a long time. Shurmur's performance this year was borderline sophomoric. To assist the offense, the Browns yesterday announced the hiring of Brad Childress as Offensive Coordinator. The same Childress whose offense was questioned consistently while he was head coach in Minnesota, even though he had Adrian Peterson and for a brief time Brett Farve.
In keeping with this "your either with us or against us" attitude, it was announced that long-time Cleveland Plain Dealer Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi was being relieved of his duties covering the team because of a message that he inadvertently posted on twitter. Grossi posted the following: "He's a pathetic figure, the most irrelevant billionaire in the world." Grossi apologized but it wasn't enough. It has been reported that the Browns contacted the Plain Dealer to voice their disapproval. So much for a free press. The fact of the matter is that the only constant for the Browns is Randy Lerner and as a result Tony Grossi is right.
Grossi is an excellent reporter. He is objective. He calls it the way he sees it. I don't always agree with him but I respect his opinion. What I also respect is his willigness to call the Browns out when necessary. He's more than a cheerleader. But obviously he did not demonstrate that he was "with them" so he must be "against them."
I have questioned many times over the last few years if I would have been better off if the Browns never came back. The more I see what continues to go on with this franchise under the leadership of Randy Lerner, I think I know the answer.
Heading Into Championship Week
Except for the Patriots destruction of the Denver Broncos, divisional playoff weekend provided great entertainment for football fans. The best game without a doubt was the New Orleans-San Francisco contest which saw a coming out party for the much-mailgned Alex Smith. Smith has often been considered a first round bust. The thinking was that Smith was nothing more than a game manager, just like Trent Dilfer, and that the 49ers relied on a running game and defense. But Saturday afternoon, Smith went toe-to-toe with NFL MVP candidate Drew Brees and drove his team down the field not once but twice, the last time with 9 seconds remaining to punch the Niners ticket to the NFC Championship game. A championship game that will be played at Candlestick Park as a result of the New York Giants victory over the Green Bay Packers.
The Giants were led by their franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, who outplayed the other NFL MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. The Giant defense pressured Rodgers and made plays when they had to and the Packer defense which has been suspect all year long could not get it done when they needed to. New York's victory was not surprising to me as they had the better defense, were on a roll and their QB and WRs were every bit as good as the Packers. On top of that, the Giant running game was firing on all cylinders as evidenced by Brandon Jacobs' touchdown at the end of the game which sealed the deal for New York.
In Baltimore, the Ravens recipe for victory remained the same as they capitalized on turnovers and their defense was able to make big plays. Give the Houston Texans credit for not backing down as they trailed 17-3 in the first quarter and it looked like it was going to be a blowout. But they made it close behind the running of Arian Foster but in the end it wasn't enough. One has to think that if Matt Schaub had not been injured that this game would have ended differently.
Saturday night, Tom Brady showed that he wasn't screwing around as he lit up the Bronco defense for 6 touchdown passes, 5 in the first half, as the Patriots rolled Denver 45-10. Tim Tebow was not a factor at all as the Patriot defense played one of its better games of the year. A defense that was just as bad as that of the Packers. In the end, the Patriots were just too much for the Broncos.
The championship games should be very interesting. Two years ago the Ravens knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs, as Ray Rice ran all over them in Foxboro. Don't think that Bill Belichik won't remind his team of that. On the NFC side, the Giants will try to avenge a loss that they suffered at the hands of the Niners during the regular season. In what has become a quarterbacks league, next Sunday it will come down to four QB's. Right now, I'd have to go with Tom Brady and Eli Manning and what a Super Bowl that would be: a rematch from 2007 that saw the Giants win the Super Bowl and end the Patriots undefeated season. Stay tuned.
January 11, 1987: A Day Of Infamy For Browns Fans
Thirty-five years ago yesterday, the AFC Championship Game was held at the venerable Cleveland Municipal Stadium. (great atmosphere even though it was decrepit) The Cleveland Browns led 20-13 with 5:32 left in the game and they had just pinned the Denver Broncos back on their own 2 yard line. The old Stadium sensed that their team could be punching a ticket to the Super Bowl. I remember my whole family was gathered at my parents for Sunday dinner. Dinner was over and we were all huddled around the TV set. Even the ladies were in on it. My mother, who has endured the trials and tribulations of the Browns since I was five years old, knew that this was something big.
I was guarding against thinking ahead but remember thinking about what it would be like getting ready for the Super Bowl with the Browns in it for the first time. All they had to do was hold the Broncos one more time and they would move on. It was not to be. John Elway, who to this day when I see him I boil with rage, brought the Broncos to the Cleveland 40 yard line with 2 minutes left in the game. First and 10 from the Cleveland 40. On first down, Elway attempts a pass that goes incomplete. Second and 10 and Browns defensive tackle Dave Puzzuoli sacked Elway for an 8 yard loss. I was fighting not to think about the Browns Super Bowl shirts and hats I might be looking to buy. Stop them here and this one is over.
Third and 18, 1:52 left in the game. 1:52 to the Browns first Super Bowl. It was not to be. Elway hit Mark Jackson for a 20 yard pass. First and 10 from the Cleveland 28 yard line with 1:19 left. After an incomplete pass, Elway hit Steve Sewell for a 14 yard gain and brought the ball to the Cleveland 14. On first down, an incomplete pass brought second down when John Elway scrambled for a 9 yard gain. After a first down, it became third and one from the Browns 5 yard line with 39 seconds left in the game. I was pleading for them to stop them. The house was eerily quiet but I think everyone had a feeling if this didn't turn out well who knows what could happen. I remember back-up linebacker Brad Van Pelt running onto the field late and I was going nuts. What the hell is going on??? And then Elway hit Mark Jackson for a touchdown. The extra point was good and we were heading to overtime.
The Browns won the toss and got the ball first. They got to their own 36 yard line. It was third and 2 and they called for a running play to back-up running back Herman Fontenot. Are you kidding me?? What the hell are you thinking Marty?? (Schottenheimer). The Browns were forced to punt and Denver got the ball on their own 7. Once again, the Browns defense couldn't stop Elway. It was third and 12 from the 50 yard line. I'm thinking, stop them here and we''ll get the ball back. But no. Elway hit Steve Watson for a 28 yard gain. I knew it was over. 2 plays later Rich Karlis kicked a 33 yard field goal and Denver was going to the Super Bowl.
I remember going into a bedroom, grabbing a pillow and screaming into it. I was devastated and pissed off at the same time. How many more times will they get this close?? (the following year, The Fumble which I maintain was even harder for me to swallow). My wife, son and I left my Mom's. I was boiling. Our Christmas tree was still in the house and needed to be put out for the trash on Monday. While my wife was looking after my son, I bull rushed the tree out the front door and slammed it to the ground falling on top of it. I laid their on top of it, swearing and weeping at the same time. To this day when the highlights from this game are on TV I look away. Just can relive the pain.
Holmgren Doesn’t Get it
Last week, Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert held an end-of-the year press conference to discuss the team's season and what lies ahead. What was apparent is that Mike Holmgren doesn't understand what he needs to do as team president: Give the fans hope that things will turn around. The press conference didn't do that for me. The Double H boys want Browns fans to have hope that things will turn around because they say so. Really???
Mike Holmgren has never built a Super Bowl winning team. He coached two teams in the Super Bowl: Green Bay (won) and Seattle (lost). When he had general manager responsibilities in Seattle, the Seahawks did not do all that well and he was forced out of that role. With respect to Heckert, none of his Philadelphia Eagle teams won the Super Bowl. Based on the record, it's hard to buy what Holmgren is selling when he lectures us that we need to have faith in him.
While I agree that the Browns need to have continuity and stop the coaching carousel, what I have a problem with is how the Double H boys seemed to have ceded the decision about having an offensive coordinator to their rookie coach, Pat Shurmur. It appears that Holmgren likes to deal with his coaches the way he would like to be dealt with as a coach. The problem is that he is no longer a coach. He is a team executive who has years of experience in the NFL and needs to use that experience to assist his young first-time head coach. They hired an experienced NFL defensive coordinator (and former head coach) in Dick Jauron and the defensive unit had a fairly good year. The same cannot be said for the offense which stumbled and bumbled under the guidance of an overwhelmed rookie head coach. The same can be said for special teams, which went from a team strength to a team weakness that cost them at least two games. By the way the guy they got rid of, Brad Seely, coaches the San Francisco 49er special teams which won the NFC Western Division.
Holmgren made a point of saying that this was actually the first year of the Browns rebuild. Hmmmmmm. I can understand why he said that but he has been in Cleveland for two years and allowed his first year to be wasted by holding on to Eric Mangini. Again, this was a case where Holmgren acted as a coach as opposed to an executive. I remember him saying that it wasn't fair to Mangini to just come in and fire him. Really??? It was the first big decision that Holmgren had to make and it was a bust as he set the rebuild back a year.
As far as I'm concerned, the Double H boys do not deserve a pass. I'm not saying that I was expecting a playoff appearance this year. I'm also not saying that I expected an 8-8 record. But another double digit loss season with an offense that was putrid after hiring an offensive-minded head coach who was calling his own plays is totally unacceptable. Their handling of Colt McCoy also leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, I will say that McCoy has regressed. The whole concussion issue was badly mishandled and now the revelation from Seneca Wallace that he did not help McCoy in learning the new offensive scheme is an indictment on Holmgren because Wallace is Holmgren's guy. At the press conference he waxed glowingly about Seneca. Yet, the career back-up admitted that he didn't help McCoy because he wanted the starting job. If I were Colt McCoy, I wouldn't want to play another down for the Cleveland Browns.
The thing with McCoy is that Holmgren drafted him. He sold him as their guy. He believed that he could be the guy who would lead the Browns to the playoffs. Yet, Seneca Wallace refuses to help the kid quarterback out??? The same Seneca Wallace who played for Holmgren in Seattle and who Holmgren spoke so glowingly of last week. If McCoy is not the guy, and I don't believe he is, then Holmgren has set the rebuild back another year which makes this year's off season critical.
It is apparent that the Browns need to acquire playmakers, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. If they can't move up to get Andrew Luck then they need to acquire someone like Kyle Orton. With their two first round picks they need to draft players who can make a difference. Justin Blackmon would be a no-brainer if he is available with their first pick in the first round. If they can't get him, maybe they move down a couple of spots where they would draft either Ashton Jeffries or Michael Floyd plus pick up another draft pick. With that second first round pick, they need to take someone who can make a difference on either side of the ball. By acquiring someone like Orton, the Browns can have a chance to improve offensively while setting themselves up to be able to draft a quarterback in 2013. They could also use a third or fourth round pick this year to draft someone like Kellen Moore.
The Double H boys need to make the right moves this off season. Their first two major decisions have not panned out and in baseball its three strikes and your out.
2011 NFL Picks
Well, the NFL regular season is over and after a very slow start with my NFL Picks, I closed out the season in Week 17 going 3-0 in convincing fashion with Atlanta (-12), Baltimore (-2) and the NY Giants (-3). For the season I was 30-22 but over the last 12 weeks I was 26-12. NFL Playoffs begin on Saturday and I will have picks tomorrow.
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This morning at 11am Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert will hold a season ending press conference. I am really looking forward to hear what these two have to say as it relates to the quarterback situation, Peyton Hillis, free agency and the 2012 draft. The last time Holmgren addressed the media was after the McCoy concussion fiasco. At that time he scolded fans about being patient along with giving a Nixonian explanation about how they handled Colt McCoy after the James Harrison hit. Should be interesting.
Sorry To Say But Browns Need A QB!!
With the Browns not playing yesterday, I had the opportunity to follow games on DirecTV's Red Zone Channel. It's probably the best thing about the NFL's Sunday Ticket. I found myself paying attention to young QB's namely Andy Dalton, TJ Yates, Cam Newton, Christian Ponder and Jake Locker and it hit me: the Browns need to draft a quarterback.
I have wanted to believe that Colt McCoy was the guy that would lead the Browns to a championship. But after watching these other young QBs and comparing them to McCoy one thing was clear to me: these other young QBs can make plays to move their teams, I don't see that from Colt. All of the guys that I've mentioned can throw the ball long down the field. They can keep the defenses honest. The same can't be said for McCoy.
All of these young quarterbacks give their fans hope for the future and while they all did not win yesterday they were exciting to watch. Unfortunately for the Browns they will need to draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Depending upon where they ultimately finish, the Browns could possibly get a quarterback with their first pick in the first round. They could also package their two first round picks and trade with Indianapolis to get the first pick overall and select Andrew Luck. The Colts may be willing to do that if Peyton Manning is ready to play next year. As was reported on the CBS pre-game show, the Colts are concerned about how things would work if Manning is ready to play and they draft Luck. It's felt that Manning would not be a good mentor.
Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert need to understand that the fans of this downtrodden team cannot wait for a five year rebuild. We've been rebuilding for 12 years. They will need to score on their draft picks and need to sign free agents and I'm not talking about middling players. I'm talking about game changers. All we are looking for is some signs of hope that things are improving. Otherwise, we can be looking at another long five years ahead.
Browns Make A Mistake With McCoy
By now everyone knows about the hit by James Harrison on Colt McCoy that occurred Thursday night at Heinz Field. Whether the hit should result in a fine and suspension is up to the NFL. Over the course of the last several days there have been differing opinions about what should happen to Harrison. But as a Browns fan, my issue is with whether or not Colt McCoy should have been allowed back in the game.
The Browns contend that they performed testing which resulted in the team allowing McCoy back in the game after 2 plays. Are you kidding me??? Having seen the hit a number of times and McCoy's reaction immediately after the hit, it would not have surprised me that he had a concussion. McCoy's father, who is a high school football coach, said that based upon how his son's body was so rigid after the hit was an indication of a concussion.
If we are to accept the Browns contention that McCoy did not exhibit concussion like symptoms immediately after the hit, then how come he exhibited them after the game??? How come the press corp was told to dim their lights before McCoy came in for his post game press conference??? Unfortunately, I don't buy the Browns explanation. I don't buy the Browns story that they completed concussion symptom testing on McCoy in 2 plays.
The NHL has put a big emphasis on concussions since Sidney Crosby was knocked out for an extended period of time. They have instituted a policy that if a player takes a blow to the head that player must be sent to the locker room for an evaluation. If the player does not pass the evaluation they are not allowed back in the game. The same type of policy needs to be enacted in the NFL. McCoy should not have been allowed back in the game. He says he doesn't remember anything that happened after the hit other than the fact that he knew he cost the team the game.
The Browns risked this kid's health and in the process lost a chance to beat a division rival. The game is not as important as McCoy's well-being. For a team that has had issues with player health (LeCharles Bentley, staph infections, the Hillis situation), this is the worst yet. The truth will come out and when it does someone needs to be held accountable and the team needs to be fined substantially. This whole thing makes me sick and is another example of an organization which just doesn't get it.
Week 14 NFL Picks
Last week was a mediocre week as I went 2-2 bringing my overall record to 24-19. Over the last 9 weeks my record is 20-9. Here's hoping for a better week.
*Cincinnati (-3) over Houston: The Bengals are in a must win situation here. A loss would put them at 7-6 and a Jets and/or Titans victory would put the Bengals one game out of a playoff spot. They are at home playing a Houston team without their starting quarterback, their second string quarterback and their star wide receiver. The Texans have a two game lead over the Titans. This game is more important for the Bengals and they are at home. Cincinnati 20 Houston 14.
*Atlanta (-3) over Carolina: I swore I would never pick the Falcons again but this game is huge for them and their playoff chances. They are fighting with the Bears and the Lions for wild card spots. A Falcon loss and the other two teams winning would put the Falcons a game behind. Keep in mind, the Bears hold the tie breaker over the Falcons having defeated them on opening day. The Panthers will not go down easy but this is a huge game for Atlanta. Atlanta 27 Carolina 21.
*New York Giants (+3 1/2) over Dallas: For the G-men this is do or die. A loss and they can kiss their playoff chances good-bye and it probably means that Tom Coughlin will be out as Head Coach at the end of the season. They have lost 4 in a row, including a gut-wrencing loss last week at home against Green Bay. The Cowboys had a chance to take a two game lead over the Giants but dropped a game they should have won in Arizona. Both of these teams are inconsistent. But I'm going with the team that needs it more. New York Giants 30 Dallas 28.
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Tomorrow my thoughts on the Browns and their handling of Colt McCoy after being hit by James Harrison
Week 13 NFL Picks
Last week I finished 3-2 going 3-1 on Sunday rebounding from the Lion debacle on Thanksgiving Day. My season record is 22-15 but over the last 8 weeks my record is 18-7. This week four picks and hopefully I can continue my winning ways.
* Buffalo (-1 1/2) over Tennessee: The Bills have lost 4 in a row and are coming home after a three game road trip. But for a Stevie Johnson dropped pass the Bills would have defeated the Jets on the road. The Bills are 4-1 at home and the Titans are 2-3 on the road. This is a big game for the Titans as they still have a shot at the playoffs. However, Ralph Wilson Stadium is a tough place to play and if the Bills have any pride they will win this game. Buffalo 20 Tennessee 17.
* Denver (+1 1/2) over Minnesota: The Broncos are on an amazing run with Tim Tebow. They are one game behind the Raiders and are very much in the hunt to win the AFC West. Denver is riding a four game win streak and are 5-1 as a road underdog. Minnesota is playing out the string and will be without Adrian Peterson. They have lost 3 in a row. Tebow continues to find a way. Denver 21 Minnesota 13.
* Oakland (+3) over Miami: While I understand that the Raiders have some injuries I still can't imagine the Dolphins being favored in this game. The Raiders hold a one game lead over the surging Denver Broncos. They can't afford a slip up against Miami. Oakland is 7-3-1 ATS and are 3-0-1 as a road underdog. Miami has played better as of late. They are 6-5 ATS and 2-1 as a home favorite. Straight up the Raiders are 4-1 on the road and Miami is 2-3 at home. This game will be close. Oakland 17 Miami 15.
* San Francisco (-13 1/2) over St.Louis: The 49ers are coming off a tough loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night. They have had ten days to stew over the loss. The Rams have the worst rush defense in the league and San Francisco has Frank Gore. San Francisco is 5-0-1 as a home favorite and St.Louis is 1-3 as a road underdog. This one will get ugly. San Francisco 31 St.Louis 10.
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