Storm Clouds Brewing In Believeland??
After last Sunday's disappointing loss to the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Browns will play out the schedule as they head into an off season that once again will be filled with changes. There is no question that Jimmy Haslam's purchase of the team from Randy Lerner certainly was viewed as a positive as we were finally going to have an owner who cared about football. But my enthusiasm for Haslam has been tempered by the hiring of Joe Banner as President & CEO.
Banner has structured the organization in a way that the General Manager will report directly to him as opposed to Haslam. It is clear that Tom Heckert is out as GM and numerous sources are reporting that Mike Lombardi will be named the new GM. Lombardi's track record is horrible and would appear to be the perfect yes man for Bean Counter Banner. With Lombardi as GM, one has to wonder who will be the next head coach. I don't have a problem with Pat Shurmur being let go. Shurmur is not ready to be a head coach and Brad Childress has been a failure as Offensive Coordinator. But questions still remain: who will be the next head coach, will we still have a 4-3 defense, will the West Coast offense be tossed out and will Phil Dawson & Josh Cribbs be back? And probably most importantly, who will be the team's starting quarterback??
Since 1999, this franchise has seen numerous organizational structures, head coaches, general managers and starting quarterbacks. The one constant has been terrible football. Haslam and Company keep on talking about improving the fan experience at the Stadium. Instead of looking at changing the team's iconic uniform, the best way to improve the fan experience is to play winning football. For some reason I have a bad feeling. Storm clouds are on the horizon and how much more can we take in Believeland??
Open Letter To Gary Bettman
Dear Mr. Bettman:
I have followed the NHL for 45 years. Living on the Canadian border in Western New York, watching my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada has become a Saturday night tradition. With the NHL Center Ice television package, I now have the ability to watch every single Leaf game. I consider myself a die-hard Leaf fan but even when the Leafs are not playing I love watching an NHL game on Center Ice or NBC. Hockey is my favorite sport and it was my hope that the 2012-2013 season could be saved. However, it appears more likely that this will not happen and that is why I'm asking you to have the courage and come out right now and cancel the season.
You see I don't believe that there is a desire on the part of you and the owners to settle this dispute unless the NHLPA capitulates to your demands. From where I sit, the players have agreed to a 50-50 split. They have acknowledged that there is the need for a limit on the length of contracts and a longer term for the CBA. Yet, you have said that the players must accept your package in total or else no deal. You see Mr. Bettman I agree with Donald Fehr that both sides are close. The problem is that I believe that the goal of the NHL is to bust the union.
To have a position in negotiations of "take it or leave it" is arrogance at the highest level. It only leads me to believe that you want to embarrass Donald Fehr and break the union at the expense of the 2012-2013 season. Negotiations means give and take and I don't believe you are interested in that at all.
Mr. Bettman, your record is that of 3 lockouts, the expansion of franchises in non-traditional hockey markets that are losing money and the loss of ESPN as a television outlet. It is evident that the owners are happy with this record. It is evident that they were satisfied with the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season. So I ask you, why not make it 2 cancellations in your 20 years. That's what you and your bosses want. Put us out of our misery and come out this afternoon and tell us that the 2012-2013 season is cancelled and then you can add to your "stellar" record of relegating the NHL to the laughingstock of professional sports in North American.
Tuesday’s Thoughts (on Wednesday)
While wondering why someone would need to own an assault rifle, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* There was a report in the NY Daily News that the Yankees have inquired about Vernon Wells. Getting Wells would require a trade with the Angels. The Yankees would be looking for the Angels to pay a substantial amount of the outfielder's salary. My question is: what prospect would the Yankees have to give up?
* I am probably one of the biggest hockey fans around and I really could careless if the lockout is ended.
* The two best things that could happen as a result of the lockout are Bettman being replaced as Commissioner and the Florida, Carolina, Nashville, Anaheim, and Phoenix franchises folding. Neither will probably happen.
* The Knicks were slammed by the Houston Rockets for the second time Monday night. It's more and more evident that they need Carmelo Anthony to come back as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see if he plays Thursday against Brooklyn.
* The Browns loss to the Redskins Sunday has probably sealed the fate of Head Coach Pat Shurmur. I have never been sold on Shurmur and I'm not a big Brad Childress fan either. It was evident that Shurmur was out coached by Mike Shanahan.
* I'm also not convinced that Brandon Weeden is the answer at quarterback. I think former Brown wide receiver Reggie Langhorne said it best on Bruce Drennan's "All Bets Are Off" when he said that Weeden doesn't have that WOW factor. I know what he means. I have seen nothing this year to give you the hope that this kid can make plays to win a game for you.
* I wonder how Colt McCoy would fare with better receivers and better running backs around him than he had last year.
* Check out Tony Grossi's post on ESPN Cleveland's website about a possible Joe Banner-Mike Lombardi-Josh McDaniel team in Cleveland.
http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=9761
* Joe Namath was criticized this year for speaking out about the state of his former team, the New York Jets. Well, Broadway Joe was right. The Jets are a joke. I was never sold on Mark Sanchez. People fail to remember that Sanchez only started one year at USC before going into the NFL draft. His confidence is shot and the Jets are stuck with him because of his contract.
* Like him or not, the Jets treatment of Tim Tebow is a disgrace. Here's hoping the kid can go somewhere and be a productive player.
* I always find it amazing when Bills fans and media types go off on the fan response at the Rogers Centre when their team plays there. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for the Toronto games old Ralph probably would have been moving the team a few years ago. The other thing is that from purely an entertainment standpoint, would you get excited watching Ryan Fitzpatrick??
* Chan Gailey should be fired. It is clear that he is clueless as a head coach. The problem is who will come here with any credibility when you have to deal with Buddy "Foghorn Leghorn" Nix and good ole' Ralph.
* When the Bills season mercifully ends, what will the gasbags at WGR 550 have to talk about??
* And finally, whatever happened to the "Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt" Art Wander
Week 15 In NFL Provides Interesting Matchups
As we head toward the end of the NFL season, Week 15 provides some interesting matchups that could give us a clear picture on playoff seedings and who will make it to the Super Bowl Tournament. Let's take a look at what is on tap for us this afternoon:
Indianapolis at Houston: The 9-4 Colts head to Houston to take on the reeling Texans. The Texans are coming off a 42-14 beat down by the Patriots on Monday night. This once proud defense has given up 120 points in their last 4 games. The Colts have a 2 game lead over the Bengals and Steelers in the wild card race. The Texans are smarting and are returning home. Would be shocked if the Texans don't win this one.
Denver at Baltimore: The Broncos are flying high with a 10-3 record as they head into Baltimore to take on the Ravens. The Ravens are on a two game losing streak and are fortunate that the Bengals and Steelers have failed to capitalize on their problems. The Broncos have won 8 in a row. If the Ravens are going to be a factor in the AFC Playoffs they need to start to play better football. A Raven victory would give them the tiebreaker for seeding purposes with the Broncos. Tough to go with Joe Flacco over Peyton Manning. This is going to be a good one to watch.
NY Giants at Atlanta: The Giants roll into the Georgia Dome to take on the NFC leading Falcons. The Falcons are coming off a loss to the Panthers. When you look at the Falcons schedule, the best team they have played was Denver and that was in Week 1. Washington and Dallas are the only other teams with a winning record, each at 7-6. Clearly, the Giants will be the best team they have faced all year. The Giants need a win to maintain their lead in the NFC East. They need this one more than the Falcons.
Green Bay at Chicago: One of the oldest rivalries in all of sports is renewed at Soldier Field this afternoon. These two teams really dislike each other as evidenced by the back in forth comments all week between the players of both teams. The Bears are reeling big time having lost 4 of their last 5 games. Lovie Smith is under fire and a loss today could put the Bears playoff spot in jeopardy. The Packers have won 7 out of their last 8 games. This is a must win for Chicago.
Pittsburgh at Dallas: Both of these teams are 7-6 and fighting for their playoff lives. With Big Ben back last week, the Steelers were embarrassed at home by San Diego. They have lost 3 out of their last 4 games. Dallas has won two in a row and 4 out of their last 5 games. Cincinnati has already won this week so the Steelers need this game to stay tied with their AFC North rival. The Cowboys need a win to stay within striking distance of Chicago and Seattle. Two desperate teams for a win, should be a good one.
San Francisco at New England: The Niners D against the Patriots Offense. This could be a good one. It will be a great test for San Francisco as they head to Foxboro going against a Patriots team that is on a 7 game winning streak. Houston came into Foxboro last week and were spanked and sent home. Will the Niners fold in New England in prime time or will they prove to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender?
It's weeks like this one that makes the Sunday Ticket worth having. Sit back and enjoy.
Just End The Misery Now Bettman
It is more evident to me as each day passes that Emperor Gary Bettman wants to break the NHLPA. A week ago, it appeared that the two sides were close to making a deal. Optimism was running wild as fans believed that the season would start on Christmas Day. Then Thursday hit and the roof caved in. As we have come to find out, the league made an offer to increase the revenue pool, make the term of the CBA ten years and limit the term of contracts to 5 years. The players came back with 8 years for the CBA and 6 years for contract length. Emperor Bettman lost it. You see it was a whole package and if the players didn't accept everything the league offered then there was no deal.
So let me see if I understand this: the parties are good with the revenue share and two years separate them on the term of the CBA and term of individual contracts is separated by a year. If Bettman and the militant hard-line owners really wanted the season to start, this thing could get settled by next week. The reality is that they hate Donald Fehr and they are incensed that the players are standing united.
What really infuriates me is that it was the teams that offered 10 and 12 year contracts to players this past summer. Now they want to blow up these contracts as this is "the hill that we will die on." Fehr was right when he said last Thursday that the parties were close. The Emperor couldn't handle that and lost it. So now he is going to show Fehr and the players who is boss by going to court and filing an unfair labor practice against the players.
Bettman's conduct throughout this has been awful. He has tried to discredit Fehr and it is clear that the little bully can't stand it that Fehr has the stones to stand up to him. Bettman has made this personal and as a result it will be difficult for him to give up anything. As a result, the Emperor needs to have the guts to come before the world and shut down the 2012-2013 season, 8 years after he shut down the 2004-2005 season. It is clear that the Emperor wants to destroy the NHLPA and Fehr. He could careless about the game. If he did we would have a deal. Have some guts Gary and put us all out of our misery.
Yanks Have No Choice: Sign Youkilis
With free agent third basemen going off the board and their self-imposed salary cap for 2014 on the horizon, the New York Yankees made a move that they had to make by signing former Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis to a one year deal for $12 million dollars. The 34 year old, who has had a history of back issues, is very familiar with playing in the pressure-filled American League East and the hope is that he will continue to perform as he did in the second half of the season for the Chicago White Sox.
We need to remember that Youkilis is a stop-gap signing. This goes beyond keeping the hot corner warm for ARod because the truth be told is that we really don't know when ARod will be back this year and what his condition will be for the remaining years of his contract. Youkilis may very well be a stop-gap fill until the Yankees are able to make a trade for a young player or bring up someone from their farm system to play third base.
An examination of Yankee prospects make it highly questionable that the likes of David Adams or Tyler Austin would be ready by 2014. In fact, when looking at positional players, the potential for homegrown kids coming to the Bronx is probably closer to 2015 which probably means that we will see more geriatric one year signings through 2014. For me, the most important thing to be watching this year won't be the AL East standings but will be following the progress of kids like Austin, Adams, Gary Sanchez, Slade Heathcott, Jose Pirela and Zolio Almonte. It would be great if one or two of these kids were able to make it to the big club at some point in 2013.
With Youkilis on the roster and the signing of Ichiro imminent, the Yankees will be one of the oldest teams in baseball. They may have enough to make the playoffs this year but I have a hard time thinking that they will have enough left in the tank to win it all. That's why I will be watching what's going on in places like Scranton and Trenton this summer as much as the Bronx.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering whether the LAPD was involved in the shooting of the Notorious B.I.G, here's what is on my mind this morning:
* The NHL and NHLPA are reportedly scheduled to meet tomorrow. I find it amazing how many Canadian media people have taken the side of the league. As far as I'm concerned, the league's attempt to discredit Donald Fehr is a joke. It shows the mentality of a league which continually shoots itself in the foot.
* Whatever happened to league commissioners who worked for the betterment of the game and not the betterment of the billionaires who run the respective leagues.
* The Yankees have made an offer to Kevin Youkilis and appear to be closing in on Ichiro. Hopefully, both players take the offers so we can move on to get ready for the 2013 season.
* The trade between the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays is the type of trade that makes sense for both teams. Kansas City get 2 pitchers who are not that old and will boost their rotation and Tampa gets some young prospects, one in Wil Myers who could very well start this year and replace BJ Upton.
* It's a strange off season when the Royals, Rays and Jays make more news than the Yankees and Red Sox.
* What are the odds that Joe Girardi is the manager of the Yankees in 2014.
* This past weekend showed what frauds the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans are. Both teams have the best record in their respective conferences but they are flawed.
* Wouldn't it be something if the NFL Conference Finals had Denver vs New England in the AFC and the Giants vs San Francisco in the NFC.
* The New York Knicks decisive victory over the Miami Heat last night was impressive particularly since the Knicks were without Carmelo Anthony. At this pace, Knicks Coach Mike Woodson should be a prime candidate for Coach of the Year.
* The Buffalo Bills 15-12 loss to the St. Louis Rams have the Bills faithful screaming for Chan Gailey's head. Gailey's track record as a head coach is terrible so none of this should be a surprise. The real problem is the owner. Until Ralph Wilson relinquishes control of this team, the Bills will flounder.
* And finally the best kept secret in Western New York is the Niagara University hockey team. The Purple Eagles are ranked 16th in the country with a 10-2-3 record. The Eagles are at home tomorrow at 7pm where they face off against R.I.T. If you need a hockey fix, check them out. Go Eagles!!!
Browns On The Right Track
Had the opportunity to be at Cleveland Browns Stadium yesterday to watch the Browns roll over the Kansas City Chiefs 30-7 and what I couldn't help notice was the optimism that Browns fans had for this 5-8 team. This is a fan base that has suffered from The Drive to The Fumble to Art Modell's hijacking the team to Baltimore and leaving this proud city without an NFL team from 1996 to 1999. But for the first time in a number of years, these fans sense that their young team may finally be moving in the right direction.
A team in the AFC North needs to have 2 constants: a solid defense and the ability to put the game away with a running game. But for the brief time when Jamal Lewis still had some legs, the Browns have never had a strong running game since they have been back in the league until now. Trent Richardson is the real deal. This kid is tough as nails and has a nose for the end zone. Montario Hardesty is the perfect change of pace back and is finally showing why Tom Heckert made a move to draft the young back from Tennessee a couple of years ago.
Since the team has been back, the Browns defense has been putrid at best. How many times would they be destroyed by an opposing team's running back. There was never a solid pass rush and it seems they were never able to come up with a big turnover or stop to change a game. This has all changed as this year's defensive unit has been solid. The front seven has really improved, applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks and holding running backs in check. Joe Haden and TJ Ward lead a secondary that can only get better.
The beauty here is the fact that this team is one of the youngest in the league. They seem to be gaining confidence week in and week out. After giving up an 80 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, the Browns put the clamps down on Kansas City and took charge of a game that they should win. All of this optimism makes it hard for me to understand all of the rumors about Mike Lombardi becoming the team's General Manager. To me, this would be a huge mistake.
Tom Heckert has done a tremendous job in acquiring young talent. What an unbelievable move in picking up Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft. Gordon has become a game breaker for the Browns. You can tell that this kid is the real deal. It should also be pointed out that Mike Lombardi ripped the Browns for giving up a second round pick in 2013 to select Gordon. I guess you were wrong Mike.
In my mind, Heckert deserves to remain as GM. Unfortunately, his remaining with the team will be dependent on what his relationship was in Philly with Joe Banner. I'm getting a bad feeling about Banner. The only hope is that new owner Jimmy Haslam will see what's going on with his newly acquired team and make sure that Banner does the right thing. In my mind, the right thing would be to retain Heckert as GM.
Since 1999, the Browns management team has been in constant flux, changing GM's and head coaches like I change socks. While the jury may still be out on Coach Pat Shurmur, there should be no doubt that Tom Heckert has put this team on the right track. Replacing him will be a huge mistake. It all seems to rest in Joe Banner's hands and I have to say that scares me.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering what it will take to knock some sense into Lindsay Lohan's head, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* By now you have all heard that ARod needs surgery on his left hip that will keep him out of the Yankee lineup until at least June. I'm not going to get into whether or not this is a result of his earlier steroid use. To me that is a waste of time. What has me fired up is what I have been harping about for many months: the Yankees lack of a plan to be ready for the eventual need to replace their aging stars particularly in light of Hal Steinbrenner's edict to get the payroll down to $189 million dollars in 2014. The only way that Boy Wonder Brian Cashman could meet Hal's request is by having young homegrown talent. The fact is that they don't have any that will be ready (if any at all) by 2014. The richest team in all of sports is not able to develop players that are major league ready. With all of their scouts throughout the world, they have not been able to develop heir apparents for: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada. Someone needs to be held accountable for this and unfortunately I don't see anything happening. Wish the Boss was still around.
* Cashman indicates that he is not going to panic as a result of the ARod news. Why should he his job is safe. But as a Yankee fan, the options for a replacement are not good as evidenced by Joel Sherman's article: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/cornering_some_options_at_yQCTU2LydW6KMTlDI6RxCL
* Not only is third base a problem, but prospects for a catcher are terrible and let's not forget they need a right fielder. Those cheers you are hearing are coming from Toronto, Tampa Bay and Baltimore as their chances of making the playoffs have dramatically increased.
* Word is that the Yankees are entertaining offers for Curtis Granderson. While moving Granderson wouldn't be a bad thing, the key would be what the Yankees would get in return.
* Yankee fans face reality: no young homegrown talent, bad contracts with aging players and a $189 million dollar payroll limit equals years of mediocrity. For someone who has endured the late 60's, early 70's and late 80's, I've seen this story before. Can't wait to see how Hal, Levine and Trost deal with the empty seats at the new Yankee Stadium.
* NBA Emperor David Stern's $250,000 fine levied against the San Antonio Spurs for not playing their stars against the Miami Heat was excessive and showed how much in bed pro sports are with television networks. The Spurs have done this before and nothing was said or done about it. But this was the feature game for TNT and I'm sure the network suits were not happy so Stern had to do something to satisfy them. What a joke.
* Great tweet last night from a Raptors fan: "It has been announced that David Stern is levying a $250,000 fine on the Toronto Raptors for playing their starting five."
* Today NHL players will meet with 6 NHL owners in an attempt to work out a framework to end this ridiculous lock out. Check out the article by Larry Brooks which illustrates the hypocrisy of the owners.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/hypocritical_owners_face_players_wfqBjGiPOpQSdoChQaykLJ
* There were some great college football games over the weekend. But I'm still scratching my head over Georgia's decision not to clock it with 15 seconds and instead call a play. Major mistake. In another bonehead move, Kent State decides to run an end around with their tight end in a 3rd and 1 situation down at the 6 yard line in overtime. What made that even more crazy was that Kent State has a 250 lb RB who Northern Illinois couldn't stop.
* Nebraska should be ashamed of themselves after their despicable performance against Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game.
* Had to laugh at the outrage by the ESPN talking heads related to Northern Illinois being in the Orange Bowl. How about being upset about a 5 loss Wisconsin team being in the Rose Bowl and a 7 loss Georgia Tech team getting a bowl bid. This is what you get with the current BCS system which no one at ESPN has had the courage to criticize over the years. I wonder if the lack of criticism has something to do with the fact that ESPN/ABC is televising 32 of the 35 bowl games.
* Andrew Luck and RG III are 2 further examples of why quarterbacks matter.
* I have never seen 2 one loss teams that seem so vulnerable as the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. I don't see either making it to the Super Bowl.
* And finally, I remember Cleveland sportswriters ripping the Browns for trading their first round pick to the NY Jets which resulted in the Jets selecting Mark Sanchez. At the time, the Browns were in their constant search for a QB and Sanchez was the guy. I have never been a Sanchez believer. The kid was only a starter for one year at USC. In my mind, he was not ready and it is bearing out now. A franchise QB elevates the players around him. It's been the other way around with Sanchez.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering who is the genius who has come up with those awful Oregon football uniforms, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* The Toronto Blue Jays have vaulted into the AL East elite with a stunning blockbuster trade that brings Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle and Emilio Bonifacio to the Rogers Centre. While there are never any guarantees with trades, this one certainly may change the balance of power in what is the most competitive division in baseball.
* Meanwhile, the Yankees are waiting to hear from Andy Petitte about his intentions to play in 2013. In looking at the Yankees right now it seems hard to imagine this team doing more than making the playoffs.
* It was reported on ESPN Cleveland that Browns players would like to see a uniform change. Really?? How about trying to win a football game. Cleveland fought hard to keep its colors. Those uniforms are a part of an iconic franchise, one that was once a power in the NFL. Many of these current players don't realize this, but many fans do. Would the Green Bay Packers change their uniforms??? I don't think so. Here's hoping that new owner Jimmy Haslam doesn't fall for this.
* Notre Dame is number one in college football and I couldn't be happier. It has been a long time coming and kudos to Brian Kelly and his staff. A win Saturday against USC seals the deal for the Fighting Irish. To all the haters out there, deal with it!!!!
* There is nothing more exciting than college football as evidenced by last Saturday night's upsets of Oregon and Kansas State. I thought I was going to short-circuit my remote control going back and forth between games. That's why I love college football.
* Watch out for the New Orleans Saints as they seem to be getting things in gear for a playoff run.
* The NHL/NHLPA met last night and once again the league gave the players an ultimatum: come back with a full proposal or don't bother coming back. It is clear that in order for the season to begin the players will have to give back once again. Seems to me that Emperor Bettman is poised to win again.
* Kudos to ex-Maole Leafs Ian White and Kris Versteeg for calling it the way it is. White called Bettman an idiot and Versteeg said that the Emperor and his henchman, Bill Daly, are cancers who have polluted the game and should be fired.
* The Bills victory over the Dolphins has sparked playoff talk again in Western New York. Really?? The Bills are 4-6 right now, as are the Jets, Dolphins, Titans and Chargers. The Bengals are 5-5 and the Colts and Steelers are 6-4. If the Bills don't win on Sunday against the Colts will this put an end to the playoff blather???
And finally, Niagara and Canisius both had big basketball victories over the weekend. It would be great for the area if both teams were contenders for the MAAC title and it would be a great alternative to a winter with no hockey. I wonder if the geniuses at WGR would notice???
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