Cold In Cleveland

There has been many reports that Cleveland Cavaliers star, Kyrie Irving wants out of Cleveland. According to many sources, the 21 year old is not happy with the 16-29 team who face Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks tonight in Madison Square Garden. Statistically speaking, the Cavaliers have been better off without Irving, but we all know that if Irving left, it would serve as a painful blow to the team and organization.

Who can really blame the Melbourne, Australia native of supposedly wanting out?

The 2010-11 Rookie of the Year is averaging 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assist per game. He and his team have not been able to win more than two games in a row which is really surprising since they picked up former Chicago Bulls SF, Loul Deng. The fact that they have not been winning frustrates Irving as well as the fans in Cleveland.

What's wrong you ask? The real question is, WHAT ISN'T WRONG? 

Lets begin. 

They don't have a competitive spirit. Mike Brown even said it himself. They don't want to compete. They do not want to win games. They do not understand Mike Brown's gameplan nor logic. The "defensive guru" has no idea what defense is. As of now, they are 17th in the NBA as far as defense goes. It clearly does not show. This is the reason Kobe Bryant had the Lakers organization get rid of Brown before the ink was dry on his contract. 

It is no secret that Brown really does not have a desire to have a great relationship with his players. The relationship that a coach should have with his players is completely non existent between Brown and the Cavaliers. There is no unity in the team, everybody has a problem with everybody else. There is no aggressiveness being taught. Discipline is not being enforced. Whether the Cavaliers are up or down by 30, Brown is almost always completely stoic. He is not a disciplinarian and has no idea what he is doing.

Brown is the reason you do not date your exes. They could very well be possibly worse than before. Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert only brought Brown back because he wanted him to resuscitate the team that dominated the Eastern and Western conferences and the fans absolutely loved. That team is gone. LeBron James is gone. Even Zydrunas Ilgauskaus is gone. Mike Brown does not know how to win. That is no secret. It was a mistake hiring Brown. I, personally would have given the job to Brian Shaw. But, that's neither here nor there. 

Something is wrong when Jason Kidd has more wins than you do in a single season as a head coach. You mean to tell me that Jason Kidd is a better coach than Mike Brown? Okay. 

The frustration amongst an agitated Cavaliers fan base is very real. They have grown impatient with Brown, and most did not want him in Cleveland for a second time. They believe him not to be a leader, a realist, a motivator, a great thinker, etc. The players do not look up to him and respect him like many great coach-player relationships such as Jerry Sloan and Karl Malone; or Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson. Sloan and Jackson had a great relationship with their players, and made them compete! 

Chris Grant has added more fuel to the fire by openly showing his incompetence as general manager. He himself has even admitted that the fans "deserve better." He knows that this team is screwed up and that the fans are angry. They are especially angry at his decision in drafting UNLV player, Anthony Bennett who is averaging 2 points per game which is mildly grotesque. Bennett needs to go to the D-League whether he likes it or not. Grant passed up many prospects in the 2013 NBA Draft just to land the subpar Bennett. Not to mention, Bennett will be the first 1st Round Draft Pick since Kwame Brown to miss the Rising Stars Challenge.

Chris Grant is hindering the team and not helping them. Everybody in Cleveland knows this, even Grant himself if he isnt living in serious denial. His only claim to fame is bringing Luol Deng to Cleveland from Chicago. Okay, granted, but this does not save his job. He will be gone by the end of the season. Playoff team or not. 

Ticket sales are plummeting down the drain at The Q. Viewers can see the many empty seats whenever a Cavaliers home game is televised. The team has gone 11-12 in 23 games at home this year. The team chemistry and morale is spiraling down game after game.

This team really needs help. They need a fresh coat of paint. The paint now is old, chipping, and molding. Molding...makes people sick.

Chris Grant, and Mike Brown need to be relieved of their duties, effective immediately. 

Cleveland Browns: Is Mike Pettine The "Right Guy?"

It was reported yesterday that the Cleveland Browns would interview Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine for a second time. Pettine is in his first year in Buffalo as the DC. He had spent three years as the New York Jets DC under hard nosed coach, Rex Ryan. The 47 year old had stated earlier today according to Plain Dealer sports writer, Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter, that he "should have some feedback on my interview by the end of the day." There have been several sources that have claimed that Pettine and the Browns are "very close" to a deal.

According to some Buffalo Bills fans, Mike Pettine would be the perfect guy for the Cleveland Browns head coaching vacancy. Now, I can think of two reasons, they would say that. One would be, they're lying and want to get rid of Pettine. Two, they could be telling the truth. The Browns fans really don't know what to think of the coach who has had no experience in head coaching a professional football team.

Browns fans are worried sick. Can you blame them? They don't want another "Chud Experience" which was a complete disaster. Although some may feel good about the Cleveland Browns hiring Pettine, (I haven't met any yet.) you have to think if you're a Browns fan, that this guy was not even who the organization was going after in the beginning, his name did not surface until the very end...like Chud. The Browns fans are hoping that if hired, this is the "right guy" as Jimmy Haslam would put it. They have to worry if Pettine is hired, will he go 4-12 like Chud and be fired at the end of the year only to be in this mess again because they did not hire the "right guy."

Poor Browns fans. They deserve to at least go to a playoff game. The organization owes it to them.

Not a lot of Browns fans know who this Pettine guy is. I decided to give you all some information on the Bills DC.

Pettine is the son of Mike Pettine Sr who went 326-42-4 in 33 seasons as head coach. Pettine Jr after leaving the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive graduate assistant has been coaching since 1995 where he was given his first head coaching job of the William Tennent High School Panthers. He served as head coach for two years. He led the team to nine wins which was a school record.

Afterwards, he left for North Penn High School where he had 45-15 in five years. In 1999, he led the team to a record of 11-2. He was there from 1997-2001.

It seems as though he has no problem winning.

Pettine joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. He was hired on as a coaching assistant. He was then promoted to assistant defensive line coach in 2004. From 2005-2008, he was promoted again to the outside linebackers coach. When coaching the outside linebackers, Pettine's defense ranked 5th in the league in 2005, 1st in 2006, 6th in 2007, and 2nd in 2008.

Pettine joined the New York Jets under Rex Ryan in 2009. He served until 2012. While working as the defensive coordinator, Pettine's Jets defense ranked in the Top 10 in the NFL for three years. In 2012, Pettine's defense limited their opponents' to second fewest passing yards and finished 5th in the AFC in total defense.

Under Pettine, the Jets have held opposing quarterbacks to low quarterback ratings according to Buffalo Bills website of 71.0, with 186.3 passing yards per game. The Jets had the highest percentage in 3 and outs in the league. They were outstanding on third down efficiency and held their opponents to only 20 points per game. The defense had 115 takeaways in his four year stint. That was the second most in the AFC and the seventh in the NFL.

Coming up with a new idea of defense, the defense finished first in points allowed with 14 points per game. The total defense gave up no more than 250 yards a game, and 157 passing yards. This was in 2009 in his first year with the New York Jets.

In his first two seasons, Pettine and his defense made back to back appearances in the AFC Championship.

From 2009-2012, Pettine's defense ranked no lower than the top 10 in the AFC. He is the mastermind behind Rex Ryan's blitz happy defense. Pettine spent two years filming practices before becoming a quality control coach under then defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan in Baltimore. In 2009, Pettine had the #1 defense with the Jets in the NFL.

He and his father starred in a movie called, The Last Game, which father and son play each other as coaches in a final season football game.

The defensive mastermind has three children, Megan who is 18, Ryan who is 15, and Katie who is 11. They currently reside in Baltimore with Pettine's ex wife.

Browns fans, I think we have a winner.

AFC North Draft Picks

CINCINNATI BENGALS: QUARTERBACK

After being defeated in the playoffs by the San Diego Chargers, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking forward to Draft Day of 2014. Questions surmount the team concerning their starting quarterback, Andy Dalton and his future as a Bengal. Dalton was selected by the Bengals in 2011 to replace Carson Palmer. That was also the year that Cam Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers. Although Mike Brown loved the idea of Colin Kaepernick, Jay Gruden decided to go with Andy Dalton. (Maybe Gruden is kicking himself for that one, but not too much since taking the head coaching job in Washington.) Anybody could tell you that Kaepernick is better than Dalton in more ways than one. Dont believe me? Look at the numbers Kaepernick put up versus the numbers Dalton put up. It is clear that the Bengals are not looking for a quarterback, but I believe that they need one to replace Dalton. I dont believe he is a leader and has the attributes that great quarterbacks possess in this game such as Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, etc. Dalton is simply not a playoff caliber quarterback that can lead the Bengals into a playoff run and more possibly, a Super Bowl. Mike Smith needs to realize that with Andy Dalton, and Marvin Lewis, he will most likely have a winning record for the season, but nothing to show for it. This will repeat itself year after year after year.

Okay, I give it to you, Marvin Lewis is a great head coach, but its no secret that he cant win big games such as playoff games. In his entire tenure as head coach with the Bengals after signing with them in 2003, he has gone 90-85, basically almost at the .500 mark. Since 2003, the Bengals have had 5 playoff appearances and has lost each and every one of its AFC playoff Wild Card games. Is he the Don Nelson of the NFL? It appears so. You have many coaches that know how to win, but cant win major games...like playoff games.

A mock draft a few days ago selected Derek Carr from Fresno State to go to the Cincinnati Bengals. That MAY solve the quarterback situation, and Derek Carr just may be the right man.

If I were Mike Smith, I would not allow Marvin Lewis to come back next year. Bengals fans, I am not sorry, but if you want to get to the playoffs, rid yourselves of whats holding you back.

Andy Dalton, and Marvin Lewis.

BALTIMORE RAVENS: WIDE RECEIVER

The Baltimore Ravens finished 8-8 this season and missed the playoffs. Last year, this team made it to the Super Bowl and won against the San Francisco 49ers. This year, the Ravens did not look as though they were the Champions a year ago. By mid season, almost everybody could tell that the wouldn't make a bid for another appearance. The Ravens could not win games when they mattered the most. Some games they won by the skin of their teeth. What must general manager, Ozzie Newsome do to get this team back on track?

Newsome traded the fourth and fifth round draft picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Eugene Monroe. The seventh pick, according to bleacherreport.com goes to the Indianapolis Colts when the Ravens aquired A.Q. Shipley.

The Ravens need someone that can catch the ball and make plays for them. A play maker. One that can outrun any cornerback set to defend him. They need, in my opinion, Marqise Lee of USC. The Eagles are also targeting the young 22 year old. Lee is one of the most outstanding players in college football and it shows in every game that he plays. If Newsome does choose to go with Lee, he will not regret it.

The Inglewood, California native went for 57 receptions and 791 yards which gives him about 13.8 yards per catch this season. When it comes to 3rd and 5, Lee would be the go to guy for me. In his career, he has 248 receptions with 3,655 yards and 29 touchdowns. Career average of yards per catch would be 14.7 yards. Despite a sore knee this season, he is bound to get better.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: A BETTER DEFENSE! A RUNNING BACK.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family missed the playoffs this year by a field goal that sent the San Diego Chargers to Cincinnati for the AFC Wild Card game. All year long, the Steelers have struggled in their defense. This year they started 0-4 and then went 8-4 the rest of the year. Had their defense been in line, they could have easily beat out the overrated Cincinnati Bengals. The defense was 28th in the league in turnovers! Awful. They could not defend the rush and was 21st in the league. Last but not least, they were ranked 13th in the league with giving up points per game. This is not the Steel Curtain that was so excellent in defense. Mike Tomlin needs to get it together.

The Steelers' running game is horrid as well as its defense. They were 29th in rushing yards. Le'Veon Bell had 240 rushes for 860 yards. That has to be at least 3 yards per rush. Ben Roethlisberger cannot win games by himself. He needs help. It also would not hurt if they invested in a wide receiver. They need some young talent.

Hopefully, they can turn things around this year.


*For the Cleveland Browns, read article on their draft need.

Masahiro Tanaka, The Yankee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8h_ylNG9us

Ladies and gentlemen of the sports world, Masahiro Tanaka is now a Yankee as of 1 o'clock AM this morning. The rocket of an arm, right handed Japanese pitcher signed a 7 year deal worth more than $155 million dollars which gives him an option to opt out in his 5th year. The Yankees have not openly said it but, I believe they are really grateful for the suspension of Alex Rodriguez which gave them more money to sign the All Star.

 For those of you that are still baffled by amount of money in the deal, please allow me to break it down for you. $155 million over seven years, comes up to $22,142,857.14 a year! There are 162 regular season games in a year. So we just divide $22,142,857.14 by 162. That gives us a total of $136,684.30 for each game. Whether the 25 year old Japanese native can handle the MLB or not, he will be sitting pretty for a very long time.

With a pitcher with an astonishing ERA, its really hard not to throw all of that money at him. This is a very good move for the Yankees and the overnight millionaire will be a major threat to the batters this season with his ferocious fastball. In 212 innings, he has a very low ERA of 1.27. That alone is completely amazing!

Yankees fans, maybe the Alex Rodriguez suspension was a blessing in disguise. This is HUGE! I believe that Tanaka will have many no hitter games and will win the Cy Young Award this year.

The husband of Japanese pop star, Mai Satoda will most definitely become a legend in New York.

AFC NORTH DRAFT-Browns

The Cleveland Browns are looking to draft Texas A&M star quarterback, Johnny Manziel who is affectionately called Johnny Football by Cleveland Browns fans. The team is also open to trading up just to be sure of securing the very much anticipated quarterback.

As the entire NFL world knows, the Cleveland Browns are in a desperate pursuit of rebuilding its team as it has failed to do since 1999. Not having a consistently successful quarterback and a hard nosed disciplinarian as a head coach has been the problem as to why the Browns have been unsuccessful. Not to mention, the number of general managers who have made bad choices on Draft Day.

Joe Banner who attempts to reassure the Browns fans that he is doing a good job, likes to thrive on his so called success in Philadelphia. However, that so called success has not trickled down to his tenure as CEO of the Cleveland Browns. Michael Lombardi, the former NFL Network analyst, in my perspective has no idea what he is doing either as far as making the right decisions as far as players go. He has yet to appear on ANY press conferences regarding the team that he is supposed to help make into a playoff team. Jimmy Haslam is new to all of this, but you can definitely see his much devoted ambition as he tries to turn this team around.

It seems as though they are missing the main idea: YOU NEED GREAT PLAYERS! Especially a quarterback. What team has appeared in the playoffs this year without a franchise quarterback? None.

The Browns organization must be kicking themselves because of the fact that their subpar quarterback, Brandon Weeden was selected before Seattle Seahawks QB, Russell Wilson who is making his first Super Bowl appearance in his second year. There again...was yet another missed opportunity.

This year in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns will definitely look to select a very promising franchise quarterback that will lead them into the Promised Land of wins, playoffs, and hopefully...every Browns fans dream.... A Super Bowl.

The thing is, it CAN be DONE! The Cleveland Browns are currently on a coaching search that three coordinators have turned down including Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels and Super Bowl bound Denver Broncos offensive coordinator, Adam Gase.  In order to begin to turn this team around, an offensive minded, hard nosed, non nonsense, brilliant kind of coach has to be selected. The organization cannot afford to screw this up this time.

The Browns fans are hoping and praying that this is their year, beginning with a new head coach and a new franchise quarterback!

The Bid for Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka is the hottest free agent on the market as we speak. The talented Japanese pitcher with a rocket of an arm is expected to make a decision with a team on January 24th no later than 4pm.

According to several sports media outlets, the New York Yankees refuse to be outbid by other teams in persuit of Tanaka. They are expected to land the pitcher who will more than likely join the likes of former Cleveland Indians pitcher, C.C. Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, and Ivan Nova.

I believe Tanaka will be offered a long term contract with the New York Yankees worth over 100 million dollars. I believe Tanaka will be a perfect fit for the Yankees and will be admired by many Yankees fans just as Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens and many other infamous pitchers. The Japanese All Star has been a hit in Japan and will be an even greater hit over here in America.

Last year, the Yankees missed the post season due to many problems on and off the field including their third baseman,  Alex Rodriguez who is currently suspended and suing the MLB. Because of his suspension, that leaves more cap room for the Yankees to outbid and sign Masahiro Tanaka.

Due to stellar pitching this year, and Masahiro Tanaka,  the Yankees just may make it to the post season after sorely missing it last season.

Woe Is Three...Browns Coaching Search Goes Sour

After interviewing several potential candidates for the Cleveland Browns head coaching vacancy, the Browns who fired Rob Chudzinski after one season has yet to find the man who they consider to be "right for the job." At the latest, Titans former head coach, Mike Munchak who was fired after going 22-26 in his three year stint with Tennessee was the last to interview with the Browns. There has been no word as of yet on how the meeting went.

Not too many Browns fans are happy with the progress of the coaching search conducted by Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam, CEO, Joe Banner, and general manager, Mike Lombardi. It was the afternoon after when Haslam and Banner had conducted a press conference at the Browns Headquarters in Berea in which a reporter had referred to the three as "The Three Stooges." The term has become very popular amongst the Browns fans, especially when complaining about the subpar leadership of Haslam, Banner, and Lombardi.

The Dawg Pound, as the Browns fans are referred to have voiced their opinions to anybody that would listen to them, including the ESPN Cleveland Radio Show as well as Twitter, and several Browns based blogs. Most fans feel as though the organization can care less about what they want and who they want to see hired as the next head coach. Majority of the fans have strongly suggested that "The Three Stooges" look into hiring former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach, Jim Tressel who has gone 106-22 in his ten year stint with the team. According to Tressel, no one from the Browns organization has attempted to contact him. If contacted and presented the offer, it does seem as though Tressel will accept.

The Cleveland Browns look to be in their worst shape since 1999. Anytime you have more Pro Bowl players from your team than wins, there's a huge problem. Haslam made it known that he does not blame the fans for them not trusting the organization. I mean really? Can you blame the fans for that? The fans are more disappointed in the fact that Chudzinski was fired by "The Three Stooges" without them having a clue as to who would be their next head coach. This decision alone has made the entire team and organization the laughing stock of the entire NFL.

Not to even mention that during the press conference, Browns CEO, Joe Banner was asked if he ever wonders why general manager, Mike Lombardi never attends press conferences, he answered and said he never thought about it. Well...does he not feel that that is important? What a joke!

It was reported that the head coaching candidates who interviewed for the vacancy had called up Chudzinski and asked him what really happened. Chudzinski, being honest, really had nothing good to say. This may have swayed some coaches to go and accept jobs with other teams. It very well could have been the reason Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels turned the job down. Several sports media outlets have reported that it was because he was not the front runner for the job. I have reason to believe that McDaniels talked with Chudzinski before pulling his name from the coaching search.

The truth of the matter is, you have to feel for the Browns fans. They have to be some of the toughest fans in all of sports. Since 1999, they have seen a total of seven coaches come and go. They have experienced losing season after losing season. They are known as the most dedicated fans in all of sports but have a team that are prone to making mistakes and bad decisions on coaches. The organization that they love oh so much is not willing to listen to them. Supposedly, they have "The Three Stooges" running the show which is a complete circus. They feel as though their voice doesn't matter and that they are getting nothing but the cold shoulder from Haslam, Banner, and Lombardi who are supposed to relate to the fans.

If Cleveland gets a coach that will win games and take them to the playoffs, this man will be loved by all and become a legend in Cleveland. Trust me.

It is clear that the Browns organization is scraping at the bottom of the barrel in this search. They have no one lined up except for Denver Broncos offensive coordinator, Adam Gase who refuses to interview with any team until the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs. There has been word that Auburn head coach, Gus Malzahn is an interest of the Browns, but no interview has been set up as of yet. They have reportedly interviewed Ken Wisenhunt last Saturday, but that meeting was null and void as Wisenhunt became the coach of the Tennessee Titans yesterday.

Browns fans, keep your heads up. Things can only get better from here...or will they?

Jimmy Haslam, Joe Banner, and Mike Lombardi...take the tents down at First Energy Stadium. They have been up for too long.

Cleveland Indians Change Controversial Logo

The Cleveland Indians who were defeated by the Tampa Bay Rays for the last spot in the American League Wild Card will take the field against the Oakland Athletics in a three game stint. Then they will return home on Apr 4th to take on the Minnesota Twins in a three game series. Afterwards, the San Diego Padres will come to town for the final three games of this six game home stand.

Some changes are happening in Cleveland, and I am not talking about the line up.

The Indians have been talking about changing their controversial logo that pictured a red, smiling Indian known as Chief Wahoo. They will be changing the logo to a blue block with a red C on it. According to HardballTalk.com, Chief Wahoo will still be on the sleeves and baseball cap. The image of the smiling Indian had become very offensive to Native Americans. Not wanting to offend anyone, the Cleveland Indians organization made the change without hesitation.

The subject of degrading team sports names have been discussed for a while and people are finally doing something about it. Teams such as the Washington Redskins which refer to Native Americans are also expected to change their team names.

I for one believe that this is a good change for the Cleveland Indians and the sports world. No team should promote controversial names that could be offensive to a certain group of people. Racism should not exist in America, let alone the sports world.