When the Browns named Thad Lewis the starting quarterback for yesterday's game against the Steelers I had to do a little research. I had no clue who the guy was. To my discovery the the 25 year-old QB is a product of a predominantly basketball school in Duke.
To his credit, he didn't have a bad game through the first two quarters. He has moved the offense well with the exception of a ball thrown behind Greg Little and another into the hands of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Lewis connected with WR Greg Little for his first career touchdown pass later in the game an exciting moment for Thaddeus for certain. The second half of the game did not bode well for the Browns in part due to fumbles by rookie receivers Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin. In the end the Brownies limped to the finish line this season, finishing with a mark of 5-11. This marks the fifth straight season the Browns have amassed eleven losses.
Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy and Trent Richardson did not see any action in the contest, all nursing injuries in the season finale. Only five months and we will see what the draft brings in April to add to this young football squad and what the 2013 campaign has in store.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
The BCS
The day after the selection of the BCS Bowl games has more than a few people scratching their heads. Everyone could have guessed that the title game would feature #1 and undefeated Notre Dame against the winner of the SEC Championship game, however, one team from a non power conference snuck in as a potential BCS buster.
A member of the Mid-American Conference, the Huskies of Northern Illinois will play in the Orange Bowl in Miami on January 1st, 2013.
The Huskies (12-1, 8-0) escaped the MAC championship game with a double OT 44-37 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes. A surprise conference for sure, the MAC will send seven teams to bowl games this postseason.
The question now is, will the Huskies stand a chance against the Seminoles of Florida State?
A member of the Mid-American Conference, the Huskies of Northern Illinois will play in the Orange Bowl in Miami on January 1st, 2013.
The Huskies (12-1, 8-0) escaped the MAC championship game with a double OT 44-37 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes. A surprise conference for sure, the MAC will send seven teams to bowl games this postseason.
The question now is, will the Huskies stand a chance against the Seminoles of Florida State?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
I Love Ohio
As a 21 year old, Ohio native and college student that has spent the last three and a half years going to school in Michigan I have learned a lot. A lot about my fan hood and that it will never waiver. My passion for Ohio sports and dislike for Michigan sports have grown.
My friends ask me why I have such a dislike for the Tigers and University of Michigan among other teams. My three pronged response is simple and gets the point across:
1. They are from Michigan
2. They are from Michigan
3. They are from Michigan
We all know that Ohio sports have had a tough go round the past five years or so, heck Ohio sports haven't had much going on since Ohio State won the national title during the 2002 season. Anyway, the Browns are 1-6, Ohio State is 9-0 (ineligible for the postseason), the Indians were terrible and I think we can agree the Cavs won't be title contenders this season.
When will it all stop? When will we catch a break and get just one title? I could care less what sport we get it in but this is ridiculous. Ohio sports are such a tease, we get all excited every season only to be let down in the end. But there is something that keeps us intrigued throughout the duration of every season. Our fanhood.
Fanhood is something that can not be taken away from you. I was born into my Ohio sports loyalty by virtue of my father, Cleveland sports fanatic and Ohio State enthusiast. Little did I know my mom, who roots for the Yankees and Steelers said to my father when I was born, "Tim you can decide which sports teams our kids root for." Thanks mom...
I have been through 21 going on 22 years of the thick and thin with Ohio sports and do not plan on jumping ship now. I'm in this for the long haul and I hope you're on board too.
My friends ask me why I have such a dislike for the Tigers and University of Michigan among other teams. My three pronged response is simple and gets the point across:
1. They are from Michigan
2. They are from Michigan
3. They are from Michigan
We all know that Ohio sports have had a tough go round the past five years or so, heck Ohio sports haven't had much going on since Ohio State won the national title during the 2002 season. Anyway, the Browns are 1-6, Ohio State is 9-0 (ineligible for the postseason), the Indians were terrible and I think we can agree the Cavs won't be title contenders this season.
When will it all stop? When will we catch a break and get just one title? I could care less what sport we get it in but this is ridiculous. Ohio sports are such a tease, we get all excited every season only to be let down in the end. But there is something that keeps us intrigued throughout the duration of every season. Our fanhood.
Fanhood is something that can not be taken away from you. I was born into my Ohio sports loyalty by virtue of my father, Cleveland sports fanatic and Ohio State enthusiast. Little did I know my mom, who roots for the Yankees and Steelers said to my father when I was born, "Tim you can decide which sports teams our kids root for." Thanks mom...
I have been through 21 going on 22 years of the thick and thin with Ohio sports and do not plan on jumping ship now. I'm in this for the long haul and I hope you're on board too.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Manny Acta Out as Tribe Manager
The Cleveland Indians and manager Manny Acta parted ways Thursday afternoon, ending Acta's three year tenure with the club.
Acta came to the Indians after two subpar seasons as manager of the Washington Nationals. Manny always seemed to get his ball clubs off to quick starts but could never seem to finish things out down the stretch. Acta amassed a record of 214-266 with the Indians, not living up to expectations.
Sandy Alomar Jr. will serve as interim manager for the remaining six games of the 2012 season. Alomar figures to be a candidate for the Tribe's managerial position in 2013, but I am certain the Indians will look around before coming to a decision. Maybe we'll find Joe Torre or Terry Francona calling the shots for the Tribe in 2013...who knows.
Just know if the team does bring on one of the three I mentioned, you heard it here first.
Acta came to the Indians after two subpar seasons as manager of the Washington Nationals. Manny always seemed to get his ball clubs off to quick starts but could never seem to finish things out down the stretch. Acta amassed a record of 214-266 with the Indians, not living up to expectations.
Sandy Alomar Jr. will serve as interim manager for the remaining six games of the 2012 season. Alomar figures to be a candidate for the Tribe's managerial position in 2013, but I am certain the Indians will look around before coming to a decision. Maybe we'll find Joe Torre or Terry Francona calling the shots for the Tribe in 2013...who knows.
Just know if the team does bring on one of the three I mentioned, you heard it here first.
NFL, Officials Come to Terms
Late Wednesday night the NFL and league officials agreed to end a three week lockout.
The deal is expected to be signed sometime Thursday morning in preparation for the Browns vs. Ravens game Thursday evening. The two sides also agreed to establish an NFL referee developmental program. The program will instruct 21 officials and prepare them for officiating in the NFL.
The lockout is over, so hopefully we don't have to deal with this again...
The deal is expected to be signed sometime Thursday morning in preparation for the Browns vs. Ravens game Thursday evening. The two sides also agreed to establish an NFL referee developmental program. The program will instruct 21 officials and prepare them for officiating in the NFL.
The lockout is over, so hopefully we don't have to deal with this again...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Browns Fall Short Against Bills
Another week, another loss for the Browns.
Week 3 seemed like the perfect opportunity for the team's first win of the season but in the end the Browns fell short once again.
The Brownies took on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, dropping the contest 24-14; a game I predicted the Browns to lose and unfortunately I was correct.
At the end of the first quarter the good guys trailed 14-0 thanks in part to TD hook ups from Ryan Fitzpatrick to T.J. Graham and running back C.J. Spiller. Apparently only dudes with initials as their first names were allowed to score in the first period.
Although the Bills had the upper hand at this point in the contest, bad news struck when the NFL's top rusher, C.J. Spiller exited the game with an apparent shoulder injury. Spiller could return to the practice field later this week for Buffalo.
In the second period Trent Richardson found the endzone for the third time in the past two weeks. Richardson has definitely been a glimmer of hope for a franchise that has struggled...a lot...for the past decade. The Bills took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter was highlighted by Travis Benjamin's first career NFL touchdown as the Bills tacked on three more points on a field goal by kicker, Rian Lindell. The Bills held a slim 17-14 lead at the end of the third but this was all the closer the Browns would get...
After another TD pass from Fitzpatrick, this time to Stevie Johnson, the Browns found themselves down by ten points with five minutes to go in the game. One would think five minutes would be plenty of time to get a quick score, get a three and out on defense and then score again to win the game. But let's face it, it's the Browns, and Weeden decided it would be a good idea to throw two interceptions. Nice decision making there Brandon...He has thrown six picks through three games this season, and in case you didn't know, that's bad...
Final score Bills 24 Browns 14
Game Notes:
Passing: Weeden - 27/43, 237 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Richardson - 27 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Benjamin - 44 yards, 1 TD
With the loss the Browns fell to (0-3) on the season as the Bills improved to (2-1). If the Browns aren't careful they could soon be (0-4) tomorrow night as they take to field in Baltimore for a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Ravens. Game time is 8:30 PM, NFL Network.
Prediction: Ravens 27 Browns 10
Week 3 seemed like the perfect opportunity for the team's first win of the season but in the end the Browns fell short once again.
The Brownies took on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, dropping the contest 24-14; a game I predicted the Browns to lose and unfortunately I was correct.
At the end of the first quarter the good guys trailed 14-0 thanks in part to TD hook ups from Ryan Fitzpatrick to T.J. Graham and running back C.J. Spiller. Apparently only dudes with initials as their first names were allowed to score in the first period.
Although the Bills had the upper hand at this point in the contest, bad news struck when the NFL's top rusher, C.J. Spiller exited the game with an apparent shoulder injury. Spiller could return to the practice field later this week for Buffalo.
In the second period Trent Richardson found the endzone for the third time in the past two weeks. Richardson has definitely been a glimmer of hope for a franchise that has struggled...a lot...for the past decade. The Bills took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter was highlighted by Travis Benjamin's first career NFL touchdown as the Bills tacked on three more points on a field goal by kicker, Rian Lindell. The Bills held a slim 17-14 lead at the end of the third but this was all the closer the Browns would get...
After another TD pass from Fitzpatrick, this time to Stevie Johnson, the Browns found themselves down by ten points with five minutes to go in the game. One would think five minutes would be plenty of time to get a quick score, get a three and out on defense and then score again to win the game. But let's face it, it's the Browns, and Weeden decided it would be a good idea to throw two interceptions. Nice decision making there Brandon...He has thrown six picks through three games this season, and in case you didn't know, that's bad...
Final score Bills 24 Browns 14
Game Notes:
Passing: Weeden - 27/43, 237 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Richardson - 27 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Benjamin - 44 yards, 1 TD
With the loss the Browns fell to (0-3) on the season as the Bills improved to (2-1). If the Browns aren't careful they could soon be (0-4) tomorrow night as they take to field in Baltimore for a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Ravens. Game time is 8:30 PM, NFL Network.
Prediction: Ravens 27 Browns 10
Controversy In Green Bay
As most viewers are aware, the replacement officials made an interesting call in the final play of the Monday night contest between the Packers and Seahawks. Many people are in outrage and calling for the refs throats, as what appeared to be an interception by Green Bay was called a touchdown, giving Seattle the victory. In fact, the NFL announced the following morning that the refs had made a mistake. Here is my take, and to the surprise of many, I am going to back up the refs here.
Though initially the Packer DB caught the ball, the receiver did have a hand around it, and two when the players hit the ground. The Seattle receiver, Golden Tate, clearly brought the ball close to his chest as the two were fighting for possession while in the air. By rule, if possession is shared, even if its not 50-50, the offense gets the ball. It may be a crappy rule, but the refs had to stick to it. Especially as replacements, they stuck to the book rather than making a completely judgmental call, which is the best they could have done in the given situation. The loss is on the Packers though, had the DB just batted the ball down they would have been out of there with a W. May it be noted, the replacement refs are abysmal and changing the outcome of games, but they will get crap for this they don't deserve.
The good news from this is that because of all the publicity, the NFL refs which are now very much coveted by the fans should be making a return sooner than later. But, none the less, I think they made the right call on the field.
Though initially the Packer DB caught the ball, the receiver did have a hand around it, and two when the players hit the ground. The Seattle receiver, Golden Tate, clearly brought the ball close to his chest as the two were fighting for possession while in the air. By rule, if possession is shared, even if its not 50-50, the offense gets the ball. It may be a crappy rule, but the refs had to stick to it. Especially as replacements, they stuck to the book rather than making a completely judgmental call, which is the best they could have done in the given situation. The loss is on the Packers though, had the DB just batted the ball down they would have been out of there with a W. May it be noted, the replacement refs are abysmal and changing the outcome of games, but they will get crap for this they don't deserve.
The good news from this is that because of all the publicity, the NFL refs which are now very much coveted by the fans should be making a return sooner than later. But, none the less, I think they made the right call on the field.
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