I'd have to say if you were a fan of any other team besides the Cleveland Indians coming into this season, you would not have expected the Tribe to be contenders. Even some Tribe fans were skeptical this season. But that's not to say the Indians weren't out to silence the doubters this season...and they have
18-8 to start the season and the most wins in club history for the month of April. Walk off wins against the division rival Tigers on consecutive nights. Stellar starting pitching and out of the pen. Hafner is leading the charge at the plate, Grady is healthy and the Tribe is rolling.
The Indians notched their 12th straight victory at home this evening and are looking to stretch the streak to 13 tomorrow afternoon when an undefeated Justin Masterson (5-0) toes the hill. Being a lifelong Tribe fan, all of 20 years, i vaguely remember the glory days of the 90's and am thrilled to see the Indians playing this well.
However, one thing I still don't understand. A team playing this well should have more fans in the seats. You better believe if I lived in Cleveland I would be a season ticket holder and at every game. I'll cut you some slack because it is just the end of April and isn't the dog days of summer quite yet. But all you fair weather fans better get on board with this team and get behind them win or lose.
Being a fan is about the ups and downs of your team, not just the ups. The Indians are red hot...so get on board!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
2011 NFL Draft Analysis
Round 1 - Pick #21, Phil Taylor DT, Baylor
Taylor brings a big, mean dude that will be a space eater in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense. Between he and Ahtyba Rubin that's 664 pounds of man. Granted they both won't be able to be on the field for every down but it's a start to installing the 4-3 defense in Cleveland.
Round 2 - Pick #37 Jabaal Sheard DE, Pittsburgh
If you're going to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 you are going to need some quick pass rushers at the defense end position. Sheard will be exactly that for the Browns in 2011. He was the second fastest defensive end at the combine only behind Robert Quinn out of North Carolina. Quinn recorded 4.62, 40 yard dash time and Sheard clocked in at 4.68.
Round 2 - Pick #59 Greg Little WR, North Carolina
The Browns passed on drafting Julio Jones with the #6 pick overall and received a number of picks in return. With the 59th pick (from Atlanta) the Browns filled a need at the wide receiver position. Little brings a big, physical receiver for Colt McCoy to pass to. He missed all of the 2010 season at North Carolina due to suspension but impressed many teams during individual workouts. He will be the Browns #1 receiver and should have a legitimate impact in 2011.
Round 4 - Pick #102 Jordan Cameron TE, USC
Cameron has little experience on the football field, only accumulating 16 receptions for 126 yards and 1 touchdown last year at USC. Some people may scratch their heads at this pick but he is a freak athlete with a 37.5 inch vertical. He'll be able to learn behind veteran Ben Watson and emerging tight end Evan Moore. I wouldn't expect Cameron to contribute right away but maybe some time in the next few years for the Browns.
Round 4 - Pick #124 Owen Marecic FB, Stanford
With Lawrence Vickers figuring not to be a Brown in 2011, the team needed to fill his spot at fullback. Who better to select than Marecic out of Stanford. He is a big physical guy who should be able to fill the void left by Vickers right away.
Round 5 - Pick #137 Buster Skrine CB, Chattanooga
Skrine fills yet another need of the Browns at corner. He has lightning speed and should see the field in 2011. The Browns drafted Joe Haden with their first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to begin heading in the right direction. With the exception of Haden, the Browns struggled at corner last season. Skrine should be able to have an impact with a some work.
Round 6 - Pick #150 Jacob Pinkston OT, Pittsburgh
Who would have guessed the Browns continued to fill needs in the 6th round of the draft. He played left tackle at Pittsburgh and has had some injury concerns. You have to figure if he sees the field it will be at the right tackle position, no way this guy plays over 4 time All Pro Joe Thomas.
Round 7 - Pick #248 Eric Hagg S, Nebraska
Hagg figures to be a special teams contributor early on and could be a key reserve at the safety position for the Browns and possibly a starter somewhere down the road.
Taylor brings a big, mean dude that will be a space eater in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense. Between he and Ahtyba Rubin that's 664 pounds of man. Granted they both won't be able to be on the field for every down but it's a start to installing the 4-3 defense in Cleveland.
Round 2 - Pick #37 Jabaal Sheard DE, Pittsburgh
If you're going to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 you are going to need some quick pass rushers at the defense end position. Sheard will be exactly that for the Browns in 2011. He was the second fastest defensive end at the combine only behind Robert Quinn out of North Carolina. Quinn recorded 4.62, 40 yard dash time and Sheard clocked in at 4.68.
Round 2 - Pick #59 Greg Little WR, North Carolina
The Browns passed on drafting Julio Jones with the #6 pick overall and received a number of picks in return. With the 59th pick (from Atlanta) the Browns filled a need at the wide receiver position. Little brings a big, physical receiver for Colt McCoy to pass to. He missed all of the 2010 season at North Carolina due to suspension but impressed many teams during individual workouts. He will be the Browns #1 receiver and should have a legitimate impact in 2011.
Round 4 - Pick #102 Jordan Cameron TE, USC
Cameron has little experience on the football field, only accumulating 16 receptions for 126 yards and 1 touchdown last year at USC. Some people may scratch their heads at this pick but he is a freak athlete with a 37.5 inch vertical. He'll be able to learn behind veteran Ben Watson and emerging tight end Evan Moore. I wouldn't expect Cameron to contribute right away but maybe some time in the next few years for the Browns.
Round 4 - Pick #124 Owen Marecic FB, Stanford
With Lawrence Vickers figuring not to be a Brown in 2011, the team needed to fill his spot at fullback. Who better to select than Marecic out of Stanford. He is a big physical guy who should be able to fill the void left by Vickers right away.
Round 5 - Pick #137 Buster Skrine CB, Chattanooga
Skrine fills yet another need of the Browns at corner. He has lightning speed and should see the field in 2011. The Browns drafted Joe Haden with their first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to begin heading in the right direction. With the exception of Haden, the Browns struggled at corner last season. Skrine should be able to have an impact with a some work.
Round 6 - Pick #150 Jacob Pinkston OT, Pittsburgh
Who would have guessed the Browns continued to fill needs in the 6th round of the draft. He played left tackle at Pittsburgh and has had some injury concerns. You have to figure if he sees the field it will be at the right tackle position, no way this guy plays over 4 time All Pro Joe Thomas.
Round 7 - Pick #248 Eric Hagg S, Nebraska
Hagg figures to be a special teams contributor early on and could be a key reserve at the safety position for the Browns and possibly a starter somewhere down the road.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
It's Been a While
The first place Cleveland Indians huh? Holding the top spot in the AL Central since April 8th, couldn't say I saw that one coming. The pitching has been dominant along with everyone at the plate (with the exception of Santana). He got a much needed day off this evening and needs to get things turned around. 14-8 to start the year, lets keep it going Tribe.
Then there is the man with the enormously huge biceps, the newest dude to earn the honor of being on the cover of the very popular Madden video game. Peyton Hillis shocked the country after a torrid run through ESPN's Madden Cover Vote.
And as if it couldn't get any better...the NFL Draft begins tomorrow night, broadcast live on ESPN at 8 PM. Unless the Browns draft a kicker with the 6th overall pick then I'd say their chances of screwing up are pretty low. They have a lot of needs and there are a lot of high quality players out there to fill those needs. At this point it's just a matter of what need they want to fill.
It's looking bright in Cleveland my friends. The Indians are surging, Peyton Hillis is on the cover of a popular video game and the NFL Draft begins tomorrow.
I don't know about you but I could get used to this.
Then there is the man with the enormously huge biceps, the newest dude to earn the honor of being on the cover of the very popular Madden video game. Peyton Hillis shocked the country after a torrid run through ESPN's Madden Cover Vote.
And as if it couldn't get any better...the NFL Draft begins tomorrow night, broadcast live on ESPN at 8 PM. Unless the Browns draft a kicker with the 6th overall pick then I'd say their chances of screwing up are pretty low. They have a lot of needs and there are a lot of high quality players out there to fill those needs. At this point it's just a matter of what need they want to fill.
It's looking bright in Cleveland my friends. The Indians are surging, Peyton Hillis is on the cover of a popular video game and the NFL Draft begins tomorrow.
I don't know about you but I could get used to this.
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