Browns, Cavs, Indians (Not So) Quick Hits

The 2011 Cleveland Browns look striking similar to the 1999-2010 version: mistake-prone, unable to stop the run, shrinking violets when it matters. There are still 15 games left to maybe figure out the new offense, stuff the run on D, and not look terrible/embarrassing.

Somehow, the Browns were 6 1/2 point favorites against the Bengals. They proceeded to play possibly the worst 15 minutes of football since the rebirth. The offense moved backwards on the first possession with penalties and a couple tackles for loss winding up with a 3-and-out and a 20 yard punt. How is that for starting the season?

It is embarrassing to be a Browns fan. A 20 yard punt? Obviously that is beyond terrible. Unfortunately the punting woes did not end there. He also "contributed" a 28 & 30 yarder. The team placed Mr. McGee on injured reserve after the game. It was reported that the team knew of his back issue prior to kickoff, but figured f it, let's play him anyway. It's a well known fact that punters are generally the toughest guys on the team.

Why am I spending so much time on the punting game? His crappy punts led to 17 points! The great field position helped take the pressure off the Bengals offense, which was led by rookie Andy Dalton. Short fields usually lead to points. If the team knew that McGee was hurt and then watched him shank his first punt of the game 20 yards, why did Coach Shurmur let him shank 2 more? Why? Easy, it was Shurmur's first regular season game as a coach at any level.

Let's hope most of the embarrassing football was shaked out on opening day. After all the crappy football over the past decade, it's time to get this right. I want to see a sound football team that plays hard, plays smart, and doesn't beat itself. The team still has a long way to go talent-wise before it can win consistantly. It is not too much to ask of a team to avoid multiply false start penalties and punting it shorter than a decent Pop Warner team.


Cavs

I am a huge fan of the NBA lockout. I hope it goes the distance. I am sickened by what has happened to the league over the past few years. Owners need to stand their ground and gain control back from the agents and players. Plus, the Cavs are going to be terrible. Oh, and it keeps Lebron from winning anything.

Indians

I hope something good can be taken from the 2011 season. The team played good for a month and a half and like usual the rest of the way. I believe that is known as regression to the mean. There are some real questions about this team going into next year. The lineup is impish and the starting pitching lacks an ace and some depth. Grady Sizemore has no future with this team. He has not been able to stay healthy and when he has, he turned into Cory Snyder. Travis Hafner is an anchor and not in a good way. His high salary takes up nearly a third of the payroll. He had some hot streaks this year, but still is an injury risk. I believe he's under contract for 2 more seasons.

There are a few bright spots. Asdrubal Cabrera had a breakout year (although he is on fumes right now), Carlos Santana has been resilient, and Jason Kipnis has shown promise. That just leaves question marks at 1B, 3B, LF, and CF. Lonnie Chisenhall is seen as the answer at third, but he has not exactly shown it at the big league level. Matt LaPorta has shown nothing in parts of 3 seasons with the team. I hope that the front office actually tries to address these holes in the off season. I'm not counting on it.

On the the pitching staff...Justin Masterson has been great all year. That is where the consistency ends. Ubaldo Jimenez could be good, but he can hardly get through 5 or 6 innings without throwing 100 pitches. I'm not sure if Josh Tomlin is healthy. He had a nice year and won 11 games. Ultimately, he would be a decent 4 or 5 starter on a playoff team. Fausto Carmona is someone that I am ready to pull the plug on. His starts are nerve-wracking to watch and he is never the same pitcher from start to start. Let him be someone else's project. David Huff does not fool me, either. His ERA makes you think he's good. His track record the last couple years says this guy is a bum.

Starters

Justin Masterson
Ubaldo Jimenez
Fausto Carmona
Josh Tomlin (if he doesn't need surgery)
Jeanmar Gomez

I want Jimenez and Carmona gone. I don't like watching them pitch. It's like a slow-motion train wreck. Tomlin's consistent, but is a soft tosser. Gomez would be adequate as the 5th starter. Masterson is the #1 only because someone has to take the ball on opening day. He's not an ace, but he had a strong 2011. If he got any run support, he'd have 18 wins.

Lineup

SS Cabrera
2B Kipnis
RF Choo
DH Hafner
C Santana
CF Sizemore
3B Chisenhall
1B LaPorta
LF Crowe

This probably won't be the actual lineup. It's my attempt to show that the front office will sit on their hands and act like having everyone healthy is like making additions. At the very least, the team needs to add a first basemen and left fielder. Those spots should not be at the bottom of the order. LaPorta is a bust. Also, left field should contribute 20 homers minimum.

That's all I got.