Sports Gods, you owe me one!

Quick post while my boss is out of the office. The Ohio State-Michigan game has me scared crapless. Let’s cover the reasons why.

Michigan’s defense. It’s really good and for the first time in since 2001 it’s better than OSU’s.

Mario Manningham. I think Lloyd Carr is trying to actually think like a decent coach here. He’s kept Manningham under wraps since his surgery to make sure he’s healthy and put doubt into everyone’s heads about him. I guarantee you he’s healthy Saturday. They had no need for him over the last month.

The past of my teams. With the exception of the 2002 Buckeyes every one of my teams has let me down with a Championship or potential Championship on the line. Lets recap:
1986 Browns (AFC Title Game)
1987 Browns (AFC Title Game)
1989 Browns (AFC Title Game)
1991-92 Cavs (Eastern Finals)
1991-92 Buckeyes Basketball (Lost in Elite 8 to Michigan Fab 4)
1993 Buckeyes (Lost to Michigan at 10-0-1)
1995 Buckeyes (Lost to Michigan at 10-0 I think, maybe 9-1)
1995 Indians (Lost in WS to Braves in 6)
1996 Buckeyes (Lost to Michigan at 10-0)
1997 Indians (Lost in WS to Marlins in 7)
1998 Buckeyes (Lost to Michigan State as #1 in country)
1999 Buckeyes Basketball (Lost in Final Four to UConn)
2005-06 Buckeyes Basketball (Lost in 2nd round to Georgetown at a 2 seed)

So that’s it. Now you know why I worship that 2002 Bucks team. It’s all I’ve got. Sad isn’t it? Especially when people like Mark Hughes has his teams win an NCAA Basketball title and the World Series in the same year. It’s not fair.

GOB doing his chicken dance always makes me laugh (Arrested Development M-F 11:30 on G4)

I’ve got a few observations from the past few days. I know I don’t write nearly as often as I’d like, but when you work in a common office its kind of tough.

I was equally impressed and appalled by the way the Browns played the Chargers on Sunday. While they were rested the Browns defense played really well. Once they started to wear down in the 2nd half from being on the field too long LDT just ate them up. There’s a reason the defense hasn’t ranked better than 15th since the team has returned, its because they’re on the field all the time. While the offense did put up 25 points on Sunday, 18 were scored by Phil Dawson. That’s not good since he’s the kicker (but he does sport a sweet stache). This includes a drive that started at the Charger 10 and saw the Browns run into the middle of the Chargers vaunted run defense on 3 straight plays. I was happy that Mo Carthon stepped down because he had no idea how to call plays. And while Jeff Davidson has shown more organization in his play calling, he just isn’t getting the job done. In fact, there were more than a couple occasions against the Chargers that we ran play action on 3rd and long. This seemed to be the only area that Carthon had improved on. No one thinks you’re going to run on 3rd and 10+!

Here’s how the Browns need to fix the offense. Simplify it. I like Charlie Fry, but its clear that he’s taken way too many hits this season because he does some stupid things (throwing into triple coverage at the 50 on the first play of a possession, then fumbling at the Browns 5 after the defense had bailed him out with a 3 and out. This gave the Chargers a 10-6 lead and the points that would eventually be the difference in the game.) Here are the three keys that can save that offense:

Throw some screen passes. The Browns have thrown zero (0) screens the last two weeks. At a time when every team in the NFL runs screens and runs them for gains, the Browns don’t even attempt them. I know that Droughns isn’t the best receiver out of the backfield, but I thought that’s why we drafted Jerome Harrison, so that he could be the change of pace guy. Now he hardly plays, but who can blame the staff for that since Droughns is having such a bang up season (ugh). He has 2 100-yard games, a 65-yard game, and nothing above 36 in the other 4 (he sat out the Baltimore game but I can’t imagine he would have helped).
Throw quick passes when DB’s are playing off the receivers. Carolina does this to perfection with Steve Smith. When a QB surveys the field and sees that there isn’t a defender within 10 yards of one of his playmakers, just take the snap and zing it to him. Winslow and Edwards had it happen multiple times Sunday versus San Diego’s weak corners, but since Frye apparently doesn’t have that option we don’t do it. Winslow actually put his arms in the air before one snap only to be ignored. It’s a simple play that pretty much guarantees you 5 yards as long as the receiver catches it.
Stop throwing into triple coverage. This is self-explanatory.

The Cavs started the season with wins versus the Wizards at home and San Antonio on the road (first since 88-89 in case you missed that graphic which was posted 800 times during Friday’s game). Then they had a let down against Charlotte. It’s tough for anyone to play back to back in the NBA (see the Spurs Friday night). But more than anything this game showed that Danny Ferry did a shit job in the off-season. Cousin Larry was brought in to be LeBron’s wingman, the guy who could pick things up when LeBron was on the bench or having an off night. There combined 28 points Saturday night isn’t going to get it done (James: 16, Hughes: 12). This team will never do anything in the playoffs with the current PG situation. And yes I’m still pissed that they passed on Farmar in the 1st round to take Shannon Brown (who has yet to play) and Dee Brown in the 2nd round for Daniel Gibson (who has yet to play). Farmar would be starting on this team and Brown would be playing significant minutes while Eric Snow is resting in his coffin during games.

I’m not big into politics, but I do follow certain things. But I can’t wait for this election to be over. The back woods republicans of this area are driving me nuts with all of their war mongering and gay hating ads. Its ridiculous.

I hate the way all of these Bible beaters are against gay marriage. If two people love each other let them get married and be miserable like everyone else. They play it off like marriage is still religious. That ended a long time ago. It’s all regulated by the government now. Honestly I think that the insurance companies are in on this and are pushing people against it. If gays can get married then they can be covered by each other’s health insurance. This means more claims for insurance companies to pay out.

Here’s my platform for the presidency in 2016 (I’ll be 36 and legal to run). I’m bringing home our troops. If we are fighting somewhere (which I’m sure we will be) then we’re stopping and everyone’s coming home. If you are stationed overseas and want to come home, you can put-in to be placed at a domestic base. And we’re closing all of the bases in the Mideast. That’s what supposedly started the hatred towards the US, so lets get out of there. Because by then there will be less dependence on oil.

And here’s my other platform. I’ll get rid of private federal income tax. While businesses will still pay taxes, employees will not. In its place, I will institute a penny tax on everything that is sold. Say like 2 cents on every dollar. This way, people that get paid under the table will still be kicking in funds to the government and it will increase the money in working people’s pockets so they will spend and save more. Therefore stimulating the economy.

Vote Calvin in 2016!