Posted on Monday 14 August 2006 by Kenny Roda @ 1:04 pm
Kenny Roda from WKNR SportsTalk 850 will be writing a weekly blog on Cleveland Scores covering the sports world both locally and nationally. Check back often for his updates!
Center of disaster
The Browns better get some help at the center position or this could be a very long and painful season for both inexperienced QB Charlie Frye and Browns fans everywhere. The season-ending injury to LeCharles Bentley was devastating enough, but to have his backup Bob Hallen retire on top of that just before the team’s first pre-season game was brutal. It really doesn’t matter if Hallen was hurt or if he was having a Butch Davis-like panic attack. His calling it quits puts Frye and the offense way behind. Sources tell the Roadman don’t be surprised if GM Phil Savage waits until the final week of cutdowns to get his starting center from another team or if the Browns swing a deal involving one of their running backs for a more experienced center than any they have on the roster. If not, then the Browns must choose from what’s behind door # 1…Alonzo Ephraim, door # 2…Mike Mabry or door #3…Ross Tucker. And let’s be honest, none of those choices is a prize that Charlie Frye will be happy with.
Rook rises to the occasion
I loved what I saw out of #1 pick Kamerion Wimbley against Philly. For a guy learning a new position he played very well, registering 5 tackles, one for a 3-yard loss on the goal line, and forced a holding call early in the game. Wimbley’s got a great first step, is athletic and seems to have a high football IQ. That’s a great combination to have for a young linebacker/defensive end in this league.
Channel 212 rules
Thank God for the NFL Network, or channel 212 on DirecTV. Saturday night I got to watch the debuts of Reggie Bush, Vince Young and A.J. Hawk. All three did well in their first NFLgame.
Bush, who is wearing #25 for the Saints, carried the ball 6 times for 59 yards and caught 2 passes for 10 yards. His longest run of the game was typical R-E-G-G-I-E! A play that was designed to go left was all clogged up so Bush cut back to his right and turned in a highlight run of 44 yards in the first half of New Orleans’ game with Tennessee. Deuce McAllister better get healthy in a hurry or he may quickly lose his starting job.
Vince Young wasn’t as effective as Bush but he showed signs of what he can do, both good and bad. He finished 4-for-11 for 56 yards passing and rushed 4 times for 28 yards. The good…his scrambling ability bought him time to throw the ball and he picked up yards on the ground. The bad…his scrambling ability led to him spraining his left ankle and exiting the contest in the 4th quarter. But with Billy Volek there as the starter, Young will have time to heal and learn, much like Carson Palmer and Steve McNair did.
Former Buckeye A.J. Hawk is wearing #50 for the Packers and was all over the field Saturday night in Green Bay’s game against San Diego. He was always around the ball, either making tackles or breaking up pass plays. A solid start for Hawk in his debut. Also, in that same game, another former Ohio State linebacker made his presence felt. The last time we saw Matt Wilhelm causing havoc was in the National Championship game against Miami in 2003. That’s when he was knocking out current Browns backup QB Ken Dorsey and leading the Buckeyes to the title. Well, four years later, Wilhelm is ready to make an impact for the San Diego Chargers, much like he did at OSU. Wearing number #57 for Marty Schottenheimer, Wilhelm had 1 sack of Brett Favre and, like Hawk, was running sideline to sideline making plays.
One other player who looked very good in that Chargers-Packers game was Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers. The former #1 pick, taking over for Drew Brees, completed 15-of-21 passes for 169 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half. Granted, it’s just an exhibition game, but Rivers looked very comfortable out there and is someone to watch this season.
The only bad thing about channel 212 is former Browns head coach Paul “Butch” Davis. Why he is their analyst is beyond me. Who is the talent evaluator of the network? Didn’t they look at his drafts when he was with the Browns? Aren’t they concerned he might have a panic attack just moments before he goes on the air with co-host Rich Eisen? FrankenButch was still going to bat for, can you believe this…KELLY HOLCOMB! He picked Kelly to win the quarterback job in Buffalo over J.P. Losman. So, what did Holcomb do after getting that resounding vote of confidence from his former head coach? KELLLLLLLY went out with the Bills’ first-team offense in the 1st quarter of their first exhibition game and went
2-for-4 for 16 yards and 1 interception, which was returned for a touchdown, and was sacked once in limited time. Butch and Kelly, it’s nice to see some things never change! Here’s hoping the NFL Network will wise up and can Butch now before he embarasses them, like he did the Browns.
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i am fine with the suggs for strait. but i am still nervous about the center position, and who isn’t? i’m not sure at this point what they could trade for that would be any better than tucker, whom they picked up from new england.
additionally, regarding reggie bush, i’m not sold on him as becoming a premier back in the N - F - L . i may be one of the only people around you’ll hear say that ,but i would be surprised if he even has an ‘eric metcalf’ type career. eric was pretty good but i wouldn’t say he was ever a “PREMIER” player, like a moss or faulk have been.
Roadman:
I think the browns could be a good team this season even with the new center (ephriam). Once frye hooks up with either winslow or B-Easy Edwards that will light the fuse for the young guys and the older guys will feel the buzz and play like they were younger and the games will be closer then people think , the browns as a team will get the respect they need to lift their heads up and to be a good team
Roadman, I saw the same thing you did with Burch Davis on the NFL Network.
What’s wrong with this guy? Is he in Love Kelly Holcomb or what? Holcomb is, was and always will be nothing but a journeyman, back-up quarterback. I feel bad for the fans of Buffalo if they’re banking on Kelly to be their leader.
butch is wacko. even if he did make it to the playoffs once.
every time i read a piece of news on a browns decision while he was running things all i could think is WTF IS HE DOING???
none of his decisions ever made any kind of sense no matter how you looked at it.
I hope that guy who called your radio show yesterday saying that he could not believe we traded Suggs away because he was one of the best running backs in the league is happy now. Well, you got your wish. We are stuck with a guy that the JETS did not want. Thanks alot!!!
that’s odd, how could possibly the best running back in the league not pass his physical?
hmmmm. strange…
Roadman,
I don’t know what the hell is going on here in Cleveland, but it is not good. Our luck even prohibits us from making trades now. The Tribe has amassed a crappy record and about 15 bags of balls for there efforts and trades this year. And over 60 million tells me nothing, other than the fact that we are still going to suck. Dolan please, please, please cut your loses and sell this team, I do not like you. The Cavs our glimmer of hope still have Lebron and Lebron only. It is good to see Danny go out and get him some help? It was good to see our young guys out there playing ball all summer, only to get hurt.(andy). And back to the Browns, if you can see any light at the end of this tunnel please point me in that direction, because I can’t see S*** and I am starting to sense we are in a black hole ,not a tunnel. I will continue to go to every game, get there by 6:30 Am in my school bus in the Muni lot as long as my liver holds up. However it would be nice if I could use those playoff tickets I have to pay for every year with my season ticket just once. I am a little bitter today. OIC
Guys,
If you and Phil Savage don’t believe in “The Curse” now, you’ll never believe.
Lets run down what’s happened to the Browns before their 2nd pre-season game.
LeCharles Bentley, the Browns and the League’s biggest free agent signing, tears his petalla tendon on the 1st play of 11 on 11 drills without getting hit and will not play center all year for Cleveland due to the injury. His back-up at center Bob Hallen, a Cleveland native(Mentor) retires for who know what reason. The 3rd starting center, Alonzo Ephriam will be suspended for the first 4 games due to the league’s substance abuse poilicy. Are you keeping track Phil? That’s 3 centers gone before pre-season game #2. Add to that (RT) Ryan Tucker & (CB)
Daylon McCutcheon have already had knee surgery this year and may or may not be ready for the opener. (CB) Gary Baxter, last years big free agent signing who missed 9 games in 2005, tore his other pectoral muscle and is out for at least 3 weeks if not longer. And of course, (RB) Lee Suggs was traded to the Jets only to fail the physical the Jets gave him, thus he’s forced to return to the Browns.
Enough proof ? OIC!
Kenny, Enough about the floundering Browns. Now I know you went to BW, but you are a HUGE BUcks fan. Read this below, very funny…
BUCKEYE ‘Man’ RULES
*Never agree to get married on a Saturday Ohio State is scheduled to play football. There are typically 40 other freakin’ weekends to choose from… sack up and make her choose one of those!
*Never attend a wedding during an Ohio State football game unless you carry a TV……and watch it even during the ceremony.
*It is OK to wear an OSU football jersey even when old….and fat….and bald. Extra points if you’ve got an OSU baseball cap on backwards, sit in the “Huntington Club” seats and repeatedly spill stuff on anyone named “Chas” or “Muffy.” (Make sure you do so early and often because they’ll be long gone by the end of the third period). Maybe some “real” fans will take their seats.
*Always, and I mean ALWAYS, return any “O…H” with a hearty “I…O.” This is true even during funerals, sex, in foreign countries or when witnessing the birth of your child.
*When driving on I-75 during spring break season (March through April), every fifth vehicle you see with Michigan license plates should be honked and then flipped off. By Tennessee, even those dumb SOB’s should get the point.
*When Notre Dame plays Michigan, it is mandatory to despise both teams. There are no winners.
*You cannot have a second favorite football team behind OSU. You are permitted to have another team (non-Big Ten or ND) that you hate less than the others.
*It is OK to be emotional (and even “tear” up) during the following:
-Script Ohio
-Your child’s first Buckeye game
-Carmen Ohio
-During a Tressel speech
-Listening to “What I Want”
-Remembering Woody
-After beating Michigan
-Winning the National Championship
-Hearing Brett Musberger exclaim,”Holy Buckeye!”
-When NFL Buckeyes state on MNF that they are from “THE” Ohio State University.
-Hearing the phrase, “Rest easy Woody, the new man has arrived.”
-Ramp entrance
*It is not cool to make fun of the Neutron Man. Especially now that he is watching games with Woody.
*Buckeye necklaces must be worn at all times on game day from the time you leave your place of abode until you return. One other time: If you happen to get desperate and are in the process of bagging a girl from Michigan, you must have on your Buckeye necklace to ward off any feelings of affection. (This is true even if you go over to the dark side and marry her).
*Always take off your hat during Carmen Ohio and physically remove the hats of anyone in your vicinity who fails to do so.
*Everyone should rush the field after an OSU home victory over Michigan at least once in their lifetime. (Extra kudos for those of you who rushed the field at IU and tore down THEIR goalposts a few years ago…c’mon you know who you are!).
*Once your children attain age ten, they should be allowed to say “F” Michigan but only during game day in your presence.
*Attending Skull Session is mandatory at least once each season.
*ESPN employees must be verbally taunted at every opportunity.
*We must all pray that the next president of OSU has more of a clue than the present one.
*When you die, you must have at least one item of Buckeye memorabilia with you. (Specify which one in your will, that way your spouse won’t pick something stupid).
*Your children should be taught to let you know when they “have to take a Wolverine.”
*You must be willing to die to defend your right to drink beer during tailgates.
*You are forbidden to fall for the National Media crap sandwich that Joe Pa is still a “good guy.” In reality, he is a bitter, senile old man reduced to a cheerleader and referee-baitor. His credibility went south forever when he hired Galen “Cheatin” Hall to resurrect his sorry football program.
*Recruiting must be followed as intensely as any game. This is true even if it puts your job/career at risk.
*Attend the Spring Game. It makes it easier to survive the summer.
*When in church, it is not sacrilegious to count being a Buckeye as one of your blessings.
*Try to never boo a former or current Buckeye football player.
*Correct anyone who doesn’t refer to OSU as “THE” Ohio State University. If they argue with you over what they think to be a nit-picky point, you are free to kick their a$$.
*When making fun of guys in marching bands always caveat your comments with a statement that, regardless of what you just said, anyone in TBDBITL is very cool.
*Admit that secretly, you wished you played tuba and could dot the “i.” You’d even be willing to put on a few dozen pounds to look the part.
*You would not trade the opportunity to swill beer while listening to the Danger Brothers after an OSU victory over Michigan for tickets to any rock band that has ever existed.
*It is important to consider the “good old days” ARE NOW. Enjoy them even when OSU doesn’t win the NC.
*Scarlet and Gray always works. Maize and Blue is always gay. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
*Drinking alcohol before 9:00 A.M. is, at best, immature, and likely, a sign of a serious problem. Except on game day.
*It is never ok to talk to a stranger at the urinal next to you unless he is dressed in OSU garb. That said, the topic should be limited to Buckeye football.
*There are no bad seats in Ohio Stadium.
*If you attend a game at Wisconsin, you must never engage in “Jump Around” at the end of the third quarter no matter how tempting. Also, never, and I mean never, take your kids to a Wisconsin game unless you want to explain why everyone there are drunken jerks.
*If your wife asks you what was the greatest night of your life, admit the truth that it was January 3, 2003. Sex isn’t as important or rewarding as that NC.
*Plant a Buckeye tree in your yard.
*Hang a Buckeye flag on game day. If any of your neighbors counter with a Michigan flag, it is your solemn duty to tear it down and deface it anyway you see fit.
*It is “ok” to not get the drum major thing; it is “not ok” to fail to cheer when the plume touches the field.
*Be thankful beer is not sold during the game. It leaves more room for HineyGate.
*In honor of Woody, the principle of “paying forward” should be practiced at all times by all Buckeyes.
GO BUCKS!
well I guess its true O.I.C with the center for the brownies. I saw an article that the eagles are shopping fraley he might be worth looking into, Also the raiders might have a center they will get rid of for close to nothing. I live in ojio but I am following my boy Randy Moss So the raiders are my team but the browns are a very close second
Rich,
I will do my best to adhere to all of the rules and enjoy the hell out of all of them!
GO BUCKS! MICHIGAN SUCKS! PING-A-LING BABY!