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!
Q: Is Troy Smith the greatest quarterback ever at Ohio State?
A: Absolutely, 100% YES. Heisman Trophy winner, 25-2 as a starter, 3-0 vs Michigan and after January 8th, 2007, a National Championship!
Q: Should the Browns draft Troy Smith if he is available with their pick in the 1st round in 07?
A: Yes and No. Yes… if they go out and address the offensive line through the draft and free agency. No…if they expect him to come in and be the savior behind this crappy O-line. The Glenville and Ohio St. grad deserves better than that.
Q: Were those tears in Jim Tressel’s eyes as Troy Smith was accepting the Heisman?
A: Yes…so for those of you who thought he doesn’t show any emotion, he is human! Beneath the sweater vest and that cool and calm demeanor on the sideline, is a man who cares about his players as human beings more than as just quarterbacks and linebackers.
Q: Does Derrick Anderson deserve another chance to start for the Browns?
A: Without a doubt. You already know what you have in Charlie Frye from his 17 starts. Anderson has only started one game and played a total of 6 quarters. At 4-9 with 3 games left, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing him more and finding out if he can be your starter, a back-up or doesn’t belong in the NFL.
Q: What’s it say about 3rd pick, wide receiver Travis Wilson if he can’t play ahead of Dennis Northcutt, who dropped 3 more balls against Pittsburgh?
A: He must really suck or is not smart enough to pick up the offense.
Q: Is Romeo Crennel the answer at head coach?
A: My gut tells me no. My head tells me no. But my heart tells me… maybe. Not a resounding vote of confidence for Romeo like he got from Phil Savage. Sorry, that’s the best I can do right now.
Q: Does Larry Hughes really make that much of a difference for the Cavs?
A: Yes and it counts! Cleveland is 7-2 with Hughes in the lineup and 5-5 without him.
Q: Can Greg Oden lead Ohio State basketball like Troy Smith has in football?
A: Most definitely! I watched him in person this weekend and, granted it was Cleveland St. that the Buckeyes beat 78-57, but he is a man playing amongst boys. If Oden stays healthy the rest of the season, Buckeye Nation could be celebrating two National Championships this year.
Q: How much have the Indians helped themselves so far this off season?
A: They’re much better defensively at 2nd base with the trade for Josh Barfield. As far as the bullpen goes. Even if the guys they signed are 100 years old or not 100% healthy, they can’t do any worse than last year’s pen did. Can they? As for David Dellucci in left field? I felt that money could have been spent on more bullpen help or in a trade to bring somebody here, by picking up the remaining years on their contract.
Q: Are the Buckeyes going to beat the Gators?
A: Yes and yes! December 23rd in basketball at Florida, 82-78. January 8th in football for the National Championship, 34-24!
i hope everyone in the browns sorry organization watched the new orleans saints THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS destroy a good football team last night on national tv. did they notice one of their castoffs, faine, starting at center? did they notice the coach on the sideline with a clue? have they noticed the saints have sucked the past few years and after one year, ONE year, are playoff bound? probably not, because for the sorry browns organization to notice all of that that would mean they have a clue! don’t want to hear anymore 3 or 5 year plans, the saints have done it in less than a year! and wow look at all of that money the organization will misspend on free agents!! what a freakin joke this team and organization is!
Their is only 2-3 guys I want the Browns to pick in the 1st round. Considering that they’ll be ib the top 5 , I really wanna see Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin, or Jake Long OT Michigan, or trade down & get the OT from either Texas or Penn St.
If we spend our 1st round pick on anything besides O-line, I will shit a brick!!!
If the Browns pass on Troy Smith, I’ll shit a brick. If he’s there when they pick, they better pick him. Don’t make the same mistake Houston made by not selecting Vince Young, or Reggie Bush. You never, ever, pass on a player like that, period.
Now in rounds 2-7, they can use every pick on a lineman. Offense or defense. They should go after the top free agent linemen, like they did last year. If Bentley retires, then they should have some money freed up to do so.
Officially, I am starting the campaign to bring Troy Smith back to Cleveland.
I pray the Browns don;t pick Trpy Smith… I live in Columbus, went to OSU and love watching Smith. With that said this is not college ball. He will not have all day liek he does at OSU to throw, he will not play 3 joke teams for every good team and he will have more presure than he can imagine. I also don’t want to pay a QB a ton of moeny to hold a clip board and watch us not compete again. NO TROY SMITH… He is not a top 25 pick we just love Scarlet and Grey and are blinded
Some food for thought……
Offensive line problems are only the beginning for the Browns right now. But, in 2 games since Anderson has come in there has only been 1 sack ( 1 for KC, 0 for Pitt) and the passing game has looked better (except for the drops). I’ll make a better observation of this after Baltimore to see how Anderson does. But, I’m not going to say Anderson is the answer at QB either.
But now how about these questions for a high draft pick and look at this reasonably like I have:
How about a running back ( Peterson ) to go along with the likes of Johnson, Lewis and Parker or Bettis in our Division. Yes, he does have an injury bug at times but when healthy, looks damn good. Droughns doesn’t hit holes quickly and looks like a good backup or trade him to Indy, they need an upgrade.
Next, with the great Dennis Northcutt leaving ( thank God ), we need another Special Teams, PR, WR, KR specialist to go along with Cribbs. How about Ginn if he comes out? Sounds good to me. Sure would upgrade our team in a lot of ways.
Next, Defense. Look at the big picture on this one. Our starting defensive linemen have a combined 1 sack for the year and constantly don’t pressure the QB, go back and look at Brees wasn’t even touched in week 1, Big Ben and Palmer having all day to look around and the list goes on. Even more, we rushed 3 lineman and dropped 8 back and Pittsburg, Cincy, KC and NO still had recivers open all over the field. Go back and relook at the games, I’m not even close to kidding on this.
So, do we need another stud starting defensive lineman or 2, another stud linebacker or a stud DB. To me, Woodley of Michigan, Ross of Texas could be possibilities for the defense.
Football is won in the trenches and both are terrible. Especially, when the defense can’t get off the field for the last 5 games or so.
Finally, if we do draft Troy Smith in the draft, do we have to start him this year? No. Take some time to upgrade the OL and look at him next year. Plus, looking at the first couple of picks this year, TB Oak & Det, they all need QB’s. If they don’t draft Smith with there first picks, why not dangle our high draft pick for NE’s 2 first round picks and get 3 total picks in the top 35 playeras or so. We have a lot of holes to fill and getting Smith later in the first round wouldn’t be a bad idea along with someone else. Don’t forget, players fall on draft day, Winston Justice last year is a good example.
See ya next week
Yeah, but I wouldn’t take that risk of Troy Smith being there in the second round. We need a franchise quarterback, why not select him, or are yall pushing for Brady Quinn. Smith brings another element to the passing game, he’s in the same prototype of Vince Young. Teams have to game plan just for the quarterback who can pass and run. If Mike Vick could consistently pass the ball, he would be the BEST quarterback in the NFL. Troy Smith can. Besides, this could open things up for Droughns and Harrison next year.
Why draft a guy like Peterson who can’t even stay healthy in college? He’s not the next coming of Barry Sanders, or Emmitt Smith, or even Thurman Thomas, he reminds me of Lee Suggs. What’s the ratio of stud quarterbacks to runningbacks? If Smith is there take him.
As I stated earlier, take rounds 2-7 to address the line. We need stud CB’s, free agency is the answer. The last 2 years, Ty Law has been out there, and he better than Baxter. Charles Woodson was out there last year. Runningback, probably through a trade. There are studs backing up other studs. Marion Barber in Dallas, Wali Lundy in Houston, Samkon Gado, Cedric Benson, the list goes on and on.
If Savage is the talent guru the league claims he is, it’s time to put up or shut up.
RB first, then D-line and O-line
NO TROY SMITH
IceBerg,
Like I stated, the Troy Smith draft is a great idea, but why not trade down and get him along with other picks??? The DB names you put out there are old, injury prone and inconsistant, as well as some of thr RB’s you mentioned.
It all starts with the draft and we need to start addressing some of those areas. I also know that some money for FA is big and alot is there, but look at Bentley, going on 2 years without him.
The best answer is trade down, pick up some extra picks and draft accordinly along with Smith, but don’t rush it with him, let him come along and learn how different the game will be.
Finally, if Smith is drafted by the Browns, we should hire either his QB coach or offensive asst. from OSU to bring the same Offense to the Browns. Give the others time to learn it, let Smith come along and see the game and at the end, we could see a brighter future than the train wreck we have now.
If Peterson is the top rated RB in this years draft, the best way to acquire one is through trade. Droughns has proven that if the line is decent, he can produce. Don’t forget that he was a 1000 yard back in Denver, and with Harrison, who lead the NCAA in rushing last season, I think we have a good running combo, especially if we add Smith, who can beat teams with his legs, and arm. Peterson would be another Browns first round bust, just like William Green, who can’t stay healthy like Lee Suggs. We probably wouldn’t even be better than Leroy Hoard, or Errict Rhett. Better yet Tommy Vardell.
Look, learn from the Texans mistake, pick Smith, or watch him go to Baltimore and light they ass up 2 times a year, like Young is gonna do to the Texans. Smith has won more games as a starter, than the Browns have won since 2002. He can learn the pro system, like he did Tressels, and most importantly, when he’s on the field, he’s probably the best player out there.
Michael, he did win the Heisman, by the second largest margin in history. You went to OSU, have a little faith in your quarterback. I think he’s the best player coming out this year. Mark my words, Troy Smith will be in the Hall when it’s all said and done. I’d like to see him go in as a Browns player. I’m not just blinded, I recognize that it takes a special quarterback to elevate his play every season. When he first got the job, he made some mistakes, he relied too much on his athleticism. But he statred developing onto a top notch quarterback.
Do you think Brady Quinn is better? Why, because he has a pro coach, and a pro system? He can’t win the big game. Troy Smith has, and will. 3-0 against Michigan, the biggest games for Ohio State. Troy Smith beat Brady Quinn in the Fiesta Bowl last year. Don’t sleep on Smith.
The Browns NEED to draft Troy Smith…Bottom Line. Right now, I don’t even think it has anything to do with winning or losing – drafting Troy Smith will energize this organization and this fanbase…the smart pick is Joe Thomas out of Wisconsin, but Smith will do more for this City (of course its pointless to draft TS if we don’t use every other resource to protect him).
Our Offense hasn’t cracked the TOP 20 since we’ve been back, and I believe its the inability to run & protected our QB on a consistent basis!! Do you really want to see Troy Smith get his ass handed to him cause we didn’t take the possible best lineman to protect whoever’s taking the snaps!! Did u guys see how Pittsburghs offensive line blew us off the ball?!!! THATS WHAT I WANT!!! SMASHMOUTH CLEVELAND BROWNS FOOTBALL AT ITS FINEST!!!! You win in the trenches, period!!!
Derek Anderson should start the last three games (unless he gets hurt), and Charlie Frye should sit and watch how to not stair down receivers, look for the second receiver or outlet receiver all with the same time as Anderson has which by my timing has been around three seconds with the porous offensive line that the Browns have. Still Anderson has only been sacked once…hmmmm I wonder why? Reason, he sees the WHOLE field and at 6′-6″ he can.
Smaller QB’s have to have throwing lanes or a moving pocket, or a offensive line that gives him time or room to step up and throw. Drew Brees is 6′-0″ or less, but he could take a five to seven step drop and had time against Dallas to shread the defense. It all comes down to time to throw. Get it, buy it (step up or move), scramble out and throw on the run, but protect the football even if it means throwing it away. But you have to see the field and have good instincts about where your players are.
Anderson to me has that ability now, while Frye has me wondering. I am still a supporter of Charlie Frye because he has play making abilities. But for now he has to sit and support Anderson. Next year there will be competition for the QB position and sorry fellow Browns fans, I don’t think Troy Smith will be in camp.
I think the Browns should draft Smith right after they fire Savage and Crennel. Get Smith and bring in a top front office and coach. It looks like Ozzie was the man in Baltimore not Savage.
Kenny,
here is my own Q & A
Q: Best overall college sports program? A: OSU of course as a national chamion in football and possible one in Basketball, a trip to the Baseball NCAA playoffs, and a tie in hockey against the #4 team in the country. Oh By the way the women BBallers are #6.
Q: Troy Smith greatest QB ever for OSU. A: When he wins the National Championship, absolutely.
Q: Is Northcutt even a wide receiver? A: No way, by definition, you must CATCH the ball first.
Q: Are there way too many holes in the Browns to draft Troy Smith? A: Absolutely, but I couldn’t stand watching him run any other team, especially Baltimore.
Q: Are the Indians doing enough.: A: No, because free agent market sucks, and Larry Dolan is way too cheap.
Q: Will I ever have a Title to celebrate in Cleveland: A: OIC, probably the year after my wake.
What I think is interesting, is that everyone is talking about a possible Ohio State Football National Championship and a possible Ohio State Basketball National Championship – but look who has won the National Championship in Basketball already this year and is now playing for the National Championship in Football…yep, its Florida. I’m not saying anything other than its interesting…
Keep up the good work Kenny and GO BUCKS!
http://www.buckeyemuck.blogspot.com/
NO TROY SMITH…. a wasted pick it would be… they woudl not take him in a million years unless he is on the board round 3
Micheal, all I can do is respect your opinion. But If the Browns don’t take Troy Smith, I look for him going to our rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, and sitting behind Steve McNair, for a year or so. Then the Browns will be in the same position that the Texans are in, having passed on Vince Young. You saw what happened there.
Then, the fans in Cleveland will hate the organization, like they do in Houston. We’ll be forced to sit back, and watch our local hero destroy us in every game for the next 10 years. And the only thing the Browns will have to show for, is another injury proned RB, that they overpaid for. I hope you’re wrong.
Kenny–I was satisfied with the Cavs win at home against the Bobcats last night. However, when I went to the Cavs website to look at the box score, I noticed in the left hand column they were tied for first in the Central with Detroit. I went to the complete standings and started looking at the playoff potential teams like Detroit, Utah, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando, etc., THEY ARE GETTING IT DONE ON THE ROAD! The Cavs are a dismal at 3-6 on the road. How can they expect to be the elite team in the East if they aren’t getting it done on the road? January will be the true test for the Cavs and we’ll see if they are truly what we hope they are.
As far as Troy Smith possibly coming to Cleveland…BRING HIM HOME, BABY! After listening to his talk at Glenville, this kid could be the “LeBron James” for the Browns. His love for the city is of Cleveland is unmatched. Smith is a winner and a playmaker. If the Browns can get it done, as far as the ‘O-line’ goes, in free agency, then Smith could be the catalyst that revolutionizes Cleveland Browns football. If Smith is available to the Browns come draft day and the Browns don’t take him, someone will need to put the Browns leadership under the care of Nurse Ratched with Chief Bromden as their roomate!
I think once Gibson becomes more comfortable starting at the point, and starts developing chemistry with Hughes, they’ll start to get it done on the road. Right now, I think Mike Brown is shuffling the deck, trying to get a starting 5 that will do it all. Once they get it together, the Cavs will be better on the road. That is if they’re hungry enough.
There should only be two choices in the first round of the draft. Joe Thomas or Adrian Peterson. Troy smith would be great in rd 2 or trade up from rd two into the end of round 1 and grab him.
Kenny, my question is ‘how can the Cavs get better?’. And the answer is…well, The Answer is the answer.
I have some thoughts on how this could happen/why it should happen:
http://tastyburger.wordpress.com/
As you’ll see, my real question is, ‘why aren’t fans/media talking about this more?’ He just wants to win. We just want to win. I like the fit.
What do you think?
Kenny,
I do not understand these Cleveland fans talking about drafting Troy Smith. This team is a mess and they want to select a QB with our number one pick. I like Troy as much as the next person, but it would be a disaster to take him with our first pick. For example, the Colts have Peyton Manning, arguably the best QB in the league right now, but where are they going? They are going to get knocked out of the playoffs again this year. The Cleveland Brownsare in need of the following;
1. Offensive Lineman
2. Defensive Lineman
3. Cornerbacks
4. Better asst. coaching
Back to Troy for a second, he is great and I would love to have him, but if he can’t perform the duties listed above, that is not what we need.
You want the truth? You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!
We live in Cleveland and it has walls. Walls that seem to block winning teams from consistantly entering this city.
So who is going to break through these walls, and produce a winner here. You Larry Dolan, you Randy Lerner?
We use the phrases like Wait till next year, O.I.C., and We need to get on the same page. We use them for Punch Lines to ease the pain of another failing year in Cleveland sports.
We gradually neither have the time or the continued support to put up with these over-paid, non-motivated, and media craving “Athletes” that want to sleep on the field of play and question the stadium emptiness that we soon shall provide.
I wish that all the fans would just say “Non thank you to tickets, and just watch on TV!” Either way I don’t give a damn about those Cleveland Owners who care more about the money they can make and save than winning.
Did you order the Code RED! NOT YET BUT it’s coming!
As far as the Roadman is concerned. He may wear Steeler black, but he bleeds Brown and Indian Blue like the rest of us!