Author: Bob (Page 13 of 39)

Cavs are ready to win

October 12, 2006 / Bob

The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to start a season of strong competition and high expectations. LeBron James is more experienced and Larry Hughes is healthy. This team went deep into the playoffs last year and is expecting the same this season.

The off season was very productive for the Cavaliers. They signed a couple talented free agents and drafted one the most talented players in the draft. The 6�4 Shannon Brown has showed promise and desire during the summer and preseason. I feel that by mid season, Brown will be starting and leading the Cavs into the playoffs and possibly the championship game.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Smith competes against friend

October 12, 2006 / Bob

Troy Smith, the Ohio State Buckeye quarterback, has another big challenge this weekend against Michigan State. The Bucks attempt to become 7-0 and more than half way to an undefeated season. This Saturday is a little different for Smith. The opponent is Drew Stanton, Michigan State quarterback, who he�s been friends with since they were seniors in high school.

The two quarterbacks were both invited to an Elite 11 camp in California. At this camp, they became friends and continue to be close today. Smith and Stanton talk about winning and losing, this week they�ll be discussing the same game.

OSU Football

Bucks winning with Smith’s leadership

October 9, 2006 / Bob

The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to win and Troy Smith continues to make a case for the Heisman trophy.
Smith�s stats haven�t been spectacular, but his decisions and leadership qualities make him the leading candidate.

The Bucks have won at Texas and Iowa with Smith leading the way. The early poles have him in front by a large margin with the weaker part of the schedule coming up until Michigan.

OSU Football

Team shows improvement, Carthon doesn’t

October 9, 2006 / Bob

The Cleveland Browns continue to show signs of progress as a team, but Maurice Carthon�s puzzling play calling is quietly frustrating the players. This is the second time Cleveland had a third and short deep in the opponent�s territory at a critical point in the game and not given the ball to 1,000 rusher Reuben Droughns.

The first time, the Browns ran a sweep with rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers and were stopped short. Yesterday, Carthon went deep into his bag of tricks and ran an option to run or pass with Vickers. He chose to pass and came up empty.

The players have respectfully not commented on the horrible play calling, but you get the feeling that something has to give. Kellen Winslow is a talented tight end that is a determined to win and will only stay quiet for so long. This team has talent and I can�t help but think that a good offensive coordinator could have produced at least one more victory this season.

Cleveland Browns

NFL comes up short…when it matters

October 5, 2006 / Bob

The NFL handed down a 5 game suspension to Tennessee Titan lineman Albert Haynesworth for scraping his cleat across the unprotected face of Dallas Cowboy lineman Andre Gurode. Gurode received 30 stitches and is still suffering from headaches on a regular basis. The doctors have not ruled out plastic surgery.

The NFL and the players union have made major progress improving the image of this league. I�ve been impressed with the fines and suspensions players receive for drugs, drunken driving, and off the field violence. This time I�m extremely disappointed. I think Haynesworth deserved a one year suspension and tons of community service. The actions were violent and have probably caused long term damage.

These types of action require immediate and severe punishment. A player committing a personal foul during the game is one thing, but to attack a player after a dead ball is unacceptable. The NFL may be setting a bad precedence after all the hard work.