Author: G (Page 37 of 44)

Head honcho

June 9, 2005 / G

I’m not sure what to make of new Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith. Sometimes he sounds like a smart guy, and at other times he sounds like an idiot. Yesterday he laid out his plans for the football and basketball programs. His ideas for basketball sounded great, as he wants to start scheduling Cincinnati on the Buckeye basketball schedule. This makes a ton of sense. It’s ridiculous that Ohio State has been avoiding this series. Cincy is a great basketball school and these games will help to elevate the profiles of both programs. Ohio State needs to improve its basketball recruiting, and adding an in-state rival can only help.

On the other hand, Smith said he wants to add Division I-AA Youngstown State to the football schedule. This would be a terrible move. It would significantly weaken the Buckeye schedule in the eyes of voters, hurting their chances to play for a national championship. Smith says, “I am a believer in I-AA football.” How nice. If he believes in it so much, then he should apply for a job at Youngstown State. His current job requires that he protect the interests of Ohio State, and scheduling a I-AA school will hurt the program, not help it. There are plenty of respectable Ohio schools in the MAC that can fill in the schedule. so hopefully he’ll be pursuaded to scuttle this stupid idea.

OSU Football

Boone and Elarton spark Tribe

June 9, 2005 / G

Don’t look now, but Aaron Boone is heating up. I know, it’s only been a few games, but maybe Shapiro and Wedge just might be proven right for having faith in him. Last night Boone blasted two home runs to power the Tribe to a 6-1 victory over the Padres. Boone is 8 for his last 16 in his last four games and is finally driving the ball. Let’s hope this continues.

Another great sign from last night’s game was the performance of Scott Elarton, who won his first road start since 2001. Elarton has been a different pitcher since his turn was skipped in the rotation, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last five starts.

Finally, Grady Sizemore continues to put together a fantastic season. Last night he almost hit for the cycle, and he is now tied with Ichiro for the leaque lead in triples.

Cleveland Indians

Browns will dump Verba

June 8, 2005 / G

As expected, the Browns have offered Ross Verba his release in exchange for Verba’s agreement to repay $465,000 of a roster bonus. Meanwhile, the Browns added another veteran tackle by signing Marcus Spears. This should give them some depth and insurance after signing tackle L. J. Shelton last week.

Savage and Crennell continue to remake this troubled roster. Verba was overrated as a left tackle, and his contract demands were ridiculous. Savage has shown he will not be intimidated by contract demands, and that no individual player is more important than the team. Expectations are low for the upcoming season, and they are rebuilding this team for the long term, so guys like Shelton and Spears just need to be adequate for now. Who knows, they might even be better than Verba.

Cleveland Browns

Pitching lifts Tribe again

June 8, 2005 / G

Cliff Lee and the bullpen combined on an 11-inning shutout of the Padres, as the Tribe managed to score two unearned runs in the 11th to take the first game of this series. Cliff Lee has been on a roll along with the rest of the pitching staff (other than Jason Davis). Unfortunately, the White Sox won again.

Cleveland Indians

Browns sign left tackle Shelton; Verba wants out

June 4, 2005 / G

In another strong move, the Browns signed massive left tackle L. J. Shelton, a former first-round pick out of Eastern Michigan. Shelton is not an All-Pro and Crennell might have to whip him into shape, but he’s certainly an adequate replacement for loudmouth Ross Verba. Savage has indicated that he will not restructure Verba’s deal, and Verba is now screaming for his release.

If I were Savage I’d tell him to pound salt and hold out if he wants. With Shelton this team does not need Verba, and they certainly don’t need someone like him to disrupt the new chemistry they are trying to build on this team. Verba is a decent player, but he is not a dominant left tackle, and he really doesn’t fit the power game Crennell is trying to install in Cleveland. Verba is one of those “versitile” linemen Butch Davis always yapped about. Sure, he can play guard as well, but what we really need is someone to play tackle, play it well and keep his mouth shut while doing it.