The Browns had a chance to draft run-stuffer Haloti Ngata with the 12th pick in this year’s draft. They didn’t, and allowed the Baltimore Ravens to take him after a trade. While Kamerion Wimbley may be a good player in the future, Ngata is already paying dividends for the brick wall that is the Ravens defense. The rookie out of Oregon is doing for the Ravens what Ted Washington should be doing for the Browns – stopping the run. On draft day, the Browns felt their need for a pass-rusher was greater than their desire for a nose tackle who could clog up the middle and stop the run. So far, unfortunately, neither aspect has shown any improvement for the Browns defense.
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Brian Slocum started for the Tribe and didn’t qualify for a win but still did his job as the Tribe beat the Rangers 6-3 Saturday night. Second baseman Joe Inglett had his second consecutive three-hit ballgame and Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs to lead the offense. Victor Martinez’s two-run double helped give the Tribe a 4-0 lead in the third. Held to a strict pitch count, Slocum gave up only one run in four innings as the Indians offense finally was able to get back in gear to snap their four-game losing streak.
All the talk about the Ravens defense is legitimate and the Browns will have their hands full offensively trying to move the ball. The stout defense is tops in the league in turnovers and has allowed only six points through the first two weeks. The Browns have struggled mightily offensively. They are averaging only 71 yards per game on the ground and may be without their starting back, Reuben Droughns. Droughns isn’t the only key Brown who might miss action Sunday. Gary Baxter, Willie McGinest, Orpheus Roye, Brian Russell, and Joe Jurevicius are questionable at best because of various injuries. The Browns have defeated the Ravens each of the past two seasons on their home turf and will try to do the same on Sunday.
To accomplish such a task, the Browns will have to somehow find a way to put points up on the board. It will be critical for the offense to hold on the football, something that has eluded them thus far. The aggressive and swarming Ravens D will be all over the field and will pose a difficult challenge for Charlie Frye and the offense.
Defensively, the Browns are going to be forced to play several reserves as a result of injuries to Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon. However, if they can limit Jamal Lewis, the Browns may be able to keep themselves in the game. Lewis may pose the biggest threat for the Browns defense. The Ravens actually average less yards through the air and have a lower completion percentage than the Browns. If the defense can contain Lewis (which is a tall task) and force McNair to beat them with his arm, then the Browns may be able to hold the Ravens to a low number on the scoreboard.
By the time the Tribe’s offense could get in gear Friday, it was way too late. The Texas Rangers scored eight through the first four innings and went on to demolish the Indians 12-4. Paul Byrd surrendered those eight runs, although only four of them were earned thanks to errors by Ryan Garko and Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Rangers got three more in the eighth to blow the game wide open. Carlos Lee finished with two of Texas’ three homers on the night. The Tribe equalled the Ranger hit total but just could not come up with the key hit, leaving 10 runners on base. Hector Luna had two RBIs and Joe Inglett had three hits to lead the Indians offense.
The Indians have now lost four in a row and nine of 11. Cavs season cannot come soon enough.
Just a heads up for those who don’t already know, LeBron James will be a guest Friday night on the Dave Letterman show, which airs at 11:35 pm. It will be his very first appearance on the show.
As Cleveland fans, we haven’t had much to be happy about the last several months with the Indians and the Browns. At least we have a superstar in LeBron to fall back on. Despite the failures of the teams that are currently playing, we can always hang our hat on LeBron and be proud of his accomplishments as a player and a person. His charisma, professionalism, and personable demeanor will hopefully put us all in a good state of mind for at least 15 minutes Friday.
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