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Frye is a risk

May 6, 2006 / Bob

The Browns traded Trent Dilfer because he was unhappy with the career path Cleveland had for him and he didn�t see eye to eye with Maurice Carthon. I do agree with trading away a disgruntled player, but Trent wasn�t the only one unhappy with the way Carthon handled the offense last year.

I personally felt that many of his decisions were both questionable and sometimes unexplainable. This year we have the luxury of an inexperienced quarterback in Charlie Frye and the same offense coordinator.

Phil Savage has done a wonderful job of improving the team all around, but the all important quarterback position remains a question mark. I do not feel Charlie Frye is experienced enough to lead our high powered offense to the playoffs. The Browns will either need to run the ball very effectively or find themselves more experience at that position.

Cleveland Browns

Westbrook, Michaels lead Tribe to win

May 6, 2006 / John Blake

The Indians’ offense continued to roll as Jake Westbrook pitched a solid ballgame. The Tribe beat the Mariners 9-4 Friday night as Westbrook got his third win of the season, giving up two runs in six innings. Jason Michaels hit his first home run of the season and had three RBI in the game. Sizemore was the only Tribe hitter without a hit, but managed to have an RBI in the eighth inning.

Starting pitching has no doubt been a problem recently but Wedge was very pleased with the way Westbrook pitched.

“We needed a good outing out of Jake and he gave it to us,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Cleveland Indians

Jones’ jumper moves Cavs to round two

May 6, 2006 / John Blake

We’ve criticized him for most of the season but the “best shooter in the world” delivered the shot heard round the world Friday night as Damon Jones sinked a jumper to send the Cavaliers to the next round. Cleveland, whose bench outscored Washington’s 57-24, came away with the Game 6 victory as Jones knocked down the game-winning shot from the corner as the Cavs beat the Wizards 114-113 in yet another overtime thriller. Gilbert Arenas finished with 36 points but missed some key free throws down the stretch to give the Cavs a chance to win the game. LeBron may have gotten in Gilbert’s head while he was at the free throw line late in the game.

“I told him if he missed both of those free throws, the game was over,” James said.

And sure enough, LeBron was right. Although it was the most least likely player who came through in the clutch. Damon Jones, who registered less than five seconds in the game, showed incredible poise by coming in at the end of overtime and hitting the big shot. Bring on the Pistons!

Cleveland Cavaliers

Johnson knocked around as Tribe loses

May 5, 2006 / John Blake

The Oakland A’s gave the Tribe a taste of their own medicine Thursday as they blew out the Indians 12-4. The Athletics obviously were not happy with their performance on Wednesday and took it out on Jason Johnson. The Tribe’s fifth starter couldn’t get past the third inning as he gave up seven runs in the game. The damage was already done as the A’s scored nine runs in the first three innings. Nick Swisher had three RBI on two doubles for Oakland. Travis Hafner homered for his fourth straight game, giving him 11 dingers on the season.

“It was one of those days where I wasn’t getting the ball down and balls were getting through,” Johnson said. “To me it’s unexplainable right now. I have to forget about it, put this start behind me and make sure it never happens again.”

Cleveland Indians

Trent Dilfer update

May 4, 2006 / G

It looks like the Browns are trying to trade Trent Dilfer to San Francisco, but they will not release him:

Backup quarterback Trent Dilfer has not asked the Browns to release him or to trade him, he said Monday.

“I have not asked for anything,” Dilfer said, adding he is very happy playing for the Browns.

Dilfer was responding to reports that the Browns tried to acquire quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Marques Tuiasosopo during draft weekend.

General Manager Phil Savage emphatically stated that the team would not release Dilfer if another backup for Charlie Frye was acquired, adding he only wanted to strengthen the team.

This will be a good move if they can get at least a fourth round pick, maybe a fifth. That said, going after Marques Tuiasosopo is a joke. He’s terrible.

Update – The Browns have completed a trade with the Niners, sending Dilfer to San Fran in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick and Ken Dorsey. Buckeye fans have fond memories of Cee Grant sacking Dorsey to clinch the 2002 National Championship. Frankly, I have no idea whether he would be an adequate backup to Charlie Frye. Savage probably needs to find another veteran QB.