Bleacher Report - Articles by Eric Lawhead

What a Crazy BCS Year It Will Be!

Eric Lawhead — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:44:43 -0500

The system is designed to pick the national championship game, not the other BCS Bowl games. That is left up to the bowls themselves to choose. With Texas almost assured a national title game berth, (barring an unlikely upset), and Florida and Alabama playing in the SEC title game to decide the other national championship participant, where does that leave the four other bowls?

There could be five undefeated teams in the FBS at season's end: Florida/Alabama, Texas, TCU, Boise State, and Cincinnati. While it would be nice to just give them automatic bids into BCS games, it doesn't work that way. When it is all said and done, an undefeated team could be left out of the BCS and sent to play in the Pizza Bowl or Poinsettia Bowl.

For a little background on the BCS Bowl games, here is how the BCS conferences are generally slated.

Rose Bowl (Jan. 1): Pac-10 Champion vs. Big 10 Champion

Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1): SEC Champion vs. At-Large (generally Big East Champion)

Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 4): Big 12 Champion vs. At-Large

Orange Bowl (Jan. 5): ACC Champion vs. At-Large

National Championship (Jan. 7): BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2

We know one thing for sure: Ohio State is the Big 10 Champion and will be playing in Pasadena in the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl has always kept its tradition of having the Big 10 vs. Pac-10 game. Even when the Big 10 champion was in the national championship in Ohio State, they put Michigan in against USC.

This year will be no different, the winner of the "Civil War Game" this weekend between Oregon and Oregon State will face Ohio State on New Year's Day. I am picking Oregon to take that game for an Ohio State vs. Oregon matchup.

This will be Ohio State's record eighth BCS appearance. They are 4-3 with a 1-2 record in the national championship. This is their 14th Rose Bowl appearance and first since 1997. This will be Oregon's second BCS game and first since their 38-16 win over Colorado in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. This will be the Ducks' fifth Rose Bowl appearance and first since 1995.

For all intensive purposes, we will assume Florida beats Alabama on December 5 in the SEC title game and goes on to play Texas in the national championship in Pasadena on Jan. 7. Two things happen when Texas and Florida go to the national championship game. The Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl open up their guaranteed conference champion slots.

In the past, the Fiesta Bowl has liked Big 10 teams. Ohio State has played in the game three times besides the national title game in 2002. I believe the first at-large slot of the Fiesta Bowl will go to Iowa. They are currently ranked 11th in the BCS. Most people are saying that the Big 10 will get a second BCS team. But the debate is raging as to if it should be Iowa or Penn State.

There are three things weighing against Penn State to be sent to the Capital One Bowl. One, they are ranked lower (13) in the BCS than Iowa. Two, they LOST to Iowa! Three, in the two games that mattered in their schedule against Iowa and Ohio State, they LOST! One thing for them: Jo Pa. I don't feel that that will push them over Iowa. This will be Iowa's second BCS appearance. They lost 38-17 in the 2003 Orange Bowl to USC.

The second Fiesta Bowl at-large bid will be Oklahoma State, if they beat Oklahoma on Saturday. With the Fiesta Bowl being the Big 12's bowl game in the BCS, it will take the next-best Big 12 team. Last year, the Fiesta Bowl chose Texas, being the Big 12 champion, and Big 10 Co-Champion Ohio State. This will be the Cowboys' first BCS game appearance.

Things could change with an Oklahoma State loss. It then opens the door for the undefeated Boise State to play in another Fiesta Bowl. They beat Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl in one of the most memorable BCS games in recent memory.

With the Big East not tied to any specific BCS game, it is kind of up in the air as to where they will be sent. I believe Cincinnati will be undefeated and will be sent to the Sugar Bowl. This will be the second consecutive BCS appearance for the Bearcats. They lost to Virginia Tech 20-7 in last year's Orange Bowl.

The Sugar Bowl is locked into the SEC Champion. But with the SEC Champion going to the national title game with the Gators, it will stick with its SEC tradition and take possibly the second-best team in the country, the Alabama Crimson Tide. This will be the second BCS appearance for the Tide and first since their 35-34 loss to Michigan in the 2000 Orange Bowl.

The final BCS game to slate is the FedEx Orange Bowl. They are locked into the ACC Champion, who will more than likely be Georgia Tech. They play Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 5, but I see the Yellow Jackets walking away victorious. This will be Georgia Tech's first BCS appearance. The last time they played in a bowl game that is now a part of the current BCS slate of games was in 1967, when they lost to Florida 27-12 in the Orange Bowl.

Georgia Tech's opponent will be another at-large team. Between Boise State and TCU and both being undefeated, the nod will go to TCU. They are just a better team than Boise and deserve the BCS game more. They have never played in a BCS game, and the last time they were in a bowl that is now a part of the current BCS bowls was a 40-26 loss to Georgia in the 1942 Orange Bowl.

So to recap:

Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Cincinnati

Fiesta Bowl: Iowa vs. Oklahoma State

Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. TCU

This will leave out an undefeated Boise State team, which will be tough to swallow for Bronco fans, but sometimes the system doesn't work in your favor.

This is set to be a fun and exciting bowl and BCS season. Things could change before the final games are played on December 5th, but I am confident that things will work out this way.

NFL Week 3 Report: Contenders & Pretenders

Eric Lawhead — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:21:33 -0400

With one game left for Week Three, we as fans can begin to see who is standing out and who is falling down in the NFL. There have been many surprises so far and we are beginning to see who are the contenders and who are the pretenders.

To give you an idea of how far along this season has progressed through three weeks:

The Lions have as many wins as the Steelers (one). The Bengals are starting to turn heads. Brett Farvre actually lead the Vikings to a win, not Adrian Peterson. The Seahawks wore lime green uniforms (which I thought were great, by the way). And the Browns and Bucs have already benched their starting QB's.

Now let's get on to who has a chance at the Lombardi Trophy this season and who really doesn't.

Contenders

1. New York Giants - They win in different ways every week, it seems. Last week, Eli did some magic, this week he throws for under 200 yards. Their defense is rejuvenated with the re-addition of Osi Umenyiora; they have continued to be dominant.

With two divisional wins under their belt, they already are a force to be reckoned with in the NFC East.

2. Minnesota Vikings - Even when Adrian Peterson doesn't rush for 100 yards, the Vikings can still find a way to win. Brett Favre wasn't wearing Wranglers or buying a TV at Sears, but he was throwing a beautiful game-winning touchdown with 0:02 left.

Their win over the 49ers was validation of their prowess after doubts they were any good with wins over the lowly Browns and Lions.

3. Chicago Bears - Sure they looked like garbage in the week one thanks to a four INT game from Jay Cutler. But since then they have looked great. Even with the loss of two of their three starting linebackers, they still seem to lock it down when it counts.

Two key third-quarter takeaways helped Cutler and the Bears fight back from a 13-0 deficit. Devin Hester, while not the No. 1 they want him to be yet, had a great catch and run on the game-winning score. Should be a great race in the NFC Central.

4. Baltimore Ravens - Sure they just recently beat the hapless Browns, but they didn't just beat them. They manhandled them. Their defense is looking stout, even without Rex Ryan running the defense. Joe Flacco is making a name for himself and the sophomore slump isn't in the cards in Baltimore.

Even an old, come out-of retirement receiver in Derek Mason is looking good with a 100+ yard game under his belt. And their three-headed running monster is a force to be reckoned with. It's weird, Baltimore used to be known as a defensive winning team, and that may still be the case, but their offense sure is looking great, too.

5. New York Jets - J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS! Who would have thought a rookie could look this good. Mark Sanchez looks like a veteran out there, and with wins over New England and Tennessee, they look like they're for real. With Rex Ryan at the helm, they are starting to buy into the defensive philosophy.

Sure, it's only three weeks, but can't we have a little fun here? Watch out for the Jets.

On the verge

1. New England Patriots

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Pretenders

1. Carolina Panthers - They play in one of the better divisions in football and they play in the NFC. Even if they go 8-8, they won't make the playoffs. This is already starting out to be a disappointing season and if it continues, John Fox may not make it the entire year, even if he does wear a suit. Firesale time in Charlotte.

2. Tennessee Titans - It's tough to start 0-3 and come back. They play in a division with Indy and Houston, who will be tough to beat. Who knows? It might be time to give the Vince Young experience another shot.

Sure, they lost their first two games by a combined six points; it's still a loss and there are no such things as moral victories. Jeff Fisher still may be one of the top-three coaches in the league, but it's going to be tough to make a whole lot of noise come the end of the season.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Congratulations, you made it to the Super Bowl last season. But that doesn't mean you get a free ride there again. In a division where 8-8 might make the playoffs, they may not get there.

Kurt Warner can only throw to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin so many times. Teams will defend that. They need to get a running game back and Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells may not be the answer this season.

4. Miami Dolphins - Sure they went from 1-15 to 11-5 in one season. Brady's back and the Jets are better without Favre. The division is tough and 9-7 won't even cut it there. Pennington's shoulder is banged up and Chad Henne is never going to be the answer (maybe it's my I hateful Michigan-heart talking) to lead a team.

5. Dallas Cowboys - The biggest and greatest stadium does not win championships. Players do, and with the loss (yes, I said loss) of Terrell Owens, they are worse off than ever. They have to rely on second-rate wideouts and putting too much on the legs of a banged up Marion Barber.

Sure, Tony sent a coyote to eat Jessica's dog, but that can't keep him from throwing fourth-quarter interceptions. Sorry Jerry, the stadium won't be seen in the playoffs this year.

On the verge

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Green Bay Packers

Big Jolt: Comeback Win May Have Saved Indians' Season

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:52:19 -0400

Sure, they are only on a three-game winning streak, but the 10-run, come from behind, win over Tampa Bay at home may have been just the thing to get the Cleveland Indians back on track.

The Tribe was a miserable 17-28 going into the series against the defending American League Champions. The bullpen was one of the worst in baseball, and they couldn't trust the $10 million man, Kerry Wood, to get a save if the world depended on it.

After the first three games of the Tampa series, however, they are scoring runs like people thought they could early and have gotten to within shouting distance of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

Hold on.

Now, let's not get too crazy and say they are going to go off and win the World Series or anything. But think about what this team is really capable of.

The Indians have one of the best all-around players in Grady Sizemore. They have the second-best hitting catcher in Victor Martinez (behind the Twins' Joe Mauer). They have one of the most productive utility players in the game in DeRosa.

And every fifth day, they get to roll out one of the best pitchers in the game in Cliff Lee.

Asdrubal Cabrera is looking very good at the plate and the starting rotation, though shaky at times, isn't killing them.

This division is up for grabs, with the Indians just seven-and-a-half games back of Detroit for the divisional lead. It's only the end of May, so there is still plenty of baseball left.

Looking forward, Cleveland gets the Yankees and former Indian C.C. Sabathia in a wrap-around series. Then it's nine games against division teams, as they hit the road for series against the Twins and White Sox before heading back home to tussle with the Royals.

Those series in the division should give Indians fans a good indication on whether the team will compete for the rest of the year.

After that, the squad plays 15 against teams from the National League.

That comeback win could be that jolt the Indians needed heading into the month of June. No one is running away with the division as of yet, and if Sizemore bounces back with a monster June, the Tribe could take off with him.

Marc Silverman Is Chicago's Best Sports Radio Host

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:10:38 -0400

Marc Silverman has been called Chicago's hardest working radio personality. I would have to agree with that statement. Silvy embodies all of what it takes to be a true radio personality. Especially in a market like Chicago. He is the current co-host of the Waddle and Silvy Show on WMVP, ESPN1000 with former Bears and Bengals wide-out Tom Waddle.

He grew up in Skokie and attended Niles North High School. From day one he has been a Chicago fan. He loves his Cubs, and will let you know it. But will also be the first one to bash them when they do something stupid.

I have listened to Silvy since his time on the Silvy and Carmen show in 2005. But have seen him grow into a true host while on the Waddle and Silvy show. He shows great leadership and doesn't let a diva like Waddle walk all over him.

Silvy has worked hard to get to where he is at. He has been a beat reporter for the Bears and covered many of Chicago's truly great moments from three Bulls Championships, Super Bowls and a World Series Championship.

Silvy tends to be the butt of many jokes on the other popular local show The Afternoon Saloon with, former co-host on Silvy and Carmen, Carmen DeFalco, funny man, Harry Teinowitz and former NFL lineman, John Jurkovic. They like to play funny sound bits of Silvy saying something humorous and what not. But I feel as if they truly respect his work and what he brings to the station.

Silvy brings passion as a true Chicago fan along with real insight into the teams. He doesn't let his allegiances to Chicago teams get in the way of true opinions.

When I think of Chicago radio now and for the foreseeable future I will see Marc Silverman as the man for the job. I believe he will continue to bring forth great news, insight and passion for the teams he covers and for the fans he relays the information to.

He is a fan first and radio host second. For me he is the best sports personality in Chicago.

Best and Worst of 2009

Eric Lawhead — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:53:35 -0500

2008 was a year to remember. From the BCS National Championship way back in January, to the perfect season falling short for the Patriots. The resurgence of the Celtics in the NBA to the spectical that was the Beijing Olympics. The dramatics of Tiger winning on one leg to the Phillies finally winning a championship for the fans of Philadelphia. Jimmie Johnson's 3-Peat to a great NFL season so far. 2008 will be a year to say, "I was here when this happened."

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College Football's Crazy Strategies: Individual Awards Need Serious Overhaul

Eric Lawhead — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:06:18 -0500

Why is it that college football just can't seem to get things right? The BCS is one thing, there are so many arguments for so many different things that no one will ever be happy. But the fact that they can't get their awards right is really a shame.

What I'm writing about is the three awards given that are in essence the same award. The awards in question: The Heisman Memorial Trophy, The Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award.

According to ESPN.com's college awards page, the Heisman Memorial Trophy is given to the "Most Outstanding Player." The Maxwell Award is given to the "Most Outstanding Player." Finally, the Walter Camp Award is the "Player of the Year Award." Now tell me how three different awards are pretty much one in the same? What is the difference between the most outstanding player, twice, and the player of the year? I don't see much.

Now, if the awards were given to the Player of the Year, MVP and Most Outstanding Player, then there may be a difference—a small one, but a difference. Once again, college football has screwed up something.

But, really, what is the difference? The difference lies in who votes for the awards. According to a CBS Sportsline message board, the Heisman is voted on by various media representatives and past Heisman winners. The Maxwell is voted on by sportswriters and NCAA head coaches. The Walter Camp Award is voted on by NCAA head coaches and athletic directors. So why so many people voting on so many awards, and how can different players win the awards in the same year?

Well, normally there are at least two players winning any of the three awards. This year already you have Tim Tebow winning the Maxwell Award (back to back) and Colt McCoy winning the Walter Camp Award. So is this leading us to having Bradford winning the Heisman tomorrow, so that all three can have their glory?

Last year, Tebow won the Heisman and Maxwell Awards, but Darren McFadden won the Walter Camp Award. In 2002, Larry Johnson won the Maxwell and Camp awards and lost the Heisman to Carson Palmer. You actually have to go back to 1999 to find the last time one single player won all three awards—Ron Dayne.

So which award is the best at picking the right player?

I will say that the Heisman is the worst representation of the best player. The Heisman is chosen based on what ESPN wants and who is playing for the national championship.

This season the real winner of the award wasn't even invited—Graham Harrell. In 2006, Troy Smith was not the best player in college football. He won solely on the fact that his team was top ranked and playing for the national championship. The Heisman used to be a real award for the real best player in the nation. Now it's too publicized and too much determined on how good your team is.

I actually believe that the Maxwell Award is the best representation of the best college football players for that year. Guys like Brady Quinn, Vince Young, Eli and Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Larry Fitzgerald have won it recently.

What college football needs to do is slim down its awards. Most Outstanding Player is not the only award that is given that has two awards representing the same thing. The O'Brien and Manning Awards are for best quarterback. The Bednarik and Nagurski Awards are for the best defensive player. Also, there are multiple Coach of the Year awards. There should be one award for each position category: POY, QB, RB, TE, WR, OL, DL, LB, DB, K, P, Coach.

College football needs to listen to its supporters and figure out better ways of crowning awards and championships at the FBS level. It's ridiculous and hard to understand.

Ohio State—The Team From Up North...Greatest Rivalry In Sports?

Eric Lawhead — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:36:50 -0500

The greatest rivalry in all of sports will be happening this weekend. But does anyone care?

It does not seem like it. Maybe it's because the Rich Rodriguez led Wolverines has lost the game, a school record, eight games (more than likely will get their 9th tomorrow).

Ohio State was at the beginning of the season, some people's pick to win the BCS National Championship (they still could if they used my playoff system). These two things are adding up for the making of an old fashioned stomping.

Ohio State has won the past four meeting against the team from up north and are 6-1 under the direction of Tressel. They are a 21 point favorite at home tomorrow.

Sure, the fact that the team from up north is so terrible this year they take away from the national exposure the game will get. But it's still Ohio State—team from up north. It doesn't get any better than this rivalry.

New York and Boston fans will tell you it's the Yankees—Red Sox. And fans from Alabama will tell you its Alabama—Auburn. But those and other good rivalries are so regional. The following of the Buckeyes is truly national if not global.

Why is it that they are always playing in BCS games? (Sure, it's because they're good), but the bowls know how much of a following they bring. They will sell out any stadium they play at. The team from up north has a huge national following as well. People all over the country are fans of both teams.

This rivalry spans especially over the Midwest. Everywhere I go around Chicago, someone is fan of either. There is not a rivalry out there that spans as the Ohio State—team from up north rivalry does. So, is this year "tainted" because of the lack luster match-up? No, there is plenty to be looked at in this game.

This is the best situation for Pryor to begin his career against the team from up north. Not too much pressure, but will still get to feel what it's like to be in this atmosphere.

This could be Bennie Wells' final home game. Who knows if he will come back next season or not? A win coupled with a Penn State loss gives the Buckeyes their fourth straight Big Ten Title and a trip to most likely the Rose Bowl and a possible rematch with USC.

A win and a Penn State win, sends Penn State to the Rose Bowl and Ohio State will more than likely get sent to the Fiesta Bowl (which they are pretty good in, winning the National Championship, beating K-State and Notre Dame there, only losing to Florida in 2007).

The game may have lost its glitz and glam for this year, but it's still the best rivalry in sports, bar none. As a Buckeyes fan, it doesn't matter how bad the team from up north is, beating them is one of the best days of each year. GO BUCKS!

Message to Division I Football Presidents: Make a Playoff Already!

Eric Lawhead — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:10 -0500

Dear Division I Football President,

I write you with the strong urgency to make a playoff system. Something needs to be done. This year there is a very good possibility that there will not be a "BCS" school that is unbeaten. And even if there is one team, there will be plenty of teams with one loss that deserve to be in the National Championship game. So what happens then? Some computer decides? This can't go on any longer. Something must be done.

I have come up with a solution to help you out. Please read carefully and make changes accordingly.

Currently most D-I schools play 11-12 regular season games. Usually eight conference games and 3-4 non-conference games. Most conferences have some sort of conference championship game. More often than not in the big "BCS" conferences the loser of that conference championship game goes on to a bowl game along with the conference champion. So those teams are looking at a 13-14 game schedule.

One of the current arguments against a playoff system is that the kids need to be in school and playing a playoff would deter them from school by playing more games. Well I believe throughout the weeks right now, there are games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday along with the normal slate of Saturday games. So don't tell me they need to be in school because they aren't right now. And usually at the ends of the season most schools are getting ready for winter break anyways.

My proposal to you, is at most a 15 game schedule. The season would begin the first week of September, and it would be an 11 game regular season. Eight conference and three non-conference games. It would then include the conference championship game, which all conferences will play (yes, even you Big 10). This will ensure an even playing level.

The conference championships would be played either the first of second Saturday in December. With the current system teams in conferences like the Big 10 are sometimes at an advantage for not playing and losing or a disadvantage for not playing and winning (i.e. Ohio State last year).

Finally it would include an eight team playoff with the final BCS rankings. This would not be like the current system where the bowls get to choose based on a Top 12 final BCS rankings for 10 spots. This would be no matter who you are, Utah, Boise State, Ball State.

There would also not be a limit on how many teams from a conference get into the playoffs. This year with all of the Big 12 schools that will end up in the top 12 only two of them will be awarded spots in the BCS games, one of which will more than likely be the BCS National Championship game. Also, if your school made it to the playoffs, it would guarantee two more games (see bracket).

How would it work?:

The top eight teams would play on the last Saturday in December in some of the higher profile non-BCS Bowl games (Insight, Gator, Outback and Chick-fil-a). The winners would go on to play the following Saturday in two "BCS" Bowl games for the semi-final. The losers would get to play the following Saturday in either the Cotton or Capital One Bowl as well.

The winners of the semi-final games would go on to play in the National Championship game which would be a rotated "BCS" Bowl game the next Saturday. The winners of the "consolation" bracket would play in the final rotated "BCS" Bowl game the night before the National Championship game.

Final Rankings:

The final rankings for the top eight would be based solely on how you played in the playoffs. The winner of the National Championship game would be No.1. The loser of that game would be No.2. The winner of the "Consolation" bracket championship would be No.3 and the loser No.4.

Here's where it would get tricky. The losers of the semi-final game would be ranked No.5 and No.6 based on what they were ranked at the start of the playoffs. And finally the losers of the "consolation" bracket semi-final game would be No.7 and No.8 based on what they were ranked at the start of the playoffs. (Please see the bracket to fully understand how everything works)

Now I know what everyone is saying. What about the current bowls, where will they go? They would remain. The playoffs would use certain bowls for its games. The bowls not used will remain the same with the same types of selection processes. The BCS Bowl games will return to rotating every year and every four years each bowl will host the National Championship.

In closing, I feel this system would work out great. They would finally truly decide it on the field. It seems complicated in writing but it cannot come close to being as complicated as the current BCS system is. I hope you will consider this in your next Presidential vote for college football

Sincerely,

Outraged College Football Fan.

Should the Cleveland Browns Start Thinking About Next Season Already?

Eric Lawhead — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:08:36 -0500

Well Week 10 has come and gone. The Browns in a must win game, in front of a somewhat national audience, with the future behind center, blew another one. It seems to be a constant this season. Let's get a lead and blow it.

This time it wasn't Derek Anderson who assisted in the loss. It was the defense, the only thing this season that has been somewhat of a constant for the Browns.

Sure, Jay Cutler had the game of his life, but if you really look at it, was it him? Or was it a corner who bit on a slant and go route with no one behind him and just waved in front of Eddie Royal? That play broke the backs of the Browns and possibly of a lost season.

Now I know what you're saying, it's only Week 10 and they still have a game left against the Steelers and Bengals. Well they also have games against Philly, Indy, Tennessee, and Buffalo. In order to get back to where they were last season, they need to win out. I just don't see it happening. They need a lot of help in the standings;, at 3-6 they are two games back in the standings in the AFC.

The positive, Brady Quinn did a very good job in his first NFL start. He managed the game and took what the Broncos gave him. Sure, the Broncos' defense is a little banged up and not so good, but it's still an NFL defense. Quinn made plays when he had to and became best friends with Kellen Winslow. Obviously, this was his first start and there will be bumps along the way, but with what I saw against the Broncos, he'll be just fine.

So what are we to do with the rest of this season? There are seven games left; at Buffalo (MNF), home against Houston and Indy, at Tennessee and Philly (MNF), home against Cincinnati, and finish up at Pittsburgh. In looking at that, there are three games they should win (Buffalo, Houston, and Cincinnati). I don't see them beating either Tennessee. And it's a toss up for the Indy, Philly and Pittsburgh games. I will go with a 4-3 record to finish the season 7-9.

With a 7-9 record, there is slim hopes of playoffs. So it's on to next season again for another Browns season. Then comes the wonderful offseason and what to do with Romeo and Kellen?

Romeo is gone. There is no way, Phil Savage can justify to ownership or the fans keeping Crennel around. If the fans can get Quinn a starting job, they will most definitely get Crennel fired.

K2 is another story. I've seen so many people here on BR call for Winslow to be traded or cut. Yes, in theory it would be nice. Get rid of the plague. But we all saw what he can do when he wants to be a part of the team. He caught 10 balls for 111 yards and two TDs on Thursday night.

Sure he fumbled in the fourth and one went threw his hands on fourth down. But really, these things happen and nine out of 10 times someone would have fumbled that ball. We need to keep him around. He is one of the best tight ends in the league and getting rid of him because he made some comments and likes to talk is no reason. T.O. was settled, why can't K2 settle.

So how do we settle K2? By hiring a hard nosed, take no prisoners type coach...Bill Cowher. He will help turn this franchise around. They need to give him not only the head-coaching responsibilities but some player-personnel responsibilities as well. He needs to have a hand in who they pick and how they are handled from a front office stand point. He doesn't take crap from anyone and will make this team into a staying power in the AFC. Look what he did in his time in Pittsburgh. We need Bill Cowher as a coach.

Finally we need to look toward the draft. They need to get some help in the secondary. They cannot continue to give up plays like they did against Denver. They're defensive line is big and hard to move. Maybe a later round DT or DE would be good. Also a young linebacker would be a good move as well. It may be tough to get a Laurinaitis from Ohio State but if they keep playing the way they are, it may not be that tough because they'll have a high draft pick. There is also Rey Maualuga from USC that would be another nice linebacker to have if Laurinaitis is not available.

I would not say that the season has been a complete loss. They get to see how Quinn does against some tough defenses for the remainder of the season. They get to begin thinking early about what they want to do for next season. Sure the playoffs aren't in the picture anymore, but just as always: There's always next year!

The Brady Quinn Era Has Started—There Is No Turning Back Now

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:03:42 -0500

It has begun, the Brady Quinn Era in Cleveland. The most over endorsed backup quarterback ever, is finally a mildly endorsed starting quarterback. The Quinn chants will stop. The large, undeserved contract of a good half season will be wearing a visor and holding a clip board.

With the change by Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel to now start second year pretty boy Brady Quinn the Browns have taken a large amount of flack. And it's probably deserved. They have been slapped around by the national media for making the switch due to fan disapproval. There is two sides to this coin.

The head side is that the national media is right for giving it to the Browns for switching because of the fans. It is unnerving to think that a professional sports team cannot make decisions to stay or change the most glamorised position in football. This change is needed but, it shouldn't have been the decision of the fans, and that's what it was.

The Browns GM, Phil Savage, and Romeo Crennel were sick of listening to the fans groan and gripe about the play of former starter and former Pro-Bowler Derek Anderson. So they gave in, and listened to the fans. They should have been able to make this decision by themselves and when they want or wanted to.

I will admit, I wrote on here, that DA was the guy and they needed to stick with him. But they needed to stick with him, until he was the reason they lose games. They lost games because of Derek Anderson. His lack of production in the Washington and Baltimore games were unacceptable. He showed glimpses of hope a few times this season, but more often than not, he was a main reason they are 3-5.

The tails side is that the fans should feel good about themselves. They were right. They have been telling the Browns they need to make a change, one way or another, for awhile now. Finally they have listened. Only time will tell if they were right or wrong about needing, and wanting Quinn in there.

As for the game at hand tonight. If there was ever a time to start Quinn, even on a short week, it would be this one. Denver's defense couldn't stop me. Quinn knows what it's like in a football game. I think we all forget that. He was drafted for a reason. He brought prominence back to a forgotten Notre Dame program for a reason. He can play. It is just, is he ready?

I would hope the coaches and front office would know better than us, and know that he is ready. He is ready to read defenses, he's ready to check down, he's ready to throw it to a Braylon Edwards (maybe he'll catch it). Us as fans need to remember, we're fans. We love our Browns and we need to support them.

This decision could be the greatest move the franchise has ever made. And then again it could be the second worse move the Browns have made (first is the move to Baltimore). Only time will tell. We can't come back tomorrow and in the week to follow tonight's game and rip Quinn for making a bad read or checking down when he should have kept the original play. He's young and inexperienced in the NFL. He's going to make mistakes.

My prediction for tonight is surprisingly good. I believe he will go 13-22 for 228 yards with two TDs and one INT. The Browns will run and run and maybe pass. Winslow will be a primary receiver for Quinn tonight because he will be a bit flustered and a few short passes to Winslow will help him ease his nerves.

Jamal Lewis and the offensive line need to realize that if they want to win, and they want Quinn to succeed, they need to play a lot better than they have been. Lewis needs to run for over 80 yards and score. And the offensive line needs to block for Lewis and protect Brady Boy. The Browns will win 24-17.

Is It Really Brady [Quinn] Time?

Eric Lawhead — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:24:57 -0400

Is the season over? Should they bench the guy who led them to a 10-6 record last season? These are all questions every Browns fan is asking right now. When will Brady Quinn be in there?

Derek Anderson has had one good game this season. In the Giants game, he and the entire team looked as they were predicted to do. But, the other lack-luster games were not solely on DA. Take a look at Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow in the receiving game. Edwards drops a couple passes a game, which he did very rarely last season. Winslow has been a loud mouth, cry baby since he got here, with little to no respect for the Browns or the city of Cleveland.

Not to mention the running attack. Jamal Lewis has not been the back he was last season. The whole team has not been the team they were last season. The bright spot if you can call it that, has been the defense. The "weak link" with the team has been the only sort of good thing.

But back to the point at hand: is it time to sit Anderson and put in Quinn? The season may be over, but putting Quinn in there right now to get beat around is not good for his development. Let him come in late in the season, when other teams are out, (or in, in some cases) when they won't be worrying so much about winning. They too will be playing back-ups in order to develop young players.

The Packers could have thrown Aaron Rodgers out there a couple of years ago when Green Bay won three games or whatever they won. But they didn't. They stuck with Favre to make sure Rodgers didn't get killed. Sure, they went on the following year under Favre to play for the NFC Championship, but I'd rather us wait on Quinn now, and see what happens next year.

Who knows, DA could come back next camp and just shock us with how much stronger and better he got, and he could lead us to the AFC Championship and we'll just have to wait on the pretty boy.

This is not Ohio State, where they can just sit the senior for the freshman phenom. This is the NFL, where people who earn their spot, are given multiple chances and this isn't a win every week sport, like college football. They can take a few lumps and still be OK. And besides, who looked at the schedule this year and had them any better at the end than last year anyways?

Let this be a year to see what DA is really all about and begin next year on a clean slate and let them both battle it out.

Whatever your thoughts are about what the Browns should do about the quarterback dilemma, we just have to accept the fact that really the Browns' front office knows more about their players than any of us on here do.

What Can the Cubs Do to Reverse the Curse in '09?

Eric Lawhead — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:54:09 -0400

So it happened again. High expectations, great defeat. For the second year in a row the Cubs were swept out of the first round by a team from the NL West.

What happened? Why did it have to happen again? Why can't the Cubs just win once in any of our lifetimes?

I would like to take a look at what the Cubs' front office needs to look at and possibly do to help prevent another collapse next year. They have a very good nucleus of young talent and veteran leadership, and should be right there again next year. But something has to change.

Starting Pitching

They did the right thing picking up the option on Rich Harden, even if he can only give six innings a start. It's probably still a better six innings than any of the other starters.

They need to resign Ryan Dempster. He exploded this year becoming a starter again. Keep his veteran presence around for the young talent in the bullpen. But I'm not opposed to letting him go in favor of picking up a big name like a C.C. Sabathia.

Big Z is around and he'll be fine. Keep him on a short leash and make sure he realizes that he doesn't have to pitch a no-hitter every night. He can let them hit the ball sometimes; it's not going to hurt too badly most of the time.

Ted Lily will add a good left-handed arm. He would be the fourth starter in an already good rotation.

Next year is the year to let the best football player in Chicago play baseball. It needs to happen early in Spring Training.

Putting Jeff Samardzija in the rotation is the best thing for him and the club. He will work as a fifth starter, who can get skipped when there are a couple of off days in a week.

As for additions, obviously adding C.C. would be huge. The Cubs have the money to spend on his probably gigantic contract. But with new ownership sometime coming into play, it may be tough.

I would try and resign Dempster and try and get C.C.; I would rather have too much starting pitching. Samardzija could stay in the bullpen if that scenario happens.

If they would like to sign a free agent pitcher, my suggestion would be to start with Derek Lowe, who has good postseason success, or John Garland, who would add another young arm back to the city where he has had his greatest success.

This would all mean bye bye to the man that is the large nosed Jason Marquis. He's the odd man out of this situation.

Bullpen

The Cubs should re-sign Kerry Wood and keep him as their closer. As great as Carlos Marmol would look in the ninth inning, losing Kerry Wood just because they feel as if Marmol is ready, and moving him into the closer roll would open up a huge hole in the bullpen. Having both of them is the best of the options.

They should throw Bob Howry onto Sheffield along with the balls he served up that went out there. They should work with Gaudin and try and make him better.

Neal Cotts solidifies a left-handed arm (as much as it's not too sure). Sean Marshall is a fine long reliever who can work as a guy in the bullpen along with the option of throwing him with a Harden or Big Z goes down for a while (both are inevitable).

Infield

This would be the area that would be pretty safe to stay about the same. I would keep Theroit at short, and Ramirez at third. Second is a tough call. I think DeRosa is a great leader, and had a pretty good year this season, but I would like to see Fontenot in the lineup more often. If that means moving DeRosa to left, then so be it (see below for what to do with Fukudome).

The only reason Fontenot should not be the starting second baseman would be if they can get Brian Roberts from Baltimore, maybe in a trade involving Derek Lee or Jason Marquis (preferably Marquis)

First base is another tough one. I would get rid of Derek Lee. It's time for him to move on. If they can get rid of Lee via trade for some minor leaguers, they should sign someone like Teixeira, who is a free agent.

If they can't sign Teixeira, then signing Adam Dunn and moving him into first would be a way to go. He's a terrible outfielder, and we can't have any more bad outfielders.

The other option would be to get rid of Lee and start fresh with Hoffpauir at first. He's a young up and comer with power, and he's left handed which is what the Cubs lacked this year. He should have made the playoff roster this year.

The catcher position is pretty much over and done with. Soto had a great season and will continue to be the starting catcher. Blanco is a free agent this offseason and re-signing him would be fine, but Koyie Hill would be a fine backup.

Outfield

Left field is secured by the hopping Alfonso Soriano.

Center field is a tough one. They had good numbers this season with the platoon of Jim Edmonds and Nick Johnson. But Edmonds is 39, and at this point is not a starting center fielder.

They should however re-sign Edmonds for another one to two years.

The Felix Pie story is about done with, so where do they go? Rocco Baldelli is a free agent, but he may not be that great of a center fielder. My suggestion is they go into it with Pie as the starter for the beginning of the season, but have Johnson and Edmonds on the bench. If they see Pie struggling, they can go back to the platoon.

The only other option would be to decide that Pie is done with, and try to trade him for some pitching and use the platoon again.

On to right field—Fukudome was a bust this year. But who's to say that he won't break out this next season after the year of getting used to being in the states for this long? They paid him his money so they need to keep him out there.

With that said, where does DeRosa go with Fontenot at second and Fukudome in right?

Platoon, baby.

It works in football with the two running back systems—why not in baseball? DeRosa against the lefties and Fukudome against the righties. This would limit the number of at bats for DeRosa, but he can be used in any number of positions: at third to give Aramis a night off, at 2B or SS, or even at 1B.

It would work.

Lineup

1. Pie—CF (L)

2. Theriot—SS (R)

3. Ramirez—3B (R)

4. Hoffpauir—1B (L)

5. Soriano—LF (R)

6. Soto—C (R)

7. Fukudome—LF (L)

8. Fontenot—2B (L)

9. Pitcher Spot

Look at how the righties and lefties are spread out, and there are a lot more lefties this year. It allows for teams to not just throw righties and over power the right-handed dominant lineup.

This is just my opinion, and I would like to hear your comments.

Dos and Don'ts of Being a Fan at the Game

Eric Lawhead — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:49:03 -0400

I've been going to professional and college sporting events my whole life. I've seen a lot of interesting things happen on the field and in the stands.

I was at the final home game for the "True" Cleveland Browns, before that thief Art McBride moved them to Baltimore, and witnessed bleachers being ripped out, slanderous apparel being sold, small explosives being thrown on the field. It was mostly justified, but probably wrong.

So over the years, I've come up with a few general dos and don'ts of being a fan at the game. They really pertain to being there in person, watching from your Laz-E-Boy is a little different.

Cheer for your favorite team. It's pretty basic, but if you don't have an alliance to a team playing, cheer for who you would like to win. (See below for cheering for fellow division teams.)

Don't

Wear a jersey or hat of a team, in the same sport, that is not playing.

Living in Chicago, I see this every time I go to a game. At Wrigley, there is always some White Sox fan who has their Paul Konerko jersey on and gets boo'd all game. If your a Sox fan at a Cubs game, wear a Bears hat or jersey. You can always go with a team in a different sport or just go neutral with a general shirt or hat.

Don't

Talk on cell phone while sitting in the seating bowl. No one around you wants to hear about the latest news with people they don't know. This especially goes for women—if you are at a game, be there for the game, not for gossip talk on the phone. If it's that important...text!

Don't

Get so drunk that you become belligerent. No one likes a loud, obnoxious drunk. And when you get too drunk, you become friendly with people that more than likely don't want your friendship.

Become friends with other fans of your team in the stands. I find this all the time. I always try and go to one game in every series when the Cleveland Indians are in town to play the Sox. I will wear my Indians gear and find the closest Tribe fan and high five when things go wrong and look at each other with disgust when the usual happens and they blow the game late.

Don't

Come to socialize. I'm there to watch the game, I don't want to talk politics or relationships with you. Sure, you can talk between innings or on timeouts but not when the ball is in play. You will be sure to miss something important

Don't

Talk to someone else in the stadium or that is watching on TV from home and try and get them to find you. There are 50,000 people in the stands, you standing up and waving your arms around like a crazy person will not get them to see you.

Don't

Root for a team within YOUR team's division. This can get tough, let's say for example, I'm at a Sox game and they're playing the Minnesota Twins, and I'm an Indians fan. This is where you choose the more hated of the teams and root against them. In my case, I would root against the Sox. This way you're not rooting FOR the Twins, you are rooting AGAINST the Sox, therefore keeping your allegiance to the Indians.

Know the game you are attending. If you attend a Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers game and you begin to ask, 'hey, why isn't Brett Favre playing?' You shouldn't be there. Do a little research and watch your SportsCenter.

I'm sure there are plenty more to add to this list, let's hear what you have to say. What are your biggest pet peeves?

It's Only Week One, Folks: There Is Still a Lot of Football to Be Played

Eric Lawhead — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:19:05 -0400

Week One is in the books, and each game had a little different story to it.

Brett Favre's first game as a Jet. The Aaron Rodgers Era in Green Bay. Tom Brady, out for the season.

On and on, each city, something different. But where might we be looking too much into things. This is Week One of 17. We as fans must do as players must do. Take the win or loss in stride and move on to next week.

The Cowboys gave it to the Browns in Cleveland Sunday afternoon. And after the game, everyone was down on Cleveland. Hello, everyone? We knew Dallas was a better team than Cleveland was.

Many people said Dallas was one of the best in not only the NFC, but NFL. The Browns probably play one of the hardest schedules in the NFL this season. They have some of the best non-conference opponents (Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, Colts, Eagles, Redskins, Broncos, Bills, Texans, and Titans). I'm not saying they are a Super Bowl team, but please people, cut them some slack.

I believe Cleveland is an 8-8 team with the possibility of being a 10-6 team like last year. It will be a tough test, but let's not go off saying they are not a good team like some in the media are talking about.

To all of you Bears fans: Please don't take your win over the Colts as some sort of sign that your team is going back to the Super Bowl. They beat a rusty, shaky Colts team.

Peyton Manning took the field for the fifth time (that includes the four practices he had in training camp) since last season. Marvin Harrison is coming back from a season-ending injury last season, and the Colts were breaking in a brand new center for Manning to get used to.

Yes, the Bears ran the ball effectively against one of the worst run-stopping teams in the league. And they stopped Joseph Addai, in an offense that is based around Manning who wasn't at 100 percent. Get back to me in Week Eight and tell me if I should book my flight to Tampa.

The New England Patriots are not done for the season, as their quarterback is. The Patriots are still the best team in a pretty mediocre division. Sure, the Bills are on the upswing, and the New York Jets have the aging arm of Jet...I mean Brett Favre.

Even with Cassel under center, the Patriots have a potent running attack, and, oh yeah, they have this receiver that's pretty decent, as well. Sure their linebackers are getting up there in age, but they are still probably the best linebacking corp in the league.

So, just as we all don't take too much into consideration the college football rankings until about Week Four, we should take a step back from all of our quick guns on outcomes from Week One and think about what we actually know about these teams and situations.

Think about the past and remember, teams don't just get good overnight.

How Do Back-to-Back BCS Championship Berths Equal a Declining Big Ten?

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:44:49 -0400

Since when did getting to back-to-back BCS National Title games, and three out of the last six, mean that your conference is getting soft?

THE Ohio State University Buckeyes have been one of the most dominant teams in college football's recent memory. They have made it to three out of the last six BCS National Title games. Sure, they're 1-2 in those games, but I don't see anyone else making this run.

The Buckeyes won it all in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl over Miami. They actually went back to the 2004 Fiesta Bowl and embarrassed Notre Dame and the orb that is Charlie Weis.

The 2004 season was a down one by OSU standards, but it began to turn around with the emergence of Troy Smith (even if he did get suspended for the Alamo Bowl). In 2005 they lost early to Vince Young and eventual National Champs Texas. (They would have won that game if Jim Tressel had just let Smith play the whole time and sat Justin Zwick on the bench where he belonged).

In 2006 Smith won the Heisman, and the Buckeyes got pounded by Florida in a title game where everyone thought Michigan should have played OSU in a rematch for the title. Last season, a wild one with teams losing all over the place, OSU made it out and again got embarrassed by an SEC team in LSU in the title game.

But enough with the OSU resume. Why is it that because the Big Ten teams can't seem to win the big ones, some say the Big Ten is on the decline? I mean, I understand when people say that Big Ten teams aren't as good because they lose to these out of conference schools.

But maybe it's not that the Big Ten is declining. Maybe everyone else has finally caught up to one of the all-time great conferences.

It's definitely true of mid-major conferences. Five to eight years ago, a Boise State would have never beaten the likes of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. A non-BCS school like App. State would never have gone into the Big House and shocked the world in beating that team from the North (one of the greatest days of watching sports in my life!).

Maybe the smaller teams and other conferences have caught up. There is so much more parity in college football than ever before.

I will give credit to the SEC—they produce some great teams. But when does an SEC team come out undefeated? Florida wasn't. LSU had lost twice!

All of this shows how hard it will be to make a great dynasty again. There won't be another Bobby Bowden or Joe Pa ever again. There is too much riding on winning and money.

Tressel has locked himself in for a long time because of the fact that he keeps winning and making money for the school. Also, unlike John Cooper, he does what all Buckeye fans really care about: He beats Michigan. If he goes out and loses five or six in a row, his fate will be just like Lloyd Carr—out.

Maybe we should stop saying how bad the Big Ten is, and instead start saying that college football is the most popular it has ever been. Every year you don't know who will emerge victorious in the BCS and its crazy system, and that's because all of the teams are beginning to level out.

Living in Chicago, Fan of No One

Eric Lawhead — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:34:31 -0400

Disclaimer: If you like Chicago sports, this article may offend you.

I lived the first 16 years of my life in a suburb of Cleveland, near Akron.

I grew up watching the Cavs play in the Coliseum with Mark Price, Larry Nance, and Brad Daughtry. I watched the Indians and Browns play in the Mistake By The Lake, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, where views were ruined by poles, and games were ruined by terrible play and players.

But I also saw the Indians in the early to mid-'90s, making the World Series in 1995 and 1997. I attended the final old Browns game and the first new Browns game. I watched as the Cavs made it to Eastern Conference Finals many times, only to get beat by Jordan and the Bulls.

In 2000, my family moved to a southwest suburb of Chicago. And my sports world was turned upside down.

In Cleveland, we never really expect too much from any of our sports teams. We love them with all of our hearts and souls, and always watch as they come up just short. The Cavs have never won a NBA Title, getting swept in '07 in their only appearance.

The Browns have never played for a Super Bowl.

And the Indians have come close, but haven't won the series since 1948—the second-longest streak behind the 99 years of the Cubs.

Here in Chicago, though, the first thought on anyone's mind is winning championships.

Let's begin with the Bulls. I grew up hating Michael Jordan. He beat the Cavs so many times, it got sad.

The Bulls won six titles in the '90s. And to this day, they begin every year the same way—thinking this is going to be the year.

They won a playoff series in 2007 for the first time since Jordan retired. They then got bad last season, and aren't really looking any better for this year. They added Derrick Rose, but he's got a bad knee and probably will not make a huge difference.

It's so fun to listen to Bulls fans when the season comes around, like this year is going to be any different. Their best players don't want to be here, and the ones that do aren't very good. But here in Chicago, being a Bulls fan is the norm. Not too many born-and-bred Chicgaoans will tell you they're not at least a casual Bulls fan.

Everyone says, this is a football town. And I would have to agree. Just like in Cleveland, Chicago Bears fans are die hard. When training camp opens up, the lovely Olivet Nazzerene University is peppered with Bear fans.

But the fans will always live and die with the '85 Bears. It's been 23 years since "Tha Bears" won on that fateful January day. But still to this day, not a season goes by that the '85 team is not brought up for comparisons. Every year when the defense is the dominant side of the ball (every year, really, because they never have a good QB), it's always asked: Is this defense like the '85 D?

When the Bears went to the Super Bowl and got smoked by the Colts, all year they were comparing each year's defenses to each other. I've never experienced even a Super Bowl as a Browns fan, but I believe it's time to get over your 23-year-old championship, and move on to seeing how bad your team is going to be with the neck-bearded Kyle Orton at the helm.

Then there's the baseball fans. The city is split by baseball. On the South Side you have the White Sox. Their fans are brutal. When things are going good, the team is the best team in the league. When they lose, even just one game, they are the worst and something needs to be done.

It's always funny to listen to Sox fans complain about their team one day and say how bad they are because they lost 3-2 the night before. But they then turn around the next day, and talk about how great their team is when they beat that same team 3-2.

Sox fans hate the Cubs. The Sox fans hatred towards the Cubs is really not needed. It seems as if they would rather see the Cubs suffer and lose than the Sox win a game. When you walk around U.S. Cellular Field there is shirt after shirt about how they hate the Cubs. Shirts that say "World's Largest Gay Bar: Wrigley Field." Sox fans love to let everyone know they hate the Cubs.

The Cubs are a different story. They haven't won a World Series in 99 years. They are die-hard fans and would do anything for their team. However, going to a game at Wrigley Field really is not for the true baseball fan. A majority of the fans at the games at the Friendly Confines are people just looking for fun and a place to drink eight-dollar beers. There aren't too many "real" baseball fans there.

But fans do love them some Cubbies. It's so fun to walk around Wrigleyville before and after games and just see the people and the way that they act. It's been so long since a winner there, that fans are almost immune to losing. Sure they are elated when they win, but they generally aren't all that sad when they lose.

And every year for a Cubs fan is "The Year."

The Cubs are really the only team in the city that I would say I'm a casual fan of. They remind me a lot of the Tribe. Both teams can't seem to win the big one—and if the Cubs win it all this year, the Indians will have the longest World Series winless streak in the majors.

Cubs fans sure don't like the White Sox, but they don't despise them as the Sox fans despise the Cubs. They don't really care what the Sox do—all they really care about is themselves. There aren't shirts degrading Sox players around Wrigley. They just love their Cubbie Blue.

Living in the City of Broad Shoulders has been tough as a sports fan. I've had to watch one of my most disliked rivals win the World Series, watch the Bears make it to the Super Bowl, and watch the University of Illinois beat my beloved Buckeyes.

I will never be a White Sox, Bulls or Bears fan. I will like the Cubs, but I will remain loyal to my Ohio sports teams, and wait for a winner.

Open Mic: Summer Olympics. Does Anyone Really Care?

Eric Lawhead — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:01:20 -0400

It's that time again. When people wake up at all hours of the night or wait to hear on the morning news what has already happened that day.

It's time for the Summer Olympics. This time it's in China, where human rights are no longer worried about and where the overpopulation has overtaken the country.

So do people actually care about the USA or their respected home country in this year's games? I'd say people in other countries really do care, but here in the US, we could really care less. We do, however, care about our local or state-wide sports team who's most recent win doesn't change a generation or lives forever. The win just gives you joy until the next game when you will chew them up and spit them out when they disappoint you.

But should you care about the Olympics? Yes.

These games should mean something to you as an American. These games are the true meaning of sports. They are generally done by amateur, legitimate (not drug infested) athletes who do it for the love of the sport and the love of the country.

Yeah sure there's the few bad eggs (normally in Track & Field) who do cheat or the "Dream Team" who are NBA players who should roll over any countries respective teams. But for the most part these athletes are "true" athletes.

This year's games are again in a place where we can't watch the event live, unless we stay up all night to watch. And really who is going to stay up till 4:00 a.m. to watch the prelims of Equestrian riding or Belgium vs. France in basketball?

However, I do believe that you should support your country, American or not in all their events. Pull for the gold and long to hear your home national anthem.

But what is the best event? Or what event do you want to win gold in so badly?

Personally, my favorite event is the diving. I always like sports where I could never do in my wildest dreams. I couldn't imagine standing up there on a stone platform 10 meters over the water, jump out and do some crazy flip and twist and land perfectly perpendicular with the water to where not to splash and where the water when hit from that height and speed feels like landing on the pavement. It's so cool to watch.

Honestly, I don't know of any real great divers, that's another reason why the Olympics are so cool. You never hear about these athletes until the next games come. Did you actually follow the Paul Hamm broken hand, torn shoulder story until a week ago when he dropped out? No. You only know the big names.

I am a very cut and dry person. I like actual answers like math and science. But when it comes to the Olympics, I really enjoy the judged sports like diving and gymnastics. It really gives everyone a true shot at making it and winning. Who would have ever thought that little Paul Hamm would have won the all-around Gold in Athens? That's why those types of sports appeal to me more.

When it comes to basketball in the Olympics, I really have a tough time watching. Yeah sure it's cool to see LeBron dunk on some small Italian guard, but there isn't the flare and flash like the NBA has. Maybe there is true winners in the Olympics though, and not fixed games like in the NBA (but that's another article).

So all and all I really think the Olympics are must see television and people here in the United States should pay a little more attention to our countries events and really root them for the Gold this year. It's our one and only true national sports.

Open Mic: Ohio Disappointment, Sport Accomplishments

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:41:12 -0400

Disappointment.

That's a normal word which has always existed in sports, especially in Ohio—the state of disappointment.

Just recently, there have been three Ohio State National Championship losses, an ALCS Game 7 loss, an NBA Finals sweep, and even an Arena Bowl loss.

It seems as if Ohio is the state for second place finishers.

But the biggest disappointment I've witnessed is the 2006 BCS National Championship Game.

The Buckeyes went into that game as the favorites, poised to steamroll over the Gators and bring the National Championship back to the great state of Ohio! And after the opening kickoff, everyone thought it was going to be that way.

Then Ted Ginn gets hurt celebrating and the Gators proceed to "Gator Chomp" the Buckeyes to pieces.

It was devastating, but even that doesn’t beat the greatest disappointment of all.

The Cleveland Indians.

They moved from terrible Cleveland Municipal Stadium into Jacobs Field and started winning. They got to the World Series in 1995 against the Atlanta Braves, but it was finally the Braves' year, and they beat the Tribe four games to two.

Then the Indians made it again 1997 and faced the four-year-old Marlins.

It was Cleveland’s year.

They had Manny, Thome, Lofton, Nagy, Colon, Sexson—an amazing bunch—but then again, they also had Jose Mesa.

As soon as he came into Game 7, the Indians were destined to lose.

Edgar Renteria did it to the Cleveland fans.

Who will ever forgive Jose Mesa for that game?

He didn't even take the loss. Charles Nagy did.

It was a true disappointment. But in sports, there are also great accomplishments.

And what is the Greatest Sports Accomplishment of all time?

The old school Boston Celtics—no one will ever be that good for that long.

The “back in the day” Yankees.

The John Wooden Bruins.

None of those teams will ever be touched. Not with free agency and kids leaving early.

Individually, it's the consecutive games streaks by both Brett Favre and Cal Ripken Jr.

In today's game, Brett and Cal will never be touched. There are too many injuries and too many people just give 99 percent.

But the record that truly will never be broken is the wins record by Cy Young. 511 wins is a heck of a lot.

No pitcher will ever come close.

If there were a record whose breaking would upset me, it would be the hits record by Pete Rose.

Say what you want about Rose, but he was a damn good hitter. No one can take that away from him.

The fact that he's not in the Hall of Fame is a crock of crap and MLB should be ashamed of itself for allowing this still today.

I've been disappointed many times by my teams, and I'm sure there will be plenty more, but the race and chase still grabs me every time.

Records are made to be broken and I can't wait to see more be broken soon.

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: White Sox Win Streak, Cedric Benson Cut Loose

Eric Lawhead — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:40:31 -0400

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last wrote my last "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" article. But since then, I've gotten married and went on a honeymoon to Jamiaca. So I'm back and ready to start this off again.

Each week I will write about the latest sports happenings and give my thoughts, either good or bad. I want you, the reader, to give me your "thumbs" either up or down. And give me your thoughts and opinions. Just remember that these are just my thoughts on random things, so don't take them too personal.

Thumbs Up: To the Chicago White Sox for playing great baseball and beginning to step on the throats of the others in the AL Central. They own MLB's longest, current winning streak at seven and counting (will probably add a few more while playing a dismal Detroit team). After another Ozzie tongue lashing and calling out his offense, the team has stepped it up and had their first perfect seven-game homestand since '83, and only the fourth in team history.

They are in the top 10 in average, runs, OPS, and slugging in the AL. And they have the best pitching staff in the AL as well, either first or second in ERA, batting average against, OPS, WHIP, and quality starts. With a division that has been a flop through out (see below), this is the Sox's division to win.

Thumbs Up: To Kent Desormeaux, the jockey on Big Brown at this past weekend's Belmont Stakes for pulling up the horse in the last quarter-mile. With everything that happened after the Kentucky Derby, and all of the performance-enhancing drugs the trainer gives Big Brown, and with the quarter-crack in the hoof of Big Brown, this was the right thing to do.

The last thing this guy needs on his mind is how he pushed and pushed this horse until it broke, and then we have another sad day in horse country. I applaud Kent for this.

Thumbs Up: To Vinny Del Negro for landing a head-coaching job without any prior coaching experience. Del Negro gets himself a team that just one year ago won 49 games and won a playoff series. So, the team isn't that bad, they did go a step back with this past season, but hey, they got the No. 1 pick in the draft, and will be able to get a guy in either Beasley or Rose that will make an impact from the get-go.

I believe they should take Rose to run the team. There are more guys out there like Beasley than guys like Rose. Get rid of Gordon and Hinrich, and let Rose run a team like Chris Paul does for New Orleans or Williams does for Utah. But Del Negro, who always had a good head of hair on him when playing for the Spurs, will have to do.

Thumbs Down: To Cedric Benson for getting himself released from the Bears yesterday. With his second alcohol-related arrest in as many months, Benson got released after only three seasons and just over 1,000 yards, after being selected fourth overall in the 2005 draft.

I gave Benson a thumbs up after his first arrest for apparently telling the truth about getting beat and pepper sprayed on the boat. But now, after another incident, it's clear there's a problem here. He says he walked the sobriety line right on the road, but apparently that didn't matter to police. I guess Benson is now up for the taking for the rest of the league. Maybe the Cowboys can pick him up and Pacman and Benson can share stories of their dreadlocks and prison cells.

Thumbs Down: To the American League Central, sans White Sox, for being a terrible division. This was supposed to be the best division in baseball, with the potent lineups of the Tigers and Indians, the good young talent of the Twins and Royals, and the steady play of the veteran White Sox.

Well, it looks like old age and steady play win out over bats that don't hit and young players who need a year or two to develop at the big-league level. The Tigers are terrible. The Indians are ravaged by injuries and can't score a run to save their lives. The Twins started well, but without Hunter and Santana, they can't expect to stick around all year. The Royals, well they're still the Royals.

Cleveland-Chicago: Indians Prepare for Pivotal Series Against the White Sox

Eric Lawhead — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:23:38 -0400

It's May 20 and the White Sox are riding a five-game winning streak, and playing much better than anyone outside of that blow-up-doll-ridden locker room gave them credit for at the start of the season. The Indians are at 22-22, are coming off a Battle of Ohio sweep, and are on a three-game losing streak.

I know it's only May, and there's still plenty of baseball to be played, especially between these two teams, but this series has all the makings of a momentum swing either way.

Game 1: 5/20 7:11pm CST @ U.S. Cellular Field

The first game of the series is the headlining game with reigning Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia facing off with the man that no one knows how old he really is, Jose Contreras.

Pitching

After a terrible start to the season where Sabathia's ERA was in space, he's quietly lowered his ERA to 5.47 in his last five starts. He's gone 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA; now that's the C.C. of last year. It did go along with the streatch of 44 1/3 scoreless innings streak by Indians starting pitching.

At 4-3, Contreras has been one of the better pitchers for the Sox. He has only allowed two earned runs over his last 14 innings. He hasn't pitched against the Tribe this season, but last year on opening day, he got hit every which way. I don' expect the same outing, but I'm not saying he's not going to get hit around.

Advantage: Indians. C.C. is coming around, and he's ready for the rest of the season to put up Cy Young type numbers.

Hitting

The Indians and Sox have both gone through their struggles at the plate. Currently the Indians are in their most recent funk. Even with the starters not giving up runs, they would still find ways to lose. They just got swept by the Reds! The Sox have been coming around. They took two from the Angels and swept the Giants. It is the Giants, but you can only beat who you play.

Advantage: Wash. The Tribe's lineup is clearly better with Grady, Martinez and Garko over an aging Thome and Konerko. I would watch for Carlos Quinten though.

Prediction: Indians over Sox 6-2

C.C. likes pitching against the Sox. Something has to break for the Indians. Contreras has had his struggles with the Indians. Indians break through tonight and break that streak of theirs, and that streak of Chicago's.

Game 2: 5/21 7:11 CST @ U.S. Cellular Field

Game two features the old school style of Paul Byrd against the strikeout man Javier Vasquez.

Pitching

Byrd currently is sitting at 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA. He has been kinda good and kinda bad all season. He really likes to watch the ball fly out of the yard. He's coming off one of his better performances of the season against the A's, going seven-and-one-third scoreless. He is 4-0 with a 3.61 ERA at U.S. Cellular in his career.

Vasquez has been the tough luck guy this season for the Sox. His last start he went six-and-two-thirds, giving up only two, but a late error tied the game and took him out of the line for the eventual win by Chicago. Vasquez has lost to Cleveland this season (0-1).

Advantage: Wash. Who knows which pitcher is going to come out tonight for either team. Byrd hasn't been all that consistant and Vasquez has been known to struggle at times getting quality innings.

Hitting

Byrd has had his struggles keeping it in the yard this season, and with a good hitters park like "The Cell", I don't expect anything different. Vasquez will get his share of "Ks" and it is something the Indians struggle with so keep an eye on that.

Advantage: Sox. Their lineup will have a chance to hit some balls out of the yard, but never underestimate the man on the hot corner for Cleveland

Prediction: Indians over Sox 4-3 in extras.

The Sox have a thing for hitting their home runs with no one on base, and that will be key. The Tribe will figure out a way to stay in it, and their bullpen will keep them in it after a less than stellar outing for Byrd.

Game 3: 5/22 7:11pm CST @ U.S. Cellular Field

The final game of the series will feature an unproven pitcher in Aaron Laffey against a struggling veteran in Mark Buehrle.

Pitching

Aaron Laffey is 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA. He's coming off a great performance against the A's, where he went seven scoreless. He is still unproven and has his moments of being a young kid, but he is learning to hold his own. He will give the Sox a lot of trouble.

Buehrle is 2-5 with a 5.27 ERA. Unlike C.C., his high ERA is not coming down any time soon. He has continued to struggle (take away the start against the wonderful Giants). He has always struggled against the Tribe, as we all saw on opening day, giving up seven earned in one-and-two-thirds innings. The Indians are the only team Buehrle has a losing record against and an ERA over four.

Advantage: Indians. I don't think the inexperience of Laffey will phase him against the Sox hitters. And Buehrle is just not the pitcher he used to be.

Hitting

The Indians will be licking their chops to get to Thursday's game. They love hitting off Buehrle, and will continue their hitting performance of opening day. The Sox hitters aren't all that familar with Laffey and that will be in Laffey's favor. They will be off-balanced and struggle.

Advantage: Indians. They will feast on a struggling Buehrle and get those bats hot to go play a tough Texas team.

Prediction: Indians over Sox 9-3.

The bats will open up, and they will use this as a game to build their momentum and their new divisional lead.

This will be a tough series for both teams, and they will both use this to learn and go forward. Tell me I'm a homer, it doesn't matter. Look at the matchups, they just favor the Tribe. Later in the season, the matchups could be different and completely favor the Sox. This will be a true test for both teams, and will let fans see where their team ranks in a tough and mediocre division.

MLB: Baseball Power Rankings

Eric Lawhead — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:36:41 -0400

Through the games on May 16:

1. Chicago Cubs: They just came off a sweep of what would be No. 1 Arizona, and beat up on San Diego. Soriano is just now heating up.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks: Sure, they just got swept by the Cubs, but they've got one of the best starting rotations in the majors. They are for real and will stick around for a long time this season.

3. Boston Red Sox: Okay, before all of you freak out because they aren't even in first in their division, the team in front of them is still the Rays. They are the Red Sox and have one of the lineups in baseball.

4. Tampa Bay Rays: For the first time in team history, they were six games over .500. They are sticking around for a while, which is surprising, so check back in another month and we'll see where they are.

5. Florida Marlins: It's about that time for them to make a run at another title.

6. Philadelphia Phillies: They are staying consistent, and with players like Burrell, Utley, and Howard, they aren't going anywhere for awhile.

7. Cleveland Indians: The pitching is starting to come around and they are finding ways to win. They are quietly making a statement in the Central.

8. New York Mets: They are in third place in the East, which is quietly the best division in baseball. Firing Willie Randolph is not the answer either.

9. LA Angels of Anaheim: Tough recent series against a not-so-good White Sox team, but they will win the West running away with it.

10. LA Dodgers: It's tough playing in a division with the Diamondbacks in it.

11. Minnesota Twins: They just keep letting players go and reloading, and they are right there at the top of the Central again.

12. Chicago White Sox: Sure, they have a chance to be in first in the Central after Saturday, but they aren't really that good. They are taking advantage of a down Central that was supposed to be so good. Give them time and they will go into a few large slumps.

13. Houston Astros: They are playing good baseball, but will get beat up along with the rest of the Central by each other.

14. Oakland A's: Billy Ball is working again and they will give the Angels a run for it.

15. St. Louis Cardinals: Like the Astros, they will get beat up by the rest of the decent Central, will end up around .500.

16. Baltimore Orioles: Who would have thought they would be in third place and that one of the teams in front of them would not include the Yankees.

17. Toronto Blue Jays: The young staff is pitching better than they are supposed to.

18. Atlanta Braves: In the toughest division in baseball, they are hanging around as only the Braves can.

19. Kansas City Royals: They are playing actually good baseball and should play spoiler at the end for someone in the Central.

20. New York Yankees: Sure they're in last in the East, but they're still the Yankees.

21. Milwaukee Brewers: They score runs and they will work their way up in the good Central.

22. Texas Rangers: They are not very good, but they will win games when others need to.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates: If it weren't for the Cubs, they would be over .500.

24. San Francisco Giants: They are surprising to have won this many games so far. Don't expect too much more from them.

25. Cincinnati Reds: They are playing decent and they have a lot of young players. But lets wait a couple years for this team.

26. Seattle Mariners: They have been a disappointment, they've got the best contact hitter in the game and one of the best young flame throwers as well.

27. San Diego Padres: They are the big disappointment so far. They should be a lot better than they are. I think they'll make a comeback.

28. Colorado Rockies: World Series one year, then they came back to earth.

29. Washington Nationals: Nice new stadium and they started pretty well, but they are still the Expos, remember.

30. Detroit Tigers: Remember at the beginning of the season, when the Tigers were supposed to be the best team ever, it seemed like? Well yeah they are hurt everywhere, but they are terrible!

May Brings Outbursts to Chicago Baseball Coaches!

Eric Lawhead — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:39:03 -0400

Well it took a little bit longer than some of us who follow Chicago baseball thought, but I guess April showers, brings Chicago coaches floods. After a good April for both the Cubs and the Sox, all it took was a little dry patch and both Chicago coaches went off the deep end in the past week.

On Thursday, May 1, after the 3rd blown save for Kerry Wood in this early season, Lou went off when asked about Wood blowing the save, and his decision to have Soriano in left field. At one point Lou said he did not even see the play in which Soriano "misplayed" the ball that went to the wall. That I would say is unacceptable, what did the Cubs hire Lou for? To do nothing and every once and awhile head on out to the mound and take the ball from his pitcher? He needs to watch the game.

But the decision to play Soriano in the outfield in late innings or to take him out is something that the people of Chicago need to understand. The Cubs organization is not going to let a man being paid that much money sit on the bench in the late innings. It may sound stubborn, but it's true. I don't blame them either. They made their own bed, by signing him to the outlandish deal, so they have to sleep in it as well.

The whole take Soriano out of the lead-off spot is getting old as well. It's not going to happen. Somewhere in the negotiation process with Soriano's agent, Jim Hendry probably made some promise about letting him bat lead off. But does it really matter? He leads off the game once. More often than not, he is not leading off any other time. What they should do is take a page out of the team that plays at "Wrigley North" and bat the pitcher 8th, and someone like Theriot or DeRossa in the 9th spot. Look what it's done for Jason Kendall up there. That way when Soriano comes up there is more of a chance to have someone on base because the pitcher is not right in front of him. It makes teams have to think more when pitching to the bottom of the order and give more RBI chances to the top of the lineup.

On to the South Siders. I will preface this for all you White Sox fans out there, that I grew up in Cleveland, I don't particularly like the Sox, but this has nothing to do with my allegiances.

In a pregame interview before Sunday's game with the Blue Jays, Sox Manager, Ozzie Guillen went where I didn't even think he could go. According to the Chicago Tribune, he basically called out Chicago, the whole city, saying "That's what ticks me off about Chicago fans and Chicago media: They forget pretty quickly. A couple of days ago we were the [bleeping] best [stuff] in town. Now we're [bleep]." I understand where he's coming from, fans do forget quickly. People don't get that there is 162 games in a baseball season. There are going to be times when your favorite team do not win. If they are a good team, which I feel, against my better judgement the Sox may be a decent team, and they will come back and win their fair share of games.

The best part of the rant is when according to the Chicago Tribune Guillen says
"We won it a couple years ago, and we're horse[bleep]..." The Cubs haven't won in [100] years, and they're the [bleeping] best. [Bleep] it, we're good. [Bleep] everybody. We're horse[bleep], and we're going to be horse[bleep] the rest of our lives, no matter how many World Series we win." Now that is a true statement. Chicago is a Cubs town. I believe the city was starting to turn after the 2005 championship and the Cubs being terrible last year. But still it doesn't really matter. People will still flock to Wrigley (even if it's named Com-Ed Field or something) because they want the experience of going to a game there. It's not just the game, it's the stadium, the area, the food, the fans. Going to a Sox game is like going to any other normal, not historical ball park. But I will say, if you want to go and watch baseball in a real baseball atmosphere, go to U.S. Cellular, because the people there do actually care about baseball, and not about seeing how drunk they can get.

There's a time in the Chicago Tribune article, where Guillen goes on talking about making money in the future and when he called Marrioti gay, and cussing out Mike North, and I was not quite sure what that had to do with his team playing terrible and the fans giving him a hard time.

So I don't know if these two outbursts were just the typical. Lou being Lou and Ozzie being Ozzie, but there was some warrant to these rants. The fans of these two teams need to take a step back and understand what they are going through. Both teams will come out fine. Remember the Cubs play in the worst division in baseball and the Sox were not supposed to make the playoffs. So remember the expectations of these teams before you criticize

Cleveland, Just Wait! There Is Better Baseball out There

Eric Lawhead — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:33:14 -0400

Everyone just wait. Hold your horses. Don't fall off the wagon just yet.

Sometimes I don't understand why the first three weeks of the season are the benchmark. The Indians were predicted to win it all by much smarter people than most of us.

If Eric Wedge stays stubborn and keeps allowing Joe "Blow-saves" Borowski to pitch in the ninth inning—or any inning with a lead for that matter—then we will have problems.

When he returns from the disabled list, he should be in mop up situations only for the remainder of the season. Get his confidence back, and then reevaluate him next season. Maybe the Indians can do something in the off-season and go and try and pick up a decent closer via free agency.

C.C. Sabathia will be fine.

He's coming off a Cy Young-winning season and he has a contract negotiation in the back of his mind. What he needs to do is suck it up, sign the extension with the Tribe and go out there and be the best pitcher in the American League like he was last year.

Last year, Carlos Zambrano had a terrible start to the season. But once his contract was settled with Chicago, he settled down and pitched very well for the remainder of the season.

Fausto will be fine as well. He is coming off a 19-win season. That is not just a fluke. It will come back. He is going to stop staring at all those zeros on his new contract, come back down to earth, and pitch like he knows he can.

The hitting will also come around.

Victor is hitting spectacularly. Just wait until the power comes back in those legs; we'll be looking at an MVP season for the best offensive catcher in baseball.

Sizemore will eventually learn that as the lead off hitter, it's not all about hitting home runs and driving in 100 runs. He will learn that his job is to get on and make pitchers think.

He is a menace on the base paths, allowing Pronk and Victor the ammo to drive in and score runs for one of the best offenses in baseball.

All you wagon-jumpers out there, see if someone will let you back on. The best is yet to come.