CLEVELAND SPORTS: Spring 2007

Cleveland Browns

Why am I covering the Browns last? As I wrote many months ago, the Browns were (are) at risk at becoming the third option in the minds of Cleveland sports fans. The Browns were flat out awful this year. Fortunately, the Browns dumped Butch. The Browns made the best possible decision for the organization when they hired Phil Savage as General Manager. He is here just in time to hire a quality, winning coach, and utilize his expertise in scouting and draft day decisions, as the Browns are now officially on the path to success thanks to Phil Savage. What do the Browns need? Other than a coach, which will be named in the coming weeks, the Browns filled their biggest need when they hired Phil Savage, as the entire organization lacked focus. On the field, the Browns need a left tackle, a shut down corner, a hard hitting safety, a stud wide receiver, and the healthy return of K2 and Sean Jones. The Browns have the third overall pick. I honestly feel that if the right trade comes along, we should trade off of the pick. Phil Savage was able to get Terrel Scuggs with the 10th pick a couple of years ago. I honestly do not believe we need a quarterback. Peyton Manning could not survive with the current offensive line of the Browns. With key free agent signings and a strong draft, that finally addresses the needs at the offensive line, the Browns current QB situation will be just fine. The Browns will not win 15 games in 2005, but they should not lose 12 games either. Phil Savage is a football genius, but he is not a miracle worker. I am optimistic that Savage will make the right moves and the Browns will make the playoffs next season. 2005 could finally be the year of not only the Browns, but the Indians and Cavs as well.

Cleveland Cavs

The Cavs enter the final two games of the regular season with a decent chance of earning the second seed in the Eastern Conference. If the Cavs do not win their final two games AND the Bulls do not win (or if the Cavs go 1-1, the Bulls win, and Toronto wins their final games), we will have the fifth seed, and we will play the Heat in the first round. This team is very hard to read. One night, they look like a true contender for an NBA title this year, and the next night they look like they are not worthy of the eighth seed in the weak Eastern Conference. This team, if focused, and with a perfectly executed game plan, can be unstoppable. We do have a glaring weakness at the point guard. That being said, with Bron, Hughes, and Sasha playing well in the back court, this team combined with Z, Gooden, Andy, and Donyell in the front court, are very talented and are seven players deep. I honestly feel (wish, pray you chose the word) that the Cavs will at least make the Eastern Conference Finals this year. The Cavs MUST sign a pass-first point guard who has range this off season. Signing Andy would give depth to the front court, and allow Z to take a blow throughout the season. The Cavs are a point guard and a three- point threat (not Damon Jones) away from their first NBA title.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are poised to make a strong run in 2005. General Manager, Mark Shapiro, has made moves under the radar that have significantly improved the team. The first thing that all Tribe fans must hope for is that the kids who surprised the world of baseball last year, continue to get better this year. Young studs such as Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Coco Crisp, Grady Sizemore, Ben Broussard (whom I wrongly criticized last season, many apologies to the entire Broussard family), and Casey Blake must continue to show improvement. Brandon Phillips and Jhonny Peralta will have an opportunity to show they are ready for the big leagues, but if they are not, Ronnie Belliard and Jose Hernandez are available to bring veteran leadership. A name that nobody has talked about is Aaron Boone. A healthy Boone would not only sure up the infield, but he would also help stabilize the middle of the order. The acquisition of Kevin Milwood has the potential to be one of the biggest free agent signings of the off season. Nobody on ESPN has mentioned that the Tribe signed Milwood. A healthy Milwood gives a rotation that looks like: CC, Milwood, Jason Westbrook, Cliff Lee and either Scott Elarton or Jason Davis makes the rotation the best in the A.L. Central, with a wealth of big, strong arms developing in Buffalo and Akron. Shapiro was also able to trade Matt Lawton for Arthur Lee Rhodes this off season. Rhodes brings leadership, experience, and a dominant left arm at the back end of the rotation. If Wickman is healthy, Riske, Rhodes, and Wickman make up a formidable shut down, back end of the bullpen trio. With the progression of the young studs, a solid rotation, and new and improved bullpen, the Tribe should make a serious run at the playoffs. This year truly will be our year!





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