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Lebron's Mom Arrested for DWI

According to ESPN.com Lebron James' mother Gloria was arrested for DWI and was unruly during her arrest.

The officers said James smelled of alcohol and she appeared to be disoriented, Edwards said. She struggled with police as they attempted to put handcuffs on her. They put her in the back seat of the housing authority car and she kicked out a window, Edwards said.

I know that DWI happens to a lot of people, but that isn't really the story here. The story to me is that she allegedly kicked out the window of the vehicle after being placed under arrest. This is not the kind of behavior that just isn't normal.

Hopefully this will not act as a distraction to Lebron while he tries to get the Cavaliers back into the playoffs for the first time since 1998. It will be one of the first tests of Lebron's focus as one of the premier players in the NBA. Judging by his first comment there might not be too much to worry about with Lebron as he handled his statement with as much honesty and professionalism as he has with every other opportunity to speak to the media since he has been drafted.

"I don't have all the info of what's going on," he said. "Once I find that out and once I sit down with my family, you know, I'll be able to comment on it a little bit better."

If his performance Saturday night is representative of Lebron's focus, then Cavs fans don't have much to worry about. James scored 51 points on 19 - 35 shooting including 4 - 8 from three-point land as the Cavaliers beat the Utah Jazz 108 - 90.

This also appears on FilteringCraig.com and Blogcritics.org

Red Sox Targeting Coco Crisp?

The Red Sox need a new center fielder now that Johnny Damon left, and at least one article at ESPN.com has suggested that somehow Coco Crisp could be the one to fill that position. I don't think the Sox will be able to pay the price for Crisp and let me tell you why.

Crisp is worth a ton to the Indians. He hit 300 last year with 16 homers, 69 RBI's, 15 stolen bases and a 345 on-base percentage. Oh, and he made under $400,000.

The value that a player like that represents is absolutely monumental, not to mention some of the intangibles like his popularity amongst the fans of Cleveland. Who would the Sox offer? Would that player be a good enough value that the Indians organization would pay their salary?

One player mentioned is Matt Clement. The Indians could use more starting pitching, but how would it make sense for the Indians to take on Clement's salary demands - he made $6.5 million this past season - and also give up the extreme value that a player like Coco Crisp gives the Indians at the plate and in the field?

It doesn't make sense, and I would sincerely doubt if Coco starts the season in any uniform other than one emblazoned with a script Indians on it.

What Should the Colts Do?

Now that the Indianapolis Colts have lost a game, the big question is how Tony Dungy should have his team play out the rest of the season. It is a big question.

There are some strategies that different people favor. I am going to lay out three of the popular ones.

1. Play your team as much as if they were still fighting for a playoff spot.

This is preferred by some people because the feeling is that a team needs to keep their edge and their wits as they move toward the playoffs. At the same time, critics will say that any chance of your starters getting hurt in meaningless game time is a waste.

2. Another school of thought is to rest them. Period. Nobody of importance plays because you don't want them to get hurt.

This strategy throws the team chemistry thing out the window. The thought is that a team was a team all season and will be prepared to re-ignite that chemistry as soon as the playoffs begin. The point is that all the players who got us here throughout the season, need to be here healthy when we hit the playoffs.

Finally, we have the third option.

3. The starters are going to play a little bit and then rest after some point in the game.

This is the half-way house between the first two points. A coach thinks that he can send out his squad for a few series - maybe a couple quarters - and then they can sit out the rest of the game to avoid getting hurt.

So, if you had to choose between these three strategies, which one would you choose if you were running the Colts?

I think there are some serious flaws with all of them. I think that playing your team hard is probably my favorite strategy because I want my team to be sharp when they get to the playoffs. How many times have you seen a team's playoff run ended because they weren't ready to compete in the first quarter of their playoff game?

At the same time, the injury possibilities are real. You want your players (especially if they are already banged up) to have an opportunity to rest a little bit. In the case of the Colts, Manning and Edgerrin are both showing a little wear and tear.

If I were Tony Dungy, I would do this. I would sit my team this week against Seattle. I wouln't let Manning, James, Harrison, Wayne, Clark or Freeney put pads on. They should treat it like a bye week and they can have 14 days off.

After Seattle, the Colts have the Cardinals coming to Indianapolis. For this game, I send my guys out raring to go just like they have all season. If they can beat the crap out of the Cardinals in three quarters then sit them in the fourth like you would have at any point in the season. This is a game that the Colts want to try to win. They want to make sure that they are all on the same page going into the playoffs and they would't want to record a loss in the last week of the season. Oh yeah, and you especially don't want another L in the Loss column by way of the Arizona Cardinals.

So that's what I would do. Sit them against Seattle and then shake off the rust against Arizona in week 17.

What would you do?


This also appeared at Blogcritics.org

This also appeared at filteringcraig.com

Sorry Pittsburgh, You LoseMark Cuban Told No

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in buying his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, but the ownership told him the team isn't for sale despite its ongoing streak of 13 consecutive losing seasons.

This is unfortunate. In a sport where ownership means so much, the Pirates could have benefitted greatly by having an owner like Mark Cuban trying to win. This team has been reeling for years and the best medecine for losing is a competitive billionaire in a sport without salary caps.

And don't you think Cuban would do things right in Pittsburgh? He is a proven business man. I am sure he would start pumping up that farm system. Signing the best draft picks and retaining the good players who might otherwise get picked off in free agency.

In fact, I wonder if he would like to try and buy the Cleveland Indians.

Indians are Number 1

At least according to ESPN's off-season Power Alley.

Obviously this is a little silly considering the amount of talent which normally moves off-season in Major League Baseball, but I will take any respect where I can get it. This team is bringing back a ton of players that were responsible for the run in the second half of the season.

This team finally has a base of players on the roster that might need to be reckoned with.

C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Jake Westbrook will be back on the pitching staff. Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta and Grady Sizemore will be back on offense. That alone is enough for the Tribe to earn respect apparently.

Let's hope that translates into the kind of season that I think this team might be capable of producing.

Terrell Owens Not Coming Back this Season

Terrell Owens might be the worst teammate in the history of organized team sports.

You know some team will take another chance on him next season. Would you? How would you justify it?

Would the Browns be well served to get a playmaker like him, or is it the deal with the devil that you just can't survive?

The Cleveland Browns Stink

The Browns lost another game this week, this time to the 0-6 Houston Texans. I can't say that I am all that surprised. I found it kind of funny that everyone was making noise about the Browns being underdogs in this game. The Browns had just lost to the Detroit Lions, while the Texans had been coming off their best game of the year where they hung around the Indianapolis Colts.

Anyway, I have a couple ultimatums for the Browns going forward. I know this team still lacks talent in a lot of phases of the game, but I feel like there are a couple quick fixes that can happen right now, mid-season, to help the Browns possibly steal another 2-3 more games on their schedule.

1. If Kyle Richardson is on the team next week, I will turn on this team. You can't have a punter killing your field position twice a game. Punters are not real football players and don't demand the same kind of loyalty as other positions on the field. You might even show a bit of loyalty to a kicker like Phil Dawson, but a punter should be on the next damn train.

2. Also, if I don't see improved kick return coverage next week, I will turn on this team. I know he can't do a lot of the things he needs to do because this team lacks talent, but kick returns can't be as easy as they were for this guy in Houston. The average field position was the 42 yard line according to Tony Grossi's article this morning.

The good news?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have their first game Wednesday against the New Orleans Hornets.

Indians File for Free Agency

Now that the World Series is over, players are free to file as free agents. Doing so were Cleveland pitchers Bob Wickman, Bob Howry and starter Scott Elarton.

Two out of the three should probably get raises of some sort next season. Last season, Wickman made $2.75 million and saved 45 of 50 games for the Indians. Howry made $900,000 and made 79 appearances with a 2.47 ERA for the year. He should garner a lot of interest in the free agent market this season. Short of paying him good money and making him the closer, I think the Tribe will lose Howry.

Scott Elarton made $850,000 last season and while his ERA was 4.61, he went 11-9 and started 31 games. I am sure his agent will get him a raise by talking up his ability to eat up innings and not kill a team's chance to win games. I am sure that is worth more than $850k per season to more than a few teams.

It would be nice to have both Howry and Wicky back next season, but only if their prices aren't prohibitive. If they start looking toward $10,000,000 per year, then they are not worth the money. The highest paid player on the Indians team last year was Kevin Millwood who made $7,000,000 and I can't see the Indians paying anyone much more than that.

Although Millwood is also eligible for free agency, but he hasn't filed yet, presumably because he is waiting to see what kind of a deal Mark Shapiro can put together first. It will be interesting to see what they offer.

The only other players eligible for free agency are Scott Sauerbeck, Jose Hernandez and Ronnie Belliard. The Indians have a $4 million option for Belliard for next year, which I assume they will pick up, if not make him a multi-year offer.

Overall, that means there are 7 potential free agents. I want to see three of them back, Howry, Belliard, and Millwood for sure and certainly Wickman if he decides not to retire.

Once I scan other free agents around the league, I will put together a wishlist.

The 2005 World Series Rant

With the Chicago White Sox sitting as the reigning World Series champs, I couldn't help but be depressed by the thoughts that started creeping into my brain. The AL Central hasn't had a World Series champ in a very long time. In fact, after checking to be sure, you have to go back to 1991 when the Minnesota Twins beat the Braves, to find another AL Central World Series Champ.

Why?

Because the most dominant team of the AL Central in the 90's, the Cleveland Indians, couldn't put themselves and this city's baseball fans over the top. Sandwiched in between Chicago's championship this year and Minnesota's championship in 1991 are two World Series defeats for the Tribe in 1995 and 1997.

And you know what? I am sick and tired of hearing about how teams haven't won since 1917. I don't care that it has been since 1917, or 1918, or whatever. All I care about is that there have been no championships in the City of Cleveland for any sports team this side of indoor soccer since 1985 when I was 6 years old and started watching Cleveland Sports.

And quite honestly, that is all I should care about. The Indians haven't won since 1948. That doesn't mean I have had 57 years of suffering. I have had 26 years of non-championship life in Cleveland, so at the most that means 20 years of suffering because I didn't watch sports before I could comprehend them at the age of 6. And neither did you.

If you are my age or younger, you can't take on the cursed feeling of twenty-seven generations of sports fans. I used to get this all the time when I lived in Boston. Yankees fans chanting 1918 at Red Sox fans and Red Sox fans talking about their team and how they "deserve" something after 86 years of pain.

I finally just started deriding people in bars.

Me: "What year were you born?"

Kid: "1979"

Me: "Yeah. Me too. Have the Red Sox won a world series since you were born?"

Kid: "No. And that's what I'm tryin to...."

Me: "Quiet. Have the Indians won a World Series since we were born?"

Kid: "No."

Me: "So how is it any different that your team hasn't won since 1918 and mine hasn't won since 1948 if we were both born in 1979? It sure sounds like the same experience to me. Two guys, same age, same number of championships between them. Oh wait, didn't you have a guy named Larry Bird who won some championships for the Celtics? Yeah, I know it isn't baseball, but I would take it. So, maybe you should just sit there and feel lucky."

At this point, the kid sees that seething look in my eye that says I might pop an aneurism and spill blood in his beer, so he pretends to watch the television.

So, congrats to the White Sox on their victory. Congrats to all the White Sox fans who are at least 88 years old on waiting one hell of a long lifetime to win. YOU have earned it.

And I will be sitting here counting the years. Hopefully I don't have to wait until the year 2067.

Browns vs. Texans - What if?

The Texans are in shambles, sitting at 0-6 so far this season. They have played awful defense, worse offense and seem to be lacking in desire with very little will to compete. Chris Palmer was their offensive coordinator and he has already been fired. David Carr is all set to be sacked 93 times this season if he doesn't get carted off or die first. The team hasn't scored in the first quarter all season long and they have only forced three turnovers on defense.

This team is in awful shape.

Still, wouldn't this just be a perfect VH1 Behind the Music moment for the Cleveland Browns?

(Cue dramatic music and deep voice)
"And while the Browns fans didn't think it could get any worse, they lost to a pitiful Texans team which was in an unrecoverable tailspin until getting a chance to right their ship against an even more feeble Browns team. The Texans ripped off nine more wins in a row on their way to the playoffs. It never could have happened for them without the game where they used the Cleveland Browns as a doormat."

But really though, I think the Browns are better than the Texans, but it isn't like the Browns are playing well. They beat a struggling Packers team before Favre found his rhythm this season. They also squeaked out a victory over a Bears team that had no QB in the fourth quarter. So, is it really out of the realm of possibility that the Texans could fix just enough of their problems this week to defeat the Browns?

One of the biggest issues facing the Texans is David Carr getting sacked constantly. That would be promising for the Browns if they had a pass rush, but they don't. The Texans have caused only three turnovers all season on defense. Just wait until Dilfer throws into double coverage down one of the sidelines.

I think that leaves special teams, and I guess I will give the Browns the advantage there. So, it should be an interesting week of football in Cleveland. The Browns are struggling and have to go play a team that is struggling even more.

Shall I go on and talk about the desperation factor?

Remember when the Browns were sliding uncontrollably last season? Butch had been fired. Terry Robiskie was coaching the team and they had basically nothing left to play for. The Browns played the Texans, who were 10 point favorites and beat them 22-14. That Browns team was desperate for something / anything good and they made it happen.

You know who else is desperate for something / anything good other than Cleveland Browns fans?

The Houston Texans

Browns vs. Lions Game Summary

Well, the Browns lost with a complete inability to move the ball on offense. I have been calling for Reuben Droughns to get his shot for weeks now, and despite the fact that he had 100 yards on the ground, I still feel like they abandoned the run game in the second half.

When the Browns couldn't move the ball at all through the air, they kept trying late in the game. Why not hand it off two out of every three times? Sure it takes more time off the clock, but it is better than not scoring, which the Browns proved they can do with the greatest of ease.

Finally, as exciting as it was to watch Joshua Cribbs go 90 yards, I don't want the bulk of my team's scoring to come on special teams.

I don't know when the Charlie Frye era should begin in Cleveland, and I am not going to call for Dilfer to sit down just yet, but I am getting there. I think the offensive line is having difficulties in pass protection and that isn't Trent Dilfer's fault, but two of those interceptions yesterday were ugly for the QB. Against a Lions team which can't score either, the Browns had to take care of the ball, and Dilfer was a main culprit in not doing so.

Browns vs. Lions First Half Report

Halfway through the game, the Browns are winning 10-7, but there hasn't been too much to cheer about, other than a Joshua Cribbs 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Dilfer and the Browns offense still looks out of sorts, and after setting the offense effectively with the running game, the Browns seem to be back to their old ways of merely pretending to be a running team.

Reuben Droughns has a gaudy halftime stat sheet with 10 rushes for 74 yards, but for some reason the Browns just can't stay true to the running game, even after it proves to be somewhat fruitful.

It will be interesting to see what happens here in the second half, but I am hoping that they go back to the run and commit to it once and for all. If they can do that successfully, they should be able to put together a couple sustaining drives and help out their defense by giving them a break on the sidelines.

The Lions offense looks ok, but they should look worse considering the number of injuries that they have to deal with. Kevin Johnson went down and will not return.

This game is theirs if they can prove that they want to win it by improving their offensive performance in the second half.

Browns vs. Lions 10/23/2005

Word has it that Jeff Garcia is going to play today. Here's hoping we see him on his back like we did last year when he played for the Browns.

Also, Braylon Edwards is suiting up and should see some playing time. This is a promising step for a rookie who is trying to prove he was worth the pick in the draft. This quick comeback shows a toughness that I am really happy to see.

I will try and keep some updates coming during the game.

Is Brian Giles on the Indians' Radar Screen?

If free-agent outfielder (and former Indian) Brian Giles is willing to accept a two-year deal, don't be surprised to see the Indians pursue him - and hard - this winter. Giles, 34, hit .301 with 15 home runs and 83 RBI for San Diego in 2005.

I think I speak for all Indians fans when I say that we would love to have Brian Giles back. He is not only a productive player, but one of MLB's nice guys. He is great in a clubhouse and could really do a lot to contribute to this team on and off the field at 34 years of age. The only question is how many productive years he has left. I think a two-year deal sounds just about right.

Hopefully he has the class and dignity to walk away from the game when he doesn't have much left like Travis Fryman did a couple years ago.