June 18, 2013

Mangini: I Never Thought About Going To Brady

quinn-andersonFound this gem in Steve King’s article at the OBR:

Browns head coach Eric Mangini said after Sunday’s game that he never thought about making a switch back to Brady Quinn, who started the first three games at quarterback, having a 62.9 rating, before being lifted in favor of Anderson.

“He’s our starter, and I felt very comfortable in the things he was doing,” Mangini said of Anderson.

Wow. So if you are Brady Quinn, what should take from that statement? How about “No matter how bad Anderson is I’m never seeing the field.” That’s what it would tell me. If I was yanked after only 2.5 games and had better overall numbers than the guy starting, I’d be looking to move too. [Read more...]

Cavs News: Delonte West Involved in Domestic Incident

dwestThe sordid offseason of Cavs Guard Delonte West allegedly took another turn Saturday evening. While it pains us to have to discuss this, 19 Action News has reported that West’s wife filed a domestic violence report against him. Per the 10 report:

The two reportedly fought at their apartment when Delonte tried to take her wedding ring off. Mrs. West left their home and headed to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, where she filed a domestic violence report.

Cleveland Police tell 19 Action News there were no signs of abuse or injury. Mrs. West then got on her flight and flew out of Cleveland. [Read more...]

Crippling Depression Anyone?

Whoever coined the phrase “a picture says 1000 words” must have had this photo in mind. Yes, folks, Mark Shapiro’s worst nightmare has come true – Wednesday night is Game One of the 2009 World Series and will feature the last two AL Cy Young award winners. Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia. Hey, did you all know they are former Indians?

IMG00239-20091022-1003
To quote Mr. Gump: “That’s all I have to say about that.”

The Tribe Makes Their Move: Its Acta

ActaYesterday, the Indians made their big announcement – the new manager of your baseball team is Manny Acta. I know I know, this hire is far from sexy. All I’ve heard since the news came down is the following:

“Who is Manny Acta?”

“This is the best we can come come up with?”

“How is this guy going to sell any tickets?”

“Another boring hire from a boring team.”

I feel your pain. But there are some stark realities here that need to be addressed. First and foremost, Acta was actually in serious demand. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Browns Lose Again, Sabathia ALCS MVP, Tribe Names New Skipper

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

kamerion wimbleyTerry Pluto asks an interesting question: “I ask myself who is having a good year other than Wimbley? Rogers made a bigger impact last season. He probably has just been above average, but not close to his Pro Bowl form. The other linemen and linebackers seem to care and hustle, but they don’t make big plays. Against the Packers, the Browns had one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and no sacks. Unless the Browns improve against the run, they have no chance of even being respectable.” [Pluto/Cleveland PD] [Read more...]

Browns Bullet Points – Abysmal Against Green Bay

No excuses this week for the Browns.  The team had injuries to D’Qwell Jackson.  They had an infestation of the flu bug.  Still, the way they lost this game against the Packers 31-3 is beyond excuses.  This team was just completely awful in every phase of the game.  As a result, every single member of the Browns team must take a piece of this blame this week. Without further ado, the bullet points. As always, keep in mind that these are not meant to be comprehensive.  I am sure I will miss a great many things.  Help me out in the comments.

  • Even with the loss to the Steelers last week, I thought there were phases of the game that could be used as signs of progress.  Not so this week against the Packers AT HOME.
  • The Browns need to use their homefield advantage for something.  As of right now, considering this week’s performance, I don’t think we can even call Cleveland Browns’ Stadium an advantage. [Read more...]

Report: Manny Acta to Become Indians Manager (Updated)

Nationals Rays BaseballJohn Heyman from Sports Illustrated is reporting that former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta has been hired as the Cleveland Baseball Indians’ manager.

Heyman followed up by stating he things Acta is a good hire.  The Houston Astros were also reported to desire the services of the Dominican skipper.  Acta impressed in his post-interview press conference earlier this week.

The Indians other options included Bobby Valentine, Ron Roenicke, and Torrey Luvullo.

Updates will follow as more details are available.

3:10 – Anthony Castrovince is reporting the same.

3:20 – Paul Hoynes reports that the deal is a three-year contract with Acta, who reportedly turned down an offer from the Houston Astros.

Browns Game 7 Open Thread: Browns v. Packers

brownspackers
The Cleveland Football Browns take on the 3-2 Green Bay Packers today (1PM, FOX, WTAM 1100) in an American Football match.  The Browns are looking to get their second win of the season.  Rob Ryan is over his flu, but a lot of the players are still struggling with it.

Throw the fact that D’Qwell is shut down for the season (and Eric Wright’s car did a tumbling routine), and the Browns’ defense is looking a bit thin.  The offense showed marked improvement last week against the Steelers, so let’s hope that they continue to make strides.  It wouldn’t hurt if Josh Cribbs takes like every kickoff he gets to the heeeeez. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting: Antonio Daniels, God, Emperor Stern, and Traveling

Is God A Browns FanWhile We’re Waiting is a happy place – one where we round up awesome internet links and share them with you all.  If WWW was music, it would certainly be in a happy major key.  It wouldn’t be sad minor key crap.  Maybe it would throw in a few sevens and nines, just to keep it funky.  Regardless, it’s a jam.  If you’ve got something you want to share with us, spread the love and jam with us by emailing our tips line.

Now if only if Moses was the Browns’ QB, maybe we could part opposing defenses (get it – the Red Sea!! Hahaha! Sorry – bad schtick). God is a Browns fan. [V Geezy - '64 and Counting]

Windhorst weighs in on the Antonio Daniels waiver – “Because he took a buyout, it would seem Daniels would be looking for a guaranteed $1.3 million veteran’s minimum contract. The Cavs, however, may be looking to keep roster flexibility by not offering a fully guaranteed deal. Then there would have to be an agreement on a role. It is possible if everyone is healthy that Daniels wouldn’t be in the team’s rotation as the roster is currently set up.” [Brian Windhorst - PD] [Read more...]

Rob Ryan Is A Wise, Wise Man.

rob-ryanThe Cleveland Football Browns sent out the notes from Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan’s press conference this week, and he had some very interesting things to say. In terms of football answers, he was asked a few questions regarding the team, but really gave general answers and didn’t answer anything all that interesting. He did give a vote of confidence in Derek Anderson, saying that he’s a ‘great leader’. More importantly to me are the awesome answers that Ryan gave to some of the random questions he received.  If only he’d blamed the 4th and 1 call on his wife, I’d have sent him a fruit basket.

(On if he is sure he doesn’t have the flu)- “I don’t know. I’ve already had it. I had it for two days. I don’t know whether it’s swine flu or whatever those flu’s are. I call it the cry baby flu. It was sick. My whole family is sick. Wife left town and everybody got sick, so I don’t know what happened. I blame her.” [Read more...]

Open Thread – Ohio State Buckeyes v. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Goldy GopherThe Bucks are looking to rebound from their embarrassing loss to Purdue today (noon, ESPN) against Minnesota.  The Gophers travel to Columbus to take on a Buckeyes team that’s been under intense media scrutiny this week.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Buckeyes have skated by without taking much heat.  The offense, however, has been feeling the heat of a thousand suns under the looking glass.  Today’s game will hopefully be the beginning of the end of the offense’s struggles.

So watch along, leave your thoughts, keeps it clean, and enjoy some football, folks.  I’ll be in Georgetown at the Rhino Bar meeting up with El Nullster if anybody in DC wants to join.  Go Bucks. [Read more...]

Antonio Daniels to Join Cavs?

act_antonio_danielsThe Minnesota Timberwolves have gone into cost-cutting mode already this season, and have waived 12-year veteran guard Antonio Daniels. Daniels is capable of playing both the 1 and 2 spots and would provide much-needed depth at the point guard position for the Cavaliers.

If Daniels were to be picked up, that would mean that either Jawad Williams or Coby Karl would be waived to make room. Based on Karl’s non-guaranteed contract one would think that he would be the one to go. The amount of time put in to Williams by the franchise bodes well for him, coupled with his strong preseason.

Stay tuned, but TD has laid claim that Daniels will be on the Cavs roster ‘by next week’. In other words, it be booked.

UPDATE: Bob Finnan says Cavs have already been in contact with Daniels.

Photo Credit: NBA.com

While We’re Waiting – More Mangini Photoshops, Michigan’s Coaching Woes, and the Indians’ CF depth

FestusbeatsMiz3Hey there, how are ya doin today?  I hope I find you feeling healthy.  I’m so glad our paths crossed this time today.  On our way into the night… This is where we share links that you guys send our way.  Send some our way, won’t you?  It’s easy breezy mac and cheesy, and can be done by clicking the link up and to the right.

Eric Mangini photoshops never get old.  Here he is, doing some wrasslin with that Miz character.

Michigan’s coaching situation is weighing heavy on some folks’ minds. Those minds are almost all in Ann Arbor.

[Read more...]

A Mystery Candidate Appears: Ron Roenicke

GYI0000542565.jpgFor those of us who thought the list of Tribe managerial candidates was whittled down to four, I guess we were wrong. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Indians have received permission to speak to Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke about the current vacancy. Roenicke declined to comment when asked about it.

Its an interesting development considering that Don Mattingly was always assumed to be the one candidate who hasn’t interviewed yet. Roenicke, a former eight-year major leaguer, has been with the Angels since 2000, starting as the third base coach and then taking over the seat next to Mike Scioscia in 2006 when Joe Maddon left for Tampa.

Roenicke, like Mattingly and Torey Lovullo, has no major league managing experience. However, who had ever heard of Joe Maddon when he took over in Tampa and is now thought of as one of the best managers in the game. Maybe Shapiro thinks lightning can strike twice under the Scioscia tree.

Bobby V – Nutcase or Genius?

Cleveland Indians manager candidate Bobby Valentine

Anyone who has had the chance to view Bobby Valentine press conference yesterday have to wonder exactly what they just saw (video is above). I know I was. Valentine, a longtime baseball man who is respected and revered by some and disliked and reviled by others, put on a show with the media after his six hour interview with GM Mark Shapiro and assistant Chris Antonetti.

He had some strange and different answers to the questions the media peppered him with. For example, when asked about the team, he was overly candid: [Read more...]

LeBron James Joins Jay-Z on Stage… Again

LeBron James Jay Z 4_medAs coincidence would have it, the Jay-Z tour stop in Cleveland landed on a night when the Cavaliers had the night off.  And also a mere coincidence, I’m sure, is that LeBron James found himself on stage for what was the entire two hour set by one Shawn Carter. 

Following “Show me what you got,” that properly ended with the line “the king is back,” Jay-Z used the segue to introduce the crowd to another “King” in James.  Naturally, this was met with quite the ovation.  [Read more...]

The Browns Will Win If…

Let’s see. Hmm. So, maybe you’ve heard that the Browns have QB issues. And that their best linebacker is out for the season. And that apparently even when their defense holds on fourth and short it’s still technically a first down for their opponents. Gear!
Browns and Packers
The Browns actually improved on offense between the Buffalo game and last week’s loss in Pittsburgh. The defense played a solid first quarter. And then they got smoked. They were only in the game due to the Steelers’ running backs refusing to hold on to the ball for the entire third quarter. So, there’s not much hope going up against the one team that just smacked the Browns down in the pre-season. Right? Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If…

[Read more...]

WWE’s “The Miz” sounds off on Eric Mangini

Browns Broncos FootballMike Mizanin, now known as “The Miz” amongst the WWE has officially become the latest figure to pile on Eric Mangini in a public forum. 

And while Mizanin did not go as far as likening him to a fictional character that drowns in a chocolate river, he did take the more WWE approach by explaining his desires to get a bit more physical.  In a chat on ESPN, Mizanin stated the following:

“A person I’d like to see and smack the s— out of is Eric Mangini. That’s what I’d like to do. He is doing absolutely horrific. He is horrible,” says the longtime Browns fan. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Browns Fans, LeBron Tops the List, and More Manny Acta

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

brownsfans2An amazing write-up by a Browns fan that made ESPN.  Check it out if only for this part: “Pittsburgh: America’s crotch. Literally one of the worst cities on the planet. Full of toothless mountain people. Looks from above as if someone decided, “You know what I’m going to do? Cut out a huge chunk of one of the worst sections of Eastern Europe and drop it in the middle of Pennsylvanian Appalachia.” At the end of the day, the Cleveland Browns suck, but at least we’re not from Pittsburgh.” [ESPN Page 2]

[Read more...]

Report: Eric Wright’s Car Flipped Last Night

WMMS/100.7 FM (your flagship station!) reports that Browns cornerback Eric Wright flipped his Mercedes-Benz three times on 77-S/I-490 at approximately 2:10 AM this morning.  Wright had attended the Jay-Z concert held in Cleveland and was reportedly heading home following an afterparty.

Police report states that Wright was driving too fast for conditions, but was not cited.  Wright reportedly was treated and released from the hospital hours later.

Nineteen Action News states that alcohol is currently not even mentioned in the report.  Luckily, the report states that no one was injured in the accident.  We will surely have more as this develops.