OCTOBER BASEBALL RETURNS TO CLEVELAND

By Tom Misson

October baseball is back in Cleveland!

From blowing the snow off the Jacobs Field turf on Opening Day, to wiping the champagne out of their eyes… what a regular season it has been. And there’s still more to play.

Just 2 years ago, this same team, with a few new faces, won 93 games… and missed the playoffs! Today, The Indians clinched the A.L. Central Division with their 92nd win of the year. Now they have a date with the post season for the first time since 2001.

This team was built with pitching, and that’s how they won the Central… with great starting pitching and one of the best, if not THE best bull pen in baseball. While many fans doubted G.M. Mark Shapiro for trading away Bartolo Colon, the Indians never stopped developing the young arms in the minors to mold this rotation and bull pen. Fausto Carmona, Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, Jeremy Sowers, Tom Mastny, and many others time and time again slammed the door on the opposition from the 6th inning on.

While Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner had down years — statistically at least — from last season… others like Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, Casey Blake and Ryan Garko picked-up their team mates… because that’s what this team has done all year — played together as a unit. While the Yankees and Red Sox have more so-called “all stars”… The Indians by far have better team and clubhouse chemistry. And now… they have Kenny Lofton back at the Jake. The Indians veteran was here for a great post season ride in 1995 and 1997. Will K-Love be here for a 3rd shot at winning a World Series with the Indians?

Stay tuned. It all starts October 3rd.

Cleveland Sports Fans… continue to log onto newsnet5.com and send us your e-mails and comments on the Indians making it to the post season.

BROWNS GO FOR TWO IN OAKLAND

By Tom Misson

This Sunday… The Cleveland Browns will go for two. They’ll try to convert last week’s win over the Bengals into a second victory over the hapless Oakland Raiders. The last time a Browns team had a win streak of two… the Raiders were the second win in that streak, and the Browns quarterback was Tim Couch! Tim Couch is now living in Florida, counting his 30 plus million dollars from the Browns, while Derek Anderson tries to look like a million bucks again, getting the Browns half of its win total from last season.

Oh, it can happen… but will it? The Raiders are favored by 3 points, but that’s purely because of the “Black Hole” where Raiders fans reside. These fans are mean, nasty, don’t shower regularly… heck, they would sell their first born for a win. But the Browns have dealt with that hostile environment and won on the Left Coast the last two seasons. To do it this week, the Browns offense will not have to score 51 points. Half that, maybe. 24 points should really be enough. There’s no more Charles Woodson in Oakland to blanket the likes of Braylon Edwards or Joe Jurevicius. Forget about trying to cover Kellen Winslow, JR. Any linebacker wearing the black and silver has a better chance of being black and blue after chasing K2 across the McAfee Coliseum field for 60 minutes.

Expect a few things in this game: The Browns’ defense will bend between the 20’s, but won’t break enough for the Raiders offense to win the game. Oakland will have no answer for K2, he’ll have another 100 yard receiving game. Expect Jamal Lewis to run for another 100 yards, but not two “C” notes.

My prediction: Browns by ten points, 27-17.

By Tom Misson

New year, same old team. At least right now.

After one preseason game, not much has change between the end of last season and the baby steps being taken at the on-set of this one. The Browns remain a team allergic to the Red Zone and one that can not shake the penalties. Thanks to three Phil Dawson field goals, the Browns actually found themselves with a 9-7 lead in the 4th quarter. I know, I know, they’re still learning a new offensive system. Let’s hope that’s not an excuse after the 4th and final preseason game.

The newly formed offensive line blocked well. Only 2 sacks given-up. Run blocking appeared decent as well. Jamal Lewis found a gaping hole through the “A” gap for a 15 yard gain. Jerome Harrison had an 18 yard scamper. But, take those two nice runs away, and COMBINED Lewis and Harrison gained just 20 yards on 10 carries for a whopping 2 yard average. Something to improve on next Saturday.

As for the two-thousand pound elephant in the corner of the room, uh that would be the all encompassing quarterback battle, nothing has changed. It’s still Charlie Frye’s job to lose. Charlie did nothing to get himself kicked-off the saddle, but didn’t dazzle anyone either. Completing 12 of 15 passes looks great on paper, but if Charlie wants to run away and hide with the QB job, he’s got to get the ball into the end zone. Derek Anderson was less than 50 percent completions, and a horrible 4.8 yards per completion. Ken Dorsey remains the 3rd string. Rookie Brady Quinn held a clip board and got himself acquainted with the scenery inside Browns Stadium against the Chiefs. Head Coach Romeo Crennel said this week that Quinn would see some time under center in the 2nd half against the Lions on Saturday.

Let’s hope the Browns can replace the same old same old with something different. I was thinking an offensive touchdown would be nice.

Browns fans, keep logging onto newsnet5.com for complete training camp coverage. Be sure to tune into the Toyota Sports Sunday each week at 11:35 pm for the most complete Browns coverage.

BROWNS TRAINING CAMP

By Tom Misson

What a shame. Just when it looked like the Browns Achilles’ Heal from last season actually might be a strength this season, boom! A bomb shell dropped on Brownstown. Starting offensive right tackle Ryan Tucker suspended for the first 4 games of the season. The reason? Steroids. The new sports plague of the 21st century.

“I’d like to apologize to the Browns, the fans and my family. I’m going to continue to keep myself in good shape and serve the punishment,” Tucker offered as he stood sheepishly infront of TV reporters and newspaper writers.

Well, at least he’s sorry. Or so he says. Per NFL rules, Tucker is allowed to continue working with the team in training camp, and can actually suit-up and play in all four preseason games. His suspension begins September 1st. It ends October 1st. Between now and then, the Browns have a decision to make. Is it worth it giving Tucker a 3rd chance? This is, of course, his 2nd strike. The league suspended Tucker once before for failing a substance abuse test. For now, Tucker will smash helmets with the 2nd and 3rd stringers. Left tackle Kevin Shaffer gets the green light to move and perhaps start on the right side of the line. That leaves 1st round draft pick Joe Thomas with basically no competition to start at left tackle. That also means The Browns are once again thin on the depth chart on offensive line.

Maybe Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel will send a message to Tucker and the rest of the Browns players that this year WILL be different. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Maybe Tucker will be wearing someone else’s lid after he serves his suspension.

Wouldn’t that be a shame.

BROWNS TRAINING CAMP

By Tom Misson

They say a cornered animal is the most dangerous. Maybe that’s the way Charlie Frye feels at camp this year.

After starting 13 games last season, Charlie’s not content. He wants more. He should. Ready and perfectly capable of taking Charlie’s job under center is Derek Anderson. Oh, yeah. Then there’s that whole Brady Quinn thing. But that’s for a different day.

Give number 9 credit. It’s his job to lose, and he knows it. The former Akron Zip is not going down without a fight.

Perhaps that’s why Charlie is taking the “Rocky Balboa” approach to not only keeping his job, but getting better at leading the Browns offense. Two weeks before Training Camp opened, Charlie was in Arizona, training with Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb. McNabb showed Charlie the ropes - literally.

“Man, it feels like four quarters of football,” Charlie quipped, referring to his short-lived boxing career.

Yes, I said BOXING. Charlie climbed into the ring to work on his foot work and quickness in the pocket. So who’d he fight?

“Just the mits. I didn’t want anyone to mess up my face, ” he laughed.

McNabb also shared with Charlie why he scrambled so much when he was a young QB, and why he doesn’t leave the protection of his line much anymore.

“That’s a secret, ” Charlie grinned. “But i think you guys will be able to tell, um, the first couple of games, you know, what the secret is.”

With two divisional games right out of the gate (Pittsburgh and Cincinnati), we can only hope that secret leads to at least one win.

Browns Fans, keep logging onto newsnet5.com for all your Browns Training Camp news… and tune into Sports Sunday every week at 11:35 pm for the best half-hour sports show in town.

Browns ‘07 Schedule Released

By John Chandler

Just how safe is Romeo Crennel’s job? We should get a good read by, say, October 7th.

The 2007 schedule opens with a quick 1-2 punch. Delivering the right on September 9th, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The left? The Cincinnati Bengals, on September 16th. And the knockout? It could come from Baltimore by the 30th.

Now, the schedule makers at least threw the Browns a bone by scheduling all three of those division rivals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Of course, around these parts, home field advantage is nothing more than old history. And when it comes to the AFC North, well, the Browns record is a dreadful 1-11 in the last two years.

Assuming an improved Browns team doesn’t trip out of the gates, a trip to Bill Belichick’s home turf won’t exactly be a dream New England vacation. It will be Romeo Crennel’s return to Foxboro, Mass… and it would be fitting if it were a triumphant one.

After the Patriots, Miami comes to Cleveland, before the Browns get a break on October 28th, then head to St. Louis. The Pats aside, that could be a good month for the Browns, especially if they are able to build momentum early in September. Think about it: beat any combination of the Steelers-Bengals-Ravens twice, and add the requisite win over the Raiders, and that’s a pretty solid head of 3-1 steam you’re rolling into October on.

Wishful thinking, you say? Hey, what else do we have to go on, here?

November will be tricky, with a visit from high powered Seattle followed by roadies to Pittsburgh and Baltimore on back to back weekends. At least the schedule makers have a heart, throwing the Browns a November 25th visit from the Houston Texans to balance things out.

Looking at December, the Browns will see a mish mash of teams teetering on the edge of the playoff-calibur label (Cardinals, Jets, Bills), an always fateful hop down I-71 to the ‘Nati, and a finale against San Francisco that is no gimmie.

There are no Monday Night games, no Thursday night affairs, and no more than four playoff teams from last season.

Granted, the mediocre NFL holds the right to prove unpredictable from year to year, so there’s really no true telling of this schedule’s degree of difficulty. But on the surface, it is survivable for an improved Browns team. If they’re not improved, then getting through September’s land mines could prove to be pivitol. Remember, Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage are both under the gun this season to show any glimmer of progress, and continuing to lose to division rivals from the start will likely lead to bigger losses… i.e., jobs!

Browns Nation, what do you think of the schedule? Hard or Easy? How many wins do you see from your team in 2007? Let us know in a SoundOff and watch for more on the Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:35 PM on NewsChannel 5.

FINAL: FLORIDA 84 OHIO STATE 75

By John Chandler

Thad Matta put Othello Hunter in with Greg Oden for a brief stretch, giving Ohio State a little size to combat Florida. Didn’t work. Neither is the three guard lineup. The Gators present quite the matchup problem for the Buckeyes here. They have enough athletic bigs to keep Oden busy, while overmatching the rest of Ohio State’s frontcourt. But they can also shoot the three. That first half was no fluke.

What’s The Matta
Saw a telling stat on recent first time coaches in the National Championship: all three lost. Thad Matta appears headed to that same fate, unless he can find a way to get more scoring from anyone not named Greg Oden or Mike Conley.

Again, it’s important to point out that Matta’s not getting outcoached; his players are simply being outplayed.

Playing Catchup
With 6:17 to play, Ohio State’s last run at a rally must start now, down 64-56. In this timeout, Matta’s probably stressing what he did to his players when they were down against Xavier and Tennessee: no such thing as an 8 point shot.

First, they have to tighten up on the defensive end. Scoring all the points in the world won’t matter if Florida’s matching them, shot for shot.

Second, the three won’t win this game. Patience will. Until the final two minutes, when desperate times call for desperate measures.

Final Four… Minutes
* If this is his last game, Greg Oden’s cashing in: 9-14 from the field, 22 points with 4 minutes to play.

* Ron Lewis picked up his game in the second half, but missed a crucial free throw for a potential three point play.

* Florida’s experience is beating the Buckeyes just as much as their talent. Remember, they’re the first team in history to return all 5 starters from last year’s championship game. That was a group decision, one Ohio State can only hope runs through the mind of the Thad Five.

* With 2:31 to play, a quick check of points in the paint shows a huge edge to OSU: 42-22. If you told me before the game that would be the case, I’d have bet heavily on the Buckeyes. My fiancee thanks you for not sharing that information with me.

* As Mike Conley spins through the lay for a layup like a figure skater into a triple lutz, it occurs to me that this will the the first postseason loss for he and Greg Oden, who have played together since the 6th grade. That’s a tough draw to carry such a streak this far, and come up short in what is certainly their biggest, and quite possibly their last game together. After tonight, I think Oden’s headed for the NBA.

* The “Gator Bait” chant starts with 1:16 to play. As Buckeye Nation knows, a little too well now, that’s equivalent to saying goodnight.

FINAL: Florida 84, Ohio State 75… Face it, folks, the Gators are Number One. Again.

2ND HALF: OSU VS. FLORIDA

By John Chandler

Afew observations while

* The upperclassmen just killed the Buckeyes in the first half: Ivan Harris, Jamar Butler and Ron Lewis combined to shoot 3-13 (2-11 from three) from the field. The walls of my house aren’t filled with as many bricks as the Georgia Dome, thanks to those three.

* This game has the feel of Tennessee, where the Vols could not seem to miss from beyond the arc. Ditto, Florida, who hit 6-9 (66%) from downtown. The Buckeyes took the bait and got themselves invovled into a three point war. With Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, and Lee Humphrey on the court, that’s a losing battle every time.

* Greg Oden needs to keep it up. His 11 point, 7 rebound first half is the only reason I’m not about to pack up and leave this time. Well, that, and my center court seat. Not a bad view, folks. Not bad at all.

Second Surge
The Buckeyes open up with a quick two from Oden, only to be matched by Joakim Noah at the Florida end. But with Noah on the bench after a third foul, Oden went to work scoring 6 points in the first 5 minutes of play.

No holding back tonight. Oden’s in a groove. Too bad for the Bucks, he seems to be the only one.

13:54, 2nd half… as Ohio State moves with in 7 at 49-42, Florida’s fans rise to their feet in encouragement. Marreese Speights heard ‘em, hitting a sweet deuce that drew Noah out of his seat, slamming his towel to the ground in celebration. Somebody woke up Speights, who it must be noted spent the open media session Sunday curled up in front of his locker fast asleep.

Hey Billy… Kentucky’s On Line One
12:10, 2nd half… Billy Donovan’s jacket is off now. Just in case you wondered about things like that. Donovan probably couldn’t order room service in Atlanta without someone asking him if he plans to take the Kentucky job. Why would he? As I watch this guy, I know I’m watching the best coach in the game, coaching the best team in the game (at least they look that way, up 53-44 with 11:49 to play). He could stay at Florida for the next 20 years and retire a legend. Or he could take the extra million and the abuse that’s sure to come with it in Lexington. I think Donovan’s just using Kentucky for a little leverage. I believe that was covered in Negotiation 101.

Welcome Back, Mike
Mike Conley’s baseline reverse cut Florida’s lead to 53-46…. wait, nevermind. Humphrey hit a three. Care to get a hand in his face?

9:39, 2nd Half… Florida 58, Ohio State 46… One more Humpery three and Dandy Don Meredith will warm up in the wings.

2ND HALF: OSU 40 FLORIDA 29

By John Chandler

Greg Oden’s first foul comes at the 9:19 mark of the first half, a reach on Chris Richard. No debating it, that’s for sure. But thanks to the stripes for not getting all whistle-happy on Oden. In fact, so far Oden’s presence on defense is obvious with a quick scan of the box: Florida’s frontcourt of Noah, Richard, and Horford have a combined 3 points in 12:01 of first half play.

Now, if only there was a way to stop Corey Brewer (6 points).

Conley Gets The Point
With Florida squeaking out in front, 21-15, Mike Conley was quick to check in from the bench. There’s a debate raging throughout the Georgia Dome media room as to who’s the better player for the Buckeyes: Conley or Oden. Tough to guage, since they’re totally different players. But I’ll say this, Ohio State can hold it’s own without Oden in the lineup, while struggling to find the right pace with Conley on the bench.

Feed Me
The did-you-see-that moment of the first half: Ron Lewis fed a breaking Matt Terwilliger to cut Florida’s lead to 23-19. Who knew “Twig” could move like that? this kid’s game is pretty gutty, considering his task is to hold up the post while Oden’s out.

Three For Three
Ivan Harris hesitated on a three, Lee Humphery did not. Neither did Taurean Green, who’s catch-and-shoot three from the wing is unguardable. His three with 3:41 to play in the half has blown the game open, 33-22. What was that about the Ginn kickoff? Hmm.

Fresh Brew
Corey Brewer is the player of the game so far with 9 points and tight defense. In fact, his block of Oden might’ve been more important than each of those points. Challenging the mighty Oden? That’s making a statement.

So is a steal-and-dunk of Mike Conley for a 35-24 lead. Conley drove between the circles, eying Oden, who was pointing for an alley-oop. But Brewer stayed home for the swipe, and the smash.

My Bad
During a timeout at 2:06 of the half, Ohio State’s cheerleaders were attempting one of those acrobatic hoists when one of the girls slipped and fell to the floor. The whole sequence was about as smooth as one of Ivan Harris’ three point shots.

Halftime: Florida 40 Ohio State 29… looks like college basketball’s best team is winning.

IN ACTION: OSU vs. Florida

By John Chandler

ATLANTA - Tonight, inside the Georgia Dome, there’s a score that needs to be settled. Ohio State, the #1 ranked team in the country, faces Florida, the #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They can’t share the trophy. Ohio State’s football team discovered that back in January.

There’s a buzz in this place as Ohio State enters, single-file, onto the court behind the familiar O-H-I-O flags that you see on the field at Ohio Stadium after a touchdown. Appropriate, for as the flashbulbs pop, this event has the feel of a football game. Big crowd, big stage, bigtime talent…this championship game even has the feel of a classic.

A few pregame observations, if you will:

* Haven’t seen a smile cross the face of a Buckeye since they left the lockerroom. That’s good.

* Greg Oden needs to let loose tonight. No holding back because of the hand, nor the fouls. Oden needs to channel that ‘tude he copped with Jamar Smith at the end of the Tennessee game, and Joey Dorsey before the Memphis game.

* Ohio State’s fans are loud… Florida’s are LOUD.

* Gator chop or O-H-I-O? Like that’s even a question.

* Somebody cranked the audio a little too loud in this joint. My eardrums haven’t taken this kind of abuse since I last paid the Cavs a visit at the Q.

Tip Time
Joakim Noah wins the opening tap from Greg Oden, and they’re off… just like Ron Lewis’s ill-advised attempt at a three from the top of the key seconds into Ohio State’s first possession. Now that’s pacing yourself.

Mike Conley scores the first two fo the game on a transition layup, but Taurean Green responds with a quick three. Watching these two will be fun. Conley just drove the baseline and hit Ivan Harris for a wide open three from the top of the key. What a great pass. Told you so.

Lewis is struggling, again, forcing a turnover right into the hands of Lee Humphry for an easy transition two, then got faked out of his sneakers by Green. Oden was there to disrupt the shot.

Oden put Chris Richard on a swivel, finishing with a soft left handed touch for a 9-5 lead. No holding back on that shot, that’s for sure.

Now They’re Cook-in’
The chemistry between Oden, Conley, and Daequan Cook cannot be understated. Cook has been relatively brutal this tournament, but checked into tonight’s action with a smart cut to the hoop after reading Oden’s eyes. Good look from the big man, too. Daequan tends to play better after hitting his first shot. Then again, who doesn’t?

He’s Tall
Joakim Noah is listed at 6′11″ but standing next to Oden, he’s sure looks even with the 7-footer. I heard Noah doesn’t want to play center in the NBA (also heard he’s already picked his agent) so he’s trying to keep it under the 7 foot mark. If I’m a pro GM, I’m thinking he’s a little lanky to play in the post, but he sure is active…yeah, active is the word. Although Cook thought Noah was a little more like “annoying” given the way his mouth runs during the game.

Raising Arizona
A fan behind me just said the first 7 minutes of the game were the Ted Ginn kickoff return, with the Gators taking a 17-11 lead on a Walter Hodge three point play. Sorry, dude, don’t think this one’s headed to 41-14 territory.

10:00, 1st half: Florida 20, Ohio St. 13