Week Two of Training Camp in Berea, Ohio is in the books for the Cleveland Browns as they prep for their exhibition opener Thursday night against the New York Jets. The story of the week was the show that Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards put on Saturday night during Family Night at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Anderson and Edwards hooked up on two big plays on Saturday night, a 50 yard bomb on which Edwards laid out to grab and a 13 yard TD in the two minute drill portion of the night. Anderson even tossed another TD to much maligned, third year WR Travis Wilson, who has stepped up with a number of players sitting out the night’s activities.
Speaking of those injuries, the injury du jour is the pulled hamstring. WRs Donte Stallworth and Kevin Kasper both missed time early on in camp but have returned after some rest. TE Kellen Winslow and WR/KR Josh Cribbs missed Family night due to the same ailment.
Even FB Lawrence Vickers has tweaked his hammy in camp. None of these hamstring injuries have been deemed too serious, but hamstring injuries are notorious for lingering, so it will be interesting to see how they play out for all five of these guys.
In other news on the offensive front, Brady Quinn continues to struggle in practice and did on Family Night Saturday. I am not completely surprised as he is just a second year player, has only ten snaps of live NFL action under his belt and played all last pre-season against the third and fourth stringers.
He has been seeing action versus the Browns’ first team defense as he is the second team QB. Let’s see how he does against the Jets on Thursday. A good thinking point from The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi, the Browns offense does look a lot different under the strong-armed Anderson than it does under the calculating Quinn. Just food for thought for those still obsessed with a Browns QB controversy.
Speaking of the defense, the first teamers did cause Brady Quinn and the Browns’ second team offense fits but until they see live action I will reserve judgment. OLB Antwaan Peek in injured, again, and will miss all of exhibition season after getting arthroscopic knee surgery on his right knee to remove cartilage damage..
This is a potentially big blow to the Browns defense as they were hoping that Peek could be the piece to balance attention with Kamerion Wimbley on the outside. It’s do or die time for fourth year pro David McMillan who is in the last year of his contract s he will get the first chance to replace Peek. But don’t count out training camp darling Alex Hall as he continues to impress the Browns coaching staff.
The Browns will finally play a game, their only one in 20 days, Thursday night and it can’t come soon enough for the Cleveland faithful. Other than praying for no major injuries and seeing crisp execution from both first teams there are a few nice storylines to watch.
- Can Travis Wilson capitalize on his strong training camp and finally perform in a game situation or will Kevin Kasper and Paul Hubbard outshine him?
- Who will come out ahead in the battle for the third TE, Marvin Rucker or Darnell Dinkins?
- How will Quinn look against a legitimate NFL defense and not the scrubs and how will the Browns offense differ with him at the helm?
- How will the Browns’ revamped defensive line perform and what kind of rotation will they use?
- Can Peek or Hall show the coaching staff they can fill Antwaan Peek’s shoes?
- Will Jereme Perry, AJ Davis or Mil’von James step up in the battle for the fourth CB?
I’m sure you can think of plenty more as the Browns start to game plan for the New York Jets and the fans get ready to tailgate, but for now…
Go Browns. Believeland. Believe in Now.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Browns Training Camp Week 2 - The DA and Braylon Show
Monday, July 28, 2008
Browns Training Camp – Week 1: No News Is Good News
The Browns capped off the first week, well half week, of Training Camp 2008 in Berea, Ohio today. No major news to report which is a good thing. This is normally the time of year that season threatening or season ending injuries occur, just ask the Washington Redskins.But the Browns survived Week 1 with no major incidences. WR Donte Stallworth tweaked his ever-sensitive hamstring last week but was back in action today. TE Steve Heiden is still working his way back from off-season back surgery and into game shape. Some other nicks and dings here and there but nothing really worth reporting.
Head Coach Romeo Crennel intermittently rested some of his veteran players during some of the two-a-day sessions to keep them fresh as the first pre-season game approaches in 11 days. Status quo for the most part.
It’s hard to discern anything of real value until the exhibition games actually start. However The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Browns’ revamped defensive line has been strutting its stuff at the expense of young Brady Quinn. The offense looks to be firing on all cylinders this year after struggling to pick up Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s offense last season.
Jamal Lewis showed up at camp almost 20 pounds lighter than last season in hopes of showing that last season’s 1,304 rushing yard campaign was no fluke. Kellen Winslow continues to seem robotic as he has shown little, if any, affect from another off season knee surgery.
As far as the new guys go, the rookie making the most noise is the last one the Browns drafted, LB Alex Hall out of Division II St. Augustine. A DE in college, the Browns hope to make an edge pass rusher out of Hall, who has caught the eye of the coaches and media so far. Once again, it means nothing until the games start, but with fellow draft choices Beau Bell, Martin Rucker and Paul Hubbard struggling, Hall could be a nice surprise if he can contribute in 2008.
Hopefully, Week 2 of Training Camp goes as smoothly as Week 1 as the Browns prep for their exhibition opener August 7 versus the New York Jets. Who knows, maybe that Brett Favre guy will make a cameo, but until then…
Go Browns. Believeland. Believe in Now.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Browns Open Training Camp, Questions Abound
Yes, it’s finally here. The Cleveland Browns open their 2008 Training Camp in Berea, Ohio on Wednesday, July 23. This is arguably the most anticipated season since 1994 or even 1990 as the Browns look to follow up on an unexpected 10-6 record in 2007. While anticipation and expectations are high, the Browns face just as many questions as any other franchise at the outset of 2008.
Can they avoid the injury bug?
Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker has already been out for most of the summer following hip surgery. Cornerback Daven Holly was lost for the year following knee surgery. Receiver Joe Jurevicius will miss the start of the regular season after battling a staph infection. That’s already three key injuries before camp opens. It will be crucial to avoid any more.
Will lack of depth at these positions hurt them?
The offensive line is stout but the same can not be said of cornerback and receiver. Can two second year players, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, handle a slew of elite NFL receivers or will Easy-E and B-Mac be in over their heads? Can Travis Wilson step up? Will the Browns use more two tight end sets? Throw in the lack of depth at running back behind Jamal Lewis and these are three positions that the Browns can ill afford any losses.
How will the new defensive line sort itself out?
Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, Robaire Smith and “The Hamburglar” Shaun Smith will all rotate in the 3-4 but who will play where and when? Who else will step up and join the rotation? Phil Savage made some bold, out-of-the-box moves to try and fix one of the Browns’ biggest problem areas. How it plays out is anybody’s guess.
Do the Browns have any real linebackers?
Kamerion Wimbley had a down sophomore year where he faced a lot of double teams and attention. The revamped defensive line should help him but he needs to develop a larger pass-rushing repertoire. Andra Davis has a great mind but has been a step slow. He claims he is healthy and he needs to be to lead this unit. Is D’Qwell Jackson the real deal or is he just a little too small for an ILB? How much Willie McGinest can contribute, Antwaan Peek’s ability to stay healthy and how to effectively utilize Leon Williams will all be things to watch in pre-season.
How will new Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker run things?
The abrasive, and sometimes psychotic, Todd Grantham is out and former defensive backs coach Mel Tucker is in. What kind of scheme will he run out of the 3-4? How will he offset the lack of experience in the secondary? Tucker has done wonders with the Browns young defensive backs over the years now all he has to do is turn around one of the most putrid defenses in the NFL.
How will Josh Cribbs be utilized on offense?
It won’t be a full fledged assignment with all of his special teams duties but the weekly “Josh Cribbs Wrinkle” to Rob Chudzinski’s game plan is always highly anticipated. Whether out of the backfield, as a decoy or under center it is always must see TV to see what Chud has in store.
Will the offense be able to duplicate 2007’s success?
The NFL is a league of adjustments and the rest of the teams now have a full year’s worth of tape on the Browns. How will the counter-punch opposing defenses in 2008? Can they put up points at an amazing rate for the second consecutive year? With a tough schedule it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the crème de la crème.
Speaking of that schedule…
Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer and Eli Manning to start. Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Palmer and Roethlisberger to finish. The middle of the schedule is no cakewalk either. Yes, it’s tough but bring it on. Let’s see if the Cleveland Browns are on the rise or still have strides to make. We should want this as Browns fans.
…It only comes down to one thing… Beat Pittsburgh.
The Browns haven’t been able to do it in five years. They’ve come close but faltered at the end time and time again. To climb the mountain you have to knock whoever is standing there off. Until the Browns can defeat the hated Pittsburgh Steelers they will be reserved to second class status in the AFC North. Beat the Appalachian Inbred and they just may have a shot at this thing. They get their first shot in Week 2 at home on Sunday Night Football. Their only home loss last year was the opening week debacle to the Steelers. This year it is their chance to set the tone for 2008 in front of the nation.
So let’s start on the pads, grab the face paint and buy up the Milkbones at the local supermarket, Browns fans. It’s Cleveland Browns training camp 2008. Before you know it, it will be time to dress up in orange, hit the Muni Lot and bark your ass off. There’s only one thing left to say…
Go Browns. Believeland. Believe in Now.
Can they avoid the injury bug?
Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker has already been out for most of the summer following hip surgery. Cornerback Daven Holly was lost for the year following knee surgery. Receiver Joe Jurevicius will miss the start of the regular season after battling a staph infection. That’s already three key injuries before camp opens. It will be crucial to avoid any more.
Will lack of depth at these positions hurt them?
The offensive line is stout but the same can not be said of cornerback and receiver. Can two second year players, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, handle a slew of elite NFL receivers or will Easy-E and B-Mac be in over their heads? Can Travis Wilson step up? Will the Browns use more two tight end sets? Throw in the lack of depth at running back behind Jamal Lewis and these are three positions that the Browns can ill afford any losses.
How will the new defensive line sort itself out?
Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, Robaire Smith and “The Hamburglar” Shaun Smith will all rotate in the 3-4 but who will play where and when? Who else will step up and join the rotation? Phil Savage made some bold, out-of-the-box moves to try and fix one of the Browns’ biggest problem areas. How it plays out is anybody’s guess.
Do the Browns have any real linebackers?
Kamerion Wimbley had a down sophomore year where he faced a lot of double teams and attention. The revamped defensive line should help him but he needs to develop a larger pass-rushing repertoire. Andra Davis has a great mind but has been a step slow. He claims he is healthy and he needs to be to lead this unit. Is D’Qwell Jackson the real deal or is he just a little too small for an ILB? How much Willie McGinest can contribute, Antwaan Peek’s ability to stay healthy and how to effectively utilize Leon Williams will all be things to watch in pre-season.
How will new Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker run things?
The abrasive, and sometimes psychotic, Todd Grantham is out and former defensive backs coach Mel Tucker is in. What kind of scheme will he run out of the 3-4? How will he offset the lack of experience in the secondary? Tucker has done wonders with the Browns young defensive backs over the years now all he has to do is turn around one of the most putrid defenses in the NFL.
How will Josh Cribbs be utilized on offense?
It won’t be a full fledged assignment with all of his special teams duties but the weekly “Josh Cribbs Wrinkle” to Rob Chudzinski’s game plan is always highly anticipated. Whether out of the backfield, as a decoy or under center it is always must see TV to see what Chud has in store.
Will the offense be able to duplicate 2007’s success?
The NFL is a league of adjustments and the rest of the teams now have a full year’s worth of tape on the Browns. How will the counter-punch opposing defenses in 2008? Can they put up points at an amazing rate for the second consecutive year? With a tough schedule it will be interesting to see how they stack up against the crème de la crème.
Speaking of that schedule…
Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer and Eli Manning to start. Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Palmer and Roethlisberger to finish. The middle of the schedule is no cakewalk either. Yes, it’s tough but bring it on. Let’s see if the Cleveland Browns are on the rise or still have strides to make. We should want this as Browns fans.
…It only comes down to one thing… Beat Pittsburgh.
The Browns haven’t been able to do it in five years. They’ve come close but faltered at the end time and time again. To climb the mountain you have to knock whoever is standing there off. Until the Browns can defeat the hated Pittsburgh Steelers they will be reserved to second class status in the AFC North. Beat the Appalachian Inbred and they just may have a shot at this thing. They get their first shot in Week 2 at home on Sunday Night Football. Their only home loss last year was the opening week debacle to the Steelers. This year it is their chance to set the tone for 2008 in front of the nation.
So let’s start on the pads, grab the face paint and buy up the Milkbones at the local supermarket, Browns fans. It’s Cleveland Browns training camp 2008. Before you know it, it will be time to dress up in orange, hit the Muni Lot and bark your ass off. There’s only one thing left to say…
Go Browns. Believeland. Believe in Now.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Jurevicius to Miss 6 Weeks, Who Will Fill In?
First, it was offensive lineman Ryan Tucker and his broken hip that will keep him out part of training camp. Next, cornerback Daven Holly went down for the season in OTAs after blowing out his knee. As it does in life, things often happen in threes and it did for the Cleveland Browns on the injury front.
Browns General Manager Phil Savage said he expects wide receiver Joe Jurevicius to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, making him ineligible for the first six weeks of the season. Jurevicius contracted a staph infection seven months ago after a routine knee surgery and has had at least three surgeries since that time to attempt to remove the infection.
This is also the third Browns play to be hit with multiple surgeries after a staph infection after a previous surgery. The LeCharles Bentley story is well chronicled as is Kellen Winslow’s. I don’t know what’s going on up there at the Cleveland Clinic but it is disconcerting. Because of that, my fear is that Jurevicius may not be available at all this season, but only time will tell.
Jurevicius has been one of the more under-rated possession receivers in the NFL throughout his career. He ranked third in the entire NFL with 29 catches on third down in 2007. Twenty-two of those third-down passes were converted to first downs, fifth in the NFL. More importantly he is Derek Anderson’s safety valve, something Browns fans would love to see DA use more in 2008 than he did at the end of 2007.
So the question is who can pick up the slack for Jurevicius in his absence? The logical candidates are special teams whiz Josh Cribbs, the disappointing Travis Wilson or crafty veteran free agent Kevin Kasper.
But don’t sleep on late round draft choice Paul Hubbard or a couple of Browns’ practice squaders from 2007, Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe. All three have an opportunity for more reps in camp now which means more chances to impress.
The other option is a large amount of two tight end sets. Kellen Winslow lines up in the slot a lot to begin with because of past injuries. Despite begin utilized more as a blocker in 2007, Steve Heiden has shown he is capable of being a pass catcher when Winslow missed most of 2004 and all of 2005. Draft choice Paul Rucker may also be an option as he played in the slot a lot in college at Missouri and has the size and height that the coaching staff loves.
Regardless of who steps up, I do hope Jurevicius is able to come back after Week 6. His veteran leadership and intangibles are sorely needed on this young team looking to make a giant leap in 2008. In the mean time, someone needs to step it up. The only question is who will be the man to do it?
Browns General Manager Phil Savage said he expects wide receiver Joe Jurevicius to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, making him ineligible for the first six weeks of the season. Jurevicius contracted a staph infection seven months ago after a routine knee surgery and has had at least three surgeries since that time to attempt to remove the infection.
This is also the third Browns play to be hit with multiple surgeries after a staph infection after a previous surgery. The LeCharles Bentley story is well chronicled as is Kellen Winslow’s. I don’t know what’s going on up there at the Cleveland Clinic but it is disconcerting. Because of that, my fear is that Jurevicius may not be available at all this season, but only time will tell.
Jurevicius has been one of the more under-rated possession receivers in the NFL throughout his career. He ranked third in the entire NFL with 29 catches on third down in 2007. Twenty-two of those third-down passes were converted to first downs, fifth in the NFL. More importantly he is Derek Anderson’s safety valve, something Browns fans would love to see DA use more in 2008 than he did at the end of 2007.
So the question is who can pick up the slack for Jurevicius in his absence? The logical candidates are special teams whiz Josh Cribbs, the disappointing Travis Wilson or crafty veteran free agent Kevin Kasper.
But don’t sleep on late round draft choice Paul Hubbard or a couple of Browns’ practice squaders from 2007, Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe. All three have an opportunity for more reps in camp now which means more chances to impress.
The other option is a large amount of two tight end sets. Kellen Winslow lines up in the slot a lot to begin with because of past injuries. Despite begin utilized more as a blocker in 2007, Steve Heiden has shown he is capable of being a pass catcher when Winslow missed most of 2004 and all of 2005. Draft choice Paul Rucker may also be an option as he played in the slot a lot in college at Missouri and has the size and height that the coaching staff loves.
Regardless of who steps up, I do hope Jurevicius is able to come back after Week 6. His veteran leadership and intangibles are sorely needed on this young team looking to make a giant leap in 2008. In the mean time, someone needs to step it up. The only question is who will be the man to do it?
The As-Man Return-ith?!?
The Cleveland Indians demoted IF Jorge Velandia to AAA Buffalo today. Velandia was promoted when 2B Josh Barfield went on the DL after finger surgery. Velandia played sparingly in a utility role as Jamey Carroll took change of second base in Barfield's absence.
Reports have 2B/SS Asdrubal Cabrera returning to C-Town from Buffalo. Other than my being able to use the "As-Man" moniker I saddled him with last season it does present an interesting serious of questions for the Tribe.
Cabrera was sent down for his woes at the dish. The sub-.200 average and poor plate approach were obvious to everyone. He has responded by hitting well over .300 at Buffalo and it will be interesting to see how he responds to his re-exposure to major league caliber pitching.
The bigger question takes place in the field. No one has questioned Cabrera's glove. It has been phenomenal. Turning the DP smoothly, making all the throws and even an unassisted triple play are all on The As-man's resume.
However, while being the starting 2B at the start of the year, Cabrera has been primarily playing SS at Buffalo. What does this mean for his return?
Jhonny Peralta is entrenched at SS and swinging a hot bat since being moved into the clean-up spot of the line-up. Move him to 3B you say? Well, Andy Marte has recently been granted some playing time there and has shown signs of life after sitting on the bench for weeks at a time. The Indians desperately need to get a read on Marte to see if he is a part of their future.
Even if he does go back to 2B what happens to Barfield when he comes off the DL? An up-the-middle combo of Cabrera and Barfield is a pitcher's dream defensively but can they generate enough offense for a team that in no where near an offensive juggernaut.
No matter how you slice it, it will be interesting to see how Eric Wedge handles the situation. With Peralta is a comfort zone right now and Cabrera, Barfield and Marte needing playing time to be properly evaluated there seems to be one too few spots.
This is where Uncle Eric will earn his keep during this lost 2008 campaign. He needs to effectively utilize all four players to give the Indians the best chance to compete and contend in 2009.
It will be something to watch in an otherwise disappointing season, but for now..
THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH! THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH! THE AS-MAN RETURN-ITH!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Cleveland Indians Midterm Report Card
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It has been a season to forget so far for the Cleveland Indians as the sit dead last in the American League Central Division at a woeful 41-53, 13 games behind the division leading Chicago White Sox. Only the Seattle Mariners have a worse record in the American League.
It could have been worse if not for a four game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays to end the first half of the season. It was worse when the Indians lost the ten games prior to those four. On May 15, the Tribe sat at 22-19, 1 ½ games ahead in the AL Central, and have been in a complete free fall since, going 19-34.
The same issues have been prevalent throughout the season. Hitting, especially that of the situational variety, has been so awful that it would be comical if it were not so depressing. Add to that a total 180 degree turn by the bullpen, the strength of the team in 2007, and it has been a recipe for disaster. The Son of the Bullpen from Hell has the potential to ruin your night on any given day.
Injuries to key cogs like Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Jake Westbrook have also contributed to the Indians’ downfall but this team was treading water when those guys were on the active roster. The injuries haven’t helped things out but are not the underlying factor as some may believe.
I graded the Indians at the quarter mark of the season and with the All-Star break behind us it’s time for a re-review of the team. I will spare you my grades for Tribe skipper Eric Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro. Sports Illustrated’s John Heyman couldn’t have said it any better in my opinion.
Those who have departed us, CC Sabathia, Iron Joe Borowski, Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow are all spared from my wrath. Unfortunately these guys are not…
The A List
Casey Blake (A-), Aaron Laffey (A), Cliff Lee (A+), Grady Sizemore (A)
What Blake has done this year with his limited talent is amazing. He is the perfect jack off all trades guy who is under appreciated and over criticized. He should not be an every day player but it’s not his fault the Tribe has no one better.
Maybe he does have those pictures of Uncle Eric, a midget, a donkey and a parking cone that some cynics think he does. It wouldn’t hurt I guess. He is one of the few position players who have been productive all season. Hopefully they can turn him into some mid to upper level prospects before the trade deadline. That would be the smart thing to do.
Laffey has had a few bad starts here and there but we often forget he is a young, raw rookie. When you remember that, what he has done can not be overlooked. His averages are actually better than that of Jake Westbrook right now in his second season. That is something to hang some optimism on even if the kid gets carded buying a Slurpee.
What else can be said about Lee and Sizemore that hasn’t been said already? Lee started the All-Star games and has some how won 12 games in half a season with an offense that prevented him from winning 15. The only real questions are can Lee keep it up the rest of 2008 and beyond.
My only thought on Sizemore is can he bump up the average a bit and cut down on the Ks just a little bit more. I am hard on Grady because I firmly believe he can be one of the elites in MLB. He needs to hit close to .300 and have a little better discipline to reach that level. He is so damn close he can taste it. You can do it!
The B Squad
Jamey Carroll (B), Shin-Soo Choo (B), Ben Francisco (B), Masahide Kobayashi (B+), Rafael Perez (B-)
Carroll has been a pleasant surprise if only for the fact that he is NOT Ramon Vasquez or Mike Rouse. He plays the game hard and is just one of those guys who you love to watch. He has come up with a few clutch hits here and there and seems to be a nice little piece of the puzzle. His wacky eyes still freak me out but hey he plays hard.
Choo and Francisco have had little hiccups here and there but continue to hit. Francisco also looks to be an above average fielder which is something I did not expect from him. The fact that these guys are hitting 3rd and 5th in the order has to be taken into account. That is not where they are going to hit normally but with injuries they need to take advantage of the experience.
Kobayashi has been a pleasant surprise out of what has been a bad bullpen. He has had his share of rocky outings but has given the Tribe more than I expected. It will be key to see if he can get enough save chances in the second half to evaluate if he is a future closer or not. Also, still no appearances in any Japanese alternative lifestyle films! Glorious!
Perez has been very shaky all year but his flare ups seem to be less frequent and less dramatic than some of the other relievers. I attribute it to more of the league adjusting to him in his second full year than any sort of performance drop off. How he throws so hard when he may weigh as much as Kate Moss is beyond me but who am I to complain.
The C List
Scott Elarton (C+), Sal Fasano (C), Andy Marte (C-), Edward Mujica (C), Jhonny Peralta (C-), Kelly Shoppach (C)
Elarton was a solid long man out of the pen but doesn’t fit into the team’s long term plans. I hope he gets his personal issues worked out. Fasano gets a C just for his mustache alone but has hit surprisingly well and definitely has a little of the fire that others on this team lack.
Marte and Mujica have come on a bit lately as they have actually gotten to play for a change. It is imperative to see what they can get from these two guys in the second half as they need to make a decision on both by the end of the year. This is my main frustration with Uncle Eric. Why did these guys rot for so long on the bench when almost everyone else was stinking it up? I will give him credit for finally giving them a shot but the fact it took him so long to do it is a head-scratcher.
Peralta continues to drive me and many other Tribe fans insane. He shows you these flashes of brilliance but then had days were he looks lost and disinterested. He is like a poor man’s version of Manny Ramirez with less talent.
I want to like him but I can not. Not right now. Maybe because he plays shortstop and Omar Vizquel spoiled us, maybe because he wear’s Bret Butler’s old #2 or maybe I just don’t think he is a “core guy”, whatever it is I need to see the consistent Peralta of 2005 and 2007 for me to lay off him. No more of this bipolar crap.
D is for Derailment
Paul Byrd (D), Asdrubal Cabrera (D+), Ryan Garko (D), Franklin Gutierrez (D), Jensen Lewis (D-), Jeremy Sowers (D-)
Derailment is the one word that can explain all of these guys. In 2007 it looked like all of these guys could be part of that “core” that the Indians need to complete for the playoffs consistently. In 2008 these guys don’t even look like they should be in the big leagues sometimes.
Byrd has continued his trend of following a good year with a bad one and was, at one time, on pace to break the MLB record for homers allowed in one season. He has always been hittable but this year has been ridiculous. It’s a nightly conga-line around the bases when the Byrdman pitches in 2008.
Cabrera, Garko and Gutierrez have been horrible at the plate after solid 2007 campaigns. For how outstanding he is in the field, the As-Man has been equally awful at the plate. Hopefully, his stint at AAA Buffalo will right his ship. I got spoiled yells “The As-Man Cometh!” every time he got a clutch hit during the 2007 stretch run. I miss those times… (A single tear running down my cheek.)
Garko is streaky and looks to be nothing more than a weak hitting, unathletic corner man at some moments. He’s been so bad that Casey Blake is getting regular time at first base. Gutierrez just looks lost at the plate and went almost a month at the plate without a hit. He may be only a 4th outfielder down the road unless he shows signs of life.
Lewis and Sowers have been bad but have shown glimpses of their 2007 and 2006 forms, respectively. Is Lewis’ problem his motion, velocity or both? Or is it the fact that the short form of his name is Jenny?
Sowers I am at a loss for any sort of reasoning. For a guy who looked so good in 2006 he had a rough sophomore year in 2007 but seemed to have a great attitude on getting back to where he could be. 2008 has shown nothing but the fact that if his control is anything short of pinpoint, he is in trouble.
The second half will go a long way in seeing where these guys fall into the Indians’ long term plans. They need to step it up or they may not be here in 2009.
What the F happened?!?
Rafael Betancourt (F), David Dellucci (F-), Tom Mastny (F), Brian Slocum (F-)
These guys have been worse than bad. Betancourt has been so, so bad it makes me want to puke. When you go from being the best set-up man in baseball to the worst you get and F. I expected a drop off but this is ridiculous. I now shudder when he comes into the game where as in 2007 you knew the game was over when he entered.
I gave Dellucci a B in my First Quarter Report Card with the comment that I wanted to punch myself in the face for it. Do you see why now? He teases us with an extra base hit now and again but it is the long stretches of strike-outs and pop outs to the catcher that are maddening. I bet you want to punch yourself in the face, too, when he is at bat.
Mastny has pitched a little better lately but overall has been a train-wreck. This is after looking like a real player two years ago and most of last year. Slocum I don’t have words for. He’s been that bad. It’s like I ate five Fiber One bars in one sitting and pooped eight times in 24 hours when he pitches. That’s the only description I can come up with. Way to step it up when you have a shot, guys.
Incomplete – Injured
Josh Barfield, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, Jake Westbrook
It is a shame Barfield got hurt because it would be nice to know if he fits into the Indians’ long term plans. Carmona and Martinez will hopefully be back after the All-Star break so we adequately judge if they are on their way back to being upper-tier players.
If Westbrook contributes significantly in 2009 I would be surprised. Let’s hope he is one of the guys who comes back stronger after Tommy John Surgery and not a guy who never regains his stuff. Jake is a likable, solid middle of the rotation guy that a lot of teams don’t have. He is another player who is often overlooked by the fans.
The 500 pound gorilla in the room is Hafner. Will the Pronk we all know and love return or will we be stuck with this Travis Hafner fellow who stinks? If it is the latter, there is a huge hole in the Tribe line-up in 2009. My fear is that he is done. He has just lost it mentally and that he will never regain it physically because of it. I hope and pray I am wrong. To see him hit from 2004 – 2006 was must see TV.
Incomplete – Too Little Time
Michael Aubrey, Matt Ginter, Juan Rincon, Jorge Velandia
Aubrey hit a couple of homers and played a great defensive 1B while he was here but did nothing to make be think he is more than an athletic, lighter hitting Ryan Garko. Ginter did a nice job in a spot start while Rincon has looked wild as hell since his promotion. Velandia is just filling a spot until Barfield or Cabrera return. Aubrey is the only one I see being here in 2009 and even that is a stretch due to his lack of power at a power position.
So there you have it. It has been a rough go of it for the Tribe, and their fans, in 2008. They need to use the rest of the season to get everyone healthy, see what they have in some of the younger guys and not be afraid to make moves to acquire some young talent. For if they do not do that, they have little chance of completing in 2010, let alone 2009.
It could have been worse if not for a four game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays to end the first half of the season. It was worse when the Indians lost the ten games prior to those four. On May 15, the Tribe sat at 22-19, 1 ½ games ahead in the AL Central, and have been in a complete free fall since, going 19-34.
The same issues have been prevalent throughout the season. Hitting, especially that of the situational variety, has been so awful that it would be comical if it were not so depressing. Add to that a total 180 degree turn by the bullpen, the strength of the team in 2007, and it has been a recipe for disaster. The Son of the Bullpen from Hell has the potential to ruin your night on any given day.
Injuries to key cogs like Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Jake Westbrook have also contributed to the Indians’ downfall but this team was treading water when those guys were on the active roster. The injuries haven’t helped things out but are not the underlying factor as some may believe.
I graded the Indians at the quarter mark of the season and with the All-Star break behind us it’s time for a re-review of the team. I will spare you my grades for Tribe skipper Eric Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro. Sports Illustrated’s John Heyman couldn’t have said it any better in my opinion.
Those who have departed us, CC Sabathia, Iron Joe Borowski, Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow are all spared from my wrath. Unfortunately these guys are not…
The A List
Casey Blake (A-), Aaron Laffey (A), Cliff Lee (A+), Grady Sizemore (A)
What Blake has done this year with his limited talent is amazing. He is the perfect jack off all trades guy who is under appreciated and over criticized. He should not be an every day player but it’s not his fault the Tribe has no one better.
Maybe he does have those pictures of Uncle Eric, a midget, a donkey and a parking cone that some cynics think he does. It wouldn’t hurt I guess. He is one of the few position players who have been productive all season. Hopefully they can turn him into some mid to upper level prospects before the trade deadline. That would be the smart thing to do.
Laffey has had a few bad starts here and there but we often forget he is a young, raw rookie. When you remember that, what he has done can not be overlooked. His averages are actually better than that of Jake Westbrook right now in his second season. That is something to hang some optimism on even if the kid gets carded buying a Slurpee.
What else can be said about Lee and Sizemore that hasn’t been said already? Lee started the All-Star games and has some how won 12 games in half a season with an offense that prevented him from winning 15. The only real questions are can Lee keep it up the rest of 2008 and beyond.
My only thought on Sizemore is can he bump up the average a bit and cut down on the Ks just a little bit more. I am hard on Grady because I firmly believe he can be one of the elites in MLB. He needs to hit close to .300 and have a little better discipline to reach that level. He is so damn close he can taste it. You can do it!
The B Squad
Jamey Carroll (B), Shin-Soo Choo (B), Ben Francisco (B), Masahide Kobayashi (B+), Rafael Perez (B-)
Carroll has been a pleasant surprise if only for the fact that he is NOT Ramon Vasquez or Mike Rouse. He plays the game hard and is just one of those guys who you love to watch. He has come up with a few clutch hits here and there and seems to be a nice little piece of the puzzle. His wacky eyes still freak me out but hey he plays hard.
Choo and Francisco have had little hiccups here and there but continue to hit. Francisco also looks to be an above average fielder which is something I did not expect from him. The fact that these guys are hitting 3rd and 5th in the order has to be taken into account. That is not where they are going to hit normally but with injuries they need to take advantage of the experience.
Kobayashi has been a pleasant surprise out of what has been a bad bullpen. He has had his share of rocky outings but has given the Tribe more than I expected. It will be key to see if he can get enough save chances in the second half to evaluate if he is a future closer or not. Also, still no appearances in any Japanese alternative lifestyle films! Glorious!
Perez has been very shaky all year but his flare ups seem to be less frequent and less dramatic than some of the other relievers. I attribute it to more of the league adjusting to him in his second full year than any sort of performance drop off. How he throws so hard when he may weigh as much as Kate Moss is beyond me but who am I to complain.
The C List
Scott Elarton (C+), Sal Fasano (C), Andy Marte (C-), Edward Mujica (C), Jhonny Peralta (C-), Kelly Shoppach (C)
Elarton was a solid long man out of the pen but doesn’t fit into the team’s long term plans. I hope he gets his personal issues worked out. Fasano gets a C just for his mustache alone but has hit surprisingly well and definitely has a little of the fire that others on this team lack.
Marte and Mujica have come on a bit lately as they have actually gotten to play for a change. It is imperative to see what they can get from these two guys in the second half as they need to make a decision on both by the end of the year. This is my main frustration with Uncle Eric. Why did these guys rot for so long on the bench when almost everyone else was stinking it up? I will give him credit for finally giving them a shot but the fact it took him so long to do it is a head-scratcher.
Peralta continues to drive me and many other Tribe fans insane. He shows you these flashes of brilliance but then had days were he looks lost and disinterested. He is like a poor man’s version of Manny Ramirez with less talent.
I want to like him but I can not. Not right now. Maybe because he plays shortstop and Omar Vizquel spoiled us, maybe because he wear’s Bret Butler’s old #2 or maybe I just don’t think he is a “core guy”, whatever it is I need to see the consistent Peralta of 2005 and 2007 for me to lay off him. No more of this bipolar crap.
D is for Derailment
Paul Byrd (D), Asdrubal Cabrera (D+), Ryan Garko (D), Franklin Gutierrez (D), Jensen Lewis (D-), Jeremy Sowers (D-)
Derailment is the one word that can explain all of these guys. In 2007 it looked like all of these guys could be part of that “core” that the Indians need to complete for the playoffs consistently. In 2008 these guys don’t even look like they should be in the big leagues sometimes.
Byrd has continued his trend of following a good year with a bad one and was, at one time, on pace to break the MLB record for homers allowed in one season. He has always been hittable but this year has been ridiculous. It’s a nightly conga-line around the bases when the Byrdman pitches in 2008.
Cabrera, Garko and Gutierrez have been horrible at the plate after solid 2007 campaigns. For how outstanding he is in the field, the As-Man has been equally awful at the plate. Hopefully, his stint at AAA Buffalo will right his ship. I got spoiled yells “The As-Man Cometh!” every time he got a clutch hit during the 2007 stretch run. I miss those times… (A single tear running down my cheek.)
Garko is streaky and looks to be nothing more than a weak hitting, unathletic corner man at some moments. He’s been so bad that Casey Blake is getting regular time at first base. Gutierrez just looks lost at the plate and went almost a month at the plate without a hit. He may be only a 4th outfielder down the road unless he shows signs of life.
Lewis and Sowers have been bad but have shown glimpses of their 2007 and 2006 forms, respectively. Is Lewis’ problem his motion, velocity or both? Or is it the fact that the short form of his name is Jenny?
Sowers I am at a loss for any sort of reasoning. For a guy who looked so good in 2006 he had a rough sophomore year in 2007 but seemed to have a great attitude on getting back to where he could be. 2008 has shown nothing but the fact that if his control is anything short of pinpoint, he is in trouble.
The second half will go a long way in seeing where these guys fall into the Indians’ long term plans. They need to step it up or they may not be here in 2009.
What the F happened?!?
Rafael Betancourt (F), David Dellucci (F-), Tom Mastny (F), Brian Slocum (F-)
These guys have been worse than bad. Betancourt has been so, so bad it makes me want to puke. When you go from being the best set-up man in baseball to the worst you get and F. I expected a drop off but this is ridiculous. I now shudder when he comes into the game where as in 2007 you knew the game was over when he entered.
I gave Dellucci a B in my First Quarter Report Card with the comment that I wanted to punch myself in the face for it. Do you see why now? He teases us with an extra base hit now and again but it is the long stretches of strike-outs and pop outs to the catcher that are maddening. I bet you want to punch yourself in the face, too, when he is at bat.
Mastny has pitched a little better lately but overall has been a train-wreck. This is after looking like a real player two years ago and most of last year. Slocum I don’t have words for. He’s been that bad. It’s like I ate five Fiber One bars in one sitting and pooped eight times in 24 hours when he pitches. That’s the only description I can come up with. Way to step it up when you have a shot, guys.
Incomplete – Injured
Josh Barfield, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, Jake Westbrook
It is a shame Barfield got hurt because it would be nice to know if he fits into the Indians’ long term plans. Carmona and Martinez will hopefully be back after the All-Star break so we adequately judge if they are on their way back to being upper-tier players.
If Westbrook contributes significantly in 2009 I would be surprised. Let’s hope he is one of the guys who comes back stronger after Tommy John Surgery and not a guy who never regains his stuff. Jake is a likable, solid middle of the rotation guy that a lot of teams don’t have. He is another player who is often overlooked by the fans.
The 500 pound gorilla in the room is Hafner. Will the Pronk we all know and love return or will we be stuck with this Travis Hafner fellow who stinks? If it is the latter, there is a huge hole in the Tribe line-up in 2009. My fear is that he is done. He has just lost it mentally and that he will never regain it physically because of it. I hope and pray I am wrong. To see him hit from 2004 – 2006 was must see TV.
Incomplete – Too Little Time
Michael Aubrey, Matt Ginter, Juan Rincon, Jorge Velandia
Aubrey hit a couple of homers and played a great defensive 1B while he was here but did nothing to make be think he is more than an athletic, lighter hitting Ryan Garko. Ginter did a nice job in a spot start while Rincon has looked wild as hell since his promotion. Velandia is just filling a spot until Barfield or Cabrera return. Aubrey is the only one I see being here in 2009 and even that is a stretch due to his lack of power at a power position.
So there you have it. It has been a rough go of it for the Tribe, and their fans, in 2008. They need to use the rest of the season to get everyone healthy, see what they have in some of the younger guys and not be afraid to make moves to acquire some young talent. For if they do not do that, they have little chance of completing in 2010, let alone 2009.
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