Congratulations to Joe Banek, who became our first EVER Wall of Fame photo contest winner.
As you can see, Joe knows a few things about celebrating an achievement.
Thanks to all that entered and we’ll do this again soon.
Joe’s prize: our NEW Armchair Quarterback Mini trophy.
http://www.fantasytrophies.com/ft/product/football/armchair-mini

It’s nice to see a player get rewarded for not only his hard work on the field, but for his class and dignity off of it as well. Josh Cribbs has done everything, and then some, that the Cleveland Browns have asked of him. He’s become arguably the best kick/punt returner in NFL history, is now the face and leader of the franchise, and has set up numerous charities that make a true impact on the lives of so many. You get the feeling with Cribbs that if the Browns asked him to sell hot dogs at halftime he’d wonder “footlong or regular?” Let’s just say that he was never mistaken for Braylon Edwards.

Cribbs came out of Kent State as an undrafted QB that got an opportunity with the Browns because they kept the tradition Paul Brown started with the team by giving local talent a chance to tryout. He made the best of that opportunity. Never once, even after making the team, did he complain that he should be a QB and that his talent wasn’t being properly utilized. Instead he put everything he had in to his new role as a return and coverage guy. He quickly became a fan favorite because of it.

When Phil Savage promised a new deal, Cribbs stayed patient and optimistic. He let his play do the negotiating for him. Soon Eric Mangini would become the one holding his future in his hands and again, Cribbs remained focused on his job. It wasn’t until after the season ended that he finally stated his frustration with the team and said he thought his days in Cleveland were coming to an end. Luckily it never got to that point.
Mike Holmgren came in and expressed his desire to keep Cribbs during his first press conference with the team and he stayed true to his word. A true breathe of fresh air. Cribbs’ contract will hopefully go further than what it will do for just him and his family. It’s obvious that the desire of the team is that it will show other players that if you bust your ass, stay out of trouble, become a team player, and handle your business internally- you’ll be rewarded in the end. Oh, and don’t punch Lebron’s friend in the face.
If only all players could live by Josh Cribbs’ formula for success. -DM

Ahh, opening day will be hear soon and so will the impending misery of another season of Indians baseball.

The guy lost in the shadows created by the spotlight on the Antawn Jamison deal is the one signing the checks. Dan Gilbert is truly the unsung hero in Cleveland right now and the fans should recognize what he’s meant to this franchise and the city. Cleveland fans have never had an owner willing to throw caution to the wind and go after key players in order to bring a championship to their city. Players like Andre Rison, Orel Hershiser, Pedro Martinez and Jamal Lewis don’t quite cut it. However, Giblert is ultimately responsible for bringing in talent that will hopefully serve as the key part of the “persuasion package” he is putting together to get Lebron to stay in the city by the lake. He’s given GM Danny Ferry the green light to go out and get what is needed to put the Cavaliers over the hump. I must say, I’m not familiar with this type of ownership. Cleveland fans have always been fed the company line in one form or another. You know the one- “We’re a small market team that is trying to compete.” The Indians seem to have this carved in stone at Progressive Field. Gilbert doesn’t live by that notion. He’s building this team his way- by his rules. He’s an owner committed to bringing not only a championship to Cleveland, but a thriving downtown as well. A star of Lebron’s caliber has to recognize the commitment. If you’re a Cavs fan you certainly hope so. Lebron has always said that his decision at the end of the year will be based on a team’s ability to compete and win championships. The Cavaliers are certainly at that level and look to be for a long time under Gilbert’s ownership.
Yes, Dan Gilbert may be in the shadows right now, but if his commitment to winning produces a long term deal with Lebron I think they’ll be plenty of lights on him then. They’ll just be in the form of spotlights shining on the statue they’ll erect of him in Public Square. -DM

The Armchair Big Man

The conversation on every Cleveland sports comments page or blog is about Amare Stoudemire- and rightfully so. The Phoenix power forward is believed to be headed to my beloved Cavaliers and I couldn’t be happier. Well, unless it all pans out in the end and the Cavs end the championship drought Cleveland has been in since the Browns won the NFL championship back in 1964. That’s 1964 people! I’m 39 years old and haven’t seen a championship of any sort in my lifetime. The thought by many is that Stoudemire can change all of that. I’m one of those who believes he can.
The Cavaliers need another player to take even more pressure off of Lebron come playoff time. A player that can be relied upon to score and keep a team honest on defense when Lebron or Mo Williams drive the lane. A power forward who will pose nightmares for Kevin Garnett and Pau Gasol. Yes, the Cavs may have the best record in the NBA right now, but they’ve seen what a great record can get you- a seat in the stands come the NBA Finals. Best records mean nothing in the playoffs, talent does.
The Cavaliers and GM Danny Ferry need to make this deal happen. They need to show Lebron that even though he’d obviously make more money in NY come 2011 because of the endorsement opportunities, he’d be far away from winning it all. Rebuilding is always a gamble and one that hopefully the King is unwilling to take. Yes, the time is NOW to go for it all. Get Stoudemire and end the drought.

I miss the old NBA. I miss players like Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins, George “The Ice Man” Gervin, World B. Free, Moses Malone, Magic, Bird -and of course, Dr. J. Though the argument can be made that the athletes of today are more athletic and skilled, the game back then seemed to be about something more- something real. It was a day before major shoe contracts and endorsements deals. A time when guys played to win and not so that they could “get paid” when their existing contracts expired. It was about loyalty to a city and to a franchise. At least it felt that way. A time when rivalries dominated the game and dynasties had to be conquered. Ahh, the good ‘ol days. Boy do I sound like my Dad right now.
I think back to that feeling of when I was a kid and walked into Richfield Coliseum for the first time and saw Dr. J warming up. Being in awe because I was in the same building as Julius Erving. Sitting and watching his every move. First from the cheap seats and then, after halftime, from midcourt thanks to my Dad’s sneaky maneuver.
I think back to the days when my bedroom walls were covered floor to ceiling with posters of all the players I admired. I had em all- including Kareem’s sky hook, The Doctor doing a finger roll and Moses Malone parting the basketball sea. My room was a sports Sistine Chapel- a tribute to the greats who helped shape the game.
I suppose all of this reminiscing is because the All-Star game will be played today and, much like myself, my son will have absolutely no interest in it. Even though I’m sure I’ll at least catch the last 5 minutes. It’s just that now the game feels that it’s more about what shoes will be unveiled (Lebron) and discussing who will be on what team next year. (hopefully NOT Lebron) A game that will be bombarded with product placement ads and seeing what player is in the most commercials pushing who knows what. I suppose I just need to come to grips with the fact that we’re in an era that is more about selling those products than the game itself. It’s hard to do.

Yes, I miss Dr. J and the old NBA. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
-DM

Here’s a little bit of the Doc- enjoy.

If the reports are true and the Cleveland Cavaliers are in serious negotiations with the Phoenix Suns to get PF Amare Stoudemire, Lebron’s chances at his first NBA championship are getting even better. Yes, the Cavs are in the midst of the longest winning streak of the year and have the best record in the NBA as it is. However, Stoudemire is one of those rare players in the league that pose match-up problems every time he laces ‘em up and the thought of him and Lebron as teammates is a frightening thought. Especially for opposing coaches. Throw in the intimidating factor of Shaq’s game and the penetrating ability of Mo Williams and the Cavs would be looking like the clear favorites to win the title this year. Now it’s no doubt true that the Shaq/Stoudemire experiment in Phoenix was a complete flop and the chemistry of the team seemed to go downhill once Shaq and Stoudemire became running mates. Looking back, that was a different type of team that, before Shaq came on board, relied on an up tempo offense and Steve Nash’s ability to distribute the ball. Plenty of “experts” thought Shaq would slow the offense down and clog up the middle once he went to Phoenix and they were ultimately right.
Stoudemire on the Cavaliers, with Shaq and Lebron, would be a different story though. The Cavs rely on their defense to kick start their offense and don’t need to push the ball up the floor to create scoring opportunities. A large majority of their points come out of the halfcourt set and Lebron’s ability to create and find the open man. Stoudemire would fit perfectly into the Cavs style. He would give them that one guy that can score with his back to the basket and consistently hit the 15 foot jumper if need be. Just imagine the defense trying to decide between doubling Lebron or having to leave Amare straight up -5 feet from the basket. Pick your poison. He would create an instant match-up nightmare for the elite teams in the East and would no doubt be a part of the best one/two punch in the NBA.
Of course it would be difficult giving up a young, talented guy like J.J. Hickson and possibly Z or draft picks for a player that could be gone at the end of the year. But you can’t get something for nothing and all-star talent has to come at a hefty price. Plus, the Cavaliers time to win is NOW and demonstrating to Lebron their commitment to winning is what will ultimately be their biggest allure in getting The King to resign with them during the off-season. Convincing Stoudemire to stay with Lebron wouldn’t be bad either.
I say pull the trigger if it’s possible and go for it all while the window of opportunity is still wide open.
What do you think?-DM

Joe Thomas discusses a few things regarding the Browns.