An Email to Delonte West...

Delonte West missed practice today, and Mike Brown said the absence was unexcused.

Go to Stepien Rules for details:

An Email to Delonte West...

Browns Season Ticketholders Seek Advocacy Help from Ralph Nader?

At this point, in the history of the world, there may not be a group of consumers in more of a need for a high-powered consumer advocacy campaign than Cleveland Browns Season Ticket holders. Could Ralph Nader be getting involved? We can only hope.

Go to StepienRules for details:

A collection of thoughts on a Sunday night

A.L. Casoni presents.... "Are they that bad?"

I'll start this piece off by answering the question. Yes, the Browns are that bad. There is no reason to even try and rationalize it. I just reviewed the schedule, and I see a maximum of 2 wins. This team should stroll in to their week 9 bye fresh off of ripping off their 8th straight loss. Let's review. Already 0-3. Sunday they play the Bengals, followed by the Bills, Steelers, Packers, and Bears. See a win in there? If they have any chance of winning before the bye, it will happen in the next 2 weeks. I am a firm believer in a "hangover" game, and that could happen with the Bengals after a terrific comeback win over Pittsburgh. Next, the Bills are a mess. Wait, so are the Browns. A bigger mess then Buffalo, and this game is in Buffalo. That brings us back to week 4. We have 1 opportunity to win before the bye week. If you look at the Browns starting 22 (offense/defense combined), we have roughly 5 players who would start on nearly every team in the NFL. Braylon, Joe Thomas, Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson and Shaun Rogers. If you throw in special teams, you could include Cribbs in the mix without a doubt, sure. That's it.... That means we have 17 starting players who would be lucky to be in the 2 deep depth chart on most NFL teams. How can you win football games with these people? You want the quarterback ordeal solved? Line Cribbs up behind center and let him play ball. Seriously, I would put Cribbs in at qb, let him run the "wildcat" (i hate that term by the way), and let him do his thing. What do you have to lose? The guy can throw the rock, he was a quarterback in college at Kent. Who said they can't run a college style offense? Run options, run slip screens, do whatever. Who cares at this point. I typically say at this point in the season that the season is only 3 games in, and don't give up hope, but this is a different deal. The season is finished, and if you don't believe it, you need your head examined. By the way, who in the hell came up with the name "Mangenius?" Probably someone who doesn't think the Browns season is over yet I guess....

Late

A.L. Casoni presents.... "Against All Odds"

In an effort to keep the woeful Browns out of your head, I decided to try and help make everyone some money in a segment entitled "Against All Odds". I'll be giving everyone my picks against the line for every game this weekend. I certainly do not consider myself by any means a good gambler, but we're going to give it a go anyways. Here goes.......

Washington (-6) @ Detroit. I like the Lions in this one. They eventually have to win, or at least cover, right? Washington looked awful against a "worse then the Browns" Rams team last weekend, and Portis is banged up.

Green Bay (-6.5) @ St. Louis. Green Bay, no hesitation. If you need more info, see above.

San Fran (+7) @ Minnesota. I am still not sold on either of these teams despite both of them being 2-0. I don't like this game, but history shows west coast teams do not perform well when heading east and playing in a 1:00 game. Take the Favre's.

Atlanta (+4.5) @ New England. The Pats should be 0-2, no question. I still can't believe the Bills choked that opener. I have heard everyone say the Pats are not going to be that good this year, and i somewhat get that, but I am not ready to believe that yet. Lot of offense in this game and the Patriots cover.

Tennessee (+2) @ NY Jets- Will the Titans fall to 0-3? Is Sanchez going to take the Jets to 3-0? The Jets defense is solid, but Sanchez still has a lot to prove. I don't think a team in Tennessee that went 13-3 last year falls to 0-3. I like the team from the Music City in this one. Also, I would like to thank the schedule makers in 3 out of 4 fantasy leagues I am in for deciding that week 2 was a good time for my squads to play against Chris Johnson.

Kansas City (+7.5) @ Philadelphia. The Chiefs are bad, Vick is back, and its in Philly. Will someone eventually agree with me and say that Cassell is a 1 year wonder who was surrounded by an incredible offense last year? Take the Birds

NY Giants (-6.5) @ Tampa. I do think this will not be a good game for the Giants. They are banged up again on the defensive line, and they are coming off 2 battles the last 2 weeks. However, they are playing the Bucs. Take the G-men

Cleveland (+13.5) @ Baltimore. Um.................. Ravens. The line should be more than this. One of these days the Browns may surprise us like when they beat the Giants on Monday night last year, but it won't be this one.

Houston (-3.5) @ Jacksonville. This may be the toughest matchup. You have no idea which Texan team or Jaguar team will show up. Something tells me this game is decided by a field goal, so Jacksonville...

Chicago (-2.5) @ Seattle. Forte runs all over the Seahawks which should make fantasy owners put his 2 previous games behind them. Seneca Wallace is just not a good quarterback also. Da Bears...

New Orleans (-6) @ Buffalo. This Saints team is something else. Is Brees serious with this start? I still think the Bills have a lot of questions to answer on defense with some of their injuries. The Saints march in to Buffalo and take care of business

Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Cincinnati. I think the Bengals are going to surprise a lot of teams this year, just ask Green Bay. I would pay money to see the Steelers start 1-2, but that just won't happen. The over under on this game should be 19, but the Steelers cover.

Denver (+1.5) @ Oakland. This Bronco team is very underrated. Their defense is solid, and Kyle "the beard" Orton is due for a big game in this one. Love Denver in this one.

Miami (+6) @ San Diego. Another tough one, but I like the Dolphins. Merriman is banged up, Tomlinson is out. Rivers threw for like 500 yards against the Ravens last weekend, he can't repeat that. I think San Diego wins, but the Fins cover.

Indianapolis (+2.5) @ Arizona. So let me get this straight. Peyton Manning leads an incredible drive against the Dolphins last week to win the game (and cover the line) in the last few minutes, and he is rewarded by being an underdog in the desert? Colts. The Colts running game is a mess, but I still like them.

Carolina (+8.5) @ Dallas. Jerry Jones looked pretty salty after his squad fell to the Giants in his opening game in that stadium, city, small village, whatever you want to call it. Carolina is just not looking too good right now. I like the Boys...


Good luck and remember, I'm no expert...

Welcome to Cleveland Party for Shaq

The Barley House in Cleveland is hosting a Welcome to Cleveland Party for Shaquille O'Neal on Sunday September 27th, and basically every star in the world is scheduled to be there.

Go to Stepien Rules for details:

Welcome Shaq Party...Featuring David Huff

How About the Stephen Jackson Trade Now?

When Stephen Jackson first said he wanted to be traded to the Cavaliers it was pretty easily dismissed at the time. But with the uncertainty that currently surround Delonte West, what about that now?

Go to Stepien Rules for details on the latest:

Stephen Jackson Anyone?

Cavs Beat: Update on Delonte Situation

With details slow to emerge, Cavs beat reporters Bob Finnan and Brian Windhorst weigh-in offering perspective and insight into the Delonte West situation.

Go to Stepien Rules for details:

Cavs Beat: Delonte West Situation

Cavalier Bloggers Wanted!

Stepien Rules...A Cavaliers Blog is currently looking to add bloggers to its staff for upcoming season.

If you are an NBA fan, passionate about the Cleveland Cavaliers, go to Stepien Rules for details:

Stepien Rules: Bloggers Wanted!

Delonte West Arrested With 3 Loaded Guns

Scary and sad news about Delonte West...arrested yesterday with 3-loaded weapons.

Go to Stepien Rules for details:

Delonte West Arrested with 3 Loaded Guns

LBJ to Star in Comedy Fantasy Basketball Camp

LBJ is scheduled to be a movie star, and he didn't need New York to do it.

Go to Stepien Rules for details, and discussion for the implications of this on the summer of 2010:

LBJ The Movie Star: Applaud him Cleveland

Will There Ever Be Another Short, White, American Born, BBall HOF'er?

Is John Stockton the last short, white, American-Born, B-Baller who will ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Go to Stepien Rules for a detailed list of all possible candidates:

Stockton: Last Short, White, US -Born Hall of Famer...Ever

A.L. Casoni presents.... Recap of Game 1

Did you really think the Browns were going to win at halftime? Seriously, did you really want to believe that the defense was going to shut down Peterson for the entire game? There were a few highlights, so let's start with that. I was somewhat impressed with Jamal Lewis. I think he ran the ball hard, and caught a few balls out of the backfield. Obviously the return by Cribbs was the highlight of the day for the Browns. Other than that, I don't have a ton to say. The play calling was bad, really bad. I know we are trying to run a conservative offense. I get that. I don't agree, but I get it. If we are running a conservative offense, why do we decide to run the "wildcat" look on 3rd and goal from the 1 yard line? Give the football to Jamal and let him take it in. Period. There should have been no other play call. Its going to be a long year, I said it before and I'll say it again. I did however come up with 3 headlines to post from this game.

First- We really, really, really, really (add 17 more reallys) messed up by not taking Adrian Peterson. The guy is the best running back in the NFL, and he is just starting his second campaign. That 50 yard touchdown run, or whatever it was, solidified him as the best back and the Browns as the worst tackling team in the league.

Second- Percy Harvin will be one of the best receivers/playmakers in the league in a couple years. The guy is just flat out dangerous when he has the rock.

Third- Robert Royal is going to soon become a "must start" fantasy tight end soon. Call it what you want, but Quinn can't throw the ball further then 17 yards without looking like a high school trumpet player throwing the pigskin. Royal provides Quinn a safe target, and most defenses still believe he is a worthless tight end and won't defend him properly.


Good news is there were a few teams today that played worse. The Rams and Lions certainly come to mind. We'll see you in Denver....

Late

LeBron in Browns Gear for Vikings Game?

Unconfirmed reports indicate that LeBron was rocking Brownies gear at the opener today against the Vikings. If true, could be lone highlight of afternoon with the exception of Josh Cribbs' TD.

Go to Stepien Rules for Details:

LeBron at Browns Game in Cleveland Gear

Cavs to Play Regular Season Game in Akron

The Cavaliers' Intrasquad scrimmage is to be held at Akron's JAR Arena on October 3rd but is it possible that the Cavaliers could schedule a regular season home game in LBJ's hometown of AKR?

Go to StepienRules for details:

Cavs to Play Regular Season Game in Akron

Cavalier Rotation Questions...

Danny Ferry has been active this offseason, and through his efforts, he has delivered a roster that ESPN has ranked as the best in the Eastern Conference. The questions now becomes who plays, when, and how does Mke Brown effectively manage this rotation. Stepien Rules took a look at some of those questions this week, in their series:

Cavs Rotation Questions...

Monday - Who Starts
Tuesday - Who Makes Active Roster
Wedensday - Managing Shaq's Minutes
Thursday - Go Big or Go Small