ESPN's 'Aircheck' With Aaron Goldhammer

ESPN 850's Aaron Goldhammer was on 'Aircheck' with Cindy Brunson yesterday, and a topic discussed was the pregame 'antics' that have created a minor stir, first with LeBron taking a team photo in pregame, only to be countered by Shaq with a pregame bowling display recently before a Suns game.

Hammer had the following to say in regards to Cindy Brunson's what's with all this pregame stuff question:

"I think its so much fun, everybody always freaks out about the touchdown celebrations, and now the pregame antics in Cleveland, but I think its great man, you got LeBron taking the pictures of all the players, and they're jumping around having a good time. Listen, the Cavs have the best record in the NBA, and the reason for it, I think, aside from the fact that they have LeBron, and they're well coached and everything, is that they have a lot of fun. The guys like each other alot, they have a lot of team chemistry and camaraderie, how is that a bad thing? I heard people and callers on shows, on our station ESPN 850 WKNR today, blaming LeBron, calling out Shaq, turning this into a negative, I think its a big positive, its a bunch of guys having fun. I dont see how you could take this as Shaq and LeBron don't like each other, they are just having some fun together."

I agree with Hammer's points. This pregame stuff is great. One of the worst things that happened to the NFL in my opinion was when they cracked back on endzone celebrations. I love football, but I miss Joe Horn busting out a cell phone, TO doing the 'Ray Lewis Dance' and Chad Johnson doing what he was doing that year...that was sports entertainment at its finest. I couldn't wait for any of those guys to get in the endzone. This stuff with LeBron and Shaq is just as entertaining if you ask me, and way less disruptive to the game - if your an old school purist. Its before the game even starts for crying out loud!

Additionally, I also agree with Hammer's other point about the Cavaliers chemistry. While I do think that the camaraderie level is in large part due to the way LeBron interacts with his teammates, it certainly is very prevelevant throughout this whole team, and been a huge part of this team's success thus far this year. As a fan, I like to see it on display, and if its on display during the pregame, thats fine with me. Furthermore, I am hoping LeBron goes ahead and tops Shaq's PBA move, with something better.

Karl Formula Has Cavaliers On Top

This post was sent to us from Diego Lo Mein...a stat guru, and Cleveland sports aficianado.

Micheal Reghi was recently discussing the Karl formula on ESPN 850 WKNR, which he says is the best way to rank teams during a given season. The Karl formula is used to see where NBA teams stand, how they measure up to each other, and to take into account how many home and road games a given team had played.

The way the Karl formula works is to take your road wins, and subtract your home losses, to come up with a number. I guess George Karl came up with this.

Anyways, if you look at that, the Cavs are way ahead, with a net of 20. The breakdown is below:

Cleveland: 21 - 1 = 20
Boston: 22 - 5 = 17
LA Lakers: 21 - 4 = 17
Orlando: 21 - 7 = 14
San Antonio: 20 - 8 = 12

Top Men agree with Big Changes at WKNR

Way back in October, ESPN Cleveland brass sent out an email survey to its loyal listeners. One of the many topics they addressed was the afternoon "drive-time" slot from 3-6PM. Top Men are happy to report that the People Have Spoken, and KNR listened.

The 3Pm -6PM time slot was formerly held by Mark "Munch" Bishop. The self-proclaimed Proprietor of the Glass Half Full Tavern will now have plenty of time on his hands to have a few pints. Top Men (and DejaTrue) feel this is a move that should have happened a long time ago. You'll remember that Shaver Sports called for this move on Oct. 30th.

Munch was on air today after the announcement to accept his "promotion" to Sports Director of ESPN's 2 stations (850 and 1540). He will still be on air occasionally, probably similar to Greg Brinda's role. Fill-in for vacationing hosts, or post game call-in shows.

Even better news is who is replacing Munch. Michael Reghi takes over afternoon drive. Reghi wouldnt really have to try that hard to have a better program that Munch, but he started strong. On his first day he was loaded with guests including close friend, and former Cavs coach Mike Fratello, sidelined Cavs big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and 850 regular Bernie Kosar.

A late Christmas present from KNR. The gift of bearable radio.

Black Monday - Romeo Crennel Fired

Romeo Crennel has joined his former boss in the unemployment line this Monday morning. ESPN 850 KNR producer Darryl Ruiter confirmed that Browns Owner Randy Lerner had made the decision to fire the coach in his closed door, no recording device press conference this morning.

This move is a shock to no one, the search starts now for the next regime.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that the Browns are in the best situation of any of the teams with a head coaching vacancy. Someone please tell that to Bill Cowher. Many sources have said that Cowher is not interested in returning in '09. On Sunday night, WKYC's Jim Donovan reported that Scott Pioli is said to have interest in returning to Cleveland and may bring 33 year old Canton native Josh McDaniels with him.

Romeo will probably not be the last move coming from Berea. Tucker and Chud should be preparing their defense as we speak.

Edwards Drops the Ball...Again.

Luckily for Bray Bray, the news of Brady Quinn starting has taken a lot of focus off of a bad trend for #17. Braylon Edwards leads the league in Drops, according to Elias Sports Bureau. They have the number at 14. (a generous 14. We counted at least 3 more in the Shaver Sports Film room) A league high 14 Drops this year and we are only half way through the season? (2007 NFL Stats show Braylon was tied for league lead with Dallas Clark at 12.)

Just as bothersome as the drops is the lack of accountability that BE has shown. After last weeks embarassment, Edwards made himself unavailable again to the media, and according to ESPN Cleveland's Michael Reghi, that is 3 Games now that Edwards has had nothing to say. This is the same Braylon Edwards who was seen talking all off-season, promoting Yahoo! Fantasy Football, his own aspiring career in Hollywood, and making wagers with Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps (He would have been a lot better off if he bet Phelps he would have 2x more Drops than he had Gold medals). I guess Braylon only talks when the Going Is Good. Think we will hear from Braylon this week? I guess it depends if he scores a TD or not..

Either way, this kid has a lot of growing up to do, both On and Off the field.

Reghi Sounds Right from 3-6

Michael Reghi was on with Mark 'Munch' Bishop today on Munch's show from 3-6, and it left me thinking the same thing I think when I hear Fred McLeod do a Cavs game...why can't Reghi be on the air instead of this guy?

Nothing against Munch as a person...I just can't stand his radio show. I love listening to 850 and get mad when I have to turn the channel, but Munch makes do it. I find his show, sports knowledge, and commentary to be thoroughly awful.

On the flip side, I think Micheal Reghi is on point just about every time he breaks down the Cavs, Browns or Indians. It was awesome when he went off during Browns React earlier this year, and you have to respect a guy that goes to Berea to tell a Kamerion Wimbley why he said the things he said about him on the radio.

While Reghi cannot break down the 1972 St. Joe's Vikings the way that Munch can, he can break down College Football, the NFL, and the Association better than anyone on Cleveland radio. More Reghi seems like a no-brainer to me...I hope to hear more from him soon on 850.

Reghi Sounds Off On Browns React

Michael Reghi is the most fair and balanced voice in all of Cleveland Sports in my opinion. He was going off on the Browns tonight during his Browns React Show on ESPN 850 WKNR in response to their 28-10 showing against the old Browns. He asked questions that I would like to hear Phil Savage's answer to. Such as "name me who the play makers are on Defense...there aren't any." Reg went on to say what every honest Browns fan knows in regards to Phil's first round pick out of Florida State, Kameron Wimbley..."Wimbley is AWFUL, I repeat AWFUL." Said Reghi, "he brings nothing to the table, stop making excuses for him." Reghi also referenced Derek Anderson's QB rating from the game, which was 22.9. "You don't stay in the league too long with numbers like that," he said. "The Browns are 0-3 boys and girls, and you all know where 0-3 teams end up on December 31st, that is NOT IN the Playoffs." No truer words spoken Reg. Lets just start talking draft now...its over before it ever started.

Pryor Impressive in Win Over These Men of Troy

If the OSU Buckeyes don't win the National Title in the next three years, at least it will be fun to watch Number 2 for the rest of this season, and the next two after that. While the Bucks got embarrased by the West Coast's version of the Men of Troy Last Week, they were able to bouce back and beat Alabama's version of Troy this week. Pryor looked good today too, leading the Buckeyes to the their best win of the year (sorry MAC, Troy would beat the Bobcats and the Penguins). He was supposed to be only able to run at this stage of his development, but he looked close to the complete package throwing for four TD's, leading the Buckeyes to a 28-10 win.

For the ESPN 850 WKNR Pregame Show, the award goes to Jordan Sherwood, for being the closet to the final score with his prediction of 24-10. Kenny Roda predicted 24-17, not too bad, and Munch was the farthest away from being accurate with his prediction of 30-24; not too much faith in the old defense at the glass is half full tavern eh Muncher?

Rizzo's Favorite Beer is Now St. Pauli Girl

...and I can't blame him because so is mine. The St. Pauli Girl - Areana - was in the house today for the Really Big Show, and she sounded as hot as she is - pictured to the right. I am sure the official, unofficial drink of the Really Big Show is now St. Pauli Girl - dont tell Top Men. I also must say that I heard Rizz and Hammer drooling more today than the do for Free Food Fridays. When she said her favorite movie was Prison Break, and said that Jeff Thomas' 'voice sounded really hot' I couldnt help but picure Thomas going home, watching Prison Break over and over again, drinking St. Pauli Girl, and replaying that loop from when she said that on the show - over and over and ...I love you too Areana.

Paul Pierce Says LeBron is Toughest Cover in NBA

Since Sports Illustrated published their article a few months ago that said if Kobe Bryant is a Maserati than LeBron James is a Volvo, I have been waiting for someone to publically call shananigans on that bogus comparison. Paul Pierce, of all people, became that somebody on Friday while sitting in for Golic on Mike and Mike in the Morning. Greenie asked him the following: "You have covered Kobe, and you have covered LeBron, who is the toughest player to cover in the NBA?" Pierce didnt hesitate or waver when delivering his response. "I have been asked that question many times," Pierce said. "Kobe is the the most talented player in our league, but night in, night out, I would have to say LeBron is the toughest cover. He's got talent obviously, but the physical pounding he dishes out on a regular basis just wears you down." To me what makes the comment appear even more accrurate is the fact that LBJ and Pierce, publically, do not seem to really like each other all that much. The two got into it in the preseason a year before last, and seem to have been sniping at each other on the court ever since. Dont get me wrong, I know Kobe can play, and I will give him the MVP last year if you want to award him for his body of work over his career. I am even fine with someone saying that they give a slight edge to Kobe...I disagree, I am taking LBJ everytime, but I will give you a slight edge there in the debate I guess. But what I am not fine with are the comments that Kobe is the best player in the NBA and it is not even close...as close as Maseratis are to Volvos - that is ridiculous. It is close, and the edge could even go to James - depending on who you ask. But if you dont believe me, ask Mark Jackson's B.F.F. Paul Pierce, he'll tell give you the 'Truth.'