Mark Leonard

March 2008 - Posts

• On Davidson's fall

  For a moment there, I thought we were about to witness a Lorenzo Charles moment. Charles, fans might recall, was the recipient of the short Derek Whittenberg shot in the final moments of NC State's NCAA finals versus Houston's Phi Slamma Jamma. Charles went up to the right of the rim and directed the errant delivery through the hoop just before the buzzer sounded, signaling the Wolfpack's amazing upset of a talent squad led by future NBA stars (and world championship teammates) Hakeem Olijawan and Clyde Drexler. I don't know the name of the Davidson player, but number 15 was just to the left of the rim when Wildcat point guard Jason Richards' desperate heave was falling short of its desired destination. Would #15 have the instincts and foresight exhibited by Charles and, in the process, become his school's hero? Apparently not. What is more, replays reveal the game clock would likely not have permitted it anyhow. About the time the player's hands might've contacted the Richards shot, time would've expired. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises was astute in questioning the Davidson decision to have its superb outside-shooting threat Stephen Curry bring the ball up for the Wildcats' final possession, rather than leaving it in the capable hands of Richards, who'd have then had either Curry or Bryant Barr---who hit three second-half threes of his own---to choose from once Kansas set its D. Oh well. The more serious flaw may have been Head Coach Bob McKillop's determination to go for a three at that point, rather than remaining open to the idea of merely tying the score at 59. Perhaps his team's fatigue played into the thinking, as the school of only 1700 certainly had fewer numbers upon which to sustain its level of competitiveness. Kansas probably had non-participants who could've won starting jobs on the Davidson club.  At any rate, Davidson did not seem to allow itself an opportunity to tie, going instead for a do-or-die winning attempt that fell short---without intervention from either Lorenzo Charles or that number-fifteen guy. That losing squad's school name suggests its being an offspring of David, remindful of the Biblical youngster known for his mythical battle with the giant Goliath, metaphorical in this instance because Kansas is nearly synonymous with collegiate basketball excellence while Davidson was treading novel turf. Curious, too, that the network's score update permitted only the first five letters of the school's name at the bottom of the viewing screen, as if it were DAVID battling KANSAS. Interesting, too, that so many of the challenger's hopes rested upon the performance of a boyish, slightly-built, courageous contender like Curry, whose frailty and marksmanship is reminiscient of former UCLA and longtime Pacers' sharpshooter Reggie Miller---though Miller is possibly five inches taller.   Whatever the case, history was made. Rather than a ten-seed ascending to the final four for the first time since the field was expanded to 64, all four of the top-seeds survived. North Carolina, whose legendary coach Dean Smith preceded current leader Roy Williams' migration from Lawrence, now battles Kansas, while UCLA again confronts Memphis, the school against whom Bill Walton once made 20 of 21 in a memorable title-game display. And Davidson takes a seat, having ended its storybook run. Way to go, Wildcats. You made all us underdogs proud. Posted Mar 31 2008, 11:10 AM by MALeonard's Xanga

• Free-throwers going to Hal?

  Whenever I learn of another free-throw shooter struggling to hit even close to half his shots, I am reminded of a Marshall product who played long before most of you were born. When Wilt Chamberlain was playing with the Philadelphia 76'ers, one of his backcourt aces was a star named Hal Greer. His memory is being resurrected here because he did something I've never seen anyone else do---before or since---and he did it extremely successfully. Hal shot soft jumpers when sent to the free-throw line, just lightly lifting with his toes upon release. He was outstanding in so doing and causes me to wonder why more who struggle when stationary at the line don't employ his method. After all, the jump shot seems far more comfortable to most basketballers than does the free-throw methods customarily utilized. I can appreciate---as can most---the reluctance of most manly athletes to comply with the suggestion that the under-handed, between-the-knees approach made famous by Rick Barry (and later copied by Wilt) be tried. It's far more admirable to miss repeatedly than to succeed at something as simple as a free throw, right? That kind of reasoning frosts the ever-controversial Barry, of course. At any rate, someone unable to exceed 38% of his tosses, as reportedly is true of Memphis big man Dorsey, should simply try Greer's preference. Shoot jumpers from the line. Most ballers good enough to win scholarships at major universities can probably hit at least fifty percent of his uncontested jumpers, inasmuch as he has a clear view of the hoop. Anyone hitting only 38% under those circumstances is probably not good enough to earn major minutes on anyone's court anyhow, unless he is one helluva bounder and defender. Perhaps this suggestion will also work for Cavalier big  man Ben Wallace, supposedly the all-time worst NBA free-throw shooter. Speaking of the Cavs, there is suddenly some justifiable panic about the rotations of Head Coach Mike Brown, particularly as they are affected by the huge mid-season three-way trade. There is now so little time for the club to achieve synchronicity so contributory to a post-season run, a reality that has been aggravated by an untimely bout with injury and illness. Since I am clearly afflicted with a suggestive disposition, perhaps the coach should relegate all the new guys---as well as the too-often-unavailable Sasha Pavlovic---to bench duty, employing them only as reserve pieces during the playoffs. This would have Lebron James out there with four guys who not only know him but one another, as well. Put Anderson Varejao in Drew Gooden's vacated four spot and Devin Brown at the two. Daniel Gibson gets the start at point, with Z in his customary center slot. Largely, this is the core of the club anyway. No one is saying so, but it seems believable that Joe Smith's knees necessitate judicious employment of the guy who'd then become Z's backup, inheriting his pick-and-pop assignments. Ben Wallace's back issues suggest he cannot be relied upon for fulltime use or heavy minutes. Let him backup Andy. Devin is far better defensively than Sasha and is also much more creative and diverse offensively. He sets a better tone starting than does Pavlovic, whose never been celebrated for his toughness. He can, however, help  Wally generate some points with the off-the-bench bunch, while Delonte West orchestrates from the point. These configurations figure to give this team the best chance to win and sustain its viability deepest in the playoffs. In fact, above all others, Damon Jones is probably the best bet for instant offense if asked to join the regulars as the sixth man. He is far more familiar with them than any of those identified as second-stringers. Finally, you've got to hand it to the Pistons, who continue to exhibit an awareness of the sport too few NBA outfits seem to get. On the very night that organization honored former GM Jack McCloskey for his "Trader Jack" accomplishments in Motown, it was largely the play of physical big men that distinguished the two competing teams. Auxilary components Antonio McDyees, Theo Ratliff and Jason Maxiel dominated for the home team inside, with roughness, toughness, exuberance and raw-boned banging. It was McCloskey who fleeced the Cavaliers of Bill Laimbeer decades ago, virtually signaling the start of the Bad Boys days. Pairing the Notre Damer from Pacific Palisades with Rick Mahorn---notorious for his unpunished elbow to Mark Price's temple---McCloskey provided for a signature moment the club maintains to this day. Austin Carr calls it "old school...That's just the way it's done." For Detroit guard Chauncey Billups, it goes like this: "I'm sure any other team in our division would be partying if they had a chance to win the division. But for us, it's not that big of a deal. We're playing for something bigger." He can talk that way because the Pistons just won their sixth divisional title in seven years. Style of play, featuring rough and tumble bigs, might have something to do with that, don't ya think?       Posted Mar 30 2008, 12:26 PM by MALeonard's Xanga

• As baseball '08 approaches

  Technically, of course, the 2008 regular season has already begun, though that was in Japan's Tokyo Dome, virtually a world away. But these are my thoughts as the new year is about to begin. These won't be divisional predictions or that type of thing, as personnel is moreso this writer's obsession. Since it would be inappropriate and unprofessional to pass borrowed knowledge as one's own, it is readily admitted some of what is to follow was at least inspired by sources such as The Sporting News, which published an outstanding preview with its March 24th issue. On the subject of citing quality work worth examining, be advised that espn.com's Rob Neyer generated a sure-to-be controversial piece March 25 in which he identifies his top 50 MLB prospects for the next five years. Be encouraged to read that work. And to further postpone the essence of today's entry, let me first dispense with what remains of last year's baseball experience. Call it sour grapes, if you will, but the David Stern influence on professional sport reared its head again last autumn, in this man's opinion. Stern, of course, is the commissioner of the NBA, but his blueprint has been studied and copied by the other professional leagues, apparently. For example, when was the last time the NBA passed on an opportunity to feature a post-season-deciding seventh game scheduled for national television on a Sunday? I'm too lazy to research it, frankly, but I foresaw the practice being emulated when the Cleveland-Boston series approached its climax last October. The tribe needed to win on Friday, which it entered up three games to one, or the outcome of Saturday's events would be very predictable. Sure enough, Boston won game five, forcing Fausto Carmona to deal with an extreme case of squeezing. The strike zone became so tiny for the young RHP that Sox hitters benefitted unfairly and undeniably. Then, too, Cleveland's World Series fate was compromised as soon as the Cubs went down and the Rockies became the NL representative. No way was MLB going to display a Cleveland-Denver series once the Chicago viewers were lost---not when a major East Coast market could be advanced instead. Though it is acknowledged publishing such commentary threatens what little credibility this site may possess, Carmona's Saturday confrontation against the rickety Curt Schilling turned the series on a playing field that was no longer balanced. There was too much money endangered for the ultimate outcome to be left to competitive determinations. Moving along, credit the Sox organization for having won with youngsters developed in its own system, excepting a few key components to be discussed later. Jonathon Papelbon, Clay Buchholz, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury spent most, if not all, of their maturing days on the Bosox farm. This was most fortuitous inasmuch as the Sox are otherwise a very old outfit. The mound corps features Mike Timlin (42), Tim Wakefield and Schilling (both now 41). Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitak are 35; Mike Lowell 34. At 32 are David Ortiz, JD Drew, Alex Cora and Julio Lugo. Without that aforementioned infusion of youth, this might be an End-Is-Near campaign.   It is worth noting that the Sox top two bats were signed away from AL Central squads playing in small-to-mid markets: Manny came from Cleveland and Ortiz from Minnesota, who remarkably non-tendered the then- underachieving, position-less slugger. Staff ace Josh Beckett migrated, too. In his case, it was the struggling franchise in Miami that coughed him up. So it should be amply evident the warped economics of baseball conspired to aid the Boston entry. Looking momentarily to the opposite coast, San Francisco is about to start as sorry a lineup as can be remembered, a direct consequence of having dedicated too much money and too many priorities in deference to the circus act that was Barry Bonds. Catcher and cleanup batter Bengie Molina returns as the leading RBI man, boasting a modest 81. Randy Winn (.300, 14, 65) is arguably the best all-around threat, so will bat third. In the two-hole will be 40-year-old Omar Vizquel and his NL-lowest .621 OPS, just ahead of 36-year-old 2b Ray Durham's .638. Setting the table for this gaggle of mediocrity will be 35-year-old leadoff guy Dave Roberts, who has two years and $12 mil remaining on his ridiculous contract. Durham has $7.5 mil coming his way after career lows in batting, OBP and slugging, with his already-diminished range establishing a new standard. On top of all this, one of the organization's few home-grown assets, inf Kevin Frandsen, who figured to open at 3b, was lost for the year with a recent Achilles rupture. This is a franchise that received only 89 rbi from its cleanup bats last year and can challenge with neither power nor speed. They're also grossly overpaying LHP Barry Zito and CF Aaron Rowand, their last two free-agent acquistions. Switch-hitting 1b Daniel Ortmeier and AAA OF Nate Schierholtz are the foremost hopes from the neglected farm system, though speedy 2b Eugenio Vasquez could come quickly. GM Brian Sabean might be wise to dangle Omar in front of the Red Sox in hopes they'll exchange Lugo and Coco Crisp for Vizquel and Roberts. As for Bonds, wouldn't SEA seem to be an ideal relocation? The M's have the rotation and the defense, but lack some LH pop and could easily open  the DH slot by moving former 2b Jose Vidro to RF, where currently a Brad Wilkerson/Mike Morse platoon prevails. What would be remarkable would be witnessing the impact Bonds' celebrity would have on the delicate ego of the overrated Ichiro Suzuki. John McCarren is the second consecutive Mariner manager, following Mike Hargrove, to ask more from Ichiro, specifically in the areas of base-stealing and run-production. Heretofore, the Japanese big shot has preferred to reside in a comfort zone that does not concern itself with what is necessarily best for his team. Did you realize Ichiro has not had a 30-double season since his 2001 rookie year? For comparison's sake, then Washington National platooning RF Ryan Church managed 43 last season. As for the Nats, switch-hitting 1b Dmitri Young figures to be relocating fairly soon, perhaps by the time this entry is submitted. Nick Johnson has returned from injury to reclaim the position Young occupied last season and is better in  all phases of the sport, especially on defense. Young can no longer factor as an OF, so he's probably in search of a DH-needy outfit. Young and injured Diamondbacks LH 3b/1b Chad Tracy (microfracture knee surgery) are two vets SF should consider, incidentally. Both are clutch, understated and quality batsmen. What is fascinating is that both of last season's Comeback Players of the Year were Detroit 1b castoffs: Young in the NL and Tampa's Carlos Pena for the AL. Ironically, Detroit now claims both of the respective leagues' defending batting titlists: Magglio Ordonez hit .363---while achieving .374 with RISP over the past three seasons---while Edgar Renteria stroked .332 for Atl. Has that ever happened before? On the subject of former Det 1b, whatever happened to Chris Shelton? How could a RH bat that used the whole field and concentrated on merely making contact disappear from the scene? Hadn't he fueled the 2006 Detroit AL title? San Diego is a club that has gotten a great deal of mileage from AL discards. 1b Adrian Gonzalez, c Josh Bard, 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff and All-Star RHP Chris Young are strong examples. Where would that club be without that quartet? OF Jody Gerut and the positionless Justin Huber came aboard this week, doubtlessly hoping to mimic their successes. Though most of their stellar careers have been in the NL, OFs Brian Giles and Jim Edmonds also started in the AL. Brian's brother Marcus, who played 2b for both Atl and SD, was released by Colorado and is currently unemployed.  Baltimore is another organization that is again rebuilding and might be wise to liquidate a few of its aged assets. 3b Melvin Mora and 1b Kevin Millar are both 36 and more appropriate for a veteran contender. Were Minn able to deliver to the O's Rockies backup SS Clint Barmes and a RH DH---like recent Ranger discard Nelson Cruz, for example---the makings of a respectable exchange would exist. The Twins are gambling vet Mike Lamb will field well enough to handle 3b, apparently resisting the urge to return RF Michael Cuddyer to the hot corner (though finding a corner OF bat is easier to find than a strong-hitting 3b). Mora would be better than either there, adding a higher average, better table-setting skills and base-running speed. Millar would make a nice DH platooner for Lamb, though Kevin hit but .236 with RISP for Balt last season. Adding both Mora and Millar to the Twins' lineup would surely help negate the losses of Torii Hunter and Johan Santana, as Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Delmon Young, platooners Craig Monroe/Jason Kubel and Lamb present the promise of a respectable offense. Baltimore, for its part, might make a nice new home for Cleveland 3b Andy Marte. In OFs Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, the O's have the beginnings of a core. A comeback from Aubrey Huff would help.  Extending the concept of matching expendable solutions with new employers, LA's Juan Pierre should be sent to StL, not only to open the Dodgers' OF corners for Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, but to provide Tony LaRussa's squad a much-needed speed threat for CF and leadoff. Otherwise, StL should look hard into acquiring Angels' spare parts Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales. As TSN reports: "This is shaping up to be a disastrous season in St. Louis." LA's OFs, by the way, combined to hit only 35 homers last season, helping to make the argument for the signing of former Brave Andruw Jones and the installation of both Kemp and Ethier. Pierre, who would move to LF for LA with Jones' arrival, not only has no power, but his arm invites runners to take liberties. Houston's Carlos Lee ranks up there with Pierre among dubious LFs. TSN describes him as "the worst LF in the NL... his weight is going up." With that the case, perhaps Cecil Cooper should've investigated Lee's prospects as a 1b, returning Lance Berkman to the OF. Then again, Cooper was an outstanding glove at first base and may prefer compromising D in the OF rather than in the infield. Another organization that should've experimented with a LF's conversion to 1b is the Yankees, especially with the knee difficulties Hideki Matsui is experiencing. Johnny Damon has taken over LF anyway, and Matsui would seemingly require no time at all to exceed what Jason Giambi can do at first---a remarkable truth given that Giambi came up in Oak as a 3b. NY would be better off were Matsui and Giambi able to keep one another fresh by sharing 1b/dh duties.  It had been thought Oak would benefit from signing veteran utility man Chris Woodward, as their order is heavy with LH bats and Woodward would present a potent RH platoon option, while protecting at possibly seven positions. Instead, the Yankee castoff settled on a minor-league deal with Phila. NY evidently decided to reconstruct their bench around veterans, testing not only Woodward but Astro castoffs Morgan Ensberg (3b) and Jason Lane (OF/1b). All are RH bats with some power. SF possibly looked into signing all three---or at least should have. The Yanks might be wise to soon install 2b Robinson Cano as its new leadoff guy, moving the declining Damon to the ninth hole, where he could reset the order. Cano is one of the few homegrown Yankee regulars, though the rotation will feature rookies Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and is a rising star of the first degree. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera are other positional regulars who've played their entire careers in pinstripes. NY is a slow, aged collection that could precipitously decline this year, unless its few youngsters can energize and sustain their customary excellence. Since mention has often been made of TSN's quality information, it might interest to mention the mag ranks Indians' castoff Brandon Phillips the 15th-best fantasy player in all of baseball this year. Now Cinn's cleanup hitter and only its second-ever 30/30 guy, Phillips is considered superior to any Cleveland performer, including 24th-ranked Grady Sizemore. Don't be stunned if KC finally gives up on pedestrian CF David DeJesus. That club is finally constructing a solid core, but DeJesus has heretofore failed to properly set the table or ignite the operation as the leadoff piece. With the attack already compromised by the necessities of catcher John Buck and SS Tony Pena, the Royals need more than the streaky DeJesus has characteristically provided. Joey Gathright is an option, certainly, but lanky lefty Mitch Maier has the look of a real comer. It is too bad Mike Sweeney---17 years a Royal but now in Oak---simply broke down too regularly, as he'd otherwise seem an ideal fit among the young and talented KC bats. Instead, KC felt compelled to replace him with oft-troublesome OF Jose Guillen. His fit would seem to be questionable. He'll be asked to fill the cleanup slot and balance an otherwise LH-heavy order, coming off a 99 rbi year with Seattle. KC's lineup last season managed an MLB-low 102 homers. Another KC stunner was their designation of LH starter Jorge De la Rosa, who'd look better in Cleveland's pen than Aaron Fultz' replacement Craig Breslow. De la Rosa performed very well against lefties (and the Tribe) last year, losing one complete game to them 1-0 on a Franklin Gutierrez HR. He's going to help someone. In fact, the biggest fear is that Detroit will address its dubious pen with a piece like De la Rosa and/or Pirate southpaw Damaso Marte, an individual I feel may become the number-one most impactful in-season difference-maker. Marte is death to lefty bats and has often tormented the Tribe. Cleveland should do business with its former front-office executive Neil Huntington, now the Pittsburgh GM, if only to keep Marte from joining one of its AL rivals. What Huntington must do is improve the Pirates drafting. Recent number-one picks Andrew McCollough (CF) and Jonathan Van BenSchotten (RHP) have yet to emerge for their perenially-needy varsity, further retarding organizational progress. It has been 15 years since last the Pirates had a winning record. They have averaged fewer than 70 wins over the last five seasons. What is more, Pitts lacks LH pop, especially in the lower half of their order, seeming to need someone to at least platoon at 3b or in a corner OF spot. They could also use a big-time table-setter at leadoff, though they might have found that piece in younster Nyjer Morgan. In the meantime, it's Nate McLouth in for the injured Chris Duffy, flanked by Jason Bay and Xavier Nady in an uninspiring OF cast. At the other end of the spectrum, Ariz figures to have as good a threesome at the top of their rotation as any in all of baseball, so long as the 44-year-old Randy Johnson has something to offer. Dan Haren arrived from Oak to join Brandon Webb atop the Diamondbacks' staff. With kids Chris Young, Conor Jackson, Mark Reynolds, Stephen Drew and Justin Upton merely scratching the surfaces of their considerable potentials, this may be a frightening organization for years to come. It is headed by another GM (Josh Byrnes) who polished his craft under Cleveland's Mark Shapiro, as is NL champion Colorado (Dan O'Dowd).   TSN ranks AL teams as its five best in its inaugural power poll, with NL clubs occupying slots 6-11, as well as four of the final six. Sizemore is its pre-season AL MVP, with Colo's Matt Holiday the NL favorite. On the other hand, the magazine discloses some distressing stats relative to Tribe DH Travis Hafner, who once was thought to be slump-proof by this observer. Hafner's batting average dropped 42 points and his slugging percentage fell a whopping 208 points last year, while he hit only .224 with RISP. What also concerns is the Tribe's being heavy with slow-footed, station-to-station, largely RH types 5-9 in their current order. Though he is coming off two straight injury-marred campaigns and makes way too much for any team to welcome, Oak LH 3b Eric Chavez might come available as relief for that condition. The A's are definitely going young, are in need of RH power and might be willing to absorb some of Chavez' contract, along with kid 3b Andy Marte. The downside is Chavez is on the books for about $14 mil/yr. and had both shoulders and his back operated on during the off season. Should he regain his relative health, he is also a gold-glover, a great clubhouse guy and a tough out. To end on a more encouraging note, the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland's opposition during the opening week, ranked last in the AL in batting average, on-base percentage and runs scored last year. Their BA was last in all of baseball. To that mix, however, they experienced the additions of some quality influences in RH setup man Scott Linebrink, SS Orlando Cabrera---arguably Anaheim's MVP, a very inspirational leader---OF Nick Swisher, another real gamer, and Cuban defector Alexi Ramirez, who can play multiple positions but may open at 2b. These are indicators that the team realizes it is old, sliding and in need of immediate infusions. Jose Contreras is about cooked. Mark Buehrle may begin to manifest wear after seven straight seasons of pitching more than 200 innings. And their D does not impress.  Whomever it is you root for, enjoy the 2008 MLB campaign. Imagine how much better things would be if the economic inequities of the sport were corrected ---and the purity of its competitors' blood assured. As with most of the projections this entry contains, these are but one fan's fantasies. Posted Mar 29 2008, 11:17 AM by MALeonard's Xanga

• Too many marginals on Tribe?

  One should not scoff at or argue with 96 wins in any given MLB season, particularly one achieved against the competition in one of baseball's toughest divisions. What was accomplished by the 2007 Cleveland Indians was remarkable, commendable and probably a sincere tribute to the composition and chemistry of that clubhouse. Nonetheless, one can't help but acknowledge there remains a bushel of ordinary talent in prominent roles. With final roster cuts looming in advance of the '08 opener, perhaps this would be an excellent time for the front office to liquidate some of the marginal assets in pursuit of perceived upgrades. Before getting deeply into that, however, recognize the core of this outfit is outstanding. Tribe fans are blessed to have Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, CC Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Rafael Betancourt and a few additional emergents to follow and cheer. What a departure from so many clubs of decades past. These components are at once youthful, developing, likeable and of commendable character. Level-headed guys on the threshold of their primes, determined to help their teammates excel. How refreshing. A reason to feel the civic pride a local winner can inspire. This is certainly a glorious period for fans of the Wigwam. What would be nice would be for the brass to surround this core with as strong a cast as reasonably possible. Which brings us back to the premise of this piece. Fans of the club are continually reading of the few positional battles remaining in camp. The fifth starter in the rotation seems now resolved, with encouraging depth assured at Buffalo in the persons of nearly-twin lefties Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers. No need to mess with that. The southpaws should join RHPs Adam Miller, Brian Slocum and either Sean Smith or Jeff Harris in an enviable Bisons' rotation. Lanky relievers Scott Elarton and Tom Mastny, on the other hand, are parts with which GM Mark Shapiro might barter. They are reportedly embroiled with the harder-throwing Jorge Julio in a battle for the final bullpen role, though the performance of second lefty Aaron Fultz argues that perhaps his slot should also be made available. Why not package Elarton, Mastny and Fultz to the perpetually-needy Pirates---now orchestrated by Shapiro disciple Neil Huntington---for vet LHR Damaso Marte? This durable and capable lefty is otherwise likely to land with one of the Tribe's foremost competitiors---either the pen-shaky Tigers or his former employer, the White Sox. What a frightening difference he'd make for either of those outfits. Better he should complete what would then be an astonishingly deep Cleveland bullpen. With Masa Kobayashi, Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, Joe Borowski, Lugo and Betancourt, Marte would enable the Tribe to field as stable a relief corps as has been recently assembled anywhere in the sport---balanced, experienced, playoff-tested, affordable. Rather than rounding-out from what is the best on-hand, the team would be finishing with the best available, particularly when it comes to defusing LH bats. It is fortuitous that Cleveland is receiving fine springs from Elarton and Mastny. Some might predictably contend they'd make fine depth at Buffalo, should the organization persuade both to go there. (Scott could opt for free agency.) However, would it not be wiser to convert their promise into tradeable asset and secure a legitimate difference-making piece that upgrades from the inconsistencies of Fultz? With Julio reportedly having an out in his contract permitting him to walk away if not retained on the varsity, stashing him at AAA does not seem realistic. That he (99 career saves by age 29) could possibly be polished into Borowski's successor as closer also enhances his value.   Similarly, what is going on at 3b and LF begs for intervention. With all due respect to the find that has been Casey Blake, the one-year contract he signed last off-season is testimony to his being a temporary solution. Steady, unspectacular, well-liked by his peers, doubtlessly a clubhouse keeper, Blake's marginality is further suggested by the Coco Crisp deal of 2006, the one that delivered supposedly can't-miss 3b prospect Andy Marte. Neither Blake nor A. Marte secures the position for Cleveland in quite the manner Detroit has addressed its daily lineup top-to-bottom. While it will be pitching that decides the division, should not the team strive to renovate its lineup rather than merely spackle cracks? A. Marte is certain to depart, one would think, as invitee Andy Gonzalez has out-done him in every manner---versatility, bat readiness, defense, the ability to go the other way with authority, even body language. Perhaps the Chisox can be talked out of expendable 3b Joe Crede, he of the sometime balky bat but golden glove and power stroke. Whatever additional elements can be brought in from Pittsburgh could be united with A. Marte to bring back Crede, who'd then battle Blake for the hot-corner assignment. Additional ammo for such a transaction might arrive through the recommended liquidation of what currently platoons in LF: David Dellucci and Jason Michaels. Dellucci is as mystifying a personnel decision as the one that granted former number-one bonus baby Jeremy Guthrie a single MLB start. What need had Cleveland for an older, declining LH bat with a week arm and marginal skills, particularly when accompanied by a three-year guaranteed-contract demand? DD will, therefore, be hard to move, but a AA catcher with some upside would be enough to bring back. J-Mike has been a good soldier and is one who possibly should be retained, at least until Shin-Soo Choo is fully recovered from his Tommy John surgery. Michaels had a very fine '07 campaign and handles LHP well, better than fellow RH bat Ben Francisco, who characteristically excels vs. RHPs. He is also popular with his teammates and handy with small-ball demands, while comfortable in an off-the-bench capacity. But Jason Tyner has had a decent camp and has proven himself to be a pesky hitter able to hold the fort til Choo heals. Plus, there is always Gonzalez to carry in that interim. Were Ben to appear overwhelmed---not so likely given his AAA successes, including a batting title last summer---Blake can always be returned to OF duty. Dealing Dellucci and Michaels prior to the start of the season not only makes a clean break, allowing everyone to get on with his life seamlessly, but it fully endorses Francisco as the LF regular he now should be, without having rivals peering over his shoulder. It is not as if youngsters weren't the fuel behind last season's playoff rush or that kid OFs don't exist in abundance throughout the organization. Room must be made for these prospects, both now and moving forward. So there is theoretical merit in moving Dellucci and Michaels immediately, especially if it can be done while fortifying organizational areas of need elsewhere.  While such manuevers as this entry proposes would threaten priceless team chemistry and seemingly un-do the praised continuity the fairly-quiet off-season presented, they might also deliver the final pieces to what could well be a championship contingent. There were, after all, genuine reasons for the club failing to finish what it appeared to be on the verge of achieving last October.  This is a good Cleveland roster as currently exists. It is not a perfect one, however, nor would it be once these propositions became reality. Little would change, for example, about the club's deficient team speed. There still would not be a legitimate three-hole hitter but a persistent abundance of slow-footed RH bats. But it would become a more well-rounded and complete a composition, unburdened by the talent duplicity that currently dominates at positions of marginality. How nice might be an eventual order of Francisco, Cabrera, Sizemore, Martinez, Garko, Hafner, Peralta, Choo/Gutierrez and Crede, particularly when supported by the current rotation and the refurbished pen? Nice enough to finally end the drought since '48?  Whatever the case, enjoy the upcoming baseball season. It figures to be filled with enough highlights to create memories superior to those of us old enough to recall the 60's, 70's and 80's. For that we should not only thank but cherish those occupying the corporate offices in what is now Progressive Field.      Posted Mar 23 2008, 08:10 AM by MALeonard's Xanga

• Boiman and Stewart for LB spots?

  While most Cleveland Browns fans, including this one, have clamored loudly over recent weeks for big-name, impact LBs to solve perceived production deficiencies at the position---and became increasingly stimulated when the available population expanded---it is more likely vacant roster slots will be filled by veteran special-teamers, such as Rocky Boiman and Matt Stewart. Stewart joined the Browns three years ago today, one of GM Phil Savage's first signees. The Vanderbilt product played previously for the Atlanta Falcons, who'd made him a fourth-round choice (102 overall) in 2001. Boiman was also taken in Round Four by a southeastern NFL ballclub, as Tennessee made the Notre Damer the 133rd overall selection in 2002.   Similarities don't end there. Both are Ohio natives in their late 20s and in the 6-3 240 range who bring a heady influence to the sport. While they may exhibit neither the measurables nor the spectacular, they are reliable, steady, versatile, coachable, instinctive, intelligent and quite likely to position themselves in the right spot at the right time. The not-yet-29-year-old Stewart (6-3 240) attended Columbus DeSales High and started for the then-playoff caliber Falcons prior to his northern migration. He was on Cleveland's IR all of last season recovering from a training camp shoulder operation, most regrettably coming in his contract year. Now an UFA, it is unlikely his marketability has been enhanced by his injury. He knows the Browns' defensive system, is excellent in coverage---a distinct rarity among Cleveland LBs---and a solid pro and clubhouse guy who can play any of the four LB positions. Cincinnati St. Xavier High's Boiman recently turned 28 and is 6-4 236, with Titan, Cowboy and Colt stickers on his luggage. Like Stewart, Rocky (not a nickname) is a bit light in the pants, so struggles to hold the point; but he totalled 32 'teams tackles during the '05-'06 campaigns and can get after the passer when asked to blitz. Inasmuch as both Stewart and Boiman could be affordably appeased contractually while bringing quality depth and special-teams fortification---especially important now that Chaun Thompson has moved on to Houston in free agency---these could be the two LBs Savage signs to address his concerns among the critical positional unit. It now seems sufficiently clear battered oldsters such as Jeremiah Trotter (31), Takeo Spikes (31), Brian Simmons (31), Kendrell Bell (30), Al Wilson (30), Rob Morris (33) and Rosevelt Colvin (31) hold little fascination for Savage, possibly due to financial and playing-time guarantees. One or more might yet come aboard---as might someone from among Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans or Kalimba Edwards, a decidedly pedestrian crop---the more likely scenario would embrace relatively-inexpensive, low-profile, comfortable fits like Stewart and Boiman.  This is especially expected because Savage is the type to display conviction (stubborness?) for his youthful 2006 draftees: second-rounder D'Qwell Jackson and fourth-rounder Leon Williams, both of whom should now be recognized as likely 2008 starters inside. Consequently, when Savage is finally able to express his preferences on Draft Weekend (April 26-27)---he has previously dealt away picks in Rounds 1-3---collegiate ILBs are quite likely to seize his focus, with Vandy's Jonathon Goff a name to remember.    ------------------- Another position for which fans and followers are gripping is CB, particularly because venerable starter Leigh Bodden became part of the price tag on Lions' DL Shaun Rogers. Because the league is not inclined to part with starting-caliber assets at so key a spot, pickings are predicably slim. Fortunately, the Browns are not expecting to land anything more than a veteran depth piece, with 'teams ability possibly the deciding factor. Three experienced former starters carrying similar profiles exist in Fernando Bryant (soon-to-be 31, 5-10 178, Alabama), Jeremetrius Butler (not yet 30, 5-10 185, Kansas State) and Andre Dyson (29, 5-10 183, Utah). Bryant is a former number-one pick by JAX. Butler is the most familiar producing off-the-bench. But Dyson is the most complete player, particularly when it comes to tackling. ------------------- That was an odd 36th birthday present SF extended one-time Browns' QB Trent Dilfer. He got his release. Speaking of releases, Detroit has been quite generous when it comes to contributing to the league fairly-recent Day One draftees. RB Kevin Jones, DL Edwards and Rogers, QB Joey Harrington, WRs Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, as well as LBs Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman count as eight dispatched by third-year head coach Rod Marinelli. In today's Detroit News, Mike O'Hara quotes Lions' QB Jon Kitna possibly explaining the rationale. When asked for his assessment of the various personnel adjustments, Kitna identified "leaders and people who want to be led" as the preference of the current regime. That says it fairly well, no? And the words don't exactly endorse Bryant or Butler, inasmuch as they, too, formerly  donned the Honolulu Blue and Silver. In fact, Detroit is very happy to have reconstructed its CB contingent with Bodden and Brian Kelly joining returnees Keith Smith and Travis Fisher. Kelly is part of an active pipeline following Marinelli from Tampa to Motown. Former Brown Kalvin Pearson is another, as is FS Dwight Smith and a collection of DL. Marinelli formerly coached the DL for the Bucs. ----------------- Lehman's unremarkable career extends the surprisingly unspectacular list of former Oklahoma Sooners in the NFL. Lion RBs Steve Owens and Billy Sims were outstanding pros, as were Tampa's stellar Hall of Fame DE LeRoy Selmon and Cleveland RB/KR Greg Pruitt, certainly. But far more common are the professional failures emanating from Norman, an acknowledgement that is sure to result in hate mail for this messenger. For every Pro Bowler like Dallas SS Roy Williams or RB Adrian Peterson there seems to be half a dozen celebrated Sooner collegians who become pro nonentities like CBs Derrick Strait, Andre Woolfolk and Antonio Perkins; LBs Brian Bosworth, Rocky Calmus, Torrance Marshall, Rod Shoate, Lance Mitchell, Jackie Shipp and Lehman; Ss Darrol Ray, Tony Peters, Brodney Pool, William Bartee and Gana Joseph; WRs Billy Brooks, Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones and Travis Wilson.  Even the gloried Sooner RBs have underachieved, for the most part: Elvis Peacock, David Overstreet, Kenny King, Spencer Tillman, Steve Sewell, Joe Don Looney. Linemen Stockar McDougle, Rick Bryan, Keith Gary and the legendary Greg Roberts have done precious little to stem the inglorious tide. While it might be argued as much could be said of many college football programs, that seems to be an awfully heavy list of highly-drafted, over-hyped prospects who've flopped on the NFL level from one storied campus. Conversely, Ravens' NT Kelly Gregg has been a surprisingly effective pro and SF LB Brandon Moore is still someone I'd welcome into a Cleveland uniform.   One might contend three products of the state's unheralded Oklahoma State program---Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas and DT Kevin Williams---dwarf that lengthy list of NFL Sooners all by themselves. OL Jon Kolb, DT Jerry Sherk, FB Walt Garrison, DE/OLB Jason Gildon, CB Darrent Williams, RBs Terry Miller, Ernest Anderson and Tatum Bell are other illustrious former Cowboys to star on the professional level. In fairness, the Stillwater campus has generated a pair of WR busts of epic proportion in Hart Lee Dykes and Rashaun Woods. In summary, when it comes to drafting from the campus of Oklahoma, later is better than Sooner.      Posted Mar 15 2008, 11:48 AM by MALeonard's Xanga

• Browns' defense shaping up nicely

  The subject line of this piece is an admitted understatement. But today's release by Phila of vet ILB Takeo Spikes factors, as well. Spikes, as many fans have already acknowledged in various forums, would seem to be an ideal fit for what the club has needed for some time. He is a renown leader, physical hitter, relentless pursuer, with the spirited play that can lift a unit. Particularly as he'd be protected by the newly-infused big men up front and given leads to protect by an offense again expected to be potent, Spikes should not only flourish, but be wise enough to recognize this may be the best roster he's ever joined---assuming his acquisition comes to pass. The Auburn product was drafted by Cinn, migrated to Buffalo in free agency and, prior to last season, was dealt to Philadelphia. His release has been something for which I'd hoped once it became predictably apparent the options at ILB would again be few and uninspiring. Though there are some who opine that an OLB is a more serious concern, an interior backer able to stand in against a run game and stone a ballcarrier in the hole is much too rare a sight. And it is something that must occur with some regularity if ever this Cleveland club is to be a legitimate NFL contender. What is more, it is not inconceivable that the Browns may find a very talented prospect still available to them when finally they get to participate in draft weekend, scheduled for April 26 & 27. Round Four currently represents their first shot, and TCU's DE/OLB Tommy Blake could be there. This was a top ten projection going into summer camp, heralded for his burst against both the run and the pass, reflected in his many tackles for loss. The Feb. 18 issue of The Sporting News details, in its cover story, the torments that have caused this youngster to have his NFL prospects compromised. Depression, possibly bi-polar disorder, weight-gain stemming from medication---these are among the afflictions suggested. Were Blake to be paired opposite Kamerion Wimbley at OLB, the Browns would have the pass-rushing duo desired to fuel their 3-4 scheme for years to come.   A kid ILB to groom for the sledgehammer role, NT depth and an interior OL might well comprise the rest of that day's shopping, with picks 5-7. But those details are many weeks away and for now the D retains precedence. Spikes' availability could be the most recent league gift.   Posted Mar 06 2008, 07:04 PM by MALeonard's Xanga

• Shaun Smith insights

  It is not always reliable to subscribe to information shared by a team's player. After all, players play, coaches coach and front office types make the important decisions. Still, it often can be insightful to listen to what a player has to say about topics related to his team. After all, he is arguably closer to those actually doing the on-field combat, having personal relationships with the human beings deciding whether to join a given squad, re-sign with a team or get the hell out of town as quickly as possible. So, the DL's appearance today on a local cable television sports-talk program was possibly an hour of listening well invested. Inasmuch as Smith figures to be among those most impacted by the arrival of two seasoned DL vets, acquired in trade from NFC North rosters, discovering Smith's impressions would be enlightening enough. But the affable big man had even more to intimate. He strongly hinted, for example, that both Chaun Thompson and Orpheus Roye could be back at OLB and DE respectively, and that tenured ILB Andra Davis is as excited as anyone about the additions, certain to be there at the press conferences to greet the newcomers. Shaun Smith spoke of a rotation involving himself, Shaun Rogers (formerly of Detroit), Corey Williams (late of Green Bay), Robaire Smith and Roye, while also mentioning Mel Purcell and Chase Pittman, a pair of 2007 draftees who spent last season on the practice squad (DEV). He also referred to versatility as the keyword for this group of front wall candidates, suggesting several would be interchangeable in the three DL positions. While none of this is unpredictable or earth-shaking, by any means, it is somewhat clarifying, particularly where Thompson, a key special teamer, and Roye, who'd recently had his contract with the Browns terminated, are concerned. Orpheus, in particular, would lessen the urgency for an additional experienced DE for the Cleveland 3-4---which, by the way, is a scheme in which neither Rogers nor Williams has familiarity. Some mumbling was involved and I'm not always the best at hearing; but he muttered something about LBs, edge-rushers and possibly Ethan Kelley, while failing to mention Louis Leonard at all. That could be entirely oversight or potentially flawed listening. Shaun also admitted campaigning for former Bengals' teammate Landon Johnson, an ILB who is not expected to translate well into a 3-4 scheme, and for some playing time as a short-yardage FB. ------------- There is an expectation that a vet CB might be brought aboard to replace Leigh Bodden and protect against the youth and relative inexperience of returnees Daven Holly, Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald and AJ Davis---the last three of whom were mere first-year men. Should that come to pass, don't be stunned if that player is former Ohio State Buckeye and Buffalo Bill Antoine Winfield, an Akron native who attended Garfield High. Winfield joined Minnesota as a free agent, but has reportedly not altogether enjoyed his time there, supposedly conflicting with the team's defensive philosophies, among other things. Since his is an understandably hefty contract, he may be let loose by the Vikes and gravitate to his regional club. But that is just a guess. So is the idea that TCU's troubled DE Tommy Blake might be the Browns' target with its round-four pick, the first it figures to have use of, following the deals for Williams and Rogers. He'd make an exciting complement to Wimbley as a three-down, edge-rushing LOLB. In case you missed it, Blake is the subject of a February 18 Sporting News cover story. ---------------- One thing that is quite apparent is the faith being exhibited in Head Coach Romeo Crennel's influence, leadership, personality and popularity with NFL players. GM Phil Savage does not seem at all shy about relying upon Crennel to help optimize a challenging/troubled talent like the too-often-poorly-conditioned Rogers and a youngster in Williams, whom Green Bay was supposedly afraid to enrich with a sizeable contract, fearing his focus might wane. It must also be acknowledged that last year's Browns' squad demonstrated outstanding veteran leadership within its ranks, sufficient to right the ship following the Opening Day disaster at home versus Pittsburgh, after which, for the first time in history, an NFL team traded away its starting QB. From that day forward, the Browns went 10-5 behind a nearly raw first-year starter at QB, including a 7-0 home record. Crennel and his coaches had something to do with enabling and encouraging that clubhouse leadership. In fact, it may be that Crennel's foremost genius has to do with his people skills, especially as they affect NFL ballplayers. Certainly, Crennel deserves much of the credit for maximizing his wondrous offensive weaponry by extracting maturity from TE Kellen Winslow, Jr., WR Braylon Edwards and that emerging QB alluded to, Derek Anderson.   --------------- While it is understandable that fans and followers are primarily concentrating upon positional personnel additions, attention should also be paid to the value of special teamers, as Cleveland is one of the league's teams most intent upon having strong units in all areas---reflected in the club's having Pro Bowlers representing all three aspects of a football team. Note, for example, Nick Sorenson's retention and the desire to retain Kris Griffin and Chaun Thompson, among others. ('Teams play may even bring Simon Fraser and Lennie Friedman back.) This priority also explains keeping inactive on Game Days those who don't/can't help on 'teams: RB Jerome Harrison, OG Isaac Sowells and WR Travis Wilson. For this reason, New Mexico WR Michael Smith should have particular appeal. He covers kicks and can return them, much like ace Joshua Cribbs. He's a sleek, fluid athlete with trackman's speed and run-after-the-catch skills. ------------- In the event you missed it, that was Mentor's Jacob Bell getting a roughly $6 mil/yr. deal to move from Tennessee to StL. The OLG, who played collegiately at Miami of Ohio, will be asked to help stabilize a troubled Rams line that suffered terribly once Orlando Pace (Sandusky and OSU) went down early last season. Similarly, Nordonia's Rob Sims (OSU, son of former Brown, the late Mickey Sims) will move from left to right guard to make way for Carolina castoff Mike Wahle in Seattle's lineup. Both Sims and Bell are rising talents in the sport, particularly among young guards. Another OL with Ohio ties, ex-Charger Shane Olivea, who played RT both in Columbus and San Diego, might be someone the Browns pursue. He's enough of a brawler to factor inside, providing needed insurance behind ORG Ryan Tucker, but could also bring necessary experienced protection at tackle, where currently nothing exists behind Joe Thomas and Kevin Shaffer. Nat Dorsey is an UFA and Cliff Louis a veritable rookie after a season on the DEV. Reportedly, Olivea has some off-the-field issues compromising both his effectiveness and marketability. Like many in this year's free-agent class, Olivea participated in the 2004 Senior Bowl. --------------------- Should you have a son with Valentine's Day as his birthday, consider trying him at QB. The combination seemed to have worked for Jim Kelly, Steve McNair and Drew Bledsoe. When former Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry employed the shuttle system at QB in Dallas, he was doing so with a pair of guys sharing the same birthdate---Roger Staubach and Craig Morton.       Posted Mar 04 2008, 05:32 PM by MALeonard's Xanga

• What's Phil telling us here?

  Seems to me too little has been made of a remark Browns' GM Phil Savage made during the press conference announcing the extension of QB Derek Anderson---not that making much of any remark necessarily amounts to much, anyway. Still, there seems to be a message for those particularly curious as to why the organization employing Savage authorized Phil's elevated proposal, one that seemingly reversed the field Savage was reportedly treading the prior day, when most witnessed indicated his was an attitude of resignation regarding Anderson's likely free-agent departure. Too many in the area then began salivating over draft pick compensation, as if draftees were the assurance of deliverance from more than 43 without a professional football title. Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on page five of the Saturday March 1, 2008 edition: "He (Savage) said rumors swirled that teams wanted to sign Anderson to use him to move up in the draft. 'I didn't want to be standing on a street corner with a late (first round pick) and a late three, while another team used our quarterback to go up into the top 10 of the draft,' Savage said. 'That seemed to be a real possibility.'" Isn't this suggesting Phil knew of a team picking in the latter portions of the upcoming draft intent upon signing away Derek---probably with the use of a "poison pill," so as to prevent the Browns from exercising their right to match the offer sheet? Does it not additionally imply that team would consequently surrender its choices, dictated by the tender Cleveland extended to Anderson, in rounds one and three? These, of course, are the choices Savages referenced in his above-quoted remark. Then, once Anderson's rights were secured, the QB would be delivered to another organization with a choice among the top ten. Essentially, that "poison-pill" team would be brokering a three-way exchange, facilitating a transaction on behalf of someone selecting in the top ten with whom Savage himself would not ordinarily elect to do business with himself. Otherwise, that top-ten club would simply do the offer sheet itself with the Browns, right? One might argue that "This is where Phil's vow to refuse any deal of Anderson for anything less than the scripted 1 and 3 comes into play." Yes, maybe. Might it be just as likely that the ploy was not so much to save that top-ten team its third-rounder but to circumvent Savage's capacity to prevent Baltimore from re-acquiring the Oregon State passer lost on waivers nearly three years ago? The Ravens, by the way, own selection eight in the April 26 draft. This is purely conjecture, speculation, an application of interpretation and logic. But it might explain the Browns' willingness to sweeten the Anderson offer sufficiently so as to arrest the player's test of free-agent waters. Savage chose to retain control of his quarterback's rights for as many as three more years, with the exclusive opportunity to liquidate them himself, should he see fit, without the player winding up with someone Savage's squad plays twice each year. That alone is worth the additional contract price. In the meantime, Savage also preserves his investment in a young man his coaches have nurtured into uncommon productivity. He's provided for continuity. He's avoided upsetting momentum as well as clubhouse and huddle chemistry. He's assured himself protection against injury at the position, too. And he's kept in play a tradeable commodity for subsequent opportunities, whether that piece is Anderson or the prospect known as Brady Quinn. Though it may not have been a unanimously popular choice among fans and followers of the Cleveland Browns, it was the smart, prudent and appropriate decision to make. Maintaining the two-quarterback system for at least another season is a wise thing for the GM to have done.     Posted Mar 02 2008, 03:26 PM by MALeonard's Xanga

• What's next in free agency?

  With Day One spent---both in free agency and on draft day, too---and with the shock of the Shaun Rogers' acquisition and resultant celebrations subsided, it becomes time to wonder what will next occur for the Cleveland Browns in the area of talent acquisition. WR Donte Stallworth and DE/OLB Travis LaBoy have left town without signing, likely meaning they won't be coming aboard. Some WR surely will, eventually, especially given the many obtuse references toward the team's third receiver, as if his identity is yet to be determined. Maybe that guy comes in a trade involving the disappointing Travis Wilson, whereby someone parts with vet experience for raw potential. An exchange of mutual accomodation for another WR in need of a fresh start and scenery change is very possible. Tampa's Michael Clayton and Jax's Matt Jones are two who come to mind.   Someone able to compete immediately at the LOLB spot is also anticipated. Formerly alluded to as "an edge-rusher able to complement Kamerion Wimbley," the more accurate description is of "someone able to become a three-down strongside outside backer." This guy would stuff the run, deny the edge, battle the TE, cover some and occassionally blitz. Antwan Peek arrived last year in Free Agency to perform the last duty, but is not so adept at the others. Perhaps LaBoy recognized his own limitations as regards the role and will look for a weakside 4-3 DE job, which he occupied on passing downs for Tennessee last year, aided by the attention paid to Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vandenbosch. Though there are questions about his health, Rosevelt Colvin remains in play for that job. Detroit's Boss Bailey is another candidate. Holdover OLBs don't defend the run at all well.  These two holes---a deep-threat third wideout and a 3-down LOLB---certainly will be addressed, but ILB persists as arguably the club's foremost liability. Alternatives are particularly slim inside. With the sport evolving so acutely at the collegiate level, as well as in the NFL, the prototype sledgehammer ILB is among the rarest of commodities. Too much is expected in the area of coverage to entrust just anyone inside. Consequently, the game exposes its dinosaurs relatively quickly, and the Earl Holmes-types disappear, seldom to be seen  again. Maybe Philadelphia will set free Takeo Spikes. Maybe San Diego can be talked out of Lorain native Matt Wilhelm, especially now that Derek Smith has signed on following his extended tenure in SF. Bengals' Landon Johnson is ranked by many as the best available among vet free agents, but everyone knows of Cinn's struggles to defend much of anything; so how good could Johnson be? He's more chaser than stuffer, anyway. The Niners have an intriguing talent in Brandon Moore, who has put together some outstanding games in recent seasons as a part-timer for that West Coast non-contender. But he returned to the pines when SF responded to a perceived urgency for Mississippi's Patrick Willis, who subsequently was designated NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Moore was inexplicably relegated to the depths of Head Coach Mike Nolan's bench, despite much 2007 losing and injuries at positions he could've played. At 6-2 255, the tackling-machine would seem to fit the profile and might be available straight-up for the soon-to-be-deposed Andra Davis. Holmes' former Pittsburgh running mate Kendrell Bell, who foolishly left the Steelers for KC green, only to discover too late he was a fish out of water on the outside in a 4-3. He played exceptionally well as AFC Def ROY in 2002, but also struggled to cover anyone. He's a downhill player who attacks the line of scrimmage and was a terror blitzing either the run or pass. Now that he's been put onto the street, perhaps the Browns will show interest in him heretofore restrained. There is no contract to absorb and the job-description may merely require a two-down Sam LB---the strongside inside guy. Let Bell and Moore compete for the job, even should it be that neither wins it. It is very likely they'd still manage to enhance the roster overall, even if only employed situationally or as wave pieces. The costs would be minimal and the potential upside considerable. Maybe Moore becomes the LOLB, with Johnson and Bell in a job-share inside next to D'Qwell Jackson, with Leon Williams also competing. This is the type of action I think will come next. This writing is just for entertainment and speculative purposes, anyhow.  An additional piece will emerge from some source to groom behind the retiring (after 2008) Joe Jurevicius. A quicker-than-fast slot piece with RAC skills, savvy, courage and dependability---a Wes Welker/Bobby Ingram type---is what I'd like for the third WR role. Kevin Kasper, Syndric Steptoe and Efram Hill will go to camp as contestants for that slot, but none is proven at the NFL level. With Bodden departing in the Rogers' exchange, CB joins the needs list. DEV's AJ Davis (NC State) may be someone for whom new DC Mel Tucker, formerly the secondary coach, has high hopes. Somehow this feels like the least of the club's worries. It is the one void even a fourth-round draftee---the highest remaining selection available to the Browns---could fill. After all, Brandon McDonald arrived in Round Five last year and figures to challenge Devin Holly for Bodden's job.  What is remarkable is that the team's weakest personnel area has been adequately addressed after just one day of off-season activity. Depth upfront is also somewhat good, given four able-bodied vets to rotate between the three starting slots. But another experienced 3-4 DE should be expected, as should be the eventual return of UFA NT Ethan Kelley. Former Ravens Marques Douglass and Anthony Weaver could factor. There is also the possibility young RB Jerome Harrison might be dealt, with his position fortified behind Jamal Lewis.   Posted Mar 01 2008, 12:12 PM by MALeonard's Xanga