SBNation.com User Blog: Spidey

Draft odds and the LAC pick

Spidey — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:26:47 -0000

please help on the draft and the potential choices for the Cavs given that the team has LAC's pick

This is something that confuses me: everywhere I read that the Cavs have a 20% chance of getting the first pick (technically, it's 19.9% as the second worst team. But what ahoy the 2.9% chance that the Clippers' lottery pick ends up with the #1 selection? Didn't Cleveland get that pick too? Therefore, the odds are closer to 23%? Am I missing something from the trade or draft lottery rules?

Three Ways to Make the 2011 NFL Draft the Most Exciting Ever

Spidey — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:35:42 -0000

Three Ways to Make the 2011 NFL Draft the Most Exciting Ever

This blog post seems to speak to a lot of folks on the site here. I'm interested to hear what people think... (and no, I'm not Brant Cruz).

Cold Weather Super Bowls??? Not Only Wrong, But Deadly

Spidey — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:35:57 -0000

Cold Weather Super Bowls??? Not Only Wrong, But Deadly

"At the site of Sunday’s Super Bowl in Arlington, one person was critically injured and four others suffered minor injuries when ice fell from the stadium roof and hit them early Friday afternoon, authorities said..."

And some people are even at risk of losing $12,500 per person for some of the package deals, as American has canceled flights into Dallas!

Is Baseball America's Game now???

Spidey — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:44:26 -0000

Google Ngram: Baseball vs Football

Google introduced a new app associated with Google Books, and besides tracking the usage of ketchup and catsup I decided to see which has been referenced more, "baseball" or "football". Given how the media talks about how football has supplanted baseball as "America's Game", I was surprised to see the the graphical output.

Google Ngram: Baseball vs Football

http://ngrams.googlelabs.com/chart?content=football,baseball&corpus=5&smoothing=3&year_start=1900&year_end=2000

The chart shows only the frequency each word is used, and overlooks context. I would agree that professional football has taken the title of "America's Professional Game" from professional baseball, but I could see an argument that the growth of professional football has come at the expense of college football, and not at the expense of professional baseball. Because when you think about it, with baseball attendance at or near historic highs and with overall television viewership at an all-time high, too, I would argue that baseball continues to maintain a strong position within American sports psyche...

Idle Thinking - Josh McDaniels???

Spidey — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:58:21 -0000

It's a Monday after a Browns victory and we have a few days of idle thinking before talk of Buffalo heats up. I want to avoid talk of playoff odds and the draft. Instead, this unlikely scenario is in my mind: Josh McDaniels is a dead man walking in Denver, and justifiably so; which leads me to wonder what will become of him next season and if the Browns might be a mutually good fit...

I know most dislike the guy here on DBN, and he has been a failure when dealing with his elite players. He will forever be known as the guy who traded Peyton Hillis for a stud-muffin QB who couldn't even beat out Derek Anderson for the starting job during training camp. (Then again, Anderson did beat out Leinert in Arizona...). And drafting Tebow in the 1st round was awful. The list goes on and on.

But, setting aside the personnel decisions, the guy clearly knows how to run an offense and coach QBs. One or two seasons with Colt McCoy, and McDaniels could set up the Browns for many years of offensive success. (Plus, it would be an awesome way to stick it to Belichick).

What's in it for McDaniels? He can push reset on his coaching career and join an organization where he can have an inside look at how personnel decisions are handled (sitting in on any meetings with Holmgren and Heckert would be invaluable); he can learn how a head coach who was kicked to the curb by most in the league (and media) resurrected his career; he can see how Mangini learned to adjust his leadership style; and he can be in a position to return to a head coaching job in 3-4 years.

Folks forget how Rob Ryan has resurrected his coaching career in Cleveland, too. Some give him the benefit of the doubt for the failings in Oakland, but many put the blame for the poor defense at Rob's feet. Now, Rob is considered a head coaching candidate in some places.

Just idle speculation...

Should We Worry About Letdown?

Spidey — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:41:49 -0000

Should We Worry About Letdown?

The demolition of the Patriots has me worried that the team will come out flat this week. But, MK Cabot's article highlights some indications that the team is showing strong motivation for the game.

I also sense the defense does not want to get shown up by Braylon - especially in front of the home crowd. I really hope the defense takes it to him and Sanchez.

FTA...
The practice week was so intense that linebacker Jason Trusnik and fullback Lawrence Vickers came to blows Friday and had to be separated. "It was just the heat of the moment," said Trusnik. Said Rob Ryan: "Our players are motivated, and they're excited. If they don't kill each other first, we're going to lay it on these Jets."

Team Unity?

Spidey — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:47:37 -0000

Some may think this is about the team unity for the Browns. Actually, this is an open question about the role/need for team unity among the DBN board when dealing with game-specific discussions (Game and Post-Game Threads)...

Looking back at the threads for the Steelers game makes me wonder if folks here are really on the same team? Thoughtful discussion and arguments among allies are necessary, but do we need to air out all of our dirty laundry in front of the enemy?

And don't get me started with supporting posters from the opponent's board. We walk a fine line between giving these guys the freedom to make an argument for their team and trolling. Look back at the thread and you will see a Steelers fan defends Big Ben, then he gets support from some of our posters - and before you know it, the guy is trashing us with Elf pictures!!! When opponents enter our house looking to start a fight - even if they might have a valid argument - have them take it outside (maybe another fanpost or external link? And certainly not in a Game Thread or Post-Game Thread).

I'm not saying we should all be happy and cheerful, agreeing with every comment made; and I'm not saying we should trash posters from the opponents. But, let's think a little...

From Bleacher Report review of ESPN Rankings... ESPN Rank: 28 Why They're Better Than That:...

Spidey — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:09:17 -0000

From Bleacher Report review of ESPN Rankings...

ESPN Rank: 28

Why They're Better Than That: Really, ESPN? Really?

The 1-5 Cowboys are ranked higher than the 2-5 Browns?

You know...the Cleveland Browns that play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL?

The Cleveland Browns that killed the New Orleans Saints?

Please.

I'm a Steelers fan, but I can still recognize the talent the Browns have in Peyton Hillis, Joshua Cribbs and even rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

And don't get me started on that D!

Sometimes I think ESPN feels like they have to rank the Browns lower because "they're the Browns."

Open your eyes, boys.

The Brownies are a much better team than No. 28.

Victor Martinez' agent: two-year deal isn't what we want

Spidey — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:28:27 -0000

Victor Martinez' agent: two-year deal isn't what we want

It seems like a slap in the face from my POV. I suppose this is one step in the negotiating process... but I'm looking forward to Victor finding a team that will appreciate what he brings to his team (on the field and in the locker room).

NFL TV or ESPN - Which are you watching

Spidey — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:09:44 -0000

Now that NFL Network is available on most systems and up to full speed, on which network are you watching the draft?

Sorry, I would have loved to add a lot of humor to the choices, but wanted to keep it simple - and give everyone the opportunity chirp away in the comments...

For those of you unable to get NFL Network, sorry you can't access it.

And, it's hard to believe, but I find that watching the draft in HD is a must - I love to see all of the sidebar information and stats.

Poll

Which network are you watching for the NFL draft?

ESPN

27 votes

NFL Network

29 votes

Online

4 votes

Other

2 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

Should we end the draft?

Spidey — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:57:06 -0000

Just a thought that has been in the back of my mind that I want to throw out there.

As the only major league in the US without revenue sharing or a salary cap, is it time to reflect on the inequity that the amateur draft brings? Wouldn't it be fair to teams and players to allow all amateurs to be free agents? This post by Diatriber got me to thinking about it...

Later in post is review of 2003 draft

Just a thought that has been in the back of my mind that I want to throw out there.

Later in post is review of 2003 draft

Speaking of Laffey, did anyone know that Laffey remains the only player from the 2003 Draft that remains on the Indians’ roster or even in the organization? That year, Laffey was a 16th round pick and this week alone has shown that even the players that now find themselves outside of the organization from that draft have underwhelmed.

With 2003 1st Round Pick (11th overall) Michael Aubrey being outrighted off of the Orioles’ 40-man roster and clearing waivers and Ryan Garko (2003 3rd round pick) being outrighted out of Seattle to be a waiver claim for the Rangers, this has not been a particularly good two weeks for the 2003 Indians’ draftees.

The only player, besides Laffey, from that draft who finds himself in a meaningful MLB role entering the 2010 season is Kevin Kouzmanoff (2003 6th round pick), who is now the starting 3B for the Oakland Athletics. As we all know, K2 was traded to for Josh Barfield who finds himself going into the 2010 season as the now 27-year-old 2B for the…wait for it…Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League, after not making the Padres (they of the $37M payroll) out of Spring Training.

Seeing as how Aubrey and Barfield were DFA’d by the team and how no other 2003 draftee still finds themselves in the organization, the players that the Indians have to show for the 2003 draft are minor-league pitcher Scott Barnes (acquired for Garko) and one Aaron Laffey.

It seems that:

1. If the large market teams are simply going to pluck the creme de la creme from small market teams, these large market teams should not have equal rights to the amateurs

2. If players are interested in achieving a max-contract wouldn't they prefer to play for a small/mid-market team to make a name for themselves before signing with the big market teams?

3. At least this would give the players some control over the team where they develop - it hardly seems right that one of the only ways for many high-level talent to break into the big leagues is by being traded.

4. MLB has contract slotting (unwritten) rules for the amateur draft - that just seems wrong if teams are trying to gather the best group of young players to grow their team.

I just can't stand the fact that the big market teams have control over salaries in the draft, too. So what if the Yankees or Red Sox are able to get a Strasburg every year. At least he would be able to hold out for a substantially higher contract, and the rest of the league can pay fair market prices for the available talent.

Poll: How Much Time Does Holmgren Have (to reach SB)?

Spidey — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:24:05 -0000

With all of the talk about keeping or firing Mangini, I would like to turn to more pleasant thoughts - the dream of a Super Bowl for Cleveland. It's no secret why Holmgren was the top choice to fill the position of "czar": the guy has done nothing but win and get teams to the Super Bowl. It's a shame all of the attention is directed away from the true meaning that today (Holmgren's first full day on the job) brings.

So I ask you, how much longer do we have to wait? (You can choose to look at it as how long we wait to reach the Super Bowl OR how long we wait before canning Holmgren's sorry butt for failing to lead us to the promised land)

Poll

How long do we give Holmgren to bring Cleveland a Super Bowl appearance?

1-2 seasons

9 votes

3 seasons

29 votes

4 seasons

35 votes

5 seasons

19 votes

Over 5 seasons (but he somehow gets a contract extention)

37 votes

129 votes | Poll has closed

A New Vent...

Spidey — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:49:21 -0000

All of this "woe is me" crap is sickening. A day of venting about the losses is fine. Let it out, and then move on. We've got a game on Sunday and it's against the stinkin' Ravens! It's gotten to the point where I can't find a discussion board that doesn't sound like Cleveland.com. It's only been 2 games, folks... TWO GAMES!!! If you are tired of rooting for losing teams, why in bloody blazes are you a Cleveland fan??? Where is your pride? Where is your honor?

As it has been classically written...

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

Or more eloquently stated...

Animal House: Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor (via CQblogger)

GO BROWNS!

As it has been classically written...

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

Or more eloquently stated...

Animal House: Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor (via CQblogger)

GO BROWNS!

Nate Silver Hits the Big Leagues

Spidey — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:31:47 -0000

Nate Silver Hits the Big Leagues

Did anyone catch Nate Silver on Baseball Tonight? He debuted last night. It was too painful for me to watch...

George Steinbrenner: A True Clevelander(!)

Spidey — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:45:23 -0000

King George (Recent SI Article about George Steinbrenner)

All of the talk about CC heading to NYC reminded me of this recent article. I think it really hits the mark on what makes Cleveland so unique in its view of NYC (and the Yankees).

Cleveland's relationship with New York, though, always seemed just a little bit different to me, it always seemed that of a little brother or sister who wanted to wear the same clothes. Growing up, I can remember hearing about New York every week in one way or another.

And it seems to me that Cleveland-New York relationship is close to the heart of the story of George Steinbrenner. He grew up in Cleveland. And in a way I've always thought that defined him. He has to be the most famous New Yorker who never really lived in New York. It's the Cleveland in him.

I'm not sure if the connection is still as strong as it was in the 70s and 80s, but I'd agree that it is unique in relation to other cities. I always thought of Cleveland as having New York heart with Midwestern charm.

King George (Recent SI Article about George Steinbrenner)

All of the talk about CC heading to NYC reminded me of this recent article. I think it really hits the mark on what makes Cleveland so unique in its view of NYC (and the Yankees).

Cleveland's relationship with New York, though, always seemed just a little bit different to me, it always seemed that of a little brother or sister who wanted to wear the same clothes. Growing up, I can remember hearing about New York every week in one way or another.

And it seems to me that Cleveland-New York relationship is close to the heart of the story of George Steinbrenner. He grew up in Cleveland. And in a way I've always thought that defined him. He has to be the most famous New Yorker who never really lived in New York. It's the Cleveland in him.

End of an Era: Mad Dog leaves Mike

Spidey — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:35:55 -0000

End of an Era: Mad Dog leaves Mike

For those of you who have ever listened to Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN, you will likely feel great joy or great sadness by this news. In my book, they were the best. Sure, it was a lot of NY talk, but no other sports talk hosts spoke more about teams outside of their home market than these guys (my comp set is Philly, Boston, and Cleveland).

OT: Dreaming of Game 7

Spidey — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:30:57 -0000

IT'S GAME 7!!!

We have had just one other game 7 in Indians history. Granted, the outcome was not in our favor, but it was against the Marlins- the first expansion team to be in the World Series; not an adversary we expected. Now we have the game 7 we have always dreamed about.

Many of you probably share my story. I spent hours in the backyard playing baseball with neighbors and by myself, imagining this very moment in my mind. I never worried about games 1 through 6 - it was always game 7. Game 7! I didn't dream of Games 5 or 6. It was always Game 7. And there were only two worthy opponents in those boyhood dreams: the Yankees and the Red Sox. I look back on countless afternoons tossing the whiffle ball and dreaming up ninth inning scenarios leading up to the home run against Goose Gossage or Roger Clemens... Seven-Five score in the ninth inning; two outs and no one on base; a cheap single; then, a walk after fouling off countless pitches; all leading up to the 3-2 fastball launched into the bleachers... I have been looking forward to this game all of my baseball-loving life. (In fact, I have been looking forward to this post-season all of my life - we have faced both the Red Sox and the Yankees!).

So, I am not going to let the disappointments of the past couple games diminish this dream. I am not going to let the "warts" of baseball's current scandals prevent me from enjoying this moment. I'm not going to let all of the doom-and-gloom Cleveland talk on discussion boards and in the media ruin this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Here's to the dream. Here's to the anticipation of Game 7 glory. And here's to the Tribe - a team that I would always want as teammates in my backyard dreams.

Let's Go Tribe!

(NOTE: This may be a little too sappy for the board, but I think it merits it's own diary because every red-blooded baseball fan likely shares this experience. I hope it gets at the essence of the game. As I sit here pinned to the computer, struggling, while my wife screams at me (literally) for wasting time, I am trying to make sense of this....)

IT'S GAME 7!!!

Here's to the dream. Here's to the anticipation of Game 7 glory. And here's to the Tribe - a team that I would always want as teammates in my backyard dreams.

Let's Go Tribe!

Let the Head Games Begin

Spidey — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:47:05 -0000

Until the game begins we have no idea what to expect out of Schilling and Carmona tonight. Fans of each team can look back on past performance, excluding Game 2, and pull out examples for why they think each pitcher will deliver their teams the victory. Fausto had that 3-hit performance against the Yankees (albeit, he faced the choking Yankees and the game was at Jacobs Field) and Schilling has some of the greatest post-season performances in the past 15 years (albeit, he is a vastly different pitcher today than any of those instances).

But, we do have the ability to look at how the "head" game has started, and at this time neither has struck me as winning, yet. Schilling stands out as saying some strange things and appears to be reaching when he says he is a better pitcher than the Bloody Sock Game. In fact, he says he is "scared to death" - whoa!

Failure too scary for Curt to consider in postseason

Still, this is Schilling and if he wasn't a dumb kid during his first several seasons, we would be talking about Carmona going up against a Hall of Fame pitcher, and that certainly scares me... but not to death.

Fausto rehashed his pitching coach's remarks ("I was trying to be a little too fine") and saying that he put the last game behind him. Typical comments, and the safe comments for a young pitcher who does not speak English. I would have liked to hear Fausto say something a little different, but I can't put words in his mouth.

Carmona set for fresh start

I hope that Carmona really has put the game behind him. Fenway Park has a lot of ghosts for him and since I have not seen him vanquish them (including the Game 2 start), I cannot go into this game with much confidence. I'm certainly hopeful - very hopeful - but not overly confident.

Failure too scary for Curt to consider in postseason

Carmona set for fresh start

What would you do if you were Francona

Spidey — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:20:51 -0000

Looking for something to discuss and get my mind off a possible Indians World Series. So, I now want to think about the Red Sox coming back. How do they do it? What would Francona need to do?

If you visit the Red Sox Nation sites much of the talk is about what Francona needs to do with the lineup. I'd like to have a similar discussion and think it would be easier to have it among the more reasonable fans of LGT. That, and I want to avoid the impression of trolling.

As the chatter goes, there are three guys on the Red Sox bench that have the potential to turn things around:
*Ellsbury, the fleet-footed rookie that made a big splash in September
*Kielty, the pedestrian waiver pickup
*Cora, utility player extraordinaire that teases with fine performances in his backup role.

That leaves three players you can potentially remove:
*Coco, the bat-waving defensive wiz that makes RSN sometimes think that Damon's arm was not so bad
*Drew, Scot Boras's $55 million boondoggle that makes Kielty look like a savior
*Pedroia, the odds-on Rookie of the Year (though stumbling in the playoffs) and David Eckstein clone, though he is far better defensively and offensively than that scrappy Caucasian.

My vote?
Replace Coco with Ellsbury - you will not get any worse and the upside is great.
Replace Drew with Kielty - this is based on lefty-right matchup facing CC
Keep Pedroia in the lineup - they need that token "scrappy white guy" [NOTE BELOW]

The twist in my vote is that I do not have Ellsbury lead off. That is too much pressure to put on the kid and Youkilis would be a better since he has the ability to set the tone.

Youkilis
Ellsbury
Ortiz
Manny
Lowell
Pedroia
Veritek
Kielty
Lugo

Looking at the options and how the players are performing, it is very tough to be in Francona's shoes right now. It's not like he is the one striking out and hitting into the double plays.

[NOTE] Trying to be as far from racist here - because when you always associate white (and never non-white) infielders as "scrappy", you are saying that non-white infielders can never be scrappy. Depending on your definition, some race is being slighted.

Looking for something to discuss and get my mind off a possible Indians World Series. So, I now want to think about the Red Sox coming back. How do they do it? What would Francona need to do?

The twist in my vote is that I do not have Ellsbury lead off. That is too much pressure to put on the kid and Youkilis would be a better since he has the ability to set the tone.

Youkilis
Ellsbury
Ortiz
Manny
Lowell
Pedroia
Veritek
Kielty
Lugo

Looking at the options and how the players are performing, it is very tough to be in Francona's shoes right now. It's not like he is the one striking out and hitting into the double plays.

OT: John Adams' "Buddy"

Spidey — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:23:32 -0000

So, my wife is sitting next to me and is fascinated by the the guy sitting next to John Adams for the past two games. Does anyone know his story? He is an older man with long bushy sideburns and a throwback cap (with an old "C" on it). He is also dressed up in a heavy parka.

Has he always been there?

WAKE UP!!!

Spidey — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:20:29 -0000

Less than 700 comments in the game thread last night. Only a smattering of comments this morning. And no apparent excitement for tonight's game. I feel like Ben Stein:
There is a team from Cleveland in the playoffs. We were all excited about the team throughout the season. The team is... Anyone? Anyone? The Indians. The team is playing against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, with the winner going to the... Anyone? Anyone? The World Series. Anyone know the last time the Indians won the World Series? Anyone? 1948.

I'm hopeful the team will wake up tonight, but wonder if Wedge will do something to shake things up. I'm not talking about a major shift in the lineup or other changes. Maybe just a note on the bulletin board or a little rant in the locker room. You don't want the Red Sox to get on a roll. They limped into the playoffs and it would be nice to get some of the doubt they were feeling in September back into their minds.

Tickets for Game 1

Spidey — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:39:19 -0000

This might not be the best place to post this, but I've been a big fan of this site and the LGTers (I don't post much, but read it faithfully). So, I wanted to give you folks the first chance at some tickets for Game 1.

My brother has 8 tickets (now it might be 4 as someone has contact me) in the bleachers (section 185) that he wants to sell. It's Game 1 and he has a conflict with a high school soccer game (he's a coach), so he needs to unload them.

He just called and asked how to sell them - eBay or Stubhub. I asked if he can wait to post them until I see if any LGTers would want them.

If you are interested, please let me know. He is asking $60/ticket and wants to sell them asap. If I don't get any requests through LGT, he will post them on SH or EB this evening.

Please send me an email and I will make arrangements.

He just called and asked how to sell them - eBay or Stubhub. I asked if he can wait to post them until I see if any LGTers would want them.

If you are interested, please let me know. He is asking $60/ticket and wants to sell them asap. If I don't get any requests through LGT, he will post them on SH or EB this evening.

Please send me an email and I will make arrangements.