SportsStreet Ohio

In the “parity-is-best” NFL, sometimes underwhelming teams can convince themselves they are on the brink of something special. Just ask this year’s version of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Despite 15 players on injured reserve, a 1-4 start, and an early-season quarterback controversy, the Bengals lurked in the playoff background, ready to pounce on its next prey and slide into the AFC Playoff picture. A win over the similarly surging Buffalo Bills would have put the Bengals at 7-7, one game out of the final wild-card spot with two games to play. But sloppy play and four turnovers did Cincinnati in, as they fell 33-17 to Buffalo, abruptly ending the slimmest of playoff hopes.

Fans called for Jon Kitna earlier in the year when Palmer was struggling, but on Sunday, it was Kitna who struggled. Responsible for three turnovers, it’s easy to place the blame on Kitna for another lost season. Sure, the offense stumbled with Kitna at the helm. But that’s an easy excuse…playoff season’s aren’t won, or lost, on the arm of a single guy in a pivotal game.

Cincinnati had its chances, but lost at Cleveland, at Tennessee, and couldn’t find a way to beat Baltimore, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo at home. To earn a spot in the playoffs, beating one playoff team doesn’t get the job done. Niether does coming close against the defending champions. At some point, you have to find ways to win big games, regardless of quarterback.

Playing meaningful games in December is no consolation for fans waiting to celebrate an overdue trip to the playoffs. Its been 14 years.

Popularity: 8% [?]

A note of advice to Indians GM Mark Shapiro: move on from Matt Clement and sign Odalis Perez. Now. The offer to Clement is on the table. It’s solid. Fair. Reasonable. Now walk away.

If the Indians want to make themselves better, they should swoop in and grab Perez before someone else realizes they want him. Here’s the comparison:

Clement 2004: 9-13, 3.86 ERA, 190 K, 77 BB, 181 IP
Perez 2004: 7-6, 3.25 ERA, 128 K, 44 BB, 196 IP

Clement Career: 69-75, 4.34 ERA
Perez Career: 45-43, 4.00 ERA

Oh, and Perez is left-handed. Am I missing something here?

Popularity: 8% [?]

A seven-year old Cleveland boy was at the center of a courtroom drama this morning when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of the boy. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents so the judge awarded custody to his aunt.

The boy confirmed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and refused to live there.

When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents the boy cried out that they beat him more than anyone.

The judge then decided to allow the boy to choose who should have custody of him.

Custody was granted to the Cleveland Browns this morning as the boy firmly believes that they are not capable of beating anyone.

Popularity: 8% [?]

The Reds have mothballed serious free agent activity this winter — but the Ramon Ortiz trade gives Cincinnati some options heading into 2005.

Its a given Reds fans would love to see the Reds sign an ace or front-line starter, but given current economic conditions with both Major League Baseball and the Reds, the trade gives the Reds some limited flexibility in how they approach the starting rotation in 2005.

The Cincinnati Enquirer outlined the potential look of the rotation in 2005, and while it isn’t overwhelming, it has the potential to remain somewhat stable. And given 2004’s frustrations, a stable starting rotation will help the club find ways to win ballgames, even if they win less than 80.

Popularity: 4% [?]

So, the Indians are waiting on free-agent pitcher Matt Clement to make a decision. Given Cleveland’s recent inability to secure a front-line starting pitcher, perhaps GM Mark Shapiro should continue looking around for his starter, because chances are, Clement will head to Anaheim.

Cleveland’s offer of three years, $21 million likely falls a bit short of the Angels reported deal of three years, $24-27 million. And while Clement would slide nicely into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind C.C. Sabathia, the prospect of more money and victories lies out West.

Somehow, the Indians must decide if Clement is a must have. Lingering in the back of owner Larry Dolan’s mind must be the big contracts Matt Lawton and Ricky Gutierrez received from Shapiro thwo years ago. Spending millions on a 30-year pitcher comes with risk - and Clement’s career record of 69-75 doesn’t overwhelm.

The mid-90s Tribe would have no problem pulling the trigger on more money to get the arm they need. This version of the Cleveland Indians invokes a little more prudence. Prudence that will likely leave Shapiro waiting even longer for a front-line starter.

Popularity: 4% [?]

There is no doubt Sunday’s 37-7 loss at Buffalo marked the lowest point in Cleveland Browns history. The Cajun Maestro, Luke McCown, orchestrated the worst offensive performance in team history. No surprise here, a Butch Davis selection failing miserably behind an offensive line grossly ignored by Davis.

The tragedy here, you see, is not the loss. In fact, it can be said that Butch Davis the coach was a capable NFL man. He actually managed three wins with this crew. The tragedy is this team, its players, and its current place in the NFL as its worst team.

Does anyone actually believe this team could go into Denver and only lose by a late field goal? Could this team go on the road and beat a decent Arizona club? No…but former bottom dwellers Miami and San Francisco can.

With a top three draft pick secure in the upcoming draft, the Browns have earned, or is it backed?, their way into another attempt at finding a franchise player. Let’s hope the new GM gets it right.

Popularity: 5% [?]