Yes, this is the same CC we saw in Cleveland last year, but I will say this. This CC has pitched on 3 days rest twice in a row now. He pitched the last game of the season on 3 days rest and dominated. Maybe there is something with the playoffs for him. Hope it doesn’t affect his contract negotiations this offseason. Unless, of course, the Tribe could sweep in and get him at a discounted price, then I hope it does.

CC’s playoff troubles continue, Phillies on brink of NLCS – Big League Stew… – MLB – Yahoo! Sports

But Sabathia, continuing his puzzling postseason pattern, allowed five runs, six hits and four walks over 3 2/3 IP, his shortest outing since April 11, when he still played for the Cleveland Indians. Sabathia, who also melted down twice against the Red Sox in the ALCS a season ago, has a 7.92 ERA in five career playoff appearances.

As I said Sunday night, My Thoughts

Madden just summed up tonight perfectly for the Browns. He said they don’t look great, but a hell of a lot better than they did last week.

I posted all game, and as I’m reading back through my thoughts, it becomes obvious what caused the Browns 10 loss in a row to the Steelers:

• Bad Clock Management – Drives in both the 2nd and 4th quarters run too much clock off during plays.  Players look to be taking their time in getting in and out of the huddle.  Too many run plays to gain 2 – 3 yards. I blame the coach for that, as he needs to be providing a sense of urgency there that he’s not.
• Roelisburger, Parker and Santonio Holmes are too good.  Even when kept in check most of the game, they come up with the big play when needed most.
• Ten Words “Offsides defense, #(91,92,93,etc.) lining up in the neutral zone.” Honestly, how hard is it to look at where the ball is and line up correctly.  I noticed we were far more aggressive this week than last, but those 4 penalties killed us at times.
• Braylon Edwards still does not look ready for prime time.  Whether it was drops, or not positioning himself right, or not being ready for the ball, he had 4 balls thrown his way that were catchable, and not caught, most of which would have resulted in 1st downs.  Enough said.

One good thing I posted about several times was Shaun Rogers. That guy was a beast, even though he was double teamed, he was consistently in Pittsburgh’s back field. I believe he will be credited with one sack, and two tackles for losses, one on a screen play to Hines Ward.  That big guy can move and he’s getting off to a great start this year.

I’ve said this for awhile now, NFL rookies should get paid a set amount for a one year contract based on their draft position.  Negotiating huge deals for rookies who haven’t done anything in professional sports is absolutely ridiculous.

Alex Smith makes the case for a rookie salary cap – Shutdown Corner – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

It’s the 49ers bad luck that they got the top pick in a thin draft, just like the Dolphins did this year. I mean, I’m sure Bill Parcells is happy with Jake Long, but you know it killed him to have to fork over all those dollars to a kid who was getting pushed around by a dude on App State at this time one year ago. The element of draft luck won’t change with a salary structure, but teams will stop getting penalized when there aren’t any worthy players to pick.

Bottom of the ninth with one on for Miguel Cabrera and Jensen Lewis gives up the walk off two run homer to lose the Indians’ tenth game in a row. I may be called negative, but I was actually waiting for that to happen, versus going to extra innings.

Time for bed. I do believe the Indians now know where rock bottom is.

A new level of frustration is dawning for me and my love of the Tribe. In a season where the offense has been terrible, the bullpen has been worse. Tonight, in the midst of a season long nine game losing streak, Paul Byrd, who hasn’t won in a month, took the mound and pitched a gem into the 7th inning. The offense did its part as well, for once, and gave Byrd a 6-1 lead. In the 7th, however, Byrd gave up two consecutive hits and was pulled. Rafael Betencourt then proceeded to allow Detroit to tie the game at 6-6. As good as Rafe right was last year, he is that bad this year.

I’ve heard it said that sometimes things cannot improve until rock bottom is achieved. If the Indians lose this game, I believe they will reach that low.

There is one tradition in the NFL that I despise.  One tradition which has become part of the NFL culture every year since 1972.  The tradition which celebrates the loss of the last undefeated team by the alumni of the 1972 Dolphins.  I am all for celebrating tradition in the NFL, just not this one:

ESPN – Perfect ending has ‘72 Dolphins bubbling over – NFL

Darkness covered the desert when Bob Kuechenberg awoke two time zones away Sunday morning. “Kooch” was nervous, amped and hopeful. The former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman was not afraid to say it: He was rooting for the New York Giants almost as hard as he rooted for his own team 35 years ago.

I personally was one of the few who were rooting for the Patriots in the bar theWife and I watched the game in.  When asked why I would not root for the underdog, my main reason was so that I would not hear the 1972 Dolphins talk of their perfection any longer. 

If another team does happen to achieve perfection, it would not change the fact the Miami did it in 1972.  The problem, I believe, is that Miami only played 14 regular season games, 17 overall, and would therefore not have the best record in an NFL season any more.  Their perfect season would be looked at as second best.  That is why they root against it so vehemently.  It seems childish in that light.

Here are teams who have won more games in one season than did the 1972 Miami Dolphins:

18 – 1 1984 San Francisco 49ers
18 – 1 1985 Chicago Bears
18 – 1 2007 New England Patriots

The only consolation I have after this Patriot’s loss is that I can still hope that the team finally does break Miami’s single season record will be the Cleveland Browns….in 2009.

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I could see some definite uses for this while rooting for the Browns next season. Maybe I’ll put up a $2 bid…

One of the funniest auctions I’ve seen in a while, particularly: Potential buyers: Steeler fans who want to save him from any more harm, Seahawk fans that need relieve some tension, or any NFL referees who suddenly find themselves with some extra money.

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