Joe Cleveland would like to say that he is keeping his talents where they belong -- right here in Cleveland.
That being said, Joe Cleveland surely felt like every Cleveland sports fan did Tuesday night watching the Cavs dominate LeQuitter and his talent-stealing, shuckin-and-jivin, "Oh Yes We Did" Miami Heat, picking up their only double-digit win of the 2010-11 season in the process.
If it felt good for the Cavs to beat the Celtics in the season opener a night after the Celts beat the Heat, if it felt better that the Cavs shook off a 55-point loss on the road to the defending NBA champion Lakers by beating them at home, this one was for the soul.
Cavs 102, Heat 90.
Oh, Yes We Did! Let's shuck-and-jive, Cleveland fans, because if anyone deserves to hear about it, it's LeQuitter, his partners in crime and all the front-running fans that live in Miami and South Beach who have no idea what being a true sports fan is all about.
It was a thing of beauty. The smile on my face hasn't been wiped off, and I'll probably still be smiling come Wednesday, Thursday and even Friday.
And, how fitting was it that Joe Tait, in only his second game back in his radio perch, got to call this one. Anyone who's anyone had to feel good about that, and had to enjoy his call of this game (which I was able to do for two quarters).
Oh, Yes We Did!
To quote Dan Gilbert, "Not in our garage!!!"
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter wasn't allowed in The Q for the morning session with his entourage in tow and had to stay in the garage.
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter decided not to show up for his pregame introduction (and usual boos from the sellout crowd), instead walking to the bench under the cover of darkness while the Cavs were introduced.
Maybe it was a good omen that the Cavs were able to dominate the Heat despite a very quiet triple-double from LeQuitter.
I always thought that, in order for the Heat to be considered a legitimate team, they'd need someone other than Wade, Bosh or LeQuitter. They got that Tuesday night when Mike Bibby made a bunch of wide-open 3-pointers and scored 20 points. However, they didn't play defense, and the Cavs exploited it with a great team effort.
How about Anthony Parker making 7-of-9 shots, including all four from 3-point range. How about Baron Davis making his first start as a Cav and making a great buzzer-beating 3-pointer at halftime, finishing with 12 points and 8 assists. How about J.J. Hickson scoring 24 and pulling down double-digit rebounds.
And, how about Ryan Hollins giving LeBron some "love taps" tonight, setting the tone early that the Cavs weren't going to be pushed around and weren't going to be "pals" this time. Hollins outplayed the overrated Snoop Dogg lookalike Chris Bosh all night long.
And, is Z still a member of the Heat? Didn't notice him ... just like his final few years with the Cavs (ZING!)
Yes, the Heat will make the playoffs this year, and the Cavs are still the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. However, maybe a win like this is just what the doctor ordered. LeQuitter and his Heat embarassed the Cavs when they came to town on Dec. 2, which led to the 26-game losing streak and fans simply turning their backs on this team.
Tuesday, fans wanted to believe that the Cavs would give LeQuitter a taste of his own medicine. For that belief, we were rewarded with a victory.
Leave it to ESPN to throw in some digs about the Cavs' long losing streak and that bad Dec. 2 game as they threw up highlights of this game. ESPN always has to try to take Cleveland down a peg. Unfortunately, your weak attempts didn't work. ESPN should get off the Heat bandwagon, because there's no way that "team" is going to win an NBA championship this year. Dare I say it, I'll agree with Dan Gilbert on this one -- I don't think the Heat will win an NBA championship within the next six years (the length of the contracts of LeQuitter, Wade and Bosh).
Cleveland and the Cavs got the last laugh over LeQuitter in 2010-11. No one can take that away. It wasn't by a fluke buzzer-beater or anything like that. This was a beatdown, throughly.
And, with a healthy Baron Davis and Antawn Jamison next year, along with some impact rookies, you've got to be excited about 2011-12 for the Cavs. They won't be championship-calibur. But, playoff-calibur? As a lower-seeded team? Don't be surprised.
I'll leave LeQuitter with this one -- Ain't karma a bitch?
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Back with a vengeance
No, I'm not talking about LeQuitter, who comes back to The Q tonight for the second time as a member of the visiting team. I'm talking about Joe Cleveland and his blog coming back after a few weeks of silence. I apologize for that.
There's been an awful lot to talk about in the world of local sports. The last thing I sounded off on was the fall from grace of legendary Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and his lies that may wind up costing his program a lot more than five games without a few star players and their head coach. And, I have more thoughts about this, which I will share a little bit later.
But first, I wanted to give a plug to an old friend and co-worker of mine, Pete, who writes his own blog about the Browns, The Blawg Pound (http://www.blawgpound.com/). Pete decided to interview people he knew who were Browns fans and ask them just what it is about the Browns that is so-damn loveable for us. One of the people he chose was me. My interview will probably be published in the next week or so.
Speaking of the Browns, a lot of people I know have been asking for my opinions on the NFL lockout. Well, as an NFL fan, it sucks because of the real threat of there being no football this fall on Sundays (and random other days). Now what am I going to do on Sundays without watching the Browns or running my fantasy football teams? I'm not looking forward to that prospect.
To be honest, though, I'm not too worried about a lockout at this point. Right now, it seems to be a lot of posturing between the players and owners. No games have been cancelled at this point. The only thing on hold is offseason training sessions and free agency. If the lockout drags into the summer, then I think we as fans can start being worried.
Now, teams that have made coaching changes appear to be the most behind the 8-ball when it comes to the lockout, because the new staff is not allowed to have any contact with the players and vice-versa. They can't learn the playbook or workout or just be around the new personnel. That, and it delays the addition of new players as free agents who may be more knowledgable about the new schemes and philosophies being brought in by the new coaching staff.
With the Browns, they are doing new offensive (West Coast) and defensive (4-3) schemes. I am very happy about both of these changes after watching the team allow opposing offenses to run roughshod through their weak 3-4 and that clunker of an offfense they were trotting out under Crennel and Mangini. However, other than Par Shurmer slipping Colt McCoy his new playbook just before the lockout occurred (which apparently got the Browns fined for illegal contact with a player, whatever that means), the team can't start learning the new philosophies yet.
Actually, these players have probably seen it all at this point, from college and the pros. It's the terminology that is different and unique, and something that the players say is the biggest thing that needs learned and worked on.
I still hold out optimism that an agreement will be reached by May or June and the NFL will back up and running shortly after and no games will be postponed. With all the litigation going on, though, we'll see what happens.
***
Speaking of Tressel, he was probably the biggest OSU hoops fan this March, and not just because he wanted the school's team to succeed. The hoops team was serving as a nice distraction from Tressel's own trevails. The more the team won, the less OSU fans could think about their disgraced football coach and the mess he is bringing onto their beloved team.
But, the Buckeyes got stunned by Kentucky in the Sweet 16 round, ending their season and their title hopes (which I believe were legitimate this year, especially with the way this tournament has played out with all of the upsets). And, just like that, a so-called Buckeye Nation turns its lonely eyes to you, Mr. Tressel and your moronic bosses Gene Smith and Gordon Gee.
On the very day Thad Matta's team was a William Buford bricked 3-pointer away from staying alive in the NCAA Tournament, word came out that Tressel wasn't being completely honest when he said he kept the e-miails about Tattoo-Gate to himself. He also told one of the closest confidants and advisors of Terrrelle Pryor.
Smith claims that Tressel told them about it, but it just continues to look worse and worse for the Sweater Vest. Even his attempt to make his suspension match his players' suspensions (which, no surprise, were upheld by the NCAA) and sit out the first five games next season seem like a weak attempt at gaining leniency from the NCAA.
As I said before, I love Ohio State football, and I am a big fan of Tressel because of his ability to win football games (at least most of them), especially games over Michigan. However, I can't say I'm surprised about these allegations, and it just gets more and more disappointing.
Something tells me the rumor that Urban Meyer will take over the Ohio State football program in 2012 will continue to grow legs as more and more comes out about this Tressel ordeal. And, I have a feeling the 2010 season will be forfeited (except the Sugar Bowl win, since the NCAA cleared the players to play) because Tressel knowingly played a QB and a WR who broke NCAA rules in every game without telling anyone.
And, I can't be the only one who hopes Pryor never takes another snap for Ohio State again. Now, we can only hope Braxton Miller is the real deal.
***
I caught Cleveland State's two NIT games at the Wolstein Center last week. I have to say, I was not only disappointed by the play of the Vikings in both games, Joe Cleveland was also disappointed about the crowds.
Both games (which were played around NCAA Tourney games being held at The Q that also featured Ohio State) drew barely 2,500 people or less. Of course, CSU was on spring break, which limited any type of student section. And, it surprised me that more basketball fans wouldn't pony up the $10 just to see tournament basketball, even if it is the NIT.
With NBA scouts on hand, Norris Cole had a good game against Vermont without much help, and an average game against the College of Charleston despite a little more help. Center Aaron Pogue was being his usual stiff self against Vermont, almost single-handedly costing them the game against the underdog Catamounts. However, he played much better against Charleston, so I give him credit.
What cost CSU wasn't their defense, which held heralded point guard Andrew Goudelock to well under his season average of 22 points and, without a bunch of late free throws, would have held him to under double-digits. It was sudden inability to hit a 3-pointer. Tim Kamczyc connected on a trey early in the game, and then the Vikings proceeded to miss the remaining 24 shots behind the arc. They make even half of those attempts, and CSU is hosting a quarterfinal game against Wichita State with a berth in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden on the line.
Despite the loss to Charleston, you can't deny what a great season it was for CSU basketball. And, with only Cole being lost to graduation and a good incoming freshman class, Gary Waters' bunch should continue to challenge for the top spot in the Horizon League.
Speaking of the Horizon League, did anyone see Butler making another run at the Final Four prior to this NCAA Tournament? I certainly didn't. You got to give the Bulldogs credit. And, if they can beat VCU (which could happen), a second-straight title game will be in the cards against a much easier opponent than Duke last year (Kentucky and UConn are both beatable teams).
***
Spring Training is about to wrap up for the Indians, and the season opens up at the end of this week. Meanwhile, we still are having 30-degree days (at least it isn't snowing, knock on wood).
Judging by the lack of talent on the Indians, it wouldn't surprise me if the team opened up as cold as the weather, like they have normally done since John Hart left as GM and Mark Shapiro fired eventual World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel.
A story came out that the Indians payroll is at its lowest in many years. Congratulations, Dolans, on that feat. I'm sure you're proud.
Another cost-cutting decision may bite the Indians, as projected third baseman Jason Donald will miss the start of the season with an injury. Instead of promoting rookie Lonnie Chisenhall, who had a red-hot spring, the Indians will go with journeyman Jack Hanahann at third to start the year.
They claim that they want to give Chisenhall some seasoning at Triple-A Columbus, but the real reason is they don't want to kick start his major league service time, which would kick up his arbitration date. It's the same thing that happened last year with Carlos Santana, and they are doing it again with Chisenhall.
It's about time Paul and Larry started not to worry about the bottom line and started to worry about putting a winning team on the field that Cleveland fans (like Joe Cleveland) can care about and root for. That starts by giving one of the prospects fans have been hearing about for years (like Chisenhall) a major league job and seeing what he can do. Certainly, he's an upgrade of Jack Hanahann.
But, as long as they worry more about the bottom line and about things like Snow Days and the Indians Country Music Fest (or whatever it is they're calling it), they will continue to see empty green seats in their Progressive Field. And, I hate to say it, but that's what they deserve.
But hey, Go Tribe!
***
Lastly, I'm hoping the Cavs can at least show up and punch LeBron and his two other teammates in the mouth (not litterally ... oh, who's Joe Cleveland kidding. Of course, I mean literally) and give the fans something to be proud of this season.
A win over LeQuitter would probably placate every single member of the Cavs remaining fan base and keep the interest going through the offseason and into next year. Popular trades like the Baron Davis and a lottery pick for Mo "Oh my aching ankle" Williams and Jamario Moon deal got some fans back on the Cavs side, and a great showing against the Heat (in front of a rabid fan base who would love nothing more than for LeQuitter to get his after what he did to the fan base this offseason) would really go a long way.
Maybe having Joe Tait in the house would do the trick. I am happy he made it back for these final home games this year. He didn't deserve to go out like that. He deserved to go out behind the mic, and he'll get the chance to this year.
***
Thanks for your patience in Joe Cleveland and the infrequency of his blogs. Glad you still come back and give it a read when you can, and thanks for spreading the word.
You can follow Joe Cleveland on Twitter @JoeCleveBlog, and I link to all the blogs through the Twitter page. And, my true identity posts them to the Facebook page everytime the blog is updated, as well.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
There's been an awful lot to talk about in the world of local sports. The last thing I sounded off on was the fall from grace of legendary Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and his lies that may wind up costing his program a lot more than five games without a few star players and their head coach. And, I have more thoughts about this, which I will share a little bit later.
But first, I wanted to give a plug to an old friend and co-worker of mine, Pete, who writes his own blog about the Browns, The Blawg Pound (http://www.blawgpound.com/). Pete decided to interview people he knew who were Browns fans and ask them just what it is about the Browns that is so-damn loveable for us. One of the people he chose was me. My interview will probably be published in the next week or so.
Speaking of the Browns, a lot of people I know have been asking for my opinions on the NFL lockout. Well, as an NFL fan, it sucks because of the real threat of there being no football this fall on Sundays (and random other days). Now what am I going to do on Sundays without watching the Browns or running my fantasy football teams? I'm not looking forward to that prospect.
To be honest, though, I'm not too worried about a lockout at this point. Right now, it seems to be a lot of posturing between the players and owners. No games have been cancelled at this point. The only thing on hold is offseason training sessions and free agency. If the lockout drags into the summer, then I think we as fans can start being worried.
Now, teams that have made coaching changes appear to be the most behind the 8-ball when it comes to the lockout, because the new staff is not allowed to have any contact with the players and vice-versa. They can't learn the playbook or workout or just be around the new personnel. That, and it delays the addition of new players as free agents who may be more knowledgable about the new schemes and philosophies being brought in by the new coaching staff.
With the Browns, they are doing new offensive (West Coast) and defensive (4-3) schemes. I am very happy about both of these changes after watching the team allow opposing offenses to run roughshod through their weak 3-4 and that clunker of an offfense they were trotting out under Crennel and Mangini. However, other than Par Shurmer slipping Colt McCoy his new playbook just before the lockout occurred (which apparently got the Browns fined for illegal contact with a player, whatever that means), the team can't start learning the new philosophies yet.
Actually, these players have probably seen it all at this point, from college and the pros. It's the terminology that is different and unique, and something that the players say is the biggest thing that needs learned and worked on.
I still hold out optimism that an agreement will be reached by May or June and the NFL will back up and running shortly after and no games will be postponed. With all the litigation going on, though, we'll see what happens.
***
Speaking of Tressel, he was probably the biggest OSU hoops fan this March, and not just because he wanted the school's team to succeed. The hoops team was serving as a nice distraction from Tressel's own trevails. The more the team won, the less OSU fans could think about their disgraced football coach and the mess he is bringing onto their beloved team.
But, the Buckeyes got stunned by Kentucky in the Sweet 16 round, ending their season and their title hopes (which I believe were legitimate this year, especially with the way this tournament has played out with all of the upsets). And, just like that, a so-called Buckeye Nation turns its lonely eyes to you, Mr. Tressel and your moronic bosses Gene Smith and Gordon Gee.
On the very day Thad Matta's team was a William Buford bricked 3-pointer away from staying alive in the NCAA Tournament, word came out that Tressel wasn't being completely honest when he said he kept the e-miails about Tattoo-Gate to himself. He also told one of the closest confidants and advisors of Terrrelle Pryor.
Smith claims that Tressel told them about it, but it just continues to look worse and worse for the Sweater Vest. Even his attempt to make his suspension match his players' suspensions (which, no surprise, were upheld by the NCAA) and sit out the first five games next season seem like a weak attempt at gaining leniency from the NCAA.
As I said before, I love Ohio State football, and I am a big fan of Tressel because of his ability to win football games (at least most of them), especially games over Michigan. However, I can't say I'm surprised about these allegations, and it just gets more and more disappointing.
Something tells me the rumor that Urban Meyer will take over the Ohio State football program in 2012 will continue to grow legs as more and more comes out about this Tressel ordeal. And, I have a feeling the 2010 season will be forfeited (except the Sugar Bowl win, since the NCAA cleared the players to play) because Tressel knowingly played a QB and a WR who broke NCAA rules in every game without telling anyone.
And, I can't be the only one who hopes Pryor never takes another snap for Ohio State again. Now, we can only hope Braxton Miller is the real deal.
***
I caught Cleveland State's two NIT games at the Wolstein Center last week. I have to say, I was not only disappointed by the play of the Vikings in both games, Joe Cleveland was also disappointed about the crowds.
Both games (which were played around NCAA Tourney games being held at The Q that also featured Ohio State) drew barely 2,500 people or less. Of course, CSU was on spring break, which limited any type of student section. And, it surprised me that more basketball fans wouldn't pony up the $10 just to see tournament basketball, even if it is the NIT.
With NBA scouts on hand, Norris Cole had a good game against Vermont without much help, and an average game against the College of Charleston despite a little more help. Center Aaron Pogue was being his usual stiff self against Vermont, almost single-handedly costing them the game against the underdog Catamounts. However, he played much better against Charleston, so I give him credit.
What cost CSU wasn't their defense, which held heralded point guard Andrew Goudelock to well under his season average of 22 points and, without a bunch of late free throws, would have held him to under double-digits. It was sudden inability to hit a 3-pointer. Tim Kamczyc connected on a trey early in the game, and then the Vikings proceeded to miss the remaining 24 shots behind the arc. They make even half of those attempts, and CSU is hosting a quarterfinal game against Wichita State with a berth in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden on the line.
Despite the loss to Charleston, you can't deny what a great season it was for CSU basketball. And, with only Cole being lost to graduation and a good incoming freshman class, Gary Waters' bunch should continue to challenge for the top spot in the Horizon League.
Speaking of the Horizon League, did anyone see Butler making another run at the Final Four prior to this NCAA Tournament? I certainly didn't. You got to give the Bulldogs credit. And, if they can beat VCU (which could happen), a second-straight title game will be in the cards against a much easier opponent than Duke last year (Kentucky and UConn are both beatable teams).
***
Spring Training is about to wrap up for the Indians, and the season opens up at the end of this week. Meanwhile, we still are having 30-degree days (at least it isn't snowing, knock on wood).
Judging by the lack of talent on the Indians, it wouldn't surprise me if the team opened up as cold as the weather, like they have normally done since John Hart left as GM and Mark Shapiro fired eventual World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel.
A story came out that the Indians payroll is at its lowest in many years. Congratulations, Dolans, on that feat. I'm sure you're proud.
Another cost-cutting decision may bite the Indians, as projected third baseman Jason Donald will miss the start of the season with an injury. Instead of promoting rookie Lonnie Chisenhall, who had a red-hot spring, the Indians will go with journeyman Jack Hanahann at third to start the year.
They claim that they want to give Chisenhall some seasoning at Triple-A Columbus, but the real reason is they don't want to kick start his major league service time, which would kick up his arbitration date. It's the same thing that happened last year with Carlos Santana, and they are doing it again with Chisenhall.
It's about time Paul and Larry started not to worry about the bottom line and started to worry about putting a winning team on the field that Cleveland fans (like Joe Cleveland) can care about and root for. That starts by giving one of the prospects fans have been hearing about for years (like Chisenhall) a major league job and seeing what he can do. Certainly, he's an upgrade of Jack Hanahann.
But, as long as they worry more about the bottom line and about things like Snow Days and the Indians Country Music Fest (or whatever it is they're calling it), they will continue to see empty green seats in their Progressive Field. And, I hate to say it, but that's what they deserve.
But hey, Go Tribe!
***
Lastly, I'm hoping the Cavs can at least show up and punch LeBron and his two other teammates in the mouth (not litterally ... oh, who's Joe Cleveland kidding. Of course, I mean literally) and give the fans something to be proud of this season.
A win over LeQuitter would probably placate every single member of the Cavs remaining fan base and keep the interest going through the offseason and into next year. Popular trades like the Baron Davis and a lottery pick for Mo "Oh my aching ankle" Williams and Jamario Moon deal got some fans back on the Cavs side, and a great showing against the Heat (in front of a rabid fan base who would love nothing more than for LeQuitter to get his after what he did to the fan base this offseason) would really go a long way.
Maybe having Joe Tait in the house would do the trick. I am happy he made it back for these final home games this year. He didn't deserve to go out like that. He deserved to go out behind the mic, and he'll get the chance to this year.
***
Thanks for your patience in Joe Cleveland and the infrequency of his blogs. Glad you still come back and give it a read when you can, and thanks for spreading the word.
You can follow Joe Cleveland on Twitter @JoeCleveBlog, and I link to all the blogs through the Twitter page. And, my true identity posts them to the Facebook page everytime the blog is updated, as well.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Close to the Vest
Joe Cleveland would like to take the opportunity to apologize for the long droughts between blog updates. With high school wrestling season over and girls and boys hoops not too far behind, the man behind the alter ego seems to have a bit of free time, which allows me to put on my "Joe Cleveland" hat and pontificate on the state of sports.
Joe Cleveland had to come out of hiding today, as the legend that is Jim Tressel came crashing down today when he all but admitted that he lied to the NCAA and his own bosses about e-mails that blew the whistle on his players accepting cash and tattoos for memorabilia that they won or were given as members of his Buckeyes.
Yahoo Sports blew the whistle on this story yesterday, quoting a source as saying that Tressel received e-mails from the attorney of tattoo shop owner Edward Rife back in April. Ohio State didn't find out about it until December, when a federal raid on the tattoo parlor uncovered the stuff. The school and the NCAA suspended five players, including starting QB Terrelle Pryor, for violating NCAA by-laws by accepting cash and gifts for their various awards and jersies. The school and the NCAA agreeed to let the violaters play in the Sugar Bowl -- which OSU won -- and allowed for the suspension to start with the first game of the 2011 season.
Ohio State had been appealing the suspension's length for the five players. But now that their "squeaky clean" head coach wasn't complicent himself, they might as well quit while they're ahead.
I worked with a guy who covered Ohio State for many years (both before and after Tressel's hiring) and he was convinced that the Tressel the public saw, the conservative, sweater-vest wearing disciplinarian who has done nothing but beat the tar out of Michigan and get OSU into tons of prestigious bowl games, wasn't the real Tressel. He was convinced that Tressel was shady, but he just couldn't prove it.
Red flags propped up shortly after Tressel guided the Buckeyes to a shocking National Championship in 2002. Maurice Clarett, the star freshman running back on that team, was linked to accepting improper benefits from an OSU booster. Tressel and the school claimed that they had no idea this was going on. Meanwhile, Clarett was threatening to blow the whistle on Tress and the school. Unfortunately, Clarett's credibility was shot. He was dismissed from the team and the school, tried to challenge the NFL's draft laws (and failed), was selected by the Broncos in the third round, signed an incentive-laden contract that didn't guarantee him a DIME and then was cut in training camp. Oh yeah, then he robbed someone at gunpoint in Columbus and spent some time in prison. Nice going, Maurice.
After the Clarett debacle, Troy Smith was also found to have accepted gifts from a booster. He was quickly suspended for the Alamo Bowl (this was right after he engineered a huge upset of Michigan in one of his first starts) and his first two games of the next season. He came back for a huge No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash with Texas, but Tressel kept flip-flopping between him and Justin Zwick, and the Buckeyes lost.
Following that, Smith regained his job and embarked on a remarkable career that resulted in his winning the Heisman Trophy and getting the Buckeyes back in the National Championship game. They were blown out by Florida, but Smith's legacy was secured. He's been mostly a backup QB in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with flashes of good play here and there while more than a few Browns fans clamored for their native son to be brought back home to play for their favorite team (not gonna happen).
Tressel got off scot free from both instances with his reputation in tact. Buckeye fans lauded Tressel, sang songs about him, named their kids after him, dressed up for Haloween as him. Unfortunately, die-hard Buckeye fans can be a tad bit obnoxious, but you get the point. As long as Tressel owned "that team up North," kept churning out top recruiting classes and had the Buckeyes in the national title hunt every single year, that was all that mattered.
Until today.
Before I get in on this rant, Joe Cleveland would like everyone to know that I am, in fact, an Ohio State Buckeye fan and a Michigan hater. I don't exactly bleed Scarlet and Gray, as the Browns have always been my first true-love when it comes to football. However, when it comes to college football, I root for Ohio State first and foremost; always have, always will. That being said ...
I took a listen to sports-talk radio on my way to an assignment prior to the press conference, and you should have heard the shilling going on for "Lord Tressel." Idiots went as far as to say that the two Yahoo reporters were from Michigan and "planted" the story to make Ohio State look bad (really? Are you that delusional, Buckeye Fan?) The hosts of the program lambasted anyone who tried to speak unkind of "Lord Tressel," even going so far as suggestng to someone to go to the NCAA with their allegations of what he was up to at Youngstown State if they had the "proof."
Take off your Scarlet and Gray glasses, folks. Your "Lord" is a sham, just like every other college football coach out there.
Ohio State decided to fine Tressel and suspend him for the first two games of 2011. So, they'll be without five players for five games and without their head coach for two of them. Way to get off to a great start, Buckeyes. And, they have no one to blame but themselves.
What's amazing is that Tressel can get away with decieving his bosses and still keep his job. And, if you think Tressel is going to resign, think again. Today was the perfect opportunity for him to leave, and he sat there, stoically steadfast, barely admitting he did something wrong.
No, the only way Ohio State is going to get rid of Tressel is if they fire him. And, trust me, they don't want to fire him. Not with the way he makes money hand over fist for the university. Not with the way he's turned their college football program into one of the best in the country. Not after he turned the name "John Cooper" into an afterthought, a "who was the coach before Tressel?" afterthought.
It's amazing how much Tressel is becoming like the guy he emulated, Woody Hayes. Woody was God, Jesus and Satan all rolled into one as the head coach of the Buckeyes. Woody was a cantankerous son of a bitch who was hated by his opponents, hated by some of his players, and hated by some in the media. But, everyone respected Woody. Woody hated Michigan. Therefore, Buckeye fans LOVED Woody. Woody pushed his car from Michigan into Ohio because he didn't want to spend any money on Michigan gas, as folklore has it. Nevermind the fact that he punched an opposing player on the sidelines during his final game, which resulted in his "I guess we have to" firing. Woody is a legend.
It appears that Tressel may have his "punching the opposing player" moment if more and more comes out about his deceptions and his underhanded tactics. For some Buckeye fans, it was their "Say it ain't so, Joe" moment. You would have thought someone kicked their dog and pissed in their Cheerios with the news that Tressel actually did sit on some e-mails months before the school found out and that they had to suspend him.
There are already rumors that Urban Meyer could be a possible replacement for Tressel when, and if, Tressel quits or gets fired or mutually departs. Meyer is from Ohio originally. And, of course, the Bob Stoops rumors could be out there again, or the Jon Gruden rumors (both were rumored candidates when Tressel originally took the job over from Cooper).
Then, there was always the rumors about Tressel's interest in coaching the Cleveland Browns. Something tells me he might have better off jumping off SS Buckeye when he had the chance three years ago, when the Browns were clearly angling to get rid of Romeo Crennel and Tressel's name popped up as a possible candidate. With Holmgren running the ship, there's no way Tressel would get hired now. Maybe as some type of assistant or advisor, but not as the head coach.
Just like many Buckeye fans were ready to throw Terrelle Pryor overboard following the revolations that he sold his Gold Pants trinkets (given to Buckeyes for beating Michigan every year) and his Most Valuable Player Award from the Rose Bowl for some new ink, some are ready to wash their hands of the guy they once idolized.
Tressel still has his job, and our society is, by and large, a forgiving one, so if Tressel can get back to the business of winning football games (especially against Michigan), fans will turn a blind eye to what happened. If Tressel becomes the "Straight-arrow Gennaro" that everyone envisioned him to be after this, more power to him.
Tressel could run for Governor of Ohio and win easily if he wanted. Today, not so much. The curtain has been pulled back on the Wizard of Oz. We'll see if it's truly a horse of a different color after all.
Joe Cleveland would like to shed a tear for the Miami Heat's recent woes, but they are only tears of laughter.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Joe Cleveland had to come out of hiding today, as the legend that is Jim Tressel came crashing down today when he all but admitted that he lied to the NCAA and his own bosses about e-mails that blew the whistle on his players accepting cash and tattoos for memorabilia that they won or were given as members of his Buckeyes.
Yahoo Sports blew the whistle on this story yesterday, quoting a source as saying that Tressel received e-mails from the attorney of tattoo shop owner Edward Rife back in April. Ohio State didn't find out about it until December, when a federal raid on the tattoo parlor uncovered the stuff. The school and the NCAA suspended five players, including starting QB Terrelle Pryor, for violating NCAA by-laws by accepting cash and gifts for their various awards and jersies. The school and the NCAA agreeed to let the violaters play in the Sugar Bowl -- which OSU won -- and allowed for the suspension to start with the first game of the 2011 season.
Ohio State had been appealing the suspension's length for the five players. But now that their "squeaky clean" head coach wasn't complicent himself, they might as well quit while they're ahead.
I worked with a guy who covered Ohio State for many years (both before and after Tressel's hiring) and he was convinced that the Tressel the public saw, the conservative, sweater-vest wearing disciplinarian who has done nothing but beat the tar out of Michigan and get OSU into tons of prestigious bowl games, wasn't the real Tressel. He was convinced that Tressel was shady, but he just couldn't prove it.
Red flags propped up shortly after Tressel guided the Buckeyes to a shocking National Championship in 2002. Maurice Clarett, the star freshman running back on that team, was linked to accepting improper benefits from an OSU booster. Tressel and the school claimed that they had no idea this was going on. Meanwhile, Clarett was threatening to blow the whistle on Tress and the school. Unfortunately, Clarett's credibility was shot. He was dismissed from the team and the school, tried to challenge the NFL's draft laws (and failed), was selected by the Broncos in the third round, signed an incentive-laden contract that didn't guarantee him a DIME and then was cut in training camp. Oh yeah, then he robbed someone at gunpoint in Columbus and spent some time in prison. Nice going, Maurice.
After the Clarett debacle, Troy Smith was also found to have accepted gifts from a booster. He was quickly suspended for the Alamo Bowl (this was right after he engineered a huge upset of Michigan in one of his first starts) and his first two games of the next season. He came back for a huge No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash with Texas, but Tressel kept flip-flopping between him and Justin Zwick, and the Buckeyes lost.
Following that, Smith regained his job and embarked on a remarkable career that resulted in his winning the Heisman Trophy and getting the Buckeyes back in the National Championship game. They were blown out by Florida, but Smith's legacy was secured. He's been mostly a backup QB in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with flashes of good play here and there while more than a few Browns fans clamored for their native son to be brought back home to play for their favorite team (not gonna happen).
Tressel got off scot free from both instances with his reputation in tact. Buckeye fans lauded Tressel, sang songs about him, named their kids after him, dressed up for Haloween as him. Unfortunately, die-hard Buckeye fans can be a tad bit obnoxious, but you get the point. As long as Tressel owned "that team up North," kept churning out top recruiting classes and had the Buckeyes in the national title hunt every single year, that was all that mattered.
Until today.
Before I get in on this rant, Joe Cleveland would like everyone to know that I am, in fact, an Ohio State Buckeye fan and a Michigan hater. I don't exactly bleed Scarlet and Gray, as the Browns have always been my first true-love when it comes to football. However, when it comes to college football, I root for Ohio State first and foremost; always have, always will. That being said ...
I took a listen to sports-talk radio on my way to an assignment prior to the press conference, and you should have heard the shilling going on for "Lord Tressel." Idiots went as far as to say that the two Yahoo reporters were from Michigan and "planted" the story to make Ohio State look bad (really? Are you that delusional, Buckeye Fan?) The hosts of the program lambasted anyone who tried to speak unkind of "Lord Tressel," even going so far as suggestng to someone to go to the NCAA with their allegations of what he was up to at Youngstown State if they had the "proof."
Take off your Scarlet and Gray glasses, folks. Your "Lord" is a sham, just like every other college football coach out there.
Ohio State decided to fine Tressel and suspend him for the first two games of 2011. So, they'll be without five players for five games and without their head coach for two of them. Way to get off to a great start, Buckeyes. And, they have no one to blame but themselves.
What's amazing is that Tressel can get away with decieving his bosses and still keep his job. And, if you think Tressel is going to resign, think again. Today was the perfect opportunity for him to leave, and he sat there, stoically steadfast, barely admitting he did something wrong.
No, the only way Ohio State is going to get rid of Tressel is if they fire him. And, trust me, they don't want to fire him. Not with the way he makes money hand over fist for the university. Not with the way he's turned their college football program into one of the best in the country. Not after he turned the name "John Cooper" into an afterthought, a "who was the coach before Tressel?" afterthought.
It's amazing how much Tressel is becoming like the guy he emulated, Woody Hayes. Woody was God, Jesus and Satan all rolled into one as the head coach of the Buckeyes. Woody was a cantankerous son of a bitch who was hated by his opponents, hated by some of his players, and hated by some in the media. But, everyone respected Woody. Woody hated Michigan. Therefore, Buckeye fans LOVED Woody. Woody pushed his car from Michigan into Ohio because he didn't want to spend any money on Michigan gas, as folklore has it. Nevermind the fact that he punched an opposing player on the sidelines during his final game, which resulted in his "I guess we have to" firing. Woody is a legend.
It appears that Tressel may have his "punching the opposing player" moment if more and more comes out about his deceptions and his underhanded tactics. For some Buckeye fans, it was their "Say it ain't so, Joe" moment. You would have thought someone kicked their dog and pissed in their Cheerios with the news that Tressel actually did sit on some e-mails months before the school found out and that they had to suspend him.
There are already rumors that Urban Meyer could be a possible replacement for Tressel when, and if, Tressel quits or gets fired or mutually departs. Meyer is from Ohio originally. And, of course, the Bob Stoops rumors could be out there again, or the Jon Gruden rumors (both were rumored candidates when Tressel originally took the job over from Cooper).
Then, there was always the rumors about Tressel's interest in coaching the Cleveland Browns. Something tells me he might have better off jumping off SS Buckeye when he had the chance three years ago, when the Browns were clearly angling to get rid of Romeo Crennel and Tressel's name popped up as a possible candidate. With Holmgren running the ship, there's no way Tressel would get hired now. Maybe as some type of assistant or advisor, but not as the head coach.
Just like many Buckeye fans were ready to throw Terrelle Pryor overboard following the revolations that he sold his Gold Pants trinkets (given to Buckeyes for beating Michigan every year) and his Most Valuable Player Award from the Rose Bowl for some new ink, some are ready to wash their hands of the guy they once idolized.
Tressel still has his job, and our society is, by and large, a forgiving one, so if Tressel can get back to the business of winning football games (especially against Michigan), fans will turn a blind eye to what happened. If Tressel becomes the "Straight-arrow Gennaro" that everyone envisioned him to be after this, more power to him.
Tressel could run for Governor of Ohio and win easily if he wanted. Today, not so much. The curtain has been pulled back on the Wizard of Oz. We'll see if it's truly a horse of a different color after all.
Joe Cleveland would like to shed a tear for the Miami Heat's recent woes, but they are only tears of laughter.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
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