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No town experienced a blow as bad as Cleveland did when Art Modell took the Browns out from under their feet over 10 years ago. Since then, it really hasn’t been the same in the city of orange and brown, as this team has seen coaches and their staffs come and go like they were hired from a temp agency.
Now, this team has a second-year head coach in Romeo Crennel, as well as a proven general manager in Phil Savage. While it seems as if not much has changed in Cleveland, on the outside, this may be correct. But on the inside, I think that it may be a little different.
Click to continue reading AFC North Preview: Cleveland Browns
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Against all odds, the Pittsburgh Steelers went from Wild Card to Trump Card in a matter of a few weeks. One of the last teams given a playoff spot last season, the Steelers went on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts coming away with a victory in each contest. The season finished up in Detroit, Michigan where the Steel Curtain hoisted up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
A storybook ending for all involved; including Jerome Bettis who had never won a Super Bowl, and got to do so in his hometown. Well, I think that storybook did end last season, as this year’s Steelers might find their work cut out for them to even make the playoffs, let alone win it all again.
Click to continue reading AFC North Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
As a football fan born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, trust me when I tell you that it pains me to write about the successes that the Bengals will incur for the upcoming 2006 football season.
A prolific offense that was one knee injury (or lack thereof) away from going further in the AFC playoffs only a year ago, this Cincinnati club is back with a vengeance, and will more than likely take all of its pent up frustrations out on the rest of the division.
Click to continue reading AFC North Preview: Cincinnati Bengals
Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 2, Pick 7
Posted by Ron Chow Categories: Central Division, Indiana Pacers, H2H, Props, Roto, Site Features, Talent,
Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 2, Pick 7 Jermaine O’Neal, PF/C, Indiana Pacers
There she is. Damn she is so sexy, but in a classy way. You have been eyeing her from afar and she knows it. She’s a heart-breaker and will leave you broke, but you are still intrigued. “Maybe it will be different,” you tell yourself knowing that the time that will be spent with her will be awesome, but how long before she leaves? Sound familiar? Welcome potential Jermaine O’Neal owners. The allure of a versatile PF/C that is capable of 20-10-2 can be overpowering, however, the strong possibility of an injury can break your heart.
Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 2, Pick 7
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Since July 31st, in 16.1 innings, reliever Brandon McCarthy has allowed 5 ER, while striking out 16 batters and walking just 5. He is finally starting to deliver on the strikeout skills that he showed in the minors. Even with veterans Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez all pitching poorly since the All-Star break, it is doubtful that he will be moved into the rotation this year. But if he continues to pitch like this, he could find his way into the starting rotation in 2007.
Of the four starters previously mentioned, Javier Vazquez and Freddy Garcia have the best chances of bouncing back. Despite a 5.06 ERA, Vazquez maintains a solid skill set with a 7.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9. One of his problems is inconsistency. One night he can be dominant, like on August 5th when he struck out 13 Blue Jays. Other times, he can be very mediocre, like August 15th when he managed 1 K in 5.1 innings against the lowly Royals. Another problem is that with a G/F ratio of 1.09, he is not a good fit for US Cellular Field, which increases home run power by 34%. That being said, he has the skills to put together a good month.
Garcia’s K/9 is in a three-year declining trend of 7.9/5.8/5.5. Despite a below average K/9, last year he was able to put up a solid season because of a good BB/9 of 2.4 and a career high G/F ratio of 1.60. This year, with a G/F ratio of 1.09, he has moved away from the groundball approach without an increase in strikeouts. The good news is that he has maintained good control, a BB/9 of 2.1. To get back on track, he will have to induce a higher level of groundballs.
Dustin Hermanson, who closed games for most of last season for the White Sox, is rehabbing at Triple-A and should be back with the big league club when the rosters expand. According to manager Ozzie Guillen, his back problems will prevent him from pitching for more than an inning at a time or in back-to-back days. Guillen also made it clear that the bullpen is set, so don’t expect to see Hermanson pitch in any meaningful situations.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 2, Pick 6
Posted by Alvin Lai Categories: Editorial, H2H, Roto, Southwest Division, San Antonio Spurs, Talent,
The middle of the draft can be a tough spot. After your first pick, you have to wait while 11-12 players leave the board before it is your turn again. I am sure everyone here at Dropping Dimes believes that one can win from any draft slot if you play your chips right. A lot of people will be down on this pick, I am sure. Sure, his stats went south last year. Yet he was still given first fantasy all-star kudos from many faces in different places. It was not too long ago he would be gone by the second pick. Now the question is can he possibly be a steal at the 18th pick?
Round 2, Pick 6: Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 2, Pick 6
Order Of Finish:
1. New England Patriots
2. Miami Dolphins
3. New York Jets
4. Buffalo Bills
Best Offensive Player: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Best Defensive Player: Richard Seymour, DL, New England Patriots
Best Offensive Rookie: Laurence Maroney, RB, New England Patriots
Best Defensive Rookie: John McCargo, DT, Buffalo Bills
Comeback Player: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Miami Dolphins
Breakout Player: Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets
Will Be A Bust Player: Chad Pennington, QB, New York Jets
As bad as the New York Jets QB situation is, the Bills situation isn’t much better. In fact, it might even be worse. QB J.P. Losman got a shot to be the starting QB last season and there was much hope that he’d pull through, but he didn’t. He would split starts with QB Kelly Holcomb, who wasn’t much better. This is a position in disarray and with a bad offensive line, the situation could get worse.
It’s too bad about the QB deficiency because the Bills have a young talented WR in Lee Evans, who managed to catch seven touchdowns. With Eric Moulds gone to the Houston Texans, Evans could be the number one WR on the Bills depth chart. Unless, of course, returning WR Peerless Price regains his former glory as a Bill. However, Price is past his prime and Evans really is just starting to touch on it. Now, if they only had someone good throwing to them.
Click to continue reading AFC East Preview: Buffalo Bills
Last season for the Jets was a disaster to say the least. The team was in such disarray, they were heavy competition for most disappointing franchise with the New York Knicks… now, that’s pretty bad. So, with QB Chad Pennington hurt and lost for most of the season, perennial All Pro C Kevin Mawae injured, and RB Curtis Martin showing his age, drastically performing the complete opposite way he’s had previously in his career, it all added up to a very sorry offense.
So, how did the Jets improve offensively? They drafted QB Matt Leinart… umm, oops. No they didn’t. Instead, with the fourth overall pick, the Jets drafted OL D’Brickashaw Ferguson, passing up on Leinart who could have stepped in as the QB of the future for the Jets, if not the present.
Click to continue reading AFC East Preview: New York Jets
The biggest news for the Dolphins have to do with the QB and RB positions. Out with the old QBs (Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels) and in with the new (Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington). Culpepper is coming off a serious knee injury, but has a multitude of talent, definitely qualifying as high risk/high reward for the Dolphins. Harrington also has talent if you believe his performance when he played with the Oregon Ducks because as of yet, everyone’s still waiting for him to shine.
Someone who won’t be shining for the Dolphins is Ricky Williams, who was suspended for the whole NFL season, thanks to yet another failed drug test. No worries though for Fin fans as Ronnie Brown will get a chance to really show his ability as the dreaded running back-by-committee won’t be in effect. I’d look for Brown to make it so that there will be no need for Williams to ever come back and have him stay up in Canada.
Click to continue reading AFC East Preview: Miami Dolphins
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