cleveland's calling

the average person would look at the statistics from the Cincinnati vs Cleveland game and probably believe the winner of the game was Cincinnati. This would be a logical assumption seeing as the Bengals are home to a receiver two-some hyped to be the difference and the browns have comfortably been home to losing records the past two years.

This assumption, however, would be false as the Bengals lost to the browns for only the third time since 1999. The game remained even-keeled throughout the entire game but was decided in the fourth quarter. In fact, even though the browns didn't trail at any point, the Bengals still seemed to have a chance.

Both the browns and Bengals acquired 21 first downs. Both the browns and Bengals contained possession for almost 30 minutes a piece. The Bengals surpassed the browns in total yards with 413 while the browns only attained 295 but that didn't matter as the browns total yards led to 23 points while then Bengals yards only led to 20.

the minimal differences, however, had to have been the deciding factor as the game ended with Cleveland up top by 3. the question remains: whether or not the browns can rally the rest of the year to be in contention for a playoff spot for the first time in 8 years.

my answer is this: the browns must learn how to maintain the lead through the end of the game, as consistently scoring every quarter will not suffice. The browns established and held onto a lead against the Ravens, Chiefs, Buccaneers through the first 3 but could not retain it through the fourth quarter. With a 1-3 record and a tough schedule of playoff worthy contenders in the weeks ahead, the browns must convene with their leader enabling his growth and most importantly look at ways to improve their running game.

jerome harrison, peyton hillis..answer your calling.

decided

lebron james has recently decided.

not to bring his talents to south beach.

not to suddenly portray himself as a mature adult in search of his first nba championship.

and more importantly not what he should have decided; to let his basketball speak for him.

instead, he has most recently decided to open yet another can of worms that can accompany him as he continues to dig his own grave. "its always, you know, a race factor" ..is an explanation lebron used to explain the immense hatred he has faced since his "decision" on july 8th 2010.

jim rome, j.a. adande, woody paige, tony kornheiser and a variety of journalists with knowledge of lebron's past put it simply and in my own words I will suggest to lebron: you're not hated for what you are (a black man), you are hated for who you are.

You are hated for the river dance you perform on the sideline.

You are hated for the way you either got swept or quit in the playoffs.

You are hated for the way you way you believe you are comparable to kobe bryant although the ring ration between you two is 5:0.

You are hated for the lack of humbleness an admirable star such as yourself should possess when necessary.

You are hated for the 2 regular season mvps you've won and followed with subpar playoff performances. because unlike Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki who also won the regular season MVP but never won an nba championship you sold out your team and compromised your legacy.

lebrons legacy: that of an undoubtedly talented athlete who rather then accept personal responsibility and accountability for actions resorted to excuses. an athlete that may or very well possibly may not win a ring before his career is over due to decisions he has made. an athlete that will continue to have devoted fans around the globe like the millions of fans that voted and landed lebron as the 3rd most popular male athlete in the world WHEN HE WAS BLACK. and unless voters were color blind, the excuse that race has played a role in establishing a newly experienced disgust in the athlete is utterly ridiculous.

after all..we did all hate ben roethlisberger this summer and he is white. on the other hand though, maybe we hated big ben less because he has 2 championship rings and that is 2 more then lebron has.

if crittenton was better

I am appreciative of Javaris Crittenton's role in bringing Pau Gasol to Los Angeles, but do not agree with the role he has played in the Washington Wizard gun controversy that began December 21st in the Wizards' locker room. In comparison to what Gilbert Arenas received, a much watered down punishment was given to Crittenton. Both NBA athletes were charged by the state of Washington with forms of gun possesion but somehow Arenas ended with a felony gun charge as well as a much harsher punishment then even possible for Crittenton. Whether or not the guns served as props during an altercation similar to an older western shootout, or the guns were the threat followed by a note in the locker room..no accounts can deem one side more responsible then the other. With this being the case, I can't help but wonder if Javaris Crittenton sold out his teammate to cover his tracks or Gilbert Arenas is yet another star who is being used as an example.

Arenas is a three-time-all-star who has averaged as high as 30 points per game, 10 assists per game and 4 rebounds per game. Crittenton averaged as many as 7 points per game, 2 assists per game, and 3 rebounds per game before Arenas was out of the lineup. Arenas was adored by the fans and given special nicknames. Similar to the relationship between Plaxico Burress and his New York fans ..that of a local star, that of a league star. Crittenton's relationship with those of Washington is similar to the relationship between Cleveland Brown fans and Donte Stallworth. Stallworth was the receiver responsible for the DUI that ended the life of a Miami Beach citizen on March of 2009. Donte Stallworth was suspended from the NFL indefinitely but received a legal sentence of only 30 days in jail and a lifetime ban of his license.

Both Crittenton and Stallworth spent limited time at their organizations before finding themselves in trouble. Both Crittenton and Stallworth were not as recognizable as the stars from their newly joined teams. On the Contrary- both Arenas and Burress were in fact the face of their organizations and had been for more then 3 years. The publicity and stress placed upon the two cases that have each ended in felony gun charges is ironic or coincidental.

The irony poses a question of logic and judgement from the defendants, but also a strong questioning of the justice system in relation to status. Had Crittenton been held to a higher standard of perfection through the media his punishment would have been less severe. Rather then credit Crittenton's attorney or Crittenton's idea to sell Arenas out..I credit Crittenton's punishment to his lack of talent.

wrongfully awarded

charles woodson as ap defensive player of the year.

..hmm not only did darrelle revis fall second, he fell by 14 points.

in comparison to woodson it seems the voters were swayed more so by numbers on paper then performance in games.

Revis racked up 7 interceptions in the regular season returning one back for a touchdown.

Woodson had 9 interceptions and returned 3 for touchdowns

Woodson was also responsible for 11 more tackles then Revis however..

Revis contributed to a wildcard win with an interception and 3 tackles while Woodson must have been in an alternative state of mind as his defense allowed the cardinals 51 points in a post-season game. Our AP defensive player of the year accounted for 6 sacks but became a mere witness of 3 Cardinal receiving touchdowns. It also should be noted that 5 of Woodson's interceptions come from games against the rams, browns, lions, and second string cardinals offense.

But hey-those teams listed are just as good as any others right.

The no brainer that would give Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets my vote:

Revis held notable receivers to under 40 yards for his team and some more then once. Randy Moss, T.O., Reggie Wayne, Chad Ochocinco (who promised to change his name if Revis held him down), and Steve Smith. If that is not enough for the win how about the 70 yard receivers that played against him..oh wait! There wasn't one all season.

because he is the best lockdown corner in the game.