And So It Ends...Thankfully: A year in review for the Cleveland Browns.

Well, that was fun.

The Browns limped their way to their 12th loss of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-7 at Heinz Field Sunday afternoon.

Sadly enough, a 4-12 record is not new news in Cleveland. This season has been the 7th time the team posted such a record  since Cleveland got the team back in 1999.

To add more insult to injury. The Browns have not won more than 5 games each of the last 6 seasons but maintain 6 season long streak of chalking up 11 or more losses.

All of this while sending five players to Pro Bowl. So what's really going on?

At current press time, speculation is circulating that Rob Chudzinski may be out come Monday morning. But is he really to blame?

Injuries plagued the QB position all season long with injuries to Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, and Brian Hoyer. But it should also be known that Cleveland has had 19 starting QBs since 99'. So if spun the right way,the QB situation can no longer be an a excuse.

The offensive line needs some tweaking and needs it bad.Joe Thomas, who will be going to his seventh straight Pro Bowl and the only player to attend his first 7 seasons other than a some running back named Jim Brown needs some help. Also center Alex Mack goes to his second Pro Bowl. Josh Gordon made the biggest splash with over 80 receptions and 9 TDS .First time Pro Bowler Jordan Cameron also had an impressive seasons with 7 TDs. The 2013 draft is more stacked this year with talent and Browns have 2 first round draft picks so the supply is there.

The defense stayed consistent this year and continue to improve. Barkevious Mingo was had a typical rookie year and is expected to improve if he keeps his head in the playbook as per defensive coordinator Ray Horton's wishes. Pro-Bowlers Joe Haden and TJ Ward played great and here's hoping TJ stays for another spell in Cleveland.

Looking back, the Browns didn't play terrible football. They weren't being blown out every week. They are few pieces away from being a competitive team. Hopefully we find these pieces sooner than later. "But look on the bright side" as a your typical Cleveland Browns fan would say:

"98 days rill Opening Day".

Where Have I seen this Before??

On Saturday night, the Indians limped their way to a 7- 2 loss against the Los Angeles Angels in front of 30,000 plus attendance.

Did i also mention that this is the Tribe's sixth loss in a row and are now 8 games back of Detroit and Kansas City is now only a half game behind them for 2nd in the AL Central?  And it was Rock and Blast, the premiere firework and laser show of the year?

I didn't think so.

The Indians are falling and fast after being swept by the Tigers at home in a four game series and pretty much sealing their fate for no chance of winning the division.

You could argue that it all started with Chris Perez blowing a save that possibly could have turned the tides a little bit in Monday's game which has its own irony.(Hes blown saves on Aug.5  for the past 3 years, dating back to 2011.)

Its August and the Indians losing 6 straight. This sounds vaguely familiar.

This was the same team thatt went 5-24 in the month of August last season, having the worst month of any franchise since 1901.and therefore ending the season 68-94 and costing Manny Acta his job.

But I have no worries.

Tito and his boys have some work to do in the coming week, heading to the West Coast playing staring with the Twins then playing L.A and Oakland who has been on tear lately.

Nick Swisher has finally found his swing but the rest of the team seems to be slumping at the same time which can spell disaster.

The Tribe is currently batting .333 with bases loaded but in Saturday could only muster 1 run with the same scenario.

But have faith Indians fans, we couldn't do any worse...or could we?

Bullpen Bullshit

After The Indians fell to the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field Monday night,4-2 i in 10 innings, I got to thinking as I always do

The Bullpen Mafia couldn't take candy from a baby at this point.

In what seems to be a recurring nightmare for the Tribe, the bullpen blows games for their starting rotation even when it seems that the game is well out of reach.

It seems The Bullpen Mafia are not consistent with the work they have put up in recent years. As it is pointed out by Joseph Coblitz at Burning River Baseball's Blog:

Despite fantastic results in each of the past two years, the statistics have dropped off in 2013 (even though the wins have not slowed down). Nine times in 2011 the trio (Pestano, Smith and Perez) pitched in a game together that culminated in Perez getting a save. After learning the winning combination, the Indians used the three successfully 18 times in 2012. Overall during this two year stretch, Perez earned 75 saves, Pestano took 59 holds and Smith grabbed 37 holds of his own. This marked three consecutive seasons of at least 20 saves for Perez and 16 holds for Smith. There was no reason to think this wouldn't continue in 2013.

The Indians are now currently 3.5 games out of first in the AL Central. Obviously the Tigers are in first. The Indians have the Bluejays and Royals before going into the All-Star break at home before going into the All-Star break.

That should be more than enough time for the Mafia to have a meeting.

Decisions, Decisions

Nick Gilbert should have his likeness hanging above in the rafters in Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The bow tie wearing good luck charm of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization ,once again lucked his beloved father's basketball team into the limelight by acquiring the number one pick in the 2013 NBA Draft via lottery.

Where was this kid when i was buying my Powerball tickets last Saturday?

This is the second time in three years Cleveland has acquired the number one pick. Kyrie Irving, (You may know him as Uncle Drew in the Pepsi Max commercials) was their last number one draft pick in 2011 and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Pretty big shoes to fill by rookie standards. So in a draft thats lacking in star power,where does Cleveland go from here?

Better yet, How should Cleveland go from here? There are  three viable options.

Cleveland can always trade their pick. Cleveland will be picking again 19, 31 and 33. Kevin Love of the Timberwolves has been a name that's been circulating hard in the rumor mills but in all likeliness, Minnesota wouldn't even dream trading for him. But its still an option.The last time a trade for the No.1 overall pick was completed was in 1993, when the Orlando Magic traded away the  rights to Michigan’s Chris Webber to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway and three future first round draft picks: Mike Miller, Todd Fuller and Vince Carter.

Option number two.

Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel.

The 6'10 center from Kentucky, currently undergoing rehab on a torn ACL, has most experts saying hes going number one for his defensive skills. His offense is still kind of shabby by NBA standards. Doctors are saying he'll be in playing shape by Christmas. Not to worry, veteran Anderson Varejao can fill his spot in the mean time. This would definitely help the Cavs in the defense department (which was 27th in the league this season).  Mike Brown was brought back as head coach for 2013 to correct that and Noel would be a God send to Cleveland and Brown's coaching staff.

Option number three.

Ben McLemore, the Kansas guard, has the biggest potential to become a star in the NBA. His outside shot has been comparable to Ray Allen. McLemore would be making history if picked number one, being the first shooting guard in forty years to be drafted at the one spot. Ironically, the last shooting guard drafted at one was Austin Carr , who Cleveland picked up in 1971. He would compliment Irving and Waiters and definitely pose a threat on the outside.

The Cavs have alot to consider in a very short window of time.All we can do now is wait and watch.

All they need is a little luck.