* Since 1999, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns like a government mule. Going into yesterday's game I felt that the Browns could win but there was that feeling that somehow Cleveland would figure out a way to lose. For the first time this year, I had a Browns sweatshirt on as it was Pittsburgh who they were playing. The first two times the Steelers had the ball they had great field position and I'm thinking "here we go again". But they only came away with three points and there seemed to be the feel that this game was going to be different. And boy was it different. A totally dominant performance by the Browns. There was no lucky bounces, no questionable penalty calls. The Browns simply dominated their hated rivals. With some luck they could have beaten them in Pittsburgh.
* The victory was costly as the Browns lost Alex Mack for the year and an already decimated defensive line lost Armonty Bryant to a knee injury. Kudos to John Greco for moving over to center without skipping a beat as the offensive line gashed the Steelers on the ground.
* Wonder if the Browns aren't kicking themselves for not re-signing Brian Hoyer this past spring when the 29 year old was willing to take what would be considered a discount contract for a starting QB.
* Wonder if the Browns aren't kicking themselves for not re-signing Brian Hoyer this past spring when the 29 year old was willing to take what would be considered a discount contract for a starting QB.
* The Yankees did what has been expected and re-upped Brian Cashman to a three year deal to continue as their general manager. What a huge mistake. The 2015 Yankees have the following questions: 1) Who will play shortstop, 2) Who will play third base, 3) Who will play right field, 4) How many games will Mark Teixiera play at first base, 5) Will CC Sabathia be a serviceable back end starter and 6) Will Masahiro Tanaka pitch the entire season? I don't have much confidence in Cashman being able to answer these questions.
* An interesting observation by a New York sportswriter was that Cashman's job was safe because Hal Steinbrenner doesn't have a clue who else to consider.
* Kevin Long and Mick Kelleher were scapegoats for the second year in a row that the Yankees didn't make the playoffs. Kelleher is a non-entity to me but Long has been on my radar screen for a couple of years. I have no problem with him getting fired. I had to laugh that management acknowledged that players (Teixiera & McCann) need to adjust their swing as a result of the various shifts that are used by the opposition. Funny how they just came to that realization. I was on that last year.
* I have seen a number of names mentioned as possible replacements for Long and Kelleher but one name I did not see was that of Willie Randolph. If the Yankees were smart they bring him back to replace Kelleher.
* The Fox Sports story on how Florida State and the Talahassee police mishandled the rape allegation against Jameis Winston is troubling but not surprising. The NCAA and these institutions of "higher education" should be ashamed of themselves.
* How ESPN College Gameday crew could compare the Winston situation with what's going on with Todd Gurley of Georgia is a joke. Winston may have committed a violent crime against an FSU coed. Gurley allegedly signed his autograph to various pieces of memorabilia. Hardly the same issue. In fact, the NCAA should be more concerned about its student athletes commiting crimes as opposed to getting paid for their autograph.
* I really feel bad for Rex Ryan. He's good for the NFL and he's getting whipsawed by a moron GM and a goofball owner.
* Kudos to Mike Lupica for telling it like it is in his Sunday story about the Yankees where he says they are more than a few players away from being a legitimate contender.
* After his team went into Seattle and defeated the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, I wonder if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones found some 20somethings to party with.
* Call me old fashioned but the Philadelphia Eagles all black uniforms are a disgrace.
* Really like everything I'm reading about the New York Knicks this pre season. Predicting right now that they not only make the playoffs but make some noise too.
* Was really disgusted with some Leaf fans who were making excuses for Toronto's awful performance against Pittsburgh. The Leafs have played the Penguins tough the last two seasons. In fact, a Penguins radio broadcaster on Friday admitted that the Leafs have given Pittsburgh fits. The loss didn't bother me as much as the lack of effort.
* Then they comeback and play a good game against the New York Rangers as they run Henrik Lundqvist out of the game. What appears to be certain is this team still relies on the Kessel line way too much.
* If the Leafs are to progress. Randy Carlyle needs to be fired. Sunday against the Rangers he hardly played the fourth line and the benching of Jake Gardiner just shows that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Gardiner has hardly been the Leafs worst defenseman. That designation maybe belongs to Stephane Robidas or Roman Polak.
* Well, the Buffalo Bills bubble bursted Sunday afternoon as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots took sole possession of first place in the AFC East with a 37-22 victory in the first game of the Pegulaville era.
* Once again the vaunted Bills defense could not stop a top quarterback at home and their vaunted running game came up empty. Is it safe to that CJ Spiller is a bust??
* Had to laugh listening to the GR gasbags, Simon & White, whining that Sammy Watkins was not targeted more. A caller pointed out that the real reason for the loss was the defense and the lack of a running game but Laurell & Hardy had to beat the drum about Watkins.
* A lot of empty seats yesterday afternoon for Pegulaville's hockey team against Anaheim. The Sabres alternate jerseys are terrible and Anaheim's jerseys reminded me of the old Sabres "Goat Head" jerseys.
* Not sure if there is a worse color commentator in all of sports than Rob Ray. Just awful to listen to.
* Kudos to the school superintendent of Sayerville, New Jersey for suspending the high school's football schedule as a result of hazing and sexual assault by seniors against freshmen players.
* And finally, whatever happened to the Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt Art Wander??
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