The focus of this Blog is my opinion and observations about the Cleveland Browns and University of Florida Gators performance, the NFL, SEC and sports in general. Sports history and current sports operations including political and social impact on society. Reader's of my book "They Call It A Game" tell me, without exception that it changed their thinking about the NFL and is as relevent today as ever. Saying they enjoyed reading it is a great bonus.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Press Clippings, Browns Trent Dilfer the Realist, Gators Chris Leak in Fantasy Land.

The Browns are ahead of schedule. Coach Crennel is either lucky or skillful, either way 2 and 2 is a good place to be about now. Scoring on turnovers while preventing the Bears from using the Browns turnovers to put the game out of reach should be a morale boost, a confidence builder. It is heartening to see Dilfer come through in the clutch with two terrific plays when they really counted. By all accounts he wasn't overcome by his own good fortune he knew the rest of the game didn't go so well for the offense. Trent seems to have his head on straight now. The offensive line needs to keep protecting him like they have in the first four games.

A victory over the Ravens could set the Browns up for a really good season, that could be great fun for everyone, but of course there is a long way to go yet.

Lee Corso said the Florida Gators should play Josh Portis at QB for the rest of the season. At first I thought cagey old Lee was trying to help his Seminoles whip up on the Gators. Then I watched several replays of Florida's Homecoming game against Mississipi State with Corso's thought in mind. I thought could "Portis" have made that play as well as Chris Leak. Portis is 100% better runner than Leak but is not supposed to be as good a passer not that Leak has been a particularly outstanding passer this season except against the early season door mats. I didn't see a play that Portis couldn't have made that Leak made and Portis is a running threat that Leak doesn't approach. Few reports on the game highlight the fact that Mississippi State lost their first team quarterback in the first quarter or the 31-3 score could have been real close. The Gator special teams made four or five crucial plays recovering a muffed punt and downing the ball on the 1 yard line twice and the Gators defense played an outstanding game. The Gators option offense remans an unused option. Now I believe that Lee Corso was serious about sitting Leak down and playing Portis being to the Gators advantage. Right again Lee.

I feel like LSU will stuff the Gators this week because Leak will probably play and LSU's rush will pressure him into mistakes. Eventually the SEC defenses will start to pound Leak every time he takes a step toward running an option whether he keeps the ball or not, especially since he is supposed to be playing hurt.

Alabama's fans "Over Rated, Over Rated" chant hit where it hurt, and sound still be ringing in a few ears, the truth hurts. When people start believing their press clippings...I'll bet the Georgia Bulldogs can't wait to get at Leak in the Gator Bowl Cocktail Party.

What does the average sportswriter get on his SAT's?

Drool.

I hate to say it but I feel like I am watching a sham, a Leak, Meyer, Option whatever that is about to come apart at the seams.