Puffs of Smoke

Senor Strasburgo on Bryce Harper - "If he wants to play here, then he is going to play here," Strasburg said. "He doesn't need any advice from anybody. You don't need to convince him otherwise. If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here -- bottom line. We want guys who want to play on this team. It's really important." 

Charles Barkley sniping back at el BJ - “I heard about LeBron’s little tweet today that he’s remembering everybody who said anything bad about him,” Barkley said. “And he said ‘everybody.’ Well, I want him to make sure that he puts my name on that (list) … I thought that his little one-hour special was a punk move. I thought them dancing around on the stage was a punk move, and I thought he should’ve stayed in Cleveland. Him joining Dwyane Wade ‘s team was very disappointing to me.”

Phil Dawson on the Brownies big O - "To march down like that with confidence right out of the chute, I don't remember ever seeing that in our first preseason game," said Dawson. "We may not execute like that every game, but now we know what we can do if we execute."

Browns QBs

I expressed it briefly in real time and now I'll expound - I was duly impressed by both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace last night. 

The Browns first drive was a thing of beauty, mostly via Delhomme's right arm.  His passes were crisp and well-timed, but most of all his reads were astounding.  The pass to Robiskie that set up the touchdown was his 4th option on that play.  Jake blazed through his progression, found the open man and put the ball just where it had to be.  The only pity is that we saw Delhomme for just one series.  Obviously the brain trust had a plan and they stuck to it, despite Jake's splendid performance.

While Seneca Wallace has never been purported to be the pocket passer that Delhomme is, he shined in his own right.  The 20 yard score to Ben Watson would have been enough for me last night.  Wallace stuck with the play and found his man wide open in the middle of the field.  Wallace was at his best, though, on the score to Robiskie.  On 3rd and 10, after failing on his first 2 attempts, Seneca rolled left, ducked out of a sack, danced the sideline and delivered a strike that flew 30-35 yards in the air to Robiskie in the back of the end zone.  Wallace is not what I would want as #1 (see the floater his tried to Cribbs at the goal line), but I can certainly see why every fantasy guide I've looked at has him ranked no lower #35.

Here's the pretty bow on it all - I am much more optimistic about the the offense in the upcoming season having seen it on the field., especially against a defense that ranked in the top 5 last season.  I still do not buy into Jerome Harrison as an every down back, but, hopefully, he doesn't have to be.  The stable is full of role horses to tote the rock and Lawrence Vickers is quickly ascending to premier fullback status.  I heard it said last night and I agree, this offense has a cohesion that last year's muddled slapstick did not.  Roles are defined, there is a clear hierarchy of leadership, and everyone can focus solely on winning. 

I shan't step away without giving props to Phil Dawson on a tremendous last two minutes that delivered the victory.  With the Rams and the Lions comin'?  Let's keep it rollin', boys.

Mitch Talbot is now the 4th Indians starter with 10 losses.  His roster spot was opened via optioning Jess Todd to Columbus.  The Clippers placed Jeremy Sowers on the DL to fit in Todd.

Also, Pronk back from the DL (imagine me doing the most sarcastic happy dance possible) and Jordan Brown demoted.  What's the difference between Hafner on and off the DL?  I surely cannot tell.  He is the poster child for contract buyout clauses.

Pretty Girl 08.15.10 - Sasha Alexander

I don't know if she's Rizzuli or Iggles, but she sure is the hot one.

Back to reality

Poor-ous defense.  The rooks look like rooks, the pass rush is as inept as ever (hmmm, way to solve that one in the offseason, Mike), and it seems as if there is never anyone in the middle of the field.  Granted, Aaron Rodgers is one hell of a QB, but that was just too easy.

Okay, maybe that.

What's the sco... How did we... Wait, are these really the Browns?

Big plays by Rubin and Sheldon Brown.  And I dig Wallace's escapability.  But, did he really go to Robiskie thrice?

Could we ask for anything more?

11 plays, 80 yards, 5:56... touchdown.

Delhomme sharp, 5/6.  3 grabs for Massaquoi.  Harrison the score on 1st and goal from the 4.

Best Browns drive I've seen in awhile.

Pretty Girl 08.14.10 - Danneel Harris

You expected me to pick just one?  Lay back and enjoy.

Manny the Devil?

Big rumors on ManRam via Peter Gammons indicating that the slugger will be placed on waiver following reinstatement from the disabled list.  Heavy interest will come from the Rays, putting Boston in the unenviable position of placing a waiver claim on the former Red Sock(?) just to keep him out of Tampa's lineup.  Gammons' described Manny calling the Tropicana Dome home for the stretch run to be Boston's "worst nightmare."  Worse than Manny returning to doggin' it for boos at Fenway?  Then make the claim, Theo.  Do it.

Whistle Stops

Jose Guillen to the Giants.

Shawn Merriman signs his tender and will report to Chargers camp.

There's a sea of fog in Wisconsin for the PGA Championship.  Plenty of rounds delayed.  Tiger scheduled to tee @ 6:45p.  Do not expect Woods or the field to finish Round 2 today.

Julian Edelman puts on a show for the Pats (6 grabs, 90 yds, and a dazzling punt return), as New England beats the Saints 27-24.

Phantastic Phillies comeback phuelled by Ben Francisco beating Casey Blake 5-hole.