Plybon and Davault - Lead Orrville's Mission

     Today will be the 3rd straight year the Orrville Lady Red Riders will be competing for a district championship, it will be both business as usual and business not so usual. For seniors Hannah Plybon and Maggie Davault this isn't their first rodeo, however; it is the last. These two ladies look to lead their team to Columbus and finish what they started working towards a decade ago when they teamed up for the first time together in the 2nd grade. The Lady Riders won the Wooster District in 2011, were the runner-up to eventual state qualifier Smithville last year. In the brief 12 minute convo I had with these two it was blatantly obvious there isn't a selfish bone in their body. The character and integrity that was obvious to me in just moments clearly molds their lives and outstanding basketball careers.


     "We haven't reached our main goal, which has always been state. We aren't going to settle for anything less." That's how Maggie is approaching what's left of her high school experience. Hannah mentions the incredible support that they have received, along with the amount of confidence people have on them as a team as driving forces to make it to Columbus. They both talk about working hard all the time and even as successful as they have been there are still things they can get better at to help them reach their goals.
     Both ladies will be continuing their basketball careers at the college level, Hannah at Akron and Maggie with Ashland. The impressive thing about both of their games is it's always improving! You can look at Hannah on any given day and you think 'she has the total package', then the next day she brings something to the table you've never seen before and you quiet frankly never seen a girl do period! Maggie has been following down the same path. The progress she has made on the court over the last few years is tremendous! Maggie said they work out all the time together and with others to make each other better, bringing up a certain time when she was struggling finishing at the rim and Hannah worked with her for a half hour giving her tips and things she uses to be a more proficient finisher.

"She's always there to help me improve. Hannah and I have known each other since we were born so anything she does I'll also do." Maggie

Photo by The Daily Record

     Make no mistake Maggie Davault is one heck of a player, this isn't a case of a player riding the coat tales of a superstar and getting undeserved recognition. Maggie is for real! She works hard and plays with a lot of intensity, often times getting overlooked due to her less than desirable size. I'd even be willing to bet Hannah would say that Maggie has played an important role in making her the player she is today because shes always been there to push her and make her work. Pippen was second fiddle to Jordan, but Pippen was still a Hall of Famer and Jordan needed him! That kind of puts their basketball lives into perspective, but don't think Maggie is Hannah's Robin.

 "I'd say more of a wing man. We've always had each others back." Maggie

Photo by The Daily Record

     Right now they have to focus on Central, a team they beat 59-51 on February 4th in Canton. Oh and when I asked the girls how that game went never did I hear about the season high 35 points Hannah dropped that night. I had to find that little tidbit out on my own. Instead I was simply told "It was a really close game, it'll be a good game Saturday." She also gave another teammate (who will remained unnamed for strategic reasons) credit for working so hard in practice in anticipation of guarding Dotson while meeting Central again in the district final, an outcome to them that wasn't too far-fetched. On paper most everyone was shocked, 24-0 #1 in the state Smithville was supposed to be in the finals, that's why they play the games! "I knew it was going to be a good game," Hannah states, "I wouldn't have been surprised at the outcome either way." After getting a taste of Central and the athleticism they have it was a good idea to start preparing.

"We faced Central in the regular season and we know they're really good. Dotson is really hard to stop. Their game is a lot different than Smithville's, they're uptempo and have more height. I wasn't really surprised." Maggie

Photo by The Daily Record

     As far as athletic ability goes Orrville has a plethora of that, it will be Central's toughest match-up yet. Without taking anything away from Chippewa and Smithville, they just didn't have the speed and quickness to contain Aaliyah Dotson, a Canton McKinley transfer, Orrville does! Dotson, a Florida Atlantic commit, has seemed to kick it up a notch in the postseason and seems to be virtually uncontainable. These are games where the wing man comes up big, you game plan against Hannah and Maggie puts up 20 points because with her awareness and intelligence she's always in the right spot and knocking down shots. Whether the outcome of the game is in their favor or not there's no doubt these ladies will be leaving Orrville with their heads high and successful. There is also no doubt they will have several more successful years at the next level!
     Hannah took another opportunity in choosing a college to be selfless. She was offered by Akron early on but also given some push to make a decision. Instead of going LeBron on us and dragging it out she committed early to allow the Zips some flexibility on further recruitment. She didn't wait to see if she was going to get any better offers (which she did), or to see if someone could free her up any more money then the next school. Hannah showed the rock solid character she possesses and made it about the team and not herself. 

"Akron is a comfort thing for me, it's close to home, they offered me early, my college credits transfer over and I'm already familiar with some of the players. Getting at me young definitely helped." Hannah

     Both ladies will be taking their positive qualities from the floor into the rest of their lives with them. Hannah wants to major in the health and/or medical field while Maggie wants to be an Intervention Specialist helping youngsters with autism. There's no doubt they will be successful in whatever path they choose, they aren't made for anything besides success, and they surely won't let each other fail...

Brandon Jennings

Bucks Guard Brandon Jennings on...

Jennings warming up at the Civic Center

  How he made the decision to go overseas straight out of high school?...

    It was the best decision for me and my family. At the same time my mom was the only one working in the household, I had to do what I had to do, make sure my family was straight.

  So it was strictly a financial decision?...

    Not financial reasons, more I wanted to be a pro right out of high school. That was always my dream. I think we all dreamed of going straight to the NBA straight out of high school. I did want to be a pro and I wanted to learn to play basketball there.

  Is there anything you feel you might have missed out on skipping college?...

    Parties (laughing), tailgating, whatever you wanna call it that they do at college. Thats probably about it.

  Is there anything you brought back with you to the NBA?...

    It humbled me, coming out of high school I was the number one player in the country, McDonald's All-American, whatever you wanna call it. To go over seas and be told you're not gonna play this much and this and that, it was actually a good wake-up call. I learned you cant take anything for granted. It made me hungrier and I got to learn the game from a different aspect than college kids.

  How he felt on his 50 point night...

    It was just one of those nights. Like they say, when you're on you're on. There's a lot of guys in this league who know that feeling. Once you make a few the rim just gets bigger and bigger and you seem like you cant miss.

  Being viewed as just a scorer...

    I think it was just the situations I was in. I know I can score the ball so I'm gonna score. We have a lot more help than I've ever had since I been here, bringing in Monta and guys like that so now I dont have to do as much.

  How his career has grown in the NBA...

    I got to see the ups and downs. I got to see the good side of winning and how it is and I got to see the bad side of how it feels to be losing. Now that I've seen both sides, I want the winning side more.

  Do you see yourself as the team leader of the Bucks?...

    Oh yeah no doubt. There's no doubt about it. I been here for four years, I know whats expected so...

Brandon Jennings autograph from my personal collection

Bandits-Racers Series Cancelled; Fans React...

     On Sunday, August 26th, in unprecedented fashion, the NPF cancelled its Championship Series, which was already one game in, due to inclement weather...

NPF Cancellation Statement

     It was cited that one team would have significant roster omissions due to prior commitments and they deemed that unfair to continue. At first impression alone the statement alone was kind of sketchy considering Bandits coach Mike Steuerwald said the Bandits would have played Monday, and I'm assuming he says that knowing the personnel situation he may have been facing. "Even with six players gone, we could have settled this on the field Monday", Steuerwald told The Examiner in this great article Bandits Coach and Owner React . This tweet from Pride Head Coach Beth Torina echos the same thought as her Bandits' counterpart. However after talking to NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf, who took full responsibility and sole ownership for the decision, there seemed to be a miscommunication. "I just wish they would have been asked", states Cheri. The miscue turned out to be pretty costly considering it seems the series may have been able to be completed had the right info been passed along. Cheri was under the impression the players were asked who couldn't change their flight, and in reality after the cancellation in the locker rooms he found out the players were merely ask who had travel plans the next day, not who couldn't modify them. From the reaction it seems the 6 players on the Bandits, including Wiggins and Abbott, could indeed make different arrangements if need be, but weren't asked that by their organization before communicating with Kempf. I was told the Pride were all ready to play the following day.

     In a league that is trying to develop respect and notoriety, the argument that it should or shouldn't have been played. As Cheri pointed out to me, there would have been criticism either way. We obviously see the reaction from not playing, but lets assume they did play with an incomplete Bandits roster. Had the Pride took the series the league would still have taken grief for letting the Pride win over an incomplete Bandits roster. Cheri, knowing what she knew at the time, felt that was unfair to the Bandits.
     Although we love it and it provides some of the most exciting nights and moments you can ask for, the NPF regular season essentially means nothing. These players play to win the championship, and all players were robbed of that opportunity this weekend and this year. They sacrifice so much in their personal life to go out and give us fans the absolute top quality product every weekend in a regular season that has no bearing on the playoffs. The title is the goal and the title games have to take place!
     I could go on forever about how bad of a decision it was for the league to make this decision, but there's always a silver lining to every situation. There's no denying the NPF is in its beginnings, and every decision will affect the growth of the league. This situation will serve as a very important learning situation. Cheri mentioned to me that there will be a committee to address changes that need to be made for further post seasons. she also mentioned that she would have a conference call to all owners to discuss the situation in full, however the decision she made was final. She let me know that the playoffs are structured to award skill and not winning by default, and that there are no bylaws that allow for changes to be made. All of which will be addressed and changes will be made in the future during the league meetings. "Policies will be addressed in the offseason," Cheri assures us, "but it's built by the league not Cheri Kempf."
     One of my original goals in the article was to give the fans an opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter. After all the fans are what has given this league legs, and what will carry this league to its greatest heights right? I would have liked the NPF brass to consider the fans a bit more. This is the marquee event of the NPF, fans come from all over to see the championships. Money is spent on tickets, travel, hotels, food. We've all been on trips, its not cheap! Here's a few examples of this very thing from the Chicago Bandits Facebook post...

  As I was informed by Cheri the league did exercise a ticket refund policy set aside for cancellations on events that a rescheduling wasn't done. Although it is just a small payback it shows the league does care about the fans. "I'm sorry to the fans because we are appreciative and grateful for our fans," Cheri Kempf explains, "You never want to disappoint people, you don't want to let fans down." You can also find Cheri Kempf's official statement here. Thanks to all of our Twitter followers who weighed in with their opinion...

     This doesn't look good on the league, the league has to know that. I don't like the decision any more than anyone else but I do want to encourage the fans to continue to support this league. After talking with Cheri I have 100% faith that the best decision was made at the moment for the league. We all know that sometimes the best decisions are also some of the toughest. I believe that the front office will show that this can be used as a constructive event and lots of progress will comes as a result of this terrible ending. What can't happen is the fans stop supporting your favorite teams and players, they are still going to be out there playing for you next June! They still deserve your support! This decision wasn't a team or a player decision, if it were up to them the series probably would have been finished. I also know that Cheri Kempf and her staff love this league and sport more than anything, although it may not seem like it at the moment this league is in good hands!

     I do want to thank Cheri Kempf for responding to my request to speak with her. She got to me in a timely manner and didn't avoid me or any tough questions. 

@HOFhuddle
@cherikempf
@profastpitch

Small Talk: Jessica Mendoza

Getting to talk to Jessica was such an honor, her career has entailed so much with softball and beyond softball that I was kind of nervous I would miss something important. While talking to Jess I could just feel the sincerity and the joy she possesses, not just to be playing softball but to be doing so much for the sport. She's the only player in the league that has a child and any mother knows how hard it is to be away from your kids. She has as much on her plate as anyone and she takes it all in stride, with one of the best smiles you're ever likely to see! We see her on ESPN all the time and to be able to stand face-to-face with her and discuss some things was amazing! I learned a lot about Jessica Mendoza in 4 minutes and 46 seconds, but more by how she spoke, carried herself and presented her passion than what she actually said...

Mendoza timing up Racers Kristina Thorson

USSSA Pride Left Fielder Jessica Mendoza on...

 ...her Olympic experience.

"There's no experience like it, it's the greatest event out there. It combines the passion you have for your sport with the passion you have for your country. There's absolutely nothing like it in the world."

 ...Olympics getting taken away.

"The fact that they've taken that experience away for millions of young girls, not just here in the US but globally...is heartbreaking."

 ...where her career has taken her beyond softball.

"I'm now full time with ESPN when I'm not playing, I do all of their college softball. I did this year, for the first time, the men's College World Series in Omaha, which was amazing! I have a full football package, so a few days after we're done with our championship ill fly to the University of Florida for our opener with ESPN. So you"ll see my every Saturday on ESPN on the sidelines."

 ...being an ambassador of softball.

"To me we're all ambassadors, no matter what level you reach, because there's always someone who's watching you, someone who's looking up to you. I remember when I was young I looked up to local high school girls. Obviously now you've grown and for everyone to realize that we need to pay it forward, we need to show the example of what this next level is. We need to encourage young girls to not only be successful but do it in the classroom as well."

 ...being a veteran and where her career is headed.

"Honestly I still feel like a little kid most of the time. I feel old when I'm off the field but when I'm on the field, this is the one place in my life where I still feel young. Because of the fact that I've been playing since I was 7 years old and it hasn't changed too much. My talents gotten better but I think that's what I feel like, I don't think 'ahh I'm one of the older ones', I think I'm just a kid you know."

 ...balancing motherhood and softball.

"I think to have my son out here in a Mendoza jersey, he'll be out here tomorrow night for the rest of the weekend, to have him have that experience of seeing his mom be a professional athlete is amazing. I think that's so important to me raising that not only does he have this amazing dad but he has a mom who's going out and doing what she loves, and also encourage him to do what he loves but also that a lot of girls and woman can be successful in sports."

 ...her role on the team as a veteran.

"Honestly, that's what's great about the pro level, we don't have as many roles any more. In college you're the captain, the mother hen, the one who's making sure of all these things. I feel like on our team, what makes it so great is we're all accountable for ourselves, for each other. We might have different roles on different days but it's really just about working with each other and getting the job done."

 @JessMendoza 

 @USSSAPride 

 @profastpitch 

 @HOFhuddle 

2012 NPF Rookie of the Year, Kristyn Sandberg

There's a storm brewing in the NPF, her name is Kristyn Sandberg

     In every draft in any sport there are draft day stories of players being passed up by other teams and staking a redemption tour on the teams that passed them by. Well in the NPF it's really easy to be passed up on since there are only four teams. In Kristyn Sandberg's situation though she was passed up on her own team twice before being picked. The Pride have to be pretty happy they didn't pass on her a third time! Even as I sit here and await the announcement of Kristyn as the ROY, I wont how much more pop the hometown Racers would have in their lineup had they not choose Lexi Bennett with their first choice in this years draft. Altough hindsight is 20/20 a fan has to wonder if a team needing firepower had Sandberg and not a player who appeared in 11 games and hit 1 for 18. To Kristyn its all good, shes just trying to enjoy her season. "I'm feeling pretty good,  just trying to mesh well with my team." Sandberg said when asked how her rookie season is going, "Taking one day at a time, seeing how the league is, having a great time so far and really just enjoying myself with my teammates."
     Kristyn is also very grateful for the chance she has gotten in the NPF, being drafted to such a talented and intelligent team. She is playing with some of the best to ever play the game. On a daily basis she can watch and learn first hand from Mendoza, Watley, Lowe and others who are some of the best to ever swing a bat. When I asked Kristyn how her season has lived up to her expectations coming into the season she made sure to point out how fortunate she is. "I think it s been a great experience so far. I'm very fortunate to be on the team that I am with all the knowledge that they all bring to the game. Just coming here from day one, seeing how it is, learning and having a great time." It had to take some of the pressure off of Kristyn from day one knowing that the lineup was already loaded with production and her performance didn't directly affect a win or a loss.
     Sandberg had a good example to follow by, her Georgia teammate from '09-'11, Alisa Goler, won the award last year. The league is full of ex Georgia Bulldogs and it seems they get to play against each other every weekend, if not together. "It's a lot of fun to see them all the time. It's definitely a plus in playing because you know you still get to see them, still get to hangout and have a great time. We're all great players and we've trained really hard of the last four years we've been playing together, its exciting to see how well we can all do in the league." This kind of familiarity coupled with the great teammates she has put Kristyn in a pretty comfortable place every weekend at the plate, and it showed.

     Kristyn led the NPF in RBI's this year with 33 and added in 7 homers. She didn't waist any time getting started either, batting 12 for 18 (.556) with a homer and 7 RBI's in her first go around with the other three teams. Three of her home runs this year I had the opportunity to watch first hand in Akron and I jokingly asked her if she ever got tired of hitting the ball so far. "(laughing) Nooo, I don't get tired of it. But you certainly demand a lot out of yourself so when you don't get it all the time its gets frustrating." explains Kristyn, "You just gotta remember, its just a game, you go out there and have fun." Fortunately for her she didn't have too many of those moments where she wasn't getting it. Kristyn hit safely in 24 of the 36 games she played in and her average never went below .344 all season. She had 9 games with more than one hit. Her longest slump was only four games. Her best stretch of the season came in an 8 game stretch from July14 til July 26. In those 8 games Kristyn hit 11 for 12 with 4 homers, 13 RBI's, and 9 runs. Sprinkle in 10 walks and a league leading 18 bean balls over the course of the season and she seen the basepaths quite a bit.
     With all these individual accomplishments Kristyn still has the bigger picture in mind. She wants to win the title just as bad as any veteran on the team. As great as she is at the plate she also gives her team some versatility in the field, being able to play first base or catch, and obviously pinch hit at any time off the bench. When I asked Kristyn about the possibility of winning ROY and she kept it simple saying, "It would be pretty awesome." There's no mistaking her bigger goal being in line with the rest of the team, winning an NPF title, "I think we're feeling pretty confident, playing some of our better games now. Our pitching has really come along, playing defense pretty well, and you know just having fun every day were out here."

     Congrats from Hall of Fame Huddle on a great season Kristyn and all fans look forward to seeing you leave the ballpark for years to come!
     

@KSandberg23

@USSSAPride

@profastpitch

@HOFhuddle

Small Talk: Danielle Lawrie

USSSA PRIDE Pitcher Danielle Lawrie on...

...how she's feeling this year.

"It's good, I did have my struggles this summer. I had a couple weekends where I just struggled, so to get back on a positive note and stay consistent was important."

...her Olympic experience. 

(Beijing 2008, Team Canada)

"It was amazing. It's potentially the highest scale we can go other than the NPF. Having my family there, and my brother played on the baseball team, I think being able to share that with my family made it that much more special."

...softball being removed from the Olympics.

"It obviously sucks. I don't think you can be positive about that, but at the end of the day there's really nothing we can do. So you can't sit and pout about it, it can go back in 2020, other than that I can't sit here and be mad about it because it's out of our control."

...having a brother playing in the Majors.

(Brett Lawrie, Toronto Blue Jays, 3rd Baseman)

"It's pretty cool! I haven't got to see him play much this year, which sucks. I saw him once in Miami and I'll go to New York just before I go back to Japan. Just getting to see him and spend some time with family, and getting to talk to talk to him when I do struggle. Hearing that it's tough on him too, this game isn't easy on all levels, whether you're playing 160 games like them, or 40 for us, it's never easy."

@DanielleLawrie5

@USSSAPride

@profastpitch

@HOFhuddle

Small Talk: Monica Abbott

***On August 22 Monica was awarded the 2012 NPF Pitcher of the Year.

     Monica Abbott needs no introduction, 2011 Championship Series MVP for the Champion Chicago Bandits, she has been everywhere and done everything when it comes to softball! I was lucky enough to be able to chat it up with Monica after Saturday nights game...

Chicago Bandits Pitcher Monica Abbott on...

...softball being left out of the Olympics.

"Olympics are such an amazing experience. So many great athletes deserve a chance to play in the Olympics. Unfortunately for softball, you try to pick 15-18 of the top players, and they took even those top 15 away from us. There's nothing any more heartbreaking than not being able to do anything about it. It's not like I can go and sign 1,000 petitions for it to come back. Softball was a sport that was in its infancy in the Olympics, only being in four games. The sport has had so much growth and we can't control the politics of the games but luckily for us we have the NPF. We're going to be able to help grow it and make sure it's going strong."

...progress to get back in the Olympics.

"We don't really have a lot on our plate now, we're obviously out in 2012, 2016 we're out. Our next chance is for 2020 and our biggest hope is that the games go to a country that is strong in softball like America, Venezuela, China, Japan, Canada...that would be the hope there."

(Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo are the three candidate cities for 2020. Toyko seems to be the front runner with Istanbul a close second. The 125th IOC Session in Beunos Aires will vote on whether on not to include one more sport from the following list; baseball, karate, roller sports, softball, sport climbing,squash, wakeboarding, washu and beach soccer.) 

...how she's feeling this year.

"I think the team in general we started off really strong, we went on a nice run early in the season then we hit our mid-season slump. Now we're just climbing and stretching back out of it. Hopefully we just keep fighting all the way through the end.

...where the team stands heading into the Championship Series.

"We hit rock bottom, we hit a little losing streak. Now we're just trying to come together, trying to enjoy the game and enjoy the moment, and bring when we need to in those big moments."

...being a face of NPF and softball.

"To me it's more of a joy, to be able represent kids and the future of this sport is my lifetime dream and goal. I always knew I was gonna be a softball player. When God blesses you with something so great it's your duty to share it with others."

@monicaabbott

www.monicaabbott.net

@npfbandits

@profastpitch

@HOFhuddle

Browns Draft Day 2

     One thing about the Browns first day of drafting is for certain, there are many mixed emotions! I myself am not too happy about for one reason and one reason only; there was a game changing right tackle right in our grasp, Riley Reiff. I'm not discouraged with Weeden's his age or the system he played in. What I am most concerned with is the fact that I don't think Weeden improves the QB position as much as Reiff would have improved the right side of our line. That, however, is for another day another topic. I think we all share the same excitement for Trent Richardson and can't wait to get him in the backfield!
     In the 2nd round the Browns currently own the 37th pick and the 67th pick in the 3rd round. My draft mind frame is all thrown off whack after leaving Reiff at #22, so the Browns could really trick us all and not go for a "need pick" but a "like pick" like Weeden. The way I see it, as well as about any other person with any clue, we need to get a wide receiver and right tackle, both out of absolute necessity. Of the two positions I believe there is only one top tier player left, Cordy Glenn, OT from Georgia. So if we want our best quality at 37, Glenn would be the obvious pick. Jonathan Martin and Mike Adams are the next tier tackles but at that point the next tier receivers (Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, Alshon Jeffery) might be a better value at 37 if Glenn is not available.
     A sleeper at the #37 spot, if the Browns choose to go 'best available', is Courtney Upshaw. The dominating defensive lineman somehow dropped out of the first round and if he makes it to #37 he will be awful tempting to select him. Let's face it, our defensive ends need upgrading as well, I love Jabaal Sheard at one end but the other is up in the air. We picked up Frostee Rucker in free agency but Upshaw would be a day one starter and give us a great defensive line with Sheard, Taylor, Rubin, and Upshaw. 
     At #67 our options may be limited at WR and RT, it seems, based off of projections, unless someone slides down we would be reaching to grab either positions with the exception of Brian Quick. That doesn't have to lead to worry though if we don't get a RT or WR in the 2nd round because there are other options later. At RT Zebrie Sanders from Florida State, Donald Stephenson from Oklahoma and Brandon Mosley from Auburn would be options at #100 or #139. Also in those slots Greg Childs/ARK, Ryan Broyles/OKLA, and Nick Toon/WISC would be possible options.
     Trading up to get an additional early 2nd round pick is an option. The Browns are aware that the drop off at RT and WR are coming soon and can be a bit drastic. 


***There were six players who were invited to the live draft who weren't drafted last night, 5 remain after Cordy Glenn left to go back to Georgia.


***Where will Janoris Jenkins go and when?


***Will the Colts take Andrew Luck's go-to man Coby Fleener with the #34 pick?


***I can almost guarantee the Ravens will select Alabama LB/DE with the 35th pick. The Ravens make a living off of drafting hard-nosed guys that make a huge impact defensively. Upshaw is the type of player the Browns need but passed at 22, and most likely not have a shot at at 37. The Steelers are another team that is known for their toughness, the same toughness the Ravens possess and the Browns have long none without. 


***My bold opinion on the Browns moving into the second round is to find a way to trade up with the Rams and pick Courtney Upshaw. It will send a message that the Browns are ready to make a step in the direction of the top teams in the division. It will also show the Steelers and Ravens that we aren't going to allow them to push us around any more. It will be quite the eye opening pick. Heckert and Holmgren showed everyone last night that filling the most important holes is their priority by leaving Reiff on the board in favor for Weeden. So therefore RT and WR can be put on hold in order to make this pick to leave an impression on the rest of the division. Like I said earlier, there will be receivers at the #100 and #118 picks, whichever we may still have available after a potential trade.

Rich

Josh Cribbs Getting a Pass?

     I have felt for awhile that Josh Cribbs has considerably underachieved and his entitlement and ego have dominated his persona and play on the field. Although, he isn't making bank off of Cleveland, I still believe he's being overpaid for what he brings to the table. I also have a real hard time overlooking all the tough talk and insults he threw around while playing a victim after the 2009 season. The way he acted after that season could best be described as a spoiled child. If you don't remember all that went on ill gladly remind you, he went much further than the 'I'm not making enough money athlete", he threw others under the bus.
     "I'd like to think that some of my play over those last four games helped those guys keep their jobs, including my two kickoff returns for touchdowns against Kansas City," Cribbs said, "I wonder how many jobs would've been lost if I hadn't laid it on the line for them every single week?" That is what Josh said, presumably about Mangini, who was able to retain his job after a four game win streak to finish 5-11. Cribbs completely neglects the fact that Jerome Harrison was head and shoulders more impressive than him while breaking records during that four game win streak. The defense also deserves a lot of credit during that span, but according to Cribbs and his contract bargaining, he was responsible for the coaches jobs.
     In Josh's world he is a receiver, in reality he has been a quarterback and has made a living and a name on being a return man. "I'm not just insulted by the number, but by the fact they consider me just a kick returner." Cribbs said, "I'm so much more than that." Cribbs  undoubtedly was a great return man, key word being WAS, and should be paid like a return man, an now average return man. He has never been and never will be anything more. Fortunately the Browns didn't give in an reward Cribbs with the 4 year, $40 Million contract he was looking for. He still got overcompensated with a restructuring of the last three years of his current contract. In the last three years, in which he has completed two year son, he made a guarantee $7 Million and a possible $18.5 Million. In the four game span where Cribbs claimed to be responsible for saving the job of his coaches he had 23 carries or 163 yards and a TD and only 2 catches for 12 yards. While the rushing stats may seem impressive for a receiver, a receiver who has 4 yards a game and 40 yards rushing is far from a $10 Million receiver, and much further from being someone who saves his coaches jobs.
     It seems to me that Cribbs is incredibly selfish. In his two years since his restructuring he has only one return touchdown, after having 10 in his first five years. Altough he is coming of of his best receiver year as a pro, in 7 years he has 1,089 yards and 7 TD's. His biggest asset to the team is not longer relevant, considering the Wildcat is all but dead under Shurmur. When passing out of the wildcat he is 4 for 12 with no TD's and one INT. Before he restructured he averaged over 6 yards a carry while running out of the Wildcat, since, he is barely over 3 with no TD's and only 81 yards in two years on 27 carries. Furthermore in the last two years he only has 15 special teams tackles, before he got more cash he had 79 in five years. It's very clear that Josh Cribbs isn't anything more than a returner and isn't even a valuable one anymore. After this draft when the Browns will without a doubt draft a receiver in the first 2 rounds, he will then be almost obsolete in the Browns offense. It is also pretty obvious Cribbs has let up since he got more money and as a Cleveland fan I am insulted by that, I am no longer willing to give him a pass! Cribbs once said he felt betrayed and stabbed in the back by the Browns offer for a new contract, the only people who should feel betrayed are the fans and organization who trusted Cribbs and gave him more money for severely less results.
     The fans have to take blame for this as well, they have given Cribbs a pass like no other under performing athlete in Cleveland history. Starting with the fact that he's from Kent State, people loved him off the bat, that feeling grew and grew the better he did. Then came the summer of 2010. Cleveland was starving for a new prince after being betrayed by LeBron, and since Cribbs was on fire through the 2009 season he was the popular choice. At the time it didn't seem like a bad choice, but since then it has been nothing but harmful. We allow Cribbs to do whatever he wants, act however he wants, expect nothing out of him and he has taken that an used it to his full advantage. The guy has done nothing on the field to validate our admiration. He hasn't lived up to expectations, hasn't even came close, yet he is untouchable in Cleveland. I know I'm going to probably hear from some Cribbs lovers and I'm not real worried about it, I choose to tell things how they are.

Lieberman Awarded to Best Point Guard? Or Most Popular???

     Before I hear all of the reasons why people think I'm biased allow me to list them myself. I am a fan of Sammy Prahalis...yes, I am proudly a supporter of Sammy! I am a Notre Dame hater like most people...false! I have nothing at all against Notre Dame, I happen to like Notre Dame and Skylar Diggins. I own a Notre Dame football jersey as a matter of fact. I am a Buckeyes fan...of course I'm a Bucks fan, but I also like other teams, for example, Florida State is my favorite football team. I assure everyone I am not a Buckeye homer or a Notre Dame hater. Now let's get to the topic.
     I feel the Lieberman Award, who is annually given to the best point guard in the country, was unjustly given to Skylar Diggins. It's my personal opinion that the award was a result of a popularity contest as opposed to results on the basketball court. Though it is my opinion  that the award was more deserved by Sammy Prahalis, it is also supported by facts.
     On the surface and to the casual fan it would seem Samantha would be the better point guard of the two just by looking at stats. Sammy averages 3 full more a game than Skylar and almost a full assist. While Sammy has almost a full turnover more than Skylar. Considering less than 50% of offensive possessions result in scoring it would be safe to say that Sammy costs her team roughly a point more than Skylar. With all the numbers it is accurate to say Sammy directly contributes 4-6 points more per game to her team. Sammy is more proficient in scoring, rebounding and assisting teammates. The website boosts about Skylar's assist to turnover ration which is a very good, 2.15, however Sammy's is a considerably better 1.81. Skylar has about a half a steal a game more than Sammy an is more accurate from the field and the 3-point line. Sammy is 5% better from the foul line, which is very crucial as a ball handling guard.


      PRAHALIS                                    DIGGINS
                     19.8                       PTS/GM                   16.8
                      67                         STEALS                    102
                      4.1                        REB/GM                    3.3
                      6.3                       ASTS/GM                   5.7
                     3.45                        TO/GM                    2.64
                   1:1.81               AST:TO RATIO             1:2.15
                   83.8%                         FT%                    78.6%
                    44%                           FG%                     50%
                   34.6%                        3PT%                   35.5%


     The Lieberman Award website, www.pointguard.com, indicates criteria emphasized to be qualified for the award. The website points out that they stress floor leadership, play-making, and ball handling skills. With all due respect to Skylar, Sammy is better qualified in all three of those categories. Skylar is also very good in these aspects of the game but I believe the stats and the individual situations of each player show that Sammy is more deserving. 
     As far as leadership I know both players are great leaders, but let's evaluate each individual situation. Samantha was the lone senior on her team, that featured many young players. Ohio State had a freshman in the starting lineup 30 times this season, not only did Notre Dame not have a freshman make a start this year, Skylar had the privilege of playing alongside two seniors who were drafted in the top 8 picks in this years WNBA draft. Without taking anything away from Skylar, it doesn't take a field general to lead the Irish. Sammy and Skylar aside, OSU had 312 assists and ND had 476. It's obvious Sammy's leadership was a tougher job than Skylar's at Notre Dame. 
     When it comes to ball handling and play-making Sammy is second to none, in the eyes of anyone who has ever seen her play. I just want to reiterate before I conclude that I admire Skylar and her game, she is a tremendous basketball player with a bright future. However, the award was clearly more deserved by Sammy, Skylar was a very good option for the award, but not the right option. Sammy Prahalis was clearly the best point guard in the country this year.