People love sports.  There are a million reasons why, and one of them is the element of rivalries.  Duke-North Carolina, Yankees-Red Sox, Manning-Brady, Ohio St.-Michigan, Evert-Navratilova, Browns-Steelers, USA-USSR, these two guys…

The list can go on and on.

Rivalries on the high school level don’t get the ESPN Sportscenter hype, but the personal investment and connection of players, students, and fans elevate it above the college and professional level in my book.

My two brothers and I were fortunate to grow up and eventually play for Louisville, a school and town with a proud football tradition.  We got to experience the thrill & passion of some big-game, big-crowd match-ups, especially when facing the hated Hoover Vikings.

And being native to Stark County, I quickly became acquainted with arguably the biggest high school rivalry in the nation:  Massillon vs.  McKinley.  These two storied programs face off for the 125th time this weekend.  I can remember spending many Saturday afternoons glued to the TV watching Chris Spielman and his fellow Tigers through the years knock helmets with Percy Snow, Mike Doss, and the Bulldogs.  I got to spend 5 years with coaching high school football along a couple Bulldog alumni, and their bitterness at even the mention of Massillon, two-plus decades after they graduated, always gave me goosebumps.

But for me, the most impressive rivalry in sports is one county south on the Ohio map.  The Dover Tornadoes and New Philadelphia Quakers have clashed on the gridiron 110 times.  It is not the oldest rivalry (#3 in the state).  And it’s far from being the most decorated.  Both schools have storied, successful programs, but neither has ever even made it to a state championship game.  But do you know what elevates some rivalries to greatness:  HATE!!!

And that is what makes this rivalry so special.  If the Yankees-Red Sox rates an 8 on the hate scale, and Auburn-Alabama scores a 9, the hatred that permeates the Dover-Phila feud would rate up there with…

or maybe…

or how about…

Sorry for the overkill, but my daughter started helping me google ‘hugging’ images!

More importantly, I need to issue a huge S-O-R-R-Y to all of you Dover and Phila fans that want to show me first hand with a fist how their rivalry is anything but a hug-fest.  I better stay out of any dark alleys!

Let me try to clarify.  I better do it quick, because my wonderful wife, the most beautiful cheerleader in Dover history, is about to toss me like she tossed these things…

after Tornado touchdowns back in 1990.  (I just asked her if she was one of those ‘throw it underhand to the 3rd row’ cheerleaders.  She didn’t like that.  I am at two strikes now.   I better shut up).

Any guy that played in a Quaker-Tornado meeting would likely tell you and me that the intensity of those battles are second to none.  And I would not be one to disagree.  The competitiveness and passion of the last three nail-biting classics–a missed 2-point try in the last minute in 2011, a 40 yard field goal to end the game in 2012, and last year’s triple overtime epic– would rank as some of  the best high school games I have ever seen.

But what makes this rivalry so special between these two communities is their proximity.  These cities share a border, and it’s not a border that has some farm land in between.  The border cuts right through many heavily populated neighborhoods.  Quaker Stadium and Crater Stadium sit three miles apart.

That extreme closeness can heighten the hatred of some rivalries.  I am guessing that there are a few old-school Tornadoes that won’t go to a New Phila mechanic, and some cagey Quakers that refuse to buy gas in Dover.  But overall, the trash-talking and insults are usually in the (somewhat) spirit of fun.

Why?  Because Dover and Phila people know each other–VERY WELL.  When they were kids, they played together, often on the same teams.  As they got older, they roamed the malls, parks, and roller rinks together.   They date each other.  They work together.  They marry each other.  They go to church together.  They help each other.  They attend each other’s funerals.

I have been a resident of Dover for almost 20 years now, and in those two decades, I have come to greatly appreciate the warmth, kindness, and generosity of the people of the Tuscarawas Valley.  People often reflect back to an America where you could leave your doors unlocked and feel safe letting your kids roam the neighborhood.  T-County epitomizes those values.  It’s not perfect.  I got my radio stolen from my car my first year here.  Maybe it was my Northern accent.  But this place is pretty darn special.

So at 7 pm tomorrow night at the north end of Tuscora Park, there will be a collision of black, red, and gray.  Young men will play their hearts out, and one side of stadium will have their hearts broken.  But after the game, there will be handshakes and hugs, both on the field, and in the stands.

Play your hearts out young men, and savor every moment!

ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS   (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)

10.  6-3 Perry (last week #10):  Gutsy 36-35 last minute win over Jackson sets up a Federal League Title & play-off qualifier match-up with 6-3 GlenOak.

9.  6-3 Aquinas (last week #8):  Tough 49-42 loss at St. Joe’s put the Knights in unfortunate #9 play-off slot heading into finale vs. 2-7 Warren JFK.

8.  6-3 Massillon (last week #6):  Tigers need to follow up their tough loss to St. V’s with a big win over rival McKinley.

7.  7-2 Tuscarawas Central Catholic (last week #8): Impressive 21-2 win over Newcomerstown puts Saints in good play-off position.

6.  6-2 New Philadelphia (last week #7):  last year’s streak-busting win should provide the Quakers with a big confidence going into this year’s rivalry match-up

5.  7-2 Dover (last week #5):   ECOL title on the line in their trip to Quaker Stadium

4.  7-2 Indian Valley (last week #4):   This impressive Braves’ team is unfortunately on the bubble to return to the play-offs after last year’s memorable run to the regional finals.  0-9 Tusky Valley won’t  provide much of a boost.

3.  8-1 Louisville (last week #3):  Leopards’ margins  of victory in NBC play:  43, 15, 51, 23, 40, 42. Now comes 1-8 Canton South.

2.  9-0 Garaway (last week #2):  only 1-8 Strasburg stands in the way of their their 2nd 10-0 season in three years.

1.   9-0 Canton Central Catholic (last week #1):  In their illustrious football history, the Crusaders  have amazingly never gone 10-0.  A win over 5-4 Akron East gets that, and more importantly, a great chance to win their first Mac Snacks Poll Championship

 

Follow the author on twitter:  @macaljancic

You can also e-mail him:  macaljancic@yahoo.com

Remember this movie tag line from 1978?

Sidenote:  if you did a ranking of great original movies that had lame sequels, would JAWS top the list?  (I am talking about the follow-up sequel, not a stinker way down the line like Rocky V). Time to waste 10 minutes of my life researching the answer to one of life’s greatest questions…

Contenders:

Caddyshack >> Caddyshack II

Blues Brothers >> Blues Brothers 2000

Dumb & Dumber >> Dumb & Dumberer:  When Harry Met Lloyd

The Fugitive >> U.S. Marshalls .

And the winner is JAWS in a landslide.  Fugitive edges out Blues Brothers for the silver medal.

Back to the blog…

Remember the Golden Age for Browns fans?  More specifically, 4:00 pm, October 12th, 2014 to 1 pm, October 19th, 2014?

The Browns had just dominated the Steelers.  The media was clamoring over how big of a contract to give Brian Hoyer.  You could go to Wal-Mart without seeing any of these people…

Fans, local talk shows, and even ESPN were penciling in the Browns to a 6-2 record with ‘automatic’ wins looming ahead in the form of Jacksonville, Oakland, and Tampa Bay.

THEN, JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE BROWNS….

Jaguars 24, Browns 6.

Hey, crappy Browns, how you doin’?  Hadn’t seen you for a while and forgot how much misery and disgust you bring to Sunday afternoons!

Now, talk shows are throwing Hoyer under the bus for this loss.  I am not the biggest Hoyer fan, but come on, radio guys, give me a break.  Hoyer was far from their biggest problem.  Their offensive line got manhandled.  They couldn’t run the ball and struggled protect Hoyer so much, he probably felt like he was throwing out of one of these…

From my experiences playing QB, coaching QBs, and watching QBs, one thing I know is that when a QB gets constant pocket pressure, he is not gonna be very good.  Even for the best.  Just exam Peyton’s Manning’s poor play-off performances.

When Pro Bowl center Alex Mack went down with a leg injury, the Browns Browns had to insert veteran lineman Paul McQuistan, who got manhandled by the Jags.  I had to rewind & slo-mo one particular run play when he got driven back 5 yards into the ball carrier.  Yikes.   I felt the Brownies compounded Mack’s absence by moving starting guard John Greco to the center spot, a position he hadn’t played in a game since…NEVER!!  So they basically turned one injury into two back-up players.

So if I were passing around the blame for the loss, it would go…

30% offensive line

25% coaching moves (the 4th down blunders  were killers)

20% Jordan Poyer trying to catch a punt on the 2-yard line with his  face mask.

15% The Browns D-line letting an ex-Michigan QB look like an elite NFL running back.

10% Hoyer going 17 for 41 and missing Jordan Cameron for a TD.

I think that adds up to 100%.

Wait, I need to come up with an extra 58% of blame for this scientifically-proven law…

The Browns balloon must burst when filled with any traceable amount of fan confidence.

Oh yeah…Of course, the Steelers won.  Hurray for this guy…

ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS   (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)

10.  5-3 Perry (last week unranked):  Panthers jump back in the poll with impressive comeback win at surging McKinley.  Jackson & GlenOak stand in the way of an improbable Federal League title after going winless in 2013.

9.  6-2 Tuscarawas Central Catholic (last week #10):  last tough test vs. 5-3 Newcomerstown Saturday afternoon.

8.  6-2 Aquinas (last week #8):  great win over Cleveland Central Catholic last week.  The Tommies head back up to Cleveland again to battle 6-2 St. Joe’s.

7.  6-2 New Philadelphia (last week #7):  the Quakers are surely 100% focused on battling 3-5 Cambridge this week.  Well, maybe 98%.  Who do they play week 10?

6.  6-2 Massillon (last week #6):  big home games with St. V’s and McKinley to finish the season.

5.  6-2 Dover (last week #5):   D-5 Coshocton came to Crater Stadium with a 7-0 record and left with a 42-0 drubbing.  I wonder if Coach Ifft slipped some New Phila plays into the 2-6 Marietta scout team offense in practice this week?

4.  6-2 Indian Valley (last week #4):   why didn’t the Braves drop after losing Friday?   Because their two losses were both to undefeated teams (Triway and Garaway) by a combined 8 points.

3.  7-1 Louisville (last week #3):  Leps were surely favored in their trip to Marlington to face the NBC co-leaders last week.   But few expected a 54-14 romp.

2.  8-0 Garaway (last week #2):  Pirates want to make sure they don’t overlook Sandy Valley this week as the play-off horizon approaches.

1.   8-0 Canton Central Catholic (last week #1):  passed first big-school Federal League test with flying colors, handling Division I Hoover 41-14.  Now comes a trip to D-2 Lake.

MAC SNACK POLL OF THE WEEK:

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SOME SNACKS FROM THE BROWNS’ SURPRISINGLY EASY VICTORY SUNDAY…

DID THIS GAME SIGNAL THE TRUE RISE OF THE BROWNS?

The Browns not only won this game, but they dominated it in most every facet.  The key to this was clearly being the more physical team.  Offensely, they controlled the line of scrimmage, rushing for 158 yards.  Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan brilliantly used the strength of the ground game to set up his play-action passing offense.  Browns receivers were running wide open throughout the game.  Kinda reminded me of just about every Browns-Steelers game for the last 15 years, except it’s been Hines Ward & Plaxico Burress & Santonio Holmes & Antonio Brown & Heath Miller being more open than Wal-Mart.

In their two match-ups this year, the Browns rushed for a combined 349 yards.  I am guessing that the last time they did that, the #32 jersey was still getting thrown in the laundry pile after games.

SHOULD THE BROWNS OFFER BRIAN HOYER A FRANCHISE QB CONTRACT?

Browns’ fans should be glowing all week after this statement win over their hated rivals.  But no, someone in the 24-hour media cycle stinks up the party by dropping a rumor of Hoyer not willing to sign a long-term contract if Johnny Football is on the team.  I say that is hogwash.  Hoyer, who is in the last year of his contract, wants the Browns to show their commitment with their wallet.  The question is whether or not he is worth franchise QB $$, and how long should the Browns wait before making their offer.

I have been tickled to death with Hoyer’s performance, but I have two names for you:  Derek Anderson & Ryan Fitzpatrick.  DA had a pro bowl year for the Browns in 2007, and then realized he was Derek Anderson.   Fitzpatrick was the AFC Offensive Player of the Month in September of 2011.  The Bills gave him a 6-year, $59 million contract by the end of October.  By the end of the  year, he led the league in interceptions thrown, and was released by the Bills after the 2012 season.

So I say give it some time and  see how Hoyer holds up the next few months in the cold of Cleveland weather and the heat of NFL pressure.  If he continues to shine, the Browns have had much worse problems than having to pay good money for a good QB.

WILL THESE STEELERS DO THERE USUAL BOUNCE BACK, OR IS THIS THE END OF THE LINE?

My lovely wife said that she thought that Browns coach Mike Pettine  kinda had Bill Cowher’s game face.  Let’s take a looksie…

A shaved head increases a man’s tough guy image by approximately 38%.  Throw in a goatee and people will cross the street to avoid you and your tough look!  And Coach Mike is doing a great job of instilling toughness and competitiveness in his team.  That being said, he can’t hold a candle to this scowl…

 

Since Cowher was hired in 1992, the Stillers have had 3 losing  seasons: a 7-9 to go with a couple of 6-10s.  The Browns in that time have had 3 winning seasons, and have not won 6 games since 2007.

Even when Pittsburgh has gone through some lean times, they have always stormed back with vengeance.  Even last year, they followed up their 0-4 and 2-6 start with a 6-2 finish.

But I have my doubts about a revival this time.  Why?

BEN IS GETTING OLD.

He looked very average Sunday.  Part of it is that his body is even older than his age (32) with the pounding he has taken through the years.  But I blame more of his mediocre performance on the terrible play-calling.   They ran the ball 21 of the first 28 plays.  Remember, it wasn’t Mark Malone under center.  It is a likely Hall of Fame QB.  As a Browns fan, I fear Ben more than any QB.  Ever.  He simply torches them.  18 wins and 1 loss going into this game.  18-1.  So any time Ben hands off, I am doing handstands.

The first time Pittsburgh got inside the 10, here were the play calls.

1st & goal on the 7:  Bell run for 2 yards.

2nd & goal from the 5:  Bell run for 2 yards.

3rd  & goal from the 3:  Blount run for 1 yard.

Yeah baby!  Any time the Steelers want to hang  their hat on the two guys best known for doing an impression this summer for the police of these guys…

I am 100% behind it!

When the Browns went up 21-3 with about 3 minutes  left in the 2nd quarter, I asked my amazing, beautiful wife the percent chance of Ben responding with a touchdown.  She had it at 88%.  My son had it at 98%.  Ben didn’t squeeze a point in not one, but two possessions before halftime.  Is Ben heading to the land of Carson Palmer?

WHO IS THE GUY ON THE FIELD WEARING THE TROY POLAMALU WIG?

If Ben looks a little old, what does #43 look like?  I wouldn’t know, because I didn’t even notice him in these two games.  As I described in great detail in my last blog, I hate the Steelers.  And I have hated going against this Hall of Fame safety, who has tormented the Browns for a decade.  But I have to admit that I respect him as a player and as a class act and role model.  Unfortunately, Father Time has yet to lose against an NFL player.

ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS   (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)

10.  5-2 Tuscarawas Central Catholic (last week #10):  shut out by Garaway 28-0.

9.  4-3 Lake (last week unranked):  Streaking Streaks have won 4 of 5, including a dominant 28-14 triumph over Perry.  Can grab a piece of the Federal League title when they host GlenOak Friday.

8.  5-2 Aquinas (last week #6):  tough loss to Holy Name.  Tough match-ups with Cleveland Central Catholic and St. Joe’s the next two weeks.

7.  5-2 New Philadelphia (last week unranked):  took care of E.C.O.L. business with an impressive 31-17 defeat of Zanesville, which likely sets up a another high stakes showdown with Dover in week 10.

6.  5-2 Massillon (last week #3):  back to back losses to  Austintown Fitch & Youngtown Ursuline have the Tigers leaking oil.  Good chance to get back on the right track vs. Garfield.  St. V’s and McKinley are looming after.

5.  5-2 Dover (last week #8):   Outscored Cambridge 44-0 in the first half.  Tons of computer points up for grabs as they host undefeated Coshocton & their wing-T offense.

4.  6-1 Indian Valley (last week #5):  Jake Davis scores 6 TDs as the Braves outscore Manchester, 49-36.  Huge PAC-7 showdown with the undefeated & high-scoring Triway Titans Friday.

3.  7-1 Louisville (last week #4):  easy win against Minerva sets up a trip to Marlington this week to face the NBC co-leaders.

2.  7-0 Garaway (last week #2):  shut out over Tusky Central Catholic puts them in great shape for an undefeated season.

1.   7-0 Canton Central Catholic (last week #1):  after rolling Barberton, the Crusaders get to dance with the Federal League boys the next two weeks–Hoover, then Lake

MAC SNACK SURVEY OF THE WEEK:

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I DON’T LIKE…

Mountain Dew.

People who drive slow in the fast lane.

Nickelback (or is it Nickleback?  Anyhow, I’m referring to the music group, not the flip side of a 5-cent coin).

Going against this guy…

and the 1980’s Celtics (I pulled for the Lakers,as I described in this blog).

People do a ‘reply all’ to a group text when they are only replying to the sender.

Weeds in flower beds.

Peeps (as in the Easter snack, not the slang term for people).

Waking up at 4:03 am and not being able to get back to sleep.

‘Whatever’ (as in the disrepectful answer to a question).

DVR’ing a game, avoiding the score all day, and then inavertently reading a text that gives it away.

Boston fans.

Students that walk in my room and ask “Do we have a test today?” when we have a test today.

The sound of a vacuum cleaner.

The length of college football games (At about 4 hours, it’s like watching a Lord of the Rings movie).

Cold football/baseball practices.

When my beautiful, wonderful daughter says “That’s not fair!” when I ask her to do a chore.

Reality shows that make celebrities out of people who don’t really do anything to deserve being a celebrity (Jersey Shore, Kardashians, Real Housewives of Wherever,…

1980’s Hoover Viking football teams (I was a Louisville Leopard back then).

Lying (as in fibbing.  I love l lying down on the couch!!)

Kids being addicted to technology.

How the spread offense has changed high school & college football.  Remember good old physical football games?  Remember when fans would get really excited over a 10-yard gain?  Remember when running for 150 yards or passing for 300 yards was a huge achievement?   Remember when a 35-31 score would be a shoot-out?  That’s a college early 3rd quarter score now.

When satellite reception goes out on my TV.

Golf holes with out-of-bounds stakes.

That we wasted a 1st round pick on this guy…

 

*SIDE NOTE:  my buddy, Todd, challenged me this week to creatively incorporate this pic into every blog.  I am 1-for-1, T!

When my wonderful, intelligent son says “Oh my gosh” when I ask him to do a chore.

When the remote control batteries are low.

Bananas.

Needing a quick nap, but not being able to take a quick nap.

3-foot putts.

When my dog heads to the neighbor’s yard to do his business.  Where’s my sandals?  Where’s the scooper?

That guy in open gym that shoots all day, but doesn’t play any defense.

I GREATLY, IMMENSELY DISLIKE…

Pulling weeds.  Expecially those small ones that are hard to pull out.

My mom vacuuming at 6 am when I was a kid.

Paying an extra $30 to have this logo on something…

Going  against John Elway.

Waking up at 2:03 am and not being able to get back to sleep.

This movie that I blogged about…

Lying, and then continually lying about that lie to the point that you are offended that I accused you of lying, even though you and I both know you are lying.

The team salary imbalance of Major League Baseball.

Golf holes with out-of-bounds stakes on both sides of the fairway.

Reality shows that glorify selfishness/materialism.

Cold and rainy practices.

When my wonderful, adorable children ignore me when I ask them to do a chore.

Lord of The Rings movies.  While watching the last one with my wife at home, I remember yelling, “Just throw the ring in a volcano and get it over with!”  My wife gave me an irritated look.  30 minutes later, she yelled the same thing.

Not being able to find the remote control.

Forgetting passwords on websites that you don’t go very often, and then when you get to the point of re-entering a new password, it won’t let you use any of your old passwords because you already used them, so you have to come up  with a new password that you know you will forget and start this vicious cycle again…

Going against this guy…

The New York/Boston sports hype.

When my kids leave batteries laying out. (or is it lying out?).  Are they old, dead batteries or new, unused ones?

My dad making 8000 flower beds for me (& my siblings) to weed.

No hot water left in the shower.

I DON’T LIKE TO USE THE WORD ‘HATE’ MUCH, BUT…

I HATE…

 

 

Going against Ben Rothisburger (I hate going against him so much, I am not even gonna spell check his name).

This guy’s smile…

 

Being a 3rd grade grade Browns’ fan in 1979 and having to deal with cocky 3rd grade Steelers’ fans and their Super Bowl wins!

Three Rivers Stadium.

This guy taking out Brian Sipe…

Terry Bradshaw and his toothy smile.

Lynn Swann.

Franco Harris.

Being a 43-year old fan and having to deal with cocky 3rd grade & 8th grade and 23-year-old and 43-year old and 83-year old Steelers’ fans and their Super Bowl wins!

Jerome Harrison.

This dish rag…

Mike Tomlin.

Santonio Holmes.

Mean Joe Greene.

Bubby Brister.

Well, maybe not so much Bubby Brister.

Jerome Bettis.

That big bearded guy that plays defensive line.

These people…

 

And these people…

 

 

And these people I see at Wal-Mart…

 

Maybe not so much this person…

I hate that I see these people all over Tuscarawas & Stark County wearing their Black and Yellow gear and smarmy winning smiles and getting spoiled by all of those wins and winter play-off games and Hall of Fame players and Super Bowls!!!

So Browns, how about winning this time to give me a little peace, love, joy, and happiness?

And at least a little bit of bragging rights the next time I see this guy…

 

Go BROWNS!!!

Follow the author on twitter:  @macaljancic

You can also e-mail him:  macaljancic@yahoo.com

 

Here’s an all-Browns sampler platter for Steelers’ week:

HOYER HYPE!!!

I stated in  this NFL pre-season blog that Brian Hoyer’s likely upside would be another Kelly Holcomb:  display moments of greatness to spark the team, but over the long haul, the warts of mediocre talent and poor decision-making would show through.

But after watching him in four games this year, I find that if I squint just right, and imagine a black compression sleeve on his right elbow, I can almost picture another Browns’ QB…

Siper Bowl!!!  Brian Sipe was an undersized (6’1”, 195 lbs.) and undervalued (13th round draft pick) who persevered as a back-up to eventually become a Cleveland institution.  What was his key to success?  A big heart and big knack for making big plays in crunch time.

Sound familiar?

Our current Brian wins the tale of the tape, measuring in at 6’2″, 215 lbs.  He was an undrafted free agent out of college.  Of course, there were only 7 rounds the year that Hoyer was eligible to be drafted, so I say Sipe wins the undervalued award.

Hoyer has definitely more than lived up to Sipe’s late game theatrics so far this year.  Game one was coming all the way back from a 27-3 halftime deficit to tie the Steelers, only to lose on a last-second field goal.  Game 2 was crafting an epic game-ending drive to beat the Saints on the last play of the game.  Game 3 had Hoyer keeping his team in the lead for most of the game, only to lose on a field goal as time expired AGAIN!!!  Last week’s game was a bit of a yawner, as the game-winning points were scored with a whole 69 seconds left.  Of course, the Browns dug themselves into a bit a hole, trailing 28-3 at one point, which led to the greatest regular season comeback by a road team in NFL history.  While staring at that deficit had things looking glum, there is one stat my buddy Steve pointed out that all but guaranteed a Browns’ comeback victory…

 

“A quarterback with a ponytail has never gotten a first down rushing”.  

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt should have considered that statistic when he decided to have Charlie Whitehurst try a 4th down quarterback sneak in the closing minutes.  Did he really have any chance while doing his best Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow pirate imitation?

What’s with Chuckin’ Charlie’s ponytail and scruffy beard look.  It kinda reminded of this old gunslinger…

 

Whitehurst disrespected the game and the greats that have played it by going out on the field looking like that.  You have to earn the right to look that Pirate-like!  Whitehurst’s career achievements don’t even qualify for right to wear those eye back stickers!

I have a new rule for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  Let’s call it the Stabler Rule:

“No quarterback shall be allowed to have hair protruding more than 1 inch out of the back of his helmet,  nor display unkempt facial hair, until he has won at least started one play-off game.”

Roger, I think my legal jargon will hold up in any court of law.

Can this season be declared the long awaited sequel, The Return of the Kardiac Kids?

“On the 1st Day of Christmas, Art Modell gave to me, A Rutigliano Super Bowl Team.”  Do you rememer that song from the airwaves of December, 1980?   What were the other 11 days?  I am gonna give it a try.  I apologize for not knowing the exact order

Brian Sipe a passing, Dave Logan leaping, Darden intercepting, Newsome a catching, both those Pruitt’s moves, Alzado attacking, Don Cockroft kicking, DeLeone a hiking, The Browns in the playoffs.

I am missing two!!  Dieken a blocking might be one.  Wait….I got the last one!  Kardiac Kids a winning!  Time to .google search to get the results…

12 for 12!!!!!!!!  Yeah baby!!!!!

Those last  couple paragraphs epitomize how crappy the Browns have been in the Super Bowl era.  Us fans get all nostalgic for a 1980 team that didn’t even win a play-off game!

They were a fun team to watch though, winning 9 of their 11 games by a touchdown or less.  I got to see Dave Logan catch a 46-yard TD with 16 seconds left right in front of me in the old bleachers to beat the Packers.  Their last four losses were by 3, 3, 5, & 2 points, including the Red Right 88 play-off heartbreaker to the Raiders.

Every breakfast, the Browns’ Corners must get together to eat this…

while listening to this…

because they have been getting toasted and smoked all year!  Ist round picks Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert have provided about as much covering as a Jennifer Lopez dress.  In fact, let’s have a role call of our last 4 defensive 1st round picks:  Gilbert (2014), Bakevious Mingo (2013), Phil Taylor (2011), and Haden (2010).  Not exactly the Steel Curtain.  Luckily we skipped the D in the 2012 draft 1st round and went offense twice to get these ‘superstars’…

(BTW, I have gotten alot of blog mileage out of this Weeden pic!  I think this is that 5th blog with Captain America an his pug buddy have appeared in!)

With that draft record, is it any surprise the Browns have been stuck in the basement?

PROPS TO THE RUNNING GAME

Ben Tate looked terrific running last week.  Rookie backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have been the talk of the first 3 games.  And the offensive line has been a beast up front, controlling the line of scrimmage.  His rookie guard Joe Bitonio been the key spark to this physical mentality?  Speaking of mentality…

COACH MIKE PETTINE HAS SET THE TONE

Win or lose, his team has fought to the last second.  Coming back from 24 and 25 point deficits speaks highly of the coach’s motivational skills and faith in his system and players.  On the other hand, falling behind by 24 and 25 points doesn’t exactly flatter his image as a defensive mastermind.

 

ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS   (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)

10.  5-1 Tuscarawas Central Catholic (last week #6):  dropped from unbeaten  ranks by perennial IVC power Ridgewood, 30-14.

9.  4-2 Perry (unranked):  Coach Wakefield has them on a 4-game win streak.  Great turnaround from last year’s 0-10 season.

8.  4-2 Dover (#10):   Nice win over Zanesville sets up for a big week 10 vs. rival Quakers

7. 4-2 GlenOak (#4):  Close loss to two-time defending state champion Akron St. V’s.   Battle improving McKinley squad this week.

6.  5-1 Aquinas (#8):  Star QB Moeglin was back in action last Friday

5.  5-1 Indian Valley (#7):  Time to face Manchester

4  5-1 Louisville (#5):  Destroyed West Branch

3.  5-1 Massillon (#1):  Needs to put heartbreaking  loss to Austintown Fitch behind them as they face 4-2 Youngtown Ursuline

2.  6-0 Garaway (#3):  big game with 5-1 Tuscarawas Central Catholic this week

1.   6-0 Canton Central Catholic (last week #2):  outscored Northwest 35-0 in the first half!

MAC SNACK SURVEY OF THE WEEK:

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Observations and predictions from Ohio State’s game vs. Cincinnati…

J.T.  Barrett is the best Buckeye passer since Troy Smith.

This may seem like a bold prediction at first.  But I am referring to his passing  skills, not his overall quarterback ability.  Let’s look at the QBs that followed the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner:

2007  Todd Boeckman:  did a solid job as a solid pocket passer  & was the quarterback in a national championship team.  Lost his job next year to this freshman blue chipper…

2008-2010:  Tyrelle Pryor:    Coach Tressel’s popularity and demeanor earned him the nickname of ‘The Senator’.  Pryor’s highest public office aspiration in the Buckeye state might  be assistant dog catcher’, given his role in the ‘Tattoo-gate’ scandal that led to Tressel’s resignation (as well as his diva-like actions at times).  That being said, I would say that this #2 is the #2 OSU quarterback of my viewing lifetime (post-Art Schichter).

My top 5:  #1 Smith, #2 Pryor, #3 Joe Germaine, #4 Braxton Miller, #5 Bobby Hoying.

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“Pryor #2?  Are you kidding me?”  Remember, Pryor barely lost the Fiesta Bowl to Colt McCoy & Texas in the last minute as a freshman.  He was the Rose Bowl & Sugar Bowl MVP the next two post seasons.  He was a guy who made the big play time and time again when his team needed it.  His  6’7″ frame allowed him to bounce off many tackles, and those long strides hid his speed he would use to get to the edge for key first downs many times over.

But looking at him strictly as a passer, his poor mechanics and minimal arm strength are not much for Barrett to overtake.

2011-13  Braxton Miller:  First of all, don’t forget that as a freshman he had to beat out Joe Bauserman, a.k.a. ‘Joey Clipboard’.  Braxton has some serious shake and bake moves.  He could juke out a defender in one of these…

 

To explain to anyone 21 or under:  if you put a quarter in, you could make a phone call… but only to anyone in the town you were calling from, and possibly neighboring towns.  If you wanted to call further than about 15 miles, you had to put a bunch more quarters in to call ‘long distance’.  If you didn’t have any money, you could call ‘collect’.  What does that mean?

Ahh, just forget about it, young whippersnapper!  Just keep living your George Jetson smart phone life…

Back to Braxton.  He’s a phenomenal  athlete.  As a passer, he as a strong arm, but his accuracy, consistency, and ability to read defenses are pretty mediocre.

I have been very impressed with Barrett, considering that he is a red-shirt freshman coming off knee surgery.   As a passer, I think he has an adequate to solid arm.  What I have really liked is his accuracy and his poise in reading defenses.  Even in their loss to Virginia Tech, I thought he did a nice job in spite of his coaching staff not being able to find an answer to the Hokies’ attacking, man-to-man no safety help defense.  He has a bright future for the Scarlet and Gray.

Braxton Miller will not be quarterback next year

This is a much bolder prediction, especially since Urban Meyer this week declared Braxton the 2015 starter.  With this stipulation:  “if he’s healthy.”  From what I have read, Miller having a second surgery for a torn labrum has an iffy prospect of being successful.  Another thing to consider is Miller’s NFL prospects.  I think his chances of making it as an NFL quarterback are pretty slim.  Look how things have panned out for Pryor, who is a better passer.  I do think, though, that he could have a long-term career using his athleticism as a receiver or maybe even a running back.  Coach Meyer could use this as an out to make the QB switch next year.  He could sell Braxton on the idea of using next year to prepare for a new position for the pros.

Luke Fickell will not be coaching defense for the Buckeyes next year

OSU’s defensive co-coordinator and former interim head coach became the father of twins this week.  Ready for some even more impressive news?  This is his second set of twins!  I know this guy was a pretty good pass rusher in his day, but this has to go on the top of his resume!

Unfortunately, Coach Meyer patience with his struggling defense over the past two season has to be wearing thinner than the hair of these two legendary bowlers…

Urban only has so many years left to win a national championship.  He likely measures himself with the SEC powers, and he knows that the Buckeye Silver Bullet defense looks like B-B pellets compared to Alabama and friends.  Coach Fickell seems to be caught between the conservative defenses of the Tressel era and the aggressive mentality of Meyer.  That makes the defense look like it is caught in no-man’s land.

The Buckeye offensive play-calling was at  it’s most impressive vs. Cincinnati

I know that the Bearcats were Mildcats defensively.  But I thought this was the most creative and innovative offensive display of the Urban Meyer era.   They used motion and play action well, and had a good run/pass balance.  They had some creatively deceptive plays to get  backs to the edge and receivers open.  One thing I would like to see more of is stretching defenses with more intermediate and long passes.

On to high school football…

ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10 TEAMS   (how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size as well as their play-off run potential)

 

10.  Dover:  Zanesville game this week could start a nice run for Tornadoes

9.  Jackson:  tough 1st loss to GlenOak

8.  Aquinas:  star QB Moeglin still out

7.  Indian Valley:  overcame a 14-0 deficit vs. Timken

6.  Tuscarawas Central Catholic:  dream season continues with close win over solid Sandy Valley squad

5.  Louisville:  big win at previously undefeated Carrollton.  No big tests on 2nd half of their schedule.

4. GlenOak:  took control of Federal League with win over Jackson.  Close loss to Massillon in week two continues to look more impressive.

3.  Garaway:  showdown at T.C.C. looming on Oct. 11

2.   Canton Central Catholic:  keeps cruising with win over Youngstown East.  Will Northwest hang with them?

1.  Massillon:  great win over Steubenville moves them to the top spot.

MAC SNACK SURVEY OF THE WEEK:

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