Boomer Report: Reds playing extra's, Indians dodging the raindrops

3B Todd Frazier's solo home run in the 6th inning,
provided to be the difference yesterday in the Reds 1-0,
series clincher vs. the Cubbies.

Just a little under six hours to go, until the 2013 NFL Draft, tonight on ESPN, and I'd like to take a minute and discuss little bit on the Reds and Indians. Here's an update (my take) on how the two Ohio baseball teams are fairing, so far this season, as the end of April quickly approaches next week.

Chud Nation: Browns Draft Preview and other matters

One thing is for sure in this year's draft, Leon Sandcastle
will not be the #1 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The excitement of free agency has come and gone, the thrill of seeing your team's 2013 schedule released, was last week's news, meaning only one thing left to do this off-season in the NFL. The 2013 NFL Draft beginning with first round coverage LIVE Thursday Night at 8PM on ESPN, or what some people like to call the "Roger Goodell Reality Show". Coverage will continue into Friday Night with Rounds 2 & 3, then conclude on Saturday with Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Boomer Report: Up's and Down's of an early baseball season

Even UT player Xavier Paul got in on the action last Friday night, with
his GS home-run vs. the Nationals in a 15-0 shutout win.

The second week of the season, the Reds and Indians have sure seen themselves in some high-scoring affairs, both on the winning side and the losing side (mostly, the Indians). Scores for the Reds like 15-0, 13-4, and a disappointing 10-0 loss yesterday afternoon. As for the Indians, they followed up back-to-back shutout losses over the past weekend, with a 13-0 blowout victory on Sunday and have lost by scores of 10-8, 11-6, and 14-1. As fans all-around, freak out about their team's fast-start or their team's slow-start, remember it's only April folks, we got a long ways to go, and we don't need to start FREAKING OUT already. Hang in there.

Chud Nation: Two weeks out from the 2013 NFL Draft

Weeden to Nelson? David Nelson added to the Browns
WR depth yesterday, signing a one-year deal.

The Browns over the past couple of weeks, have picked up a veteran QB, a high-priced pass rusher, some depth to the front-7 of the defense and now looks like they have themselves a new target for second-year QB Brandon Weeden to throw the ball to. David Nelson, a former Buffalo Bills wide-out, will don the Orange & Brown this fall. Nelson, a three-year vet out of the University of Florida "Tebow Era", with the Bills he had 94 catches, 1,042 receiving yards and five TD's in 2011. He only played in the season opener last season, due to an injury, so it will be interesting to see how he bounces back, and if he can be that third wide-out behind Josh Gordon and Greg Little. Now, who in the heck, are the Browns looking to take in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Boomer Report: Reds & Indians start out 2013 in thrilling fashion

Teammate's mob Joey Votto, following his GW-hit,
Wednesday night down in Cincinnati.

PLAYBALL! Just a couple games into the 2013 season, the Reds have already played a 13 inning game, and had a walk-off thriller, while the Indians have won the first two up in Toronto, against most people's favorite to win the AL East this season (Blue Jays).

Thad Minute: The Buckeyes thrilling tourney run, ends in a "shocker" in the Elite Eight

Once again, the Buckeyes used a late-game three-pointer, to beat
Arizona, 73-70 in the West Region Sweet 16 matchup last week.

All good things must come to an end, right? After all in a 68-team field in the NCAA tournament, you are going to have 67-bad endings, with only one happy ending down in Atlanta next Monday night. What a run by the Buckeyes over the past month and a half, an 11-game winning streak, which included: what should have been a share of the regular season Big Ten championship (thanks a lot Michigan!), a Big Ten tourney championship, and some thrilling finishes during the team's NCAA tournament run to the West Region Elite Eight. Here's my recap on the Scarlet and Grey's two games from last week.

Chud Nation: An End of an Era in Believeland

Up on the lake, we said goodbye to some old faces,
and welcomed some new faces over the last couple of weeks.

As the 2013 NFL Draft approaches (23 more days), lets take a minute and look back at what the Cleveland Browns have been up to since the beginning of the March, as well as how they did in the NFL free agency sweepstakes.

Thad Minute: Buckeyes advance to the Sweet 16 (again)

Sam Thompson put on a dunking clinic all-night, in the
Buckeyes 95-70 win over #15-seeded Iona, last Friday night.

Thad Matta's basketball program at THE Ohio State University, are making trips to the Sweet 16, an annually occasion.

Thad Matta & Co. are making yet another trip to the Sweet 16 (fourth-straight), albeit with a little late-game drama this past Sunday afternoon.

Over the past weekend down the road from Columbus in Dayton at historic UD Arena, the Buckeyes used an all-around team effort to pick up a pair of wins over #15-seeded Iona (95-70) and #10-seeded Iowa State (78-75). The Buckeyes, who have struggled in years past to win at UD Arena in the NCAA tournament, are the highest seeded team (#2 seed) remaining in the wild wild West Region. The team now travels out west, to play their Sweet 16 game at the Staple Center, in downtown Los Angeles. The Buckeyes, two wins away from back-to-back Final Four appearances, look to extend their 10-game winning streak, as they now face the #6-seeded Arizona Wildcats, Thursday Night (7:47, TBS). Lets take a look back and recap this past weekend's pair of games, and relive the drama from Sunday afternoon's thrilling Round of 32 game.

Thad Minute: Men's hoops snag another BIG tourney, while the Women's team gets their bubble burst

Thomas' late three, sealed the upset win,
for the Buckeyes in Bloomington.

Ewww!!! Weeeeee! What an incredible month of March it has been up to this point, for the Men's basketball team, over at THE Ohio State University. All, but buried after an embarrassing 22-point loss up in Madison, WI (to the Baddgggeeerrsss), the Buckeyes turned things around quickly to finish the season strong. Heading into the 2013 NCAA Tournament this weekend, the Buckeyes are currently riding an 8-game winning streak, while holding their opponents to 60 points or less, in each game. Let us take a look back at the past couple of weeks, in this latest edition of The Rock's, Thad Minute.

Gainer's Goal Crease: What's Going On Down at Nationwide Arena??

The Bob is like what up shut up!

Riding a five game winning and seven game point streak, the Blue Jackets are the hottest team in the NHL.  With the Blackhawks reaching 21-0-3 before losing the past two, someone had to take the mantel.  Why not CBJ??  In my last post, they had just lost to Dallas in overtime.  Little did I know that would be the first game of the seven game point steak.  Just a few days later, they lost another OT game to Chicago.  Then the magic started happening.  CBJ had been on the wrong end of many one goal contests throughout the first half of the season.  During this five game winning streak, they have defeated Colorado, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Detroit (TWICE!).  Those games, respectively, were 2-1 in OT, 4-2 in a shoot out, 2-1 in OT, 3-0 shut out, and 3-2 shoot out win.  The final two were this past weekend in a Saturday/Sunday home and home vs that state up north.  Yes my friends, the Columbus Blue Jackets finished their season series 4-0-1 against the Red Wings.

Thad Minute: Buckeyes grind out the month of February in hoops

PG Aaron Craft's career-high 21-point performance,
sparked the Buckeyes 68-60 upset win over #4 MSU
last Sunday afternoon.

The first weekend in the month of March, can mean only one thing, that Selection Sunday is just two weeks away. March Madness, for a lot of people, the madness has already begun or will begin this weekend, with a number of teams clashing for conference championships, NCAA tournament seeding, and "bubble" bursting implications on-the-line. Let's check out and see how the Men's and Women's basketball programs are doing, heading into March, or other wise known as the "greatest month of college basketball". OH-IO!

Cavs Corner: Bring on March!

The man, the myth, the legend...

7-5 ladies and gentlemen.  The Cleveland Cavaliers had a winning record in the month of February.  That's the first time a winning month has occurred since The King departed to South Beach.  Post All-Star break, the team has won four of five and now sits at 20-38 overall.  Since starting 5-23, the team has gone a very respectable 15-15.  Barring a miracle, the team won't have enough time left to snag a potential 8th seed playoff spot but a finish as high as 9th is very much a reality.  They are nine games back of that playoff spot with only 24 games to go.  However, the 9th spot is only three games in front of them.  Some will point out tanking for the lottery in the draft.  I'll be the first to tell you, it's not worth it...this year.  Seriously, there's no consensus #1 pick and the player with the most upside, Nerlens Noel, blew out his knee.  They'll get a good player no matter where they pick in the lottery.

What's even more encouraging?  The last two games.

Gainer's Goal Crease: CBJ February Round Up

Umby tying the game late last night to send it to OT

2-1, 5-3, 3-2, 3-2, 2-1, 1-0, and 5-4.  Those are the final scores of the last seven games played by the Columbus Blue Jackets to finish out the month of February.  Guess how many they won?  If you guessed one, you would be correct!  They managed just three points during that stretch and currently sit at 5-12-3 which is good for 13 points.  That's last in the West and last in the NHL.

James Wisniewski, Jack Johnson, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, and Derick Brassard.  What do these five have in common?  These are five of the highest paid players on the team who are all currently injured.  Their top offensive pairing in the #controlledchaos that is Wiz and JJ and basically the whole team's center position.  Yikes.

Tired of hearing of the dreadfulness?  Me too.

Chud Nation: NFL Scouting Combine & Weeden's confidence

The drills and interviews wrap up today over in Indy, for
 NFL Scouting Combine 2013.

A brand-new feature here on The Rock, called "Chud Nation". Named after the Browns newest Head Coach, hometown boy Rob Chudzinki, who Browns fans are hoping is the guy finally to turn things around up in Believeland, and not another name on the office door for the next two to three years. Topics that will be discussed under this new banner will include PLENTY of Browns notes/news, as well as, stuff that interest me across the NFL at the current time. First up, the NFL Scouting Combine.

2013 MLB Season Breakdown: Cleveland Indians

I must admit when I moved to Cleveland, the Indians were the team I was the least excited about.  I enjoy watching basketball, hockey and football much more.  I only went to one Tribe game (a win though!) with Boomer and frankly, there wasn't much to get excited about.  Fast forward half a year and things have changed ever so slightly.  The thing about any team and its fans is excitement.  What do I mean?  I mean a fan base needs to know the direction of the franchise.  The Cavs are rebuilding through Kyrie Irving and the youngsters.  The Browns have a new owner and look to finally challenge in the AFC North.  The Blue Jackets have a new Hockey Operations President and a hard working attitude.

What do the Indians have?  Well at the end of the 2012 regular season...almost nothing.  Spring training is now upon us (make sure to check out Boomer's preview for both the Tribe and the Reds) and there's palpable excitement in the air here in the city.  And it's not only because we are set to begin another season but also due to the changes made.  Francona, Swisher, Bourn, Reynolds, Stubbs, Dice-K, Bauer, Kazmir, and Giambi have breathed a new air of life into Believeland.  I'll be the first to tell you I don't care much for baseball in the same way Boomer doesn't care much for hockey.  But either of us will tell you that when there's something to get excited about, no matter how small or trivial, we will give it a chance.  Boomer knows the CBJ are going to be wildly different.  I now know the Indians have the same opportunity.

So pencil me in as an Indians convert.  I miss living in a baseball town (previously lived in the HOTlanta and watched the Braves religiously).  I won't promise I'll sit and watch EVERY game.  I mean HELLO they play 162 of these suckers but I am attending the home opener versus those Yankees.  So without further ado, let's see what our Cleveland Indians are up against this 2013 Regular Season and the March to October.  Thank you to the Indians website for these great calendar graphics sssssss...

2013 MLB Season Breakdown: Cincinnati Reds

Will the Reds be able to win back-to-back NL Central crowns (their third in the past four seasons), and can they finally put together a deep postseason run in October, let's find out...

Boomer Report: Reds & Indians Spring Training Preview

For the 4th spring together, the Reds & Indians, share
Goodyear Ballpark for spring training.

One of these years, I plan on heading out west for spring training and checking out Goodyear Ballpark, where both the Cincinnati Reds & Cleveland Indians have their spring training. For now, I guess I'll have to do my spring training preview from the chilly confines of the great state of OH-IO!

A Year Later: Ohio Professional Sports

When we first started this blog, Boomer and I did a piece on each of the pro sport franchises and if we thought there was a realistic chance the team could win a championship by the year 2015.  It is now, as you all know, 2013 and 2012 came up empty handed.  Here are the updates:

Gainer's Goal Crease: CBJ hires a new GM

Jarmooooooooo

Only three games have passed since my last entry but too much has happened in CBJ Land for me to wait any longer!  Let's get into the good stuff first.  General Manager Scott Howson was relieved of his duties this past week.  When John Davidson came into the fold, I wondered how long GMSH would even last.  Well my answer was 10 games.  Howson had been here since 2007 and did some good things.  What you ask?  Here are my favorite things:

NBA All Star Break

Valentine's Day has passed and as we head into the All Star Weekend in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers sit at 16-37 which is last in the Central Division and 12th overall in the Eastern Conference.  The Cavs have gone 3-4 since the last time I checked in.  It was an interesting seven game stretch which featured a three game winning streak.  After the Golden State loss, the team headed to Detroit and was handed arguably it's worst loss of the season at 117-99.  However, whatever they learned from that game carried over to the next three contests.  The next night back in the Q, the Cavs won their most impressive game of the year defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-110.  Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 35 points and played perhaps his best game as a Cav especially in the fourth quarter.

However, more importantly, the Cavs needed to show they could beat the bad teams after they beat the good/elite teams.  They followed up the OKC win with an absolute blow out of the Bobcats 122-95 in which everyone on the roster contributed something.  With a win over the Magic a couple days later, the Cavs were looking good!  Unfortunately Denver came to town and they are a match up nightmare.  The Cavs battled valiantly but came up short.  They lost a tough one this past Monday to a depleted Minnesota squad as well.  Valentine's Day Eve the Cavs again played one of their better games of the season but lost on a buzzer beater to the San Antonio Spurs.  Bad news? Irving scored only six points.  Good news?  They only lost by one point!  Dion Waiters had a good game with 20 points but had a defensive lapse that cost us the game.

So with a week off and no games until Wednesday, February 20th, the Cavs get a much needed rest.  Unless you're Kyrie Irving who has already stated he's getting tired.  Irving is competing in all three days of All-Star Weekend.  Here's what you can look for:

Boomer Report: Recap of the off-season for the Tribe & Reds heading into spring training

The Tribe creating a "buzz" in Major League Baseball,
this past week, with the team's free agency moves.

117 million dollars! The price tag the Cleveland Indians put down this off-season in MLB free agency. Now, I know thats peanuts, when you compare 'em with the heavyweights of the diamond (Yankees, Red Sox, both LA squads), but after only using a few million dollars over the past couple years, the Tribe are hoping these recent "high" dollar signs, are a sign of good things to come up in Cleveland this summer.

Boomer's Urban Renewal: CFB Signing Day Wrap Up

Vonn Bell, was just one of 24 football players, to announce Wednesday, that he will
be coming to THE Ohio State University to play football in the fall.

OH YEAH! Sort of a national holiday for all you college football fanatics out there this past Wednesday, as CFB had its yearly National Signing Day hoopla. Here, I am to give you my thoughts and discuss a couple things on the day. A day in which time seems to stop, as we all, send the day following, where a certain 5-star 17-year old will play football at next fall. In case you missed it, January 2012, I wrote up a little piece on the whole "hat selection" day and I gave you my honest opinion on the whole matter. Enjoy folks, TGIF! #kidpresident

Gainer's Goal Crease

Artem Asylum going ham for two goals in a win over Detroit

In this new section, Gainer is bringing you da hockey news.  Our Columbus Blue Jackets are now ten games into the shortened 48 game season.  After this upcoming weekend, they'll be a quarter of the way done with the entire season!  At 3-6-1 overall, things could obviously be better but they could honestly be WAY worse.  The Jackets got off to a great start winning the season opener down in Nashville where they never win with an impressive shootout victory.  Two days later in the home opener, they lost a tough shootout to Detroit but three points outta four ain't bad.  Unfortunately after that, there was a three game losing streak.  Since a victory over Dallas on 1/28, CBJ have dropped three of four.  What explains the struggles?

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: Things to look forward to in the upcoming months

HAHA!!!

If the NBA, NHL, or College Basketball isn't enough to keep you busy till spring, here's the Countdown to Opening Day for the 2013 MLB season. On top of that, while you wait on your favorite teams first pitch, here are a couple items in the upcoming months in the world of baseball & football to keep you occupied till then.

Thad Minute: Men's team in BIG10 race, Women's team continues to struggle



DeShaun Thomas is locked & loaded for a critical month
of February in the Big Ten Conference.

IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY! Here again, to give you my rundown of the Men's & Women's basketball programs over at THE Ohio State University. Last time I updated you both team's were a couple games into Big Ten Conference play. Take a minute, and let me update you on how both teams finished out the month of January. Go Buckeyes!

Boomer Report: A Super Bowl Bucket List

Hoisting the Lombardi trophy, the ultimate
bucket list item for any NFL player(s).

With Super Bowl XLVII just days away from happening down inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the grandest stage of Professional Football, it sure got me thinking.

Cavs Corner: Is that hope I smell?

Holy crap!  The Cavs actually played halfway decent basketball!  Over the past four games, the Cavs won three which included three in a row!  I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!  This video ironically involves a Cleveland team and is one of the classic lines in cinema history.  Heck, even Chipper Jones quoted it this past All-Star Game before the game started.

Until they crapped the bed last night at home versus Golden State.  Ahhh, the sweet taste of reality.  If you can believe it, the Cavs are actually 8-10 over the past 18 games.  The past week they defeated Boston (when they still had Rondo, giggle), Milwaukee, and Toronto.  During that three game span, Kyrie Irving averaged 35 points a game.  That's a lot.  The team now sits at 13-33 and that's good for third to worst in the NBA.  Somehow they are still only nine games out from the eight seed.  Will it happen?  Highly doubtful unless more moves are made.  Wait, more moves you ask?  Yes sir.  Last time I begged GM Chris Grant to start wheeling and dealing and he finally pulled through for me.  What happened?

Boomer's Gridiron Notes: Why I will be rooting for the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII

Sunday Night at 6:30pm EST, Super Bowl XLVII, down in the Big Easy.

SUPER BOWL WEEK! With the playing of the 2013 Pro Bowl Game,  one more game is left to play in this the 93rd season of the NFL. Super Bowl XLVII, between the Baltimore Ravens (AFC) & the San Francisco 49ers (NFC) with plenty of story lines, should be an entertaining game to watch down in New Orleans inside the famous Louisiana Superdome. Currently, the 49ers are a 3.5 point favorite in this one.

Boomer Report: Is this the last NFL Pro Bowl & the Browns continue to add pieces

This year's NFL Pro Bowl might just be the final one.

The 2013 NFL Pro Bowl, is this weekend (Sunday Night at 7pm on NBC) if anyones interested in tuning it and the Browns hire a former-Head Coach to call the plays on offense, along with adding to the coaching staff, as well as the front office.

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: Stars coming to town in 2015 & Harbaugh (Super) Bowl

Great American Ball Park, the host for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.

Well, what a pleasant surprise last night. The reported announcement from MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, that the 2015 MLB All-Star Game will be played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Cavs Corner: We're Only Halfway??

Walton and Zeller exemplify the whiteness, holla!

After a gross 1-4 final, long road trip of the season, the Cavs will head back to the Q at 10-32 on the season.  I won't beat around the bush here any longer.  I was hopeful to start the season but it's now blatantly obvious.  The Cavs are terrible.  They are easily on pace to be a top 5, if not top 3, perhaps even the number 1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft.  At 42 games, the Cavs have played more games than most teams.  Some teams have only played 37 games.  Furthermore, of the 42 games, the Cavs have played only 16 at home!  Is in an all encompassing explanation?  Ha, no because even at 4-12 at home so far, the team still stinks.  To me, it almost gives this team a pass.  We expected better but next year is year three of the rebuild.  It truly is a process and since LeBron ain't walking through that door any time soon, the team is slowly developing their young players.  Well at least not until next summer...ssssss

Boomer Report: Browns fans need to embrace changes

Rod Chudzinski, answering questions last week, following the Browns
announcement of hiring him as their new Head Coach.

Like the classic 90's hit from the late-rapper Tupac "Changes", the Cleveland Browns organization, face another wave of changes. As a lifelong Browns fan, there is always feelings of "pessimism" surrounding the Browns franchise, especially since their return to the NFL in 1999, which has resulted in two winning seasons, and one playoff berth. I'm here now, to offer you all some "optimism" with the Browns recent changes, and look at things with a positive spin, because as a Browns fan, I've sure had enough of cheering for a losing organization over the years. It's time for "changes" to be embraced and viewed in a positive way. HERE WE GO BROWNS, HERE WE GO! #chudthesavior

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: Ranting about the WBC & Conference Championship Weekend in the NFL

Seriously, do we need to do this?

Hello! Family & friends, I bring to you once again my weekly post from the diamond & gridiron, with the latest topics of discussion from the two sports. This week, with a little help from "The Rock" co-founder/creator, we will discuss the 2013 World Baseball Classic (spoiler alert: what's the World Baseball Classic?), along with Boomer's take on this weekends NFL Conference Championship games.  Hold on everyone just a little bit longer till spring is here with, baseball, blue skies, and half-naked co-ed's, ooops, did I say that last one out loud? HHEEEEYYYYYOOOOOO!!!!!

CBJ 2013 Schedule Breakdown

The Blue Jackets home opener is next Monday night against everyone's favorite Detroit Red Wings.  Because of the lockout, the team is offering a buy one, get one ticket free.  If you buy online, Ticketmaster is also waiving any ticket fees normally done through their site.  You also get the following:

Season ticket holders get a little more throughout the season for sticking with the club through 1.5 lockouts.  In fact this game is even on NBC Sports Network.  What's that?  A nationally televised game? Are you serious? WAHOOOOOOOO.  

What are my expectations?  Similar to the Cavs, I have high hopes but mixed expectations.  I said the Cavs could potentially go 41-41 and they are obviously probably going to struggle to win 20-25 games.  With that being said, our friend Boomer predicted a 20-22-6 season.  That would total 46 points and most likely fall in the 10th-14th place range.  I'll go one step further and say 21-20-7 for 49 points.  Look for several OT losses (and wins) this year due to the style of play this team is destined to play.  I envision frequent one goal games that could go either way.  The closer they are to 50 points, the closer they are to the 8th spot (based on my estimation that 55 points will get you in which is based on the 1994-95 48 game lockout season)

Okay, let's get into it...Red are home games, black are away games.

The 2013 Blue Jackets: We'll Never Be Outworked

I really like this John Davidson.  He brings a voice to the franchise that has never been seen/heard around these parts in its franchise's existence.  There's an expectation in the locker room and this season is going to be a blast to rally around especially with this group.  So...here...we...go!

Boomer's Urban Renewal: Alabama reaches "Dynasty" status

Nick Saban's created a modern day Dynasty down in 'Bama,
winning his 3rd BCS Title in four years with the Tide.

With Monday Night's no contest against Notre Dame (winning 42-14), The Crimson Tide of Alabama became a modern day "Dynasty" in college football, winning their third BCS Title in four years. The first team to do it since the Nebraska Cornhuskers ('94-'95, '97). Roll Tide has taken over the college football landscape with Head Coach Nick Saban, who won his fourth BCS Championship (three with 'Bama, one with LSU '03). Now, as we move a year closer to the playoff system that will be established following the 2014 season, dare I say Alabama will be the favorites next season to continue the SEC's dominance & capture another BCS Title, in the final year of the BCS era. (I'm sure a certain coach/team will have a say in the matter, located in the capital city of THE great state of Ohio).

Cavs Corner: January Blues

Andy after surgery (posted on his Twitter account) with the doctor

Welp I called it.  His knee contusion was just a LITTLE bit more than that.  Having a torn muscle must feel like crap.  The team will now be without his services for nearly two months.  Here's hoping to a speedy recovery because at age 30 with some serious mileage on that body, things don't get any easier.  He'll have missed 100+ games over the past two seasons once he returns and basically his trade value is gone.  Hindsight is 20/20 but when he was on fire to start the year, the Cavs should have traded him!  Oh well.  Better luck next year I suppose...

Crazily enough, since last time, the Cavs went exactly like I thought and finished the past five games at 2-3 and are 4-5 over the past nine games.  Is that improvement I see??  With wins over Charlotte (buzzer beater!) and a convincing win (16 points!) last night over "we-have-your-number-for-some-reason" Atlanta Hawks.  The team had ample chances to defeat the Seattle SuperSonics, oops, I mean Sacramento Kings last week but couldn't finish them off late in the game.  As predicted, Houston and Chicago both stomped the crap out of the Cavs.

What's been the difference?

Boomer Report: A "Dream" Coaching Staff for the Cleveland Browns

The Browns original Head Coach, Paul Brown diagraming,
arguably what looks like, an unstoppable
passing play back in the glory days.

It's been 11 days since the Browns newly established front office, showed Head Coach Pat Shurmur & staff the door, making him the 5th full-time coach to be let go or leave (BUTCH DAVIS!) since the team's return to the NFL in 1999.

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: MLB Hall of Fame announcement & Divisional round in the NFL Playoffs

Early polls have Houston Astros great,
Craig Biggio elected into the Baseball
Hall of Fame later this afternoon.

The end of college football, conference play heating up in college basketball, the NBA, the START of the NHL season, and the NFL Divisional round playoffs, could mean only one thing, BASEBALL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

Guess who's back, back again, the NHL's back, tell a friend

THE NHL LOCKOUT IS OVER!

Thad Minute: Update on Buckeye hoops, as conference play gets underway



Head Coach Thad Matta will have his work cut-out for him,
as the Buckeye Men's team enters a tough stretch of games.

Greetings! Hope everyone got back into their regular routine (reality) following the holiday season. The last time we discussed the Men's & Women's Buckeyes basketball teams they were both coming off tough defeats on the road in their Big10/ACC Challenges. Stay with me for a little bit, while I recap the month of December and the current status of the two teams as conference play got underway this past week. 3....2....1....BUCKETS!

Boomer's Urban Renewal: Final week of the CFB bowl season



Since 1936, Alabama (9) & Notre Dame (8) have won the most
National Championships. On Monday night, one of them
will add to their collection.

Two historic programs square off against each other down in Miami, Monday night for the 2013 BCS Championship. Notre Dame the #1 team in the land looks to finish off their season with a perfect 13-0, and win their first National Championship since 1988, are led by third-year HC Brian Kelly. While, the Tide of Alabama look to garner "Dynasty" status, by winning their 3rd National Championship in the past four years, under Head Coach Nick Saban.

Boomer Report: Browns (again) await the "rebuilding" process



CEO Joe Banner & team owner Jimmy Haslam III are the next,
dynamic duo in charge of (finally) turning the Browns
into yearly contenders.

 Since their return to the league in 1999, the Browns have had five Head Coaches (not including an interim for 5 games in '04), once again are in search for lucky #6 to take the helm, and become the Head Coach that finally turns the Orange & Brown into yearly contenders.

The 2013 Cavs: 50 games to go

He keeps up the good work no matter how many games the team loses

How did 2012 end up for the Cavaliers?  Not great.  Since last time I checked in, the team went an impressive 2-5 but that did include their first back-to-back wins all season.  They were able to knock off the Bucks for their first division win this season and came back a few days later to go 2-0 on the season versus the lowly Washington Wizards (worst team in the league with only four wins).  For six of the seven games to finish December, the Cavs played without starting center Anderson Varejao due to a "bruised knee."  However, how often are guys missing two weeks worth of games with one of those injuries?? Seems fishy to me...

What else happened?

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: MLB resolutions for 2013 & Wild Card weekend in the NFL



What is in store for all 30 MLB teams this year.

 I figure giving the fact everyone is making New Year's resolutions for themselves, I thought I'd take a couple minutes and give each MLB team a resolution for the 2013 season. Enjoy!

The Best and Worst in Ohio Sports: 2012

Who doesn't love a recap of what happened in the past year?!  There's good, bad, and there's opportunity.  As we glance back on 2012, it provides a glimpse to what to expect in 2013.  Hopefully it's nothing but smooth sailing but we all know that life throws plenty of curve balls.

Feel free to post your favorite and least favorite moments of the year in case I may have missed them below. We'd love to hear what you enjoyed or would like to forget in 2012.

Without further ado...

Our 2013 BIG, BOLD Predictions

Boomer and Gainer hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas and are looking forward to a great new year.  2012 brought many changes to this blog from covering all the sports to just focusing on Ohio.  Gainer even went full time, left the blog, came back part time, and is now back on board because he is a sell out who can't focus on anything for more than a few months.

Thankfully Boomer was here to bring you coverage several times a week and for that Gainer is thankful!  We really enjoy bringing the Ohio biased coverage to whomever still reads this blog (Gainer's mom, etc).  What does 2013 have in store for the Rock?  Who knows!  The Cavaliers haven't even won 10 games on the season, the Browns once again failed to make the playoffs, the OSU football team went undefeated but was bowl ineligible, the Blue Jackets aren't even playing, and baseball is in full throttle offseason mode.  Thankfully the Buckeyes basketball team is currently ranked #10 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.  And heck, the Bengals even made the playoffs so maybe they'll get some love here...I could barely type that last sentence with a straight face.

As an Ohio sports fan, you know it's rough when you are happy enough that your least favorite teams aren't making the playoffs (cough Steelers cough) instead of celebrating a berth with your favorite team.