The View From Here

And if you’re from NEO you know exactly what I’m talking about – the annual slugfest between the St. Edward Eagles v.  the St. Ignatius Wildcats.  Records don’t matter, because these two teams are playing for honor and bragging rights.  They are the only two major CLE all-boys Catholic High Schools, so a lot is on the line for these kids.

St. Ed’s – my dad’s alma mater - is just a couple blocks from here, and St. Ignatius is a few miles down the road in downtown CLE’s Ohio City neighborhood.  Coincidentally, our house and street (the last street built in this city) was being built in 1955 when my dad was a student at Ed’s.  Neither school has a big enough stadium since both are land-locked, so they alternate the location of their annual gridiron contest based on who’s “home”.  St. Ed’s plays next door to us at Lakewood Stadium, and St. Ignatius plays at Byers Field in Parma – about 10 miles away.

This year’s battle was at Lakewood Stadium, and the main parking lot (as you may have read previously) is right up against our property.  The game is usually played on a Saturday, but this year was on Friday.  The tailgaters usually start early in the afternoon, and the place gets pretty wild.  There were kids and adults filling up the parking lot, people tossing footballs, screaming, blowing impromptu “musical” instruments, street parties, and an endless stream of people.  Both stadiums capacity is well over 10,000 and it’s always a complete sellout – you can’t get tickets even if you wanted to scalp them – this game is that huge (there were some on ebay for $20).

Both teams are usually ranked in or near the top locally, and both teams are no strangers to national ranking.  I think there was a period in the late 90’s that Ignatius was ranked numero uno in the nation for two or three straight years !  This game had playoff implications, and St.Ignatius pulled it out 19-14, probably securing a solid playoff spot and knocking St. Ed’s out.  I love HS football in the Fall - the excited kids, the bands, the screaming fans, the school buses from all over the region, and the pure tradition we all experienced growing up.  Slim and I watched the spectacle from our newly renovated patio, with a fire, some vino, and watched a little more history unfold…

Well, another disappointing season of rebuilding has come and gone for the Cleveland Browns without much to show for it except a poor record.  While the other divisional teams have had successes, CLE wallows in mediocrity – I’m being kind.  The Brownies need a big injection of talent at QB, the OL, and in the FO – Front Office.

I thought Charlie Frye might be the spark the O needed, but without a talented OL he looked like Troy Smith v FLA !  Romeo Crennel may be a great coach, but just not here – can anyone say Schottenheimer and Belichick ?  The Lerners seem to be doing well as ownership, but the FO needs a shakeup in order to produce a world class organization.  How long has it been since Art Modell moved the team and they’re still rebuilding ?

Due to the stellar record the Browns fought for this season there are several decent options to choose from, especially when you’re the 3rd or 4th pick in the draft.  One of note is Brady Quinn who has good size, OK arm strength and adequate speed for an NFL QB.  Adrian Peterson, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzales – who’s dad’s company I might add DID NOT hire me as their Purchasing Manager – and many others will be welcomed to NFL teams.  Please DO NOT pick Brady Quinn – you’ll ruin the boy !

Case in point – Tim Couch.  The much lauded Kentucky QB was not my first choice (sorry Matt), but he had potential – until he came here !  Tim is now probably wondering “what could have been”.  With the role the OL and other support personnel have decided to play, the same will undoubtedly happen to Quinn if he comes here.  I am a huge Notre Dame fan, and therefore, a fan of Brady’s – please DO NOT pick him even though he said he’d like to play here.  Give the kid a break, he’s only 22 !

The Browns need a top caliber Head Coach, a top GM, and veterans at QB and on the OL – spend some money Lerner family !  As for me, I basically stopped watching them until CLE supplies a better product.  If your favorite restaurant started serving crappy food, or your preferred retail store just didn’t have the goods you’d go elsewhere, right ?  Until I see a product playing in Cleveland Browns Stadium that I like, I’ll just have to  shop elsewhere…