Browns out of playoffs, leaving mostly pride at stake in remaining games vs. Steelers, Bengals
We start the first week of the new year with a debut of Sports Monday, a look at the world of sport. This space will evolve and find its niche in the world of Cleveland sports and culture. It will have some news, some opinion, and who knows what else.
This week we offer some quick takes on two local pro teams that call Cleveland home, the Browns and the Cavaliers.
Browns
No two ways to look at it: the Cleveland Browns have had a disappointing season. Injuries and COVID-19 have played a significant part in the sorry results thus far in a year that began with great expectations. But as NFL fans know, every team has injuries and every team has had to deal with COVID. The NFL is a bottom line business and you are what your record says you are. The Browns record says they have been ordinary.
There is still a chance to redeem something from this season, however. Their two remaining games are against division rivals, tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and next Sunday's season finale against the Central Division champs, the Cincinnati Bengals. If they win both, especially if they can sweep the Bengals while the division's best QB, Joe Burrow, is on fire, it will augur well for next year. "Wait until next year" always seem to be a familiar refrain in Brownie land. But it starts tonight with Pittsburgh. If they lose tonight, they're guaranteed a losing season.
Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the best sports story in Cleveland for at least the last six months. They drafted Evan Mobley, the most promising player in the lottery, and he has exceeded expectations with his intelligent play, his prodigal skills. They made smart off-season acquisitions, adding Ricky Rubio and Laurie Markkenen to the roster. The front office and management are making consistently smart decisions and have shown a willingness to think beyond the ordinary. The most obvious example of course is starting a trio of 7-footers across the front that has transformed the team's defense into an intimidating force, while posing problems for smaller teams on the offensive side as well. They make no excuses when a player goes down with a season-ending injury, as has happened twice this year, with key rotation players Collin Sexton and Rubio. They simply make adjustments and keep on truckin', a tribute in large measure to their savvy coach, J. B. Bickerstaff.
The Cavs' season is already a success, and with the talent already assembled, both on the court and in the front office, and especially considering the youth of the team's best players, "Wait til Next Year" has a whole 'nother valence. And the year after that might even bring back an oldie but still real goodie as a free agent on the prowl for his sixth championship. Because with the talent on hand, and the culture being built, Cleveland is certain to be a destination spot for players seeking that ring.
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