The Cleveland Beat

The Cleveland Sports Beat
By Michael Greenland

The Core Four is no more.

I haven't written about the Cavaliers this season. There's been no reason to. Injuries have devastated any chance at cohesion. In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the Cavs have been an afterthought much of the year. And after the last two seasons, even if they'd have started 15-0 again, there would have been skepticism about what would happen come April.

Today, the Cavs finally shook up an underwhelming season. Their second trade of the past week was a blockbuster, because it broke up the team's supposed strength. The Cavaliers said goodbye to a 24 year old former All-Star in order to pick up a 36 year old future Hall of Famer.

Clearly, the addition of James Harden is a win-now move. This trade might look really bad in five years if Garland stays healthy and continues elevating his game. But right now, Harden is the better, and healthier, player. James Harden brings added hope of this team contending for the NBA Finals.

As lackluster as the season has been, the Cavs are still closer to the #2 seed than they are to falling into the play-in tournament. They've been playing some of their best ball without Garland.

It's possible the Cavs aren't done yet. They could move other players before tomorrow's deadline. As it is, they've already been a major player despite allegedly being hamstrung as a second-apron team, salary cap wise.

This deal is also about appeasing Donovan Mitchell, no doubt. We've been down this road before with trying to placate superstars. Mitchell is more likely to stay if the team can get further in the playoffs, and if the front office shows that they're committed to winning, no matter who needs to go.

It will be interesting to see how the season evolves from here. I'm not crazy about this trade from a long-term standpoint, but it makes sense for the 2025-26 season. You can question this franchise all you want. It's still the only team in town to take home a trophy in the last fifty years. Let's see if tonight leads to another one.

The Cleveland Sports Beat
By Michael Greenland

A common sports talk gimmick involves trying to pick a city's Mount Rushmore of sports stars. Here in Cleveland, names like LeBron James, Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Bob Feller, Jesse Owens, Jim Thome, etc., make for a lively discussion.

Today may have made Jose Ramirez the ultimate Cleveland legend.

For the second time in his illustrious career, Ramirez signed a long-term extention with the team. The seven-year deal includes reworking the last years of his current contract, but it still keeps him in Cleveland through 2032. He'll be 40 at the end of this contract. Jose has essentially chosen to be a Guardian for life.

Ramirez enters this season ranked the 5th best player in baseball by MLB.com. In a sport where free agents are signing for $60-$70 million per year, Jose was content with a mere $35 million. I'm being slightly sarcastic there, but not entirely. The hometown discount he's giving the Guardians is massive.

His case to make the Hall of Fame is hurt somewhat because he plays in Cleveland, but I think this deal changes that. I think there will be a lot of respect for an all-timer who chose to remain the face of a single franchise for his whole career.

Barring injury, he'll shatter the team's record books. What's more impressive is his commitment to an organization that hasn't always reciprocated. He's giving them financial flexibility to be able to compete, but the front office remains stingy to a fault. Yet he keeps putting this team on his back, willing them into the postseason.

He's the perfect Cleveland athlete. He doesn't look the part of an MVP candidate. He's not tall and chiseled. All he does is squeeze every ounce of talent out of his body by hustle and dedication to his craft. He's an underdog story made good, just like this town.

The Cleveland Sports Beat
By Michael Greenland

I'm glad I waited until the end of the week to comment on the firing of Kevin Stefanski. Dominoes fell over several days this week, and more openings may be coming after this week's playoff games. At this point, there's a pretty good view of the landscape, regarding both jobs available and coaching candidates.

I think it's telling that Stefanski is already near the top of the available coaching candidates league wide. I'm wondering...if Andrew Berry had also been let go, do you think he'd be a hot name in GM candidate searches? I don't. He had a good draft last year (time will tell if it was great), but he's still the guy who built a roster with the weakest WR room in the NFL. I'm not sure that a coaching change with the same front office will make a difference here.

As of today, there are eight coaching vacancies. I've looked both locally and nationally for insight on where the Browns vacancy falls on the list. Not surprisingly, most local opinion is wildly optimistic about the job, and most national pundits are extremely negative. I think it's on the far edge of the middle.

Baltimore is clearly the best opening right now. Success, stability, regular season MVP quarterback. I think tier two is the Giants and Dolphins. Franchises haven't been great lately, but there's been success. The Giants have a QB worth building around, though it's yet to be seen if he's the answer. The Dolphins have some quality on their roster.

I put the Titans and Falcons in tier three. Tennessee has Cam Ward and high draft picks this year, and Atlanta has young talent on both sides of the ball. They also both play in divisions that don't have dominant teams.

Sorry, Browns fans, but I can't put the team any higher than six on this list. Yes, there's an influx of young talent, and the defense is top-notch. But, the offense is so talent-deficient in every part that I wouldn't want to be saddled with it if I was a coach.

It doesn't help that the AFC North, despite a down year this year, is a strong division. The Steelers know how to construct a roster. Joe Burrow is throwing to Jamarr Chase. Lamar Jackson may come back even more energized under a new coach.

The biggest downfall? The Browns themselves. We may love them with the hearts of true fans, but the outside narrative is that this franchise is a dysfunctional joke. Problem is, the year by year results back up that national perception.

I'll give the team this...I don't think the job is as bad as Arizona or Vegas. I know that's a low bar, but it's something.

So no, I don't expect John Harbaugh on our sideline next year. Or Mike McDaniel. Or Sean McDermott or Mike Tomlin if they become available.

Andrew Berry said on Monday that the organization is looking for "the next Kevin Stefanski". I wish they'd aim a little higher, but at least Kevin was solid. His statement makes me believe the team is looking for another first-time head coach who's currently a coordinator. I think Berry understands he's going to have to take who's available, because the team won't get its first choice.

It's going to be an interesting January sorting this all out. We'll see next fall if it was a productive search.

The Cleveland Sports Beat
Browns Recap Game #16
By Michael Greenland

The Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers by a final score of 13-6 today, and looked like the better team doing it.

I don't want to hear excuses from Steeler fans about who wasn't playing. Lord knows the Browns are severely undermanned these days. Welcome to our world.

I don't want to hear weeping from Browns fans about hurting their draft position by winning. If they were in clear position for the #1 overall pick, I'd at least give you a little break. But when you can deny your most hated rival a playoff spot while thousands of their fans sit in horrible weather after overpaying for tickets, you make the most of the opportunity.

Shedeur Sanders did what Aaron Rodgers couldn't. Yes, Rodgers was without his top two receivers, but Sanders was without David Njoku, Quinshon Judkins, and for most of the game Harold Fannin Jr.. Sanders carved the Steeler defense for much of the first half before falling back into regrettable rookie mistakes later in the game. Meanwhile, Rodgers had one good minute on the field, and it was almost enough. But not quite, Steeler fans.

Myles Garrett didn't set the sack record today. Still, he clearly affected the outcome of this game. The Steelers overloaded on stopping Garrett, which gave Alex Wright the opportunity to shine. And once again, Tyson Campbell showed that the Browns made a wise move in trading for him during the season. Carson Schwesinger showed up through the pain. The defense allowed their lowest point total of the season.

And look at that...the special teams showed up today. I've been critical of the unit, but clearly Andre Szmyt has had a great season after his early struggles. Also, Corey Bojorquez unleashed one of the most pivotal plays of the day when he boomed a 64 yard punt late in the game that pinned the Steelers deep in their own territory.

This was a team win. Even the beleaguered Jerry Jeudy moved the chains for the offense. Everyone contributed.

The score looks ugly, and it's indicative of all the missing talent on both sides. Yet, it looked like typical, hard-nosed AFC North football on the field.

And oh yeah...the Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers by a final score of 13-6 today, and looked like the better team doing it. Savor that, Browns fans. Only to Cincinnati.