OPINION —
IT’S A great time to be a Cleveland Browns fan. The Browns defeated their long-time rival Pittsburgh, but more importantly the team shows potential of future greatness.
Admittedly, the Browns recorded the win against the third-string quarterback of the Steelers, but as at least one Browns’ fan said: The Browns have been starting third-string quarterbacks for years.
The jury is still out on Browns starter Brandon Weeden, but he shows potential. And he may be the perfect guy to lead the very young Browns team — youngest overall roster in the NFL — into the future.
However, the offense needs to catch up with the defense. When healthy, that Browns defense is about as good as any in the league. With a couple of better defensive backs, the team could really make some noise the next few years.
The Steelers helped the Browns with turnovers, but the defense had a lot to do with that. They were pounding Pittsburgh backs. Still, I don’t ever remember seeing a game where four different running backs lost fumbles like the Steelers did. Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t know who to put in the game.
And when Joe Haden is in the lineup, the defensive back can shut down the best receiver of pretty much every team in the NFL.
Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was asked to do more than he was capable of doing because of the ineptness of the running backs. And now he must go up against the Baltimore Ravens with a line that is greatly hampered by injuries.
Tackle Mike Adams, a Farrell native, probably will be out for about four weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered against the Browns.
Let’s face it, the Steelers are old as far as football years go. That’s why so many veterans have been sidelined at times by injuries. A body can only withstand the NFL beatings for so long.
And there are more beatings to come today against the Ravens. With Batch behind a patched up offensive line, the Steelers have no hope. They are bad on the road to start with (1-4) and it won’t get better at Poe’s Place as the Ravens roll, 30-9.
Meanwhile, Cleveland travels to Oakland. While the Browns have shown they can play well at home, they need to do better on the road. And Oakland should be just the place to show if they are truly making progress.
I see the Browns winning on the West Coast, 24-13.
Last week, my predictions took a worse beating than Steelers running backs as I fumbled my way to 5-7 for a season mark of 96-64. Following are the rest of this week’s picks (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Detroit (-41⁄2) over Indy
Denver (-61⁄2) over Tampa
Chicago (-4) over Seattle
Green Bay (-9) over Minnesota
St. Louis (plus 71⁄2) over San Fran
New England (-71⁄2) over Miami
Houston (-41⁄2) over Tennessee
Arizona (plus 41⁄2) over NY Jets
Kansas City (plus 1) over Carolina
Dallas (-10) over Philly
Buffalo (-6) over Jacksonville
San Diego (plus 1) over Cincy
Giants (even) over Washington
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SPORTVIEW: Browns can build off win over Steelers for strong future
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Playoffs: GC, Hounds win; Reynolds, Sharpsville softball advance
The District 10 playoffs kicked off on Tuesday for 4 area baseball teams and 5 softball squads.
In Class A softball, Reynolds edged West Middlesex, 5-4, in an 8-inning thriller while Sharpsville ousted Rocky Grove, 5-0. In Class AA, Northwestern beat Wilmington, 9-5, and Harbor Creek defeated Mercer, 4-3. -
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. - More Sports Headlines
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