Falling a bit short.

For a half,the Cleveland Browns dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For a half,the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the Cleveland Browns.
But Pittsburgh managed just a little more in their half and when Phil Dawson's long field goal fell just short,the Steelers escaped with a 31-28 win in the Steel City.
The differences that these teams have right now are these.
The Steelers have the experience to close out good teams,the Browns don't.
The Steelers are able to run the football,the Browns cannot.
The Steelers defense is so much better that a comparison is ridiculous and what could be the main reason?
Derek Anderson is the streakiest passer that I have seen in quite a while.
That does not mean that I think that Anderson is bad,just streaky.
He can look like John Elway one game and John Denver the next and then in a third game (like yesterday) look like both in the same game!
If the Cleveland offense could have mustered even a little offense in the second half,this win returns to Cleveland.
But with Jamal Lewis continuing his wonderful fumbling habits and therefore putting all the pressure on "bad Derek",the game was a race against time.
Hoping the clock runs,trying not to lose instead of win and that usually is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Kudos to Josh Cribbs for keeping the Browns in the game by himself,as Cribbs had more yardage returning than the Browns entire offense.
Cribbs scored one touchdown and another return set up another Cleveland TD.
Now for the good news-The Browns slugged it out for an entire game with a top level team and made them work for the win and that is a welcome change from most of the Steeler win in this series lately.
Now a win over a seemingly imploding Baltimore team next week could set the Browns up nicely for a shot at the playoffs.
When you look at those final 6 games,it is possible.
This one hurts,but in its own painful way is very encouraging...........

The Seattle Seahawks defend the Emerald City tonight against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.
The 4-4 Seahawks need a win tonight to keep sole possession of first place in the NFC West over the Cardinals,who are a half game back at 4-5.
Shaun Alexander will sit this one out and Mo Morris will get his chance to show that he could revitalize the running game that has been such a disappointment all season.
The defense will attempt to return to form after the 33 points allowed in Cleveland.
The Niner offense has struggled this season,so I think the Hawks will control this one.
Our pick:Seahawks 35-14

The New Jersey Devils return to action tonight in Pittsburgh against the Penguins at 7:30.
Coverage here tomorrow.

Bullpen Notes

Talkin trades as the Cubs today moved one of Ryan's favorites Jacque Jones to the Tigers for Omar Infante.
Jones is not a bad player,just badly overpaid and moving his hefty dole off the payroll could help the Cubs be a free agent player in the market.
Infante is just an afterthought really.

I never got a chance to comment on the Brad Lidge to the Phillies deal,while I was on hiatus.
Think the Phils got off lightly,as the speedy Michael Bourn would have been far more valuable to the Astros back in the Astrodome days.
I kinda like Mike Constanzo,but I have heard that his swing has some holes and may not play in the big time.

Congrats to former Devil Captain Scott Stevens on his induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame today in Toronto.
It was a richly deserved honor and we will have an upcoming post after total cleanup on the Captain!!

From the please I hope I have time to participate in this file...........
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will host a once a week talk show on XM's Home Ice network.
I could talk to him for hours about his mistakes.

And finally,still no word on the Mariners coming to Pulaski for 2008.
Word is that Independent leagues are beginning to gauge Pulaski interest in case of the big time teams giving Pulaski the shaft again.
C'mon Seattle,right this wrong and pick up some fans while you do it!

Photo Credit
Browns Fan-John Kuntz-Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cribbs-Keith Srakocic-AP Photo
Stevens-CP Photo
Helmets-Helmet Project