A few thoughts from the beat

A few thoughts on some news from the various teams on the final night from the road office.

I have a funny feeling that the feel good story of the season is beginning to slide off the rails.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost three in a row and are not playing well in a homestand against the less than powerful Diamondbacks and Padres.

The pitching is showing signs of wearing down and the bats have been a concern from day one.
Not ready to press the panic button yet,but I am starting to show concern.

The Browns have been hit even harder since my last Browns post as first round pick Trent Richardson underwent a knee surgery and shutdown corner Joe Haden may be suspended for the first four games for testing positive for Adderall..
Adderall is a substance used to combat the effects of ADD and is legal,but the NFL frowns upon it unless prescribed by a doctor and a player needs to report being medicated with it.
One cannot use the doctor excuse after testing positive,which makes me wonder how dumb players and teams are to not report it...
The Browns did not attempt to upgrade the corner spot opposite Haden in continuing to believe that Sheldon Brown is still a quality corner and the absence of Haden will be a huge loss and a glaring hole in the secondary during any games that he would miss....
Richardson is expected to return for the opener against the Eagles,but even the minor cleanup surgery worries me as it is his second this season.

The Devils added one player quietly as New Jersey signed Bobby Butler from the Ottawa Senators as a free agent.
Butler signed a one year,two way deal that would enable him to play for the Albany Devils in case of a lockout.
Butler scored six goals and had ten assists last season for the Senators.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello described Butler as having "Top six forward potential".
I do not know a ton about Butler,so I'll have to ask our resident Senators fan for his thoughts.

The Cavaliers signed C.J.Miles from the Utah Jazz as their only veteran free agent signing of the summer.
Miles is just 25,can shoot the three and play the small forward and shooting guard spots.
I think Miles should help coming off the bench,but is not expected to be a player that turns the team around.