Failure in Philly Shootout

The Philadelphia Flyers scored two goals in the shootout to offset Ilya Kovalchuk's goal and took a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils in Philadelphia.
David Clarkson tied the game in the second period with his eleventh goal of the season for the only New Jersey goal.
The Devils hit the ice tonight at home against the suddenly strong Montreal Canadiens.

Hell Raisers

1) Johan Hedberg was shaky in the shootout as he was beaten twice through the five hole,but he was very strong in the game as Hedberg made several strong saves.
I thought Hedberg played well and deserved the win....

2) The Devils just missed two chances to win the game on a power play to end the third period.
One shot just dribbled the post past a beaten Ilya Bryzgalov and another saw Marek Zidlicky unable to lift the puck over a prone Bryzgalov.
It truly is a game of inches...

3) David Clarkson snapped a long scoreless streak with his goal.
Clarkson has been shooting from further out than when he is at his top performance and that is not his strength....

4) 0 for 5 on the power play with one of those a 5 on 3.
Much of the time was spent with ineffective time and the concerns of the unit continues for me.
I know that Ilya Kovalchuk and Marek Zidlicky are usually the point men and are going to control the puck,but I see too much perimeter passing and not enough getting the puck to the net,either by shooting or passing...

5) Andrei Loktionov left the game in the first period and did not return.
No word on how serious the injury is at this time..

6) Braden Schenn was suspended for leaping into Anton Volchenkov earlier this season and he did the same thing in this game.
It will be interesting to see if it occurs again...

Sean Nicol Interview -Part 1

We start a new interview with Sean Nicol.
Nicol is an infielder in the Washington Nationals system and spent last season at AA Harrisburg.
Thanks to Sean for taking the time

TRS: Growing up was baseball always your first love or did you prefer another sport?

SN:Baseball has always been my number one sport. I grew up playing basketball and football as well, but I was best at baseball, so that's the sport I stuck with.

TRS: When you graduated high school were you thinking about being drafted or were you committed to college?

SN:  I was committed to College. I wanted to make sure i went to school as well to get my education.

TRS: What schools recruited you and what made San Diego the place for you?

SN: Out of high school, I was mainly recruited by one Division 1 college heavily, The University of Portland. I had other interests like Arizona State, and University of Arizona, but Portland was the only one to pursue me heavily. I went to Portland, Oregon for my first year of college and played there. I loved it and enjoyed the coaching staff and baseball. There was just something missing that I felt I needed and I got my release and San Diego was very interested once my release was given.

TRS: Did you talk to any scouts during your time at San Diego and if so,did you have any teams that you thought were especially interested?

SN: I did talk with scouts, and the teams most interested were the Padres and the Indians. I do not believe I talked with any Washington Nationals scouts before the draft.

TRS: What was it like playing college baseball in a town that has pro ball and another Division I school in the same town?
Did you feel ignored and what are your thoughts towards San Diego State?

SN: University of San Diego is a small division 1 school, so I understood baseball was not going to be a huge spotlight on our program throughout the community, even though we were a Top 10 program every year.

TRS: Were you surprised to be selected by Washington?

SN: I was definitely surprised to be drafted by the Nationals. As I mentioned before, I had not talked with the nationals before the draft.

TRS: What were negotiations like in coming to a contract agreement?

SN:  I was a senior sign out of college, so I did not have many options or bargaining chips for a contract agreement. it was pretty much a take it or leave it.

Look for part two of our talk with Sean Nicol soon!

Browns add two,lose two

The Cleveland Browns did not stop on day two of free agency as the team added two players while losing two more..

The biggest addition was the signing of linebacker Quentin Groves of the Cardinals to a two year deal.
Groves had started for Arizona last season under new Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton and was a player that the Browns were expected to be interested in.
Groves had four sacks last year for a career high in his first season playing in the 3-4 defense and is expected to contend for a starting spot at outside linebacker.

The other Browns signee' will mainly be a special teamer and third string blocking type at tight end in former Panther Gary Barnidge.
Barnidge signed a three year deal after a six catch (1 TD) 2012.
Barnidge is strictly a reserve,so the Browns are still in the running for a tight end that can start.

The Browns lost two players to teams that they had raided earlier in free agency.
The biggest loss was Josh Cribbs,who had spent several years in Cleveland as their special teams ace.
The multiple time Pro Bowler is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals,who will use him as their return man and occasional wideout.
Cribbs had dropped off a bit in the last few seasons and I can understand why the Browns decided not to bring him back at the money that he would have wanted.
Still,he was the most exciting player that the team has had in his tenure,so it still is sad to see him go.

Kaluka Maiava signed with the Raiders.
The linebackers was mostly a special teams standout,although he did start at linebacker some last season.
Maiava is better in the 4-3 setup,so this is not a huge loss for the Browns.

The Browns still need secondary help among others,so the team still has work to be done.
Look for more posts on the Browns soon..

Devils dominate Flyers in 5-2 win.

The New Jersey Devils burst out of the gate with three first period goals and never looked back as the Devils took a 5-2 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Rock.
Adam Henrique scored two goals (8 and 9 powerplay) to pace the victory for New Jersey.
Ilya Kovalchuk (10 shorthanded),Patrik Elias (9) and Andrei Loktionov (4) also scored for the Devils,who received a strong game from Johan Hedberg with 23 saves.
The same two teams will hook em' up Friday night in Philadelphia...

Hell Raisers

1) A solid all around game from the Devils,who appeared emboldened by the win over Winnipeg.
The Devils had more zip than the Flyers and yet was able to ignore the usual instigators that use less than clean tactics and stay out of the penalty box.
Good discipline...

2) Johan Hedberg was strong in goal,especially in the first period,where he made several saves that kept the Flyers off kilter.
That period ranks among the best that Hedberg has played all season...

3) Ilya Kovalchuk scored his league leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season.
At one time,when the NHL had a team in Atlanta,Kovalchuk's defense could not be trusted to kill penalties and it still is not ideal.
However,the explosive burst that Kovalchuk can give shorthanded makes the risk well worth the reward...

4) Adam Henrique popped in two goals and an assist and continued his solid play.
Henrique always plays with high effort and his game is a nice combination of grit and skill.

5) The Devils signed the 62 goal man to a contract as the team signed Reid Boucher to an entry level deal.
Boucher broke the Sarnia Sting (Canadian Junior) record for goals previously held by Steven Stamkos.
Boucher will stay in Sarnia for the playoffs and likely play for the AHL Albany Devils next season..

6) Of all the highlights of this game,the best might have been the Andrei Loktionov toe dragger.
If Loktionov is capable of those types of moves,the Devils just might have another Lou Lamoriello steal on their hands...

Browns bolster defense with Kruger and Bryant

The latest era of Cleveland Browns football began in free agency with two signings-one considered a strong possibility and the other a mild surprise..

The Browns signed Baltimore outside linebacker Paul Kruger to a five year deal worth forty million dollars.
Cleveland was expected to be one of the front runners for Kruger and quickly landed the pass rusher.
As I wrote yesterday,I do have some questions about Kruger,who really has had just one big season,so this does have the potential to backfire.
However,if Kruger produces as he did for the Ravens,the contract is actually below average for a top quality pass rusher.
The former Utah Ute finished last season with nine sacks and seven and a half of them came in the second half.
Plugging Kruger in at one of the outside linebacker slots instantly upgrades the Cleveland pass rush and gives the Browns a bit more flexibility in how they spend the sixth overall pick in the draft.
Do they grab another pass rusher on the other side of Kruger? Or does that increase interest in Alabama corner Dee Milliner?
I'll have a better feel for that question as free agency progresses...

The other signing was a surprise to me as Desmond Bryant was added from the Raiders.
I didn't mention Bryant in yesterday's post mainly because I didn't devote a lot of time to defensive tackle as the Browns already seemed to have an abundance at the position,so I didn't get too in depth.
Bryant signed a five year deal and is a rarity in the game-a three down defensive lineman that plays the run and rushes the passer.
Bryant also might be able to play some end in the 3-4,which adds to his value.
The problem or maybe even strength for the Browns now is this-Can the team afford or have enough time for Bryant,Ahtyba Rubin,Phil Taylor,Billy Winn and John Hughes at what at most would be two spots in the lineup?
Let's toss this thought out there-New England wants a second rounder for Ryan Mallett,who the Browns seem to covet badly,perhaps the Browns could swap a lower pick and one of the excess lineman (I would think the Patriots would prefer Rubin or Taylor)  for Mallett?
New England plays a 4-3 and adding a solid lineman and a pick might counterbalance a second rounder from another team.
Just an idea.

Two nice pickups for the Browns,but there are still spots that need to be addressed,especially in the secondary,but the first day was a good start....

 

Browns Fantasy free agency....

I try to take a look at players that I would like to see the Cleveland Browns go after and usually my advice is disregarded.
Look at last year when the Browns spending was used on two defensive ends that one year later are no longer on the team for an example.

Here is a look at some additions that I would like to see the Browns consider when free agency opens today.

Quarterback

The Browns want competition for Brandon Weeden as do I,but looking at a crop that lacks a real challenger,the Browns will likely instead look for a passer that fits the Rob Chudzinski plan more than Colt McCoy.
Bet on the Browns going after a Derek Anderson type,although I am in the minority of Browns fans-I would love to see a trade with New England for Ryan Mallett.
Mallett is the one thing that Mike Lombardi and I agree as we both had Mallett as the best QB in the 2010 draft.
The Browns lack a 2013 second round pick (used for Josh Gordon) so would be unlikely to swap a third rounder (the reported asking price) ,but I would not be against a 2014 third rounder for Mallett.
A possible surprise signing might be Vince Young,who Joe Banner has liked in the past.


Running Back
The drafting of Trent Richardson means the Browns have no need at running back,but could use a fullback after the failure of Owen Marecic.
Two fullbacks I would take a close look at is San Diego's Jacob Hester,who closed last season very well and Brian Leonard from the Bengals.

Wide Reciever
The name most hear about is Mike Wallace of the Steelers.
I must admit I would not mind the speedy Wallace,but I bet he prices himself out of the Browns range.
Wallace would be a great addition,but I kinda doubt Cleveland lands him.
Greg Jennings has number one receiver ability,but will likely look for a contender.
The player that I would look for is Danario Alexander of the Chargers,who was downright dominant in the second half of last season.
Alexander is a restricted free agent,but the Chargers put an original round tender on him,which means that since Alexander was signed after his release from the Rams,if the Chargers do not match an offer,the Browns would not have to give compensation.
This is the way I would go....

Tight End
The Browns have allowed Ben Watson to leave and Jordan Cameron has shown flashes of ability,but not enough to feel comfortable to go into the season with Cameron as the starter.
Jared Cook has loads of physical talent,but struggled with Tennessee passers getting him the football.
Cook would be the ideal fit,but might be too expensive.
Fortunately,this is a solid market at tight end with three other players that would be solid starters.
Dustin Keller of the Jets would be dependable,Fred Davis of the Redskins comes off an injury and has baggage,but has big play ability and Brandon Myers of the Raiders had the best season of his career in 2012.
Any of these players would be solid signings.

Offensive line
The Browns are solid at center and at tackles,but guard could be addressed.
Shaun Lauvao has been a disappointment,Jason Pinkston suffered blood clots in his lungs last season and John Greco is more of a depth player.
The guard crop is not as deep this season with the best available being Andy Levitre of the Bills and Louis Vasquez of the Chargers.
Adding either would bolster the line..

Defensive end
The move to the 3-4 changed things already,but the Browns are reported to go after perhaps the best available player in Cliff Avril of the Lions.
Avril might have to stand up in the 3-4 and the jury might be out on that,but Avril did that at Purdue and I think he is capable of that.
Osi Umenyiora can rush the passer,but the sleeper would be former Brown Matt Roth,who was productive with the Eric Mangini 3-4 and I would not be against a return...

Defensive Tackle
The Browns might be overstocked at the position with the switch to the 3-4 with Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor,but if the Browns did add a player,two stand out at the right cost.
Ricky Jean-Francois of the 49ers was productive and I also like the Chiefs Glenn Dorsey.Dorsey was a disappointment after being a high first rounder and might be improved with the weight off his shoulders from those expectations..

Linebackers
The Browns are going to need at least one linebacker and two would be better to start in the 3-4.
Chris Gogong missed all last season and D'Qwell Jackson was much better in the Dick Jauron 4-3 than he was in the 3-4,so the Browns would be far better suited if they signed two.
I like players in the division to improve the Browns and hurt their rivals.
Paul Kruger had a huge year with Baltimore,but I have questions about him being a top level pass rusher. Not to the point of not signing him,but some concerns.
I have no such concern on Dannell Ellerbe,who was excellent in replacing Murderin' Ray Lewis,who might be a tougher sign.
Ellerbe would be a great inside backer fit.
Rey Maualuga turned his career around last year with his best season and would be a nice addition.
I know how this sounds,but I would not be against James Harrison coming on board.
I have been critical of Harrison in the past and his play moves from borderline to thug like,but Harrison might be motivated by a return to his hometown and revenge against the Steelers for letting him go.
Considering his injury issues,I would hope for an incentive based deal,but I would not scream about a Harrison signing....
Other interesting names to me include Nick Barnett of the Bills,Bradie James of the Texans,Will Witherspoon of the Titans,Keith Rivers of the Giants and I would like to see a last chance for former Raider Aaron Curry as well....

Cornerback
The Browns are desperate in need of a starter opposite Joe Haden and there are a few that fit the bill.
Brent Grimes would likely not even be on the market,had he not missed last season with injury.
If Grimes is healthy,he is the best corner available.
Aqib Talib is tremendous-when he is on his game.
Talib has had off the field issues and is somewhat of a risk.
Keenan Lewis of the Steelers and Greg Toler of the Cardinals both have worked with Ray Horton in the past and could be pursued by the Browns.
Captain Munnerlyn might be another target after his time with the Panthers,where Rob Chudzinski knew him...

Safety
Cleveland needs a safety to pair with T.J. Ward.
Deshon Goldston would be the ball hawker that Cleveland has not had for years,but he will cost them.
Ed Reed will want to play with a contender,but if the Browns want a true veteran,Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals is available as a short term plug in.
The Lions Louis Delmas is talented but injury prone.
Patrick Chung of the Patriots and Jim Leonard of the Broncos could come in and start for a year or two.

Kicker
I'd just keep Phil Dawson,but the Browns might be going another way.
Assuming Dawson will not return,I'd be looking at Ryan Longwell,who has cold weather kicking experience or the accurate Nate Kaeding as replacements...

Punter
The Browns have parted ways with Reggie Hodges,so they will be looking for a new booter.
I would be interested in the Raiders Shane Lechler to slot in,but they might be looking at a cheap free agent from the college ranks....

Depending on the source,the Browns are either first or second in cap space,so the money to spend is available-lets see how the Browns spend it.....

Elias shootout goal gives Devils a win

Patrik Elias was the only player on either side to score during the shootout as the New Jersey Devils grabbed a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
The Devils scored two goals in the first period as Ryan Carter (3) and Stephen Gionta (3) put the Devils up 2-0.
New Jersey is off until Wednesday when they play Philadelphia in a home and home series.

Hell Raisers

1) Speedy start for the Devils,not that I saw any of it!
Both goals occurred when I was returning home from Ryan's from a four game series of Strat O Matic baseball.
Sherry Ross was quite excited by the Gionta goal on the radio and replays show the goal came off a stellar Ilya Kovalchuk and a dazzling move by Gionta.
The type of goal that has been short in amount of late...

2) Johan Hedberg stepped up his game just when the Devils needed it the most.
After being pulled in Saturday's loss,Hedberg was superb as neither goal could be truly on him.
Evander Kane's goal wasn't going to be stopped by many and Andy Greene's stick could have been given the primary assist on the goal by Mark Stuart.
Excellent night by Hedberg.

3) Good night,bad night by Adam Larsson,who assisted on the Ryan Carter goal,but his fumble allowed the two on one that resulted in the Evander Kane goal.
Young players will make mistakes and I think that you have to live with them in order to get the player that you hope to see down the road...

4) Other than the one Larsson error,I thought the defense was as strong as it has been of late.
Anton Volchenkov was very good and even had a scoring chance and Andy Greene was strong as well,despite the unlucky deflection off his stick.
It seems so simple,but it's a simple adage-want your goalie to play better? Get some better play from the defensemen in front of him...

5) All wins are big wins,but this one was especially so.
Had the Devils lost this game in regulation,the Devils would have fallen out of the top eight for the playoffs.
No matter the time of season,one never wants to be on the outside looking in....