-
LISTEN LIVE
Click Here to Listen Live!
Archived Rants
- May 2020
- April 2020
- August 2018
- November 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- April 2017
- January 2017
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- March 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- February 2012
- July 2007
- August 2000
Categories
Tags
- Anderson Varejao
- Andrew Wiggins
- Anthony Bennett
- Brian Hoyer
- Browns
- Buckeyes
- Cavs
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Browns
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland Indians
- Dan Gilbert
- David Blatt
- David Griffin
- dion waiters
- Golden State Warriors
- J.R. Smith
- J.T. Barrett
- Jabari Parker
- Jimmy Haslam
- Joel Embiid
- Johnny Manziel
- Josh Gordon
- Justin Gilbert
- Kenny Roda
- Kevin Love
- Kyrie Irving
- Lebron James
- Miami Heat
- Mike Brown
- Mike Pettine
- NBA
- NBA Draft
- NBA Finals
- NBA Playoffs
- NFL Draft
- Ohio State
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- OSU
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ray Farmer
- Sam Amico
- Tribe
- Tristan Thompson
- Urban Meyer
Monthly Archives: October 2014
KENNY’S KEYS TO A BROWNS VICTORY IN JACKSONVILLE
1) START FAST AND DON’T STOP – Even though Jacksonville is winless on the season, the Browns can’t afford another horrendous start on the road like they had in Pittsburgh and Tennessee. You don’t want to give a lousy football team any hope or belief that they can win. So Brian Hoyer and the offense needs to score early and play from ahead or at least be even going into the locker room at the half and then turn on the 2nd half after burners and put this terrible team away.
2) HANDLE THE JAGS ONLY STRENGTH, THEIR DEFENSIVE LINE – The one thing the Jaguars have done a decent job off this season is getting to the quarterback. Through 6 games they have racked up 19 sacks. Most of that pressure comes from their D-Line out of their 4-3 defense. Defensive ends Chris Clemons and Andre Branch have 3 sacks each, while defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks has 2. With Alex Mack out and John Greco moving over to center and Paul McQuistan in at right guard, the Browns O-Line will be tested this weekend. How they handle the pressure up front, will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game. While Jacksonville’s defense has struggled the first 4 games of the season giving up an average of 38 points per game, that same defense has yielded only 33 total points in its last 2 games.
3) PASS THE BALL – While there is a concern about Jacksonville’s pass rush, if you can control it, you can do a lot of damage through the air. The Jags pass defense is ranked 30th in the league giving up 294 yards per game. Use the running game to soften up the pass rush and keep Paul Posluszny and those defensive linemen honest, and then hit them for the big play like the Browns did with play action and misdirection against the Steelers. Big chunks of yardage and points are there for the taking.
4) PIGSKIN PROTECTION – Brian Hoyer, Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell, the guys who handle the ball the most, need to make sure they don’t give it away. Nothing breathes life into a team faster than getting turnovers and short fields.
5) STUPIFY BLAKE BORTLES – The 3rd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft is making his 4th start of the season since taking over for Chad Henne. What Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil need to do is change up their defensive looks every series to get Bortles thinking and guessing instead of just playing. Make it as uncomfortable for the rookie both mentally and physically, so he can’t get into a rhythm and gain any confidence as the game goes along. You don’t want the game close in the 4th quarter allowing Bortles to think they have a chance to win it late. Also Bortles is a threat to run it, so Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner need to be ready. After what Jake Locker did to the Browns 2 weeks ago, I’m sure it’s something Bortles will be looking to exploit.
6) SECONDARY SUCCESS – The Browns did a much better job last week against the Steelers in the backend of their defense. Another solid game from Joe Haden, Buster Skrine and Justin Gilbert will help make up for a pass rush that is lacking do to all the injuries the Browns have up front. Allen Hurns is the Jags homerun threat, so give Haden some help over the top with him, but also keep an eye on fellow wide outs and a now healthy Cecil Shorts and rookie Allen Robinson.
PODCAST – KENNY RODA ON THE THE DAN DAKICH SHOW ON 1070 THE FAN – INDY
Had a blast as I always do whenever I join one of my favorite guys in sports, Dan Dakich on “The Dan Dakich” show on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. We talked Cleveland sports, Cavs vs Pacers, LeBron, Browns and Brian Hoyer.
http://www.1070thefan.com/personalities/dan-dakich-show
KENNY RODA JOINING 1480 WHBC IN AFTERNOON DRIVE
For Immediate Release
Changes at News-Talk 1480 WHBC
October 15, 2014 — Sam Bourquin will be joining Pam Cook and Gary Rivers weekdays during Canton’s Morning News, and Kenny Roda will become the new weekday host of 3p-7p on News-Talk 1480 WHBC. Both changes are effective October 27th, it was announced today by Market Manager Larry Gawthrop.
Rounding out the show, Bourquin – who also serves as WHBC Sports Director — will handle all things sports while Cook and Rivers continue to deliver local, state and national news along with weather, traffic and entertainment updates.
“I have always thought adding Sam in morning drive would be a great move and when you get to put a proven winner like Kenny Roda in afternoon it’s a very exciting time for radio in our market.” stated Pam Cook who also serves as WHBC Program and News Director.
Kenny is an award winning talk show host with 25 years of experience in the sports radio and television industry in the Cleveland market. 21 of those 25 years were spent working at ESPN 850WKNR/AM 1220 WKNR radio. Besides being voted Cleveland’s Best Sports Talker numerous times, Kenny’s other radio experience includes working as a sports anchor, the pre-game and post-game host for the Indians/Cavs/Ohio St. football, as the Cavs/Ohio State football and basketball beat reporter, while also doing play-by-play/analyst work for high school football and college basketball games.
“I’m excited and looking forward to being back on the air, to do what I love to do, and that’s talk sports. Plus I get to be part of a great team and work at a legendary station like 1480 WHBC.” added Kenny Roda. “It’s a great time to cover and talk sports in the area from LeBron and the Cavs, to what the Browns are doing, as well as the Buckeyes, Indians and of course high school sports. I can’t wait to get started!”
550 Market Avenue South · Canton, Ohio 44702
· 330-456-7166 ·
Fax: 330-471-3000
whbc.com & whbcsports.com
Contact: Pam Cook / pcook@whbc.com / 330-323-1217
THE MONDAY MORNING DUMP
Without any hesitation I can say that the Cleveland Browns were the far better football team yesterday in all aspects – offense, defense, special teams and coaching. I picked the Browns to win the game because after watching the Steelers over the last 2 weeks I was able to see that they are an old team that lacks talent and should replace both of its coordinators. The Browns are a young team that has some proven talent and some potential young talent, with a head coach who actually seems to know what he’s doing and really loves his job. Kudos to Mike Pettine and his staff for making this team respectable this early in the season. Now let’s see how they handle prosperity.
The Browns should be favored in their next three games; at Jacksonville, then home against Oakland and Tampa Bay. I expect them to go no worse than (2-1) in those games and be at least (5-3) if not (6-2) after 8 games. Then the schedule gets tough with games at Cincinnati, Atlanta, Carolina and Baltimore. Plus home games with Houston, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. So you better win the games you’re supposed to win and see if you can play .500 ball the second half of the season. If the Browns can do that, they could be looking at 8, 9 or even 10 wins. If you get to 9 or 10 wins, then you could be talking playoffs.
Having said all that, the Browns were (3-2) after 5 games last year and ended up (4-12). The difference this year I believe is an easier schedule over the next 3 weeks, Brian Hoyer is your QB and not Brandon Weeden or Jason Campbell, and a coach who the players actually believe in. Those 3 things should make a huge difference.
However the Browns are going to have to do it without one of their best and most respected players – Alex Mack. The Pro Bowl center reportedly broke his leg in yesterday’s 31-10 win over the Steelers and is expected to be lost for the rest of the season. John Greco filled in nicely on Sunday against Pittsburgh, but how he performs moving forward will affect the Browns offense in a big way, not to mention Paul McQuistan moving over to take Greco’s spot at left guard. The offensive line has been this team’s MVP’s so far this season. Their depth is going to be tested the rest of the way.
Nobody was harder on the Browns front office for ignoring the wide receiver position in the draft and in free agency than yours truly. Early on it looks like Ray Farmer and the Browns were right and I was wrong. We’ll see if Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin can both continue to make plays and if Miles Austin can stay healthy, but this group with some help from the O-line and Brian Hoyer have performed better than I thought they would. Plus they’ll get All Pro wide out Josh Gordon back for the 11th game of the season at Atlanta, which will have a huge, positive impact on the entire group.
Hats off to Chris Tabor and the special teams. A few weeks ago they were a laughing stock. The last 2 weeks, they have been solid and made big plays to change the momentum of the game. They were a big reason the Browns won in Tennessee and also against Pittsburgh yesterday. Good decisions, fundlemental play and no mental mistakes go a long way in helping your team win. Some of those things might not be sexy, but they help you win.
And last but not least, happy 29th birthday to local “Mr. Hero” Brian Hoyer. I used it as a trivia question yesterday at my Browns appearance at Jo Jo’s Sports Bar in Medina and someone knew right away that October 13th was the Browns starting quarterback’s birthday. A year ago I don’t think anyone would have known or cared, but after you lead the biggest road comeback in the history of the NFL and your kicking the Steelers butts all over the field, people start to notice and pay attention. It’s still a small sample size (8 starts), but it’s getting bigger and the results are the same. Hoyer is now (6-2) as the Browns starter and can be a free agent at the end of the season. Your call Jimmy Haslam and Ray Farmer. Do you believe enough in him to sign him now and maybe save some money, or do you wait until the end of the season and roll the dice? Yes you have Johnny “Jam Boogie” waiting in the wings, but he is nowhere near being ready to be a starting QB in this league. The Hoyer contract situation will be another story line to follow as this season progresses.
BRIAN HOYER’S COMMENTS ON THE 31-10 WIN OVER THE STEELERS
On his touchdown pass to TE Jordan Cameron:
“I think we practiced it once this week, but we actually practiced it a few times the first week we played Pittsburgh. We thought it would be good, and actually, the look they gave us was the second favorite look we were looking for. The first was something else. Jordan did a good job of adjusting and I saw that there was no one in the middle of the field and I just wanted to give him a chance. He did a great job of going up. It was a little bit behind him, but he ripped the ball away and ran in for the touchdown.”
On what a win like today does for the team’s belief in each other:
“What’s so great about this group of guys is we don’t care who gets the credit. We just want to win the game. I think good teams find different ways to win games. Whether it’s winning on the last play of the game with a field goal, a touchdown pass, the defense coming out and really shutting their offense out or us hitting a few big plays here or there. I think we had 17 pass attempts. We moved the ball well and had big chunk plays.”
On the effectiveness of the run offense:
“You could tell that they were trying to stop the run, especially in our no huddle looks. The safeties were down and that’s where we got a lot of our big passing plays was off of play-action in the no huddle. When we have something that’s working really well and the defense tries to take it away, you have got to take advantage of what they try to do. We hit some big passes behind that.”
On what a win against Pittsburgh means to Browns fans:
“I think the last time the Browns beat the Steelers, I was the backup quarterback for the Steelers that day. Coming in after what we did last week and knowing what the situation was playing Pittsburgh at home, I knew the crowd would be crazy. They did a great job. I think there were a few false starts when they were loud and they stayed the whole time, which was great. Even though it was 31-3, they stayed and they deserve it.”
On the loss of OL Alex Mack to injury during the game:
“It’s tough. Other than (OL) Joe Thomas, he has been the anchor of that offensive line long before I got here. You know how much it means to him. When you see him get carted off and the whole team comes up to check on him, it shows how much he means to this offense. In the same sense, we always talk about the ‘next man up’ and we knew coming into this game we had a couple injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Guys are going down during the game and the next guy steps up. (OL John) Greco shifts over to center and (OL) Paul (McQuistan) comes in and does a great job at guard. That’s what great teams are made of: every guy on the team being ready to play. You might be inactive one week and the next week, you have to step up and be ready to play. They did a great job. I think Greco gets enough reps at center throughout the week that I wasn’t worried about him snapping the ball or anything. Usually when a center goes down, the first thing that comes to my head is, ‘Gosh, snap exchange problems.’ I’ve worked enough with John, for the past two years really, that I felt more than confident about that.”