Day 51: Browns, Iverson, Pedro and more

HEADLINES

1) The Browns were shutout by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, 16-0, and ran a hook and ladder play on the final play where wide receiver and kick returner Josh Cribbs was injured. Are the Browns the worst team in the league and why were they running a latteral play when they were down 16-0?

Ben: They are the worst team, beacuse they have been so terrible both on offense and defense, in the owners box, the front office, coaches meetings -- that they aren't even putting a watchable product on the field. Granted, I'm a Lions fan and have watched my share of terrible football over the last decade, but they've always made it interesting. The Browns aren't even creating a buzz. They are terrible at so many positions that there isn't even a "superstar" player to watch. It's really bad from top to bottom there.

And I have no idea why they are running a hook and ladder play down 16 points -- it makes no sense.

Boz: Well the worst team in the NFL comes down to the Browns and the Raiders and I'm looking forward to when the two teams battle it out for the first pick in the draft in week 16. If I have to pick one team right now, I'll take the Browns since the Raiders at least picked up a win at home over the Eagles. As far as the latteral play, does Eric Mangini believe that there is a 17-point play in football that no one else knows about? That was possible the dumbest thing that I've ever witnessed in football. The only thing I could imagine is that he just didn't want to get shut out. But he put one of his best players' health in jeopardy and I have to think that Mangini is on his way out the door in Cleveland.

2) After playing just three games and leaving the team on Nov. 7 to deal with family matters, Allen Iverson and the Grizzlies have reached a deal to end his contract. Where is A.I. going to end up?

Ben: I'm guessing Cleveland, but I'm actually starting to doubt that. He could end up anywhere, but the only other dysfunctional team that could take him on would be the Warriors or the Knicks. Both teams are screwed up and I highly doubt that they would even notice a character like Iverson running around.

Boz: The Knicks have already stated interest in Allen Iverson, but I don't think Iverson would leave one struggling NBA team for an even more struggling NBA team. The plus side in New York would be that Iverson would be starting and would get a lot of shots in Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system. I think Ben hit on the head when we previously discussed Iverson by saying that he is going to be headed to Cleveland. With Delante West's head appearing to be elsewhere this season, the Cavs need another shooter from the perimeter. You can slide West to the bench and insert Iverson in the starting line-up, which makes him happy.

3) After being an important part of the Phillies playoff run, Pedro Martinez has stated that he wants to pitch the entire 2010 season. Can Martinez last an entire season at 38 years of age?

Ben: No. He'll end up on the DL with some ailment, because that's what old people do, they get hurt and they can't play. There is a reason that the only 38 year old players you see are relievers who get 35 appearances in a season.

Boz: I'm going to say no. The last time that he tried to pitch an entire season was with the Mets and it didn't go very well. He has a lot of miles on that arm and I don't think it'll hold up over an entire season. If the Phillies want to sign Pedro for the entire season, I think they might have to get creative and be able to give him more than the usual five days rest during certain points of the season. That might include carrying someone in the bullpen that can make a spot start here and there during the season.

4) Sources have said that Larry Johnson has agreed on terms for a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Is this a good place for Larry Johnson?

Ben: Sure. He gets  paycheck and gets to keep playing football. Cincy isn't the greatest place on Earth, Disney World is, but it'll do for the remainder of this season.

Boz: I don't think that it is the worst place he could have signed. The Bengals have turned around their perception of having trouble makers. With Cedric Benson starting to get banged up a bit from a lof of physical running, the Bengals could use a decent back up running back. Marvin Lewis has said that he would be fourth-string, but there isn't another proven running back on the roster, which makes me think that he is really "fourth-string". The usual two-back system is a thunder back with a quick back, and even though Benson and Johnson don't fit that mold, I think LJ will work out in Cincinnati.

TOSS-UP

1) Who is the better NBA rookie? Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings?

Ben: JENNINGS. Dude's a baller.

Boz: JENNINGS. Both are good. But Jennings is putting up huge numbers, including a 55-point effort in just his seventh game (not to mention he scored 32 the game before). He's also making the Bucks relevant and could help get them to the playoffs in the East. I'm not happy he is doing well because I don't want to see players skip college to play a year overseas. But he's been impressive so far.

2) What was the more shocking result in college basketball last night? Kentucky nearly being upset by Miami-Ohio or UCLA actually getting upset by Cal-State Fullerton?

Ben: UCLA. Cal-State Fullerton, really?

Boz: I'm picking Kentucky nearly being upset by Miami-Ohio. I didn't expect UCLA to be very good this season because they are a very young team and lost a lot of talent from last years team. Kentucky is a top-5 team and they have a lot of expectations this season. They were down 18 points early in the game.

3) Who is more likely to keep their job? Charlie Weis or Rich Rodriguez?

Ben: RICH ROD. He's only got 2 season under his belt, and he's shown he can coach -- Charlie Weis is outtie 5000.

Boz: Rich Rodriguez. He's only had two years at Michigan and I think that he showed glimpses early in this season that he is getting the right players to Michigan. They have relly faultered down the stretch but that will happen to a young team in a major conference. Charlie Weis has had plenty of time to turn it around and hasn't done so.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy Birthday Warren Moon. Guy played in the CFL and NFL and threw for like a million yards. True athlete and a pretty solid QB.

Boz: Happy 65th Birthday to Tom Seaver. The 300 game winner was named both the Rookie of the Year and a three-time NL Cy Young winner. He recorded over 3,000 strikeouts and a career ERA of 2.86. He is considered by many as the greatest New York Met of all time.