Daily Archives: January 26, 2022

Monsters lose to Crunch 3-1

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Monsters were not able to get back into the win column, losing to the Syracuse Crunch 3-1.

All it takes to change the game is a power play goal. That was the case twice in Wednesday’s contest, but unfortunately the Cleveland Monsters were on the penalty kill both times. This would result in Cleveland losing to the Syracuse Crunch 3-1 as they ended their brief road trip.

An interference penalty from Cole Fonstad late in the 1st period resulted in Syracuse’s first goal. Cleveland was almost successful in killing the penalty, but with 12 seconds left the Crunch were able to score. The 2nd  period was a similar set of circumstances. This time it was a delay of game penalty on Brendan Gaunce and just 54 seconds later Syracuse doubled their lead. These two goals were the only goals allowed by Jet Greaves, who saved 23 of 25 shots in the loss.

After setting up the Crunch with a power play in the 2nd, it was Gaunce who gave the Monsters a brief glimmer of hope late in the 3rd with this 15th goal of the season. Trey Fix-Wolansky (7) and Jake Christiansen (16) were each credited with assists on the play.

Just a minute and a half later it was the Crunch taking advantage of an empty net, scoring an insurance goal with a little over two minutes remaining. The third and final goal from Syracuse sealed the deal and handed Cleveland their second consecutive loss.

The Monsters will return home this weekend and take on their opponent from earlier this week, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

 

Draymond Green says Darius Garland is an All-Star

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Golden State Warriors forward believes that the Cleveland Cavaliers guard is an All-Star.

Draymond Green is someone who is highly opinionated and when given the opportunity makes those opinions heard. Green took to Twitter in reference to a statement from Dwyane Wade in regards to the possible All-Star status of Darius Garland. While Wade praised Garland, Green provided some input heaping even more praise on the budding Cavs star.

Strange times that we are living in considering it was not too long ago that the Cavs and Warriors battled in four consecutive NBA Finals. Either way, Darius Garland has been impressive in this third year, averaging career-highs in points (19.7), assists, (8.2), rebounds (3.3), and field goal percentage (46.4). Garland will have stiff competition to make the All-Star Game, but it would be a crowd pleasing selection considering the festivities will take place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse once the All-Star Break arrives.

Cavaliers take down Bucks 115-99

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Cavaliers played host to the Milwaukee Bucks, defeating the reigning NBA Champions 115-99.

Wednesday night provided the Cleveland Cavaliers with the opportunity for a statement win. The Milwaukee Bucks came to town and the Cavs had the chance to leap them in the standings with a win. Cleveland trailed by nine points after the 1st quarter, but luckily it did not last.

The Cavs were able to outscore Milwaukee by 17 points in the 2nd, flipping the script on the Bucks and holding a 65-57 lead. It was a 39-point quarter for Cleveland as they drained eight of their 12 first half three-point makes in the quarter. This was the driving force which was able to propel the team into a lead they would never surrender.

The second half provided more of the same as the Cavaliers made seven more shots from deep as they at one point built their lead to 21. There was not stopping the Cavs as they enforced their will on the Bucks and there was nothing they could do about it. Cleveland was able to outscore Milwaukee 50-42 over the final two quarters, cruising to a comfortable 16-point win.

Kevin Love had one of his better games coming off the bench this season. Love scored a team-high 25 points powered by a 5-9 three-point effort in addition to finish gin with nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Love was not the only bench player to make an impact as Cedi Osman’s 23 points was second for the Cavaliers on the night. Osman went 6-14 from downtown, contributing to Cleveland’s assault from deep.

Darius Garland was the Cavs highest scoring starter, finishing with 19 points on an efficient 7-12 night from the field and 3-5 from deep. Garland would leave the game with a back injury two separate times, but was still able to return and make an impact. The third year guard also had eight assists in the contest.

The win moves Cleveland into third place in the Eastern Conference with a 30-19 record. Cleveland will have a mini break prior to traveling to Detroit on Sunday for their next contest against the Pistons. 

Browns must consider trade for Kirk Cousins

Posted on by
Advertisements

While the Cleveland Browns take the time to evaluate their quarterback position, considering a trade for Kirk Cousins should be on the table.

With the winds of change on the brink of blustering through the roster of the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins is a player who has been identified as a player possibly on the move. Minnesota has a coaching and GM vacancy and Cousins is in the final year of his deal which could provide the Browns with an opportunity to upgrade their own quarterback situation.

Things with Baker Mayfield have not quite worked out as expected after selecting him first overall in 2018 and a long term commitment between the two sides seems rather unlikely. Taking the opportunity to upgrade their own situation while giving Mayfield a fresh start elsewhere seems like a win-win. Kirk Cousins is not the most exciting quarterback option who may be available, but is much more attainable than the unlikely options of Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, or Russell Wilson.

Here’s the reality, Kirk Cousins is a better quarterback than Baker Mayfield, that is not really up for debate. The debate really comes up when discussing the amount of an upgrade he is versus what it would cost to acquire him. Cousins is at the top end of the tier of quarterback that Mayfield resides in, but is more consistent in his level of play. That consistency would go a long way for team that has lacked it not just during Mayfield’s tenure, but beforehand as well.

There is one more fact to consider in this equation. Browns vice president of of football operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is considered the favorite for Minnesota’s vacant GM position which would net Cleveland a compensatory third round pick in the upcoming draft and another in 2023. This follows a similar template from last season which saw Brad Holmes head to Detroit and subsequently trade Matthew Stafford to his former employer, the Los Angeles Rams. Kirk Cousins heading to Cleveland in a carbon copy deal is not as far fetched as it seems.

(Adofo-Mensah has since been hired as the Vikings general manager after this published).

Contract wise a new deal would be optimal as spreading out his salary over multiple seasons rather than take a massive cap hit for just one season would be more team friendly. This would also give the Browns flexibility to start Cousins for the next two seasons (and possibly a third) while allowing the team to address other needs in this draft that are not the quarterback position. Cleveland could then wait a year (if they wish) for what is perceived to be a better quarterback crop and hopefully draft the franchise quarterback that has eluded team for so long.

Does the addition of Kirk Cousins make the Browns a Super Bowl contender? Not necessarily, but it will allow for some growth in the offensive play-calling and a better idea of what the team has at the skill positions. Kevin Stefanski has been limited in what he has been able to do with Mayfield as his quarterback and has received criticism for what the offense has done on game day. Giving Stefanski a better quarterback would allow his offense to branch out in ways it currently cannot and finally provide the answer to which has been limiting the Browns offensively, the plays or the quarterback .Unfortunately for  a certain faction of Browns fans they will not like the result as the limitations of their current signal caller will only become much more apparent.

Baker Mayfield “quits” social media

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Cleveland Browns quarterback has declared that he will be stepping away from social media for the foreseeable future.

Baker Mayfield has decided to step away from social media, or at least that is what he is saying. The Browns quarterback made the below post Tuesday night stating his intentions. This comes just days after his usual passive aggressive tactic of liking a negative tweet about him and not too long after unnecessarily going after Mary Kay Cabot.

If anyone actually believes that Baker Mayfield is actually stepping away from social media they probably also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. The reality is that Mayfield is unable to help himself when it comes to online activity. Even if he is not actively posting, there is a very real possibility he is doom scrolling and seeing what everyone is saying about him. That is before acknowledging that he is currently recovering from shoulder surgery and has a lot of down time. As anyone with a phone knows it is very easy to get lost in the internet when there is nothing to do and Baker Mayfield is not immune from that.