Thursday, May 2

Author: James Mastrucci

James Mastrucci covers the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, Monsters, Hornets, Packers, Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens. Find written work at This Is Believeland, Away Back Gone, Lombardi Ave, Swarm and Sting, and Full Press Coverage.
The role of David Njoku moving forward
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Browns

The role of David Njoku moving forward

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is not a perfect fit for the new offense that will be used under Kevin Stefanski in 2020.  The future and use of David Njoku in Cleveland is certainly one worth discussing. At one point it was unclear and it appeared the Browns might move on from Njoku. With a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, things have changed. The offense that the Browns will run next season traditionally relies heavily on the tight end position. On the surface that’s great, but the David Njoku is not a traditional tight end and that poses a problem.  Run blocking from the tight end position is a requirement for this offense to work. The problem? Run blocking is not a strength of Njoku. The Browns have brought in other tight ends to handle the run blocking duties...
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Cavaliers have not won at home in 2020
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavaliers have not won at home in 2020

It seems like the Cleveland Cavaliers skipped an era when it comes to their home performance lately. Instead of the Roaring Twenties, they are firmly in The Great Depression when it comes to games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland has lost seven consecutive home games to start the decade. Their losing streak at home actually dates back to late-December. The last time the Cavaliers won at home was December 23rd against the Atlanta Hawks. Since then, they are being outscored at home by an average of 120.1-108.9. A couple of lopsided losses have contributed to the point differential being so large. Things are certainty bleak at home. Cleveland has had their opportunities at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against some sub-par teams in 2020, but are still yet to come out the  victor....
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Cavaliers lose to Knicks in overtime
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs, Game Recaps

Cavaliers lose to Knicks in overtime

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in overtime by a score of 139-134. This was the eleventh consecutive home loss and fourth straight overall. The Cleveland Cavaliers took on the New York Knicks Monday in desperate search of a win to snap a six-game losing streak at home to start the decade. Tristan Thompson did not participate in the contest due to quad soreness, but some believe it could be due to the trade deadline being just a few days away. Cleveland is shopping the veteran center and could be looking to preserve his trade value and not risk Thompson suffering a serious injury. 1st half At one point in the 1st quarter the Cavaliers held a 10-point lead, but they found themselves trailing at the half 63-62. Cleveland made 10 three-pointers in the 1st half an...
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Monsters: Ryan MacInnis recalled by Columbus
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Monsters

Monsters: Ryan MacInnis recalled by Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets need some help due to the injury of Alexander Wennberg and have recalled Ryan MacInnis from the Cleveland Monsters. The Cleveland Monsters will be without one of their key players when they return to the ice Wednesday. Ryan MacInnnis has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets due to the injury of Alexander Wennberg. It could be an extended stay for MacInnis in Columbus as Wennberg is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks. https://twitter.com/Aportzline/status/1224461373666709507?s=20 This will be the second stint in Columbus for the 23-year old Monsters center. MacInnnis spent seven games with the Blue Jackets earlier this season, totaling one point off an assist. Ryan MacInnis has been a mainstay in the Monsters lineup since coming to the team last...
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Monsters prepared to square off against Rochester
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Monsters

Monsters prepared to square off against Rochester

The Cleveland Monsters will kick off a crucial stretch of four games in seven days at home against the Rochester Americans. The Cleveland Monsters faced the Rochester Americans twice in the month of January. Cleveland found themselves winning a shootout in Rochester while losing a close game at home in overtime. Now they start a stretch of four games in seven days against the Americans. Cleveland is coming off a two-game split at home against the Utica Comets. The Monsters had a rough start in the first game, but were able to get things going in Game 2. In their last five contests, Cleveland is averaging 3 goals per game while giving up 2.8. This is quite a narrow differential. Being shutout against Utica last Friday does not help all that much, although scoring 5 goals in back-to-b...
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Cavaliers look to snap losing streak vs Knicks
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavaliers look to snap losing streak vs Knicks

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost their last six home games and are looking to snap their current three-game losing streak against the New York Knicks. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has not been kind to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2020. Their own arena is an issue for the Cavs, imagine that. The RoMoFiHo has caused problems for the Cavs in 2020 because they are yet to win a game at home this decade. They've only won one game in 2020 and that was on the road. With Saturday's loss to Golden State, Cleveland has lost three consecutive games overall. The Cavaliers will look to snap a couple of streaks Monday when they play host to the New York Knicks. Cleveland has already played New York three times this season, the Cavs are 1-2 in these matchups. Their only win against the Knicks? In New ...
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Kevin Love to remain in Cleveland?
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Kevin Love to remain in Cleveland?

The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and the Cleveland Cavaliers prefer to hang onto veteran power forward Kevin Love. Cleveland may have quite a lot to offer as the trade deadline draws near. Tristan Thompson appears to be available for the right deal, but Kevin Love may remain with the Cavaliers. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on "The Woj Pod" that Cleveland would prefer to wait until the offseason to make a deal involving love. https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1224359965504098305?s=20 The Cavs may have tested the waters in regards to a potential Kevin Love trade and not like what they heard. Love's trade value did take a bit of hit when it came to some of his actions on the court. https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1213638776116957186?s=20 http...
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Tristan Thompson could be on the move
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Tristan Thompson could be on the move

The Cleveland Cavaliers are apparently making center Tristan Thompson available in trade talks prior to Thursday's trade deadline. Let the Cavs trade rumors begin! Tristan Thompson is apparently available to teams looking to improve their roster. https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1224368134599204866?s=20 This should hardly come as a surprise. Thompson has been a trade candidate for quite some time. The Cleveland Cavaliers are going nowhere and Saturday's blowout loss to Golden State may have been a motivating factor. Cleveland lost to one of the worst teams in the league. The Cavaliers are also one of the worst teams in the league, but there is a distinct difference between the two. Cleveland is bad with their good players while Golden State is without Stephen Curry and Klay Th...
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Browns to hire Joe Woods as defensive coordinator
3Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Browns

Browns to hire Joe Woods as defensive coordinator

The Cleveland Browns are set to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach Joe Woods as their next defensive coordinator. This was the assumption for quite some time, but now it can be official. The Cleveland Browns are set to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods as their next defensive coordinator. Woods is just the latest addition to the staff of Kevin Stefanski. There was a time that it did not appear to be a lock that Joe Woods would end up in Cleveland. It was not that long ago that the 49ers were going to make a push to keep Woods in San Francisco. Apparently their efforts were all for naught as Woods is coming to Cleveland. Joe Woods may not be the most popular person among Browns fans this morning. Woods was part of the...
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Nathan Gerbe signs two-way contract with Columbus
2Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Monsters

Nathan Gerbe signs two-way contract with Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Nathan Gerbe to a two-year, two-way contract extension that will keep the 32-year old in the organization. Great news for fans of Nathan Gerbe, he has signed a contract extension that will keep him in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the next two-years. https://twitter.com/Aportzline/status/1223999716171636738?s=20 As Aaron Portzline notes, Gerbe came up to Columbus and helped them navigate through a tough time. The Blue Jackets needed help in the worst way and turned to several players from Cleveland in a time of need. Nathan Gerbe has totaled 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 16 games with Columbus. While these are not necessarily the most eye-popping numbers, his presence has helped keep things calm when they may not have be...
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