Pigskin Heaven - Oh Yeah, Now THAT'S Football - Blogs - The Raiden Blog by Chris Raiden

Jackets should get the best they can for Nash, period

Chris Raiden — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:22:19 GMT

When you're up against a no-win scenario where you must trade the face of your franchise and captain, what should you do?

If you're Scott Howson, exactly what you're doing: hold out until someone meets your price.

I'm not a big Howson fan, but the Blue Jackets GM (yes, this is a hockey post) needs to get the best return he can for his best asset. A move him to move him deal isn't what this franchise needs, and would set it back a ways.

So yes, San Jose, you may need to consider giving up Logan Coture. If you're Philly, we should have gotten Sean Coutrier to begin with, please send him to the fans that should have enjoyed him last year. Finally, Detroit, we'll take the coach, the GM, and a first round pick. We'll even throw in Howson.

Buckeyes upend unbeaten Illinois with one completed pass

Chris Raiden — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:40:32 GMT

Somewhere, Woody Hayes has a smile you couldn't pry off his face with a crowbar.

Luke Fickell's Buckeyes beat Illinois on the road while throwing only four passes, completing just one. That throw from Braxton Miller to Jake Stoneburner was a backbreaking touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Woody's proud folks.

What the freshman quarterback managed to accomplish was, for the second straight week, providing a spark to his offense with his feet and continuing to not make stupid decisions with the football. How many passes he completed is irrelevant, only the win matters.

And the win is key to the Buckeye season. The win puts them at 4-3 going into the off week with Wisconsin coming to try to seal their dominance of the Big Ten next.

While the formula seen today probably doesn't work against a Badger defense that is built to stop the run, it does buy Luke Fickell a bit of time to get his team through two weeks of practice on a positive note. It allows Braxton Miller to get through a game healthy and to shut up the talk on local radio of who the backup quarterback needs to be. For the first time all season, Joe Bauserman did not step on the field while the clock was running, and that was key.

We also saw a young coach start to grow up with his team. Fickell knows it's going to take a miracle for him to be named the permanent coach after this season, but he did what he needed to do to get his team through today. The offense did nothing but what they had done successfully all year, run the freakin' ball. The defense did what they do effectively, rush the passer, stop the run, and create opportunities with turnovers.

The Silver Bullets looked great, and it started up front with the efforts of Johnathan Hankins and John Simon. It continued with positive contributions from the linebackers, hard hits (and more importantly, fewer missed tackles) from the safeties Barnett and Bryant, and a shutdown performance from Travis Howard and Bradley Roby on A.J. Jenkins, one of the better senior receivers in the nation.

What the Buckeyes did today was to muffle the critics for two weeks, and to buy themselves a little breathing room going into the Wisconsin game. That's a sign of progress in Columbus.

Playbook: Browns at Raiders

Chris Raiden — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:22:26 GMT

This weekend, the Browns visit the Raiders in their second game after the death of owner Al Davis. Here's the key points you need to know about this weekend's game:

The Raiders are 3-2, but are giving up more first downs than they're earning themselves. The key here for the Browns: convert on third down, keep the chains moving.
While the Raiders give up a lot of yards through the air, they get to the quarterback about three times a game. They're big and physical up front, so if you're going to run, stretch their front four a bit before attempting.
Finally, there's the offense. They have great team speed, and they have a powerful rushing attack led by Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. To slow down the Raiders, you need to keep them out of second and short scenarios that allow them to take shots down the field with less risk. Hue Jackson isn't afraid to pull the trigger, and he has the weapons to beat the Browns secondary.

Buckeyes blow it, Bauserman plays, coincidence?

Chris Raiden — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:53:39 GMT

Late in Saturday night's contest between Nebraska and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes leading and moving the ball better than they had all season, disaster struck.

Braxton Miller went down with an ankle injury, Joe Bauserman warmed up, and Luke Fickell didn't stand up and say "waaaiiiittt a minute here."

You know the rest of the story, the Buckeyes went on to blow it and lost 34-27. On the plus side, they covered the spread. On the downside, they're 0-2 in the Big Ten for the first time in years.

Here's what you need to know about the Buckeye collapse: they couldn't move the ball, the defense wore out, and Taylor Martinez can really run.

Here's the key stat: Joe Bauserman in two road games this year, 3/24 for 26 yards and a pick. That's about 1.04 yards per attempt.

Braxton Miller is clearly the better quarterback of the two and brings more to the offense. He was starting to show signs of what he can become tonight, but there's also the danger of a smaller quarterback who runs a lot. Nebraska fans can relate.

Bottomline, if healthy, this is Miller's team the rest of the way, period. If Luke Fickell holds onto his job, and at this point, it's doubtful, it will be because Braxton Miller got healthy and learned to avoid hits, and he also reeled off six wins in a row.

If forced to take Bauserman as his starter the rest of the way, look out, these Buckeyes may not go bowling for the first time since 1999. Yes, I had to look that up.

Jackets lose in opener

Chris Raiden — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:39:39 GMT

My first season ticket purchase ever: a six-game package for the Columbus Blue Jackets this year. Tonight was Game 1, and the atmosphere was great, the team played well in spurts, and I got to see a sneak preview of the next six years: Jeff Carter setting up Rick Nash. Awesomeness.

On the downside, they lost the game. Minor details really.

I had a great time, and I'm seeing progress in this club from Game 82 last year to Game 1 this year. Steve Mason, though he didn't play great, did not fall apart after giving up a goal this year. Last year, his big problem was giving up goals in 2-3 goal spurts throughout games. Two great periods and a terrible one, not this year so far.

Another downside: plenty of clutch n' grab hockey from the Predators (they're very good at it), and the refs let them get away with it all night. Very disappointing as a paying customer buying into the "new" NHL with supposedly more offense.

Final downside: ever sit next to that drunk fan who hates the coach and traces everything back to "fundamentals" and just complains the entire game, then pulls something rude by getting up and standing right in front of you during the final minute as he gathers his stuff to leave early? That was the guy next to me. Never fun. If you don't recognize this guy at a game, hint, you are that guy, please be considerate of your fellow fans who paid just as much as you did to actually, ya know, watch the final minute or two, especially in a 3-2 game. On a good note, I did get a dig in when he spent the entire first period up to the first goal complaining about "they don't got no one on the wings, he's alone, should be a guy on the dots." When the Blue Jackets got a rush, got a shot on goal, and got the rebound in, I got my "like that?" in there. He shutup for a while. The reason they weren't able to do it before, Nashville's clutch and grab and no call. Couldn't get enough together to get a rush going, but never let the facts on the ice get in the way of a good festival of complaining about a coach who must have in a prior life kicked your dog.

Oh well, onto Game 2, Blue Jackets v. Wild tomorrow night in Minnesota. I can't wait!

Jim Bollman must go

Chris Raiden — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:27:22 GMT

For the past ten years, Jim Bollman has been the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Throughout that time, the Buckeyes have had high flying offenses and high quality stinkers.

The 2011 squad is an example of the latter thus far.

Until this season, he never had playcalling power. That fell to head coach Jim Tressel. With Tressel retired, it's on Bollman.

It's already time for that tenure to end. As good of a guy as Bollman is, his Buckeye offensive lines have consistently underachieved, despite recruiting successes. Guys like J.B Shugarts and Mike Adams, who were highly touted recruits, have never developed, and they're indicative of a long-term trend, not a one-time fluke. Before Adams at left tackle was Alex Boone, a once-top recruit, now bottom-feeder roster spot occupier in the NFL.

Enough's enough. We need an offensive mind who can design a modern offense, or at least competently run an old school power football scheme. This mix of spread and power I and more spread followed by something that looks like it fell out of Dana Holgerson's trashcan at 4 in the morning during a late night bull session that failed is hard enough to take when it works.

When it doesn't, and when the top caliber quarterbacks and offensive linemen we continue to recruit continue to fail, it's unbearable.

Start fresh on offense next season, whoever the head coach is, that's my advice.

Week of disbelief confounds the linebackers

Chris Raiden — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:44:55 GMT

First, the Browns go out and sign Chris Gocong to a three year extension with decent money attached.

Then, D'Qwell Jackson, he of 26 consecutive games missed, plays one month in a system that fits him and wins AFC Defensive Player of the Month.

Just a confusing and confounding week here in Cleveland when it comes to linebackers, the biggest weakness on our defense coming into the season.

McCoy to Massaquoi touchdown!

Chris Raiden — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:45:01 GMT

Here's some quick hitters on yesterday's Browns victory over the Dolphins:

First and foremost, my hat is off to the Browns defensive line. While they were out there for nearly 40 minutes, they still managed to get the job done in the fourth quarter. The knock on Chad Henne is that he falls apart under pressure, and the combination of Rubin, Sheard, Taylor, and Mitchell made it stick late.
Special commendation to Jabaal Sheard, who after switching to the left side last week, has shown his prowess as a guy who can not only get after the quarterback, but can also make things happen for the guys around him. One of the Browns' five sacks on the day was a direct result of Henne stepping up to avoid Sheard's pressure, which hit Henne's throwing arm preventing a quick throw.
Colt McCoy. He was fairly bad for the first 57 minutes by his standards, with a touchdown, a pick, and a Derek Anderson-esque completion percentage. With under three to play, he executed a two minute drill, getting the Browns down the field hitting on 9/13 passes and throwing a strike to Mo Massaquoi in the corner of the end zone splitting two defenders for the game winner. Right now, the problem with him and his numbers is not knowledge of the system, he's got that, it's getting reps and moving it from thinking about the play to reacting and anticipating with what's in front of you. When faced with a no huddle situation, he stopped thinking, started reacting and anticipating, and started completing more passes. Peyton Manning, a few years ago, was described as a guy who could never bother looking at the guy he was throwing it to on certain plays, but, because of his familiarity with the system and the defense in front of him, could complete the pass because he knew exactly where the receiver would be and when he'd be open. That's the direction McCoy will move in, but it will take time with the new system and getting those reps in during practice and game time, but at this point, it looks like a matter of time before that starts to congeal.
Montario Hardesty got a surprise start yesterday with Peyton Hillis home sick with strep, and comported himself well with 89 total yards on 16 touches. I complained during the game yesterday he was not getting the ball enough, but that will come with experience for Pat Shurmur as a playcaller. He needs to remember he has weapons at the running back position and get these guys the ball more often.
Joe Haden locked Brandon Marshall down yesterday. Too bad we can't say the same for Sheldon Brown on former GlenOak High School and Ohio State star Brian Hartline, who has developed into exactly what I thought he'd be in the pros: a reliable two with speed to stretch the field along the sidelines. Kudos to him on his performance yesterday.
I will not rip Sheldon Brown personally. His age is starting to show, but I think he still has a valuable role to play on this team mentoring the young defensive backs. A move to safety could be very beneficial to him next season if a better starter can be found.
Final notes, 2-1 for the first time since 2002, looking for the opportunity to go to 3-1 for the first time since...2002 against the Titans next week. This is a good position for the young Browns to be in, and they really need to get a win to give themselves an outside shot at...yeah, you thought I was going to say it didn't you? I'm not. They're not there yet, but for the first time in a long time, they're heading in that general direction.

Your 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers

Chris Raiden — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:29:21 GMT

I feel like gloating a bit over this.

The Cavaliers are 5-5 and 2nd in attendance in the league this year.

The Heat...7-4, no center, no point guard, and their attendance is so bad, they have to remind their fans what they're supposed to be doing at games, namely showing up on time.

And the big man they were supposed to have but traded to free up cap space for Chris Bosh? Averaging 22 and 5 with the T-wolves.

Isn't life great?

Great to be back

Chris Raiden — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:34:50 GMT

Folks, it's great to back.

Here's what I've been up to in the last year:

Climbed Mount Everest. Twice. Blindfolded.
Swam in the Nile while claiming the Browns were Super Bowl contenders.
Visited the single most glaring snub on the National Register of Historic Places: Bernie Kosar's birthplace. C'mon folks, let's rectify this situation!
Spent the entire month of April up to the draft in deep meditation before finally telling the Rams: no, don't take Bradford (oops).
Immediately got on the phone with Detroit's front office and reminded them not to listen to Millen, and that no, Damian Williams isn't the second coming of Derrick Williams, he might not even be the second coming of Mike Williams!
Was shocked when Mike Williams had a third coming several months later.
Pondered Hamlet's famous soliloquy in reference to the San Francisco 49ers. Answer: to be is the right choice, especially when switching Smiths at QB.
Remembered to tell you all that in case anyone wasn't paying attention, Sam Bradford to was actually a fairly common occurrence back in the day in Norman too.
Seriously, start naming one receiver there that went on to have a halfway decent impact in the NFL.
I'm still waiting.
Nothing right?
Moving right along. Finally, my boy Colt. Talk to me during my return to The Big Bald Football Show on Tuesday, I'll share my thoughts then.

Great to be back!
-RD

Browns Offseason Discussion

Chris Raiden — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:41:23 GMT

Originally Posted by RaidenDAWG2

The team really came together over the last month of the season with the four game winning streak.

Defensively, the biggest weakness is the secondary. The Browns really need to come out of the draft with at least one more starter, if not two (depending on Brodney Pool's health), and I think one of them ought to be either Florida's Joe Haden or (my preference) Tennessee's Eric Berry.

Offensively, the revolving door at right tackle needs to be jammed, and if John St Clair is retained, there needs to be a sit-in organized at 76 Lou Groza Boulevard. A veteran receiver should be added to help bring along the young talent we have there.

Finally, at quarterback...number 10, Brady Quinn! If he's your guy Holmgren, dump Anderson, grab a vet backup, and move on. If he's not, bring someone in (not Bradford or Clausen) who can be the guy, and move on. We need to stop having two quarterbacks, because normally (Philly being the exception), if you have more than one, you have none.

The way it goes as an Ohio sports fan

Chris Raiden — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:47:09 GMT

So the Tribe loses ten in a row, in the midst of which, they trade their ace and most popular player...and two days later start a four game sweep of the team with the best record in baseball knocking them from first place...go figure.

'Tis the way it goes as an Ohio sports fan.

-RD

Blue Jackets fans run the roller coaster industry

Chris Raiden — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:12:06 GMT

Or at least it seems that way today...

I've watched for the past two days as my fellow Blue Jackets fans on a major hockey board ran the gamut of emotions from jumping off a cliff to head over heels excited...in the course of 5 hours...

Roughly 4 p.m., Nikolai Zherdev was dealt to the Rangers with Dan Fritsche for a pair of defensemen, and the board...went...off...the...deep...end...

Five hours later...the Jackets ink Kristian Huselius to a 4 year deal, and all of sudden, GM Scott Howson is a genius, and everything's great!

Sheesh...and I thought we Cleveland fans were bad...turns out it's an entire state of Ohio thing.

-RD

What a night...

Chris Raiden — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:57:23 GMT

Got my hopes up (stupid me) of a potential deal to make the Cavs better. Instead, I got a power forward who needs a bit of developin'.

Oh well, one of the guys over at RCF says he's exactly what we were looking for, and Chad Ford of Four Letter Company I Dare Not Name likes him so...good enough for me I guess.

I still think we end up seeing someone by the name of Redd in a Cavaliers uni by the trading deadline...at least I keep praying and hoping. I also think we could see a big deal done after December 5, also known as the day Anderson Varejao's agent has to let the Cavs off the barrel and can't reject trades to destinations he doesn't like any more.

Bottomline...we need a sidekick for LeBron to shutup all the national commentators who'd rather look at him in a Brooklyn Nets or New York Knicks jersey in 2010. Did I mention the Cavaliers are also clearing cap space for that year as well?

Pigskin Heaven Blogs

Chris Raiden — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:40:02 GMT

Random thoughts from one Raiden...

-Don't forget to catch PSH Radio tonight, good stuff upcoming on the show.

-Can't wait to see how this blog feature actually ends up working out for us. Should be interesting to see what our members are thinking.

-RD