2002.12.26

I am happy to report that following a great deal of traveling and countless colorfully packaged gifts - everyone is home safe and sound. Updates to the website have been few and far between. So, I will try to make this a good one. I guess now is as good of time as any to create a year end recap. Click here for my 2002 Year End Review!

2002.12.04
Wrestling
Maybe it is stress caused by the holidays. Maybe it is stress caused by being separated from my family as we continue to have difficulties moving from one city to the next. Maybe I am just an unhappy person. I don't know.

I ended my 3+ month boycott of WWE programming last night. Around 10 PM last night I decided to flip from Monday Night Football to Raw. I saw the uninspired Jericho vs Booker T match that turned into a tag team match. I saw Scott Stiener destroy Stevie Richards. I saw Eric Bischoff acting pompous. The whole time, I am thinking to myself, "Wow Raw turned into Nitro"

Then to bring me back to reality, in a swerve even my 3-year-old son saw coming; Stiener got in the limo with a McMahon. Stephanie just had to make sure Bischoff has zero heat. At this point, I switched back to Monday Night Football for good.

Football
I am a fan of the Cleveland Browns. I have been patient. I have waited since 1988 to see a good Browns team make a run through the playoffs. Until this season, I never questioned the ability of players. Ok, I hated Vinny Testaverde. Aside from that, I have cheered everyone that wore a Browns helmet.

In 1999, Tim Couch was the 1st pick in the NFL draft. He played his heart out for an expansion team. They won 2 games that season. Tim Couch posted a qb rating of 73. I remained calm. Kevin Johnson was his only target. Tim was young and inexperienced. It takes time to develop.

In 2000, Tim Couch and the Browns plagued by injuries. Couch played in only 9 games. He posted a qb rating of 77. The Browns won 3 games. Couch showed signs of improvement. He was progressing. The off season produced a coaching change. Butch Davis was hired to replace Chris Palmer.

In 2001, the Browns produced a 7-9 record. Butch Davis moved and replaced numerous players. They won twice as many games as the previous season. Jamir Miller became the first of the "new" Browns to be selected to the Pro Bowl. The Browns were improving in every way. Tim Couch posted a qb rating 73. His performance was okay because he was in a new system under a new coaching staff.

In 2002, the offensive line was upgraded with free agents Ross Verba and Ryan Tucker. The Browns drafted a running back in the 1st round. They signed pro bowl linebacker Earl Holmes and safety Robert Griffith. Couch missed part of the preseason and the first 2 games of the season due to injury. The back up, Kelly Holcomb produced a league leading qb rating of over 100 (500 yards and 59 points) in those 2 games. He was not sacked. He did not throw an interception. I saw Kelly Holcomb lead the team in a way Tim Couch has not. I saw Kelly Holcomb produce numbers that Tim Couch has not. The ground game behind William Green has produced 3 consecutive 100+ yard efforts for the first time since 1993. The Browns have one of the best receiving (by number of receptions) corps in the NFL. The Browns sit at 6-6 all but eliminated from the playoff race. Tim Couch has a qb rating of 73.

There are 4 games left this season. Anything can happen. But, if the season were to end today, Couch would finish with a qb rating of 73. The same rating he produced his rookie season on an expansion team. As a fan, I have to ask, "When should we expect even marginal improvement from the quarterback position?"

Now, to totally change subjects and tone - I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. There is so much for which I am thankful. Life is short. We are here on earth but for a brief moment. It is very important to me how I spend my moment. But, that is a story for another day.

Until next time, take care and be careful.