The Dog Days of Summer

Thoughts while waiting for the Browns to start Training Camp and
the Cavaliers to actually do something in the NBA Offseason....

**Add my name to the list of people who aren't buying the concept of David Beckham revolutionizing football...err...soccer here in America. Look, this was tried more than 30 years ago by a guy named Pele', who frankly was ten times better than the Beckster. Don't believe me? Go rent "Victory," which is one of the most underrated sports movies of all time. But even the great Brazilian import was unable to turn soccer into a major sport in the late 70's. Then, I remember hearing that Indoor Soccer was going to be the next big thing in the 80's. And for a time here in Cleveland, it was. At one point, I'm sure there were more people going to the Coliseum in the early 80's to see the Force as opposed to the Cavaliers. But it wouldn't last. And now, a 32 year old Brit will try to become the Messiah of Soccer to millions of American youths?? Nope, don't think so.

Look, it's not that I'm a soccer hater. Not at all. In fact, I actually played soccer as a kid for a year. I played fullback for the Canton YMCA's "Blue and Red Team." I think the only thing I liked about it was the postgame snack that featured orange slices, ho-ho's, and Hi-C. But seriously, my buddy Nate has tried to convince me for years that soccer players are among the finest athletes you will ever find. And he's right. But in a sports culture that is dominated by the NFL, college sports, baseball, NASCAR, and the NBA, there is simply not enough room in our attention spans for 'The World's Game' as a major presence.

Soccer will continue to be one of our premier participation sports so you'll still see plenty of minivans out there with plenty of soccer moms taking the kids to practice. That won't change. But I just don't think that Posh Spice's husband will do anything more than be a really good player for a really mediocre team in a second rate league.

In the meantime....pass me a ho-ho!

***Ho-Hum is pretty much how I would describe this Cavaliers offseason. Except for a day's worth of trade rumors involving Drew Gooden to Sacramento for Mike Bibby, the Cavs have been dormant since being swept out of the NBA Finals. No movement into the Draft. Very little movement apparently in the progress to re-sign Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic. And most importantly, no real movement towards improving the ballclub. Sure, Danny Ferry is working the phones. Sure, they are talking trades with other clubs. So fine, I'll be patient and wait and see. One thing is for certain, the Cavs cannot simply just wait out the agents for Varejao and Pavlovic, make the deals, and call it a summer. This team needs more than that to return to the Finals next year.

***Across the plaza at Gateway, the Indians management deserves high marks for its two moves over the last week. Maybe the Dolans will finally be cut some slack by the haters after signing Travis Hafner to a long term deal. Well, probably not. But to get Hafner and Jake Westbrook locked up in the same year is a major achievement. And I like the contract extension for Eric Wedge as well. It's all about stability both in the clubhouse and in the front office right now and that can only lead to success now and in the future. That said, General Manager Mark Shapiro needs to try to hammer out one or two trades in the next 13 days. The back end of the bullpen has to be bolstered and another bat for the outfield would be helpful too. How about former Indians David Weathers and Kenny Lofton perhaps?

***Circle Wednesday August 8th on your calendar: That's the day that the Sports Krew will be hosting our Countdown to 2007 High School and College Football Show live from Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield from 7-9 on AM 1320 WOBL. We'll talk to area coaches and get their insights as we preview what should be a very fun season.