Welcome to Cleveland Sports Fanatics Friday! This is your chance to be heard and voice your opinion. These are the questions that came in this past week.
What are your thoughts on the new ban at First Energy Stadium not allowing off-duty law enforcement officers to carry their service weapons undercover? – Brad Rosenbauer (Columbus, OH)
Hi Brad! I think that the world we live is messed up. Though, we have not seen (God forbid) a mass stadium shooting, I think it is stupid that off-duty law enforcement cannot carry their weapons on them. Criminals and crazy people feed off of the weak. Had one or more of the teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School been able to have a weapon in their desk locked away, the outcome may have been different. How is right for people to be “sitting ducks”?
Will the Indians be content merely looking to pick up Ubaldo Jimenez’ club option or will they look to sign the veteran to a 3 or 4-year deal to lock him up for an extended period? – Rob Vaughan (Cleveland, OH)
Nice to hear from another Rocket teammate! Rob, it’s amazing that we are talking Ubaldo, isn’t it? What a year for #30! After the All-Star break, Jimenez posted a 1.82 ERA and struck out 84 batters in 100 innings. Because of how dominate he performed, Jimenez’s stock has sky rocketed and look for many teams (especially legitimate contenders) to “offer” a multi-year deal to Jimenez. When Ubaldo was traded to the Indians, his club option for 2014 was voided and therefore he can leave. However, the Indians could tender him, which would give them a draft pick if he does leave. GM Chris Antonetti has said the Tribe will be aggressive in free agency in 2014 and I fully expect them to offer Jimenez a match of his best offer. However, Antonetti will not overpay for the soon-to-be 30 year old. Also, remember, Antonetti snuffed out Scott Kazmir, so he is good at replacing the pitching staff with creative moves if need be. Great question Rob!
Why don’t the Browns get PRO ACTIVE like in the early 80s when they had a drug program under Sam Rutigliano that was cutting edge and one of the NFL best instead of worrying and talking about trading Gordon? We worked with Kevin Mack and he was using COCAINE. -Brian Fitzpatrick (Ohio)
The Josh Gordon saga continues. Brian, I believe the Browns are doing everything in their power to keep Gordon on the right path off the field. Even though all the trade rumors are flying around about him, I think the Browns realize that his talent level is too high to waste. I would bet they do have him on a drug test program like you say Coach Sam had in the 80’s. I know that Gordon has to meet with a life coach or therapist every so often. From what he is doing on the field (25 receptions, 429 yards, 2 touchdowns, 18 yards per reception), I would assume things are going alright behind closed doors.
************** Very SPECIAL THANK YOU to “Poe Man” for the artwork design for this Column!!!!!!!!!!!!!*****************
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook: Ryan (BrownsWriter) Ruiz and Twitter @ryanpruiz24. Ryan is also a Browns correspondent for The Sportsfix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportsfix.net.
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