The Open Mat Forum

I couldn't believe that Ohio State was picked last year. Hard to believe that they will make it again despite winning over Wisconsin for the Big Ten title. Any chance they will pick USC instead of Alabama? Will find out shortly.

Currently knotted at 5 points apiece, I have enjoyed following the action between Carlsen and Karjakin on the  chess network twitch. Good stuff.

Bestseller Book Notes

A couple of books that I have thoroughly enjoyed:
"I Am Pilgrim" by Terry Hayes
"Red Sparrow" by Jason Matthews

Pilgrim seemed like a stand alone while Sparrow would be ripe for a sequel. Still, there is a thread or two for a Pilgrim future. I just know how he could possible top what he already accomplished.

I was curious if someone would pick up the "Mitch Rapp" mantle of deceased author Vince Flynn. Apparently this has been done and a hardback is now out in stores, "Survivor", by Kyle Mills. I (a cheap bastard) look forward to the paperback addition.

Mark Greaney continues to do a credible job advancing Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, with Jack Junior prominent.

Meanwhile author Lee Child, and his Jack Reacher, and the rest of us, get older and lament losing steps while still fashioning victories.


 

First was the news of disgraced* former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor being picked up by the Cleveland Browns for a trial at wide receiver. Pretty late in a career for such a switch, though Pryor is fast and athletic. I would be surprised if this turns out well.  We shall see.

Then come news of 2 time BigTen player of the year, Braxton Miller, and a switch to HBack for him. This was no surprise at all. Clearly both JT Barrett and Cardale Jones were better pure passers and any real NFL prospects for Braxton was going to be at a different position. Might as well get started now. Ohio State will have a logjam at H Back too, but Miller, in space, is the best runner on the team and maybe the best in the NCAA.




*It still rankles me that Pryor was suspended for the first five games of his NFL career for the oh so serious misdeed at Ohio State. I'm still open to anyone explaining the logic.

If you haven't seen this:

From the Cleveland State University Board of Elections website:

" Cleveland State University recently decided to no longer fund the wrestling program as a part of our Division 1 Athletics program and add a men’s lacrosse team. After hearing many students voice their concern for this, a referendum is presented to the student body to gauge interest in this program. This referendum considers the Title IX adjustments that will need to be made if the students approve the referendum in favor of men’s wrestling.

1.     In order to maintain Division 1 wrestling and create an additional women’s team to maintain Title IX compliance, a fee would be implemented to cover staff salaries, equipment, travel, insurance, and medical care. Would you be willing to pay a fee of $4-$6 per credit hour (per semester) to maintain a Division 1 wrestling program and create an additional women’s team?

Voting begins at midnight, Monday, April 6  and continues until the end of the day, Thursday, April 9 at midnight. Cleveland State University recently decided to no longer fund the wrestling program as a part of our Division 1 Athletics program and add a men’s lacrosse team. After hearing many students voice their concern for this, a referendum is presented to the student body to gauge interest in this program. This referendum considers the Title IX adjustments that will need to be made if the students approve the referendum in favor of men’s wrestling.

Voting begins at midnight, Monday, April 6  and continues until the end of the day, Thursday, April 9 at midnight."

With normal relations finally, at long last, restored with Cuba, will a culture shift begin to happen?

Johnny Football has landed in Cleveland. I am not a huge fan and can only hope he can be as good as Brain Sipe was. I doubt he will be another Bernie Kozar.

There was a lot of agreement with my opinion among local sportcasters, until the last two weeks, when a number of them did a flip flop and called for the Browns to draft him with the fourth pick (IF NOT MOVE UP). I didn't understand that at all. For two weeks we got to see video of Manziel wiggling out of trouble to make plays, while all that time i was picturing those "moves" with a back drop of AFN North defenders surrounding him. My visions were ugly. Boy, I hope I'm wrong.

I was rooting for the Browns to pick Sammy Watkins and would have accepted Khalil Mack. Then when it was revealed that Cleveland had traded the pick, my disappointment was tempered because, at least, they hadn't picked Manziel there. A couple of hours later when the Browns traded up I thought "oh no". Sure enough, it happened. Other Browns fans are happy as hell.

Then comes the news of a probable season-long suspension for brilliant wideout Josh Gordan, who had a breakout campaign culminating in a pro bowl selection.

All I can say is that I wanted Watkins BEFORE the Gordan news came out.

Arghhh. Only in BrownsTown can this happen.

Hope for the best, expect the worst.