Cleveland's OG Derek Anderson

images: cleveland.about.com, hoopsvibe.com
With the NBA Playoffs rapidly approaching and NBA players everywhere preparing to actually play hard for 48 straight minutes, I too went scrambling for interesting Cavaliers playoff facts.

Well I found one. Derek Anderson of the Browns, it would appear, is actually "Unoriginal" Derek Anderson in Cleveland. It seems the "Original" was able to help the Cavs do something QB #3 couldn't do for the Browns - get them to the post-season.

The last time the Cavaliers made the playoffs without that guy named LeBron was the 1997-98 season, and Derek Lamont Anderson, a rookie from Kentucky, averaged 25.8 minutes and 10.8 points-per-game. He began the season as a starter but came off the bench in the playoffs in favor of Cedric Henderson. Shawn Kemp was the LeBron of that playoff squad, averaging 26 points and 10 boards. Big Z put up an average of 17 and 7 in his first Cavs playoff appearance.

A few years later, Original Derek Anderson got a championship ring as a member of the Miami Heat in the 05-06 season. He currently is a veteran on the Charlotte Bobcats squad.

Now, let's take care of the Pistons tonight and get Boobie Gibson's 3-point shot working.

Gate C: Browns Go PRIMETIME!

images: imageshack.us - ABC, Inc - extrememortman.com
The Cleveland Browns won the first ever Monday Night Football game against the Jets 31-21, and now their tough schedule and 2007 success has put the team back in the primetime spotlight once again. The Browns have 5 nationally televised games this year - 3 Monday Night Games (not including the preseason game), 1 Thursday Night game, and 1 Sunday Night Game home against the hated Steelers. Here's a look at the primetime slate:

September 14 - Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
October 13th - NY Giants at Cleveland Browns
November 6 - Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns
November 17 - Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills
December 15 - Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles

Keep in mind, late season flex games could come in to play, for instance the Browns games at Pittsburgh or home vs. the Colts. These games could move to Sunday night if huge playoff or division implications are involved.

For some great articles about Browns history in Primetime, check out these great ClevelandBrowns.com articles:
Browns History on Thursdays
Browns History on Mondays
Browns History on Sunday Night
or click here for their 2008 Season Breakdown

All Gates - Double Wins in Cleveland 2007-2008

Last week after a Indians-Cavs same-day loss, I painfully found out each time 2007 such a nightmare occurred.

Now, a week later, the opposite has happened and Cleveland can celebrate once again. Yesterday the Indians and Cavs had same-day WINS, and have a chance to do it again tonight. There is a lot at stake as well. The Indians have their first chance at revenge against the horrible Red Sox, and the Cavs can lock up home court in the first round of the playoffs if they beat the 76ers.

Between the Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers, Cleveland fans have had 12 days of rare "Double Wins" to celebrate since the start of 2007. This includes an extra-rare double win by the Browns and Indians. Here's at look at all of them:

4/12/07: Indians beat the Angels 4-2, Cavs beat the Nets 94-76
4/14/07: Indians beat the White Sox 4-0, Cavs beat the Hawks 110-76
4/22/07: Indians beat the Devil Rays 6-4, Cavs beat the Wizards (1st Round Playoff) 97-82
4/25/07: Indians beat the Rangers 8-7, Cavs beat the Wizards (1st Round Playoff) 109-102
5/6/07: Indians beat the Orioles 9-6, Cavs beat the Nets (2nd Round Playoff) 81-77
5/8/07: Indians beat the Angels 5-1, Cavs beat the Nets (2nd Round Playoff) 102-92
5/18/07: Indians beat the Reds 9-4, Cavs beat the Nets (2nd Round Playoff) 88-72
5/27/07: Indians beat the Tigers 5-3, Cavs beat the Pistons (East. Conf. Final) 88-82
5/31/07: Indians beat the Tigers 11-5, Cavs beat the Pistons (East. Conf. Final) 109-107
9/30/07: Indians beat the Royals 4-2, Browns beat the Ravens 27-13
11/25/07: Cavs beat the Pacers 111-106, Browns beat the Texans 27-17
4/2/08: Indians beat the White Sox 7-2, Cavs beat the Bobcats 118-114
4/13/08: Indians beat the A's 7-1, Cavs beat the Heat 84-76

Gate D: Examining Cliff Lee in April

image: indiansconfidential.com
If you're a fan of both the Indians and statistics, then you're probably aware that Cliff Lee has looked amazing in 2 starts so far this season: 14.2 innings, 12 K, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, all good for a .61 ERA and the most important stat of all - 2 WINS.

You may not know that Lee, in his 5 full seasons with the Tribe (2004-present), has started his year 2-0 every season except in 2006. Also impressive is his 9-2 record in April including last night's win against the A's. Basically it's the fast start the Tribe needs to weather this offensive lull and sub-par pitching from supposed Ace C.C. Sabathia.

Here's to hoping that Cliff Lee has a season that emulates 2005, where he never lost more than 1 game a month, including a perfect August, on his way to an 18-5 record.

Here's a look at Cliff Lee's performance in April the last 5 seasons:

2004: 3-0 Record in 5 Starts, 3.21 ERA
2005: 2-1 Record in 5 Starts, 4.50 ERA
2006: 2-1 Record in 5 Starts, 3.10 ERA
2007: 0-0 No Starts
2008: 2-0 Record in 2 Starts, 0.61 ERA

Overall 9-2 Record in 17 Starts, 2.86 ERA avg.

statistics from baseball-almanac.com

Gate D: Carmona Signs, Sabathia looks for first W

images from nytimes.com
It seems that the Indians liked what they saw last season out of Fausto Carmona, becuase they just locked him up with a 4 year contract, with options for 3 additional years. If all the options are picked up, Carmona's performance could pocket him up to $48 million by 2014.

Read the article here.

On the other hand, this could be a move to make Fausto the Ace if C.C. decides he wants out of Cleveland after this season. So far this season, he hasn't shown he's the Cy Young winner from last year. He stands at 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA after 2 starts.

Only one other time in his career has C.C. started the season at 0-1. That came in 2003, when he made it all the way through April with an 0-2 record over 6 starts. He managed to finish the season with a 13-9 record and a 3.60 ERA. C.C. has never had a losing season.

The Indians start a series against the A's at Progressive field starting Friday, with C.C. the scheduled starter. Last time out against Oakland, he threw a complete game in a 5-2 win.

OSU Football Dominance

photo from alumni-osu.org
It has now been 1600 loooong long days since Michigan last beat Ohio State in football.

thanks to BuckeyeXtra for keeping count

All Gates: 4 Sport Round-Up

Here's some great news for the Cavs

Browns fans can watch the draft with QB Brady Quinn!

Pronk was the hero for the Indians last night after I called for a Westbrook CG

Justin Boren is leaving the Wolverines to become a Buckeye?! (thanks Mike)