Feb. 3rd Blog Post!
Please support Cleveland's Launchpad!
Support Mangini Despite Rumors
Over the last 24 hours, rumors have popped up on such sites as YahooSports! and ProfootballTalk.com that new Browns coach Eric Mangini is already being disliked in Cleveland. The source of this propaganda is Todd Porter of the Canton Repository. This is where we breath a sigh of relief, Cleveland. The Canton Repository! Not the Plain Dealer or the Beacon Journal, but this second-rate paper located multiple hours' drive from the heart of our sports world. If you dig further into the story and do some sleuthing, you will find that Porter is upset that his "moles" inside the Browns were fired (whether personnell or assistant coaches) and he is lashing out at the new regime. Calling out a coach and creating waves before the Combine has even started? That's complete bush-league no matter if you love the Mangini hire or hate it. I call to you, Browns fans, to not believe the garbage that is going to fly from the national media and instead look at the results: a Super Bowl ring in New England, 2 winning seasons out of three on a team with mediocre talent and awful quarterback play, and most important of all, a line of Jets outside Mangini's office begging for his job and wishing him well. Just look at what Browns' captain and Pro-Bowler Josh Cribbs had to say in a radio interview with Cleveland legend Michael Reghi. If the Browns players and media people want a guy like Romeo, they aren't getting him. They are getting a disciplinarian, but most importantly, a winner.
Williams to be All-Star?
Unless you have been comatose in the world of sports the last week or so, you know that Cavs guard Mo Williams was snubbed from the All-Star game this month in Phoenix. Well, perhaps justice will be served, just not in the way we wanted. Magic G Jameer Nelson, one of a trio of guards selected ahead of Williams, was injured in Monday's loss to Dallas with a dislocated shoulder. He will not be able to go in the ASG and may miss the rest of the season. More news on if Williams gets the nod in his third try (after fan voting and coaches' selection).
(Other) Williams Released
Jawad Williams' time with the Cavaliers is over -- for now. The rookie forward was not re-signed after his 2nd 10-day contract with the team expired on Sunday. Williams played in 8 games with the Cavaliers, 9 minutes total, and recorded 4 points and a personal foul on 2-6 shooting (0-1 from three). The local product will possibly be re-signed to the roster for the remainder of the season once Eric Snow's contract comes off the books (more on that when there is news to report). To replace Williams on the 15-man roster, the Cavs signed G/F Trey Johnson from the Developmental League.