The Cleveland Indians completed a three game sweep with another one run victory tonight at Jacobs Field. The following are my thoughts on the game:
- Cliff Lee started his first game tonight and I thought he showed some rust and gave up five runs. But, as the game went on he was very solid and gave the team 6 good innings.
- The Tribe fell behind by four early in the game but put the nose to the grindstone and quickly erased the early Toronto lead. No deficit seems to faze this team lately.
- Great job by David Dellucci tonight sticking up for a teammate. This could be the kind of thing that really endures himself to Indians fans. I don't know about you but I was hoping they would hit Jason Phillips in the ribs the next time he came up.
- Great job of hitting by Victor Martinez tonight with a 4 for 4 effort tonight. I thought the Indians did a great job of manufacturing runs tonight. Also, great job of 2 out hitting. Seems funny we hit better with 2 outs tonight with Casey Blake out of the lineup.
- I thought the fatigued bullpen pitched well tonight and even Roberto Horrendous gave us a good inning of relief tonight.
- Were in good shape with a 2 game lead in the division going into a big 10 game three city road trip.
The Tribe starts its ten game road trip in the Charm city of Baltimore with a 7:05 game as Paul Byrd opposes Eric Bedard.
2 comments:
enduring works, but I suppose you meant endearing.
I do not think that having both Marte and Casey in the line-up for the same game will endear the team to the fans. nor will it be something the fans want to endure.
Marte back to the minors this year. Call Choo back up after the pitching situation gets sorted out.
Defensive Tackle Position Suddenly A Crowded Field
By Dave Spadero
May 3, 2007
Funny how these things work. Ian Scott expected to be a hot commodity heading into free agency. He started in Chicago, played the valuable defensive tackle position, and he had big, fat dollar signs in his eyes, as does every free agent.
But the right fit didn't come in March, didn't come in April and then when the draft passed last weekend, Scott wondered.
Thursday, the right fit was presented here, and now the two sides have something to consider: Scott is going to play in a good system that likes to attack, and the Eagles have a deep and talented group to work with at defensive tackle.
"The way they do things here, everybody plays. They like to rotate guys often," said Scott. "The guys who are numbers three or four play almost as much as the guys who are one and two. I'm no stranger to competition. I'm not afraid of that. I'm looking forward to earning some playing time.
"Everybody gets a chance to play. I want to play."
DT Ian Scott is a good fit among a talented group
Oh, he will play. Scott is billed as a very physical, aggressive, snot-knocking defensive tackle who plays the run very well. He isn't the biggest tackle at 302 pounds, but Scott has, as he says, "an ability to stay where I'm supposed to be."
In football speak, he has the ability to anchor his position. The Eagles will likely use Scott as part of their tackle package in run situations, and the added depth gives coordinator Jim Johnson and defensive line coach Pete Jenkins the chance to truly roll their tackles in a rotation and stay committed to it.
By adding Scott and, before him, Montae Reagor, Jenkins has a couple of veterans to work with to develop a rhythm, a tempo up front. Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are the starters at the moment, but there is going to be competition. Scott has starting experience. Reagor has started a lot in his NFL years.
Add in Sam Rayburn and second-year man LaJuan Ramsey and the Eagles have one of their deepest and most talented defensive tackle groups in years. And years. And years.
They are likely to keep five tackles, so let the competition begin.
"We want the defense to battle in there," said Johnson. "You want to see how they respond to the competition and the situation. I'm pretty pleased at this point with what we have inside."
The Eagles didn't address tackle in the draft, understanding they had something working with Scott. They contacted Scott early in free agency and then waited, stayed in touch, and won in the end a day after Scott visited New England. Minnesota was also very, very interested in adding Scott, and Atlanta was one of his early visits.
Scott figured, actually, to be a big-ticket item in free agency. ESPN.com's Scouts Inc. had him rated highly -- third among free-agent tackles, to be exact.
Here is the report from the Insider component of the site on Scott, who was rated an "average starter" in the report:
"Ian Scott began the 2006 season as the starting nose guard but was eventually replaced with Tank Johnson and served in the defensive tackle rotation. Primarily a run defender, Scott does a good job of getting into his gap responsibility with his quickness yet he does not play as stout holding his position as his 302 pounds should let him.
"As an ascending player, additional experience will allow Scott to get a better feel when not to over pursue plays or get judo blocked out of position. Often stronger offensive linemen will push Scott past the hole making the interior susceptible to cutback runners. Down the stretch in the Bears championship season, this proved a liability as Scott was not effective stuffing the run at the point of attack.
"His athletic feet allow him to laterally stretch a play out allowing the linebackers to run and make the tackle. Scott does not bring much in terms of pass rushing ability with the exception of his quickness and relentless style of play. Scott does not play with enough leverage or power to push the inside, but possesses good hands and quick initial moves to get into proper position.
"He struggles to anchor the point versus double teams or powerful run blockers. Scott's quickness serves him well when involved in line stunts and movement games upfront and his high motor will force his opponents to work the entire play. Look for Chicago to retain Scott for insurance and quality depth following the injury to Tommie Harris and the off field problems of Johnson.
"He brings versatility to the rotation and can play either nose or under tackle in the Bears defensive scheme. If the Bears must decide between Scott and Alphonso Boone expect Scott to get the nod due to the age difference and his solid upside."
Interesting stuff, isn't it? All I know is that the Eagles expect Scott to get after it up front. Maybe he gets 25 snaps a game, or 30, or more. Scott is going to bring energy and strength and a bit of an attitude. This guy is not a dazzler. He isn't a pretty boy. He is going to bang bodies and work hard against the run.
So how do you like the defensive tackle spot now? Certainly, a lot still rides on Bunkley's development, but the Eagles also have other options. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this: The fact that the Eagles have, we all think, seriously upgraded their linebackers in the off-season is going to make these defensive tackles much more effective, and vice versa.
I just think the front seven has had a great off-season. The Eagles have subtracted Darwin Walker -- a good tackle -- and Dhani Jones -- an OK linebacker -- and they have added Takeo Spikes -- good at the least and a Pro Bowl linebacker at the best -- and two solid tackles, Reagor and Scott. They welcome into the mix Bunkley, who gave the defense nothing last year, and Chris Gocong, who was hurt for all of 2006. Oh, and Jevon Kearse is healthy and frothing at the mouth to get back on the field.
I like it. I like it a lot.
Defensive tackle is a strength for this team. Just how much of a strength remains to be seen, I understand. Pieces have to come into place. Bunkley has to step up. Reagor has to rebound from his injury-plagued 2006. Scott has to work some new techniques in a new scheme. Ramsey is going to be a factor if he matures as the Eagles think he can. Patterson is the best of the group with his intelligence and athletic ability and desire. Rayburn is trying to get back to where he was on a consistent basis a couple of years ago.
Scott's signing is a bit of icing for me. Adding him makes sense on every level, and in the end things couldn't have worked more perfectly to get Scott here on a one-year deal.
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