Terry Pluto is trying not to talk about LeBron James...
There's plenty of enthusiasm for Josh Cribbs and the Browns as the team prepares for its first home preseason game against the Rams on Saturday. So there's no need, Terry Pluto says, to spend any time with ...CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Trying not to talk about LeBron James, how about those Browns?
Question: Did you read the magazine story where LeBron James said he may want to play in Cleveland again?
Answer: I'm not talking about him.
Q: Isn't it strange, how he just signed a 6-year deal with Miami, and now he's talking about one day playing for the Cavs?
A: I thought the Browns looked pretty good in Green Bay. I really like how their receivers (Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi) caught the ball. They could have a real weapon in Evan Moore at tight end. That part of the team was much better than I expected.
Q: But if LeBron wants to play with Cleveland, why didn't he just sign with Cavs?
A: T.J. Ward was impressive at safety, and the Browns need that. They are so weak there. Abe Elam can tackle, but can't cover a tight end. Not much depth at the position, except veteran Michael Adams. Rookie Larry Asante apparently hasn't showed much...
Q: LeBron said people in Akron hate Cleveland, what about that?
A: OK, you got me. Growing up, I lived in Parma and Northfield. I went to Benedictine and Cleveland State. Then I lived in Newburgh Heights for nearly five years in the early 1980s. Since 1985, I've lived in Akron. People in Akron view themselves as a separate city, and sometimes they do feel ignored by Cleveland. They do think their high-school sports don't get the credit they deserve because Cleveland is a bigger media market.
Q: So LeBron is right?
A: Not what he's talking about. People in Akron love the Cleveland pro teams as much as those in Cuyahoga County. My goodness, for nearly 20 years, the Cavs played at the Coliseum in Summit County. He says he hates Cleveland, but maybe wants to come back to Cleveland before he's even played a game in Miami? Not much of what he says makes any sense.
Q: Wonder how the Heat feel about that after signing him to the $120 million contract?
... this guy, who has left Northeast Ohio but can't seem to stop talking about Cleveland, Akron, coming back, his former team's owner. All the drama? It's all in South Florida now, says Terry.A: Welcome to LeBron's World for Miami. They'll find out that he now believes he never has to admit he did anything wrong. He still thinks how he announced his move to Miami on the ESPN special was just terrific, even those who still back LeBron say it was disrespectful.
Q: How do you think it will be when LeBron comes back to Cleveland?
A: I'm back on the Browns. They seem like a team of guys who actually want to play here. After the LeBron debacle, they are ready to embrace the Browns. They want a disciplined team that can win at home, especially in cold weather. We saw hints of that at the end of last season.
Q: LeBron said in the story: "Cleveland fans are awesome. But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court."
A: That's why I want to talk about the Browns. They don't seem to be interested in coddling players. Their biggest star is Joshua Cribbs, the anti-LeBron from Kent State. He wants to play everything -- offense, defense, special teams. Eric Mangini said Monday: "It doesn't matter how much [Cribbs] makes. It doesn't matter how many accolades he has, he's working every day."
Q: LeBron also said of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert: "I don't think he ever cared about LeBron."
A: I just hope none of the Browns starting talking about themselves in the third person. I also hope they find some depth on the right side of the line. Porkchop Womack has a knee injury. John St. Clair was shaky last season at right tackle. Shawn Lauvao has promise, but he's a rookie. Tony Pashos has to prove he's healthy. They need to develop another offensive lineman.
Q: Do you think LeBron is having second thoughts about leaving Cleveland?
A: I think most fans have far more interest in what the Browns do at home against St. Louis on Saturday night than anything else LeBron may have to say this summer.