Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Episode 166 – Should old acquaintance be forgot: Browns close 2019 by cleaning house (again)

This Browns season was supposed to be different. It wasn’t, and the aftermath isn’t either: Jimmy Haslam is cleaning house and hitting the reset button once again. Head coach Freddie Kitchens was sent out the door on Sunday night, and GM John Dorsey followed on Tuesday afternoon. The guys look back on yet another year that went off the rails and take stock of the state of the franchise, from OBJ to Baker Mayfield to the Haslams, as another reboot begins.

Plus: An Ohio State-Clemson game that was every bit as good as expected, one inexplicable replay overturn, and one surprisingly conservative late-game decision by head coach Ryan Day, as well as the future of the Buckeyes and the legacies of the outgoing J.K. Dobbins and Chase Young.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos from Getty Images | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Friday, December 6, 2019

Episode 165 – ESPN vs. Fox Sports is college football’s hottest rivalry this year

College football’s biggest rivalry this season isn’t between any of the sport’s most familiar, storied programs. It’s ESPN, home of the College Football Playoff and proprietor of the long-running “GameDay” kickoff show, vs. Fox Sports, the irreverent upstart riding a wave of SEC fatigue and a suddenly hot pregame show of its own. Awful Announcing editor-in-chief Ben Koo, who recently wrote an in-depth analysis of the TV turf war, joins The Nail to discuss how Fox Sports has leveraged the perception of ESPN favoring the SEC, a strategy to put on its biggest games at noon, Ohio State’s dominant year, and a dash of Urban Meyer to make inroads against ESPN’s once-seemingly impenetrable stranglehold on college football coverage. ... Plus: The wacky late-night TV fun that is #Pac12AfterDark and the future of the College Football Playoff format.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Awful Announcing | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Episode 164 – Climbing the mountain: Ohio State looms over rival, Browns trying to overtake theirs

Is The Game still THE game? Heading into its tilt with Michigan, Ohio State has reclaimed the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings and is steamrolling its way toward a playoff berth. The Wolverines and Coach Jim Harbaugh are still just trying to figure out how to break through for a win in this series. The guys discuss the stakes for the Buckeyes on Saturday (and whether a loss would even kill their playoff chances), the state of Michigan football under Harbaugh, and whether this year’s edition of The Game can be competitive.

Meanwhile, with the Browns and Steelers set to renew pleasantries just 10 days after all hell broke loose between the two teams in Cleveland, the guys cover Pittsburgh QB Mason Rudolph’s demotion (…as conveyed by Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath!) and what the Browns need to do to finally win at Heinz Field for the first time in 16 years.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos by Associated Press and Cleveland Browns Twitter | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Episode 163 – On the dominant Buckeyes, ‘Maddening’ Browns, and surprisingly fun Cavs

It’s an old school edition of the Nail as the guys go around the horn on the Buckeyes, Browns and Cavs, no guests needed. First, with Ohio State rolling and star defensive lineman Chase Young set to return next week, Travis makes the case that this is the most complete Ohio State team in a generation. Plus: the biggest remaining threat on the Bucks’ schedule, way-too-early talk of an OSU-LSU national championship game, and why we’ve had so many big day games in college football this year.

Next: On the eve of a Thursday night showdown with the Steelers, are you believing in the Browns? The guys discuss Sunday’s ugly (but needed) win, the Freddie Kitchens experience, and the debut of Kareem Hunt.

Finally, this year’s Cavs are…fun? John Beilein and his staff appear to have their squad buying in. Collin Sexton is making strides. Darius Garland is showing glimpses of hope. And Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love are playing as well as they ever have in a Cavs uniform. Through 10 games, it has been a formula for entertaining hoops.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos from OhioStateBuckeyes.com, AP via USA Today and Forbes | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Friday, October 25, 2019

Episode 162 – New attractions and familiar faces: Cavs continue roster rebuild in remodeled home

It’s the start of year five for The Nail and the 50th season of Cavaliers basketball. The Cavs tipped off this week in Orlando, and their first game at the newly minted Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is set for Saturday night. The guys welcome back longtime friend of the show Mark Meszoros to shift into basketball mode, starting with first impressions of rookie guard Darius Garland and new head coach John Beilein.

Plus: Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman survived early stumbles and played better over the second half of last season. What can we realistically expect from that duo in a more stable situation this year? Will Tristan Thompson or Jordan Clarkson, both with expiring deals, still be here by the end of the season? And finally, the guys discuss the renovations to the former Quicken Loans Arena and the Cavs’ creative monthly ticket pass.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Getty Images | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Friday, October 18, 2019

Episode 161 – Boomshakalaka! Journalist Reyan Ali on his new book “NBA Jam” and retro gaming’s resurgence

You remember the dunks and the signature calls. Now learn how one of the most beloved arcade games of all time came together. Columbus-based journalist Reyan Ali joins The Nail to discuss his new book, appropriately titled “NBA Jam,” which chronicles the billion-dollar blockbuster basketball game and the happenings in the arcade industry that helped make it happen. Ali shares stories from his interviews with NBA Jam’s creators, its legendary announcer, and former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal and Glen Rice.

Plus, the guys get into the nostalgia fueling the big business of retro gaming, from “barcades” stocked with all the classics to Nintendo’s mini consoles and Arcade1Up’s home cabinets.

Preorder "NBA Jam" by Reyan Ali


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

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Thursday, October 10, 2019

Episode 160 – Jeff Boals on coming home to coach the Ohio men’s basketball team

A quarter-century after helping to lead the Ohio men’s basketball team to an NCAA tournament appearance and a Preseason NIT championship as a team captain, Jeff Boals is back in Athens to guide the program as its new head coach. Boals joins The Nail to talk about returning to Southeast Ohio to take his dream job, getting students and fans excited about Ohio basketball, and going through a change in athletic directors shortly after being hired.

Plus, Boals explains what he learned as an assistant under coach Thad Matta at Ohio State and what he thinks Cavs fans can expect from John Beilein after seeing the longtime Michigan coach from the opposing bench in Big Ten play.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from USA Today Sports | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Episode 159 – Buckeyes, Browns and the biggest week for wrestling with Ben Axelrod

Ohio State continued to fire on all cylinders on Saturday night at Nebraska, and the Browns followed suit in a victory Sunday in Baltimore. Ben Axelrod of WKYC is back on The Nail to dive into what has been a seamless transition for the Buckeyes from Urban Meyer leading the program to Ryan Day at the helm and Justin Fields carrying the torch as OSU’s next great QB. Then, the guys discuss the Browns’ dominating win, videos of Jim Donovan calling big plays becoming a social media sensation, and the Ravens’ curious decision on Tuesday to put out a press release on the incident between Marlon Humphrey and Odell Beckham Jr.

Finally, it’s the biggest week in wrestling since Vince McMahon bought WCW in 2001. The guys run down the—ahem—new world order of professional wrestling, with SmackDown (now on Fridays on Fox!) becoming WWE’s flagship show and a new rival promotion surfacing on TNT.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos from Getty Images, WWE and AEW | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Episode 158 – Remembering Fred McLeod and trying to forget Week 1 for the Browns

It was a tough day in Cleveland as news broke that Fred McLeod, the popular, long-time Cavs play-by-play announcer, died suddenly Monday night. Will Gibson, who wrote a wonderful tribute to McLeod for WFNY, joins the show to reflect on how he won over Cavs fans with hard work, authenticity and a welcoming demeanor, and, along with broadcast partner Austin Carr, made games more fun to watch—whether he was crying tears of joy when the Cavs won the 2016 NBA championship or keeping things light during down seasons.

Plus, Will talks about staying engaged with Cleveland sports while living out of state (and, for a few years, on the other side of the globe), and the Browns’ dud of an opener.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Cavs.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Episode 157 – The best (yes, really!) Browns moments of the past 20 years

Call it a fool's errand or even a suicide mission, but with the Browns about to kick off their most highly anticipated season in years, the guys this week are going for the power of positivity and looking back on their favorite Browns moments from the past two decades. Sure, we've seen a lot—*a LOT*—of bad football since the franchise was relaunched in 1999. But along the way, we also got Phil Dawson bouncing a field goal off the stanchion in a victory at Baltimore, bear hugs with stadium ushers and high-fives with strangers in bars, a chaotic classic in the snow, memorable games with future wives and in-laws, and of course "Run, William, run!"

So, before the 2019 campaign kicks off on Sunday, kick back and enjoy the good times from the past 20 years, even if they have been few and far between.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Cleveland Browns YouTube channel | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Episode 156 – 13 months later, Stipe Miocic finally gets his rematch

Stipe Miocic has waited over a year since losing the UFC heavyweight title to Daniel Cormier for his rematch. On Saturday night in Anaheim at UFC 241, he finally gets the fight he—and the MMA world—have been waiting for. News-Herald sports editor Mark Podolski, who covered Miocic’s loss to Cormier last July and has been in contact with the former champion this week, joins the show to discuss whether Miocic made the right decision to wait out Cormier instead of accepting another opponent, the injury that has kept Cormier out of the octagon since November, and the stakes for Saturday’s championship bout. Podolski also goes into Miocic’s refusal to engage in the antics that have made other UFC stars more marketable, as well as the former champ’s feelings on Brock Lesnar.

Plus: A quick primer on the upcoming high school football season, which will be the final campaign in the decorated career of longtime Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Getty Images | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Monday, July 29, 2019

Episode 155 – Ready for launch: Browns begin training camp, Bauer plays long toss

The Browns have launched into training camp. The Indians have launched themselves back squarely into contention in the AL Central days before the trade deadline. And on Sunday, an unhappy Trevor Bauer launched a ball over the center field wall. The guys discuss Bauer’s  afternoon in Kansas City and the state of the Tribe heading into the deadline.

Plus: Browns training camp talk, how we lose context in video highlights on Twitter, and the countdown to the release of this year’s Madden game.

Support cancer research! Donate to Travis’ ride for Pelotonia today.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from USA Today Sports, Associated Press | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Episode 154 – Pro Football HOF ready to shine on enshrinement weekend

In less than three weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton will welcome its Class of 2019 during its enshrinement weekend. Brock Richards, Pro Football Hall of Fame vice president of sales and marketing, joins the show to discuss the year-round work that goes into getting ready for the Hall’s big showcase, and he previews all of the events that will be happening around the main ceremonies.

Plus: A look at the ongoing construction and development in and around the HOF, the creation of new exhibits to keep fans coming back, and how technology brought John Madden’s theory of the Hall of Fame busts talking to each other to life.

For more information on the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony and tickets, visit: ProFootballHOF.com/tickets


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Pro Football Hall of Fame | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Friday, July 12, 2019

Episode 153 – Uncorking the second half of the Indians’ season

After a successful week of hosting All-Star festivities, it’s back to business for the Indians, who open up the second half of the season with a big series against AL Central-leading Minnesota. Jim Ingraham, a long-time Tribe beat writer and current sports columnist for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette, joins the show to recap the Indians’ weird first half, discuss the emergence of All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber and rookie outfielder Oscar Mercado, as well as the surprising year for Roberto Perez. Ingraham also weighs the pros and cons of dealing Trevor Bauer or Brad Hand for an impact bat and explains why the elimination of the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline could make the end of July extra busy around MLB this year.

Plus: Monday marks the 25th anniversary of Albert Belle's corked bat being confiscated, leading to pitcher Jason Grimsley crawling through the air ducts of Comiskey Park and breaking into the umpires’ locker room to retrieve the bat, securing a place in baseball lore. Ingraham, who was in the press box that night, shares his recollections from a wild scene in the Windy City.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos from Getty Images and mlb.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Episode 152 – Cleveland sports biz headlines with Kevin Kleps

Kevin Kleps of Crain’s Cleveland Business is back on the show to run through the sports biz items making news in Northeast Ohio. The guys discuss a pair of big events coming to town: the MLB All-Star Game (and all of its related activities) this weekend, followed by the NFL Draft in 2021 (actual stage location to be determined). Plus: The Browns scaling back their crowd sizes at training camp to create a better fan experience, the future of their local media deals, and the financial challenges along the Cavs’ long, slow road to rebuilding.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photos from clevelandbrowns.com and mlb.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Episode 151 – Picks & possibilities: A Cavs/NBA Draft preview

The Cavs enter the NBA Draft on Thursday night armed with the 5th and 26th picks in the first round, as well as a whole lot of options. Evan Dammarell, who covers the team for Forbes and Fear the Sword, joins the show to discuss the players in the mix for the Wine & Gold, odds of the Cavs trading either (or both) of their picks, and the unique (and very tradeable) contract of JR Smith. Plus: Big happenings around the league, such as the trade that will send Anthony Davis to the Lakers, that could have a trickle-down effect on what the Cavs want to do.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Friday, May 31, 2019

Episode 150 – What the sale of STO and FSO means for Cleveland sports fans

No matter how they’re doing in the standings or at the gate, the Indians and Cavs have proven to be a winner year after year in the local TV ratings department. So, when news about the channels that air their games breaks, it’s a big deal. Earlier this month, Sinclair Broadcast Group reached a deal to acquire 21 regional sports networks, including Fox Sports Ohio and SportsTime Ohio.

What will that ultimately mean for Northeast Ohioans when they turn on their TVs at 7 p.m. each night to watch their teams? Awful Announcing contributor Holly Wetzel joins the show to explain how Sinclair ended up with channels that started moving in a deal between Disney and Fox and what we can expect with Ohio’s regional sports networks under new ownership.

Plus, early impressions of the ESPN+ subscription service and the best bang for a sports fan’s buck when it comes to picking a streaming alternative to traditional cable.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Episode 149 – Catching up on the Cavs, John Beilein and the NBA’s self-inflicted lottery problems

It’s been an eventful couple of weeks for the Cavs with the hiring of a new head coach and the lottery securing their position in next month’s NBA draft. Jeff Nomina joins the show to discuss the Cavs getting the fifth pick in the draft, whether the league did more harm than good with its overhaul of the lottery odds, and who the Wine and Gold might target in the draft.

Plus, the out-of-nowhere hiring of John Beilein as head coach, his track record of developing players, embracing advanced stats and adaptability, and the role he’ll have to play as the Cavs continue with building not only their roster, but their organizational culture.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from Associated Press | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Episode 148 – Finding seats on the Columbus Blue Jackets bandwagon

Don’t look now, but Blue Jackets playoff games have become appointment viewing for sports fans from Columbus to Cleveland and beyond. The guys jump on the bandwagon to talk about the thrills of playoff hockey, the buzz around town in the state capital, the play of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, the Blue Jackets’ suddenly dominant power play, and the ... highly dubious tactics of Boston’s Brad Marchand.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo from SI.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Episode 147 – John Telich on a career covering Cleveland sports

Longtime Fox 8 sports director John Telich joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation that delves into why he recently decided to launch a podcast, how he has navigated an evolving media landscape and the ways in which ultra marathons have helped shape his perspective on covering Cleveland’s athletes. Plus: The career path that took Telich through South Dakota, Iowa and Buffalo before a move for another sportscaster familiar to Clevelanders opened the door for Telich to return home to Northeast Ohio.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

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Friday, April 5, 2019

Episode 146 – Celebrating the 30th anniversary of ‘Major League’

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Major League’ hitting theaters. The guys look back at the Cleveland classic, from Bob Uecker’s legendary (and largely unscripted) performance in the booth as Harry Doyle to the athletic abilities (or, in one notable case, lack thereof) of the players. Does ‘Major League’ still hold up in 2019? How would it be remembered with its originally planned ending? And why wasn’t Willie Mays Hayes running on the brushback pitch to Jake Taylor?

Also covered: The quintessentially ’80s American Express commercial, Randy Newman’s “Burn On,” and the licensed “Major League” video game (?!) that was only released in Japan.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Episode 145 – Talking about how we talk about the Tribe

On the eve of the Indians’ home opener, the mood is anything but festive in Tribetown. An ugly, abrupt postseason, followed by a winter of inaction and a series of interviews with ownership that focused more on lamenting finances than chasing pennants have left Indians fans on edge as they return to the gates of Progressive Field this week. But is the criticism fair? The guys explore the weird position Tribe fans find themselves in: fully expecting a fourth straight division title, but largely frustrated and unsatisfied with the state of their club as a window of contention starts to close.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo by Tom Valentino | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Episode 144 – Buffalo and everyone else: MAC men's tournament preview with Jason Arkley

The Mid-American Conference men’s basketball quarterfinals tip off on Thursday at The Q, and all signs point to top-seeded Buffalo having its fourth NCAA tournament appearance in five years locked up regardless of what happens in Cleveland. Still, seven other schools arrive looking to pull an upset and give the conference two bids in the NCAAs for the first time in 20 years. Jason Arkley, Ohio University beat writer for the Athens Messenger, is in town and back on The Nail to preview this weekend’s games and players to watch.

Plus, he dives into the Bobcats' disappointing season that ultimately led to the contract of likable, but embattled head coach Saul Phillips not being renewed on Wednesday.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo by Tom Valentino | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Episode 143 – OBJ to CLE! NY Daily News Giants beat writer Pat Leonard on the Browns' new star

As you may have heard, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is headed to Cleveland. Pat Leonard, who covers the Giants for the New York Daily News, joins The Nail to discuss the Browns’ newest superstar, including the circumstances around his departure from New York, his fit within the Browns’ emerging offense, and how the Browns are now being viewed outside of Cleveland in light of their latest big acquisition.

Read Pat’s story on the OBJ trade here: Inside the Giants, Browns trade that left Odell Beckham stunned


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Photo by USA Today | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Episode 142 – Michael Mulhall, VP of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

Michael Mulhall, vice president of business development for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, joins the show to go inside the process of bringing major sporting events to Cleveland. What are leagues looking for when selecting host cities for their championship and all-star events? How has Cleveland’s pitch changed in the past five to 10 years? What events are on the horizon for Northeast Ohio – and which aren’t? Mulhall tackles all of that and more.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Episode 141 – A constructive look at the rest of the Cavs season

The trade deadline has come and gone, the All-Star break is over, and the remainder of the NBA regular season begins Thursday night. What can the Cavs accomplish over their final 24 games? David Zavac of Fear The Sword is back on the show to answer that question, as well as whether the Cavs should prioritize their lottery odds or player development, how much we can take away from Collin Sexton’s rookie season given the circumstances, what we should expect from Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, and the chances any members of the coaching staff will still be here next season.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Friday, January 18, 2019

Episode 140 – The Nailbag, Vol. 1: Lunch with a Brown, favorite sports movies, Indians offseason

This week, the guys are opening it up for questions from the audience. Some of the topics on listeners’ minds: What are your top five sports movies? If you could have lunch with a current and retired Brown, who would you choose? Who should the Cavs draft? What are the odds LeBron returns again? Plus: “Slobby’s World,” potential Kluber or Bauer trades, the best Nail guest of all time, and more.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Episode 139 – Is Freddie ready? Browns promote Kitchens

News broke out of Berea on Wednesday that the rapid rise of running backs coach-turned-interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens had taken yet another step as he was named head coach of the Browns. Kitchens wowed the league with his playcalling and revitalization of the Browns’ offense in the second half of the season, but is he ready to run the team? The guys welcome back Craig Lyndall of WFNY to discuss the timing and process that led to the Kitchens hiring, and the excitement—and uncertainty—that will come with it heading into the 2019 season.

Plus: A surprising amount of turnover in the rest of the Browns’ coaching staff, and big names Mike McCarthy, Josh McDaniels and Bruce Arians ultimately being non-factors in the Browns’ search.


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Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek