Boston Celtics in the playoffs.

NOTE:  On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, Tony Williams of Metro NY and I discussed the news of the day and NNR Mock draft on fryingpansports.com/radio-show.  Thanks 4 listening.

After the Celtics went down 2 games in the 2017 NBA playoffs I tweeted this:

“TO Celtics-Thanks for playing. Pick up a home version of the game on your way out of the playoffs.”

I was right up to the point that Rondo broke his thumb.  Now the Celtics are back in the series because of a “Very Lucky Break.”  I don’t believe the Celtics can get past the Cavs but for now they could win this series.

That is what I think.  Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE:  News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK.  Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend.  My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports.  Podcasts can be heard on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. Read more at FryingPanSports

Can the Browns win 6 or more games in 2015?

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NOTE: Today on NNR Tony Williams beat writer for Metro New York for both the Giants and Knicks joined me to review the Pro Football Talk totals for wins of each team.

For the Browns to go over 6 wins as predicted by PFT, several things are going to have to go their way.

5. The team can not have any injuries to the starters. This team has more depth than in past years but still is not deep enough to survive multiple injuries at any position.

4. The WR corps has to produce TD catches not just yards. I had as many TD receptions last season as Browns #1 WR Dwayne Bowe had. That is not a good thing.

3. The Browns running game has to take pressure off the QB and they have to hold onto the ball. I have a lot of hope for the running backs. But they have to produce 1st downs and not fumble.

2. The D has to stop the run. Last year the pass D was top 6. That was misleading because the Browns were among the worst against the run. They need to stop the run to allow the pass … Read more at FryingPanSports

Johnny Manziel is at it again.

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NOTE: Yesterday on NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I graded the free agent moves of every team. Tomorrow Tony Williams of Metro New York joins me to talk NFL and NBA. He covers the Giants and Knicks for the paper.

Johnny Manziel was involved with a heckler in Texas attending the Byron Nelson golf tournament. At the pool, he was heckled by a fan and got so upset he threw a water bottle at the individual. Of course there was no damage because Johnny is no more accurate at throwing water bottles as he is with footballs.

There are two things that bother me about this. First, I was expecting a better version of Johnny after his rehab. I was hoping he had developed a better attitude and a thicker skin after the self evaluation that is a central part of rehab. Clearly he has not learned a lot from rehab. That leads me to my next issue.

If Johnny expects to be a Browns QB, he had better improve a lot. If not, he can expect to experience much more criticism. While the Browns claim he is doing much better, the reports from camp indicate he is … Read more at FryingPanSports

Playoffs? Playoffs?

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Note: On NNR today Tony Williams Giants and Knicks beat reporter for Metro New York and I discussed the NFL and NBA in detail. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

With the Browns win over the Bengals Thursday there has been a lot of talk of the Browns being a contender for the playoffs. We got Tony’s answer on the podcast. But for me the answer is “Maybe.”

The reason I am not sure is the loss to the Jaguars. If the Browns had taken care of business they would have a game and a half lead on the rest of the AFC North which at least this season is the best division in the NFL. The history of the Browns since they have come back is they play up to their opponents or down depending on if the team they are facing is better or worse. Playoff teams win those games.

Playoff teams are able to run the ball. The Browns did well against the Bengals D, but in the previous 3 games averaged under 3 yards per carry. That is not what Playoff teams do.

The third area that distinguishes playoff teams from pretenders is their ability to Read more at FryingPanSports

Browns free agent signings and NCAA Brackets onNews, Notes & Rumors on live tonight at 6 EST!

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Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports, former NFL scout Kelron Sykes and I will discuss the additions the Browns have made this off season. Then at 6:30 David Kay basketball guru of Walterfootball.com joins me to talk about the Brackets and who will win. The last guest tonight will be Knicks beat writer for Metro New York Tony Williams to discuss the hiring of Phil Jackson by the team.

Please join us on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Monday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discuss the results of the weekend. Thursday shows alternate between NFL Draft and basketball. On Friday Tony Williams Giants beat writer for Metro New York joins Samantha and me to preview the upcoming games.

 

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN Read more at FryingPanSports

News, Notes & Rumors on live tonight at 6 EST!

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 Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and Tony Williams Giants beat writer for Metro New York join me to recap and analyze the Super Bowl. Please join us.

 

 

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Thursday and Friday at 6 PM Eastern on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Monday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discuss the results of the weekend. Thursday shows alternate between NFL Draft and basketball. On Friday Tony Williams Giants beat writer for Metro New York joins Samantha and me to preview the upcoming games.

 

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.Read more at FryingPanSports