This week the Indians avoided salary arbitration with Rafael Betancourt, locking up "Senor Slo-Mo" for the next two years for 5.4 million, and with a 2010 club option at five million bucks.  In doing so, the Indians have helped cement their bullpen, ensuring that one of the league's best relief pitchers won't be going anywhere soon.  Just how good is Raffy?  And did the Indians get good value with this signing?  Paul weighs in on these matters in his latest.

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Another Super Bowl, another year of watching from the cheap seats for Browns fans.  And it looks like former Browns HC Bill Belichick is going to get himself another title.  In Gary's latest, he notes that Belichick is still a reviled figure here in Cleveland, and asks aloud whether this is still a grudge worth holding.  Gary also looks back at Bill's time in Cleveland and says that his five year stint here is what helped shape him as a Hall of Fame coach.

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The 2007 NFL season is not yet dead, and yet, for most teams, the 2008 season has already begun.  Hiko is back with another version of The Browns Outsider for us, and in it, reviews all the things that have transpired with the orange and brown since the season ended, and also begins to take a look at players the Browns may target in free agency and the draft.  Among his thoughts?  That the Chargers Michael Turner would look real nice in this backfield if things don't work out with Jamal Lewis.

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New details continue to leak out of Berea on the reasoning behind the Todd Grantham whacking, and Gary revisits the story here for us on Monday morning.  Gary says that if nothing else, the firing proves just how meaningless contract extensions are for coaches in the NFL, something for people to remember if Romeo gets his soon.  And that the has a way of keeping you humble just when you think you have it all figured out.  Just ask Tony Dungy.

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