Terry’s Talkin’

Highlights: Deshaun Watson is in the concussion protocol, putting his availability for Sunday's game in serious jeopardy. Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start. What we want to see from him on Sunday vs. the Saints. Terry's one word to describe the 5-3 Browns. The Browns' point differential isn't great. What that means. The Browns' rapidly deteriorating run defense has become a m...

Highlights: Can the Browns keep winning the way they're winning? Terry says Deshaun Watson delivered his best performance of the season through smart decision-making and accurate short throws that enabled receivers to gain yards after the catch. Cleveland's offense has successfully countered high-safety defenses by methodically attacking the short and intermediate areas with running backs and inte...

Highlights: Browns have earned a 4-2 record and the division lead despite poor offensive stats by winning tight, resilient games. Clutch kicker Andre Szmyt remains indispensable with execution in high-pressure, game-winning situations. Browns exhibit a strange timing dynamic: defense dominates after the first quarter, while the offense only peaks in the fourth. What's behind the Browns' offensive...

Highlights: Todd Monken’s heart and transparent approach have injected renewed optimism into the Browns. By publicly taking the blame for specific play-calling errors, Monken shields his players and builds immense trust and accountability within the locker room. Terry says the coaching staff utilized intensive film sessions to correct Deshaun Watson's tendency to hold the ball too long, urging him...

Highlights: The Guardians successfully captured the Central Division by overhauling their lineup, demoting struggling prospects in favor of veteran hitters. The catcher pairing of Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges transformed the Guardians, providing solid offensive production and defensive stability for young pitchers. Stephen Kwan rescued his season by returning to his natural hitting approach. J...

Highlights: Guardians maintain a narrow AL Central lead while prioritizing the number two seed for a crucial playoff bye. Who's the Guardians' MVP this season? We debate. The player who's most important to the Guardians' final week of the season. A listener asks: Did Angel Genao's promotion spark major offensive turnarounds for Travis Bazzana and Brayan Rocchio? Aggressive trade deadline moves and...

Highlights: Terry credits the Guardians' success and late-game comebacks to a "just keep playing" philosophy. Brayan Rocchio is having a phenomenal September, carrying the team with four clutch walk-off hits this season. Steven Kwan returned to form and entered some elite company by abandoning a power focus in favor of his foundational on-base fundamentals. Travis Bazzana has provided crucial late...

Highlights: Travis Bazzana has become a September catalyst, hitting .389 with a 1.283 OPS. Bazzana's success against off-speed pitches has forced opponents to adjust. Revisiting the 2024 MLB draft class. An oddity: the Guardians' home record. Penciling in the playoff pitchers if the Guardians make it. Stephen Vogt's rest plan helped Steven Kwan break out of a slump. Terry will speak at a free even...

Highlights: Reaction in the wake of the Browns naming Deshaun Watson the starting QB last week; and 3 reasons why Browns fans might find some good news in the decision. As Terry has pointed out, Watson likely won't play all 17 games this season, as hardly any NFL quarterbacks do anymore because of injuries or ineffectiveness. Did Watson miss a crucial PR opportunity by defensively citing his hard...

Highlights: Deshaun Watson's preseason debut drew favorable reviews, but there were some moments that should cause Browns fans concern; Pre-snap penalties noticeably improved from training camp, though unforced errors committed by relied-upon veterans remain a significant coaching concern; Terry says Todd Monken's new offensive scheme successfully created space for short-to-intermediate passes aga...

Highlights: The Guardians are currently struggling with fundamental flaws in defense, base running and pitching, which jeopardizes their slim margin for error. Jose Ramirez's severe hand injury has drastically reduced his offensive production. Should the Guardians sit him until he's healthier? The Guardians' trade deadline acquisitions have yielded mixed results. Can the Guardians still win the di...

Highlights: Bringing Jadeveon Clowney back on a one-year, incentive-laden deal: Good idea for the Browns? Why Terry is eager to watch Todd Monken, who replaces Kevin Stefanski's guarded approach with loud, demanding accountability. The Browns prioritized the offensive line this offseason. Who'll start at center? Why a healthy return for running back Quinshon Judkins means so much to the 2026 Brown...

Highlights: It's (pretty much) a "LeBron-free zone" on this week's podcast. Guardians teammates Steven Kwan and Travis Bazzana share a history of overcoming intense skepticism and set the stage at Oregon State for their MLB careers. How Steven Kwan got back to being Steven Kwan. Lane Thomas: Why Terry thinks he could be a fit for the Guardians at the trade deadline in a deal with the Royals. Celeb...

Highlights: Sixty years ago, Jim Brown retired at 29 during his absolute prime to pursue a Hollywood career after refusing an ultimatum from Browns owner Art Modell. The Guardians' starting rotation and its impressive consistency. We choose our Guardians team MVP so far, as well as Most Improved and Most Disappointing players in the first half. Prospect Chase DeLauter pairs a pragmatic, aggressive...

Highlights: Terry on how LeBron James adheres to own timeline when deciding where he'll play. James leveraged "one-plus-one" contracts to maximize his earnings and force front offices to continuously fulfill their roster-building promises Terry on why the Cavs' signing of Donovan Mitchell is more important than if they sign LeBron James. Constructing a roster around an aging LeBron James requires...

Highlights: The Cavaliers face early offseason roster challenges, losing key defenders like Dean Wade while monitoring the LeBron James situation. Rumors of a third LeBron James stint in Cleveland are gaining traction as a strong narrative and positional fit for both the player and the franchise. James' 2010-2018 stretch remains historically unprecedented, Terry says, for his ability to switch tea...

Highlights: The Cavaliers traded their No. 29 draft pick to drop to No. 34 and acquire a future second-round pick, preserving financial flexibility. The NBA's new "apron tariff" has drastically increased the value of second-round picks by allowing teams to utilize non-guaranteed contracts and avoid luxury tax penalties. Trading James Harden remains highly unrealistic due to his massive $42 million...

Highlights: Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams for Jared Verse and three future picks to secure proven talent alongside draft capital; Jared Verse provides Cleveland with a highly productive, cost-controlled, 26-year-old edge rusher to immediately step in; Cleveland’s front office prioritizes a tangible, ascending young star Complex trade negotiations required Garrett to waive his no-trade clause....

Highlights: Knicks' physical dominance and high-scoring pace overpowered an exhausted Cavaliers team in the playoffs Cavaliers retained head coach Kenny Atkinson for consistency after a successful Eastern Conference Finals run Game 1 loss to the Knicks will linger on Atkinson's resume, but future performance dictates his long-term job security Atkinson's analytics explanation: What was the big dea...

Highlights: The aftermath of the Cavs blowing a 22-point lead to lose Game 1 to the New York Knicks 115-104 in overtime after a staggering 44-11 run. Is the national media treating the Cavs like the Indians got treated in the 2016 World Series? What's the best way for the Cavs to defend Jalen Brunson? What Terry would like to see. New York capitalized on an exhausted James Harden late in the game...

Highlights: How did Donovan Mitchell secure a critical Game 4 victory for the Cavaliers? He shifted to an aggressive, highly physical approach, drawing fouls and scoring 39 of his 43 points in the second half to tie an NBA playoff record and even the series. James Harden's home versus road playoff performances: Harden has been highly efficient shooting and facilitating at home, but has struggled d...

Highlights: Was the Detroit crowd underwhelming at Game 1 of Cavs-Pistons? The Cavaliers' historic issues with careless turnovers, including 19 in Game 1, directly fueled the Pistons' transition offense and sabotaged Cleveland's control of the game's pace. They need to fix it, Terry says. Having Evan Mobley bring the ball up the court helped Cleveland bypass Detroit's backcourt pressure, though he...

Highlights: Cavaliers secure Game 5 victory through vital second-half adjustments and utilizing multiple ball handlers Are the Cavs capable of the NBA Finals? Or is Charles Barkley right? James Harden provided a crucial, unexpected boost by doing the gritty work and securing nine critical rebounds Coach Kenny Atkinson demonstrates second-half adaptability despite struggling with complex early-game...

Highlights: Cleveland sports fans are experiencing a rare convergence of activity across the Cavaliers' playoff run, the Guardians' divisional lead, and the Browns' draft options. The Cavs successfully neutralized Toronto's high-pressure style by dictating a slower court pace and severely limiting fast-break points. James Harden’s low-impact, controlled playing style and what it means; The additio...

Highlights: Was the Cavs' regular season a success? Cavs must prioritize transition defense and utilize their interior size to dictate pace against the Raptors Cleveland's success relies on James Harden acting as a methodical playmaker rather than forcing isolated shots Donovan Mitchell's efficient scoring and Evan Mobley's interior rebounding are vital to the Cavaliers' playoff formula Prediction...