Experiencing A Super Bowl City #Panthers #SB50

By @B_Rock1978


Super Bowl 50 is just a few days away and I can't even tell you how much excitement has filled the city of Charlotte. I can personally say that growing up in Cleveland, I've never experienced a Super Bowl City and the joy of watching your states team represent the Super Bowl. I live about an hour north of Charlotte and everywhere you look, you catch a glimpse of the Panther blue, black, white and silver, whether it's yard decorations, car decorations, jersey's, shirts, hoodies or flags. You feel the excitement in everyone's voices as they talk about their Super Bowl party plans and how they will celebrate while the Panthers battle the Denver Broncos, in Levi's Stadium, at the yearly event.

I'm currently a third shift Team Leader at a well known department store in North Carolina and our store has so many Carolina Panthers decorations and items for sale, that you can't help but to really be given that positive vibe about the Panthers organization. I can honestly say that I'm really excited for this team and really hope they bring home the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday. It may not be my first and only love, the Cleveland Browns, but the thought of seeing and experiencing a championship parade in downtown has got me excited. The thought of seeing a winner for once and not being the yearly loser has got me excited too.

Many of my hometown friends consider that this doesn't count for me because I only recently moved to North Carolina this past November. Many of my hometown friends consider me just another bandwagoner, just because I cheer for the team that just so happens to have a shot at a championship. My hometown friends don't realize that I plan on living in North Carolina for quite awhile and have been studying the Carolina sports team history. If I was just going to be a bandwagoner than why would I waste my time reading about the Panthers finishing 7-9, an all time NFL high for an expansion team, in their 1995 debut? Did you know the Panthers played at Clemson, South Carolina their first year? Finished 12-4 in their second year and just missed the Super Bowl? Made it to Super Bowl 38 and almost upset the New England Patriots? The late great Reggie White played a season with the Panthers?  Ex-Browns QB's Jake Delhomme and Vinny Testaverde QB'ed with the Panthers? Former Cleveland Browns QB savior, Derek Anderson, is Cam Newton's current backup QB? I could go on and on with the Panther knowledge I've picked up since November, but I just wanted to prove the point that I plan on representing this team as my second love behind the Cleveland Browns.

Let's look at the current Panthers roster and I'll give you my top 5 to watch in Super Bowl 50.

- Cam Newton: Don't care what anyone says about this man, he deserves the MVP. Newton was the first Carolina Panthers jersey I purchased with my first official new job paycheck. I love this guy, Heisman Trophy winner, National Champion, Rookie of the Year. This season Newton became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 30+ TD's and rush for 10 or more in a season, finishing with 35 passing and 10 rushing. Newton also was the only quarterback ever to have 300 yards passing, 5 touchdown passes, and over 100 yards rushing in one game. Newton also tied San Francisco 49er great Steve Young's record of most career rushing TD's in a season.

- Ted Ginn Jr.: Ohio State Buckeyes Alumni and Cleveland native. Two of the many reasons why I love Ginn. Ginn has been a huge WR threat for Cam to throw to this season. Ginn finished 2015 with 44 catches 739 yards and 10 TD's. Ginn is also always a threat on return teams too with his speed.

- Greg Olsen: Two time pro bowler TE Greg Olsen, has been highly underrated and not given the credit he deserves. The NFL needs to open their eyes at the bigger picture and realize there are other good TE's out there and not just Rob Gronkowski over in New England. In 2015, Olsen set the Panthers record for career receiving yards and receptions for a TE, passing another Panther for the record, Wesley Walls. Olsen capped off 2015 with 77 catches 1,104 yards and 7 TD's.

- Jonathan Stewart: If healthy and not fighting the foot problem he's had since Week 14, Stewart is a huge asset to the Panthers running game. Stewart was picked for his very first pro bowl this year, finishing 2015 with 242 carries 989 yards and 6 TD's. Again if not for the foot issues, Stewart conquers a 1,000 yard rushing season.

- Josh Norman: Every great offense needs a great defense too. Norman has been an outstanding CB for the Panthers this year, even being voted into his first Pro Bowl as well. This season Norman shut down DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, TY Hilton, Dez Bryant, and Julio Jones, in the first 14 weeks. Norman even went toe to toe with Odell Beckham Jr. in Week 15 and held Beckham to 4 receptions for 30 yards and a TD, in between Norman and Beckham trash talking each other throughout the game.

So those are my current top 5 favorite Panthers right now. Granted you should also watch out for Jericho Cotchery and Kelvin Benjamin at wide receiver and, of course, Luke Kuechly at Linebacker. 

So who are you rooting for in Super Bowl 50? Obviously I'm rooting for my new hometown team, the Carolina Panthers.

My final score prediction: Panthers 35 Broncos 24.

Oh and one last thing.....Go Panthers and #KeepPounding.

Leadoff with Lee 1.30.16 #Manziel #Browns #Indians #NBAAllStarTO

By @cleeverizon

The Cleveland Indians have announced their 2016 Hall of Fame Class of Jim Thome, Frank Robinson, Albert Belle and Charlie Jamieson. 

Thome, a 5-time All-Star is the home run franchise leader with 337. In 1995, Belle had his became the first player to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in a single season. Frank Robinson played in Cleveland at the end of his career, 1974-76 and then became the first African-American manager in baseball in 1975-77 for the team. Jamieson was a member of the 1920 World Series championship team that defeated the Brooklyn Robins, who would later become the Dodgers. 

The ceremony will be held before the July 30th game, against the Oakland Athletics.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end, and Cleveland Heights native, Travis Kelce became the NFL's second highest paid tight end Friday after signing a 5-year, $46M extension, with around $20M guaranteed. Kelce will receive a signing bonus just under $10M. The new deal has a max value of $50M including incentives. Along with the new deal, E! Entertainment Television is developing an eight episode reality TV dating series for Kelce, titled "Catching Kelce".

In addition to the $31 million the Panthers will pay Cam Newton this season, he now makes $11 million annually from deals with companies including PepsiCo's Gatorade, Microsoft, General Motors, and Under Armour. “Last Friday, it was $10 million” said his agent, Carlos Fleming of WME/IMG, declining to say which deals include bonuses for reaching the Feb. 7 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif. Newton trails Denver Broncos quarterback -- and Super Bowl opponent -- Peyton Manning.

According to Forbes, Manning earns $12 million from contracts with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Papa John’s International Inc., DirecTV and others.

In case you missed it, the 2016 NBA All-Star Reserves were announced. While the fans selected the starters for the East and West, the coaches around the league select the reserves.

For the East:

Jimmy Butler
DeMar DeRozan
Paul Millsap
Andre Drummond
Chris Bosh
John Wall
Isaiah Thomas

For the West:

Draymond Green 
James Harden 
Chris Paul 
Klay Thompson 
Anthony Davis
DeMarcus Cousins
LaMarcus Aldridge

Maty Mauk, quarterback of the Missouri Tigers, has been dismissed from the team. His dismissal comes a week after a video appeared on social media of Mauk snorting a white substance, believed to be cocaine. Coach Barry Odom said in a statement "After gathering evidence and speaking with a number of individuals this week, it is clear Maty has failed to live up to those expectations by violating team rules in recent weeks."

This is the third suspension for Mauk since September. The university has said they remain committed to helping him work through his challenges and earn his degree.

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is being investigated by police in Texas following a disturbance during which he may have assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

Manziel, who has had two tumultuous seasons in the NFL, was identified by Forth Worth, Texas, police after they were called at about 2 a.m. Saturday to investigate a report of a possible assault at an apartment complex. The officers didn't find the person who called, but they spoke to an unidentified 23-year-old woman who said she was "involved in a disturbance with her ex-boyfriend" earlier that night in Dallas. Police later identified him as Manziel. There were no arrests, and it's not clear if Manziel has yet been questioned.

 The police report said the woman was uncooperative with officers, who were unable to locate a crime scene. The woman raised concerns about her ex-boyfriend's well-being. Police tried calling Manziel's cell phone and searching for him before determining he was safe.

Leadoff with Lee 6.2.15 #CamNewton #MarkMay #CaitlynJenner #UAB

By @cleeverizon

- The Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton are close to agreeing on a long term deal that would keep Newton under team control through the 2020 season.

The contract extension being finalized with the Panthers is expected to be 5 years, more than $100M. Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, is scheduled to make $14.67 million this season after the Panthers picked up their club option for his fifth year. Bus Cook, who along with Tony Paige represents Newton, declined comment when reached by e-mail on Monday. The deal is expected to be complete no later than Wednesday.

- Who is the biggest hater of Ohio State on ESPN? Mark May! Here's the good news: May will no longer appear on ESPN's studio show "College Football Final. Mark May, who had been featured on the show since 2005, will become apart of another studio show with ESPN's John Saunders and Mack Brown. May will be replaced by former Buckeyes wide receiver Joey Galloway. How convenient.

- The University of Alabama Birmingham will reinstate it football program according to school President Ray Watts. The decision is a stunning reversal after Watts announced the dismissal of the sport a six months ago. Last December, UAB became the first Division I, Football Bowl Series (FBS) school to drop football in nearly twenty years. The CarrSports consulting report said the program needed to invest $49 million over five years to maintain a competitive football program. Former player Justin Craft created a committee to raise private funds to reinstate football. 

The CSS report stated it was viable for UAB to both reinstate football and maintain the status quo, describing a $3.165 million annual financial delta. Craft raised more than $15 million to cover any financial deficits. The Birmingham City Council and the UAB Undergraduate Student Government Association made multi-million dollar pledges, totaling nearly $6 million over five years. Jimmy Filler, a Birmingham businessman, also pledged to raise $7.5 million for an on-campus stadium. The decision to reinstate football should allow UAB to remain in Conference USA, which requires its members to have a Football Bowl Series level football program. If UAB didn't reinstate football, it would have been forced to leave the conference and lose upwards of $2 million annually.

- ESPN will present Bruce Jenner now known as Caitlyn Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Caitlyn is now labeled transgender. Jenner became a national hero when she won the decathlon gold medal with a record-setting performance at the 1976 Olympics. She identified as Bruce Jenner at the time. In announcing the award, ESPN cited Jenner's "athletic prowess and determination" at the Olympics and the "strength of character" that Jenner displayed in her coming-out interview with Diane Sawyer. The Arthur Ashe award has been presented every year since the sports-related ESPYs were established in 1993. Last years recipient football player Michael Sam became the first NFL prospect to announce he is gay. In his speech, he spoke about acceptance and respect. ESPN says the award is intended to "reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost."

- We here at Triple Threat CLE are proud to announce our debut radio show will be on Friday June 5th on NoStaticRadio.com from 9pm - 11pm.

It can also be heard on your mobile device by downloading the MixLr app,which is available free of charge on your Apple or Android device.

This radio show is about a year and a half in the making and was founded by Chris (Raven) Williams (@nevaRWilliams) and myself @cleeverizon aka Lee.

We will talk about sports not only on the local level, but national level. We will also talk entertainment which will include but not limited to wrestling, music, video games, movies, cellphones and/or anything you want to talk about. We have some funny true to life stories that's I know are LOL funny too.

The studio number is 216-939-5087, give us a call or send us a tweet @triple3xthreat, and use the hashtag #StayWoke. We want to hear your threat (take) ! We have a lot of things planned that I'm eager to tell you but you have to listen to find out. You can also tweet @NoStatic_Radio and tell them how much you love the show. We will change the way you listen to radio. #StayWoke

Follow @triple3xthreat On Twitter
Like Us On Facebook

Chris Williams: @nevaRWilliams
Chris Lee: @cleeverizon
Mark West: @MarkW2112
Brandon Albright: @B_Rock1978
Kate Arhar: @ClvlndK8
Chris Lulovics: @CLulovics
Jaison Roberts: @Kratoslives
Cliff Gulley Jr.: @CLG2282
Patrick Kocon: @CTown_WUJU
Jason Disantis: @jddiantis

Leadoff with Lee 1.11.15

By @cleeverizon
                   
- The San Francisco 49ers granted the Browns permission to interview Greg Roman for their open offensive coordinator position. They're scheduled to meet Monday. It seems as if the Browns would like to stay within their current scheme of zone blocking and Roman runs the same type of offense that the Browns currently use. To me, this is also a sign that the Browns would like Johnny Manziel to be the starting quarterback next year. Colin Kaepernick and Roman had success running the read option in San Francisco. Despite the 49ers granting Roman permission to interview with the Browns, there will be some competition for his services. The Rams have also requested permission, and he interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday.

The Browns have also requested to interview Al Saunders & John DeFilippo of the Oakland Raiders and will also interview former Bears head coach Marc Trestman.  
             

- Patriots advance! Tom Brady threw for 367 yards and 3 TD and running for another as New England defeated Baltimore, 35-31. The Pats only rushed for 14 yards as they reach the AFC title game for the 4th straight year. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 292 and 2 interceptions. New England patiently waits on the winner of the Colts vs Broncos game.                                    

- New England Patriots QB Tom Brady now has the most career postseason passing TD's (46) in the history of the NFL, surpassing Joe Montana.                

- Bill Belichick has tied legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry for most postseason wins of all-time (20).

- The Seattle Seahawks are one win away from going to their second straight Super Bowl with a 31-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Russell Wilson was 15/22 for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cam Newton went 23/36 for 246 and 2 touchdowns in the loss. Jermaine Kearse led all receivers with 129 yards and 1 touchdown. The Seahawks will face the winner of the Dallas vs Green Bay game which will be played today.

- Dick LeBeau resigned as the Steelers defensive coordinator after 11 seasons. In a statement, LeBeau says "Time to go in a different direction." He also stated "I'm resigning, not retiring". Now the question I have is where is Lebeau going to land his next gig at? Could it be Cleveland? Jimmy Haslem was a minority owner of the Steelers until he purchased the Browns. Who knows if this would happen. Just wishful thinking on my behalf.
     

- On Friday, Jets running back Chris Johnson was arrested in Florida on a weapon charge. Johnson had been arrested for carrying a weapon that he didn’t have a license for. Johnson does have a license to carry in Florida but according to reports, the gun he was carrying wasn't licensed to him. It make matters worse he was openly carrying the gun. I know gun/weapon charges vary from state to state but I'm very interested to see how this will turn out. Johnson is due $2 million dollars from the Jets for this upcoming season. With the new conduct policy in place, Johnson could be suspended without pay.  

- The baseball hall of fame inductees were announced this week and four members will enter the hall; Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Craig Biggio and John Smoltz.  

Randy Johnson's career stats are as follows:

303 Wins
166 Loses
3.29 ERA
135 ERA+
618 Games
2 Saves
4135.1 Innings Pitched

Pedro Martinez's career stats as follows:

219 Wins
100 Loses
2.93 ERA
154 ERA+
476 Games
3 Saves
2827.1 Innings Pitched

John Smoltz's career stats as follows:        

213 Wins
155 Loses
3.33 ERA
125 ERA+
723 Games
154 Saves
3473.0 Innings Pitched

Craig Biggio's career stats as follows:

2850 Games
10876 At Bats
1844 Runs
3060 Hits
291 Home Runs
1175 RBI
.281 Batting Average

The Raven Report 12.22.14 #Cavs #Browns #TheHobbit

By @nevaRWilliams

- What a difference a benching could make? After being benched in the 2nd half Friday against Brooklyn, Dion Waiters came out firing on all cylinders, dropping in 21 points as the Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-91. Waiters scored 13 or his 21 in the 4th quarter. LeBron James led all scorers with 25 points and adding 11 assists. Kyrie Irving had a season high 12 assists to go with his 17 points. Anderson Verajao had one of his best game of the year with 18 points. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Zach Randolph did not play due to a sore, swollen right knee that was suffered Friday against Chicago. The Cavs are back at it Tuesday night, at home, against the Minnesota Timberwolves before going down to Miami on Christmas, which will be LeBron's first trip back to Miami since returning to Cleveland.

- For all the good that happened with the Cavaliers, it was nearly the complete opposite was the case for the Cleveland Browns as they lost to the Carolina Panthers 17-13 on Sunday afternoon. While it appeared that Johnny Manziel might have had a better handle on being the starting QB, it was all for nothing as Manziel was removed from the game following a hamstring injury. Brian Hoyer replaced the rookie, going 7 or 13 for 134 yards, 1 INT and 1 long touchdown to Jordan Cameron for 81 yards. The run game for the Browns continued to struggle, with Isaiah Crowell gaining 55 yards on 16 rushes. As far as the Browns run defense and overall defense, well they were about spent from the get go. The long season filled with injuries allowed for Cam Newton to go 18/31 for 201 yards passing with 1 TD along with 63 rushing yards and 1 TD. Jonathan Stewart had 24 carries for 122 yards, himself. Thankfully, this long wretched heartbreak of a season ends next week as the Browns attempt to hurt the Baltimore Ravens' playoff chances in Baltimore.

- A former Florida Supreme Court judge ruled that evidence against Florida State QB Jameis Winston was insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof, clearing Winston of an alleged sexual assault from two years ago.

- The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves for four minor leaguers. The Padres also recently acquired outfielders Matt Kemp from the L.A. Dodgers and Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Last season, Padres outfielders hit 29 home runs and 141 RBI, while the combination of Kemp, Myers and Upton had a combined 60 home runs and 226 RBI.

- The Yankees traded second baseman Martin Prado to the Miami Marlins for starter Nathan Eovaldi. New York also sent pitcher David Phelps in the deal for Eovaldi which included first baseman Garrett Jones and another minor league prospect. Eovaldi should fit in very nicely in the Yankees rotation with Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda, Chris Capuano and Ivan Nova. Last season, Eovaldi threw near 200 innings with a 4.37 ERA for the Marlins.

- Jake Peavy signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Peavy was 6-4 for the Giants in 2014 after his trade from the Boston Red Sox.

- Major League Baseball and its umpires agreed to a new five year labor contract. The previous deal was set to expire on December 31.

- At the box office this past weekend, "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" led the way with $56.2 million in its opening weekend. While it's the lowest amount of the three Hobbit movies, its still quite solid. Number 2 was "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" with $17.3 million. Rounding out the top five was "Annie" ($16.3 million), "Exodus: Gods and Kings" ($8 million) and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" ($7.7 million). Christmas Day will be interesting as Disney's "Into the Woods", Angelina Jolie's directorial debut film "Unbroken" open Nationwide, while "Big Eyes", "American Sniper" and "Selma" open in limited release before their Nationwide releases.



- Lastly, myself and everyone who works on triplethreatCLE.com would like to wish you a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday. We are so thankful to have you with us and continue to show you support for us as we try to become a new fan oriented voice of Cleveland sports and wrestling. 2015 should bring big things for us, including our own radio show. So please, stick with us and you'll see that big things are ahead.

Leadoff with Lee 10.31.14

By @cleeverizon

The atmosphere in Cleveland was electrifying yesterday. If I didn't know any better, you could have told me it was game 7 of the NBA finals and I would have believed you. It was a Cleveland Cavailier and Lebron James media day. International media, social media, local media... it was all about King James and his homecoming. But the New York Knicks stood in his way. The Cavs lost to the Knicks 95-90. Lebron James was obviously nervous and out of sync with the team. He was 5-15 scoring 17 points but also 8 uncharactoristic turnovers. Kevin Love had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. The Cavs turned the ball over 19 times, which the Knicks turned into 26 points. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks shooting 9-17 for 25 points. The Cavs face the Bulls tonight who defeated the Knicks by 24 Wednesday night.

But let's relive this moment

The Cavs and Tristan Thompson are likely to sign a contract extension today. The 4th pick of the 2011 NBA draft will make $5.4 million this year under his rookie contract. His new deal is expected to be 4 years between $40-$48 million over that period. If no extension is signed by Friday, he will play for the qualifying offer of $7.15 million dollars for the 2015-2016 season and then become a restricted free agent.

Anderson Varejao is also expected to agree to a 3 year $30 million dollar contract extension with the Cavs today.

The NCAA sent out a simple tweet regarding Todd Gurley and the University of Georgia's appeal of Gurley's suspension. Which simply states: The membership committee upholds Todd Gurley suspension upon appeal. He will be eligible to play again November 15.

Last night, the Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10 to kick off Week 9 of the NFL season. Drew Brees went 24/34 for 297 yards throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Saints running back Mark Ingram rushed 30 times for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns to go along with Jimmy Graham's 7 catches for 83 yards and a TD. Panthers QB Cam Newton finished with 10/28 passing for 161 yards with 1 rushing touchdown. Next week's Thursday night game will see the Cleveland Browns travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals.