ColumbusSports.com : Your place to stay informed and talk about the sports scene and sports teams in and around Columbus.

Call it what you want - Sports Shorts, Quick Hits, Bits and Pieces, or whatever, but it's really all just about This, That and the Other.

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Although Cleveland knocked the Yankees from the playoffs, can they do the same to the Red Sox? Boston's pitching is better than the Yankees and will present the Tribe with a much tougher challenge to score runs. If the Indians' hitters can remain patient at the plate and come anywhere close to their two out clutch hitting wizardry like they had against New York, they stand a great chance of making it back to the World Series. Or, if the Tribe's bats do go soft, maybe the midges will return to Jacobs Field and work their magic again. (Note to all Cleveland fans: don't count on it)

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Ohio State has an apparently "easy" game/scrimmage this Saturday. Kent St. comes to the Horseshoe and their coach is claiming he will be resting many of their first string players throughout the game so they can be ready for their own MAC conference schedule. The word out of Kent is that coach Doug Martin is skillfully planning a "trap" for the Buckeyes to stumble into. (Note to Coach Martin: unless you plan on bringing swarms of trained midges with you from Lake Erie, don't count on Tressel's boys to fall for this particular "trap")

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have gotten off to a good start to their season, going 2-1, with both victories being shutouts by Pascal Leclaire. Is this a short term improvement, or a sign of better things to come all season? Dare we even consider saying "NHL playoffs" around this town?

I do know however, should the Blue Jackets remain in contention all season, and then (gasp!) even make the playoffs, the local bandwagon busses will be overflowing with all the fans that have sworn themselves off the team for the past few years. (Note to all CBJ fans: here's my prediction - they will make the playoffs, so get your bandwagon bus passes now)

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The Bengals return from their off week to play in Kansas City and will try to turn their season around before it's too late. If Cincinnati loses to the 2-3 Chiefs , it could quickly turn into a scene reminiscent of the '90s all over again for the folks down by the river (but I'm told most don't live in a van). If they do lose to go 1-4, Marvin's boys would be under tremendous pressure to win at least 3 or 4 in a row just to get back in playoff contention. (Note to Bengal fans: let's just say the odds will be against you)

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The Browns have a rare game as a favorite on Sunday against the injury depleted Miami Dolphins (why doesn't Miami start Ted Ginn at quarterback?). A victory for the Browns this week would put them at 3-3 heading into their bye week, and they get a beatable St. Louis team the following week.

What will really be interesting, however, is the Brady Quinn watch. If Derek Anderson struggles on Sunday, especially with his decision making process, even if the Browns still find a way to win, many believe that with the upcoming bye week the team plans on working Quinn into the lineup at that point, and may even start him against the Rams. (Note to Browns fans: starting Quinn is going to happen sooner or later, and the team isn't making the playoffs this year anyway, so starting Quinn might as well happen now)

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The Cavs and other NBA teams have started practice for the upcoming season. Can the Cavs repeat as Eastern Conference Champions, or will a revamped and improved Celtics' team recapture the glory years in Boston? How great would it be to have the Indians and Red Sox play each other in the playoffs the next few years, while at the same time Lebron and his boys are competing against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals? (Note to Cleveland and Boston fans: New York who?)

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Agree or don't agree with any of this? Let me know, leave a comment below.

Tags: brady quinn, cleveland browns, cleveland cavaliers, cleveland indians, columbus blue jackets