Terry’s Talkin’

Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com
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Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.

  1. Aug 31

    Why the message might not have mattered for Deshaun Watson; How much better are the Cavs?

    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 work instead of taking direct accountability for his poor performance to appease frustrated fans? Backup QB Dylan Gabriel was placed on injured reserve with a back injury, adding complexity to the Browns' quarterback room, though some suspect it may be a strategic roster stash. Taylor Green has impressed the Browns with breathtaking, raw athleticism, positioning him as a special situational weapon for Wildcat formations and other ways the Browns might use him. Under Todd Monken, the Browns are sending a message about the 2026 season: Sloppy offensive presnap penalties are going away. Following final roster cuts, the Browns officially field the second-youngest active roster in the NFL, averaging just over 26 years of age. The Browns are optimistic that kicker Andre Szmyt can provide the franchise with long-term scoring stability at the position. The Guardians sit solidly in second place in the highly competitive AL Central, trailing the White Sox by 3.5 games, bolstered by strategic mid-season additions to the lineup. Despite rushing back from injury early, Jose Ramirez has been scorching hot at the plate, anchoring the Guardians' lineup and proving his return to full health with elite exit velocities. Rookie Chase DeLauter has overcome physical setbacks to become one of the AL's most consistent hitters, boasting a .293 batting average. Starting pitcher Tanner Bibee's poor 5-14 record is a massive statistical anomaly caused by abysmal offensive run support, masking his strong 3.88 ERA and high volume of quality starts. The Guardians' minor league system features some top-tier bats. Terry has a prospects report. Are the Cavaliers better than they were a few months ago? What Terry's been hearing about James Harden and his new three-year, $97 million deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why the message might not have mattered for Deshaun Watson; How much better are the Cavs?

  2. Aug 18

    Did Deshaun Watson play well vs. the Bears? The reason behind the reason the Cavs traded Dennis Schröder

    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 against the Bears; Backup QB Shedeur Sanders played an aggressive game, completing accurate deep throws that offered a refreshing dynamic for the offense; Offensive depth pieces like KC Concepcion, Spencer Fano, and Denzel Boston acquitted themselves well in their first appearance on an NFL field; Thursday's controlled, full-pad scrimmage against the Bills will provide an invaluable environment for coaches to accurately evaluate one-on-one roster talent; A listener asks: Would it make sense for the Browns to start the season with Shedeur Sanders so the pressure won't mount on Deshaun Watson early in the season? How KC Concepcion has quickly emerged as a deeply promising, game-breaking weapon capable of scoring in the kickoff and punt return game; A Browns fan in Los Angeles is lamenting the Myles Garrett trade: We offer him some positives for the future; The Guardians are entrenched in a slump driven by crucial late-inning mistakes and bullpen struggles; The Guardians are among MLB's leaders in leaving runners on base: What it means; Jose Ramirez's lingering hand injury has severely hindered his signature power and run-producing capabilities, leaving a void in the Guardians' lineup; Pitcher Parker Messick's top 50 MVP ranking by ESPN highlights what a remarkable year he's having; Terry on the reason behind the reason that the Cavs traded Dennis Schröder last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Did Deshaun Watson play well vs. the Bears? The reason behind the reason the Cavs traded Dennis Schröder

  3. Aug 12

    Should the Guardians sit José Ramírez so he can heal up? Deshaun Watson's next challenge

    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 division? Rhys Hoskins' decision to run upright instead of sliding after a failed safety squeeze: Right play or not? A rare scoreboard error during a Red Sox-Blue Jays game highlighted the intricate rules of MLB timing plays and defensive appeals. Why the AL Central is in for some fun baseball in upcoming seasons. Terry on what it means that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has gone 22 months without absorbing live-action, competitive physical hits. Todd Monken has fundamentally transformed training camp by drastically increasing physical intensity, live drills, and positional accountability. Rookies Spencer Fano and Denzel Boston are starters already. Surprise or not? The potential rapid $12 billion sale of the Lakers highlights a growing economic trend of billionaires utilizing premier sports franchises as potential quick-turn investments. Why Cavaliers might just address their small forward roster hole internally rather than forcing a trade. Terry on why he thinks LeBron James' recent move to the 76ers was a meticulously planned spectacle orchestrated by Klutch Sports to generate documentary content. Terry's Faith & You column on why it's essential to address our wills and funeral plans and not burden others with them. Wilt Chamberlain: The first commuter NBA player? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Should the Guardians sit José Ramírez so he can heal up? Deshaun Watson's next challenge

  4. Jul 29

    Jadeveon Clowney: Good idea? Why the Guardians will be making a deal; the end of a 75-year curse

    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 Browns. RB Raheem "Rocket" Sanders: Terry wants to see more. Harold Fannin Jr.: How many catches this season? What's at stake for Jerry Jeudy; Terry's take on the new deals for Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit with fully guaranteed contract extensions. County Mayo's Gaelic football team broke a 75-year drought, and it's a very Cleveland story. The Guardians are complicating their playoff push with sloppy execution and a disturbing lack of basic base-running and fielding fundamentals, Terry says. Steven Kwan and Austin Hedges surprisingly drove the Guardians' struggling offense through a mid-summer stretch in July. What's it like to be a pitcher who doesn't get run support? We discuss. A listener asks: Ahead of a looming MLB work stoppage, should the Guardians trade for a big contract with the expectation they might not need to pay the bulk of the money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Jadeveon Clowney: Good idea? Why the Guardians will be making a deal; the end of a 75-year curse

  5. Jul 22

    Will the Guardians bring back this outfielder at the trade deadline? Terry's advice for a new Browns fan

    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. Celebrating Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes, who will be recognized this weekend at the Baseball Hall of Fame for his 43-year career covering Cleveland baseball. A listener emails in with info on the last Cleveland pitching rotation to start every game in a season. Cavs second-round pick Meleek Thomas shocked analysts with his elite offensive poise, earning a rare spot on the First-Team All-Summer League roster, Some data about a foolproof way teams can score touchdowns on first and goal from the 1-yard line. And a new Browns fan asks Terry: What advice do you have for me? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Will the Guardians bring back this outfielder at the trade deadline? Terry's advice for a new Browns fan

  6. Jul 14

    Guardians' midseason MVP? What we've learned about the Cavs' Meleek Thomas; MLB Quote of the Year

    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 hitting philosophy with a reckless defensive style that raises serious concerns about long-term injuries. Is it OK to bunt to break up a no-hitter? We debate. The Pirates' Paul Skenes delivered the baseball quote of the year by deadpan joking that his teammate's historic 10-RBI performance was "selfish" and a "rally killer." Cavaliers draft pick Meleek Thomas is emerging as a potential draft steal, showcasing remarkable shooting efficiency and instant-offense potential in the Summer League. The top five Cavaliers of all time. Who are yours? Terry lists his. One thing we know will happen in 2026 Browns training camp starting in a couple of weeks. Why does the U.S. dominate in women's soccer internationally but not in men's? A listener emails. The sons of Jim Thome and C.C. Sabathia have been drafted by MLB, of note to Cleveland baseball fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Guardians' midseason MVP? What we've learned about the Cavs' Meleek Thomas; MLB Quote of the Year

  7. Jul 8

    Why Donovan Mitchell's signing is more important for the Cavs than LeBron's; how U.S. soccer can take the next leap

    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 adding durable teammates capable of shouldering the grueling 82-game regular-season burden Would LeBron carry sway on the court when it comes to style of play? Why Cavs fans should be thankful for owner Dan Gilbert. The Cavaliers still need wings, with or without LeBron James· The Guardians are hanging in the division race even with their injury-hindered lineup. The story behind the Guardians' three all-stars. Terry's Guardians farm report. The biggest non-QB questions we have right now about the 2026 Browns. What will it take for the U.S. to go further in the World Cup? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why Donovan Mitchell's signing is more important for the Cavs than LeBron's; how U.S. soccer can take the next leap

  8. Jul 1

    Why a LeBron homecoming might not work for the Cavs; the story behind Khalil Watson's Guardians arrival

    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 teams and carry two different franchises to eight consecutive NBA Finals. Terry's concerns surrounding a potential LeBron reunion include James' age, declining durability, and the absolute necessity of careful injury management. Modern NBA championship team-building has shifted away from "super teams" toward organic development, smart drafting, and savvy trades. Uniting LeBron, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell would create massive on-court challenges due to their exceptionally high usage rates and need to control the ball, Terry says. LeBron's off-court motives for returning to Cleveland include catching Michael Jordan's championship count and potentially filming a documentary of his final NBA season. The Guardians' integration of prospect Khalil Watson highlights the organization's ability to show patience. Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is enduring an alarming offensive slump directly tied to a significant decline in his average bat speed. Minor league prospects Ralphy Velazquez and Chase DeLauter offer the Guardians legitimate hope for a much-needed wave of future offensive firepower. A comical on-field spat between Austin Hedges and former teammate Josh Naylor underscores Hedges' unifying presence and perhaps the organization's relief regarding Naylor's departure. The Guardians' starting rotation has defied expectations by remaining entirely stable this season, fueled by masterful drafting, trades, and the crucial game management of their catchers. A listener email proposes fixing apathetic NFL Week 18 games by incentivizing teams, awarding the winners of the final games the right to host a ninth home game the following season. Terry cautions couples against the modern "wedding industrial complex," warning that starting a marriage with exorbitant debt invites immediate and significant relational stress. Some listener emails about autographs, childhood baseball games and family memories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why a LeBron homecoming might not work for the Cavs; the story behind Khalil Watson's Guardians arrival
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About

Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.

Information

  • Creator
    Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    232
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Terry’s Talkin’

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