WaitingForNextYear

If it is Brad Childress For the Browns, Then Good

January 27, 2012 by Craig Lyndall · 55 Comments

Mike Sherman is poised to be the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins and it looks as if the Browns will get Brad Childress, according to sources and reports that peppered social media last night. Whether or not that means Childress was the consolation prize between the two remains to be seen, but it sure feels that way with Sherman landing first. The negativity from Browns fans on Brad Childress doesn’t stop there.

If Childress is the guy it will be another Bob LaMonte client coming in to catch a paycheck from Randy Lerner. LaMonte’s name has grown to such epic proportions over the last two years because he represents so many of the people who occupy Berea, it is becoming its own conspiracy circle. It would have been funny to see what those theorists would have said if the Browns went after Josh McDaniels who happens to be a Bob LaMonte client, yet a part of the Belichick tree instead of the Holmgren one. It is my sense that too much is made of the LaMonte thing, but it is certainly a pervasive opinion. [Read More]

The Bullpen Mafia Gets Deeper And the Tribe Meets The Fans

January 27, 2012 by TD · 1 Comment

Look people, I know you are all down and out because the Tigers signed Prince Fielder and the Indians would have had to dump payroll had they signed a Carlos Beltran type, but all is not lost. The games still have to be played. Let us concentrate on what we have and stay positive.

(SIDE NOTE – can I also mention that if the Tigers indeed use Miguel Cabrera at third base regularly, their infield defense will not only be the worst in baseball, it could be as bad as we’ve seen in ages. Imagine the statues on the left side with Jhonny Peralta at short and Cabrera at third. I’d be bunting on those two all day long and dare them to get me out.)

While the Tigers will win by mashing the ball around the yard, the Tribe will have to do it they way they did last year during their hot streak – timely hitting and excellent pitching. The rotation should be solid with a top four of Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin, and Derek Lowe. But what will really help carry this Tribe team, as it did last year, is the Bullpen Mafia, version 2012. [Read More]

Cavaliers’ New CavFanatic Alternate Uniform Review

January 27, 2012 by Rick · Leave a Comment

So you know I couldn’t resist. Being the resident Uni-Nerd I had to chime in on the Cavs newest threads. As always, what follows is strictly my opinion…

The Cavs debuted the new ‘CavFanatic’ uniforms against the Knicks this week. They will wear the alternate set 4 more times this season. They are called CavFanatic because of the “social networking platform” that the Cavaliers established and encourage fans to join. I’ve not paid much attention to the CavFanatic message board, or Facebook page much, but I do know that they host events. Seems like a Browns’ Backers ‘type’ of organization. (I said type of organization, please don’t send letters if you have a strong opinion on either of these groups.)

Originally, I assumed that someone on the CavFanatic board must have designed these uniforms, or at least that the group got to vote on which design they wanted to see made into a set. That isn’t the case however- [Read More]

Penn State No Match For Buckeyes On Their Home Floor

January 26, 2012 by Kirk · Leave a Comment

With a Penn State team coming to Value City Arena sitting at the bottom of the conference at just 2-6, not having beat Ohio State in their last 16 tries, it would have been easy for OSU to look ahead to their showdown with co-Big Ten leader Michigan on Sunday afternoon. Instead, the Buckeyes continued their Midwest tour of lockdown defense as they stifled the Nittany Kitties, holding PSU to 31% shooting, on their way to a 78-54 demolition. While Penn State was in way over their head, the Buckeyes used this contest to work on some issues that have been plaguing them in the first half of the Big Ten slate.

For starters, the Bucks have struggled at times with breaking zone defenses, upon which opponents have increasingly relied. This has been mainly due to their step back in terms of three-point shooting prowess from last year. In the first half, though, it was an offensive coming out party for Aaron Craft, who instead used dribble penetration to slice through the Penn State 2-3 zone. The sophomore point attacked the foul line and the wings, the weak spots of a 2-3, scoring all 11 of his points in the first half as he made all four shots he attempted, including a 35-foot lob to Sam Thompson that turned into a made three-pointer. Another checkpoint for Craft is turnovers, and while the team had 13, Aaron was responsible for just one in 22 minutes. [Read More]

While We’re Waiting… Predicting the Future, Trade Partner for the Cavs and Playing the Recruiting Game

January 27, 2012 by Rick · 3 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Looking far into the crystal ball- “Heading into the summer of 2013 (approximate $62 million cap), Cleveland’s existing obligations (and salaries) would be Anderson Varejao ($9.1 million), Kyrie Irving ($5.9 million), Harrison Barnes ($4.6 million), Tristan Thompson ($4.3 million), Cole Aldrich ($3.2 million), and Reggie Jackson ($1.3 million). After almost knocking off the Heat in the first round of the 2013 playoffs (ultimately wearing them down, leading to a third straight Finals defeat), the Cavs use the 15th pick in the draft to choose Brazilian seven-footer, Fab Melo out of Syracuse. Melo and the other 1st round pick total $3 million. Omri Casspi’s option would not be picked up, and Alonzo Gee was re-signed after 2011 – 2012, starting at $1.5 million per year. Finally, Daniel Gibson would be kept at $3 million per year.” [Hetrick/Cavs the Blog] [Read More]