While We’re Waiting… Pomeranz Scare and Browns Draft

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.

Not funny- “Drew Pomeranz left last night’s Kinston Indians game with tightness in his right hamstring. According the Pomeranz and manager Aaron Holbert, the injury isn’t serious, and the big lefty will not miss his next start.

Pomeranz landed funny during his first batter of the game, which prompted K-Tribe trainer Jeremy Heller to come out and check the Kinston ace’s leg. Pomeranz would stay in the game through the third inning, and for the most part, looked every bit as good as he has in his first two starts. He did give up his first home run of his professional career, but still struck out five, without walking a batter. He even struck out the batter he was facing when he tweaked the leg. Pomeranz took himself out of the game after his last out (a strikeout) in the third because he wasn’t able to maintain his delivery. His big concern was injuring his arm and shoulder compensating for the tweak. The good news is that the “injury” seems to just be a cramp gone bad.” [Indians Prospect Insider]

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Tradition means nothing at #6 this year- “6. Walter Jones, T, Seattle Seahawks, 1997. Sorry, Cleveland fans: The sixth pick of the draft has traditionally been where a drop-off in talent begins. Unless Vernon Davis picks up career momentum or Torry Holt sneaks in at some point, Seattle’s Jones is the only No. 6 pick of the last quarter-century that has a chance of reaching Canton. (Tim Brown could theoretically get in, but don’t hold your breath on that one, Al Davis.) Honorable mention: Torry Holt (1999), Tim Brown (1988)” [Shutdown Corner]

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Some perspective on the Browns draft- “Last year, nobody was talking about T.J. Ward prior to the Browns taking him. Most of us didn’t even know who he was, but now everyone loves the guy. I have a hunch we’ll all be running over to NFL Draft Dudes.com to read about our second round sweetheart this year as well. That player’s success, combined with the successes of the players picked before him and after him, years before him and years after him, will eventually make up a competitive team. This is not the NBA where everything is riding on one dude at the top of the draft. The Browns are finally on the right track here and they’ll get a good player.” [Dawg Pound Daily]

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A strong vote for Irving to Cavs- “This one is a no-brainer. The Cavs need help everywhere and their top few players can play multiple spots, so they can simply pick the best guy available. Irving gives them their can’t-miss point guard with significant upside. He reminds me of Jrue Holiday (who never should have fallen out of the top eight). Holiday is at least a solid long-term starter who might end up being an All-Star. The Cavs were the second-worst offensive and defensive team, and Irving is a guy who can get them into a good offense every time down the court and spearhead their defense. To win in the East, the Cavs have to defend Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, John Wall, Brandon Jennings, Holiday, Deron Williams, D.J. Augustin and Darren Collison — all explosive players who can dominate games with their talent, quickness or both. Irving gives them the best chance at doing that of any player in this draft.” [Thorpe/NBA Draft Blog]

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Finally a ‘where are they now’ of sorts- “Former Washington State star Craig Ehlo has been hired as an assistant coach at Eastern Washington. While Ehlo had a fine college and NBA career, most notably with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he is best known for what he didn’t do in his career – stop Michael Jordan. Ehlo was guarding Jordan in the 1989 NBA playoffs when MJ made “The Shot,” one of the defining game-winning jumpers of his career that sent the Bulls to the second round. Ehlo’s reaction, crumpling to the floor in defeat, was just as timeless.” [Lost Letterman]

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This one is not sports related, but it is news/blog related. Good find by @WFNYScott- “In 1999, I wrote a whole book on this idea: What Are Journalists For? It’s about we now call “engagement.” But that was pre-Web. Today we can do a lot more. According to the internet’s one percent rule, a very small portion of the users will become serious contributors, which is still a lot of people. Let’s say you’re a beat reporter who has a niche blog on the local public schools (like this one) with a loyal user base of 10,000. If the one percent rule is accurate, 100 of those loyal users are likely to become heavy contributors if given the chance. They should be given that chance. It will strengthen the site. ” [Jay Rosen/Press Think]