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.
“We are now seeing what happens when replacement referees are out there. They are not as good as the real referees, of course. But the problem is much bigger than that. They do not command the respect and command of the real guys. When the real referees blow a call, it’s just the nature of the beast, and you hope that either the mistake will get overturned or that it will even out somewhere down the line. When these referees blow a call, the entire validity of the game goes right out the window.
For the NFL to care so little about validity that they would lock out the referees over an amount of money that, to the billionaire owners, is peanuts, tells the oldest story in the world — the story of greed. The longer this goes on, the worse it will look for the NFL. Roger Goodell and company have to see that pretty clearly now. But just because they see it doesn’t mean they will fix it. You can’t ever underestimate the greed factor.” [Posnanski/Sports on Earth]
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“As for his own team, the Cavaliers, Scott expects improvement, but not a jump to the level the Knicks and Nets are looking at this season. “I think those are kind of lofty expectations as of right now because we are so young,” Scott said. “We are probably going to have starting five [all in their early 20s] so it’s probably going to be one of the youngest starting teams in the NBA. “My expectations are very simple in terms of us getting better, If we continue to do that we know we’re heading in the right direction.” [Sulla-Heffinger/NY Post]
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“Now three weeks into the season, Miller’s name is not disappearing when Heisman talk erupts. After the Miami game, Meyer was astounded that his quarterback would even be in the discussion. But as October approaches and leaves begin falling off of trees, Miller’s name is going nowhere. At least if his level of play continues.
Miller has the same skillset of the past two Heisman Trophy winners, Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton – a fast quarterback who can pile up rushing yards but also someone who can throw the football. He’s the 10th-most prolific runner in the country, 12th in total offense and 36th in passing efficiency. At this rate, his final rushing and passing numbers would surpass those of Newton, whose 2010 season was one of the greatest in college football history. It may be crunch time in the campaign season, and this is Ohio after all, but Meyer still isn’t buying into the Heisman hype – not yet anyway.” [Rowland/Eleven Warriors]
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“Knowing the subject of the article is enough to give away the answer of the following trivia question, but it is interesting nonetheless. Of the new Cleveland Cavaliers brought in over the off-season, who had the highest Player Efficiency Rating last season? It was Jon Leuer! While his PER was only a slightly above average 15.31, and doesn’t measure defensive shortcomings as much as you would like, isn’t the fact that the Cavaliers picked up a 23 year old with an above average PER for literally nothing worth a bit of excitement? Lets dive a little deeper.
The first caveat that must be added to Mr. Leuer’s impressive PER is the fact that he only played 12 minutes a game, and appeared in only 46 games. His minutes got yanked around in ways that don’t appear to make any sense. The last 5 games of the year provide a microcosm of what most of his year was. He played in the three of the five games, and played 6, 21, and 30 minutes in the games he did play. The game he got 30 minutes in is pretty interesting. In a blowout loss to Boston, he scored 15 points on 7-11 shooting, and pulled down 8 rebounds. He attempted one three-pointer, and made it.” [Zavac/Fear the Sword]
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“Yes, the Browns weren’t in position to draft Griffin III, but they certainly were in the running to nab the Rams’ No. 2 pick. As it turned out, the price was astronomical. St. Louis received Washington’s first-round pick in 2013 and 2014, which brings us back to the Browns’ two first-round picks in 2012. Instead of landing one first-round pick in a three-year span, the Browns will have four.
First, the hope is Weeden and Richardson continue to progress. The improvement from week one to week two was simply incredible. Weeden went from 12-for-35 passing for 118 yards and four interceptions to 26-for-37 passing for 322 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Richardson’s was just as eye-popping. Against the Eagles, he rushed for 39 yards on 19 carries in the opener to 109 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. He added four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in the encore. Richardson showed his ability to make plays from a simple hand off or check down reception in the flats. Playmakers run this league and the Browns have been sorely lacking in that department. It appears Richardson will ease that pain.” [Delco/The OBR]
