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.
“On Sunday, Weeden floated, overthrew, underthrew, threw behind and basically resembled an ugly conglomeration of the Ghosts of Browns’ Expansion Quarterback Past. On the surface, it’s clear that Weeden has “regressed”, which seems to be the latest buzzword to describe his performance. Of course, to see such a performance this late into Weeden’s rookie year is a cause for concern. But again, I have to wonder how much of Weeden’s sloppy play is a result of being completely uncomfortable playing in a stilted offensive system.
Mechanics wise, Weeden has looked awkward for probably over a month now. Even during the Browns’ three-game winning streak, Weeden would still make throws with an off-center balance and would even occasionally lift up on his back foot while releasing his throws – something a shorter quarterback might do. The reasons for these disjointed mechanics could be varied – injury, nervousness – but overall are a clear symptom of a quarterback who is not comfortable.” [DK/The OBR]
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“He peaked at 3-3 after a 6-3 win over Seattle on Oct. 23, 2011, got himself in colossal trouble with a 1-14 stretch overlapping an ownership change, called in the paramedics for a job-saving 5-3 run, but then came up with a career stinker at the worst possible time.
The talk after Shurmur’s numbing 38-21 home loss to injury-riddled Washington wasn’t so much that it knocked the Browns out of realistic playoff hopes. The talk was how badly Shurmur and his men were outcoached and outplayed by Mike Shanahan’s team.” [Doerschuk/Canton Rep]
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Even more opinions on trading Andy- “Schmidt: A. Agree strongly. Embrace a rebuild. Don’t hang on to assets too long. Of course Varejao makes them a better team, but does he make them a playoff team? Obviously not. Sell high and get something in return, be that a pick or a prospect. Whomever they get, he’ll help them in four years more than Varejao.” [Ford/ESPN]
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Tracking down the truth about the Lakers’ pick owed to Cleveland in the Sessions trade- “Basically, what happens is that if the Lakers do not make the playoffs, the selection goes to Phoenix, meaning the Cavaliers keep the Miami selection. If the Lakers do make the playoffs and finish with a higher draft selection than the Heat, we have the right to swap the Heat pick with the Lakers’ pick (again, this is ignoring the possibility of the Kings finishing below 13th overall because, let’s be honest, there’s little chance of that), and the Suns will then receive the Heat pick.” [Vecenie/Fear the Sword]
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“The 32-year-old Swisher, who spent the past four seasons with the New York Yankees, arrived in Cleveland on Tuesday night and went to dinner with new manager Terry Francona, team president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti. Last week, Antonetti said he intended to add a “corner” outfielder and the Indians are pulling out all the stops to add Swisher.
He and his wife, actress JoAnna Garcia, who is expecting the couple’s first child in May, arrived at Progressive Field at 10:15 a.m. and toured the club’s family room. They were shown a suite and the team’s clubhouse before the Indians tugged at Swisher’s Ohio State connections to convince him Cleveland should be his next baseball home. Swisher played baseball for the Buckeyes.
The Indians played a video on their scoreboard that featured current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and basketball coach Thad Matta, who encouraged Swisher to join the Indians. Swisher was moved by the gesture and didn’t expect to see Tressel at lunch in the stadium’s Terrace Club.” [Withers/AP]
