While We’re Waiting… It’s a brave new world

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.

If you read Calvin and Hobbes as a kid, then this piece about Ubaldo and the transmogrifier is excellent– “It was a pretty large box, large enough for a man to fit inside it with a bit of difficulty. We started wiping off the dust in order to see if there was a label on it or something, and suddenly someone started reading “Trans-mog..” A couple more wipes, and the entire word was visible. “Transmogrifier” we all read, written in a child’s shaky handwriting, not entirely sure what we were reading. Someone on the other side of the box shouted “Hey, come look at this!” All of us crowded around. One of the words, also in a child’s handwriting, was “Eel.” Another was “dinosaur.” And so on; there were several words printed in a circle, and a moveable arrow in the center of the circle.

At the bottom of the circle, written in an adult’s handwriting, was “Corked”. We all looked at each other, trying to process things, and suddenly someone put our thoughts into words, “Hey you don’t think someone set Albert up…” and we immediately dismissed it out of hand, though I bet we all knew he was right.” [Let’s Go Tribe]

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“Last year, Grant opted to consolidate his draft picks into two first rounders. At the time, Grant explained his rationale as not wanting to add too many rookies to the roster at one time. Given the new found sense of urgency within the organization, it would be incredibly surprising if Grant opted to use all four of his draft selections.

It would be prudent to consolidate again–either by moving up from the 19th pick or by packaging multiple picks to acquire a future first rounder of higher worth. Of course, Grant could also use his available picks in a trade to acquire a veteran. There are plenty of options, and Grant has a lot of flexibility.

What would be most frustrating is if Grant opts to sit back this off-season and let his draft picks be the main roster additions. The Cavaliers should always be mindful of adding young talent, whether the team is trending up or down in the standings. But, the time has come to shift the focus away from only adding young talent. Mike Brown needs an influx of savvy veterans to run his system. Regardless of whether Byron Scott deserved his fate, Chris Grant let him enter three straight seasons as the driver of a school bus rather than a professional basketball coach. Here’s hoping Grant does Brown a favor and gives him a much more balanced roster to work with; a roster where young guys learn from veterans and earn playing time by merit and not by mere heartbeat.” [Barkett/Bottom Up]

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“CB Leon McFadden, Cleveland Browns (third round, 68th overall) The Browns have one of the league’s top young cornerbacks in Joe Haden, but the starting role opposite him will be a bit of a question mark entering training camp. Buster Skrine, Chris Owens and Johnson Bademosi will all compete for the job, but it wouldn’t be a shock if McFadden takes control of the right cornerback position and starts from day one.” [NFL Draft Scout.com]

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Looking ahead to the 2014 draft- “Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State: While Alabama’s C.J. Mosley looks like the next great NFL linebacker, Shazier might be his slightly cheaper version. He had 115 tackles, five sacks and defended 11 passes as a sophomore last year. He is the prototype three-down defender for the passing NFL. It’s possible he stays in school for the 2014 season to put on weight, considering he is listed at just 222 pounds, but he can be an impact player as soon as he arrives.” [Schwab/Shutdown Corner]

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Finally, a great breakdown of how the Browns can take advantage of the depth they find themselves having on the edge of the defense. [Dawgs by Nature]