Cavaliers Finding Value In Youth This Preseason
October 12, 2010Shin-Soo Choo Wants a “Transfer,” Wishes Will Ring Hollow
October 13, 2010While 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
Second thoughts, President Holmgren? “Not sure if the new team president has recovered from watching Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme suffer severely sprained ankles, but I bet I know what most Browns fans are thinking.
As my wife said, “Welcome to Cleveland, Mike. You ain’t seen nothing yet.” [Terry Pluto]
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Breaking down Joe Thomas’ breakdown: “The difficulty with watching offensive linemen – unless you know what was supposed to happen, it’s hard to know what actually happened.” [Doug Farrar/The OBR – S/R]
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Who’s breaking out from the Jackets this season? “I think [Nikita] Filatov will do enough to show he belongs on this team, but my break-out player this year is Jakub Voracek. Once the crushing weight came off of his back under Claude Noel, I think we saw a glimpse down the stretch of the player Jake can be if he’s allowed to let his talent take over. I’ve been advocating him seeing time on the top line with Nash and Vermette, because I think the combination of he and Nash would be hard to stop: two power forwards with skills and a skating, responsible, face-off winning center. I think Jake can score 30 goals this season if he’s healthy and Scott Arniel lets him loose.” [Dark Blue Jacket]
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Bring on Wisconsin: “Ohio State will try to end a two-game losing streak as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation Saturday night. The last time the Buckeyes were ranked first was the 2008 BCS National Championship Game (2007 season) where they lost, 38-24, to LSU. Prior to that, Ohio State was No. 1 when they fell to Illinois, 28-21, in Ohio Stadium on Nov. 10, 2007.” [Eleven Warriors]
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These latest power rankings have the Cavs taking home the eight-seed in the East [Fox Sports]
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And finally, are the Browns on the right track? Charles Davis thinks so… “I know Browns fans might not want to hear this, because they’re probably not enjoying all the losing, but I really think this team is on the right track. […] get that Mangini has Mike Holmgren looming overhead, and it very well might be true he is a lame duck coach, but he and his staff are coaching very well. I’m bullish on the Browns eventually getting back to being a good football program under Holmgren and Mangini.” [NFL.com]
6 Comments
I think the presence of Mike Holmgren is making people think that we’re better off than we are. This team still has huge problems and is better than last years team obviously, but you’re supposed to get better every year.
@JK – agreed. If Holmgrem and Heckert weren’t here everyone would be up in arms. Yes, we are better than last year’s disaster but our holes are huge. WR, QB, right side of the O-line, D-line depth/pass rusher, youth at LB, another corner, etc, etc. When I look at it that way I just get depressed. The fact that the 2009 draft (aside from Mack) was a whole wasted year makes the rebuilding process more daunting. 3 2nd round picks and not one can produce…ugh.
While the names Holmgren & Heckert help, the Browns look like a real team this year and that is not due to the names. They are still short on talent and can’t finish teams off, but watching the games this year doesn’t make me want to choke on my own vomit. Low bar for sure, but they definitely raised it this year. I’m hoping it gets raised again next year, and the year after, and then we have something.
Don’t forget to take into account the tough schedule the Browns have had. Most teams we’ve played are at the top of the power rankings (Atlanta, Baltimore, soon to be Pit), and even teams who were supposed to be bad are actually looking good (KC & TB).
I know patience is blasphemy around here, but can we give Jake at least one full game at close to 100% before we call on the career backup to replace him? Am I the only one who remembers how good he looked in the pre-season and also in the first half of week one before he hurt his ankle? I love Seneca – as a backup. I just don’t think he is a guy who can lead your team for a full season. He doesn’t even throw to the left side of the field.
As far as the Delhomme v Wallace debate, it’s very simple: Delhomme is the primary, Wallace is the backup. Delhomme is injured, so we go with our backup. Now he’s injured, so we go with our backup backup and hope he’s the real McCoy.
It sure beats last year, where the starting QB was ousted not due to injury but because he couldn’t do the job.
The team was not going to be good this year anyway. While I’m not thrilled with being 1-4 the fact they were competitive in every game is a big step.
@1 “but you’re supposed to get better every year”
Tell that to the Vikings, 49ers, Bengals, and even the Saints who haven’t played as well as they did last year.