February 22, 2012

While We’re Waiting… Starting off strong, Buckeyes’ downfall and Wanting Wallace

February 22, 2012 By 6 Comments

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.

“Asked by one reporter if the team could go back and analyze that 30-15 start to find out what was working for the club, Acta cut off the question and replied: “We’re talented. We have some talent here. It wasn’t anything different that we did in Spring Training or anything like that. Our focus is to win and when you’re in a rebuilding process you can see it from year to year. We’re talented. It’s not a fluke when you spend as long as we did in first place.”

Injuries or not — and that certainly took a toll on the Tribe in 2011 — Acta would’ve preferred to see more consistency over the course of the entire season. That is what the manager is hoping to witness in 2012. “Everybody would like to win right off the bat,” Acta said. “It’s what comes after that. How many teams start 30-15? You’re not going to see that very often. We’d still like to have a goodstart — that sets the tone. But it’s such a long season. That’s why we downplayed allthat all the time. It’s 162 games.” [Bastian/MLB.com] [Read more...]

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Indians sign IF Guzman to minor league contract

February 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

The Indians brought in 33 year old utility infielder Cristian Guzman on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp.

Tribe beat writer Jordan Bastian writes:

“Guzman would become the 62nd player in this spring’s crowded Cleveland camp. He would up the list of non-roster invitees to 22 players, including 13 new additions who joined the team on Minor League contracts this winter. Presumably, Guzman would be a long shot for a bench job, though he might also serve as Minor League depth. Guzman played for the Washington Nationals during Acta’s time as manager of that team. The 33-year-old infielder, who took part in Tuesday’s informal practice at the Indians’ facility, indicated that the plan is for him to see time at both shortstop and second base this spring.”

So there’s another player on the pile.

 

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Indians trade De La Cruz to Rangers

February 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

From the Indians:

The Indians traded left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz to the Rangers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

De La Cruz was designated for assignment on Feb. 13 to vacate a spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster for recently-signed first baseman Casey Kotchman. The Indians signed Kotchman to a one-year contract worth $3 million earlier this month.

The 23-year-old De La Cruz spent last season with Double-A Akron — his second year at that level in the Tribe’s system. The lefty went 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 23 appearances, including 16 starts, in 2011 for the Aeros. De La Cruz struck out 95 and walked 57 over 86 innings.

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While We’re Waiting… Pile of arms in the minors, D’Qwell’s salary and right side of the line

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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.

Makes sense. Then again, chances are everyone playing worth a dime will get a look at some point- “Some of the younger players on the cusp of the big leagues might have been a little miffed at times this offseason as news rolled in of Minor League signing after Minor League signing. Reliever Vinnie Pestano said he remembers that type of feeling from his days as a Minor Leaguer trying to earn his shot with the big league club. A funny thing happened, though. Pestano started to understand the approach.

“When you’re coming up through the system,” Pestano said, “and you see them signing guys and stuff like that, you think, ‘Well, when am I going to get my shot? When’s my turn? I’m trying to get to the big leagues and they just signed a guy for the exact same spot that I do.’ So you’re like, ‘What the heck do I have to do now?’ I think last year was the first year I understood how important that depth is, how important that experience is to have. All the guys we brought in, they’ve been around a little bit. It’s not their first rodeo.” [Bastian/MLB.com] [Read more...]

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Kyrie Irving to participate in All-Star Skills Challenge

February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

From the Cavaliers:

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has been named as a participant in the 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge to be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Orlando during NBA All-Star Weekend, the NBA announced today. Irving joins defending champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets in the skills challenge.

Irving, the number one overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, currently leads all rookies in scoring (18.3), field goal percentage (.485) and free throw percentage (.846) while ranking second in assists (4.8) and third in three-point field goal percentage (.419) in 30.5 minutes per game through 26 games. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in the months of December and January.

The 19-year-old point guard becomes the third player in Cavaliers franchise history to be invited to participate in the skills challenge and the first since Mo Williams in 2009. Irving is also set to participate in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 24 as a member of Team CHUCK. Teammate and fellow rookie Tristan Thompson will also participate in the game as a member of Team SHAQ.

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in Atlanta and features six players competing in a two-round timed “obstacle course” consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. All players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course. The three players with the fastest times from the first round advance to the finals with the order of competition determined by inverse order of the first round times. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, which will also feature the Haier Shooting Stars, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and Sprite Slam Dunk. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 7 p.m. EST from Amway Center in Orlando. The 61st NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 26, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio, and in more than 200 countries in more than 40 languages.

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Cavaliers climb two spots in latest ESPN power rankings; Pistons jump ahead seven

February 20, 2012 By 3 Comments

We’ve been tracking the progress of the Cavaliers through Marc Stein’s power rankings the last few weeks. Today’s new rankings reveal the Cavs at number 23. The significant mark in this week’s rankings however involves the Pistons at number 20, leap-frogging the Cavaliers for the first time this season. Here’s what Stein had to say about the Cavaliers this week-

“It wasn’t the sort of dazzling drive he delivered to beat Boston and Dallas, but Kyrie’s two FTs with 0.4 seconds left Sunday night to finish off Sacramento marked the third time in Cleveland’s past five victories that the rook — after missing three games due to that concussion — served up the Cavs’ game-winning points.”

And here is his take on the Pistons-

“With a loss to the lowly Nets in its first game of the month, Detroit became the first team in the league to sink to 20 losses this season. Remember that low point? All they’ve done since is go 7-2, which includes two wins over the lowly Nets … but also two wins and 194 points against uber-stingy Boston.”

The Cavaliers and Pistons play each other tomorrow night at the Q. Cleveland leads the season series 1-0.

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While We’re Waiting… Evaluating Tom Heckert, keeping up in a small market and Browns CBs praised

February 20, 2012 By 9 Comments

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.

Evaluating Heckert- “The Browns, who are well under the cap, were not aggressive last offseason and don’t expect much to change this year. Heckert is not a go-for-broke type GM like Phil Savage. Think patience. I know that is a word Browns fans get sick at the sight of, but Heckert’s plan is not a quick turnaround. He is aware the Browns need offensive playmakers. He said so toward the end of the 2011 season, but throwing money at the hot free agents is not his M.O. The Browns are building for long term and not looking to repeat the one-year wonder like 2007.

Last season, Young wasn’t an impact player and Jackson got hurt. Heckert took to resigning current Browns players and we’ll see if that trend continues this offseason with the likes of Peyton Hillis, Phil Dawson and D’Qwell Jackson. The only grade to give Heckert at this point is incomplete because, well, the Browns’ roster is just that. He seems to be an improvement over past Browns GMs when it comes to the draft, but the Browns roster is far from complete.” [Delco/Orange and Brown Report] [Read more...]

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Box Score: Heat 111, Cavaliers 87

February 17, 2012 By 2 Comments

Two days of hype and speculation about LeBron certainly didn’t do the Cavaliers or their fans any good Friday night as James and the Heat demolished Cleveland. The Heat built a 35-14 first quarter lead and never looked back.

Miami

Starters Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
M. Chalmers G 24:50 5-7 4-6 0-0 +23 0 3 5 2 2 0 0 2 14
D. Wade G 23:38 7-10 1-1 7-9 +29 1 6 2 3 0 2 0 4 22
J. Anthony C 24:33 0-2 0-0 0-0 +25 1 3 2 2 0 0 1 2 0
C. Bosh F 34:14 8-21 0-0 0-0 +27 4 12 4 2 2 0 3 4 16
L. James F 30:08 11-19 3-5 3-3 +27 2 5 5 2 1 1 0 2 28
Bench Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
Totals 40-79 14-21 17-20 13 44 28 14 6 4 6 25 111
Percentages .506 .667 .850 Team Rebounds: 9
M. Miller 26:10 2-2 1-1 0-0 0 2 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 5
N. Cole 23:18 3-10 1-4 3-3 -1 0 2 4 2 0 0 1 4 10
U. Haslem 21:33 0-2 0-0 1-2 -15 2 8 1 1 0 0 0 4 1
S. Battier 19:57 2-3 2-2 0-0 -8 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 6
J. Jones 4:25 2-2 2-2 3-3 +3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
J. Howard 4:25 0-1 0-0 0-0 +3 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
E. Curry 2:49 0-0 0-0 0-0 +7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cleveland

Starters Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
K. Irving G 31:05 5-15 0-2 7-7 -23 1 4 2 1 2 1 1 2 17
A. Gee G 30:24 4-14 0-3 1-2 -11 1 2 0 2 1 0 3 3 9
S. Erden C 15:16 3-3 0-0 0-2 -10 2 4 2 0 1 0 0 1 6
A. Jamison F 30:15 5-11 3-3 0-0 -25 1 4 3 3 2 1 0 3 13
O. Casspi F 27:34 1-4 1-4 1-2 -26 0 5 2 2 0 0 0 3 4
Bench Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
Totals 30-76 6-16 21-31 12 35 16 11 8 6 4 21 87
Percentages .395 .375 .677 Team Rebounds: 10
R. Sessions 27:25 5-9 2-3 3-7 -2 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 3 15
T. Thompson 25:53 4-7 0-0 4-5 0 5 6 0 1 0 2 0 2 12
R. Hollins 19:04 0-2 0-0 4-4 -13 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 4
C. Eyenga 13:27 0-4 0-0 0-0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
B. Uzoh 7:13 1-2 0-0 0-0 -5 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
L. Harangody 6:52 1-3 0-1 0-0 -5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2
S. Samuels 5:32 1-2 0-0 1-2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3

 

 

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Plain Dealer Report: Browns would use franchise tag on D’Qwell Jackson

February 17, 2012 By 4 Comments

According to a Mary Kay Cabot tweet, the Browns are in negotiations with linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, but would be willing to use the franchise tag on him in order to keep him in a Browns uniform for the 2012 season.

The text of the tweet- “#Browns will franchise LB D’Qwell Jackson if they can’t sign him to a multi-year deal, league source tells Plain Dealer. Talks underway.”

After playing in only six games between 2009 and 2010, Jackson amassed 158 tackles and 3.5 sacks over a full season of play in 2011.

[Related: Mayock, RGIII, and the West Coast Offense]

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New Ohio State coach Bill Sheridan leaves Meyer’s staff for NFL

February 17, 2012 By 5 Comments

According to The Lantern, defensive assistant coach Bill Sheridan is taking a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-

Bill Sheridan, defensive coach for Ohio State, and Urban Meyer’s most recent hire, has accepted a job with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A source told The Lantern that Sheridan will be the new defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay under newly hired head coach, Greg Schiano. Sheridan was Meyer’s last hire on the team after former defensive backs coach Taver Johnson left for a coaching job at Arkansas.

The move shouldn’t be a huge blow to the program, or to recruiting. Meyer will undoubtedly start looking for another defensive backs coach immediately.

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Kyrie Irving talks about concussions, the game against Miami and being the first draft pick

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cavaliers’ rookie Kyrie Irving was a guest on the Talking Heads show with Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin on 92.3 The Fan. He briefly discussed the process of coming back from a concussion, and handling the pressures and expectations of being the #1 overall draft pick. Kyrie said his welcome to the NBA moment came when he played against Kobe and the Lakers in LA.

“(Cavs) have a great opportunity to build from the ground up. … This is just the beginning.”

Audio available here.

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While We’re Waiting… Playing the draft game, Ohio State running attack and what should the Browns do

February 17, 2012 By 20 Comments

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.

The 4th installment of ‘Building a Winner’ includes a fun game- “The Cavs inability to quickly build a contender after the 2003 draft really started in 1997, when they traded their 2005 first round pick for Wesley Person. Aside from that, most of Cleveland’s problems can be summarized through a little game. You’ll need a few things: seven hats, paper and a pen. We’ll see if you can randomly build a better team from 2000 to 2007 than the Cavs did. To start, in 2 separate hats, place the following names:

Luke Jackson, Andris Biedrins, Robert Swift, Sebastian Telfair, Kris Humphries and Al Jefferson.

Jared Dudley, Wilson Chandler, Rudy Fernandez, Morris Almond, Aaron Brooks, Arron Afflalo, Tiago Splitter, Alando Tucker.

Draw one name from the first hat and two names from the second. The first hat represents the player the Cavs picked 10th in 2004 and the five players selected after. The second hat is the players picked within five of the 2007 first round picks that the Cavs traded in 2005 to acquire Sasha Pavlovic and Jiri Welsch. Did you end up with a better assortment of basketball players than Jackson, Pavlovic, and Welsch? If you did, your random selections worked out better than what Cleveland actually got!” [Hentrick/Cavs the Blog] [Read more...]

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Kyrie Irving to lead Charles Barkley’s team in Rising Stars Challenge, Tristan Thompson on team Shaq

February 16, 2012 By 5 Comments

Charles Barkley was impressed enough with Cavaliers’ rookie Kyrie Irving to select him over Jeremy Lin, Ricky Rubio and John Wall just to name a few. Barkley and Shaq are the honorary GMs for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend. Instead of the rookie vs sophomore format of the past, TNT’s big men mixed it up by drafting two teams of mixed rookies and second year players.

Shaq selected Blake Griffin first overall leaving the board wide open for Charles Barkley who took the 19 year old Irving and added this about the selection-

“It wasn’t very difficult [to pass on Jeremy Lin] to be honest because [Lin's] only been playing for a week and it’s been a fantastic week,” Barkley said. “But Kyrie Irving is terrific and he’s going to hand it to [Lin] and if Ricky Rubio wants some…he can come get some too.”

Fellow Cavaliers’ rookie Tristan Thompson was selected by Shaq and will play against his teammate.

Team Chuck

Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)

DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings (Sophomore)

Paul George – Indiana Pacers (Sophomore)

Derrick Williams – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)

MarShon Brooks – New Jersey Nets (Rookie)

John Wall – Washington Wizards (Sophomore)

Gordon Hayward – Utah Jazz (Sophomore)

Tiago Splitter – San Antonio Spurs (Sophomore)

Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs (Rookie)

Evan Turner – Philadelphia 76ers (Sophomore)

Team Shaq

Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers (Sophomore)

Jeremy Lin – New York Knicks (Sophomore)

Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves (Rookie)

Greg Monroe – Detroit Pistons (Sophomore)

Markieff Morris – Phoenix Suns (Rookie)

Kemba Walker – Charlotte Bobcats (Rookie)

Landry Fields – New York Knicks (Sophomore)

Norris Cole – Miami Heat (Rookie)

Brandon Knight – Detroit Pistons (Rookie)

Tristan Thompson – Cleveland Cavaliers (Rookie)

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Anderson Varejao out 4-6 weeks, no surgery needed

February 16, 2012 By 5 Comments

The Cavaliers have confirmed that Anderson Varejao will not require surgery on his injured wrist. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Andy will miss 4 to 6 weeks because of the injury.

Four weeks would mean missing the Cavaliers next 14 games. A six week timetable would mean no Varejao for the next 22 games. That would be a third of the season.

Varejao has already missed 2 games with the injury, and the Cavaliers are 1-1 without him. He averages 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this season.

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Looking Forward to Baseball Season with Jim Rosenhaus

February 16, 2012 By 17 Comments

I had the opportunity through 93.1 The Fan in Lima to sit down for a few minutes with Indians radio broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus. It was my first opportunity to meet him and I came away impressed.

Rosenhaus was named Tom Hamilton’s partner for the 2012 season back in December, replacing the retiring Mike Hegan. Rosenhaus has been involved in production for the Indians for the past five seasons, including hosting Indians Warm Up and filling in for Hegan on longer road trips. Before his time with the Major League club, he worked for the Buffalo Bisons for 11 seasons as their play by play broadcaster. Jim was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame for his work with the Bisons. He was the play by play broadcaster for 3 AAA championships in Buffalo.

Rosenhaus recognizes the irregularity of having two play by play men in the booth, particularly when both have no MLB playing experience. His baseball playing days ended at little league.

“The team looked for a former player with some broadcast experience and background in the off-season” said Rosenhaus. “We’ll continue to have special guests in the booth.”

Guests like Mike Hargrove, Brian Anderson and Joe Borowski who all appeared in the booth for the Tribe last season. (Borowski was amazing. He would make a great color man someday in my opinion.) [Read more...]

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