May 19, 2013

NCAA Basketball News: Ohio State Revises Coach Thad Matta’s Contract

January 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

While this season has been a bit of an up and down year for the Ohio State men’s basketball team, their head coach Thad Matta is still being rewarded with a revised contract that sees a boost to his annual salary. According to Rusty Miller of the Associated Press, the new contract will see him receive a 10% bump to his salary (bringing him to over $3.2 million per year) including academic bonuses.

Additionally, the contract also revises some language regarding NCAA violations. The contract now requires Matta to report anyone who “may potentially have violated NCAA rules”. The new wording is presumed to be an effort by OSU to avoid some of the ambiguities that made negotiations with Jim Tressel a little trickier in the wake of the email coverup scandal that ultimately cost the coach his job.

Thad Matta is now under contract with Ohio State through July 2019.

[Related: Meltdown In Game’s Final Minute Spoils Deshaun Thomas Show]

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Asdrubal Cabrera’s Curious Contract Situation

January 19, 2012 by 14 Comments

Indians' SS Asdrubal Cabrera

The lines in the sand got a little clearer this week in regard to the Indians’ arbitration-eligible players.  Of the seven guys who were potentially going to arbitration with the club*, five avoided their hearings by agreeing to one-year deals: Jack Hannahan, Chris Perez, Justin Masterson, Joe Smith, and Shin-Soo Choo.  All received some form of raise, and in total this group will make about $8 million more than they did last year—about a 100% raise.  Good work if you can get it, this baseballing.

*Read much more than you ever wanted to know about the arbitration process and how it relates to the Indians here or here or here; let’s be honest: I write about this stuff way too much.

Maybe we’ll talk about those raises another day, or why they were completely expected, or why only a fool would think it possible that Indians’ payroll wasn’t going to increase in 2012—we’re already looking at almost $65 million for opening day, and that’s without signing a first baseman. [Read more...]

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Breaking NFL News: Browns Extend OT Joe Thomas

August 22, 2011 by 21 Comments

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with offensive tackle Joe Thomas to the tune of seven years and $84 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal will reportedly pay Thomas, 26, at least $44 million in guaranteed money and will more than likely ensure that the four-year veteran finishes his career on the shores of Lake Erie.

WFNY has long said that this offseason should be about extending the contracts of core players, firmly placing the three-time All-Pro offensive lineman at the top of the priority list.

[Read more...]

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Grady Sizemore’s Strikeouts: Options Ahead

July 6, 2011 by 28 Comments

On more than one occasion, I’ve gone out of my way to tell you that strikeouts—in the grand scheme of things—really aren’t that important to assessing a batter’s value.

There’s really two reasons for this.  First, if you’ve managed to hang around in the Majors for any length of time with terrifically high strikeout numbers, you’re probably pretty good at two other important skills: getting on base and hitting for power.  But second, strikeouts just aren’t that much worse than any other kind of out.  Sure, they’re less likely to move a runner over successfully, but they also don’t ever end in double-plays. 

It’s a tradeoff that basically makes them just another out.  Slightly more depressing, sure, but not really any worse. [Read more...]

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NBA News: New Contracts for Chris Grant and Danny Ferry

August 27, 2010 by 1 Comment

Though he has only been on the job for all of three months, Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant is the alleged recipient of a five-year contract.  Reported by The Plain Dealer, the deal is technically only an extension of two seasons with a raise in compensation from his original three-year contract which was signed after Grant passed up becoming general manager of the Atlanta Hawks.

Grant refused to comment on the report, but the new general manger has been at the forefront of every other aspect of the team since the resignation of Danny Ferry in early June.  Trial by fire, Grant hired a new head coach in Byron Scott, failed to acquired draft choices that had been traded away by past regimes, and endured the most-discussed free agency period in the history of the NBA that conceivably left the team in turmoil.  [Read more...]

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NBA Basketball Facing A Tenuous Future

August 17, 2010 by 25 Comments

If you close your eyes and think about it really hard, can you remember the first season of each major sport that you really followed closely? I was born in 1979, and the first Super Bowl I can remember exactly where I was when I watched it is the 1987 Super Bowl when the Redskins lead by Doug Williams took it to John Elway’s Broncos. I remember parts of previous seasons (including, obviously, The Drive), but that’s the first Super Bowl I vividly remember watching. I vaguely remember parts of the 1987 World Series between the Twins and Cardinals, but the first World Series I have a clear and full recollection of is the 1988 Dodgers-A’s World Series.

When it comes to basketball, I recall people talking about the Lakers-Celtics Finals in 1987, but it was the epic 7 game series between the Lakers in Pistons in 1988 that serves as my first full memory of the sport. While the Browns and Buckeyes may have been first 2 true loves in sports, the first sport that I took an interest in outside of Cleveland/Ohio State was NBA basketball. [Read more...]

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Browns RB Montario Hardesty Agrees to a Four-Year Deal

July 26, 2010 by 17 Comments

Continuing the trend of singing in reverse order, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with second-round running back Montario Hardesty.  The Plain Dealer reported early this morning that the terms of the deal have not been fully disclosed, but the length of the contract is allegedly four years.

The Browns traded up to obtain Hardesty’s services this past April and the former Tennessee Volunteer managed to vault himself up the depth charts due to strong participation in organized team activities.  His subsequent praise forced would-be holdouts Jerome Harrison and Lawrence Vickers to sign waivers and participate with the team despite not having a contract in place.

[Read more...]

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About the Josh Cribbs Contract Saga

January 7, 2010 by 57 Comments

cribbs-kneelingTalk about a quick honeymoon phase.  Within 72 hours of landing in Cleveland, Browns president Mike Holmgren has experienced his first rough patch with a player on his team as well as fans of his franchise.

During his Tuesday afternoon press conference, Holmgren stated that he “believes players should be rewarded for what they do.”  This, of course, was in reference to one Josh Cribbs and his ongoing contract desires.  Holmgren also stated that the issues that arise come between the team and the player’s representation. 

“I want Josh here,” said Holmgren. ”Now, he has three years left on his existing contract so it’s a little unprecedented to start doing things this early in a contract like that. Having said that,” he continued, ”a player should get what he deserves and (Cribbs) has been a fine player. It’s just that business part of it that we’re going through now. We’re trying. I hope how we do that is good enough.”

And as of approximately 6PM last night, “good enough” would not be the term used by Josh Cribbs and his agent J.R. Rickert. [Read more...]

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So, Eric… About Josh Cribbs’ Contract Situation…

December 11, 2009 by 19 Comments

Cribbs Pay That Man His Money_med

Eight rushes, 87 yards; One reception, nine yards; Two kickoff returns, 43 yards; Two punt returns, 61 yards.  Oh, and a special teams tackle for good measure.

Joshua Cribbs was a very large part of the first win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in six years.  He’s the most explosive option that the Browns have on either side of the ball.  I think we can all agree that No. 16 has earned a pay raise. 

Let’s get it done. As said best by Deion Sanders last night, “#PayTheMan ”

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While We’re Waiting… Pick-Up with LeBron, Signing Danny Green, and Romeo Redux

August 19, 2009 by 12 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 in the sidebar.

lebron-james-skills-academy2 

Forget for a moment all the joy, excitement, and delirious “Is this really happening!?!” swellings you would fell if you got to step on the court with LeBron [James]. Forget that you would immediately call all your friends afterwards and tell them what you just did. Forget that everything that ever happens in your life afterwards would be a unquestionable disappointment.

What if you hurt LeBron? Is it permissible to poke him in the stomach when he goes up for a jumpshot like you do to your friends during pick-up games?

These are all things I considered after getting a chance to run in a scrimmage against the reigning NBA MVP a couple of weeks ago. [Vince G/'64 and Counting]

[Read more...]

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Is Braylon’s “Injury” Actually a Holdout?

August 4, 2009 by 27 Comments

braylon-edwards-minicampHmmm… Well this one is interesting.  While admitting that is is purely speculation, Mike Florio hints that Braylon Edwards’ minicamp sideline aerobics may actually be the player’s way of staging a holdout as he did not get a new contract this offseason.

The fact that Edwards showed up a day late for camp is fueling the theory/hypothesis that he isn’t really hurt, and that he’s merely saying that he’s hurt in order to not have to practice as a protest against the fact that he hasn’t received a contract extension and/or hasn’t been traded.

Personally, I do think that Braylon is still nursing his busted ankle.  You know, the one he injured while playing basketball.  Again.  However, given the hard-hitting nature of the current minicamp coupled with the fact that mistakes are actually met with repercussions like push-ups and lap running, I would not expect Edwards to be in a hurry to get his pads on. 

While Eric Mangini is making all of his players earn their positions, would he honestly consider not starting Edwards at any point during this season?  The wide receiver position is full of mediocrity at this point, and Edwards knows this.  For now, I would anticipate more sprints and stationary bike until No. 17 feels that he’s ready to suit up.  Then again, he could use as many repetitions as he can get…

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Browns Sign Brian Robiskie, All Rookies Signed Going into Camp

July 30, 2009 by 21 Comments

brian_robiskieThe Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Browns have agreed to terms with second-round pick Brian Robiskie.  

Robiskie was the final rookie left unsigned, and this signing gets the Browns all rookies signed before the start of rookie camp this weekend.  At this point even the biggest of Mangini/Kokinis detractors have to admit they’ve done a good job getting everyone signed before the start of camp.

The only details at this point are that it is a four year deal.  More to come.

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Waiting For… Cleveland’s First-Rounders

July 23, 2009 by 5 Comments

alex-mack-training-campEarlier today, we discussed the reported agreement between Christian Eyenga and DKV Joventut.  And while the three sports are arguably different in terms of rookie signing structure, Eyenga is the most recent of the Cleveland draft picks.  The Browns’ first-rounder (Alex Mack) and the Indians’ first-rounder (Alex White) remain unsigned.

The Browns start camp in nine days, with rookies set to report this Friday.  The team has inked their sixth-round picks, as well as fourth-rounder Kaluka Maiava.  However, all four players selected within the first two rounds all remain unsigned. 

While this may concern a lot of fans as said rookies are expected to report tomorrow, it should be noted that the majority of all first-day selections still remain unsigned.  Quarterbacks Matt Stafford (6-years, $72M – $41.7M guaranteed) and Mark Sanchez (5-years, $50.5M base; $60M max – $28M guaranteed) are the only first-round picks to be signed. If it is any consolation, the Oakland Raiders have only signed one player to this point in tight end Brandon Myers who was a sixth-round selection.

[Read more...]

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Josh Cribbs Releases Statement

May 21, 2009 by 84 Comments

We interrupt the doom and gloom of the Cavs loss last night to bring you news on Cleveland’s disgruntled kick-returner Josh Cribbs.

joshua-cribbs-copy

Josh has released a statement via the internet (Jocklife.com and Scout.com are the first places we saw it.) According to the statement…well here, you read it-

“I humbly and respectfully come to Browns’ fans and the Browns letting all know that I have given my all to this team, on and off the field for 4 complete years selflessly without regard to myself and my own family. I have sat by while good players came and went, either due to contracts or injury. I have witnessed a lot of families uprooted from their stable homes and forced to move wherever the money came in from. I realize that this is not a fair sport for the players, it is a business and we are products. [Read more...]

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Under Florida Law, Prison Time Mandatory For Stallworth

March 21, 2009 by 2 Comments

Opened the mailbox to find an excellent tip from a reader this morning. The link is for a video from an attorney’s perspective on what might happen to Donte Stallworth. Again, no charges have been filed as of yet. However, if reports are true and Donte was over the legal limit while driving his Bentley- he will face a mandatory prison sentence.

According to Florida state law, a sentence of at least 3.5 years must be given to anyone guilty of a DUI accident in which a death occurs. The maximum sentence he can receive is 15 years. The significance of the minimum is that no judge could show leniency and keep him out of prison- not that any athlete has ever had that happen. [Read more...]

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The East Has…Gone to Plaid

July 9, 2008 by 14 Comments

Spaceball I

Entering the playoffs of the past season, the Cavaliers landed the fourth seed by winning the now infamous game against the Philadelphia 76ers.  Reports have now come out that one of the three teams ahead of us last year has made another effort to improve, as the Orlando Magic have signed former Golden State gunner Mickael Pietrus.  Adding Pietrus to a corps of swingmen that already features Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and rookie Courtney “Rock’s boy” Lee is just icing on the Orlando-made cake.

But this news out of Philadelphia is even more disheartening.

[Read more...]

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Motoring…What’s Your Price For Flight?

June 11, 2008 by 8 Comments

C.C. SabathiaIndians 1, Twins 0 (box) 

…But instead of Sister Christian, I’d like to propose the question above (in perhaps a less-corny way) to one Carsten Charles Sabathia.  

The big man was absolutely dealing last night, tossing his second complete game shutout of the season.  Soccer score or not, I’ll take the win as it was much, much-needed.  It was a quick game, ending well before 9:30, and Sabathia looked like he could have went two or three more innings the way he was tossing the rock. 

[Read more...]

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Kellen Winslow: “Bionic”

June 10, 2008 by 1 Comment

Kellen Winslow, MinicampJoining LeCharles Bentley and the rest of the Browns in today’s initial minicamp was tight end Kellen Winslow.  Though he didn’t participate in drills, he was seen “bouncing around” practice.

The Plain Dealer’s Tony Grossi exclaimed that one would never know that Winslow is a man that has undergone four surgeries on his right knee. 

This is great news on two fronts.  One, Winslow is attending minicamp, so all worries of a possible holdout seem to be diminishing.  And two, those concerned about the continuing wear and tear on his knee may feel a little better about the situation.  I’m not sure how many more surgeries he can go through given the fact that it’s near protocol for this guy in the off-season, but it looks like we’ll have one of our biggest weapons in tow from the get-go.

Cleveland Browns minicamp is under way [Plain Dealer]
And It Starts… [WaitingForNextYear]

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Still want to pay Sabathia?

April 17, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Les Levine on those who called for C.C. to get a blank check…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3dOcvaPMg[/youtube]

Alright, time to fess up. In the winter did you want the Indians to pay Sabathia whatever he wanted? Do you still feel that way?

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The biggest debate in Ohio

February 27, 2008 by 6 Comments

quinn_anderson.jpg

Sorry Obama and Hillary, you don’t even have a chance here. The biggest debate in Ohio rages among Browns’ fans about the quarterback position. You won’t hear the ‘candidates’ themselves firing salvos at each other, but their fans certainly will.

Check out any of the Cleveland message boards and see for yourself. The board I frequent is Browns 24/7, but you can go to the Browns Board, DawgBones, or the Orange and Brown report. It won’t take you long to find a post about Derek and Brady. On Browns 24/7 they had to start an ‘official’ Derek/Brady thread because no matter what the topic, the conversation found it’s way back around to the future of the QB in Cleveland. That thread is over 31 pages long now, but truthfully a good number of discussions still find their way back to the same debate.

Has there ever been a more divisive split among fans? When Bernie Kosar was cut there was tremendous outrage and probably more overall discussion, but most of that was venom towards Bill for cutting a fan favorite. There were some who said the hooded one was correct in his opinion that Bernie’s skills had indeed diminished, but they were certainly the minority voice. [Read more...]

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