May 25, 2013

This Week In Sports: Furthering Our ADHD

Quite a week, yes? There were some Izzo-to-the-Cavs rumors. Stephen Strasburg made his first start, and now Carlos Santana has finally been called up. The MLB Draft occured. The NBA Finals are on, with a random role player from one of the two teams stepping up to help win every game. College football is looking to change significantly on the horizon. USC got hit extremely hard with sanctions by the NCAA. Somewhere in the footnotes of the week, you’ll see that Oregon’s starting quarterback was kicked off the team. Lord Stanley’s Cup was just awarded to the delegates from Chicago. Oh, and the World Cup kicked off this morning.

With all those things being listed, I’m gonna go all Buddy The Elf on you guys. What’s your favorite sports story of the week?

While We’re Waiting… Avoiding the Browns, Tribe Training Staff, and the USC Non-TD

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.

tim-couch-jersey-quinn-shaqNo love for both of our buildings? “Though the Cleveland Browns were able to lure to town today a couple of players with connections to coach Eric Mangini (safety Ray Ventrone and guard Billy Yates), multiple sources have told us that some agents plan to steer their clients away from the Browns.  Right or wrong, there’s a sense of discontent regarding the new regime in Cleveland, where coach Eric Mangini and G.M. George Kokinis are running the show, with Mangini serving essentially as the man in charge.

As one source explained it, the Browns likely will be required to overpay free agents in the offseason.  If the money that Cleveland is offering matches the money on the table from another team, the thinking is that the players will be far more inclined to sign with the team not named the Browns.” [Pro Football Talk]

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Quick-hit thoughts after the game

pryor

Bulleted thoughts to make Craig proud:

Pryor didn’t give up on the first INT.  SC score was inevitable that early.

Second quarter was complete reversal from first – SC controlled, OSU offense stuttered.  Not going on fourth and 1 and taking the 3 has me worried, but team is playing well overall.

D-line and O-line both doing well.  Definite edge in run game on both sides to OSU.  Pass game is opposite.  Playcalling seemed pass-heavy in 2nd for OSU, with a few botched throws by LiC.

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College Football Saturday Open Thread

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The day starts off fairly slowly, with a pretty meager noon set.  The Wisconsin/Fresno State game is interesting, but ultimately isn’t a marquis matchup.  The day really starts off at 3:30 with the game in Ann Arbor on ABC.  From there we’ve got the big one at 8 o’clock on ESPN.

As much as I’m a “Luckeye homer”, I don’t know how good I feel about this one.  On one hand, Navy is 1) a 8-10 win team and 2) unconventional.  On the other, we didn’t see a whole lot out of the Buckeyes to instill a lot of confidence last week.  The only chance the Bucks have in my mind is to jump out early.  Getting pressure on all-GQ QB Matt Barkley is key, and if that doesn’t happen the Buckeyes are going to have a long night.  If SC gets an early 2-TD lead before the end of the first quarter, the game’s dunzo. [Read more...]

Get excschschschited folkschhhh

Though Scott claims football starts this week, it actually started last week.  And there’s a game Saturday that’s rather important for Ohio.  So let’s let Coach Holtzshhhh get us pumped up.

H/T to Eleven Warriors

While We’re Waiting… OSU/USC, LeBron James’ Shot Selection, and a Browns/Vikings Preview

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.

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Welcome back, Brooks: “The city has come alive since I left. Downtown has blown up with the newish arena entertainment district and the campus’ bar scene, which flatlined in the ’90s, is now at least somewhat-representative of a school OSU’s size. But flip on radio/TV and you’ll find out in five seconds people’s priorities haven’t changed. [...] Got into the hotel room and turned on local NBC 4, and the lead story on Thursday’s night newscast was, yep, Buckeyes v. Trojans.” [SportsbyBrooks]

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What do the Buckeyes’ injuries mean -

Last Friday there was a moment of panic among some Buckeye fans who follow the twits.  We heard a key member of the Buckeyes went down with a knee injury.  We didn’t know who, or how serious.  Then we hear it was our new beastly left tackle guard Justin Boren.  Aghast, a knee injury for a 300 pound man – we’re screwed!   Turns out it’s an MCL sprain – not any of the ACL tears that I jumped to conclusions about.

So with Boren out approximately 3 weeks (having him ready more or less around the game against the Middies) we have to look at other options for the LG spot.  There’s a lot of clamor around for one of the younguns to take over and get reps – specifically heralded recruit J.B. Shugarts.  It’s clear whoever steps in will be a bit of a step down from Boren, but getting reps for a younger guy early is always good – especially if Boren’s knee injury is a bit more serious than initially diagnosed. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Brady Anderson, Lee vs. Halladay, and the 2009 Cavaliers Roster

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.

brady-quinn-derek-anderson

The new Brangelina: “If you put together the strengths of Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns would have no problems choosing their quarterback this summer. “Brady Anderson” would be their guy. Anderson brings the rocket arm and the ability to stretch NFL defenses, while Quinn has all the intangibles such as leadership, decision making and pocket presence. With “Brady Anderson,” the Browns could be a threat in the AFC North this year and perhaps rekindle their rivalry against the Steelers.” [James Walker/ESPN]

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Five Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Here we are, mid-July. Training camp is still on the horizon, as is the college football season. The Cavs won’t be back in the gym and the Jackets won’t be back on the ice for a couple of months. The Tribe and Clippers eat it. It’s kind of a Dead Period for us. Likewise, I’ve largely been persona non grata on this blog with the exceptions of writing once a week about the aforementioned Horrible Clippers and my neuroses about Rick Nash.

So, in an effort to: a) write something, and b) offer my ironic protest against how bad the two baseball teams I’ve been paying the most attention to actually are, I thought I’d take a moment to offer up my list of the Five Sports Things I’m Looking Forward To.

Feel free to denigrate my selections (I suspect one in particular is just me “asking for it”) and offer your own in the comments. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Odds on O’Neal, Keeping the DeRosas, and more on Joe Tait

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

lebron-james-shaquille-oneal-dance

Hit me with it!  Just give it to me straight.  I came a long way just to see you, Shaquille.  The least you can do is level with me.  What are my chances?
“I believe there is less than a 50 percent chance Shaquille O’Neal will traded to the Cavs this summer. But I am relieved that after quite a bit of nonsense out there this week, this is the first time something legit has passed through the Internet involving the Cavs.” [Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer]

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Mangini + Pete Carroll = ??

So this past Monday I was reading through my Twitter feed and came across this gem from USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll (@petecarroll):

“Just finished talking ball with Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini in my office…”

This got me wondering what they could be talking about aside from football, and what things Mangini might pick up from the most capable recruiter and arguably the most successful NCAA coach that’s out there right now (don’t flame me about it, you know it’s true).  Here are some of my ideas on the changes that could be made in Berea:

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NFL Draft Preview: Rey Maulaluga

Over the next few weeks, leading up to the NFL Draft, the WFNY team will disect the various draftees that may (or may not) fit into the system of the Cleveland Browns.  We’ll highlight strengths, weaknesses and the intangibles while leaving the comments for any reader commentary.

Potential Draftee: Rey Maulaluga – ILB, University of Southern California

Rey MaulalugaWhen a team is set on running the 3-4 defense, the best players on the field are typically the four linebackers.  We’ve seen the success of several teams that run the 3-4, with Pittsburgh and Arizona (two 3-4 teams) facing off in Super Bowl XLIII.  It goes without saying that the Cleveland Browns do not exactly have the tools necessary to be successful in said scheme.  Thus, the position of linebacker will be one that must be addressed during this off-season.  And when it comes to linebackers, few inside backers are getting the attention of USC’s Rey Maulaluga.

Whether it is for being on a team that is known for their all-around success, or whether it is for grinding with ESPN’s Erin Andrews, Maulaluga received a ton of coverage during the past college football season.  He totaled 73 tackles with 2.5 tackles being for a loss.  Maulaluga intercepted two passes, with one of them being returned for a touchdown – against the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Remember that one?

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Pete Carroll: Grade-A Jerkwad

Surly Pete CarrollWow. As you all know by now, I am a fan of the Maize and Blue, and their football coach has often been criticized for being—how do you say—kind of a jerk. And, as a fan of Michigan, I’m often finding myself a bit, um, annoyed by the P.C.-ness of Senator Tressel. And, there have even been ruminations here at this very site about a little USC-envy, even in spite of Pete Carroll’s OSU-tinted dismissal of some chicanery.

But there is one thing about USC that reared its ugly head yesterday about which none of us are envious: Pete Carroll all but shoving Mark Sanchez under a fleet of buses after the QB’s decision to enter the NFL draft after his redshirt-junior season. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting…

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

“Drew Gooden is not necessarily known for his sense of fashion—unless you have a thing for a patch of hair on an otherwise entirely bald scalp, that is. Nevertheless, his shades, designer jeans and gold neck and wristwear, much of which likely came from the spoils of the lucrative contract he was given by the Cavs, help him sit perfectly in his luxury vehicle.” [SLAMOnline]

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While We’re Waiting…

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

Happy Birthday, LeBron.  “The two times James played as a professional on Dec. 30 as a professional the Cavs have lost. He scored 22 points in a loss to the Indiana Pacers at home on his 19th birthday in 2003. Two years ago, the day he turned 22, James and the Cavs lost in Chicago despite his 33 points.” [Brian Windhorst]

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Open Thread: Ohio State vs. Troy Trojans

Scott asked me yesterday if I was planning a “What To Watch For” post for the Buckeye game. My response: how about they don’t suck?

I’m looking for the Buckeyes to come out with a rather large, Southern California size chip on their shoulder. I’m looking for them to dominate an opponent. Troy is probably a little better than Ohio. The Buckeyes need to throw the mini-Trojans around and get some confidence today. What do you think?

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Don’t Like the Play-calling? Too Bad…

After the beating that the Buckeyes took at the hands of the USC Trojans, many fans started looking for answers.  Some blame was put on quarterback Todd Boeckman, some was put on the defense.  But there was a select few that turned to the men on the sidelines, as there was undoubtedly some questionable moves in terms of substitutions as well as play-calling.

Earlier this week, we found out that fans will undoubtedly see more Terrell Pryor in the upcoming game.  But those that are looking for some alterations to the coaching staff will have to wait a little while longer as Jim Tressel refuses to relinquish what plays his team runs and when they run them. [Read more...]

So…You’re Sayin’ There’s a Chance

It happened almost five days ago, and most of us are all still in disbelief about the absolute dismantling that took place at the hands of the Southern California Trojans.  No, we were not favored.  But even the most pessimistic Buckeye fan did not imagine that the Scarlet and Gray would fail to score a touchdown.  Not one.  Senseless penalties, questionable play-calling, and downright lifelessness all lead to the debacle in Los Angeles, California.

The result?  Well, you have a slew of opinions from fans, as well as those who were waiting for the Buckeyes to fail.  Take your pick…We have the comments from our open blog.  We even have the take from our friends over at Eleven Warriors.  And then there are the others

All in all, the consensus among journalists, bloggers and fans of college football: The Buckeyes’ hopes of a National Championship are done.  Kaput.  Finished.  And more often than not, you have a splash of “We told you so.”  Alas, the polls took us down a few rungs as the Associated Press has Ohio State 13th, USA Today places them 14th, and the Coaches Poll is 11th.  Regardless, there are about a dozen teams ahead of Ohio State, and this is all before the BCS even releases their initial take on matters.

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Worst Weekend: Ohio Sports or The Financial Market?

Ohio:
- Buckeyes Blown Out.
- Browns Collapse in Red Zone.  Twice.
- Tribe Loses Three of Four Versus Kansas City.
- Several Towns Still Without Electricity. [Read more...]

Open Thread: OSU Buckeyes at USC Trojans

OSU, USC

Kickoff: 8:30 PM, EST
TV: ABC
Line: USC (-11)

So…This is it.  Number one versus number five.  What we’ve all been waiting eighteen years for.  This is why players like Malcom Jenkins and Josh Alex Boone returned for their senior seasons.  The game that is to prove what the Ohio State Buckeyes will be remembered for for the remainder of the 2008 college football season.  As of right now, Chris “Beanie” Wells is out.  No team wants to play against another team in this juncture when both squads are not at full strength.  However, with Jim Tressel making the call on his own, it will be up to him to make up for the lost Heisman hopeful.  Whether it’s Boom Herron, Mo Wells…

News from ESPN, Terrell Pryor will be “heavily” involved.

As always, feel free to follow along in the comments.  If you’re nervous, you’re not alone.  Cheers, folks.