WFNY Joins 92.3 The Fan Tonight
December 21, 2011Tribe Free Agent News: Back in the Beltran Running?
December 22, 2011While 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.
C0-sign all of this- “On defense, the Cavaliers have the potential to be tremendous inside. Thompson will need some time to learn how to play help defense in the NBA, and he might need to add some bulk to guard stronger PFs, but between Varejao’s quick feet and Thompson’s athleticism and shot-blocking ability, the Cleveland paint, especially for penetrating guards, could become a hazardous area. On the perimeter, Parker is above average; Casspi, though he tries hard, is pretty awful; and Kyrie Irving will be solid, but no one will confuse him with Rajon Rondo. I think Varejao and Thompson (after he grows into his role) will be able to compensate capably when Casspi guards athletic 3s who can get around him easily, and the guards will provide a decent enough defensive presence that the Cavs won’t get torched by an exceptional backcourt.
One area in which the Cavs need to improve is defending the three-point line. Any team that played the Cavs last season put up Anthony “I Don’t Miss” Morrow numbers from beyond the arc (41%!). I would be more concerned about this problem if it didn’t seem, at least in the midst of last season’s unrelentingly depressing losing streak, to be an issue of effort. I don’t think we’ll see as many poor closeouts or wide-open opponents this season if only because two rookies—who Scott can pull of the floor if their defensive effort wanes—will be playing big minutes, Casspi and Varejao are extremely hard workers, and even the most fervent pessimist can’t anticipate the Cavs will suffer another losing streak that numbers in the twenties and demoralizes every single person who roots for, is employed by, or has heard of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But, y’know, getting that opponent 3FG% down to a respectable number (is 35% doable?) would help this team stay in some games.” [McGowan/Cavs the Blog]
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“Hagadone is a prime candidate to make the 2012 opening day bullpen in Cleveland, and if you project it out right now he is probably in it. With that in mind he has a lot to work on this offseason to ensure that he comes into spring training in mid-February ready to roll and win a spot in the Indians’ big league bullpen.
Hagadone, who turns 26-years old on New Year’s Day, had a fantastic season last year in the minors pitching out of the bullpen. He started the season at Double-A Akron and in 12 appearances went 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA (22.2 IP, 14 H, 0 HR, 7 BB, 24K). He was quickly moved up to Triple-A Columbus where he spent most of the rest of the season and in 34 appearances went 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA (48.1 IP, 42 H, 5 HR, 15 BB, 53 K). He even made his Major League debut late in the season and in 9 appearances in Cleveland went 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA (11.0 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 11 K).” [Tony/Indians Prospect Insider]
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“The Browns have been looking for a dominating pass rusher for a long time and they might have found one in rookie Jabaal Sheard. The second-round draft choice from Pitt leads the team with 7.5 sacks and seems to be playing better as the season goes along. He has five sacks in the last five games. Sheard is second among AFC rookies to the Broncos’ Von Miller, who has 11.5. Sheard’s sack total is the most by a Browns rookie since Michael Dean Perry had six in 1988. Kamerion Wimbley holds the record for most by a Browns rookie when he had 11 in 2006.” [Greetham/The Orange and Brown Report]
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“Irving probably wasn’t as impressive in Tuesday’s 90-89 loss to visiting Detroit as he was in the first preseason game (or the Wine & Gold Scrimmage, for that matter). But one thing I’ve noticed about the kid is when he’s on the floor, the entire atmosphere changes for both teams. The Cavs just ran a little smoother and the Pistons were forced to defend a little harder. Basically, when Irving is on the floor, the opposing team has someone it needs to pay close attention to at all times. That’s not something you could say about the Cavs during last season’s bad dream.” [Amico/FSO]
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Finally, this surprises nobody right? [WFNY Tumblr]
11 Comments
I’m wondering if sacks might not be a very over-rated statistic. The very best sackers get around one a game. So that’s one play out of around 70 per team. I’d bet that holding penalties have a bigger impact on a game than sacks.
Just a thought.
I’ve been extremely pleased with Sheard’s play this year. He has definitely outshined Phil Taylor, but it may be because Taylor/Rubin garner more double teams, I don’t know, haven’t studied the film, just one possible theory.
Nice to see Boom Dizzle feeling better…I suppose. I’m hoping that picture is just him missing the game and decided to wear his practice clothes and stand in one spot on the court dribbling a ball. No, that’s not far-fetched at all….
@1- Depending on when they occur, sacks can be incredibly huge. I have no problem using sacks as a heavily weighted factor when determining whether a DE is valuable. With a NT, a near miss of a tackle often still disrupts a play. But how many times have you seen a DE get a near sack to only have the QB scramble for a 1st or still complete a big pass?
@2- I agree. Sheard has been awesome and it is a lot harder to tell how good Taylor has been. From what I hear, Taylor has been good and our D-line has a lot of hope and promise going forward. I am a big believer in Heckert. Our defense is less than stellar but I think we are a few pieces from being a top 6-7 D consistently.
“Sheard’s sack total is the most by a Browns rookie since Michael Dean Perry had six in 1988. Kamerion Wimbley holds the record for most by a Browns rookie when he had 11 in 2006.”
Huh?
At least Baron was smart enough to fake an injury instead of just warning the league not to pick him up
@Garry- exactly.
Mr. Cleaveland- I would argue that a sack affects the game more because it is a loss of yards and a down. With a holding penalty you get to replay the down.
@ Garry.
I was thinking the same thing.
@Garry – he meant Browns rookie ‘DL’. Typo I am sure. As Wimbley was a 3-4 OLB his rookie year.
I think Braylon’s scholarships bear mentioning. He may not be a Brown anymore, and he might be a jerk, but was pretty awesome of him.
this one makes sense for both parties w/ the Grizz losing Darell Arthur for the year:
Anderson Varejao
for
OJ Mayo, Xavier Henry (i.e. cap-filler to keep the Griz from luxury taxes), and their 2012 1st round pick (likely low 20s)