While We’re Waiting… Comparing Kyrie, Stoneburner at WR and Searching for Starters

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.

Good piece on Kyrie– “From catching a 5:30 a.m. flight that morning and arriving early to our shoot, to making eye-contact when answering tricky questions, to working well with our dope photographer, to making everyone in the building feel like his long-time friend, Irving proved himself to be one of the most mature, likable 20 year olds around.

People paid to cover basketball have known about Irving’s game, if not his personality, since his high school days at St. Patrick in Elizabeth, NJ. People who are pretty steeped in basketball found out about him in his injury-shortened season at Duke and were reminded of his prowess during his Rookie of the Year season in Cleveland. Casual fans, though, really learned about him this past spring, when, in conjunction with Pepsi Max, Irving unveiled his Uncle Drew character.” [Twersky/SLAM]

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The game that might make me break out the controller for the first time in years. [Ball Don’t Lie]

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On Stoneburner’s switch to WR– “Now Stoneburner returns to the position that led to a litany of college scholarship offers. It was at Dublin Coffman where Stoneburner honed his wide receiver skills. His career numbers are eye-opening – 168 receptions, 2,751 yards and 28 touchdowns – but it was his record-setting senior season that really attracted coaches’ attention: 74 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.

It earned Stoneburner all-state honors and numerous other accolades, including a spot in the U.S. Army All-America game and the Big 33. He also finished runner-up for Ohio’s Gatorade player of the year award.

“He meets with the receivers,” Meyer said about the status of Stoneburner. “He’ll practice at times (with tight ends) because we’ll use him as a surface tight end.” The former tight end has also spent time in the backfield as a hybrid ball carrier, another Belichickian move by Meyer. But it may not stick.” [Rowland/Eleven Warriors]

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Nothing to do with Cleveland sports, but I thought it was pretty funny– “I speak of Adrian Peterson, Minnesota’s superstar running back, who’s recovering from surgery to repair a blown ACL and MCL. He recently returned to practice, about a month ahead of schedule, but the Vikings don’t want him having any contact with anyone else just yet.

The rules were explained pretty clearly to Jamarca Sanford, a fourth-year defensive back for the Vikings. This was the tweet from Dan Wiederer, Vikings beat writer for the Star Tribune:

Jamarca Sanford on orders given to the D about Adrian Peterson: “The rules are simple. Do not touch 28. If you touch him, you’re cut.”

Not all NFL players are created equally. No disrespect to Jamarca Sanford, but you could pummel his face with a tire iron for about a half hour, and the coaches would probably applaud your aggressiveness. Peterson is a protected species, though. He is the offense. He is the show.” [MJD/Shutdown Corner]

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“While I’m ACUTELY aware of the presumed Modus Operandi of this ballclub, I can’t help but shake this idea that the ownership and Front Office aren’t also ACUTELY aware of that presumed Modus Operandi and go out to make an addition that falls closer to the Byrd signing (again, 3-years at $7M per) than the Carl Pavano ($1.5M guaranteed with a lot of incentives) as they have to realize that they’re at a crossroads in terms of their ownership and the Front Office regime with the Tribe. Certainly, I’m not suggesting that Zach Grienke is about to don the Chief, but players (as mentioned in the aforementioned payroll article) like Joe Blanton, Brandon McCarthy (assuming health), Shawn Marcum (assuming health), or Dan Haren (say it with me…assuming health) might all be intriguing options for the Indians to look at, particularly if the Trade Market doesn’t develop for them in terms of adding a starting pitcher.

Because, short of internal help and not being able to count on an arm coming via trade (without having to give up Choo…with no suitable replacement anywhere close), the other way to add pieces to a team is via FA. And while the Indians have certainly dabbled in FA, their shopping habits – which is closer to rummaging around the bargain-bin with about 22 to 25 other clubs in MLB – may have to change if they want to seriously consider making a run in 2013. Maybe ownership won’t even let THAT happen, but with the Padres (THE PADRES) being sold for $800M (and yes, $200M of that is upfront money as part of the Fox Sports San Diego media rights deal scheduled to take place), you would have to think that the Dolans could make one last push as owners before seriously considering whether this whole “I want to own the Indians” dream is more of a nightmare.” [Cousineau/The DiaTribe]