Box Score: Blazers 118, Cavaliers 117 (2 OT)
December 1, 2012Batum’s Heave Spoils Cavaliers’ Double OT Thriller
December 2, 2012While 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
Leading off, the Browns and Raiders are both 3-8 and square off this afternoon in Oakland. Chris Pokorny at Dawgs By Nature has a position-by-position breakdown of these two teams, including the linebacker position, “The Raiders suspended starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain this week, which means veteran backup Omar Gaither will make the start in his place. That might actually be a good thing in the eyes of fans, considering McClain’s less-than-stellar play and conduct. Our Raiders affiliate singled out outside linebackers Philip Wheeler and Miles Burris for “showing some great skills,” as Wheeler came over from the Colts and Burris is a rookie. The Browns get the edge for stability at the most important position, middle linebacker.” [Dawgs By Nature]
The Ohio State Buckeyes bounced back from their loss against Duke on Wednesday night and took care of Northern Kentucky. Kyle at Eleven Warriors has the details, “An 18-7 Ohio State spurt to begin the second half put the game out of reach, as Ohio State notched win No. 5 on the season, 70-43, over the Norse. “Coach told us to put that game behind us and more forward,” sophomore forward Sam Thompson said. “Our motto was we were ‘punched in the mouth,’ but it’s over now and we are moving on. We had some ‘what ifs’ but it doesn’t matter now.”” [Eleven Warriors]
Are you tired of college football expansion talk yet? Well, it just keeps coming. Dr. Saturday says that the Pac-12 is happy for now, but they have two teams in my mind if they do look to add teams, “Scott said there were two teams the Pac-12 was keeping an eye on — Boise State and San Diego State. “When we expanded in the past we looked at them because they are prominent schools in the West, with very strong athletics programs, in markets we are not in,” Scott said. “There’s a lot of criteria that we looked at last time, that I’m sure we’d look at again. “If we were to look at expanding again, I’m sure both those schools would be on the list. But, we don’t have any plans.”” [Dr. Saturday]
Drew Brees’s consecutive games with a touchdown pass record ended on Thursday night against the Falcons. Dan Lawton wrote a humorous letter to his favorite quarterback, “When I woke up in a nightmarish, cold sweat at 6 a.m with the lights on and a half-finished PBR spilled across my bed, I knew something bad had happened. Then, it came back to me—all of the horror at once—and I doubled over in pain at memories of the thing that had occurred just hours before. The record is dead, Drew. I know it was you who set it, but I’ve been living vicariously through you for so long that it’s hard for me to believe that I wasn’t instrumental to the cause. In fact, at the San Diego game, I want you to know that I broke a record of my own in tribute. 47 high fives. All captured on camera. Here are a few of my favorite ones.” [Dan Lawton]
Think you remember all those players who played and managed for the Indians? Are you sure? Did The Tribe Win Last Night? may have you stumped. “In all, the reserve backstop played in 63 games for the club that made him a professional baseball player. Hit three home runs, with nine RBI and batted .270. It was not a very memorable career in an Indians uniform. From 1963 to 1970, the future manager bounced around Kansas City, the Yankees and Philadelphia. He also spent several years as a minor leaguer. Edwards never was a regular starter. He retired at the age of 33 with a career 317 games played, 15 taters, 87 RBI and .238 average. He was best on the defensive side of things with a .986 field percentage. He also threw out 30 percent of would-be base stealers, proving to be the early version of today’s Lou Marson.” [DTTWLN]
The 60’s were a rough time to be a Tribe fan or player. Here’s eBay gold of a 1969 Tribe player poster courtesy of SBNation.
Finally, we all have holiday decorating to do. NBA players are no exception. Check out Amir Johnson putting the star on his tree! I’m guessing the Raptors’ front office had their hearts in their throats when they saw this, courtesy of Ball Don’t Lie.