CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the All-Star break in the NBA and still a week from spring games in Arizona, there's plenty of time to consider thoughts ... About the Cavaliers... 1. Would the Cavs love to be in the middle of a Carmelo Anthony deal that could bring a first-round draft pick to Cleveland? You bet. The Cavs were...
View full sizeAnthony Parker is one of the few Cavaliers that is reportedly attracting interest as the NBA's trade deadline approaches.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the All-Star break in the NBA and still a week from spring games in Arizona, there's plenty of time to consider thoughts ...
About the Cavaliers...
1. Would the Cavs love to be in the middle of a Carmelo Anthony deal that could bring a first-round draft pick to Cleveland? You bet. The Cavs were believed to be the third team in a New Jersey/Denver deal sending Anthony to the Nets about six weeks ago. But Anthony nixed the Nets. Now, it appears that not much has changed -- despite reports that Denver and New Jersey have another deal set. The problem is Anthony has to sign a 3-year extension with the Nets, and he wants to play in New York...not New Jersey.
2. So the Cavs sit and wait on Anthony, who still may end up with the Knicks. The Cavs have a $14 million trade exception that allows them to take back a player such as Troy Murphy. That helps move along a deal for Anthony as the salary cap wheel turns. But they don't want the Lakers' first-round pick, one of the choices supposedly being offered to the third team in the deal. They want a higher first-rounder.
3. As of Saturday, not much was happening on the trade front. Their goal is to add draft picks and young players as they rebuild. They have had some offers of second-round draft picks for Anthony Parker. Boston and Chicago both want Parker, but their picks will be near the bottom of the draft. The Cavs will have three selections in this draft -- their own in the first and second rounds and a second-rounder from Miami (originally Oklahoma City) as part of the LeBron James deal.
4. In three of the last six years, the Cavs have not had a first round pick. The 2005 first rounder was traded to Utah for Sasha Pavlovic. The 2007 first-rounder went to Boston for Jiri Welsch. Those two deals were made by former GM Jim Paxson. In 2010, GM Danny Ferry shipped a first rounder to Washington for Antawn Jamison.
5. Ferry's three first-rounders were Shannon Brown (2006), J.J. Hickson (2008) and Christian Eyenga (2009). All three are in the league. It took a few seasons and trades, but Brown has established himself as a valuable role player with the Lakers. The Cavs have only three of their draft picks on their roster: Hickson, Eyenga and Daniel Gibson (a 2006 second-rounder).
6. Some fans wondered why the Cavs made any deal at all with Miami. The sign-and-trade allowed the Heat to give James a sixth year on his contract and nearly as much money as if he had re-signed with the Cavs. But the Cavs figured four draft picks and a $14 million trade exception are better than nothing.
7. Miami also made this type of deal with Toronto so the Heat could give Chris Bosh close to a maximum contract. The Raptors received Miami's 2011 first-rounder, along with a 2011 first-rounder that they originally traded to Miami for Shawn Marion. So Toronto traded for its own pick, which could be very high as the Raptors are battling the Cavs for the NBA's worst record.
8. In addition to the second-rounder this season, the Cavs added two first-rounders from Miami between 2013-17. It's very complicated in terms of when those picks will be used. They also added 2012 second-rounder that originally belonged to New Orleans.
9. The Cavs also have a 2012 second-rounder from Minnesota as part of the Ramon Sessions/Delonte West deal. So the Cavs have two second rounders in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as General Manager Chris Grant has been trying to collect as many picks as possible.
10. Some NBA people dismiss second-rounders. But consider these names: Carlos Boozer, Jason Kapono, Daniel Gibson, Danny Green and Ejike Ugboata. Those are the last five times the Cavs actually used a second-round pick, and three (Boozer, Gibson and Kapono) have become long-term NBA players.
View full sizeCould Phil Dawson be kicking for the Browns again when the 2011 season (hopefully) takes place this fall? The Browns are interested, says Terry Pluto.About the Browns...
1. Could Phil Dawson be back as the kicker in 2011? It is possible. The front office is interested. They know Dawson remains one of the NFL's most underrated kickers. They also know he put his Cleveland-area house up for sale, and believes he was not treated fairly by some of the other previous regimes. Dawson thought his contract would have been reworked at some point in the last few seasons. But in each of the last three years, the Browns had different front offices in charge: Phil Savage (2008), Eric Mangini (2009), Tom Heckert/Mike Holmgren (2010).
2. With Dawson being a free agent and the labor situation unclear, the Browns' only kicker since 1999 believes he will be elsewhere next season. But the Browns seem prepared to make Dawson another offer -- once there is a new labor agreement. Obviously, all of that can change. But Heckert and the new coaching staff do seem to have a real appreciation for Dawson's ability to make kicks in Cleveland's cold temperatures and tricky winds.
3. Another free agent they want to keep is Seneca Wallace. Their sales pitch to the backup quarterback is this: A) We are switching to the West Coast offense, which is your offense. B) We know you and like you. C) You are backing up a young quarterback in Colt McCoy, and you could be needed if he's hurt or some other problem arises. D) This is the best place to continue your career, unless you are given a true chance to start elsewhere.
4. As of now (and it could change with the new labor agreement), the unrestricted free agents are Matt Roth, Alex Smith, Robaire Smith, Nick Sorensen, Porkchop Womack, Billy Yates, Dawson and Wallace. Restricted are Blake Costanzo, Evan Moore, Eric Wright, Abe Elam, Jayme Mitchell, Derrick Robinson, Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, Lawrence Vickers and D'Qwell Jackson. These lists are all subject to change.
5. The Browns say Montario Hardesty is close to 100 percent after his knee surgery. He would be able to take part in all the minicamps, drills, etc. They know that there is a risk of further injury, but believe he can be a big-time back (especially combined with Peyton Hillis) in the West Coast offense. He was not used much to catch passes at Tennessee, but the Browns believe he can do that here -- much as Hillis did last season.
6. The Browns will look for a running back lower in the draft, or perhaps a veteran in free agency. They know they need depth.
7. The early medical reports on D'Qwell Jackson's recovery from his pectoral surgery are positive. Jackson had surgery on his left pectoral in 2009, and his right one in 2010. It's hard to know if he can stay healthy. But the Browns believe he is better suited for the 4-3 defense than the 3-4 Jackson played starting in 2006. They would not pay big money for a guy who has missed most of the last two seasons, but they do have an interest in bringing him back for the right price.
8. While former Green Bay head coach Ray Rhodes was hired as the defensive "special assistant," the team says coordinator Dick Jauron who will run the defense. Rhodes and Jauron worked together in Green Bay in 1992-93. They are friends and both have the same approach to the 4-3 defense. Rhodes also worked on Holmgren's staff in Seattle from 2003-07. The idea is for lots of experience on the defensive side of the ball.
9. The front office knows with rookie head coach Pat Shurmur calling plays, the defense needs strong leadership. The Browns mention that Andy Reid (Philadelphia), Sean Peyton (New Orleans) and Mike McCarthy (Green Bay) are recent examples of men who became first-time head coaches but also called the plays on offense. Shurmur's play-calling and knowledge of the West Coast offense are two big reasons the Browns say he was hired.
10. The only defensive coach rehired was defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson. He did play for Rhodes in 1995 with the Eagles. But the real reason he remained is the front office was impressed with how he worked with rookies T.J. Ward and Joe Haden. Yes, the Browns are open to adding more help in the secondary, especially another safety.
11. Let's hope this is true about linebacker Marcus Benard. Profootballfocus.com wrote: "[Benard] was quietly one of the league's most productive pass rushers. He had 34 combined pressures in just 255 snaps, a rate of 1 in 7.5 rushes -- almost identical to Clay Matthews' ratio of one per 7.53 rushes for Green Bay. Benard could be next year's Cameron Wake if the Browns decide to play him full time."
12. This from the same Web site on Chris Gocong, projected as the middle linebacker next season: "The transition from a 4-3 OLB to a 3-4 ILB isn't always the easiest one, but Gocong pulled it off. After being a little below average in everything in his last year with the Eagles, he became a dominant force on the Browns defense as a run stopper. He was able to get pressure on 14 percent of his pass rushes, and was strong in terms of pass defense as he only allowed 21 catches all year."
13. I will be speaking at Stow Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m. about my book "What I Learned From Watching The Browns." Admission is free.
View full sizeThe Indians won't be in a rush when it comes to Grady Sizemore getting ready following his microfracture knee surgery last year.About the Tribe...
1. No matter what the Indians say about Grady Sizemore's recovery from major microfracture surgery, they have to prepare to open the season without him in center. Sizemore is not close to being ready to play right now, as he can only run in a straight line. It also makes no sense to rush his recovery, given the magnitude of his knee surgery.
2. If the Indians opened the season today, Sizemore would be in Goodyear working to come back from the operation. The Tribe would have Austin Kearns in left, Michael Brantley in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right field. Shelley Duncan and Trevor Crowe would be the backup outfielders. Rookie Nick Weglarz is a top prospect, but ticketed for Class AAA Columbus.
3. The Indians are intrigued by Travis Buck, a non-roster invitee as an outfielder. Buck was one of Oakland's top prospects in 2007 when he batted .288 (.855 OPS) with seven homers in 288 at-bats. But he has had a lot of injuries over the last three years, batting .210 with only 11 homers and 37 RBI in 304 at-bats. The Indians say he is healthy.
4. At first, I was against the Orlando Cabrera signing, especially when first reports were that it was a $2 million deal. Turns out the contract is for $1 million. The Indians have no desire to open the season with Jason Kipnis or Cord Phelps at second, believing they need to play at Class AAA Columbus. So if the choice was going to be Jayson Nix or Orlando Cabrera to keep the spot warm for a prospect. I prefer Cabrera.
5. Nix is 28. He had 331 at-bats between the Tribe and White Sox last season, batting .224 (.677 OPS) with 14 HR and 34 RBI. He strikes out a lot (87 times) compared to only 20 walks. He can only play second and some outfield. The defense was horrible last year, and the hope is the two Cabreras (shortstop Asdrubal and Orlando) will be an upgrade up the middle while they sort out third base with Jason Donald, Jared Goedert, etc.
6. The Indians also may be able to trade Orlando Cabrera at midseason for prospects, much as they did with Russell Braynan a year ago. Cabrera remains an above-average defensive shortstop, even at 36. He seems confident about playing second. He did say that third is a more demanding position, and he has little experience there.
7. It would be nice if Phelps could play third, and the Indians plan to look at him there in Goodyear. But he had eight errors in 17 games at third in the Arizona Fall League. He is a second baseman. After he hit .317 (.892 OPS) in 66 games at Columbus last season -- and .367 (1.031 OPS) in the Fall League -- I wonder why he isn't in serious contention for an opening day roster spot. Unlike Kipnis (who only played in Class AAA for the playoffs), Phelps already has spent a few months at Columbus.
8. The Indians are working on Carlos Santana's swing from the right side, which they say is "a little long." Santana batted .314 as a lefty, but .146 (7-of-48) as a right-handed batter with the Tribe last year. Over the last three years, Santana hit .307 (.916 OPS) as a lefty, .296 (.995 OPS) as a righty, so there has been no real difference in his career.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/02/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_29.html
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