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Junior college linebacker picks Ohio State

January 31, 2006 / G

Junior college linebacker Larry Grant decided to commit to Ohio State. Grant is ready to play right now so this could be a big boost to the Ohio State defense that is losing nine starters, including all three starting linebackers. Grant acknowledged this when he discussed his decision:

He said earlier this week that one of the attractions of Ohio State is the vacancy sign hanging over all three linebacker spots, vacated by All-American A.J. Hawk and his two fellow seniors Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel.

Let’s see if Tressel can sneak in some more players before tomorrow’s deadline.

OSU Football

James rests but Cavs don’t!!!!

January 30, 2006 / Bob

Lebron James scored 30 points in three quarters as the Cleveland Cavaliers finished the game with James on the bench. Zydrunas Ilgauskas finished with 19 points, Donyell Marshall had 14 and Drew Gooden had 12 rebounds as Cleveland buried the Charlotte Bobcats 103 -91.
The Cavaliers are finally starting to realize that if this team would like to go deep into the playoffs, it will only occur by not standing around and watching one of the best NBA players perform. The supporting cast excluding Damon Jones (insert trade here) is finally starting to step up to the plate. Eric Snow, an average starting point guard, continues to excel on the defensive end, which overshadows his inability to make a jump shot. Gooden and Anderson Varejao are a strong duo on the boards and Marshall�s outside jumper is coming back to life. The return of Larry Hughes should put Cleveland in a very good position to put a strong hold on the fourth playoff spot.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Buckeyes fall to Iowa

January 29, 2006 / Mark Chalifoux

The Buckeyes ran into Iowa at the wrong time and fell 67-62 to the Hawkeyes. Iowa won this game with their defense, which ranks fourth in the country. They held Ohio State to only 35% from the field. Still, the Buckeyes had a good shot to come away with the win late in the game against a veteran and talented team. I think this quote by head coach Thad Matta sums things up best-

“It’s another one of those games where we’re there, but we just have got to find a way to get over the hump, and win the damn game,” Matta said to the AP.

This is becoming a recurring theme for this Ohio State team. They have the talent to play with anyone and make no mistake, they are a good team. But just a good team. Can they be great? Maybe, but like Matta said, they are going to have to find a way to get over the hump and finish teams off. At the end, it just becomes a battle of wills and who wants it more. On Saturday, it was Iowa.

OSU Basketball

OSU Football passes on one star and waits on two.

January 29, 2006 / Bob

The Ohio State Football program followed its �high mark� for grades by removing a scholarship offered to Josh Chichester of Lakota West High School. The rumor is that Josh is having academic difficulty. The Buckeyes, who are unable to comment on prospective recruits, did verify that Josh will not be attending Ohio State. It appears that Josh will be heading to Louisville to play football.
Ohio State is waiting patiently on decisions from Corey Peters, rivals.com number 3 prospect in the state of Kentucky, and City College of San Francisco linebacker Larry Grant. This JC stand out may be leaning toward Ohio State.

OSU Football

Save Jake Westbrook! Actually…

January 28, 2006 / JEC

As Bob pointed out in a previous post, the Indians are reportedly talking to the Reds once again about an Austin Kearns/Jake Westbrook trade. At first glance, it’s easy to say, as Bob did:

I think that Mr. Dolan needs to understand that keeping a nucleus together is critical for success, even if it means spending money.

But then I read this:

Losing Westbrook would leave a giant hole in Cleveland’s rotation. According to a rival team, Shapiro has been in recent discussions with free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver (14-11, 4.22 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005). Weaver, 29, made $9.5 million last season, but the market for him has been thin, and he might be willing to take at least $1 million less on a one-year contract. The cost of his salary would be offset by the departure of Rhodes ($3.7 million) and Westbrook ($4.25 million). Michaels will make $1.5 million this season.

Now, there’s no way you can trade Jake Westbrook without getting a competent replacement for him. I agree wholeheartedly. But Weaver is Jake Westbrook, or a damn fine clone:

Weaver
2005: 14-11, 4.22 ERA, 157 Ks, 220 IP
2004: 13-13, 4.01 ERA, 153 Ks, 224 IP

Westbrook
2005: 15-15, 4.49 ERA, 119 Ks, 216 IP
2004: 14-9, 3.38 ERA, 116 Ks, 211 IP

You may be tempted to say that Weaver’s older, and he is, but only by one year (29-28). So if Shapiro’s able to land a power-hitting outfielder, albeit one with some issues but one with a lot of potential too, without losing anything in terms of starting pitching, would that be such a bad thing?

Everybody likes Westbrook, just like everybody loves Coco, but again, Westbrook’s not a great pitcher, nor will he ever be one. He was so erratic last season that he often wasn’t even a very good pitcher. Granted, you’re not getting someone with Andy Marte’s potential in return, but Kearns is still just 25 (younger than Coco, by the way) and he’s got GOBS of power. And by trading Westbrook, Dolan would then open up his wallet for Weaver, which is what we all want to see him do, right? Start spending. Well, he may do just that soon.

And for everyone accusing the Indians of not trying to compete, think again. Shapiro’s gearing this team up for a playoff run, but in the process he’s also solidified the future of the franchise. Without question, we’re talking about one of the best general managers in baseball. It’s a shame so many Cleveland fans don’t recognize it yet. But they will soon.

Cleveland Indians