The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mayfield ranked seventh in QBs poll
Bleacher Reports ranks Baker Mayfield seventh among all quarterbacks in 2018. Plus, injury updates on Indians players as spring training nears, and the Cavaliers’ draft lottery odds.
The praise just keeps on coming for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Bleacher Report ranks Mayfield seventh among NFL quarterbacks in 2018. He is the only rookie ranked in the top 10.
It is difficult to argue the Browns’ young starter should have displaced any of the quarterbacks ranked ahead of him.
Topping the list is Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs followed by the Colts’ Andrew Luck, the Falcons’ Matt Ryan, Drew Brees of the Saints, Russell Wilson from the Seahawks and Philip Rivers from the Chargers.
Bleacher Report ranks Mayfield a notch ahead of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans is ninth on the list. Ben Roethlisberger from the Steelers rounds out the top 10.
“The only rookie on our list, Baker Mayfield didn’t just elevate the talent around him,” the summary says. “He put the entire Cleveland Browns organization on his back and nearly led it to the postseason. In just 14 games and 13 starts, Mayfield passed for 3,725 yards, a rookie-record 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions — and it’s not like he was playing with a star-studded supporting cast.
“Mayfield also deserves credit for weathering a midseason coaching change and the ascension of a first-time offensive play-caller (new head coach Freddie Kitchens). Despite plenty of turmoil and the foul stench of the Browns’ losing culture, Mayfield brought confidence to the franchise and produced one of the great rookie campaigns of all time.”
Bleacher Report says Mayfield should win Offensive Rookie of the Year over Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
Lottery reform
Finishing with the worst record in the NBA, something the Cavaliers seemed destined to do this season, isn’t as advantageous as it once was.
In September 2017, the NBA Board of Governors made changes to the lottery to discourage teams from tanking. As luck would have it for the Cavaliers after four straight trips to the NBA Finals, the changes go into effect in 2019.
The 14 teams that don’t make the playoffs are in the lottery each year. The 2019 lottery will be held May 14. The two-round NBA draft is set for June
20.
Starting with the next draft the three worst teams record-wise will each have a 14 percent chance overall to get the first pick, which in 2019 is expected to be Zion Williamson, the dynamic 6-foot-6 power forward from Duke. In the past the team with the worst record had a 25 percent chance of getting the first pick.
Odds of getting the first pick gradually decrease after the top three. The team with the fourth worst record has a 12.5 percent chance, the team with the fifth-worst record a 10.5 percent chance down to the team with the best record not making the playoffs at 0.5 percent.
“NBA Draft Lottery reform is a meaningful step in our continuous effort to enhance the quality of our games,” NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell said when the reforms were announced. “These changes were necessary to improve the competitive incentives for our teams.”
Before the reforms the team with the worst record was assured of picking no lower than fourth. Now that team will pick no lower than fifth.
• The Cavaliers won’t be buyers at the Feb. 7 trade deadline, but they could be sellers. Sam Amico of Amico Hoops reported the Hornets and Mavericks have interest in injured forward Kevin Love, though he did not speculate what the Cavaliers might get in return.
Amico also said a trade might not happen before the deadline, which means Love might not be shipped out of town until next offseason. By then, the draft will have taken place. A healthy Love and Williamson could make the Cavs a playoff team again quickly.
Ken Berger of Bleacher Report, quoting an NBA Western Conference executive anonymously, suggested the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets or Pacers as possible landing spots for Love.
Love’s albatross of a contract (he signed a fouryear, $120 million extension in July) and injury history makes him difficult
to unload. He played the first four games of 201819, and foot surgery Nov. 2 and hasn’t played since.
Trading Jordan Clarkson to a contender that needs a scorer could be more reasonable. Requests for Clarkson are likely to heat up as the trade deadline draws closer.
• LeBron James won’t play for the Lakers on Jan. 13 in Staples Center against the Cavaliers. James is still bothered by a groin injury suffered Christmas Day in a game against the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers are 3-6 since James has been sidelined. He scored 32 points on his former team when the Lakers beat the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, 109-105, on Nov. 21.
Indians health
It has not been a banner offseason for the Indians. In order to absorb the salary increases earned by shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Corey Kluber, plus the expected $5 million raise pitcher Trevor Bauer will get in arbitration totaling around $22 million, the Indians traded DH Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso, among others.
There is good news on the injury front for the following players in this medical update released by the team:
• Pitcher Cody Anderson, recovering from right elbow (Tommy John) reconstruction:
“Cody experienced a completely normal off-season and trained without restriction,” the report stated. “He is throwing bullpens starting this week. He is expected to be unrestricted at the start of spring training.”
• Pitcher Trevor Bauer, recovered from fractured right distal fibula:
“Has completed training without any restriction or discomfort. Expected to be unrestricted for all activity at the start of spring training.”
• Pitcher Nick Goody, recovered from right elbow arthroscopic surgery:
“Nick spent the fall working back to full intensity throwing and completed four bullpens in early December. He has been completing a normal offseason throwing program since late December and training program without issues. He is expected to be mostly unrestricted at the start of spring training.”
•Outfielder Tyler Naquin, recovering from right hip surgery:
“Tyler completed a full return to play progression in September/October including simulated innings. He trained without restriction this offseason. He is expected to be unrestricted at the start of spring training.”
• Pitcher Danny Salazar, recovering from right shoulder arthroscopic debridement)
“Danny is currently throwing to 90 feet without symptoms. He projects to be throwing long toss by the end of January and throwing bullpens around the start of spring training. Game activity time frame still to be determined.”
• Relief pitcher Ben Taylor, recovering from right hip labrum repair surgery in September
“Ben has spent the offseason rehabbing and is currently throwing and running without restriction. Anticipated to be ready for most activity at the start of spring training with running restrictions and volume. Game activity may be delayed until late February/early March. Underwent surgery on Sept. 26 in Dallas (Dr. William Robertson).”
•Outfielder Bradley Zimmer, recovering from right shoulder repair:
“Bradley is currently hitting off the tee and throwing to 75 feet with no issues. Expected to have some restrictions at start of camp as he continues his return to play progression. Game activity will be dependent on response to activity in February.”
Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12 to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. The rest of the team reports Feb. 16. The first fullsquad workout is Feb. 18.
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