Written by Andrew Clayman

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The Power Rankings were introduced last year as an ongoing quest for the "new face of Cleveland sports"-- a battle for the throne abandoned by a former king. But to this point-- despite advancing through two NFL free agent periods, the NBA trade deadline, and MLB hot stove season-- not a whole hell of a lot has changed on our list of competitors. In fact, the biggest shake-up to this edition of the Power Rankings isn't the addition of a new star; it's the deletion of a former #1. Yes, Peyton Hills' career as a Cleveland Brown came to its remarkably anti-climatic conclusion this month, as the once beloved Madden cover boy quietly signed a cheap rental contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether or not this actually winds up negatively impacting the Browns remains to be seen (though most things do). However, it's already clear that Peyton's departure has left Cleveland's supply of nationally recognized sports figures at a possibly unprecedented low. Combine this with the fact that the Washington-bound Robert Griffin III likely would have debuted in our Top 3, and you can see why we're currently heaping all of our hopes and dreams on the shoulders of another 19 year-old basketball player. It's like we never friggin' learn.

Anyway, other things to look for in this edition: the rise of the JK Kid. He's only played in 36 Major League games, but Jason Kipnis is blasting up the rankings thanks in large part to the desperately needed charisma he brings to the table. We've also got two Cleveland head coaches moving into the Top 25 this week. Can you guess which two? It's not very difficult. And finally, we're including a new feature to help  showcase each man's respective Star Power, as the "Twitter Followers" total wil indicate the all-important number of social media losers that have have latched themselves on to these players like digital barnacles. 

To review the methodology here, every athlete below is ranked on STAR POWER-- a metric of success and popularity that breaks down into four subsections: On-Field Performance (OP), Local Recognition (LR), National Recognition (NR), and Marketability (M). For each one of these sub-categories, the player in question gets a 1-10 ranking, and the combination of the four scores is his STAR POWER RATING (with 40.0 being the highest possible SPR, reserved for the likes of Bob Feller, Jim Brown, and a pre-balding LeBron James). Now, on to the list!

 Cleveland Sports Star Power Rankings: March 28, 2012

#1 Kyrie Irving  34.5
PG, Cavaliers | OP: 8.5, LR: 9, NR: 8.5, M: 8.5 | Twitter Followers: 145,644 | Previous Rank: #2
In Cleveland, it's just never been as fun to call talk radio stations to say things like, "man, management sure did do a great job in the draft this time around." This is why you hear almost as much about what a questionable pick Tristan Thompson was as you do about what a wise, potentially franchise-changing selection Kyrie Irving was. Derrick Williams may wind up a fine player, but Irving is your NBA Rookie of the Year and the biggest star in Cleveland by a wide margin.

#2 Asdrubal Cabrera  30.5
SS, Indians | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 7.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #3
In the simplest terms possible, Asdrubal Cabrera-- as the 2012 season begins-- is the best player on the Cleveland Indians. His breakout 2011 season added an unexpected power stroke and a highlight reel of flashy leather to his resume. He's at his all-time Power Rankings high point right now, too, but that could change in a hurry if his rumored weight issues and a change in attitude turn his arrival into a fluke.

#3 Joe Haden  30.0
CB, Browns | OP: 6, LR: 8.5, NR: 6.5, M: 9 | Twitter: 79,838 | Previous Rank: #10
As a sad statement on the state of the Browns, ESPN's 2012 version of the Madden Cover Tournament (which Peyton Hillis improbably won last year) features Joe Haden as Cleveland's representative. Nothing against Joe-- he's probably the most enthusiastic Cleveland sports ambassador the city has right now-- but after a pretty disappointing sophomore season, he really has no business being in that discussion or this one.

#4 Anderson Varejao  29.5
C, Cavaliers | OP: 8, LR: 7.5, NR: 6.5, M: 7.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #11
Prior to the wrist injury that's kept him out of action for the past month, Varejao was having his best year as a pro, averaging 11 points and 12 rebounds per game. His contract-- which was once bemoaned by many fans as the severe overpayment of a marginal role player-- has since been widely looked at as one of the top value deals in the NBA. The only question is, will Andy's style of play prevent him from ever staying off the IR?

#5 Justin Masterson  28.5
SP, Indians | OP: 8, LR: 8, NR: 5.5, M: 7 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #9
The whole season may ride more on the arm of Ubaldo Jimenez, but when it came to choosing an Opening Day starter, Manny Acta did the only respectable thing he could do. He chose his actual ace. Masterson was a revelation in 2011, despite terrible run support all year. And with the name Fausto Carmona lost to history, Justin is primed to be the Tribe's key innings-eater going forward.

#6 Joe Thomas  28.5
OT, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #5
It's hard to imagine any real dispute over who the most valuable commodity on the Cleveland Browns is right now. And yet-- either due to the position he plays or his generally low profile-- Joe Thomas is not a superstar in any classic sense of the word. That isn't likely to change, either, but neither is his standing as the only elite talent on a stunningly talent-lacking club.

#7 Josh Cribbs  28.5
WR, Browns | OP: 5.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 8 | Twitter: 107,503 | Previous Rank: #4
In stark contrast to Joe Thomas, Josh Cribbs is holding on to a Top 10 spot almost solely based on his off-the-field popularity, rather than his actual performance, which has tailed off considerably the last two seasons. Like Devin Hester in Chicago, Josh has never quite pulled off the transition to wide receiver, and a 2010 foot injury has left him without the explosiveness he once brought ot special teams.

#8 Dan Gilbert  28.0
Owner, Cavaliers | OP: 5, LR: 9, NR: 7, M: 7 | Twitter: 53,351 | Previous Rank: #8
Perhaps the entire city of Cleveland has drunk the Koolaid where it concerns this Detroit business mogul, but from building casinos to rebuilding the Cavs, his actions seem to be consistently well received. Then again, competing against human piñatas like Randy Lerner and Larry Dolan can make any owner look dynamic.

#9 D'Qwell Jackson  28.0
LB, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 5.5, M: 6 | Twitter: 17,069 | Previous Rank: #7
Even a Factory of Sadness needs at least a few happy employees, and it appears as though the Browns' top defensive player actually feels some level of loyalty to the team that stuck by him during repeat pectoral surgeries. Jackson inked a five-year extension last month, making him a key piece to build around going forward.

#10 Shin-Soo Choo  27.0
RF, Indians | OP: 6.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #15
With all due respect to Asdrubal Cabrera, there is every reason to believe than Shin-Soo Choo is still the Tribe's most valuable player when at full strength. And this spring, the Choo outlook seems to be an overwhelmingly positive one. It should not be overlooked how much of a difference his bat and arm could have made last season, when Travis Buck was roaming right field in his stead.

#11 Colt McCoy  26.5
QB, Browns | OP: 4.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 5.5, M: 9 | Twitter: 93,210 | Previous Rank: #16
Who was the big winner of this NFL free agent period? Some might say Denver for nabbing Peyton Manning or Buffalo for grabbing Mario Williams. But it's hard to imagine anyone feeling better about the past month than Colt McCoy, who watched a long line of potential challengers wind up elsewhere-- making his stranglehold on Cleveland's starting quarterback job look fairly secure. Yay?

#12 Carlos Santana  26.0
C/1B, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 8, NR: 6, M: 4.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #12
You could say this is a make-or-break season for just about everybody on the Indians 40-man roster, but really, it's got to apply the most to the Axeman, who will either establish himself as an elite power-hitting catcher or something a little less glamorous-- like a .240 hitting 1B/DH who strikes out too much. We'll lean toward the former, as his OBP suggests better things to come.

#13 Jason Kipnis  26.0
2B, Indians | OP: 5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4.5, M: 9 | Twitter: 19,796 | Previous Rank: #17
In a normal sports market, an unproven commodity like this Northbrook, IL, native would be lucky to make a Top 25. As much of a spark as Kipnis provided in his brief stint with the Tribe last season, he still has plenty to prove as an every day second baseman in the Big Leagues. That said, in terms of projections, almost no Cleveland athlete looks more primed for a spike this year than JK, who's already made headlines this spring by doing his best Adele impression during a MLB Network live telecast.

#14 Phil Dawson  25.5
K, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 4, M: 5 | Twitter: 7,676 | Previous Rank: #13
So, the Cleveland Browns put their franchise tag on a kicker. Some might scoff. Actually, anyone would scoff. But if you're a follower of the expansion Browns (and I say follower because "fan" sounds a bit much), you know that, for better or worse, this is the face of your franchise. So, if anyone's going to be franchised...

#15 Travis Hafner  25.5
DH, Indians | OP: 5, LR: 8.5, NR: 6, M: 6 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #14
Admit it. You still love Pronk. Sure, he's been an albatross hanging from the organization's neck for the last 5 years. But since that ill-fated contract is finally nearing its end, we might as well take 2012 as an opportunity to really cherish whatever fleeting moments of greatness this former Top 3 star still has to offer.  

#16 Grady Sizemore  25.5
CF, Indians | OP: 2, LR: 8.5, NR: 7, M: 8 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #6
Looks like we got a little ahead of ourselves. In the last Power Rankings, Grady leaped back into the Top Ten on the good PR of his surprise re-signing with the Indians. Within the first week of Spring Training, though, any renewed good will was quickly squashed by yet another injury/surgery and prolonged DL stint. Look kids, a shooting star!

#17 Byron Scott  25.0
Head Coach, Cavaliers | OP: 5, LR: 7.5, NR: 6.5, M: 6 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: --
Again, Cleveland fans are always more at ease decrying the idiocy of a bad coach (Pat Shurmur) than the fine achievements of a good one. But you'd be hard pressed to find a Cavs fan with anything but admiration for the work Coach Scott is doing this year with his golden boy rookie and a cast of useless D-Leaguers. 

#18 Tristan Thompson 24.0
C/F, Cavaliers | OP: 4.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 8 | Twitter: 39.984 | Previous Rank: #22
Not unlike his fellow Texas grad Colt McCoy, Tristan Thompson is a bit of a polarizing figure in Cleveland sports at the moment. A move to the starting center spot has raised his production and stock a bit, but overall, he's looked even more raw than anticipated, shooting just 43% from the field and an unforgivable 51% from the line.

#19 Chris Perez  24.0
RP, Indians | OP: 6, LR: 7, NR: 4, M: 7 | Twitter: 32,249 | Previous Rank: #21
After a less than dominant 2011, Pure Rage heard his name swirling around the hot stove in possible trade scenarios, but nothing came of it. For now, he remains the Tribe's closer, and a fairly popular one at that-- with the appropriate quirkiness seemingly required for the gig. Should he falter, though, the equally entertaining Vinnie Pestano awaits his opportunity.

#20 Antawn Jamison  24.0
F, Cavaliers | OP: 7, LR: 6, NR: 6, M: 5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #18
Despite averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds a night and occasionally carrying the young Cavs on his back, the 35 year-old Jamison has no particular traction with the Cleveland faithful. Even after surviving the trade deadline, it's no secret to anyone that Antawn isn't part of the future of this franchise, and his noble efforts as a mentor and leader take a backseat to his career-low 42% shooting percentage.

#21 Ubaldo Jimenez  23.5
SP, Indians | OP: 3, LR: 5.5, NR: 8, M: 7 | Twitter: 10,614 | Previous Rank: #19
He pitched poorly the second half of 2010, before his trade to Cleveland last year, after his trade to Cleveland, and throughout the spring this year. As it stands, only Ubaldo himself will claim total confidence in the idea of a return to dominance. But at this point, you have to question his self image as much as his pitch selection.

#22 Vinnie Pestano  22.0
RP, Indians | OP: 7, LR: 6, NR: 2, M: 7 | Twitter: 13,042 | Previous Rank: #24
He was a relative unknown at this time a year ago, but he's been hovering at the edge of these rankings ever since establishing himself as one of the AL's top setup man last year. Pestano's got the personality to become quite the cult hero around these parts, but if he experiences a big fall-off as relievers often do, the sense of humor will be a moot point.

#23 Jabaal Sheard  22.0
DE, Browns | OP: 8, LR: 6.5, NR: 3, M: 4.5 | Twitter: 10,128 | Previous Rank: #20
When your football team includes essentially ZERO playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, it's good news for a solid-- if not particularly famous-- up-and-comer like this 22 year-old out of Pitt. Sheard mostly upstaged top pick Phil Taylor last year, racking up 55 tackles and a team-best 8.5 sacks. And thus, he cracks our list.

#24 Manny Acta  21.5
Manager, Indians | OP: 6.5, LR: 6, NR: 3, M: 6 | Twitter: 23,605 | Previous Rank: --
No parades were held in Cleveland when the less-than-successful ex-manager of the Washington Nationals was brought on to take over a developing Indians club in 2010. But after a very competitive and enjoyable summer last year, Manny Acta seems to have won over the city and his players, with almost exclusively positive reviews coming his way to this point.

#25 Shelley Duncan  20.5
OF/DH, Indians | OP: 4.5, LR: 7, NR: 2.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: 8,478 | Previous Rank: --
Yeah, I know. It's ridiculous on one level. But whether or not he ever learns to hit a curveball or not, Sloth has already developed a growing cult of devotees at Progressive Field. The guy is intense, he's passionate, and every now and again, he hits the living snot out of a ball. Does he have any business being on a Power Rankings list, or potentially starting every day in left field? Certainly "No" on both points. But there he is.

If you're displeased and/or depressed with this edition of the Cleveland Sports Power Rankings, fear not. The start of baseball season and upcoming NFL draft should help shake up this list like an Etch-a-Sketch-- to choose a popular political figure of speech. Will Justin Blackmon make his debut in a month or so? Will a new Tribesman like Casey Kotchman or Derek Lowe improbably become entertaining? Will you even care? The answers: probably not, don't bet on it, and hopefully a little bit.