Written by Andrew Clayman

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In the aftermath of several Indians fire sales and the excommunication of a King, the Cleveland Sports Universe was left battered and hero-less, desperate for new stars to shine down on their fair city like in the days of old. And so, a great quest was undertaken to find these new stars-- the Browns, Indians, and Cavaliers with the talent, drive, and charisma required to inspire a beleagured fan base. They called this quest The Cleveland Sports Power Rankings.

This week, the Top 25 gets a major jolt of new blood, led of course by the Cleveland Browns' pair of first round draft selections, Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden. Now, in some towns, totally unproven rookies would need to play half a season or so to earn their stripes amongst their more established peers. Not in Cleveland! Nope, with our dangerously short supply of recognizable sports figures, any marginally exciting new additions can bolt to the top of the heap in no time flat. So how high do Richardson and Weeden rank in their Power Rankings debuts? Only one way to find out....

... By scrolling slightly further down the page.

But first, let us review how this highly scientific process of rating people from three different sports is handled. 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, let's see where the chips have fallen this week.

 Cleveland Sports Star Power Rankings: May 7, 2012

#1 Kyrie Irving  35.0
PG, Cavaliers | OP: 9, LR: 9, NR: 8.5, M: 8.5 | Twitter Followers: 163,381 | Previous Rank: #1
So far, so good in the post-apocalypse for the Cavaliers. As the first building block for the franchise's next era, they managed to net themselves the NBA's Rookie of the Year and-- with Derrick Rose questionable for the start of next season-- arguably the best active point guard in the Eastern Conference heading into a huge offseason.

#2 Asdrubal Cabrera  31.0
SS, Indians | OP: 8.5, LR: 8.5, NR: 7.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #2
After mourning his departed grandpa for an entire week in Venezuela, Droobs finally returned to the Tribe line-up and commenced crushing the ball in the same fashion he did much of last season. With Shin-Soo Choo still struggling to find his old form and Jason Kipnis still a bit young to be annointed, Cabrera is the clear centerpiece of the first place Tribe's offense.

#3 Trent Richardson  30.5
RB, Browns | OP: 4, LR: 9, NR: 9, M: 8.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: --
Much like Kyrie Irving a year ago, T-Rich (or T-Rex, if you prefer) has crashed the Cleveland Power Rankings Top Ten months before we'll actually see him on the field. This is partially a consequence of being the #3 overall pick in the NFL draft and an Adrian Peterson level prospect. It also has a lot to do with being the new face of a Browns franchise DESPERATE for something-- anything-- to generate excitement. 

#4 Jason Kipnis  30.5
2B, Indians | OP: 8, LR: 7.5, NR: 6, M: 9 | Twitter: 25,624 | Previous Rank: #13
Our biggest jump in this edition of the Power Rankings is the JK Kid, who has already skipped the cult hero phase and established himself as the Indians' inevitable new posterboy. The marketability factor was never in doubt. It was just a matter of when his skills would complement his charisma. And .300/5/18 out of the gate indicates that could be NOW. 

#5 Joe Haden  30.0
CB, Browns | OP: 6, LR: 8.5, NR: 6.5, M: 9 | Twitter: 84,149 | Previous Rank: #3
As beloved as Jason Kipnis is, though, he's still got a long way to go to rope in as many Twitter followers as Cleveland's reigning, omnipresent sports ambassador, Joe Haden. Now, with the Browns recreating their offense, Haden will be depended on to bounce back from an up-and-down sophomore season to be a veteran leader on defense.

#6 Joe Thomas  29.0
OT, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #6
If they cancel the Pro Bowl this year, Joe Thomas is basically the only Cleveland Brown who might be disappointed. He's had the annual vacation to Hawaii on his calendar for a few years now. On the bright side, the drafting of tackle Mitchell Schwartz might give Joe some much appreciated assistance in protecting the quarterback.

#7 Carlos Santana  28.0
C, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 8, NR: 7, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #12
While many fans hoped to see the Axeman's batting average improve this season, it's actually been his defense which has taken a somewhat shocking leap forward in 2012. Playing almost exclusively behind the plate, Santana has thrown out 42% of base stealers-- a 18% spike from last season and 10% better than the current league average.

#8 Brandon Weeden  27.5
QB, Browns | OP: 4, LR: 9, NR: 6.5, M: 8 | Twitter: 44,200 | Previous Rank: --
Like Trent Richardson, the #22 overall pick Brandon Weeden finds himself right where any QB of a city's pro football team ought to find himself-- in the spotlight as a Top Ten sports star. At the moment, anticipation is high, but expectations are being held in check-- the direct result of 13 years of dashed hopes with similar saviors.

#9 Josh Cribbs  27.5
WR, Browns | OP: 5, LR: 8, NR: 6.5, M: 8 | Twitter: 111,997 | Previous Rank: #7
Even though Josh's ranking got bumped down a couple spots by his newest teammates, Richardson and Weeden, he is still a winner of sorts in the Browns draft aftermath, as the failure to secure a wide receiver in the early rounds leave the door open to Cribbs remaining one of the club's main wideouts in 2012.

#10 Travis Hafner  27.5
DH, Indians | OP: 6.5, LR: 8.5, NR: 6, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #15
A red hot start bolted Pronk back into the Top Ten for the first time in ages, but we have seen these glimpses of the old Hafner pop up before, only to fade back into tired old habits again. A current 5-for-35 slump is not a good indication that this case will be any different, but it sure is nice seeing him out there virtually every game, supposedly as healthy as he's been in years.

#11 Dan Gilbert  27.0
Owner, Cavaliers | OP: 5, LR: 8.5, NR: 7, M: 6.5 | Twitter: 55,556 | Previous Rank: #8
It's gonna be a mighty big summer for Cleveland's only relevant team owner. First comes the draft lottery, then the bitter pill of the "so-called King" likely winning that first title, then an all-important free agency period with the Cavs sitting on vaults of spending cash. 

#12 D'Qwell Jackson  27.0
LB, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 5, M: 6 | Twitter: 18,272 | Previous Rank: #9
One of the few Browns named by his peers to the NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2012" list, Jackson proved what a force he could be when healthy for a whole season. Now, with Scott Fujita suspended for the first three weeks of next season, there is no debate as to whom the leader of the linebacking corps in Cleveland is going forward.

#13 Justin Masterson  26.5
SP, Indians | OP: 7, LR: 7.5, NR: 5.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #5
It's been a bit of a rocky start for Justin, and his ranking has dipped accordingly. Unlike last April, when he burst out to a 5-0 record, he's just 1-2 with a 5.20 ERA through six starts as the Tribe ace. Control has been the problem, as his SO/BB has dipped from 2.43 a year ago to just 1.30.

#14 Anderson Varejao  26.5
C, Cavaliers | OP: 6.5, LR: 7, NR: 6, M: 7 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #4
Missing the entire second half of the season has turned Anderson into a bit of the forgotten man in Cleveland sports. Although, even before the injury, Varejao's outstanding 2011/12 season was going largely unnoticed-- partly overshadowed by Kyrie's exploits and partly buried by the team's awfulness. 

#15 Chris Perez  26.5
RP, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 7.5 | Twitter: 36,695 | Previous Rank: #19
After a lackluster 2011, Pure Rage is looking more and more like Ricky Vaughn in Major League 2, when he overcomes a lack of focus by returning to his badass roots. After getting a heap of criticism for an Opening Day blown save, CP-- throwing hard and with confidence-- has gone out and saved an AL best 11 straight.

#16 Shin-Soo Choo  25.5
RF, Indians | OP: 3.5, LR: 8, NR: 7.5, M: 6.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #10
A homerun and game-ending diving catch in last Friday's win over Texas looked like the spark to get Choo going, but his struggles continue. For now, his reputation earned over the course of 2+ fantastic five-tool seasons still trumps his 1+ years of mediocrity. But if the Tribe hopes to contend into September, their chances may ride on the BLC returning to form.

#17 Phil Dawson  25.5
K, Browns | OP: 8.5, LR: 8, NR: 4, M: 5 | Twitter: 8,434 | Previous Rank: #14
In perhaps the only genuinely funny moment in the history of Tony Rizzo's radio show, he and his crew performed a faux commercial to showcase why the Browns are never on ESPN: "This week on Monday Night Football, Michael Vick and the high flying Eagles travel to Cleveland to take on... Phil Dawson and the Browns! It's Vick's legs versus Dawson's leg!" Cuz yeah, Phil Dawson got our franchise tag. 

#18 Johnny Damon 25.5
LF, Indians | OP: 4, LR: 6, NR: 8, M: 7.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: --
He's old. He's got the weakest arm in the league. And no other team seemed particularly interested in his services. But damn, isn't it kinda cool to have the Caveman in Cleveland? Damon has already made a great impression, as the Tribe's gone 4-0 with his bat in the leadoff spot.

#19 Greg Little  24.0
WR, Browns | OP: 5.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 7 | Twitter: 19,812 | Previous Rank: --
If Colt McCoy was the biggest loser of the Browns draft, Greg Little might be the biggest winner. The young receiver, who led the team by far with 61 catches last season (Cribbs was next with 41) now looks to be the unchallenged #1 WR on the club heading into training camp, barring an unlikely trade or free agent scoop-up.

#20 Jack Hannahan  24.0
3B, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 6, NR: 4, M: 6.5 | Twitter: 8,268 | Previous Rank: --
The Supermanahan phenomenon started last year as more of a joke-- some Irish bloke plays good D and dances a jig when he gets a hit or something. But as Hannahan has continued to deliver clutch hits-- particularly with a smart, opposite field approach-- he has turned into a legit fan favorite, as the cries for Lonnie Chisenhall have been oddly muted up to this point.

#21 Tristan Thompson  23.5
C/PF, Cavaliers | OP: 4.5, LR: 7.5, NR: 4, M: 7.5 | Twitter: 42,294 | Previous Rank: #18
Cleveland still seems fairly divided on the potential for Thompson-- the #4 overall pick last season-- to turn into a viable starting forward for a playoff contender. The kid is only 20, so the room for improvement would appear enormous. But a lack of offensive skills and good instincts are concerns, nonetheless. 

#22 Vinnie Pestano  23.5
RP, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 6, NR: 3, M: 7 | Twitter: 15,057 | Previous Rank: #22
Vinnie has been holding steady at #22, bolstered by his high-energy approach, electric stuff, and underdog spirit. He could be closing for half the teams in MLB already, but with Chris Perez on a roll, there's nothing wrong with having an arm like this available to pitch in any situation-- which he basically has this year, pitching in 15 of the Tribe's 26 games.

#23 Manny Acta  23.0
Manager, Indians | OP: 7.5, LR: 6.5, NR: 3, M: 6 | Twitter: 25,824 | Previous Rank: #24
He may have dropped a spot for letting Joe Smith pitch to Adrian Beltre in extra frames the other night, but all things considered, Acta has been a spectacular hire and great general for a very likeable group of youngsters. As a communicator alone, the gap between Acta and Eric Wedge is canyon-esque.

#24 Ubaldo Jimenez  22.0
SP, Indians | OP: 4, LR: 5.5, NR: 7, M: 5.5 | Twitter: -- | Previous Rank: #21
What Choo is to the Indians offense, Jimenez is to the pitching staff. After a terrific outing against Texas, he now stands at a fork in the road: one way leads to more wildness and total unreliability, the other leads to ace caliber stuff and postseason readiness. What's it gonna be, Ubaldo?

#25 Colt McCoy  20.5
QB, Browns | OP: 4.5, LR: 6, NR: 2.5, M: 7.5 | Twitter: 98,010 | Previous Rank: #11
It should come as no surprise that the biggest drop in the Power Rankings goes to Colt McCoy. If anything, it's a bit surprising perhaps that he's still clinging to a Top 25 spot. But really, it's the least we could do. Colt may be lacking in many categories when it comes to quarterback skills, but heart was not one of them. Now the question is, will Holmgren and Heckert see fit to keep the spurned Longhorn on the roster as Brandon Weeden's backup?

That wraps up this episode of the Cleveland Sports Power Rankings. If you feel cheated and/or disgusted with what you've seen, just check out the next edition, where we will have the NBA Draft and the latest twists and turns of the Tribe season to focus our perspective a bit. Will Grady Sizemore return to the rankings after falling completely out for the first time in years? Was this Colt's swan song in the Rankings and in Cleveland? ... I don't know. They're hypothetical questions. The point is to read the next one.