Posts

Posted on

The Detroit Lions led the NFL in an obscure statistic

Embed from Getty Images To say the Detroit Lions offense was not very good in 2018 is like saying snow is white. Stating the obvious, however there is something the Lions did better than well every team in the league.

 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense gained more yards from defensive pass interference penalties. The Lions opponents amassed a total of 10 fouls that gained the Detroit offense 221 yards. Not really a stat that benefits a team unless the offense is more consistent.

 

The next best was the New Orleans Saints, who had 13 interference calls for 201 yards. Leading to the question why did the Detroit Lions not throw the ball downfield more often? When it was working the Lions switched to a run or short passes. Needless to say that was the was not the rout to take.

 

There came a point in the season when the Lions struggled to grasp Matt Patricia’s style and system. If drawing penalties was working why did the team not choose to exploit teams further? That should have been brought up at team meetings and practices.

 

Yes, the Detroit offense had a rash of injuries. Yet wide receiver Kenny Golladay was the downfield threat the team needed. He simply was not targeted as much as he could have or should have been targeted. It was a lost opportunity.

 

Now it will be up to new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to figure out how to stretch defenses with hopes of a big play or drawing a penalty. A healthy Kerryon Johnson will help to freeze linebackers and defensive backs with play action while receivers make their way downfield.

 

This must be taken in consideration as general manager Bob Quinn makes offseason plans for the team.

Posted on

Detroit Pistons are stuck in neutral

Embed from Getty Images Are the 2018-19 Detroit Pistons a playoff team? As of right now they are towing the line between playoff and stay at home. Right now the Detroit Pistons are losing more games than they are winning.

 

Should the Pistons tank for a higher draft pick? They should not seriously think about the playoffs. They simply need too much and have no cap room to add any player that can help.

 

Trading a player or two is an option. However unless Detroit gives up a big name or big time talent they will not be adding a player who can really help them.

 

Poor choices and poor contracts have the Pistons stuck in an uncomfortable place. That seemed to be a running thing between the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers. Who could give out the most expensive salary crushing contract?

 

While the Tigers have done a very good job shedding salary and will be in good shape after the 2020 baseball season and the Red Wings are also currently set to enjoy freed cap room to the tune of $18 million. The Pistons are no where close to that luxury.

 

It is still only January so it is a bit soon to begin a full-fledged tank. It is late enough in the season to see the Detroit Pistons are in trouble. That is unsettling for the Pistons fan base who expected more and better after Stan Van Gundy was fired.

 

There is no easy button that can fix this. Nor is there an easy way out. The Pistons dug themselves into this mess and are going to have to dig themselves out of it. It will take time. Something no fan wants to hear.

 

Next Summer’s NBA draft is deep. That is the good news. The Pistons can get a reliable point guard or shooting guard. But that wait is long when the team needs are now. It would be shocking if the Pistons snuck into the playoffs. It may be best if they did not.

Posted on

Darrell Bevell is the new Detroit Lions offensive coordinator

Embed from Getty Images He has called plays for a Super Bowl champion. He has called plays for a Super Bowl loser. Through all of that Darrell Bevell, may be the right guy for the Detroit Lions.

 

Darrell Bevell, is considered to be a “Quarterback friendly” coach. That is good news as he will be tasked to get Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford back on track after a rough and disastrous 2018  NFL season.

 

At 49 years old Bevell has already made a name for himself. He was Pete Carroll’s offensive coordinator in Seattle for the Seahawks. He made one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history. That was not enough to scare the Detroit Lions away.

 

Not calling for a run and winning the game he called pass it was intercepted and the New England Patriots walked away with the Lombardi trophy. An uncomfortable spotlight to be sure.

 

Darrell Bevell, runs a sort of hybrid of the West Coast offense yet it hinges on a running game which goes against the grain of being a true West Coast system. He has enjoyed success at both the college and NFL level.

 

Bevell sat out last football season and is said to be recharged for the upcoming season. Matt Patricia elected to not renew the contract of now former offensive play caller Jim Bob Cooter. As Cooter system became predictable.

 

Bevell, comes to the Motor City with some nice pieces to both work with and build around. Not to mention quarterback Matthew Stafford who general manager Bob Quinn recently said the team can win a Super Bowl with.

 

Detroit Lions rookie running back Kerryon Johnson will be spotlighted in Bevell’s offense. Also at coach Bevell’s disposal is Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Kenny reached 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in in carrer.

 

Matt Patricia, who is a firm believer in a ball control offense from his days as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator. Patricia watched as the Patriots ran the ball effectively which set quarterback Tom Brady up for high percentage passes.

 

With Bevell that is what is coming to Detroit. It is a philosophy that on paper should pay high dividends for the Lions. There will be some growing pains as players learn the new system.

 

Bringing in Bevell quickly was a wise choice. As mini camps and rookie camp opens players will be able to pick up the new offense not to mention the preseason. Those games will not be throw away games for the Lions. They will be learning and applying games.

Posted on

Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio’s big bet

Embed from Getty Images Michigan Wolverines head football coach Jim Harbaugh heard the rumblings and chose to change. Harbaugh went outside his comfort zone and hired an offensive coordinator. From Alabama. The Spartans Mark Dantonio is and was not as bold.

 

Change is good. Change in sports can push a team or program forward. Lack of change can smoother and impede progress. New blood in coaching and to a staff breathes fresh life. Mark Dantonio chose to stay in house and shuffle his coaching staff.

 

Brad Salem, who was the Spartans quarterbacks coach was promoted to offensive coordinator. While co-offensive coordinators Dave Warner and Jim Bollman were reassigned to quarterbacks coach and offensive line coach respectfully.

 

Mark Dantonio called it his most significant change in his 12 years in East Lansing. Michigan State fans and alumni are not happy. They say that rival Jim Harbaugh was willing to go big and he hit a home run. Dantonio simply reshuffled his coaches. Which seldom works in a positive way.

 

From a distance Dantonio has not evolved. Nor has he adapted to the modern college football landscape. With only 10 points in their last two games (7 against Nebraska, 3 against Oregon) more than a switch was and still is needed.

 

Dantonio stated loyalty when asked why he stayed in house and did not bring in new blood. There in lies the problem. Dantonio is unwilling to change. He is unwilling to move his program forward.

 

Losing recruits to Jim Harbaugh is killing the Michigan State football program. The fact that everyone but the head football coach sees it is alarming.

 

Dantonio said “I believe in digging in when things get tough with people I know.” That is a bold statement to make. Because sticking with the same coaching staff for 12 years is not working the way it once did.

 

That is good and all. Unless he and his buddies are digging their own grave.

Posted on

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Casey Mize is the No. 2 rated prospect

Embed from Getty Images Pitching is generally not an issue in Detroit. The next wave of great Tigers pitchers will arrive in Motown over the next two years. Leading the way is last June’s No. 1 overall draft pick. Casey Mize.

 

MLB Pipeline last Tuesday released their annual top 10 prospects. Detroit Tigers fans should be both happy and excited to find form Auburn University and top Detroit Tigers pick Casey Mize came in at No. 2. Over some big names.

 

Casey Mize has the highest floor in the top 10. Standing 6′ 3″ 220 lbs, Mize has the most combination of stuff and polish. His unhittable split finger fastball gives way to a 97 mph fastball and a slider in the mid-80’s. Last season while at Lakeland with the Flying Tigers, Mize added a cutter to his already above average offering.

 

This is great news for the rebuilding Detroit Tigers. Many are thinking Casey Mize will arrive at some point this Summer at Comerica Park. Tigers general manager Al Avila has said only if he is ready. Look for Mize to start the season at Double-A Erie with the Seawolves.

 

This is absolutely the right move to make. The team is still two years away from jumping back into competitive play again. No need to rush any prospect. Allowing a prospect time to grown and gain confidence is important to longevity as well as overall performance.

 

Tigers fans will also be happy to hear that pitching prospect Franklin Perez is sitting just outside the top 10. Until the Tigers are ready to roar again, fans need to keep close tabs on the minor leagues to get an ideal of how good this team is going to look very soon.

 

For some this rebuild seems to be taking a long time. When in reality it is not. Savvy trades and smart draft picks have actually sped up the painstakingly long task of gutting a team and building a new one.

 

The Detroit Tigers future is bright and will get even brighter as the team begins to sign big name free agents most likely starting next season to put around their young talent.

Posted on

Detroit Tiger fans can circle 2020

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Tigers in the midst of a rebuild are getting closer to competitive baseball again. While the Detroit front office is and has remained tight lipped about a time table there are some clues that point to 2020.

 

While it has only been a year since the Detroit Tigers have embarked on a full-blown rebuild they have chips in their minor leagues. Solid drafts and wise trades have brought the Detroit Tigers closer to the end. It has the makings of being one of the fastest rebuilds in recent times.

 

After the 2020 MLB baseball season the Detroit Tigers will have around $50 plus million coming off the books. That will free up cash for free agents. It is a safe bet that owner Christopher Ilitch will give the green light to go after and sign top tier free agents.

 

Starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann $50 million is off the books. The $20 million the Tigers owe the Huston Astros as part of the Justin Verlander trade is gone as in the $20 million owed the Texas Rangers for taking Prince Fielder. That is a nice chunk of change.

 

That will leave the Tigers Miguel Cabrera as the only big contract left. The Tigers boast 5 starting pitching prospects ranked in the top 100. They also have two outfielder in Christian Stewart and Parker Meadows who will be full-time Tigers very soon.

 

Kody Clemens and Issac Paredes will sure the Detroit infield up the middle at second base and short stop. It is safe to say that after next season Christopher Ilitch and Tigers general manager Al Avila will sit down and take and in depth look at the rebuild.

 

Should the Detroit Tigers be where they are projected by many, Ilitch will open the wallet and Comerica Park summer nights will be fun again. The Tigers currently hold the #6 pick in the first round of this June’s MLB draft. Where they will be able to add another impact player.

 

The Tigers will have holes to fill in the outfield, first base Miguel Cabrera should be a full time designated hitter and utility player off the bench. They could and most likely will address those needs in free agency.  Unlike 2006 when the Tigers came out of a dark decade of bad baseball this return will be both swifter and last longer as the team has pledged to keep and not trade their young talent.

Posted on

Detroit Lions: season review

Embed from Getty Images It was a rough transition for the 2018 Detroit Lions. Going from a steady head coach in Jim Caldwell to new head coach Matt Patricia. What was not mentioned was the team was rebuilding on the fly. What happened was a disaster. A 6-10 record set the team back.

 

Lions general manager Bob Quinn is going to have to stand before the media and explain why this season did not go as planned. He needs to start with himself. Quinn overvalued his roster. Quinn also failed to provide the roster with quality depth.

 

Injuries piled up. Sure football is a rough sport and there are injuries throughout the season. But the body count in Motown was too much to over come. The general manager is at fault for not making in season additions to help the roster.

 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was awful. For the first time  in his career Stafford did not lead a come-from-behind victory and regressed to the point his future in Detroit is cloudy. 10 years in a two playoff appearances and no playoff wins does not translate well.

 

Sure Patricia made some boneheaded calls as most first time head coaches do. His defense showed tremendous growth and will enter next season a top defense in the NFL. Patrica’s missteps were not so much that a fully healthy roster could not have overcome.

 

Quinn traded the Detroit Lions best wide receiver Golden Tate during the season. That is hard to argue with as they got rid of an older player on an expiring contract for a third round draft pick. So that was a good value trade. But it killed any hope of a playoff run.

 

As the season ended Patrica announced offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter would not be brought back. Perhaps Detroit should look at getting rid of Stafford. Start fresh and really grow the team in a positive direction.

 

Patrica wants a ball control offense. There is no need for a gun-slinging quarterback when running the ball takes center stage. A player like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (who is a free agent after the season) would be a better option for Patrica’s vision. The Lions already have promising rookie running back Kerryon Johnson.

 

They also have another building block in wide receiver Kenny Golladay. They need to build around these two p[layers in free agency and the 2019 NFL draft. A draft that will see the Lions pick at #8 in the first round.

 

This is a HUGE off season  for Bob Quinn and Patricia. Quinn must invest salary cap money into impact players. Patrica must nail the hire and bring in the right offensive coordinator. Otherwise, both could be shown the door.

Posted on

Detroit Pistons head coach steadying the team during recent funk

Embed from Getty Images Dwane Casey has been the calm the Detroit Pistons have needed as the team is currently going through a rough patch. Showing why he is an NBA coach of the year.

 

The old saying is everyone is happy when things are going good. Which is why it is interesting that the Pistons players and coaches are happy during a December slump.  Players and coaches are not freaking out.

 

Dwane Casey said he refuses to cuss out a player because it would be counterproductive. Instead Casey has been working one on one with players who have hit an in season slump. That is the mark of a good coach.

 

While other teams coaches have been seen screaming at players. Casey meets them on the sidelines crouches down in front of them and talks to them followed by a hair ruffle or pat on the shoulder. Part of what has endeared him to his players.

 

His calming influence has been welcomed from Detroit basketball players since day one of training camp. Despite shooting woes and bad fouls the Pistons are still in good shape to make a bottom seeding in the NBA playoffs.

 

It is true the Pistons have things they need to clean up. As do many teams. The ace-in-the-hole is indeed Dwane Casey who has successfully maneuvered teams in similar positions the Pistons are in right now.

 

This is why he was brought to the Motor City. There is little doubt that Casey can not work his magic and get the Pistons back on track.

 

Sometimes it is coaching and sometimes it is letting players play through slumps. There is no magic potion or formula. It is a player by player need. Casey has a good beat on his team and the players absolutely love the coach.

 

Fans just need to trust the process. It is better to hit a December slump rather that late February-March slump. It is not about how you start or what happens/happened in the middle. But it is about how you finish. Dwane Casey understands this.

 

Posted on

Detroit sports media is a joke

Embed from Getty Images Never in my life have I seen such a negative response to a coach. Never in my life have I seen sports writers who are a joke and quiet frankly and embarrassment to their profession.

 

Two Detroit Lions beat writers who work at the same news outlet seem to have a vendetta against Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

 

With two (now one) game remaining on the 2018 season they could write about how Golden Tate is doing in Philadelphia. They could write about how Lions general manager Bob Quinn overvalued his roster and depth. They could write about free agency fits for the team.

 

Was that the focus? No! If it was they would seem like solid reporters. So what did the two Bozo’s write about? Matt Patricia’s tardiness to team meeting and press conferences. No, seriously. Absolutely nothing else to report on.

 

The two even went on to talk to a former Detroit Lions player. This is like a third grader who saw something and went and told the teacher. What are these two morons trying to get exactly.

 

They must have a master plan. After all it has been all the talk in their publication for three days. So they must have a prize or something they are gunning for.

 

Speaking of the publication. Shame on them for not only running the stories. But for allowing these two unprofessional writers to then carry on  social media.

 

A coach is late this is headline news?

Posted on

Michigan State football with a lot to play for

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan State Spartans did not have the season they envisioned. Inconsistent play met with injuries derailed the Spartans.  With a December 31 showdown against the Oregon Ducks in the Redbox Bowl. Michigan State has a lot to play for.

 

Fresh off early signing. Michigan State was able to add much needed depth to the offensive and defensive lines. The lack of depth has hindered the Spartans for two seasons now.

Unable to overcome injuries and inconsistent play the newly acquired depth should give the Spartans a much needed boost. They still have plenty of room for growth.

 

Head Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and his staff need to let the team know that new recruits will be watching the Redbox Bowl. That no matter how the regular season went it is important to finish strong.

 

Recruits and their families will gather to watch the school they chose to attend. The recruits will want to see a football that fights and can leave a disappointing season behind.

 

If the Spartans can rally and beat a tough Oregon team. It will set the mark for 2019. If they do not and get beat Dantonio will have his work cut out for him. He will not only have to clean up the mess from 2018 but begin to prepare for 2019 and incoming freshmen.

 

That is no easy task. Michigan State has struggled recently against rivals. They need to get back to playing fundamental football. Getting pressure on the quarterback, forcing turnovers and solid tackling while on defense.

 

Offensively, Michigan State has gotten away from what worked for three seasons. Running the ball consistently throwing the ball a little. Seems outdated? Perhaps, But this is what Michigan State use to do very well.

 

They got away from what worked and the results have shown. Dantonio, needs to remember what made him successful. When Michigan State gets back to being who they started out as that is when they will return to the top of the Big Ten.

They can being to take those steps Monday, December 31 at the Redbox Bowl.