Father’s Day 2019

“Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.” Proverbs 22:6 (The Passion Translation)

Sports season reflect the seasons in our life,

Football season: rough tough, angry

Basketball season: hustle, trying to keep up

Hockey season: focused, team driven

Baseball season: quiet, time slows down

This Father’s Day, reflection has allowed me to take a step back and evaluate where I am as a husband, father, friend and teammate. This season for our family is sort of a cross between football and hockey. Which is sort of a weird mix. Yet, that is where we find ourselves Father’s Day 2019.

We are blessed to have a family member who is struggling to fight an opponent. Not your every day opponent mind you. But a rival, who is without mercy and to this point and as far as I know is undefeated. Dementia.

It is my opinion that it does not matter what you did years ago. In fact it is not what you did in more recent times that define you. It is how you reevaluate and make corrections.

My father, lead by example. He was even keeled, focused and showed me how through various family struggles that you keep going. Keep pushing, keep building relationships and even mend relationships. In other words do whatever you need to put points on the board of life.

A few years ago, I struggled to come to grips with my past. Living decades in the darkness of unforgiveness and being blind to it. Sometimes when we are use to living a certain way, through God’s mercy I no longer carry unforgiveness. It did not happen overnight. It was a choice I had to make. I no longer wanted the weight of not forgiving people to be an anvil around myself and my family. God has broken the chains and I am now free.

In this rough/ tough football season mixed with focused/ team driven hockey season. We strap on our armor and stand and wait for God to move. Do not get me wrong, we will work, we will fight, we will remember we are not alone in our endeavor.

God is giving our family this season to galvanize us as a unit. That is the blessing. That is Father’s Day 2019.

Bold predictions for the 2019 Michigan Wolverines football team

Embed from Getty Images The 2019-20 college football season kicks off in less than 100 days. With that in mind let’s take a look at some bold predictions for the Michigan Wolverines up coming season. Perhaps a prediction or two will hit. Perhaps just one, or none.

Based on production at the end of last season and what he carried over into spring camp. I firmly believe Nico Collins will lead all Michigan wide receivers in total yards. That will be no small feat given Wolverine leader Donavan Peoples-Jones will be back this season. The 6′ 4″ Collins is offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ kind of player. Big, strong and fast. He is a game-changer. This is the type of player Gattis wants to get in space.

On the defensive side of the ball, I really like Khaleke Hudson. Michigan is looking to replace Davin Bush and Hudson has all the tools to do it. Hudson will enter the season with 22.5 tackles for a loss. He looks worthy to step into Bush’s spot at middle linebacker. Khaleke Hudson, is a big, fast player and a sure tackler.

I believe, Jim Harbaugh will enter the 2019 season with kickers splitting time. Quinn Nordin and his strong but somewhat inaccurate leg and Jake Moody will come out of camp dead even. Michigan could see this battle continue into the first part of the Big Ten season until someone claims the job. Still not the ideal way to start a season. It is perhaps the only real question Michigan has.

Michigan will make the College Football Playoffs. Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State all have serious issues and questions. Michigan returns with many starters from last season and a chip of their shoulders. Should they not fold, this team is talented and deep. They will be a tough matchup week in and week out.

In short, Michigan has a golden opportunity to reclaim their spot atop the Big Ten. This looks to be the season they pass Ohio State who is struggling to get top defensive recruits.

 

Detroit Lions: season kickoff on Monday Night Football

Embed from Getty Images The ever rebuilding Detroit Lions are set to kickoff their portion on the 2018-19 NFL season tomorrow on Monday Night Football.

The good news is football is back. The bad news the Detroit Lions need more pieces to go with some nice parts. I can not envision Matt Patricia and his coaching staff feel this is a championship defense. Or even a playoff defense for that matter.

 

The offense is set. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has plenty of weapons around him including rookie running back Kerryon Johnson. Johnson will be the best Detroit back since the great Barry Sanders. Mark it down.

 

The offensive line started preseason shaky but ended up molding together. This unit has the upside to be among the best in the NFL.

 

Back to the defense. The secondary is top notch. The linebackers are solid but not spectacular. But they do not need to be. Look at the New England Patriots. They have a rather unassuming group of linebackers and generally do well.

 

The defensive line is horrible. They are in no position to run a 3-4 based defense full time. In fact in my opinion that is exactly why Matt Patricia and his defensive coaches did not commit to lining up in the 3-4 down after down.

 

Too me this Detroit Lions team is indeed close to being a very good football team. I just can not see it being this season. Too many questions on the defensive line limit expectation for the Lions.

 

I have little doubt Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn and Patricia will get the players they both want and need to push the team forward. It should be a fun and interesting season ahead for the Lions.

 

Fun because the team is close. Interesting because it is year one of a brand new head coach. There will be bumps and there will be joy. I do not feel there will be a playoff appearance.

 

That may seem to counter what I said about the team being close. It is not. Teams take a step back before going forward often in sports. Better days are coming for sure.

Detroit Lions: 2018 season preview

Embed from Getty Images As the 2018 Detroit Lions, training  camp is set to go full speed this coming week. Today I give and honest look at what the 2018-19 season will look like in Motown.

Running backs, dead last for 3 seasons in a row in rushing, the Detroit Lions set out to improve this unit. The additions of  LeGarrette Blount  and Kerryon Johnson should help the ground game gain traction.

Offensive line, This is a very solid group. Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn did a masterful job upgrading this unit. A full season from left tackle Taylor Decker will help open running lanes for the running backs. Newly drafted center Frank Ragnow  sets the Detroit offensive line as one of the top 3 in the NFL.

Quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford lead the NFL in dropped interceptions last season. He must make better choices in the pocket. Otherwise, expect Stafford to play at an all star level.

Receiving crops, The stand out unit of the offense. Golden Tate takes care of the short routs. While Marvin Jones is the deep threat. Throw in second year Kenny Galloday and Detroit wide outs are a nightmare for defenses.

Defensive Line, they simply must, need, have too get pressure of opposing quarterbacks. The lack of a pass rush crippled the Lions last season.  Detroit Lions, fans hope new head coach Matt Patricia can use his defensive mind and improve a woeful pass rush.

Linebackers, second year middle linebacker Jarrad Davis had an up and down rookie season. He comes in with a lot of upside. He finished last season strong and will be heavily counted on. Bob Quinn, signed two free agents to help upgrade the corps. Devon Kennard and  Jalen Reeves-Maybin round out what is still the weak spot on the team.

Secondary, not much can be added to all everything conerback Darius Slay, Who is one of the best in the league. This is the strongest units on the team. Not too mention the Detroit Lions secondary was ranked #1 last season. Hard to see a drop off barring injury.

Having finished 9-7 the past two seasons lead to Jim Caldwell being replaced by Matt Patricia. Patricia, enters his first season as a head coach. With a brutal schedule it is hard to see the 2018-19 Detroit Lions finish better than 6-10.

Sometimes, with a new coach teams must take a step back to go forward. I believe this is one of those times.