Author: brian wallace

Detroit sports fan for life!!
Posted on

Matt Patrica: a players coach with and edge

Embed from Getty Images He is not gruff. He is very well spoken. He is highly intelligent, in fact he is literally a rocket scientist. But do not be fooled. Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia also has an edgy side to him.

His former players with the New England Patriots have nothing but high love, respect and genuine admiration for they’re former defensive coordinator.
It is just not the defensive players. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called Patricia “one of my all time favorite coaches.” That was not just lip service. It is a common theme.
He came to Detroit in a very light hearted press conference. He joked. He smiled. He was articulate. But, as his former players heaped the praise on him they also mentioned in the next breath. Matt Patricia is a very demanding coach.
He gets his point across and it does not matter if a rookie or a ten year veteran. That is a tall tale sign of a good coach. In some aspects it is much like being a father.
Love them. Instruct them. Teach them. Listen to them. Then when they mess up go to them and handle it. Put all the boarders up so there is no grey area.
Matt Patricia, is the right head coach for the Detroit Lions. He is orderly and precise. Something the organization has lacked at times.
It will be interesting to see how he handles the day to day nuances of coaching duties.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings: prospect Dennis Cholowski

Embed from Getty Images The 2016 NHL draft saw the Detroit Red Wings draft defensemen Dennis Cholowski, and Wings fans were upset. But look at him now.

Defense in the NHL is the toughest position to learn in sports. Point blank. In fact it can be downright brutal on prospects. Dennis has risen to transform his game into first line defenseman.
Heading in to the 2017-18 training camp Dennis Cholowski, nearly made the team. He was seen as a second line defenseman when he was drafted. But, he has worked hard, grown 2” (he was 6’ 0” when he was drafted) and put on muscle.
He’s fast. He will more that likely quarterback the Red Wings first line power play. He is my favorite Detroit Red Wings prospect now that fellow defenseman Joe Hicketts is in Motown. Detroit, has the making of good solid young defense headed it’s way.
With his skill set and hard work Cholowski will be a part of the Wings defensive unit for a long time. He is a high end player.
I expect Dennis to arrive in Detroit next season. He is sure to become a fan favorite in a hurry. His hustle and big hitting is sure to go over well with Red Wing faithful.
Posted on

Detroit Tigers: keep an eye on Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores

When Chris Ilitch took over as owner of the Detroit Tigers he said he was not going to sell the team. Stating his love for baseball. Times and circumstances change.

Tom Gores billionaire owner of the Detroit Pistons had struck a deal with Chris Ilitch and the Pistons play at Little Caesar’s Arena. It may not seem anything but two men striking a business deal.
There are now loud whispers Ilitch would like to sell the Detroit Tigers. The two Detroit area businessmen met at least two times last summer at Comerica Park no less.
Gores has even used language referring to the Tigers as “a beloved franchise.” He is said to be more than interested. Further more, Ilich is said to be waiting for an offer from Gores.
Chris Ilitch has no intentions of selling the Detroit Red Wings as they were his fathers pride and joy. Not to mention the family would like to hold onto the team that plays in an arena build by Iltich inc.
The city of Detroit and Tigers fans all over will be paying attention to see if and how this unfolds. Only the two businessmen know if there was any deal involving Little Caesar’s Arena, the Pistons, and the Tigers that may shape any future purchasing of the team.
Posted on

Detroit Pistons: where to go

Embed from Getty Images The high expectations heading into the 2017-18 NBA season has given way to a sub .500 season. What’s next? All eyes will be on ownership.

When Los Angeles based billionaire Tom Gores (a Michigan native) purchased the Detroit Pistons fans thought here is a guy who  deliver the next great chapter in Pistons history.
He brought in high profile head coach Stan Van Gundy and fans were over the top with excitement. That’s where it ends. As Van Gundy has tasted NBA success.
Van Gundy simply has not worked in Detroit. The Pistons are poised to miss the NBA post season yet again. Tom Gores is building a house in the Detroit area and moving permanently back to Detroit.
This is a good sign. I have always thought Gores is the right kind of owner. Build the team. Develop younger players then enjoy success.
Unfortunately, Stan Van Gundy is not and never has been a fan or interested in developing young talent. Instead he has a win now philosophy that is out of date in not only today’s NBA, but in all sports.
It is my opinion Tom Gores will relieve Stan of his coaching duties after the season. I am also of the opinion Mr. Gores will find his man. There is talent and the right man is needed to bring it out.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings April fools

Embed from Getty Images Red Wings fans would really like this to be some sort early April fools joke. But, the reality is it is not. Ken Holland, will apparently get his shot to rebuild the Winged Wheels.

For better or worse. There is at this time no word on a contract extension for Holland. That could be intentional. Ownership could possibly see how this years draft goes.
In a very unrealistic thought perhaps ownership wants Ken, the coaches and players for focus on finishing the season before any sort of announcement is made. Fans hope the announcment is that Holland is leaving his general managers position.
Former Detroit Red Wings legend, captain and NHL Hall of Fame member as well as current Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman recently said “Ken Holland deserves patience.”  Unless he’s talking about tanking Wings fans won’t care about that statment even from a beloved sports figure.
Maybe, Yzerman is right. Ken Holland has architected some very good hockey teams. He has also over spent and has maxed out the salary cap. The real question is can Holland recapture his old magic? The odds are long at best.
I for one was and still am in favor of a fresh start. Detroit’s owner feels this is the best rout to take. We shall see how it plays out. But for now it has left a bad taste in the fan base’s mouth.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi

Embed from Getty Images Right in line with Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects. Vili Saarijarvi stands 5’ 10”. Don’t let that fool you. He’s a playmaker.

In the same vein as Red Wings defensive prospect Joe Hicketts, Saarijarvi is a puck mover and above average goal scorer. He is also a defenseman who can quarterback the power play. He’s a very solid smoot player.
Like fellow defense prospect Hicketts, Vili is on the shorter side. But, does that matter? Should it matter? I really don’t think it’s a factor as more NHL teams are trending towards smaller puck moving defenseman. and those smaller defensmen are have success.
Vili Saarijarvi brings a quickness to his game that would help the quick challenged Detroit Red Wings. He’s fast and much like Joe Hicketts has no issue with people players in the boards. He’ll also, bury the puck in the back of the net.
His defensive attack does contain a flaw. He is at times too impulsive which leads to compromise for himself and his line mates. He has worked hard to brush that up. It still flares up from time to time.
He is viewed as a top four defenseman. Which makes him one of my favorite Red Wings prospects. That and he plays defense.
When he gets called up Detroit fans will enjoy this fleet footed player. As his stick work may be the best in the Detroit Red Wings lower levels.
Posted on

Matt Patricia defensive wiz

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions, got a high profile head coach when they announced Matt Patricia was the guy.

Detroit Lions fans were curious after Patricia was named head coach if he would take on being the teams defensive coordinator as well. Given his stellar work with the New England Patriots.
After putting his coaching staff together, Matt named University of Syracuse defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni to the same position in Detroit. The two had previously worked together so it was a natural fit.
Even still fans wondered if Matt Patricia would call the defensive plays and Pasqualoni would just be the face. Patricia announced that he would not. But, he brought is a defensive mind to run the defense.
This is a good move. The first time, first year head coach will have enough on his plate to have to worry about also running a unit of the team.
It nice that he knows his limits and is willing to allow someone he trusts to take unneeded stress.  Not to mention a coordinator who has enjoyed success.
Posted on

Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups general manager?

 

Embed from Getty Images Depends if you believe and who you believe. The New York Times ran an article that said Detroit Pistons ownership (Tom Gores) expressed interest in bringing  former Pistons fan favorite Chauncey Billups in as general manager.

Mr. Gores has stated he will sit down with current Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy after the season to discuss the direction of the team.
Meanwhile, Billups was rumored to be close last NBA off season to being named general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. That never materialized.
Billups refuted the Times article. But, time will tell. It would be a bold move. Given the fact Chauncey Billups has no front office experience.
There is no real way to know if he could scout unless he was named to the position. Not to mention how he would handle day to day tasks general managers take on.
If the Detroit Pistons do in fact make a move it would be interesting to see who he would tab to be his head coach.
I’m sure there are a select few who know what Tom Gores is going to do. I for one am looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Something has to break the Pistons out of inconsistent play.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Hicketts

Embed from Getty Images He stands 5’ 8” for a defenseman he’s not very big. But, he is very solidly-built. He can hit with the best of them and is a good player puck mover. The Detroit Red Wings were wise in calling him up.

Hicketts, is a playmaker. No matter his size. He can flat out create plays and he is an above average goal scorer. He is one of the Red Wings prospects I’ve been waiting on. And  now he gets an audition in Motown.
Even given his short stature he has all the tools to be a solid second line defenseman. In my opinion Joe Hicketts should be part of the Red Wings next group of core players moving forward.
Joe, plays with a lot of energy. Make that high energy. Hicketts credits Detroit Red Wings defensemen Niklas Kronwall as being the player he wanted to model his game after.
The difference is Kronwall is playing on two damaged knees and at 37 years old is closer to the end of his career. Joe Hicketts is 21 years old with two good knees and can be a difference maker for the Wings.
So perhaps it’s best to view this as a passing of the torch. From a good defenseman to one who aspires to be just like him.
Joe Hicketts, is worth watching. His progress should be quick. The Red Wings need to add more to the defensive crop. But Hicketts is a good place to start.
Posted on

Detroit Tigers to be clear

Embed from Getty Images This season is going to be horrible. There is absolutely no hiding that fact. It is not about winning. It’s not even about following your favorite player. It will simply be about Detroit Tigers baseball.

In a painstaking full blown rebuild there are no sunny days. It’s like being boarded up in a box. With no light to see.

This is what fans must have in mind. There is minor league talent. That is still years away from seeing Comerica Park. Who knows if some of those guys will actually spend a summer in Detroit?

That’s what a total and complete rebuild looks like. There was a time Chicago Cubs, fans knew that unhappy time. Houston Astro, fans also felt the sharp sting of the rebuild process. They now share in being the last two World Series winners.

Statistics, show us losing a lot helps speeds rebuilding up. It also shows us that ticket sales will come to a grinding stop. The ballpark will look huge when the crowds are sparse.

I’m not a doom and gloom person. In fact quite the opposite. But there are inescapable facts that can not and should not be ignored. The most hard core fan would agree.

While opening day is generally a happy day. There will be a somber feel in Motown that day. While the promise of a better tomorrow is coming. It must get dark first.