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Players to watch for the Michigan Wolverines football team

Embed from Getty Images College football 2019-20 is officially here, with the Michigan Wolverines having kicked off fall camp on Friday, August 2. While it is too early in fall camp to get a feel for who is standing out. There are some Wolverines who’s names have not been brought up. It is those players I think are ready to take the next step.

Freshman defensive tackle Chris Hinton. When it comes to incoming freshman hype, it starts with Hinton. Hinton has the size and ability to be a solid player on the inside of the defensive line. This was a trouble spot on last seasons defense. Mazi Smith has stolen most of the hype out of the freshmen, Hinton is a name to remember as he can make a big impact.

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Anthony, he can play middle linebacker. Red shirted last season Anthony is looking to earn more playing time. In is his third year in the system, and he should get more playing time, even if it is in a backup role.

Five star linebacker Cam McGrone might be the least hyped five star the Michigan football team has had. It did not help that McGrone was dealing early with an injury last year. His sideline to sideline ability, coupled with his willingness to hit, will remind the Michigan fan base of Devin Bush Jr.  Now healthy, Michigan coaches will look to find ways to get his speed and athleticism on the field.

With last seasons defensive departures that is where I wanted to focus. This is a unit that has some playmakers with big abilities. The 2019-20 Michigan Wolverines defense should not drop off a lot. There will be an initial dip when the season begins. As players learn their rolls and rotations.

That should be both cleared up and cleaned up by the time the Big Ten play starts.

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Detroit Tigers are willing to trade pitching for hitters

Embed from Getty Images This week the MLB trade deadline came and went. The Detroit Tigers made a pair of trades that saw the organization add three pitchers and one outfielder. Fans were upset, in the pitching talented Tigers minor leagues it did not seem more pitchers should be added. Detroit general manager Al Avila has a plan.

The Detroit Tigers minor league pitching is currently ranked #1 overall. The team has identified the eight to ten pitchers they will not trade no matter the offer. Detroit Tigers general manager said “we are now willing to trade pitching for bats.”

The list of names the Tigers will not trade appear to be: Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal, Franklin Perez, Alex Faedo, Beau Burrows, Bryan Garcia and Kyle Funkhouser. The other pitchers are already in high demand. Avila is already said to be fielding calls.

The Tigers do have some really nice position players in the minors. Still more big bats are needed.With a future outfield of Parker Meadows, Daz Cameron and Riley Greene the outfield is in good shape. The Tigers could use another outfielder with projectable offensive tools.

While the future infield could use a couple projectable bats. Short stop Isaac Paredes and catcher Jake Rogers (called up this week) have legit power that is about it. So the infield needs offensive players to balance the batting lineup.

With Joey Wentz, Paul Richan and Alex Lange coming to Detroit through trades it gives Al Avila even more leverage to make trades and get bats. If reports are correct and the team is already getting calls things could begin to speed the rebuild up more.

Every baseball team understand you can not have enough pitching in your system. The Tigers have plenty, what is more than that they have an abundance of quality pitching which will do nothing but keep the phones ringing.

The Detroit Tigers are in a very good position. The long rebuild has some players who are helping to shine a light of what will be. MLB teams already acknowledge they understand what Detroit has on the way.

The Detroit Tigers are open for trades, they will soon have teams lining up.

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The Detroit Pistons now have better roster depth

Embed from Getty Images Pistons weaknesses were exposed in the NBA Playoffs. In the four game sweep by the Milwaukee Bucks the Pistons depth (or lack-there-of) was exposed for all to see. It looked like Detroit would be in the exact same position heading into the 2019-20 season.

Ed Stefanski, made it a priority to not only upgrade the Detroit Pistons depth, but bring in quality depth. The Pistons traded for forward Tony Snell, signed guards Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier, then added big men Markieff Morris and Christian Wood to help strengthen the bench. The Pistons drafted Sekou Doumbouya, and in the process, added much needed depth that might help them make some noise in the East this coming season.

The departure of Wayne Ellington, opens a spot for Tony Snell. At 6′ foot 7″,  the Pistons like Snell’s size. Snell started 59 games in 2017-18 and 80 games the season before that. Snell shot 40% on 3-pointers last season.

Derrick Rose,  had a nice bounce back season with 18 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.3 minutes. He will be a welcomed scorer off the bench.  The Pistons are more likely to watch Rose’s minutes closely so they  can keep him at peak performance level for most of the season. Rose played only 51 games last season and 25 games in 2017-18.

Tim Frazier, is a a quality third point guard the Pistons have needed. He could see increased time depending on how healthy Derrick Rose is.

Markieff Morris, is a big bodied versatile forward. Morris willl check into the game to give Thon Maker a break. While Maker is a better defender, Morris offers more scoring and toughness.

After the Summer League, Christian Wood,  a 6-foot-10 power forward who  could play either center or power forward was signed. In eight games with the New Orleans Pelicans, he averaged 16.9 points and 7.9.

Sekou Doumbouya, was drafted for his athleticism and movement for his size. The Pistons are not putting pressure on him to contribute immediately. The want him to develop and grow into a roll that will see increased playing time.

This off-season has been an active one for a Detroit basketball team looking to take the next step.

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Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman imprints will be felt next off-season

Embed from Getty Images During his eight years as Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman was aggressive and also  progressive. Yzerman bought out Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier. He also traded  star Martin St. Louis. He traded forward Jonathan Drouin, a third overall pick, for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, swap of young talent for young talent . Yzerman oversaw NHL drafts that netted high end players such as Nikita Kucherov, Andre Vasilevskiy and Braydon Point.

When Steve Yzerman, who succeeded Ken Holland on April 19 was named Detroit Red Wings general manager, many media members and fans thought an even wrote stories that Yzerman would have an immediate impact with a series of bold moves. Fans and media braced for a significant trade, a buyout, a big name free agent signing. It did not happen.

Yzerman’s plan will not be felt until next off-season. The Yzer-plan as Red Wings fans have dubbed it. The Red Wings GM is absolutely correct taking a measured approach with a team likely to miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

There are players Detroit Red Wings fans think should be bought out.

Justin Abdelkader, four years remaining at a $4.25 million cap hit, Frans Nielsen, three years at $5.25 million and Darren Helm, two years at $3.85 million. But the Red Wings do not need the salary cap space or roster spots, so  the question is why would one of the top GM’s in the NHL  saddle his team with dead money for the next six-to-eight years?

Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi will all need new contracts after the 2019-20 season. It is possible at that time Yzerman will choose to buy out one or more players.

Steve Yzerman used the draft this past June to make his boldest move, with the shocking selection of defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth overall pick.

This years free agent market was thin. It was hard to see a team mid-rebuild sign top-tier players Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene or Sergei Bobrovsky. Yzerman chose more wisely. Bringing in NHL veterans on cheap two year contracts. This buys the team  time for younger players and prospects to develop.

The Detroit hockey team has stockpiled young forwards. Given his history Yzerman might look to package one or two with other assets for a young defenseman.

So while it looks like he has not done much, Steve Yzerman has done a lot and done it wisely.

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Tight End T.J. Hockenson shining in Detroit Lions training camp

Embed from Getty Images The first stretch of the 2019 Detroit Lions training camp could not have been much more promising for T.J. Hockenson the Lions first round pick out of Iowa. Yet, rookie tight ends usually need time to develop.

As a pass-catcher, T.J. Hockenson is exceeding the high expectations that come with being a top ten draft pick . He runs routes to all depths and has showcased outstanding hands and body control. Working  confined spacing, Hockenson is getting quality separation on his routes and catching everything thrown his direction. He has owned the back corner of the end zone on flag patterns.

The Lions are planning on going to two tight ends and a fullback in the red zone. Given tight end Jesse James and Hockenson, quarterback Matthew Stafford will have plenty of options. Big targets, with great hands. Something Detroit has lacked for some time out of the tight end position.

Through five days of training camp T.J. Hockenson is yet to drop a pass. That should come as no surprise. With the Iowa Hawkeyes, Hockenson had 1 dropped pass in three years as a starter.

T.J. Hockenson is a sneaky athlete who has the speed and quickness to stretch the middle of the field from the tight end position. He is often compared to former New England Patriots tight end and future NFL Hall of Fame member Rob Gronkowski. A lofty comparison to be sure. Yet, Hockenson is living up to the billing.

T.J. Hockenson is a match up nightmare. He approaches linebackers and defensive backs the same and he comes down with the ball.  Hockenson is also strong in running after catch and also as a tight end  is an elite blocker.

One NFL scout said this about T.J. “T.J. Hockenson is gonna be a problem in the red zone. When they were able to clear out space and get him to the back corner, he was basically unguardable. Impressive start.”

It would be one thing if the rookie tight end did it one or two times. But Hockenson is routinely making big play after big play. The Detroit Lions appear to have finally found a tight end who can be a game-changer.

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2019 Detroit Lions defense may be one of the best in the NFL

Embed from Getty Images With the Detroit Lions offense learning a new system, Lions general manager Bob Quinn built a defense that is fearsome. Friday it was reported Detroit signed former Green Bay Packer All-Pro Mike Daniels to a one year deal. The former Packer was released for salary cap reasons.

Before the Lions were gifted an All-Pro the Lions defense was set to be a top ten NFL defensive unit. With A’Shawn Robinson, Da’ Shawn Hand and Damon “Snacks” Harrison returning from a defense that finished last season ranked #5.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia has put a premium on stopping the run. Enter top free agent Trey Flowers to man the edge rush. Now Mike Daniels. Giving Detroit the best defensive line in the NFL.

Last season there was some noise coming out of Detroit that players did not like playing for Patricia. That turned out to be a false report. Both Flowers and Daniels turned down contracts and more money with other teams just to play and be coached by Patricia.

Given this offseason and the start of training camp it looks and sounds like every member of the Detroit Lions football team is on board fully with Patricia. The media who was a target of sorts for the head coach in post game exchanges. So far Patricia and the media seem to have found a common ground.

Patricia explained his thoughts on the Lions defense. “Defensive line right now is one of those groups- there’s a lot of positions within the positions if that makes sense- so being able to have multiplicity within a defensive line group always makes it difficult on the offense,” Patricia said “It puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback and the center to identify who everybody is, what position they play, and where they’re lined up, that really affects protections.”

What was unclear last season is becoming clearer. Given the moves the Detroit Lions have made they are switching to a 3-4 defensive front. Given the teams top six linemen they can rotate in and out to get the matchup they like.

The defense is a very good unit. In my opinion that was by design. I believe Bob Quinn and Patricia believe the best way to allow the offense to have time to learn a new offensive system is to put a defense on the field that can attack.

There will be many restless nights for coaches around the NFL when they face the 2019 Detroit Lions defense.

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2019 Detroit Lions season preview

Embed from Getty Images Coming off a difficult season in which the Detroit Lions were getting to know a new head coach, new offensive and defensive schemes, and starting quarterback Matthew Stafford playing with broken bones in his back. The Lions fresh off an offseason that saw players brought in to show the “Patriot way”  the question now is, will it work?

Lions general manager Bob Quinn seems hell-bent to remaking the team in the same fashion of the New England Patriots. He has actually done that. The Lions now mirror the Patriots in player drafting. The question is does he get the players in the late rounds of the draft like New England?

Matt Patricia’s defense is constructed in the Patriot mold. The Detroit defense  boasts of big, versatile linemen, hard hitting linebackers and versatile man to man defensive backs. I look for middle linebacker Jarrad Davis to become a top linebacker in the league this season. Davis’ run defense will be greatly aided by the addition of defensive lineman Trey Flowers, and 2018 fourth round draft pick Da’Shawn Hand and continued excellent play of ex New York Giant Damon (Snacks) Harrison, whose 2018 midseason trade made it mission impossible for teams to run the ball.

New offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, has been put in charge of implementing a ball control offense centered around second year running back  Kerryon Johnson. Bob Quinn went above and beyond in fixing the total disaster that was the Lions  tight ends. Starting with first round draft pick T.J. Hockenson as well as five other TE’s have been brought in.

The 2019 Detroit Lions have the necessary pieces for a championship team in place. While the division is a difficult one, the thing that may be holding the team back is a first-time head coach, Matt Patrica. If Patricia is as smart as people around the NFL claim, then he should figure things out a bit more in year two.

Two wins against the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots last season showed what the Lions are capable of. With more players who know what Patrica is trying to do now in the fold as well as roster leftovers from last season who now understand the program better. If Patrica can manage the game better Detroit could be a serious sleeper this season.

 

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Michigan Wolverines football 2019 season preview

Embed from Getty Images After four years of the same old, same old, change has come to the Michigan Wolverines football program. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to facilitate and not call offensive plays. Josh Gattis is now the offensive play caller. Michigan is heavy favorites to win the Big Ten.

Offensively Josh Gattis has introduce spread concepts this past spring and, in his words, completely remove the huddle from the equation. This style of offense really suits returning quarterback Shea Patterson, who finished last season with 2,600 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air.

Michigan has young running backs and will rotate Christian Turner, Tru Wilson and highly touted freshman Zach Charbonnet. The talent is there, the experience is not.

The Wolverines offensive line will be a position of strength. The wide receivers are a very talented group. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, Ronnie Bell and Tarik Black all return.

The Michigan defense was hit hard by the offseason.  Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich and linebacker Devin Bush Jr. all left for the NFL. With that said, the cupboard is far from bare. Carlo Kemp, Michael Dwumfour and Aidan Hutchinson all return to the defensive line and bring plenty of potential and playing time. Talented freshman Donovan Jeter and Luiji Vilain will also rotate in. Giving Michigan a very athletic defensive line.

Returning linebacker Josh Ross will man middle linebacker. The linebacking corps as a whole are solid and have playmakers that is a real strength of the defense as a whole. The secondary is the only question mark for the Michigan football team.

Still the few questions Michigan has are much smaller than the nearly total rebuild Jim Harbaugh faced in 2017. Michigan has significantly fewer questions than the rest of the Big Ten schools making them preseason favorites.

This is the season Jim Harbaugh needs to deliver. Changes have been made to the coaching staff. Players at skilled positions have returned. This is the year Michigan should and needs to return to the top of the Big Ten. The question is will they take the next step?

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Michigan State football 2019 season preview

Embed from Getty Images As the sweat has dried from last season nightmare, Michigan State football looks to rebound this season. A punishing defense will lead the way. There are many things the Spartans need to clean up from a year ago. If they can, Michigan State will be a dark horse in the Big Ten.

As long as Mark Dantonio has been on the sidelines in East Lansing, defense has not been a problem. Nor will it be again this season. Michigan State led the nation in rush defense last year. Loaded at defensive line, linebackers and a very good, very athletic secondary, the Spartans defense will be scary good this season.

The offense has been well, pretty vanilla under Dantonio’s watch. Quarterback   Brian Lewerke, now healthy is a good start. When Lewerke injured his shoulder  the Spartans scored seven or fewer points in four of their last seven games. The  Spartans have a solid trio of receivers, Cody White, Darrell Stewart Jr. and Jalen Nailor. Yet they all missed time with injuries.

Seven offensive linemen with starting experience return. That should help the pass and run game.  Connor Heyward rushed for 529 yards to go with 32 catches last year. He is not a game-breaker, but a solid back. The key to the Spartans offense is health at skilled positions and consistency on the offensive line.

The Michigan State Spartans and Mark Dantonio are looking to make a 12th Bowl appearance. All the pressure is on the Spartans offense. Michigan State could repeat 2018-19 seven wins, or it could yield double digit wins. If the offensive line gels the Spartans will be a dark horse in the Big Ten. The defense will keep them in every game and could steal a win or two for the team.

 

 

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Previously unranked Detroit Tigers prospect Tarik Skubal is turning heads

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Tigers drafted lefthander Tarik Skubal in the ninth round in 2018, Skubal has opened eyes as a pitcher with the potential to join top prospects Casey Mize and Matt Manning,  something no one saw coming.

Starting the season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Tarik Skubal put up some lofty numbers. Skubal was 4 wins 5 losses, but as I keep saying wins and losses do not matter for pitching prospects. The rest of Skubal’s numbers are crazy, In 15 games pitched the young prospect had 19 walks and 97 strikeouts.

Tarik Skubal was recently promoted to Double-A Erie. Pitching like he did not miss a beat. In 3 starts for the Seawolves, the southpaw has walked 4 while striking out 34. Turning the heads of scouts and general managers everywhere.

A ninth round draft pick, Skubal was drafted out of Seattle University.  The 22 year old Skubal had Tommy John surgery in 2016. In a minor league systems that has some great arms, one national scout said Tarik Skubal has the best arm in the Detroit Tigers system. High praise. Yet Skubal is backing the praise up.

Having cleaned up his fastball velocity Tarik now has consistency pitch in and pitch out, start after start. The Tigers were going to develop the left handed pitcher and use him out of the bullpen. Quality start after quality start has now shifted the Detroit Tigers into leaving Skubal in as a starter.

The question now is where does Tarik Skubal fit in the Tigers prospect rankings? While he is only 22 years old. Other Tigers prospects are more seasoned and are ranked appropriately. Given that, and his high ceiling factored by his walks to strikeouts, Skubal lands at #17.

As he moves forward in his development should he stay on his current trajectory, Tarik should end the season close to if not in the top 10 Tigers prospects.

A draft risk coming off of major surgery and an up and down senior year in high school. The Detroit Tigers have a left handed pitcher who looks like a draft pick steal, certainly the Tigers are getting tremendous value out of the pick.

One more reason Tigers fans should relax. It is going to be fun again soon at Comerica Park.