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Detroit Lions: first preseason game things to watch

  Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Lions begin the process of getting game ready for the 2018-19 NFL regular season. Tonight’s game against the Oakland Raiders offers a few things for Lions fans to watch for.

 

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play 3 downs tonight. Barely enough time to get his feet wet. More like a toe. Still Lions fans need to keep and eye on the revamped offensive line.

Running back, Kerryon Johnson looks to take the bulk of snaps in the Detroit backfield. No surprise as the Detroit Leo’s try to kick start some sort of running game.

Cornerback Tez Tabor, has had a good first two weeks of training camp. Drafted last season the second year DB looks to gain more playing time. With Detroit all world corner Darius Slay not expect to play (due to giving first and second year players a look) Tabor has a wide open door to walk through. If he picks up where he left off at the end of his rookie season Tez Tabor will get the playing time he craves.

Wide receiver Brandon Powell who has gifted speed and the ability to make plays in space should get a few tosses his way. The speedy Powell could also return some punts.

Preseason NFL game seem boring to many fans. Not to me. This is where all the scouting and film watching either pay off or disappoint. I like watching the games because sometimes there are players who are diamond in the roughs.

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Detroit Lions: the importance of Jarrad Davis

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions needing help at linebacker drafted Jarrad Davis out of the University of Florida in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. After an up and down rookie season,  Jarrad Davis is ready to unleash.

The 2017 NFL season saw Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis struggle in passing situations. To the point he was replaced on second and long and third down. Making him a very expensive first round draft pick. Playing only first down only at middle linebacker is a career killer.

Jarrad Davis, though fought through and improved his pass coverage and was left in games as the season was winding down. Now Detroit head coach Matt Patrica and his staff aim to get more out of the second year linebacker.

When the Detroit Lions defense lines up in the 3-4 the linebackers are the single most important unit of the field. The move up to the line of scrimmage and fill the B and D gap between the defensive linemen.

Davis had 96 tackles last season. Now more will be expected from him

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Michigan Wolverines: better days coming

Embed from Getty Images Jim Harbaugh, brought in to be the coach to return Michigan football to the forefront of college football. For 3 years Harbaugh has been building his program. This season Michigan very well could unleash.

He is viewed as quirky. Known to throw a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth on the sideline. Satellite camps for recruiting. Sleeping over at a recruits houses.

Jim Harbaugh has a terrible record against the Wolverines major rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. Do not be fooled. He is a brilliant coach. With the Michigan Wolverines nearly up to his specks it is only a matter of time before they catch their foes.

In his first two seasons at Michigan he lost a large amount of players. Yet, Harbaugh and his coaching staff managed to keep the team in most games.  That should not be overlooked. I have little doubt Big 10 coaches know this.

Last season the Michigan Wolverines finished 8-5. Yet that looks like it will be a bridge season. To a brighter Michigan football team. This seasons schedule is brutal. Harbaugh has the track record and motivation.

Teams should enjoy beating Michigan right now. Because those days are about to come to a sudden stop. Jim Harbaugh enter the season ranked #14 nationally.

The Big 10 East, is a juggernaut. It should be a fun 2018-19 NCAA college football season.

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Detroit Pistons: forced to keep roster

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Pistons, brought in a new head coach. They brought in a young assistant general manager. One they could mold into a permanent front office fixture. signing only 3 free agents and using the draft for roster depth. Because they had to.

Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin, Stanley Jackson, Langston Galloway give the Detroit Pistons hope. That is a good solid group of players. The Detroit Pistons hope they keep producing.

Bad contracts have put the team up against the salary cap with little room to breathe. This team on paper is a playoff team. One problem. Paper does not play games.

There are two key components the Detroit Pistons are hoping will aid the team reach the 2018-19 NBA playoffs.

Dwane Casey- head coach who is know around the league as a player developer. He took a lightly regarded Toronto Raptors basketball team and molded them into a legit playoff contender. He also, lead that Raptors team to the best record in the NBA. Then was for whatever reason fired for it. Raptors players and fans were not happy about the choice to replace a really good head coach. The Pistons, were thrilled to get Casey.

Health- Could a team have been more snake bitten than the Detroit Pistons were by injuries? The answer is no. Detroit Pistons starters missed chucks of the season. Enter or re-enter I should say former and now new Detroit Pistons trainer Arnie Kander. His job will be simple. Keep the players on the court where they can help the team. Not on a locker room table where they can not.

Bad contracts aside, the Pistons do have a roster that has some very good talent and should be a playoff threat. I fully expect players to be more healthy this season. Yes nicks, bumps, and bruises happen every season. But, players should not miss 30 some games because of them.

In short the Detroit Pistons are a playoff contender on paper. Pistons fans and front office hope the paper does not crumple up.

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Michigan Wolverines: offensive line questions

  Embed from Getty Images The offensive line use to be a staple at the University of Michigan. They have had some great linemen over the years. But now face questions. The biggest is at tackle.

Last season the Michigan Wolverines were, well bad at the tackle position. Very bad. Jon Runyan Jr., Juwann Bushell-Beatty and  Nolan Ulizio  ranked 148th, 167th and 197th in pass-blocking efficiency. allowing 32 pressures in 13 combined games. And that was at left tackle. The right tackle’s was not much better.

For all the players (for good reason) fans, scouts, and media are excited for. The returning tackle’s are a HUGE question mark. It is hard to keep a quarterback on his feet let alone open running lanes for the running backs if the tackle’s do not improve.

James Hudson, is a name to watch. He is big, flexible and quick. Hudson was a redshirt last season who impressed this past spring. He actually came to Michigan as a defensive linemen.

The offensive line is the key to the entire offense. When they are balanced and sustaining their blocks good things happen. When they do not. Well results do not lie. 8-5 seasons happen and will continue to happen if players do not do their job.

Jim Harbaugh, knows this. His coaching staff knows this. In year four there is a lot of anticipation in Ann Arbor. For Michigan to regain traction and be able to play more consistent football. The tackle’s must step up.

If not Michigan Wolverines are staring at another 8-5 season with the head coach feeling some heat.

However, if the tackle position gets ironed out. The Wolverines can play with any team in the country. In fact this team can be scary good. If the tackle’s do their job the Michigan offense will put up a lot of points. Because the defense will not give up many.

IF.

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Detroit Tigers: the injustice of Lou Whitaker

Embed from Getty Images As Detroit Tiger greats Alan Trammell and Jack Morris take their place in Cooperstown this weekend. One member of the Detroit Tigers will be in the crowd. That is simply highway robbery.

Injustice is a very kind word to use when talking about Lou Whitaker. This goes beyond Detroit Tigers fandom. Statistics do not lie. Sweet Lou, is more than deserving of a Hall of Fame nod.

21 second basemen are in the Hall of Fame. That is all. Of the 21 second base hall members, Lou Whitaker’s number place him as the fourth best second basemen in MLB history. Yet, he did not get the call.

One would think that in a 19 year career that 2,369 hits, 244 home runs, 1,084 RBIs and 1,386 runs scored in 2,390 games played would be more than enough. And I have not even mentioned in 1978 Detroit Tigers, Lou Whitaker was named rookie of the year.

A 3 time Gold Glove winner and four time Silver Slugger award winner. Not to mention he teamed with Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell to form one of statistically speaking the best double play combos in MLB history.

Trammell in. Whitaker not? It is a joke of epic proportion. His former teammates have been very vocal about the injustice. Alan Trammell, said he always thought they would enter the Hall together. They should have.

I have no doubt the Hall of Fame board of operations and Hall of Fame members will get an ear full from Trammell and former Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Jack Morris during their acceptance speeches.

My enjoyment of the Detroit Tigers aside. Lou Whitaker, has been and still is Hall worthy. For all that baseball gets right they miss on a lot of obvious things. To ignore what Whitaker did is a missed opportunity and that is a shame.

MLB please do the right thing. Enshrine Lou Whitaker.

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Detroit Red Wings: it is time to retire #91

Embed from Getty Images In a 1994 interview NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was asked what he thought of Detroit Red Wings, budding star Sergei Fedorov. “I’ve never seen a player dominate the game the way Sergei does.” Coming from Gretzky, that was high praise.

Sergei Fedorov, a Detroit Red Wing from 1990-2003, is a 3 time Stanley Cup champion. Ranks #6 in Detroit Red Wings points all-time. Fedorov, is the best most complete hockey player I have ever seen.

“He’s the best skater I know.” Former teammate and 20 year Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman said. He was right. In fact there was a 6 week stretch during the 1994 season the Wings had 3 banged up defensive players. Fedorov stepped and played defense, and he did it well.

He was a fan favorite. Second to none on the ice. His teammates loved him. As did the Red Wings coaching staff. Then it happened.

An ugly contract standoff between Sergei Fedorov and the Detroit Red Wings lead to his departure. He signed a 3 year deal with the Anaheim Ducks and would go on to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals.

 

On November 9, 2015 Sergei Fedorov was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame. It was then that he and the Detroit Red Wings, mended the fence. Fedorov, began to fly to Detroit for various Red Wings events. He flew in for the closing ceremony of Joe Louis Arena.

Legendary Detroit Red Wing and NHL coach Scotty Bowman was asked where he thought Fedorov ranked all time. “He’s right near the top. Phenomenal talent.”

Now playing at the beautiful Little Caesar’s Arena, the Detroit Red Wings need to take the next step. It is time to retire and hang #91 from the rafters.

There will never be another Sergei Fedorov. He was a lightning bolt. But, those of us blessed enough to see him play. Remember. You simply can not forget a talent like that.

 

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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.

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Detroit Tigers: need to release Victor Martinez

Embed from Getty Images He started his career with a bang and developed into a very good teetering on feared hitters. For all he has accomplished, injuries and father time have caught up with Victor Martinez. The Detroit Tigers, need to release him.

Christian Stewart is having a great season in Toledo with the Mud Hens. In fact Stewart was a Triple-A all star. One problem. Christian should be in Detroit.

Victor Martinez, is a decorated MLB veteran. He has earned the right to finish what is likely his final season. The Detroit Tigers, in a rebuild that demands to know what prospects can bring to the parent team need to make a difficult  decision and cut ties with Martinez.

I am not one to favor cutting a player who struggles or goes through a dry spell during the season. However, when there is a prospect who should be playing in the majors and is stuck behind a veteran who has seen their play drop so far they have been benched. The choice should be easy.

There is no easy way out of this. The Detroit Tigers, seem to be fine with Victor Martinez playing out the season or riding the bench for the rest of the season. Releasing him would not be the way to send him out.

Christian Stewart, who hits for both average and power is stuck in Triple A until a roster spot opens up. I am really not sure what the Tigers front office is thinking on this subject.

With half of the season done. The Tigers have fallen out of playoff contention (not that they were a threat to make the playoffs this season) should make what amounts to the right direction.

Youth and talent over aged and declining talent. Perhaps, Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila, can ask Martinez if he would like to retire. Players do that from time to time during the season so it is not that far fetched.

The bottom line is it is time to go with youth. It is time to change the old guard to the new. No matter personal investment.