Star Wars: this one is personal

Embed from Getty Images Then He said “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:3

It always takes me back to my childhood. Star Wars. I have been blessed to see every film in original format in the theater. By the way Han Solo shot first.
As a child, I really identified with Luke Skywalker. He was an orphaned boy who had big dreams and aspersions. Much like Luke, I had been orphaned and adopted. Which I am grateful. Some people do not get out of the holding cell.
Thanks to my parents, I too got to have big dreams and aspirations. As a child seeing Star Wars for the first time and before it was subtitled “A new hope” was everything a child could want. Robots, cool settings and more action than you can shake a stick at.
The lesson was clear to me. No matter what the background of a person and no matter a person’s belief we can all work together for a greater cause. Something I feel we need to get back to.
Time has flown by and now I find I’m actually more like Han Solo. Confident, a leader, yet need to rely on others to achieve success. More open to advice and options.
But Star Wars, always brings me back to 1977 when I was young and life was easy. Back to a child like faith that there is something greater out there.
That is a good place to be. May the force be with you.

Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis

Embed from Getty Images A first round draft selection in last years NFL draft. The Detroit Lions have chosen to build around linebacker Jarrad Davis. For good reason.

Jarrad Davis, struggled at times last season. Many young linebackers do. In fact he was taken completely out of third down coverage because he had blown a few passing assignments.

He fought through an early season neck injury. Then it began to click for him. He’s pass coverage improved. It also became increasingly clear to the Detroit Lions, Davis was a special player. Someone who could anchor the linebackers.

With new head coach Matt Patrica, on board Jarrad, was said to be thrilled. Meanwhile Patrica who knows a thing or two about defensive players said he was excited to get to work with the young player.

It will be fun to watch Jarrad Davis’s, growth as a player. The Lions, suddenly have a very good, very solid group at linebacker. They also have a head coach and coaching staff who will utilize the speed this group has to strengthen the entire defense.

The Lions, fan base should be happy. I feel this is the best group of linebackers the Detroit Lions have had since the early 1990’s.

Detroit Tigers: Nicholas Castellanos

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Tigers, played him at third base. He was well blow average to the point of being downright bad. Now moved to right field he seems to be settling in. On thing is for sure Nick Castellanos can hit.

 

Castellanos, enjoyed a breakout season at the plate last season.  His 26 home runs amd 101 RBI’s were career highs. The question was never really about hitting for Nick. It was where would he play?

His failure at third base was hardly all his fault. Coaches failed as well. Now in right field he seems more comfortable. This could lead to even better numbers when he has a bat in his hands.

Nick Castellanos, stands 6′ 4″ and is only 26 years old so there is room for improvement. The Detroit Tigers, would be wise to lock him up to a long term contract as his bat could help lead the rebuild charge.

With his bat and the likes of Isaac Paredes, Jeimer Canelario, and Christian Stewart in the next few seasons the Motor City Kitties will have a nasty middle part of the batting order.

Castellanos, can help mentor the younger players once they are called up. So he has very good value.

Detroit Red Wings: A mess in goal

Embed from Getty Images An aging goalie past his prime another goalie young but who has struggled when called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Has Detroit Red Wings, fans uneasy.

 

It has come to this in Detroit. The Red Wings, due to years of over spending. Spending to upgrade the wrong positions has caught up to the organization. Veteran goalie Jimmy Howard is basically a shell of his former self and his play has dropped dramatically.

While young goalie Jared Coreau seemingly can not stop the puck consistently enough to make the coaches, front office and his teammates feel comfortable when he is called on.

The real issue is the Detroit Red Wings have no one waiting in the wings (no pun intended.) In last years NHL draft the Red Wings did draft goalie Keith Petruzzelli. Someone who I actually think can grow into a starter in the league. But that is years away from becoming a reality.

It is no secret the Winged Wheels are up against the salary cap. So they would need to dump players and contracts or make a trade to upgrade the net protector.

It is a big problem. No matter your defense or defensive prospects a team has. If the goalie can not make stops the team is doomed to struggle. It is certainly something to keep an eye on this Detroit, offseason.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Pierre Luc-Dubois

Embed from Getty Images The Columbus Blue Jackets, had been searching for a first line center. They found one in rookie Pierre Luc- Dubois. His growth this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

During the 2016 NHL  draft many experts full expected the Blue Jackets, to take Jesse Pujujarvi, and said to be electric scorer. Then came the shocker When Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made the call Pujujarvi looked stunned Dubois looked stunned. But in the end it was the right pick.

Pierre, kind of flew under the radar. He started making a name for himself a month before the draft. He has elite speed great hands and is fearless on the boards. At 6′ 3″ he is a good size for center.

He plays on the first line in Columbus,  with Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin. That’s realy good company. Dubois has  earned the right to anchor the top line. 20 goals and new Columbus Blue Jackets rookie record 48 points tell part of the story.

His want to continue to play sound defense should not be over looked. He has improved through the season on faceoffs and forechecking. Pierre Luc-Dubois is the total package.

Fans of the Blue Jackets, should enjoy watching his career unfold as he is only going to improve. The 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us. If you have not seen him play. You should tune in.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Seth Jones

Embed from Getty Images He is by all accounts one of if not the best defensmen in the NHL. Drafted in 2013 by the Nashville Predators. The Columbus Blue Jackets were smart to trade for him.

 

Not many times does a trade actually work out for both teams. In 2016 Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen fell out of favor with newly crowned head coach John Tortorella. Seth Jones, was seen as an up and coming elite defesive player.

Seth Jones, in just five NHL seasons has become a truly amazing player. There are times he pokes the puck away or gets to a would be shot and fans have no idea how he got there.

He makes the Blue Jackets, defense a fantastic unit. It is true he is on the first line with his line mate Zach Werenski and they are a nasty pairing. But, Jones has been paired with all of the Columbus blueliners with the execption on Ian Cole.

Seth, has been voted and named to the past two all-star games. It is only a matter of time before “Jonesy” wins a James Norris Memorial Trophy as the top defensman in the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets fans should enjoy Seth. He is a great player who makes the players around him better. While frustrating opposing offensive players. He is hands down the best defensive player the Blue Jackets have ever had.

Columbus Blue Jackets: NHL refs

Embed from Getty Images To error is human. We have all heard that phrase at some point during our life. NHL referee’s unfortunately take that phrase to a whole new level of bad.

Last night in game one of the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitols, playoff series. There were bad calls and flat out no calls both ways. They were in short a joke.

Blue Jackets, winger Josh Anderson, checked a Washington player hard and was called for a 5 minute game misconduct and ejected from the game. Upon further review it was just that a good hard check. Not the boarding call the referee’s cast upon him.

I’m not going to miss the COUNTLESS tripping calls that did not get whistled. Then there was Washington Capitols, defensmen Tom Wilson’s lunge (which by NHL rules is a game misconduct and automatic ejection) at Columbus center Alexander Wennberg’s head what was the call? Charging . A player gets hit in the head and the referee’s call a charge?

The NHL has in my opinion a monumental problem. For a league that beats the player safety drum the referee’s they employ are horrible. And that is putting it kindly.

I really think the NFL needs to either fine or suspend ref’s who miss a call that costs a team a loss or a player who sustains an injury as a direct result of blowing calls.  They have been horribly bad this entire season. Something must be done.

The NHL, is embarrassing it’s self.

Detroit Red Wings: Blashill

Embed from Getty Images Last week when the Detroit Red Wings announces general manager Ken Holland, would return media and fans turned attention to head coach Jeff Blashill.

Ken Holland, recently said that Blashill, would indeed return to his post on the Detroit bench. This was met with a mix of emotions from the Detroit Red Wings, fan base.
While it is absolutely true Blashill, makes some head scratching moves at times. He has transformed the Red Wings, into a two way team and the Wings young players took big steps forward.
What needs to happen is a couple of things. The team must get stronger on the forecheck. They also must form an identity. That is squarely on Jeff Blashill’s shoulders.
I’m not disappointed or surprised Blashill was brought back given the improvement in Detroit’s younger players. Fans should stop complaining and wait to see how this plays out.
With off season conditioning and the NHL draft. Ken Holland doing what he does best scouting. The Red Wings rebuild is worth keeping track of. I know that most fans do not want to hear that. But it is going to be ok. The Detroit Red Wings are close to being good again.

Detroit Tigers; the Candy man

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Tigers made the tough yet expected call last season to begin a time-staking rebuild. In a trade with the Chicago Cubs, they got a player who should be a staple for seasons to come. Jeimer Candelario.

He can hit. He always could. The problem was where would he play in the field? Third base? First base? Let’s start with hitting. Candelario, is very fluid and has tremendous bat control. He has shown himself above average.

He does not hit for a ton of power. So that leads me to believe he is not an ideal first basemen. He has a very good arm and has improved his off season conditioning that has brought him very good lateral quickness. Third base should be his main-stay.

He should handle the hot corner for some time to come at Comerica Park. Jeimer Candelario fights off pitches until he gets one to his liking.  He should hit .300+. What fans should keep and eye on this season is his defense.

It kept him from seeing the field in Chicago but has turned around and he has played well in the young 2018 MLB season. I have watched and he makes difficult plays and his throws across the diamond have been spot on. It will be interesting in a few seasons to see if Isaac Peredes plays third base and Candelario moves to first.

Detroit Tigers: prospect profile Alex Faedo

Embed from Getty Images He was drafted out of the University of Florida last season by the Detroit Tigers. For good reason. Alex Faedo, can be an above average starter or a flat out nasty closer.

First let me get this out of the way. The Detroit Tigers, have a pitching surplus. They are developing them the right way. When the smoke clears and the rebuild is complete. The Detroit pitching staff will rival the early 1990 Atlanta Braves pitching.
Alex Faedo, will be one of the guys who will be counted on heavily. For good reason. He is electric. He stands 6’ 5” and is a four pitch athlete. He touches 95-96 mph with his fastball. Alex’s slider comes in at 87 mph while his change up has been clocked at 81 mph.
He is currently In Lakeland Florida with the Flying Tigers, working on developing a curveball. The Tigers are excited that he can be a very solid second starter in the rotation or be a closer. He offers something no other Detroit pitching prospect offers, flexibility.
Whichever they elect to use him he will excel. He does an excellent job at keeping walks to a minimum. Alex Faedo, is a strikeout machine. He has very good command of the strike zone and should not need much priming in the minors.
One thing he does need to cut down on at times he tends to fall off his delivery which cause the baseball to miss low. Something I’m sure they will help him brush up on in the minors.
Faedo, is a big piece of the rebuild going on in Motown. Before long he will be a fan favorite. I for one am looking forward to seeing Alex Faedo in action at Comerica Park.