What the ... ?

Okay, I do understand that theoretically, the home team is supposed to win their games, so the Redwings-Predators series is supposed to be tied up at 2, right? That is all in theory, right?

This is the scary thing about the playoffs though. Anything can happen in a seven game series and the fact that the Predators are hanging around scares the dickens out of me. Everyone knows how pivotal Game 5 is in this type of situation.

Is Coach Babcock feeling the pressure by opting to start Osgood instead of Hasek tomorrow night? This game is huge for the Wings, let us hope he is dialed in.

Go Redwings!

Anyone but the Irish ...

Michigan hockey out of the Frozen Four against Notre Dame. Seriously, just about anyone but that school, this is killing me ...

Quit panicking people

Jeez, if you believed the "experts" on ESPN, the Tigers baseball season is done and they should pack it in. Yeah, they finally got their first win, but does anyone with a clue really believe they're done already?

Verlander is too good to pitch as horrible as he did last Sunday and that offense was predicted to score 1000 runs for a reason. Everyone just needs to calm down and support the team, it's early!

Go Tigers!

Dontrelle Willis

Hey hey Tigers fans! I gotta tell you, I am always up for any sport Detroit style, but for me, baseball is where it's at and I'm plenty excited about our Tigers. I have to wonder though ...

Dontrelle Willis I think was a great pick-up. But let's not deny his spring numbers: a 1-3 record; 8.64 ERA; 16 2/3 innings pitched over six games and not getting out of the fourth in any game; 15 walks compared to 12 strikeouts. I think he will get things ironed out. What do any of you think?

After reading some of these posts, I decided to try out this RazorGator site I saw one of you talk about, because I decided, last minute as usual, to get some Opening Day tickets to see the Tigers pound the Royals. I was impressed! Great tickets in section 133 were still left and were actually discounted about $40 a pop. That I wasn't expecting, so grabbed them up and am really happy with the process. I will use them again.

Go Tigers!

Michigan Wrestling!

Well, a fine finish to the season last weekend for our Wolverines! Four wrestlers finished in the Top 8 for All-American status, starting with Josh Churella at 149lbs in 4th and Tyrel Todd at 184 lbs in 3rd. How about two guys in the finals! Eric Tannenbaum at 165 lbs and Steve Luke at 174 lbs, both finishing second. As a team the Wolverines finished in 7th and 4th out of the Big Ten schools. A great weekend in St. Louis, let's do it again next year!

Some good news from our Wolverines ...

I figured since March Madness starts today and our Wolverines weren't invited that we needed some good news ...

Michigan Hockey is ranked #1 and plays this weekend for the CCHA Championship.

Six wrestlers from the wrestling team travelled to St. Louis this week to compete in the NCAA Championships which start today. Kellen Russell, Eric Tannenbaum and Steve Luke were all Big Ten champions.

Of course, losing Terrell Pryor to OSU does put a damper on things ...

Glad To Be Here

Hello Detroit. I just wanted to take a minute to thank Mad Mike and the boyz at DF4 for adding me on as an author to the blog. I know they have plans to get things cooking and I'll be happy to contribute.

Let's start with the Lions. Starting 6 and 2 and finishing 7 and 1 is a cruel thing to do to fans but 08 should see the team learning how to finish a season.

The Pistons - 34 and 13 and leading the division by 7 and 1/2.

The Wolverines - I still can't bring my self to say anything nice at this point.

The Tigers - Granderson Locked Up Until 2012

The Red Wings - Leading the NHL with 40 wins and looking at an 7-game win streak.

As always it's good to be a fan in this town.

Eastern Conference Championship - Game 1 - Detroit

After making quick work of the Bulls it looks like there's no touching the Pistons in the Conference Finals.

LeBron and the Cav's kept the crowd quiet, played their game and seemed to be pulling down more boards, however the Detroit Pistons still pulled away with the win, thanks to CB pulling through when he needed to.

Game 1 Detroit

If Detroit can play that poorly and still eek out a win, well then I think it's safe to say this series in the bag.

Just In Time For The 2007 NBA Playoff Brackets

Hey There Pistons Fans,

Just in time for the '07 NBA playoffs, I thought I'd save this great D-Town blog from a rusty fate in the bottom of some ol' ballers stinky locker.

It's time for the return of you know who.

Game 5 Saturday, May 5th - no time announced yet.

NBA Playoff Brackets, Dates and Times are Available Here: NBA Playoff Brackets

I hate to say it, but Chicago may have found that missing piece they needed to top even the toughest teams in the East.

How on earth did we lose our trusty BMW-Seven Series Ben Wallace.

Tears...

NFL Draft=stacked

Even Matt Millen can't screw up the number 9 pick.

The best projected options for the Lions at this spot include someone in the group:

FS Michael Huff (Tex)
RB LenDale White (USC)
RB DeAngelo Williams (Memphis)
DE Mario Williams (NC St.)

These are all impact, Pro Bowl-caliber players in my estimation.

I'd like to see the Lions get any one of them.

As for the RB's, I think the Lions absolutely need to make establishing a running game their top priority this offseason at all costs. Kevin Jones is hurt too often and Artose Pinner isn't good enough to carry the load full-time.

I just have a feeling about DeAngelo Williams. He's a big-time playmaker and I think the Lions should take him if he's there.

Of course they'd have to talk things over with Jones beforehand to make sure he doesn't get disgruntled.

Offensive line is a bigger need but there's no one worthy of the no.9 pick at that spot.

Huff would be a good pick and help in coverage tremendously as the Lions' corners need some help back there from their safeties.

Mario Williams is a beast and probably the safest pick for the Lions. Their D-line is already solid but Williams is a complete DE who would be great in Rod Marinelli's Cover-2 scheme. The Lions could use someone to get after the passer.

Hopefully in their new aggressive scheme under D-Coordinator Donnie Henderson, however, they'll actually make use of their LB speed and blitz more. So it's not a need but more of a luxury. Still, Williams might be too good to pass up.

I'm not a big fan of Jimmy Williams, the Va. Tech corner. That'd be my worst-case pick.

Back to Back Ranked Victims?

Just like that, Michigan is back among the Big Ten elite.

But now, just like the Sparties of 05, it's time to see if they can actually stay up there for a long period of time.

This is a team that doesn't handle prosperity well at all- neither over the course of the season or the course of a game.

Michigan won fairly comfortably over Wisconsin today but in all truth that game was closer than it should have been.

The Wolverines shot lights out and Wisconsin was cold most of the game, not to mention without 3 of its contributing players who were just ruled ineligible for academic reasons about a week prior to the game.

Michigan got very sloppy with the ball and also seemed to be rushing a lot during the second half. They seem to force tricky passes to the post when there's nothing there and fall in love with the three-ball a little too often.

That out of the way, it's time for Michigan fans to enjoy this for a little while. Only a devastating injury can derail this NCAA train now...

Perhaps the only one that could fall under that category would be one to Daniel Horton, who WILL play in the NBA by the way, most likely as a starter. The only things he needs to work on are shot consistency and decision-making and he's already gotten markedly better in both areas this year.

Lester Abram is Michigan's second-best player but Ron Coleman is a capable fill-in as long as he doesn't try to do too much.

All things considered, I'm just looking forward to hear my team's name called on Selection Sunday for the first time since the legendary Tractor Traylor/Travis Conlan squad of 1998 (ha).

But Michigan must learn to finish better...they are a senior and junior-dominated team. Time to seize it.

Not Again...

It's too bad Michigan forward Lester Abram will either miss or be extremely limited for tomorrow night's clash at Crisler between the Wolves and the Sparties...

I know lots of MSU fans who've been anxious for some better games and wouldn't mind seeing Michigan give them a run for their money...the rivalry's been boring with MSU taking 12 of 13 lately.

As for Michigan basketball fans, life is just tough. The university doesn't support the team very well while pouring damn near trillions into the football program...

It's just sad, not to mention foolish because the University could make some big money off of a strong basketball program. UofM merchandise was the top seller in all the land back in the early to mid-90's, now I'm not sure if anybody really knows Michigan still has a basketball program.

And if Michigan doesn't get it done this year, I doubt they will next year. Daniel Horton is gone as well as Graham Brown, Chris Hunter and maybe Abram. Michigan will have suspect PG and post play as Courtney Sims will need to take a huge step up (ie stop being so incredibly soft in the post) just for Michigan to stay competitive in the Big Ten.

As for tomorrow night, Ronald Coleman is a decent fill-in for Abram but he doesn't do all the little things Lester does like play defense as well, make solid passes, handle the ball etc..

my prediction: MSU 63 Michigan 57

Michigan can D up State fairly well for a while but it will take excellent efforts from Horton and Dion Harris, especially from 3-pt. land, to pull the upset.

Paul Davis might also need to pick up some cheap early fouls for UofM to stand a chance.

I do have a strange feeling that Courtney Sims might step up and play solidly, however.

State of the blog

hey everyone, with school and work i am so so busy. I love this blog, and i thank everyone for sticking with it and reading. Some of you bloggers kept this place affloat when times were rough. I would like to thank Nick for writing some helluva good articles and trying his best. I myself need to apologize for giving up on it at a time and i hope you all will forgive me and look forward. As for the future of this place, its up to you. I want to hear all of your opinions and ideas for this place cause i am lost. I want to hear if you guys want this place to stay or go. Again, thanks for your patience and this place couldnt be here without guys like Mark and leelanau sports guy checking in. Lets get this baby rollin and make 2006 the year of DSS! throw any ideas out there. thanks again

Hooray for Superfluous Graphics and Abnoxious Commentators

Fox gets the BCS next year and some other college football games next year. ABC will keep some of the bigger ones like the Rose Bowl, but it's not enough.

I don't trust Fox to handle college football. They've always been about glitz and glamour over substance with their NFL broadcasts and I expect college football to be no different.

Hopefully, some of the ABC guys will sign with Fox to do the games, because I absolutely abhor Fox's NFL announcing teams.

I mean think about it for a second. NFL announcers on Fox are some of the worst in the business. Joe Buck is as boring and stale as they come. Dick Stockton isn't much more exciting. Marble-mouthed Curt Menafee is the worst of the bunch. And every color analyst is just a lame Madden knock-off.

Say what you want about Brent Musberger, but his voice is excellent and his passion for college football is unquestioned. Keith Jackson may be slipping into Summerall territory, but he's still good overall due to the nostalgia factor.

Brad Nessler is very good, and Mike Tirico and Kirk Herbstreit are excellent together.

I like the whole ABC-ESPN college football partnership they've got going, but now it looks like Greedy Ole' Fox is going to screw it up.

Tell you what Fox- Bring back Beano the Hutt for his weekly segment and we'll call it a deal!

That guy is comedic gold at first sight.

"Blah blah blah Notre Dame blah blah blah Joe Pa blah blah"

*Beano runs out of breath*

"...Back to you, Rece"

College Football Withdrawal

Nothing against the NFL, but I'm really disappointed there won't be college football tomorrow.

It's just not right, dammit.

I love the NFL, but I'm sick of it getting in the way all of the time. Nobody will put any other kind of sporting event on Monday nights when Monday Night Football is on, even though they keep screwing up the matchups and giving us garbage games like Green Bay-Baltimore.

Now this...you just don't mess with January 1st. Or as WDFN's Sean Baligian put it, "Man's Day."

I love college because of the passion and intensity, the NFL just seems stale sometimes to me. Plus there are so many bad teams nowadays and so many bad matchups.

The one game I really looked forward to was San Diego-Indy this year, and yet I wound up getting TENNESSEE/SEATTLE instead.

On January 1st, you can sit there in your groggy post-New Year's haze and switch channels relentlessly, taking in games featuring teams you don't usually get to see. And then you cap it all off with the Grandaddy of 'em all, aka the Rose Bowl, aka the Michigan Loss Bowl, and all of the pagaentry and the beautiful setting and whatnot.

But nooo...we have to wait three more days for it now!!

The common denominator in all of this is $$$...more $$$ from their precious BCS, and more money for the greedy NFL so we can all go out and buy satellite TV's and Sunday Ticket...

Otherwise, looks like it's Bears-Vikings for me tomorrow...Oh, and the Lions...

Maybe I'll just sleep in extra, extra late...the Steelers are going to utterly eradicate us tomorrow.

Happy New Year, here's to some new assistant coaches at Michigan!

Cheers!

How Lionesque was THAT?

Okay, so we all know the whole Millen thing was a circus. And that's a good thing because the Millen REGIME has been even worse.

But the funniest part of the whole thing?

The Lions just may have cost themselves a shot at the quarterback they needed to sign next year: Unrestricted free agent Jon Kitna.

Do you really think Kitna, an established veteran with just a few more years left in the tank who's probably looking to be on a contending team, would want to come here after bearing witness to THAT atmosphere yesterday??

Sure, the Lions might have a competent, offensive-minded coach in place by next year and some O-line help, but that certainly didn't help the Lions' chances of signing Kitna next season.

They might have to overpay him to get him to come.

Other options? Kurt Warner (ugh), Josh McCown (not good enough), Joey Harrington (probably too risky), Orlovsky (not ready), Garcia (hahaha).

Batch? I don't know, but Kitna was the best option...

It'll be interesting to see if he even considers the Lions now.

How does 79-3 sound?

Okay, so that was a bad loss in Utah.

The technical foul monster got the best of the Stones again. I'm glad we don't have to watch horrible games like that as often as we did last year.

Maybe it would have been best for the Pistons to fall behind early and then make their run at the end instead of vice versa.

Still, why isn't Flip using the bench??

Ben Wallace is tough to pull out of a game, but tonight he simply didn't have it and he got frustrated in a hurry.

Might as well stick Dale Davis in there, he could have at least boxed out Kirilenko and Okur and Jarron Collins.

This happens every year with Ben getting nicked up, and it's Flip's job to tell him when he doesn't have it.

Still, we obviously can't complain with 15-3. It's been a brutal schedule thus far.

Back to the Palace...

Mooch, We Hardly Knew Ye

It's certainly not all his fault. But I'm ecstatic that Mooch is gone.

I don't think I could take another week of his "5 yard pass on third-and-eight" offense.

It wasn't working. This press conference was destined to happen from the get-go. Mooch was never going to lead us to a Super Bowl. His flaws were evident in San Francisco.

That being said, I was mildly happy when we hired him. I thought he would at least lead us to respectability and then be canned when he failed to take us to the next level.

I thought the Jeff Garcia comments were VERY telling on Mooch. He said he liked Mooch as a coach and that he thought he could get the job done here...but at the same time acknowledged he ran a soft camp and that such a camp was a bad thing for rookies (not to mention young players) and may have led to their undisciplined, lazy attitudes.

That's why I think it was a good idea to can Mooch now. We need to crack the whip on these young guys, especially the receivers, and get them to understand what being an NFL player is all about again. No more "freshening up," no more toking up, JUST SUCK IT UP, shut the hell up, stop dancing when you're down double digits, and earn your paycheck for a damn change.

Jauron isn't a disciplinarian exactly but he is a well-respected coach who will command the players' attention and not settle for insubordination.

Matt Millen is still a joke, obviously. He tried to dance around and crack jokes when asked to evaluate his own performance as GM, but the media obviously wasn't buying it.

I also find it funny that Millen has completely contradicted himself and his philosophy these past few years. He's a tough guy linebacker who talked about needing to bring in more "rats," i.e. tough guy, lunchbucket-style players in his mold. And what did he do? He drafted a bunch of fast linebackers that can't tackle or take on blocks reliably like Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey, and James "Dirty from getting knocked on his ass all game" Davis.

He built around finesse players with a pourous offensive line. And he hired Jauron to coordinate the defense, one of the least aggressive guys around.

Look at the Bears: They might not have as much overall speed and talent as the Lions but they're built the RIGHT WAY, around the running game and in the trenches. And they have a coach who's aggressive on defense and doesn't mess around with the dink-and-dunk crap on offense. He runs the ball and goes for the occasional big play.

Millen said he thought the Lions had the talent to get the job done. We'll see...I still don't think they're a 4-7-caliber team, especially in this division. I think the switches, especially Greg Olsen to Offensive Coordinator, will benefit them in the short term.

But they still have to play Pittsburgh and the Bengals, so don't worry about our draft position slipping too much.

Fight on, blind Lions. You'll find that zebra carcass someday...

Tommy A's bunch beats Butler

I dont know...Michigan and 2-2 (now 2-3) Butler were tied 70-70 late in the game before the Wolverines pulled it out.

Dion Harris has plantar fasciatis a la Rasheed a couple of years ago, that could be a tough injury.

I'm not too crazy about Tommy Ball, especially on the offensive side of things. There still doesn't seem to be much flow or much of a philosophy besides passing the ball in circles and launching.

I just hope we sneak into the tourney this year, I've been longing to see Michigan in the tourney since Tractor and company busted into it back in 1998 and choked against UCLA...

Michigan will need to rack up at least 9-10 NC wins because their early Big Ten schedule is tough.

That is all....too bad Notre Dame held on against Stanford...

I think Oregon and OSU and even Auburn definitely deserve to be in over the Irish, whose best three wins are BYU, Navy, and oh yeah, Michigan...sigh.

But they'll be in. They get special treatment. Not that Michigan hasn't in the past but it's still not right.

The BCS Really Works!!

Or at least that's what they say after Texas gets done thrashing the rest of the Little 12 and USC falls behind UCLA before putting up 70 on them in the second half.

I fail to see how "the system works" simply because it is smart enough to pick two undefeated major conference teams when they're the only two left standing.

As for Michigan, this whole thing doesn't really apply to them and won't as long as Lloyd Carr is here, or at least fires his underacheiving assistants.

Prevent defense prevents you from winning. Period. You'd think Jim Hermann would have realized this after losing two games and nearly blowing three others with the exact same strategy.

Can someone please tell me why Michigan only brings out its blitz packages approximately one or two games PER SEASON?

Has Hermann noticed that EVERY SINGLE TIME he does it, it WORKS and WORKS WELL???

Look at the Michigan plays defense and compare it to SEC teams like LSU and Auburn or Ohio State.

The biggest problem isn't lack of speed, it's a complete and utter lack of BALLS by the defensive coaches. Almost every stop Michigan gets is the result of the other team NOT EXECUTING it's own offense.

And the tackling? Ohio State wraps up, Michigan doesn't. Story of the game and the rivalry these past few years.

End of discussion....but then again, that's all been said countless times before. Only LLoyd can do something about it.

But, as yes-man Jimmy Brandstatter said on M Replay, we had a "great season." Yep, terrific. Michigan has become Ohio State AND Notre Dame's (personal property)

Hail to the Victors indeed.