Author: brian wallace

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day”- Deuteronomy 8:18

Christmas 2021 is done. Well, that is if you do not have more celebrating to do with family, friends or co-workers. I was reminded just how much fun it is to give. In fact I would rather give than receive any day.

I have been married for 26 years and am blessed not only with a fantastic wife but three pretty fantastic children. All three of our children are unique in their own way and all have strong opinions which can be a blessing. Our children are all deep thinkers and that truly is a good thing.

There are times over the course of 24 years (that is the age of our oldest) where I have questioned myself as a father many times over. All I can do is seek the kingdom of God first for those times.

In 26 very good, sometimes challenging, always growing years this Christmas some parental concerns were lifted during the gift giving portion of our Christmas Day celebration. Yes our children are by and largely grown now, but that does not always mean they are mature. This was a day when it all came together, to the glory of God.

Our family of five and two dogs gave gifts that were so on point that some tears of joy fell. Jesus said if you know how to give good gifts, how much more will your Father in heaven give you good gifts?

To see the expressions on the faces of the people as they opened a gift was worth every blood, sweat and tear drop that went and goes into parenting and marriage.

To realize that you really do love the person or people in your life and to show that you value them in a tangible way is to show Christ to them.

The record is bad, there is no question about that. For the rebuilding Detroit Lions there is some good. For instance general manager Brad Holmes first draft class has by and large performed well. Head coach Dan Campbell and his staff have done a solid job at player development. I would like to shine a spotlight on three players that can help the Lions going forward.

Rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, what a find by Brad Holmes and the Lions scouting department. St. Brown is the Detroit Lions record holder for receptions in a rookie season. Let’s look a little deeper, St. Brown is developing into a well rounded player. His blocking has lead to the comparison of Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward. One area that the Lions and St. Brown want him to focus on improving is yards after the catch. But, St. Brown is a keeper and has shown he can move the chains.

Next is a player that had a bad 2020, but has rebounded in a big way, safety Tracy Walker. The Lions second leading tackler  45 solo total tackles as well as 26 assists, Walker has 5 passes defensed. In just his fourth NFL season Walker is a leader. He is a player that should get a contract extension at seasons end.

Now comes a player that has really (and I mean really) come into his own.  Cornerback, Amani Oruwariye who got his sixth interception of the season last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Oruwariye currently ranks as the third best DB in the NFL. Providing the Lions secondary with a soon to be shutdown cornerback.

Three players that can be building blocks, St. Brown, Walker and Oruwariye have provided enough in their development to give hope they will be long-term solutions for a Detroit Lions team that is rebuilding and looking for playmakers.

There is no quarterback worthy of a top 10 draft selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, let’s get that out of the way. There are however, some elite edge rushers and wide receivers which just so happens to be a serious point of need for the Detroit Lions. At 1-11-1 the Lions are set for a high draft pick if not the first over all selection.

There are two names that the Detroit Lions have been linked with in the upcoming draft. Be it the first pick or the second pick either the University of Michigan defensive standout and edge rusher Aiden Hutchinson or University of Oregon defensive standout and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux will be there for the Lions taking.

So which is the better fit? That is a trick question. They both fit the Detroit Lions area of need and are both expected to go 1-2 in the draft. In other words, flip a coin. Both Hutchinson and Thibodeaux would be tremendous draft picks and would give an improving Lions defense a building block.

What makes Aiden Hutchinson so attractive is his first step and hand placement. Hutchinson made the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten look silly. His game translates very well to the next level.

What makes Kayvon Thibodeaux appealing is his sheer athleticism. Along with Hutchinson, Thibodeaux first step off the line of scrimmage is lethal.  Thibodeaux’s long strides get him in position to make a play quickly. His game also translates very well to the NFL.

One thing seems highly probable, the Detroit Lions enter the 2022 NFL Draft and leave with either Aiden Hutchison or Kayvon Thibodeaux as the franchises first round draft pick. Again, either player will not only help the rebuilding Lions, but will be an impact player the defense needs starting from day 1.

It has been a long time coming. The Michigan Wolverines fan base has been waiting for what seems like 100 years. But, 2021 has been the year, the Wolverines finally got over the hump and soundly beat Ohio State 42-27. Not only did that change the perception Jim Harbaugh could not beat a top team, it also changed the perception of would be recruits.

Jim Harbaugh’s 2022 recruiting class has been nationally praised. The Ohio State Buckeyes had been used to getting whichever recruit they wanted. That came to a grinding halt with the Michigan win on the gridiron. Sure Ohio State had a nice recruiting class, Michigan had a better one.

This is something to keep an eye on going forward. Not only has Harbaugh and the Wolverines caught Ohio State on the field but just as importantly off of it as well. In fact Michigan flipped a four-star recruit from going to Ohio State.

The fact that Jim Harbaugh figured Ohio State out on the field is not a surprise. It was only a matter of time. Good coaches figure it out even if it takes some time. What should concern Ohio State is that the schools biggest rival has also figured out a way to keep high profile recruits from going to Columbus.

There is a clear shift taking place. Ohio State has had a long run at or near the top of the Big Ten Conference. Michigan has now caught up to the Buckeyes. One other notable observation about the Wolverines recruits is that Harbaugh focused on offensive and defensive linemen.

Sure, Michigan landed some high profile skill position players. But, Harbaugh took a page out of former NFL legendary head coach and Hall of Fame member, Bill Parcells book when he continued to build both the offensive and defensive lines.

That, if you recall that is exactly how Michigan beat Ohio State. The Michigan offensive line punished the Buckeye’s defensive front, while the defensive line was harassing the Ohio State quarterback for all four quarters.

Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan Wolverines football team have caught Ohio State on and off the field. Winning will do that for you.

It is not new. Anti-vaccinationists have been around for a long, long time. From small pox to other pandemics, plague’s and health crisis there have been people who have resisted vaccines  for one reason or another. As the COVID-19 global pandemic rages on, this time in the variation of the Omicron the question becomes when will people get vaccinated?

I must say it is certainly a persons right to not get vaccinated. I have no problem with that. I would also like to say that to me that comes off as being a bit selfish. Let me elaborate.

The way to end pandemics are through vaccinations. It is also the single best way to protect your love ones. 800,598 people in the United States have passed away from COVID-19. If those people had been vaccinated or people around them the numbers would not be as high.

What boggles my mind is that unvaccinated people believe they are entitled to the same rights as vaccinated people. This is a dangerous place to tread, I understand that. But, as a father of three children and a wife who’s health is compromised I feel that unless people are willing to look beyond themselves they should have some restrictions.

men and woman in the armed forces fight for our freedom daily. I get to move about because of the sacrifice being made. Getting a vaccine is a sacrifice that should be easy. It should cause people to unite in a fight for freedom of health.

The more people resist the longer it is going to take to get over this death machine known as COVID. I remember in the during the 1970’s when C-3PO and R2-D2 were encouraging people to get vaccinated for Whooping Cough.

Maybe the two iconic Star Wars characters should be brought in to encourage once again.