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HBO picks the Oakland Raiders over the Detroit Lions and others for “Hard Knocks”

Embed from Getty Images Team president Rod Wood said he wanted no part of the HBO NFL training camp documentary “Hard Knocks.” That was Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn’s take as well. Lions head coach Matt Patricia also was not exactly excited at the prospects of being on the show. The Detroit Lions got they’re wish.

NFL teams are picked by HBO and can not say no  to being featured on the show if they fail to meet any of the following criteria: qualified for the postseason in the past two years, hired a new head coach this offseason or appeared on “Hard Knocks” in the past 10 years.

On Tuesday, HBO announced that it has picked the Oakland Raiders to be featured on the network’s behind the scenes training camp series “Hard Knocks.” The Detroit Lions entire operation let out a collective sigh.

Back in February, Matt Patricia suggested that Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders would be an excellent choice for the show.  Patricia’s suggestion was made partly out of his want to being left out of the spotlight and not having to conform Detroit’s training camp into must see T.V. The Lions were one of five teams the NFL could compel to appear on the show that gives viewers an annual behind-the-scenes look at one NFL team’s training camp.

Rod Wood said the Detroit Lions would accept their fate if they were picked to appear, and as recently as last week Patricia said he hadn’t been told one way or another whether the Lions still were a candidate for the show.

While ‘Hard Knocks” is an interesting look inside the demands of preparing for the grind of the NFL season. Teams that have appeared on the popular show say it takes away from the narrative, focusing on learning new systems, reacquainting player relationships, and trying to mix in rookies into team chemistry.

The Detroit Lions had a disappointing 2018 season. The team is looking to rebound and return to the NFL playoffs. Now thanks to the Oakland Raiders, that can be the Lions total focus.

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Meet Doug Mientkiewicz the man spearheading the Detroit Tigers rebuild

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Tigers rebuild is well known by now. The Tigers changed they’re philosophy to drafting and developing home grown players in order to win longer. A growing trend in Major League Baseball. This is where Toledo Mud Hens manager Doug Mientkiewicz comes into play.

Doug Mientkiewicz played 12 MLB seasons, including parts of seven seasons under Ron Gardenhire with the Minnesota  Twins. Gardenhire, is the current Detroit Tigers manager.

It is those same Minnesota Twins who are now winning. The funny thing in all of this is Doug Mientkiewicz, was in charge of the Twins rebuild. With almost all of the Detroit Tigers top prospects in the upper minor leagues, the second-year Toledo Mud Hens manager is embracing another opportunity to play a part in another rebuild.

“They’re (players) putting the weight of the world on their shoulders,” Mientkiewicz said. The Mud Hens boss understands it is his job to get the players to block out self-imposed pressure  and develop them into everyday MLB players.

As the Tigers rebuild presses on, Mientkiewicz, may be one of the most important people involved. With twelve of MLB.com’s top 30 Tigers prospects  such as Daz Cameron, Beau Burrows and Willi Castro are in Toledo, and more are on the way, with 10 in Double A Erie.

Doug Mientkiewicz, retired from playing in 2009. He would spend the 2012 season in the Los Angeles Dodgers system as the hitting coach with the Ogden Raptors. Mientkewicz then headed to the Twins minor league system in 2013, where he took helm of the Fort Myers Miracle for two years. He moved up to Double-A Chattanooga in 2015 before returning to Fort Myers in 2017. Compiling a 385-299 record in five seasons in the Twins organization, Mientkiewicz was let go as part of an organizational overhaul after that season. Yet, it is the Twins who freely admit they are where they are today because of the work Doug Mientkiewicz put in with top prospects.

Doug Mientkiewicz joined the Detroit Tigers organization last season. The team  liked him because of his baseball experience. Former players and current Twins all-star players gave Detroit a strong backing to Mientkiewicz.

Mientkiewicz felt great responsibility to develop what is now Minnesota Twins core players. He admits that he was very demanding and tough. “I wouldn’t let them breathe because I knew they were responsible for bringing respectful baseball back to that city,” Mientkiewicz said. “I always say, I don’t know if I’ll make you physically better, but I’ll make you mentally tougher, and that group was battle tested.”

The Detroit Tigers are looking for the same results from a manager that demands them. Doug Mientkiewicz is hope for a brighter tomorrow in Motown.

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Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman does not think you can “build a team through free agency”

Embed from Getty Images On April 19, 2019, Steve Yzerman was named general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. He outlined his plans for getting the Red Wings closer to competitive hockey again. Yzerman’s main theme was patience. Given the salary cap room the Detroit Red Wings have fans and media were taken back.

When Ken Holland was overseer of the Detroit hockey team, he did believe in the draft to a certain degree. Holland also had no issue with trading draft picks for proven NHL talent.  For a rebuilding team draft picks are a premium.

This year the Detroit Red Wings have 6 picks in the 2019 NHL draft. Steve Yzerman further detailed his plans and thoughts as to how to build a solid team. “The draft is so important. You have to acquire your talent some way. To do it through unrestricted free agency, you’re not going to build a team that way. At least I don’t think you can build a team that way.”

YES! Red Wings fans should rejoice. Yzerman is dead right. To build a team, a team that will have sustainable success it must be done by building the core players. Not throwing money at players and hoping they can get you to the playoffs.

Then Yzerman showed why he is one of the very best general managers in sports today when he gave one of his secrets away, “I’ve never used free agency to make a splash. I’m not trying to make a splash, I’m trying to build a good team.”

Detroit fans and media need to come to an understanding, Just because there is cap space available does not mean it has to be spent. At least not right away. It is okay to hold onto the cap space. Yzerman is so good at what he does because he and his scouts collectively and selectively improve the team as needed. When he was general manager in Tampa Bay, as good as the Lightning are, Yzerman never went for a big name on the open market.

One thing that must be made clear is Steve Yzerman has never had a problem trading players. That includes big name players and fan favorite players. Remember the Red Wings legend said that he is trying to build a good team. That means anything and anyone goes. Sure the Red Wings have a couple “untouchables.” Dylan Larkin and Filip Zadina are two players that will not go anywhere.

However, Anthony Mantha and others are fair game. If the return is greater than the player, Yzerman will make a move. Given his tract record, his team will be better and Yzerman will not bat an eye.

This is what has come to Hockeytown.

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The Detroit Lions are trying to fix they’re takeaways

Embed from Getty Images Last season the Detroit Lions finished second in takeaways. One small problem. The Detroit Lions were second to last in the all important category. During the team first OTA’s and first mini-camp the Lions defense got back to basics. To fundamentally improve in the area of taking the ball away from offenses.

Detroit defensive coaches are putting the unit through new drills. More difficult drills in order to get them to change they’re thinking. A turnover is every bit as important as a tackle or quarterback sack.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, is looking to bolster the defenses confidence. The long-time coordinator understands that from season to season confidence does not carry over. New things come up. New offensive systems are always out there. So to combat that, Pasqualoni is starting all over again.

The odd thing about last season is Detroit had a top 5 defense even with the lack of forced turnovers. So, if the Lions can take the ball away more then the team will be looking to climb the defensive rankings even higher.

There is no secret formula to taking the ball away. The team just needs better awareness. There are times Detroit defensive backs simply did not turn in time to see the ball. That could be in part due to the fact that head coach Matt Patricia had switched the defense to his system and players were still trying to grasp it.

If the Detroit Lions defensive players can figure out what hampered the team last season, more wins will come. The Lions offense is reloaded for the 2019 season and figures to be in better position with a ball controlled offense. If the defense continues to struggle to take the ball away then the results could very well mirror last season.

So to review. The Detroit Lions defense needs to force more turnovers. This will give the defense a longer rest and it will give the Lions offense a chance to put points on the board. The Lions simply must improve in this area for the betterment of the team.

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Michigan Wolverines baseball one win from College World Series

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan Wolverines baseball drew a tough card, the top ranked UCLA Bruins. Friday night, Michigan pitcher Karl Kauffmann, dominated the nations best offensive team. Bringing the Wolverines to one game away to the College World Series.

Karl Kaufmann was masterful for the Michigan baseball team last night. Kauffmann, allowed just one hit, one walk and eight strikeouts through eight innings of work.

the 13th nationally ranked Wolverines are one win away from the schools first trip to the College World Series in 35 years. Michigan head baseball coach Erik Bakich has resurrected the Michigan Wolverines baseball program since taking over in 2013.

Michigan was the preseason pick to win the Big Ten and they did just that. The Michigan baseball team has solid depth which is needed in any sport and in any season. The players on the bench have jumped in when heeded and helped the team out.

The best news for the baseball Wolverines is that this program looks like it is ready for the national stage year in and year out. Lots of good pitching and a solid core of position players not to mention top ranked recruiting classes have pushed Michigan to the top of the Big Ten.

The Wolverines, are now close to being a baseball national power again. Something the school said they were looking to accomplish when they hired Bakich. The coach has not disappointed in delivering the dormant baseball program out of the dark.

Michigan will certainly take this season and whatever happens in the College World Series and use it as a building block to an even better tomorrow. Until then they will enjoy the ride this season has taken them on.

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#MakeSolo2Happen gets backing from a Star Wars actor

Embed from Getty Images  Solo: A Star Wars Story hit theaters last summer. It grossed $400 million. Yet it was deemed a failure at the box office. Many hard core Star Wars fans point the finger at “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” for souring public opinion. Many fans missed a great film in theaters.

Star Wars fans set a  trend on Twitter, #MakeSolo2Happen. This is from fans who loved the spinoff film to show their support. The movement blew Twitter up. It gave fans a voice.

Solo director Ron Howard even joined in the Twitter fray, by agreeing with fans. Now one of the films stars Joonas Suotamo, who is now in the Chewbacca costume,  has made it clear on Twitter that he’s up for any potential sequel. Has made his feeling well known:

 

Needless to say fans are happy to have a Star Wars actor who is backing there pleas with Disney/ Lucasfilm. It feels like there is unity with fans and actors and director to make a sequel to a very good, very underrated Star Wars film.

After December’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the franchise will not see another film until 2022, which as of this moment appears to be “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” The hope is that Disney/ Lucasfilm will at the very least listen to the fans the way Marvel does.

Marvel listens to the fans and releases movies based on fan suggestions. Something Star Wars should take a cue from. Even if it is down the road a bit. A second Solo story should be made. There are many ways to approach the film. It has some solid possibilities.

Time will tell. But the campaign started on Twitter did make noise. Now fans will wait and see just how loud it was.

 

 

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Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera moving to DH on the heals of “chronic changes” to his knee

Embed from Getty Images It was bound to happen sooner or later, right? Miguel Cabrera held off moving from first base to DH as long as he could.It seems time and the daily grind of playing everyday has caught up with the future Hall of Fame player.

The Detroit Tigers made the announcement last night before the Tigers took on the Tampa Bay Rays. Fans and media wondered how Cabrera would respond. Cabrera said he would not have surgery which would have ended his season yet again. “I’m done with surgery.” Cabrera said.

Fans and media got a first hand look at how Miguel would respond. Miggy went 3 for 4 on Tuesday with five RBI hitting as DH in the cleanup spot, one of his hits was a grand slam. By having  Cabrera in the DH spot on a regular basis will do good for him and the entire Detroit Tigers lineup.

This is good new for player and team. It gives hope that Cabrera will be able to fulfill the last few years of his contract, while still hitting at an elite level and helping the young Detroit prospects as they arrive from the minor leagues.

When a baseball player has a bad knee it is hard to get  drive when they hit. That means a lack of drive negates power.  “It’s sad,” he said. “Really sad. The last few days I was thinking about that. I mean, it’s sad because I like to be in the field ” Miguel Cabrera offered.

Miguel also said “But I’ve been battling this for the last three years. It’s something I’ve got to do.” Doctors told Cabrera that his knee has been deteriorating steadily the last five years.

From 2004 to 2106, Cabrera averaged 154 games a year. He played despite having a torn groin and broken foot in 2013 and 2014. The Detroit Tigers star also noted  that he played through an assortment of other minor injuries.

He offered advice to Detroit Tigers prospects from the lessons he has learned, “The only advice I can say to young kids, take care of your body and stay healthy,” he said. “When you have something, stop playing for a week and come back. Don’t play through pain, because you are going to pay the price later.”

Cabrera can still hit. Now perhaps he will have more drive in his swing with more time off his feet.

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The Detroit Tigers select Nick Quintana in the second round of the 2019 MLB draft

Embed from Getty Images After selecting a High School player in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, The Detroit Tigers dipped back into the college ranks for they’re second round selection. Third baseman Nick Quintana, from the University of Arizona.

This was a very interesting pick for Al Avila and his scouting department. The pick was mixed for good reason. Nick Quintana can hit. 34 home runs in three seasons with the Wildcats, 17 doubles in each of those seasons while batting .346, forced his name up the draft board. That’s the good.

The bad, that’s easy. Nick Quintana struck out 20% of the time. That is too high for an advanced college bat. Also questions abound about Quintana’s ability to hit consistently with a wooden bat. in two seasons in the Cape Cod league Nick hit .230 and struck out 38% of the time in 69 games.

Nick Quintana, moved from shortstop to third base in college. He bulked up and moved to third base where his athleticism took off. with his glove and arm, Quintana grades as a 60 defender.

Detroit feels Quintana will hit. He will not hit .300 but .270-.280. He has pop in his bat and can drive in runs. He should fill out to be an above average player.

If he hits, Nick Quintana will be a middle of the batting order player. If not, Detroit will need to continue to look for third base help.

 

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The Detroit Tigers select Riley Greene in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft

Embed from Getty Images In a minor league pipeline with the top rated pitching, the Detroit Tigers needed to add bats in this years MLB draft. Because this is the worst draft in 27 years for pitching the Tigers scouts got to work. They drafted Riley Greene, out of Hagerty (Florida) High School.

While drafting any player in any sport is a bit of a crap-shoot. There is high risk, high reward to picking players who are just fresh from completing High School. Yet, that is what the Detroit Tigers did last night.

Riley Greene, is a left-handed hitter. He has perhaps the most beautiful swing that I have seen from a lefty in a long time. Greene does not reach for pitches he has a firm grasp of the strike zone. Another great attribute Riley Green has, is he does not pull his head off the ball when swinging.

Detroit scouts believe Greene will fill out to 6′ 3″. Detroit has a long history of liking big (6′ 3″ and above) outfielders. Riley Greene is both athletic and versatile enough to be able to handle all three outfield positions. He grades as a 50 tools in the field. That is a fancy grade for Greene is above average in the field.

No we get to the hitting. Riley Greene was the best prep hitter in this years draft. But in the big picture. Greene was one of the top 4 hitters in the entire draft. Right now Riley grades at 60 contact and 60 power. Every baseball scout said when Greene is fully developed he will be 70 tools in both offensive categories. That is the max.

The one drawback is his lack of speed. Greene will not steal a lot of bases. With his bat it will not matter. He will hit above .300 and have 20+ homeruns.

The fact he was still on the board when Detroit picked made Tigers general manager Al Avila’s decision easy. The Detroit Tigers got the big bat that will balance their batting lineup post rebuild.

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Star Wars: RUMOR the Knights of Ren will use a new lightsaber

Embed from Getty Images Since the Knights of Ren were first seen in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the masked warriors have been shroud in mystery. In The Force Awakens flashback scene the Knights appear to have some sort of arm-mounted blasters.

During the rather quick flashback there is another  masked knight with a flanged war club, and a  longer range rifle. Yet, there is a lighter colored Knight who looks similar to Kylo Ren who’s weapon is in question. This becomes somewhat interesting.

The official official “Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens” offers a closer look at the Knight. In the “Star Wars; The Last Jedi,” novel Luke Skywalker tells Rey Ben Solo escaped with  the Knights of Ren, What appears to be clear is the Knight in question has a lightsaber handle that resembles that of Darth Vader.

Star Wars fans know that the  kyber crystal helps make the blade of the saber. They also know that Jedi students need to be instructed and guided by a master so that  they can successfully create one, which explains the poor design of Kylo Ren’s lightsaber.

In The Rise of Skywalker teaser trailer there is a Knight of Ren in the backround with a lightsaber on. It is quick. It also looks to be a new saber all together. Could be something, could be nothing. Things like this usually have a deeper meaning.

Yet thinking about the fact that Ren wants Rey’s lightsaber (as it blonged to his grandfather. It could be that Kylo is willing to settle on the better constructed lightsaber by the Knight as it looks like there is a major fight taking place. So he attacks him to take it. In Order to either escape or gain some ground.

The bottom line is there will be a new lightsaber in the final Skywalker film.