Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Ohio State football is hoping a healthy Thayer Munford is ready to go

Embed from Getty Images Thayer Munford is the starting left tackle on the Ohio State offensive line. When he is healthy he is a game changer for the Buckeyes running game. One problem, Munford played through a string of nagging injuries last season.

Thayer Munford has a spot on the Ohio State offensive line already secured. He is taking it light this spring in overcoming the injuries that by and large are gone. Thayer is still fighting through some mild discomfort.

The Ohio State coaching staff has talked about moving Thayer to right tackle as it is not as demanding as the left side. That is not a slight on Munford. Not at all. The Ohio State rushing attack is better when he is healthy and can fully participate at maximum strength. In other word the Buckeyes need Munford on the field not on a medical table.

There is no pressure for Thayer Munford to take part in spring reps right now. One thing Ohio State coaches are doing is checking on the offensive line depth this spring. Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa said “The good news is those young kids are getting a ton of reps, and they have a chance this spring to get better.”

That is the good. The bad is Ohio State needs Thayer Munford on the field this fall as he is a proven player. With a new head coach and a new quarterback returning starters are even more important then is other seasons.

If a player is taking it easy coming back from injuries this is the best time it could happen. That way the player, coaches and teammates can go all out when it counts.

 

Posted on

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning series preview

Embed from Getty Images In what could be one of Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella’s best coaching jobs to date, he somehow managed to rally a Blue Jackets team that had many different distractions this season. From pending free agents to a goalie who struggled for most of the season to find his game. Tortorella held the team together.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs! That is the good news. The bad news, the Tampa Bay Lightning awaits them. The same Lightning team that won 62 regular season games and racked up 128 points. The fourth best numbers seen by an NHL team, ever.

Tampa Bay lost back-to-back games only two time this season. The Lightning were so good they finished the season with a +103 goal differential. One more point the Tampa Bay Lightning were 3-0 verses Columbus this season.

So the real question is do the Blue Jackets have any real shot to slay the beast from the East? Let’s take a look.

The Columbus Blue Jackets absolutely need to steal a win at Tampa. Does not matter what game. They need to win on enemy ice to take home ice advantage away.

Two time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky who’s playoff struggles have been well documented needs to have the series of his life. Bobrovsky played very well coming down the stretch. That needs to carry over into the playoffs.

Last season the Blue Jackets jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Washington Capitols. Then they could not stay out of the sin bin. Penalties suffocated the team and Washington took the series. The Blue Jackets must stay out of the penalty box against Tampa or they will fair no better than last year.

Columbus goal scoring was great down the stretch. The Jackets outscored opponents 30-6. They are playing as well as any team right now. They need to keep that momentum up.

If Oliver Bjorkstrand can keep up his scoring the Jackets have something the Lightning do not. Secondary scoring off the bench.

The Blue Jackets defense needs to keep the play in front of them and not allow anything behind them. It will not be easy. But Tampa does not have the team speed Columbus does. I think this series could be closer than many.

 

Posted on

The Detroit Pistons would need a total meltdown to miss the playoffs

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Pistons are cold again. As high as the sixth seed last week, the Pistons are now an eighth seed.  The good news is it would take total collapse for the team to miss the playoffs.

Blake Griffin has missed three games in a row due to a sore left knee. The Pistons have lost two games in a row. But, it really is not that bad. The Detroit Pistons are looking for their second playoff appearance in the past decade. Which would please owner Tom Gores who did not want to begin a rebuild.

A weak remaining schedule gives the Pistons the old “punchers chance.” Detroit, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are in a battle for the last three playoff spots. It will be fun coming down to the finish line.

The Pistons hold tiebreakers over the Magic and Heat. With four regular seasons left Detroit is in the drivers seat. So much so the Pistons have a 99% chance at making the playoffs, with Orlando at 95%, Brooklyn 78% and Miami 25%. So the Pistons have really good odds.

So it really would take an epic collapse against teams under .500 for the Pistons to miss the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons need to begin to play better in order gain some momentum heading into the postseason.

Posted on

In a bit of a surprise the Columbus Blue Jackets call up top prospect

Embed from Getty Images 19 year old Alexandre Texier from Grenoble, France, has been called up by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He will join the team tonight as the Jackets take on the New York Rangers in a huge game for Columbus.  Texier has one of the highest ceilings in the entire Blue Jackets pipeline of prospects.

Alexandre Texier,  has a genuine chance to be special with his play. He plays both center and left wing.  Texier isn’t a one-dimensional player, he plays very well in the defensive end of the ice. Alexadre  is a dynamic offensive talent who is mature and can handle playing against any competition.

Current Columbus Blue Jacket Alexander Wennberg seems to have fallen out of favor with the entire Blue Jackets organization. His poor play and lack of goals at $5.4 million per season has placed him as a regular healthy scratch.

Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets will play their biggest game of the season. Win and they will enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team has once again scratched Wennberg in favor of  the speed demon Texier who possesses  good goal-scoring ability and puck-handling skills that set him above Wennberg skill wise.

If you can not tell I am VERY bullish on Alexadre Texier because he has the tools and pedigree to become a top-line player. Alexadre projects as having a point-per-game  potential.

The young player from France,  skates well, handles puck well and and also has  good sense. Very good upside. One more point, if fans want something else to drool over Texier has lightning fast speed. When he takes the ice tonight at Madison Square Garden Alexandre Texier will be the fastest player on the ice for both teams.

In what is critical to his development Texier rarely looks overmatched on the ice. That could be the reason Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen made the call to bring the young player up and give him ice time right off the bat. It is a daring move to be sure. But, it is a move that could pay high dividends for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Posted on

Michigan Wolverines freshman receiver Mike Sainristilike had a good spring practice

Embed from Getty Images Michigan Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said that Mike Sainristil has shown promise. He has  impressed in his route running.  Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said on his podcast that Sainristil, a 5-foot-10, 179-pounder from Massachusetts, was “on his way to cementing a spot in the starting lineup” and “doing a fantastic job at all the receiver positions.”

Jim Harbaugh did something unusual he announced that Sainristil was the starting “H” receiver as a freshman. The young wide receiver has a very good  level of quickness, change of direction and speed that has been really eye opening for the Michigan coaching staff. He fits the new Wolverines offense and what they are attempting to do.

One other standout point has been Mike Sainristil is a very good downfield blocker for his size. A 3-star prospect and the No. 596  overall recruit has shown better than his projection. He is a tough player who gets his pads low on blocks.

In Josh Gattis’s offense the “H” receiver is another term for slot receiver. He is very good in yards after catch (YAC.) At first glance Sainristil looks to play with a chip on his shoulder. He was the second lowest rated slot receiver coming out of high school.

It looks like it has provided Mike with plenty of drive. To show the other schools who passed on him, they made a mistake. To the sheer joy of Michigan who’s recruiters saw something others schools did not.

Yet, another glimpse into the new improved Wolverines.

Posted on

Detroit Tigers home opener at glorious Comerica Park

Embed from Getty Images Comerica Park opened 20 years ago. It has not aged a day. A ballpark in the middle of downtown Detroit. Comerica Park is one of the few honest to goodness downtown ballparks in MLB. Today the Detroit Tigers will celebrate Opening Day in Motown.

The home of the Detroit Tigers boasts  open vistas in the outfield that shows off the Detroit skyline. It also has a fantastic open-air concourse unlike the tunnel of the old Tiger Stadium. Not to mention giant statues of Tiger legends  Al Kaline, Hal Newhouser, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton and Ty Cobb.

With no  apologies to the baseball purists, Comerica Park is more family friendly than the rest of the MLB parks. There is a  carousel and  Ferris wheel For children to enjoy which adds more entertainment value to attending a Tigers.

20 years in, and Comerica is still a great place to watch a ball game. Gone from the early days are the crazy expansive dimensions the Tigers  took about about 25 feet off the distance to left field and also moved the bullpens from right field in order to add  1,000 better seats. A great upgrade.

Comerica Park is the only professional Detroit sports venue that isn’t enclosed.  The most underrated aspects of Comerica Park is the food. The  Little Caesars Coney Deep Dish Pizza is a must! Comerica park is one of the few parks that allow fans to bring their own food in. Good for people who have food restrictions.

I believe Comerica Park is the best  ballpark experience in baseball. Detroit Tigers fans take baseball seriously. Even in the midst of a rebuild, the fans are ready to roll into the season as they await top prospects. They will flock to the park once again this summer.

It helps greatly that there is a great place to watch a game. As anticipation grows waiting for the Tigers to return to postseason baseball.

 

Posted on

Detroit Tigers fighting through early season slump

Embed from Getty Images The 2019 Detroit Tigers have cold bats to start the season. There have been only 3 batters who have been the only offensive bright spots so far. Is it time to panic? No, still it is unsettling to begin the season in this fashion.

The Detroit Tigers currently have an OPS of .457, along with 23-164 that adds up to a .140 batting team average. 59 strikeouts with only 21 walks. Those are woeful numbers to be sure. This is a Detroit team that should hit better than they currently are.

Jeimer Candelario, Nicholas Castellanos and Niko Goodrum have been the only consistent hitters. The trio is a combined 15-57, .263. While the rest of the Detroit Batters are 8-107 .075. Yikes! That must improve, and it should as the weather gets warmer.

The most glaring issue is the Tigers lineup has produced only 8 extra base hits and 1 home run provided by Christin Stewart opening day. For a team that has power hitters, they have yet to get going.

Candelario and Stewart have had very good minor league success. That suggests they will get going at some point. Right now things are iffy in Motown. It is hard to see the team in a season long slump given the hitters they have. Perhaps it is a good thing the slump is now rather than later. Detroit is expected to call Daz Cameron up at some point. For a rookie, the veterans need to hit so he will get good pitches to see and hit.

It is early, the season is only a week old. For a team that was not going to win a bunch of games the focus was getting the young players to begin to produce at the major league level.

The Tigers pitching has been solid. It is the hitting that is causing problems right now. The good news is there are 156 game remaining on the season. Time to right the ship. Hopefully before the season slips away.

Posted on

Detroit Red Wings give Jeff Blashill a two year extension

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill will be back behind their bench the team announced the two year contract Tuesday morning. General manager Ken Holland had been talking about an extension since the trade deadline.

The timing of the contract comes as the Red Wings have enjoyed their longest winning streak of the season, at five games, and have won seven of their last eight games. “I’m not going to do a one-year deal,” Ken Holland said. “I think Jeff has to walk in that locker room and the players know that he’s the boss.”

It appears the front office likes how competitive  Blashill has had the team playing, and the development of the young guys who are key to the rebuild. Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi are all having career years this season.

Jeff Blashill  135-143-47 as Red Wings head man. Ken Holland is convinced Blashill is a better coach now than when he started. Perhaps he is. He has done a solid job with young players. Despite having a losing record behind the bench.

The Detroit Red Wings are committed to keeping Blashill to oversee the rebuild, as they should be. He came to Detroit as a known player development specialist. He has done his job. Not too mention most nights the Wings have been very competitive in games.

“I grew up a Red Wing fan, so as a lifelong fan, it’s unbelievable to be able to do this on a daily basis,” Jeff Blashill said. He went on to say he believes the team is  starting to head in the right direction.

One of the biggest criticisms of Blashill has been his tendency to favor underperforming veteran players. This season has been different. He is letting the young players play a lot.

A rebuild is not about wins and losses. It is about getting the young players to take the next step and become playoff ready. Jeff Blashill has done and is doing that. He absolutely should be able to see the rebuild through.

Posted on

Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo one of the best ever

Embed from Getty Images If there has ever been any doubt about Tom Izzo’s legacy they need to be silenced. The Michigan State Spartans head coach showed why he is one of the truly elite NCAA basketball coaches. Guiding the Spartans to another Final Four.

If Izzo can help his teams quest to win a second national championship,  that would help the Spartans begin to separate themselves from other programs. In Izzo’s 24 years in East Lansing,  his Spartan teams  have reached  eight Final Fours.

With one National Championship in 2000  under his belt getting that second national title is what drives  Izzo. Only 15 coaches in the history of college basketball have won more than one. A rather select group.

Taking a Michigan State team that had more than it’s fair share of injuries, Izzo did a masterful job getting his team to be crowned Big Ten co-champions as well as to the Final Four.

“I’ll disclose this one thing,” Izzo said Monday. “I’m going to try to win this time. I don’t know if I’ve done a good job of that. … But I’m looking at sometimes, even as a coach, you’re just happy to be there, and sometimes I’m trying to look at what can I do better than I did? We had a late, late-night meeting with my staff, and we’ll have another one in a little while because I told them, because a couple of them have been with me more than a couple of those Final Fours, let’s look at what we did. Let’s look at some other programs.”

Not very coaches can say they have won as much or as often as Izzo does.   Only four coaches in college basketball history have been to more Final Fours than Izzo  Mike Krzyzewski, John Wooden, Dean Smith and Roy Williams  all big time head coaches.

Tom Izzo, is a hall of fame coach. He has shown time and time again why he is so good. What he has done this season has been nothing short of spectacular.

Posted on

The Detroit Lions need to key in some key areas in the draft

Embed from Getty Images While mad dash for premium free agents is over, the focus for all teams is the NFL draft. The Detroit Lions filling some holes still have work to do. Improvements are still needed.

The Lions still have “a couple target points” on their roster to fill, though coach Matt Patricia said last week. “I would say in general from a need standpoint, we’re always just going to try to keep finding good players,” Patricia continued.

Detroit general manager Bob Quin has been known to draft for need. No need to believe he will switch his approach now. If it is not broke do not fix it. That said areas the Detroit Lions need upgraded are:

 

Cornerback: The Lions still feel light at the cornerback position, It’s been said plenty of times. The need at true CB2 in this years draft. Options are slim unless they take one in the first round.

Tight End: The Lions signed two tight ends in free agency last month, Jesse James and Logan Thomas, but a young game breaker is needed. This is the draft to find that player.  The Lions need more veteran help here, but I certainly expect them to add another weapon in the draft.

Wide Receiver: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola are starters. Then what? Not good solid depth. Detroit must find a young player they can groom for years to come. if they do not address the position at some point   in the draft, they’ll end up paying for it next year.

While the team will look for offensive linemen as well as defensive linemen, I have put a spotlight on the positions I feel are more paramount to be upgraded at this time. The Lions do not need another journeyman veteran. They need ti invest.