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2019 Michigan State spring football preview

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan State Spartans football team is looking to leave the 2018 season in the rear view mirror. After a disappointing 7-5 record the Spartans are looking to regroup as spring football practice inches closer.

The number one most pressing question for the Spartans is will the offense show improvement? Coming off a season in which the offense was hampered by a totally depleted offensive line due to injuries and inconsistent play as well as at wide receiver and eventually at quarterback it was too much for the Spartans to overcome.

Quarterback Brian Lewerke regressed. In  2017 Lewerke threw for 2,793 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions . Meanwhile, Lewerke passed for 2,040 yards, eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2018. Michigan State needs better production at the quarterback position.

Michigan State ranked No. 114 in rush yards per game last season. Again the offensive line was beat up in all fairness. Brad Salem is moving to offensive coordinator and as of this moment it is unclear as to what his offensive philosophy will be.

Michigan State needs a fresh approach and to break free from what had become a somewhat predictable offense. That is what Salem is tasked with. It is a new system that can push the Spartans forward.

For the Spartans to shake the bad 2018 season the offensive line must both stay healthy and become a more consistent group. The lone returning starter from last seasons line is David Beedle.

Devontae Dobbs, is a five-star recruit from the 2019 class. Look for Dobbs to push for a starting job early in spring practice.

Michigan State really has little to no issues on defense or special teams. But the woeful inconsistent play from the offense needs to come to an end. Quarterback Brian Lewerke needs to regain his touch. If those things happen the Spartans will be in the thick of the Big Ten race.

Michigan State needs better balance. They can no longer rely solely on the defense to bail them out. The 2019 football schedule includes a brutal three game stretch for the Spartans. Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State all in a row.

It all starts to take shape when spring practice begins.

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Is Detroit Tigers outfielder Mikie Mahtook ready to contribute more

Embed from Getty Images He is out of minor league options, Sometimes, very rarely in fact it can calm a player down to the point they can contribute in a larger way. The Detroit Tigers are hoping outfielder Mikie Mahtook can calm down and play more in 2019.

Mahtook faces a sink or swim option. This needs to be the year the player with some promise puts it all together and becomes the player the Detroit Tigers believe he can be. Mikie, has yet to do it.

Last season Mikie Mahtook struggled. That is putting it kindly. Hitting .161 last spring (9 for 56), then Mahtook opened the season hitting .129 in nine games. He was sent down to Toledo to work on his hitting with the Mud Hens.

In less than one month Mikie  went from everyday left fielder to Triple A. Not the start the player and organization had in mind. This spring has been different.

Mikie Mahtook looks locked in and is swinging the bat well. His speed, glove and arm have never been an issue. Like most young players Mahtook is looking for consistency in his game. Prospects do not always hit their projections at a certain appointed time.

He is probably looking at the fourth outfield spot on the Tigers roster. That means he will play a lot of games. The Tigers need to know they can count on him. As he has worked on both his swing and pitch recognition Mahtook has 3 hits so far this spring along with 2 walks.

He will need to continue that in order to secure a roster spot and head north with the team after spring training. If he does he can really help the young rebuilding Tigers.

If not, Mikie Mahtook will be out of a job. Not only in Detroit but perhaps MLB entirely. For a player that has such promise it would be a shame if Mikie does not make the team.

He has put himself in this position. He is very capable of working hard and getting to the next level. The Detroit Tigers are hoping this is the case.

 

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Detroit Pistons Luke Kennard finds his groove

Embed from Getty Images No longer in a starting position, Detroit Pistons Luke Kennard has become a super sub and given strength to the Pistons bench. Detroit fans argue that he’s a better shooter than Wayne Ellington and slightly better defense than starter Bruce Brown.

Basketball is about the best 5 starters on the court. However, the Detroit Pistons and head coach Dwane Casey seem to be on to something. By taking the starting role away from Kennard his play has actually improved.

The way Casey has run the teams he has coached he puts an importance not only on the starters but as well as a transition to the second unit. To which the coach has identified Luke Kennard as the player he wants to spearhead and lead the second unit.

In most cases the NBA’s sixth man of the year could be a starter. That is what Dwane Casey is looking for. The fact the he picked Kennard is actually an honor and not a demotion from starter to second wave leader.

In the last six games, Kennard has averaged 13.5 points while hitting 53% on 3-pointers. That is what his new role calls for. Kennard has met the qualifications. There is something else that should be noted.

While Kennard does not start games. He has been on the court at the end of games more often. That speaks volumes to how the Pistons view Luke. As a facilitator and a glue guy who can and is counted on. The fact that Kennard is on the court during critical stretches speaks to his growth as a player. Both offensively  and defensively.

Early in the season Kennard was  playing lazy, did not seem ready for games. He admitted that coach Casey gotten on him about his effort. That is where the change came from.

Dwane Casey came to Detroit known for getting the most out of his players. When you are an NBA Coach of the Year you tend to know what your doing. Now in tinkering with Luke Kennard, Casey has shown that under his  tutelage a player can give more.

Dwane Casey’s record of developing young players is second to none. Just ask second year player Luke Kennard.

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Detroit Lions hire Kyle Caskey as the teams running back coach

Embed from Getty Images When Detroit Lions running backs coach David Walker announced he was retiring to spend time with his family following the conclusion of the regular season it left a void on the coaching staff. The Detroit Lions filled the void and then some.

Kyle Caskey has a bad habit of turning out 1,000 yard running backs. Caskey spent the last nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Kyle has  worked with 1,000-yard rushers Joe Mixon and Jeremy Hill early in their careers. That is good news for a Lions team looking to control the clock more.

The Lions have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Reggie Bush in 2013. That is not a misprint. Lions rookie running back Kerryon Johnson was set to hit 1,000 yards before a knee injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season after week 10.

This can not be said enough, Kyle Caskey is a strong addition to Detroit’s staff. A staff that has seen a shakeup since the season ended. He will team with  Darrell Bevell to give head coach Matt Patricia what he wants. A ball controled offense. With a back (Johnson) who can break loose at any moment.

While football has been pass-happy for a while now. It still comes down to running the football. It is a safe bet Detroit looks to add a solid No.2 back during this April’s NFL draft.

The Detroit Lions need a good running game in order to reach the playoffs. The team has counted on quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receivers way to much. The two positions can only take a team so far. Balance is what is needed.

With Bevell and Caskey the Lions should be in better position to imrove the overall offensive production. Which is clearly what the team is working on doing this offseason.

It will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Patrica, has made some big strong moves to bolster his coaching staff. It should pay off in a big way for the Lions.

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Detroit Tigers add second basemen Josh Harrison

Embed from Getty Images He will wear Lou Whitaker’s No. 1. Josh Harrison has played nearly every position on the baseball field. That is until he tried second base and found a home. Josh Harrison is the kind of veteran the Detroit Tigers need to help teach young players. The former Pittsburgh Pirate was a solid pickup.

A two-time All-Star Harrison is good with a glove and good with a bat. The Tigers brought him into Detroit because Josh Harrison is good in the clubhouse. Something that is critical when losses pile up.

That is something the rebuilding Tigers need. Josh Harrison signed a one year deal with the Tigers for $2 million dollars. He brings experience as well as being a high-energy player and by all accounts is a leader. Something the Tigers coaching staff will lean on for sure.

It should be somewhat of a comfort for Josh that the Tigers signed his former (now current) teammate and double partner Jordy Mercer to a one year contract as well.

The other reason for the Tigers reaching out and bringing the two-time All-Star in is that Detroit perhaps did not like what they saw early in Spring training. Be it depth or player. So there was serious thought into how to improve the team while still allowing young players to try and fail until they get it right.

Being able to plug a player like Josh Harrison into the lineup means that Detroit super utility player Niko Goodrum can remain on the bench and be available to pinch hit, pinch run, come in as a defensive substitution or give Mercer or Harrison a day/night off.

This in turn creates better depth. Another thing it does for Detroit is it gives them a serious trade chip at the MLB trade deadline. It is a good bet the Tigers will flip Harrison for a prospect or two which will further strengthen Detroit’s already flourishing minor leagues.

Josh Harrison has value in Detroit. It is unclear why he sat so long on the open market as a free agent. But Detroit is glad he did.

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Detroit Red Wings trade Gustav Nyquist for draft picks

Embed from Getty Images This is what a rebuild looks like. Trading assets to accumulate draft picks and prospects. Last night Red Wings general manager Ken Holland sent Gustav Nyquist to the San Jose Sharks for a 2019 second round draft pick as well as a 2020 third round draft pick that can switch to a second round pick if the Sharks play for the Stanley Cup.

The dismantling of the current Red Wings team has taken another step forward. Ironically the San Jose Sharks were in Detroit yesterday afternoon for a 3:00 pm matinee. The deal did not go down until late last night.

The Sharks needing scoring and wing help made their offer. One problem. Nyquist had a full no-trade clause. Holland had to call and get his permission to waive the clause to make the trade. Nyquist agreed. It is a trade that works out well for both teams.

The Red Wings who’s young players have taken HUGE steps forward this season get to add to an already outstanding prospect pool. While the Sharks get a player who is having a career year.

Gustav Nyquist, 29 years old, has 49 points on the season with 16 goals. He is fast and plays well defensively. Playing in Detroit on an expiring contract at $4.75 million is said to be seeking $5 million per-year when he is set to be a free agent July 1

The trade is not unexpected. Nyquist’s name has been brought up by multiple teams looking for a playoff push. The Sharks being one of those teams. They had they good fortune of being in the Motor City when the deal was reached.

It is not easy losing a good player and an even better person. For the Red Wings who are getting younger, faster and more athletic this trade made total sense. It was a good move by Holland.

The 2019 NHL draft is LOADED! This is the best draft is a long time. Ken Holland (who may or may not be back next season) did well for the team. He gathered more draft picks in a draft that will see NHL ready players into the third round.

One factor is dealing Nyquist is that top Red Wings prospect Filip Zadina made his NHL debut yesterday. Many expected Zadina would replace Nyquist as a starter at some point. Now looking sooner than later.

The future is looking better and better in Motown on the Red Wings front. The team is about ready to begin to make a playoff push as soon as next season. So losses and draft picks are great to help the team win soon.

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Michigan Wolverines basketball has an offensive problem

Embed from Getty Images Defense is not an issue for the 7th ranked Michigan basketball team. For two seasons Michigan’s defense has been at or near the top in the country. That is the good news. The bad news is the Wolverines offense lacks consistency.

All teams go through ups and downs of a season. The phrase used nowadays is “trust the process.” Okay. That is well and all if you have the players who can move the team forward. Sunday afternoon Michigan’s flaws were seen firsthand.

The Michigan State Spartans did not do anything different on defense. They did dare the Wolverines to hit outside shots as well as three point shots. Michigan State even gave Michigan players a good look at the hoop. One problem. Michigan could not take advantage.

Michigan has lived off of the defense. The offense has been trending down for most of the season. John Beilein has had no answers for his team. The players themselves have had no answers. It has been that way in all of the Wolverines losses this season.

One of the issues is that Michigan is better in the offensive zone when players are running and creating. Not having to stop set up and wait for someone to get open. Shooting 34.4% from three- point range as well as 51.5% from two-point range is down from one season ago.

This is not where Michigan wants to be with three regular season games left and the Big Ten Tournament coming. People will argue defense wins championships.  That is certainly a valid point. Defense is critical in every sport.

However, teams need to make shots. All the defense and no offense leads to games like Michigan State. Michigan will have a shot at redemption March 9 when they travel to East Lansing to face the Spartans. It will not be easy. There will be a lot on the line for both schools.

This will be a show me game for the Wolverines. Michigan coach John Beilein says “we have habits we need to break.” He is absolutely correct. If Michigan can not grow and learn from Sunday’s home loss to their in-state rival their season will be met with disappointment.

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Michigan State was locked in vs Michigan

Embed from Getty Images Tom Izzo and his Spartan basketball team invaded Ann Arbor and promptly handed the Michigan Wolverines a home loss. Izzo was masterful in his play calling. Michigan State was clearly the better team Sunday.

With only three games left in the regular season, 10th ranked Michigan State laid claim to the Big Ten’s top spot. Handing 7th ranked Michigan a 77-70 loss.  The win ended a three game losing streak to the Wolverines.

Michigan State was locked in from the opening tip. With two of the teams most productive as well as consistent players sidelined with injuries. The Spartans did not back down. Tom Izzo once again showed why is not only one of the Big Ten’s best coaches. But one of the best in the country.

The biggest take away for the Spartans is they got a game in which everyone chipped in. The Spartans had leaned heavily on Nick Ward (who’s left hand is currently in a brace) as well as Joshua Langford (who was on a scooter to protect his left foot from more damage.)

After the game Michigan State players used the words “Dialed in” to describe the afternoon’s upset of their in-state rival. The Spartans defense was so good. Forcing Michigan into three point tries.

Michigan threw up three after three after three yet hardly made any. Meanwhile the Spartans grabbed rebound after rebound and converted them into points.

The two teams will get another shot at each other. In less than two weeks Michigan State will play the part of the host in East Lansing. That March 9 game will be huge. Mix in the fact that Purdue is hanging around and it makes every game important.

Michigan will want revenge. Michigan State will want a top seeding in the Big Ten Tournament with their eyes on the NCAA Tournament. It should be another good game.

It was perhaps the biggest win of the season for the Spartans. Who after a three game losing streak is suddenly red hot. Perhaps Michigan State wanted to win for two injured teammates. They did.  Did anyone expect less from a Tom Izzo lead team?

 

 

 

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Detroit Tigers prospects giving hope for the future

Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Tigers rebuild is moving along. The Tigers minor leagues are nearing top 10 status. Yet the 2019 Spring training is giving a look at what will be. Here is a hint. It looks pretty darn good.

This is the first Spring training the Detroit Tigers have had all of their top prospect together. Seasons past found prospects scattered. Some in instructional, some in advanced. The fact that the gang is all together shows how far prospects have come in a short time.

Top Tiger pitchers are in mid season form. Matt Manning has really stood out. In my opinion he will be the staff ace once the prospects invade Comerica Park. Casey Mize last seasons number one overall draft pick would be a staff ace anywhere else. That is a small glance at how deep and good Detroit minor league pitching is.

Alex Faedo, who saw his velocity dip last season looks like he has found his groove again. The problem is where does he fit in? A starter? Possibly. A closer? He would be nasty out of the bullpen late in games. The Tigers will sort that out soon enough.

Then the position players. The one that stands out above the rest is short-stop Wenceel Perez. At 19 years old he can do it all. Slick with his glove and dynamite with a bat in his hand.

Detroit brought in 20 year Tigers short stop and MLB Hall of Fame member Alan Trammell to work with the young infielders. Trammell could be anywhere he chooses to be. He chooses to work with the young players. Not many better for a young player to learn from.

Detroit desperately would like one of the organizations to prospects to take better care of his body. Isaac Paredes. He can hit. Good Lord, can he ever. With a logjam at minor league short stop Paredes will either be placed at third base or outfield.

The Detroit Tigers are getting better where it counts. With prospects. While the parent club will have a bad season the growth of the prospects is what matters most. They are providing what will be a bright future.

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Do not look now but the Detroit Pistons are surging

Embed from Getty Images It was a sluggish, difficult December and January for the Detroit Pistons. Once February rolled around it is almost like a switch was flipped. Suddenly the Detroit Pistons look playoff ready.

The Detroit Pistons are hot again. As in how they started the 2018-19 NBA season. Hot as in this is a great time to get hot and on a roll. After what looked like would be a disappointing season. Suddenly the sun is out and things have brightened up in the Motor City.

After the NBA trade deadline was over the Pistons suddenly had something they desperately lacked, team chemistry. The Pistons biggest weakness was their bench. Now suddenly they are getting critical points solid minutes and good defense from a unit that was bad at best. A very good sign.

Winners of 6 of their last 7 games, The Detroit Pistons have surged to 7th place in the Eastern conference. Trailing the New Jersey Nets by a game and a half for 6th place. The Pistons need to continue to take steps forward. They have taken more than enough back during December and January.

The top 8 teams are headed to the 2019 NBA playoffs. Which is suddenly a real possibility. This does come with some caution. Detroit is doing this against weaker teams. The real test comes against better teams.

Daring to look ahead to the playoffs if the season ended today the Pistons would draw the Toronto Raptors. A team that Detroit matches up very well against. Still the playoffs are a ways away. There are many games still to be played.

The Pistons need to stay focused.