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Detroit Pistons head coach steadying the team during recent funk

Embed from Getty Images Dwane Casey has been the calm the Detroit Pistons have needed as the team is currently going through a rough patch. Showing why he is an NBA coach of the year.

 

The old saying is everyone is happy when things are going good. Which is why it is interesting that the Pistons players and coaches are happy during a December slump.  Players and coaches are not freaking out.

 

Dwane Casey said he refuses to cuss out a player because it would be counterproductive. Instead Casey has been working one on one with players who have hit an in season slump. That is the mark of a good coach.

 

While other teams coaches have been seen screaming at players. Casey meets them on the sidelines crouches down in front of them and talks to them followed by a hair ruffle or pat on the shoulder. Part of what has endeared him to his players.

 

His calming influence has been welcomed from Detroit basketball players since day one of training camp. Despite shooting woes and bad fouls the Pistons are still in good shape to make a bottom seeding in the NBA playoffs.

 

It is true the Pistons have things they need to clean up. As do many teams. The ace-in-the-hole is indeed Dwane Casey who has successfully maneuvered teams in similar positions the Pistons are in right now.

 

This is why he was brought to the Motor City. There is little doubt that Casey can not work his magic and get the Pistons back on track.

 

Sometimes it is coaching and sometimes it is letting players play through slumps. There is no magic potion or formula. It is a player by player need. Casey has a good beat on his team and the players absolutely love the coach.

 

Fans just need to trust the process. It is better to hit a December slump rather that late February-March slump. It is not about how you start or what happens/happened in the middle. But it is about how you finish. Dwane Casey understands this.

 

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Detroit sports media is a joke

Embed from Getty Images Never in my life have I seen such a negative response to a coach. Never in my life have I seen sports writers who are a joke and quiet frankly and embarrassment to their profession.

 

Two Detroit Lions beat writers who work at the same news outlet seem to have a vendetta against Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

 

With two (now one) game remaining on the 2018 season they could write about how Golden Tate is doing in Philadelphia. They could write about how Lions general manager Bob Quinn overvalued his roster and depth. They could write about free agency fits for the team.

 

Was that the focus? No! If it was they would seem like solid reporters. So what did the two Bozo’s write about? Matt Patricia’s tardiness to team meeting and press conferences. No, seriously. Absolutely nothing else to report on.

 

The two even went on to talk to a former Detroit Lions player. This is like a third grader who saw something and went and told the teacher. What are these two morons trying to get exactly.

 

They must have a master plan. After all it has been all the talk in their publication for three days. So they must have a prize or something they are gunning for.

 

Speaking of the publication. Shame on them for not only running the stories. But for allowing these two unprofessional writers to then carry on  social media.

 

A coach is late this is headline news?

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Michigan State football with a lot to play for

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan State Spartans did not have the season they envisioned. Inconsistent play met with injuries derailed the Spartans.  With a December 31 showdown against the Oregon Ducks in the Redbox Bowl. Michigan State has a lot to play for.

 

Fresh off early signing. Michigan State was able to add much needed depth to the offensive and defensive lines. The lack of depth has hindered the Spartans for two seasons now.

Unable to overcome injuries and inconsistent play the newly acquired depth should give the Spartans a much needed boost. They still have plenty of room for growth.

 

Head Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and his staff need to let the team know that new recruits will be watching the Redbox Bowl. That no matter how the regular season went it is important to finish strong.

 

Recruits and their families will gather to watch the school they chose to attend. The recruits will want to see a football that fights and can leave a disappointing season behind.

 

If the Spartans can rally and beat a tough Oregon team. It will set the mark for 2019. If they do not and get beat Dantonio will have his work cut out for him. He will not only have to clean up the mess from 2018 but begin to prepare for 2019 and incoming freshmen.

 

That is no easy task. Michigan State has struggled recently against rivals. They need to get back to playing fundamental football. Getting pressure on the quarterback, forcing turnovers and solid tackling while on defense.

 

Offensively, Michigan State has gotten away from what worked for three seasons. Running the ball consistently throwing the ball a little. Seems outdated? Perhaps, But this is what Michigan State use to do very well.

 

They got away from what worked and the results have shown. Dantonio, needs to remember what made him successful. When Michigan State gets back to being who they started out as that is when they will return to the top of the Big Ten.

They can being to take those steps Monday, December 31 at the Redbox Bowl.

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Detroit Tigers: winter meetings

Embed from Getty Images As MLB general managers and owners gather in Las Vegas the Detroit Tigers needing a short-stop may be willing to listen to offers on a few of their other players.

 

Day one of the 2018 MLB winter meetings bring rumors that teams are asking Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila if outfielder Nick Castellanos is available for a trade.

 

Castellanos, is a gifted hitter who was going to draw a lot of interest. It is and is not surprising that teams are checking in on him day one. The Atlanta Braves showed interest last season and are said to be the first team to ask.

 

Castellanos, is 26 years old and is under team control for one more season before being able to become a free agent. Teams looking for a middle of the order power hitter have turned to the young Detroit budding star.

 

Nick has the most to offer teams and will bring in a solid group of prospects if and when he is dealt. It seems almost certain he will be.

 

I do not think the Tigers are looking to trade pitcher Michael Fulmer at this time. It seems (for good reason) they would like him in the rotation after the rebuild for a crop of young pitchers to learn from. That is a wise move.

 

Out side of a short-stop and possibly moving Nick Castellanos the Tigers figure to have a pretty quiet winter meetings.

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Michigan State to play December 31 in the Redbox Bowl

Embed from Getty Images Michigan State was forecasted to have a good season. Injuries and inconsistent play were too much for the Spartans to overcome. So off to Santa Clara California they head.

 

Fresh off a 7-5 campaign Michigan State will face off against the 8-4 Oregon Ducks from the Pac-12. In a 3 p.m. Fox sports televised game.

 

The two teams last squared off in 2015. A game that saw the Spartans come away with a 31-28 victory. The two teams are 3-3 against each other all time.

 

After a few seasons out of the spotlight Oregon is back in a Bowl game. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has a 5-5 Bowl record.

 

Bowl games are important as they set up recruiting season. It is a selling point for would be athletes to see a school they may attend in action.

 

All time in Bowl games Michigan State is 12-15. From 2007-2015 the Spartans set a school record with 9 consecutive Bowl appearances.

 

Michigan State and Oregon are evenly matched. Both teams have had defensive issues mostly due to youth. While both teams starting quarterbacks have struggled both in play and with health.

 

Look for the Spartans to try to establish a running game and grind out the clock while giving their young defense a break.

 

Oregon is well the Oregon of old. They can score in a hurry. They try to out score teams with little defense as is the case with much of the Pac-12 schools.

 

It should be an interesting game. December 31. Be sure to tune in.

 

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Detroit Tigers: one more really bad season and then………….

Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Tigers enter another phase of the rebuild. Tiger fans want to know when they will begin to see light from the darkness. Here is a hint. One more really bad season.

 

As both game attendance and t.v. rankings dropped. The Detroit Tiger forged ahead with a rebuild that seemed was going nowhere. It will feel like it again at the start of the 2019 season.

 

By the time the 2020 MLB season rolls around the Detroit Tigers will begin to emerge from the bad baseball and begin to resemble a young talented team.

 

In all 5-7 years of bad baseball will come to a halt. That is the price Detroit must pay for keeping a winning team on the field for  years.

 

Heading into 2019 new faces Christian Stewart (OF) and Grayson Greiner (C) will be in the every day lineup. I think Detroit Tigers fans will also see the arrival of pitchers Beau Burrows and a few relief pitcher.

 

2020 the rest of the franchises top prospects will arrive. Franklin Perez, Casey Mize, Matt Manning will be starting pitchers in what will be a nasty rotation.

 

Also expect to see Isaac Paredes, Willi Castro, Cody Clemens and Jake Rogers. Will be inserted into the playing field at some point in 2020.

Then the lumps will come. The kids will need to grow up. That means taking their lumps as they learn everyday MLB play. It is absolutely needed.

 

It goes without saying the Tigers will be signing big name free agents by 2021. Tiger fans can also count on general manager Al Avial to make a trade or two.

 

When the dust settles the Detroit Tigers will be made new. Young and more athletic. Then the wins will begin. Hang in there Tiger faithful. The reward is going to be great.

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Michigan Wolverines: teams on the rise

Embed from Getty Images Every college has had teams ranked in the top 25 at one time or another. This year the University  Michigan has 3 different athletic programs ranked in the top 10.

 

It is no surprise the Michigan Wolverines football team is a top 10 program. They have been on the rise since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach.

 

The Michigan football team can lay it’s claim for a College Football Playoff spot with a win Saturday against a sluggish Ohio State team. Michigan is 6 point favorites and boasts the better team this go round with their old rivals.

 

Michigan basketball on the other hand was reloading from a National Championship game last season. College basketball experts thought this would be a bit of a rebuild for Wolverine coach Jim Beiline.

 

However, when the Wolverines beat the then 8th ranked Villanova Wildcats last week the team leaped into the top 10 in the nation. Michigan basketball looks like they will be in the thick of the Big Ten race and another March Madness invite.

 

Next we switch the  Michigan Wolverines hockey team. A hockey program that has seen more players to the NHL than any other. The Wolverines got off to a slow start.

 

But big wins and young players understanding their roll has the hockey team ranked # 9. A hockey team that prides itself on excellence.

 

It is a good time to be a Michigan Wolverine alumni and or fan. College sports are good and fun when certain teams win and are doing well.

 

Michigan is one of those schools. Loved by some hated by others. The fact remains winning has returned to Michigan. It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!!

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Detroit Lions: the wheels have come off

Embed from Getty Images In a season with much promise. The same old Detroit Lions have emerged. The team that can not block, can not tackle and can not coach. This is the opposite of what general manager Bob Quinn actions were taken for.

 

Detroit Lions fans were told Jim Caldwell was fired and Matt Patricia was brought in to get the team over the hump. Fail. There will be no 9-7 finish this season.

 

The Detroit Lions have taken not one or two but three or more steps backwards. Not ideal for general manager and first year head coach. It gets worse though. The team is getting out everything gameday.

 

Other than Kerryon Johnson, Quinn’s draft picks have been close to awful. Both the offensive and defensive lines are a total mess. Even quarterback Matthew Stafford has looked lost at time. When he is actually on his feet and not the ground from yet another sack.

 

I am not sure where the blame falls. Fans are pretty divided. Some say Quinn some say Patricia. I would like to toss in team owner Martha Ford who sign this clown show on.

 

Trading Golden Tate was the right move. The problem was in doing so there was no replacement on the roster. I am at a loss for where this team is. But more than that how pathetic they look.

 

I am not sure if the team has quit on Patricia. They seem to be playing hard. It also seems like the talent gap is huge. Detroit sits firmly planted in last place with a national t.v. game Thanksgiving Day with the Ford family in there luxury box.

 

It would be great to be a fly on the wall. Or in late November in Michigan a snow flake. The Lions were supposed to be a fringe playoff team. Not one that is joining the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers in a rebuild.

 

The Detroit Lions have been a mess since 1957. At this rate the Tigers and Red Wings will return to competitive play long before the Lions. Maybe that is it. Maybe the Fords should sell the Lions to Tigers and Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch.

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Detroit Lions: so long Golden Tate

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions were never going to give a 30 year old wide receiver a contract extension. General manager Bob Quinn is following the New England Patriots way of doing business. Keep a player on his rookie contract or until 30 and bring in new players.

 

Golden Tate was the Detroit Lions most productive receiver since Calvin Johnson. Tate excelled in yards after catch (YAC) in fact he is the best in the NFL.

 

At 30 years old according the  Patriots Golden Tate is past his prime. Thus when the Philadelphia Eagles offered a third round draft pick Bob Quinn jumped. It is a good value trade.

 

It is both the right move for the Lions to make and it is frustrating for fans as Tate was a big fan favorite. The Lions could have justified giving Tate an extension. Because that was not going to happen they made the safe deal.

 

The trade leaves Detroit somewhat thin at receiver. Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay are both lethal and offensive fixtures. Bob Quinn has made two in season trades and signed a free agent linebacker.

 

Why? In my opinion, Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have their sights on 2019. This was always going to be a transition season as far as players learning a new coaching staff. As well as a coach knowing what personal he wants.

 

It is also my opinion that Quinn will be looking to draft longtime Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s replacement in the next two NFL drafts. Trades are always unsettling and there is a fear of the unknown. But in order to keep the team young and headed in the right direction the moves will continue.

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Michigan Wolverines: dominating again

Embed from Getty Images It seems like forever since the Michigan Wolverines bullied teams the way they are this season. Jim Harbaugh’s team is not only dominating teams they are flat out suffocating  them on both sides of the ball.

 

Jim Harbaugh is not an elite coach they said. Jim Harbaugh can not beat rivals they said. After beating Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State by a combine score of 101-20 that can be tossed out the window.

 

Penn State is the latest big name team to get hammered by the Wolverines. Last season Penn State had the ball in the waning seconds of the game. They chose not to take a knee and scored a touchdown to run the score up. Fatale mistake.

 

In this seasons tilt Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson said he was not here last season. But, if Michigan had the chance to run the score up they would do it. Check that. Michigan dropped the hammer. 42-7.

 

Jim Harbaugh’s team did not want to just beat Penn State, they wanted to embarrass them. Sacking Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley 6 times and intercepting 2 passes Michigan’s top ranked defense was relentless.

 

As the “Revenge Tour” rolls on. It is a safe bet the Michigan Wolverines have their sights set directly on Ohio State. The game is in Columbus. Michigan would have it no other way.

 

Like Penn State, Harbaugh’s boys will want to embarrass the Buckeyes on their home field. Given the glaring talent gap. Michigan will be favored. This will be the game that changes the guard in the Big Ten. It is the game that will show Michigan is back and ready to stand on the national stage again.

 

With a very talented team and Harbaugh not being afraid to agitate fellow coaches. Michigan is set to both irritate opposing fan bases while enduring themselves to Michigan loyalists.