Posts

Posted on

Detroit Tigers prospect profile Isaac Paredes

In a pinch me moment last season the Detroit Tigers began a rebuild that has been years in the making and will take years to complete. Too me one player stood out in last seasons trade frenzy.

Don’t get me wrong. I thought the Detroit Tigers did very well in the Justin Verlander trade. But, for me the best prospect they gained was a 19 year old short stop front the Chicago Cubs.
Isaac Paredes, came to the Tigers and was thought to be a secondary player as the team also netted third baseman Jaimer Candelario. Who is a very solid player.
For me the real prize is Paredes. The kid can flat out hit. Not for power so much. But man alive he can drive the ball in the gap. The ball jumps off his bat.
Isaac has a thick frame and it is difficult to see him at short stop when he arrives in Motown. To me he is much better suited for second base. And his glove work and his work ethic show he can be above average at the position.
His first year of American baseball found in in Grand Rapids with the Whitecaps. He has graduated and will begin this season in high A ball with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
I would not be surprised and almost expect Isaac Paredes will be in Erie with the Seawolves at some point this season.
He is absolutely part of the Detroit Tigers long term plans. Fans should be excited. I know I am.
Posted on

Detroit Lions prepping for the NFL draft

One God given ability I have is to be able to look at a team and see what needs they have. The Detroit Lions have needs. But, perhaps in a different order than fans think.

Lions fans know the surface needs of the team. Running back, offensive guard, center, linebacker depth. Tight end. Those are the main needs fans routinely mention.
For me, it starts at center. New head coach Matt Patricia has stated he prefers to build from the ball out. To me that speaks volumes as to draft direction.
I am certainly not saying the Detroit Lions will draft a center with their first round draft pick. But it would not shock me if they pick one in round two. As it is a glaring need.
Graham Glasgow, should in my opinion stay at right guard. Even though he went through the dreaded “sophomore slump.” He is still a very capable, very solid guard.
Wesley Johnson, was recently signed as a free agent from the New York Jets. He is not seen as a long term solution. Making this a critical draft need.
The Detroit running game has been abysmal to say the least. For the rest of the offensive line to produce it starts at center.
Posted on

Detroit Pistons the frustrating part

As the Detroit Pistons are marred in mediocrity, the fans are left with frustrations. That must change.

As I have documented Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy’s failures is does go deeper than that.
The roster does have talent. I dare say there is enough talent to be a playoff caliber team. Below .500 does not just happen because of one person. Like winning a championship it’s a team effort.
The Pistons starting five are solid. When the team traded for Blake Griffin he added even more consistent scoring. Andre Drummond in my opinion takes lapses that hurt the team. The big guy should be averaging more than 15 points per game.
To me the biggest issue the team has is the bench. Players that make up the Detroit Pistons bench are weak scorers. And do not give the Pistons quality minutes when they are on the court.
Compared to other top teams who’s bench players average nearly double digit scoring the Pistons lag well behind.
That said a coach and his staff should be able to work and, or mask the weaknesses for the betterment of the entire team.
That is yet another obstacle the Detroit Pistons face when the NBA offseason begins. It has to start with whoever is going to coach the team.
The Pistons also must pick the kind of team they want to be. Physical like the old Bad Boy’s teams? Or other. That is what is meant when a team must decide what direction they want to go.
Posted on

Matt Patrica: a players coach with and edge

Embed from Getty Images He is not gruff. He is very well spoken. He is highly intelligent, in fact he is literally a rocket scientist. But do not be fooled. Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia also has an edgy side to him.

His former players with the New England Patriots have nothing but high love, respect and genuine admiration for they’re former defensive coordinator.
It is just not the defensive players. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called Patricia “one of my all time favorite coaches.” That was not just lip service. It is a common theme.
He came to Detroit in a very light hearted press conference. He joked. He smiled. He was articulate. But, as his former players heaped the praise on him they also mentioned in the next breath. Matt Patricia is a very demanding coach.
He gets his point across and it does not matter if a rookie or a ten year veteran. That is a tall tale sign of a good coach. In some aspects it is much like being a father.
Love them. Instruct them. Teach them. Listen to them. Then when they mess up go to them and handle it. Put all the boarders up so there is no grey area.
Matt Patricia, is the right head coach for the Detroit Lions. He is orderly and precise. Something the organization has lacked at times.
It will be interesting to see how he handles the day to day nuances of coaching duties.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings: prospect Dennis Cholowski

Embed from Getty Images The 2016 NHL draft saw the Detroit Red Wings draft defensemen Dennis Cholowski, and Wings fans were upset. But look at him now.

Defense in the NHL is the toughest position to learn in sports. Point blank. In fact it can be downright brutal on prospects. Dennis has risen to transform his game into first line defenseman.
Heading in to the 2017-18 training camp Dennis Cholowski, nearly made the team. He was seen as a second line defenseman when he was drafted. But, he has worked hard, grown 2” (he was 6’ 0” when he was drafted) and put on muscle.
He’s fast. He will more that likely quarterback the Red Wings first line power play. He is my favorite Detroit Red Wings prospect now that fellow defenseman Joe Hicketts is in Motown. Detroit, has the making of good solid young defense headed it’s way.
With his skill set and hard work Cholowski will be a part of the Wings defensive unit for a long time. He is a high end player.
I expect Dennis to arrive in Detroit next season. He is sure to become a fan favorite in a hurry. His hustle and big hitting is sure to go over well with Red Wing faithful.
Posted on

Detroit Tigers: keep an eye on Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores

When Chris Ilitch took over as owner of the Detroit Tigers he said he was not going to sell the team. Stating his love for baseball. Times and circumstances change.

Tom Gores billionaire owner of the Detroit Pistons had struck a deal with Chris Ilitch and the Pistons play at Little Caesar’s Arena. It may not seem anything but two men striking a business deal.
There are now loud whispers Ilitch would like to sell the Detroit Tigers. The two Detroit area businessmen met at least two times last summer at Comerica Park no less.
Gores has even used language referring to the Tigers as “a beloved franchise.” He is said to be more than interested. Further more, Ilich is said to be waiting for an offer from Gores.
Chris Ilitch has no intentions of selling the Detroit Red Wings as they were his fathers pride and joy. Not to mention the family would like to hold onto the team that plays in an arena build by Iltich inc.
The city of Detroit and Tigers fans all over will be paying attention to see if and how this unfolds. Only the two businessmen know if there was any deal involving Little Caesar’s Arena, the Pistons, and the Tigers that may shape any future purchasing of the team.
Posted on

Detroit Pistons: where to go

Embed from Getty Images The high expectations heading into the 2017-18 NBA season has given way to a sub .500 season. What’s next? All eyes will be on ownership.

When Los Angeles based billionaire Tom Gores (a Michigan native) purchased the Detroit Pistons fans thought here is a guy who  deliver the next great chapter in Pistons history.
He brought in high profile head coach Stan Van Gundy and fans were over the top with excitement. That’s where it ends. As Van Gundy has tasted NBA success.
Van Gundy simply has not worked in Detroit. The Pistons are poised to miss the NBA post season yet again. Tom Gores is building a house in the Detroit area and moving permanently back to Detroit.
This is a good sign. I have always thought Gores is the right kind of owner. Build the team. Develop younger players then enjoy success.
Unfortunately, Stan Van Gundy is not and never has been a fan or interested in developing young talent. Instead he has a win now philosophy that is out of date in not only today’s NBA, but in all sports.
It is my opinion Tom Gores will relieve Stan of his coaching duties after the season. I am also of the opinion Mr. Gores will find his man. There is talent and the right man is needed to bring it out.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings April fools

Embed from Getty Images Red Wings fans would really like this to be some sort early April fools joke. But, the reality is it is not. Ken Holland, will apparently get his shot to rebuild the Winged Wheels.

For better or worse. There is at this time no word on a contract extension for Holland. That could be intentional. Ownership could possibly see how this years draft goes.
In a very unrealistic thought perhaps ownership wants Ken, the coaches and players for focus on finishing the season before any sort of announcement is made. Fans hope the announcment is that Holland is leaving his general managers position.
Former Detroit Red Wings legend, captain and NHL Hall of Fame member as well as current Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman recently said “Ken Holland deserves patience.”  Unless he’s talking about tanking Wings fans won’t care about that statment even from a beloved sports figure.
Maybe, Yzerman is right. Ken Holland has architected some very good hockey teams. He has also over spent and has maxed out the salary cap. The real question is can Holland recapture his old magic? The odds are long at best.
I for one was and still am in favor of a fresh start. Detroit’s owner feels this is the best rout to take. We shall see how it plays out. But for now it has left a bad taste in the fan base’s mouth.
Posted on

Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi

Embed from Getty Images Right in line with Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects. Vili Saarijarvi stands 5’ 10”. Don’t let that fool you. He’s a playmaker.

In the same vein as Red Wings defensive prospect Joe Hicketts, Saarijarvi is a puck mover and above average goal scorer. He is also a defenseman who can quarterback the power play. He’s a very solid smoot player.
Like fellow defense prospect Hicketts, Vili is on the shorter side. But, does that matter? Should it matter? I really don’t think it’s a factor as more NHL teams are trending towards smaller puck moving defenseman. and those smaller defensmen are have success.
Vili Saarijarvi brings a quickness to his game that would help the quick challenged Detroit Red Wings. He’s fast and much like Joe Hicketts has no issue with people players in the boards. He’ll also, bury the puck in the back of the net.
His defensive attack does contain a flaw. He is at times too impulsive which leads to compromise for himself and his line mates. He has worked hard to brush that up. It still flares up from time to time.
He is viewed as a top four defenseman. Which makes him one of my favorite Red Wings prospects. That and he plays defense.
When he gets called up Detroit fans will enjoy this fleet footed player. As his stick work may be the best in the Detroit Red Wings lower levels.
Posted on

Matt Patricia defensive wiz

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions, got a high profile head coach when they announced Matt Patricia was the guy.

Detroit Lions fans were curious after Patricia was named head coach if he would take on being the teams defensive coordinator as well. Given his stellar work with the New England Patriots.
After putting his coaching staff together, Matt named University of Syracuse defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni to the same position in Detroit. The two had previously worked together so it was a natural fit.
Even still fans wondered if Matt Patricia would call the defensive plays and Pasqualoni would just be the face. Patricia announced that he would not. But, he brought is a defensive mind to run the defense.
This is a good move. The first time, first year head coach will have enough on his plate to have to worry about also running a unit of the team.
It nice that he knows his limits and is willing to allow someone he trusts to take unneeded stress.  Not to mention a coordinator who has enjoyed success.