Author: brian wallace

Detroit sports fan for life!!
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Detroit Lions 2019 draft plan

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions need help across the board. Tight End, Wide Receiver, Guard, Cornerback, Safety, Defensive Edge Rusher. The Lions pick in the first round at #8 where will the team go?

There is need. There is also the best player available. In recent years Lions general manager Bob Quinn has gone down both avenues. When the need is many there really is no wrong way to go about drafting.

Here is my big-board for the Lions at #8. In the order that I view the value of the pick. Agree or disagree. It should be noted this list is before free agency. So it is possible the Lions fill a need before the draft.

  1. Tight End, T.J. Hockenson Iowa Hawkeyes, he averaged 51.5 snaps/game. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds Hockenson is ideal size for the NFL. running the 40 in 4.5 the big man can move. He is a dynamic pass catcher. T.J. is an excellent blocker on the line or downfield. Making him the top choice for the Lions who desperately need a tight end.

2. Defensive Edge Rusher, Clelin Ferrell, Clemson Tigers, One of the nations best at getting into the backfield rushing the passer and shutting down the rushing game. What appeals teams and should jump out at the Detroit Lions is Ferrell can play with no hands on the ground or one hand on the ground. Meaning he can play either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense with no issues. While Clelin  lack the speed and strength that Nick Bosa and Josh Allen have, his overall strength stands out as he is stronger than his draft hopefuls.

3. Ed Oliver, Defensive Edge Rusher, Houston Cougars, The 6-foot-2, 290-pound playmaker flashed big-time potential.  He shows a great first-step quickness, lateral movement skills, explosive strength and hustle for a pass-rushing defensive tackle playing as a one-technique.  One of the top defensive prospects in college football makes Oliver a player of interest for the Detroit Lions.

While there is no telling what the Lions big-board looks like. It is safe to say that one of these p[layers lands in Motown. Any one of the three will be able to step in and help out immediately.

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The Detroit Pistons could make some noise in the playoffs

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Pistons, have only been to the NBA playoffs once in the past nine seasons. The Pistons are clearly a flawed basketball  team.  But they can bolster their playoff chances by simply continuing to play the way they have in recent weeks.

Ranking 29th in the NBA in both effective field goal rate as well as true shooting percentage through February 1. Since Feb. 2, though, the club has jumped into the top five leaguewide in both categories. A big change of pace for the Pistons to be sure. The team has found it’s footing.

In the early part of the season the Pistons relied too much on Blake Griffin. Over the past month the Detroit Pistons are more balanced. Andre Drummond has looked better than ever simply by getting back to the basics near the rim also  Reggie Jackson has finally found some consistency and has found his shooting touch.

While no NBA team scores fewer fast break-away points that Detroit, it comes as a somewhat pleasant surprise that the team is actually shooting better since trading Reggie Bullock. That does not usually work that way when the best shooter is traded.

One thing that also hurts the Pistons is a real lack of depth at key positions. All it takes is a cold night shooting the ball and Detroit would be unable to recover. One thing remains, Detroit has at 87% playoff probability. The team also has an easier path to the playoffs thanks in large part to a softer schedule coming down the stretch.

The Pistons’ defense has been solid all year.  Pistons could reach the playoffs at below .500 and still be favored in the first round. The defense and Griffin, Drummond and Jackson give Detroit a solid 3. These three players would also mean Detroit would have a real chance to advance to the second round.

For a team up against the salary cap that would be a major accomplishment.

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Dylan Larkin ready to lead the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images If there was any question who the next captain of the Detroit Red Wings would be that question has been answered. The Red Wings are woefully bad. But young players have taken HUGE steps forward. One player stands above all.

After the worst loss of the season 8-1 at home to Montreal, young Detroit Red Wings center was seen on the bench starting at his teammates in a moment of total anger and frustration. Larkin took his helmet off and slammed it on the ground. He walked up the tunnel to collect himself before rejoining the team.

Asked about it after the game Larking stood before the Detroit media and said “I was not happy with my performance or the teams effort. It starts with me.” Just like that a captain was found. Not that Dylan Larkin was not going to be the guy.

Enjoying a fantastic season on a personal note. With 26 goals and 61 points in 63 games. Larkin is one of the NHL’s best young players. He leads by example. He also leads by his words.

After Henrik Zetterberg retired, Detroit said no one person would be named captain for the 2018-19 season. Fair enough. As the season started and has gone along Larkin has separated  himself from the rest of the really good young talent in Motown.

He has stood in front of the media most nights after a loss like a pro as he explained the reason for another loss. That is something captains or a veteran player does.

The Detroit Red Wings are on the doorstep of being very good again. With just under $18 million in cap space this Summer Detroit is sure to add some solid veterans to go with their young core.

The Red Wings will add players. They will get better. They many even skate for a Stanley Cup soon. They will do so under captain Dylan Larkin’s watch. That is very good news for Detroit hockey.

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2019 Michigan Wolverines spring football preview

Embed from Getty Images The Michigan Wolverines fan  base is growing tired of asking Is this the year? It’s been 14 seasons since Michigan’s football team won a Big Ten title the longest drought in program history. Despite improvements made by Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff the team still stumbled down the stretch.

March 17, is kickoff for Michigan’s spring practice.  One of the top questions for the Wolverines is can the offense play with better balance and consistency? Another can they come up with defensive depth?

Wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black, (if he can stay healthy and on the field), headline a deep group of  pass-catchers for the Wolverines. New offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has banged the “speed in space” drum since arriving in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines have more than enough quality depth at running back even with the loss of Chris Evans who was dismissed by Harbaugh for undisclosed reasons. That should help starting quarterback Shea Patterson who has one full season under his belt.

The defensive front that has played a big role in Michigan’s success for most of the 2018 season has some players to replace. Electric pass-rusher Josh Uche, end Kwity Paye and defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour, who took a big step forward last season.That is the good news. The bad news is there is real concern at the lack of depth.

Michigan also has to replace all-everything linebacker Devin Smith. That will not be easy to do. His production will be very difficult to reproduce.

This is a big year for Harbaugh who was brought to Michigan to win championships. Fans are growing weary waiting for it to happen. Losing his first four shots at Ohio State makes Jim Harbaugh the first Michigan coach to do that is doing him no favors. He needs to solve Ohio State.

When Ohio State and Michigan meet November 30 Harbaugh will have yet another shot. Will it be his last? That is a good question as spring practice opens soon.

After what should have been a better season, Michigan now has to reload in some important positions. Young players must step in and step up. This is where coaches make their money.

 

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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.