Tag: healthy

Posted on

The Detroit Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL

You’re only as good as the guys up front. That is an age old saying when it comes to offensive lines and not just in the NFL, at any level of football. For the rebuilding Detroit Lions they can check the offensive line unit off of the to-do list. The Lions have a top 10 offensive line and that group when healthy is special. The Detroit offense can really take a step forward this season.

While the Detroit Lions were hit hard by the injury bug last season, when the teams first unit offensive line was on the field the Lions moved the ball well. Injuries came and the struggles settled in.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) defends against Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz (86) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, November 17, 2019 (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Center, Frank Ragnow missed most of the season, left tackle Taylor Decker missed a lot of games (8) and the list goes on. The fact is that Ragnow, Decker and last years first round draft pick Penei Sewell, give the Lions three very good linemen.

Decker and Sewell give the Lions one of, if not the best tackle duo in the entire NFL. Throw in Frank Ragnow who is in the 90% range for run block and for all centers and you can see why offensive line is not as big a hole to fix as other positions during this rebuilding process.

The Detroit Lions offensive line actually gives the team a shot to make a playoff run, even during a rebuild. Will it happen? I do not see that as being very likely, but the Cincinnati Bengals went to the Super Bowl a year after winning jus 2 games the year before, so I suppose it is possible.

While the focus this past NFL Draft was defensive heavy (for good reason that unit was not good and has a ways to go,) the question is with a healthy offensive line how does that improve the team in wins/losses?

General manager Brad Holmes, brought in more speed for the offense so that will help with tempo which the Lions were so slow last season paint almost dried faster that the Lions offense moved.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) defends against Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 17, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

This will be a unit to watch this coming season. It sure seems like Penei Sewell is a sure bet to take the biggest step forward. At the end of the day the Lions will be a better team heading into toe 2022-23 season. If the offensive line can stay healthy I believe 3-4 more wins is possible.

Posted on

Bold predictions for the Michigan State Spartans football 2019-20 season

Embed from Getty Images Coming off a dreadful season that saw the Michigan State Spartans struggle on offense, struggle on defense, struggle on special teams and struggle to stay healthy. The Spartans hope a reshuffled coaching staff can help their issues. As usual, predictions are just that, uneducated guesses based on where the team is at right now.

The Spartans will have a 1,000 yard running back. Heading into the 2019 season Michigan State has not had a running back rush for 1,000 since 2014. I think a player who can get it done is freshman, that’s right freshman, Anthony Williams. Williams, should be the Spartans main back by the time Big Ten season rolls around. Big words. But Anthony Williams is a very good back.

Cody White, returns strong. Missing four games last season due to injury that lingered throughout the season, White put up modest numbers for himself. 42 receptions for 555 yards and 2 touchdowns. When healthy Cody White is an All-Big Ten type of player as well as a game breaker. Something that Michigan State sorely missed last season.

Michigan State’s defense will produce at least three All-Americans. Defense is still the Spartans most consistent weapon. Kenny Willekes, Raequan Williams and Josiah Scott are three players to watch. All three are capable of carrying the Spartans defense.

Mark Dantonio, is feeling the heat after back-to-back subpar seasons. IF Michigan State can stay healthy they should be in the Big Ten race. Even if the seldom works coaching shuffle fails. The Spartans are talented enough to win games with defense and let the offense grind out the clock.

 

Posted on

Healthy once again Miguel Cabrera is ready to lead the Detroit Tigers

Embed from Getty Images “I feel good. And I want to feel that in the season.” Miguel Cabrera is ready for the 2019 Detroit Tigers season to start. Having missed three and a half months of last season due to a ruptured biceps, Cabrera hit his fourth home run of the spring.

Miguel Cabrera, once one the most feared hitters in major league baseball, is looking like he has turned the clock back this spring. Hitting the ball with extreme force. He is pulling the ball with power. “Not long ago people were saying, “What happened to his power?” Tigers general manager Al Avila said. “He still has it.”

Miguel said he feels good going into this season. Better than the past two injured filled seasons. Cabrera, looks like he has a fresh spring in his step this spring. He is healthy and stated that is his goal. To stay healthy all season.

Scouts, general managers as well as opposing players have noted Miguel Cabrera looks good this spring. Very good. One manager said “You knew he would not end his career on a down note. Proud athletes never do. He is going to be a handful at the plate again this season.”

It is not the four home runs that has people talking it is the fact he is hitting over .300 and leading the Detroit Tigers in doubles and R.B.I.’s not too mention Cabrera is hitting the ball all over the field again.

Miguel Cabrera is 35 home runs away from 500 for his career. If he does indeed stay healthy that is doable this season. One thing to remember, when Cabrera has been locked in, in the past teams walk him. This season that may not be ideal as he will have Nicholas Castellanos and Christian Stewart hitting in front and behind him.

A healthy Miguel Cabrera does not add more wins to the Detroit Tigers outlook in 2019. Nor does it change the fact Detroit is still mid-rebuild. It does give fans something to watch and cheer for. As they wait for pipeline players to make their way to Comerica Park.

If Miguel Cabrera does stay healthy, he would be a good bet for American League Comeback Player Of the Year.