I thought that I was one of the biggest Michigan sport fans around. Over the years I have always lived and died with my Motown, and state college teams. From the Wings, Pistons, and Tigers, to Michigan State and the Wolverines. Even when a couple of them were not having a good year, I stood by them through thick and thin, rain or shine, good and bad...you get the point! (Here is where my granddaughter would say, "Okay, Grandpa, we get it!")
Last week I had to give my hat off to the best Piston fan ever. Seriously.
About 10 days ago, Judie Kolloen, 65 years old, got out of her car in the Palace parking lot to see her favorite team, the Detroit Pistons. As she was getting out, a relative (I think son) started driving off, catching the lady's leg underneath the car. Needless to say, she was badly hurt, and the Piston medics had to attend to her injury immediately. They suggested that they transfer her to the hospital, but she refused. She had come to see the Pistons play, and she wasn't going anywhere until she saw the game. She sat through the whole thing, had a great time, got signed souvenirs, and to make it even better, the Pistons who had been struggling of late, won the game.
After the game, and after much prodding, she decided to go to the hospital, and there she found out that she had a broken leg. Now is that dedication or what?
So as of today , I have placed myself as the second greatest Detroit fan ever. Judie, in my book, is number one.
Bob Camp
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
REST IN PEACE, JOE PATERNO
Now that Joe Paterno has passed away at age 85, many stories will be coming out about the good and bad of his life. Much will be written and talked about, and more now than when he was on the sidelines of the football team he loved so much. Sadly, only the past six months changed his whole reputation and life's work. he had been looked up to, and praised by all who knew him. He was a pillar of the college football world, and arguably the best-known coach in the country.
Many people can attest to all the great things Joe did for Penn State and the State of Pennsylvania. His donations were unparalleled. He was admired, it seems, by everyone. The duration of his tenure was and is unbelievable.
Now all of that is tarnished. The scandal by his assistant coach, Sandusky has changed Paterno's stature in a flash, and made him somewhat of a now "just average Joe."
I feel sorry for Joe Paterno, but the mistake, or mistakes he made, put him in this terrible position. I believe that if Joe would have had the chance, he would have changed the events that led up to his situation. But now it is too late. By trying to protect his beloved Penn State, he ruined his whole life's career and the penalty he got was enormuous.
As far as we know, Joe was not completely innocent in this whole matter, and it is still possible that something in the future will change that. Until then, his life's work will have a terrible stain.
The penalty, in my opinion, does not fit the crime, even though I feel so sorry for the young victims involved.
Rest in peace Mr. Paterno
Bob Camp
Now that Joe Paterno has passed away at age 85, many stories will be coming out about the good and bad of his life. Much will be written and talked about, and more now than when he was on the sidelines of the football team he loved so much. Sadly, only the past six months changed his whole reputation and life's work. he had been looked up to, and praised by all who knew him. He was a pillar of the college football world, and arguably the best-known coach in the country.
Many people can attest to all the great things Joe did for Penn State and the State of Pennsylvania. His donations were unparalleled. He was admired, it seems, by everyone. The duration of his tenure was and is unbelievable.
Now all of that is tarnished. The scandal by his assistant coach, Sandusky has changed Paterno's stature in a flash, and made him somewhat of a now "just average Joe."
I feel sorry for Joe Paterno, but the mistake, or mistakes he made, put him in this terrible position. I believe that if Joe would have had the chance, he would have changed the events that led up to his situation. But now it is too late. By trying to protect his beloved Penn State, he ruined his whole life's career and the penalty he got was enormuous.
As far as we know, Joe was not completely innocent in this whole matter, and it is still possible that something in the future will change that. Until then, his life's work will have a terrible stain.
The penalty, in my opinion, does not fit the crime, even though I feel so sorry for the young victims involved.
Rest in peace Mr. Paterno
Bob Camp
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Basketball and more basketball
I have a few things to say about the Celtic/Magic game last night after Orlando finally won a game and the standings jumped to 3 to 1 in favor of Boston. I believe this will be Orlando's only win, and the next game should exit them from the playoffs. The Celtics will go on to the finals and duke it out with the Lakers or Suns in a much better match up. That said, here are my observations from Monday night's game.
TNT's Doris Burke interviewed Dwight Howard after the game and asked how his team finally got a win? Howard said he hot to thank God first and then he hod to thank his teammates. He actually implied that God had something to do with the win.
Now maybe Howard is closer to God than I am, but I can tell you that if God had been favoring any team it would have been the Boston Celtics last night. Dwight Howard used his elbows constantly under the basket and almost knocked out Kevin Garnett twice. Once he even grabbed Garnett by the face and pulled him down to the floor. The referee's did everything to control the game so that a fight would not break out, but even after that, Howard was still furiously swinging his elbows to get rebounds. I don't believe that God would have approved of Dwight's game, especially since it looked like he was trying to hurt someone. Dwight had 32 points and 16 rebounds, which was pretty good, but if God really wanted to help him and his team, he would have had more of Dwight's free throws go in. He was 6 for 14! I think the devil had more to do with that.
Bob
Next game I will lace into the Magic's Vince Carter who played 31 minutes and had 3 points!
TNT's Doris Burke interviewed Dwight Howard after the game and asked how his team finally got a win? Howard said he hot to thank God first and then he hod to thank his teammates. He actually implied that God had something to do with the win.
Now maybe Howard is closer to God than I am, but I can tell you that if God had been favoring any team it would have been the Boston Celtics last night. Dwight Howard used his elbows constantly under the basket and almost knocked out Kevin Garnett twice. Once he even grabbed Garnett by the face and pulled him down to the floor. The referee's did everything to control the game so that a fight would not break out, but even after that, Howard was still furiously swinging his elbows to get rebounds. I don't believe that God would have approved of Dwight's game, especially since it looked like he was trying to hurt someone. Dwight had 32 points and 16 rebounds, which was pretty good, but if God really wanted to help him and his team, he would have had more of Dwight's free throws go in. He was 6 for 14! I think the devil had more to do with that.
Bob
Next game I will lace into the Magic's Vince Carter who played 31 minutes and had 3 points!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday Morning
Saturday the Detroit Red Wings lost to the San Jose Sharks and were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Some are saying the series was closer than it looked, because all of the Wings losses were by only one goal. I say, "So what!" Even if both teams were evenly matched, the only result that counts is who wins four games first? The Sharks played well enough to win, and there was no doubt which team played better in the final game. Had the Wings shot at the net a hundred more times, I doubt they would have come any closer to scoring. San Jose was set on defending the net, and they guarded it like a fortress. The result: Sharks 3 - Wings 1.
The big turnaround for the Wings was in the third game, when they were up by two goals in the third period and let it slip away, eventually losing in overtime. Penalties were quite lopsided, but that is all part of the game. The referees control many of the outcomes of the games anyway. One odd occurrence happened in the series, when there were two penalty shots awarded (neither scored), which could have been a record for a six game series?
The Oakland Raiders released quarterback JaMarcus Russell after three unproductive years. Is he the biggest bust of all? He might be, but I doubt it. After reading, "Football's most Wanted", which listed the biggest Heisman Trophy busts of all time. The Detroit Lions had two in the top 10. Chuck Long and Andre Ware. Chuck Long on his only start in a season (1987), threw 11 touchdowns and had 20 interceptions. Wow! The Lions are bad now, but they were much worse then.
Last Note: I have never complained about second hand smoke, having both smoked and downed a few beers over the years. I just recently went to my old bowling-bar hangout and was amazed at the clear, clean atmosphere in the place. It was very refreshing, and noticeable. It was quite different from the stale, smoky, and unhealthy area it had once been. I was surprised. I like the new Michigan smoking law!
Bob
The big turnaround for the Wings was in the third game, when they were up by two goals in the third period and let it slip away, eventually losing in overtime. Penalties were quite lopsided, but that is all part of the game. The referees control many of the outcomes of the games anyway. One odd occurrence happened in the series, when there were two penalty shots awarded (neither scored), which could have been a record for a six game series?
The Oakland Raiders released quarterback JaMarcus Russell after three unproductive years. Is he the biggest bust of all? He might be, but I doubt it. After reading, "Football's most Wanted", which listed the biggest Heisman Trophy busts of all time. The Detroit Lions had two in the top 10. Chuck Long and Andre Ware. Chuck Long on his only start in a season (1987), threw 11 touchdowns and had 20 interceptions. Wow! The Lions are bad now, but they were much worse then.
Last Note: I have never complained about second hand smoke, having both smoked and downed a few beers over the years. I just recently went to my old bowling-bar hangout and was amazed at the clear, clean atmosphere in the place. It was very refreshing, and noticeable. It was quite different from the stale, smoky, and unhealthy area it had once been. I was surprised. I like the new Michigan smoking law!
Bob
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
More Questions than Answers
I really enjoyed the Tigers 5 to 1 win over the Angels on Sunday. Verlander had an excellent game as he pitched a shutout and gave up only one hit for eight innings. He was relieved after yielding two hits in the ninth, for the "closer", Valverde. That's when it got a little scary. it was hard to get the Angels to make the final out, and manager Leyland didn't help very much. I understood letting the Angel base runner steal second base without a throw down, and concentrating more on the batter, but he gave up second base three times in one inning. The Tigers actually gave L.A. their only run, and it could have been worse if the Angels would have singled with runners on second and third near the end of the game. Those runners should never had been in scoring positions. I doubt that Leyland will play this the same way again. It could have turned out nasty, if not down right stupid.
What is it with the referees in the hockey playoffs? The Detroit Red Wings have lost two games to the San Jose Sharks and the difference has been because of penalties. In game two, the Wings had 10 and the Sharks had 4. Not only that, but while the Wings were ahead 3 to 2 late in the final period, they had to go 3 on 5 (two man dis-advantage) for almost three minutes and ended up losing the game. It might just be me, but I have seen much more 3 on 5's this year. Are the referee's helping to determine the outcomes of the games?
Matt Millen had to apologize on national TV last week. He jokingly called ESPN's Ron Jaworski and his fans in Philadelphia, an out of date, tasteless polish word. Things like this just keep popping up, showing what a bad choice Millen was to run the Detroit Lion organization. It would be so nice to not see him awhile, at least until some memories fade.
Bob
What is it with the referees in the hockey playoffs? The Detroit Red Wings have lost two games to the San Jose Sharks and the difference has been because of penalties. In game two, the Wings had 10 and the Sharks had 4. Not only that, but while the Wings were ahead 3 to 2 late in the final period, they had to go 3 on 5 (two man dis-advantage) for almost three minutes and ended up losing the game. It might just be me, but I have seen much more 3 on 5's this year. Are the referee's helping to determine the outcomes of the games?
Matt Millen had to apologize on national TV last week. He jokingly called ESPN's Ron Jaworski and his fans in Philadelphia, an out of date, tasteless polish word. Things like this just keep popping up, showing what a bad choice Millen was to run the Detroit Lion organization. It would be so nice to not see him awhile, at least until some memories fade.
Bob
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tim Tebow
The Denver Broncos drafted Tim Tebow last Friday in the NFL Draft. Shock waves went through all of the sports media outlets as experts displayed surprise and bewilderment. How could this happen? Didn't almost everyone predict that Tebow would not make it into the Pro game as a quarterback? Didn't Mel Kiper rip into Denver for taking this pick, and calling it stupid?
I have no feelings at all for Tebow, one way or another, but never have I heard such talk about any player not making it in the NFL before he has even had a chance. What do they see that I don't see? He was one of the best, if not the best quarterback in college football. His records are staggering, and he has not been in trouble with the law, abused drugs, or raped anyone. I think he deserves a chance without everyone knocking his mechanics, footwork and passing sharpness before he even plays on a Sunday.
Is the quarterback position so easy to figure out, that before a player even takes one snap, he is ruled as unplayable? Is it such a science that we can tell who will make it and who won't, before the start of their career?
If this is the case, then what happened to the sure prospects of the past, like Joey Harrington, Ryan Leaf, Chuck Long, and Tim Couch? Mel Kiper's worst quarterback pick of any draft was the seventh overall pick, Andre Ware (Detroit) in 1990. in fact, all of these quarterbacks were picked in the first round and all were busts.
I don't know if Tim Tebow will make it in the NFL. I am absolutely positive that no one really knows. Give him a break. See what he can do. He might just surprise a few people. He might surprise Mel Kiper?
I remember a quarterback who did not play in college and had the most unorthodox way of playing that position, and who ended up in the Hall of Fame. In the 50's I attended a game where he handily beat the Detroit Lions 36 to 0 in sub degree temperatures. He holds the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. (47) His name is Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts and is listed as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. I am pulling for Tim.
Bob
I have no feelings at all for Tebow, one way or another, but never have I heard such talk about any player not making it in the NFL before he has even had a chance. What do they see that I don't see? He was one of the best, if not the best quarterback in college football. His records are staggering, and he has not been in trouble with the law, abused drugs, or raped anyone. I think he deserves a chance without everyone knocking his mechanics, footwork and passing sharpness before he even plays on a Sunday.
Is the quarterback position so easy to figure out, that before a player even takes one snap, he is ruled as unplayable? Is it such a science that we can tell who will make it and who won't, before the start of their career?
If this is the case, then what happened to the sure prospects of the past, like Joey Harrington, Ryan Leaf, Chuck Long, and Tim Couch? Mel Kiper's worst quarterback pick of any draft was the seventh overall pick, Andre Ware (Detroit) in 1990. in fact, all of these quarterbacks were picked in the first round and all were busts.
I don't know if Tim Tebow will make it in the NFL. I am absolutely positive that no one really knows. Give him a break. See what he can do. He might just surprise a few people. He might surprise Mel Kiper?
I remember a quarterback who did not play in college and had the most unorthodox way of playing that position, and who ended up in the Hall of Fame. In the 50's I attended a game where he handily beat the Detroit Lions 36 to 0 in sub degree temperatures. He holds the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. (47) His name is Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts and is listed as one of the best quarterbacks of all time. I am pulling for Tim.
Bob
Friday, April 23, 2010
Media on Draft Day
Most of my family and friends think I am a strange person. Not only do I watch the whole NFL Draft, but I actually switch between the two TV stations that broadcast the event. Both ESPN and the NFL Network covered the festivities live, and each treated the affair like a world news event.
ESPN had Mel Kiper, John Gruden, Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, and Chris Berman. The NFL Network had Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Steve Young, and Mike Meyock. Below are my observations from the first night of the draft.
Although both shows looked identical, (as far as scenery and number of members at the desk), the NFL Network came out a bit better and more comfortable to watch.
NFL's Mike Meyock impressed me the most. He was articulate, and concise. He really knew his stuff, and did much better than ESPN's Mel Kiper. Both know college players inside and out, but Kiper kept getting overshadowed by John Gruden, who talked and talked with such authority that you thought he was the "God of Football." Gruden was really annoying and if you ever watched Monday Night Football, he was a carbon copy of himself. He bragged about the talent of each player like it was the only pick of the draft. Each and everyone (32 times). At times he disagreed with Kiper, and shook his head, as if he was the only one who knew the game of football.
Tom Jackson threw in his remarks every so often, and Michael Irvin, who I can't understand half of the time said some things that left the panel quiet for a few seconds (seemed like a few minutes). Chris Berman seemed lost. At times there were big gaffs in the show with timing and wrong cameras, and you could see he was upset. At times he was a deer in headlights. Once the camera panned on him at the wrong time and he abruptly made hand gestures as if cutting his throat and shooing the camera away.
Berman's counterpart, NFL's Rich Eisen acted calm and collected. He didn't add much, but kept the flow going with his experts on the panel. Steve Mariucci was okay, but I never seem to learn much from him. He tries not to offend anyone and his information came out bland. I was really impressed with Marshall Faulk. You could tell that he had studied and came out with a lot of true gems about the college players. As far as Steve Young, he was okay too, but if he would have gone to the restroom during the show, nobody would have missed him.
Mel Kiper was the only one who came out against Tim Tebow. He is sure that Tebow will not make it in the NFL, and that the Bronco's made a big mistake. He did not hold anything back on this subject, and you knew exactly how he felt. Good for him that he spoke his mind and did not go with everyone else who didn't want to hurt Tebow's feelings or be controversial.
All in all, Mike Meyock was the best on the first night. I could have listened to him all night, and I learned just enough from him not to be overwhelmed. John Gruden was the worst, with his loud, supremacy attitude. He really got on my nerves and I now blame him for my headache after the whole thing was done.
If you have a choice on which program to watch on night two, I suggest the NFL Network.
Bob
ESPN had Mel Kiper, John Gruden, Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, and Chris Berman. The NFL Network had Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Steve Young, and Mike Meyock. Below are my observations from the first night of the draft.
Although both shows looked identical, (as far as scenery and number of members at the desk), the NFL Network came out a bit better and more comfortable to watch.
NFL's Mike Meyock impressed me the most. He was articulate, and concise. He really knew his stuff, and did much better than ESPN's Mel Kiper. Both know college players inside and out, but Kiper kept getting overshadowed by John Gruden, who talked and talked with such authority that you thought he was the "God of Football." Gruden was really annoying and if you ever watched Monday Night Football, he was a carbon copy of himself. He bragged about the talent of each player like it was the only pick of the draft. Each and everyone (32 times). At times he disagreed with Kiper, and shook his head, as if he was the only one who knew the game of football.
Tom Jackson threw in his remarks every so often, and Michael Irvin, who I can't understand half of the time said some things that left the panel quiet for a few seconds (seemed like a few minutes). Chris Berman seemed lost. At times there were big gaffs in the show with timing and wrong cameras, and you could see he was upset. At times he was a deer in headlights. Once the camera panned on him at the wrong time and he abruptly made hand gestures as if cutting his throat and shooing the camera away.
Berman's counterpart, NFL's Rich Eisen acted calm and collected. He didn't add much, but kept the flow going with his experts on the panel. Steve Mariucci was okay, but I never seem to learn much from him. He tries not to offend anyone and his information came out bland. I was really impressed with Marshall Faulk. You could tell that he had studied and came out with a lot of true gems about the college players. As far as Steve Young, he was okay too, but if he would have gone to the restroom during the show, nobody would have missed him.
Mel Kiper was the only one who came out against Tim Tebow. He is sure that Tebow will not make it in the NFL, and that the Bronco's made a big mistake. He did not hold anything back on this subject, and you knew exactly how he felt. Good for him that he spoke his mind and did not go with everyone else who didn't want to hurt Tebow's feelings or be controversial.
All in all, Mike Meyock was the best on the first night. I could have listened to him all night, and I learned just enough from him not to be overwhelmed. John Gruden was the worst, with his loud, supremacy attitude. He really got on my nerves and I now blame him for my headache after the whole thing was done.
If you have a choice on which program to watch on night two, I suggest the NFL Network.
Bob
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Just Thinking
Ozzie Guillen, manager of the White Sox, remarking on only 10,000 fans at the Chicago/Toronto game, that the Blue Jays should put a few hockey players on their baseball team to get more attendance. With weather probably being the main factor, I would like to tell Ozzie that Toronto just needs better competition. Chicago only has 4 wins, and Toronto has 7 wins, and is in first place in their division. Ouch!
Attending sporting events can sometimes be not as much fun as anticipated. "The Philadelphia Phillies had a fan (not sure if "fan" is the right word here?)get into a fight with a father and his young daughter in the stands. The drunk put his fingers down his throat and vomited over the couple. I have heard some terrible stories of things happening at football stadiums (Oakland-Philadelphia), and this has got to be a new low for baseball. This was disgusting.
I wrote on "Twitter", that the NFL forces NFL teams to speak to the media about the upcoming draft before the big day. Things like, who they might pick? Who they might trade up or down for, etc.,
What a waste of time. Every team tries to be so secretive that news never comes out of these media promotions. Most of the dealing happens in the final minutes, so everyone lies or just tells the same stories that have been speculated from the press. Stop it! Quit wasting our time and theirs.
Five more days until the NFL draft. Got to make some popcorn!
Bob
Attending sporting events can sometimes be not as much fun as anticipated. "The Philadelphia Phillies had a fan (not sure if "fan" is the right word here?)get into a fight with a father and his young daughter in the stands. The drunk put his fingers down his throat and vomited over the couple. I have heard some terrible stories of things happening at football stadiums (Oakland-Philadelphia), and this has got to be a new low for baseball. This was disgusting.
I wrote on "Twitter", that the NFL forces NFL teams to speak to the media about the upcoming draft before the big day. Things like, who they might pick? Who they might trade up or down for, etc.,
What a waste of time. Every team tries to be so secretive that news never comes out of these media promotions. Most of the dealing happens in the final minutes, so everyone lies or just tells the same stories that have been speculated from the press. Stop it! Quit wasting our time and theirs.
Five more days until the NFL draft. Got to make some popcorn!
Bob
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Draft Day 2010 (April 22nd)
Eight days and seven hours until the start of the 2010 NFL Draft. Tick, tick,tick. I know this is not usually very exciting for some of the NFL teams in the league, but for us Detroit fans it is the closest thing to the Super Bowl. We (die-hard Lions)relish every moment, and hope that some miraculous pick will make our team, "not win" the Super Bowl, but just be respectable again. Most of us are not even hoping for the playoffs anymore. 8 wins, and 8 losses would really be a step up, and I believe all of Michigan would go crazy if that happened. It has been such a long, long, long time. I haven't checked on how the Lions rate with the highest picks each year, but over the past 4 years, they have had a number one, two number two's and a seventeen. Five years ago they picked number 9. And for all of that,Detroit won three games in the last two years. But, am I down? Oh no. I can hardly wait for draft day. Then after the Lions make their picks, I will probably be down.
Detroit's number one pick could be Suh, or McCoy, both defensive tackles. I am fine with that, although I think it would be better to give up the pick for two players in the second round and save some money. Either way, I think that Detroit has made some good moves already with free agents, and with a few new draft picks, who knows?
It will be interesting to see how other teams enter the draft this year. The Philadelphia Eagles need a quarterback, and the Minnesota Vikings are waiting on Farve's decision. Again! Plus there are a few new coaches, and it will be interesting to see how Pete Carroll pans out with Seattle and Mike Shanahan deals with McNabb in Washington. Can't wait.
bob
Detroit's number one pick could be Suh, or McCoy, both defensive tackles. I am fine with that, although I think it would be better to give up the pick for two players in the second round and save some money. Either way, I think that Detroit has made some good moves already with free agents, and with a few new draft picks, who knows?
It will be interesting to see how other teams enter the draft this year. The Philadelphia Eagles need a quarterback, and the Minnesota Vikings are waiting on Farve's decision. Again! Plus there are a few new coaches, and it will be interesting to see how Pete Carroll pans out with Seattle and Mike Shanahan deals with McNabb in Washington. Can't wait.
bob
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Opening Day: Tigers
I am still trying to get over the the disappointment that Polanco and Granderson are not with the Detroit Tigers anymore. How long will it last? They are not making it any easier for me. On the first day with their new teams, Polanco had a grand-salami (4 run homer)with the Phillies and Curtis had a lead off homer with the Yankees. Great starts for both of my favorite players in the past 4 years. I am sure I'll be watching many more Philadelphia and New York games this season to see how they progress. Good luck to both of them.
I thought that the new players for the Tigers played well. Sizemore looked a little young and nervous as a rookie, but Damon and Jackson seemed to fit right in. Both had a good start and looked comfortable playing for Detroit. One thing for sure, the Tigers will have much more speed this year and their bench players like Santiago and Rayburn will fill in nicely. Move over Chicago, the Tigers are coming!
It was a nice comeback win for Detroit on opening day, winning 8 to 4. Verlander pitched well enough, but the thing that stood out for me in game one, was Johnny Damon. I was not overly happy when we got him this year, and I knew it would take some time until I warmed up to him. What a shock. He looked like he had been a Tiger for 10 years. He was up-beat, comfortable and really seemed to be the leader of the team. And this was only his first day. I had heard that he was super in the locker rooms of New York and Boston, but I was impressed on how he stood out here. He looked like he belonged on the team more than Cabrera (20 million dollar man) did. This is hard to say so soon, but Johnny Damon could become my favorite Tiger!
Bob
I thought that the new players for the Tigers played well. Sizemore looked a little young and nervous as a rookie, but Damon and Jackson seemed to fit right in. Both had a good start and looked comfortable playing for Detroit. One thing for sure, the Tigers will have much more speed this year and their bench players like Santiago and Rayburn will fill in nicely. Move over Chicago, the Tigers are coming!
It was a nice comeback win for Detroit on opening day, winning 8 to 4. Verlander pitched well enough, but the thing that stood out for me in game one, was Johnny Damon. I was not overly happy when we got him this year, and I knew it would take some time until I warmed up to him. What a shock. He looked like he had been a Tiger for 10 years. He was up-beat, comfortable and really seemed to be the leader of the team. And this was only his first day. I had heard that he was super in the locker rooms of New York and Boston, but I was impressed on how he stood out here. He looked like he belonged on the team more than Cabrera (20 million dollar man) did. This is hard to say so soon, but Johnny Damon could become my favorite Tiger!
Bob
Friday, February 26, 2010
LIONS DRAFT DAY
Even though the NFL draft day is about 5 weeks away, talk of the Detroit Lion's number two pick has gone from a formality to high speculation. It was a no-brainer that after St. Louis picked either defensive tackles McCoy or Suh, with the first pick, that the Lions would pick the other player.
Things have changed. Now that the Rams are going to pick quarterback Sam Bradford, the Lions will now have a choice between these two fine tackles. My feeling is that they will pick one of them, because Lion's coach Schwartz says they will draft the best athletes in the draft. These two probably are the best athletes to go into the draft this year, but I hope they don't pick either. I say, trade the number two pick and obtain two really fine players instead of just one. The Lions are hurting in so many positions that what they need now are more quality players instead of just one or two really good ones. I don't think they will do this, but they should. Number two picks are priceless and they should try to get as much out of it as possible. Of course, if they have another bad season, they may have the number two pick again in 2011?
I said in an earlier post that there were not a lot of good running backs in the 2010 draft. Actually there are a bunch of good ones, but only after the first round. I wanted the Lions to pick up Damien Tomlinson as a back, at least until Kevin Smith (sooner now, that he will not have his shoulder operation) returns. But it looks like now no one wants to deal with Damien. He hasn't had a good year since his father died in a car crash in 2008. So the Lions need a running back, at least temporarily. There should be some good ones in the second, or third rounds. With that extra pick from the trade, who knows?
I see the NFL Combine is doing baseline brain testing for all of the college players this year. We could have used this in the Matt Millen era.
Things have changed. Now that the Rams are going to pick quarterback Sam Bradford, the Lions will now have a choice between these two fine tackles. My feeling is that they will pick one of them, because Lion's coach Schwartz says they will draft the best athletes in the draft. These two probably are the best athletes to go into the draft this year, but I hope they don't pick either. I say, trade the number two pick and obtain two really fine players instead of just one. The Lions are hurting in so many positions that what they need now are more quality players instead of just one or two really good ones. I don't think they will do this, but they should. Number two picks are priceless and they should try to get as much out of it as possible. Of course, if they have another bad season, they may have the number two pick again in 2011?
I said in an earlier post that there were not a lot of good running backs in the 2010 draft. Actually there are a bunch of good ones, but only after the first round. I wanted the Lions to pick up Damien Tomlinson as a back, at least until Kevin Smith (sooner now, that he will not have his shoulder operation) returns. But it looks like now no one wants to deal with Damien. He hasn't had a good year since his father died in a car crash in 2008. So the Lions need a running back, at least temporarily. There should be some good ones in the second, or third rounds. With that extra pick from the trade, who knows?
I see the NFL Combine is doing baseline brain testing for all of the college players this year. We could have used this in the Matt Millen era.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bits and Pieces Today
Tony Kornheiser got suspended for two weeks from his TV show, "PTI." The reason being, he used derogatory remarks about ESPN's Hanna Storm's wardrobe on camera. I agree that his mumblings were kind of crude, but I have heard worse descriptions of dress on the Academy Awards Red Carpet. Hanna wore red boots, a tight top, and a short skirt. His words were unkind, but not salacious or scandalous. Among some of the things, he said that these were not clothes that a 40 or 50 year old should wear. Ouch!
Why the harsh punishment? Probably, I feel because they both work for ESPN (the same workplace). Kornheiser apologized, and I feel that should have been sufficient. I sure don't feel that the punishment fit the crime.
How long is this thing with the Michigan Wolverine football team going to go on? Why can't this matter be finalized? The NCAA says that Michigan committed 5 violations, and the school says they want the truth and will hide nothing. It's done.! Documentation is all there and a student coach was caught lying. Please! Pass out the penalties and let's move forward. This is not a real big thing as far as school infractions go. Other Universities have done much worse. Why does the NCAA have to wait 90 more days to pass a ruling when no more evidence is going to come out of this? Rodriguez says his program misinterpreted the rules. I say we misinterpreted Rich Rodriguez as a Michigan coach!
Bob
Why the harsh punishment? Probably, I feel because they both work for ESPN (the same workplace). Kornheiser apologized, and I feel that should have been sufficient. I sure don't feel that the punishment fit the crime.
How long is this thing with the Michigan Wolverine football team going to go on? Why can't this matter be finalized? The NCAA says that Michigan committed 5 violations, and the school says they want the truth and will hide nothing. It's done.! Documentation is all there and a student coach was caught lying. Please! Pass out the penalties and let's move forward. This is not a real big thing as far as school infractions go. Other Universities have done much worse. Why does the NCAA have to wait 90 more days to pass a ruling when no more evidence is going to come out of this? Rodriguez says his program misinterpreted the rules. I say we misinterpreted Rich Rodriguez as a Michigan coach!
Bob
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