Saturday 31 August 2013

Bigger, faster, stronger, tougher - Michigan Wolverines just look better

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/31/sports/doc522290764aace154849666.txt


Hoke, Gardner: Impressive '13 debut

Thoughts halftime Central Michigan, Michigan

- I think it is a very fair and accurate point to make that Michigan has been much more impressive today than Michigan State was last night.
- If this game gets out of hand and turns into a rout for Michigan, it will still be quite interesting, depending on how Wolverines' coach Brady Hoke substitutes. Who doesn't want to see freshmen Derrick Green or Shane Morris play today? One is a 5-star

Thoughts after 1st quarter, Central Michigan, Michigan

- Devin Gardner made two brilliant plays on the Wolverines' first offensive scoring drive which displayed why he might be a special QB. He didn't panic while scrambling in the backfield, keeping his eyes down the field and finding Drew Dileo for a huge game. Then, he followed his blockers brilliantly while picking his way through the Central Michigan defense on a remarkably easy touchdown run.
-

Friday 30 August 2013

MSU Spartans giving a new meaning to offensive football

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/31/sports/doc52218570724b7521539521.txt


Thoughts halftime, Western Michigan, Michigan State

- I know this: If MSU coach Mark Dantonio did put true freshman QB Damion Terry into the game, which the crowd at Spartan Stadium has been chanting for, there couldn't be any drop off from Connor Cook and Andrew Maxwell. They have been underwhelming, to say the least. But like last season, it's difficult to tell if their ineffectiveness is because they are playing poorly or just the overall

Thoughts Western Michigan, Michigan State at lightning delay

- Rain or not, Andrew Maxwell or Connor Cook at QB, MSU's offense continues to look completely out of sync. The new offensive coordinators have not made much difference. This looks like a replay of 2012 offensively so far tonight for the Spartans.
- Western Michigan's offense has been just as ineffective. Added in with the rain, the first half  was an ugly display of football.
- The Spartans'

Thoughts after 1 quarter, MSU, Western Michigan

MSU free safety Kurtis Drummond has played like an All-American in the first quarter of this game. That was a Charles Woodson-like interception. He's made three big plays.
- The Spartans' defense has been extremely aggressive. They mostly have had nine defenders in the box, daring Western Michigan QB Tyler Van Tubbergen to throw deep, which is going to be difficult with MSU's pass rush and lack

Thursday 29 August 2013

Victor Martinez, Torii Hunter - why they are so essential to the Detroit Tigers

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/29/sports/doc521fcb19e4932805812095.txt


Martinez (left), Hunter: True value could come in playoffs

Why today is such a key start for Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

After beating up on mostly floundering, non-contending teams, the Tigers have gotten a bit of a reality check from the potentially playoff-bound Oakland A's this week. Their vaunted starting pitching rotation has been hammered in the first three games of the series.
Enter, for the series finale today, Max Scherzer, whose 19-1 record has been questioned because he has benefitted from getting more

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Perhaps, for a change, Michigan will surprise rather than disappoint in '13

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/28/sports/doc521d8e3f2c248235657071.txt


Brady Hoke: Has Wolverines headed in right direction

Monday 26 August 2013

Phil Coke, Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers - what to do in the postseason?

The most underrated aspect about the Tigers is how much change there actually has been since they were swept in the World Series by the Giants.
Quintin Berry, Avisail Garcia, Jhonny Peralta and Delmon Young all started World Series games. Phil Coke was the Tigers' closer.



Phil Coke: Worth a playoff roster spot or should Tigers move on?

Berry was cut in spring training and is no longer in the

Saturday 24 August 2013

Detroit Lions remain a mystery with NFL season fast approaching

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/24/sports/doc521983e50116d087669359.txt


Reggie Bush: Obvious bright spot

Thursday 22 August 2013

Thoughts at halftime, Lions, Patriots

- A lot of people might look at Willie Young's development into a decent player and think the Lions can't afford to lose him. I saw what he did tonight, after what he did last week vs. the Browns, and think maybe the Lions can't afford to keep him. That's the problem right there. There was no reason for him to touch Tom Brady or put his finger in his face or do anything other than foolishness.

Thoughts after 1st quarter, Lions, Patriots

- Mistakes just kill the Lions don't they? Unreal.
- Creating turnovers doesn't happen by accident. Those were big plays and a good sign. Nice hit by DeAndre Levy. He is an underrated player, in my opinion.
- The short FG miss by David Akers was bad, and he's going to hear about it, and they will come in the form for cries for Kickalious, Havard Rugland.
- Reggie Bush may finally have found the

Good isn't enough when great is expected from Justin Verlander

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/22/sports/doc521695c2d1643209280843.txt


Justin Verlander: Could be No.3 in playoffs

Tuesday 20 August 2013

MSU Spartans football at a crossroad under Mark Dantonio

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/20/sports/doc5213965cc7762104482079.txt


Mark Dantonio: What now?

Monday 19 August 2013

PED history, the so-called "steroids era" and how Miguel Cabrera's huge season are unfortunately tied

Perspective about how the so-called "steroids" era has skewed baseball comes with this truly outstanding season that is being put together by the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera.
It's a season whose magnitude will not be appreciated as much as it should because of what transpired in baseball during the late 1990s and early 2000s when the numbers were artificially enhanced.


Cabrera: Stats even more

Thursday 15 August 2013

Thoughts halftime Lions, Browns

- Nate Burleson is a fan favorite because he is a genuinely good guy, and has long been a good NFL playes, but tonight has not been a good one for him. He has had no separation and he dropped a first down pass.
- David Akers, on grass, nailed a 48-yard field goal with no issue. The competition between him and Havard Rugland, aka "Kickalious" isn't even close, despite all the chatter about it.
-

Thoughts first quarter, Lions at Browns

- Horrible first quarter by the Lions.
- Sam Martin did not do well maintaining his consistency from last week. Poor punts the first few. And the Lions were fortunate a TD was called back because of penalty. Martin outkicked the coverage.
- Reggie Bush is an obvious bright spot. He is a terrific talent. That much was obvious on a play in space again tonight.
- Don Carey is not a starting NFL

Preseason Game 2, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns - what to look for



Sam Martin: Impressive - so far

- Lions' fans are enamored with Havard Rugland, aka "Kickalious". Like you, I will be sitting on the edge of my seat tonight when he gets another chance, likely in the second half. It will be a stronger test, on grass and outside, in Cleveland. But I still see no circumstance where he is the Lions' kicker to start the season - even if David Akers gets hurt or

Wednesday 14 August 2013

mausimomslieblingsblogs

mausimomslieblingsblogs

Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers - examining the "threat"

While it appears the Tigers devastated the Indians with a four-game sweep in Cleveland last weekend, the Kansas City Royals have emerged as a threat. Of course, "threat" is a relative term.
The Royals, their 1-0 loss at Miami Tuesday night aside, have been winning a lot of games.  The Royals were 8-20 in May and apparently done. They are 39-21 since June 4 and decided against being sellers at the

Friday 9 August 2013

Thoughts halftime, Lions, Jets, preseason Game 1

- Riley Reiff did a very poor job of pass blocking on Jets' linebacker Quinton Coples, The result was an inexcusable sack. If he doesn't step that up, the Lions are in serious trouble.
- Matt Willis is an older receiver with just one NFL TD, but he sure didn't hurt his cause for making the team with two excellent catches on the Lions second quarter scoring drive. He had been with Denver for

Thoughts after 1st quarter, Lions, Jets preseason Game 1

I don't think it is a fluke Ziggy Ansah made a big play in his first preseason game with the Lions. He is athletic. He is tall. Their defensive line is imposing even by NFL standards. He is part of it. Ansah did the same type of things during the Senior Bowl workouts and during the game. Ansah is not just a terrific athlete, he has excellent instincts for the game. Too much has been made of his

Thursday 8 August 2013

Thoughts on Detroit Tigers after first three games at Cleveland

- I am convinced the radar gun in Cleveland is not accurate. It has clearly been reading several miles per hour higher than the one at Comerica Park, and in other major league ball parks. Not that Justin Verlander didn't pitch well Tuesday. He did, but it was his command of the baseball, not his velocity that was the difference. He has been throwing that hard much of the season, and has had

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Better "talent" needs to mean better "team" for Detroit Pistons

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/07/sports/doc52032579352e7513621048.txt


 Brandon Jennings: Great talent or great player?

Tuesday 6 August 2013

On the passing of Shawn Burr







Shawn Burr: A big part of the Red Wings' success story


The Red
Wings have been an incredibly successful franchise for more than two decades. But their
turnaround in the late 1980s and early 1990s didn’t happen by accident nor overnight. The
Steve Yzerman draft pick in 1983 was the most significant move. There were others,
though. One was Shawn Burr being taken in the first round with the

Monday 5 August 2013

MLB suspensions of Jhonny Peralta, A-Rod, others not too little, but way too late

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/05/sports/doc52004936e8cc7746522857.txt


Jhonny Peralta: MLB suspension fits

Sunday 4 August 2013

Likely MLB suspension of Jhonny Peralta not only challenge facing Detroit Tigers

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/04/sports/doc51fedafb0db23360636153.txt


Prince Fielder, Tigers face a challenge in Cleveland this week

Saturday 3 August 2013

A-Rod, MLB suspensions not only warranted, but long overdue

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/08/03/sports/doc51fda0d6e966d322274403.txt


A-Rod: The sky is falling