Detroit Lions have many NFL Draft options - none obvious

Ziggy Ansah: One of best size-speed combos ever

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/28/sports/doc512f12ee6e6d1583447029.txt

The Detroit Lions should be able to fill this pressing need in the NFL Draft, but what round?

There is much focus on the Lions' issues at cornerback, but especially if they re-sign pending free agent Chris Houston, they have much more depth at corner than at safety (last year's 6th-round pick Jonte Green played surprisingly well as a rookie and 3rd -round pick Bill Bentley will be back). But cornerback would still hardly be categorized as a strength.


Desmond Trufant: Most underrated

Miguel Cabrera vs. Mike Trout - why Cabrera is the better player

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/26/sports/doc512c497726a62353387498.txt

My live chat Monday on Lions and NFL combine, Red Wings, Michigan-Michigan State, Tigers and Bruce Rondon

We do this live every Monday at 1 p.m.. Check it out and join in the discussion. It's just like a regular live chat where you put questions and comments in, and we answer back during our discussion immediately. You don't have to be on Google-plus to participate.

On the brink of disaster, Red Wings pull out two stunning victories

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/25/sports/doc512b98f452b50871507625.txt


Quick turnaround for Red Wings

Denard Robinson's NFL Draft stock probably fell at combine Sunday

Will likely be viewed as "project"


I've seen projections that former Michigan quarterback and current wide receiver candidate Denard Robinson will be a third- to fifth-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

But my best guess, following the combine workouts Sunday, is Robinson will be drafted, but no earlier than the fifth round.

While Robinson is fast, he didn't run a 40-yard dash at

Why Trey Burke and Victor Oladipo are saving college basketball

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/24/sports/doc512a578ee8787698911783.txt


Michigan's Trey Burke



Indiana's Victor Oladipo

Some thoughts on the Lions and upcoming free agency

Free agent Lions least can least afford to lose (but they might)

Chris Houston: Has been quality corner for Lions

Lately, Lions' general manager Martin Mayhew has received criticism for moves that have gone wrong. It's certainly justfiable. The Lions were 4-12 last year. That fact, alone, says a lot.
However, the seasons prior, the Lions make considerable progress. Their 10-6 record in 2011 and playoff appearance was in part because of solid moves by Mayhew

So the Tigers aren't favorites to go to the World Series, but this team is?

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/21/sports/doc5125badc66c5b528909790.txt

MSU's loss to Indiana more disappointing than disheartening

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/20/sports/doc51244d9c97743089815602.txt





Victor Oladipo (4) was just too much for MSU

Where Tayshaun Prince ranks as an all-time Piston

To say Tayshaun Prince ranks among all-time great Piston players would be a stretch. It is more like he is in the next tier.


Tayshaun Prince: Will be fondly remembered

He was a good, solid, consistent NBA player for the Pistons for a decade. There were times when he looked like a great player - when the Pistons had terrific teams during a six-year stretch of  making the Eastern Conference

Indiana at MSU - challenger vs. champ, who will be standing at the end

Izzo, Crean: May the best team win

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/19/sports/doc512315a4c180d502709670.txt

Replay of my live chat for Monday, Feb. 18 on death of Jerry Buss, Red Wings, Indiana vs. MSU and Tigers

We do this every Monday at 1 p.m. It's just like a live chat, but we answer back through video. Don't have to be in Google Hangout to comment. Join us each week.

On Red Wings' loss to Minnesota Sunday

Porcello, Smyly: Tigers have a tough but good decision to make

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/18/sports/doc5122502b41ee6784333609.txt 





Rick Porcello: Has the higher ceiling

On Cliff Avril and the Lions

Defensive end Cliff Avril told Pro Football Talk on the NBC Sports Network his chances of returning to the Lions are "50-50."
I think that's a pretty accurate number.


Cliff Avril: Not a given he will be leaving Detroit

There is a common misconception about Avril that he he didn't have a good year in 2012. Actually, he maintained a relatively high level of play even after much of the Lions'

Is John Beilein coach enough to escape Tom Izzo's shadow

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/14/sports/doc511c8104d19cd662573644.txt


John Beilein: Working in the shadow of Tom Izzo

No wrestling in the Olympics is reprehensible

The International Olympic Committee evidently has decided the Olympics are no longer sports whatsoever, but a reality television show.


Steve Fraser: Pride of Hazel Park

That's because they took wrestling off the menu in favor of a list of sports which have been added down through the years designed, obviously, to boost television ratings.
There is no sport which embodies the Olympic spirit

MSU's rout of Michigan spoke volumes

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/13/sports/doc511b2a4b9832b721537546.txt




Derrick Nix and the Spartans are rolling

On increase in Tigers' ticket prices....

At its core, one of the best things baseball in this town has offered, even in an era of ridiculous player contracts, is relative value to attend games.
When I was a teenager, it was a true value - $2 to sit in the center field bleachers at Tiger Stadium. It was lousy seat to watch the game, actually, but there were something like 10,000 of those lousy cheap seats. I looked at it as paradise at

Michigan's "talent" could have trouble matching MSU's "team"

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/12/sports/doc5119c4c54bfcd313524920.txt


Spartans, Wolverines could be decided in the paint

Tigers roster and position spots that will be determined during spring training

Red Wings are presenting a mixed bag

Jimmy Howard played very well Sunday in goal

My column: theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/11/sports/doc51182401e7067898489532.txt

Fate twisted and Oakland became Greg Kampe's dream come true

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/10/sports/doc5117dae815464224944673.txt


Greg Kampe: Happy, but not content

There is an "I" in Red Wings. It stands for...

For the Jeff Backus detractors: Be careful what you ask for (you just might get it)

Lions' left tackle Jeff Backus has been a linchpin for controversy in this town from the time he was Matt Millen's initial first-round draft choice.
I've always found it odd. This is not Titus Young Sr. we're talking about here. Backus has been the ultimate "lunch bucket" NFL player in a town where even the white collar workers consider themselves blue collar. He is there every day in practice,

2013 recruiting classes about skill positions for Michigan, MSU

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/06/sports/doc5112f047152f4307911227.txt

Why the Red Wings are standing on a very slippery-slope

Niklas Kronwall (right) and Red Wings need to win now

Even in a 48-game season, it's early. If it ended now, the Red Wings wouldn't be in the playoffs, but they are close to getting in - just a point from being the eighth seed in the Western Conference, just four points from being the fourth seed.
 Parity rules in the NHL in an era when an eighth-seed, the Los Angeles Kings, captured the

On Michigan's game tonight vs. Ohio State

A crack in Michigan basketball's armor?

Michigan soared to the top spot of the polls last week, but once there, in a severe test at Indiana Saturday night, they didn't pass for the same reason they lost at Ohio State earlier this season: Two of their prized freshmen had subpar games.


Nik Sauskas

Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas are tremendous players. When they play well, so do the Wolverines collectively. When they don't play

And if Joe Flacco were a Lion and Matthew Stafford a Raven...

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/04/sports/doc510f6938519ec173228188.txt





Joe Flacco: Made the most of team around him

Pistons need to think more about the future than living in the past

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/03/sports/doc510eeb181ab25281132465.txt


Andre Drummond: Needs more playing time

Stating the case for the Ravens winning the Super Bowl

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/03/sports/doc510d84a8a75a3619256249.txt


Joe Flacco: It's his time