Tigers Resign Sanchez, 5-yrs, $80 mil

Photo credit: mlive.com

So the Tigers finally did what I've been calling for all offseason and dipped into the well and spent the big bucks.  Only one problem... It wasn't spent very wisely.  But that's just my in my humble, unintelligent, mildly-uninformed, certainly-not-professional opinion.

Anibal Sanchez has resigned with the Tigers for 5 years, $80 million total, that's roughly $16 mil per year.  This is even higher than I figured he would get on the open market (I guestimated $60-70 mil, Cubs apparently offered $75 mil)

Sanchez is a pretty talented pitcher.  He's got solid stuff and he's not that old.  But I have a few issues with this deal...

1. His numbers aren't $16 mil-per good.  He's got a 48-51 career record with a 3.75 ERA and 733 strikeouts in 869 innings over seven seasons.  Okay... Good even, but not great.  He went 4-6 with a 3.74 ERA with the Tigers.  ERA is solid.  What impressed me is the 1.77 ERA in the postseason.  He's got good stuff, it's not like we spent $80 mil on a bust, but I don't think he's shown nearly enough consistency to earn that kind of cash
2. Career NL pitcher.  All those numbers, except with the Tigers, are against the notoriously worse hitting National League.  Yes, we have a sample size that indicates he could hold his own against AL teams, but I wasn't $80 mil worth sold on it.  5 years is a long time, and in seven years he's put up solid numbers from a crap team, but it was also in a crap league.  It's a big risk
3. Long-Term, big money for a fourth starter.  I love bolstering a starting rotation as much as the next guy, in fact when I learned the Tigers were after Shields I nearly did a backflip for excitement, (Go ahead, debate me on whether he's worth the prospects we would have lost, I'll repeat my stance on prospects all day.) But here's my issue.  James Shields would have cost prospects yes, but his contract is A) Cheaper B)Riddled with options to get out of it f it doesn't work C) Not committed too long term.  Anibal is a Tiger for five years.  And his contracts bigger than the one JV signed three years ago, which brings me to my next point
4. Sanchez makes more than Verlander.  We have set a precedent that we will not be able to afford. Kiss Mad Max, or Twisted Fister, or even Verlander good-bye when it comes payday time.  Maybe one of them was going have to leave regardless, or want to leave, but just imagine the amount of money it's going to keep Verlander long term.  If Sanchez gets $16 mil per, what's JV worth?

If I were running the team, which God knows I am certainly not qualified and I am just a ranting raving fan who is as illinformed as everyone else that's not a GM, scout, owner, etc, I would have gone after a shorter-term option.  Well before signing a starter, I would have gotten a closer, but after that, I would have looked at the guys like Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, Scott Baker, Dan Haren would have definitely been worth the one-year flyer in my book.

However, I will be the first to admit, I believe Sanchez is better pitcher than all of them.  So this signing does fit the win now motif.  And since I'm always a ray of positive energy, you guys know that :)  I shall end the negativity and share with you all what I do like about the deal.

1. Win now, win often.  Ilitch wants it, I want it, you want it, Detroit wants it.  Go get the best available (that doesn't hamper the futures of stars JV and Miggy) and bring in a ring.  Make it happen
2. Opens window on Porcello/Smyly trade.  Stop it.  Before you even say it, stop it.  One of them has to be traded now.  We are a win now team.  One can be our 5th starter, and the other can go get us a closer or a new shortstop.  Porcello has been around long enough to know that this is as good as he's gonna get.  People seem to think that a low age number just means they're going to keep magically getting better and better, drastically better.  It happens in guys, usually with guys that haven't been around the majors as long as Ricky P.  He hasn't gotten worse, hasn't gotten much better.  It's time to trade him.  We missed our chances at getting Halladay because we were buying what Ricky P was selling (See why I hate people who value potential over talent now?  Will Ricky P ever be Roy? Hell no.)  So why not hook up with the Pirates, who have a closer they want to move and a rotation that needs another starter.  It was a match made in heaven.
3. Best rotation in the AL, possibly majors.  Any rotation with Verlander will always be in contention.  But with four guys with as good as stuff as our four have, it's no doubt who will be feared when the playoffs roll around.

So that ended up being a lot longer than I wanted to be.  But I bullet pointed the important stuff :)  Bottom line, I don't think Sanchez is $80 mil good.  I know when we win the World Series, everyone (in particular one person, you know who you are) will be bringing this up, calling me stupid.  But when Verlander walks and goes to the Yankees, we all lose in the end.

Good pitcher, Ilitch win-now signing, but is it a wise commitment?  We'll see.

For some more positivity and a blogger much more reputable then me cuz he kinda also is a sports radio host, here's some linkage to a guy I enjoy listening to, Jeff Riger

Michigan is Silly Good

Photo Credit: Detroit News

Michigan basketball is really good, in fact, they're one of the top teams in the country.

Ya know in case you've been living under a rock this winter... And yes, I meant basketball, not football (although I miss the top 5 days of Michigan football.  Go to hell SEC and your  cheating ways.)

Well to make up for the SEC taking over football, the Big Ten has taken over basketball.  And Michigan is right up there with the best of them.  Although I think not a team in the country is as electric, deep, and flat out good as Indiana.

But Michigan will compete, and may just beat them at Crysler.  This team is extremely deep.  Ridiculously deep.  Absurdly deep.

Did I mention they're a deep team?

Michigan has been building a good program under Beilein, but the one problem they've had is a lack of all-around depth and a plethora of scoring options.  This team has that and then some.

This team could play a secondary line up and still beat teams.  (Okay, maybe not, but they could compete.)

Stauskas, McGary, Robinson III paint a bright future for this squad, and with veterans like Burke, Hardaway, and Morgan, this squad will make a deep run in March.

You heard it here definitely not first, but you read it here.  Michigan WILL be a Final Four Team.  Chalk it up.  This team is too good, and too deep.  Too many scoring options, and for once under Beilein, they have more than one post presence.

It's going to be a fun year Wolverines.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Oh How I Hate Ohio

Well just as quickly as we got the Ohio monkey off our backs... It's right back on.  I could rant and rave about the absurd unfairness that went into the Urban Meyer hiring and how it's ridiculous how a team can cheat so blatantly, get punished, and come out better off.  It's a crock of shit and we all know it...

But anyways today's game.  Michigan... That defense played good enough to win.  They were let down by the lack of creativity from Brady Hoke and mostly Al Borges.

Michigan played good enough to win, and as a bitter Michigan fan I'll say they should have won.  What killed them was the turnovers and the putrid play calling in the second half.  In the second half, there were no Denard and Devin plays.  It was one or the other.  And if Denard was in, everyone in America knew a run was coming.

If anyone says credit OSU for adjusting I will shove my fist down their throat.  A monkey could adjust his defense to stop that lack of ingenuity.  4th and 3.  I absolutely loved going for it.  Run with Denard?  More than okay with, he's usually good for 3.  A slow developing run up the gut after having all kinds of running room to the outside? Fire Al Borges just for that.  You'd have to be a moron to call that kind of QB run.

3rd and 1.  I'm all into the game.  "Gardner play action bootleg with a run option.  That would work wonders right now."  Al Borges: "Let's give it to Vincent Smith, right up the middle."

This sort of shit is unforgivable   If you feel I'm overreacting, then you haven't seen me overreact but you will when my foot's up your ass.

Michigan should have won today.  They were let down by, in my opinion, coaches just as much as they were by themselves.  Michigan beat themselves.

I saw too many people already declare because of this win Urban will dominate this rivalry.  If he wins next year, you can begin to think that.  But winning a game he's favored to win at home?  Really?  And you're being paid to be national sport reporters and you spew off idocracies like that, meanwhile I sound just as stupid but yet a touch more sane by saying this proves nothing except that it should be a good battle.

Here's my assessment of the rivalry between Hoke and Meyer.  It has the potential to be a modern day Bo and Woody.  However, if Hoke doesn't win next year at home and win key recruiting battles, it WILL turn into Tressel v Carr.

This rivalry will determine whether Hoke stays on until he retires, or whether we have to go through another coaching search.

On a related note, if I had the chance to punch one  man in the face without repercussion, it'd be Urban Meyer.  I have hated him ever since he made Utah a BCS buster.  He's a no good cheater and I want to punch him square in the face.

Lions Aren't Thankful for Much

Photo Credit: sbnation.com

Well that sucked didn't it?  Lions just keep finding new ways to lose.  Have you seen a more mind-boggling, blood pressure-raising game such as that one?  I haven't in awhile.  My goodness what a ridiculous game.

I am not going to find silver linings cuz screw that, I'm pissed!  We lost because of the most asinine rule in all of sports.  Oh and because those officials are blind apparently.

First egregious call to go agains the Lions was a punt that clearly bounced off a Texan and should have been our ball.  There is a clear change in direction and clear touch.  The only question I had was did we touch it first.  And when the officials said the play stood, I thought maybe they determined we touched first...

Nope.  Schwartz said after the game that officials told him they didn't think the ball touched the Houston player.  Probably the only people in America to think that.

But the most egregious play... I won't even recap it, we all know he was down.  Everyone on the field knew it.  Yes I know refs are applauded for letting a play unfold but come on! The dude was on his stomach for God's sake.

But the thing that irritated me the most.  Schwartz broke the most asinine rule in sports.  I am irritated that he let his emotions dictate his actions and violate a rule he knew and knew he violated.

But my gripe in this blog is at the NFL.  What kind of arrogant, moronic, stupid bastards do you have to be to devise a rule that goes like this:  All scoring plays and turnovers will automatically be reviewed, UNLESS YOU ASK US TO REVIEW CUZ IF YOU DO, WELL THEN F*** YOU! Here's a 15 yard penalty and the play stands!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Who in the hell wrote that rule?  How did a group of men deemed capable of running a billion dollar industry devise such an asinine rule?

How long before the NFL finally looks down from it's pedestal and says "Hmmm, looks like the NCAA actually did something right, maybe we should do their system."

How can you play in a league that devises rules that directly infringe upon the integrity of the game.  I wouldn't even think Bud Selig would be this stupid.  Or even Gary Bettman!

I know I'm usually more level headed in my blogs and leave my rants to twitter, but I'm sorry, this is just too disgusting.  That has to be the most asinine rule in sports, and for another season, the Lions get so royally screwed that at the end of the year, the NFL is going to review their rules. (We're the reason all scoring plays are reviewed anyways) 

Taking Out the Trashburn

photo credit:/blog.prorumors.com

Tigers have finally gotten rid of Ryan Raburn.  Finally.  No more of the "maybe he'll run into one," no more "well he hits well in September," No more no more!  First Inge, no Raburn.  Finally we ridding the garbage.  Enough of this loyalty crap.  Be loyal to guys that stick around AND produce like Jeter.

Anyways, there isn't much to say purely on this.  We all can celebrate never having to see Raburn swing at strike three in the dirt.  It's going to be an amazing season.  The only down side is with him and Inge gone, who will be my new whipping boy?  My early leading candidate is Boesch, but he'll be gone soon too I bet.

The Raburn move comes as no surprise, but there is a bit of Tiger rumblings that do have me interested and that's the Jhonny Peralta trade rumors/Stephen Drew signing.

The Tigers have been in love with Stephen Drew for years.  Not sure why, but it's a fact.  He is an upgrade defensively no doubt.  Peralta defenders will say/always say "Well Jhonny makes every play he gets to."  Too bad he's too fat to get to anything hit that's not within two steps.

Here's what I like.  I like the idea of trading Peralta and upgrading at shortstop.  I think picking up Peralta's option was done for the purpose of making sure they didn't have to find a shortstop and for the possibility of trading him.  The trade rumors come as no surprise to me.

Here's what I don't like.  Stephen Drew and the rumors of getting prospects for Peralta.  Losing ball clubs trade for prospects.  The Tigers would be fools to trade their starting shortstop and get no pieces that will play right away.  Fools.  And Stephen Drew is completely abysmal and then some at the plate. And he's left handed.  This team was awful against lefties a season ago, this would only enhance the problem.  And oh yeah, he sucks against righties too, cuz he straight up can't hit.

I am okay with a shortstop that can field his position at a high level but can't hit.  But when I say can't hit here, I mean hit around .250 give or take.  If you have a shortstop that makes game changing plays then I will live with the bottom end of that scale.  Stephen Drew hit .223 a year ago with the DBacks and A's.  Awful.

What I want from whomever plays shortstop from Detroit, if his name isn't Peralta, is an average in the .260's with good range in the field and can make the big play defensively.  If it's Peralta, he has to hit .275 with power to make up for his lack of range.

But remember guys... RABURN IS GONE!!!!!!!!!! LET'S CELEBRATE

Welcome to the Big Fourteen?

Maryland and Rutgers are now officially members of the Big Ten... Errr Fourteen?  Well Rutgers will be officially official tomorrow, but for all intents and purposes, it's official.  And judging on the reactions I'm seeing, I'm not nearly as confused or surprised as most of you guys.

So let's break this down, beard style.  Does it make sense?  On the surface, no.  Rutgers and Maryland are east coast squads, they both aren't known for football prowess.  I mean Rutgers has had a good squad every three or four years lately, including this year's team.  Maryland... Well they have lots of flashy uniforms and that's about it.

But here's why it makes perfect sense, and trust me, you're not going to like the reasons.

Money.  Big Ten wants and now has that east coast TV market.  Maryland and Rutgers were considered when Nebraska was added too and they were on board.  Nebraska won the four team race between the aforementioned three and Missouri.  For those that don't remember, it literally became a race, Big Ten said GO! and Nebraska got it done first.

And reason number two why it makes sense?  You guessed it, Money.  This is where college football is going, like it or not.  Super Conferences that generate absurd amounts of money and dominate the sport.  They're coming.  Like it or not.  SEC started the super conference talk by bumping to 14 and Big Ten is moving that train right along the tracks.  Notre Dame's ACC deal just meant that the Big Ten would start looking elsewhere.

Over the next few years we will see more shifting and moving and super conferences will be made.  The Pac 12, SEC, Big Ten will stand alone, and the ACC and Big 12 will fight it out amongst themselves on who can survive.  Big East is done, it's over.  Goodbye.  Your conference stunk anyways.

Now how do I feel about these teams specifically?  Meh.  I don't hate them, I don't love them.  I'm not stupid though.  I know why they're here.  I just hope that they make sure to keep the divisions competitive   Maryland should join the Legends and Rutgers the Leaders.  That's not what early indications are but it makes the most competitive sense, and you can have Rutgers and Maryland be the protected crossover game.  I'ma genius.  Why don't I get paid for this kinda insight?

Maybe some good will come out of this guys... Maybe they'll finally change the division names!

Just Another Saturday...

Photo Credit: Yahoo!

So last night was pretty crazy eh?  #1 and #2 go down so now Notre Dame is #1... Personally, I'm really bummed.  I was excited at the prospect of having a non-SEC team win the ship, but as soon as K-State lost no matter what happened a team I hated was going to be crowned national champion.  And now that Bama is back in the hunt it's going to be them

And on the local front, Michigan absolutely destroyed Iowa 42-17 on senior day.  Devin Gardner looked great once again with six total touchdowns.  All Denard did was run and catch swing passes, so he looked great too.  Honestly, when Denard first got here and Tate Forcier looked as good as he did, I thought running and catching passes was Denard's future.  Honestly wish it were... TATE YOU'RE STILL MY BOY.

And for the Spartans?  Well... Same ol' Spartans.  They lost 23-20 and looked very lethargic while doing so.  They out gained Northwestern in every stat except points.  I am still amazed at how awful State's wide receivers are this year.  I have never seen so many dropped passes collectively by an entire core of wide outs.  It's cost them dearly this season, this game included.

Michigan is still in the hunt for a Big Ten title, needing to beat Ohio State next week and Nebraska to lose to Iowa.  Since I don't think either of those will happen, out Big Ten champ will be either a lucky, undeserving Nebraska (we all know they would have lost to Denard AND they lost to Penn State) or the third-best team in the leaders division Wisconsin (puke.)

And for the Spartans, they have to beat the vaunted Golden Gophers of Minnesota just to get a bowl game.  God I love college football.

Bearded Predictions for next week:
Ohio State 24  Michigan 20
Michigan State 17 Minnesota 14

I also have Notre Dame on upset alert because I hate them.

Have a good Sunday y'all, go Lions!

Tori Hunter First Move of (Hopefully) Big Offseason

Photo Credit: SI.com

It was a match made in heaven.  Torii wants a ring, Mr. I wants a ring.  Hunter admitted that Detroit was the team he wanted to play for above any other team, and he knew that before last season was even over.  Detroit needed a guy that could hit lefties, hit #2, and play great defense.

Hunter needed Detroit, and Detroit needed Hunter.

There isn't a negative thing to say about this deal.  Hunter, 37, is at the point in his career where all that's left to do is win a ring.  He's hungry, and this team needs hungry guys like Torii.  The two-year, $26 million ($13 mil per) is a very fair deal for a player like Hunter, and it doesn't hamper our finances. Having him for two years gives Nick Castellanos more time to develop as an outfielder, it's a perfect situation for everyone.

What's gerat about Hunter is that he's a clubhouse guy.  Everyone loves him.  He can be the leader and voice that this team was lacking.  Dotel said this team liked fire and hunger; Hunter will bring that.

I have nothing negative to say about the deal.  But since you all know I love to play devil's advocate, this is the closest I can come to a complaint.

I wanted bigger.

There are a plethora of talented outfielders on the market, and Hunter wasn't on the top of my lists of wants.  B.J. Upton is young, fast and on the market.  I am absolutely in love with Melky Cabrera.  Thought he would be available for cheap because of his positive steroid test and he was (signed two-year $16 mil with Toronto.)

The pipe dream was Josh Hamilton because I am absolutely in love with him.  But I didn't want him for what he was asking for, which was seven years and big money.  He's 31 and giving him big money for long-term would probably cost us Verlander or Miggy in the future, especially with Mr. I unfortunately near death.

But the guy that was number one on my list was Justin Upton.  25 years old and already locked into a multi-year deal, dealing for him would be nothing but upside.  I would have given up any set of prospects for him.  Two reasons why:
1) When you're a winning team, prospects are trade bait.  Losing teams collect prospects, teams trying to win now trade them.  I'm playing for now.
2) Upton is a young, five-tool player that fits exactly what we need from a new outfielder and then some.  He brings defense, speed, power, average, he brings it all.  And he's only 25.  It would have been a match made in heaven.

But it's hard to argue against Torii Hunter.  The move makes so much sense and the Tigers gave up nothing for him except money.  They get to keep those prospects, and bring in a hungry veteran who wants to be here and wants to win.

Hopefully this is only the start of a much bigger offseason.  Still need a closer (Soriano, Soria, Broxton available and on my list.)  More has to be coming, and hopefully we'll be back in the World Series, this time doing the sweeping.

To Whom I Owe Everything

It has been a very, very long time since I've been on this blog.  Far too long.  I'm sorry about that, to those few that enjoyed my opinions on sports, or enjoyed laughing at how dumb I sound.  But I'm mostly sorry to myself.  I lost my passion; I lost my way.

I can't say that I've found it again, and I can't call this a comeback really.  I intend to stay on top of this again, but I won't make any promises.

However, I am compelled to post on here again.  Not about how well Michigan has looked lately, or how lethargic State is, or how annoying it is to be a Lions fan, or even that the Pistons suck (big surprise.)  I'm not even compelled by the NHL lockout.  Frankly, I hope they shut down the season.  Mostly cuz I'm bitter about the Winter Classic cuz I HAD TICKETS...

But what did compel me to write this post is what compelled me to be a sports writer in the first place: My Dad.  For those of you that don't know, he passed away two months ago after fighting pancreatic cancer for 18 months.

See what I want to share with you all today is why I love sports and what they mean to me.  For years, ever since grade school I've been known as "the sports guy."  A title I wear with pride.  And that's all thanks to my dad.  From a very young age he got both my brother and I into sports, playing and watching.  They never really stuck with Joe but I was in love!  (Ironic thing is, Joe was a natural athlete, I was not-so...)

But see over the years sports were the greatest form of bonding between me and my father.  We didn't relate on much else.  He was a studious person, very calculated and careful, while I fly by the seat of my pants and take chances... And didn't study that much (natural smarts baby)

But we had sports.  Frankly, that's all we needed.  Some may wish for more from their father, but for me it was more than enough.  Because to some sports are just two teams playing a game and who cares who wins.  For me, sports are much more than that.  Don't get this paragraph wrong, I'm not criticizing my dad at all.  We had a rocky relationship at times but what kid doesn't with their parents?  And I'm not saying all he could do was relate through sports or that's all he cared about, but what I am saying is that he knew that's where our bond was closest.  Whether on the couch watching the Tigers or out on the golf course, it was how we related to each other.

And that's what people who don't watch sports don't understand, the binding power of sports.  I met a man at the Redford grill one day.  He said a lot of things that I agreed with, but only one thing was relevant to this post...  He asked me a question.

"Do you know what brings people together more than anything else?"
I threw out a guess, "Religion."
"No sir.  Sports."

And it's true.  Look at the way the people of New Orleans rallied behind the Saints after Katrina, or the people of New York to the Jets, Giants, Yankees, and Mets after 9-11.  It doesn't matter if the person next to you is white, black, brown, red, purple, pink, male, female, straight, gay, old, young doesn't matter.  All that matters is what team they're pulling for.  For a few hours a day, nothing matters except the result on the field.

And see this brings me back to my main point.  I never felt closer to my dad when things started to get worse than when we were watching Tiger baseball.  Over those 18 months, I watched the Tigers play almost every game with my dad.

He passed away before the magical run.  After he died on September 10th, the Tigers got hot.  I believed he was playing a part in their run.  Call it whatever you want but I felt it.  First they somehow won the division, then beat the A's, then swept the Yankees and there they were in the World Series... I thought it was destiny.  I truly did.

People asked why I was so upset after they got swept.  It was more than just the Tigers losing.  In fact, I really don't care that they lost (I care a little.)  It was the lost connection.  When that final out was made I knew it was over.  I would never feel that close to my dad again.  I didn't want this World Series as a fan, I wanted it as a son who misses his father.  That loss is what hurt the most.

TIme has passed, and I'm not bitter towards the Tigers anymore.  In fact, I'm inspired.  I am back on this blog again because I feel like by losing that passion for sports that I once had I am getting farther away from my dad.  This blog will be dedicated in his memory, and I will try my hardest for him to stay at it.

If you all take one thing away from this make it this:  Sports aren't just a bunch of men playing a game. They're a way for people to bond, come together, unite under one cause.  To call them "stupid," or "childish," is to not see  what is truly happening.  Because like that loud black man at the grill said, nothing brings people together quite like sports.

Thank you all, and goodnight.

Peyton a Bronco, Tebow a Jet

Okay, I am really late to the party with this one, but that's because I was hoping to podcast about it but things fell through. So now I'm going to write a brief, very late, hardly worth reading blog about it...

So Peyton Manning is now a Bronco. Called it. I thought Denver would be the best place for him. A team that made the playoffs with a less than stellar quarterback in the AFC is the perfect suitor for Manning. It was the perfect fit for both teams. Now Denver with an elite quarterback and that defense will be a real contender in the AFC.

And as a Tebow fan I was hoping he would still be in Denver so he could learn under Manning for a bit. But alas, that was not the case. Denver traded him... To the Jets. That made me want to puke. I don't want a Tebow Jet jersey! I hate the Jets!

But there is a silver lining in the clouds. Even though they just extended Mark Sanchez for three years, no one believes in him. I am willing to bet that Tebow will crack the starting lineup in New York this season. Should be a fun watch.

T-E-B-OW TEBOW TEBOW TEBOW

See what I did there? Gotta say the OW as O so it still flows with the cheer. It works damnit

USA Defeats Italy 1-0 in International Friendly.

The US soccer team traveled to Italy to take on the Italians in an International friendly. The US had never beaten Italy in 82 years and 10 tries. Italy had outscored the US 32-3 in that time.

Dempsey got the only goal of the game from a nice set up up Jozy Altidore.

The defense played good, making the key plays when they had to. At the end of the game, defenders had a flurry of blocked shots, including a handful by Jonathon Spector. The back line were the beneficiaries of many offsides calls, some of them wrong, and that's something they have to be careful with in the future.

Possession wise, I thought the US was pretty strong. Italy had most of it but that's to be expected when playing Italy, but when the US had possession, they did a good job getting it deep and generate some solid chances.

It's only a friendly, but this is a pretty big moral boost for the squad and it's great to see the boys play like that on the road against one of the big boys.

Klinsmann continues to take this team in the right direction, and this team may be a serious player in the next World Cup.

One can hope and dream, right?

Clint Dempsey's goal.

NHL Trade Deadline 2012: All Hype, No Excitement

The NHL trade deadline has come on gone, and this year it was a giant bore. I usually do a winners and losers, but there were really no winners and all losers... Okay that's not true, I'm just angry and bummed...

Real quick like. My winners are:

Nashville Predators: Reuniting the Kostitsyn brothers and adding a big guy like Gaustad will help them make a push in the playoffs. But did they give up too much for Gaustad? Absolutely.

Colorado Avalanche: Adding Steve Downie last week has already made an impact and now they get a young, tough forward in Jamie McGinn.

Chicago Blackhawks: Gave up a couple of picks, but the Blackhawks get what they need in Johnny Oduya. He'll sure up that blue line and add some much needed defensive depth.

And my losers...

Calgary Flames: They didn't buy, they didn't sell. They just sat there with an aging roster and will remain in the middle of the pack at best.

Philadelphia Flyers: Rumors of them moving JVR didn't amount to anything, but they did need to make a move to sure up the blue line and they did nothing.

And my assessment of the Detroit Red Wings... Kindasorta Losers.

They needed a forward. They shipped Commadore for a bag of hockey pucks and a 7th round pick. Opening a roster space for a trade, right? If only... Now I don't ever dare question Ken Holland because when has he ever really failed us? But the Wings needed to add forward depth, especially with Pavel out.

James Van Riemsdyk, Dereck Roy, Steve Ott, David Moss (cc price) were all guys rumored to be available. Now I trust Mr. Holland, and I bet the price tag was too damn high (insert meme here) but I really felt the Wings needed another forward to take them over the top.

Only time shall tell...

BalLIN!

My how the Knicks teams have changed over the last few years. Going from Marbury, Francis, and Edy Curry, to Zach Randolph, Quetin Richardson, Tracy Mcgrady, and David Lee, to Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallanari, to now, with Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudamire, and Tyson Chandler. The Knicks have always had one of the most talented starting line-ups, on paper. It's a different story how they all play together.

With Jeremy Lin having considerably the story of the NBA season so far, the Knicks are still only a .500 team. Who's to blame for this? Is it Carmelo hogging the ball? Is Amare past his prime? Is Dantoni a misfit? Is Tyson Chandler over-paid? Well all of these things are true, but there's not one person to point out. I believe Amare is getting to the age where he is just not that explosive foward he once was. He is still a solid post-man, but not the superstar he once was. Carmelo needs to take the amount of shots he does, after all he is still in the top 10 in the league. Yes, the Knicks should have spent their money wiser in the off-season, by not giving Tyson Chandler for $58 million contract over 4 years. Lastly, coach Dantoni has failed so far to make this team play together. It is not all his fault however, this team has went through more transactions in the past year, than most teams have in 4-5 years. The only player that is still in the starting lineup from last year is SG Landry Fields.

The Knicks organization have always had perosnal issues off the court. From the Isiaih Thomas scandals, to the Stephon Marbury/Larry Brown fight, which lead to the termination of Larry Brown, to Donnie Walsh rebuilding the team, to trading for Carmelo. This team is always in the press, which turns into lots of off-court drama and makes a big problem on the court. We all wonder why when a certain player that goes to the Knicks, gets progressively worse. It's one of the hardest environments in all of sports to be a part of and to suceed.

We all need to understand this team needs time to figure out their teammates. They need a leadership role from Carmelo as well, he is responsible for making sure his teammates get enough shots, giving their team a chance to win even if the team has a bad night, and he is expected to be there when his team needs a clutch basket in the end to win. This team doesn't need to make a dramatic move to improve their team, they need time to play together. The best has yet to come for the Knicks bright future.

The Magic need some magic!

A big name in NBA trade talks this season has been Dwight Howard. This has been the story of the season, topping the Chris Paul debate. Where will Dwight land? Can the Magic make a run in the playoffs with Dwight on the roster? The Magic have almost the same roster when they were in the finals, why aren't they playing like they once did? After analyzing the entire team, these questions are easily answered.

After C Dwight Howard lead the Magic to the championship in the 2008-2009 season, it looks like the team is slowly trending downhill. F Hedo Turkuglo's best days are way behind him. PG Jameer Nelson has been in-and-out of the lineup with injuries, and F Rashard Lewis is no longer with the squad, now a member of the Wizards playing with the young star, John Wall. So that leaves the Magic with Dwight Howard. Somehow the Magic still have a 20-12 record so far, and most of the credit must go to Dwight averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds a game.

What most people don't see though is the improving production from F Ryan Anderson, averaging 16.3 ppg, along with 7.3 rpg. Many people still think the Magic are one of the elite teams in the NBA still. When I talk about the teams that could win the finals this year, such as Miami, Chicago, Oklahoma City, and possibly even the San Antonio Spurs(yes people the spurs are the hottest team in the league right now), they ask me what about Orlando? I ask them if they are joking, because there is no way in my mind this team has a shot to even get past the second round in the playoffs.

Look at their lineup: PG Nelson/Duhon, SG Jason Richardson, SF Hedo Turkuglo, PF Ryan Anderson, C Dwight Howard. Not too bad on paper right? What happens when you put a team like this up against the heat, with Lebron and D-Wade? Who on that lineup can defend either one of those guys. The correct answer would be nobody. The same would go for the Bulls PG Derrick Rose, SF Luol Deng, and OKC's F Kevin Durant, and PG Russell Westbrook.

Don't get me wrong Dwight Howard is one of the best player in the NBA right now (my favorite player actually.) We all know Dwight wants a championship ring more than anything, just like Lebron does, and as we all remember, Lebron lead his below average Cleveland squad to the finalswithout much help. Can Dwight do the same? The answer is no, he doesn't control the ball and take all of the shots for his team, after all he is a center.

This leads to the question everybody asks; so does Dwight Howard want out of Orlando, and if so where would he go? At the beginning of the NBA season, he made it clear he wanted out and wanted to go to either Dallas, either LA team, New Jersey, or Chicago. So which one will he go to? I say none of the above. I think he will be in a Magic uniform through the rest of the season, and will re-access the situation come next off-season. If I had to guess where he will land next year, I would bet he will be in a Magic uniform again next season. I believe all of the trade talk involving Dwight is over-dramatic, and over-hyped.

- New NBA Writer E.J.

Detroit Acquires Kyle Quincey from Tampa Bay

Chris Chelios (left) with Kyle Quincey

The Detroit Red Wings have acquired defenseman Kyle Quincey today from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Quincey was traded from Colorado to Tampa for forward Steve Downie. Tampa then sent Quincey to Detroit for a 2012 1st round pick and minor leaguer Steve Piche.

Just learned the specifics, we have Steve Yzerman to thank for this. Colorado did not like what we offered them directly. Then in stepped Yzerman to make a deal with Colorado after prearranging what Detroit would give Tampa. Brilliant.

Quincey used to be a Red Wing until he was claimed off Waivers in 2008 by the Los Angelas Kings.

I like this trade. I don't love it, but I don't see anything wrong with it. A 1st round pick sounds like a hefty price, but the Red Wings are known for finding talent with later picks, and it's not like this pick is a top 10 pick.

Quincey is a solid, young defender that's gritty and does what's necessary to get the job done. I don't know of his contract situation, but it may be a guy the Wings plan on extending because of his age, and he may be a cheaper solution to if Brad Stuart's price tag gets too high.

I don't know what this means for Commadore or Kindl, but the Wings wanted to solidify that 6th defensive spot. Commadore's been banged up frequently this season and Kindl isn't quite there yet. He needs to get tougher and grittier, especially approaching the grind of the season.

Overal I like the trade, never hurts to improve your team without having to lose a core player.

UPDATE:

I’ve noticed quite a handful of people are upset with the deal. I don’t think a lot of you understand that this trade is also an insurance policy for the very real possibility of losing Brad Stuart. His price tag may be out of the Wings price range.

Plus Quincey is a solid player. When he was here he wasn’t good enough to crack the lineup. He went somewhere else and he blossomed. Now he’s good, young, and back

Michigan Gets Signature Win Over Rival OSU

Photo Credit: NBCsports.com

Michigan and that school from Ohio squared off Saturday in a huge game with Big Ten Title hopes on the line. Entering the game OSU was tied with MSU a top the standings and Michigan was third.

It was a big game for both teams, and adding to it College Gameday was in Ann Arbor for the clash between two rivals, both ranked in the top 20.

Michigan needed a win to stay in the hunt for a Big Ten title, and this win would go a long way in proving that they are a team to be taken seriously.

And right from the opening tip, you could tell that Michigan was determined to win this game, and that's exactly what they did. Michigan beats OSU 56-51 (or 53 I've seen both, not quite sure which it is...)

It was easily Michigan's best defensive performance all season. They limited OSU's second chance opportunities and rebounded very well (which was what killed them in Columbus,) they shut down Sullinger for most of the game, Bufford was a non factor, and they forced turnovers and converted them into points. (Five of those turnovers were Wolverines taking a charge.)

Michigan led the entire game. Built the lead up to 10, but didn't get discouraged when it was cut down to one. They made the plays when they had to. Jordan Morgan recorded his first double double, Stu Douglas shut down Bufford, Hardaway's jump shot was money, and Trey Burke had the poise to make two tough buckets at the rim late in the game to seal Michigan's win.

Yes, players had good individual performances, but they played even better as a team. It was the best display of team defense I've seen from the Wolverines all season. They are a dangerous team when they play like this.

It feels great beating that team... Savor the flavor...

Hockey Day in America; Great Day in HockeyTown

It's Hockey Day in America, so where better to spend the day than in HockeyTown? And it was a great day of hockey for everyone except for San Jose Shark fans... So everyone because we all know there aren't any real Shark fans, just the obnoxious fake ones that pretend like they know hockey.

But anywho, The Sharks came to HockeyTown with the hopes of ending the Red Wings 22 game home winning streak, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was at least a little worried that they'd beat us. San Jose had won the previous five regular season meetings against Detroit.

Something had to give, and it wasn't Detroit. Detroit did what it needed to do by jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on a Zetterberg backhander. Drew Miller would add to the lead in the second period.

Sharks would "answer" and cut the lead in half. By answer I mean they scored an absolute fluke of a goal, typical Sharks fashion.

But the Red Wings bounced back when Darren Helm found the back of the net in the third period, to give the Wings back that two goal cushion; a cushion they needed as Marleau netted the second Shark goal later in the third.

But this win would not have happened if it weren't for the play of Joey MacDonald. He has been amazing filling for the injured Howard and incapable Conklin. Without his play, the streak doesn't even get to 20. As good as he's been during the streak, today was his best effort. He made a plethora of key saves, especially in that second period when the Wings got out shot 19-8. Without his efforts, it would have been an easy loss.

Recap and Highlights of the Wings 3-2.

Blackjack! Red Wings Hit 21 Straight Wins at Home

21... 21 straight games. Think about it. The Red Wings have just set an NHL record by winning 21 straight games at home.

The Red Wings flat out dominated Dallas, right from the get go. There was nothing going to keep them from getting the record for consecutive home wins.

It's been an incredible streak, winning 21 games in a row at home in today's NHL is an amazing accomplishment. The talent is very evenly spread out in the league and anyone can beat anyone. Some of these wins even went to shoot out, and those are a crap shoot.

They've also been doing it with their third string goalie in Joey MacDonald, who's playing the best hockey of his career and deserved a shutout in tonights game, but it just wasn't in the Stars... Pun completely intended.

Wings will take on Nashville on Friday then Sunday will play San Jose, two very tough opponents. Can they get the streak to 23? You better believe it.

Audience Participation Required

Okay I have an awesome idea that requires audience participation, admittedly I'm stealing it from Karsch and Anderson's instant feedback fun. But whatever.

Okay here's the idea. NHL all-star game is this weekend, and quite frankly, it's kind of boring. Here's what I want from you guys. Send me "ways to make the NHL all-star game more exciting."

Best one's get blogged and seen by tens of people! FB message me, tweet me, email me, beardedfellow1621@yahoo.com, text me, write me a letter, I don't care. This could be fun, so let's make it fun.

Yes, it is pretty much a rip off of Karsch and Anderson, but I think it'll be fun. Plus if this goes well, I'll try to do these every so often. C'mon I know I'm friends with some funny people, so let's see it.

Izzo Gets 400th Win

Photo Credit: Mlive.com

Last night, The Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 68-52. The win was Choach Tom Izzo's 400th win in his illustrious career.

I didn't get to watch the game, but I just wanted to take time out to congratulate Coach Izzo (cuz he'll totally read this, right?) and mention how truly impressive this achievement is.

He's truly one of the best college coaches of all time and what he's buil at MSU is truly something special. 400 wins. It's quite the feat, all for MSU. 400-165 is a pretty impressive mark.

He's done so much for the school in his time here and he will continue to be a fixture up in East Lansing til those pipes give out from all the shouting.

Seriously, does any coach yell more than Izzo?

Michigan Finally Wins on Road

Photo Credit: umhoops.com

Michigan traveled to West Lafayette on Super Tuesday looking to take on the Purdue Boilermakers and won 66-64 in a thriller.

Michigan got its first road win after dropping to Arkansas on the road in their previous game (a game in which they trailed by 20 but rallied and lost only by two)

Both teams were coming off road losses, Purdue losing to Michigan State. For those that don't know, Purdue arrived in East Lansing at 10 a.m. for a noon game. Needless to say, they lost a lot to a little.

It's a big win for the Wolverines, they needed to prove that they could get the job done on the road, and even though Purdue isn't great, Mackey Arena is a tough place to play. Michigan's win snapped a seven game losing streak at Mackey Arena.

It was good to see Tim Hardaway Jr put up a big scoring day. If the Wolverines are going to make a run in the Big Ten they need him to right the ship. Hardaway scored 19 points in the victory.

Zack Novak continued his good play, except his impact wasn't on the offensive end, but rather doing a good job defensively on the always dangerous Robbie Hummel.

Next game for Michigan is a trip to Columbus, to take on the #3 team in the country... That team... The Buckeye one.

If Michigan is going to pull off the upset, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway have got to both be on their game, and guys like Novak and Stu Douglas need to make their three point shots when they get good looks.

Also, Jordan Morgan needs to find a way to score against Sullinger, and try to keep him in check. But most importantly, he has to stay out of foul trouble. Michigan absolutely cannot afford for Morgan to sit for an extended period of time due to foul trouble.

I think Michigan will lose, they are a different team on the road... But anything can happen, right?

Prince Fielder Coming to Detroit

Photo Credit: nasord.com

Prince Fielder is coming to Detroit after signing a 9 year, $214 million deal.

I have one word... WOW.

I am stunned, shocked, excited, concerned, enthusiastic, insert adjective here

This is monstrous, unbelievable. Prince Fielder is a great player, and everyone in baseball has to be shocked for so many reasons. He has a bad relationship with his dad, former Tiger Cecil, Tigers have Miggy at first, V-Mart at DH (after this season.)

I love it... for 2012-2014. With V-Mart out for the season, Tigers needed to get a bat to replace him. Prince will do that and then some. This makes the Tigers batting order the best in baseball, no doubt, especially when V-Mart is healthy.

But here's my concerns...

Miggy has said he's willing to go back to third or DH. Can he play third long term? He was atrocious at third when he first came to town.

Which brings me to my next concern, our defense is straight up terrible. The run production will probably out weigh the poor defense, but you never know.

My biggest concern is it's 9 years, $214 million with NO opt out clause. No way of getting out of this deal. Also a no trade clause will probably be involved, so good luck dumping him if he stops producing.

This deal is a great deal for next three or four years. But if we don't get World Series rings, yes rings plural, it's a bad contract. We have to get at least one, but need to get two. Our window for a World Series is now and we must capitalize.

Welcome to Detroit, Prince. Enjoy hitting behind Miguel Cabrera.

Rest in Peace Joe Paterno

Photo Credit: Inquistor.com

Yesterday the legendary coach and college football icon Joe Paterno died. Now many people don't think of all the great things he did during his 46 years at the helm of Penn State football because of the way his tenure ended.

No need to rehash it, we all know what happened. I will say Joe Pa didn't do enough, but the ones I'm most mad at are the Mike McQueary for not doing anything to stop it when it happened or going straight to the police, and his dad, who I'm more angry at, for telling his son to go home. Mike was probably in shock, but elder McQueary needed to be and should have been level headed enough to say "call the police," instead of "go home." But everyone involved didn't do enough.

But any who, back to the purpose of this blog, remembering Joe Pa for what he should be remembered for and that's being the greatest coach in college football history, and for all the great things he did for Penn State. Everyone who's ever played for Joe Pa speaks volumes of the kind of man he was and how he shaped young boys into men.

Joe Pa did great things for Penn State, in fact Joe Pa is Penn State. Without him, that university wouldn't be what it is today. I have tremendous respect for the man and all the things he's done. I will remember him for all that he did for Penn State and for college football.

I honestly thought he'd die on the football field... It doesn't seem fitting that he didn't...

Rest in Peace Joe Pa

Michigan Beats Michigan State in a Thriller

Photo Credit: UMhoops.com

Michigan and Michigan State renewed their rivalry Tuesday. They were meeting as ranked teams for the first time since 1998. (MSU was 9th going in, Michigan 19th.)

Michigan got off to a hot start int he first half, shooting the ball well and moving the ball around to get open looks. Michigan at one point built their lead up to 11 points and definitely looked like the better team in the first half.

But Sparty wouldn't go away. They kept coming back and keeping it close. The Spartans were able to rally by exploiting their advantage over Michigan and pounding the ball inside. Derrick Nix had a game from the bench, dropping a Spartan high 13 points. 30 of MSU's 59 points came from the bench.

It was back and forth at the end, but Trey Burke made yet another great play, getting the ball out on the fast break and giving it to Stu Douglas for the eventual game winner. Draymond Green had a good look for the win, but couldn't get it to go.

Trey Burke was the key to this game. He didn't look like a freshman point guard playing in a big game; he looked like a four year starter. Tim Hardaway JR was a virtual non fact, and Burke, along with Zack Novak, stepped up when it mattered for the Wolverines.

The one perplexing thing about this game was how MSU handled themselves in the late stages. They took out Nix, despite his dominating presence in the low block, and after that, they seemed to stop pounding it inside all together, which is what got them their lead. When they had the lead late, they decided to just wind down the clock and take a jump shot instead of try to get the ball inside, where they had established their dominance.

But in the end Michigan won, it's a game that could have gone either way. MSU got outplayed for most of the game, and Michigan missed too many free throws and gave MSU opportunities to come back, so both teams could have executed better.

But both teams were evenly matched, and it was a hell of a basketball game. Let's just enjoy the intensity of a rivalry where both teams are on the same level. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Roar Restored

So the Lions had a pretty good season, eh? 10-6 and the first playoff appearance since `99. I'd say it was a pretty successful year. But everyone reading this knows what this season. Time to give it a grade, since I'm back in school and everything...

Detroit Lions 2011 Season Grade: A-

The Lions definitely exceeded my and most people's expectations this year by making it to the post season. It was an amazing year, filled with all kinds of up and downs and drama in almost every game. The Lions became the first team to comeback from a 20 point deficit and win in back-to-back games, first team to comeback and win three games when trailing by 17, and the only team to comeback and win when down 13 points four times in one season. Cardiac Cats, Comeback Cats, call them whatever you want, either way it was an exciting season.

Everyone will take a 10-6 season and a playoff birth, but one can't ignore the missed opportunity the Lions had in the last week of the season. The Lions couldn't find a way to beat the Green Bay Backups and win an opportunity to play the New York Giants, very beatable team. Instead the Lions had to play the Saints, and we all know how that went.

That's why they get an A-. And A would have been that 11-5, or if the Lions had performed better in games against playoff teams (Lions only beat one playoff team, Denver.) A+ would have been the miracle of winning the division, or something absurd. But I give them a solid A- for making the playoffs and putting Detroit is back on the football map.

The future for the Lions is bright; however, many tough decisions and financial hurdles loom over their heads, the real test of Mayhew will be deciding who stays and goes while maintaing a winner.

Detroit Lions 2011 MVP: Matthew Stafford.

To me, it's clear who the MVP of this team is: Matthew Stafford. Everyone had one question about him: What can he do in a full 16 games? How bout throw for 5038 yards (one of four quarterbacks to reach 5000) 41 touchdowns (franchise record) and a completion percentage of 63.5.

I'm not ignoring Megatron's season. Calvin had an unreal season as well. He was absurdly great starting the season, but there was a stretch where he disappeared. And while teams were kind of taking him a way, Stafford excelled in spreading the ball around and the Lions still had a potent offense. And keep in mind, all of Stafford's stats and accomplishments were done with zero running game. Everyone knew what they were doing, but they still scored. Stafford is the MVP of the 2011 Lions, without a doubt.

2011 Lions season was a special one, and the future looks bright for our Motor City Kitties. They're going forward down the field.

The Prodigal Beard Returns

It sure has been awhile since I've been on here, now hasn't it? I said to myself when I started this that if I ever found myself "I have to blog about..." instead of "I want to blog about...." That it was time to walk away. And after some much needed time off, I'm back, and I'm going to relaunch this bad boy with some great new ideas!

What I'd like to do is have a written blog three times a week, minimum once a week, but only posting when I want to, and not as an obligation. That way the writing stays genuine and the quality remains high.

But what I want to do is get the people involved. If there's ever an issue you'd like my opinion on, let me know. Post it on the Bearded Fellow Facebook page, hit me up on twitter @DCobb1621. I'm planning on setting up an email address just for this blog, and possibly even it's own twitter feed.

One thing I'd like to do is a weekly or ever other week podcast. Like a weekly wrap up/preview podcast of the what's going on in sports. That will probably be more successful and more used during football season, but I'm gonna give it a whirl.

Last year I tried doing live webchats, which was fun when people were there. I'd like to get that going again, maybe like once a month or something. Not too frequently in order to keep it fresh.

What made this blog fun was feedback and interactions with you, the readers. I want to get this as interactive as possible.

I know you guy's missed me, and now I'm back. Expect big things from 2012. And since the world's gonna end, I might as well blog about sports while I still can, right?