Same Old Lions... Again...

Aaaaahhhhhh They did it to us again.  From the jaws of victory, the Lions snatch away defeat.

Now they no longer control their playoff destinies.

Lions Football Baby.

The Lions lost on Monday Night football in the most important game of the season 18-16 after Justin Tucker nailed his sixth field goal of the game from 61 yards that barely made it in the bottom right corner.

The defense played more than good enough to secure the win, only allowing field goals, but after am opening-drive touchdown, the offense stalled the rest of the way.

It was until they fell down 15-10 that they made back into the end zone to take a 16-15 lead.

But it wasn't meant to be.  In typical Lions fashion, they lose on a 61 yard field goal.

Matthew Stafford the fearless leader then threw a pick on the first throw with 30 seconds left.  We had all three timeouts, so the situation should have called for complete any pass to get us going. Instead, Stafford over threw Burlesson and it was intercepted by Elam.

Staff threw 3 second half picks, including a pick on 3rd and 2 in the fourth quarter in their own territory that luckily only yielded a field goal that could have put the game out of reach had Baltimore got a touchdown.

The Lions were in the driver's seat.  Cutler was hurt, Rodgers was hurt, and we had the easiest schedule remaining in the league.  I warned everyone in my sports writing class not to get too excited.  They said I was "too cynical" and that these weren't the "same old Lions."

Sometimes I hate being right...

Catch Up on Things I Care About

Sorry for the delay bearded followers, but I've been out of commission for a bit, got run over by a car.
That's not a joke, I did.  Only fractured a rib so it's all good.  Just sore.

Anyways, I've missed a few things whilst I was gone, so here's a few short comments about stuff you already know about.

• Famous Jameis WInston won the Heisman in a landslide.  No surprise there.  However, 13% of voters completely left him off their ballot.  I guess they weren't satisfied with the legal system giving him the all clear.
• Michigan led almost the entire game at home against the number one team in the country, but found a way to squander an 11 point second half lead, and an eight point lead with 5 minutes left.  Yes, plenty of time, but they should have found a way.  GRIII disappeared down the stretch, but he looked amazing in the first half.  Can't wait for him to play a full 40 with that effort.
• Navy beat Army for the 12th straight time, winning this bout 34-7.  An absolute route.  It's a shame because I look forward to that game every year.  It's my absolute favorite game to watch.  No rivalry will ever match it because it isn't about pure hatred.  It's about respect... and a little bit of hate.  If you've never watched an Army Navy game you must.  The Bearded One commands it!
• Tottenham suffered their worst home loss in like forever, losing 5-0 to Liverpool. I haven't heard any official announcement, but word on the street is this loss has cost Andre Villas-Boas his job.  Good.  His tactics have been extremely frustrating for all the Spurs fans out there.  His insistence on inverted wingers and only one forward have hampered Tottenham's ability to produce goals.  They're the only team who hasn't score more than twice in a game.

The Lions take on the Ravens tomorrow in a mucho important game because the Bears won today.  I expect the Lions to lose.  Because their the Lions.  No other reason is really needed.

Oh and I guess I can officially announce this now.  

Your's truly, has earned an internship position with MLive covering high school basketball starting in January.  This is a great opportunity, and I am super stoked.  I'll be sure to link you guys my articles.

Take it easy y'all, enjoy your Sunday

Same Old Lions: The Snow Bowl Edition

And from the jaws of victory, the Detroit Lions miraculously find snatch away a defeat from the Philadelphia Eagles in a snowy mess of a football game.

In typical Lions fashion, the fourth quarter came and suddenly professional football players forgot how to play...
(And officials forgot the rules a bit too)

But do not blame this on the referees.  Yes, the Eagles had a touchdown because of a highly highly highly highly questionable roughing the passer call.
But Jeremy Ross didn't care.

Instead blame the Lions inability to figure out that McCoy got his footing back and was burning them on the same cutback draw play after play after play.
Blame Dominic Raiola for confusing a motion sign for a snap it sign.  Then Stafford for not just diving on the ball.
Blame the Lions for managing zero rushing yards in the fourth quarter in conditions that dictated an importance of running the ball.
Philly figured that out.  Detroit did not.

This was a game we've seen a thousand times in Detroit.  Just with the added bonus of snow.
Every time this team appears to turn a corner, the Same Old Lions creep their heads around the corner and go "pssstt I got somethin for ya buddy."

Next thing you know you wake up in a field in Nebraska without your phone, wallet or pants.

Luckily for the Lions we still have the important edge over the Bears.  But it would be nice to be able to control our own destiny and actually take control of it.

But hey... at least we're not the Vikings.

Roses are Green, Ohio is Blue

Michigan State takes down Ohio State 24-24 and claims the Big Ten title and it's first trip to the Rose Bowl since the `87 season.

And exciting game from start to finish, Michigan State was able to grind out a victory on the ground led by tailback Jeremy Langford, who became the first back to run for over 100 yards against Ohio State this year.
He finished with 128 yards and his 26 yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left sealed the upset win for the Spartans.

Defense still wins championships.  After the offensive shootout of the SEC championship, it was refreshing to see a key defensive stand set up the game sealing touchdown.
It's refreshing to see defense at all in this day and age of college football lets be real here.

The game was ridiculously back and forth.  Why ridiculously?
MSU scored the first 17
OSU the next 24
MSU the final 17.
How silly is that?

Conor Cook was named the game's MVP throwing 3 touchdowns, a pick, and 304 yards, leading his victory to the Rose Bowl.

Pound Green, Pound.  Michigan State pounded the rock and beat OSU by playing their game.  A championship well deserved.

Didn't I tell you guys that MSU would win?  Cuz I picked Ohio.

You're welcome East Lansing, now Sparty on to Pasadena.

Big Ten Title: OSU vs MSU

One team everyone expected.  The other, only the diehard fans expected.

Michigan State and Ohio State square off tomorrow for the rights to a trip to Pasadena.
Same destination, but two different goals.

The undefeated and second ranked Buckeyes look to represent the Big Ten in the National Championship against (most likely Florida State.

Whilst Michigan State looks to earn its first trip back to the Rose Bowl since 1987.

Two teams enter!  Both will leave! But only one can win! (EPIC VOICE OVER)

WHO WILL IT BE?!?!

The opposite of whatever I pick...
So I should pick... Ohio State then right?

Okay for seriousness though, I'm taking the Buckeyes, but in a close one.

Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are a two man wrecking crew.  It's hard to keep them both in check, especially Miller who has become a legit passing threat under Urban Meyer.
The defense isn't spectacular, I mean Michigan put 41 points up on them, but it should be good enough to stop MSU's offense, which is ten times better than it was at the beginning of the season.

If any team (in the Big Ten) is gonna beat Ohio State, it's gonna be MSU.
Michigan State defends better than anyone in the conference and it's not even a debate.  MSU has the top ranked rush defense and are fully capable of neutralizing Ohio State's rushing attack.

A low-scoring affair favors the Spartans.
But if it turns into a shootout, the Buckeyes will take it.

I'm going 31-24, Ohio State wins and stays undefeated.

But I desperately hope I'm wrong.

Thoughts?  Comments, questions, concerns?

Unluck of the Draw: US Gets Group of Death

The World Cup groups are now official and it's confirmed:  The United States of America are in the "Group of Death."

The US, which were the highest ranked team (17) in pot C for the draw, are now the third best ranked team in their group, which consists of Germany (4) Portugal (16) and Ghana (23.)

Things could not have gone much worse for the Americans.

The Yanks have come along way in soccer, and have a chance at advancing, but unfortunately for the US their trip to Brazil just got a little more unpleasant.


As it stands right now, I don't see the US getting more than three points, four points at best if they draw Portugal.  But they could get less than that very easily as well.

But they could get more.

Germany will run the table of this group.  They are a powerhouse and a World Cup favorite.  "But Dave, didn't we beat Germany?"  Yes we did... their B and C team.  Germany is my early World Cup pick, I see them cruising through the group.

Ghana worries me.  Not only because they've knocked us out of the past two World Cup teams but they have strong center backs and fast, youthful forwards that could wreak havoc on our slow, inexperienced back line.

And Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo, who's probably ecstatic at the though of playing against the aforementioned back line.  But Portugal is beatable... Their keeper is questionable and so is their team speed outside of CRon.

With Groups like C and H existing, the US definitely got the short end of the stick, and now face the very likely scenario of an early Brazil exit.

Let's hope I'm wrong.

Here are the group drawings

Jurgen Klinsmann's thoughts

Fister Traded, Nathan Added

Well this has been a busy two days for Los Tigres.

Yesterday, we were shocked with the Doug Fister trade to the Nationals for utility man Steve Lombardozzi, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

Not exactly the return Tiger fans wished for when the news broke Fister was traded.
Quite frankly, I don't blame them.  We got a switch hitting Don Kelly, (wannabe cuz no one can be Don Kelly,) a minor league starter and a bullpen guy.

Ian Krol will probably have the most immediate impact player.  Lombardozzi will make the team, but probably as a Ramon Santiago replacement.  Or even, as inconceivable as this may seem, replace Don Kelly, who just signed a 1-yr $1 mil deal hours before the trade.

Robbie Ray isn't there yet, so he'll probably have a year starting in Toledo.

The arms are solid arms with potential, both Ray and Krol are 22 years-old.

But as Dombrowski said after the trade, "we're not done."

Today it was announced the Tigers have agreed in principal to a deal with free agent closer Joe Nathan.
The deal is reportedly worth $20 million over two years.
Nathan, 39, posted 43 saves in 46 opportunities, a solid era of 1.39 ERA and a .90 WHIP

I don't need to tell you guys that Nathan has been a Tiger killer throughout his big league career, but I will anyways... Because I care.

Nathan is a perfect 36-for-36 in save opportunities against Detroit with an ERA of 1.44 and 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
So if ya can't beat em, get him to join your team.

In other baseball news, my coveted free agent Carlos Beltran is reportedly close to signing with KC, so once again I hope the plan isn't for Detroit to sign Shin-Soo Choo.
And no, I don't want him because of that reason that is in your head.  I don't want him because he hits about as well as I do against lefties, with just as many strikeouts.  He's going to cost too much money for a guy that is so easy to get out in the playoffs.
I say playoffs because that's when managers carry an extra pitcher.  He would never face a righty in a late-game situation in the postseason.

But I digress.  Yes, I understand the hate towards the Fister trade.  In fact I'm on your side.  A guy with as much on-paper value as Fister, the return should have been much higher.  Teams have gotten more for rent-a-players than we got for giving up a guy that has two-years of club control left.

But, keep the faith in Dombrowsi.  Remember the Granderson deal?  Looked bad to us fans then, maybe he struck gold again.

Brady Hoke Gutsy Decision, Right or Wrong?

Michigan lost to Ohio State as many of us predicted... But they lost by a single point, and not by like 20... which is what I thought.

Michigan rallied from down 14 in the fourth quarter to tie it, gave up the lead, marched down the field and scored to tie it again...

So we all thought.

Brady Hoke, with one timeout and 35 seconds (give or take) left elected to go for the win right then and there.

A stone-cold cohonas kinda move...

Unfortunately, like everything else this season... It did not go according to plan.
Gardner threw into coverage and was picked off trying to throw to Dileo... To Little Drew Dileo.

I believe it was the right decision but the wrong play call.
Michigan literally had nothing left to play for except this game.  OSU is undefeated and has aspirations of being in the National Title.
Why not try to ruin your arch rivals hopes and dreams on one play?

I am okay with the triple stack formation, but the play should have been Funchess post/fade to the corner and throw a jump ball.  The move would have (most likely) isolated him on an undersized corner or safety.  Plus he used his height and athleticism to score on the previous play.

Regardless, Michigan failed.  Came up short.  Once again.

This season goes down as an utter failure.  A win against Ohio State would have just made it taste worse.  Like adding salt to really dry and bland potatoes.  It's still terrible, but hey, at least it tastes less like cardboard.