30 Day Challenge: Day One

Yes, those stupid 30 day challenges on Facebook Facebook where people just post 30 different pictures of themselves, that is what I'm referring to, except this challenge is cooler. 30 days, 30 blogs, 1 a day. BUT WHAT IF YOU MISS A DAY DAVE???? Well then I'll do a two-a-day blog style. But this is a challenge that my roommate thought of as a way to get me back into the blogging game. So let's do this... DAY 1

Red Wings Find Groove

After struggling for a stretch, the Red Wings are on a roll, winning five in a row after a 2-1 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild yesterday afternoon on Hockey Day in America. On a side note, this as Todd Bertuzzi's 1,000th NHL game and he scored the clincher in the shootout, so congrats go out to Bertuzzi.

This Wings have struggled as of late, but guys like Dan Cleary, Tomas Holmstrom, and most importantly Pavel Datsyuk are back in the lineup healthy and contributing right away. Getting those guys back has clearly made a big impact right away. Also getting Brad Stuart back has really helped sure up the blue line and penalty kill. His presence was clearly missed.

THe Red Wings find themselves five points back of the top spot in the west, but they have a game at hand. In layman's terms, it means Vancouver has played one more game than Detroit. So the wings are five points back with a game at hand, so potentially only three points back.

At this time last year everyone was in panic freak out mode, and I know who you guys were so if I see any of you tell me "Nooooo I wasn't panicing" then you're a liar in denial. But isn't it nice to see the WIngs playing like they should? Modano comes back on Friday so that will be a great addition.

The trade deadline is approaching, and I don't expect the Wings to make a splash because frankly they don't need to. Would I be shocked? No, but don't expect Detroit to be involved in a big deal.

The Fall of the Spartans

There is one question being asked in East Lansing... What the Hell is going on?!?!?

The fans have watched their preseason national championship favorite Michigan State Spartans, who started off number two in the country, have collapsed and fallen apart beyond repair.

Maybe they aren't as good as we thought they were? Well clearly they're not, but there is more to it than this. There are many theories out there, and of course I have my own.

Hondo has said on his show that there is a lot of turmoil going on with this team, and ever since he's pointed this out, it's become blatantly obvious to me as well that there is something going on behind the scenes. Players to coaches, coaches to players, players to players and coaches to coaches, it just seems like everyone is caught up in the turmoil.

What's going on with the Spartans goes beyond just not having enough talent. They aren't as good as we all thought, that's clear. They have no low post game and that really hindered the Spartans early on in the season, before everything fell apart as bad as it has.

This team has fallen apart. But why? It has all the talent in the world. Is it Izzo? Is it the players?

Frankly both deserve some of the blame. But here's what I think...

I think that Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers coming back was a nightmare in disguise. It's something I never would have considered until I heard multiple people on Hondo's show, most recently Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, say this exact same thing.

But how can two guys of such great talent hurt the team by coming back? They don't want to be there. They both were going to make the jump to the NBA after last season, whether or not they would have been drafted, but Kalin suffered the ankle injury in the NCAA tournament. They both were gone. Durrell goes where Kalin goes, and if Lucas didn't get hurt, they were NBA bound.

Having two senior "leaders" back that don't want to be there hurts the team in so many ways. Having anyone there that doesn't want to be there hurts morale, but having two "leaders" and two of your best players there that clearly don't want to be there is enough to kill any team.

I think Lucas and Summers's attitude combined with the bad losses have led to the team as a whole quitting. I don't see any effort from the team, they constantly and consistently look sluggish. They're playing with no pride right now and it shows.

But not all the blame goes onto the players, the coaches also have to take blame here. It is the coaches job to unite a team, to get a team to play together as a unit, and Izzo is not doing that. But I also feel like Izzo's making game-plan and strategy mistakes, beyond just the inner turmoil of this team.

Yes, Izzo deserves some blame for the turmoil, but let's look at in game coaching for a moment. Why doesn't State work the post more? Why is Draymond allowed to constantly spot up? Why doesn't Garrick Sherman get more playing time? These are questions I've had all season long and it doesn't make sense to me. They need to get a post game working, and they aren't even trying to get one going.

The season is done. They cannot salvage this season. Too many tough games are left on the schedule and this team is showing no signs of improvement. They're last two losses are by a combined 46 points, which includes a 20 point loss to Iowa, the worst team in the Big Ten.

This season is a disaster, and that's being polite. There isn't a lack of talent, but a lack of leadership, a lack of pride. And that's why the Spartans find themselves in a tail spin, with no signs of righting the ship.Stick a fork in em, cuz they're done.

GO PACK GO! Green Bay Wins Super Bowl XLV

Photo Credit: USA Today

Super Bowl Sunday has come and past, and the Green Bay Packers are your SUper Bowl XLV Champs. Congrats to the Packers organization on bring the Lombardi trophy back to historic Green Bay. The way Green Bay fought this season, not another team in the NFL deserves this title. They were 8-6 on the outside looking in, and they fought back and not only got to the playoffs, but won it all. Not to mention the 16 guys on injured reserve that they had to overcome.

Green Bay came out ready to play right from the start, taking a 14-0 lead early on a nice touchdown drive followed by a pick six by Nick Collins. The Packers decided that they were going to just throw the ball all game and dare the Steelers defense to stop them. Pittsburgh couldn't do it.

Green Bay looked destined for a blowout win, jumping out to a 21-3 lead, but Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers on a touchdown drive to end the first half, to pull within 11. The Packers took a 21-10 lead into the locker room.

The Pack suffered three key injuries in the first half, seems to be their theme of the season. Charles Woodson, Donald Driver and Sam Shields all left the game due to injury. Shields did return and got significant playing time, but Woodson was done.

Woodson tried to give a halftime speech, but was too emotional and couldn't speak. Reportedly, players shouted "We got you," to the emotional Woodson, who is an important member of their defense and a team leader.

The Steelers came out hungry and focused int he third quarter, and started to make a come back. They took advantage of the Packers inability to move the ball in the third, and started to gain the momentum back.

The key play of the game was Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at the start of the fourth. Had Pittsburgh scored a touchdown, they would have taken the lead. But Mendenhall's mistake proved costly as it led to a Green Bay touchdown.

Anywho, Steelers score, go for two, get it, Packer field goal on a key drive, and Pittsburgh gets the ball back with two minutes and a chance to win, but Green Bay stops them on a 4th and 5 pass attended for Mike Wallace. The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl.

It was a fantastic game, and it came down to the end, what more could you ask for? Rodgers had a phenomenal game, and he did something Brett Favre never did: win Super Bowl MVP.

I will say... that I had picked the Steelers... BUT, my preseason Super Bowl pick was the Packers, so I feel pretty good about that, little victory for the Bearded One. Yeah but I changed at the end, but c'mon I had good reasoning, the Steelers were more balanced than the Pack.

Congrats once again to the Green Bay Packers on this win, a much deserved win. Congrats to Rodgers for getting the Favre monkey off his back, and congrats to Charles Woodson, for getting that Super Bowl ring that the Tom Brady tuck rule stole from you.

Michigan Ends the Streak

Photo Credit: annarbor.com

The Spartans and the Wolverines met at the Breslin Thursday night, and the heavily favored Spartans were handed a surprising 61-57 loss at the hands of their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines.

This game was huge for both teams, as they both were struggling. One team started over-achieving, but was losing games by falling apart late, and the other was trying to salvage what little was left of a season that was supposed to end in a national championship. This was a must win for both teams.

Michigan came out ready to play, and the Spartans continued to start off sluggish, like they had pretty much all season. Michigan controlled the tempo for most of the game, until the end when the Spartans started to rally.

We had seen it twice already this season, where State plays sluggish and sloppy all game, until they make a huge rally and win. (Wisconsin and Northwestern.) But it was not to be when State missed a go ahead open three then let Stu Douglas get a look from downtown for the dagger.

Michigan wins for the first time in the Breslin in 14 trips.

Darius Morris and Zack Novak light up the three point line in the victory over State. Kalin Lucas dropped 27 in the loss.

What does this say for the two teams?

For Michigan, this could be a turning point. They had been close against good teams, but fell apart late. They hadn't been putting together full games. They had been showing up in stretches, but then disappearing. The classic sign of a young team (Michigan has no seniors, and two juniors.) This game could give the young Wolverine squad the confidence to make a run at a NCAA tournament bid. They already have more wins than many expected, but it's going to take a lot if they're going to dance. Unlikely, but this win is a nice one on any resume.

On the other side... This loss really puts the Spartans in a bad spot. On paper, MSU should have won by 15, at least. But the talented Spartans just continue to underachieve. Players and coaches are both to blame with the failure of this season. I understand State has the toughest schedule in the country, but losing to teams like Penn State and Michigan are unacceptable.

They followed this up by beating a bad Indiana team by one at home in overtime. There is something seriously wrong with this team. Obviously they aren't as good as everyone expected and losing Raymar Morgan clearly has had a bigger impact than anyone could have expected, but with all the talent still on this team, the performance thus far is unacceptable.

They'll get into the tournament on reputation alone if they are even close to the bubble, but for a team that's "national champion or bust," that's not good enough, and this season is disaster thus far. It will take a huge turnaround to salvage this season for the Spartans.

A Plethora of Bearded Thoughts...

Photo Credit: Bestsportsphotos.com

There have been a few stories that have caught my eye recently in the world of sports, and in a perfect world I would have been able to address them individually... but alas, we do not live in a perfect world. So let the fun begin...

I would like to start with a story last week from women's high school basketball when a school beat another school 108-3. The team with 108 used all nine of its players, never used a full court press, and never stopped running it's offense. It didn't slow the game and just pass the ball around, because let's face it, that's kind of insulting to a team.

But I don't know what's most absurd with this story. Is it the fact a high school women's team dropped 108? Is it the fact that they didn't press, nor tried to run the score? Or is it the fact the other team only managed to make one basket in four quarters of basketball? Take your pick, but this is just absurd no matter what your take on it.

Here's the story on it.

Now how about the story about a West Virginia player quitting in the middle of a game? I haven't found anything on his side of the story, but apparently he used to start, was benched, and was getting virtually no playing time. But he got up, went to the locker room, and wasn't seen again.

As absurd as that is, based on Bob Huggins's comments after the game... he and Danny Jennings didn't get along... Here's the link to the story where you can see Coach Huggins's comments.

Gil Meche is retiring. Big who cares right? Some of you probably don't even know who he is... He's a pitcher for the Royals that got a giant contract for having a kinda sorta good season, and has been bad ever since. But why is he retiring? Because he doesn't feel he deserves his guaranteed $12 million. He said when he signed his contract he wanted to earn it, but feels like he's not earning it.

I gained a whole new respect for Gil Meche, and I wish more athletes had integrity like Mr. Meche here. When you walk away from your contract because you feel bad for not earning it, then you know you were playing the game for the right reasons.
Click Right Here

Lastly another baseball guy is retiring. Former Tiger starter Mike Maroth announced his retirement from baseball. Yes, the same Mike Maroth that lost 21 games when the Tigers lost 119. But Maroth was apart of the turn around here in Detroit, and he was a very solid starter, not good, but solid. He had an injury shortened season in 06, but he was big part of the Tigers' turnaround.

Maroth was traded from Detroit to St. Louis in 07, and that was the last time he was in the majors. He tried making it with the Royals and Blue Jays, but Maroth couldn't get back to the majors.

Mike was my boy, I thought he could have been a solid starter, nothing great, but solid and serviceable... Too bad... Official Story Link is Right Here.

Tate Forcier Leaves Michigan

Phot Credit: MLive.com

I wanted to address Tate Forcier. This happened awhile ago so I'm sure you all know, he's leaving Michigan. My cousin was a TA in one of the classes that he was in, and she told us back in December he was failing. Apparently Forcier decided that you didn't need to go to class to pass. And as teh Maize Rage told me last night, he apparently would still be in at State. I doubt that, but okay.

Anyways, here's Tate's tweet feed, which by the way is how he announced his departure. It started around midnight on January 20th...

-Immediate Press/Sports Release: January 20, 2011- Robert “Tate” Forcier University Of Michigan Sophomore Quarterback

Why do we all wait until we are at our lowest point to seek God’s help?

I’ve been kicked, pushed, knocked down, publicly berated, belittled, emasculated and more.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to give up or feel the victim.

The humility of it all is indescribable and that is exactly my point.

I had to reach rock bottom in order to see the light, and for that, I am thankful.

It was not until then, I realized that it was my lack of accountability and maturity and not to pass blame.

I do hope all my young fans forgive me and benefit from my lessons that I have learned.

Don’t wait to ask God into your life as he will help you see things clearer.

In summary, I believe, I will become a better student and a person of stronger character from these experiences at Michigan.

I can proudly state,“I worked hard on the practice field, in the film room and at meetings” after all, football is my passion.

I had fun celebrating with the fans.

I even competed hard while injured as a true freshman through the last (8) games in 2009, but I always played the game giving it my all

I am proud to have been part of Michigan Football history and will always cherish the memory.

The last few weeks I worked extremely hard to catch back up.

I really wanted to stay. I was not giving up on Michigan, but in the end, it was made clear they had given up on me.

With that being said, its time for me to go.

I promise the Michigan family and fans I will make you proud again.

Tate Forcier #5 - A Michigan Man Forever - Go Blue

Well wasn't that cute? A "Michigan Man" forever. If the words of his tweets are true, he's finally showing some maturity. But to announce your departure in a tweet feed, and talk about how you have been "kicked, pushed, knocked down, publicly berated, belittled, emasculated and more," that's a bit much Forcier, and not the way to handle a serious matter.

It's too bad he's leaving and couldn't stay on top of his school work, because frankly I felt that he was the best pure QB on the team, and definitely the best fit for Brady Hoke's offense. Denard is a tremendous athlete, but just looking at the skills of a quarterback I feel that Tate is better with his decisions and accuracy. He also has more composure in the pocket than Denard. But Tate wasn't all there mentally. He got lazy in the summer, and got lazy with school. He wasn't mature enough to be the quarterback at Michigan, and now he's gone.

Korie Lucious Kicked Off the Team

Photo Credit: mlive.com

Breaking news out of Spartyland, as it was announced last night that Korie Lucious has been suspended by Izzo for the rest of the season for "conduct detrimental to the team." It hasn't been released exactly what he did, and I honestly don't expect it to be released. Something may slip out, because that just seems to be the world we live in, but nothing official is out.

An East Lansing District Court clerk said today that there are no pending cases involving Lucious, according to a tweet by Larry Lage this morning. So as far as we the public know, it's not legal trouble.

An interesting thing I read involving this story was Larry Lage retweeting and quoting a tweet from Korie Lucious himself. The tweet from Korie said, "Man did I really mess up this time...off 2 the gym I go!" According to details in Larry's tweet, this tweet came before the announcement of Korie being kicked off the team... Intriguing, isn't it?

Lucious will be transferring, and Izzo will help him find a new school, according to Korie's mother, Latonia Guider, in an interview done with Spartan Nation's Hondo Carpenter.

This will be a tough loss for the already struggling Michigan State Spartans. I will admit, I am not the biggest Lucious fan. His play on offense has been poor lately, and his defense has always been lackluster, but he always has the potential to be an offensive spark, and now the Spartans are losing that.

But maybe this will give someone a chance to step up. Someone who hasn't been getting very many minutes will now get more time, and step up. Maybe an Austin Thornton, maybe a Mike Keibler? Who knows? But despite his poor play as of late, this loss hurts the squad.

I wish Korie Lucious the best of luck on his endeavors, and where ever life takes him, may he find success, on or off the court.