The Lions rolled over and got their bellies scratched, then got the blade jammed in. Not unexpected, if I may utilize the popular double negative: It seems to me that the bye week, while touted as a time to "get healthy" and "prepare for the next game," turns out more often than not to result in a team that looks rusty, especially in first halfs, and most especially on offense. Stafford will be fine, unless idiots like the ones that Raiola yelled at wear him down to Harring-Town. Look, people -- you can't have it both ways: You either want a quality QB -- IN TIME -- and you pay for the privilege, or keep on with your garden variety Kitnas. Even Pettigrew should be fine (another complex position, esp. in this offense). What's worrisome was the play calling (I was a fan of Linehan's, up until the last couple of efforts; now, I dunno). Did they ever think that the reverse can also be true -- that early downfield passing can open up the run? I know, the WRs probably won't catch it, but... makes me long for the halcyon spring training days of Kenny Harris (at least he and Stafford know each other, from their Georgia days) and John Standeford. And where were the blitz packages? This team badly needs linemen on both sides... and my God, STILL a receiver?! Curse you, Matt Millen.
Pistons: Not pretty. Appears Rip is still more integral to this team's success than we might have thought. Loving Ben Wallace, though. Protect him, minutes-wise, please.
Wings: Ozz well that ends well, maybe?
World Series: C'mon, Philly -- at least make it interesting!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Pistons start afire; WS Game 1 makes Cleveland weep
Pistons: Let's start today with the Pistons -- they looked like a Joe Dumars wet dream, didn't they? Yeah, I don't know what that actually would look like either. Messy, probably. So maybe that's inaccurate! 'Cause they looked pretty damned un-messy to me -- defense (although, let's be honest here, Memphis looked like they couldn't shoot an elephant with a cannon), and with few turnovers. And their shooters shot! Oh, how they shot. A game marred only by, first Rip, and then Ben Gordon hobbled near the end. Keep your fingers and knees crossed, car part fans!
World Series, Game 1: Caught a good chunk of it (Innings Four through Top of Nine), and must say, they should play this thing earlier in the year, because those folks looked miserable. Oh, wait -- they're New Yorkers! Of course they looked miserable! I have no problem with the result though. Chase Utley -- the new Babe Ruth!
Red Wings: Win again, please. Thank you.
World Series, Game 1: Caught a good chunk of it (Innings Four through Top of Nine), and must say, they should play this thing earlier in the year, because those folks looked miserable. Oh, wait -- they're New Yorkers! Of course they looked miserable! I have no problem with the result though. Chase Utley -- the new Babe Ruth!
Red Wings: Win again, please. Thank you.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Never MIND why I posted nothing after only two days, until eight months to the day later...
Back on it. Here we go:
Lions: I was wrong. Matt Stafford is the future. I want to like Daunte and Drew too, but man there's a dropoff, although I can't help but feel Stanton should be the new number two -- give the man a chance to play a few full games, adjust to the game speed, and see what happens. Meanwhile, this team needs a pair of ferocious bookend DEs. Also, a pair of shut-down CBs, and a new LT and C. And (god, why?) another WR, and RB. Still -- they don't seem to need as much as last year. But if they don't split the next four games, yikes. And yet I can see them coming off the bye flat, still having to play Daunte (which makes the offense to revert to more like a dreaded West Coast-type), and having this game be close, close, close. They may even lose it. And Seattle, as crap as they are, is still always a chore in their own roost. It IS kind of a no-lose situation -- start winning, and they're showing legitimate improvement; continue to blow, and it's another round of early draft picks, and they did seem to draft all right. Didn't they? Oh, god...
Tigers: This team is in trouble for next year, unless they can figure out a way to keep three of the following, preferably in this order: Placido Polanco, Jerod Washburn, Fernando Rodney, Adam Everett, and Brandon Lyon. And they must get starting help from one of their highly paid trio of Bonderman, Robertson or Willis. Miner might have to go into the rotation, in spite of Leyland's desire otherwise. Miguel Cabrera is overrated as a hitter, I feel -- too many outs with RISP this season. He seems to hit when it matters less too much of the time, in my opinion. And they must bench Inge without hesitation immediately after the All-Star break, from now on. Kidding, all right -- but not by much. He second halfs at the plate are season killers. I would also try to rush Avila into the full-time catching spot, and keep Laird as a defensive backup. Liked Everett best of the three low average hitters.
Pistons: Tomorrow begins their new odyssey. Unless Ben Wallace has some sort of late-in-his-career resurgence beyond anything we could guess at, I just don't see how they'll be able to compete with the best teams at the four and (especially) five spots. I, too, am intrigued by their draft choices and their young talent acquisitions. Hated to see Afflalo go; hope he blossoms in Denver. See this team as having about a 36-46 year, an eight seed or a miss altogether of the playoffs, and then maybe trying for one worthwhile big in the 2010 offseason, if they can dump some salary first. Still think Stuckey should be a two-guard, mainly.
Red Wings: Wow... don't know what to say here yet; will reserve judgment until later into the year. Think about what this team might have been with a healthy Jiri Fischer, and I never thought I'd say this, but they do appear to be missing Lilja's defensive shot blocking, etc. Jimmy Howard doesn't look too good. Missing Franzen really hurts, after losing all those other goals. They're going to have to tighten up defensively, because they're going to have to win a lot of low-scoring games this year, at least early, I feel. And Jimmy Howard does not look good. They do miss Ty, don't they?
Random: Do people really love watching two MMA guys end up in the missionary position for extended periods of time? Really? That's stuff they'd even break up in a prison. Jeez.
Andre Agassi on crank? Why not. Why not.
And, lastly -- after reading the whole story about Antione Young and his financial woes, I don't know. I feel slightly conflicted. Yes -- I should get over it. Maybe I will.
See you soon!
Lions: I was wrong. Matt Stafford is the future. I want to like Daunte and Drew too, but man there's a dropoff, although I can't help but feel Stanton should be the new number two -- give the man a chance to play a few full games, adjust to the game speed, and see what happens. Meanwhile, this team needs a pair of ferocious bookend DEs. Also, a pair of shut-down CBs, and a new LT and C. And (god, why?) another WR, and RB. Still -- they don't seem to need as much as last year. But if they don't split the next four games, yikes. And yet I can see them coming off the bye flat, still having to play Daunte (which makes the offense to revert to more like a dreaded West Coast-type), and having this game be close, close, close. They may even lose it. And Seattle, as crap as they are, is still always a chore in their own roost. It IS kind of a no-lose situation -- start winning, and they're showing legitimate improvement; continue to blow, and it's another round of early draft picks, and they did seem to draft all right. Didn't they? Oh, god...
Tigers: This team is in trouble for next year, unless they can figure out a way to keep three of the following, preferably in this order: Placido Polanco, Jerod Washburn, Fernando Rodney, Adam Everett, and Brandon Lyon. And they must get starting help from one of their highly paid trio of Bonderman, Robertson or Willis. Miner might have to go into the rotation, in spite of Leyland's desire otherwise. Miguel Cabrera is overrated as a hitter, I feel -- too many outs with RISP this season. He seems to hit when it matters less too much of the time, in my opinion. And they must bench Inge without hesitation immediately after the All-Star break, from now on. Kidding, all right -- but not by much. He second halfs at the plate are season killers. I would also try to rush Avila into the full-time catching spot, and keep Laird as a defensive backup. Liked Everett best of the three low average hitters.
Pistons: Tomorrow begins their new odyssey. Unless Ben Wallace has some sort of late-in-his-career resurgence beyond anything we could guess at, I just don't see how they'll be able to compete with the best teams at the four and (especially) five spots. I, too, am intrigued by their draft choices and their young talent acquisitions. Hated to see Afflalo go; hope he blossoms in Denver. See this team as having about a 36-46 year, an eight seed or a miss altogether of the playoffs, and then maybe trying for one worthwhile big in the 2010 offseason, if they can dump some salary first. Still think Stuckey should be a two-guard, mainly.
Red Wings: Wow... don't know what to say here yet; will reserve judgment until later into the year. Think about what this team might have been with a healthy Jiri Fischer, and I never thought I'd say this, but they do appear to be missing Lilja's defensive shot blocking, etc. Jimmy Howard doesn't look too good. Missing Franzen really hurts, after losing all those other goals. They're going to have to tighten up defensively, because they're going to have to win a lot of low-scoring games this year, at least early, I feel. And Jimmy Howard does not look good. They do miss Ty, don't they?
Random: Do people really love watching two MMA guys end up in the missionary position for extended periods of time? Really? That's stuff they'd even break up in a prison. Jeez.
Andre Agassi on crank? Why not. Why not.
And, lastly -- after reading the whole story about Antione Young and his financial woes, I don't know. I feel slightly conflicted. Yes -- I should get over it. Maybe I will.
See you soon!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday February 27, 2009
The Lions: Talk of Ray Lewis coming here seems a far-off pipe dream -- and by that, I mean a pipe like Mikey Phelps's. Too bad it looks like Bart Scott is going to the Jets; he'd've been the good fit at LB here. Nate Washington? Still a no. 3, even on this team. Wouldn't you prefer Houshmandzadeh, with his local ties? Thought so. I see the Lions needing seven new starters on DEF (DE, DT, 2LB, 2CB, S) and 4-5 on OFF (WR, TE, LT, C, maybe QB). A tall order, even with five first-day draftees. Easy to say we can fill in with free agents (I almost mis-typed, "FEE agents"; prophetic?), but really, what besides money do we have to offer anyone? A nice stadium, okay. Nearby casinos? The knowledge that, with their incomes, they could actually purchase whole city blocks, and become like feudal lords?! I don't know, man. I.. don't.. know...
The Tigers: Edwin Jackson looked good yesterday. In fact, so have most of the pitchers so far. Encouraging. I keep remembering the Lions' 4-0 preseason, though.
The Pistons: Iverson off the bench at the two could ignite the second team, who should do nothing but push the ball up the floor like mad: Afflalo, Iverson, Maxiell, Walter Hermann, and Amir J., high-flying, wearing the other teams' second units down: Maybe, maybe...
The Red Wings: Simmering in perfection like a Chicken Francese, mmmmm..... Hope Hossa's head is okay.
The Tigers: Edwin Jackson looked good yesterday. In fact, so have most of the pitchers so far. Encouraging. I keep remembering the Lions' 4-0 preseason, though.
The Pistons: Iverson off the bench at the two could ignite the second team, who should do nothing but push the ball up the floor like mad: Afflalo, Iverson, Maxiell, Walter Hermann, and Amir J., high-flying, wearing the other teams' second units down: Maybe, maybe...
The Red Wings: Simmering in perfection like a Chicken Francese, mmmmm..... Hope Hossa's head is okay.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February 26, 2009 No.1
Hi there, and welcome to Alan Madlane's "Detroit Sports Jabber" Blog, the inaugural run!
Let's jump right into it, shall we? The primary focus will be on the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings, with some other stuff thrown in. Here's the warm sports poo for today!
The Lions: I thought John Niyo of the Detroit News did an excellent job today (I'm normally a Free Press guy, but hey, it was sitting around in Tim Horton's, so...) breaking down the various free agents the Lions could and should go after -- the luring of free agents to a winless team of the year before as a potential exercise in futility notwithstanding. What I cannot understand is the complete silence around Brian Orakpo (the Texas DE who apparently manhandled Eugene Monroe this past season head-to-head) as the Lions possible first pick. The Lions had a defense so poor last year, they were rendered unwatchable; Jim Schwartz is a defensive guy, so this must rankle him to no end; good defense ALL begins with the front seven: the ability to (A) stuff the run, and (B) pressure the quarterback. A team that can do both of these things well in equal measure will find that all this leaves an opposing offense to battle with are short West Coast offense type stuff, and sideline stuff (sweeps, screens and rollouts) -- and it's hard to do enough of that consistently to win games, I feel. Orakpo is a physical specimen, and I would hope that the only other guys the Lions would consider at number one would be (in my further order of preference): Aaron Curry, Rey Maualuga or B. J. Raji, and I'm not keen on guys named "BJ", because frankly I think the Lions were forced to do enough of that last year. I like Matthew Stafford, I love that he'd like to play here, and I'd take him in a heartbeat if he were still available with the first pick of the third round. We just don't need him this season, especially with the likelihood we'll smell again in '09 and can probably get Sam Bradford next year if we really need to. And don't even talk to me about an OT at number one, or we'll get to the salad-tossing phase early in this prison sentence, mister.
The Tigers: I like the look of this. Yes, it's true, that so much of this season for the Kitties will depend on their overall health. This team, healthy, could do some real damage. The division seems so tight, top to bottom (well hello, Kansas City! What were you doing off by yourself all that time, hmm?) that little things will make for big differences -- and those little things will mostly amount to who gets nicked up the least in this razor fight we shall call the American League Central. I like what I've seen from Rick Knapp so far: maybe these young guys needed a new voice in their ears and in their heads. Some guys I'm pulling for: Casey Fien (don't you have to love someone who throws so many strikes), Brent Clevlen (give this guy a real chance -- he seems to make stuff happen!), Rudy Darrow, Clete Thomas, Scott Williamson, Macay McBride, Timo Perez, Alex Avila -- and of course, Joel Zumaya. Looks like the Tigers should be deep in reserve at Toledo (one of the all-time least frightening team names: "Oh no! I'm about to get attacked by a riled up batch of Mud Hens, honey! Say, could you pass me that shotgun and the deep-fryer?") and Erie too. I think the Tigers farm system is in adequate shape indeed, even if some wags don't rank our boys in the top oughty-ought.
The Pistons: Wow. What an unbelievable fall from grace, yes? Well, here's my take: Stuckey? Best at the two. Ditto Iverson, albeit that he's too short to guard that position. Ditto my team fave, Arron Afflalo. Ditto Rip. Ditto Joe Dumars. Wait a minute! No wonder we have so many twos, and the only true one we have is Will Bynum! "Can't win that way!" The Pistons shopping list this year MUST include an upper echelon point guard, if one can be wangled someway, and a big who can clog the lane and position for boards. Do you mean to tell me we couldn't get Marcus Camby by the trading deadline? He'd be outstanding for this team, methinks. Rather have him than Carlos "Ha ha, I lied!" Boozer. Can you imagine Camby next to Bosh in 2010?! Sorry, I'm oozing. But we've gotta have that true point. I would love to see Iverson back -- as the backup two guard. What're the odds of that? Yes: Nil.
The Red Wings: Picked a good one for my first live game of the year, yeah. Tix outside for $30 from a friendly looking soul. Did anyone see Ryan Clowe try to kick Datsyuk's knee out? I did. He was running guys and whining to the refs, too. He's off my Fantasy team now, the douche. Nabokov looked deer-in-headlights too. Was amazed by the speed and forechecking of Darren Helm, Datsyuk's and Zetterberg's skills, Leino's nose for pucks in the air, Brad Stuart's excellent return, Rafalski's steadiness. But -- is it just me, or is Lidstrom (a guy I love and respect as much as anyone in Detroit sports right now) starting to show the cracks for real? A bad pass across the middle, some other give aways... This guy has logged so many minutes over the years, what with the deep playoffs many times -- I don't know, but I have an ill premonition here. Hope I'm wrong. Maybe he's hiding an injury or two? Oh -- and Conklin did indeed look great.
That's it for now! See you tomorrow!
Madlane
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