We here at Detroit Sports Weekly don't often hold our tongue. The whole reason I wanted to set up this site was because I am unhappy with the kind of coverage the local and national media gives my favorite teams. I can do a week's worth of blogs ranting about how bad ESPN has gotten since it's heyday, and probably just as many on the local sports writers and sports anchors. Bernie Smilovitz still has a job?
Anyway, Gary Bettman has been on my most disliked list for quite some time now. So long that it really isn't notable....it's just a way of life. I've never met the man, and maybe he's a really nice guy. That however could never change the way I feel about how the man does his job. Again, I could go into a dozen rants about the way he has hurt the NHL over his tenure, but this one will stay on one specific topic. Scheduling. Actually, I am going to go one step further and say scheduling of the Finals games this year. I also took issue in at least one earlier round too, but I'll just keep it to this round for now. Specifically the first three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
It's no secret that the NHL has viewership issues, and the attendance issues in Detroit were big news very recently. With that in mind, why on Earth would you schedule the first three games on the same day, and same times as the Detroit/Boston NBA games? To make matters worse, the first two games for the finals are in Detroit, at the same time you have the Pistons and Celtics playing at the Palace. WHY? Why choose to go head to head with only possible same-city NBA conflict you have for the Stanley Cup Finals? I know people who will now have to choose between attending the Wings games or the Pistons games because they have playoff packages for both. Why not offset the games a day, or at least a few hours for the first two, so no one has to make this choice?
Forget the people who have tickets for both teams. How about the casual fan? Detroit may be Hockeytown USA, but that doesn't mean the Wings will automatically take precedence over the Pistons. Even if the Wings are playing for the championship and the Pistons are only in the conference finals. This would be a great chance to lure in the casual Detroit sports fan, or even some Boston NBA fans through a little cross-promotion, by having the games on alternating nights.
Maybe my ideas are a little too far-fetched for the NHL. Maybe the concepts Detroit Sports Weekly would bring to hockey are a bit grandiose. I guess we'll never know, but I do know that come Saturday, I will be thankful for picture-in-picture.
Highlighted Link of the week: www.firebettman.com
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Good News, Bad News for Pistons
So the bad news is obvious. About 4 minutes into the game last night, Chauncey went down awkwardly under the basket, pretty much doing the splits after getting his left leg tangled with that of a falling Jameer Nelson. Billups didn't return to the game and is currently listed as day to day with a strained right hamstring, but watching him walk down the tunnel to the locker room (thankfully under his own power) it doesn't seem that this injury is going to be one to heal quickly.
Chauncey's injury is the real bad news, and losing game three in Orlando can also be lumped into the bad news category but I was encouraged by the way the team fought back without their captain, one of the best point guards in the league. The Pistons got within 3 points of the Magic late in the 3rd after being down as much as 18 in the first quarter, and trailing by 12 at the half. Of course Orlando didn't seem to miss a shot the rest of the way, starting the 4th quarter with 11 straight points before the Pistons scored at all. By the time Sheed hit a couple free throws two and a half minutes into the final quarter, it seemed as if the wind had been taken out of the sails for Detroit.
More good news. Rodney Stuckey played pretty well in his 34 minutes last night. Getting a lot of time on the court during the season will really come in handy now. And let's not forget (which I had until about 20 minutes ago) that game 4 isn't until Saturday. An extra day of rest for the older/injured players, and an extra day for the young bench contributors to get the game plan down. Unfortunately we still have to play in Orlando, but a veteran team like ours should be able to handle another day away from home too.
Chauncey's injury is the real bad news, and losing game three in Orlando can also be lumped into the bad news category but I was encouraged by the way the team fought back without their captain, one of the best point guards in the league. The Pistons got within 3 points of the Magic late in the 3rd after being down as much as 18 in the first quarter, and trailing by 12 at the half. Of course Orlando didn't seem to miss a shot the rest of the way, starting the 4th quarter with 11 straight points before the Pistons scored at all. By the time Sheed hit a couple free throws two and a half minutes into the final quarter, it seemed as if the wind had been taken out of the sails for Detroit.
More good news. Rodney Stuckey played pretty well in his 34 minutes last night. Getting a lot of time on the court during the season will really come in handy now. And let's not forget (which I had until about 20 minutes ago) that game 4 isn't until Saturday. An extra day of rest for the older/injured players, and an extra day for the young bench contributors to get the game plan down. Unfortunately we still have to play in Orlando, but a veteran team like ours should be able to handle another day away from home too.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Back in the Saddle, Again
After a brief vacation to gamble on sports and get as much comped from MGM properties in Vegas as possible, Detroit Sports Weekly is back in action. And what a week it is for Detroit sports. We are only a few days removed from the NFL Draft, and last night the Lions, Tigers, and Wings were all in action after having Monday off. Seems like the day off did everyone good, as all three of our teams were victorious.
Having some time off was also good for us here at Detroit Sports Weekly. We've got a few new things in the works and, as always, we're tweaking the design of the website. The lovable trainwreck we know as Wilkie should have a new blog up very soon, hopefully having something to do with golf since we weren't able to get his Masters preview up in time....but probably not. I am also trying to nail down a baseball blogger to keep track of our Tigers, who will definitely be interesting to watch all season long.
Today's Action:
The Wings and Pistons have the day off before they both try to close out their respective series' tomorrow.
The Tigers are still in NY with a 7:00 pm start tonight. Jeremy Bonderman gets the start for Detroit, while the Evil Empire sends Andy Pettitte to the mound. Pettitte has been pitching well so far this year with a 3-2 record and a 3.23 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. He's struck out 17, while only giving up 10 walks. We'll see how those numbers look after facing this strong Tiger lineup tonight.
The game can be seen on FSN Detroit (in it's entirety tonight) and heard on 97.1FM/1270AM
Having some time off was also good for us here at Detroit Sports Weekly. We've got a few new things in the works and, as always, we're tweaking the design of the website. The lovable trainwreck we know as Wilkie should have a new blog up very soon, hopefully having something to do with golf since we weren't able to get his Masters preview up in time....but probably not. I am also trying to nail down a baseball blogger to keep track of our Tigers, who will definitely be interesting to watch all season long.
Today's Action:
The Wings and Pistons have the day off before they both try to close out their respective series' tomorrow.
The Tigers are still in NY with a 7:00 pm start tonight. Jeremy Bonderman gets the start for Detroit, while the Evil Empire sends Andy Pettitte to the mound. Pettitte has been pitching well so far this year with a 3-2 record and a 3.23 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. He's struck out 17, while only giving up 10 walks. We'll see how those numbers look after facing this strong Tiger lineup tonight.
The game can be seen on FSN Detroit (in it's entirety tonight) and heard on 97.1FM/1270AM
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Preview, 1st Round
To be quite honest, my attention hasn't been fully focused on the NHL this year....therefore, my first round previews this year may lack my normal insight, but I am pretty sure that my results this year will be pretty good. I won't be able to beat my 8 for 8 I put up in the first round last year, but I should be close. Now, without further ado or excuse making....here is the first of my round one previews.
Eastern Conference:
#1 Montreal -vs- #8 Boston
I laid out a bunch of numbers for this match-up to support my feeling about who will win, and was ready to pass them on here but the only thing I really want to point out now is that Boston did not win a game versus Montreal all season. 0-8. The only thing the numbers I was going to spew showed is that the Habs are a good bet against the Bruins when playing at home in Montreal, and the over seems like a good bet in those games too. Montreal averaged 6 goals a game vs Boston during the season while playing in Montreal.
Pick: Montreal in 4
#2 Pittsburgh -vs- #7 Ottawa
What a difference a year makes. At this time last year Ottawa was gearing up for a sick run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, and Pittsburgh just seemed happy to be playing in the post season. Role reversal for sure, but you can't sleep on the Sens this post season. They are basically the same team as they were last year when they pretty much strolled into the Stanley Cup Finals, with a couple of key differences. This Ottawa team still knows how to score, with only Montreal outscoring them on the season, and that was only by one goal anyway. The big question in Ottawa is the goaltending. Good net play could get them an upset in this series, but I don't see everything they need coming together against Pittsburgh. Another series where the over will be a good play more often than not, and a lean toward the home team in most games.
Pick: Pittsburgh in 6
#3 Washington -vs- #6 Philadelphia
With only 94 points Washington is a 3 seed in name only, fighting over the last two weeks of the season just to make the playoffs. They come in with a lot of momentum, but that could work against them just as easily as it could work for them. This should be a great series for the fans, and I know I will be going out of my way to check out the games. I can just imagine how much of a hard on the NHL has looking forward to a Washington/Pittsburgh series in the second round, but I don't see it happening this year. If anyone should have a hard on about this series, I think it's Montreal because they are going to get a chance to rest before taking on Philly, another team that couldn't beat the Habs in the regular season.
Pick: Philadelphia in 7
#4 New Jersey -vs- #5 NY Rangers
I think this is going to be a great series for the hockey "purists" out there and the old time fans. I also think this is a nightmare match-up for the league in terms of growing a playoff fan base. Most everyone in NJ knows what to expect from there Devils in the playoffs, and with baseball season in full swing now does anyone in NY really know that the Rangers are still playing? I think this should be a rather low scoring series with each game close to the end, and at least one multiple OT game that keeps me up past midnight on a work night.
Pick: NJ in 6
I am really geeked up for the playoffs this year, and can't believe the puck drops on round one tomorrow night. Hockey playoffs are here, NBA playoffs are just around the corner, MLB is starting out with some interesting twists, and the weather here in the D is getting a little more Spring like after our 723 inches of snow this past winter. Is there a better time to be a sports fan in Detroit?
Keep an eye out for tomorrow's post when I get my Western Conference preview out and tell everyone around here what I think about the chances for our mighty Wings.
Eastern Conference:
#1 Montreal -vs- #8 Boston
I laid out a bunch of numbers for this match-up to support my feeling about who will win, and was ready to pass them on here but the only thing I really want to point out now is that Boston did not win a game versus Montreal all season. 0-8. The only thing the numbers I was going to spew showed is that the Habs are a good bet against the Bruins when playing at home in Montreal, and the over seems like a good bet in those games too. Montreal averaged 6 goals a game vs Boston during the season while playing in Montreal.
Pick: Montreal in 4
#2 Pittsburgh -vs- #7 Ottawa
What a difference a year makes. At this time last year Ottawa was gearing up for a sick run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, and Pittsburgh just seemed happy to be playing in the post season. Role reversal for sure, but you can't sleep on the Sens this post season. They are basically the same team as they were last year when they pretty much strolled into the Stanley Cup Finals, with a couple of key differences. This Ottawa team still knows how to score, with only Montreal outscoring them on the season, and that was only by one goal anyway. The big question in Ottawa is the goaltending. Good net play could get them an upset in this series, but I don't see everything they need coming together against Pittsburgh. Another series where the over will be a good play more often than not, and a lean toward the home team in most games.
Pick: Pittsburgh in 6
#3 Washington -vs- #6 Philadelphia
With only 94 points Washington is a 3 seed in name only, fighting over the last two weeks of the season just to make the playoffs. They come in with a lot of momentum, but that could work against them just as easily as it could work for them. This should be a great series for the fans, and I know I will be going out of my way to check out the games. I can just imagine how much of a hard on the NHL has looking forward to a Washington/Pittsburgh series in the second round, but I don't see it happening this year. If anyone should have a hard on about this series, I think it's Montreal because they are going to get a chance to rest before taking on Philly, another team that couldn't beat the Habs in the regular season.
Pick: Philadelphia in 7
#4 New Jersey -vs- #5 NY Rangers
I think this is going to be a great series for the hockey "purists" out there and the old time fans. I also think this is a nightmare match-up for the league in terms of growing a playoff fan base. Most everyone in NJ knows what to expect from there Devils in the playoffs, and with baseball season in full swing now does anyone in NY really know that the Rangers are still playing? I think this should be a rather low scoring series with each game close to the end, and at least one multiple OT game that keeps me up past midnight on a work night.
Pick: NJ in 6
I am really geeked up for the playoffs this year, and can't believe the puck drops on round one tomorrow night. Hockey playoffs are here, NBA playoffs are just around the corner, MLB is starting out with some interesting twists, and the weather here in the D is getting a little more Spring like after our 723 inches of snow this past winter. Is there a better time to be a sports fan in Detroit?
Keep an eye out for tomorrow's post when I get my Western Conference preview out and tell everyone around here what I think about the chances for our mighty Wings.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Is Boren's Departure THAT Big of a Deal?
This morning, stories about Justin Boren (U of M's would-be return OL starter) leaving the team and "blasting" the program on his way out have been top three stories in terms of popularity on both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News websites. Seeing that the News is now reporting that Boren may transfer to OSU, I am sure this is just going to get even more press.
The question I have is; Does this story really deserve this much coverage?
The last few months have seen a lot of changes for Michigan's football team. Is this one really all that significant?
With an entirely new coaching staff that brings in drastically different philosophies on both sides of the ball, there is bound to be some hesitation from returning players. UM has already seen a few players choose not to return to the team because of the coaching change. I give Justin a lot of credit for at least trying to come back and play for the program, and believe that if his heart is not in it for one reason or another, he and the team are better off with his choice to leave.
We, as fans, can only speculate as to what is really behind Boren's decision. Is it really a "lack of family values" as his released statement indicated? Is it the fact that he wasn't tough enough, or in shape enough to handle the new faster-paced practices as some fans have said?
Personally I think a lot more of it has to do with the new offense being implemented and what a drastic change that is for the linemen, than it is a lack of toughness. To me, every starting lineman in the big ten has already proven his toughness. For so many years now, Michigan has been a team that likes to pound their running game down the throat of opposing defenses. This is a dream for linemen who like to get downfield and plow into someone. From Pee Wee football to Jr High and on to High School, most of what offensive linemen do is run blocking. Add another two years under Lloyd Carr, and it's not a stretch to believe that Boren would love run blocking (which he has stated in the past) and does not care so much for pass protecting.
If you have played offensive line at any level of football, you know the extreme differences between the two forms of blocking. As a run blocker, your job is to go hit someone and move them out of the way. As a pass protector, your job is to stand your ground and not be moved out of the way yourself by defenders coming at you. Two completely different skill sets, a bunch of different techniques for each skill set, and in all reality two different mindsets or attitudes.
The offensive changes for U of M this year will impact no group of players more than the linemen. Some may not be able to handle it physically and/or mentally. I applaud Boren for having the sense to recognize this team wasn't for him anymore, and having the conviction to act on it instead of just dealing with it and becoming an unhappy, and therefore less effective, player.
As for his statement, I'll cut him a little slack. I am sure he was pressured from everyone ranging from former teammates to local or even national media to explain why he left. I'm sure everyone wanted to hear the wisdom this 19 or 20 year-old could give about the Michigan program as he is dealing with what is possibly the biggest change in his life thus far. As anyone who has raised, or has been, a male around this age can attest, while they may think they know everything, that is most often not the case.
All in all I don't see this as much of a story. This happens all the time on football teams across the country at every level of competition. Boys and men of all backgrounds and all levels of football experience come to terms with the fact that the sport, as it is, is no longer for them. Some choose to stick it out to please their parents. Some choose to stay on as to not disappoint their teammates or coaches. Some choose to keep going because they feel they are supposed to, and don't see other alternatives.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is a story here. A story about a young man displaying enough maturity and conviction to follow what his heart is telling him. A story about growing pains, and how Justin Boren handles them.
But to me, there is no football story here. If this were a player who was one of the greatest RBs in NFL history poised to start a season where he could possibly surpass the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and decided to hang it up on the eve of training camp because his passion for the game had been killed by an inept head coach....now THAT would be a story.
The question I have is; Does this story really deserve this much coverage?
The last few months have seen a lot of changes for Michigan's football team. Is this one really all that significant?
With an entirely new coaching staff that brings in drastically different philosophies on both sides of the ball, there is bound to be some hesitation from returning players. UM has already seen a few players choose not to return to the team because of the coaching change. I give Justin a lot of credit for at least trying to come back and play for the program, and believe that if his heart is not in it for one reason or another, he and the team are better off with his choice to leave.
We, as fans, can only speculate as to what is really behind Boren's decision. Is it really a "lack of family values" as his released statement indicated? Is it the fact that he wasn't tough enough, or in shape enough to handle the new faster-paced practices as some fans have said?
Personally I think a lot more of it has to do with the new offense being implemented and what a drastic change that is for the linemen, than it is a lack of toughness. To me, every starting lineman in the big ten has already proven his toughness. For so many years now, Michigan has been a team that likes to pound their running game down the throat of opposing defenses. This is a dream for linemen who like to get downfield and plow into someone. From Pee Wee football to Jr High and on to High School, most of what offensive linemen do is run blocking. Add another two years under Lloyd Carr, and it's not a stretch to believe that Boren would love run blocking (which he has stated in the past) and does not care so much for pass protecting.
If you have played offensive line at any level of football, you know the extreme differences between the two forms of blocking. As a run blocker, your job is to go hit someone and move them out of the way. As a pass protector, your job is to stand your ground and not be moved out of the way yourself by defenders coming at you. Two completely different skill sets, a bunch of different techniques for each skill set, and in all reality two different mindsets or attitudes.
The offensive changes for U of M this year will impact no group of players more than the linemen. Some may not be able to handle it physically and/or mentally. I applaud Boren for having the sense to recognize this team wasn't for him anymore, and having the conviction to act on it instead of just dealing with it and becoming an unhappy, and therefore less effective, player.
As for his statement, I'll cut him a little slack. I am sure he was pressured from everyone ranging from former teammates to local or even national media to explain why he left. I'm sure everyone wanted to hear the wisdom this 19 or 20 year-old could give about the Michigan program as he is dealing with what is possibly the biggest change in his life thus far. As anyone who has raised, or has been, a male around this age can attest, while they may think they know everything, that is most often not the case.
All in all I don't see this as much of a story. This happens all the time on football teams across the country at every level of competition. Boys and men of all backgrounds and all levels of football experience come to terms with the fact that the sport, as it is, is no longer for them. Some choose to stick it out to please their parents. Some choose to stay on as to not disappoint their teammates or coaches. Some choose to keep going because they feel they are supposed to, and don't see other alternatives.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is a story here. A story about a young man displaying enough maturity and conviction to follow what his heart is telling him. A story about growing pains, and how Justin Boren handles them.
But to me, there is no football story here. If this were a player who was one of the greatest RBs in NFL history poised to start a season where he could possibly surpass the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and decided to hang it up on the eve of training camp because his passion for the game had been killed by an inept head coach....now THAT would be a story.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wilkie's Intro of ramble.
Hello all,
Welcome to Detroit Sports Weekly. I am a guy who really doesn't enjoy watching any particular sport on television with the exception of golf. My contributions will be weak to say the least. My sports casting ability has been described as ramblings of sentence fragments with little or no bearing to what is actually going on in the sports world. I look forward to reporting on my daily activities which usually included spilling the my meals on my shirt and then spending the majority of my time scrubbing them out. In fact I think meal time would be an excellent time for being naked. I would save a ton of money on detergents and stain repellent. Have you ever seen a shirt that has a silicone coating to repel stains? If you have please provide me a link to the manufacture!
Meat rocks!
So do Bikes!
And Cars!
Welcome to Detroit Sports Weekly. I am a guy who really doesn't enjoy watching any particular sport on television with the exception of golf. My contributions will be weak to say the least. My sports casting ability has been described as ramblings of sentence fragments with little or no bearing to what is actually going on in the sports world. I look forward to reporting on my daily activities which usually included spilling the my meals on my shirt and then spending the majority of my time scrubbing them out. In fact I think meal time would be an excellent time for being naked. I would save a ton of money on detergents and stain repellent. Have you ever seen a shirt that has a silicone coating to repel stains? If you have please provide me a link to the manufacture!
Meat rocks!
So do Bikes!
And Cars!
Today's Action 3/11/08
Red Wings:
The Wings are back in action tonight as the Blackhawks come to town for the 6th meeting of these teams this season. Chicago had our Wings' number early this year winning the first four match-ups, but Detroit notched a 3-1 victory in Chicago in their most recent game.
The Wings are still ailing with injuries to Chris Chelios, Tomas Holmstrom, and Dan Cleary but having Nick Lidstrom back in the line-up is always good news. Nick looked good in Sunday's game against Nashville, playing more than 24 minutes and getting two assists in the 4-3 win.
Tonight's game is at 7:30 and you can catch it on FSN-Detroit.
Tigers:
The Tigers have split squad games against Cincinnati and Cleveland at 1:05 today.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to catch anything from spring training yet other than a few highlights here and there. Of the four major sports, baseball is definitely my weakest in terms of knowledge and desire to watch. This year should be pretty exciting for the Tigers, and I will be paying attention for sure, but I hope to have at least one other blogger here soon helping me with the coverage throughout the season.
The Rest:
The Pistons have the night off, and today the Lions are undoubtedly working on signing an ineffectual free agent to a larger contract than the market would dictate. But hey, we dodged the Dan Morgan bullet when New Orleans signed him, so there is my silver so far lining this offseason.
The Wings are back in action tonight as the Blackhawks come to town for the 6th meeting of these teams this season. Chicago had our Wings' number early this year winning the first four match-ups, but Detroit notched a 3-1 victory in Chicago in their most recent game.
The Wings are still ailing with injuries to Chris Chelios, Tomas Holmstrom, and Dan Cleary but having Nick Lidstrom back in the line-up is always good news. Nick looked good in Sunday's game against Nashville, playing more than 24 minutes and getting two assists in the 4-3 win.
Tonight's game is at 7:30 and you can catch it on FSN-Detroit.
Tigers:
The Tigers have split squad games against Cincinnati and Cleveland at 1:05 today.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to catch anything from spring training yet other than a few highlights here and there. Of the four major sports, baseball is definitely my weakest in terms of knowledge and desire to watch. This year should be pretty exciting for the Tigers, and I will be paying attention for sure, but I hope to have at least one other blogger here soon helping me with the coverage throughout the season.
The Rest:
The Pistons have the night off, and today the Lions are undoubtedly working on signing an ineffectual free agent to a larger contract than the market would dictate. But hey, we dodged the Dan Morgan bullet when New Orleans signed him, so there is my silver so far lining this offseason.
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