7 on 7's and Greatest Sports Memories

Christian Davis of the C & G Newspapers just wrote a pretty neat article about summer passing leagues.  As this is my 2nd year as a head coach going through it, I can honestly say I hate them. 

I can't stand dealing with coaches who are putting in things they will not do in the regular season.  True, they may just be trying some things out before deciding to install them in practice.  But I believe the majority of them don't do it that way.

Case in point, we threw last night against two other schools.  One did everything they would do during the season, no brainer.  The other school did not.  The school is in Pro I often during the year according to my friend on the staff.  So why were they in Ace Gun last night?  Who knows.

The other problem I had with them is when they were on defense.  They kept ZERO LB's  in the box.  None.  Now if you play that way in a game fine, but I doubt it.  What team wouldn't run the ball there?  They played that way knowing they wouldn't play it like that during the season.  How does that make there kids better?  Pisses me off.

Lastly, give me your top 3 best sports memories.  It could be watching it on TV, in person, etc. Mine are:

1. 2006 ALCS Maggs walk off homer to go to WS.  In person.
2. 1997 Red Wings Stanley Cup championship.  Non in person.
3. 1999 Michigan State football game at Notre Dame.  Great place to see a game.

Brian

Mount Rushmore of Detroit Sports

I was watching the Dan Patrick show yesterday, and they were talking about the Yankees "Mt. Rushmore" of players since Derek Jeter just got hit number 3000.  The discussion centered around Jeter being included with Ruth, Gherig, Mantel, Dimaggio, etc.  Jeter is the only player in Yankees history (hard to believe) to have 3000 hits. 

So it got me thinking about our Detroit sports teams.  Who would be on the Detroit "Mt. Rushmore" for the Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers?  I will even include, MSU and UM football and basketball.  Here is my best guess.  And feel free to tear it up too. 

Lions: Barry Sanders, Bobby Layne, Joe Schmidt, Doak Walker.  Honorable mention: Herman Moore, Chris Spielman, Jason Hanson, Mel Gray, Bennie Blades

Pistons: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bob Lanier, Ben Wallace.  Honorable mention: Dave Bing, Chauncey Billips, Grant Hill, Bill Laimbeer.

Red Wings: Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Nick Lidstrom.  Honorable mention: Terry Sawchuck, Sergei Federov, Chris Osgood.

Tigers: Al Kaline, Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Alan Trammel. Honorable mention: Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Mickey Lolich, Denny McLain, Willie Horton

MSU basketball: Magic Johnson, Steve Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Greg Kelser.  Honorable mention: Scott Skiles, Morris Peterson, Jason Richardson

MSU football: Bubba Smith, Andre Rison, Lorenzo White, Percy Snow.  Honorable mention: Mushin Muhammad, Derek Mason, Tony Banks, Tony Mandarich (that whole steroids thing)

UM basketball: Cazzie Russell, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glenn Rice  Honorable mention: Terry Mills, Juwan Howard (hate him), Jamal Crawford

UM football: Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, Tom Brady.  Honorable mention: Jon Jansen (homer or not, career starts streak is awesome), Steve Hutchingson, Tripp Welbourne, Ty Wheatley


Who did I miss???  Brian

Tigers 2nd Half Collapse on the Horizon?

If you have ever talked to me, you know that I am a terrible baseball fan.  I live and die with every game, which is something you can't do in this sport.  Since they play so many games, a short stretch of games won't make or break a season.  But this year has taken it to a new level of frustration for me.

In years past under GM Dumbrowski and Manager Leland, the I cut the team a lot of slack for their second half collapses.  Injuries to Zumaya, Ordonez, Sheffield, etc.  "It's just one of those weird baseball things" I said. I remember how bad things were before they got here too.  But I am not drinking the Kool Aid this season.

Why?  Look at the facts: They have a payroll over 100 million. No that doesn't guarantee success, it just raises expectations.  The rest of the division is not what you would call scary.  A banged up Twins team.  A young Indians squad.  A White Sox team that is playing below expectations and a God awful Royals outfit.  They deserve to be criticized for not having a better record.  So even though they are close to first place, they still are playing below expectations.  Stick them in another division and they are nowhere near 1st place.

So why am I afraid for the 2nd half of the season?  Let me give you my list:
-They are banking on Alex Avila to continue is 1st half success while manning the toughest position in baseball.
-They are hoping Jhonny Peralta still plays above his head.
-They are relying on injured veterans Guillen and Ordonez to provide some hitting.
-The pitching staff, minus Verlander, is average at best right now. 

My one hope is that I have a hard time believing that this is the team that will finish the season as Detroit Tigers.  I can't see Don Kelly being the answer at 3rd base.  I can't see them risking the rest of the season with older, broken down players.  DD and Leland are in the final years of their contracts.  I remember at the trade deadline last season how dissapointed I was when nothing went down.  This year, I am hoping they go all in on July, 31.  Brian

We're Back

Pete and I found a way to do it.  Coach From the Stands is back.  Talk to you soon!!!

Brian