What a great day for Detroit sports. Not only does the surprising Lions get a 10 point win over their fellow NFC North foes the Chicago Bears, but the Tigers close out a disappointing season win a 10 run rout of the Chicago White Sox. I don't know which is more impressive. Wait, yes I do. I'll explain that later on.
Since Derek started with the Lions, I'll start with the Tigers. After losing the first two at 'The Cell' (U.S. Cellular Field for those of you who don't follow baseball) the Tigers came out looking great today. I'm not sure if it was because it was the final game or they felt they needed to prove something. Shoot, maybe it was a combination of both, because they surely finished off the season in a strong fashion. Their pitching, their hitting - it all clicked today. Hell, even Jason Grilli looked good. Here are few news and notes that made today's game more important than it should have been:
- The biggest of them all: Magglio Ordonez captured the American League batting crown. The guy had an incredible year, and if it wasn't for Alex Rodriguez's offensively sickening year, he would easily have been named AL MVP. I'm almost willing to bet the White Sox were regretting letting him go today. He proved last year and even more this year he's worth the money we're paying him.
- Placido Polanco's 200th hit. The guy is one of the most pure hitters in baseball and it seemed like every time he came up to the plate he would get a hit. And top of it, he went an entire year at second base without making an error! Another great pick-up that the Tigers have made the most with.
- Curtis Granderson finishes the season with a .300 batting average. The guy was a triples-hitting machine at the lead-off position this year and if he could cut down on the amount of strikeouts, I think he could eventually become one of the best lead-off hitters of all time.
- Carlos Guillen reaches 100 RBIs. I know it's not really up there in status with the ones previously mentioned but it shows you how much production he really gives us. The guy is a vastly under-rated hitter who is consistent year in and year out. I guarantee he'll have similar looking numbers next year.
After looking and realizing all of these offensive milestones, it's hard to believe we missed the postseason. But when you look at the most important component of any baseball team - pitching - you come to a conclusion why we missed the playoffs. Last year's savior turned into this year's downfall. Kenny Rogers' injury early on put pressure on the starting rotation to fill the void, and for a while they did. Then the injury to Joel Zumaya went down and everything with the Tigers pitching staff suddenly deflated. When the starting pitching performed well the bullpen was a major letdown. It's time we correct that for next season, otherwise we may see similar results. Zumaya needs to come back 100% healthy or his stock falls greatly and all of sudden he becomes just another reliever rather than the fireball pitcher many know and love him to be.
All in all I thought the final game of the season was a really productive one for the Tigers. They finished on a high note, which is a positive. It's just too bad they could've have played like this for a majority of their games down the stretch.
Now that the Tigers aren't in the playoffs, I thought I'd take this space to say this: Go Yankees! I'm sure Derek's shaking his head right about now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If before the NFL season started you told me the Detroit Lions would start 3-1, I would've told you to jump off a bridge. Sure, we drafted Calvin Johnson as our number one pick, but how many times in the past few years have we drafted a top rated wide receiver that turned out to be a bust? The Lions started the season winning their first two games, but I wasn't ready to jump on the bandwagon yet. Then last week, they travel to Philadelphia and lost a game I would call a downright abortion. Quite frankly, they looked like the Lions of the past.
Then this week's game: the Chicago Bears. The first three quarters was some really boring football, a defensive duel if you wish. The Lions' offense couldn't muster up a touchdown and the defense only gave up 13 points, allowing them to stay in the game. The fourth quarter was a completely different story. I'll save from mentioning all of the details since Derek already did, but that's the Lions team that should show up for all four quarters. The Chicago Bears team they played today was not a very good one, suffering from quarterback problems and a complete lack of offensive in their first three weeks, and yet they allowed them to lead much of the game.
The Lions have beat three mediocre teams at best and have been exposed by a team better than them. Their next game is at Washington. If they don't work on establishing a decent run game, which should be improving with Kevin Jones back from injury, they are going to get run over next weekend. You can't expect to pass the whole game and win. At this point I think that's their only thing holding them back from becoming a good team. Establish a run game, win more games and have a legitimate shot at the playoffs; it's that simple.
Oh, and a memo to whomever the Bears play next: do not kick to Devin Hester. The guy is amazing, plain and simple.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's it for now from me. It's the end of the season so I thought I'd spend a little bit more time on the Tigers than Lions. I mean, after all, we still have 12 more weeks to watch the Lions tank.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Cold Front Comes Through Hell, Detroit To Blame.
The Detroit Lions, as long as I have been existing on this earth, have sucked. We've been the laughing stock of the NFL for years on end, and quite frankly, I'm sick of it. Apparently, The Lions got sick of it too and decided to play professional quality football this year.
Today, Lovie Smith's Chicago Bears came to town, the same team that was in the Super Bowl just last year. Last year, Lions fans would've just slept in and watched the highlight reel later that night. Not this year, no no no. This year, we're 2-1. We've got a confident quarterback who gets concussions and believes in miracles. We've got an offense, and hey, a defense too. This year, Detroit is tuning in and thinking, "3-1".
Throughout the first three quarters, nothing was looking quite spectacular. But just because Detroit wasn't putting up big numbers doesn't mean that it was a disappointing game. Greise wasn't leading the Bears anywhere and Detroit was still in the game. Sure, fumbles were made by Detroit in the endzone, but the Bears were making slip ups right alongside us.
Then came the fourth quarter and everything exploded. Touchdowns, field goals, challenges, and way too many booth reviews for the inattentive football fan. Soon enough, it was 30-20 with Detroit in the lead. I've learned throughout my fanship with the team that this doesn't mean anything, even if there was just a little over a minute left. Chicago was nearing the goal line and rearing for a touchdow-...Wait, did Detroit just cause another fumble? Damn! There's the kind of plays that mean something! After a deflection pass gets caught by a Bear, the same Bear fumbles it right near the goal line, and Detroit subsequently recovers and-...what are they going to the booth for? Yup, the call gets overturned. The story of my life as a Detroit Lions fan.
Chicago goes to score a TD. 30-27. Detroit is preparing for the inevitable onside kick. There it is and-...you're kidding, we just returned it for a touchdown! Get out, what team is this? it's 37-27 after the Hanson tack-on. Griese gets sacked a couple times after that, and next thing you know, Detroit is 3-1. This fan is excited for the rest of the season, because I bet dollars to doughnuts this kind of stuff's gonna happen every week.
Notes of Un-Interest...
-Kitna goes 20-24 for 247 yards, two TDs, and no interceptions. Griese goes 34-52 for 286 yards, two TDs, and three INTs. Lovie, it's time to call Rex back from the doghouse.
-My Dad, after the drag foot TD by Detroit, "Who's this guy Walters?"
-Maybe I don't watch enough games, but kicks were getting blocked and deflected more than I usually see them.
-I want my boy Calvin Johnson back!
-The Detroit Tigers also happened to be playing a Chicago team today, The White Sox, on their last game of the year. The sports gods felt like being funny today, both Detroit teams won by 10 points/runs. Mwahahaha.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I admittedly did not watch much of the Tigers game today, because I gave up on them about a week ago. Too much heartache, I hope you understand. But here's a few bits of advice for the off season. Aaron will cover more than I will.
-Lock Leyland down for as long as possible. That goes without saying, but I said it anyway.
-Keep the lineup as consistent as possible. I don't need to see Hessman coming in and out every now and then.
-This is obviously out of the Tigers trainers/medical staff's hands, but work to limit injuries on pitchers as much as possible. A pitching injury jacks up the rotation and puts extra stress on the bullpen. I never want to see Grilli pitching any sooner than the 6th or 7th inning because some replacement like Bazardo is getting killed out on the mound.
-Granderson always leads off. Pudge does not. Don't try that again.
-Durbin almost had as many wins as Bonderman this year. Does that mean Durbin is good or Bonderman is bad?
-Short term = Zumaya. Long term = Rodney
-Rod and Mario should be like Supreme Court Judges. They should have lifelong tenures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's all you, McMann.
Today, Lovie Smith's Chicago Bears came to town, the same team that was in the Super Bowl just last year. Last year, Lions fans would've just slept in and watched the highlight reel later that night. Not this year, no no no. This year, we're 2-1. We've got a confident quarterback who gets concussions and believes in miracles. We've got an offense, and hey, a defense too. This year, Detroit is tuning in and thinking, "3-1".
Throughout the first three quarters, nothing was looking quite spectacular. But just because Detroit wasn't putting up big numbers doesn't mean that it was a disappointing game. Greise wasn't leading the Bears anywhere and Detroit was still in the game. Sure, fumbles were made by Detroit in the endzone, but the Bears were making slip ups right alongside us.
Then came the fourth quarter and everything exploded. Touchdowns, field goals, challenges, and way too many booth reviews for the inattentive football fan. Soon enough, it was 30-20 with Detroit in the lead. I've learned throughout my fanship with the team that this doesn't mean anything, even if there was just a little over a minute left. Chicago was nearing the goal line and rearing for a touchdow-...Wait, did Detroit just cause another fumble? Damn! There's the kind of plays that mean something! After a deflection pass gets caught by a Bear, the same Bear fumbles it right near the goal line, and Detroit subsequently recovers and-...what are they going to the booth for? Yup, the call gets overturned. The story of my life as a Detroit Lions fan.
Chicago goes to score a TD. 30-27. Detroit is preparing for the inevitable onside kick. There it is and-...you're kidding, we just returned it for a touchdown! Get out, what team is this? it's 37-27 after the Hanson tack-on. Griese gets sacked a couple times after that, and next thing you know, Detroit is 3-1. This fan is excited for the rest of the season, because I bet dollars to doughnuts this kind of stuff's gonna happen every week.
Notes of Un-Interest...
-Kitna goes 20-24 for 247 yards, two TDs, and no interceptions. Griese goes 34-52 for 286 yards, two TDs, and three INTs. Lovie, it's time to call Rex back from the doghouse.
-My Dad, after the drag foot TD by Detroit, "Who's this guy Walters?"
-Maybe I don't watch enough games, but kicks were getting blocked and deflected more than I usually see them.
-I want my boy Calvin Johnson back!
-The Detroit Tigers also happened to be playing a Chicago team today, The White Sox, on their last game of the year. The sports gods felt like being funny today, both Detroit teams won by 10 points/runs. Mwahahaha.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I admittedly did not watch much of the Tigers game today, because I gave up on them about a week ago. Too much heartache, I hope you understand. But here's a few bits of advice for the off season. Aaron will cover more than I will.
-Lock Leyland down for as long as possible. That goes without saying, but I said it anyway.
-Keep the lineup as consistent as possible. I don't need to see Hessman coming in and out every now and then.
-This is obviously out of the Tigers trainers/medical staff's hands, but work to limit injuries on pitchers as much as possible. A pitching injury jacks up the rotation and puts extra stress on the bullpen. I never want to see Grilli pitching any sooner than the 6th or 7th inning because some replacement like Bazardo is getting killed out on the mound.
-Granderson always leads off. Pudge does not. Don't try that again.
-Durbin almost had as many wins as Bonderman this year. Does that mean Durbin is good or Bonderman is bad?
-Short term = Zumaya. Long term = Rodney
-Rod and Mario should be like Supreme Court Judges. They should have lifelong tenures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's all you, McMann.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)