The Lions schedule has been released and right now, on paper, the sports dude is giving them a 10-6 which will win the Lions the division. Yes folks, the sports dude is smoking a little something-something and drinking from the funky Kool-Aid, but that is my regular season prediction for these guys. The defense will play more aggressive under Henderson, the offense will be less sleepy with Martz (and some quality QB’s finally) and Marinelli will have these guys ready to actually play some damn football. I mean if they don’t want to play the guy will kick their asses, threaten their mothers and simply ship them out of town. Look, Green Bay is rebuilding, Chicago got lucky last year, overachieved and never does good in consecutive seasons and Minnesota has the only chance of causing any problems for the Lions. Therefore, in honor of my “wacky-tabacky” day here is a game to game break down of what I think will get the Lions to my, on paper, 10-6 prediction:
HOME against Seattle = loss (0-1)
AT Chicago = win (1-1)
HOME against Green Bay = win (2-1)
AT St. Louis = loss (2-2)
AT Minnesota = loss (2-3)
HOME against Bills = win (3-3)
AT NY Jets = win (4-3)
HOME against Atlanta = loss (4-4)
HOME against San Fran = win (5-4)
AT Arizona = win (6-4)
HOME against Miami = win (7-4)
AT New England = loss (7-5)
HOME against Minnesota = win (8-5)
AT Green Bay = win (9-5)
HOME against Chicago = win (10-5)
AT Dallas = loss (10-6)
I know you all probably think I am crazy but I truly feel that Marinelli will finally get something out of these guys, Camp Moochinwegville is over! I also strongly believe that the ghost of mediocrity past (A.K.A. Joey Harrington) will reveal itself as a strong revitalized offensive unit. Martz will get the wheels turning, Jones will have the type of season he should (since he will get the ball 25-30 times) and the defense will be a lot more aggressive under Henderson than it was under the “bend but don’t break” system. I also like the thought of the Lions going Texas Longhorns style again and drafting Michael Huff to complement Dre Bly. That is it, enough Kool-Aid for one day – the crazy sports dude.
Luke Waltons Forehead presented by the Sports Dude.
Thursday, April 06, 2006 at 3:39 PM
Lions are 10-6 (on paper) baby!!!!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006 at 1:27 PM
A little Wednesday this, a little Wednesday that...
You know, for some strange reason I had a thought today, what the hell happened to Larry Johnson? Remember him and his old "Grandma-ma" adds with Converse back in the day? Is he still alive? Anyone?
Another thought (yes, that is two in one day, the sports dude needs to lie down now) was the good old "Little Penny" adds and I wondered what the hell happened to Little Penny? I wonder if they gave him to Anfernee, a.k.a Penny, when they ripped up his endorsement deal in front of his face?!?!? Here, take this stupid puppet, it is worthless to us just like your career! It also made me think I wonder if this is a jinx, having a twin "puppet" and all and if Lebron should be concerned in the least of ways.
Like I said, really random BS today but it is after all my blog, so why not? Later y'all! The sports dude.
Another thought (yes, that is two in one day, the sports dude needs to lie down now) was the good old "Little Penny" adds and I wondered what the hell happened to Little Penny? I wonder if they gave him to Anfernee, a.k.a Penny, when they ripped up his endorsement deal in front of his face?!?!? Here, take this stupid puppet, it is worthless to us just like your career! It also made me think I wonder if this is a jinx, having a twin "puppet" and all and if Lebron should be concerned in the least of ways.
Like I said, really random BS today but it is after all my blog, so why not? Later y'all! The sports dude.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006 at 2:57 PM
Tuesday Thoughts...
The Pistons:
Well, the streak comes to an end tonight as Rasheed earned his 16th tech and an automatic one game suspension from the league. Damn shame, if you ask me, because even though Dale Davis (his replacement in the starting lineup) is a gritty veteran it just isn’t the same without Rasheed in there, or any starter missing for that matter. Speaking of the technical foul issue itself, does anyone else think it is just his reputation that is preceding him in a negative way? The last few technical fouls that he has received have been questionable at best and it is a damn shame that the refs are clearly out to get him. Sorry, call me a complainer if you want, but it is clearly true.
The Pistons have also locked up home court advantage in the East and have a 2 game lead on the Spurs and 4 on the Mavs. I think, hope this is no jinx, the Mavs are all but out of it and all the Pistons have to worry about is the Spurs. A couple last second things I would like to watch down the stretch are who is going to be the eighth seed and the second seed in the East. Will Philly hang on or will Indiana fall to #8? I am not too scared of Indiana, I think the Pistons will take care of that menace in 4 to 6 games, but I worry about the emotional toll it may take out of them in a first round match up. The other thing is could you imagine the Nets catching Miami and getting the #2 seed? Talk about a tough break, and road, for the Pistons if this all happens - Indiana in the first round as the #8 and then Miami in Round #2 because they fall to the #3 seed. Not a scenario that works in the Pistons favor, so here is to hoping Indiana stays at #7, the Sixers do just enough to stay at #8 so the Pistons can sweep them and Miami holds off New Jersey.
Lastly, on a quick note, Joe Dumars finally got selected for induction to the Hall of Fame and may I say congrats and that it should have happened last year. In the modern NBA where they try and preach team work, ethics and sportsmanship there is no better example I can think of than the Pistons very own Joe D.
The Tigers:
With a 3-1 victory against Kansas City on opening day the Tigers are now a game above .500 for the first time since probably about this time last year, give or take. Kenny Rogers did what he was supposed to do and Zumaya looked damn impressive “gun slinging” out of the bullpen. Chris Shelton homered twice, man what a steal that guy was, and Guillen added a homer in the eighth for insurance purposes. Stop the presses here folks, Pudge actually took a walk yesterday as well, could this be some strange sign of things to come this season? Some sort of omen? Who’s to say, but at least it was a win and at least baseball is finally under way again. I mean I love basketball and all but I was damn near bored because there has been nothing to really read about lately.
The Red Wings:
Well, like I said, thank God baseball started – hockey bores me and I have not paid attention to these guys in my 29 years of life and it sure isn’t going to start now. I will say that at least it appears Stevie Y is going to go out with a playoff run that will end in the second round instead of the first.
The Lions:
Where will Joey go? The latest “rumor” has the Dolphins the front runner and I hope for all parties involved this wet bag of shit is off the roster sooner than later. Yes, I know this is already old, but how funny would it be to see Joey the starter for the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day? I know one thing I would be thankful for, the fact he is no longer in a Lions uniform at long last!
There you go, another dose of sports dude wisdom, remember to chew each morsel 40 times to avoid choking and digestive problems. Have a good one my hearties – the sports dude.
Well, the streak comes to an end tonight as Rasheed earned his 16th tech and an automatic one game suspension from the league. Damn shame, if you ask me, because even though Dale Davis (his replacement in the starting lineup) is a gritty veteran it just isn’t the same without Rasheed in there, or any starter missing for that matter. Speaking of the technical foul issue itself, does anyone else think it is just his reputation that is preceding him in a negative way? The last few technical fouls that he has received have been questionable at best and it is a damn shame that the refs are clearly out to get him. Sorry, call me a complainer if you want, but it is clearly true.
The Pistons have also locked up home court advantage in the East and have a 2 game lead on the Spurs and 4 on the Mavs. I think, hope this is no jinx, the Mavs are all but out of it and all the Pistons have to worry about is the Spurs. A couple last second things I would like to watch down the stretch are who is going to be the eighth seed and the second seed in the East. Will Philly hang on or will Indiana fall to #8? I am not too scared of Indiana, I think the Pistons will take care of that menace in 4 to 6 games, but I worry about the emotional toll it may take out of them in a first round match up. The other thing is could you imagine the Nets catching Miami and getting the #2 seed? Talk about a tough break, and road, for the Pistons if this all happens - Indiana in the first round as the #8 and then Miami in Round #2 because they fall to the #3 seed. Not a scenario that works in the Pistons favor, so here is to hoping Indiana stays at #7, the Sixers do just enough to stay at #8 so the Pistons can sweep them and Miami holds off New Jersey.
Lastly, on a quick note, Joe Dumars finally got selected for induction to the Hall of Fame and may I say congrats and that it should have happened last year. In the modern NBA where they try and preach team work, ethics and sportsmanship there is no better example I can think of than the Pistons very own Joe D.
The Tigers:
With a 3-1 victory against Kansas City on opening day the Tigers are now a game above .500 for the first time since probably about this time last year, give or take. Kenny Rogers did what he was supposed to do and Zumaya looked damn impressive “gun slinging” out of the bullpen. Chris Shelton homered twice, man what a steal that guy was, and Guillen added a homer in the eighth for insurance purposes. Stop the presses here folks, Pudge actually took a walk yesterday as well, could this be some strange sign of things to come this season? Some sort of omen? Who’s to say, but at least it was a win and at least baseball is finally under way again. I mean I love basketball and all but I was damn near bored because there has been nothing to really read about lately.
The Red Wings:
Well, like I said, thank God baseball started – hockey bores me and I have not paid attention to these guys in my 29 years of life and it sure isn’t going to start now. I will say that at least it appears Stevie Y is going to go out with a playoff run that will end in the second round instead of the first.
The Lions:
Where will Joey go? The latest “rumor” has the Dolphins the front runner and I hope for all parties involved this wet bag of shit is off the roster sooner than later. Yes, I know this is already old, but how funny would it be to see Joey the starter for the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day? I know one thing I would be thankful for, the fact he is no longer in a Lions uniform at long last!
There you go, another dose of sports dude wisdom, remember to chew each morsel 40 times to avoid choking and digestive problems. Have a good one my hearties – the sports dude.
Monday, April 03, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Tiger Talk.
Opening Day is here folks, so who’s your Tiger? Sorry for the silly beginning, but that damn add campaign has always bothered me, to tell you the truth. Something that just seems a little too cheesy or phony about it for me to “pick a Tiger”, but opening day is here so I guess let the games begin.
The Lineup:
A mix of old, new and somewhere in between the key to this lineup is one magic little word – HEALTH!!!! If healthy this lineup can produce with the best of them, make no mistake about it. The key will be if Guillen and Maggs can stay healthy and productive for an entire season and if Pudge and Young can stop pouting long enough to play ball. Granderson also needs to make a mark, the first time a youngster has had a key role in the batting order in a long time, I don’t even remember the last time a youngster was counted on in the Tigers lineup, and can any of you? Here is a quick peak at the batting order come this afternoon:
Granderson – CF
Polanco – 2B
Pudge – C
Maggs – RF
Young – DH
Guillen – SS
Monroe – LF
Shelton – 1B
Inge – 3B
The Starters:
Can Bonderman finally emerge as the ace? Will Verlander really be a rookie of the year candidate? Will Rogers hold up or bust out? What about Maroth and Robertson? The wild card to me is Robertson, I think if he falters he will be the first to be replaced in the starting rotation and I feel the rest will fair okay. I think that Maroth will benefit the most from having Rogers there everyday and Verlander will be about a .500 pitcher with flashes of brilliance and flashes of rookie growing pains. I think Bonderman will have another year in which he grows and as much as I like him I think Robertson will be replaced by the All-Star break either by Colon or Grilli. I think this is, however, the strongest starting rotation the Tigers have had in quite awhile and I think for the first time in years the lineup and its health is more of a wild card than the starting pitching.
The bullpen:
If you ask me Todd Jones was a nice signing and him and Joel Zumaya should become best friends, something tells me that young cat is the “closer of the future” the Tigers have been looking for. Beside that is there really anything else that needs to be said about the bullpen? I think not, it is just your typical bullpen, some long relievers, Jaime Walker as the “lefty specialist” and not really too much more to add.
The Leyland Factor:
Look, I like everything that the man is preaching and teaching and saying, but the thing is he is still saying all the things Tram used to say… “Little ball wins games.” He preaches the sacrifices with runners at second and one out, he preaches defense, he preaches passion and accountability, all the things Tram was pounding each spring. The difference? He is a veteran manager and the players respect that more coming from him than they did from Tram and nothing more. I do not doubt that his experience may win us a couple games that Tram may have lost, but I will always say Tram was put in an unfair position before he was ready. For Tram the best thing would have been to start in the minors, just like Leyland did, and then work your way up the ranks. Tram will get a chance again, but now it is Leyland’s turn to right the ship that has been sinking for 12 straight years now.
The prediction:
Not one to make too many bold predictions for the Tigers, it is not my cup of tea like basketball, but I think this team will finish third in the Central behind the Indians (division winners) and the White Sox. But the biggest sign of progress is they will keep it close, play competitive and meaningful ball longer than usual and yes folks, finish a few games over .500.
That is it, check back later when I post about what I really wanted to talk about today, Joe D. getting in the Hall of Fame and that amazing win that the Pistons had yesterday. Until then keep eating your veggies and be thankful that baseball is back in the D! The sports dude.
The Lineup:
A mix of old, new and somewhere in between the key to this lineup is one magic little word – HEALTH!!!! If healthy this lineup can produce with the best of them, make no mistake about it. The key will be if Guillen and Maggs can stay healthy and productive for an entire season and if Pudge and Young can stop pouting long enough to play ball. Granderson also needs to make a mark, the first time a youngster has had a key role in the batting order in a long time, I don’t even remember the last time a youngster was counted on in the Tigers lineup, and can any of you? Here is a quick peak at the batting order come this afternoon:
Granderson – CF
Polanco – 2B
Pudge – C
Maggs – RF
Young – DH
Guillen – SS
Monroe – LF
Shelton – 1B
Inge – 3B
The Starters:
Can Bonderman finally emerge as the ace? Will Verlander really be a rookie of the year candidate? Will Rogers hold up or bust out? What about Maroth and Robertson? The wild card to me is Robertson, I think if he falters he will be the first to be replaced in the starting rotation and I feel the rest will fair okay. I think that Maroth will benefit the most from having Rogers there everyday and Verlander will be about a .500 pitcher with flashes of brilliance and flashes of rookie growing pains. I think Bonderman will have another year in which he grows and as much as I like him I think Robertson will be replaced by the All-Star break either by Colon or Grilli. I think this is, however, the strongest starting rotation the Tigers have had in quite awhile and I think for the first time in years the lineup and its health is more of a wild card than the starting pitching.
The bullpen:
If you ask me Todd Jones was a nice signing and him and Joel Zumaya should become best friends, something tells me that young cat is the “closer of the future” the Tigers have been looking for. Beside that is there really anything else that needs to be said about the bullpen? I think not, it is just your typical bullpen, some long relievers, Jaime Walker as the “lefty specialist” and not really too much more to add.
The Leyland Factor:
Look, I like everything that the man is preaching and teaching and saying, but the thing is he is still saying all the things Tram used to say… “Little ball wins games.” He preaches the sacrifices with runners at second and one out, he preaches defense, he preaches passion and accountability, all the things Tram was pounding each spring. The difference? He is a veteran manager and the players respect that more coming from him than they did from Tram and nothing more. I do not doubt that his experience may win us a couple games that Tram may have lost, but I will always say Tram was put in an unfair position before he was ready. For Tram the best thing would have been to start in the minors, just like Leyland did, and then work your way up the ranks. Tram will get a chance again, but now it is Leyland’s turn to right the ship that has been sinking for 12 straight years now.
The prediction:
Not one to make too many bold predictions for the Tigers, it is not my cup of tea like basketball, but I think this team will finish third in the Central behind the Indians (division winners) and the White Sox. But the biggest sign of progress is they will keep it close, play competitive and meaningful ball longer than usual and yes folks, finish a few games over .500.
That is it, check back later when I post about what I really wanted to talk about today, Joe D. getting in the Hall of Fame and that amazing win that the Pistons had yesterday. Until then keep eating your veggies and be thankful that baseball is back in the D! The sports dude.
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