Detroit Lions Draft Reaction

   I’m not quite sure what to think of the Lions draft at this moment, but as always with the draft, only time will tell.

  The Lions threw us a curve ball by drafting Nick Fairley in the first round, but I have no problem with that pick what so ever. He was the best player on the board and he will obviously make their line even more menacing than it already is. He’s big, strong and very quick for his size. He could probably be an option at defensive end if they wanted. He also has a mean streak. He’s going to punish you and let you know about, but he’s been known to hit people after the play is over. He has been rumored as a dirty player at times, but I don’t mind having that mean nasty guy on our team. Better ours than theirs. He’s going to be a beast. Hopefully he can learn to control his aggression so he doesn’t hurt the team with penalties. Other than that, taking Fairley was a great pick at 13.

  As for their second round pick, I don’t really like who they got. Yeah…they say Titus Young is a good player, but is he going to be the deep threat that the Lions are looking for? I’m not so sure. First of all, he’s only 5’11” 175 pounds. He’s probably going to struggle against press coverage. He played in the WAC, probably not too many corners from the WAC going to the NFL. His speed is ok, he ran a 4.56 in the 40. He’s has good quickness and play making ability and is better suited to be a slot guy. The Lions already have one of those. A good one! To be honest, I don’t mind picking a wide out and he’ll probably be a good player for them, but I just think there was a better guy there who could have fit that deep threat the Lions were looking for.

  Torrey Smith from Maryland was still available at the time. Torrey Smith was one of the best receivers in college football last year. He has good size at 6’1” 204 and has very good speed. He ran a 4.43 at the combine. Smith’s is bigger, faster and played better competition. He would have been a better fit for what the Lions were looking for and I guarantee he’ll be a better pro. I’d rather they picked just about anybody but him at that slot to tell you the truth. I don’t mean to hate, but COME ON! Hopefully he makes me eat my words.

  Another strange move was trading their 3^rd and 4^th round picks to move up and grab Mikel Leshoure in the middle of the second round. I don’t mind this pick either. I knew the Lions were looking for a bigger back to share carries with Best. Leshoure was very productive at Illinois rushing for 1,900 yards and 20 TD’s last year. He’s the between the tackles runner the Lions were looking for. But, just because he’s 230 doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t make big runs. Leshoure had 15 runs for over 30 yards last season and had 3 for over 50. He has a nose for the goal line and ability to catch the ball will add another dimension to Detroit’s redzone offense. Another good pick!

  After all is said and done after 3 rounds, the Lions got 2 really good players and a descent one. The only thing that concerns me is that they haven’t even filled any of their glaring needs like LB and CB. Even more concerning, they only have a 5^th and a 7^th round pick left. They’re probably not going to get a very good player with those picks, but you never know. Looks like the Lions will depend on free agency to fill their remaining holes. If Detroit can bring in some good players through free agency to go along with this years draft picks and with Stafford coming back, the Lions are going to be scary good this year. You’ll see…

Saginaw Sting Coaches - Week 9

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Saginaw Sting edges Canton Cougars 62-61 for fourth straight victory

Published: Friday, April 15, 2011, 11:20 PM     Updated: Saturday, April 16, 2011, 8:31 AM

 By Geoff Mott | The Saginaw News 
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SAGINAW — Don't expect the Saginaw Sting to shed any tears for the Canton Cougars any time soon.

After the Sting started its Ultimate Indoor Football League season with a 2-0 start, then lost a pair of one-point games — including a 53-52 decision at Canton on March 21 — to drop their record to 2-2.

Saginaw returned the favor at home Friday, allowing the Cougars to rally from an early 21-point deficit to scoring a touchdown with 9 seconds left to pull within a point.

But Canton kicker Lawrence Vickerstaff pushed the extra point right and the Sting won their fourth-straight game with a 62-61 decision in front of a crowd of 1,913 at The Dow Event Center.

"I don't have a bit of remorse (for the missed kick)," Saginaw coach Vince Leveille said. "We've lost a couple close ones that way. This is a little bit of revenge for us."

The Sting improved to 6-2 and remain in second place in the UIFL heading into the second half of the season. Saginaw travels to UIFL leader Northern Kentucky River Monsters at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday for a chance to draw even at the top of the standings.

"This was a good win," Leveille said. "We had a great crowd and it made it tough on them.

"But we have to get a little better. We have to eliminate mistakes on special teams and put more pressure on the quarterback."

The Sting have put in extra time at practice on special teams and it paid off in a big way on Friday.

After Canton took a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter on its second touchdown pass of the game, Saginaw receiver LaVaughn Macon returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown from inside the Sting endzone. Chris Kollias connected on the first of his eight extra point kicks to tie the game at 14-14.

Saginaw's defense stopped Canton on its next possession and after Vickerstaff missed the field goal, Saginaw's Kevin Brown fielded the miss and returned the kick all the way to the Canton 1-yard line. Vernon Burdon strong-armed his way into the end zone for a rushing touchdown on the next play for a 21-14 lead.

Three plays into the Cougars next possession, Canton quarterback Ray Marrow misfired on a quick lateral pass that Saginaw defender Phillip Smith scooped up and returned 25 yards for another touchdown, pushing the Sting lead to 28-14.

After Saginaw stuffed Canton at the goal line on the next possession, Sting quarterback Tommy Jones connected with former Saginaw Valley State University receiver Andrew Beaver for a 16-yard TD pass, giving Saginaw a commanding 35-14 lead.

Canton responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass with 33.3 seconds left in the first half and added another touchdown on a fumble return to cut Saginaw's lead to 35-28, but Beaver returned the kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown and a 42-28 halftime lead.

"We've worked long and hard and special teams and it definitely paid off today," Leveille said.

Canton closed in on Saginaw in the second half as Cody Smith returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Sting lead to 42-41 after Vickerstaff missed an extra point.

Jones found Zac Nichols for a 12-yard TD pass in the closing moments of the third quarter for a 49-41 lead and after an interception from Sting linebacker John Jacobs, Jones connected with Beaver for a 40-yard TD strike, giving Saginaw the 56-41 lead.

After a Canton score, Jones hit Beaver again on a short TD pass, but Canton scored again to cut the lead to 62-55 with 3:05 left in the game. Saginaw had a chance to ice the game but Jones had a third down pass picked off with 1:40 remaining. Canton drove all the way to a third and goal and scored with 9 seconds left on a wide open TD pass. That's when Vickerstaff missed the extra point.

"It shouldn't have been that close," Leveille said. "That was an ugly win. But we'll take an ugly win any day."

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Tigers Need A Win...BAD!

  After coming home with a 3-5 record on the season opening road trip, everybody, including me, thought the Tigers were going to come home and take care of business. But over the last 3 games the Tiger bats were silenced by KC, TEX and people are already becoming concerned.

  It all started on Saturday, when Bruce Chen held the Tigers scoreless for 6 innings, while striking out 7 and allowing only 3 hits. Turned out to be a waste of a great start from Phil Coke who went 6.2 innings allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 7 as well. The Tigers only scored 1 run in the game from a solo blast from Ryan Rayburn in the 9^th.

  On Sunday, the Tigers had trouble hitting Luke Hochevar who gave the Royals 7 strong innings while only surrendering 3 runs. The Tigers did have some success with the bats, but the Tigers pitching couldn’t get anybody out as the Royals pounded out 15 hits on their way to a 9-5 win and a series victory. Rick Porcello took the loss as he gave up 9 hits and 5 runs in just 5 innings. He falls to 0-2 so far this season.

   Yesterday, the Tigers squandered another beautiful pitching performance, this time by Justin Verlander. He threw a complete game allowing only 2 runs and 6 hits, while striking out 4, against a really good Texas lineup. The Tiger bats were shut down for the second time in 3 days, managing only 4 hits and 0 runs.

  Now I’m not one to panic, but I absolutely hate when the Tigers lose. Was I upset watching the last couple games? Hell yes! But it is going to be a very long season and it’s way to early to start panicking. I figure we need to give them another month or so before we find out how good they really are.

  It’s time to stop the bleeding tonight though. The Tigers have Texas at home for the next 2 days and will head to the west coast for a 7 game road trip against Oakland and Seattle. The Tigers don’t typically play well out west, but then again, you never know with baseball. Either way, the Tigers need to get these next 2 games at home so they can have something to build off of going out west. Go get em boys!!

Welcome to Detroit!

  The Tigers 2011 home opener started off with a bang as newly acquired Victor Martinez had a bases clearing double in the first inning that got the Tigers rolling on their way 5-2 win Friday at Comerica Park.

  This game should be a preview of what to come for this Tiger lineup. Having the best hitter in the game is one thing, but having the guys around him in the lineup is the key. Going out and getting Victor Martinez was a huge pick up and served true today, but Maggs and Brennan Boesch are no slouches by any stretch. It’s going to be hard to face those 4 hitters in a row without taking some damage.

  Today was a perfect example. In the first inning Rhymes gets on with an infield hit, Maggs walks, Cabrerra walks and Martinez knocks em in. Just like that…3 runs on the board. Jhonny Peralta joined in on the action as well with a double in the first to score Martinez and an RBI in the 6^th to score Cabrerra. Now the Tigers will obviously need to get some help from the rest of the lineup, but it will be the 3 through 6 hitters who will be doing most of the damage.

  On the other end of things, Max Scherzer was just cruising along. Scherzer had his good stuff today throwing his fastball with control and keeping the Kansas City hitters off balance with his slider. He did get himself in a jam in the 4^th inning by loading the bases with 2 outs, but got Alcides Escobar to ground out to end the threat. Scherzer gave up 7 H, 2 BB while striking out 3 and only surrendering 1 run in 6 innings.

  Brayan Villarreal started the seventh inning and made a few big plays. He made a great play snagging a hard hit ball right back to him, taking a hit away from the Royals. He also picked a guy off of first base which end up saving a run. Villarreal gave up 1 run on 3 hits in 2/3 of an inning and Daniel Schlereth finished the 7th. Benoit and Velverde had no problems closing out the 8^th and 9^th allowing only 1 hit combined and struck out 2.

  The Tigers move to 3-4 on the season and will be looking to continue its success tomorrow in game 2 of the series against the Royals. Phil Coke will be making his first start of the season for the Tigers and will face Bruce Chen in Saturday’s matchup.

 Just a few notes: Will Rhymes had a couple hits today and a diving, run saving catch in the 7^th inning to end a threat. Austin Jackson continues to struggle so far this season going 1-5 today keeping his average at just .200.

Click here to see Victor Martinez's Home Run

Saginaw Sting Coaches Show - Week 7

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Tigers Serving Meatballs

  The Tigers pitching continued to serve up long balls Saturday in New York as the Yankees put up a 10 spot to hand the Tigers their second consecutive loss to start the season.  A three run shots by Mark Texiera and Russell Martin were too much for the Tigers to overcome in a 10-6 loss at Yankee Stadium.

  Tiger’s starter Brad Penny gave up three runs in the first inning, “no thanks” to his defense. After Penny retired the first batter, Will Rhymes couldn’t make a tough play on a ground ball by Jeter, who ended up scoring on a double by Alex Rodriguez. After a walk to Texiera, Jhonny Peralta booted a ground ball to short by Cano as Texiera scored and A-Rod moved to third. Nick Swisher hit a sac fly to left field, scoring Rodriguez and the Yanks jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

  In the top of the 2^nd, the Tigers had a chance to strike back and failed in typical Tigers fashion. Miguel Cabrerra, lead of with a double and was stranded there. Victor Martinez and Brennan Boesch struck out back to back and Peralta flied out to Granderson to end the threat.

  Bad luck struck Penny again in the second. With 1 out and Bret Gardner on 2^nd, Jeter hit a ground ball to short and Peralta’s attempt to throw out Gardener at 3^rd was unsuccessful. Instead of 2 outs and 1 on, there were men on first and third with 1 out. Mark Texiera would make the Tigers pay as he went deep for a three run jack for the second straight game to put the Yanks up 6-0.

  The Tigers were able to cut the lead in half by the top of the fifth inning, but should have gotten more. After back to back singles to start the inning, Alex Avila scored Brennan Boesch on a ground ball through the infield. The Tigers eventually had the bases loaded with 1 out, but were only able to get one more across on a fielder’s choice ground ball by Rhymes. Ordonez struck out swinging to end the threat.

  Just as the Tigers seemed to be in business, the long ball bit them again. Penny was pulled in the bottom half of the 5^th with two runners on. Brad Thomas came in to get Granderson to ground out, but with 2 outs, served up a no doubt, three run homer to Russell Martin and the Tigers were down 9-3.

  Penny allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and 8 runs in just 4 1/3 innings in his first regular season start as a Tiger. Penny didn’t look particularly sharp, but I think things might have been different had a couple plays went his way. But hey, that’s baseball. Penny knows you just have to have to put it behind you and move on, “It’s over with. My work begins again tomorrow morning.”

  On a positive note, Austin Jackson matched his homerun total from last year with one in the 3^rd inning and Victor Martinez hit his first homerun as a Tiger with a 2 run shot in the 8^th. Also, the Tigers bullpen didn’t allow a hit past the 6^th inning.

  The Tigers will wrap up the series with the Yanks today at 1:05. Max Sherzer will make his first start of the season and will be looking to bounce back after a disastrous final outing of the preseason. The Yankees will counter with RHP Phil Hughes.

                                                      Victor Martinez home run in the 8th