The Michigan Way

The University of Michigan is synonymous with winning. 9 NCAA Ice Hockey Championships, the highest total, and the longest current active streak for NCAA Ice Hockey tournament appearances at 25, is impressive to say the least. Even more incredible is that the university holds the record for all time number of wins (860) and winning percentage (.745) in Division I-A football. Given just a few of the many athletic achievements it is no wonder why the university proclaimed itself "the leaders and best," because they are. Or well they were. As of late the Wolverines have been more linked to the term underachieving rather than winning, but where do I begin? How about a sport that has not had as much success as of late, basketball. Could the class of 2007 seniors have underachieved just a little bit more than they did? At any other school those seniors, yes I mean you Courtney Sims, Lester Abram, Brent Petway, Ron Coleman and Dion Harris could've at least made it to the tournament, but not at the University of Michigna. Congratulations on one N.I.T. tournament championship and well not a whole lot else. You 5 made me believe in Michigan basketball at the beginning of each season that maybe, just maybe we could make the tournament, but every year you let me down and even last year you were one dunk, yes one DUNK away from the dance. Granted, this is basketball so I guess I can't get too upset. How about hockey, yes there is no way one of the most decorated hockey programs could underachieve especially in a season where they only lost 5 games. Think again folks. This past Thursday was just another item on the list of recent under achievements by Michigan athletics. After cruising through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, I thought this would be the year, all this underachieving had to end this year. It was our turn. Apparently no nobody told Notre Dame, who Michigan outscored 8-3 in two games earlier in the season. After one of the worst defensive performances I have ever laid my eyes upon in the first period, the wolverines battle back and things were on the upswing. Fast forward to overtime where Notre Dame decided it would crush all of Ann Arbor's hopes with its victory over Michigan. No way a team with 15, yes 15, loses could defeat a team with merely 5, well folks this is Michigan. But neither of those sports were our pride and joy - football. No way the winningest program in history could underachieve, not a chance. Enter the class of 2008. Coming into the season the words that described the Michigan offense were along the lines of explosive, a well oiled machine, a vortex of awesomeness, etc. Enter Division I-AA Appalachian State, who was apparently ill informed about this juggernaut team that had national title hopes. 3 hours into the season those hopes were gone. This class of 2008 had arguably the most talent to walk through the Big House halls in years, led by 4 year starters Mike Hart and Chad "Ballgame" Henne. How can a class that put up numbers that were astonishing over their careers go 1-3 in bowl games and more importantly 0-4 against Ohio State. As soon as you enter Ann Arbor only one game matters and thats the game against Ohio State. Way to drop the ball there seniors, both metaphorically and literally speaking. It just frustrates me how a school bound to the tradition of winning can stand for such under achievements in athletics. Getting to the Frozen Four or winning 11 games means nothing without one thing - a fat championship ring. The last team to do that - women's softball in 2005. Maybe "the leaders and best" are just slumping, we can only hope, or maybe this is a pattern that we will see in years to come - accepting mediocrity when nothing but the best should be accepted from the best. Michigan: Get your act together before its too late.

Uh Oh (And Five)

December 5, 2007 a blockbuster trade was made in Major League Baseball sending the Tigers Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in exchange for Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin among 4 other players. With this trade the Tigers were given what was thought to be an unstoppable lineup in which billions of runs would be score... or so we thought. Granted the Tigers have assembled what is on paper the best lineup that baseball has seen since the '90s Yankees and can even be compared to the Murders Row lineup decades back. Aside from the fact that Cabrera and Willis have been proven performers, although Willis has struggled in recent seasons, they are both in their early to mid twenties and have at least ten more years in each of them, barring injury. Also with the arrival of Willis came a solid addition to a staff that was weak at times last season. All things considered nothing could stop the Tigers this year... except wait who is in relief? In December that question was answered by who cares we'll outscore everybody this year who needs relief. Well in today's baseball where a good outing from a starter is 6 to 7 innings, relief is pretty important. It is rare to turn on the game in the 8th inning and see a starting pitcher still in, and if he is still in he's running on fumes. So in today's game relief is pretty important. So who is in relief? Well, tending to be the first choice out of the bullpen has been Jason "Oh no now we're going to lose because he is pitching" Grilli. Grilli is someone who you want as a third, or preferably fourth choice in relief, definitely not your first. Also thrown into the mix the Tigers sport the ever popular Bobby Seay, wait what does he do, not a whole lot of good either. I don't even feel the need to touch on the rest of the middle and long relievers. In closing no game is ever safe when Todd Jones takes the hill, even with the 5 run lead Tigers fans think they can have every game. Now the season is only 5 games in, but if the Tigers don't win tonight it only gets worse from there having to travel to Boston and then back to Chicago before a quick home series against the Twins. Don't hit the panic button just yet, but do be worried that even though huge deals were made this off season nothing was done to improve the weakest part of the team, the bullpen.

756*

I know, what else is being talked about on every sports station/website across the world. Nonetheless, this is part of history we have witnessed. The facts are Barry Lamar Bonds is the new home run king - DEAL WITH IT. This topic divides people to a great extent, as it should and as sports commonly do. The fact also is, before Barry bulked up, whether it is natural or not I am not here to debate now, he was a hall of famer. He was and is the only person in the 500-500 club (HRs and Stolen Bases). All I'm trying to do is give the other side to the Bonds story. I'm as sick of it as you are, but you have to respect history. The other side is, when Bonds entered the league he was a twig, fast forward to now and he is like a giant. His head has grown to the size of like a bowling ball which kind of tips you off that maybe this record is tainted. I know I'm contradicting about not debating, but it was inevitable. There is no way Barry got that big with out knowing something. Is this what he said to former trainer Greg Anderson? Bonds - "Uh Greg my head is getting bigger are you sure those werent steroids" Greg - "Don't even worry about it." Come on, now his head grew like 3 sizes and you assuring me the record isnt at all tainted. Well, Barry hasnt ever tested positive, but Anderson is going to jail. Fact of the matter is we don't know and we may never know. Just live with it until A-Rod comes and breaks it, just give him some time, but at this pace who knows when or if hell break it. For now, congratulations Barry, lets just hope this record isnt tainted.

The Circus That Is.....

The NFL Draft.
No other sporting event can bring such controversy and tear friendships apart over who the Lions should or shouldn't draft. Yea, like it matters who the Detriot Lions or even the Oakland Raiders trade when Mr. Russell has no one to throw to. Like every other draft this one will have its suprises and duds. Here we go with my draft recap and the job that has about as much chance coming true as South Football has of making the playoffs, I know low blow. In all seriousness though, I was pretty content with this years draft. If you hate the draft, especially that of the Lions draft, then you should stop reading or not complain about me wasting your time. Well as we all knew at 11 o clock, thanks Raiders personel for ruining the draft, the Raiders took the big fella out of LSU, JaMarcus Russell. A solid pick, but before the Sugar Bowl who knew he would be the #1 overall pick. JaMarcus had a fantastic Sugar Bowl and hasn't gotten much attention over the years at LSU as his counter QB in the Draft Brday Quinn has at Notre Dame. If it were up to me and I were in Al Davis' position I would've taken Kevin Kolb out of Houston, hey your the Raiders what the hell do you have to lose. Seriously though JaMarcus was the much better pick over Quinn especially given Brady's first two years. In my opinion he was awful. You are on God's team and you are bad. Thats not going to make the Lord to happy, so Brady, I wish you luck with my boy Braylon in Cleveland, use him well. JaMarcus though, should have a decent first year, well what were you expecting. A) He is in Oakland B) Oakland's best reciever is Jerry Porter, who doesn't want to be there C) His number 2 go to guy is Mike "Yea I'll Catch the ball and ruin the first pick in the draft". JAMARCUS IS OURS OAKLAND, YEA OAKLAND HE IS OURS, good ridance Mike. Actually, Mike was coming on in the last 2 games. He just doesn't show up for the first 14 games, just the last two. Here's to you Mike Williams you don't blow up you just show up, overweight may I add. Now to the disaster that is the Lions. Should I start with Matt Millen or the Ford Family. Yes this is the draft, so Matt Millen is first. Since Millen joined the Lions, they have a 24-72 record. Let me reinerate, 24-72. That is AWFUL. Also, they have drafted quite a few dun dun dun dun BUSTS. Charles Rogers, bust; Joey Harrington, Bust; Mike Williams, we'll call him one too. All offensive players by the way. The Lions have some gaps to fill on the Defense, that has circa one good game a year and then everyone hypes them up and then they crash faster then a plane with no engine. The Lions then took a quarterback with their second pick, Drew Stanton. Not a bad pick, good QB bad college team. Stanton has the potential to be a good quarterback for the lions. Then later they drafted my mans I don't even know his name out of Hawaii. What the Lions should have done is well stop listening to that big headed, big haired fool Mel Kiper. Please STOP IT!!! He is the worst draft analyst. For a guy who has one job, he needs to work on it more. He can project the first two picks then every team who has sense kicks in and doesn't pay attention to him. Now to the Ford Family, PLEASE STOP OWNING THE LIONS. I don't know if your so damn old WIlliam Clay that you don't realize that this city needs a good football team. 3 out of 4 good teams isn't bad, but the Lions are so bad it cancels out the other success'. May I remind you, 24-72. They don't even care about the team. THat may be rash, but someone had to say it. As long as the Lions make a profit, they don't care. Earth to the Fords your car company is heading down hill and your football team beat them to it. I propose a boycott of the Lions, hey no profit, no Ford's. This is a football city. A football city needs a new owner, one who actually cares. The NFL Draft brings hope to people like Lion an Raider fans, but trust me the Lions are a long term project.

Playoff Time and the livin's (not so) easy

*Clap Clap Clap*
Lets have everyone give a big round of applause to the Detroit Red Wings for finally ending their drought of getting out of the first round of the playoffs in 3 years. Granted one of those years hockey decided just to take off. After losing last year to the Oilers, in a series in which the BEST TEAM IN THE REGULAR SEASON was flat out outplayed by a number 8 seed. Hold on, isnt the #1 seed supposed to win in for 4 or 5 games? Remember folks they are the Red Wings, so the best record and owning their way through the regular season means hold on NOTHING. Also after that disappointing loss to Anaheim a few years ago, again that darn 8 seed, people started to lose hope. Thank God the Wings lost the Presidents trophy or else they'd probably be sitting at home watching Calgary make a Stanley Cup run, as they have before. The Wings finally showed their true potential this series against a Calgary team who held on thanks to outstanding goaltending by Mika Kippursoff. The Wings completely out shot the Flames in this series, some games 50 something to the teens or 20s. THat is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s RIDICULOUS. NExt on the plate for the wings, a good San Jose team. This test should be a good one, with a strong San Jose offense lead by Joe Thorton. However, the Sharks goalie isnt as good as Kippursoff so the Wings could get a few more goals this series than last. The Shark tank is no easy place to play, so the wings have to perform extremely well on the road. I predict a 6 game series with the Wings winning 4-2, if they can play like last series.