Monday, September 20, 2010

Is Robinson the Real Deal?

Is Denard Robinson for Real?
Not many people expected coming into this season that sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson would have his way with defenses and lead the Wolverines to a 3-0 start. Coming into this season, nobody even knew he would be the starter. After edging out last years starter Tate Forcier and true-freshman Devin Gardner, Robinson has emerged as a dual-threat and Heisman hopeful.

Robinson has thrown for 671 yards, 4 touchdowns and just one interception through the first three games, in addition to rushing for 559 yards and 4 touchdowns as well. Sure, Robinson's opponents have not been nationally ranked schools and though Notre Dame could be considered a "tough-team", they likely will not finish the year in the top 25.

A true test for Robinson likely won't come until the Wolverines battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy against Michigan State on October 9 at Michigan Stadium. Untill then, expect much of the same from Robinson as he leads his team against Bowling Green and Indiana in the coming weeks.

Only time will tell if Robinson is as good as he seems, but it appears that the kid from Florida who doesn't seem to know how to tie his shoes is the real deal. Welcome back to success Michigan Football fans and enjoy the show.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

T-Mac to Pistons

According to reports from the Detroit Free Press, former NBA all-star Tracy McGrady is coming to Detroit. Citing an undisclosed source the Freep said the deal will be worth the league minimum. The deal could be a steal if McGrady, 31, can comeback from a dismal year that saw him being traded from the Rockets to the struggling Knicks and of course, an injury ridden season.

McGrady though will have the luxury of a top notch medical staff and conditioning staff in hopes to rejuvinating his career. As the Freep reported, the signing of McGrady makes the Pistons roster a little stuffed as far as the shooting guard and small forward positions are concerned. We've heard trade rumors for the last couple of seasons with names like Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton being tossed around it certainly seems likely now.

GM Joe Dumars may not be at risk of losing his job but he cerainly does have something to prove. After winning the 2004 NBA Championship, Dumars has made some questionable decisions. Putting his drafting of Darko Milicic aside (seeing as they won a championship with him on the roster) Dumars choice of trading Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson was certainly a poor one. The Pistons have struggled to live up to the fans expectations and the blame has to be put on somebody, after going through a couple of coaches it certainly has to be on the man who hired them.

T-Mac may not be the Pistons savior but if he can return to being half the NBA player he once was, him and another aging veteran, Ben Wallace, could work as the veteran cornerstones to a team that certainly will be getting younger and mor talented through trades that may come soon after the deal with McGrady is officially announced.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Suh Signs, Arrives at Camp

The Lions finally signed the number 2 overall pick in this years draft, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, on Tuesday. His deal is reportedly for four years and worth $68 million and $40 million in guaranteed money, which is only $1.7 million less in guaranteed money then last years top overall pick, quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Only time can tell if Suh is truly worth all of that money but he certainly has quite the resume. Suh had 82 tackles, 12 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 3 blocked kicks and an interception last year on his way to winning the Associated Press National Player of the Year award, Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year award, Defensive Lineman of the Year award and of course, he was a Heisman finalist.

Suh also showed the world that was capable of playing well in big games as wel. In the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas (who was just four points away from the National Championship), Suh had 4.5 sacks in Nebraska's 13-12 loss.

The 307 lb. lineman looked impressive in his first day of camp. According to multiple media outlets Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said Suh passed the mandatory conditioning test with "flying colors" and looked like he was in solid shape.

Suh certainly looks good on paper and has the highlight reel from college to make him deserving of being the second overall pick, potentially even the number one pick if the St. Louis Rams did not need a franchise quarterback, but only time will tell if Suh will be a dominant force in the NFL. With a revamped defensive line, which includes pro-bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and highly regarded defensive tackle Corey Williams, Suh has the tools around him to allow him to succeed.

Wings to Sign Modano, ink Helm

According to the Detroit Free Press, longtime Dallas Stars center and Michigan native Mike Modano will officially be announced as a member of the Red Wings at a news conference this Friday.

The one year deal worth about $1.3 million will give the Wings three solid scoring lines. Here is what their top 3 lines are expected to look like:
Zetterberg – Datsyuk – Holmstrom
Franzen – Filppula – Bertuzzi
Hudler – Modano – Cleary

Modano will be looking to cap his hall of fame career with what would be his second Stanley Cup victory. Though his numbers have slipped in recent years partially due to his age and partially due to his lack of talent around him, Modano should certainly be able to pick up the Wings third line and feed off from the talent of Cleary and Hudler.
In other news, the Wings have finally locked up center Darren Helm to a two year deal, worth about $912,500 a year. Helm, who is just 23, has been a solid contributor to the Red Wings success in recent years. He is certainly a cornerstone of the future for the Wings. Helm, however, will have to compete for a spot on the fourth line with Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, and Kris Draper.

Also in the mix for a spot on the fourth line is Justin Abelkader, who remains unsigned but is expected to sign soon.