The Detroit Lions have entered the draft with new coaching staff who are Super Bowl winners.  The most important coach is Mike Martz.  The development of Joey Harington depends upon the accontability relationship Martz establishes with the quarterback.  If it is like the one he had with Kurt Warner look out records season records of Brett Favre.

Back to the draft.  The Lions need to address offensive line positions and defense on the line and one right safety.

Matt Millen will not need to address wide reciever and running back unless he can get a capable back up reciever and power back either via free agency or the draft.  The power back could be TJ "wolverine Stomper" Duckett.  I would love to see the former Spartan in a Lions uniform. If the Lions sign Isaac Bruce no back up reciever is needed.  That would probably be the best depth in the NFL. My question about Matt Millen is "Can he put together a winning team in Detroit like Ken Holland, Joe Dumars and Dave Dombrowski?"  These Detroit teams Gms make every one in Michigan from the U.P to the capital city passioned fans. 

If the Lions will understand new coach Rod Marinelli's system there is a chance that the Lions could be wowing Terry Bradshaw this upcoming season.

The Detroit Lions have to do this draft a hefty and quick offensive linemen to protect Harrington and defensive outside tackle.  Very quick and good handed right safety.

Then who knows how far the Lions will go past the limitless sky.

 [update]

Rams resign Isaac Bruce. 03/13/2006

update }Lions are bringing QBs to camp 03/16/2006

Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and McCown are competing with Harrington for job.  Will Harrington respond or is he to be traded?

The Vezina trophy winner will be someone who made 2006 the career year for them.  The goaltender who under the new rules kept that goals against average hovering around 2.09.

The predictions can be narrowed to two choices, Henrik Lundqvuist of the New York Rangers and Manny Legace from the Detroit Red WIngs. 

Things that Henrik Lundqvuist has going for him-

.He is working hard for the Rangers team that has offensively the resurrected powerhouse Jaromir Jagr.  As Henrik keeps working to keep the puck out of his net and ending up on Fox Sports Net highlight shows Jaromir Jagr is more inspired to score. 

.The team Sweden gold medal from Torino Olympics.

Things Manny Legace has going for him-

.He is having so much fun.  While confidently leading his team and protecting the net of his team.  He is flourishing this season.  At the beginning of October to the end of that month he was the best goalie in the league.  He set a new NHL record for most wins in the month of October with 10.  Now he is still one of the respected goaltenders in the league.  When the Red Wings began training camp he faced alot of scrutiny from the press and  fans.  All the while Mike Babcock was consistently saying, "The number spot in net is his to lose."  It can be said Manny is all the stronger for playing through the criticism.  Now as people know Red Wings fans have the reputation for being rough on goalies. Because fans expect the net minder to be Terry Sawchuk. Manny will keep playing.  He has not had to face any fans harshness from the stands this year. His goal against average is 2.09 at one point this season it was 1.99.

.A sentence about the team defense of Detroit.  The team is inspired by Manny Legace.  

.For both Henrik Lundqvuist and Manny Legace it will come down to post season and at the end of it who has the best post season goals against average.

The Vezina Trophy goes to.....?

University of Michigan Wolverines mens' basketball team is hoping for a bid to the NCAA March Madness.  But there are certain events the NCAA comittee will look at. The events are the reputation of Brett Petway taunting and instigating fights.

Examples:

.At Ann Arbor the elbow to the face of Maurice Ager and then inviting a fight. With gestures that were caught on film. 

.The game in East Lansing another cheap shot but this time to Marquise Gray and more instigation gestures inviting a fight caught on film. 

. Early celebrations and taunts from Petway five minutes into the first half in games against such teams as Illinois, UCLA, Wisconsin and MSU.  

It is clearly indicated that I am a Spartans fan who along with Tom Izzo has respect for Tom Amaker. 

There is a validity to the discussion that the actions and charades of Brett Petway may to lead to another trip to the NIT for the Wolverines.

There is an old adage that goes "Comparisons are odious."  Comparing Brett Petway to Jason Richardson and Shannon Brown is totally odious. 

J.R. and Shannon can electrify for 40 minutes and maintain composure while doing it.

Brett Petway cannot.

[update] 03/13/2006

Michigan Wolverines Basketball in NIT. Number one seed.

Alright hockey fans pick up the bowl of popcorn or plate of chips with dip and get ready for lord Stanley's Cup.  Wait a minute it is March. 

Playoff time is around the corner.  Everyone wants the team they watch to be playing for the most recognizable trophy in sports.  So with the playoff being 20 regular games away what two teams would the NHL like there?

The NHL has exciting new rules and are holding the officials accountable; call holding and hooking and be consistent about it.  Every official has this year.  Notice the scoring is up everywhere.  Now to the question what would the National Hockey League staff like to watch in the "war room" in Toronto? When it comes time to drop the puck for the start to the finish of Stanley Cup 2006.  I have a idea.  It is good for the viewership and NHL.  Buffalo Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings. 

The Buffalo Sabres is a team that most everyone would watch.  Being that they are in New York state.  This team has fought back from being strapped financially.  Plus having a coach like Lindy Ruff and not to mention great goal tending from Ryan Miller are definite reason to watch.  Also the scoring from Maxim Afinegenov.  Buffalo excels this season at playing as a team.  Watching Buffalo play hockey is like watching the definition of flow and smooth on camera.  Buffalo fans will have no worries and fear about the team relocating.  Buffalo could very well win it all.  If they did that is one acheivement the NHL staff would like to see. 

This fan would to because Ryan Miller is great at shutting opposing teams down.  I watched him in his CCHA years at the Michigan State University set records in CCHA and NCAA for shut outs.  The Buffalo Sabres team has goal tender who likes to win.  Lindy Ruff skating around, smiling with Stanley Cup in the air.  Awesome.

The Detroit Red Wings began camp in Traverse City, Michigan to critics saying this and that about goaltending, coaching, scoring.... you name it.  Then not to my surprise but a few people they are not only in the hunt for post season they are in lead pack.  Teams that in the regular season are in the top five in point total.  Everyone involved with the Red Wings is doing a great job.  Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk are all three setting pace for career bests.  Most fans mention the pace of Zetterberg and Datsyuk.  Lidstrom's best season, 1999-2000 combined points was 73.  He is on pace to best that this year.  Mike Babcock is an excellent coach.  His system and knowledge of the game is helping the roster of the Red Wings to better and improve themselves as players and in community involvement.  Then Manny Legace doing what he does best playing and having fun at keeping the puck out of the net.  Meantime he is the Red Wings number one goalie for the playoffs. 

The Detroit Red Wings are my team.  Even when rumors are expressed  and critics say  belittling things.  The Red Wings like the Buffalo Sabres have goal tender who likes to win.  The NHL staff would like Steve Yzerman and Chris Chelios to lift  the trophy in the air one more time.   Manny Legace take a lap round Joe Louis Arena and hand the trophy to Mike Babcock.  What an event.

The answer to the question has nothing to do with reality but time.  Both teams playing against each other in reality would make for one of the memorable televised Stanley Cup finals ever.  The NHL would be very satisfied with either outcome.

The Detroit Tigers 2006 season should be better than average.  With the signing of Jim Leyland the team will have a chance at getting some post season play.   AlanTrammell was good for the team.

Alan Trammell brought winning experience into the dugout.  He was one of the best shortstops from the 80's.  But his team that he managed last year never found that winning spirit for prolonged stretches.  Longer than five games.  Dave Dombrowski hired Jim Leyland.

Who has won the World Series and managed Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to the Championships .  If Detroit Tigers fans do not fill Comerica Park this season "go figure."

This season can be expected to be a winning one and Magglio Ordonez will show Ozzie Guillen he can win a ring to.  But the Chicago White Sox might just stand in the way of our Tigers. 

The pitching on the White Sox staff is stellar.  This Tigers fan watches the Sox play just to see excellent pitching in motion on the mound.  Time will tell if the Tigers are on the way up.

Mike Ilitch has a great reputation for bettering the Detroit Red Wings.  The Tigers can definitely be added to his list of winning teams if we have decent pitching all year and consistent hitting from everyone on the nine man lineup. 

So go "Tigers 2006!"