Happy Friday

Hello there bloggers. I hope everyone is enjoying this sunny Friday and is set for a good weekend.
I don't know about you, but I love the NFL Draft.
I love to rip the Lions every year for their bone-headed first-round pick and immediately turn on them and become an instant fan of the team that selected the guy I wanted the Lions to take.
However, I must admit that I was truly a Lions fan last night when they drafted Suh.
Not only did they not shy away from the popular pick, but they filled a need they haven't had here in many years.
Suh, in my opinion, is the run-stopping plug that has been missing from Detroit's defensive line for many years. The last quality defensive tackle the Lions had was Jerry Ball, and I think those were the last days the Lions actually made the playoffs.
Suh is a stud and I can't wait to see him on the field, wearing the Honolulu Blue with the #90 on his chest. It should be the beginning of hopefully many great memories for us die hard Lions fans.
However, I'm not as excited about the Lions second first-round pick, trading up from the second round to get Jahvid Best, a running back out of California.
Best is a good running back and he should help the Lions. However, I also believe that he's very injury prone and might be more of a casualty when all is said and done. I hope I'm wrong.
I don't think he was worth the second-round pick the Lions gave Minnesota. In fact, I believe he still would've been on the board at No. 34 when the Lions would've picked in the second round. This pick, in my opinion, is a reach.
What did you think about the Lions two first-round picks? Who do you think they'll take in the third round tonight?
I'm thinking they're going to look at the best athlete available at offensive tackle or safety. Agree?
I'd love to find out your thoughts.
Have a good weekend.

Early softball, baseball thoughts

Hello bloggers.
Area high school softball and baseball seasons kicked into full gear this week and there have been a couple of surprises out of the gate.
In baseball, Eisenhower, which graduated many of its top players a year ago, seems to have filled the voids with solid young players.
I saw the Eagles against Lutheran North and Ford II, and in both games Eisenhower has played solid defense, good pitching and timely hitting, including three home runs against the Falcons.
Many may have thought the Eagles would take a step back this season playing in the always tough MAC Red Division. However, if they can stay healthy and continue playing solid defense, this team should be one of the team's battling near the top for a division title.
Eisenhower's softball team has also opened some eyes early on, rallying from an 8-0 first-inning deficit against Bishop Foley to win 11-10 on Monday, before blanking Sterling Heights 2-0 on Wednesday.
Eagle coach Floyd Shotwell has the ability to use three solid pitchers, who are each different in their own way. This team also plays solid defense and the hitting, led by Danielle Craft and Tori Kabel, has been solid early on.
I'm not sure if Eisenhower had enough talent to win the MAC Red Division with state powers Stevenson, Dakota, Chippewa Valley and Anchor Bay all in the league, but the Eagles will surely not be a pushover like they may have been in year's past.
Are there any surprises or disappointing team's you've watched this season. If you have, I'd love to know.
Send me a blog.

What a week of baseball

While many high school students enjoyed Spring Break vacations this week, many area baseball players were competing at the Macomb County Spring Break Tournament at Kyte Monroe Park.
The weather cooperated for the most part and there were some very good games played.
This tournament is a perfect opportunity for coaches to find out where their team is at so early into the season. Each area team played at least five games this week and Stevenson made it through pool play (four games) with only one loss. Utica and Ford II were both 1-1 heading into Thursday's action, while Sterling Heights was 0-4 in its four games.
The tournament carries on Friday and Saturday. Check it out if you get some free time.

Also, two games into the season and the Tigers are already scaring me. Is it only me or do you think that Jose Valverde is just like Todd Jones and Fernando Rodney as a closer? Do you already hold your breath when he takes the hill to save a game? I hope he settles into his new surroundings quickly and takes that nervous edge off us fans when he enters a game.
Other than that, I've been satisfied with the Tigers effort through two games. The offense is inconsistent, but we all knew that coming in. But, good outings by starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer is a good early sign for the team.

The NFL Draft is just a couple weeks away and who do you think the Lions should select in the first round.
Personally, I would go with Suh, the big defensive tackle from Texas. He's the best player on the board and when you have the second pick of the draft, you get the best player available. If Suh goes No. 1 to St. Louis, I hope the Lions will draft Gerald McCoy, the defensive tackle from Oklahoma. He would be a nice consolation prize. He, like Suh, is a big, gifted athlete that will make the team instantly better.
Who do you think the Lions should draft? I'd love to talk with you about it. Send me a note.

Spring Break Tournament begins Monday

Next week is the annual Macomb County Spring Break Baseball Tournament. The week-long tournament will take place mostly at Kyte Monroe Park in St. Clair Shores, with some games being played at L'Anse Creuse High School.
If you've never been out to watch this tournament, it's a good one. This tourney gathers many of the top high school teams from Macomb County, along with a few from Oakland County and Wayne County.
This tournament gives coaches the ability to see which areas their team is solid at and which areas need some work before league play begins after the break. It's also a good time to analyze players and allow them to work the kinks out.
Games begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday and run through the entire day, with the final games slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. under the lights.
Tuesday and Thursday games begin at 9 a.m. and run all the way until the final start time of 8:15 p.m.
Friday is a make-up day for any rain-outs that may occur during the week, while Saturday features quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games.

If you have some time, try to get out and catch some of the action.

Thursday thoughts

Hello bloggers. Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather today.
Things are slowing down on the local high school sports scene as Easter and Spring Break draws near. The only activity going on locally next week is the Spring Break Baseball Tournament at Kyte Monroe in St. Clair Shores.
The tournament features high school baseball teams from around the area. Area teams participating include Ford II, Sterling Heights, Stevenson and Utica. The tournament begins on Monday morning and to find out when your favorite team is playing, check out The Source this Sunday or our website, www.sourcenewspapers.com for the schedule.
Another big event happening this weekend is the Final Four in Indianapolis. Of course, as you already know, Michigan State is there and will face a very good Butler team on Saturday night.
How about those Spartans? Are you as surprised as I am that they made it to the Final Four?
The more I think about it, it shouldn't be that big of a shocker because of one person, Tom Izzo.
Izzo, like he has every year, has his team ready at tournament time. He's a motivator, leader and has the ability to somehow get his players to play at their best.
Let me know what you're thoughts on this MSU run. Do you think they can beat Butler? Or better yet, can MSU win the National Championship? Send me your thoughts.
Finally, Monday isn't just the championship game for the NCAA Tournament, it's also Opening Day for our Detroit Tigers.
Detroit opens the season on the road at Kansas City on Monday afternoon, before opening the home portion of its season on Friday against Cleveland.
I might be in the minority, but I truly think the Tigers can win the American League Central Division. I believe their starting pitching is as good as anyone else in the division and with the addition of Johnny Damon, the offense should be respectable, but not outstanding. Still, it should be good enough to get the job done.
The one area of concern is staying healthy. If the Tigers suffer a ton of injuries, they're in big trouble. I just don't think they have the depth that teams like Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox have.
Where do you think the Tigers will finish this season? Let me know. I'd love to chat about it.

Have a Happy Easter everyone.