Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - Kool-Aid drinking morons getting a dose of reality

After all the angst, drama and seriousness at TWFE in regard to ancient columnists and University of Michigan academics yesterday, I was in the mood for something damn funny for today's COTD. And I found one that was cruel, but made me laugh out loud, at Mlive today.

In a long comment thread attached to to an AP interview with Rod Marinelli which had long devolved into a "True fans believe in Rod" / "It's the Lions, how can you buy into their rhetoric?" (Not that a word like "rhetoric" would ever be used at Mlive) flame war, Mliver bigrob44 made me laugh out loud with this nugget of wisdom.

This place is filled with Kool-aide drinking morons.

That insult is blunt, to the point, more than a little mean, and damn funny! At least it was to me, as it cracked me up! Who hasn't wanted to jump into the middle of a commenting flame war, and lay waste to both irrational sides with a snide insult?

When called out by the Kool-Aid drinkers, bigrob44 had another truth filled comeback.

doom and gloom = reality.

Folks, this is a true Honolulu blue and silver wearing, fed up with Millen, hoping for Ford to push up the daisies, tired of the bullshit, worn down by years and years of losing, rebuilding, then losing again, Lions fan! Just like yours truly, and most of you out there in the interwebs...

Thanks for the giggles bigrob44, TWFE salutes you!

Detroti fishwrap comment of the day - A Murderer's Row of suck

I spew the vast majority of my righteous indignation about the Lions over at SideLion Report, but some of it still spills over here at TWFE. I can't help it, as the Lions confound me with their "logic."

The Lions make roster move after move after move, yet continue to go nowhere. The cutting of Kevin Jones is the latest roster move of the Millen era, and it still has me scratching my head. If this continues, I'll have scratched my head bald.

It's not so much the cutting of Jones that has me saying "What the fuck?" I don't like it, as Jones was their best back, but it can be somewhat justified. Mostly due to his injury history, though his salary was nothing to sneeze at. What has me confused though, is the cutting of Jones with NO OTHER VIABLE OPTIONS CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER.

At Mlive, IDLion says the same thing by posting the Lions' depth chart at running back.

Bell, Cason and Calhoun I bet teams are terrified of playing the lions right now.

That's a Murderer's Row...of suck. That's an awesomely...bad group of running backs.

What's even more confusing to me are the fans whom are buying into the bullshit the Lions are giving us. I'm reading fans saying the Lions needed to clean house anyway, happy they are finally giving bus tickets out of town, that they'll fill all these roster holes created by the house cleaning in the draft.

Thing is, the dumbass who created this mess is the one they are depending upon to help fix it, Matt Millen. And just how is he "fixing" the mess? By allowing Rod Marinelli to do whatever he wants, and that appears to be signing every God damn former Tampa Bay Buccaneer on the open market.

Wonderful. Let's fill the Lions' roster holes with Tampa's aged rejects. I can sure see that working over the long haul...

As for plugging holes thru the draft? Look at the Lions recent history! They don't know how to draft! Their first day picks are busts, and their low round picks are more likely to be cut, than make the team! Those who believe the Lions can draft their way out of this mess are being delusional. They are letting their hope overwhelm their logical thought.

Wishing for the moron twins, Millen and Marinelli, to make smart personnel and drafting decisions doesn't change the fact their past track record says that's not going to happen.

What it comes down to is the Lions are lacking any sort of plan, other than to sign former Buccaneers. They react, instead of act. They go for the flash, rather than the substance. They plan for the short-term, instead of the long-term.

The only plan I can see is that I plan on 2008 being another long ass season of watching the Lions lose, and lose big.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - All bloggers are negative and "Real fans" support Inge

The Brandon Inge story, and the fan reaction to it, refuses to go away. As much as everyone would like Inge to become a non-story, the MSM refuses to let it go.

Inge isn't helping matters with his clumsy "I hate catching" and "I didn't mean I actually HATED catching" comments to the media. The more he talks, the the deeper he digs himself into a self-made hole.

At Mlive today, Danny Knobler writes a very disjointed article about Inge. He touches on Inge's comments, many fans being upset while others are enthusiastic in their support, his playing center field, and where Jim Leyland would play the bipolar sounding Inge next.

That's where I found the COTD. A commenter named huskytiger takes all those who think Inge needs to shut up and play to task, especially bloggers, by calling them "negative."

The two previous comments point out that most bloggers tend to be negative. However, the fact that most fans who attend the games are supportive of Inge, as they should be. He has played his heart out for the Tigers for 7 years. My belief is that the majority of Tigers fans like Inge but don't blog as they are membors of the "silent majority" It reminds me of a few years ago when one of the area papers did a survey on a member of the Tigers which showed that the majority supported the individual. A blogger wrote that the survey had to be wrong, all you had to do was read the blogs to see that most people didn't like him. Again, the majority don't blog, the most negative "fans" tend to.

This chubbycat character hits on a couple of my pet peeves. One being the overblown claim that "Bloggers are always negative." Not to forget the old chestnut, "Real fans aren't critical of their team."

Fatbengal claims he's part of fandom's "silent majority?" I prefer the more truthful "sheep." Maybe the more esoteric "lemmings."

I blog because I LOVE the Detroit teams. I blog because I learned long ago the teams, and the media that covers them, are full of shit, and discovered the world wide web has much more compelling, non sugar coated sports commentary. In fact, I'd consider the vast majority of bloggers to be much more knowledgeable than the average fan. They watch all the games, read all the articles, dissect personnel on the field and front office, and know enough to take anything said by the teams, and the media, with a huge grain of salt.

Think of it this way...

In pro wrestling, fans are either "marks" or "smarts." A mark, more or less, buys into wrestling storylines, not caring or knowing enough to delve any deeper than what they see on TV every week. On the other hand, a "smart" knows all the behind the scenes shenanigans, locker room brown nosing and script doctoring that goes into deciding who wins and loses a match.

You can say much the same about Detroit sports fans. You have your fan who believes everything they have spoon fed to them by the pro teams and MSM. They are the "fans" who think Matt Millen is just a couple of players away from making the Lions a contender, are convinced the Pistons can trade Lindsey Hunter, Jason Maxiell and a draft pick for LeBron James, claim Chris Osgood is a great goalie because he's "cute" or think Pudge Rodriguez had a good year because "He hit .281!"

They also believe in unicorns, pixie dust, and think reality television isn't scripted.

Then you have the bloggers and "internet fans" who question a team's front office for making questionable roster moves, call out the media for being lazy and know Pudge Rodriguez had an awful season thanks to an abysmal OBP of .294.

If that makes me "negative," so be it. It also makes me a knowledgeable fan with a voice, one not afraid to use his bully pulpit.

And this fan with a voice thinks Inge needs to clam up, sack it up and play where he's asked. Is that negative enough?

Detroit fishwrap comment of the the day - I want the Lions to fail, and fail miserably

As much as I search stories about the other teams in town for the COTD, nothing compares to the Detroit Lions. Whatever it is about the NFL, or the Lions in particular, any story pertaining to Detroit's not so legendary franchise brings out commenters in droves.

Though there are plenty of Lions commenters who make sense, there are just as many commenters who are loopy as all Hell. Why that is, to be honest, I have no explanation.

Surprisingly, I was able to find some wheat in the chaff. In a Mlive article about former Lions backup QB, the immortal J.T. O'Sullivan, joining his mentor, Mike Martz, in San Francisco, jakemister says what many fans of the Lions find themselves hoping and praying for on a daily basis. That Matt Millen, Rod Marinelli, and the rest of the bumbling idiots in the Lions' front office make so many mistakes, screw up so badly, that the Fords will have no choice but to fire anyone and everyone. Just blow the God damn thing up...

these guys are just laughable as football people and businessmen.
The only thing I can guess is that they bring in thes S and CB from TB and fire Joe Barry because is seems the only peole who can understand this "defensive scheme" are guys who played it in TB. Actually, maybe the best thing that can happen is they don't sign anyone else so the team's not saddled with foolish contracts after Matt & Rod are broomed after this season.

What a damn shame. The only hope you have for the team you live and die with is for the GM and coaches to screw the pooch so badly, they hit rock bottom so hard, the owner is embarrassed into making overdue changes.

I find myself wishing awful things upon the Lions. When they lose, I want them to be crushed. I want free agent signings to blow up in their face. I want their drafts to be horrific beyond belief. I want coaching hires to fail miserably. I want the Lions to fail, and fail in an EPIC way.


All in some vain hope William Clay Ford will finally see the light, and fire Millen. Which we know isn't going to happen. But we wish for it anyway, as it's the only hope we have left.

Isn't that an awful position for a sports franchise to put their fans? Yet the Lions have managed to do so.

No wonder so many Mlive commenters are loopy. The Lions have driven them insane.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - "i just dont want a here a bunch of bitchin"

Though the Lions moronic GM remains in hiding, Rod Marinelli isn't, and he spoke to the MSM yesterday. Mlive's Killer Kowalski was all over it, with Marinelli making a claim, in regard to drafting, that was on the wrong side of delusional.

"The one thing we've been able to do well, or better, is we're not missing on that first day"

Despite Marinelli's self-denial, legendary Mlive commenter CHIEFGER139 is excited about the players the Lions plan on drafting...Even though he has absolutely no idea who in the Hell it's going to be.

PERSONNALY
i think getting a good linebacker is alot less of a crap shoot than getting a sure qb or a sure receiver-they should do fine doing this. cb are easier hits than misses too. this draft hopefully will make millen and marenalli look good. i just dont want a here a bunch of bitchin cause we got our linebacker and cb and then passed up on this so and so qb or tight end or whatever. also sounds like marennali is planning on his 1st two picks to be immediate starters-that new blood on the team should get everyone a little bit excited-it does me.

Uh...What? Did I read that correctly?

"i just dont want a here a bunch of bitchin"

From your mouth to God's ears, CHIEFGER139!

Try as I may, I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around this comment. Screw it! I've made up my mind. I want to live in CHIEFGER139's world, as it seems to be such a wonderfully odd, off kilter place to be, where common sense and lucidity aren't needed.

So CHIEFGER139 is excited for the draft? Me too! In fact, I'm so EXCITED, I just peed a little! Was that too much information?

Marenalli (sic) is planning on his 1st two picks to start? Well, I should hope so! Jesus Christ, dude. Think about it. Every team in the NFL plans on their early round picks to start. If they don't, something is desperately wrong. Uh...Wait.

The Lions had 4 picks in the 1st two rounds, only 2 got playing time (Calvin Johnson and Gerald Alexander), and they only started because of injuries. The other two (Drew Stanton and Ikaika Alama-Francis) were only rumored to be on the team. Methinks CHIEFGER139's faith is a tad misplaced.

I'm glad that some Lions fans still have faith in Marinelli and the moron. (Marinelli and the moron? Wasn't that a FOX show in the 90's?) Really, I am. But as I have all my faculties, I'm just not one of them.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - It's the draft, stupid

In the quiet days of the NFL off season, the Mlive Lions forum doofs are desperate for any news that would allow them to post their accumulated "wisdom" on the site. They got their chance with the latest news regarding the courting of Al Wilson. Which is nothing exciting, just confirming what we already knew.

The scarily named russthomas (I just had a chill run down my spine...BRRR) nails the Lions, and their talent issues, in one blunt sentence.

The reason why the Patriots can bring in veterans is due to the FACT they draft well.

Bing-fucking-o!

Al Wilson would be a great fit on a good team that has few holes to fill. Then you can afford to take a flyer on an admittedly talented linebacker who's older and an injury risk. Teams that have depth thanks to their smart drafting can plug the occasional hole with a free agent. They also know one incontrovertible fact. You do not build a NFL team using free agency as a foundation.

Unfortunately for we Lions fans, our moronic GM, and his on the firing line coaching staff, have yet to learn that simple lesson. They continue to look for help in all the wrong (and expensive) places, rather than the one place any good team builds from, the draft.

Thanks to their awful drafting, the Lions find themselves between a rock, and another rock. The coaches need to win big in order to save their jobs. Being in such a precarious position, they don't have the time to build the team properly. Marinelli has to slap together a winning team quickly, future be damned. And damned it will be.

Even if the Lions do the unthinkable, and win more games than they lose in 2008, would anyone seriously think the team is built for long-term success? Anyone? Exactly.

A foundation built on aging free agents is as substantial as a house of cards built on a wobbly card table. The Lions foundation is so shaky, a house built directly over the the San Andreas Fault Line would be considered stable in comparison.

You know the Lions entire house of cards is going to collapse, it's only a matter of when. In fact, I think that will be the name of their next season highlight film...

The Detroit Lions: It's Only a Matter of When.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - Interference? What interference? You see interference?

In a nationally televised game Sunday, the Red Wings and Ducks battled in a game played with playoff intensity. They would have played to a tie in regulation...Till the refs waved off the tying goal from Nick Lidstrom, thanks to a phantom interference call on Thomas Holmstrom. First, here are Homer's thoughts, and a breakdown of the play in question, from Mlive's game coverage...

"That was a really weak call," Holmstrom said. "That cost us the game. It was just terrible."

After falling behind 3-1 in the second period, the Red Wings perked up in the third. Johan Franzen's power-play goal at 6:06 cut their deficit to one. Then, in the final minute, the Red Wings, already on a power play, pulled goalie Chris Osgood for a six-on-four advantage. Lidstrom blasted a shot past Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere with 40.7 seconds remaining.

Referee Dan O'Halloran immediately waived off the goal, however. The ruling was Holmstrom made contact with Giguere, not enough to warrant a penalty but enough to disallow the goal.

What has happened to the NHL? What I witnessed was NOT the NHL I grew up loving. It's just another sign of the of oncoming NHL apocalypse, lead by the bane of all long-time NHL fans everywhere (or what's left of them), Gary Bettman.

If that was interference, then interference should be called on EVERY power play, any time a screen is set in front of the goalie. If that was interference, then the rules of hockey have forever changed. Here's a comment from your typical pissed off Red Wings fan, in this case Mliver Hockeytwn4ev.

Sure am glad I wasted a whole afternoon watching this CRAP!!! If this is the "new NHL" they can have it, because their tv ratings will only decline, until they eventually die. Am I the only one wondering why close calls like the one on Homer in the last two minutes of a professional contest cannot or isn't reviewed. Even College football has protected itself from having the striped shirts determining the outcome of a game with replay. I mean, come on!!--Are you kidding me Gary Bettemen? Is this seriously what you were hoping for on a nationally televised game of the week? The Duck are all goons, PERIOD--->if they are to represent the "new" NHL, forget it. I'll spend my $$$ elsewhere. Makes me SICK TO MY STOMACH. I hope we see these punks in the playoff time (with some different refs, for sure)!!!

As I was watching the replay before the call was announced, I'm thinking, "They waved off the goal? WHY? Where's the penalty?" I honestly didn't see it. When it was called interference, the NBC broadcast crew gave a collective "WHAT?" I'm sure if NBC wouldn't receive a gazillion dollar fine from the puritans at the FCC, I'm positive we would have also heard "THE FUCK?"

If there is such a thing as incidental contact, then J.S. Giguere being grazed by Holmstrom's backside was it. It was obvious whatever contact was made had absolutely nothing to do with the puck going into the net. That call had Mickey Redmond is spinning in his hospital bed. (Get well soon, Mick!)

It's a shame such an intensely played game was decided by a clueless referee's borderline call. Thank God it wasn't made in a playoff game. What I'm afraid of is that in today's NHL, it will be...

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day - Trading Shaun Rogers is lame brained

Killer Kowalski decides to nip the Roy Williams trade rumors in the bud, claiming the Lions would rather keep the legend in his own mind wide receiver. It would take "overwhelming value" in return to even contemplate a trade, as Detroit would rather get one more big season out of Williams before he bolts for free agency.

Killer also claims the Lions won't franchise their mercurial wide out, and are hoping that Mike Martz leaving town will help convince the diva receiver to re-sign with the Honolulu blue and silver. As for Shaun Rogers, the Lions are much more open to unloading the rotund one for less in return.

Being this is commentary from the Killer, just conjecture on his part, and not news, it should be taken with a truckload of salt.

Mliver origintsi1 decides to comment on something the Killer said, but your guess is as good as mine what that might be. I think (But I'm not totally sure) it's about the Big Baby situation, but I have no fucking idea what he's trying to say. Not a clue...

ok i dont understand half u lame brains... tradte rogers? u guys do not look at two key points do you?? for one teams game plan around this guy whether he gives his all or not..which frees up somebody on D. Two, another big gap to fill which u lames think draft will take care of..oh which u also think draft will help DE LB corner right? Mr M. should stay with his first plan and build around him..frickin pend the cash on the ends and lbs in FA and hope for a top Corner pick in the draft ..we need to fill holes not make them and putty it up with a less than talent person who we will end up cutting the next year or benching by game 6

WHAT? I'm at a loss for words, I can't literally describe how this "comment" (Word used as loosely as humanly possible) scrambled my thought processes.

Is this English? Maybe a bastardized version of our language? Is English even the first language for origintsi1? It's as if he's writing in tongues.

I honestly believe this comment was originally written in a foreign, even otherworldly, language, then run back and forth through a translator a few times, resulting in something that is utterly, marvelously, amazingly impenetrable.

The "comment" is as dense as a mixture of smoke, fog, methane and mustard gas. It's as sensible as US foreign policy. It's as informative as one of Emmitt Smith's ESPN appearances.

It's as if you took the combined DNA of Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson and Franz Kafka, added PCP, crystal meth and LSD, added a dash of absinthe, shook it all together, gave it birth in-vitro via Freddy Kruger's mother, and you'd still end up with a mind who couldn't write something this incomprehensible!

I've come to a conclusion. I've decided this is the BEST COMMENT EVER! It will never, ever be topped.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day

With the Wolverines cagers getting bitch slapped once again, this time by a mediocre Minnesota at Crisler, 77-65, Michigan fans are coming out of the woodwork with their knee-jerk reactions.

In the comment thread of Mlive's recap of Michigan's 16th loss of the season, the natives are becoming quite restless. One being BlueInSC, who is ready to give up on head coach John Beilein, and his offense, before his 1st season at the helm is over.

This is the worst Michigan BBall team in years. They may have talent, but they have little desire, no vision, and little intelligence. They also don't play as a unit. I don't know what the hell Beilein is doing. He seems like an old coach who's best days are behind him... How many more years does he plan on coaching? He's on the down hill.

I don't care what anyone says. I miss the Fab 5 and Fisher.

This comment hits one of my biggest pet peeves, fans claiming a team has no heart. I believe the vast majority of the time fans are confusing a lack of talent for a lack of heart.

It's been obvious for quite some time Michigan has only a handful of legitimate Big 10 caliber talent. That's NOT Beilein's fault. If the talent to run Beilein's scheme is still missing after 2-3 seasons, and the team remains a Big 10 patsy, then we can talk about his abilities as a coach. Right now, due to a combination of factors he had nothing to do with, the deck is totally stacked against Beilein winning with any regularity.

I think we can deduct several things from this current Wolverines season...

1. Tommy Amaker left Beilein a roster full of kids who aren't Big 10 quality players. The first requirement of any basketball player is the ability to shoot. For whatever reason, Amaker didn't think that skill was necessary, and gave scholarships to a bunch of bricklayers.

2. Beilein's offense absolutely requires players that can SHOOT, especially from beyond the 3 point arc. Unfortunately, check observation #1.

3. From what little I've seen of Michigan (The Big 10 Network has made hoops season a rumor to me), Beilein's offense consistently generates open looks, but his players can't convert. The Wolverines are the proverbial "gang that couldn't shoot straight." Again, go back to observation #1.

4. Should Michigan have a better record? Sure, but I think even .500 ball would have been a huge reach. They were destined for the depths of the Big 10 before the season ever started.

5. Beilein has a proven track record of success, having won, and consistently made the NCAA's, at every stop. You couldn't say the same about the track records of the past 3 Michigan head coaches had before they took over the Wolverines, Steve Fischer, Brian Ellerbe, and Tommy Amaker. Beilein deserves the benefit of the doubt.

6. I'm willing to give Beilein a couple of seasons to recruit his sort of players. Until we see the fruits of his recruiting, you can't judge him.

7. A season this awful has been brewing for quite some time, and Beilein isn't to blame. An athletic department that let the program atrophy after the NCAA sanctions, and 2 AWFUL, indefensible coaching hires, are...

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day

We go back to Mlive, and Killer Kowalski's commenting goons, for today's COTD. In talking with the Rod Marinelli, the Killer reports Coach Pound T. Rock claims the Lions won't waive Shaun "I've yet to met a smorgasboard I didn't inhale" Rogers.

But don't think that means Bigger Baby is off the market. The Lions are still going to entertain trade offers for the roly-poly defensive tackle. Coach P.T. Rock says it's all about getting "value" in return. As to how much trade value an obese, overpaid, underachieving, creaky kneed tackle who's one failed drug test away from an 8 game suspension has? We'll soon find out.

My guess? Biggest Baby's trade value is somewhere between very little, and nil.

As comment threads tend to do, they go off track. In debating Chubby Checker's trade value, the Roy Williams trade rumors came to the fore. Many of the trades proposed were on this side of ridiculous, that trading Williams would get two very high draft picks in return, say 1st and 2nd rounders.

Considering the Raiders got all of a 4th round pick for Randy Moss, it's delusional to think Roy Williams would get 2 high picks in return. A 2nd or 3rd round pick would be the absolute best case scenario. Even that's doubtful when you factor in that Williams is going to be a free agent after next season, and then it'll just take money to obtain him.

samebadlions nailed the true worth of the Lions much hyped wide receiving duo of Williams and Calvin johnson.

based on hype, we have a top receiving duo.

based on production...we're the lions.

Indeed.

I'm going to add a bonus COTD from the Mlive thread just because it made me laugh.

From the fine mind of Mliver JoeySuccubus came...

Pound the rock, losers.

HA! You'd think that Lions coaches would learn that their coaching platitudes don't inspire the fanbase, but only allow us to ridicule them all the more... From "Bus tickets out of town," to "Abandon ship," to "The bar is high, and now "Pound the rock," Lions coaches have been all talk, and nothing more.

Why fans are fed up with the MSM: Brandon Inge edition

Over the past week, MSM writers David Mayo and Lynn Henning bitterly called out Brandon Inge for his total silence since the news of his trade demand broke. They both wrote whiny, bitchy, pissy little columns complaining that Inge wouldn't speak to the media at a Grand Rapids "FAN" meet and greet. The obvious word being "FAN" and not "MEDIA."

For example, Henning writes in the Detroit News...

Just to put some ongoing discourtesy in clearer perspective, Inge has been on the receiving end of more than a dozen calls -- personally made to his cell, to his home, and elsewhere -- since October, many weeks before the Cabrera trade displaced him from his job as starting third baseman.

When he never heard from Inge, rather than back off, he became even more aggressive...

After the Cabrera trade left him in limbo, leading to a more aggressive flurry of calls

Oh, the fucking humanity, Inge just wouldn't return his calls! The guy is as intrusive as a bill collector or a telemarketer, though with less personality. I bet Henning calls at dinner time as well...

In the middle of his fine whine, Henning actually answers his own question as to why Inge won't call him back.

If Inge believes the situation is sensitive and he prefers not to talk, then fine, that's his prerogative.

Oh, you know why Inge isn't talking? So why waste my time, and yours, by killing several trees worth of newsprint with what is essentially a hissy fit?

TWFE has exclusive shots of Henning...

And of Mayo after being snubbed by Brandon Inge...

Mayo's bitch fest in the Grand Rapids Press was just as pitiful as Henning's...

In lieu of a players-only room in the clubhouse to hide in, which is Inge's usual trick, he orchestrated Friday's media boycott long before his arrival. The Griffins, citing information gained from Inge's agent, sent out an e-mail informing media the player would not grant interviews.

So you knew Inge's appearance was "FANS ONLY" well ahead of time, yet you decided to, for lack of a better word, ambush Inge anyway? Why on earth would you expect him to talk?

Mayo then calls out Inge for his 2007 performance, implying that Inge wasn't very talkative during the regular season, either...

We've seen this lack of accountability before. It was on full display during Inge's ridiculously bad second half last season, when he hit three home runs after June 12.

A few things to keep in mind. One, what does Inge's 2007 season have to do with his not talking now? Other than it being one of the reasons the Tigers made the Cabrera trade, nothing.

Two, that Inge was supposedly uncooperative is news to anyone that follows the Tigers. I've never read or heard any of the beat writers complaining about a lack of cooperation from Inge.

Three, the MSM bitches about bloggers calling out players and journalists with no accountability. When Mayo calls Inge "ridiculously bad," we see a columnist, whom I'm guessing rarely, if ever, covers the Tigers in person, just do what bloggers are accused of doing. Mayo comes off as having an ax to grind, and he sure as Hell furiously grinds away...

Are the fans curious as to why Inge wants a trade? Of course. Is it there a divine right that we need to know why? Not that I know of. I'm not saying that Inge is totally in the right. Dealing with the media is a big part of his VERY well paid job. Inge could have made everyone's life a little easier if he had called the reporters back after the 50th call. Even the 100th.

Still, I have to ask...Are we living in Nazi Germany? (First time I've ever invoked Godwin's Law in a post!) Communist Russia? I took a quick look around, even went outside, and far as I can tell, the Cold War is over, we won, and this still the U.S.A. Free speech include having the freedom not to speak. Inge doesn't have to talk if he doesn't want to. In fact, it damn obvious he doesn't. Period.

Spring training is in 3 weeks. If Inge isn't traded, and it's looking more and more like he won't be, I'm positive that the subject of the trade demand will be brought up almost immediately by the Tigers, and Inge will finally talk. Praise be, and thank fucking God, Inge will finally have to answer Henning's and Mayo's questions.

And we won't have to read any more self-serving, whiny tripe from writers that should know better.

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day

The Lions continue to make news thought their season has been over for 3 1/2 weeks. (Their final game of the season feels as if it was months ago, though it's only been 25 days) Between Shaun Rogers status, and Kevin Jones' knee, the Killer has been busy at Mlive.

The Killer talks to Jones today, who's quite adamant in saying he'll be at full strength for the 2008 season, despite having to rehab an ACL tear that ended his season prematurely.

Jones, who rushed for 581 yards and scored a team-high eight touchdowns last season, said the situation is not the same as last year and the Lions don't have any holes at running back.

"We have other issues (in free agency) and running back isn't one of them," Jones said. "As far as injuries, yeah. But as far as talent and getting the job done, no."

Strong words coming from someone who has proven unable to stay healthy for a full season. His track record says it all. Jones has never played all 16 games in a season, and in the past 2 years, Jones has suffered severe, season ending injuries that required extended rehab. That alone tells me the Lions can't into into next season expecting Jones to be able to carry the full load.

Killer's acolytes feel the same as I do, and as always, are quite vocal in their assessment. Mliver NetRat says it all in regard to Jones' "I'll be back" Terminator impression...

It's called depth KJ. You may not last the season (you haven't yet).

Quoted for truth. As of now, the Lions depth chart at running back consists of Jones, the total flop that is Brian Calhoun, and 400 pound blocking fullback Jon Bradley. Everyone else is a free agent. Sucky free agents.

The only back I'd consider bringing back is TJ Duckett. After letting him rot on the bench for majority of 2007, why on earth would he want to resign with such a dysfunctional organization?

I'm glad Jones thinks he'll be healthy by September. He's also on the last year of his contract, so he has several million reasons to come back strong, and prove his worth as a 1st round pick. But if I was a betting man, and deep down, I am, I'd bet the farm that Jones will miss games in 2008 due to injury.

The NFL is becoming a league where 2 backs share the load. If anything, that could keep Jones healthier, thus more effective. I'd hope the Lions believe the same thing, and will find another capable running back to join Jones this offseason. I can tell you right now that back is not named Aveion Cason or Tatum Bell...

Detroit fishwrap comment of the day

With Mlive perking back up today, I was able to avoid that frightful place called the Free Press forums. Thank goodness for small favors. I needed to take a scalding hot shower in order to scrub off the slimy nastiness I picked up in yesterday's short trek through Freep Hell.

The Killer was rightfully called out by his acolytes for an odd article titled, "Kowalski: Giants can thank Lions." My first thought was, "Huh? What the?" Actually, that was the general consensus of the loopy Mlive crew as well, whom let out a collective, "What?"

A comment by Mliver measly actually had me laughing out loud.

Killer,
The Giants can thank the Lions? For what, sucking?

I would like to thank Craig Nall (packer's 3rd string QB). In the last game of the season, he reminded me just how bad our Lions really are.

Measly says what all Lions fans are thinking. Despite what the Lions, and apparently the Killer, would lead you to believe, the Lions aren't close to being at the same level of the Giants.

For someone who's covered the Lions for so many years, the Killer really should know better than to buy into the following Lions logic...

On the other hand, if the Lions had beaten the Giants and Cowboys -- two games that were well within their grasp and the Lions probably should've won -- not only would the Lions have made the playoffs, but they would've eliminated the Giants.

That's EVERY season in a nutshell. "If" this, "but" that...

Sure, the Lions could have beat the Giants and the Cowboys, but the Killer ignores the Vikings game. If a last second Minnesota field goal attempt doesn't hit the upright, the Lions don't get the opportunity to win in overtime. Here's another example. What if Brian Griese throws 1 less red zone pick? The Bears win! It goes both ways, Killer.

That's the thing about the NFL, for every game you point out that a team should have won, there's another where the team should have lost. The Lions could just as easily finished 5-11 as 9-7.

I normally like what the Killer has to say, but in this case, he's out of his Lions addled mind.

Mlive comment of the day

For today's COTD, I thought about using one of the many comments posted to Jim Carty's defense of his Thursday column calling for Rich Rodriguez to "apologize." As most any article/column/blog post/conversation regarding any combination of RichRod/Michigan/WVU, it quickly devolved into an us vs them pissing match.

So I ventured over to Mlive's Lions section, and found that the Killer's acolytes are still active. His thoughts regarding the presser introducing Jim Colletto as offensive coordinator gave them plenty of fodder.

As many Detroit fans tend to do, they quickly forget the regular season, and buy into the claptrap being spewed by the coaching staff. adguy2 is one fan drinking the Lions Kool-Aid...

Do you think Kitna's endorsement of Martz shows where his alligence lies?

Maybe Colletto will turn this heap into something...at least he's saying the right things. Let's hope he put word to action...a la Bobby Ross, "they'll find a quick bus ticket outta here..."

Dude, EVERY Lions coach through the years have said the right things, given the same speech, talked the tough talk. I'd have been severely disappointed if they hadn't.

Wayne Fontes clownishly claimed it was "my way or the highway" while smoking cigars in his golf cart. Bobby Ross was so overly fond of the "bus ticket out of town" threat, that it became more humorous than anything else. Marty Moronweg infamously rode off on a Harley in the middle of a practice to show his immense displeasure, making a fool of himself in the process. Rather than give threats he wouldn't follow up on, Steve Mariucci just talked in circles, saying lots while not actually saying anything at all.

So hearing the same bullshit coming from the mouths of Marinelli, Colletto, and "Kippy!" doesn't mean a God damn thing. Every one of the coaches on Marinelli's staff realize that year 3 is their make it or break it year. If they miss the playoffs in 2008, odds are excellent that they'll be looking for work in January 2009.

As much as adguy2 wants to believe that Colletto will have the Lions offense humming right away, that's wishful thinking. Any new offense, even a crippled, dumbed down version of the Mike Martz offense, is going to take time to gel.

Same for the idea of Drew Stanton starting in '08, as Colletto hinted that the QB job is open for competition. The Lions need to win now, and that's not going to happen with a 2nd year QB who has yet to throw a pass in an NFL game. For better, and likely worse, Kitna is going to start. Period.

Don't buy into the talk. It's just more of the same old shit.

Mlive comment of the day

Mlive's Michigan mouthpiece, Jim Carty,pisses off the Wolverine faithful in a column that calls for Rich Rodriguez to apologize. Thing is, should he apologize to Michigan for dragging them into a $4 million dollar mudslinging fight, or to WVU for his extremely messy resignation, and trying to weasel out of his large contract buyout?

Along with an apology, Carty is calling for Rodriguez to pay the $4 million buyout, so this can all go away. That stance set off a flamewar in the comment thread.

I picked a comment by Liondownnow because it stood out from the rest. It was actually a measured response, admitting that the RichRod situation is overblown, yet it's true he hasn't exactly made smart decisions in the days after accepting the Wolverines gig.

20% of UM fans are saying the right thing on here which is let's wait and see on RR. We need to let the situation run its course. If you support RR without knowing the facts you are as bad as Carty and the negative WVU posters who are stating several unvalidated comments. I miss Carr, this RR era is off to a rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling start.

Considering the comment thread had dissolved into opposing factions insulting each other, with Michigan fans calling for Carty's head, and WVU fans screaming for Rodriguez's head, to see a level-headed post in the middle of the pissing match caused it to stand out.

Is the shredding incident overblown? Probably. Is Rodriguez off to a bad start at Michigan? Most definitely. He could have made better decisions as to how he's handled leaving his alma matter, keeping Michigan out of the fray. By fighting the buyout, Rodriguez has guaranteed this will drag out for who knows how long.

My only questions in regard to fighting the buyout is this...Is a little more than a year enough time for WVU to take care of the changes/guarantees that were in Rodriguez's new deal, or was their lack of action slow enough to consider his contract had been breached? I'm sure it'll get settled in front of a judge...

But it all comes down to winning. Will Michigan fans care about the off season mudslinging if RichRod wins a ton of games? Not one bit.

Mlive comment of the day

With the list of the Detroit Lions 2008 opponents being released, the Mlivers are off and speculating. Turns out there is little hope amongst the Lions diehards, as the '08 schedule is the 9th toughest in the NFL, with 7(!) games against 2007 playoff teams (Including 2 games against the Packers).

I'm sure Rod Marinelli took one look at the upcoming schedule, and began to polish up his resume. As for our moronic GM, I'm thinking Millen took one look at all the playoff teams on next season's schedule, and then went back to his crayons and coloring book...

There's a handful of Mlive loons who think the Lions will turn thing around. But the Kool-Aid drinkers and cornbread eaters are few and far between.

One Mliver though, going by the name of A2Leo, has a brilliant idea...

Quick get Fontes on the Bat phone!

YES! We all know that Wayne has been waiting for the siren call of the Lions, so he can come back to save his beloved team. Just the thought of the Big Buck patiently waiting for his Honolulu blue and silver batphone to ring brings a smile to my face.

"I know Mistah Ford is gonna call.
I wasn't fired, I'm just on a 12 year leave of absence! Ring, dammit, ring!"

I know, I know, it's never gonna happen. Just let me have this. A blogger can dream, can't he?

Mlive comment of the day

Today's comment comes from Mlive's Wolverines section, left in response to an article about Ryan Mallet's transfer to Arkansas.

Some loon named byebyecarr went off on a bile fueled diatribe against the former Wolverine QB in waiting...

Who care about this loser? I'm tired of hearing about him. He's not that great of a QB... His type of style will die soon. More and more Spread type QB will take over college football. More and more will evolve in to a super player like Pryor, Young, Vick and other great running/throwing QB. They will take over the NFL soon enough. Just like they are taking over the college world as we speak. When was the last time a drop back passer won a NC? only USC and they are loaded everywhere on the football field. Screw Mallett lets move on and don't write about this loser anymore. As for Ryan Mallett.. You will be a choke artist!

Dude, it's only a game. A game played by 18-22 year old kids. Mallet's leaving Michigan to play in an offense much better suited for his talents, that's all. He hasn't said anything derogatory about Michigan, so why take it so damn personally? It's one thing to rip on a highly paid, adult, coach (Such as your oh so creative moniker), it's altogether another to do so on an 18 year old kid.

I'm also sure that byebyecarr will go off on Terrelle Pryor if the kid doesn't commit to Michigan on signing day, and change his handle to byebyerichrod.

The odds are great this idiot insulting Mallett didn't even attend Michigan, which makes the burning white hot hate even stranger in my eyes. Even if byebyecarr is a Michigan Man, it still doesn't excuse the irrational hate for a kid, who, to be honest, had his entire football life turned upside down in the past 6 weeks.

Mallet was recruited to be Michigan's next in a long, storied line of dropback pocket passers, not run the spread option. Though Rodriguez could adapt his offense to a QB that is closer in mobility to John Navarre than Vince Young, Mallet's days would be numbered as Michigan QB anyway. RichRod will be on the recruiting trail, trying to find his next option QB, and as good as Mallett may be, he's not a true spread QB.

So just hold off on the hating, and let Mallett move on to greener pastures. Sure, playing at QB Michigan means you have to publicly take the good with the bad, but there's no reason to ridicule the kid (choke artist? loser?) for leaving school.

Clownish fans like byebyecarr represent the worst of NCAA football fandom.

Mlive comment of the day

The Killer has a article citing the Lions positional (lack of) strengths and (several) needs that has his Mlive acolytes all in a tizzy. The comment thread is full of crazy and outlandish scenarios (Trade Roy Williams for a 1st and 3rd round picks, trade Shaun Rogers and a pick for //name any pro bowl player//, sign several free agents, you know the drill) that would never happen, as most of the proposed moves depend on the rest of the NFL being as moronic as Millen.

Nice to think about, but just a dream....

samebadlions doesn't bother with those fantastical scenarios, and instead posts a comment dripping with sarcasm...

Wow, that's a long list of needs...but what do you expect after screwing up so many drafts? It's good to see the Lions are set at K/P/WR. It only took Millen seven years to solidify the three most important units of a team.

I have to admit, that snide comment made me laugh. But it's also factually wrong. Kicker Jason Hanson was already in Detroit when Millen arrived. So he's only solidified 2 positions in 7 years. At the rate of improvement samebadlions describes, the Lions should be in fine shape by 2070. Give or take a couple of years, of course...

Mlive comment of the day

The Terrelle Pryor saga continues. The latest reports are stating that Pryor will be making his recruiting visits with of all people, former EMU Huron Eagle, and Detroit Lion, Charlie Batch.

My thoughts? Huh? Charlie Batch?

Michigan best be careful, Charlie could push Pryor towards his alma mater, 10 minutes down the road from the Big House. Batch can show Pryor where he spent 6 years in front of all 500 of EMU's football fans at Rynearson Stadium, and all the hot spots in Ypsilanti!

Poor EMU, the college where those that can't, learn to teach, and downtrodden Ypsi, the poor, ignored, funny named little brother to Ann Arbor...

Mliver tulsatom is more concerned about tOSU snagging Pryor than EMU.

Looks like Pryor is still holding his cards close to the vest. I hope he winds up with U-M and not Coach Sweater Vest.

As do all Michigan fans, tulsatom. But he's mistaken in one thing about the Vest. His name is actually "Coach CheatyPants McSweaterVest." (Hey, any opportunity I have to post "CheatyPants McSweaterVest," I'm going to take it! Makes me smile every time...)

Mlive comment of the day

Always in search of entertainment, I wandered into the Mlive's Pistons section in hopes of a COTD. Not much there in quantity. But in COTD quality? I got lucky...

In the recap for last night's Dallas loss, Mliver MontagueBase thinks the Pistons are...on a downhill spiral?

I feel wierd about the Detroit Pistons this year. I feel like they are losing talent every year, and that its going to go down and down each year, until they have to rebuild an entire new team.

Has MontagueBase even seen the 07-08 Pistons? Dude, they actually have a bench this season! A bench with impressive looking young players! Shocking, I know. But it's true! Last night's Dallas blowout being an aberration, Detroit has gotten a very nice (and long overdue) boost this season from the bench, especially from Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell and Jarvis Hayes.

On draft night, I ripped Joe Dumars for drafting Stuckey and Affalo. Which goes to show why I'm a lowly blogger, and not running a NBA team... I think my blowing off the potential of of Stuckey and Afflalo was more of a personal backlash towards Dumars' disappointing drafts, thus my not giving him the benefit of the doubt. Dumars is a GM I should know better than to doubt...

Most impressively, Dumars flipped the overrated Darko to Orlando for a draft pick which resulted in the drafting of the very promising Stuckey. Stuckey has shown more potential in only a few weeks, than Darko showed in his 3 seasons. Hell, Stuckey has produced more in a short time than Darko ever did. Another slick bailout move by one of the best GM's in the game.

Will the Pistons win the NBA title this season? To be honest, I still think they'll come up short. Even if they don't win the title, I do like the makeup of this group of Pistons. Compared to how I was feeling about them last season, believing they were in need of, if not blowing up, a trade of one of the big 4, I'm much more enthused about the Pistons future.

MontagueBase should be as well...