LIONS -- Attended the game, first of the year, on a $100 ducat I (eventually) got for $10 outside the stadium. Missed the first 9:00 of Q1; watched through the fencing on the main level behind somebody's makeshift suite (is that REALLY how they created some of the "suites" -- basically fenced off the area behind the last row of seats on the main level? Or are these spots referred to as something else? I wish I could answer for you).
First half slightly to the Lions, third quarter all Oakland, fourth mostly Lions again, enough for the win. Liked that Stafford led,with his scrambling and his passion. The Lions finally had a second game where they went over 100 yards rushing as a team (totaling 109; they had a season-high 155 vs. Chicago for their only other one, and no individual rusher has gone for more than Joique Bell's 56 against in any game; further more, they've had TEAM TOTALS in games this year of 28 [Denver], 38 [first game at Minnesota]. 45 [the victory at Green Bay], 53 [at Seattle] and 56 [versus Arizona], amazingly horrible numbers for a team that EXPRESSLY STATED THEIR DESIRE TO FOCUS ON RUNNING THE BALL THIS SEASON -- but I digress).
And what the hell is up with Eric Ebron? Let's chalk it up for now to a bad game, but this is troubling for a second year player who seems to be disintegrating before our very eyes.
Listen, the Lions were lucky as hell -- for once -- in Green Bay, but they did build on it to get to this victory. They still seem to me to be getting outcoached re: the head coaching position, but Austin is back to making nice adjustments, Nevin Lawson seems to be an upgrade to Rashean Mathis and ditto Abdul-Quddus as a starter over Ihedigbo; Ola did seem to be better than what we've had so far at RT; Ansah is a joy to watch; Tate is the right man for the punt return job (I just hope he doesn't get killed back there); Ngata finally seems healthy; the LBs have been just a bit better -- I think the Lions needs going into the off-season, at this point, are:
BIG free-agent upgrades at Center and both Tackles; a free-agent upgrade at back-up QB (Orlovsky okay for third QB, if cheap); draft depth at D-line, CB and LB, and a rookie QB and another rookie RB to try to groom up. In general, the Lions need to start building from the lines out, now and forever.
PISTONS -- When this team gets Brandon Jennings back to full health, and Meeks back, they will be scary 1 through 10. Jackson/KCP/Morris/Ilyasova/Drummond followed by Jennings/Meeks/Johnson/Tolliver/Baynes should scare everybody, and that's still with Dinwiddie/Hilliard/Bullough/Anthony on the third line. As soon as Jennings is healthy they can jettison Blake and add a third PF (Adonis Thomas back?). Jennings salary as a back-up point can be borne because they are cheap enough elsewhere for the most part, even after Drummond gets his rightful pie. ON - THE - UPSWING.
WINGS -- Dylan Larkin is the most intriguing player we've had since... well, since everybody swooned over Nyquist (he's leveled off some, hmm?) or, dare I say it, Franzen. Hopefully, this is THE GUY this time -- the Wings have been drafting so far down for so many years that even their fine scouting system hasn't been able to produce a stud superstar-in-the-making for some time now. They should finish fourth or so in their division, and seventh or eighth overall. One negative about being in the West -- two more teams to vie against for making it into the playoffs. But I like their goalie tandem, and the fact Blashill is keeping them both active.
TIGERS -- Two solid moves by Al Avila so far to bring in cheap good meat in K-Rod and (hello again) Cameron Maybin, for relatively little, although this continual reliance on giving away the farm (system) is a worry. But I like the apparent thought going into it.
NASCAR -- Not normally a Kyle fan, but if he was going to win, should have been the year. Seems to have humbled him a bit, too, Maybe. At least a Toyota beat all those damn Chevys. I like the format of the Chase, too.
TENNIS -- Djokovic and Federer. Yep, they're pretty good.
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