Can Hometown Spartan Restore Lions' Roar?

After the Lions drafted wide receiver Calvin Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, it was pretty obvious as to who the Lions would draft with their second pick...or so it seemed.

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Passing on offensive tackle Joe Thomas for Johnson meant the Lions still have many holes to fill (wide receiver was NOT one of them). This leaves the Lions with a decision that should come at no surprise – it’s time to fill some holes.

Since the Lions drafted offensively in round one, they undoubtedly have to draft defensively in round two. The Lions desperately need to fill the hole left by Pro Bowl cornerback Dre’ Bly after Detroit traded him to the Denver Broncos. The Lions also released two safeties, need a star middle linebacker, and could use some help on the defensive ends.

The draft enters the second round and Lions fans are waiting in anticipation. After taking the “best player in the draft” the Lions couldn’t possibly disappoint their fans with the next pick. Could they?

Could it be Paul Poslusnzny, the star outside linebacker out of Penn State? Maybe Eric Weddles, a safety out of the University of Utah? Or maybe even Chris Houston out of Arkansas, the best cornerback still left on the draft board?

It wasn’t long before the Lions made their decision…to trade the pick. Detroit traded their second round pick for Buffalo’s second and third round picks.

40 minutes and nine picks later, Detroit was back on the clock.

Poslusnzy? … Gone.

Weddles? … Gone.

Houston? … Gone.

All three are on their way to other teams, buts that’s OK. The Lions need a star inside linebacker, and who else on the board but the University of Michigan’s own David Harris! Detroit has their future defensive star sitting right in front of them! This is someone they can build around and count on for years to come!

On mlive.com’s live draft chat room fans are going crazy for Harris! His name floods the computer screen and everyone is praising the Lions for trading down and acquiring a star inside linebacker!

As the Lions get ready to select their next pick, ESPN switches their coverage over to none other than Michigan State Quarterback Drew Stanton - who happens to be on the phone. A nervous and uncertain Stanton suddenly breaks into a big smile that stretches from cheek to cheek - pearly whites and all.

The atmosphere of the chat room has changed. Everyone knows what is coming. David Harris will not be the next player to put on a Lions jersey.

- With the 43^rd pick in the 2007 draft, the Detroit Lions select Drew Stanton, quarterback, Michigan State University. -

The Lions have done it again. They found a way to waste another draft pick. Alright Lions fans, time to pack it in…

…Or is it?

With veteran quarterback John Kitna running on little fuel left in the tank, the young Dan Orlovsky without a snap in 2006, and Josh McCown on his way to Oakland, Stanton has the chance to step in (in 2008) and take hold of the reigns in Detroit – he will certainly have the weapons available to get it done.

Stanton played on a team with little to no support around him. You could call it average at best. A group of receivers who seemed to have more drops than catches and an offensive line that left Stanton scrambling for his life on nearly every other play were about all the support he had.

But at least Stanton is familiar with Detroit’s offense. Their receivers like to drop balls too, and the offensive line allowed more sacks than any other team in the NFL last year. It should be like playing for the same team, only Lions coach Rod Marinelli doesn't slap himself during interviews.

However, that could all change in a year’s time (minus the slapping). The Lions will have what could be the deadliest wide receiver core of all time (this was also said when the Lions drafted Roy Williams in 2004 – oops!) and a trio of running backs who, when healthy, are all very deadly scoring threats.

With Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz controlling the offense and quarterback John Kitna showing Stanton the ropes for a year, Lions fans can only hope that Drew Stanton is the next Carson Palmer. Palmer was mentored a full year by Kitna before replacing him a year later and eventually taking the Cincinnati Bengals into the playoffs.

Something to consider is that this was not a strong draft for quarterbacks outside the first round. The Lions took Stanton as the fifth quarterback off the board. So anyone who says the Lions could have drafted Stanton later in the draft, it wouldn’t be worth the risk. Harris would have been a nice pick, for this year, but the Lions weren’t drafting for this year. When you only win three games in a season you have too much rebuilding to do to look just one year into the future.

The Lions demonstrated today that they are drafting for the road ahead. The next two picks went defensively, but unless you went to the university of Hawaii or Boise State you probably have no idea who the Lions drafted. (Defensive end, Ikaika Alma-Francis and safety, Gerald Alexander – I’ll let you guess which one is from Hawaii)

Stanton has the skills and the weapons around him to turn Detroit around. The fact that most people attending Lions games can’t remember the last time Detroit had a steady, reliable quarterback will place the bar very high for Stanton. Don’t expect him to be given the same treatment that quarterback Joey Harrington received. University of Michigan fans will be the harshest critics of all, and they make up about half of Detroit’s fan base.

When the 2008 season comes around Stanton should be ready to step in, familiar with the offense. For now this is still Kitna’s team. He will take the weekly beating, eating turf as Stanton watches from the sidelines. Hopefully when it’s Stanton’s turn to lead the huddle the Lions won’t be drafting for the future, but for the playoffs and beyond.

Tigers begin season with loss – Bonderman shrugs off sluggish start.

Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers

Monday, April 2nd, 2007

By Cory Smith

The raising of banners, a presentation of tribute videos, and a fireworks display that could rival most 4^th of July festivities brought roaring fans to their feet as the Tigers (0-1) took the field on opening day of the 2007 season.

A record crowd at Comerica Park took to their seats as Reed Johnson of the Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) approached the plate. With plenty of hype left over from last year’s venture into the World Series, fans watched with the highest of expectations as Jeremy Bonderman threw out the first pitch of the game.

It was a ball - followed by another ball, and then another. One strike and one ball later, Johnson found himself on base without a swing of the bat. Johnson then stole second after Lyle Overbay took a strike while looking, and on the following pitch Overbay singled to center field sending Johnson home. Nine pitches into the game the Blue Jays took the lead 1-0.

Vernon Wells stepped up to the plate. Facing a count of one ball and two strikes Wells singled to center field sending Overbay home for the score – Blue Jays on top 2-0.

Two pop fly outs later, Alex Rios doubled to left center sending Wells home for the third score of the inning. After taking a strike while looking, Gregg Zaun grounded out to first to end the inning for Bonderman.

Roy Hallady took the mound for the Blue Jays, who now sat comfortably with a 3-0 lead.

Detroit would stay quite until the bottom of the third when a sacrifice fly hit by Gary Sheffield gave the Tigers their first run of the season. The Tigers ended the inning with just one run, but in the bottom of the 5^th they closed the gap. After a single to left field by Placido Polanco that sent Brandon Inge home, and another sacrifice fly by Sheffield, the Tigers tied the game at 3 apiece.

After Bonderman’s rusty first inning, the Cy Young prospect returned to the spotlight holding the Blue Jays without a run for the next 5 innings. Bonderman continued his dominance holding the Blue Jays to just two hits, striking out three batters in the process. Bonderman finished the game allowing five hits and three runs.

Bonderman was relieved by Joel Zumaya, who pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed no hits and struck out one batter. Todd Jones took the mound for the Tigers in the top of the ninth. With one out Jones put the go ahead run on base with a walk, but the Tigers forced a double play to enter the bottom of the inning.

Casey Janssen pitched the bottom of the ninth for Toronto and kept the Tigers without a score, - thus the game entered extra innings.

Fernando Rodney took the mound in the top of the tenth inning and started out on the right foot scooping up a ball hit by Reed Johnson and throwing him out at first. But a single, a walk, and an off target pitch that hit batter Frank Thomas loaded the bases with just one out.

On a count of 0-2, Rodney sent a heater down the middle only to be hit out to left field by Troy Glaus, sending in the go ahead run. The Jays took the lead 4-3. Alex Rios then grounded out to third on Rodney’s second pitch, but that didn’t stop Vernon Wells from leaving third and crossing home plate putting the Blue Jays up 5-3. Rodney ended the inning striking out Gregg Zaun for the final out.

Down 5-3 in the bottom of the 10^th, Toronto sent B.J. Ryan to the mound. Curtis Granderson batted first, but struck out swinging on a count of 1-2. Placido Polanco then singled to right center field on a count of 0-2, instilling the Tigers with a little hope. Gary Sheffield approached the plate, but struck out swinging on a count of 1-2. B.J Ryan then walked Magglio Ordonez, which set up the tying run for the Tigers. Faced with two outs, Carlos Guillen stepped up to the plate with a chance to be the opening day hero, but swung on the first pitch that resulted in a pop fly to second base to end the game.

Toronto defeated Detroit 5-3 in 10 innings.

Players of the game

Toronto – 1^st Baseman Lyle Overbay – 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB.

Detroit – 2^nd Baseman Placido Polanco – 5 AB, 3 H, 1 RBI.

Though the Tigers lost, there is little to be concerned about. Toronto is a good team, and will be a challenger in the AL East. If the Tigers can take the next two from Toronto, they should be able to boost a bit above .500 when they head out to Kansas City to face a weaker team in the Royals.

The Tigers will host Toronto again on Wednesday at 1:05 pm. eastern time. Nate Robertson will start for the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers - Destined to Return

Finishing the season as American League Champions, but failing to claim victory in the World Series has left a bitter taste of disappointment in the mouths of Tiger Fans this off-season. Those who marveled at the “feel good story” of the Detroit Tigers are left to ponder if the team's magical season was anything but a one-year charade

You can lay your uncertainty to rest.

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In a busy off-season that has lead to the acquisition of veteran power hitter Gary Sheffield (Traded from the N.Y. Yankees) and the re-signing of four of Detroit's top hitters and fielders (Monroe, Infante, Inge, Casey) the Tigers may have just written the "to be concluded" chapter to their feel good story - ending in a return trip to the World Series.

The Tigers entire starting pitching rotation will be back for another season. A talented, youthful lineup that includes Justin Verlander (2006 American League rookie of the year) and the timeless veteran "King Tiger" Kenny Rogers (3.84 Earned Run Average in 2006) re-creates one of the most feared rotations in the Majors - with or without starting pitcher Nate Robertson's amusing "rally chew."

The Tigers feverish pitching finished 1st in the League in ERA (3.84) and shutouts (16) in 2006.

The Tigers bullpen, however, will have to adjust.

The Loss of Jamie Walker (2.81 ERA in '06) will hurt, as good left handed pitchers are hard to come by, but the Tigers are bringing in a couple of young lefties that should complement the remaining staff. With Fernando Rodney (3.52 ERA in '06), Todd Jones (37 Saves in '06), and Joel Zumaya (1.94 ERA in '06, not to mention his 103 mph fastball!) coming back after noteworthy seasons, the Tigers can smooth out their adjustments in spring training - maturing the bullpen for the regular season.

The Tigers batting was very streaky throughout the year. Detroit opened the season outscoring their opponents 39-12 in the first five games. They would continue their scoring dominance, finishing eighth in the league in runs scored (822).

The Tigers projected '07 starting lineup had a combined batting average of .283 in '06. That's an impressive stat on its own, but the team average was a few steps down at .273, 8th overall in the American League. If the Tigers are going to make some strides this off-season it will have to come with an improvement in hitting.

The Tigers were 2nd in the AL in strikeouts and 8th in on-base-percentage - two statistics that help explain why the Tigers were shutout 8 times during the season. Though the Tigers lost only 67 games, 20 of those losses were decided by just one run. Detroit scored a dismal average of 3.1 runs per loss.

With the addition of Sheffield, and some quality batters sitting in the dugout (Clevlen, Shelton, Infante, Thames, Wilson), the Tigers should be primed to improve upon last year's statistics and bring down the number of close losses.

The Tigers fielding is adequate, leading the American League in stolen bases (only 49 bases stolen in 06') and also picking off attempted stolen bases (9 pick offs in 06').

Good defense aside, the Tigers were far from excellent.

Detroit's fielding woes can be rooted to their numerous errors. They finished 4th in the American League in errors (106) a disappointing 40 more than the Boston Red Sox (66).

In the World Series alone the Tigers made 8 errors, setting a new Series record for errors committed by pitchers (5).

With a trip to the World Series in the books, and the stern antics of Team Manager Jim Leyland keeping the players on their toes, a solid spring training should be enough to mold the tigers fielding into one of the better units in the Majors.

The Tigers can satisfy the desires of their fans by making it back to the World Series, but more importantly, winning the American League Central to get there. The Tigers lost the last 5 games of the 2006 season to finish one game shy of winning the division. The last time the Tigers won the ALC was in 1987.

The Tigers will face slightly weaker opponents in the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins this season. Both teams are looking to fill big holes in the pitching staff, and lack the team chemistry that the tigers continue to display. The real competition will come out of the American League East.

The Yankees had but only a few changes to make, with none to the batting order. Last season they lead the league in wins (97) and runs scored (930). The Yankees have parted ways with "The Big Unit" Randy Johnson, in exchange for a plethora of young talent. What the Yankees lack in pitching, they will make up for in scoring. This should fare well for the Tigers however, as Detroit's pitching rotation should be able to calm the power hitting of the Yankees. If Detroit can improve their hitting, they will have the advantage over the youthful pitching of the Yankees.

The Red Sox are still searching for answers. The addition of Daisuke Matsuzaka will guarantee at least 15 wins, but that makes for only 3 potential pitchers on the roster who will reach double digits in the win column. The projected 2007 batting order had a 2006 batting average of .269. Combined with its questionable pitching staff, the Red Sox will have to get to work this year to even think about contending with the likes of the Tigers and Yanks.

As far as the American League West is concerned, the Wild Card won't be coming out of it, and no team poses too dangerous of a threat to the Tigers. The Angels need help fielding. The Rangers need better pitchers. And the Athletics stand out as the only returning contender for the playoffs. They have a very complete team. A little more run support and they could make a splash in 2007.

The Tigers have the best chance of any team to take home the American League Championship once again - returning to a second consecutive World Series. A more mature, talented Tigers team will show that last year was no fluke. This franchise is on its way to restoring itself to glory, and will prove its worth by heading back to the World Series in 2007.

Who they will play? Now that's another story...

All Photos taken by Cory Smith.