Why the Lions will be good in '12

     The Lions enter training camp this season coming off their first playoff appearance in over a decade.  They also are coming off of an impressive 10-win campaign just three years after the NFL's first ever 0-16 season.  So now the sky is the limit for the Lions, right?  Absolutely, although most Lions fans seem to think otherwise.
   
     Many fans fear that the Lions' decisions in the offseason will affect this team in a negative way.  The Lions weaknesses going in to the offseason were the secondary and the running game.

     The front office helped the running game by drafting OL Riley Reiff in the first round of the draft, but disappointed the fans by not getting a top cornerback or running back in the draft or free agency.  With those question marks, many fans question if the Lions will even have a winning season in 2012.


     I have just one word to say to all the doubters out there: Relax.


     Just because the organization did not fill the needs you all desperately wanted them to get, the team will still be good.  

Stafford, Lions look to continue their success
of last season.

     They have the stars that can carry the team in Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh with a good supporting cast to be good.  So it is not the end of the world the Lions drafted Riley Reiff rather than trading up for cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick or Stephon Gilmore, or that they stunned and angered the fanbase by drafting wide receiver Ryan Broyles rather than a corner or running backs such as Lamicheal James.  Nor is it bad that they weren't aggressive at all in free agency and just resigned all of their own players.


     The fact of the matter is is that general manager Martin Mayhew and the rest of the front office had the right plan and made the right decisions. 


     Injury concerns with running back Jahvid Best and Broyles, the uncertainty of defensive end Cliff Avril's contract status and whether he will hold out, along with the release of corner Aaron Berry due to offseason arrests just seem to fuel that fire that the fans have lit. In fact, the questions have led to fans believing the team won't even have a winning record.  


     There are many questions that the Lions need to answer, but it doesn't change the fact that the team is good.  The running game will have a boost with Reiff upgrading the offensive line, and the secondary was exposed by poor play by the defensive line, which was very unexpected last season.  Avril should be signed shortly, but even though he is an important cog to the defense, there are other players on the line that are due for breakout seasons.

     The Lions, along with the other 31 teams in the NFL, have holes, but does that mean those holes will affect the 2012?  NO.  The Lions were successful in the 2011 without much of a running game and a suspect secondary, and adding more talent in the mix helps the Lions even more.

     Fans need to look past the holes and question marks on the team and realize that Detroit fans finally have a good professional football team to cheer for, but there is one question needed to answer immediately:

     ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!
     


     
     


     

Names to Keep Eyes On

     With the MLB trade deadline approaching, it is now time to take a look at a couple names that come to mind that the Detroit Tigers could trade for at the end of the July.  The needs on the roster Detroit might go after are starting pitchers, a second baseman, and more help in the bullpen.  I would expect the Tigers to go out and find more starting pitching, but here are a few names that come to mind that the Tigers could target.

Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza could be at the
top of the Tigers wish list for July 31st. 

     Matt Garza, RHP, Cubs:  Garza has been mentioned a lot in trades with the Tigers, among other teams.  Garza would be a good number three starting pitcher in the rotation (depending on how Doug Fister and Max Scherzer's performs throughout the rest of the season).  Garza is currently 4-6 with a 4.01 ERA for the Cubs, but he has a career ERA of 3.85 with Chicago and Tampa Bay.

     Jason Vargas, LHP, Mariners:  The Tigers could be looking at another midseason trade with Seattle like they did last year to acquire Doug Fister.  Vargas is only 7-7 this season with a 4.31 ERA, but his ERA has ballooned during interleague play.  Vargas would fit well at the back end of the rotation and would give starter Drew Smyly more of a break in the rotation.

     Wandy Rodriguez, LHP, Astros:  Another lefty starter that the Tigers could be looking at as a back-end of the rotation answer.  Rodriguez has pitched very well for a bad Astros team, going 6-6 with a 3.54 ERA. Rodriguez has given up many hits, however, so if the Tigers trade for Rodriguez, it will need to be for a cheap price.

     Darwin Barney, 2B, Cubs:  Not a real stud, but he could be an answer for the Tigers at second base.  Won't exactly tear the cover off the ball when batting, only batting .265 with three homers and 23 RBI's this season, and is only hitting .269 in his young two-year career.  Barney, however, can be a boost for the infield's defense that has been greatly criticized.  Barney could possibly be included with Matt Garza if that trade could happen.

     Marco Scutaro, SS, Rockies:  Another middle infiedler the Tigers could be looking at.  Scutaro has played shortstop his entire career, but has started to play second base in Colorado, and could be another solution at second base for this season.  Scutaro has not had a bad year at the plate, hitting .286 with four homers.  The only problem with Scutaro is is that he is 36-years-old, so it would most likely be only a solution at second base for this season, so if the Tigers only plan for this year, then they take chance on Scutaro.

     Now, the Tigers do not have much in their farm system to trade that they can get a top player, like a Cole Hamels, but they could possibly find a way to get Garza with what they have.  RHP Jacob Turner and 3B Nick Castellanos are the prospects that are untouchable in the trades, but there could be other prospects the Tigers could give up to acquire one or two of these of these players that can help get a World Series Championship that Detroit has set out to do.