After a nightmarish first quarter of the NFL season for the Detroit Lions, the team answered back in the second quarter of the season with a 3-1 record. The lone loss was a 13-7 decision to the Bears on Monday Night Football in Chicago. Two of the three victories were on the road at Philadelphia (26-23 OT) and Jacksonville (31-14) along with a home victory over Seattle (28-24) in between. The good performance in the second quarter of the season has put the Lions back into the playoff chase with a 4-4 record.
The offense has still been having trouble in the first half of games, other than the game in Jacksonville. The Jaguars game was in fact the first time all season the Lions had a lead going into halftime with a 21-0 lead. The offense also did take a hit with the loss of wide receiver Nate Burleson for the remainder of the season with a broken leg. That has left it open for Titus Young and Ryan Broyles to make an impact. Both have made a combined 23 catches for 260 yards and four touchdowns since Burleson went down with the injury. The Lions are starting to find some consistency in the run game, especially after Sunday. Mikel Leshoure found the endzone three times on Sunday in the first half to go along with his 70 rushing yards against Jacksonville. Joique Bell also added 73 rushing yards and another touchdown. More consistency will be the key, as the Lions will need to stay balanced to keep moving forward.
The defense has shined in the second quarter of the season. Louis Delmas returned to action for the first time this season and helped out the defense greatly for the three games before getting injured yet again. Other young players, such as safety Ricardo Silva and cornerback Jonte Green have stepped up with the injury bug going around the squad. Both Silva and Green recorded their first career interceptions in the last two games, and the team has recorded all five of the team's interceptions in these last four games (Delmas, Chris Houston and Erik Coleman also have one). The defensive line has been imposing their will on opposing offensive lines. Micheal Vick and Jay Cutler essentially had no time to throw against the Lions. Nick Fairley and Cliff Avril are also starting to heat up, and they will need to get even better to keep the dominance alongside Ndamukong Suh.
Finally, the special teams has improved greatly. What I mean by that is the unit has not given up a touchdown. The return game has, however, regressed. Returner Stefon Logan has fumbled a couple times, and they came at very inopportune times. When Logan hasn't fumbled, he has made mental mistakes by letting punts go by him and losing many yards of field position or calling fair catch too early. The return game needs to be better and give the offense better field position. Jason Hanson has been on target like always, and so has punter Nick Harris. Lawrence Jackson also blocked a field goal in the Monday Night contest against the Bears.
Obviously, when the team goes 3-1, there is been some great improvements. Now the key for the Lions is to find some consistency. The third quarter of the season begins on the road at Minnesota before a three game homestand against Green Bay, Indianapolis and the annual Thanksgiving day game hosting Houston.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Offseason Checker Game: Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have left a sour taste in the mouth after being swept in the World Series by the San Francisco Giants. Many minor changes are going to be made, but there will be some changes that need to happen if the Tigers hope to not only the reach the World Series, but win it. Some moves have already been made, so I will break them down as well.
Coaching staff: The entire coaching staff remains intact after Jim Leyland re-signs for one more year. Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon also returns after interviewing for the managerial position with the Miami Marlins. McClendon is a key coach for the Tigers to retain because of the work he did to improve Austin Jackson at the plate, improving the centerfielder's batting average by about 100 point. He will be the key in the further development of players such as Quentin Berry, Andy Dirks and Alex Avila.
Starting pitching: The starting rotation is pretty well set, other than the Tigers should re-sign Anibal Sanchez. There is a small hole on the fifth spot in the rotation. Either the Tigers will open up a position like they did last year for the fifth role between Rick Porcello, Drew Smyly and Casey Crosby. If not, it wouldn't hurt to take a look at several free agent starters such as Zack Greinke or Dallas Braden. Or, look to trade for others such as Dan Haren or David Price. A trade for David Price is more or less a pipe dream of mine, but it sure would be nice wouldn't it?
Infielders: Clearly the weakness in terms of defense. I disagree with the Tigers picking up the club option on short stop Jhonny Peralta. With Miguel Cabrera being put at third base, that leaves a very weak left side of the infield with the combination of Cabrera and Peralta, who aren't the fleetest of foot on the hot corner. I would like to see the Tigers sign short stop Stephen Drew away from Oakland, but with Detroit picking up the option on Peralta, that idea is more than likely eliminated. Fans will have to deal with Prince Fielder bumbling around first base for a couple more years until they convert him to the designated hitter. Omar Infante stabilized the second base position, but didn't fix the issues. He will very well be the starter come spring training, but the Tigers should sign another second baseman to push him and become depth. Placido Polanco is available, and although he is 37, the second base position has been hurting since he left in 2010.
Outfielders: Is a position of strength, even though there is now a search for another corner outfielder after letting Delmon Young go and the possibility of Brennan Boesch not returning. Delmon Young's release is another early move I disagree with, because it wouldn't hurt to give him one more year and put him in left field with his playoff resume the last two seasons in Detroit. Sure his defense isn't the greatest, but unlike the infield, there is talent on defense in the outfield with Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks. But now that Young is gone and perhaps Boesch as well. Josh Hamilton is the first name that comes to many people's eyes, but he is too expensive (thank Prince Fielder's contract for that one) and it is very unlikely the Tigers would win a bidding war with the Rangers and the Yankees for Hamilton's services. Maybe Ichiro? Highly unlikely because of his age and I see him going back to Seattle among others. Keep an eye on names such as B.J. Upton, Shane Victorino, Nick Swisher and Torii Hunter. Even though both Upton and Victorino are centerfielders, they could move to left field with Austin Jackson patrolling center.
Bullpen: The bullpen will remain intact from last year with the exception of a closer. Jose Valverde was shown the door after following his stellar 2011 performance with a poor 2012. Names to keep an eye on are Rapheal Soriano, who recorded 42 saves for the Yankees last season midseason, along with other names such as Jonathan Broxton, Ryan Madson and Brett Myers. If Drew Smyly does make the rotation, the Tigers should also bring in a left handed reliever to go with Phil Coke.
No telling on whether the Tigers take any of these routes, but each seems fair in accordance to their needs and the markets for these free agents.
Coaching staff: The entire coaching staff remains intact after Jim Leyland re-signs for one more year. Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon also returns after interviewing for the managerial position with the Miami Marlins. McClendon is a key coach for the Tigers to retain because of the work he did to improve Austin Jackson at the plate, improving the centerfielder's batting average by about 100 point. He will be the key in the further development of players such as Quentin Berry, Andy Dirks and Alex Avila.
Starting pitching: The starting rotation is pretty well set, other than the Tigers should re-sign Anibal Sanchez. There is a small hole on the fifth spot in the rotation. Either the Tigers will open up a position like they did last year for the fifth role between Rick Porcello, Drew Smyly and Casey Crosby. If not, it wouldn't hurt to take a look at several free agent starters such as Zack Greinke or Dallas Braden. Or, look to trade for others such as Dan Haren or David Price. A trade for David Price is more or less a pipe dream of mine, but it sure would be nice wouldn't it?
Infielders: Clearly the weakness in terms of defense. I disagree with the Tigers picking up the club option on short stop Jhonny Peralta. With Miguel Cabrera being put at third base, that leaves a very weak left side of the infield with the combination of Cabrera and Peralta, who aren't the fleetest of foot on the hot corner. I would like to see the Tigers sign short stop Stephen Drew away from Oakland, but with Detroit picking up the option on Peralta, that idea is more than likely eliminated. Fans will have to deal with Prince Fielder bumbling around first base for a couple more years until they convert him to the designated hitter. Omar Infante stabilized the second base position, but didn't fix the issues. He will very well be the starter come spring training, but the Tigers should sign another second baseman to push him and become depth. Placido Polanco is available, and although he is 37, the second base position has been hurting since he left in 2010.
Outfielders: Is a position of strength, even though there is now a search for another corner outfielder after letting Delmon Young go and the possibility of Brennan Boesch not returning. Delmon Young's release is another early move I disagree with, because it wouldn't hurt to give him one more year and put him in left field with his playoff resume the last two seasons in Detroit. Sure his defense isn't the greatest, but unlike the infield, there is talent on defense in the outfield with Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks. But now that Young is gone and perhaps Boesch as well. Josh Hamilton is the first name that comes to many people's eyes, but he is too expensive (thank Prince Fielder's contract for that one) and it is very unlikely the Tigers would win a bidding war with the Rangers and the Yankees for Hamilton's services. Maybe Ichiro? Highly unlikely because of his age and I see him going back to Seattle among others. Keep an eye on names such as B.J. Upton, Shane Victorino, Nick Swisher and Torii Hunter. Even though both Upton and Victorino are centerfielders, they could move to left field with Austin Jackson patrolling center.
Bullpen: The bullpen will remain intact from last year with the exception of a closer. Jose Valverde was shown the door after following his stellar 2011 performance with a poor 2012. Names to keep an eye on are Rapheal Soriano, who recorded 42 saves for the Yankees last season midseason, along with other names such as Jonathan Broxton, Ryan Madson and Brett Myers. If Drew Smyly does make the rotation, the Tigers should also bring in a left handed reliever to go with Phil Coke.
No telling on whether the Tigers take any of these routes, but each seems fair in accordance to their needs and the markets for these free agents.
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