Pick a Side and Stay There!

So, most agree the current college football system is a joke in terms of crowning a National Champion. The majority in the college football world want some type of postseason, whether its an 'And 1' or playoff.

But, now I'm confused. This past Saturday we obviously watched the two best teams in the country play in Columbus, OH. The game was so thrilling that the first question asked was should there be a rematch?

Approximately half of the media and fans are in favor of it.

The other half?

Well, most use arguments along the line of 'its unfair to Ohio State' or 'give another team a chance' or 'Michigan had its shot' (in Columbus mind you).

Let me point out the problem with this. If you're part of the no rematch camp for reasons other than you DO NOT feel Michigan is #2, then you're really not in favor of a playoff and this shocks me. I am baffled that overnight a large portion of the college football world has decided a playoff is not the way to go.

You're probably asking why I'm saying this. Well, it's quite simple. If you're not in favor of a rematch, then a playoff will NOT work because rematches will be plentiful.

So we sit here today more confused than ever. As college football was, slowly, but surely moving toward a 'playoff', we just learned that there are many who actually don't want it because they hadn't taken the time to think it through.

You can't have a playoff without rematches!

Who would've thunk that?

Michigan vs. Ohio State (THE Game)

My first memory of this classic series is 1986. The Harbaugh led Wolverines walked into Columbus and fell behind Cris Carter's Buckeyes 14-3. However, Big Blue stormed backed from the early deficit to clip the Bucks 26-24, to clinch the Big Ten and a trip to the Rose Bowl.

I was 9 at the time and the hatred began that day. Over the years it has intensified and now lives at a soft boil, some 21 years later.

The 18th of November, 2006, will present to us one of the best match-ups in college football history. Not only is it Michigan vs. Ohio State, but it's for all the marbles. As if pure detest isn't enough, these two powerhouses will decide who books a trip to the National Championship this Saturday.

The ferocity of this series is unmatched. The war of the border is like no other. The tension escalates with each passing year and has now come to a climax. In the 102 year history of this epic series, never have they met ranked #1 and #2 and its quite possible it will never happen again.

For the fans, it is a week of two tales. The media coverage will be intense. You'll hear more statistics regarding the two teams then you'll care to know. The analysts will spew their meaningless jargon to hype THE Game to its highest magnitude. But come Friday night, every Michigan and Ohio State fan will have a feeling in the pit of their stomach that will not let them sleep. In fact, I doubt many do. Saturday morning will be welcomed with arms wide open, yet the nervousness and tension will escalate to unprecedented proportions.

Nobody is fooling anybody this week. Those fans who have an attachment to this game cannot concentrate a lick without thinking to Saturday. The game will be joyous for one side and sorrowful for the other. The emotions let loose during the week could supply enough power to generate a major city for months. What this game means to many cannot be quantified by on-field statistics. We will all hear why one team should beat the other, but emotions win in this rivalry. More often than not, the more talented team walks off as the loser. Heart and determination trump god given skill in this battle.

The media content this week has gotten so large that one doesn't even know where to begin. Maybe its best to just sit back and reflect. Enjoy some old classic battles between the two schools and relish in the history this rivalry has provided. After all, nobody truly understands the magnitude of this match-up outside of the two teams and its fan base. No one can comprehend the difficulty sleeping the Friday night before the game and the angst leading up to it on Saturday morning. Most of all, nobody on the outside understands the anguish of a loss that lives with us for 364 days.

But those within the walls of this classic rivalry fully understand what's at stake on Saturday for the 103rd time. Some will pop out of bed Sunday morning, while others will try to convince themselves it was only a dream.

Michigan vs. Ohio State for a chance to claim it all.


DP

Michigan vs. Ohio State Preview

Ohio State vs Michigan 2006 Hype Video


Michigan vs. Ohio State PROMO


Michigan - Ohio State 2006 (Inches Speech)

Buckle Up, America!

I feel terribly sad today because I was right. I was afraid this would happen, but few would listen. Back during the 2004 election, I urged those around me not to re-elect Bush. The writing was spray painted all over the wall that his 8 year Presidency could go down as one of the worst, ever. I stood, alone, on my island urging many to go in another direction.

I did this not because I was a Kerry supporter, afterall, I am independent conservative. I do feel there is something to be said in voting for the person not the party. Although this point gets lost on most biased Americans. Rather, I did this because I was afraid of the day we just experienced.

The Democrats now have control and they're radical leader has the podium to begin her quest to rot everything that is right, in America.

And the so called hard headed Republicans are the reason for this disaster by re-electing Bush.

But you say, the Democrats would've taken control regardless this fall and under that scenario the White House would be in 100% Democratic control.

I say, bad assumption.

What Americans did on Tuesday was not vote FOR the Democratic Party, rather they voted against Bush. The result is near disaster that could come to fruition in 2008.

The reality of Tuesday's vote, when all is said and done, was a bold statement against Bush and the Republican Party. However, what most voters do not understand is they may have mortgaged their morals and beliefs to make this statement.

There are so many Americans who continually vote and post a stand:

1. Against amnesty
2. For border control
3. Against affirmative action
4. For marriage only between man & woman
5. Against raising taxes
6. For prayer in school
7. Against degradation of the Flag
8. For the right to bear arms

And yet, the new speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, is the exact opposite of what is listed above. It amazes me how a Nation could be, in majority, unified on the above issues, yet give up control to a party who will slowly drag these issues down the drain. I truly worry what this country will look like 6 years from now with radical leadership now in place.

True, Americans will probably get what they requested in giving Democrats control with the liklihood of the U.S. slowly pulling out of Iraq. Our leaders will mostly likely travel around the world and make nice over a cup of coffee with hate filled leaders of the Middle East & North Korea. But watch what happens within our country. Watch closely how values deteriorate over the next several years, at a rapid pace. Pay attention to what Americans mortgaged just to make a statement against Bush.

The Republicans, how I see it, do not possess a strong Presidential candidate for 2008, which means we could be in for full Democratic control in just a few short years. If this happens, the face of America will be vastly different:

• The government will be much larger, filled with many more 'special' groups
• Taxes will undoubtedly be up
• God will be forbidden
• Borders will be open
• Illegals will have access to public services they are 'entitled' to

And we will pay for all this.

I hope I am wrong about where this country is headed. But I also hoped I was wrong two years ago when Bush was re-elected.

Hopefully, in 2008, Americans will take notice of what they're voting for.

DP

Poll Squabbles

I didn't plan on addressing the college football poll topic this year, but with the recent cheeseburger bickering from Charlie Weis and the constant 'the media hates us' whining from ND fans, I could no longer resist.

Look college football fans (this includes you, too, Domers), once and for all, the polls are not an objective science and they consist of multiples flaws that can only be matched by a John L. Smith led team. The basic principle that an extraordinary amount fans fail to comprehend as they watch their team experience the roller coaster ranking ride year in and year out, is that when you start the season off with a preseason poll, your team is open for constant ranking corrections.

Any system that ranks its outputs (teams in this case), before objective analysis (the playing of games), takes place, is bound to have serious miscalculations.

For argument sake, let's take two teams to fit our example - Michigan & Notre Dame. The Irish went into the 2006 season with a # 2 ranking and have done little to justify that ranking. Meanwhile, Michigan came into the 2006 season with a #14 and as earned its way to a most recent #2 rank.

The big thing Irish fans don't realize is just because they lost in week 3 of season, it does not mean the ranking correction takes place following that game and as long as Notre Dame wins from that point on it has the 'right' to that spot or higher in the polls.

Its quite the opposite. Look at it this way. Imagine each college football week is similar to public corporations posting quarterly earnings. Analysts expect an EPS (earning per share) of x and if the company surprises Wall Street in either direction, the stock could very well experience some correction.

It is not different in college football. Each week analysts learn a little more about your team, as well as the teams chasing or that are ahead of your team. And each week these analysts must soak in what they saw and re-distribute the rankings based on the current market conditions.

It is not the fault of the analysts that following Michigan's domination of Notre Dame that the Irish barely escaped a Michigan State team, which is now laughable in the market landscape that voters must use as their guide when ranking teams each week. It is also not the fault of the analysts that the Irish have not played a worthy opponent since the Michigan debacle and will not do so until they butt heads with USC later this year. During this time, other teams are able to show their stuff against more formidable foes, causing fluctuations in the rankings.

Notre Dame fans will suggest that its not fair for a team with a 'Bye' week to jump the Irish after a last second win against UCLA. But keep in mind, when voters put a team at a particular ranking, they set an expectation for that team. I highly doubt that the expectation they put on Notre Dame's ranking prior to the UCLA was for the Irish to pull out a last second win at home.

Thus, a market correction followed that knocked Notre Dame down in some polls.

It really is simple logic for those fans who are not obsessed with the 'media against us' theory.

Until college football gets it right and rids the foolish preseason polls, which set expectations before any precedent is provided, we can look forward to similar occurrences each year. At worse, if college football must have these ridiculous preseason polls that set fans into a frenzy when their team is rewarded or slighted by a ranking, then at least provide us a playoff so the matter can be settled on the field.

Until then fans, accept the crazy logic and operation, which is what college football is today. And be consistent with your ranking complaints.

I sure didn't see many Notre Dame fans, nor Charlie for that matter, complain when the Irish were ranked #2 to start the season for no applicable reason, at all. I mean, in two years time, Notre Dame has failed to beat a Top 25 team, yet they are still ranked in the Top 10.

Not that's something to squabble about.

DP

Countdown to the Showdown

One year ago at this time, Michigan was coming off a thrilling win vs. Penn State and going into a crucial battle with the Hawkeyes, similar to this week's events. But other than the games place on the schedule, the 2006 vs. 2005 season comparison, up to this point, are about as bipolar as the Yankees and Tigers chance to win the 2006 World Series.

Man, how things can change in one short season.

No longer are the Wolverines creeping into each game hoping for a victory to salvage a dismal season. Rather, Big Blue is grasping each game like it is its last and breaking the opposition over its thick, tradition laden, legs. The mojo, if you will, in Wolverine football is back.

Ask many a Michigan fan and they will most likely tell you that the trip to Happy Valley this year was one they feared. I mean, how many years can Penn State lose to Michigan? Seven in a row is long enough, right? The Penn State fans almost deemed it their duty to expel its football team from this horrendous streak. They would come out in massive numbers, wearing nothing but white, and make as much noise as humanly possible to disrupt the Wolverines.

And they did this all in vain.

Michigan once again demoralized Penn State's dream of conquering the Wolverines. Not only did Michigan silence 110,000+ rabid Nittany Lion fans, but they did it in a dominating fashion by physically beating Penn State into submission. Don't let the 17-10 score fool you. This game was never in doubt and it was more of what Michigan did wrong at points in the game than what Penn State did right.

They could've pitched a shut out with a little more focus.

Nonetheless, the path has been cleared. The Big Ten, in all logical probability, will be represented in this year's BCS Title game. The question is who will it be: Michigan or Ohio State.
The hype has begun even though both teams have 4 opponents before the big one. But the dominance they have displayed, to date, has been so great that the remaining foes only appear to earth that is about to have a date with a bulldozer clearing the path for a new road. A hiccup seems unlikely and virtually impossible, at this point.

Can this blood thirsty rivalry handle nearly one month of anticipation? How high will analysts thrust this game into the college football stratosphere? The best and most anticipated game, ever?

There is still work to be done on both sides. But that does not stop fans from beginning the countdown, analysis, and bickering back and forth as to which team will be taking the field in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State feels its their right of passage. After all, they are the self proclaimed owners of the Fiesta Bowl.

Michigan feels its their destiny and looks to take a page out of that other Blue team still working its magic in downtown Detroit.

The majority of the experts had Ohio State penciled in for this year's National Championship game back during the preseason. Although, it should be pointed out, most of those same experts had the Yankees in the World Series.

Let the countdown begin.

DP

Half Way Home

After a very business like thumping of Michigan State, the Wolverines find themselves unblemished at the midway point of the season. The score did not do justice to just how bad Michigan man handled the Spartans, who were over matched and bullied all over the field. A MSU offense, which boasted a Nationally Top 10 rushing attack averaging 220 yds/game going in Saturday's match-up, mustered a measly 60 yards. I guess Caulcrick will need to rethink his view on the 'unimpressive' Michigan defensive line that he called out leading up to the game. Undoubtedly, his words fired up the 'D', which contained him to a miniscule 29 yards on 14 attempts.

Brandon Minor of Michigan out gained the boisterous Caulcrick on only 3 carries!

Michigan State had its share of, well, Michigan State moments, which included offsides, missed FG, offsides, late hit, offsides, running into the kicker, and oh, did I mention offsides?

Even if Michigan wasn't prepared to win this one, MSU undoubtedly was planning to hand the Wolverines a victory, regardless, with their sloppy play.

Henne was his usual efficient self, only passing the ball 17 times and completing 11 for 140 yards and 3 TD's. Manningham showed up for his weekly, almost automatic, two deep TD's to go along with Arrington's acrobatic, yet controversial, TD. Mike Hart motored for 122 yards and even left the game early (ankle) to allow Kevin Grady and Brandon Minor to make their presence felt. And did they ever by amassing a combined 92 yards on 15 carries, including an impressive 40 yard scamper by the true freshman (Minor).

The defense held the high powered Spartan attack to a respectable 312 yards of total offense. Although, the sacks have dangerously declined over the last two weeks (a combined 1), the defense once again made running the ball an insurmountable chore for the Spartans who were virtually forced to a strictly pass offense to move the ball with any type of consistency. The defense also came through with two interceptions, although the 1st one would've been wiser to hit the turf as the Spartans faced 4th down.

You could sense early on in this game that Sparty simply had no answer on how to shove the ball down Michigan's throat. Due to this, Michigan jumped on them early, all the way to a 24-0 lead before MSU displayed some life in producing 2 late scores (one set-up by the poor interception decision of Adams).

Needless to say, the defense will be relied heavily in the next two week's, as we conclude this 6 game gauntlet, to pull the Wolverins through unscathed.

Key defensive statistics:

1. 9 plays of negative or no gain out of 61 - 14.8% (61 out of 367 for the year - 16.6%)
2. 1 sack (18 for the year)
3. 2 turnovers to make it 13 for the year

Red Zone Efficiency

Offense

1. 2 trips into Red Zone vs. MSU, resulting in 1 TD & 1 FG (71.4% scoring efficiency)
2. For the year, 23 trips for 12 TD's, 7 FG's, and 2 turnovers (64.6% scoring efficiency)

Defense

1. 3 MSU trips into the Red Zone resulting in 2 TD's (61.9% scoring efficiency)
2. For the year, only 10 opposing trips into Red Zone for 5 TD's, 2 FG's, and 2 turnovers (57.1% scoring efficiency)

This week, against Penn State, will prove the Wolvies biggest test, yet. Beaver Stadium will be rocking and the Nittany Lions are looking to avenge their unimaginable 7 game losing streak against Michigan. As if the hype machine isn't enough for this game, it is to be played under the Pennsylvania lights. The Wolverines will have to do it without their most feared weapon, Mario Manningham, due to a knee injury.

The weight of this game will fall on the shoulders of Ron English and his defense to lead the way for Big Blue. The offensive attack will look to be methodical and control the clock with hopes of leaving Happy Valley, well happy.

A true test of this team's character will be unveiled on Saturday night. The Wolverine faithful are hoping 6 turns to 7 and 7 turns to 8 in a match-up that will bring the Wolverines one step closer to the eagerly anticipated slugfest.

But for now, one game and streak at a time.

Quick Slants

Well, the Auburn defense, which looked exposed against South Carolina confirmed our suspicion on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas as the Razorbacks ran all over them. This week is a showdown with Florida, which Michigan fans now find themselves rooting for the Tigers for BCS positioning.

USC continued its shaky play, bareley getting by an average Washington squad, yet, the computers still love the Trojans in the polls with 4 of them used for BCS rankings having them ranked #1.

Here is my Top 10:

1. Ohio State - Here until they slip
2. Michigan - No team in the Nation has been more consistent week in and week out
3. Florida - Will jump to #2 if they get by Auburn on the road
4. USC - Don't see this team getting through the season undefeated
5. Tennessee - If they would've held on vs. Florida they would be sitting pretty at #2
6. Cal - Look for the Bears to give USC everything they can handle
7. West Virginia - Still question the legitimacy of this team
8. Texas - Jury still out on the Longhorns, but looked solid vs. Oklahoma
9. Auburn - Will maintain its Top 10 status with a big win vs. the Gators this week
10. Notre Dame - They don't play anybody until the season finally - a Top 10 default, for now

DP

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

So we are one game away from reaching the mid-point of the college football season. My, where has it gone already? Before you know it we'll be hearing ESPN's bowl jingle,'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year'.

Let's take quick look at the Minny game before moving on to more important matters.

Henne and the offense dominated in this match-up no matter what the doubters suggest. Michigan rolled up over 500 yards of offense, including 234 on the ground. Henne was, once again, lethal with his deep attack while hooking up with Arrington (2) and Mannigham for TD's. The downside of the offense and probably the reason for all the post game fuss were 3 key plays:

1. Henne missing a streaking Mannigham for an apparent TD
2. Henne misses a wide-open Massey on an out inside the 15
3. Failed Red Zone conversion inside the 5 yard line

The above could've produced another 13 to 21 points, not too mention securing the necessary breathing room required by Michigan faithful needed for a stamp of approval win.

Theatrics aside, the Michigan offense appears to be blossoming each week with new foliage, as roles are expanded and new weapons are found. This week, insert Adrian Arrington.

With two targets to catch Henne's missiles, coupled with the headache Hart presents to opposing defenses, the offense could become a well-oiled machine by years end.

Defensively, the Wolverines did their job. An obvious point of concern was the loss of Morgan Trent and his coverage abilities along with his sure tackling against the run. He should be back for the MSU game, which will allow English to get back into attack mode by trusting his corners one on one.

For the first time this season, the defense looked uninspired at times and failed to register a sack. It's sure nice to see a lackluster defense only give up 323 yards of offense and limit one of the most potent rushing attacks in the Nation to one half of their normal output. The inability to abuse Capito was mainly due to his quick drops. The lack of lost yardage on sacks as well as not forcing a turnover did not bode well in terms of highlight video additions. However, I was surprised to see that Michigan held Minny to 7 plays of no gain or negative yardage, which all came against run (24 attempts).

For the year, the attacking Michigan defense has compiled the following:

1. 17 sacks
2. 35 plays of no gain or negative yardage (17% of oppositions offensive plays)
3. 11 forced turnovers (2 on special teams)

They also give up a mere 36.4 yards per game on the ground.

Updated 2006 Red Zone Efficiency:

Offense

1. 4 trips vs. Minny resulting in 2 TD's - 14 of a possible 28 points
2. For the season, 21 trips resulting in 11 TD's and 6 FG's and 94 of a possible 147 points - 63.9%

Defense

1. 1 trip vs. Minny resulting in a turnover of downs
2. For the season, an amazing 7 trips for 3 TD's and 2 FG's - 55.1% point scored efficiency.

Quick Slants

I was wrong about OSU and Iowa. I really believed Iowa had the horses to make a run this year. OSU man handled them at home in front of a National audience; therefore, I am off the Iowa bandwagon and realize without a major John L. Smith type breakdown, the Bucks are going into 11/18 undefeated. I projected 3 Big Ten losses for them and I'll take my lumps for my poor prognosis.

On that note, it is hard for me not to believe that the stars are beginning to align for the biggest regular season college football showdown that we've seen in quite some time. With each passing week it is easier for me to convince myself that both Michigan and Ohio State will be 11-0 leading up to the season finale. The Penn State game is still my biggest fear because at some point, the law of averages suggest Michigan may walk out of that game with a loss. However, the more I see Michigan's defense stiffen and the offense gel, I am optimistic of the Big Blue's chances of leaving leave Beaver Stadium with 7 game winning streak at hand.

We've also reached October 1st, which means I can start ranking teams on what they've accomplished rather than preseason hype. Here is my Top 10:

1. Ohio State - No doubt about it
2. Auburn - Like Irons a lot, although the 'D' was exposed against S. Carolina
3. Michigan - The train is rolling on both sides of the ball
4. Florida - Speed, speed, speed and some nice weapons to go along with that speed
5. USC - Enough talent to come out of the Pac 10 unscathed
6. LSU - Defense is the real deal, but offense is limited
7. West Virginia - 2005 carryover ranking. Show me something or I'll drop you like a hot iron
8. Texas - We will find out this weekend against OU if Texas is Top 10 legit
9. Louisville - Will get to prove Top 10 legitimacy in a few weeks vs. WV
10. Notre Dame - Should be Oklahoma's spot, but Oregon cheated

On we roll to hate, I mean State weak. The emotions always get high during this match-up and should provide decent Saturday late afternoon entertainment....at least for one half.

Michigan rolls into Happy Valley......

DP

BCS Standings

A few interesting notes:

1. Michigan is ranked # 1 in 5 of the 6 computer polls
2. The gap between #2 and #3 and narrowed, significantly
3. 3 Big Ten teams in the Top 15

DP

(click to enlarge)

Punted to Submission

Never in my life would I predict that I'd lead off my blog highlighting the statistic of a punter. I feel slimy just writing that. But what we witnessed in Saturday's game between Michigan and Wisconsin was monumental, well, at least from a punters perspective.

Punter, Ken DeBauche from Wisconsin is probably treating a rash as we speak due to excessive upper right thigh rubbing to the, well, you know what region. DeBauche punted the ball an astounding 11 times for 514 yards on Saturday afternoon, which ranks 10th best in conference history.

I didn't see many analysts predict that stat.

So from there, we can kind of guess how this game was won. Can you say defense, again? This front four is getting more and more special after each week. Here's a good example, Wisconsin had 15 possessions and scored on three of them - 1 TD and 2 FG's. In Wisconsin's 12 other possessions they accumulated a whopping 46 yards!! Wow, that's nearly 4 yards per drive, not play, per drive.

Wisconsin racked up 104 of its 248 total yards in the last 5:21 of the game. It also gained 60 yards on its first drive that took 2:44 off the clock. Which means, in the other 51:55 of the game, Wisconsin moved the ball for 88 yards.

Did I say this defense was good?

Keys to the defensive performance:

1. 4 sacks (17 on the season)
2. 11 of 70 plays of no gain or negative yards (44 of 248 for the season, 17.7%)
3. 12 net rushing yards (74 for the season, which ranks #1)

Offensively, once the engine was jump started, a healthy does of Henne to Manningham for two more perfect strikes put this game away with Hart finishing off any hopes the Badgers had when he slipped into the end zone from 5 yards out on a nice, patient, run up the middle.

Rivas and Breaston once again shined on special teams - Breaston in putting Michigan in good field position and Rivas with finishing off scoring drives.

And what happened to our kick and punt return coverage? The first two weeks of the season were simply painful to watch. Now our opposition is lucky to get to the 20 yard line on kick-offs and more importantly, returners are just thankful when they are forcefully shown the turf and still possess the ball. That's two forced special team turnovers in two weeks, folks.

The offense looked sluggish at times, but we must give Wisconsin's defense some credit. I mean, they did finish off the 2005 season by spanking a Top 10 Auburn team. It was only natural that Michigan would struggle to move the ball against them at times; however, 3rd down conversions were a chore to watch. Need to work on this guys.

On the flipside of Michigan's 3rd down troubles is the fact that for two straight weeks, the Wolverines have turned a 3rd and 4 into long TD passes to Manningham. This shows they are not afraid to go for the jugular during crucial moments of the game. A nice change for the Michigan faithful.

So, Michigan punched Wisconsin in the mouth and has now assured itself an unbeaten September for this first time in years. Off to Minnesota to play in the poor excuse for any type of sports venue the garbage bag, I mean Metrodome. If Michigan is able to take care of business against the Gophers, which I suspect they will do, handily, it's off to the toughest stretch of the year - MSU, @PSU, Iowa.

My Key to 2006 Success Update - Red Zone Efficiency

Offense

1. Four trips in the Red Zone resulting in 1 TD & 2 FG's for 13 of 28 possible points (80 of a possible 119 points for the season - 67.2%).

Defense

1. One trip for the opposition in the Red Zone resulting in 1 FG for 3 of 7 possible points (27 of a possible 42 points scored for the season - 64.3%).
   

Offensively, Michigan needs to pick its Red Zone efficiency up. Although they've scored in 15 of 17 total trips for the season, they are relying heavily on the FG.

Quick Slant

My Week 1 Big Ten predictions were perfect, but the games were not that difficult to pick. It will be more interesting next week when the Buckeyes travel to Iowa. I took Iowa in this one.

DP

Good Night and Good Luck, Chicago

Mark the date, September 24th, 2006. For today is the day the streak has officially ended. Let's recap what has transpired since the painstaking streak began:

1. The Detroit Pistons have won 3 NBA Championships
2. The Detroit Red Wings added 3 more Stanley Cups
3. Both the University of Michigan football and basketball teams won a National Championship
4. The Michigan State Spartans hoisted a basketball National Championship

All these classic moments have been soaked in by Detroit area sports fans since that wondrous fall day, back in 1987, when Frank Tannana pitched a 1-0 shut-out gem on the final game of the year against Toronto to complete an improbable late season comeback and playoff berth for the 1987 Tigers. That was the last time this city has sniffed playoff baseball.

And now, today, it is back.

This piece is not to rip the White Sox or its fans. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

To the Sox we'd like to say thank you and bid you good luck with your post season ambitions from today forward because it no longer impacts the October plans of the Detroit Tigers.

Thanks to the Sox for showing the baseball world last season that hard work, sound pitching, and a bunch of regular Joe's working as one, can accomplish great feats. No longer does a team need high priced free agents to taste post season glory. No, the 2005 White Sox taught us believing in a common goal can overtake talent, at times.

The 2005 Sox also taught us not to get distraught when watching a huge Division lead get whittled away in the last month of the season. Instead of a complete collapse, composure and confidence were key attributes of the 2005 White Sox team, which is now evident in our Tigers who have clawed themselves out of a disasterous ending - instilling 2 nails into the White Sox playoff coffin just a couple of weeks ago.

The baseball world was watching Chicago and the Detroit Tigers learned a thing or two from it. In fact, the Tiger's season has vast similarities to the 2005 White Sox, hopefully it can have the same ending.

And as we head into the final week of the season, we don't know if the Chicago White Sox will be around next Monday to defend their throne; however, we do know that for the first time since 1987, Detroit Tigers baseball is back and playoff bound.

These improbable overacheivers shocked the baseball world this year, only 3 years removed from the 2nd worst season in baseball history. The 2006 Tigers are one of the greatest turnaround stories in all of sports.

Let's hope there is a couple of more chapters to their story.

From here until this wonderful ride ends, cherish it, because 19 years is longer than you think.

DP

Shell Shocked

We finally get a break. No more, fire Lloyd Carr cries. No more, the offense is too vanilla. No more, Henne cannot produce in big games. No more, the defense cannot stop a big time QB. Last but not least, no more, Michigan cannot win its road opener.

On Saturday afternoon, each of these myths fell one by one to the turf of Notre Dame Stadium. The Michigan team we have so eagerly awaited for the past two seasons unleased itself in vicious fashion, handing Notre Dame one its most lopsided home losses in school history.



To say Michigan was prepared on Saturday is an understatement. The performance they displayed was nothing short of being on a mission to seek and destroy. They dominated Notre Dame physically, mentally, and emotionally in their own backyard. The great Charlie Weis and his offensive prowess were dismantled by young DC, Ron English. The brilliant Irish offensive game schemer could only muster up the number of Super Bowl rings he owns in rushing yards, 4, against English's raging defense.

You cannot help but feel that this could be a special year for the men in Blue.

The vanilla offense that was much maligned in Week's 1 & 2 for its lack of depth, assaulted the Notre Dame defense with a quick strike aerial attack. Before ND knew what slapped them upside the head, McFly style, it was already 34-7. Henne was able to shred ND's defense with a mere 13 completions that went for an astounding 220 yards and 3 TD's.

Mike Hart was also instrumental in pounding the Irish defense into submission with a huge day controlling the clock with the run game. What made the day even more impressive was that Michigan was able to will its way to time of possession dominance by nearly 8 minutes, which included 2 scores from the defense and another setting up shop at the Notre Dame 4 yard line. The 8 minute disparity provided no justice to just how stingy Michigan was in dictating the flow of the game.

What does this victory mean for the 2006? Well, as long as Notre Dame is not vastly overrated, it should mean that Michigan will be favored in every game this season leading up to their annual slugfest with the Buckeyes. While the schedule has its trip-ups, there is reason to believe that this Michigan team, I mean the one that took the field on Saturday, has the talent, skill, and passion to run the table.

Obviously, we are a ways from that happening, but the prospects are looking brighter by the moment.

Now for some statistics:

Keys to the defensive performance:

1. 5 forced turnovers (10 for the season and #1 turnover margin in the Nation)
2. 3 sacks (13 on the season)
3. 7 of 66 plays of no gain or negative yards (33 of 178 for the season, 18.5%)
4. 4 net rushing yards (62 for the season, which ranks #1)

My key area for 2006 success is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Here are the results from Game 2:

Offense

1. Four trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 19 points (2 TD's, 2 FG's)

Defense

1. Two trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 14 points (2 TD's).

For the year, Michigan is 12 for 13 offensively in the Red Zone, scoring 67 of a possible 91 points (73.6%). Defensively, they've held the opposition to 5 Red Zone trips while allowing 24 of a possible 35 points.

Again, this has been a major success for Michigan thus far in 2006.

Let's bring on Wisky and keep this mother brother train rolling......

DP

Game of a Lifetime

And here we are, a mere 48 hours away from the huge Michigan/Notre Dame showdown. But this game is not large in magnitude solely due to the history of these two football powers. Nor is it because this contest lines up the #2 and #11 ranked teams in the Nation. Although bragging right are significant in this series, the true identity of this game cannot be found there, either.

No, this game can be compared to one of those solar eclipses that come once every 20 years or so. I for one, cannot remember in all of my years of watching Michigan football a more important game on the schedule. I'm not referring to its importance from a record standpoint. Sure, the 1997 games vs. Penn State and Ohio State were undeniably big time. The 2003 & 2004 Rose Bowls vs. USC and Texas were also colossal match-ups.

But this game goes deeper. It's not so much about the record this time. For the 1st time since General Bo paced the sidelines in his 1st year, the Michigan football program is in question. Where is it heading and what will become of it?

Will it endure the painstaking streaks that many power houses have fell victim to over the last couple of decades, which includes: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Penn State, Notre Dame, Miami, USC etc.? All these programs hit bottom at one point or another in the last 20 years. In contrast, since Bo arrived in 1969, only 1 school has a better winning % than Michigan. Frankly, Michigan fans have been spoiled with Big Ten Championships, Rose Bowls, a bowl streak of 31 years, and a National Championship. Few of us have experienced the depths of irrelevancy when it comes to Michigan football.

Some may look at this and disagree that Saturday's game means so much, as it's only 1 game. But the program is at the precipice of hitting the crossroads. The question is what path will Michigan take?

A victory on Saturday could ignite the engine to this sleeping giant. A loss could bring Michigan one step closer to losing its grip on the college football landscape. It may bring them mere inches away to dark days so many reputable programs have faced.

In my eyes, I've yet to see a larger football game than what we'll witness on Saturday since Bo spoiled 'ole Woody's season some 37 years ago.


Now to some key points to the game:

Offense

Michigan's game plan needs to focus on limiting ND's possessions. Each minute the ND offense is on the sideline holds a better chance of success in winning this contest. Possession time, of course, is led by a sound and efficient running game that can churn out first downs. I'm not advocating going into a shell offensively, instead we need to pick our spots to unleash an aggressive aerial assault as well as trick plays. However, focus cannot be lost that this game will be won in the trenches and Michigan must dominate running the football.

A healthy dose of Mike Hart attacking off-tackle and on screens should keep the ND defense busy. I'd also like to see Grady and Minor get their fair share of carries between the tackles to wear down the defense with the physical running style they bring. I truly believe Minor could have a significant impact in this game if he is allowed to see the field, consistently.

Defense

There is no question here that the defensive line holds the key to stopping Quinn and the ND offense. If the front four can apply consistent pressure on Quinn and rattle him, it will greatly improve Michigan's chance to leave South Bend victorious. However, English cannot solely rely on a four man rush to pressure Quinn as Penn State did. He must be willing to bring the heat from both the linebacker and safety positions. It is also imperative that he mix his packages up to create confusion during blitzes such as, dropping Woodley back into zone coverage to combat against the quick dump off to Walker underneath as well as receivers running quick slants.

English must, and I mean must, keep ND off balance with his scheming. Walker should be spied upon in the passing game as he will most likely be the weapon that Weis will use to open up the attack and spread Michigan's defense out. If Crable and or Burgess can limit his success of catching the ball out of the backfield, Weis will be forced to throw the ball downfield with Quinn being pressured, which could result in turnovers.

Special Teams

Let's just say, this area is simple. Michigan needs to convert FG's as well as open up some space for Breaston to make his mark. Conversely, the kicking/punting coverage teams need to avoid allowing big plays while putting the Michigan defense in good spots relative to field position.

All in all, Lloyd and his staff must bring it. Nothing should be left on the field unanswered. They've been waiting for this game for 8 months now. It's time to show us all what you've learned, changed, and taught.

Go Blue!


DP

Finally, ABC gets It

I had lost hope. I really did. The last couple of years of watching our media outlets churn out trash has led me to a path that provides little, in terms of a news medium that I can honestly trust. Nightly, the networks, led by CBS, along with cable news, led by CNN, repeatedly force liberal rubbish down my throat with topics such as: the failure of Iraq, Taliban prisoners/murderers not being treated fairly, the nerve of the government to tap phones to save lives, and illegals should have the right to enter the U.S. on the taxpayers dime.

I'm simply sick of the slant the media puts on every controversial topic in this country. Not too mention, the message most of the time takes the anti-American side. Of course, they'll rattle off that their view and opinions correlate to why America is so great (ahh the freedom) - even though its being burned from within by these same fire breathing hypocrites.

And then came along ABC and its much maligned mini-series, 'The Path to 9/11'. I haven't seen left wing lobbyists up in arms at this level in quite some time. Never mind the outright approval and support of Michael Moore's, 'Fahrenheit 911'.

Funny how things change when the shoe is put on the other foot.

And now we have to listen to the left wing propaganda of how Disney is selling out to its right-wing supporters. Let me get this straight. This is the same Disney that employs Rosie O'Donnell as lead talk show host. The same Disney who let's Oprah teach America about the horrors of the current minimum wage while she takes in tens of thousands per hour. Yes, the same Disney who broke the network television barriers in the 90's, with the skin revealing drama, 'NYPD Blue'.

Yup, I can clearly see how Disney leads the way on instilling values to Americans. So now all of a sudden, Disney has a conservative agenda? Give me a break.

But let me compliment the network for providing a gravitating, depiction of what led to 9/11. Any rational viewer acknowledges that a docudrama, does in fact, have dramatic parts. We don't need the liberals to tell us that. But please, save your rambling on how this presentation had fact less merit. Are we truly to believe that Disney producers scaled the 9/11 Commission reports with a fine comb only to produce pure fiction? Or are the scenes during the Democratic led government the only fictional portion of this piece?

In spirit, any objective American understands our government dropped the ball leading up to 9/11. Is there any one person to blame? No. If that's the message liberals took out of 'The Path to 9/11', then they simply were not watching.

No surprise there.

To relive the events that led to 9/11 with the sophistication and level of detail that went into the planning of that disaster, you are only fooling yourself if you believe this ALL falls post the 2000 election. With the uproar and stink the liberals have ignited over this film, that is exactly how they come across.

Again, kudos, finally, for a network to show a piece that doesn't have an agenda or boundaries as to how much the truth might hurt. We ALL lost that day as country. And it does not hurt us as a nation to reflect on why we lost. It can only make us stronger.

Now some advice for our Democratic leaders - save your anti 'Path to 9/11' energy and put it to beneficial use and secure our borders.

Let's not create a sequel to this docudrama.

DP

Michigan 41 Central Michigan 17 - Thunder Struck

Michigan's defense wasn't the only thing bringing the thunder on Saturday afternoon. For the first time in the history of Michigan football, the game was delayed for nearly an hour due to weather. This was an interesting way to watch a football game, if nothing else I was able to get a few more chores done before the restart of the game.



Now to the analysis:

Offensively Michigan continued pounding the football with an effective running game churning out 252 yards in the contest. Mike Hart led the way with 116 yards and 3 TD's, looking nimble as ever. The zone blocking scheme continues to open up lanes for the running backs with minimal plays that go for losses. It also appears that Henne is checking into running plays based on what the defense is giving Michigan.

It's only two games in, but if Michigan is able to continue its running success throughout the Big Ten season, they will be able to control games, which will allow them to limit the opposition's offensive possessions, as well as dictating the flow. Both bode well for Blue.

The passing game looks efficient at times, but lethargic at others. Receivers continue to drop the ball and we've yet to fully witness a downfield or over the middle attack. One has to ask whether Carr & Debord are not showing their hand going into the Notre Dame or if Michigan is simply having difficulty with the passing game and the harness has yet to be released?

Overall, the offense moved the ball at will against CMU and put up 34 points by the end of the 3rd quarter. They also possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes while running the ball 50 times.

That's Michigan football at its best.

Defensively, the unit swarmed, once again, creating turnovers (3) and sacks (4). Michigan has now forced 5 turnovers and 10 sacks in its first two games, a vast improvement over 2005. There is still the 'big play' syndrome that plagues this defense, that gave up a 35 yard TD and nearly allowed a second, which ended up being dropped.

That said, LeFevour was being chased and harassed all day. CMU attempted 39 passes on the day, completing only 18 of them, thus achieving 4.8 yards per pass. The running defense was stellar and physical, allowing a dismal 16 yards (including sacks) on 21 attempts or 37 yards on 13 carries, excluding sacks. The effectiveness of this year's run defense starts with the chaos the defensive line is creating up front as it allows our speedy linebackers to attack and run down the perimeter running attack.

Keys to the defensive performance:

1. Three forced turnovers (5 for the season)
2. 4 sacks (10 on the season)
3. 13 of 60 plays of no gain or negative yards (26 of 112 for the season, 23%)

Overall, defensively, if fans need something to complain about, which many do, the big pass plays that have haunted them in the first two games are the only apparent Achilles heel at this juncture of the season. However, from what has been witnessed thus far, compared to 2005, we have to feel quite confident going into ND and the Big Ten season that the defense has the potential to carry this squad.

Special teams were erratic, again, on Saturday. While Rivas nailed his to FG attempts to go 4 for 5 on the season, the punting was average at best and the kick return coverage resembled swiss cheese. Special teams will have to improve significantly in the upcoming weeks before it costs Michigan a close game. We've yet to see Breaston really get loose on a return.

My key area for 2006 success is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Here are the results from Game 2:

Offense

1. Five trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 31 points (4 TD's, FG)

Defense

1. Three trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 10 points (TD, FG, fumble).

For the year, Michigan is 8 for 9 offesively in the Red Zone, scoring 48 of a possible 63 points. Defensively, they've held the opposition to 3 Red Zone trips while allowing 10 of a possible 21 points.

Two games in, Red Zone efficiency has been a major success.

All this being said, the majority of fans realize the real season begins on September 16. The question is whether Michigan can take the positives from the first two games and roll into South Bend with vengeance. I'm not sure there's a fan among us that really feels secure on what we should expect next Saturday.

One thing is assured, after the game, we'll know exactly where the Michigan football program stands.

Michigan 27 Vanderbilt 7 - What We Learned

According to most Michigan football forums, nothing has changed. It's still the same 'ole conservative game strategy executed with familiar mistakes. In fact, compliments and optimism about Saturday's game are few and far between. Most fans are in late season form with the fire Carr, another 3+ loss season, the offense is boring, etc, etc.

The expectations some followers put on this program could only be met with 50-0 type blowouts and yet, that still might bring about chatter of what went terribly wrong and why Carr should be shown his way to a seat next to Bo in the press box. Unfortunately for some, it's the darkside of Michigan football. Perfection is required, anything less is tolerated as the sky is falling type mind set. That being said, let's take a look at what we learned on Saturday.



Ask yourself, what were the two biggest things you wished for as a Michigan fan to change in 2006? Most of your answers included at least one, probably both, of the following:

1. A return to intense, hard hitting fundamental defense
2. Run the ball with effectiveness

Now ask yourself if Michigan accomplished theses tasks on Saturday? The answer should be a resounding YES.

Let's take a quick hit of the defense and three items that stood out:

1. Intensity, hitting, swarming, and fundamentals. How many tackles did the 'D' miss on Saturday? Not many, which is our first step to extraordinary change from years past.
2. The defensive line can be a machine at times. The pressure from the front four kept Vandy uneasy all game long. The spread offense that used to burn Michigan with QB keepers and shotgun misdirection plays was at a clear disadvantage on Saturday.
3. The unit looks fit and in shape with English not afraid to substitute at will, which wore down Vandy as the game progressed.

Here are some stats that should make every Michigan fan smile:

1. Six sacks (3 by Woodley) for -38 yards
2. Four TFL's for -9 yards
3. Three no gain plays
4. 2 forced turnovers
5. 13 of 52 total offensive plays for Vandy resulted in no gain or negative yards (25%)

Any knowledgeable fan cannot walk away from this game without taking notice that the defensive mind set of this team has changed and good things could be on the horizon. It's only one game, but it's incomparable to any game I watched in 2005.

Now let's flip to the offensive side of things where off-season wish #2 came to fruition. The offensive line and the new zone blocking scheme pummelled Vandy for 246 yards on the ground. A few things to provide us confidence that the run game will experience continued success:

1. Mike Hart looks quick and shifty as he's ever been
2. Kevin Grady is leaner and has better vision (if he can only hold on to the football)
3. Minor looks to be, yet another viable threat in the backfield

Now to the passing game, which was inconsistent at best. This had to be the most disappointing aspect of Saturday's game, but in no way should over shadow the running game and defense. Henne, when he wasn't flushed out of the pocket, was throwing high all day. When he wasn't throwing high, he had two key drops and a nice completion inside the 5 taken away by inept officiating. The scheme and the plays were there, the players just didn't finish. This can be corrected. Let's not jump off a cliff due to first game rustiness on offense, just yet. They were inches away from breaking the game open very early.

My key area for 2006 success is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Here are the results from Game 1:

Offense

1. Three trips with plays starting inside the Red Zone resulting in 17 points
2. One fumble inside the Red Zone (play started at 23 yd line)

Defense

1. No opposition trips into the Red Zone

We'll call this key area a major success against Vandy.

Three Plays to Make or Break (Game 1)

1. Pat Massey's apparent TD drop
2. Kevin Grady's nineteen yard TD run on 3rd and 4
3. Forced fumble, recovered by Hall, in 4th (led to Henne/Mannigham TD)

Overall, you have to be pleased with Saturday's performance despite the fact that Henne didn't throw for 500 yards and 4 TD's. The defense played with fire from start to finish and Michigan moved the ball well on the ground.

The schemes on both sides of the ball were quite vanilla, yet highly effective. A solid and efficient game against CMU next week should put this team at a competitive edge going into the ND game, especially with the Irish coming off two straight, hard fought physical battles.

The primary take away from the opener is that it could be much worse, as we experienced last year. Henne's throws will get better and the pass blocking will gel. It is apparent that attitude has changed and will pay huge dividends has the season progresses, even if they are not all shut out wins.

DP

Michigan Preview (with Big Ten notes)

Another season is upon us Michigan fans and I cannot remember one, in recent memory, that is filled with so much anticipation sprinkled with apprehension, optimism laced with budding doubt, and pride seared with anguish.

Our Wolverines have not fared well against two of our fiercest rivals over the last several years. A long-time proud program is starting to endure chips in the armor. A win over Ohio State and Notre Dame are almost a MUST this season.

This fall the Wolverine's will put on the field the best combination of talent and experience the Big Ten has to offer in 2006. The question is, what will they do with it?

We've heard this song and dance before, that this year's squad is displaying something special in camp. And in each of the recent years, we were disappointed with the unjust hype and lack of fire that the Wolverines displayed.

Will 2006 be different? I think so.

On offense, if healthy, Michigan is loaded from skill positions to the offensive line. Inserting a healthy Jake Long on Henne's blind side should provide Henne better pocket presence due to the confidence in Long to protect him. A healthy OL will also be crucial in jump starting the running game, which will also allow Henne to be more productive. Look for healthy doses of Hart and Grady, along with Carlos Brown as a change of pace back, similar to Bass of 2005. The wideout position has depth, talent, and will provide Michigan with deep threats as well as playmakers. The tight end position is, once again, a formidable unit and should see an increased role with Debord back as Offensive Coordinator.

The defense will come out with a new fire under Ron English. Back to fundamentals is the key for this unit. They possess skill, speed, and power, which should result in not being intimidated by any offense in the Big Ten, although they will be tested. The key to the 'D' is the front four. If English is able to apply pressure on opposing QB's with the talented Woodley and Branch, it will set the defense up for a solid season. The linebacker core has depth and athleticism. Look for Crable to provide an immediate impact. The secondary, although not overly talented, will be dependable led by lockdown corner, Leon Hall.

Michigan will be able to substitute 2 deep in nearly every position on 'D' without missing a beat. If the fundamentals are there, this will be a critical component in wearing teams down over the course of the game.

Special teams at Michigan should be second to none in the Big Ten, with the dependable Rivas kicking FG's, Ross Ryan creating field position in the punting game, and Steve Breaston posing a legitimate breakaway threat in returning kicks and punts.

The coaching staff put emphasis on losing weight, adding speed, and getting fit. We will see early on if this will pay dividends for the 2006 Wolverines.

My key area for this year's team is Red Zone efficiency on both offense and defense. Michigan had too many Red Zone turnovers in 2005 that cost them dearly. They also did not punch the ball into the end when in the Red Zone with high efficiency in 2005. Making a stand and holding the opposition to Red Zone FG's while scoring Red Zone TD's on offense will be a tell tale of this year's squad. The new attitude and coaching strategy should benefit this area.

Offensive Keys

1. Better pocket presence by Henne, which will be a direct result of better protection
2. Attack the middle of the field with passing game
3. 1st down and Red Zone efficiency
4. Mike Hart gaining 1,000 + yards on the ground

Defensive Keys

1. It starts and ends with the front four. Pressuring the QB and clogging the middle will turn an average secondary and above average linebacking core to exceptional
2. Not having to rely on the blitz to pressure QB's
3. Ability to stop or force teams to FG's in Red Zone
4. Intensity and fundamentals

In Big Ten play, I'm picking the Wolverines to go 7-1 with Penn State finally getting one against Blue. I expect huge road wins at Notre Dame to set the tone for the season as well as throwing the monkey off their back with a shocker in C-Bus.

Look for the Minny game to be a gut wrencher and the Iowa game to be a Nationally followed classic.

My Big Ten prediction is:

1. Michigan(7-1)
2. Iowa (7-1)
3. MSU (6-2)
4. OSU (5-3)
5. Wisconsin (5-3)
6. Penn St. (5-3)

I know OSU fans will call this homerism, but the transition of the 'D' in Columbus will experience growing pains and the Buckeyes will suffer a defeat at Iowa and a upset at East Lansing.

Iowa will be the most consistent and solid team in the Big Ten due to a favorable schedule and will contend for a BCS bid.

Penn State will come back to earth, yet still get a big win against Michigan.

My darkhouse is the Stanton led Michigan State Spartans. The offense will be deadly and the Spartans will finally end their lack of depth and finishing the season futility that has bit John L. in years past. A huge upset of OSU will be the momentum the Sparties need to finish the season strong.

Look for Purdue to be on the brink of a bounce back season and Wisconsin to, again, be solid in rounding up the Big Ten Bowl picture.

Minny will struggle with its running game and end its Bowl streak. The emotions at NU will not be enough to produce a solid season for 'green' head coach, Pat Fitzgerald. Ron Zook is still a year or two away from Illinois making an impact in the Big Ten and Indiana will once again struggle to win games.

A realistic approach to Michigan's season would most likely be winning 1 of 3 on the road against ND, PSU, and OSU and winning out the remainder of the schedule to finish at 10-2 and be BCS bound.

An optimistic view has this team 11-1 and contending for a National Championship in 2007.

Anything more than 2 losses in 2006 will most likely be treated as disastrous by Michigan fans. And yet another chip in the armor will be made, exposing parts of the program that haven't been in jeopardy at Michigan in decades.

Will they bring it?

My Big Ten head-to-head prediction grid (click to enlarge).

DP

The Biggest Holiday Nobody Talks About

You walk into your local market and swear you can read the faces of the men around you. Co-workers appear to have a twinkle in their eye and a hop in their step. At times, you'd venture off to predict it's the calm before the storm.

With anticipation and keen acknowledgement of your surroundings, it's time to pull out the 'to-do' list. Eagerly, over the last few weeks, you've instituted a schedule that will put you in free sailing when the long awaited date gradually nears. In fact, you even project 'honey do' items that have not currently made their way onto the 'list', but have high probability of reaching it in the short term. Nothing can be overlooked and no stone unturned. With abnormal desire and determination to complete the duties and tasks at hand, extra points are earned from the 'green' woman in your life. The veteran ones know exactly what you're up to.

Nonetheless, time is running short and one last scan of the house and its needs are mandatory. Only days, hours, minutes left.

Yes gentlemen, the upcoming weekend holds significance that can be justly equated to that of major holidays. No gifts are exchanged, nor are cards given. Consequently, the holiday weekend comes without much conversation and leaves with a sigh of built-up relief, but its magnitude is simply unquantifiable for most men. Upon us, gentlemen, is the day we've been awaiting since early January.

Upcoming is officially, 'the last weekend before the college football season begins'. The name doesn't make for catching greeting cards. It won't even fit on most calendars. But for millions of men across the country it represents a sense of freedom.

Kiss the wife and kids on the forehead. Spend some quality 'family time' with them this Saturday, as it will be their last for quite a while.

Whatever you do men, do NOT leave a chore undone as this can set your season into a downward spiral that can be difficult and costly to stop.

Pull out the tailgating gear and make sure it is in fine working order. Assure your jersey still fits. Collect the necessary pre-game CD's. Prepare your 'game watching area' and re-assure it is the most effective place to spend 14 hours a day for the next 12 Saturday's. Lastly, detail out your season tailgating menu and stock the house with the appropriate ingredients as well as beverages.

We are almost there, gentlemen. Another season is upon us. Some of us will enjoy the success of our respective teams while others go through a heartbreaking season. Most of us will undoubtedly shout obscenities at the television while neighbors ponder why we are calling our wives or children 'stupid, blind incompetent @-holes'. Our wives will need to 'husband proof' the home to avoid excessive damage for the upcoming season. And once again, a thorough schedule will need to be communicated to the wife on the best times to talk to us during the next 12 Saturday's.

Most relatives will comply to the rules of not scheduling family outings during the season, but have a contingency plan handy if needed.

Last but not least, enjoy yourself this year. Afterall, its only a game.

DP

Sporting News: Best Sports City

The Sporting News posted its annual 'Best Sports City' piece and to little surprise, Chicago came out on top with strong showings from both the Bears and White Sox. However, looking at the rankings made me curious as to how these cities stack up over time.

The Sporting News has been doing this survey since the mid-90's, but only through '98 is accessible online. The criteria was edited in 1996, so the only comparative year missing from this analysis is 1997.

A couple of things surprised, yet encouraged me:

• No shock that New York averaged the best ranking over the past 9 years
• For the lack of National notoriety Detroit gets as a sports town, they fared extremely well in the 9 year average ranking finishing 3rd best behind New York & Dallas
• The overrated exposure of Chicago sports has been validated with an average ranking that places 12th best behind cities such as: Miami, Denver, and Phoenix.

The three columns to the right highlight:

• Average 9 year ranking of each city (rank is sorted by this figure)
• Average 9 year ranking excluding high and low rank
• Delta between high and low rank for consistency purpose

Only Dallas, Detroit, and Philly have achieved the feat of not having a double digit ranking during this stretch. Chicago on the other hand, only has two years of single digit rankings, which happen to be bookends during this time span.

Click on chart to enlarge

DP

The Day I Lost Hope

July 27th, 2006. Just a somewhat normal day from when I stepped out of bed until the afternoon. Nothing seriously stimulating going on until the news I received from my brother-in-law that he was extended for yet, another six months in Iraq.

With this six months, it will now make four and half years of service when he only signed up for three. The feeling in the pit of my stomach is clearly the lost hope I have on our government. They are now resorting to feeble psychological games and mockery of our soldiers. Did I forget to mention this young man was days away from coming back home to his family?

Does that scare you? I mean, shouldn't our sophisticated government know well ahead of time if additional forces will be needed in Iraq? Are we on such a short limb, that soldiers who are stepping on a plane to head back home have to be yanked off by their shirts for additional service time?

Frankly speaking, this frightens me. It is beyond comprehension that our leaders must handle our troops with such brash, disheartening, and morale sinking actions. I cannot fathom being in the shoes of my brother-in-law who was days away from re-joining civilization only to be slapped in the face. This isn't a slacker that we're speaking of either; this guy earned a Bronze Star for his stupendous service. What a way to repay him.

I am the first to say that I love this country and support it well. I'm not a tree hugging, war hater either. But there comes a point on how to treat people with dignity and respect and this just doesn't cut it in my book.

There are plenty of alternatives for staffing our under-staffed military other than grinding the life out of those who so diligently serve. Maybe it's time for us citizens or civilians if you will, to stand-up for some change.

I know a lot of people who are serviceable, maybe not willing, to assist with the issue. Maybe the time has come that we, as a society, have a cost to live in freedom.

It might be time to payback our debt, rather than let others carry us on their back. Especially, when they can't carry anymore.

DP

Too High a Price? Rubbish!!

An article from the The Nation, http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060731/editors4, discusses the current conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

Once again, the view from the left wears rose color glasses with the notion that conflict in the Middle East can be resolved merely through diplomacy. And of course, as the editors are quick to point out, this current war is, once again, the fault of the U.S. government.

I often sit and ask myself if people truly think in this manner or is it simply to get a rise by holding onto an opposing view. I mean, I often cannot logically grasp the suggestions made that conflicts, such as the current war in Lebanon, can be avoided if only Bush could sit down over a cup of coffee and negotiate peace with terrorists and militias.

Don't they get it! These groups want death to Israel and the U.S. for that matter. What is so difficult to understand here?

The editors start off the article by lambasting Israeli forces for 'disproportionate' response to the kidnapping of two soldiers and killing of eight more. I have to ask these editors, does Israel have the right to protect its Nation? I mean, at what point is enough, enough? Would proportionate reaction be capturing two Hezbollah soldiers and killing eight more? Should the two sides go back and forth with each other like a game of chess, taking out one piece at a time, as to be fair?

When a militia lives at the doorstep of your Nation and its primary goal is to see to your death, I strongly believe, and advise for that matter, the right to destroy such a group. Would you want an equivalent taking post on the Mexican or Candadian/U.S. border?

The editors go on to point out this conflict is the result of the administration's persistence that Syrian troops withdraw from Lebanon. It is suggested that current occupation of Syrian troops in Lebanon would be a natural restraint on Hezbollah, thus keeping them in order. This, of course, is the same Nation (Syria) that assists in funding Hezbollah. The editors then point out that this conflict should remind us, "peace and stability of the region is too important to be left to Israel and to Washington". And that there is a much greater need for UN involvement. Yet, wasn't it the UN Resolution 1559 that called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon?

Is this the type of UN involvement you're requesting? If so, isn't this exactly what you described as the primary reason that led to this conflict, yet so eloquently blamed on the U.S. and Israel? So, which side of the fence is it?

Point being, once Syria left Lebanon its government should've demanded assistance in disarming Hezbollah. Whether the assistance came from moderate Middle Eastern countries, the EU, or the U.S., it undoubtedly was a major task that was never seriously addressed. In fact, I believe the Lebanon government was fine with Hezbollah occupying the southern borders. Consider, why else leave this militia living and breathing within a fragile Nation knowing the tension it stirs with Israel and being led by non-sensible radical leader?

Once again from the left we get our daily dosage of spin, spin, spin. They continue their failure to fully comprehend the enemy that is rising in the Middle East. Their empty suggestions that diplomacy is the answer turns a blind eye on recognizing the face of the enemy. These unified terrorist groups and Nations that serve them in the Middle East will not seize until their destruction and holy war on mankind is achieved.

I ponder everyday why editors, such as these, don't sympathize with that type of reality.

DP

Silent Enemy?

While skimming through thenation.com I came across an interesting article (see below), depicting the current relationship between the U.S. and Russia. While I feel the column is substantially one sided, it does make some good points. With that, I began to process our current political, economic and international landscape within the U.S. and concern arose over me. The article makes clear and for the most is generally on target, that the U.S. relations with Russia since the Soviet Union demise has taken a path of the U.S.'s best interests in the ravaged state and its surrounding parts. Over time and with the change of leadership, Putin slowly became wise to this and most likely, in a sense, always was. Roadblocks began to develop within the relationship of the U.S. and Russia. The author would lead you to believe the fault is 90% that of the U.S.; however, he fails to point out Putin's obscure governing style that has taken substantial time of ridding criminal style ruling of the state. Leftovers from the previous regime have been allowed to operate with minimal interference. Basically, the economic leading powers of the state are corrupt in nature and operate with a Mafia like fist. No wonder the economy is still in shambles and is only saved by Russia's vast oil resources, although foreign investment in Russia has seen great growth even though most live in poverty.

But without detailing much of what the column points out, one has to worry about the role Russia will play in the near future. Its warming up to Iran and China is concerning. Personally, I don't blame the U.S. for taking military positions in surrounding states and keeping a close eye on this potentially rogue government. I worry that Russia is helping potential threats like Iran and have plans of joining a future conflict between the U.S. and Iran, most likely militarily as a surprise enemy.

How would the U.S. handle this? I mean, Russia still has a great supply of nuclear weapons and still possesses a military threat to the U.S. as it could send shock waves through the world and economy if it ever stood up and joined an erratic government like Iran.

This thought could be a stretch, but it does worry me. The article is a good read and when time permits, I suggest reading it (somewhat long 9-10 pages).

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060717/cohen_charlierose_video

DP

Back on the Map

Tommy Amaker has just finished potentially his most important week since arriving at Michigan. The much maligned basketball coach just landed two Top 50 recruits in Manny Harris and a re-commitment from Alex Legion. This to go with Top 50 recruit, Deshawn Sims, from the 2006 class. More importantly, Amaker is now getting his hands into the fertile recruiting ground of the Detroit Metro area, which is where all 3 recruits are from.

Amaker has struggled recently to land top national talent. Even more perplexing is his inability to pull in area recruits as developing a pipeline to Detroit talent is vital for a school geographically located as Michigan is.

With these three recruits it could provide Amaker the much needed momentum to finish the 2007 class off with a bang and propel the recruiting ball into motion at Michigan with more top commits to follow. Needless to say, the mood has changed significantly in Ann Arbor over the last several months with the announcemt of the two verbals this week.

It finally appears that Amaker's perseverance and focus is beginning to take its toll of putting Michigan basketball back on the map.

Next area of focus should be an upgrade of the current basketball facilities.

DP

The Not So Normal Feelings of Summer

Let's see, it's July 18th. Usually around this time of year I'm strolling around Barnes and Noble looking for a college football preview magazine or setting up my fantasy football league as I'm jonesing for a sports fix. Or I pop in old Michigan football games to help pass the time. The satisfaction of those items usually wear off within hours, so I'm back at square one just waiting, waiting, waiting for the football season to start.

Some summers I'll engage myself into a project or take some time off work just to help the days pass. Don't get me wrong, I love summer. But the days following a Pistons or Wings championship (or deep playoff run) up until Labor Day weekend can be the most dreary for an avid sports fans, even during the sunshine days of summer.

This year is different, though. No, I haven't made my annual trip to Barnes and Noble. I'm retiring from fantasy football so that's not it either. No projects on the list and I've yet to take my summer vacation.

But today I have a feeling in my gut that, well, isn't normal for this time of year. It's the anxiety that normally comes leading up to a Wings/Avs, Pistons/Heat or UM/OSU game. Problem is, all those teams are enjoying their vacation time right now. The excitement that's over taken me is different this time. A new sport altogether.

The White Sox are coming to town and I'm jacked about it. Wait, can this be right? Tigers vs. White Sox in late July and I'm jacked?

Oddly enough, the not so normal feeling I have is exactly that. We have our first true 'playoff consequence' series in Comerica Park. The City is buzzing as we gear up to see just how the Tigers stack against the Sox. A series win might put this franchise into locomotive type momentum heading into the stretch run. My gut tells me, aside of nervousness, that this series will tell us a lot about our Tigers and just if they can compete with the big boys.

So sit back and enjoy the next 3 games. I can tell you that a few months ago I surely did not have these dates marked on the calendar with a 'to do' item. However, the wife has been warned and the beer is chilling. I'll be uncharacteristically busy for the next three nights.

DP

Is the Future Now?

The first half of the season is in the books. And too many fan’s peculiar surprise, the Detroit Tigers are the best team in MLB. They've consistently won with remarkable starting pitching, boasting a league leading team ERA. Run support has been there when needed. In addition, timely comebacks have put wind under the sails of this high energy team. Lastly, all those 1 run losses the Tigers piled up in 2005 appear to be reversing trend. The Tigers are on pace to win 100+ games and would need a breakdown of significant proportions to fall out of the playoff race.

So all this is great news for the long suffering Tigers fan, right?

Well it depends how you view it and the delicate task Dave Dombrowski has ahead of him. How could he not go for it all with the way the team has been playing of late? But at what cost? Get this MLB fans, the Tigers are no fluke. What I mean is aside from this year the Tigers are going to be around for years to come. The farm system is loaded with talent, which begs the question -is now the time?

The knee jerk reaction is to go for it all, but when you've suffered through so much and finally have an outstanding foundation built, should you start to put cracks in it? Or, do you strategically add a low cost part here and there and prepare for an even more dominate future when key prospects are ready? It is the delicate question Dombrowski gets to answer this month.

While the Tigers may be over stockpiled in certain positions, they must make sure any trade done does not mortgage the future for a short-term answer. It is human tendency to want things now, but the potential longevity of the future looks compelling, too.

Maybe Tigers fans can have both.

DP

End of an Era

The Glory Days of hockey is how we'll remember it. Yes, I realize outside of a handful of towns hockey is merely an after thought. However, if you grew up in the cold brisk winters of Michigan, you know exactly what hockey means to this region.



And so the modern day dynasty finally comes to an end with the retiring of Steve Yzerman, arguably the best captain in sports history and the free agent loss of Brendan Shanahan. Many Wings fans saw this day coming as we slowly lost, one by one, the players who would bring us to our feet each and every spring for the last 12 years - Konstantinov, Festisov, Kozlov, Lapointe, Hasek, Federov, McCarty, Larionov, Yzerman, and Shanny to name a few.

The days were golden to us hockey fans and oh how we were spoiled in Hockeytown since 1995:

- Four Stanley Cup appearances
- 3 Stanley Cup Titles
- 5 President Cup Trophies

The Wings went into each and every season prior to 2004 as one of favorites to win the Cup. Each spring, the entire City hung with every pass, shot, and save. Some seasons ended in heartbreak. But who can forget those magical summers of '97, '98, & '02?

As far back as '95, when the New Jersey Devils ousted the Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals we heard the team was 'old' and needed new blood. Yet, year after year, much of the blood remained the same with only delicate additions or subtractions to the roster.

It is one of the most dominant reigns by a team for such a long period of time that has ever engulfed the sports world. What makes it even more fascinating, it was the same core group of players who produced this success for over 10 years.

The memories will last a lifetime, but who can forget some of these classics:

1. Steve Yzerman's Game 7 double OT goal against St. Louis in '96 pushing the Wings onto the Conference Finals with a 1-0 victory.
2. March of '97, Wings vs. Avs at the Joe when all hell broke loose with a massive brawl that saw Shanny level Patrick Roy, McCarty beat the snot out of Claude Lemieux and the two goalies, Mike Vernon and Patrick Roy, go toe to toe.
3. June of '97 when the Wings went in as clear underdogs against the Flyers and destroyed them with a sweep to win the Cup, topped off by McCarty's magical goal.Days after winning the Cup, the tragic accident that ended Vlady's career.
4. Game 2 of the '98 Stanley Cup Finals against Washington when the Wings score 3 third period goals to force OT and eventually win with Lapointe's pass to Draper igniting them to yet another Stanley Cup.
5. Yzerman scores his 500th career goal while David is in the pisser at the Joe.
6. Down 2 games to 0 in 2002 against the Canucks and watching Yzerman on one leg inspire the Wings to win the next four in a row to take the series.
7. Down 3 games to 2 going into Colorado of the '02 WCF and watching Hasek shutout the Avs in both Game 6 & 7.
8. Game 7 of the WCF in '02 against the Avs and watching Roy get absolutely blitzed 7-0.
9. The triple OT game against Carolina in the '02 Cup Finals that saw Igor Larinov end it with a back handed flip over a sprwaled Irbe to propel the Wings to yet another Stanley Cup.

The days were good for us fans. None of us will ever forget Shanny's first game as Wing and how he dropped his gloves during his first shift to let Detroit fans know he came here to take care of business.

Steve Yzerman's 2002 Stanley Cup run was the most remarkable and courageous effort I've ever seen in sporting competition. Nearly playing on one leg, The Captain led the Wings during that playoff with 19 points and was the key ingredient that ignited the team in series wins against the Canucks and Avs. The sheer admiration of watching him get up every time he was knocked down put a sense of pride into every Detroiter's heart. There will never be another leader that compares to what Yzerman brought to his Red Wings.

Yes, these are just a few of the memories left to us. I mean, how do you sum up 12 years in a few paragraphs?

We looked forward to those spring nights. The long night's of watching games at a friend's house or at Joe Vision. The insane artistic painting of a friend’s car. Hanging out on the Ren Cen roof waiting for the Cup parade at 2am in the morning. Yup, we hung onto those Wings with everything we had.

And now, the landscape of hockey has changed and ultimately is the deciding factor that led to the end of an era. Teams on the ice couldn't dismantle the Wings, but the economic force of the League did.

One thing is for sure, we most likely will never have those days back again. It seems like it was just yesterday when this thing began on the night the Wings took out the Blackhawks to reach the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals. How fast time has flown by. How fast our heroes have aged and left us. How fast we have grown up. Those days began when I was in high school and have ended at the age of 30. Amazing a team can hold a City captive that long.

We certainly enjoyed it and will never forget it.

DP

Shame, Shame, Shame

I'm reaching a point of disgust with how the media acts in this country. In fact, I simply cannot comprehend it. As each day passes I realize more and more that we are weakening as a Nation because we are simply ununified.

Case in point - two U.S. soldiers are brutally murdered in Iraq. The media spends a few hours on these boys and moves on. What do they move on to you ask? Well, it’s to the eight soldiers that are charged with killing an Iraqi civilian. Are you kidding me? We send our troops to that hell hole to defend the World from these sick terrorist extremists and all our media cares about is ridiculing these eight men for killing an Iraqi? Mind you these soldiers have only been charged and have yet to see a trial. Meantime, we have two young men brutally wiped from this earth and the media spends hours on the story before moving on to attacking our own soldiers, again.

Furthermore, human right's groups like Amnesty Intl, Human Rights Watch, and Intl A.N.S.W.E.R. have no issue with condemning the U.S. military and its treatment of prisoners. Yet, when two of ours are destroyed by savages there's not a peep from these liberal cowards.

It sickens me where we are, collectively, as a Nation and I fear, even more, where we are heading.

DP

It's happening!

It's been a difficult month or so. You sit in amazement, but simply can't grasp the reality of what you're witnessing. Can it really be true? You tell yourself to calm down and check back in a few days. So you do just that and when you come back the butterflies begin to flutter a little more. It's almost as if you feel you're being jobbed by a used car salesman. It sounds and looks good, but where's the catch?

A couple more days pass and you begin to see what you originally feared. You say to yourself, well it was fun while it lasted and this was one of the longest stretches of pleasure in quite awhile. Time to move on with Summer.

But wait, it's back once again. This time it's a motor running full speed and the momentum is picking up at a rapid pace. There appears to be no slow down. Where you thought you were being fooled with success was just the opposite, it was the short period of failure that was the joke this time. Can it be right you ask yourself? Hard to tell since you have to conjure up childhood memories just to answer the question.

Slowly but surely you allow yourself to believe, similar to slow cooking ribs on the grill. You know they look so good, but patience is the key virtue. Pull to early and experience a major let down. But if cooked just right, the satisfaction is unmatched.

Right now, that's just where we stand. But something tells me its time to pull those babies and enjoy them. They appear for all intents and purposes to be ready!

Of course we're not really talking food right now. Nope, it's much better than that.

The Tigers are back. They stormed the Windy City this weekend with mobs of fans. Wrigley Field was turned into Comerica West. They bombed balls out of the ballpark all weekend and were rewarded with cheers from rabid fans who seemingly took over the ballpark.

Can this really be happening? Tiger fans roaming the streets of Chicago in masses. Conjuring up boisterous 'Let's go Tigers' chants that even the hometown fans couldn't drown out. Gaining such respect from Cubs fans saying no other team, aside from the Sox, has brought this much excitement and fans into Wrigley Field.

Yes, I must be dreaming but it's soon time for me to wake up. The Tigers are the best and hottest team in baseball and we are nearing July. Buckle in Motor City, we have a new team in town. Throw out the Hockey and Basketball Town slogans because Detroit is about to become a Baseball Town, again.

Baseball was always my favorite sport growing up. I still remember watching games with both grandpas. It was a ritual in our house to have George Kell and Al Kaline on each Sunday as we watched the Tigers on TV. And when the games were on at night, I'd sneak my transistor radio into my room and listen to Ernie Harwell. Times were great then.

Who could forget the 1984 or 1987 seasons? That '84 team will always be my favorite. It was the first of many Detroit sports championships that I experienced. But just the love of going outside and playing baseball with my friends while the Tigers tore up the league was special. The 'Bless You Boys' song used to give me chills as a kid. And, I'll never forgot my grandpa calling me after Larry Herndon staggered and caught the final out down the left field line and wishing me a 'Happy World Series'.

Those were the days, but we lost them many, many years ago. Finally they appear to be back. So much time has passed. I went from a boy, to a man, to a father. Yet, the love for the Tigers never left, it was simply buried in years of heartache. But now it's slowing beginning to blossom with hope.

In a few short years I'll be able to share my childhood experience with my son. Hopefully his goes much smoother.

The boys of summer have made a return appearance that nobody expected . After all these years they are finally back. Don't let it slip by. Enjoy it. Because we all know how fast it can be taken away from us.

DP