A Microcosm Of The Mike Singletary Era

This seems to represent the Mike Singletary era in San Francisco.

The Lions Might Have Finally Learned To Win

With the first three game win streak in what seems like a millenium, I must say that no matter what happens next week, the Detroit lions might have finally learned to win. Ok hte last three game streak was in 2007. I'm just saying.

By my own personal account, the Lions did not play their best game today. Yes, it was a back and forth affair, but they had their fair share of stalled drives and extended drives on defense. They fell behind by 10 in the fourth quarter and found a way to make some plays to win their second straight road game over the Miami Dolphins, 34-27. It was the first win over the Dolphins since 1991 and the first win in five tries in Miami.

Down 27-17 with 4:37 left in the fourth running back Jahvid Best took a short pass and turned it into a 53 yard touchdown. Best showed the burst and speed that had been missing since early in the season. He didn't show any effects of the turf toes that have plagued him for a good portion of the season. Nathan Vasher and DeAndre Levy came up with key interceptions and levy provided the winning margin, returning his for a touchdown. This was done without their best player, Calvin Johnson, sitting out the fourth after aggravating an ankle injury.

They are finally not self destructing. Gone are the pre-snap penalties and self inflicted wounds that were so visible in their losses.They found a way to win and come up with some big plays. They're winning the turnover battle and making key stops. This is what good teams do to win games. I'm not saying they're on the road to the playoffs next year, but they've made some strides. Bigger strides than what we're used to seeing in this city. There might finally be some hope for the Lions after all. Let's just hope they can use these positive moments to lay the groundwork for something bigger.
 

Quote Of The Week:Jim Harbaugh

In the neverending saga of the will he or won't he regarding Jim Harbaugh staying put at Stanford or running back to Michigan, we endure another twist. About a month and a half ago Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby put a contract extension worth $3 million a year on the table. Bowlsby was very confident that Harbaugh would sign the extension. Bowlsby went as far to say "Jim has indicated he plans to accept an extension worth $3 million a year."

Harbaugh hasn't signed it and he told the San Jose Mercury News "I haven't even discussed it." When asked about Bowlsby's comment, Harbaugh said "maybe he misspoke."

Jim's clearly keeping all doors open.

Jamie Moyer Wants To Keep Pitching

If your left handed and can get the ball over the plate, you can pitch forever, as long as your effective. Even if you've had Tommy John surgery. Maybe that's why Jamie Moyer wants to keep pitching and doesn't want to be told when to quit.

Moyer is eyeing a comeback in 2012 after going 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, before missing the second half of the season after straining his left elbow. Moyer will be close to 50 when and if he begins his comeback. He's clearly not ready to give up baseball yet.

"In all honesty, I just don't feel like I'm ready to give it up. I feel I'm entitled to make my own decision," Moyer told the Seattle Times. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, which people don't seem to be shy about expressing."


"It may be difficult to find a job at the age of 49," Moyer said, the Times reported. "Then again, it may not be. I know where I stand: I'll probably get a spring training invitation . . . I don't have a problem with that. Throughout my career, I've always had to earn the situation I've been in. I don't expect anyone to give me anything. It's never been that way, so why now?"


I'll say this much. Throughout his career he's been consistent and effective. You do know what your gonna get from him. He's never been a hard thrower, so that's probably enabled him to last as long as he has. Most would probably be eyeing retirement, but Moyer feels that he can still help someone win games. I don't think this has anything to do with money. It's more personal pride and going out on his own terms rather than having someone else tell him when to go. Baseball is all he knows. 




  

Jordan Tabs Oakley For Assistant Job

After Larry Brown "resigned" from the head coaching job with the Charlotte Bobcats, it seemed that it might take a while for someone to take over that shipwreck. When Brown resigned the rest of the staff took off with him. The only person that really wanted the job was Paul Silas, and he got it. He had to round out his coaching staff and owner Michael Jordan helped him out by giving Charles Oakley a job as an assistant coach.

You remember Oakley, Jordan's chief enforcer/protector when they were both in Chicago. He also was instrumental in bringing him to Washington in his final comeback. He became a partying buddy of his as well. Now he'll be keeping the players in line from the bench. First golfing buddy and former Bulls teammate Rod Higgins gets a GM job and now this. What's next Charlie Sheen as the team advisor? This hiring has a whiff of nepotism to it if I ever saw one. Now I would never tell Oak face to face that he doesn't have the credentials for an assistant coaching job. But when you think about it, does he? Hey who knows, he probably could still whip some of those young bucks. I'd still take Oakley over crazy Captain Jack. And he was a good rebounder and defender, so he might can teach the bigs a few things on positioning and rebounding.

It could work, but I think it might not. This is just based on Jordan's executive track record. Don't let Oakley interact with the media too much. He's tough and old school and brings something the Bobcats have lacked. Toughness.

Lions Made The Right Call On Stafford

Today the Detroit Lions made a good decision on what could determine the future of the franchise. They put quarterback Matthew Stafford on injured reserve. I know some might differ on my opinion of this but I explained a few weeks back why they should keep him out for the rest of the year.

Stafford's been hurt for most of the season. He separated his throwing shoulder in the first game of the season and aggravated it against the Jets in week 8. Well they said it was a different injury from the initial injury. I think he came back too soon or was rushed back. One of the two. I know Stafford probably wanted to come back for the last two games of the year and test himself. It's probably a good thing he didn't make the decision himself.

It's clear the team isn't going anywhere and it was wise to put him on IR and not risk another significant injury which would leave you drafting another quarterback. It also was clear that the Lions could've been at least three wins better this year. But we're not playing horseshoes and hand grenades here. It's the NFL. And one false move can set you back years. The Lions and their fans know all about being set back.

Tennessee Should Get Off It's Own Hype

There's still a lot of college basketball left to be played and there are a lot of upsets out there to be made. Yes, that would include you too Duke. Some teams made early impressions. One of those teams was the Tennessee Volunteers.

A couple of weeks ago the Volunteers went into Pittsburgh and dismantled the then No.3 Panthers 83-76. And the score really wasn't that close. They were blowing them out by 21 before Bruce Pearl called off the dogs. Prior to that they beat Villanova 78-68. The Volunteers looked good in beating two of the Big East's better teams and subsequently rose to No.7 in the national rankings. Well, we all know rankings don't mean jack until you get in conference. Unless your Duke or Kansas. And Tennessee found this out the hard way. After beating Pittsburgh, the Vols dropped three in a row. All to inferior opponents. Oakland, Charlotte, and USC. Two of them at home.

I'm not taking anything away from those teams. Oakland is a much more difficult opponent than what people think, don't look at the Ohio State game as an indicator. Charlotte had just lost it's best player (Shamari Spears) and USC just hasn't been the same since the O.J. Mayo controversy. Last night they narrowly escaped Belmont, 66-65. Definitely not the same Tennessee team I saw a few weeks ago.

In my opinion, as it seems with some teams, is they get on their own hype. They start thinking they can underprepare for opponents and just show up and win. Only a select few teams can get away with that and the Vols are not one of them. Don't get me wrong. They are plenty good and should be one of the SEC's best this year. But they shouldn't be overlooking other teams. That's what I think happened. It's good to believe in yourself, just don't get too overconfident.

With conference play starting in two weeks, we'll see if Tennessee can regain their focus, like they had against 'Nova and Pitt. They'll have to because Bruce Pearl will be sitting out the first eight conference games for lying to the NCAA. The Vols will have to be at their best with games against Memphis, Arkansas, and Florida looming in early January.