William Clay Ford wanted to win, he just didn't know how

Former Ford Motor Co executive William Clay Ford Sr., the last surviving grandchild of the automaker's founder, Henry Ford, and the longtime owner of the Detroit Lions football team, died on Sunday at age 88, the company said.

Many Lions fans have blasted Ford in forums and message boards for the team's lack of success. Many believe that the Lions' fortunes might change since he's passed. That I don't believe will happen. Over the years fans have been led to believe that if Ford died or sold the team that the Lions would be better off. The biggest misconception of Ford was that he didn't care about winning. That was totally false. Ford wanted to win but he just didn't know how. However, he was highly thought of around the league.

I'm not defending the man at all. I didn't know him. I'm a Lions fan like many here in metro Detroit. I just don't believe he was as bad of an owner as many fans make him out to be. He cared about his team, he just didn't hire the right people to make it a winner. Ford was loyal to a fault. He kept general manager Russ Thomas in charge for 22 years despite three forgettable playoff appearances. Ford paid the $5,000 fine levied by the NFL to star player Alex Karras for gambling on games.  He probably kept coach Wayne Fontes a few years too long instead of hiring a coach that could get the Lions to another level. The coup de grace was signing team president and general manager Matt Millen to an extension despite the worse run (31-84) in NFL history.

Ford was mostly a hands off owner, but trusted the wrong people to run his football franchise.

"Mr. Ford was not a kind of guy who showed his authority," the former Lions player Mel Farr told the Detroit Free Press. Farr bought his first Ford dealership soon after he retired. "And I can see how it'd be very difficult for Bill to be able to determine -- he was a guy that did not want to exert his power, never have. But some of the people that he'd stick with (were) not very good."

Ultimately that would be Ford's undoing as an owner. His blind loyalty to those who simply couldn't get the job done. So while every team's failures start at the top, it wasn't that he didn't care. Maybe he cared too much and thought that the ship could be righted if someone was given enough time.

Bill Ford Jr. will be expected to take over the reins of the team and he'll be more involved than his father. Hopefully the son won't have to pay for the sins of the father. Lions fans hope that he can bring the team to an elite status that would include a Super Bowl win.

R.I.P. William Clay Ford

Jennings says it would be 'embarrassing' if the Pistons miss the playoffs

As the Detroit Pistons keep finding ways to lose games they find themselves in a very dangerous position. Miss the playoffs and also lose their top 8 protected draft pick in what is being called a loaded draft. Or they can come on down the stretch, make the playoffs and be cannon fodder for the Miami Heat or Indiana Pacers.

Right now the Pistons are 23-35 and are sitting 3 1/2 games behind the free falling Atlanta Hawks for the East's final playoff spot.

On paper the Pistons were thought of as playoff contenders after adding Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith in free agency and rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the draft. Things seemed to be looking up and it looked like the Pistons would end their four year playoff drought. Instead the Pistons have found ways to blow fourth quarter leads and piled up some head scratching losses which resulted in Maurice Cheeks being fired.

Jennings, who was brought in to help change the Pistons' fortunes says that it'll be "embarrassing" if the Pistons miss the playoffs.

"With everything going on, you know, it's kind of like now we keep slipping out of the playoff race, and you get a little worried," Jennings said.  "We've only got, what, 20-something games left?  So time is ticking, man.  We keep talking about we want to take the next step and turn the corner, but we keep giving up games and losing games, it's going to get real tough."

"If we don't make the playoffs, it'll be very disappointing," Jennings said.  "It'll be very disappointing and kind of embarrassing, the fact that with myself coming over here, and Josh coming over here, and us making these moves, and we don't get it done -- it's going to be real disappointing.

"We've still got time.  But it's not going to be easy.  I'll tell you that much, it's not going to be easy.  We've definitely got to start making our push.  And it's got to be tomorrow if we want to get there, because other teams keep losing and we just keep slipping."

To be honest I don't think it would do any god for the team to make the playoffs at this point. I wouldn't be convinced that it would unless they went on a massive winning streak. I hate to say it but the team might be better off  trying to save the draft pick and hope to land in the top 8 of the draft. If that doesn't happen it could result in a roster shakeup in the offseason.




 

Mike Jarvis out at Florida Atlantic at season's end

Athletic director Patrick Chun has made it public that head basketball coach Mike Jarvis will resign following the last two games of the season.

In Jarvis’ six year tenure, FAU Basketball has seen five losing seasons — the one exception being the 2010-2011 season where the Owls went 21-11 and were awarded a bid to the National Invitation Tournament only to see the University of Miami beat them by 23 points. The NIT Tournament serves as a consolation prize for the teams who did not play well enough to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

The Owls are 10-19 this year and surrendered a 16 point lead to Tulane in a 72-64 loss on Feb. 26.

As recently as last week, Jarvis showed no signs of fear regarding his job.

“Here’s the deal. If you’re asking me if I’m worried about me – absolutely not,” he said after a blowout loss to Tulsa on Feb. 20 that dropped the team to 10-18 on the year. “Because of my faith… I don’t feel pressure, never have, and I don’t think I ever will.”

It was originally thought that Jarvis had been fired, but it is believed that after being presented with the inevitable firing, he chose to resign instead. Chun confirmed via conference call on Feb. 28 that, after some “big picture” discussion, he and Jarvis came to the conclusion that it would be beneficial for Jarvis to leave after this year. According to Chun, he no longer wanted to coach this team.

Mike Jarvis II (Jarvis’ son who currently holds the title of Associate Head Coach) will stay on the FAU coaching staff for the remainder of the season, but may end up leaving anyway once Chun selects a coach to take over for Jarvis long term. According to Chun, the new coach will have the option to clear out the incumbent staff and bring in his own.

In the past two offseasons, eight players have transferred to other locations, leaving FAU basketball stripped of the consistency and continuity that every mid-major program needs.

Chun claims that the resignation is a “selfless” move by Jarvis in that it gives him some time to search for a new coach. Chun mentioned that he will contact Ohio State head basketball coach Thad Matta as he begins searching for a new coach. (Ohio State is Chun’s alma mater. He worked in the OSU athletics department for 15 years before taking the job as FAU athletic director).

FAU (Jarvis in particular) committed a secondary NCAA violation by having former Syracuse assistant coach Bernie Fine act as an assistant coach in some team practices earlier this season, according to Chun. Fine left Syracuse in 2012 amid sexual abuse allegations that spanned a myriad of years. Several of the people who accused Fine of the disgusting acts recanted, and the federal investigation he underwent was eventually dropped.

The violation was self reported and, according to Chun, did not have any bearing on the Jarvis ordeal. Before entering the conference tournament, FAU  finishes the regular season with two home games: Southern Mississippi and Florida International.

Tim Tebow is one reason why people need to stop scrutinizing Johnny Manziel

The in thing leading up to the NFL Draft is to pick apart quarterback Johnny Manziel. From analyst Ron Jaworski saying he wouldn't pick Manziel in the first three rounds to former college and pro coach Barry Switzer labeling Manziel as an 'arrogant little prick'. Manziel bashing is in full swing.

While I do question his off field activities, Manziel can play and is a winner on the field. I wouldn't trust the guy with the family dog but I'd certainly put my trust in him to win football games. I'm sure there are plenty that will question my judgement, but to those who do, I'll bring up one name. Tim Tebow.

Yes, Saint Tebow could do no wrong off the field and was a proven winner. But he wasn't a conventional quarterback and couldn't throw, yet he parlayed his on field faults into being selected in the first round by the Denver Broncos. He eventually was named the starting quarterback and led the Broncos to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In my opinion if a team can put trust in Tebow, who was a flawed product, then skeptics shouldn't pick on Manziel so much.

While it's true that he's a hard driving individual off the field, there is no doubt about his abilities on the field. I believe Manziel can succeed if he's put in the right team environment. Right now Manziel is more sizzle than steak and if he can't be reined in off the field then he'll have a short career.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson says team can win 90 games

Spring training is just getting underway and every team harbors hope of making it to the World Series or just the playoffs. Most hopes will be dashed by June, some teams will hang in the wild card chase and there will be the teams that are expected to win big.

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is hoping his team is one that will be playing some meaningful baseball this summer. Alderson told team executives and players that the Mets can win 90 games.
Not out of the realm of possibility, but not the most realistic prediction. But that's why you play right? To win, not to hope to be competitive.    

Owner Fred Wilpon chimed in and said "we better win 90" according to the New York Daily News.

Alderson has set the bar high for this year's team and there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that. It develop a winning mindset from the start instead of a defeatist attitude.

“All I’ll say is we have higher expectations than we’ve had in the past,” said Alderson.

“Because I think it has to be a mind-set,” he said. “Part of creating a winning environment is setting ambitious goals and working toward them. But it has to be systematic and it can’t be totally unrealistic. I don’t think it is in this case.”

Third baseman and team captain David Wright says that 90 wins are 'attainable' and likes Alderson's confidence in the team.

"We've got good players," Wright said. "I love the fact that Sandy is confident in us. I think 90 is challenging, it's attainable and it's a good starting point for us. You know, number goals, it's tough to come out and say, 'I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that. We're going to do that.' But I think 90 is a good starting point for giving us something to shoot for and getting guys to understand that mediocrity is not going to be acceptable.

"It's not about being better than last year. What does that get us? Third or fourth place? It's about being a good team and being a playoff-contending team. Ninety wins is a good starting point."

While I do like Alderson's confidence, I don't think the Mets will reach that goal. For starters they play in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves who are the defending division champs. The Washington Nationals possibly boast the best starting rotation in baseball and don't forget the aging but dangerous Philadelphia Phillies.

Strange things have happened though. Who figured the Pittsburgh Pirates would make the playoffs last season?

Alderson better hope things come together to avoid looking foolish for making the 90 win statement.

Suspended Seahawks corner Brandon Browner plans to sue NFL

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner, who was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in December, will file a lawsuit against the NFL next week in an attempt to be reinstated, his agent Pete Schaffer told ProFootballTalk.com.

Browner was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy—according to Schaffer the failed test was for marijuana—and he faces a minimum of a one-year suspension based on the league's drug policies. Browner and his agent contest that Browner should not have been in position to face such a lengthy ban, because he only advanced to Stage 3 of the NFL's substance abuse program because he missed tests he was unaware of while playing in the Canadian Football League.

Were Browner eligible, he would become an unrestricted free agent on March 11, and will seek an injunction allowing him to be eligible both for free agency and to practice and play until the lawsuit is resolved.

From the ProFootballTalk.com report:

"I'm not afraid to fight City Hall," Schaffer told PFT by phone on Wednesday. "I've bent over backward to find a way to work something out with the league to make everyone comfortable.

"I don't understand how the league can ruin someone's career over this fact pattern. I'll represent Brandon zealously to make sure his career isn't ruined."

Schaffer says he isn't troubled by the possibility that taking up this specific fight will have separate consequences for Browner, or for his lawyer.

"My job is to protect my player," Schaffer said. "You can use the word 'blackball' for Brandon. I could get blackballed, too. But I don't care. I'd do it every day of the week."


This lawsuit could change how the league pursues those who violate the substance-abuse policy. And it could help save Browner’s reputation and career.

Former boxing champion Antonio Cermeno kidnapped and killed

Former boxing champion Antonio Cermeno was shot and killed in his home country of Venezuela.

Cermeno and some of his relatives had been seized on Monday night near the La Urbina area of the capital Caracas.

The relatives escaped when the kidnappers stopped to refuel a car, but the ex-boxer remained a hostage, police said.His body was discovered in the central state of Miranda.

Cermeno, 44, was a WBA super bantamweight and featherweight champion in the 1990s. He retired in 2006 with a 45-7 record.

He won the super bantamweight title after defeating Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez in 1995 and kept it until 1997.In 1998 he won the featherweight title and held on to it until a year later.

After he retired, he helped young sportsmen.

His murder comes after 29-year-old Monica Spear, a popular soap-opera actress and former Miss Venezuela, was killed early in January.

She and her British ex-husband Thomas Henry Berry, 39, were shot dead by robbers as they returned by car to the capital with their young daughter.