Tigers just don't have enough

The Detroit Tigers have put themselves in a position to contend for the AL Central division title. Not a big deal if your a Yankees or Red Sox fan. It's a big deal to be playing competitive baseball in August and September considering where they were at the beginning of the decade. As a Tigers fan, personally I'd like to just get to the playoffs. Deep down I'd like a whole lot more, just like a lot of others up here in Southeastern Michigan. I would like this team to be a force like they were in the 80s. I grew up watching them contend in the tough AL East and win a World Series. I want them to be able to be like the Yankees, Red Sox, or Cardinals where year after year they are in the conversation about the World Series.

This year in particular will be tough for Tigers fans. It seems a lot of them have aa clouded view of this team. You hear it everyday on sports talk radio. All we need is another bat or another top end starter for the rotation. The Tigers won't get them because they don't have enough. There are more flaws on this team than fans will admit to. They don't have any bonafide starters for their pitching rotation. Not enough depth in the positional player category. Or enough depth in the minors to go get a difference maker in a trade. They're tied in to some bad contracts. They have dead money on the payroll.

There's a debate whether they should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. I say stand pat. Wait for some of that dead money to come off the books in  the offseason. If you can get rid of Magglio Ordonez or Carlos Guillen for some good young talent, do it. I know that's a stretch, but with the recent events in Tigerland it's something to think about. Brandon Inge in gone for 4-6 weeks. Don't panic. I know there's not much behind him, due to a lack of dept in the minors, but don't trade for someone that may not help you anyway. Remember Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff last year. I'm not saying to give up on the season, just play solid baseball, see what you have for the future and put that new money to good use in the offseason. Fans, face it,this team is fools gold and it's about time some of you realized it.    

Ex-Michigan Hoopsters Report

To whom it may interest, I'm just keeping Michigan basketball fans in the know aboutsome of the recent ex Wolverines trying to make it in the NBA or elsewhere.

DeShawn Sims-Has a spot with the Boston Celtics summer league team. Don't know how well he's doing. Could be NBDL bound and a possible late season call up. Tryingto make it to training camp right now.

Courtney Sims-I hear he might actually earn a spot with the Lakers. He's averaging around 12 and 6 in summer league play. Averaged 18 and 9(I could be wrong) in the NBDL last year. He's spent time with the Pacers and Knicks the past few years. I hope he's toughned up from his Michigan days.

Chris Hunter- I know he played in the NBDL and also earned a call up from the Golden State Warriors. He could possibly earn a spot on the opening night roster.

Manny Harris-He probably faces the steepest climb of them all. He has the ability but probably should've stayed his senior season in college. Currently on the Cleveland Cavaliers summer league roster. He's played only five minutes though, due to a "severe" ankle sprain. Last game he was in street clothes. Not a good sign. Probably suited for overseas duty or the NBDL.  

Brad Thomas Sucks!

I hate to bash a player, because to be a professional athlete you have to be pretty damn good at your craft. I hate to say it though, but as a Detroit Tigers fan I have to say this. Brad Thomas sucks. I think any Tigers fan would say the same. How he still has a spot on this roster, I don't know. He quickly pitches the team out of close games. He's worse than former Tiger Jason Grilli. The Tigers must really be desperate for middle relief since he's still on the team. Get rid of him and bring someone up, anyone, from the minors to take his place. He simply cannot get the job done. 

No Jolly Times In Green Bay

Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was suspended by the NFL for a year and possibly more for violating the league's substance abuse program. He's eligible to apply for reinstatement after the Super Bowl. He also could be facing up to 20 years in the slam if he's convicted of his July 2008 arrest for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine outside a Houston nightclub. That's right,codeine.

I'm no drug major, but I know about some of what goes on in the drug culture. I did not know codeine could be measured in grams. For some reason codeine or the codeine based cough syrup seems to be the new drug of choice among some NFL players. It seems like most of the players hail from the south. think about it. Late Chargers safety Terrence Kiel hailed from Texas. JaMarcus Russell, from Alabama and played college ball at LSU. Johnny Jolly, from the home of the "lean" Houston, Texas. Both Kiel and Jolly played collegiately at Texas A&M.

I'm no counselor or anyone of that ilk,but you would think that some of he high profile deaths due to the "drank" and "lean" in the hip-hop community would put a bug in their ear that codeine is a potential danger. Just as much as any other drug out there. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to live their life, but for pro athletes, kids look up to you guys. Stay away from the drugs.    

Russell Starts The Long Road Back (Maybe)

A report was put out earlier this month that the New York Jets had thoughts about signing former first round bust and Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Hopefully Jets brass came to their senses and put an end to that rumor. I haven't heard too much about it so that one probably went up in smoke. There has been a report that Russell could begin his long road back to respectability and the NFL with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL (United Football League). I guess UFL officials have denied the report, and he wasn't listed on theNighthawks' roster or any other team roster for that matter. I guess everyone deserves a second chance, fresh start, or whatever. Problem is, he still has that little "sizzurp" case hanging over his head. There's also a rumor that anyone who signs him might have him switch positions. Stay tuned.

The Story That Won't Die

I'm sure you've heard what everyone else has. You know, Jesse Jackson's statement about Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. In a nutshell, he said Gilbert's reaction to LeBron James' departure from the Cavaliers reflected a slavemaster mentality. Sorry Jesse, I don't think it's that deep. While I don't agree with the way Gilbert reacted, I also don't think of major league sports owners as "slavemasters". Hell, James must be the most encumbered slave in the history of the United States. If making around $20 million is being enslaved, then put the shackles on me and sign me up. This adds another level of absurdity to this whole saga.

First, I don't agree with the way James put his free agent status on display. It was ridculous. Lots of people watched,but it was ridiculous. I don't agree with the way he left the Cavs in a lurch. If he knew he was going to leave, he could've told them sooner so they could proceed with a plan B. Now you know why Gilbert is so angry.

Which brings me to Gilbert. I hate to say it, but he acted like a bitch. I can understand he has to galvanize the fan base in Cleveland to sell tickets and make money. But with the fans already burning James' jersey, he did nothing but add fuel to the fire and possibly put James' life in danger anytime he sets foot in the State of Ohio. I do agree with Jackson in that regard. Gilbert knows he's lost about half the value of his team and they're about to return to the Cadavalier days and he knows it. He also knows he won't win a championship before James in Miami,but he has to be a showman to get someone to buy tickets there.

Now this is something Jesse Jackson shouldn't be involved in. It was front page and I guess he had to get involved and get in the spotlight in some kind of way. Comparing this to slavery is an insult to thosewho went through it and the descendants of those who went through involuntary servitude. Last time I checked playing in the NBA was the farthest thing from slavery, involuntary servitude, etc. Please,stay out of this one Jesse. Isn't there some hostages that need to be freed somewhere?

This story just doesn't want to die. All parties besides James, need to let go and move on.

Let him go

In the wake of USC releasing Seantrel Henderson from his national letter of intent, there's a similiar story brewing in Chicago. The University of DePaul won't grant a release to Walter Pitchford from his letter of  intent. Pitchford was recruited by coach Jerry Wainwright and committed to Depaul. Problem is, during last season Wainwright was given the ax. Pitchford a 6-10 center decided he wanted out and try his luck elsewhere. No problem right? Wrong. Depaul has behaved like the bully on the block and won't release him. This is ridiculous. I'm not trying to bash the young man, but he was a two star recruit from the info I read on Rivals.com. But he was good enough to be recruited by several Division I schools. So why are the Blue Demons intent on keeping the young man? The athletic director (Jean Lenti Ponsetto) said they wanted to find a player to replace him at the same time. This is the biggest bunch of bull I've heard. Let the young man go. He clearly doesn't want to be there. Why keep him? Maybe he didn't connect with the current coach Oliver Purnell. Maybe he was made promises by the former regime that won't be kept under the current one. You always hear that you choose the school, not the coach. The main reason a player chooses a school is because of the coach. Once the coach leaves or gets fired, the player really has no interest in staying with the program.

You see that USC released Henderson, a mega recruit, so he could head to Miami. That was in the wake of USC going on probation. They could've easily told him no. Recently Kansas State granted Dominique Sutton a transfer to a school closer to home and his two children. Sutton was a key player in K-State's run to the Elite Eight. So there should be no reason DePaul wouldn't grant Pitchford a release. If they don't release him, it could hurt with other recruits, as Purnell tries to turn this once proud program around. DePaul needs to think twice about holding this young man hostage in a place he doesn't want to be.