ALDS Preview

BY: KEN W PACZAS

The 2011 season has been a wild ride for the Detroit Tigers. They started out slow, then got hot and watched Miggy win the batting title and Verlander put up a MVP type of season. No one could have seen this season coming and we are all juiced for the post season. I have some bad news though.

My mother is going to kill me for saying this but the Detroit Tigers are not beating the New York Yankees.

What!!!! How dare you say that. We have the best pitcher and best hitter in the AL!”

The Tigers do have the best regular season pitcher, but they don’t have the best post season pitcher. That goes to CC Sabathia. As a Yankee, he is 5-1 in the post season. Verlander is 1-2. Now to be fair, that was 5 years ago, but my point is CC knows post season, Verlander doesn’t.

“This season Verlander is on a whole different level!”

True, but not against the Yankees. The Tigers had lost 9 games in which Verlander started, twice it was against the Yankees. On opening day, he let up three runs in six innings, and on May 2^nd, let up three runs in the first two innings. Those type of stats will get you beat by the Yankees. Period.

“Yeah, but the Tigers offense is on fire, we are going to score 100 runs a game”

No your not. Post season baseball is another animal, and rarely do teams score 5 or 6 runs a game.

Russell Martin vs. Avila? Push

“How dare you call that a push???”

Face it, the difference in this series is speed. The Yankees stole 148 bases, the Tigers just 49. If the Yanks get on base, they are going to steal, and Alex has not been great at throwing people out at key times. Don’t let his 32% fool you, teams are stealing on Avila at a 88% success rate from the eight inning on. In a close game, the Yanks will steal, and I don’t have faith that Alex will get them out.

As for the rest of the key positions…

Cano vs. Rayburn? ADV Yanks

Mr. November Jeter vs. Peralta? ADV Yanks

Granderson vs. Jackson? ADV Yanks

Arod vs. Inge/Bettemit? ADV Yanks

The only spot on the field I see a massive advantage is Miggy and Victor. However, I don’t believe those two make up the disadvantages in other areas.

For the Tigers to win, they need Fister to stay hot and Max to turn back to the pitcher he was. CC is going in game 4, which almost guarantees a loss for the Tigers if they throw out Porcello. That means to win, I believe Verlander has to go 2-0. That will not happen.

So Detroit, Congratulations on making the post season. It is quite the accomplishment, but don’t get your hopes up Tiger’s fans. The ride stops here.

MSU 2011 Football Preview

Michigan State Football Preview 2011

Head Coach: Mark Dantonio (5th season)

Location: East Lansing, MI

Stadium: Spartan Stadium

2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1)

Starters

QB  Kirk Cousins 6-3, 202, Sr.
TB  Edwin Baker 5-9, 208, Jr.
WR B.J. Cunningham 6-2, 223, Sr.
WR Keith Nichol 6-2, 222, Sr.
WR Keshawn Martin 5-11, 185
TE Garrett Celek 6-5, 247, Sr.
LT Jared McGaha 6-6, 292, Sr.
LG  Joel Foreman 6-4, 310, Sr.
C  Travis Jackson 6-3, 265, RFr.
RG  Chris McDonald 6-5, 290, Jr.
RT Skyler Schofner 6-7, 305, RFr.

LE  Tyler Hoover 6-7, 274, Jr.
DT Jerel Worthy 6-3, 305, Jr.
NT  Anthony Rashad White 6-2, 320, Jr.
RE  Wiliam Gholston 6-7, 265, So.
OLB Chris Norman 6-1, 225, Jr.
MLB Max Bullough 6-3, 240, So.
OLB Denicos Allen 5-10, 218, So.
CB Johnny Adams 5-11, 170, Jr.
FS Trenton Robinson 5-10, 195, Sr.
SS Isiah Lewis 5-10, 199, So.
CB Darqueze Dennard 5-11, 185, So.
PK Dan Conroy 5-10, 190, Jr.
P Mike Sadler 6-0, 177,

Michigan State fans were furious that they didn’t get a chance to play in a BCS game. After the drubbing they received from Alabama, maybe that was a good thing. Typically in years past, the Spartans have had good years, and followed them up with duds. Their goal is to prove to everyone that they have a program built for long term success and not one year wonders.

This team will ride and die with Kirk Cousins. He’s not spectacular and he doesn’t have elite skills, but he’s a big, nice-armed passer who should be second round draft pick if he has a big senior season. He has struggled at times in big games, but he will learn from his mistakes. He was one of the nation’s most efficient passers, spreads the ball around well, and is accurate on his midrange throws, and with Edwin Baker keeping defense’s honest, that is all he needs to be to throw 3,000 yards. The run game needs to step up. With the rotation of Baker, Bell and Caper should keep everyone fresh. The key is to make strong defenses like OSU, NW, Iowa, and Nebraska to play honest, and allow Cousins to play action and find the big play. MSU was one of the worst third down teams in Big Ten last year that needs to change. It will.

Their big question mark will be their defense. Jerel Worthy at times has had to be the big body in the middle. That will not be the case this year, with White next to him, and should be set loose to just make plays. He is a top 15 draft pick, and has a chip on his shoulder. He should have an All American type year.  I think the big surprise player this year with be Darqueze Dennard. If MSU is going to beat ND in South Bend... He will need to have a big game.

Season Prediction:

Sep. 3 Youngstown State- MSU loves their cupcakes, wins big (W44-13) (1-0)
Sep. 10 Florida Atlantic- Their defense never gets tested wins (W31-10) (2-0)
Sep. 17 at Notre Dame- Two undefeated top 15 teams meet, and MSU continues to have ND’s number.  (W 27-21) (3-0)
Sep. 24 Central Michigan – For the second year in a row, they sweep their nonconference schedule (W 35-17) (4-0)
Oct. 1 at Ohio State- Playing at the horseshoe is always tough, even with a less than OSU team. (L 20-13) (4-1)
Oct. 15 Michigan- MSU is home, but Hoke has this game drilled into his team. (L 28-24) (4-2)
Oct. 22 Wisconsin- MSU needs a win to keep their top 25 standing. They don’t get it. (L 24-14) (4-3).
Oct. 29 at Nebraska- MSU doesn’t want to be swept out of the month, yet can’t stop Taylor Martinez. (L 33-28) (4-4)
Nov. 5 Minnesota- with Michigan fans gloating, same old Spartans, Dantonio pulls out some hidden tricks to get the team back in winning circle. (W 31-20) (5-4)
Nov. 12 at Iowa – MSU needs to win here to have a shot at .500 in conference. They do. (W 13-10) (6-4)
Nov. 19 Indiana- MSU offense gets back on track. (W 45-23) (7-4)
Nov. 26 at Northwestern- This game is harder then in past years, but MSU takes care of business. (W 31-24) (8-4)

MSU struggles in October but overall ends the season with big wins at Iowa and at Northwestern. Their 8-4 record gets them a spot in the Insight Bowl where they meet Texas and defeats Texas in a shootout.

9 wins after the bowl game is a nice step after their 11 win season.  

Michigan Football Preview

By: Ken W Paczas

Michigan Football Preview 2011

Head Coach: Brady Hoke (1st season)

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Stadium: Michigan Stadium (109,901)

2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5)

Key Losses

Jonas Mouton

Tate Forcier

Steve Schilling

Starters

Offense

Qb- Denard Robinson (JR)                  C- David Molk (SR)

RB – Michael Shaw (SR)                      RG- Pat Omemeh (JR)

WR- Roy Roundtree (JR)                    LG- Rick Barnum (JR)

WR- Junior Hemmingway (SR)             LT- Taylor Lewan (SO)

WR- Kelvin Grady (SR)                        RT- Marc Huyge (SR)

TE- Kevin Koger (SR)                          K- Matt Wile (FR)

Defense

DE- Ryan V.Bergen (SR)                     OLB- Cam Gordon (SO)

DE- Craig Roh (JR)                              OLB- Mike Jones (SO)

DT- Will Campbell (JR)                         MLB- Kenny Demens (JR)

DT- Mike Martin (SR)                           SS- Jordan Kovacks (JR)

CB- Troy Wolfolk (SR)                         FS- Carvin Johnson (SO)

CB- JT Floyd (JR)                                P- Will Hagerup (SO)

 

Michigan brings back 16 starters, but lack the coach and system from 2010.  Brady Hoke was hired to correct the ship but with the Blue fan base demanding a winner, there will not be a grace period for him to get it done.

Michigan is coming off of their first bowl game appearance in three seasons, albeit a 52-14 loss to Mississippi State.  Hoke has the benefit of having college football’s most electrifying player in Denard Robinson.  Robinson was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 after passing for over 2500 yards and rushing for over 1700 yards. However, Shoelace has to learn how to play under center and that is a huge question mark.

While the offense has a positive outlook, the defense needs to improve drastically for Michigan to return to the top of the Big Ten.  Michigan gave up 35 points per game in 2010, while holding their opponents under 20 points only twice.  Michigan’s defensive improvement starts with new DC Greg Mattison, who is a proven DC at both the college and pro levels.  DT Mike Martin will lead the effort in rebuilding a once proud defense.  Martin was a second team Big Ten performer a season ago and will need to be a force on the line for the Wolverines in 2011.

Michigan has a fairly tough schedule this season, especially at the end of the year.  Michigan can start the season 5-2 and still have a tough time qualifying for a bowl game as they close out the season with @Iowa, @Illinois, Nebraska, and Ohio State.  In addition to a tough Big Ten schedule, Michigan faces a couple tough and unique non-conference games.  The biggest non-conference game is in week two when Michigan takes on Notre Dame.  In the last two seasons Michigan has edged out Notre Dame at the end of the game, but this time around Michigan has the new coach and Notre Dame will be looking for revenge.  Then a couple of week’s later Michigan hosts Coach Hoke’s former school, San Diego State.  On top of the Aztec’s motivation of playing their former coach and Michigan, they are a pretty good team having won nine games last season.

Season Prediction:

9/3:    Western Michigan W (1-0) – Michigan’s defense shows up, making fans believe things have changed. Michigan wins 27-10

9/10:  Notre Dame L (1-1) – This is where Michigan’s defense comes back to earth. Brian Kelly remembers what happened last year, and as long as Crist stays healthy, he will extract revenge... Mich Loses 31-24

9/17:  Eastern Michigan W (2-1) – Mich bounces back with an easy victory, 38-17

9/24:  San Diego State W (3-1) – Hoke’s old kids want to show their old coach they can still play, but coming to the Big House is intimidating for a team that plays in front of 27,000… Mich wins 24-21

10/1:  Minnesota W (4-1) – Mich brings the jug home, 27-21

10/8:  @Northwestern L (4-2) – This is not your dad’s NW team, and they show it in a big way, beating Michigan 30-17

10/15: @Michigan State W (5-2) – Hoke has put this game front and center for his team; they will listen and finally beat MSU 28-24.

10/29: Purdue W (6-2) – Purdue wishes they had Orton or Brees, Michigan takes advantage to their lack of QB, wins and wins big 35-13.

11/5: @Iowa L (6-3) – Michigan winning in Iowa? Not this year, 24-10.

11/12: @Illinois W (7-3) – This will not be a repeat of the video game they played last year, Mich wins 28-20.

11/19: Nebraska L (7-4) – Nebraska is just too good, 42-17

11/26: Ohio State L (7-5) – Michigan fans believe this is the year they get a piece of OSU, Hey, you beat MSU, be happy with that... OSU wins 21-14.

Michigan finishes 7-5, with a trip to the Outback Bowl….. A win vs. MSU and Shoelace learning the system will be huge success heading into a brutal 2012 schedule.

Draft Diary!!!!

BY KEN W PACZAS
Well every year I watch the draft and think, I should keep a diary of my thoughts. This year I have decided to do it. I’m at my friends house, just finished eating some burgers and I am ready for this to go!!!!!

8:00 – Welcome to the NFL DRAFT…. I’m hoping Goodell is booed out of the place. Interesting that ESPN decided to keep it simple this year and rock out just Gruden, Kiper, and Berman…. We will see

8:05 - Roger Goodell walks to the podium and is booed like crazy!!!! Hahaha Yes!!! Serves you right you arrogant jackass. Stop saying I got ya!.... No you don’t, if you really did, you wouldn’t of threatened the lock out in the first place.

8:06 – Well, that didn’t take long.  The first pick is in.  It’s Newton, who might also be getting booed by the crowd.  This screams bust all over it, and doesn’t make sense considering they have Clausen. Fine, JC is not good, but what weapons does Newton have??? No Wrs, No line, and a terrible defense….

8:11 – Von Miller is the best prospect in the draft and is a great pick for the Broncos, however, whats with the glasses Von?!?!?

8:19 – Buffalo opts for Alabama’s Marcel Dareus at No. 3.  Solid pick here for a team with a lot of holes.  Kiper loves the pick and Ryan Fitspatrick…. Somewhere I can hear Katie Gunnerson groan.

8:25 – Predictably, the Bengals select A.J. Green.  Thus far, there have been absolutely no surprises, and two of the first four picks were suspended for part of the season.  According to Gruden, Green was the best offensive player in the draft.  His main area of concern with Green?  Well, he has none.  

8:30 - The Cardinals sprint to the podium to lock in Patrick Peterson at No. 5.  This pick was a no-brainer.  

8:35 –First trade of the night folks! Atlanta sells out trades up to add Julio Jones to its already impressive arsenal of offensive weapons.  There were rumors that the Falcons might try something like this.  Conveniently, Jones is already wearing Atlanta’s colors… Which begs me to ask, which will be better fashion to watch, the draft prospects, or the royal wedding tomorrow?!?!?

8:40 –The 49ers opt for Missouri’s Aldon Smith, over  Sunshine from Remember the Titans. Really thought they should of went Quinn, but not going QB shows a lot of faith in Alex Smith.  

8:44 – Sunshine should come off the board here to Tenn……. NOT SO FAST! Jake Locker is the pick, making his decision to stay in school not so bad after all.

8:57 – The Dallas Cowboys select USC’s Tyron Smith to help anchor its offensive line.    

9:02 – What the hell is this E39 Electronic Compression Shirt from Under Armour?   Why does someone want to walk around looking like Iron Man and how quickly till my brother owns it.

9:04 – Jax trades up and selects Sunshine in my first “What the….” Pick of the draft. They went 8-8 with D.G., and might be a couple defense pieces away from the playoffs. Why trade for a QB that will sit on your bench this year?

9:13 - The Texans make my second “What the…” pick with J.J. Watt from Wisconsin.  Quinn, Bowers, Jordan are all on the board still…….

9:15 – Ladies and gentlemen, our first real upset.  Christian Ponder  to Minnesota.  Thank you Minn for maintaining your stance on terrible drafting and giving my Lions a chance to be successful. We appreciate it. BTW, for the people who are reading this and doesn’t know who Ponder is, he sucks.

9:16 – Here is my question, Gruden likes this pick. He has yet to hate a pick… seriously…. Gruden looked like a asshole on the sidelines, but in the booth, he is a damn care bear!. I do, however, love when Kiper hates a pick, because he gets really quiet, tries not to say much to offend people, but you can tell he wants to scream WHAT THE F$%$!

9:19 – Well the Lions are up. My friend Matt has informed me that if the Lions select Quinn, he will get naked, dance around and put balls in my face. So I guess his idea of being happy, if putting balls in guys faces… Interesting… I would love for them to draft Kerrigan, but that will not happen. No way they draft Fairley here right?

9:21 – WOW!!!!!!!!!!!  Detroit decides  to grab Auburn’s Nick Fairley, who’ll line up next to Ndamukong Suh.   The new strategy in Detroit appears to be the complete and total opposite of everything ever attempted by Matt Millen. Millen loved himself Wr’s, Mayhew loves DT’s…. People always said in you need to build a winner in the trenches…. They are doing that!

9:27 – You know the Rams were hoping for Julio Jones to fall, but instead they grab Robert Quinn from North Carolina.  Not a bad move here, but have to wonder why this pick you have Long among others.  They need offensive weapons… Maybe a WR or TE in the second round will make me like this pick more.

9:35 – The Dolphins aim for the center of the fairway and take Mike Pouncey from Florida.  Along with Von Miller and Patrick Peterson, this pick has as low a risk factor as you could ever want from a first round selection.  There’s simply no reason to think that this Pouncey can’t be as sure a thing as his brother who plays for the Steelers.  In fact, there was some talk that Tomlin gave his staff the directive to trade up for Pouncey if it were reasonable.

9:41 – Everyone is talking about the Redskins’ quarterback situation, and rightfully so, but I like the fact that they’re holding back and going with Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan here.  Kerrigan will be the steal of this draft class because no one works harder. Why go QB here when Dalton or Mallet will be available to you in the second round?  

9:50 – New England does what new England does, trade picks, draft players and wins game. Shockingly they keep this pick and draft Solder, in might be the best Tackle in the draft in my opinion. The rich get richer!

9:54 - San Diego takes Illinois’ Corey Liuget at No. 18… filling a much needed hole (That’s what he said.)

10:00 – Well we are halfway in, and I must say, I love the Espn crew today. You let Kiper do Kiper, Gruden has been a rock and we don’t have 30 pointless interviews that we just don’t need. They kept it simple and I dig it.

10:02 –Somehow, the Giants just landed Prince Amukamara from Nebraska to boost a secondary that has been plagued with injuries over the last two seasons.  A great pick for the G Men!

 10:08 - Iowa’s Adrian Clairborn to the Bucs.  Really thought  Bowers was coming here and no I am wondering if maybe Bowers real concern was that he is DEAD!

10:12 - Cleveland trades up to get Phil Taylor, who Kiper calls “mountainous” and compares to a young Shaun Rogers. I call it a dumb trade. There was no way Taylor was being drafted before he got to the Browns…. On a side note, I love me some Peyton Hillis…. He is keeping the faith alive for the White Running back….You do you Mr Hillis! 

10:22 – Indy takes Anthony Castonzo from Boston College to bolster a line to struggled to create running lanes in 2010.  Another crafty pick by the Colts, who constantly seem to make intelligent picks.  Matt has referred to Castonzo as George Costanza at least 15 times tonight, so I am glad to see him drafted.

10:30 – Jimmy Smith?~?~? nope, its Danny Watkins.  The 26-year old Canadian who played at Baylor!  What worries me about Watkins, is they showed more videos of him as a fire fighter, than they did with him at Baylor…..

10:39 - Cameron Jordan finally comes off the board to the New Orleans Saints….. Still no Bowers…..

10:48 – Seattle selects James Carpenter…… Pete Carroll will be fired in two seasons… Just watch.

10:52 –Drew Rosenhaus!
!!!!!! Haha that guy is better at anyone on getting his face on camera!!! I guess Jimmy Smith is his boy….

10:59 - So, wait… the Ravens just let the clock expire?  Wait they picked…. No they didn’t, I’m confused.

11:02 – Confusion remains.  Nobody knows who’s on the clock, who’s picking, or who’s been picked.  This feels a lot like how most my dates go.

11:04 – The confusion has been cleared up.  The Chiefs sneak in a Jon Baldwin pick ahead of Baltimore.  I guess Baltimore was looking to trade and just ran out of time.

11:08 – The Ravens finally pull the trigger on Jimmy Smith.  Gruden really seems to like this pick despite the obvious character issues.  So it’s official, there will not be a pick that Gruden does not love.

11:14 – Wait!!!!!! New England is trading a pick for more picks!!!! NO WAY!!!!!!!!! UNHEARD OF!!!! The Saints come marching in and swap with New England in order to grab Mark Ingram.  Gruden loves the pick, as does Kiper.  New Orleans’ leading rusher last season was Chris Ivory, so this is an obvious upgrade.  Is Ingram going for the Ice Cube look?!?

11:32 – The Bears took Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin and the Jets took Muhammad Wilkerson, and the Steelers drafted a plaided Cameron Heyward.  With the next three picks…. Sorry, I was in the shitter, Burgers had to come out sometime……

11:37 – Derek Sherrod from Mississippi State goes to the Packers to close out the first round as a Packers fan inexplicably screams bloody murder.  I’m not sure I’ve ever been that excited for anything in my life.  I don’t even think Derek Sherrod is that happy. Packer fans….

My big Winner: The Saints! They get Jordan and Ingram upgrading their offense and defense with two big time playmakers, without drafting in the top 20! That is great drafting.

Big Loser is Mr. Bowers…. Some thought you would go #1 back in November, now we are wondering if your in your SUV letting it run in an airtight garage?!?!?!

SOS Michigan State Basketball

By Kenneth W Paczas

Every season since 1997, Michigan State basketball has made the NCAA tournament. Often, they coasted through the big ten season, because they have been here before, and know that they get graded by what they do in the post season. They acted like they have been there before, and got it done when it mattered most.

Heading into the season, the Spartans looked like they had all the pieces for a magical season.  They came into the year ranked No. 2 in the country and we all bought into the hype.  By now we thought they would have one or two losses at the most, would be in a battle with Purdue and Ohio State for the Big Ten crown, and would have a realistic shot at a top seed come March.

Instead, we are looking at a 12-8 team that barely squeaked past Chaminade, Northwestern and Oakland.

Add to that the dismissal of Korie Lucius from the team, and all of the sudden East Lansing is looking more like a Michigan team from the last decade.

Recent history shows us that the regular season doesn't necessarily offer a true view of the quality of Izzo's teams.  Just about every time we think they are due for an early postseason exit, they win at least a couple of games in the Big Dance.  This year feels different.

A few more bad losses, and we won't be asking how far MSU will go in the tournament -- we'll be asking whether they will make the tournament.

This team was supposed to be head and shoulders better than the team that made the finals last year but they flat out aren’t. They lack the toughness that was a staple of Izzo led teams.

Every team goes through the ups and downs of a long season, but it seemed like Izzo had built a program that even in a down year could be expected to make a run at the Sweet 16.  Time may prove that the recent problems with the squad both on and off the court are just a speed bump, and Izzo will have the Spartans right back in the thick of things come March.

For the first time in a long time, I don't believe it.

I covered Kalin Lucas at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and his senior year he told me he couldn’t wait to get to Michigan State and make history. I’m not so sure if this is the type of history he was talking about.

This far into the season, being 12-8 and on the bubble of the NCAA tournament, Michigan State can’t act like they have been here before, because they haven’t; at least not since the middle of Bill Clinton’s second term.

Brady Hoke is the best man for the job!

By Kenneth W Paczas

In 2007, Carr announced his retirement, and rumors swirled who would be the next coach. The name Jim Harbaugh came up and people laughed.

“He has never won at a big time program. His first year at Stanford was blah. We need a sexy name.”

Three years later, don’t you wish you just hired the best coach? If we just hired Harbaugh that day, Michigan would of never fell off and you would still have a top 10 program in the country. Now, you can’t get him, and what does the fan base yell for?

“We want a sexy hire. We need a NAME!”

What is wrong with you people? Jim Tressel was not a sexy hire for OSU, Bob Stoops was not a sexy hire for Oklahoma, Jim Harbaugh was not a sexy hire for Stanford. Each program decided what they wanted out of their football team, and went out and got it. Since then, they have built huge programs. Michigan has their chance to do this with Brady Hoke.

Hoke looks a lot like he belongs in Animal House but the guy can flat out coach. He was at Michigan during a lot of good years (he recruited Tom Brady) and created others as a head coach where few came before. He took over at Ball State after six consecutive non-winning seasons, had four more in his first four years, then went 7-6, then 12-1, then bolted for San Diego State, where it should be a lot easier to recruit than Muncie, Ind., where Ball State is 6-18 since he left.

Except, historically, it wasn't easier. San Diego State had 10 consecutive non-winning seasons before Hoke, then another his first year.

This year, the Aztecs finished 9-4, with their first bowl win since 1969, and tied for third in the rugged Mountain West Conference, behind TCU and Utah, which beat the Aztecs by five and four points, respectively. San Diego State's other losses were by three points to Missouri and three to Brigham Young.

Hoke's best teams have had sturdy lines and running games, the perfect foil for nasty northern climates, particularly with Big Ten regular seasons now extended beyond Thanksgiving and the possibility that Soldier Field someday could host an inclement-weather conference championship game.

Respect columnist Jason Whitlock loves him so much, he went on to write this about Hoke.

“Hoke knows how to win and gets the best out of his players and coaches. They know how to recruit and identify talent that works in their system. At Ball State and San Diego State, Hoke assembled coaching staffs more qualified and skilled than the schools' budgets allow. Good coaches love working for Hoke. “

He also didn’t hesitate to add a prediction.

“If Michigan would love Hoke with half the passion Hoke loves Michigan, beating Ohio State and returning to the top of the Big Ten wouldn't take more than three seasons.”

Hoke is known for his defensive mindset. That being said, Hoke also knows how to coach offense.  I was impressed when, during a pretty dismal 5-7 season in 2006, Hoke chose to have his offensive line made up almost entirely of freshmen and sophomores.  He explained to his fan base that while the upper classmen might not make as many mistakes, they were not as talented as his young guys weren't going to help with the future of his program. Hoke was convinced if his young guys got the playing time, they could be something special down the road.

In 2007, the Cardinals were 7-6 and got invited to their first bowl game under Hoke. In 2008, they won 12 games, the most in school history.  None of that happens if Hoke doesn't coach his guys through the rough times to prepare them for greatness.

Hoke knows the school, the tradition, and he loves every part of it. MSU and OSU will not be just another game to him.

A lot of fans are upset about not getting a name. Well I would rather get the best coach and Hoke is that. Trust me, in five years, Miles will be long fired from LSU while Hoke will be a name and the Michigan fan base will be united under Hoke-A-Mania!

Griffey was the Best

By KEN W PACZAS

With all this steroid talk, and rumors circulating throughout baseball, one might want to sit down and think. Who really was the best baseball player of the last 15 years?

With “Game of Shadows”  in bookstores, the depth and breadth of baseball's steroid problem finds the industry and the implicated still unable to confront the facts.

Barry Bonds is talking baseball and baseball only. Gary Sheffield has announced he has “moved on.” No wonder. Were either man to confirm the steroid allegations contained in this book, it would be tantamount to admitting they perjured themselves before a grand jury.

Ken Griffey Junior however shows class and does not try to throw people under the bus. He knows that his records are tainted because of what others did.  Yet, he doesn’t go into mudslinging.

He claims to have no memory of the dinner table declaration Bonds is reported to have made in another book, “Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero.” The pertinent passage reveals a Bonds so consumed with jealousy for Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that he vows to start “using some hard-core stuff, and hopefully it won't hurt my body.”

Improbably, but predictably, Griffey can't seem to remember the conversation. He and Bonds are friends – second-generation ballplayers who have each surpassed their famous fathers – and there's little to be gained from squealing.

Furthermore, Griffey has continually resisted efforts to emphasize his own example of nature-based slugging. Though juiced sluggers eroded his eminence in the 1990s, and though some of his associates were quick to repeat incriminating hearsay about Bonds, Junior has sought to stay above the fray. He was doing pretty well at it, too, until the long-leaked dinner story found its way into print.

Even though Griffey has said that parents should be role models, not baseball players. He still leads by an example that would make any parent proud.

Griffey has chosen to stay silent on the subject of steroids rather than risk being seen as sanctimonious. He held his tongue as McGwire, Sosa and Bonds erased home run records that might have been his had he stayed healthy.

Griffey won the National League's comeback player award for overcoming a major hamstring injury and having an impressive 2005 season — batting .301 with 35 homers and 92 runs batted in. It was his best season since 2000, his first in Cincinnati. While the home run kings of the steroid era have slowly been fading, Griffey has showed that when healthy, he can hit homeruns just like he did in 1995.

Griffey is a 10-time Gold Glove winner; 11-time All-Star; 1997 AL MVP; Mariners all-time leader in home runs and RBIs; MVP of 1992 All-Star game at age 23. He was an urban legend that lived up to the hype.

This will be the first spring training in almost two decades where Junior will be sitting at home and not participating. I know he was not the same player, but I loved seeing him on that field, reminding me of when baseball was good.

His swing was magic, his fielding was perfect. If it wasn’t for injuries, you have to wonder what might have been.

Sorry Barry, even with the injuries, Griffey is the best “Natural” baseball player of the last 15 years.