puzzled once again

Today was one of those unique days for Detroit sports where every team was in action of sorts. The Tigers pummeled the Twins 18-1, while the Pistons and Red Wings both lost playoff games. And then theres the Lions who were drafting players in hopes for a better future.

But yet once again, it seems that GM Matt Millen made a mistake in his first round pick. With Matt Leinart having slipped to the spot where the Lions were picking (Detroit had the ninth pick) Millen decided to pass on the proven winner and select Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims. Wow Sims has been compared to Derrick Brooks as a player it seems like he is yet another risky selection.

According to various scouting reports on Sims, it is noted that he likes to play wild and with havoc - something that could lead to some dumb penalties. But it looks like he could also put a hurting on the opposition. Also I've read that Sims has been injured quite a bit - something definitely not helpful - especially with the Lions always having someone on their defense hurt (i.e Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey). Lastly I read on a website that Sims has been charged with domestic battery and resisting arrest. Before the draft Lions coach Marinelli stressed he wanted someone with good character.

Hopefully this pick pans and out and improves the Lions defense but I still think going with Leinart would have been the best case.
Despite the Lions having signed 8 bajillion quarterbacks in the offseason, Leinart is a proven winner and comes from a successful program at USC. He only lost twice as a starter after taking over for Carson Palmer (who was drafted by the Bengals)
Second, Leinart could have sat behind Jon Kitna - just like Palmer did while he was at Cincy. Look at what Palmer has done to help ressurrect the Bengals. He made them a playoff team that coulda done damage had he not got hurt in their playoff game against the Steelers.

I was also surprised to see the Lions pass on USC tailback LenDale White, who was around for their pick in the second round. I however was happy with the selection of Wisconsin tailback Brian Calhoun and it seems like he will fit in well with Mike Martz's offense.

Below is the story the associated press ran when Sims declared for the draft early
Seminole linebacker entering NFL draft early

By BRENT KALLESTAD, Associated Press Writer
January 9, 2006

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Worried about a career-ending injury, Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims will give up his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

Sims became the second Florida State defensive player in two weeks to say he is leaving school early for a shot at the pros. He joins cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who missed the 2005 season with a knee injury.

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"It's been my dream since I've been a little kid," Sims said. "Not a lot of people get a chance to play in the NFL."

Sims, accompanied to Monday's news conference by his parents and agent Todd France, said the NFL has projected him as an early second-round pick.

A speedy, undersized junior, he's listed at 6-foot and 220 pounds. Sims made 198 tackles in his three seasons, two as a starter. He finished fourth on the team with 70 stops this year, including four in Florida State's 26-23 Orange Bowl loss last week to Penn State.

Sims' production fell off last season from a sparkling sophomore year. Many opponents, however, designed their offenses to avoid him, said FSU linebacker coach Kevin Steele, a one-time NFL assistant.

Sims left Monday for Arizona to begin training for next month's combine in Indianapolis, where NFL scouts measure, time and test prospects. He hopes to add 5 or 6 pounds before the combine.

Sims has been troubled by nagging injuries as well as concussions, missing a game at Duke in October.

"If I did come back, I would risk not being able to play again," he said. "I might get injured."

Steele believes Sims' worries about concussions won't affect his draft standing.

"It's not off the chart where it's going to be in that category," Steele said.

Sims was an honorable mention Atlantic Coast Conference pick this year. He acknowledged that his college career wasn't what he had hoped.

"I didn't leave a statement like I really wanted to," he said.

He is 40 hours short of earning a degree, but said he will finish school during the offseasons.

its playoff time

Right now is definitely one of the best times of year in Detroit with the Pistons and Red Wings both making a run at titles. And luckily enough, I got to see the Pistons begin the playoffs on a positive note last night when they knocked off the Bucks 92-74.

The game was definitely a good time. Ended up going with Casey as well as Waz and Abby (two other former co-workers from my days employed in the Admission Visit Programs at EMU). It was pretty good to see the two of them - i hadnt seen them since probably last April.

It seems like Rock Financial likes to slap their name on everything you get at the Palace though. All fans got Pistons playoff hats last night and sure enough Rock financial had its name plastered on the back of it. Same thing with the thundersticks that all fans had on their seats - definitely crazy. I'm tired of D. Hall being everywhere.

Anyways the game was tight. Other than a slow start by the Pistons they took care of business. there was a scary moment when Rip Hamilton went down in the fourth with some kind of ankle injury - but from reading stuff it seems hes all right. The playoff atmosphere definitely beats the regular season and the introductions were pretty sweet with the fire lighting up behind the two baskets. and before the game the Pistons drumline was out in the hall areas entertaining fans - definitely sweet and a fun day at the Palace.

crazy game

The other day I was covering a softball game and it appeared to be a normal prep doubleheader until the last 30 minutes of the game when things got crazy and the coaches got into a heated argument on whether a game should continue due to darkness approaching.

One coach tried to stall to make sure darkness would come so his team wouldn't lose. The other coach, whose team went up 11-8 in the top half of the first extra inning, had his players swing at every pitch to try to get the game over before darkness. it was rather interesting.

I actualyl ran into a few players from one of the teams while covering an Adrian High baseball game and they asked me what I thought of the game. I told them it was crazy and they went on and on telling me waht their coach thought of it and everything. theres too much about the game to explain so i will just copy and paste my write up
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CLINTON - A rivalry that is continuing to grow just got more heated Tuesday.

The Blissfield High School softball team defeated Clinton 9-2 in the opening game of a doubleheader before they played to an 8-8 tie in the second game, which was called by darkness in extra innings.

The Royals (4-4-1, 3-0-1 Lenawee County Athletic Association) were close to sweeping the Redskins as they had an 8-3 lead entering the top of the seventh inning. However, the Clinton offense had different things in mind as they came through in the clutch.

Marissa Sevenish led off the inning with a single and Sadie Brown followed with double, putting runners on second and third. After Blissfield starter Callie Slomski struck out Colleen Zimmerman, Laura Heinz and Rachel Martiny followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Brittni Keith kept the rally going with a triple that drove in two and scored the game-tying run on Allison Tansel's single.

“They showed me they had heart. We had a lot of enthusiasm,” Clinton coach Al Roberts said. “We finally put a couple of hits together.”

Tansel, who relieved Kristen Kimble in the third, helped Clinton (4-2, 2-1-1 LCAA) keep its momentum as she retired the Royals quickly in the seventh, forcing extra innings.

Blissfield coach Chris Bates approached the umpires about calling the game because of darkness. His attempt failed and the game proceeded with the eighth inning.

“I thought for sure that we shouldn't start the inning,” Bates said. “With us being the home team I knew we would have to finish the whole inning for it to be considered a game. I didn't want it to start, but the umpires and Al decided to play.”

The Redskins continued to hit well in extra innings. After Brown grounded out, Zimmerman drew a walk. Heinz followed with an RBI double that gave Clinton its first lead of the game. The Redskins added two more runs in the inning before Roberts had his players swing at every pitch Slomski threw to intentionally record strikes and try to finish the game before it was stopped due to darkness. The move came in response to a few visits to the field by Bates during the inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, Erin DeCatur reached base on an error by Heinz. With Lauren Jones at the plate, Clinton tried to pick off DeCatur on Martiny's quick throw to first after the pitch. The ball got past Heinz and the outfielders backing her up, which allowed DeCatur to reach third. Following the play, the umpires ended the game.

With the game being stopped before the eighth inning was completed, the game reverts back to the last full inning played leaving, Clinton and Blissfield to settle for an 8-8 tie. It also eliminated Heinz's hit that put her team in front.

“It was a heartbreaker,” Heinz said. “I don't know if I will be able to do that again. I don't know what is going to happen the next time we play them.”

Clinton and Blissfield are not scheduled to meet again in the regular season, but could face each other in the postseason.

Roberts thought the way the game ended was unfortunate.

“It turned out to be an ugly game and that is unfortunate because it could have been a nice game,” Roberts said. “It's unfortunate the game got to the point it did. We made a nice comeback.”

Roberts said the LCAA doesn't have a set time where the umpires can't start an inning after, and added that the problem usually doesn't exist in softball.

Blissfield won the opener 9-2 as Lesley Bates went the complete game and struck out 12. After trailing 2-1, the Royals added three runs in the fourth as Kristen Gniewkowski had an RBI triple and Lesley Bates and Jones each drove in runs. Blissfield scored five more runs in the sixth. Jessica Domschot delivered the big hit when she drove in two with an RBI double.

“I was surprised we won the first game the way we did and were up in the second game as much as we were,” Bates said. “We're young and inexperienced ourselves.”

Tansel went 5 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs to take the loss for the Redskins.

Both teams will return to action Saturday. Clinton will compete at its own tournament, while the Royals will travel to the Portland Invitational

Easter Sunday

This year Easter wasn't too eventful, as it was probably the first one where I didn't see anybody that I'm related too, but I did talk to my sister, mom and aunt during the day. The past few years while at college I always went to church or out to eat with my grandma and aunts and the rest of the family on my moms side. This year that didn't happen.

But ... I did get to go to the Pistons game which was pretty cool in itself. I got to see the Pistons set a franchise mark with their 64th win - which they got by blowing out the New York Knicks - who were minus their coach Larry Brown and Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury. The final score was 103-97, which was very misleading since the Pistons were leading by 20-some points at one time and had a lot of their reserves playing since the starters are resting up for the playoffs.

After the game, crystal and I stopped in Ann Arbor at Chilis to eat and Casey ended up meeting up with us there and chilled with us for a bit before we headed back home.

my personality

You Have A Type B+ Personality

B+ You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?