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About The BCS, Lidstrom, Sheffield And Inge
All I know about the BCS title game between Ohio State and LSU is to expect the unexpected.
This has been a game of many upsets. One year, when Florida State was seemingly invincible, Oklahoma beat them. Another year, when Oklahoma appeared to be on its way to a certain rout, it was beaten by LSU. Ohio State won when it was wasn’t supposed to - against Miami (Fla.). And lost when it was expected to win - last year against Florida. Oh, and I expected USC to beat to Texas that one year - and it didn’t.
I think we underrate the BCS title game. It’s big, but not Super Bowl big, or quite like the NCAA basketball tournament. Guess that’s because the winner isn’t quite as definitive. I don’t like that aspect of the BCS title game, particularly this season (I think USC would beat both LSU and OSU). But I must admit, it is usually a darn good football game.
Random Thoughts
- This from a recent discussion I had with Red Wings announcer Paul Woods: Why not Nicklas Lidstrom for the Hart Trophy? He should win it during his career. This seems to be the perfect season for it. He is the best player in the league. The Red Wings wouldn’t be nearly as good without him.
- The most important story in spring training will be the health of Gary Sheffield. If he is healthy, the Tigers lineup should fall perfectly into place. If he isn’t, there will be a hole there.
- The biggest story in spring training will be Brandon Inge - if the Tigers haven’t traded him by then. Seems awfully quiet on that front, doesn’t it? Especially with pitchers and catchers reporting in just little more than a month.
This has been a game of many upsets. One year, when Florida State was seemingly invincible, Oklahoma beat them. Another year, when Oklahoma appeared to be on its way to a certain rout, it was beaten by LSU. Ohio State won when it was wasn’t supposed to - against Miami (Fla.). And lost when it was expected to win - last year against Florida. Oh, and I expected USC to beat to Texas that one year - and it didn’t.
I think we underrate the BCS title game. It’s big, but not Super Bowl big, or quite like the NCAA basketball tournament. Guess that’s because the winner isn’t quite as definitive. I don’t like that aspect of the BCS title game, particularly this season (I think USC would beat both LSU and OSU). But I must admit, it is usually a darn good football game.
Random Thoughts
- This from a recent discussion I had with Red Wings announcer Paul Woods: Why not Nicklas Lidstrom for the Hart Trophy? He should win it during his career. This seems to be the perfect season for it. He is the best player in the league. The Red Wings wouldn’t be nearly as good without him.
- The most important story in spring training will be the health of Gary Sheffield. If he is healthy, the Tigers lineup should fall perfectly into place. If he isn’t, there will be a hole there.
- The biggest story in spring training will be Brandon Inge - if the Tigers haven’t traded him by then. Seems awfully quiet on that front, doesn’t it? Especially with pitchers and catchers reporting in just little more than a month.
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:29 PM
12 Comments:
Pat,
I think it's assumed that Lidstrom is the best player in the league. But I think the Norris is reserved for him even though he deserves the Hart. I think Pronger is the only one to win the Norris and Hart in the same season, though Lidstrom deserved both that year.
Tim
Pat,
A healthy Sheffield will make a difference, you are correct. But it would still be a good offense without him, too.
Regards to Inge, I think the Tigers should hold on to him, despite his salary and his wishes to be traded. I just don't think we should give him away for a bucket of baseballs. He may not like it, but he has more value to the Tigers as a "super sub" than some mid to low level prospect that the would receive for him right now. He has been a good soldier, so it's tough to play hardball with him, but lets remember this is about the Tigers winning a championship.
Holding on to him to start the season most likely would increase his trade value anyway, especially if he plays well. He would provide excellent insurance against a major injury almost anywhere on the diamond. Beyond that, I just can't see Brandon causing any kind of problems in the locker room ... he is too good of a guy.
I can understand the common attitude of the BCS not being the definitive College Championship game, but I think it is as close as feasible logistics can allow.
But that's an old debate for slow sports-day fodder. Like "should the Lions fire McMillon?".
I have been watching the Junior World Hockey Championship from the Czech Republic. I thought for sure you would be too!
A healthy Sheffield. Yes, it would be best for the Tigers if one of the ten best players in the Major Leagues were healthy. I'll bet he is - but he gets to be 100% in June.
I think the Tigers litmus test will be August/September. They have not been great in August/September - not since they have become great.
Go Tigers
Pat the Book,
Happy New Year! I missed Ken Kal's "easy" trivia question last night on "Inside Hockeytown". I think there should be an over/under on how long the Benny Hill theme song will play.
Love hearing Woodsie's trivia questions to the Kalmeister on the Red Wing game wireless broadcasts. Those two are as funny as any comedy duo you could name, even Bob and Ray.
I think Sheffield will be fine. Though I'm sure that next season, even David Ortiz will play more in the field than Sheff.
I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Inge is on the Tigers Opening Day roster. I would be surprised if Dombrowski doesn't trade him for an above average arm prior to the the trade deadline.
Loved that pond hockey game to start the New Year. Allan was right on about the wide angle letting you see how the play was developing. That's why the game is best viewed live and in person.
Tim,
Orr did it back in the day, but only Pronger in recent years. Crosby, Ovetchkin and the like will own the award for years to come, why not Lidstrom this season, especially considering how dominant the Red Wings have been.
Caputo
Scott (thinking man),
I agree about Inge. Don't just give him away. He would still have a lot of value if he remained with the Tigers.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Usually the junior world title isn't on in the states, but it is this year because the NHL Network is carrying the TSN feed. Loved the Canadians response to beating the Americans. This tournament means a lot in Canada. It should mean more in the USA.
Caputo
Andrew Winkle,
Ken's triva questions last week was easy. I'm sure he will make up for it this week. Sheffield is still a good enough athlete to play in the field, but why risk getting him hurt out there? His bat is too valuable.
Caputo
hi pat. i hope the tigers and brandon inge can work something out to keep him in detroit. i think his contributions in the clubhouse might be overlooked by many of us. sure, dombrowski doesn't want a 19 million dollar utility man, but i think this might be the exception to the rule.
inge can do a lot on the field too.
injuries have a way of changing championship seasons into 88 and 74coulda, woulda, shoulda type clubs. a brandon inge on the bench might fill a few holes during a 162game season. thanks pat, tom w.
Sorry guys, I got to share this with you.
I watched the Pistons game tonight, but not realizing it was on Channel 20, I watched the Canadian Rogers SportsNet station - using the Boston ComCast feed.
And this is what I hate about rooting for Detroit teams from this side of the border - watching the "enemy telecast".
Good points - the Pistons are definitely respected as the best in the league.
Down side - the Pistons are referred to by those enemy broadcasting Bostonian bastards as "whiners'.
Ok - no surprise. We knew that. But it makes your beer taste sour when thats all you hear throughout the broadcast.
This isn't new to us over here - most often - the only Tiger games we get are on SportsNet, the Score, TSN, or the CBC when they play the Blue Jays - same with the Wings playing the Leafs.
For some reason we get ALL the Lion games. Huh?
But this Celtics broadcast was over the top bad.
That pissed me off so bad I might stop rooting for the Pats.
Who needs sour beer?
tw2008,
There haven't been too many Tiger players fans have been as split on as much as Inge. Those who think he is good, think he is really good. Those who think he isn't that good, think he is a really bad player. I see him as a somewhere in between. To me, that would fit in with the Tigers, but he wants to play every day. Thatis why they want to trade him.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I agree with the out of town annoucers. The Pistons are whiners. And it hurts them badly sometimes.
Caputo
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