The best part about this opening day today is the pitching matchup. I've voted for the Cy Young Award in the past, and if I had a vote last season, I would have given it to the Tigers' Justin Verlander. He pitched more tough innings by far than Zack Greinke - or anybody else - in the American League. Should be a fascinating game today.

- Another reason to believe Tennessee safety Eric Berry is the best player in the upcoming NFL Draft: His vertical leap. It was 43 inches at the combine. That's better than 90 percent of NBA players. He won't get beat on too many jump balls, that's for sure. As for being playmaker, did you know that in three years at Tennessee, Berry finished just nine yards short of setting the NCAA record for interception return yards? He was the best defensive player in the SEC from the moment he stepped on campus.

- The more I think about it, the more I feel the Red Wings would be better served by facing Phoenix in the opening round of the playoffs than Vancouver. The Red Wings can handle the Coyotes' trap. Vancouver is far more talented.


Reminder: I will be doing a live chat Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at theoaklandpress.com