Its spring training!!!

Holy cow, spring training has already arrived! Its an exciting time of the year, and the Tigers enter camp with a ton of question marks. I fully expect Verlander to return to form. I think Bonderman will have a break out year. Before you start laughing at me, remember he had a blood clot in his pitching arm. Now that its gone, his arm is going to feel like a million bucks! Break out year!!! I expect 14-17 wins from Edwin Jackson. Miggy is well Miggy. Ordonez is steady as a rock. Curtis Granderson is our spark plus and is only going to get better.

What really worries me is the bullpen. However, I think Dave did a good job in adding pieces to the pen. He didn't go after any big names, but he brought it solid major league pitchers. My surprise pick is going to be Ryan Perry. The Tigers first round draft pick of last year. This guy has a cannon, throws 100 MPH, and is just a stud. I expect him to make the club, and be an impact like Joel Zumaya was in 2006. As for Zumaya, if he can return to form like he did in 2006, and the beginning of 2007, look out!! Seriously if Zumaya, and Perry can produce right away the tigers will be a contender this coming up season. Now, if our new pitching coach can fix Rodney's mental problems, then well, we will win the division.

Speaking of which, the new Tigers pitching coach is Rick Knapp. Never heard of him before? Your not alone. He never has been a pitching coach for a major league team before. However, he was the head pitching coordinator the the Twins Minor league system. Rick knows the ins and outs of pitching like the best of them. He helped bring up all those stud pitchers from Minnesota. Knapp has already found delivery flaws in Verlander, Robertson, and Willis! Rick is going to be a great pitching coach for us, and he is a 100 times better than his predecessor.


Quick Thoughts.

Pistons suck. They have no chemistry, and Joe Dumars is going to do nothing before the trade deadline tomorrow. Big shocker, attendance is crashing worse than the price of gas, and Joe is sitting around doing nothing. If you ask me Joe D is overrated as a GM. I said it before and I'll say it again, don't be shocked if they miss the playoffs.

A source telling Dave Birkett said the Lions have talked to Jeff Backus, about the prospect of moving to guard. He said he was open to the idea. About time I thought. I have been telling myself this a couple years now. At best he is an average left tackle. Being an average tackle in the NFL wont cut it, especially if your covering your quarterback's blind side! Hopefully this means they will go over a tackle in the draft. (Andre Smith!)

Tomorrow night, Oakland University is traveling to Western Illinois for a conference clash. Last time these two teams met, Oakland spanked them by 40! Oakland will look for win number 17, and if they win out they will have 20 wins, the first time in Division 1 history. Oakland Men's and Women's swimming and Diving teams are hosting the conference tournament this Thursday through Saturday. They are a power house, and both teams have beaten Michigan State this year. I believe tickets are free, and if you want to see some great swimming, I recommend going!