Leelanau Sports Guy’s World at sportspig.com

The Detroit Tigers announced today that they have extended manager Jim Leyland’s contract 2-years to 2011. With the start they have had to 2009 it was only a matter of time before this was going to be done. I’m amazed more every day when I look at the production from the offense and the bottom half of the rotation that they are still in first place, and the manager deserves some credit. Now if he can only figure out how to get Maggs going and find a starting pitcher (maybe Miner?) to replace Dontrelle “Ball 4″ Willis, then I’ll be feeling alot better.

Read Tigers give Leyland two-year extension at MLB.com

One of my favorite fantasy football sites is DraftSharks and they have some interesting news about Lions WR Calvin Johnson and RB Kevin Smith. It’s never too early for fantasy football!

Lions WR Calvin Johnson may only have scratched the surface of his ability last season. The Detroit Free Press reports that Megatron had some nice things to say about the team’s new rookie QB. “Offense is looking good,” the young stud said. “[QB Matthew] Stafford’s doing a good job early… He throws a nice, tight spiral. Throws a hard ball. He has a big arm, so it’s nice to see that.” After seeing 5 different QBs in ’08, Calvin will look forward to some consistency at QB. He scored in 7 straight games with Dan Olrovsky at QB. Imagine what he’ll do with a better QB.

Lions RB Kevin Smith will have plenty of opportunity to have a big year. Mlive.com is reporting that the Lions have installed more power running plays for Smith under new OC Scott Linehan. The Lion offense was an inconsistent mess last year. Having a plan for Smith is a step in the right direction. A few of our writers are very high on this kid.

I for one am very excited about Kevin Smith in 2009, and it’s not just because my team is named “Kevin Smith Fan Club”. I think in a real offensive system, he can be a dominant back and really help take the pressure off whoever the starting quarterback is.

I know Darren Helm had the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to help the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 OT win and a 4 games to 1 series win over the Chicago Blackhawks. But after reading about this play, I had to see it for myself and it was a very impressive shift for Helm.

Helm is a perfect example of why the Red Wings are the class of the NHL. Young guys who know their roles and are taught how to play the right way. Now let’s bring that Cup back to Hockeytown!

Meant to post this a few days ago…

Daniel Skibbe, owner of the Traverse City Wolves NAFL football team, announced a revision to the team’s official 2009 season schedule today. The Wolves will open their home schedule against the Chicago Chippewas on July 25th. “We are happy with the final schedule and are excited to open our inaugural season,” stated Mr. Skibbe.

The complete schedule:

18-July @ Ypsilanti
25-July vs. Chicago
1-Aug vs. Tri-City (ONT)
8-Aug@ Tri-City (ONT)
15-Aug vs. Genesee
22-Aug Open
29-Aug @ Chicago
5-Sept @ London (ONT)
12-Sept London (ONT)
19-Sept Ypsilanti
26-Sept@ Genesee

The Traverse City Wolves are part of the North American Football league (NAFL) that includes more than 140 teams in 24 divisions throughout the United States and Canada. The regular season is followed by a 32-team playoff to determine the NAFL champion.

I can’t wait to check this out. You can follow all the latest news from the Wolves at TCWolves.com.

Saw this over on MLive.com and Lions GM Martin Mayhew definitely knows how to play poker!

Read Martin Mayhew says Lions ‘have a pretty good idea’ of who they’re taking No. 1 at MLive.com

Just got a heads up about a new commercial that will air one-time only during the Final Four on Saturday. Here’s the details and a sneek peak at the commercial featuring former Detroit Pistons Rick Mahorn and Kelly Tripucka, and former tennis great John McEnroe.

The Final Four on CBS this Saturday will be interrupted by John McEnroe.  The three-time Wimbledon and four-time US Open Champion, who recently turned 50, will be serving up a bit of humor for the 50 year-olds watching the Final Four on CBS this Saturday. Mac, alongside 50 year-old hoopsters Kelly Tripucka and Rick Mahorn, will appear in a vignette that will ONLY air one-time encouraging men to visit www.50over50challenge.com and get serious about their prostate health (specifically enlarging prostate).

Check it out!

Surfing the web at lunch, I stumbled upon an article by josh q. public titled Grant Hill: Iron Man?. It was Grant Hill’s 75th game of the season last night and it means he has played in all of the Phoenix Suns games this season. But here’s what struck me the most…

He was NBA Rookie the Year.  He made All-Star team after All Star team.  All-NBA first team.  Led the NBA in triple-doubles.  Twice.  Get the papers, get the papers.  First player since Larry Legend to average 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a season.  Nobody’s done it since.  Nobody.  Joined the Stilt and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to lead their teams in scoring, rebounding and assists more than once.

I had forgotten how dominant a player Grant Hill was in the beginning of his career with the Detroit Pistons, luckily this video helped me remember!

I remember some of those plays, wow!

Michigan State fans will hopefully have alot to cheer about this weekend as the men’s and women’s basketball teams play in Sweet 16 matchups. The men tip-off tonight (about 9:40pm) in a rematch with Kansas, while the women play Iowa State on Saturday.

Read MSU Men & Women in Sweet Sixteen at Absolute Michigan

Wow! That was a word I was using alot in the 4th quarter of the Class D Quarterfinal game between Ellsworth and defending state champion Muskegon West Michigan Christian at Traverse City Central on Tuesday night. Overcoming a 24 point third quarter deficit with a never quit attitude and some clutch shots, the Ellsworth Lancers cut the lead to 3 with 1:17 to go. I don’t believe I have ever seen a team play harder then the Lancers did and I give them tons of credit for that. Muskegon WMC also impressed me very much, especially their clutch free throw shooting and big-time 3-point shots in the first half.

When the score was 49-33 at the half in favor of WMC, the only thought on my mind was if the Warriors would make it to 100 points. Needless to say with Ellsworth’s half court trap and some scrappy rebounding they made it a game and had the entire gym on it’s feet.

Ellsworth was led by Jarod Steenwyk’s five early three-pointers (he finished with 22 points) and Jared Danbert with a game-high of 24 points. All-Stater Tyler Ingalls finished with 18 points, all in the 2nd half. Muskegon WMC was led by Evan Bruinsma’s 23 points (including a couple of big 3-pointers) and London Burris’ 20.

Congrats to both on a great game, I’m glad I got to see it.

Read Ellsworth’s late rally falls short in the Record Eagle

Join the Yahoo! Sports Bracket Challenge to go up against the best sports minds in Leelanau County (at least in our own minds) in our annual Leelanau March Madness Pool.

Just click the following link to register, you’ll need a yahoo! account…

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=157885&P=county

Enjoy March Madness!

Leelanau Sports Guy

The Traverse City Wolves have announced their 2009 Inaugural Football Schedule. All home games will be played at Traverse City Central High school. Season tickets are now on sale and you can visit their website at www.tcwolves.com for ordering information and more info. Single game seats go on sale April 15th!

TC Wolves 2009 Season Schedule

7/11 @ London Silverbacks

7/18 @ Ypsilanti Yellow Jackets

7/25 vs Tri – City Thunder

8/1 @ Tri – City Thunder

8/8 vs Kane County Eagles

8/15 vs Genesee County Patriots

8/22 @ Kane County Eagles

8/29 vs London Silverbacks

9/5 BYE

9/12 @ Genesee County Patriots

9/19 @ Chicago Wolverines

9/26 vs Ypsilanti Yellow Jackets

All home games (in bold) are on Saturday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm

The Detroit Shock will be making a trip up north to Traverse City for a preseason game vs. the San Antonio Silver Stars, a rematch of the last WNBA Finals. Saturday, May 30th at Traverse City West High School with Tickets starting at only $10!

A clinic is also going to be offered before the game.

The press release said it is “the first professional preseason game of any sport to be played in Northern Michigan.”

Visit DetroitShock.com or call Carley Knox at 248-377-8614 or email cknox@palacenet.com to register or to purchase tickets.

Download the Promotional Poster

I have to say, I’m very happy with the almost first week of free agency and the job done by the Detroit Lions. Some very quality players have been added to the Lions roster and another trade with the Cowboys has given us another solid cornerback. Here’s my take on the players so far…

CB Philip Buchanon – Brings athletic ability and some experience to the secondary. Had two interceptions last season and should win one of the starting spots.

DT Grady Jackson - A bit long in the tooth, but still a solid player in the middle against the run. If we can keep him fresh, he’ll make a big difference in the middle.

WR Bryant Johnson – He’s big and has some speed and could have a big year with Calvin drawing all the attention. Johnson & Johnson, I love it!

CB Eric King – So far the only Tennessee Titan to follow Jim Schwartz to Detroit and could provide solid nickel and dime coverage as well as contribute on special teams. Wouldn’t count him out of earning a starting spot either.

RB Maurice Morris – I’ve always liked him and just wanted him to get more carries. Has good speed and can return kicks (yeah!) and should be an explosive backup for Kevin Smith.

CB Anthony Henry (in Jon Kitna trade from Cowboys) – Spent the last 4 years as the Cowboys starting right cornerback, so will likely challenge for a spot here. Might play some safety or possibly be moved to safety with his size. The Cowboys were rumored to be thinking of moving him to safety this upcoming season.

So all in all, I like where these signings are going. Not breaking the bank, but adding some solid depth to the roster. If anything we’ll at least have some legitimate cornerbacks that might be able to pick off more than one pass all season!

Just received my Detroit Lions e-newsletter and free agency is upon us! Follow the Lions offseason moves with the 2009 Free Agent Tracker.

You can also read a nice article about GM Martin Mayhew and his thoughts on the combine and the Lions free agent needs.

Read Sorting Out Prospects at DetroitLions.com

A couple notes of interest to Northern Michigan sports fans…

2009 Detroit Tigers Caravan Schedule (sadly, no North Bus)

Traverse City Wolves Football finds a home
The Traverse City Wolves will play there home games at Traverse City Central High School. The Wolves start play this summer in the North American Football league in June. They will be part of the Great Lakes Division and play home games on Saturdays.

Read Wolves to play at Central at Record-Eagle.com