The key to MSU’s season rests in the hands of a freshmen point guard. He was Michigan’s Mr. Basketball last season so he’s got talent, but it’s his heart and toughness people are talking about.

Is Neitzel a Spartans savior? by Jemele Hill

What a great start to the offseason for the Tigers. They get the closer they want, and that closer is calling his former teammate 3B Troy Glaus (another free agent) telling him how nice Detroit is. Here’s today’s Free Press articles covering the signing.

Credit the Tigers with yet another bold maneuver by Michael Rosenberg

Pudge signing opened Percival’s eyes by Mark Snyder

Just got this email…

The Tigers have signed reliever Troy Percival to a reported 2 year, $12 million deal. Live coverage of the press conference will be on 1130 WDFN at 4:30 PM.

My view: AWESOME!

In my opinion it’s not any worse than the commercials during the game or the shots of the cheerleaders on the sidelines. The NFL knows that sex sells, bottom line.

Read the complete Free Press article.

Tigers are high on Percival’s list by Gene Guidi

Awesome! I wasn’t so sure he would give Detroit a second look, but it looks like Percival is interested. He would be a nice fit for this ballclub.

MSU toast of town after beating Badgers by Jemele Hill

Amazing what happens when you knock off the #4 team in the country. The Spartans have to be careful not to waste the performance with a letdown at Penn State.

The wait’s over for U-M duo by Michael Rosenberg

With a win Michigan will be outright Big Ten Champs and possibly add to their BCS points ranking.

And my Detroit Insider reported correctly yesterday…

Now or never? QB hopes being on hot seat might light a fire by Curt Sylvester

Harrington has shown flashes, but at this point, I think the Lions need more than that. If you compare him to David Carr (both taken 3 years ago), if he struggles there is no talk of replacing him because he has earned it. Harrington’s inconsistency’s haven’t helped him. I don’t think McMahon is necessarily the answer, maybe a veteran or go through the draft. I would look no further than San Diego, how good is Drew Brees looking right now?

I just got a message from my Detroit Insider and he said, “Mike McMahon to get more reps in practice this week”. Stay tuned……….

Lions: Why do I even bother watching? Every week I have gotten more frustrated watching this team. Harrington trying to throw, the defense giving up big plays, Hanson missing field goals… It all adds up to another loss. Bright spots were Eddie Drummond and the punt return unit, and Kevin Jones looks like he is getting stronger and more comfortable with the offense. Now if we can just get Harrington on track it would be nice, otherwise I say give McMahon another shot.

Pistons: 3-3 after the West Coast Road Trip. They obviously miss Big Ben and I think coach Larry Brown as well. Running into a determined Okur didn’t help either. I still think they will be all right, I like what McDyess is doing when he gets minutes. They will still win the Eastern Conference.

Red Wings: Who?

Tigers: Ananheim closer Troy Percival is going to visit Detroit. He would be an immeditate upgrade over Urbina, but would allow Urbina to be the setup man. I don’t know if the Tigers have a realistic chance at Percival or not, but he has been one of the most consistent closers over the past few seasons.

Wolverines Football: Took care of business against the Wildcats and now prepare for the trip to Columbus. With MSU’s throttling of Wisconsin, Michigan now has a clear path to the Rose Bowl.

Spartans Football: WOW! That offense keeps right on rolling. MSU took it right to Wisconsin and ruined their perfect season while keeping their bowl hopes alive. Wins over Penn State and Hawaii would clinch a bowl berth.

Here’s an interesting article on a northern Michigan man directing a Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer film about legendary college basketball coach Don Haskins.

Gartner goes hollywood - Traverse City-based commercial director makes first motion picture

Record Eagle article by Marta Hepler-Drahos

After more than three months on location in Louisiana and Texas, Traverse City-based commercial director James Gartner is wrapping up filming on his first motion picture.

Gartner, who is better known for his award-winning national TV commercials, is directing the Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer film “Glory Road.” The big budget movie stars Josh Lucas, Derek Luke and Austin Nichols.

“Glory Road” follows the true story of Don Haskins, who coached the first all-black starting lineup at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) to a 1966 NCAA basketball championship against top-ranked Kentucky. The victory was credited with opening the doors of universities across the country to black athletes, but outraged many who sent Haskins hate mail and even death threats during the racially charged era.

Read the entire article.

Cox, Showalter are managers of year

by Gene Guide, Free Press Sports Writer

Carl Pavano is one of the most sought-after pitchers this off-season, but that hasn’t stopped the Tigers from pursuing the free-agent right-hander.

“I would say there’s a lot of interest on the part of Detroit,” Pavano’s agent, Scott Shapiro, said Wednesday from Key Biscayne, Fla., where the general managers meetings are taking place.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, about a dozen other teams (including the Yankees and Red Sox) reportedly also want Pavano, who turned down a three-year, $21-million contract offer from the Florida Marlins.

Read the entire article.

A neat event for hockey-starved fans to attend…

Larionov to make appearance at Van Andel

Article from the Holland Sentinel

A busy weekend for the Grand Rapids Griffins brings more than just American Hockey League action to the ice at Van Andel Arena.

The arena will host another version of the Hope College-Calvin College rivalry and former Detroit Red Wing Igor Larionov.

Larionov, who helped the Red Wings win two Stanley Cups, is slated to sign autographs in the arena banquet area Saturday from 6:30 p.m.-7:20 p.m.

He also will drop the puck for the ceremonial faceoff prior to the Griffins’ game against the San Antonio Rampage.

Larionov’s Jeep Chrysler-sponsored visit is the first installment of the Griffins’ “Hockeytown Heroes” series.

Earlier in the day, the Calvin and Hope club teams will skate against each other at 3:30 p.m. They follow an intrasquad game between Calvin alumni.

Fans can gain admission to both games with a ticket to that night’s Griffins game. Tickets range in price from $5 to $25.

Tickets are available at The Zone and all Star Tickets Plus outlets, including West Michigan Meijer stores. Charge by phone at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737.

The first 1,500 fans Saturday will receive a Detroit Red Wings pennant.

The Griffins also host the Houston Aeros Friday at 7:30 p.m. Griffins players will sign autographs in the stands for 15 minutes after the game.

There are lots of reasons why Kevin Jones has been brought along slowly. Injuries, inexperience and pass blocking are at the top of the list. Now Mooch plans to use him in more situations and make him the “feature” back. It’s Jones chance to shine. Many of us fans have been waiting for this moment and if Jones gets 20+ touches, I think he will definitely improve the running game.

Mooch is big on running back by committee, so who knows how long this will last. A win in Jacksonville and over 120 yards rushing for the team, might make him thing twice.

Here’s an article about it.

Detroit News Article: Jones will carry more of the load

This is one of the best Lions site out there. Here’s a nice mid-season review of how the Lions are doing. 4-4 and 1 game out isn’t bad, but the last two defeats were to inferior teams. Oh well, that’s our Lions.

Here’s the article: Lionbacker.com Article by Paul Donaghy, Senior Writer

Always nice to see a preview from a rival’s website. It’s a very detailed preview and hints at Drew Neitzel being a key pickup. If Neitzel can run the offense then the Spartans will be very dangerous. It would allow Chris Hill and Alan Anderson to concentrate on scoring, not running the team. Click the link below to read the preview.

Season Preview: The Michigan State Spartans by John Brumbaugh at BuckNuts.com

From the Detroit Free Press

Pictured at right: It’s Afros all around for the Pistons’ starting five - from left, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups - and coach Larry Brown in the December 2004 issue of GQ.

Your NBA champions are included in GQ’s annual “Men of the Year” package. It hits newsstands Nov. 23 — look for Tom Cruise, Jude Law and James Gandolfini on the cover.

The team’s main men — Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups and even Larry Brown — all posed wearing ‘Fro wigs.

Well, actually, Ben didn’t need a wig.

Looks pretty cool, doesn’t it? GQ did the shoot during the team’s media day, behind closed curtains at the Palace.

‘Sheed has a high-rise ‘do, like Don King or maybe Kid from Kid ‘n Play. And young Tayshaun looks like one of the kids from “The White Shadow.”

Rip has kind of a Jimi Hendrix thing going, with that headband. Coach Brown, if you look close, has a pick in his ‘do. (He’s old school — set those picks!)

And Chauncey — maybe because he usually has no hair at all — overcompensates with the biggest ‘Fro of them all.

The words that accompany the photo in GQ’s “Detroit Pistons Teamsters” spread are provided by Detroit’s own Kid Rock, a few of which in the brief article can’t be printed in a family newspaper.

Photo by Martin Schoeller/GQ

Not sports related, but if you haven’t seen the Star Wars Episode III Teaser Trailer yet, I recommend checking it out at www.starwars.com. I am going back now for multiple viewings!