The Detroit Insider has provided his thoughts and breaking news throughout sportspig.com’s existence before it turned into a sports blog (way back in 1999). I decided to give him a regular column so I came up with five topics and he provides his breakdown. It should be quite entertaining. Here we go…

1. Mike Williams - Now that I have stopped throwing things in my house and saying the Lions have ruined any interest I have in watching the draft ever again, here’s what I think. They had to take him, but I hope there is a QB that can get him the ball.

5. Napolean Dynamite - Funniest movie I’ve seen in a long time. The quotes are classic…

Of course if you want to let the Detroit Insider know what you think, you can always send him an email at norm@sportspig.com.

Sorry about the lack of posts, but the family took a short vacation to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. We had a blast. I think we are going to make it an annual event. Plus it’s only 15 minutes from my house, so no long car rides for the kids. Gotta love that!

Here’s a couple of stories that caught my eye today.

New Lions receiver Williams gets wisdom from Coach Cris Carter - Freep article by Nicholas J. Cotsonika

A good look at new Lions receiver Mike Williams. I was surprised to say the least, not that the Lions picked him, but that he was still there. He is a dynamite talent and with his work ethic could give the Lions three top-quality receivers. Look for Williams and Williams to be the top end zone targets.
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Early runs back Bonderman gem - Freep article by John Lowe

It was nice to finally get a chance to watch the Tigers again. With the recent bad weather they had gotten a couple of days off. It didn’t show. Bonderman loooked great and at times downright scary. He pitched very well. The offense continued to score runs and if they can hold the fort until Magglio returns they can contend this year. The rest of the rotation still needs to step it up. Robertson, Maroth and Johnson have all struggled at times and need to find that consistency.
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Kingsley grad Kaleita inks free-agent deal with Lions - Record Eagle article by Mark Urban

It’s always good to see a northern Michigan athlete have success.
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That’s it for now, later…

Okay, so no one has called me an expert, maybe ever, but here are my picks for the upcoming NBA playoffs. I once again play the homer card, but that’s how I cheer. I love my hometown teams.

Here’s a link to some real Experts NBA picks on Yahoo! Sports.

First round
East
Heat over Nets
Wizards over Bulls
Celtics over Pacers
Pistons over 76ers
West
Suns over Grizzlies
Mavericks over Rockets
Sonics over Kings
Nuggets over Spurs

Conference semifinals
East
Heat over Wizards
Pistons over Celtics
West
Suns over Nuggets
Mavericks over Sonics

Conference finals
East
Pistons over Heat
West
Suns over Mavericks

NBA finals
Pistons over Suns

That was simple wasn’t it.

My Detroit Insider just emailed me and told me that the “Lions have signed wide receiver Kevin Johnson to a 1-year deal”.

Read more: ESPN article by John Clayton.

My view: Johnson should be an upgrade over Tai Streets. Johnson has had some big games in his career, but has never been very consistent. He provides solid insurance behind Charles Rogers and Roy Williams.

Article by Detroitlions.com

Allen Park, Mich. — The 17th Annual Detroit Lions Draft Day Party will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Ford Field from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $6.00; and kids 4 and under will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are on sale now at local Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and the Ford Field Ticket Office. Tickets can also be purchased at Ford Field on the day of the event. For patrons in search of a special deal, they can go to participating Big Boy restaurants in metro Detroit to get 2-for-1 tickets to the Ford Field Draft Party — while supplies last.

Read the entire article

My view: It should be another exciting draft day for the Lions, with the possibility of the Lions moving up to snag a quarterback or staying where they are and drafting at #10.

Work is just crazy, so don’t have a whole lot of time. Here’s some articles that early this morning caught my eye.

Millen is happy with Rogers - Detroit News article by Mike O’Hara

Rasheed, Prince make Pistons’ playoff lineup better this year - Detroit News article by Rob Parker

Tigers no match for Twins in this series - MLive article by Danny Knobler

Ordonez’s return can’t be pinpointed - Detroit News article by Tom Gage

Petroskey, Harrah thrilled for nation’s capital
Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

Traverse City - Dale Petroskey lived in Washington, D.C., for 18 years without ever seeing a Major League Baseball game there.

The Washington Nationals, formally the Montreal Expos, are scheduled to take the field against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at RFK Stadium for their home opener - the first in D.C. in 34 years.

Read the entire article.

My view: A good article from my local paper about baseball being back in the nation’s capital.

Here’s a look at some of today’s top stories, and no, to me, the Yzerman ad coming down isn’t one of them…

A Super season? - Freep article by Drew Sharp

Sharp’s annual look at the Lions upcoming season. He has them finishing at their normal 8-8 in this funny look at 2005!

Pistons gear up for playoffs, fortified by defensive effort - Detroit News article by Tom Markowski

The Pistons are finishing the regular season strong and got a nice performance out of their bench last night. It was good to see. They still remain the favorites to me in the East, but a Miami/Detroit showdown in the Eastern Finals will be a war!

Shock consider drafting Haynie - Detroit News article by David Goricki

Haynie would be a good pick for anyone, but would give the Shock some instant depth. She showed she is a competitor and has the ability to create her own shot. She will be a star in the WNBA.

Michigan QB climbing the charts
Article by Chris Pool, Midwest Recruiting Analyst

A fast mover up the recruiting charts in the Midwest is Michigan quarterback Mike Canfield. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, from Lansing (Everett) had one of the best arms at the U.S. Army All-American Combine in San Antonio this past January. We caught up with Everett coach Marcelle Carruthers to get the inside scoop on his top prospect.

Here’s another Lions quarterback fantasy update from Draft Sharks, as well as an announcement for the upcoming 2005 NFL schedule.

QB Joey Harrington doesn’t hink his job is in jeopardy this season. “I don’t think there’s any question about how I fit in,” Harrington said Tuesday. “I’m the quarterback of the Detroit Lions, and we’ve got to win games. That’s how I fit in.” However, Jeff Garcia’s signing gives the Lions their first legitimate experienced backup QB since Harrington’s rookie season in 2002. Coach Steve Mariucci emphasizes that Garcia is coming in as a backup, but that’s what he’s supposed to say until the preseason. Garcia was a top-5 QB under Mariucci for four years in San Francisco; plus, Ted Tollner replaced Sherm Lewis as offensive coordinator, and Tollner was an assistant coach for Garcia’s last two seasons in San Francisco. Then, late last week, the Lions got a visit from Utah’s Alex Smith, one of the top-3 QBs available in the April 23-24 draft.

NFL Network will release the NFL’s 2005 regular-season schedule at 2 p.m. ET today. It also will be released on NFL.com simultaneously. NFL Network will air an encore presentation in primetime at 7 p.m. ET. In addition to highlighting the key matchups of the 2005 season, the special will feature interviews with current players, coaches and broadcasters to gauge their reactions to the schedule as it comes out.

New Traverse City junior team may also get area rival
Record Eagle article by James Cook

Traverse City - The Traverse City North Stars have their first three official players.

A team in Alpena would help soften the blow of the apparent demise of the Soo Indians, the only other NAHL team in the state. If the Indians manage to stay afloat, a natural rivalry between Traverse City, the Soo and Alpena could be a boon for all of three teams.

Read the entire article.

Not alot of updates lately, it’s been crazy at work and house-hunting. Here’s a couple of articles that caught my eye today…

Competition no biggie for Joey - Freep article by Curt Sylvester

The competition should be great for Joey. It will push him to pick up his game or he will find himself as the #2 behind Garcia. I think Joey will ultimately still be the starter to at least start the season. The Lions have alot of money tied up in him.

Pen Explodes for Tigers in dome: Urbina, Percival can’t preserve lead - Freep article by John Lowe

Ugly. Urbina in the 8th and Percival in the 9th couldn’t get the job done. After Farnsworth dominated the 7th, I thought the Tigers were going to pull it off, but the Twins kept battling. Urbina couldn’t throw a first pitch strike and for Percival it was the first earned run he has ever given up to the Twins in his 10 year career. Not the way you want your bullpen to perform against the division favorites.

Izzo wants to stay put, Michigan State coach says he is in no hurry to fill an NBA vacancy - Detroit News article by Dave Dye

Izzo will stay and be a success at Michigan State for a long time. He should have a very good team coming back next season that should contend for the Big Ten and the NCAA Championship.

Enterprise article by Amy Hubbell

You would have thought Glen Lake changed its school colors if you didn’t know better.

In just a 24-hour period, students organized the event that capped Liz Shimek Day in Kasson Township, as declared Monday night by the Kasson Township Board. Although her parents’ farm at the corner of County Road 669 and M-72 has a mailing address of Empire, it is located in Kasson Township.

Read the entire article.

I was listening to WDFN 1130 this morning and former Piston star Terry Mills was on promoting the Macomb County Mustangs of the IBL. If you are looking for some good basketball and inexpensive family entertainment, check them out. Visit the Mustangs website below for ticket info, team info and much more!

Official Site of the Macomb County Mustangs

MSU has 4 high-profile recruits coming in

East Lansing (AP) - Joanne P. McCallie spent her first five seasons at Michigan State building a nationally prominent program.

“We’ve built an incredible foundation,” McCallie said Wednesday, shortly after returning to campus from the Final Four in Indianapolis. “That is what is going to be able to carry us. And we have the motivation. We feel like we didn’t finish what we started.”

Read the entire article.

I think MSU will have a very good team next season, perhaps even better than this year’s. Here’s what Dick Vitale thinks of MSU next season…

6. Michigan State
Returning the likes of Maurice Ager, Paul Davis and Shannon Brown, the Spartans are contenders for another Final Four trip. Coach Tom Izzo has been to the Final Four four times in the past seven years.

Read the entire article.