Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

I am bored with the Fire Millen movement. It’s time to move on. Ford likes Millen, Millen likes Marinelli, let’s see how it works this time. I am as big a Lions fan as anyone and I see lots of reasons for the Lions problems, and they aren’t just Millen.

Millen can’t be blamed for everything bad that’s happened with the Lions. Here’s some examples…

• Fernando Bryant’s injury problems - Millen can’t be blamed for injuries, plain and simple. I got so sick of hearing this.

• Mooch losing his players - Again I don’t blame Millen here. You can blame Millen for hiring Mooch, but when Mooch was hired everyone was excited and most thought it was a great move. Not many disagreed.
• Charles Rogers Problems - Sure Millen did draft Rogers, but I don’t think anyone expected him to have the injuries or off the field problems he had. His career started out fast and he looked like he was going to be something special before the first collarbone injury. Don’t see how that’s Millen’s fault.
• Quarterback situation - The only problem I see from Millen here is giving in to the signing of Garcia. Harrington has struggled, but how many games has he played with his full compliment of players. Not many.

Those are just a couple of examples off the top of my head.

Please let’s just stop whining about Millen and let’s get some positive energy behind this team.

And I missed it all, thanks wife and kids!

Seahawks going to the Super Bowl - Good for them and for Mike Holmgren. I always liked Holmgren and am glad to see his efforts in Seattle come through. Another team off the list of never having been to a Super Bowl. I honestly can’t believe the Seahawks beat the Lions. I remember years ago thinking there is no way Seattle will ever get to a Super Bowl. Oh well.

Steelers win three straight road playoff games - I am a big fan of the Steelers, they are my second favorite team behind the Lions, and Bill Cowher is one of my favorite coaches. Jerome Bettis is one of the all-time greats and it’s neat to see him return to the Motor City for one last crack at a Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XL: Steelers vs. Seahawks - My initial gut reaction (the gut is smaller now, but I still get some good reactions) is to pick the Steelers. So that’s what I am going to do. I think Big Ben will continue to work his magic and I think the Bus will be fired up for his last game. Steelers 27, Seahawks 21.

Wings 4, Avalanche 3 - I watched about 2 minutes of this game, and it happened to be in the first period when the Wings scored goals 1:48 apart.

Pistons 99, Rockets 97 - All I read about was “The Pass” and then went to ESPN.com to see it and it’s not even one of their highlights from the game, all they showed was McGrady and his 43 points in a LOSING effort. Great job T-Mac!

Kobe’s 81 - WOW! The amazing part to me was that it was in very competitive game. Sorry Lebron, but I can’t imagine a better player in the NBA right now.

TigerFest - I wish I could have gone down to check it out, but I am excited for the 2006 season regardless. I can’t wait to see what Leyland can do with this team. Kenny Rogers is a great addition, and will bring the veteran presense to the mound that is desperately needed. Todd Jones will give us solid innings as the closer. Spring training can’t get here fast enough.

China Fair - The father-in-law is taking me too my annual birthday all-you-can-eat buffet at China Fair. I am already hungry for the sesame chicken!

The Northwest Conference might be looking a little different this spring. The league is waiting on Manton, who is looking at moving back to the Highland Conference, and what they are going to do. Suttons Bay, Glen Lake, Kingsley, Mesick and Frankfort are the other teams in the Northwest.

Read Domino effect: Manton’s decision may alter league alignments in the Record Eagle
Read Ski Valley may be part of league change in the Record Eagle

My View: It’s a good article and many schools will be affected by this move. It will probably be the end of the Northwest as we know it. My guess, Suttons Bay, Kingsley and Glen Lake move to the Lake Michigan, while Frankfort and Mesick join either the Highland or maybe the West Michigan D league.

Leland finished up a perfect day by defeating Suttons Bay 25-13, 25-15 to capture the Glen Lake Invitational. It was Suttons Bay’s only loss on the day. Glen Lake fell to Suttons Bay in the semifinals.

Read Comets win at Glen Lake Volleyball Invitational in the Record Eagle

Here’s an article with some of the latest quotes about Rod Marinelli from former bosses, players and fellow coaches. Lots of positive stuff and the concensus is that the Lions got a great coach who is the perfect fit for them. I hope everyone is right!

Read What they’re saying about Marinelli at MLive

My View: Here’s what I say about Marinelli…

Leelanau Sports Guy, Lions fan since mid-70’s: “Rod will do a great job, I have no doubt about it. He has helped build one of the best defenses in the league over the last few seasons. He will bring discipline and toughness to a team that desperately needs it. He will be the coach to deliver the Lions a championship! Plus what a bargain at 4 years at $2 millions a season!”

Leland’s Alisha Glass has been nominated as one of 10 finalists for Michigan’s Miss Volleyball Award. Glass has signed to play volleyball for the Penn State Nittany Lions next season. She holds state and national records for career aces and aces in one season. She was recently named the Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year.

Read And the Miss Volleyball finalists are… in the Freep

Update! I just watched the press conference, and I think this is going to be a good fit. Marinelli is no nonsense and values fundamentals. This could be alot of fun.
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It’s a shock to just about everyone I know, but the Lions are reportedly going to announce the signing of Tampa Bay assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli as head coach. He has been with the Buccaneers the last 10 seasons. He has never been a head coach at any level.

Let’s just hope Millen is right this time.

Read Lions nearing agreement with Marinelli, source says at Yahoo! Sports

My View: The first thing I thought was, “at least it’s not Haslett”. Seriously, after I start looking this is a very good move. A defense-first coach is definitely the way I wanted to see them go. Marinelli fits that mold perfectly. He has helped build one of the best defenses in football over the last 10 years and has helped the Bucs set a number of records. Over the last few years teams have wanted to hire him, but the Bucs wouldn’t let him out of his contract. This could be the break the Lions have been looking for. I wish him much luck, he is going to need it.

Another side note is that alot of the recent hirings have been unexpected and surprising which has left alot of other high-profile coaches out there as possible coordinators. The Lions have acted early enough to take advantage of this and should end up with a solid staff.

Also here’s a link I missed over the last few days about Lions fans picks for players of year…

Read Fans’ Choice Awards: 2005 Players of the Year at DetroitLions.com

The icy, snowy conditions caused many games to be cancelled last night. Make up dates have been announced.

T.C. Home School at Leelanau School, January 31

Leland at Suttons Bay, February 6

The Glen Lakes girls ski team defeated Onekama, Bellaire and Benzie Central to capture a Lake Michigan Conference meet. The Lakers Ali Drake won the slalom and finished second in the giant slalom to lead the way. The Lakers co-op with Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau St. Mary.

Read Glen Lake girls, Benzie boys triumph in LMSC in the Record Eagle [you will have to scroll down]

Leland star Alisha Glass has earned the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year for volleyball. It has been an amazing high school career for Glass, as she gets ready to head to Penn State to continue her volleyball career.

Read Glass earns state honor in the Record Eagle

I have never been able to figure out why NFL officials work part-time and most have other jobs they do when not officiating. The NFL has money, lots of it, why can’t they give officials a hefty salary and work year round? The players make lots of money, so they should be able to ante up for the officials too. A good article on the subject below.

Read Make the right call, NFL at Yahoo! Sports

Two recent Michigan graduates captured the “World Series of Beer Pong” title in Las Vegas. Jason Coben and Nick Velissaris will split a $10,000 grand prize.

Read U. of Michigan grads win national beer pong title at MLive.com

Here’s some of the things I learned while watching some of the games over the weekend.

• Bill Cowher is a great coach. Letting his offense throw early and engineering a solid defensive performance (along with Dick LeBeau), proved once again that he is one of the best.

• The Colts are far from perfect. What a disappointing ending to an otherwise great season. I will admit I was pulling for the Colts because of Tony Dungy, but to see them fall flat on their respective faces was hard. Peyton Manning didn’t play well.
• I wouldn’t want to play the Panthers. They can beat you alot of different ways. The Panthers/Seahawks game will be awesome.
• Nobody gives Plummer any credit. He played a solid game against the Pats and didn’t make any major mistakes. Give him his due.
• I hope the Lions hire Russ Grimm. I think he will be a perfect fit for the Lions. The Steelers offensive line is one of the best and they run block and pass block equally well. The Lions need some of that.

Leland finished 6-0 on the day as they captured the T.C. West Invitational for the second straight year. They defeated T.C. West in the final 25-19, 25-16. Along the way they defeated T.C. Central, Hart, and Freeland in pool play. The Trojans again in the quarters, and Cedar Springs in the semifinals. Jennifer Hecht and Alisha Glass each registered 18 aces.

Read Leland defends its title in the Record Eagle

Liz Shimek keeps setting records and recently became the first Spartan woman to reach the 1,000 mark in both points and rebounds.

Read Making her mark at the Record Eagle