Just got an email from the Detroit Insider saying Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers may be sidelined for 3 months!

Follow updates in the link below…

Read Kenny Rogers will be out three months at MotownSports.com

A quick look on the internet showed me a couple of things maybe of interest to Tigers fans. First, Kenny Rogers has “arm fatique” and will be on the DL to start the season, missing at least one start. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come for the Tigers this season.

Second, former Tiger coach and player Kirk Gibson has joined the Arizona Diamondbacks coaching staff.

Also I was checking out the Free Press and if you are looking to score Tiger autographs, you had better be ready to fork out some cash!

Read Tiger autographs get big bucks at Freep.com

A look at the Detroit Tigers pitching staff from the eyes of Big Al at The Wayne Fontes Experience. He likes the Tigers pitchers alot, and breaks them down as only Big Al can. Enjoy!

Read The Detroit Tigers, contenders or pretenders? Part 1 - Pitching staff at The Wayne Fontes Experience

Here’s an article I stumbled upon talking about the AL Central compared to the rest of the league…

Read How the AL Central became baseball’s best at Fox Sports

Traverse City Beach Bums broadcaster Chad Cooper is moving to affiliated baseball after accepting a position with the Vero Beach Devil Rays of the Florida State League. Cooper was the Frontier League Broadcaster of the Year in 2005. This will be his eighth season in professional broadcasting.

“When people ask me what my ultimate career goals are, I would tell them that I was no different from the players in the Frontier League,” said Cooper. “I want to be a Major League broadcaster and this is a large step in trying to achieve that goal.”

Read Cooper moves to affiliated broadcasting at TCBeachBums.com
Read A Letter to the fans, from Chad Cooper at TCBeachBums.com
Visit the Vero Beach Devil Rays Official Site at VBDRays.com

One of my favorite days of the year is opening day, and on Monday, April 2nd, the Detroit Tigers will open their 2007 season at home versus the Toronto Blue Jays. Jeremy Bonderman gets the starting nod, as the Tigers look to defend their AL Pennant.

My prediction for 2007 is another strong season like last year. The AL Central might just be the best division in baseball and unfortunately one or two great teams might miss out on the playoffs (like the White Sox last season). The Tigers added the big bat they needed by trading for Gary Sheffield and other than that, the roster is pretty much the same. Pitching will be the key for the Tigers run to the playoffs, but with another year under their belts, the Tigers young arms should be ready for the challenge.

Read Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2007 at Absolute Michigan

This has nothing to do with the Tigers or Opening Day, but Rasheed Wallace hit a 60-footer last night to send the game into overtime versus Nuggets. The Pistons went on to win, check out the highlights!

My bracket isn’t even horrible, it’s worse than that. I did pick Georgetown correctly, but so has everyone else, so that’s not saying much. Ohio State vs. Georgetown, and Florida vs. UCLA should make for an exciting Final Four!

Right now the folks at BetUS.com have Ohio State and Florida as the favorites. They are the #1 seeds, so that makes sense, but I think Georgetown and UCLA could easily win it all, but again, don’t listen to me!

You can bet reliably, securely and legally at BetUS.com and use their handy betting section for March Madness, including a podcast, to help you make an informed bet! Check them out!

Opinions on five current Detroit & national sports topics from yours truly…

1. March Madness - My brackets are decorated with lots of red X’s but I still have my champions left (Kansas in my “A” bracket and Georgetown in the “B”). I admit I haven’t watched any games yet, and for some reason gave up listening to sports radio for Lent (I clearly wasn’t thinking), but I just haven’t been that excited about it. Not many upsets and some blowouts don’t keep people on the edge of their seats.

2. Justin Verlander - He has struggled this spring, but I think everyone can relax as he didn’t throw much over the winter. He will be back to normal by April 1st. I like him to win 17 or 18 games again this year as he continues to learn how to pitch…

3. Todd Bertuzzi - His debut is now here, but Babcock isn’t expecting much right now. All eyes will be on Bertuzzi in the playoffs though as by then he should have some games under his belt and be moving close to full speed. He was a great addition and should help the Wings stay physical in the playoffs.

4. Chauncey Billups - This injury could be a blessing in disguise as Billups get some rest before the playoffs. A fresh, healthy Billups will guarantee the Pistons a trip to the Finals. Now about Rip’s struggles…

5. Michigan Basketball - I am a huge Spartans fan, but I would just love to see Tom Crean get the job just to go head-to-head with Tom Izzo. You would have two terrific and competitive programs. That would be something to see. If I was hiring right now, I would be looking towards West Virginia for my next coach…

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

The Freep’s Son of Swami loves this time of year and he has his annual semifinals predictions all set! He likes the Bellaire Eagles to advance to the Class D finals with a victory over Cedarville. The Eagles will have their hands full, but if they play like they did in the Quarterfinal the other night, they will be tough to stop.

I had never been to a game at Traverse City West with a better (or bigger) crowd. The atmosphere was electric and both teams played well. Bellaire’s Cody Bock was the difference as he drained 6 3-pointers from all over the floor and single-handedly kept the Eagles in the game.

Should be a fun time for the Eagles, my prediction is Bellaire 54, Cedarville 49.

The other northern Michigan team still alive, Charlevoix, takes on a tough Saginaw Nouvel team. SOS doesn’t like their chances, but don’t count them out!

Read SOS can’t get enough of E. Lansing in the Freep
Read It’s back to the Breslin for Bellaire in the Record Eagle

You can follow all the action at MHSAA.com and listen to webcasts of the semis and finals!

Michigan State used a terrific defensive performance and basically cruised to a 61-49 win over #8 seed Marquette. The Spartans now face the East’s #1 seed North Carolina on Saturday night. Freshman Raymar Morgan led the way with 14 points and 9 rebounds and MSU held the Golden Eagles scoreless until midway through the first half. Drew Neitzel and Marquise Gray added 12 points each.

Tom Izzo had a great defensive game plan and it paid off as they held Marquette to 5 2-point field goals for the entire game.

“I don’t want to just be a defensive team — basketball is a two-way game,” Izzo said. “Saying that, if you can only be good at one, your chances of moving on are better if it’s the defensive end.”

This is turning out to be quite a “down year” for the Spartans. Many didn’t expect them to make the tournament, let alone win a game, and now they are into the second round and a date with North Carolina. The Spartans should give Carolina a good game, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled off the upset, I just don’t think it’s likely. I love March Madness!

Read (9) Michigan St. 61, (8) Marquette 49 at Yahoo! Sports

Also, Big Al has a nice breakdown on his loves and hates of March Madness, it’s worth clicking…

Read Why I love, and hate, the NCAA tournament at The Wayne Fontes Experience

Just got an email from the Insider and he has some questions I hope I can find answers too…

When does the tournament start? Also, did you know that Tom Crean and Tom Izzo are friends?

Anyone that can help us out, please post a comment!

It’s been a few years since I did this, but just got an email asking, so it’s back! This is your personal invite to join me and other Leelanau sports fans as we see who can pick the best bracket during the 2007 March Madness NCAA Tournament.

Traditionally I don’t fair very well, as I am a homer (pick MSU every year) or just plain stupid (pick Kansas to the Final Four every year), but it’s still fun and I look forward to beating all of you.

In order to join the group, just follow this link.

You will need a Yahoo! account to enter, and that should do it. Any questions or problems leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com.

Note: If you have a Yahoo! Account you can follow (and hopefully join) the action at http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/men/group/60656!

The big names in the trade are CB Dre Bly for RB Tatum Bell, but the Lions actually helped themselves alot more than that. They also traded a 6th round pick for the Broncos 5th (might not be much of a move, but it is higher) and also added former 1st round pick right tackle George Foster.

The bad news from this trade is that Dre Bly will be missed as a shaky secondary gets even shakier, and that the Lions must fear that Kevin Jones injury is going to keep him out for a while. Tatum Bell has had his moments, he rushed for over 1,000 yards last year (although everyone does in Denver, heck I think KA would rack up 1,000!), but he does fumble at bad times. He does have great speed and can break the long runs and seems to be a pretty good fit for the Martz system.

In my opinion, it looks like Millen got about as much as he was going to get for Bly and pulled the trigger. It’s not often you hear this, but Great Job Matt!

Read Bye-bye, Bly: Lions get 1,000-yard rusher Bell, ship corner to Denver in the Freep
Read Note To Mr. Millen: at KevinAntcliff.com

Also from a fantasy perspective here’s some thoughts on the trade from Draft Sharks…

Wow, there’s several fantasy scenarios to consider here. One, the Lions obviously believe RB Kevin Jones’ devastating foot sprain will land him on PUP and keep him out for at least the first 4-6 games. Tatum Bell is their starter unless they draft Adrian Peterson, which is unlikely. Bell’s not as physical as Jones (weighs 10 lbs less) but he can take it to the hizzy with 4.3 speed. Detroit’s spread offense under Mike Martz gives the tailback a chance to hit creases and catch a lot of passes. Last season Martz made Jones a poor man’s Marshall Faulk and deployed him all over the field: He was on pace for 1,700 total yards from scrimmage and double-digit TDs before he wrecked his foot.

I was kind of hoping the Lions would grab Peterson, but it looks like they will probably go a different direction. My guess now is they are going defense in the first round, and will probably end up trading down a couple of picks to do it. Marinelli is a defense guy, and the Lions have lots of holes on that side of the ball. I know the offensive line needs help, but I think the Lions can address that later in the draft.