Stadium Journey is…

a brand-new web venture. Our goal is to become a world-class community resource for sports fans, built around optimizing the experience of traveling to and attending live sporting events. We provide top-notch editorial content and reviews of sports stadiums. We rely on fans to provide tips and information about their favorite home stadium, or a first time impression. By sharing our knowledge, we can make every trip to the ballpark, stadium, or arena the very best it can be. Enjoy the journey!

I also found some other reviews of stadiums in our great state of Michigan, give them a read if you’re thinking of heading to a game!

Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers (My View: I love Comerica Park, but miss the closeness of old Tiger Stadium. You’re so far away from the action, but that’s how stadiums are built today.)

The Palace of Auburn Hills – Detroit Pistons (My View: I’ve had many great memories from games and concerts. Grant Hill vs. Michael Jordan was one of my favorites!)

Ford Field – Detroit Lions (My View: It looks great from the outside!)

Joe Louis Arena – Detroit Red Wings (I’ll always remember my first game at Joe Louis Arena. We were sitting in a suite of a friend’s uncle and we had a blast! Bob Probert had some monster hits and the Wings defeated the hated Chicago Blackhawks. I don’t remember the score, can’t find the ticket stub right now, but I know I didn’t leave the arena hungry!)

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Read What to Expect? at DetroitLions.com

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.

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

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!

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

Play How many NFL football teams can you name in 3 minutes? at JetPunk.com

It’s time for the league’s image protecting commissioner, Roger Goodell, to get as tough with an increasingly incompetent owner as he would with a misbehaving player. If the hard line approach is about protecting the NFL, then what’s worse for the league right now than the chaos and carnage of the winless, hopeless, helpless Detroit Lions?

That would be great, as would either of these scenarios…

The best case would be to get Ford Sr. to transfer power to his son, William Clay Ford Jr., who at least had the wherewithal to push for the firing of Millen earlier this season.

If that’s not possible, then do what NBA commissioner David Stern did with the New York Knicks. He took self-destructive owner James Dolan (like Ford Sr. little more than a bumbling trust fund) and all but forced him to hire respected basketball executive Donnie Walsh. Half a season later the franchise has been stabilized.

It doesn’t really sound that hard does it? Please get to work on this Commissioner Goodell!

Read Detroit debacle must be stopped at Yahoo! Sports