Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

Peter Schrager takes a look at some possible teams that would be interested in Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper and you might be surprised who he has as #1. I know I was…

1. Detroit Lions

Mike Martz as a coordinator, two No. 1 targets at receiver, a dome setting, a potential starting role, the familiar NFC North — it’s almost too good to be true.

Of course, the Detroit brass loves the Kitna/Stanton mentor-apprentice situation. They look for Kitna to do the same thing with Stanton that he did with Carson Palmer in Cincinnati — show the kid the ropes, and pass the reins on when the student is ready.

But the thought of Culpepper throwing those trademark deep balls to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams is pretty darn tempting. Does he have anything left? Detroit may be just desperate enough to take a gamble and find out.

Odds: As good as you’ll find out there.

I like Kitna, but it would be tempting to have Culpepper throwing those deep passes to Williams and Johnson like he did to Moss. His knee is still a question mark and he hasn’t been healthy in a couple of years. Although bringing him in as a backup, keeping Stanton at third-string and having some big-time insurance if something happens to Kitna sounds like a pretty good plan to me. Of course that means the Lions and Millen probably won’t do it.

Read Who will take a chance on Culpepper? at FOXSports.com

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

1. Marissa Treece - The Glen Lake senior captured 3 more state titles on Saturday, giving her 10 in her track/cross-country career. She heads to Notre Dame this fall and we will follow along as she looks to star at the NCAA level.

Read Ten titles for Treece in the Record Eagle

2. What’s next for Pistons? - Lots of ideas are being talked about by fans including: Firing Flip, Trading Sheed, trying to trade for Kevin Garnett or Zack Randolph, and on and on. Not sure what Joe D is going to do, but I would definitely call Minnesota and see what they want for Garnett.

3. Beach Bums - A slow start to the season has the Bums in last place in the Central Division, 5.5 games back. It’s not going to get easier with 4 games against Kalamazoo looming, but the Bums are playing better and have lost a couple of close games.

4. Lions Scouting Reports - I don’t know if you have been following Killer Kowalski’s scouting reports as he is scouting a different Lion player every day, but I have and it’s been some great info. Kevin Jones is today, go check it out!

5a. Tigers finally beat Indians - Now everyone can relax a bit as the Tigers took the final two games in Cleveland to get within 2 1/2 games of Cleveland in the A.L. Central. The Tigers are showing what they are made of as they battle with injuries and keep getting big performances from Maggs and Sheffield.

5b. Two Near The Dugout, Please - Great article by Gren Eno looking back at some run-ins with Eric the ticket taker on his trips to Tiger Stadium.

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!

Killer’s on top of all-things Lions as usual, here’s a couple of interesting things in my opinion…

Kevin Jones didn’t take part in any team activities, but he was running along the sideline. Jones, who has already had the final two screws removed from his foot, wasn’t running at full speed, but he was running. I’m not a doctor — I don’t even play on on TV — but considering this is the middle of May, I’ve got to believe that’s a very good sign.

That is a very good sign. A healthy Kevin Jones, to go along with Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, will give the Lions lots of explosiveness in the backfield. Of course someone could be traded, but with Jones injury history, the more the better in my opinion.

Before the hamstring injury, Roy Williams looked like he was in mid-season form. He was quick, his routes were good and he caught the ball — over the middle and tip-toeing the sideline — every time it was thrown to him.

The injury was minor according to Killer, so the fact that Roy is ready to roll means that this offense is going to be clicking early and often. I can’t wait for opening kickoff!

Read Impressions after first minicamp practice at MLive.com blog: Lions Insider

I don’t know how Big Al does it, but he finds a way to get access to Matt Millen’s private emails to Lions officials and coaches. The latest answers some of the 2007 NFL Draft questions and selections…

Read Matt Millen explains the 2007 draft at The Wayne Fontes Experience

The NFL Draft - I am in a NFL Draft contest again this year (last year I got 1 right) and I have absolutely no idea who is going where. The Lions have many options and they have to wait to see what the Raiders are going to do before they can get really serious about the draft. I like the Lions to trade down to #4 and then get Gaines Adams. It’s the position they need the most and Adams appears to be an impact player. Read Dan Wetzel’s column The misadventures of Millen if you want to laugh and be scared at the same time!

Maggs - Is it me, or is Magglio Ordonez quietly having a great start to 2007. He’s first on the Tigers in RBI’s, 2B’s, Runs, OBP, SLG & OPS, and he’s second in HR’s and BA, but no one’s talking about him. This is the Maggs that people weren’t sure we would ever see again, but he appears to be healthy and back to normal. I now it’s early, but Maggs playing like this is huge as Sheffield and the bottom of the order struggle.

Wings vs. Sharks - The Wings are in for a tough series, that should go seven games, and I like there chances with home-ice. They struggled against the Sharks during the regular season, losing 3 of 4, but they played two very solid games to finish off Calgary and will hopefully carry that momentum into tonight’s game. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost tonight either. It’s just going to be that kind of series.

Pistons vs. Magic - If Detroit is going to lose one, tonight’s the night. I just don’t see it happening. I think they will sweep the Magic and get some rest for the Bulls. Chicago is going to be the toughest team (and series) in the Eastern Conference.

High School Baseball - If you aren’t busy on Saturday, head over to Wuerfel Park to watch Lake Leelanau St. Mary take part in the inaugural Beach Bums Division 3 & 4 Invitational Tournament. The Eagles face Traverse City St. Francis at 10 AM, followed by Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart and Gaylord St. Mary’s at noon. A consolation and championship game will follow. Tickets are $5 for the entire day, and let me tell you Wuerfel Park is not a bad place to watch a game!

Random Stuff - Could less people be excited that Barry Bonds is now at 741 home runs? Seriously, no one cares outside of San Francisco. There’s not much better than Fantasy Baseball. Winning or losing, it’s just fun! I can’t wait for the Beach Bums season to start, it was exciting (and well played) baseball to watch last summer, and I look for more of the same as the Bums have added some good talent along with their “new” coach! Lots of people have Drew Stanton going very high in the draft, and I think be a good pick and could be a legitimate starter in the NFL!

A look at some of the great, and not-so-great drafts by NFL teams. Of course our beloved Lions have lots to choose from in the worst draft pick department, Andre Ware comes to mind, but the author went with a more recent pick than that…

Read Best and worst draft picks: NFC at Fox Sports

At this point I have no idea who the Lions are going to take with the #2 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. There is still the possibility of trading down and getting more picks too, but I believe they are going to keep the pick. I haven’t been able to decide between tackle Joe Thomas, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, one of the quarterbacks or a defensive player. But the Lions Insider Killer Kowalski thinks they should address their #1 need and that’s defensive end, so that means Gaines Adams. It’s not a popular pick by many, but it might be the right pick.

Read With the No. 2 selection, I would take … at the MLive.com Lions Insider Blog

Photo from Scout.com

If the greatest player in the history of your franchise says “You always have to shore up your line of scrimmage” then I would listen. Sure Barry Sanders was a running back so the offensive line is important to him, but he’s right. Super Bowl teams have solid offensive lines that protect their quarterback and allow you to run the bowl effectively. Come on Millen get it right this year!

Read Barry Sanders: Start building up front in the Detroit News

ESPN: The Magazine’s latest sports city power rankings are out in the latest issue and the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers all make Detroit proud, while the “you-know-whos”, well, they don’t. Check it out!

Read Detroit is top-rated sports city … mostly at Absolute Michigan

On a unrelated note, I found this great quote about the cancellation of the Tigers game on Thursday due to snow and wind.

“I think if we were playing, Al Gore should have been there to throw out the first pitch,” first-base coach Andy Van Slyke quipped.

Van Slyke has always been a favorite of mine due to his all-out play, but when you factor in his antics and quotes he might be #1!

Brian Wittkop Sr. loves electric football, so much that he wants to start a league in Northern Michigan. Wittkop has 25 game boards and teams from the NFL and college, many he painted himself.

Electric football pits two players head-to-head using plastic players with bases (some can be adjusted) that will move them in a desired direction. Little foam footballs can be thrown or carried by the players and field goals can be kicked. I had better settle down, or I won’t be able to work this afternoon.

“There’s a quaintness to this and it’s social,” said Wittkop, 48, who belonged to a league when he lived in Monroe.

Wittkop is among tens of thousands of people who now play it, said Ira H. Silverman, a spokesman for Miggle Toys Inc. of Highland Park, Ill., which sells the sets and accessories online and elsewhere.

“When the Internet came around, guys in Florida, Texas or Michigan started talking to each other about it,” Wittkop said. “I keep in touch with guys all over the country. I have an e-mail list of about 200.”

I have many fond memories of playing electric football and I still have my field in the basement, the 1985 Super Bowl Bears vs. Patriots edition. I might just have to set it up soon and play a game. Maybe even practice up enough to join the NMEFL (Northern Michigan Electric Football League).

Read Good vibrations on the gridiron in the Record Eagle
Purchase Electric Football Sets/Equipment at Miggle Toys
Visit Brian Wittkop Sr.’s Electric Football Web site

You can even watch video of Electric Football action…

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.

Finally catching up on reading some email and saw this from DraftSharks about the upcoming NFL Draft and in particular some rumors surrounding the Lions #2 pick.

Speaking of McNabb, there is one interesting trade rumor we heard last week: Detroit trades the #2 pick (Brady Quinn) to Philadelphia for McNabb and the 26th overall pick.

Detroit’s #2 pick is not an enviable spot, at least for them. They will probably be staring WR Calvin Johnson in the face, but after taking three 1st-round receivers since 2003 - Charles Rogers (miss), Roy Williams (hit), Mike Williams (miss) - they simply can’t go that route again. So the country’s best player is almost prohibited from being a Lion. QB is always an issue in the Motor City. Do they take Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell if available? Jon Kitna played well but got sloppy down the stretch, finishing with a league-leading 31 turnovers (22 INTs, 9 fumbles lost). He’ll be 35 this season too. Plus, RBs Kevin Jones (foot) and Brian Calhoun (knee) are facing major rehabs and there’s a chance neither will be ready for training camp. Draft Adrian Peterson? Trade the #2 pick for Clinton Portis? And here’s the worst part… The decisions will ultimately be made by the worst sports executive in America: Matt Millen.

McNabb? Wow, that would be something else, but he is so injury prone now, I wouldn’t bother. Clinton Portis would be interesting to trade for, but he also has injuries that sideline him from time to time. Seriously, I think the best thing the Lions could do is to draft Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson. Kevin Jones isn’t proving to be very durable and the Lions could use a gamebreaker in the backfield. Peterson fits the bill.

The Lions didn’t let Mike Furrey getaway, and that’s wonderful news for Lions fans. Furrey was easily the most surprising Lions player this past year, grabbing 98 receptions for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. Not bad for a former safety, who Mike Martz converted to wide receiver. Rod Marinelli likes players who work hard and play the game the right way, which is why it was imperative to keep Furrey.

“This is a great day,” Marinelli said. “You want to reward men for performing for the Detroit Lions, so this contract sends a strong message to all of our players. Mike earned this, not just because of his play on the field, but because of his work ethic and character.”

With Martz looking like he will be around for at least one more year, expect another big year from Furrey, Roy Williams and the rest of the Lions offense. If quarterback Jon Kitna can cut down the turnovers, the Lions could make strides towards respectability again. Yes, I did say it.

Read Lions agree to terms with free agent WR Mike Furrey at Yahoo! Sports

It’s also the time we are going to start seeing NFL mock drafts coming from every direction, and here’s one from Yahoo! Sports John Murphy, and he has the Lions picking someone at #2 that might shock alot of fans…

Read Accelerating to Mock 1 at Yahoo! Sports

Here’s a look at the 2006 Lions season, which can be described by a couple of words - inconsistent and injuries. Those were the two things that stood out in my mind as I followed the Lions in a season which has seen them claim the #2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Coach Rod Marinelli is the right man for the job. I believe that even more after watching how the Lions played this season and especially finished. They never gave up.

Some offensive numbers were put up in pass-happy Mike Martz’s offense and that should continue next season as well.

Read Season in Review: Wrap-Up at DetroitLions.com

Photo by Gavin Smith, DetroitLions.com

The Detroit News has compiled a list of the Top Michigan athletes by jersey number. Check it out and let them know of any they missed…

Read Top 99 Athletes in the Detroit News

My View: Here’s some of my favorite jersey numbers from the list above…

#20 - Billy Sims is the main reason, but Barry Sanders has something to do with it too.

#19 - My all-time favorite Red Wing.

#52 - Hey, she’s from Leelanau County, plus she’s a great player!

#11 & #4 - They will always be together in my book as the duo led the Pistons to their first two titles.

#3 - My all-time favorite Tiger.