Adios Edgar!

The Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski confirmed Monday that he will not be picking up the final year of Edgar Renteria's contract and will be looking to find a new shortstop in 2009. Edgar would have earned $11 million next year. However the Tigers must now absorb $3 mil of that contract in order to get rid of him. I wish turning this team around was as easy as getting rid of this guy, but Mr. Dombrowski has many more moves to make in the off season in order to get Detroit out of the cellar in the A.L. Central.

Good luck Dave!

Changing of the Guard...errr I mean Running Back

Apparently the Detroit Lions rookie running back Kevin Smith has been replaced in the starting lineup by recent free agent acquisition Rudi Johnson. Kevin is letting the team know he is not happy with this move, but is willing to work hard to get it back. Smith was quoted as saying "Personally, I don't like it. I think I should be playing a lot more. But it's all about winning,''

Smith also said "I've got a new attitude. I went home at the break and got a new attitude, I'm just going to get me better. Now I'm going to work on getting myself better every day and try, not the impossible, but I've got the mindset that I'm going to try to hit a home run on every play now. I might only get one carry. If I only get one carry, I've got to make it count.''

In this year's first three games of the season, Smith had 29 carries for 102 yards (3.5-yard average) and scored one touchdown. Johnson, who was signed at the end of training camp, has 18 carries for 99 yards (5.5-yard average).

Overall I agree with this move, with how actrocious the Lions offensive line is, there is no sense in letting our talented rookie get his face punched in every Sunday.

JSR College Football Polls

1. Oklahoma Sooners
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. LSU Tigers
4. Missouri Tigers
5. Texas Longhorns
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders
8. USC Trojans
9. Georgia Bulldogs
10. South Florida Bulls
11. BYU Cougars
12. Auburn Tigers
13. Florida Gators
14. Ohio State Buckeyes
15. Kansas Jayhawks
16. Utah Utes
17. Wisconsin Badgers
18. Vanderbilt Commodores
19. Oregon Ducks
20. Oklahoma State Cowboys
21. UCONN Huskies
22. Boise State Broncos
23. Maryland Terrapins
24. Virginia Tech Hokies
25. Northwestern Wildcats

Honorable Mention

North Carolina, Michigan State, Fresno State, Ole Miss, Florida State

The Replacements

We've all heard the great news that the city of Detroit is all a buzz about this week, Matt Millen was fired! Alleluia!!

For now Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew will be holding Millen's former position of GM until a decision has been made for his replacement. One person that is already seemingly throwing his hat in the ring for the job is former GM of the Tennessee Titans, Floyd Reese.

In a recent interview with George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press, Floyd was quoted as saying "If I had Williams Clay Ford's number, you'd be hearing a dial tone right now. I'm in a unique situation. I've been in the league 32 years. ... I could be in Detroit tomorrow."

Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

Well the loyal DGF readers have spoken! In our latest survey Kwame Kilpatrick was voted the biggest disappointment of 2008 in the city of Detroit above the Big 3, Detroit Tigers and Matt Millen!

The good news is both Kwame and Matt Millen were both dismissed from their jobs this month. Good riddance to both of you!

Tigers Join Lions in Cellar

The lowly Kansas City Royals ONCE AGAIN beat our beloved Tigers tonight. Royals pitching combined to throw a four-hitter and shut out the Tigers out 5-0.

With tonight's loss the Tigers have fallen into last place in the American League Central. This has to be the most disappointing Tigers team to ever play in Detroit. Coming into this season many had this team in the ALCS, some even had them in the World Series! And now here they are in September, sitting in the cellar.

Well at least they have fellow Detroit cellar-dwellers Detroit Lions to keep them company down there.

Golden Grizzlies Climb into Top 25

The Oakland University men’s soccer team (6-1-0) climbed 4 spots in the College Soccer News Top 30 Poll to #24. OU will next travel to the University of Michigan (5-2-1) on Wednesday to battle the Wolverines.

The Golden Grizzlies lone defeat this year has come at the hands of the #2 ranked Southern Methodist University Mustangs by a score of 3-1. Oakland's most recent victory was last friday against in-state rival Western Michigan, the Grizzlies won 3-0.

Bill Ford Jr Speaks Out

In what was either said by accident out of frustration or was a calculated move, Bill Ford Jr, Vice President Chairman of the Detroit Lions said if he had the authority, which he doesn't, that he would fire Matt Millen. Reason being? The fans deserve better then the bad product they have had to endure over the last decade. Amen Brother!

It will be interesting to see what comes of this statement as William Clay Ford Sr., Bill's father, is the owner of the Detroit Lions and holds the power to hire and fire. As many already know, William Clay is an avid supporter of Millen for whatever reason.

If nothing else, I would think this would force Senior to make a rare appearance to address his son's comments. At best we could finally be free of Millen the Horrible.

JSR College Football Polls

1. USC Trojans
2. Georgia Bulldogs
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Florida Gators
5. LSU Tigers
6. Missouri Tigers
7. Wisconsin Badgers
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
13. Auburn Tigers
14. Ohio State Buckeyes
15. South Florida Bulls
16. Clemson Tigers
17. Kansas Jayhawks
18. Utah Utes
19. BYU Cougars
20. Illinois Fighting Illini
21. Colorado Buffaloes
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. TCU Horned Frogs
24. East Carolina Pirates
25. Oregon Ducks

Honorable Mention

Fresno State Bulldogs, Tennesee Vols, Virginia Tech Hokies

Millen the Horrible

If Matt Millen were an Ancient Viking he would be referred to as "Millen the Horrible", not because of how badly his crew of players kill the enemy, but for how horribly he runs a team.

I have decided NOT to write about how bad, disappointing and untalented the Lions are after their loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Why? Because what's the point? I've already wrote the same thing the last two weeks!

So instead here are some Fire Millen pictures...

Boom Goes the Dynamite!

Once in a lifetime a truly great sports broadcasting personality comes along... John Madden, Harry Carey, Dick Vitale. This guy might not be quite ready for ESPN just yet unfortunately...

Spartans Slay Irish

The Spartans continued their winning ways Saturday behind another 200-yard rushing day from their All-American candidate Javon Ringer. Ringer once again looked impressive and the Spartan defense ended Notre Dame's win streak by doing something that SDSU and UofM couldn't do against the Irish in previous weeks, sack the QB. As many thought, State proved Notre Dame isn't as good as some analysts were leading us to believe after beating a weak Aztec team and a transitioning Wolverine squad.

Although as one fellow DGFer pointed out, the key to the Spartans becoming a Big Ten Championship contender is not how well Ringer performs, but how well Hoyer plays. Hoyer's throwing percentage was under 50% this afternoon with no passing touchdowns. Hoyer needs to get better if this team is going to be a contender.

Rooting against the Home Town Team

Many Detroiters are finding themselves actually preparing to cheer AGAINST their home town Lions this Sunday as they play against the San Francisco 49ers. Reason being that if the Lions lose again in week 3, they will not only be 0-3, but also will have lost to former Lions Offensive Coordinator, now current San Fran O-Coordinator Mike Martz. Martz of course was run out of Detroit last year as the reason they were so bad.

The Detroit fans are thinking that this may FINALLY be the nail in the coffin of Matt Millen. Why? Well 0-3 will likely spell another year of not making the playoffs for the Lions and they will have lost to who they blamed for their losing ways AND also to J.T. O'Sullivan, a QB who apparently wasn't good enough to play in the D.

JSR 2008 College Football Poll

1. USC Trojans
2. Georgia Bulldogs
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Florida Gators
5. LSU Tigers
6. Missouri Tigers
7. Wisconsin Badgers
8. Texas Longhorns
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
12. Auburn Tigers
13. Oregon Ducks
14. East Carolina Pirates
15. Ohio State Buckeyes
16. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
17. South Florida Bulls
18. Clemson Tigers
19. Kansas Jayhawks
20. Utah Utes
21. Nebraska Cornhuskers
22. West Virginia Mountaineers
23. Fresno State Bulldogs
24. Florida State Seminoles
25. Illinois Fighting Illini

Honorable Mention
TCU Horned Frogs
Tennessee Vols
Colorado Buffaloes
Virginia Tech Hokies
Iowa Hawkeyes

Spartans Win Sign of More to Come?

The Michigan State Spartans shutout their opponent for the first time since 1999 against Northwestern, which ended in a 17-0 victory over mid-major Florida Atlantic. While this can be seen as a large accomplishment for the Spartans, I'd warn the fans to not get too excited just yet as it being a pre-cursor to future victories.

The Owls' had three significant blown opportunities that could have easily changed the game from a shut out loss to going into over time. As ridiculous as it sounds after a 17-0 shut out, I'd even venture to say FAU had enough dropped and misdirected passes that they might have won in regulation, if they just hit their wide open players.

The other thing to consider is it was a down pour for much of the game and FAU's bread and butter is the passing game, which of course was at a minimum due to slippery conditions.

So while State did in the end take care of business and Javon Ringer looked good on a muddy track, I'd caution Sparty fans to hope for better play then this from their team if they hope to crack the top 3 in the Big Ten this year or next.

Wolverines Lose in Fumble Filled Game

Wolverine fans knew this year and next would definitely be rebuilding years for Michigan, but personally I didn't think it would be this bad. Seven penalties for 79 yards, seven fumbles, four lost fumbles and two interceptions against a bad Notre Dame team. It's even more frustrating for fans and Rich Rodriguez that Michigan arguably wasn't beaten by their opponent on Saturday, but by themselves.

The lone bright spot for Michigan was of emerging multi-use threat Sam McGuffie. Sam rushed 25 times for 131 yards, caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, and did not fumble.The kid has earned his spot as a frosh starter and I look forward to seeing him develop.

Evan Tanner Found Dead in the Desert

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Evan Tanner was found dead in the desert near Palo Verde, Calif. on Monday. He was 37 years old. Tanner had ventured into the desert on a journey to "cleanse" himself, according to his blog. These "cleansing" trips were nothing new to him as he had done them several times over the passed few years. Tanner was thought to have just succumbed to the deadly 115 degree heat after his motorcycle had run out of gas. One of his last entries on his blog was an ominous one. Evan had made mention that for this trip he wanted to purchase the best gear he could buy, as he planned on trekking deeper into the desert then ever before and one faulty piece of equipment could prove fatal.

The Earth Rotates on its Axis & The Lions Lose a Football Game

Your Detroit Lions opened up the 8th edition of the Millen era with a loss. In other news, water is essential for the existence of life.

The Lions came out and laid an egg in Atlanta as the Falcons ran the ball down the Lions' throats. Newcomer and career backup, Michael Turner, led the way with 220 yards and two scores. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan threw a long TD pass on his first career pass attempt. He went on to play a conservative, mistake-free game. The Lions rarely got to him, therefore couldn't rattle him. The Lions defense couldn't wrap up the runners or make a tackle.

The offense isn't off the hook either. At times the offense was out of sync. Routes being cut off (leading to interceptions), the offensive line not blocking anybody, and Jon Kitna arguing with anybody in a coach's headset that he could find.

Nobody on this team was prepared for yesterday. Funny, because Rod Marinelli keeps preaching repeatedly how prepared and fundamentally sound this team is. "Pound the Rock." "Work Hard." "Be Prepared." Didn't see any of that yesterday.

And where are the draft picks. 2007 2nd round pick Alama-Francis - deactivated. 2008 First rounder Gosder Cherillus - didn't play. 2008 2nd round pick Jordon Dizon - played sparingly. What does that tell you about the talent and draft prowess of this team?

With any luck the home opener will be blacked out this Sunday and we can all enjoy a late summer weekend, before it's too late.

What a disaster of a football organization.

Haskins Broke Down Cultural Barriers

Don Haskins, the Hall of Fame collegiate coach who broke down athletic color barriers died Sunday at the age of 78. Haskins was best remembered for leading the Texas Western basketball team to a national basketball championship by starting five black players against an all-white, heavily favored Kentucky team coached by Adolph Rupp. The story was later made into the 2006 movie Glory Road.

Same S**** Different Day

Well once again the Detroit Lions have put us in awe of just how low a franchise can sink. They lose their season opener to arguably the least talented team in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons. There are no excuses for this loss, this should have been an easy "W".

Year after year us as fans some how get sucked into how the Lions have supposedly improved in the off season, how they are going to pound the rock this year, how Mike Martz was holding them back, how the defense will be better once Marinelli has his Tampa 2 personnel, how once they get all the negative attitudes out of the lockeroom things will improve....

Well here we are again at the beginning of a new year and the Lions come out and look like garbage in the first game. Not only do they look like they lack talent all over the field, but it looks like they have the same exact problems as last year. The O-line sucks, the linebackers can't tackle, the D-line looks like they belong on the practice squad and now Jon Kitna seems even fed up with the coaching, as he was caught in a shouting match with the recievers coach during the game. I wonder if this has anything to do with the majority of our off season signings coming via players who left/were released from Tampa Bay??

Not since the Washington Generals, the lovable losers that could never beat the Harlem Globetrotters, has a professional franchise looked so incomprehensibly inept. I'm tired of Marinelli's excuses for this team and if I have to see that stupid Lions commercial asking "Do you believe in now?" one more time I'm going to hurl.

Jobs that Tatum Bell Would Be Great At

Now that Tatum Bell, formerly of the Detroit Lions is seeking new employment after being caught stealing Rudi Johnson's bags from Detroit Lions Offices, I've assembled a list of jobs he would be great at and should consider for future employment.

1. Bell Hop
2. Pizza Hut Table Clearer
3. Litter Picker Upper
4. Airport Luggage Handler
5. CFL Running Back

UofM Lands Big QB Recruit

From Detroit News.com

Tate Forcier, rated the nation's No. 6 dual-threat quarterback, committed to the Wolverines on Sunday, according to Rivals.com and Scout.com.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Forcier visited Michigan on Saturday to observe the Wolverines' 25-23 loss to Utah. Forcier chose Michigan over Arizona State, Penn State, Oregon and Texas A&M, among others.

The Wolverines also received commitments over the weekend from running back Vincent Smith and linebacker Brandin Hawthorne, both from Pahokee, Fla. They were high school teammates of current U-M freshman receiver Martavious Odoms, who started Saturday.

Lions sign Rudi Johnson

The Detroit Lions have signed free agent running back Rudi Johnson formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals and have agreed to terms with him on a one-year deal. Johnson will replace Tatum Bell as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart and is expected to split time with starter Kevin Smith. Tatum Bell will most likely be released this week by the Lions with the addition of Johnson.