Webber's Comments Ignite Controversy

Chris Webber was on TNT Sunday night and had some not so kind things to say about Flip Saunders, and the Detroit Pistons.

April 28, Detroit Free Press: When asked about the the feeling in the locker room during halftime: "No disrespect to Flip (Saunders), but it doesn't matter what Flip says," Webber said....

The Pistons "are really nonchalant and that's why I felt we lost last year (in the Eastern Conference Finals)," Webber said.

"It sounds crazy, but they could care less. That locker room is crazy, disciplined and unruly. Disciplined because they police themselves, they are all veterans, they know they've got to be in bed, they know they've got to work hard, I'm not talking about on the court. They come from a coach like Larry Brown, they look at him like the epitome of basketball, and they feel they can wait until the last game or the championship and they won't lose. I'm not saying it's right, but that's how it is."

Listening to local sports talk radio today, Detroiters seemed to be really p.o.'ed about Webber's comments. But I am confused as to why? Webber has no reason to lie about his opinions and I myself believe they are true.

The Pistons lack of respect for Flip Saunders is especially evident during timeouts. It's not uncommon to see Rasheed not even in the huddle, Chauncey staring off in the distance and Rip fiddling with his mask. These guys are veteran players who police themselves and could care less what Flip has to say. These guys are going to do what they want to do and its unfortunate because if the Pistons fail to win the Eastern Conference this year there are rumors of Flip's job being on the line. Which is totally ridiculous!

How many times are we going to flip coaches (no pun intended) until these players decide they like the coach and want to listen to what he has to say? And to all of you who want Flip gone, who are the Pistons going to bring in?? We've already been through some of the top coaches in the league in Rick Carlisle and Larry Brown. Short of bringing back Chuck Daly, these Pistons starters are just arrogant enough to think that there isn't any coach they can bring in that could possibly add any value to their game.

The Lions know Talent

Another draft, another set of players who will fall drastically short of expectations. For just that split second though, the Lions looked like they were about to make a shrewd and calculated move. They traded down two spots and got another pick out of it.

Then came the pick at 17. Keep in mind, in the NFL draft, when you're picking in the top 20, you always pick the best available player. So it seemed like the Lions had a no brainer pick with Rashard Mendenhall still on the board, since many experts believed him to be a top 10 player, talent-wise. They could have also gone with Aquib Talib, the CB out of Kansas. It wouldn't have been horrible since we've been filling out our secondary with former Bucs.

BUT, instead, Millen selected Gozar the Gozarian, who I believe, was a character in Ghostbusters. Some O-lineman from BC that most experts had going early in the second round. Millen's respose and rationale for the selection is drafting out of need. Yes, the Lions have needs. They have a TON of needs. Start addressing the needs in the second round, AFTER you select a potential game breaker or at the very least, a special player who will make a difference.

They followed the Gozdar, or whatever, pick with an undersized linebacker in the second round. This marks the second straight year the Lions have passed on a proven Penn St. Linebacker.

Then, the Lions actually drafted a FULLBACK in the 5th round. Next to Punter, Fullback is the position that you never draft for. And to waist a fifth round pick on one. Simply amazing!

That's it. I'm done. I can't continue to discuss the Lions inept drafts year after year. In fact, hey Millen, you know what buddy? Great job. Well done. Can't wait for camp. Go Lions.

Lions 2008 Draft

Here are are the evaluations of the 2008 Detroit Lions draft picks as written by Tom Kowalski. All in all I think the Lions did a good job of drafting players to fill needs. They didn't select any big name players, but they most likely got two guys in Cherilus and Dizon who will be starters by the time the season begins.

First round (17th overall)

Gosder Cherilus
• Position: Offensive tackle
• College: Boston College
• Height/Weight: 6-6, 319
• Scouting report: He started 51 straight games in college, the first 37 at right tackle and the final 14 at left tackle. He's expected to move into the starting right tackle job for the Lions by the start of the regular season. Cherilus is a better run blocker than pass protector, but still has the skill to handle the left side in the pros -- although he's not expected to challenge Jeff Backus for that spot.

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Second round (45th overall)

Jordon Dizon
• Position: Linebacker
• College: Colorado
• Height/Weight: 6-0, 229
• Scouting report: During his career, Dizon had a total of 463 tackles, the eighth-best total in NCAA history. Dizon doesn't have great size, but he's expected to move into the starting middle linebacker spot as soon as he gets comfortable with the Tampa Two defense. The Lions will keep Paris Lenon as the starter going into camp, but Lenon will move to the strong side as soon as Dizon is ready to take over.

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Third round (64th overall)

Kevin Smith
• Position: Running back
• College: Central Florida
• Height/Weight: 6-1, 217
• Scouting report: The Lions can only hope Smith comes as close to Barry Sanders as he did in college. In the final game of his collegiate career, Smith needed 181 yards to pass Sanders' single-season rushing total of 2,628 yards. Smith fell 62 yards short, but established himself as a durable and productive player. The one record Smith did set was for most carries in a season with 450 -- topping the old record of 405 by USC's Marcus Allen in 1981. The Lions traded their sixth-round draft pick to move up two spots in the third round to get Smith.

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Third round (87th overall)

Andre Fluellen
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Florida State
• Height/Weight: 6-2, 296
• Scouting report: A left elbow injury limited his playing time last year as he started only five games but Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry said he has a clean bill of health now. Fluellen will come in and provide depth at the tackle position and will play both the under and nose tackle spots. It's unlikely that Fluellen will win a starting job but he's expected to get a lot of playing time in the rotation.

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Third round (92nd overall)

Cliff Avril
• Position: Defensive end
• College: Purdue
• Height/Weight: 6-3, 252
• Scouting report: Some teams had Avril scouted as a strong side linebacker but the Lions will use him as a defensive end, almost exclusively in pass-rushing situations. Avril could see some playing time early because he's accustomed to rushing the quarterback off the left side, the area where the Lions are going to need more pressure (veteran Dwayne White will be playing right defensive end this season).

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Fifth round (136th overall)

Kenneth Moore
• Position: Wide receiver
• College: Wake Forest
• Height/Weight: 5-11, 195
• Scouting report: Moore was drafted more for his punt return skills than his ability as a receiver and the former running back could add more versatility to the offense. Moore will compete for the No. 5 receiver position and will have to win it on special teams, not just as a returner, but in covering kicks as well.

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Fifth round (146th overall)

Jerome Felton
• Position: Fullback
• College: Furman University
• Height/Weight: 6-0, 246
• Scouting report: The Lions aren't only looking at him as a blocking fullback, but -- with the free agent loss of T.J. Duckett -- as a short yardage and goal-line running specialist. Because of his dual role, Felton might not have to knock Jon Bradley out of a job to win a roster spot.

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Seventh round (216th overall)

Landon Cohen
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Ohio
• Height/Weight: 6-3, 274
• Scouting report: Cohen doesn't have great size, but he's quick off the ball and the kind of aggressive player the Lions are looking for in the Tampa Two scheme. Because of the four veterans -- and the rookie third-round pick -- who are ahead of him, Cohen will be a longshot to make the roster.

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Seventh round (218th overall)

Caleb Campbell
• Position: Safety
• College: Army
• Height/Weight: 6-2, 229
• Scouting report: He played safety in college but because of his size, the Lions will try him at strongside linebacker to begin with. He might also get some work at nickelback. To make the roster, Campbell likely will have to make a huge impression on special teams.

Another Great Signing for the Lions

Newly signed Detroit Lions safety Kalvin Pearson was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of domestic violence, the Detroit Free Press reported.

According to the newspaper, Pearson was being held without bond after being charged with two felonies - aggravated battery on a pregnant female and domestic battery by strangulation.

The Free Press reported that Pearson was arrested at 5:45 a.m. and also charged with a misdemeanor of obstructing an officer without violence.

Wow! What a class act this guy is, assaulting a pregnant woman. Is this the type of "character guys" you are trying to bring in Marinelli?

Steroid Pic of the Day

This is definately a case of starting on steroids young. Jason Kidd has a 7 year old son with a head the size of a basketball and is challenging me for who has more facial hair. He was recently seen at one of his fathers playoff games and he already has a freaking 5 o'clock shadow. Next season he will be sporting the Magnum PI mustache. Come on J-Kidd, cut the kid some slack, he is already getting laughed at in school cause his dad is getting torched by Chris Paul in the playoffs. Don't add the torment of him being the hairest big headed kid in the history of 3rd grade.

Win or Lose, Changes Are Needed

After the 2008 NBA season has concluded Detroit Pistons President Joe Dumars needs to take a close look at his roster and realize changes need to be made.
This current enstallment of Pistons no longer has the drive or determination to put out everynight in order to claim another championship.
Next season should be a team in which Tayshaun Prince is no longer a part of, while Richard Hamilton should be shopped around for interest. Neither of these individuals are the same player they showed to be in the championship run of 2004.
Hamiltons numbers are down from almost 21 points a game to 17. He is also becoming more and more vocal with the referees and has become as much of a technical foul threat as Rasheed Wallace. His defense has steadily fallen from serviceable to just clinging on to his opponent to try to keep him close.
Prince on the other hand has become one of the biggest prima donnas in Detroit. He has forgotten what got him into the Pistons line up in the first place....defense and hustle plays. Now Prince has the notion that he is an NBA star who deserves to be able to slack off on both ends of the floor. I have news for you Mr. Prince, you are averaging 13 points and 4 rebounds a game, you have never come close to being an All Star, and you will always be no better than the fourth option on the floor. Now he is getting torched by the likes of Andre Iguodala in the playoffs....a far cry from the lockdown defender who harrassed both Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant in 2004.
So Joe, if you are listening, please bring in an infusion of players who once again are hungry and determined to play with passion on a consistant basis. Everyone thought you were crazy when you sent Jerry Stackhouse packing for a younger, hungier player in Richard Hamilton. Now it may be time to do it again.

Congrats to Wolverine Jake Long

University of Michigan offensive tackle, Jake Long has officially become the top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Long will be heading down to Miami where he will try to help build a winning franchise for the Miami Dolphins.

Long's quick feet and ability to finish a block will allow him to be successful in the NFL. He is also a tremendous run blocker which fits in nicely with the run heavy offense Bill Parcels wants to implement.