Bleacher Report - Articles by SB

Joe Dumars I Take It Back, You ARE A Genius.

SB — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:20:43 -0400

Yes, in my first article, I basically gave the feeling that Joe Dumars was not the brightest bulb in the box with this year's recent moves and firings.

But after some thought, Dumars IS a genius for alot of the moves he had done, just a overall redo of thought in my eyes. Dumars has been quoted for many things but this is the most memorable one I can think of late:

“It's always cool to be a part of anything that hasn't happened before.”

- Joe Dumars (After the the 6th Conference finals appearance interview)

Well, that quote can also mean another thing for the Pistons, a complete change of direction and trading/releasing of every former 2004 Championship team player.

The 2008 Season began with a bang after Dumars traded for Allen Iverson, which to me looks like a brilliant move as for he helped clear a ton of cap space on a aging (but still pretty good) PG in Chauncey Billups.

Most people like me questioned the move because, Allen Iverson wasn't the same mold as Chauncey, and many questioned if he would stay after this season(which I personally believed wasn't going to happen) and whether or not future All-Star Rodney Stuckey was ready to get the keys.

Then as the year went on, former coach Michael Curry went on to bench a fan-favorite Richard "Rip" Hamilton in favor of Allen Iverson. I was personally shocked that he would do that, becuase Stuckey clearly wasn't 100 percent ready to be the full-time PG, and pushing Rip to sixth man just wasn't something many people liked, a few weeks later (and a ton of losses too) Curry realized his mistake and gave Rip back his starting position.

Although Rip never really lost any minutes, he sure did lose a ton of respect for his former head coach.

And then the season abruptly came to a end with the a Sweep in the first round by the Cavaliers.

Then in the off season many had speculation that the team WASN'T going to resign Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson or Antonio McDyess. Even though the team would consider if they had no other options, and the players would sign low-ball.

And that thought was pushed to the side when the NBA Draft was getting closer and closer by the day, many fans figured a player like DeJuan Blair or James Johnson would be drafted to play the four or five for the Pistons, which personally I would take Blair since he fits more the tough-nosed grind type of player that I thought would be best for the Organization's future.

But then came draft day, and with the 15th pick in the draft the Pistons selected SF Austin Daye from Gonzaga. I was utterly shocked with this move, considering that we Tayshaun Prince who is still VERY young and is a probably the best player on the Pistons Roster.

Sure Daye can play the four but why pass up on Blair or Johnson. Then came the second round, Blair was still on the board yet the Pistons selected another SF in Summers. which to me signaled the end of time for Tayshaun and the Pistons.

Then came the time of Free Agency, with the top player on the Pistons wish-list being Ben Gordon. They also had there eyes on hot-FA Charlie Villanueva from Milwaukee. Both we're signed and there wish-list completed.

But they OVERSPENT on players and can only now sign bare-minimum type of players. But the Gordon signing could have signaled another end of the road for a Pistons Player Rip Hamilton.

Now that Chauncey is in Denver, Big Ben was cut-loose a few years back, Rasheed Wallace is likely to sign elsewhere, the only two starters left from the Pistons Championship team is Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, but they now have likely successors in Austin Daye and FA Addition Ben Gordon to take over there starting slots.

That leads to the Trade Possibilities for those two, which many Teams could be listed but the favorites to land each are below:

1. Tayshaun Prince to the Portland Trailblazers or Utah Jazz

They have a Dire-Need for a SF and the recent spurning of Hedo Turkoglu, has led to some trade rumors for Tayshaun Prince. The Pistons could ask for Channing Frye and Joel Przybilla, which could be a good deal for the Pistons having a major hole to fill with both Dice and Sheed gone.

As for the Utah Jazz, the team could send expiring contract of Carlos Boozer to Detroit in a straight swap of players.

2. Richard Hamilton to the New Orleans Hornets or Los Angeles Clippers

This would likely be for only Tyson Chandler and some Cash or Picks, but well worth it considering Tyson's expiring Contract. and again for the Clippers they would get Rip while the Pistons get the expiring contract of Chris Kaman and Brian Skinner and potentially cash or picks.

Both Moves would lead me to call Dumars the Einstein of the Basketball.

This leads me to the last move that Dumars is likely to make hiring a new Head Coach, which the current leader is ESPN Analyst and former Dallas Mavericks Head Coach, Avery Johnson. Which would be a good move on helping the Pistons solidify there lacking defense.

So If the Pistons are able to get a Deal with Portland and New Orleans (which both I think would be best for the team) the Starting Rotation would look as so:

PG- Rodney Stuckey, Will Bynum

SG- Ben Gordon, Aaron Afflalo

SF- Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Walter Hermann

PF- Charlie Villanueva, Jason Maxiell, Channing Frye

C- Tyson Chandler, Joel Przybilla, Kwame Brown/Channing Frye

Now say the Pistons land with Utah and Clippers the roster of course would just have a swap of names, and those are just SOME of the possibilities trade wise.

Let's get to the next thing the Pistons need to do, Hire a Head Coach!

The list has been narrowed down to about five candidates but the current leader is Avery Johnson, a ESPN Analyst and former Dallas Mavericks Head Coach, which would for me best the best fit, because in three years Dumars will get to fire him, after his players get tired of him, but he also installs a new learning system for there defense and probably increases the likely-hood of beating the Magic, Celts, and Cavs that much more.

Overall, Dumars, I take it back, you ARE a Genius.

The New Era of Pistons Basketball?

SB — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:09:34 -0400

Shall we call Joe Dumars a genius for sabotaging what was working just fine and led them to six straight Conference Finals? I think not.

Many were surprised that Flip Sanders was fired a year ago, but many weren't, Dumars has gone through coaches like pudding (six different coaches in 10 years, and that's not counting the recent firing of Curry), and still the likelihood of trading and signing more is there.

Detroit started this season with a questionable trade of Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson, while almost everyone knew AI didn't fit in the Detroit System, and that led to Iverson having a career low in almost every statistical category. But most figured it would be his expiring contract that played mostly into this deal.

Curry then got Rip's feather ruffled when he was pushed to the bench for favored Allen Iverson, yet another mistake.

Now that the season is over, and there streak of six consecutive Conference Finals ended, the Pistons went into a offseason of rebuilding to many.

The NBA Draft also led me to question whether or not Dumars was smart. He drafted Austin Daye at 15th overall passing DeJuan Blair and James Johnson, who both were better fits for Detroit, especially accounting Tayshaun Prince playing Daye's position, even though Tayshaun could play the four. They had yet another chance to redeem themselves by again having the chance to draft Blair, and yet again let that slip by, drafting another SF in there next two picks. This led me to the conclusion that Tayshaun will not likely be with the team after this season.

Trade possibilities for Tayshaun Prince:

1. New Orleans Hornets- The Pistons could send Prince for Chandler and some cash considerations, which to me is well worth it, not that you have a expendable piece.

2. Phoenix Suns- Amare is apparently on the block, and why not take a crack at it?

3. Chicago Bulls- They could send a package of Tyrus Thomas and potentially Kirk Hinrich, but that's a more "iffy" type of trade.

4. Washington Wizards- Antawn Jamison?

Now that the NBA Draft is over, the Pistons led me to question even more with the signing of Ben Gordon; does this mean Rip Hamilton's tenure in Detroit is also over? Could this be a complete rebuild for Dumars? Hamilton and Prince could both be soon out of town, and that would leave no one from their 2004 Championship team.

The Pistons are in major trouble to even keep up with the Magic and Cavaliers who both have a superstar and stud, Superman and newly-acquired Carter, and LeBron and Shaq. Meanwhile, the Pistons have...you get my point.

With Rip and Prince on the block, i would make a hard push for Amare or even trade for a position of need like four or five.

Possible Players to trade for:

1. Amare Stoudemire

2. Carlos Boozer (sign and trade)

3. Marc Gasol

4. Chris Kaman

5. Chris Bosh

Just to name a few.

Until more unfolds in the Motor City, I just don't anticipate much from them since they literally have a plethora in the backcourt, but nothing in the frontcourt beyond Charlie Villanueva. Time will tell for the Pistons, but they just are making some mind-boggling moves right now, and even worse, they have no head coach, even though rumored candidates are being interviewed now.

Why There Is No QB Controversy in Detroit

SB — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:29:45 -0400

Think about it: Matthew Stafford is the QB.

Is he the QB for now or the future? I say, future.

Daunte Culpepper has obviously come into this season with much less baggage, to say the least. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight and clearly shown the desire to be the starting QB in Detroit and take Stafford under his wing.

To make matters better for Culpepper, he also has an offensive coordinator by the name of Scott Linehan with whom he spent most of his glory years in Minnesota, and the familiarity with Culpepper and Linehan could prove all the more likely that Culpepper will be the QB for this year.

Take into account the QBs that have been rushed into the starting role over the past few years.

Matt Ryan—Sure, his story is great for having helped that turnaround in Atlanta, but his story just doesn't happen that often.
Vince Young—This is the QB I think has all the potential in the world, but he was just rushed into the spotlight and is getting closer and closer to BUST.
Matt Leinart—Has anyone heard from this kid since he lost his job to Kurt Warner a while back? He's disappearing off the radar.
Alex Smith—After all that rave from Utah, he literally had to learn a new playbook every year, and that just isn't good for him. He could have been great given time to develop.
David Carr—Ah David, how the mighty have fallen. He is now a backup with the New York Giants.
Joey Harrington—Wait, where is he now? New Orleans, as an FA, and he just wasn't worth all that hype.

Now, let's take into account players that sat the first few games, if not all of their first season in the NFL:

Ben Roethlisberger—He couldn't have walked into a better situation. Pittsburgh is perfect for him, and having sat the first four games of the season, he had time to learn the playbook, and that led to being 12-0 in the first 12 games as starter.
Philip Rivers—Two years behind MVP-caliber Drew Brees really helped this man. I think the route San Diego took with him is best for Stafford in Detroit, as well.
Eli Manning—Anyone remember back when he was being a snob after being drafted by San Diego? The trade with the Giants' three picks later really helped. Kurt Warner helped him develop in the beginning stages, and, yes, he still is far away from the Pro Bowl and probably will never live out the Peyton comparisons, but he has done well in New York.
Aaron Rodgers—Behind Brett Favre, how could he have done anything wrong? Unless he retires 900,000,000 times like Favre has done. ***Please note the dramatic number for emphasis on the dislike on that.
Jay Cutler—In Denver, he surely wasn't going to start from the get-go, so he had to earn in, and earn it he did, getting to the Pro Bowl last year.

In review, I think Stafford has the best chance of success if the Lions are smart and let Stafford take time to develop at least four games into the regular season before he even gets any playing time.

Making the Case: Why Tom Brady Won't Be Tom Brady in 2009

SB — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:17:47 -0400

In the 2008 season, many expected Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots to live up to the 18-1 season from 2007. But then, the team took a unexpected blow. Tom Brady tears both his ACL and MCL in his left knee in the first game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Thanks Bernard Pollard.

To my point, no player has ever returned to their peak after getting the surgery to repair it. To make matters worse, the knee was infected due to the surgery. Tom Brady says he'll be 100 percent by training camp, but I beg to differ.

For those who are going to bring up Philip Rivers and his torn ACL, here's what I say to you. Did Philip tear both his MCL and ACL? I think not. Did Philip get tackled awkwardly like Pollard did to Brady? I think not.

Did Philip have a LT? Yes, he did. Did Brady have a LT? No, I think not.

Brady and Rivers are two completely different stories. Although I wonder, if Brady was in Rivers shoes, what Brady would have done and would I even need to make this argument?

Some players that have had this type of surgery and hasn't yet returned back to peak form, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, Brain Griese, Daunte Culpepper, and of course the recently mentioned Philip Rivers(Although he has improved his career bests in the 2008 season).

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has been a fantasy sleeper for the past three seasons, and each of the past three seasons he's disappointed because he always re-injures the same knee.

Luckily we got a glimpse of Cadillac returning to peak form during the last four games of the 2008 season. and yet again, he injures his knee. Carnell is a worst case scenario for New England and Tom Brady.

Brain Greise suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the 2005 season and hasn't been a full time starter since for the Bears or the recent reuniting of the Bucs. Griese has yet to be at full potential and now age has been creeping ever so slightly and I believe ruining his chances.

Griese's situation is a mid-level worry for Brady and the Pats.

The most intriguing player to me is Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper, basically had the same exact surgery and has yet to return to peak form. It seems 2009 could be the year, but after two stints with the Dolphins and Raiders, I think Culpepper could be back to the Minnesota Viking years and help turn around the Lions.

Culpepper has yet to return to peak form but is still regarded in sense to be a top-notch QB when healthy. Tom Brady most likely has his situation in front of him. Not the trading nor the switching of teams, but rather to the amount of time needed to return to 100 percent.

Philip Rivers, the best possible outcome for Tom Brady. Rivers may have only torn his ACL and that's what most of you are going to argue in his situation. But the time length for Rivers to return to peak was little to none.

That's what some are expecting Tom Brady to be in 2009. This is the best outcome for Brady because I believe that he has the slim, very-slim chance to be at peak position by the fourth game of the NFL season.

But again, Rivers and Brady are two odd players in the NFL Puzzle.

Culpepper, Griese, Rivers and Cadillac are not Tom Brady but Tom Brady is not any of them. 2009 Season to me is a rejuvenating season and the process that begins on returning him to peak 100 percent form.

Brady has gotten even more power with the recent FA acquisitions or Greg Lewis, Joey Galloway, Chris Baker, and Fred Taylor. Those should take off some of the pressure from defenses.

I give Tom Brady a rain check for the 2009 season, but I expect with the athletic gifts of Brady he should be a QB to watch for the 2010 season but 2009 I think Brady has yet to prove to me he's not another case of the "Culpepper" or "Cadillac."

Cliff Avril: Superstar in The Making

SB — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:26:35 -0400

Cliff Avril is a rising star.

Cliff Avril was drafted in the third Round, No. 92 overall, in the 2008 NFL Draft out of Purdue University. Avril was a steal at that pick. I presume he wears No. 92 for that reason.

As many of you already know, the Detroit Lions went 0-16 in 2008. But during that unforgettable or unmentionable season, the Lions had many bright spots. Avril was one of them.

Avril is a 3-4 OLB and was transformed into a 4-3 DE.

The Lions have shown that they highly regard Avril.

Avril has said, "After the season, I needed to relax. I was playing football for about two-and-a-half years it seemed like—I basically had three seasons in two years"

That's why I believe he wasn't able to live up to his full potential in his rookie season. With the addition of Peterson and the already super stud LB Ernie Sims, the 4-3 defense is looking good.

The Lions have filled many of their needs, and another star whose season was Cut short was Jordan Dizon out of Colorado. But that's another story for another time.

Avril likely will produce a bit better than his first season with Detroit, playing under two defensive masterminds in Gunther Cunningham and Jim Schwartz.

Avril will be a great asset to the Lions in the coming years. I will give 2009 a roll-off since he has to learn a whole new defensive playbook, but in 2010 I Expect a Ty Warren or John Abraham-type season out of Avril.

Mark it down, Cliff Avril will be a superstar, and he will be loved in Detroit.

Detroit Lions' Offseason Thus Far: The Beginning of the Martin Mayhew Era

SB — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:20:55 -0400

The 2008 Lions are a team I really wish I could forget.

0-16.

This was the closing act of the Matt Millen Era.

Detroit began this offseason by cleaning house. General Manager Matt Millen was fired along with head coach Rod Marinelli and almost all his staff. The Lions then introduced the new general manager Martin Mayhew.

Sure, Mayhew wasn't a popular pick but he was one of few who actually wanted the the opportunity to turn the franchise around.

Mayhew's job began with finding a new head coach. The search took nearly three weeks and many names flew around. Some were as ludicrous as Josh McDaniels, Brian Billick, and even the recently fired Mike Shanahan.

But the search finally came down to two coaches: Jim Schwartz or Steve Spagnuolo. As many may know, Schwartz was chosen and Spagnuolo took the St. Louis Rams job a week or so later.

After all the mess Detroit had in 2008, the stepping-stones for a new era began with Mayhew and Schwartz. The two didn't mess around to find the best coordinators available.

They brought in a defensive genius in Gunther Cunningham from Kansas City and former Rams head coach Scott Linehan to be the team’s offensive coordinator.

The Lions brought in small pieces from Tennessee and St. Louis to fill in some of the positional coaches roles.

After bringing in the coaching staff, Mayhew and company began the roster renovation. The Lions let seven players loose, most notably Leigh Bodden.

Bodden was the best cover corner the team had in 2008 but the Lions let him go to avoid giving him his contract bonus. He later signed with the New England Patriots.

Many fans were hoping the Lions would bring in "big name" players like Albert Haynesworth but the team was headed in completely different direction—finding role players.

The team has a good offensive nucleus to build around with rising stars Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson, and Gosder Cherilus. The defense was in need of a basic overhaul since the only player that produced was Ernie Sims.

The first player signed was Maurice Morris of the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions never really had a successful backup to compliment Kevin Smith and Morris was a back that they believe fills that need.

Detroit signed San Francisco 49ers’ Bryant Johnson to help Johnson out.

Schwartz also began bringing in a few of his old players such as Daniel Loper and Eric King. Mayhew also signed Grady Jackson, Phillip Buchanon, and Spencer Cody.

The Lions have been active traders as well. They almost traded for Ken Lucas but it fell through. They were also in talks to trade for Matt Cassel and have discussed trading for Jay Cutler.

Detroit has completed two major trades thus far. The team traded quarterback Jon Kitna for Anthony Henry and Julian Peterson for Cory Redding and a fifth round pick. The Kitna trade was the best move since they we're going to cut him anyway and they brought in a very good and relatively unknown corner from Dallas.

The team’s biggest move occurred during the season when they traded wide receiver Roy Williams to the Cowboys. The Lions essentially helped themselves by trading a receiver that would unlikely re-sign with the team and received a nice bundle of picks for him.

So far, Detroit hasn’t done anything "spectacular," but they have vastly improved from 2008 and are continuing the process from rags to riches.

The Lions’ next step is the NFL Draft where their No. 1 pick can make or break the team.

Detroit Lions QB: Are We Fogetting Drew Stanton?

SB — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:21:21 -0400

Drew Stanton?

Yes, Drew Stanton.

Stanton was a second-round pick in the 2007 draft. He was the "Franchise Future." But, after arthroscopic knee surgery that ended his 2007 campaign before it started, almost everyone forgot about him.

In 2008, Stanton was the third-string quarterback for the Detroit Lions. He only played in three games, as Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, or free agent acquisition Daunte Culpepper got the starts and reserve time.

Kitna and Orlovsky are now gone and Stanton has his opportunity staring him in the face. I would personally give Stanton the nod over the assumed first quarterback taken in the draft, Matthew Stafford.

Let's compare some stats:

Player A: Average CMP%—64.9, passer rating—136.5, longest TD—75 yards, total INT—28, total TD—44, sacked 48 times in career.

Player B: Average CMP%—56.6, passer rating—130.4, longest TD—84 yards, total INT—33, total TD—51, sacked 44 times in career.

As you can tell in almost every major category, Player A takes it all. Player B is close but let's reveal the names.

Player A: Drew Stanton at MSU.

Player B: Matthew Stafford at Georgia.

If today both were currently in the draft, Stanton would be a top quarterback selected. So, if I'm Detroit, I already have the "Franchise Future" in Stanton and all we need to do is mold him into the starting quarterback role.

I say one more year—a year under Schwartz's system—and I believe Stanton will be the starting quarterback of the Detroit Lions.

I think Stanton, clearly based on stats, fills the need of a franchise quarterback if we were comparing him to Stafford. Stafford is the best quarterback in this year's draft? The Lions won't need a quarterback.

Stanton may have been coming off an injured-reserve season in 2007. Stanton got some playing time in the Lions winless season, throwing his first and only touchdown of his career in 2008.

2009? Who knows, but if i'm Martin Mayhew, I would have worked with Culpepper and Stanton in 2008 and give Stanton a shot in 2009. I know he wont disappoint. Such high regards in 2007, but in 2009 I believe the same amount of pressure would be on him.

The Lions would be able to fill other needs in the draft and having Stanton can surely ease the pressure of taking Jason Smith of Baylor, Aaron Curry of Wake Forest, or B.J. Raji of Boston College at No. 1 overall.

Drew Stanton or Matthew Stafford?

Give me...Drew Stanton.

"Holt, A Titan Coming Thru"

SB — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:32:16 -0400

The new Titan in town? Torry Holt.

Torry Holt was originally drafted No. 6 overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. The Rams released Holt recently but before he was released, St. Louis tried to trade him. The only team that called—Tennessee.

Tennessee and Holt were almost a match but the Titans asked him if he would renegotiate his current contract. He declined.

He's currently a FA but I believe that he will end up a Titan, because:

1. The Titans have a glaring need at WR.

2. The Titans could use another leader in the locker room and a WR to mentor the younger ones.

3. The Titans will probably draft a WR and Torry Holt would be there to show him the ropes.

Tennessee could be the perfect place for Holt because his hometown is in NC and Tennessee is a few hours away.

Carolina could be another fit but the Panthers don't have the cap room. Holt is searching for another ring and the Titans are a WR short of Super Bowl-caliber.

The Photo above was Photoshopped by me.