Roster building on Friday

The Detroit Lions have a little money to spend if they want to on free agents starting Friday. If you've looked at the roster you can tell they are weak at the WR, OG, DT, LB, and CB positions. Some of the players will be added through the draft, but hopefully the Lions can land 1 and maybe even 2 starters in free agency.

The first guy I would look at is Mike Goff offensive guard from the San Diego Chargers. Now I don't know a lot about him but I've heard a good run blocker, and he's a veteran. He comes from a winning organization, but also know what it likes to play with a losing organization from his time with the Bengals. Adding him would give the Lions a Backus, Goff, Raiola, Peterman, and Cherilus offensive line, with the potential of adding a starting left tackle in the draft, moving Backus to guard, and letting Goff and Peterman battle it out for the other guard slot.

Detroit also needs some linebacking help. Really you only have 1 starter in Ernie Sims, and 2 other positions open. Hopefully another starting linebacker is added in the draft, but 3 free agents are intriguing. Mike Peterson from the Jaguars has been a solid player in the league for a few years now. He's had a couple of injuries, but would look nice as a middle linebacker on this team. Jonathan Vilma was a guy they looked at last year. He rebounded with a good year with the Saints, and though won't come cheap, would also solidify this unit. Finally Michael Boley was supposed to have a bright career in Atlanta, but after a poor year, the Lions could get him cheap, and still get a playmaker.

When was the last time you said the Lions needed a receiver? Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey, and Shaun McDonald were all receivers the Lions had over the past few years. However Calvin Johnson is the only one left, and outside of John Standelford, the Lions just don't have the bodies at the position. Veteran Bobby Engram had a rough year for the Seahawks, but is a veteran that could be paired with Johnson nicely. He's really the only proven receiver in the Lions price range, meaning they're out of the running for T.J. Housmandzadeh, Marvin Harrison, and Devery Henderson.

If the Lions shore up any of these positions in free agency it will take the pressure off of Martin Mayhew's 1st draft, even though it still is very important.

enough with the praise

I've always been a glass half full type of guy, but I'm even tired of the daily gushing coming from Lakeland. I like hearing about the pitchers who were hurt last year coming back healthy, and guys with bad mechanics now working with new pitching coach Rick Knapp, but until they face competition it doesn't mean anything. Spring Training is for new beginnings, and Jim Leyland and the Tigers disappointed the fans last year, so this year they have a huge hill to climb. The talent is there, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, and Jeremy Bonderman are all guys who have it, they just have to come together as a team, like in 2006, and ignite the fans again. Like I said though, they haven't even played a Grapefruit League game yet, so beat reporters please don't go overboard.

What were you thinking?

When Joe Dumars made the big trade at the beginning of the season, I knew the main reason was to free up cap space for the next two free agent classes. I was intrigued by Allen Iverson, and his hunger to win a championship. I was ready for Rodney Stuckey to take a major step for this team. And I thought the Pistons were deeper than most teams in the Eastern Conference. However heading into the All Star break I never would have thought they were a .500 team, which they are playing like.

I can take losses against the good teams. When the Pistons play teams like the Celtics, Cavs, Magic, Lakers, and Spurs, they are going up against really good teams. But the Pistons have lost to some lousy teams this year. They are not developing the chemistry that they should have by now. Who's to blame? Michael Curry deserves a ton, the players are letting this happen on the court, but I am finally going to call Joe Dumars out. This is just a bad mix here. Iverson is what he is, and always has been, a ball hog. He over dribbles. Rasheed might as well just stay by the 3 point line, he's so attached to it. What was Dumars' plan this year? What did he think the players would do? Some of these young guys can't develop, like Amir Johnson and Aaron Afflalo, if you never play them consistently. Dumars needs to take over the reins. Find out what you have, and get ready for next year. If you're going to bank on some free agents, you better be sure, they fit.

changing my mind

Okay I thought I had the lines figured out that I wanted for the playoffs for the Red Wings. But after watching Ville Leino's 1st NHL goal, I have to tell you, I want to see more. They say he's a step slow, but he has skill. The thing when the playoffs come around is that you have to have enough grit, mixed in with skill to make a run for the cup. Some reports say Leino has been trying to add some grit to his game in Grand Rapids, I'll have to see for myself if it's enough to make a difference in the playoffs.

The problem the Wings have is that there are a few players on this team who haven't played good this season. Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Dan Cleary, Valterri Fillpula, Nicklas Kronwall, and Chris Osgood all have had sub par seasons. When deciding on playoff lines Draper is a must because of his faceoff percentage. The rest of those listed also need to be in the lineup with the hope that they pick up their play, everyone except Maltby. He just doesn't bring enough on the ice anymore.

Because the changes I'd like to see probably won't happen for the playoffs, I'll just repost the lines this team has to have next year, including some tough free agent decisions.

Fillpula Datsyuk Holmstrom

Franzen Zetterberg Hudler

Leino Helm Cleary

Kopecky Draper Abdelkader

Lidstrom Rafalski

Kronwall Stuart

Ericcson Lilia

Osgood

Howard