A Mixed Bag on QBs, Coaches, Tigers, My Error
Ask Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 08.26.2009/1:06PM
Post a comment or e-mail Mike O’Hara at
Quarterbacks – who else? command most of the attention in this week’s mailbag. These are my best-effort answers on a variety of topics, questions, insights and observations. As always, I reserve the right to edit letters for space and (occasionally) propriety:
From Bob, on Drew Stanton: I really don’t care about the not-a-chance scenario that is blowing around town. But really - Drew Stanton has been the QB show so far in the short eight quarters of play. Stanton has got to be good for someone.
Bob: “Right now, he’s good for the Lions. He is signed through 2010. If he keeps advancing, he can be the backup next year and give the Lions options at other positions.“
From Fred, on my writing: Your writing is much better, though it was always good unfettered by a beat. No reply is expected but that doesn’t mean I can’t say something nice about you.
Fred: That was sort of nice, Fred, but not enough to give me a big head. Another writer skewered me a while back for comparing Stafford’s look against Cleveland Saturday night with U.S. Rep. John Dingell’s clueless where-am-I? who-am-I? performance at a town-hall meeting a couple weeks ago.
But welcome back, Fred.
From BC Jerry, on Tigers pitcher Jarrod Washburn.“I thought the Tigers had traded for Jarrod Washburn. Clearly, I was obviously mistaken. Or, as Bogie said about the waters in Casablanca, “I was misinformed.“
BC: Based on the results so far, it appears they actually traded for Jarrod from Subway. I was fooled, too. I thought they’d gotten a diamond from that Jared’s commercial. But it was a zircon – and it’s already been shattered.
Paul, on Kenny Rogers I’m not looking at him to come back to pitch but I’m wondering why the Tigers haven’t offered him some sort of a pitching advisor job. I don’t want to say that the current pitching coach should be thrown out, but Rogers has a wealth of knowledge that I’m sure he could give to the young arms of Detroit.
Paul: Not a bad idea, but players have to want to coach, and that doesn’t seem to be the case right now with Rogers. Too often, that “advice” role turns into listening to complaints.
Tim, on Calvin Johnson: When you stated the catch by Calvin (in practice recently) was routinely spectacular for him, you hit the nail on the head. Being a GT alum, I have followed Calvin closely since he stepped foot on the Flats. He would consistently have highlight reel catches in practice and games. It got to where if he missed on a catch that pretty much any other receiver would never even have a chance at, it would be shocking. He is the real deal in ALL ways. Growing up in Michigan and then attending Georgia Tech, I was so happy to see him end up a Lion.
Tim: Every Lions QB shares your sentiment about having him in Detroit. He has everything required for a Hall of Fame career. And that is no overstatement. Check back in 20 years, and we’ll meet in Canton.
Doug O, on Brandon Inge: You’re the only writer in this town with the clock weights to ask theBrandon Inge question? Wonder what the answer is? P.S. I did hear Brandy say there were two things he dreamed about as a kid regarding baseball: to take part in an All Star Game and be elected to the Hall of Fame. I guess he never dreamed about winning a World Series.
Doug: Maybe he hasn’t awakened from the World Series nightmare of three years ago. They’ve got a shot this year. Clock weights? Guess I’ll have to polish the brass in the morning.
GJ Dodger on Brett Favre: It has seemed to me that Brett has developed an M.O. The one thing that is most important to him is The Streak, and he is not going to Minnesota to sit on the bench any more than he went to New York to sit on the bench. Therefore, he is not going to any team unless he has a commitment that he will start. Every game. And the only person who can make that guarantee is not the coach. It’s the owner. Brett went to Zygi first, then Childress.
GJ: You’re saying the Vikings owner overruled his coach? You might be on to something there. Zygi Wilf needs to build a new stadium, and he has to win playoff games to do that. It’s boom or bust on the Favre move.
Steve, on Stafford: You are right on about Matt Stafford. He had a bad night. But this kid has a good head on his shoulders. And he looks like he could be one of the best picks that the Lions have made in years. Now let’s hope they handle it properly. I also love Coach Schwartz and wonder about your feelings toward him. And I also wonder about your thoughts on keeping Culpepper on the team and if this QB competition is such a great Idea. Or should the Lions have cut Dante loose as soon as they drafted Stafford?
Steve: Competition is a good thing. If you can’t win a job, you can’t win games. Simple as that. I like what I see from Schwartz so far, but it’s early. The real tests lie ahead.
Brandon, on the Lions’ record: Lions will finish 2009 with 10 wins, 6 losses.
Brandon: You see something I don’t, but I predicted 9-7 last year, so what do I know?
Karl, catching me in an error: Hey, Mike. Who is Greg Laird?
Karl: That would be E-me. Meanwhile, I like the way Gerald Laird throws out runners.
Comments [1] |
Hail, Hail, the Postman’s Coming
Ask Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 08.25.2009/2:29PM
Apologies first.
I’ve let all your mail pile up for way too long. It’s time to answer back.
Meet me back here on Wednesday, and I’ll get to Basset Cats, Fred and the rest of the gang.
And just so you’ll know, it’s not like I’ve been frittering away time and ignoring your e-mails and posts.
One look at the Magnolia I planted and tend to every day (don’t be surprised if they move the 16th hole at Augusta to my back yard) will convince you that I’m making great use of my time.
Comments [3] |
