State of Detroit sports

I was really excited when I turned on the t.v. this afternoon to see the Detroit/Green Bay football game. This year, I have seen four Lions games and I haven't even had to go to a bar to watch them. It's not that they are a winning team, they just play teams that are winning. It makes me think of how the sports franchises of Detroit are doing.

The Detroit Pistons. Well, basketball sucks. The Pistons suck. Let's move on.

The Detroit Lions. Their record doesn't show how well they have been playing. They have only won two games (I thought that they would win four this year) but they have been in the majority of the games that they have lost. They are having problems in the secondary and having problems stepping on their opponents throat when the game is on the line. The offense is there, the front seven is set up for a great run, the coaching staff is great. The secondary is the only facet of the team that needs a complete overhaul. I have great hopes for the team in the upcoming future, as long as Matt Stafford realizes he isn't made of glass.

The Detroit Red Wings. The one constant in my sports life. Granted, growing up they were not the best team, but when I was young I didn't much care because it was hockey and was fun to watch. It is great to be surprised by a loss, much like it is great when the Lions win, it is a great surprise. Always in the hunt for Lord Stanley's Cup, I feel disappointed when they don't bring it home. When they do lose, I just want it to be a close series. They went out quietly last year, but they pushed through the tough season. Lots of injury and some growing pains for the younger players. They are on the top of the league now and it doesn't seem that they are going to slow any time soon.

The Detroit Tigers. After making it to the World Series in 2006 and collapsing to the St. Louis Cardinals, the fan base has been hungry to get back there. Slowly but surely, they have been building. The offense has been keeping up and some of the starting pitchers (Justin Verlander) are doing their best to keep the wins coming. The problem lies in the bullpen. It has been shaky ever since Joel Zumaya hurt himself playing Guitar Hero, no seriously, look it up. And then he hurt his shoulder moving stuff out of his house to avoid a wildfire. Then he broke his elbow. He isn't the only person in the bullpen, but he is a catalyst for it. The long relief is a soft spot.

The sports have an upside in the state the Pistons notwithstanding. I put up an argument that the Lions are the best 2-10 (record as of 12 December 2010) team to ever play the game. The Tigers have potential this year but they have a tough division and that is the only way they are making it to the playoffs. The Red Wings I never have to worry about having a good season.