.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Summertime has traditionally been the "slow period" for most of us covering athletics in the Metro Detroit area.
Once the hockey and basketball playoffs have concluded, it’s time to relax, watch a little Tiger baseball and gear up for the frantic fall of football to begin.
That hasn’t been the case this summer season with news raining down from every direction, involving every team and encompassing a wide variety of topics.
Once you throw in the national scene, whether you’re a media member or an everyday fan, the pace of news has been a constant bombardment that leaves the impression of never letting up.
In the past week alone between sanctions, trades, arrests, suspensions, free agency and yet another alternative jersey, it seems that sports has totally crossed over from an entertainment medium into its own subculture of American society.
So, keeping that in mind, let’s try and make sense of why teams do what they do and why people continue to act like, well, people.
Striking down Penn State football
Whatever the NCAA and Big Ten decided to do to punish Penn State, it would never erase the victims' horrific memories of their predator, Jerry Sandusky.
That’s a given.
However, Joe Paterno and the football program he forged was the guiding light for the entire university. Paterno’s rule reminds me of "The Godfather," where Don Corleone controlled every aspect of his criminal empire.
Cross the Don and you might not sleep with the fishes, but you’re going to receive an offer you can’t refuse.
Since football was the moral compass, the NCAA and the Big Ten had to bulldoze the program without wiping out State College, Penn.
Football Saturdays will remain, along with their colossal economic impact to the local community -- a community of hard-working people who are just as innocent as Sandusky’s prey.
Penn State football needed to be brought down to earth. It’s a shame that so many blameless athletes are caught in this scandal's crossfire.
But don’t blame the NCAA or the Big Ten. Blame America’s latest fallen idol, Joe Paterno.
Tigers give up on Turner
This is not the blockbuster deal Detroit fans envisioned for Jacob Turner. And if Ormar Infante and Anibal Sanchez don’t duplicate the impact that Doug Fister and Delmon Young had on last season’s run into the playoffs, it could be insurrection city among Tigers faithful, especially, if Sanchez is a rent-a-player.
What this trade really boils down to is, the Tigers believe that Drew Smyly, not Turner, will eventually be their top-of-the-rotation guy. Smyly is a lefty and has shown a mental toughness on the mound that manager Jim Leyland really admires.
In recent comments about Turner and Smyly, Leyland said Turner is “not ready” for the major leagues but has the potential to be a “top-of-the-rotation guy,” while Smyly will be a “dominant starter in two to three years.”
Baseball logic dictates that if you trade for proven major-league talent by giving up only prospects, that’s a good deal. I’ve always believed that to be true.
This trade, however, is really testing my conviction to this theory.
Berry outta here
What else could the Lions have done?
After Aaron Berry’s second arrest in less than a month, the Lions had to bring down the hammer instead of just providing harsh lip service.
This has been a crime-blotter-ridden offseason for the Lions. Players have continued to break the law at an alarming pace, and the organization finally parted ways with a player.
Whether you believe in Ford ownership or not, they have always been a good community-minded family who cares about the welfare of Metro Detroit. This parade to the pokey had to be eating away at them.
Berry’s dismissal will hurt the Lions because they’re so thin at cornerback, but what they lose on the field isn’t as great as what they should gain off the field -- the message of "Wake up, Lions! Your illicit behavior will no longer be tolerated."
Hopefully, that message sinks in with this talented, yet immature bunch.
Michigan suspends Toussaint, Clark
Much like the Lions, Michigan really didn’t have much of a choice but to suspend starting running back Fitz Toussaint (drunk driving) and defensive end Frank Clark (home invasion) after it was revealed that each player allegedly ran afoul of the law.
Until all the facts come out and due process takes its course, Toussaint and Clark should remain suspended. The eventual outcome of their cases will dictate if they ever wear a Wolverines uniform again.
It appears that both players, at the very least, will miss the season opener against Alabama, which seems insignificant considering the seriousness of the alleged charges.
I’m all for second chances, but eventually Michigan head coach Brady Hoke was going to have to draw a line in the sand. Better to draw it now rather than later, when the situation could be spinning out of control.
Red Wings misfire in free agency
Unless the Red Wings can convince Shane Doan that he’d look great wearing the winged-wheel, this offseason will be a bummer summer for Detroit.
It's extremely odd to have the Wings mentioned with every big name player available, only to be totally spurned at every turn -- which has Detroit’s management team in a state of disbelief.
What happens between now and the start of the season is a wide-open guess.
If Doan, as expected, re-signs with the Coyotes, then the Wings might reconsider forward Alexander Semin, but only if he signs a short-term deal.
As far as acquiring a top-four defenseman, the Wings will have to go the trade route because the free-agent market is pretty much dried up.
Perhaps Calgary’s Jay Bouwmeester will be a stop-gap measure for the next two seasons, but with Shea Weber off the map, Detroit is in a tight spot.
A distinct possibility is that the Wings will sign a veteran, free-agent defenseman who will round out their top six but not be top-four caliber.
Another factor could be the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. If the Wings continue to be completely shut out this summer, they might sit back and wait for the new CBA.
Detroit believes that the cap under the new CBA will be around $10 million less than it is now, forcing teams to buy out contracts in a salary dump. The Red Wings feel that they could sign a few quality players at discount rates because several contending teams will be capped out.
Let’s wait and see on that one.
Please, Michigan, not another alternate jersey
For a hundred years, except for a few slight modifications, Michigan has essentially worn the same football uniform.
Now, in less than a year’s time, the Wolverines will don six different football jerseys.
Look, I understand about keeping up with the times and appealing to potential future Michigan football players, but how much is too much?
So many different looks in such a short period of time doesn't enhance the Michigan brand; it cheapens it. It’s just a money grab that puts tradition in the rear-view mirror.
That being said, Michigan’s latest alternate jersey is a lot better than last season’s Willy Wonka abominations.
