Detroit Essentials

New Lions Defensive Coordinator Announcement

Lions News:

Photo Credit: Bill Haber/AP file

Donnie Henderson is the new defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.  He recently spent two seasons with the New York Jets and has been credited with the Jet's return to the playoffs in 2004.

see article on MSNBC for more info:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11090266/

As I stated before, it's going to take a lot to turn the Lions around.  But I'm hoping that the shake-up in the coaching staff is a step in the right direction. 

-Jovina

Kudos to Chauncey

"Let's, just once, not talk about the play of Chauncey Billups as it relates to a possible All-Star spot or Most Valuable Player award candidacy. Let's not compare and contrast him to other great point guards in the NBA.  Let's just set it out and admire it for what it is -- mature, efficient, brilliant and winning point-guard play." - Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060127/SPORTS0102/601270315/1004/SPORTS

I agree!!  Chauncey Billups is one of the toughest and smartest point guards in the game right now.  He's like a strong quarterback with a knack for reading other teams' plays, strengths, and weaknesses.  But what I like about him most is his unselfish style of play.  Chauncey gets as much acclaim for his assists as he does his 3-point shot.  He can garner confidence in his team and they respond with points. 

Billups deserves a spot on the All-Star team this year.  Although last year he made it to the 3-point shoot-out, he should really be in the game. 

-Jovina

Return of the BAD BOYS????

With the Detroit Pistons leading the NBA with the best 35-5 record, many have said that the Detroit Bad Boys are back. It’s a nice testament to the glory days of Thomas, Dumars, Laimbeer, Mahorn, and others.  But to call them the Bad Boys takes away from the new generation of Piston champions.  Chauncy Billups, Rip Hamilton, Big Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince are the starting five envy of the league.  Along with great players off the bench like McDyess, Evans, and Arroyo, this team is the epitome of team work and defense.  And with the help of Flip Saunders, offense is added to the team repertoire. 

I think this team deserves its own nickname.  They’ve been around for a few years now and have won a championship by their own right.  In my mind they have their own style of basketball.  They deserve their own legacy.  Maybe the name for them is what Mason, the game announcer, phrased “DEEETROIT BASKETBALL!” It says it all in one swoop!

I am not alone in this thought.  There’s a contest to give the Pistons a new nickname.  Maybe you can come up with a better nickname.  The link below takes you there.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatNBA?event_id=9899

-Jovina

Will Marinelli be the Lion's answer?

Today it was announced that Rod Marinelli has been selected as the head coach of the Detroit Lions.  While he's never had a head coaching position at any level, Millen sees something in this Defensive line coach from the Buc's.  Maybe it's what this team needs at the time.  But, it's going to take more than just a new coach to change our losing ways.  Hopefully Marinelli is the catalyst we need to get the Lions into a championship team.  What do you think?

-Jovina