Updated Tigers Blog

Starting Rotation-

1) Justin Verlander

2) Edwin Jackson

3) Armando Gallaraga

4) Nate Robertson

5) Rick Porcello

*Bonderman will not start the season with the team, he will probably spend some time in the minors to strengthen his arm to game ability.  It will be an open competition for Robertson/Porcello to see who anchors the 5 spot when Bonderman comes back.

Bullpen-

Brandon Lyon

Fernando Rodney

Bobby Seay

Ryan Perry

Zach Miner

Clay Rapada

Ricardo Rincon

*Perry makes the team because of Zumaya's placement on the 15 day DL

Starting Lineup-

1) Curtis Granderson-CF

2) Placido Polanco-2B

3) Miguel Cabrera-1B

4) Magglio Ordonez-RF

5) Carlos Guillen-LF

6) Gary Sheffield-DH

7) Gerald Laird-C

8) Brandon Inge-3B

9) Adam Everett-SS

Bench-

Matt Treanor-C

Ramon Santiago-2B/SS/3B

Brent Clevlan-CF/LF/RF

Jeff Larish-1B/3B/LF/RF

The First Tigers Post of the Year

I've been spening most of my time dissecting the Lion's draft possibilities, so now im gonna do my detroit tiger's preview.

i'll first give my projected lineup:

Pitching Rotation:

1) Justin Verlander-RHP

Verlander had an off year last year as we all know, but i believe this year will be a return to form, meaning he should have 17-18 wins and a 3.5-3.6 ERA.  This spring he has worked on slowing down his mound presence as well as working on his changeup and cutting down on walks.  This should allow him to pitch deep into games as well as achieve more swings and misses.

2) Armando Gallaraga-RHP

Gallaraga was the story of the year as far as the pitching staff last season.  As an injury replacement for Dontrelle Willis, Gallaraga established his place in the rotation by winning 13 games in his first full major league season, and will serve as an excellent compliment to fireballer Justin Verlander with his finesse pitching approach.

3)Jeremy Bonderman-RHP

Bonderman missed most of last season with a blood clot in his shoulder, leaving intense speculation as to how he would rebound this spring.  Early this spring, he experienced shoulder tightness, so he had to miss some time while rehabbing.  He threw 3 successful bullpen sessions, as well as 2 successful simulated games, and in his spring debut he threw 2 innings, with 2 hits, no walks, 2 strikeouts and 0 runs allowed.  Look for Bonderman to be successful this season.

4) Edwin Jackson-RHP

Acquired from Tampa Bay in the offseason for outfield power hitter Matt Joyce, Jackson is young and has a live arm.  His fastball has topped out at 97, and also has a considerable curveball and a work-in-progress changeup, much like Verlander.  This spring, he has shown the Tigers his prowess at eating up innings, going 4 innings twice while giving up between 1-3 runs.  This is by no means dominant, but the Tigers will take 7 innings with 3-4 runs allowed over 5 innings with 1-3 runs allowed every single day.

5) Nate Robertson-LHP

There was much speculation and competition this spring over who would be the Tigers 5th starter.  The competition was between Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Rick Porcello, and Zach Miner.  In my opinion, Robertson has won the job, but just barely over Porcello, after hhis last two outings have totaled 7 innings pitched with no runs allowed and 5 strikeouts.  Porcello is only 20, and has proved to be effective, but needs another season of minor league conditioning and experience to be a truly effective major league starter.  Look for him to be a spot starter this season in case of injury or random double-headers.  Miner has already been dropped from consideration by Jim Leyland, and will be a viable asset in the bullpen.  Willis has continued to struggle with his delivery, and the walks have piled up.  Look for him to start the season in Triple-A to work on his command.

Bullpen-

Zach Miner-RHP

Jaun Rincon-RHP

Ryan Perry-RHP

Bobby Seay-LHP

Fernando Rodney-RHP

Joel Zumaya-RHP

Brandon Lyon-RHP

Starting Lineup-

1) Curtis Granderson-CF**

2) Placido Polanco-2B

3) Miguel Cabrera-1B

4) Magglio Ordonez-RF

5) Carlos Guillen-LF*

6) Gary Sheffield-DH

7) Gerald Laird-C

8) Brandon Inge-3B**

9) Adam Everett-SS

*Denotes Position Switch

**Denotes Breakout Season Ahead

Bench-

Matt Treanor-C

Ramon Santiago-Util (2B, SS, 3B)

Marcus Thames-OF

Jeff Larish-Util (3B, 1B, LF, RF)

*Authors note-I would really want to see Brent Clevlan here, but I can't see the Tigers parting with Marcus Thames's power bat, and Larish is more versatile than Clevlan, although Clevlan can play all 3 outfield spots.  Look for Clevlan, Timo Perez, and Cale Iorg to see time with the Tiger's this season

as always, comments are appreciated

Mock Draft version 4.0

So, based on the recent trade for Strongside Linebacker Julian Peterson, the Lions no longer have any need to draft Aaron Curry with the number 1 overall pick.

First pick, first round, number 1 overall

Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Smith is a former Tight End, meaning he has the size and quickness to protect Culpepper's backside, allowing him to immediately move in and start.  With this draft pick, the Lion's now can move Jeff Backus to left gaurd, where his shorter arm reach and banged up knees will allow him to be more effective than at tackle.  With Raiola at Center, Peterman at Gaurd, and last years first round pick Gosder Cherilus at Right Tackle, the Lions wont need a phenom QB like Matt Stafford to be effective, all they would need is a game-manager to hand the ball off to Kevin Smith and toss it up to Calvin Johnson.

2nd pick, 1st round, number 20 overall

Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

The Lions traded their only effective DT in Cory Redding to Seattle for Julian Peterson, so now they desperately need a replacement.  Jerry is a mammoth DT, more of a run-stuffer then a pass rusher like Redding, and with the new addition of Grady Jackson and the development of Andre Fluellen, the Lion's will be good on the interior of the defensive line.

3rd Pick, 2nd Round, number 33 overall

Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan

The Lion's have added Aaron Henry, Philip Buchanon, and Eric King to shore up their cornerback position, and now they need a compliment to Daniel Bullocks at the safety position.  Delmas isnt quite the tackler or hitter that Bullocks is, but when it comes to speed and coverage ability, Delmas is leaps and bounds above Bullocks, providing an excellent combo in the secondary.

4th pick, 3rd Round, number 65 overall

Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech

Harrell, considered by many to be a system QB, has superior accuracy and a pretty strong arm.  With Culpepper under contract for two years, Harrell can sit and watch, and be ready to step in with Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith perennial pro bowlers by 2011.  Last year, the lions drafted Kevin Smith in the 3rd round and after the season where Smith put up almost 1,000 yds behind and awful offensive line, and is now considered one of the Steals of the draft.  harrel will be considered that steal of this years draft.

5th Pick, 3rd round, number 82 overall

Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State

the Lion's have phenom Calvin Johnson at the Z receiver position, and recently signed Bryant Johnson to be his compliment at the X receiver.  Both Receivers are over 6'3", so the Lion's need a smaller receiver to take over at the slot position to run the quick outs and screens in order to get them in open space.  Williams is only about 5'10", but runs in the low 4.4's in the 40yd dash and has an amazing ability to avoid contact, which will provide an excellent compliment to the two taller deep threats in Johnson n Johnson 

Mock Draft version 3

alas, sports fans, here we are, less then 2 months away from the 2009 nfl draft.  so here is version 3, with about 2 more versions planned leading up to the draft.

Detroit Lions

1st pick (1st round, 1st overall)

Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest.

Curry is an absolute monster with the ability to play either a traditional 4-3 Strongside Linebacker or the more versatile 3-4 stand up DE, much like Shawn Merriman.  He absolutely exploded at the combine, running a 4.55 40 yd dash and repping in the 20's on the bench.  The Lions would be astronomically better if Curry was selected here, because of not only Curry's talent but it would also free up Ernie Sims.

2nd pick (1st round, 20th overall)

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Davis is a highly underrated cover cornerback, who has the size (5-11) and the speed (4.46) to play CB in the NFL.  A great value at number 20, he should slip to here because of the depth of the CB position  in thi years class.  Will provide an immediate upgrade in the secondary for the Lion's, and should start across from newly acquired Aaron Glenn.

3rd pick (2nd round, number 33 overall)

William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

The Lions finally get their competant Left Tackle to block for newly appointed starting QB Daunte Culpepper.  This pick allows Jeff Backus to slide to left gaurd, actually giving the Lions a decent O-Line with Beatty, Backus, Center Dominic Raiola, Right Gaurd Steven Peterman, and Right Tackle Gosder Cherilus.

4th Pick (3rd round, number 65 overall)

Jauquin Inglesias, WR, Oklahoma

Calvin Johnson gets another complimentary reciever with this pick on top of newly signed Bryant Johnson.  Inglesias will provide an excellent possesion 3rd WR with his big body, great hands, and ability to go across the middle.

5th pick (3rd round, number 82 overall)

Ricky-Jean Francious, DT, LSU

Providing Cory Redding with a compliment DT, Francious isnt neccesarily massive, but he is athletic, which should help Ernie Sims and Aaron Curry make tackles and allow Cliff Avril and Dwayne white to get into the backfield.

more to come!

comment please