http://www.record-eagle.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:55:56 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_324235551.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_324235551.html It may not be do-or-die time for Rich Rodriguez, but it is for some. The Michigan coach is just 8-15 in his first two seasons at the helm of one of the country's most decorated football programs. That just won't do. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:20:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_320062033.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_320062033.html As a kid, we never went on vacations to Florida or anywhere very far away. Aside from a week each summer at our family cottage on Lake Michigan, yearly deer and trout season expeditions to the Manton area were our get-aways. Those were the days. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:15:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_255211522.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_255211522.html So, you're a Lions fan. There probably are worse things to be. I can't think of many right now, but there has to be. "Research shows that the sense of belonging, even if it's a losing team, is actually good for you and has positive effects on health," says Dr. Eddie O'Connor, Chief Sports Psychologist for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. "So I encourage people to stay avid fans, but back away from the expectation and enjoy the process of competition." Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:10:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_219071206.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_219071206.html Almost everyone says Jim Schwartz has the Detroit Lions pointed in the right direction. Well, duh. After an 0-16 season, there is only way to go. But I'll admit, after initially being very skeptical of the new Lions' regime -- mostly from the top on down -- the team's direction does have some reason for cautious optimism. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:30:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_118063211.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_118063211.html Grading drafts shortly afterward is pretty much an exercise in futility. Just go back and read glowing reviews of Matt Millen's picks of Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams to see why. But the Detroit Lions appear to have selected a solid draft class when all things are taken into consideration. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:00:59 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_090065753.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_090065753.html Chris Berman's "rumblin', stumblin', bumblin'" shtick applies to more than just defensive linemen awkwardly returning fumbles. It personifies Matt Millen's tenure with the Detroit Lions. Years of poor drafting and failed free-agent signings left the cupboard nearly bare. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:00:58 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_087211127.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_087211127.html Detroit's pitching staff has about as many ifs on its staff as Marcus Thames had whiffs last year (95, by the way). Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_016100342.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_016100342.html There's a long list of things the Detroit Lions need in order to turn the franchise around. Since a new owner isn't on the menu, at least the Lions seem to have made a solid choice for head coach. Thankfully, Jim Schwartz isn't one of the NFL's old guard. An innovative thinker and planner, Schwartz may just be the exact kind of hire Detroit needed to rescue the franchise from its doldrums. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:56:00 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_365095009.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_365095009.html It's the same old same old for the Detroit Lions. And that old is William Clay Ford, the 83-year-old owner of the team. The Lions have one playoff victory to show for Ford's 44 years of leadership, and Monday's decisions demonstrate why. Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_301100136.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_301100136.html Detroit Lions defensive coordinater Joe Barry has got to go. But he's not alone. Every week, Barry's defense shows up unprepared and gets the equally unprepared offense in a hole. That theme continued this week, as Washington took the ball on its first drive and sauntered down the field almost at will until a good individual play on a goal-line stand by Cliff Avril (see, Rod Marinelli, rookies can play; let that be a lesson) and a couple of Redskins mistakes made the Lions look like they actually had 11 men on the field and forced a field goal. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_299093031.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_299093031.html Traverse City Central and West are in extremely capable hands. Face it, most people didn't think TC West would be in the playoffs this year. First-year coach Tim Wooer put the Titans there. Many didn't expect much from Central last year after coming off an 0-9 season, but the Trojans went 5-4. Tom Passinault was a huge reason for the turnaround in his first season at the helm. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:00:59 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_295094240.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_295094240.html Detroit is running out of scapegoats, excuses and time. Mike Martz is gone. Matt Millen is done. More should follow. Three guys have to go: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry, offensive coordinator Jim Coletto and special teams coach Stan Kwan. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:00:59 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_269093705.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_269093705.html And there was much rejoicing. Finally, mercifully, the Matt Millen era has come to an end in Detroit. All across the country, the nation's overrated college wide receivers let out a collective sigh of disappointment, seeing their prospects of being picked in the top 10 cut in half. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_207100203.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_207100203.html The United States Army went into full retreat on Caleb Campbell. It just didn't tell Campbell. Three years ago, the Army implemented a little-known policy to allow athletes who could make the pros to forego their military service by instead being recruiters with their celebrity status. So the Detroit Lions come along and pluck Army safety Caleb Campbell in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:26:00 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_201095253.html http://www.record-eagle.com/jamescook/local_story_201095253.html These Olympics are going to be fun. Maybe the actual sporting events will be, too. But the off-the-field goings-on could be even better. I can't wait to see how quickly Chinese jails get full of protesters, who it's easy to bet are smarter than the "security" measures put in place to stop them from getting into the country to spread their propaganda -- that prevents the Chinese from spreading their propaganda.