In football, risk is expected and injury is accepted. That’s how it works, and every player knows it. In the NFL, they’re nicely compensated for it. But acceptance of risk is not the same as acceptance of “unlimited” risk. And that’s why the NFL is sitting at a dangerous crossroad now, as former players sue… Continue reading
Bob Wojnowski
Ruminations from the fevered mind of the Detroit News sports columnist
Lions play it safe with Iowa lineman, which is fine for now
Lions GM Martin Mayhew gambled without gambling Thursday night. He surely hoped a prime cornerback would fall to the 23rd spot, and he wasn’t willing to trade the assets to move up and grab one. Mayhew held firm, which was the no-gamble gamble, waiting to fill the team’s biggest hole, even as lots of teams… Continue reading
Justin Verlander is so good, he's nerve-wracking to manage
I’m sure Jim Leyland loves managing Justin Verlander. Who wouldn’t? He’s the best pitcher in baseball, equal parts supreme talent and dogged workhorse. But I’m also sure, at times, Leyland really, really frets while managing Verlander. Who wouldn’t? You want to use every ounce of his dominance, but not over-use it. You want to give… Continue reading
Mikel Leshoure the latest Lions runner to hit cursed wall
First of all, I don’t really believe in curses. You probably shouldn’t either, at least when it comes to sports. But the Lions are building yet another curiously compelling case. The purported Curse of Bobby Layne — the last great Lions quarterback — finally was shooed by Matthew Stafford, who threw for more than 5,000… Continue reading
What do Brandon Inge and Tim Tebow have in common?
This is unorthodox, and probably a bit dumb. But I’m doing it anyway. I’m going to tie together the two biggest sports stories in America, if “America” is loosely defined as “New York and Detroit.” Tim Tebow arrived in New York as the Jets’ new backup quarterback with much fanfare and much skepticism. Brandon Inge… Continue reading
Majerus picks Green to lead Spartans to championship
This already is a special NCAA Tournament, with two 15 seeds winning and then Lehigh nearly winning again. Yes, it’s smudged by the presence of four teams from the Buckeye state in the Sweet 16 — Ohio, Ohio, the other Ohio and the Ohio that starts with X. But no one has made a bigger… Continue reading
These Shining Moments will get you in Madness Mood
It’s here and it’s fun and it’s riveting and it’s full of real tears and broken dreams. The NCAA Tournament is always good, and this year, it should be better than ever around here. Michigan State and Michigan both enter as high seeds. Detroit is back where it belongs as a mid-major danger. While you… Continue reading
Mikel Leshoure is the Lion to watch
Time to stow the stopwatches and memorize the measurements. The NFL combine is wrapping up, which means the NFL draft talk is ramping up, which means it’s almost time to give the Lions free advice. Everyone knows they need a cornerback (or two) and a safety. Everyone knows they need an offensive linemen (or two)… Continue reading
Cabrera serious about third base, and I bet Inge can tell
So now Brandon Inge wants to take a shot at second base, and everyone wants to take a shot at Brandon Inge. Fair enough. But I’m here to tell you, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Tigers’ erstwhile third baseman-catcher-second-baseman-utility guy was mostly horrible last season. He’s 34 and in the last year of… Continue reading
Ignore the hype, Brady and Pats won't be denied
Everyone likes the Giants in the Super Bowl. And by “everyone,” I mean, “just about everyone.” They’re hot. Their defensive line is ferocious. Jason Pierre-Paul has 17 sacks. Eli Manning has become one of the great clutch quarterbacks in the NFL. Tom Coughlin has become one of the great resilient rosy-cheeked coaches in the NFL.… Continue reading