SB Nation Detroit: All Posts by Jeff Briggshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2013-01-03T14:16:26-05:00https://detroit.sbnation.com/authors/jeff-briggs/rss2013-01-03T14:16:26-05:002013-01-03T14:16:26-05:00Rodney Stuckey returns to practice
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<p>After missing three games with a sprained ankle, Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey returned to practice on Thursday and is likely to play against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.</p> <p><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> guard <span>Rodney Stuckey</span> <a href="http://twitter.com/Keith_Langlois/status/286907579442012161">returned to practice on Thursday</a> and is expected to play against the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> on Friday barring any setbacks. Stuckey injured his ankle on Dec. 26 in an overtime loss to the Hawks and has missed the Pistons' last three games.</p>
<p>Stuckey averages 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Pistons on the season, but improved his play recently. In the month of December, Stuckey averaged 15.1 points and 6.1 assists per game and improved his shooting percentages greatly.</p>
<p>The Pistons have won three straight games with Stuckey out of the lineup, so they won't rush him back until he is ready. Still, the guard is expected to play if the ankle holds up overnight without swelling after his first full practice back with the team.</p>
<p>Detroit hosts the Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night as they go for their fourth consecutive win.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2013/1/3/3832556/rodney-stuckey-injury-update-detroit-pistonsJeff Briggs2013-01-03T13:25:59-05:002013-01-03T13:25:59-05:00William Gholston to enter 2013 NFL Draft
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<p>Michigan State defensive end William Gholston will forego his senior season and enter the 2013 NFL Draft.</p> <p>Defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113928/william-gholston">William Gholston</a> <a href="http://spartannation.com/2013/01/03/breaking-news-from-spartan-nation-william-gholston-has-informed-mark-dantonio-that-he-is-entering-the-2013-nfl-draft/">will enter the 2013 NFL Draft</a> and forego his senior season at Michigan State. Gholston informed coach Mark Dantonio earlier in the week in an emotional meeting.</p>
<p>Gholston was the first ever five-star recruit that committed to the Spartans. He recorded 4.5 sacks and 59 tackles during his junior season, 13 for loss. He also defended 10 passes and forced one fumble. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection and certainly has the size to be an NFL player at 6'7, 278 pounds. He is projected to be a third or fourth round draft pick and joins Dion Sims and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113936/le-veon-bell">Le'Veon Bell</a> who have also declared for the draft after their junior seasons.</p>
<p>The recent birth of Gholston's first child may have played a part in his decision to turn pro. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134928/shilique-calhoun">Shilique Calhoun</a>, who just finished his redshirt freshman season.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-state-football/2013/1/3/3832334/william-gholston-nfl-draft-2013-michigan-stateJeff Briggs2013-01-03T12:44:19-05:002013-01-03T12:44:19-05:00Pistons remain far behind Central Division lead
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<p>Detroit has won three straight games, but the Pistons are still eight games off the lead in the Central Division.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> have become a formidable team lately, winning three straight and five of their last six, but they still remain far off the lead in the Central Division. The Pistons have only improved to 12-22, eight games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a>, who lead the Central with a 19-13 record.</p>
<p>Detroit also trails the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> (17-13), who are one game behind the Pacers, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> (16-14), who are two games behind Indiana. The Pistons have distanced themselves from the cellar-dwelling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, who at 7-26 are 12.5 games behind the Pacers and 4.5 games behind Detroit.</p>
<p>One of the teams the Pistons beat in their ongoing winning-streak, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>, lead the Eastern Conference with a 22-8 record. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> (21-10) lead the Atlantic Division and are a game-and-a-half behind the Heat in the conference.</p>
<p>The Pistons are only 3.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> (15-18) who currently sit in the eighth position in the conference.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2013/1/3/3832212/nba-standings-2013-detroit-pistonsJeff Briggs2013-01-01T13:21:31-05:002013-01-01T13:21:31-05:00Pistons moving up the power rankings
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<p>With back-to-back wins over the Heat and Bucks, the Detroit Pistons are quickly earning respect in various NBA power rankings.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> have won four of their last five games, including back-to-back wins over the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> and <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>. As a result the Pistons are placed higher in every NBA power ranking than they have been all season.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings">Marc Stein's power rankings at ESPN</a>, Detroit comes in No. 23 and Stein compliments the play of <span>Will Bynum</span> and <span>Andre Drummond</span>, who now leads all rookies in PER. <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings/_/page/2">John Hollinger's power ranking system at ESPN</a> has the Pistons all the way up at No. 18. Detroit ranks 21st in <a href="http://www.nba.com/2012/news/powerrankings/12/31/week9/index.html?ls=nbahpfull2">John Schuhmann's power rankings at NBA.com</a>, where he also notes that the Pistons play seven of their next eight at home, where they are significantly better. <a href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/31/nba-power-rankings-western-conference-dominates-top-spots/">Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk</a> ranks Detroit at No. 22.</p>
<p>The Pistons have an overall average power ranking of 21.0 and certainly have a chance to improve upon that in the coming weeks with their home-heavy schedule.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2013/1/1/3824854/nba-2013-power-rankings-detroit-pistonsJeff Briggs2012-12-27T15:04:40-05:002012-12-27T15:04:40-05:00Jason Hanson unsure if he'll return or retire
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<p>Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson is unsure if he'll retire at age 42 or return for a 22nd season in Detroit.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> kicker <span>Jason Hanson</span> <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20121227/SPORTS01/312270117/1049/sports01">does not know if he'll return for a 22nd season</a> in the NFL or retire at the end of the year. Hanson, 42, is the oldest player in the NFL and has been with the Lions for his entire NFL career ever since Detroit drafted him in 1992.</p>
<p>Hanson will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and if the Lions don't resign him, he will retire. "I'm not interested in playing anywhere else, no way," Hanson said on Wednesday. If the Lions are interested in bringing him back, Hanson said he thinks he wants to keep playing, but will have to take some time in the offseason to make the decision.</p>
<p>Hanson is still one of the best in the league and has made 31 of 35 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards this season. For his career he ranks third in field goals made and total points scored and has the most 50-plus yard field goals in history.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/27/3808904/jason-hanson-retirement-detroit-lionsJeff Briggs2012-12-27T14:49:46-05:002012-12-27T14:49:46-05:00Stefan Logan removed from returning duties
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<p>Stefan Logan will not be returning kickoffs or punts in the Lions Week 17 contest against the Bears.</p> <p><span>Stefan Logan</span> has been <a href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/12/detroit_lions_stefan_logan_rem.html">removed from kick returning duties</a> by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> prior to their final game of the season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. This move was not a surprise after Logan made two mistakes returning kicks against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> in Week 16. Logan said, "I'm mad, at the same time, there's nothing I can do about it. That's the coach's decision. I blame myself. I'm not blaming the coaches, I blame myself."</p>
<p>In Week 16 Logan accidentally called for a fair catch with room for a return, but made a much larger mistake later in the game against the Falcons. After a safety late in the game, Logan fielded the free kick at the 4-yard line and took a knee, pinning the Lions deep in their own territory.</p>
<p>On the season Logan averaged 21.3 yards per kickoff return and 9.1 yards per punt return, ranking him 22nd and 16th respectively. He also fumbled six punts this season.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/27/3808840/stefan-logan-detroit-lions-returnerJeff Briggs2012-12-27T14:34:21-05:002012-12-27T14:34:21-05:00Lions have 4 players on ESPN's All-NFC North team
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<p>Four Detroit Lions were named to ESPN's All-NFC North team: wide receiver Calvin Johnson, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, guard Rob Sims, and tackle Gosder Cherilus.</p> <p>Four <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> were named to <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/69157/nfc-north-wrap-all-division-team-and-more">ESPN's 26-man All-NFC North team</a> by Kevin Seifert. Defensive tackle <span>Ndamukong Suh</span>, wide receiver <span>Calvin Johnson</span>, guard <span>Rob Sims</span>, and tackle <span>Gosder Cherilus</span> represent Detroit on the all-division team. Johnson was the only Lion to make the Pro Bowl.</p>
<p>With only four players the Lions were the least represented of the four NFC North teams. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> had six players on the teams (five of them on defense), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> had seven players, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> had eight players named to the team.</p>
<p>Seifert listed Calvin Johnson as an honorable mention for his NFC North MVP, which he awarded to <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>. On the defensive side of the ball, Seifert considered putting four defensive tackles on the team, which would have included <span>Nick Fairley</span> of the Lions, but opted to go with two tackles and two defensive ends, leaving Fairley off the list.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/27/3808756/espn-all-nfc-north-team-detroit-lionsJeff Briggs2012-12-27T12:29:46-05:002012-12-27T12:29:46-05:00Pistons remain in fourth place in Central Division
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<p>The Detroit Pistons won two games over the weekend and as a result avoided falling to last place in the Central Division.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> twice over the weekend and remain in fourth place in the Central Division. The Pistons are 8.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a>, who at 16-12 took over the division lead.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> both sit only a half-game behind the Pacers at 15-12, and are eight games in front of Detroit. The Pistons hold a 1.5 game advantage over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> (7-23), who have won back-to-back games for the first time this season.</p>
<p>The Pistons remained ahead of the Cavs by beating the worst the Eastern Conference has to offer. Detroit is 4-11 over their last 15 games, with all four wins coming against the Wizards (3-23) and Cavs, who hold the two worst records in the East. The Pistons have the fourth-worst record in the conference, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a> (7-21) having the third-worst record thanks to a string of 16-straight losses.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> hold the best record in the conference at 20-6. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> lead the Atlantic Division and are currently the two-seed in the East with a 21-8 record.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2012/12/27/3808232/2012-nba-standingsJeff Briggs2012-12-20T16:00:44-05:002012-12-20T16:00:44-05:00Johnson 2nd among NFC WRs in fan Pro Bowl voting
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<p>Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson finished second in fan voting for the NFC receiver position behind Victor Cruz.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story/0ap1000000114155/article/peyton-manning-tops-tom-brady-in-fans-pro-bowl-voting?campaign=Twitter_pro_bowl">Fan voting for the 2013 Pro Bowl</a> ended on Monday and no <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> finished as the leader at their position in the NFC. Wide receiver <span>Calvin Johnson</span> <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2012/12/cruz-tops-all-nfc-wrs-in-pro-bowl-voting">finished second among NFC receivers</a> behind <span>Victor Cruz</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>.</p>
<p>Johnson finished with 499,067 votes and Cruz finished with 515,811. Johnson leads the NFL in receiving yards with 1,667 and ranks second with 106 receptions; he also has five touchdowns on the season. Johnson needs only 181 yards over the final two games of the season to surpass Jerry Rice for the most receiving yards in a single season. Cruz has 79 receptions for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns.</p>
<p>Johnson has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Fan voting counts for one-third of determining the Pro Bowl roster, with player and coach votes accounting for the other two-thirds. The Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on Dec. 26 on the NFL Network at 6 p.m. CT. The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 27 in Honolulu at 6 p.m. CT on NBC.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/20/3789492/pro-bowl-voting-results-2013-fansJeff Briggs2012-12-20T14:58:59-05:002012-12-20T14:58:59-05:00Michigan named 2nd most valuable college team
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<p>The Michigan Wolverines are the second most valuable team in college football according to Forbes.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a> came in at No. 2 in Forbes' list of the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2012/business-of-college-football.html">most valuable teams in college football</a>. The Wolverines were <a href="http://www.forbes.com/pictures/emdm45lieh/2-michigan-wolverines/">valued at $120 million</a>, with a football revenue of $85 million and a football profit of $62 million. Texas topped the list with a value of $133 million.</p>
<p>Michigan saw the greatest increase in value of any team on the list, up 28% from last year thanks to the inclusion of an eighth home game on their schedule. Forbes estimated that Michigan's eighth home game was worth over $6 million. Michigan was the only Big Ten team to make the top 10, the next most valuable Big Ten team was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> at an $82 million value. Five Big Ten teams were ranked between 11th and 20th in value.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2012/12/19/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams-texas-longhorns-still-on-top/">Forbes system measures the value of each team in four areas</a> - university, athletic department, conference, and local community. The financial data used is from the 2011-12 fiscal year.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-football/2012/12/20/3789304/college-football-most-valuable-teams-forbesJeff Briggs