SB Nation Detroit: All Posts by Peter Berkeshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2013-03-21T08:00:04-04:00https://detroit.sbnation.com/authors/peter-berkes/rss2013-03-21T08:00:04-04:002013-03-21T08:00:04-04:00Lions take pass rusher in new mock draft
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<p>The Lions have an opening on the defensive line, and they fill it quickly in a new mock draft.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> need to add another pass rusher following the departure of <span>Cliff Avril</span>. With the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, they could have their pick of the best pass rushers. <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-DaneBrugler" target="_blank">CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler thinks that's the direction the team will go in his latest mock draft</a>, selecting BYU defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112942/ezekiel-ansah" class="sbn-auto-link">Ezekiel Ansah</a>.</p>
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<p>Ansah is still very new to football, but he has such freakish athleticism that he can do nearly anything he wants on a football field. He has the ability to play in either the 4-3 or 3-4 defense, but may take a while to grow into his full potential at the NFL level. Here's what Brugler had to say about Ansah:</p>
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<p>The Lions have one of the better interior defensive lines in the NFL with <span>Ndamukong Suh</span> and <span>Nick Fairley</span>, but need to add pass rushers in the draft. Ansah offers positional versatility and can do a lot of things at the next level, plus the Lions staff is familiar with him after coaching him at the Senior Bowl.</p>
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<p>Ansah only had 4.5 sacks at BYU in 2012, but he didn't often get a chance to really rush the passer exclusively. When given those opportunities towards the end of the season, he dominated games almost effortlessly.</p>
<h4>More from SB Nation:</h4>
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<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CyDYjnYEvy4" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2013/3/21/4130274/nfl-mock-draft-2013-ezekiel-ansah-lionsPeter Berkes2013-03-17T18:57:30-04:002013-03-17T18:57:30-04:00Get your own printable NCAA bracket
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<p>The Spartans and Wolverines both punched their way into the Big Dance. Come download your own printable bracket and see how far you have them going.</p> <p>The NCAA Tournament field was announced on Sunday evening, and the two major schools from the state of Michigan are top four seeds.</p>
<p>The Michigan State Spartans are the three seed in the Midwest region, and face 14 seed Valparaiso in the first round. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/michigan-wolverines" class="sbn-auto-link">Michigan Wolverines</a> are the four seed in the South region, and will face the 13 seed South Dakota State in their first game. The first full round of games gets underway on Thursday, March 21, and follows into Friday, March 22.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/3/17/4116652/ncaa-bracket-2013-full-printable-march-madness-bracket">Click here to get your own printable bracket, courtesy of SB Nation</a>. You can also stay up to date with all the latest tournament news at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/march-madness">SB Nation's March Madness hub</a>.</p>
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<p><iframe src="https://detroit.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=21203" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="21203-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-state-basketball/2013/3/17/4116854/2013-ncaa-printable-bracketPeter Berkes2013-01-03T14:03:46-05:002013-01-03T14:03:46-05:00Pistons have night off amid 3 game win streak
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<p>Detroit will try to win their fourth straight when they face Atlanta on Friday night. However, here's what happened on Wednesday night in the NBA while the Pistons were off.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> had the night off on Wednesday night, and will try to carry the momentum from their current three game winning streak into their game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> on Friday night in Auburn Hills. Despite their hot streak, Detroit still sits at 12-22 on the season, eight games out of first place in the Central.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in the NBA on Wednesday night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> got dropped at home by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, 110-93, in what was the game of the night. In the Central Division, the division leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>, 89-81, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> squeaked past the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>, 96-94. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> fell to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, 117-110, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a>, 97-94.</p>
<p>Tipoff for the Pistons and Hawks is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons will attempt to avenge their 126-119 overtime loss to the Hawks on Dec. 26.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/pistons/2013/1/3/3832520/nba-scores-2013Peter Berkes2013-01-03T12:37:31-05:002013-01-03T12:37:31-05:00Lions re-sign Ashlee Palmer and Don Carey
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<p>The two defensive players provide key depth and special teams reps for Detroit, who may be set to lose a number of defensive players to free agency.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> kept two of their defensive players off the free agent market, signing linebacker <span>Ashlee Palmer</span> and safety <span>Don Carey</span> <a href="http://www.freep.com/Article/20130103/SPORTS01/130103007/1049/Sports01?Utm_source=Feedburner&Amp;Utm_medium=Twitter&Amp;Utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitLions+%28freep.Com+%7C+Detroit+Lions%29" target="_blank">to extensions prior to the end of the regular season</a>.</p>
<p>Palmer, who started two games this season, was inked to a two-year extension through 2014, and will make $1 million and $1.25 million over those two seasons. Aside from providing depth at linebacker, Palmer is also one of the best special teams players on the roster. He had 24 tackles and two forced fumbles on the season.</p>
<p>Carey started six games for Detroit this past season, and received a one year deal through 2013. The Lions could possibly lose fellow safeties <span>Louis Delmas</span> and <span>Amari Spievey</span> to free agency, so Carey's re-signing helps solidify the team's defensive backfield and special teams units. Carey recorded 39 tackles and two interceptions in 2012.</p>
<p>The Lions have a busy offseason ahead, as they have 23 players that will become unrestricted free agents this March.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2013/1/3/3832130/lions-ashlee-palmer-don-careyPeter Berkes2013-01-03T12:25:41-05:002013-01-03T12:25:41-05:00MSU RB Le'Veon Bell entering NFL Draft
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<p>The workhorse junior running back will leave East Lansing a year early, and is expected to be a second or third round pick.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-st-spartans">Michigan St. Spartans</a> running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113936/le-veon-bell">Le'Veon Bell</a> <a href="http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/01/michigan_states_leveon_bell_to.html" target="_blank">will enter the 2013 NFL Draft, according to Bell's mentor, Donis Toler Jr</a>. The junior informed Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio of his decision on Wednesday night, and has already hired an agent.</p>
<p>Bell led the nation this past season with a staggering 382 rushing attempts, and piled up 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Spartans. He effectively was their entire offense, as new quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77183/andrew-maxwell">Andrew Maxwell</a> struggled to get the passing game going. Bell will finish his career at Michigan State at sixth in school history with 33 touchdowns, and seventh with 3,346 rushing yards.</p>
<p>Many had assumed that Bell would turn pro after this past season, as running backs have a notoriously short shelf life in the NFL. The NFL Draft Advisory Board reportedly told Bell he was rated as a second/third round selection, and that was good enough to get him to leave East Lansing a year early.</p>
<p>The 2013 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, Apr. 25.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-state-football/2013/1/3/3832146/nfl-draft-2013-leveon-bell-michigan-statePeter Berkes2012-12-27T15:34:28-05:002012-12-27T15:34:28-05:00Tigers getting new set of batting practice hats
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The new versions will include a white front panel and a gray crown, and will be used during spring training.</p> <p><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/16228/first-look-new-mlb-batting-practice-caps" target="_blank">UniWatch's Paul Lukas got a hold of the new MLB batting practice hats</a>, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> will have different home and road hats. The odd piping and stretch panels of the old hats are gone, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradGalli/status/284314041588019200" target="_blank">and are replaced with a more traditional design</a>.</p>
<p>The Tigers home BP hat will be navy with a white front panel, with a navy blue D on the front. The road BP hat is a bit different, in that it's gray with a blue brim and a blue and orange D on the front. Lukas wasn't particularly high on the new Tigers hats, but the new hats are an improvement over the previous set, to be sure. The old hats were navy blue all around, with the home version including white piping and a white D, and the road version with orange piping and an orange D.</p>
<p>Several other teams have two hats, but the majority of MLB teams will have only one BP hat. The hats will be worn during spring training, and in batting practice throughout the season.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/12/27/3809030/detroit-tigers-batting-practice-hatsPeter Berkes2012-12-27T15:09:22-05:002012-12-27T15:09:22-05:00Norfleet to see time at CB for Michigan
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<p>The former running back will get on the field in the Outback Bowl as a cornerback, but it may not be very often.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159538/dennis-norfleet">Dennis Norfleet</a> began this season as a running back and kick returner for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-wolverines">Michigan Wolverines</a>. However, the freshman switched to cornerback after the regular season ended, and <a href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/12/dennis_norfleet_will_play_some.html" target="_blank">head coach Brade Hoke said Norfleet will see some time on the field at corner in the Outback Bowl</a>. Hoke did not really elaborate on how many plays Norfleet would get on the field for.</p>
<p>Norfleet's inclusion in the defensive gameplan may have been accelerated by the suspension of starting cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36720/j-t-floyd">J.T. Floyd</a>. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113844/courtney-avery">Courtney Avery</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134809/raymon-taylor">Raymon Taylor</a> are expected to start, but the team will cycle in a few others as the situation dictates.</p>
<p>The Detroit native only recorded two rushes for 13 yards this year, but returned 34 kicks and averaged over 23 yards per return.</p>
<p>The Wolverines and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks">South Carolina Gamecocks</a> face off in the Outback Bowl on New Years Day at 1 p.m. The Gamecocks are six point favorites, <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/michigan-south-carolina-odds-january-1-2013" target="_blank">according to Oddsshark.com</a>.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-football/2012/12/27/3808926/2013-outback-bowl-dennis-norfleet-cornerbackPeter Berkes2012-12-27T14:52:13-05:002012-12-27T14:52:13-05:00Calvin Johnson may sit out Pro Bowl
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<p>The Lions WR may elect to sit out his second straight Pro Bowl in order to rest injuries.</p> <p><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> wide receiver <span>Calvin Johnson</span> is uncertain whether he'll play in the 2013 Pro Bowl, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/284371344668368896">according to the Free Press' Dave Birkett</a>. Johnson has been dealing with nagging injuries for much of the season, and may rest in lieu of playing. Johnson also missed the 2012 Pro Bowl to rest injuries.</p>
<p>Johnson broke Jerry Rice's NFL record for most receiving yards in a season last week, when he caught 11 catches for 225 yards against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a>. He has 1,892 yards on the season, and needs only 108 yards against the Bears on Sunday to be the first NFL player to reach the 2,000 receiving yards mark. Johnson has only caught five touchdown passes this year, and this season will be the first in three seasons where he hasn't caught double digit touchdowns.</p>
<p>The Lions finish an incredibly disappointing season on Sunday, Dec. 30, when they host the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> at Ford Field at 1 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on Fox.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/27/3808854/2013-pro-bowl-calvin-johnsonPeter Berkes2012-12-22T08:00:03-05:002012-12-22T08:00:03-05:00Lions playing for pride, the upset vs. Falcons
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<p>Detroit and Atlanta have basically had mirror opposite seasons, but the Lions will try to upset the Falcons at home on Saturday night.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> are two teams heading in opposite directions. The Lions entered the season with high hopes, but the season has unfolded in miserable fashion. The Falcons, meanwhile, are one win away from clinching the number one seed in the NFC. The two teams will get together for a rare Saturday night NFL game this week, and Detroit will attempt to buck momentum to spring the upset.</p>
<p>The Lions put defensive tackle <span>Nick Fairley</span> and cornerback <span>Jacob Lacey</span> on injured reserve this week, spreading the defense a little bit thinner against a dangerous Atlanta offense.</p>
<p>The Falcons could potentially be without two of their most important players in wide receiver <span>Roddy White</span> and safety <span>William Moore</span>. White is fighting through a knee issue, and Moore has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. <span>Matthew Stafford</span> and <span>Calvin Johnson</span> will likely try to exploit Moore's absence if he misses his third straight game on Saturday.</p>
<p>Kickoff from Ford Field is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/22/3786768/lions-falcons-2012-schedule-tv-time-injury-updatesPeter Berkes2012-12-20T15:06:57-05:002012-12-20T15:06:57-05:00Jason Fox continues to develop for the Lions
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<p>The reserve offensive lineman has finally been able to stay healthy for a whole season, and may be in position to contribute regularly next season.</p> <p><span>Jason Fox</span> has only appeared in one game for six snaps this season, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> are pleased with the reserve lineman's development. The third year player has struggled to kick the injury bug before this season, but has been able to stay healthy all year. <a href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/12/detroit_lions_still_have_high.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mlive_sports+%28MLive.com+Sports%29" target="_blank">Head coach Jim Schwartz says that has gotten Fox over the hump</a>:</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">"That's probably the biggest thing," coach Jim Schwartz said. "His first couple years he had trouble staying healthy. He's very good within our scheme, he had a very good training camp, he was active this year when <span>Jeff Backus</span> was down during Thanksgiving. He can play on the right side, he can play on the left side, he's played some guard for us, and he's a good developing player."</span></p>
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<p>Fox can play essentially any position on the offensive line, but his primary position is tackle. The relatively good health of the Lions offensive line has kept him from seeing much playing time, as has the addition of first round pick <span>Riley Reiff</span>. However, there could be several salary cap casualties on the line during the offseason, so Fox may still have a shot at seeing regular playing time in Detroit.</p>
<p>The Lions host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> at Ford Field for a rare Saturday night NFL matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on NBC.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/12/20/3789354/jason-fox-detroit-lions-jim-schwartzPeter Berkes