SB Nation Detroit - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2013-04-22T12:22:32-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/current/2013-04-22T12:22:32-04:002013-04-22T12:22:32-04:00Fisher still popular pick for Lions
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<p>Eric Fisher is still the more popular selection for the Detroit Lions in SB Nation's mock draft.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> have had many players at multiple positions mocked to them this offseason. With the No. 5 pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, they are guaranteed to land one of the top five players in the nation, on their board, but what position will they go with?</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft">More NFL Draft coverage</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Pride of Detroit</a>
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<p>Many feel the Lions' biggest need is at cornerback, while quarterback <span>Matthew Stafford</span> definitely could use some more help in the form of an offensive tackle. There are also issues on the defensive line, and to this point, we've seen players at all of those positions mocked to them.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/22/4250052/2013-nfl-mock-draft">Dan Kadar of SB Nation</a> released his penultimate mock draft on Monday and he has the Lions going the Stafford protection route, with Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher at No. 5:</p>
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<p>Following the retirement of <span>Jeff Backus</span>, the Lions are in need of a left tackle. The team won't come out and say <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/47779/riley-reiff">Riley Reiff</a> can move there, and it's probably for the best. If the Lions can add an athletic talent like Fisher, it would allow Reiff to play on the right side or guard where he's much better suited. A pass rusher will get a long look from general manager Martin Mayhew, but it's just as important to keep franchise quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/10272/matthew-stafford">Matthew Stafford</a> upright.</p>
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<p>It's true that <span>Riley Reiff</span> could probably move over to left tackle, but solidifying both tackle spots with Reiff on the right side, where he is clearly better suited, and Fisher on the left side would be a strong play for the future stability of the positions. You can also check out Fisher's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/3/19/4123294/eric-fisher-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report">scouting report here</a>, where it's made clear that if he's behind Luke Joeckel, it's not by far.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2013/4/22/4252654/2013-nfl-mock-draft-eric-fisher-lionsJames Brady2013-04-17T18:19:15-04:002013-04-17T18:19:15-04:00Mock: Lions take a left tackle
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<p>After several years of passing on potential premier left tackles, is Detroit going to let that happen in 2013? At least one mock draft has them securing perhaps the best in the draft.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> need to get back on track. As rare it is to see Detroit on track at all, it was not long ago that the Lions appeared to be one of the most talented young teams in the NFL and now they look like they are the Lions again after a 4-12 finish last season. However, they still have a lot of those young players from two seasons ago that helped get them back to the playoffs.</p>
<p>What choice in the NFL draft is going to get them back over the hump?</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="new" href="Lhttp://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/4/17/4236050/2013-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper">Mel Kiper Mock: Lions trade up to top spot</a>
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<div class="read-more">There are several obvious areas of need for Detroit, including pass rush, secondary and offensive line help for next season. After all, even if the Lions have some elite players, you do not get to 4-12 by accident. After losing <span>Cliff Avril</span> and releasing <span>Kyle Vanden Bosch</span>, the Lions could target a pass rusher like Ezekiel Ansah. Many experts have said that Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner would not get past Detroit in the draft if available.</div>
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<div class="read-more">Then there is also finding a replacement for <span>Jeff Backus</span> and the departure of <span>Gosder Cherilus</span> on the offensive line. Rob Rang of CBS Sports notes this <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-RobRang" target="_blank">in his latest mock draft</a>, and has the Lions upgrading on the line with Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan:</div>
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<div class="read-more"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.390625px;">With long-time left tackle Jeff Backus retiring and the Lions moving on without right guard <span>Stephen Peterman</span> and right tackle Gosder Cherilus, Detroit must create a cohesive front if their investments in <span>Matthew Stafford</span>, <span>Calvin Johnson</span> and free agent addition <span>Reggie Bush</span> are to flourish together. Fisher, who some rank as the top talent in the draft, would make the task of fixing the offensive line much less daunting.</span></div>
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<p>While there are many ways to go, it should give Detroit the flexibility to take the top player available either way when the Lions pick fifth in next week's draft. That is unless they make a trade to acquire more picks, since they do have many holes to fill.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2013/4/17/4236270/nfl-mock-draft-2013-lions-eric-fisherKenneth Arthur2013-04-10T19:06:07-04:002013-04-10T19:06:07-04:00Lions take a tackle in McShay's latest mock
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<p>Detroit has several key holes to fill in this year's draft. Will an offensive tackle help keep Jim Schwartz's job safe for another year?</p> <p>The Detroit Lions struggled last year. This is something you could write after almost every season, unfortunately. So what is it about the next version of the Lions that is going to finally be better than the last version? They will have to figure that out before the draft in New York on April 25, when they will be picking fifth overall. It could be crucial to the job security of head coach Jim Schwartz that they don't make the wrong choice, and there are several viable options for a team with several significant holes.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/4/10/4209698/2013-nfl-draft-brian-winters-vinston-painter-lions" target="new">Lions host two tackles</a>
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<p>Many mock drafts have had the Lions taking a defensive end to replace the departed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7411/cliff-avril">Cliff Avril</a> and Kyle Vanden Boesch, but there could be viable pass-rushing options available in the second round and later. Several others have said the cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner">Dee Milliner</a> will not get past Detroit, but it would be rare to see a corner go that high. Which could leave another option, which is upgrading the offensive line and drafting a potential elite left tackle.</p>
<p>That's why <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9148812/2013-nfl-draft-todd-mcshay-first-round-mock-draft-scenarios">ESPN's Todd McShay has mocked</a> Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher to the Lions in his latest:</p>
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<p>The Lions need to fill the hole left by the retirement of longtime OT <a style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #225fb2; vertical-align: baseline;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2566/jeff-backus" target="_blank">Jeff Backus</a>, and Fisher is the best natural pass-blocker in the class. He would be a huge asset as Detroit tries to keep franchise QB <a style="border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; color: #225fb2; vertical-align: baseline;" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12483/matthew-stafford" target="_blank">Matthew Stafford</a> upright.</p>
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<p>Detroit actually finished third in total offense last season and second in passing offense while Stafford was sacked 29 times. They have lost some key players on the line however, and Fisher could step in right away and be a starter. That's something that Schwartz is probably going to need next season.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2013/4/10/4210744/nfl-mock-draft-2013-detroit-lions-eric-fisher-espn-todd-mcshayKenneth Arthur2013-04-09T00:23:28-04:002013-04-09T00:23:28-04:00Wolverines title bid falls short
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<p>It was one of the most entertaining title games in recent memory, but the Michigan Wolverines came up short, falling to the Louisville Cardinals in Atlanta.</p> <p>It was a historic season in Ann Arbor, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> were just too much on Monday night, as the Cardinals defeated Michigan 82-76 for the National Championship.</p>
<p>It was the first title for the Cardinals since 1986 and the second for Rick Pitino, who also won with Kentucky in 1996.</p>
<p>Michigan finished the season 31-7, making its first championship appearance since 1993. Naismith winner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a> had 24 points in the loss, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175043/spike-albrecht">Spike Albrecht</a> came off the bench to score 17 in the first half, providing one of the more memorable 20 minutes from a bench player in recent title game memory.</p>
<p>As a team, the Wolverines shot 52 percent and 44 percent from three, but it was not enough to best a Louisville team that made half of its threes and was led by a 22-point performance from Most Outstanding Player <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100268/luke-hancock">Luke Hancock</a>.</p>
<p>Michigan led by as many as 12 in the first half behind Albrecht's early shooting, but Louisville got back into it behind three consecutive threes from Hancock. The Cardinals trailed by just a point at halftime.</p>
<p>In the second half, Louisville took the lead for good on two free throws from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145620/chane-behanan">Chane Behanan</a> at the 13:50 mark. Another Hancock three made it a ten-point game with 3:27 to go and the Cardinals held on behind a few made free throws down the stretch.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2013/4/9/4203674/michigan-vs-louisville-final-score-ncaa-tournament-championship-2013Russell Steinberg2013-04-08T18:07:49-04:002013-04-08T18:07:49-04:00Lions stick with Ansah in new mock draft
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<p>SB Nation's latest mock draft continues to project Ziggy Ansah to the Lions at No. 5.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> enter the 2013 NFL Draft with glaring holes at both left tackle and defensive end after losing <span>Jeff Backus</span> and <span>Cliff Avril</span>. They're in prime position to address one of those positions with the No. 5 spot. Which one largely depends on how the first four picks shake out.</p>
<p>SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/4/8/4192860/2013-nfl-mock-draft-three-rounds-geno-smith-tavon-austin">released a three-round mock draft</a> on Monday. He's sticking with the same projection he's had for a while now--BYU DE <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112942/ezekiel-ansah">Ezekiel Ansah</a>:</p>
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<p>Since the Senior Bowl, the Detroit Lions' connection to Ezekiel Ansah has been a popular one. With the two top tackles off the board, Ansah remains the most logical choice. He's a high upside player that fills a huge need.</p>
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<p>In the second round, Detroit grabs USC WR Robert Woods at No. 36, another receiver to complement <span>Calvin Johnson</span>. They hope this one works out better than the last guy they drafted:</p>
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<p>The value at offensive tackle isn't the best, and the Lions have other needs to address. A threat across from Calvin Johnson is needed after <span>Titus Young's</span> flameout. Robert Woods is under the radar right now, but he's as reliable a route runner as this class has.</p>
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<p>Finally, in the third round, the Lions grab an offensive lineman, Tennessee OT/G <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37895/dallas-thomas">Dallas Thomas</a>:</p>
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<p>The Lions were unable to address the offensive line in the first two rounds, but they get nice value with the versatile Dallas Thomas in the third round.</p>
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<p>You can check out the complete mock draft at the link below.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/2013/4/8/4202658/2013-nfl-mock-draft-lionsJon Benne2013-04-08T14:17:51-04:002013-04-08T14:17:51-04:00Louisville enters title game as 4 point favorite
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<p>Although they're coming off their worst performance of the season against Wichita State, Louisville still enters Monday as a four-point favorite according to PreGame.com. The Cardinals have won all five of their NCAA Tournament games by at least four points.</p> <p>Despite nearly getting upset in Saturday's national semifinal game against Wichita State, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> still enter Monday night's NCAA Championship as a four-point favorite over Michigan, according to the gambling website <a href="http://pregame.com/sports/stories/b/news/archive/2013/04/08/ncaa-title-odds-michigan-wolverines-vs-louisville-cardinals-1607823.aspx">PreGame.com</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.cardchronicle.com/">Card Chronicle</a><i><b> and </b></i><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize 'N Brew</a><a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/"></a></p>
<p>The Cardinals enter the title game off a narrow four-point win over the Shockers on Saturday, Louisville's closest win of the entire tournament.</p>
<p>And when the Cardinals do return to the court against the Wolverines, they'll need a better effort from their starting back-court of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100008/peyton-siva">Peyton Siva</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123828/russ-smith">Russ Smith</a> than they got on Saturday. In the win over Wichita State, the pair combined to shoot just 7 of 26 from the field, with seven total turnovers.</p>
<p>Meanwhile for the Wolverines to pull the upset, they'll try to control the paint with star freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175045/mitch-mcgary">Mitch McGary</a>.</p>
<p>McGary has had a coming out party in this postseason, with three double-doubles overall and 16.4 point and 11.6 rebound averages through five NCAA Tournament games. McGary forms a formidable inside-out punch with guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a>, who on Sunday was named the <a href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2013/4/8/4197288/trey-burke-2013-naismith-award-winner">Naismith Award winner</a>.</p>
<p>Tip-off for Monday night's championship game is set for 9:23 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-football/2013/4/8/4197404/2013-national-championship-game-odds-louisville-michiganAaron Torres2013-04-08T13:44:31-04:002013-04-08T13:44:31-04:00Michigan's Trey Burke wins Naismith Award
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<p>As Michigan tries to claim their place as the best team in college basketball on Monday night, their star point guard Trey Burke was named the best player in the sport this weekend. Burke was awarded the Naismith Player of the Year on Sunday. </p> <p>As <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a> tries to win college basketball's ultimate prize on Monday night, he added to his individual trophy case on Sunday when he was named the Naismith Player of the Year. Burke, a sophomore guard from Columbus, Ohio became the first Michigan player to ever win the award.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize 'N Brew</a></p>
<p>During the 2012-2013 season, Burke averaged 18.5 points and 6.7 assists per game, leading Michigan to their first Final Four appearance since 1993. The Wolverines will take on Louisville in Monday night's championship game, after defeating Syracuse in Saturday's national semifinal.</p>
<p>With his Naismith Trophy win, it now gives Burke four different National Player of the Year Awards for the 2012-2013 season. Earlier this month Burke was also named the National Player of the Year, John R. Wooden award recipient and also given the Oscar Robertson Trophy as well.</p>
<p>Burke also won the Big Ten Player of the Year in early March, and was later named the Bob Cousy Award winner, given to the nation's top point guard.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-basketball/2013/4/8/4197288/trey-burke-2013-naismith-award-winnerAaron Torres2013-04-08T13:21:20-04:002013-04-08T13:21:20-04:00Chris Webber likely won't attend title game
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<p>Four members of the famed 'Fab Five' will be in attendance for Monday night's title game, but reports indicate former Wolverines star Chris Webber may skip the event. Webber hasn't been in touch with any of his ex-Michigan teammates during the Wolverines' NCAA Tournament run. </p> <p>As Michigan gets set to play in their first national championship game in 20 years, it appears as though Chris Webber, the star of their last Final Four run, won't be in attendance for Monday night's title game against Louisville.</p>
<p align="center"><i><b>For more on the story, visit </b></i><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/">Maize n Brew</a></p>
<p>Webber was a member of the famed 'Fab Five,' which brought Michigan to back-to-back national championship game appearances in 1992 and 1993.</p>
<p>However, Webber hasn't been in touch with any of his four ex-teammates in the lead-up to Michigan's showdown with Louisville, leading them to believe he won't be in attendance Monday night. The other four, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King and Jalen Rose, will all be in the stands for the title game.</p>
<p>King explained the situation to <a href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/04/chris_webber_not_returning_fab.html#incart_big-photo">MLive.com</a>:</p>
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<p><br>"As far as I know, four out of the five are going to be here," King said. "I have not talked to Chris, none of the other guys have talked to Chris, we have all left messages, texted him, relayed, everything.<br><br>"All I hope and pray is that he will respond and show up. I think the university deserves it, I think he deserves it so we can put everything behind us."</p>
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<p>As King later explained, Webber's disconnect may have come from his infamous "timeout" call, one which partially led to Michigan's loss to North Carolina in the 1993 title game.</p>
<p>On that play, Webber attempted to call a timeout, even though Michigan had none left. The Wolverines were charged with a technical foul, and ultimately the Tar Heels won the game.</p>
<p>Webber went on to become a five-time NBA All-Star, before retiring from the sport in 2008. He has since moved to Atlanta, where he now works as an NBA analyst for TNT.</p>
<p>Atlanta is the host of Monday night's Championship Game.</p>
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