Big Ben returns!

There is a LOT to talk about today. Carl Pavano is in town. The NHLPA wants to talk. Pistons and Lions play this weekend.

Let's start with the Pistons game in San Antonio tonight...

After a six game suspension, Ben Wallace will return to the Pistons' lineup tonight for a match up against the Spurs in San Antonio. Wallace's defense and energy will be needed to help stop Tim Duncan, who is averaging 23.4 points per game, and 12.9 rebounds behind a Spurs team that is averaging 96.9 points per game.

The Pistons didn't have much luck last year against the Spurs in San Antonio. They lost 84-75, and had trouble containing Ginobli, who came off the bench to score 17 points. This year the Pistons must score more consistently and stop the perimeter game to contain the Spurs.

My predictions for this game are simple. Ben Wallace is back and will want be itching to make some noise. Pistons win 97-84.

I don't really have anything to say about their game at New Orleans other than the Hornets are awful. The Pistons will win 98-74.

Moving on to the Lions as they host the Cardinals...

The Detroit Lions will not win another game unless they can come up with a passing game. I do not care how "bad" Arizona is perceived to be, they have a rookie QB with good arm strength, accurate passing, and his chance to win his first NFL game 40 miles east of where he spent the three previous seasons starting at QB for Michigan. With the aging Emmitt Smith out, the Cardinals will split the carries between Larry Croom and Josh Scobey.

One of the hardest blows for the Lions was the loss of Eddie Drummond. Drummond was the only consistency you could count on from the offense. I would expect Reggie Swinton to get the returns. At best, we can hope that Swinton at least brings it up to the 20 or 30 yard line each time.

Joey Harrington will have a short leash on him this week. The Fords...er...Mariucci isn't ready to give the starting QB position to McMahon yet, but I would expect that after the first quarter if the Lions aren't on the board with a TD, McMahon will get the snaps. Do I think McMahon can make a difference in this game? Not really. The QB position must be addressed during the off season.

My prediction for this game is Arizona 27, Detroit 16.

The NHLPA...

Maybe I will just rant, and then talk sensibly. The NHL players must accept that the only way they are ever going to get back on the ice is to accept some form of a hard cap. There is not going to be talks of luxury tax, or exceptions, or anything. WAKE UP AND CLEAN YOUR EARS, GOODENOW! While you're at it, why don't you wash your brain too! What is wrong with you! Oh wait, you asked to talk. Why is that? Do you want to propose a $45 million cap? Do you want to show how they can only lose $100 million instead of $200 million? Do you want to be an ... well, maybe I'll stop short of calling him an idiot.

Ahem... Thanks... I needed that...

The NHLPA has asked the NHL to meet them in Toronto next week for a chat. The NHL said "OK". So next week they're going to talk. I wonder what will be proposed. Chris Draper of the Detroit Red Wings was heard saying that the players might be willing to hear about a cap set at $45 million, but not $31 million. Maybe they're going to propose that? It's a start. I do not believe that the NHL will take anything above the high 30's, but hey, 45 could be the start of a negotiation. BTW, have there been negotiations yet? No. There have been proposals, and demands. No compromise. No talks. Nothing.

Detroit is officially on a Carl Pavano watch...

That's right. You read it right. Carl Pavano is in town, and has a 4 year deal in front of him that was significant enough that his agent says that Detroit is in the uppers of their list of places to sign with. I wouldn't get too excited yet, but the last time a pitcher came to town to have dinner with Mr. Dombrowski, he ended up signing. The Tigers apparently have a deep pocket book, and a class organization. This is something we hadn't seen for a few years.

If (maybe when) the Tigers sign Pavano to that 4 year deal, this could be the one signing to kick off a fun winter. Maybe Steve Finley will sign, and Beltre or Glaus would follow. Finley would make a great center fielder until Granderson is ready to take over. Glaus would give the Tigers the option to move Inge and his rocket arm to the outfield, where they have 3 unanswered questions. Who will play LF? Who will play RF? Who will play CF? I guess for now Higginson will have to play. Yay.

Monday we will recap the Pistons games, the Lions game, update the Pavano watch, and talk Steroids.

-Dan Joseph