While the Detroit Tigers’ rebuilding project continues to be a slog as Spring Training finally arrives, there could be some areas of excitement for a franchise that has been void of it for almost 5 years now.

Under new coach A.J. Hinch, the Tigers are hoping its combination of youth and veterans looking for another shot at the Majors can create an interesting product on the field.

While the Tigers could very well remain bottom-feeders in baseball once more, one outlet sees one potential Tiger as a breakout candidate for the 2021 season.

Granted CBS Sports had to list a player for every team by default, CBS Sports baseball analyst singled out Victor Reyes as a potential breakout candidate for the Tigers this season.

“As explained in the introduction, we try to make this process more interesting for the reader and more challenging for the author by abstaining from picking top prospects,” Anderson wrote. “Sometimes, though, that leaves you with a situation like this one, where you have no real choice other than to tab a player like Reyes, whose chances of ‘breaking out’ are remote. He's a fast runner, and at 6-foot-5 he's probably the tallest singles hitter in the league, so he's got that going for him. Otherwise? Reyes has at least average raw power that he can't access because of his mechanics and his swing-happy approach. The best-case scenario here entails him getting enough playing time to become the first Tigers outfielder since Rajai Davis with 10 triples and 10 stolen bases. Shy of that, he seems unlikely to qualify as a ‘hit’ in next year's column.”

While Reyes’ pick is certainly one out of necessity, Reyes’ production in Detroit the last three seasons doesn’t jump off the stat sheet after spending the last three seasons with the Tigers. Playing 100 games in his first year, Reyes saw the numbers of games played in fall to 69 in 2019 and 57 in 2020 with COVID certainly having something to do with the 2020 numbers.

With a .271 batting average, .373 slugging percentage with 187 hits, 94 runs and 8 home runs, the Tigers would certainly take anything above that three-year average from Reyes.

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With the NFL offseason underway and the Detroit Lions already making a big splash with its acquisition of quarterback Jared Goff, the stage is now set for first-year general manager Brad Holmes and first-year head coach Dan Campbell to take a long look at how the overall roster is currently constructed to see avenues of improvement as the rebuild is well underway in Detroit.

In order to build the roster the way Holmes and Campbell would like, the issue of the salary cap remains in the way. To make matters worse, the NFL’s salary cap for the 2021-22 season is expected to drop 11.2% to around $176 million. As things stand, with dead cap and other factors, the Lions will have some work to do this offseason to not only get under the cap but give enough breathing space for itself to re-sign players and perhaps be players in the free-agent market this offseason.

Where is all of Detroit’s money going, exactly? Thanks to spotrac.com, we take a look at the Lions’ Top-5 cap hits currently on the roster this season and discuss whether the Lions would be able to move on from the player to give some much-needed cap relief.

1. Quarterback Jared Goff

Years Remaining in Current Deal: 4

Base salary: $25,325,000

2021 Cap Hit: $27,825,000

2021 Dead Cap: $43,325,000

Percentage of total Lions’ cap: 14.07%

Bottom Line: Jared Goff’s current contract is not cap-friendly, just looking at the numbers makes it obvious. While the Lions appear to have no intention of getting rid of Goff as quickly as they traded for him, there is a way for the Lions to save some money in cap space if the franchise so chooses. The only way that would happen is for a trade to occur either before or after the 6/1 date. If the Lions were to somehow trade Goff for 6/1, the Lions would receive a $0 dead cap hit and total cap savings of $27,825,000 if the franchise were to not take any contracts on the books as part of the deal. If the Lions were to trade Goff after 6/1, the numbers would still be the same, however, the Lions would see a $0 dead cap hit the following season as well due to timing. Simply cutting Goff is a different story. Before or after 6/1, the Lions would receive a dead cap cost of $43,325,000 as listed above and would receive a cap penalty of -$15,500,000. So, the move simply makes zero fiscal sense for the 2021 season.

2. Defensive End Trey Flowers

Years Remaining in Current Deal: 3

Base salary: $14,375,000

2021 Cap Hit: $19,989,000

2021 Dead Cap: $26,842,000

Percentage of total Lions’ cap: 10.10%

Bottom Line: Like Goff, the numbers are simply not favorable for Trey Flowers to simply be released if the Lions had salary cap relief in mind. A pre-6/1 release would see a dead cap hit of $26,842,000 and a penalty of over -$6 million. A post-6/1 release would see the 2021 cap hit split in half between this season and next ($15 million in 2021, $11 million in 2022), with the Lions saving a total of $4 million in cap space for 2021. If the Lions were to somehow find a trade partner for Flowers, its best case would be after the 6/1 deadline if it so chooses. The Lions would see Flowers’ dead cap money shrink by $10 and would be split between two seasons, $5.6 million in 2021 and $11.2 million in 2022. The Lions would save a total of $14.3 million against the salary cap in 2021, assuming the franchise does not take any contracts on as part of the trade.

3. Defensive Back Desmond Trufant

Years Remaining in Current Deal: 1

Base salary: $9,500,000

2021 Cap Hit: $12,187,500

2021 Dead Cap: $6,00,000

Percentage of total Lions’ cap: 6.16%

Bottom Line: Desmond Trufant’s contract certainly puts him near the top of the list of the Lions’ potential cap casualties this offseason. A very cap-friendly deal in terms of return for the franchise, finding a trade partner for Trufant seems highly unlikely so a pre or post-6/1 cut seems like the best scenario. If the Lions were to cut Trufant before or after 6/1, the Lions would accrue a dead cap of $6 million and also receive $6.1 million in cap space. If the Lions were able to find a trade partner, the other franchise would be doing Holmes a major favor in terms of cap space as the Lions would receive a $2.5 million hit in dead cap and see a big boost in cap space, $9.6 million to be exact.

4. Linebacker Jamie Collins

Years Remaining in Current Deal: 2

Base salary: $8,800,000

2021 Cap Hit: $11,333,333

2021 Dead Cap: $11,666,666

Percentage of total Lions’ cap: 5.73%

Bottom Line: Jamie Collins’ deal is not very team-friendly in terms of Holmes being able to find a way out of it. One avenue the Lions could explore is a post 6/1 trade of Collins, where the Lions would accrue a dead cap hit of $2.3 million over two seasons and a total salary cap savings of $9 million. A pre-6/1 trade would see the Lions accrue a dead cap penalty of $4.6 million and a total cap savings of $6 million. However, the trade market for an aging linebacker seems sparse these days. In terms of releasing, the Lions would see a cap penalty if released before 6/1 and would see minimal savings post 6/1.

5. Defensive Back Justin Coleman

Years Remaining on Current Deal: 2

Base salary: $8,950,000

2021 Cap Hit: $11,029,000

2021 Dead Cap: $6,087,000

Percentage of total Lions’ cap: 5.58%

Bottom Line: Another potential cap casualty for the Lions, Justin Coleman has a very favorable contract if cut by the Lions before the season. With how his contract breaks down, a post-6/1 release would see the Lions take on a $2.02 million dead cap hit in 2021 and $4.05 dead cap hit in 2022 with a total cap savings of $9 million in 2021. Whereas if it were a pre-6/1 distinction, the Lions would take on $6.08 in dead cap and a total cap savings of $4.9 million in 2021. If the Lions were to trade Coleman, the dead cap and cap savings numbers would be identical for pre and post-6/1 distinctions.

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While the Detroit Pistons lost to the New York Knicks 109-90 on Sunday, the loss might have also come at an even bigger cost than a tick in the loss column.

Going up for a layup, Pistons forward Jerami Grant appeared to have injured his leg during the fourth quarter and quickly exited the game.

After the game, Pistons’ head coach Dwane Casey gave an update on Grant’s status.

“He strained something in his calf and it’s nothing serious we don’t think,” Casey said. “We’ll find out tomorrow exactly how he feels tomorrow when he gets up. The game was getting a little bit out of hand. Nothing serious.”

Good news for a team that could use every little bit it can get right now. Grant finished the game with 21 points and 8 rebounds in the losing effort.

For more postgame comments, check out the video embedded above.

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The Red Wings’ winning streak was fun while it lasted after a total team collapse in the third period saw the Blackhawks net 5 goals in a 7-2 thrashing of the Wings on Sunday.

The Wings were riding a two-game winning streak into Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks and were also coming off a 5-3 win on Saturday as well. However, the brief run of form was quickly snapped after a poor defensive effort by the Wings in the final period.

In fact, Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said after the game that the team was ‘terrible’ defensively, especially in its own end, which led to multiple chances by the Blackhawks on Sunday.

“They have a good rush team and they do a good job on the rush so they make it hard on you,” Blashill said after the game. “I just thought we did a terrible job of sorting those out over the line. A lot of those were, honestly, not hard sorts. We had numbers back and we didn’t pick up the right. Gave too many free looks out.

“You have the 2-on-1 that Kane scores, I get that, that’s not a sort issue. The other ones were sort issues and we can’t have that.”

For other postgame comments, check out the video embedded above.

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Remember when I said that the Detroit Lions’ trade for Jared Goff is a low-risk, high reward move for the franchise?

The Detroit Pistons have a similar deal on their hands after Derrick Rose’s trade to the New York Knicks is now complete.

The Pistons acquired Dennis Smith Jr. and a 2021 second-round pick via the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Rose. This is a move that isn’t going to move any needles in regards to the magnitude of trades but it’s a simple trade that makes sense for both the Pistons and the Knicks, perhaps more so for the Pistons.

Here’s why.

Smith, a former first-round selection by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft, has certainly not lived up to expectations throughout his young career so far. In fact, his time on the court had dwindled in New York so much that he requested, and was granted, a move to the G League so he could regularly see time on the court. This doesn’t necessarily mean he has to see a similar fate in Detroit. In fact, he will have plenty of opportunities to prove his future worth either to Detroit, or other suitors, this year.

With rookie point guard Killian Hayes rehabbing a hip injury, playing time is wide open at the point guard position. With the Pistons playing Delon Wright out of position at the point, Smith’s insertion into the starting lineup could be a worthwhile gamble on a team that is in the middle of a rebuild.

With one year remaining on Smith’s contract, you have a cheap deal to see whether you can unlock some untapped potential until Hayes is healthy, or could find a solid roleplayer to go along with Hayes if he is the future like many within the organization believe he is.

Either way, the Pistons haven’t gambled by sending an aging Rose off to play worthwhile basketball elsewhere.

Smith’s future deal would be a cap-friendly one if his second chance pays off. The Pistons will be allowed to give a qualifying offer to Smith at $7.7 million next season if they so choose.

No matter how things shake out, there’s plenty of basketball left in Smith’s tank. The move to get him in a trade is intriguing and could be one that pays dividends down the line.

Blake Griffin didn’t ask to be traded to the Detroit Pistons from the Los Angeles Clippers. He also didn’t ask to be the marquee player of a franchise in the midst of a complete facelift.

That wasn’t the case once he arrived with Stan Van Gundy. He was meant to be the superstar player a floundering Eastern Conference franchise needed to break the playoff drought. While his addition has done just that, the Pistons as they were constructed at the time would have done but make a brief appearance in the playoffs and depart.

It did just that.

Now, intentions by the Pistons franchise under new general manager Troy Weaver is clear: Acquire young talent and as much draft capital as possible to build the organization from the bottom up.

While Griffin’s contract has two years remaining, with next year being a player option, now is the perfect time to repay Griffin’s flexibility with a chance to play for a contender.

A $36 million obligation is a tough ask for a 31-year-old forward who has had difficulties staying healthy over the past few seasons. However, he could certainly become a piece for a team with established stars on it already.

The Pistons won’t simply be able to dump Griffin for draft picks and wash their hands completely, contract numbers in return will have to work out.

There’s nothing wrong with examining your options if you’re Weaver, seeing what kind of landscape the Griffin trade market would hold, emphasize the draft and get some expiring contracts in return.

For a franchise looking for some flexibility, an extra $36 million coming off the books and draft capital could be just what the doctor ordered. Plus, Griffin can decide next season whether returning to said competing team is worth it or risk testing the open market in free agency.

At 5-16, the Pistons are destined for a draft lottery selection. A player that could still contribute, Griffin’s skill set isn’t suitable for a basement-dwelling franchise. Not at his salary.

Sending him to a winner is the least the Pistons could do to mark the end of an unfortunate era in Detroit.

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Sports video game fans across the country rejoiced on Tuesday as EA Sports dropped a massive news bomb out of nowhere that its famed college football game series will make a return to consoles at some point in the future, though it’s unclear when exactly that will happen.

NCAA Football 14, the last rendition of the game by EA, continues to have a cult-like following with users who work tirelessly to keep the game updated even if there has been two cycles of next-gen consoles that have been released since Denard Robinson graced the cover.

The potential with the latest next-generation consoles, plus the PC community, could be extensive for the next college football game.

People have their gripes with the state of the Madden franchise, which is certainly warranted. So many are welcoming the news with bated breath, hoping that the college version doesn’t have a similar fate.

Here’s what I would like to see improved, or added when the latest college football game graces store shelves.

1. The game mechanics worked, it just needs a modern touch

One of the major reasons that NCAA Football 14 is still popular today is because the game mechanics work. Of course, it’s not without its flaws, but the game works. Seeing similar gameplay mechanics but a needed facelift to reach the potential of next-gen consoles would be a perfect addition to the game. Improved player graphics, which includes player movements, improved AI, no more super linebackers that have the jumping skills for Odell Beckham Jr., improved crowd atmosphere and stadium traditions would be an excellent and welcomed inclusion.

2. Transfer portal

This one might be tricky as the current state of the transfer portal in modern-day college athletics is hectic. With the way EA AI works in Madden, things might get overpowered quickly when it comes to players entering the transfer portal. However, transfers are now part of the game and it must be included. NCAA Football 14 had transfer abilities but the system simply did not work. It was too easy to keep players from transferring and the player had zero say which players would transfer into the program. An expansive system of looking at transfers, being able to keep players from entering the portal and roster management would be an excellent feature.

3. A tinkered recruiting system

One of the strengths of NCAA Football 14 was the recruiting system in the game. If EA were able to keep a similar system but with improved mechanics and quality of life additions, a system that worked well could be strengthened even further. A system of having recruits come in for unofficial and official visits, scheduling a list of events during the visit and other modern ideas that collegiate programs use to recruit players these days would be an interesting twist to a system that worked.

4. Improved gameday traditions/entrances

For the last addition, I would like EA to focus on gameday traditions each school has before kickoffs, during scores and other things that set schools apart from the others. Though NCAA Football 14 addressed some of them, I think next-gen consoles will allow the developers to focus more on the minute details that set collegiate football apart from other sports. It’s the attention to details that help a game immensely, especially from a sports video game standpoint, that avoids things from going stale quickly.

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The Matthew Stafford era in Detroit will come to an end once the NFL season calendar flips to a new year.

While technically his move to the Los Angeles Rams could be torpedoed before becoming ratified by the league, it appears set in stone that the Detroit Lions will be receiving two future first-round selections, a third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and quarterback Jared Goff and his contract in exchange for Stafford.

Moving on from Stafford has clearly signaled that the Lions are ready to embrace a change that should’ve happened during the waning years of Matt Patricia: A rebuild, a re-tool.

Whatever you want to call it, changes need to be made and appear to be well underway in Allen Park.

While Goff’s colossal contract could be seen as second fiddle to the future draft capital new general manager Brad Holmes received from his former co-workers, there’s a possibility that Goff’s addition to the franchise could be seen as a low-risk maneuver as the franchise goes through the growing pains of a first-year head coach and general manager combination.

Yes, the cap ramifications are quite large for a 20-13 touchdown to interception ratio quarterback last season. Goff will create a $27.8 million cap hit for the Lions in the 2021 season.

However, unless the Lions are enamored with a quarterback in the 2021 draft, you at least have a seasoned veteran at quarterback that could be considered a bridge until you find your future franchise quarterback as the rebuild gathers steam.

Looking at the combination of Goff and future capital, the trade with the Rams is truly a low-risk, high-reward move for Holmes. With Stafford, you have an inflated contract and a franchise that hasn’t won a game of substance in years.

Without Stafford, you have an inflated contract in Goff and extra draft capital that can be used to supplement the squad. Of course, the onus is for the general manager and scouting department to make the most out of the extra draft picks, something no one in Allen Park has done in decades. Yes, it’s easier to make the most out of a no-brainer pick in Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson compared to diving deeper into the draft to find gems.

However, Goff has the possibility of giving you at least two years of balanced quarterback play until the franchise figures out what to do.

Let’s say the Lions take a quarterback in the 2021 draft. Goff’s contract becomes cuttable in 2023. This means that the Lions could save $25 million in cap space with $0 of dead cap if they decide to move on. If the franchise decided to move on before that, it would create $43 million in dead cap against the salary cap. A move that simply doesn’t make sense from all aspects.

If Goff can be somewhat serviceable and you’re able to give a young quarterback plenty of time to develop on a schedule, it allows the franchise to round out the roster with other players that can be built around a veteran and an up and coming rookie.

A lot can happen in two years and it’s clear that the Lions are nowhere close to competing in the division, let alone on a league-wide scale.

However, bringing in Goff for at least two years is a risk that Holmes deemed worth taking as the reward could be high.

The onus now is on drafting players that fit. Something the Lions front office has been missing.

With cuts and more trades undoubtedly to be made, a competent veteran in Goff could be what Dan Campbell needs to give the fanbase some faith and patience that the rebuild is worth the risk.

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Welcome to The Detroit Deep Dish with Josh Henschke. Some of you may know me as the guy that writes about University of Michigan athletics. Some of you may stumble upon this and have no idea who I am, which, great! Welcome aboard.

Just like in life, I’m trying to find a purpose of what, exactly, is going to be written about here. While I love what I do, I certainly would love to write about things that interest me outside of the U-M realm and, hopefully, interest you, too.

Bare with me as I iron out the kinks such as the frequency of postings, subject matter, etc. This is a cool newsletter-type thing so feel free to subscribe to The Detroit Deep Dish and get my musings straight to your inbox!

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