Is it just me or does there seem to be quite a few more transactions in the sports world than normal? Many have taken place right here in Detroit. I've refrained on commenting on many of them because so many others have. However, there is a new batch of moves everyday and I'm overdue to provide a post, so let's review a selection of moves from the old transaction wire.
Matt Millen: The Lions' boss gets a five year extension. No one is surprised by Millen's new deal. Historically, the Ford family has been very loyal to Lions' senior management. About the only thing shocking to some of us locals was the length of the deal. Five years is a bit much for a guy with a record nowhere close to .500.
I understand the team appears headed in the right direction and the Fords like Millen, but five years? How about two and we'll see how all that potential is working out?
Rafael Palmeiro: The Orioles star isn't really going anywhere, but the suspended list. In what has to qualify as one of the most moronic moves of all-time, Palmeiro got nailed taking steroids only months after vehemently denying such stories to Congress. "Hey, Rafael Palmeiro! You just got your 3,000th hit, what are you going to do next?" "I'm going to get suspended!" Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Steve Yzerman: It's nice that the Red Wings captain is going to get what I assume will be a farewell tour. Going out after an eye injury and a lockout certainly would have been anti-climatic for one of the game's all-time greats. With the new salary cap in place, I doubt we will see too many more players spend twenty plus years, and their entire careers, with only one team.
Darren McCarty: While McCarty's game appears to be in decline, it's hard for Hockeytown to let go. Mac was your typical tough Canadian kid whose personal life, both good and bad, played out before us. It made him seem like a regular guy, something this city always embraces. Detroit's hockey faithful will miss him, but will never forget. Good luck in Calgary, Darren.
Larry Brown: Yes, we are all tired of this one. However, someone thought this move should have happened in January.
Eddie Drummond: Eddie, good to have you back. In hindsight, holding out was not a good move.
Roman Colon: Colon came over to the Tigers in the deal that sent Kyle Farnsworth to Atlanta. I saw his first Detroit appearance, brief as it was, and I liked what I saw. He claims to have quite an array of pitches at his disposal which makes you think he's headed for the rotation eventually.
Paul Kariya, Peter Forsberg, Nikolai Khabibulin, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Pronger, et al: The NHL is a continuous transaction. These big names led the parade of players that have all changed sweaters this week. Kariya being the latest by joining Nashville today. (Nashville?!?!?) It will be interesting to see how all of these moves pan out not only this year, but over the next several seasons.
MLB should pay close attention to the NHL's transition. For all those calling for a salary cap in baseball, take heed. This is what would happen. If you like it, then that's fine. But if you don't like all this movement and many teams, both big and small market, being unable to move due to cap restrictions, you may want to watch what you wish for.
Antoine Walker, James Posey and Jason Williams: All part of the largest trade in NBA history and the newest members of the Shaq and Wade Show in Miami. On paper, the Heat look much improved by adding this kind of talent. However, the proof is in the pudding.
Walker and Williams are good passers, thus helping feed Shaq, but they also like to handle the ball quite a bit. And did I mention both like to shoot some, too. During a long regular season, that probably won't be an issue. But then comes the post-season.
Will 'Toine and White Chocolate relinquish the rock to their superiors? Can Williams stop Chauncey Billups one on one? Can Walker stop Tayshaun Prince? Can either stop me from getting shots?
Miami's offense is unquestionably better and has more viable options with these guys in the mix. (For the record, I like Posey and feel he will fit in fine.) However, will this new collection of players play like a team in the closing minutes of a playoff game or will Walker and Williams revert to their previous style of play and hoist up shots without deferring to Shaq and Wade? We will know by next June.
Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.: You remember the Atkins craze, right? Well, it's with some perverse pleasure that I report the company has filed for bankruptcy. Why do I find this modestly amusing? First, because I'm tired of being told what to eat and when to eat it. Second, I like bakeries. These Atkins folks shut down many a fine bakery by convincing people that bakeries are a pox on society. What comes around, goes around. (Although, I'm confident the company will not go away, just re-organize.)
I may have missed a transaction (or ten), and that last one wasn't sports related, but I figure you are probably just about ready to fall asleep by now, so I best stop here. As always, thanks for stopping in. Feel free to grab a doughnut on the way out.
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