97.1 The Ticket

We’ll get our first peak at what this looks like against an actual opponent when the Lions open the preseason Friday night against the Falcons.

Michigan State men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has agreed to terms on a new contract, MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced Thursday.

The new regime is why Walker turned down bigger offers in free agency this offseason in favor of a three-year, $25 million deal with the Lions.

The Tigers manager has been involved in Major League Baseball since his playing career began in 1998. He has an array of contacts across the game.

Ilitch talked frequently about the Tigers’ objectives. The first one, he said, is to assemble a “winning team.” They have a lot of work left to do.

The move ends Avila’s seven-year tenure as general manager after taking over in August of 2015. The Tigers have the most losses in baseball since.

Campbell is who he is. It’s why the Lions hired him and it’s why his players love him. However he’s perceived on Hard Knocks, he’s not changing.

No. 9 was the only single-digit number available on the Lions roster. Nos. 1 through 8 are spoken for, with the exception of No. 7 which is retired for Hall of Famer Dutch Clark.

With a historically-bad offense, the Tigers couldn’t hold him back any longer. They rank last in the majors in runs scored, slugging, OPS and homers.

Campbell’s players love him for his energy and authenticity. Mostly, they love him because he loves them. That came across clearly Tuesday night.

Command has been an off-and-on problem for Soto throughout his career. It’s more costly now that he plays such a prominent role in Detroit’s bullpen.

The Lions’ offense looked out of sorts under Anthony Lynn. It was stale and easy to stop. It looks different under the 36-year-old Johnson, namely more aggressive.

He’s not the first-round pick anymore. He’s not the linebacker of the future. He’s just a linebacker trying to make the team, falling back in love with the game.

Hard Knocks will give Campbell and the Lions a chance to start changing the national perception of their team. GM Brad Holmes said last week “we’re excited for the world to see us.”

The former Pro Bowl safety who retired in 2018 said he’s rooting for the Lions under Campbell and is “on that bandwagon” with the rest of the fans.

The Lions were realistic about the road ahead last season as they embarked on a rebuild. This season, they think they’re ready to gain ground

It happens every year on HBO’s Hard Knocks: an unheralded player emerges as a star of the show. This year, it might be a coach. (No, not Dan Campbell.)

If he fulfills his potential, there’s no reason Edvinsson can’t be one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Seider is already on his way there.

Cabrera is in his 20th big league season, his 15th with the Tigers. He has done all there is to do in the game of baseball. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Despite the attrition last season, the offensive line paved the way for Detroit’s best rushing attack this century. The bar has been raised.