Tinderbox: Watchtower today!

I’m working feverishly on the Watchtower post; I’m being tripped up because both Giants coordinators have run, or been taught under, several distinct schemes.  I’m trying to figure out what’s relevant data and what isn’t.  In the meantime, here are some excellent links to tide you over:

Dave Birkett of the Free Press wrote a great piece on C.C. Brown's understanding of Eli Manning's game. I'd forgotten that C. C. played with the Giants last year, and has seen an awful lot of reps against Eli.

Tim Twentyman wrote a nice story for the Detroit News about Jeff Backus, and his 150-game starting streak.  Backus has overcome a lot of physical adversity, yes, but this season has also wrestled with some serious personal stress.  Definitely worth a read.

Big Al of The Wayne  Fontes Experience did a cool Q&A with UltimateNYG, Bloguin’s Giants blog.  They have not forgotten that C. C. Brown played for their favorite team last year.  Also, they have similar feelings to my own about their OC, Kevin Gilbride.

If you haven't been following the Adventures of the Great Willie Young, Armchair Linebacker's chronicling of Lions DE Willie Young's epic feats throughout human history, the latest installment reveals Willie’s adventures in the heart of 8th-century China.  Fair warning: Willie (according to the legendary tale of his epic legend) was involved in some seriously not-family-friendly stuff, so if that kind of thing isn’t your thing, don’t bother.

EDIT TO ADD: Oh, one more thing. I don't have a Homecoming post up yet—but this is Homecoming Weekend for Michigan State.  So, if you’re in to MSU football, check out my new MSU football blog, A Beautiful Day for Football.  Wolverines, fret not: I’ll keep TLiW Spartan-free.

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,new york giants

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Sunrise, Sunset: Changes for Mlive.com’s Highlight Reel, John Niyo, Chris McCoskey, & Dave Birkett

They say you leave bad news for Fridays, and . . . well,  Phil Zaroo, over at Mlive.com, has closed the doors on the Highlight Reel blog.  The Highlight Reel was a great place to find stuff other than “what everyone was talking about,” and home of the farthest-reaching Lions link-dump around.  Phil also let me pen an article or two over there.  His Lions writing, and Mlive.com’s Lions coverage, will of course continue at http://www.mlive.com/lions, but the Highlight Reel is no more.

In happier news, the Detroit News’ John Niyo has gotten a well-deserved bump—he’s now a full-time sports columnist.  Chris McCosky takes over the Lions beat, and Tim Twentyman will continue covering the Leos as well.  The Lions

One-time Lions beat writer for the Oakland Press, and current coverer of U-M football for AnnArbor.com, Dave Birkett confirmed via Twitter he’ll be replacing Nick Cotsonika on the Lions beat at the Freep.  This is great news.  Birkett’s stuff at the Oakland Press was always fresh; he always seemed to zig when everyone else was zagging, repeatedly coming up with fresh angles.  Dave’s also been extremely cool to me personally, going all the way back to the beginning.  I’m really excited to be able to read his stuff again.

Watching the carousel  spin like this is hauntingly familiar.  If life reflects art, I guess the media reflects its subject, right?

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,detroit news,detroit free press,mlive.com,john niyo,chris mccosky,tim twentyman,phil zaroo,sports media

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