ANN ARBOR — When the Michigan football coaches began recruiting Derrick Green out of Richmond, Va., they expected he would supplement their backfield, as they already had a projected starting tailback for 2013. But after Fitz Toussaint broke his leg late in 2012 and none of the other current tailbacks stood out in spring ball, [...]
DETROIT — Daniel Cleary drives people crazy. He gets under their skin and he rattles them and he won’t just go away. And this is just how his own teammates feel about him. To their delight, and the satisfaction of the Detroit Red Wings’ front office, Cleary is showing himself in full-pest mode against the [...]
DETROIT — Louis Delmas is not taking part in Organized Team Activities this off-season as he continues to rehab from knee injuries that cut short his last two seasons. Delmas was one of two players on the Lions’ 90-man roster who was not around for Wednesday’s voluntary workout, the second of 10 sessions the Lions will [...]
CHICAGO — Brian Urlacher, former Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker, announced his retirement from the NFL via Twitter on Wednesday, three days shy of his 35th birthday. Urlacher was an unsigned free agent but spent his entire career in Chicago and retires as a Bear. “After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my [...]
DETROIT — Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock pushes his players hard. They sometimes might not like what he has to say, even when it’s something they need to hear. “Steve Yzerman told me, when Scotty (Bowman) coached him here, he hardly ever talked to him,” Babcock said. “And then when he was working with [...]
DETROIT— Signs of a successful spring keep popping up. Like the Red Wings getting a goal from their third line, and then getting one from their fourth line. Detroit’s supporting cast took starring roles tonight at Joe Louis Arena, helping to secure a 3-1 victory in Game 3 to give the Wings a 2-1 series [...]
CHICAGO — Even six weeks away from the NBA draft and being a possible top-five selection, Trey Burke remains as composed as ever. Burke adapted quickly to college at Michigan because he was mature beyond his years on the court and now, as the draft approaches, he remains steady. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to [...]
DETROIT — Looks like Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And no, he’s not buying a ticket. But he is getting a ringing endorsement from his new star running back, who sounds like he has fully bought in to Stafford’s talent and leadership. Reggie Bush, whom the [...]
ANN ARBOR — Even four days later, Brady Hoke is standing strong. After his Monday comments about Notre Dame “chickening out” of the teams’ future series after 2015, Hoke backed up his point Thursday on the “Mike and Mike In the Morning” show on ESPN Radio. He can joke about the firestorm also. “I almost [...]
CORUNNA — “Head coach” Pat Narduzzi mostly sat on the bench and chuckled as former players such as Jon Misch and Chris Norman played casual basketball for charity against the Lions on Tuesday, but he jumped to his feet after current player Joel Heath threw down a dunk. “Get him out of there!” Narduzzi said [...]