1984Echoes

Yzerman reluctant to trade Bertuzzi after the recent run of wins... I understand it, he'd like to get this team into the playoffs and Bertuzzi is a big part of winning these types of games; even if he loses him after this season for nothing. I'm not going to argue against it either... if Stevie wants to trade him so be it, and if he holds onto him for a run to try to get into the playoffs and perform in the playoffs (if we get there)... so be it. I'm not going to angar either way. From Khan: https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2023/02/red-wings-reportedly-not-eager-to-trade-tyler-bertuzzi-with-playoffs-in-reach.html

I'd like him relegated to the dugout as a "coach/ ambassador" and off the 40. buddha suggested ambassadorship. I concur.

"Official Bear-Hug Ambassador for the Tigers, 2023: MIGGYYYY Cabrera!!!"

Also, for at least the past week or two... Russian deaths with this surge are between 1,000 and 2,000 per day. We'll see how sustainable that is. And per G2, within the next month or two, Ukraine will be ready for a counteroffensive... that the Russian invaders will not be prepared for nor able to prevent. I'm not certain if it gets Crimea back for Ukraine... but that's exactly what THEY are planning for. Lose Crimea, and the egg on Putin's face will be fatal egg. Should I capitalize that? "Fatal Egg" causes Putin's fatality...

Yeah... I've been seeing reports on Russia ramping up their offensive for at least the past week or so... They are making some gains... but it's minimal. Yards. Not kilometers.

I am making assumptions on how Johnson ACTUALLY uses TE's.

I really like Trenton Simpson, but he looks like a 1st rounder... around our #18 pick. My preference is Myles Murphy/ Best CB available at #18. But if Holmes can squeeze extra picks from Carolina and we select at #9 for the top CB, now I'm looking at either Bijan at #18 or Simpson. Otherwise, I like DeMarvion Overshown in the 2nd. Both are as much safeties as LB'ers. Can cover sideline-to-sideline, and can cover TE's/ RB's/ slot receivers/ break up passes. And can also rush. I'm looking for a certain type... as you can see. Perfect guy to sit Anzalone on passing downs and play the coverage game. Might specifically help us with our pitiful TE/ middle-of-the-field coverage we always seem to struggle with...

I can see 5th and 6th round picks on a TE and WR. There will be flyer WR's available throughout the draft (late-rounders tend to be smallish with deep speed, or slower (not what we're looking for), or from small schools and overlooked, or with deep speed but not the greatest hands or route-running). Flawed, but can be used in a Chark way if you find the right guy. TE's can easily be found in the mid-to-late rounds to do exactly what the Lions need them to do: compete with Mitchell/ Wright/ Zylstra to make the roster. Block. And get open for an occasional 1st down or TE (where their size advantage but little in the way of YAC is most useful...). Darnell Washington does sound appealing... I'd like an additional 2nd or 3rd rounder though, to hit all the needs we're listing with high round prospects if we are including TE. Otherwise I'd prefer a later round TE and a LB'er selected within the top 5 picks. Although add in a developmental QB and that throws all this logic out the window...

And I would put LB'er definitely above TE. And equal to all the other positions you listed.

Add in a play-making LB'er...

He had Hockenson for 7 of 17 games. And they still ended up with 11% 2-TE's. And more TD's to TE's on a per-game basis AFTER Hockenson was traded. If he has a new draft pick at TE, it'll be a 5th rounder in the mold of Brock Wright or James Mitchell. And he will continue to emphasize motion/ 3 WR sets and 11% 2-TE's and use them (TE's) primarily for 1st downs and TD's, etc.

Yes, it IS true: "Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's offense didn't feature a heavy workload in the passing game for the tight end position. The Lions' offense plays a lot under center, utilizes motion and plays mostly 11 personnel (one RB, one TE, 3 WR). In fact, Detroit played 11 personnel 64 percent of the time. Detroit used two tight end sets just 11 percent of the time in 2022. Key stat: Quarterback Jared Goff had a 141.7 passer rating when throwing to Wright (18-of-24, 216 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT), a 139.8 rating throwing Mitchell's way (11-of-11, 113 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT) and a 119.7 rating throwing at Zylstra (11-of-15, 60 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT). Those ratings were the three highest of any pass catcher Goff threw to in 2022. MVP: Wright Wright wasn't a high-volume pass catcher in this offense, but he really made the most of the opportunities he had. All four of Wright's touchdowns on the year came in Detroit victories, including his touchdown late against the Jets that was the game winner. Wright is a very capable blocker and has had a nice start to his career after going undrafted in 2021." Cruzer also points out: I don't know if Wright = Michael Mayer... but the Lions are perfectly content to go with Mitchell, Wright & Zylstra again next year.

That's called asking for a miracle...

PS: Also extend Walman for two years similar to Maatta and take it from there...

Red Wings 1 Chiarot 3 It's getting ridiculous. I want Chiarot traded at the deadline for whatever SY can get (zero value so there's no possible way he gets traded) and Edvinsson brought up in his place. Even if he starts as 3rd pairing just to get acclimated... if he performs well give him a raise to 2nd pairing... etc.

And it says they haven't purchased very many LRASM's... That's going to need to change. Will need to ramp up those specific purchases up quickly this and the next few years...

That's what I was thinking, that anti-ship would be a different missile... But I guess the LRASM is just a variant of the JASSM so close enough... BTW: Just saw Quantumania today which brings to mind all the Kang variants that will be floating around...

Red Wings 1 Chiarot 2

I didn't really think of air-to-ground as taking out naval ships... Is that how they work? I'm not up to speed on that aspect... (Thought they were more for taking out tanks/ ground forces/ artillery/ etc...)

Chiarot dragging down Hronek tonight I see...

In short... Once they are forced to draft Muscovites and other ethnic Russians east of the Urals, instead of from the hinterlands... Putin will rapidly lose support. And encourage an overthrow.

The difference between Soviet population and Russian population is almost wholly Ukraine.

For comparative purposes: Soviet population prior to WWII: 195 million. Soviet population post to WWII: 170 million. Russian population pre-Feb 22nd, 2022: 144.7 million Current Russian population? 144.4 million (estimated per macrotrends) I think the current estimate is slightly high due to war exodus (moreso than war casualties...).

And not every guy is fit for military service.

Yes... if it comes to war with China, it will be naval and air forces that win out... Although I would think JASSM's would be useful on the China mainland (I don't see war going there...); and not so much in defending Taiwan from invasion...