Hey guys I know that I said I was going away for a while after my last blog, but apparently Backell has struck a nerve with everyone on the Gab, and yes he is a Tool by the way and should be blocked from ever stepping foot on this site again after last weeks shenanigans. He has tested everyone's nerves by returning to this site after we lost one of our own in Judson, probably just to get the attention he has received from us, especially when we are still trying to figure out why we lost our friend in the first place.

After I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy and hung out in places like Honolulu, San Diego, Vancouver, Seattle and a few other places while I was there. Sure I got to see and do some things like drive a submarine, visit the North Pole in 1984, while the Tigers were having their dream season and thumping the Padres in the World Series. I seen the great Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow play ball,  and in turn I seen a future Hall of Famer join the Padres that year without great expectations, a local kid named Tony Gwynn. I witnessed Pete Rose break Ty Cobb's hit record, play for the Phillies and Expos. I witness the Goose lead that young team to the Series only to give up that infamous home run to Kirk Gibson in game 5. I seen a lot and drank a lot during those times, and probably had more fun than an 18 year old boy turned man should have ever had during that time. I witness a lot during that time in my life, but did not have the freedom to speak my mind freely due to the fact that I belonged to the United States of America, and served under then President Ronald Reagan.

I guess the point I am trying to make tonight as I write this blog is this. The Gab is like no other sports blog site that I have ever been on over the past few years, there is no censorship on this site for a reason, it is a place for us to speak our mind freely, and sure sometimes we get a little carried away and probably say some things that should not be said. But it is our site to do so. I admit that when I first came onto the site last year, it took me a bit to learn or relearn how to free write and express my true feelings about the teams that I loved. In fact, I was still learning how to write a blog, that did not sound redundant, and then after reading a few blogs from others like Sully, Beeze, Hotch. I learned that blogging was about saying whatever is on your mind at the time you are writing it, and expressing yourself maybe even a story just like Doug will tell from time to time in during his blog. It just does not matter as long as you get the point you are trying to make across to the readers on the Gab....

Then last year Sully approached me about covering for Hotch while he took a break, and I absolutely had a blast while he was gone. It was the most fun I have had in quite some time, I really enjoyed blogging so when he returned in the fall I really did not want to stop blogging because it was a way to open my mind for the college courses I am taking at this time. A few weeks back, Sully approached me again about blogging on a regular basis, and here I am next to my Sunday buddy Hotchnuts, and I would not trade that spot for anything in the world. Mainly because there is nothing like waking up on Sunday morning and seeing a few good hockey fights from the past, it is a pleasant way to wake up, I would not have it any other way.

So if we let people like Backell, who only came onboard last week to stir the pot a bit with all of his enemies ruin this place for us then he has won. Sure we will still have the Gab for ourselves, but it will kind of be a more mellow place which will not be the same. Kind of  like getting married, having kids and settling down, our lives will never be the same.

I too like many of you had a lot of friends on TSN, but I like you left because of the censorship they used when you blogged on their site. It was their loss not mine, because I gained a group of special friends here on the Gab who choose to be here because they want to be able to speak out freely, without censorship which is what the Gab is all about........

So in the spirit of the Gab, doubt you will be able to read this post Backell, Fuck you and everything that you stand for. Take your ass back to the Sporting News or whatever site you blog on currently and never return to corrupt this site again!! 

So

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Hey guys I know that I said I was going away for a while after my last blog, but apparently Backell has struck a nerve with everyone on the Gab, and yes he is a Tool by the way and should be blocked from ever stepping foot on this site again after last weeks shenanigans. He has tested everyone's nerves by returning to this site after we lost one of our own in Judson, probably just to get the attention he has received from us, especially when we are still trying to figure out why we lost our friend in the first place.

After I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy and hung out in places like Honolulu, San Diego, Vancouver, Seattle and a few other places while I was there. Sure I got to see and do some things like drive a submarine, visit the North Pole in 1984, while the Tigers were having their dream season and thumping the Padres in the World Series. I seen the great Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow play ball,  and in turn I seen a future Hall of Famer join the Padres that year without great expectations, a local kid named Tony Gwynn. I witnessed Pete Rose break Ty Cobb's hit record, play for the Phillies and Expos. I witness the Goose lead that young team to the Series only to give up that infamous home run to Kirk Gibson in game 5. I seen a lot and drank a lot during those times, and probably had more fun than an 18 year old boy turned man should have ever had during that time. I witness a lot during that time in my life, but did not have the freedom to speak my mind freely due to the fact that I belonged to the United States of America, and served under then President Ronald Reagan.

I guess the point I am trying to make tonight as I write this blog is this. The Gab is like no other sports blog site that I have ever been on over the past few years, there is no censorship on this site for a reason, it is a place for us to speak our mind freely, and sure sometimes we get a little carried away and probably say some things that should not be said. But it is our site to do so. I admit that when I first came onto the site last year, it took me a bit to learn or relearn how to free write and express my true feelings about the teams that I loved. In fact, I was still learning how to write a blog, that did not sound redundant, and then after reading a few blogs from others like Sully, Beeze, Hotch. I learned that blogging was about saying whatever is on your mind at the time you are writing it, and expressing yourself maybe even a story just like Doug will tell from time to time in during his blog. It just does not matter as long as you get the point you are trying to make across to the readers on the Gab....

Then last year Sully approached me about covering for Hotch while he took a break, and I absolutely had a blast while he was gone. It was the most fun I have had in quite some time, I really enjoyed blogging so when he returned in the fall I really did not want to stop blogging because it was a way to open my mind for the college courses I am taking at this time. A few weeks back, Sully approached me again about blogging on a regular basis, and here I am next to my Sunday buddy Hotchnuts, and I would not trade that spot for anything in the world. Mainly because there is nothing like waking up on Sunday morning and seeing a few good hockey fights from the past, it is a pleasant way to wake up, I would not have it any other way.

So if we let people like Backell, who only came onboard last week to stir the pot a bit with all of his enemies ruin this place for us then he has won. Sure we will still have the Gab for ourselves, but it will kind of be a more mellow place which will not be the same. Kind of  like getting married, having kids and settling down, our lives will never be the same.

I too like many of you had a lot of friends on TSN, but I like you left because of the censorship they used when you blogged on their site. It was their loss not mine, because I gained a group of special friends here on the Gab who choose to be here because they want to be able to speak out freely, without censorship which is what the Gab is all about........

So in the spirit of the Gab, doubt you will be able to read this post Backell, Fuck you and everything that you stand for. Take your ass back to the Sporting News or whatever site you blog on currently and never return to corrupt this site again!! 

So

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I know that I said I was going on vacation, but I decided to post one more blog before I take my break. I found some rather interesting reading today in my local newspaper the Flint Journal on the record the Wings will break tonight if they defeat the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis tonight. It was a rather revealing interview by Ansar Khan who writes for Mlive.com.

I found it rather amazing that one of the quotes from Mike Babcock goes like this: "This group has surpassed what I thought we were. We're a better team than I thought we were, and so we reset your bar and you keep pushing to be better." Hell if he  wants to know the  truth, they have already surpassed how good I really thought they was going to be this year with all the changes that they have made due to retirement and the death of Ruslin Salei in the tragic plane crash last fall. Also for the record, they absolutely stunk during the month of October when they could have been beaten by any team in the world during that month then something happened, Mike Babcock called them out......

This team has always taken pride in defending their home ice, because in order to be a successful team you have to win there and break even on the road. Here are some stats from the current streak. last season they 21-14-6 at home with a 3.10GAA; this season they have already surpassed their win total from a year ago, and are allowing 1.73 goals against which is second only to St.Louis' 1.61 at home. The Red Wings have outscored their opponents 81-30 during this streak, and I would like to thank Tim's Rangers for continuing to push the Wings for the President's Cup this year by remaining consistent with 77 points to the Wings 78. Without this motivation, I believe the streak may have ended a while ago.

Even though this is a sign of a real good team, the Wings need to get a little better on the road, even though they only have a few games left on the road this season. You have to be able to win a few on the road during the playoffs in order to win playoff series, good teams cannot rely on home dominance in order to win Lord Stanley's Cup.

ScottJax reminded me in a response to my Sunday blog, that Pitchers and Catchers report this week to Spring Training. So in turn, I thought I would share this information with you......

Using a formula combines statistical analytics and scouting,MLB Network named Detroit's Miguel Cabrera the top third baseman heading into 2012 season. The choice is likely to raise a few eyebrows of those who are unsure of what kind of defensive player Cabrera will be with the move back across the diamond. Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, Boston's Kevin Youkilis, Texas' Adrian Beltre and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman followed Cabrera on the list. Mlive.com

I know this is going to raise the ire of some of you guys here on the gab, but remember when the Marlin's drafted Cabrera he was drafted as a third baseman. He only moved to first base when he was traded to Detroit, so he should be comfortable with the position again by Opening Day when Boston comes to Comerica Park.

Now its time to say good bye, its Valentine's Day and time to take my wife to lunch. I wish all you gabber's or your wives and girlfriends a Happy Valentine's Day. This time I will say for real, I am starting my break. I will still be popping in to view your blogs and respond to them like I always do, just won't be blogging as much or doing my Sunday thing with Hotchnuts......

Until I speak again, everyone have a great week and thanks for reading my post.......

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By now everyone on the Gab has talked the Super Bowl into submission, so I am going to leave it alone after this. I found Eli Manning rather humble in victory, he showed a lot of class up there on the podium, especially with some of the questions being asked of him by that pompous ass Dan Patrick. I gained a lot of respect for him that night, because he really by all rights rubbed it in the face of his rival Tom Brady but instead he chose to respect him..........

I have had enough of the athletes who rub show no class in victory, and take parting shots at their competitors when they win. I also cannot stand the losing athlete who talks about what could have been, instead of congratulating the winning team and saying nice job. Instead they sit on television and make up excuses for why they did not win, or at the end of a series try and take out the star player of the other team, i.e. Andrew Bynum during last years NBA playoffs.

And then they wonder why the media writes awful comments about them after the series is over, because they do not know how to lose with dignity or show sportsmanship. This man is considered one of the biggest playoff chokes over the past two or three NBA seasons, both in Cleveland and last year in Miami. Instead of leaving a city with dignity, along with DWade and Bosh, he chooses to verbally attack the franchise in his home state of Ohio who actually took a chance on him by not only drafting him right out of high school, they made his family financially secure for the first time in his life. What a joke!!!!

I have had enough with the athletes who do not care about the cities they play sports in, and are only there for the money. This is prototypical of the NBA athlete in general. For the most, these athletes have had great college careers, and earned their degrees, but they are still greedy pigs, who do not feel like they owe the owners and the cities they play in anything in return.........

No offense, but I wish the Tigers were playing in the NL East with Ozzie back in Florida now, or for that matter live in Florida. Because this season in Miami is going to be rather interesting. I am going to miss him coming to Detroit, and the Tigers kicking the White Sox ass in a series, and hearing Ozzie tell it like it is, his team sucks. Look out Miami Marlins, he is a little older now, and has another World Series ring under his belt. But the one thing that will never change about him, is that he will tell the truth about his team. If they suck, he will let the players and city now that they do......

With those thoughts I am going to close by saying this, I am taking a couple weeks away from the featured blog on Sunday next to Hotch. I need to work out some things in my life, and clear my head before a fun filled baseball season beginning at the end of the month. With this said, I will still be active here on the Gab but just not in my normal capacity. I hope to come back at the end of the month with a clear and thought filled mind, new ideas and a different attitude full of new ideas. Until the next time, I leave you with this..........

Before I send this off for you  to  read, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of 3rdstone (Judson). I wrote this blog a couple days before I found out about his passing, he was a great writer and fantasy sports player on The Sporting News and he loved his Redskins. He was never afraid to speak his mind about anything, whether he was right or wrong. 3rdstone they have a special place for you in heaven, on his wall of fame. So in closing I nominate 3rdstone as our first inductee in the Gab Hall of Fame........

Thanks for reading my post, see you in a couple of weeks.....

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First things first this is not a blog where there will be a lot of music, maybe a little bit or none at all. This is one of the more serious blogs I will ever write here on the Gab. I was away for a few days taking care  of few personal issues along with working my ass off. I come back to the Gab today to find out that 3rdStone had passed away from a stroke a couple weeks back, what a shame, the world, not just the Gabbers  have lost a true genius who loved his Washington Redskins just like I love my Detroit Lions. We were some very lucky people to have been fortunate enough to have either read his blogs, played fantasy games with him on The Sporting News and here on the Gab with his weekly blogs.

His passing has got me thinking about a few things, we at the Gab are fortunate to have the ability thanks to Kevin, Kyle, Steve and Tim to be able to speak our minds freely and say whatever the fuck is on our minds that particular day. We have the ability to rant and rave about our favorite teams regardless of whether or not they suck, or are readying themselves for a championship run. No matter, the fact of it all is this: If we allow places like TSN to take away our freedom of speech, because they are politically correct like ESPN then they WIN!!!! As far as they go, I will go back to TSN, and see if I can once again get a few of our friends to join forces with the GAB, and let them know that they can blog whatever is on their minds. Our world is turning into a  fucking joke, I am surprised they have not plugged a camera in my front bedroom to watch me take a shit......

I too like 3rd Stone have been very fortunate since I have left TSN and found the Gab. I have made a few friends, gained a great featured weekly blog next to Hotch. But one thing I will miss is the Saturday blog by Judson, I loved reading them. May you rest in peace my friend and talk God's ear off concerning the Redskins. I truly hope that Kevin, Kyle, Steve and Tim consider starting a Gab Hall of Fame for the best bloggers on the Gab. If so, I nominate 3rd Stone. I will not give up this fight, until my mission is accomplished......

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Well Gabbers its Super Bowl Sunday, and while most of you are at home getting ready for the game I am working until 3:30 this afternoon doing what I do best serving the public by providing their meals to eat during the big game between the Giants and the Patriots. Sure, I will be home before kickoff, probably already sitting in my chair getting ready to watch Madonna sing "Like a Virgin," what a lie. But anyway, here are my thoughts about the game and few of its key players.

I would love to say that I am rooting for either team but I am not, I am sitting here jealous of the Patriots and Giants fans on the Gab wishing it was my Lions instead of the Giants playing on this day. It may happen one day, my dad was the last person to see the Lions win a championship against Beezer's Brownies 50+ years ago, it was both of those teams last taste of real success..........

I have to be honest with you, I am rooting for the key players like Tom Brady (Michigan roots), and Eli Manning (because how could you not root for him)? I am not predicting who will win the game on Sunday, as not to offend. But I will say this, the Giants have one thing going for them, and that is their defense. But they also have the key to victory once again, ELI.....

Truth be told, he is  the key for the Giants winning the Super Bowl today, their defense will keep this game close enough for them to win as long as he does not make any mistakes......

So while I am taking care of a little business here on the Gab, I thought I would share this BTO video with you. Guys I think you will like this version of this song. I had to turn it off before "Little Stormin" seen it, he is 6 and already likes these kind of things..........

I know its Super Bowl Sunday, but I thought I would share this video with you. This one is a classic Top 10 Hockey Fights Knockouts. Enjoy it, there were a lot of repeat offenders in this one, and a visit from "The Grim Reaper."

I have to admit that I am a "Crue Head, so here is a little Carnival of Sins music.......

And another........

I sure hope this Super Bowl does not turn out to be as dull and boring as I believe the Giants defense may turn it into, and the offenses do take a "Walk on the Wildside." I sure hope the offenses open up, and Tom Brady and Eli Manning are able to put on an offensive show that we will remember for a long time to come...........

No offense to anyone on the Gab, but I am glad that football season is finally over. Now we can move on to baseball, NASCAR and the NHL playoffs. Thanks for reading my post

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As I sit here watching the Red Wings and Canucks play tonight, wondering how the hell the score is only 2-1 in favor of the Wings with the way they are dominating the Canucks in their own building. I thought I would give Pavel a little love. Here is an absolutely amazing goal from earlier this year against the Black Hawks......

I wonder to myself if he is ignored for consideration of the Hart Trophy, partly because of the long run of playoff appearances by the Red Wings? Could it be that the Wings have set the bar too high for themselves, and it is just expected of him?

Here are some more reasons why I think he should receive Hart Trophy consideration, he is third in the league in scoring. Without him the Wings would not contend year after year for the Stanley Cup. He is truly a better two way player than anyone who plays the game, but yet his peers show him no love. He also has a temper, as you will see in my next video. I remember watching this fight against Corey Perry, I was both shocked and amazed at how well he handled himself against Perry.......

So lets show Pavel a little love this year, and give him the Hart Trophy he deserves. The league always seems to give it to someone that may not deserve it as much as the next person for whatever reason.

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Since I like classic rock, I have decided to start a little something new for the beginning of my weekly blogs. I am going to find a song that reminds me of a particular event or series of events that have taken place during the week. I thought I would start this blog with this particular song that reminds me of a few of this weeks past events

 http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120124&content_id=26452690&vkey=news_det&c_id=det

and like if this link is true, which normally it is.... I pity the AL Central Pitchers next year when VMart returns.....

And to please the Beezer I found this video of his favorite girl Kate Upton, so here ya go Beezer:

Unfortunately my two younger children Taylor and Noah were in the room at the time as I was trying to watch her do the Dougie.......

Unfortunately, Joe Paterno will not be remembered for his 400+ wins but for what Jerry Sandusky allegedly has done. Joe Pa was the one of the greatest coaches to ever coach in any sport. O.J. McDuffie said in an interview on ESPN radio Sunday, he turned boys into men and truly cared about each of his players, along with Penn St. University. I remember some of the greatest games I had ever seen was when Penn St. first entered the Big 10, and they were playing Michigan. Both teams were dominating each other and the games came down to the final plays in most cases. Maybe he stayed too long, but he was also quoted as saying he did not want to retire a couple months later like his rival Paul "Bear" Bryant did when he retired from coaching Alabama. Unfortunately for Joe Pa, it was two months and a day I believe it was said since he was fired. What a shame he met the same fate as "Bear." Please watch this tribute to Joe Pa and enjoy.......

I thought I was finished with my blog for the week, due to a ton of assignments in my microeconomics and public relations courses, but I have a few more things to say.....

For those of you that do not realize this, this was how Mr. Illitch built the Red Wings into Stanley Cup Champions. He is known for risk taking, even though this was not as big a risk as most think. A few years back he signed Hasek, Hull and even Luke Robataille and won a Stanley Cup. It is in his nature to do so, so I commend him for taking a chance on a kid who has seen nothing but success since coming to the majors in 2006.  Last s.eason, he was second in NL in all major categories, and did you know he will take a walk? Stats don't lie, he has almost 600 walks to go along with his 228 home runs. I remember going to Tiger Stadium and seeing him as a youngster, hanging around the batting cage, hell he grew up in Detroit more or less while his daddy played here. I am not surprised he is here now, wearing a Tiger uniform. Great Job Dave Dombrowski, you added a piece to the puzzle that should eventually make this team a winner again. 

I was a little disappointed when I heard that Roy Oswalt was leaving the Phillies and signing with the Cardinals. The Tigers could really use him on their staff this year, he would have really helped the younger pitchers with his knowledge of pitching. What the hell, what's another $100 million or so, to help Verlander, Fister, Porcello and Scherzer mature even more?

Football, Football, Football tomorrow's the Pro Bowl, does anyone actually care? This is the kickoff of our favorite week, Super Bowl Week where everyone who can get a media pass is in Indianapolis covering this game. Hey Sully can you get me press credentials, and I will go down there and cover it for the Gab. This blog is becoming kind of fun, and the best part is that the Packers are not there.

Did anyone see the hardest shot competition tonight Chara is ridiculous 108 mph, I wouldn't want to block that shot, that would really hurt.

So this concludes another weekly blog, as I have to return to my weeks worth of assignments in microeconomics and public relations. Thanks for reading my post and have a great week preparing for the Super Bowl.

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As spring training nears, I was sitting at my desk thinking about the warm thoughts of sunny Florida and Arizona. Instead of the apparent snow storm heading my way Friday evening. Go Michigan weather, after the storm it is supposed to get to around 40 on Monday, maybe I will need a boat to get to work or even an ark......

My problem is this, what is taking everyone so long to sign Prince Fielder, is he that much of a head case where no team wants to take that risk or is his agent being ignorant, thinking that he commands King Albert's asking price for which he is dead wrong in doing so. I was searching Youtube and found this clip from a game, it speaks for itself on how dominating a player he can be......

Actions speaks louder than words, and if this were the case the Brewers owners should open the bank vault, and dump the money on the table to keep him there for the rest of his career. If I remember right, he said he wanted to be a Brewer for life at one time.....

Here is a little something for all of you Raven fans to chew on before the game, as Tom Brady prepares to destroy your team on his way to another AFC Championship trophy, along with earning another trip to the Super Bowl. I know your team is good, but with your aging defense it could get ugly Brady is on a mission............

Apparently the NHL has decided that Toronto and Detroit will be playing at the Big House next January in the Winter Classic. Must have gotten tired of trying to play these games on the East Coast, and having to wait out the weather delays that occurred. Should be cold enough in Michigan to play that game..........

So as winter sets in the the frozen tundra of Michigan, and the waters turn to ice. I leave you with a warm thought for all of you stuck in the snow and freezing temperatures.........

Spring Training is near shortly after the Super Bowl, but when July comes and football camps open will Peyton Manning be there to mentor his replacement Andrew Luck, or is he going to ride off into the sunset and go out on his terms? One of the most classiest players of his era, should go out his way after all during his career he made football fun to watch on television, and turned a perennial doormat into a championship team. If it is true Peyton good luck to you, because we will not have seen or heard the last of you. See you in Canton in 5 years........

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This is just like one of my favorite guitar solos of all time, and I am practicing with YouTube so I thought I would share it with you

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I was sitting at my desk wondering what is it is that exactly makes a great blog, is it your feelings about certain subjects, or is it just speaking your mind freely? I really have not in particular to talk about sports wise, I just thought I would come hear tonight and express a few of my feelings about sports in general......

I am kind of new to the blog at the Gab as you all know, even though I filled in for "Hotch" last summer it is still new too me. To me a great blog is the one no matter what you say during your blog, you send your message to the reader to gain the best possible response. I am also glad that I have great mentors at the Gab who chose me for my weekly featured blog, trusting in my ability to find a story or headline and make it happen......

I have to admit that for the first time all season, I sat down and actually watched a Detroit Piston basketball game on television. Hate to admit it, but this is a awful basketball team. I guess they will be adding more pieces to the puzzle in the draft in June, because they will probably be watching the playoffs at home this year just like in the past couple of years.

This blog contains no pictures, because none are really needed for this particular blog. It was just a way of me gaining a little more experience at blogging in general. 

I wonder if Hotch remembers the old Thunder Bay Senators, who dominated the Colonial League for years before they folded. It was 1000 miles by bus from Flint to Thunder Bay, and we were one of the closely located teams in reference to traveling there. They said they entered through the Blue Water Bridge, and drove around Lake Superior to Thunder Bay, it must have been an awful trip because every time the Generals or any other team went there, they usually went home with a couple of losses to take home with them. Not many of those players ever played a game in the NHL, but they are a part of history..........

As I conclude this blog, I ask that if you have any suggestions that will help me get comfortable in this area once again please do not hesitate to offer advice, I am still learning what makes a good blog and am open to suggestions.

Thanks for reading my post.....Norm

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