DETROIT LIONS (9-7)
New faces: Coach Matt Patricia
Zach Parise Jersey , RB LeGarrette Blount, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE Luke Willson, C Frank Ragnow, DT Sylvester Williams, LB Christian Jones, LB Devon
Kennard.
Key losses: Coach Jim Caldwell, TE Eric Ebron, DT Haloti Ngata
Authentic Josh Manson Jersey , LB Tahir Whitehead.
Strengths: Passing game. QB Matthew Stafford threw for 1,000-plus yards to WR Marvin Jones and WR Golden Tate last year and has pass-catching RB Theo Riddick.
All-Pro CB Darius Slay among NFL's best in coverage.
Weaknesses: Running game. Ranked last in rushing last year, second time in three seasons, and may struggle again on ground despite investments. Front seven
on defense lacks playmakers.
Fantasy Players To Watch: Tate has averaged 93 receptions, 1,056 yards receiving and nearly five TDs over four seasons in Detroit. He may surpass those
numbers entering last year of contract.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 65-1. Over/under wins 7.5.
Expectations: First-year coach Patricia might not make average team better and third-year GM Bob Quinn might be questioned for record in draft and free
agency. Franchise leaders will be patient with former Patriots defensive
coordinator and executive, but fans fed up with pulling for team with one
playoff victory since winning 1957 NFL title.
Giants closer Hunter Strickland broke his pitching hand punching a door in frustration after blowing the save
and taking the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Miami Marlins on Monday night.
The right-hander had surgery Tuesday and expected to be out six to eight weeks, manager Bruce Bochy said. An X-ray after the game revealed the break of
Strickland’s pinkie, similar to what sidelined lefty ace Madison Bumgarner to
begin the season after he was hurt in his final spring training start.
”I’m thoroughly disappointed
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he cares. He cares deeply. He let his emotions get away … he had a temporary
snap.”
Strickland blew his fourth save in 17 chances and second straight, allowing more than two runs for only the fourth time in his career.
He posted an apology on Instagram and Twitter.
”Life has an interesting and sometimes disappointing way of opening up our eyes,” Strickland wrote. ”Words cannot describe the amount of regret and sorrow
I have for my actions. I have let down the ones that care and mean the most, as
well as the ones that count on me day in and day out. To my family, my
teammates, my coaches, this organization
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being out there with my team to pursue our goal.”
Bochy said Strickland had shown maturity and made progress keeping his emotions in check since last year’s fight with Nationals star Bryce Harper.
”I think he did it when he came out of the game but we didn’t know about it,” Bochy said. ”I didn’t know about it until I got home.”
In late May last year, Strickland ignited an all-out brawl when he beaned Harper with a 98 mph fastball on his first pitch in the eighth inning with two
outs, none on and Washington ahead 2-0. Harper charged the mound and both men
threw punches as benches and bullpens emptied.
”As he became our closer he really grew as a pitcher handling his emotions well in tight situations, which you have to. You have to be able to control your
emotions,” Bochy said. ”I’ve talked about this so much, how important it is for
players but particularly the closer’s got to have emotional control. We all get
frustrated and that was a tough loss
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Sam Dyson and Tony Watson will be called upon for closing duties, with one getting most of the opportunities though Bochy didn’t reveal which one that
would be. The manager doesn’t consider Mark Melancon – signed to a $62 million,
four-year deal before last season to work the ninth – ready for the role after a
series of injuries.
”Your closer is somebody who has to be resilient and I’m not sure that Mark’s at that stage right now,” Bochy said.
Right-hander Pierce Johnson was on his way from Triple-A Sacramento to take Strickland’s roster spot.
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