Terry Foster: MSU's Secret Game Plan, Why NYE Games Should Move, And What He Would Ask Golden Tate
By: Terry Foster
@terryfoster971
Michigan State won't beat Alabama in the national championship semifinals, but the Spartans won't get beaten up either.
The Spartans are better, stronger, faster and tougher than the team that lost 49-7 in the 2011 Capital One Bowl to Alabama. Coach Mark Dantonio has his team fully locked and loaded. Also something is up with MSU. I don't know if it has a secret game plan for running back Derrick Henry of Alabama, but players seem confident in the game plan.
** Speaking of Henry, I'd love to see him in a Lions uniform. The problem is the team has so many offensive line needs that it should pass on Henry in the first-round of the draft.
** Shame on the NCAA for staging two of the most important college football games of the season on New Year's Eve. We have this tiny little tradition of wearing party hats and getting drunk on that night. Now people must decide whether to party or hang with Sparty.
These games could have been played on Saturday. This made more sense. However, it is another sign that these big sports organizations don't give a damn about you.
I also know of someone who plays in a band and people don't want to hear them play during the game.
** The next few years should be fun as the Pistons Andre Drummond and Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin compete for the honor of Detroit's best athlete. They are both young and exciting players. Let's give the edge to Larkin. I hear he can shoot free throws better.
Here is a little known fact about Larkin. He played soccer for the Waterford Warriors.
** It will be interesting to see if Tigers outfielder Yeonis Cespedes returns. I heard he was more eager to come back if Brad Ausmus was no longer Tigers manager. But Ausmus remains and Cespedes remains unsigned. My advice is for him to return on a one-year deal. It is not as bad as it used to be around here. Ausmus no longer has Joba Chamberlain to toss out there for eighth inning duty.
** One guy I'd love to have dinner with is Lions wide receiver Golden Tate. I want to know what caused one of the game's biggest competitors to lose it during the season and then get it back. I think I know what happened.
** If you are a fan of Calvin Johnson, you want the man to leave and not stay. It would be fun to see him compete for a championship with another team rather than just compete in games with the Lions.
** Perhaps the Red Wings goalie situation is working itself out. Jimmy Howard hardly has looked like a starting goalie of late.
** I got The Detroit News writer schedule for Jan. 4. My name was not on it. That officially means I am gone. When I started at The News 27 years ago we had 26 sports writers. Now there are 12.
** A cool thing happened when I told Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson I would no longer be covering the team for The Detroit News.
"Noo," he said. "You are not going to be following us?"
I told him this was the end of the road. Johnson then gave me his cell number and offered to come on the show any time. I will take him up on his offer.
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** Happy New Year everybody. Be safe and be happy. I will return on Monday.