Schwartz taps Stafford to Start, Tigers sweep the weekend and oh yeah CFB kicks off

Guess Lion's coach Jim Schwartz didn't want to let the suspense build and named Matthew Stafford to start the opener against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

I know as I am writing this legions of Lions fans are screaming Noooooooo not another rookie QB who will get pounded into submission. I find the coach's reasoning very suspect that after 15 pass attempts to Calvin Johnson from Stafford he already envisions a Manning to Harrison, Montana to Rice, Kelly to Reed comparison. I would give him credit if he spoke of the improvements on the offensive line and the improved running game as major factors that allow a rookie quarterback to learn the ropes. At least the Saints aren't known for there defensive but I am sure the Vikings, Steelers, and Redskins will be happy to properly introduce Mr. Stafford to the NFL.

Meanwhile the Tigers just ho hummed there way to a 3 game weekend sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays and saw the Twins lose 2 of 3 to the hapless Indians. They say the pennant chase truly starts on labor day but with a 7 game lead it may well be over already. The most stunning of there 3 come from behind victories being last night with Mr. 3 strikeouts already, bum knee Brandon Inge hitting a GRAND SLAM in the top of the ninth to give the Tigers a 5-3 lead. It also featured a very solid outing from Edwin Jackson who had been getting hit pretty hard lately and Brandon Lyon wrapping up things in the ninth for the second night in a row.

Of Course College Football kicked off and both the Wolverines and Spartans took care of business quite nicely. U of M fans saw more plays from the QB position in one game as the did all of last season seemingly and the Spartans showed they could have quite the aerial attack this year. Of course it is hard to read a lot into it based on the competition of a MAC school for Michigan and a sub-division team for Michigan State but hopefully both games are a good sign for the season ahead.