MVN: Most Valuable Network

Sad news from the Lions today, though not totally unexpected.

The Lions announced their long-time director of security, 49 year old Ricky Sandoval, has passed away after a 3 year long fight with pancreatic cancer. Sandoval lived more than 2 1/2 years longer than his original prognosis, absolutely amazing if you know how devastating a disease cancer, especially pancreatic cancer, can be.

From the Lions press release:

LIONS DIRECTOR OF SECURITY RICKY SANDOVAL DIES AT AGE 49

Team's indoor practice field named "Sandoval Field" earlier this week

Allen Park, Mich -- Ricky Sandoval, the team's beloved director of security, died Thursday morning at Harper University Hospital in Detroit after a courageous and extended battle with pancreatic cancer that lasted more than three years. He turned 49 on June 30 and is survived by his loving wife, Gael.

As someone who considers himself quite lucky to have a mother who bravely fought, and survived, her 2 separate battles with cancer (breast and rectal), this news strikes too close to home.

So no snark or wisecracks today, just my condolences to the Sandoval family and the Detroit Lions franchise. Ricky Sandoval will be missed.  

For a more in depth piece, I suggest checking out Mike O'Hara's excellent blog post about his dealings with  Ricky Sandoval, describing how he was liked by all, even the media.

Sandoval's death, combined with DT Corey Smith drowning in a boating accident earlier this year, has made for a very difficult off season for the Detroit Lions.

The new season cannot start soon enough...  

Boy howdy, have things changed in 9 years...

I had the following press release arrive in my email inbox today:

LIONS OFFERING NEW FLEXIBLE SEASON TICKET PACKAGES

Multiple options create greater value for Lions fans

Allen Park, Mich.-- The Detroit Lions are offering several, flexible season ticket packages for the 2009 season. Along with the Full Season Plan that includes all 10 Lions home games, fans can now purchase Half-Season Plans, "The Roar Zone" Plan, and the "Pick Your Games" Plan.

Along with the new flexible, season ticket packages, the Lions are offering the "All You Can Eat" Seat. This option is being made available to Detroit sports fans for the first time in this market in regular stadium seating areas.

"One of our most important business objectives is to present our fans with several options to attend Lions games at Ford Field that provide great value," said Lions President Tom Lewand. "We recognize that this is a tough economic environment for all fans, and increased flexibility is necessary to respond to that environment."

But there's more than just half season (Which does include one preseason exhibition game, making it a 5 game package, and less of a true deal), pick your game, and for the uber-cheap asses, the $30 "Roar Zone", ticket packages available. This is the ticketing option I find most fascinating...and scary:

The All You Can Eat Seat!

• 5,500 available seats in special "All You Can Eat" sections that will be offered with season tickets, group tickets and individual game tickets.
• Includes for one price: game ticket and unlimited hot dogs, bratwurst, chips, popcorn, nachos & cheese and soft drinks.
• Access to special redemption centers at east and west end of Ford Field (nearby "All You Can Eat" sections) for "All You Can Eat" customers only.
• Season tickets start as low at $73 for "All You Can Eat" tickets.
• Tickets for individual games (available at a later date) for "All You Can Eat" tickets start as low at $85.

Anyone else think it could get real ugly sitting in a section where your typical drunk, out of control, highly emotional Lions fan can break out their inner Joey Chestnut? Thank GOD beer isn't on the unlimited list.., 
 
It's nice to know the Lions //sarcasm on// care so damn much about the economic hardships many of us are dealing with in SE MI //sarcasm off// they are allowing fans to buy partial season ticket packages...something the Tigers and Pistons have been doing for quite some time.

To be frank, the Lions wouldn't have ticket selling issues if they had played anything even closely resembling NFL football since moving to Ford Field. Play good football, and the fans will come...prices be damned. (Well, most of the time. Just ask the Red Wings)

What will be interesting to watch is how the Lions handle season ticket sales once they become a decent NFL team again. (Hey, it could happen!)  

Once you give fans the option to buy mini-season ticket packages,instead of forcing overpriced full season packages down their throats, will they be able to close that mini-package door without a fan revolt in the future?

Still, I have to say this is a positive step for the Lions in repairing fan relations, as we're all cheap SOB's at heart, right?

After a 5 week hiatus, The Knee Jerks made a somewhat triumphant return to Blog Talk radio Monday night.

I'll let Eno give you the lowdown as to what we covered...

"The Knee Jerks", my weekly Blog Talk Radio gabfest with Big Al from The Wayne Fontes Experience, made its return last night after a five-week hiatus due to Al recovering from major (and more painful that he thought) back surgery.

Al's stamina was impressive. After initially indicating that he wanted to do a 35-40 minute show, he stayed with me until 12:15 -- a full 75 minutes after we started.

You can hear us rehash the Red Wings' Stanley Cup run (including my experiences being at the Finals as a member of the media); listen to us talk about the team's future -- both on the ice and in terms of which building they'll play in; wring our hands over Magglio Ordonez; and talk glowingly about the Lions' new regime (no, it's not Kool-Aid sipping, promise!) if you click below.

We are now back on schedule -- every Monday night live at 11 PM ET. Click here for more details about upcoming episodes, including our special guest -- former Detroit broadcaster Bob Page -- on July 13.

You can go here for a direct MP3 download, or to our show page to listen to a streaming version.

Coming off of major surgery, I have to be honest with you. There were a few weeks where I wasn't paying much attention to the Lions. I was kinda busy, you know?

But what did happen over the past few weeks in Lions-land? I plan on spending the next week catching up. Thus, the "Catching up" headline.

First off in "Catching up", we have news that is tangentially about the Detroit Lions, but news which will drastically affect their press coverage...and not in a good way.

The Oakland Press' Dave Birkett has left the Detroit Lions beat.

Apparently he has left the paper, but will be still writing locally, covering Michigan and the Big Ten, at the new AnnArbor.com (which is the reincarnated, web only version of the Ann Arbor News). His Press blog, the once must read "Birk's Eye View", has now become "Lions Lowdown", with several contributors. There was a reason I checked Birkett's Press blog multiple times a day; he broke news. I doubt we'll be seeing any breaking news from "Lions Lowdown".

This is not cool folks, as Birkett had become one of my go-to guys for all things Detroit Lions. Birkett leaving the Lions beat is a big time loss for we fans. (Though he'll be a positive addition to the Wolverines beat, which lost Jim Carty. Carty left sports writing altogether when he saw the print version of the AA News going into its death throes)

Birkett, along with Mlive's Killer Kowalski (who also works for a news organization having major financial issues. Then again, is there a print entity that isn't having money problems?), broke Lions news more often and faster then their counterparts at the Freep and News.

I've often been a critic of the MSM, but as a blogger with no real "access", I have to depend upon the beat writers (who have the hardest job in print, don't get me going on certain lazy columnists)  for the latest in Lions information. Good beat writers, in all sports, are getting harder and harder to find. 

We're still lucky in Detroit, and better off than most cities with big league sports. We do have a competent group of beat writers covering the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, Wolverines and Spartans. But the best of the best see the writing, and it's not on the wall, definitely not in print, but on the web, and are leaving for greener online pastures.

Last year, Mlive lost their Tigers beat writer, who was the best in town, Danny Knobler, to CBSSports.com.

The man who took the mantle from Knobler as best Tigers beat guy, Jon Paul Morosi, left the Freep for FoxSports.com earlier this year.

The one Lions writer who had seen it all, Mike O'Hara, retired from the Lions beat after decades of coverage with the Detroit News early last season. Say what you will about his predictions, O'Hara knew the Lions inside out. (O'Hara still has one foot in the journalism door, having gone freelance and joining the world of blogging. His blog is a fun read for Lions fans)

Now we can add Birkett to the list.   

But be it through attrition, buy outs, moving to web only gigs, or their parent companies going under, this is just the beginning of the end. Local coverage of all sports is going to take a huge hit. Dave Birkett leaving the Lions beat is just the latest. It won't be the last. 

As fans, we're all the worse off. 

It's time once again for another of Rev. Spielman's roundtable Q & A sessions over at The Church of Schwartz.

It's been long enough after the surgery (I went under the knife exactly one month ago, on May 27th, a day which will live on in personal infamy), and I'm finally somewhat lucid, I feel up to writing again. (By the way, Eno and I are also a go for The Knee Jerks on Blog Talk Radio Monday night!)

Thus, here's my contribution to the latest Q & A. For the opinions of other Lions bloggers and media members, please head over to The Church of Schwartz!

1. How does recent signing Marquand Manuel fit in the secondary picture?

The Lions have been signing relatively inexpensive, yet quite competent NFL veterans since Martin Mayhew and his posse took over Detroit's front office. Marquand Manuel continues the meme. A meme of which I approve.

I'm not expecting big things from Manuel. But it doesn't mean he won't be a solid player for the Lions. You just can't have enough NFL quality pass defenders on your roster, advice something Jim Schwartz and Mayhew apparently agree upon.

He's not a star by any means, but be it as a spot starter, injury replacement, and/or a depth guy,  Manuel will definitely be a positive contributor in the defensive backfield. In other words, he's a player of the sort the Lions have sorely lacked for the past several seasons. They seem intent on fixing the issue by signing as many veteran NFL backups and spot starters as possible to cap friendly deals.

2. In your dreams, how many wins do the Lions end up with this year?
 
Considering my dreams of late have been heavily influenced by the big time pain meds I'm taking after my back surgery, I'd love to believe my recent dreams of Jim Schwartz leading the Lions to a 16-0 regular season is what my unconscious truly, honestly believes. But I know better after being on oxycontin for the past 4 weeks. The stuff can play games with your mind...

My true, drug-free, dream season would be the Lions finishing with 8 wins, and competing for the division title well into December.

I know neither dream is realistic, but they are called "dreams" for a reason, right?
 
3. What is your best guess for how many wins the Lions actually get this year?

My best case Lions scenario is 6 wins, with a worst case of 2, So I'll split the difference and predict Detroit wins 4 games in 2009.

Hey, fans of most any NFL franchise would be thrilled beyond belief by a 4 game improvement in the win column! 

All a 4 win improvement means in the D is the Lions are still a last place team.

God damn, it's tough being a Lions fan.

On a personal note, it's great to be back, everyone! Thank you for your patience and support!

Yes, I survived my back surgery, though it took more out of me than I ever could have anticipated.

I'm still alive and moving...and occasionally lucid...despite the massive doses of, first,while recovering at U of M, morphine and other narcotic cocktails, and now I'm recovering at the GF's, oxycontin and oxycodone.

The pain after the surgery was excruciating, worse than I would have imagined. There were several points I asked myself, "WHAT WAS I THINKING PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH THIS YOU F'N MORON?"

So I was allowed to give myself a hit of morphine every 6 minutes my first 2 days after surgery. 2+ weeks later, the pain is much more manageable. I'm now down to taking 2 long acting oxycontin a day, and 2 oxycodone caplets every 6 hours or so. We're sloooowly weaning myself off of the pain killers.

THe surgery itself was a rousing success, though I was on the table for 8 hours. My surgeon, along with fixing the long-term damage caused by my ankylosing spondylitis, also found, then corrected, a spinal fracture. I had been living with a broken back, and didn't realize a thing. It took 60 staples (removed earlier this week) to close the foot long wound. My friends and family said I looked as if I had lost a 15 round fight to Apollo Creed when I came out of the OR. Rocky Balboa had nothing on me, though I never had the opportunity to say, "CUT ME, MICK!"

Due to the spinal issues caused by the arthritis, I had shrunk to about 5'10" or so. After surgery, I'm now approximately 6'4", and lost my "beer belly" (called such because that's exactly what it looked like) caused by the years of slouching. My breathing has improved, and will continue to do so, and I actually look straight ahead instead of damn near straight down. It's like seeing the world with entirely new eyes. I'm not sure who the guy is I now see in the mirror...

I'm doing some physical therapy (I'm not allowed to do much, mostly balance oriented exercises) and trying to walk (using a //GAK// walker...well, due to the balance thing) when I'm feeling up to it. Both leave me exhausted. Hell, taking a walk from the recliner to the bathroom leaves me on the verge of taking a 3 hour nap on the porcelain throne.

Let's not even go into the...uh...um...crap, I'll just say it....constipation the pain meds can cause. Last week I had one night so miserable, so painful, so scary, so...so...I can't describe it in polite company...or even with you guys.

I'll only say I wouldn't wish such a feeling on my worst enemy...or even Rob Parker. Thankfully, helped by meds the U of M docs originally FORGOT TO PRESCRIBE when I was discharged, we are now "managing" the issue. 

At this point, it's become hurry up and wait. I have to wear my brace the next 3-4 months, as new bone grows, replacing what was removed, while the implanted rods and screws do their job holding it all together. I have to remain off my other arthritis meds for the next month or so, as they could slow the healing. That means dealing with pain from the osteoarthritis in my shoulders, hips and knee, but in the end, it'll be a small price to pay. 
 
I also have to let you know what a heroine my girlfriend Kelly has been through all this. She has been there with me through all the good, the bad and the very, very ugly. (Trust me, the first week after surgery, there was a LOT of ugly) I honestly don't know if I could have gotten through surgery and recovery without her. I don't even want to think about it, as it scares me too much.

In the hospital, after Kelly had spent another uncomfortable, up and down night, sleeping in the chair next to my bed, I told her I'd marry her in a heartbeat. Trust me, it wasn't the drugs talking, and she knew it. But we also know we don't need a sheet of paper to prove our devotion to each other,

Let's just say my operation has taken our relationship to the very best of levels. We're tighter than we've even been. In fact, I've never been happier! Yes, I'm happy as Hell, even though I'm in constant pain. Go figure... (I hope my happiness doesn't affect my Detroit Lions writing! Though I'm not exactly worried. I'm sure I'll be back to my profane self after the Lions' first braindead play!)

Regarding TWFE, and The Knee Jerks podcast, you can expect them to remain on hiatus for the next couple of weeks. I'm still too damn tired to do much of anything. I don't have the energy or the stamina to write more than the occasional 140 character Twitter missive or Facebook rant.

As I said at the start of this post, I woefully understated how much the surgery would take out of me.

Let me give you a few examples as to how I'm feeling...

• Having a bowel movement = 6 hour nap.
• Walking from the bedroom to the recliner = 30 minute power nap.
• Taking a shower = 2 fast acting oxycodone, then 45 minutes shuteye.
• Removing my back brace and sweat soaked t-shirt = Full night's sleep.
• Watching Dontrelle Willis walk the entire Pittsburgh Pirates team  = A giant dose of laxative, muscle relaxants and as much of the oxy as I can handle! 

I'll do my best to keep you updated, and as soon as the brain starts working in more than 15 minute busts of energy, you can expect TWFE and The Knee Jerks to be back in full force. I just need a little more recovery time.

I'd still love to hear from all of you, so my social networking pages can be reached in the following ways:

Twitter: BigAl.us
Facebook: AlBeaton.com

Of course, you can always email me at bawanaal@gmail.com

See everyone on the internets real soon!

As you may have noticed, it's been fairly quiet here at TWFE the past 2 weeks. But it's for a good reason. I've been attempting get as much activity as I can into my personal life before I undergo back surgery at University of Michigan hospital tomorrow morning.

The blog has taken a back seat, as I've been spending as much quality time as possible with my girlfriend, her kids, and my family, as I'm going to be on the DL for quite some time. I'll be laid up for approximately 4-6 months, with a full recovery taking 9-12 months.

My spinal surgery is a pretty severe procedure, as it's an osteotomy to correct deformities caused by my ankylosing spondylitis.

Here's the gory details...

While rare, a procedure such as an osteotomy may be an option. This involves cutting through the spinal column so that it can be realigned to a more vertical position in order to significantly improve the posture of a patient. After the bone is realigned in a more vertical position it will be allowed to heal in that new position. Typically, spinal instrumentation (such as pedicle screws) and a spinal fusion are combined with an osteotomy to stabilize the spine during healing and foster growth of new bone to fuse the spine in the new position.

The area of the spine that is operated on will vary depending on the type of deformity and symptoms, and for some patients several sections of the spine may need to be surgically corrected. For example, for severe chin-on-chest deformity, surgical correction in the area where the neck meets the upper spine is typically done.

For patients who have not benefited from other forms of treatment, surgery can provide relief from some of the physical and associated emotional difficulties of spinal deformity caused by advanced ankylosing spondylitis. The decision to have surgery can be a difficult one, requiring patients to weigh the risks and benefits carefully.

In other words, my doctor will be cutting out a pie shaped piece of my spinal column, then correct my spinal deformity while on the operating table by bending my spine straight. He'll then hold my rebuilt spine together with rods and screws.  It's expected I'll be on the operating table for 8-10 hours.

I'll be fitted for a very uncomfortable hard plastic shelled front and back brace on Thursday (which I'll have to wear anytime I'm not laying down, essentially I'll be looking like a gimpy turtle ALL THE F'N TIME!), rehab and recovery will then begin in earnest. I won't be released from U of M till I become relatively mobile, which should be 4-5 days. If they allow it at the hospital, I may even post an update or two on my injured reserve status here and/or on Twitter.

I'm hoping I'll be released by next Monday, as I've told Eno I want to try an do a an episode of The Knee Jerks next week. My fingers are crossed.

As for the mothership, you can expect TWFE to continue to be on the quiet side for at least the next week. But I'll be BORED with a capital B while I'm recovering, as I literally will not be allowed to do a thing while I'm mending (Seriously, not a God damn thing!), so I plan on doing quite a bit of posting once I feel up to it. I'll also continue to contribute to the Lions Congregation posts at The Church of Schwartz, and doing The Knee Jerks with Eno. I'll definitely have the time! 

So that's the scoop. At this time tomorrow I'll be on the operating table, in the capable hands of my surgeon, Dr. Gregory Graziano. 

I'll be back, but give me about a week.

Thanks for reading!

(Another note from Big Al: We had SEVERE technical difficulties with Blog Talk Radio last night, and we were forced to end our show before it really got started, at 10 minutes in. It was a total debacle, as BTR kept disconnecting, leaving lots of dead air. So we called it a night, and deleted the show from the server.

We are going to try again tonight at 11PM. Keith Shelton if Bleacher Report is brave enough to try joining us again! Please feel free to join our glitch-free show! as well)

It's a very special expanded post Memorial Day edition of the Knee Jerks, as we have our first guest!

Joining us is the Bleacher Report's premier Detroit Red Wings writer Keith Shelton, as we give our knee jerk opinions on the Red Wings - Blackhawks NHL Western Conference finals.

We'll also add our slant to the past week of Detroit Tigers news and touch on the Lions and Pistons as new stories break out of Allen Park or Auburn Hills. We'll also play our most popular old bit, word association, and we'll name our respective Jerk of the Week!

Finish off your day with fireworks (Hey, it's not the 4th,m but it is a holiday) from the Knee Jerks!

Listen LIVE at Blog Talk Radio!

Note from Big Al: By the way, TWFE has been fairly quiet for the last week or so because I've been preparing for my (extensive) back surgery this week. I'll let you all know what is up with me, and what to expect over the next couple of weeks, later today.

Thanks for listening and reading!

This week's show was Tigers and Red Wings centric. The first half was all Tigers, all the time, while the second half of the show was nothing but Red Wings.

Topics included: The possibility of Jim Leyland getting a contract extension mid-season, ask if Dontrelle Willis should be working out his issues in the big leagues, ponder the upcoming logjam in the Tigers' starting rotation when Jeremy Bonderman returns from injury rehab, touch on the HUGE drop in attendance at Comerica Park, and how it may affect the Tigers' future payroll, and discussed all things Red Wings-Blackhawks in the NHL Western Conference Finals, from my man-crush on Dan Cleary to Eno not being all that concerned with Marion Hossa's missing offense...yet.

We also did our old bits. We played word association and named our respective Jerks of the Week!

As always, my Jerk compatriot, Greg Eno (Check out the all new GregEno.com!), picks thru the remains of another live Knee Jerks broadcast, and selects a few nuggets to entice you all to download our latest magnum opus...

On Tigers manager Jim Leyland and his contract situation:

Eno: He says he's had two good years and one bad one. No, Jim, you've had three bad second halves in a row, is what you had!

Big Al: When he went public with [his contract situation] last fall, he couldn't have mis-read that situation any more than he did. He was in no position to ask for a contract extension.

On the Tigers' rotation once Jeremy Bonderman returns from surgery in a couple weeks:

Eno: I think Armando Galarraga ought to be worried. I think he's on the bubble.

Big Al: (on Dontrelle Willis) I'm not convinced that he can get big league hitters out.

On Red Wings-Blackhawks:

Eno: (on Marian Hossa/Pavel Datsyuk's goal-scoring slumps) You can't have EVERYONE going ALL the time. Or else you'd win every game 9-2!

Big Al: If Johan Franzen is a playoff God, then Dan Cleary is playoff Jesus!

On Chris Osgood:

Eno: I wish all the Osgood haters would shove it. When the stakes are high, he plays his best. Period.

Big Al: You can make a case that Chris Osgood is a Hall of Fame goalie.

To hear the one hour and 5 minute show, just click play on the embedded player below, or click here for the downloadable MP3 version!

Eno and myself will be on Blog Talk Radio at 11PM for our weekly meeting of the minds.

Be there!