The Knee Jerks Podcast - Eno, Nick and Big Al

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week is a Detroit Pistons-centric episode, as we welcome back our NBA Stats Guru, Siddy Hall. He joins us to break down Detroit's first round series win over the Orlando Magic. Pistons won their first playoff series since 2008, while becoming the 15th team in NBA history to win a series after being down 3 games to 1. We'll also preview the upcoming series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and peek at the other first and second round series. Other topics discussed include:  The Detroit Lions announced they would decline the $21.9 million fifth year contract option of LB Jack Campbell while picking up the $14.29 million option on RB Jahmyr Gibbs.   It was all about positional value. The Lions want to extend Campbell, but thanks to the NFL formula, picking up the option would mean an off-ball linebacker would be making edge rusher money.. GM Brad Holmes made the fan base happy with his draft philosophy. He picked Clemson RT Blake Miller in the first round, meaning All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell will move to the left side. The Lions then traded up 6 spots in the second round to select Michigan edge Derrick Moore. The Detroit Tigers have been hard hit by the injury bug. The biggest of which is 2-time reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. It was announced today Skubal will miss 2-3 months due to arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove "loose bodies" from his left elbow. It's a massive blow to the Tigers' post season chances. Currently on the IL are RP Will Vest, SP Justin Verlander, 2B Gleyber Torres, UTL Zach McKinstry, RP Beau Brieske, RP Connor Seabold, SP Troy Melton. Struggling closer Kenley Jansen is also considered day-to-day.  Rookie SS/3B Kevin McGonigle was named AL Rookie of the Month for April. He is hitting a robust .315/.407/.477, with an .884 OPS, 144 OPS+ and 2.1 bWAR.  As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live-stream video of every episode on YouTube and Twitch. Our homepage is TheKneeJerks.net.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! With the NBA Playoffs in full swing, our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall joins us to talk all things Detroit Pistons and the postseason.  The #1-seed Pistons dropped game one to the #8-seed Magic, 112-101. They came out sloppy and slow, gave the Magic life, and were forced to play from behind the entire game. PANIC IN MOTOWN? To say a fan base that hasn't witnessed a home playoff game win in over a generation isn't taking the loss well is an understatement.  The Magic out-Pistoned the Pistons in game one, beating them physically and in the paint. The Pistons' inside game, specifically Jalen Duren, was nonexistent. Duren was also a non-entity on defense, playing passively. After a disturbingly slow start, a very efficient Cade Cunningham was the entire offense with 39 points (48/37/91). Tobias Harris was the only other Piston in double digits, scoring an inefficient 15 points (5-15). DPOY finalist Ausar Thompson played only 9 minutes in the 2nd half, as JBB went with the offensively oriented Daniss Jenkins. Was it the right call?  What changes could we see for game two? JB Bickerstaff used 11 players in game one, nine of them playing 11 minutes or more. Time to reduce the rotation? Who should or shouldn't receive playoff minutes? Awards season: Bickerstaff is a finalist for COTY, Duren MIP, and Thompson DPOY. Cunningham and Duren are in play for the All-NBA team. In the second half of the show, our topics include:  Year seven of the Yzerplan featured another season-ending collapse. The Detroit Red Wings' playoff drought has reached an NHL-leading ten years. GMSY traded away the Wings' first-round draft pick in the Justin Faulk deal. The FA crop is underwhelming, with few, if any, difference makers on the open market. The rebuild is stuck between a rock and a hard place.  As the trope goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This has been the fourth consecutive season where the team choked away a playoff spot in March. The team can't run things back again, both roster-wise and in the front office.   Is it time to blow up the rebuild? Do you trade the still-in-their-prime but aging Dylan Larkin and Alex Debrincat? Is it time to move on from 37-year-old Patrick Kane, who is a FA? Should the Wings now focus the rebuild around the younger Seider and Raymond? Or do you keep the core four together, swing for the playoff fences, and try to deal your heavily promoted prospects for immediate help?  The Detroit Tigers recovered from their 4-9 start. After being swept by the Twins, the Tigers have gone 8-2, only ½ GB of the Guardians in the Central.  Rookie SS/3B Kevin McGonigle has been all that and a bag of chips. He's hitting .317/.411/.488, leading the team with 1.4 bWAR. The NFL Draft begins Thursday. If you know what Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is going to do, you're a smarter man than us.  Soon-to-retire Lions president Rod Wood spoke during a pre-NFL Draft event at the Detroit Economic Club. He said the team hopes to sign all four of its top 2023 draft picks (Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, Branch) to extensions this offseason. The season-ending injuries to LaPorta (herniated disc) and Branch (torn achilles) will not change their plans. As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live-stream video of every episode on YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome back old friend Matt Hutter to the show, talking all things Detroit Red Wings. We discuss another late-season collapse, Dylan Larkin becoming the fan scapegoat for the Wings' long-term issues, wonder why no one is on the hot seat and the refusal to blame Steve Yzerman for anything.   In the second half of the show, topics include: The Detroit Pistons clinched the East #1 seed with 4 games to play. They did so without Cade Cunningham, who is likely out till the playoffs due to a collapsed lung. Cunningham is stuck at 61 games played, with 65 being the cutoff for awards such as MVP and All-NBA. Also caught up in this rule are Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončić. The Bulls waived former Pistons guard Jaden Ivey after spewing anti-LGBTQ+ bile and calling Catholicism a "false religion" on social media.  As they did with Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, the Detroit Lions made Frank Ragnow repay part of his signing bonus when he retired with two years left on his contract. Lions' CB Terrion Arnold put out a statement refuting suggestions he was at the center of a text message thread connected to a Florida kidnapping. The Michigan Wolverines have stormed their way thru the NCAA Tournament, scoring 90 or more in each game while beating every opponent by double digits. They face UCONN in tonight's title game.  As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live-stream video of every episode on YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week's topics include: Red Wings' GM Steve Yzerman acquired Justin Faulk, a right-shot defenseman, from the Blues. The cost: a first-and third-round pick in the 2026 draft plus prospect Dmitiri Buchelnikov (a 2022 second-round pick currently playing in the KHL) Old and busted - FanDuel Sports Detroit. The new hotness - Detroit SportsNet The Tigers have two lingering roster questions. Will top prospect SS Kevin McGonigle (.353/.368/.529, .898 OPS in ST) make the team? And who ends up playing CF? Tarik Skubal is pitching for Team USA in the WBC. Skubal, a pending free agent also revealed that no contract offer had been made by the Tigers. The now 45-18 Pistons find themselves in their worst funk/slump of the season. They have lost four straight, including an awful home loss (without Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson) to the tanking Nets, blowing a 23-point 2nd-half lead. The Lions started reshaping their roster as the new NFL year started and free agency opened. Subtractions: RB David Montgomery - Traded to the Texans for two day three draft picks and a backup OG OG/C Graham Glasgow - Released LT Taylor Decker - Announced he would not retire, then asked to be released. Rumored to be money-related LB Alex Anzalone - Signed with the Bucs CB Amik Robertson - Signed with the Commies DT Roy Lopez - Signed with the Cards QB Kyle Allen - Signed with the Bills Additions: C Cade Mays signed for 3 years, $25 million K Jake Bates - re-signed as RFA The #3 Wolverines ended their hoops season 30-2, won the B1G with a 19-1 record, own the top seed in the B1G tournament, and will likely be a #1 seed during March Madness. MSU's Tom Izzo, who doesn't like Michigan's Dusty May for his calling out the dirty play of Sparty PG Jeremy Fears Jr and using significant amounts of NIL dollars to build a juggernaut, lost his mind during his post game presser, saying, "I guess the crowd didn't watch the game, because I'm nobody's damn little brother. And neither is my team!" That's big "I'm not mad, don't print that I'm mad" energy. As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! The Knee Jerks appeared on the latest Chris Pomay Live with CDP Talk Show. Please check it out! April 13, 1978 - Bill Lochead scores the series winning goal against the Flames with 1:34 left. This goal gave the Red Wings their only playoff series win of the 1970s, and their first since 1966. It was the highlight of Greg and Al's youthful Red Wings fandom! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! As the NHL's Olympic break ends this week, it's a great time to welcome back to the show former Detroit Free Press Red Wings beat writer and author Keith Gave.  We'll discuss the Red Wings' playoff status as the trade deadline looms, Sergei Fedorov's number finally being retired, and Team USA winning both the men's and women's Olympic hockey tournaments, beating Team Canada in the gold medal games.  Each team featured Michigan natives having large roles - including Red Wings captain and former Wolverine Dylan Larkin. Keith's Amazon author page Keith's website @KeithGave on Twitter/X In the second half of the show, our topics include:  In what was a bigger surprise than the signing of Framber Valdez, the Tigers inked franchise legend and future HoF lock Justin Verlander to a one-year, $13 million deal.  Robot umps have arrived in MLB. The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is live for 2026. Each team will start the game with two challenges. Managers cannot challenge a ball/strike call. Only the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge an umpire's call, and it must be appealed immediately. Longtime MLBPA head Tony Clark (a former Tigers' first baseman) abruptly resigned after an internal inquiry revealed an inappropriate relationship with an employee. The employee was his sister-in-law. The departure comes as Clark also faces a federal investigation for mishandling union finances. Long-time lead negotiator Bruce Meyer was named as the new executive director. What this means for next year's CBA negotiations remains to be seen. Owning the NBA's best record at 42-13, the Pistons are on a tear, winners of five straight. This is despite suspensions to Jalen Duren (two games) and Isaiah Stewart (seven games) for their roles in a fight with the Hornets on Feb. 9. The aggressors in the fight, the Hornets' Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, received four game suspensions. Cade Cunningham and Duren were named to the All-Star team, while MVP consideration for Cunningham continues to gain steam. Detroit meets Phil Jackson's 40–20 rule - an NBA team must win 40 games before losing 20 to have a chance at winning that year's championship. Since the 1979-80 season, all but four champions won 40 games before losing 20. One of the outliers? The 2004 Pistons! Rod Wood, Lions president and CEO since 2015, announced he will retire before the 2026 NFL season. As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our topics include: Tigers made a surprising splash in free agency, inking 32-year-old LH SP Framber Valdez to a 3-year, $115 million deal. Tarik Skubal sets a salary arbitration record of $32 million for one season.  The Tigers had countered at $19 million. The Tigers' payroll projects to be at $220–$230 million, easily the highest in the AL Central. RIP Tigers legend Mickey Lolich. The Pistons shipped Jaden Ivey to the Bulls, getting 3-point sharpshooter Kevin Heuter in return. Pistons' two-way player Daniss Jenkins, who had greatly outplayed Ivey, agreed to a two-year deal with a team option. The Red Wings hit the Olympic break on a 1-3-1 skid. Regardless, they remain solidly in playoff position with 72 points. After 40-years in the radio booth, former Red Wings defenseman Paul Woods announced he will retire at the end of the season. Fan Duel Sports Detroit is dead. The Tigers and Red Wings jointly announced MLB will handle team broadcasts in 2026 and beyond.  As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Today's episode is heavy on hoops! We discuss all things  Detroit Pistons and NBA, as we welcome back one of our favorite guests, NBA stats guru Siddy Hall. Siddy has plenty to say about the #1 seeded team in the Eastern Conference.  We planned on a longer appearance from Ray Scott, former player and head coach for the Pistons. But technical difficulties cut it short. We will definitely get Coach back on the show.  We also discuss the Detroit Lions hiring both a new offensive coordinator in former Cardinals OC Drew Petzing and the Giants' interim head coach Matt Kafka as high ranking offensive assistant.   As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our topics include: The Detroit Lions ended their disappointing season by knocking off the Bears via a walk-off FG 19-16.  On Black Monday, the Lions fired OC John Morton. Recently fired Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is one of the candidates the Lions are interested in interviewing for the opening. DC Kelvin Sheppard is expected to keep his position. When asked to grade his own performance, MCDC gave himself a "freaking F." GM Brad Holmes went with "fail." The Detroit Pistons enter the week at 28-10, holding a 3.5 game lead over the Knicks for the top seed in the East.  In what was their most impressive win of the season, the Pistons destroyed the Knicks 121-90 in a nationally televised playoff rematch. The Pistons are also battling the injury bug again. Cunningham, Duren, Harris, and Stewart sat out a 98-92 loss to the Clippers. The Detroit Red Wings have finally retired the #91 of Hall of Fame forward Sergei Fedorov. The Wings continue to hold onto first place in the Atlantic (2nd overall in the East) at 27-15-4 and 58 points. They are 7-2-1 in their last ten and have improved their goal differential to +3. The Wings are riding the back of red-hot G John Gibson, who is 12-2-0, 2.01 GA, 0.932 SV% since the start of December. He's essentially become a brick wall.   Named to their respective Olympic teams were Dylan Larkin (USA), Lucas Raymond (SWE), and Moritz Seider (GER). The NHL regular season will pause from February 6-24.   The Detroit Tigers and 2-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal are in an arbitration battle. The Tigers have offered a $19 million contract, while Skubal countered with $32 million. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our topics include: After two weeks of Sherrone Moore driven embarrassment and coaching search drama, the University of Michigan fell ass backwards into a quality coaching hire. Former Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham is the new man running the Wolverines.  The Detroit Lions quite possibly played their worst game of the Dan Campbell era in a 23-10 Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The loss ended the Lions' postseason hopes and exposed several issues that will need to be addressed in the offseason. The Detroit Pistons are currently playing one of their toughest stretches of the season -  8 road games (including a West Coast swing of 5 games in 8 days) in a 10-game stretch. Despite the difficult schedule, the Pistons remain at the top of the East with a 24-8 record, holding a 1.5-game advantage over the NY Knicks.  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our topics include: Insanity in Ann Arbor! The Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore with cause. The cause? He was a married man getting it on with his assistant in the athletic department. After getting the ziggy, a reportedly already unstable Moore had a mental break, entering the home of his mistress and threatening suicide. He now faces charges of stalking, breaking, and entering and felony home invasion.   One of the best jobs in college football is in flux, with very few legitimate candidates available. Meanwhile, AD Warde Manuel is also being investigated, as Michigan continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.  The Detroit Lions lost to the LA Rams 41-34. At 8-6, they must win out to make the playoffs, and either the Bears or Packers will need to go 1-2 to end the season. Much like last season, a defense decimated by injury has left the offense no margin for error. 25 games into the season, the Detroit Pistons lead the East with a 20-5 record, leading the NY Knicks by 2.5 games. The only other team with 20 wins is the 24-1 OKC Thunder. The Pistons' most recent game was their best of the season, a 142-115 curb-stomping of the Atlanta Hawks. No player reached 25 minutes of playing time, no player took more than 10 shots, and all 13 players who saw the floor scored for the Pistons. The surprising Detroit Red Wings are 18-12-2, coming off an excellent 4-2 West Coast swing. Their 39 points leave them tied with the TB Lightning for first place in the Atlantic.  But a very large red flag is their top-heavy lineup and their -5 goal differential. It was reported that the Wings made an offer for Norris Trophy-winning defenseman (who played locally in the USNTDP and at Michigan) and pending free agent Quinn Hughes, only to be outbid by the Minnesota Wild. The Detroit Tigers concentrated on their bullpen during the winter meetings. They first re-signed Kyle Finnegan, who agreed to a two-year deal. They then added veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who inked a one-year contract for 2026 with a club option for 2027. As for the elephant in the room named Tarik Skubal? Who knows, other than it's looking as if the Tigers will allow him to walk in free agency.  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! ubscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Al is snowbound, as Michiganders say, up north, so today's show will be shorter, and the audio version will be bare-bones. This week, we'll discuss the Thanksgiving week from Hell that was Detroit sports. including: The rash of fake death notices posted online, the latest being Hall of Fame CB Lem Barney. The Lions losing to the Packers as their playoff chances took a big hit. The Pistons' 13 game win streak came to an end. Also, the Red Wings lost 4 straight, Ohio St compellingly beat Michigan, and MSU fired their head football coach, replacing him with a very questionable hire in Pat Fitzgerald. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  With the NBA season underway, one of our favorite guests returns - NBA stats guru Siddy Hall. Siddy joins us to discuss all things Detroit Pistons and NBA.  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Al is still in the Michigan wilderness, so today's show will be shorter, and the audio version will be bare bones. Greg is on vacation this week. But not to worry, we have a replacement! Wally Pipping Eno is Chris Pomay. Chris is a Canadian podcaster, host of the Chris Pomay with CDP Talk Show.  You can find Chris at the following links: Live with CDP Weekly Sports & Entertainment Talk Show.  https://beacons.ai/chrisdpomay https://www.youtube.com/@chrispomaylivewithcdpsport5517/streams https://www.instagram.com/chrispomay/ https://www.threads.net/@chrispomay https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-pomay-34026974/ https://www.cameo.com/chrispomay We'll touch on several topics, including: The Lions bounced back from a tough vs the Chiefs (filled with controversial ref shenanigans) with a 24-9 victory over the Bucs on Monday Night Football.  The win was all the more impressive thanks to The Legion of Whom, aka a defensive backfield led by career backups and recent waiver wire pickups. After facing the 5th toughest schedule in the NFL to date, the Lions enter the bye week at 5-2.  In 15 excruciating innings, the longest post season game in MLB history, the Tigers lost to the Mariners in game 5 of the ALDS, ending their season. A few days later, POBO Scott Harris announced AJ Hinch received a long rumored contract extension during his end of the season presser. The Mariners remain the only team to have never reached a World Series, losing to the Blue Jays in game 7 of the ALCS, Thus, we have a  Jays - Dodgers World Series. The Dodgers are led by Shohei Ohtani, who may have had the greatest game ever in game 4 of the NLCS - 6 IP, 10 K, 3-3 with 3 HR. Thanks to knee surgery, the Pistons lost Jaden Ivey for at least 4 weeks on the eve of the NBA regular season. Media reports also claim the franchise will not offer extensions to Ivey or Jalen Duren, which will make them restricted free agents after this season. The Red Wings are off to a surprisingly good start at 5-1, the best record in the East. This is even more surprising after their AWFUL opening night loss to the Habs. And, of course, they followed up that loss by sweeping a home and home with the Maple Leafs.  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch.

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  We held off recording a new episode for a few days, waiting on the Detroit Tigers - Seattle Mariners ALDS to come to a conclusion or reach game 5. Also, Al is still in the Michigan wilderness, so today's show will be shorter than usual, and the audio version will be bare bones. This week, our topics include: The Tigers' offense continues its weeks-long slumber, dropping ALDS games two (a loss despite Tarik Skubal allowing just two runs) and three (Jack "Jekyll and Hyde" Flaherty was Dr Jekyll). This has left the Tigers in a hit the damn ball or the season is over situation.  Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions continue to roll, winners of four straight. Their latest game was a relatively workman-like 37-24 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coming up are the surprisingly under .500 Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Unfortunately, injuries are taking a toll on the defense AGAIN. This year, it's the cornerback room that is being decimated. The Detroit Red Wings start their season this week, with a possible youth movement as three rookies made the roster. When it comes to team building, here are similarities between the Tigers' POBO Scott Harris and Wings GM Steve Yzerman. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and Gaana. We also live-stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick's BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat  

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week's show is a wide ranging discussion covering the rise of the Detroit Lions, who looked for all the world like a Super Bowl contender in beating the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, and the Detroit Tigers, who are on the verge of a historic collapse. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!   to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch.   Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky:  @Albeat  

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  We're back from our extended summer vacation. Our special guest is also ready to return to broadcasting after a summer off - Detroit Red Wings radio play-by-play man Ken Kal! Ken makes his annual appearance to preview the coming Red Wings season, discussing roster moves, trades, free agency, prospects, Sergei Fedorov's jersey being retired, and the late Alex Delvecchio. In the second half of the show, our topics include: The Detroit Lions' loss to the Green Bay Packers was concerning, to say the very least. It shouldn't be a shock that a team with so much coaching upheaval did not get off to a good start. The Lions' offense looked nothing like the dynamic force we saw in 2024. The pitchforks and torches are already out for OC John Morton. Za'Darius Smith will not be the reason the Lions win or lose. But when Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket, "We're good" when asked about not signing Smith, the internet fans lost their minds. Jameson Williams got paid. Who's left for the Lions to extend? Tarik Skubal will win the Cy Young again. Unfortunately, due to injuries and ineffectiveness with the rest of the staff, the Detroit Tigers will revert to "Pitching chaos" in the postseason. Did POBO Scott Harris do enough at the trade deadline? He has fallen in love with his prospects, which likely played into their not making any trades that truly moved the needle. What does the future hold for former (maybe future) Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley? The feds have not yet fully cleared him of gambling allegations. As for the NBA, we just don't know how hard they may come down on him. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming note: The Knee Jerks will return on Monday, September 22nd Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week, our guest is a long-time friend of the show: Author and former Detroit Free Press beat writer Keith Gave.  Keith returns to discuss all things Detroit Red Wings, including the late-season collapse that sent the franchise back into the draft lottery for a ninth consecutive year, team captain Dylan Larkin voicing his disappointment regarding the organization not making a major moveat the trade deadline, GM Steve Yzerman's response to Larkin in what was a somewhat contentious end-of-season press conference, the current state of the NHL playoffs and reminices about his days as the Wings beat writer.  We also discuss the Detroit Pistons' hard-fought six-game first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks and the Detroit Tigers' red-hot opening month, entering May with the best record in the AL (22-13, .629) and top run differential (+63) in all of MLB. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week. Programming note: Al is in northern Michigan working with limited bandwidth, so this week's podcast upload is the raw, unedited audio. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  With the Detroit Pistons having clinched (at worst) the sixth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, we think it's a great time to preview the playoffs with our favorite NBA stats guru, Siddy Hall. We also talk ethical hoopers vs foul merchants, who wins the league MVP and coach of the year, and Siddy has another Pistons quiz! In the second half of the show, we dive into the latest in Detroit sports. Topics include: Detroit Tigers assistant GM Sam Menzin resigned last week to "spend more time with family." But that was BS. This week The Athletic reported Menzin quit before he was fired, as he was channeling his inner Bret Favre by sending unsolicited lewd pictures to female Tigers employees. And doing so since 2017!  On the field, the Tigers bounced back from a sweep by the LA Dodgers to win their series against the Mariners and White Sox,  Positive surprises to start the season include Spencer Torkelson, Casey Mize and Javy Baez, who has willingly accepted a platoon/super utility role. Torpedo bats are the latest silly rule controversy. The Pirates insult their fans by replacing a Roberto Clemente logo in right field with a beer ad. Vlad Guerrero Jr inked a 14 year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays. That contract is going to look horrible when it hits the back half.  Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretsky as the NHL's top goal scorer with 895. Ovechkin still has a way to go to catch Gordie Howe's overall profession record, which includes his years in the WHL. But is Ovechkin's accomplishment more impressive, being the WHL was clearly a lower tier league? We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming note: Al will be on the road for the next few weeks, so our next podcast will go live on May 5. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana. We also live stream video of every episode to YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week Eastern Michigan University Eagles head football coach Chris Creighton joins the show to discuss all things EMU and MAC  football.  Coach talks about building his team for the 2025 season, spring practice and the spring game, and how college football has changed in the era of the transfer portal and NIL. In the second half of the show, we run the gamut of Detroit sports. Topics include: Shaq embarrassed himself by showing just how little he knows or cares about the best story in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons. His cavalier attitude wouldn't fly from a comparable NFL, MLB, or NHL analyst. But in the NBA, ignorance is damn near expected from their most influential talking heads. JB Bickerstaff went HAM on NBA refereeing after a close Pistons loss to the OKC Thunder. The Michigan Wolverines and MSU Spartans advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.  The tournament became beloved (and made the NCAA wealthy) thanks to underdog Cinderella teams making deep runs. But this year, only power conference (SEC, B1G, Big 12, ACC) schools made it out of the first weekend. In the era of NIL, will this be the new normal? Will this bode ill for the future of the NCAAs? The Detroit Tigers signed OF Manuel Margot to help plug their Parker Meadows-sized hole in center.  Kirk Gibson announced he's stepping away from the Tigers TV booth to concentrate on fighting Parkinson's. Meanwhile, Matt Shepard, the long-ago fired play-by-play man, claimed it wasn't Gibson's call and he was forced out.  The Detroit Lions spent most of free agency bringing the band back together, only making a couple of notable signings in CB DJDJ Reed and NT Roy Lopez. Going by past actions, Lions' GM Brad Holmes will likely attack the lack of a pass rush and an aging offensive line in the draft. Holmes has more than earned the benefit of the doubt. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming notes: The audio version of this podcast is the unedited raw feed as Al is up north in Traverse City working with limited bandwidth. Our next episodes will be on April 7 and May 5. We will not be episode on April 21 as Al will be on the road. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week The Knee Jerks discuss all four Detroit teams, Topics include: The Detroit Red Wings are dealing with their third consecutive March swoon, losing five straight games. The Ides of March, indeed.  The Wings will need at least 95 points to make the post season. It ain't happening.  GM Steve Yzerman made one trade deadline deal, which was little more than shuffling deck chairs.  Yzerman drafts well, but his roster construction is greatly lacking. As in Troy Weaver style lacking.  It's beyond obvious Yzerman feels no urgency with his slow roll rebuild, getting no pressure from the front office, media or fan base. The Detroit Lions entered free agency with questions on the defensive line. Those questions still remain after releasing edge Za'darius Smith. They allowed cornerback Carlton Davis III to move on, but replaced him with the arguably better D.J. Reed.  During interviews made after taking the Chicago Bears job, Ben Johnson made derogatory cracks about Jared Goff.  The Detroit Pistons are currently the six seed in the East, only one game out of 4th (and the home advantage that comes with it). For lack of a better word, the defensive minded Pistons are playing with "grit." Something the Red Wings lack in spades. We are not sure what to make of the Detroit Tigers. Good starting rotation and (possibly volatile) bullpen, but below league average offense still in need of a veteran bat. They could win 75 games or win 90 games. But thanks to injuries to Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows, it's just too early to tell. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week we talk all things hoops with our favorite NBA stats guru, Siddy Hall.   As he NBA All-Star break is this weekend and the Pistons currently reside in playoff position, it's a great time to discuss Cade Cunningham's breakout, All-Star season, which Pistons are making the biggest impact, a wild trade deadline that included the blockbuster Luka Dončić – Anthony Davis deal, huge trades of the past and an NBA/Pistons history quiz. In the second half of the episode, topics include: The Super Bowl was played this past weekend. With the Lions eliminated, both Greg and Nick didn't watch. Why not? The guys give their reasons. FYI, as of the start of the podcast, Nick still doesn't know who won the game! Do we really need to discuss a possible Myles Garrett trade? Detroit sports talk radio has turned into Detroit Garrett talk radio. It's AWFUL. The NHL is off for the next two weeks, replacing their traditional All-Star Game with the 4 Nations Face-Off. Teams of NHL players from Finland, Sweden, Canada, and the United States will compete in a round-robin tournament, much like you'd see in the Olympics or World Championships. Are you going to watch?  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, YouTube and Twitch. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  This week we welcome back a long time friend of the show - legendary Detroit and New York City sports commentator Bob Page. We discuss the latest in Detroit sports with Bob, including the Detroit Lions' disappointing playoff flame out, the Detroit Red Wings resurgence under new coach Todd McLellan, Cade Cunningham leading the Pistons back into relevance, and debate just what in the hell is going on with the New York football teams.  In the second half of the show we dive deeper into the state of the Lions and Tigers. Lions fans want to blame someone for the playoff loss, and aimed their ire at Ben Johnson. The Lions will need to replace both coordinators, as Johnson and Aaron Glenn left for head coaching jobs. Lions GM Brad Holmes spoke to the media, saying the team will stay the course despite the early playoff exit. The Tigers signed Gleyber Torres to play 2nd base, while continuing to play chicken with FA Alex Bregman. But what, exactly, is the Tigers plan?  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  We're back from holiday hiatus with a special guest - Bill Morris, author of "The Lions Finally Roar: The Ford Family, the Detroit Lions and the Road to Redemption in the N.F.L" "The Lions Finally Roar," recounts the roller coaster history of the Detroit Lions of the NFL, from their last championship in 1957 to coming within an eyelash of their first Super Bowl. Bill is a veteran journalist and author of the critically acclaimed novels "Motor City Burning," "All Souls" Day" and "Motor City," as well as the nonfiction books "The Age of Astonishment" and "American Berserk."  Click here to buy "The Lions Finally Roar" Bill's author page on Amazon In the second half of the show our topics include: The state of the 15-2 top seeded Detroit Lions as they prepare to take on the Washington Commanders in the NFL playoff divisional round. The resurgent Detroit Pistons, who are currently OVER .500 while Cade Cunningham is having a breakout season. Tthe Detroit Red Wings firing head coach Derek Lalonde, hiring veteran coach Todd McLelland, who has the Wings on a 7 game winning streak. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  Unfortunately, we had to reschedule our special guest, Bob Page. Bob will return to the show very, very soon.  But there is more than enough going on in Detroit sports to give us a jam packed episode. This week's topics include: The 12-2 Detroit Lions not only lost to the Bills in a 48-42 shootout, but are now in dire injury straits.  The Lions lost 3 more starters to season-ending injuries against the Bills. What's worse is there is no one to blame, nothing to pin the injuries on...other than plain old bad luck. Even though he can't admit it, Dan Campbell is making coaching decisions based on having a defense unable to get a stop. Thus, we see onside kicks with 12 minutes to play while only down 10. Despite the gloom and doom, the Lions still control their own destiny. They still own the #1 seed and own tie-breakers over the Vikings and Eagles. The Detroit Tigers signed 37-year-old free agent SP Alex Cobb.  Nothing has been done regarding the Tigers biggest roster need - a right-hand hitting middle of the order bat, preferably a corner infielder.  The Tigers and a good portion of the fan base seem to be terrified of giving anyone a long-term deal. Did the Javy Baez contract break their brains?  The Detroit Pistons used some contract wizardry to max out their cap space. They will definitely be in sin eating mode at the trade deadline, hopefully gaining draft capital. Detroit Red Wings continue to do the same things with no changes (shrugs). We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we discuss all things Detroit sports. Topics include: The 11-1 Detroit Lions have won 10 consecutive games despite their defense being ravaged by injury. But the Vikings, Eagles and Packers are nipping at the Lions' heels, as all refuse to lose. The Lions finally ended their Thanksgiving losing steak, much helped by coaching malpractice and clock butchery committed by the now fired Bears HC Matt Eberflus. Jameson Williams continues to do Jamo things, both good and bad. Unranked 6-5 Michigan shocked 10-1, #2 ranked Ohio St in the Horseshoe, 13-10. Is this the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry? Holier than thou Michigan jumped head first in the NIL wild west in flipping from LSU the nation's top recruit, 5-star QB Bryce Underwood. The 9-13 Detroit Pistons are 3-0 in the NBA Cup. Should we care? The Detroit Red Wings have called up top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa, their first round pick in 2021. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s BlueSky: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome back an old friend of the podcast, Keith Gave. Keith is a former Detroit Red Wings beat writer for the Detroit Free Press and an author of several books about hockey. With the Red Wings off to a VERY disappointing start, fans becoming more and more impatient with the Yzerplan, and the seat of head coach Derek Lalonde getting hotter by the day, we have plenty of discussion fodder. Keith Gave's author's page at Amazon In the second half of the show we discuss the rampaging 9-1 Detroit Lions, winners of 8 straight, setting numerous franchise records in the process while are playing like the best team in the NFL. We also talk about the surprising 7-8 Detroit Pistons, who have the look of a team that could compete for a play-in spot in what appears to be a very weak Eastern Conference. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week welcome back our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall. Along with touching on the Detroit Pistons slow start to the season, we'll also discuss how NBA has changed from the 70s and 80s and compare that to today. In the second half of the show we'll talk about two teams on moving in different directions - the 7-1 Detroit Lions, winners of 6 straight, and the struggling to stay at .500 Detroit Red Wings.  We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Our returning special guest this week is John Wing, a Canadian stand-up comedian, podcaster and author who also has opinions on Detroit and Toronto sports. John has appeared on The Tonight Show and America's Got Talent, written several books and hosts a podcast called The Bad Piano Player, which is an exploration of American popular music from 1900 to 1960. John on Twitter/X The Bad Piano Player Podcast In the second half of the show we discuss the Detroit Lions surging to the top of the NFC behind MVP level play from Jared Goff and despite a season ending injury to Aiden Hutchnison, the Detroit Red Wings struggles to start the season, and the Detroit Tigers stunning playoff run and and how they could build a 2025 team that wins with a more sustainable style of play. We also play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week's topics include: The Detroit Tigers historic late season run has them on the verge of making the playoffs, which was a pipe dream 6 weeks ago. The Tigers' bullpen has been lights out, but lacks an arm that misses bats. To fix that, top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe (MLBs #6 overall prospect who posted 9.9 K/9 at AA Erie) has been called up to pitch out of the pen. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell sells his home due to harassment from idiot fans. The Lions beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-13 on the road, a nice bounce back win after falling to the Bucs at home last week. Injuries are becoming an issue for the Lions. Their bye coming so early in the season in week 5 now appears to be a good thing.  As training camp began, the Detroit Red Wings inked forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Mortiz Seider to long-term deals. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! We're back from our summer vacation with special guest. Making his annual appearance is Detroit Red Wings radio play-by-play man Ken Kal. Ken joins us to discuss the Red Wings' off season, the current roster, preview the coming year and give us insight into the life as a professional broadcaster. It's always a fun and informative discussion when Ken joins the show! The second half of the show is all Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers talk. Topics include: The Lions are a damn good team. But it's hard for the fanbase to shake off decades of ineptitude. The Lions are national media darlings. We truly are in uncharted territory. The Lions didn't play at their best, but still beat a legitimate playoff quality team in the Rams. This was the sort of game previous generations of Lions teams would have lost, then played the moral victory card. Aidan Hutchinson was a defensive force of nature. Was this game the coming out party for Jameson Williams? The Lions winning the game in OT, imposing their will on the Rams' defense with pure smashmouth football, was a thing of beauty. Were we too quick in writing off the Tigers? Despite seemingly waving the white flag by selling at the trade deadline and playing all the kids, the Tigers started winning. The Tigers put themselves in the wild card hunt by playing .600 ball over the past several weeks. They are 3.5 GB of the Twins, but with just 18 games left, making the postseason remains a long shot. Somehow the Tigers are winning games despite their rotation being Tarik Skubal and Keider Montero, then 3 games of an opener/bulk-relief pitching. Skubal has become the overwhelming AL Cy Young favorite, leading the AL in pitching Triple Crown stats - Wins (16), ERA (2.53), strikeouts (208).  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we dive further into the MLB player pension issues we discussed with Gary Cooper and Dave Mesrey, as Max Effgen of Bitter Cup Baseball joins the show. Max talks about his struggles to find, educate, publicize and help the 500 players who could easily be grandfathered into a partial MLB pension, how these players ended up in this situation thanks to the 1980 CBA, the labor laws involved and just how you can help spread the word about the Bitter Cup players. Max Effgen on TwitterX: @MaxEffgen Bitter Cup Baseball on Instagram Spreadsheet listing the Bitter Cup players left behind by the MLBPA and MLB In the second half of the show, topics include: The Tigers are hotter than a firecracker as they reach the All Star break on a 10-4 tear. For the first time since 2017, the Tigers placed 2 players on the Al All Star roster in Tarik Skubal and Riley Greene. The Pistons named JB Bickerstaff head coach. POBO Trajan Langton and Bickerstaff exuded competence, something the Pistons franchise has been long lacking. Cade Cunningham signed his rookie contract extension, worth up to $265 million with bonuses. Much like the Lions did with Jared Goff, the Pistons elected to not play money games and locked down their franchise player long term. The Red Wings added a high scoring winger to their top 6 by signing Vladimir Taransenko to a 2 year deal in free agency. Steve Yzerman admitted the Red Wings were in the market to make a splash signing in free agency. All signs point to their target being Steven Stamkos. That was before he inked a too rich for the Wings deal at 4 years, $32 million. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! With all the news the Detroit Pistons have made over the past several weeks, the time was right to bring back our NBA guru, Siddy Hall! Siddy gives us his thoughts on: Trajon Langdon and the Pistons' new front office. The hiring of new head coach JB Bickerstaff and shooting coach Fred Vinson. Blowing up the bottom of the roster while adding Tobias Harris in free agency and trading Quentin Grimes for Tim Hardaway Jr. Compares Ron Holland and Ausur Thompson. Jalen Duren's defense (or lack thereof). Cade Cunningham's reported max deal.  Siddy also has a few numbers and stats for us to chew on.   Siddy Hall's TwitterX: @SiddyHall The second half of the episode is all Detroit Red Wings. How did Jake Walman suddenly fall out of favor with the Wings? He was traded to the Sharks for essentially nothing. Patrick Kane not only re-signed, but agreed to a below market, incentive laden, 1-year deal. Were Steven Stamkos and Jakob Trouba on the Wings' radar?  Are the Wings a worse team after trading Walman,  losing David Perron and Shayne Gostisbehere in free agency, while adding Rangers D-man Erik Gustafsson and LA Kings goalie Cam Talbot? With the Wings poised to take a step back point-wise next season (rebuilds are never linear and they will lean heavily on unproven kids who have been in Grand Rapids), if the GM was not named Steve Yzerman, would he be on the hot seat?  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming note: In two weeks we delve further into the MLB player pension issues we discussed with Gary Cooper and Dave Mesrey, as Max Effgen of Bitter Cup Baseball will join the show. Max Effgen on TwitterX: @MaxEffgen Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

This week, The Knee Jerks Podcast with Eno, Nick and Big Al, discusses the weirdness that has defined the Detroit Pistons off season. We also talk about our frustrations with the Detroit Tigers and team president Scott Harris. As always, we also play Greg's birthday game and name our Jerk of the Week! Programming note: this is a barebones version of the show, with no intro, music or editing. Al is in northern Michigan, and we tried recording the episode with his limited bandwidth. The YouTube live stream is audio only as well.  

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome Connor Soblom, Western US Sales Manager at TrackMan Baseball, to the show. We discuss baseball analytics and how it affects the approach and methodology to pitching and hitting. Everything from spin rate and bat speed, to calling balls and strikes, and everything in between. We also delve into the different ways TrackMan technology is being used in all manner of athletics, at all levels, including football, softball, golf, and tennis.  Connor on Twitter: @Connorsoblom TrackMan Baseball on Twitter: @TrackManBB Click here to learn more about TrackMan Baseball  In the second half of the show, we discussed the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. Topics include:  The Tigers have fallen back to earth, playing .300 baseball in the month of May after their best start in several years. The Tigers are now 9.5 GB of the first place Guardians in the AL Central. Is the season over before Memorial Day...again?  How much blame for another lost season should go to team president and roster builder Scott Harris? Should manager AJ Hinch catch any heat, despite being given a roster which can't hit? Lions QB Jared Goff got PAID.  Did the Lions have any other choice?  Pro Football Focus is bad, ranking Goff as only the 16th best QB in football. PFF goes for usual "Goff isn't mobile and struggles under pressure" trope. Yet 2 older, immobile QBs coming off Achilles surgery are ranked higher. And try to name any QB not named Mahomes who doesn't struggle under pressure.  PFF is also good, naming 5 Lions to their "Top 25 players under the age of 25" list. PFFs number one player under 25 is the Lions' 23-year-old stud right tackle, Penei Sewell. It's fitting Greg's latest Substack newsletter is about Sewell. The NFL remains the gold standard for marketing, as the 2024 schedule release dominated sports talk last week. The Lions have become the NFL's must watch darling, a new America's Team. Driving the point home is the Lions have 9 nationally televised games in 2024, including 5 in prime time. The NFL knows exactly which teams drive TV numbers. As long-time fans, it's just shocking to see the the LIONS be one of those teams. The Lions open the season with a wild card rematch on Sunday Night Football, as Matthew Stafford and the Rams come to Detroit.   We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming note: Al will be traveling, so we'll be taking time off in early June.  Our next episode is scheduled for June 17th. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week journalist, author and long-time friend of the show Dave Mesery returns. He joins us to spread the word about former Atlanta Braves outfielder Gary Cooper, who is ONE DAY short of qualifying for an MLB pension. Gary also joins us from Georgia to discuss his major and minor league career, his advocacy for the 500 former big leaguers who were left out in the cold by the powerful MLBPA, and how a rain out essentially cost him a pension. A GoFundMe page has also been established to help Gary. You can sign a Change.org petition here. To learn more about the 500 players MLB and the MLBPA forgot, head over to Bitter Cup Baseball.  We also suggest reading the book "A Bitter Cup of Coffee: How MLB and the Players Association Threw 874 Retirees a Curve" by Doug Gladstone. The second half of the show is all Tigers and Lions. Topics include:  The Tigers introduced new City Connect alternate uniforms. We aren't fans. It's becoming more and more difficult to watch baseball. The latest hurdle is a carriage dispute between Comcast and Bally Sports, which has removed the Tigers from many local TVs.  The Tigers have several black holes in their offensive lineup. Who could've have seen that coming?  With 3 years worth of plate appearances and about 3 months total of actual production, the fan base is all but ready to move on from struggling former 1st overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson. As for the Tigers, they have to realize something must change, and soon. The Lions also have new uniforms, and they aren't half bad. The city of Detroit has never looked better than it did during the 3 days the NFL Draft was downtown. Fans, media and the NFL all praised the event. It should open the door for even more big events, including a long overdue NBA All-Star Game. The Lions signed cornerstones Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell to massive four-year contract extensions that made them the highest-paid players at their respective positions. No news on a new contract for Jared Goff. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome Keith Gave back to the show. Keith is a former Detroit Red Wings beat writer for the Free Press and the author of several hockey books, which can be found on Amazon.  Keith joins us for a Red Wings season post mortem.  We discuss the state of GM Steve Yzerman's Yzerplan and how the team narrowly missed the playoffs, what changes we could see on the roster, who stepped up during the failed playoff push and who disappeared, what size contract offers RFAs Mortiz Seider and Lucas Raymond will receive, and if there will be a "playoffs or bust" mandate for head coach Derek Lalonde next season. We also take a look back at Red Wings history and discuss just how close Yzerman was to being traded to Ottawa in 1994. In the second half of the show, our topics include: Lions QB Jared Goff has a silly belief that the Detroit media is somehow overly negative. Good thing he doesn't play in Philly or New York. The Pistons are going to shake up the front office by hiring a new President of Basketball Operations. More than the front office needs shaking up. Stan Van Gundy may have been a bad GM for the Pistons, but he is not wrong in his negative assessment of the team's young core. To be honest, the core is just one player - Cade Cunningham. The rest of the roster can be blown up. There a pitching injury pandemic in MLB, as elbows are exploding everywhere. What could be causing it? Is there a solution? The Tigers are playing solid baseball. The .565 win % has them 3rd in the AL Central, behind the Guardians and overachieving Royals.  The Tigers pitching has been exceptional. The offense hasn't been, but Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter have been playing damn well.  Thanks to the Tigers push for players to have the ability to play multiple positions, AJ Hinch is practicing what he preaches by playing the entire roster. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programing note: In two weeks long-time friend of the show Dave Mersery returns. He joins us to spread the word about former Atlanta Braves outfielder Gary Cooper, who is ONE DAY short of qualifying for an MLB pension. You can sign a petition here. A GoFundMe page has also been established to help Cooper. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Nick is off this week, so it's an old school show with Greg and Big Al talking all things Detroit sports.  Topics include:  After a horrific March, the Red Wings find themselves in dogfight with 3 other teams for the final wild card. If the season ended today, the Red Wings would be the playoff 8 seed.  This franchise NEEDS to make the playoffs. The Wings have enough offense to win the wild card. Can't say the same about the defense and goal tending. It was a question mark going into the season, and remains that way. If Alex Lyon or James Reimer could stand on their head in goal for a few games, it would help the Wings playoff chances immensely. Want to sell Patrick Kane on signing a new contract with Detroit? Best way to do so is make the damn post season.  A weird Pistons season got weirder thanks to journeyman guard Malachi Flynn. It's more than likely Flynn and his career 5.2 PPG won't be a Piston next season. But he managed to have a game for the ages versus the Hawks - 50 points on 18/25 shooting. Of course, the Pistons lost. Of course, Flynn was 0/12 from the floor in his next game.  Chauncey Billups, the Pistons "Mr. Big Shot," was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, joining Ben Wallace. The Going to Work Pistons were supposedly built with no stars, but ended up with two hall of fame players. The old baseball saying says, "You can't win a championship in April, but you can lose it." After years of being out of contention by Memorial Day (or to be blunt, by May 1) due to horrible starts, the Tigers got off to their fastest start in years at 6-1. They have come back down to earth somewhat, but their pitching has been encouraging. The bats, on the other hand... We also play Greg's Birthday Game!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our special guest is John J. Miller, author of "The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football."  We discuss John's book, which takes a deep dive into the violent, nearly lawless days of late 19th century football and the public outcry which almost led to the sport being banned. But thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt's intervention, who loved the sport, football was saved. That led to the creation of the NCAA, the innovation of the forward pass, a vital collaboration between Walter Camp, Charles W. Eliot, John Heisman and others, and, ultimately, the creation of a new American pastime.  You can find "The Big Scum" on Amazon! In the second half of the show, our topics include: In a wild first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Greg Kampe's Oakland Golden Grizzlies became America's sweethearts by beating Kentucky and was an OT away from making the Sweet Sixteen. Tom Izzo and Michigan State once again lost to their nemesis, North Carolina. And the Michigan Wolverines hired a new basketball coach, Florida Atlantic's Dusty May. Shohei Ohtani's interpreter ran up $4.5 million in illegal gambling debt to a bookie, which was somehow paid via wire transfer, possibly with Ohtani's involvement. Ohtani claims the money was stolen, but the whole thing stinks to high heaven. The Tigers will not start the season with Matt Manning in the rotation, who was sent to Triple-A Toledo. Javy Baez is having a horrific spring at the plate. The Lions cut Cam Sutton one day after they learned last season's starting corner had a warrant out for his arrest for domestic battery by strangulation. Sutton has gone silent and police have been unable to contact him. As Dylan Larkin goes, so go the Red Wings. A month ago, the Red Wings were 10 points up in the wild card race and all but a playoff lock. But Larkin's injury sent the Wings into a 3+ week tailspin which currently has them one point out of playoff positioning. Thanks to injuries, incompetence, a mismatched roster, and all round bad play, it's getting very, very ugly with the Pistons.  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome back an old friend of the show, EMU head football coach Chris Creighton.  Coach joins us after the first day of spring practice to talk all things Eastern Michigan Eagles, including the status of the roster, the latest renovations to Rynearson Stadium and the soon to be christened "Maxx Crosby Field," the Creighton coaching tree (including new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who was coach's first offensive coordinator at EMU) and the overall state of college football.  Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties we had to end this week's show after the interview. But we'll be back in two weeks with author John Miller, who joins us to discuss football history. His book,  "The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football" covers the deadly violence that overwhelmed 19th century football,  and how a sitting President intervened by pushing reform to save the game.  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we cover the Detroit sports gamut - Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers and Lions.  Topics include:  It was a crazy night in Chicago as the return of  Patrick Kane and his game winning OT goal overshadowed the jersey retirement of Chris Chelios. The Red Wings are are flying high, owners of a 5 game winning streak and well situated to not only make the playoffs, but actually make some post season noise.  When does Patrick Kane get extended?  Will GM Steve Yzerman make a splash or look to add minor depth pieces at the trade deadline? When in the HELL was the NBA All-Star Game? Whatever it was, it wasn't basketball.  If the players don't care about the All-Star weekend, why should fans? In making his game winning shot versus the Pistons, the Magics Paolo Banchero shuffled his feet, moved his pivot foot and literally walked, yet no call. What we once called traveling is now called a "gather step." Does anyone know what traveling is anymore? The Tigers signed veteran Gio Urshela to plug their gaping maw of a roster hole at 3rd base.  The NFL salary cap unexpectedly skyrocketed an additional $30 million, up to $255 million. Some Lions are about to get PAID. Lions GM Brad Holmes off season team building philosophy come down to filling lineup holes via free agency, while using the draft to acquire the best player available, regardless of position.  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming notes: In two weeks we welcome back Eastern Michigan's head football coach Chris Creighton to the show. Coach joins us yearly to talk all things EMU and about his life as a G5 football coach. In one month, author John Miller joins us to discuss football history. His book, "The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football" covers the deadly violence that overwhelmed 19th century football,  and how a sitting President intervened by pushing reform to save the game.  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we welcome back our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall to discuss all things Pistons...as bad as they may be. Siddy opines on the record losing streak, the release of Killian Hayes, GM Troy Weaver's blowing up the roster to obtain a "bunch of guys" at the trade deadline, Monty Williams odd rotations which buried Jalen Ivey for far too long, and in general express genuine disappointment in the state of the team.  Siddy also talks big picture NBA, as the court is to tilted heavily toward offense, pace, and high scoring What can be done, if anything, to help defenses?  In the second half of the show, topics include: Lions GM Brad Holmes held his season ending press conference. He kept receipts, asking for accountability while calling out local media who criticized his excellent (in hindsight) drafts. Did Ben Johnson burn bridges in turning down the Commanders job? Did the Commanders start a smear campaign to cover their asses after their supposed number 1 target declined their advances? All-Pro center Frank Ragnow hinted at retirement before announcing he would return in 2024. But expect more and more players to move on from the NFL after their first or second contract.  The NFL Awards need to make clear what criteria they should be based upon. For example, the NFL Coach of the Year should be renamed the NFL Team Exceeded Expectations Award.  The Red Wings are in position to make a serious run at the playoffs. Their upcoming 4 game western swing will go a long way in determining if GM Steve Yzerman is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!  Programming note: We are moving our bi-weekly recording sessions to Monday nights. You can expect new episodes of The Knee Jerks Podcast to go live late Monday evenings in both audio and video. Big Al also apologizes for his camera freezing, looks as if hes going webcam shopping this week. Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! The Detroit Lions heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers and the resulting fallout dominates our discussion this week, for obvious reasons. We also touch on the latest news involving the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Michigan Wolverines.  This week's topics include:  The Lions found themselves 30 minutes away from their first Super Bowl appearance, going into the half up 24-7. Then...disaster. What in the HELL happened? Looking to blame someone or something? There's plenty to pick from - sloppy execution, bad luck, questionable decision making. Did Dan Campbell make the right calls in going for it on 4th down, eschewing a pair of long field goal attempts? It's quite possible the Lions are an even better team next season, yet don't go as far into the post season. Sports are funny that way. Live by Ben Johnson, die by Ben Johnson. Did the Lions' play calling get too cute in the 3rd quarter? Are pricey contact extensions on the table for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St, Brown? Change is on the horizon. There could be significant changes to the coaching staff and an upheaval on the defensive side of the roster. Has the lazy Same Old Lions trope finally been put to rest?  As awful as the last 30 minutes of the NFC championship were, that doesn't negate just how fun and successful this season was for the Lions.\ Led by leading scorer Dylan Larkin and new number one goalie Alex Lyon, the Red Wings are on a tear and in excellent position make a run at the playoffs. The Tigers take a page out of the Atlanta Braves playbook, signing top position prospect Colt Keith to a long-term, guaranteed money big league contract. Did the Wolverines do the right thing in replacing NFL bound Jim Harbaugh by elevating Sherrone Moore to head coach without doing a nationwide search? We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Programming note: Due to scheduling issues, our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall will join us in two weeks. We hope to have Eastern Michigan head football coach Chris Creighton join us late next month.  Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! If you are a fan of the National Champion Michigan Wolverines and playoff winning Detroit Lions, this past week featured the best football of your lifetime. So lets talk about it! Upcoming guests: January 30 will be a two for the price of one episode. One of our favorite guests, Eastern Michigan head football coach Chris Creighton, will join us to talk Eagles and MACtion. Our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall will also return on the 30 to discuss all things Detroit Pistons.  That should be FUN. This weeks topics include:  The Detroit Lions beat the LA Rams in the NFL Wild Card round, winning their first playoff game since January 1992.  The victory over the Rams featured so many story lines, it was just as much a soap opera as a football game.  Matthew Stafford is no longer our QB1.  The fans at Ford Field realized that, treating Stafford as the enemy and embracing Jared Goff.  The win will go down in Detroit lore as the "Jared Goff Revenge Game."  The bonkers Detroit crowd made for a legitimate home field advantage, forcing the Rams to use 2 time outs early in the 2nd half, time outs they sorely missed late in the game.  Like other WR1's they have recently faced, the Lions' defense couldn't stop Puka Natua. But the bend but don't break defense stiffened in the red zone, forcing 3 Rams field goals. That was the difference in the game. Dan Campbell badly outcoached Sean McVay.  The game ended with the Lions able to run out the last 4 minutes on the clock with 2 first downs. Up next? A second home playoff game! Thanks to the Packers curb stomping the  Cowboys, the Lions will play the Bucs at home next Sunday. What the Hell is going in Seattle? Why fire Pete Carroll?  This season was national tile or bust for the Wolverines. Mission accomplished for Jim Harbaugh and this core group of players.  What's next for the ever mercurial Harbaugh? The NFL? Back to Michigan?  Should Sherrone Moore inherit the Michigan job if Harbuagh heads back to the shield?  Nick Saban retired, which was shocking...until you realized all the signs were there. The coaching dominoes quickly fell across the country. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! We welcome the new year with a new episode of The Knee Jerks!  Upcoming guests: Our NBA stats guru Siddy Hall joins us on 01/30. One of our favorite guests, Eastern Michigan head football coach Chris Creighton, is also on the schedule.  This weeks topics include:  The Detroit Lions clinched the NFC North and are in the playoffs! It's their first division title since winning the no longer in existence NFC Central in 1993. The Lions were screwed by NFL refs....again. Who's to blame for the 2 point conversion snafu which cost the Lions a win and a shot at the 1 or 2 seed? You'd think it was referee Brad Allen, the NFL's version of Angel Hernandez. According to the NFL, it's the Lions fault for attempting to deceive. But isn't that the point of a TRICK PLAY? The shield never, ever admits to a mistake. EVER. Was Dan Campbell overly aggressive in going for the win, attempting the 2 point conversion, not just once, or twice, but three times?  Campbell says he's going to play his starters in their final regular season game, despite it being meaningless. The Michigan Wolverines knocked off the Alabama Crimson Tide in a thrilling OT game, and will play the Washington Huskies for the national title. J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum finally got their signature win. What's next for the ever mercurial Jim Harbaugh? Does he sign a reportedly massive, long-term contract extension to remain at Michigan? Or is he prowling on an NFL sideline next fall?  Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart calls out the bowl system after the majority of the Florida State Seminoles starting lineup opted out of the glorified exhibition that was the Orange Bowl. The Detroit Pistons made the wrong kind of history, setting a new single season NBA record with a 28 game losing streak. As GM Troy Weaver remains MIA, owner Tom Gores did a video Q & A with a handful of Pistons beat writers. It was held late Friday night on December 23rd, the definition of a holiday news dump. Gores came off as completely out of touch, saying, "Other than winning, we do everything to bring the best to Detroit."  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we take a deep dive into the mental part of sports as we interview sports psychologist Mike Margolies. Mike is the author of "The Athlete within You" and has been a practicing Sport Psychology Consultant for 40+ years, having trained people and athletes of all ages, including Olympians, professionals and amateur athletes in most sports.  We learn how mental toughness is a learned skill and how mental training can turn a good athlete into an elite athlete. Mike also has a few thoughts on the struggling Pistons. In the second half of the show, our topics include: The Pistons have lost 24 consecutive games and are on the verge of NBA and sports infamy.  A blowout victory over the Broncos has the Lions on the verge of a playoff spot and the NFC North crown.  The NFC is wide open, and owning home field advantage may very well be the deciding factor. Back from a scary neck injury, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin calls out NHL front office brass for their lack of action in regard to player safety. If the league won't punish cheap shots, the players may have to go back to doling out frontier justice.  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week we cover the gamut in Detroit sports, discussing the Detroit Lions' Chicken Little fanbase, ask if the Detroit Pistons will ever win again, ponder where Patrick Kane fits in the Detroit Red Wings' Yzerplan, praise the Detroit Tigers for locking down AJ Hinch and determine if thinking both Florida State got screwed and Alabama deserved to be be in the college football playoff can be true at the same time.  Our topics include: The Lions keep winning, even as the games get uglier and uglier.  Is the sky falling? Some in Detroit's fanbase believe so...despite the Lions owning the 3rd overall seed in the NFC at 9-3 overall, and are 8-2 in their last 10, 4-1 in their last 5.  So the sky is not falling! But there are reasons to be concerned, specifically in regard to the Lions' porous pass defense.  As for the playoffs? They are still a lock. The Lions have a very young core, and have a front office having shown they can consistently nail the draft. Honestly, they aren't yet ready to win a Super Bowl. But next year... In midst of a franchise record 17 game losing streak, the Pistons are reportedly "reluctant to hit the panic button."  What, exactly, would that be?  Frankly, firing GM Troy Weaver wouldn't be a panic move, it would just be deserved. Does Steve Yzerman think he has finally built a playoff roster? He hasn't outright said so, but he all but confirmed it by signing Patrick Kane. Dylan Larkin has stepped up his game and is playing like a top line center.  Jim Leyland was deservedly voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. And his 8 seasons managing the Tigers is what put him over the top. The Tigers locked down manager AJ Hinch, inking him to a long-term contact extension. Works for us! College football has devolved into utter chaos.  Will Jim Harbaugh be on the Michigan Wolverines sideline next September, or will he be four hours west with the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field? FSU got screwed. Sideways.  We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! We'd like to apologize for the longer than expected hiatus. As it tends to do, life got in the way. But The Knee Jerks are back with a jam packed episode featuring two guests. Our first guest is author Keith Gave, retired Detroit Red Wings beat writer and columnist for the Detroit Free Press.  In a wide raging discussion, Keith talks about his days on the Wings beat, going from bottom feeders to winning the Stanley Cup. We learn more about the infamous Goose Loonies incident, Keith talks about his role in helping Petr Klima to defect, what it was like covering the rise of the Russian Five, lets us know the current status of Vladimir Konstantinov, talks how the job of the beat writer has changed for the worse, gives his thoughts on Steve Yzerman as the team's GM and more.  Keith's books: The Russian Five: A Story of Espionage, Defection, Bribery and Courage Vlad the Impaler: More Epic Tales From Detroit's '97 Stanley Cup Conquest A Miracle of Their Own: A Team, A Stunning Gold Medal and Newfound Dreams for American Girls The second guest is our NBA stats guru, Siddy Hall, who takes a deep dive into the issues surrounding the Detroit Pistons, currently owners of a brutal 12 game losing streak.  Siddy goes off on coach Monty Williams and his insistence of starting Killian Hayes over Jaden Ivey, the failure of GM Troy Weaver to build a coherent roster, Cade Cunningham's inefficiency and penchant for turnovers as a number one scoring option, center Jalen Duren stepping up but still being on the second tier of big men, and rookie Ausar Thompson having many positives but one massive negative, to name just a few of the many Pistons topics covered. During the final segment of the show, we discuss the the rise of Detroit Lions.  As they head into a Thanksgiving Day clash against the Green Bay Packers, a three game winning streak has moved the Lions to 8-2, the second best record in the NFL.   Due to time constraints there is no Birthday Game, but we do name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack - Out of Bounds 

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Between the Lions' fast start, the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera playing out the string and the latest on the Yzerplan, there's plenty on this weeks agenda.  First, a programming note: The Jerks will be on a short hiatus, as Al will be out of town. But we'll be back on Tuesday, October 24 with special guest Keith Gave. Keith is a former Red Wings beat writer for the Free Press turned author. On November 7, our NBA Stats Guru, Siddy Hall, returns to talk all things hoops.  This week our topics include: The Lions split their first two home games of the season, starting the season a solid 2-1. They did lose a hard hitting battle to the Seahawks (who seemingly have the Lions number and all but killed the silly blue ski mask stuff) but they handily beat the Falcons as Detroit's defense dominated.  Remember Brad Holmes' controversial draft class that was railed against by NFL pundits for the lack of positional value? Three games in, those rookies, led by an electric Brian Branch, are making an outsized impact. Entering NFL week four, is the NFC North already just a two team race between the 2-1 Lions and 2-1 Packers? The winless Vikings and slow motion train wreck Bears say, "YES."  The Tigers missed the playoffs for ninth consecutive season, tied with the Angels for the current longest MLB postseason drought.  PBO Scott Harris finally brought in his new right hand man, naming Jeff Greenberg as the Tigers' GM. Greenberg was lured away from....the Blackhawks?  Miguel Cabrera is playing out the string as the Tigers start their final homestand of the season. As we celebrate Miggy's wonderful HoF career, we should also be relieved his long decline is over, freeing up salary and a roster spot.  As the Red Wings enter year 5 of GM Steve Yzerman's regime, is it too soon to start questioning the Yzerplan? As the Wings, appear to be a playoff bubble team at best, the answer is - no it's not....but there are also several caveats.  Plus we play The Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack - Out of Bounds 

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!  It's a threesome this week (Greg's words) as Eno, Nick and Big Al talk the latest in Detroit sports. Two topics dominated, which we cover in-depth.  This week we discuss:  Tuck is no longer comin'. Michigan State suspended head football coach Mel Tucker without pay while MSU investigates allegations that he sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and activist well known for advocating for victims of assault and taking to college athletes.  The details are, to put it mildly, awful. Tucker's defense is a conspiracy theory, claiming the inquiry is little more than "an ulterior motive" so MSU can get out of his ridiculous 10-year, $95 million contract via the moral turpitude clause.  Yes, this is going to get ugly and likely end up in court. Regardless, Tucker's Power 5 coaching career is over, no matter what happens. The Detroit Lions start living up to the hype, taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead, 21-20.  Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor appeared to jump early on nearly every snap. Even worse, Taylor was illegally lining up well off the line of scrimmage, to the point where Cris Collinsworth called Taylor a "slot receiver." Yet the refs only called one false start on the Chiefs.  The Lions took on their biggest rival, the zebras, and won! In the words of Dan Campbell, "You gotta adjust." To the Lions credit, they did. NBC's Mike Tirico caught serious fan blowback when he said the Lions' victory would have an asterisk next to it due to the Chiefs missing Chris Jones and Travis Kelce. Tirico, who lives in Ann Arbor, said it was taken out of context.  Always quick with a quote, when asked, Campbell replied. "Well, is there an asterisk next to our 1-0?"  Up next for the Lions is their home opener. They take on the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in week 18, the Seattle Seahawks. To say Ford Field will be a madhouse is an understatement.  It's the NFL's world and we're just living in it. Lions - Chiefs averaged 27M viewers and was the most-watched program on TV since Super Bowl LVII last February. Is anyone watching the Detroit Tigers? Bueller? Bueller? Plus we play The Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack - Out of Bounds 

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Greg is back from his tour of the state of Michigan. So the three headed monster known as The Knee Jerks are back in full force to discuss the latest in Detroit sports.  One programming note - The Knee Jerks Podcast is back to recording twice a month, with a new show released every other Tuesday night.  This week our topics include: With the emergence of Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter and now Parker Meadows, the Tigers may have a young core of position players to build around for the first time since the core of the 1984 team were called up in the late 70's.  Catcher Eric Haase is DFA'd, replaced by Carson Kelly. Haase was a nice guy, but if he isn't hitting home runs, he's expendable. Is there anything the Tigers can do with Javy Baez, the $98 million left on his contract and his league worst bat? The Tigers and their fans have to accept for the next 4 years the franchise essentially has Eddie Brinkman as their shortstop. The vast majority of Lions starters didn't play a single snap in their 3 exhibition games. Was it the right decision? After seeing Nate Sudfeld tear up his knee in a meaningless game, the answer is YES. As relief pitching was to Dave Dombrowski, kickers are to Brad Holmes. After nearly 4 decades of elite placekicking, today's Lions feel adrift at the position as they look for trade options.  Michigan's Jim Harbaugh had a lot on his mind during his recent presser. First and foremost was making a case for NCAA players getting a share of the massive amounts of TV revenue the schools make of the backs of their labor. Good idea, but that also opens a Pandora's Box of problems that could never be solved without blowing up the current system. Plus we play The Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, and YouTube.  Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack - Out of Bounds