Mikey D

First- love the hire by the Lions. Jim Schwartz is everything I want in a coach. First, he's defensive minded, which is the area that needs the most focus. He's experienced- he's not in his early 30's, he's been around. He's coached under Belichick and Jeff Fisher- amazing coaches to learn from. From what I've read and listened to, he's very detailed, organized, and prepared. A no-nonsense coach that knows what's up. That's what we need. And if Michael Smith from ESPN is right, he knows the right way to build the team in the draft- start with either the offensive or defensive line with that first pick. Add the "accessory" positions later on.

I was randomly thinking about the best months for sports today, and I decided to rank them tonight. I was thinking about the next couple weeks, and how, outside of the two championship games in football, there wasn't a whole heck of a lot going on in the sports world. So I made this list that ranks the best sports months.

As you will notice, there are several omissions from my list. First, there will be no mention of NASCAR. Sorry, but its irrelevant in my sports world. This list is personalized with what's important in sports to me. So that means no MLS, rodeo, arena football, etc.

Also, I did not include sporting events that do not occur yearly. So the Olympics, World Cup, etc. are not included.

So, from 12-1, the greatest months for sports!

12. February- Super Bowl! Anddddddd that's it. NBA and NHL regular season is just bleah. I do have college basketball, but without anything else- nothing at all- it's the worst month by far.

11. July- Dog days of summer. I get to focus solely on baseball for a month, which is nice. I do wish, however, I had more options. My favorite all-star game, the MLB All-Star game, is in July, so that makes me happy.

10. August- Football begins to appear. Preseason football starts, and football talk heats up. And we have our fantasy draft! Baseball races start to shape up and we separate contenders from pretenders.

9. May- This is when the NBA and NHL playoffs start to get good. We're out of the first round, but were not into that crappy Finals match-up that nobody gives two shits and a fuck about. I also get my baseball...but that's about it.

8. December- NFL playoff races heat up, the college bowl season begins, and I have college basketball. Perhaps its the holiday season and I'm preoccupied, but sports just doesn't capture my interest during this month.

7. January- NFL playoffs are great, but there aren't enough games to satisfy my appetite. I love conference college basketball season because the games are more intense. January also hosts the good bowl games, which I'll tune into out of interest created mostly by ESPN's hype machine. January is a transition month from football to basketball. I have to admit I've been paying attention to more basketball than football this month...

6. June- NBA and NHL finals. Two major sports crown their champions, so its a good time to be a sports fan. With the summer weather comes summer baseball, and nothing beats going to the ballpark on a summer night or afternoon. I also get the NBA Draft (I just like drafts...) and Wimbledon, my favorite tennis tournament. I do enjoy the British Open in golf, as well.

5. April- The start of the baseball season! Love it. Baseball will forever be my favorite sport. It is my dream to one day own season tickets to a team (and have good seats!) and go to all the home games. Maybe when I'm retired. April also gives me the start of the NBA and NHL playoffs. Throw in my favorite golf tournament, The Masters, and the NFL Draft, and its a good month.

4. September- This was tough to decide. How much love do I give to football? Do I put it in front of months that have other sports' playoffs? Yes. I love football and the start of the season (and the start of fantasy season!). I can take or leave college football, but it's nice to watch on Saturdays. What puts September over the top for me personally is the pennant races in baseball. Baseball seasons are long, but I love the finish. Throw in the U.S. Open in tennis, and I'm a happy man.

3. November- Look, I'm turned off by college football because of the bowl system and constant lobbying and debating done by the media, coaches, and fans. But for the month of November, I get really interested in college football as conference championships start to shape up. I actually enjoy the determination of the conference winners more than the actual bowls. November also gives me NFL football which is always great. The World Series winner is usually crowned in November now, and I get the non-conference college basketball season, plus NBA basketball.

2. March- Okay, here's where my love for college basketball comes in and the greatest postseason tournament on earth. I get ridiculously wrapped up in the tournament, the teams, the bracket...it consumes me. Combine that with the NBA and NHL regular season winding down, NFL Draft talk, and of course, MLB spring training, and I am addicted to sports in the month of March.

1. October- Where the entire sports world collides! You get postseason baseball, NFL and college football, and the starts of the NBA, college basketball, and NHL seasons. If you cannot find something to like in the month of October, you are not a sports fan...And I would probably not have anything in common with you.

I guess with this list what I'm trying to say is...I like fall.

~Mikey D