Thursday, March 28, 2013

Programming Note: Taking April 1 off, will return with a Pistons post-mortem

Hello listeners! As you know, we record The Knee Jerks on Sunday evening for Monday premiere, but this Sunday (March 31) is Easter (Happy Easter, btw), so we won't be recording. So no show on April 1 (no fooling!), but we have a dandy planned for April 8, to reward your patience.

We will be joined by former Pistons player and coach Ray Scott and (we hope) Pistons beat writer Vinnie Goodwill of the Detroit News, who will offer up analysis of yet another wretched NBA season in Detroit, and a look ahead to what should be a very interesting off-season.

Does President/GM Joe Dumars come back? Does coach Lawrence Frank? Which current Pistons will be ex-Pistons before next training camp? How active will the team be in free agency? Do they bring back point guard (and free agent) Jose Calderon? Finally, what went wrong in 2012-13?

All those questions, and more, will be tackled on Monday, April 8 at 7:00pm ET!!

Once again, have a safe and happy Easter!!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Tonight: Adam Biggers and his take on March Madness

Well, the first weekend of the NCAA men's basketball tournament is done, and the Sweet 16 teams have been determined. As usual, there were some major upsets, some near upsets, and everything in between.

Michigan and Michigan State play on, and some intriguing match-ups are coming up this weekend. So who better than our own (and Bleacher Report's) Adam Biggers, aka The Fourth Jerk, to break it all down for you?

The Jerks quiz Adam on all things March Madness, getting his take on opening weekend and what to look for coming up---especially when it comes to the Wolverines and Spartans!

Following Adam, the Jerks comment on the rules changes in the NFL, including the controversial "crown of the helmet" rule, penalizing a ball carrier 15 yards if he lowers his head and rams defenders with the crown of his helmet. There's also the "Jim Schwartz rule" (don't you just love that the Lions seem to have their own section of the rule book?).

Lions RB Jahvid Best says he still wants to play football, but will he ever get medical clearance? The guys discuss the possible (or probable) end to a once-promising career.

Finally, will the Lions bring K Jason Hanson back? Is there enough money to pay him? So far the Lions have offered Hanson the $975,000 veteran minimum.

The Jerks also talk some Tigers. Will non-roster invitee Matt Tuiasosopo become the team's fourth outfielder? He just might, with Avisail Garcia hurt and Rule 5 guy Jeff Kobernus returned to the Washington Nationals---and the fact that Tuiasosopo bats right-handed.

And in the world of hockey, the firing of analyst Larry Murphy by FSD has Red Wings fans in an uproar. Are the Jerks among those stunned and angered by the sudden move?

All that and more, plus "Whose Birthday Is It?" (at stake: a year's supply of Jiffy Pop!) and "Jerk of the Week." The first download is available at 7pm ET HERE.

AND, in two weeks, you won't want to miss our post-mortem of the Pistons 2012-13 season with former Pistons player and coach Ray Scott and beat writer Vinnie Goodwill of the Detroit News! That's Monday, April 8!!


Monday, March 18, 2013

Tonight: Lotsa Lions, Tigers talk, plus March Madness

If it's Monday, it's "The Knee Jerks"!! (well, MOST of the time!)

Tonight we bump Adam Biggers until next week with "Adam Rants," but that means more time to talk about what was a very busy week in Detroit sports.

First up: March Madness!! How will U-M and MSU do in the "Big Dance"? Will they crack the Sweet 16? Or maybe go even further? Will the guards (Trey Burke and Keith Appling) step up and lead the Wolverines and Spartans, respectively, to the Promised Land?

Next, the Jerks talk Lions and boy is there a lot to talk about! Jeff Backus's retirement; free agent signings (Hello, Mr. Bush!!) and losses; and draft needs.

Finally, the Jerks talk Tigers. The guys will muse about Brennan Boesch's release and subsequent signing by the Yankees, the muddled outfield situation (will there be a RH bat?), and more.

All that, plus the issue of PEDs in baseball, the Birthday Game (at stake: a Chia Pet in the shape of Kwame Kilpatrick) and "Jerk of the Week."

It all starts at 7pm HERE.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Tonight's show: we're back!!! And we're talking Tigers!

After a two-week hiatus due to sickness (Eno and Big Al's), the Jerks are back!

It's the Tigers Preview show that was sheduled for two weeks ago.

Joining the Jerks, as per tradition, are bloggers Kurt Mensching (Bless You Boys and the Detroit News) and Jennifer Cosey (Old English D).

They will help break down the team's outlook for 2013, covering a slew of topics, from the closer situation to Jim Leyland. Don't miss it!

After Kurt and Jennifer, the Jerks talk World Baseball Classic (i.e. does anyone in the States even care?), the Red Wings, U-M basketball, the Lions perilous off-season, and more!

Of course, there's also "Jerk of the Week" and "Whose Birthday Is It?" (at stake: a raincoat for Big Al from London Fog).

It all starts at 7pm ET HERE.