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Five Questions with ESPN 96.1’s Sean Baligian on the Detroit Lions

By Mike Payton

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As any sports blogger will tell you, this is a crazy business to try to make it in. The amount of competition out there is large. So when anybody supports your work, it’s a big deal. Today we have a very special interview with one our biggest supporters Sean Baligian.

If you live in Michigan and have a radio in your car or a TV at home, chances are you’ve heard of Sean Baligian. Sean has been around since the mid 90’s and has talked Lions and more for some of the states best radio stations like WDFN The Fan, WJR, and most recently ESPN 96.1. He’s also penned articles for MLive and the Detroit News. Coming up this football season, you can see Sean Baligian and the rest of the Fox 2 group every Sunday morning for you Lions pre-game as they will now be shown state-wide.

You may also remember Sean as the guy that started the infamous Angry fan march outside of Ford Field in 2005. In an effort to have fan’s show their disgust of the Matt Millen era in the Detroit. You also may remember Sean for his work with the late great Tom ‘Killer’ Kowalski. On a side note if you’d like to help out hose in need, I highly recommend getting involved with the Killer Cares Foundation.

Now without further ado, let’s ask Sean Baligian a few questions.

SLR: What are your thoughts on Joe Lombardi?

Baligian: “It was a confusing year one, and I personally was MORE confused after the year when talking about putting Matthew Stafford in more comfortable situations moving forward. Umm, shouldnt that have been THE priority from day one?! However, You can’t write a guy off in year one, the players seem to be buying into it, so I am intrigued to see the progress moving forward in Year 2.”

SLR: Do you think Eric Ebron will break out in 2015? 

Baligian: ” Like Lombardi, I think it is CRAZY to write a player off in year one, especially a tight end. I want to see him as a bigger point of the offense to be sure. I don’t expect him to suddenly become Gronk, Gonzo, etc, etc, but I want to see him at least become a threat. I expect that.”

Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions right guard Larry Warford (75) as quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. SLR: What is the under the radar issue for the Detroit Lions in 2015?

Baligian: “Great Question, How quickly the line might come together. Lets face it, it was SUPPOSED to be a strength last year at this time. It was a mess, they added depth and new pieces, lets hope it become cohesive sooner rather than later!

4. SLR: Do you think Matthew Stafford can have a big year in 2015?

Baligian: “First, the Stafford argument is awful. Can we agree? All this “He is bad” and “He is great”, well you are both wrong. He has been a good QB, better than middle of the pack. However, I also understand that due to his draft pick, and the contract, fans have a right to want MORE, to expect elite. In my opinion, will we ever see “elite”? No..but can he get better, have the high-end Romo season. So to answer the question properly, YES.  I think he can be better across the board than last year.”

May 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during OTA at Detroit Lions Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5. SLR: What is your early projection for the Lions in 2015?

Baligian: “A year ago, I thought playoff team at 10-6, it’s not crazy to think that way after the 2014 campaign now. I expect the playoffs now, and I think the best part is: So do they. I will go with 10-6 as opposed to 11-5, but the possibility of FINALLY winning a playoff game since Jan of ’92 is real.”

Extra Point: Did you win any awards for your riveting performance in MillenBall?

Millenball – watch more funny videos

Baligian: “Most likely to get a credential revoked”? That was a very funny piece that Lee put together, talented guy. He listened to the “Post-Mortem” shows I did on the Fan during the Decade of Despair that was the Millen Era, and asked if I could reprise my role as the guy that dubbed Joey Harrington “Joey Blue-Skies” and organized the “March”, so even though we shot that in 2011, the bad memories were still all too fresh!”

I’d like to thank Sean Baligian for taking time out of his busy day to do this interview with me today. If don’t, I highly recommend you listen to his show It Is What It is with Sean Baligian on ESPN 96.1 from 3:00 to 6:00 Monday thru Friday. Always entertaining. Plus you get to hear my weird voice every now and again. Use the I heart radio app if you don’t get this station where you’re at.

Next: Eric Ebron Film review: Part 2

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