Tag: 97.1 The Ticket

Former Spartan calls out Detroit sports radio host

A former Spartan called out a Detroit sports radio host on X

Mike Valenti is one of the most notable sports figures in the city of Detroit. The mid-day host of 97.1 The Ticket’s flagship show, and an MSU alum, Valenti is known to give very hotly contested takes.

Recently, Valenti has been bashing MSU head football coach Jonathan Smith, noting that the program is lifeless and this is not the coach from Oregon State. Valenti said that he hopes Spartan Stadium is empty on Friday and Alan Haller is sitting there alone.

Responding to this comment was former MSU QB Brian Lewerke, bashing Valenti and calling it, “This could legitimately be the worst take I’ve seen in my 10 years on this app [X].”

While there is some juice lacking in this program, many around the program continue to maintain that Smith has a ton of fire behind the scenes.

Taylor Decker signs three-year extension with the Lions

Taylor Decker signs three-year extension with the Lions

Earlier today, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes was on 97.1 The Ticket to talk about training camp, direction of the team and so much more. In the process of talking with Jim Costa and Jon Jansen on Costa and Jansen with Heather, Holmes revealed that Taylor Decker had signed a contract extension with Detroit.

In addition to Holmes announcing the extension, Jonathan Feinsod, announced the extension as well. Feinsod is Decker’s agent and it was announced as a 3-year contract extension worth $60 million dollars. There’s also about $32 million dollars guaranteed with this deal. He was scheduled to make $13.7 million dollars this season on the last year of his deal.

Last season, he played 1,042 offensive snaps for Detroit (per PFF) and he earned a 77.3 overall grade. That was his highest grade from PFF since 2020. Decker is the Lions longest-tenured player and it appears he’ll stay as that after this extension. On August 23rd, he’ll turn 31-years old and this contract will keep him under contract through the 2027 season.

WATCH: MSU head coach Mel Tucker joins The Valenti Show with Rico on 97.1 The Ticket

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker was a guest on The Valenti Show with Rico of 97.1 The Ticket on Thursday to discuss his Spartans entering the 2022 season

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker was a guest on The Valenti Show with Rico of 97.1 The Ticket on Thursday to discuss his Spartans entering the 2022 season. During the interview, Tucker discusses replacing Kenneth Walker III, improving the nations worst pass defense, and Rico Beard also gets a big laugh from Tuck when discussing black helmets for the Spartans.

Michigan State football officially opens the 2022 season next week on Friday night against Western Michigan. Kickoff from Spartan Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Check out the Tucker interview with Mike Valenti and Beard below:

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Detroit Radio Host: Rocky Lombardi ‘has become better QB’, most likely starter vs. Rutgers

If you trust Rico Beard of 97.1 The Ticket, then you can feel a little better knowing Rocky Lombardi is going to be the MSU starting QB.

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If you trust Rico Beard of 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, then you can feel a little better knowing Rocky Lombardi is going to be the Spartans starting quarterback this season.

Beard — co-host of The Valenti Show with Rico — said on Wednesday that he doesn’t “know for a fact” but is very confident that Lombardi will be the starting quarterback for Michigan State on Saturday against Rutgers.

“I would probably put it at 80% it’s Rocky Lombardi,” Beard said during The Valenti Show with Rico.

Saying he’s 80% confident Lombardi will be the starter isn’t groundbreaking news as many believe he’ll win the three-way QB battle, which also includes sophomore Theo Day and redshirt freshman Payton Thorne. However, Beard followed that up with a more juicy claim involving Lombardi that he’s “been hearing” from someone with inside knowledge on the football program.

“I’ve been hearing what you saw in previous years, this is a different Rocky, this is a better Rocky,” Beard said. “I know we’ve seen him, he goes out there (and) he’s one-read Rocky. He shotputs the ball in the air, but they are saying this guy — to use your word for the day, Mike — has evolved. He has become a better quarterback.”

Beard — who attend Michigan State — recently joined Mike Valenti — a fellow MSU alum — as his co-host earlier this year at 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, but has been close to Spartan athletics for a very long time. So hearing this kind of claim from Beard carries some weight.

Lombardi has appeared in 11 career games with some positive but also negative results — but he has by far the most experience of the bunch. On Tuesday during his game week press conference, head coach Mel Tucker said no decision on the starting quarterback had been made yet and that a “fierce competition” is still taking place.

Ultimately, we’ll find out in just a few days who the starter is and within a few weeks we’ll know if Lombardi has truly evolved into a better quarterback or not — should be named the starter.

Click here to listen to the full Lombardi segment on The Valenti Show with Rico.

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Cassius Winston included in 97.1 The Ticket ‘greatest number 5 in Detroit sports history’ poll

Cassius Winston was featured in a 97.1 The Ticket poll for the greatest number 5 in Detroit sports history poll today. Read more here.

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Cassius Winston is without a doubt one of the most beloved Michigan State athletes of all time, if not the most beloved. Where does he rank among other Detroit all-time greats who donned the No. 5? This is the question the 97.1 The Ticket Jamie and Stoney show tried to answer with a poll this morning.

Check out the poll below:

As you can see, Winston won just about 3.7% of the 1,283 votes cast by fans. He finished behind both Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom and Tigers legend Hank Greenberg but did finish ahead of Michigan Fab Five member Jalen Rose.

I love Cassius Winston with all my heart but it’s hard for him to compete against two all-timers like Lidstrom and Greenberg. Let’s take a victory lap for Winston coming out on top against Jalen Rose in this poll though!

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