The Knee Jerks Podcast - Eno, Nick and Big Al

The Knee Jerks - Greg Eno, Nick Milanovich and Al Beaton
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Greg Eno, Nick Milanovich and Big Al Beaton are The Knee Jerks! The Knee Jerks Podcast has been on the sports beat for more 14 years, always with a Detroit attitude!

  1. Sep 23

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - September 22, 2026

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week's topics include: Red Wings' Assistant GM Shawn Horcoff, who has been acting as the team's GM since Stave Yzerman was fired/promoted, was officially given the term "Interim GM" as the search for a new POHO/GM supposedly continues. Owner Chris Ilitch spoke to the News' Bob Wojnowski. Ilitch said quite a bit, but didn't say anything, unless business speak, platitudes, and word salad count. Same goes for Horcoff and Dylan Larkin when they met the media. Between the three of them, not one gave any kind of reasoning for any of their decisions.  FYI, Eno excoriated Larkin in his Substack.  Meanwhile, Larkin's trade request remains unresolved, and RFA Simon Edvinsson still doesn't have a new contract. The Red Wings are offensively challenged. Monday, they played their first exhibition game vs the Blue Jackets. The Wings did not score a goal in regulation, OT, or the shootout, losing 1-0. The Lions start their season 1-1, winning in OT against the Saints, dropping their first road game vs the Bills.  The offense is averaging 31 PPG. But the defense has struggled mightily. Through 2 games, the Lions have allowed 915 yards. The drive chart over 10 consecutive opponents' possessions was ugly (2nd half vs the Saints, 1st half vs the Bills): TD, TD, FG, TD, missed FG, TD, TD, TD, TD, TD. Yeah... HC Dan Campbell has continued to support embattled DC Kelvin Sheppard, saying, "I believe in Sheppard. I believe he's an outstanding coach." The stalemate between the Pistons and RFA Jalen Duren continues. Latest reports claim the Pistons have upped their offer to 5-years/$200 million, fully guaranteed, no team or player options. Duren reportedly wants a max deal (5/$287M), and may just plain want out of Detroit. A trade could be coming.  Deciding not to wait on Duren, the Pistons moved forward and agreed to a five-year, $155 million rookie-scale extension with All-NBA defender Ausar Thompson. After the NBA dropped a bomb on the Clippers for salary cap evasion, owner Steve Ballmer announced he would not fight/appeal the decision. At this point, odds are he's more worried about the Feds. The name change is official. After a merger between the 2 banking entities, Comerica Park is now Fifth Third Park. How original. 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 @TheKneeJerks Follow us on Twitter aka X @TheKneeJerks Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s Instagram: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEnoThe Knee Jerks Podcast Greg's Substack: @GregEno -  Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - September 22, 2026

  2. Sep 8

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - September 8, 2026

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Greg, Nick, and Big Al have returned from summer hiatus. During our absence, there's been plenty happening in the Detroit sports scene.  Topics discussed include: The Detroit Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch either fired GM Steve Yzerman, promoted him into an advisory role, or Yzerman stepped down. No one knows, as no one is talking. With less than two weeks before training camp, the franchise has no GM. Reportedly, Assistant GM Steve Horcoff is running day-to-day operations. The Wings' GM search has been the most locked down in memory. Other than an announcement the team hired a search firm, and Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg (former Associate GM of the Blackhawks) removing his name from consideration, any candidates mentioned have been pure media speculation. Did the University of Michigan hire Grandpa RichRod? After a VERY ugly and controversial miracle week one win over WMU, the jury is out on Kyle Whittingham's fit in the Wolverines' program. Meanwhile, $12M sophomore Bryce Underwood looked as if he regressed after an underwhelming freshman season. The Detroit Lions kickoff their season Sunday against the Saints. If the sign of a good team is the fanbase loudly arguing over bench players - in this case cutting 4/5 WR PR Greg Dortch and who will be the RB2 in place of injured Isiah Pacheco, then the Lions should be a good team. The Lions made Gibbs the highest paid RB in NFL history with a 3-year, $67.5 M contract extension. Branch and fellow S Kerby Joseph will start the season on the PUP list. Though the most worrisome injury is C Cade Mays, who is expected to be out half the season with a hand issue. The Detroit Tigers traded Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize at the deadline for prospects. They proceeded to make a run, actually sitting in the third Wild Card spot for a day or so...then the wheels feel off. Weird stat of the season - The Tigers have the third best run differential in the AL at +51. Yet they are playing out the string with a 56-68 W/L record despite their Pythagorean W/L record of 78-66. The Detroit Pistons and C Jalen Duren remain at loggerheads in regard to a new contract. There are rumors of an agreement of a $40M AAV deal is coming, but it has not been confirmed.  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 Instagram: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEnoThe Knee Jerks Podcast Greg's Substack: @GregEno -  Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

  3. Jul 13

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - July 13, 2026

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! Traditionally, this is the slowest sports period of the year. But there is still plenty on the docket this week. The Detroit Tigers hit the All-Star break with a 44-52 record, good for 4th place, 6.5 GB in AL_Central and 3.5 GB (but 7 teams to leapfrog) in the wild card. 3 Tigers made the AL All-Star roster - Riley Green (starting in LF), C Dillon Dingler and ROY candidate SS Kevin McGongigle. McG is the the youngest Tigers' AS since Mark Fidrych in 1976. Also named to the AL roster as a "Legends Pick" was injured SP Justin Verlander. JV then announced this would be his final year, as he plans to retire at season's end. On the Tarik Skubal front, Bob Nightengale reported that Skubal badly wants to remain with the Tigers for the rest of the season and has no interest in being traded. He's also on record saying he wants the Tigers to be buyers at the deadline.  At the University of Michigan, big changes.  Head basketball coach Dusty May, admitting he was tired of NIL deals and the recruiting grind, left for the NBA to coach the Dallas Mavericks. May's top assistant Mike Boynton Jr., who spent 7 seasons as HC at OK St (Cade Cunningham played for him), was at first named interim coach, but was then given a 2-year deal to be Michigan's hoop boss. Meanwhile. after a long, expensive investigation, with results expected to be released Thursday, it's reported the university is preparing a buyout package for long under fire AD Warde Manuel.  We seem to have 2 stalemates in town. Pistons C Jalen Duren has yet to sign a new contract extension as the market for his services has seemingly dried up. He could still sign a 1-year qualifying offer which would make him a FA after the season,  On the other winter team, Red Wings C Dylan Larkin, who asked to be traded, is still a Wing, He may be one for some time to come. Reportedly, Larkin has not expanded his 3 team wish list and GM Steve Yzerman has yet to receive a trade offer he feels worthwhile.  It's reported the Wings are likely losing Patrick Kane in FA, along with his 16 G and 51 P.  In FA, the Red Wings signed 33-year-old winger Viktor Arvidsson to a 2-year, $10 million deal. 21 of his 25 goals with Boston last season came 5 v 5, which was a massive weakness for Detroit. Detroit also signed 27-year-old G Daniil Tarasov to a 1-year, $2 million contract. In 33 games for the Panthers last  season, he posted a 13-15-3 record with a 3.05 GAA and a .895 S%. He is expected to backup starter John Gibson, with top G prospects Michal Postava and Trey Augustine sharing duties in Grand Rapids. The Wings also traded a 2027 7th round and 2029 3rd round pick to Vegas for checking forward Keegan Kolesar, who will slot in as a 4th line grit guy. In the World Cup, the USMNT, despite ALL THE HYPE, once again was knocked out in the round of 16, losing 4-1 to Belgium. More and more, it appears making the knockout round, but moving no further, is the USMNT ceiling.  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 Instagram: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: @GregEno -  Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - July 13, 2026

  4. Jun 29

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - June 29, 2026 - Emptying the outhouse

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week our show is heavy on what has been happening off the is happening off the field/court/ice. The Detroit Pistons traded up in the draft to pick a guard out of Stanford, Ebuka Okorie. As part of the convoluted deal, Detroit traded the beloved Isaiah "Beef Stew" Stewart. Also acquired was OKC wing Isaiah Joe, a 41% shooter from distance. Rumors of a sign and trade involving RFA Jalen Duren have been floated as well  Today, the DOJ charged Malik Beasley with bribery and fraud related to illegal sports gambling schemes to manipulate Beasley's performance during NBA games. This finally shuts up the "bring him back" pipe dreaming fans. Just before recording started tonight, news broke that the Pistons plan to sign Kevin Heurter to a 3-year deal worth $27M. Rumors also abound the team could move on from Duncan Robinson. Meanwhile, with the Detroit Red Wings, the Dylan Larkin trade request situation remains at a standstill. But GM Steve Yzerman did trade goalie Sebastian Cossa, who had fallen out of favor with the organization, to Utah for the 23rd overall pick in this years NHL Draft. The Wings used the pick to take a home run swing on a skilled, scoring left wing in JP Hulbert, a high ceiling, low floor prospect.  In Allen Park, the Detroit Lions were left scrambling. Terrion Arnold, who was inked in as a starter at CB this fall, was arrested on kidnapping and armed robbery charges. Today, bail was set at $1M. The Lions proceeded to release Arnold this afternoon. 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.  Follow us on Twitter/X: @TheKneeJerks Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Nick;s Instagram: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

  5. Jun 15

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - June 15, 2026

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week is a Detroit Red Wings-centric show as we welcome back retired Free Press beatwriter and author Keith Gave. The topic du jour is obviously Dylan Larkin's trade request and possible fallout. What will the team do? How did it come down to this? Who is at fault? The fan backlash has been vicious toward the Red Wings captain. But there is also a rising backlash when it comes to franchise legend and current GM Steve Yzerman, as the franchise record playoff drought has reached 10 years. There are also trade rumblings around top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa, who as seeming ly fallen out of favor with the Wings. We also touch on Detroit receiving a PWHL expansion franchise, the Hurricanee winning the Stanley Cup and the job John Tortella did in the short term, guiding the Golden Knights to the finals    As always, we 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 Instagram: @CatUpATree Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's BlueSky: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds  Al's BlueSky: @Albeat

  6. May 19

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - May 18, 2026

    Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week is another Detroit Pistons-centric episode, as we once again welcome back our NBA Stats Guru, Siddy Hall. He joins us for a Pistons playoffs and season post mortem after they were taken down by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 7 games. As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! You can 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 on YouTube and Twitch. Our homepage is TheKneeJerk

  7. May 4

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - May 4, 2026

    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

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - May 4, 2026

  8. Apr 20

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - April 20, 2026

    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

    The Knee Jerks Podcast - April 20, 2026
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Greg Eno, Nick Milanovich and Big Al Beaton are The Knee Jerks! The Knee Jerks Podcast has been on the sports beat for more 14 years, always with a Detroit attitude!

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