Long-time Lions beat writer Mike O’hara is on the verge of retirement. He’s been covering the worst organization in sports since I was a little Arthur Fonzarelli wanna be. Since the days of Rick Kane and Greg Landry. Apparently, mustering the will to write about Matt Millen’s genius every day was finally too much.

And that’s where the famous dominoes started to tumble at the News. Replacing O’Hara?

Our highest hope, John Niyo. The one guy in Detroit we felt had what it takes to cover the Wings capably? Shifted to the Lions. Ugh.

Could have ended there, eh? A simple switch. Legend retires. Phenom steps in?

Not so fast. Down goes Kulfan. Teddy’s shifting to spot duty with the Pistons and Wings. A JV Digger.

In comes…

Dave Dye, of Sparty fame.

And our world has tilted on its axis. So many dilemmas. Do we automatically move Dye into a Digger’s role, or do we give him the same opportunity provided Bruce MacLeod, the anti-Digger? Dye’s been outspoken in his coverage of MSU. He hasn’t been afraid to blast the Tigers, either.

What the Tigers lacked Friday night was what the White Sox got with two outs in the ninth: a big, two-run home run.

A guy who might have provided one of those rockets was, once again, not in need of a shower afterward. Thames might be the most disciplined person in the Tigers clubhouse. He has kept his mouth shut across too many games in which he should have been in the lineup.

Whoa. Slow down big fella. Watch…the tone.

Dye’s a long-time Detroit guy. Grew up in Michigan, went to State. Been with the News for 23 years. Now his responsibilities shift to the Dynasty. A fresh voice, new outlooks, nifty grammar.

And the benefit of the doubt. We’ll give you some leeway Dave, a little bit. We’ll see if the John Hahn puppet strings attach themselves to your shoulders before annointing you a Digger. You’ve got some time, but know this. We’re watching. Once you’re a Digger, there’s no turning back. And don’t think we didn’t notice this in your bio, Dave.

Childhood idol: Former Maple Leaf Dave Keon. I went to his hockey camp and wore No. 14 because of him.

Now…Niyo. In all honesty, there’s probably no better job in America than Lions beat writer. What an opportunity to cover a train wreck. Every day. The News obviously felt that the Lions are the team Michigan reads about the most, so they put the guy they feel deserved the job in a spot to cover them.

Greedily, we would have liked to see him jump into Kulfan’s role. But the suits made the call they felt would bring them the most bucks. And if you’ve been following along, you know that bucks are a bit of a concern at the News right now.

Recap:

—O’Hara: Done. A noble guy calls it quits to enjoy a Lion-less existence.
—Niyo: Steps into the circus that is the Millen playhouse.
—Kulfan: A Digger departed.
—Dye: On probation.