In the past decade or so, the NFL Draft has become a full-fledged spectacle.

Hardcore football fans have gained enough knowledge, thanks to a boatload of publications and the 24-hour news cycle, on each and every prospect set to enter the league each April. It's gotten so bad that Detroit Lions 2009 seventh-round pick Zack Follett has already become sort of a cult hero to Lions fans even though most know he'll only play on two circumstances: special teams, or if every other linebacker on the roster contracts swine flu.

The weekend of the two-day draft (traditionally, the first three rounds took place on Saturday, with the remaining four taking place that Sunday) is just as big, as guys get together with friends to take everything in. Bars offer specials to get gridiron heads off the couch. Teams even host draft-day parties, complete with autograph signings, snacks and a viewing party. The Lions even sold Matt Stafford jerseys the day of the draft this past April.

For the past few years, my boys and I have gotten together to analyze and scrutinize every pick; to debate the ESPN and NFL Network talking heads, and to generally enjoy a spring day where football, technically in its off-season, towers above all. There's even some hi jinx involved. In 2007, my best friend Matt, who's admittedly a sensitive guy, got upset and left my apartment after some good-natured ribbing. To top it off, he took a half-eaten pizza he had brought over with him. Talk about taking your ball and going home. I never thought I'd see anybody take such ownership over a Hot-N-Ready.

That may change next April, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Thursday notified teams that the draft would be spread over three days in 2010, running Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24. The first round will start in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET.

"We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans," Goodell said in a statement. "Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television."

ESPN and the NFL Network will continue to televise the entire show.

The second and third rounds will start at 6:30 p.m. ET on April 23.

Rounds 4 through 7 will be on April 24, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

According to published reports,

From 1988 to 1994, the NFL held its draft on Sunday-Monday two-day blocks. From 1995 to 2009, the league made it a Saturday-Sunday event.

That change may spell the end of my NFL Draft watching.

As subtle as it may seem, that's a big change. Whenever the draft comes along, the day of the event, something inside my head says to me, "Have another Summer Shandy. The stores just put them on the shelves TODAY. It's a Saturday, have some fun." I can't have that much fun on a Thursday night. I'll take a Thursday and Friday off for the first two days of the Big Dance, but not for the draft. I don't have that many vacation days, anyway.

Another killer for me is the NBA Playoffs begin around the time of the draft. For the puck heads, the NHL post-season is already in full swing by late April. So I'd have to ask myself, "watch Kobe and KD (Kevin Durant) go shot for shot in a playoff game, or listen to Mel Kiper Jr?" That's not that difficult a decision. You could always utilize the multiple TV approach, but come weeknights in mid-April, my mind is on the Lakers and the road they have to take to the title.

I know the NFL is banking on its immense popularity to draw people in on Thursdays, but that night is huge for the networks. That time of year signals the end of seasons of shows such as Law & Order (my Mom and girlfriend could watch marathons of this for days. Get them a bedpan and they wouldn't even get off the couch), Grey's Anatomy and 30 Rock. As big as the NFL has become, it doesn't have a stranglehold on the mainstream. Plus, you can get away with bogarting the remote on a Saturday afternoon, but on a Thursday? In primetime? Significant others aren't having it.

But NFL officials aren't idiots. It's a money move: for the league AND its network. Thursday and Friday will add two prime nights to the TV schedule (Thursday more so than Friday. Last I checked, Surviving Suburbia wasn't "Must-see TV."), bumping the NFL Network on the key nights, allowing them to seal advertising revenues at a significantly higher rate and result in a push from people wanting to add NFL Network to their cable package.

The bottom line is vital to NFL execs. But what about the fans? Nobody I know is gonna hold a draft-day party for the 4th-7th rounds. I know those are the rounds where most of the gems are hidden, but I'm not gonna waste a traditionally good day (weather-wise) listening to Adam Schefter over-analyze some left tackle from Idaho.

I can see Friday-Sunday. That would lead fans to believe the NFL had them in mind, giving them a reason to rush home at the end of the workweek, call their buddies, whip up some seven-layer dip and watch the first round. But why Thursday?

Wouldn't the league stand to generate more revenue if they did Friday-Sunday if for no other reason than watching the draft would give people a reason to sit at home on a Friday night? Not to mention all the money it would generate for bars. People work Friday mornings, so most are not getting wasted on a Thursday night. But a Friday is a totally different story, especially since that would lead into when people are used to sleeping in and watching the draft, anyway.

I'm not a fan of the change, and in some ways, it brings out a certain arrogance from the league.

So my viewing of the draft will probably diminish thanks to this bad idea.

Now, putting the Super Bowl on in prime time on a Saturday...

Former No. 1 overall pick and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick Monday completed a 23-month jail/home confinement sentence after pleading guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture."

In addition, he admitted to providing most of the financing for the operation itself, as well as participating directly in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He also admitted to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He further admitted he knew his "partners" in the venture killed several dogs who didn't perform well enough. However, while he admitted to providing most of the money for gambling on the fights, he denied placing any side bets on the dogfights. He also denied actually killing any dogs himself.

Vick will remain on probation for three years. He also is under a three-year suspended sentence for a state dogfighting conviction in Virginia.

I am of the belief that had there not been big money involved in this, Vick's punishment would not have been as severe. PETA may have called for a harsh punishment, but had it just been some dogs that were murdered and no paper trail, Vick would have gotten no more than a big fine, some community service and a slap on the wrist.

I know some people have also questioned how people can shoot a deer or participate in hunting without fear of prosecution, but that's a sport. No one has deer in their back yard, or takes them on family trips. What I would counter that with is dog fighting and horse and dog racing are similar. Trainers and groomers breed those dogs and horses to be big, fast and strong. When they win, their owners mate them as a way to keep their empire going. When the horse or dog loses or breaks a vital limb, 17 bullets are put in the animal or its sent to a glue factory. So why doesn't PETA post up outside Churchill Downs each May?

But what's done is done. All of the talk since that admission of guilt has centered around whether or not Vick deserves another shot to play football again. And while I in no way condone what he took part, I do believe Vick should have a chance to make an NFL roster.

2nd chance on the biggest stage

Based on a federal judge's decision, Vick has paid his debt to society by spending time in a Kansas prison. Also, at the request of federal authorities before sentencing, Vick agreed to deposit nearly $1 million dollars in an escrow account with attorneys for use to reimburse costs of caring for the confiscated dogs, most of which were being offered for adoption on a selective basis under supervision of a court-appointed specialist. Later during his bankruptcy trial, the U.S. Department of Labor complained those funds were paid at least partially with unlawfully withdrawn monies which Vick held in trust for himself and eight other employees of MV7, a celebrity marketing company he owns. However it was done, those dogs have since been treated with the utmost care and respect.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds Vick's future in his hands. Based on his track record in disciplining players who feel they're above the law - Adam "Pacman" Jones and Tank Johnson come to mind - Vick could be out of luck. Many pundits expect Goodell to reinstate Vick, but not until Sept. 1 - about a week before the start of the 2009 NFL season and when rosters are cut to 53. That wouldn't give the former Pro Bowl QB much time to get into anyone's camp. If that's the only outlet Vick seeks, he could be on the shelf for a third consecutive season. He would be 30 by the by training camps begin next summer.

Goodell could look at demonstrations made by PETA supporters outside the Georgia Dome in 2007 when all the information on Vick's dogfighting ring came into light and leave a man who once had one of the best-selling jerseys in the league on the outside looking in. PETA is a very influencial group that has support from some very influencial people, which could negatively impact any team that acquires Vick's services. To Goodell, the NFL's image is just as important as its bottom line, which could leave Vick out in the cold. Team owners could show apprehension, as well. Although each team receives millions of dollars each year through revenue sharing and the NFL's extremely lucrative TV deal, no owners wants his team's fans to revolt. That could lead to TV blackouts, low gates, etc., and no owner wants light pockets.

Vick must also show genuine remorse for the crimes he's committed, as he owes that to the NFL and the community at-large. He's on his way to doing that, as he has signed on to do some work with the Humane Society.

New league could make Vick its face

It's common knowledge that Vick desires to play football where the best athletes are - the NFL. But another route could be with the upstart, four-team United Football League, slated to begin play about a month into the NFL season and culminates with a title game Thanksgiving weekend.

The UFL is an upstart league headed by its commissioner, Michael Huyghue, a former NFL official. It has sufficient funding, a smart plan and credibility. The head coaches of the four franchises in 2009 all are former NFL coaches: Jim Fassel (Las Vegas), Dennis Green (San Francisco), Ted Cottrell (New York) and Jim Haslett (Orlando).

According to published reports, Vick's rights already have been assigned to Orlando, even though Huyghue has not signed off on Vick.

"As a league, we'll let due process take its course but, yes, I'd love to have him and I think he would benefit from playing with us and in our league," Haslett said in an online report. "It would be a great way for him to knock off the rust and get in true football playing condition. Obviously, we know his abilities and we'd certainly tailor to his strengths."

Taking the field in this league would accomplish a number things for all parties involved: it would allow Vick a platform to test his signal-calling skills against NFL-caliber talent, as no NFL team that would potentially sign Vick would put him under center. Vick would get all the reps every day during a two-month period, giving him a chance to get back into NFL shape without taking NFL-type punishment.

Keeping Vick's rights would also give a new league a recognizable face at a time in his career, and life, where there will be millions of people potentially tuning in to see if he's still the same master of improvisation on the football field...and to see if he falls flat on his face. It would also bring a different type of viewer to the network that will host the UFL's games - Versus. Versus benefits would be two-fold: the network's viewership would increase, which would in turn cause cable executives to actually put the network where it's easy for viewers to find.

The NFL benefits, as well, as executives would be able to gauge fans' (and PETA's) response to seeing Vick week in and week out. Empty seats, boos and picket signs speak loudly when it comes to big business. If Vick is treated as an outcast, his chance of returning to the NFL becomes even smaller. But if his jersey sells, if he sells tickets, and if VS's numbers skyrocket, Goodell and his colleagues will for sure ponder a return for Vick.

Vick's debts reach farther than what he paid to society

Playing in the fledgling league would also aid Vick in his quest to rebuild his financial life. Vick sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News, Va., in July 2008 after failing to "work out consensual resolutions with each of his creditors," according to court papers.

According to reports, the initial filing, which was incomplete, listed assets of less than $50 million and debt of $10 million to $50 million. The seven largest creditors without collateral backing their claims are owed a total of $12.8 million. The three biggest unsecured creditors are: Joel Enterprises Inc., owed $4.5 million for breach of contract; Atlanta Falcons, owed $3.75 million for "pro-rated signing bonus" and Royal Bank of Canada, owed $2.5 million for a loan. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback "will seek to rebuild his life and career" upon his release, according to the filings. In Newport News, the "Daily Press" newspaper made a PDF formatted copy of the court documents available online at the newspaper's Web site.

Reports have UFL officials set to make Vick the league's highest-paid player with a salary of about $1 million based on reasons listed above that would aid the league and it's broadcast partner. That wouldn't get him totally out of debt, but if he is able to perform at a level that makes NFL executives take notice, and if his community work and work with the Humane Society and other groups is genuine, Vick could be on the fast track back into the NFL and on his way to financial freedom, as well.

Goodell different from past commishes

The Michael Vick discussion has brought about many interweaving topics. One of this biggest has been: "What's worse: killing animals, or killing people?"

I am firmly in the camp of those who believe killing human beings is far worse.

I am not some animal hater. Nor am I condoning Vick's actions. I love dogs. I've been on a hunt for a golden retriever for some time. I even looked on in shock when Chris got too high and suffocated Adriana's poodle on an episode of "The Sopranos." But if Leonard Little, going into his 12th year with the St. Louis Rams, in 1999 could leave a party with a blood-alcohol level of .19, get into a vehicle, smack into and kill a woman, do his 90 days in jail and pay a fine and only serve an eight-game suspension, then Vick deserves a second chance.

Little's crime was committed under a different commissioner, though, which could play a role in how the Vick story turns out. Goodell has shown he goes hard at players who presumably think playing in the NFL is a right and not a priviledge. So Vick better pray the current NFL commissioner believes every word that comes out of his mouth.

While on home confinement, Vick - once the NFL’s highest-paid player - worked a $10-an-hour construction job for a few weeks. He switched jobs last month, assisting in children’s health and fitness programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Working with kids? That's a good way to get back in people's good graces.

Since they lost to Georgia, 24-12, on New Year’s Day in the Capital One Bowl, I’ve been keeping a count of how many days remain until my alma mater's — Michigan State’s — first football game.

As of today, 52 days linger until the start of the best time of the year — to me, at least.

The first full day of the college football season begins Sept. 5.

The first regular season NFL game takes place Sept. 10.

Pennant races will be heating up throughout Major League Baseball in September, and college basketball and the NBA hit come October.

Everybody who knows me knows I’m kind of like Dustin Hoffman in “Rain Man” when it comes to sports. When I get bored, I don’t play video games or try to find a movie on TV, I go to basketball-reference.com. I got into an argument with a girl I used to date at Christmas in 2004 because she tried to tell me only Big Ten and Pac 10 teams had played in the Rose Bowl up to that point (Miami/Nebraska, 2002, and Oklahoma/Washington State, 2003. Go look it up.... I’ll wait.).

Oh, and did I mention I fully intend on planning the births of my children around Bowl Season, the Super Bowl, March Madness the NBA Playoffs, and the NFL and NBA Drafts?

This is my foolproof way of making sure I’m in the room while she’s in labor. I don’t think it’d look so good if I was in the waiting room sometime in June watching Lakers/Celtics while the (future) wife is writhing in pain, blaming me for said pain, and certain parts of her anatomy are stretching every which way (Seriously, this is my logic and nobody’s been able to sway me in the seven or eight years I’ve had this laid out).

I bring all this up because I’m going to be extremely bored for the rest of the day, as today is the one day where there’s absolutely nothing going on in the world of sports.

The MLB All-Star Game was last night, and the second half of the season starts tomorrow. Training camps around the NFL jump off next week. Pre-season football begins Aug. 9.

What’s a sports enthusiast to do?

People keep telling me I need to plant flowers outside my house to add “curb appeal.” I can do lawn work, trimming and edging and things like that, but the last time I checked, my thumbs are brown, not green. Just trying to figure out the difference between perennials and annuals gives me a migrane.

I could get through the day by watching some old games on ESPN Classic or the Big Ten Network, but those networks aren’t taking advantage of the ratings bump they’d receive if they decided to show, say, Syracuse/Georgia from the ’96 Sweet Sixteen or the 2003 Fiesta Bowl .

I could actually read some other sections of the newspaper, besides sports, of course, and find out what’s going on with the rest of the world, but I don’t know how much more talk about Synagro, Sonya Sotomayor and Michael Jackson I can take. I will admit, though, that I stayed up late last night watching “The Jacksons: An American Dream” on VH1 for the 3,456,888th time.

Do you understand my dilemma? I have absolutely no clue what I’m gonna do with myself today. It’s days like these that I thank Mario for video games (the newest NCAA Football was released yesterday).

Funny how everything goes back to college football, isn’t it?