It's common knowledge that winning the Heisman Trophy, first awarded in 1935, is a gift and a curse for college football players.

It's a gift because you're acknowledged as the best at what you do. And it's a curse because most Heisman winners bomb in the NFL. Kind of like if Jennifer Lopez starred in a film that won at Cannes before starring in "big budget" films.

New St. Louis Ram Sam Bradford is a member of that fraternity. The winner of the 2008 Heisman, Bradford Thursday night became the 17th Heisman winner to be tapped at No. 1 in the NFL Draft and the seventh quarterback.

Bradford seems like a good guy. But if history is any indication, Bradford's career could resemble that of Macauley Culkin's.

Of the 75 Heisman winners, 17 have been chosen No. 1 in the NFL Draft. Of those 17, only three are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Earl Campbell, Paul Hornung and O.J. Simpson.

Seven of those 17 are quarterbacks. Hornung is the only one of those gunslingers to have been enshrined in Canton, Ohio. It remains to be seen if Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer - No. 1 in 2003 and still active - will have a Hall of Fame career.

Of the 75 total Heisman winners, only eight had Hall of Fame careers - Doak Walker, Hornung, Roger Staubach, Simpson, Tony Dorsett, Campbell, Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders.

Who ever would have thought winning such a prestigious award would mean so little for long-term prospects?

Hopefully, for Bradford's sake, he's able to buck a trend.

It remains to be seen how serious the Pittsburgh Steelers are about dealing two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

His recent transgressions, in some people's eyes, have made him expendable. I don't know how smart that thinking is, but if a deal does go down and Roethlisberger is dealt, Pittsburgh would have to get a veteran signal caller in return because it isn't a team that looks to be in rebuild mode.

The Steelers' roster isn't one filled with young studs. It's a veteran-laden squad that is set on winning right now. Pittsburgh gave up a seventh-round pick in this weekend's draft for quarterback Byron Leftwich, earlier this month and signed him to a two-year deal. The move fills out the QB spot on the team's depth chart and puts Leftwich in competition with veteran back-up Charlie Batch and second-year QB Dennis Dixon. Leftwich is a stopgap and was brought into Pittsburgh for his second stint with the team because he knows the system.

I think there's a better option on the market, though. If I'm an exec with the Steelers, I'm putting in a call to recently-retired Kurt Warner. The retirement is still fresh, and I'm sure he still has the the itch to play. Warner is a proven quarterback, while Leftwich, well, isn't.

Roethlisberger is expected to serve a six-week suspension to start the season, meaning he would miss his teams first five games - if he's not traded. With Roethlisberger, I'd pick Pittsburgh to win four of those five (against Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Cleveland). Without him, and with Leftwich, they might win two of those.

Warner could win four of those five, as well, and serve as a more than serviceable placeholder until Roethlisberger returns. Based on his last two seasons in Arizona, where he took the team to a Super Bowl in one season and close to it in another, it's obvious Warner still has more than a little left in his tank.

Warner may say no, but Pittsburgh brass owes it to themselves and to their fanbase to put the team in the best position to win until Roethlisberger returns...if Roethlisberger isn't traded. If he is dealt, Pittsburgh would be wise to ask for, along with draft picks, another team's starting quarterback.

First three picks pretty much set in stone. After that, look for a number of trades to take place.

1. St. Louis-Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
2. Detroit-Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay-Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
4. Washington-Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma*
5. Kansas City-Eric Berry, S Tennessee*
6. Seattle-Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State
7. Cleveland-Dan Williams, DT Tennessee*
8. Oakland-Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech
9. Buffalo-Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame*
10. Jacksonville-Jason Pierre Paul, DE South Florida*
11. Denver-Rolando McClain, LB Alabama*
12. Miami-Carlos Dunlap, DE Florida
13. San Francisco-Sergio Kindle, LB Texas
14. Seattle-C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson
15. New York Giants-Earl Thomas, S Texas*
16. Tennessee-Dez Bryant-Oklahoma State
17. San Francisco-Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa*
18. Pittsburgh-Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida*
19. Atlanta-Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers
20. Houston-Joe Haden, CB Florida
21. Cincinnati-Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma
22. New England-Brandon Graham, LB Michigan*
23. Green Bay-Jerry Hughes, LB TCU
24. Philadelphia-Kareem Jackson, CB Alabama
25. Baltimore-Mike Iupati, OG Idaho
26. Arizona-Sean Witherspoon, LB Missouri
27. Dallas-Everson Griffen, DE USC
28. San Diego-Darryl Washington, LB TCU
29. New York Jets-Eric Norwood, LB South Carolina
30. Minnesota-Terrence Cody, DT Alabama*
31. Indianapolis-Jared Odrick, DT Penn State
32. New Orleans-Brandon Spikes, LB Florida

*Indicates strong potential for a trade

I remember the days when the NFL schedule makers would have pity on a team that had an awful season and give them a favorable slate for the upcoming season.

Those days are over, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Detroit Lions' 2010 schedule, released less than six hours ago.

The Lions in 2010 have eight match-ups with teams that made the 2009 postseason, one squad three seasons removed from winning a Super Bowl and another versus a team that has made the biggest off-season move so far.

I see improvement in the Lions, with the solid moves team officials have made and the development of the team's young players. They're still not a playoff team yet, though. But I think Detroit can triple its win total (two) from last season.

Lions 2010 Win Prediction

All times Eastern
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 12, at Chicago, 1:00 PM-Win: Matt Stafford has more weapons than Jay Cutler

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19, Philadelphia, 1:00 PM-Win: The number of roster moves Philly has made so far this offseason will show in this early-season game.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 26, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM-Loss: The Lions have as much of a chance in winning this game as Ben Roethlisberger does of being a keynote speaker at one of those "Take Back the Night" vigils.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM-Loss: Lions haven't won in Lambeau since the second season of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, St. Louis, 1:00 PM -Win: The Lions will get to do what teams did to them last season - tee off on a rookie quarterback.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, at NY Giants, 1:00 PM-Loss: Giants won't want to disappoint fans in first season in a new stadium.

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31, Washington, 1:00 PM-Loss: New Redskin Donovan McNabb will carve up the Lions' D.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, NY Jets, 1:00 PM-Loss: Jets will be one of the top teams in the league. They're my pick to win the Super Bowl.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM-Win: The only "gimme" on the schedule. Buffalo has a shot to go 0-16 this season.


Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21, at Dallas, 1:00 PM-Loss: Cowboys will be playing for a division title.

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 25, New England, 12:30 PM-Loss: Lions haven't won on Turkey Day since 2003.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5, Chicago, 1:00 PM-Win: Bears will be the worst team in the NFC North this season.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12, Green Bay, 1:00 PM-Loss: Packers will need this game for playoff positioning.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19, at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM-Win: Unless Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and Mike Alstott suit up, Lions should take this one.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, at Miami, 1:00 PM-Loss: Weird scheduling here, giving a team from the north back-to-back trips to Florida.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, Minnesota, 1:00 PM-Loss: The Lions have as much of a shot of winning this game as "The Back-Up Plan" does of making more money than "Avatar."

Lions' 2010 Record: 6-10

When news broke earlier today about the Lions sending Ernie Sims to Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal that netted Detroit tight end Tony Scheffler from Denver, I didn't know what to think.

My first thought was that Calvin Johnson is the only first-round pick left from the Matt Millen era, which is awful on a number of different levels.

My next thought was what does this mean going into this weekend's draft? I still believe Detroit will stay at number 2 overall and draft Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. But now the intrigue centers around what the Lions will do with the 34th overall pick - No. 2 in the second round.

Dealing Sims, who, in 59 career games, all with the Lions, recorded 420 tackles including 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception, creates a huge hole at middle linebacker. There will be middle linebackers available early in the second round, including Penn State middle linebacker Sean Lee and Missouri outside linebacker Sean Witherspoon, who people think could be converted to a middle linebacker. If one of those guys is available at 34, that has to be the direction Detroit goes in. If not, GM Martin Mayhew will have some explaining to do.

As far as Scheffler goes, he's put up solid numbers so far in his young career. The Western Michigan grad, in four seasons, has totaled 138 catches for 1,896 yards and 14 touchdowns, all for the Broncos. He caught 31 passes for 416 yards and two TDs last year. Adding Scheffler gives Detroit the flexibility to run two-tight end sets with he and Pettigrew, which will allow second-year quarterback Matt Stafford to have two safety valves on the field. It also will help in the area of pass protection and run blocking.

Each year, millions of people have Super Bowl parties.

When you invite people into your home, you should be a gracious host. Sometimes, though, a host/hostess has to draw the line and tell certain people “nope. Sorry, man. You’re not getting in here tonight.”

Everybody knows someone who takes advantage of the host’s home during a Super Bowl Party. So I took the time out of my busy, BUSY schedule to compile a list of people to totally exclude from your Super Bowl festivities.

‘The circus is in town’ guy
Everyone knows several people like this. They eat too much salsa or too many buffalo wings, then leave your bathroom smelling like a monkey cage. I was at a party once where I thought I needed to wear a Hazmat suit and galoshes in order to just wash my hands.

The ‘mooch’
This person might be the worst of the bunch. The mooch comes to your party, empty-handed, then proceeds to pile snacks on plate after plate. He doesn’t eat them while he’s there, though; he wraps them in foil, sticks them in an old Kroger bag and puts them in his car. That’s not even the worst part. After all that, he comes back to the party…and eats more food.

The ‘teach me’ girl/boyfriend
I know several women who have immense football knowledge. By that I mean they know how many points a touchdown is, what a running back does, what offsides is, etc. Women like my mom, though, are a different story. She’s the same woman who told somebody Barry Sanders played linebacker. There’s nothing wrong with teaching your girlfriend (or boyfriend in some odd cases) the game of football, but holding that class during the Super Bowl is sacrilegious. People are trying to enjoy the game, eat their smokey links and have some libations. No one wants to hear somebody whispering, “hey, sweetie, you know those wide receivers you told me about? I thought they’d be fatter?”

‘I couldn’t find a babysitter’ guy
I’ve been to a couple Super Bowl shindigs where parents had to bring their little tykes. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the kids know how to act. Home training has been lacking in some instances, though. My solution: throw a box of Capri Sun and a bag of Combo’s in a room with a 12-inch TV, Nintendo Wii and one Wii remote. The youngsters will either learn to ration out snacks and share or it’ll turn into the 21st-century version of “Lord of the Flies” really, REALLY fast.

‘I don’t have to work the next day’ guy
This person always wears out their welcome. They come four hours before the game starts and drink like a fish. Usually, once the game’s over, people file out, say how much fun they had, yada, yada, yada. But this guy is still hanging around, trying to find any remnants of left-over liquor and snacks. I know some people view Super Bowl Sunday as a holiday, but this guy takes it to a whole ‘nother level by taking the following Monday off work. No matter what you do — yawn, doze off — he’s not leaving.
My advice: as soon as the game’s over, tell him you’re out of booze.

‘I’m gonna buy all the squares’ guy
For those of you who don’t know what squares is, during the game, you pick numbers from 0-9 and try and determine what the scores will be at the end of each quarter. For example, if you pick 4 and 6, and the score at the end of the first quarter is 14-6, you win some scratch. Some people are obsessed with this game so much to the point they’ll buy damn near half the board. Win or lose, they’re unbearable. I’m talking Fran Drescher’s voice unbearable. I’ve often had the urge to pull a 211 on the winners because of constant questions of “did I have those numbers? Are those my numbers? How much is the pot?” Newsflash: it’s just for fun; and, usually, the house fixes the games.

For anyone hosting a Super Bowl Bash, you can easily identify these people. You probably already know them. And for those of you planning to hit a Super Bowl party, don’t end up like these folks.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to figure out which prop bets I wanna put potato chips on.

I never would have predicted that Alex Rodriguez would be a key cog in a World Series win.

I never could have even dreamed what happened to Tiger Woods.

But I can predict some things that will happen in sports in 2010.

-No Detroit-area professional sports team will reach the postseason this year.

-Michigan defensive lineman Brandon Graham will wow NFL Scouts at this year's combine, leading to him becoming a first-round pick in April's draft. Graham is projected by most as a mid-second to third-round pick.

-Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant will finish in the top three in NBA MVP voting this coming spring.

-Kobe Bryant will win his second NBA MVP award.

-Curtis Granderson will have a career year in his first season in pinstripes.

-Despite the efforts of the local teams, no big name free agents will be lured here this year.

-Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis will continue to look like the Cryptkeeper.

-Tiger Woods will return at some point this year and tear up the PGA Tour. Golf is all he has now, so all his time and effort will be put toward that...even more than before.

-Twitter will get an athlete suspended for an extended period of time.

-The World Cup will draw a record number of viewers...in other countries.

-A blogger will break a major sports story.

-Justin Verlander will be the 2010 version of Zack Greinke.

-Someone will be fatally injured in a widely-viewed MMA fight.

-Kentucky freshman phenom John Wall will be the first pick in the 2010 NBA Draft but he and his team will have a short run in the NCAA Tournament.

-The Philadelphia Eagles will be the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XLIV.

-The Texas Longhorns will win the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament.

-The Los Angeles Lakers will repeat as NBA Champions...only if the Boston Celtics limp into the postseason like they did last year.

-The Philadelphia Phillies will win their second World Series title in three years.

-This time next year, USC will be back on top of the College Football world.

-Michigan State will play in the 2011 Rose Bowl (I hope!)

This Sunday, during a game NOBODY will see, the 1-8 Detroit Lions will unveil a "Pride of the Lions'' during halftime of the team's game against the 1-8 Cleveland Browns.

Twelve former Lions will be honored during the ceremony, and their names, numbers and years played will be displayed in a portion of Ford Field. All 12 members are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I didn't even know the Lions had 12 "great" players. The Lions are as deserving of something like this as Carl Lewis and Roseanne were of standing ovations after their renditions of our National Anthem.

Why didn't they switch it up and do a Ring of Shame? There's enough names for that list to fill a five-foot high stack of phone books.

Terry Fair (taken one spot ahead of Randy Moss in 1998). Andre Ware. Charles Rogers. Joey Harrington.

You know how bad it is? When you think of great Lions, you always hear the same three or four names: Barry, Bobby Layne, Charlie Sanders, Herman Moore. But there's enough awful former players and execs to fill a couple 53-man rosters.

Dan Orlovsky. Mike Williams. Brian Calhoun. Scott Mitchell. Everybody on the roster of the 1942 team that went 0-11 and scored 38 points the entire season.

This Ring of Horror isn't just reserved for players. Nope. Coaches and front office personnel have spots, too.

Former coach Alvin McMillin, who was hired in 1948 and led the team to a .333 win percentage in his tenure.

Former GM Matt Millen, who, over a little more than a seven-year stretch, ran a football team about as good as a paraplegic would fly a space shuttle. The team was 31-97 under Millen. They went 8-50 on the road. From 2001 to 2007, Millen was responsible for the drafting 53 players. Five are still with the team.

Rod Marinelli: a head coach who was in way over his head and who oversaw the first 0-16 team in NFL history.

None of them compares to owner Bill Ford Sr. Forty-three years ago Sunday, Ford purchased the team for $4.5 million. It's worth about $800 million today. That's about $799,999,999.67 too much. In that $800 million somewhere lies one playoff win since 1957.

So what are they honoring again?

If the Lions continue to start Matthew Stafford, there's a chance he would end up being Peyton Manning, who went from going 3-13 and taking every snap his rookie year in 1998 to becoming one of the seven best signal-callers in football history.

I'm don't see that happening. Manning came out as a senior. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy race and beat virtually every team on his schedule outside of Gainesville and Lincoln.

Stafford came out after his junior year. His Georgia teams, outside of an inflated preseason ranking last summer, were average at best. Had Stafford waited until 2010 to enter the draft, he would have likely been, at the highest, the fifth quarterback selected.

That's why Daunte Culpepper should start the remaining 14 games for the Lions. Stafford isn't ready. There's no harm in sitting the young fella and giving him a chance to analyze defenses and coverages from the sidelines for a season or two. Some people argue you can't sit him because of the $72 million tied into him. I say that's the reason you should sit him. Don't worry about instant gratification. Worry about getting a solid return on a long-term investment.

If Stafford starts all 16 games this season, the Lions could go 2-14 at best, leaving them in the running for the No. 1 overall pick. That means Detroit would have to shell out another, say, $65 million ($30-$35 million guaranteed) on someone who has never taken a snap in the NFL.

If Culpepper starts, here are the games I say the Lions have a REALISTIC shot at winning. He doesn't even have to put up stellar numbers in order for them to win these games. All he has to do is not kill them.

Sunday vs. Washington - This one is really a pipedream since I know Stafford will get the start. I know the Redskins have beaten on the Lions throughout the series history (40 games) like Chris Partlow beat on Bug's dad in The Wire, but these aren't the same Redskins. No one has confidence in quarterback Jason Campbell, who led Washington to a win over Detroit last season. If this game were played in Washington, I wouldn't give the Lions a shot in Haides at winning.

Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis - This is the game everybody has circled as the game the Lions finally get a W. I know it's early, but through two games (20 offensive drives), the Rams have scored 7 points.

Nov. 22 vs. Cleveland - Cleveland has less playmakers than the Lions. Don't give me Braylon Edwards. The only way he may ever have another good game his entire career is if every team on Cleveland's schedule for the next decade or so signs Jaren Hayes week by week.

Dec. 6 at Cincinnati - I'd be willing to bet that by kick-off this game, at least 35 percent of Cincinnati's starters will be locked up somewhere.

That's four wins. Four more than last year.

Those four wins are difference between paying Russell Okung (Oklahoma State Offensive Tackle) or Taylor Mays (USC Safety) $65 million and $35 million.

I know because of revenue sharing, no matter if no one shows up to Ford Field, the Lions would still make money hand over fist. But you have to be able to field a team. Paying two number one overall picks hampers that process.

So start Daunte Culpepper and let Matthew Stafford sit and learn for a while.

Or watch the fans continue to revolt.

The announcement of the Sunday's Lions game vs. the Washington Redskins being blacked out locally has me thinking about something: is Fox gonna show The Neverending Story or Home Alone at 1 p.m.?

There's other things that announcement means, though.

It means The Stafford affect hasn't taken affect. His play in the team's first two games has been awful to watch. Matthew Stafford has the lowest passer rating (40.5) of any of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL. And I've seen blood-alcohol contents listed in newspaper police briefs that are higher than his completion percentage (barely 50 percent).

It means fans still refuse to pay for a putrid product. Despite what many people continue to believe, the economy has nothing to do with the Lions not being able to sell out games (about 10,000 tickets remain available for Sunday's game against Washington).

If the Lions were consistently in the playoff picture by the first snowfall, Ford Field would be on jam every Sunday. It's the same reason the Pistons streak of sell-outs was snapped in February and the same reason Tiger ticket sales took a dip after last season. People want to spend their hard-earned money to cheer a winner. In the last five years, I've gone to Lions games not to see the home team, but to see the likes of Clinton Portis, Terrell Owens and Jay Cutler.

Changes need to be made. They may not put butts in the seats, but they'll help the team stay afloat.

Part II coming soon.

My alma mater (MSU) plays one of its fiercest rivals - Notre Dame - Saturday in South Bend.

Like clockwork at this time of year, I'm reminded of some of the great plays State has made to beat the Irish in their place every time we've gone to Notre Dame Stadium since 1993.

Jason Teague streaking up the right sideline in overtime to seal a 44-41 victory in 2005.

Greg Taplin's 40-yard interception return for a score in State's 22-16 win in '03.

Charles Rogers' 47-yard 4th-quarter TD catch from Ryan Van Dyke to sew up a 17-10 triumph in 2001.

Rogers exploits on the football field in his time at MSU have been well documented.

The Saginaw High School grad broke a number of the school's receiving records and won the 2002 Biletnikoff award, given to the best receiver in college football.

Drafted 2nd overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2003 NFL Draft, Rogers had star written all over him, with his size and blazing speed. He caught 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns in his first five games in Detroit before breaking his collarbone.

Rogers career, and personal life, haven't been the same since.

During the 2005 season, Rogers was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy for a third time. The Lions filed a grievance against the wide out, seeking to recoup $10 of his $14.2 million signing bonus. Once the suspension was up, Rogers played in only nine games, starting three. He caught just 14 balls for a shade under 200 yards and one score.

Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Rogers was released by the Lions. He hasn't seen a football field of any kind since.

Rogers, has, however, seen his share of jail cells. He's been arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman (the charges were dropped). Earlier this year, he was jailed for violating his probation from an earlier charge. Today, he was arrested in Novi for driving under the influence of alcohol after being found by police unresponsive behind the wheel of his car.

Rogers needs help. But the days of him needing help so he can get back on the gridiron are over. Aside form his own, he has seven mouths to feed. Seven little ones to serve as a role model for. Chuck has to get right for his children and family. As a man, he must want to be around to see his kids grow up. That won't happen at the rate he's going.

I'm sure depression stemming from the way his professional career has turned out has played a major role in his battle with alcohol and drugs, but Rogers has to see the bigger picture. Football is nowhere to be found in the frame.

It was brought to my attention recently that the Detroit Lions made an administrative hire this offseason that didn't include new Head Coach Jim Schwartz.

The squad brought in former Jacksonville Jaguars VP of Player Personnel James Harris, giving him the title of Senior Personnel Executive.

According to his bio on the Lions' Web site, Harris spent the past six seasons as the Jaguars vice president of player personnel. While directing the Jaguars player personnel area, he oversaw all player acquisitions, including: college draft, free agency, undrafted player signings and the scouting of players in other professional leagues.

If you take a look at the Jags' draft history during the time Harris spent with the team, you'll notice a similar pattern to one familiar to all Lions fans:

Picks: 49
First-round picks: 6
Starters: 8

Take a look at the Lions' drafts during that same timeframe:

Picks: 47
First-round picks: 7
Starters: 9

Why would a team that just got rid of a general manager who couldn't draft well bring in someone else with the same shoddy drafting record? That's like trading a Jack Haley rookie card for a Dwayne Schintzius. Sure, Matt Millen drafted Charles Rogers (drug addict) and Mike Williams (bum), but Harris, in the same time frame, drafted Matt Jones (drug addict) and Reggie Williams (bum).

This move hasn't been discussed as much as others, which may mean Harris' role may be a minor one. Maybe it's so minor that the team didn't mention what his role will be with Detroit in Harris' online bio (it doesn't).

So watch out for some of the moves that are made. If certain draft picks don't pan out, that blame will be able to be spread around, which is a (somewhat) welcome change from the past.

Detroit Lions Special Teams Coach Stan Kwan doesn't have his priorities in order.

I live near the Lions practice facility. A number of the players and coaches have homes in that area, and some of them frequent bars in that pocket of Wayne County. There's no problem with that, except for the fact that I've seen Kwan - several times - at one of those establishments hours before kickoff.

I've heard stories about players (Chad OchoCinco) and coaches (pick one) who live and breathe football. They're at the practice facility before everyone else. They even sleep there on occasion. Those are usually the greats. Stan Kwan is the Special Teams Coach for the team that nine months ago finished the first 0-16 season in the history of the NFL. Why are you at a bar when you should be breaking down tape and game-planning. Sure, I've seen Kwan jotting down notes at times, sitting his pad next to a tall Bud Light. But when you see how the unit he is responsible for plays each weeks, it's easy to assume someone knocked that beer over, causing it to spill over to his notes and kill his game plan in the process.

How is he still employed? The Lions Special Teams unit has ranked as one of the worst in the NFL since Kwan took over the position in 2007 (Kwan has been a part of the Detroit's Special Team's staff for 10 years in two separate stints). Never mind that his players on special teams couldn't cover Thanksgiving leftovers with Reynold's Wrap. Never mind that the team's long punt return in 2008 was 27 yards (it's possible that could have been better, but when you're defense only forces 21 points in 16 games, what are you gonna do), while the long for Lions' opponents was 80 yards and a touchdown.

How is he still employed? At this point - considering his unit's performance in Saturday night's preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns, where Special Special Teamer (I borrowed that from my boy, Ro) Joshua Cribbs ran a punt back 84 yards for a score and had a long kick return he took to the crib wiped out - Kwan is about as employable as those losers who appear in Real World/Road Rules Challenge after Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

I understand you're not supposed to take much out of a preseason gave (save the 3rd tilt, which just so happens to be against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday. Start the Death March.), but the Lions special teams hasn't been good for some time now.

Kwan has been apart of that unit for a decade.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what the team should do to remedy a BIG part of the problem.

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.