Stafford Is First Overall Pick in 2009 Draft

After two not-so-dramatic days of contract negotiations, former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford (expectedly) signed with the Detroit Lions, officially becoming the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The first pick will now be a mere formality, but the money they splashed to get Stafford will certainly make his arrival in Detroit anything but trivial.

The 6-year, $78 million contract awarded to Stafford is an NFL Draft record, and his average annual paycheck of $13 million exceeds that of established pros Tom Brady (6 years, $60 million) and Ben Roethlisberger (8 years, $102 million). Dishing that much money out to an untested rookie is a big gamble, but one that could ultimately pay off for the Lions, who are coming off the worst season in NFL history. Stafford could certainly be effective soon, with a rising star in Calvin Johnson to accompany him in a potentially powerful Detroit passing attack. This selection also narrows their list of needs. They have a potential franchise quarterback, and now their focus should shift to a left tackle to protect Stafford.

I have heard arguments for USC QB Mark Sanchez over Stafford, but to me Stafford is the better choice. This is not an issue of finished product versus upside (like, say, Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf). Both Stafford and Sanchez are very raw quarterbacks with a tremendous amount of potential, and both came out early when they could had polished their skills during their senior seasons. I think Stafford has the edge for Detroit because he played for an inferior team in college (that is not to say Georgia is a bad team, but their young offensive line has trouble compared to the seemingly endless depth at USC), and therefore has more experience with pressure in his face than Sanchez does. Stafford, who played at Georgia since his freshman year, also has more playing experience in general. I think the Lions can be happy with this pick.

Now, the focus of the Draft shifts to the St. Louis Rams, who hold the #2 pick in the draft for the second year in a row. They also have a pethora of needs, and it will be interesting to see how this pick (and the rest of the draft) plays out.

Pre-Draft News

In two days, the 2009 NFL Draft will be officially kicking off. Of course, the draft clock has been ticking for the #1 overall pick holder Detroit Lions ever since the end of the NFL's first ever 0-16 season. Amidst talk of possible trades for the first selection and the debate over who should get picked first; it appears that the Lions have zoomed in on a target; according to NFL.com's columnist Steve Wyche, Detroit has entered final contract negotiations with former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, despite Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry's pledge to sign for less money if he were picked first.

In other news, the Atlanta Falcons have traded for Kansas City's future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez. In return, the Chiefs recieve Atlanta's second round pick in next year's draft. While they did lose an iconic and productive veteran player in Gonzalez, stockpiling picks could be just what the Chiefs need to boost their ailing franchise and perhaps follow the example of last year's resurgent Falcons.

Cutler Saga Ends, Dealt to Bears

Jay Cutler was traded last week to the Chicago Bears, and the cost was steep: for Cutler and Denver's fifth-round pick in this year's draft, the Bears gave up quarterback Kyle Orton, their first- and third-round picks from this year, and next years first round selection as well. It is undeniable that Chicago paid through the nose, but was it worth it? As I said concerning the Terrell Owens trade to Buffalo, only time will tell, but until I am proven otherwise I will have to approve.

I'm certainly not without a certain degree of bias. I am a Chicago Bears fan, so I cannot help but be excited by the move, especially coming from a traditionally conservative Bears management and this year's quiet offseason. Signing Cutler was the most emphatic way to make a splash this season; in a league that has become pass-happy (and a division that has not), Chicago certainly has a chance the take the NFC North by storm with the most talented quarterback to grace their roster since Sid Luckman in the 1940's. Cutler's arm strength is at an elite level, ideal for the blustery winds of Soldier Field, and he has already proven that he can play at a high level. It might be rough going for the first year, with an offensive line featuring two newcoming offensive tackles in Keven Shaffer and Orlando Pace and a recieving corps that may be considered lackluster compared to the one Cutler had in Denver, but Cutler will eventually prove his worth to the Bears.

Michael Vick: What He's Really Worth

Michael Vick recently released papers to the bankruptcy court entailing his plan for repaying his debts, a plan that assumed he would make ten million dollars a year upon his reinstatement to the NFL. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?

There is no doubt that Vick is (or at least, was) one of the greatest athletes to ever grace an NFL field (note the use of the word athlete, not quarterback). His electrifying speed dazzled many fans during his previous career with the Atlanta Falcons, and he was at one point considered to be one of the most (if not the most) exciting player to watch in the whole league.

But slow down, Mr. Vick. An NFL team is not likely to sign you at all—let alone for $10 million annually—unless you can prove you're back in shape. A year and a half of incarceration and prison food would wreak havoc with the body of even a great athlete, so pardon the NFL teams for being skeptical. And that's completely ignoring the whole reason why you went to prison in the first place, or your less-than-spotless record before then.

Now, there are undoubtedly some times that will show some interest in Vick. That being said, the number of teams with a dire quarterback need is growing thin. The Detroit Lions, of course, hold the #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and could select Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, reducing their motivation to sign Vick, and their cap room, considerably. On the other hand, signing Vick could give the Lions the opportunity to select an offensive lineman (a left tackle, specifically) and then either trade down or pick the best player available with their second 1st-round pick (#20 from the Dallas Cowboys). If Vick proved that he could still cut it at the NFL level, this situation could bode very well for the Lions.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could also try and be in the hunt for Vick's signature. David Gerrard has proved that he can play well, but I think the Jags have reason to be somewhat concerned about their depth at quarterback and the resemblance between Gerrard's and Vick's playing styles is perhaps the best you will find in the league.

The Kansas City Chiefs, having just recently traded for Matt Cassel, are most likely out of the question, as are the New York Jets, who have recently publicly stated that they are happy with thier current group of signal callers, and the Chicago Bears, whose style of power run does not fit Vick's abilities.

Having just placed Jay Cutler on the trade block, the Denver Broncos could pursue Vick, but I see that as being unlikely. The signing of a player like Vick—with a controversial past and demands for a salary equaling Peyton Manning and surpassing Tom Brady— would seem to directly contradict the policy of "team before stars" that Josh McDaniels is trying to set up in Denver.

I think the team to not rule out, though, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their infamous quarterback carousel under Jon Gruden may have faded away, but unless they trade for Jay Cutler their short- and long-term solution for quarterback remain unsolved. Vick had superb arm strength before he left the league and his outstanding speed and mobility were the envy of quarterbacks everywhere. With some improvements to his accuracy, I believe he could excel in the same type of West Coast offense that Jeff Garcia and, going further back, Steve Young played in.

So, my advice to Vick: Don't expect to start or make a starter's wage, don't expect a warm welcome back into the league immediately, and (here's a little bit of a plea in here as well) please, PLEASE keep your head on straight. I'm sure that if you prove yourself to the league, there will inevitably be a job waiting for you somewhere.