The Detroit Lions just gave their #1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, QB Matthew Stafford, the guaranteed signing bonus to the tune of $41.7 million and they instantly cemented a No-Win situation. Stafford will never be able to live up to that money contract and once he signed on the dotted line he made it nearly impossible to surpass any and all expectations fans and critics will expect from him throughout his career; even if he has a Joe Flacco type rookie season (which is a long shot considering the Lions loss all of their games in '08) the overall #1 pick status and the guaranteed money will haunt him . Stupid money for an unproven player, its time for the NFL to implement a Rookie Cap! 

After unsuccessfully 'capturing-battering and looting' a U.S. Navy Sea Ship off the coast of Somalia the Pittsburgh Pirates turned their sites to the MLB schedule and the results have been fantastic. For a franchise that has endured 16 straight losing seasons what their doing so far in this young '09 season is pretty remarkable. The Pirates team ERA is best in the National League, the pitching staff also has a league best 4 shut-outs so far and their easily one of the Top 5 teams in the league when you're referencing wins and day in and day out quality production from every player on the lineup card

Bud Selig said in a statement that he's seriously contemplating making a drastic move to eliminate the Pirate franchise because in his tenure as commissioner of the MLB they've been one of the worst teams and he doesn't quite know how to properly articulate and/or pronounce the phrase "Pittsburgh Pirates are at the top or near the top of their division and there's a good chance they will make the playoffs"  

Check back in late August to see if all of this actually comes to fruition!!!

There's no doubt that the greatest franchise in NFL history is the Pittsburgh Steelers, with their record 6th Championship win in Super Bowl 43. But how about this scenario, with a very good young coach in Mike Tomlin and a franchise QB, who'll just be turning 27 in March '09, and has yet to reach his optimum prime, the Steelers could be looking at another 3 rings in their trophy case before Big Ben decides to hang up the Steel helmet for good at the end of his career, which in theory is at least 10 years away. It's pretty scary for others team to contemplate such domination but its very real and could easily come true

The only area of vulnerability for the Steelers heading into next season ('09) is the quality of the Offensive Line, it can and will get better through the Draft and FA this offseason, which means even more time for Ben to throw and of course the running game will get back to the sheer dominance it used to exude the last 30 years before this somewhat average running season Pitt just had n '08

The only thing Steeler Nation has to hope for over the next few season is a relatively injury free situations for their core-franchise players (which can be a crapshoot in the NFL, its a very physical league) and what type of slogan and catch phrases they can create for all the Super Bowl Championships the Steelers will be potentially winning down the road, try these on for size........"5 RINGS plus 2, u know how the Super Bowl Steeler7 do"........."Don't hate on 8 for the Champion Steeler Greats"...... "8 is not enuff, the Champion Steelers look Fine with 9"

Lets not get it twisted Steeler Nation (and yes I used the early '00's slang twisted even though nobody says that word anymore, unless your still trying to be hip like me :-) Pittsburgh needs effective on the field play from Hines Ward if they're going to win the Super Bowl. And when I say effective I mean Psycho Ward has to be playing at a minimum 75% effective rate.  Then and only then can the offense work consistently enough to put up points and beat the Cardinals

3 TD's and at least 2 or 3 field goals should be enough to beat AZ but it all goes back to Mr. Ward (and of course the continued dominance of the Steel Curtain II D), if he can muster up the energy to stay in the game the whole time and not go out for any significant period of time then Big Ben and o.c. Bruce Arians can mix up the play calling and get key down the field production from all the offensive playmakers