Is the first pick really worth it?

The one bonus to the Detroit Lions going 0-16 last year is that they will get the first overall pick in tomorrow's NFL Draft, but one must really ask is that such a good thing? Why you might ask? First of all the first pick in the NFL Draft will demand an enormous amount of money without ever taking one snap. The last four #1 picks were Alex Smith (signed a 6 year $49.5 million contract), Mario Williams (5 year $54 million contract), Jamarcus Russell (6 year $68 million contract), and Jake Long 5 year ($57.5 million deal.)
The two that mean the most this year are Alex Smith and JaMarcus Russell because they are both quarterbacks and ther Lions are projected to take Mathew Stafford with the first overall pick. The issue is Alex Smith has not been what San Francisco was hoping and just a few years later isn't even the clear cut starter heading into camp, JaMarcus Russell is the starter, and has the talent, but hasn't brought it all together yet either to justify that kind of money. So as a team there has to be concern when looking at drafting a quarterback first.
Another issue that has come up is because the team needs to sign their pick after they draft them they may hold out and miss training camp and part of the season making their develpment even a longer process. That is why the Lions are trying to come up with a deal tonight with Stafford befroe they draft him, so they can guarentee that he will be at mini camp and training camp. If they can't reach a deal they may not take him. Which then again brings up an issue with the draft. You should be able to pick the player you need/want and the issue of them demanding too much money shouldn't play a part.
So tomorrow if Detroit does pick Stafford, they will be investing a ton of money into a player who has never played in the NFL and could set the team back years in the salary cap. A reason they could trade the pick if they don't feel they can reach a deal with who they want!

3-Game Sweep!

After playing a putride 4 game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays where they managed only 1 victory, and lost badly in the last two games of the series, the Minnesota Twins completed a 3 game sweep of of Los Angles Angel of Anaheim. The highlight of the weekend, and probably highlight of the Twins young season came Friday night when Deignated Hitter Jason Kubel went 4 for 5 and hit for the cycle, his last hit the most dramtic and game winning grand slam that wrapped up a Twins seven run eighth inning.
Jason Kubel entered the weekend hitting just over .220, but went 8 for 10 combined Friday and Saturday night, raising his average to over .300. In all three victories the Twins came from behind and to date they still have not started the game and held on to the lead throughout, which has brought much excitement to the Metrodome during it's last season and Friday night may have been the most electric moment of the season.
Sundays finale featured anoth 8 inning performance by U of M alum Glen Perkins where he won his first decision of the season although he has been the most consistent starter for the Twins going 8 innings in all three of his starts while keeping his era to under 2.00.
A turning point like Kubel grand slam may be what the Twins needed as they were facing an early skid last week and trailed 9-2 going into the late innings Friday night, but Kubel's home run provided the fuel they needed and the team kept it going through the weekend and the Twins are now back to .500 with a 7-7 record.