It seems we’ve made it a tradition t0 take a couple month’s hiatus after the draft to clear our minds. Well hopefully the hiatus is over. In just a few weeks, professional teams will be reporting to training camp, and college teams will be opening their seasons. And it’s about time. Baseball, basketball, and hockey are all great (well okay, maybe not hockey), but nothing beats anything affiliated with the National Football League.

There are so many promising storylines in this fresh NFL season that I had to make use of the website somehow before the 2010 NFL draft. Just off the top of my head, we have a Brett Favre conundrum (not that this is different from years past, or maybe the next five), a dieting LenWhale, and a host of players in unhappy situations. Fantasy football has always been one of my loves, so expect some fantasy posts scattered between now and the start of the season.

Oh, and by the way, we’re on twitter. Following me @sat2sun, as I’ll be “tweeting” about a variety of different issues. Hopefully we’ll be getting the twitter account more active, which obviously would mean more traffic sent to the website (which is good).

I’ll close my comeback post by saying expect a 2010 mock draft sometime before the end of the summer. I’m in no particular rush to get one done, but I would like to complete one in the pre-season to use as a reference point come April.

Here are the final position rankings for the 2009 draft class:

QUARTERBACKS

1. Matthew Stafford, Georgia*
6-2 | 225 lbs. | Junior
Dallas, TX

2. Mark Sanchez, USC*
6-2 | 227 lbs. | Junior
Mission Viejo, CA

3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State*
6-6 | 248 lbs. | Junior
Kansas City, MO

4. Pat White, West Virginia
6-0 | 197 lbs. | Senior
Daphne, AL

5. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston St.
6-2 | 220 lbs. | Senior
Grand Prairie, OK

6. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M
6-3 | 225 lbs. | Senior
Burnet, TX

7. Nate Davis, Ball St.
6-2 | 225 lbs. | Senior
Bellaire, OH

8. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
6-3 | 205 lbs. | Senior
Ennis, TX

9. John Parker Wilson, Alabama
6-2 | 219 lbs. | Senior
Hoover, AL

10. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona St.
6-2 | 218lbs. | Senior
Westlake, CA

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The 2009 NFL draft is unofficially underway. Multiple news outlets–PFT (via FOXSports.com), ESPN, and SI–are reporting that the Detroit Lions and Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford have agreed to a contract. Depending on which source you value, the deal is worth anywhere between a total of $72 million-$78 million. However, the all important guaranteed money seems to be locked at $41.7 million.

Matt Stafford is the right selection for the Lions with the first overall pick. Aside from the absurd amount of money they have to pay, which is a discussion for a different day, the need for a franchise quarterback in Detroit is no longer. Stafford seems to be the guy the Lions wanted from the start, and it’s satisfying to see them spend the extra few million to get him secured. A team picking at the top spot looks a lot smarter spending $41.7 million for the man they think is at the top of the draft class, as opposed to spending lesser money for a lesser talent that may turn out to be a bust.

Congratulations Lions fans. Today is a day to set aside your troubled past and move forward with a new franchise quarterback by the name of Matt Stafford. Here’s a video to invoke some optimism in ya:

Updated: April 25; 12:39 P.M.

* Denotes Underclassman

FIRST ROUND

1. Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia*
6-2 | 225 lbs. | Junior
Dallas, TX

Both Jason Smith and Aaron Curry have the chance to dethrone Stafford from the top overall position. There will be talks between Jason Smith, Aaron Curry, and the Lions between here and next month week. However, the Lions will ultimately opt for the quarterback, Stafford. Detroit should not expect to turn things around as quick as the Miami Dolphins did this season. However, a Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson combination should give fans some optimism. A new identity is needed for the team that struggled so much in 2008. Stafford has the best arm in the draft, hands down. He could make any throw on the next level and can be the quarterback Detroit has lacked for so long. There is also an option out there that would allow the Lions to select an offensive tackle here and then a quarterback later in the draft (the Miami Dolphins method). However, that’s a bit too risky for a team that desperately needs a quarterback in order to move forward.

2. St. Louis Rams — Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
6-5 | 309 lbs. | Senior
Dallas, TX

Barring any surprise move by the Lions to select Jason Smith, this pick looks to be one of the surest in the entire draft. After releasing Orlando Pace, the Rams have a massive hole at the left tackle position. Jason Smith, who has done nothing to disappoint in the draft process, could fill that void left by Pace. As a former tight end, Jason Smith has all the necessary footwork to have success at the next level verses the top edge pass rusher. A few weeks ago, this was Andre Smith’s spot to lose. After a weak combine performance (or lack thereof), coupled with concerns about his true position at the next level, Andre Smith clearly lost out on this spot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs — Aaron Curry, OLB/ILB, Wake Forest
6-2 | 254 lbs. | Senior
Fayetteville, NC

Kansas City silenced all fans that clamored for a quarterback at this spot by going out and trading for Matt Cassel. This deal instantly means the Chiefs will not be an easy opponent for AFC foes. However, the team could still needs to address concerns on the defensive side of the football. All signs indicate that the Chiefs are moving to a 3-4, and Curry would be the ideal linebacker to have in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He is reminiscent of Adailus Thomas, alluding to the fact that he could play any linebacker position within the scheme. Furthermore, Curry gives the team a franchise player to build around the rest of the defense. He has all the tools to be a productive linebacker at the next level. Good size, and unbelievable athleticism allowed Curry to establish himself as the best defensive player in this draft class. Michael Crabtree is still an option here, but the team can’t resist Curry after an impressive combine performance. At this point, there seems to be no other viable option for the Chiefs.

4. Seattle Seahawks — Mark Sanchez, QB, USC*
6-2 | 227 lbs. | Junior
Mission Viejo, CA

The pairing of Mark Sanchez and the Seattle Seahawks is one that is ideal for both parties. Sanchez is a quarterback who would be best served to sit a year before taking over the reigns, and the Seahawks already have someone that can play an additional year or two. Eugene Monroe is an option, but now is the time for the Seahawks to address the future of the quarterback position.

5. Cleveland Browns — Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
6-4 | 295 lbs. | Senior
Edgard, LA

We are still not completely sold on Eric Mangini selecting another 3-4 outside linebacker after the Vernon Gholston experience. I have no idea why Tyson Jackson has been flying up the draft boards in the past 24 hours. However, he’s clearly making a strong push into the top 5, as the Chiefs are also an option at the three spot. A 3-4 defensive end is a tough position to fill, and Cleveland could solidify the position for years to come with Jackson.

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(The Top 5)

1. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech*
6-1 | 215 lbs. | Sophomore (RS)
Dallas, TX

2. Aaron Curry, OLB/ILB, Wake Forest
6-2 | 254 lbs. | Senior
Fayetteville, NC

3. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia*
6-2 | 225 lbs. | Junior
Dallas, TX

4. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
6-3 | 263 lbs. | Senior
Houston, TX

5. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC*
6-2 | 227 lbs. | Junior
Mission Viejo, CA

6. Eugene Monroe, OLT, Virginia
6-5 | 309 lbs. | Senior
Plainfield, NJ

7. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
6-2 | 337 lbs. | Senior
Washington Twp., NJ

8. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
6-5 | 309 lbs. | Senior
Dallas, TX

9. Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
6-0 | 204 lbs. | Senior
Piscataway, NJ

10. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama*
6-4 | 332 lbs. | Junior
Birmingham, AL

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Updated: April 17, 2009; Following the Jason Peters trade.

* Denotes Underclassman

FIRST ROUND

1. Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia*
6-2 | 225 lbs. | Junior
Dallas, TX

Both Jason Smith and Aaron Curry have the chance to dethrone Stafford from the top overall position. There will be talks between Jason Smith, Aaron Curry, and the Lions between here and next month week. However, the Lions will ultimately opt for the quarterback, Stafford. Detroit should not expect to turn things around as quick as the Miami Dolphins did this season. However, a Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson combination should give fans some optimism. A new identity is needed for the team that struggled so much in 2008. Stafford has the best arm in the draft, hands down. He could make any throw on the next level and can be the quarterback Detroit has lacked for so long. There is also an option out there that would allow the Lions to select an offensive tackle here and then a quarterback later in the draft (the Miami Dolphins method). However, that’s a bit too risky for a team that desperately needs a quarterback in order to move forward.

2. St. Louis Rams — Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
6-5 | 309 lbs. | Senior
Dallas, TX

Barring any surprise move by the Lions to select Jason Smith, this pick looks to be one of the surest in the entire draft. After releasing Orlando Pace, the Rams have a massive hole at the left tackle position. Jason Smith, who has done nothing to disappoint in the draft process, could fill that void left by Pace. As a former tight end, Jason Smith has all the necessary footwork to have success at the next level verses the top edge pass rusher. A few weeks ago, this was Andre Smith’s spot to lose. After a weak combine performance (or lack thereof), coupled with concerns about his true position at the next level, Andre Smith clearly lost out on this spot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs — Aaron Curry, OLB/ILB, Wake Forest
6-2 | 254 lbs. | Senior
Fayetteville, NC

Kansas City silenced all fans that clamored for a quarterback at this spot by going out and trading for Matt Cassel. This deal instantly means the Chiefs will not be an easy opponent for AFC foes. However, the team could still needs to address concerns on the defensive side of the football. All signs indicate that the Chiefs are moving to a 3-4, and Curry would be the ideal linebacker to have in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He is reminiscent of Adailus Thomas, alluding to the fact that he could play any linebacker position within the scheme. Furthermore, Curry gives the team a franchise player to build around the rest of the defense. He has all the tools to be a productive linebacker at the next level. Good size, and unbelievable athleticism allowed Curry to establish himself as the best defensive player in this draft class. Michael Crabtree is still an option here, but the team can’t resist Curry after an impressive combine performance. At this point, there seems to be no other viable option for the Chiefs.

4. Seattle Seahawks — Mark Sanchez, QB, USC*
6-2 | 227 lbs. | Junior
Mission Viejo, CA

The pairing of Mark Sanchez and the Seattle Seahawks is one that is ideal for both parties. Sanchez is a quarterback who would be best served to sit a year before taking over the reigns, and the Seahawks already have someone that can play an additional year or two. Eugene Monroe is an option, but now is the time for the Seahawks to address the future of the quarterback position.

5. Cleveland Browns — Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
6-3 | 263 lbs. | Senior
Houston, TX

Brian Orakpo is a bit of a reach, but the team will most likely opt for his services over the other options. I’m still not completely sold on Eric Mangini selecting another 3-4 outside linebacker after the Vernon Gholston experience. However, there are limited options with this selection. Michael Crabtree would be an option should the Browns decide to deal Braylon Edwards. At this point, with Edwards still on the roster, the lack of depth among the linebacker position pushes Orakpo slightly over the top. Orakpo and Kamerion Wimbley could become a dynamic pass rushing that the Browns need in order to compete.

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