Yet again, we have a situation where a team in desperation, opening up their wallets for one player, ignores the most sacred tenet of football: it takes a system to win championships.  The system "processes" players and makes them better.  It is rarely about one player and the Patriots' 2008 season proved that.  Sure, if Brady was at the helm, we most likely would've had, at the very least, a 12-4 record and a division title.  But the Patriots system molded Matt Cassel into a QB ready to lead the offense and we came dang close.

Reports www.si.com, ntested rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford signed a record setting deal, pocketing $41.7M in guaranteed money and $72M over the course of six years.  Jay Cutler is fuming.  It is time for the NFL to implement a salary cap.  Untested rookies making mega-millions more than longstanding vets is a crime and it's insulting to the vets.  On the other hand, let them pay those mega-millions.  Let those teams tie up significant amounts of money on one player in hopes that he saves the day.  How well is Stafford going to do when he can't keep the Lions' defense off of the field?  How well will he do when his offensive line lets him eat turf on a consistent basis?  Maybe I should be happy teams make bonehead moves like this.  Go ahead, tie up all of your money on an untested guy.  It just means less money to throw at other positions.

Systems win championships, period.  That is why teams like the Patriots, Colts, and Steelers have been the most successful teams of this decade.

For the Lions' fan perspective, check Pride of Detroit.  Props to NESilver for his fanshot.