Sam Bradford Says "No" to Detroit

On Wednesday, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford announced he would return to college to seek another shot at a National Championship. This also sets up the potential for a two-time Heisman Trophy winner, with both Bradford and Florida's Tim Tebow returning to school with the award on their resume.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is also returning to college. Meanwhile, USC's Mark Sanchez is undecided, while Georgia's Matthew Stafford has already committed to the NFL.

With Stafford being, as of now, the only top tier quarterback committed to the NFL draft, one has to wonder if the fact that the dismal Detroit Lions have the top pick is playing any role in the decisions of these top players deciding to delay the millions of dollars they'll undoubtedly receive until 2010.

Looking back just a handful of years, this is starting to shape up to resemble the staredown between Eli Manning and the San Diego Chargers. Of course, Eli wanted nothing to do with San Diego, but they held the top pick. Even though they selected him, he would have nothing to do with the franchise. After a draft day swap of Manning for Philip Rivers involving the New York Giants, both franchises have their man of the future.

But this year, if Sanchez stays in Southern California, there might not be a player fill the playmaker need in Detroit. Stafford certainly has the arm, but his decision making process has been questioned and he's made some rough mental mistakes in games. Taking a player like Stafford with the top overall pick would certainly be viewed as a stretch, if not a can't-win for both the team and the player.

Detroit has a couple nice pieces. And I mean a couple. Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith are both young, talented players for a quarterback to grow up with and to build around. But it looks like all the top college quarterbacks, a position that is as fickle as any when draft rankings are put together, want nothing to do with the pros.

Is it them avoiding the Lions? Or is the dorm life that good? I would have to think it's a mix of both.