If the Lions draft Matthew Stafford first overall as expected, that downtrodden franchise will venture into dangerous territory.

The failure rate of quarterbacks taken high in the draft is large. Just ask USC star Matt Leinart, who is stuck behind Kurt Warner in Arizona, or Vince Young, who appears to be an afterthought in Tennessee.

Not only did the Titans re-up starter Kerry Collins for $14 million over two years, the team added veteran Patrick Ramsey as well.

Tennessee appears ready to turn the page on him, either before the 2009 season or after it. Young told The Tennessean he will be a good sport despite his predicament.

“I am just going to keep my mouth closed, man,” he said. “All I am doing this year is shutting up, just shutting up and working. I am going to smile and shut up and continue being Vince Young, a happy smiling guy. I am not going to get into the hoopla any more because of the fact I can’t win any more, I see.

“I am just going to shut my mouth and play my role, and if they need me then I will be available as a weapon.”

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while wondering if Cards management plans on chatting with Pedro Martinez any time soon:

• How will history remember the Brian Barton Era with the Cardinals?
• How does Andrea Kesler feel about her husband’s fascination with Kelly Backes? is she glad that Deadspin and other national outlets have picked up the story?
• How many of you are following your favorite athlete with Twitter? Is this how superstars will communicate with us in the future?
• Has there ever been a greater team player than J.D. Drew?

PLAYOFFS START, OFFICIALS UNDER SCRUTINY

Ever since the whole Tim Donaghy thing blew up, NBA refs are under the microscope during this time of the year.

And for good reason, as you may recall.

THE PERILS OF ROAD TRIPS

Some coaches don’t like to stay in at night, eating room service cheeseburgers and watching the free HBO. And that can be a problem.

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing lately:

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle: “Those Yankee Stadium “Legend Suite” seats cost $2,625 per game, per seat. But the Yankees offer a Wall Street bailout: Half price for AIG execs who gave back their bonuses. And free valet parking for their corporate jets.”

Norman Chad, syndicated columnist:  “In New York these days, there’s a Starbucks — and a stadium — on every corner. The NFL’s Jets and the Giants are getting a new home to share next year and the NBA’s Nets are looking to build a new arena in Brooklyn by 2011. Heck, if The Met had a hockey rink, New York would probably get a new opera house by winter. Paris is the City of Light, New York is the City of Stadium Blight.”

Jim Armstrong, Denver Post: “Some woman was bitten several times the other day after leaping into the polar-bear lair at a Berlin zoo. OK, so I’ll give you that. But name me one other thing more painful than watching the Nationals.”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “A Miami jury acquitted IndyCar driver (and Dancing With The Stars champ) Helio Castroneves of tax-evasion charges. We knew Helio could race and dance. Now we know he’s pretty good at skating, too.”

SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL

You are not the only one who wonders if Joe Morgan has lost his love of color commentating.

MEGAPHONE

“He’s been big-timing me. He doesn’t call me back. It’s a good thing I didn’t waste my one phone call [from jail] on him. When he was getting elected, I was out there with him on the trail beating the path. He called me all the time then. You see what happens? You get a job, you forget about your friends.”

Charles Barkley, telling Jay Leno that he has fallen out of touch with President Obama.

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