January 15- Sanchez enters Draft, Schwartz to Lions

January 15, not a monumental day in the sports world, but a few noticeable events occurred today. 

• Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez declared for the NFL Draft. 
  

The redshirt junior threw his name into the hat Thursday afternoon. Good move on his part. Sanchez ended the season with 3,207 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions and another Rose Bowl win, this time over Penn State. With Oklahoma's Sam Bradford returning to school to defend his Heisman win and take another run at Tim Tebow and the Gators next year, Sanchez's stock couldn't go anywhere but down next year. Plus, the addition of a salary cap on draft picks beginning next year was undoubtedly a factor in his decision. Sanchez and Georgia's Matthew Stafford are ranked by ESPN's Todd McShay as the top two quarterbacks available. In short, good luck in Detroit next season. 

• Detroit hires Jim Schwartz
  

Speaking of the lowly Lions, Detroit hired their new head coach today- Jim Schwartz. Schwartz served as the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans the past eight seasons. The Titans defense has consistently been in the upper echelon of the NFL during Schwartz's tenure in Nashville. This past season, the defense carried the Titans to the number one seed in the AFC, posting a 13-3 record. I think it's a good hire by the Lions, bringing in someone experienced with coaching tremendous defensive talent. Schwartz reportedly signed a four year deal, according to ESPN.com. However, their last head coach was a defensive mind-- which only lead to the NFL's first 0-16 season. Detroit is just a franchise that has been in free-fall mode since the early retirement of Barry Sanders. Last season was a fluke going 9-7. Hopefully Schwartz will make the executive decision to trade out of the number one spot in the draft. The Lions need help in too many areas to just use that one pick. Stafford or Sanchez won't cure their problems. The last time they tried the "baptize by fire" routine with a quarterback, Joey Harrington led them nowhere. 

• Red Sox, Youkilis agree to four-year deal

Boston has re-signed utility man Kevin Youkilis to a four-year deal worth around $40 million. Youkilis played 3rd and 1st base for the Red Sox this season and was an instrumental part in their postseason success, although it ended all too briefly against the Tampa Bay Rays. Youkilis hit .312 this season and jacked 29 homeruns and drove in 115. Earlier in the offseason we locked up AL MVP Dustin Pedroia for six more years. It's been a surprising week for my Sox, agreeing to terms with fromer Braves ace John Smoltz, locking up Youkilis today, and Jim Rice finally getting into Cooperstown. 

That's about all the headlines for today. Percy Harvin also declared for the NFL Draft. Yes, he's fast, but he's too small to be an impact in the NFL. Look at Early Doucet. Where is he now? I know, Steve Smith is under six feet and he's an explosive player. As evidenced by the SportsCenter commercial, his speed is "incendiary", but Harvin doesn't seem to have the tenacity of Smith. The heart, yes. Aggression, no. 

And I think Jodie Meeks just made another three...