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While the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford appears to be close to hammering out a deal, Sporting News suggests up to six teams are vying for USC’s Mark Sanchez. The Jets, Broncos, Jaguars, Redskins Seahawks and Browns are all rumoured to be manoeuvring to acquire the quarterback. The kid is not shy, telling reporters he is the best QB available and also a “franchise” player…Stafford, at six years for a guaranteed 40 million, represents the reason many teams actively shun the top picks. The New England Patriots have a philosophy which downgrades the benefits of guaranteeing unproven players such lucrative sums - it’s part of the reason they let Matt Cassells go for a modest second rounder…Denver Bronco head coach Josh McDaniel missed Sanchez’s private workout for the club due to migraine headaches. Is there something troubling about that story? The Broncos have allot invested in the young coach, and thus far McDaniel’s contribution to the team has been running off Jay Cutler… the Carolina Panthers have expressed an interest in J P Losman, ex of the Bills. The Denver Broncos are also nibbling around the edges. The draft this weekend will dictate how teams proceed with the remaining free agents. Losman is a highly egotistical individual who doubtless expected to be snapped up upon hitting the market. Some of these overrated freaks are stunned when they discover others are not aware of their intrinsic value…the Boston Bruins had lost five straight playoff series before sweeping the Montreal Canadiens last night. It was their first playoff success since 1999…the Montreal Gazette is speculating that a new owner in Montreal may deem the removal of GM & Coach Bob Gainey as the first order of business. The Habs 100^th anniversary became a colossal embarrassment, culminating in a final act where an obnoxious Carey Price taunted the assembled throng…with the New York Rangers clinging to a 2-1 lead in the third period, Sean Avery took two minor penalties. Both were stupid and unnecessary. It will be interesting to see how Coach John Tortorella responds to this latest chapter in the life of the NHL’s resident cockroach… it’s a hard life for a poolie. Many Detroit backers will be hoping the Blue Jackets can stretch the series out tonight to allow the Red Wings one more opportunity to rack up some points at home…Rick Nash, the 2010 Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs but currently in Columbus, has never scored a goal in the NHL playoffs. I’m just saying…the Carolina Hurricanes have been handicapped by the scoring drought of winger Eric Cole. Playing wing with Eric Staal on the Canes top line, Cole is tempering enthusiasm for his “prodigal son” story with his pointless performance through four games against the New Jersey Devils…the Detroit News is kicking off what should be a summer chock full of Chris Bosh trade speculation. The News has the Pistons shipping Tayshaun Prince as part of a package for the erstwhile Raptor…Vegas casinos are apparently offering a Lakers - Cavs NBA Final at 4-7 on. That’s about as close to a foregone conclusion, with sixteen teams still alive, as possible in the gambling world…it is significant news that Godolphin’s lead rider, the incomparable Frankie Dettori, has elected to remain in England to ride in the 2,000 Guineas instead of riding Desert Party or Regal Ransom in the Kentucky Derby. Downgrade the colts as there is not a chance in hell Frankie would bypass an opportunity to win the American classic if he felt he had a live mount…can it be true that Bernard Hopkins and Felix Trinidad have agreed to a rematch this November? Felix has completely tarnished his reputation with hopeless performances against Winky Wright and Roy Jones. His major accomplishment revolves around the gift decision he received when Oscar De La Hoya burst out running in the ninth round of their famous encounter and didn’t stop until he heard the final bell. Trinidad is a fighter of no consequence or interest for any legit fight fan. Hopkins, on the other hand, emerges from a remarkable win over Kelly Pavlik and had been called out by Paul “The Punisher” Williams…don’t know if you caught news of 2004 Olympic Gold medallist Andre Ward’s May 16^th date with Edison Miranda. This could be a serious mistake on the part of the undefeated fighter’s brain trust. Miranda may appear a bit shop-worn but he has lost only to the best, and Ward has done little to establish his credentials as an elite level contender. Now, that could all change on the 16^th, but at this point I’d be in “show me” mode and back the irascible Columbian…