Hi BHW,
I'm relatively new to all this, but not really a noob. I'm an experienced programmer and I have multiple websites. However, they are not making me money and I'm not sure why. I have a game plan, and I want you to poke holes in it//let me know where I'm going wrong.
(1) Find a suitable, rankable keyword
I have no experience doing this, and I think it may be my main problem. My keywords are probably awful. For example, I just made a site dedicated to ranking for "superbowl xlvi" "tom brady stats" and "eli manning stats"
(2) Purchase some sort of backlinking package
(3) Submit the articles I write to ezinearticles
(4) Put adsense within the articles in clickable and highly visible places.

Now, the ads showing up are perfectly targeted to my keywords. In fact, I've been writing the articles with keyword densities of about 5%. I even got red flagged by ezinearticles saying that the densities of 4.7% for "tom brady" and 4.3% for "eli manning" we're too high . My google analytics is showing searches for my exact keywords leading to site impressions and visits...so I guess I'm doing at least SOMETHING right. Anyway, if you could point me in the direction of some material to learn keyword research / how to find good rankable/high CPC keywords, please do (if that is, in fact, my weakest link). Awaiting your knowledgable responses

First and probably the most important step is good kw research.
Search the forum and you will find the guides and answers which will clear things up.
Also, try to find thread The Absolute Newbie's Guide To Keyword Research on BHW.

I would be careful in choosing words like that. For one thing you are competing with NFL, ESPN etc but you might enter into copyright/trademark issues. You don't want to be slapped copyright infringement/trademark and "unjust enrichment" suit.

besides when I build sites I choose niches that were proven yesterday,today and will be there tomorrow. Legit white hat SEO takes time and repetition. (of course there are exceptions )
Maybe you should turn off the computer, sit somewhere quit, grab piece of paper and brainstorm ideas. Than build a big picture plan and start braking it down.
Once you have your steps in place search for guides instruction on here. One at the time. Do not try to ride a bike before you crawl and don't do any other shxxt before you crawl.

good luck man
browse arounf here there are plently of guides.

AdisLCS & Keiko thanks alot for the input. AdisLCS I tried to private message you to ask about the legality of my site targeting the NFL keywords. I can't send PMs, but PM me if you would like to check it out for me. It's simply 3 articles written analyzing the stats of the two teams playing, very legimate (1 picture per page).