Matthew Stafford, Kevin Smith, and Calvin Johnson Day-to-Day with Injuries
by Sean Yuille on Oct 5, 2009 6:15 PM EDT
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintJim Schwartz didn't get into Matthew Stafford's knee injury too much at today's press conference, but he did say that the Lions quarterback is day-to-day and that it is possible he will play against the Steelers on Sunday.
Schwartz refused to say Monday whether Stafford's right kneecap was dislocated, adding "we'll know more," on Wednesday.
Stafford suffered a subluxation of his right knee in which his knee cap popped out of its normal position but popped back in, a Lions source told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. A series of X-rays and MRIs will determine if Stafford damaged any cartilage around the knee cap, but sources said such an injury is not normally a season-ender. He will undergo more tests in Detroit.
One medical source even suggested that Stafford could play next week with a brace, but that will be determined by the pain and stability of the knee. He also could miss a week or longer, pending more comprehensive tests.
Stafford isn't the only player who is day-to-day with an injury, as two other important pieces of the Lions offense are also banged up.
Schwartz said linebacker Ernie Sims showed character playing with a shoulder injury and that wide receiver Calvin Johnson (quad) and running back Kevin Smith (shoulder) are day-to-day.
Adam Jennings suffered an injury during yesterday's game as well, but his appears to be much more severe than a day-to-day type of thing. Schwartz described it as a "significant" ankle injury, and Jennings was using crutches in the locker room and didn't return home with the team.
Jennings had replaced Aaron Brown as the Lions' kick returner before the injury, but now that he is likely going to be out for a while, Schwartz has named Derrick Williams the starting KR. Williams hasn't even been active yet during the regular season, but there is a definite need to change things up at kick returner. Brown did well against New Orleans, but he has been awful ever since then.
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Not good when the Big 3 are day-to-day
I can only hope that they all play at or near 100% vs. the Steelers. We need to play a near perfect game as it is. We really need all 3 near 100%…………..lets hope!!
PS – look for special teams to play very well this week. Just a hunch
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
Stafford might start.....
But I’d almost bet we see Culpepper at some point….especially if Stafford’s knee is not 100% to begin with. Without Calvin Johnson….we are in big trouble. Without Kevin Smith, I think we could be ok (even though I would like to see him play, I would rather him be 100% after the bye). If Megatron can’t play, what will we do?
Megatron is the real issue here.
He helps in the run game, and passing game. If He is not on the field. No reason for the Steelers to double any wideouts. Leaving their SS and FS free to blitz and help with the stopping of the Lions running game.
Agreed
I think he’s OK though. I read a quote from him saying he wasn’t too worried.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 5, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I think all three will play
Frankly, I want to see them play just to show that our Big 3 are tough guys that will gut it out through injuries. Calvin has shown that he can be susceptible to the injury bug and that’s a little bothersome to me. Although, receivers really have to be 100% to be effective. I just want to see a little fire… ala Favre… from Stafford. That “no one can keep me off the field” attitude from him.
Big 3
I personally dont think Stafford was ready for the NFL anyway. Smith looked very tenantive in hitting the line sunday (cant play scared) also so i see both of them out as a blessing. The forcing of Stafford into the NFL to me was more proof that the Lions organization couldnt manage a Starbucks let alone a pro football team. His inacuracy is going to lose us more than Johnson
Allright then
What exactly makes you think Stafford isn’t NFL ready. His performance in these last 2 games in itself has sold to me to the fact that he is NFL ready. As far as his inaccuracy goes, it’s obvious that he is missing a few, but his completion percentage of 56% isn’t atrocious, especially considering guys like Rivers, Palmer & Romo have only a few more percentage points more than Staff. I also didn’t see this tentativeness you seen in Smith.
Maybe you could expand on your opinions a bit.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 6, 2009 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions
HE you are wasting your time responding to the AntiStaff crowd.
They did not want him to be picked, did not want him to play, and will concoct any number of reasons why they are right. They will not even believe the evidence of their own eyes.
Fortunately we have a coach who is smart enough to make the right decision and confident enough to stick with it despite the rants of know nothings.
The door swings both ways there NorthLeft12
And while I was anti-Stafford pre and post draft, even I have seen the value in him. That does not change the fact that I think he could have been served just as well by being a backup for a season, and it certainly does not mean that I know nothing because I have an opinion that is opposite to yours or anyone else’s (who contend that the decisions made were absolutely correct). I am all done with the argument, and the only reason that I am saying anything is because you already adamantly said that you are tired of the argument, yet you keep saying things like you just did. You (and everyone else) do not know if you are anymore right than anyone else. If you do not want to see the same argument over and over, then why do you blow wind on the embers of the fire?
Althoug I agree with his assessment of Smith
Smith did not run with very much authority on Sunday. In the first three games he cut through some tackles to pick up yardage, but Sunday he went down at first contact. I would have liked to see Morris and Felton take a few of those carries to show what they can do.
What the hell are you watching?
You think Culpepper is better than Stafford? You think that Stafford is not ready and not getting significantly better each week? You think that he hasn’t been one of the top reasons that our passing offense has been the brightest part of this team over the past two weeks?
Stafford out… a blessing? Take a freakin’ hike…
I agree
I do not see Stafford being out as a blessing at this point. Culpepper was ready to go before the season started, but now he has sat on the sidelines for four weeks and has gotten rusty. At this point, I am hoping to see Stafford man up and play. If he does not, however, I hope that Culpepper shakes off the rust in practice this week. If he could at least be in preseason form this week (in the case that Stafford can’t play), then I am confident that he can get the job done. It would be ultimately sad to me if you did not at least have that confidence in him as a backup. Just because those of you who believe in Stafford wholeheartedly as the rightful starter, does not mean that you should nonchalantly cast Culpepper’s abilities and experience out the window. He is a professional…..and one that deserves respect (as many people said after his “press release” following the naming of Stafford as the starter). If Stafford can not play, Daunte can get it done.
This wasn't a knock on Culpepper
I have faith in him as a back-up, just not as a viable long-term starter. All along my position is that he brings us no long-term value, thus his snaps are virtually meaningless if we are not a contender. Right now, I believe wholeheartedly that Stafford is the better of the two quarterbacks. Also, Culpepper playing is now to the detriment of the ongoing experience Stafford is gaining. Of course, if Stafford can’t go because of injury, then Culpepper plays. It’s just that nothing should be read into it. Once Stafford is ready to go again, Culpepper will gracefully bow aside and blend into the sidelines once again.
I certainly don’t have your level of faith in Culpepper, but as a back-up, I’m fine with him. I just don’t want the Stafford-haters to start calling for Culpepper to start after he throws one touchdown or has one good drive. And you and I both know that’s bound to happen if Culpepper gets in there. I just pray that Stafford can go against Pittsburgh and keep the fan harmony and progress of the first four weeks intact.
Agreed
Drew Stanton is good enough, and could use the work. We can pick up a FA 3rd QB and OL of some sort easily enough. Heck, the Packers moved their LG to LT (I know, their line sucks….but so does Backus some of the time)
Relative to Detroit, wouldn’t you be EAST of the border? =P
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
yes...
but for most…london…most don’t know where other than across the pond. so to keep things simple, as a canadian fan, i simply leave it as north of the border. perhaps i should change name to be NorthRight…lol…sorry NL…had to :)…but geographically i think i am still a couple of degrees north
No you got it right
….and I’m actually a stickler for correct word usage, spelling, etc (allowing for some typing errors). I hold my tongue, but some posts here are painful to read, lol.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
Hold it! I agree with Drew's comment, NOT about trading Backus and Daunte.
I think trading those two guys is a terrible idea. We won’t get much in return and will have two more big holes in our depth chart.
Can we not just wait until next year to draft an LT? What other veteran QB would we get for a back up? Garcia?
I have hope that Culpepper can do a Kevin Kolb type of job in relief.....if Stafford can not play
I am not a Stafford hater by any means…..I made my argument for Culpepper to start at the beginning of the season. I even stand behind that same argument, but I am not blind to the fact that Stafford has been continuously improving in the four weeks he has played. I think he is doing a great job in developing. I also do not see Culpepper having any “long-term” value…..however I do think he still has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL (and I also think, obviously, that it would not have killed Stafford’s development to be the backup to the veteran this season). As a backup, I also believe that Daunte Culpepper can step right in to the offense and get the job done. To see what happened in the Bears game in garbage time, and pass judgment on Culpepper (after sitting for four weeks and coming into a late game, where the team was down by at least 2 scores and the opposing secondary was already keying on the pass) is not only idiotic, but also ridiculous…..and that is what I was saying. I was not saying that YOU personally were the one who passed the judgment, but rather I responded to your comment because it followed other comments that did pass judgment and your comment inspired me to say what I did. My intent was to show that I agree with you, but also I wanted to point out that Culpepper is perfectly capable of getting the job done if necessary.
I've got faith in C-Pep
While I don’t think he’ll be quite as exciting as Staff, I expect him to do everything a veteren QB in this league should do.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 6, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Big 3
Not much to expand on. He has a 58.6 passing pct. (29th in the league). 6 Int is only 2nd to Jake Delhomme. 65.5 qb rating.(again 29th in the league) and you think he was ready for the NFL? Damn send some of that youre smoking my way. The numbers speak for themself. I cant see where you have an argument that he was ready for the NFL..
lol
Have you been watching any of the games? He is not going to help Detroit win a super bowl this year but damn he has improved everygame this year and he looked pretty good in Chicago considering the fact he spent most of the game on his back and some pretty bad play calling. If you take away the New Orleans games his stats would look a lot better. He did almost throw for 300 this past week but if your expecting him to be Payton Manning this year it aint going to happen. Hopefully he will have a better rookie season then Payton did because Paytons rookie year was perty bad.
Interesting
Then what did you expect? What you must remember is that Stafford is a rookie and no matter when he would’ve gotten on the field, he probably would’ve struggled in his first few games. And he did struggle. However, in his past two games, he has finished with QB rating’s in the 80s. And since we are talking about stats, he’s also 16th in passing yards, 17th in 1st downs gained and 4th in plays over 20 yards.
It seems as if you think, and this is just what I’m reading from your comments, that you thought Stafford should’ve sat for the majority of the season and then, when we are more ‘prepared’ as a team, we start him, were you expect him to post 100 QB ratings….not gonna happen. Like GRLion said below, it doesn’t really matter when you start, it’s about when you are ready and Stafford is ready now. His mediocre stats are a reflection of his developing on the field, just as he would’ve had to do if he didn’t play until next year.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 7, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Big 3
Well i wish i seen it like you did. Unfortunatly the numbers do not lie. And for Mannings rookie year being lousy only enforces my point. I never said he was not going to be a good QB, i said he wasnt ready. I love the Lions but to say things about his greatness i find ludacrous. He has done nothing but made himeself one of the lowest rated QB’s in the league. I wish i shared in your psychosis, I just cant get there. Granted its his rookie year. So lets say it again “wait til next year”. Gimme a break next year has not came now for how many years? I know you have pipe dreams but its time to put the pipe down.
well
The lions arent a great team and if we do have a good coaching staff it will take at least a few years to build on it. Im not sayin Staff is hall of famer but he looks like he well be damn good but for the lions to win it will take more than QB. It is a team sport and we are far way from being a contender. So yes we will have to say wait until next year for at least a couple more years. It isnt like Staff came to a team that has went to the playoffs every year. As long as he gets better from week to week I will be happy but that position is the least of my worries right now because Im fine with that position. Our D and special teams and the entire team in 2nd halfs is what Im more concerned about and that leads me back to coaching.
agreed bmehne
I agree with you there, the d and special teams were rediculous.Hey dont get me wrong as i said. I am one of those people that pay 54 extra dollars a month to watch them on tv as i moved out of Michigan to Phoenix Az. I scoff at my own ignorance there but ive been doing this for 48 years now and im tired. Hard to believe that Matt Millen did more damage to Michigan than Granholm. Who would of thought that possible. I hope like the rest of you, im just a realist
There's nothing you can do on the bench to get you "ready" to have great stats consistently from week 1
On the bench you can learn the offense, but to experience game speed, learn the tricks defensive players use, and develop timing/touch with your receivers at game speed, you have to be IN THE GAME. Stafford was as ready as he could be on the bench. The rest he HAD to learn by playing. All QB’s struggle and have a learning curve as rookies, regardless of how many games they sit before their first start. I don’t know of any QB’s (regardless of how long they sat) that came out posting 100+ QB ratings consistently from their first start through their 1st 16 starts. All rookie QB’s have a learning curve. The only difference is how many games they have to sit on the bench before they learn the offense. Once they learn it, they’re ready to play and begin phase 2 of their training. Stafford learned the offense. He was ready to play and begin phase 2.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
And that's why I really don't care about the argument about whether it's best to sit or play rookie QB's
It’s not relevant. There are examples of success and failure both ways. The Football Outsiders study showed no significant correlation either way. I completely agree. It’s based on the individual case, for many reasons, but one of the big reasons, IMO, is because “learning by sitting on the bench” and “learning by playing” are 2 completely different things, 2 different phases of QB development, mostly unrelated to each other. There’s no correlation because they’re unrelated. Phase 1, you sit and learn the playbook, learn the offense. Phase 2, you learn from experience. QB’s start when they’ve passed Phase 1. QB’s that start and then fail or succeed, fail or succeed because of how well they do at Phase 2 (learning from experience)……at this point, how long they had to sit on the bench to learn the offense is irrelevant. The only exception is if a QB blatantly shows a lack of knowledge of the playbook.
As for Stafford, he’s a smart guy who clearly understands the offense. By definition, he’s ready to start, as ready as any QB who ever played in the NFL. Now he gets to learn by experience, as they all did.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
Completely agree
Very well said GRLion.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Oct 7, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
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