Tuesday Notes: Stafford Saying Top Pick Is Done Deal?

by Sean Yuille on Apr 14, 2009 4:31 AM EDT in Notes Comment 4 comments

Take it with a grain of salt, especially since there have been so many contradictory reports in the past, but Pro Football Talk is reporting that Matthew Stafford has been telling former Georgia teammates that he will be the No. 1 pick of the draft. What's more, he is saying that it is a "done deal" and his contract will include $40 million of guaranteed money. If that turns out to be true, then I will be furious. It wouldn't even be that Stafford was the pick, but to give him $40 million of guaranteed money would be an absolute joke. I get that the Lions will be forced to overpay the top pick no matter who it is, but $40 million? Seriously?
In the mock draft on the Lions' official website, Aaron Curry was selected by fans as the top pick, receiving 37% of the vote. Jason Smith finished next with 25%, and Matthew Stafford was actually third with 23%. Here's to hoping the Lions replicate the mock draft when they decide on the top pick.
SI's Peter King shared his theory on what the Lions will do, and he believes that the team would prefer to sign Matthew Stafford. Should contract negotiations not go well, however, he thinks the Lions will move on to Jason Smith and then Aaron Curry in order to sign the top pick before the draft.
I selected Aaron Curry in the FanIQ mock draft.
The Detroit News is holding a draft contest.
A person that was once the Lions' mascot passed away last Friday.
Former Tigers pitcher Mark "the Bird" Fidrych died on Monday.

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$40MM

That’s the number I threw out yesterday after somebody mentioned signing Stafford for $30MM. That number is totally the creation of being a QB with Tom Condon as as agent. The 1st pick last year signed for about $30MM. Typically the year to year increase is about 15% so they were probably looking in the $32-34MM range. But bringing Condon into the picture, he was going to argue that Matt Ryan got almost $35MM as the first QB taken (3rd overall) so the 15% on top of that brings it to over $40MM. Just one more reason to stay away.

Also if the report is true then it shows a complete lack of maturity on Stafford’s part to go around bragging about his contract to his former teammates. Especially when Lewand comes out and says the process is ongoing and between the team and the player/agent.

Please just let this be due diligence to see what it would take to sign him.

by gotothejoe on Apr 14, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As mentioned on ESPN...

The 5 QB’s the Lions have drafted in the first 2 rounds since 1970 are only 40 games below .500. Hmm…

by ImPuLsE on Apr 14, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

$40 Million Dollars? Who does he think he is - Chelsea Clinton?

Okay, bad attempt at some Chris Tucker humor. But $40 million dollars? All I can say is HOLY S**T! I can understand a contract in the mid-to-upper 30s with guaranteed money in the teens plus additional contract incentives, but there is no way a $40 million dollar GUARANTEED contract will happen. Someone is smokin something pretty good, and whoever it is and whatever they are smokin’ – I want some.

by rmh820 on Apr 14, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

$40 mill???

forty mill?? maybe to knowshon moreno, but not stafford. that shows a lot of immaturity to brag about money before you’ve 1) signed the contract, and 2) EARNED THE MONEY!!! kinda echoes ryan leaf to me.

by big smoove on Apr 14, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs