Mark Sanchez vs. Matthew Stafford

by tigerfaninChicago on Apr 19, 2009 7:53 PM EDT

I know a lot of guys on hear are big NFL network fans and you get a lot of information for there. Others likely are ESPN junkies and if you on here then obviously you enjoy this blog and likely others. I get the majority of my info from the POD communitty and ESPN radio. And the thought that is driving me nuts this weekend is the amount of activity that is building around Mark Sanchez. I know most national people seem to be locked into the idea that Stafford will go #1. It even kills me when I listen to a Freddie Coleman say the Lions owe it the fans to draft Stafford. And I also know that trading out of the # 1 spot is virtually in possible. My problem is that if Stafford is so clearly a cut above Sanchez and there are so many teams interested in upgrading at QB in the draft then why isn't there any talk regarding other teams being interested in Stafford? I know the cost of the number one pick is a major factor but the real truth I think lies in the fact that most teams probably don't see Stafford as being any better than Sanchez and some teams might even rate Sanchez higher. In the past few weeks I have heard Sanchez's name going as high as # 4 to the Seahawks. There is talk of the Jags or 49ers taking him at either #8 or #10 respectively. The Broncos worked him out and may be interested. The Jets reportedly are very high on him and I think we all agree that he would not last past the Bucs at # 19 in a worst case scenario. . This afternoon I heard John Clayton saying that Dan Snyder is big on Sanchez as a long term upgrade from Jason Campbell and that he may be looking at trying to trade up to the fourth spot to get Sanchez. Now I know what I high regard people hold for Dan Snyder and his personel decisions but if Stafford were truly any better don't you think there would be talk surrounding the Redskins and Lions for the # 1 pick? All total I have heard 7 teams with various degrees of interest in Sanchez. That's seven teams that think they can upgrade in this draft at QB with only one guy in their sights. I have been trying for a month now to warm up to the idea of getting Stafford at number 1 one but when I think about how there possibly 7 teams looking to upgrade at QB and only 2 other viable options in the first round (Freeman being the other) it is killing me that this marriage of Stafford and the Lions seems so unavoidable. It also makes me believe Stafford really isn't any better and that the biggest mistake we make may be not giving more consideration to Sanchez. I am really trying to make peace with the thought that Stafford will be the pick but it's not easy.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Both are the same size

both are mobile, but are pretty smart. Stafford has the stronger arm, Sanchez more accurate – but Stafford is also pretty accurate and Sanchez has a strong arm too). Both are good throwing on the run, Sanchez is a little better there, but Stafford makes better decisions in the pocket. Stafford throws into coverage too much, Sanchez throws the deep ball well (so did Matt Leinart,…….)

Their college experience is probably the biggest difference. They are both the same age, but Stafford has 2 more years starting experience.

Both would prbably sit for a little while, but Stafford could play right away if the Lions think they have settled the O-Line right away. Sanchez will take some time, tho he could start too this season who knows.

The Lions have shown that they are interested in Stafford. Nothing has been reported on Sanchez, so there must be something there that they don’t like.

The reality is, the only reason the Lions DON’T select Stafford, is if they don’t think he will sign for a contract they are willing to give him. Everything I’ve read is that the Lions like Stafford and will select the guy #1. They are probably stalling by saying they may select Smith or Curry just to bring the price down a bit.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 19, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Do see them being fairly similiar

If it were my pick I would take Sanchez but that’s not really what I am looking at. It’s hard for me to see so many teams be interested in Sanchez and to think he could go as high as 4 but team seems to be waying Stafford as an option. From what I hear a lot of people think Sanchez has a lot of leadership quailities and intangibles like having a winners attitude (how those are defined I do not know) that Stafford lacks. I would be fine with the Lions taking Monroe, Curry or J. Smith number 1. What might be a better question is if the Lions don’t take Stafford, who gets drafted first, Stafford or Sanchez? Either way it’s just hard hearing all the interest that is out there for Sanchez and knowing there is almost zero buzz surrounding Stafford.

by tigerfaninChicago on Apr 19, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

It looks more likely that at least one of these guys will be gone

I really think the Hawks are gonna take one of them at #4. They realize that this year was an aberration. They are a much better team than one that picks #4 overall year in and year out.

they may never have a chance to grab a QB this high in the draft. They have the luxury or having a pretty good team in place already and a QB in Hasselbeck that if healthy at least has 2 elite years left. They could take either and sit him for 1-2 years and then have a seamless transition.

If the Lions don’t draft Stafford, its likely he is drafted by Seattle. Id say Sanchez would go to Seattle too if Stafford is gone.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 19, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Stafford is 21 Sanchez 24

by ralphgoblue on Apr 19, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

your right,

shit, I assumed they were the same age cuz they are both juniors, no redshirt or anything. Well, Sanchez is 22 but will be 23 11/11/09, but Stafford is 21 and won’t be 22 until 2/7/10

This is also probably why Stafford is considered better. They each may have the same TALENT overall like, but Stafford is younger and more experienced.

When a QB is inexperienced in college and comes to the NFL, they are more fragile as a prospect cuz they have a higher learning curve than someone who’s been playing longer in college. Stafford has taken 3 years to learn a college offense and play in it, while Sanchez may have been there 3 years but he never was more than a backup until last season.

Sanchez may be better as a prospect talent wise cuz of his accuracy, but the guy is gonna have a longer and steeper learning curve than Stafford, and that he is 2 years older only adds to that, so this is why Sanchez is not better than Stafford.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 19, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Good Description of both prospects

What you basically said is these guys are basically of the same calibre, yet consider Sanchez only played 1 season, and is on the same level as Stafford, imagine if he had played 3 seasons? He would be consensus #1 without a doubt. IT looks as if Sanchez is going to be the better prospect. But he might have to be implemented into a west coast style in order to accomodate his less-than-elite arm strength. (he does have a decent arm though)

by detpistons3 on Apr 19, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Sanchez.....

…..I just think he has all the tools to be the Better QB……And will be the better QB……He is much better coming out of college the Lineartm Charecter Issues a plenty in college, and will definelty be the QB out of this draft in the future……So if I had top pick it would be Sanchez and it would have been done yesterday!!!!……But I dont want them to take either one at number 1.

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 19, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

I think that as prospects, there is little between them

The biggest knock on Sanchez is experience, and when it comes down to it, experience is a vital part of being a successful QB. If we like how Culpepper is progressing but still need a QB of the future, I wouldn’t be upset if we drafted Sanchez, he could sit the year or so and learn from a vet. Stafford is slightly more pro-ready so if we don’t think Culpepper can hack it, draft Stafford. Either way, I see both being solid starters.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 19, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with everyone

that they are very similiar. What is bothering me is that it seems like Sanchez is being seriously considered by at least 6 teams (Seahawks, Jags, 49ers, Redskins, Jets and Bucs). Only one can get him. Now I know the cost for the number one pick is the biggest obstacle in trading out of number 1 but what exactly is the difference between 1 and 4 when you are talking QB’s anyway. Last year I believe Matt Ryan got more guaranteed money than either Long because he was a QB. Perhaps teams have just assumed Stafford would be a Lions so they haven’t done as much homework on him. All of that being considered, how is that six teams will enter next weekend with Mark Sanchez high on their wish list (including teams being willing to trade up) and no body is considering making a move for Stafford? If six teams out there either think they need to upgrade at QB now or are looking for a long term answer at QB why are none of them showing interest in Stafford? I know the money for the # 1 pick is crazy but this just doesn’t make any sense to me and it worries me that maybe other teams know something about Stafford we don’t.

by tigerfaninChicago on Apr 19, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

Then maybe Stafford will fall to the Lions at 20.

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on Apr 19, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you are joking

but at the sametime I think everyone who has hesitations about taking Stafford number one would be comfortable seeing him drafted at number 20. I do remember Aaron Rogers and Brady Quinn were once thought of as potential top ten picks and fell into the 20’s. I think I would just like to see the Lions pass on him at one just to see what would happen.

by tigerfaninChicago on Apr 19, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Im not sure if I’m joking or not just the thought is the teams drafting behind the Lions are more in love with Sanchez for some reason, an I could see Stafford falling just like Brady Quinn. The LIons could have to move up a few spots, but I think that several teams that don’t get Sanchez will pass on Stafford and fill different needs.

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on Apr 20, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions