My 5 current likes/dislikes of the Stafford era

by CECabrera21 on Apr 27, 2009 12:12 AM EDT

This is a post I wrote up on Staff. Let's see how the fella turns out for us.

What I do like?

1. That we have a QB in Daunte Culpepper, who has made mistakes in his career and can be an example for Stafford to not make the same errors.

2. That he is not a typical SEC QB; he’s not arrogant like the majority of them - most notably, Jay Cutler.

3. That he wanted to play for us and didn’t shun away from us as others have in previous drafts.

4. That he has Furrey as a possession receiver (under-rated) and Calvin Johnson as a huge target. The same CJ who will be the best receiver in the NFL in two years.

5. You need a QB to be the face of the franchise. It can never be a receiver in my opinion. It can be a running back or QB or a defensive force. We haven’t had a decent QB since Bobby Lane; a decent RB since Barry Sanders; and I can’t name a defensive force on our team since Stephen Boyd. We thought Joey would be the face, but he turned out not to be. Its nice to have someone to pin your hopes onto.

What I don’t like?

1. Do I agree with us giving him $41 million dollars in guaranteed money when they held all the leverage and could have given him a much lesser sum? No.

2. Do I think he was better entering the draft than Joey Harrington, Palmer, Carr, Manning or Russell? No.

3. Do I think the Lions can easily mishandle Stafford and throw him into the fire right away? Yes.

4. What was Matthew Stafford memorable for in college? Nothing. He will be remembered as the #1 pick. But, he was nothing amazing in college. He had a #1 team pre-season and blew it in two losses. His deficiencies may have been masked by having Moreno running wild and opening up everything for him.

5. Was he an amazing talent or just the most skilled QB in his class? There’s a difference between those two.

I'm a Lions fan based out of NY. Here is a link to my personal blog that focuses on my favorite teams and my career as a writer and publicist.

Save us Matthew.

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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Furrey was released

by Trysdor on Apr 27, 2009 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

Perspective from a UGA fan

Stafford was thrown into the fire his second game of his freshman year and was starting by the 7th game. He made typical freshman mistakes but he got better as the year went on and actually went to Auburn, whom I believe were a top-10 team at the time, and won. From outside the bulldawg nation he may not have that signature win but he did lead the ‘07 team to a Sugar Bowl victory and #2 final ranking. As for the pre-season #1 ranking Stafford didn’t blow it, the defense did. Look back at the stats and you’ll see, aside from the Florida game in which he tried to carry the team, he couldn’t have done much more. Honestly if not for Stafford and his ability to make ridiculous throws we probably don’t win 10 games last year. Furthermore after his freshman year he played behind a young and often injury depleted o-line. Yet look at how many times he was sacked. In addition I don’t believe Moreno masked any of Staffords deficiencies. His deficiencies are believing in his arm too much thus forcing throws and the fly/fade routes. He’ll overthrow those the majority of the time. Plus his footwork needs improving. Other than that he’s about as solid a QB there is. I’m not saying he going to be the savior of your team or that he’s the next Elway or Manning but he’s not the next Jeff George or Ryan Leaf either. If the Lions can get a decent supporting cast Stafford will a good QB.

by deanpat92 on Apr 28, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

One thing I disklike

Is naming Stafford the savior of the franchise. This is one underrated way in which a QB busts. He feels the pressure, tries to do too much and doesn’t produce the way he should’ve if he just relaxed. Pressure bursts pipes after all, look what happened to Kwame Brown.

by detpistons3 on Apr 28, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions