Lions may start Stafford
by Detroitnavy on Jul 8, 2009 5:13 PM EDT
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PrintThe Lions plan may now be to hand the reins off the starting QB job to there just drafted high priced rookie Matt Stafford.
This is yet another sign that it is business as usual for the Detroit Lions. Why that is bad is this is a team that just went 0-16 and each day it seems more likely that they could go 0-32.
While Lion's fans understand the need to get Stafford playing time in the coming season, he just isn't ready, and the Lions offensive line is extremely weak. So now they plan to risk a guy who they owe 42 million dollars to.
The Lions, throughout history, have always had a particularly weak Offensive line and the failure of this front office has already spelled the doom of other young QB prospects. Guys like Rodney Pete, Charlie Batch, Scott Mitchell, and Joey Harrington.
On top of all that at this point Daunte Culpepper gives this team the best chance to win, that may not be a concern for other clubs but this is a team that needs a win, and need it early on. This is the only 0-16 team in NFL history and if they do not win early on the fan base will likely tune out. Within the first three games the Lions have to score a win, or risk failing further into irrelevance.
On top of that will a weak O Line why risk Stafford and his 43 million dollars in guaranteed money. Why not let Culpepper go out there and get creamed by opposing teams when the O line cannot block anyone. Why not save Stafford until the O line proves itself a little?
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Not Buying That
Jim Schwartz has said MANY times that no positions have been set and the players who earn the spots will be the starters. That statement probably applies to the QB position most of all. There is still a long way to go before a starting QB will be named and to think they’ve already decided to go with Stafford is just ridiculous and there is no basis for it. A week before the first regular season game is when we will all know who the starting QB is. Like Schwartz said, the players who earn it should be the starters…and there is still alot of earning opportunity to go. If Stafford blows everybody away, then it should be him. If a rejuvinated Culpepper is the best choice, it will be him. If Drew Stanton is better than all 3, he’ll be the starter. The preseason hasn’t even started yet, so this article is way off.
Also, Stafford is not guaranteed $42 million. He still has to achieve incentives and an option for 2014 has to be picked up. He is absolutely guaranteed only $17 Million. There is a good summary of his contract here: http://adamjt13.blogspot.com/2009/05/matthew-staffords-contract.html
Where you getting your inside info?
I was under the impression there was going to be an “arms race” for the starting spot. Also, what has given you the impression that Stafford is not ready? It’s your OPINION that Culpepper gives the Lions the best chance to win. Why might he not be the dud this year that he’s been in the past? Your post is purely speculation. If it’s opinion… great. But don’t post it as source-based. Also, how can you talk about Scott Mitchell and Joey Harrington in the same breath and then compare them to Matt Stafford?
Not trying to be a jerk here, but your sources don’t sound very reliable. If the source is yourself, why would I visit your site based on this post?
Seems pretty premature
Unless I hear Schwartz saying “Stafford is the starter”, I shant believe it. Sorry dude.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
He MAY START?
Thats not exactly breaking news. Culpepper MAY start. Hell, Stanton MAY start.
Buisness as usual? I don’t feel that way. In fact, I am pleasantly suprised with the differences I have seen with the front office and the coaches.
Understand the need to get Stafford playing time? Risk injuring him when the Lions owe him $42 mill.? If he is good enough to get that much money, he should play. WHEN HE IS READY.
Culpepper gives them the best chance to win now? Based on what? He may have the experience in the NFL but this is a new coaching staff with new ideas and schemes.
History of bad o-lines? That may be true to a point but again, this is a new group. I am not saying they will be great but I think they will be much improved.
I am with Drew. Not to be a jerk but I don’t believe anyone in the Lions camp has said Stafford will start. Let the better QB start.
Uh, the key word is "may"
Until the starter is named for the season opener, it is all just speculation. Speculation before training camp is truly useless, as we won’t know anything until practice gets underway.
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
I'm not as worried about the O-Line as you are, Detroitnavy
We might not have an O-Lineman make the ProBowl this year, but I don’t think our O-Line is “weak” or “can’t block anyone”. I think a lot of the major problems that have hurt our offensive line’s performance over the past few years will have been corrected this year:
1. Bad, inconsistent coaching.
If you think our high sack #’s were the result of talent alone and not the previous coaching regime, read this article about the account of former Lions lineman Jonathan Scott. Lineman have to play as a cohesive unit. If different coaches are sending different messages to different players, there will always be breakdowns and lapses in protection.
Our coaching staff this year is a lot more experienced. They won’t be as disjointed and out-of-their-league as the last crew.
2. Bad Scheming
I’ll just give one example, as I’m sure you guys could add others. In Mike Martz’s offense (2006-2007), he often put his linemen on an island against the pass-rusher, prefering to send more receivers on longer downfield routes than keep blockers at home. This creates a double-whammy for your linemen—they have less help and the QB holds the ball longer, so they have to block for an extra second or two.
In St. Louis, Martz had the luxury of All-World Left Tackle Orlando Pace in the critical blindside spot. Jeff Backus is not Orlando Pace. He’s an adequate tackle. He’s not as bad as a lot of people think. But, like any player, if you expect too much out of him, he’ll end up looking a lot worse than he actually is.
3. Always behind
In 2008, we were behind by two or three touchdowns so often that we didn’t have the luxury of a running game. Opposing pass-rushers could tee-off against us and go straight for the QB, not having to worry about the run. When an O-Line constantly has to take that backwards step into pass-protection, and is never allowed to “take it to the other guy” and run-block the defense, the O-Line will get worn down a lot quicker, and look worse than they actually are.
4. Talent
I have a lot more faith in the new coaching staff than the previous staff. If they look at guys like Raiola and Peterman and determine that they can really get the job done, and the struggles of our O-Line in past seasons is not a fault of talent as much as poor coaching and game-planning, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and look forward to improved play from some of the same faces on the field.
Also, adding solid veterans like Salaam, Loper, and Jansen, even if not all of them start, gives us a good floor on talent, and a solid rotation of guys who can make things happen. Gosder Cherilus, no longer a rookie, and bigger and stronger than last season after bulking up, ought to be a monster this year. Adding Brandon Pettigrew as a blocker on the outside will improve the whole unit too.
Bottom line: If and when Stafford is a better QB than Culpepper (meaning he gives us a better chance to win that Sunday), Stafford should play.
by n4ry4 on Jul 9, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Another major reason for O-line's poor performance in the past
was the QB’s. Terribly slow, immobile QB’s who can’t make good decisions make the O-line look worse than it actually is. Jon Kitna was the best example of that. The guy broke records for INT’s, fumbles and sacks. Most people like to blame the O-line, but I like to blame Kitna. The guy just stood in the pocket and couldn’t avoid the rush to save his life. He made bad decisions. The turnovers and sacks went down with any other QB in there. Orlovsky, O’Sullivan and Culpepper weren’t a whole lot better, but the difference was noticeable. There were still too many sacks and to’s, but at least it wasn’t as embarrassing as it was with Kitna. (besides Orlovsky running out of the back of the end zone) Maybe with a slimmed down and improved Culpepper or a talented Stafford, the O-line will look better. A bad QB usually makes the O-line look worse than it actually is. A great QB can make the O-line look better than it actually is, by avoiding the rush and making good, quick decisions. Jay Cutler made an average Denver O-line look great. New England’s great O-line made an average QB (Matt Cassel) look great.
FYI - Matt Cassel was sacked 47 Times in 2008
While the rest of the New England team made Cassel look good, he did not make the New England O Line look good.
I would have to say ...
I tend to agree with both of these statements regaurding the O-line. After sitting back and thinking about it, I wasnt particularly upset with the Lions O-Line last year. Granted they werent the best but they were much better than the lines 3-7 years ago.
What?!
I agree with Dan S. The lions should start with Culpepper then possibly give Stafford a couple snaps a game. The start Stafford near the end of the season. But ill leave that up to the coaches :)
O-32?
Why is the world would you say Lions could go 0-16 again?? I know your just throwing that out there Navy, but I cant understand why everyone around the entire sports nation thinks the Lions will suck once again. THIS IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TEAM THAN LAST YEAR. The coaching staff is new, the offensive & defensive philosophies are new, the entire management is new, heck even the uniforms are new. If we were putting the same team the finished last year on the field again, then I would have to agree that its going to be a long season again. However, since we are not even close to the same team, I am extremely excited for this year. I honestly believe the Lions will be the surprise team of the league. Calvin is one year better, KSmith is one year better. We have a young, talented QB for a change and a solid veteran backup(If he’s not starting). Look at the additions we’ve made. There is no credible reason to say the Lions will go 0-16 again. Honestly, quit hating on the Lions simply cuz its the easy thing to do. My guess is we will go 6-10 this season and Playoff bound next year…..
MEGATRON
I hope all you Lions fans out there understand & appreciate the talent we have at wide receiver. I dont mean the entire wide receiving core, i mean CALVIN JOHNSON. I followed Calvin throughout his career at Georgia Tech and there wasnt a single game he did not dominate when they got him the ball. When Detroit drafted him, i was doing cartwheels in my living room. He LED THE LEAGUE in TD catches in only his 2nd year as a professional. ONLY HIS 2ND YEAR! Its very possibly at some point in his career, he may become first receiver in league history to hit the 2000 yard mark for a season. I honestly believe that(record is 1800+, J.Rice). Sure, it may take a couple more years for the Lions to contend in the NFC, but lets all appreciate the fact the we have the most dangerous weapon in football on our squad…..
He definitetly has the potential to achieve such a thing
Although, it would take quite an effort for him to crack 2000 yds, here’s hoping it happens for him and us in the near future.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
by Hyperion Ecta on Jul 10, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
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