Lions notes: Rich Gannon said something stupid about Matthew Stafford

Any time the Detroit Lions lose and Matthew Stafford has a bad game, it seems like some NFL analyst or former player lines up to trash the guy, for whatever reason. We’ve already heard Boomer Esiason earlier this year, Mike Ditka has complained about the fashion habits of the Lions’ franchise quarterback, and just about every blowhard announcer has thrown their hat into the ring at one point or another.

This week’s loudmouth is former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon.

On CBS Sports Network’s “NFL Monday QB” show, he went in on Stafford. (Quotes via the Detroit Free Press):

“The guy is overpaid. He’s been one of the highest-paid quarterbacks over the last four or five years and he’s a stat king. He picks up a lot of yards and production in garbage time.”

Before we get into more of what he said, we’ve already largely debunked the “garbage time” myth with Stafford. As for the tired overpaid narrative, look around the league, Rich. This is the market value for quarterbacks these days.

Here’s more from Gannon:

“The reason why the Lions are not a better football team—a big reason why—is the lack of production from Stafford in the first quarter to the third quarter. He just doesn’t put his team in position to be competitive and win close games.”

Five seconds worth of research would show Gannon that the first quarter and third quarter are actually Stafford’s most efficient quarters. Here are his passer ratings by quarter:

1st: 93.7
2nd: 84.0
3rd: 94.8
4th: 84.8

And yards per attempt by quarter:

1st: 7.1
2nd: 7.0
3rd: 7.7
4th: 6.9

He’s only thrown 45 career interceptions in the first and third quarter, while 79 in the second and fourth. Gannon, like many people who decide to speak out against Stafford, is largely misinformed.

• Earlier in the day, we examined Stafford’s role in the 10 sacks the Lions gave up against the Vikings. Over at The Athletic (subscription required), they broke down the offensive line’s role in all 10 sacks, combined with a look at the coverage sacks.

• To those fellow Fortnite fans, the popular video game is adding official NFL skins to their game on Friday, and the most popular Fortnite streamer, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, got early access. Ninja also happens to be a big Lions fan:

• The Lions will not be bringing back Cre’Von LeBlanc back in the near future. The cornerback did not make it through waivers and was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

• Romeo Okwara is a strong dude:

• While the Lions have already fired their special teams coordinator, head coach Matt Patricia is firmly behind offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

• In case you were wondering, former Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin cleared waivers on Tuesday and is now a free agent: