Notes: Matthew Stafford mic’d up to Lions: ‘I’m pulling for you guys’

In Tuesday’s notes, we featured the Los Angeles Rams’ version of Matthew Stafford mic’d up. To put it quite honestly, it wasn’t very good. It was mostly Stafford grunts over odd music.

Thankfully, NFL Films produced their own version of Stafford mic’d up against the Detroit Lions for the show “Inside the NFL.” It is a much more unfiltered version of Stafford, including a part where he jokingly calls Cooper Kupp a “douchebag” for giving his 300th touchdown ball to the referee. He also raves about D’Andre Swift right after the Lions running back goes the distance on the screen pass.

The full version of that mic’d up session is currently available in this YouTube video that is definitely not legally published (starts at 9:16 mark). So if that video is taken down, you’ll have to catch the replay of “Inside the NFL” on the Paramount Plus, or wait for the video to hit NFL’s YouTube page (likely on Thursday).

The NFL Films Twitter account was nice enough to release a clip of their version, which is probably the most notable section of the entire segment. Check it out:

If you’re currently reading this somewhere where it would be socially unacceptable to watch this video with sound, here’s the exchange:

Levi Onwuzurike: “How long have you been in the league?
Alex Anzalone: [turns in an embarrassed fashion to Levi]
Matthew Stafford: “This is 13, 13 for me right now.”
Onwuzurike: “You look like you’re 20.”
Stafford: “I look like I’m 20? I’ll take that all day. I feel like I’m 50.”
Will Harris: “I hope we made it cloudy enough for you today, bro.”
Stafford: “You did. You did some good shit. You guys did a good job out there. You guys are playing good on the back end.”
(to Tracy Walker)
“You guys are playing good, man. No doubt.”
(to Julian Okwara)
“What up, baby? Good to see you.”
(to Walker)
“Hey, I appreciate it. You guys are playing good, man. Keep fighting. You know what I mean? I’m pulling for you guys, big time.”

Okay, I’m going to go play “The Show Must Go On” a couple hundred times now. While I do, here are the rest of today’s notes.

• Dave Birkett took a closer look at the Lions’ three trick plays ($) to see why they worked so well. Turns out, going up against 10 players is easier than 11.

• D’Andre Swift has only played 20 games in his NFL career, but his production is right up there with some great Lions legends:

• Lions kicker Austin Seibert has been a nice surprise for the Lions. On Monday, he talked about his COVID experience, and how his wife helped him stay ready for when the virus passed.

• Mel Kiper Jr. put out a new big board on Tuesday ($), but perhaps most notable to Lions fans, he ranked his top five quarterback prospects:

• Kyle Meinke of MLive has an intriguing piece for those looking for optimism. His column on why there’s so much to like about the Lions’ current direction ($).

• PAIN