[Buddha]

Originally Posted by Stormin' Norman

Do you believe the Lions would have defeated the Redskins with Daunte Culpepper was QB?

Maybe. I don't know and neither do you.

Would they have beaten the Seahawks with Culpepper not throwing 5 picks? Who knows? Not me, not you (although I'm sure you think you know).

Do I have lofty expectations for Stafford? Absolutely. Does that tint my observations of what he has done? No. What I expect Stafford to become is irrelevant to his play of today.

Yeah, you keep saying this but I find it hard to believe given your comments on Stafford.

Again, you completely misunderstand (or intentionally misrepresent) exactly what I was saying.

Shaun Smith is a very intriguing physical specimen, especially for the weakest defensive line unit in the league (the Lions). For the Lions to feel like they could afford to get rid of a large, athletic defensive linemen (even with character concerns and a four game suspension pending) says something about Hill.

As I said in my last post, Hill's ability to start for the Lions as a rookie does not mean he is destined to be an all time great, or even a Pro Bowler. It does mean, however, that he is a player capable of out playing veteran lineman and that is impressive for a fourth round pick out of Stillman.

No it's really not. What veteran did he beat out? You keep talking about Shaun Smith, but Smith was cut for a reason and he hasn't been picked up for a reason. Why Smith was cut says more about Smith than it does about Hill. If anything, it says the Lions are looking to the future to develop Hill rather than taking on a short-term better solution in someone like Smith (although Smith getting cut, IMO, says he's a nut-job and that's why no one wants him, not even the team with the worst defensive line in the League, which, maybe to your surprise, is the Lions).

Not to anyone it doesn't.

It's good to see you come to your senses.

I never said he was LT, but for you to dismiss his success (as you have done) to criticize the talent evaluations abilities of the current administration should be enough for anyone to question your objectiveness.

How have I dismissed it? I've said he's shown flashes. That's all he's done! How is that dismissing him? Did I not include enough adjectives for you? Am I not gushing enough?

Pray tell, what's the appropriate evaluation of DeAndre Levy at this point in his career?

None, which, as you must know, is completely irrelevant.

Really? You would think that an amazing talent like Murtha could get a few reps with the first team.

All you had to do was read what I have already written.

I have read what you've written. Which post extolling the virtues of Matt Stafford do you want me to re-read?

The one where you mock people who compare him to Joey Harrington? The one where you said he was going to lead the Lions down the field to beat St. Louis? The one where you compared him to Peyton manning? The one where you said Stafford to Johnson was going to be the difference in this game with the Seahawks as opposed to the loss to the Rams?

How about the one where you said the Lions were going to be 8-8 this year? Should I go back and re-read that one?

And I believe the biggest thing separating Cutler from George (and, to a lesser extent, Cutler from Favre) is all mental. Jeff George is a self centered ego maniac as he proves every time he complains that no NFL teams are calling him for his services. Cutler has a similar ego, but learned hot to be a leader while playing for the black hole that is Vanderbilt football.

No NFL team is calling for Jeff George's services because he's older than me.

Cutler is a leader? Really? Have you watched any Bears games this season and seen Cutler whine and ***** and chew people out on the sidelines when things don't go his way? Cutler is a baby, not a leader.

Have you watched any Bears games this year?

Stats don't tell the story.

Apparently only stats against the Redskins and Bears tell the story. Well, they tell the story you want to believe.

On the contrary, other stats give a more complete picture as to how Stafford compares to other QBs around the league. I.E. not well. You can hide behind the two decent games he's had and ignore the other terrible games he's had all you want, but it just demonstrates your lack of objectivity.

I felt replying with gross hyperbole with gross hyperbole was appropriate.

Apparently you've felt like this since the day Stafford was drafted! Actually, I take it back, you've been gushing over Stafford since BEFORE he was drafted.

I don't like taking a seemingly "anti-Stafford" position. I think the guy is going to be fine. I think he has the physical potential to be very good. However, I don't think he's anywhere near being a good QB right now and to constantly say that he is ridiculous homer fan boyism.

To say that QB is not a weakness on the Lions THIS SEASON is ridiculous.