Peter King thinks Stafford *might* start opener

[TigersSlappy]

It's beginning to look a lot like Stafford. "The last mini-camp in June, we're going to have an arms race,'' said Detroit coach Jim Schwartz. Between Daunte Culpepper and number one draft pick Matthew Stafford. From the sounds of Schwartz, Culpepper's needs to be really, really good to hold off the hard-charging kid.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ne1/index.html

[keystone]

"The last mini-camp in June, we're going to have an arms race,'' said Detroit coach Jim Schwartz.

If anyone on this board made that prediction based on that sentence they'd be ridiculed. King has seen as much of the minicamps as I have. Zip.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

If I am not mistaken, Peter King has had multiple articles where he predicts the records of all of the teams in the league prior to the season, and the aggregate record of all the teams in the league was not 0.500.

I wouldn't read much into anything Peter claims.

[cruzer1]

Here's the rest of the King article on Stafford...

It's beginning to look a lot like Stafford. "The last mini-camp in June, we're going to have an arms race,'' said Detroit coach Jim Schwartz. Between Daunte Culpepper and number one draft pick Matthew Stafford. From the sounds of Schwartz, Culpepper's needs to be really, really good to hold off the hard-charging kid.

Is it the right decision? We'll see. I've thought all along the Lions should let Culpepper take the body blows of the early-season schedule (at blitzing New Orleans, followed by Minnesota and Washington at home, Chicago on the road, then Pittsburgh at home). Those are some aggressive defensive coordinators licking their chops waiting to play the rookie. I've thought for that reason plus the hazards of playing a kid, let Stafford sit, well-padded and protected, while learning. Doesn't sound like the way the Lions are thinking. If Stafford's clearly the best man, he'll play the opener.

"We've got two criteria for when Matthew will play,'' said Schwartz. "One is he'll play when he's ready. The second is when he's the best quarterback for us. But so far, whatever the opposite of buyers' remorse is, that's what we have. We knew he had the terrific NFL arm. But we've found out his release is just textbook classic.''

[cruzer1]

More praise, from Linehan...

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...Angeles+Lakers

•Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told reporters covering the team that Matthew Stafford has an "extraordinary" ability to learn and that he's never seen a quarterback with Stafford's combination of a very quick release and a very strong arm. If Stafford is that good, he figures to start right away and the Lions could be closer to beating the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs. They're the only teams in the NFL without a trip to the postseason since 1999. ...

[cruzer1]

This tells me that the Lions coaching staff is in full-season-ticket selling mode.

[TigersSlappy]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Here's the rest of the King article on Stafford...

...I wasn't trying to cherry pick or ignore the rest of the statement, I didn't know how much we were allowed to quote here under fair use.

[TigersSlappy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Bigglesworth

I wouldn't read much into anything Peter claims.

If anyone on this board made that prediction based on that sentence they'd be ridiculed. King has seen as much of the minicamps as I have. Zip.

Agreed. My opinion is that he does some of the best contacts in the NFL though so he's not completely pulling this out of his arse. I was opposed to drafting Stafford #1 but this is at least very encouraging, I'd much rather read this than JoeySunshine redux.

[Buddha]

When you have the greatest quarterbacking talent of our generation on your roster, you sit him on the bench at your peril.

[keystone]

Originally Posted by Buddha

When you have the greatest quarterbacking talent of our generation on your roster, you sit him on the bench at your peril.

Since Bobby Lane was before my time I guess that's a true statement.

[Passepartout]

Look at where Matt Ryan was and now he's the starter!
If he can do it, why not Stafford?!

[DTroppens]

And this just in - It's June. Really, didn't all of us think he "might" start the opener? Does anyone here flat out think it's 100 percent a lock that he's going to start or not going to start?

You give a guy the contract he's getting and your best option before the selection is an old Culpepper - of course there was a chance Stafford may start the opener.

There was an "arms" race the minute they selected Stafford.

[BigBoiKzoo]

Honestly, if it's even close between Stafford and Culpepper, they had better start Stafford. The more he plays against quality people, the better he'll get.

[treyKemper]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

This tells me that the Lions coaching staff is in full-season-ticket selling mode.

+1

[Stormin' Norman]

Originally Posted by BigBoiKzoo

Honestly, if it's even close between Stafford and Culpepper, they had better start Stafford. The more he plays against quality people, the better he'll get.

As Manning said, he could never of had the season he had in his second season if he didn't have his record breaking rookie season.

[Big Frame]

If Stafford starts, he is going to get killed behind the O-Line.

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by Big Frame

If Stafford starts, he is going to get killed behind the O-Line.

This is false. The Lions biggest problems (part of Martz's and Colletto's system) is that the QB's held onto to the ball too long, and often got themselves sacked. The exception was Orlovsky, who took half the snaps of all QB's last year, yet took 13 of the 54 sacks given up by the Lions last year. He was also by far their most effective QB. Matt Stafford was terrific at avoiding sacks at Georgia last year.

[tiger paw paw]

Originally Posted by Buddha

When you have the greatest quarterbacking talent of our generation on your roster, you sit him on the bench at your peril.

I thought we lost Dan O to free agency...

[cruzer1]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf...shows_s_1.html

Lions' Matthew Stafford shows signs of a starter
by Tom Kowalski
Tuesday June 02, 2009, 12:30 AM

ALLEN PARK -- You might not get anyone with the Detroit Lions to acknowledge this right now, but the wide-ranging belief in the organization is quarterback Matthew Stafford might be much better than anyone had dared to hope.

With the organized team activities finishing up this week, Stafford has left an indelible impression on members of the franchise.

He's still a rookie and he's still making mistakes, but the optimism continues to grow about the team's first overall draft choice. On the field, Stafford shows flashes of brilliance with his quick decision making, rapid release and arm strength.


During Monday's workout, Stafford threw several impressive passes, including a downfield strike to rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Stafford made the toss as he faked a handoff and spun and threw deep in one motion.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz is playing it coy about Stafford's progress and the early expectations.


"When he's the best quarterback and he's ready, he's going to start. He needs to pass both of those," Schwartz said Monday. "It doesn't matter if he's ready if he's not the best. And if he's the best but he's not ready, (he won't start)."

Schwartz said the Lions want their young players to get accustomed to their surroundings before the coaches start making any decisions.

"We wanted to go in saying, 'Let's not judge too quickly,' but at some point, we're really going to have to turn the microscope on and start evaluating every little thing," Schwartz said. "Just being the best physically doesn't mean you're ready to go out on an NFL field. I think we've all seen examples of that, players who were rushed too quickly. They weren't ready mentally, and they weren't ready to be on the field, even though the talent was there."

That's the public stance. That's the same answer you'll get from everybody else in the organization. Internally, though, the Lions couldn't be more pleased with Stafford.

The truth is, the kid is wowing everybody. While the Lions knew Stafford had all the physical abilities, the one thing they couldn't measure was how he would adapt to his surroundings. Not only in terms of how he would bond with his teammates, but how he would carry himself in meetings and in the locker room.

That's an area where Stafford has cleared all the hurdles and passed all the tests. As a leader, one of the toughest lines to walk is the ability to mesh as just "one of the guys" while, at the time, elevating yourself above everyone else because that's what they expect and demand out of their quarterbacks.

Before the draft, I wrote the Lions had to be careful in selecting Stafford because it could lead to real problems in the short term. Detroit already had a veteran quarterback in Daunte Culpepper -- who was looking good in minicamp -- and Culpepper has a faithful following in the locker room.

If the Lions brought Stafford in and he couldn't prove he would be a better option than Culpepper, the result would have been a divided locker room. Veterans don't care about draft status, contracts or potential, they want to see it done on the field. They don't want to hear about leadership, they want to see it.

After just two weeks of offseason workouts with the veterans, that issue with Stafford no longer is relevant.

The Lions know their fans have endured false promises before, so they aren't going to trumpet their belief that Stafford has what it takes to be a special quarterback in the NFL. They're hoping the fans will see that for themselves when Stafford takes the field as the Lions' starting quarterback.

That day might be closer than you think.

[cruzer1]

http://www.smith34.com/blog.html

Stafford Surprise
Written By Kevin Smith May 31, 2009

One thing that really has surprised me so far in OTAs is how good Matthew Stafford has looked.

This is my first experience playing with a guy who was the first overall pick in the draft. It’s not like I was doubting him at first. But when you have the top draft pick, it’s a big deal because everyone makes such a big deal about it all the time.

So far, so good for Matt. He’s very poised for a young quarterback and very smart from what I can see. He reads coverage and can deliver the ball. I didn’t get a chance to watch him at Georgia, and in the highlights it looked like he could just do what all quarterbacks can do. So he’s really impressed me now that I’ve had a chance to see him up close.

It’s important because the quarterback is the general of the offense. If we can throw the ball downfield it will open up the running game.

Matt also seems to be learning a lot from Daunte, taking bits and pieces from him. Matt didn’t tell me that but it’s obvious that when there’s a veteran at your position you pick things up, like how to prepare for practice, how to read film.

Daunte is a great teammate and a great professional. I know he’s not going into practice worrying about whether he’ll be starting or not. He goes into practice throwing the ball with strength and accuracy because he wants to be a better QB and help this team win more games. All of the quarterbacks here are great professionals willing to help each other.

Everybody here works together for a common goal. Our short-term goal is to win as many games as possible. Next goal is make the playoffs or win the division, then get to the Super Bowl and win it. That’s the ultimate goal for every team, to win the Super Bowl.

OTAs are almost over, there’s only three left, then another mini-camp, then a break where we train for 4 weeks leading into training camp and preseason. It’s coming really fast. I can’t believe it, here I am in year 2 already. They say your career goes by very quickly, hopefully mine won’t be short.

I’m excited about what’s going on here. We’re a work in progress but we’re moving forward.

[cruzer1]

http://www.freep.com/article/2009060...st+impression+

Lions QB Matthew Stafford making great first impression
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • June 2, 2009

Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, made an impressive throw toward the end of Lions practice Monday. He threaded the ball through tight coverage to receiver Keary Colbert, who bobbled it over the middle, then hauled it in behind the defense.

"That's the sign of a young, great quarterback," Colbert said. "It was a small window. He has a lot of confidence in himself and in his arm to make that throw, and he showed it. He put it in there where only I could get it."
Stafford made another impressive throw shortly afterward, hitting receiver Bryant Johnson down the left sideline.
Coach Jim Schwartz raved about Stafford in a column posted Monday on SI.com. He said the Lions would have an "arms race" between Stafford and veteran Daunte Culpepper during the June 22-24 minicamp.
Schwartz also told SI.com: "So far, whatever the opposite of buyer's remorse is, that's what we have. We knew he had the terrific NFL arm. But we've found out his release is just textbook classic."
The comments led SI's Peter King to conclude "Culpepper needs to be really, really good to hold off the hard-charging kid." King also wrote Stafford "is on his way to winning the starting quarterback job in Detroit by Halloween, not by Thanksgiving."
Schwartz was more reserved after practice Monday.
Asked if Stafford had exceeded expectations, Schwartz said: "My expectations are high, not only for him but for just about every player. So it's hard to exceed my expectations."
Schwartz said the coaches would "really turn the microscope on" during minicamp, but the arms race will go through training camp. He reiterated that Stafford will start only when he's ready and the best quarterback.
"He needs to pass both of those," Schwartz said. "It doesn't matter if he's ready if he's not the best, and it doesn't matter if he's the best if he's not ready."
Stafford's release has turned heads, though -- the heads of defensive backs, most notably, on plays like the pass to Colbert.
"It's one thing to have a strong arm," said Schwartz, who was the Tennessee Titans' defensive coordinator the past eight years. "Most NFL quarterbacks have a strong arm.
"But being a defensive coordinator, being a defensive coach my whole career, the guys who are hardest to play are the guys with the quick release. What happens is, you can't break on the ball. ...
"You can make it look like you're fitting it into spots because you cut the reaction time of the defense."
NOTEBOOK: Schwartz said defensive end Brian Johnston did not pass his physical after being claimed off waivers Thursday.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

This tells me that the Lions coaching staff is in full-season-ticket selling mode.

BINGO!!! How else are you going to sell a kid that you spent $60+ million on and the next 5+ years of your franchise? Whether he is great or not so great, the Lions will label him as the next big thing! It would be bad business to do otherwise.

I'm anxious and hopeful, but I'm not buying the hype until I see it first hand on the field!

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by Passepartout

Look at where Matt Ryan was and now he's the starter!
If he can do it, why not Stafford?!

I think Ryan's situation was VERY different. The Falcons got a STUD running back in free agency, has a very good WR crew especially with White, and had a pretty good OL. Ryan is definitely a good QB, but he had a very good team to play with.

Stafford can be the man, but he most certainly will take some bumps in 2009, if he plays much. I think Stafford won't really have many of the pieces he needs till 2010. If we draft well, we could see a playoff team then (crossing my fingers).

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

I think Ryan's situation was VERY different. The Falcons got a STUD running back in free agency, has a very good WR crew especially with White, and had a pretty good OL. Ryan is definitely a good QB, but he had a very good team to play with.

Stafford can be the man, but he most certainly will take some bumps in 2009, if he plays much. I think Stafford won't really have many of the pieces he needs till 2010. If we draft well, we could see a playoff team then (crossing my fingers).

I disagree, I think the Lions have most of their offensive pieces together now, as long as Loper turns out well at LG. That will be a key, although I'd also like for them to upgrade the depth at RB and maybe receiver.

[lesgoblu02]

Boy, Peter sure went out on a limb on this one...

[BigBoiKzoo]

I agree with cruzer here. I don't see any major changes between this year and next. Let Stafford get game experience with his group and get moving forward. Culpepper would still be solid to have as a veteran back up. Someone to keep pushing Stafford. He's here so I want him to develop as quickly as he can into what cruzer and norman hope/think he is.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I disagree, I think the Lions have most of their offensive pieces together now, as long as Loper turns out well at LG. That will be a key, although I'd also like for them to upgrade the depth at RB and maybe receiver.

So you could forsee a season for the Lions like Atlanta's last year?

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by belcherboy

So you could forsee a season for the Lions like Atlanta's last year?

It depends on their defense. I do like Atlanta's running game better, too.

[Buddha]

The excitement over pre-season fluff articles is getting going early this year.

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by Buddha

The excitement over pre-season fluff articles is getting going early this year.

Don't be mad. Lighten up. Nobody's doing cartwheels. He's looking good, he should. No big deal. I know you'd rather see him fail, though. But that isn't your schtick, so you have to be like this. That's fine.

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Don't be mad. Lighten up. Nobody's doing cartwheels. He's looking good, he should. No big deal. I know you'd rather see him fail, though. But that isn't your schtick, so you have to be like this. That's fine.

I'm not mad, I just find it amusing how excited you get over pre-season fluff articles every year.

But I know that completely overrating every player in the history of the Detroit Lions is your schtick, you have to be like that. That's fine.

[Stormin' Norman]

So Killer now too expects Stafford to start Week 1? Interesting.

[keystone]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I'm not mad, I just find it amusing how excited you get over pre-season fluff articles every year.

A true Lions fan knows this is the time of year when all things are possible and enjoys the positive vibes. He knows it will turn negative soon enough.
Buzz killer.

[thewave84]

Buddha loves to provoke people into getting pissed off. Once he knows what buttons to push he will push them. He thinks it is fun. You just gotta ignore the guy.

[dalemotown]

While this is all encouraging, any positive signs IN JUNE - because of their history - have to be taken with a grain of salt.

...They have backed themselves into a "prove-it-to-me" reputation.

[MAROTH4MVP]

The offensive line was terrible last year. While, the line is improved it remains awful. Putting Stafford behind that line is a recipe for disaster.

The argument that Qb's last year held on to the ball too long resulting in injuries is valid, but to ignore the role the offensive line played in the disaster that was last season would be fool hardy.

[keystone]

Well, if positive articles piss you off then don't read them.

[DTroppens]

There is plenty of blame to be shared among the Oline and the QBs last year - and we can probably throw the receivers into that blame game as well.

The offense should be better if Stafford develops into a fine rookie QB and if the OLine is up to the task. Both are question marks right now. Stafford still hasn't taken a legit NFL snap and is still getting his feet wet for an organization that went 0-16 last year. But I don't think it would shock anyone if he's the team's best option coming out of training camp.

About these mid-summer stories - I don't take them one way or the other. I've never read one of them and felt sunny inside or felt the rainstorms brewing. Next Feb. someone in spring training will be talking about how Lakeland feels different than past years.

[Stormin' Norman]

If there is any legitimacy to Schwartz' salivating over Staffords quick release, many of the offensive line problems have been fixed.

[belcherboy]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

It depends on their defense. I do like Atlanta's running game better, too.

I don't know what you are seeing, but I just don't think we are anywhere NEAR what Atlanta had last year. Maybe Atlanta had a one year lucky streak, but IMO we are far inferior on defense, offensive line, and running back. I like your optimism but I cannot see this Lions team winning more than 4 games next year. Anything more would be a great improvement, but 11-5 isn't in the realm of reality IMO. I personally think 8-8 would be an AMAZING accomplishment next year for the Lions.