Lions Don't Want Stafford Thread

[Walter]

I like answering e-mails from readers, but when it's the same question over and over and over and over again, it kinda wears on you.

Instead of putting these in a draft mailbag, I'll post all "I don't want Stafford!" threads from Lions fans here.

[Walter]

From Chris W.

About your 2010 Mock Draft:

I know it's early, and I know it's only a mock draft but you're saying there is "no doubt" the Lions will take Stafford or a QB with that first pick. Again, I now it's early, a lot of minds will change once the combine and indivudual workouts happen. However, despite my own personal feelings I keep reading that the Lions will take the best player off the board...how they cannot afford to pick on position alone. The way I see it, that contradicts your belief...

I've watched Stafford his whole college career...he is not the best player on the board. Best QB, sure, but not the best player. Plus, since next years draft if so QB heavy, and the Lions cannot expect the turnaround the Dolphins had this year without a defense or the turnaround Atlanta had, because Stafford is not as ready (at least from what I've seen) like Matt Ryan was, and even that was a bit of a shock. So, logically, taking a QB would be foolhardy. Do you play em of do you sit em? If you sit em its a waste of a 1 overall, if you play him he's going to get beat up worst then most. Logically, considering the team we're talking about, taking a QB would be silly. And the same thing that happened to Joey Harrington will happen to Matt Stafford.

However, thers is an ace in the hole...Calvin Johnson, who made the worst QB look great at times last year and will do the same for Stafford if he's picked and plays. However, he'll do the same for ANY QB, and we have sooooo many more pressing needs. What would be the value of taking a QB now, with no team around him? Face of the franchise maybe, but also the person who is first thrown under the bus. Take a hint from Bill Parcells and how he was able to turn around the Dolphins nor 1 year ago. He didn't take Matt Ryan, as good as he turned out to be, he took Jake Long, who will be better and more valuable in the long run (plus he made the Pro Bowl and Miami won 11 games and made the playoffs after only winning 1 the year before). Football teams are best built from the inside out. So tell me, why is there "no doubt" the Lions will take a QB?


My Response:

First of all, you'll agree that William Clay Ford doesn't care about
winning; he's just out there to take money from all the fans. Well,
Matt Stafford would bring in the most revenue for him. The Lions need
a new face for the franchise and that would be Stafford.

Also, I disagree on your assessment on Stafford and Matt Ryan. No one
thought Ryan was ready last year - it's all hindsight now. Ryan was
pretty mediocre at Boston College, and even BC fans didn't think he'd
be great in the pros. Stafford had a great junior season despite
missing his stud left tackle. That's huge.

Yes, Calvin Johnson looked great with whatever bum the Lions had at
quarterback, but the fact remains that Detroit averaged just 16.7
points per game - good for 27th in the NFL. You're telling me the
Lions wouldn't benefit from a stud quarterback? Remember, Roddy White
had a great year with Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. Did Atlanta's
new regime pass on a QB? Nope. Will Detroit's new regime pass on a QB?
Absolutely not.

[MMONTERO]

Oh, Jesus here comes the motherload. I can't wait to read the, "I would rather have Cassel than Stafford" e-mails. I've had a rough week due to quitting smoking. I could use the laughs.

[Matt McGuire]

Walter, just start deleting those dumb e-mails. I am telling you...some people are just very ignorant.

[Eagles4Life]

I hope they don't plan on just throwing Stafford into the starting lineup if they draft him.

[Walter]

From Billy V.

I can really appreciate your point about Stafford being the "guaranteed" first pick but I think you're wrong on this one. I honestly believe the Lions realize that next year (2010) will be a much better QB draft and finding a stud O-Linemen is hard to do. I think the Lions will keep the pick and go with Andre Smith or Michael Oher with the number one overall. Too many QB busts with overall #1's and O-line; in my opinion, is easier to find a "sure thing" if those exist in the NFL.

My Response:

Thanks for the e-mail, but I completely disagree. If you take all of the 2010 QBs and put them in this class, Stafford would still be the No. 1 guy. And there is no sure thing in the draft. Just as many o-linemen have busted as quarterbacks; you just don't hear about the linemen as much.

[Eagles4Life]

lol at Andre Smith #1

[Walter]

From Darren C.

I have to believe they would look at their first 2 (really 3 if you include the top of the 2nd round) holistically. While there may not be a consensus #1 left tackle, I think they would talk to the top 3 and see which they could sign to a decent contract prior to the draft. Judging by your mock, they could probably get Josh Freeman at #20. If they pass on Stafford at #1 they could possibly get Sanchez at #20 or could trade up from #20 and get one of them. Which scenario is better…Stafford/Beatty (a reach of an OT) or Smith or Oher or Monroe/Sanchez or Freeman. I think that 2nd option is much more productive for their foundation and long term success.

My Response:

I really have no doubt that the Lions will choose Stafford, barring a possible trade for Matt Cassel. There's no way Sanchez slips to 20, and there's no guarantee they'll be able to get Freeman down there either (I have him going No. 19). There is no elite left tackle worth taking first overall.

[Fox]

Draft Rhett Bomar #1 overall.

Put him as backup kicker. He needs time to develop, and he requires versatility he does not already possess. Learning from such esteemed greats as that guy the Lions have kicking right now will help him.

Also, sign Cedric Benson. Best RB ever.

Hire Mornhinwheg as HC, not that Schwartz bum. Mornhinwheg's offense was miles better than the Tennessee D.

Come on, Detroit. Get Smart.

[Walter]

From Rock:

What do you think the chances are of the Lions trading down with the first pick. I did not think that it would be possible because you would have to find someone that has lost their mind to do it, however, I now see a possible scenario; if Al Davis becomes enamored with Michael Crabtree it may be possible. Plus the fact that Jacksonville is also looking for a wide receiver and Seattle ahead of both these teams in the draft that could also be interested in a wide receiver, could this possibly turn into a bidding war for Crabtree? If you do think it is possible, what do you think would be fair compensation for the first pick?

Also, why would the Lions draft a quarterback this year when clearly the most talented QBs are juniors and a great class of senior QBs is coming out next year.


My Response:

I just updated my mock draft, and I addressed Detroit's chances of trading down in their write-up. I just can't see it happening at all.

As for the QBs next year, there's no guarantee that any of them will be worth the No. 1 pick, and there's no guarantee that the Lions will be in position to draft them. In a new regime and off an 0-16 season, the Lions need a franchise quarterback right now. They can't afford to wait. And besides, Stafford would still be the No. 1 pick even if all those guys declared early.