jclay 2 electr…

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:25 PM ^

Stafford was never, NEVER the problem in Detroit. At the same time, he was not a uniquely distinct enough talent to overcome the fact he was playing for the Lions. 

Hope he goes somewhere where he can be a winner as he deserves a career perspective boost. Best Lions QB in my forty years on this planet. Right move for both sides. Let’s see who the Lions can get at 7. 

Joined: 04/20/2018

MGoPoints: 7202

mooseman

January 23rd, 2021 at 9:12 PM ^

You new around here? Lions aren't capable of that. I spent the last part of Barry and Calvin's career hoping they'd be able to go to a non-loser franchise. Stafford isn't in the same category as those guys but he's done his part. I hope he has a chance to play on a team with some chance of success.

Joined: 07/10/2008

MGoPoints: 35740

A Lot of Milk

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:26 PM ^

Most lions thing ever to do that the year after having the third pick and taking a bad cb instead of Tua or Herbert and now having a bad enough draft spot that all the good qbs will be gone

Joined: 02/17/2013

MGoPoints: 48874

wolvorback

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:28 PM ^

Good for him. The lions pissed away another elite talent. I think he had the ability and talent to be a top 5 qb. At least he’ll get a chance to win somewhere else. 

Joined: 11/01/2008

MGoPoints: 4644

coldnjl

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:54 PM ^

I think it is lazy to place all blame on the Lions... elite qbs can win with the talent they have and occasionally carry a team... Stanford did nothing with Megatron and never one a game of consequence. He is a very good Qvo but he has never been anywhere near an upper echelon qb

Joined: 12/31/2009

MGoPoints: 13948

buddha

January 23rd, 2021 at 7:43 PM ^

Not sure if serious. Outside of Megatron, who was obviously an elite talent, he’s had NOBODY. He’s never had a single Pro Bowl offensive lineman and never had a running back of any consequence. Moreover, the dude has been an absolute warrior through years of mismanagement, terrible player development, and countless injuries. Admittedly, I am not a Lions fan but Stafford is definitely not your problem...and I think with the right team, he could absolutely be an upper echelon QB. I just hope - for his sake - he’s got enough time to prove it.

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 5034

coldnjl

January 23rd, 2021 at 7:52 PM ^

Reading comprehension isn’t your strong point. Neither are facts. Frank Ragnow is a pro bower THIS year! He has had offensive weapons throughout his career... Galloway, Tate, Jones, Hockenson...

 I am not a Lions fan either, so I am not defending them based on pride. Jimmy Garappolo has more accomplishments than Stanford... Kirk Cousins has done more. I never said he was bad and I never blamed him for all the Lions problems. All I said was simply the Stanford isn’t blameless for the lack of quality wins during his career.

Joined: 12/31/2009

MGoPoints: 13948

buddha

January 23rd, 2021 at 8:28 PM ^

Not sure the first sentence was entirely warranted but you are correct. Pro Football Reference hasn’t updated their Pro Bowler stats to include 2021 yet, and - yes - he and the TE both made it. My apologies for not fact checking my blanket statement.
And - you may be right in that he’s not blameless. I’m sure as the QB, he shoulders some of the blame for poor performances, etc. My point is that in aggregate, I find him to be a great QB and potentially an elite one on a decent team. Just one man’s opinion...

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 5034

stephenrjking

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:29 PM ^

Only legit QB Detroit has had since Bobby Layne.

Good guy, worked hard, had some stretches of absolute brilliance. Grew in his position, he’s a lot more of a QB than he was in his earlier gunslinger years with Calvin covering some of his weaknesses.

Still, never a guy that would be top 4 in the league. Maybe that changes in the right place.

Detroit was not the right place.

Alex Drain tweeted his belief that nobody should be mad.

Too bad. I am, but not at Stafford. I’m frustrated with the Lions. This appears to signal a complete tear down and rebuild, and if so, fine; but it should have never gotten here with a franchise QB. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144178

NotADuck

January 24th, 2021 at 5:37 AM ^

Always hitting the nail on the head with your comments Mr. Stephen King!

I wonder what they'll get for him.  Word is that the market is buzzing with interest for him.  I bet the WFT, Broncos, 49ers, Pats, Dolphins, Colts, and any other team that thinks it is just a QB away will give the Lions a call.

I haven't done my research but of all those teams the Broncos are the most attractive to me from both the Lions and Stafford's perspective.

For the Lions, they could get the #9 pick in the draft this year plus more if Elway is willing to pay up to win now.  Obviously that would give Detroit the ammo to move up if they want or to stay put at 7 and 9 to draft a QB this year.  I would stay put and take my pick of Trey Lance, Mac Jones, or Zach Wilson.  No Justin Fields for me, thanks.

For Stafford, the Broncos are loaded with talent at all levels of offense.  Just drafted 2 great receivers last year and Noah Fant at TE the year before.  They have Melvin Gordon and a couple other solid backup RBs.  Their offensive line is young and loaded with draft picks (also Graham Glasgow his former teammate).  They still have Von Miller on defense (as long as his current legal issues don't materialize anything) and Bradley Chubb.  Their secondary and linebackers are also solid.

Sounds like a win-win to me.  I'm betting they can pry away that number 9 pick and at LEAST a third and sixth round pick this year.  I've seen teams give up that much or more for the opportunity to DRAFT a QB.  Already getting a proven product?  Should be worth those picks or more.

Joined: 12/20/2013

MGoPoints: 18570

Michfan777

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:30 PM ^

Lucky guy is leaving Detroit with a real chance to go to a contender and end his career on a high note unlike poor Sanders and Johnson.

Hopefully the lions can get a 2nd or 3rd for him and start building a real team for the future. Never heard this one before. 

Joined: 10/10/2018

MGoPoints: 24580

uncle leo

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^

This is already my favorite new Lions regime.

And I have not read above, but I'm sure there is a lot of "watch him win a SB with another team."

Dude has not been challenged at the highest levels. He has NO clue what it takes to win on the big, big stages. His body is starting to break down. I have no idea why this narrative was created.

He had his time here. I get it's not all his fault. This team had to move on, period. 

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34639

GoBlue419

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:43 PM ^

It's hilarious to me that people really believe Stafford is the problem in Detroit. 

As if the organization itself hasn't been complete shit for 30 years. ? ?

Joined: 08/25/2018

MGoPoints: 4995

Brian Griese

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:53 PM ^

It's because dumb-ass fans (yes that includes some on this website too) subscribe to this idiotic thought of "QB Wins" that ESPN and other morons hype up to justify why one QB is better than another.  I do not understand why it should have to be repeated 468 times that QB's do not win games - teams do and last I check QB's are responsible for offensive play on the field only, and in the NFL that might be 20% of the picture.

Joined: 10/25/2014

MGoPoints: 30293

CC_MFan

January 23rd, 2021 at 7:42 PM ^

He has been poorly coached with no real leadership in this organization.  So basically he has been on his own.  I think he is a talent and can win a lot of games for a better organization.  The lions need to cut ties for both parties and rebuild.  Mac Jones would be my first pick and then fix the defense.

 

Joined: 10/05/2010

MGoPoints: 1489

NotADuck

January 24th, 2021 at 5:50 AM ^

That is only part of the argument.  The meat of the argument is the system they play in is very QB friendly and doesn't take much learning.  Cardale Jones looked like a beast in that system.  JT Barrett looked like a beast.  Braxton Miller looked like a beast.  Dwayne Haskins looked like a beast. The QB isn't asked to do a lot as far as reads/reactions.  The beauty is in it's simplicity.  I'm wildly jealous as a Michigan fan.  lol

Also his decision making wasn't great.  Personally I'm not the biggest fan of his attitude either.  I don't trust him to be the leader of an offense.  The QB must be a leader.  It's part of the position.

Joined: 12/20/2013

MGoPoints: 18570

BlueTuesday

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:45 PM ^

This saddens me a little. He’s the best QB Detroit has had in my lifetime and maybe ever.

I hope he goes to a team that has a shot at winning. New England, San Fran, even the Colts maybe.

I’ll be rooting for him to succeed wherever he goes.

Joined: 04/18/2011

MGoPoints: 6962

UMinSF

January 23rd, 2021 at 8:11 PM ^

I agree with you, BlueTuesday - that's the thing. Matt Stafford is the best QB the lions have had in my lifetime, and it's not close. It's a shame they didn't have more success.

Hope this works out for Stafford and for the Lions - but the prospect of another long line of inept QB's is disconcerting.

 

Joined: 04/06/2009

MGoPoints: 18205

fatpete

January 23rd, 2021 at 6:47 PM ^

I always liked the dude. I thought he could have been much more effective with a better system and offensive line. Sounds cliché but true. Yes he made some questionable throws but at least he was dedicated to competing.  He never phoned it in and had a good attitude. I really hope he gets onto a good team and wins big. 

Joined: 09/22/2012

MGoPoints: 6769

Blue Middle

January 23rd, 2021 at 7:02 PM ^

I am VERY impressed with the first week of the new regime. Trading Stafford, and hiring Glenn and Lynn...this is basically the opposite of Patricia’s start where he hired his buddies and Quinn scoured the Patriots for leftovers. 
 

Lions stock is definitely up this week. 

Joined: 01/07/2019

MGoPoints: 5269