Stafford's Intelligence In Question? 'Hogwash,' Says Caldwell
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said it was "hogwash" that the team was frustrated with Matthew Stafford's intelligence.
After offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was fired two weeks ago, NFL Network reported that he had been irritated at Stafford's grasp of the offense, and was disappointed in not being able to put more on the quarterback's plate.
Reports of the offense being "dumbed down" have been floating around, especially after the Lions' 1-7 start, with Stafford on pace to have one of the worst seasons statistically of his career.
But according to Caldwell and several around Stafford, his football IQ is not an issue.
"How does 'hogwash' sound?" Caldwell said when asked about those reports. "It takes you about two seconds to understand and know he's a very, very bright guy with an immense amount of talent."
Stafford's backup, Dan Orlovsky, also came forward on Twitter against NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who first went public with the Lombardi report.
@RapSheet not going to sit back and let what's being said be said. Staff is highly highly intelligent, and has an even better football mind.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 5, 2015
@RapSheet just because an offense is tweaked or altered doesn't mean it's "dumbed-down". Great coaches adapt what they do to who they have
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 5, 2015
@RapSheet when staff was breaking records, over multiple years. no one questioned his intelligence. Let's not start now bc of 1-7.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 5, 2015
Part of Orlovsky's seven-tweet rant was later used in an Instagram post by Stafford's outspoken wife, Kelly. And Lions punter Sam Martin joined the fray, too:
These reports are getting ridiculous. Whatever gets you views I guess. This is 9s team and NO ONE on this team doubts that.
— Sam (@SamMartin_6) November 5, 2015
When Lombardi was fired, Stafford took partial blame for the situation, saying he could have done more to help save his coordinator's job. When Jim Bob Cooter took Lombardi's place, he became Stafford's third offensive coordinator in less than three years.
"Joe was receptive to the things I had to say," Stafford said at the time. "If anything, it was probably I got to do a better job of communicating, too. It's on everybody when bad stuff happens, and I can always be better too."
After the firings of Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand, Rapoport also reported that Stafford's future with the franchise was "very much in doubt."
The knock against Stafford has never been his physical tools. His arm strength is unique, and players have often said that he can make every throw on the field. But it's Stafford's response to high-pressure environments, and his ability to call plays within an offense that has been under fire, especially recently.
Stafford is on pace to throw 22 interceptions this season, which would be a career high. He's also on pace to throw for 4,166 yards, which would be his lowest total for a season he played in full.
The struggles of the Lions' offensive line, charged with protecting Stafford, have been well-documented. Two O-line position coaches were fired with Lombardi, and Stafford has already been sacked 22 times, through Week 9.
"I know how things get started with rumors and typically I don't respond to that but the intelligence of our quarterback should not be questioned," Caldwell said.