Caputo: Matthew Stafford Breaking With Lions QB Traditions
Long ago, 1960, to be exact, the Lions weren't bad. They were 7-5 and placed second in the Western Conference, winning six of their last seven games, including the final four.
Jim Ninowski was the Lions' leading passer that season. He completed two touchdown passes and had 18 interceptions.
In 1988, the Lions announced quarterback Rusty Hilger as the team's offensive MVP. He completed 38 percent of his passes.
You can't make those things up. Bad quarterback play has gone together like love and a bad marriage and a horse and a broken carriage in Detroit.
So when Matthew Stafford came out of the University of Georgia as the first overall selection in the NFL Draft, and struggled mightily as a rookie, there was a feeling of, "Here we go again."
When Stafford began to show promise, but was then repeatedly injured, it drew a collective shrug of shoulders and mumbles of, "Typical Lions."
As Stafford has led his team to one improbable comeback victory after another this season, Lions fans are pinching themselves, knocking on wood and have their fingers crossed.
"Is this for real?"
A Lions quarterback isn't supposed to stand in there, take a hit and drill a pass to Calvin Johnson along the sideline for a first down to keep a game-winning drive alive.
You can't make those things up. Bad quarterback play has gone together like love and a bad marriage and a horse and a broken carriage in Detroit.
So when Matthew Stafford came out of the University of Georgia as the first overall selection in the NFL Draft, and struggled mightily as a rookie, there was a feeling of, "Here we go again."
When Stafford began to show promise, but was then repeatedly injured, it drew a collective shrug of shoulders and mumbles of, "Typical Lions."
As Stafford has led his team to one improbable comeback victory after another this season, Lions fans are pinching themselves, knocking on wood and have their fingers crossed.
"Is this for real?"
Read the rest here at The Oakland Press.
