Stafford's 2011 Debut A Brief One
The first test for quarterback Matthew Stafford turned out to be no test at all.
In his first live action in nine months, since separating his right shoulder for the second time last season, Stafford played five minutes (two series) in the Lions' 34-3 exhibition-opening win against the Bengals Friday.
All he did in that brief time was lead the Lions on two touchdown drives, complete 6 of 7 passes for 71 yards with touchdown passes to wide receivers Calvin Johnson (26 yards) and Nate Burleson (seven yards).
"It felt good," Stafford said. "We went to the right places, guys made plays for me, it was an all-around good day for the offense. We are pretty exciting to watch when all the pieces are together."
But here's the rub. He wasn't touched. The Bengals' defense put nary a finger on him. And that's with the Lions having somewhat of a patchwork offensive line with Corey Hilliard filling in for Jeff Backus (pectoral) at left tackle and Gosder Cherilus (knee) still a little gimpy at right tackle.
"The guys up front did a pretty good job," Stafford said. "We came into the game thinking about getting the ball out quick, trying to get the ball out of my hands and let those guys make plays. It ended up being great."
Of his six completions, only one was down field, and that was the pretty back-shoulder lob to Johnson.
"Matt showed great command," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He did a good job of getting the ball where it needed to go. They threw a lot at him, a lot of different coverages and blitzes. He wasn't just going against a vanilla game plan."
Still, there will be a lot of people holding their breath around here until Stafford takes that first big pop on his shoulder. Because, despite their best efforts to add more weapons to the offense, this team's chances of threatening for a playoff spot still rests on the strength of Stafford's right arm.
On draft day, the Lions thought they'd finally added the dimension of a power run game when they drafted Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure. They thought they finally filled the void at third receiver when they drafted Boise State field-stretcher Titus Young.
They will get nothing out of Leshoure this year - he tore his Achilles tendon and had season-ending surgery. Young has been sidelined most of camp with a hamstring injury.
So it's back to square one -- no power game and a revolving door at the X-receiver spot.
To replace Leshoure, they brought in two 28-year-old veterans - Jerome Harrison and Mike Bell. Neither is the pure power back that Leshoure looked to be. Harrison is more of a multi-purpose runner. He's bigger than starter Jahvid Best but no longer as explosive. Bell is more of a between the tackles runner.
Neither made a favorable first impression. Harrison had eight yards in six carries and Bell five yards in five carries against the Bengals Friday.
"It's definitely a bummer," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said of losing Leshoure. "He's such a fine young player and he's going to have a great career. I told him this was just a temporary setback for him. The biggest thing is we have to make sure his mind his right.
"The other guys have some good qualities. They have different styles. We also know Maurice Morris (broken hand) won't be on the shelf too much longer. We have depth, which I like and we've brought in a couple of guys capable of helping us."
The run game was non-existent against the Bengals, though Best only played two series. The Lions amassed 70 yards total.
At the third receiver spot, Young's injury has cracked the door a bit for veteran Derrick Williams. He came into camp a decided long shot to make the 53-man roster, but he's had the best camp of his career.
"He's stood out," Linehan said. "We drafted a guy pretty high at his position and he's basically come out and done every position. When Calvin (Johnson) went out, he jumped in. When Nate (Burleson) went out, he jumped in there. And he's played the X, which is his spot. Very impressive."
Still, Williams is fighting the odds. Young is expected back as early as this week. The Lions usually carry five receivers, including return ace Stefan Logan. That means four of the five spots are locked with Johnson, Burleson, Young and Logan.
Williams, former Bear Rashied Davis (who is an elite special teams player), Maurice Stovall and Nate Hughes are all battling for what is probably one spot.
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