Rotoworld, What Went Wrong: Stafford

**FortDetroit** · 03-08-2013, 03:47 PM

Great article. The most realistic/accurate view of Stafford's season I have seen from the media yet.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nf...wrong-stafford

**LionsFan..LOL** · 03-08-2013, 04:00 PM

If you’re ready to give up on that, the joke’s on you.

That statement from the article is what I agree with the most. The kid is only 25 and flashes some elite potential. His footwork needs fixing but that can be fixed. It's not like he has no talent it's there but he needs to fix his own problems (both mechanical and mental) and the team needs to fix his surroundings, namely the interior of the o-line and his weapons on the outside.

**FortDetroit** · 03-08-2013, 04:33 PM

You can tell this guy actually watched the games. Unlike Jaws, ESPN, other team's fans, etc etc.

****ed in DET · 03-08-2013, 04:49 PM

The joke's on the guys that didn't watch him because he is a special QB.

**mc18641** · 03-08-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by LionsFan..LOL

That statement from the article is what I agree with the most. The kid is only 25 and flashes some elite potential. His footwork needs fixing but that can be fixed. It's not like he has no talent it's there but he needs to fix his own problems (both mechanical and mental) and the team needs to fix his surroundings, namely the interior of the o-line and his weapons on the outside.

Fixing Stafford's surroundings is kinda up to Staffords right now with restructuring his contract before Tuesday don't u think?

We know the Fords (as bad of owners as they have been) don't mind spending the entire cap when it's available. How good Stafford wants the Lions to be next season is kinda in his hands right now IMO

**Five Angels** · 03-08-2013, 05:23 PM

I frankly have a hard time putting the teams cap woes on Stafford's shoulders right now. He's treating contract negotiations, or in his current case, his unwillingness to negotiate, strictly as a business, just like the NFL ownership would. As much as I'd love for him to sign a new, more cap friendly contract, I completely understand wanting to set your children, and your children's children, and their children's children, up financially for the long haul.

Let Mayhew figure out the numbers as to how we get to the Superbowl. AFAIC, all Matthew's responsible for right now is perfecting his craft and being the QB/team leader he can be.

**whooligun** · 03-08-2013, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Five Angels

I frankly have a hard time putting the teams cap woes on Stafford's shoulders right now. He's treating contract negotiations, or in his current case, his unwillingness to negotiate, strictly as a business, just like the NFL ownership would. As much as I'd love for him to sign a new, more cap friendly contract, I completely understand wanting to set your children, and your children's children, and their children's children, up financially for the long haul.

Let Mayhew figure out the numbers as to how we get to the Superbowl. AFAIC, all Matthew's responsible for right now is perfecting his craft and being the QB/team leader he can be.

Where did you get that from?

**Five Angels** · 03-08-2013, 05:35 PM

OK, unwillingness to negotiate is a bit harsh. Let's just say both sides are far apart. It serves Matthew's financial cause to drag his feet, and so, he probably will.

**mc18641** · 03-08-2013, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Five Angels

I frankly have a hard time putting the teams cap woes on Stafford's shoulders right now. He's treating contract negotiations, or in his current case, his unwillingness to negotiate, strictly as a business, just like the NFL ownership would. As much as I'd love for him to sign a new, more cap friendly contract, I completely understand wanting to set your children, and your children's children, and their children's children, up financially for the long haul.

Let Mayhew figure out the numbers as to how we get to the Superbowl. AFAIC, all Matthew's responsible for right now is perfecting his craft and being the QB/team leader he can be.

We have four players on our entire roster (Stafford, Suh, Johnson, Tulloch) that are scheduled to make more than $3M in the 2013 season.

If the cap isn't up to Stafford to help fix, then who? As our team Captain and the driving force of our team, he needs to step up just like Tom Brady did a month ago taking a PAY CUT. We are not asking him to take a pay cut, just restructure for a reasonable amount.

I guess we could keep going to the well with our other players that are already making peanuts and round up a few pennies, but who we gonna sign for that?

**Five Angels** · 03-08-2013, 05:42 PM

Sorry, I just don't see how comparing Brady to Stafford financially is an apples to apples comparison. Tom's already got his, and a wife who banks $42M annually. Matthew's just getting started.

ETA: I bet if the Lions FO agreed to add a huge chunk of guaranteed money to Stafford, he'd sign a new contract yesterday. Thing is, they're not willing to do it either. Plain and simple, it's business, not personal.

**mc18641** · 03-08-2013, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Five Angels

Sorry, I just don't see how comparing Brady to Stafford financially is an apples to apples comparison. Tom's already got his, and a wife who banks $42M annually. Matthew's just getting started.

Brady had 2 Superbowl rings before his rookie contract was up.......His 199th pick rookie deal! He won that first Superbowl making just over 1M that season.

Stafford got his too when he was riding the pine not playing for 2 seasons with a bad shoulder.

How about what RGIII and Luck?? Those big rookie deals are done now. It will be a LONG time before RGIII sees that kinda money. I like Stafford, but you can't tell me he is more deserving of more money than these two guys (if you are looking at it objectively, not just as a lions fan)

Tom Brady is making 12M/season right now with his new deal. A 5 year/60M deal seems fair to me for Stafford.

**lionsfanphil** · 03-08-2013, 05:59 PM

I hope he realizes too that all the flaws the article pointed out about our team can't get fixed with the situation the way it is. If he wants a better supporting cast then something has to happen. I realise he has the "leverage" but WE (fans) aren't asking for a paycut. Although that would be nice, but rather some flexibility to bring in guys to help the team which in turn will make him look better and make more $. How are great QBs remembered? by them winning, not just numbers. I like his potential but the guy is gonna make the second most $ of any QB this yr. How many of you would only take 1 other guy over him. I would probably take 4. I love the guy and want him to stay but I want him to be realistic and also think of the team. Im sick of 4 win seasons.

**Five Angels** · 03-08-2013, 06:00 PM

"Deserving" is a tricky word, because it's based solely on opinion.

Look, I'd love to see Stafford restructure just as much as the next Lions' fan. Hell, I'd love it if every player gave us the hometown discount on their second and third contract. The fact is, the FO wrote the contract, and Stafford's abiding by it. Blame the FO for writing a bad contract, or the NFL for the salary cap. Who I have trouble blaming is the guy who's putting up near all-time record numbers and simply playing out his contract.

AFAIC, it's not the player's job to continually renegotiate in order to field a competitive team within the salary cap. It's Mayhew's job to find talent in rounds other than the 1st so that we're not starved for talent.

**mc18641** · 03-08-2013, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by lionsfanphil

I hope he realizes too that all the flaws the article pointed out about our team can't get fixed with the situation the way it is. If he wants a better supporting cast then something has to happen. I realise he has the "leverage" but WE (fans) aren't asking for a paycut. Although that would be nice, but rather some flexibility to bring in guys to help the team which in turn will make him look better and make more $. How are great QBs remembered? by them winning, not just numbers. I like his potential but the guy is gonna make the second most $ of any QB this yr. How many of you would only take 1 other guy over him. I would probably take 4. I love the guy and want him to stay but I want him to be realistic and also think of the team. Im sick of 4 win seasons.

Good Post!

I don't wanna sound harsh here.....because I DO really like Stafford. But if Stafford doesn't "take one for the team" here with his contract, then I put this level of selfishness right with Titus Young

I mean, what would be the difference?? Except Titus Young ruined a single play by selfishly lining up wrong and Stafford ruins an entire season by not working with the team on his contract.

Yeah, Flacco got his money too but I think we all know the Ravens are gonna suck next year as a result not able to keep Reed, Kruger, ect. to pay him. We will be in the same boat............or worse!

**Five Angels** · 03-08-2013, 06:15 PM

All my point is, if all we're counting on is the financial kindness of your average NFL football player, instead of on good organizational team management and quality scouting practices, we're in for a world of hurt for many, many more years to come. As I see it, any anger at Stafford is misdirected, at best.

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