Hey Pablo,

I'm gonna 1 up you. Now that we have a stud QB, why stop there? We should be using a 3rd round pick every 3 years on a QB to groom and just start churning them out as trade like Philly is doing.

Did you ever stop to think that if Culpepper had started over Stafford we wouldn't be so damn worried about if he'll stay healthy, because he wouldn't have gotten hurt that season?

It wasn't about talent level, it was about allowing Stafford time to adjust to the speed of the pro game, and allowing him time to learn to read a defense. His numbers in his first season show he didn't read defenses very well.

I'll admit I wanted Curry. But since then I've learned A LOT and am so glad the Lions are smarter than me. I have so much confidence in Stafford that its almost like I cant wait to watch the game JUST to watch him in a way. Seems like hes been in the league for 10 years the way hes been playing.

Because whenever that fat turd played, it was an automatic loss and the rest of the team knew it. If it would've been anyone besides Culpepper, I would've been OK letting Stafford sit.

That's what I remember of the "start Culpepper" argument. Most (but not all) argued that "Culpepper gives us the best chance to win now." Hilarious since Culpepper had never won anywhere.

agreed with mwill2 that the argument then by most people was that "the lions need to win now" and that "culpepper gives us the best chance to win" not m2k's weak hypothetical

Stafford's knee injury in the game against the Bears that year had nothing to do with the ability to read a defense, he was scrambing away from a defender who twisted his knee awkwardly - its not that he didnt see him or didnt know the pressure was on. His shoulder injury as a rookie was clearly from a broken play which again had nothing to do with ability to read defenses, he scrambled and tried to make a deep throw under diress and got laid out by a Cleveland DT. maybe you could argue that his year 2 week 1 shoulder injury at the hands of an unblocked (Backus) backside Julius Peppers had something to do with pocket presence but had he not played in year 1 Stafford would have had a worse feel for the pocket than he did at that time. Im interested to see how you will try to spin this as the plays that Stafford was injured on are clear in my memory, all available to view on youtube and have nothing to do with reading a defense poorly.

Hindsight is always 20/20. If Stafford had not gotten hurt, would he have spent the time putting 20lbs of muscle in his upper body? He didn't after the first injury. We could argue what-ifs forever and day, all that matters is what we have now.

I wanted Curry, but I will gladly eat crow. I felt the defense was neglected for too long, but the FO made the right choices.

to the bolded section, should we also have had Charles Rogers, Mikel Leshoure, Nick Fairley, Titus Young not even in practice during their rookie seasons bc they were all injured in practice?

I wanted Stafford to start as long as he was ready. But to be fair to those that wanted to sit him, QB is historically different from RB, WR, et all. Not all, but MANY QB's have sat out to begin their careers. QB is just a different animal from any other position.

I wanted Curry too. Matt has played well this year and it would be great to get that "if he stays healthy* out of everybody's mouth, but it's going to have to be proved wrong until otherwise.
I did want a LT too.. Backus and Raiolio and the revolving doors at guard have killed qb after qb here for 10 years. mix in a little mike martz 7 step drop 20 yard dig route sceme, and any weak linemen become exposed and over extended rather quickly.
I also wanted Pioli to build a franchise for us. I didnt know mayhew would have this much guile and sack to get a squad like we have. But in all fairness to scotty p, his offensive coordinator weissy pooh took a walk to warm and sunny florida. its tough to build when you have new o.c. and their injuries (berry and charles, etc..)

The good news is our coordinators are hopefully staying put and coaching to the players we have on o and d. the lions are responding by playing really fast and confident. it is great to finally see it coming together, but still much room for improvement (that's scary) Throw in big Shack to put is seal of approval on all transactions and draft picks and we finally have an organization that is NOT a laughing stock.

I was driving the draft Matthew Stafford band wagon and it seemed about 90% of the people on the forum wanted Curry. That being said Stafford needs to stay healthy for an entire season before I feel vindicated.

It does seem kind of amazing how average Curry is.

Yeah, I'm pretty shocked by that too. I was figuring Curry to be at least a really good linebacker in the NFL, not necessarily a perennial Pro Bowler, but at least an impact player. He's been pretty much a dud.

Certainly not the first time I've been wrong about a player.

Anyone who claims otherwise is a liar. I mean I thought McFadden was going to be a complete and utter failure

You think thats bad? I thought Clausen was the better of the two QB prospects between him and Bradford........(OUCH!)

Yeh, I thought Bradford would be better than Stafford. love being wrong !