SI story: Stafford impressed at combine
Sports Illustrated has a story titled "Searching for Bobby Layne" appearing on newstands tomorrow about Matt Stafford, his ties to Bobby Layne and how the Lions are doing their diligence evaluating the draft's No. 1 quarterback prospect. You know all about the Stafford-Layne connection through their alma matter Highland Park High, but here's a couple tidbits from the story I found interesting:
Stafford apparently met with 10 teams during the combine. Peter King reports he wowed coached on at least two accounts. Dolphins quarterbacks coach David Lee drew a Miami pass play for Stafford, complete with terminology, erased it, then asked Stafford to redraw it and explain his route progression, King wrote. When Stafford finished, Lee told him he'd nailed it. Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike Shula asked Stafford to draw up a play and teach it to the room of coaches and scouts. Stafford drew up his favoriteRex Gun 562 Vacationand drilled the coaches on it.
In another visit, Stafford told the magazine he was grilled by the team psychologist from the 49ers, who asked about his parents' divorce when he was in high school. Stafford said "he'd adjusted well," King wrote. Told he sounded as if he might have unfinished business concerning the divorce, Stafford said there certainly was not. 'I felt like, I wonder how much I'm being charged per hour for this?' he says. 'But I understand. They're going to pay a lot of money in the first round.'
Lastly, of the Lions dinner with Stafford last Thursday at Shula's Steak House, Stafford told the magazine that coach Jim Schwartz asked him, If this was a recruiting visit for college, what would you want to ask us? Stafford said he'd like to visit Detroit and see the city. The next day, King wrote that Stafford snuck behind Detroit's buttoned-up chief operating officer, Tom Lewand, bear-hugged him and lifted him off the ground. 'Come on!" Stafford said, laughing. 'Let's go! I'm ready!' In other words, Pick me!
Labels: David Lee, Detroit Lions, Jim Schwartz, Matt Stafford, Mike Shula, NFL combine, No. 1 pick, Peter King, Tom Lewand
13 Comments:
Dave, It's obvious you're a Stafford lover. Chill on that. It's becoming unbearable. Lions do not need that guy. He's not the best player in the draft. Just letting you know.
^wtf?^
you obviously haven't read his previous posts. birk isn't favoring one prospect over the other.
Look at how many Stafford piece's there are. Why? He's not the best player in the draft. Should be more article's on the guy that WILL get drafted at 1. Curry
^cuz, for most people, he's the top rated qb in the draft.^
with all these free agents getting released and the amount of holes we have on our team, i'm beginning to think that maywand are gonna be dipping into the free agency pool a little bit more than they've previously said.
teams are letting some good ones go lately - we'd be wise to skim through them and see if any gems stand out.
we need as much help as we can get....through free agency and the draft. no old farts or players on the downside of their careers though.
You are crazy if you think the Lions are not going to take Stafford.....I would get used to it right now. If he wowed those people imagine what Ford is going to think of him. If Joey can wow him, I can't imagine what stafford will do. Be prepared to hear: WIth the first pick of the 2009 NFL draft the Detroit Lions select, Quarterback from Georgia, Matthew Stafford.
you're going to cry when you hear "With the first pick of the 2009 draft, the Detroit Lions select from Wake Forest, Aaron Curry."
I hope we're all going to do the happy dance when we hear, "With the first pick of the 2009 draft, the Detroit Lions select Offensive Tackle from Baylor, Jason Smith."
Peace
Ty
BTW Dave, you did some tremendous work at the combine! Absolutely invaluable insight streaming out of this space at what seemed like all hours. Thanks!
Peace
Ty
We will know the Lions first pick before the draft even starts because he will already have agreed to a contract and it will be the Rams on the clock.
If it's Aaron Curry in Rd 1 and Peria Jerry at No. 20, and Duke Robinson at No. 33, I will be a very happy Lions fan.
Hi Dave, no comment on the Stafford piece right now, just like Ty I want to thank you for your great work. As an avid Lions fan, also optimistic and not negative even though our bad times like a lot of fans, your blog is greatly appreciated. I probably check your blog for updates 3 or 4 times daily. Always looking forward to your next piece and you do a great job adding pieces so frequently! You also have been great at getting the information ahead of the rest! Congrats and keep up the stellar work.
how did stafford impress anyone?
don't fall for the hype..kid has been hyped up since high school and has never lived up to that hype..why would he now?
From a Georgia fan, if the Lions have any need whatsoever for a QB, and they don't pick Stafford, that signals the start of the beginning of the end for the new front office in Detroit.
This guy is a great QB. The reason that UGA didn't win championships was not because of Stafford, it was because of developing offensive lines, no defense and no special teams at UGA. The Dogs were 10-3 this year. Without Stafford they would have had a losing record.
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