Matthew Stafford has a friend in Kurt Warner, a retired four-time Pro Bowl quarterback who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV.

Stafford is a nominee for the NFL comeback player of the year award which will be awarded on Saturday night, Super Bowl eve.

Warner, who spoke in Indianapolis Wednesday, thinks Stafford is just getting started.

"I think we saw this year his potential. Everybody knew he was talented; it was just, can he stay healthy for 16 games? If he can, let's see what he can do. Well, he can throw for 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns,’’ Warner said, according to quotes on the Lions’ web site.

“Along with the weapons he has, I don’t know what the limit for him is. That was a great year, a great year under the radar because of everyone else. That’s an MVP year in most seasons and he’s 23 years old. If he can continue that, and improve in some of those other areas, he’s going to be really, really impressive,’’ Warner said.

Stafford completed his first 16-game season in 2011 after being hampered by injuries in 2009 and 2010. He only played in three games in the 2010 season due to shoulder injuries which is why he's nominated for comeback player of the year.

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