Detroit Lions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford will never be elite
If someone asked you to name five elite quarterbacks in the NFL, would Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford make your list?
The general consensus is probably not. Unfortunately for him, he will never make it on that type of list. When it comes to the kind of player that Stafford is — good pocket presence, strong-arm, proven leader, etc. — those things all make him sound like who many would consider an elite quarterback.
Here is where things get a little iffy though, Stafford, as good of a player as he is, simply does not have that X-factor. Look at players like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. You think of an elite quarterback in your head and each one of those players immediately shows up. After Sunday’s Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks, Brady has arguably vaulted to the front of that list.
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Those guys know what it means to be an X-factor in a game. The Bottom line for their respective teams is if they do not show up to a game, there is little chance their team wins. On top of that, the four players listed above have also all won at least one Super Bowl and have battled with their respective team (Manning with the Indianapolis Colts) in the best and worst of times.
Stafford is different. He is the type of player that can win you games, no question about it. Just look at the Lions’ 2014 season. The team finished with an 11-5 record and almost won the NFC North. Last season was the best record that Detroit had boasted while Stafford was in charge, which is ironic, seeing as how it was one of his poorer years statistically.
The sixth year quarterback threw for just 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. On top of that, he threw for only 4,257 yards. Now, an onlooker might say, “hey, throwing for over 4,000 yards is pretty good.” Yes, that is correct. Unfortunately, from Stafford’s standards, it was a very poor year.
Stafford’s career season-highs top out around 5,038 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Both of those career highs occurred in 2011 when Stafford helped the Lions finish 10-6. One positive point from last season though, is that Stafford threw only 12 interceptions, the fewest in his career in a full season. Obviously that is not an elite level, but he still is making a good name for himself around the league.
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Detroit won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit has some good offensive weapons around Stafford via the likes of wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and versatile running back Reggie Bush, to name a few. While these players do make Stafford better, it also helps that the Lions’ defense significantly stepped up its game last year. Detroit finished in the NFL’s Top 5 in both fewest rushing and passing yards allowed.
Bottom line for Stafford and the Lions is simple. The team will consistently be a potential playoff contender each season. Unfortunately, similar to the Dallas Cowboys, the team will never be able to break out of their norm of not being able to close out games.
A big part of that issue does center around Stafford. He will go down in NFL history as a great quarterback. But he will never break into the class of quarterbacks that bear the title “elite.”