There are more important things that football and one of those things is family.
For Detroit Lions‘ quarterback Matthew Stafford, his family has always been at the top of his list and it most certainly is now as his wife Kelly was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Kelly recently announced she had a brain tumor which required surgery. On Wednesday, that surgery reportedly took place, according to an Instagram post by her brother Chad.
The Lions held voluntary workouts this week and one player who was understandably absent was Matthew Stafford.
Stafford, of course, is giving 100% of his time to Kelly and his children, which is what he should be doing.
On Thursday, Lions’ GM Bob Quinn held a pre-draft press conference and he was asked whether or not he had talked to Matthew about Kelly’s situation.
From Detroit News:
“I have a lot of conversations with Matt over the past couple weeks,” Quinn said. “I would say my prayers and the organization’s prayers are with him and his family, with Kelly’s situation. Out of respect for his (wishes), he wants to kind of keep everything private, so I’m going to leave it at that.”
Quinn was also asked about if he needed to make a contingency plan in case Stafford were to miss extended time.
“Nope,” Quinn replied.
BONUS CONTENT:
Detroit Lions’ Perfect 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition
It has been a marathon but we are almost to the promised land which is the 2019 NFL Draft!
After hours and hours of research, all of the so-called “experts” will soon be unveiling their final mock draft of the season and none of them will end up being correct.
I, on the other hand, do not claim to be an expert. Instead, I am just a huge fan of the Detroit Lions who happens to believe to know what the Lions’ biggest needs are and which available prospects can fill those needs.
That being said, here is my final crack at what I believe the “perfect” Detroit Lions’ draft would look like.
Remember, this is NOT what I think Lions’ GM Bob Quinn WILL do in the upcoming draft, it is what I think he SHOULD do.
Round 1, Pick 8
Ed Oliver (DL) Houston
Oliver is an absolute beast and he could come in and make an immediate impact for a Lions defense that should be greatly improved in 2019.
From Dane Brugler (The Athletic):
STRENGTHS: Fluid body control to wriggle off blocks…excellent foot quickness and change of direction skills…shot out of a cannon with his first step…forces holding penalties due to his gap quickness…creates knockback with his speed-to-power skills…ball awareness to track through blocks…uses natural leverage to stay underneath the pads of blockers…better than expected play strength as a run defender…highly aggressive motor and effort never wanes, chasing down plays near the sidelines…dominated from the moment he stepped onto campus and leaves as a three-time All-American, collecting 54.0 tackles for loss over 33 career starts.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks desired frame and length…needs to continue and develop his body and stay in the 280-285 pound range (weighed 274 for most of his final season at Houston)…relied more on motor than brute power to overwhelm blockers in college…not a bull rusher…undeveloped approach with his hands…below- average counter measures once locked up…faced inferior competition in the AAC…several immature moments in college, including an on-field altercation with head coach Major Applewhite regarding a coat issue on the sideline — Oliver has a “young attitude” and has “growing up to do,” according to an NFL scout…missed five games as a junior with a right knee bruise (November 2018) and was limited at the combine with a strained hamstring (February 2019).
