The Detroit Lions made the decision to part ways with quarterback Matthew Stafford earlier in the week, dealing him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks.
It marks the third occasion that a franchise player won’t play out the rest of his career with the Lions, following Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, both of whom decided to stop playing despite having serviceable years left in them.
For franchise legend Herman Moore, he’s able to identify with both Sanders and Johnson. He even admitted to “souring” on the organization at one point.
However, he’s happy with how the Lions and Stafford were able to facilitate a deal that worked for both sides.
“My view is, whether the Lions will own up to it or not, they’ve had a history of not gracefully allowing players to exit the organization,” he said during an interview with WXYZ. “It hasn’t always been in the way in which you saw what happened with Stafford to where both sides are agreeing and talking publicly about there may be a way in which they’re going to part ways. It’s not just your star players, it’s your players in general. I think it sets the tone and sets the example. I was very glad to see that, that was wonderful. I can identify wth Calvin and Barry. I soured on the organization at some point and I’m sure they soured on me. But it’s good to see this change a little bit.”
Moore was originally drafted by the Lions in the 1st round of the 1991 NFL Draft, and spent the first 11 years of his career with the team before finishing in 2002 with the New York Giants.
Do you agree with Moore’s thoughts on the Stafford situation?
– – Quotes via Brad Galli of WXYZ Link – –
I think it is important for Stafford to come to L.A. And do better than Goff ,,wwhich means he must make it back to NFC championship game ,then go on and win a Super Bowl. That’s the only thing Goff didn’t do: WIN A SUPER BOWL! Hellauva high standard for a perennial loser like Stafford. We shall see if he can do it.
“perennial loser” like Stafford? First you better check the record books , then you better check Stafford’s bank account. A loser he is not . On the other hand the Lions have been through how many GM’s and head coaches since Stafford arrived? There is a reason for that. Stafford didn’t fail the Lions, the Lions failed #9. Stafford is gonna make you eat that comment this year with the Rams . It’s not a matter of if he does, it’s a matter of how bad he makes you eat it .