Over the years, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been one of the most polarizing figures in Detroit sports as some fans believe he is worthy of the Hall of Fame, while others are convinced that he is one of the main reasons why the Lions have continued to fail.
But one person who believes Stafford is pretty damn good is Hall of Fame quarterback, Steve Young.
Young, who knows a thing or two about what a great quarterback looks like, recently joined the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks Show and he preached what many of us know to be the truth about Stafford.
“I’m telling you, Matthew Stafford is a tremendous football player,” Young said on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. “Matthew Stafford, with some help, is one of the greats of this generation. He really is. He’s done miracles, in my mind. Miracles. And that’s the thing. If you can say, ‘Who’s the most valuable player? The guy who’s dragging around the most, and getting the most out of it.’ I might say, ‘Matthew Stafford.’
“… When you think about Matthew Stafford, you think he’s pretty good, right? I can’t imagine how good he’d really be if he had some help.”
If you have read my work over the years, you know that I am 100% lock-step with Young as I too believe Stafford is a generational talent who just so happened to get drafted by one of the worst run franchises in professional sports.
Nation, what do you think? Do you believe that Stafford would be one of the best of his generation if he just had some help? Or, do you think Young (and myself) are crazy and that Stafford one of the reasons why the Lions have not been able to win over the past decade or so?
100% agree
I totally agree with Don Drysdale and Steve Young about Matthew Stafford, if he had any kind of help Detroit would’ve been won a Super Bowl or 2, he’s that savoy of a quarterback to get them over that hump with help. He’s never had a defense to help hold the leads that the offense put up. Stafford with Ray Lewis type Baltimore defense, Pittsburgh, or even the Patriots type defense them he’d be talked about as one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all time
Matthew is not only a great quarterback, he’s an exceptional person. His positive efforts to move the needle on systemic racism are symbolic of his leadership. I hope he has a “John Elway” championship before he hangs them up.
Stafford is definitely an elite NFL QB. He is a competitor first and foremost (which in my opinion is the secret sauce at any level of sport). Second of all, Stafford has a toughness like no other, he takes a beating every week, is consistently under pressure and still makes plays, and comes back for more … especially when they count (look at ALL the comebacks he has had through the years). Finally, Stafford is a leader, if he himself had the right leadership around him (a head coach AND owner who demands excellence & individual accountability from the squad) Stafford could really let that shine. The sports fans of Detroit … and Stafford deserve better.
Hmmm, Calvin will be a hall of famer, Burison, Tate, Marvin Jones had their best career years while Stanford throwing to them and Golliday and TJ are becoming stars. I’d say they all would tell you he made them better.
Matt “STIFF”ord.
Talented yes, but not a winner even a little. He doesn’t know how to make those around him better.
The horrible Lydowns need to unload his overblown salary and get something for him while they still can. He is not the future at least not in Detroit. Prove me wrong and give a second chance that he is winner in a better franchise?
Yeah it’s a shame that he cannot improve the o-line to the point of T.J. Langs’ 2017 season. He really needs to work on his o-line coaching/training skills. I believe if Matt drafted better linemen he could alleviate some of his o-line coaching duties and concentrate more on coaching his running backs. Then maybe the backs and linemen could catch up to the 8 Pro Bowls his receivers have participated in. Until then I believe Gary Becker has the best shot at winning the S.B. for the Lions.
Not at all.
100%!! He’s virtually had zero help. Look at all the #1 picks since 2009 that are not on the team, that did not make it to second contract. The failed picks of the second round. Zero all pro/pro-bowl players (besides Calvin). This team is basically a .500 team when he plays and has zero chance to win when he’s doesn’t play.
I’m a major Stafford fan. I’ve go back to Layne and Rote and Stafford is the best QB in Lions History. When Layne won his 2 Titles Lions had a great defense. Stafford never has had a great defense or great running attack. Saying that Stafford needs to appear in a Super Bowl for HOF
Rules were different back then. They allow offensive lines to hold, started in the 90’s. Rule change. You have to be a winner, Stafford still could win something, but he’s not going to HOF on yardage alone.
Matt’s the best great QB I’m glad Detroit has him as his QB hes class on and off the field. Everybody forgets that hes real deal. Like steve young said, dont get that ass hole from SF OR THAT OTHER DOUCH. GET A COACH FOR HIM AND A GOOD GM. Get ride of the Ford family too. Matt’s the greatest QB in history.
Matt Staffords the best QB in history great guy on and off the field. Please dont get that asshole from SF hes a douch and that other guy they are talking about from KC hes a buttnugget. Get a great coach and GM FORDS GOT TO GO she they dont no shit either does Wood.
I also have been a big fan of Mathew Stafford with better coaching and better players he would be a better than Marino, Montana, Tarkington, Greise, Elway,etc. He is an awesome QB. Detoirt get the team to help this QB .Get the right Coach, GM and then build a great team ASAP!!
WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHERES THE HELP?! HE HAD CALVIN JOHNSON AND DIDN’T WIN
Just because a QB has a strong arm doesn’t make them good. Everyone always talks about the late game comebacks but forgets why we’re in that spot in the first place. While his arm is strong, his decision making and ability to make reads is pathetic. Furthermore, he’s been consistently paid top 5 NFL QB money and has never delivered a single playoff win. This is a slightly better Jay Cutler not a top 5 QB.
For the franchise to pass on Tagavailoa and Herbert to take a benched CB at #3 was horribly irresponsible and of course was made with the idea that this guy is the savior. You tell me what’s better, Tagavailoa/Herbert on a rookie deal + 30 million in cap space or Matt Stafford? The blue collar Lions fans act like we owe this guy something after paying him hundreds of millions of dollars for zero playoff wins, what a joke.
You couldn’t be more off base. Think of one time Stafford has ever played like a non Top 5 QB. Nobody can make it to the playoffs with a great QB and great WR’s. Dan Marino ring a bell? Think defense and coaching my friend. Stafford, on 20 other teams, would have at least 1 SB win. And on the other 11 teams would be in the playoffs often. Who was it that led the Jets the single year they made the playoffs in the last however many years. Was is Mark Sanchez? You can’t honestly not see what is so obvious.
The problem is the Lions have never had an offensive line to protect a quarterback. The Lions QB job is and always has been “take the snap and run for your life”. They have been blessed with great receivers, great running backs, exceptional defensive players, outstanding QBs that have gone and excelled in other clubs over many years. Tell me I’m wrong!!! I’m talking at least in the last 50+yrs. The offensive line has been mediocre at best.