Stafford Or Culpeper... What About Drew Stanton?

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am in no way advocating that Drew Stanton be the quarterback of the future for the Detroit Lions. I knew he wasn't when they drafted him two years ago. The reason is that he can't stay healthy. That is why Michigan State never got to the next level with him.

Sure enough, he has also been injured more than he has been healthy with the Lions. So why would I advocate playing him? The reason is quite simple. 

When he has played he has done alright. However, he has played so little that I don't think there is another team out there that is interested in acquiring him. So the Lions are stuck with him. Therefore, play him and hope he does well and stays healthy. That way they can get a damn good trade out of him.

If he does get hurt or plays poorly, then the Lions are still stuck with him. However, that is where they are now. The Lions will clearly be rebuilding in 2009. Therefore there is no harm in seeing what they have with Stanton.

I really don't think it is a good idea to play Matthew Stafford right away. He should run the scout team and learn the playbook inside and out. That way he will gain the respect of his teammates before he ever takes the field. That should be in 2010.

Certainly Daunte Culpepper is a good guy to have on the team. He is an established veteran and can be the long term backup. However, with all the injuries he has had, I don't think there is another team that would want to acquire him as a starter.

Therefore, I think Drew Stanton would be a good choice to start opening day. The ironic thing is that it isn't because I think he can be the QB of the future, it is because I know he can't. However, other teams don't have to know that.

Heck if he does well the first few weeks and somebody wants him by the trade deadline, jump on it.