(Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
Dateline: Aug. 22, Cleveland, OH
Matthew Stafford takes the first snap of his first "Begin" of his young career. Lions are already down 7-0 thanks to some great passing from the Browns. Play fake left side, Stafford rolls right. Adam Jennings flashes open on a dig route. Stafford slings the ball, interception Eric Wright.
On the bright side, how many of us Lions fans were glad he didn't roll out the back of the end zone?
What Went Wrong?
The problem? Matt Stafford misread the coverage. Against a man defense, that play is a nine-yard completion. Against a zone? No quarterback playing above the Pop Warner level should be throwing that.
A bigger problem, did Stafford really misread the zone? I don't think so.
There was no disguise, no cloud, no combination to that coverage. Stafford is an NFL quarterback. I know a Division III option-quarterback who could read that defense. How much more the "smartest" rookie quarterback in ages.
(Note: There is no conceivable way to blame Adam Jennings on that play. Calvin Johnson runs that route and it's still an INT.)
The bigger problem? Stafford knew it was a zone and thought he could complete it anyway.
At Georgia, to A.J. Green, against Vanderbilt, that's an easy completion.
The play highlights two problems Matthew Stafford has always struggled with. Neither is something easily coached, both have to improve before he starts a regular season game.
Matthew Stafford trusts his arm too much, plain and simple. He has boatloads of talent and is always ready to carry the team on his back. However, trusting your arm too much means being stupid with the football.
Hypothetically, any throw can be made against any type of coverage.
On the INT, Stafford has the arm strength to place a ball over Jennings' right shoulder where only he can get it. However, there isn't a coach in the nation wanting their QB to attempt that pass.
The better option? Wait: there was a lot of protection. Wide receivers are taught to break off their route against a zone—trying to find some green.
Another good option? Run: four yards and a hook slide is better than throwing into coverage.
(Note: In this coach's opinion, the roll out was far too deep and was a factor in this play. However, I have no idea how deep Linehan wants the roll out for that particular play call. In my estimation, Stafford should have been four yards closer to the line of scrimmage when he throws that ball.)
The other Stafford flaw this play points out was highlighted for most of the game as well. Stafford either has poor accuracy or questionable ball placement.
Again, it is completely inappropriate to blame the caliber of WR in this matter.
Can Calvin Johnson catch a poorly thrown ball? Yes he can. Should he need to? Not if you're paying a first overall QB millions of dollars. If the Lions only wanted a kid with a strong arm and no accuracy, Rex Grossman was available!
The WR argument was posited for much of the drafting season. Excuse me? Massaquoi has already earned himself a starting position with the Browns, A.J. Green will be a first rounder, and Knowshon Moreno is the best pass catching RB prospect in a while.
Later on in the first quarter, 3:40 remaining. Stafford takes the snap, play fake left side, rolls back to center—plenty of time in the pocket. John Standeford is open 20 yards down field. Easy throw. Too high.
On the replay, it's clear Standeford had his man beat.
It's also clear that he was in the air at full extension, caught off guard by the velocity and the height of that throw.
Does CJ catch that? Probably.
That does NOT excuse Stafford.
Calvin Johnson makes any quarterback better. As a first overall pick, Matthew Stafford should be charged with making his wide receivers better.
Missing that pass, to any wide receiver is inexcusable.
9:25 left in the second quarter. Stafford takes the snap, play fake left, roll out deep to the right. Jennings is wide open down the right side line. Stafford misses him by a mile.
Does a faster WR catch that? Maybe.
Does it excuse Stafford? Nope.
(Note: Standeford was also wide open in the middle of the field. Stafford made the right throw but it is pertinent to note both wide outs were open.)
What Went Right?
Nothing.
I'm serious.
You can make all the excuses or comparisons that you want. But you can't rationalize this into a good outing. Culpepper took the same "bush league" receivers and completed 10/16 while still passing for a much higher yards/attempt.
Stafford's five completions netted only 34 yards.
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