Finally in The Right Layne?: Stafford Lifts The Lions in One Fell Swoop

(Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

On Sunday at around 1pm Pacific time, I felt a slight breeze out on the West Coast in my small apartment in Portland. 

And while the fact that I live in the Willamette Valley may have figured into this breeze, I know in my hear that the real cause was a collective sigh of relief coming from my old home in the Midwest.

That's right, folks, the Detroit Lions finally won a game!

While Monday morning quarterbacks (like myself) can argue over whether or not it was all about Detroit winning or Washington losing, the real story was about a rookie quarterback winning over a city.

Hold on east-coasters, I am not talking about your beloved Mark Sanchez and his inevitable (and premature) enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. 

Sure, Sanchez and the Jets have been impressive and his head first dive into the end zone may have won over his teammates; but to those in Michigan, the real story was about another rookie and his impressive run.

Early in the first half, the Lions found themselves in a third and long situation.  Upon receiving the snap, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford scanned the field only to find his receivers well covered.

For Lions fans, this has been a common experience.  On countless occasions, we have seen our newly anointed franchise quarterbacks in a make-or-break situation.

During the Chuck Long years, this would have resulted in a costly sack and a punt.

During the Andre Ware years, this would have led to an even costlier interception, if not a pick six.

During the Scott Mitchell years, this would have led to either a sack by a man half his size, or an interception that preceded the 6'6" 250 lb weakling being run over by a cornerback, leading to an injury.

During the Joey Harrington years, this would have led to a completion that fell five yards short of the first down marker.

In a lot of ways, how Stafford handled this situation would be the first opportunity for Lions fans to size up their young gunslinger.

So, instead of launching an ill-advised pass, the usual pocket passer fled his confines and decided to try to make a go of it on his own.

At one point during his scramble, Stafford appeared to be in trouble, but with a fairly slick hip shimmy, he sprung past the defender and passed the first down marker.

This alone would have been impressive.  However, Stafford wasn't done.  With a full head of steam, the signal caller kept going and instead of safely sliding, he offered himself up to the defender and took his hit like a man.

Instead of nursing what should have been the hardest hit of his young career, the youngster jumped to his feet and pleaded with the non-sellout crowd to acknowledge their team.

Needless to say, nobody needed his gesture; the crowd was already out of their seats.

In that moment, the fans had their new quarterback, and a new hope. 

However, this time, it feels different.  This time, the new franchise savior had actually earned his applause.

During the previous quarterback tenures, the loudest applause that each received was when they were first introduced. 

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