2011 Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford To Throw in QB Competition

Detroit Lions franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford has been tweeting his rehab progress since undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder three months ago, but the latest news is the most promising so far. 

It was recently announced that Stafford will be participating in Saturday's Legends Quarterback Challenge during halftime at his alma mater, the University of Georgia.

Some may scoff at the significance but I take issue with that response. 

Yes, he will probably be throwing to some random Joe or Josephine who won an auction to raise money for a charitable cause, but the fact remains that he will be back throwing a football in front of a home crowd.

That has to feel like success for Stafford. 

I don't believe he would be putting himself out there, especially in front a large media contingent, if he didn't think he was ready.

I also don't believe that his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, would allow him to throw and risk injury to his arm if he didn't feel Stafford was ready.

Though it is not entirely clear yet what Stafford will actually be doing in this competition, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that that Stafford and fellow former Bulldogs Eric Zeier, David Greene and DJ Shockley "will participate in a skills competition at halftime." 

The game being played is referred simply as G-Day, so I guess you have to be a Bulldog to understand the significance.

As a Lions fan, I would like G-Day to be the beginning of several V-Day's (victory, not Valentine's) for the franchise QB. If he wins the competition, he'll be off to a good start.

Stafford is throwing the football again and not just as part of his therapy, which is enough to put a smile on this Detroit fan's face.

Stafford, in my book, is back.