Bleacher Report - Articles by Joshua Lagan

The NFL's Top Five Candidates for Defensive Player of the Year

Joshua Lagan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:43:10 -0500

The Defensive Player of the Year award is a better award than the MVP, because the MVP award is often determined based upon popularity, while the Defensive Player of the Year is won by the player who has shown himself as a star, and his team has responded by being successful in the league. It is not purely an individual award, because the player with the best stats won't necessarily win. It is the players who have shined individually, and as a result of this have made the entire defense and team preform better. If frustrates me that the MVP award hasn't been given to a Defensive Player since 1986 (Lawerence Taylor). As the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have showed us, championships are won through defense. The Greatest Show on Turf (2001 Rams) is nothing more than a show without the defense to back it up. I realize that the defense did very well during the regular season, but against the Patriots when they needed a stop, the defense wasn't able to do it for them. Defense wins championships, and the Defensive Player of the Year is the general of that defense. These are the five players this year who I think are the respective generals of their team, who are leaders both in word in action and thus deserve recognition.

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The Most Underrated Players on the Teams who won't make the Playoffs

Joshua Lagan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:14:13 -0500

This picture is not of Deangelo Williams, in fact, this is a picture of Jarius Byrd taking down the Pro Bowl running back. A rookie from Oregon, he currently has more interceptions than he has starts, (7 starts to 8 interceptions.) There are many unheralded players like Jarius who are having excellent years, but who aren't getting any publicity because they're playing for teams that are surrounded with disappointment. These are the teams who won't make the playoffs, (I determined the teams who won't make the playoffs are those with currently 3 or less wins.) These are the ten Most Underrated Players on the ten teams not going to the playoffs.

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How the New England Patriots Will Cement Their Legacy as Team of the Decade

Joshua Lagan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:16:27 -0400

Under the leadership of returning quarterback Tom Brady, the New England Patriots will go 19-0, defeating the New York Giants, 30-10, to become the undisputed team of the decade.

The Patriots won Super Bowls in the 2001, 2003, and the 2004 seasons. They lost in the 2006 season, after going 18-0 through the games leading up to the Super Bowl, but, despite the loss, the Patriots had already become a dynasty.

Few people would've challenged the statement that the Patriots were the team of the decade. But, suddenly, there is competition.

In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers quietly won the Super Bowl. I say "quietly" because that year is most famously remembered for the Patriots' botched opportunity to make history as the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row, instead of for the Steelers' victory.

But the Steelers' victory this past year made it two Super Bowls in the last four years, and now they have a chance at two in a row. If this happens, the Steelers could suddenly dethrone the Patriots.

My personal sports philosophy is that the most recent champions should still be considered the champions, until proven otherwise.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl this year, making it three Super Bowls out of the last five years, I will have to concede the Steelers are the team of this decade, because their Super Bowl victories are more recent.

Thankfully, I won't have to do that, because the Patriots are going to dominate this year, and below I will explain why.

Despite crippling injuries to many of their stars, the team was still able to pull together, and accomplished an admirable 11-5 season. Shockingly, they still didn't make the playoffs, but this record could've won four other divisions in the NFL.

To go 11-5 with a brand new quarterback, five different starting running backs, and five defensive starters over the age of 32, is, frankly, incredible.

This year, all the pieces have come together. This team is better than the 2007 one, and this time no "miracle David Tyree catch" is going to stop them from winning it all.

Starting with the coaching, I'm going to explain how this team is better than even the incredible 2007 one, and how they have the star power to finally go 19-0.

Coaching

Bill Belichick is hands-down the best coach in the NFL. Even his biggest haters can't put him below the top three.

Year after year, the Patriots are a top five team in the league. A defensive and offensive genius, he seems able to make any coach under him seem brilliant.

Take a look at some of the coaches that have emerged from under his wing: Charlie Weis (head coach of Notre Dame), Romeo Crennel (former head coach of the Cleveland Browns), Eric Mangini (current head coach of the Cleveland Browns), Josh McDaniels (coach of the Denver Broncos). Take another look at those names.

Have any of them achieved anything even close to success? They were all heralded as geniuses, who Bill Belichick spawned ideas from.

Eventually, they all got greedy and went after money, only to find they weren't as smart as they thought they were.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have continued to be a top team in the league, without missing a beat without their "star" coordinators.

It's clear that Bill Belichick was the glue for these coaches, and without him, they couldn't succeed. As long as Bill Belichick is with the team, "coaching" will be a strength for the Patriots.

Offense

Under Tom Brady in 2007, the Patriots averaged 411 yards a game, easily winning first in the league. The next closest team was the Green Bay Packers with 370 yards. That's a difference of 40 yards a game between first and second!

Their running offense was 13th in the league. Their leading rusher was Laurence Maroney with 835 yards, and he only played in 13 games (six starts). Last year, he spent all but three games on IR.

Will he be a top 10 running back this year? No, but he is going to manage at least 800 yards again, and could get over 1000.

The Patriots were fifth in the league last year in rushing, without getting a running back over 750 yards. They signed free agent Fred Taylor, who has had seven 1,200-yard campaigns in the last 10 years.

Will he be able to duplicate that success? Most likely not, but with Laurence Maroney sharing carries with Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk, and young upstart BenJarvus Green-Ellis, this team's rushing attack is going to a formidable bunch.

Bill Belichick will create a subbing plan to keep them all fresh, while still taking advantage of their very different styles, making them nearly impossible to stop.

Then, on the passing side, if Tom Brady has 15 fewer touchdowns than in the 2007 season, he'll still be the league leader. Tom Brady completely tore up the league in 2007.

Will he do it again? Probably not quite as much, but again, the incredible thing about the Patriots is that they won’t even need him to.

He will be much better than Matt Cassel, as well as coming in with a fire off of his injury. Tom Brady's quest for revenge, combined with a top five run game, with two Pro Bowl Receivers—who do you double team?

Do you put the extra man in the box to help in the run game and risk getting burned deep by Randy Moss or Joey Galloway? Or do you double coverage Moss and try to stop the run game?

What do you do when Tom Brady beats your double team? I don't see how this offense can be stopped with the talent they have.

The weakest part on this team's offense is their offensive line. It is still a powerful line, but they gave up way too many sacks last year. They need to do a much better job of protecting the quarterback.

Defense

The Patriots had the 10th best defense in the league last year, which was somewhat of a disappointment for them. Watch this defense return to the top five this year, as they continue to get younger and faster.

The defense got much better this year, as they added youth to their aged linebacker corps and got new defensive backs in their secondary who are better at coverage.

Rodney Harrison was much more bark than actual bite. He's been getting slower for years, and though the Patriots will miss his attitude and leadership, they will be improved with Patrick Chung as their safety.

The Patriots fans got worried as they saw Bill Belichick's secondary stars, one by one, leave the team—Randall Gay, Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, and Eugene Wilson all left the team after Super Bowls looking for money.

But what most people didn't see, because it was covered up by the massive pressure of their defensive line, is that all of these defensive backs were atrocious in coverage. They merely looked good because of their interception stats, which came as a result of not having to cover too tightly.

But now that they left, they aren't having the same success. Asante Samuel had good interceptions stats last year, but was beaten often in coverage.

The Patriots filled the holes left by their departures by picking up coverage specialists in Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden, and Tank Williams. They also have two possible Pro Bowl safeties in Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung.

These safeties will add speed and run game help, because they're both "in the box" safeties. This will not be the typical turnover-causing defense that Bill Belichick usually spotlights, but it will be very hard to beat, and will have very good yardage stats.

The defensive line has three Pro Bowlers who all can stuff the run, but who still generate a terrific pass rush. It is easily a top five line, and is the nucleus of Bill Belichick's defensive strategy.

They clog up the line, allowing "physical beast" Adalius Thomas, 2008's Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo, consistent Tedy Bruschi, two-time 115-tackle season Paris Lenon, and first team All-Big East Tyrone McKenzie, to make sacks and tackles.

This defense starts up front, but it has support all the way through. It is possible Julius Peppers could still be signed, and if that happened this could be a season of legend.

Special Teams

This unit is stacked full of veteran Pro Bowlers, starting with punter Chris Hanson.

He isn't the best punter in the league by any means, but is a very serviceable punter for the few times when their offense doesn't succeed.

Stephen Gostkowski is a Pro Bowl kicker who's already helped the Patriots forget about "the Benedict Arnold" Adam Vinatieri.

Wes Welker is a great punt returner, holding three of the four team records for punt returning with the Miami Dolphins, and the sure-handed Kevin Faulk has been returning kicks for years for the Patriots.

They will miss the speed of Ellis Hobbs, but they should be able to find a serviceable replacement for him.

Summary

Offensively, simply because of the return of Tom Brady, they're a top five team.

Defensively, they need several players to play big for this team to be a top five unit.

Patrick Chung, Brandon Meriweather, Jerod Mayo, and Darius Butler are all first or second year players. They could have a huge impact, but the Patriots will need all of them to play up to their full potential.

Injuries on the defensive line could cripple this team, as they have little depth there, but everywhere else they could recover from injuries. This is an incredibly talented, deep, motivated team.

They're trying to get back to the Super Bowl after the humiliating defeat by the New York Giants. Do I actually think they will win 19 games in a row? Probably not, since they have the fourth hardest schedule in the league.

Do they have the talent to win every game this year? Definitely. Right now, they are definitely my Super Bowl pick.

My final summary statement is this: 2010 AFC championship game, buy your tickets as soon as you can. New England Patriots vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers to determine the team of the decade.

Offense vs. defense—it's going to be a hell of a game.

The NFL Players Who Keep Us Most Entertained During the Offseason

Joshua Lagan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:38:22 -0400

The NFL Off-season is long... There's very little news coming from the top NFL sites. Teams are very secretive about any information of worth, and so we're left with reading articles about Donte Stallworth, highly unlikely rumors, predictions which have already been predicted, and then information about stadiums and VPs. Do you even know any team's VPs? And If you're wondering where I came up with those article subjects, just take a look at the most recent NFL.com articles. Fortunately, there is a group of players who have taken it upon themselves to keep us from getting bored while we wait for the first kickoff. You can see two of them in the picture above. But just a note, not all of these players are one's who make the news for their egos or poor behavior. Some of them are just good players that have excited us anew with their potential for stardom. So without wasting more time, here are the top NFL Players, who entertain us during the long off-season.

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The 2009 NFL Draft (Round 1) Done Right

Joshua Lagan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:10:22 -0400

I've tried doing mock drafts in the past, and they always end up with me getting frustrated. Trying to predict what people like Al Davis and Scott Pioli are going to do, is near impossible, and so I've given up. So now, I will just post who the team's Should have drafted. I take into context the team's needs, free agency, trades, retirements... and decide upon picks that profit will most help every team. So here is my opinion, of how the 2009 NFL Draft Should have gone. *Note* I am using the original draft order without any of the trades. So the teams picking will be slightly different than how it actually happened, but like I said before, this is my opinion of how it *should have* happened, not how it actually did.

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Could Michael Vick Lead Jacksonville to a Divison Crown?

Joshua Lagan — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:24:19 -0400

Michael Vick was released from prison today, and the debates now begins, "Will he ever play football again?" "If so, who should take a chance on him?" Assuming Roger Goodell reinstates him, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the team who need to sign him.

The Atlanta Falcons currently hold his contract rights, but Falcon's owner Arthur Blank, has already made a statement stating that he wishes Michael Vick well, but he must continue his NFL career elsewhere. That "elsewhere" is the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Reason One

The risk in taking Michael Vick is not as big as people make it out to be. He is not a bad person. Unlike the Terrell Owens, and Pacman Jones of the league, he's not going to destroy the unity of your team. Michael Vick was hardly a problem child as the Falcon's poster boy. He led them to winning seasons, and playoff victories, and carried the team on his back quite nobly considering the talent around him.

Reason Two

Michael Vick is not stupid. I don't believe that Michael Vick will suddenly become an angel, but I also don't believe that Michael Vick was a demon before this.

I think it won't be far into the season before we see the return of the confident, showy, incredibly talented Michael Vick, that we all knew and loved. Michael Vick is broke, and he knows it.

This is his final shot. If he does anything. I mean ANYTHING at all he'll be out of the league. Michael Vick knows he's got one more chance to make it. He's smart enough to not do anything stupid. I can assure you, his former $100+ million contract is reminding every day about the consequences of his actions.

Reason Three

The Jaguars need to make a splash. The Jaguars have been a talented, "on the cusp" team for years. Every year there is some NFL analyst picking them as his surprise team. But every year they are a distant third behind the heavy weights, Indianapolis, and Tennessee.

This year many are even picking them to be fourth behind the Texans. The Jaguars have made some smart moves in the draft, and signing Torry Holt in the free agents, but they need something bigger to take them to the next level, Michael Vick might be that addition.

Reason Four

The Jaguars have the perfect Quarterback situation for him. David Garrard is a confident, running quarterback, who doesn't throw interceptions. Michael Vick throws buckets of interceptions.

First, Michael Vick can maybe learn a few things from him. But mainly, Michael Vick will get the chance to compete for a starting position. Michael Vick has learned his lesson.

He's had two years to sit behind bars and ponder his mistakes. He doesn't need another year to sit behind a quarterback and get more frustrated. He needs to get out there and start throwing the football. David Garrard will begin the season as the starting quarterback, and might very well end it as the starting quarterback to.

But this will give Michael Vick a slim chance of competing for the starting job. A slim chance is all Michael Vick needs. He's confident and talented, but he's an under achiever.

For once people aren't expecting him to succeed, and if that isn't encouragement enough, he's also broke. Michael Vick will thrive under the spotlight of so many haters and doubters.

Reason Five

Michael Vick won't cost as much as people think he will. Michael Vick is desperate. He needs money quickly. Now sure, he's made outrageous statements about how much he thinks he's worth, but the NFL is smart enough to not give him that much.

Michael Vick needs the NFL more than the NFL needs him, Michael Vick will have no choice but to yield, when nobody jumps at his demands. The Jaguars also happen to have $13.8 million in cap space.

Reason Six

The Jaguars are a running team. David Garrard is the closest the NFL has to a Michael Vick. He's not nearly as quick on his feet, but he a running and throwing threat. If any team can give Michael Vick the chance to run it will be the Jaguars.

Reason Seven

The Jaguars offensive line will be strong this year. The draft additions of Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton will help fortify this team that was formerly weak at the tackle position. They also picked up Tra Thomas from the Eagles.

Tra Thomas should be a starter this year and can help groom the two new tackles. This line will protect Vick, and also give him the ability to make plays with his feet.

Reason Eight

This is Maurice Jones-Drew's team, and everybody knows it. The team relies upon him, and he is the poster boy of it. Michael Vick will not have to carry the team, and Michael Vick will not be allowed to carry this team.

This is a position I think Michael Vick needs to be in; a supporting role. Maurice Jones-Drew will keep Michael Vick in line.

Reason Nine

With the Jaguar's Offensive Line, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Michael Vick, this run game could easily rival the Giants for first in the league. The Colts defense will be run over by the Jaguars, and the Tennessee defense will be without Albert Haynesworth. The Jaguars could possibly even steal a division crown.

The Jaguar have more of a use for Vick than any other team. Few other teams have an opening for Michael Vick where he could compete for the starting quarterback, and those that do, are hopeless teams that would be throwing open the doors to him, this is not something that would be good for Michael Vick.

He could very easily lose his new found humility if he were given a situation like that. The Jaguars are a fit for Michael Vick that gives him a second chance, and allows the NFL to keep him under wraps to prevent him from acting up again. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the team for Michael Vick.

7 Quarterbacks with Breakout Potential

Joshua Lagan — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:40:29 -0400

Because of injuries, suspensions, and plain underachieving, these seven quarterbacks had seasons way below their potential. Some were injured, while others had their support casts taken down. But with healthy arms, and healthy offensive players around them, watch these quarterbacks look to improve upon last seasons, with very successful years.

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Nobody Needs You Anyway, Brett Farve

Joshua Lagan — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:36:10 -0400

It's not every year that a 39-year-old, injured, "past his prime" quarterback, can keep himself in the media spotlight about whether he will retire or not. Usually they can't get anybody to sign them, and so they leave the game dreaming of days past.

But Brett Farve has done that and more, as Brett Farve rumors have run rampant over the last several months. It's time for the football world to just wise up and say, "Brett, nobody needs you anyway."

Brett Farve has had a brilliant career, winning Super Bowls, earning MVP's, being selected to Pro Bowls, setting records, and the whole time building up a fan base to be one of the most popular players ever to play the game.

He's a celebrity, and the NFL has loved him. But somebody needs to tell Brett it's over.

Everything was pretty much perfect following the 07 season. Brett Farve had led the Packers to a stunning 13-3 year and the NFC Conference Championship game, before falling to the eventual Superbowl winners, the New York Giants in a tight 23-20 game.

Nobody had expected the Packers to do so well, and Brett Farve had cemented his legacy. He retired in brilliant fashion, with a heartfelt goodbye, bringing tears to the eyes of even his haters.

The grand finale would be in a short amount of time, when he would be elected to the Hall of Fame to be remembered forever. Besides falling just short of winning the Superbowl his final year, everything was perfect.

When suddenly Brett Farve decided he wasn't done, and was picked up by the Quarterback Starved, New York Jets. The Packers fans felt betrayed and bewildered, what had happened to their hero? Why did he betray them so?

But nonetheless, the Jet's fans welcomed him with the "fattened calf," and he was heralded as their saviour, the final piece for the Jets 2009 Superbowl run. He was given the keys to the city, and their love for him only grew as they flew to an 8-3 start, and the division lead.

The Packer's fans were still confused, and trying to figure out what was happening, and how Brett could be on a team not called the Packers. But Brett Farve, despite changing camps, was on top of the world.

Thirty-eight and still the best, was the cry that was echoed from all the "streets by the newspaper boys." But then suddenly, everything went terribly wrong...

The New York Jets stumbled through a 1-4 finish, missing the playoffs at 9-7.

Brett Farve threw 9 interceptions over the last 5 games, as his arm began to give him trouble. He tore his bicep collar, giving him pain in shoulder, finally showing his age, and the result of so many years of wear and tear.

The Jets were furious about the horrible finish. Eric Mangini was fired, and when Brett Farve asked to be let go, his wish was immediately granted. Brett Farve retired again following the season, but this time people weren't as eager to get emotional with him. Jet's and Packer's fans now felt betrayed by him.

The Jet's because he failed their expectations, and the Packers because of how he'd left them. They still love him for what he did there, and many are willing to over look his departure, but the fact remains.

Brett Farve retired, this time with his record tainted, instead of in glory like the first time. It's sad that his career had to end with this black mark, but at least it's over...

Right...? Please...?

The Brett Farve Saga continues, as Brett Farve has changed his mind again.

The NFL world was finally accepting that this time, the retirement was for real, but he's changed his mind again and is now officially "undecided." "Undecided?!?" Brett you're killing yourself. Didn't you learn from the last time? Hasn't your name been muddied enough?

Brett, it's time to accept it, it's over... He's not the same Brett Farve he was a year ago. His confidence has slipped after such a tragic collapse, he's hurt, he's tired, he's 39 years old! He's coming off a 28 touchdown 28 interception season, with one of the lowest passing yard totals of his career.

The Vikings would be making a Huge mistake by picking up Brett Farve, and Brett Farve would be making a Huge mistake by joining the Vikings. Tarvaris Jackson is already as confident as a "girlfriend who's been dumped three times by the same man." Do you think this controversy is helping him get comfortable at all?

At this point, if the Vikings get Farve, they'd'll get a broken veteran, who is injured and according to reports, hasn't thrown a pass in months. Viking's fans want to think that Brett Farve will be the final piece in their Super Bowl destined team, but I think the Vikings will get closer to a Superbowl, by giving Tarvaris Jackson a chance this year, and see what he can do.

Then if he doesn't pan out, next year, pull a trade similar to the Jet's Mark Sanchez trade, to pick up one of the top tier quarterbacks coming out next year.

I don't think Brett can lead them to a Super Bowl. In fact, I think signing Brett Farve will be worse for them.

These Quarterback desperate teams need to get over their Young Brett Farve Fantasies, and realize how little he has left in him. There's a quarterback heavy draft next year, Brett Farve is not your answer.

Brett, we love you, "but nobody needs you anyway." For your sake, and the sake of the NFL, please stay retired.

The NFL's 2008-1998 No. 1 Overall Pick Power Rankings

Joshua Lagan — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:35:19 -0400

This picture is of Ryan Leaf, the most famous bust in NFL history. As every NFL fan knows, there is a huge risk factor with every NFL draft pick, and for the number one overall this is only escalated. This is the Power Rankings of the 2008-1998 No. 1 draft choices. It is difficult to make a final judgment about several players because they're still new to the league, but here are my rankings accordingly to how they have played thus far.

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AFC Power Rankings for 2009

Joshua Lagan — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:54:12 -0400

Entering the 2009 seasons, everybody is wondering who's on top. I am starting with the 16 AFC teams, and will publish one of the NFC teams later in the week. The division winners are pretty easy to predict, but there is a large body of average teams, that will all be fighting for the wild cards. We are now past the NFL Draft, and most of the top Free Agents are signed. Several major trades may still occur, but assuming the teams stay the same as they're now, these are my Power Rankings.

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You Don't Pay Them Like Tom Brady, Until They Play Like Tom Brady.

Joshua Lagan — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:35:12 -0400

Tom Brady:

Quarterback, New England Patriots, nine-year veteran.

He has led his team to four Super Bowl games, winning in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

He won the Super Bowl MVP in 2001 and 2003.

He won the NFL MVP in 2007.

He's been elected to the Pro Bowl four times.

He won the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the year in 2005.

He led the New England Patriots to the longest winning streak in NFL history: 21 games.

He nearly led them to the first undefeated season under the 16-game schedule.

He won 2007 Male Athlete of the Year from Associate Press.

He is guaranteed a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame, and is widely considered one of the best, if not the best player in NFL history.

He's Tom Brady. The calm, cool, impossible to unsettle, confident, tested, proven, Tom Brady who thrives under pressure and in the spotlight. Are you starting to get the picture?

Several teams such as ... cough ... Oakland Raiders ... would be better off trading their draft picks for the next 10 years for Tom Brady because we all know they will never pick anybody good.

Tom Brady is under a six-year contract worth $60 million, which ends in 2010. Can you believe that $10 million a year used to be a lot of money? Now the "asterisk" to this deal was that over the first three years, he would receive 40 of those millions. But it's Tom Brady, he's worth any amount, $60 million is nothing, for one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

And then you have Matthew Stafford ...

Now I am a Detroit Lions fan, and I am on my knees praying that he will be another Tom Brady. However, and on this point I think the whole "Lions" nation would agree with me that, at this point, we'd be happy with a Joe Flacco. Anything but another Joey Harrington. It's been years since we've had a quarterback under center that doesn't throw an interception for every touchdown he throws.

Matthew Stafford, as the #1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft, received a contract totaling, 72 million over six years, with incentives for up to 78 million. In case you haven't remembered, 72-60=$12 Million. Yes, $12 million more than Tom Brady. Now let's be fair and list some of Matthew Stafford's accomplishments.

0 Probowls, 0 Superbowls, 0 Playoff Victories, 0 NFL Records, 0 Starts, ...

His College stats are unflattering to put it mildly. Chick fil-A Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Capital One Bowl victories. Not even serious Heisman consideration.

Three years of college experiance, where their team underpreformed, disappointing everyone despite their talent. His final college stats were, 7,731 yards, 51 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions.

In 2007 alone, Tom Brady threw for 4,806 yards, and 50 Touchdowns. That's almost as many as touchdowns as Matthew Stafford had in his entire three year career.

Matthew Stafford is untested, untried, under preforming, and yet, now, one of the highest paid NFL players.

There is no way to justify a 6-year, $72-million contract, for somebody who has never thrown a pass. The Lions got screwed in this deal because over $40 million of it is guaranteed.

Here's a no brainer question: "Who Do You Want To Lead Your Team: Tom Brady? Or Matthew Stafford?"

I'm a Lions fan, I really hope he's the next Tom Brady, but common sense seems to say, you don't pay them like a Tom Brady, until they play like a Tom Brady.