The Detroit Lions Should NOT Select Matt Stafford

The Detroit Lions after the worst season in NFL history have been rewarded with the first pick in the 2009 Draft. In what seems to be an endless supply of mock drafts, the Lions with their top pick select quarterback Matt Stafford of Georgia.

This article will delve into his resume and explain why in fact the Lions should not select Stafford with the first pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

The six foot three inch junior quarterback has only been a starter for two full seasons (taking over as a sophomore) with a combined record of 21-5.

Coming off a 10-3 season—which included a bowl victory over the Michigan State Spartans—a season in which he threw for 3,459 yards and 25 touchdowns with 10 interceptions (a 5 to 1 ratio). He also averaged 266.1 passing per game and a passer rating of 101.7. All are impressive numbers and the foundation of a solid resume.

The other side to Matt stafford is one of inconsistency against good teams. The three losses in 2008 came against Florida, Georgia Tech, and Alabama. Arguably, Alabama and Florida are better teams.

Better teams with better players than the caliber of Central Michigan and Georgia Southern. The game against Florida he posted a season worst 3 interceptions and his worst Quarterback rating of 43.1.

Another of Stafford's down falls is his lack of speed. Stafford ran the ball 55 times for 40 yards, an average of 0.7 per carry. He was also sacked 17 times for a net yard loss of 126 yards.

The Detroit Lions lack a suitable offensive line to keep Stafford off his back. This would be another rookie Quarterback that the Lions throw to the wolves in hopes that he will right the ship.

The upside to drafting Matt Stafford is having a quarterback waiting in the wings, learning the system while Culpepper remains healthy. That way when he steps in, in 2010, he will have experience practicing with the offense and won't be learning on the field. He had obvious success in college and hopefully that will translate into a successful career. 

The downside to drafting Stafford is investing a ridiculous amount of money in an unproven player. Especially when the Quarterbacks that will be in the 2010 draft are better.

Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy are much better quarterbacks. To invest all this money and the top draft choice in Stafford while knowing that next year's draft class will be better is a travesty.

While there's no guarentee that the Lions will get the first pick in next year's draft, it's obvious that they'll have a very high pick.

To the Lions I say, "draft the best availible defensive player and offensive lineman with your first round picks." And to Matt Stafford, I say "I hope that I am wrong. I hope you're the next Jon Elway. But, I just don't see it."