Matthew Stafford: Is He Franchise Quarterback for Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford is the answer for the Lions' franchise. As a former No.1 overall pick in the NFL draft, Stafford can still be considered a work in progress because of injuries he sustained in his first two seasons.

He has yet to play a complete 16-game season, but he is the future for the Lions.  

Stafford has become the leader of his football team. His teammates stand behind him because his toughness is undeniable, which he's proven on multiple occasions when he's played through pain. 

Sure, Stafford and the Lions have looked shaky of late, but it's no time to throw him under the bus and write him off as a waste. After all, the Lions have only played nine games, and Stafford has thrown 20 touchdowns.

Here are the reasons that Matthew Stafford is a franchise quarterback.

No. 6: Matthew Stafford Still Has Yet to Be Polished

Truth be told, Matthew Stafford has plenty of things to work on. The Detroit Lions' quarterback is in his third NFL season, but has only played in 22 games. 

Injuries have hindered his path to prominence, but Stafford needs more time to develop. Keep in mind that the Detroit Lions themselves are a project in the works.

Stafford is coming off the worst game of his career in NFL Week 10, where he threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

During the game, Stafford donned a glove on his throwing hand said to help with the blustery winds of Chicago. Lions' fans were later screaming to take off the "wind glove" as Stafford continued to look terrible. It didn't happen and the Lions got trounced by the Chicago Bears, 37-13.

After the game, it was revealed that Stafford was playing with a fractured finger on his throwing hand. No wonder he couldn't throw the ball very well. With this fact becoming known, fans should question the coaching staff on why they allowed Stafford to play so long when he clearly wasn't 100 percent.  

Another thing Stafford needs to work on in his arm angle. Out of nowhere, he's started to throw the ball from somewhat of a sidearm position. Albeit frustrating for fans, Stafford and this Lions team are not an elite NFL squad just yet. Improvements will only come with time and experience.  

No. 5: Matthew Stafford Doesn't Have a No. 2 Receiver

Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson is one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the NFL, but Stafford doesn't have another weapon after Johnson. 

The Detroit Lions next best receiver is tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who has 46 catches on the season. Pettigrew, along with fellow tight end Tony Scheffler have been used to help the ailing Lions' running game, so many of their catches have been for very short yardage. 

Wide receivers Nate Burleson and Titus Young have been mildly disappointing this year. The two men have combined for a total of 60 catches but only have 677 yards and two touchdowns. In comparison, Johnson has 54 catches for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Given, Young is a rookie and has battled injuries, but he needs to produce more. As for Burleson, Lions' fans had much higher expectations for him this year coming into the season.

The Lions need Burleson to put it on himself and play out of his mind the rest of the season. Johnson needs some help so he's not the sole focus of opposing defenses.  

No. 4: Matthew Stafford Has Led the Lions to a 6-3 Start

The Detroit Lions are 6-3 this season. Sure, they started 5-0 and have since lost three of four, but they're still 6-3. 

If one were to tell a Lions' fan a few years ago that the Lions would start the season so well, that fan would've bet the farm. A decade of losing in Detroit became comical. The Lions would always find a new, entertaining way to lose.

Not this year. Led by Matthew Stafford, the Lions have found new ways to win. Whether it be by 35-plus points or coming from behind, the Lions have won in impressive fashion on many occasions.

The Lions have only lost to playoff caliber football teams this season. The San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears all have a chance to succeed in the playoffs. Despite being losses, at least they're to winning teams.

With seven games remaining, the Lions must win at least four games to be considered a contender.  

No. 3: Matthew Stafford Will Throw for Big Numbers the Rest of the Season

Detroit Lions Remaining Schedule:

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints

Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 15: at Oakland Raiders

Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 17: at Green Bay Packers

Not to say that the Detroit Lions will win each of these remaining games, but quarterback Matthew Stafford will put up big numbers from here on out. Out of the seven opponents, the San Diego Chargers are the only team in the Top 10 when it comes to pass defense. 

The Lions have three games left against the NFC North, and the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are near the bottom of the NFL in stopping opposing quarterbacks. 

Given his injured finger becomes healed, Stafford will throw for another 2,000 yards this season. 

No. 2: The Detroit Lions Have a Mediocre Offensive Line

The Detroit Lions don't protect their quarterback very well.

In the first four games of the season, Matthew Stafford was only sacked five times, and those all came against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. In the last four, Stafford has been sacked 12 times. 

It's not hard to believe that Stafford is often injured because he is constantly under pressure. When the Lions' offensive line improves, the confidence of Stafford will skyrocket. Fans should expect the Lions to concentrate on the offensive line in the 2012 NFL draft. 

No. 1: The Detroit Lions Don't Have a Running Game

The Detroit Lions can't run the ball, and everybody knows it. 

The Lions only average 93.6 yards/game on the ground, good for 27th in the NFL. Matthew Stafford threw the ball 63 times against the Chicago Bears in Week 10. Given, the Lions were playing from behind, but they abandoned their running game all together.

Injuries to running backs Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure have hurt the Lions and changed their game plan for the season. Regardless, in order to be successful, a team needs a running game. Without it, Matthew Stafford is a sitting duck. The more he has to drop back and pass, the better the chances that he'll get hit. 

Bottom line, Stafford can only reach his full potential with help from a viable rushing attack and an adequate offensive line.  Until then, the franchise quarterback will have his ups and downs and the Lions won't be a true Super Bowl contender.