Detroit Lions Vice Chairman Bill Ford wants QB Matthew Stafford to remain face of franchise for years to come - NFL News
Detroit Lions finally made it to the playoffs for the first time in 22 years this year and it was all thanks to the brilliance of their young quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
No one could be happier than Lion's Vice Chairman, Bill Ford Jr., and in an interview with the Detroit Lions' official website, he said about Stafford:
"I think Matthew is terrific,"
Ford continued his praises of the quarterback:
"I wouldn't trade Matthew for any quarterback in the league, given his age. The guy is 23 years old, he just had a 5,000-yard season, the players love him, he's a great young man off the field and yeah, I hope Matthew is the face of this franchise for many
years to come."
Former coach, Jim Schwartz, who arrived in Detroit in 2009, brought Stafford to the franchise but the quarterback was hampered at the start of his National Football League (NFL) career by injuries.
In 2010, Stafford’s impact was minimal but he overcame all problems at the start of the season to lead Detroit to a 5-0 start with the Lions finishing with a 10-6 record and ending their postseason exile.
The quarterback passed for 5,038 yards this season and threw 41 touchdown passes this season as he built up an amazing partnership with star receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson who was the Lions highest scorer.
Ford also though that Stafford’s age and skill on the field will make him a Lions legend and both parties can grow together to new heights of glory.
We’ve had some good quarterbacks in that period, but given his age and given his talent, my hope is that Matthew can be here for many, many years and really his stature and team’s stature should grow together.”
The Lions were knocked out at the first stage of the playoffs by the New Orleans Saints in the wildcard round.
Detroit played well early on and really put pressure on the Saints as Stafford passed for 380 yards and sent three touchdown passes during the game.
However, in the end, Saints' quarterback, Drew Brees’s experience and ability to handle pressure situations came through and the Lions went on to lose 45-28.
Lions were knocked out but they would take heart from the fact that they finally ended their miserable time out of the playoffs and went to the postseason just three years after ending the regular season 0-16.
Now with a whole preseason to practice and train their skills the Lions have a great roster and they will be favourites to return back to the playoff rounds in 2012.
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