Posted by Lisa on May 27, 2009, 12:14 pm, in reply to "just redrafted Joey Harrington heavy"
That's what defensive minded coaches do, right? Pick up their "franchise" QB.
I've said it in the past, and I'll probably continue to say it. No QB is worth taking in the top 10 picks. Stafford was worth a 12-15 pick, IMO. And coming from me that is fairly high praise. Cutler is the last guy I liked, and I had him at a #9-14 pick. I also liked Sanchez just a little better because his leadership/charisma is off the chart. His arm is adequate, his mobility is adequate, his understanding of the game is just as good as Stafford's, but he's not Stafford's intellectual equal...there is a difference between football understanding and intelligence. Sanchez also has that desire to be great that the great ones have. Since the draft, I've been somewhat relieved that he isn't a Lion. Sanchez has been a little bit too "Eddie Haskell" for me. And of course, he's fallen hard into the USC Hollywood pretty boy trap. That really wouldn't play in Detroit.
And I'm not saying that Stafford doesn't have charisma or leadership. When he is talking about football, his persona is different. He has a visible passion for the game. When he's just talking to people, he just doesn't have the transparency and charisma that Sanchez exudes. Stafford may have the desire to be great, but you can't really tell because of his poker face. And when you are drafting high, you need to know what you are getting. And that's why I would have taken Sanchez higher, but there is no doubt that Stafford has a higher ceiling if he has the passion to be great.
Stafford has an arm that is off the chart. He has intelligence that is off the chart. He is far more mobile and athletic than Sanchez. He has far more experience under pressure than Sanchez. He has more poise in pressure situations than Sanchez. Put Stafford under center at USC and he would have set records. I cannot in truth say the same for Sanchez. Stafford's no shlub, by any means.
And the one thing that gives me hope here, is Schwartz' vibe is that he knows what he's doing. He is pragmatic and unshakable in what he believes. He's not a knee jerk kind of guy. Hate on him if you will. But, he's easily the smartest head coach the Lions have had since I've been born. And he has a long term plan that he's working (hand in hand with his GM, hallelujah) this off-season. The proof will be when the first wheel comes off the wagon...but until then, it would be presumptuous to predict without certainty whether he will fail or be the next Belichick.
What has ruined the previous QBs who have been mentioned in this thread, is that they were handled by coaches who didn't really have a plan for them...they were mostly flying by the seat of their pants. Changing scheme from season to season. Desperate to save their jobs. Defensive to the point of stubbornness. Schwart doesn't appear, at this time, to be flying by the seat of his pants. I don't see him flying apart when adversity hits, but nobody can say for sure.
My suggestion for handling Stafford would be #1) that cannot let the media at him until he has had at least 3/4 of a season watching Culpepper handle that aspect of the job. Even after the 3/4 season, I would limit the media access to him to that which is minimally required by the NFL. Gag order or whatever you want to call it, Stafford needs to have a media body-guard. #2) They need to test drive the o-line for at least 1/2 a season, against some of the better defenses, until they think about letting Stafford get live action. #3) Stafford needs to be the 3rd QB until he proves he's better than the next guy up (who probably won't be Stanton, but we'll see for sure). #4) And finally, if the o-line has proved semi-reliable & he's proved he's #2 worthy, I think they need to let Stafford get into some games at the end of this season, maybe the last 3 or 4, and let him get some seasoning. He can finish off a couple lopsided games to begin with. If he handles that well, then maybe he can start a couple games.
However, if Culpepper is doing well, which I think is a distinct possibility, then Stafford can sit and learn all year. If they are...miraculously...around 8-4 at the 3/4 mark, then the Lions would have a chance to be in the playoffs and it would be stupid to change anything up...unless it was because of injury. Knocking on wood.
I smile because so many draftniks loved Stafford ... until the Lions draft him 
Not you, Dennis, I understand what you are saying, but you have to objectively give it to Stafford that he has some impressive physical and mental skills. If he's handled right he could be as good Carson Palmer or ... at worst, Aaron Rodgers. 
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