Matthew Stafford - Why We Need To Take a Good Hard Look
by ChiefDJ on Jan 23, 2009 2:03 PM CST
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PrintYes! Something other than head coach speculation. Thanks DJ. -Chris
At this point I frankly don't care who our next head coach is. I'm bored with waiting to find out and am ready to move on. In the long run, it matters less who is yelling from the sidelines than who is playing on the field anyway.
This is Matthew Stafford. The Kansas City Chiefs should seriously consider drafting him with the #3 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Stafford began starting as a true freshman and has 3 years of experience as a starter at the University of Georgia. He has entered the draft as a Junior.
6'3 237 lbs.
YEAR |
CMP |
ATT |
YDS |
CMP% |
YPA |
LNG |
TD |
INT |
SACK |
RAT |
2006 |
135 |
256 |
1749 |
52.7 |
6.83 |
53 |
7 |
13 |
12 |
108.99 |
2007 |
194 |
348 |
2523 |
55.7 |
7.25 |
84 |
19 |
10 |
15 |
128.92 |
2008 |
235 |
383 |
3459 |
61.4 |
9.03 |
78 |
25 |
10 |
17 |
153.54 |
- Stafford's 25 touchdown passes in 2008 broke the previous Georgia record of 24, set by D. J. Shockley (2004) and Eric Zeier (1993, 1994).
- Stafford's 3,459 yards passing in 2008 were 2nd most in Georgia history, surpassed only by Zeier's 3,525 yards in 1993.
Strengths:
Shows compact and efficient delivery, enabling him to get rid of the ball quickly. Strides into throws and shows rocket arm to make all NFL throws with excellent velocity. Is accurate, hitting 15-plus-yard throws on the money and with great zip. Stands strong in the pocket; does not panic or rush throws when pressured from the blind side. Moves well in the pocket to avoid pressure, and resets feet to get rid of balls quickly and accurately.
Shows quick footwork and athleticism to outrun pass rushers; gets outside the pocket and either scrambles for first downs or makes good throws on the move.
Reads defenses quickly and correctly; identifies blitzes and schemes, and knows where open receivers will be. Is a vocal leader who takes command of his team.
Weaknesses:
Occasionally throws balls up for grabs when pressured up the middle. Some question his inability to lead Georgia to wins in games over elite teams.
Bottom line:
We didn’t want to like Stafford as much as we do, because so many quarterback prospects who have garnered national attention since high school fail to live up to the hype.
However, Stafford is so naturally gifted, we couldn’t help it. A team captain as a junior this season, he has led the Bulldogs through tense situations to success. He has learned well from good coaching and shows excellent technique and recognition skills. Stafford has the talent and intangibles to be an elite NFL quarterback, and if he declares for the 2009 draft, he projects as a top pick.
WHY THE LIONS WILL NOT DRAFT STAFFORD AT #1
Reason #1 - The Economy
The Lions are owned by the Fords and the auto industry is in the toilet and not looking to come out anytime soon. Add to that the Lions have been a horrible team for decades and are coming off an 0-16 season. Fans aren't exactly clamouring to buy tickets anyway, even if they weren't suffering from their own financial difficulties. All this adds up to the Lions ownership not wanting to break the bank if they don't have to and there's nothing more expensive than a QB picked #1 overall.
Reason #2 - The Past
The Lions have been a joke when it comes to the draft for a long time drafting the sexy pick (often WRs) rather than players that could actually help them win. Though I see no reason why the guys running their front office now are any smarter (after all, they contributed to the 0-16 team as well), they will at least try to convince everyone they are. That's why the Lions will follow the pattern set by the Miami Dolphins and draft an Offensive Tackle with the #1 pick. This will serve three purposes:
1) They hope it will fool everyone into believe the new managment is as smart as Parcells because they are doing the same thing he did last year
2) It will save money since it costs less to sign a Tackle #1 overall than a QB.
3) The Lions need an OT anyway.
I know many took what the Lions new head coach said a couple weeks ago to mean they would be taking a QB #1 overall no matter what, but I didn't hear that from what he said. He said that QB was an extremely important position and they had to get the right guy in there. That can be done any number of ways. Using a guy you already have, free agency, trades, etc. But I'm telling you right now, the Lions will not draft QB #1 overall (the Rams won't draft QB #2 either).
HIGHLIGHTS
One thing to pay attention to, is that because of injuries to his offensive line, Stafford is constantly under pressure and taking hits, but still delivers. This was one thing many scouts were concerned about with Sam Bradford from OU who had a fantastic offensive line and rarely ever got touched. Could Bradford still deliver under derress? We don't have to wonder that about Stafford.
Also note that though Georgia played out of the shotgun frequently as nearly all college teams do, they also worked from under center a great deal. You will also notice Stafford calling his OWN audibles from time to time rather than setting up and looking to the sideline for further instructions from his coaches as is becoming more and more frequent in college football.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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Why we need to look elsewhere...
Sanchez is a better QB despite only starting 1 year.
Hell, Tuitama is the same build and had a better year
Like most of the SEC, Stafford has been falsely over hyped.
Sanchez had one good year
Surrounded by most of the top recruits in college football.
If he had done it even twice, I would consider it. There have been far too many one year wonders for me to take a chance on Sanchez with a 1st round pick.
I don't want to use a first rounder on him either...
that said I still think he’ll be a better QB than fat boy Stafford.
There's no question
in my mind who the better QB is. You want to talk overrated, look no further than ya boy Sanchez
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know how one...
would structure the wagger, but I’d put my money where my mouth is when it comes to Sanchez.
There's creative minds here
I’m sure someone can devise something ; ^ )
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
You're in the Bay area right?
I’m out there about twice a year, gives us a chance to settle up. Let me think of some wager criteria.
Closer to Oregon
than the Bay-bay-bay. But I get around. I’ll be coming back to KC a lot more this next year…you can believe that
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sold on Stafford
I’m not sold on Sanchez. I’m pretty nervous about picking a QB with this first pick.
I think we’d be much better served going after a senior who has shown a lot of talent despite playing at a school with less talent around him.
by I need more Esteban on Jan 23, 2009 2:38 PM CST reply actions
You have to be kidding about Tuitama
You don’t draft a guy in the 5th or 6th round to take over your franchise.
You draft a guy in the 5th or 6th round to be a backup and maybe someday when your starter gets hurt he comes in and plays well (see Tom Brady) but more often than not you never hear from them again.
Exactly
Esteban didn’t mention getting a franchise guy. Willie took a shit team in a demanding conference too took them to a LAS VEGAS BOWL championship. Made chicken soup with chicken shit.
Brady wan't drafted to be a franchise guy
he was a backup until Bledsoe went down. Exactly what Dj was saying.
sanchez
is not that good. he’s played on a team deep in talent and with a great defense.
by kcfaninsandiego on Jan 23, 2009 2:47 PM CST reply actions
ummm?
your first line said “At this point I frankly don’t care who our next head coach is” I dont care how long we have to wait, I would never utter that statement. Sounds like a denver fan is amongst us.
I've said the same thing
we won the freakin’ sweepstakes with Pioli and people have so much short term memory loss they can’t remember 2 weeks ago when we were waiting around like school girls for the news on the GM. Now we’re doing the same for the HC when at the end of the day it doesn’t matter because a GM has much more impact on a franchise than a HC. Whomever they decide will be fine. Regardless of who it is (even Herm) we’re gonna be a better team next year and can only move forward.
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
Let it go DJ...he's a newb
I can vouch that DJ is FAR from a Donkey fan.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
Said it before
and i’ll say it again. If Pioli thinks either of them are a true franchise QB to take at #3 then I’m fine with that. If not, go LB or OT and let Pioli find us a sleeper later in the draft. TRUST IN PIOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
Stafford has grown on me
since the start of the season. I think he has a stronger arm than any QB coming out and the kid has been groomed to be a starting QB his entire life. I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting Stafford #3 but I do think its less of a gamble drafting an OT. After reading your post I’m more convinced Lions will go after an OT (probably Oher). I sure would like to see Monroe line up next to Albert though..
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 2:53 PM CST reply actions
Drafting an OT in the 1st round is a waste in my eyes
I know everyone loves the idea of having bookend 1st round OTs, but I think that is a luxury the Chiefs don’t have if they want to be competitive in the near future. Too many other needs to draft a RT #3 overall (or move Albert, who I think will be a Pro Bowler in the future, to RT).
QB is the most important position on the field. Why are people always looking for value picks there when they very rarely pan out rather than looking for a value pick at a position that happens much more often?
Hard to justify...
top 15 picks on the same position in subsequent years. Give me Mauluga in round 1. O-line in round 2 and possibly 3 (unless Sanchez is there, obviously).
Mauluga
is a safer bet than Stafford
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
Any position player is a safer bet than a QB
But teams with a franchise QB but not a franchise linebacker win the Super Bowl. Teams with franchise LBs and mediocre QBs rarely do.
But no teams make it
whose QB is a bust.
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
So you would rather
Be a mediocre “make it to the playoffs but don’t win” team with a safe QB, than take an educated gamble on becoming a dominant championship winning dynasty team?
Carl Peterson had us pegged all along.
You have to roll the dice
but good teams like Baltimore are built to withstand risky gambles (Boller), where the Chiefs as we stand right now I don’t think are any position to be getting risky. Maybe in a few more seasons….
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions
Agree.
Too many needs to take a chance on a guy like Stafford. Our QB looked damn good, especially given the circumstances, this year. Now if he had a D backing him up…who knows.
There's really no argument
between needs in our LB corps and our needs at QB. Outside of the underachieving DJ we virtually have no one
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
In a few more seasons
there is no guarantee that we will be in the position to take a possible franchise QB. We might not have the chance next year either. I think you take the chance to snag one when you can. I am officially on the Stafford bandwagon.
There's always another draft
But if things go well, we won’t have the opportunity to pick the best QB in a draft again for a very long time.
You can always pick up a good linebacker or Guard or defensive lineman next year, we might not be in a position to draft another franchise QB.
It takes QBs time to get rolling in a system too. What happens if you decide to take a QB two years from now and the entire team is ready to roll but you have this rookie QB holding them back? Or what if THAT QB is a bust?
No, if there is a franchise QB candidate out there, you take him when you can get him. You don’t hold your breath and hope it will work out down the road.
I have to agree
Yes there is next draft, but we dont know if we will be in position to draft Bradford or McCoy. I say pick it while the pickins are good.
Bradford or McCoy could disappear next year too
Its happened many times where a QB had a good year his Junior year and went back as a Senior and bombed.
Bradford is losing a good part of his offensive line, he may be running for his life next year when he never got touched this year.
I’ve never been impressed by McCoy. I think he disappears next year for sure.
+1
And if the Don decides Stafford is our guy he can come in and compete with Thigpen, let the best man win. You can never have too much talent at the QB position. Young talented QBs are great trade bait.
You have to take a chance
if you want to succeed. Im not sayin that I want Stafford over Curry or Crabtree or any other prospect. But if you want a franchise QB then you have to take a chance.
I meant
People are looking for a value pick at QB even though those rarely pan out.
But the NFL is full of good offensive tackles and linemen that were drafted in the mid and late rounds.
It's not always about who is good
it’s about who’s the best. And the Chiefs, as an organization, are entirely more successful with a stacked offensive line than they are with value picks. I wouldn’t be opposed to defering the OT pick to R2, but any lower rounds I’m not interested. We’ve had a full list of those and where are those guys now?
by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 23, 2009 3:07 PM CST up reply actions
That's because
That’s how the Chiefs have done it in the past. We’ve never had a legitimate franchise QB candidate except for Todd Blacklege and that was 20 some years ago.
This also is the new Chiefs with a new GM at the helm. I’m pretty sure things will be gone about a different way than they were in the past.
Hopefully History Does Not Repeat Itself
Out of all the QBs in that class we chose the worst one! It is a crapshoot when it comes to QBs. I remember when people were arguing that Leaf was better than manning. It is really hard to tell what a qb will be.
Another thought
We don’t need to bother with who’s better between Stafford and Sanchez if we can get the real deal next year. Maybe if Herm stays, so does Thigpen. Pioli gets a year to evaluate both. The available talent at both Head Coach and QB will be greater next year than what’s currently available so this makes the most sense for the long run.
I wouldn't want either on in the first round
but if you had to take one I’d prefer Stafford over Sanchez. I’ll take the three year starter in the SEC over the one year starter in the Pac-10. I’d rather go defense in the first round and offensive line in the second and take my chances with Thigpen this year. If he tanks then there is a lot more talent at QB in next years draft instead of making a reach now.
pioli
Im sure he is good but why does everyone keep talking about him like he is god. He hasent even made his first official act as GM of the Chiefs
I don't think he's a god
but the guy was the most sought after GM prospect that I can even remember. If that many nfl people think he is that good then I trust his opinion on who to draft a lot more then my own opinion just from watching football on TV.
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
Draft speculation is tough
this early on. We can easily fill some holes in free agency.
I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am.
Agree!
I feel like we are not giving him any room for error. Our expectations are that he is going to come in and take the Chiefs to the super bowl this year. During his time in New England he had the benefit of having a great coach to work with. He needs to get the right support staff to help him out.
I didn't expect to be impressed
I thought I wasn’t going to see anything impressive when I clicked play.
But you know what, He reminds me A LOT of Drew Brees. His delivery, footwork and looking downfield looks exactly like Brees.
I might not be too pissed if we take Stafford after all…
I'm no scout
But what I saw were a ton of very accurate bullet passes, good feet, good awareness, quick release. What I didn’t see were very many touch passes. Aside from a few screen passes that had some decent touch on them, he threw maybe four mid to deep touch passes designed to drop just in front of his reciever, three of the them landed just above the corners head and A.J. Greene bailed him out, that probably wouldn’t fly against good corners. I’m not knocking Stafford, but I’d like to see his accuracy on more touch passes, perhaps in the combine.
Doubt he'll show up at the combine
Most top picks don’t and have private workouts for teams (because all they could do at the combine is hurt their draft status).
Youtube is full of Matt Stafford videos. Take a look at some. There were some nice fade passes I remember seeing.
Clarification on the Old Mans run in with the GM.
Pops ran into Pioli yesterday at MCI. Pioli was arriving from somewhere not departing. talked briefly before Pioli was whisked away by a driver. End of conversation:
Pioli – “What do you think we should do with Herm?”
Pops – “Herm’s got to go.”
Pioli – “I’m affraid you’re right.”
Honest injin, thats how the conversation went.
Not calling you a liar
But considering how absolutely zero information is being leaked from anywhere, I have a hard time believing he would make an off the cuff casual comment like that to a fan without anyone inside the organization knowing something.
Maybe he did, just seems very confusing.
I think he was just appeasing his fan base...
he knows the fan base is upset and was just making small talk.
Maybe people at Arrowhead
Know whats going on but are scared to death for their jobs and thats why we aren’t hearing anything. Who knows.
I seriously think its just small talk
GM to fan – What do you think.
Fan – I think this.
GM to fan – You may be right.
GM wins on two front by engaging with and not disputing with his customers.
I like this guy more and more every day. If he thinks Stafford is the man, I’ll bite my tounge.
Brodie
was really skinny. Hell im bigger than brodie but not as fat as Stafford.. anyways not the point. Id rather have a chubby qb that might have some durability over the alternative……
For what its worth
6’3" 237 isn’t that fat. He seems to have a fat face compared to his frame.
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
Wow
This is what it’s come to, I’m posting about Matt Stafford’s face to body fat ratio to keep my mind off the HC situation. Sad.
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
AAARRRGGHHH!
Damn dogs have the farts… drop them off at my moms for a few days while out of town and they come back with the farts! God what does she feed them?
Perhaps
your cupcakes and you’ve been wrongly blaming fat quarterbacks.
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
Nope
but I do consider myself the “Scott Pioli” of cupcakes.
Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Techmo Bowl!
I don't think we'll draft a qb in rd 1
Whether its dumb luck or a genius at work I bet Pioli believes he can find a great qb in the later rounds like they did with Brady and Cassel. Its just a hunch, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they let it ride with Thigpen for a year and try to establish a dominate D with good FAs and draft. The longer this thing plays out and hearing that they wouldn’t allow TB to interview Chan, I bet that is the direction they are going. They figure they can have an effective O and work on the D for another year.
Or else
Brady has impressed on Pioli the absolute requirement to have a franchise QB.
I think Pioli knows Brady turning out the way he did was a fluke. Pioli also knows that the only reason they had an undrafted guy like Cassell as backup was because Brady never got hurt and they weren’t going to waste picks on a guy that would ride the bench the whole time.
I don’t know if Pioli takes a QB with the first pick or not, but I bet he won’t be waiting around till the late round picks for one.
Certainly a good point
and a distinct possiblity, like I said its just a hunch. But given that he’s got to have an ego the size of a freight train, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a 4th to 7th round pick on a maybe while thigpen holds us over until next year and a better batch comes along.
No way we go all in
on Thiggy. We did that last season with Croyle and we all know how that turned out. I know thiggy isnt Croyle but i bet that Pioli gos after a QB early.
We could sign a vet backup
Jeff Garcia or someone like that. So many options. It just seems like a thin class. I wouldn’t be disappointed with Stafford, I just doubt it will happen.
We could go with a vet
but if we improve any at all we will be out of the running for next years top qb prospects. and then all we will have is Thihgpen and an aging vet
Stafford doesn't look bad
I still don’t think we take him in the first round if he is still there. Take Curry, unless we get some studs in FA.
I would prefer Stafford over sanchez though. Sanchez will not be a good Quarterback in the league.
This may just be cause I’m a K-state guy, but what if Josh Freeman is there in the second round? Should we go after him?
I too like Freeman
He is a big strong armed QB.. Needs some polishing tho. I still dont think we take Freeman in the second round.. maybe 3rd if he is there
Freeman needs a lot of work
A team like St Louis or Seattle that has an established QB but needs to be looking for their replacment should be looking at Freeman, but not a team that needs a guy to start in his first or second year.
Only reason Freeman is so high on draft boards
is because of his size 6’5 and he has a good arm. But everything about his technique needs a ton of work.
I actually think
the Viking will take Freeman with their first round pick
I can't imagine
They already are eating a bad pick with Tavaris Jackson. I can’t imagine they would take another raw high round QB.
What About
Freeman out of K State? I’ve seen him as the #3 QB in the entire draft. Is he that good or is the drop off in talent that much?
by Your_Moms_Boyfriend on Jan 23, 2009 3:42 PM CST reply actions
Freeman
has all the tools has we all know, but can make some stupid choices. But he can scramble pretty well and he is hard to take down
I see
Freeman being another Michael Bishop, by the way, why didn’t Bishop ever make it in the NFL, did he just get the shaft or could he just not make the cut?
by Your_Moms_Boyfriend on Jan 23, 2009 3:45 PM CST reply actions
Freeman
has a much better arm than Bishop and size
Bishop was just not smart
My step father works with a former o lineman that played at ksu with bishop. They guy says the bishop didnt even know half the play book while at ksu. Cant remember the linemans name but i could get it if someone wanted me to substaniate that.
It was interesting that last summer scouts at espn did a mock draft before the season started
and they had the Chiefs picking #3 and taking Stafford.
Very good, informative post
I learned a lot about Stafford, and I agree that we should at least consider him. We can’t possibly go into next season with just Thigpen and Grey, can we? The QB position is just far too important. Graham Harrell has shown well at the Senior Bowl this week, which makes me think he may go as high as 2nd round? He would be another that I would be interested in.
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