Linehan thinks Stafford could be one of the best ever
Posted by on December 14, 2012 – 12:20 pmLions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan spoke to the media Thursday and reiterated his belief that Matthew Stafford can be one of the best quarterback’s to ever play the game.
His comments are getting a lot of play in national media outlets.
“I don’t know where Peyton (Manning) was after four years exactly, but I think that Matt’s definitely on track to be one of the best quarterbacks ever to play this position,” Linehan said.
“He’s in an age of great quarterbacks. He’s not going to be mentioned in that category yet until we put together two or three seasons, like we did last year, in a row.
“Finish this season out strong, you look at the end of the year, see his numbers after two years, I mean it’s hard to say that there’s a lot of quarterbacks that have done that.”
Stafford, 24, is the reigning Comeback Player of the Year and needs to average 331.3 yards per game over the final three weeks to join Drew Brees as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to hit 5,000 yards in a season twice. He’s close to 12,000 career yards and has 77 touchdowns in 42 career starts.
Here is the full video of Linehan’s comments to the press regarding Stafford:
Tags: Matthew Stafford, Scott Linehan
Posted in Lions Insider Tim Twentyman | 5 Comments »
By Mark on Dec 14, 2012 | Reply
Linehan thinks Stafford could be one of the best ever…….
I knew that BEFORE they drafted him. Watched his last game with Georgia, knew Lions would take him, knew he was destined to be the QB that finally gets the Lions to the SB. Its so close I can feel it.
By 3dphoto on Dec 14, 2012 | Reply
He needs a lot more than stringing a couple of good season together. His accuracy is no where it needs to be along with consistancy beofe he gets those kind of accolades. Cripe now he probably thinks he does not need to improve if his coach is telling him how great he is, that is just bad coaching…
By lion O on Dec 14, 2012 | Reply
Agreed but, first he needs to grow mentally and learn how to read defenses and negate his “O” coordinator ala Tom Brady or Peyton Manning in order to Lead the Lions to their first Super Bowl Win IMO!!!!
By Dave Shep on Dec 14, 2012 | Reply
You think your QB could be one of the best ever. You think your WR could be one of the best ever.
Yet on 3rd and 5, when a first down wins the game, you RUN THE BALL?
I understand a good running game is important; but when the game is on the line you put the ball in the hands of your best players.
By Dave "Waz" on Dec 14, 2012 | Reply
All good comments. I’m not so sure he thinks he has nothing to prove any longer due to accolades from Linehan. The NFL has a way to humble you faster than that”speeding bullit”. This will be the off-season we use the draft, maybe a trade and some free agents to tweak the “O” and “D”. Add some depth. We sure know as well as any other team how quickley injuries can plague you. This tandem of Stafford and CJ can’t break up. It as solid as I can remeber, and that goes all the back to Bobby Lane throwing to Tom Tracy. You could try to throw Mitchel to Herman Moore in there. But I don’t even think Scott Mitchell knew where his passes were going. Stafford is smart, Mitchell dumber than a stump. We need that balaced attack, running, receiving and throw in a solid defense. Jerry Rice had John Taylor to compliment him. We need Nate back and some depth. Bell is possibly the best pick-up this past year out of the entire NFL. He should be ahead of Leshoure. Then maybe Mikel would play with the hart and attitude that Bell has demonstrated. Hey Scott Linehan, can we maybe play a bit more aggressive with a lead instead of sitting on it? Flipping stations prior to the Lions game, what did I see … 3rd and 6 and the Colts do a play action pass that nets them 11 yards and first down right after the Titans used their last time out. Now that’s what we as Lion fans would hope to see. That being said, see you in the Super Bowl in 2 years … or less!