On Tuesday morning, I called Matthew Stafford a great quarterback.
I said it not only because I believe it, but because it’s true.
The Green Bay Packers will see it first hand when they visit Stafford and the Lions this weekend.
To be honest, I thought my statement was pretty innocuous.
You disagreed.
I received countless texts, emails, and tweets chastising me for saying something so preposterous.
Well, friends, I’m here to tell all of you that you’re wrong.
It’s quite simple actually.
See, great players can play for subpar organizations. That’s exactly what’s happening to Matthew Stafford.
The Lions have done a poor job of surrounding their quarterback with top-tier talent in both players and coaching.
Other than future Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, it’s been a one-man show in Detroit since the day Stafford was drafted with the top overall pick in 2009.
Still, he’s 17th all-time in passing yards. He’s 16th in passing touchdowns. And he’s only 32 years old.
If he plays until he’s 40 and averages 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, he’ll finish in the top five in both categories.
He might even surpass the statistics put up by one Aaron Charles Rodgers.
Rodgers, himself, gave unprompted praise of his Detroit counterpart on The Pat McAfee Show just two short weeks ago.
Matthew Stafford IS great. Even if his team isn’t.
If you don’t like it, take it up with Aaron Rodgers.
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