Stafford wants to be a lion

[Macken]

Stafford wants to be a Lion

Getting opportunity to throw to Johnson appeals to the former Georgia quarterback.
John Niyo / The Detroit News

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is welcoming the prospect of being selected by the Lions with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft with open arms -- literally.

In a Sports Illustrated profile on Stafford titled "Searching for Bobby Layne" -- the issue hits newsstands today -- senior NFL writer Peter King shares some behind-the-scenes tales from last week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

"I'm being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money -- I would love to go to Detroit," Stafford told King, echoing comments he made in a 15-minute news conference earlier Friday at the combine. "My friends say, 'C'mon, gimme a break.' But I'm a competitive guy. The Lions have passionate fans, a great stadium, and I'd be throwing to the biggest freak (Calvin Johnson), with the most talent, of any receiver in the NFL."

The Lions' top brass, including head coach Jim Schwartz, had a two-hour dinner with Stafford on Thursday night in Indianapolis. By all accounts, it went well. Well enough, in fact, that Stafford felt comfortable enough the next day to sneak up behind Lions president Tom Lewand and give him a bear hug, King reports.

"Come on!" Stafford told Lewand, laughing. "Let's go! I'm ready!"

 

[RipCity32]

As much as I want to see them take a safer pick on a lineman, I'm really starting to like Stafford.

 

[elcheato]

Not about the money, bull <Censored>. Of course he wants to be a Lion. He'll be one of the highest paid players as a rookie if he is taken #1.

 

[Lake Louise]

Whether it`s about money or not, at least he`s being honest, I think?

 

[JoshHoward5]

Not about the money, bull <Censored>. Of course he wants to be a Lion. He'll be one of the highest paid players as a rookie if he is taken #1.

His parents live in Highland Park, Texas which is a very wealthy part of Dallas, so it might not actually be about the money.

And I haven't been open to draft Stafford, because I believe we need a lineman. But him wanting to be here will definitively lessen the blow of drafting him.

 

[PiStoL31PeTe]

new beggining. Lions undefeated next year lol.

 

[- Big_Time_Balla -]

Not for the money? Yeah I'm sure he doesn't want #1 pick money or anything

 

[.GR]

It IS about the money lol

 

[A.E]

I read this headline and thought: "Well that makes 1 person on this planet..."

 

[JoshHoward5]

You guys seriously don't know how wealthy his parents are. He is in no need of money.