Matthew Stafford: 'I'm going to play all 16'

[.infamous]

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, says he's right on track with his rehab process to the point where he is sure he’ll be healthy for a full season of games. "I’m going to play all 16," Stafford said in an interview with NFL.com and NFL Network, also noting this year has big breakout potential for a Detroit passing offense chock-full of good young talent. "I've got Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew. I’m throwing the ball to Jahvid Best and (Mikel) Leshoure out of the backfield. I feel there is going to be a lot of points to put up." Matthew Stafford has faced injuries in both his first and second seasons in the NFL. The Lions QB says he feels good and is ready for a full season. It's good to see Stafford is confident, because his health will be an important factor in the Lions’ quest to finish a season over .500 for the first time since 2000. Shoring up the defensive back seven — behind Ndamukong Suh and a solid front four that now also includes rookie tackle Nick Fairley — is the other half of the equation. When you add up what the Lions' three quarterbacks did together over 16 starts last season, it resulted in one pretty good passer. Shaun Hill (10 starts), Drew Stanton (3) and Stafford (3) combined to produce 26 touchdown passes and 4,001 yards to go with 16 interceptions and a decent 82.3 passer rating. Before his shoulder put him on the shelf for good in 2010, Stafford had a strong 91.3 rating. Hill, meanwhile, is healthy after breaking his left forearm last season and undergoing back surgery this offseason. He was unsung in a similar stint in San Francisco, where he produced well in spelling Alex Smith. Stafford has the same No. 1 overall pick pedigree as Smith, but Hill shouldn’t be regarded as only a sure No. 2. In addition to having talented skill position players, the Lions had good pass protection last season, allowing just 27 sacks. The supporting cast Detroit has built under G.M. Martin Mayhew is good news for the team regardless of whether it's Stafford or Hill taking the majority of the snaps in 2011. Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-07-14/matthew-stafford-im-going-to-play-all-16-detroit-lions-calvin-johnson#ixzz1SNGZmwMi

O RLY? Well I hope he does play all 16.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I think he will.

 

[elcheato]

Does pre-season count?

 

[Mooche]

Does pre-season count?

Lol...


Stafford is at least showing the right attitude of getting on the field in his mind for 16 games before promising anything stupid like a Super Bowl title.

 

[kam.]

Lion players and making predictions doesn't normally go good together.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

With the way this team has performed over the years, it's nice to see the team believing in each other again.

 

[RipCity32]

Got my full confidence in Stafford, fuck the haters. Leggggggggggggo.

 

[playmaker7]

Is this bitch serious?

He's made of glass

But I do wish him the best of luck with staying healthy. I think he can do it...if he doesn't get hit. The O-Line is gonna have to help him.

 

[RipCity32]

Lions o-line was pretty solid last year. Stafford just got fucked up by Peppers in week 1, cause Backus got beat hard as fuck. But after Backus had one of the best seasons of his career.
Then his second injury was cause we fell on his shoulder in an awkward way, on a tackle that was past the line of scrimmage.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I'd like to see Stafford play in all 16 games. With a guy like Calvin Johnson on your team though there is no reason to average 6.0 and 5.6 yards per pass. Hope that skyrockets into the 7's or maybe 8's this year.

 

[Mooche]

I'd like to see Stafford play in all 16 games. With a guy like Calvin Johnson on your team though there is no reason to average 6.0 and 5.6 yards per pass. Hope that skyrockets into the 7's or maybe 8's this year.

I've been saying this all along. Stafford has a lot of weapons in Detroit, and when they mesh, if he stays healthy it could be a nice little team. No excuse to not be excelling with Calvin, Titus, Jahvid and Mikel all in your offense.

 

[.infamous]

I've been saying this all along. Stafford has a lot of weapons in Detroit, and when they mesh, if he stays healthy it could be a nice little team. No excuse to not be excelling with Calvin, Titus, Jahvid and Mikel all in your offense.

and Pettigrew

 

[Mooche]

and Pettigrew

No shortage of weapons in Detroit for Stafford to at least progress -- if he stays healthy.

 

[RipCity32]

I guess guys around Stafford say he is considerably thicker and stronger in his upper-body. Well, and you can really see the difference too lol.
Stafford says he put in a lot of work to get stronger in his upper-body.
Hopefully this will pay dividends.

 

[The Young One]

Believe it when I see it...

 

[AK72Det]

I sure hope he does, he had 6 touchdowns and only 1 int in the 3 games he played. thats pretty good imo