Quarterback Mathew Stafford is the second to make yet another questionable call by a junior quarterback to go to the NFL. Safford and former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez preclude their senior seasons and turn their careers toward the NFL. Stafford is projected to go high in the draft and is one of the top, if not the top QB in the 2009 NFL draft. But being the top quarterback in the draft and becoming a top NFL quarterback is two different things.
Stafford’s strongest trait is his personality – especially his likeability, mental toughness, and leadership qualities. He has always been well-liked by the coaching staff and his teamates. He is storied to be a great leader in the locker room, and his mental toughness and confidence have been evident throughout his career. And now he’s being projected as a possible first pick overall in the NFL draft. Many Detroit Lions fans are questioning this call, but Stafford steps up to the plate and takes the challenge.
Stafford said he’d even prefer that to going to a somewhat better team in a warmer city. “I think in the end that’s a heck of an honor, and that’s something I’d definitely love to be able to associate that with my name and maybe turn that franchise around,” he said. “I’d love to be a part of something like that. I’m a competitive guy and love a challenge, and that would definitely be a fun situation for me.”
Ok, being part of the Detroit Lions is fun? Although it never has been, being part of the Arizona Cardinals was never fun before the 2008-2009 season either. But that type of mental toughness is one of the keys to being a successful quarteback. But wait a minute – not so fast. There are a lot of things this young man needs to overcome to be a solid, starting NFL quarterback.
In his career at Georgia, he threw 51 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. Not a great ratio, and his decision making and lapses in concentration have often been his biggest criticisms. However, he did steadily improve these numbers each year and finished his final season with 25 TD and 10 INT. But given his arm strength, he should have completed a higher percentage of his passes. He is still given to the strange and deflating interception (see Florida and Georgia Tech 2008); can throw the deep ball with ease but doesn’t complete many deep throws; was never the best quarterback in the SEC East and never won a championship of any kind.
As far as his physical size and strength, at 6’ 3”, and 237 pounds he’s got the size – in fact, he has too much of it. He stands to lose a little bit of weight which would make him quicker and more agile. Yes, I know – Roethlisberger is bigger yet. But he also gets sacked way too much. If Stafford would drop from 237 down to about 220 he’d gain a step and lose nothing.
Yes, there’s a chance Stafford might turn out to be a solid NFL quarterback. And without a doubt, he’s going to be drafted high and make a monstrous salary. But his accuracy, his overall skills, and his decision making are keeping him as a rather high-risk first rounder, and the idea of him becoming a franchise quarterback is not yet on the horizon.
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