Stafford to Lions... Done Deal?

[packers11]

NFL Draft Bible reports that the Lions will make Matthew Stafford the No. 1 pick overall and sign him to a deal worth $40 million guaranteed.

Source: NFL Draft Bible

pft.com

Report: Lions Near Deal With Stafford
Posted by Aaron Wilson on April 22, 2009, 2:40 p.m. EDT

University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford is on the verge of striking a deal with the Detroit Lions to become the top overall pick of the draft, according to Dave Birkett of the Oakland Press.

Per the unconfirmed report, Lions team president Tom Lewand, the team’s chief negotiator, has sought final approval from team owner William Clay Ford. A deal could reportedly be completed at some point today.

Citing a source, Birkett writes that it would require a “catastrophe” for the Lions to not land Stafford as the No. 1 overall pick of the draft.

We heard separately from a league source that Stafford was so confident that he would ultimately be the Lions’ guy that he has been telling former Georgia teammates that he’ll be the No. 1 pick and receive a deal with nearly $40 million in guaranteed money.

[Waldo]

That site lost just a wee bit of credibility over the drug testing reports.

Why would an obscure draft site famous for spreading false rumors be the one that breaks the news of the #1 overall choice?

edit - Didn't see the PFT thing, that's definitely more credible

[MadScientist]

How many millions per win will he pull in?

[Zool]

How many millions per win will he pull in?

$10mil per win if you count the 1 this year and 3 next year.

[Fritz]

I am a firm believer in the old-fashioned way of sitting a young QB for at least his first year, probably two. Rare is the Matt Ryan/Joe Flacco type. More QB's get ruined by being pitched into the fire than Carter's got liver pills.

Thus I ask: how many games into the season before Leos fans are clamoring for Stafford? How many losses before Wiliam Clay Ford lets it be known he'd like to see his 40 million dollar investment on the field? How many seasons before Stafford is a slinking, abject, blathering Joey Harrington?

It'll be a test of the new head coach's mettle, to see how long he can resist the calls.

[Partial]

I've got to believe they'll sit him for a year if they draft him #1.

[Lurker64]

According to another site I've never heard of, The Lions are denying this report. This was also carried on PFT, same as the last one.

[Freak Out]

If they draft the guy and he is under contract from the get go he will be the starter from day one unless injury holds him back.

[cpk1994]

I've got to believe they'll sit him for a year if they draft him #1.

And that is the perfect way to piss off the fans you have left. Try selling "sitting the #1 overall pck" to those fans.

[Partial]

That didn't stop the Bengals from sitting Carson Palmer, the Bears from sitting Rex Grossman, the Falcons from sitting Michael Vick, the Giants from sitting Eli Manning, the Chargers from sitting Philip Rivers, etc.

I think he'll ride the pine to begin his career.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Whatever the Lions do, I would like to see them get the guy signed before Saturday.

[cpk1994]

That didn't stop the Bengals from sitting Carson Palmer, the Bears from sitting Rex Grossman, the Falcons from sitting Michael Vick, the Giants from sitting Eli Manning, the Chargers from sitting Philip Rivers, etc.

I think he'll ride the pine to begin his career.

But those teams had servicible QB's already on the roster. The Lions have nothing but shit. Big difference. YOu actually think that Lions fans would be fine with Dan Orlovsky as their starter while their #1 pick sits? Stafford will be the starter year 1. Lion management will demand it from the coaches.

[PlantPage55]

I've got to believe they'll sit him for a year if they draft him #1.

And that is the perfect way to piss off the fans you have left. Try selling "sitting the #1 overall pck" to those fans.

If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that fans (even a majority of fans) have NO idea what is best for a team.

[Partial]

That didn't stop the Bengals from sitting Carson Palmer, the Bears from sitting Rex Grossman, the Falcons from sitting Michael Vick, the Giants from sitting Eli Manning, the Chargers from sitting Philip Rivers, etc.

I think he'll ride the pine to begin his career.

But those teams had servicible QB's already on the roster. The Lions have nothing but shit. Big difference. YOu actually think that Lions fans would be fine with Dan Orlovsky as their starter while their #1 pick sits? Stafford will be the starter year 1. Lion management will demand it from the coaches.

Serviceable?

The Lions have a 2nd round pick from Michigan State who's name escapes me at the moment. They also have Daunte Culpepper.

Atlanta had an ancient Chris Chandler ahead of Vick.

Cinci had a good Jon Kitna at the time. He was in MVP conversations midseason.

Chicago had Kordell Stewart and an even older Chris Chandler ahead of Grossman.

The Giants and Chargers both had good started in Kurt Warner and Drew Brees.

I really don't think he'll start from Day #1 unless they get a good left tackle and improve the line around him. I don't know why you're stating this as fact, as their is no way of knowing until they make an announcement.

[Bossman641]

That didn't stop the Bengals from sitting Carson Palmer, the Bears from sitting Rex Grossman, the Falcons from sitting Michael Vick, the Giants from sitting Eli Manning, the Chargers from sitting Philip Rivers, etc.

I think he'll ride the pine to begin his career.

But those teams had servicible QB's already on the roster. The Lions have nothing but shit. Big difference. YOu actually think that Lions fans would be fine with Dan Orlovsky as their starter while their #1 pick sits? Stafford will be the starter year 1. Lion management will demand it from the coaches.

Serviceable?

The Lions have a 2nd round pick from Michigan State who's name escapes me at the moment. They also have Daunte Culpepper.
Atlanta had an ancient Chris Chandler ahead of Vick.

Cinci had a good Jon Kitna at the time. He was in MVP conversations midseason.

Chicago had Kordell Stewart and an even older Chris Chandler ahead of Grossman.

The Giants and Chargers both had good started in Kurt Warner and Drew Brees.

I really don't think he'll start from Day #1 unless they get a good left tackle and improve the line around him. I don't know why you're stating this as fact, as their is no way of knowing until they make an announcement.

Drew Stanton