Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Detroit Lions No. 1 overall pick at the NFL Draft

By: Dave Sim

While many people will remember the 2008 football season ending with a Super Bowl victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers, even more will remember it as the season in which the Detroit Lions ran the table in reverse, with an incredible record of 0-16.
With 2009 around the corner, the Lions have begin the season by wiping the board clean. A new GM, a new head coach, a new freshman starting QB in Matthew Stafford, and even a new updated logo.  It’s a fresh start for an organization that can’t take any more steps backwards.

On Monday, Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz tapped Stafford for the starting role over the more veteran Daune Culpepper. Despite his troubles in 2008, it’s an interesting choice for the Lions to choose Stafford. It’s a question that teams of all sports seems to mull over; it is better for a team to build on the shoulders of a rookie, or to let him learn from a veteran before he takes the reins.

For a team that suffered from a horrendous offensive line the previous season, it will be no easy task for the young Stafford to buy time in the pocket. Growing pains will be obvious and Lions fans are going to be asked to be patient for another year or two while the new pocket passer dips into the rocky NFL waters.

Questions have been asked why the Lions decided to pass on the more veteran Culpepper. Could Stafford have learned from Culpepper the way Aaron Rodgers  slid into the starting role for the Green Bay Packers? Possibly, but the Lions made it clear that they were cleaning house after last year and stuck to their commitment for the future.

The Lions claimed from the moment they drafted Stafford, that the 2008 number one overall pick would lead the Lions in 09. During preseason a battle for the starting position began and a decision had to be made. I would venture a guess the Lions looked at it this way: Even if Culpepper would get the nod to start the 09 season, it would be nothing short of a miracle for the Lions to even survive to be in playoff contention.

With that in mind, the Lions staff figured that they would give Stafford a chance to take as many snaps as possible against the best in the game as well as get advice from a solid veteran waiting in the wings. The fan base has been more than patient for a team that hasn’t has a winning season since 2000. Management was forced to pump some excitement into a city with a lifeless organization and brutal economy.  Going with Stafford is a chance the team is forced to take despite the potential implications (IE. Tim Couch) associated with building a team from scratch.