Sure, Matt Stafford was the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft yesterday and secured a $72 million contract — with $41 million guaranteed — but now he’s a Lion.
And after leading a Georgia squad that went 10-3 last season, he enters one of the toughest situations in the league: quarterbacking a team that went through the first 0-16 season in league history.
“He’s been under a lot of scrutiny before,” said his father, John, shortly after the pick was made. “He likes to rally a team.”
He’s got his work cut out for him now. Not surprisingly, the younger Stafford said he was ready to turn things around for the Lions.
“I’m extremely excited to get to Detroit,” said Stafford, in a phrase you don’t hear to often anymore. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the rest of their draft picks.”
Because the players they had a year ago aren’t all that great. Stafford does have Calvin Johnson to throw to, at least, with new head coach Jim Schwartz.
Now it will be up to the strong-armed Stafford to provide something they haven’t had since Barry Sanders retired: star power.
“I’m prepared,” Stafford said. “I’ve already been through a lot and most guys win more in college than they do in the pros, so it’s an adjustment for everyone.”
That can be easier said than done.
Stafford also was greeted by an unexpected chorus of boos by much of the crowd at Radio City Music Hall, followed by chants of “overrated.”
Stafford said he wasn’t bothered by either reaction.
“Everybody has their own opinion,” Stafford said. “You can’t please everybody. I just want to get wins. Winning cures a lot of stuff.”
He expects to do that this season, pointing to the Dolphins recent turnaround, when they went from one win to the playoffs in a year.
“This game is funny,” Stafford said. “Guys can come in and do good things right away. Obviously, it can be done.”