December 21, 2011
Detroit Lions: 5 Keys for Matthew Stafford To Become an Elite NFL Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is not an elite NFL quarterback, yet.
The 23-year-old, young signal-caller is already fulfilling the promise shown at Georgia and the Lions’ practice facility.
Spending much of his first two seasons in the league on the sidelines, this year has been a welcomed change. Stafford has not missed a game this season, knock on wood, playing through pain and putting up gaudy numbers.
So far, Magic Matt No. 9 has 4,145 yards passing, nearly 300 yards per game, with a passer rating of 93.8—fifth-best among active quarterbacks this year. The NFL has not seen these type of numbers from a quarterback this young since Dan Marino was rockin’ a white-man fro.
His four-touchdown performance last weekend gave Matt the Lions’ franchise record for most touchdown passes in a season, eclipsing the record of 32 set by Scott Mitchell.
Additionally, he’ll take Scott’s other claim to fame this weekend, total yards passing, with only 194 more. Leaving Scott his Halloween costumed portrayal of Wayne Fontes as his only moment of Lions’ relevance.
But playing hurt and breaking Mitchell’s records won’t make you elite; it just makes Stafford tougher and better than his Lion predecessors.
So what does Stafford need to become a partner in the law firm of Brady, Brees and Rodgers?
Here are the five biggest keys for Stafford to continue making the evolution from good to elite.
View full post on Bleacher Report – NFL
