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Lions OC: Stafford set to become an all-time great

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08:02 AM ET 12.14 | Credit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan for his faith in Matthew Stafford. Linehan believes Stafford is on track to become one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. "I don't know where Peyton (Manning) was after four years, but I think Matt's definitely on track to be one of the best quarterbacks to ever play this position," Linehan said when asked to compare Stafford's ability to read a defense to Manning. "We'll see when it's all said and done, but he's really taken a lot on. We put a lot on him as well." The Manning comparison is interesting, because like Stafford, the future Hall of Famer struggled in his fourth season as the Indianapolis Colts finished 6-10 one year after qualifying for the postseason.

MLive.com

Matthew Stafford, Getty Images Matthew Stafford, Getty Images
December 14, 2012  08:17 AM ET

Stafford is set to become an all-time great? Does that mean he is leaving the Lions?

December 14, 2012  08:22 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Stafford is set to become an all-time great? Does that mean he is leaving the Lions?

It must. The only way he's going to the Superbowl as a Lion is buying a ticket.

December 14, 2012  08:23 AM ET

Too bad he doesn't have a good head coach who is organized and disciplined.

December 14, 2012  08:24 AM ET

Manning had Marvin Harrison, Stafford has Megatron, but the Lions need a better running game to take some of the pressure off and to keep defenses more honest. Build a better team around Stafford and then see how he does.

December 14, 2012  08:26 AM ET

Someone needs to check the OC for a concussion because he is not thinking right.

December 14, 2012  08:36 AM ET

That's if his throwing arm doesn't fall off before then.

December 14, 2012  08:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

Manning had Marvin Harrison, Stafford has Megatron, but the Lions need a better running game to take some of the pressure off and to keep defenses more honest. Build a better team around Stafford and then see how he does.

Stafford shouldn't be mentioned in the same paragraph as Manning. He's not even close to that level.

December 14, 2012  08:46 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Stafford shouldn't be mentioned in the same paragraph as Manning. He's not even close to that level.

Yup. When he broke into the league, he looked like a future superstar, but then he had a couple of seasons where he was a China Doll. Now, he looks good, but I don't think he's great, and putting him at Peyton Manning's level is just plain wrong.

December 14, 2012  08:55 AM ET

17 TDs, 12 INTS is the path to all-time greatness? Who knew.

December 14, 2012  09:14 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

17 TDs, 12 INTS is the path to all-time greatness? Who knew.

Apparently he doesn't throw a lot of incompletions. One team or the other catches the ball.

December 14, 2012  09:18 AM ET

Linehan has had one too many concussions.

December 14, 2012  09:28 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

...but the Lions need a better running game to take some of the pressure off and to keep defenses more honest...

Yep... Get him a reliable running back and make improvements in the offensive line and he has a chance to be really, really good.

Otherwise - he's gonna get killed back there.

December 14, 2012  09:28 AM ET

The Texans wore letterman jackets to the New England game, and then played like a high school team. Coincidence?

December 14, 2012  09:31 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

Yep... Get him a reliable running back and make improvements in the offensive line and he has a chance to be really, really good. Otherwise - he's gonna get killed back there.

They also need a decent #2 receiver to draw some coverage away from Johnson. So, in summary, they need a RB, at least one WR and a new O-line: they need a new offense.

Comment #15 has been removed
December 14, 2012  09:50 AM ET

This pure coach-speak. Linehan may end up being right but until Stafford starts running an offense like a machine and reading defenses in his sleep, he's no Manning.

December 14, 2012  09:51 AM ET

I don't think of Peyton Manning when I look at Stafford because somehow, he reminds me of Jeff George!!!

December 14, 2012  09:51 AM ET

What makes Manning so great is that he can take average receivers, and by working with them, turn them into stars before the end of the season. He is player, coach, and offensive coordinator all in one. What he's doing in Denver is amazing.

December 14, 2012  09:52 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

The Texans wore letterman jackets to the New England game, and then played like a high school team. Coincidence?

Who knows where or when?

 
Comment #20 has been removed

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