In Shocking Development, Drew Stanton Doesn't Like Being Called an 'Embarrassment'

Yesterday we learned that Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto had no plans to play backup quarterback Drew Stanton because he didn't want to "... embarrass the kid just to prove a point to somebody else." If only Colletto had taken such a stance with Dan Orlovsky.

Well, a day later, the second-year, second-round pick out of Michigan State who has earned the nickname "No Spiral" Stanton* isn't all that jazzed by his coach's comments.

"I don't know. Anytime you play for somebody who says they don't want you to go out there and embarrass yourself, obviously, you're not going to feel good about it. ... I can't worry about the words or the exact definition of what he's trying to say. You never really know unless I get a chance to get out there - maybe I won't embarrass myself, who knows?

That's a fair question, particularly given recent developments in the Great Moments in Lions Quarterbacking History. Plus, it's not like this is high school, where the third-string quarterback is captain of the Math Counts team and is just playing football to pad his Ivy League applications, it's the NFL. You know, the same league where the Bills start Trent Edwards, also a 2007 second third-round pick.

And even if we assume that Stanton's abilities can best be described as "embarrassing," it'll just add to the legacy of Matt Millen and his keen sense for putting together an NFL roster.

Stanton did add that Colletto's entitled to his opinion, no matter how stupid**, before finishing with this: "If he thinks I embarrass myself when I go out there then that's what he believes. Ultimately, he's the offensive coordinator right now.''

Right now, indeed.

* not really; I made that up
** I added that, but I'm guessing it's pretty accurate

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-31-2008 @ 9:43PM

Spoonman said...

Thanks Ryan, every once in awhile I laugh out loud at your posts, and this was a good one. Nice job. The first paragraph is straight gold.

But I am 90% certain that Trent Edwards was a 3rd rounder, which added to my confusion about his great rookie year.

11-01-2008 @ 10:52AM

ryan said...

Spoonman,

You're right -- Edwards was a third-rounder. Thanks for the heads-up. Fixed.

11-01-2008 @ 8:48AM

kevin said...

Honestly I find it hard to respect or believe anything that a Lions coach has to say. Obviously the organization needs a clean table. Not just players but coaches as well. I think back to the bears and their assessment of Kyle Orton. They said he couldn't throw the ball so they had to simplify the offense and shorten the pass plays. The guy looks to be doing ok to me. Both he and Stanton threw the ball pretty darn well in the Big 10 so to think thath they can't throw the ball once they become a pro seems odd.

11-01-2008 @ 8:58AM

Rob said...

Embarrass the Lions? What do they think has happened over the last decade? The Lions could show up in pink tights wearing lipstick and still not be more embarrassing than they already are to Detroit. They get manhandled like trannies in prison every single week. Give Stanton a chance. What's the worst that can happen? Another loss?