Matthew Stafford Named Lions Starter

Matthew Stafford has beaten out Daunte Culpepper for the starting QB job with the Detroit Lions.

Top draft pick Matthew Stafford will be the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions' regular-season opener Sunday in New Orleans, Lions coach Jim Schwartz announced Monday. Stafford has beaten out veteran Daunte Culpepper for the job and will join No. 5 overall pick Mark Sanchez of the Jets as a rookie starting quarterback on Day One of the 2009 NFL season.

The Stafford-Culpepper competition was, by all accounts, a close one, with the veteran Culpepper having reported to camp in top shape. He impressed the coaching staff with his mobility, arm strength and attitude during offseasn workouts and the preseason. But in several interviews with FanHouse this summer, Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan also praised Stafford, saying at one point that "you don't get the feeling you're dealing with a rookie quarterback."
"This isn't an internship, this isn't a trial basis," Schwartz told reporters at the Lions' practice today. "He's our starting quarterback."

The Lions are coming off an 0-16 season and are hoping to present Stafford to their fan base as the sign of a brighter future to come. But it could be a rocky start for the rookie, as the Lions' schedule doesn't offer much of a break in the early going. After the opener in New Orleans, the Lions return home for games against the Vikings and the Albert Haynesworth-led Redskins, then play at Chicago, home against Pittsburgh and at Green Bay before finally getting the Rams in Week 7 following their bye.

"The criteria was that he needed to be ready and he needed to be our best quarterback," Schwartz said. "And I thought in both of those cases (he was). His command of the offense is very good. His command of what defenses are doing is very good. And what he needed to do was play. I think he had a very good preseason."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-07-2009 @ 3:03PM

db1219 said...

I think that this is a big mistake on the coach's part. In the past three seasons, the Lions have won something around a total of five games. Here comes season four and they have Culpepper, a proven veteran and winner, as the back-up to a rookie? That doesn't make sense to me.

9-07-2009 @ 7:21PM

redfldnparadise said...

I agree. It is better to ease him into the "pro" situation than throw him to the wolves. Let him watch and learn the speed of the game first since you have Dante. This is the best situation the Lions have been in years. Geeze, don't blow it again.

9-07-2009 @ 8:28PM

cmurray081 said...

Culpepper is a "proven winner" since when? Over a decade ago when he had Randy Moss? This guy is a washed up has been and hes been a has been for some time.

9-08-2009 @ 1:02PM

John Styslinger said...

Culpepper A winner? Where? Give it to the Rook.

9-07-2009 @ 3:43PM

mitch said...

I dont follow the Lions.So I dont know if they have done anything about their offensive line or not.But,if they didnt throwing a rookie QB out to the wolves is crazy.I do follow the Jets and they have a great O-line so it is alot different.The Jets really didnt have a proven vet either.

9-07-2009 @ 4:37PM

TEVA said...

I think that Culpepper would be the best choice
But he is not the player he was before the knee
injury and the coach wants to build his team from scratch.The ownership seems coach friendly
so maybe the coach thinks he got some building time. I just hope for the lions sake that he doesn't get into that rotating QB trap that gets coaches fired.

9-07-2009 @ 5:21PM

paryback said...

they had harrington, but nobody to block anybody, so they blamed it on the qb---nothing has changed they are a bad team, they need to get lineman first then backfield, but they are stupid

9-07-2009 @ 5:40PM

jduncan476 said...

Stafford may be the best option for the Lions. 0-16, he can't be any worst than that.

9-07-2009 @ 5:45PM

Fred said...

there were quite a few rookie quaterbacks that were started ny nfl teams all of them were beat up and no longer in tyhe nfl. remember thye rookie the number one draft choice for the brown's..

9-07-2009 @ 6:04PM

rich11268 said...

I think it depends on the situation and the player also,Peyton Manning was a starter from day one,so it does work once in a while.The lions where 0-16 so they really have nothing to lose

9-07-2009 @ 7:57PM

Steve said...

I've been suffering with the Lions all my life and I keep hoping they will find the answer who knows. I remember a running QB who wore high top shoes Gred Laundry I remember losing a playoff game to Dallas 5 to 3 I remember winning a playoff game because the official screwed up the coin flip. We had a coach that looked goofy Bobby Ross, and one that was goofy Wayne Fontes. We had Matt Millen great commentator bad GM. We had Lem Barney and Billy Sims and Charlie Sanders and Barry Sanders and othe great players. We've had good teams that couldn't quite put it together and terible teams 0-16. But through all this they were never dull and they are our team so lets just say that when it comes to being loyal fans Cub fans got nothing on us. I will continue to hope the Lions will improve and defend them when I have to because thats what real fans do.

9-13-2009 @ 3:30PM

Frank Suchara said...

Steve,
As a long standing, devout Lions fan I appreciate your comments, and share your passion. I was not around when Bobby Lane led them to their championship, but did grow up taking the bus down Michigan Avenue from Dearborn to Tiger Stadium to watch Mel Farr, Mike Lucci and cast during the Joe Schmidt era. Thanksgiving games were also a big treat. I recall in 72 when the Jets and Joe Namath came to town. It was a great Lions victory. We are due to evolve into the winners we deserve to be associated with. I am not sure what any of this means except for the fact that real fans do stand by their teams. I buy a new Lions T-shirt every year, wear it proudly and always will.
I could go on with the memories of watching training camp at Cranbrook or the lore of the Lindel AC but I will wait till we see a few victories.

Frank

9-08-2009 @ 3:40PM

BoondockSt04 said...

Steve, you're right. The Lions are terrible, but they are your team. I'm a Browns fan, have been and will always be. Everyone is allowed to hope, a new season means everyone starts with the same record and the same clean slate. And you have this..... At least your team announced their starting QB, we still have Mangini's tiptoeing to deal with. I say this because I haven't heard anything new on the subject, so if they did say it and someone catches it, then my bad haha. If not, then it probably will be Quinn in my opinion. But like I said, everyone has hope for their team.

9-07-2009 @ 8:19PM

@Steve That is very commendable of you.Hang in there.As a Jets fan I feel your pain.I have seen it all as well.

9-07-2009 @ 8:58PM

korredon said...

I too am a Lion fan of very long standing. I remember Karras, Larry, Smit, and so many others. But through it all is a major problem, they can't take a rookie QB and train the player into a NFL winner. Besides, the NFL won't let the Lions become a winning team.

9-07-2009 @ 9:03PM

Don said...

Here's to another 0-16 season GO LIONS !!

9-07-2009 @ 9:20PM

userbub12487 said...

the raiders traded their 2011 first round pick to the patriots for used up richard seymour? belicheck should be arrested for swindling the elderly, seriously.

9-07-2009 @ 10:24PM

lsulinebacker64 said...

I'm very happy with the results of what can happen with their decision now. Plus 3 other games of the first 4 games of the year for the SAINTS.
GAME 1... Saints play Detroit in New Orleans against a QB playing in his first professional played game.
Game 2... New Orleans plays the Eagles in Philly in week 2. VICK isn't let loss to play in regular season games til week three.
Game 3... Saints go to Buffalo to play the Bills. And at that time the Buffalo Bills just fired their Off Coor. so their Offensive game will be in a mix.
Game 4... New Orleans welcomes Mark Sanchez and his New York Jets to town. A second rookie QB playing the Saints Def. in the New Orleans Superdome. Then Week 5 is the Saints BYE week.

9-08-2009 @ 1:20PM

GARY said...

HEY LINEBACKER, THE EAGLES WILL BE CRUSHING YOUR SAINTS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER VICK PLAYS OR NOT!

9-08-2009 @ 12:49AM

Dante did the right thing. Worked his butt off. Worst case for Dante is he is locked in at backup. Pretty good wages for not getting the hell beat out of you. As a Vikings fan, I liked Dante. Felt bad when he blew out his knee. Dante wasn't ever going to be an elite QB but he was good enough until the injury. Good luck Dante.

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