Let’s face it! when it comes to the NFL Draft, we, Detroiters, are used to a yearly short week that manifests itself through many years of in-your-face failure.  I haven’t the space, time or intestinal fortitude to go down the list of bad draft choices that our beloved Lions organization has made over the years. What I will openly though cautiously convey is that, with the changes in management and coaching, the picks that have been taken during the last two seasons have been more sensical than the norm. There is plenty of time to cover the Suh signing and the others that came via April’s 2010 draft. However, I believe that it’s much more important to cover what the team did last year particularly regarding their acquisition of quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Although very young, there is something subtly “alpha” about him. Stafford seems to have the leadership potential of a long-term NFL starter. While it is true that trying to making plays happen and squeezing the ball into tight places can lead to one’s ultimate demise in spots, his particular approach remarkably similar to Brett Favre’s.  (Although most of us here don’t care for the man [Favre] very much, his results speak for themselves). In short, Stafford’s over-the-top efforts last year seemed to come from an internal place that screams win, win, win…at all costs. With a bit more accuracy and more support from the running game that the team is attempting to build, his killer instinct could be a definite plus. Could. SHOULD. Detroit fans deserve it that’s for sure.

Stafford played injured last season. In fact, he played injured for many more games than was reported. The man is practically a hulk behind the center. What I mean is that he can take some wear-and-tear. Stafford is not afraid to not only take off running when he has no throwing options and is perfectly willing to go shoulder-to-shoulder with any defender.

Also, Matthew Stafford has a rocket arm and a bit of ice-water flowing through his veins. He has been quoted as saying, despite having that above-mentioned alpha attitude, I want to improve for this team’s overall success.  With all of these tangibles and intangibles, we may have a true leader at what is arguably the most important position in professional football.

Fans: please get yourselves a Stafford jersey while the getting is good. Support a hard-working, win-at-all-costs young man brimming with talent. He could be just what the doctor ordered for this franchise, even if it takes another year of development. No matter what Vegas says, I would lay down a paycheck and bet that his numbers will improve this season.

Author: Michael Wood II