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Is Drew Stanton Better Than, Say, Chad Pennington
The Lions should start Drew Stanton Sunday at San Francisco to find out if he is capable of being their primary backup to Matthew Stafford next season.
The expectation should be the Lions display significant progress next season in regard to wins. We're talking 6-to-8 wins. But it can't be that if Stafford misses a game or two because of injury, the Lions fall completely flat because of the quarterback position. Can Stanton win the Lions a game or two or three if called in for a short period?
Doesn't look like it.
Yet, in fairness to Stanton, how much of an opportunity has he really had? Give him a full week of practice with the first unit. Let him go from the start of the game and see how defenses react to him, and Stanton to defenses. It's obvious Daunte Culpepper isn't the answer to anything for the future. Don't think Stanton would do any worse if he were to start ahead of Culpepper this week.
Stanton didn't play well Sunday. The Lions rallied despite Stanton, not because of him. He was good on one drive, but the Cardinals inexplicably let him throw underneath. But it's not an ideal situation to go into a game at halftime down 17-0. Or to play at all when having not taken first-team reps in practice.
The Lions will have some options for veteran free agent backup quarterbacks in the off season - Chad Pennington, Rex Grossman, Senaca Wallace, Chris Redman and Kyle Boller are going to be unrestricted free agents.
The Lions should play Stanton Sunday so they can legitimately ask the following question: Is Drew Stanton better than all of the above?
The expectation should be the Lions display significant progress next season in regard to wins. We're talking 6-to-8 wins. But it can't be that if Stafford misses a game or two because of injury, the Lions fall completely flat because of the quarterback position. Can Stanton win the Lions a game or two or three if called in for a short period?
Doesn't look like it.
Yet, in fairness to Stanton, how much of an opportunity has he really had? Give him a full week of practice with the first unit. Let him go from the start of the game and see how defenses react to him, and Stanton to defenses. It's obvious Daunte Culpepper isn't the answer to anything for the future. Don't think Stanton would do any worse if he were to start ahead of Culpepper this week.
Stanton didn't play well Sunday. The Lions rallied despite Stanton, not because of him. He was good on one drive, but the Cardinals inexplicably let him throw underneath. But it's not an ideal situation to go into a game at halftime down 17-0. Or to play at all when having not taken first-team reps in practice.
The Lions will have some options for veteran free agent backup quarterbacks in the off season - Chad Pennington, Rex Grossman, Senaca Wallace, Chris Redman and Kyle Boller are going to be unrestricted free agents.
The Lions should play Stanton Sunday so they can legitimately ask the following question: Is Drew Stanton better than all of the above?
Labels: Detroit Lions Drew Stanton Chad Pennington Rex Grossman Kyle Boller Senaca Wallace
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:13 PM
9 Comments:
Is Stafford better than Stanton? Let's be honest about our number one pick, he's benefitted from a team that sucks. His stats are mostly from garbage time, the opposing defense was backed up and allowed passes underneath. I don't think Stafford is bad, but I don't think that Stanton should be treated like he's a red-headed step-child. As for Pennington, he's irrelevant, the question is "Is Stanton better than Stafford?" I'd say no. If the question were "Is Stanton worse than Stafford?", I'd still say no. The Lions have two good young quarterbacks, I don't think we can keep both of them, Stafford is probably better, but Stanton ain't exactly chopped liver. Stafford has the potential to be a very good quarterback, but Stanton also has potential, and I'd hate to see his career cut short because he's been unjustly overlooked.
I agree that Stanton should start, mainly because Culpepper has been so inept. The local excitement and fascination with Drew is a dreary commentary on how little there is to enjoy about the Lions in general. I will say this, at least Schwartz is not insinuating that imaginary milestones have been reached this season. He has consistently evaluated himself and the team in terms of win/losses. Is so, take a seat Dante.
I like Senaca Wallace. He has started a number of games in Seattle. He isn't a starter, but would be good to have as a change of pace back-up. Assuming of course the Lions bail on The Drew Stanton Experience.
Willam,
Stafford has a stronger arm, a quicker release, as fasta 40 time goes through his progression of reads much better than Stanton.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
But that backup QB spot is very important to the future.
Caputo
John,
My guess is Wallace is a better player than Stanton.
Caputo
...give the ball to Stanton & let's all hope he holds his own as a high second round pick...too late to shoudl had used th epick on a CB
Angelo,
Actually, they passed on one of the terrific middle linebackers in the game that year - David Harris from Michigan a couple picks later. They could have used the money for Foote to sign a CB.
Caputo
Might as well give the kid a shot. As for next year, I can't see Pennington fitting into Linehan's office. You need a guy with a bigger arm. From that bunch, I'd take a flyer on Grossman.
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