Matthew Stafford

Past NFL passers praise growth of Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford

Published Jul. 13, 2015 2:50 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Matthew Stafford has made plenty of progress since the Detroit Lions drafted him first overall in 2009. Stafford has started all 16 games and thrown for over 4,200 yards each of the past four seasons, after missing 19 games and failing to impress through his first two seasons.

Elvis Grbac, who played for the 49ers, Chiefs and Ravens from 1994-2001, is one former NFL quarterback who is impressed with Stafford's growth.

"To develop as he has and continually win and really with the turnover with the coaching staff and everything, a lot of credit really has to go to him," Grbac told ESPN's Michael Rothstein about Stafford. "The way he’s really developed in the league. Especially in that division. You’ve got the Packers, which is a strong, strong team."

Grbac isn't the only one who has noticed a difference in Stafford's play as of late. Todd Collins, who played for the Bills, Chiefs, Redskins and Bears from 1995-2010, commented on the 27-year-old's comfort and patience in the pocket.

"He comes off his first progression and the camera is right there and you see his eyes, just like you do in practice, from one to two to three, go through his progression," Collins said, via ESPN. "He made a great throw on his third progression.

"When you see that, going through that with the footwork and timing like that, that’s when you know a guy is comfortable in the offense and confident he knows who to get the ball to."

Stafford is entering his seventh NFL season and his second working with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Last year, he engineered a career-high five game-winning drives, pushing the Lions to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance. Detroit is relying on that type of leadership from the quarterback position moving forward.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports

share

Get more from Matthew Stafford Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Matthew Stafford

Detroit Lions

National Football League