National Football League

QB Matthew Stafford bonds with Detroit Lions OL, takes blockers to ball game

Published Jun. 5, 2015 1:02 p.m. ET

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Matthew Stafford is not a selfish leader of the Detroit Lions. He knows his individual success is dependent upon the five men blocking in front of him. Without a pocket to pass from or push to run behind from the line, Detroit's offense wouldn't be worth watching.

Stafford goes above and beyond to make sure his offensive linemen know their tough work in the trenches is appreciated, according to Paula Pasche of The Oakland Press.

"This time of year is a lot of building camaraderie off the field—been out to dinner a couple times with a bunch of the guys, took the O-line to a Tigers game," Stafford told the Oakland Press. "Just do stuff like that to get to know some of those guys. Whether they haven’t played a lot of football for us or are just coming out of college, it’s important to make sure that we’re all pulling for each other."

The Detroit Lions won't set their offensive line in stone until they at least put pads on. Right now, without contact, it's too tough to judge physicality. Still, Stafford likes what he sees so far in terms of athleticism, technique and understanding assignments.

"It’s fun to watch these guys just move around, the athletic ability we have up there at this point is pretty awesome," Stafford said of his young O-line, per The Oakland Press.

Detroit's offensive line is already starting to take shape with returning starters in left tackle Riley Reiff and right guard Larry Warford. Right tackle LaAdrian Waddle is also likely to start, Pasche notes in her report, so long as he can complete a comeback from knee surgery.

The rest of the Lions interior O-line will shake out later this summer, as 2015 first-rounder Laken Tomlinson, Manny Ramirez and Travis Swanson do battle for the final two spots at training camp.

(h/t The Oakland Press)

Photo Credit: Andrew Weber/Contract Photographer

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