ALLEN PARK, Mich. — A year ago at this time, besides wondering if there would even be a 2011 season, the biggest question facing the Detroit Lions was whether Matthew Stafford was durable enough to be a NFL quarterback.
Not anymore.
Now the question is whether Stafford can lead the Lions somewhere they've never been — their first Super Bowl.
Stafford and his teammates flew in from all over the country to begin their offseason training program Monday at the Lions' practice facility. Last year, these workouts were canceled because of the NFL lockout.
Stafford played in only 13 games his first two years in the league because of injuries, but he went the distance last season. He started every game and led the Lions to their first playoff appearance in 12 years.
How does it feel not to have to answer questions about injury rehabs and durability?
"It's great . . . except for you just asked me," Stafford said, laughing at the question's irony. "I'm just happy to be feeling good, ready to hit the ground running. It's nice not to have to put myself back together. "
Stafford, 24, is coming off a season in which he passed for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns with 16 interceptions.
He and the entire franchise took significant steps forward, but the bigger test will be in trying to sustain that success.
It's one thing to get there, but can you stay there?
"We've moving in the right direction, got to keep it that way," Stafford said. "That's the main thing. We've built momentum over the last couple years.
"We've just got to keep running with it and keep doing the right things, and understand what got us here. That's guys putting their nose to the grind and working hard. I don't see there being too much of a change in that, at all.
"It's something I think we'll be happy to embrace. Any time you get a taste of the playoffs, you understand how close you are and how bad you want to win the whole deal."
These first two weeks of the offseason workouts will focus on conditioning. They'll mostly run and lift weights. It's all part of the toned-down, offseason program that came out of the new collective-bargaining agreement between the players and the NFL clubs.
"With the shortened amount of time, every day is that much more important," Stafford said.
Fortunately for the Lions, they will have 21 of 22 starters returning, along with the same coach (Jim Schwartz), offensive coordinator (Scott Linehan) and defensive coordinator (Gunther Cunningham).
The front office wanted to keep the continuity, and that has been accomplished — somewhat of a rarity in pro sports these days.
"What's nice for us is we're building, we're not starting from scratch," Stafford said. "Guys are mentally not straining to try to figure out the playbook or where they're supposed to be on certain plays. This is fine-tuning and adding to what we've already done. That part of it is fun. It's relaxing, as well."
Stafford said that Schwartz, who was not available to the media Monday, briefly addressed the team concerning some recent off-the-field issues. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley, running back Mikel Leshoure offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath were arrested on charges of marijuana possession during a three-month period.
Asked to reiterate Schwartz's message, Stafford said, "'We've come so far, we don't want anything to hold us back.'"
Stafford expanded on the thought: "I think everybody knows that. We're a mature team. Some of the guys having trouble off the field were younger guys. They'll figure it out. We'll be there to help them along."
Defensive end Cliff Avril did not attend the session Monday. He has not signed the one-year, $10.6 million tender since the club placed the franchise tag on him to keep Avril from becoming a free agent. That locks him in with the Lions for the 2012 season, but there is still the possibility of the two sides agreeing to a long-term contract in the next couple months.
Avril chose not to sign a waiver that would have allowed him to participate in these workouts until he signs.
"I know Cliff," Stafford said. "He's going to be in tip-top shape, ready to go."
One of the offense's top priorities in preparing for the season is to try to establish more balance, Stafford said.
The Lions were No. 4 in the NFL in passing but No. 29 in rushing. Detroit passed for 300.9 yards per game and 41 touchdowns while rushing for 95.2 yards a game and nine touchdowns.
The running game was hampered by the loss of the team's top two running backs. Jahvid Best missed final 11 games because of concussion. Leshoure missed entire season because of torn Achilles' tendon.
Stafford said the offseason will give the high-powered offense the opportunity to "create some new wrinkles, try to give our division opponents something else to think about."
"I think everybody on our team would like to be a little bit more balanced than we were last year," Stafford said. "If we stay healthy, I know we can be.
"Last year, the easiest way for us to win games, when we had so many guys injured, was to throw the football a lot. We led the league in attempts passing (666). We were doing anything we could to win the games.
"I don't really care if I throw for 5,000 yards. I'd throw for 4,000 and win a couple more games."
EXTRA POINTS
• Stafford, on whether he sensed that the New Orleans Saints, recently penalized for a bounty program, had targeted him during two games last season: "No. I didn't get any of that. They were playing tough, hard football when I was playing them."
• The Lions confirmed Monday afternoon that linebacker DeAndre Levy and offensive tackle Corey Hilliard will return. Each signed a restricted free-agent tender.
