Detroit Lions: If Matthew Stafford goes, then everyone must go

HERD THIS BEFORE

On Monday, Colin Cowherd added to the misery of the Stafford question with his thoughts on the beleaguered passer (“The Herd with Colin Cowherd”, 11-26-18):

"“(Stafford) just makes too many errant throws. He misses too many wide-open guys. He’s been in this league a decade. Forget the playoff wins – none. Give me a signature win.”"

This is the familiar refrain about Stafford: too many losses in big situations. I think missing “too many wide-open guys” is a bit of an overstatement. But what Cowherd said next really made me wonder if Stafford should go (and if someone else should go with him):

"“Eric Ebron was a bust with (Stafford). Eric Ebron goes over to play with Andrew Luck, and he’s a Pro Bowl tight end. At some point, Matt Stafford – a decade into this league, with that contract and that arm, again, forget the money – show me the evidence, he’s a top quarterback. Because I can’t find it statistically. And I can’t find it with the trophies.”"

Let’s take a moment and look at tight end Eric Ebron, who has become a star for the Indianapolis Colts (Source: Pro Football Reference):

• Detroit Lions – 4 seasons, 56 games – 12 touchdowns (11 receiving, 1 rushing)
• Indianapolis Colts – 1 season, 11 games – 13 touchdowns (11 receiving, 2 rushing)

These statistics do not bode well for Matthew Stafford. Ebron couldn’t have turned around his career just by the inspiration of being cut by Detroit. The numbers are too drastic. The big change here is who is throwing the ball – in this case, quarterback Andrew Luck. It really looks bad on Stafford.

Luck and the Colts coaching staff have turned Ebron into a legit weapon. Making the Pro Bowl is just the tip of the iceberg this year. Eric may me looking at an all-pro team designation as well. In four years with Detroit, he did not look like this, and it leaves one burning question for Detroit Lions fans: is it because Matthew Stafford isn’t good enough?

It’s not all on Stafford. What about general manager Bob Quinn? Why was Ebron cut when he still had a friendly rookie deal (fifth year option, which was picked up by Quinn) on the table?

Eric could have certainly helped a tight end group that hasn’t been great this season, despite some flashes by tight end Michael Roberts. Ebron also would be a good weapon right now for a team that is decimated at the wide receiver position.

So, not only does Stafford look bad on the Ebron front, but Quinn looks bad too. This was a bad decision by Quinn that hurt the team this year – with no discernible reason for making the move.