The furor surrounding Matthew Stafford has started to get louder as the local media has stoked the flames of panic. Since Stafford hasn’t participated for even one snap in a game yet and especially after the extended six days off from practice that was supposedly scheduled during the offseason, there is a concern that something isn’t right with the Lions veteran quarterback.
The big question that keeps coming up is regarding his health.
Well, let’s start with the fact that not only has he claimed that he’s healthy, but if this franchise was willing to let him play the meaningless final few games last season with absolutely any concerns that it would be an issue heading into camp this season, then if Stafford isn’t completely healthy, the Lions deserve it.
But that doesn’t tend to be the M.O. of Matt Patricia or general manager Bob Quinn. If they had felt there was a real concern last season beyond Stafford being willing to play through pain, then they would have shut him down.
They received criticism about it at the time and I would have had no issue with sitting him for those last couple meaningless games, but I absolutely don’t believe there was any concern it was a situation that was going to linger into this year.
However, if we remember the abuse both Savage and Fales took in the opener against the Patriots, everyone should be ecstatic Stafford didn’t play and didn’t have to suffer the abuse they did.
So plain and simple, if Stafford doesn’t play, he shouldn’t get injured.
The explanation that he did get more quality reps in the joint practices against the Patriots and Texans is absolutely correct. Neither of those sessions was being put on film for the league to access, so being able to go deeper into Darrell Bevell’s new playbook was a luxury they could afford.
So in essence, Stafford undoubtedly did get more quality work in those practice sessions, then he would have playing in either game. However, he did play in both of last years exhibition season games following the joint practices against the Raiders and Giants. The difference this year? Maybe it just goes back to the ‘new’ Matt Patricia we have seen running camp so far, but whatever the reason, despite the media fueling this concern, I don’t believe there is one.