Matt Stafford Looks to be The Choice

With the draft only a few days away the Lions new GM, Martin Mayhew, has said the club plans to have the top pick in the draft signed by the time their pick is announced. That pick clearly appears to be Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. The two sides are said to be close to finalizing a deal.

It is also rumored that the Lions might already have a deal in place with linebacker and fan favorite Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest. Curry has stated publically that he will take a smaller contract than last years top overall pick, Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins.

It should be noted that the agent for Stafford is Tom Condon, not the easiest agent n the world to deal with so until the contract is signed in ink nothing is for sure.

But for now Lions fans must begin to accept that Matthew Stafford will indeed be the pick as Detroit now has claims to its "quarterback of the future". The future, howver, will not start immediately as Stafford will most like sit behind veteran Dante Culpepper who was impressive in the teams latest minicamp.

The strong armed junior quarterback stands 6'2" and 225 pounds. He compiled a 27-7 college record and ranks among the schools all-time leaders in passing yards (7,731) and passing touchdowns (51). Stafford won all three bowl games he played in and has been on the national radar after being ranked the top prep passer in the country by rivals.com after a stellar career with Highland Park in the Dallas area. He lead his high school team to their first championship since 1957, the same year the Lions won their last championshiop and at the same high school Lions Hall-of-Fame quarterback Bobby Layne (and running back Doak Walker) played for.

Stafford has a quick release and will immediately have one of the strongest arms in the NFL. He is, however, questioned about his decision making and less than ideal accuracy.

Regardless, it is time for Lions fans to start accepting reality even if they are gun shy after Harrington, Ware, Long, etc...