Rookie Profile - Week 3

  Posted 9/22 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

Player: Matt Stafford

College: Georgia

Drafted: 1st round, 1st overall

College Stats

College Highlights

2006 - Freshman Year

Stafford graduated from high school early and enrolled at UGA in January, where he became the first true freshman Bulldog QB to start since Quincy Carter (1998) and first out of high school to start since Eric Zeier (1991). He completed five of 12 passes for 102 yards and one TD in a Georgia spring game. Stafford debuted against Western Kentucky University in the first game of the 2006 Season and went 3 of 5 passing, 40 yards and a touchdown pass. Against South Carolina, Bulldogs starter quarterback Joe Tereshinski III was injured in the game and replaced by Stafford. Stafford completed 8 of 19 passes for 171 yards, but threw 3 interceptions, however Georgia won 18-0. Stafford got his first career start at quarterback vs. UAB Blazers and completed 10 of 17 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Stafford was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance against Mississippi State in which he completed 20 of 32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He led his team to a 14-9 comeback at Ole Miss after trailing 3-0 at halftime.

Stafford was eventually given the starting role. He struggled in his first year, completing 126 of 235 passes (53.6%) for 1,620 yards. He put up six passing touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns and 12 interceptions heading into the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl, where Stafford and the Bulldogs made a 18-point comeback, the largest for Georgia under coach Mark Richt up to that point. He finished the game 9/21 passing,129 yards, 1 TD and 1 Int. He was the recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Howard Williams, III, Football Scholarship and named team's Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

2007 - Sophomore Year

Stafford completed six of 12 passes for 155 yards and two TDs in spring game before the season. He threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs cruised past the Cowboys in the season opener, Georgia won its first game of the season for an 11th consecutive season. Against the Alabama Crimson Tide the Dawgs avoided an 0-2 start in SEC play by escaping Bryant-Denny Stadium with an overtime win. He connected with senior wide receiver Mikey Henderson on the Bulldogs first play from scrimmage in OT for the winning score. He completed 11-of-18 passes for 217 and three touchdowns including a career-long TD pass of 84 yards to Mohamed Massaquoi, which was the longest pass completion in the SEC in 2007, and a 53-yard TD pass to Henderson vs. No. 9 Florida Gators.

Stafford registered 175 yards passing and a TD pass to Sean Bailey during Georgia 41-10 rout of No. 10 Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. His final stats were 13 starts completing 194-for-348 passes for 2,523 yards (194.1 per game) and 19 TDs as well as two rushing TDs.

2008 - Junior Year

Stafford was chosen to Athlon's preseason Heisman Favorites Others To Watch list. Georgia was ranked #1 in both the preseason coaches poll and AP poll, marking the first time Georgia has ever been #1 in the preseason version of either poll, also entered the 2008 season with the longest active winning streak among the 66 BCS conference teams having won their last 7 games of the 2007 season. In the final regular season game against Georgia Tech, Stafford completed 24 out of 39 attempts for 407 yards and 5 touchdowns, setting a personal record for touchdowns in a single game.

Awards and honors

• Named SEC Freshman of the Week twice during the 2006 season.
• Named Rivals.com's National Freshman of the Week for his performance against Auburn on November 11, 2006.
• Received the University of Georgia's 2006 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award.
• Named to the 2006 SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team.
• Named Offensive MVP of the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
• Named All-America in 2008 by Pro Football Weekly.
• Named to All-SEC 2nd team in 2008
• Phil Steele's All-SEC second Team
• MVP of the 2009 Capital One Bowl

From wikipedia.org.

2009 Production To Date

Stafford has had a slow start to his rookie season. He will improve in time and become a very good NFL and fantasy passer. But, it will take time. The Lions are void of talent. For the season, the first-year passer has completed 34 of 67 passes for 357 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. He has also added a rushing score. It has been a rough start, but he will improve.

Best Game To Date

Neither of Stafford's first two games have been that great. But, his best statistical week was this past one. In the contest against the Vikings, Stafford attempted 30 passes, completing 18, for 152 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Whether by play design or for fear of the interception, Stafford is not throwing deep very often.

Situation In 2009

Stafford is the starting quarterback this season in Detroit and has a long leash. It would take an injury or major meltdown for the Lions to revert back to Daunte Culpepper. Stafford does not have much in terms of weapons but will have some big games throwing to wideout Calvin Johnson. Fantasy owners should expect Stafford to finish in the middle of the pack of fantasy quarterbacks, but show glimpses of potential. In addition to Johnson, the team has a good young back in Kevin Smith and a good rookie tight end in Brandon Pettigrew. The porous Detroit defense will put Stafford in many obvious passing situations. This will pad his statistics some, but will also lead to several picks. This will be a learning season for Stafford, with many ups and downs. But, he has a bright future.

Long-term Situation

There was never any doubt that Stafford would be the starting quarterback when the season started. Detroit has a lot invested in the top pick of April's NFL Draft. The Lions gave the young quarterback $78 million over six years, including $41 million guaranteed. He should be the starter for the term of the contract. The Lions are improving the talent level on the team and will be better in a couple of seasons. Detroit is patient with rookie passers, just ask Joey Harrington. Let's all hope the ex-Georgia star can be more productive.

Potential Upside

Stafford is a gunslinger at the quarterback position. He is a strong-armed passer that is not afraid to air it out or try to fit the ball into tight spaces. The Lions loved what they have seen in the former Georgia Bulldog. Stafford's upside benefits heavily with Calvin Johnson lined up outside. Johnson is a true playmaker. Detroit will look to upgrade the receiver position over the next few years. If the Lions can add talent to complement Johnson, Stafford could be a Top 10 fantasy passer. It might be asking too much to expect anything more from a quarterback in Detroit at this time.

College Profile from NFL.com

Positives: A bit shorter than preferred, but has excellent bulk and strength for the position. Durable performer who never missed a collegiate game due to injury, despite a leaky offensive line. Efficient footwork and depth on his drop from center. Quick to scan the field and go through his progressions. Elite arm-strength. Can make any NFL pass, including flicking the ball 50 yards with defenders draped over his lower body. Consistently very good-to-excellent accuracy to all levels of the field. Consistently places the deep out on the far shoulder of his receiver, away from the defender. Consistently places the comeback route low and away. Good deep accuracy and trajectory. Lofts the ball high enough to allow his receiver to run under it. Aggressive, but has developed into a smarter passer over his career and will take what the defense gives him by dropping to his second and third options. Learning to look off defenders. Underrated core strength. Can complete passes with defenders draped over him. Keeps his eyes downfield and will step up in the pocket and is willing to take a hit to complete the pass. Surprisingly nimble in the pocket and can avoid the rush. Underrated straight-line speed and will take what the defense gives. Good intangibles. Has shown considerable improvement over his three seasons as a starter and takes the team's and his own success very seriously. Very competitive. Team captain. Undefeated in bowl games.

Negatives: Can get fundamentally lazy. Though he has an efficient overall release, should be able to speed it up for underneath screens passes to take better advantage of the surprise to the defense. Sloppy footwork at times and will get lazy and throw off his back foot. Willing to throw into tight spots, though more often than not he places the ball where it needs to be. Good, but not great accuracy on crossing routes. Too often leads his receivers too far or forces them to reach back, slowing their momentum and limiting their ability to generate yardage after the catch. Lacks the straight-line speed to be a true scrambling threat. Often stays too high on quarterback sneaks. Needs to get lower and show more leg drive in these situations.

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Keep An Eye On

Shawn Nelson

Shawn Nelson is forgotten by many in the fantasy football community. He was drafted to be the pass-catching tight end in Buffalo, but the Bills have a plethora of weapons. The Bills have outstanding wideouts in Lee Evans and Terrell Owens. They also have other tight ends on the roster. So, why should we care about Nelson? He was drafted to catch the ball and make plays in space. He is a very good receiver with wide receiver speed and quickness. In fact, at this year's NFL Combine, Nelson ran a faster time in the 40-yard dash than many wide receivers. He is a threat with the ball in his hands. Nelson can make plays as evidenced by the diving touchdown against the New England Patriots in week one. Look for the Bills to line Nelson up all over the field in an attempt to take advantage of mismatches. He is a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball. Nelson could be a special pass-receiving tight end in due time.