The Detroit Lions will enter their sixth season with Matthew Stafford as their quarterback, and they are searching for a backup to replace Shaun Hill.
Matthew Stafford heads into his sixth season as the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback, and he is looking to prove that he can put last season’s second-half collapse behind him.
The former Comeback Player of the Year threw 13 interceptions in his last eight games, and the Lions finished with a 7-9 record after starting 6-3.
Stafford experienced a breakout season in 2011 when he threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdown passes, which led to him winning Comeback Player of the Year honors.
His play has dropped off since, but that has been partly due to lack of weapons aside from Calvin Johnson. The Lions provided their signal caller weapons by signing wide receiver Golden Tate and drafting tight end Eric Ebron though.
It will be up to Stafford to take advantage of his weapons and cut down on turnovers, and he will need to improve his accuracy, which has fallen below 60 percent in each of his last two seasons.
However, Stafford’s durability has improved as he has started all 16 games in the last three seasons. With an improved offensive line, Stafford will look to remain healthy.
Shaun Hill is longer around to be the No. 2 quarterback for the Lions since he departed for St. Louis, so Dan Orlovsky is in line to back up Stafford.
Orlovsky has extensive experience as a backup quarterback and has made spot starts throughout his career. He has also has a previous relationship with new head coach Jim Caldwell, who used to coach him when he played for the Indianapolis Colts.
The third-stringer may or may not make the active roster, but there is competition brewing between Kellen Moore and James Franklin, who were both undrafted free agents. Moore has two years of experience being the Lions’ No. 3 quarterback, but he has never taken an NFL snap. However, he may be a sleeper to take over the second-string job if he shows enough improvement.
Franklin offers a dual threat quarterback to the team, so he will look to use his skill set to his advantage and unseat Moore.
The Lions will likely carry three quarterbacks on the active roster since stashing Moore or Franklin on the practice squad will cause a team to claim them on waivers.
COMMENTS