-Friday 4/24/09 11:14 PM EST
Matthew Stafford has signed a 6 year, 74 mil (78 w/incentives) contract with 41.7 mil guaranteed.
Congratulations are due to both Matthew Stafford and agent Tom Condon for getting the historic deal done before the draft. All indications are still that a deal had been made in principal with Aaron Curry and if Detroit had been physically on the clock, would’ve selected the Wake Forest LB.
Detroit fans–for the most part–are not happy about two things.
1) Where was the supposed leverage? Condon got just about everything he wanted in this deal. The whole point of talking with multiple picks is supposedly to get the best possible deal.
2) After chants of “Don’t draft Stafford”, the organization that has angered fans with constant skill position picks instead of drafting the BPA has done it again. Lions’ fans have long memories. Stafford is not going into a situation with a lot of fan support.
The mantra of Denzel Washington in “Remember the Titans” was “Be Perfect.” That is my only advice for Matthew Stafford. As of yet, you have not impressed the Detroit fan base, but you will be given every chance to. Speaking for Lions’ fans, I have to say this. We will support you and wish you the best. This is a blue collar town. No one will ever fault you for giving 100%…Make Detroit forget about Chuck Long, Andre Ware, Joey Harrington. Prove to Detroit that Martin Mayhew is everything Matt Millen isn’t. We will not excuse you but we will support you.
