Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:30 pm EST

Okay, who's booing Matthew Stafford?

By MJD

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford(notes) was heckled and jeered as he left the field after the Lions' loss to the Rams on Sunday. Stafford said today that he's not worried about being booed, and that he understands the fans' frustration with the Lions' ... well, let's call them "struggles."

Stafford seems like an understanding and forgiving chap. And that's good, because if he had gone on the radio today and said, "Anyone who is booing me right now is an absolute pinhead," I wouldn't have blamed him a bit. Lions center Dominic Raiola felt the same way.

"I was very disappointed when I came to the sideline and fans were telling him, 'Throw it to me' and 'I'm open' -- this, that and the other. I popped off and said something to the fans. . . . He's not going to say nothing. I'm going to say something.  [...]

"You want to run him out of town already? You know what I'm saying? That just hit home with me because I've been through it with Joey [Harrington]. I've been through it. They sent him packing. Quick. And they're not going to do it to this guy. I'm going to be right here next to him."

Just a quick history lesson while we're here: The Lions lost all 16 of their games last year, and Matthew Stafford, in just his third game in Detroit, won. Just two games later (he missed two with an injury, plus a bye week), he's taking verbal abuse from fans?

I know it can't be easy to be a Lions fan, but we're not talking about general boos here. We're talking about Lions fans specifically heckling Stafford as he walked off the field. I mean, look at this guy (lower right, under the "quick links"). He's got that kind of anger for a rookie playing the hardest position in sports, with one of the worst supporting casts in sports? Get the net.

It's a tiny minority of Lions fans we're talking about here, and generally speaking, I respect any Lions fan who's still showing up to games. Stafford is one of the good guys, though. If your football team is going to get turned around, he's probably going to be a big reason for it. Even if he isn't, he might deserve more than five games (one of which he won) before we scapegoat him.

Gracias, Pro Football Talk.

Related: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

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249 Comments

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  1. CoreyB
    1. Posted by CoreyB Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:43 pm EST

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    no one ran harrington out of town besides joey harrington. face it, when he left, did he catch on anywhere else? he was an awful qb. and stafford's actually been one of the bright(ish) points on an awful team.
  2. sam spade
    2. Posted by sam spade Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:44 pm EST

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    Sam Bradford went back to Oklahoma in order to avoid this. sure, he got hurt; but who would really want to play in Detroit? Matthew Stafford took the money, but this is his fate. He may be like Archie Manning. Great QB but always on losing teams.
  3. mpsebor
    3. Posted by mpsebor Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:58 pm EST

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    yea I'm sure Sam Bradford is really sitting there with his shoulder cast on... in his college dorm... with his college athelete stipend... with no hope of a national championship... having lost out on being a top 5 pick and probably clean out of the first round... thinking "Damn, I'm glad I didn't go pro this year so I'd have to make #1 money playing for the Lions!."
  4. Isaac M
    4. Posted by Isaac M Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:00 pm EST

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    Wow, that's just dumb. You'd think Lions fans, of all people, would have a sense of perspective. Guess not.
  5. Stir the pot
    5. Posted by Stir the pot Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:09 pm EST

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    He over threw his receivers on the last drive by a few feet every pass. He had a good game up until that point, but the fans expect more from a #1 pick. It was just an ugly game that ended badly and the fans took it out on him. They should have taken it out on the receivers that dropped several passes, or the special teams that gave up another TD.
  6. LongTrans
    6. Posted by LongTrans Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:11 pm EST

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    They are simply tired of losing. They have a long, long, long way to go.
  7. BasketballFan88
    7. Posted by BasketballFan88 Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:33 pm EST

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    Lions fans who show up to games have either lost their mind or willing to watch crap on a daily basis. You couldn't beg me to watch a team from the UFL play in the NFL.
    The fact that the game was blacked out was a BLESSING. Something that should be celebrated.
    Lions fans keep spending your money. You're living in one of the most vibrant and thriving cities in the country right?
  8. Fire Ford
    8. Posted by Fire Ford Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:36 pm EST

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    As a lions fan, I didn't boo him, because to boo would mean you had expectations for him to begin with. And talking about not given a chance, I'll take a healthy Stanton over an overthrowing #1 Stafford ANY DAY.
  9. Kevin52
    9. Posted by Kevin52 Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:37 pm EST

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    Correy B, Raiola, Backus, and their fellow linemen threw Joey out and they dragged from under the bus they threw him under. He came into the worse situatiion as Stafford with no WR's and no backs and Definitely NO O-line. His receivers dropped pass after pass. The line was as porous as they are today. Many times he was being hit in the process of dropping back. By the time they were through with him, his confidence was totally shot. Oh, at first, Raiola was his greatest supporter but when it became evident that the line was going to catch the well-deserved blame, Harrington became expendable. Raiola and company have a history of this. Kitna went under the same bus as they blamed him for holding the ball "too long!" A good line can pass block for 4 seconds. Many times, the Lions do not make it to 1. Kitna had to throw all the time because as bad as they pass block, their run blocking is worse. They have terrible fundamentals with Raiola blocking with his head down and Backus unable to handle the outside charge (and many times the inside one). We could have gotten a line in place this year with all those choices, but this org. doesn't have a clue how to draft to build. They only see the glamour positions and in late rounds, pick up project linemen. Don't let Raiola fool you. He is covering himself in his defense of Stafford. Did you ever hear him say, "the blame is squarely on us (O-line) because we cannot protect him." You never have and never will. If I were Stafford, I would keep an eye out for busses!!!
  10. zepbassmasta7x
    10. Posted by zepbassmasta7x Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:52 pm EST

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    I'm not booing matt stafford. Hell, i think he's one of the greatest things that happened to this team, right next to Mr. Sanders. I'm a Lions fan, and i'm super mad that they're giving a guy who should be a senior in college who's playing on a team that had horrid linemen last year this much crap. COME ON!!!!!!!! he got us a win! the first one in a helluva long time.He didn't play for three weeks. not even practice. he only practiced for a FEW days last week. how can that make up for three weeks of no playing? he was also stressed because he's still just getting used to the NFL. give this guy some time. let him get back into the game. watch him progress.
    please detroit, let Stafford stay. He's our Matt Ryan.
  11. vertskate900
    11. Posted by vertskate900 Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:54 pm EST

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    And that's good, because if had gone on the radio today and said, "Anyone who is booing me right now is an absolute pinhead," I wouldn't have blamed him a bit.
    My God, please someone fire this joke of a "journalist."
    Stafford and the Lions lost to St. Louis; what looked like this year's worst team. Fans have every right to boo. Detroit doesn't have many more gimmies on the schedule.
  12. Oliver Klosov
    12. Posted by Oliver Klosov Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:29 pm EST

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    uh.... the fans that are tired of paying $85 for a ticket, $35 to park, $8.50 for a beer and $7.00 for a hot dog, only to watch 53 sorry football players run around in a circle... AND F'ING LOOSE!!!!! that's who....
    please....SHUT DOWN THIS CORNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  13. Jon
    13. Posted by Jon Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:31 pm EST

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    The Lions never have a gimmie on the schedule. They are other teams' gimmie. I grew up in the Detroit Area and I am unfortunately a Lions fan. Would I boo Stafford? maybe if he makes a bad play, but not just to boo. This is an extremely untalented team. I knew before the year that they weren't going to win many games. The next chance at a win is against Cleveland, otherwise I see 1-15 in their future. I don't like it, but believe it or not, it is not Stafford's fault. The best thing to do is continue to improve and see what comes out of it. The Lions have the worst secondary in the league and a substandard defensive line. Until those problems are solved, they will continue to be bad.
    Just go out and play. Try to improve. That is all I ask.
  14. The Crow
    14. Posted by The Crow Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:08 pm EST

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    He wasn't good in college, he isn't good now, and he'll never be any good...end of story!
  15. Reyn
    15. Posted by Reyn Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:10 pm EST

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    Got to give him a chance. Ridiculous if people blame a rookie quarterback on a horrible team for loss and bad throws. Come on. Rebuild the O-line and we will see what he can do. He has been injured also so he as rust. Fans need to face the fact that we are not a good team and losses will be many. Hopefully they can bring in some more talent and win a few more next year. Drafting alone won't do it...we need a good free agency also. Linemen both sides....secondary. We have pieces to the puzzle but only a few. I expect maybe one more win from them. Hope for more but that's all hope and you know what I will support my team all the way. True fans will. I am also tired of seeing them lose year after year. Stafford will probably prove everyone wrong someday. If not here somewhere else.
  16. Monty B
    16. Posted by Monty B Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:13 pm EST

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    I agree that this guy needs to be given a chance before he gets booed. this is also understandable because fans will boo a talented qb when he is making bad plays. Take a look at Romo. Detroit would probably kill for him, but cowboys fans hate him. Its just part of being an NFL qb.
  17. sam spade
    17. Posted by sam spade Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:15 pm EST

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    Explain why he didn't come out then? Isn't because he didn't want to play for Detroit? You're right the gamble didn't pay off; but isn't the reason that many top underclassmen QB didn't come out was because they didn't want to play for the team or live in the city?
  18. tsylvia
    18. Posted by tsylvia Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:16 pm EST

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    I'm a Bears fan,so I think I have a non-biased viewpoint. I think Stafford is the real deal. He is absolutely the least of the Lions problems. Even Michael Jordan needed a supporting cast, which Stafford doesn't have yet. He is going to make some rookie mistakes, but I think Lion fans should give him a break and give him a chance. If the Lions don't give him a break, I guarantee there are about 10 teams in the league that would absolutely love to have him.
  19. Joe
    19. Posted by Joe Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:17 pm EST

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    How can you boo Stafford? The guy has played well on a horrible team. He is a rookie and needs to develop. Offer him support to build his confidence and make him better, instead of ripping him. The Lions are aweful on all fronts, and loosing Calvin Johnson hurts the Lions big time. Give the man a chance, look the Lions are already better than last year.
  20. joseph
    20. Posted by joseph Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:25 pm EST

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    these overpriced player are getting paid millions to win. they have played football all there lives. There professionals at what they do. So how is it possible that they can't win.
  21. Mo
    21. Posted by Mo Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:27 pm EST

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    Dominic sounds like one hell of a teammate. The Lions are lucky to have him.
    A football fan in Kansas City
  22. The Judge
    22. Posted by The Judge Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:28 pm EST

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    I love the Lions. When they lose they make me feel better about my own sorry team, the Bills. So thanks Detroit, I can always count on you, and the Raiders and Tampa Bay to bail me out just when i think my team is the worst in the league. Oh, I forgot, thanks Cleveland as well. Honorable mention to Tenn. as well.
  23. dudelabowski
    23. Posted by dudelabowski Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:34 pm EST

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    joseph just hit the nail on the head. How is it possible that all professional sports teams are not undefeated? what insight.......ugh.
  24. moejo
    24. Posted by moejo Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:39 pm EST

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    this team need's to show some dam PRIDE even if thy can't win this year get some dam respect for the effort and lay some wood to there opponents. and you will hear cheers instead of boos. the D in Detroit should stand for defense
  25. fishman
    25. Posted by fishman Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:42 pm EST

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    Bottom line if you lose to the freaking St. Louis rams at home you deserve to be heckeled. I have given up on these losrers. I was not dissapointed when the game was not broadcast. Anybody who buys a ticket to ford field is just contributing to the problem. Stop going to the games and the NFL may force the Fords to do something. Downright pathetic is what it is. Stafford was cursed by doing well in college to have to go to such a half assed organization. I feel sorry for him as the lions will ruin him like they do everything else they touch. Worst franchise ever period hands down. Truely a pathetic sight!

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