Detroit Lions Weblog

Apparently, Stanton Gets His Shot Next.

Let the Drew Stanton era begin!? Apparently, the Lions are going to keep Matthew Stafford’s sore shoulder on ice, and it is quite possible that he could be done for the year, too.

Drew Just Got His Very Own “Red
Ryder” BB Gun!

For Stanton, this has to be the ultimate realization of a dream, and likely the best Christmas present that he has ever received. He has to be legitimately excited by his finally being given an opportunity to start.

Most Lions fans, at least those who still bother to actually watch their games, have to be ecstatic that they won’t be subjected to another brutal performance from a clearly washed-up, Daunte Culpepper (0-9 as a Lions starter). Culpepper has no future in Detroit, but Stanton might. This is a prudent organizational decision, even if the Lions uncover that Stanton, with all of his “gutsy and spunky” (or, with props to Neil from Armchair Linebacker, “Grit Merchant” Drew Stanton) effort in tow, is not the answer as the Lions backup, either.

Stanton even provides us with a glimpse of his feelings on his blog:

Those plays are the ones you learn from and make later on. Just as you remember the bad, the good plays are indescribable. When I got into that end zone to tie the game I had an emotion run through my body I cannot explain. Unfortunately, I followed it up with a horrible attempt to jump into the stands. I can explain why it looked so bad, though. It was because the person I was jumping toward was looking and I stopped for a second. Not to mention my “ups” are limited as is.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun playing in a meaningful game and it was great to hear the fans chanting my name. It’s always nice to be appreciated.

So as always it will be another interesting week in Detroit at the quarterback position. Matthew’s shoulder has had two weeks to rest, so we will see how much he can do. After all, he is the starter.

Stay tuned as I will try to update what’s going on this week.

Drew, Be Careful, or You Could
Put Your Eye Out!

Lions fans have an unrequited fetish for the team’s backup Qb’s. We had all better take notice and be careful what we wish for. Stanton resides in a special place in many Lions fans heart’s. Stanton, a local boy made good, exhibits an unrestrained enthusiasm, which despite any of his on-field foibles, is contagious.

Little Drew Thinks He Can, Thinks He Can...

The fact of the matter is, Stanton will be starting his first NFL career game, on the road amid the team’s 19-game road losing streak, and will be leading a team that is clearly limping to the finish. The Lions may not actually be able to glean much from his performance, since they have chose to thrust him into such an untenable situation.

Remember Mike McMahon, the QB All Lions Fans Wanted to Be Great?

Drew Stanton is a convenient analogue to his organizational antecedent, Mike McMahon. Lions fans desperately wanted the spirited, athletic McMahon to emerge as a contributor for the team. I believe that there are remarkable similarities between each players style of play. In much the same way, Lions fans are pining for Stanton to live up to the expectations of his 2nd round draft selection.

For all parties involved, I hope that Stanton’s start is an organizational revelation, and not another tacky, “remember-the-good-old-days” footnote in Lions team history. More than likely, he will be the organizational equivalent to this popular slice of Christmas ephemera:

Merry Christmas, Lions Fans...It's Better Than Eating Crow, Right?

Updated: Here are Drew’s comments about the official announcement that he will indeed be Sunday’s starter:

“I found out this morning going to the team meeting. Coach Schwartz pulled me aside and said that I’d get my first opportunity to start,” said Stanton, who will get first team reps all week. “It’s huge, getting an opportunity to get in there and get comfortable and get on the same page with these guys is vital. I haven’t had the luxury of doing that before.”

and

“I’m looking forward to it and I’ve got to take a deep breath and take it one game at a time.”

Right Now, Stanton is a Vision of Composure,
But Come Sunday, He Might Be Ready To Hit the…