Since his retirement from the NFL, former QB Donovan McNabb has been pretty vocal about current NFL quarterbacks whether it’s how they play, contracts they’ve received or if they should get a second chance which were his thoughts on former Titans/Eagles QB Vince Young.
So it would only be natural for McNabb to comment on the $41.5 million dollars in guaranteed money Matthew Stafford is getting from the Lions after signing a three-year extension…
“When you look at just the numbers overall, you have to think about 12,000 yards and being the youngest quarterback to reach this feat and also the things he’s been able to accomplish, you know you begin to question this.” McNabb said Tuesday night on NFL Total Access (via MLive.com). “It’s about wins and losses again. Now, as a quarterback and as Matt Stafford, hey, I would take that contract just like Tony Romo took his contract. But is he worth top-5 money? I would have to say no. And I say that because it’s about wins and losses.
“What has he really done for the Detroit Lions? Nothing.”
In addition, McNabb also brought up concerns about Stafford’s footwork and mechanics to ESPN’s Ron Jaworski.
“His footwork late in the games begins to drift a little bit, tries to throw the sidearm, be a gunslinger and that gets him into trouble,” McNabb said. “Turnovers (are a) critical part of the game. And that’s what affects the Detroit Lions from being one of the upper echelon (teams) on the offensive end is because of the turnovers and the lack of discipline when it comes to the drop-back game.”
I can see what McNabb is getting at when it comes to him criticizing Stafford’s mechanics and footwork. In fact I agree with him in a sense but that’s all part of the development of a quarterbacks game. Does Stafford need to take the next step when it comes to something like that? Yes without question but in terms of the money Stafford will receive from the Lions it’s worth it from the organization’s stand point considering he’s MUCH better than the options on the free agent market and not nearly worth the gamble when it comes to drafting someone. You can go talk to the Buffalo Bills or New York Jets about that one. Plus his comments about Stafford essentially not doing anything for the Lions is a little disingenuous. It’s true the Lions haven’t been tremendously successful during Stafford’s tenure but he still has a lot of upside with the best probably still yet to come.
It more of less seems like McNabb is still somewhat bitter over being benched in favor of Rex Grossman and his Campbell Soup commercials coming to an end. And by the way, McNabb is also right about this… Stafford isn’t worth top five QB money, which is why he’s the 6th highest paid QB (annually) in the League.
h/t: CBS Sports, Mlive.com, USA Today/SI (photo)