Brandon Michea of the Detroit Free Press writes that Lions QB Matthew Stafford competed in a quarter back competition at his alma mater Georgia and reportedly felt good doing so.
Stafford who had off-season shoulder surgery after being very limited this past season because of injury threw a 50 yard bomb to a Georgia fan who bobbled the ball but gave Stafford the win in the quarterback challenge. What was more important than the win however was the fact that Stafford felt good before, during and after the event.
“It felt good,” Stafford said of his shoulder. “It was fun. We just had a good time out here today — nothing too crazy, just fooling around a little bit. It’s good to be back here at Sanford Stadium in front of these great fans. This was a great turnout and a great day to be out here.”
Stafford was up against fellow Georgia quarterback legends and NFL veterans Eric Zeier, David Greene and D.J. Shockley. Stafford ended up throwing 12 passes in the competition and had the top score in two of the three events. According to the Free Press Stafford’s most impressive performance came during the tire throw in which he threaded three of his five attempts from thirteen yards out through a car tire hanging from a goal post.
“He looked like he was feeling good,” said Greene, who played four seasons in the NFL. “But, obviously, if he wasn’t feeling great, he never would have participated in this.
“He’s such a naturally good passer that it’s good to see him back passing the ball. It was impressive watching him hit three out of five in the tire throw, which I thought was the hardest event of them all because if you touch the tire at all, it’s going to kick out.”
“He looks great,” added Zeier. “We’re just playing around out here, but he throws the ball great every time he steps onto the field. As soon as he got here to Athens (in 2006), he had the best arm we’d seen at Georgia and could make every through, and we’re awfully proud of him.
“It’s been a tough run for him with the injuries, but I think Detroit and the rest of the country are seeing what he’s all about — the way he fights back, the way he continues to lead, and his attitude through it all.”
Stafford later confirmed that his rehab process has gone well.
“I’ve just been rehabbing with Dr. (James) Andrews and doing whatever he wants me to do and whatever my trainers at the rehab facility have told me to do,” he said. “It hasn’t gone too bad at all, it’s actually gone pretty well.
“Obviously, having surgery is not fun and being out is not fun, but being able to come back as quick as I did has been nice.”
There was concern with Stafford participating in this event given it wasn’t too long ago that he had surgery on his throwing shoulder. However the concern shouldn’t lie on whether or not Stafford will hurt himself throwing the football. Unlike the Joel Zumaya injury that has kept the Tigers flame throwing reliever shelved, Stafford has seemingly shown that he can continue to throw without enduring any further injury. The real test for Stafford will come when he actually plays in an NFL game and takes a hit to his injured shoulder.
Stafford’s shoulder surgery was something that should have been done a long time ago. Many QB’s in the league, including the first overall pick last season Sam Bradford have proven that you can bounce back from this type of injury and procedure. I still have all the confidence in the world that Matthew Stafford can come back to the Lions and be a very effective QB on this team and in this league.
Source: Detroit Free Press
