Would love to hear MrBowling’s take on this trade....
I think Stafford is average at best, and for what the Lions are getting in return, Goff and 2 first round picks will help in our rebuild. Also think about if Detroit got that for Stafford, what does this do for the Deshwan Watson market for Houston? It is interesting to note that the Lions GM is Brad Holmes who the Lions just hired from the Rams. Sounds like the Rams wanted to dump Goff's contract, so from a business standpoint, it is a win win for both sides. I don't believe the Rams have had a first round pick since they traded up to get Goff back in 2016. Seems from their end, it is a win now, and they think Stafford can put them over the top.
The question that is about to be answered about Stafford, is Stafford a great player held back by managements inability to draft right, and put enough talent on the field to surround Stafford, or was Stafford part of the problem in Detroit, being an average at best player. His stats shine, but let's face it, how many times were the Lions down by 14 in the fourth quarter, with teams playing prevent defense enabling Stafford to pile up a ton of stats in garbage time? Rob Parker gave him the best nickname, Pat Statford. Stafford was 0-3 in the playoffs, and had a dismal record against teams with a record of .500 or greater.
I don't blame Stafford for wanting out of Detroit, he didn't want to waste any more of his career on a rebuild team, which is what has been going on her for the better part of Stafford's tenure in Detroit. He has been beaten up pretty bad in recent seasons. The injuries have piled up, a broken back, he played with a torn ligament in this thumb this year, and that's after having a streak of playing in 150+ games in a row. Who know what toll it has taken on Stafford in recent years, but I can say he is one tough SOB.
I would have like to see Goff's expression when he learned he was coming to Detroit, lol. I would compare it to being kicked in the nuts.
Personally, I would like to see Stafford succeed in LA. Maybe this will be a great fit for Stafford, and his play will be come elevated as a result. I would think with the Rams team around him, he could lead them to winning at least 10 games. Will it put the Rams over the top to win a Super Bowl? That is to be seen, and of course, Stafford has to be free of the type of injuries he has experienced the past 3 seasons. This reminds me of when Verlander was sent to the Astros, everyone in Detroit was pulling for him, and the same will happen w/ Stafford. He has a house in South California, and his long time buddy, Clayton Kershaw is in LA as well. Also, the real question is will his wife Kelly be happy there, lol. She is probably the reason in pushing Stafford to get out of Detroit in the first place.
At his into press conference in LA, pay attention to how many times Stafford says "ummm", Detroit radio stations have made musical mixes out of him saying ummm excessively, lol.