Has Matthew Stafford really hit his ceiling?
Maybe the former high school legend, Georgia Bulldogs star and former No. 1 overall pick of the Lions in 2009, is simply a middle of the pack quarterback — with a penchant for the occasional spectacular performance.
After benching Stafford midway through the third quarter of a 42-17 blowout loss to the Cardinals, Coach Jim Caldwell said he would remain the Lions starting quarterback.
“Really, it’s like a pitcher not having a very good day,” Caldwell said. “The pitcher comes out, and the pitcher, obviously, he’s still the starter. He’s still our starter. There will be no issues there, so there is no quarterback controversy or anything of that nature.
“But I know one thing. We’ve got to get better. This was poor, just not the kind of outing that we’d like to see around here.”
Stafford was 20 of 32 for 188 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions before being yanked. Orlovsky, completed 21 of 38 passes for 191 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
The question is where does Caldwell and the Lions go from here?
Stafford signed a three-year extension worth $41.7 million in 2013, but the Lions can get out of the deal without owing another penny after this season.
