At the risk of posting another comment about Matt Stafford, one question I’ve seen making its way around the Georgia parts of the internets is whether he stays or turns pro after this season. I have no idea, and Matt probably doesn’t have one either right now.
But one thing to factor into the equation is what the market for QBs in the ’09 and ’10 NFL drafts may look like.
Curtis Painter, Hunter Cantwell, Cullen Harper, Todd Boeckman, Chase Daniel, Chase Holbrook, Graham Harrell, Rudy Carpenter. Solid college passer [sic] all, but that sound you’ll hear is a big collective yawn coming from the NFL scouts desperate to restock their league with quarterbacks who can play. If Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford choose to return for their senior seasons, 2009 could be one of the ugliest quarterback drafts in a long, long time.
Sure, there’s a lot of football to be played between now and then, but if Matt has a great year this season, who knows what that may get parlayed into? Particularly if the professional pickings at QB are otherwise slim.
For some perspective, here’s what JaMarcus Russell signed for last year: a six-year contract worth up to $68 million, a league rookie record, with $31.5 million guaranteed. That’s nothing to sneer at, folks.
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Truthfully, I think Stafford is more concerned with winning a ring than becoming some high-profiled NFL prospect. Obviously the guy likes college life, we have the pictures to prove it, and I think he’s having fun being the gunslinger that he is.
If we don’t win it next year, I would fully expect to see him come back.
I think Tebow is another story though.
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I think Teebone will be gone next year. What else has he got to play for? Of course I would not blame MAtt for leaving for that kind of money. He may not put up the numbers like some other QB’s, but he seems to be a great leader and a great person. Go DAWGS.
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It really depends on what kind of season he has personally. While he has all of the talent to be a top pick, his high water mark in comp. percentage is 55%. Right now he’s a second round pick at best regardless of the lack of talent at the position.
If he throws for 3,000 plus, 3 to 1 td/int ratio and 62% or better, then he should go. If he has another 2,400, 55%, 1.5 to 1 td/int ratio I’d expect him back for his senior year.
Unfortunately for him and maybe fortunate for us is that I’d expect the backs to be the stars again and I expect Matt to play as a senior .
As far as Tebow, he’d be an idiot not to leave but I wouldn’t count on it if they don’t win some sort of championship and they probably won’t. Remember UF’s most recent MNC was Chris Leak’s not his, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t come back for another whuppin’.
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Maybe the fact that neither of them redshirted may keep both in school for a 4th year. Knowshon and Reshad Jones are 2 more that will likely have the option of leaving after 3.
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I’ve seen it written a few different places by ‘draft experts’ that unless Stafford and Tebow come out early, ’09 is an awful draft year for QB’s.
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I just want to make sure that I have this right ?
Here we Matthew Stafford who has not made any All-SEC even 3rd team pick, ever.
When the top quarterbacks in the nation are mentioned, he never has been discussed.
Even in his own conference, no mention, ever.
Last season, he led us to the Number 83 NCAA Passing Offense.
And, the 2007 NCAA Number 74 Total Offense.
In 2006, he led us to the NCAA Number 79 Passing Offense.
And, the 2006 NCAA Number 90 Total Offense.
Matthew Stafford was the 2006 NCAA Number 86 Passing Efficiency Rating.
And, Number 87 in the NCAA Total Offense 2006.
Matthew Stafford was the 2007 NCAA Number 56 Passing Efficiency Rating.
And, Number 74 in the NCAA Total Offense 2007.
Stafford has thrown for a grand total of 26 TDs and 23 Interceptions.
He has rushed for 5 more TDs on 86 rushes in the NCAA, an average rush of 2 yards per rush with 173 total rushing yards.
He averages 1 TD pass per game in his career.
He has thrown the football 604 times for 23 passes per game in his 26 games with 26 TDs and 23 Interceptions.
And, you come in here 7 March 2008 and announce that you want to talk about is Matthew Stafford TURNING PRO and going in the NFL Draft for $68 million dollars.
Genius.
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Evidently you don’t think too highly of Matthew, Thomas.
If you read the post carefully, you’d realize that I’m not the one who brought up the subject first. There’s been a fair amount of speculation on the topic by others. It’s the speculation that I was commenting on.
And as for your comment that “When the top quarterbacks in the nation are mentioned, he never has been discussed”, isn’t that contradicted by the quote from CFN cited in my post?
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Where o’ Where is Pawsie when you need him…
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While he has all of the talent to be a top pick, his high water mark in comp. percentage is 55%. Right now he’s a second round pick at best regardless of the lack of talent at the position.
Derek, Matt Stafford finished last season with a higher passer rating than did Matt Ryan, a consensus top 10 pick. So I’m not sure I buy your logic.
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He should leave when he can make the most $$. We will have plenty of other QBs ready.
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Stafford needs a box of twinkies and to achieve his dream weight of 400.
“know”shown has yet to get a clue….
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I do not dislike Stafford but he has not been what the Georgia fan base built him up to be coming out of high school. His numbers are not amazing and his name is not etched in any record books nor does it look like that is where he is headed.
The one thing he has done is manage to not lose us games but Joe Cox has done that too. He could be a great pro, as he appears to have the physical and mental tools to play the game, if placed in the proper situation.
I hope he has a big season, wins us a ring, and comes out. If he does he should be the second QB taken behind Tebow, who is the best QB in the SEC and maybe the country.
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“If he does he should be the second QB taken behind Tebow, who is the best QB in the SEC and maybe the country.” Tim Tebow is the best Full back playing quarter back. Half of his stats will mean nothing in the NFL he won’t be able to run around like that getting touchdowns against professional big hitters. His throwing ability has improved greatly but he is not the passer that Matthew is and is not better as a quaterback.
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