Gridiron Experts

Stafford vs. Sanchez: Did The Lions Make A Mistake?

For those of you that don’t know, Matthew Stafford was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in this year’s draft; Mark Sanchez was taken 6th overall by the New York Jets (moving up 11 spots to select him). One crucial reason that the Lions opted to go with Stafford was that Sanchez was relatively inexperienced, with only one full college season under his belt. These two young quarterbacks are impressing so far this season, and they appear to have the potential to keep up this success, so I would like to table a debate for Grid-X readers: who will have more success as their respective careers continue to progress?

As pick number one, Stafford will get the honors of being evaluated first. Stafford had a very impressive college career; his only weaknesses were occasional lapses in judgement and needing to improve his accuracy. At the pro level Stafford seems to be developing more with each start, however I’m hard pressed to say that he has been fantastic. He seems to be progressing rapidly and looks quite poised in the …Continue reading Stafford vs. Sanchez: Did The Lions Make A Mistake?

Mark Sanchez: Looks Good In Green

Even before Sunday’s NFL action showed us just how ready rookies Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford are for the pros, the comparisons to John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Ryan Leaf had to be made.

Oh, and to that other guy, Dan Marino.

The same thing happened for Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco last year. Both quarterbacks started their careers with victories, and while the top overall pick in this year’s draft, Stafford, couldn’t follow suit, Mark Sanchez did. After several experts and analysts said it was a mistake for the Jets to throw him into the mix, Sanchez stood poised, a giant among men, victorious over the favored Houston Texans, and impressively so.

Sanchez was wildly effective in his NFL debut, only making one major mistake, a pick six in the fourth quarter (Houston’s only score), with the game already out of reach. Stats don’t lie and with a solid 18 for 31, 277 yards, and a touchdown pass, the NFL world collectively was impressed. And if history teaches us anything, there will be more to come. …Continue reading Mark Sanchez: Looks Good In Green