The Facts:
Following up on
an ongoing story. ... Can Stafford stay healthy? NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora believes he can. But there are flaws he must correct. Scouts in the NFC North figured out that Stafford does not move up into the pocket enough when pressured. Like a punter, he stays stationary at the point of attack too often, allowing players to come off the edge and hunt for his throwing shoulder.
Reported by NFL.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
"Some of this is on him," one veteran scout told La Canfora of Stafford's repeated shoulder injuries. "He has to feel the pressure and step up into the pocket and force pass rushers to adjust and change their angles."
Stafford, who missed 13 games last season with a pair of shoulder injuries (which subsequently required surgery to repair), has struggled to stay on the field during his two-year NFL career, having missed more games (19) than games in which he has played (13). And while the Lions are building a formidable cast around him, La Canfora believes the offensive line needs another year of additions. In the meantime, La Canfora suggests Stafford won't allow himself to be a sitting target. He has no shortage of weapons, and the Lions' running game will improve. Better still, an improving defense might finally be capable of helping him out now. The bottom line? Per La Canfora, Stafford won't be as predictable, shouldn't be trailing early and often as much and he should have a better-balanced offense. It's a good argument. But Fantasy Football owners still have to take Stafford's injury history in account when assigning draft value this summer.
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