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The Matt Stafford interview on Off The Ball

He's the man with the most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback and tied ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

18.20 31 Jan 2014


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The Matt Stafford interview on...

The Matt Stafford interview on Off The Ball

Newstalk
Newstalk

18.20 31 Jan 2014


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He's the man with the most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback and tied an NFL record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown.

And he's one of just five players to throw for over 5,000 yards in a regular season.

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That man is Detroit Lions' star quarterback Matt Stafford and tonight the 2009 No 1 draft pick joined us on the show to preview Sunday's Superbowl.

Stafford began by looking back at a season which saw the Lions miss out on the playoffs. 

"We had a year that was up and down. Obviously we started the season well and didn't end it the way we wanted to and that's always disappointing when you miss your chance at the playoffs. But we're looking forward to get back into it and having a great year next year," Stafford admitted.

Stafford has been on the end of his fair share of injuries since he joined the NFL in 2009.

"I've seen it all. In the first two years I played 13 games. I was injured two or three times then went to the playoffs the next year but had some disappointing years in the years after that. I'm 25 and it's my fifth year. I feel like I have a lot ahead of me but I feel like a 25-year-old veteran if you can be that," said Stafford who admits he is still learning new things amid the pressure of playing quarterback.

But it also helps to have Calvin Johnson AKA Megatron playing alongside him.  

"He's fun to watch," said Stafford of his 6 foot 5 wide receiver. "I find myself watching sometimes after I throw it and marvel at what he can do with the ball once he gets it. And even when he goes to track it, he's pretty special."

Stafford also revealed that he had a talk with new Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell when the latter was interviewing for the job. 

Anticipating that Caldwell can "work wonders", he also admitted that the prospect of teaming with the man who unlocked Peyton Manning's potential could drive the Lions forward.

Speaking of Manning, the Denver Broncos quarterback is involved in this Sunday's Superbowl against the Seattle Seahawks.

"I have loved watching Peyton Manning play for a long time. He's just a special talent," said Stafford adding: "I'm hoping for his legacy that he gets another [Superbowl]. He's had as good a year as any quarterback has ever had and broken basically every single season record and what better way than to go out on top."

But Stafford also explained what it's like to play against Seattle's renowned defence and also noted that they "like to talk".

But he tipped the Broncos to win.


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