Monday, January 16, 2012

Stafford Named Comeback Player Of The Year

After two injury riddled seasons, Matthew Stafford bounced back in his third NFL season in a major way. Stafford set Lions single-season records with 5,038 yards passing, 41 touchdowns and a passer rating of 97.2.

He led the Lions to their first playoff berth in 12 years and orchestrated a few fourth quarter comebacks along the way. All of the aforementioned earned Stafford the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers Association comeback player of the year. The Associated Press award, recognized by the NFL will be announced the day before the Super Bowl.

Stafford is still young and has yet to build a long term resume, but he represents a legitimate franchise quarterback for the Lions. He gives the fans real hope unlike quarterbacks of years past. Hopefully Stafford can continue to play at a high level and break into the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks.

Hillis On The Lions' Radar?

There were a lot of drama surrounding Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis. After a breakout 2010 season, injuries and controversy limited Hillis to 10 games and his production took a dive. Long live the Madden curse.

Hillis will be a free agent and it's looking like the Browns may be willing to let him hit the market. None of the decision makers in Cleveland sound too keen about bringing Hillis back next season. The prevailing thought in Cleveland is that Hillis will end up leaving Cleveland since his asking price is too high. Hillis wants $10 million in guaranteed money and the Browns only want to give him $4 million.

Where could Hillis wind up. No one really knows. ESPN.com blogger Jamison Hensley says that the Washington Redskins or Detroit Lions could kick the tires on Hillis.

It would be surprising to see the Browns invest a contract in Hillis after all of the dramatics during the season. If the Browns don't re-sign him, it will be interesting to see what teams want him. The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins could be potential suitors. 


Both teams have a need a running back, although the Lions could be strong at the position if any of their backs can stay healthy. Being a Lions fan I would rather see them invest money elsewhere. Namely on defense.

Pistons Have A Scary Moment

A charter flight en route to Houston, carrying the Detroit Pistons had to make an emergency landing at Hobby Airport. 

A Houston Airport System spokesman says the crew of MD-80 displaying the Pistons team logo reported problems with the hydraulics operating the aircraft’s left-side landing gear and declared an emergency.


Airport spokesman Joshua Agunag says the aircraft with 44 passengers aboard landed without incident at 5:45 p.m. Monday and was able to taxi to a private air terminal, where passengers were let off.

Everyone was reported to be fine, but it's something that any passenger on a plane never wants to go through.