Analysis Positives: A bit shorter than preferred, but has excellent bulk and strength for the position. Durable performer who never missed a collegiate game due to injury, despite a leaky offensive line. Efficient footwork and depth on his drop from center. Quick to scan the field and go through his progressions. Elite arm-strength. Can make any NFL pass, including flicking the ball 50 yards with defenders draped over his lower body. Consistently very good-to-excellent accuracy to all levels of the field. Consistently places the deep out on the far shoulder of his receiver, away from the defender. Consistently places the comeback route low and away. Good deep accuracy and trajectory. Lofts the ball high enough to allow his receiver to run under it. Aggressive, but has developed into a smarter passer over his career and will take what the defense gives him by dropping to his second and third options. Learning to look off defenders. Underrated core strength. Can complete passes with defenders draped over him. Keeps his eyes downfield and will step up in the pocket and is willing to take a hit to complete the pass. Surprisingly nimble in the pocket and can avoid the rush. Underrated straight-line speed and will take what the defense gives. Good intangibles. Has shown considerable improvement over his three seasons as a starter and takes the team's and his own success very seriously. Very competitive. Team captain. Undefeated in bowl games.
Negatives: Can get fundamentally lazy. Though he has an efficient overall release, should be able to speed it up for underneath screens passes to take better advantage of the surprise to the defense. Sloppy footwork at times and will get lazy and throw off his back foot. Willing to throw into tight spots, though more often than not he places the ball where it needs to be. Good, but not great accuracy on crossing routes. Too often leads his receivers too far or forces them to reach back, slowing their momentum and limiting their ability to generate yardage after the catch. Lacks the straight-line speed to be a true scrambling threat. Often stays too high on quarterback sneaks. Needs to get lower and show more leg drive in these situations.
Compares To: JAY CUTLER, Denver -- Stafford displays excellent arm strength. He is nimble moving around for a player his size, but is best throwing from the pocket than on the move. He could have used another year to work on improving his accuracy on underneath and crossing patterns and will never be a threat with his feet. Can be overconfident in his superb arm strength, but he can make all the throws and when he steps up in the pocket, a team that loves the vertical passing game could find the kind of success that Atlanta and Baltimore experienced with rookie quarterbacks in 2008.
Injury Report No major injuries reported.
) look bad and be try and put the blame on them if a deal doesn't get done. I don't blame the Cards FO one bit. I'm sure if they get a serious offer, they will grant permission.
2 down 29 2 go ... gulp!
