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Expectations set low for Lions QB Matthew Stafford

Don't count NFL writer Don Banks of SI.com among those expecting big things from Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in his rookie season.

Banks rates Stafford last in terms of probability for first-year success among a group of four quarterbacks expected to be saviors for their respective franchises.

Based on the situations these quarterbacks are stepping into this season, Banks rates Chicago's Jay Cutler first, the New York Jets' Mark Sanchez second and Kansas City's Matt Cassel third -- all ahead of Stafford.

"I'm not making a top-of-the-head judgment on Stafford's long-term NFL potential, but given the Lions' arduous road back to respectability, he's got the highest probability of facing first-year struggles," Banks writes.

"In essence, Detroit may be akin to an expansion team this season, starting over and building from the ground up under new head coach Jim Schwartz. The Lions should be content with baby steps in Stafford's rookie season."

A companion poll at SI.com asked readers to vote on which of the four quarterbacks will have the most long-term success with his respective new team.

After more than 35,000 votes, Stafford (10%) ranked last behind Cutler (45%), Cassel (23%) and Sanchez (22%).

"It should make for some fascinating Monday morning quarterbacking this season in those four tradition-laden pockets of the NFL map," Banks writes. "... But if 2009 is remembered as the year in which the Lions, Bears, Jets and Chiefs all found their franchise quarterbacks, after decades of trial and mostly error, what a story it would be."

FREE PRESS STAFF REPORTS • July 22, 2009
Expectations set low for Lions QB Matthew Stafford | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

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