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By MIKE O'HARA
FOXSportsDetroit.com
Jan. 25, 2011
The Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford has been the victim of not-so-friendly fire as open season continues on quarterbacks taking potshots from players.
Zack Follett, who started five games at outside linebacker in two seasons with the Lions and spent most of 2010 on injured reserve with a career-threatening neck injury, called Stafford a "China doll" during a radio interview Tuesday.
Stafford has played 13 of a possible 32 games in his first two seasons because of injuries to both shoulders and a knee. Stafford started only three games in 2010 because of two injuries to his right (passing) shoulder, on which he underwent surgery Friday.
"Stafford — good guy," Follett said in an an interview with an ESPN affiliate in Fresno, Calif. "He's a China doll right now. Anytime he gets hit, he goes down.
"Hopefully, it's just patiently waiting for him, because the kid is an awesome talent. He has a tremendous arm. The throws that he makes during practice when no one can touch him, he looks like an All-American quarterback.
"But put him in a game, and you hit his shoulder. So hopefully, say a couple prayers, keep him healthy next year, and the Lions can do some damage in the NFC."
Follett softened his comments later Tuesday in an interview with host Mike Valenti on WXYT-97.1, the Lions' flagship station.
"I was just basically talking about what a talent he is, but at the same time he's been kind of brittle," Follett said at the start of the interview with Valenti. "I've seen this guy in practice, how good he throws the ball."
A call to Lions president Tom Lewand seeking comment was not immediately returned. Lewand is at the Senior Bowl with the rest of the Lions' coaches, scouts and front-office staff.
Follett spoke glowingly of Stafford's ability in the Fresno interview.
Valenti quickly interjected that Follett had called Stafford a "China doll."
"That's pretty strong," Valenti said, asking how "other guys in the locker room" viewed Stafford.
"Truthfully I can't speak about the other players," Follett said. "It's the luck of the draw. He had bad luck. I don't have no doubt he can come and can play a full season. He's a tough kid.
"I am glad we have Matt Stafford instead of the Bears' quarterback (Jay Cutler). (Stafford) goes in and plays with separated shoulders and wins game. It definitely wasn't a knock on him. He's a competitor. He just had some bad luck early in his career.
"We get him healthy, I compare him with Dan Marino in arm strength and accuracy."
Follett also stressed in the interview with Valenti he wasn't questioning Stafford's toughness.
"He can take hits," Follett said. "I think we saw that his rookie year. He just had some bad luck on how it's landed. He starts landing on that thing (his shoulder) a little nicer and he'll be able to last the season."
Follett was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round out of Cal-Berkeley in 2009.
He played primarily on special teams in 2009 and also spent time on the practice squad. In 2010, he started five games at outside linebacker before sustaining a neck injury against the Giants.
In an interview with The Detroit News after the season, Follett expressed reservations about whether he would be able to continue his career.
By MIKE O'HARA
FOXSportsDetroit.com
Jan. 25, 2011
The Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford has been the victim of not-so-friendly fire as open season continues on quarterbacks taking potshots from players.
Zack Follett, who started five games at outside linebacker in two seasons with the Lions and spent most of 2010 on injured reserve with a career-threatening neck injury, called Stafford a "China doll" during a radio interview Tuesday.
Stafford has played 13 of a possible 32 games in his first two seasons because of injuries to both shoulders and a knee. Stafford started only three games in 2010 because of two injuries to his right (passing) shoulder, on which he underwent surgery Friday.
"Stafford — good guy," Follett said in an an interview with an ESPN affiliate in Fresno, Calif. "He's a China doll right now. Anytime he gets hit, he goes down.
"Hopefully, it's just patiently waiting for him, because the kid is an awesome talent. He has a tremendous arm. The throws that he makes during practice when no one can touch him, he looks like an All-American quarterback.
"But put him in a game, and you hit his shoulder. So hopefully, say a couple prayers, keep him healthy next year, and the Lions can do some damage in the NFC."
Follett softened his comments later Tuesday in an interview with host Mike Valenti on WXYT-97.1, the Lions' flagship station.
"I was just basically talking about what a talent he is, but at the same time he's been kind of brittle," Follett said at the start of the interview with Valenti. "I've seen this guy in practice, how good he throws the ball."
A call to Lions president Tom Lewand seeking comment was not immediately returned. Lewand is at the Senior Bowl with the rest of the Lions' coaches, scouts and front-office staff.
Follett spoke glowingly of Stafford's ability in the Fresno interview.
Valenti quickly interjected that Follett had called Stafford a "China doll."
"That's pretty strong," Valenti said, asking how "other guys in the locker room" viewed Stafford.
"Truthfully I can't speak about the other players," Follett said. "It's the luck of the draw. He had bad luck. I don't have no doubt he can come and can play a full season. He's a tough kid.
"I am glad we have Matt Stafford instead of the Bears' quarterback (Jay Cutler). (Stafford) goes in and plays with separated shoulders and wins game. It definitely wasn't a knock on him. He's a competitor. He just had some bad luck early in his career.
"We get him healthy, I compare him with Dan Marino in arm strength and accuracy."
Follett also stressed in the interview with Valenti he wasn't questioning Stafford's toughness.
"He can take hits," Follett said. "I think we saw that his rookie year. He just had some bad luck on how it's landed. He starts landing on that thing (his shoulder) a little nicer and he'll be able to last the season."
Follett was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round out of Cal-Berkeley in 2009.
He played primarily on special teams in 2009 and also spent time on the practice squad. In 2010, he started five games at outside linebacker before sustaining a neck injury against the Giants.
In an interview with The Detroit News after the season, Follett expressed reservations about whether he would be able to continue his career.
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