Matthew Stafford is eager for the Detroit Lions supporters to raise their voices once more.
When the Los Angeles Rams quarterback, who spent 12 seasons as a quarterback in Detroit, went to Ford Field in January for an NFC wild-card game, he was booed loudly and frequently.
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The Lions defeated the Rams by a point, ending a 32-year playoff success drought and ushering in a former fan favourite to his new home. Cheers transitioned to applause.
Stafford claimed the taunts inspire him, even though his wife Kelly and their three daughters have decided not to go to the rematch to avoid hearing what supporters have to say from the stands.
He said, “I want to hear it all.”
When the Rams play in Detroit on Sunday night, Stafford’s ears might be ringing because the team’s supporters are ecstatic at finally having a Super Bowl-contending squad to cheer for.
The defending NFC North champions, who have two postseason wins under their belt since winning the NFL championship in 1957, made an effort to improve both sides of the ball in the offseason.
“Our expectations were the same last year as they are now,” said Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, who was acquired along with first-round picks for Stafford in 2021. “Obviously externally, we’ve got a lot more attention.”
Calling an Audible
Jonah Jackson, an offensive lineman who played for Detroit for the previous four seasons, is also returning home for this game. Coach Dan Campbell of the Lions does not want the Rams to benefit from Jackson’s ideas.
“We’ve changed a number of things for that,” Campbell said.
After being selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jackson went on to start 57 games in four seasons, one of which he shared with Stafford.
A three-year contract worth $34 million was signed by Jackson with guarantees. Detroit added a Pro Bowl player with 181 career starts when they signed 34-year-old Kevin Zeitler to a one-year contract to replace Jackson.
Following the preseason, the Rams declared that Steve Avila, who had played center during training camp, would stay at guard and that Jackson would start for the team. With veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein sidelined by an ankle injury and Joe Noteboom standing in for the suspended Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Los Angeles has worries throughout its offensive line.
A Hole To Fill
One of the league’s most disruptive players was removed from Detroit’s scouting report in March when Aaron Donald, the three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, announced his retirement.
“You’re not ever replacing an Aaron Donald, and that’s not what we’re asking of our guys,” McVay said. “I do miss him, but I’m excited about the opportunity for these guys to go do their thing and start to etch their names in this thing.”
Unsung Actor
Former Rams executive turned general manager Brad Holmes of the Lions extended the contracts of offensive tackle Penei Sewell and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during the offseason, giving them a combined value of over $230 million.
Alim McNeill, a defensive tackle in Detroit’s 2021 draft class, is the third player that may be the next to sign a new contract.
“McNeil, I think, is one of the best players in this league that people don’t talk about enough,” McVay said.
She Said It
Owner of the Lions Sheila Ford Hamp stated that her ambition going into the season is to hoist a Super Bowl trophy—an unprecedented level of expectation for a franchise.
“You always hate to say that out loud,” she told The Associated Press durian training camp. “I don’t want to jinx anything. I am pretty superstitious, like we all are, right?”