Go Ahead, Take Stafford

But if you do, please don't throw him into the fire

I'm not here to settle the debate as to who the Lions should take first overall. The argument exists for both Matthew Stafford and offensive lineman Jason Smith, as well as for linebacker Aaron Curry.
I'd say it runs about even. Heading into the draft, the clear-cut pick seemed to be lineman Andre Smith. But then Smith kept falling and falling.

Stafford carries the highest risk, but also the highest potential. He could be a nice fit with receiver Calvin Johnson. He has been compared to Jay Cutler, whom the Lions recently tried to trade for. So, if the Lions feel that he is the right choice, then fine. Go ahead and take him. Just promise me one thing:

Please, PLEASE, don't turn him into the next Joey Harrington. Don't make him be the starter in his rookie season. Let him sit behind Daunte Culpepper for a while.

Most quarterbacks don't start to devolop until year two. Starting in the rookie year is very, very difficult. One can argue by dropping the names Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, but Ryan isn't the rule, he is the exception. As is Flacco.

The way the Lions threw Joey into the fire ruined his career. It also is a symbol of Matt Millen football, and the Lions need to make it clear that, whatever they are doing, they're done playing Matt Millen football.

If the Lions let Stafford rest, he could turn out to be an excellent quarterback, maybe even the next Bobby Layne.

Stafford went to the same high school as Layne, and is entering the draft 51 years after the former Lions great supposedly said that the Lions wouldn't win for 50 years. The Lions can end this curse with him.

But they have to do it the right way.