On This Day in 2009: Matthew Stafford’s Road To Super Bowl Immortality Began In The NFL Combine

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is an NFL champion finally as he justified his capabilities after winning Super Bowl LVI this year. Stafford was always seen by many NFL scouts and analysts, as someone who possessed arm strength and accuracy while throwing the football. He participated in the 2009 NFL Combine in Indianapolis which provided the then interested franchises the first-hand analysis of his strengths and weaknesses.

According to the NFL.com reports, Stafford was heralded by many scouts to be possessing potential that has in the past guaranteed prospects a high first-round selection. He was held in high regard, who considered him as the top prep quarterback in the country from Georgia.

He is credited with leading Highland Park High School to their first state title since 1957 while winning EA National Player of the Year.

He was one of the elite QBs in the Draft, and his NFL Combine was an impressive performance. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds while running a 20-yard shuttle in 4.47 seconds. In terms of his reach, he recorded a 30.5 inches vertical jump and a broad jump of 107.0 inches. The numbers, being, not being eye-popping were good among the available QBs in the 2009 class of prospects.

Matthew Stafford and his scouting report from the NFL Combine

Stafford had a very promising report being a prospect in the NFL Combine. The scouts recognized his durability and physical strength to be good for his position. The scouts praised his ability to throw the football with power while scanning the field. He was as good or even better than some NFL QBs back in 2009.

He also was praised for having an excellent football IQ and the ability to deliver clutch throws under defensive pressure.

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A funny yet valid criticism from the scouting report was his tendency to become fundamentally lazy. Stafford displayed a tendency of holding the ball for a longer duration than is required. He also was notably not a receiver-friendly QB as he threw passes that usually were behind them. The scouts note that he wasn’t complimentary to WRs and their momentum.

The talents of the QB with a high upside were the kind of player that the Detroit Lions envisioned selecting with their No.1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He did go on to become a top NFL QB whose career numbers mirrored some of the all-time great quarterbacks. Stafford’s skill set eventually attracted the Rams, leading the franchise to Super Bowl success and capturing the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

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