Lions’ Owner Won’t Order Lions To Start Stafford

There isn’t going to be a mandate from above to immediately start rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, according to Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. Per Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com, Ford Sr. insists that he’s not going to pull rank on the new coaching staff when it comes to Stafford’s playing time and other football matters. The Lions signed the top overall pick prior to the NFL draft to a contract that includes $41.7 million in guaranteed money. Stafford is competing with veteran Daunte Culpepper and has reportedly performed well during practice sessions. “I do not, contrary to public opinion, interfere with the football side of it,’' Ford told beat writers. “I mean, if so-and-so plays lousy, I’ll say, ‘I think he’s a bum.’ But, no, I’ve never said, ‘Play this guy or that guy’ or ‘Don’t play him.’ “No, these guys know more about the game than I do by 10 miles. I’m not going to try to second-guess them. Now, if it goes wrong, we’ll talk about it.’' Perhaps Ford Sr. should have informed Rod Marinelli and Matt Millen a few times that they had too many “bums” on the roster during last season’s winless campaign.