In two NFL seasons, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has played in 13 games, while missing 19 to injury. In 2011, Stafford insists, he’s going to play them all.
“I’m going to play all 16,” Stafford told NFL.com.
Stafford’s confidence is admirable, but the truth is, his words are meaningless: He’s been injury prone so far in his brief NFL career, and he can’t just wish himself to health.
But Stafford insists that he’s been working like crazy this offseason to recover from shoulder surgery, and that he’ll be ready to go whenever the lockout ends.
“I rehabbed for about 10-12 weeks and I feel great now. I’ve been trying to fine-tune my game ever since,” Stafford said. “It was six days a week for 10-12 weeks, three to four hours a day in the facility, trying to get better. I pushed myself really hard and healed up a lot quicker than most people, which was a blessing and great for me so I can start working on my game again. I really don’t think about my shoulder anymore.”
But Lions fans will still think about Stafford’s shoulder, until he comes through on his 16-game promise.