Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the draft's top pick, likely will find more endorsements if he's on a team that becomes a winner. (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News)
There are 71 million reasons why being selected No. 1 in the NFL draft made sense for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
There are, however, millions of reasons -- OK, maybe not millions-- being selected by the Lions doesn't make sense.
The biggest reason -- hey, isn't playing in the NFL about making as much money as you can while you are in the league? -- is the lack of endorsements.
Currently, Stafford has one deal -- with Sprint -- and that was secured before the draft.
So let's look at why Stafford's endorsements won't ring true -- unless, of course, he becomes an elite quarterback.
Stafford's endorsement-earning potential has a wide range -- low six figures to several million dollars a year, eventually -- Bob Williams, CEO and COO of Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing Inc., told Crain's Detroit.
Advertisers want to associate their products with winners.
So, good luck, Stafford.
You win if the Lions win.
Manning's concerned
It probably isn't the smartest thing to keep a star player in the dark about personnel issues, especially if it's Colts quarterback Peyton Manning .
Manning is miffed after he saw two of his most trusted coaches leave because of concerns about their pension plan.
"I can't tell you what's going on," said Manning, who'll be without offensive coordinator Tom Moore , who coached Manning since 1998, and offensive line coach Howard Mudd .
"I will say, I don't think it's been the most properly communicated scenario around here."
Working overtime?
Lions left tackle Jeff Backus always has wondered what it'd be like to play 18 games in a season.
He might get his chance soon -- even without making the playoffs -- as the NFL continues to ponder an 18-game regular-season schedule.
"There are a lot of issues that have to be discussed and figured out before they go to an 18-game schedule," Backus said.
"Am I for it? I do what I am told to do. They schedule the games, and I will show up ready to play."
Favre fodder
Brett Favre is old, broken down but considering a return. Last season, he was 11th in passing yards (3,472) and had 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He had a quarterback rating of 81.0. The quarterbacks with lower ratings than Favre last season:
| Quarterback | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| Joe Flacco, Baltimore | 2,971 | 14 | 12 | 80.3 |
| Kerry Collins, Tennessee | 2,676 | 12 | 7 | 80.2 |
| Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh | 3,301 | 17 | 15 | 80.1 |
| Kyle Orton, Chicago | 2.972 | 18 | 12 | 79.6 |
| JaMarcus Russell, Oakland | 2,423 | 13 | 8 | 77.1 |
| Dan Orlovsky, Detroit | 1,616 | 8 | 8 | 72.6 |
| Marc Bulger, St. Louis | 2,720 | 11 | 13 | 71.4 |
| Daunte Culpepper, Detroit | 786 | 4 | 6 | 63.9 |
About to catch on?
A look at five receivers with fewer than 35 receptions last season who could make marked improvement:
NFL.com
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