Mike Valenti's Solution For The Lions: 'If Connor Cook Is The Best QB, Bring Him Here'
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
Could the Michigan State Spartans' QB Connor Cook be the solution to the Lions' problems at QB?
I don't really think that Matthew Stafford is the problem with the Detroit Lions, but I also know that opinion puts me in the minority.
There is no logical explanation for how Stafford could throw for 5,038 yards in 2011 and nearly for 5,000 again in 2012 (4,967) and then become this awful QB.
If the Lions are to improve at QB they should do it through the draft, and Mike Valenti thinks that Connor Cook could be the right fit for the Lions.
"If I'm doing a reboot, top to bottom, it starts at quarterback, I would absolutely go in and draft a QB, and I would keep drafting one until I got one," Valenti said.
That's when Terry Foster followed up with, "so in other words you want to bring Connor Cook here?" "If he's the best QB bring him here," Valenti said.
Below is how the interaction went:
Valenti: "I'm saying I don't understand the irrational hatred for Connor Cook and others."
Who's the best QB in college football for the NFL, I would probably say Connor. Who else? Jarred Goth? Who, who else? Hackenberg? Who? I'm asking the audience. All of you hate Connor Cook, you mock him because he wears the Green and White. Tell me what about him you hate? Right now in college, nobody runs a pro style offense, nobody. So automatically he moves up, it's not no huddle, it's not spread, he actually runs pro concepts. 31-3 as a starter, has won big games all over the place. I know the one knock, ha ha ha someday he's going to have to answer why wern't you a captain, there's your knock."
"Last time I checked I look around and look at the other quarterbacks that are out there who exactly am I going running to go draft?"
Foster: "You would feel better about the future of the Detroit Lions with Connor Cook as quarterback then Matthew Stafford? Is that what you're saying?"
Valenti: "Sure and I'll tell you why, I don't want to pay Stafford another $120 million, understand no, it's not ideal but it's the best thing they could do because next year, new regime, the first order of business is going to be a Stafford extension that will total north of 110-120 million.
My point to you is you better keep drafting them every year.
Bottom line it you either play Stafford $120 million or you're drafting a QB you choose, you don't like Connor Cook? Then name a guy."
