Matthew Stafford avenges interception with TD in debut

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By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DETROIT — Matthew Stafford, the former University of Georgia star, trotted onto the Ford Field playing surface with 6:31 left in the second quarter.

Daniel Mears / The Detroit News Matthew Stafford hooked up with Derrick Williams for his first NFL touchdown, Saturday in Detroit.

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The locals acknowledged their latest savior at quarterback with a loud applause.

“It was fun; it was a blast,” Stafford said. “I threw it around a little bit.”

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft, got right to work.

His first pass was on target, but wide receiver Keary Colbert dropped it almost 20 yards downfield.

Stafford, who signed a six-year contract with $41.7 million in guarantee money, entered the game after starter Daunte Culpepper went to the bench for the night.

He didn’t appear to have any major jitters, but there was a major blunder when the Falcons flashed a blitz in his face early in the third quarter.

He tossed an ill-advised pass in to the flat in the direction of tight end Dan Gronkowski. Falcons linebacker Tony Gilbert intercepted it and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

“It was quick and painless,” Stafford said. “It was nice to get right back out on the field.”

Gilbert, also a former Georgia player, was more than happy to welcome Stafford to the NFL.

“He’s got that well-publicized arm, so I know they were going to throw that ball a lot,” Gilbert said. “He looked good. He’s still a first-year rookie. There are going to be some growing pains with that. This is a different league. The NFL is totally different.”

On the Lions’ ensuing drive, Stafford guided them to a touchdown.

He threw a nice 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Williams. He was covered tightly by Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens, but Stafford’s pass was over Williams’ outside shoulder where only he could get to the ball.

“He’s got a nice tight spiral,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Stafford competed 7 of 14 passes for 114 yard and had a quarterback rating of 71.7.

“I thought he did a good job tonight,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “He threw the ball well. He’s going to continue to get better. I was impressed with what he did.”