Matthew Stafford Becomes Second Fastest 10,000 Passing Yards Club Member

On a normal nine yard pass to tight end Tony Scheffler in Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matthew Stafford hit a new milestone. The Detroit Lions quarterback became the second fastest to join the 10,000 yards club. Stafford accomplished the milestone in 37 games. Former Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner holds the record with 36 games to hit 10,000 yards.

Along with being the second fastest quarterback to hit 10,000 yards, Stafford became the fourth youngest to accomplish the feat. Stafford ranks behind Drew Bledsoe, Dan Marino, and Peyton Manning. Stafford only played in 13 games in his first two NFL seasons. A healthy Stafford might have been able to beat the record of youngest quarterback, but fans will never know.

With a new total of 10,233, Stafford ranks 171^st all time in NFL passing yards. Stafford has a long ways to go to break the career mark of 71,838 set by Brett Favre. Two active quarterbacks are in the top ten all time. Manning ranks third in passing yards, while Drew Brees is ninth.

Stafford has a chance to climb up the Lions passing yards records throughout the 2012 season. Stafford’s 10,233 yards currently rank 7^th in Lions history. Stafford should pass former Lion Joey Harrington next week, as he only needs 10 yards to pass him. The Lions starting quarterback will also likely pass Eric Hipple , who ranks fifth with 10,7111, this season. Stafford could become the Lions all time leader in another year or two. Bobby Layne holds the team record with 15,710 passing yards.

The current Lions quarterback already holds team records for:

• Passing yards in a season
• Passing yards in a game
• TDs in a season
• TDs in a game
• Completions in a season
• Completions in a game

The reward for the Lions record breaking 0-16 2008 season was the number one pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Lions turned to three year University of Georgia starter Stafford to lead the team into the future. Last season, the Lions made the Playoffs for the first time since 1999. While the 2008 season is one to forget for fans, it did at least bring Stafford to the Motor City and revive Lions playoff and Super Bowl hopes.

In the 2012 season, Stafford has 2393 passing yards, ranking 7^th in the league. Stafford is only one yard back from Tony Romo in 6^th place. Stafford is the only top ten passing yards quarterback to have less than 10 touchdowns on the season. The 4-4 Lions have recently gotten production from their running game, which scored four touchdowns in last week’s win over the Jaguars.