Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

There used to be a time when the editor of a newspaper would read what their one sportswriter with an opinion wrote, and make a decision as to whether the piece had any merit. Today, that has been replaced by the number of unique web hits.

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

I have to disagree there. Any qb that throws for 5,000 yards in a season is elite or soon to be. The lions lost eight games by seven points or less and five of them they were in position to win at the end. As for JJ being better, no way. If that were the case why does he not show up in some games. And if Ryan was better than Stafford then would that falcons offense be putting up the points the lions do in their games? the lions do score points, its their defense that hasnt done well.

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

All valid points, and god knows I've been defending the Lions for 40+yrs, but the fact remains they always find a way snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and I'm tired of sticking up for them. Stafford vs Ryan is a great debate. I put 'em both in that second tier but I think when Mut10 says Ryan is 'slightly better', he may have a point (blech! puke! choke!, can't believe I'm saying that!). Stafford arguably does more with less, but is always fighting off some sort of injury and has yet to notch a playoff win, so I give a slight edge to Ryan (blech! puke! choke!).

It's one of them deals where you'd like to see them switch places and see how they do.

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

The Lions O/line is actually one of the better lines in the pass-blocking department, run-blocking not so much. I say this not to up Stafford in the Stafford/Ryan debate, but in defense of the much maligned Lions offensive line, which really isn't that bad. :mrgreen:.

Now that I've gotten over the initial shock of the title to the thread, I did notice Brandt said, "they're both pretty good" and "I like Julio a little better then Johnson", so there's some wiggle room there & not a total declaration for Jones.

I kept waiting for Randy Moss to be interfected into the conversation as well, :lol:.

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

If you listen to NFLSirius Gill Brandt is a huge Matt Ryan fan..

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

... a pretty serious character flaw, IMO. :lol:.

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

Yeah, I gave myself some of that Brandt "wiggle room" with the "slightly better." Like you I'd call both Stafford and Ryan second-tier, there's no arguing they're quality starters. I mainly give Ryan an edge for durability (although Stafford did finally play in all 16 games this season) and consistency.

The tale of the tape (2012 Season):

QB Rating: Stafford 79.8, Ryan 99.1
Comp. %: Stafford 59.8%, Ryan 68.6%
Total Yds: Stafford 4,967, Ryan 4,719
TD / INT: Stafford 20 / 17, Ryan 32 / 14
Fumb / Lost: Stafford 6 / 4, Ryan 3 / 2

It's clear to me which QB I'd take in the debate. If you believe the stats don't lie - I personally believe they often do - it's not really close.

Now that I've defended Natty Arse, I'll end this threadjacking and go hang myself. ;)

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

Just thoroughly wash out those Ratty Mice thoughts with some battery acid. I can't promise that you'll survive, but at least it'll burn the negative memories from your mind. ;)

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

So, let's say, for the sake of argument, we take Julio and Calvin out of the equation.
Who is the Lions' #2 WR? (without looking i up)
Who is the Lions' #1 TE? (without looking it up)
How good is the Lions' O-line at keeping Stafford upright in comparison to Matty Melt and his O-line? BTW, I am no math genius, but I believe 6/4 = 3/2 :)
Did Stafford get to play against the Saints D twice last year?

I rest my case.

Oh, and I doing this for your own good :)

Re: Julio Jones better than Calvin Johnson, Gil Brandt says
 

Thats a dam shame.