Filed Under » Matthew Stafford

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, has announced he is separating with his shoulder of 22 years, the right one.
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"It's a very painful time right now," said Stafford. "But we're wanting different things. I want to stay together, but it clearly doesn't want to."

The Detroit Lions put up big numbers on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday behind a dramatic 32 fantasy point performance from rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, including a clutch six-point touchdown pass on the game's final play.

Stafford's final touchdown pass, his fifth of the day which took his fantasy points from 26 to 32, came one play after he injured his non-throwing shoulder.

"I really shouldn't have been in there," he said. "I could have suffered long-term damage. But what good does it do anyone to have a backup come in and pick up six fantasy points at the end of the game? No, I needed to finish the job."

The 32 fantasy points more than doubled Stafford's previous career high, a 15-point game against the Redskins in Week 3. And it totaled nearly half of the 74 fantasy points he had earned so far this season through nine weeks.

"Right now I am only owned by 6.8-percent of all users in ESPN fantasy leagues and less than that in Yahoo! leagues," he said. "But I think this game will get me closer to 10-percent. Especially in keeper leagues."

Stafford wasn't the only quarterback to boost his fantasy stock in the game — Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn also posted a career-high 28 fantasy points on four touchdown passes and two interceptions. He only had 10 fantasy points all season entering the game.

"Matthew may have come out on top in most leagues, 32-28," said Quinn, owned in less than 3-percent of leagues. "But he had two interceptions and I had none. In fantasy leagues that punish turnovers more, I won. And that makes me feel really good. I just hope I proved to this team today that I have what it takes to be a viable long-term fantasy quarterback."

Browns coach Eric Mangini was also happy with the game.

"It was a good points day for most everyone on our offense except our team defense," he said. "We're making progress."

DRAFT: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions — The No. 1 overall pick in this year's rookie draft has been named the starting quarterback for the Lions. With no expectations on him this season — and weapons around him like Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith — Stafford could post solid numbers. Consider him for your backup quarterback position. Consider him even more if you play in a keeper league. If Stafford is available in the mid to late rounds, take him. Remember: fantasy football isn't all about winning; it's about fun, too. And by the mid to late rounds, fantasy drafts begin to wane a bit. If you pick Stafford, not only do you get a potential future quarterback, you get a Detroit Lion. And that's a good 10 to 15 minutes of joke fodder. Funnest. Draft. Ever? Maybe. And it's all thanks to you.