Stafford the comeback kid: Detroit QB Matthew Stafford claimed the 2011 Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after beating out six other players who received votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members. Stafford fought through injuries his first two seasons, then threw for more than 5,000 yards in 2011 to lead Detroit to its first playoff berth in 12 years. He received 21 votes, six more than Cleveland LB D’Qwell Jackson. San Francisco QB Alex Smith finished third, followed by Carolina WR Steve Smith, Denver DL Elvis Dumervil, New England DL Andre Carter and Giants QB Eli Manning (Updated 02/05/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Stafford not only had a great comeback year from shoulder and knee injuries in his first two pro seasons, but he was exceptional at leading comebacks in games. He helped Detroit become the first team in NFL history to rally and win four games after being down by at least 13 points, including 20-plus point comebacks at Dallas and Minnesota. He completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 5,038 yards -- only the fourth quarterback to go over 5,000 yards -- and 41 touchdowns. Fantasy owners should target him as a No. 1 QB option in 2012 drafts. (Updated 02/05/2012).
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After posting 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2011, no one doubts Matthew Stafford's ability to quarterback in the NFL any further. Playing in 16 games for the first time in his career, Stafford connected for multiple touchdowns 12 times and had at least three touchdowns in seven starts. He also threw for at least 250 yards in 12 starts and topped 300 yards in eight contests, including a 520-yard blowout at the Packers in Week 17. Sounds like a can't miss, right? He mostly is, just keep in mind that the Lions were forced to throw a lot last season because of running back injuries that have since healed. And Stafford remains a small injury risk himself because of his past. But with Calvin Johnson on his side along with a number of excellent playmakers, there's no reason to believe that Stafford will become a pedestrian passer in 2012. Count on him being either the fourth or fifth quarterback taken, right alongside Cam Newton, in every league, likely with a pick in Round 2 in the majority of standard leagues. (Updated 5/24/12)
