Former Lion Lawrence Jackson Takes Lions, Stafford To Task On Twitter
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Former Detroit Lions defensive end Lawrence Jackson, a first-round pick out of USC in 2008, has never been shy about offering his opinions on his Twitter feed. In the wake of the report Ndamukong Suh will leave the Lions in free agency, Jackson offered perhaps his most critical comments yet - and he has been critical before - about the organization and about quarterback Matthew Stafford.
If Suh leaves Detroit...bad money management by Martin and Tom is where the blame should placed...years of robbing Peter to pay Paul...
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 8, 2015
And another key point to remember they gave Stafford a long term extendion, too early before he proved he deserved it or before he earned it
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 8, 2015
For everyone touting Staffords comeback wins 1 of 17 came against a team with a winning record, Sea 2012 (11-2) 3 or 4 8-8 teams. Rest suck.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
I'm not a Stafford hater, I'm a realist. I've seen the inaccuracy and lack of touch when it matters in person with my blood on the line cont
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
I think Stafford has potential. I saw him work in practice for 3 years. I did not see the work ethic that other great QB's put in.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
Yes Stafford had numbers. But a lot of those yards are Hail Mary's to Calvin. I'm not blinded by stats because they are partial portraits.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
The reality is he has the talent to be a great QB but hasn't put the mental work it or made the technical improvements needed to be great
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
Jackson hinted some blame for Stafford's state should go to the team's previous coaching regime. One fan asked if the quarterback was coddled and given preferential treatment by former head coach Jim Schwartz, and Jackson replied, "YES never criticized."
Jackson also took shots at the decisions by general manager Martin Mayhew, team president Tom Lewand and - indirectly - the team's ownership for keeping those individuals on board.
But the reality is the lions are taking yall money and fanmanship for granted. See beyond the fog and see what's really there.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
A franchise that took a chance on a GM from a failing regime. A president that has his own issues. They had 3 no brainer picks that achieved
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
There's other players that have played well but many who have not...don't be mad at the messenger. I love Detroit and the fans.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
The business side of the deal is where the fans are getting the short end of the stick.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
I wish I could hire Malcom Gladwell to write a book to show some of the Lions fans the deception of numbers...
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
Lest anyone believe Jackson bitter because he last played in 2012, he the former defensive end offered this nugget.
For anyone who thinks I'm mad about not playing anymore, understand I got what I came for, a college degree and a huge rainy day pot.
— Lawrence Jackson (@LoJackson94) March 9, 2015
In his five-year career, which included two years with the Seattle Seahawks and three years with the Lions, Jackson had 141 tackles, 19.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.