June 25th, 2009 
Matt Loede 
Posted in Matthew Stafford is going to make a lot of money, playing or not in the 2009 season. William Clay Ford Sr., Lions owner, says that despite the large salary that Stafford is going to make, he is not going to demand that he starts the season under center:
With the Detroit Lions drafting quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick — and investing $41.7 million in guaranteed money in him — there is a perception that, at some point, owner William Clay Ford Sr. will order the coaching staff to play him in a game. Ford is adamant that not only will that not happen, but it’s never happened. “I do not, contrary to public opinion, interfere with the football side of it,” Ford said. “I mean, if so-and-so plays lousy, I’ll say ‘I think he’s a bum.’ But, no, I’ve never said, ‘Play this guy or that guy’ or “Don’t play him.’ No, these guys know more about the game than I do by 10 miles. I’m not going to try to second-guess them. Now, if it goes wrong, we’ll talk about it.’
