More from the Rookie Symposium

NFL.com - Stafford, Sanchez helping each other with pressures of being rookie QBs
WPBF.com - NFL Rookies Learn A Few Lessons Off Field
ESPN - NFL hoping players avoid rookie mistakes
CBSSports.com - End silly debate, Detroit: Stafford should start right away

Nikki (kissyarie) has posted a picture of Matthew at the Rookie Symposium on her Twitter page.

If you like the shirt that Matthew was wearing while he was interviewed by The NFL Network as he arrived at the Rookie Symposium, you can find it at L-R-G.com.

Watch Rams rookie tackle Jason Smith as he playfully tries to impersonate Matthew when he arrives at the Rookie Symposium.

WPTV has posted a video of the rookies at an NFL Play 60 event that's part of the Rookie Symposium.

At the Rookie Symposium

Matthew is in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida this week attending the 2009 NFL Rookie Symposium. Him and fellow Lions rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew were interviewed by The NFL Network as they arrived. Watch the interview.

Scout's Roar Report - Saving Stafford: Start Him or Sit Him?
OCRegister.com - No. 1 picks get paid for their pain

Stafford visits Dearborn Truck Assembly Plant

Matthew, S Louis Delmas, TE Brandon Pettigrew and head coach Jim Schwartz visited the Dearborn Truck Assembly Plant, where they signed autographs, took photos and passed out Lions gear to the plant's employees.

DetNews - Lions coach shows his young players the city's spirit, character
FreeP - Minicamp invite woos ex-Lions season-ticket holders
MLive - News and notes from Lions minicamp workout
The Best Damn Sports Show Podcast - Episode 59

Last day of minicamp; Lions owner talks

Well, the end of minicamp is here. Here are the updates from Thursday. Traning camp starts on July 31.

DetNews - Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. speaks
CBSSports - Lions' Stafford jelling, gunning

Photos
DetNews
FreeP (Wednesday), FreeP (Thursday),

Minicamp updates continue

Minicamp continues and so do the updates.

Daily Tribune - Optimism abounds at Lions minicamp
MLive - Lions QBs moved the ball, but they also failed to close the deal
The Morning Star - Detroit not acting like a winless football team
FOXSports.com - Schein's Nine: Stafford gets it

Plus some photos from DetNews, FreeP, and MLive.

More updates from Tuesday's minicamp

Dallas Morning News - Catch Matthew Stafford while you still can
Chicago Tribune - Lions' Stafford preparing to be No. 1 QB in Week 1
FreeP - Culpepper well-armed for QB battle

Photos
Scout's Roar Report

Sharapova talks about Stafford

Listen to tennis start Maria Sharapova talk about what she thought was the most fun part of working as guest-editor of ESPN The Magazine

Mlive.com - Will Lions' line performance dictate QB starter?
FootballNewsShare.com - Dan Reeves Says Matt Stafford Should Have Stayed in School One More Year
Sporting News has posted the transcript of Matthew's interview with Doug and Ryan Stewart of the 2 Live Stews.

Here's a video from NFLatino.com. It's of Matthew interacting with children at the NFL Play 60 event in New York in April. For those who don't understand a word of what they're saying in the video, here's a rough translation. The reporter says that Matthew was happy to be with the children. That he was there to inspire them to practice sports so that maybe one day they could also be the number one pick in the NFL draft.

These are two of the photos featured on the ESPN magazine. Click on the pictures below to see larger versions.

More minicamp updates

Here're a few more minicamp updates.
DetroitLions.com - Quotes from minicamp
MLive.com - Lions' Culpepper breaks silence
The Windsor Star - Lions rookie Stafford learns from veteran
DetNews.com - Lions quarterbacks get ready for an arms race

Photos
WWJTV

Video
NFL.com - The Lions' share
WOODTV - Sharing first team reps

Minicamp updates

Mini-camp is here again. The Lions will be holding a minicamp from June 23-25. Here's are some updates.

Lions QB Daunte Culpepper talks about Matthew.
FreeP.com - Lions minicamp notebook
MLive.com - Lions' Daunte Culpepper still believes he'll get a fair shot at starting job

Photos
DetNews
DetroitLions.com
Associated Pess - Latest NFL photos

Video
DetroitLions.com - Culpepper and Coach Schwartz talk about Matthew and the QB competition
ESPN - Lions open minicamp

Lions Review Radio Show audio

DetroitLions.com has posted the audio from the Lions Review Radio Show.

Plus, here's the audio from Matthew's interview on ESPN 980's The John Thompson Show with co-host Doc Walker on June 19.

Win an autographed jersey; Listen to the Lions Review Radio show

Don't forget that Matthew will be on the Lions Review Radio Show tonight between 7 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on 97.1 The Ticket.

Here're a couple of interesting articles.
Detroit Free Press - Delmas, Stafford two hungry rookies
The Morning Sun - Stafford now in the Detroit spotlight



SIKids.com is holding a Draw Your Idol contest. Participants draw the athlete they look up to most, and the winning entry receives a jersey autographed by Matthew.

Plus, here's a pre-draft video that I just came across. The NFL rookies visit Mt. Sinai hospital in New York City. Watch Matthew and offensive tackle Eugene Monroe in a Guitar Hero battle

The Lions are twittering; More radio appearances

Matthew, along with Coach Jim Schwartz and S Louis Delmas will be on the Lions Review Radio Show on Monday, June 22. You can listen to the show on 97.1 The Ticket.

Matthew was also a guest on 97.1 The Ticket with Karsch and Anderson. Click here to listen to the interview.

You can now follow the Detroit Lions on Facebook and Twitter.

Here's yet another video from the Rookie Premiere photoshoot. This one was posted by Panini America.

Get Your Game On!

As I've mentioned before, Matthew has a new endorsement deal with AXE Hair. These past several days he has been a guest on several radio shows promoting their products and website. Visit their Facebook site to see a behind-the-scenes look at Matthew and to register for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2009 ESPYs.

According to AXE Hair's official site, the winner will receive airfare for two to Los Angeles, hotel accommodations, transportation, $500 AMEX gift card and two tickets to the ESPYs, plus a signed football from Matthew. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me so go and enter the contest!

From the Doghouse to the HausCast

Matthew made did a few more radio interviews on Thursday.

First, a couple of articles.
DetNews.com - Matthew Stafford wants to learn on field, not from sideline
FreeP.com - Stafford and his girl-approved hair keeping up with teammates

Matthew talked a bit with Colin Cowherd of ESPN's The Herd. He was a guest on Fanhouse's HausCast podcast. He talked about his Upper Deck touchdown celebration, Calvin Johnson, the U.S. Open, and his favorite AXE Hair commercial among other things.

Plus, he was also in 790 The Zone's The Doghouse with the 2 Live Stews on Sporting News Radio.

Making the radio rounds

Matthew made the radio rounds on Wednesday. He was promoting AXE Hair and was a guest on 103.3 FM ESPN's Galloway & Co., ESPN 1000's The Afternoon Saloon, ESPN Radio 980, and Sirius Channel 124.

One of the best dressed? Well... almost.

ESPN.com has posted an article in which Maria Sharapova shares some behind-the-scenes anecdotes of Matthew's makeover for the June 29 "Revenge of the Jocks" issue of ESPN The Magazine. Even though Matthew didn't make her 10 Best Dressed Sports Personalities list, he was an honorable mention, but I suspect that we won't be seeing him in skinny pants again anytime soon.

EA Sports video interview

No, I have not forgotten the blog. There's just not much to post these days since OTAs are over, and the mandatory minicamp is not until June 23-25.

It seems that Matthew and fellow Lions rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew are building a good rapport. Pettigrew told the Detroit Free Press what impressed him most about Matthew.

Also, as I mentioned before, Matthew will be featured in the June 19 ESPN The Magazine Athletes issue. ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols talks a bit more about the photoshoot with the guys of 960 The Ref.

Plus, EA Sports has posted an video of an interview with Matthew.

'He looks like a No. 1 pick'

Detroit Lions C Dominic Raiola talked with Matt Shepard of WDFN-AM on Wednesday. Listen to what he had to say about Matthew.

Also, Matthew was at the Pinnacle Race Course on Tuesday, June 9. He and several other Lions' players were invited into the win picture by winning trainer Jaron Gold.

Interviewed at the ballpark

FOXSports.com and NESN.com have posted videos of Matthew being interviewed by Tigers Live host John Keating and NESN's Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney before the Tigers-Red Sox game on June 3.

Autograph signings

On Saturday, June 6, Matthew was in Marietta, GA signing autographs for B.P. Sports Collectibles. The Marietta Daily Journal has posted an article about the event.

Talking about autograph signings, Matthew will be signing autographs at a private signing event for Legends Sports & Games sometime in June. No word yet on the exact date.

Plus some articles and a video
FreeP.com - Calvin Johnson: Offense looking good
Scout.com - Stafford shinning
NFL.com - Offseason spotlight
NFL.com - Onwards and upwards? (video)

Stafford talks about rookie life and answering critics

Yahoo! Sports has posted a couple of videos in which Matthew talks about several topics such as answering critics about his contract, earning his teammates' respect, his goals and expectations, life since the draft, the vibe in Detroit and even shooting a commercial for AXE Hair products.

Answers his critics


Rookie life

Audio from visit to FOX Sports Detroit booth

As I posted before, Matthew visited the FOX Sports Detroit booth during the Tigers-Red Sox game on June 3. He was interviewed by commentators Mario Impemba and Rod Allen during the 3rd inning. Someone was kind enough to send me the audio from the interview. Here it is.

Photos from the Tigers-Red Sox game

Bob Biscigliano of Detroit4Lyfe.com has posted some photos of Matthew at the Tigers-Red Sox game on June 3.

FOXSportsDet has posted this photo of Matthew and Detroit Tigers commentators Mario Impemba and Rod Allen on its Twitter page.

Changing skeptical minds

It's no secret that many in Detroit did not want Matthew to be drafted by the Lions, but as we have read from recent reports, he seems to be winning over more than the coaching staff and teammates. Now it seems that Matthew might be changing the minds of the skeptical Detroit media as well.

MLive.com - Talladega pictures of Stafford have bolstered his image in Lions' locker room
MLive.com - Two-Minute Drill Podcast

Plus here are some additional photos from the NFL Rookie Premiere photoshoot.

An unusual autograph request

Upper Deck has posted this interview with Matthew, and one of the most interesting questions that they asked him was what was one of the most unsual things that he has been asked to autograph. Is not a part of the body, clothing, casts or any sports or paper item. Can you guess what it is?

Random blogs and a running back's hope

Mario Impemba, play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Lions, made some comments on his blog about meeting Matthew at the Tigers-Red Sox game earlier this week.

This is sort of old news but still interesting. Zennie Abraham, editor-in-chief for SBSON.com, posted on his blog what he thinks of Matthew after meeting him at the NFL Play 60 event back in April.

Lions RB comments on how the rookies' display of talent motivates him.

Kevin Smith gets hope from new faces

A Lion among Tigers

Matthew was at Comerica Park yesterday. He watched batting practice behind the cage before the Detroit Tigers-Boston Red Sox game. He was also interviewed during the game. He talked a bit about how it felt to be the No. 1 in the draft, playing baseball in high school with Dodgers' pitcher Clayton Kershaw, becoming a hockey fan and more. Boston.com and MLive.com have posted articles about Matthew's appearance at the game.

DetroitLions.com has posted a video of Tuesday's Invitational. There's an interview with Matthew at the end of the video clip.

Plus DetNews.com has posted an article about Matthew showing that he's a quick learner during his time with the Lions.

Video: Impressive quick release

Mlive.com - Lions' Matthew Stafford shows signs of a starter
MLive.com - Drew Stanton's future with Lions tied to Stafford's status

DetroitLions.com has posted some photos from yesterday's 19th Annual Detroit Lions Invitational.

MLive

Jim Schwartz: Matthew Stafford's quick release most impressive

Teeing up

According to the DetNews.com, Matthew welcomed break from football to play golf during the Detroit Lions invitational at the TPC Michigan. Follow the link to read more about it.

More from the Lions final OTAs

DetroitLions.com - Looking for leaders
ConnectMidMichigan.com - Organized Team Activities continue in Allen Park
NationalFootballPost.com - Time To Give Stafford The Ball
HonoluluAdvertiser.com - Detroit's Hope

Photos
MLive.com

Video
NFL.com

'Might be starting sooner than expected'

Finally some news from OTAs. Plus some interesting comments from Sports Illustrated's Peter King.

SI.com - Stafford might be starting sooner than expected
FreeP.com - Notes from Lions practice
IdahoStatesman.com - Alexander eager to help Detroit Lions regroup
DetNews.com - Lions' OTA wrapup
DetroitLions.com - Lions begin final week of organized team activity days

According to DetroitLions.com, Matthew will take part in the 19th annual Detroit Lions Invitational (DLI) which will take place on Tuesday, June 2. The charity event will start at noon at the TPC Michigan in Dearborn.

Lions' RB Kevin Smith comments about Matthew in his personal blog. So does QB Drew Stanton.