It seems the writing is on the wall for Lions quarterback Drew Stanton.
Obviously, Stanton has no shot at supplanting Matthew Stafford as the starting quarterback. And with the team signing backup Shaun Hill to a one-year extension earlier this week, it's unlikely he'll ever climb above No. 3 without Stafford or Hill becoming injured.
Stanton is heading into the final year of a four-year rookie contract that will pay him a little more than $1 million this season. Stanton is fairly cheap for an experienced NFL quarterback -- in NFL terms -- and he knows the offense, which means he won't need a lot of reps.
Stanton was continuing to struggle with his accuracy during the team's organized team activity practices and minicamp. He had a particularly rough day on the second day of a June minicamp when he threw three interceptions during various drills. The wind was whipping pretty good that day and Stanton couldn't negotiate the conditions with his notoriously weak arm.
Asked if the wind affected Stanton's performance that day or if he's been tinkering with his mechanics, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said: "Drew throws the ball the way he always has. There is nothing different with his mechanics."
That's not exactly a vote of confidence from a head coach.
Stanton will play out the 2010 season as an emergency option with experience. He and the Lions will likely part ways after the season.
Once upon a time, Stanton was the quarterback of the future in Detroit, but Matthew Stafford has that role now and he looks like a long-term keeper.
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