Quarterback talk

Even by Detroit Lions standards, the past few weeks have been rough.

The Lions have lost two games in a row, falling to 3-5, traded their most consistent offensive player in Golden Tate, and rookie head Coach Matt Patricia unprofessionally called out a reporter’s professionalism because of poor posture.

The criticism is coming from all sides, and at least one member of the franchise isn’t going to bite his tongue.

Rich Gannon, now a commentator on CBS Sports and Sirius XM NFL radio, made some harsh comments about Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford this week, saying that Stafford’s lack of production early in games is a big reason Detroit is struggling.

“I’m getting sick and tired of talking about Matthew Stafford,” said the former NFL quarterback. “The guy is overpaid. He’s been one of the highest-paid quarterbacks over the last four or five years, and he’s a stat king. He picks up a lot of yards and production in garbage time.” Gannon wasn’t done.

“At some point, you are what your record says you are. They haven’t been competitive enough in this division. The reason why the Lions are not a better football team — a big reason why — is the lack of production from Stafford in the first quarter to the third quarter. He just doesn’t put his team in position to be competitive and win close games,” he said.

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in 2009, has heard plenty of criticism over the years, so Gannon isn’t breaking new ground. Nor was Stafford about to let Gannon’s words affect him.

“I don’t need to answer to Rich Gannon,” he said. “I answer to the guys in my locker room or our coaches … before anybody else.”