Since stepping foot on an NFL field for the first time in 2008, Matthew Stafford has had one of the best arms in the league. He has an absolute cannon, which allows him to make eye-popping throws from pretty much any angle or platform – be it off his back foot or on the run.
Peyton Manning witnessed Stafford’s arm talent firsthand back in 2008 when he attended the Manning Passing Academy. Manning shared a funny story about that QB camp during Monday night’s broadcast of Cowboys-Eagles with Eli Manning, saying he and Eli argued about who had to throw after Stafford because neither of them wanted to.
“You were at our camp back in 2008 and I’ve got to tell you, I’ve never told you this. Eli and I were arguing over who had to throw after you because you were throwing the tightest spiral,” he said. “I remember you were throwing a post route and you waited till the receiver got to like 60 yards before you threw it. For me, I’d have to hit the cut-off man to make a throw going 60 yards.”
Manning asked Stafford if his arm has changed at all in the last 13 years, considering how well Stafford still throws the ball in his 13th NFL season.
“I still think I can throw it pretty good, but it was in a good place in 2008,” he said. “I’ve been through some hits and surgeries here and there that changed it a little bit, but I had a blast at that camp. I know that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a guy like myself, getting to throw next to you guys. … I just remember pinching myself feeling how lucky I was getting to work out with you guys.”
Manning joked about making Eli throw after Stafford because he was younger, so that his throws would look disappointing after Stafford’s.
“Eli was younger, so I said, ‘Eli, you go after Stafford because your throw is going to be very disappointing after his tight spiral,’” Manning said.
Eli took exception to that, saying he wanted to throw after the guy from Dartmouth.
“I’m going to throw after the guy from Dartmouth,” he joked. “That’s who I’m going to throw after. I’m going to look really good compared to him.”
No one should blame either Manning brother for not wanting to throw after Stafford. Few arms are as strong as his.