As one of the longest-tenured players on the team, Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker has a great appreciation for all that Matthew Stafford did for the organization. Now that Stafford is wearing a Los Angeles Rams uniform, Walker still has a lot of love and respect for the longtime Detroit quarterback.
Walker talked about the vibe from the team for playing against Stafford for the first time when the Lions head to Los Angeles to face the 5-1 Rams.
“Honestly, Stafford’s just getting back there, running the offense the way he wants to run it,” Walker said this week. “He’s throwing the ball at a high, exceptional level, and he’s playing free, he’s having fun. You can definitely see that on film and I’m definitely looking forward to him going out there and trying to have fun against us.”
There are no hard feelings for Stafford. In fact, Walker expressed that he “kind of expected” that it was over for No. 9 in Detroit after last season.
“It’s all love,” Walker said. “That’s the business of it. That’s the nature of this business. Sometimes you can be home here, next year you might not. So at the end of the day, you just got to build on relationships that you already have and hold those relationships when you play and compete against those teammates. Just like I said, wish him the best.”
That doesn’t mean Walker isn’t ready to try and beat Stafford. The safety is ready to humiliate his old friend, all in good fun.
“I’m going to make him sign it, just ’cause,” Walker laughed when asked what it would be like to intercept a pass from Stafford.
Walker has played well this season, earning one of the highest Pro Football Focus scores for safeties through the first six weeks. But he doesn’t yet have an interception. Picking off Stafford would be a proud moment for Walker.