ALLEN PARK — Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, who started in 10 games this season, thinks the Lions are not that far away from becoming a respectable NFL team.

“I don’t think it’s too far, I really don’t. Add a couple pieces here and there, another year together is going to be a big thing too, just experience playing with each other again for another year,’’ Stafford said.

All in all he said it was a good rookie year. “Obviously I wanted to win more games, but I learned a lot and I feel I’m going to be getting healthy here pretty soon and I’ll be good to go,’’ Stafford said.

He underwent minor knee surgery a week ago and said it went well. He’s still resting his shoulder which was separated late in the season. Stafford is taking it slow in getting back in shape, but expects to be 100 percent when offseason training begins in mid-March.

For more on the Lions' 2-14 season, see Tuesday’s Oakland Press.
— PAULA PASCHE