His new Lions offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, discovered after watching film of Stafford that he is “not an interception machine.”

At times, Stafford himself probably felt that he was. How could you not when you finish the year with 19 interceptions? Well, if you were to look at Eli Manning’s league-worst 27 interceptions, there could be some consolation. But still, there were times for sure that Stafford felt pretty awful.

But, he doesn’t need an overhaul, psychological examination or a replacement. It’s not as bad as it looked, Lombardi surmised. In fact, he said he was “encouraged” by what he saw.

“Every quarterback could tighten up some of his footwork issues, and Matthew has got such a talented arm that I think there are times where he’s making throws that you’d say, ‘Well, maybe you shouldn’t have thrown that because of the position of your feet’ or what not,” Lombardi said, according to NFL.com. “But look, I looked at every single one of his interceptions in depth, and not every single one was something Matthew did wrong.

“There are interceptions that happen because a receiver breaks his route off too early or (the ball) goes through the receivers’ hands, gets tipped as the line of scrimmage. … By no means am I saying that he’s the perfect quarterback, but like I said, he’s smart, he works hard and he’s talented.”

Still, there is his deplorable record against teams that finish with winning records. There are the mistakes. And there’s the whole not making it to the playoffs again thing. So while Stafford isn’t the lone problem, he’s the one, given the best chance, who could do the most to improve the team’s fortunes.

According to the Denver Post, the Lions are set to hire Broncos offensive assistant coach Jim Bob Cooter as quarterbacks coach. Cooter worked with new Detroit coach Jim Caldwell in Indianapolis from 2009-2011.

After years under Jim Schwartz, a defense-oriented coach, Stafford is soon to find himself with great offensive minds in Caldwell, Lombardi and Cooter.

Something good has to come of it.


CHUD BACK IN ACTION


Getting fired is tough to deal with, no matter your job. That includes if you’re an NFL head coach. Family gets uprooted. Doubt may even creep in. But most of the coaches sent packing after the 2013 season are already back on their feet.

Most recently, Rob Chudzinski, fired after just one miserable season with the Cleveland Browns, has been hired as special assistant to Chuck Pagano with the Indianapolis Colts. It’s not clear right now what that title entails. But, Pagano and Chudzinski have a history together as assistant coaches at the University of Miami and as Browns assistants in 2004.

Chudzinski was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator before taking his first head job in Cleveland. And as sour as that ended, he’ll be back on the sidelines in Indianapolis.

Same goes for four other head coaches who were ousted:

— Gary Kubiak, let go by the Texans before the season even ended, is now the Ravens’ offensive coordinator.

— Ex-Titans coach Mike Munchak has been brought in to coach the Steelers’ offensive line, easily the area of greatest struggle for the team that came on too late to make the playoffs.

— Jim Schwartz’s clock ran out in Detroit, but he gets a fresh start as the Bills’ defensive coordinator.

— Leslie Frazier, let go by the Vikings, joins Lovie Smith’s staff in Tampa Bay.

Only Mike Shanahan and Greg Schiano remain unemployed.

Pagano could certainly lean on Chud’s offensive knowledge. The Colts, despite making the playoffs, struggled to run the ball and had to rely almost entirely on quarterback Andrew Luck to generate any offense.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and will be a tremendous help to our entire team moving forward,” Pagano said. “Needless to say, we’re excited to have ‘Chud’ joining our family.”


WILLIAMS HAS COURT DATE


Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams has a Feb. 24 arraignment hearing on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and trespassing, The Tampa Bay Times first reported. The charges stem from an unspecified incident in December.

“We have spoken with Mike Williams and the local authorities regarding the charges that have been filed against him,” the Bucs said in a statement released Saturday and obtained by NFL.com. “All of our players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high character and moral responsibility that we demand as representatives of the Buccaneers’ organization.”

Williams is coming off an injury-riddled 2013 season that made him a non-factor for the Bucs. He missed 10 games with a torn hamstring and caught 22 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

Williams entered the year after having signed a six-year, $40 million contract. Cutting him would cost the team $6.4 million. If healthy, though, Williams could be a valuable asset for quarterback Mike Glennon, assuming he’d hang onto the job under new coach Lovie Smith.


SUPER BOWL RINGS


Who knows what brings a man to sell his Super Bowl ring? Whatever it is, it can’t be good.

Matt Estrella, the New England Patriots’ videographer involved in Spygate, even parted with his. He gave up the ring for $15,810.

Other Super Bowl rings sold by Goldin Auctions went for much more. According to the Baltimore Sun, ex-Ravens running back Damien Berry auctioned his Super Bowl XLVII ring for $43,008. His ring was sold and put for consignment through a third party. After denying he’d sold his ring, Goldin Auctions provided proof of a sales agreement and the check made out to Berry, the Sun reports.

Another former Raven, Jamie Sharper, auctioned his Super Bowl XXXV ring for $36,883. The 1958 world championship ring belonging to former Baltimore Colts defensive back and kick returner Leonard Lyles went for $14,372.

Contributor: Rana L. Cash