Zorn backing Stafford

ALLEN PARK -- Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn knows quarterbacks. He played the position in the NFL for 12 years (1976-87) and has spent several years as a quarterbacks coach, including a stint with the Detroit Lions (1998-2000), the team he'll face at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ford Field. While the Redskins knew they wouldn't have much of a chance to get Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with their No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft Zorn knows him well. "There are two sides to look at and he does well on both sides," Zorn said. "One, he's got a lot of confidence, a commanding presence, he really likes to play and to compete and I think he understands a lot of the game. I don't think he's a guy just happy to be there, I think he's really got a concern about winning and putting things together. "Secondly, he's got real talent, too. He's got a real strong arm, he's got a great release and so he can make all the types of throws that are called for in a game. I don't know where he lacks or where the gaps are because, again, I'm not coaching him, but he certainly, to me, doesn't look like he has many." Stafford has thrown just one touchdown pass and five interceptions so far for the 0-2 Lions , who are trying to snap a 19-game losing streak. "In his first two games, Peyton Manning threw six interceptions. He learned and he's done OK," Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said of the future Hall of Famer for the Indianapolis Colts. "I don't think this is the time to be giving up on (Stafford)." Lions coach Jim Schwartz reinforced that point emphatically earlier this week when he was asked if veteran Daunte Culpepper gave Detroit a better chance to win now. "We do not have a quarterback controversy," Schwartz said. "We have two quarterbacks that can win in the NFL. We're very pleased with both of them. They made it very difficult on us to make a decision. We made a decision and we're sticking with it." Hunter stepping up Defensive end Cliff Avril (hamstring) hasn't practiced for two weeks and if he can't play Sunday, free agent Jason Hunter will get his second NFL start at left defensive end. Last week, Hunter had a sack and hit Vikings quarterback Brett Favre four times. "He plays with a chip on his shoulder," Schwartz said. "He's been cut in this league. He's seen what it's like to be on the street and be waived and those kinds of things. He's determined not to let that happen to him again." Hunter was released this year by the Green Bay Packers, who switched from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4, and Hunter fits the Lions' scheme as an end in a four-man front. "I think what we do defensively fits his skill set," Schwartz said. "He's really tough. We've seen a lot of players like that, that all they really need is a chance to play and a scheme that fits them, and I think that you saw both of those." King uncertain for Sunday Cornerback Eric King (shoulder) has missed some practice time this week, but Schwartz didn't want to talk about who might take his place as the nickel back Sunday. "We've worked a couple of different situations. I don't really want to get into the depth chart right now, it's too late in the week to talk about that with an opponent coming up," Schwartz said. "We have other plans in place, I'll just leave it that way."