DETROIT (AP) --  

      DETROIT (AP) - Matthew Stafford might become the focus of
perhaps the NFL's biggest-ever rebuilding project.
      If the Detroit Lions take the Georgia quarterback with the No. 1
pick Saturday, a man with ties to the league who has known Stafford
for years is convinced he can handle it.
      Gil Brandt is the NFL's scouting consultant and the Dallas
Cowboys' former personnel director. He predicts Stafford will be a
great quarterback for the next 10 or 12 years.
      General manager Martin Mayhew says the Lions have a good chance
of reaching an agreement with the No. 1 pick before the draft
begins. But Stafford's contract demands might steer Detroit toward
a deal with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or Baylor offensive
tackle Jason Smith.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)