Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in the NFL draft, is enduring them. That means the 0-2 Detroit Lions are feeling them, too.

Stafford did well enough to win his preseason competition with Daunte Culpepper. Since then, however, his inexperience has shown. The former Georgia star has completed 34 of 67 passes (50.7%) for 357 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions for a 40.5 passer rating.

Then again, supporting cast means so much to a passer and everyone knew it would take time to rebuild Detroit after the Lions completed the first 0-16 season in league history. USA TODAY looks at Stafford:

THE PLAYER

• Hometown: Highland Park, Texas

• Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 232

• College highlights: Finished three-year career at Georgia ranked third in school history in passing yards (7,731), attempts (987), completed passes (564), touchdown passes (51) and total offense (7,944). Set school single-season record with 25 TDs as junior. First QB to start for Georgia directly out of high school since Eric Zeier in 1991. Compiled 27-7 (.794) record as a starter.

• Scouting report: Arm strength has been compared to Hall of Famers John Elway and Dan Marino. Excels at delivering long ball in stride. Carries himself with confidence bordering on cockiness. Viewed as can't-miss QB since he led his high school to state title, so pressure doesn't faze him. Tended to be streaky performer in college whose decision-making was not always sound.

• Quotable: "I don't think the game is really fast for him. I think the game seems pretty slow for him." —Lions GM Martin Mayhew

THE PERSON

• Biggest adjustment: "Trying to forget what I learned in college and learning a whole new playbook."

• Face of franchise: "The starting quarterback definitely gets a lot of attention on any team in the NFL, but I don't think there's any added pressure. I put pressure on myself to be great. I'm probably my own worst critic."

• Pressure as top pick? "No, that's the last thing on my mind, to tell you the truth. I'm focused on seeing progressions and throwing touchdowns and all that will take care of itself. You can't look at the big picture too much."

• Receiver Calvin Johnson: "It's tough getting used to the fact that you can actually throw it that high and somebody will come down with it."

• Best advice: "(Atlanta Falcons quarterback) Matt Ryan told me to take care of my business. Worry about getting better and not worry about too much else that's going on around me."

• Favorite player: "John Elway. The way he played, his team was always in it, no matter what."

• Reversing Lions' fortunes: "I believe it starts at the top. We have a good coach and good coordinators. We have a lot of new players here and we have enough guys here who went 0-16 and don't want it to happen again."

• NFL dream: "Winning the Super Bowl and being in the Hall of Fame. I think everybody who steps into the league, that's their goal."

Enlarge By Duane Burleson, AP Lions QB Matthew Stafford has thrown five interceptions in his first two NFL starts.