Joe Lombardi has insisted that Matthew Stafford is not an "interception machine".

The Detroit Lions quarterback threw 19 interceptions during the 2013 NFL season, which saw the team win just one of their last seven games of the year.

The NFC North side's new offensive coordinator told reporters: "I was a little encouraged after watching that this was not an interception machine.

"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.

"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 at 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."

The Lions finished third in their division with a 7-9 record.