| Andrew Perna. 7th September, 2005 - 2:15 pm
 The fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft is about to begin and your name still hasn’t been called. You were a four year starter in college at a nationally known athletic power. As a senior you threw for 3,354 yards and 23 touchdowns. You also completed passes at a career high percentage of 63.0, on your way to a passer efficiency rating of 134.7.
You led a newly approved division I football program to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit, and won the MVP in the process. As a junior you were named the Independent Offensive MVP by ESPN.com – in your team’s final season as an independent. As far back as high school you led your school to a state championship, and took home the MVP award within Connecticut’s Class LL.
Then finally, with the 145th overall pick in the draft, the Detroit Lions select you. Being a quarterback selected in the late rounds of the draft your future with the team is far from certain. You immediately find yourself projected as the third string quarterback, with several journeymen available in the free agent market. You’re backing up former pro bowler Jeff Garcia, who’s playing second fiddle to Joey Harrington, the Lion’s first round draft pick (3rd overall) from 2002.
You are Dan Orlovsky, and one man’s misfortune has just given you the chance of a lifetime. The recent injury to teammate Jeff Garcia will give the rookie a chance to earn some NFL experience during the early part of his career. Garcia, who is expected to be out for at least six weeks, was a serious threat to last years starting quarterback, Joey Harrington. Even though Harrington enters the season as the preferred starter, he hasn’t performed up to expectations in his first three seasons. Harrington can’t complain about the personnel around him, Lion’s management has drafted incredible talent at both wide receiver and running back. Despite their offensive potential the Lions ranked 24th in points per game last season, and only the Oakland Raiders averaged a shorter time of possession per game than Detroit in 2004.
Orlovsky, who proved at UConn that he can effectively run an offense under pressure, signed a three-year deal with the Lions in July. Orlovsky, a native of Shelton, Connecticut, will begin the season as Detroit’s back-up quarterback. Should starting quarterback Joey Harrington continue to disappoint, or even suffer the same fate as Garcia, Orlovsky will get more than just a few reps from behind center.
Orlovsky got his first experience as Harrington’s back-up on Monday night during the Lions preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He threw for 98 yards, completing 6 of his 14 passes, and led Detroit on two scoring drives. It should be interesting to see what kind of results Orlovsky can produce if given the opportunity. He has never had the opportunity to play alongside the type of talent the Lions possess. Detroit has a great running back in second-year man Kevin Jones, and exceptional ability at wide receiver with Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and rookie Mike Williams. The Lions have also added former Indianapolis tight end Marcus Pollard to help fortify their offense.
As a fan who loves to root for the underdog, I would love to see Orlovsky get an opportunity to shine in Detroit. Lion’s fans have been unhappy with the quarterback situation for quite some time now. Maybe Orlovsky can become the next Trent Green, Marc Bulger, or Tom Brady – all were drafted in the fifth round or later. In Brady’s second season Patriots starter Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury early in the regular season, given the opportunity Brady never looked back.
Maybe he’ll end up having a fairly successful NFL career.
Maybe he’ll get the chance to play in a Super Bowl.
Maybe he’ll struggle while making the step from college to the pros.
Maybe he won’t even get an opportunity to shine.
But with just a little more luck, anything is possible… |
