Category Archives: UConn

Orlovsky Signs With Texans

Dan OrlovskyFormer UConn Huskies and Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky has decided to sign a 3-year, $9.1 million contract with the Houston Texans to be their backup quarterback. Included in that contract is a signing bonus of $2.4 million.

Orlovsky decided not to re-sign with the Lions when he found out he’d be backing up Daunte Culpepper but decided Houston was the place to be because of head coach Gary Kubiak.

“I think the big reason here is just coach Kubiak,” Orlovsky said. “Spending time with him and coach [Kyle] Shanahan, sitting down with them and really getting to know them, not only as football coaches but as people, what they preached and what they believed in, was important to me.”

“Coach Kubiak carries a reputation with quarterbacks. The economics of it wasn’t a big deal to me; it was about the opportunity to learn and get better. I’m still only 25, so I know I have a long career ahead of me, and my biggest thing was to try and become as good of a quarterback as I can, and I think that this situation presents that.”

It’s good to see Orlovsky get rewarded for his time in Detroit. They may have sucked this year but when Orlovsky was in, he gave them a chance to win. Unfortunately for him and the Lions, he didn’t get them a win this season.

In 10 games (7 starts) for the Lions in 2008, Orlovsky threw for 1,616 yards with 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

Texans sign ex-Lion Orlovsky as backup quarterback [Houston Chronicle]

Orlovsky To Test The Free Agent Waters

Dan Orlovsky - AP

Rather than sign a contract to play backup to Dante Culpepper, former UConn Huskies and Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky plans to see what’s out there on the free agent market.

“They made an offer, but I’m going to test the market and see what’s out there for me,” Orlovsky said Monday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “I’m pretty confident that I’m going to get a better offer.”

“You question how come he just got given the job,” Orlovsky said in a phone interview. “I mean, you’re not going to restructure somebody’s deal and say, ‘Oh, it’s a competition.’ So it’s tough.

“I think looking at the film and watching Sundays and looking at the statistics, it doesn’t make sense why the move was made to me, from my end.”

“I want to be back in Detroit, but this is an important decision and I want to make sure I make the right decision.”

You can’t blame Orlovsky for wanting a chance to start. Even though he was part of the worst team in NFL history, he was the best quarterback they had all season.

Orlovsky threw for 1,616 yards last season with 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 10 games (7 starts).

Lions’ Orlovsky picking free agency over backup role [Detroit Free Press]

What is Lions QB Dan Orlovsky waiting for? [MLive.com]

Orlovsky Makes Pro Football Hall of Fame….

Detroit Lions fans hold a sign reading "0-16" during the first half of an NFL football game between the Lions and the Green Bay Packers - AP Photo

for all the wrong reasons as the Detroit Lions finished the season at 0-16. They are the first team to finish a season 0-16 and just the second overall in the history of the NFL to be winless. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the season 0-14.

Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky (6) walks off the field after the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers - AP PhotoDan Orlovsky, the former UConn Huskies QB, did everything he could to help the Lions avoid the 0-16 mark as he helped the Lions rally to tie the game in the 3rd quarter and get within 3 points midway through the 4th quarter. His interception late in the game sealed their fate though. Orlovsky was 22/45 for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 INTs.

“It can’t do anything but motivate you,” Orlovsky said. “I don’t ever want to be a part of this again. We haven’t won since, November of ’07, maybe? I don’t even know the last time we won a game.”