Spring Break
Dan O's 1st great start for UConn
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Sports
UConn football didn't win a program-changing game this weekend. In fact, the Huskies didn't play a game this weekend, but there was still plenty of reason for Randy Edsall to smile.
Former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky - the Shelton native who was instrumental in the Huskies' quick transition from an unknown Division I-AA team to a competitive Big East program - made his first career NFL start on Sunday.
At first glance, his numbers are very average: 12-for-21, 157 yards and one touchdown. But at the end of the box score, there's a big goose-egg under the column that reads "interceptions." Detroit fans aren't used to that.
Detroit, which now stands at 0-5, will be hard-pressed to move Orlovsky out of the starting line-up in favor of Jon Kitna, its 37-year-old, gun-slinging incumbent, even when Kitna returns from the back injury that has kept him out the past two games.
To be honest, there might not be anyone who can save the "franchise" - and I use that term loosely - that calls Detroit home.
But at least Orlovsky has a chance. Sure, he has to learn the offense a little better. And he has to learn that you can't just run out of the end zone whenever you want. But he has a strong enough arm and good enough leadership skills to be the man in Detroit.
That's a big deal for Orlovsky. It might be a bigger deal for UConn football.
Sure, the Huskies have had some alumni start in the NFL - rookie offensive guard Donald Thomas was called a "Godsend" by Miami Dolphins general manager Bill Parcells before an ankle injury ended his season - but none have ever had the chance to be the face of a franchise.
Orlovsky has some talented weapons around him in Detroit. Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are no slouches - in fact, they are two of the most gifted receivers in the NFL. That certainly doesn't guarantee that Orlovsky, a former fifth-round pick, will rise to stardom, but stranger things have happened in professional football.
Former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky - the Shelton native who was instrumental in the Huskies' quick transition from an unknown Division I-AA team to a competitive Big East program - made his first career NFL start on Sunday.
At first glance, his numbers are very average: 12-for-21, 157 yards and one touchdown. But at the end of the box score, there's a big goose-egg under the column that reads "interceptions." Detroit fans aren't used to that.
Detroit, which now stands at 0-5, will be hard-pressed to move Orlovsky out of the starting line-up in favor of Jon Kitna, its 37-year-old, gun-slinging incumbent, even when Kitna returns from the back injury that has kept him out the past two games.
To be honest, there might not be anyone who can save the "franchise" - and I use that term loosely - that calls Detroit home.
But at least Orlovsky has a chance. Sure, he has to learn the offense a little better. And he has to learn that you can't just run out of the end zone whenever you want. But he has a strong enough arm and good enough leadership skills to be the man in Detroit.
That's a big deal for Orlovsky. It might be a bigger deal for UConn football.
Sure, the Huskies have had some alumni start in the NFL - rookie offensive guard Donald Thomas was called a "Godsend" by Miami Dolphins general manager Bill Parcells before an ankle injury ended his season - but none have ever had the chance to be the face of a franchise.
Orlovsky has some talented weapons around him in Detroit. Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are no slouches - in fact, they are two of the most gifted receivers in the NFL. That certainly doesn't guarantee that Orlovsky, a former fifth-round pick, will rise to stardom, but stranger things have happened in professional football.
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