Tag: Dan Orlovsky

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Former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky pleads with the Detroit Lions not to make the same mistake

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky had some rather poignant remarks regarding his former team. Orlovsky’s plea? For current Lions general manager Brad Holmes to not repeat the same mistakes made by the last few Lions GM’s. Dan Orlovsky does not want the Detroit Lions to take a skilled player (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker) in the first round.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 18: Dan Orlovsky #8 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field on September 18, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

You may recall just a few days ago, I made a similar statement that Dan Orlovsky (current ESPN analyst) made yesterday via social media. It is somewhat surreal that a former NFL player and current analyst would echo what I had written.

That said, it is a drum that I am going to beat up unto the 2021 NFL Draft. Orlovsky is dead right! No, zero, zilch, NFL team has ever had success building it’s roster by drafting skilled players in the first round.

If a team does draft a skilled player it is because they feel the offensive line and defensive line are set. That is not the case in Detroit. The right side of the Lions offensive line is currently a mess. The defensive line is not a whole lot better.

Again, IF Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell do in fact believe quarterback Jared Goff is the long-term solution then the team must build around him. Not behind him (running back) not out to the sides of him (wide receivers/ tight end.) But right in front of him, namely the right side of the offensive line.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 20: A helmet of the Detroit Lions rests on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

It is nice to know that someone else out there feels the same way about how to build an NFL roster that I do. Again former NFL head coach and NFL Hall of Famer Bill Parcells established this philosophy  and enjoyed a lot of success.

It is easy to get caught up in the flash and glitz and sexyness  of skilled players. It is a much better position to be in when teams choose a bit more wisely and build both the offensive and defensive lines.

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ESPN analyst and former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky says the team is close

Embed from Getty Images Former Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky recently said “You’re probably two really good players away from, all right, let’s have a conversation of being one of the better teams in the conference,” I think they caught a lot of bad breaks last year, just keeping it real. So if they stay healthy, they’re two good pieces away from being in the conversation of being a good, good football team. A good, solid, you-can-win-every-game football team.”

Some Detroit Lions fans have scoffed at Orlovsky’s statement. But should they? After all, the Lions could have won every game they played last season. They led in 14 of 16 games played.

The Detroit Lions being two players away seems out of place, but not completely far-fetched, either. In the NFL, you are what your record says you are Detroit was 3-12-1, bad.

That said from a talent perspective, Detroit is better than most of the other teams picking in the top 10 of the NFL draft, and it is not a stretch to think they would have doubled their win total if quarterback Matthew Stafford not missed two months with fractured bones in his back.

The Detroit Lions do not need to make a big jump to get to the next level. The offense should see 10 of last seasons 11 starters come back. While the Lions are not great offensively, they have the potential to be at least above average offense with a healthy Stafford, wide receiver Kenny Golladay and with tight end T.J. Hockenson expected to take on a bigger role next season.

The defense is where Dan Orlovsky’s “two-players-away” theory comes in to play. The Detroit Lions need pass rush help in a BIG way. They also need a starting cornerback. They have questions at safety beyond Tracy Walker. Not too mention the linebackers lack speed.

With free agency and the draft, Detroit could possibly find the two players that can help get the team over the hump. Yes, they will get more that two players. However, they need to nail the two positions of need in order to improve next season.