Nors
Benched
- Messages
- 22,015
- Reaction score
- 1
Orlovsky will start for Lions against Indianapolis
by Tom Kowalski
Thursday December 11, 2008, 11:30 PM
AP File PhotoLions quarterback Dan Orlovsky has missed the last five weeks with a broken right thumb.
ALLEN PARK -- Dan Orlovsky will be the Detroit Lions' starting quarterback Sunday, and that also means he will be the primary target for the Indianapolis Colts' pass rush.
"They're great, those two defensive ends are awesome," Orlovsky said of Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. "We just played Jared Allen (of Minnesota), and you think he's the best and then you watch these two guys.
"I have written on my board that I'm going to take hits this week. So what? It's my job to stay in the pocket and make accurate throws and move the chains. I know I'm going to get hit, I know they're great and I have all the respect in the world for them."
Orlovsky, who is replacing starter Daunte Culpepper (shoulder), will try to help the 0-13 Lions get their first win of the season against the 9-4 Colts, who have won six in a row. Orlovsky has been sidelined for five weeks with a broken right thumb, but he said Thursday the injury is healed.
"My thumb feels 100 percent. I don't have any ill effect from the past injury," Orlovsky said, adding he is not trying to cover up any issues he might have. "I'm always trying to tell the truth."
Mathis, who will face rookie right tackle Gosder Cherilus, leads the Colts with 11 1/2 sacks, while Dwight Freeney (9 1/2 sacks) will be matched up with Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus.
"That defense is flying right now," Lions coach Rod Marnielli said. "I think the thing is, you got to go block (the defensive ends) first. That starts with good blocks, good sets and good hands. Nobody has had much success against them.
"I think you've got to have balance. You've got to be able to run the ball, you've got to. That's the key. If you can keep the chains and the clock moving and, hopefully, that good player (Colts quarterback Peyton Manning) is watching from the bench, that's what you want.''
Freeney is the Colts' franchise sack leader with 69 1/2, while Mathis is not far behind at 53 1/2. The Colts are known mostly for their offense, but defense has been a key, too. The Colts are 40-10 when Freeney has had a sack.
"He rushes the passer every down, and then he adjusts to the run. It's going to be a huge challenge," Backus said. "It all starts with a good burst of the ball. His first step is extremely quick and it's up the field, and then he makes his move after that first step. If he gets you leaning upfield -- playing the speed -- he spins inside. If he gets you leaning the wrong way, he bull-rushes you, or he tries to beat you with speed off the edge."
The Lions have given up 49 sacks this season, while the Colts have give up 12.
Detroit will get the services of defensive end Dewayne White, who missed four games with a calf pull. When White went out, he was Detroit's sack leader with 5 1/2 sacks and he still is the sack leader.
Rookie third-round pick Cliff Avril, though, has shown some flash as a pass rusher -- he has four sacks -- and that is why White will be moved from the right side to the left, making room for Avril.
White said the reason the Colts have averaged fewer than one sack allowed per game is because of Manning.
"He knows where he's going with the ball. When you know that, you don't get sacked much," White said. "He steps up like all the great quarterbacks. And he knows when he's going to throw it -- if it's not there, he's going to check it down instantly. His decisions are so fast. He's seen every defense, and he does a lot of study.
"At the end of the day, you've got to beat your guy and get to him, fast."
by Tom Kowalski
Thursday December 11, 2008, 11:30 PM
AP File PhotoLions quarterback Dan Orlovsky has missed the last five weeks with a broken right thumb.
ALLEN PARK -- Dan Orlovsky will be the Detroit Lions' starting quarterback Sunday, and that also means he will be the primary target for the Indianapolis Colts' pass rush.
"They're great, those two defensive ends are awesome," Orlovsky said of Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. "We just played Jared Allen (of Minnesota), and you think he's the best and then you watch these two guys.
"I have written on my board that I'm going to take hits this week. So what? It's my job to stay in the pocket and make accurate throws and move the chains. I know I'm going to get hit, I know they're great and I have all the respect in the world for them."
Orlovsky, who is replacing starter Daunte Culpepper (shoulder), will try to help the 0-13 Lions get their first win of the season against the 9-4 Colts, who have won six in a row. Orlovsky has been sidelined for five weeks with a broken right thumb, but he said Thursday the injury is healed.
"My thumb feels 100 percent. I don't have any ill effect from the past injury," Orlovsky said, adding he is not trying to cover up any issues he might have. "I'm always trying to tell the truth."
Mathis, who will face rookie right tackle Gosder Cherilus, leads the Colts with 11 1/2 sacks, while Dwight Freeney (9 1/2 sacks) will be matched up with Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus.
"That defense is flying right now," Lions coach Rod Marnielli said. "I think the thing is, you got to go block (the defensive ends) first. That starts with good blocks, good sets and good hands. Nobody has had much success against them.
"I think you've got to have balance. You've got to be able to run the ball, you've got to. That's the key. If you can keep the chains and the clock moving and, hopefully, that good player (Colts quarterback Peyton Manning) is watching from the bench, that's what you want.''
Freeney is the Colts' franchise sack leader with 69 1/2, while Mathis is not far behind at 53 1/2. The Colts are known mostly for their offense, but defense has been a key, too. The Colts are 40-10 when Freeney has had a sack.
"He rushes the passer every down, and then he adjusts to the run. It's going to be a huge challenge," Backus said. "It all starts with a good burst of the ball. His first step is extremely quick and it's up the field, and then he makes his move after that first step. If he gets you leaning upfield -- playing the speed -- he spins inside. If he gets you leaning the wrong way, he bull-rushes you, or he tries to beat you with speed off the edge."
The Lions have given up 49 sacks this season, while the Colts have give up 12.
Detroit will get the services of defensive end Dewayne White, who missed four games with a calf pull. When White went out, he was Detroit's sack leader with 5 1/2 sacks and he still is the sack leader.
Rookie third-round pick Cliff Avril, though, has shown some flash as a pass rusher -- he has four sacks -- and that is why White will be moved from the right side to the left, making room for Avril.
White said the reason the Colts have averaged fewer than one sack allowed per game is because of Manning.
"He knows where he's going with the ball. When you know that, you don't get sacked much," White said. "He steps up like all the great quarterbacks. And he knows when he's going to throw it -- if it's not there, he's going to check it down instantly. His decisions are so fast. He's seen every defense, and he does a lot of study.
"At the end of the day, you've got to beat your guy and get to him, fast."