Dan

Orlovsky

We’d think the Lions are giving him very little money, but you never know with them. Culpepper is weeks away from threatening for playing time, much less fantasy value. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team try him out late in the season, depending how Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton fare. This moves says a lot about how Detroit views their young quarterbacks.

It’s a good indication Orlovsky has passed Josh McCown on Detroit’s depth chart, at least for the time being. The presence of Mike Martz makes Orlovsky a quarterback to watch for dynasty leaguers.

Martz reportedly thinks Orlovsky has the “tools, intangibles and leadership to be successful.” While he won’t get a chance to start early this season, Orlovsky could pass Josh McCown on the depth chart and is someone to watch in dynasty leagues. His profile (intelligent, low draft pick) is similar to other Martz projects like Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Coach Rod Marinelli plans to use Jon Kitna and the other starters more playing time, perhaps 24-30 snaps.

The second-year pro wasn’t especially impressive, but neither was Josh McCown. We suspect McCown would get the call if Jon Kitna went down in a real game.

Most famous for appearing in 10 games for the 0-16 2008 Lions, Orlovsky spent 2011 in Indianapolis, completing 122-of-193 passes for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He led the Colts to their only two wins in Weeks 15 and 16. With Josh Johnson an unrestricted free agent, it appears Orlovsky will be Josh Freeman’s primary backup in 2012.

Baylor’s Robert Griffin III is gaining so much steam that some are now ranking him as the No. 1 player in the draft over Luck. It seems that the Colts made their decision weeks ago, however. The Star suggests Dan Orlovsky could return as the veteran backup, though the free agent has yet to hear from the Colts this offseason.

Orlovsky started slowly, managing just 64 yards of offense compared to 62 penalty yards by late in the second quarter. Though he struggled in the red zone, Orlovsky impressed with a series of touch passes in quarters two through four. Down 16-12 with 2:00 remaining, Orlovsky drove the Colts down the field and hit Reggie Wayne in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning 1-yard touchdown. Fighting hard for a backup opportunity in 2012, Orlovsky has a plus matchup at Jacksonville in Week 17.

The 0-10 Colts are on a bye this week. Painter has been absolutely brutal over the last four games, tossing six interceptions against zero touchdowns and averaging 127.2 passing yards per game. It’s so bad that Caldwell is actually considering turning to Dan Orlovsky.

Painter was yanked for Dan Orlovsky with 10:15 left Sunday after a humiliating performance. On the season, Painter has compiled an 0-6 record and is completing 53.3 percent of his passes. He’s averaging just 193.5 yards per start. The Colts may use the Week 11 bye to reevaluate their stance on Painter if he doesn’t pick it up against Jacksonville’s top-ten pass defense this week.