2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

8 - DAN ORLOVSKY
Quarterback Connecticut Shelton, Conn.
Year: 10 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 215 Born: 8/18/83
Draft: ’05, R5 (145)-Det Acquired: UFA-TB ‘14
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year contract on March 2, 2015.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent to a one-year contract on April 3, 2014.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Buccaneers on April 9, 2013.
‣ ¾ Released by the Buccaneers on April 4, 2013.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year contract on March 15, 2012.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Colts on September 27, 2011.
‣ ¾ Released by the Colts on September 3, 2011.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Indianapolis Colts on August 1, 2011.
‣ ¾ Released by the Texans on July 29, 2011.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Houston Texans as an unrestricted free agent to a three-year contract on March 1, 2009.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract on April 22, 2008.
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.
PRO
Orlovsky returned to Detroit in 2014 after spending the previous two seasons (2012-13) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
as the team’s backup quarterback. Originally drafted by the Lions in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft
out of Connecticut, he played his first four years in the NFL with Detroit before stints with the Houston Texans (2009-10)
and Indianapolis Colts (2011). He has appeared in 24 games (12 starts) and has completed 276 passes on 472 attempts
(58.5-percent) for 2,931 yards and 14 touchdowns.
‣ ¾ Appeared in 12 games (seven starts) during his previous four seasons with Detroit, all of them coming in 2008 when he
set a career high in completions (143), attempts (255), passing yards (1,616) and touchdown passes (eight).
2014: Finished 2014 season in backup role behind QB Matthew Stafford.
2013: Saw action in two games as the team’s backup quarterback, helping to mentor rookie QB Mike Glennon.
‣ ¾ Appeared in a reserve role vs. Atlanta (11/17) and at New Orleans (12/29).
COLLEGE
Finished his four years at Connecticut (2001-04) with career totals of 916 completions on 1,567 attempts, 10,706 yards
and 84 touchdowns, all of which are school records. He played in 46 career games and led the Huskies to their first-ever
bowl appearance as a senior in 2004.
‣ ¾ As a junior in 2003, recorded career highs in attempts (457), passing yards (3,485) and passing touchdowns (33).
PERSONAL
Attended Shelton (Conn.) High School, where he earned All-America honors from Prep Football Report, SuperPrep and Prep
Star. He was named All-State, Class LL MVP and the New Haven Register’s Connecticut Player of the Year.
‣ ¾ As a senior at Shelton, threw for 2,489 yards and 58 touchdowns as his team recorded a perfect 12-0 record en route
to a state championship.
‣ ¾ Established the Dan Orlovsky Foundation to enrich the lives of youth in Detroit and Connecticut. The foundation
features the “Dan Orlovsky Charity Challenge,” a three-day event in Connecticut made up of a gala, golf tournament
and clinic for kids.
‣ ¾ Participated in multiple Lions charity events during his first four years with the team, including the 17th annual Detroit
Lions Invitational golf outing, United Way Hometown Huddle and PGA golf lessons with Think Detroit PAL.
ORLOVSKY’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Passing Attempts:.................................................................. 47 at Chi 11/2/08
Passing Completions:..............................................................30 at NE 12/4/11
Passing Yards:........................................................................ 353 at NE 12/4/11
Completion Percentage:..................................................... 81.1 at NE 12/4/11
Pass Touchdowns:.................................. 2 (three times) Last at NE 12/4/11
Passing Rating:...................................................................113.2 at NE 12/4/11
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES