Sergeant Safety Dan Orlovsky has bought himself another year in the NFL.
The former fifth round pick out of UConn back in 2005 by the Detroit Lions will play in his 12th NFL season after securing the backup spot behind Matthew Stafford for 2016.
Orlovsky return in turn means Jake Rudock was the odd man out as the team cut the former Michigan quarterback to get down to the final 53.
The decision to cut Rudock may have come as a bit of a surprise to some given Rudock’s success during the preseason. In four preseason games Rudock completed 30 of 51 passes (58.8 percent) for 333 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He also showed the ability to extend plays with his feet rushing 10 times for 62 yards.
Rudock’s final impressive stat line was being the Lions’ highest rated QB during the preseason at 96.3 which was leaps and bounds better than Orlovsky’s 67.4.
Yet Orlovsky gets the job. Why?
Well, it’s no secret Jim Caldwell loves him some Dan Orlovsky dating to the two working together in Indianapolis. And eventually when Caldwell was hired in Detroit, Orlovsky’s return to the Lions wasn’t far behind.
That alone doesn’t necessary warrant Orlovsky winning the job and Rudock being cut surprising. What’s surprising is Orlovsky has lasted this long in the NFL something that transcends beyond the horrible Lions front office prior to this season.
Frankly however what difference would it have made if Rudock was named the backup? Anyone but Matthew Stafford playing under center for the Lions for any long stretch of time pretty much means the season is over. Not to mention you already know what you have in Orlovsky, which isn’t much of anything.
Anyways, Rudock’s time in Detroit may not be over. If he clears waivers there’s a good possibility he’s named to the practice squad.
Other somewhat surprising cuts include the Lions putting an end to project defensive tackle Caraun Reid whom they drafted out of Harvard back in 2014.
The team also waived wide-out TJ Jones who at times was the fourth wide receiver but was completely held out of the final preseason game against Buffalo this past week.
Unsurprisingly Dwayne Washington beat out George Winn at running back while it’s possible Washington also sees time returning kicks.
Here’s the final roster via Mlive.com:
Quarterback (2): Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky
Out: Jake Rudock
Tailback (5): Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, Michael Burton (fullback)
Out: George Winn
Receiver (4): Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Anquan Boldin, Andre Roberts
Out: TJ Jones, Jay Lee, Jace Billingsley, Quinshad Davis
Tight end (3): Eric Ebron, Cole Wick, Orson Charles
Out: Adam Fuehne
Offensive line (9): Taylor Decker, Laken Tomlinson, Travis Swanson, Larry Warford, Riley Reiff, Graham Glasgow, Joe Dahl, Cornelius Lucas, Corey Robinson
Out: Michael Ola, Luke Marquardt, Gabe Ikard, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Brandon Thomas
Defensive line (11): Ezekiel Ansah, Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker, Devin Taylor, Wallace Gilberry, Brandon Copeland, A’Shawn Robinson, Stefan Charles, Khyri Thornton, Anthony Zettel, Kerry Hyder
Out: Caraun Reid, Gabe Wright
Linebacker (6): DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Bynes, Antwione Williams, Jon Bostic
Out: Khaseem Greene, Zaviar Gooden, Jayson DiManche
Defensive back (10): Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, Adairius Barnes, Johnson Bademosi, Glover Quin, Rafael Bush, Tavon Wilson, Miles Killebrew, Don Carey
Out: Alex Carter, Darrin Walls, Charles Washington, Isaiah Johnson
Specialist (3): Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach
Out: None.
Suspended: TE Andrew Quarless
PUP: TE Brandon Pettigrew, WR Corey Fuller