Dan O's 1st great start for UConn

By: Kevin Duffy

Posted: 10/13/08

UConn football didn't win a program-changing game this weekend. In fact, the Huskies didn't play a game this weekend, but there was still plenty of reason for Randy Edsall to smile.

Former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky - the Shelton native who was instrumental in the Huskies' quick transition from an unknown Division I-AA team to a competitive Big East program - made his first career NFL start on Sunday.

At first glance, his numbers are very average: 12-for-21, 157 yards and one touchdown. But at the end of the box score, there's a big goose-egg under the column that reads "interceptions." Detroit fans aren't used to that.

Detroit, which now stands at 0-5, will be hard-pressed to move Orlovsky out of the starting line-up in favor of Jon Kitna, its 37-year-old, gun-slinging incumbent, even when Kitna returns from the back injury that has kept him out the past two games.

To be honest, there might not be anyone who can save the "franchise" - and I use that term loosely - that calls Detroit home.

But at least Orlovsky has a chance. Sure, he has to learn the offense a little better. And he has to learn that you can't just run out of the end zone whenever you want. But he has a strong enough arm and good enough leadership skills to be the man in Detroit.

That's a big deal for Orlovsky. It might be a bigger deal for UConn football.

Sure, the Huskies have had some alumni start in the NFL - rookie offensive guard Donald Thomas was called a "Godsend" by Miami Dolphins general manager Bill Parcells before an ankle injury ended his season - but none have ever had the chance to be the face of a franchise.

Orlovsky has some talented weapons around him in Detroit. Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are no slouches - in fact, they are two of the most gifted receivers in the NFL. That certainly doesn't guarantee that Orlovsky, a former fifth-round pick, will rise to stardom, but stranger things have happened in professional football.

Orlovsky's rise-by-attrition to the top of the depth chart will only help the Huskies' recruiting. UConn is now on a relatively exclusive list of programs who can claim an NFL starter.

Depending on how well he does, Orlovsky - who spurned scholarship offers from Michigan State and Purdue to sign with UConn - could help Edsall land prized signal-callers that can operate UConn's pro-style offense.

The pressure to build the reputation of UConn football isn't squarely on Orlovsky, however. A solid crop of young Husky alumni are in the process of earning some notoriety in the NFL as well.

Cornerback Tyvon Branch has proved he's more than a workout warrior. The rookie fourth-round pick has received some valuable playing time with the Oakland Raiders. In addition to recording his first career interception in Week 2 versus Kansas City and returning it 36 yards, Branch has returned kickoffs as well.

Second-year fullback Deon Anderson has paved the way for Marion Barber and Felix Jones in Dallas.

Then, there's Danny Lansanah. After a productive college career, the former UConn middle linebacker was deemed too small and too slow to make the NFL.

The Green Bay Packers signed him as an undrafted free agent, which is almost always followed by a "thanks, but no thanks" release after training camp.

Lansanah was just promoted to the active roster last week and is now listed as the Packers' back-up middle linebacker.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. A few backups and a one-time starter won't launch UConn into the national spotlight. But at least it's a start.

Darius Butler is the No. 19 overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board, and Donald Brown has been mentioned as a possible early second-round selection if he wants to forgo his senior year and jump to the NFL.

These two, along with current Huskies Will Beatty, Scott Lutrus and Cody Brown all have the chance to add to what Orlovsky has started.

Ten years ago, most people in the Northeast didn't even know UConn had a football program. Today, the Huskies have produced a starting NFL quarterback, a viable Heisman trophy contender and legitimate national exposure.

In another 10 years, that might not even seem like a big deal. Who knows where the program will be by then? But wherever it is, UConn fans should always remember that Orlovsky was the man who started it.