Nov 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) passes against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores beat the Volunteers 41-18. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US Presswire

The Detroit Lions added former Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder to the mix as an undrafted free agent but it turns out he wasn’t the only quarterback they had their eyes on. The other was Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt.

Here is the scoop from Paul Ming of Fox Sports Wisconsin:

Jordan, who started 20 games at quarterback for Vanderbilt, had multiple offers on the table as an undrafted free agent last weekend. His decision of where to sign was ultimately between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions. Those were the two teams he and his agent felt presented the best opportunity for Jordan to make the roster as a rookie.

The job of an agent of a player who goes undrafted is to put that player in the best possible situation to make a team and the Rodgers camp apparently felt the Lions were one of the best options. The Lions return all three quarterbacks who were on the roster a year ago but this case shows at least one player and agent believes Kellen Moore is very beatable. Matthew Stafford isn’t going anywhere and Shaun Hill has proven himself to be one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league.

Moore had plenty of questions regarding his ability to play in the NFL as an undrafted free agent last year but held off a challenge from R.J. Archer to win a roster spot. Maybe the training camp battle between Moore and Alex Carder will be more intriguing than first believed.

Aug 10, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) warms up before the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Thursday on ESPN 710 Seattle’s twenty-minute daily segment with ESPN NFL Insider’s John Clayton called, “Clayton’s Cold Hard Facts,” Clayton talked about the Lions quarterback situation and what the Lions may end up doing as far as the decision making goes on rookie undrafted free agent Kellen Moore earning a roster spot with the Detroit Lions.

I don’t think Kellen Moore is going to make the team. I think it’s going to be tough. I think he has a decent chance to get back there to the practice squad because I think there is no doubt that Scott Linehan is a big fan of Kellen Moore and is going to give him as much of an opportunity as he can. I think the [Lions] are going to be in a dicey position. I think easily they’ll keep two [quarterbacks]. They’ll keep Shaun Hill as the backup quarterback; obviously, Matthew Stafford is going to be the starting quarterback. I think it is going to be tough for [Moore] to make the roster and probably rightfully so. He came in and didn’t have great arm strength. He’s a left handed quarterback trying to make the transition [to the NFL]. I think that he has a future, but it may not necessarily be on the Lions’ roster to start the season.

This is a position I have been taking all offseason because it is clear that Kellen Moore does not have the physical attributes of making the Lions’ 53-man roster, but he does have the smarts to earn a practice squad spot. He could easily morph into a career backup in the NFL, especially if he toughs it out on the Lions’ practice squad until longtime veteran Hill retires.

I think there will always be a spot for Moore in Detroit on the practice squad as long as Linehan is the offensive coordinator because Linehan is a big fan of successful quarterbacks at the collegiate level and having a hard worker like Moore as a Lion does nothing but boost the potential of all quarterbacks the Lions employ.

August 10, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) hands off to Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) during the second half between the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions have experienced great success in terms of winning preseason games in recent years but their quest for another NFL Preseason Championship hit a snag in game number one last night.

Cleveland Browns 19, Detroit Lions 17 (box score)

I would caution anyone not to take too much away, good or bad, from any preseason game but there were a few things that stuck out to me.

• The most effective part of the Lions offense all night was their running game. Kevin Smith didn’t exactly look explosive out of the gate but he was effective. Keiland Williams was able to find success that he didn’t have last year and Joique Bell kept it going when he saw extended playing time in the second half. In total, the Lions churned out 198 yards on a 6.0 yard per carry average. The backs finally had some room to run and they were decisive in making the read and taking what was there. Good job by all involved.
• Bill Bentley was able to put on display the flashes of very good play that put him in position to start last night’s game but he also looked like a rookie at times, particularly in getting beat on a long first quarter pass. Jim Schwartz called it a 50/50 performance and therefore not good enough in his post game comments but it is clear that the Lions may have found something in their third round pick.
• After one game it looks like the punter battle will come down to who loses the battle rather than who wins it. Neither Ryan Donahue or Ben Graham punted very well at all. With a potent offense, let’s hope the Lions simply don’t need to punt much in 2012.
• It’s no secret that the Lions have made building their defensive line the hallmark of their strategy but last night showed just how legit the unit is. Regular starters Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch did not start yet the replacements of Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young, particularly Young, did more than fit in up against the Browns’ starters. It didn’t stop there. Everette Brown made an impact with 1.5 sacks when he got his chance. Needless to say, things are looking good at defensive end.
• I was really looking forward to seeing what Kellen Moore could do last night but came away disappointed. I didn’t have any particular expectations, especially after seeing him struggle in training camp practice last weekend, but it would have been nice to him show something that suggested he would be worth investing some effort into his development. All the knocks on Moore coming out of Boise State were on display and he couldn’t make up for it with the kind of accuracy he showed in college.