Each week at SideLion Report we highlight one player to watch in the upcoming game. This week, in the Lions Preseason road opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, we will be looking at quarterback Jake Rudock out of Michigan.
The Lions selected Jake Rudock in the sixth-round of the NFL Draft as someone they hope to groom behind QB Matthew Stafford. Rudock, a transfer from the University of Iowa, wasn’t even on the radar of NFL teams before Jim Harbaugh took over the helm at Michigan. That all changed after an impressive 2015 season for the Wolverines. Last season with Harbaugh’s tutelage, he threw for 3,017 yards, 20 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions. The team went 10-3, after a dreadful 2014 season. Obviously, the Lions liked what they saw and pulled the trigger.
Tonight, we will only see quarterback Matthew Stafford for maybe a series or two. Backup quarterback, Dan Orlovski, should get significant playing time. Most are anticipating the same for Rudock. Orlovski is likely to get most of the first half. We should get to see Rudock play for a good chunk, if not all of the second half. The Lions know what they have in Orlovski, but he still needs the reps against live competition. He’s an average number-two but doesn’t have much upside. Many question whether Rudock can even be a decent backup.
Last year, the Lions only kept two quarterbacks which led to Kellen Moore going to Dallas to reconnect with Scott Linehan. The Lions kept three quarterbacks the prior year, so some were surprised to see Moore not make the roster in 2015.
He definitely has the most to prove without being guaranteed a roster spot. Last year, the Lions only kept two quarterbacks which led to Kellen Moore going to Dallas to reconnect with Scott Linehan. The Lions kept three quarterbacks the prior year, so some were surprised to see Moore not make the roster in 2015. Should Rudock play well, he can possibly push Orlovski or make the cut as an inactive number-three. If Rudock struggles he could end up on the practice squad, a place where he can develop in the Lions system if no other team claims him.
However, If the Lions like what they see, they won’t take that risk. Lions general manager, Bob Quinn, said he believes in taking a developmental quarterback every few years as they can become assets. The Patriots — Quinn’s former organization — ended up getting a 2nd-round pick from the Chiefs for former 7th-round pick, Matt Cassel.
And of course, the connection that people have been beating to death is the fact that Patriots QB Tom Brady is also a former 6th-round pick out of Michigan. Rudock’s debut tonight is much anticipated partly because of the Michigan connection, but mostly because there isn’t much else to focus on when the starters play so little. All eyes will certainly be on Jake Rudock tonight.