MLive.com: Everything Michigan
excerpt:
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions' three quarterbacks combined for nearly 500 passing yards -- including the game-winning touchdown pass in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. Normally, that would have an offensive coordinator beaming with pride.
Mike Martz, though, was not beaming after the Lions' 27-26 preseason victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. Yes, the offense rolled up some impressive stats, but Martz quickly pointed out the team's three turnovers.
Martz expects his offense to pile up a ton of yards -- and convert game-winning plays -- but he does not want turnovers.
"They were serious mistakes," Martz said tersely after the game. "That interception before the half, those are mistakes you've got to clean up to become a good team.
"The return for the touchdown and the fumble going in (to the end zone), you can't do those things."
With the Lions trailing 9-7 in the second quarter, backup quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan was intercepted deep in Detroit territory, setting up Cincinnati's first touchdown of the game.
On the first series of the second half, the Lions moved the ball to the 2-yard line, where running back T.J. Duckett fumbled the ball into the end zone just as he was about to cross the goal line for a touchdown. The Bengals recovered.
The most interesting turnover occurred on Detroit's first possession of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky moved the team down the field, but on a first-and-10 play at the Cincinnati 13-yard line, Orlovsky's arm was hit and the ball landed in the arms of defensive tackle Matt Toeaina. Despite being 311 pounds, Toeaina returned the ball 81 yards for a touchdown.
Orlovsky blames himself for the turnover.
"I could've stepped up in the pocket quicker, so it's on my shoulders," he said.
When asked why none of the Lions' offensive players were able to run down the slow-footed Toeaina and make a tackle, coach Rod Marinelli said he was going to investigate.
"I want to watch the tape," Marinelli said. "Guys might have been on the ground. But he shouldn't score. Bottom line."
That turnover put the Bengals ahead 26-10 with 10:16 left in the final quarter. That is when Orlovsky led the Lions on three consecutive scoring drives -- two touchdowns and a field goal -- for the victory.
"We wouldn't have been down 16 points if I hadn't committed that turnover," said Orlovsky, who enjoyed the comeback victory nonetheless. "It was fun to be a part of."
With each backup quarterback playing a quarter-and-a-half, the battle to win the No. 2 job is tight. O'Sullivan completed 12 passes in 19 attempts for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Orlovsky was 15-of-23 for 220 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
"It was great, as a team, to come from behind," O'Sullivan said. "My mindset was to really play each play like they're coaching me to play. There are things I didn't do perfectly and a lot of things I can get better at and more comfortable with."
Backup QBs show promise, flaws
Backup QBs show promise, flaws
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