Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback and current ESPN pundit, has recently expressed some intriguing opinions about the Dallas Cowboys.
In the majority of them, Orlovsky has been labeled a “Cowboys Hater” by Cowboys Nation.
Is it really that easy, though? Orlovsky might be provoking anger by using classic rage-baiting techniques. Is he really a worse talking head than he was when he was an NFL quarterback?
The sad thing is, that’s actually a low bar to clear.
A Journeyman Backu
Orlovsky started his 12-year playing career in 2005 and played for four seasons with the Lions.
He lived in Houston for two years, Indianapolis for one season, Tampa Bay for two seasons, then Detroit for three years again before returning. He worked primarily as a journeyman backup.
With a 2–10 record, Orlovsky participated in just 26 games, starting in 12. This was how he spent game days in five of his twelve seasons.
He started seven games for the Lions in 2008, the team’s miserable 0-16 season. He completed with 1,616 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
In his five games with the Colts, he performed marginally better, finishing 1-3 as their starter.
Orlovsky won’t be on anyone’s list of the top 300 quarterbacks, though, overall. As a player, he’s really more renowned for inadvertently rushing out of the endzone during a play. He was somehow even bad in his role as a talking head on television.
Say What, Danny?
Back in 2019, Orlovsky made an assertion that Jake Fromm of Georgia was the next Patrick Mahomes, which was regarded as one of his hottest takes.
As an NFL quarterback, Mahomes has won three rings. In three games with the Giants in 2021, Fromm finished with a record of 0–2.
Fromm has not played in the NFL since.
Orlovsky had an obvious bias toward Carson Wentz.
You probably already know that I’m a North Dakota State fan. And in 2016, I thought the Cowboys would pass on Wentz and choose him instead.
But by 2020, even I realized Wentz would never be the same quarterback after suffering a leg injury.
Orlovsky never got that memo.
He can break down a film, even if his takes are usually terrible. That should be possible for any quarterback who makes it to the NFL.
His inability to stick to game films is the issue. And he really ought to, at the very least, instead of bringing up the Cowboys.
When it comes to his opinions about Dallas, you have to question whether he’s genuinely that much of a hater or whether he’s just trolling for attention (readers’ ratings).
The Hottest Of Take
Orlovsky has since moved on from Wentz and has jumped on the bandwagon of Matthew Stafford. At least he’s backing a Super Bowl champion now.
Recently, Orlovsky ranked his top five NFC quarterbacks.
He listed Stafford at the top. The remaining four were: Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, and Jared Goff.
Nowhere do you see the name Dak Prescott.
Orlovsky got called on it but didn’t back down.
Yes, regular readers are aware that I’ve also been critical of Prescott. On this list, though, Prescott ought to have come in second as a quarterback during the regular season.
Had this been a rating of the top quarterbacks in the playoffs, Orlovsky would have had more support. Throughout the offseason, Orlovsky has also been riding the Cowboys front office.
He has also referred to them as the NFL’s least expensive team. The front office crew would “rather be relevant than remembered,” he added.
It is hardly unexpected that the Cowboys fan base has not taken kindly to these remarks.
Does that make him a “hater”?
Or, is he just stirring the pot – filled with low-hanging fruit — to get viewers to watch him on ESPN, or clicking on his social media?
It Isn’t Always Hate
People love to confuse criticism with hate. Especially when the criticism is justified.
Boy, can I attest to that.
Some of Orlovsky’s points are valid. Other points he’s made seem silly.
It doesn’t make him a hater. It makes him opinionated.
Which is what he’s paid to do.
Share your thoughts or observations about issues related to the NFL. He must be doing something well because people are talking about what he says. Something about his NFL playing days one could not say.
So no, he’s not a hater.
He does, however, seem like a potential Hall of Fame baiter. particularly when it comes to subjects involving the Cowboys.
