ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- As Dan Orlovsky helps Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford prepare for opponents every week while also keeping himself ready, he has also taken a few hours each week to work on himself.
More specifically, his future.
Orlovsky, who went to NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp earlier this year, has been doing a segment for the University of Connecticut's football pregame show as a guest analyst.
"Every Friday at some point I do an audio taping for what is played for the pregame show of their Saturday games for their home games," Orlovsky said. "My prep, I've been fortunate they've been on television five weeks this year so I've been able to see the games. I try to get in some capacity a somewhat recent tape of their opponent.
"So I try to understand what UConn is doing, what their opponent is doing."
When the Huskies are on television, he'll watch them live for research. When they aren't, usually he has tape of their games by Sunday or Monday morning so by the time his responsibilities for the Lions begin the next week, he's already finished anything he's needed to do for his Connecticut side gig.
He also does supplemental research using everyone's friend Google to learn about the Huskies' opponents that Saturday, but most of the questions he is asked he would be able to answer with minimal opposing knowledge and just using his own experience as a quarterback at Connecticut and in the NFL.
He'll usually be asked to explain what the Huskies might do against a specific coverage or a heavy blitz team, for instance, as a way to explain to fans what they might see each Saturday based on his own experience.
In many ways, though, this is the first step toward a post-football career in television or radio analysis. He isn't the only Lions player to do this recently, as former receiver Nate Burleson showed up at the Lions' facility Thursday for an interview with Calvin Johnson for his new gig as a NFL Network analyst.
"It's fun. I really enjoy it," Orlovsky said. "Something that I can do that's not going to consume time during the season for me, keeps me tied back to my school a little bit and opens the first door, puts my foot in the first door of something that hopefully will be something I will do when my playing days are done."
And now, a look around the Interwebs in search of Lions news:
The Lions are looking to use more two-back sets. London is another opportunity for Detroit. Prior experience there could help the Lions next season. All three tight ends return to practice. Tight end production could increase for Detroit in the second half. Previewing the Dolphins-Lions game.
Ten(ish) Questions with defensive lineman Darryl Tapp.
Take the time to read this from colleague/friend/Pulitzer Prize winner Eli Saslow on the motivation of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. It is worth your time.
The Lions have confidence they can find ways to win, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
A fan named Reverend Roar delivers news to Lions fans, writes Terry Foster in the Detroit News.
Detroit hopes its recent pass-rush success will continue against the Dolphins, writes Justin Rogers in MLive.
Planning on making the trip to London next season? By the time the Lions get there, London will have an all-cereal cafe and it sounds amazing.