Josh McCown Named As Backup Quarterback

Throughout the preseason, one of the most intriguing position battles was that of who would be the backup quarterback to veteran Jon Kitna.  Way back in the offseason many had thought that the position battle would be for the starting job between Kitna and fellow free agent pickup Josh McCown.  Early on, Kitna was named the starting QB, so McCown would have to focus his intentions on getting into the backup role.

It was pretty up in the air for most of the preseason between McCown and Dan Orlovsky as both had played well when they saw the field.  Some thought McCown would be a better second stringer since he has had more in-game experience, while others had the opinion that Orlovsky's mechanics were more polished.

As the first game of the Lions' season stands just five days away, offensive coordinator Mike Martz has announced that Josh McCown will be the backup quarterback.  

Martz was very hard on McCown by the fact that he made him work for everything he got.  The playing time, the stats, and now the backup job didn't come easy.  When first coming to Detroit, McCown had struggled greatly with the complex offense that Mike Martz had to offer, and that led to the belief that Dan Orlovsky would be the backup by the season's start.  But, McCown never gave up, and kept working at it, and now it has all paid off.

That just shows you how big of an impact a person like Mike Martz can make on a player.  With the way he coaches and teaches all of his players, they not only become better on the field physically, but also mentally.  I think it's a good fit for McCown to be in the backup role behind a veteran like Jon Kitna.  It's also nice to know that if something happens where McCown is needed, that there isn't a colossal drop off from first to second string.