Kitna eyeing starting QB spot

By Krupka  |   Monday, May 29, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Detroit Lions
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A veteran of nine seasons, 108 touchdowns and 104 interceptions, he's been a backup and a starter, a pupil and a student. He's won an MVP and World Bowl in Europe, and now quarterback Jon Kitna is once again ready to assume a starting role in the NFL. This time with the Detroit Lions.

A former undrafted free agent that signed on with the Seattle Seahawks in 1996, Kitna saw limited time his first few years with the team. Then in 1999, he started 15 games for the team, leading the Seahawks to a 9-7 record and AFC West Division title.

At the conclusion of the 2000 season, he signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. Along with head coach Marvin Lewis and wide receiver Chad Johnson, he helped pull the once-hapless franchise back to relevance. It wasn't just his play on the field, but his presence as a teacher that revived the Bengals; his willingness to help former Heisman Trophy winner and 2003 No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer helped vastly improve the organization. Kitna has been praised for his ability to help Palmer mature in the NFL.

In Kitna's last season as a starter he performed very well, completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 3,591 yards, 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He played every down, and was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. He has the ability to top these numbers with an offensive genius like Mike Martz guiding him, and the pass-catching weapons the Detroit Lions currently possess.

Thus far, albeit very early in the summer, the word out of Detroit is that Kitna is staking his claim to the starting spot. Kitna has been more decisive than his competition, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown. His passes have been more accurate, and it looks as though head coach Rod Marinelli is content to forge ahead with the wily veteran manning the position.

Once again, Kitna has come full-circle. A big year from him would help spark a turnaround in The Motor City, much like the pitching staff has done for the city's seemingly unstoppable baseball team, the Detroit Tigers.

Get more Jon Kitna insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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