Player Search
Player name:


Or choose a letter:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Team:
Position:
Jon Kitna #8 | Quarterback | Detroit Lions
Height: 6-2    Weight: 225    Born: Sep 21, 1972, Tacoma, WA

 Profile  Player Notes  Articles  Game Log  Splits  Player Comparison 
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
Newsbreakers
October 14, 2008
Jon Kitna has been placed on IR, but the club will not cut him, according to the Ann Arbor News. "There's no chance of that happening," GM Martin Mayhew said. "Zero chance."

Our View:Either way, Kitna's season is over. The Lions could bring him back next year, but it is unlikely it would be in a starting role.
October 14, 2008
Jon Kitna has been placed on season-ending IR, according to ESPN. His ailing back is not severe enough to keep him out for the entire season, but he would need more time and rest before he can return, and the club decided to shut him down to free up his roster spot.

Our View:The team held open the option of trading him, but could not find a suitor. Dan Orlovsky will continue to start at quarterback for the Lions.
October 13, 2008
It is possible that the Detroit Lions are shopping quarterback Jon Kitna to a number of teams, according to MLive.com.

Our View:Kitna is currently injured with back problems, so we're not sure how much a club would be willing do deal for a battered quarterback. The Lions are arguably the worst team in the NFL, though, so it is not out of the question.
October 12, 2008
The Lions continue to dodge questions about the long-term health and the short-term future of quarterback Jon Kitna. He underwent an MRI and consulted a spine specialist after injuring his back in Week 5 and did not play in Week 6. Head coach Rod Marinelli tells MLive.com that the organization would huddle on Monday to discuss Kitna's future.

Our View:The Lions probably don't want to wave a white flag so early in the year, but nobody believes they are going anywhere. They might as well let Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton play and try to figure out if they have a long-term answer at quarterback.
October 12, 2008
Lions inactives: QB Drew Henson (3rd), QB Jon Kitna, LB Gilbert Gardner, G Stephen Peterman, DT Damion Cook, DT Andre Fluellen, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Landon Cohen.

Our View:Dan Orlovsky starts in place of Jon Kitna and both Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are active and will start against Minnesota.
October 11, 2008
Quarterback Jon Kitna (back) will not play when the Lions face the Vikings in Week 6, the Detroit News reports. Dan Orlovsky will start in his place, and Drew Stanton will be the backup.

Our View:We already figured the Lions wouldn't be able to run against the Vikings, and now we have to wonder if they'll be able to pass. Fantasy owners might want to downgrade Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams a little bit, if they didn't earlier.
October 10, 2008
Jon Kitna missed Friday's practice while dealing with back spasms, according to the AP.

Our View:Coach Rod Marinelli declined to comment if Kitna would play if deemed healthy Sunday morning. Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton continue to split reps at quarterback.
October 9, 2008
Offensive coordinator Jim Colletto commented that Jon Kitna (back spasms) could be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against division rival Minnesota, according to MLive.com.

Our View:Kitna did not practice today and was seen walking gingerly in street clothes. The Lions are yet to reveal the results of Kitna's MRI he underwent Wednesday. The source states that Dan Orlovsky is expected to get the start at quarterback if Kitna is unable to go.
October 9, 2008
Jon Kitna was reportedly not in pads at the onset of Thursday's practice, according to the Detroit Free Press. He is sporting sweats and riding an exercise back instead while he deals with back spasms.

Our View:As previously reported, either Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton look to start in Week 6 against the Vikings' 24th ranked pass defense.
October 8, 2008
Jon Kitna was unable to practice Wednesday due to back spasms, and the team sent him for an MRI, according to MLive.com.

Our View:He is expected to be questionable for this week's game at Minnesota. Primary backup Dan Orlovsky and No. 3 quarterback Drew Stanton split the reps during today's practice. Orlovsky is still hindered by knee and ankle ailments, but believes he can play Sunday if needed.
October 6, 2008
The Lions have decided to abandon the no-huddle offense, according to MLive.com. Receiver Roy Williams is not pleased with the decision and said, "We reached for something and it didn't work. So we get rid of it because it didn't work. It is what it is. It doesn't matter whether I agree or disagree. A lot of things don't work but we don't throw it out."

Our View:Jon Kitna has struggled to effectively run the Lions' offense this season, with five interceptions and a 72.2 efficiency rating. Perhaps he will benefit from a slower and more carefully etched out offensive plan.
October 5, 2008
Quarterback Jon Kitna was pulled at halftime of the Week 5 loss to the Bears due to back spasms, NFL.com reports. "It started in the first quarter," Kitna explains. "A little back spasm at halftime, it just locked up and really I tried to go back out but I couldn’t really get out."

Our View:Oh, well, in that case, everything is fine with the Lions quarterback situation. Kitna is a Lion with nine lives, and he'll likely keep his job. Once the Lions are 0-10, maybe they'll think about giving Drew Stanton a shot.
October 5, 2008
The Lions benched quarterback Jon Kitna during the second half of the Week 5 game against the Bears. The Lions were down 24-0 at the time. Dan Orlovsky took over.

Our View:The Lions look awful once again. It'll be interesting to see what happens after this game, as it's clearly time to find out what they have with Orlovsky and Drew Stanton.
September 29, 2008
Jon Kitna took snaps in practice Monday and showed no signs of having sprained his right knee against San Francisco, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Lions are fresh off their bye.

Our View:This is encouraging news as the team hosts the division rival Bears this weekend. He threw five touchdown passes over the first three weeks of the season, and had an extra week to prepare for Chicago.
September 22, 2008
Jon Kitna's knee injury is being termed a knee sprain, according to the Associated Press. “That’s all I have right as of this moment,” HC Rod Marinelli said of Kitna. “Knee sprain and they’re going to evaluate as it goes.”

Our View:Kitna hopes to use the bye week to rest in order to return in Week 5 for their matchup with the Bears.
September 21, 2008
NFL.com reports that Jon Kitna sprained his knee. He left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return.

Our View:The Lions have a bye week next Sunday. His status for Week 5 is uncertain but with Detroit's lack of quality backups, they will likely push him to go.
September 21, 2008
Jon Kitna exited the game against San Francisco late in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

Our View:Kitna completed 14-of-29 passes for 138 yards with one touchdown against one interception, prior to leaving the game. He was replaced in the lineup by Dan Orlovsky.
September 14, 2008
Jon Kitna will remain the starter at quarterback for the Detroit Lions despite throwing three crippling interceptions in the team's loss to the Packers, according to Packers.com.

Our View:These words were straight from the mouth of Lions coach Rod Marinelli, but that doesn't mean Kitna is not on a short leash. If (when?) the season starts to get away from Detroit, it would behoove the team to see what they have in Dan Orlovsky and former second-round pick Drew Stanton. If you have Kitna on your fantasy team, be cognizant that this move may take place some time down the road.
September 14, 2008
Jon Kitna was a turnover machine Sunday, getting picked off three times late after his team had come back to take the lead against the Packers. He actually had a decent fantasy day, though, throwing for 276 yards and a couple scores.

Our View:Dan Orlovsky came on to relieve Kitna late. We're predicting that he Jon won't be the team's starter by the end of the year after Detroit is officially eliminated from playoff contention.
September 7, 2008
Quarterback Jon Kitna completed 24-of-33 passes for 262 yards with two touchdowns against one interception in the Lions loss to Atlanta.

Our View:Kitna hasn't received much respect during the offseaason, but he continues to provide stellar fantasy output in the Motor City.
August 18, 2008
Jon Kitna finished with a perfect 158.3 efficiency rating for the second straight week in preseason play, according to MLive.com. He completed 3-of-3 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown (Sunday against the Bengals), which was hauled in for 27 yards by Calvin Johnson. Kitna connected with Johnson on a 40-yard bomb in the game as well.

Our View:Kitna should have a firm grip on the starting job at quarterback, and should serve as a solid fantasy backup.
August 7, 2008
Lions quarterback Jon Kitna played well in his first preseason action of the year, completing six passes in seven attempts and throwing one touchdown in the Lions 13-10 win over the Giants.

Our View:Kitna is firmly entrenched as the Lions starter, and remains a viable backup in fantasy leagues.
July 20, 2008
Jon Kitna could be on a short leash this season, according to MLive.com.

Our View:Mike Martz, who was a top supporter of Kitna, is no longer with the team. The Lions would like to see what Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky can do, and Kitna is nearing the end of his career as he will turn 36 in September. Kitna is a lock to start in Week 1, but is not a safe fantasy option, as he could be pulled at some point during the season in favor of one of the aforementioned young guns.
May 7, 2008
The Detroit Lions are letting local reporters know QB Jon Kitna will see an increased role in the Lions' offensive formations this season, according to the Detroit Free-Press.

Our View:The departure of offensive coordinator Mike Martz and the resulting addition of new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto has the Detroit offense looking for more balance. "There's going to be more responsibility for me, but I welcome that," said Kitna. "I'm kind of a control freak by nature and so it's a good thing. The other thing is, I think it will encourage more dialogue between myself and the receivers and the linemen and what they're seeing, and I can take input form them." Kitna went on to tell reporters the team has started by concentrating on a group of 35 plays in early minicamps, noting approximately half were designed as run plays. Of course, the team will have to adjust with the personnel on hand. The offensive line has been a work in progress and running backs, such as Kevin Jones, have suffered more abuse than one might expect as a result. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but the move to get Martz out of that role certainly should have indicated these changes were likely to come.
May 7, 2008
It was only the second day of the Detroit Lions organized team activities, but it was pretty clear that it's going to be awhile before Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton pushes incumbent starting quarterback Jon Kitna in any kind of competition, according to MLive.com. Per Tom Kowalski, the offense wasn’t “clicking” with either Orlovsky or Stanton running the show.

Our View:There have been some offseason rumors that Stanton might overtake Kitna sometime during the 2008 season, but thus far it looks like Kitna still gives the organization the best chance to win.
May 6, 2008
Jon Kitna is feeling bold, again. The Lions quarterback told the AP on Tuesday that he expects the club to win 10 games in 2008. "Our expectation is we will be disappointed if we don't win 10 games," Kitna says. "Because that will mean we're not in the playoffs and that sucks. I can't make it any simpler than that. Anybody who says that's not their expectation level is not much of a competitor." The passer made a similar prediction in 2007, and the Lions went 7-9.

Our View:Kitna clearly hasn't checked out the Lions defense lately. The offense has some promise if they can develop a running game, but we don't like the looks of the defensive line. Anyway, Kitna should start with trying to throw more touchdowns than picks.
May 6, 2008
Detroit offensive coordinator Jim Colletto has indicated that there will be competition for the starting quarterback job, which Jon Kitna has held the last two years. Colletto will spread the practice time in training camp between Kitna and backups Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton, according to the Detroit News. No matter how the practice time is divided, Kitna, who has started 32 games in the past two seasons, believes he will continue as the starter. "When Dominic Raiola is in the game, I'll be in the game," Kitna said, referring to the starting center. "That's how I know when I'm up. When I see '51' go in, that's when I go."

Our View:Kitna is obviously the frontrunner to win the job, given the fact that Orlovsky and Stanton have attempted 17 NFL passes between them.
April 4, 2008
Rod Marinelli was given a major endorsement from both vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. and GM Matt Millen during this week’s owner meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, according to Pro Football Weekly. Both men enunciated their support for the head coach, despite his record of 10-22 since taking over, and spoke of how much more of an influence Marinelli has had recently over the shaping of the roster. Case in point, Millen had to agree with Marinelli’s assessment that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers never was going to meet his expectations with Detroit, so he was jettisoned out of town. Now only 13 players remain on the roster that Marinelli inherited when he became coach in 2006. Expect his influence to carry a big effect on what the Lions do in the draft in a few weeks.
March 27, 2008
New offensive coordinator Jim Colleto plans to do things much differently than Mike Martz did the past two seasons, including a more balanced offense, with additional running plays and some control for the quarterback at the line of scrimmage, according to the Detroit Free Press. Martz's offense was complex and unbalanced, which caused the team to finish last in rushing in 2006 and 31st last year. Martz did not allow the quarterback to audible, as all the adjustments were built into the plays. The players were supposed to read the defense and react accordingly. However, Colletto is giving the quarterback some control at the line of scrimmage. "For me, it's exciting on the one hand because I know that I'm going to have a little more control, and that's fun because I've been in this league long enough I think that suits me pretty well," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "But on the other hand, that puts more pressure on me, too, because that means I'm going to have to study even more than I did before... and have an input with the game plan." Colleto will also eliminate the seven-step drop favored by Martz, in an effort to reduce the number of quarterback sacks.
February 24, 2008
Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton will get more action in the preseason, but they'll have to outplay Jon Kitna by a wide margin to become the Lions' starting quarterback. "Jon's going to start for us," coach Rod Marinelli said in The Detroit News. "I'm going to say that each and every day. He's got leadership and intelligence, and he's a good quarterback. We've got to make sure we're bringing these guys along, too. We've got to get young quarterbacks behind him." Kitna got off to a great start in '07 but finished very poorly. He'll be looking to rebound, but it won't be in Mike Martz's offense.
January 4, 2008
Jon Kitna expressed his disappointment in the team’s decision to fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was replaced on Thursday by Joe Colletto. “I’m not sure what to expect because I’ve been immersed in coach Martz’s system, so I’m not sure what Colletto’s philosophies are,” Kitna told the Detroit Free Press. Colletto served as the offensive line coach prior to his promotion.

Our View:The Lions plan to keep most of the offense intact, but the belief is that they will run a more balanced attack. Martz has been criticized throughout his career for being too pass happy.

BASEBALL

FOOTBALL

HOCKEY

BASKETBALL

GOLF

RACING

OWNER'S EDGE

About Us | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Customer Service

FUN Sports Network Partners: CDMSports.com | Rototimes.com | TQStats.com | FantasyCup.com

© 2004 - 2008 CDM Fantasy Sports Corp. dba Fanball, A FUN Technologies Company. All Rights Reserved