Kitna Notes for 2006 season opener

This will be the third time in QB Jon Kitna’s career that he’ll enter the
season as the starter for a team with a new coaching staff. In 1999, he
started 15 games for Seattle in their fi rst year under Head Coach Mike
Holmgren and set a career-high with 23 touchdown passes while leading
the Seahawks to an AFC West title. In 2003, Cincinnati’s fi rst season
under Marvin Lewis, Kitna established a career-high with 26 touchdown
passes and led the Bengals to an 8-8 record, their fi rst non-losing season
since 1996 (8-8).
Detroit’s opener against the Seahawks will mark the second time Kitna
has faced his former team as a starter. As the Bengals starting quarterback
in 2003 he led Cincinnati to a 27-24 come-from-behind victory
with 226 yards passing and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard touchdown
pass to WR Chad Johnson in the fourth quarter.
Kitna had an effective performance in his preseason debut as the Lions
new starting quarterback. On his fi rst and only series against the Broncos
(8/11), he helped Detroit convert 2-of-3 third downs with a 19-yard
completion to WR Roy Williams on third-and-9 and a 10-yard scramble
on third-and-8. The opening drive culminated in a 36-yard K Jason
Hanson fi eld goal.
At Cleveland (8/18), Kitna and WR Roy Williams hooked up for a
45-yard completion in the second quarter. Earlier in the game he threw
his fi rst touchdown pass in a Lions uniform, a 4-yard completion to WR
Kevin Jones.
BIG BOY, ROY
WR Roy Williams will be looking to lead the team in receiving yards and
touchdowns for the third consecutive season. Through two seasons in Detroit,
he has 99 receptions and has more touchdown receptions (16) in his fi rst two
seasons than any other reciever in franchise history.
WR Roy Williams caught 16 touchdown passes in his fi rst two seasons
(2004-05), supassing Cloyce Box (15, 1949-50) for the most touchdown
catches by a Lions receiver in their fi rst two seasons. It’s also the most
touchdown receptions by a Lion in a two-year span since Herman Moore
recorded 17 over the 1996-97 seasons.
Williams, who played only three offensive plays (at Minnesota 11/6/05)
after injuring his quadriceps in Week 5 vs. Baltimore (10/9/05), caught
three touchdowns (7, 21 and 29 yards) vs. Arizona (11/13/05). He
grabbed 7 receptions for 117 yards (16.7 avg), both season highs.
Williams’ three touchdown receptions marked his fi rst career game with
three touchdowns. The last time a Lions receiver had three touchdown
receptions in one game was Herman Moore vs. Green Bay (10/29/95) at
the Silverdome. He was one of only seven NFL players to collect three
touchdown catches in a game during the 2005 season.
Williams had two receptions for 24 yards in the fi rst quarter vs. Baltimore
(10/9) before leaving the game with a leg injury. Both were key
receptions on the Lions’ fi rst two touchdown drives.
Williams pulled in a career-long 51-yard touchdown pass in the fi rst
quarter at Chicago (9/18).
GOTTA LOVE JONES
RB Kevin Jones enters his third season with the Lions after persevering
through numerous injuries to play in 13 games in 2005. He led the team with
664 yards and with fi ve touchdowns, matched his total from his rookie season
(2004). Each of his touchdowns were scored against some of the NFL’s elite
defenses.
RB Kevin Jones had a productive day at Pittsburgh (1/1/06) against one
of the NFL’s best defenses. He fi nished with 78 yards on 18 carries (4.3
avg).
Against the Green Bay Packers (12/11/05), Jones rushed for 63 yards on
9 attempts (7.0 average) including a 40-yard carry that set up a fi eld goal
on the Lions’ opening series.
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