You may be wondering who Tim Boyle is. So were we, so here's a little background on the Detroit Lions (current) starting quarterback.
Timothy Kevin Boyle grew up in Middlefield, Connecticut, and played college (mostly) for UConn. There isn't a lot of internet info on the details of what happened there over three seasons, but it wasn't good. His freshman year saw him throw 8 interceptions and zero touchdowns in five games, also managing an impressive -73 yards on 27 rushing attempts. Almost negative 3 yards a scramble.
The rest of his time at UConn didn't go much better, and he transferred to Eastern Kentucky to play his senior year. He threw 11 touchdowns, but also 13 interceptions, and went undrafted in 2018. The Green Bay Packers signed him as an UDFA later that offseason and he made the 53-man roster as the third string QB.
The Packers didn't extend him an offer after the 2020 season and he signed a one year deal with the Lions, where he was on IR until November 20th. The Lions activated him last week and he made his first career start in the place of injured Jared Goff. He threw for 77 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and a 34.1 QB rating.
Okay, so this isn't just to bag on the guy. He obviously showed enough in Green Bay and Detroit training camps to make the active roster. The Lions haven't done a good job of protecting Goff either, so lack of experience wasn't the only factor involved.
I'm just saying, it's such a Lions thing to do. You mean to tell me, there isn't a practice squad QB in Tampa, or a guy on waivers that has at least played in a college bowl game? A full-time starter at his college maybe? Or even, a guy who has played in an NFL game for more than 5 seconds (Boyle did go 3/4 for 15 yards in his one GB appearance).
I know the Lions are rebuilding, no one wants to play there, but when I asked myself who this guy starting for the Lions was, the answer I found made me shake my head. Of course this is the Lions backup QB. Maybe he bit some kneecaps in training camp and Dan Campbell was like, "that's my guy". Who knows.
Jared Goff is reportedly "feeling better", but with just over 24 hours left til kickoff, it's trending that ol' Tim Boyle is going to get the Thanksgiving Day start against the Andy Dalton-led Chicago Bears.
That sounds like fun. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
(photo courtesy of The Sporting News)
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