The Case for Kyle Orton
By Staff
Third string.
Kyle Orton is the Chicago Bears third string quarterback.
Behind Rex Grossman. And even behind Brian Griese.
Am I the only guy who remembers the 2005 season when Orton set Bears rookie records for games started, wins, pass attempts, completions, yards and tied for TDs. While at the same time leading Chicago to an 8-game win streak, the 2nd-most wins by a rookie QB since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 (Ben Roethlisberger, 13 in 2004). With 10 wins, he set an NFL record for victories by a rookie QB drafted in the fourth round or lower since the draft institution in 1967.
While Orton’s career QB rating is a paltry 59.7, after only 15 games he hasn’t played a single regular season down since 2005 when he was 22 years old. And they yanked him at he end of the season in favor of Rex Grossman. What is this fascination that the Bears have with Rex Grossman? I do not understand it. Just because he was an early draft pick & a possible Heisman candidate 5 years ago? We all know how the ’05 season ended with Rex at the helm. That is after the playoff bye week that Orton & the defense earned.
I recently heard from someone who had talked to several Bears players shortly after that ’05 season. The players absolutely loved Kyle Orton. They said that if it were not for the coaches trying to control his performances, if they would let him air it out every now and then, we as fans would see what he was truly made of. Kyle Orton is a leader. Try watching a post-game press conference with Rex Grossman. He looks like a high-school freshman who got bumped up to the varsity team, and is now having trouble explaining why he deserves to be there.
To Rex Grossman: This Sunday night against Dallas, occasionally throw the ball away. And when I say away, I don’t mean to the other team. Not every play is going to be a touchdown. When the play calls for a quick drop pass to the flat, don’t stare at the receiver the whole time & wait for him to turn around. Have confidence in the routes. Also, concentrate on your peripheral vision. Sometimes there are defenders there.
And most of all Rex…
Don’t blow it.