It's been quite a year for Kyle Orton. Not only was he the key piece in the Chicago Bears acquisition of Jay Cutler last April, but Orton also surprised many by having a pretty productive season-at least for Orton Standards (62% Completion Percentage, 3,802 yards, 21 TD's, 12 INT's, 86.8 QB Rating). Kyle was "rewarded" by the Broncos for his production, by watching his team trade for former Cleveland Browns number one draft pick Brady Quinn. Officially, Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels hasn't said anything regarding who will be the starting QB next year, but it's pretty obvious he's not all that thrilled with Orton, despite Josh's earlier praise for him. McDaniels is apparently so dissatisfied, that he's blatantly opening the door to a huge QB Controversy/Hornets Nest, which always ends with the same equation of, "Two QB's = No QB's". So what's wrong with Orton? After all, certain former teammates consider him a "winner" despite Orton never...repeat NEEEEVER, starting a playoff game in his entire career. That zero playoff start streak continued this past season, when after starting with a 6-2 record, Orton led the Broncos to a nosedive 2-6 record to once again end any chance of a playoff spot for Denver.
On the surface, that was enough for McDaniels to bench Brandon Marshall during the last game of the season, fire defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, and now decide to have a good old fashioned QB Controversy going into training camp. Is there a chance that McDaniels is just a lunatic? Certainly. He's been no stranger to looking like a complete moron on more than one occasion. Still, I don't think Orton exactly did anything last season to quell McDaniels' insanity. To further illustrate my point, just answer this question:
How good could Orton have been, if McDaniels thinks underachieving at best, lost at worst, Brady Quinn looks like a better option?
I was 2 feet away from him when that pic was taken at the bar in iowa city that night. i think it was "dollar u call it" but i cant remember.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I chose this pic for you buddy! I still vaguely remember you texting me this night that you were watching Orton tie one on, during the Thursday night of the Bears bye week in 05. Still seemed like a dream...
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