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Posted Wed Jul 15th by Monty
Kyle Orton in 2008 (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
We’re continuing Kyle Orton Week with a three-part series: Kyle Orton: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Here’s part one.
Shortly after Jay Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears, Peter King of SI.com reported that QB Kyle Orton was the crucial piece to the trade puzzle the other potential suitors were missing.
The key to the trade was Kyle Orton…. (Head Coach Josh McDaniels), who watched every offensive snap of more than 10 Bears games with Orton playing, got more and more impressed with Orton’s arm, his decision-making and his ability to extend plays when the pocket broke down. You can think and I can think it’s crazy he didn’t like (Redskins QB Jason Campbell) — who got Washington off to a 6-2 start last year — more than he liked Orton, but it’s the unvarnished truth. McDaniels thinks he can win with Orton.
Interesting. Either McDaniels is crazy (and depending on who you ask, he is), or there really is something there. So let’s give KO the benefit of the doubt for the purposes of this article. What did McDaniels see in Orton to sway him towards the Neckbeard? Let’s look at some highlights.
Arm strength: While he won’t make anyone forget Jay Cutler, you can see his arm gives the ball enough distance and velocity to make any pro QB throw. The clips at :30, :50, and :56 stand out when analyzing Orton’s arm strength, and you can see he isn’t lacking in that department.
Protection: Also note that, in the vast majority of these plays, Orton is given fantastic protection by his offensive line. That wasn’t always the case while he was with Chicago, but it’s encouraging to see that he can make some highlight-reel throws when given enough time in the pocket. The entire Broncos offensive line played at a Pro Bowl level last year and will give Orton the time he needs.
Speed: Both in footwork and decision-making. Orton shows he is capable of stepping back swiftly and using good footwork (although a few of those throws show a bit of sloppiness in that area). More importantly, Orton is able to see an open man and make a decision. Take another look at the :50 mark. Given plenty of time, Orton is able to step back (it looks like a seven-step drop, but hard to tell based on the editing), eye a receiver, eye another, then return to his first man, now open at the back of the end zone, and deliver the football swiftly and accurately. What’s more: this all takes place in less than five seconds.
Now let’s take a look at some scouting reports. From Pro Football Weekly in 2008 (via FootabllsFuture.com):
Positives: Good size and field vision. Has shown improved touch and decision-making and will get rid of the ball instead of taking coverage sacks. Can zip the ball with velocity, make back-shoulder throws and shows good overall accuracy when his feet are set and he steps into his throws. Appeared in rhythm early in the year with a healthy group of receivers. Solid work ethic. Will play through pain.
What about Orton beyond the role of Game Manager? Is there enough there to rely on him to carry the team if needed? Potentially – particularly if you consider that he’s being dubbed a fantasy football sleeper an indication that he can tally the stats with the best of ’em. From the National Football Post:
If you go into your fantasy draft this August without Orton’s name in the back of your mind, you’re better off turning in your entry fee and getting ready for fantasy basketball. There was a five-game stretch in 2008 in which Orton was one of the NFL’s top fantasy quarterbacks, throwing for 1,370 yards and 10 touchdowns with just four interceptions…. Grab Orton as your QB2 with the intention of starting him at some point this year. He’s going to put up some numbers.
This is particularly true when you consider the offensive talent the Broncos boast compared to what Orton has to put up with in Chicago. If Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal are both considered fantasy studs, shouldn’t the guy throwing them the ball get some consideration as well?
Finally, what do his teammates and coaches have to say? Here’s high praise from Bears tight end Greg Olson:
“We feel that he’s turned into one of the top guys in the league. Besides the physical tools and being able to make all the throws, he’s a guy with total command of the game plan and the offense. He gets us in and out of good plays.”
Here’s a nugget from Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner:
“It’s his fourth year in the system. He’s got a real good feel for it mentally, and physically he’s playing the best football that I’ve seen him play. He’s playing really well, with a lot of confidence.”
Of course, these quotes come near the end of Orton’s seven-game hot streak he enjoyed to start last year.
Does this tell the whole story? Of course not. There’s a reason the Broncos received Orton and two first-round draft picks for Cutler. At least we can see why McDaniels wanted Orton among all the available quarterbacks at the time of the trade. The point of this edition of this Good, Bad and Ugly series is simply to point out that Orton is capable of being a good quarterback in the NFL, and has shown that at different points in his career. What’s more, there’s potential for some of the most exciting highlight-reel plays of his career as he takes control of an offense much more loaded with weapons than that in Chicago (speaking of highlights, you can view more here and here). Stay tuned for the other side, where we take a look at the Bad, and the Ugly (yes, there is Ugly)…
Published on 07/15/2009 at Wed Jul 15 14:55.
Tagged: Chicago Bears,Denver Broncos,fantasy football,Jay Cutler,Kyle Orton,Quarterback,Top Stories.