The Case for Kyle Orton Under Center in Denver

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Orton is a system QB.

Coming out of Purdue, Kyle Orton played in a system much like the one McDaniels will use him in.

Orton completed 60 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only five INTs in his year at Purdue. I know it's college, but this isn't the type of system the Bears used to help enhance Orton's abilities.

We watched Pennington have his career year with the Dolphins last year. Sometimes a change of scenery can elevate a QB.

McDaniels helps to mold QB's.

We've watched Tom Brady develop into three-time Super Bowl champion, QB for ESPN's All-Decade team, and, well, we could go on and on.

Matt Cassel was in Brady's shadow, coached and molded by McDaniels and watching Brady. Brady went down and Cassel comes into the spotlight and has a tremendous year. He got better and better every game.

I'm not saying McDaniels made both these guys what they were, but he obviously helped make them better.

Let us remember Brady was a sixth round pick and Cassel was a seventh round pick.
McDaniels watched film on all the QBs from the teams that offered trades for Cutler. He picked Orton from the pile.

I'm not saying the list was loaded with Pro Bowl quarterbacks. I just think McDaniels seen something maybe we can't. He is an NFL coach.

I can easily see him improving Orton.

Talent and time.

The two big differences for Orton in Denver is more time to throw and more talent surrounding him.

In Orton's two years as the Bears starter, he was sacked 27 times and 30 times. Denver gave up only 12 sacks last year.

Clady, who only gave up a half sack, will be protecting Orton's backside.

With or without Brandon Marshall, Denver has better talent all around. Eddie Royal is better than any Chicago receiver and was a rookie last year.

Here is a quick list of weapons for Denver:

Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham, Knowshon Moreno, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Peyton Hillis, and rookie Kenny McKinley.

A small note about McKinley is that Steve Spurrier said he was the best receiver he ever coached. That should account for something.

Orton can only get better.

Orton has a 21-12 record as a starting QB and that isn't bad at all. He is still young. Orton and Cutler are separated by less than a year in age.

Up until this year, Orton has only had mediocre years, but has never been labeled as a bad QB. When he left Chicago in the trade, Urlacher said he was someone the team trusted and could gather around. That is a very important attribute for the QB position.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Orton can do.

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