Is the Chicago Bears' QB Competition A Set-Up?

As farfetched as it may sound, the Chicago QB derby Saturday night in Seattle had all the makings of a fixed competition. I know what you're thinking, "The Bears would never do that..."

...Would they?

Consider that "for no rhyme or reason," Kyle Orton was selected to start against the Kansas City Chiefs, a lackluster team in 2007 with a lackluster defense that was one of the worst in pass defense. And consider that Rex was then forced to start against one of the top defenses in the NFC, if not the league, in the Seahawks.

Consider that when Rex started the game in Seattle on Saturday night, all of our "experimental" receivers and rookies, for some reason, started the game. Rookies like Earl Bennett, who dropped two crucial passes for Grossman.

Except for a few routes on Grossman's final drive of the night when Booker was in there, Lloyd, Bradley and many others who are considered to be our locked-in receivers were nowhere in sight...until Kyle Orton came in.

Both of Kyle's big completions on his second drive were to Lloyd.

Consider that Rex Grossman walked off the field after his final drive with a gash to the bridge of his nose, a cut on the back of his head, and a cut and bruised forearm that was wrapped for the rest of the night.

Then consider that Kyle Orton didn't get TOUCHED. While Rex was a shotgun native from Florida, Turner kept him directly under center most of the night, giving Grossman less time and allowing him to get sacked and hurried more often.

Eight of Orton's nine passes, however, came from the shotgun and no-huddle offense, which Rex dominated in last season against the Giants, on two series where Orton literally had some of the best protection of the night.

Grossman used the shotgun once and wasn't seen in the no-huddle at all.

Does this all seem a bit odd to you? Is it just me, or does it seem like this competition was set up as a lose/lose situation for Rex. They give him the second team against the Chiefs, and then start all rookie or experimental receivers when he gets the nod for Seattle.

They also put him directly under center, yet they gave Orton the shotgun and no huddle, which anyone will tell you, is always harder for a defense to keep up with.

Was Grossman set up? It's hard to think that, but something about the way the line was collapsing left and right and then suddenly tightened up when Orton came in just doesn't sit right with me.