Orton Named Bears Starting QB

Well, it looks like the competition in Chicago is over folks.

Kyle Orton is set to start the 2008 regular season opener at Indianapolis, bar any injury. This puts an end to weeks of speculation and controversy over who will take the first snap of the season for the Bears.

Orton had a good rookie year in 2005, starting 15 games. Plus,the last three games of the 2007 season, in which he went 2-1 beating the Saints and the Packers, aren't too shabby either. He's completed 233-of-448 passes for more than 2,300 yards and 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His overall quarterback rating stands at 62.2.

Rex Grossman quarterbacked the Bears to the Super Bowl XLI, and was the favorite to beat out Orton to the starting job, but has been often-criticized for turning over the football. He has 30 career starts, with 31 TD passes, 33 interceptions, and an overall rating of 70.9. However, it looked as if Rex had turned the page in his last four starts before getting injured, throwing only one pick and protecting the ball better.

Personally, I would have gone with Rex. Yes, I know about the good-Rex, bad-Rex syndrome, but he is a legit threat in the air and has the ability to make great plays. Orton on the other hand, seems more of a game manager, and with the offense lacking any real firepower, and a defense that we can’t be sure will be healthy throughout the season, it seems the Bears are missing that edge.

I would of really liked the Bears to have taken a good hard look at Byron Leftwich, the former Jaguars QB who recently signed with the Steelers to be a back-up for Big Ben Roethlisberger. Leftwich has a slightly better record than both Bears QBs throwing 52-38 for 9,321 yards and a 79.7 rating.

Chris Simms has also been mentioned, but with the Bucs wanting to keep him for a possible trade, it is unlikely now that the Bears will pursue him.

Caleb Hanie’s name has been tossed up a bit recently, after two good performances, but as an un-drafted free-agent its hard to think that he will play. Another thing is that he was playing against 2nd and 3rd string defenses. But there’s no doubt he does look a good prospect for the future.

If I’m honest, I don’t like the decision to play Orton as the starter. I believe that Rex Grossman gives the team a better chance to win and the players around him react to him well. I just wonder if the same will happen for Orton.