I think Sunday night it finally started to sink in with Bears fans that Kyle Orton isn't the second coming of the messiah in Chicago.
On an international stage, with first place on the line, Orton single-handedly gave first place in the NFC North away... literally... three separate times on three consecutive drives.
Yes, you read that correctly. Kyle Orton actually managed to create a series of turnovers that not even Rex Grossman has had in his career. In fact, Orton is the only Chicago Bears quarterback in franchise history, and only one of 3 others in the entire history of the league to throw three interceptions in only seven pass attempts.
A span of seven passes, and three of them were picked off - and only 2 completions just to salt the wound.
And this is not the stingy Green Bay Packers secondary we're talking about here - this the bottom 10, 26th ranked secondary of the Minnesota Vikings—statistically one of the worst pass defense teams in the league—EVER. Coming accross good pass defense in Viking country is like coming across good quarterbacks in Chicago—it just doesn't happen. And Kyle Orton went out of his way to prove that Sunday night.
Somehow, though Forte had over 120+ all-purpose yards, some of the best numbers for a RB this season against the Vikes, Orton managed to fall all over himself the entire night. He started 1 of 5, and then 3 of 12... and it just got worse. Orton was throwing behind receivers, into double coverage, and just making poor throws period.
Yet somehow, the Bears were still there in the third quarter, only down by three.
And that is when all hell broke loose.
On the next three drives, in only seven pass attempts, Orton threw three interceptions. And not the kind where the corner or DB makes a hell of a move to get it, Orton literally threw it right into the arms of the defenders and set the Vikings up inside the Bears 40 three straight times and gave Minnesota 17 unanswered points out of it.
The Bears defense didn't help, but then again, when is the last time they really did against a quality opponent? This is no different than the last time the Bears faced the Vikes, in which it was an offensive shoot out and Orton and the Bears simply got lucky enough to have the ball last and score.
But the Bears defense is far from the scapegoat. Keep in mind, the Bears had their hands full with the best RB in the league, and except for a few numbingly idiotic plays, managed to shut Peterson down for most of the night. There's no excuse for the 99 yard pass from Frerotte to Berrian, especially when Tillman spent the last couple years lining up against him in practice.
But nope, sorry Orton fans, your neckbearded savior lost this one, and lost it bad. And while your eyes may have only opened tonight, the reality is, Orton hasn't performed all that well this season.
Kyle Orton currently sits with just over 2,000 passing yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTS and an 83.8 rating.
Well, first off, I have to say, those stats in themselves don't get me all that excited or thinking that Orton is the answer for the Bears, but let's dissect this so you can see where I'm coming from.
Orton's best games have come against Detroit, Minnesota (from the first game), and St. Louis. Those teams combined together have the worst, and I mean worst of the worst, pass defense in football, giving up nearly 300 yds passing and 3 TDs per game.
My point? It's not hard to pass on them.
Here are Orton's numbers against those teams:
PASSING YARDS - 725 TOUCHDOWNS - 5 RATING - 105.9
Those numbers don't look to shabby, eh? But consider that every QB in the league has put up similar if not better numbers against Detroit. For comparison's sake, let's take a look at Rex Grossman's numbers against those same teams (DET, STL, MIN) from what are considered his best games against them in 2006:
Rex Grossman:
PASSING YARDS - 1,164 TOUCHDOWNS - 8 RATING - 102.8
I compared Orton's numbers with Rex since he is considered, by some, the worst QB we've ever had (you don't know an ounce of Bears history if you really think that) simply to show you that even a "bad" QB can pass on those teams.
But let's take those performances against those teams away from Orton and what are his numbers?
Kyle Orton (Excluding DET, MIN, STL)
PASSING YDS - 1,338 TOUCHDOWNS - 8 RATING - 72.2
WOW—should Orton be writing the Lions, Rams and Vikes (the first time around) a thankyou note or WHAT!? That would rank Orton (who is currently 19th in the league) below JT O'Sullivan who is ranked 28th in the league.
My point? Take away the games where it's a cakewalk and Orton has failed. Without those victories he has a losing record of 2-4 (and that's excluding last night's loss which would make him 2-5!) I mean, please, somebody show me the knockout punches that Orton's been throwing at teams?
And even against St. Louis, possibly the worst of the worst, the offense scored quick and then faltered, scoring only three points against a bottom five defense in the second half.
This is the same QB we were arguing about how many millions we should lock him up for and for how many years to extend his contract. Are you kidding me!?!?
Kyle Orton doesn't deserve to wear that damn captain patch on his jersey when he single-handedly gives away first place, and on top of it, has never done a damn thing to earn it in the first place!
Orton has been given everything all season. He didn't win the starting job, he was given the starting job, and we all know it. He "won" the job in not even a half's worth of play and without completing a pass longer than 17 yards let alone a TD. He was given the benefits of the doubt Rex never got (poor defensive play, poor protection, poor receiving corps.), the title of captain, an amazing rookie running back and has STILL manged to foul it all up!
And the media is telling us that we're better off with Orton than McNabb!?
That's rich, it really is.
Orton was praised for not making mistakes. That was his strength. Well, now he's making them, and it doesn't look to good, does it Chicago?
In his last three games, Orton has averaged a 62 QB rating and has three TDs and three INTs. If he continues to spiral downward, I wonder how fast everyone will be shoving that money in his face then...?
My, how quickly things change.
39 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Muratore 7 months ago
Would you take Derick Anderson for a third round pick? Please?
Orton is a servicable QB who may make for a decent player... but he probably needs a little more time... and some receiver help! When you turn your punt/kick returner into your #1 receiver, you're in trouble.
The Bears are just a little offensively challenged. Try placing some legitimate weapons around your QB before crucifying him.
Like the Browns did...
Oh... wait...
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James Williamson 7 months ago
Uh, hello? He led the Bears to a fourth quarter drive against the Falcons to get ahead and the defense failed and he beat the Vikes last time. I saw the last game. Devin Hester was pathetic except for that one catch. Chicago should not have let Bernard Berrian or Mushin Muhammed go.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
You're joking right? Did you see the Atlanta game? The Bears offense managed just 3 points through 3 quarters of play despite THREE turnovers the defense caused. The offense didn't capitalize on anything and only looked good for the last drive of the day.
If Orton and co. had capitalized on at least TWO turnovers, the game wouldn't have come down to that last field goal.
Did you think about that?
And even after Berrian's 99 yd TD, the reality is, the game was only a 3 point game. It was the 3 consecutive TDs off which the Vikes scored 17 points that put the game out of reach. I'm sorry, but if you Orton lovers and Rex bashers can pin the Tennessee loss on Rex when he put up 2 TDs and only 1 INT, and that was playing against a top 5 defense, I don't see how you don't pin this loss on Kyle for turning it over 3 consecutive times in 7 attempts when the Bears are only down by three. In a span of 5 minutes, Orton became everything we benched Rex for, and you guys are surprisingly ok with it... I don't get it.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
Sorry that was supposed to be 3 consecutive INTs not TDs
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James Williamson 7 months ago
Dude, you are like a Philadelphia fan. If your quarterback does well, you shut up, and if he does bad, you whine.
I take it you agree that Hester was pathetic.
And maybe if the Bears could have capitalized on those three runs on the goal line then we wouldn't be having this discussion about the 99 yard td pass.
Why don't you take your fondness of Grossman, put it aside, and take a good look at the two without prejudice, and then you would see how come Orton is the starter.
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Andrew Mason 7 months ago
This is Ortons first full season as starter you have to cut some slack. Also last I checked those WRs arent exactly good especially as Mike said that Devin Hester is their number 1 WR and who else do they have?
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T.W. Krems 7 months ago
he started 15 games as a rookie in '05.
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Andrew Mason 7 months ago
really? hmm well let me rephrase that his first season starting since 05 with a completely new set of RBs and Wrs who besides Forte are considerably worse.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
Hey Andrew, you do realize that '06 was Rex's first full season as a starter and he got crucified right? I mean he went to the Superbowl, got chewed up and spit out by fans like you along the way, and then got benched three games into the next season.
And you think we're being hard on Orton?????
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James Reed 7 months ago
I respect your opinion...but it's yours! I believe most of us die hard chicago fans still believe in Kyle. He threw 205 passes without an interception, yes he then threw three, but every player has a bad game once in a while...too bad it was during this situation. Kyle will rebound and we'll re-take the North...if your a true Bear fan...you have to believe that. Go Bears!
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
James just summed up what I was going to say. Kyle Orton has surpassed all my expectations this year. I thought the Bears would be a bust. They're 6-6. One of those losses, Kyle didn't start, so they're 6-5 when Kyle plays. Let's break down the season.
Week 1- Indy: Win
Week 2- Carolina: Loss, Chicago was up by TWO touchdowns in the third quarter, defense broke down.
Week 3- Tampa Bay: Loss, going into the fourth quarter, the Bears were up by two possessions. Tampa tied it up, and Brian Griese (the former Bear) hooked up with Bryant to set up the game winning field goal
Week 4- Philly: Win
Week 5- Detroit: Win
Week 6- Atlanta: Loss, Kyle Orton fueled a Chicago comeback and took the lead 20-19 with 11 seconds remaining. A 26 yard pass and a 48 yard field goal spoiled Kyle's comeback.
Week 7- Minnesota: Win
Week 8- Bye
Week 9- Detroit: Win
Week 10- Tennessee: Loss (Rex Grossman started because of an injury sustained by Kyle Orton in week 9)
Week 11- Green Bay: Loss, embarrassing run defense and an offense that couldn't get anything started sealed the deal. Orton also still looked like he wasn't 100%
Week 12- St. Louis: Win
Week 13- Minnesota: We know what happened there...
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
In my opinion, had it been a team effort, and everyone play as hard as Kyle has been with less than average WR's, the Bears would be 10-1 when Orton was starting.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
So you're telling me it's the receivers' fault that Orton threw 3 consecutive picks right into the arms of Minnesota corners and DBs?
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Andy Miller 7 months ago
No, but you're trying to tell me that after one game where Orton was terrible, that that just erases the longest streak of attempts without an interception in team history?
I'm sorry, but that doesn't make much sense to me.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
That record is meaningless in the long run. Does it give us a Superbowl? Are we dominating thanks to it? Are we in the playoffs?
Who care about some stupid record. Go tell Brett Favre that not throwing INTs is what makes you a good QB. In fact, go tell any QB that and see what they say.
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Cody Swartz 7 months ago
I think people were definitely going way too crazy with this Kyle Orton bandwagon...
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Alan Carter 7 months ago
How about how the defense continues to fail. I didn't see Orton covering Berrian or tackling Peterson. He should have though.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
I didn't see the defense throw three picks to give the Vikings the ball inside the 40 on 3 consecutive drives and cost us 17 points, either.
But I agree with you, the defense faltered as well. But Orton's three turnovers are what killed the game for us. Like I said, it was only a three point game at that point. The defense had kept us in it up to that point, and the offense had done nothing after the first Hester TD. Orton's three TDs were simply the icing on the cake to a bad offensive day.
And I don't only blame Orton. A lot of my articles mock the fans that blamed Rex Grossman for each and every little thing.
It's funny to see them actually try to defend a QB after they pinned absolutely everything on Rex. The defense was bad because they were too tired from Rex being bad and not getting them off the field, blah blah blah. But now that Orton's in, it's everything BUT him. I'm just trying to show fans how stupid they were for completely blaming Rex.
Obviously it's not all Orton's fault. But that's not the point. It's never always been the QB - but when Rex was in it was. I'm just trying to show how dumb it was to think that. Obviously, a lot of people agree with me.
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Alan Carter 7 months ago
at least Matt Forte is really good.
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waldo 7 months ago
lets start Rex and see what he does if Orton continues to fall or miss the playoff, see if the Bears can sign him for just one more year, Kyle vs Rex II: coming 2009 training camp.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
That would indeed be interesting, but I really think Rex is done here. He'll be elsewhere in 2009. I have a feeling he's had enough of Chicago.
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S M Napier 7 months ago
So Jimmy who will the Bears draft at QB, to take over from these to Bozo's they have now?
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
I'm not so sure the answer's in the draft as it may be in free agency.
If Matt Cassell continues to succeed, the Pats can't continue to pay him like a no-name backup. And he's a free agent this after this season. Cassell may choose to take his sudden stardom elsewhere, and I wouldn't mind giving him a try in Chicago. He's performed better than Orton this season by far and hadn't started a game since high school before taking over, so he's caught on pretty quick - and in the AFC too.
And of course, Mr. McNabb is always welcome.
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S M Napier 7 months ago
I doubt McNabb will be going anywhere, since the guy they drafted hasn't panned out and Cassell has looked good being young agree with signing him. They need to trade for the number one pick then draft Graham Harrell, the kids amazing, with his arm, accuracy throwing, just imagine what he could do with Hester's speed and he'll make our receivers better. The OU game been the only bad one, but it's tough to play against a D, that's four guys deep or more at any position.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
You honestly think the fans are going to wait patiently for a rookie to develop?
See Grossman, Rex - 2006
Grossman had a total of 5 games before the '06 season, and he came out and had struggles like fumbled snaps and multiple interception games that every QB has, even the seasoned ones (Peyton Manning had 6 INTs in one game last year), but he played like an MVP a lot of the time too and was there for the Superbowl run. Chicago wasted no time in booing Rex off the field after his meltdown in Arizona. The same will happen to Kyle Orton now. He was the savior of Chicago at the beginning, but one meltdown and now there are questions the Bears are fielding about their judgment with him. It's one and done with the fans in Chicago. One strike and you're out.
The minute Graham Harrell or Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow or whoever we drafted started to look like a rookie, Chicago fans would idiotically start to boo them off the field. I'd rather take my chances with a veteran like McNabb who most definitely will NOT be with Philly. He's owed $10 million, and if you've heard McNabb talk, he knows he won't be there. All that McNabb and Reid represent are years of no Superbowl titles to the Philly fans, and I think McNabb's had enough of them. Either McNabb or Reid will have to go in the eyes of fans and management, and players usually go before coaches. Especially players like McNabb who has been hated in Philly since 99 when he was drafted by the Eagles instead of Ricky Williams whom all the fans wanted (how's Ricky doin' these days...? Puff Puff)
And definitely they should pursue Cassell. No way he's going to go back to the bench as Brady's backup after coming out and shocking the league. He wants to play, and New England won't pay him the kind of money he deserves as a backup. He'll definitely be avaliable and I hope Chicago goes after him.
In terms of the draft - I wouldn't Graham Harrell or Tim Tebow at all.
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
That was supposed to be "wouldn't mind Harrell or Tebow", as in I'd be happy with either of those two guys.
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S M Napier 7 months ago
I'm sold on Harrell, my only hang-up with Tebow is his throwing and Harvin adjusts to many of the throws to him. But he's only a junior, already has said he's going to play his Senior year. My only issue with McNabb is in the past we have signed QB's and they never did anything. But Cassell will be hungry after getting a taste at starting this year in NE and he'll develop to be better than Romo.
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Susan Thomas 7 months ago
I think Matt Cassel has potential and is a promising young QB. But if you compare his stats to Kyle's (yards, Rating, TDs, Interceptions, etc), he's not outperforming him by that much. Like Orton, pretty much all of Cassel's wins are against poor pass defenses. Both NE and Bears have played Indy and STL, and if you compare the 2 QB's against common opponents, it's mixed results.
Also, according to ESPN splits, Cassel has only completed 5 passes over 20 yards the whole season (compared to 13 for Orton) (this was as of last week before Sunday's games). Of course Cassel hasn't started that much, so he needs more time to develop (and props of course on the 2 400-yard games).
My only concern with McNabb is age/injury risk compared to the money he might require.
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Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
the only thing I would say, if it is so CLEAR why Orton is the starter....why has Rex been playing in 2005, 2006, 2007 when healthy? Lets face it because HE IS BETTER PEOPLE! In 2005 Orton played until Rex was healthy again and Rex took back over "because he is better". In 2006 REX GROSSMANS FIRST FULL SEASON....he took us to a frickin superbowl people seriously and all you did was crucify him! Mushin Muhammed was a joke, he dropped more passes than rashied davis! The ONLY REASON and I mean the ONLY reason Orton is the starter is because Lovie Smith is scared of the bears fans booing Grossman! If we didn't boo either player Grossman would still be starting, because he is BETTER! More talent, better deep threat, more mobile. Maybe we have more sacks this season because ORTON CANNOT SCRAMBLE! Either way, Grossman will be gone next year and we'll be stuck with insufficient Kyle Orton...hope you booing fans are ready for that. I hope we draft Nate Davis from Ball State University, Kid has a canon for an arm and can Scramble around like Tony Romo (very elusive). So, to all you people who love Orton, put your personal preference aside and look at the last 3 games.....even rex's worse games weren't as bad as 3 interceptions in 7 throws (only time in NFL HISTORY)....not even "bad rex" could do that people. Take a look at winning percentage with the same personnel....yardage, td's....
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
You're 100% right Eric. At least you choose to see the facts and not be blinded by the neckbeard.
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Jake Perper 7 months ago
Lovie has to go!
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Susan Thomas 7 months ago
A couple general comments about the article. There were some people calling for an extension, but I think most Kyle supporters like myself just thought he showed promise and were hoping the QB carousel was over. Well, it may not be not after all considering these last 3 games. Still, I'd like to see what he does these last 4 games. If he rebounds, I give him more credit, but if he doesn't, yeah, it's back to the drawing board.
I see your point on the Rams/Detroit, but Philly is a top rated overall and pass D, so it's at least fair to point out that he has one win against a good D. Not a perfect game for him by any means, but he torched Philly for 3 TDs. Also, to figure out where Orton would rank if you take out the Rams/Detroit, I think you'd have to take out those kind of games for all QBs because Romo, Warner, Big Ben, Rivers, Cutler, everyone else gets to play some pretty bad defenses too (Warner gets the Rams twice along with the rest of the NFC West twice).
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Jimmy Mac 7 months ago
Too true, Susan.
But Orton was also intercepted twice in that Eagles game remember. And while I agree with you on the fact that you can't exclude games like that for Orton and not exclude them for others, Orton was okay in the second 1st half against St. Louis and completely stalled in the second half, and he only threw for a TD. Other QBs that you mentioned have absolutely torched St. Louis, and others...
My point was, everyone was freaking out over Orton's "awesomeness", when in reality - he's only been great against three teams that just happen have zero to maybe 3 wins on their record and have some of the worst D's in the game.
And in that Philly game, Orton put up a good 1st half and an abysmal second half - so I wouldn't really count that as a good game since we hate inconsistency from the QB position (good Rex, bad Rex).
Orton's not the answer. If he was the answer, and a captain like his patch said, he would have stepped up Sunday night and helped us take sole possession of first place instead of give it away with 3 consecutive picks to a bottom 10 pass D.
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Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
Jimmy you are right man, orton has not won a big game for us....and not stepped up when we needed him, the 2 biggest games of the year so far, green bay and minnesota, he was nowhere to be found. Just to show you people how much "favortism" the coaches have for Orton....that Green bay game I'll give Orton a pass because he NEVER SHOULD HAVE PLAYED. He was clearly clearly hurt, and even Ron Turner said he was limited in play calling because orton played. So "why" did he play? same reason why he is "playing" the whole season. Because Lovie is scared of controversy if rex has a good game. Rex was undefeated at Lambeau Field....He had a pretty good outing against Tennessee one of the best defenses in the NFL...much better than the packer defense....and Grossman put up better stats against the Titans than Orton did against the Packers. Orton should not have been playing....it was rediculous....After that Titans game you people crucified Rex again, blaming it all on him....and what did he do honestly??? Missed 2 passes all game, a wide open hester and a ball way over davis' head....which he probably would have dropped anyways! How many throws did a "100% Kyle Orton miss against Minnesota?" yes kyle said he was "100%" before the game! He missed a hell of a lot more than 2....but yet NOW ITS THE O-LINE and dropped passes etc....excuses for Orton....but no respect for Rex...its such a HUGE double standard....at least Grossman missed Hester long on that streak.....If only Orton would have been able to throw it far enough "in a dome" not windy soldier field....to get it to a steaking lloyd sunday night we might have had 6...instead sharper picked off a ball 20 yards underthrown! The bears coaching staff is dumb...they can't judge talent obviously...and they have no ***** to step up and play the players who truly deserve to play.
I bet you all when rex goes somewhere else next year (maybe the vikings) he will light some teams up....just watch....if he goes to the vikes he will light the bears secondary up quick....and i will be laughing at all you booing fans....at least you'll have a reason to boo then.....because he's kickin our A**!
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Susan Thomas 7 months ago
Jimmy might be surprised that I'm saying this, but I think Rex could succeed very well elsewhere. I've heard some people propose a team like the Vikings, where there's a solid o-line and running game. While others have mentioned a dropback passing offense like SF or the Bengals. I don't know.
I was supportive of Rex through 2007, but turned the tide when I realized it just would never happen for him *in Chicago*. Ron Turner and Rex go together like oil and water.
Whether people like or hate him, the sad reality of Rex's situation is that the CB organization didn't understand that if you are going to pick a guy in the first round, you need to build the personnel and offensive schemes to his strengths. That's part of the reason I was never on the "Rex would have won the Packers game" bandwagon. I just don't think he can do well *in Chicago*.
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James 7 months ago
Jimmy I really respect your defense of Rex Grossman (as I've said before). It is a shame what the Chicago media has done to his reputation given the fact that he helped take the team to its first Super Bowl in over two decades. But I still think you are a little bit hard on Orton. I agree 100% with you that 3 picks in 7 attempts is pathetic at best but I think if you look at the situation he was in, it was a lot like the situation Rex was in last year. For starters, the inability to get the running game running led to a lot of third and long situations where everybody knew that Orton was going to the air especially Jared Allen, who had John St. Clair's number all night. Second, two of Orton's picks were tipped before they found their eventual destinations. Third, the defense's inability to hold the Vikings offense off meant that Orton had to pass the ball to play catch-up. Sounds a lot like what Rex had to deal with last year. Only I think Orton had it worse because instead of having Berrian and Muhammed to throw to, he had Butterfingers Davis, Hester, the other Adrian Peterson, and oft-injured Journeyman Brandon Lloyd. Suffice it to say that isn't the best group of receivers ever assembled. When you take away Hester's down field thread, and keep somebody on Greg Olsen all night, it's hard to throw the ball. I am not saying Orton is better, I just think last Sunday he was put in the same situation Rex faced a lot last season having to play from behind when the whole world knew he was passing most of the time. I just think you've got to be more critical of the defense and our offensive line for giving up. I'd say Kyle has performed better because he has done it with a Ragtag group of receivers. I know some of those games were pushover opponents but look at how Rex played against the Cardinals and Dolphins in the 2006 season. Those were pushover teams if I've ever seen them and Rex big time bellied up. I just hate to see the Bears lose period, but I think Orton gives us a better chance this year. He went a long time without throwing a single pick, and if those three picks had come in three separate games instead of within seven attempts of each other, you probably wouldn't have as much to say on the issue. I really can't turn my nose up that much at the kid because of one bad game. This season has been a roller coaster for the Bears, but I think how Orton plays from here on out is what matters the most. Maybe being embarrassed on a national stage will prove to be the catalyst needed to spark a hot streak like the Giants had last year.
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Eric Willoughby 6 months ago
James, which game were you watching against the vikings??? you said 2 of ortons passes were tipped before intercepted??? NOPE. None of them were tipped that I remember, I remember him throwing a ball 20 yards short to lloyd and it being picked by sharper (by the way on that play he took a 7 step drop and had a NICE pocket to step into!) The second one was to hester who was covered and orton tried to force it and it went right to the middle linebacker who didn't even move! The third one....well I guess that one was tipped but he threw it in between 2 defenders on his receivers back shoulder....he was asking for an int! And in case you weren't watching the running game that night, forte actually had 96 yards rushing....which is really really good against minnesota....more than most teams get, so why isn't everyone throwing 3 picks in 7 passes against the vikes??? OH THATS RIGHT, THEY HAVE A HORRIBLE RATED PASS DEFENSE.....Truth is it was all on orton against the vikes.....the last time he played the vikes he played a lot better! It was the same team, orton just didn't step up!
the big point I think everyone is trying to make about rex here is that, none of you ever gave him the benefit of the doubt like you try so hard to do for Orton! Everything was Grossman's fault...it wasn't his crappy line giving him no time or receivers dropping balls, or bad play calling, you make it seem like all that stuff started when Orton took over.
I'll be the first to say the whole season is not ortons fault....certain spots its bad play calling, blocking, dropped passes, etc. BUT THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING WITH REX AS STARTER....its just people are blinded by hatred now, they can actually see the "real problem" the COACHING STAFF!
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Sahrish Khan 7 months ago
I like the article. And the main point is a good one....regardless of if Orton should get the blame or not the point is that Rex gets blamed for doing the same thing or better and Orton never gets blamed for anything. We benched the wrong QB in Chicago. Orton better have a good game against the Jags.
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waldo 7 months ago
only one of Orton's picks was tipped, Sharper and Leber had ball go straight to them. Also James, the running game is far better than it was last year, so situation not that same. Plus Grossman has had success throwing the ball to Davis in 2006 and the Dolphins had a top ten defense in 2006, having a bad record in the AFC does not equal pushover.
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