Kyle Orton Named Chicago Bears' Starting QB

Yash Bhatia — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:22:04 -0400

The Chicago Bears have named their starting QB. It's Kyle Orton.

Now, I'm not too happy about this decision. Even though he led the Bears to a 10-5 2005 record, Orton needs to work on his playmaking ability and his long passes.

I mean, I'm not saying the Bears would have been any better off with Rex Grossman, but the decision was too quick, and was made largely because of the second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

That wouldn't have been a problem if it was a fair comparison in that game. But it wasn't. Grossman had serious pass rush in the game, while Orton just did shotgun, so obviously he looked better because of easier circumstances.

I think the Bears should have just kept the competition until the third preseason game, so it could be a fair competition even if that game is supposed to be a season opener dress rehearsal. That would have been better. But of course they didn't do that.

Orton is 12-6 as starter, while Grossman is 19-11. So in wins Orton's record is better. But he really needs to step up his game if this Bears' season is going to be any good.

This is a new chapter in the long book of Bears' starting quarterbacks. Let's hope this chapter will finally be a good one.

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Kyle Orton Named Chicago Bears' Starting QB