Kyle Orton: Pluses and Minuses of the QB as the Broncos 2011 Starter

3,653 yards passing. 

20 TD passes.

87.5 QB Rating 

Just 9 INTs. 

For many NFL teams, these numbers from their quarterback would not be something that they would be unhappy about.

These were Kyle Orton's numbers for his 13 starts this year as quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

However, interim coach Studesville decided to keep Tim Tebow in for the last three games of this dismal Broncos season.

While Tebow did bring a lot of excitement to the Broncos games, he also left a lot of questions that will not be answered until next season.

Coach Fox and company could very well decide that Tebow still needs some fine-tuning for another year before he is the full-fledged starter.

In that case, Fox would more than likely start Orton. With that, I bring you the pluses and minuses of Orton as starter of the Broncos in 2011. 

Plus: His Experience

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Orton has been the starter for the Bears and Broncos for a combined five years.

During that time, he has put up numbers that are not great but not terrible, either.

His combined record for both of those teams in this span has been a combined 32-30, even with the difficulties of the Broncos added in. 

Minus: His Mobility (or Lack Thereof)

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by Larry English #52 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Chargers defeated the Broncos 35-14. (Photo by Kevork Dj

Unfortunately, there were a lot of instances this year where it seemed that Orton was being sacked or being hurried, especially in costly 3rd-down situations.

He was sacked 34 times this year, second only to Phillip Rivers in the AFC West. 

Plus: His Ability to Fit Coach Fox's System

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos head coach John Fox addresses the media at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was named the 14th head coach in Broncos history yesterday after spending the last nine seasons as head coac

Most of Fox's systems, it would appear, feature a run-first, strong-on-defense approach.

He seems to favor very vanilla QBs who are good passers, such as Delhomme in Carolina.

Orton is not a QB that will excite a lot of people like his counterpart Tebow, but he would definitely fit better in one of the types of offenses that Fox is known for. 

Minus: He Did Not Appear to Do Well on Third-Down Conversions

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SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos reacts after throwing his third interception of the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game on August 14, 2009 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Califor

Admittedly, Orton is not all at fault for this.

If the Broncos had a stronger rushing attack and weren't making costly mental mistakes to lead to 3rd-and-long, things might have been a little bit easier for Orton on third downs.

However, Orton does have to shoulder some of the blame because at the end of the day, he was the quarterback. 

Plus: His Passing Accuracy

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos throws a fourth quarter touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Granted, Orton is not flashy, but his passing has the accuracy of most veteran QBs in the league.

He will usually not singlehandedly win games for you such as Roethlisberger or others, but he also will not lose games. Consider his accuracy for the last two years, compared to his counterpart in Chicago: 

Orton

2009: 21 TD, 12 INT, 3,802 yards 

2010: 20 TD, 9 INT, 3,653 yards

Cutler

2009: 27 TD, 26 INT, 3,666 yards 

2010: 23 TD, 16 INT, 3,274 yards 

Orton is as good or better in most categories. 

Minus: Average Leadership Ability

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the B

The fact of the matter is, the team seemed to jell a lot better under Tebow's leadership than they did under Orton.

The Broncos were still blown out at times, but the games were closer. 

Conclusion

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos in action against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Chargers defeated the broncos, 35-14. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Ima

The fact of the matter is, Orton's track record in the "W" column has been good before this year, and there were many other problems for the Broncos than at starting quarterback.

Fox, Elway and Xanders may very well decide that Tebow is not ready if he goes through some growing pains in the preseason or early on.

If they go with Orton next year, there are a few things they should bear in mind: 

1. The Offensive Line will need to be improved in order to give Orton more time to throw the ball. 

2. The rushing attack will need to be strengthened. 

3. The costly mental mistakes will need to stop, such as penalties. 

4. The Defense will need to be improved so that the Offense can take a breather. 

(These same steps should be taken for either QB) 

If they do decide to start Orton for another year, I don't feel it's necessarily a knock on Tebow. Remember that Steve Young took a couple of years to develop under Joe Montana, and he is now in Canton. 

Respectfully submitted, comments appreciated.