Kyle Orton: Kansas City Chiefs Claim Him; a Horrible Mistake

Well, I have to eat some crow.  I've been all over here today, adamantly saying there was no way the Kansas City Chiefs would claim Kyle Orton.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, they did just that.

This, in my opinion, is a huge mistake. 

First, Kansas City is going nowhere this year, regardless of who the quarterback is.  It wouldn't matter if it were Tom Brady, Joe Montana, me or you.

Second, Kyle Orton is not an upgrade over Matt Cassel; even if some wanted to argue that point, the upgrade wouldn't be sufficient reason to sign Orton.

Third, ESPN's John Clayton said today (h/t PFT) on SportsCenter that Orton may not report to the Chiefs if they did claim him.

Next, Matt Cassel will be the starting quarterback next year.

So, what was the point?

Could it have been as ridiculous as preventing the Bears from claiming him because they play the Raiders this week?  No, that makes no sense.

Do the Chiefs' "powers-that-be" really think the team has a chance to be competitive this year?  Talk about rose-colored-glasses.

Is it a move to impress that fans?  That probably makes as much sense as anything.  The problem, however, is that there will be many fans like myself who think it's a bad move.

I do not understand this move, at all.  I can only hope the Chiefs brass know something I don't and Orton turns into the "missing link" for this team.

I just don't see how.