- Dec 14, 2000
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/...0bears,1,1042996.story
Impatiently, Kyle Orton has waited for another opportunity.
The third-year Bears quarterback couldn?t mask his frustration about not playing in a game that mattered since the end of the 2005 season. But Orton?s aggravation turned to elation Monday when coach Lovie Smith told him he would start against the Vikings on Monday night in Minneapolis.
No one has promised Orton anything beyond the next game, but he is fully aware of how a strong performance could bode well for his future.
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?I?m going to let my play speak for itself,? Orton said, ?and I figure if I play well and win football games, it will be my job.?
Orton was speaking about starting the final three games, of course. Yet the Bears turning to their third starting QB this season would indicate shifting the focus toward next season. Orton could play himself into at least contention for the starting role in 2008, although it is unclear whether the Bears intend to re-sign Rex Grossman or shop the free-agent market.
If Orton proves himself worthy, he could be a bargain. His base salary would be $460,000 next season.
?Most of the guys on our football team have had the opportunity to prove what they can do, except for Kyle,? said Smith, who refused to admit that the evaluation period has started. ?I?m excited about what he can possibly do for us this coming week.
?He?s a smart football player. He has a strong arm. ? Our guys have played with him, so they know what type of player he is.?
Grossman is likely out for the remainder of this season with a sprained left medial collateral knee ligament, although the Bears have yet to place him on injured reserve. He?s set to become a free agent at season?s end and was playing himself back into the good graces of the Bears? brass before the injury.
Smith didn?t turn to Brian Griese on Monday, although Griese played a decent game in place of Grossman on Thursday night. Instead, Smith opted for the 25-year-old Orton, who led the Bears on an eight-game winning streak as a rookie in ?05. Orton started 15 games that season after Grossman broke his ankle in the preseason. Orton went 10-5 as the starter.
Looking back on his rookie year, Orton sees a big difference between then and now.
?I?ve changed as a player and as a person,? he said. ?I?ve matured. I?ve been in the system now for three years. I feel very comfortable with it. I think everybody around me has been in the system for three years and feels more comfortable with it.?
The Bears were comfortable enough with Orton to give him serious consideration as the backup coming out of training camp. Orton has been inactive as the third quarterback for 12 of the 13 games this season, moving to the backup role against Seattle as Griese recovered from a sprained shoulder.
?He showed us that he?s a team player,? Smith said of Orton. ?What he?s done is gone out each day [and] run the look squad. He?s been the opposing quarterback just about every week. But at the same time, he?s stayed into football quite a bit.?
Receiver Bernard Berrian raved about Orton?s ability to run the hurry-up offense.
?He picks plays,? Berrian said, ?that normally don?t get run in the two-minute drill.?
Orton?s last regular-season action was against the Vikings on Jan. 1, 2006, at Minnesota. He completed 6 of 14 passes for 59 yards in the Bears? 34-10 loss to the Vikings. Orton then had a string of 28 games on the inactive list as the third quarterback, including the postseason.
?You know, I think everybody knows that I?ve been frustrated and haven?t liked my role. But it?s what it was,? Orton said. ?I tried to make the best of it. Now, my job is just to focus on the future and try to play well, and let everything work itself out.?
Orton has completed 190 of 368 passes for 1,869 yards, with nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 59.7. The 6-foot-4-inch, 217-pound Orton came to the Bears as a fourth-round draft pick out of Purdue and is signed through next season. He?s represented by Athletes First, the same agency that represents Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.
Orton?s promotion leaves Griese as the odd man out, an interesting scenario considering how much Orton looks up to Griese. The two dissected film together Monday.
?He?s become, obviously, a mentor,? Orton said of Griese. ?He?s a friend. And he?s a true pro, somebody who prepares. If you can take anything away from it, just take away his preparation. He?s always mentally ready for the game. I?m going to try to take that aspect into my performance.?
wow amazing. figured they would go back to Griece. i think its a good move. If orton does great they have a potential starter or at the least a good trade. combine him rex,griece they may get a decent starter!
Impatiently, Kyle Orton has waited for another opportunity.
The third-year Bears quarterback couldn?t mask his frustration about not playing in a game that mattered since the end of the 2005 season. But Orton?s aggravation turned to elation Monday when coach Lovie Smith told him he would start against the Vikings on Monday night in Minneapolis.
No one has promised Orton anything beyond the next game, but he is fully aware of how a strong performance could bode well for his future.
Related links
Huddle Up: Bears sign DT Kennedy
Walker?s season simply painful
?I?m going to let my play speak for itself,? Orton said, ?and I figure if I play well and win football games, it will be my job.?
Orton was speaking about starting the final three games, of course. Yet the Bears turning to their third starting QB this season would indicate shifting the focus toward next season. Orton could play himself into at least contention for the starting role in 2008, although it is unclear whether the Bears intend to re-sign Rex Grossman or shop the free-agent market.
If Orton proves himself worthy, he could be a bargain. His base salary would be $460,000 next season.
?Most of the guys on our football team have had the opportunity to prove what they can do, except for Kyle,? said Smith, who refused to admit that the evaluation period has started. ?I?m excited about what he can possibly do for us this coming week.
?He?s a smart football player. He has a strong arm. ? Our guys have played with him, so they know what type of player he is.?
Grossman is likely out for the remainder of this season with a sprained left medial collateral knee ligament, although the Bears have yet to place him on injured reserve. He?s set to become a free agent at season?s end and was playing himself back into the good graces of the Bears? brass before the injury.
Smith didn?t turn to Brian Griese on Monday, although Griese played a decent game in place of Grossman on Thursday night. Instead, Smith opted for the 25-year-old Orton, who led the Bears on an eight-game winning streak as a rookie in ?05. Orton started 15 games that season after Grossman broke his ankle in the preseason. Orton went 10-5 as the starter.
Looking back on his rookie year, Orton sees a big difference between then and now.
?I?ve changed as a player and as a person,? he said. ?I?ve matured. I?ve been in the system now for three years. I feel very comfortable with it. I think everybody around me has been in the system for three years and feels more comfortable with it.?
The Bears were comfortable enough with Orton to give him serious consideration as the backup coming out of training camp. Orton has been inactive as the third quarterback for 12 of the 13 games this season, moving to the backup role against Seattle as Griese recovered from a sprained shoulder.
?He showed us that he?s a team player,? Smith said of Orton. ?What he?s done is gone out each day [and] run the look squad. He?s been the opposing quarterback just about every week. But at the same time, he?s stayed into football quite a bit.?
Receiver Bernard Berrian raved about Orton?s ability to run the hurry-up offense.
?He picks plays,? Berrian said, ?that normally don?t get run in the two-minute drill.?
Orton?s last regular-season action was against the Vikings on Jan. 1, 2006, at Minnesota. He completed 6 of 14 passes for 59 yards in the Bears? 34-10 loss to the Vikings. Orton then had a string of 28 games on the inactive list as the third quarterback, including the postseason.
?You know, I think everybody knows that I?ve been frustrated and haven?t liked my role. But it?s what it was,? Orton said. ?I tried to make the best of it. Now, my job is just to focus on the future and try to play well, and let everything work itself out.?
Orton has completed 190 of 368 passes for 1,869 yards, with nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a passer rating of 59.7. The 6-foot-4-inch, 217-pound Orton came to the Bears as a fourth-round draft pick out of Purdue and is signed through next season. He?s represented by Athletes First, the same agency that represents Browns quarterback Derek Anderson.
Orton?s promotion leaves Griese as the odd man out, an interesting scenario considering how much Orton looks up to Griese. The two dissected film together Monday.
?He?s become, obviously, a mentor,? Orton said of Griese. ?He?s a friend. And he?s a true pro, somebody who prepares. If you can take anything away from it, just take away his preparation. He?s always mentally ready for the game. I?m going to try to take that aspect into my performance.?
wow amazing. figured they would go back to Griece. i think its a good move. If orton does great they have a potential starter or at the least a good trade. combine him rex,griece they may get a decent starter!
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