I’m not sure what kind of year Broncos’ quarterback Kyle Orton will have. But I have a feeling it is going to be better than a lot of people think.
Orton absolutely deserves the contract extension he received and I am glad he and the Broncos came to an agreement. There is no doubt that Orton seems to have a much better command of the offense than he did a year ago. He seems to have more confidence in running it. And he seems to be unbelievably focused in doing whatever it takes to win games.
Even though it was “only” a preseason game last Sunday night, Orton was precise, efficient and creative in his limited duty. He led the Broncos to two touchdowns in the three series in which he played, marching the troops 72 yards in six plays and then taking seven plays to go 68 yards.
Orton completed 8-of-13 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He found Eddie Royal on a 12-yard pass and then, according to Coach Josh McDaniels, checked out of a run play and threw an easy 6-yard scoring pass to Brandon Lloyd.
Keep in mind, this was against the Bengals’ first-team defense, a unit that was 4th-best in the NFL last year, allowing 301.4 yards per game of total offense. And the Bengals allowed an average of 18.2 points per game, 6th-best in the league.
I know, those are last year’s stats. There is no denying, however, that Cincinnati has a really good defense.
And while we’re on the topic of last year’s stats, here is one you might have missed. In his first season in a new system, Orton threw for 3,802 yards, the sixth-highest single season total in Broncos’ history. And he did it on an ankle that was hardly 100% much of the season.
I admit, I am biased. I want Kyle Orton to succeed, and not just because he plays for the Broncos. I want Kyle Orton to succeed because he seems to be a genuinely good guy.
While wanting a long-term deal, he didn’t complain about not getting one. While I imagine Orton was stung when the Broncos traded for Brady Quinn and then drafted Tim Tebow, he didn’t throw a fit. While knowing the NFL is a business, he was refreshingly candid when he said he wants to be with the Broncos for a long time.
Professionalism, class and character matter. Kyle Orton has demonstrated all three. I root for guys like that.
We all know there is more to the NFL than being a good guy. Can Orton lead the Broncos to the playoffs? I don’t know. I think he has the ability but he also will need some help for that to happen this season. There is no shame in that; most quarterbacks need help.
I won’t pretend that I think Orton is a future Hall of Famer or even one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
But he is who the Broncos have. And I believe he is good enough to get them to where they want to go. No doubt, the Broncos could do a whole lot worse at the quarterback position.
Orton just has the right stuff. He has the right approach; that is, hard work is the foundation of success. He has the right perspective; that is, it is about winning games. And he has the right disposition; that is, he keeps his cool when things get heated.
Now all he needs is some more wins. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he gets some of those this season.
What are your thoughts about Kyle Orton and the job he could do this year? Thanks for reading and posting.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Kyle Orton, Mike Rice
Great post Mike!
I agree, I always believed that Orton would do very well here! I mean you look at his stats and wins with the Bears and we have better receivers and a better offensive line! Orton looked like he was in complete control against the Bengals and just like you said even though it was a preseason game, he lit up the Bengals defense!! He is sharp and looks to be in complete command with his passes. I even saw in that game that he has grown the ability to avoid the sack, something that he couldn’t do at all last year! I hope Deck and Thomas hurry along and get well and get into our first string offense! They offer nothing but promise to our offense. You also have to understand, there was NO Marshall out there in last weeks game and he still found a way to win which shows that all of the new talent that we have gotten and all the guys that have stepped up really exceeds us having Marshall!
He will need some help too, you are also right with that! As long as our defense stays the same from last game, which I might add COMPLETELY shut down TO and Ocho, and our offensive line gets healthy and Walton and Beadles hold their own, and our running backs get healthy and have a good running game then I really see the sky being the limit for this team. There is no reason, NOO reason, why we cant win our division this year and go far in the playoffs.
But yes, Orton will do everything he can to make that happen and so far I am loving what I am seeing!!!
As always, thanks Mike!!
I love me some Broncos Country!!
When you hear the word Quarter Back today, certains images pop into your heard..Manning, Brady, Brees and surely Elway first and foremost. Orton is not definately not in the same ball park as those guys, and thats why he gets over looked, he’s not flashy, he doesn’t have the same prowess as those mentioned, BUT He gets the job done. His first year IMO was a success in his own rite, not exactly to the extent he would have liked but I think he made some big leaps since moving from Chicargo.
His numbers last season were very good. 11th for yds, 15th for TD’s, 13th for least INTS. I can only see those getting better as he develops under a good coach and a good system.
Like most Broncomaniacs, I was very skeptical about his trade.. (incidentally done on the Friday before I got married) but I can see this guy growing, and even though hes not throwing up there like the others, the key thing is that he can lead the team to getting the job done.
I can only comment on what I have seen on this site in regards to his demenour and an I like it ‘I like it alot’. Character builds a better team unit, which thrives under the right conditions… the right conditions are at altitude!
Thanks for the piece Mike, and I am looking forward to Orton letting to fly more this year.
ITS ALMOST SEPTEMBER!
**I might be over generalising about the “Most Broncomaniacs..” lol
Good article with some great points. I agree he has professionalism, class and character that will take him a long way. I really like how he handles himself. No acting like a baby when other QB’s were brought in, unlke Cutler when there was just talk of another QB! I like Orton, not super flashy but can get it done, I think he will have a big year!
Overall I would agree with your upbeat attitude about Orton for this year Mike, if for no other reason that right now he is miles above Quinn and Tebow. I heard all of off season how he had improved, but seeing it last Sunday is what did it for me, he has made genuine improvements, mainly in his pocket presence, the way he kept stepping to the correct side of the pocket to avoid pressure and deliver was completely different, last year in each instance he would of moved, if at all, to the wrong side of the pocket and play over, so that says to me he has build up confidence and the game is starting to flow for him instead of being a struggle, the game has slowed down enough for him to see and feel everything much better, no doubt that the guy seems to be having a ton more fun than last year.
As far as his stats from last year, I’m not impressed about them like you are, of course they are big numbers, but he is playing in a passing happy league now, he is playing for a pass happy coach who so far in his career only uses the running game as a diversion, and he had Marshall would btw broke the single game passes caught record last year. The proof is in the record, with all of Orton’s #s, all we could come up with was 8-8, obviously, if we had either tightened up on D or kept the time of possession with the running game on O, things would have been greatly different, which brings me to what really matters in my eye this year:
The O line. If that O line is not capable of producing for us in the running game, and it has shown no sign of that whatsoever this off season, I don’t care how improved Orton is, we will be doomed. I mean how can we expect Orton, a non mobile QB, to perform against NFL teams who can peel their ears back and go after the QB because they are not worried about the running game. There is only one QB who can get it done under this conditions, and it’s not Orton it’s Peyton Manning. So the way I see it we still have leagues to go before I can think that this will be a much better season than many expect, the O line will be the deciding factor of exactly how good we get, specially the interior side of that line which the running game relies so heavily upon in McD’s scheme of running, not Orton, but he is well deserving of his one year contract extension to which I posted plenty in the last blog.
One last though, for this post anyway haha, with our aging D, it will be critical this year to win the time of possession and we are not going to accomplish that with Orton throwing, it will have to be done running the rock, if our “senior” D ends up losing that time of possession battle, don’t be all too shocked if like last year at games end and season end they just end up as a whimper. Here is to hope McD has the wisdom to realize that fact and will have the O line needed to do something about it, but frankly, even with a great O line in N-E I haven’t seen him trying to control the game on the ground using that clock, pretty much ever…
It could be a long season, it could be a good season, I’ll place the responsibility on the HC’s shoulders first, the O line second and the running game third because I feel better about the D overall and the passing game than the first three things I just listed. Just my opinion.
I should of inserted the ST’s as an area of concern for me also, since we were mainly poor at it last year and not any better last Sunday.
I have been impressed with Orton this offseason. He does look better than last, looks sharper and more mechanically sound. I’m glad to see him get an extension. I think this will also let him help out Quinn and Tebow and vise versa. A little piece of me thought, oh man Quinn or Tebow will come in and just take the starting job from Orton. Then he has a good offseason and not only that but he had actual competition pushing him. I just know for a fact that we HAVE to have an effective running game also. Even though Orton has improved I don’t think he can take over a game the way Elway could or Brees, Manning, or Brady at least not yet, but who knows.
Idk, now thinking more about the pre-season game…Im not that impressed with our O yet. I mean if it wasnt for a PI and RP call we would have scored no points..And prob been shut out. Just saying.
Looooong ways to go…… Unfortunately with all the players out for Saturday, I won’t learn much about this game, other than our 3rd and 4th stringers don’t cut it. The list of players out will be mind boggling, a record of sort if you wish.
Mike,
Great article!
First of all, I want to say that I was extremely impressed with Kyle Orton’s performance last Sunday vs. the Bengals. On TV, you could see we were in a run formaton, when he audibled out and threw for an easy score to Brandon Lloyd.
Our Team is now going to pass to set up the run much in the same manner at the New England Patriots, or so it appears. That may change depending on weekly opponent.
Orton seems to be very comfortable with the stable of WR’s and will call on each of them depending on one on one matchups, reading blitz, red zone, etc….
This offense will now begin to excel as Orton will now be able to take what the defense gives him as he makes his reads looking for the big play first, and then working back towards the line of scrimmage for his check downs as a last resort. KO did this on both scoring drives with accuracy and efficiency.
Congratulations to Kyle Orton on his new contract extention!!
Let’s go KO!!
GO BRONCOS 2010 !!!!
Yeah, we can start calling him mini Peyton.
And, then came TRB lol
The good and the bad. Glad Orton got the extension. Clearly our number one. That was evident before the first preseason game based on practice and short of a miracle, none of the younger guys could challenge the experience he had in the system. Brady, Cassell, both lived and breathed the system for a long time before they got their shots which is why they looked sharp.
Orton is most certainly not the man. That was apparent when Josh got Quinn and Tebow. He is not Mr. Right. He is Mr. Right now. Best we got. With that being said. Statistically I dont see him having a better year than last year. IMO. I do however see him having a more poised look about him. And he definitely learned how to step out of sacks. Pocket presence has improved. Even his balls look better. Rarely locks on to receivers anymore (like Quinn did in the first game and Orton did alot of last year). His throws still lack some umph, and his deep ball while accurate in the last game, dropped too early. You can fix many things, but throwing power is either u got it or dont. But I am glad they are letting him throw deep now. Anyway, only way we will any games this season is if we can run the ball. Without that, Orton at QB wont be enough. TRB out…
Bronco- Blaze
I thought that as well but didnt wanna be a downer. Besides, penalties are part of the game, but I hear yea, we wont have thigns go our way like that every game. I will give props for beign able to score in the red zone however.
Mr. Bowlen once again shows a lot of class in doing an extension with guaranteed $ when not required and with no season guaranteed to him for next year @ all. Class football club. As long as Kyle cna maintain his @ home winning %, the Broncs should do better than .500 if we can get a couple of healthy running backs and the defense plays all of Wink’s games!
Enjoyed the piece Mr. Rice.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve been a staunch supporter of Orton all along. At least to the regulars here! I saw the “it” in him last season. The home game against SD. Watching him getting warmed up on the sideline. It was the focus and concentration in his eyes that sold me. Anyway, it appears the men in charge see it too. Good, is all I can say.
Again, congratulations KO! Much deserved.
Oh, and baylin, it’s my opinion that our QQ isn’t quite over with just yet!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
No doubt Orton is the best ready QB we have right now,so it makes sense to me to sign him for 1 year only,seeing he’s not our future.However if we get our running game going,his #s will definitely go down,which isn’t a bad thing.The more you run the less you pass(makes sense)since you only have a certain amount of plays in a game.I don’t know if 3 posessions in a preseason game is worth giving him a possible 8 million tho,seems to me we could’ve signed him for a lot less(thats what people were saying about Doom!!!)and he is a proven vet for 4 years in a row,Orton only had one pretty good year,I don’t know,he still has to prove to me he can get the job done against a solid Defense like Balt or Pitt.But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and ride the Orton bandwagon as long as it’s a smooth ride,but if the wheels start falling off I’ll be the 1st to bail,so I don’t get trampeled on by the rest of the people jumping off !!!Just one man’s opinion that don’t mean a Helluva lot.
But I really am pulling for Orton to play good this year,cause I’m tired of seeing my beloved Broncos being average 32-32.
BFE
It’s nice to see no one is “posting to see”, have you guys problems been resolved (BFE)?
Hey guys have some possibly good news for you:
The Denver Broncos are in the process of signing free agent linebacker Worrell Williams, standout linebacker D.J. Williams’ brother, according to an NFL source with knowledge of the situation.
Worrell Williams is a 6-foot, 250-pound former California Redwoods player who was an honorable-mention All-Pac-10 selection at the University of California as a senior.
He went undrafted last year out of Cal-Berkeley and tried out for the San Francisco 49ers, but wasn’t signed.
Williams finished his career with 246 tackles, ranking 11th on Cal’s all-time list.
I love me some Broncos Country!!!
Don’t know yet Baylin,cause it don’t do it everytime,but I hope it’s fixed!
If Worrell has just a little bit of what DJ has,we’ll take him,or at least a tryout!
Highlights of Worrell!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KUGckc_a0I
Dude looks just like DJ and has great speed!!!
I’m worried more about the Oline than the Defense,just hope Walton and Beadles can hold their own,Jamal threw Walton around like a ragdoll in practice,but maybe going up against him in practice everyday will make him better,and Clady is the best player on the team on Offense,hope he comes back SOON !!! With a healty Clady,Harris,Kuper,and Walton & Beadles gelling,we could have one of the best Olines in the NFL,NOW THAT’S THE BRONCOS I KNOW & LOVE,DOMINATING THE LINE !!!!
bf30…looks like a complete LB to me,even in pass coverage,that’s something we definitely need,seeing DJ is the only LB we have that has pass covering skills.The dude can lay the wood too,I like that,I hope we at least get this kid in TC and give him a chance,thanks for the info bro!
Reason I asked is because I’ve been told they have been working on the problems to resolve them, glad to see it might be fixed.
The Bailey brothers, now maybe the Williams brother, maybe this one can stay healthy, but either way I have no idea how bringing someone who hasn’t been drafted and never been signed by any NFL team can come in and help us this late in the off season, if they go this route they are obviously feeling like they are short on bodies at LB’s and need them to go through the end of the preseason, you can’t possibly expect a guy like this to contribute this year?
I’m a lot more enthused by the Hunter signing that the possibility of this guy, just saying, all the practice squad players we got from other teams lately have left me dead cold, imagine what this guy who has never even been on a PS does to me, LOL.
Great writeup, Mike. Just one little issue: You said “most” QBs need help from their supporting cast. It probably would have been a bit more appropriate for you to say ALL QBs need help.
The only QB who actually could fall outside of that categorization is Peyton Manning, as I said earlier. Peyton makes his supporting cast what they are, not the other way around, no matter if you give the guy no running game or throw in there unknown WR’s, he will get it done making everyone look all world. Definitely the most valuable player in the
The only QB who actually could fall outside of that categorization is Peyton Manning, as I said earlier. Peyton makes his supporting cast what they are, not the other way around, no matter if you give the guy no running game or throw in there unknown WR’s, he will get it done making everyone look all world. Definitely the most valuable player in the NFL and by a long shot.
Hit wrong key and posted before I got done, sorry for repeat.
Glad to hear they are finally working on the blog,thanks for the concern bro!
As far as the LB situation goes,I would like to know if we’re running a 3-4 scheme or a 4-3 on Defense,that makes a lot of difference in what kind of LBs we need.
They are going to go both ways anyways, remember how many different D formation the Pats used to use, sometimes they would have 8 on the line and sometimes none on the line, serious. I think that whether they go 34 or 43 it always looks a litlle different at the line, rarely pure 34, or is it just me?
Agreed on the Peyton Manning thing,he’s the smartest and best player in the NFL definitely.Got screwed out of the Heisman too,they gave it to Wooson,even while Peyton had 3600 yds 36 tds 10 ints.Which is better than a lot of QBs that won it!
You’re right about that but,I was just wondering what the primary scheme is gonna be,since I’ve heard 2 different stories.
They obviously will use the 43 plenty bringing in DE’s like Hunter, they are not going to change a guy like that overnight into an OLB, they need to use his edge, he had 5 sacks as a DE last year.
What do you think about lining up Ayers and Moss at DE on some plays,they both were DEs in college,or do you think they are undersized??
I honestly think the primary 34 went out the window the day we lost Doom, now it’s more like flying by the seat of your pants with what you got personel wise, and it’s smart, adapt, McD needs to adapt, he can’t always be stuck in his ways, same thing with the O, he needs to do more running this year that he is accustomed to, adapt to the situation, situation football he calls it, same thing, adapt to your personel, not force your personel to adapt to your scheme regardless, specially this late in the off season, too many injuries to approach it any other way is how I see it.
They both dominated in college at DE.I think if they don’t step[ up this year at OLB,put a little weight on ‘em and line’em up at their natural positions,especially if Reid comes back and plays well at LB.
Moss would be undersized at DE for sure, since he is only 257 on a 6’7″ frame, the cast weight will help, LOL, Ayers is a bit more stout at 274 on a 6’3″ frame.
Agreed.
New blogs, but I will end this conversation by saying that we forget or simply don’t know that Martindale’s background was as a coordinator for 4-3 defenses, so going 43 actually falls right in line with his experience.
Baylin already touched on it, but I was just about to say I remember the hope that was the bailey brothers that didnt quite pan out. On the other hand, Boss was already known to be unhealthy and not the best. THis Worrel Williams guy seems raw with potential. Wouldnt hurt. We got Woodyard from undrafted so he stands a chance. I am also excited about hunter as well. Not as old as the other line men, and with in game experience and sackinging ability. I just fear that if the Lions dropped him that if he wasnt good enough for them can he be for us but I think he can. TRB out…
Just saw highlight reel (keyword being highlight). I will say one thing. He seems like a solid all round LB. And definitely looks like a sure tackler like his brother. Maybe he just isnt transitioning well in the NFL, or just hasnt had a fair shot. Either way. I think he is worthy of a look. And if it doesnt pan out, it doesnt pan out, but I think he is raw with potential. Just my take.
Just shorten it, sackability, sounds like a great term.
yes it does. not to mention i put an extra -ing by accident lol
First let me start off by saying congratulations to Kyle. He has absolutely earned a pay raise without a doubt. He has demonstrated the work ethic and commitment in the offseason that we expect from the quarterback position in Denver. He has played well so far and I think he will continue on into a good season. He has worked hard for it. On another note, I do think that it would serve us well throughout the season to actually have a running attack. I have often complained about the overload of passing plays and schemes in McD’s playbook. If hes such an offensive genius, he would devise clever running plays just as much as he does passing plays and have an even number between the two of them, wouldnt you think? All we have are straight ahead blocking strategies when it comes to running. Why not mix up the attack and utilize more zone scheme or simply devise new clever ones?
Otron kind of reminds me of Kurt Warner when he first game in the league. Not flashy but gritty and tough. Kurt Warner wasn’t flashy like most QBs but he won once he was surrounded by good and great players. Orton has the same chance to do that.
He won’t be flashy but he’ll be tough and produce.
Well it’s 5:00 somewhere,hahaha in the East,time for a cold one,everybody have a good one!
BFE
Good drowning, haha.
Kurt Warner, now WOW, wasn’t that the guy who could throw it a mile long accurately all day, and he did? Of course it was, aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves here, Orton is not all of a sudden going to develop the arm strength of Warner, it would be great, but he would need a bionic implant, LOL.
Great post! Mirrors many of my opinions of Kyle!! And you likely know him better, so that is very reassuring.
I was at the first week of Training Camp (Aug. 1st – 7th) and the first preseason game reflected much the level of performance I witnessed in Camp. Orton is crisp, more decisive, and I imagine loads more confident in himself AND his supporting cast. I feel it’s going to be a GREAT season to be a Broncos fan!
By the way Mike, and you may not be the best to answer…
I have gone to the stadium store twice (once last season, once this year in August) looking and can not find an Authentic (alternate home) Orange Kyle Orton jersey… I live in Wichita, KS so it’s hard to come out, and I’d much rather support the team directly, than through nflshop.com – plus if you mail order it, it gets folded…. Do I HAVE to customize one on nflshop.com, or are they produced?
When I inquired at the stadium store on this recent visit, the representative said it’s possible he doesn’t ‘authorize’ an orange one to be sold, but wasn’t sure why there were none.