Looks like Bears fans can say goodbye to the Rex Grossman era. How was it for you? I count one NFC Championship, a myriad of injuries, and several thousand over-reactions both negative and positive by fans and media alike while riding the Rex roller-coaster. I also count him becoming overly stigmatized to the point that his confidence has been shattered privately, though publicly he's still rarely accountable for mistakes.
Enter the jack-drinking 10 yard-out-throwing weird-bearded kid from Purdue. Yes, Kyle Orton is a starting NFL QB. The offense is officially stagnant again, as Orton can't throw the deep ball. The defense can crowd the box to take away the run, and Devin Hester as a deep threat is nothing more than window dressing.
The front office's failure to address the QB situation in addition to not doing enough to improve the offensive line has put a serious cloud over the potential for the Bears to challenge the Packers, Vikings, and even Lions in the NFC North this season.
Of course, the defense and special teams can win a few games on their own. Maybe.
Fantasy Spin: This murders the value of Hester as a potential sleeper towards the end of your draft. He's still worth taking in the last round with hopes that he busts out, but you won't see many deep balls connecting to number 23. Matt Forte should be nothing better than a RB4, because -- as I said above -- you can expect the box to be crowded. Orton is a starting QB, yes, but if you look at his stats from '05 -- then realize his supporting cast was much better -- you should be scared immediately. Don't draft him.
The one guy who should benefit here is Greg Olsen. Orton is a check-down master (again, scared to/can't throw it deep) and Olsen will garner many catches over the short middle and in the flats. In PPR leagues especially he can be a beast.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-18-2008 @ 5:49PM
shawon dunston's mustache said...
I'm having a hard time seeing any game on the schedule that the Bears can win with Kyle Orton as QB. Unless the Bears get a 25 play drive going, they have no chance to score. And the defense Orton had in '05 is 10 times worse than the defense he has now. They are all slower & older and they can't tackle.
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8-18-2008 @ 5:55PM
Nathan said...
"Orton can't throw the deep ball....and Devin Hester as a deep threat is nothing more than window dressing."
Guess you didn't watch Orton's bomb to Hester in week 17.
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8-18-2008 @ 6:27PM
Matt Snyder said...
You mean the one that he threw about 35 yards in the air, behind Hester -- allowing the defender to catch back up to Hester and almost make a play on the ball?
No, must have missed that one ...
8-18-2008 @ 6:49PM
SD said...
The way the offensive line is, I think Orton will last about 2 weeks before he is hurt. Rex got killed in Seattle and they were without many of their starters on defense. It is going to be a long, boring season following the Bears. At least I will enjoy watching the D and Hester.
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8-18-2008 @ 7:02PM
Cray said...
This isn't even earth-shattering news for even Bears fans, so I'm little surprised its being posted on this blog. I honestly see very little difference between two mediocre quarterbacks. Looking at their schedule I don't see how either them could win more than 4 games. (Lions twice, Packers, and Texans). Any other wins the Bears achieve will be because the other team screwed up....badly.
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8-18-2008 @ 7:02PM
Fred Smorgasbord said...
Kyle Orton? BWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! This is a joke, right?
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8-18-2008 @ 7:08PM
Hector said...
Rex grossman is our best chance to win the o-line took plays off in 2006 thats when he sucked cuz he aint no playmaker like farve or brady but then they do have good protection he had no protection in 07 and he now its even worse he aint a great quarter back but he is better than orton, someone to compare rex to is eli but they stuck with him throughout all the crap the media said about him and look who won a superbowl and until we get the next great qb and an o-line to protect him i say stick with rex ps even if it was brady under center he would probably be injured by week 3 with our o-line
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8-18-2008 @ 10:10PM
Url Fan said...
Yeah what Hector said !!!
8-18-2008 @ 7:18PM
ebsipk said...
Two words........Daunte Culpepper.
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8-20-2008 @ 9:59PM
Keith said...
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do hope that Kyle goes back and watches (over and over again) the film of the windy home game against Green Bay last year. He was BRILLIANT in that game...and if he could match that performance, accuracy and energy this season...it could be worth tuning in for.
8-18-2008 @ 7:30PM
Justin Blaze Ocacio said...
This Is By Far the Worst News Of The Off Season For Me.Rex Stood In That Pocket When Seattle Was Blitzing The Crap out Of Him An Took His Lumps Like A Man,Never once Did He Yell Or Even Say Anything demonstrative towards The O Line,and He Was Poised Considering he Looked Like He Was in a ufc FIGHT with cuts and lumps and scrapes across his Face.Orton Will Not Be Able To Handle The Pressure Like Rex Did,even Caleb Haine is Better Than Kyle,The bears Always Quit On Thier QBs,I Feel Bad For Rex But Thhey Will Probably Bench Kyle AFter A couple of games anyway ,REX IS JUST FLATOUT BETTER THAN KYLE ORTON,I Expect An anemic Offense Now That We Have Kyle "The Checkdown Machine"Orton Leading the bears.Rex Is A playmaker Kyle Not so Much>>>
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8-18-2008 @ 7:40PM
biff_tannen said...
I don't know what's going to happen with this season, but if things start heading south, I'd like to see more of what Caleb Hanie has. Granted, his only action has been preseason garbage time, but he showed signs of life - which is impressive for any Bears quarterback, let alone a rookie.
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8-18-2008 @ 7:45PM
Nathan said...
"You mean the one that he threw about 35 yards in the air, behind Hester -- allowing the defender to catch back up to Hester and almost make a play on the ball?"
He hit Hester and he barely (if at all) broke stride. And it was in double coverage.
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8-19-2008 @ 8:32PM
XeshaBlu said...
Yeah, sure.
Orton, the guy who once threw 31 TD's and 5 INT's in a Big 10 season is written off after only 18 NFL starts?
Do you people think it's a mistake that the Bears are 12-6 in games Orton has started?
Sure he hasn't been the REASON they won some of those games, but his recognition of the game he had to play not to LOSE those games speaks well of his coachability. Which is also demonstrated by his college stats - which showed an improvement each year he played.
Want to weep? Check out his Perdue stats, and realize this potentially could have been his 4th year as a starter for the Bears.
http://purdue.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=4010
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8-20-2008 @ 6:38PM
misterbears said...
why dont all u winen btchs just shut up watch u may be surprised .opinions lmfao never ending da bears.
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8-20-2008 @ 10:05PM
Keith said...
Kyle - Has a nack for NOT losing games (we could use that)
Rexx - Fumbles, throws interceptions, chokes under pressure
Dante Culpepper - A stones throw better than these guys...worth a look if you ask me
Hanie - Worth a Look
Hester - He can do everything else...why not give him a shot at QB too.
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8-21-2008 @ 12:14AM
sports-fan said...
SHAWN DUNSTON'S MUSTACHE!
That is a Frickin Sweet name! I LIKE IT!
Orton still needs someone to throw to.
http://sports-fan.net
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8-21-2008 @ 11:25AM
Vernon Prince said...
Once again I see a writer who does not know what he is talking about didn't Orton break many of Drew Brees,s records at Purdue and the only reason he threw a short passing game in his 1st season was because the Bears asked him not to loose. Orton can throw the deep ball and people will see it this season.
The west coast offence is also permiated off the short pass, it is not designed to go deep unless the deep pass is open. I hope opposing defences think like you do if so the Bears are in for a good year
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8-21-2008 @ 12:53PM
C.A said...
The Bears need a running back Deshawn Foster is great
and Carolina made a mistake for cutting him just to please
Smith.
Hanie, is the man for the bears job.Rex should ask to be cut from the team and give back all the $$$ he has gotten.
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8-21-2008 @ 1:06PM
C.A said...
DeShawn Forest
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