2008 Woodie Awards
Forurth ound KO
Orton offering much needed stability at QB for first place Bears
Bill Zureikat
Issue date: 11/25/05 Section: Sports
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Let me get this straight. The Bears have a 6-3 record, they are alone atop the NFC North standings in first place, and they have only used a single quarterback through nine games, let alone a rookie. Pinch me please.
Although Orton hasn't set the world on fire with his passing skills, he has done enough to manage games and help put the Bears where they are.
His story was an improbable one. Orton was a simple fourth-round draft pick who's comfortable in the West Coast offense, he was supposed to spend the year holding a clipboard. But starter Rex Grossman sustained a broken ankle in the second exhibition game, and backup Chad Hutchinson, the former Stanford QB, was so horrible that he was released. Before the final exhibition game, Orton was named the starter.
The kid began the season with so little familiarity with the other starters that the Bears should have worn nametags in the huddle. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner scaled down the playbook to fit him and, after a 1-3 start that included a five-interception game by Orton against Cincinnati, the Bears have won five straight to spring themselves to the top of the NFC North
Orton's season didn't start in the most ideal way. Back in week one, the Bears were driving for a go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter when Orton threw his only interception, a mis-read on first down from the Redskins' 22-yard line. Washington held on to win 9-7. Orton was sacked three times and fumbled twice in the game.
Veterans have taken to Orton, who is not particularly flamboyant, is respectful of his teammates and has a chip on his shoulder over falling in the draft. They say leadership seems to come naturally to him.
Orton has thrown for more than 200 yards only once in eight games. His passer rating, 62.9, is hardly out of line for a rookie; it's a shade ahead of what Michael Vick, David Carr and Eli Manning did as rookies, and they all were No. 1 overall picks. Orton was No. 106. Compare that to San Fransisco 49ers first overall pick Alex Smith's dismal 17.5 and the young Bears QB is making the Bears look great for drafting him.
Although Orton hasn't set the world on fire with his passing skills, he has done enough to manage games and help put the Bears where they are.
His story was an improbable one. Orton was a simple fourth-round draft pick who's comfortable in the West Coast offense, he was supposed to spend the year holding a clipboard. But starter Rex Grossman sustained a broken ankle in the second exhibition game, and backup Chad Hutchinson, the former Stanford QB, was so horrible that he was released. Before the final exhibition game, Orton was named the starter.
The kid began the season with so little familiarity with the other starters that the Bears should have worn nametags in the huddle. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner scaled down the playbook to fit him and, after a 1-3 start that included a five-interception game by Orton against Cincinnati, the Bears have won five straight to spring themselves to the top of the NFC North
Orton's season didn't start in the most ideal way. Back in week one, the Bears were driving for a go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter when Orton threw his only interception, a mis-read on first down from the Redskins' 22-yard line. Washington held on to win 9-7. Orton was sacked three times and fumbled twice in the game.
Veterans have taken to Orton, who is not particularly flamboyant, is respectful of his teammates and has a chip on his shoulder over falling in the draft. They say leadership seems to come naturally to him.
Orton has thrown for more than 200 yards only once in eight games. His passer rating, 62.9, is hardly out of line for a rookie; it's a shade ahead of what Michael Vick, David Carr and Eli Manning did as rookies, and they all were No. 1 overall picks. Orton was No. 106. Compare that to San Fransisco 49ers first overall pick Alex Smith's dismal 17.5 and the young Bears QB is making the Bears look great for drafting him.
