The Chiefs looked impressive in their victory over the previously undefeated Super Bowl Champion Packers on Sunday. As they look ahead, they have some big questions to answer in the offseason, including finding a new head coach, and interim coach Romeo Crennel made a good bid with the way the Chiefs played this past weekend.
They also need to decide if they are going to stick with Matt Cassel as their starter, or go with Kyle Orton, who they picked up as a band aid when Cassel went down and who played exceptionally well on Sunday. Perhaps both the interim coach and interim quarterback can earn starting jobs for next season with the foundation they built together on Sunday.
Asked if Orton should be the starter in 2012, Crennel answered, “If we win these next two games with him, and he continues to play the way he did today, then you might have to say that.”
“That’s what happens in football: You see what kind of production a player has, and then you make a determination of whether you think that production will continue and if you want that type of player on your team.”
Kyle Orton has encountered several ups and downs throughout his NFL career. His career began as an NFL quarterback in 2005 when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Chicago bears. Ready or not, Orton was rushed into action as a rookie after starter Rex Grossman went down with an injury in the preseason. Orton led the Bears to an impressive 11-5 record, only to be replaced once Grossman was healthy enough to return for the playoffs.
Following the 2005 season, Orton was moved to third on the Bears depth chart and did not see the field for almost two entire seasons. Eventually in 2008, Orton regained his starting spot and led the Bears to a 9-7 record, missing the playoffs by one game. Heading into that offseason, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo decided he wanted to move in a different direction. On April 2, 2009, Orton was traded to the Denver Broncos (along with their first round draft picks in 2009 and 2010) for Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler.
In Denver Orton’s career got off to a great start with a surprising 6-0 record to begin the season. Unfortunately it all spiraled out of control after that and the Broncos finished the season at 8-8, missing the playoffs by one game. Whatever chemistry he and Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall had developed was lost and Marshall was traded to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason. Still, Orton managed to put up decent numbers in 2009 and finished the season with 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 86.8 QB rating.
Orton was named the starter for the 2010 season, even after the franchise used its first round draft pick on All-American quarterback Tim Tebow. 2010, Orton’s best statistical season, was highlighted by a career-high 476-yard outburst against the Indianapolis Colts. Orton cooled off however towards the end of the season and with a nagging ankle injury, was benched the final three games so that coaches could get a look at rookie quarterback Tim Tebow.
2011 has been the same roller coaster ride for Orton as his six prior seasons. First year coach John Fox named him the starter for opening day after outplaying Tim Tebow in the preseason. Orton only survived the first quarter of the season until finally being replaced by Tim Tebow; only this time the switch was for good. Orton was waived by the Denver Broncos on November 22, 2011 and claimed off waivers the next day by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Orton was happy to have a fresh start somewhere else but the fun didn’t last long. He injured his index finger on the very first play of his career as a Kansas City Chief. Orton had come in to replace starter Tyler Palko in the second quarter but was forced to leave the game after being hit by Chicago Bears safety, Major Wright. Two weeks later, Orton was given the starting nod by Interim Coach Romeo Crennel to face the undefeated, defending Super Bowl Champion, Green Bay Packers.
With all the odds stacked against them, Orton and his Kansas City Chiefs shocked the world. In the most improbable victory of the season, the Chiefs defeated Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers 19-14, ending a 19 game winning streak dating back to December of 2010. Orton outdueled the soon to be unanimous MVP of the league with a 299 yard passing performance that included zero turnovers. This win marked the greatest achievement on Kyle Orton’s up and down career so far. It tells you a lot about the type of competitor he is. No one expected him to stand a chance against the Green Bay Packers, just like no one thought he stood a chance of being successful in Denver. In both cases he silenced his critics. Kyle Orton has no problem with his doubters continuing to come up with reasons why he won’t succeed; he’ll just have to keep proving them wrong.
