Friday night, during the Denver Broncos’ preseason opener, we learned one thing: if Kyle Orton gets enough time and help, he can make a drive last long enough to end in a punt. And that’s a big if.
The Broncos lost to the San Francisco 49ers 17-16 at Candlestick Park last night. (Check video highlights on NFL.com.) Orton, the new starting quarterback we stole from Chicago in exchange for a mere Pro Bowler, completed twelve of sixteen passes, though three of them were to 49ers, ending each of the team’s first three drives. The first was particularly galling: an awful pass into the end zone that billionaire Niners cornerback Nate Clements leaned into and caught to end our best scoring chance of the first half. Orton made his reputation in Chicago as an OK option across from a good defense, but I’m not sure any defense is good enough to cover throwing away chances like that, on second down from the three. My friend David V. calls Orton "The Ocho", which I love (Orton wears No. 8). I fear, though, that calling him that will be the most fun I'll have watching Orton all season. (To be fair, Orton was playing without top receiver Brandon Marshall, who was found not guilty of battery yesterday.)
In the second half, we saw Chris Simms, the former Longhorn whose career in the NFL, except for a brief stretch in Tampa Bay, has been puzzling for its lack of opportunities. Simms, the son of a former NFL star, put up very good numbers in Austin, but was always seen as a bit of a disappointment. That view carried over into the NFL without a moment’s examination, as Simms was a late third-round pick and has rarely been given chances by a team, the Bucs, that could afford to give them. He also suffered from some injuries in his career, including a brutal spleen rupture in 2006.
Anyway, Simms was 11-for-17 for 142 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which was especially sweet: a fifty-two yard rainbow bomb down the sideline on third-and-nine. He was picked off on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt. (To be fair, Simms was playing with backups the whole time and still moved the ball.) Now some might say that the Broncos have a quarterback controversy on their hands. They do not; Simms was clearly much, much better last night, and if he’s not starting when the season does, I’m going to lose it.
Don’t misunderstand me. I get that yesterday was just one game, and I don’t think either Orton or Simms will lead us to the promised land. I just have more faith in Simms’ untapped potential than I do in an offense led conservatively by Kyle Orton. I don’t think we’ll have enough defense to have a Bears-style O, and I question The Ocho’s ability to lead a more open attack. Simms played last night with more arm strength, wisdom, guts, and hunger. Orton may outplay him as the preseason goes on, and of course I don’t go to every practice, but for now, the need is clear: start Chris Simms!
Comments
Orton was atrocious. How many picks would he have thrown playing the whole game? And more to the point, why do I have to be patient with him? It's not like he started with us last year or his career so far has been so much more impressive than Simms'. I have no idea why the Ocho is so firmly entrenched as the starter. This isn't calling for Tom Brady or Peyton Manning to take a seat after one bad half; this is a team with two new veteran guys, one of whom badly outplayed the other Friday.
The other problem with Orton is his bad game looked like a Brian Griese bad game; there were no positive signs, like some tough completions in traffic, just a bunch of crappy throws.
And I said before the game (a few posts ago) that Simms could be our best option, and I've seen nothing to change my mind on that.
I'm not disagreeing that Simms could be the best option, I just think it's really too early to tell whether Orton can be the starter or not. This was just the first pre-season game and Orton was in a whole new offensive system. Let's give Neck-Beard another chance!
And even if we accept your premise that it is too early to tell with Orton, why does he deserve another chance? There's already someone playing better on the roster! I mean, sure, let Orton keep playing in preseason games, give him reps in practice and all that, but why give him any particular benefit of the doubt? In other words, what's the reason he's starting to begin with?
It's fine if Orton starts in the next preseason game or whatever, but if he doesn't improve a LOT Simms should get his job.
Simms has better arm strength, accuracy, and mobility than Orton. Orton's play is as sloppy as his appearance. Case closed.
This is just more bad coaching and management from Josh McDaniels - it's like he thinks he has to start Orton simply because Orton was part of the botched Jay Cutler trade.