Chiefs Babb:Orton impresses as Chiefs contemplate future at QB

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-19-2011, 12:16 AM

Orton impresses as Chiefs contemplate future at QB
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

When these weeks are finished, the games all done, the Chiefs will have decisions to make. They brought that on last week, when coach Todd Haley was fired.

One of the organization’s decisions became simpler Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, when interim coach Romeo Crennel led the Chiefs to a 19-14 win against the previously unbeaten Green Bay Packers. If this is the effect the 64-year-old Crennel will have on the Chiefs, ending a week of turmoil with a bit of hope, why would the Chiefs bother looking beyond him?

No, the more complicated decision centers on the Chiefs’ plans at quarterback. If the victory simplified the coach question, Kyle Orton’s performance Sunday most assuredly complicated the matter of what the Chiefs should do at their most important position.

“That’s about as much fun as I’ve had on a football field,” Orton said afterward.

Winning is fun, especially when it interrupts a potentially historic run toward perfection. But in this case, it’s not that simple. Now what should the Chiefs do? Bring back Orton, who will be a free agent after this season? Pay Matt Cassel another chunk of a $63 million contract for a fourth season with the Chiefs? Or maybe draft or sign a newcomer, looking toward the future instead of the present?

This is a tough one. But Crennel said Sunday afternoon that there’s a way the quarterback matter could be resolved quickly, too.

“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,” Crennel said, answering a question about whether Orton should be the Chiefs’ leading man beyond 2011. “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.

“If he continues to do what he did today, I would say yes.”

Somehow, Orton outdueled Aaron Rodgers, perhaps the league’s best passer, completing 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards. He managed the offense, communicated with his teammates and eliminated the confusion and doubt that existed the last four games, when Tyler Palko started for the Chiefs.

“Nothing against (Palko) or (Cassel), man, just — Kyle is a new beast out there with us,” fullback Le’Ron McClain said. “He ran the whole game on the sideline, coming to us on certain plays, telling us in the huddle — boom, boom, ‘Just get open for me right here.’ ”

That kind of calm confidence was lacking this season for the Chiefs. It helped, Orton said, when earlier in the week Crennel told reporters that Palko would be benched; if Orton’s injured finger was healed, he would start.

That allowed Orton’s teammates to focus on their new quarterback, learning his voice, cadence and mannerisms. Familiarity and comfort are important things for an NFL team, and Orton’s teammates showed both in Sunday’s victory.

“That’s the tough thing coming into a team late in the season: You haven’t had training camp, you haven’t had all those grueling practices to get to know the guys,” Orton said. “They haven’t had those practices to get to know me, as well. It was a crash course on the field.”

Cassel is a fierce competitor and an admirable leader, but his ability has been questioned throughout his three seasons in Kansas City. A broken right hand landed Cassel on injured reserve last month, again fanning questions of his shortcomings and how the Chiefs should move past him, sooner rather than later. A draft pick or free agent would have to learn the offense and, at least in the case of a rookie, probably be brought along slowly. It wouldn’t help matters that Sunday’s victory again pushed the Chiefs down in the draft order, hurting their chances of selecting a sure-thing passer.

So there Orton was Sunday, wearing a yellow sweater and dark jacket, his hair in his face and a smile coming through. Asked about free-agency and his future, Orton said the only thing he was concerned about was Saturday’s home game against Oakland.

He had already made his point earlier in the day.

“This first week and he does that?” wide receiver Steve Breaston said. “That’s impressive.”

Orton’s performance Sunday was encouraging, remarkable and hopeful. But it didn’t simplify anything. For now, the Chiefs will gladly take on a little more confusion — if it leads to results like this.

12-19-2011, 12:16 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2787187	Babb:Orton impresses as Chiefs contemplate future at QB Orton impresses as Chiefs contemplate future at QB By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star When these weeks are finished, the games all done, the Chiefs will have decisions to make. They brought that on last week, when coach Todd Haley was fired. One of the organization’s decisions became simpler Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, when interim coach Romeo Crennel led the Chiefs to a 19-14 win against the previously unbeaten Green Bay Packers. If this is the effect the 64-year-old Crennel will have on the Chiefs, ending a week of turmoil with a bit of hope, why would the Chiefs bother looking beyond him? No, the more complicated decision centers on the Chiefs’ plans at quarterback. If the victory simplified the coach question, Kyle Orton’s performance Sunday most assuredly complicated the matter of what the Chiefs should do at their most important position. “That’s about as much fun as I’ve had on a football field,” Orton said afterward. Winning is fun, especially when it interrupts a potentially historic run toward perfection. But in this case, it’s not that simple. Now what should the Chiefs do? Bring back Orton, who will be a free agent after this season? Pay Matt Cassel another chunk of a $63 million contract for a fourth season with the Chiefs? Or maybe draft or sign a newcomer, looking toward the future instead of the present? This is a tough one. But Crennel said Sunday afternoon that there’s a way the quarterback matter could be resolved quickly, too. “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,” Crennel said, answering a question about whether Orton should be the Chiefs’ leading man beyond 2011. “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. “If he continues to do what he did today, I would say yes.” Somehow, Orton outdueled Aaron Rodgers, perhaps the league’s best passer, completing 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards. He managed the offense, communicated with his teammates and eliminated the confusion and doubt that existed the last four games, when Tyler Palko started for the Chiefs. “Nothing against (Palko) or (Cassel), man, just — Kyle is a new beast out there with us,” fullback Le’Ron McClain said. “He ran the whole game on the sideline, coming to us on certain plays, telling us in the huddle — boom, boom, ‘Just get open for me right here.’ ” That kind of calm confidence was lacking this season for the Chiefs. It helped, Orton said, when earlier in the week Crennel told reporters that Palko would be benched; if Orton’s injured finger was healed, he would start. That allowed Orton’s teammates to focus on their new quarterback, learning his voice, cadence and mannerisms. Familiarity and comfort are important things for an NFL team, and Orton’s teammates showed both in Sunday’s victory. “That’s the tough thing coming into a team late in the season: You haven’t had training camp, you haven’t had all those grueling practices to get to know the guys,” Orton said. “They haven’t had those practices to get to know me, as well. It was a crash course on the field.” Cassel is a fierce competitor and an admirable leader, but his ability has been questioned throughout his three seasons in Kansas City. A broken right hand landed Cassel on injured reserve last month, again fanning questions of his shortcomings and how the Chiefs should move past him, sooner rather than later. A draft pick or free agent would have to learn the offense and, at least in the case of a rookie, probably be brought along slowly. It wouldn’t help matters that Sunday’s victory again pushed the Chiefs down in the draft order, hurting their chances of selecting a sure-thing passer. So there Orton was Sunday, wearing a yellow sweater and dark jacket, his hair in his face and a smile coming through. Asked about free-agency and his future, Orton said the only thing he was concerned about was Saturday’s home game against Oakland. He had already made his point earlier in the day. “This first week and he does that?” wide receiver Steve Breaston said. “That’s impressive.” Orton’s performance Sunday was encouraging, remarkable and hopeful. But it didn’t simplify anything. For now, the Chiefs will gladly take on a little more confusion — if it leads to results like this.
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