Chiefs Babb:Orton impresses as Chiefs contemplate future at QB - Page 3

**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.

King_Chief_Fan · 12-19-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

We won't know until it plays out fairly

what does that mean?
We know that after being with the team 3 weeks, Orton learned the play book and in Crennels mind the clear choice to play.
How do we know the criteria used at practice to make this call?
How do you know it isn't fair?

eazyb81 · 12-19-2011, 07:26 AM

We all would love a new franchise QB, but it likely isn't happening this year. It might never happen under Pioli.

That said, Orton has the potential to put up similar production to Trent Green. With our defense we could win some games in that setup. Probably not a Super Bowl though.

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-19-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Why are the limits of our expectations bounded by Stanzi vs. Orton?

No limits, just curiosity in how Stanzi will react and play against 1st stringers and I'm not Iowa homer or a True Fan when it comes to the QB position. If he tanks, and shows no signs of improvement or potential to be then QBOTF then **** him.

**Tribal Warfare** · 12-19-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

what does that mean?
We know that after being with the team 3 weeks, Orton learned the play book and in Crennels mind the clear choice to play.
How do we know the criteria used at practice to make this call?
How do you know it isn't fair?

It was the conservative decision in the known product instead of the unknown one.

Rasputin · 12-19-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

Stanzi wouldn't beat out Kyle Orton. And I am not saying that Orton is a world beater. I am saying you all put way too much stock in somone who hasn't even cracked the right to dress out with the team on game days until Cassel went down.

That is why getting Stanzi some playing time this year would help. Draft a QB with our first and go into preseason with an open competition.

I want to see a QB we draft get a shot at being the guy. If they don't....

Well here is our mediocre QBotn2y KYLE ORTON.

Titty Meat · 12-19-2011, 07:43 AM

Give it up on the Stanzi talk folks.

Rasputin · 12-19-2011, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Give it up on the Stanzi talk folks.

Why? He hasn't got to play yet. It would be nice to see him play for do diligence in search of QBotf. If not this has been a wasted year on reject QB play. Even if Orton does good he will hold this team back from anything greater than we have had since 1993.

htismaqe · 12-19-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Give it up on the Stanzi talk folks.

Seriously. Maybe it's you that should give it up. Until he gets to play, no objective person can say whether we have a potential contributor or not.

I know it just burns you to no end that he's a Hawkeye. It would bother me too if my team's QBs always ended up as safeties in the NFL...

12-19-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

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?

The Chiefs should be required to interview a white guy for the job to be fair.

InChiefsHeaven · 12-19-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Seriously. Maybe it's you that should give it up. Until he gets to play, no objective person can say whether we have a potential contributor or not.

I know it just burns you to no end that he's a Hawkeye. It would bother me too if my team's QBs always ended up as safeties in the NFL...

What the ****? I don't think Bug is saying anything more than give up on the Stanzi talk, cuz the Chiefs ain't gonna play him.

It doesn't bother me that Husker QB's go to the NFL as safeties. Husker football has never been about awesome pro-style QB's.

htismaqe · 12-19-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell

What the ****? I don't think Bug is saying anything more than give up on the Stanzi talk, cuz the Chiefs ain't gonna play him.

It doesn't bother me that Husker QB's go to the NFL as safeties. Husker football has never been about awesome pro-style QB's.

First of all, that's Billay, not Bug.

And he's been anti-Stanzi since the very beginning solely because he can't stand Hawkeye fans, namely BossChief.

He lacks objectivity on the subject and it's obvious.

As for the quip about Husker QBs, turnabout is fair play, is it not? I was merely illustrating how absurd it sounds...

12-19-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

To be fair, the play calling was TERRIBLE in the red zone all game long.

Just because it didn't work doesn't mean the play-calling was the culprit. Orton had a couple of his worst throws in the red-zone. The Packers stiffened up and made some plays on the goal-line as well. The Chiefs offense didn't execute flawlessly in goal-to-go situations. Doesn't mean somebody was calling a crappy game necessarily.

tk13 · 12-19-2011, 09:51 AM

Crennel's fighting for his job at this point. I really doubt Stanzi comes into play unless Orton gets hurt.

But admittedly I hate it when people say "let's see what we have." That basically means throw crap against the wall and see if it sticks. Stanzi should play when he's ready... which maybe he is, but the people clamoring for him aren't really thinking that, just hoping for a Tom Brady miracle.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Iowanian** · 12-19-2011, 09:52 AM

I think it's a little early for the Chiefs to get too excited about Orton.

Yes, he's better than Palko, Yes, he's better than Cassel, but he's also washed out of 2 cities as the starter and isn't popular with those fans.

Yesterday, he was a huge improvement over what we've been seeing, but he had some bad throws and several that were almost Casselesque in how far behind they receiver they were thrown.

Brock · 12-19-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Yesterday, he was a huge improvement over what we've been seeing, but he had some bad throws and several that were almost Casselesque in how far behind they receiver they were thrown.

74 percent completion rate says there weren't too many bad throws. Those back shoulder throws are a timing issue, the receivers probably aren't used to a ball being where it's supposed to be.

12-19-2011, 12:16 AM
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.
Posts: 43,422

12-19-2011, 07:26 AM	#32
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $9984900	We all would love a new franchise QB, but it likely isn't happening this year. It might never happen under Pioli. That said, Orton has the potential to put up similar production to Trent Green. With our defense we could win some games in that setup. Probably not a Super Bowl though.
Posts: 12,033

12-19-2011, 07:43 AM	#36
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $-992442	Give it up on the Stanzi talk folks.
Posts: 78,089

12-19-2011, 09:51 AM	#43
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1687500	Crennel's fighting for his job at this point. I really doubt Stanzi comes into play unless Orton gets hurt. But admittedly I hate it when people say "let's see what we have." That basically means throw crap against the wall and see if it sticks. Stanzi should play when he's ready... which maybe he is, but the people clamoring for him aren't really thinking that, just hoping for a Tom Brady miracle. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 56,601

12-19-2011, 09:52 AM	#44
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1808454	I think it's a little early for the Chiefs to get too excited about Orton. Yes, he's better than Palko, Yes, he's better than Cassel, but he's also washed out of 2 cities as the starter and isn't popular with those fans. Yesterday, he was a huge improvement over what we've been seeing, but he had some bad throws and several that were almost Casselesque in how far behind they receiver they were thrown.
Posts: 62,931