After the 5-0 start this season, you would think that Jay Cutler would be all but forgotten, but nothing could be further from the truth. How do you forget about someone who was so acclaimed and hyped up by the media yet couldn’t get the Broncos into the playoffs? How do you forget about a “franchise” quarterback who would show flashes of brilliance only to flop in big games? How do you forget about a quarterback who acted like he was the second coming of John Elway when the organization had entertained the thought of trading him? “How dare they think of trading me! I have a losing record as an NFL starter.”
The answer to those questions is simple; you can’t forget. However, you can move on in a better direction. Nobody thought that the Broncos were moving in a better direction when they traded Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for Kyle Orton and two first round draft choices. Jay Cutler forced the Broncos’ hand, and Denver benefited, becoming a much better and balanced team.
Kyle Orton may never throw the deep ball like Jay Cutler. He may never evade pass rushers like number six did. In fact, the only similarity between Orton and Cutler is their hairstyles. I will take Kyle Orton’s 26-12 record as a starting quarterback any day over Cutler’s 19-20 record.
Kyle Orton was interviewed during halftime of Sunday Night Football by Bob Costas. Costas asked him whether he thought he should be recognized for being a quarterback who wins games. That was all the recognition that he needed. Orton basically said that he wasn’t the one who won those games; it has always been a team effort. Granted, Jay Cutler would probably throw out a similar cliché if he was asked a question like that. However, when Kyle Orton says it, I believe it and find the humility very refreshing.
I was comfortable with the trade for Orton. He wins games behind his team; he doesn’t try to get his team to win behind him. Orton is what you call a serviceable quarterback. He is not a Peyton Manning or Drew Brees type, but he can manage a game.
Orton seems to be improving under the leadership of Josh McDaniels. He is avoiding major mistakes and relying on short passes to move the ball down the field. Sunday’s game against New England was probably the best game of his career as far as accuracy is concerned. Orton threw the ball 48 times, completing 35 of those passes, a career best. Those 35 completions added up to 330 yards and two touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall, who is quickly becoming Orton’s weapon of choice.
Kyle Orton, we don’t want another Jay Cutler. Just keep doing what you are doing.
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