Interesting tidbit from Pat Kirwan

[brletich]

Here is an interesting nugget from Pat Kirwan. Interesting to see what the players think about Orton...

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4759

 

Grossman-Orton highlights camp battles on offense

By Pat Kirwan, NFL.com

 

 

As usual, there are a number of big camp battles starting to set up around the league, but this year more battles will be won or lost on the field because most teams have the salary cap space to let the best man win. In years past, often it was the cheapest man who won the battle.

 

Don't eliminate a savvy veteran now threatened by a high incoming draft choice. Do you think Giants corner Sam Madison is just going to give his job to rookie Terrell Thomas, or Dallas corner Anthony Henry will be surrendering to Mike Jenkins?

 

Don't underestimate the effect of a recent coaching change on head-to-head battles, especially with a new scheme in the equation. In Miami, a tough veteran player such as guard Steve McKinney could hold off rookie Shawn Murphy with all the protection checks and techniques required to survive in the pits.

 

Then, of course, there are the head-to-head battles between veterans that should have happened years ago but finally will take place in 2008. In Chicago, Rex Grossman has been promised nothing and Kyle Orton gets his shot to overtake the former first-round pick. As Lovie Smith said recently: "We'll let it play out." The Bears probably should have done that in 2006.

 

Finally, don't listen to everything being said all spring about one player having the job -- or, as coaches like to say: "It's his job to lose." Last year at this point, that was the rhetoric coming out of Jacksonville about Byron Leftwich. By the end of the summer, Leftwich was released and David Garrard was under center. A few moths ago, Matt Leinart was announced as the Cardinals' starter, but Kurt Warner has taken an increased number of reps in recent days. Sounds like a camp battle is brewing in Arizona.

 

Here are the camp battles on offense that I will be paying close attention to when the pads go on in late July. On Tuesday, I will break down the key defensive battles.

 

Quarterbacks

 

1. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and Joe Flacco

Boller has enough experience to fight this battle against the strong-armed Flacco, who has yet to see NFL defenses. Smith may be the forgotten man in the race but he might be his teammates' choice by summer's end.

 

2. Miami Dolphins: Josh McCown, Chad Henne and John Beck

McCown is only 28 years old and could win this outright -- not because he has the most experience but because he's the best in the battle. Henne has to earn at least the No. 2 spot by the end of camp, so that he can get a chance to play in real games if and when the season is lost. Beck wasn't drafted by the present regime and may have the longest way to go to win the job. Bill Parcells is never opposed to rolling through quarterbacks, especially with three guys like this, so it should be interesting all summer long.

 

3. Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton

Grossman was under center on the Super Bowl run in 2006, but never really secured the spot. I get the feeling in talking to Bears players that Orton has the huddle presence and the personality to win over the team. Without taking a quarterback in the draft, and both players on short-term deals, this is an interesting battle that should be a deciding factor in everyone's future in Chicago.

 

4. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart vs. Kurt Warner

Leinart was announced as the starter when the offseason began, but it will not be that easy to keep the position. Warner always looms in the wings as a guy who does everything the right way, but if he wins this battle it may really set the franchise back down the road. The Cardinals coaches are going to play the best player for the 2008 season and worry about the future later. Leinart has a battle on his hands this summer.

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Brodie Croyle vs. Tyler Thigpen

The Chiefs didn't draft a quarterback this spring, much to many people's surprise. The Chiefs like Thigpen enough, and now Croyle has to perform or we may see what Thigpen is all about. Sure the Chiefs are in a youth movement/rebuilding program, but Croyle could stumble and Thigpen could shine. A year ago, nobody thought Derek Anderson was in the mix in Cleveland.

 

Running back

 

1. Chicago Bears: Cedric Benson vs. Matt Forte

Benson is saying all the right things, and he will come to camp hungry to defend the top spot on the roster. Benson is going to have to play better, and Forte is in the wings waiting his chance. It may not happen by the end of camp, but this battle was set up by the Bears in the draft for a reason.

 

2. Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart

Everyone says you need two backs in the modern game. Fair point, but which one is the "bell cow?" Stewart has a lot to offer from a power perspective, yet Williams isn't going to surrender just because Stewart was a first-round pick. This battle can only make the team stronger.

 

3. Oakland Raiders: Justin Fargas, Michael Bush and Darren McFadden

The Raiders may have a nice problem with three capable running backs. What if McFadden is a holdout in camp? What if Bush has returned to his ability from Louisville? What if Fargas picks up where he left off in 2007?

[madlithuanian]

THanks for posting! Glad to hear Kyle is getting some respect from his teammates.

 

 

 

Here is an interesting nugget from Pat Kirwan. Interesting to see what the players think about Orton...

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4759

[Connorbear]

THanks for posting! Glad to hear Kyle is getting some respect from his teammates.

I think Kyle has had the respect of his teammates. Further, I think life will be easier for our Qbs now that Mr. ThrowMyQBs under the bus is gone.

 

Here's hoping our Qbs have an outstanding yr.

 

Peace

[AZ54]

The number one thing I got out of that article is that I like our QBs much better than Baltimore's. Of course they have Flacco who is just oozing the p-word (potential) but has never taken snaps under center.