September 26, 2005 - I haven't lost Faith...yet, in the Bears
-
I haven't at all lost faith in Kyle Orton because as many state,
"he's a rookie." Most rookie QBs find carrying a clipboard a chore to
loathe, but safe enough. Orton wasn't the 1st string, with 1st string
time to learn, until week 4 of preseason. So, he's had 4 weeks, the
last week of the preseason getting 4 snaps, then pulled…for health
concerns/QB controversy potentially with Jeff Blake.
Checking out some 'old' vets rookie campaigns, the following are the
statistics from their rookie year as starters:
Year G Att Comp Pct Yards YPA TD Int Rating
1983 11 259 123 47.5 1663 6.42 7 14 54.9
1985 ? 72 138 52.2 935 6.8 3 8 56.9
1971 ? 72 131 55.0 777 5.9 5 4 72.6
1970 13 83 218 38.1 1410 6.47 6 24 30.4
1971 14 203 373 54.4 2259 6.06 13 22 59.7
1973 10 87 194 44.8 1126 6 13 46.4
1974 11 115 237 48.5 1732 8 13 61.0
1967 12 166 331 50.2 2005 15 18 61.6
1968 13 186 355 52.4 2473 21 16 75.7
Now, I realize the NFL has changed from the prominent running game of
the 1960-80's to a more passer-friendly game. (Still have to run it…)
However, what has changed the most (due to more pervasive media
scrutiny) is the 'high expectations' on QBs immediately. I hope the
Bears give Orton the time to develop, or show a propensity to make the
same errors before benching him.
Fans are stupid to expect this team as constituted to compete for
anything other than top 5 pick in 2006.
The Defense holds up well enough, but has serious issues in the
Secondary - seeing the Washington and Cincinnati games where the
'shutdown' corners/nickelbacks got burnt badly…too much to be
considered a strength.
The WRs and Tight Ends are horribly inadequate. Mark Bradley made a
simple rookie error: tackling after a interception, after failing any
attempt to break up a crappy ball. But he's a rookie too - so I cut him
a little slack…for now. (He gotta show me something too.)
Berrian, Gage and Wade are terrible as a #2 or #3 option. I never see
separation, run after the catch or hands that make me ooze praise on
them. TE Desmond Clark - did he play today? How about that Kicking
game? 1 of 4 on easily made FGs…by a real pro.
Sorry, I can blame the QB a lot, but he doesn't have what 'Big Ben' had
last year to compete with. 2 quality RBs (better than T. Jones or C.
Benson), Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward, Antwaan Randell-El, excellent
O-line and a top 5-10 defense to boot. (Then they got TE this
year...after losing Plaxico.)
So, until the Bears really get players that can do it, including a
great/good O-line, Orton isn't the sole excuse…especially tossing it 30
times a game to garbage players - M. Muhammad aside.
BTW, the QBs in order:
John Elway -1983
Steve Young - 1985
Ken Anderson - 1971
Terry Bradshaw - 1970
Dan Fouts - 1973
Bob Griese - 1967
Joey Harrington has gotten 3 years of OTJ experience - has 3 #1 Round
WRs to throw to and he's still starting…But he should be SERIOUSLY
considering working for a piano bar in the Portland area where he and
BLAZERMAN can discuss 'glory days.'
