NightLink: The QB-Deprived NFC North

by Dane Noble on Mar 31, 2009 8:29 PM CDT

Considering it is the off-season, there is no reason why Brett Favre's name shouldn't show up somewhere in some paper every day of the week. In this instance though, the article is focused on who will be the next QB to step up and take the reigns in the NFC North.

"I think you go in cycles like that," Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said at the NFL owners meetings last week. "We were kind of spoiled for a long time in Green Bay where you knew you had one guy there every year. Our position has rotated quite a bit, Detroit's has also. You look at Minnesota, same thing. It's a little bit of the changing of the guard."

As of right now, we have Kyle Orton, Aaron Rogers, Tavaris Jackson/ Sage Rosenfels, and Daunte Culpepper/Drew Stanton.

Lovie Smith:

"I still say the guy that does emerge out of the group, (his) success will say a lot to that team's success. We hope it's Kyle. We have a lot of faith it will be Kyle."

Rogers by far had the better numbers, but also made some critical mistakes in late-game situations. Orton was solid before his injury, and showed some flair when under pressure. As far as the QBs in Minnesota and Detroit, I don't think they have anyone on their rosters yet that will step up and take control of the North.

"As a quarterback you have moments when it's on you," Smith said. "We're a running team and we play special teams, but our quarterback has to make plays. We've seen Kyle in some tough situations. We just trust him. That's where you try to get to. You have faith in a leader and we do."

So, regardless of whether the reports of the Bears contacting the Broncos to inquire about Jay Cutler are true or not, Lovie Smith is sticking to his guns: faith and trust in Kyle Orton.

Do you see Kyle Orton as capable of becoming the next Favre in the NFC North?

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What a crappy division

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
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by SackMan on Mar 31, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions

I Heart Neckbeard...

But Glory Brett Favre he is not.

is a “game manager” and not a QB. He makes (sometimes) good decisions, which is helpful.
But I can’t make a judgement on a guy that has minimal weapons around him. Didn’t Forte have the most receptions on the team last year? And our TEs were next?
I mean, QBs have WEAPONS, the likes of a Randy Moss, Wes Welker…etc.
We don’t have that. We have a KR that is now our “#1” WR. I know we all like to blame the QB like we always do in Chicago, but you have to look at the “cast and crew” before you can make judgements.
Could Orton be an “elite” QB in the North? I say yes. Will he be without a TRUE #1 WR. Probably not.
We have a Class A RB in #22, a “Getting Better by the Day” OL, and mediocre at best WRs. If we can find some talent and one or two “value FA WRs”, I think we might just be the team to beat in the NFC North. As long as Turner can find a playbook that has some passing plays in it longer than 20 yrds.
But let Orton play if he is our guy. OR TRADE HIM FOR CUTLER, some picks, and some cash.

by Bearsguy34 on Mar 31, 2009 9:34 PM CDT reply actions

I would say he is a bit more than a game manager...

he made some clutch plays at the end of games, remember the Atlanta game, I know we lost it but that’s on the D, he drove us all the way down the field and put the ball in the endzone with like ten seconds remaining. The first Vikings game he pretty much won by himself.

by chase17 on Mar 31, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Orton and Rogers

would have pretty much exactly the same career and stats if they swapped teams.

Orton’s good enough that if he had the weapons Rodgers does around him, he’d look like a star. Likewise, with the crap of a receiving corp of the Bears, Rodgers would be absolutely no better than Orton has been.

by lindemrm on Mar 31, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions

by Ditkavsworld on Apr 1, 2009 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Orton can and will develop....

I have a tremendous amount of faith In KO.

But I hope he doesn’t end up like farve, sure he put up more TDs than anyone but he also threw more INTs as well and pretty much skated after his superbowl win.

"I am Kyles mom , I support him but I don't believe in him"- GeauxBears

by scespy12 on Mar 31, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions