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It didn’t look good for Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton as he was carted from the field during his team’s 27-23 win over the still-winless Detroit Lions today. Rumors immediately began circulating that Kyle’s season was over with a broken ankle, but several sources are now reporting that the injury is a high ankle sprain that could keep him out anywhere from practice this week to four games — yes, quite a discrepancy. I guess he drove himself home after the game so how bad could it be?

Really, Kyle’s injury is mostly speculation until he has an MRI tomorrow. But if the Bears have to turn to Rex Grossman, I think it severely lessens their chances of winning the NFC North. Rex filled in OK this afternoon (9-of-19 for 58 yards, rushing and throwing TDs and an INT), but he’s backing-up Kyle for a reason. He’s not as good. And he’s a streaky quarterback who will eventually let you down. At least that’s what he’s proven in the past. This afternoon’s lackluster performance was a perfect example against the NFL’s worst defense. I can’t beat him up too badly because he did score the go-ahead touchdown, but he won’t win games for this team week-after-week.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Kyle Orton Has High Ankle Sprain

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Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith today announced that quarterback Kyle Orton will be the team’s starter when their season opens September 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Kyle will also start this Thursday’s third preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers. It was an open competition when training camp began, but Kyle beat out QB Rex Grossman for the starting job. Coach Smith said:

“To come to a decision like that we’ve taken a lot of things into consideration: Last year, how (Kyle) finished the season … training camp, preseason games. In the end, it comes down to a gut feeling that you have. I feel good about Kyle leading our team.”

This decision doesn’t surprise me at all. In fact, I figured Kyle would be named the starter before training camp began. I guess the Bears were holding out one final hope that Rex Grossman would develop into the quarterback they hoped he would when they drafted him back in 2003. Still, I don’t think Kyle’s a world-beater. I just think he’s the better of the two quarterbacks. Which isn’t necessarily saying that much. Stats aren’t everything, but neither quarterback has really impressed with their numbers this preseason. Not to sound like a doomsayer, but it’s almost like the lesser of two evils principle.

Kyle does have some experience. If you’ll remember back to 2005, he started 15 games as a rookie before taking the controls for the final three games last season. And he played well enough. I remember when he was a rookie, he ran a simple version of the Bears offense. Now he’s shouldering the whole load. I’m not sure that’s a good look for him, but only time will tell.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Kyle Orton Will Start for Chicago Bears

It’s preseason with a tinge of the playoffs. That will be one of the highlights of a 13-game national television preseason schedule that was announced today by the NFL, along with the complete list of 2008 preseason matchups. All 12 of the 2007 NFL playoff teams will be featured in the national TV games.

It all starts in Canton, OH — site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Sunday night, August 3 on NBC (8:00 PM ET), the Indianapolis Colts will take on the Washington Redskins in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. It will be an eventful weekend for the Redskins as two of the greatest players in their history — cornerback Darrell Green and wide receiver Art Monk — will join the class of 2008 at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday. The game also will mark the NFL head-coaching debut of Washington’s Jim Zorn. That game is just the start of the preseason national TV excitement:

WEEK 1: Two of the top-10 receivers of last season in both catches and yards square off as New Orleans (Marques Colston) visits Arizona (Larry Fitzgerald) on Thursday, August 7, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET ….. NFL fans will see the debut as a starter of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who this year takes over for the retired Brett Favre, when Cincinnati travels to Green Bay (Monday, August 11, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET).

WEEK 2: Panthers QB Jake Delhomme will continue his comeback from elbow surgery as he is tested by new Eagles (and former Patriots) CB Asante Samuel when Philadelphia hosts Carolina (Thursday, August 14, FOX, 8:00 PM ET) ….. Two recent first-round quarterbacks meet for the first time as Oakland (JaMarcus Russell) visits Tennessee (Vince Young) on Saturday, August 16, FOX, 8:00 PM ET ….. Two division winners go at it as New England (preparing to duplicate its undefeated ’07 season) travels to Tampa Bay (Sunday, August 17, NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET) ….. And the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants debut at home against Cleveland (Monday, August 18, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET).

WEEK 3: Two quarterbacks seeking to re-establish themselves as starters go at it as San Francisco (Alex Smith) travels to Chicago (Rex Grossman) on Thursday, August 21, FOX, 8:00 PM ET ….. The Battle for Texas takes place when Houston visits Dallas (the preseason series is tied 2-2) on Friday, August 22, CBS, 8:00 PM ET ….. Pittsburgh’s No. 3 NFL rush defense of ’07 can judge where it stands for ’08 when it faces Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson, the NFL ’07 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl MVP (Saturday, August 23, CBS, 8:00 PM ET) ….. Buffalo helps Indianapolis open its new 63,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium (Sunday, August 24, NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET) ….. And two more division winners meet when Seattle travels to San Diego. The Seahawks will be priming new RB Julius Jones (Monday, August 25, ESPN, 8:00 PM ET).

WEEK 4: The national TV schedule concludes with another matchup of playoff teams as Washington prepares to kick off the season and new Jacksonville WR Jerry Porter gets his final tune-up (Thursday, August 28, NBC, 7:00 PM ET).

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL’s Preseason National Television Schedule Features Every ‘07 Playoff Team

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Former Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Lloyd signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears yesterday. He’ll be reunited with his former college coach from the University of Illinois, Ron Turner, who is the Bears’ offensive coordinator.

Brandon was one of my favorite receivers during his time with the Niners. He made some of the most spectacular catches I’ve ever seen in three solid years there that had me believing he was going to be a superstar in the Bay area. His best season was in ‘05 when he had 48 catches for 733 yards and five TDs. Then, mysteriously, the team dealt him to Washington where he had a decent ‘06 (about 16 ypc) but did next to nothing in a 2007 season that ended early with a broken collarbone. The word in San Fran was that he had rubbed some of the 49ers vets the wrong way, thus his exit. I don’t believe he’s a problem in the locker room. He’s an artist (rapper) and somewhat of a free spirit. But I think he’s a good teammate. I interviewed him his last season with the Niners and found him to be a gracious and polite person during our talk. Upon signing with Chicago yesterday, Brandon said:

“The best thing I can do for myself is just come in and work. That’s not anything I haven’t done. I’m not going to sit here and say that it’s all my fault, and I’m not going to say that it’s all somebody else’s fault. The circumstances just weren’t right, and I’m just going to continue to try to find my fit, find my path in this league, because I feel I have the talent to play.”

That’s true. He absolutely does have the talent to play in this league. But I guess the bottom line in this deal is that Brandon probably won’t have a great 2008 because the Bears still have quarterback issues (among other personnel problems). Neither Rex Grossman nor Kyle Orton (who are in an open competition for the Bears’ starting QB job in ‘08) has proven they are ready to lead an NFL team on a regular basis. The fact that Rex still has a job proves just how hard it is to find a quality QB in the NFL. I think Brandon could’ve resurrected his career in places like New England, Indianapolis or Pittsburgh (where established QBs lead their teams and throw the ball a lot), but Chi-town probably won’t be the answer for BLloyd. If he can stay healthy and be productive, it’ll be a worthwhile audition for a better team in ‘09.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brandon Lloyd Signs With Chicago Bears

After a dismal 1-2 start to this 2007 season, the Chicago Bears are going to make a change at quarterback. Rex Grossman’s poor play has finally cost him his starting job. Rex’s history of on-the-field conduct detrimental to the team is nearly legendary. Most recently, he threw three interceptions as the Bears lost to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on SNF. But the decision to change QBs is really simple arithmatic. This year alone, Rex ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 passer rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with a league-leading six interceptions and just one touchdown.

At times it has been hard to watch Rex. His supporters say “He got the Bears to the Super Bowl (last season),” but that’s not true. The Bears got to the Super Bowl is spite of Rex Grossman. Most fans in Chicago have been clamoring for his removal for over a year. Even I’ve been vocal about Rex’s poor play. Who hasn’t? But Bears coach Lovie Smith stuck by Rex and claimed that he gave them their best shot at winning. Honestly, though, there were times when I felt I could have done a better job out there. It’s time for a change.

The Bears will let veteran Brian Griese take charge of the offense and it’s anyone’s guess what to expect. Brian is a castoff from Denver, Miami and Tampa Bay. But what I do plan on seeing is someone who will do a much better job of taking care of the football. Brian Griese isn’t going to put the Chicago Bears on his back and carry them, but he will — as is the popular term — manage the game well and give the Bears a chance to win some ballgames they should be winning.

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Chicago Bears to Bench QB Rex Grossman