Posted: Monday, 10 December 2007 3:58PM
Kyle Orton To Start For Bears
Jeff Joniak Reporting
|
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Kyle Orton will start his first game since game 15 of 2005 when he gets under center at the Metrodome in Minneapolis next Monday night against the Vikings.
Bears head coach Lovie Smith refuted the belief this begins the 2008 evaluation of the Bears given their 5-and-8 record. Smith simply states Orton gives the Bears the best chance to beat the Vikings.
"He's showed us that he's a team player," Smith said. "Everybody has a role to fill at different times of the season. His role has been in a backup role up until now. What he's done is go out each day, run the look squad and stay into football. He's a smart football player, he has a strong arm, and our guys have played with him so they know what type of player he is too."
Orton is relieved to get an opportunity after admittedly being frustrated by having no real shot at competing for the starting job.
"This is the most excited that I've been, " Orton said. "I think everybody knows that I've been frustrated. I haven't liked my role but it's what it was and I tried to make the best of it. Now my job is to focus on the future and try to play well and let everything work itself out."
Orton is signed through the 2008 season. When he was the emergency starter out of the 2005 training camp, Orton went 10-and-5 as the starter setting Bears rookie records in several categories and finishing with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Brian Griese is the backup. Rex Grossman is out with a sprained MCL, but remains on the active roster. |
Contents of this site are Copyright 2007 by WBBM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
