SportsNation Blog Archives
Kyle Orton
Tim Tebow may have fallen way down the depth chart for the Denver Broncos, but for fans on Monday night, he was No. 1 in their hearts. Broncos players are starting to get irritated over the debate between Tebow and Kyle Orton (and, nominally, Brady Quinn, although we doubt anyone's taking him seriously as an option. Still, No. 2 on the depth chart!), and it looks like Denver has a legitimate quarterback controversy on its hands.
Vote: Where will Tim Tebow have the brightest future?
- "Orton didn't do entirely bad. You can't blame too much on him when the running game could only produce 38 yards of offense. No-gain Moreno was terrible. McFadden saved us late in the game and Janikowski's bomb of a field goal kept us ahead." -- SN commenter rvidaurr
- "No one debates Kyle Orton as a top 10 quarterback, but honestly, Tom Brady couldn't have won that game. The offense line play was horrid and Denver straight out abandoned the running game" -- SN commenter blingmojo27
Who should start for the Broncos?
The options are as follows: Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow. Orton has the experience, Tebow the pedigree. Quinn is an unknown factor.
We're still more than a month away from the Broncos and Raiders wrapping up a Monday Night Football doubleheader in Week 1 of the NFL regular season, but some reports suggest Tim Tebow is already in danger of losing the starting job -- the same job that all those Kyle Orton trade rumors seemed to suggest was Tebow's to lose.
- "There are maybe a half dozen QBs in the league that can win with the worst defense ever. None of them are named Tebow or Orton. Fix the defense and shut up about which mediocre-at-best QB should start." -- SN commenter sterlina
The answer or the problem?
Reports suggest Orton has been winning first-team snaps in practice. Should the Broncos just go with the veteran who tossed 20 touchdowns last season?
Does it matter who plays?
Presumably the argument for Orton centers on giving the team a better chance to win now than a young player with a learning curve. But is "win now" a relative term for the Broncos?
What about the big picture?
Maybe Tebow wins the job to start this season. Maybe he doesn't. But if we're looking years down the road, how optimistic are you about his future?
Best chance to beat Heisman jinx?
Cam Newton and Tim Tebow were unstoppable in college, but they're getting started on trying to be more like Sam Bradford than Danny Wuerffel in translating Heisman success to NFL glory.
Not many people can pull off a neck beard and successfully play quarterback in the National Football League. Actually, let's reword that: Not many people can pull off a neck beard, period. As Dr. Aaron Perlut (a friend of SportsNation) would put it, beards are compromises for those not committed enough to wearing a mustache.
Obviously, Dr. Perlut has never met Kyle Orton. He's been able to do both quite well in the past year, heading a surprisingly competitive Broncos squad and rocking a thick and extensive beard. The Broncos don't seem to be totally confident in him, however, as they've acquired clean-shaven Brady Quinn as a backup plan. Sure, Orton is starting now, but how long will that last? For certain, he can sympathize with Marion Barber (soul patch), Flozell Adams (mustache/beard combo) and Matt Leinart (stubble). One day, you've got a starting position and a full beard -- the next, nothing. At least Orton can take solace in the fact that SportsNation sees him as the starter for the majority of the Broncos' games this season. Is that the right choice?
“Look Orton wasn't the total problem with this team, his numbers speaks for themselves...had the running game been a lil better and the D played a lil better no one would have questioned Orton ability...I think his arm decent to throw downfield had McDaniels allowed him too (see Redskins game to Marshall). Quinn is only an upgrade of Simms who stunk and looked terrified to be out there.
” -- lbmore33
“Do it. Jones starting, Barber closing. ...don't forget to use Choice.
” -- blueliner2k3
“Flozell is a cheap-shot tackle who only gets by on his garbage tricks. He cannot handle the better ends in the league. You will not win with his blocking.
” -- sauce1977
- Your Rankings: Who are the leading candidates for NFL MVP?
- Chats: Chris Mortensen wrap | Matt Williamson, 12 ET | Mel Kiper, 1 ET
Should we offer a moment of silence for fantasy football owners coming to the realization that Saints safety Darren Sharper has scored more touchdowns this season than Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs or Anquan Boldin?
The Saints are just outside the top 10 in total defense at the moment, which is kind of remarkable when you think about how often their opponents have the whole field to work with after yet another Saints touchdown and yet another Saints kickoff. Sharper may not be the sole reason for the success, given that he shares the field with guys like Charles Grant and Jonathan Vilma, but as a newcomer with a league-best six interceptions and three touchdowns, he's becoming the face of it.
When push comes to shove, 67 percent of SportsNation prefers a great defense to a great offense. But are you ready to give a guy like Sharper MVP consideration?
- Your Rankings: In its fifth season, how does the QB class of 2005 look?
- Your Power Rankings: Where do you have the 49ers this week?
- Blogger Chats: NFC North's Kevin Seifert, 2 ET | AFC North's James Walker, 4 ET
It's always easier to solve a problem if you start with what you know. And we know Adrian McPherson and Stefan LeFors are not the best quarterbacks selected in the 2005 draft. They may be better options at the position than JaMarcus Russell, but that's an entirely different problem.
Alex Smith's return to the starting lineup, on the heels of a quality relief appearance against the Texans, brings the class of 2005 back into focus. From surprise MVP candidates (Kyle Orton), big-money acquisitions (Matt Cassel) and the guy who pushed Brett Favre out of Green Bay (Aaron Rodgers) to a couple of guys fighting for starting snaps (Derek Anderson and Jason Campbell), it's not quite the class of 1983 but it's an interesting bunch.
After Smith lost out to Shaun Hill in the preseason, only 19 percent of SportsNation thought he would ever be a full-time NFL starter.
Sam (San Francisco, CA)
Thoughts on Alex Smith being named the Niners starter?
Gary Horton
I was really happy yesterday to see Smith get another chance. I really like him. Not only as a player, but people around him think highly of him and how he's handled the situation. The 49ers are last in the NFL for throwing to their WRs. For the most part, this passing game has been to RBs and TEs. That makes it easy to defend. Smith has the bigger arm than Shaun Hill. They now have Crabtree on the perimeter and they have the ability to really stretch the defense with Smith's arm strength and that opens up the run game. He's had a lot of time to study defenses and work on his weaknesses and I would like to think that this is not only a real positive for Smith but that it really opens up the 49ers offense. Full transcript.
Neither Michelle Beadle nor Colin Cowherd will be traded by the "SportsNation" TV producers before next week's deadline.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Is there any downside to Adrian Peterson saying he wants "all the records"?
It's not like defenses don't have his number circled. The Vikings RB already has 481 yards and seven TDs this season (3,582 and 29 for his career).
Is Jimmy Clausen a legitimate Heisman candidate?
The Notre Dame quarterback has thrown for more than 300 yards in all but one game this season and 12 TDs to only two interceptions.
If all were interested, which coach would you most want to hire?
Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan all have rings. Would one of them turn around your woeful franchise or take your team to a title?
Are you offended by ads featuring scantily clad women?
Montreal Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque has apologized for an alcohol ad in which he appears playing street hockey.
Should the Bears have gotten more out of Kyle Orton and Cedric Benson?
The ex-Bears quarterback is 5-0 in Denver. The ex-Bears RB leads the league in rushing. Does their success reflect poorly on their former team?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
- Wednesday Chats: Chris Mortensen, 11 ET | Matt Williamson, 12 ET | Mel Kiper, 1 ET
Why didn't AIG have this kind of foresight? As recounted in the Wall Street Journal, Fantasy Sports Insurance launched this year to offer fantasy football owners some peace of mind on their high-dollar investments. Drafted Adrian Peterson but worried about an injury ruining your season? Buy insurance on him and recoup your league fees if he gets hurt (although in Peterson's case, based on his chat with SportsNation, Frank Gore insurance would have been a better investment).
One of the only 50 stars the company offered to insure? Cedric Benson. The same guy who averaged 3.5 yards per carry last season while rushing for a career "best" 747 yards. Forget insurance; we're going to these guys for our draft cheat sheet next year.
Thanks in no small part to Benson, who has 487 rushing yards in five games, the Bengals are 4-1. But does that make him a better MVP pick than Carson Palmer, let alone Peterson, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or other standouts?
Scott (Bakersfield, CA)
Which offseason add has helped their team more Dawkins or Sharper?
Gary Horton
That's almost a push. They are both great veteran players with tremendous leadership skills. Your first inclination might be to say Sharper because of his big plays and his instincts. He can turn around a game with those interceptions. My sources in Denver tell me Dawkins is like another coach on the field and is a huge part of the speed in which Denver has made the transition from a 43 to a 34. That may not show up in the box score, but it is a big factor in their success. Full transcript.
Random (Dude)
DO u have yourself on your fantasy team?
Adrian Peterson
Nope. Frank Gore. And Matt Forte. Full transcript.
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are tough enough to do "SportsNation" TV in the snow.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Who has surprised you more so far?
Kyle Orton, starting for a new team, is 5-0 with 7 TD passes to 1 INT. New coach Josh McDaniels upset the Denver apple cart with surprising results.
Which team was more impressive in its LDS sweep?
The Angels outscored the Red Sox 9-1 in their first two games and then used a late-game comeback to sweep. The Yankees needed extra innings in Game 2.
Do the Dallas Cowboys need a head coaching change?
As coach of the Cowboys, Wade Phillips is 25-12, including an improbable overtime victory against the Chiefs on Sunday that has angry fans buzzing.
What should happen to throwback jerseys?
Is it time to return old uniform patterns and colors to retirement, or do you like seeing the variety of a team's history on display?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
- Your Rankings: Are Kyle Orton and Carson Palmer both in your top 10?
- Chat: Gary Horton recaps Sunday and previews Monday Night Football, 4 ET.
To their everlasting credit, SportsNation did prefer Kyle Orton to JaMarcus Russell when ranking NFL quarterbacks on the eve of the 2009 season. Then again, given the option, they probably would have ranked Vince Evans, Y.A. Tittle and Shane Falco ahead of Russell.
The Nation's No. 30 field general back in August, Orton earned his fifth star Sunday, throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win against the Patriots and Tom Brady, the guy voters ranked No. 1 two months ago.
But Orton, who wouldn't have an interception to his name if not for a pick by Randy Moss at the end of the first half Sunday, isn't the only quarterback with upward mobility. The Nation's fourth-ranked quarterback when the 2007 season began, Carson Palmer had slipped to No. 11 this preseason. But after another upset win for the Bengals this week, this time in Baltimore against the Ravens, is he once again top-5 material?
- Your MVP Watch: Which players are in your top 5 after the first four weeks?
- Wednesday chat wraps: Chris Mortensen | Matt Williamson | Fran Tarkenton
Save for the Falcons, Eagles, Cardinals and Panthers, NFL teams are already a quarter of the way through the regular season. Most places, that means an opportunity for fans to take stock of what they've seen and set expectations for the remaining 12 games. In St. Louis, where the Rams have been voted the worst of the worst four weeks running, we don't recommend diverting your attention from the Cardinals. (Or the Blues, for that matter. In fact, if the Saint Louis Billikens have any halfway decent post players, you might just want to skip ahead to basketball season).
Through just a quarter of the season, we've already seen three teams trade the top spot in SportsNation's Power Rankings -- not to mention 15 teams ranked somewhere in the top 10 at some point. And as good as Drew Brees has been, his Saints have cracked the top 2 just once. Just imagine how messy this would be in the BCS.
“NFC East is a hugely overrated conference at the moment. The Redskins and Cowboys appear to be actively bad teams; and both the Eagles and Giants have question marks as to the health of key players.
” -- MNRyan55
“The fact is, the Jets won't even be a part of the play-off picture, so why are we even bothering with them now. The AFC will come down to the Colts, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens and probably the Chargers and the NFC will most likely come down to the Saints, Giants, Vikings, Bears, Eagles and Packers.
” -- MadMax1018
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