[CBFF] Revisiting 2005 Draft: Kyle Orton

[Jim Ferolie]

Well that's interesting.

Rookies are usually slow to make (good) decisions in the NFL, so you take 
away some of their options to speed the thinking process. Everything there 
says he was already a little slow on the decisions, so maybe they took away 
a few more. And he was used to having options.

I never saw the zip on the deep out and rarely saw the vertical accuracy or 
hitting receivers in stride. I think they just conceded that to avoid 
turnovers after the Bengals game.

He might have something going on after a year or two on the bench unless the 
"elongated delivery" never improves.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Victor Waldron" <victor19 at gmail.com>
To: <post at chicagobearsfanforum.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 11:08 AM
Subject: [CBFF] Revisiting 2005 Draft: Kyle Orton


> Kyle Orton
> QB | (6'4", 233, 5.1) | PURDUE
>
> Scouts Grade: 79
>
> Strengths: Has adequate-to-good size. Arm strength is good but not
> elite. Puts good zip on the deep out route, can drive the ball
> downfield in the vertical passing game, and can fit the ball into some
> tight spots in coverage. Shows excellent touch and accuracy when
> throwing vertically. Has impressive timing and knows how to lead his
> receivers in stride. He continues to improve his decision making
> skills. Played in a spread offense where he was forced to read the
> field, make progressions and check down. Knows how to read defenses
> and is used to having several options. Really cut down on turnovers
> and seems to have a much better grasp of the concept of ball control.
> Isn't a good athlete but pocket presence is above average. Has decent
> feet and will avoid the rush well from within the pocket.
>
> Weaknesses: Has been inconsistent and streaky throughout his career.
> Isn't a great athlete. Can scramble from within the pocket but won't
> pick up many first downs with his feet. He will not be a threat to run
> in the NFL. He has trouble at times versus the blitz and he doesn't
> always make sound decisions when under pressure. Elongated delivery is
> a big concern. He needs to improve his mechanics by getting the ball
> up and quickening his delivery. He played in a shotgun-spread offense
> that is extremely passer friendly. How will he adjust to taking snaps
> under center? Will he struggle to read defenses while dropping? Is he
> a bit of a system quarterback?
>
> Overall: Orton played in seven games and earned three starts as a true
> freshman in 2001. He split time as a sophomore in 2002 before
> developing into a fulltime starter as a junior in 2003, as he started
> all 13 games and finished with 2,885 yards, completing 60.6-percent of
> his attempts, with 15 TD's and seven INT's. Orton had more of a
> rollercoaster season as a senior in 2004, as he was one of the
> "hottest" quarterbacks in the nation for the first half of the season
> but cooled off in the second half, partially due to a lingering hip
> injury. Orton finished the season completing 60.7-percent of his
> attempts for 3,090 yards with 31 TD's and five INT's. Orton spent a
> good majority of his time at Purdue working out of the shotgun and he
> struggled with the adjustment of taking snaps from under center during
> the Senior Bowl. As was the case with former Purdue star Drew Brees
> (Chargers), it may take Orton longer to make the transition to the NFL
> than other quarterbacks that had better experience in a more
> traditional offense. Orton needs to improve the quickness of his
> delivery and become much more consistent when put under pressure.
> Otherwise, Orton has the physical tools and makeup to develop into a
> solid starter in the NFL. He has the size, arm strength, accuracy and
> mind that it takes to succeed at the next level. There's no question
> that Orton is a risky "boom or bust" type of prospect, but he has
> enough physical tools and was successful enough at the highest level
> of college football to warrant second round consideration in the 2005
> NFL draft.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago Bears Fan Forum
> post at chicagobearsfanforum.com