To Trade Or Not To Trade Kyle Orton... That Is The Question

If he’s gonna be immature trade him, but if he’s willing to compete and sit if he loses then keep him

Tim Tebow can only be injured if Kryptonite is in his presence. Or if he is made to gaze upon Al Davis.

I wouldn’t worry too much about it, guys!

The guy how gives us the best chance to win is our LEADER. This lock out is the perfect environment to find that out. Who can rally the troops? Orton or Tebow. I
m putting my money on the Bow. It sounds like he’s working really hard for this. but then ofcourse if Orton is working hard we wouldn’t know.

Nothing good usually comes from a quarterback controversy. If I were in charge I would trade Orton for more pieces to build this team (whether a 2nd or 3rd rounder, or a decent DT plus a fourth or fifth). Roll with Tebow and if he doesn’t progress to a point where we are comfortable sticking with him for the next 5 to 10 years, then put all of your energy into positioning yourself to win the Andrew Luck lottery (whether by pure record or by engineering a huge trade). If you don’t win the Andrew Luck lottery you could go after a Barkley or some other promissing quarterback. That’s the direction I would go, but I’m not one of the John’s or a Xanders so the results would not put my head on the chopping block.

The chances are quite high that neither Tebow, nor Orton will lead Denver to a Super Bowl.

If I was a betting man, and I am, and had the opportunity to put $1,000 bucks on Denver winning a Super Bowl with Orton, Tebow, or The Field, I would put $900 on The Field and $100 on Tebow (just to hedge!).

Orton would have the worst odds of the 3 (He is signed through this year and I would be shocked if Denver didn’t try and trade him for something/ANYTHING in return). It seems almost irresponsible NOT to trade Kyle when the team has so many holes.

Tebow’s odds would be better than Orton’s but only marginally, mostly because he’s a complete unknown quantity (only 3 games as starter) with a new head coach. Elway being in Denver has to affect his odds for the worse too (a shorter leash and a guy who wants a stud QB under center and who will draft Luck if he’s available). Moreover, Tebow might take a while and is an injury risk.

The Field would have the best odds. By far. Why? Look at Bena’s list. All of those Super Bowl winners (sans Brady and Warner) were drafted in the first 33 picks. That’s a trend. Tebow’s a 1st round pick, so that works in his favor, but it’s not like he was a consensus 1st rounder. Luck, Barkley, Jones, and whoever else surprises us in 2011 will be there for the taking if Denver wins less than 5 games. Which is a real possibility. And beyond that, there’s free agency, trades, future drafts, and any number or possible combinations of things that could happen to land Denver’s next Super Bowl QB in Denver. Who knows, it could be decades before another Lombardi is hoisted in the Mile High City (I sure hope not).

I am rooting for Tebow to defy the odds. But they are against him. I do think he gives Denver fans more hope and excitement than any alternatives this season.

Orton, at face value, is boring. A seemingly great guy, but awfully boring to watch and it feels like we are officially in a ‘Bridge Season" (made famous by the Red Sox brass in 2010 – they went into the season with players who were obviously there until something better could be acquired) when he’s under center.

I agree with you all the way as well. The end result for me is slightly simpler however as I will be happy we are still able to win games if Tebow does get injured or ……
I like all the diverse reasoning going on for this move or that move. My motives are much simpler than most. I simply want to have a solid veteran and an exciting rookie both on my team :)

Has there ever been an athlete that sparked more conversation/debate than Tebow?

TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON TRADE KYLE ORTON GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’re not competing (We’re rebuilding), our goal is probably to get to 9-7. You don’t need to tie up that kind of money on a QB (When there’s a cheaper and potientially more talented guy on the roster)

It’s business sense.

My gut feeling is that the Broncos should only trade Orton IF they are given a huge offer that even overvalues Orton a bit. Otherwise I don’t see the need to desperately trade him, at least not yet. Could also see how the season progresses, who gets desperate early, etc. I just know I’d still rather have Orton around as the other option, than Quinn. (But hey, Brady, prove me wrong.)

I also really don’t like what I see as (mostly Woody Paige, mind you) attempts by media to get people against Orton, to make him look bad as a person. Everyone’s entitled to their beliefs about him as a QB but I don’t like the way (again Woody) has tried to make him look like a bad guy. Has Woody apologized yet for implying that Orton was out playing golf all this time rather than working out with teammates? Because that was debunked yesterday. The guy is a team player and is not Jay Cutler when it comes to pouting. So all I ask is, no matter what you feel about Orton’s future or his strengths and weaknesses, don’t believe stuff columnists write about him per se; they may have an agenda.

I like Tebow and think he is the future at QB for Denver, but I dont think that means I have to root against Orton or want to get rid of him necessarily. John lays out some good arguments here as to why.

other than his last couple games when he was suffering severe rib injuries? Take it from John Elway himself, who said Kyle Orton performed “at a record-shattering, Pro Bowl level,” and then Elway added, “and then there were those rib injuries.”

Orton didn’t struggle. The running game did. The pass blocking did. But Orton didn’t.

So do we really know what the Broncos have in Orton? At what time was Orton allowed to produce in “normal” conditions. He was either fighting severe injuries or a last place runnng game and a last place defense — sometimes both.

There’s plenty of time to evaluate Tebow. Meanwhile, it’s “HELLO! You play the game to WIN” time in regular season. Had they only been in the middle of the pack in the running game and running defense, the Broncos would likely have been in the thick of the Division race. What makes us think that it could not happen this year with an improved team?

Last year, the offense amounted almost entirely to the QB and two receivers. Orton carried that offense. And now we’re talking about shipping off that QB? What makes any sense about that? Does he not merit at least the honest opportunity to compete for the starting job?

The Broncos had the worst running game and the worst defense against the run in the league last year, and so we think the answer is to ship off the QB? To me, that is shameful . . .

Trading Orton seems enticing for a lot of reasons. But keeping him around is, as well. Does anyone really think we’re going to go forward with just Tebow and Quinn on the roster? Once you trade Orton you still want to find a veteran presence to be in the QB rotation. So, why not keep Orton around and let them compete this year? I think that’s the best idea, for now. If we got picks for Orton that doesn’t help us until next year, and leaves us with a hole in our roster that we’re just going to have to fill with another Kyle Orton. If a scenario comes up where we can get picks and/or players in a trade, that might be something to look at.

Regardless of how this season turns out, even if Denver does get to take Luck in the draft, Tebow isnt going anywhere. Orton yes, Quinn probably. But you just dont rid a lockerroom of a guy like Tebow for no good reason. He wasnt a top 10 or even top 20 pick so his contract is managable for a backup. Especially for a backup that offers production, touchdowns, goaline, short yardage, and wildcat wrinkles. Tebow did more for our team last year than many 2nd and 3rd string RB/WRs in the league last year from his bench and he was a backup QB. We will have Tebow until his rookie contract expires at least. If youre really trying to build a championship team, Tebow is on it at any position. Orton and Quinn, not so much. Im all for Tebow succeeding and becoming our franchise QB, but heck if we can pull a talented prospect like Luck we might as well and let them compete for the position. Unless Tebow has an amzing year, we’ll be taking Luck if he falls within our reach.

But it should be noted that you are going on name value rather then any real proof. Brady’s first two Super Bowl trips, he was a game manager, the film and stats prove that. Roethlisbergers first two trips say that as well. I did a statistical study of Super Bowl winning QB’s, and you’d be surprised how much credit Brady and Roethlisberger get for their first two Super Bowl wins they got. Here’s the link. I totally agree having an amazing QB helps you win Super Bowls, I will also say, don’t give credit based on what they accomplished later, and don’t do give awards based on name value. If you compare the players, it’s not quite what you’d think if you just said Brady and Roethlisberger.

and is liable to miss a few games. BQ gives me zero confidence that he can rally from a backup position. I have a few quibbles with KO, but I’d rather it be him than BQ — not just because it’s better for Tim’s prospects in the long haul (I agree with that assertion completely), but because whatever kind of shape we’re in this year I just want to win a few more games. Hey, if there’s a better backup out there, let’s go get him — doesn’t have to be KO. But given the choice, I’ll keep KO. I’m not concerned about his value right now. I’m concerned about winning some damn games.

Cheers!

I personally get a great feeling about Tebow. His attitude and leadership abilities alone give the team a spark that few in the league can. I think he is one of those guys who possesses the intangible ability to find a way to win or at least make a game of it, even when the odds are against you.

However, he is, of course, still an unknown quantity. I get the feeling he will be the best option, but we need to wait and see. That said, I think Orton is actually a BIT more of an unknown than we might assume, too. We’ve all seen him over the years, and he’s definitely not a phenomenal QB or anything. But the fact that his performance tapered off last year may not entirely be his fault, and may not be indicative of what we could expect from him in John Fox’s offense. Last year was an atrocity exhibition for the Broncos. McDaniels’ playcalling was highly suspect and the offense struggled to find a sense of identity. I would at least tend to blame this more on McDaniels than on Orton, although I may be wrong to some degree. Who knows how Orton could do in a new offense and with a new coach who isn’t an arrogant one who was overmatched and seems to alienate his players? I am not saying that I believe Orton will end up being a better option than Tebow, but I think it’s worth letting them have some healthy competition since we don’t necessarily know what to expect from either of them.

so we can talk about other things. we are so split on this that there is nothing to talk about. It is opinion against opinion.
If Tebow gets hurt then that is what it is. It is football. Trade Orton and get another QB for backup if Quinn is not the guy. Hell trade quinn and Orton for a backup I don’t care.
Just end this and lets play ball.
Orton will be gone this year either to another team or down the bench. Go Bronco’s

This question will continue to be asked until Orton is traded or the trade deadline passes.

I understand the logic behind the post. Trading Orton leaves us without a capable backup and in the event that Tebow gets hurt, we are screwed. We’ll lose a lot of games and end up with a high pick that will likely be used on Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, or Landry Jones.

Here are my two questions.

1. Why does everyone automatically assume Brady Quinn is going to suck?
He was in the first year of McDaniels system and we all know how complicated it was. Let’s not forget that he was capable of winning games with a terrible Browns team. So while I would not “bang the table” for Quinn, I think he is very underrated by many based on a couple of pre season games. I am eager to see how he performs this pre season.

2. Why don’t we just sign a veteran?
The main point you brought up was that we need to keep Orton in case Tebow gets hurt. But as you said above, is Orton any different then Bulger? Why don’t we sign Bulger to a 2 year deal so that we have a capable back up and trade Orton for 2012 picks. If we can’t get Bulger, how about Kerry Collins, Chad Pennington, or Billy Volek?

If your concern is that our BQ can’t win us games as our backup then we can sign a new backup. Collins, Pennington, and Volek are more then capable of filling that role.

I want Tebow to be the long term starter of this team. For that to happen, he has to have a great 2011 season. If he gets hurt, we’ll need our backup to be capable of winning games. If BQ can’t do that then there are a couple guys out there who can. We just need to sign them.

For the long term success of our team, I think it’s best for us to trade Orton and get as much compensation as possible.

someone tried to replace Elway b4 & the best man prevailed #7. so im pretty sure this QB competition will be the fairest any1 has seen or will see in a long time.

You just totally convinced me, and I tend to stick to my guns.

I’ve been thinking Orton should be released or traded, because I never challenged the assumption that Orton is starting-caliber quarterback and should be allowed a chance to start elsewhere if not here.

But, it’s also true that being a starting-caliber quarterback does not mean you’re a superbowl-caliber quarterback.

So Orton might have to just accept over time that his role in the future is as a high quality backup. Or, a journeyman for those teams that do have all the other pieces and merely want someone competent.

So yeah, maybe keep him for the season – my preference is as a backup – and then simply letting him test the market after the season. Maybe we’d keep him after that anyway if he accepts his role.

Is there really a market for him now? I think Shanny shot himself in the foot in WA and is probably on the chopping block at the end of the year. First Haynesworth’s $21M bonus check last year went to waste, then you sign a mediocre 33 year old QB (now 34) to a six year, $90M contract. Nuts.

Who’s going to want to take McNabb’s contract, averaging him $15M per year through 2015? I just don’t see it.

This post says, “Think about it, is Kyle Orton any different than McNabb or Bulger – other than age?” Um, yes. McNabb requires a long-term commitment and a much higher salary, and Bulger sucks. Any more questions?

I realize not all McNabb’s money is guaranteed. Still, I stopped reading. If you can’t see the difference between his worth and Kyle’s worth, well, it’s not really what I expected from the front page.

The question becomes, is Kyle Orton, as a backup, greater than paying his $9 million contract (less the traded player/picks contracts), plus the value of the pick/player we might get in return, minus the value of Quinn as a backup?

So we need to solve for X to determine if KO is greater or lesser than that value:

X=(Kyle Orton*games played*{wins-losses}) – ($9,000,000-$YYY+3rd(or Player or 2nd, or 3rd & 5th that we might receive in trade)+Brady Quinn*games played*{wins-losses})

I think the greater value to the Broncos is trading KO.

We are a team that is rebuilding … lets call it what it is! There is no point keeping Orton for 1 year and then letting him go to free agency.
Orton is a great team player, no question about that, but lets be honest here, he does not have a future with this team!

He is not the future of this franchise and his stock will not get any higher than it is right now coming off of 2 pass happy seasons. Trade him and move on. Quinn is a serviceable back up and the front office needs to see if tebow is the answer.

hARD TO FIND NEWS EH LOL

Kyle Orton is and always will be an bland, average, QB. Yes he is consistent but not good in Redzone and 3rd down and face it. HE IS BORING! HE IS NOT A LEADER! AND HE DOESN"T ACT LIKE A QB.

Thanks, but no thanks

waiting for the trades to open up so they can get their starter but we will have to see what lucky team it will be.
Then we will have another 9 mill to shore up the D even more. Hope this lockout bs ends sooner than later, we have a team to fix.

And I say start him in 2011 to see if he has it. If he flops and the team is picking at the top of the first round again, take Luck and don’t look back. But at this point, since they can’t get a 2011 pick for Orton may as well keep him at least until training camp.

I happen to think Hillis was highly over rated,. Good player, yes. The next coming of TD? Hardly. Puts the ball on the ground WAYYYYYYYYYY too much for my liking. That’s just my opinion. His production is not worth the risk of the turnover. Still should have kept him because he could be a bruising Allstot type FB, which is needed in the NFL today.

I have a sister who hated Elway. Thought he was an arrogant ass. Loves the Broncos but has always thought he was a jerk and thinks that way to this day. Many people during the dry spell of the early 90’s wanted a change at QB. When Shanahan came in I remember people calling him John’s yes man. This debate is old and goes nowhere.