Orton looks to make a lasting impression against New Orleans
Quarterback Kyle Orton is playing for something much more important Sunday than a feel-good moment for him and his team at the end of a disappointing season.
He's playing for his future.
The future of the Bears' entire quarterback rotation is vague.
Rex Grossman, this year's starter, is expected to test the free-agent market after a mediocre season that neither solidified his hold on the No. 1 spot nor eliminated him from consideration.
Ten-year veteran Brian Griese is pigeonholed as a backup. But, according to Bears coaches, Orton already has shown enough in two starts to at least compete for the No. 1 job next summer.
"He definitely has shown enough in my opinion, and not just in these two games," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "In training camp, in preseason, in practice all year. Everything he's done for the last two years, he's shown that he definitely can compete as a starter in this league."
Orton has never gone into training camp higher than third on the depth chart, even as a rookie in 2005, when he wound up starting 15 games.
But even coach Lovie Smith, who always keeps his cards close to his vest, says he can envision Orton competing for the starting job during next year's camp.
"Definitely so," Smith said. "You remember the last things that go on in a football game in a season like this. The memory I have of Kyle Orton right now is him going out and leading our team this past week.
"Hopefully, I have another positive memory as we make decisions in the off-season after this game."
Orton gained the confidence of coaches with a productive and error-free performance (career-best 103.6 passer rating) in a game plan that was scaled back because of cold, windy, snowy conditions against Green Bay.
His performance in Sunday's finale against the 7-8 and playoff-hopeful New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field could reinforce that confidence or undermine it.
Orton will have the benefit of working against one of the NFL's worst pass defenses. The Saints are No. 30 in passing yards allowed and No. 32 in average gain allowed per pass play. They're also without starting cornerback Mike McKenzie, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
For all 16 games of 2006 and 12 games this season, Orton was buried at No. 3 on the depth chart. A legitimate shot at the starting gig is realistic, but he knows a repeat of last week's effort strengthens his case. For now, he's not assuming too much.
"I'd like to have a chance to compete," he said. "Everybody going into training camp wants a chance to show what they can do and show their improvement and get a chance, so we'll leave that for a few more months.
"I think my play will speak for myself, and hopefully I can continue to improve and play a good game this week."
Both Turner and Smith believe Orton has exhibited improvement worthy of a move up the depth chart.
"He's taken some big steps to where he's a little more relaxed," Turner said. "He's seeing the field and running the offense."
Perhaps most important has been Orton's avoidance of mistakes. He has had just 1 turnover in two games. Sunday, he didn't suffer a turnover or a sack, only the 21st time that has happened in the NFL this season.
"I was very impressed with that," Smith said. "We talk a lot about ball security, whether it's guys running with the football and protecting it that way (or) not throwing interceptions.
"That's been Kyle's history the entire time he's played, since he's been here."