Orton has the mental ability and physical skills to win

Q. You predicted early in the off-season that Kyle Orton would win the quarterback job. What did you see in him, what has he shown you in the preseason, and what do you expect from him this season?

A. It's the investment of the last couple years that he's put into the game. Physically, mentally, and being able to absorb without having the pressure on to play. I'm not comparing Kyle to Steve Young, but if you go back and look at Young's career, when he was in the USFL he was a very average quarterback. With Tampa Bay, he was bad, and then he came to San Francisco, sat behind Joe Montana for a few years, understood and was able to absorb the way offense is supposed to work. Then he was able to go out there with the supporting cast and make use of it.

I find that situation similar to Orton's - having a taste of the game, playing early, then sitting back and being able to absorb it from the eyes of Wade Wilson, Pep Hamilton, Ron Turner, Brian Griese and a lot of conversation. I think it changes you as a football player. It allows you to be more prepared for the different things you're going to face.

Q. What about the pressure of the opener?

A. The Colts are opening a new stadium, and it's Sunday night football, but it's not going to be that big of a deal. A first-time starter might get caught up in all the fanfare, but I think Kyle can go out there and get some first downs and win the game.

Q. Are concerns about how poorly the defense played in the preseason legitimate or is this truly a veteran group that can ratchet up the intensity and play much better when the games matter?

A. I do believe they can play as a top-10 defense. I think that they can go out and dominate a game with speed, quickness and athleticism if the offense can help by staying on the field for a decent period of time, and if they can have a sustained time of possession that keeps the defense fresh.

This defense is a veteran group of guys who get paid a lot of money, but they hate preseason football. I was a veteran guy who didn't make a lot of money, and I hated preseason football. The older you get and the more you're around each other, you can kind of look each other in the eye in the locker room and understand that come Sunday night it's a different ballgame. All these excuses for the preseason performance, they're cashed in as of Sunday night. There are no more excuses.

Q. How much of a concern is the offensive line? It's not the group they wanted to go into the season with, but is it the disaster it's being characterized as?

A. First, I think the running back position is 30 yards a game better than last year because of dedication to professionalism from Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe. I think they're better at the position than they were a year ago, given that Cedric Benson was as the main focus.

The running back position has to come through, and I think it will. The only question with Matt Forte is: Is he durable enough? He has not been hit yet in his life as hard as he's going to get hit (against Indianapolis) and down the road. When he answers that, he'll be a big upgrade.

No. 2 is the coaches have to be smart about their game planning, and they have to put the offensive line in a confident position. This offensive line is very capable of pass protecting and run blocking, but it has to have help from the coaches putting together a smart game plan, allowing these guys to pass protect confidently and come off the ball with strength.

Q. Would Fred Miller help this group?

A. No. I think it goes against the grain of developing personnel. If you have to develop a player, then put him on the practice squad and stop calling it a practice squad; call it a developmental squad and develop a young player. With all due respect to Fred Miller, he had a really fine NFL career, and this is no disrespect to him, but I want them to develop youth.

Tom Thayer answers key questions each week from Daily Herald Sports Writer Bob LeGere. Thayer's analysis also can be heard during each Bears broadcast on WBBM 780-AM.