Heading into the Bears exhibition finale Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field, all eyes were on new Bears starting quarterback Kyle Orton.
Like it or not, the rookie’s performance plays a major factor in whether Bears fans anxiously await or completely dread each upcoming regular-season game.
How did he do in the Bears’ 16-6 loss to Cleveland? Here’s a detailed account of Orton’s night.
Pre-game
Cameras briefly show Orton throwing warm-up passes. Nothing out of the ordinary here, he looks calm and relaxed. Steady now, steady.
First possession
Snap: He casually drops back and hits Muhsin Muhammad for a 47-yard completion. From this day forward, throwing a bomb on the first snap will be known as calling “a Kyle.”
Snap: His throw to Desmond Clark in the end zone is defended, although half the stadium probably hoped that deflection would land in Clark’s hands. If it’s a TD, Orton is easily elected mayor of Chicago.
Snap: Handoff to Thomas Jones. Simple, elegant. Russian judges give it a 5.7, which seems low.
Snap: Orton drops back, pump fakes, throws toward Gage in the corner of the end zone and … it’s picked off. That’s known as “a Chad.”
Second possession
Snap: Another hand off. Nothing.
Snap: He fires a 13-yard rocket to Bernard Berrian. Orton’s got an NFL arm and NFL height.
Snap: Another hand off. Nothing.
Snap: Browns collapse the pocket and sack Orton and WATCH THE ANKLES! WATCH THE ANKLES!
Snap: The all-too-familiar draw play that leads to a punt. Pray we don’t see that very often this season.
Sideline shots
Orton went traditional here donning a Reebok number with the white mesh backs and the blue front. These are league-approved and very tasteful.
Signs of the times
A Bears fan held up a sign that read: “How do you spell relief? O-R-T-O-N.” No need to review the film on this one– this grades out considerably higher than a rag doll in an Orton No. 18 jersey being hung in effigy.
The in-game interview
NBC’s sideline reporter spoke with Orton in the second quarter and the rookie showed veteran poise in front of the camera and delivered his answers crisply and according to the game plan.
On his week of preparation: “It was a busy week.”
On the opening play: Orton said he asked offensive coordinator Ron Turner what the first play would be this morning, and they were going to go for it. “So I like to hear that,” Orton said.
On his interception: “I just wish I had thrown it outside and give him a chance for a jump ball.”
On preparing for next week’s opener: He expect to spend a lot of hours in the film room. “I’m pretty hard-working when it comes to being prepared for a game,” Orton said.
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Michael Morgan (mnmorgan@tribune.com)
