After six NFL starts apiece, Bears quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton own identical 3-3 records and something perhaps even more important.
“They both have that confidence when they walk into the huddle,” center Olin Kreutz said.
Earning the respect of the offensive linemen who protect you is a smart move for any quarterback, and Grossman and Orton have achieved that. While refusing to compare the two, Kreutz spoke Wednesday in terms as positive about Orton as he has about Grossman.
And when Kreutz is on your side, one aspect of the maturation process to be the Bears’ starting quarterback is complete.
“The quarterback’s attitude, people don’t realize, makes a big difference,” Kreutz said. “If he believes, it rubs off on everyone else. If he doesn’t believe, it doesn’t.
“I’ve been around both kind of guys. I won’t mention the guys that weren’t like that. But Kyle gives you that confidence that this is going to work: `Just run it and I’ll make it work.'”
As Grossman continues to aim to recover from ankle surgery in time for the Nov. 27 game at Tampa Bay, Orton prepares to be the first Bears rookie quarterback to start seven games since Jim McMahon in 1982. First place in the victory-challenged NFC North is at stake Sunday at Detroit.
Orton is starting to manage games as efficiently as the coaching staff desires, but his career high for passing yards is 150, achieved Sept. 18 against Detroit. That’s also the game in which Orton averaged 7.14 yards per pass, far higher than his season average of 4.87.
Orton knows those numbers need to improve, and connecting on some passes downfield would help.
The rookie has just two completions of 25 yards or longer, and his season-best 28-yarder came on a touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad in the first Detroit game.
“We’re not executing to perfection yet, the way we need to be doing in November and December,” Muhammad said. “I think we can still get to that point. Repetition and time and game experience gets you to where you want to be.”
Muhammad spent so much time trying to develop chemistry with Grossman last off-season that the receiver ended up invited to Grossman’s wedding. After Grossman went down Aug. 12 and Chad Hutchinson bombed Aug. 20, Orton started the final two exhibition games but played just one series against Cleveland.
In that game, Orton hit Muhammad on a 47-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage. Orton missed Muhammad on the same play Oct. 16 against Minnesota. It’s possible the two haven’t developed the right chemistry yet.
“Practice time is limited,” Muhammad said. “You only have so many reps you can do in practice. Through the course of the year, it’ll be a learning experience. We’ll see how he does with the maturity.
“Plus, practice is a lot different than games. He’s got to learn how to find the open guy and hit the open guy and hit the deep ball in the games. You can come out here and practice and there’s no pressure. But when that pressure is on in the game, that’s when he has to find his comfort state. How long it takes him to get to that point, I don’t know.”
Orton, who also overthrew Mark Bradley on a potential big gainer Sunday against Baltimore, is confident he’ll connect. He said he’s working with quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson on his footwork and keeping his eyes downfield.
Orton also has watched enough film to try to pinpoint the reasons for his overthrows.
“It all leads back to my feet,” Orton said. “On the first third-down pass that I missed Mark, I got happy feet back there and didn’t set my feet and deliver a good ball. I’m trying to get the ball out of my hands too fast.
“That’s one thing throughout my career I’ve been really good at, being real accurate on my deep balls. I think a little of it also has to do with being with these guys now just going on a couple months. It’s going to get better. By the end, I’ll be completing those balls.”
Orton disputed the theory that his overthrows are coming because he wants to avoid underthrowing for interceptions, perhaps scarred by his five-interception game against Cincinnati.
“We’re not going to play passive or play not to turn the ball over,” he said. “We’re going to take our shots. If we get a one-on-one matchup, we’re going to throw the ball up and see if our receiver can make a play. We’re not becoming a passive offense scared to turn the ball over.”
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner said connecting on deep balls is simply a matter of timing.
“I still have a lot to learn and a lot of room for improvement,” Orton said. “But I feel more comfortable. I don’t really feel like I’m seeing anything new.
“I’m still a young guy that is getting better every single week. That’s a good sign. But now my expectations of playing well are much higher.”
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
