We’ve talked about quarterbacks this offseason until we were blue in the face. One quarterback we didn’t spend considerable time on was Kyle Orton.
Not because he’s not a capable solution to the Dolphins’ long-standing quarterback woes. He’s really the only option that’s been speculated about that has the makings of a franchise quarterback, assuming, of course, that Mike Brown is really going to keep Carson Palmer locked up.
I personally didn’t spend too much time on the possibility because I felt as though it was a moot point. I’ve wondered all along why he would be available at all and have said the Broncos would be crazy to let a guy go who has passed for a combined 41 touchdowns to only 21 interceptions and well over 7,000 yards the past two seasons. But we are no longer speculating about Kyle Orton’s availability.
He’s been reportedly placed on the trading block by Denver, who is either completely sold on Tim Tebow or just has a thing for riding themselves of quality players, and the asking price is at least a third-round pick.
That’s right, a third-round pick. A third-round pick for a proven starting quarterback. A third-round pick for what has been 20 TD, 10 INT production-exactly what the Dolphins are missing in order to become legitimate contenders in 2011.
With a defense on the verge of taking the next step by solidifying themselves as elite and what has the makings of a revamped running game-pending, of course, on which running back Miami brings in- Orton would instantly put the Dolphins in the discussion.
The only concern I have is whether or not he will duplicate the production he’s had the past two years without Josh McDaniels. The guy may be a nut job, but knew a thing or two about grooming a quarterback. It’s no coincidence that Orton wasn’t much in Chicago.
Then again, Matt Cassel has gone on to play well for Kansas City after leaving the tutelage of McDaniels in New England, so maybe how he’s transformed Orton will stick. And really, that’s a small risk if the asking price is only a third-round pick. A third-round pick that would be used on an unproven rookie.
Potential franchise quarterbacks are rarely had in the third round. And make no mistake about it, at only 28 years old, Kyle Orton could be a franchise quarterback in Miami. At this point, I would be surprised if the Dolphins don’t land him. It just makes too much sense.
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