By PFW staff
Aug. 18, 2008

As was widely expected, the Bears opted for the safest route Monday afternoon, naming Kyle Orton the starting quarterback over Rex Grossman for the season opener Sept. 7 in Indianpolis.

Although Grossman, a former first-round draft pick, is considered to have more big-play ability, daily team observers believe Orton, who finished the 2007 season by directing the Bears to back-to-back victories over the Packers and Saints, fills the bill better as a more steady game manager who is less likely to make costly mistakes.

Entering training camp in a dead heat, Orton slightly outperformed Grossman in two preseason games, registering a better completion percentage, yards-per-attempt average and passer rating. He helped his cause in the most recent preseason game in Seattle when he efficiently directed a two-minute drill just before halftime that set up a 39-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.