Bears name Orton starting QB

Aug 18, 2008 - 10:21 PM LAKE FOREST, Illinois (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears have settled on a starting quarterback.

Bears coach Lovie Smith named Kyle Orton as the team's Week One starter against the Indianapolis Colts, informing Orton of his decision during a meeting on Monday.

Orton, a four-year veteran, has enjoyed a solid training camp and outperformed former starter Rex Grossman in Saturday's 29-26 overtime exhibition loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"To come to a decision like that, we've taken a lot of things into consideration - last year, how we finished the season, OTAs, training camp, preseason games," Smith said. "In the end it comes down to a gut feeling that you have, and I feel good about Kyle leading our team."

Grossman started against the Seahawks and completed 9-of-15 passes with one interception before Orton led Chicago to a field goal during a crisp two-minute drill.

Orton missed on his first two throws Saturday, but finished 5-of-9 for 43 yards in two series. He said it was important for the team to settle on a starter.

"It's a relief and now it's just all about the unit and knowing what everybody's going to do and just kind of tailoring things to the way that we like it," Orton said. "I think I've continued to get better in the preseason, so this will be another step to take. We'll get a lot more playing time this week and just try to get ready for Indianapolis."

After a 7-9 finish last year, the Bears declared there would be an open competition for the starting job entering training camp.

In five preseason possessions, Orton directed Chicago to a pair of field goals and three punts. Grossman failed to lead the Bears offense past midfield on five possessions.

"There were a lot of things from completions to turnovers to just the feeling we have on who can manage the game the best for us," Smith said. "The good thing about evaluating both Rex and Kyle is that we've had a long time to do it. It's been quite a few years we've had a chance to see both guys played."

As a rookie, Orton started 15 games, going 10-5, but completed only 190-of-368 passes for 1,869 yards. He threw nine touchdowns and was intercepted 13 times.

After not taking a snap in 2006, Orton played in three games last season, completing just under 54 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and two touchdowns.

"(Orton) is so far ahead of where he was then,"offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "His knowledge of the system, his physical condition, the way he is throwing the ball; everything."