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TXBRONC
08-14-2009, 08:32 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13062176

Orton gets his chance
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Posted: 08/14/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 08/14/2009 01:02:47 AM MDT

Far, far away from Atlanta, where the star-crossed receiver he hardly knows is engaged in the trial of his career, Kyle Orton will be in San Francisco making his quarterback debut for the Broncos.

Orton won't be throwing to Brandon Marshall. Not even Jay Cutler can throw it from San Francisco to Atlanta. And the sooner Bronco fans see for themselves that Cutler is long gone, the better Orton's chances, perhaps, of winning over his new town.

"I want to come out and play well, no question," Orton said. "Just get it started right. But it is a preseason game, and we use these to get ready to play well when it really counts."

The Broncos will play their first game of any kind under the leadership of coach Josh McDaniels andquarterback Orton tonight against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

It was Cutler's dislike of McDaniels that created arguably the most captivating event of the NFL offseason. The drama concluded with a trade that sent Cutler to Chicago in exchange for Orton and draft picks.

Orton has yet to enjoy having Marshall as a primary receiver. By kickoff tonight, Marshall should know whether his football future has been cleared, or become clear as gunk.

An altercation with former girlfriend Rasheedah Watley on March 4, 2008, has put Marshall on trial in Atlanta on a misdemeanor battery charge. A six-person jury is expected to decide his case today.

While the results of Marshall's trial may have more impact on the Broncos' season than any preseason game, football must carry on.

Which is fine by Orton. At long last, he can throw a pass without Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman making his move at about the same the time the offense breaks its huddle.

"I'm sick of playing against our defense," said Chris Simms, the Broncos' backup quarterback. "After the first week of camp, they start to get a good feel for what we do. The DBs start to see things and jump it every now and then."

Not that San Francisco cornerbacks Nate Clements and Dre Bly are slouches. But they can't be any tougher than Goodman was during a scrimmage last week at Invesco Field at Mile High. Goodman twice intercepted Orton during the scrimmage, returning the second for a touchdown.

But that didn't count. Now, after 3 1/2 seasons of Jake Plummer, followed by 2 1/2 seasons of Cutler, Bronco fans will receive their first impressions of Orton and Simms.

"A first impression helps," Simms said. "But at the same time, it's not the end of the world, no matter what happens. But it's cool to be here, to be in a city like this where football is such a No. 1."

Unlike previous coach Mike Shanahan, who generally yanked his first team after 10 to 12 plays in the first preseason game, McDaniels may stick with his starters at least through the first quarter.

There are so many new players, and so many new plays and assignments, the Broncos aren't complaining about the length of a four-game preseason schedule.

The Broncos practiced this week as if this first preseason game was important. Why shouldn't it be? A new coach with his new quarterbacks and new team gets only one chance to make a first impression.

"It's going to be great to see where we're at as a team and as an offense," Orton said.

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com

Dirk
08-14-2009, 08:48 AM
Here's to having some great things happen on the field tonight!! :beer:

All I can hope for is that the team learns from the game tonight and carries it into the next preseason game and so on and so forth and opens the season with a bang! :salute:

TXBRONC
08-14-2009, 08:59 AM
Here's to having some great things happen on the field tonight!! :beer:

All I can hope for is that the team learns from the game tonight and carries it into the next preseason game and so on and so forth and opens the season with a bang! :salute:

I could not agree more.