ChicagoTrib: Orton confident he can beat blitz

[spanishomelette]

Orton confident he can beat blitz

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-050906bearsbits,1,117536.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true

By K.C. Johnson

Tribune staff reporter

September 6, 2005

As high-profile rookies, Kyle Orton and Cedric Benson have handled the media blitz thus far with savvy and aplomb.

Washington's blitzes Sunday will present greater challenges.

Redskins defensive coach Gregg Williams presides over a unit that ranked ninth with 40 sacks last season despite losing star linebacker LaVar Arrington to injury in Week 5. In Washington's 13-10 victory Oct. 17 at Soldier Field, the Redskins sacked an overmatched Jonathan Quinn four times for 31 yards in losses, just three fewer than the Bears' net passing yards.

Orton insists he's more prepared.

"I'm not going to be surprised by any blitzes or really anything they throw at us," Orton said. "It's just getting the ball out of my hands and getting it to good players who can make plays and try to score a lot of touchdowns."

Offensive tackle Fred Miller said he has been impressed by Orton's poise and recognition of blitz packages and coverages throughout the preseason. Benson's five-week holdout robbed him of similar experience.

Pass protection is one reason Benson's playing time is expected to be limited Sunday.

"There is only so much you can teach a person about that," fullback Marc Edwards said. "You almost either have it or you don't. A lot of times Thomas [Jones] and I can see where the blitz is coming before the play starts and that makes it a lot easier. When I was a young player I had to take my time and look and then release. That was rough."

Gun control

One of the theories as to why Orton dropped to the fourth round on draft day was his inexperience working under center after working from a shotgun formation in Purdue's spread offense.

Orton shrugged off a question about his comfort level working with center Olin Kreutz.

"I haven't been in the shotgun for three or four months now," Orton said. "It's more of a change now for me to get in the shotgun than be under center. I've grown to like it quite a bit. There are pros and cons for each approach. But being underneath center doesn't affect me one way or the other."

Crowded house

Justin Gage will start alongside Muhsin Muhammad but even Gage knows the No. 2 receiver could be by committee this season.

"Bernard [berrian] and Mark [bradley] and Bobby [Wade] have all played well," Gage said. "As far as individual statistics, it's tough for us because we're all making plays. But we have a solid group."

Bradley has become a fan favorite by virtue of his league-leading numbers of 17 catches and 331 yards in exhibition games, against mostly second- and third-team defenses. But Gage is a better blocker as of now, and establishing the run game is crucial for the Bears.

"I'm real excited about the opportunity," Gage said. "I just have to make plays."

Extra points

In the last 35 years, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and Miami's Dan Marino in 1983 are the only rookie quarterbacks to win more than eight games. "I'm definitely going to try to make it three," Orton said. … Since 1948, 49 rookie quarterbacks have started season openers. Their combined record is 18-31. … Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey nearly was the Bears' starting quarterback. With the Redskins at a contract impasse with their No. 1 pick, who was taken three slots after the Bears selected offensive tackle Marc Colombo in 2002, general manager Jerry Angelo offered Mike Gandy and a draft choice for Ramsey. The two sides could not agree on how high a pick and Ramsey stayed with Washington.

kcjohnson@tribune.com

Copyright © 2005, The Chicago Tribune

[tr1]

It's going to be a long day for the rookie...

[Clinton Portis]

I think the blitz is gonna beat him... :helmet: