Kyle Orton paid a visit with Mike North on WSCR-AM 670 on Wednesday morning.
Here are highlights of the conversation:
On his relationship with Rex Grossman
North: “How about the fact that you said you and Rex
get along, and you’ve known Rex now for 3 or 4 years
and he seems like a really good guy to me. You said
that you want to compete and that you’re sure that Rex
wants to compete too…from one to ten, ten being a
strong relationship, one being no relationship at all.
Where would you put the number?”
Orton: “I don’t know about a number. We’ve never had
an issue at work. We’ve never had an issue outside of
work. We’re certainly not best friends outside of
work, we don’t spend a lot of time together outside of
work, but we have a great relationship inside the
building.”
North: “So if I had to rank it and I gave it a seven,
would that be fair? Seven being pretty good, you know
good relationship…working relationship. You guys
respect each other.”
Orton: “Yeah, yeah…no question. I think people
hear me talk about my relationship with Brian (Griese)
and what he’s done. We’ve spent more time together,
me and Brian have had the opportunity to spend more
time together and that’s just the way it is you know.”
On Using The Shotgun Next Season
North: “Would you like to see the shotgun (next
season) if you are the quarterback?”
Orton: “Yeah, it’s a little bit different than
college Mike. We are a play-action based offense, so
we have to establish a running game and we have to
work off of that. So it’s a little bit different. I
do think that it’s a valuable tool in some respects.”
North: “Yeah I think so. I think it’s done well with
the Manning boys and Tom Brady. I can understand why
the Bears, who are offensively challenged at times,
would never want to use the shotgun…no, I can’t
understand that. You see teams doing wonderful things
offensively, and let’s face it Kyle. The running game
is up in the air right now. If that doesn’t get
straightened out, would you rather see yourself in
certain passing downs atleast have the chance to take
the snap without having to worry about dropping back
especially with the offensive line not as strong as
its been in the past and the running game not as
strong?”
Orton: ” I think we’ve got a long way to go before
the start of the season, and I think we’re making the
right moves to sure some things up. I think we’re
going to have a very strong offensive unit and I don’t
think we have very far to go. But yeah, if it’s an
obvious passing situation it doesn’t hurt to be back
in the shotgun.”
On His Favorite Pattern
North: “What’s your favorite pattern to throw? If
they told you: the next play, no matter what yardage
is involved or whatever, you can throw your favorite
play. You can throw the pass that you feel will be
the most successful. What play would that be?”
Orton: “Just like the highlight you played with Devin
(Hester), I like throwing the deep post. Especially
if you have an aggressive secondary, I like throwing
behind them and taking shots down the field.”
