Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Bart in Kentucky.
Q: How much can Kyle Orton help the Chiefs this weekend?
A: He can help them a lot. But the Chiefs are downplaying that advantage entering Sunday’s game in Denver against the Broncos, Orton’s former team.
Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson was asked what Orton had told the Kansas City defense about Denver’s offense.
“Nothing much,” Johnson said. “It’s totally different than when he was at quarterback for Denver. What (Tim) Tebow’s doing now is much different than what Kyle was doing in Denver, so he hasn’t said anything about the game plan. We kind of know Denver’s game plan.”
Orton wasn’t waived by the Broncos until after they installed their option package on offense for the Nov. 6 game against the Raiders. Orton attended the meetings, had access to the game plans and was, by all accounts, paying close attention. Also, quarterbacks are required to look at and understand the big picture.
Orton knows the Denver audibles, including the ones Tebow was using before Orton was waived Nov. 22. He knows the Broncos’ personnel groupings. He knows the plays offensive coordinator Mike McCoy likes to call. Orton knows the plays Tebow doesn’t like to see in the game plan. Orton knows the strengths and weaknesses of most of the players on the Denver roster.
Chiefs interim coach Romeo Crennel was asked about Orton’s impact on Sunday’s game.
“I’m sure Kyle has a good idea about the (Denver) defensive personnel, a good idea about the offensive personnel and what they’re capable of,” Crennel said. “But Kyle is one type of quarterback and Tebow is a different type quarterback. Some of the things they might do with Kyle, some of the checks, they might not do with Tebow. I think the best help (Orton) will be is from the personnel standpoint, being able to tell us some strong points and some weak points (about the Broncos).”
Obviously, the Broncos can change their audibles and change some of the things they do on offense and defense. But most of the players the Broncos have are the players they had when Orton was on their roster. And there is plenty of value in that information.
Jeff Legwold: jlegwold@denverpost.com
