FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 12/31/2008 12:07am et

The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said the team will add another quarterback to compete with QB Kyle Orton. 'I think we have to have competition at that position,' Angelo said. 'We have to get that position right. I know there's going to be a lot of talk about a No. 1 receiver. Guys, it starts with the quarterback. It's all about the quarterback. You don't win because of wide receivers. You don't win because of running backs. You win because of the quarterback. We've got to get the quarterback position stabilized.'

The Huddle Take: While Orton wasn't the greatest quarterback in reality or fantasy, he did show promise at times throughout the season. In fact, it could be argued that prior to his injury against Detroit earlier in the season, he was making excellent strides. Jerry Angelo is right in all respects, including saying that there needs to be some competition for Orton. We all know Rex Grossman doesn't qualify as competition, so someone will be drafted or most likely signed as a free agent. Competition brings out the best in folks usually, so if Orton is good enough he'll only get better. Either way, especially for those in keeper leagues, it is good to know the team isn't handing him the reins on a silver platter as plans are made going forward.

Posted: 12/29/2008 1:51pm et

ESPN.com reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton was named the incumbent starting quarterback heading into training camp. 'All players will have competition,'' head coach Lovie Smith said. ''Everybody's in the same group. But Kyle is our quarterback. He has done a lot of good things for us this year, but we all start from scratch and go from there.''

The Huddle Take: Orton had quite a few surprisingly good games this season, but after he hurt his ankle he, for the most part, reverted to being a mediocre quarterback from a Fantasy perspective. But if the Bears can get a top-notch receiver during the off-season, Orton's stock could go up quite a bit. If that's the case, he could be a steal in the mid to late rounds next season.

Posted: 12/16/2008 12:57pm et

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (unknown) was held out of practice Tuesday, Dec. 16. It is unknown why Orton is sidelined. He has been battling a right ankle injury for more than six weeks but was moving fine Monday, Dec. 15, and could just be getting rest.

The Huddle Take: Like Matt Forte, it looks like the Bears are simply resting Orton as much as they can before a critical Monday night game against Green Bay.

Posted: 11/14/2008 2:24pm et

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) is expected to be probable for the team's Week 11 game.

The Huddle Take: The Bears can't get Orton back under center soon enough. He's going to have a difficult matchup, however, against the tough Green Bay pass defense.

Posted: 11/13/2008 5:56pm et

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 13. He worked with the first team during drills and is expected to start in Week 11.

The Huddle Take: That sounds good, but don't commit to him just yet. ESPN lists Orton as "uncertain" for Week 11, so there's still a significant question whether he'll be back under center to face Green Bay. The Bear offense needs him desperately, but that's no guarantee they'll start Orton this week.

Posted: 11/10/2008 12:42pm et

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) is counting on playing in the team's Week 11 game. "(It felt) like I thought it would, you know, sore, but I'm just happy with the continued improvement and just pretty happy with where I am at right now compared to a week ago," Orton said. "It hurts when you put pressure on it, and hopefully we'll just continue to make the same amount of improvement this week and have a great chance to play this weekend."

The Huddle Take: Rex Grossman played in place of Orton against the Titans and started hot but failed to pull off the upset. The Bears would certainly like to have their regular signal-caller available for this week's NFC North showdown with the Packers, and indications are Orton will at least attempt to give it a go.

Posted: 11/6/2008 6:38pm et

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 6. He likely will not play in the team's Week 10 game.

The Huddle Take: Orton made some statements earlier this week that since his ankle wasn't as badly injured as first feared, there was a shot he could play this week against Tennessee. Looks like that window has closed.

Posted: 11/3/2008 1:40pm et

Updating a previous item, The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) is undergoing a series of medical evaluations Monday, Nov. 3, after suffering an ankle injury in Week 9. Head coach Lovie Smith cautioned not to put too much stock in reports that have Orton missing at least a month. The team expects to reveal more information Wednesday, Nov. 5.

The Huddle Take: With the ugliness of the injury combined with the quickness of the reports afterward that Orton would be out a month, it's hard to foresee him getting back any quicker. But we'll have the word when it comes down on Fantasy Football's biggest surprise this season.

Posted: 11/2/2008 9:52pm et

The Associated Press reports Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) will be out for at least a month because of a high ankle sprain, a source told ESPN.com's Michael Smith. The source said Orton will undergo an MRI Monday, Nov. 3.

The Huddle Take: Update to what we'd already reported, this means Rex Grossman is the guy for the stretch run of the fantasy season. Hopefully Orton owners had another guy they could depend on, but if not, try grabbing Grossman and hoping for the best. He's been the starter before, so this is reason for hope, but Orton had been improving week to week and was putting up some decent fantasy numbers of late.

Posted: 11/2/2008 2:43pm et

Kyle Orton was carted off the field just before half-time. He suffered an undisclosed leg injury on a tackle after running the ball to the sideline.

The Huddle Take: Rex Grossman is in, a Chicago fan's nightmare. It was tough to say on the play how serious the injury was, it seemed to happen when Orton's cleat caught on another players jersey, pulling his leg farther than it should have gone. Hopefully it won't end up being a long term injury as he was having a fine year as far as Chicago QBs go lately. For now the job is Grossmans, though that doesn't necessarily mean he has much value.