Orton just wants to hold a clipboard

[erod]

Kyle Orton retired from the NFL before he ever wore a Cowboys jersey. Looking back, signing him was dumb. He never should have been signed in the first place.

Orton could have started in the NFL last year, but instead, he chose to come to Dallas, where he KNEW he wouldn't start and the money would be easy. He knew there wasn't a chance of beating out Romo. He played one game, and I'd bet good money that was one more than he bargained for.

Here we are now, and there's a strong possibility that Orton could see significant playing time next year. Tony Romo is coming off two back surgeries, and much uncertainty surrounds his future. That means extra care must be taken to protect him, hurt or not. The backup QB is an important figure.

Now, Orton is now seriously mulling retirement. Despite being healthy and relatively young with a big check coming, he isn't sure about the upcoming season.

Most concerning, to me, is that his decision seems to be based on if he'll have to play or not. If he knew he could hold a clipboard and watch, I'd bet good money he'd be on board. If he has to play half the season, I think he wants out pronto.

For that reason, I hope he does the right thing and leaves.

 

[Deep_South]

I speculated about exactly this back when the reports about him wanting to retire. However, I'm a skeptic, so I'm skeptical of even my own speculations.

His agent - I believe - denied there was ever any talk of Orton's retiring, so it will be up to our intrepid sports reporters to get to the bottom of this, and you know they will.

 

[SDCowboy]

Well, heck. Who wouldn't want to be a backup? I wouldn't mind getting paid millions to do relatively little to nothing.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Last I heard was that Orton was coming back and his agent said there was no talk of retirement. I thought the Cowboys checked into this and Orton's answer was that he will be back.

Anyway, can't blame a guy if he wants to retire. He made his money and health is more important.

 

[dmq]

Orton wasn't going to be starting anywhere. If he was, it wouldn't have been anything more than a placeholder till the desired draft pick was ready. He went for stability. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Maybe I missed something, but I thought his agent said this was total BS and Orton was 100% coming back for this season.

Did something change?

 

[dbonham]

He played well when we needed him last year, Don't love his cap hit but we can't rely on a nobody at back up with Romo hurting

 

[casmith07]

He played well, he's not a bad quarterback and is probably the best backup in the league.

And to the thread title - don't worry, I'm sure the Cowboys and us fans only want him holding a clipboard, too.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I would figure the vast majority of veteran QBs who sign someplace where they're going to be nothing but a back up do so knowing that it's easy money and they have no real intention or desire to actually play. This isn't unique to Orton.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

No, Orton could not have started last year.

 

[Wolfpack]

I would figure the vast majority of veteran QBs who sign someplace where they're going to be nothing but a back up do so knowing that it's easy money and they have no real intention or desire to actually play. This isn't unique to Orton.

You mean like Jason?
I mean as the backup QB, not the back up or Assistant Head Coach.

 

[egn22]

Orton hate now? Lol, I can't wait for the draft

 

[erod]

No, Orton could not have started last year.

Oakland, NY Jets, Tennessee, Cleveland, Minnesota, Tampa, Buffalo, Jacksonville.....

 

[erod]

Maybe I missed something, but I thought his agent said this was total BS and Orton was 100% coming back for this season.

Did something change?

There's a rumor swirling in the DFW media that he's contemplating retirement.

We'll see if he shows up for OTAs.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

There's a rumor swirling in the DFW media that he's contemplating retirement.

We'll see if he shows up for OTAs.

There was a rumor early on about that.. Before start of FA. However I thought that rumor was squashed by the team, his agent and possibly himself weeks ago IIRC

 

[erod]

There was a rumor early on about that.. Before start of FA. However I thought that rumor was squashed by the team, his agent and possibly himself weeks ago IIRC

It's bubbled up again. I don't think Weeden would be here if the Cowboys felt confident about Orton returning.

 

[slick325]

There was a rumor early on about that.. Before start of FA. However I thought that rumor was squashed by the team, his agent and possibly himself weeks ago IIRC

BP, you're correct that the rumor started prior to Free Agency and was then squashed by Orton's agent. However, the rumor continues to have some life....@toddarcher on his twitter chat today for ESPN Dallas said: "But I’ll throw this out there: I’m still not convinced Orton wants to play in 2014, despite what came out of the owners meetings. Let’s see if he shows up to the offseason program next week."

Not sure where it came from or what else the DFW Media is hearing but the rumor persists.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I don't think it was a dumb signing at all. I thought the offense looked better with him against Philadelphia than it had been looking under Romo. Of course, I would expect that to tail off if Orton became the full fledged starter. But, that's what you want out of your backup. You don't want him to play if you can prevent it. But, you want a guy that can step right in and keep the offense moving at a pretty good clip, you should be happy with that. IMO, Kyle Orton was the least of our problems the past 2 years.





YR

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It's bubbled up again. I don't think Weeden would be here if the Cowboys felt confident about Orton returning.

I think Weeden is here for two reasons.

They liked him coming out in college so they signed him cheap to see what he has.

And

With Tony coming off another surgery they want another arm in camp to help out and limit his snaps.

I think this rumor is nothing more than what was said before even though it was already squashed and people are still running with it because it is just more silly stuff to talk about among over reactionary worry wart cowboy fans and the Cowboys media looking for anything to report.

But that is just my opinion.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's bubbled up again. I don't think Weeden would be here if the Cowboys felt confident about Orton returning.

I think it had more to do with Romo getting injured at the age of 34 years old and realizing we need 3 QB's this year because if Romo goes out early, then you're relying on Orton with no backup.




YR