Orton is executing very well this season, and teammates agree he is the guy

Have you noticed how Kyle Orton has been executing plays like a machine? He did that last year and won the first 6 games. Of course, we all hoped the trend would continue, and now we are hoping for the "machine" to keep up the excellent mechanics for the regular season just a few weeks away.

Orton is actually much improved this season. This guy has something to prove, and I like him more and more because of what he is doing. He has been sidestepped during the off season for the likes of Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow, but did he let that bother him? Heck no he didn't, and in fact he buckled down and worked that much harder.

I am seeing some character here that I did not know existed last year. Orton has worked hard enough and demonstrated the team player mentality to the point that McDaniels has praised him in public over and above the other QBs. I heard an interview with McDaniels Friday on the radio where he made the statement that Orton has improved significantly over last year.

Now when the regular season begins, Orton will presumably be in the game all day long, barring injuries of course. If he can take this methodology to the W column, he will become the hero of Denver. The fans want to win, and if the team wins, the fans will be cheering the guys who did it.

I like Orton in this new season more than I ever thought I would, but after seeing the other QBs on the job, it is evident who has totally memorized the playbook and the execution. It does not matter if Denver wins any of these pre-season games. What matters is how the score looks during the regular 16 games of the season.

Orton has completed 69% of his passes so far in the pre-season. "You can see the difference in him," wide receiver Eddie Royal said after a 25-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. "He's pointing out things for the linemen and pointing out things for us. He can read the coverage better."

"It's like night and day for him this year to last year," said Jabar Gaffney, who's developed quite a rapport with Orton. "He's getting us in the right play, getting us to the line fast, seeing what the defence is doing and getting us in situations that will result in a successful play."

With public praise from the head coach, and with the new contract Orton has secured, he is in the bestpossible position to become a champion this year. I sincerely hope he makes it big time. Fans will be very happy with a 10 and 6 season, but they want better.

Orton might just be able to deliver on it!