National Football League

QB Orton effectively leading Broncos in preseason

Published Aug. 22, 2010 9:15 p.m. ET

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Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton doesn't have an overwhelming arm, much mobility or the soaring popularity of rookie Tim Tebow.

What he does possess is a thorough grasp of coach Josh McDaniels' intricate system. Orton's complete comprehension in Year 2 of the offense is allowing him to run the show with cool confidence.

Despite a patchwork offensive line, a banged-up backfield and wide receivers he's still getting to know, Orton has effectively led the Broncos to four scoring drives in seven series so far in the preseason.

Orton's conviction has been rather contagious, his teammates firmly behind a quarterback who frequently falls under scrutiny for being too conservative and safe.

He's efficiently completed nearly 69 percent of his passes this preseason, and thrown four TD passes to four different targets.

''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.''

Before camp began, Orton was virtually a lame-duck quarterback after signing a one-year tender offer. He appeared to be merely baby-sitting the job until Brady Quinn or Tebow emerged to take it over.

Throughout the summer, one theme became abundantly obvious: Orton was the clear-cut leader on the field.

''He's running the whole offense with a lot of authority and confidence,'' receiver Brandon Lloyd said. ''It really rubs off on all of us.''

The Broncos rewarded him last week by giving him an extension through 2011, a deal worth $9 million with $5.5 million guaranteed. After the game against the Lions, Orton insisted he wasn't trying to prove the money was well spent after completing 16 of 22 passes for 177 yards and two TDs.

''I feel like I go out and try to prove myself every week, prove myself to my teammates and my coaches every week,'' he said.

Orton sputtered early, throwing an interception when his pass bounced off the hands of tailback Lance Ball and into the arms of former Broncos cornerback Dre' Bly, setting up a Detroit touchdown.

''I told him, `That's on me,''' Ball recounted. ''I said I'll make up for it.''

Ball did just that, catching a 15-yard TD pass from Orton midway through the second quarter.

Then, Orton marched the Broncos down the field in the final minute of the first half, a drive capped off with an 11-yard TD catch by tight end Marquez Branson.

Yet another confidence boost for the sixth-year pro out of Purdue.

''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 defense is doing and getting us in situations that will result in a successful play.''

All that with virtually no running game and spotty pass protection.

The Broncos' top three tailbacks remained sidelined Saturday and the ground game struggled to gain any traction, averaging just under 4 yards a carry.

''We'd like to get it going,'' said Orton, who threw for 3,802 yards and 21 TDs last season. ''We've got a lot of new faces.''

The same can be said of the Broncos' makeshift offensive line, where rookies Zane Beadles and J.D. Walton again saw extended playing time in an attempt to get them up to speed for the season opener in Jacksonville on Sept. 12.

Denver's wall of protection remains a work in progress until the return of All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady, who's currently on the non-football injury list after tearing his left patellar tendon while playing hoops in the offseason.

For now, D'Anthony Batiste is holding down Clady's spot. Russ Hochstein stepped in at the right guard Saturday with Chris Kuper hampered by an ankle injury.

''I think we're right where we need to be, considering what we've been through as a line,'' right tackle Ryan Harris said. ''It's one of those things: the more experience the (rookies) get, the better they get. It's good for them and us as a team.''

Orton had to make things happen with his feet in the Lions game, frequently scrambling away from hard-charging rookie Ndamukong Suh.

That's not exactly Orton's forte.

''Hope I don't have to do it too much,'' Orton said, grinning. ''You've got to be able to extend the play every now and then.''

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