The Denver Broncos start the 2009 season coming off arguably the greatest single-season performance for a Denver quarterback in their history, the problem is, they don’t have that QB any more.

Jay Cutler was traded pre-draft day after a month-long complete debacle between the disgruntled QB and his newly appointed head coach, Josh McDaniels.

Cutler’s over 4,500 yards and 25 touchdowns were good enough to earn the young QB a Pro Bowl berth for the first time in his career, and it is unlikely either of the two quarterbacks Denver has to reach those numbers in 2009.

But, the Broncos did receive a starting QB in the trade in Orton, something they wanted from the situation.

Orton is a capable starter, with two full seasons under his belt, in 2005 and 2008, and ’08 was his best statistically with over 2,900 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While those numbers are respectable, they are far from what Cutler was able to do last year, yet Orton should benefit from McDaniels’ new offense.

But before he thinks about starting games in his new orange and blue, Orton must focus on his current QB battle with Chris Simms.

Simms, son of Giants great Phil Simms, was drafted in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he had his best season in 2005, starting 10 games for the Bucs, with a 6-4 record. Simms passed for just over 2,000 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven picks, a mediocre season at best for an NFL QB.

In 2006, Simms suffered a ruptured spleen that needed surgery and kept him out of the NFL for two years. Last season he came back to the league as a backup with the Tennesee Titans, but for only one game.

In reality, Orton should win this starting position that coach McDaniels has said is up for grabs, relatively easily.

While both QBs are young, and have large gaps of playing time in their careers, Orton is more proven with more starts and has played more recently.

Orton has passed for over 5,300 yards, for 30 TDs and 27 INTs in his career compared to Simms’ 3,000 yards, 12 TDs and 17 INTs. On top of that, Orton’s record as a starter is 22-11, contrasted with Simms’ paltry 7-8 record overall.

In all, neither quarterback will be top-five in 2009, and neither are neccasarily a QB to build a team around, but one will fill the gap for this year.

In all likelihood, the Broncos starter will be Kyle Orton, and he needs to be a leader in the huddle, listen to coaching, and study, study, study the playbook.

In 2009, all rests on the shoulders of Kyle Orton, hopefully he can carry the burden that comes with being a Broncos quarterback and have a productive year. If so, Denver should have a top-10 offense when all is said and done.

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