Another in a recent line of underrated QBs, Orton threw for 31 TDs in his Senior campaign, joining Drew Brees as the only Boilermaker QBs to do so, while battling through a hip injury.
Over his college career Orton threw for 8,918 yards and 61 TDs (24 interceptions).
Bears 4th round pick in 2005.
Surprisingly captured the starting nod and led the Bears to the playoffs his rookie year completing 190 passes for 1,869 yards, and 9 TDs setting team records.
Kyles 10 wins as a starter were the most ever by an NFL rookie drafted in the 4th round or later.
The Bears brought in Brian Griese in 2006 causing Kyle to ride the bench the entire season.
Saw limited action near the end of the 2007 campaign.
Beat out Rex Grossman for the starting nod in 2008 and led the team to a 9-7 record.
Over his 2008 campaign he’d throw for 2,972 yards and 19 TDs while completing 272 of 465 throws.
After the season, he’d be traded to the Broncos for draft choices in exchange for Jay Cutler.
Kyle was off to a great start with the Broncos in 2009, but in mid-November, suffered an ankle injury limiting his effectiveness for the remainder of the season.
Statistically though it’d be his best season of his career in attempts (498), completions (293), yards (3,802), and TDs (21).
Despite his productive 2010 season, the Broncos collapsed, head coach Josh McDaniels was fired and Orton finished with a 3-10 record on the season.
He’d lose his starting job to Tim Tebow, but regain it again the following season under new head coach John Fox.
Facing a level of offensive stagnation, the Broncos again made the switch from Orton to Tebow during Week 5 of 2011.
Waived and signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Signed in 2012 with the Dallas Cowboys to back up Tony Romo.
Spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with Dallas, seeing the field sparingly.
After threatening a holdout in 2014, Orton was released outright and signed with the Buffalo Bills.
He’d replace an ineffective EJ Manuel at QB and have a solid season, passing for 18 TDs on 287 of 447 throws for 3,018 yards, and receiving a few votes for comeback player of the year.
Retired after the conclusion of the season.
NOTES:
Kyle Orton, just got no respect. There always seemed to be another QB in waiting ready to take the reins from him or he was embattled in a quarterback controversy of some sort.
Dan Hampton played DT at the University of Arkansas from 1975-’78.
Over college career tabbed 237 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss and recovered 6 fumbles.
Selected in the first round (4th overall) of the 1979 Draft by the Chicago Bears.
In 1980 had 11.5 sacks, 73 total tackles, and 2 forced fumbles.
During the 1981 season, sacked the Saints a career game high 3 times.
Despite constant double teams, managed 11.5 sacks, 54 total tackles, and 3 fumble recoveries in ’84.
Had a sack and a fumble recovery in the Bears Super Bowl XX win.
Tied a career high with 3 sacks against the Packers in ’86.
Started both end and tackle over career and saw nose action in nickel situations in the 4-6 defense.
Played in 12 seasons, and started more games than any other Bear at the time (151)- but suffered 10 knee surgeries.
Retired after the 1990 season.
ACCOLADES:
Razorbacks All-Decade Team 1970s
University of Arkansas All Century Team
College Football Hall of Fame
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame
PFWA All-Rookie Team
PFW Defensive Player of the Year 1982
SWC Player of the Year 1978
100 Greatest Bears Player of All-Time
All Pro 1984
Second Team AP 1982, ’85, ’86, ’88
Pro Bowl 1980, ’82, ’94, ’85
NFL 1980s All Decade Team
NOTES:
Along with Sid Luckman, Dan is the only Bear to have played in 3 decades (70s-90s). He appears in both Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl as a member of the Chicago Bears.
After striking out on Dan twice before, I luckily had reloaded in time to get him on these two cards.
Jon Kitna walked on to the Central Washington football team, where he settled in at QB.
During his senior season, Jon threw for 4,616 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.
Intrigued by his skillset the Seahawks sent him overseas to play in the World League with the Barcelona Dragons in 1997.
With the Dragons, Kitna completed 171 of 317 attempts, for 2,448 yards and 22 passing TDs.
He also set the league record for quarterbacks with 334 rushing yards.
In World Bowl V, he put the Dragons on his shoulders and threw for a game record 401 yards and 2 TDs.
Returned to the Seahawks after the World League season where he honed his craft behind Warren Moon and John Friesz.
Became the Seahawks starter at QB in Week 13 of ’98.
Completed 270 of 495 passes for 3,346 yards and 23 touchdown passes leading the Seahawks to an AFC West Title in ’99.
Struggled in 2000, posting a 6-6 record, throwing 18 TDs to 19 picks.
Signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001- beating out WLAF alum Scott Mitchell in camp.
Threw a franchise record 68 times in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Led the league in passing attempts with 581.
Backed up Gus Frerotte to start the 2002 season, before going on to start the final 12 games of the season for the Bengals.
Again, Kitna stepped up throwing for 3,178 yards and 16 TDs.
With #1 pick Carson Palmer sitting in the wings, Jon was allowed to start and play every single down for the Bengals in 2003.
Threw for 3,591 yards and a career high 26 TDs.
As Palmer took over in 2004, Kitna was relegated to a backup role and saw spot duty through 2005, seeing action in 7 games, while starting 3.
Signed with the Detroit Lions in 2006.
Took every snap for the team in 2006, throwing for 4,204 yards, and 21 TDs on 372 of 596 passes- setting multiple team records.
His 372 completions led the league.
Had another 4k season passing in 2007 as he threw 18 TDs.
Injured during week 4 of 2008.
Traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 to shore up the team’s QB room behind Tony Romo.
Started 9 contests in 2010 for Dallas, throwing for 2,365 yards and 16 TDs.
Injured in training camp due to a herniated disc, Kitna never was able to fully recover from the injury and was forced to retire after the 2011 season concluded.
Went into teaching and coaching at his High School in Washington.
Popped up again briefly as an emergency QB for the Cowboys in 2013, but didn’t see any action- donating the check to his High School Booster Club.
Worked his way through the High School ranks before briefly joining the San Diego Fleet of the AAF in 2018 for about 6 months as offensive coordinator.
Resigned to become QB Coach to Dak Prescott of the Cowboys in January of 2019.
Returned to the high school gridiron to coach in 2020.
ACCOLADES:
Pacific Northwest Hall of Fame 2014
Central Washington University Hall of Fame 2006
World Bowl V MVP
Offensive Player of the Week (13) 1998
Offensive Player of the Month (October) 1999
Offensive Player of the Week (16) 2001
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2003
NOTES:
I really had to scramble to find cards of Jon. He’s always been at this crossroads of quarterbacking that’s interested me, being a mentor to so many players and also being a World League alum. He signs in very short spurts, so I rushed these out as soon as I could them.
INSCRIPTIONS:
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
-Galations 2:25
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God
-Isaiah 40:3
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
