There is no way I would give up a 3rd for Orton. A 5th at the most, and probably not even that. I gave a scenario in another thread in which Albert would be traded straight up for Orton. Not that I wanted that, but I thought it was reasonable. After seeing what we received for Albert, I think if we wanted Orton we would have him. The Broncos really need a DT, and we really need a QB.
However, Orton is nothing more than a place holder. Of course, so are Beck and Grossman (maybe if re-signed) and they already know the system.
I also championed Young, but in hindsight, I think that was idiotic. In the past, I have stated that Kyle needs an accurate and intelligent QB, not an inaccurate athletic one. For some reason, I lost focus for a few weeks. My brain was mush. My excitement for a new QB overcame my sensibility.
With that said, I am currently rooting for Beck to succeed. Why? Because he has done everything that you expect a starting QB to do in an offseason. He has taken on the role of team leader and succeeded. Yet, he is the running joke on all sports programs. He is constantly being ridiculed and no one has the slightest idea what he can offer on the field.
Beck will be 30 by the start of the first regular season game. Furthermore, he will only have 4 starts under his belt. Not what you want to hear about when discussing a QB that is going to lead your team. I am not the least bit excited by this.
Now, a major knock on Beck is his arm strength. Well, Schaub does not have great arm strength either. Kyle Shannahan does not need the strongest arm to run this system. He knows how to get receivers open and an intelligent QB can take full advantage.
I am looking at it this way. What if Beck succeeds? If he does great, we may have a starting QB for 3-4 years. This will enable us to continue to build the team around the QB and pick a young QB to groom when it is convenient for us.
What if Beck fails this year? Fine. No skin off of our backs because we did not expect much from him in the first place. If this happens, we have a high draft pick and it will be easier for the Shannahan’s to pick the QB of the future. We have a full slate of picks in both 2012 and 2013, under this scenario it will be easier to move up in the draft.
The only thing I would be concerned about is the rookie salary cap. More teams are likely to draft a QB high knowing that they are not going to have to pay an arm and a leg to keep him for 4 years. It is very cost advantageous. This means the Skins will have to give up more to move up in the draft. As of right now, we have ammunition.
So, I am on the Beck/Grossman bandwagon. It may not be pretty this year, but in the end it may be considered a win/win situation for the Skins and the fans.