Kyle Orton

Jay Cutler got the last laugh. The Pro Bowl passer, who forced a blockbuster trade out of Denver last spring and became the Chicago Bears' first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman, returned to Invesco Field on Sunday night and led his new team to a 27-17 preseason win over the Broncos. Cutler disregarded the thousands of hecklers, including Broncos pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, in leading Chicago on three scoring drives, capped by a 12-play, 98-yarder just before halftime that gave the Bears a 17-3 lead. The adversary he left behind, Broncos rookie coach Josh McDaniels, had a distressing home debut, as did Denver's new quarterback, ... Read Full Story

The quarterback couldn't stop praising his new team and his new surroundings, only this wasn't Jay Cutler talking about the Chicago Bears. It was Kyle Orton speaking of the Broncos. While Cutler's return to Denver is grabbing the headlines, he won't be the only quarterback facing his former team in Sunday's preseason game. "It'll be a lot of fun to see the guys," Orton said Wednesday on a conference call with Chicago reporters. "But it's basically one more chance for us to get ready for Cincinnati, when it really matters." Even so, the quarterbacks give this game a neat little subplot, an extra dose ... Read Full Story

It doesn't take Jay Cutler's return to Denver for the Broncos to find themselves in the middle of a circus. Cutler and the Bears will visit Invesco Field on Sunday night in a preseason game like none other, one that marks the home debuts of coach Josh McDaniels, the man who chased Cutler out of town just weeks into his new job, and Kyle Orton, the methodical quarterback who replaced the Pro Bowl passer. The Broncos still find themselves dealing with a soured superstar who has trust issues with the team, a simmering feud with the coach and a trade request on the table. ... Read Full Story

Kyle Orton only needs to worry about correcting his mistakes, not looking over his shoulder. New Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is standing behind his struggling quarterback, whom Denver acquired this spring in a trade with Chicago. That deal sent Pro Bowl passer Jay Cutler to the Bears after his relationship with McDaniels soured. Orton threw three interceptions on three straight first-half series in Denver's 17-16 exhibition loss to the San Francisco 49ers, while his backup, Chris Simms, threw two touchdown passes. McDaniels said it's too early to think about pulling the plug on Orton, who was booed for his poor play and two interceptions ... Read Full Story

Brian Dawkins' favorite superhero is Wolverine, the member of the X-Men known for his stamina, agility, superior athleticism and high pain threshold. You can see why after the 35-year-old safety didn't take long to win over teammates and become a leader for the Denver Broncos. All they have to do is watch him play. He brings a menacing presence to a Denver defense that has sorely lacked one since linebacker Al Wilson's retirement nearly three years ago. "He'll talk the talk, and he'll walk the walk," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "I don't like guys who come in and like to talk a lot and ... Read Full Story