2005 Beardown Awards:Biggest Surprise

Kyle Orton helping us to the playoffs

When Rex went down in preseason against the Rams the seasons outlook looked bleak. Take it back to the 2004 season and we were so desperate for a QB after Rex went down against the Vikings we tried Krenzel, Hutchison and Quinn. So when we were relying on a low draft pick rookie to lead us the hopes werent too high that we'd reach the post season.

On paper his stats were awful and watching him you could see how raw Kyle Orton was with some really really bad throws.. But the bottom line is that he did enough to help us win which none of the backups were able to do in 2004. Make no mistake we won the NFC North last year because of our defense and running game, but Orton did what was required to help us win.

" do you think we would be 8-3 if we went with Hutchinson "
Adi Bear 1/12/05 - post from "Ok i agree with Dr Z and am going to hell... possibly"

Although Rex is #1 choice Kyle did much better than any of the understudies in 2004 and did better than anyone thought to help us to the postseason.

Runners up: Chris Harris starting,Wade Lasting so long

Macca