I don’t care how much money Chris Simms is making in 2009. He didn’t attract much interest when he sat freely available last fall, and he hasn’t started a game in almost three years. Quite frankly, Simms was lucky to land a job as the No. 2 quarterback in Denver.

Orton’s career in Chicago was a tale of two quarterbacks. He showed drastic improvement last year, posting a 62 percent completion rate, 7.3 YPA, and a 10/4 TD/INT ratio in half a season before the ankle injury.

On the other hand, while Orton showed that he could play in 2008, he’s yet to show that he’s any kind of answer as a potential franchise quarterback. Unlike Simms, he’s a viable starting quarterback. He’s just not special.

I expect Orton to open 2009 as the starting quarterback for the Broncos. He may not have Brandon Marshall early on, but his receiving weapons and offensive line are still a far sight better than they were in Chicago.

For 2009 value alone, I see Orton as an uninspired QB2 in the David Garrard, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, Shaun Hill mold.