Which Bears quarterback didn't lose the competition?

Well, the second Chicago Bears pre-season game is in the books. It was a fairly interesting game, as far as pre-season affairs go. It actually went into overtime, which I'm convinced is exciting (though it might just be watching scrubs with even more pressure before they get cut).

Now that it has ended, we can focus on who won the quarterback competition for the night. Lovie Smith has come out and said that this game against Seattle would be a significant measuring stick for whomever will start the season opener at Indianapolis. Note how I said "didn't lose" because neither of these QB's have "won" anything. This job is almost assuredly Kyle Orton's, much to my chagrin. Kyle has not won this job, because I don't think he can. I figured the only way he starts at quarterback is if Rex loses the competition. After the game against Seattle, it's almost a give-in. Rex lost his shot to start. Though it wasn't his fault. The coaches aren't putting him in situations in which he can succeed.

We all know Rex crumbles under pressure. When a defender gets in his grill you can expect sloppy mechanics and poor decision-making. Defensive coordinators know this, and more blitzes are called when Rex is under center. The problem is, if everyone else knows it, so should the Bears coaching staff. They should be calling formations that allow for max-protection so Rex has the time he needs to drop back and find a receiver. The offensive line simply wasn't protecting Grossman last night, and it cost him a starting job.

Honestly though, what quarterback's mechanics don't suffer when they're constantly being pressured? Unless your name is Manning, Palmer, or Brady, you more than likely have a drop-off in production when you're getting hurried and hit on every other play. That's normal. Kyle Orton would look awful as well in those conditions. Fortunately for him, the o-line decided to block for him and keep him safe.  Hopefully they'll do the same when the regular season rolls around.

Orton is not a great quarterback by any stretch of the imagination. He simply makes less mistakes than Rex. The biggest difference between their styles? Kyle dumps the majority of his completions to the running backs, whereas Rex will try to find (and sometimes force to) his wide receivers on most plays. It's easy to go 7 for 10 when you're dumping 5 of those passes to Matt Forte in the backfield. It's also the way to have less interceptions, because hopefully your running back isn't surrounded by three defenders. That's what Kyle is good at, hitting targets four yards to his right and one yard behind the line of scrimmage.

If that's what the Bears want, so be it. They should just be aware that they won't score over 13 points most of the time. That's what Kyle gives you. It puts more pressure on the defense that way when you think about it  Keeping a team under 13 points is a tall order. It leaves almost no room for error. Kyle will throw less interceptions, but I'll be surprised if he throws half as many touchdowns as Rex. The defense will need to return to their top 5 form if Kyle is to be their starter for the season.

With an already makeshift offensive line, a rookie running back, and wide receivers who barely see the ball, the Bears will need all the help on offense they can get. Rex gives them that help, but he won't start. Love Smith doesn't play to win; he plays not to lose.