Orton set to cash in this offseason

Bears quarterback Kyle Orton is tackled by Detroit Lions' Cory Redding during the second quarter Nov. 2 at Soldier Field. (AP photo)

By NICK HUT - nhut@nwnewsgroup.com

At his current rate of performance, Kyle Orton stands to collect big money as part of a new contract this offseason.

If the Bears indeed reward Orton for his contributions at quarterback thus far, they will hope he plays better at the start of his new deal than a few players who cashed in last spring and summer.

General manager Jerry Angelo said those players, mostly on defense, had not lived up to expectations.

Substantial raises for players such as Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs and Alex Brown have not paid off on the field. Of that group, only Briggs consistently has shown the form that earned him the big payday.

The previous offseason, cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher both signed lucrative extensions. That duo, especially Vasher, has not met expectations, either.

"Obviously, we have experience and we pay players on that side of the ball," Angelo said before Sunday's game at Green Bay.

"We expect our defense to play very well. Is that going to happen each and every week? No, it's not. You've got to give the other guy a little credit, too. You're not always going to have your 'A' game, [but] I feel we've been inconsistent in clutch moments of games."

Angelo said Urlacher had given good effort but had not come up with his usual number of big plays. That was before Urlacher made his first interception of the season in the second quarter Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The general manager also said Vasher must return to the form he showed in 2005-06, when he made the Pro Bowl once, totaled 12 interceptions and developed a reputation as the Bears' best cover corner.

"There have been players that we've seen play better, and we know they can play better," Angelo said. "I'm hopeful that they're going to get themselves going and [play] to expectations."

The offense largely has exceeded expectations, thanks in no small part to Orton.

One of Angelo's top priorities next offseason will be clarifying the quarterback picture. As things stand, that likely will entail doing a long-term agreement with Orton and allowing Rex Grossman to depart.

Orton did not play well against the Packers, but that start was his worst of the season. By appearances, he was less than 100 percent in his first game back from a sprained right ankle.

Orton's ability to return quickly, after initial reports indicated he would miss as long as a month, further bolstered his case for a new contract. Injuries, after all, have been as big an issue as ineffectiveness over the years on the Bears' quarterback carousel.

Speculation has Orton's camp using the new contract that went to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers last month as a guide. The deal included $20 million in bonuses that are due to be paid by next March.

Orton's current contract expires after next season.

"We do have time," Angelo said. "We want to see a body of work. What we've seen so far has been very, very good, not only in terms of his play but his durability."

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Orton set to cash in this offseason

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