Out is Jay Cutler and his backups and they have been replaced by Kyle Orton, Chris Simms and rookie Tom Brandstater.  The company line is that Orton and Simms will battle for the starting job but that’s just mumbo jumbo.  Kyle Orton will be the #1 QB for the Broncos in 2009.  He doesn’t have a great throwing arm but he’s solid on the short stuff and he’s smart with the football.  Orton will also benefit from a much better supporting cast than he had in Chicago so he could surprise a lot of people with a very solid 2009 season.  Chris Simms is a lefty who is nothing like his father (who was a good NFL QB).  Simms doesn’t appear to be much of a leader and he throws the ball where he shouldn’t quite a bit.  Simms has a strong arm but he’s just not much of a QB.  Rookie Tom Brandstater is a big QB but he’s nothing more than a developmental QB heading into the 2009 season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  C