Kyle Orton trade: Could Miami Dolphins face bidding war with Arizona Cardinals for QB?

The photo seen here pictures Kyle Orton at Broncos training camp -- but it's not current. Orton didn't show up at Dove Valley yesterday, further fueling speculation that he'll be dealt, and dealt soon. But where? Miami remains the likeliest Orton destination, but it's hardly the only suitor. Among the...

By Michael Roberts

July 27, 2011

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The photo seen here pictures Kyle Orton at Broncos training camp -- but it's not current. Orton didn't show up at Dove Valley yesterday, further fueling speculation that he'll be dealt, and dealt soon.

But where? Miami remains the likeliest Orton destination, but it's hardly the only suitor. Among the most intriguing: The Arizona Cardinals.

The Denver Post's MIke Klis lists five possible Orton landing spots in addition to Miami: Minnesota, Tennessee, Washington, Seattle and Cincinnati. But SB Nation's Russ Oates doesn't necessarily see them as equally plausible, particularly given Orton's desire to start for a team rather than being cast in the role of tutor to an up-and-comer. The Vikings, Titans and Bengals all drafted young quarterbacks, meaning that Orton would likely be looking over his shoulder from day one. And while the Redskins situation seems more open, Oates doesn't seem confident Mike Shanahan would take a Broncos castoff -- and he appears to be lukewarm about the Seahawks ponying up.

Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole no doubt agrees. He thinks the race is being led by two horses. His tweet on the subject:

Strongest possibilities for Kyle orton look like Miami or Tenn. Hasselbeck also in play for both.less than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyJason Cole
JasonColeYahoo

As for NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, he lists the Arizona Cardinals alongside the Dolphins as a current favorite. But don't the Cardinals have their hearts set on acquiring Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles? Yes, according to the Arizona Republic -- but the team is talking with the Broncos about Orton just in case the Kolb negotiations don't bear fruit.

There remains a school of thought that Orton is a superior choice over Kolb anyway. Bleacher Report's David Daniels concedes that Kolb may boast higher long-term potential, but Orton has a better chance of manufacturing wins right away -- an important factor if the Cards want to keep Larry Fitzgerald from bolting.

Of course, the large number of prospective trading partners only helps the Broncos, which would only benefit if Orton fever escalates into a bidding war. Meanwhile, Denver's fan base appears not only willing but eager to take a gamble on Tim Tebow. Case in point: Yesterday, a caller to KOA radio said that even if the Broncos wound up 3-13 again this season, it'd be a more interesting 3-13 than last year's version.

No wonder Orton didn't turn up at training camp...

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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