Tyler

Palko

They’ll move forward with Brady Quinn behind Matt Cassel. Palko might have been the least effective NFL quarterback to take the field in 2011. The 28-year-old posted a 2:7 TD-to-INT ratio with an eighth turnover on a lost fumble, and a YPA under 6.0. Palko will struggle to find an NFL job this offseason unless new Steelers OC Todd Haley gives him a look as a third-stringer.

“Tyler’s the starter,” said Haley. “We’re getting Kyle (Orton) ready to play. He might have to play.” Per beat writer Adam Teicher, Palko was the first QB in the rotation during Wednesday’s practice, and received 60 percent of the reps compared to Orton’s 40 percent. The Chiefs may keep the Bears guessing all week. Our guess as of Wednesday is still that Orton will be the starter, but Haley has a long history of head-scratching depth chart decisions.

The Chiefs will roll with Kyle Orton and Ricky Stanzi at quarterback once again. There are no surprises on their inactive list: WR Jerheme Urban, TE Jake O’Connell, T David Mims, NT Jerrell Powe, DE Brandon Bair and S Jon McGraw.

The Bears have been steamrolling opposing passing games lately, so you can make a good argument that their defense would be the No. 1 play in fantasy football this week. Coach Todd Haley did leave the door open Friday for Kyle Orton to perhaps replace Palko in-game. “We’ve had to prepare Orton to get ready to play and he may have to, but he may not,” Haley said. “We’re really focused on how we want to start this game and we know what we need to do.”

We knew that interim coach Romeo Crennel was looking to move on from Todd Haley favorite Tyler Palko, but we didn’t know that Orton’s finger was healthy enough to play. If Orton does indeed end up starting, he’ll be a boost for Dwayne Bowe and the entire offense. Under Palko for the last four games, the Chiefs had not topped 10 points.

If Orton can’t go, fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi will get the nod. Todd Haley pet Tyler Palko has mercifully been removed from the equation after four horrific starts. Orton’s veteran presence and serviceable arm would give the Chiefs’ offense an instant jolt, putting Dwayne Bowe solidly on the WR2 radar. The Chiefs figure to be playing from behind for the majority of this week’s game.

Tyler Palko came on in relief with the game mostly finished, but coach Todd Haley confirmed that Cassel was physically unable to continue due to the shoulder injury. The hand injury wasn’t made known until he was spotted with the cast showing his middle and index fingers immobilized. Cassel said that he would be ready to play eight days later in New England, but that sounds optimistic to us. Palko will start if Cassel cannot play.

The Kansas City Star believes it’s “premature” to say Orton won’t play against the Jets. The Star does expect Tyler Palko to continue to start games.

Palko goes from starter to third-stringer, with Kyle Orton and Ricky Stanzi both leap-frogging him per the wishes of interim head coach Romeo Crennel.

This is just Palko’s first game, but it could very easily end up being the high point of his year. The Patriots boast a laughably decimated defensive backfield, and the remaining Chiefs schedule gets much, much tougher. Palko did make a few plays, but he also missed receivers, showed little velocity on his throws, and displayed very bad decision making. This will be an offense to stream defenses against.