THE LAST LAUGH

Purdue football is 'not' one of Cindy & mine's interest. Oh...it's okay. We've been to a few games over the years and have tickets to go to at least one of the games this fall. But we're not 'locked in' to football like we are our basketball. Still...even without our support...Purdue football has had some good teams over our 35 years here and some very, very good football players.

One story I'm following somewhat closely is that of the Denver Broncos. Here's why. Their current quarterback, Kyle Orton, is a Purdue Alumnus. Kyle wasn't a 'great' quarterback while at Purdue...but was a very good one. Out of college, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played there several years. He was successful there...moreso than the quarterback that was there before him...as well as the quarterback who is there after him.

But the quarterback who played at Denver, felt he was getting no respect from the Bronco team and fans, so he cried for a change and the management of the Broncos obliged...and sent him to the Bears...in exchange for Kyle Orton. Since arriving in Denver, Kyle again has been good...not great...but at least more successful than the player who just left.

Kyle just isn't 'flashy' so the fans haven't been drawn to him...and management has seen that. So, earlier this year...management brought in a young quarterback hopeful from another team. Kyle was told, "don't worry, he'll just be the backup. You're still our man."

Then just a few weeks ago, Denver drafted another potential top quarterback. Again, Kyle has been told, "don't worry, you're still our man."

But Kyle's no fool, and any outsider should see...he's doomed for that team. Any wrong move...and the fans will be chanting for one of the 'new kids' to be given their chance...and Kyle will be relegated to the bench.

Kyle needs to 'get out of Dodge' (Denver) as soon as he can.

This story intrigues me because it is very similar to another story. The quarterback who was at Purdue before Kyle...was a young guy named...Drew Brees. Drew was drafted by the San Diego Chargers...and was successful there. But for some reason the management and the fans never fell in love with Drew. So they brought in a new young quarterback but told Drew, "don't worry, you're still the man." Well, before Drew knew it...he wasn't.

So Drew went shopping for a new team...and fell in love with the city of New Orleans...a city trying to recover from a devastating hurricane. He loved the new coach, his new team, and the people of New Orleans. And because of that...they fell in love with him.

Lo and behold...a few years later...this past football season...Drew led the New Orleans Saints to the Super Bowl...and won it...and won the MVP trophy in the process.

Drew has too much character to look back at his old team and say..."nah nah nah!" But he could have.

Hopefully, a similar situation will happen for Kyle Orton. I hope he finds a team that he likes and that likes him. I hope he will have the success that his predecessor at Purdue had...and win a championship. And then he too...would have the chance to look in the eye of the other teams who didn't give him the chance and say...nah nah nah!

And he too...can have the last laugh.


Dan