Crennel Will Start Orton If Healthy, Stanzi If Not

Romeo Crennel talked with the media today and told them that Kyle Orton will be his starter vs. the Packers as long as his injured finger allows him to play.

If Orton can’t go, then Ricky Stanzi will get his first NFL start.

Crennel said that he decided to announce the decision because he did not want it to be a distraction throughout the week. As I’ve said many times, all the silent approach gets from the media is speculation. The Chiefs seem to HATE speculation. I’ve always said that if they want to be secretive then they deserve whatever speculation they get.

”I’ve been through a quarterback controversy in another job I had and there’s innuendos and guessing and (players) are trying to figure things out,’’ Crennel said. ”I just think it’s better for them to know there’s a different quarterback.’’

You have to love Crennel’s honesty. After three years of Haley talking for a long time but never really saying anything during his press conferences, Romeo is a breath of fresh air. He’s also honest.

More after the jump.

When asked about the QB situation, Crennel said “We have Palko, Orton with a finger injury, and Stanzi. I don’t think the Packers are shaking in their boots over our QB.”

Well, that’s true, isn’t it? Palko, a rookie who has never played a game and a banged up Kyle Orton. That is much more like Larry, Curly and Moe then Brady, Manning and Rodgers.

Crennel is doing the right thing. He’s starting the best QB he has and if that guy can’t go, he’s going to give the youngster a chance. Palko’s had his chances. He failed.

I don’t know how successful Crennel would be as a head coach but I like listening to him talk a lot more than I did Haley.

Crennel’s straightforwardness also makes me wonder just how much Pioli was really trying to control what Haley said. Most just assumed that Haley’s refusal to give any information to anyone about anything was a Pioli directive but perhaps it is something Haley learned for himself at the knee of Bill Parcells.

This should be an interesting three games.