Ricky

Stanzi

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.

Stanzi, Brown, Powe, and Bair are all rookies who haven’t been deemed game-ready yet. Stanzi is the third-stringer behind Matt Cassel and Tyler Palko. Maneri is a former college tight end. Urban has been scuttled out of the receiver rotation since losing his job early in the season to Steve Breaston.

“We’re all encouraged with Ricky Stanzi and the development and progress he’s made,” says Haley. New starter Tyler Palko has plenty of faceplant potential, leaving Stanzi with a better chance to see playing time over the next few weeks than fellow rookie T.J. Yates in Houston.

LG Ryan Lilja (head/neck) is active. The Chiefs have yet to officially announce who will get the start at quarterback, but most indications are that Tyler Palko will at least begin the day under center. He could be in for a short afternoon against a Bears defense that’s been playing at an increasingly high level of late.

However, Haley decided not to play fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi with the Chiefs facing a huge deficit in front of a hostile road crowd. Palko’s play certainly warranted a benching, as he completed just three passes for 11 yards as the Chiefs fell behind 28-3 going into halftime. In four starts, Palko has now produced two touchdowns compared to eight turnovers. The Chiefs desperately need Kyle Orton (finger) to get healthy if they are to finish the year on a respectable note.

It looks like a perfect time to sit Tyler Palko down. In four starts this season, he’s averaging 187.3 passing yards per game while throwing two touchdowns against seven interceptions. The Chiefs have gone 1-3 without topping 10 points in a game during that span. Fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi may not be ready, but it’s hard to envision him performing worse than Palko.

It’s quite possible that Todd Haley’s insistence on sticking with an overmatched Tyler Palko contributed to his dismissal. Although Stanzi was believed to be “not ready,” the Texans’ success with their own fifth-round rookie may give the Chiefs a good reason to give Stanzi an audition. Kyle Orton (finger) could be an alternative, though his status for this week is still unknown.

Haley deemed the injury “significant,” and confirmed that Tyler Palko will be the Chiefs’ starter indefinitely, although rookie Ricky Stanzi is waiting in the wings. Cassel can be dropped in all fantasy leagues, and the Chiefs may do the same with him after this season. The 29-year-old is due a $5.25 million base salary in 2012. Kansas City could turn in another direction should it find a quarterback worth drafting in the first round or installing as a starter after signing in free agency. Palko’s insertion will present a downgrade for all Chiefs skill players. The former undrafted free agent is undersized with a weak arm, and would be a third-stringer on most NFL teams.

Orton was able to get in just one practice this week, so the Chiefs are considering going with Ricky Stanzi behind Tyler Palko for one more game. Although it would certainly be far from ideal for Orton to go up against the Steelers with so few Chiefs reps under his belt, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t be a better option than Stanzi, and perhaps even Palko. He should start in Week 13.