Kyle Orton, Tony Romo relationship was 'untenable'

The Bills are crossing their fingers that switching to Kyle Orton under center will light a fire under Buffalo's 22nd-ranked offense.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport told NFL GameDay Morning that Orton's decision to walk out on the Cowboys and sign with the Bills this summer was heavily fueled by the veteran quarterback's poor relationship with Dallas starter Tony Romo.

"The relationship, I'm told, between Kyle Orton and Tony Romo was untenable," Rapoport told NFL Media's Rich Eisen on Sunday. "They believed it could not continue, which is one reason that Kyle Orton essentially forced his way out of Dallas and signed with Buffalo as a free agent -- a move that coach Doug Marrone initially resisted because they're paying (Orton) $6 million."

Marrone initially worried that Orton's sizeable payday might damage the confidence of second-year Bills passer EJ Manuel. After Manuel struggled mightily in a Week 4 loss to the Texans, though, Marrone was less interested in coddling his shaky young signal-caller  -- and more interested in winning.

"I am told Doug Marrone made the decision to replace EJ Manuel with Orton in the locker room after the game, solidified it on the flight back," Rapoport said. "That's how fast it was. Checked with some of the team's veterans, got no pushback. Mainly because the talented skill position guys 'welcome' a new quarterback."

We have long viewed Buffalo as a talented team held back by the slow growth of Manuel. Orton is no savior, but he brings stability and starting experience to a team with a strong backfield and receiving corps. If Orton can put it all together, Buffalo has a chance to make noise in the up-for-grabs AFC East.

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