"Romeo Crennel wasted little time making the Chiefs his team by benching quarterback Tyler Palko for Sunday's game against Green Bay at Arrowhead Stadium.

Crennel said Wednesday that veteran Kyle Orton would start against the Packers if his injured finger is healed in time. If not, rookie Ricky Stanzi, a fifth-round selection out of Iowa who hasn't yet played this season, would get the call.

"If Orton is able to go, then Orton is the quarterback," Crennel said at his daily news conference. "We'll have to see how his finger is and how he comes along and whether we can count on him with that finger."

Without being asked, Crennel said the decision to bench Palko was his and not that of general manager Scott Pioli. He said he informed Palko on Wednesday morning he was no longer the starter, and then informed Pioli.

"I told Tyler it was my decision, and it was my decision," Crennel said. "I made it.""