It's difficult to say that anyone stands out at the Pro Bowl. Sure, there is an MVP and a handful of highlight plays, but with no pass rush, two-hand-touch tackling and no intensity whatsoever, the Pro Bowl resembles more of a pre-game walk through than a football game. The usual tools used for analysis -- stats, QB rating, etc -- mean nothing. Maurice Jones-Drew's 9.3 yard per carry average and Derrick Johnson's interception mean about as much as they would in a video game.
That being said, the game itself is an honor for those elected to participate. Playing in the Pro Bowl means that you were a top player at your position, and the fans recognized it. And a top player at his position is exactly what Andy Dalton was last season. Fresh off a playoff berth, the future is bright for the Bengals, and no one is more excited about it than Dalton. Interviewed by official Cincinnati Bengals writer Geoff Hobson after the game, Dalton said the following:
"I've been able to do a lot given some great opportunities, but I feel like it's just the beginning, though," Dalton said. "We've got a lot of young talent. We just have to get it all together."
"Just the beginning" is exactly right. 2011 was expected to be rebuilding year full of loses and disappointment, but thanks to Dalton and other exceptional young talent that was not the case. After clinching a wild card spot in a rebuilding year, anything less than a playoff berth in 2012 will surely be a disappointment. Moving forward the Bengals will have to rely on Dalton, not as an up and coming rookie, but as the franchise quarterback, a role Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall has complete faith Dalton can fill.
"(Dalton's) a quarterback you can hang your hat on...He's young, but he's intelligent," Marshall said. "He's feisty and very crafty."
As stated earlier, not much can be taken from the Pro Bowl itself. But between soon to be Rookie of the Year Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, which quarterback was more accurate? Which quarterback was more intelligent with the ball? Using a term that has defined Dalton all season, which quarterback looked more poised? Which quarterback was better?
Behind Dalton and his cast of other young studs, the Cincinnati Bengals have unlimited potential and great things in their future. Its a great time to be a Bengal's fan. Andy Dalton hit the nail on the head - this really is "just the beginning".
0 recs | 32 comments
GIve me Dalton any day.
I know some will disagree and say they would rather have Cam, but I’ll take Andy all day, every day. No, he is not as physically gifted as Newton, but he is super smart, competitive, accurate, and I see good leadership qualities in him. Cam is already starting to act diva-like, and I don’t Andy is that type of person at all. Don’t get me wrong, Cam has been fantastic, but to me Andy has “it”.
Ben-GAL - January 30, 2012
Im with you...
as soon as cam slows down a little he will drop way off.
while andy can get it done with his brain and accuracy.
Bengalsfan024 - January 30, 2012
Anyone who is a fan of a traditional QB has to love Dalton
We could see the drastic differences in skill level and overall mechanics yesterday…Cam had a few good throws but he is raw and relies too much on his feet rather than his brains…Dalton is the better QB …I know I am biased but I was dreading Cam slipping to us….I dont think Cam would have done anything this year in the AFC North…The defenses are just too good…Cam beat horrible defenses…we saw what happens when there is pressure on Cam….bad feet and poor decisions…
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
he beat the Texans... just saying
Jason Blanton - January 30, 2012
this is true
but by that argument Dalton beat the Bills….which beat the Pats….so Dalton is at least equal or better than Tom Brady right………
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
+1
Helmsy - January 30, 2012
+1
pemci - January 31, 2012
I was very happy when we drafted Dalton and I still am...
I was impressed with him at TCU and thought he was exactly what we needed. A QB that was not a flash in the pan (see Gabbert), but one with substance and experience in a top college program. I know there are some people who will pick on Dalton for his arm strength, or some other thing they will say he lacks. We will just agree to disagree. Rohan Davey, JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf all have better arm strength, they can stand at one end zone and hit the other end zone, but they lack intelligence for the game, they lack game management, they could not hit the broad side of a 200 yard barn with any accuracy. Arm strength, in my opinion, is a little overrated. Dalton will more than likely never lead the league in passing, and I for one am okay with that. The QB is much more than passing yards and has the Great Ken Anderson noted, Dalton will not inflate his stats in order to make himself look good. Yes, Dalton may have hit the rookie wall we all hear about, but think what a full year under his belt will mean for next year. Think about what having a #2 receiver that will not disappear in games will mean, think about what having offseason team workouts and actually having a full year to work with Jay Gruden will mean to this offense, think about what having a REAL running game will also mean to Dalton and this team, as well as having an improved Offensive Line. The Bengals knew last year that our Guards were not up to par, that is why they brought in Jean-Gilles and tried to get Duece Lutui, and I think they will address this either in Free Agency or in the Draft. I loved the Bengals drafting AJ, but I was ecstatic when they got Dalton as well. I thought you might have used Brandon Marshall’s other quote about Dalton, “that he might be a rookie, but playing like a 10 year pro”. I think Dalton is a feisty competitor, a leader and probably the best QB we have had since Esiason. I don’t feel that with Dalton we will see the parade of INT’s we saw with Palmer.
pemci - January 31, 2012
Great post!
You can’t teach winning and that’s what Dalton does. I look at the Buffalo game as his defining rookie game. He came out looking horribly nervous and then settled down and looked great. He has that refuse to loose mentality and doesn’t get to crazy with his passes even though their down. That says everything to me. Most rookies get behind and make crazy throws to comeback and more times than not they make it worse. Dalton is just what we needed, someone to give us a chance at winning.
Bigcatdaddy - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Cant thank Carson enough for quitting
A fresh new team with a great TEAM attitude and a qb with leadership skills…. Is it August yet?
WhoDeyTim - January 30, 2012 via mobile
+1
It could of been another year of Carson doing just enough to lose….
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
shame it had to end that way
out with the old in with the new or something to that effect.
think we’re all glad dalton is here and palmer isn’t.
palewook - January 30, 2012
Very True....
pemci - January 31, 2012
One thing I think is a huge plus about Dalton
And it has nothing to do with his physical or mental skills as a QB, but he seems to actually enjoy playing here. And I think he made that feeling contagious this year….and it was a huge contrast to the last few years.
spif - January 30, 2012
+1
Dalton almost looks surprised about how he is being treated…He is humble…reason #432 that I love this kid….perfect fit for Cincy and the midwest…stoic hard working humble leader….WHODEY
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
+1
njbengalstat - January 31, 2012
2011 was expected to be rebuilding year full of loses and disappointment,
Less losses yes, less disappointment yes, but still a rebuilding year. Anytime you cannot beat quality teams is not a successful season in my eyes. They were an above average team and lucky to get the wildcard because the rest of the AFC sucked more.
The Pro Bowl was too hard to watch, I bet the fans there felt totally ripped off watching that flag football game. I know I did.
brisd - January 30, 2012
I disagree with your measure of sucess
I hear you on the quality teams..I agree..but this season was an absolute success from the standpoint your definition of a rebuilding year…What is the goal in a rebuilding year..Develop young talent into a successful team….CHECK
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
make the playoffs _ Check
AMAS85 - January 30, 2012
Brisd...
Please, tell me how many teams the Patriots beat during the regular season that had a winning (+.500) record??? I will save you the trouble of looking it up, that number would be 0! Yes, ZERO, ZILCH, ZIP, NADA, not a single team with a winning record, not one! Oh and before you say they won one when they were suppose to (beating the Ravens in the playoffs), I will also point out that the Patriots were called for 1 penalty (for 5 yards, in between change of possession after an extra point) in that whole game (and I live in New England and have heard they’re sports talks shows say this), at how the referees let the defense play more physical and get away with stuff that was not allowed during the regular season (see “Ordway and Holley” on WEEI). Adam (PacMan) Jones was called for a ticky-tack pass interference call against the Texans in Cincinnati that set up the game winning TD, however, what Sterling Moore of the Patriots did to Anquan Boldin on the play just before the missed field-goal was an “how-to” on how to mug someone, but in that instance, the refs let it go. Oh and yeah, before I forget, the Bengals actually beat a team with a winning record, the Tennessee Titans. So, if you are keeping score, Bengals had 1 where the Patriots had 0 victories vs. teams with a winning record.
pemci - January 31, 2012
yeah
its funny, the media hasnt said this all year like they did with the Bengals….The pats have beaten no one…except the Ravens…but hey..they are in the Super Bowl…cant say much to that
ticalcaldwell - January 31, 2012
Not to drag this one, but am I the only one who thought it rather
strange how the Ravens approached that game defensively? I thought they played not to lose, they wanted to keep everything in front of them, which I understand, but they were not aggressive in their front four. The way to beat the Pats is by getting into Brady’s face and make him uncomfortable. You let him stand back there untouched, he is going to carve you up. Even has he admitted, he had an off-game, but he was relatively untouched and he was allowed to pick the Ravens D apart. I think the Giants front four will not be as kind to Brady as the Ravens were to him.
pemci - January 31, 2012
I was going to point this out also.
But we are the Bengals, and the are the media darling Patriots. And yes, they are in the Super Bowl.
Ben-GAL - January 31, 2012
Very true, the media loves the Patriots...
“This doesn’t leave this room, OK?” Sudeikis said, “but if I’m the son of God, Tom Brady’s gotta be the guy’s nephew. That guy’s a miracle worker, OK?”
pemci - January 31, 2012
expected?
Expected by a lot of people who don’t pay much attention to small-market teams in general, and the Bengals in specific, maybe. I recall picking them in a preseason thread for an 8-8 finish, based on the ability of the defence (especially against the run) and the relative ease of the schedule. Dalton and the offence took care of business well enough, kept us competitive most of the time, but weren’t outstanding either.
Don’t get me wrong; I think the long-term future is bright for both Dalton and the team. It`s just that 9-7 this year won`t necessarily mean 12-4 next, especially when you consider our schedule:
Bal x 2, Pit x 2, Cle x 2, NE, NYJ, Mia, Buf, NYG, Dal, Phi, Was, Oak, Jac
I don`t know how we`ll do this far in advance, but I won`t be automatically calling for Marvin`s head with 7-9 or 8-8.
Mr. X - January 30, 2012
oops
AFC West this year, not East
Bal x 2, Pit x 2, Cle x 2, Den, SD, Oak, KC, NYG, Dal, Phi, Was, Mia, Jac
still not a whole lot better.
Mr. X - January 30, 2012
Mr. X
You are making assumptions that these teams will be as good or better next year than they were this past year. You are assuming Bal and Pit will be dominant again, or that Den will be a playoff team again…I think depending on what we do in the offseason/draft, we can very well better ourselves and improve how what we did in 2011. A better running game, the offense being able to practice more and having a whole offseason with Gruden, our secondary defense being better, maybe I am looking at this through rose-colored glasses, or maybe it is my optimistism coming through, but I will have to disagree with your assessment…
pemci - January 31, 2012
+1
exactly…we have no idea what teams will be next year….see this years 49rs, BENGALS, Texans, Lions, ect…I say this all the time….every year is a NEW team
ticalcaldwell - January 31, 2012
+1
pemci - January 31, 2012
but I won`t be automatically calling for Marvin`s head with 7-9 or 8-8.
I will be….I am about done with Marvin to be honest…I am not going into if again…but its about time to do something…I am just being honest…
ticalcaldwell - January 30, 2012
Zimmer for HC 2013?
DTFCPDX - January 30, 2012
Marshall seems to really, really like Green and Dalton and he stated his desire to play with a good QB about ten times in his Pro Bowl interviews.
Too bad he won’t be hitting FA for a while.
sexsalad - February 13, 2012
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