NFL Truths For 2015: Andy Dalton Is On the Clock
By Erik Lambert
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) calls a play against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Experts have already sung the praises of the Cincinnait Bengals for putting together another strong draft for a roster that is already loaded with enough talent to reach the playoffs every year. This latest batch may be boost they’ve needed to get out of that vortex that has prevented them from being no more than one-and-done in January.
However, all of that will merely bring the conversation back to the same topic. That being is quarterback Andy Dalton now they’re weakest link. It’s hard not to see an argument.
In four playoff appearances he has completed 55.7% of passes for 873 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions for an ugly 57.8 quarterback rating. The evidence doesn’t get much more damning than that. For all the solid leadership and direction he brings to the team during the long regular season, he lacks that critical ability to elevate his game when the situation calls for it.
One of the hardest things to do in pro sports is change something that works well enough in the pursuit of something that works better. It doesn’t always go the way people are hoping. Still, after four chances and no signs of progress, perhaps it’s time for the Cincinnati Bengals to sit back and ask how many more chances will they get and can they trust Dalton will get them where they want to go?
After all, they don’t want to catch that “Bridge Too Far” syndrome in which they decide to make a change too late. How Dalton responds to this latest adversity will not only determine his immediate and long-term future, but that of the Bengals franchise as well.
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