No More Excuses going Forward for Andy Dalton
By Joe Johnson
Oct 31, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Andy Dalton has been the Bengals quarterback for three years now. We have seen some really good things, and we have seen some really bad things from him. He has gotten the Bengals to three straight playoff berths, the first time in Bengals history.
The problem is that he hasn’t gotten out of the Wild Card Round in these three years. He has had a really good regular season record, but what good does that do when you don’t even have a playoff win under your belt? Not only that, he makes some god awful throws, but when he has a good game, the Bengals are unstoppable.
So, who is to blame for the inconsistency? Is it Dalton? Or is it the coaching? For now, I blame Jay Gruden.
Now that he is gone, Hue Jackson is in charge of the offense, and he actually knows what he is doing when it comes to running an offense. Jay Gruden took it easy on Dalton, dismissing bad decisions from Dalton in practice.
Hue Jackson is the complete opposite. Need I remind you of that interview back in 2011? He will actually COACH Dalton, which is what he needs. He will keep Dalton confident and motivated.
He runs the ball when the run game is needed, and passes the ball when the passing game is needed. Now, my message to Andy Dalton is as much as I have supported you and defended you, it is time to step up, because from here on out, I will blame you if we have yet another Wild Card meltdown.
You have a really good OC to learn from now, so show us why we drafted you instead of Kaepernick. Show us that we made the right decision. 2014 is the year to prove all the doubters wrong, but it is up to you.
You have all the weapons in the world and now an actual offensive mastermind, too. Go out there and make things happen. There are no more excuses for you.
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