Dalton vs Flacco

[ArmyBengal]

Agreed, the pressure wasn't all that bad. Dalton has generally been better this year about not seeing ghosts in the pocket but I think he did on that play. To me it just speaks to a lack of confidence in the middle of the line.

I don't want to wish for an injury on someone, so I will leave it at moving Whit inside could be a blessing in disguise.

If they get Zeitler back soon, I think that line will give Dalton more time.

[HoosierCat]

I don't want to wish for an injury on someone, so I will leave it at moving Whit inside could be a blessing in disguise.

If they get Zeitler back soon, I think that line will give Dalton more time.

Based on what we've seen out of Collins this year, and how instantly better Whit looked at LG, I have to cast a withering glance at Paul Alexander. Shouldn't he be putting the best five guys out there? Evidence suggests he may not have been. Why not?

[ArmyBengal]

I don't want to wish for an injury on someone, so I will leave it at moving Whit inside could be a blessing in disguise.

If they get Zeitler back soon, I think that line will give Dalton more time.

Based on what we've seen out of Collins this year, and how instantly better Whit looked at LG, I have to cast a withering glance at Paul Alexander. Shouldn't he be putting the best five guys out there? Evidence suggests he may not have been. Why not?

It was crazy how dominant Whit looked pulling.

Either BJGE or Gio said that due to his size, that when he pulled, they couldn't even see the linebackers.

Isn't that exactly what you want to have happen ?? Just seek and destroy.

If they can't see the LB's, the LB's can't see you. I like this scenario very much with Whit on the inside.

Alexander ?? Who knows ??

If you know you need to give your QB time or he struggles, why stick with the same old same old ??

Mix it up. Had this happened sooner, they would have already clinched the AFCN.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Dalton or Gruden, whoever is responsible for the throwing to a specific WR and not looking for other options needs to change. I tend to think it is Dalton that needs to read his other targets instead of locking in on Green when certain plays are called. Way to many passes are thrown into double/triple coverage while a TE or. RB stands wide open watching and waiting to make the tackle after the INT. If this is part of Grudens O it needs to change! As the season goes on I have started to think that at least some of this problem should be laid at Gruden's indoor football past.

[COB]

should be laid at Gruden's indoor football past.

I thought the exact same thing. And I thought it when I heard the linemen had to lobby Gruden to run the ball more. Who needs to be told to run the ball? Just an arena coach who sees the pass as the only way to move the ball down the field.

[jjakq27]

should be laid at Gruden's indoor football past.

I thought the exact same thing. And I thought it when I heard the linemen had to lobby Gruden to run the ball more. Who needs to be told to run the ball? Just an arena coach who sees the pass as the only way to move the ball down the field.

I think Marvin is a hands-off guy when it comes to the offense but I would think a little in-game guidance or re-direction is necessary from time to time with Jay.

[gregcook68]

should be laid at Gruden's indoor football past.

I thought the exact same thing. And I thought it when I heard the linemen had to lobby Gruden to run the ball more. Who needs to be told to run the ball? Just an arena coach who sees the pass as the only way to move the ball down the field.

I think Marvin is a hands-off guy when it comes to the offense but I would think a little in-game guidance or re-direction is necessary from time to time with Jay.

Ditto!

[HoosierCat]

Dalton or Gruden, whoever is responsible for the throwing to a specific WR and not looking for other options needs to change.

I understand where you're coming from, but at the same time can we give Dalton a little credit for it when he actually does find the open guy?

Case in point: the TD toss to Green last weekend. Virtually every recap of the game I have read has dismissed the throw as a gimme TD toss any QB could make because coverage broke down.

So: if Dalton throws into coverage and not to open player X, he sucks. But if Dalton sees and hits the wide open guy...well, who cares, he was open, anyone could have done it.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't...

[skyline]

Dalton or Gruden, whoever is responsible for the throwing to a specific WR and not looking for other options needs to change.

I understand where you're coming from, but at the same time can we give Dalton a little credit for it when he actually does find the open guy?

Case in point: the TD toss to Green last weekend. Virtually every recap of the game I have read has dismissed the throw as a gimme TD toss any QB could make because coverage broke down.

So: if Dalton throws into coverage and not to open player X, he sucks. But if Dalton sees and hits the wide open guy...well, who cares, he was open, anyone could have done it.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't...

I'd much rather talk about his beautiful throw to Hawkins for the 50-yarder and the touch pass to Green on their final drive. That was pretty...

[HoosierCat]

I'd much rather talk about his beautiful throw to Hawkins for the 50-yarder and the touch pass to Green on their final drive. That was pretty...

Me too. Those were both great plays. The throw to Hawk was a zinger threaded through coverage that hit Hawk in stride and resulted in a huge gain. The pass to Green was key in icing the win. Both were big-time NFL plays.

But I've seen the first play widely dismissed as just another 10-yard toss by the noodle-armed Dalton that looks good on the state sheet because of YAC (which is BS). The latter play has apparently gone down the memory hole; instead it's all about the one that got intercepted.

[walzav29]

This will be the 1st Bengals team in history to go to 3 straight playoff appearances. Do you think they would be 8-4 with Josh Johnson? It's great to say it's the whole team around him doing everything, but look at the Packers and Bears since they lost Cutler and Rodgers. They are basically out of it. I think the same would happen if Dalton went down. He may not have a cannon arm or 4.4 speed, but there HAS to be SOMETHING about the guy that coaches like. Agreed. When it looks bad, it looks awful. But that goes for all QB's. When he's hot, man he lights it up. The original point. Flacco vs Dalton. I think they are very similar. Dalton and the Bengals could get hot like that.

Bens numbers in 1st SB - 9/21 123 yds 2 int

Joes numbers in 1st playoff game - 9/23 135 yds

The team around a guy matters.

[gregcook68]

This will be the 1st Bengals team in history to go to 3 straight playoff appearances. Do you think they would be 8-4 with Josh Johnson? It's great to say it's the whole team around him doing everything, but look at the Packers and Bears since they lost Cutler and Rodgers. They are basically out of it. I think the same would happen if Dalton went down. He may not have a cannon arm or 4.4 speed, but there HAS to be SOMETHING about the guy that coaches like. Agreed. When it looks bad, it looks awful. But that goes for all QB's. When he's hot, man he lights it up. The original point. Flacco vs Dalton. I think they are very similar. Dalton and the Bengals could get hot like that.

Bens numbers in 1st SB - 9/21 123 yds 2 int

Joes numbers in 1st playoff game - 9/23 135 yds

The team around a guy matters.

That's right walzav!! I like what you're preaching here!!

[gregcook68]

This will be the 1st Bengals team in history to go to 3 straight playoff appearances. Do you think they would be 8-4 with Josh Johnson? It's great to say it's the whole team around him doing everything, but look at the Packers and Bears since they lost Cutler and Rodgers. They are basically out of it. I think the same would happen if Dalton went down. He may not have a cannon arm or 4.4 speed, but there HAS to be SOMETHING about the guy that coaches like. Agreed. When it looks bad, it looks awful. But that goes for all QB's. When he's hot, man he lights it up. The original point. Flacco vs Dalton. I think they are very similar. Dalton and the Bengals could get hot like that.

Bens numbers in 1st SB - 9/21 123 yds 2 int

Joes numbers in 1st playoff game - 9/23 135 yds

The team around a guy matters.

The ONLY exception to that is Tom Brady! I have been watching football for 50 years and I've never seen a QB, that can take a team with average Joes around him and win, like he's doing this year!! As much of a diva as he is and not on my Christmas list, credit due and credit deserved!

[walzav29]

This will be the 1st Bengals team in history to go to 3 straight playoff appearances. Do you think they would be 8-4 with Josh Johnson? It's great to say it's the whole team around him doing everything, but look at the Packers and Bears since they lost Cutler and Rodgers. They are basically out of it. I think the same would happen if Dalton went down. He may not have a cannon arm or 4.4 speed, but there HAS to be SOMETHING about the guy that coaches like. Agreed. When it looks bad, it looks awful. But that goes for all QB's. When he's hot, man he lights it up. The original point. Flacco vs Dalton. I think they are very similar. Dalton and the Bengals could get hot like that.

Bens numbers in 1st SB - 9/21 123 yds 2 int

Joes numbers in 1st playoff game - 9/23 135 yds

The team around a guy matters.

The ONLY exception to that is Tom Brady! I have been watching football for 50 years and I've never seen a QB, that can take a team with average Joes around him and win, like he's doing this year!! As much of a diva as he is and not on my Christmas list, credit due and credit deserved!

Yeah. He's a Hall of Fame freak. Him and Bellicheck are probably the most perfect matched QB/Coach combo in NFL history.

[ArmyBengal]

Same could be said for Manning.

Outside of Harrison, he's taken average Joe's (cue the dodgeball clips) and made them pro bowl players.

Remember Austin Collie ??

[HoosierCat]

I'm not buying it about Brady. Yes, great QB and first-ballot Hall of Famer. But he's had a lot of talent over the years -- Randy Moss, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker, that guy whatshisface who used to talk about flipping burgers, etc. Earlier this year when all he had was a bunch on no-name receivers they really struggled. It was only after Gronk came back that the Pats O finally started to stabilize. In short, Brady needs a little talent to work with, too.

As for Manning, I can't say. When was he ever on a team that lacked weapons? He had great players in Indy and has great talent in Denver. But if there is any QB who could make a half-dozen JuCo scrubs look like pro bowlers it's probably him. Enjoy watching him because he's a once-in-a-generation talent.

[walzav29]

Those guys were never part of the winning Super Bowl years. Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Givens, Bethel Johnson and I really can't think of anyone else. Look at the offense when he has 1 good target. They are night/day with Gronk. It's crazy.

[gregcook68]

I'm not buying it about Brady. Yes, great QB and first-ballot Hall of Famer. But he's had a lot of talent over the years -- Randy Moss, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker, that guy whatshisface who used to talk about flipping burgers, etc. Earlier this year when all he had was a bunch on no-name receivers they really struggled. It was only after Gronk came back that the Pats O finally started to stabilize. In short, Brady needs a little talent to work with, too.

As for Manning, I can't say. When was he ever on a team that lacked weapons? He had great players in Indy and has great talent in Denver. But if there is any QB who could make a half-dozen JuCo scrubs look like pro bowlers it's probably him. Enjoy watching him because he's a once-in-a-generation talent.

What's he got this year? That's what I'm talking about