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Despite the lack of playoff success in each of the last four seasons, Andy Dalton is still the answer for the Cincinnati Bengals at quarterback. Many speculations have the possibility that second year quarterback A.J. McCarron may surpass Dalton as the starter if Dalton is inconsistent in 2015.
The Bengals awarded Dalton with a $97 million contract extension last August that will keep him with the team through the 2020 season. It would be wise of the Bengals to not throw that deal aside due to frustration at Daltons’ performance in spotlight situations.
McCarron has been getting praise in this year’s OTAs as the quarterback has made strides in his recovery from a shoulder soreness that kept him sidelined his entire rookie season. The Bengals’ 2014 fifth-round draft pick was removed from the teams Active/Non-Football Injury List on Week 15 a year ago, but did not see any playing time as Dalton and the Bengals were in pursuit of a second consecutive AFC North title.
While Dalton did struggle at times in 2014, he still recorded a career high completion percentage of 64%. In 2013, Dalton was selected to his first Pro-Bowl appearance after totaling career highs in passing yards (4,293) and touchdowns (33).
Dalton performed well a year ago considering the lack of talent surrounding him due to an abundant amount of injuries on the offense. Before the 2014 season was underway, one of Daltons’ most reliable wide receivers, Marvin Jones, was sidelined with a foot injury that kept him out the entire season. The Bengals had high hopes for second year tight end Tyler Eifert in 2014, but he was placed on injured reserve after an elbow injury in Week 1.
By the end of the season, A.J. Green was a non-factor after injuring his bicep in Week 16 and suffering a concussion in the AFC North title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Green was unable to participate in the Bengals’ Wild Card matchup against the Indianapolis Colts due to the concussion. Along with Green, tight end Jermaine Gresham did not play in the postseason with a back and leg injury. It is believed that if Dalton had each of these weapons at his disposal in the Wild Card matchup, Cincinnati might not have lost its fourth straight playoff appearance.
Now that everyone is free from injury and participating in OTAs Dalton is primed to have a more efficient season. The Bengals have also added new weapons to the passing game by signing former Oakland Raiders receiver Denarius Moore as well as drafting a pair of pass catching tight ends and a receiver in Mario Alford who has already impressed Dalton with his speedy abilities.
Dalton will not have all the weight on his shoulders now that the Bengals have developed into a run-first team with the emergence of second year running back Jeremy Hill. The Bengals have an underrated backfield tandem with third year back Giovani Bernard behind Hill. Bernard proved to be the most versatile weapon for the Bengals as he finished second in rushing yards (680) and third in receptions (43) a year ago.
The Bengals need to look no further for their future at the quarterback position. If the Bengals can remain healthy for the entire 2015 season Dalton will lead the team to a fifth consecutive playoff appearance and prove he is worth the money form his recent contract extension.
Dan Miller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google
