McCarron Pick Is "Not About Andy Dalton"

[jonathanlambert33]

When Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson spoke with the media following Cincinnati's selection of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, he said two things.

"This is not about Andy Dalton."
"This is not about Katherine Webb."

Any questions?

Oh, yes. Hue. Yes.

This is and will remain Dalton's team for the foreseeable future. He is "our quarterback and we stand behind him 100 percent," said Jackson on Saturday. McCarron won't take snaps away from Dalton nor is the incumbent quarterback in danger of being demoted. When the Bengals take the field in the regular season opener, it will be Dalton that's under center.

The questions, however, meticulously rent space deep within the recesses of one's mind. Every so often, they will surface like the fin of a Great White. "Will you give A.J. McCarron more attempts," if Dalton struggles during the preseason... count on that. Dalton can ill-afford to struggle on a team aiming to reach their fourth consecutive postseason without a playoff win in the books. Again, these questions will claw to the surface when the lack of progression builds into frustration.

This is Andy Dalton's team. There is no quarterback controversy. We can't emphasize these points enough; nor can we guarantee the same perspective when the autumn months give way to a winter chill. But this is Dalton's team... and it's also his to lose. Once Cincinnati reaches a long-term agreement with Dalton (we're assuming it's more likely to happen than not this summer), these storylines will stabilize and the Bengals will be in a position to develop McCarron to use for a trade in a couple of years.

That said, Cincinnati continues to pace themselves in the 2014 NFL draft. McCarron brings a history of winning, a team-oriented perspective and physical tools that can be developed under Dalton and veteran quarterback Jason Campbell. McCarron, who has spent time working with legendary Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, feels good about joining the Bengals and working with Dalton.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/nfldraft/2014/5/10/5704346/2014-nfl-draft-mccarron-not-about-andy-dalton

 

[Giantmetfan07]

No, but can we make it about Katherine Webb? Or her sister? or anyone hot? 
 
But as that piece says, it's Dalton's team to lose and that may be why they grabbed AJ. If Dalton really struggles you at least have a decent alternative. And since McCarron's young maybe it's a spark Dalton needs to not lose this team. 

 

[BwareDWare94]

Well, AJ McCarron sucks, so of course it's not about Andy Dalton.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I wanted Aaron Murray and of course he had to go one pick before the Bengals. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I wanted Aaron Murray and of course he had to go one pick before the Bengals.

Saints really wanted him as well.

 

[TTN2810]

AJ McCarron is like Andy Dalton with half as much talent. That may actually be too much praise, actually.

 

[Teagz]

I'm surprised they didn't go QB earlier. Andy Dalton is not the long term solution there.

 

[elcheato]

Dalton can't carry you to a Super Bowl, but I think he's good enough to be the QB on a Super Bowl contender (he is now). Good enough so you can worry about other needs. Hard to draft a transcendent QB unless you're really bad or get lucky

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I'm surprised they didn't go QB earlier. Andy Dalton is not the long term solution there.

 
I'm not surprised one bit. 

 

[BwareDWare94]

My observation of Dalton is that he doesn't recover well, late in games. For instance, I can't remember exactly how Gio's TD drive stopping TO happened in the playoff game, but I think it was either a fumble or a pass off his hands that was intercepted.
 
That was the turning point in that Cincy/SD game. Dalton's not going to help you recover, especially if you make him be pass happy. You need more for a quarterback, but I've seen the Bengals abandon their running game in big games in favor of letting him fling it around. By this point, he ought to have made that development.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Dalton can't carry you to a Super Bowl, but I think he's good enough to be the QB on a Super Bowl contender (he is now). Good enough so you can worry about other needs. Hard to draft a transcendent QB unless you're really bad or get lucky

Are we really calling the Bengals a Super Bowl contender?

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

My observation of Dalton is that he doesn't recover well, late in games. For instance, I can't remember exactly how Gio's TD drive stopping TO happened in the playoff game, but I think it was either a fumble or a pass off his hands that was intercepted.
 
That was the turning point in that Cincy/SD game. Dalton's not going to help you recover, especially if you make him be pass happy. You need more for a quarterback, but I've seen the Bengals abandon their running game in big games in favor of letting him fling it around. By this point, he ought to have made that development.

 
Gio fumbled it all on his own while running for the end zone. That was the problem I had with Jay Gruden, he'd quickly abandon the running game and make Dalton throw it 40 times. Hopefully Hue Jackson will be a little better balanced and not abandon the running game. 

 

[elcheato]

Are we really calling the Bengals a Super Bowl contender?

Three straight playoff births, including winning the division this past year, a division in which they will win again this year.
 
The NFL has a large amount of parity. Making the playoffs makes you a contender for the Super Bowl.

 

[BwareDWare94]

The Bengals are a better OC away from being contenders, imo. Here's to hoping Hue Jackson doesn't look like a Gruden in disguise.
 
Losing Zimmer will affect their defense, though. Guarantee it. 

 

[elcheato]

I still hold firm on my statement. They have a good receiving core, good running attack, stable QB play, and a great defense. No success in the post-season, but all it takes is one run.

 

[footballplaya52]

Even with how much they have improved I still can't take the Bengals seriously.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Even with how much they have improved I still can't take the Bengals seriously.

I don't know how you can't take them seriously. They have a very talented team, who happen to be in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. Been to the playoffs three years straight with a division title. They've gotten better each year with 9 wins, 10 wins and 11 wins this past season. Faced some of the best QB's in the league. I hate it when the Bengals don't get any respect. I understand, they've folded in the playoffs every time and that's probably what you are referring to but they still have a good team. All it takes is one of these negative plays to go in their favor that seem to happen whether it's a costly fumble, INT or dropped pass. I guess they won't get any respect until they do something in the playoffs but it doesn't take away what they have built. 

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

BUT they do much, much better under the underdog role when nobody gives them a chance. I kinda hope everyone says they will finish 3rd or 4th in the division. Whenever they are favored, they don't seem to do as good. Seem to play better when everyone is disrespecting them and not giving them a chance. I'm sure people will be picking the Ravens or Steelers, and I'm fine with it. 
 
Believe me, I get very irritated with the things that happen time and time again but I always hope the next season will be different. I'm also defensive because I feel they get disrespected more than they should, this is not the Bengals of old. They should have beat the Chargers this year, there's no doubt in my mind they were the better team and they just found a way to lose it. I know they are as close as ever and it's just getting over that hump. Once they do, they could go as far as any team. The Ravens are not a better team, the Steelers are not a better team, they just know how to win when it matters and the Bengals haven't gotten there.....yet.

 

[BwareDWare94]

I still hold firm on my statement. They have a good receiving core, good running attack, stable QB play, and a great defense. No success in the post-season, but all it takes is one run.

 
They do, but Baltimore and Pittsburgh will both be better (better in the improved from last year sense, not necessarily better than Cincy), with better quarterbacks and improved defenses.
 
And if your Browns hadn't stupidly fired the fantastic coaching staff they'd assembled after one season, I'd say they were lined up to make some noise, too.
 
Well, that would depend on how long Gordon's suspension is, too, but still.

 

[bosoxlover12]

I still hold firm on my statement. They have a good receiving core, good running attack, stable QB play, and a great defense. No success in the post-season, but all it takes is one run.

The only thing I disagree with here is the good receiving core. Their 2nd best receiver is Tyler Eifert, and he for some reason doesn't even start over Gresham.

Unless some strange situation happens, they will have to play Denver or NE in the playoffs. Talib and Revis can both lock down AJ (Talib if he has safety support up top. When you rely on Sanu & Eifert, with an above average QB at best, it's very hard to create any offense.