05-26-2018, 03:13 AM
(05-25-2018, 07:46 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Well I know you guys think I'm just a fanboy, but I don't like Dalton because I think he's a good dude or I like his faux hawk. I like him because I think he's been a net positive for the football team I care about. Why don't most (not all) members of national sports media like him?
I think it's pretty simple.
1. When AJ Green was drafted, he was viewed as the gem of that draft class for us, while Dalton was (IIRC) the 5th QB off the board, going with the 35th pick. He wasn't seen as a "sexy" prospect. Meh arm. Meh size. Meh athletic ability. Red hair. So when he started to have success, it was instantly attributed to having AJ Green. Was there some truth to that? Of course having Green helped him. Was it fair to give all the credit to AJ? I don't think so, but that's how things went.
2. Sports media always falls in love with newer guys. Winston and Mariota have been rated above Dalton. Are they really better? How? What about Dak and Carr? Meh. They all kinda come to earth.
3. The playoff losses and performance. When Dalton started dropping duds in the playoffs, all the people who thought he was an average-at-best prospect thought they'd found the smoking gun. There's the proof that he's just an average QB elevated by his teammates. The problem with this is that choking has been an issue for the Bengals as long as Merv has been the HC. Our other 3 QB's have a combined 59.6 rating in the playoffs with an 0-3 record.
There hasn't been any difference, CB. So until I see Dalton skunk it up for a different HC, all the evidence leads me to believe the problem lies elsewhere.
Back to the "experts" though. The guys whose opinion is no better than yours or mine, they just went to school for journalism and have a gift for writing or talking. There really is group think there. Narratives are set, and once they're set, not many are going to go against the narrative, lest they be labeled a "hot take" artist.
The only way to change these narratives is to win. Usually a championship. Romo never overcame his narrative. Flacco did temporarily, and that really shut the media up for awhile. If I'm being 100% with you, I don't think Dalton will ever get rid of the narrative, because I don't think he or Marv are going anywhere. Dalton's entire career will likely be wasted in Cincy, and we'll never know if he was truly a choker, or just another symptom of Marv's inability to get his guys up for big games.
It's truly frustrating.
I appreciate the thorough response.
1. Let's get a few things straight about AJ Green. He will probably go down as the Bengals best WR in history. I know that some like to hate on a few dropped passes or some other random tidbit but the fact remains that he's been a top 5 WR for the majority of his career. That obviously helps the QB whether it is Dalton or someone else tremendously. I don't think anyone gives him the entire credit for Dalton's success but you cannot deny how greatly it has helped him.
2. I agree that sports shows/experts like the new kid on the block but they also like the old guys if they are good. Do you think the experts aren't in love with the likes of Rodgers, Brady, or Brees because they are old? No, in fact they are recognized even more because they are able to play at an elite level even in the later part of their careers. It is the mediocre guys that the experts tend to forget about.
3. You can continue to give Andy Dalton a free pass on his abysmal playoff games but I don't. Nobody gets a free pass. The team in general has stunk it up. We all know that the two most important factors typically for playoff success is the head coach and the performance of the QB. I know you will forever continue to harp on the 3 games before Dalton and because of it this gives you the go ahead to deflect 100% blame off Dalton. Keep i mind he's in the huddle, he's making the decisions, he's throwing the ball. If he stinks it up I don't give him a free pass. For the record I also didn't give Carson Palmer a free pass when he stunk it up. He also shares the blame.
I just think no matter what Dalton does the fans of his always find an excuse. For playoff losses it is Marvin's fault. For 2017 it is the o line's fault. For 2016 it was the injuries. At a certain point if you are a good QB you have to figure out a way to get it done and so far he hasn't.
