Confession of a Dalton Defender

[t3r3e3]

(05-26-2015, 12:05 PM)djs7685 Wrote: Which is exactly why I've always said that I think it's insane that some people want to just up and cut Andy yesterday. I'm not a supporter of booting Andy right now, but that doesn't mean I have to believe he's a good QB.

I would like to see the team go into a different direction at QB if Andy doesn't step it up next year. Just because I can't name a specific player that you deem as an upgrade doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to want Andy potentially replaced in the future. If there are no better options available next year, and if I don't think the risk would be worth taking with a guy that isn't a "sure thing", then maybe I'll be okay with Andy again in 2016. I just don't think I will be if he is still the same mediocre QB after 2015. We were doomed to hell and a 0-16 season and we drafted this guy in the second round that hasn't been terrible so far in his career. Why can't we try to do that again if he doesn't work out? If he can't get above mediocre in 5 years, I'd be okay with taking a slight risk in the draft.

People act like it's ridiculous to want to take risks unless you're guaranteed to get Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers on your team. I just want out of the first round of the playoffs, QB is a very important position, and Andy may not be the guy to take us there. For me and my opinion, 2015 is a big make or break year for Andy. I don't want him booted onto the streets as of right now, but the risk may be worth it after this season depending on how things go down. Hopefully Andy lights it up with a 100+ passer rating and we win the Super Bowl so that all of these conversations won't even matter.

People who want to cut him are foolish. No one else has any starter experience, save Pryor. However, people who don't see the need to upgrade him or look for a contingency plan are equally foolish. Andy's play has shown he's a replaceable talent at the NFL level. Teams don't win multiple Playoff games and Super Bowls with Dalton-esque talents unless they field dominant defenses or that QB goes on a major hot streak. The Bengals don't have a dominant defense, and outside of October, Andy hasn't went on a hot streak like that. QB is the most important position on the football team, and it's the most crucial to get right. The Bengals have to get it right over the next couple years while this team is still young. Now Andy can improve, limit his turnovers, and finally get over the hump that has plagued him. I would welcome that, because it would mean the team doesn't have to invest resources in another QB, and could strengthen other areas while keeping Green. However, Andy's play over the last four years makes that hope a bit far fetched.