01-03-2016, 09:14 PM
(01-03-2016, 11:34 AM)Rhinocero23 Wrote: This is more true than many would like to admit. If the backup QB can do exactly what was expected of the starting QB...play solid and not lose the game...the team should advance. Obviously Dalton's experience level gives him a sizable advantage over McCarron but other than that they are virtually the same level as far as skillset goes.
Dalton was have a very good year, there is no question to that. If McCarron approaches the game plan the same way he will (and has to this point) produced very similarly to what Andy did in the first 3 QTR's of the season. As you said "the team was built to hide the deficiencies of the QB".
Nobody on the planet other than a small minority of Bengals fans and Alabama fans actually believe McCarron is anywhere close to Dalton's level. The difference is quite clear when you watch them and even clearer when you check the stats.
- In 3 starts, McCarron's stats would project to 2944 yards and 21 TDs in 16 games.
- In Dalton's 12 complete games, he was on pace for 4255 yards and 33 TDs.
- The offense has converted 35.0% of their 3rd downs over the last 3 games.
- They converted 43.0% with Dalton.
- The offense has averaged 276.0 total yards over McCarron's 3 starts. That average would easily rank dead last in the NFL. STL (32nd) averages 293.1.
- The offense averaged 100 yards more with Dalton (376.0)
- Dalton averaged 8.42 YPA, which ranked 2nd in the NFL
- McCarron averaged 6.65 YPA in his 3 starts. Mostly dink and dunk and protecting the football.
- Dalton was sacked 20 times in 386 attempts (once every 19.3 attempts)
- McCarron has been sacked 12 times in 119 attempts (once every 10 attempts)
So to sum it up, McCarron isn't leading the offense like Dalton, he's mostly completing short throws to protect the ball, not throwing for nearly as many yards and TDs, and he's getting sacked twice as often. Dalton is better and it's not close really.
I will say this, I like the way they're handling McCarron. Let the players around him make plays and limit his chances for turnovers. We'll have a shot next week.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
