02-12-2016, 04:29 PM
I'm past the pain phase and anger phase and on to the recovery phase. 
As hard as the playoff L's are to stomach, there's plenty to be positive about right now:
1. The core players of this team are still pretty young and they're all locked up for awhile. Dalton, Green, Atkins, Dunlap, Burfict, Boling, MJ90 etc. Eifert is controllable for 2 more years.
2. Look around the league. Who in the AFC is in better shape than the Bengals for the next 3-4 years? The Broncos have no QB and that will catch up to them at some point. They did it with smoke and mirrors this year. Tom Brady will be 39 this year. The Steelers will probably be there, but I think we're in a better spot than them. Other than that, which teams are clear contenders?
3. Dalton took a giant leap last year and played like an elite QB. I'm not sure if he can maintain it, but regardless, we're in a good spot at the most important position in the league. With Peyton and Brady nearing the end, Dalton is a good candidate to take over the spot as best QB in the conference. Yes, I think he could be better than Ben. He definitely was this season.
As hard as the playoff L's are to stomach, there's plenty to be positive about right now:1. The core players of this team are still pretty young and they're all locked up for awhile. Dalton, Green, Atkins, Dunlap, Burfict, Boling, MJ90 etc. Eifert is controllable for 2 more years.
2. Look around the league. Who in the AFC is in better shape than the Bengals for the next 3-4 years? The Broncos have no QB and that will catch up to them at some point. They did it with smoke and mirrors this year. Tom Brady will be 39 this year. The Steelers will probably be there, but I think we're in a better spot than them. Other than that, which teams are clear contenders?
3. Dalton took a giant leap last year and played like an elite QB. I'm not sure if he can maintain it, but regardless, we're in a good spot at the most important position in the league. With Peyton and Brady nearing the end, Dalton is a good candidate to take over the spot as best QB in the conference. Yes, I think he could be better than Ben. He definitely was this season.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
