07-01-2018, 10:43 PM
(07-01-2018, 08:05 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: This kind of seems to be the media perception of him as well, and it surprises me. Maybe it is because his bad is SOOO BADDD. And, right or wrong, the QB is going to get the brunt of the blame, but the first game of the season last year was so awful that I think people can't get passed it.
The reality is, Dalton was on an upward trajectory that was similar to Peyton Manning's until the end of the 2015 season. I will always look at that season as the "what if he didn't get injured" season. Regardless, once the Browns didn't let Hue leave without a contract, Dalton took a major step back for the past two years. The first was largely a horrible scheme where the plays were so predictable and Dalton never had a moving pocket that he was a sitting duck. No running game to speak of, and no real threats outside of AJ Green. The second showed signs of life with Lazor, and improvements as the season wore on, largely due to some personnel and schematic changes in the offense.
It is a leap of faith, granted, but if we give Dalton the benefit of the doubt on the numerous issues the past two seasons (as I don't think any QB would have won in that scenario) and he seems to have his confidence back at the end of last year, then I could see him returning to where he was in 2015, which was in the discussion for the league MVP.
I don't believe 2015 was an outlier in terms of his performance, I think it was the natural ascent of his performance and he will return to that form in 2018. I think a large part of that will be the difference in offensive line scheme, personnel, coaching, and talent. He has never had a great offensive line, and this one has the potential to be great.
Yes sir. :andy:
