{The Ultimate ANDY DALTON Mega Thread}

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(10-13-2015, 11:25 AM)BengalChris Wrote: Yeah, but how many times does that natural progression actually happen with a QB? Many, many QBs have fallen by the wayside long before this progression could take place. Some up and quit for not being about to catch up with the speed of the game. Some implode like Ryan Leaf. Some just never progress.

Just from Dalton's draft class: Locker, Ponder and Gabbert all started for their teams and none progressed much. Kaepernick had some success but really has been on a downward slide the last two years. Forget the coaching change this year, he just wasn't that good last year. Tyrod Talyor also came out that year and has finally progressed enough to start, but really, how long is a scrambling QB going to make it in this league without being able to throw consistently from the pocket?

Only Dalton and Newton from that year have developed in to stable starters. Both are undefeated this year so far.

From 2012 RGIII did the reverse progression from starting QB to scout team safety. Tannehill progressed every year until this year when the whole team imploded. Weeden never progressed much, if at all. Luck carried Indy for 3 years, but now injured and whole team has slid this year. We'll have to see what happens in Indy, but Luck came in at a much higher level than anyone in years.

That's true.....but you also have guys like Rodgers or Brady (and IN NO WAY, SHAPE, FORM, or FASHION am I comparing Andy to them) who get the luxury of sitting a year or three behind an established vet to learn and grow.  Andy didn't get that luxury, and neither did the others you mentioned.....aside from, ironically...CK.  The thing is, I actually thought he would wind up ok because of the success out of the gate and the work ethic he is known for.  He's got a lot of football smarts too, and that pays dividends with a young QB.  I'd be lying if I said I thought he could be as good as he's shown thus far this season, but I have always felt he would be a very solid, dare I say, Ken Anderson type of QB.  I always felt he just needed more seasoning.....which would lead to better vision and pocket presence.  The improvement of his accuracy and velocity added to this newfound fire are just icing on the cake.