10-21-2015, 11:29 AM
(10-21-2015, 10:49 AM)Atomic Orange Wrote: I have said all i have to say anyway which is Dalton has been a fine young QB all along for us. Not elite not terrible, average to above average who is playing elite through 6 games in 2015.
And here's where the disconnect lies. While you have thought that he's been average or above all along, or in entirety, someone like myself will be quick to remind you of last year. Now I guess you can choose to debate that idea, but I'm not sure you can just gloss over it and it attribute it to blind hate either.
Just from a number standpoint, here's where he's ranked in QB rating in each of his 4 years:
2011 (Rookie Year) - 20
2012 - 13
2013 - 15
2014 - 25
Composite average - 18
Now, I don't really feel like I actually engaging in an actual debate about the worth of these numbers along with the relevance of rookie seasons, injuries, loads of talent, loss of talent, playcalling, etc. The only point of this is to illustrate that the idea that he has always been average or above is simply not true. He was nowhere near average last year. Not from a rating standpoint, not from a yardage standpoint, nor from a TD or INT standpoint.
Without overcomplicating my stance let me just say that my opinion has always come primarily from simply watching the game. Numbers aside, what I saw shaped my opinion. And that opinion was that Andy Dalton was an average at best QB, who at times was elevated by above average talent around him. That was my take.
I currently think, while some of his atributes are far from elite, he is making up for that with stellar decision making. I've seen him numerous time make the smart play, that many QB's in this league don't make. I think he seems more poised and patient in the pocket. I also get the impression that he's just all together more confidence and comfortable in the pocket. He has made a leap that I didn't think he was capable of making. I've never seen this level of play sustained for than a couple of games. Until now.
While I certainly don't think I was wrong on everything I've said or thought previously, and I think I was fair, I was wrong on Andy's ceiling. He is currently proving me wrong on that. As well as he is proving me wrong the decision to give him an early deal.
