A.J. McCarron becomes the starter and is the only other quarterback on the active roster. The Bengals have reached out to Ryan Mallett and Christian Ponder though no decision by any side has been reached, the source said. Jason Campbell, who was the Bengals’ backup last season, retired last summer and has previously been clear that he’s not interested in a return.

 

Bengals call Ponder, Mallett | ProFootballTalk

Ponder is probably the safer pick because he seems smarter and could pick up the offense faster. However Mallett has the physical tools and would have to hope he could finally put it all together to be a good backup to McCarron.

I'm all for bringing Sam Ponder to town.

Sam Ponder and Katherine Webb in the same city? I'm all for that. :lol2:

I would rather play a middle school qb before I would take Mallett. That guy is a quitter and not a very good locker room presence.

Ponder is probably the safer pick because he seems smarter and could pick up the offense faster. However Mallett has the physical tools and would have to hope he could finally put it all together to be a good backup to McCarron.

 

Yeah, I'd take a look at Ponder... I seriously hope they don't even really consider Mallet though..

At this point I'd take Ponder. He seems to be a solid guy that will work and be a teammate first. We all know if we resort to either we are doomed. Probably doomed now.

At this point I'd take Ponder. He seems to be a solid guy that will work and be a teammate first. We all know if we resort to either we are doomed. Probably doomed now.

 

Disagree with the last part. Even though Dalton has changed my opinion of him this year, and I wish he was still starting. I do think McCarron will do very well, and for all the reasons why I was liking him before the season started, and he showed that again yesterday. Will he play at the same top level pace Dalton was playing at this year? Probably not, but can he still play at a very good level especially with the weapons he will have, yes he can. For our sake let hope he can lol.

Disagree with the last part. Even though Dalton has changed my opinion of him this year, and I wish he was still starting. I do think McCarron will do very well, and for all the reasons why I was liking him before the season started, and he showed that again yesterday. Will he play at the same top level pace Dalton was playing at this year? Probably not, but can he still play at a very good level especially with the weapons he will have, yes he can. For our sake let hope he can lol.[/QUOte]

 

I hope you are correct, but they will have to play lights out on defense and run the ball better than they have. It isn't even close with AJ and AD. It takes 3-4 weeks for teams to get enough film to stop QB according to Pat Kirwan. He is usually correct and look how teams are figuring Osweiler already. You just don't replace a top 5 QB, which AD has been this year with a guy that has played 3 quarters of real NFL football.

 

They will be good enough to beat SF and Baltimore and probably be competitive with the Broncos. By playoffs teams will have seen enough an there are no gimmes there.

Sam Ponder and Katherine Webb in the same city? I'm all for that. :lol2:

Hot chick with a redfish, hard to top that.

 

I hope you are correct, but they will have to play lights out on defense and run the ball better than they have. It isn't even close with AJ and AD. It takes 3-4 weeks for teams to get enough film to stop QB according to Pat Kirwan. He is usually correct and look how teams are figuring Osweiler already. You just don't replace a top 5 QB, which AD has been this year with a guy that has played 3 quarters of real NFL football.

 

They will be good enough to beat SF and Baltimore and probably be competitive with the Broncos. By playoffs teams will have seen enough an there are no gimmes there.

If healthy, their defense wins those games IMO.

I hope you are correct, but they will have to play lights out on defense and run the ball better than they have. It isn't even close with AJ and AD. It takes 3-4 weeks for teams to get enough film to stop QB according to Pat Kirwan. He is usually correct and look how teams are figuring Osweiler already. You just don't replace a top 5 QB, which AD has been this year with a guy that has played 3 quarters of real NFL football.

 

They will be good enough to beat SF and Baltimore and probably be competitive with the Broncos. By playoffs teams will have seen enough an there are no gimmes there.

 

We shall see. It may not matter because Dalton does not need surgery, so he may be back sooner depending on how fast it heals on its own.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter · 3m3 minutes ago

Ryan Mallett will be signing with the Baltimore Ravens, per @diannaESPN.

 

Looks like we don't have to worry about Mallett signing with the Bengals. Good news.

We shall see. It may not matter because Dalton does not need surgery, so he may be back sooner depending on how fast it heals on its own.

 

Possible Week 17, but if they have clinched I'd sit him and have him ready 1st game of playoffs.

Possible Week 17, but if they have clinched I'd sit him and have him ready 1st game of playoffs.

 

If Dalton is able to play Week 17, I put him in immediately, even if it is just for the 1st half. After 3-4 weeks off, he'll need reps.