When you compare Dalton where he is now to McCarron who has played 5 games then Dalton is better. If you compare McCarron to the qb Dalton was in his first and second year, then I would say McCarron.

 

For most of the game last night McCarron looked alot like Dalton has in the playoff games and that was not to good and missing throws badly. With that said what he did that Dalton didn't do was end up making plays at the end even after not playing well early. Let's not forget the second Houston game was very similar to his. Bengals had a chance to win it at the end and Green was open for a touchdown and Dalton over threw him. Last night at the end of the game when the Bengals needed their qb to make the throws he did it.

 

So yes right now Dalton is better, but if you ask me if I think McCarron has a chance to be better than Dalton then I say yes.

 

But now and the next few years is what matters... And, I can't believe I'm saying this... Dalton is actually more mobile and athletic from what I've seen too.

Dalton is the QB of the Bengals, barring injury (like or not) for at least the next 4-6 seasons IMO...

 

By then, I'd be looking for a much younger guy than AJ to take over when Dalton is done.

They win the game if AD plays. Maybe not convincingly because of the elements. But they win. With that said though I think AJ did more than stand his ground. He is definitely capable of being an NFL starter and right now he is probably on the same level Dalton was his 1st or 2nd year in the NFL. I would love to see us trade AJ and get a decent draft pick, or a corner, or a linebacker. Then draft another QB to be the backup in the 4th round or so. NE has done that for years with Cassell, Hoyer,and Mallett. All were former backups to Brady and all 3 started for teams in the NFL this year.

But now and the next few years is what matters... And, I can't believe I'm saying this... Dalton is actually more mobile and athletic from what I've seen too.

Dalton is the QB of the Bengals, barring injury (like or not) for at least the next 4-6 seasons IMO...

 

By then, I'd be looking for a much younger guy than AJ to take over when Dalton is done.

 

Right now Dalton is better and no one can argue that. However it would be interesting to me to see how good McCarron would look if he was the first team qb for all the camps and training camp and playing all the games. His overall demeanor i still really like. Dalton as good as he was this year he still hasn't showed he can make the throws when needed in the biggest moments when all eyes are watching.

 

As stated for most of the game last night McCarron looked just like Dalton in his playoff games and that was not good. However you always hear the mark of a good qb is to be able to find away to make plays at the end of the game when it matters most even if you have played bad all game. That 4th quarter you couldn't tell McCarron had played bad all game. He came out and made throws, shoot that third and 7 from mid field with 7 minutes left when he was about to get drilled he put it in a place where only Eifert could dive and make the catch.

 

So that is still my biggest worry for Dalton. You almost know after the first quarter what type of game Dalton will have. In playoff football you have to overcome and forget bad play to still make plays in the end. McCarron has shown still the moment is not to big for him at all.

 

Honestly this is great for the Bengals we are having this discussion. It's much better than the days of having no qbs lol.

They win the game if AD plays. Maybe not convincingly because of the elements. But they win. With that said though I think AJ did more than stand his ground. He is definitely capable of being an NFL starter and right now he is probably on the same level Dalton was his 1st or 2nd year in the NFL. I would love to see us trade AJ and get a decent draft pick, or a corner, or a linebacker. Then draft another QB to be the backup in the 4th round or so. NE has done that for years with Cassell, Hoyer,and Mallett. All were former backups to Brady and all 3 started for teams in the NFL this year.

 

They may win with AD but my question is based off what? Is it based off his history agaisnt the Steelers? Which is not good, the Bengals with Dalton have not scored more than 17 in the games they won. Is it based off of Daltons play in recent playoffs or how he does in poor throwing condition's?

 

For me I would love to say we would have won with Dalton but honestly not much there to hold on to, to truly believe that. I mean the running game still would have been non existent, the line still would have struggled pass blocking. So say if he doesn't score much either early, is he able to keep his composure enough in the 4th quarter to make throws when they had to have them? Let's not forget the game the Bengals did beat the Steelers with Dalton this year, they only scored 16 and that was in good playing conditions.

McCarron's excellent TD throw to A.J. put the team in the lead with less than 3 minutes to play. You really can't expect anything more from a backup QB.

He was wide open.

Right now Dalton is better and no one can argue that. However it would be interesting to me to see how good McCarron would look if he was the first team qb for all the camps and training camp and playing all the games. His overall demeanor i still really like. Dalton as good as he was this year he still hasn't showed he can make the throws when needed in the biggest moments when all eyes are watching.

 

As stated for most of the game last night McCarron looked just like Dalton in his playoff games and that was not good. However you always hear the mark of a good qb is to be able to find away to make plays at the end of the game when it matters most even if you have played bad all game. That 4th quarter you couldn't tell McCarron had played bad all game. He came out and made throws, shoot that third and 7 from mid field with 7 minutes left when he was about to get drilled he put it in a place where only Eifert could dive and make the catch.

 

So that is still my biggest worry for Dalton. You almost know after the first quarter what type of game Dalton will have. In playoff football you have to overcome and forget bad play to still make plays in the end. McCarron has shown still the moment is not to big for him at all.

 

Honestly this is great for the Bengals we are having this discussion. It's much better than the days of having no qbs lol.

 

I think even you've said it though... Dalton was a different guy this year... A top 5 QB... I would've loved to see if he continued that level in the playoffs, but it was "Bengal cursed" away...

I think even you've said it though... Dalton was a different guy this year... A top 5 QB... I would've loved to see if he continued that level in the playoffs, but it was "Bengal cursed" away...

 

Agreed he looked much different. However sometimes you don't know how they respond until the situation comes. Maybe the Bengals get off to a better start offensivley with him. However maybe they don't. One thing with him is wondering how would he handle that? Playing the Steelers, playing bad all game, weight of the playoffs on his shoulders. Does he crack? Does he try to hard to make a play that it messes things up more?

 

This just sucks though either way. Don't fumble the ball and the Bengals win.

Agreed he looked much different. However sometimes you don't know how they respond until the situation comes. Maybe the Bengals get off to a better start offensivley with him. However maybe they don't. One thing with him is wondering how would he handle that? Playing the Steelers, playing bad all game, weight of the playoffs on his shoulders. Does he crack? Does he try to hard to make a play that it messes things up more?

 

This just sucks though either way. Don't fumble the ball and the Bengals win.

 

There were multiple times last night I think Dalton makes something happen with his legs.

They may win with AD but my question is based off what? Is it based off his history agaisnt the Steelers? Which is not good, the Bengals with Dalton have not scored more than 17 in the games they won. Is it based off of Daltons play in recent playoffs or how he does in poor throwing condition's?

 

For me I would love to say we would have won with Dalton but honestly not much there to hold on to, to truly believe that. I mean the running game still would have been non existent, the line still would have struggled pass blocking. So say if he doesn't score much either early, is he able to keep his composure enough in the 4th quarter to make throws when they had to have them? Let's not forget the game the Bengals did beat the Steelers with Dalton this year, they only scored 16 and that was in good playing conditions.

Just my intuition leads me to believe they would have won. AD was having his best year and if he continued his play he was having an MVP caliber season had Cam not been doing what he was doing. But I just think AD could have been at least 3 points better than AJ last night. AJ bails out at the first sign of pressure, which is perfectly ok because I didn't want him forcing anything, but Andy had been extending plays all season and I just believe that he would have been able to extend a couple of plays and lead them on a few more good drives than AJ did. We'll never know, but I just have to believe that.

There were multiple times last night I think Dalton makes something happen with his legs.

 

Very possible! My point is for the people saying they win with AD is that AD really only has two good games ever against Pittsburgh and they lost both. The games he has won including this year they have only scored 16 or 17 which even McCarron did last night.

 

It's crazy because the Bengals actually did everything well in that 4th quarter that they never do well, right until the last minute and half.

Agreed he looked much different. However sometimes you don't know how they respond until the situation comes. Maybe the Bengals get off to a better start offensivley with him. However maybe they don't. One thing with him is wondering how would he handle that? Playing the Steelers, playing bad all game, weight of the playoffs on his shoulders. Does he crack? Does he try to hard to make a play that it messes things up more?

 

This just sucks though either way. Don't fumble the ball and the Bengals win.

 

Yep, it sucks... Now we gotta wait another year to see if Dalton can get it done... But Lewis continues to lose as a coach, Zimmer lost, Gruden is trailing at home... It's crazy.

 

Anyone know if Nostradamus has a quatrain on the Bengals?... Lol!

 

Will they win a playoff game this century?

There were multiple times last night I think Dalton makes something happen with his legs.

That's where I think AD really improved from seasons past. He will never be Russell Wilson, but he extended plays with his feet either simply picking up 3 or 4 yards on a rush or escaping the pressure and beating Pittsburghs secondary downfield. You said it yourself that you worried about their secondary. I would have to believe that if AD extended a couple of plays with his feet that there is no way their secondary could cover AJ, Jones, Eifert, etc for 7 or 8 seconds.

We need a name for this Bengals curse. i.e Curse of the Billy Goat, Curse of the Bambino, etc. My vote is for the curse of John Taylor.

That's where I think AD really improved from seasons past. He will never be Russell Wilson, but he extended plays with his feet either simply picking up 3 or 4 yards on a rush or escaping the pressure and beating Pittsburghs secondary downfield. You said it yourself that you worried about their secondary. I would have to believe that if AD extended a couple of plays with his feet that there is no way their secondary could cover AJ, Jones, Eifert, etc for 7 or 8 seconds.

 

Very possible but as I said even in perfect conditions Dalton also only managed 16 points in a win against the Steelers this year. The Steelers pass rush also gave him trouble that game.

If some team is willing to give up multiple first round, or a bunch of early round picks to get AJ, why would you not trade him?

 

What has McCarron done to warrant multiple picks or a bunch of early round picks. All he has done so far is show he is a serviceable back-up, no better, no worse. If the Bengals were offered one number one pick for him, they should JUMP on it. I would be shocked if they would be offered more than a 3 though (possibly a 2 by someone really desperate).