Playing in the Mountain West Conference for the TCU Horned Frogs, Andy Dalton quietly set school records for just about every quarterback stat, including most wins (42), touchdown passes (71) and passing yards (10,314). Dalton led TCU to a perfect finish in his senior year, capped by a victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. His accolades also included four bowl games in four years and another BCS appearance, a loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl in 2009.
Even with his resume, NFL teams initially shied away from Dalton. One NFL coach went so far to say Dalton's hair color would limit him at the next level.
Cincinnati took a waiver on Dalton with its last pick of the second round. The Bengals were having trouble finding a middle ground with incumbent Carson Palmer. He couldn't stand losing anymore.
Dalton did in preseason what he's done since taking over as the Horned Frogs' starter in 2007 -- impress.
Coaches gave him the reins to the offense in Week 2 and boy has he looked good.
At 4-2 -- 3-2 under Dalton -- the Bengals have so far exceeded initial expectations like Christy Brown and communicating.
His completion percentage (62.4) is easily the best among rookie signal callers. And his 84.2 QB rating is better than Cam Newton's.
His skill-set doesn't compete with the likes of Newton or young gunslingers in the league like Matt Stafford or Sam Bradford, but his smarts, decision-making and drive have so far proven athleticism and strength don't singularly define success.
More Trent Dilfer than Dan Marino, Dalton may be the answer to the Bengals' long-running woes.
Cincinnati took a waiver on Dalton with its last pick of the second round. The Bengals were having trouble finding a middle ground with incumbent Carson Palmer. He couldn't stand losing anymore.
Dalton did in preseason what he's done since taking over as the Horned Frogs' starter in 2007 -- impress.
Coaches gave him the reins to the offense in Week 2 and boy has he looked good.
At 4-2 -- 3-2 under Dalton -- the Bengals have so far exceeded initial expectations like Christy Brown and communicating.
His completion percentage (62.4) is easily the best among rookie signal callers. And his 84.2 QB rating is better than Cam Newton's.
His skill-set doesn't compete with the likes of Newton or young gunslingers in the league like Matt Stafford or Sam Bradford, but his smarts, decision-making and drive have so far proven athleticism and strength don't singularly define success.
More Trent Dilfer than Dan Marino, Dalton may be the answer to the Bengals' long-running woes.
1 comment:
And his haircolor is...
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