Cincinnati Bengals

Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton before the AFC wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports Like it or not, the general view of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is that of an “average” quarterback when compared to the other 32 starting NFL QBs. NFL.com ranks Dalton as just the 9th-best QB under the age of  25, mostly because of his inability hit the deep-ball consistently, as well as his late-season struggles in the Bengals’ biggest games of the season: The Bengals’ offense didn’t score a touchdown in the two biggest games of the season, at Pittsburgh in Week 16 and in the playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Dalton averaged just 5.58 yards per attempt in his last six starts. (For comparison, Blaine Gabbert and Jimmy Clausen were the only two players to have a lower YPA over a full season since 2010.) There are many reasons why Dalton struggled for much of his second season, but it mostly comes back to his inability to hit vertical passes. Dalton infamously doesn’t have a great arm, but his accuracy and timing seem more important here. On most of his deep throws, he doesn’t give his receivers a chance. Dalton was able to finally make the big play to beat Pittsburgh in Week 16 to clinch a playoff berth, but only after his defense surrendered a mere 10 points and got a late interception to set Dalton up in a very manageable position to lead his team to victory. But make no mistake about: the Bengals won big in 2012 despite Dalton. To show just how “average” Dalton played in 2012, Mike Tanier from Sports on Earth did arguably the most in-depth breakdown of Dalton’s  shortcomings as an NFL QB, Dalton ranked 20th in DYAR, a Football Outsiders‘ high-tech metric, which compares every single pass a quarterback throws to league averages for that type of pass. Another statistic, DVOA, compares the quarterback to the league average. Dalton came in at -5.9 percent, just a blip below league average, in 2012. He came out at 5.6 percent, or a blip above average, in 2011. Average those averages, and you get a quarterback resting squarely on the axis of average. Do you prefer other organizations’ custom stats? Dalton ranked 19th in Pro Football Reference’s Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt. He ranked 20th in ESPN’s Total Quarterback Rating. The consensus seems to place Dalton just below average, but if you allow benefit of the doubt for anything, from the receiving corps to Dalton’s relative youth, then Dalton inches closer to 16th. Like traditional stats better? Dalton was 13th in quarterback rating, 16th in yards, 18th in yards per attempt, 12th in completion percentage. He was seventh in touchdowns but eighth in interceptions, so those balance out. Dalton was 30th in sack percentage, one of the few stats which rank him squarely below average, though a handful of part-time starters like Matt Hasselbeck rank ahead of him. (Sack rates depend as much on the quarterback as on his offensive line.) But even after all of this evidence that suggests Dalton “is” and “average” QB, I do not share that belief. I think he is a good player who has played like an “average” QB to this point, but has shown me enough that he is capable of being a good, if not great QB in this league. That being said, he still has to prove he is capable of making that leap, or else the Bengals will never be anything more than a one-and-done playoff team. Management and the coaching staff have done their best to surround him with enough weapons in 2013 that there’s no reason that he shouldn’t make that leap. So if we ‘re talking about this again in the 2014 offseason, chances are we’ve seen the best of Dalton. And unfortunately, it’s not good enough. Want more Bengals news? Like Str

Mike Browns team needs fire power. Scoring is all. Everone can see that this year is the year of the QB. Just like last year. Either a QB has it or not. Why waste time? Bengals lost the day. Dear Bengals. Get an Arm and win. Or is Dalton in the third year plan!? The others are in waiting. Easy Plan is to start the best guy at the right time. Everyone gets it. The Bengals need to keep three QBs on Roster! Bengals Arms are two. Dalton is minus and the other two are positive. Will the Bengals enter with the will to start the best QB on Roster. I cant See Dalton Scoring. Can You? Mike gets it now. Dalton brings no fire power. The Mike Brown Bengals get it. GM MIKE BROWN MUST GIVE ALL QBS ON ROSTER A CHANCE TO START. Is Dalton a Lock? Or is Dalton the next QB out the door?!Who wants Dalton to QB the Bengals? ! Only Mike Brown gets it. Next Arm In and the first Arm Out is Dalton?! Mike Brown wont mess around with need at QB?! Why Play A Poor Arm Is My Question?~ Do the Bengals have a backup plan at QB?

Mike Browns team needs fire power. Scoring is all. Everone can see that this year is the year of the QB. Just like last year. Either a QB has it or not. Why waste time? Bengals lost the day. Dear Bengals. Get an Arm and win. Or is Dalton in the third year plan!? The others are in waiting. Easy Plan is to start the best guy at the right time. Everyone gets it. The Bengals need to keep three QBs on Roster! Bengals Arms are two. Dalton is minus and the other two are positive. Will the Bengals enter with the will to start the best QB on Roster. I cant See Dalton Scoring. Can You? Mike gets it now. Dalton brings no fire power. The Mike Brown Bengals get it. GM MIKE BROWN MUST GIVE ALL QBS ON ROSTER A CHANCE TO START. Is Dalton a Lock? Or is Dalton the next QB out the door?!Who wants Dalton to QB the Bengals? ! Only Mike Brown gets it. Next Arm In and the first Arm Out is Dalton?! Mike Brown wont mess around with need at QB?! Why Play A Poor Arm Is My Question?~ Do the Bengals have a backup plan at QB?

December 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) tries to fire up the fans in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Paul Brown Stadium. Dallas won the game 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports While more attention and praise was given to the Cincinnati Bengals for their ability to re-sign Pro Bowl offensive tackle Andre Smith and franchise tag double-digit sack-man Michael Johnson this offseason, the biggest signing was arguably made when the team agreed to a new 3-year deal with cornerback/return-man Adam Jones. In 2012 while logging 626 defensive snaps, he held opposing receivers to just one reception for every 6.3 targets that came his way, and one every 11.5 coverage snaps he played. Those numbers put him in the top 25 in each category among qualifying corners in the NFL. Pro Football Focus graded his cumulative coverage grade at +10.6, which ranked sixth among all cornerbacks in the NFL last season. Now, PFF is conducting its “Secret Superstars” series, and their latest addition is none other than Adam Jones: Things turned for the better for Jones and the Bengals as their season turned for home over the second half of the season. In the Bengals’ Week 10 game at home against the Giants, Jones was targeted a season-high 10 times. He gave up only six completions at fewer than 10 yards per completion (53), with only five of those yards coming after the catch. In that game, Jones also got his hands on half as many passes as the receivers he was covering, coming up with three pass defenses. Jones’ 2012 season was a story of real success grading among our top ten corners in terms of coverage grade (+9.9, including playoffs). He rated highly in terms of coverage metrics (Top 20 in yards per coverage snap, 0.97; top 25 in coverage snaps per reception allowed, 11.5) and added his first sack since 2006 in a game against the Chiefs in Week 11. If you want consistency in a sub-package corner, Jones provided precisely that. He graded below -1.0 in coverage only once all season in the Bengals’ home loss to the Steelers in Week 7. Jones has quietly become one of the best nickel-corners in the game, and going against the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco twice, along with Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck in 2013, having a healthy Jones will be key into slowing them down enough for the Bengals to win those games. Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed. Follow @StripeHype Follow @UK_Fans

Thank you for helping support the #FFHelpMadi campaign, as it’s been a tremendous success thus far, and In case you don’t know the story, Ladd Davies is a writer at LateRoundQB.com, and his 3-year-old daughter, Madi, has Type 1 Diabetes, and now we are working to help donate to her cause through their website. To help, Ladd is looking to get a Diabetic Alert Dog (D.A.D.) which would help detect Madi’s blood sugar levels. The dogs’ sense of smell is so sensitive that they can actually alert people when unhealthy levels occur. Click here to read more about Madi’s story and donate. The most common way to help support the cause is by joining one of Jim Day’s #FFHelpMadi leagues. For more info, tweet Jim Day @FantasyTaz about it. Watch Jim Day’s Twitter feed for fun items to bid on including a Demaryius Thomas autographed football and a personally signed copy of Matthew Berry’s new book “Fantasy Life.” Other Twitter Donations Being made: - Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23) will donate $1 for every new follower he gets this week. - Christian Hardy (@CHardySports) will donate $1 for every new follower he gets this week and $1 for every RT he gets on this tweet. - FakePigskin.com will be donating all Amazon commissions through June 15th to the cause. - John D. Beckler II (@JDBeckler) will be donating $50 for every league that is created. - Matt Rittle (@FFRittle) will be donating $2 for every league that is created. - The FF Ghost (@TheFFGhost) will be donating money made from his fantasy football banners, found here. It costs $10 for one, and $100 for a set of 12. - DynastySportsEmpire.com is donating the full $600 for a #FFHelpMadi league. - FFLockerRoom will be donating $2 for each league that is created and will also be participating in one of them. Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed. Follow @StripeHype Follow @UK_Fans

December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko (94) and outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (center) and free safety Reggie Nelson (20) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports After the running game struggled mightily in Pittsburgh over the past few seasons (26th in the NFL last year), the Steelers plan to supplement their power-rushing attack with more zone-blocking concepts in 2013. New offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. has been installing more of this over the first week of organized team activities, including the outside zone, one-cut blocking style: I like it. I like it a lot,” tackle Marcus Gilbert said of the new wrinkle. “It is going to take time for the whole line to get it but … coach said it has been looking good so far.” “We are going to be dedicated to the zone,” running back Isaac Redman said. “We are still going to be a power team, but we are going to have this zone scheme in so we can keep the defense on its heels and keep them running. It is going to help our offensive line a lot because guys are going to be on the move where they can take their guy and keep him moving, and we can cut back off of it. In the past we were just pounding and pounding, and they were getting tired. That’s not going to happen this year because we are going to mix it up. Matt Williamson looks at how Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice really started to wear-down last season, and whether or not Bernard Pierce and Bobby Rainey can come in and carry more of the load in 2013. Williamson also looks at how Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson battled numerous injuries during his rookie season, and of he can hold up as a feature back in offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s offense In light of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher’s retirement, the 5x NFL All-Pro said former Raven Ray Lewis is the best middle linebacker of all time. Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed. Follow @StripeHype Follow @UK_Fans

The Cincinnati Bengals have been huge winners in each of the past two offseasons because of their ability to consistently re-sign their best players and fill the roster with solid role players. But once again, many key players will be entering contract years in the 2013-14 NFL season, and now is the time to start the heavy negotiating and begin setting the parameters for long-term extensions. “What 2014 free agent (excluding Geno Atkins) do the Bengals need to re-sign the most this summer?” Joe Johnson You absolutely MUST KEEP MICHAEL JOHNSON ! He’s quickly becoming one of the best defensive ends in the league. We have to keep. Our defensive line intact. It is the best pass rushing line in the league and is the strength of this team. Michael is a huge part of it. Not re-signing him would be flat out idiotic. Taking him away will weaken that line, and that’s something we don’t need. You need to actually do something right and re-sign him during the regular season. Let’s get this done. Oct 7, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (93) in the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Brian Dugan Always a tough decision as to whom has to be the top priority to sign long term, but given the list of potential free agents, this one to me is easy.  The franchise tagged Michael Johnson is the player the Bengals need to strike a long term deal with going into this summer.  Johnson has only improved for the Bengals since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2009.  Johnson was considered a “raw talent” coming out of Georgia Tech, and many analysts projected Johnson as a 1st round pick.  The Bengals could barely believe it when he fell to the 3rd round and nabbing him there was an absolute steal. Johnson accumulated 52 total tackles, including 35 solo, amassed 11.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 2012.  With lots of attention going to Atkins and Dunlap on the front line, Michael Johnson sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, unless you are an opposing quarterback.  Look for more dominant stats this season as Michael Johnson gets another year under the direction of Mike Zimmer, and if the Bengals don’t sign Johnson long term, another team will be more than happy to pony over the cash.

Mays- Good vs run Can blow up players. Takes horrible angles to often. Lowers his head that causes wiffs. Always looking for the big play, not playing the ball. Very very good when the qb takes off. And watched him take out his own lb in college too. Williams- Doesnt attack, lets plays come to him instead of shooting in. Can play ok coverage on whats infront of him, but once his back is turned its over. Jumps the smart routes, but not always right. Watched him jump a 10 yard dig on 3rd and 10, and give up a deep post. Overall plays good while going backwards, but attacking and man are his flaws. Iloka- Attacks, but gets blocked out too easy vs the run. Able to play man vs wrs and tes. Very physical vs the tight end, let to a holding call that I saw. Ok tackler when hes able to get infront of the guy, but will wiff to often. Played alot of man in the games I watched. Wish he played the ball more, he is in position to make some plays, but just didnt play the ball and let them go. Robert Sands- Not much tape on him other than highlights. So that made him look better than the rest. It did show he plays the ball well, and will undercut alot of plays. Took alot of risks, but im sure not in highlights they dont work out everytime. Seems like a risk reward type off safety. Not enough tape for me to really get a good enough look though. Tony Dye- Looks to tackle, not make big hits. Solid tackler because of that. Didnt see him in coverage enough to get a good grasp on him. What I did see wasnt that great. Now all this was college, so who knows what has changed after some NFL coaching. After watching them I think Iloka would be the best fit for coverage reasons, but he would have to improve getting through blocks and making tackles. Sands looks to be the best for turnovers, but im worried about taking to many risks and getting burnt to often. Williams can be good if not asked to man up, and Mays could be ok if not asked to drop deep. All the safties offer enough, but will have to be used in different ways to have NFL success. So whatever one fits what they want to do with SS should get the job. My ideal situation is very unlikely, but it would be to put Nelson to SS, while having Iloka or Sands step up at FS. That would give us 2 good coverage players, and Nelson to play the run and blitz, like he is best at anyways.

Oct 14, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler (68) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cleveland won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Kevin Zeitler was nothing short of phenomenal during his rookie season for the Cincinnati Bengals, and one of the better picks from the entire 2012 draft from a value standpoint. The former Wisconsin Badger was big reason the running game improved last year, and was masterful at pass-blocking as he finished with a +13.3 grade by Pro Football Focus, the 4th-best by a Bengals offensive player, and the 12th-best by any NFL guard. He allowed just four sacks and one QB-hit the entire 2012 season while starting every game in the defensively-stout AFC North. His focus on the finer points is also worth pointing out, as he was called for just two penalties in 16 starts last season. Zeitler has been everything the Bengals could have hoped for and then some, but he’s not settling on his early NFL success. According to Dan Hoard, Zeitler has been putting in extra time during the Bengals’ recent OTAs by staying after practice to work on additional drills, and Lap sees a potential star in the making in Zeitler:  He wants to be great – not good – but great,” said Lapham.  “He wants to be a Hall of Fame type guy.  That’s a coach’s dream and I’m sure that (offensive line coach) Paul Alexander is thrilled to death to have a guy like that.  The longer he’s around, the more his work habits are going to spill off to the other guys too.  He’s a great example that there are no shortcuts to success. Zeitler could care less about the Hall of Fame, nor how good he may have been last year. He’s too focused on working to become the greatest player he can become: I guess it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. I felt that as the season went along I got better.  Still, every time that I watch the film there are so many things that make my stomach cringe.  That’s another reason why I do the extra work – I don’t want those things to ever pop up again. You should want to be your best every day and try to be perfect. If you strive toward perfection you can hit excellence. Football is an emotional roller coaster.  Sometimes you hate this game so much that you wish you never played it and other days like today, I was running around the field thinking, ‘finally…it’s time to get better! Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed. Follow @StripeHype Follow @UK_Fans

Bob Donnan – USA TODAY Sports The Cincinnati Bengals are a team flush with young talent and early-career success, but also one stuck in limbo between legitimate contender and another team outside the discussion. On the one hand, players like receiver A.J. Green and defensive tackle Geno Atkins are two players serving as arguably the NFL‘s best players at their respective position, while playing on the same team, and Cincy is coming off two consecutive playoff berths. This does not sound like a team in immediate need of major personnel changes in the near future. However, the 2013 rookie class could end up making zero dents on the starting lineup by the time this offseason ends. Cincy has done a good job of remaining young at many positions, but apparently may not rush to start the big-name skill position players coming out of the early rounds of the draft for the Bengals. Cincy’s third-round selection in the 2013 draft signed with the team this week, and probably possesses the best chance of trotting out with the starting lineup in Week 1. “While this could be the first year since 2002 that the Bengals don’t have a rookie starting in the opener,” wrote Cincinnati.com’s Joe Reedy in a report about the signing of free safety Shawn Willliams. “After Williams would have the best chance barring injuries. With the starting spot opposite Reggie Nelson up for grabs, Williams is expected to compete with Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles.” I don’t think starting tight end Tyler Eifert or halfback Gio Bernard would end up happening  for the Bengals in Week 1, but I also wouldn’t be entirely shocked. Current incumbents in tight end Jermaine Gresham and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis are nowhere near the realm of All-Pro, ranking near the bottom of their respective positions in Pro Football Focus grading. Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google