3 Ints In A Game Is Not A Good Stat But....

The team played very well in the 4th quarter.  The fight that they bring when down can be very miraculous.  Dalton looked like a rookie for most part in this game.  But he also looked like a stud.  His pass to caldwell in the 4th and simpson in the 1st show you that he has some balls.  He fully trusts his receivers to make a play.  Although he should have that faith in his teammates.  Andre Caldwell has got to go.  Ive noticed from Dalton's Ints in todays game they were directed to Caldwell.  Of course the blame goes to Dalton as well.  Caldwell is not a good reciever.  Yea I know Caldwell made a good TD catch in the 4th.  But as a wideout you are suppose to make that catch.  Caldwell drops too many passes.  Dalton's completion rating would be up if his receivers would catch the freaking ball.  Even on one play Caldwell had caught a ball and allowed the defender to strip the ball from him resulting in an incomplete pass.  The fact of the matter is, is that we need a true number 2 WR.  Simpson showed that he can be that guy today.  But we need more of a consistent effort from him each an every week.  Even if Simpson plays lights out the rest of the season.  I'd still take a WR in the draft, no later than the 4th round.  Names such as Michael Floyd, Marvin McNutt are attractive options.  But I really like Marvin Jones from Cal and Ryan Broyles. 

A good game was played and watched by both the Ravens and Bengals.  But here are my thoughts moving forward to the end of the season that I think the Bengals coaching staff need to address.

The first issue I see in the offense is that the Bengals do not seem to throw the ball in the middle of the field.  I see a whole lot of real estate in that area.  Gresham needs to be utilized more.  He is a stud and Gruden needs to use him like one.  Him going up the middle stretches the field.  Although I like the play calling this year, he has got to use him more, some how some way.

The second issue is that Dalton's Ints are coming more from the right side from the last two games.  These quick comeback routes of 5 to 7 yards are starting to blow me.  Its seems that this is a big misscommunication problem between him and his WR's.  Mainly Caldwell and Simpson.  Dalton and both Caldwell and Simpson deserve the blame but it needs to be fixed.  Defenses like Pitt and Baltimore have done well playing instinctively towards these type of routes. P.S.  Please Excuse my football knowledge or teminology,  Im assuming these are comeback routes but  I maybe incorrect.

All in all I love the way this team plays.  These were some of the growing pains I expected from the Bengals offense this year and its clearly showing.  Especially with the option play, lol trying to run it like Tebow but i love the passion both Jay Gruden and Dalton display.  At least we know Gruden has fresh ideas rather than stale Bratkowski.   I know as a fan each and every game we will be in it.  Win or lose.  A change has emerged within this team and building through the draft is the next step.  A solid CB, OG, WR, S and RB is very needed to take this team to even further heights.  As for how the D played im not going to rant on the obvious.  Secondary play.