Bengals Round Table: Who Is Your MVP At This Point In The Season?
Through the first half of the Bengals 2011 season, who deserves to be named as the team's MVP?
Josh Kirkendall: Truth be told, I've actually asked myself this question several times this week and I don't have a straight answer. Not sure if that's just the result of having the best definition of a "team" or if I'm just being fickle.
Cody Byers: I'm straining to come up with an answer, I just can't come up with one single player. It's the defense as a unit that's making plays. Every week it's a new player that steps up.
Jason Garrison: See, I think the answer is easy
Josh: Carlos Dunlap is a good one that comes to mind, he's crushing the team lead with 23 quarterback pressures and 9 quarterback hits. Andy Dalton is making great plays on third and fourth downs late in the game, putting the team in a position to win. Brian Leonard and Jermaine Gresham are making clutch receptions to convert pressure-cooker situations.
Cody: For me to consider someone an MVP, I think of what happens if that player were to sit out that week. And I'm not sure any one player has that impact.
Jason: Heading into the 2011 season with all the drama at the quarterback position with Palmer's status up in the air and his trade-me-or-else thing, I don't think the MVP can't go to anybody other than Dalton. He's overcome a lot and turned out to be a great leader and he gets the job done or at least puts the team in a position to win. The situation he came into was similar, not exactly the same, but similar to the one Matt Ryan came into in Atlanta in 2008 and he played really well. I'm excited for Bengals' future because of what Dalton's been able to pull off so far this season.
Josh: Good argument. But most would also argue that what's really helping this team explode past expectations isn't so much Dalton, it is the defense.
Cody: In certain games yes, Dalton showed the clutch gene. But I'm not sure I'd crown him MVP. But at a later part of the season, I may change my mind.
Josh: If you take Dalton out, are the Bengals dramatically affected by it? Happened against Cleveland and Bruce Gradkowski helped win the game, albiet thanks to an unprepared Browns defense.
Cody: Josh, would you call Dalton the same player he was week one though?
Josh: Not at all. Vastly improved. Fair point.
Jason: I don't think so either. He's dramatically improved
Josh: Something else to think on. Is Dalton relying too much on A.J. Green?
Jason: Even if he is, it's working more often than not. A.J. Green has been pretty beastly so far this season and due to the inconsistent play at the No.2 WR position, I think he has to rely on Green.
Josh: Defenses will adjust to that though. Of Dalton's 218 pass attempts, 26.6% are targeting Green. Simpson is obviously your number two receiver, but he has that cloud hanging over his head. And Gresham is hurt, who is actually the second-most targeted player before Cincinnati's win over Seattle.
Cody: When watching the game live, I'd say it seems like it's a fair amount of distribution between Green, Gresham and Caldwell.
Jason: Well, hopefully if defenses adjust and start doubling Green, Dalton can rely on another receiver like he does Green. But right now, I see no reason to stop throwing to Green because it's working.
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Josh.....
YES, if you take Dalton out of this lineup this team will certainly suffer. NO WAY Bruce Gradkowski makes the throws Dalton is making.
The Browns game was a fluke – Gradkowski looked bad when given the opportunity. Lucky we won that game.
Not sure he is the clear favorite MVP of this team – but Dalton is a REAL difference maker.
Absolutely AJ
Without AJ Green I think Dalton would actually look like a rookie. I think a case could be made for Whit, Geno, and Dunlap with honorable mentions going to Dalton, Leon, and Reggie. The way I see it AJ Green is the difference maker on offense and the team would be hard pressed to duplicate his production were he out of the lineup.
He called me a baboon, he thinks I'm his wife.
This
2011 Year of the Red Rifle
Carson Palmer 2011 Comeback Player of the Year
by Throw the ball on Nov 3, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Whit or Reggie Nelson
and I’ve been critical of Nelson, but he puts out some critical plays.
"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."
No player in ANY secondary is ever going to give you 100% perfection. Reggie hasn’t either. But he’s also made some big plays that help “make up” for the crappy ones.
yes
I realize I wrote that really poorly.
I have been critical of Nelson for his flubs. (More for the stupid stuff like slamming a player as he goes out of bounds than the football errors.)
The second part was supposed to be “he has made plays that have been significant contributors to Bengal wins”. I think it looked like I was trying to dig at him more.
"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."
Defense front 7
Dalton and Green are close seconds…but the D, particularly the front 7 has kept Dalton in those games where he wasn’t doing much….I don’t think they have had a BAD game yet…..knock on wood…..Dunlap, Geno and MJ are beasts….period…
Red to Green is more of the MVP than either one alone.
I think Gresham is the actual #2 WR even though he’s officially the TE. Not having him last week is the reason we didn’t have a crazy blow out game. And to go a step further, we are really missing Shipley. If Dalton ever gets these three targets on the same field (now that he’s adjusted to NFL play) watch out. He will outshine every QB not named Rodgers.
Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
MVP - Andy Dalton
His position is critical, and he’s doing whatever it takes to put us in a position to win. His poise and leadership are remarkable especially considering that he’s a rookie. Andy, you are the man !
No question about it
It has to be Andy Dalton, when the defense plays good as unit and no one specifically. Its up to the QB to manage the game and its up to the QB to win or lose the game with his decision making. Andy is clearly the MVP.
AMAS
MVP- A.D.
He has gotten better in ever game. He make plays and understand NFL defenses pretty good already also. AJ has been spectacular but a lot of his plays are just special plays only a few can make. A.D. has only made one bad throw all year in my book and that was last week. And no player on D has been spectacular outside of Geno so no one on that side his deserving so far this season. Although real MVP of team has to be Marvin Lewis.
by pray4gm11 on Nov 3, 2011 4:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

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