Bengals Rookie Quarterback Andy Dalton Struggles On Sunday

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 1, 2011 10:46 AM EDT

We suppose we can find it within ourselves to forgive Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton if he were to experience a bad day. It's not like he's extracting confidence from a pool of NFL experience and it's not like this is his fifth straight week of practice. I mean you're a rookie quarterback, second day of practice trying to comprehend and execute an entirely new playbook with entirely new terminology. It would be an absolute shock if Dalton didn't struggle sometimes. Then again, that's what practice is there for. Better he struggle now than September.

And by most observations from those that attended Sunday's practice, he did have a bad day on Sunday. During his quick practice recap from Sunday evening, Joe Reedy wrote that Dalton struggled "to get into rhythm for most of the day and threw a Pick 6 to Korey Lindsey."

Former Bengals defensive tackle John Thornton observed during Sunday's practice.

"In one on one drills, he threw a few nice deep balls and one nice one to WR AJ Green, who beat DBs all day. But in team drills, when the speed picked up and decisions had to be made faster, his balls came up a little short. These things will get better with time, but the season is quickly approaching."

Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson wrote that Dalton:

"didn't have as good a day Sunday as he did Saturday. He never got into a groove during the 11-on-11, which was more intense Sunday because of the shoulder pads, and came up short on a couple of deep balls. Gruden said there will be days like this, but he can't have too many. Wearing pads for the first time since the Rose Bowl, Dalton never looked comfortable."

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Only second day, not shocking......

with Green, Shipley, Gresham, Coffman, Caldwell, etc. he’s got the weapons. Just need the timing, that only comes with reps.

by The Van Buren Boys on Aug 1, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Yep.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 1, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Am very interested to see how Green does with Dalton.....

it normally takes WR’s more time to adjust and become factors consistently in the offense. But in this case Green is supposed to have the talent to overcome that, but with Dalton struggling with some of these issues (understandably so, of course)….will Green be a big factor early on like we’ll need him to be? I guess that is where J. SImpson should come in and be the #1 guy right away……

by The Van Buren Boys on Aug 1, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Not too worried...

…it’s why we signed Gradkowski. It’s gonna take time.

by goffchile on Aug 1, 2011 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Having a bad day should make him work harder..

So good! Everyone falls off the bike a few times before they learn how to ride.

Give pizza chants.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Aug 1, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

And I would rather him fall off during training camp than during the season.

by Fid on Aug 1, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Meh...

"I slyde my boehner into sexsalad...."
Sounds like a johnu1 production. --jch24

by GrooveLeg on Aug 1, 2011 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

No biggie to me.

Yeah, this is nothing. Locker, Ponder, and Newton will all have bad days if they haven’t already. I mean, these guys have had less than one week to look at the playbook and talk with coaches…can’t expect them to look like Tom Brady during the first week of training camp. If he still looks like this late in camp and at the start of the season, we may have to look at the ugly inevitable consequence…Bruce Gradkowski. But this season is a wash for me anyway. I’m more excited just to see how some of the young guys do. It’s not like I’m expecting them to win more than 6 games here.

"A fear of heights is illogical. A fear of falling, on the other hand, is prudent and evolutionary."
- Dr. Sheldon Cooper

by Jonathan G on Aug 1, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

AJ Green

“WR AJ Green, who beat DBs all day.”

Not surprised, Green is going to light up the field against J-Jo in week 14, can’t wait.

WHO dey

by johnson_cody_18 on Aug 1, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Short on Deep Balls

I would rather he overthrow long and show some arm strength, but it’s early…

by nohops on Aug 1, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

I wish guys would stop expecting miracles from Dalton

He isn’t ready for the NFL, maybe next year is his year. Gradkowski in my mind is the free agent signing of importance this year. He’s about as good a QB as the Bengals could get. He’ll be able to run the offense behind a bad oline much better than Dalton and if he gets hurt, well he knew what he was getting into when he signed.

Dalton looks too nice a kid and too good a prospect to be thrown to Ray Lewis, Hali Nagata or James Harrison four times this year. Let Gradkowski be the crash dummy in 2011.

by BENGALS69 on Aug 1, 2011 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Its go happen

What QB has a good day everyday. Its ok as long as he dont get down on hisself. Its go be more days like this he is young and learning a new offense. This is the time to get it out. The biggest thing is learn from yesterday and move on to today.

by i am will on Aug 1, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

Weak arm

but we all knew that

by Throw the ball on Aug 1, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'll Think

in terms of Joe Montana. He had a fairly average arm and it worked out okay for him.

by nohops on Aug 1, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Having an offense that almost nobody had ever seen

Along with Jerry Rice and a Fullback who could catch the ball helped just a little.

by Throw the ball on Aug 1, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Dalton will have

AJ Green and… Leonard? haha

513 'til I die.
Who-Dey!

by Nasty 'Nati Nation on Aug 1, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Dalton needs reps and patience

It’s great that he gets the reps now. That will unfortunately diminish after August 4 when the signed FAs get to participate. Hopefully the struggles mean they’re pushing him hard and not that he’s truly having a “bad day.” He’s a great prospect but very few if any quarterbacks can step right in and perform well.

by K312 on Aug 1, 2011 12:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

as a former NCAA qb i’d say its a guarantee that dalton will have plenty of bad days, especially this year. with that said i also feel he is going to be a very steady, solid qb for years. he seems to have that “it” factor that i felt palmer never had. dalton seems to have great leadership qualities,& a tough guy mentality….i always thought if palmer would have had those attributes to go along with his physical skill he would have been brady or manning like……i think the bengals got this one right with dalton…id be surprised if he ends up a bust.

by Bdub14 on Aug 1, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions