Before taking the field for the Bengals first practice at 3p.m., Andy Dalton had his share of questions regarding leadership as the Bengals quarterback, and A.J. Green chimed in on how he viewed Dalton as the team's signal caller.
Green on Dalton: "You can see he is more confident in what he does. This is his team and his offense."
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) July 25, 2013
While Dalton may be field general on offense, Green's presence as the team's top skill player is something he's very aware of. And "presence" is exactly what Green would like to use as a teaching tool and example for the other players around him. Green may not be the most outspoken individual, but his level of play speaks volumes. "I'm not going to say that much, but if you watch me I'm going to be a leader," Green points out. He may not embrace the spotlight as much as some players in the NFL, but he's fully aware of what needs to be done when it's shining his way.
While Green intends on leading by example with his accomplishments in practice and during gametime, he's also not entirely shy about taking some fault particularly for their 19-13 postseason loss to the Houston Texans last January.
Green on loss to Houston: "The one we missed, I should have dug a little bit more but I looked early."
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) July 25, 2013
Green's admission may refer to Dalton's pass that was intercepted by former Bengal Jonathan Joseph in the third quarter. Or maybe Green was referring to several incomplete passes in the fourth quarter that could have been a much-needed first down. It's not really clear on which play Green was referring to, but it's important to point out that Green was affected enough to recall times where he could have given the extra effort to overcome what he considers the team's "worst game of the season."
Green is looking forward of course. As the Bengals look toward their first playoff win in over twenty years, Green believes in a team that continues to grow closer as a family. "I feel like we have more leaders, more family," Green says. "We are going to fight for each other. Whole vibe is getting better." It's hard to imagine Bengals fans disagreeing with Green at this point. The vibe in Cincinnati seems to continue to get better as the Bengals look to accomplish a third consecutive playoff berth in 2013.