Boomer Esiason Compares Andy Dalton To Joe Flacco

While Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton faced criticism from Bengals fans and even the local media for a myriad of issues, ranging from arm strength and mental toughness (sticking in the pocket), a former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason tells everyone to shut it.

Then insanely compares Dalton to Joe Flacco.

"Stop," Esiason told Bengals.com. "I'm a buyer.

"For five years they were looking like that at (Ravens quarterback) Joe Flacco and now he's here at the Super Bowl. Everybody has to calm down. You have to remember Andy Dalton plays in conference that includes Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

"I'm not going to sit here and say he's Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick or RGIII. He's not that player," Esiason said to Bengals.com. "But he can be Joe Flacco, he can be Tom Brady, he can be Peyton Manning. I know one thing. He's into it and he cares. He's not out screwing around. I'm a buyer of Andy Dalton. When you look at the numbers and see what he's doing, why wouldn't you be a buyer?"

Considering that Esiason hardly ever has anything nice to say about the Bengals, this is kind of a big deal. Dalton statistically improved in his sophomore season, avoiding a slump, but the offense failed to move the ball late in the year, which is the major cause for losing to the Texans in the playoffs. Many feel that all he needs is a couple more weapons at his disposal, specifically a No. 2 receiver and a change-of-pace running back, but others are already willing to call him a bust.

Dalton's third year under Jay Gruden will tell us much more about his future and the Bengals' future than his first two years did as he will no longer be a rookie and will be expected to take the team to the playoffs.

Thoughts?