Cincinnati Bengals: 5 Reasons Andy Dalton Will Be Elite This Season

The Cincinnati Bengals surprised everyone in the NFL in 2011 by reaching the playoffs.  After a disastrous 2010 season, they learned that QB Carson Palmer would never play for them again.  Rather than sitting around trying to convince him to change his mind, the Bengals moved on.  

In the 2011 draft, they selected Andy Dalton, or as many call him "Red Rifle," in the second round to take over at quarterback.

Dalton's career got off to a shaky start after he left his first start against the Browns with an injury. After he got more reps, Dalton played at a high level for the rest of the season. He led the Bengals to a surprising 9-7 record in the tough AFC North and lost to the Houston Texans in the first round. Dalton finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl.

Nobody will take the Bengals lightly in 2012. Dalton will need to perform at an even higher level than he did last year if the Bengals are to succeed this year. The following factors will lead Dalton to performing at an elite level this season.

A.J. Green

When a team has a 6'4" receiver as their No. 1 receiver, it's good news for any quarterback.

The insanely talented A.J. Green also made the Pro Bowl in his inaugural season. As a rookie, he proved to be the Bengals' best deep threat. Green routinely drew double teams from the opposition and still managed to haul in over 1,000 receiving yards to go with seven touchdowns.

Green has great hands and the ability to adjust while the ball is in the air. Dalton loves to throw it up and Green loves to go and get it. He made acrobatic catches all over the field and provides a nice security blanket for the quarterback. Anytime Green is in single coverage, Dalton can throw it to him and let him make plays. He developed into the kind of playmaker Bengals fans haven't seen since Chad Ochocinco was in his prime.

The only thing that slowed Green down last year was a knee injury he suffered in the first half of a Week 10 loss against Pittsburgh. He suffered the injury while catching a touchdown with two Steelers around him. The injury caused Green to miss the rest of the game as well as the next matchup against Baltimore. 

If Dalton and Green can match (or exceed) their 2011 production, the Bengals will have a chance to make another run at the playoffs.  

Improved Running Attack

Fresh off a third straight 1,000 yard season, running back Cedric Benson is no longer a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.  His unwillingness to share carries with change-of-pace back Bernard Scott allowed the Bengals to pursue other options.

Former New England Patriot BenJarvus Green-Ellis (“The Law Firm”) signed a three-year deal with the Bengals in the offseason.  His rushing numbers are not overwhelming, but most running backs wouldn't post huge numbers playing in Tom Brady’s offense. He has never fumbled a football once while playing in the NFL, something that has plagued Cedric Benson for most of his career.

Bernard Scott, who also holds onto the football, is expected to be the No. 2 running back on the Bengals.  He can run the ball and come out of the backfield to catch a pass. He also provides speed that Green-Ellis does not. In the current NFL, it’s crucial to have a power back (Green-Ellis) and a speedster (Scott).

The Bengals made many Ohioans happy by taking Dan “Boom” Herron out of Ohio State University in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Boom provides depth in the backfield in the event of an injury.

Running the football was a struggle at times for the Bengals last season. The new faces brought in at the position should be able to produce and take some pressure off of Dalton.

Experience

Many people worry about quarterbacks suffering a “sophomore slump.”  Bengals fans may be worried but should also be very optimistic about their future with Dalton under center. 

Making the playoffs and the Pro Bowl in a rookie season is impressive. Take this into consideration: Dalton was not able to have a full offseason with his teammates due to the lockout. 

Dalton is now in his second year as the Bengals’ starting quarterback. He has gone through a full offseason and developed better chemistry with his receivers. 

Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and Dalton are working together to maximize Dalton’s potential. Dalton struggled at times with accuracy last season, but still managed to make the Pro Bowl. With Dalton’s arm strength coming into question, Gruden has been quick to back up his quarterback.

Dalton has made it through one season in the AFC North and is starting to become familiar with the defenses within the division. Look for him to throw more confidently next season.

New Offensive Weapons

The 2012 Cincinnati Bengals will have different offensive playmakers at receiver. 

Andre Caldwell and the acrobatic Jerome Simpson left in free agency.  Both had big-play potential but were also prone to dropping passes. The returning playmakers on the team are Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham, who also made the Pro Bowl in 2011. 

Cincinnati also addressed their need for depth at the wide receiver position through the draft. Third-round selection Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu has great hands; Fourth-round selection Georgia tight end Orson Charles should serve as a nice complement to Gresham;  Fifth-round selection California wide receiver Marvin Jones possesses excellent speed and can run good routes. 

Dalton made the Pro Bowl last year despite missing his starting slot receiver Jordan Shipley for almost the entire season. Shipley missed the final 14 games of the season after tearing his ACL and MCL against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. He enters his third NFL season as one of many Bengals known for being a possession receiver.

Green and Gresham are proven playmakers, but the rest of the receiving corps are unproven. With the addition of Shipley and the new crop of rookies, this group of Bengals has the potential to help Dalton emerge as an elite quarterback. 

Changes to the Offensive Line

Dalton already benefits from a solid offensive line. They finished in the top five in the league for fewest sacks allowed with 25. 

Returning members Andrew Whitworth, Kyle Cook and former first-round pick Andre Smith look to continue protecting the quarterback. The Bengals addressed the other two offensive line positions in the offseason.

Cincinnati signed veteran Travelle Wharton to play left guard in 2012. The former 2004 third-round pick will be the oldest and most experienced player on the offensive line and should help the running game with his blocking.        

In the draft, the Bengals used a first-round pick on Wisconsin right guard Kevin Zeitler. An All-American in his senior season, Zeitler should be able to step into the starting lineup and learn from his teammates.

Avoiding injuries on the offensive line will be vital. When healthy, newcomers and veterans on the line should be able to keep Dalton upright. If the line can also help improve the running game, Dalton should have even more time to throw the ball whenever he drops back this season.