Andy Dalton: When Will the New Cincinnati QB See Action?

For all of the Bengals fans out there, you are getting a great quarterback in Andy Dalton. 

The guy flat-out knows how to win in any situation. Also, know that I am writing this from an outside prospective. The Cincinnati Bengals pulled off a great three rounds of the NFL Draft.  Their smartest move was not taking a QB in the first round. 

There is just too much uncertainty and money on the line to grab a QB that early.  The odds just don't line up and there are too many good guys to play behind center in the later rounds of the draft.

AJ Green was a great pick at No. 4 out of Georgia.  The only mark on the kid is top-end speed and we all know that speed isn't everything.  Don't get me wrong, you have to have it, but it's not everything. 

Green just flat-out has skills.  He gets out of the gate well, sets up his defenders, uses his size to get to the ball and has great hands.  What does that spell out?  A great NFL wide receiver.

To couple this great pick, you get a great quarterback.  It's how you got this quarterback that amazes me the most.  There was lots of people out there that thought Dalton might go to the Seahawks in the first round and that didn't pan out. 

There was also noise out there that quarterbacks would go early in the second and the Bengals didn't panic.  They didn't have to trade up or blow a No. 4 pick on a QB.  Pretty gutsy I must say.  You held to your guns and knew you could possibly get two great guys.

But that's how they had to play it.  The Bengals had to get a GREAT wide receiver to replace T.O and the most likely gone Ochocinco.  I thought he was going back to Chad Johnson?  Never mind...  To top that scenario, Carson Palmer is still demanding a trade and threatening to retire if that doesn't happen. 

I racked my brain to think who Palmer's backup was and I had to Google it.  Jordan Palmer out of UTEP and Dan LeFevour.  Those two names bring up the burning question, when will Andy Dalton see action for the Cincinnati Bengals?

I have no idea who Jordan Palmer is or anything about him.  I know Dan LeFevour but know he isn't ready to take the reins.  I also don't see Dalton taking control of the team right off the bat.  I don't think that would be a fair or appropriate route to take. 

With this whole lockout thing going on, there will be no time to get the playbook down, get a feel of team facilities, get on the same page with the other offensive teammates and no time to lead this team to where they need to go. 

I predict that a veteran quarterback has got to come in and take control of the team.  The good thing, word on the street is that the running game will be back this year which takes a lot of pressure off the defense and the QB's arm. 

A Matt Hasselbeck would be a good guy to come in for two years and let Dalton season a little bit on the bench.  Worst case scenario....things aren't good and Dalton comes in the back end of the season and gets some experience when things don't count.  I would rather not go that route as a new Bengal fan.