Cincinnati Bengals: Starting Fresh with Rookies A.J. Green and Andy Dalton

Just minutes into Day 2 of the 2011 NFL Draft, it was clear the Cincinnati Bengals had every intention of ushering in a new era.

For the better part of the past decade, the success of the Cincinnati Bengals has hinged largely on the play of quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

In a matter of their first two picks of the 2011 NFL Draft, all of that changed and the future of the franchise will rest largely on the production of rookies A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, who in all likelihood will assume starting positions at wide receiver and quarterback, respectively.

Palmer and Ochocinco have been the faces of the Bengals franchise for years. While they have posted impressive numbers for several seasons, it hasn't always translated into victories.

Now, the Bengals will start fresh with Green and Dalton, hoping for different results.

When the Bengals drafted Palmer out of USC with the first overall pick in the 2003 draft, he inherited a duo of promising young receivers in Ochocinco (then known as Chad Johnson) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Furthermore, the Bengals already had a seasoned veteran quarterback—Jon Kitna—on board under whom the organization could groom Palmer and ready him for the following season.

When a new collective bargaining agreement is reached and the season begins, Dalton—drafted 35th overall out of TCU—will enter training camp with no veteran quarterback to learn under, but a very formidable supporting cast.

Fellow rookie Green came out of Georgia as one of the finest pro prospects at the receiver position in years. Alongside Green, Dalton will get to work with three young, up-and-coming receivers—Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley—and a great second-year tight end with a ton of upside in Jermaine Gresham.

Should the Bengals re-sign pending free agent Cedric Benson, he and speedster Bernard Scott will provide Dalton with a respectable running game.

Both Palmer and Ochocinco are still under contract in Cincinnati, but neither are expected back next season. After snagging Green with the fourth overall pick in last month's draft, it is highly unlikely the Bengals will pay Ochocinco the $6 million he is owed next season.

There have been whispers around the league for months that he will be released once the season gets underway.

As for Palmer, his standoff with Cincinnati has been well-documented for several months now. He wishes to be traded and is prepared to retire should the Bengals not grant his demand.

Rookies Dalton and Green will have big shoes to fill in the Queen City, however, as they replace Palmer and Ochocinco—arguably two of the most talented offensive skill-position players in Bengals history.

The comparisons to Palmer and Ochocinco will be inevitable, but will Dalton and Green be able to match their production?

Palmer and Ochocinco have been among the NFL's most prolific passing duos over the past several years. Palmer threw for 22,649 yards and 154 touchdowns during his career in Cincinnati. Ochocinco's 10,783 career receiving yards makes him the franchise's all-time leader. 

According to ESPN's Stats and Information, the 46 touchdown connections for Palmer and Ochocinco ties them for 26th all time for a quarterback-receiver pairing.

Obviously, posting those types of numbers is no small feat. Maybe Dalton and Green will surpass them. Maybe they won't. Either way, however, the duo has an opportunity to implement a winning culture in Cincinnati—a task Palmer and Ochocinco struggled with over the years despite turning in hefty numbers.

During their tenure in Cincinnati, Palmer and Ochocinco have posted only two playoff appearances—both of them losses. If Dalton and Green can eventually win playoff games, it could re-energize what has become a stagnant and disgruntled Cincinnati fan base.

Largely considered the top offensive player in the 2011 draft class, Green comes to Cincinnati with high expectations. Taken fourth overall and slated to replace Ochocinco as the team's number one receiver, the pressure will be on Green to produce early. 

With praise coming out of the college ranks rivaled only by receivers such as Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson, Green certainly has the physical tools to do so. Green possesses the ideal length, speed, refined route-running skills, sure hands and plenty of big-play ability to become a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the league's top players at the position.

On the other hand, Dalton comes from a 2011 quarterback class in which there was no clear, sure-fire signal-caller such as Palmer in the 2003 draft when the Bengals held the first overall pick.

Every quarterback in this year's draft class came with some red flags.

The knocks on Dalton are that at 6'2", he lacks the prototypical size and the cannon for an arm that makes NFL scouts and GMs salivate. However, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who won't praise Dalton for his toughness, accuracy and leadership ability.

Previously viewed as a mid-round selection, Dalton's upside had him climbing up draft boards in the months leading up to the draft.

On the day of the draft, ProFootballTalk.com reported that one GM guaranteed that Dalton would be taken within the top 20 picks of the first round that night. Take that into consideration, and the Bengals stole Dalton in the second round.

Dalton's biggest fans include Bengals owner Mike Brown, head coach Marvin Lewis, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who have all raved about Dalton following the draft.

Now, much of the success of the organization going forward rests in Dalton's hands and his ability to get Green, his rookie counterpart, the ball in Cincinnati's new West Coast offense.

Owner Mike Brown recently announced he will stand firm on his stance that he will not trade Palmer and wishes to have him back as his starting quarterback and a mentor to Dalton.

However, with the future of the franchise—Dalton—in the fold, it may be in Cincinnati's best interest to explore trade opportunities for Palmer in an effort to build around the new face of the organization and provide him with a stronger foundation going forward.