I was reading through Peter King's MMQB (Tuesday edition) this afternoon and came across an interesting section regarding the Cincinnati Bengals, WR A.J. Green and QB Dalton. The Bengals draft is receiving good marks, which is a rarity given recent drafts, as they selected Green in the first round and Dalton in the second round.
2011 NFL Draft: Don’t Be Shy About Getting Your Quarterback
I do, though, have one issue with the Bengals draft, and it’s an issue that can be applied to any team. From King’s story:
But where Cincinnati got a great break was when Minnesota, Miami, Seattle and Buffalo passed on drafting Andy Dalton, the TCU quarterback who dropped to the 35th pick, allowing the Bengals to get a player new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden feels is the perfect quarterback -- thoughtful, a quick study, excellent progression-reader, a good-enough arm -- to run his offense.
Here’s what I don’t understand: If Dalton was your man, and you felt comfortable you could win with him, why wouldn’t you move up a few spots to ensure yourself that you get him? Why wait to see if he drops past those other teams? The Bengals obviously know the draft better than I because Dalton did fall to them but if moving up a few spots costs a third, fourth or fifth round pick -- whatever the value was -- why not move up to make sure you get your quarterback?
Quarterback isn’t like other positions. You can’t just plug anyone in. You need to have the right one and the right one doesn’t come around every year. What’s a third round pick if you feel this is your guy, and he can help you win, as the Bengals obviously did?
I just feel like, once you get your quarterback, the rest is downhill.
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