Despite having practically no contact with his coaches since he was drafted, all signs point to Andy Dalton being the Cincinnati Bengals? No. 1 QB when training camp opens.
Dalton and coaches haven?t been able to communicate due to the ongoing NFL lockout, but Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden gushed over the TCU product in an interview posted on the team website.
"We're not going to force feed anybody," Gruden said when asked about the starting QB. "We're assuming Dalton, but if Dalton is not quite ready -- he's only (23) -- then we'll get somebody else ready."
Working in Dalton?s favor is Cincinnati?s thin depth chart. Incumbent QB Carson Palmer has demanded a trade and says he will retire rather than play for Cincinnati. That leaves Jordan Palmer (Carson?s brother) and Dan LeFevour in the mix.
Gruden has consistently praised Dalton?s leadership, resourcefulness and accuracy and believes him to be a perfect fit for Cincinnati?s West Coast offense.
Dalton is one of two rookies expected to make an immediate impact for the team: the Bengals also drafted Georgia WR A.J. Green with the No. 4 overall pick.
"Everything is pointing to us failing offensively," Gruden said. "The rookie quarterback and the young guys on offense, blah, blah, blah. But we're going to put everything behind us and set a high standard for ourselves."
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