Has the Red Rifle run his course? Will he break through the playoff wall and take Cincy to the promise land? who knows... but if the past repeats itself us as fans will be left with broken promises and warm beer at the end of the 2019/20 season. Now I am of the notion that football in its most purest form is a team sport. Unless it jumps up and punches you in your face usually one player himself is not the downfall of a team.. but if your that cry baby Le'veon Bell you are.... sitting out a season for cash like selfish prick. The team wins together and the team gets shit pumped together, no matter what (Thanks New Orleans). Look, Andy is my quarterback lets get that strait from the jump, but play "what if" with me for a second.
First lets take a look at the quarterbacks that are worth a damn in the upcoming draft. We all also understand that a few of these guys are going to go early...meaning the Cats would have to trade up to try to grab them. I will preface this again by saying Andy is my quarterback. 007, The Red Rifle....Dalton forever.
Drew Lock is a 6-4, 225lb senior that fits the NFL mold. He is the prototypical NFL quarterback. That is 2" taller and 5lbs heavier than the rifle. With a collegiate career that boasts stats like a 57% completion rating, and just shy of 100 touchdowns thrown it would seem he is at the top of the quarterback draft stock. Do we trade up to grab him...eh.
Ohio State has a hell of a field general in Dwayne Haskins. The 6-2, 220lb redshirt sophomore is a force. Haskins has declared and is available to all 32 teams this coming season. With career successes such as defeating Michigan, leading the country in passing yards, and a 70% passing completion rating Haskins IS as NFL ready as they come. Youth is an argument against him at the moment only starting for the scarlet and grey for one season but shit....if you can play you can play. I honestly see him going to Miami or Oakland but what an exciting addition to the Bengals he would be.
I honestly cant get past how stupid he looks in this picture wearing a helmet meant for a pop warner kid but the 6-4, 212lb Ryan Finley passes the eye test. 6-4 is ridiculously tall. Finley shit his pants against Clemson throwing two interceptions and only 154 yards but it would be silly to say he isn't a pro style quarterback. He is a smart and accurate player. Where he will fall is all over the place according to the "experts". Some say top five others have him in the second round. So big head little helmet would be a very obtainable prospect for Cincy.
West Virginia's Will Greir stands at 6-2, 223lbs. This is a guy who threw for 352 yards and 5 touchdowns against then number 24 ranked Texas Tech. I will keep this one short and sweet though... No way in hell would I want a quarterback who quits on his team as they make their way to a bowl game. Total bullshit.
This 6-4, 225lb Norse God of a quarterback is a four year starter. Now I call him a Norse God strictly in relation to his name. His play...eh. With a completion percentage sitting under 60% and spotty ball placement especially when under pressure it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to pass on Thorson.
The 6-3, 215lb Auburn quarterback is coming off of a down season. In his early years at Auburn Jarrett was thought to be a top pick but with his 2018 season his draft stock has fallen. Could he be an asset to the Cincy squad though, maybe. He crushed it in his bowl game against Purdue throwing for 373 yards and five touchdowns. He is honestly one of my favorites on this list.
At 6-2, 210 Jake is a good sized quarterback. Slightly smaller than the others on the list but the NFL will make him hit the weights. The issue here is he has not been able to replicate his sophomore season. The season that made him the talk of scouts across the NFL. This year alone he has thrown ten interceptions. He has however show that he has wheels. Like Andy he is deceptively mobile rushing in for 15 touchdowns over the past three years.
6-2, 202lb Rypien hs not had a lot of buzz with the likes of Stidham and Lock being in the same draft class. But he is very serviceable. This is a guy that will be available in the first couple of rounds maybe the third. Not my favorite on here and don't think he would be a worthwhile pick for the Bengals (like most on this list).
The Kyler Murray draft stock is filled with controversy. Not because of drugs or domestic violence, no. It is because he is a tiny little guy. He is listed at 5-11 but c'mon.. we are probably looking at a realistic 5-9 / 5-10 measurement. "experts" go back and forth but a lot say his height isn't anything to worry about. They say his collegiate career speaks for itself but size is a big deal whether we admit or not. I for one would shy away from this pick for Cincy. I am sure he can play ball at the next level but I will stick with the Rifle.
To sum it all up literally forget about every quarterback on this list. Make your own decisions and form your own opinions but for me... Andy is my guy.... That's my quarterback....
WHODEY
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