Cincinnati Bengals: Three New Year's Resolutions For 2014

At the beginning of the season, I was talking with some fellow sports writers when I blurted out, “This will be Andy Dalton’s year.”
They stopped and thought maybe an old head wound had caused me to lose focus and my sense of reality. For a five-week stretch earlier this year, I proved everyone I was right. Then, in a way I can only describe as a shot to the kidneys, Dalton fell apart.
While the Bengals may be the most talented team in the AFC, their talent and their play and their record do not match each other. This is a franchise that could have easily won 12 or 13 games this season.
The offense might be a Top-5 unit and the defense under Mike Zimmer never gets the credit it deserves. Year after year, Marvin Lewis does not the respect he deserves for leading this franchise and the secondary with Pac Man Jones and Reggie Nelson roaming the back line is solid. If not spectacular.
This is a team that can win a Super Bowl title if the quarterback play is steady.
With a new year comes new hope, especially since this is a playoff team that can make some noise. Here are three New Year’s Resolutions that should help this team move forward.
Courage for Andy Dalton
At times, I think he is going to be the next Joe Montana. The next, I hope he does not become the next Akili Smith. Andy Dalton is so talented, and the teams that chose a quarterback after Cam Newton in the first round – Tennessee, Jacksonville and Minnesota – all wish they had reached for Dalton from TCU. I think I even mentioned it on a sports talk radio program once or twice.
Dalton needs to find a consistent rhythm to become one of the best.
More Bernard
If the Bengals are really going to establish themselves as a true Super Bowl threat, give the ball to Giovani Bernard.
As a runner, receiver and returner, he could light up a scoreboard. While having BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a good thing for this franchise, if it really wants to move forward, make Bernard the lead back.
Don’t lose Mike Zimmer or Jay Gruden
This year, it is likely one will leave the nest. Both Zimmer, the defensive coordinator and Gruden, the offensive coordinator, have been mentioned as NFL head coaches. That is a true testament to the job Marvin Lewis has done.
Gruden and Zimmer have both been linked to Washington, but I think Zimmer could be headed to Miami if the team fires Joe Philbin.