Arkansas Bengal Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Hits don't bother AJ McCarron, a backup who has won over the Bengals Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS -- In case there was any lingering mystery regarding the way the Cincinnati Bengals' coaching staff feels about backup quarterback AJ McCarron, coach Marvin Lewis provided some clarity in a media interview room inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday night. What you need to know is this: The Bengals really like the second-year gunslinger. "We're really comfortable with where he is right now," Lewis said. It hasn't been hard to see why. Much like he did in last week's 21-10 win over the Chicago Bears, McCarron on Thursday weathered a bevy of assaults from an Indianapolis Colts defense that was hellbent on forcing him to make plays. According to McCarron, Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky "wants to make a quarterback try to beat them." That's exactly what McCarron and third-string quarterback Keith Wenning ultimately did, filling in for starter Andy Dalton and leading three Bengals drives that resulted in field goals. The three kicks were just enough for Cincinnati to hold on for a 9-6 win to close out their preseason. Although McCarron had a productive day in the air, passing behind a shoddy, hole-filled second-team offensive line for 219 yards in nearly three full quarters of play, it was what he did on the ground that most impressed Lewis. Four times McCarron went down because he was sacked. Four times he picked himself up, much to his coaches' delight. "The protection isn't always exactly what we want, but yet he's staying poised to it, poised through it," Lewis said. Poise is precisely what coaches look for while scouting quarterbacks to develop. The fact Lewis believes McCarron has it is yet another sign the Bengals believe they have a dependable backup. Here's another sign: McCarron's belief that he can take hard hits and bounce back from them. "That's my job. That's what I get paid for," McCarron said. "Like I said from the start, if my number ever gets called, they can depend on me. I'll stand in the pocket and take hits. Hits don't bother me. I've been hit my whole life." Just before his sixth birthday, McCarron was involved in a serious collision when he hit a pier during a boating accident. While he and another young cousin rode on a wave-runner that was being driven by his father, McCarron accidentally mashed the gas, causing him to get launched into the pier. The resulting head injury originally had doctors predicting he would die. He proved them wrong. Nine days before his 25th birthday, McCarron still has scars from the accident that are visible in his low-cut hair. Perhaps the most important lesson he's learned over the years from the entire ordeal was that he could go through difficult moments both on and off the football field, and still get up and keep going. "Getting hit by a pier is a lot worse than getting hit by a guy," McCarron said. Philosophies like that are the backbone to McCarron's competitive nature. It's that competitiveness that caught the Bengals' attention two years ago and convinced them he had to be their backup for Dalton. So far, that's looking like a good move. http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/18789/bengals-aj-mccarron-backup-attention-hits-bother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I'm thrilled with McCarron. Andy has been very durable, but the law of averages catches up with most players. I could easily see an injury that results in him missing a few games this year. If that happens, I'm confident McCarron will step in and perform well. Also for the first time, Dalton has to be feeling a little heat, we'll see how he responds. If its his normal response to pressure, it won't be well and McCarron could step right in. I am dreaming of that, anyway. Also - if you watch the local broadcast of the Bengals preseason games, you hear Brad Johansen read a plug for something called the Bengals Ladies Club or something like that. And at the beginning he always says sponsored by Kotex and Charmin or some shit like that. Hey ladies, tampons and toilet paper want you to know they care about you! Anyway, he reads it last night with the obligatory Kotex and Charmin logos superimposed on the screen. But while they are doing that the camera is on none other than complete hot piece of ass Katherine Webb. What the fuck? Show some respect. Brent Musberger must be outraged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.B. Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 "Getting hit by a pier is a lot worse than getting hit by a guy," McCarron said. LMAO. I need this on a t-shirt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.B. Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I'm thrilled with McCarron. Andy has been very durable, but the law of averages catches up with most players. I could easily see an injury that results in him missing a few games this year. If that happens, I'm confident McCarron will step in and perform well. Also for the first time, Dalton has to be feeling a little heat, we'll see how he responds. If its his normal response to pressure, it won't be well and McCarron could step right in. I am dreaming of that, anyway. Also - if you watch the local broadcast of the Bengals preseason games, you hear Brad Johansen read a plug for something called the Bengals Ladies Club or something like that. And at the beginning he always says sponsored by Kotex and Charmin or some shit like that. Hey ladies, tampons and toilet paper want you to know they care about you! Anyway, he reads it last night with the obligatory Kotex and Charmin logos superimposed on the screen. But while they are doing that the camera is on none other than complete hot piece of ass Katherine Webb. What the fuck? Show some respect. Brent Musberger must be outraged. Its kinda fucked up to think about. On one hand, you don't want anything to happen to your players. But holy fuck that is the only way guys get a shot to show they can play around here. If Gio never got hurt, you think the coaches and Hue would have EVER given Hill those well deserved carries? Its like they just don't get it or are too arrogant to realize their fucking way doesn't work. Like I said, if this team's roster was managed by Bill Belichick, they'd be fucking world beaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 According to his pre-draft scouting report AJ MCCooter responds very well to pier pressure.Myself, I can't wait to see McCooter get seriously injured, perhaps fatally, so Wenning can get a chance.Am I doing this right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Based on the broadcast. Munoz loves him some McCarron. Munoz loves the way he stands in the pocket and delivers the ball. Alabama tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legoland Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 According to his pre-draft scouting report AJ MCCooter responds very well to pier pressure.Myself, I can't wait to see McCooter get seriously injured, perhaps fatally, so Wenning can get a chance.Am I doing this right? yes...yes! Let the butt hurt flow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriZENry Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Its kinda fucked up to think about. On one hand, you don't want anything to happen to your players. But holy fuck that is the only way guys get a shot to show they can play around here. If Gio never got hurt, you think the coaches and Hue would have EVER given Hill those well deserved carries? Its like they just don't get it or are too arrogant to realize their fucking way doesn't work. Like I said, if this team's roster was managed by Bill Belichick, they'd be fucking world beaters. Same with Vontaze, I forgot who got injured so he could start (Lamur?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkansas Bengal Posted September 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Same with Vontaze, I forgot who got injured so he could start (Lamur?).Thomas Henderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriZENry Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Thomas HendersonWord, R.I.P.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKrumrieFan Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Thomas HendersonWord, R.I.P.!Thomas Howard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKrumrieFan Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Based on the broadcast. Munoz loves him some McCarron. Munoz loves the way he stands in the pocket and delivers the ball. Alabama tough. In the prior game McCarron looked to have pocket presence.In the Colts game McCarron looked like he was just a statue that held onto the ball no matter what was happening.I'm not sure he actually has a pocket presence either which is one of Andy's biggest problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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