Chad OchoCinco Thinks Dalton is Epic

Bengals WR Chad OchoCinco had these comments about Andy Dalton on his Twitter page this morning.

Andy Dalton to the Bengals

Well, it’s not the most ideal location, but the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Andy Dalton 35^th overall. If Carson Palmer doesn’t return, Dalton could be thrown into the fire quicker than expected. The Andy Dalton to A.J. Green combo has potential to be a nice one.

**UPDATE** TCU Media Relations: Former TCU quarterback Andy Dalton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the third player taken in the second round, and 35th overall, of the 2011 National Football League draft Friday in New York City.

Dalton is the highest selection from TCU on the offensive side of the ball since tailback LaDainian Tomlinson was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2001.

The Horned Frogs have now had 25 players drafted in the 10-year tenure of head coach Gary Patterson.

Last month, ESPN.com ranked TCU No. 1 in the nation for producing NFL talent.

Dalton joins former TCU teammate and safety Marvin White on the Bengals.

Dalton concluded his TCU career as the Rose Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player in the Horned Frogs' 21-19 win over Wisconsin. It was his third bowl game MVP award.

The holder of every major TCU passing record, Dalton had a 42-7 record as a starting quarterback. He is the Horned Frogs' all-time leader in wins, breaking the previous mark of 29 held by Slingin' Sammy Baugh (1934-36). Dalton was also the nation's leader in career victories among active quarterbacks this past season.

A 2010 finalist for the Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Award and Bobby Bowden Award, Dalton was also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award. He finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. Dalton was a two-time Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Dalton set TCU single-season records with a 66.1 completion percentage and 27 touchdown passes in 2010. He threw just six interceptions in ranking fifth in the nation with a 166.5 pass efficiency rating. He also rushed for 435 yards and six touchdowns on a 5.1 per carry mark.

Dalton is the Horned Frogs' career leader in completions (812), attempts (1,317), completion percentage (61.7), passing yards (10,314) and touchdown passes (71). His career interception percentage (2.3) ranked as the third-lowest mark among active quarterbacks last season.

A native of Katy, Texas, Dalton rushed for 1,611 yards and 22 touchdowns in his career. The 22 rushing scores are the most by a quarterback in TCU history while placing seventh overall on the Horned Frogs' all-time list.

No Frogs Taken in First Round

Well, it was a disappointing first round of the NFL draft for TCU fans as all Frogs remain on the board. A lot of “experts” thought Andy Dalton would go in the first round, but that didn’t come to fruition. Everything is still all good though.

Dalton has a great chance of being one of the first couple of players taken in the second round this afternoon. Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Arizona all have early picks and are in need of a QB. There are also some reports that the Patriots could be interested. Either way, Dalton is still sitting in a good position. The only surprising QB that was taken before him was Ponder.

I also think Marcus Cannon’s name comes off the board today, most likely in the second round. I know his stock took a small hit with the lymphoma diagnosis, but from the people I talked to, they say it shouldn’t be too big of an issue.

We will most likely have to wait until day 3 before we see Jeremy Kerley or Jimmy Young have their names called.

Closer Look at 2011 TCU Football Helmet

Hydro Graphics Inc just posted better pictures of the 2011 TCU Helmet on their facebook page. Here are a few to check out. To see more, go to the HGI Facebook page.

The Legacy of Dalton

Jeremy Kerley Panini America Interview

Former TCU WR Jeremy Kerley stopped by Panini America last week to sign autographs for his 2011 Panini football cards. Kerley also stuck around to film a video interview, check it out below.