Before I get into the Rams, I want to talk about the Bengals. More specifically, I want to talk about AJ Green. For anyone out there who doesn’t think the Rams need a legit game-changing wide receiver, you need to re-watch Sunday’s game. Green’s presence changes the Bengals offense. I think the thing that really got me was the highlight reel they played during the broadcast. For those of you who didn’t see it, the highlights pretty much consisted of QB Andy Dalton make average-to-below average throws and Green either outrunning or making adjustments and coming down with the ball.

He stretches the field and he makes things happen most of the times he is targeted. He creates space for other pass-catchers, and he gives Dalton confidence to throw the ball up there because Dalton knows Green will go get it. If there’s one thing the Rams need right now, it’s that. Rams analysis on the next page…

1. Talk about the development of rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green.
Andy Dalton has quietly been putting up one of the best rookie seasons in a long time. He’s about to join Cam Newton on the list of the only 5 rookie QBs to ever throw for more than 3000 yards in a season. And he’s still improving. He’s making all the throws you want him to make, and he hasn’t thrown a pick in the past 3 games.

Of course, he and AJ Green only make each other better. Andy and AJ have a lot of trust in each other to make the play. You’ll probably see Andy hurl a few balls downfield (perhaps slightly underthrown) that AJ will ‘climb the ladder’ and bring down. It wouldn’t work with many other receivers. AJ has been this way since the start of the season, but he’s definitely gotten better with his releases and being more physical. He struggled in those two areas early on.
2. Do you put the recent struggles on the schedule alone, or is there another culprit?
Well, the team is 1-4 in their last 5. They haven’t been able to beat the supposed elite teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and the entire organization feels like they let one get away last week against Houston. Everyone was mad. I feel like schedule has certainly been a part of it, but another major thing has been injuries to key players. We lost our Chris Long in Carlos Dunlap for the past 4 games. And losing Leon Hall for the season was big too. Those two guys were our best defensive players, and I think most fans don’t quite realize how big a loss they have been.
3. Give us an injury report… Any big names going to be out Sunday?
DE Carlos Dunlap will finally make his return after missing the last 4 weeks. I already mentioned how much he means, but his pass-rushing skills are incredible.

And there may be a few missing cogs in the offensive machine. Third-down runningback Brian Leonard is doubtful. And our starting fullback Chris Pressley is questionable. Bernard Scott is the obvious replacement to Leonard, but the team doesn’t really have a backup to Pressley. I’m quite interested what the team chooses to do at fullback, especially after Pressley didn’t practice all week.

Finally, we lost our starting RG last week when long-time starter Bobbie Williams went down for the season. And at right tackle, 2009 6th overall pick Andre Smith is questionable after hurting his ankle last week. He was seen in a boot on Friday, leading me to believe that the Bengals may have an entirely new right side of the o-line. So you might see a lot of running to the left tomorrow.

Who They Should Take: I don’t think there’s any way the Bengals can afford to leave this pick without taking a quarterback. By all indications, Palmer is serious about retiring if he doesn’t get moved. That means that his brother, Jordan Palmer, is the only quarterback option on the roster. Since I have Blaine Gabbert (QB, Mizzou) as my top-rated quarterback, and I think he will be the best signal-caller to come out of this draft, the Bengals should pull the trigger on him.

Who They Will Take: The Bengals are one of the most stubborn franchises in the league, and I really think they are going to play wait-and-see with the Palmer situation. I don’t think it’s the right move, but I think that’s what they will do. Maybe they think getting a brand-new, dynamic weapon will be more incentive for Palmer to return. I don’t want this to be the pick, but I think the Bengals take AJ Green (WR, Georgia). This guy is a top-five talent, and whoever gets him is getting a future superstar. I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they took Julio Jones (WR, Alabama) here instead, as they have indicated their fondness for Jones’ blocking ability and his measurables, but I think that might be a smokescreen. If they go receiver, Green should be the pick.

Other Possibilities: Gabbert, Jones, Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)