Buy or sell: Our take on behavior of Bengals’ Andrew Whitworth

Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth (77) is clearly committed to protecting QB Andy Dalton.(Photo: Frank Victores, US Presswire)

Story Highlights

• With a new quarterback and coach, the Kansas City Chiefs could compete in 2013
• Ravens coach John Harbaugh used savvy end-game strategy to win Sunday.
• Blaine Gabbert is about to find out: When Chad Henne shows you up, you’re in trouble

12:27PM EST November 26. 2012 – Here’s a glimpse at the NFL market and whether we’re getting in or getting out.

BUY: Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth’s explanation for being one of three players ejected late in the game against the Oakland Raiders: “I’ve got two contracts in my life,” Whitworth said, per Cincinnati.com^[1]. “One, with my wife because we’re married. And, two, I’ve got a contract to protect Andy Dalton. I’ll do both of those to the best of my ability.”

SELL: The notion the Kansas City Chiefs are far away from contending. Their defense kept Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in check much of the game, and the skill players flashed their talent. With the right quarterback and coach, this team could compete quicker than its 1-10 record suggests.

TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Good, poor pass rushes making impact across NFL^[2]

WEEK 12 AWARDS: Who is our knucklehead this time?^[3]

BUY: Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh having his offense kneel down twice before the game-winning field goal in overtime. Smart move because the San Diego Chargers had to burn their final timeout and would’ve had less time for a comeback if Ravens kicker Justin Tucker had missed.

SELL: The tackling by the Chargers when Ray Rice converted a fourth-and-29, a play that ultimately allowed Baltimore to push the game to overtime.

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BUY: The attitude of New York Giants fan Andrew Merchant, a 15-year old battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (now in remission) who attended practice and Sunday’s game and told his favorite team to “play like champions.” They did, and Justin Tuck gave Merchant his game jersey afterward.

SELL: The Buffalo Bills’ Stevie Johnson telling reporters that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, not head coach Chan Gailey, should call the plays.

BUY: The winning ways of the rookie quarterbacks. Andrew Luck (seven victories), Russell Wilson (six), Robert Griffin III (five), Ryan Tannehill (five) and Brandon Weeden (three) have combined for 26 wins, the most in a season by rookie quarterbacks since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

SELL: Blaine Gabbert’s time as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting quarterback. When Chad Henne comes in and shows you up by winning a game, that’s bad news for your career.

BUY: Davone Bess’ breakout season. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver, who had catches of 19 and 25 yards to set up the game-winning field goal Sunday, is on pace to catch 90 passes for 1,040 yards. He doesn’t catch touchdowns, so he’s not among the top receivers mentioned, but he’s a heck of a player and he’s improving.

SELL: The Oakland Raiders roster. Blow it up. All of it. What a mess.

References

1. ^{^} http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121125/SPT02/311250089/Whitworth-rushes-Dalton-s-defense (news.cincinnati.com)
2. ^{^} http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/26/week-12-ten-things-we-learned-ben-roethlisberger-mike-garafolo/1726555/ (www.usatoday.com)
3. ^{^} http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/26/week-12-awards-knucklehead-of-the-week-mark-sanchez/1726619/ (www.usatoday.com)
4. ^{^} Last Slide (rssfeeds.usatoday.com)
5. ^{^} Next Slide (rssfeeds.usatoday.com)