TCU Power Index: Frogs' most famous face (and hair) remains Andy Dalton
Note: This is No. 3 of a series of 10 profiles on the top 10 former TCU athletes still working in professional sports. The rankings, while completely unscientific and definitely up for debate, are based, in part, on the players' current and recent success, their status on their team and in their league, and their career achievement. Please feel free to complain about the order or any omissions. Email me at sstevenson@star-telegram.com to make your argument and perhaps you'll convince me to add them to a best of the rest list after we count down the top 10.
No. 3 Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
There was a time a few years ago that Dalton probably would have been the clear-cut leader of the TCU Power Index. His No. 3 position, however, is more about the rise of the top two than anything being wrong with Dalton's career. He should pass Boomer Esiason at some point in 2018 to become the Bengals' second all-time leader in passing yards, behind Ken Anderson. Dalton's 88.7 rating is tops among the Bengals' long-term QBs and he only needs 31 touchdown passes to eclipse Anderson's franchise record 197. His 2.6 interception percentage is also the best among long-term Bengals' QBs. Most importantly, he has helped the Bengals win again. He led Cincinnati to five consecutive playoff appearances in his first five seasons. The Bengals had been to the playoffs nine times in its previous 42 years. True, the past two seasons have been a struggle, but it's not because of Dalton. Just like his years at TCU, Dalton is reliably durable. He's started the last 109 regular-season games and he's still playing at a high level.
Dalton's stature on the Horned Frogs' Mount Rushmore should never wane. He led the program to nationwide relevancy and the pinnacle, 13-0 Rose Bowl-winning 2010 season. He was 42-8 as the starting quarterback, including 25-1 his last two seasons. Others may surpass his numbers (some already have), but no one will supplant his importance to bringing TCU football into the upper echelon. Meanwhile, Dalton the man has served TCU just as well, with his squeaky clean reputation and the good works he and his wife have done both in Fort Worth and in Cincinnati with their Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, which provides assistance for seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families.
No. 10 Marcus Cannon, New England Patriots
No. 9 Ronnie Baker, track and field
No. 8 Angela Stanford, LPGA
No. 7 Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins
No. 6 J.J. Henry, PGA
No. 5 Jerry Hughes, Buffalo Bills
No. 4 Jake Arrieta, Philadelphia Phillies
This story was originally published June 20, 2018 at 1:51 AM with the headline "TCU Power Index: Frogs' most famous face (and hair) remains Andy Dalton."