The Facts: Even as owner Mike Brown has made it clear the money is a concern, HC Marvin Lewis has made his stance equally known. He wants to see Dalton get a contract extension, and the sooner the better. “We are hopeful we can get a deal done that works and Andy can put it behind him,” Lewis said. “He can get back focusing on football. He doesn’t have to go into the season and worry about this contract thing, every week someone is going to ask him a question. ... All those things that come into play later on. Let’s get it behind us."

Diehards Line: The coach added: “We are hopeful we can get a deal done that doesn’t preclude us from doing everything else we also want to continue to do — and soon — because we are sitting on a chunk of cap in order to get him done and continue to put the team together around him. ..." As PFT's Darin Gantt suggests, Lewis is leaning back on the steadiness of Dalton, who has started every game for three years, and taken his team to the playoffs all three (although he's struggled once he's reached the postseason). That consistency is something coach's like. Now it's up to the owner to pay up -- or at least face "the dilemma."