Start just the ticket for Dalton
IN a sport drowning in statistics, Andy Dalton is hoping London will be third time lucky with his fourth team in four years.
The 34-year-old back-up quarterback is expected to make his first start of the season this afternoon as the New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham.
Jameis Winston should have been the star attraction, but back and ankle injuries look set to finally take their toll.
Dalton played at Wembley twice for Cincinnati, tying with Washington in 2016 and losing to the LA Rams in 2019.
His final season in Cincinnati in 2019 was followed by one year in Dallas, another in Chicago and now his first season with the Saints – starting some games and filling in during others.
He said: “I’ve been in this situation before where you’re the back-up and you have to step in and play.
“But I’ve also played in a ton of games as a starter, so I know how to handle the whole process.
“If my number’s called,
I’ll be ready.”
Coach Dennis Allen said: “Our plan right now is to have Andy ready to go.
“We feel highly confident he can do the job.”
As a veteran of the London NFL trip, Dalton also knows something else that comes with the territory – ticket demands.
He said: “My wife JJ is here, I got my brother and sister here and a couple of friends.
“Usually the London games are circled on a lot of people’s calendars to come out and visit.”