Morning Bites (1/10): Bengals news and notes

Reedy: Coaching changes benefit both teams
In the long run, Thursday’s developments worked out best for the Redskins and Bengals. Jay Gruden realizes his dream of becoming head coach and Hue Jackson gets to take control of one of the deepest yet confounding offenses in the league.

A.C. goes 360
The Bengals may have a busier offseason signing coaches than players with only two unsigned starters potentially free agents.

As Gruden exits, offense takes on a new Hue
With Hue Jackson ascending to offensive coordinator, the Bengals figure to keep the same language of Jay Gruden's playbook. But look for a different script as Jackson attempts to take the heat off embattled quarterback Andy Dalton.

Pains and gains as Bengals monitor comebacks
The Bengals got hit by injuries this season, but so did everyone in a year the Dallas Morning News says the NFL lost a record 1,600 games by starters.

The Walkthrough: On Jay and Hue
Random thoughts on what is a busy third day of the Bengals offseason (for official accounting purposes we refer to it as day three because that’s how many days I’ve been in the offseason office): In the summer of 2011, if someone would have come up to you and asked if you would take 30 wins and three playoff berths in three seasons, what would you have said? That’s what the Bengals with Jay Gruden as offensive coordinator was able to accomplish. It might be tough to admit that right now, but it is the truth.

Players have no hard feelings for Gruden
The departure of Jay Gruden to head coach of the Washington Redskins and instant announcement of running backs coach Hue Jackson into the role of Bengals offensive coordinator unfolded as seamlessly as any major announcement could have.

Bengals’ Andy Dalton’s wife Jordan announces she’s pregnant
Congratulations are in order for Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan. She announced in Twitter and Instagram posts on Thursday evening that the couple is expecting their first baby:

Jay Gruden's departure benefit for Andy Dalton, RBs
Well, Cincinnati Bengals fans, you wanted it. Now you've got it. The changing of the offensive guard has begun.

Hue Jackson is new Bengals offensive coordinator
As Jay Gruden was introduced as the Washington Redskins head coach, the Bengals named Hue Jackson as their new offensive coordinator. Jackson has spent five seasons, including the last two, on the Cincinnati coaching staff. He was the running backs coach and special assistant to head coach Marvin Lewis this past season.

Quick Takes: On Gruden, Hue and Bengals
A few quick observations from Thursday's news that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is leaving the Cincinnati Bengals to become head coach of the Washington Redskins, and that he will be replaced as OC by Hue Jackson:

NFLN survey/feared player: Bengals
Maybe it's the dark visor that completely shields his eyes. Or maybe it's his knack for punishing running backs with the types of hard tackles that make them slowly pull themselves up off the turf.

Morning Stripes: Hue Jackson to get introduced
Another chapter begins Friday morning when team position coach Hue Jackson gets introduced as the team's newest offensive coordinator. Called upon to replace the now-departed Jay Gruden, Jackson will be tasked with helping take Andy Dalton to the next level, while taking some pressure off the quarterback by using the weapons around him even more.

Mike Munchak's firing a reminder of the humanity in the coaching carousel
Mike Munchak’s name made the scrawl the other day, but somehow that didn’t quite capture the whole story behind his departure from the Tennessee Titans organization after 31 years. The club dutifully thanked him for his many years of service, and to that I’d like to add a simple thanks for the reminder.

Firing head coaches is becoming more commonplace in NFL
The conclusion of another NFL season brought us the involuntary separation of multiple head coaches and their staffs from their respective teams in what unfortunately has become an annual ritual for this time of year.

NFL hits TV ratings bonanza in 2013 regular season, wild-card playoffs
While the football-airing networks strive for production excellence and quality broadcasting each week, the ultimate scoreboard is ratings. For television executives, your best opportunity for that winter house in Vail is when viewership numbers are rolling, and the opening week of the playoffs ...

Tressel says he has not been contacted by Browns
Ohio State's former coach, who remains wildly popular in his home state, told a Columbus radio station that while he has not had any discussions with the Browns ''it doesn't mean that I don't have any interest in the NFL.''

Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel enters NFL draft
In his two years at Texas A&M, Johnny Manziel accounted for 93 total touchdowns. Now he'll see how the Johnny Football Show will play at the next level.

Mason enters offseason at top RB prospect
Mason is the top running back prospect in this year’s draft class. After breaking through with 1,002 rushing yards as a sophomore, Mason dominated as a junior. He thrived in head coach Gus Malzahn’s offense. Mason benefited from scheme and superb offensive line play, but he displays traits which translate well to the next level.

Nike releases awesome Super Bowl gear that will keep players warm
It's going to be very cold at this year's Super Bowl, as it's in New York in February, so Nike has released some pretty cool gear for players and coaches to wear in order stay warm during the game.

Is home-field losing its advantage in the playoffs?
NFL teams fight all season for home-field advantage. Then, once they've got it, they can lose it in an instant. Last week, three of four NFL playoff games were won by road warriors.

Russell Wilson among young QBs taking on old guard
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been part of a regular-season victory against a team led by Drew Brees. He has been on the winning end against Tom Brady, too.

Super Bowl Ad Meter: Super Bowl ads may not be as effective as typical spots
A new study suggests the commercials aren't having the same impact.

Ric Flair claims he received ‘death threats’ from Panthers fans
WWE legend Ric Flair will not be attending the playoff game between the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers because he received "death threats" from fans following a pep talk he gave the '49ers last weekend.

Report: Buccaneers RB Michael Hill arrested in Missouri
Buccaneers running back Michael Hill was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly being involved in a bar fight in Missouri.

Brooks, Strahan, Bettis among 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists
The 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2014 class have been named. Who will be inducted in 2014? We won't find that out until Feb. 1.