Bengals Bites (3/10) - Bringing Michael Johnson Back?

Bengals ready to bring back Michael Johnson, if he’s cut | ProFootballTalk
Per a league source, if the Bucs cut Johnson loose, his former team will make a made play to bring him back. The Bengals, who employed Johnson for five years through 2013 as a franchise player, are ready to try to lure him back to Cincinnati.  And for good reason; the Bengals finished 30th in the NFL with only 23 sacks this season.

Jermaine Gresham one of top bargain signings | ESPN
Whoever gets Gresham is getting one of the best bargains in free agency, as Mike Sando writes: "A contract negotiator said he thought Gresham could be a good value at around $3 million or $3.5 million per season. An evaluator described the 2010 first-round pick as a "great kid" but a "classic underachiever" who might benefit from a new environment "where everyone works harder than him all the time and pushes him." Seattle? Houston?"

AJ McCarron eager to show Cincinnati Bengals what he can do with healthy shoulder | AL.com
Quarterback AJ McCarron is looking forward to the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason workouts. His throwing shoulder is healthy, he's got a new passing motion and he said it "stunk" to miss so many practices during his rookie season while on the reserve/non-football injury list.  "I'm finally healthy, probably better than I've ever been arm-wise," McCarron said. "I'm just excited to get back playing football and show the coaches what I can do because they've yet to really see me healthy the whole time. I'm just ready to get back to work and get back up to Cincinnati and have some fun."

Visits Tracker: A.J. Hawk to visit Cincinnati Bengals - NFL.com
The Bengals learned an important lesson about depth last season, especially at inside linebacker. That's why Monday's A.J. Hawk visit, as reported by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, should come as no surprise. The former first-round pick spent nine seasons in Green Bay and, astonishingly enough, missed only two games.

NFL Threatens Investigation Into Dumbest Thing
Matching the futility of King Canute raging at the waves--yet sadder for actually expecting the tides to halt upon command--the NFL has sharply warned its teams to stop releasing news of contract agreements before free agency actually begins. Good luck with that, guys.

Nugent, Bengals keep the band together
There was never a doubt, really. Mike Nugent, of Centerville, Ohio, and Ohio State, could never really see himself becoming a free agent when the gates open Tuesday and he won’t because the Bengals are expected to announce his two-year deal Monday after it was widely reported Sunday. "I don’t know how the Browns see it," said Nugent Sunday night from his Phoenix area-home as he talked about ownership. "But I almost see it as like dealing with family. A few minor things here and there and you know it’s going to get worked out."

Hartline heads home to the Browns | ProFootballTalk
A Cleveland native who played quarterback for the Browns the last two years is leaving town.  Another local product who catches passes is coming home. Receiver Brian Hartline, a native of Canton, Ohio, has agreed to terms with the Browns, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Frank Gore having second thoughts on signing with Eagles | ProFootballTalk
Frank Gore may not sign with the Eagles after all. Despite reports over the weekend that the Eagles and Gore had reached a deal, multiple reports say that Gore is now not so sure he's going to sign the Eagles' offer.

49ers' Bruce Miller arrested for spousal battery | CSN Bay Area
San Francisco fullback Bruce Miller was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor charge of spousal battery, according to the Santa Clara Police arrest log.

Jets will pursue QB Ryan Fitzpatrick if he becomes available - NY Daily News
The Jets pursued Brian Hoyer and inquired about Ryan Mallett in recent days, but both are expected to sign with the Texans, leaving Fitzpatrick as the odd man out. The Daily News has learned that Fitzpatrick, 32, will jump to the top of the Jets list after he’s inevitably released.

Clint Boling's trainer says free-agent guard has 'a lot of interest in the Vikings' - Vikings Now
The Vikings are making a push to sign guard Clint Boling in free agency and he is said to be strongly considering them. Boling played the past four years with Cincinnati, three when Mike Zimmer was defensive coordinator. Zimmer is now the Vikings coach. Ryan Goldin, Boling’s trainer in suburban Atlanta, said Monday that’s a key reason why Boling is considering the Vikings.