Bengals Bytes (1/12): Nasty Bowl Fallout

Pacman enters free agency: 'I want to be here'
Six years ago, the Cincinnati Bengals gave Adam Jones the third chance in the league he so desperately desired. Then in 2013, Jones and the team agreed to continue their relationship with a 3-year, $5.3 million contract that has now concluded – meaning that the 32-year-old corner is once again free to test the open market.

So the Legend Continues
In 2002, Gatorade released a commercial detailing the legendary origin of its legendary thirst quencher, narrated by and starring legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson. The ad concludes with Jackson, in his peppy Southern drawl, articulating straight into the camera: "And just as the games never end, so the legend continues."

Players say Lewis emphasizing poise for '16, but they still wonder about late calls
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis sent his disappointed team into the offseason Monday with the message that when they return in April playing with poise is going to be a point of emphasis. And no more arguing with the officials.

Column: Bengals pay the price for character of players
Vontaze Burfict was having the game of his life when he ran into the bowels of Paul Brown Stadium with what appeared to be a clinching interception, trailed by Adam "Pacman" Jones and several teammates eager to celebrate.

2016 Free Agency Tracker
NFL free agency is nearly upon us, with many big-name players hitting the market. Below is PFF’s free agent tracker*, updated with the latest offseason updates. To navigate the tracker, you can search for a particular team, position, or player using the search field.

Bengals' playoff meltdown will shake them in many ways
It'll be known around these parts as "The Meltdown." With a chance to finally end their playoff futility, the Bengals let it all slip away. A fumble, a defensive lapse, and two ugly penalties set up Pittsburgh's winning field goal for an 18-16 victory on Saturday night — the second-most crushing playoff loss in Cincinnati history.

Bengals Walkthru: The art of finger-pointing
The task placed on officials by the NFL and how it changes perception, plus, possible Hue replacement, great photo, dejected cart driver, Hill owns up, Shazier breaks out, illegal hits and RIP Bowie.

Reggie Williams makes Cincinnati proud of one Bengal after playoff meltdown against Pittsburgh Steelers - Orlando Sentinel
Former linebacker Reggie Williams makes Cincinnati proud of one Bengal after playoff meltdown against Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Nasty Bowl: The Most Memorable Forgettable Game Ever Played
Saturday night’s Pittsburgh-Cincinnati wildcard matchup played not merely as a tale of two cities but as the story of the most memorable and most forgettable football game fans ever saw. The Bengals mounted a gutsy comeback and choked all in the same game. Vontaze Burfict was the hero. Vontaze Burfict was the goat. A.J. Green played on the back of a milk carton before playing in the back of the end zone. The referees let boys be boys until they didn’t by letting themselves effect the outcome. A turnover doomed the Steelers to defeat before one doomed their opponents. Pittsburgh won the game if you scored on points; Cincinnati, if you scored on damage. Some cheered the contest as an old-school atavism recalling smashmouth football of the fifties and before. Others derided it as new school whining and poor sportsmanship. They were both right.

Marvin Lewis press conference transcript
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis held his end of season press conference on Monday at Paul Brown Stadium and here is the transcript

Paul Guenther calls Joey Porter an "embarrassment" to coaching
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis spent a portion of his Monday press conference talking about the need for his team to "control us and not worry about the other team or other circumstances" in light of the way things played out at the end of their 18-16 loss to the Steelers on Saturday.

Vontaze Burfict of Cincinnati Bengals suspended, Adam Jones accuses Antonio Brown of faking injury
Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended three games for safety violations. Meanwhile, Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said Steelers wide receiver "Antonio Brown was not hurt. I know he was faking."

Random Bytes

Blair Walsh miss dooms Vikings; NFL wild-card playoffs review | The MMQB with Peter King
Wild-card weekend felt that way in Minnesota, where the Vikings had their hearts stomped in the final seconds. Reviewing what went down in road wins by the Chiefs, Steelers, Seahawks and Packers, previewing the divisional round and more on the L.A. vote and the coaching carousel

Steelers have fun with Joey Porter, the 'MVP' for Pacman Jones spat
There has been some speculation on social media that Steelers assistant Joey Porter got a game ball for eliciting a response from Adam "Pacman" Jones that resulted in a 15-yard penalty late in the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers the chance to kick a 35-yard field goal to win 18-16 in their AFC wild-card game with Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Mike Munchak facing possible discipline for sideline spat
The NFL is reviewing Steelers assistant coach Mike Munchak's sideline spat with Bengals safety Reggie Nelson for possible discipline, according to a source. Munchak could receive a fine for his role.

Jaylon Smith Declares for 2016 NFL Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction
After dominating college football last season, Notre Dame's star linebacker Jaylon Smith has opted to take his game to the next level by declaring for the 2016 NFL draft

Monday Morning Hangover: Do Any Wild-Card Winners Have a Chance Next Week?
Here they are, the proud victors of Wild Card Weekend: bruised, battered, drenched, frozen and, in most cases, lucky to either still be standing or still be alive. The Steelers used Ben Roethlisberger's last 1-Up Mushroom to get past the Bengals, who were eager to give away the game but flattened Antonio Brown (concussion) and injured Roethlisberger's shoulder as a going-away present. (Jason La Canfora of CBS reported Roethlisberger would probably not start throwing again until Thursday.)