Bengals Bytes (2/5): Ranking busts

Marvin Jones on free agency: 'No hometown discount'
Marvin Jones was the only member of the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals roster making the media rounds during Super Bowl week, but he wasn’t there to break down his 65-catch, 816-yard season for the AFC North Champions. Rather Jones, a Los Angeles native, was back in his home state at the site of Super Bowl 50 to speak publicly for the first time about his impending free agency. And, he let the Bengals and the league know he’s open for business.

Here's a ranking of the biggest QB busts among AFC North teams
So, where does Manziel's fall from NFL grace rank among the AFC North teams in the past 20 years? Those who cover the division for ESPN's NFL Nation say Manziel shares the dubious honor of biggest quarterback bust with Akili Smith. Manziel and Smith both split the top two spots in a poll of ESPN reporters Jeremy Fowler (Steelers), Coley Harvey (Bengals), Jamison Hensley (Ravens) and Pat McManamon (Browns).

Antonio Brown: Burfict 'wanted to kill me,' never winked at Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown hasn't said much publicly about the final minutes of the Bengals-Steelers playoff game - until now. In remarks Brown made on the Cook and Poni Show on 93.7 The Fan Thursday morning, Brown addressed Burfict's hit that resulted in Brown's concussion, a costly penalty and later Burfict's suspension.

Marvin Jones says he'll test free agency and Bengals should let him go if price too high
It's no surprise that Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones says he is going to test the free agent market, and unfortunately Bengals fans he may get too pricey to re-sign. Jones told NFL Network on Wednesday that he is definitely going to test the market, and it's the smart thing for him to do.

Random Bytes

EXCLUSIVE: Manziel's ex claims QB threatened to kill her, himself
The ex-girlfriend of NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel told police that the Heisman Trophy winner told her "shut up or I'll kill us both" after forcing her into a car, hitting her and dragging her by the hair.

Sarah Thomas On Joining The NFL Officiating 'Fraternity'
Sarah Thomas just completed her first season as the first full-time female official in the NFL and has come to San Francisco -- her three children in tow -- for the league's first ever women's summit ahead of Super Bowl 50.

Watch the NFL Women's Summit Streaming
The National Football League's first-ever NFL Women's Summit: In the Huddle to Advance Women in Sport," took place on Thursday. The event brought together prominent leaders from sports, government, academia, media and a variety of other fields, including tennis champion Serena Williams and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to discuss how participation in sports positively influences the future success of young women both personally and professionally. You can watch the event here.

Peyton Manning’s Forgotten Sex Scandal
The Denver Broncos’ star quarterback is receiving heaps of praise this week in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. But Manning has one big skeleton in his closet. To wit, way back in 1996 when Manning was a junior at the University of Tennessee, he allegedly sexually harassed a female trainer.

Kurt Coleman's unbreakable bond with the teammate he paralyzed
IT'S APRIL 14, 2006, Good Friday in Columbus, Ohio. A rite of spring unspools at Ohio State, a spirited intrasquad scrimmage at cavernous Ohio Stadium. Kurt Coleman, who will start at safety for the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, is just 17 years old at the time, an early high school graduate hoping to get a jump on impressing the Buckeyes coaches. Tyson Gentry, 20, is a redshirt freshman walk-on, a punter turned scout team wide receiver.