Bengals Bytes (5/12): Done too soon

Debut of Hobson's Choice podcast
With this interview with Bengals veteran right end Michael Johnson, we begin to offer a podcast as another feature for Bengals.com to go along with a readers’ mailbag.

Bill Barnwell 2016 offseason report cards
The Bengals and Steelers mostly stood pat, while the Ravens lost a star and the Browns chose to start over. Bill Barnwell grades how each AFC North team fared this offseason.

Cincinnati Bengals: Five Bold Early Predictions for 2016
In 2015, the Bengals finished at the top of the AFC North, third in the AFC, and put themselves out with a true wildcard performance. However, in 2016, they have lost players a few key player, gained a few  key players, and drafted a solid rookie class, so could that help change their future?

Cincinnati Bengals: Near Top of FanSided Power Rankings
If there is one thing the Bengals couldn’t do in the first half of the 2015 season, it was lose. Now, the Bengals will head into the 2016 season hoping to repeat the success they found early on and carry it into a sixth straight playoff appearance.

Per PFF, deep ball helped A.J. Green outshine Odell Beckham Jr. in '15
Odell Beckham Jr. might have once again dominated the headlines as NFL receivers are concerned, but he was outperformed by A.J. Green in a few important areas last season, according to data from Pro Football Focus. Credit PFF's Mike Renner for digging up the numbers below, which he highlighted here Wednesday morning.

Back in Bengals time: Adam Jones finds his NFL home in Cincinnati
Be on the lookout for an occasional series we'll have on the Cincinnati Bengals blog called "Back in Bengals Time." It's a chance to look back at an event in Bengals history that took place on a specific day. We continue by going way back to a date this week six years ago ... Monday, May 10, 2010 Bengals sign Adam Jones, giving him a long-term NFL home

Random Bytes

Baltimore Ravens Left Tackle starts Facebook page & website to support marijuana in the NFL
To those that have never read Eugene Monroe's twitter, he is an avid supporter of medicinal marijuana. Not because it's 'recreational', but for the health benefits as opposed to opioids. He has now kicked off his website eugenemonroe.com to support the cause, and also a facebook group.

Ricardo Lockette of Seattle Seahawks will retire
After suffering a serious neck injury last season, Seattle Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette will announce his retirement Thursday, the team confirmed Wednesday. Lockette played in 34 games for the Seahawks over five NFL seasons, finishing his career with 22 catches for 451 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a standout special-teams player.

Julian Edelman of New England Patriots has foot surgery, on track for training camp
Edelman recently was spotted in New York City with a "big boot" on his foot, riding a motorized device to get around, while spending time with Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola and former Patriots running back Shane Vereen. His most recent foot surgery, the second on his left foot within the past year, was considered a "cleanup procedure" that is not expected to impact his 2016 regular season.

US Congress Begins Examination of Daily Fantasy Sports Games
Congress began a "a fact-finding mission into the loosely regulated world of fantasy sports games" Wednesday, according to Andrew Taylor of the Associated Press.  "It is crucial that consumers know what they are purchasing when they sign up for (daily fantasy games) and that they understand the risk of losing money in the process," said Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, who asked the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee for a hearing, per Taylor. "For example, there are reports that 90 percent of payouts were won by just one percent of winners."

Joe Montana Comments on Colin Kaepernick's Relationship with 49ers Teammates
Joe Montana was the quarterback during the golden age for the San Francisco 49ers, and he recently discussed the concerns surrounding his old franchise and current signal-caller Colin Kaepernick with Sports Illustrated (via Mitch Sanderson of The Score)

Sam Bradford Trade Rumors: Eagles Reportedly Wanted Multiple Picks for QB
The Philadelphia Eagles' reported high asking price may have turned off any potential suitors who were pursuing a trade for quarterback Sam Bradford.  In an interview Wednesday on 97.5 The Fanatic (via Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation), ESPN's Andrew Brandt said his sources reported "the Eagles were asking for a lot," suggesting Philadelphia was demanding potentially up to two second-round picks or more in return for Bradford.