Bengals Bytes (5/17): Leading by example

Cincinnati Bengals OTAs on horizon: Key remaining offseason dates
The voluntary offseason workout program with rookies and veterans continues this week for the Bengals. Monday-Friday features Phase 2 of the voluntary offseason workout program continues with rookies and veterans.

Jeremy Hill: playoff fumble is 'elephant in room,' won't define career
Cincinnati Bengals tailback Jeremy Hill has dealt with adversity before, and vows to make his playoff fumble an insignificant blip in his career. "You know it's going to be everywhere. So you've just got to embrace it as a professional and as a man," Hill said.

Hill on the climb
Long before Jeremy Hill joined the Bengals as one of their prototypical big backs in 2014, Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Whitworth watched and admired the Baton Rouge, La., native. He thinks those days are right around the corner again for Hill, the most embattled Bengal of all in the roughest of offseasons. His fumble with 1:23 left opened the door for it all in what is still that unspeakable Wild Card loss to the Steelers. But at just 23 years old, he’s just one year removed from being arguably the Bengals’ Most Valuable Player in one of the best seasons ever by a Cincinnati running back.

Notes: QB move; Boyd signs
The Bengals waived undrafted rookie quarterback Matt Johnson and replaced him with another when the University of Buffalo’s Joe Licata had a successful tryout Monday.  The 6-2, 210-pound Licata, out of Williamsville, N.Y.,  set nine school records while playing at his hometown college as the most decorated high school quarterback in the history of Western New York. Licata doesn’t have great size or a big arm and he’s coming off a failed tryout with the Bills. But his 9,485 yards and 76 touchdown passes are school records and he’s got a reputation as a smart field general who is a coach’s son. His father, Gil Licata, was a widely respected high school basketball coach who won a state championship.

200K from NFL, Bengals put Deer Park campaign over top
Radio personality Bill Cunningham stood in front of students, faculty and local dignitaries on the thick, green grass football field at Deer Park Junior/Senior School and bellowed an assessment that generated the loudest applause on a celebratory morning full of it.

Leading by example: Adam Jones relishes role as mentor
On both his post-selection conference call with Cincinnati Bengals media, and during his introductory news conference at Paul Brown Stadium a day later, first-round pick William Jackson III expressed a willingness to listen to anything his new teammate, Adam Jones, told him.

Random Bytes

Bill Simmons Introduces Himself to HBO Viewers With Worst Bull Durham Speech Ever
A year after his rude ouster from ESPN, you’re about to get a whole shitload of Bill Simmons back in your life, both at The Ringer (set to formally debut next month, although they’re already pumping out vital "Is Tom Hiddleston A Superstar?" takes on Facebook) and with his new HBO show, Any Given Wednesday, which also premieres in June.

Rob Gronkowski dances, rips his shirt off and more
Rob Gronkowski underwent a "Bro Scouting Combine" in Miami. Gronk’s skills at bringing down the nightclub...or the party boat...or the championship parade float are perhaps best apparent in this new video from GQ, which features Gronkowski undergoing the "Bro Scouting Combine." The video is basically an excuse for Gronk to dance to various music, bro-out with his bros and rip multiple tight tank tops to shreds, all of which are great reasons to film a video.

Mike Francesa Told Bill Simmons Some Crazy Jimmy the Greek Stories
Bill Simmons joined Mike Francesa for the Pope’s full 5.5-hour show yesterday. Simmons hasn’t gotten soooo many words in edge-wise so far, as Francesa has told a lot of stories from his own personal vault.

J.J. Watt Charity Classic Raises $1.6 Million
Any argument about J.J. Watt and his place in Texans history or his place in Houston sports history is, almost by nature, a subjective debate in which the rules slide depending on whose side you're on. Andre Johnson versus J.J. Watt. Nolan Ryan versus J.J. Watt. It all generates fun banter in which, with each passing Watt season, it becomes harder and harder to defend the non-J.J. side.

Raiders, Chargers top list of biggest offensive lines in the NFL
Not long ago, someone standing at 6'4, 320 pounds would be one of the biggest players in the NFL. But he'd be a smaller-than-average member of a couple offensive lines in the AFC West.

LANDRY DENIES PLAGIARISM
For those of you who didn't follow the Live Blog of Chris Landry's appearance on the Steve Duemig show and who don't want to review it (though some of the reader comments were priceless), here's the gist of it. Landry denied everything.

ESPN The Undefeated: What to expect from site's launch
If one is to judge a sports media brand based on its external press, the last 12 months have not been good for ESPN. From hemorrhaging subscribers to declining ratings for its flagship show to excruciating company layoffs to high-profile talent leaving the network, it’s been a steady drumbeat of negative news coming out of Bristol Land.

10 NFL position battles that could be won by rookies
Few teams have invested as much draft capital into a single position as the Bengals have into cornerback. Cincinnati has used a first-round pick on a cornerback on three occasions in the past five drafts, most recently making Jackson the No. 24 pick. What he brings to the table is an abundance of speed and on-ball production.

With buyouts, Fox Sports communications losing familiar names
Fox Sports ’ communications department will see a change due to the company’s buyouts. Three of its highest-ranking and longest-serving executives — with a combined 61 years of Fox Sports experience — accepted the package and are leaving the company. Senior vice president Lou D’Ermilio (who started in 1994), vice president Dan Bell (1995) and director Ileana Pena (1998) will leave the network next week, ending a spectacular two-decade run that saw the trio handle communications for Fox Sports since the division’s launch.

New Stadium Revolutionizing Guest Experience
Upon opening in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will offer food and beverage options developed to deliver what fans want – variety, speed of service, quality and value. The fan-first menu at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will include the most popular items priced as follows without compromising quality.

Most Creative People in Business 2016: Meet the world's most inspiring leaders
Fast Company's list of The Most Creative People in Business 2016 includes a broad range of people including Katie Nolan, Kathleen Kennedy, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more.

Best offseason acquisitions for all 32 teams
From free agents to coaches and draft picks to general managers, NFL Nation reporters pick the top offseason pickup for every team. No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff and Hue Jackson make the list.