Bengals Bytes (5/19): Food fight

Bengals and Giants tried to claim Zach Mettenberger
Even though the odds of Zach Mettenberger actually helping another team are astronomically low, there were actually multiple teams interested in him trying.

Bengals reportedly tried to claim QB off waivers
While the Bengals are as well set at the quarterback position as any team in the NFL from a depth perspective that apparently doesn't mean they won't still look to add to that depth even more. Field Yates of ESPN.com reported Wednesday that the Bengals were among the teams that put in a waiver claim for quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who was recently released by the Tennessee Titans. He was claimed on Tuesday by the San Diego Chargers.

Bengals WR A.J. Green's targets per routes run might see spike in 2016
Anyone who follows the Cincinnati Bengals knows the value the team's defense places on statistics relative to scoring defense. Forget total defense rankings, which are based on yards allowed, coordinator Paul Guenther has said. To him, it's all about keeping the opposing offense off the scoreboard. That approach paid off in 2015, when the Bengals ranked second in scoring defense, trailing Seattle by an average of 0.1 points.

Will Cincinnati Bengals star Jeremy Hill be more reserved in 2016?
Remember that Thursday night two years ago when rookie Jeremy Hill, minutes after his Cincinnati Bengals were trounced by the Cleveland Browns, proceeded to tell reporters the Browns weren't very good and that they were actually "worse than I thought?" Or what about that day last September when Hill foresaw the future, predicting better rushing performances were ahead for him? Like it or not, those bold pronouncements appear to be a thing of the past.

Hobson's Choice podcast: weekend at Marvin's
If the Marvin Lewis Community Fund is one of Cincinnati’s treasures, and it is, then this weekend is home to one of the city’s annual crown jewels and Lewis sits down in a Hobson’s Choice podcast to reflect on what it all means to him. Lewis is pretty reticent when comes to football (and we tried), but not when it comes to his foundation. He hosts his 13th annual celebrity golf tournament at Shaker Run Golf Club in Lebanon, Ohio Sunday, a day that ends with the centerpiece of his foundation when he awards college scholarships worth $20,000 each to eight high school seniors in the Tri-State area.

Bengals Beat podcast: Extensions, rookies, waiver claims
Enquirer Bengals beat writers Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski come together to break down a busier than normal two weeks of May. We jump into four primary topics. We ask if Shawn Williams made the right choice inking the four-year extension with the Bengals. Observations are offered from rookie mini-camp, including a tangent on the possible infusion of increased rotation on the defensive line. More on Jeremy Hill again standing up and answering to all the fumble questions. Will his first-class reaction matter next January? Finally, we judge if there is anything to be taken from the Bengals failed waiver claim on Zach Mettenberger.

Random Bytes

Waco police records reveal additional violence allegations against Baylor football players
Outside the Lines has obtained police documents that detail largely unknown allegations of sexual assault, domestic violence and other acts of violence involving several Baylor football players.

5 NFL players who have 1 year to prove they're worth big money
One-year "prove-it" deals are an annual NFL tradition. Players sign short-term contracts with the belief that they will play as well as they think they're capable of, thereby earning a big deal on the open market the following season. These kinds of deals rarely work out for players.

Jordan Reed and the Best Receiving Tight Ends of 2015
The Washington Redskins recently rewarded Jordan Reed's stellar play with a new $46.75 million contract extension ($9.35 million average per year) that includes $14 million in guaranteed money. Those three figures represent the third, third and fifth highest totals among all tight ends in the NFL respectively.

James Harrison takes issue with drug test, calls NFLPA
In a series of Instagram posts, James Harrison documented an encounter with a league-approved drug tester, prompting the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker to call NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith to consider his options.

Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Will Falcons Start a Concessionary Trend?
There are three well-known facts about stadium food. First, stadium food is awful. Second, stadium food is overpriced. Third, stadium food is awful. This has been the case at almost every NFL stadium for a long time. Hot dogs that taste like dog food cost $8. Second mortgages are required for drinks that taste like they're watered down. The Atlanta Falcons are going to try to change all of that.

NFL believes Baltimore Ravens knew pad rules
The NFL believes the Baltimore Ravens were aware of noncontact practice rules at a recent minicamp but still moved forward, which will factor into any potential discipline, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team is being investigated for using full pads at a recent rookie minicamp, which is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. There was a five-minute period on May 6 when rookies and first-year players suited up in pads during a noncontact punt protection drill.

Antonio Brown back with Steelers next week
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown won’t be the champion of the dancing world this year after being eliminated from Dancing With the Stars this week and he also won’t be extending his absence from the Steelers’ offseason program for too much longer.