Bengals Bytes (5/7): Shutting up and showing up

Marvin Lewis 5-6 press conference transcript: Rookie mini-camp
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis held a press conference after the team completed the first day of its three-day rookie mini-camp on Friday at Paul Brown Stadium and here is a transcript:

Bengals Rookie mini camp photo slideshow
Players took the field at rookie camp for the Cincinnati Bengals Friday, May 6 at the practice fields next to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals picks impress in rookie mini-camp; WR Core carted off; WR Russell has ear issue
While Bengals draft picks won't see how they compare to the team's veterans for a few more weeks, they did get to show their talents against a handful of practice squad players and undrafted rookies on Friday. It was the first day of rookie mini-camp, and head coach Marvin Lewis came away impressed with them.

Rookies ready for action, Bengals bloodlines run deep
Last week was for pomp and circumstance; this week is for work for the new class of Cincinnati Bengals rookies. The AFC North champions welcomed in their seven draft picks, along with 13 undrafted free agent signees and another 19 hopefuls in for tryouts to Paul Brown Stadium for the three-day rookie mini-camp.

Fresh catch
The first-round pick, Houston cornerback William Jackson, looked like he’d been around for half a decade and the third-round pick, Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil, looked like he’d been around for the other half. The fourth-round pick, Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings, stoned one of his own 300-pounders on a tackle stunt and put him on the ground while the fifth-round pick, Arizona State guard Chris Westerman, didn’t blink as one of offensive line coach Paul Alexander’s six centers.

Middletown native a late add to Cincinnati Bengals rookie camp
When the phone didn’t ring after last weekend’s draft, Middletown’s Cody Quinn had all but given up on his NFL dream. But Thursday night, less than 12 hours before players invited to the Cincinnati Bengals rookie mini camp were to report to Paul Brown Stadium for their physicals, Quinn got a call.

Bowling Green QB among Cincinnati Bengals' undrafted free agents
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents after last Saturday's draft. Here's a closer look at each player.

Bengals picks William Jackson III, Tyler Boyd played in historic game
Tyler Boyd's initial memories of that historic afternoon were the field conditions. "I just remember a terrible environment," the new Cincinnati Bengals receiver said. "Rainy, and [you're] just not able to get the full competitiveness off of each other because of that atmosphere."

Camp notes: BG QB knows it's a snap; No numbers game for Walker; Hillary soaks it in; Centers galore
They gave Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson the Sammy Baugh Award for being the best passer in college football last year, but he wasn’t very surprised that no NFL team called and he ended up in Bengals rookie minicamp undrafted.

Random Bytes

Danny Amendola restructures contract, stays with New England Patriots
Amendola was scheduled to earn $5 million in base salary and count $6.8 million on the salary cap, which made it unlikely that he would remain with the club unless the sides revisited the deal. He was also scheduled to earn a base salary of $6 million in 2017.

LaMarr Woodley not a fan of defensive coordinators Bettcher and Tarver
Maybe now we’re getting an idea why LaMarr Woodley has been on three teams the last three seasons, and remains a free agent. Via Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, the veteran outside linebacker made a point on his podcast to rip Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher and former Raiders coordinator Jason Tarver (who is now coaching linebackers for the 49ers.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sends brownies to Eli Apple's mother
After choosing not to sugarcoat a singular criticism of the NFL's welcome reception for families prior to the draft in Chicago, Annie Apple is getting her just desserts, courtesy of commissioner Roger Goodell. Apple, the mother of Eli Apple, the Ohio State cornerback who was selected by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick in the draft, noted that something was missing from the event in Chicago.

Teammate says Sam Bradford told him when he'll return to Eagles
Much has been made of reports that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is demanding a trade and that he will hold out until he gets one, but one of his teammates has spoken with Bradford and believes it won’t be long before he’s back with the team.

Dak Prescott unfazed by the owner’s love for Paxton Lynch
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made no secret of his affection for Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (so much for the tampering rules) or of the owner/G.M.’s regret over failing to finagle a trade back into round one to get Lynch. The quarterback the Cowboys eventually drafted last weekend says he’s not bothered by it.

NFL Roster Reconstruction Awards for 2016
We have long needed a name to describe NFL's free agency and draft as a single entity, kicking off the new league year. "Offseason" doesn't fit the bill because this period doesn't encompass organized team activities and minicamps, which dominate the next two months before training camps open in late July. While coaches run the show from August through February, this is the time for scouts and general managers to shine, shifting the personnel to give the organization its best chance of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. In other words, the NFL just wrapped up the roster reconstruction phase. With that in mind, let's hand out Around The NFL's Roster Reconstruction Awards.