Bengals Bytes (6/12): Keeping fresh

Bengals rotate into minicamp
The locker room overheard Bengals defensive tackle Marcus Hardison last week after practice talking about how he can throw a football 80 yards. So, as will often happen in said locker room, challenges were hurled and bets were proposed with backup quarterback AJ McCarron and defensive back Josh Shaw in the middle of it all. A bunch of guys eventually dragged him out to the stadium field, but since Hardison, who played quarterback in high school until his senior year, didn’t really have a lot of time to warm up or prepare there was no money on the line. Still, he threw it 68 yards into a breeze.

Cincinnati Bengals: Focus Then Focus Some More
When you just happen to be a team that makes its home on the banks of the Ohio River, you have a lot to prove. The Cincinnati Bengals have come a long way, from the days of orange helmets and Riverfront Stadium. But, they are still in the process of learning how to finish. The key is focus. After that initial focus, they need to focus some more. It’s the earmark of every budding champion.

Random Bytes

Joey Bosa "didn’t win one rep" at first NFL practice
If anyone wants to know just about much better NFL players are than college football players, ask Joey Bosa. At Ohio State last season, Bosa was one of the best players in college football, which is why the Chargers took him with the third overall pick in the draft. But at his first NFL practice, Bosa was one of the worst players on the field.

Roethlisberger won’t endorse or speak for Trump at convention
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is staying out of politics, for now. With Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump wanting Roethlisberger to speak on Trump's behalf at the upcoming convention, Roethlisberger says he won't be doing that.

Will Miami Dolphins S Reshad Jones show up for mandatory minicamp?
Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones made a point that he wants a new contract by skipping all voluntary organized team activities. However, will Jones continue to make his point next week during mandatory minicamp? The Dolphins were not sure of Jones' plans as voluntary practices wrapped up on Thursday.

Who are the hardest -- and easiest -- running backs to bring down?
During a recent "60 Minutes Sports" interview, Marshawn Lynch summed up his running philosophy with a description only he could get away with. "If you just run through somebody's face, a lot of people ain't gonna be able to take that over and over and over," Lynch said.

Breshad Perriman of Baltimore Ravens has partially torn ACL
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee and will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday to determine if Perriman needs potential season-ending surgery, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jamison Hensley.

Questions loom all across Seahawks O-line
The Seahawks’ search for five strong and collaborative men to occupy the offensive line will continue to bear scrutiny through the start of the season. It’s never had more questions and doubts since the Pete Carroll-John Schneider regime took over.

Why Roger Goodell should settle with Tom Brady
The day before Roger Goodell temporarily died on Twitter this week, he attended Jim Kelly's golf tournament where he answered a question about the D-word. No, the NFL does not plan on engaging in settlement talks with Tom Brady over Deflategate, Goodell said to a reporter.

Ten players who aren't getting attention they deserve
Anyone else tired of hearing about Sam Bradford and Colin Kaepernick? I feel you. It's nothing personal, but both quarterbacks have been the subject of endless offseason speculation and narratives. Meanwhile, all 32 teams have reshuffled the deck, adding key free agents and rookies while setting the table for a rash of high-octane camp battles. Beyond the hyper-obvious quarterback situations, who around the NFL isn't getting the attention they deserve?