Bengals Bytes (6/30): Big bucks

This preseason, Bengals' Margus Hunt should expect early-game reps
Make or break. Now or never. Regardless of which phrase he uses, Margus Hunt knows that both apply to his pivotal fourth season as a Cincinnati Bengals defensive end.

Mind-blowing stats for the Top 100 Players of 2016: 20-11 including A.J. Green
The "Top 100 Players of 2016" countdown continues. See the mind-blowing stats that prove why these guys made the list. Including a couple statistical nuggets for A.J. Green.

AFC North Bytes

AFC North Q&A: Will Baltimore Ravens miss back-to-back playoffs?
The Baltimore Ravens were once one of the sure bets to make the playoffs after reaching the postseason each year from 2008 to 2012. But the Ravens are coming off a 5-11 season, their worst since 2007. Will this year mark the first time under coach John Harbaugh that the Ravens fail to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons?

Johnny Manziel Comments on Sobriety, NFL Comeback Attempt in TMZ Exclusive
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel said he's prepared to end his partying ways in favor of rigorous training for an NFL comeback once he finishes his vacation in Mexico.  TMZ Sports spoke with Manziel this week to discuss a picture posted by a woman staying in the same Cabo San Lucas mansion that appeared to show drugs in small bags. The Texas A&M product stated he's stayed away from anything like that during his trip.

$11.5 million for Baldwin? Steelers aren’t going to be happy
I was on vacation last week and went off the grid for the first time in a long time. It was fabulous. But reality pulled me back in today when I saw that Seattle signed Doug Baldwin to a 4-year, $46-million contract extension with $24 million guaranteed. Doug Baldwin!!! Yes, Baldwin had a decent season in 2015, setting career highs with 78 catches, 1,069 yards and 14 touchdowns. But he’ll be 28 in September and his previous career highs were 66 catches, 825 yards and five scores.

Random Bytes

Missy Franklin rallies with gutsy swim at US trials
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Missy Franklin stood beside the blocks, staring down the still water in her lane. Never had she faced so much pressure, yet she felt serene. A night after she failed to make the Olympic team in the 100-meter backstroke — an event she won four years ago in London — Franklin rallied to finish second in the 200 freestyle Wednesday night at the U.S. trials. It was good enough to earn her a spot in an individual event in Rio.

Patriots one of four teams focusing on yards after the catch and TE Martellus Bennett is a perfect fit
The New England Patriots passing offense is lauded for its ability to generate yards after the catch. Over the years, players like WR Wes Welker, WR Julian Edelman, and TE Rob Gronkowski have shown a penchant for moving the chains and the reliance on yards after the catch has increased.

Andrew Luck Re-Signs With Colts Through 2021, Here Come Big Numbers
Andrew Luck has signed an extension with the Indianapolis Colts that will keep him with the team through 2021. The deal was first announced by Colts owner Jim Irsay on Twitter.

Troy Vincent: NFL is still trying to help "out of control" Johnny Manziel
Many continue to pay attention to the life and times of Johnny Manziel in order to determine whether the story ends with Manziel turning things around -- or whether it concludes with a much worse outcome.

ESPN Body Issue: Former Patriots DT Vince Wilfork issues challenge to Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen
The ESPN Body Issue comes out tomorrow and nose tackle and eventual team Hall of Famer Vince Wilfork is featured. He’s a big man. Wilfork is listed at 325, but we all know that’s not true. He’s probably closer to 350, if I had to guess, but that’s not fat. He’s just a giant mountain of muscle and fun.

An Open Letter to the Undrafted
Undrafted fam. First of all, welcome to the club. I wish I could say it was a more exclusive one. Every year, I’ll usually tweet you guys some words of encouragement, but this year I wanted to do a little more than that.

First Take features all-female panel, Twitter bros lose their minds
First Take, the hot take ESPN program usually dedicated to a screaming match between Stephen A. Smith and the now-departed Skip Bayless, decided to try something different on Wednesday.

Report: Donald Trump Cobbles Together A Cast Of Sports Dickheads For GOP Convention
Donald Trump, a pile of faux-leather designer handbag knockoffs, has compiled a murderers’ row of sports figures for next month’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Bloomberg Politics reports that Mike Tyson, Mike Ditka, Bobby Knight, and NASCAR CEO Brian France have all chosen to shed whatever dignity they have left and make appearances.