Bengals Bytes (8/10): Coming home

Margus Hunt on improving and working with Kevin Greene
This is the most important training camp of Margus Hunt's career. The former second round pick knows that if he doesn't prove himself now, he might not get another chance.

5 observations/notes from Bengals Aug. 9 practice
Here are five observations and notes from the Bengals' 10th day of training camp, which was held on Tuesday at the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium until rain forced them inside

WATCH: Mohamed Sanu mic'd up at Falcons training camp
Former Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu signed with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. Watch him mic'd up with his new team during training camp.

'It's pretty much home'
Mike Zimmer returns to Paul Brown Stadium Wednesday for the first time as head coach of the Vikings and no doubt he’ll come barreling in like the Double A Gap blitz he and Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther brainstormed into the NFL mainstream during the six years he transformed a franchise known for offense into a defensive flagship.

Vikings cornerback Terence Newman doesn’t travel to Cincinnati
There will be no homecoming for Terence Newman. The Vikings cornerback, who played with the Bengals from 2012-14, said after Tuesday’s practice he would not travel with the team to Cincinnati, and he didn’t. He has an injury he wouldn’t disclose but said it’s not serious.

The Bengals Are Built To Win
The 2015 version of the Cincinnati Bengals was a sleeper. It was a unit that started the year with doubts about Andy Dalton and concerns over the postseason. There were also rumbles that head coach Marvin Lewis couldn’t control the team. In other words, the results exceeded the expectations. In 2016, the Bengals have been pegged as a legitimate contender. Lewis and Duke Tobin have constructed another sound team.

Bengals Walkthru: Defenders know to not touch the merchandise
There is a fine line of competition in training camp – defenders need to work on their skills while also not injuring their teammates. In other words, look, but don’t touch. Or at least touch softy.

Slants and screens: Bengals vs. Vikings
The Bengals got washed out of their Tuesday practice 20 minutes in when a downpour sent players and fans scurrying for cover at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis danced with the weather all day. When there were indications the storm was blowing in at 4 p.m., he moved up practice an hour, from 3-2. When the radar didn’t let up, he opted for meetings and indoor walk-throughs. There was a rainy-day-at-summer-camp feel to it when card games and ping-pong broke out in between assignments …

AFC North Bytes

Antonio Brown and Steelers not talking contract
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown didn't hold out from training camp despite his desire to get a new contract.

Corey Coleman might sit out Green Bay with hamstring and his history of soft tissue injuries a concern
Given Corey Coleman's history with hamstring and other soft tissue injuries, the sight of him standing on the sidelines at Browns training camp with a tweaked hammy is cause for concern.

John Harbaugh indicates Joe Flacco won't play in Ravens' preseason opener
All indications point toward Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco not playing in Thursday’s preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium.

Random Bytes

Olympic diving pool water in Rio mysteriously turns green
The water in the diving pool at the Olympics mysteriously turned green on Tuesday...and while it's assumed to be because of algae, no one knows for sure.

Why America should have its own state-vs.-state Olympic Games
When Majlinda Kelmendi won gold in judo on Sunday, it caused a madcap celebration in the streets back in her native Kosovo. "Majlinda is gold," President Hashim Thaci declared. This is emotion – unmitigated national joy – seems lost in the United States during the Olympics.

High expectations (and drama) await Rams on 'Hard Knocks'
With the Rams moving to Los Angeles, it only makes sense that the NFL selected them to be placed under the bright lights of the league's popular reality series. The show debuts at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday on HBO.

More first-team reps coming for Jared Goff
Yes, Case Keenum continues to be the starting quarterback of the Rams. But he’s not a normal starter. Normal starters get all the practice reps with the other starters.

Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick listed as co-starters on 49ers depth chart
The San Francisco 49ers indecision over their starting quarterback has been reflected in their depth chart released ahead of the preseason opener on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Tim Tebow Pursuing MLB Career: Latest Comments and Reaction
Having not played in an NFL regular-season game since 2012, Tim Tebow is reportedly set to pursue a career in professional baseball.