Bengals Bytes (8/13): Back to business

Rookie Tyler Boyd stars in Cincinnati Bengals' preseason-opening loss
Cincinnati Bengals fans will recall that was the night their postseason dreams were dashed for a fifth straight year, this time in heartbreaking fashion. A self-inflicted end-of-game collapse sent the Bengals to another wild-card loss and prompted their head coach to adopt a two-word mantra once April rolled around: "Bury it."

Bengals notes: Ogbuehi, Fisher debut as tackles, former Bearcat Luc gets a shot
A year ago, the Bengals made what many considered an unorthodox decision to draft tackles in the first and second rounds. On Friday, due to an injury to All-Pro left tackle Andrew Whitworth, second-round pick Jake Fisher joined first-rounder Cedric Ogbuehi as a starter in the preseason opener.

Vikings drop Bengals in preseason opener
The final score means next to nothing in the preseason. The Bengals' first- and second-team offense have to walk away happy about that fact because they did everything except score during their debut appearance in 2016.

Bengals Vikings in preseason opener
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - With two of the Bengals' top three wide receivers from last season leaving the team in free agency there is opportunity for playing time there this season and several rookies took a good first step in Friday's preseason opener against the Vikings.

Laquon Treadwell's Request to Pacman: 'Don't take it easy on me'
Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports used Wednesday’s joint practice between the Vikings and Bengals in Cincinnati as an opportunity to lock in on Minnesota rookie receiver Laquon Treadwell. The first-round pick received a few first-team reps against another first-round pick, Adam “Pacman” Jones and had a message for the 10-year veteran.

Bengals first round pick to start new charity organization - Cincinnati News
Bengals defensive back Darqueze Dennard is starting a new charitable organization to help underprivileged students in the Cincinnati Area called “Big Plays for Kids.” The organization is joining hands with City Gospel Mission in an effort to help raise money for these students to get the tutoring and mentoring they need through City Gospel Mission’s Whiz Kids program, which helps over 1,100 kids per year.

AFC North Bytes

Detroit Lions dominate Pittsburgh Steelers 30-17 in preseason opener
Friday night started with severe thunderstorms scattered around Heinz Field, almost delaying kickoff, but that wasn't the only surprise throughout the first preseason game of 2016. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions took to the field, there were a lot of starters missing from the lineup.

Cleveland Browns rookie Cody Kessler runs out of end zone for safety
Quarterbacks who go backward never fare well. Those who go backward in the end zone wind up in the land of embarrassment. Or in the land of "That's so Browns," places that might in fact be the same. At some point that "so Browns" moniker will be retired. But it certainly won't happen on a night when a quarterback runs out of the back of the end zone.

Baltimore Ravens Stop Preseason Game vs. Panthers to Watch Michael Phelps Race
Michael Phelps is a showstopper. During the Baltimore Ravens' 22-19 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, the team stopped everything to watch the Olympic legend add another gold medal to his collection in the men's 200-meter individual medley.

Random Bytes

NFL coaches say new kick-off rule could make league more dangerous
NFL coaches are concerned about five yards—the length of the shift in the NFL's kick-off rule amendments. The new rule, which moves the touchback line up to the 25-yard marker, has been met with almost universal grumbling from game planners around the league, and in a recent interview with ESPN's Kevin Seifert, John Harbaugh and other coaches voiced their displeasure over the decision.

Cam Newton: Sideline celebration wipes out Panthers TD
Cam Newton got excited a bit too early, and nullified a long touchdown. During the first quarter of Carolina’s preseason opener against the Ravens, linebacker A.J. Klein had a 95-yard touchdown return wiped out because Newton got a bit too excited.

Tyrod Taylor, Bills Agree on New Contract
The Buffalo Bills and quarterback Tyrod Taylor reached an agreement Friday on a contract extension. The Bills confirmed Taylor's new deal on their official Twitter account. Tim Graham of the Buffalo News reported Taylor's extension could be as long as six years and is valued at $90 million total, but there are team option years and additional financial incentives.

NFL Preseason Week 1: Takeaways from Friday's Action
Football is finally here. Well, sort of. It's the first week of the preseason, which means a few things. The starters who do play will be on the field for a brief time. Many of the men who play significant snaps are rookies donning an NFL uniform for the first time, so jitters and mistakes are common.

Nassib stumbles in start for Manning, Dolphins win 27-10
Ryan Nassib had a big chance to show everyone what he could do as New York Giants quarterback with Eli Manning getting the night off. He blew it after a good first quarter.