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Why Your Team Sucks 2016: Cincinnati Bengals
Some people are fans of the Cincinnati Bengals. But many, many more people are NOT fans of the Cincinnati Bengals. This 2016 Deadspin NFL team preview is for those in the latter group. Read all the previews so far here. And buy Drew’s new book here.
Notes: Oh baby; LaFell eyes debut; Prepping for big weekend
With the birth of his first child nearly a month away, Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green missed Thursday’s practice to accompany his wife to her final monthly checkup. Wide receiver Brandon LaFell makes his Bengals debut Sunday (8 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 5) in Jacksonville and he’s not talking about how the injured ligament in his right hand may impact it.
Inside job
Josh Shaw, who married his high school sweetheart on an Ohio riverbank three months ago with fellow Bengals safety Shawn Williams and his fiancée as witnesses, has had a dizzying honeymoon in front of everyone.
Bengals notes: A.J. Green would miss game for son's birth
A.J. Green says he will miss a game if necessary for the birth of his son next month, plus, undrafted WR Alex Erickson on his pursuit of a roster spot and Brandon LaFell on his Bengals debut.
Bengals WR LaFell going to test injured hand in Jacksonville and why it's important
There are two reasons Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell said he is going to play this Sunday in Jacksonville despite a torn ligament in his right hand: he needs to test the hand in game conditions, and he needs to get some game reps with starting quarterback Andy Dalton - and possibly backup AJ McCarron - before the regular season starts.
LaFell, Green eye September
A tale of the Bengals’ two starting wide receivers, according to head coach Marvin Lewis’ depth chart heading into Sunday night’s game (8-Cincinnati’s Channel 5) in Jacksonville: A.J. Green didn’t practice Thursday when he received permission from Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis to accompany his wife to the doctor for her final monthly checkup as they anticipate their first born on Sept. 30.
8-24 Bengals Practice: Burfict joins other key players on rehab field; LaFell practices
It's been over a week since Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict participated in practice, and Wednesday he was among several players seen working on the "rehab" field as the team conducted practice, but it likely isn't anything to be alarmed about.
AFC North Bytes
William Gay Loses Steelers' 'Credit Card Roulette' Game
Warning: video contains NSFW language. Congratulations to Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay for winning, or losing, his team's latest edition of "credit card roulette."
Barkevious Mingo to Patriots
The Cleveland Browns traded linebacker and former first-round draft pick Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots on Thursday. The Browns announced the trade, adding they will receive a 2017 fifth-round pick from the Patriots.
Baltimore Ravens' Benjamin Watson sent 400 sandwiches to first responders in Baton Rouge
Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson is no longer a member of the Saints, but he still has strong ties to Louisiana. So, in the aftermath of the flooding in Baton Rouge, Watson partnered with Chick-fil-A to send 400 sandwiches to primarily first responders.
Random Bytes
Debating top players at every NFL position - Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger
Should Cam Newton really have finished ahead of Ben Roethlisberger in #NFLRank? Mike Sando weighs in on where he agrees and disagrees with the top players at every position.
2016 NFL Non-QB MVP for all 32 teams - Tyron Smith of Dallas Cowboys, Alshon Jeffery of Chicago Bears
NFL Nation reporters go beyond the QB position to pick out each team's MVP heading into the season, including Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith and Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Coyotes hire Dawn Braid, NHL's first full-time female coach
The Arizona Coyotes hired the NHL's first-ever full-time female coach, skating Dawn Braid. Prior to working in the NHL, Braid was the director of skating development at Athletes Training Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
Oakland Raiders File Trademark Applications For Las Vegas Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have not officially made the move to Las Vegas, but a few trademark filings may serve as a sign for what is to come. On August 20, 2016, the Raiders filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the mark "Las Vegas Raiders." All of the filings, which span a variety of goods and service classifications, were filed with an intent to use the mark in commerce in the future.
Who’s most likely to not make it back to the playoffs?
Of the twelve teams that qualified for the 2015 playoffs, some are destined to not make it back. Today's PFT Live delves into the subject, attempting to identify the teams most likely to not return to the postseason.
Every NFL team's biggest fantasy sleeper
Some of them are tossing and turning, some are almost wide awake, and others remain in depth chart-induced comas. What they all have in common is that they're getting undervalued in fantasy football drafts and you can do your team a solid by earmarking them for your squad. Of course everyone's league settings vary a bit so I'll use average draft position (ADP) per FantasyPros as a measuring stick. Everyone loves a bargain, so let's dig in.
Thunder fan petitions to have name of Oklahoma town changed from Durant to Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder fans were understandably upset when Kevin Durant announced his decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors on July 4, going so far as to even burn his jersey.
Tony Romo leaves game with apparent back injury
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was forced from the game with an apparent back injury after taking a shot from the Seahawks' Cliff Avril in a Week 3 preseason matchup.