Bengals Bytes (8/5): Next man up

Bengals camp: No injuries, but young WRs struggle
The young receivers had a rough day. Rashaun Simonise struggled, lining up in the wrong place on several occasions and running a wrong route that caused receivers coach James Urban to drop his head. Simonise also had a drop in the end zone red zone drills. Mario Alford and James Wright also had alignment issues. Cody Core didn’t finish a route in the end zone, leading to an incompletion and Tyler Boyd dropped a touchdown in red zone work.

Bengals notes: Hall to NY, Burfict back, Vigil boosted
Decision time came for Leon Hall, as the longtime Bengals corner had offers on the table from the Bengals and New York Giants. The latest recipient of the big-play boost is third-round pick Nick Vigil. And Corey Tindal speaks out for the first time since returning to the Bengals.

Notes: Kroft injury gives more reps to Uzomah; Jackson could return; Shaw to play more corner
With Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert (ankle) shelved for possibly the first few games of the season and backup Tyler Kroft (knee) maybe missing most of the preseason, sophomore C.J. Uzomah now looks to be the No. 1 tight end with Ryan Hewitt until Kroft returns. The very athletic and speedy 6-6, 270-pound Uzomah has had a terrific spring and summer catching the ball, but the Bengals know he can do that. They also need him to block and that’s not easy sine he rarely got in a three-point stance at Auburn.

Vontaze Burfict: 'Jitterbugs' in return to Cincinnati Bengals
Believe it or not, Vontaze Burfict's first day of a new football season is a lot like your kids' first day of school: full of nerves, butterflies and excitement.

Pro Bowl advice helps as Cedric Ogbuehi becomes Bengals' right tackle
Officially, the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to name a starting right tackle in the wake of Andre Smith's departure to Minnesota during free agency. But based on how the first five days of training camp have gone, it's clear second-year standout Cedric Ogbuehi has locked the job down.

5 observations/notes from Aug. 4 Bengals camp: Burfict back; Tindal talks mugging; more
Here are five observations and notes from the Bengals' sixth day of training camp, which was held on Thursday at the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium

AFC North Bytes

Josh McCown: I've spoken to Browns about trade talk
Josh McCown has heard the whispers. With the Dallas Cowboys on the prowl for a quarterback, the veteran Browns passer acknowledged Thursday that the Cleveland brass have spoken with him about a potential trade.

Camp Notes: Introducing the Flachometer
The Ravens took to the field under sunny skies with the temperature hovering at 71 degrees Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills for an early morning 8:45 a.m. practice. Donned in pads for the first time in week two of camp, John Harbaugh’s crew started the day with positional drills before combining for seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 team drills.

Speedy Coates could be Steelers’ new home-run threat
At Antonio Brown’s charity softball game in June, one player stood out among all others by hitting six home runs completely out of Consol Energy Park. Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates proved he’s not just a home-run threat on the football field, he can swing a bat with anyone as well. Coates is just a great all-around athlete, regardless of the sport.

Random Bytes

Cris Collinsworth's favorite fantasy picks for 2016
Cris Collinsworth ranks his 10 favorite fantasy picks entering the 2016 season. These guys are a mix of great values and stars who you can take early in your drafts. They're listed in order of position.

Fantasy football rankings: An updated Top 100
Director of PFF Fantasy Jeff Ratcliffe has regularly been one of the industry’s most accurate rankers. Here are his top 100 rankings for the 2016 season, as of Tuesday morning. Along with each name is a link to the full fantasy depth chart look of that player’s team, and links to relevant stories about that player or that player’s situation on PFF Fantasy.

Adrian Peterson's 2014 Suspension Improperly Vacated According to Court Ruling
The NFL has won its appeal against Adrian Peterson dating back to his 2014 suspension and the subsequent lawsuit by Peterson and the NFL Players Association against the NFL, according to gaming and sports law attorney Daniel Wallach

49ers' Bowman says contract extension motivating teammates
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman said his new extension with the San Francisco 49ers provides a good example for his younger teammates.

Tyrod Taylor and Bills discuss potential bridge deal
Although quarterback Tyrod Taylor is signed through the 2017 season, he and the Buffalo Bills are continuing to work on a potential extension.

NFL Training Camps 2016: Updates, Rumors and Analysis for August 4
It's August, and that can mean only one thing. OK, it means several things. In the Midwest, it means the humidity is approximately 812 percent. For kids, it means summer is about to give way to school. And south of the equator, it means the Olympics are ready to get rolling.