Bengals Bytes (2/18): Targets

Hobson's Choice: Combine-ing efforts

Giovani Bernard (ACL) is having maybe the greatest rehab offseason since Leon Hall’s first Achilles’ reconstruction. If not, then since Leon Hall’s second Achilles’ reconstruction, so I’m willing to wager that barring a setback he won’t go on PUP. Maybe he’ll miss the first one or two games of the regular season, but I think that’s it. That’s merely a gut call, so we’ll see. After what happened with Tyler Eifert’s ankle I’ll leave medical speculation to the journals.

How much did the Cincinnati Bengals miss their departed veterans?

With free agency around the corner, it's a good time to review what the Cincinnati Bengals did last season with their free agents and what impact that made on a lousy 6-9-1 season. The Bengals experienced a significant change after letting two of their top receivers go in free agency and starting a new right tackle. The results weren't great, but were they avoidable?

5 Free Agents The Bengals Should Target In The 2017 Offseason

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a stretch in which they had won at least nine games in five-straight seasons. Unfortunately, 2016 didn’t quite go as planned, partially due to injuries, and partially due to just issues that came up throughout the season. Regardless, the Bengals still have tremendous upside and will once again enter the season as one of the favorites to win the division. So, what’s the best way to get back into the mix and take down the division? Build through free agency and address the major positions of need, which is something the Bengals should be able to do.

AFC North Bytes

Pittsburgh Steelers: Can Zach Mettenberger Be An Effective Backup?

Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has certainly proven his mettle in 13 NFL seasons. He’s helped guide the team numerous playoff appearances. The club has made three trips to the Super Bowl during his tenure and walked away with a pair of Lombardi Trophies.

Trent Richardson Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge After Alleged Incident

Former University of Alabama standout running back Trent Richardson, who's currently an NFL free agent, was arrested Thursday night and charged with third-degree domestic violence. Carol Robinson of AL.com reported Friday that police in Hoover, Alabama, arrived on scene after receiving a call about a "possible domestic disturbance" at a local hotel. They interviewed Richardson and an adult female, who had suffered injuries during an alleged physical altercation, and made the arrest.

Victor Cruz wouldn't be prototypical signing by Baltimore Ravens

Since Victor Cruz was cut by the New York Giants on Feb. 13, the Ravens frequently have been linked to him because of their history of signing older wide receivers and adding players who have been cut (they don't count against teams in the compensatory pick formula). But Cruz doesn't fit what the Ravens previously looked for at receiver.

Random Bytes

Chargers tackle King Dunlap arrested in Nashville

The Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle was charged with violating an order of protection and has since bonded out of jail. According to Dunlap’s attorney, Worrick Robinson, he was leaving Nashville for San Diego to train when his girlfriend reportedly asked if he wanted to get some clothes before he left.

Hall of Fame voter: Terrell Owens dropped too many passes

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee meets in private and submits secret ballots, so we don’t know the identities of all the voters who voted against Terrell Owens two weeks ago. But one Hall of Famer has published a defense of the decision to keep Owens out, and it boils down to this: He dropped too many passes.

4 reasons why the only teams with a shot at Tony Romo are the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals

This week's report that Tony Romo expects to be released by the Dallas Cowboys and not traded gives hope to every team that would benefit from signing the veteran QB, and we think there's at least nine of them. But Colin Cowherd is narrowing the potential winners of the Romo sweepstakes. He thinks the only teams with a shot at Romo are the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, and Friday on "The Herd" he gave four reasons why.

Michael Floyd Sentenced on DUI Charge from December Arrest

New England Patriots wide receiver Michael Floyd was sentenced to 120 days in jail for his December DUI arrest in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to Jonathan Roy of Fox 10, Floyd will serve 24 days of his sentence at the Maricopa County Jail in Phoenix and the other 96 days in home detention. He was also sentenced to 30 hours of community service and fined $5,115.99.