Bengals Bytes (2/22): Stepping up

Old school coach visits Cincy's old school

In her excitement at how decisively and well Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis answered her call on Tuesday during a 45-minute visit at the end of the day at Withrow High School, Katie Frankey thought of the ultimate in athletics.

Report: Broncos expected to go after free agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth

According to Mile High Sport's Benjamin Allbright, the Denver Broncos are expected to be among the teams trying to persuade soon to be free agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth to move on from the Bengals and join the Broncos.

Jack Brennan Says Goodbye to the Bengals

For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, public relations director for the Cincinnati Bengals seemed like the worst job in professional sports. Jack Brennan would argue otherwise. After a decade spent covering the team for The Cincinnati Post and The Cincinnati Enquirer, the Texas native took the position in 1994—the throes of the franchise’s “Lost Decade”—and stayed for the next 23 seasons. “It’s a sign I’ve been treated well,” says Brennan. “I’m privileged to have been here.” He survived long enough to witness a fair share of success, too (playoff wins notwithstanding), as well as personalities, controversies, and press conferences of every stripe.

Shayne Graham NFL retirement comes with nod to his Bengals days

The Bengals today are assisting former K Shayne Graham in sending a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, declaring that Graham is ceremonially “retiring as a Bengal.” Graham kicked in the NFL for 16 seasons (2001-15), playing for multiple teams, but his term with Cincinnati (2003-09) stands as significantly his longest with one team.

Cincinnati Bengals' Andrew Whitworth open to testing free-agent market

Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth might be testing the free-agent waters in March. Whitworth, a pending free agent, has been in talks with the Bengals to return for a 12th season, he told Alex Marvez and Solomon Wilcots on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday. However, he's going to leave his options open this time.

Cincinnati Bengals: Top needs, NFL draft picks for 2017

As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Cincinnati Bengals must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 6-9-1 record from last season. The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Bengals' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and to reference during the Combine.

3 Ways The Bengals Can Step Their Game Up

When most fans think about the Bengals, it’s usually in terms of winning. That being said, the bulk of the victories are coming during the regular season. Who am I kidding? All of the wins are piled up during the 17 week season. In order to get over that hump, the Bengals need to do some serious soul-searching. The front office has done a great job in the draft. Young talent is nurtured and groomed to become solid players. But, it hurts to see that talent getting accolades elsewhere. The recurring nightmare of losing players in free agency has to stop.

Bengals Beat Podcast: Mo Egger

With Jim Owczarski on vacation this week, Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner Jr., sits down to talk Bengals with ESPN1530 and 700WLW sports talk host Mo Egger.

AFC North Bytes

Steelers coach to plead guilt to disorderly conduct charge after dispute last month

PITTSBURGH (AP/WKRC) - Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter plans to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct citation stemming from a dispute with a bar bouncer and a police officer last month. Porter's defense attorney, Robert Del Greco, tells The Associated Press that Porter will plead guilty in City Court on Tuesday afternoon.

How the Browns Can Make the Most of League-High Cap Space in 2017 NFL Offseason

There isn't a team in the National Football League in better position to be a player in free agency this spring than the Cleveland Browns. Per Spotrac, the Browns have a staggering $105 million in cap space with which to improve the club in 2017. That's a good thing, too. Because there also isn't a team in the NFL more in need of improvement than the Browns after a 1-15 nightmare of a season last year.

Ravens can double their salary-cap room with biggest purge in 15 years

The Baltimore Ravens can double their current salary-cap room before free agency begins March 9. The Ravens just need to make their biggest cap purge in 15 years to do so.

Random Bytes

Facebook is in talks to stream a MLB game per week

According to a report from Reuters, Facebook is close to a deal that would give them the rights to stream one MLB game a week. Facebook has been boosting its inventory of sports streaming rights for years, signing deals for everything from March Madness to Liga MX soccer games. They’ve streamed selected MLB games before (and plenty of games from spring training), but now seem to be looking for more regular baseball content.

Bills say Tyrod Taylor is medically cleared

The Bills say quarterback Tyrod Taylor is healthy enough to play — and potentially healthy enough to get cut. A team source told Adam Schefter that Taylor has been medically cleared from his January groin surgery.

NFL Offseason Live with Chris Simms and Adam Lefkoe

Hosts Adam Lefkoe and Chris Simms break down the quarterback carousel, discuss trades and more.

Bears shopping Jay Cutler; almost certain to move on

After setting several franchise passing records across eight seasons in Chicago, Jay Cutler's time with the Bears is nearing its end. The Bears have been shopping their starting quarterback since mid-January, when they informed Cutler of their intentions, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.