Bengals Bytes (4/14): Remembering a friend

Marvin Lewis visits UC Bearcat practice Tuesday

The Cincinnati Bearcats football team received an atypical visit this week at practice. "That is great for all of us, as coaches too," said UC’s head coach Luke Fickell. "It shows that this is important, this means something to the community and everybody around here. I think the guys feel the same way. Whether it is Marvin Lewis, or it’s [the media] coming out here to cover them, or the people that are going to show up on Friday night – all of those kinds of things generate that this is a game of emotion."

Brown remembers Rooney: 'I always thought of him as a friend'

In the end, even though Mike Brown’s Bengals and Dan Rooney’s Steelers became one of the NFL’s signature rivalries, they had more in common than not. "I respected him. I liked him. I always thought of him as a friend down deep," said a visibly shaken Brown after hearing the news late Friday afternoon that Rooney had passed away at age 84. "We understood the trials and tribulations that go along with participation in the league. We probably had a competitive instinct to beat the other guy on the field. But off the field it’s not that way at all."

Bengals to unveil logo, plans for 50th season

The Cincinnati Bengals will formally kick off their 50th season on April 20 at Paul Brown Stadium when the organization will unveil a special logo to commemorate the anniversary. The logo will be on display all season.

Bengals Mock Draft: Trade scenarios

The inherent flaw with most mock drafts are within the first hour on April 27, two trades will occur and now all the time spent ranking and deducting what players will be available might as well be a list of fast food restaurants.

AFC North Bytes

ESPN lists Matt Elam as the Ravens biggest draft bust

The 2017 NFL Draft is only two weeks away, marking another step to the beginning of the 2017 season. It's a special day for all these college prospects who have dreamt of this moment for their entire lives. Some will end up having productive careers, but some, unfortunately, will have careers that don't live up to their college promise. Not only does unfulfilled potential hurt the player, it sets a team back big time.

Simms & Lefkoe Podcast: Breaking Down the Mocks, Could a QB Go 1st Overall?

t's Episode 109 of The Simms & Lefkoe Podcast! On this week's show, the guys discuss whether the Browns will take a QB with the No. 1 overall pick (13:08); how this year's strong safety class compares to Sean Taylor (22:30); where Blake Bortles would be ranked among this year's quarterbacks (25:14); and which first-round wide receiver from 2016 will break out this season (28:15).

Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney Dies at the Age of 84

Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and former United States ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney died Thursday, the team announced on Twitter

Random Bytes

Eli Manning Allegedly Involved in Scheme to Sell Fake Game-Worn Memorabilia

Eli Manning had a role in the New York Giants' scheme to sell fake game-used memorabilia, Kaja Whitehouse and Bruce Golding of the New York Post reported. Per court documents, Manning sent an email to equipment manager Joe Skiba that read, "2 helmets that can pass as game used. That is it. Eli."

Detroit Lions Unveil New Jerseys for 2017 Season

Fans of the Detroit Lions will be able to pick up some new threads ahead of the 2017 NFL season. The team unveiled new uniforms during an event at Ford Field on Thursday, and it appears the club will use four different jerseys for the upcoming campaign.

Marshawn Lynch Trade to Raiders from Seahawks Reportedly 'Expected'

Running back Marshawn Lynch is reportedly expected to be traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Oakland Raiders. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, a potential deal is contingent upon Lynch reworking his contract first.

Deshaun Watson leads 22 prospects attending 2017 NFL Draft

The league released on Thursday a list of 22 prospects who will attend the draft as guests of the NFL, participating in pre-draft events and gathering in a green room to await their draft calls. Washington WR John Ross, whose 4.22 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine broke the event record, joins Clemson QB Deshaun Watson and LSU RB Leonard Fournette among the top players to accept invitations.