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Kyle Shanahan thinks rookie WR John Ross is ‘a true separator ... a difference-maker’
The 49ers have speed on the roster, but can they get a consistent difference-maker out of Marquise Goodwin? The Bengals ended up drafting Ross with the ninth pick. Given Reuben Foster’s slip down the draft board, even if the 49ers were picking there, they would have taken Foster over Ross. That being said, it provides a little bit of insight into what Shanahan might look for in a wide receiver down the road.
Marvin Lewis Community Fund hosts its 14th Annual Golf Classic at Top Golf.
Cincinnati Bengals host OTA's at Paul Brown Stadium Practice Fields.
Notes: shortcut in OT; two sides of celebrating; Dre (hand) says he's back soon
The NFL owners voted Tuesday to cut overtime from 15 to 10 minutes, among other things, in what appeared to be Bengals vice president Katie Blackburn’s first vote cast at an owners’ meeting. Bengals president Mike Brown is the guy that has usually made that vote, but he was home watching the first Bengals’ practice of the spring and it’s believed Blackburn went to Chicago with instructions to vote on what she saw fit no matter her father’s opinion.
Start this reunion tour for the Bengals offense on Tuesday’s first practice of the spring with a fast stop. And it’s got to be fast because we’re talking about Cody Core, the sophomore wide receiver who just very well might be one of the next big things in Bengaldom.
Marvin Lewis on new celebration rule: Not a good example
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis isn’t cheering the NFL’s new relaxed stance on touchdown celebrations. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday that the league will soften its strict policies on touchdown celebrations, allowing players to bring back group celebrations, use the football as a prop and get on the ground to celebrate. Many players complained last season about inconsistent and overly strict application of celebration penalties.
Roger Goodell: Players will prove Marvin Lewis wrong on celebrations
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis aren't going to see eye-to-eye on touchdown celebrations anytime soon. The NFL announced Tuesday it would be relaxing its stance on celebration penalties, allowing once-banned group celebrations to return. Players can also now use the ball as a prop, although penalties deemed violent or obscene are still banned.
Bengals notes: Kirkpatrick sidelined, Smith gets feet wet at guard
The first organized team activity for the Cincinnati Bengals took place on the practice fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium, and nearly all 88 players available participated in some fashion – including Giovani Bernard (knee) and Tyler Eifert (back) on the rehab field. One surprise onlooker, however, was cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
AFC North Bytes
Elder statesman Browns receiver Kenny Britt trying to keep up with the young guys
Kenny Britt won’t turn 29 until Sept. 19, so he won’t even join the exclusive club of over-30 players on the Browns this year. But he is far and away the elder statesman of the receivers’ room. A couple on hand are 25 and most of the others, including the four drafted a year ago, are 22 or 23. “Those guys are talented and those guys are young and they’re keeping me young,” Britt said Monday at the Browns’ charity golf outing at Barrington Golf Club. “I always take from other receivers.
Ben Roethlisberger Says He Wishes Le'Veon Bell Were at Steelers OTAs
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lamented the absence of teammate Le'Veon Bell at the Steelers' first day of organized team activities Tuesday.
It's all about slamming QBs for Baltimore Ravens rookie Tyus Bowser
Tyus Bowser gave up playing basketball after two seasons at the University of Houston. He still looks like a dual-sport athlete on the football field, though. Bowser, the Baltimore Ravens' second-round pick, is one of the most well-rounded defenders in this draft, whether it came to crashing the edge to sack quarterbacks, dropping back to cover tight ends or chasing down running backs from behind.
Random Bytes
Best offseason acquisition for all 32 NFL teams
Coaches, rookies, front-office execs, free-agent signings and more: NFL Nation covers the single most important offseason addition for every team.
Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Are Players to Blame for NFL's Concussion Saga?
The concussion issue may not be getting better, Drew Brees' secret to NFL longevity and Derek Carr's future in Oakland are among the headlines swirling around the NFL as we near Memorial Day.
2021 Super Bowl Venue Moved from Los Angeles to Tampa Bay
The NFL unanimously voted at the spring meeting in Chicago to move Super Bowl LV, which will take place in February 2021, from Los Angeles to Tampa, Florida. Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times reported the news Tuesday. Last May, the league announced L.A. would host the 2021 Super Bowl. According to Farmer, it will now do so in 2022.
Cortez Kennedy: NFL Loses a Hall of Famer at Age 48
The Seahawks’ Hall of Fame defensive tackle passed away Tuesday and leaves a legacy that one heartbroken friend said ‘was never about Cortez the football player.’ Plus readers sound off on offseason power rankings