Bengals Bytes (7/23): Deepest positions

Bengals' 5 camp questions: Will Ross, Mixon supplant a starter?
After watching the offense drop from seventh in the NFL in scoring at 26.2 points per game in 2015 to 24th at 20.3 points per game a year ago – and not coincidentally the win total drop from 12 to 6 – the Cincinnati Bengals bolstered that unit with the No. 9 and No. 48 overall picks in the 2017 draft by selecting John Ross and Joe Mixon.

Bengals 50: Tim Krumrie, the heart of the defense
A 10th-round draft pick in the famous 1983 draft, the 6-foot, 2-inch, 270-pound nose tackle became a full-time starter for the Bengals when Dick LeBeau was installed as Sam Wyche’s defensive coordinator in 1984. He missed just four games in his 12-year career, all in 1987, and was an anchor in the middle.

NFL: Semantics aside, Cincinnati Bengals rebuilding as contender
The Cincinnati Bengals are not in rebuilding mode, according to the company line. They believe their window to win still is open, despite significant changes heading into the opening of training camp. Long-time veterans like left tackle Andrew Whitworth, linebacker Rey Maualuga, and defensive lineman Domata Peko are gone. But, quite a bit of continuity remains.

Deepest Position Groups on the 2017 Cincinnati Bengals' Roster
There are certain Cincinnati Bengals position groups that we hate to see get hit by the injury bug (quarterback, linebacker, offensive line). While you never want anyone to get hurt, it is comforting as a fan to know that an injury to a position group won’t have you popping a Zantac.

Bengals 2017 Position Breakdown Part V - Defensive line : Several new pieces should help
This marks the fourth of a seven-part series detailing each position group for the Bengals heading into training camp, which begins on July 28. This part analyzes the defensive line with a look at who are locks to make the 53-man roster when it's finalized on Sept. 2, who are likely to make it, who is in the mix to make it and who are longshots to make it

AFC North Bytes

C.J. Mosley is compared to Ray Lewis by one of his fiercest rivals
Players receive compliments from coaches and teammates all the time. It's more unusual when the pat on the back comes from one of your biggest rivals. The Baltimore Ravens' C.J. Mosley has been named the NFL's toughest middle linebacker by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Shazier. In an article written for The Players' Tribune, Shazier compared Mosley to one of the best to ever play that position.

Al Saunders predicts Pro Bowl season for Redskins WR Terrelle Pryor
The numbers jumped out, but the contract offers did not. Maybe some didn't trust that Washington Redskins receiver Terrelle Pryor could duplicate last year's stats -- even though it was just his first year at a new position. One of his former coaches in Cleveland says that won't be a problem.

Cardinals Hire Plaxico Burress As Coaching Intern
Burress, of course, was the Steelers’ first round pick of the 2000 draft. His best season came in 2002, catching 78 passes for over 1300 yards. On more pass happy New York Giants’ teams, he was able to hit double-digit touchdowns twice. He circled back to Pittsburgh briefly in 2012 before his career came to a close.

Random Bytes

Tamba Hali Vents Frustrations with Chiefs on Twitter, Asks If He Is Still Needed
Kansas City Chiefs veteran pass-rusher Tamba Hali expressed frustration Saturday regarding his usage by the team last season. In a series of tweets, Hali discussed playing only seven snaps in the team's playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and questioned if the Chiefs still need him

Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald won’t play in Hall of Fame Game
The preseason is often a letdown, as fans get excited for the return of football only to watch a game featuring a bunch of third-string scrubs who will be bagging groceries by September. At least Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is warning you in advance.

Mike Williams Denies Needing Season-Ending Surgery for Back Injury
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Mike Williams denied on Saturday that he would require season-ending back surgery despite previous reports to the contrary. "I'm good. Everything good. The back situation. That was some false information being released," he said, per Lakisha Jackson of NFL.com. "I don't know who released it but everything is good."

Odell Beckham Jr. makes local boy's dream come true
All-Pro Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. stopped by in Amarillo today to visit Jayro Ponce, a local boy with a rare form of cancer. Jayro has been diagnosed with a Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor, and is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo while he receives treatment.