Bengals Bytes (8/16): Money back

Cincinnati Bengals Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know
The MMQB’s Andy Benoit ranks every NFL team based on roster talent and gives 10 thoughts on each club throughout training camp. Led by A.J. Green, the No. 18 Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best receiving corps, but quarterback Andy Dalton’s play has been too inconsistent. He needs to give himself more time and space in the pocket to make better decision.

Camp report: Defense dominates; McCarron paints red zone; Iloka works
With defensive coordinator Paul Guenther getting the wraps taken off the last two days of practice in full pads, it has not been exactly been flowing with offense. The exotic pressures have showcased the rush (Pro Bowl defensive tackle Geno Atkins has been Genoish and WILL linebacker Vontaze Burfict has found some seams) and the secondary has excelled in the back of it all despite safeties Clayton Fejedelem (muscle tightness) and Cedric Thompson (hamstring) going down Tuesday to join George Iloka on the sidelines. In the last two days Burfict, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, and cornerback Darqueze Dennard have had interceptions in team.

Russell, Bengals claim each other
The Bengals head into Saturday’s second pre-season game against KeiVarae Russell’s old Kansas City Chiefs Saturday (7 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) at Paul Brown Stadium and Russell is just one of the guys that have them feeling their development is headed the right way when it comes to the draft class of 2016. “Those second-year guys have to take a step in the right direction and start to really contribute to your team,” said director of player personnel Duke Tobin. “And we have a lot of second-year guys that are starting to come on. Our season is going to be determined by a lot of those guys.”

When it comes to returning punt, Bengals' John Ross every bit a rookie
John Ross is fearless, fast and smart. The wide receiver can make defenders pay with his 4.22 40-yard dash speed. But when he lines up to field a punt, he's just like any other rookie trying to learn a new position. "It's not perfect," Ross said. "In my opinion, it's not even good. But it's getting better."

Johnson wants his money back after NFL relaxes rule on custom cleats
With the NFL preparing to relax its stance on custom cleats, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has a request. Can he get his money back? "Now they can wear customized cleats, can I get my fine money back from 2001-2012," Johnson tweeted Tuesday.

George Iloka back at practice after missing two weeks with knee injury
Bengals safety George Iloka joked that he picked a bad day to return to practice due to the high temperatures in Cincinnati on Tuesday. But it was clear by his smile that he didn't really mean it. Despite a cloudless sky that had coaches wringing out shirts drenched with sweat and players sporting rolled up jerseys to get some relief, Iloka was happy to be doing anything other than working on the rehab field.

Observations from Cincinnati Bengals training camp
Blessed with unseasonably cool temperatures and low humidity for much of training camp, the Cincinnati Bengals held their hottest practice yet on Tuesday, with the mercury approaching 90 degrees.

AFC North Bytes

James Harrison's new role: 'Safety net,' not starter
The Steelers plan to play their two first-round draft picks at outside linebacker, Bud Dupree and rookie T.J. Watt, virtually all the time this season and not rotate others into games as they have done in the most recent past. That means 39-year-old James Harrison will be a “relief pitcher,” according to his coach. He will neither start nor get extended playing time at outside linebacker.

Corey Coleman is striving to be the No. 1 WR that Hue Jackson expects of him
Corey Coleman is starting to come on. As the Browns march toward the regular season on Sept. 10, the goal was to get Coleman there healthy, but also to get him ready. In the past few practices, Coleman has started to put good performances together. On Sunday, Coleman caught a 70 yard touchdown pass from Brock Osweiler and another short touchdown from Cody Kessler.

Random Bytes

LB Rey Maulauga to work out for Miami Dolphins
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins will work out linebacker Rey Maualuga, a league source said Tuesday. Maualuga, 30, played eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where defensive coordinator Matt Burke previously coached.

Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Elliott Preparing for Long Battle with NFL
The odds are against Ezekiel Elliott beating Roger Goodell. Joe Mixon looks good, but he can't outrun his past. And Odell Beckham opens eyes yet again. All that and more in this week's 10-Point Stance.

HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2017: Best Buccaneers Episode 2 Storylines, Moments, Reaction
The life of an NFL kicker is tough. HBO's Hard Knocks reminded fans of that reality Tuesday evening when it chronicled the plight of Roberto Aguayo, who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut Saturday after he missed an extra point and a 47-yard field-goal attempt in their 23-12 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.