Bengals Bytes (8/21): Seeking pay dirt

Bengals thin D-tackle derby with Thompson cut
The Bengals have now moved on from the pair of defensive tackles they took in consecutive rounds of the 2012 draft, second-rounder Devon Still and Thompson, a third-rounder out of Clemson. Thompson missed all last season recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in the 2015 season finale and the Bengals gave him two pre-season games to see if he was back to his form when he split time with nose tackle Pat Sims before he got hurt.

First offense still seeks TD, the little things
The Bengals’ first offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in its four possessions during the first two pre-season games and that was assured Saturday night when wide receiver A.J. Green couldn’t connect with quarterback Andy Dalton on a third-and-two from the Chiefs 14.

Week 2 Bengals look lost, unprepared in 30-12 meltdown
If you had a chance to witness the insanity at Paul Brown Stadium, you probably came away scratching your head. The Bengals suffered their first loss of the preseason and looked bad while doing it. For the first half of the game, the starters looked helpless against the AFC West champion Chiefs. Additionally, it was the feeling of being unprepared that made a comeback. Cincinnati was no more than a bump in the road for KC.

7 things to know about Cincinnati Bengals loss to Chiefs
There weren’t a lot of positives to come out of Saturday night’s preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium. Not only did the Cincinnati Bengals defense surrender scores on the first five Kansas City possessions, including four touchdown drives in a row, the offense failed to reach the end zone in a 30-12 loss.

Cincinnati Bengals waive veteran defensive tackle
The Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday parted ways with the first of what could a handful of veterans over the next few weeks with the termination of defensive tackle Brandon Thompson’s contract. A third-round pick out of Clemson in 2013, Thompson appeared in 39 games with seven starts. He missed all of 2016 after tearing his ACL in the 2015 season finale.

Bengals linebackers younger, faster with Kevin Minter, Nick Vigil
When you lose two starters from any position group, it’s usually seen as a bad thing. In the Bengals’ case, when it comes to linebacker, that may not be true. The club moved on from Rey Maualuga and Karlos Dansby in the offseason. Free agent Kevin Minter takes Maualuga’s spot. Second-year player Nick Vigil takes Dansby’s.

Bengals' Jake Elliott: Both kickers perfect Saturday
Both Elliott and Randy Bullock were 2-for-2 on field goal attempts in Saturday's preseason loss to the Chiefs. So far, there's been little to separate the two Bengals' kickers in this job battle, aside from one rough day in practice for Elliott. The team hasn't tipped its hand regarding their preference.

AFC North Bytes

Anquan Boldin Leaves Bills, Retires After 14-Year NFL Career
Just two weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, receiver Anquan Boldin is set to retire. According to Jim Trotter of ESPN, the veteran left the team Sunday and informed it he will end his NFL career. Trotter also provided a statement from the player on his decision

Myles Garrett shows winning mentality with approach and attitude
Time and games will tell how good Myles Garrett can be on the field. But the one thing that nobody has questioned is Garrett's approach and attitude. Teammates, coaches, even a Hall of Fame defensive end rave about the way Garrett has impressed them with the way he has worked since joining the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers embrace physical side of football
I had something of a revelation on my annual summer training camp trip, which covered 17 camps and two games and 22 teams in 20 locales. It happened on the last stop, in the Laurel Highlands of west-central Pennsylvania. On a hot Thursday with no breeze, in the place where Joe Greene and Mike Webster and Jack Lambert and Mel Blount and Alan Faneca and Levon Kirkland and Hines Ward and Casey Hampton once jousted, the 2017 Steelers took shape under the very physical direction of coach Mike Tomlin.

Steelers vs. Falcons Final Score: 6 Winners and 3 Losers following the Steelers 17-13 win over the Falcons - Behind the Steel Curtain
After a game, even a meaningless preseason game, there are players who impress, and some who disappoint. This is where our weekly “Winners and Losers” column was born. Sometimes being labeled a loser is a bit harsh, but ultimately there are players every game who simply aren’t up to “the standard”.

Random Bytes

Marshawn Lynch Sits, Derek Carr and Khalil Mack Unite During National Anthem
Marshawn Lynch sat during the national anthem for the second straight preseason game Saturday, while Derek Carr joined a growing list of white NFL players to offer support to African-American teammates by putting his hand on Khalil Mack's shoulder during the Star-Spangled Banner, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.

Cowboys Reportedly Worried with Kellen Moore as No. 2 QB Backing Up Dak Prescott
Another poor preseason outing has the Dallas Cowboys questioning Kellen Moore as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Dak Prescott. According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram, "he will be the subject of conversation at personnel meetings this week." Moore finished just 10-of-21 for 131 yards and no touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday. He also lost a fumble in the 24-19 win.

Trevor Siemian has met criteria to be Denver Broncos' starting QB
Barring a drastic change of heart, Monday is expected to be the day Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph will -- shortly after the solar eclipse is visible in this part of Colorado -- step to a podium and shed some light on his choice of the team's starting quarterback. And going by the list of criteria Joseph himself has set out through OTAs, minicamp, training camp and two preseason games, Trevor Siemian has checked all of the boxes.