Bengals Bytes (8/6): Media pass

Dalton, Mixon lead White
Quarterback Andy Dalton led two touchdown drives, including a 94-yarder and the other one out of a crisp one-minute offense as the White team composed mostly of starters beat the Black, 19-9, in Saturday’s semi-scrimmage at Paul Brown Stadium before a Family Day crowd of 11,108.

Camp report: Dalton, Mixon shine; Elliott, O-line rebound
The ancient Intrasquad Scrimmage has gone the way of the horse-and-buggy and the old Mock Game has morphed into just another strip mall practice of shoulder pads and simulated scenarios. But as a nod to tradition Saturday head coach Marvin Lewis did split squad the Bengals into two teams before a Family Day crowd at Paul Brown Stadium and put the No. 1s in white and pitted them against the backups in black in a controlled scrimmage of situations. What emerged was a 19-9 White victory, which was expected, much like quarterback Andy Dalton’s 13 of 19 passing for 154 yards that briskly accounted for two touchdowns in two different situations.

Rookies Joe Mixon, Josh Malone shine in Cincinnati Bengals' scrimmage
The Bengals are less than a week out from their preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it's clear they're still very much a work in progress. The Bengals held a scrimmage Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium in front of 11,000 fans, with the intention of giving some of the younger players their first taste of a game-like setting. The Bengals split up into two teams, with quarterback Andy Dalton and the first-team offense playing against the second-team defense.

Observations from Cincinnati Bengals intra-squad scrimmage
The Cincinnati Bengals held their annual scrimmage Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium before a Family Day crowd of 11,108. Competing in shoulder pads and shorts with no live tackling, the White Team, made up of the starters and key backups, defeated the Black Team, comprised of second- and third-string players, 16-6.

Cincinnati Bengals' Carl Lawson ready to prove his worth
The Bengals will be making a conscious effort to turn things around this season. After ending the 2016 campaign on a defensive high note, that mentality will have to carry over. So far, the defense has been looking good during training camp. But, one player is going to make a mark for himself before the first preseason game. Carl Lawson has impressed the coaches and continues to make strides.

Dillon: Are players in media causing HOF bias?
With one look at the class enshrined Saturday night into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, a distinct thread was apparent among a particular trio. Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis and LaDanian Tomlinson all can be seen regularly as transitioned members of the media

AFC North Post

Steelers News: Vince Williams the latest in a long line of tough LBs
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the heart of their 2017 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. While news comes flying at all different angles with contracts, arrivals and departures, it is easy to miss some great written pieces outside of BTSC. This is where the ‘Black and Gold Links’ comes in. We compile some great articles for you to read, give you a small taste of the article, and a link so you can further read the great work by those who are there telling the tale in first-hand.

Ravens' Marshal Yanda: Sky isn't falling in Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens' list of offseason injuries is gruesome to gander. In just the past 10 days, John Harbaugh's team has lost running back Kenneth Dixon (MCL), guard John Urschel (retirement), corner Maurice Canady (MCL), tight end Crockett Gillmore (MCL) and guard Nico Siragusa (ACL, MCL). That week-and-a-half's worth doesn't even include Joe Flacco dealing with back pain, the retirement of Zach Orr in January, or the losses of CB Tavon Young (ACL), TE Dennis Pitta (hip) and TE Darren Waller (year-long suspension) in June.

Signs pointing to Brock Osweiler being elevated to start in first preseason game
As expected, Hue Jackson didn’t shake up the quarterback rotation in a light practice on Saturday. But he admitted he could announce one Monday and indications are that Brock Osweiler will be the new starter in the practice week and in the preseason opener Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. Osweiler has seen little, if any, time with the No. 1 units since he joined the Browns in “that” trade on March 9. But Cody Kessler has struggled – he tipped off a pass on Saturday that resulted in a Jamie Collins pick 6 interception – and Osweiler was effective moving the ball in the Friday team scrimmage and finally showed some ability to beat a defense vertically on Saturday

Random Bytes

Linval Joseph and Minnesota Vikings Agree to New Contract
SportsTrust Advisors announced Saturday on Twitter that defensive tackle Linval Joseph and the Minnesota Vikings came to terms on a contract extension. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it is a four-year deal worth $50 million with $31.5 million guaranteed. Prior to the new contract, Joseph was signed through the 2018 season.

Malcolm Smith out for Season After Chest Injury Diagnosed as Torn Pectoral
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Malcolm Smith suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle during Saturday's practice at training camp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This is a difficult blow for a team that is looking to make strides in 2017 after winning just two games last season.

Pro Football Hall of Fame 2017: Ceremony Recap, Speech Highlights and Reaction
LaDainian Tomlinson, Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis, Jason Taylor, Jerry Jones, Kenny Easley and Morten Andersen officially took their place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the 2017 enshrinement ceremony Saturday. The seven-man class for the hallowed halls in Canton, Ohio, was announced Feb. 4, the day before Super Bowl LI. Tomlinson and Taylor got elected in their first year on the ballot, while Easley was voted in as a senior committee nominee.