Bengals Bytes (8/8): Legendary hope

Bengals' George Iloka 'coming along'; C.J. Uzomah carted off on Monday
Bengals safety George Iloka says he'll miss weeks and not months following a "nasty" knee injury. "If you watch it on tape, it looked nasty. If you ask any athlete, they'll tell you any time you have a knee get caught in the ground, especially when it looked the way it did, you're going to be nervous and you're probably going to think the worst," he said. "I'm just happy and fortunate that it wasn't that serious and the most I'll probably miss is weeks and not months. I'm happy, I'm rehabbing hard and I'll be there as soon as I can."

Camp report: Healthy Quez spices solid play on corner
Remember Darqueze Dennard? He reminded everyone Monday in a practice in front of 1,050 when he forced a fumble, knocked away a pass, and on the last drill of the day intercepted a ball in the end zone when fellow cornerback Adam Jones tipped it. Remember? The Bengals’ first pick in the 2014 draft?

A Bengals training camp recap: Mixon, the O-line and more
The Bengals practiced in full pads today, but they weren't tackling. That is one of the many things Tony Pike was concerned with after practice. Tony is also worried about the offensive line. Joe Mixon had a few highlight reel runs and tight end C.J. Uzomah left practice with a left leg injury. He left on a cart.

Boomer Esiason, former QB, says he probably has CTE
Former QB Boomer Esiason says on his radio show that he likely has CTE, and he thinks most football players probably suffer from it as well. "If I died tomorrow and my brain was taken and researched and it was found that I had CTE, which, most likely I have," he said Monday on his radio show "Boomer and Carton."

Rookies Joe Mixon, Josh Malone shine in Cincinnati Bengals' scrimmage
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. Rookies Joe Mixon and Josh Malone provided the highlights, but the special teams and offensive line showed they needed some work.

The Breakdown: A Look at the Cincinnati Bengals Schematic Philosophy
Cincinnati’s long-time quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese enters his second season as the team’s offensive coordinator. Quarterback Andy Dalton has been the recipient of mixed opinions for the duration of his career, but there’s no denying his high-level football intelligence that helps make this offense so difficult to defend. Zampese’s multiple looks and formations are especially prevalent in his heavy dosage of run-pass options (RPOs) that found ways to stress every defense they faced.

Throwback Monday: Legends hope Bengals head matches talent
It was Throwback Monday at Bengals training camp when four members of the franchise’s First 50 as voted by the fans surfaced to watch this year’s edition begin preparations for Friday’s pre-season opener (7:30 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) against Tampa Bay. All four are members of the media and to a man they went on the record to say the Bengals are faster, deeper, and have a shot.

Observations from Cincinnati Bengals training camp Day 9
The Cincinnati Bengals were in full pads for practice Monday afternoon, but they only ran a handful of goal-line plays of live action with tackling despite the preseason opener being just a few days away. The team will hold a full practice open to the public Tuesday and a brief, public walk-through on Wednesday ahead of Friday night’s home game against Tampa Bay.

AFC North Bytes

Report: Ravens still don't have a firm timetable for Joe Flacco’s return
Baltimore Ravens franchise quarterback Joe Flacco has yet to take the practice field thus far in training camp. It was announced at the beginning of camp that Flacco had injured his back lifting weights. Head coach John Harbaugh initially expected Flacco to return after a week of rest. A week and a half later, the team is still unsure of his status.

Brock Osweiler takes over the driver's seat in the Browns' quarterback competition
The reaction of the quarterbacks to Hue Jackson’s decision to promote Brock Osweiler to the starting spot this week was, well, muted. Diplomacy reigned. Osweiler wouldn’t even concede he is in the driver’s seat now to start the season Sept. 10 against the Steelers. “This league gives you opportunities,” Osweiler said. “Sometimes you don’t know when they’re going to come, sometimes you do. I think the key is making the most of the opportunities and the rest will take care of itself.” Cody Kessler, who was demoted to No. 2 in the rotation, wouldn’t concede it was a setback. “It’s just another opportunity [to play against the Saints],” he said. “Obviously, it’s coach Jackson’s decision. Only way you can control that is how you play on the field. Control what you can control.”

Injuries to Steelers secondary could alter plans
During June minicamp, defensive backs coach Carnell Lake was asked if anything could derail the Steelers' plan to employ more press-man coverage this season. Lake was quick with an answer. “Injuries,” he said. “They are going to happen, and that would be the biggest hindrance to us progressing as a secondary — if we don't have all bodies at our disposal.”

Random Bytes

Branden Albert Reportedly Will Report to Jaguars After Previously Retiring
Offensive lineman Branden Albert is reportedly no longer retired. On Monday, Adam Caplan of ESPN cited a source who said Albert told the Jacksonville Jaguars he will report to the team. Caplan noted Albert previously announced his retirement but has a base salary of $8.875 million waiting for him in the 2017 campaign.

Johnny Manziel Says He'd Try Coaching College Football If He Can't Play in NFL
With his days as an active player in the NFL potentially over, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel remains hopeful he can return to the game in a coaching capacity. "I'd do something involved with sports. I can't get away from it," Manziel said at the International Football Betting Conference, per ESPN.com. "I've had to ask myself that a little bit as of late over the past year, but at the same time I'd want to be involved in sports in some way, whether it's coaching, whether it's doing something like that. So I think that'd be my route."

NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand at Start of Preseason?
As NFL fans, we all love early August, right? Shark Week is over, training camps are underway, and every team in the league is equal—except for those that aren't. This is where the reality of the NFL rests. Yes, every team is undefeated right now, but there are some 0-0 teams that are much better than others. How ever can we rank teams? If the win-loss columns are telling the tale, the New England Patriots are the same as the New York Jets.

Sheldon Richardson Calls Brandon Marshall 'Drama Queenish,' Says He Quit on Jets
New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson didn't hold back when discussing wide receiver Brandon Marshall's time with the team last season. On Monday, Connor Hughes of NJ.com passed along comments Richardson made on The Michael Kay Show and noted the 2014 Pro Bowler said Marshall "did little things that were drama queenish" and "actually quit on this team well before the season was over."