Bengals Bytes (2/20): The woman behind the quarterback

Overpaying for AJ McCarron Would Mark a New Low in NFL QB Desperation
Step right up, one and all, because AJ McCarron is here to inject some unwise quarterback spending into free agency. Which means he's about to make sure all is right in the NFL universe and a sense of normalcy has been restored. It just wouldn't be free agency without a young, unproven quarterback vacuuming up a desperate team's money. That quarterback was the Chicago Bears' Mike Glennon in 2017. In 2016, Brock Osweiler started his journey toward becoming a free-agent bust for the Houston Texans.

2018 NFL Draft: A running back in each round for the Bengals
As we continue our series on looking at prospects at each position for each round, our focus shifts to the running back position after checking out the quarterbacks last time out. The running back class is a very intriguing one, with talent to be had all throughout the draft. And we’ll start with the prospects many analysts are gushing over from Happy Valley.

Bengals QB Jeff Driskel has a broken arm because coaches asked him to take practice reps at WR | Bengals Wire
After losing a grievance case with quarterback AJ McCarron, the Cincinnati Bengals would probably love to find out whether Jeff Driskel can replace him. One problem — Driskel’s arm is in a sling because he broke it on a fall in practice. While playing wide receiver.

TDBH: Bengals cut Webb with Levi emerging at LT
After a rookie season Levi Jones validates his first-round selection, the Bengals are more than convinced he is the left tackle of their new Marvin Gardens Era under head coach Marvin Lewis and today they prove it when they terminate the contract of Richmond Webb. The move isn’t a surprise. When Webb suffers a season-ending pectoral muscle in the fourth game of last season, Jones, the 10th pick in the draft out of Arizona State, survives a true baptism under fire when his first NFL start comes with the Bengals’ third different starting quarterback of the season.

Meet Jordan Dalton: The woman behind Cincinnati's quarterback
They say behind every great man is a great woman. And that couldn’t be more true when talking about Andy Dalton. Jordan Dalton, the wife of Cincinnati’s quarterback, said she kind of likes being in his shadow. She says she’s her husband’s biggest cheerleader, whether he’s had a great game or a bad season.

AFC North Bytes

A return to Cleveland may be in order for Terrelle Pryor
In 2016, Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor was one of the NFL’s pleasant surprises, a converted quarterback who changed positions and caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards. In 2017, the Browns let Pryor walk in free agency, and that didn’t work out well for anyone. Pryor ended up in Washington, where he managed just 20 catches for 240 yards, and the Browns spent more money on a lesser receiver, Kenny Britt, who managed just 18 catches for 233 yards before they cut him.

Steelers TE James found relief after Patriots' SB loss
James told Josh Moyer of the Centre Daily Times he hears about the play almost daily, and only found relief when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. "I don't feel like I gave them a Super Bowl with that," James said. "So I'm over it now, but it's going to be a topic of conversation until the rule gets changed -- or it doesn't."

Random Bytes

Cowboys Rumors: DeMarcus Lawrence to Be Franchise Tagged by Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys reportedly will use the franchise tag on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence this offseason, with the goal of working out a long-term contract extension before the July 16 deadline, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. Moore added that the team won't use the tag tomorrow when they are first eligible to do so but will hit him with the tag by March 6.

Baker Mayfield Will Not Attend 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium
It appears football fans hoping to see Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield attend the 2018 NFL draft in person will be disappointed. On Monday, Newy Scruggs of NBC Sports reported Mayfield said he will not attend the event set to be held in AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks selected, and Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projected him to go No. 11 overall to the Miami Dolphins in his latest mock draft.

Everything You Need to Know About the 2018 NFL Franchise Tag
The first significant offseason date occurs Tuesday when franchise tags can be applied to the NFL's best and brightest free agents, thus preventing them from testing the open market. League officials implemented the rule in 1993 as a way to offset a team losing its star players and maintain competitive balance. The one-year agreement isn't used lightly since its implementation can lead to long-lasting repercussions.

DirecTV raises price for NFL Sunday Ticket
Being a hard-core NFL fan is getting more expensive. DirecTV is raising prices on its NFL Sunday Ticket package, which is the only way to watch every NFL game. The retail price will reach an all-time high of $293.94 in 2018, with the package that includes Red Zone Channel increasing to $395.95.