Bengals Bytes (3/24): History of drafting centers

Bengals potential draft target Maurice Hurst cleared to resume football career
Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is back on the draft board for the Cincinnati Bengals after an alarming health scare at the combine. Hurst, arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the draft, had two irregular EKGs pop up in Indianapolis, throwing his football career into question.

Bengals only team asking Quenton Nelson about playing OT at Notre Dame Pro Day
The Cincinnati Bengals really like the idea of Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson playing offensive tackle. At Notre Dame’s Pro Day, the Bengals were apparently the only team to ask him about it. Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk had the report, with JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago confirming:

Bengals only team asking Quenton Nelson about playing OT at Notre Dame Pro Day
The Cincinnati Bengals really like the idea of Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson playing offensive tackle. At Notre Dame’s Pro Day, the Bengals were apparently the only team to ask him about it. Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk had the report, with JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago confirming:

A center in first round? Cincinnati Bengals haven't done it since 1983
The Bengals gained a left tackle after trading for former Bills LT Cordy Glenn, but they didn't re-sign center Russell Bodine. Right tackle and right guard are still in flux. Now that the Bengals dropped from the No. 12 overall pick to the No. 21 overall pick, taking an interior lineman is more of a possibility than it was if they stayed within the top-15 picks (Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson aside).

Grading Bengals free-agency moves so far
This offseason there has been much debate on whether the Cincinnati Bengals are having a productive free-agency period or not. I am taking it upon myself, via request, to go ahead and grade the moves the Bengals have made so far now that the team figures to fall back and wait for the draft.

Former Bengals great Solomon Wilcots advising on blood test for brain disorder linked to football - Cincinnati Business Courier
Former Cincinnati Bengal and NFL broadcaster Solomon Wilcots will lead a group of retired football players serving as advisers for a health care firm’s study of a blood test to detect and monitor a degenerative brain disorder.

TDBH: Even if they wanted, Bengals can’t give away overall No. 1 in NFL’s new century
Wasn’t it just 11 years ago that Bengals president Mike Brown and then Washington general manager Charley Casserly switched spots in the NFL Draft when the salary cap was just a concept? But now, in 2003, with the Bengals owning the No. 1 pick, moving up seems to be the last thing on anyone's mind. "We can sit at No. 3 and get a good player," Casserly says, now running the Texans. "We can get a receiver, a left tackle, a defensive lineman. No matter what happens." Here’s where the status of the first pick stands this morning, the first official day of the NFL's annual meeting, 33 days before they go on the clock:

AFC North Bytes

The Ravens have been relatively active in free agency, will it pay off?
The Baltimore Ravens have been relatively active this offseason. The Ravens had 12 players heading into free agency as unrestricted free agents. Two of them re-signed with Baltimore, while two have signed elsewhere. Ryan Jensen became the highest paid center as he signed a four-year, $42 million deal with the Buccaneers. While on Thursday night, Mike Wallace signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Eagles.

Le’Veon Bell’s ultimate decision comes down to his bank account, and his Steelers legacy
All of us make decisions everyday based on this principle, whether we realize it or not. Maybe our treasures make us selfless in nature. We think of others before we think of ourselves, such as putting your family or friends’ needs ahead of your own. Some of us may not have been blessed with such a support group, and therefore have to be more selfish in nature to survive. No matter which group we may belong to, all of our decisions are influenced by circumstances. The truth isn’t always in what we say, but is made evident in what we do. Actions speak louder than words!

Random Bytes

Allen Hurns Planning to Sign Contract with Cowboys
Wide receiver Allen Hurns has found a new home, after the wide receiver told ESPN's Josina Anderson he'd be agreeing to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. An undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2014, Hurns spent his first four NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His best season came in 2015 when he had 64 receptions for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 games.

Michael Bennett Indicted on Injury of the Elderly Charge; Arrest Warrant Issued
The charge comes after Bennett allegedly tried to force his way onto the field following the New England Patriots' 2017 Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston. Bennett was a spectator at the event, watching his brother Martellus Bennett play for the Patriots. Per the KHOU.com report: "NRG Security personnel, including the 66-year-old disabled victim, told Bennett he had to use a different entrance for field access. Instead, he pushed through them, including the elderly woman who was part of the security team."

Martellus Bennett Appears to Announce NFL Retirement After 10 Seasons
Bennett, who hinted at his intention to retire via an Instagram post in October, was involved in one of the 2017 NFL season's most bizarre stories. The Green Bay Packers, who signed him last March, waived him in November for his failure to disclose a medical condition. The 31-year-old tight end responded by saying the Packers knew about his shoulder injury and released him because he elected to get surgery.