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Bengals will finish 2018 at 8-8, according to ESPN projections
The 2018 Cincinnati Bengals face the odd task of bouncing back from a pair of losing seasons despite retaining head coach Marvin Lewis for a 16th year. Lewis has remade the coaching staff underneath him with notables such as defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive line coach Frank Pollack, to name a few.
Bengals Draft Strategy: Interior offensive line
Bengals beat writers Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski conclude the Bengals Draft Strategy series with a look at the team's options at interior offensive line.
Bengals among teams traveling fewest round-trip miles in 2018
The Cincinnati Bengals seemed to receive a difficult schedule in 2018 thanks to how the away games fall at the start and end of the season. Closer inspection reveals something more interesting about the schedule. According to ESPN.com’s Brian Burke, the Bengals are among the teams traveling the fewest round-trip miles
Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft Strategy: Interior offensive line
The center position, in particular, is the most glaring position on the roster with previous starter Russell Bodine now in Buffalo. Anybody drafted will likely be the starter on opening day against the Colts. New offensive line coach Frank Pollack oversaw a group in Dallas that was led by former first-round center Travis Frederick. Replicating that process would fit his comfort zone. In theory, T.J. Johnson would be the current starter, but there’s zero chance the Bengals come away from this draft without a player they hope will take the job from him. Guard is much more solid, but not out of the question either with an unproven commodity likely in place to take over at right guard.
Cincinnati Bengals 2018 NFL Draft Strategy: Interior offensive line
The center position, in particular, is the most glaring position on the roster with previous starter Russell Bodine now in Buffalo. Anybody drafted will likely be the starter on opening day against the Colts. New offensive line coach Frank Pollack oversaw a group in Dallas that was led by former first-round center Travis Frederick. Replicating that process would fit his comfort zone. In theory, T.J. Johnson would be the current starter, but there’s zero chance the Bengals come away from this draft without a player they hope will take the job from him. Guard is much more solid, but not out of the question either with an unproven commodity likely in place to take over at right guard.
Cincinnati Bengals draft capsule
After five straight playoff appearances — and NFL-record five straight first-round losses — Bengals have had back-to-back losing seasons, which would mean change at top for most teams. Instead, coach Marvin Lewis — 0-7 in playoffs — got two-year contract extension through 2019. There were moves with staff, notable for reluctant-to-change organization. Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after 0-2 start and replaced long-time offensive line coach Paul Alexander after season. Bill Lazor was retained as offensive coordinator for 2018 and given latitude to overhaul offense that finished last in league. Line was biggest problem, and Bengals took first step toward addressing it by acquiring LT Cordy Glenn in trade with Buffalo, also swapping 12th and 21st picks in first round. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther left to join Jon Gruden with Raiders.
Bengals 2014 First Round Pick
The Cincinnati Bengals selected cornerback Darqueze Dennard out of Michigan St. with the 24th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Bengals made a commitment to putting together an elite cornerback core at the turn of the decade. They brought in Adam Jones and Terrence Newman alongside 2007 first round pick Leon Hall to give the team a veteran presence. The Bengals then began drafting elite prospects to grow under their newly signed veterans, starting with Dre Kirkpatrick in 2012.
AFC North Bytes
Joe Haden on Steelers' pass defense woes: 'It's a communication thing.'
The Steelers returned to work this week for voluntary workouts at the UMPC Rooney Sports Complex, and one of their first assignments was re-watching the AFC divisional round playoff loss to Jacksonville.
Browns want Josh Allen, or they want everyone to think it
As the Browns keep their cards close to the vest regarding plans for the first overall pick in the draft, the Browns may have accidentally given everyone a peak at their hand. And it relates to the hand. Specifically, the size of it.
Random Bytes
Inaccuracy talk bugs Josh Allen
During a recent visit with PFT Live, Allen admitted that the amount of time that people have to talk about the draft on TV, radio, the Internet, etc. can become a little tiring. So I asked him what about the ongoing chatter regarding Josh Allen bugs him the most.
Report: NFL Plans to Talk Future of the Kickoff in Player Safety Summit Meeting
The NFL will reportedly address the future of the kickoff play during a May 1 and 2 summit meeting at league headquarters in New York. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reported the news, noting the "kickoff has long been a source of concern for NFL medical staffs," especially after the NFL's competition committee received data in March highlighting the fact concussions are five times more likely to happen on kickoffs than other plays.
Raiders Rumors: Amari Cooper's 5th-Year Contract Option to Be Picked Up
A 2015 first-round pick, Cooper looked the part of a true No. 1 wide receiver over his first two seasons. As a rookie, the Alabama product registered 72 receptions for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns. He followed up that Pro Bowl-caliber performance by logging a career-high 83 catches for 1,153 yards and five scores in Year 2.