Bengals Bytes (7/1): Stat showing Vontaze Burfict’s importance to the defense

Former Bengals player puts $25M into Cincinnati apartments
Former Cincinnati Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey is investing $25 million in multifamily housing locally. Pelfrey’s Blue Tide Partners received a loan for the ambitious project and allows it to acquire a 435-unit multifamily portfolio, according to Jacob Fisher of the Cincinnati Business Courier.

Bengals RB Tra Carson wants NCAA football video game back
Football fans in general would probably love to see EA Sports’ NCAA football video game return. Count Cincinnati Bengals running back Tra Carson as one of them. On Thursday, Carson offered up a simple question on social media

One stat shows how important Vontaze Burfict is to Bengals defense
Vontaze Burfict is one of the NFL’s better players when actually on the field. For the Cincinnati Bengals, the problem is keeping him on the field with his head in the game.

AFC North Bytes

Baker Mayfield Announces Engagement to Girlfriend Emily Wilkinson
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield announced his engagement to girlfriend Emily Wilkinson on Saturday. In an Instagram post that shows Mayfield proposing to Wilkinson while on one knee, the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick wrote, "Can't wait to do life with the most perfect girl. Emily Wilkinson, I love you."

Steelers 2018 Super Bowl run hinges on ability to communicate on defense and tackle
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the talent to win their seventh Super Bowl title last season. They failed to do so because they were lacking two key elements on defense: communicating and tackling. Ryan Shazier covered up these flaws, which were exposed when he was lost to a tragic spinal injury.

Random Bytes

Mark Murphy: Packers Hope to Sign Aaron Rodgers to New Contract Soon
Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy provided a somewhat optimistic update regarding quarterback Aaron Rodgers' contract situation on Wednesday. According to WTMJ's Jay Sorgi, Murphy told KTI Country's Karen Dalessandro, "We hope to soon have a contract extension."

30 over 30: NFL's Best Players Who Have Yet to Answer Father Time's Call
In many cases, this remains true. Professional football is a young man's game. Advancements in training techniques, dietary needs and sleep studies have extended many careers.

Vince McMahon Expected to Spend $500 Million to Finance XFL
Rovell noted back in December 2017 that McMahon sold about $100 million worth of WWE shares to "primarily to fund a separate entity from the Company, Alpha Entertainment LLC, which Mr. McMahon established to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football."