Bengals Bytes (7/10): Matt Barkley adds experience to the backup quarterback competition

Barkley Brings Experience To Backup Battle
When free agent quarterback Matt Barkley signed a two-year deal with the Bengals in March, he joined his fifth NFL team in six professional seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Team Preview and Prediction
Major change appeared imminent as the losses piled up during a disappointing 2017 campaign. Instead, Cincinnati is banking on the same key figures who led it to five consecutive playoff appearances and two AFC North crowns during the first half of the decade.

Bengals who could steal roster spots this summer
The Bengals had a talented roster last year before a series of moves this offseason, which included trading for a left tackle, making 11 draft picks and adding even more in undrafted free agency.

Bengals 2017 Season in Review: Week 2
The Texans have been the Bengals’ Achilles heel in recent years. Houston eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, and then ended the Bengals’ undefeated start in 2015. Last season, Houston did nothing to change that reputation. Coming into Week 2 off an embarrassing thrashing at the hands of Baltimore, the Bengals needed a win badly. At home on a Thursday night, they had plenty of opportunities, but fell short 13-9. That loss dropped the team to 0-2 on the season.

6 quotes to know surrounding Bengals new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin
Austin comes over from the Detroit Lions and with a handful of former head-coaching interviews under his belt. He’s a strong potential Marvin Lewis replacement in a few years, though for now, he’ll run the defense out of the spot vacated by Paul Guenther.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh shares some shocking details of his early days with Bengals
Marvin Lewis often gets credit for modernizing the Cincinnati Bengals. Nationally, some don’t realize this means as much about the off-field situation as it does on the field.

AFC North Bytes

AFC North Q&A: Who is the best newcomer in the division?
The free-agent addition from Oakland is the projected No. 1 target for Joe Flacco, and he’s the headliner of Baltimore’s revamped wide-receiver group. While Crabtree isn’t on the same level as Antonio Brown, A.J. Green or Josh Gordon, he is an underrated possession receiver who has been among the NFL’s most consistent pass-catchers, especially in the end zone. Only two players have caught eight or more touchdown passes in each of the past three seasons: Brown and Crabtree.

AFC North Q&A: Who is the rising star in the division?
He’s primed for a breakout year in his second season. Mixon delivered a promising rookie campaign, leading Cincinnati with 626 yards rushing. He capped it off with a 96-yard effort against the Ravens, which could carry over into a season with a heavier workload. While Mixon needs to improve his consistency, his 3.5-yard average was also a reflection of his blocking.

Random Bytes

Sam Beal: Meet the Best Supplemental Draft Prospect Since Josh Gordon
Sam Beal knows he won't hear his name called on network television—that's the curse of being picked on July 11 in the NFL supplemental draft—but he's determined to make those who passed on him or doubted him remember his name.

AFC Executive: Rob Gronkowski Is Available in Trade Until TE Gets New Contract
Tight end Rob Gronkowski has decided to put retirement on hold for now, but it still remains to be seen whether he will be wearing a New England Patriots uniform in 2018. Some around the NFL believe Gronkowski is available until he works out a new deal with New England.

Cowboys' Marquez White Charged with Assault After Alleged Road Rage Incident
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Marquez White has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan.