Bengals Bytes (7/21): Cincinnati coaches are already hyping up William Jackson

E.T. goes home to celebrate 30th
Eric Thomas, whose 53-year-old body is still chiseled tighter than a Bengals-49ers Super Bowl, probably told the kids the Jerry Rice story while he drove them through the 5:15 a.m. shuttle. The Woodlawn Loop, they call it. The 30-year-old yarn is still as fresh as a morning lift, which works since as their new cornerbacks coach Thomas drove his kids that needed a ride to the workouts in the Princeton High School weight room launched at dawn before the school buses hit the streets.

Where does Andy Dalton rank among AFC North QBs?
The man with something like “The Dalton Line” named after him wouldn’t seem like a great option, yet the Cincinnati Bengals keep sticking with him — even after a 2017 campaign in which his numbers resembled those he posted as a rookie back in 2011.

Fantasy Football: 32 Teams in 32 Days: The Cincinnati Bengals
This off-season was a relatively quiet one for the Cincinnati Bengals offense. They did land LT Cordy Glenn in a trade, which should help keep Andy Dalton upright and open up more lanes in the running game. Maybe the biggest signing in 2018 was the one that brought back their own guy. Tyler Eifert comes back this season, and if he stays healthy, may finally answer the Bengals’ question of who is the #2 to AJ Green.

Bengals corner William Jackson III: 'I was always doubted'
After being sidelined for his entire rookie year with a torn pectoral, Jackson is coming off an extremely encouraging second NFL season where he emerged as a shutdown corner.

Bengals coach talks up William Jackson’s ‘very rare coverage skills’ | Bengals Wire
Jackson put on a show last year while not receiving as much playing time as he could. In what amounted to his rookie season on the field, Jackson sparred with greats like Antonio Brown and came out ahead.

Random Bytes

Andrew Luck Cleared to Return from Shoulder Injury at Colts Training Camp
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard announced Friday that quarterback Andrew Luck will be back in action for training camp, albeit with rest days, according to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star:

Players Aren't Planning to Lose Culture War with NFL, Trump Without a Fight
Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey announced this week that he will protest during the national anthem this season. It's a brave and patriotic move that will likely become another symbolic mortar round in the culture war between the NFL and President Donald Trump.

Stephen Ross: Dolphins' Policy for Protest During Anthem Was 'Placeholder'
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement Friday saying the team's policy to suspend players up to four games for protesting during the national anthem was a "placeholder."

Baker Knows Baseball: Old Teammates Say NFL Top Pick Mayfield Had MLB Potential
The night after the Browns selected him with the first pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Baker Mayfield walked onto a baseball field. The Indians were hosting the Mariners, and Mayfield and fellow first-round pick Denzel Ward were to throw out the first pitches.