Bengals News (6/13): John Ross talks about how freeing this offense has been

Revived Defense A Must See In Mandatories
Before the Bengals took the field Wednesday for their second practice of mandatory minicamp, cornerback William Jackson III joined the rest of his mates and talked up new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Then he made an offer.

2019 Bengals Minicamp Day 2 Photos
Check out some of the top images from day two of the Bengals mandatory minicamp from Paul Brown Stadium.

A.J. Green eases back into team drills, eager to learn new offense
But the sight of Green catching passes from Andy Dalton was a welcome change around Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals completed their first two days of mandatory minicamp Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cincinnati Bengals: Why the championship window is about to open
The winds of change are blowing on the banks of the Ohio River, and it arrives in waves of irony. Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown despises change. It’s one of the reasons he stuck with Marvin Lewis for so long. However, after three consecutive losing seasons, even Brown couldn’t deny that it was time for a new direction. So out with the old school, defensive-minded curmudgeon and in with the young, offensive guru.

Shawn Williams credits Lou Anarumo for new attitude from Bengals
“I just think it’s been what Lou has instilled. We’ve been able to play fast within the system and that’s allowing us to make plays and get our hands on the ball. I don’t think it’s anything other than that. I think where we’re at right now compared to where we were in the past it’s definitely a step up. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s because things are really simple and guys just kind of know and the fact that we’ve gotten older. We’re finally starting to click.”

A re-energized John Ross says he feels free to be the player he was when the Bengals drafted him
Rumors had surfaced the Bengals were going to be shopping him to other teams at the NFL Combine, and Bengals officials were among those trying to get in touch with him, apparently to quash those notions.

Around the league

Amari Cooper isn't sweating Cowboys contract talk
Cooper has little reason to worry. The 24-year-old is set to make $13.924 million on the fifth year of his rookie contract. The Cowboys -- who gave up a first-round pick to acquire his services -- could then employ the franchise tag in 2020 if a long-term deal isn't struck, which would amount to a one-year pay raise for Cooper.

Travis Kelce plans to be '100 percent' by training camp
Since a knee injury wiped out all but one game during his rookie campaign in 2013, Kelce hasn't missed a tilt for medical reasons the past five years. The veteran is ready to put the offseason behind him and get back to practicing with teammates.

Wilson: D.K. Metcalf 'looking really, really special'
Per his modus operandi, Wilson cooed about all the Seahawks' receivers but offered specific praise for the rookie. The quarterback said that while Metcalf owns freakish athleticism -- running a 4.33-yard 40-yard dash and flashing a 40.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-4, 229 pounds -- it's the wideout's mental acumen that impressed him thus far.

Philip Rivers to limit reps in prep for long season
Said Rivers when asked about limiting his reps, "As a competitor, as someone who enjoys practice, it's always hard. You almost need them to protect you from yourself. It can be positive. You have to find that right recipe so that you are ready and prepared to go have a great season, but also to be fresh and be smart."

Patriots accuse Texans of tampering over Nick Caserio
The NFL's definition of tampering reads as follows: "The term tampering, as used within the National Football League, refers to any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL."

Kirk Cousins doesn't want to be '.500 quarterback'
The quarterback hit many career personal highs in 2018 -- completions (425), attempts (606), comp. percentage (70.1) and passing TDs (30) -- but the Vikings were terribly average (8-7-1) and Cousins, though hot in spurts, saw his production slow down the stretch.