Bengals News (6/4): Veterans and rookies coming together

Come Together: Bengals Rookies, Veterans Get To Know Each Other
Helping the young players get acclimated to life in the NFL as quick as possible is a dynamic all 32 NFL teams face. With coaches consistently on the move, the draft and free agency, developing team chemistry and acclimating young players to the league can be more difficult than ever, especially without strong leadership.

Dalton Foundation’s ‘Night to Pass it On’ Set for Friday, June 7
The gala will include cocktails from Molly Wellmann, dinner, appearances by Bengals coach Zac Taylor and players, and both silent and live auctions. Former Bengals offensive lineman Dave Lapham will emcee the event. The after-party will feature music, games and cuisine from Red Feather.

Around the AFC North: Andy Dalton Says Overlooked Bengals Will Have Potent Offense
Dalton is playing for a coach other than Marvin Lewis for the first time. New Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor is installing his offense, one that is similar to the Los Angeles Rams offense where Taylor was quarterbacks coach under Sean McVay.

Andy Dalton learning a new offense in a new way
“The easiest way to play your best is to not have to think out there, know exactly what you’re doing, and just react and play. I think with this system — that’s how you want to play in general — but how we have this thing established is very much like Sean was saying. You make easier on all the guys to make sure that you can play fast. But the way you do it makes it look different for the defense.”

Rams' Whitworth looking for first playoff win in eighth trip
Saturday’s divisional-round game against Dallas at the LA Memorial Coliseum will be the 13-year veteran’s eighth playoff appearance. The previous seven have been in the wild-card round and found his teams on the losing end. Whitworth injured his knee in the Dec. 30 regular-season finale against San Francisco, but says the week off allowed him to rest up and prepare for the Cowboys.

Bengals grab Jerod Mayo instead of Keith Rivers in 2008 re-draft
This is especially interesting when it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals in recent years given some of their past drafts. Would the team still take Cedric Ogbuehi? John Ross?

Bengals avoid Gerald McCoy in AFC North as star DT chooses Panthers
McCoy stays in the NFC South and at the same time shuns the AFC North, where he visited with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The Cincinnati Bengals also had a rumored interest because coaches apparently wanted to pair him with Geno Atkins.

Around the league

Brady's age a factor in Adam Humphries' FA decision
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Adam Humphries found himself facing that very situation during free agency as one of the top wide receivers to hit the open market. Humphries, however, elected to sign a four-year deal in Tennessee after pondering a last-ditch effort from New England to land his services.

Ndamukong Suh wearing No. 93, just like Gerald McCoy
Throughout college and his pro career, Ndamukong Suh has donned a No. 93 jersey and that's not changing with the Bucs as the recently signed free agent is listed on the team roster with the number.

Rams RB Todd Gurley won't be 'bell cow' going forward
The Los Angeles Rams running back has been held out of on-field team practices during offseason workouts, instead taking part in a "planned training program." Gurley is also reportedly trying to shed half a dozen pounds down to 218 in an attempt to lighten the load on a knee that held him back down the stretch of last season.

Roger Goodell repeats stance to shorten preseason
According to Wawrow, Goodell drew on discussions he had with coaches around the league before concluding the current span of preseason games is not required to evaluate players before the start of the regular season.

Darius Slay 'ain't going' to Lions' mandatory minicamp
Slay, 28, has two seasons left on a four-year extension signed with the Lions in 2016. The All-Pro cornerback is set to make over $13 million in 2019 and $10.5 million in 2020, per Spotrac.