Bengals News (2/27): Big expectations for young players

Quick Hits: Bengals In All-Out Player Hunt; No Panic On O-Line; Fewer Snaps For Geno, Maybe More For Phillips
The club's internal landscape on free agency is vastly different than a year ago at this time, when new head coach Zac Taylor was still completing his defensive staff as the combine got underway. This time around his coaches arrived here with lists of free agents they've been studying already for a few weeks from the research organized by director of pro scouting Steven Radicevic.

The Cincinnati Bengals were impressed with their first impression of quarterback Joe Burrow
During the 18-minute interview session, Burrow, looking more and more like he could be the Bengals' next franchise quarterback, reportedly had an engaged give-and-take with everybody from Bengals president Mike Brown, head coach Zac Taylor, director of player personnel Duke Tobin and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. One club official not among that group said it was the best interview he had ever attended.

In the latest Bengals Booth Podcast, a 13-minute look at what quarterback prospect Joe Burrow told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine
It's the "Listen To What The Man Said" edition of the Bengals Booth Podcast. Broadcaster Dan Hoard hosts a 13-minute look at what quarterback prospect Joe Burrow told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.

Bengals’ combine meet with Joe Burrow draws rave reviews
While “the best interview he had ever attended” sounds like typical draft-season talk, it isn’t hard to think the smooth-talking Burrow got along just fine with Bengals representatives.

Joe Burrow Rumors: Bengals Believe QB 'Will Be Ready' for NFL
According to Cincinnati.com's Tyler Dragon, Burrow's meeting with the Bengals "went well" on Wednesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, leaving the team sold that the 23-year-old is a "smart guy" and "will be ready" for the NFL.

2020 NFL Combine: 3 Players the Cincinnati Bengals should Watch for
The Bengal’s team website has seemed to indicate that they’ll be focusing on the defensive side of the ball, especially for their selection in round two. Fans should keep an eye on the defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive linemen, who will be participating in drills on Saturday and Sunday.

Around the league

Colts interested in veteran QB Philip Rivers
Rivers was excellent in 2018, posting a 105.5 passer rating and leading the Chargers to a playoff victory, but his final campaign with the Bolts wasn't nearly as successful. Some of the issues had to do with a number of untimely injuries along the offensive line, forcing a few inexperienced members into action and taking away a good portion of Rivers' reliable protection. He still finished with a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-20), but it wasn't anywhere near his 32-12 mark from the prior campaign, and it showed in Los Angeles' 5-11 finish.

Dak Prescott's agent meets with Cowboys to talk deal
Prescott is slated to be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 18, but he is a potential franchise tag target when the tag window opens on Thursday. The window closes on March 12, six days before the start of free agency.

Franchise tag window will open Thursday as scheduled
The rules in the current collective bargaining agreement will apply, meaning teams are still permitted to use the franchise and transition tags. The window will open two days after the NFL Players Association board of representatives voted late Tuesday night to send the proposed CBA to the full player membership for a vote.

Rivera: 'Everything is an option' for Redskins at No. 2
"Everything" includes potentially selecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday night. Washington is meeting with both Tagovailoa and LSU's Joe Burrow this week, measures that could be more than the Redskins just doing their due diligence.

Giants part ways with LB Alec Ogletree, clear $10M
His release was announced in conjunction with the release of defensive end Kareem Martin, who played in just five games last season but was due $4.2 million in the upcoming campaign.