Bengals News (6/2): Leading for the future

Auden Tate's Latest Big Catch: 'You want to do something instead of just sitting'
Wide receiver Auden Tate, the last of the Bengals' three seventh-round draft choices of a few years ago, has always had the popularity of a first-round pick when it comes to wowing the fans with the 6-5, 230-pounder's monstrous Velcro hands at those Paul Brown Stadium training camps.

Cincinnati Bengals: The 7 most underrated Bengals players
The Cincinnati Bengals have a handful of underrated players who deserve more attention on a national scale.

Bengals higher than expected in latest power rankings
"When the Bengals released Andy Dalton in late April, it was one of the great shows of confidence in a draft choice in recent years," King wrote in his weekly column. "The pandemic could force teams into scramble mode before the season; will training camp exist in any sort of normal way, and regardless, will Burrow be able to throw to any of his receivers before August? I’m probably too smitten with Burrow—coming off his 60-touchdown season last fall (which by the way was not an Arena League season) at LSU—but a confident and strong-willed quarterback can do a lot for a franchise. Burrow needs to form early bonds with A.J. Green, the underrated Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins (6-4, 6-1 and 6-4), and the burner John Ross, for whom 2020 is Last Chance Saloon; the former ninth pick in the draft will be a free agent after the season. But at least Burrow should get Ross’ best. That is potentially a heck of a receiver group if Green, who has missed 6, 0, 7, and 16 games the last four seasons, can stay on the field for any length of time.

Bengals legend Ken Anderson's arrival on Twitter scene reminds us Hall of Fame needs him to be complete
A four-time NFL passing champion, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, the winner of the 1981 league MVP trophy and the 1975 recipient of what is now known as the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Anderson posted a tweet in May wondering why his account had yet to be verified.

Bengals rookie Khalid Kareem issues moving statement: 'Be the change you want to see in the world'
"You want to show them that you care. Show them by being genuine. Show them that you are truly invested and that you hear what they are saying. Don't just chime in and post something on social media for self gratification or to check a box. This isn't something you can just post and forget about like you made an impactful contribution. 'Don't mistake activity with achievement.'

Watch some of Joe Burrow's best highlights
“He gets the most out of those around him. He has the respect of coaches, teammates and everyone he’s played with," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on draft night. "You talk to anyone at LSU or OSU, and they all love the guy. We’re excited to add him to the building; that’s the type of character we’re trying to add as we grow this thing. He understands the platform he has being the No. 1 pick playing in his home state. He understands the attention that brings and how to handle himself. We’re excited to get know him even better and work a lot more closely with him.”

Bengals' DC says new acquisitions have done a nice job so far in offseason, but haven't faced adversity yet
The jury is still out concerning if head coach Zac Taylor is the man to turn things around for the Cincinnati Bengals, but we should get a better sense of things to come in 2020. While much of the attention will go to the offense and rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals did a nice job beefing up their defense in free agency.

Ex-Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick speaks on defending his business, more
Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick sat down for an interview recently and hit on a broad range of topics, including defending his local business and the nature of NFL locker rooms and how it pertains to the George Floyd protests.

Veterans leading the way as Bengals' backers look to take step forward
"Experienced. Proven winner. Leader. Very bright. A vocal leader at the line of scrimmage," linebackers coach Al Golden told Dan Hoard on the Bengals Booth Podcast. "He brings a lot to the room. He's been pivotal in the standard that he's setting and what he demands of the younger guys and the example that he's set. It's been great having him here."

Cincinnati Bengals: All AFC North defensive team for 2020
As we continue our deep dive into the strength of the Bengals’ roster in comparison with their division rivals, one fact has become clear: there is overwhelming talent present throughout the AFC North.

Around the league

Norman, McCown create dialogue on race in America
"For me, personally, this is a time we should all be praying," Norman said in response to the notion of athletes sticking to sports. "This is a time we definitely need to take out and reflect. It's definitely one of those times where racism has been at its highest point since Jim Crow. I think that if you go back all the to that time, there's been plenty of cases where we've been band-aiding what's been going on and when you look at it decade after decade after decade, these racist events have occurred and there have been band-aids pulled over them. But now we're here in the new millennium, 2020, and that band-aid has been pulled off, and you see what it really is for those who have blinders on and don't really want to see what it is to go through life in America as a black man.

Demario Davis: We have to change the way we police in U.S.
In a moment filled with pain, anger, confusion and overflowing frustration, one NFL player articulated how we might attempt to move toward a better future together. Demario Davis, a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and a prominent member of the Players Coalition, spoke about the ongoing, nationwide protests related to the death of George Floyd during a Monday appearance on NFL NOW.

Ravens owner commits funds for social justice reform
"Like many people, I am sickened, disheartened and shaken by the acts of racism that continue to overwhelm our society. The most recent killing, involving George Floyd, is yet another tragic example of the discrimination that African-Americans face each day.

Raiders rookie Henry Ruggs III injures thigh helping friend move
"He was trying to move a trailer or something -- move furniture or something -- and the trailer just kind of pinned him against a car or a wall or something," Henry Ruggs Jr. said. "He's pretty much OK, I'm about to go out there and see him in a little bit. It was just like a little open wound on his leg, a little incision. Like something had stuck him right there on his thigh a little bit."

Undrafted rookies seeking NFL tryouts face uncertain futures
COVID-19 threatens the readiness of all NFL rookies with no traditional OTAs or minicamps being held to this point. Those selected early in the draft at least have the leverage of status and contract investment to buy them a longer, more patient assessment once football resumes. But for hundreds of players like Williams, the coronavirus pandemic threatens their very football livelihoods.