Bengals News (6/30): High grades

Bengals quarterback Jake Dolegala looks to build on a strong rookie season
Dolegala remembers when he got the call from the Bengals' previous quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. After a little bit of joking, Van Pelt told Dolegala he made the 53-man roster out of training camp as an undrafted rookie. The excitement of making his lifelong dream a reality not only made Dolegala ecstatic, but provided one of the crazier moments of last season for him.

New England Patriots fined $1.1 million, lose draft pick in film crew fallout
The NFL fined the New England Patriots $1.1 million and took away a third-round pick in the 2021 draft among the punishments for their television crew's filming the field and sideline during a Dec. 8 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.

5 Greatest moments in Cincinnati Bengals history, ranked
The Cincinnati Bengals have been through a lot as a franchise, there really is no way around it. From struggling so badly on a yearly basis that they were ‘purposely’ kept off any Monday Night Football games, to becoming a completely inept franchise once the calendar flipped over to the year 2000, the orange and black have had their fair share of struggles.

Bengals had 2nd-round grade on OL Hakeem Adeniji
Not only is former first-round pick Jonah Williams rejoining the fray this year, but offensive line coach Jim Turner is also particularly high on sixth-round pick Hakeem Adeniji.

Should Bengals follow Bears’ lead with ticket changes for 2020?
Given the unknowns about the upcoming NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals could end up doing something similar to what the Chicago Bears have done for their season ticket holders.

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Podcast: Amy Trask talks NFL 2020, Joe Burrow
CBS Sports analyst and former Raiders CEO Amy Trask joins Cincinnati Enquirer sports personality Lindsay Patterson to talk about what happens in front office meetings, outlook for the 2020 season, no fans and why fans should be excited about Joe Burrow.

Bengals Offensive Lineman Posts, Deletes Homophobic Image to Instagram
There appears to have been a sea change in the NFL when it comes to understanding that a protest during the national anthem is not disrespectful to the flag or troops as it signifies the issues that so many minorities have experienced in America, but the NFL has really struggled to deal with prejudice as it pertains to homosexuality and Hart serves as a reminder of their lack of progress on the issue.

Around the league

I was in Cam Newton's shoes -- and I think he can rebound with Pats
Just four years removed from leading the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl and winning the NFL MVP award, Newton sat untouched on the free agent market for over three months, watching other QBs get signed and drafted before finally finding a home as Tom Brady's potential successor. Yes, the injuries that hampered Newton during his final years with the Panthers, combined with teams' inability to work him out during the COVID-19 pandemic, surely played a role in his extended unemployment. But still, it was odd to see him out there for so long after his March release from Carolina.

NFLPA directs agents to ensure players know COVID-19 risks
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero obtained a memo sent by the NFLPA to player agents Monday in which the players' union directed agents to "ensure that your player-clients are provided with the most up to date information regarding COVID, including advice from the medical experts regarding some underlying medical conditions that may place certain individuals at increased risk of severe illness from COVID.

Darius Leonard: DeForest Buckner brings 'dog mentality' to Colts D
The Indianapolis Colts won't open training camp for another couple weeks but that hasn't stopped linebacker Darius Leonard from theorizing how the addition of the former 49ers defensive tackle, acquired via trade in March, will transform coordinator Matt Eberflus' group. In short, the two-time All-Pro selection is already thoroughly impressed by his new teammate.

Pipelines to the Pros: Quarterbacks
Where do NFL teams go to find the most pro-ready players? NFL.com's Pipelines to the Pros series explores which schools, at each of eight positions over the last 20 years, have been providing NFL clubs with not only the most draft choices but also the most impactful pro players early in their careers. And beyond that, an examination of why those schools are so successful and the factors that contribute to a college program's ability to maintain pipeline-like development at a particular spot on the field.

State of the Franchise: Can Texans improve without DeAndre Hopkins?
The Texans have become a consistently good football team in recent years, a group that'll find its way to the playoffs seemingly every January. But there is a difference between being good and being great. And sometimes you have to dare to be great. Bill O'Brien and Co. definitely don't lack for boldness, having executed some Texas-sized shake-ups in an attempt to take this franchise to another level. Is it going to work? Let's examine.