Bengals News (6/8): Remembering the Rattler

Bengals remember the legendary Ken Riley
Nicknamed "The Rattler," by Bengals defensive coach Tom Bass in honor of Florida A&M's mascot, Riley came out of the Tallahassee, Fla., school to play the most games in Bengaldom with 207 during 15 steel-belted, no-frills seasons while racking up the fifth most interceptions of all-time.

Former Bengals star, Florida A&M coach Ken Riley dies at 72
"FAMU athletics and the entire Rattler Nation is deeply saddened of the passing of former FAMU football player, head coach, athletics director and NFL great Ken Riley," athletic director Kortne Gosha said in a statement. "We wish his family our deepest condolences."

Ken Riley, Bengals great who ranks fifth all-time in NFL interceptions, dies at 72
The Cincinnati Bengals lost a legend on Sunday morning, as it was announced that former cornerback Ken Riley had died at age 72. Riley is the Bengals' all-time interceptions leader with 65 -- which is tied with Charles Woodson for fifth all-time in the NFL. He spent all 15 of his NFL seasons, spanning three decades (1969-83), in Cincinnati.

Bengals legendary cornerback Ken Riley dies at 72
He played in Cincinnati for 15 seasons, finishing with 65 interceptions, which is the fifth-most in NFL history. He was a three-time All-Pro and helped the Bengals win the AFC Championship in 1981.

Reche Caldwell: Brother of former Bengals WR Andre killed in Tampa
Caldwell's younger brother, Andre, played for the Cincinnati Bengals for four seasons after the team selected him in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Andre had 1,172 receiving yards on 124 catches for Cincinnati from 2008 to 2011.

Which AFC North team is most likely to finish in the cellar in 2020?
Cincinnati might understandably get labeled as the favorite to finish last in the division again. Breaking in a rookie quarterback is tough regardless of the surrounding pieces — and perhaps especially moreso given the oddities of this offseason. The Bengals are hoping a lot goes right — including great health across the board, a “rookie” left tackle improving an entire line and a rebuilt defense quickly gaining enough chemistry to carry games.

Make-Or-Break Year: Bengals WR John Ross
In 2017, the Bengals had the No. 9 overall pick and two clear top needs. First, there was the defensive end position, where they were hoping to upgrade from Michael Johnson after another so-so season. They were also out to find a young and athletic wide receiver to help take the pressure off of A.J. Green. John Ross, who wowed scouts with a 4.22-second 40-yard-dash time, fit the bill at WR, though many figured the Bengals would trade down to take him.

Around the league

Matt Ryan thinks Todd Gurley will be 'awesome fit' with Falcons
The COVID-19 pandemic has kept non-rehabbing players away from their team facilities for nearly three months now. Organized team activities and mandatory minicamps have been replaced by position meetings on Zoom and makeshift workouts at local turfs.

Larry Fitzgerald writes: 'We as a nation are not OK'
Fitzgerald has fond memories of Minneapolis and writes that he was never personally harassed by law enforcement, but knew of issues. And now, Floyd's death has shined a light on those issues and brought to focus that everything in the city -- and the country it's a part of -- are not healthy and must be fixed.

Matt Leo's improbable journey from Aussie plumber to the NFL
It was 110 degrees and humid in his hometown of Adelaide, Australia, that summer day in 2014, and he was working on a bridge that connects a convention center to the Adelaide Oval -- a sports stadium used primarily for Australian rules football and cricket. Working alongside tradesman and friend Matt Hoare, Leo squeezed his large 6-foot-7 frame into a tiny passage and began crawling on his hands and knees to install a drainage runoff. He banged his head on a bracket and decided in that moment that he had had enough.