Bengals News (7/9): Plugging up the run

Will Bengals follow Ravens and severely limit attendance in 2020?
Severely limited attendance numbers aren’t a shocker given the ongoing negotiations between the NFLPA and NFL. The NFL has already axed two preseason games and the Bengals had a national broadcast canceled. We’ve also wondered aloud if Bengals players could straight-up choose to opt-out of the season.

“Joe Burrow Could Be The Next Ben Roethlisberger”- Former Washington Player Predicts Big Rookie Season For LSU Star
Former Washington Redskins and NY Giants man, LaVar Arrington appeared on the Speak For Yourself NFL show alongside Emmanuel Acho and Marcellus Willey. Arrington gave his opinion on Bengals’ starting QB, Joe Burrow.

Can the Cincinnati Bengals stop the run?
(In this series, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield takes a look at one important metric per NFL team to uncover a crucial problem to solve for the 2020 season. In this installment, it’s time to look at the Cincinnati Bengals. A new face steps in as the potential franchise quarterback, but there are concerns on the other side of the football).

More proof Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap is one of NFL’s most underrated
Dunlap, a second-round pick in 2010, has consistently harassed opposing quarterbacks — both via getting pressure and being one of the league’s best at swatting down passes at the line of scrimmage.

Jim Turner 'feels really good' about offensive line, admits the Bengals have looked at free agents
There are plenty of question marks up front, but Zac Taylor, Brian Callahan and Jim Turner think their current group is talented enough to have success this year. Turner is entering his second season as the Bengals offensive line coach. He admits that the team has looked at available free agents, but it's mostly due diligence.

Bengals' Markus Bailey has strongest social media game on the team
The Cincinnati Bengals clearly had a strong desire to overhaul their linebacker unit this offseason, understandably so after years of underwhelming play at the position. After the front office signed Josh Bynes via free agency, plucked Austin Calitro off the waiver wire, and spent back to back selections on Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither, it appeared their revamping of the unit was complete. Little did they know that as the sixth round came and went, hidden gem Markus Bailey, a talent both on the gridiron and in the social media world, would still be waiting there.

Cincinnati Bengals: David Njoku would look good in stripes
When a notable NFL player asks for a trade, it’s really easy for people to say a certain team should acquire him right away, but good fits are not always obvious. With seven tight ends on the roster already, the Bengals and David Njoku seem like an odd match at first.

Around the league

Raheem Mostert requests trade from 49ers
Brett Tessler, Mostert's agent, disclosed his client's request in a tweet, stating, "After months of unproductive talks with the 49ers about fairly adjusting Mostert's contract (which paid him for special teams) we have requested a trade. Disappointing that it would come to this for a guy for a guy who led all NFL RBs in YAC and helped lead them to a Super Bowl."

Current Cowboys offer for more years than Dak wants
Prescott signed his tender on June 22 so no training camp holdout is on the horizon. The two-time Pro Bowler is coming off a huge season statistically in which his career-high 4,902 yards passing were second in the NFL and second all-time in franchise chronicle. His 30 touchdowns were also a career-best in his four-season tenure.

Chiefs WR Watkins on pay cut: 'How much money do I need?'
"I'm at the stage of my life now to where, at first I was like 'Man, I want to get paid big money again," Watkins said. "But then I realized, how much money do I need? My family's taken care of well. Do I want I go to a team and lose, and get 1,000 yards or go to a team that's sorry, whatever the case may be. Or do I want to come back with one of the best coaches, the best quarterbacks, the best organizations, the best team, the best wideout group -- arguably -- and come try to fight for another championship?

NFL, NFLPA discussing plan for potential player opt-outs in 2020
"My understanding is both the union and the league intend to have an opt-out for players who have either a pre-existing condition, family (members) with pre-existing conditions, just general concerns over COVID-19, would not want to play this season," Pelissero said. "General managers were told on a call earlier this week there would be a specific date by which players would need to opt-out. That date is still to be determined."