Bengals News (4/22): Sticking with 85

Bengals notebook: Samaje Perine, Tee Higgins and the NFL schedule
During Wednesday's media Zoom call Tobin said what people thought when Bernard was released last week. Samaje Perine looks to have a bigger workload after getting the Bengals' season-high 95 rushing yards last year in the win over Houston while logging 4.8 yards on 63 carries for the season.

Duke Tobin feels confident in selecting an elite player early in the 2021 NFL Draft
But during his Wednesday news conference via Zoom, Tobin wouldn't say how big that planet is or who populates it. Most draftnicks are saying it is peopled (in alphabetical order) by LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell.

What Should the Bengals Do With the Fifth Pick in the NFL Draft?
Only one team picking in the top five of next week’s NFL draft has no interest in a rookie quarterback: the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2021 class features QBs galore, and there’s a legitimate chance that for the first time, each of the draft’s first four picks will be a signal-caller. The Jaguars and Jets have been locked in to QBs since the moment they earned the top two picks, and after trading up for the no. 3 pick, we know the 49ers are going to take a passer. Meanwhile, the Falcons are at least positioned to choose Matt Ryan’s successor; they could also trade with a team that wants to jump up to grab a rookie passer. This leaves the Bengals sitting pretty at no. 5.

Duke Tobin: Bengals will talk trading down, but we're in position for premier talent
It’s harder to predict where things will go from there, but players like wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, tight end Kyle Pitts, and tackle Penei Sewell could generate trade interest once that run on signal callers comes to an end. With the fifth overall pick, the Bengals could cash in on that interest but that’s far from a sure thing.

NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals fan delivery room story | Column
“They were on the clock and she was being led up the stairs to the delivery ward,” @IrelandsWhodey tweeted. “We're both sweating (for dif reasons obviously) I'm sitting in the foyer watching my phone waiting for the pick to come in. Wife is looking back over her shoulder at me wondering wtf is he doing, glued to his phone at 2.30am in the morning. Felt like an eternity but the pick finally came in as she hit the top of the stairs, I legged it up after her telling her the great news, ITS JOHN ROSS, the speedster (partying face emoji). Baby arrived and Ross soon departed (man shrugging emoji).”

Chad Johnson Has Hilarious Exchange With Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor
Ochocinco is arguably the best receiver in Bengals' history. He spent 10 seasons in Cincinnati (2001-10) and is the Bengals' all-time leader in receptions (751), receiving yards (10,783) and touchdown catches (66).

Joe Burrow gives key injury update, won't lobby Bengals for any particular player in 2021 NFL Draft
All eyes are on the progress of Joe Burrow this offseason. Having suffered a devastating knee injury that ended his impressive rookie season for the Cincinnati Bengals -- tearing both his ACL and MCL as well as damaging his PCL and meniscus in Week 11 against the Washington Football Team -- right now it's all about rehabbing to return to the field. It's a slow and steady process following the required surgery to repair the damage, but the 24-year-old likes where he is at the moment, considering he also has several months to go before training camp and ultimately the start of the regular season.

Tee Higgins speaks on decision to keep No. 85 with Bengals
“It was me and my cousin’s favorite number growing up and he told me to wear it in college,” Higgins said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I want to go back to the old number. But a lot of the fans like me in 85. I want to do what makes them happy.”

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates Ready to Switch Jersey Numbers Following NFL Rule Change
Kicker Austin Seibert currently has number 3, but that might not stop Bates from getting the number if he really wants it. Players have to buy the remaining inventory of their existing jerseys if they wish to change their number for the 2021 campaign, but that shouldn't be much of a problem for Bates.

Around the league

NFL owners pass rule expanding eligible jersey numbers for certain positions
The expanded jerseys will allow running backs, tight ends, fullbacks, H-backs and wide receivers to wear numbers 1-49 and 80-89; defensive backs can choose from 1-49; linebackers 1-59 and 90-99; offensive linemen 50-79; and defensive linemen 50-79 and 90-99. QBs, kickers and punters will remain in 1-19.

2021 NFL Draft: Seven takeaways from Daniel Jeremiah's conference call
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah answered questions for an hour and a half on Wednesday, previewing the 2021 NFL Draft (April 29-May 1 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC) during a media Zoom call. As you might expect, he offered insight on some of the juiciest draft scuttlebutt. Here's a look at seven takeaways from the call:

Drew Brees: 'I only really felt good in one game' during 2020 campaign
"I only really felt good in one game, from the perspective of, I had all the tools in my toolbox," he said, referring to the Week 4 road outing, per the team's official website. "I had a lot of limitations throughout the season as to what I could and couldn't do, and I recognized that. And that's really hard for a competitor. That's really hard when you know what you should be able to do, and yet you can't because of various injuries, or things that are taking place with your body.

Urban Meyer: Jaguars must 'trust' draft board, avoid chasing players to fill needs
"I find myself always looking at need and that's where you have to be cautious, you start chasing players," Meyer said, via the team's official transcript. "The whole idea of value is completely new to me. That's something I relied on [defensive coordinator] Joe Cullen and [offensive coordinator Darrell] Bevell as coordinators and [special teams coordinator] Brian Schneider, who has extensive experience in the NFL, and obviously Trent and his staff. I'm a quick learner. I've been working at this now for about three months, and the last three to four weeks, this has been our entire life in that room watching video, stacking the board.