Bengals News (5/16): Big shoes to fill

Bengals Notebook: Looking For Many Happy (Punt) Returns; Jacksonian (Carman) Era Begins; DT Shelvin One Of Big Takeaways
If anyone can show scat back Pooka Williams Jr., how to catch those heavenly parabolas, as well as all the others lining up for one of the biggest openings on the Bengals roster, it is Simmons, the Bengals special teams coordinator heading into his 19th season.

Bengals Booth Podcast: Interviews with Ja'Marr Chase and Riley Reiff
It's "The One I Love" edition of the Bengals Booth Podcast featuring a "Fun Facts" interview with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, a chat with offensive tackle Riley Reiff and Dan Hoard's choice for Cincinnati's best "under the radar" draft pick.

Bengals’ Jackson Carman modeling game after Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin
While Carman projects as a guy who could start at guard until the team needs him at tackle in a year or two, he’s in it for the long haul mentally by studying some of the NFL’s modern greats.

Cincinnati Bengals Punter Drue Chrisman's Kicking Talents on Display in Viral Video
Chrisman has special traits that NFL teams look for in a punter, including a strong leg and the ability to pin the ball inside the 10-yard line. However, the best kicks of his career might not have involved a football. Watch his "kick it" video below.

Bengals: Vegas believes team is headed in right direction in 2021
Zac Taylor has mostly disappointed for the Cincinnati Bengals in his two years at the helm but he’s doing something right, as Vegas believes the team is on the right track. WynnBET released their win totals for every NFL team in the 2021 season and has the Bengals at 6.5 wins.

Bengals rookie Ja'Marr Chase pleasantly surprised by Cincinnati: 'I'm actually liking it so far'
Ja'Marr Chase has spent most of his life in Louisiana. He was born in Harvey, Louisiana. He went to Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Bengals: 6 must-watch quarterback matchups for Joe Burrow in 2021
With this tough schedule comes some highly intriguing quarterback matchups for Burrow who is looking to stake his claim as one of the rising young quarterbacks in the league. There are six quarterback matchups this year that stand out for Burrow because there’s either an interesting storyline there or it’ll pit him against another young signal-caller in the league.

Around the league

NFL players to root for in 2021: One selection from each team
The 2021 NFL Draft is behind us, which means we have a new group of players to root for this coming season. I know a lot of my fellow Chicago Bears fans are really excited about the 2021 campaign. I will be touching on that in just a moment. But for right now, I would like to highlight one player from all 32 teams that I will be rooting for this season. Not just rookies, though you'll find a half dozen of 'em below.

Jaguars QB Lawrence on pitch count, RB Etienne taking wideout reps in Meyer's first on-field practice
A new era of Jacksonville Jaguars football materialized on a practice field Saturday afternoon during the team's three-day minicamp. It marked the first on-field practice for first-year Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer, who saw first-round picks Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, among other rookies, don the teal and black for the first time.

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy: 'No reason' to think Dak Prescott won't be cleared for training camp
The next step is field work with the team. McCarthy said his quarterback will "do most things" when the Cowboys kick off OTAs on May 25. The progress Prescott has made since suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle last October has him on track to be completely cleared ahead of training camp.

Steelers RB Najee Harris: 'I'm going to be utilized everywhere'
"I think he is as highly conditioned as anybody out there, and that's a great place to begin," Tomlin told reporters Saturday. "I think he's got a nice foundation from that perspective. He's a sharp guy, he's a football guy. You can tell he passionate about football. He can articulate the game very well, so there's a lot to be excited about."

Roundup: Packers signing backup QB Kurt Benkert after rookie minicamp tryout
Benkert and Bortles join a QB room that might not be full when the team kicks off OTAs on May 24, as it remains unclear whether Aaron Rodgers will attend. The reigning MVP has been at odds with the front office for much of the offseason amid a contract dispute and purported objection to QB Jordan Love's first-round selection in last year's draft.