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Debrief: What matters -- and what doesn't -- from this week's OTAs, minicamps
Gregg Rosenthal sorts out what matters -- like Dak Prescott's health -- from what doesn't -- like Jordan Love's performance -- in the news stemming from this week's OTAs and minicamps.
Bengals Ring of Honor Game Set for Thursday Night Football
The Ring of Honor recognizes former players, coaches and individuals who have played a significant role in the franchise's history and tradition. The Ring of Honor will be displayed on the East facade inside Paul Brown Stadium and live on Bengals digital channels. For more information, visit bengals.com/ringofhonor.
What Bengals' offseason says about Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase connection
Sure, it was inside an empty Paul Brown Stadium during a 7-on-7 drill at the Cincinnati Bengals' one-day minicamp. But with each completion between Burrow, the quarterback, and Chase, the wide receiver, the connection they enjoyed for two years at LSU was evident. At one point during the drill, they linked up for four straight completions.
Bengals got it right taking Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell, per stats
One line of thinking says get as many premier talents as possible in front of the returning-from-injury Burrow. The other says the line was upgraded plenty and Chase already had the LSU connection with Burrow, to keep it simple.
Around the league
How Carl Nassib's courageous announcement changed -- and challenged -- the NFL
Nassib is the first active player to come out as gay in NFL history and what he said a few sentences later, that he hopes these coming-out announcements won't even be necessary in the future, is just as important. Is the NFL ready for players to be out in the first place? Nassib’s Monday statement took an extraordinary amount of courage -- he agonized over it for 15 years, he said, not even mentioning that it is more than half as long as he has been alive. But what does it say about the culture of the NFL that it took so long for a player to feel comfortable coming out, that this still felt like an earthquake?
Jon Gruden praises Carl Nassib: 'What makes a man different is what makes him great'
"These are personal decisions," the owner said, per Ed Graney of the Review-Journal. "It's 2021 and he's a Raider. If he's happy, I'm happy. It takes courage. I thought we got to the point where this wasn't (a story). It doesn't change my opinion of him as a man or as a Raider."
Eli Manning back with Giants in business operations, fan engagement roles; will have number retired
"For 16 seasons, Eli represented and defined what it meant to be a Giant and we are excited for him to join the business side of our front office," team president and CEO John Mara said in a statement. "Eli is one of the most beloved players in Giants history. We had a mutual interest in him returning to the organization and we're thrilled to welcome him back."
James Conner: Cardinals RB tandem 'can be one of the best in the league'
"I just see us as a tandem, and I think we can be one of the best in the league," Conner said. "He's been waiting for an opportunity, even though he has the body of work and a resume, but to show more. I know he's anxious to show more, I'm anxious to show. With both of us together back there with K-1 (QB Kyler Murray), weapons on the outside, interior line, tackles, everybody. There's opportunity here. Me and Chase, we gonna feed off each other and keep this thing rolling."
Free agent WR Golden Tate's wish list includes Titans, Colts, Rams
Tate is coming off a season in which he started just four of 12 games played and caught 35 of 53 targets for 388 yards and two TDs. He was benched at one point for complaining about his role and dealt with a calf injury to close the season.