Bengals News (3/21): Fitting in perfectly

How Nick Scott Fits Bengals' Specs For Starting Safety
But Scott, the new starting safety opposite Dax Hill, has been on the Bengals' radar a lot longer than that. When he was in for a visit last Thursday to meet defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and safeties coach Robert Livingston, they had already been educated on all things Scott from director of pro scouting Steven Radicevic and senior personnel executive Trey Brown.

Bengals Following Their Roster Formula With Reports Of Landing Another Starter
"Already in the text chain," Scott said late Friday night. "I've received a text from just about everybody in the DB room and linebacker room. (Sam) Hubbard. (Trey) Hendrickson. All those guys reached out already within minutes of me (agreeing to) the deal. That defense embraced me. When you're tight like that, it makes it easy to be on one accord and play good ball."

Bengals cap space update after latest moves in free agency
By their own admission, Brown becoming available for the Bengals was unexpected, so the cap outlook is very much in flux. But the team will need just a couple million to sign a draft class and a couple more as injury insurance for the season.

The Ringer's Benjamin Solak On Cincinnati Bengals Orlando Brown Signing: 'Not A Top 20 Tackle In The League'
"Best tackle on the market is doing insane work for Orlando Brown," Solak told Sheil Kapadia, who hyped up the signing. "Because he's the best tackle on the market. Sure, I'll give you that, but I'm not even sure I agree with it, but I'll give you that. He's not a top 20 tackle."

Orlando Brown's reason for joining Bengals should anger Patrick Mahomes
Last week, the Bengals and Brown agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with a $31 million signing bonus; his $16 million average a year ranked far below what he would have earned in Kansas City ($23 million).

Bengals re-sign Scharping to one-year deal
The Northern Illinois product played 14 games for the Bengals last year and started each of the team's three playoff games at right guard. He garnered a Pro Football Focus grade of 60.5 last season.

Bengals bring back G Max Scharping in free agency
With the veteran likely key depth on the interior behind the likes of Cordell Volson, the move might be a hint the team is done adding to the offensive line on the open market — especially with needs remaining at cornerback, tight end, running back and others.

Bengals' new safety duo is promising for the future - Home
Out go Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell; two established veteran leaders who've acted as on-field defensive coordinators for the actual DC Lou Anarumo. Losing both practically in the blink of an eye was said to be a "dark day" for Anarumo earlier this month.

Around the league

2023 NFL free agency: Best/riskiest moves in the opening wave of the veteran market
The combination of contract and talent makes Brown one of the best signings of this offseason. Is he an Andrew Whitworth-type left tackle? No. But he's stout in pass protection -- even if he sometimes gets beat around the edge by quicker rushers -- and brings power to the run game. While most offensive linemen get overpaid on the open market (see below), the Bengals actually inked Brown to a reasonable deal (a steal, on a certain level). At $16 million per year with $31 million fully guaranteed, it's a solid deal that places Brown at No. 10 among left tackles in per-year money and sixth in fully guaranteed dollars. The fit in Cincy is also ideal. Much like Patrick Mahomes in K.C., Joe Burrow's ability to step up when the LT gets beat around the edge will help mask the weakest part of Brown's pass-blocking. Adding Brown is also a giant leap from Jonah Williams, who has since requested a trade out of Cincinnati.

Former Panthers, Patriots QB Cam Newton announces he'll throw at Auburn on Tuesday
A Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn before he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Newton was a dual threat who could bull through tacklers and carve up defenses with his arm. He led the Panthers to a Super Bowl berth and earned three Pro Bowl bids during his nine seasons in Carolina.

Bills sign ex-Patriots RB Damien Harris after losing Devin Singletary
On the same day in which their leading rusher for the last four seasons was lost in free agency, the Buffalo Bills are replenishing their running back ranks with a former rival. The Bills are signing former New England Patriots back Damien Harris, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Raiders sign former Texans tight end O.J. Howard
The former Alabama product entered the NFL with enticing athleticism but never quite put it all together in Tampa Bay. He reached a career-high 565 yards on 34 catches in 10 games in his second season. He suffered an Achilles injury in 2020 after just four weeks. In five years with the Bucs, he generated 119 catches for 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns.

2023 'Hard Knocks' candidates: Ranking Jets, Bears, Saints, Commanders by entertainment potential
Now, teams can volunteer to be featured on the show, although they'd have to first reckon with the fact that no team has won the Super Bowl after being featured. So we can safely use those exemptions to whittle the pool of likely candidates down to four teams. (And maybe one of them can break the Hard Knocks Super Bowl curse.)