Cincinnati Bengals News: Pro Sports Daily

Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga accused of assault in bar

February 11

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Cincinnati Bengal Rey Maualuga was charged Friday with assault after a Downtown bar employee said the player punched him in the early morning hours Sunday. Cincinnati police charged Maualuga with assault – a misdemeanor that carries a maximum jail term of 180 days –after Luxe bar employee Sammy Laham told police the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Maualuga punched him in the face, injuring him. The incident is alleged to have occurred at 3:10 a.m. Sunday at the bar at Sixth and Main streets. Maualuga, 25, of Downtown, is due in court Feb. 17 on the charge. It's not the first time Maualuga has been in trouble. He was charged in a Jan. 29, 2010, incident with driving under the influence in Covington. He"

Bengals' Maualuga could face suspension following assault charge

February 10

ESPN.com

"Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga has been charged with a misdemeanor assault stemming from a bar incident in Cincinnati. Police charged Maualuga on Friday after investigating allegations by a bar employee that Maualuga punched him in the face early Sunday morning. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 17. This is Maualuga's second violation in two years under the personal conduct policy, which likely will lead to discipline from the NFL."

Report: Bar manager says Bengals' Maualuga was involved in fight

February 10

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Fox19.com is reporting that the manager of a bar in downtown Cincinnati says Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga was involved in a fight there this past weekend. He is accused of punching a manager at Luxe, according to the report. From the story: The manager of a downtown bar says Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga was involved in a bar fight over the weekend where he injured the manager. According to the manager, Maualuga was at Luxe, a bar located at the corner of 6th St. and Main St. in downtown Cincinnati, where he allegedly punched the manager, causing him to be injured. Cincinnati Police are still investigating the incident, and Maulaluga has not been charged."

Position Review: Quarterbacks

February 9

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Super Bowl is over, there are a couple weeks until the combine and free agency is slated to start on March 13. Now that things are settled, it is time to take a look at the Bengals by position. ROSTERTOLOGY Under contract (length of deal per NFLPA contract records): Andy Dalton (through 2014), Bruce Gradkowski (through 2012), Zac Robinson (through 2013) End of season depth chart: Dalton, Gradkowski. Robinson was on the practice squad. Coach: Ken Zampese OVERVIEW Considering where we were at this time last year, it would be safe to say that Dalton exceeded expectations. He became the first quarterback to throw for 20 touchdowns and lead his team to eight or more wins while becoming the"

Former Cowboys WR Terrell Owens on his exit from Dallas: 'It was very disappointing'

February 9

Dallas Morning News

"On Wednesday, when Terrell Owens received a hero's welcome by his new club, the Indoor Football League's Allen Wranglers, the former NFL receiver reflected on his departure from a much-more famous team headquartered about 28 miles southwest in Irving. To this day, Owens said he still doesn't understand why he was released by the Cowboys in March 2009, less than a year after he signed a $34 million contract extension that at the time he thought would keep him in Dallas an additional four seasons."

In case you forgot, Giants are here in 2012

February 7

Cincinnati Enquirer

"When the Giants visit Paul Brown Stadium next season, it will mark the 28th time in franchise history for the Bengals to play a regular-season game against the defending Super Bowl champion. The Bengals are 9-18 record overall but 2-2 in games at Paul Brown Stadium. In 1991 the Bengals beat the Giants 27-24 and in 2008 the Giants posted a 26-23 win at the old Giants Stadium in overtime."

Secondary could learn from best in Rod Woodson

February 6

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Rod Woodson would still like to coach. The question remains whether he would be the right fit for the Bengals. Head coach Marvin Lewis said last week that he would consider Woodson, who he coached at Baltimore, for the opening as secondary coach. Woodson was a coaching intern with the Bengals during training camp in 2010 and was the cornerbacks coach with the Raiders this season. "Cincinnati is a good, really young team that is playing well. It would be fun," said Woodson during Sunday's NFLPA Legends Brunch. "It's always fun to be with young guys in the secondary. It's a good nucleus and coaching staff. Marvin has to make a decision of how it would fit in with his coaching staff and"

Andy Dalton shut out of rookie honors

February 5

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson got their time on the red carpet during the inaugural NFL Honors award show, but they didn't take home any hardware. Dalton and Green were up for The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year but it was won by Carolina's Cam Newton. In showing that they were trying to give a Hollywood flare to the show, singer Katy Perry presented the award. Dalton became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 20 touchdowns and lead his team to win eight games or more but Newton set a rookie record for most passing yards. According to STATS Inc., Dalton and Green were also the most prolific rookie duo in terms of receptions (62) and yards (1,002) for at"

NFL expands Thursday schedule

February 4

New York Post

"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

Lewis doesn't have timetable on new secondary coach

February 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Up in Indianapolis for a couple days during Super Bowl week, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said there isn't a firm timetable on when he will name a new secondary coach to replace Kevin Coyle, who left to become Miami's defensive coordinator. About the only thing Lewis did allow was that he is expecting to have one in place by the time the scouting combine begins on Feb. 23. "We've interviewed some guys and we're going to talk to some other people and make a decision as quick as possible," Lewis said."

Another round of compliments from Ochocinco

February 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Chad Ochocinco still commanded a large presence during Wednesday's Patriots media availability at Super Bowl XLVI as the former Bengals receiver complimented their surprising playoff run. He also had nothing but praise for the player who took over his role as the Bengals top receiver – rookie A.J. Green. "What he did this year was no surprise," said Ochocinco of Green. "He's still raw. That's the scary part. He's still raw, but he's a great talent and he's only going to get better. Especially the tools he has, he's only going to get better as time goes on. You don't drop off." Ochocinco also continued to praise owner Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis for a second straight day. While"

To Collinsworth, stakes are painfully clear

February 2

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Cris Collinsworth has been a part of many Super Bowls as a broadcaster, but he still thinks about the two as a player with the Bengals that they lost to San Francisco. "It's like someone takes a bucket of ice water and pours it over your head and you never get warmed up. I'm 53 years old, and I still think about it every day," he said. "I wouldn't trade playing in it for anything, but the pain of losing those two was twice as bad. Joe Gibbs has won three Super Bowls, but he said the one he spends the most time thinking about is the one he lost." The former Bengals receiver and Northern Kentucky resident will be an analyst for NBC's telecast of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday when the New England"

Subdued Chad at media day

February 1

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Speaking at length for the first time since he was traded from the Bengals, Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco isn't feeling any ill will for his former team. When asked how he now looks back on 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Ochocinco said during Super Bowl media day: "Really good, really good. Mike Brown, who said he liked me and gave me a whole new life drafting me. Marvin Lewis was my coach over a long period of time. That's the person I confide in over a long period of time. Everything about that organization, that city, it was made me what I am today. The fans were awesome. Coach Lewis (was) like a dad." It has been a humbling season for Ochocinco, who had just 15 catches for 276 yards and"

Green's first Pro Bowl reception goes for TD in AFC win

January 30

Cincinnati Enquirer

"A.J. Green's first regular-season reception ended up going for a touchdown. So it shouldn't be a surprise that his first one in a Pro Bowl went for one as well. During the first quarter of Sunday's annual NFL all-star game, Green lined up right and did a double move on Patrick Peterson for a 34-yard touchdown for the AFC's first touchdown of the game. The AFC went on to win the game 59-41 in what was the highest scoring Pro Bowl in history. After the NFC had taken a 14-0 lead during the first quarter, Green caught Ben Roethlisberger's pass at the NFC 4 after the Arizona rookie cornerback slipped at the 20 as Green was wide open. "He (Peterson) is a great corner but I got him a little bit"

Dalton finds place in sun

January 29

Cincinnati Enquirer

"For those looking to see Andy Dalton in tonight's Pro Bowl, you will have to wait until the second half. The Bengals rookie quarterback will go in during the third quarter and then play some of the fourth. It is the first time in five years that a Bengals QB has played in the game. In the 2007 contest, Carson Palmer was named the MVP after leading the game-winning drive in the AFC's 31-28 win. In the game, Palmer was 8 of 17 for 190 yards and two touchdowns, including a 42-yard TD to Chad Ochocinco. While Palmer and Ochocinco have taken center stage in past Pro Bowls, it is now Dalton and A.J. Green's time as they become the first rookie quarterback-receiver duo from the same team to take"

Coyle off to Dolphins

January 28

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Kevin Coyle was named Miami's defensive coordinator after 11 seasons as a Bengals assistant. That means the Bengals are in the market for a new secondary coach. Coyle came to the Bengals in 2001 as cornerbacks coach and then took over the secondary in 2003. He was 16 years of experience as a defensive coordinator in college. If Mike Zimmer would have gotten a head coaching job, many had expected Coyle to be promoted. "It's a sad day for us but a great opportunity for him. I'm happy for him," safety Chris Crocker said. "He will be very thorough and go through every scenario. He knows how to handle things as an administrator since he was a coordinator in college. It's going to be a fresh"

Former Bengals, UC QB Greg Cook dies

January 28

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Former University of Cincinnati and Bengals quarterback Greg Cook, the franchise's first big-name rookie whose considerable promise was curtailed by injury, died Friday at the age of 65. Cook had been hospitalized this week for treatment of pneumonia. "Greg was the single most talented player we've ever had with the Bengals," Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. "His career was tragically short due to the injury. Had he been able to stay healthy, I believe he would have been the player of his era in the NFL. "Greg was a personal friend to me. He was a good person whose company I enjoyed over all his years as a player and after that. I feel a great loss at his passing." Bob"

It's back to Plan D for coordinator Zimmer

January 27

Cincinnati Enquirer

"With Tampa Bay agreeing to terms with Rutgers' Greg Schiano as the Bucs next head coach, all of the vacancies are filled which means Mike Zimmer will be back for his fifth season as the Bengals defensive coordinator. Zimmer interviewed for the Bucs opening along with Miami but did not make it to the second round of interviews with either team despite the Bengals defense being in the top 10 two of the last three years. The only thing Zimmer said about the past couple weeks was that it was busy. "It has been a little busier than usual but we're still doing some of the postseason evaluations," Zimmer said."

Coyle to Fins nearly done

January 27

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle concluded his interview with the Dolphins on Thursday. It is not wrapped up yet, but all indications are Coyle will be Miami's new defensive coordinator after 11 seasons here as the secondary coach. Speaking of the secondary, there will be a lot of attention focused on the corners during free agency and the draft process. Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard and North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins are two names that have been mentioned in some mock drafts. Both are at the Senior Bowl this week but Dennard pulled out of the game this week due to a hip flexor injury. Sports Illustrated draft guru Tony Pauline likes what Dennard has done on film, but the Nebraska"

Bengals' coaching staff might have new faces

January 26

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Kevin Coyle interviewed for Miami's defensive coordinator opening on Wednesday. If the Bengals secondary coach moves to Florida, there could be more movement on coach Marvin Lewis' staff over the next week. At the Senior Bowl, Lewis revealed that the staff is not currently intact. "All my staff is in place except for one open spot right now and we'll wait and fill it," Lewis said. "I'm looking at people and it's my chance to talk to some people that I know and we'll go from there." Lewis did not reveal what that opening was and the team generally does not announce individual coaching moves. However, indications point to linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald, whose contract might not be"

Bengals let Coyle talk to Dolphins

January 25

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Bengals have granted permission for the Dolphins to talk to Kevin Coyle about their defensive coordinator opening with the interview slated to take place this week in Miami. Coyle has been the Bengals secondary coach since 2001, and is the leading in-house candidate to replace Mike Zimmer if Zimmer would leave for a head coaching job. Zimmer interviewed with the Dolphins and Buccaneers and has received interest from the Colts. There still remains a slight possibility that Zimmer could get a second interview with Tampa Bay, whose coaching search has gone on for more than three weeks. Zimmer arrived here on Monday with the rest of the Bengals staff and watched both practices on Tuesday."

Coyle to interview for Dolphins defensive coordinator spot

January 24

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Bengals have granted permission to the Dolphins to talk to Kevin Coyle about their defensive coordinator opening with the interview slated to take place later this week. Coyle has been the Bengals secondary coach since 2001 and has been the leading in-house candidate to replace Mike Zimmer if he would leave for a head coaching position. Zimmer interviewed with the Dolphins and Buccaneers and has received interest from the Colts. There still remains the possibility that Zimmer could get a second opening with Tampa Bay, whose head coaching search has gone on for more than three weeks."

Three more Bengals in Pro Bowl

January 23

Cincinnati Enquirer

"A.J. Green will have company at the Pro Bowl this week. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and tight end Jermaine Gresham have been added to the AFC squad for next Sunday's game in Honolulu, the NFL announced Sunday night. Dalton and Green form the first rookie quarterback-receiver duo from the same team to be in the Pro Bowl. They are the first Bengals rookies to make the Pro Bowl since Cris Collinsworth 30 years ago. "We're been grouped together from the beginning so its nice to be linked together as well," Dalton said. "We came out and were able to accomplish a lot and for all four of us to go early on in our careers is a great thing.""

Bengals begin draft prep at Senior Bowl

January 23

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The last time the Bengals coaching staff was en route to Mobile, Ala., word of Carson Palmer's trade demand was made public. A year later, things are quite different. With two first-round picks, one of which was the result of Palmer's trade to Oakland, the team begins the task of serious evaluations for the upcoming draft as practices for Saturday's Senior Bowl begin today. The Bengals won't be in search for a quarterback, as their first true look at Andy Dalton was in last year's game, but there remain plenty of positions in need of upgrades."

Call it 'Camp Question Mark'

January 22

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Whenever Bengals training camp does open in late July, it should be a unique scene. Of the 19 teams that train at their home facilities, only three others are adjacent to the stadium – New England, Houston and Jacksonville. None of those teams, though, hold regular practices inside their stadium. The aforementioned three teams have lights on their practice fields. In order for the Bengals to be able to do that, they would have to install temporary lighting. With the development of The Banks, the only place that could mirror that is New England, which has the Patriots Place development adjacent to Gillette Stadium and the practice fields. Foxborough is out in the middle of nowhere. The one"

Bengals training camp moving to PBS

January 21

Cincinnati Enquirer

"For the first time, the Bengals beginning next year will hold preseason camp at their own facility. After months of speculation, the team announced on Friday they would hold training camp at Paul Brown Stadium, ending a 15-season relationship with Georgetown College. The Bengals relayed the news to Georgetown College officials on Thursday. When the team moved from Wilmington College to Georgetown in 1997, they had a five-year deal, and since then the team and college had worked on a series of one-year deals. Team president Mike Brown was long an advocate of going to a college campus and holding camp, but due to changes in training camp rules under last year's collective bargaining"

Chris Henry estate sues fiancee

January 20

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The estate of former Bengal Chris Henry filed a wrong death lawsuit in North Carolina, accusing Henry's fiancee of wrongful death for driving negligently and causing his 2009 death. The suit was filed against Loleini Tonga ,and her mother, Ofa Tonga. Loleini Tonga, the mother of two of Henry's three children, was driving a 2004 Ford pickup truck on Dec. 16, 2009, with Henry in the truck bed. Henry was thrown from the truck, struck his head and died the next day. While the suit was filed against Henry's fiancee and her mother, the owner of the truck, the targets of the suit are automobile insurance companies, said Charles G. Monnett III, the Charlotte, N.C., lawyer who filed the suit"

Jerome Simpson indicted on drug charge

January 20

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Four months after a package of marijuana was delivered to Jerome Simpson's home, the Bengals wide receiver was indicted on a drug charge Thursday in Kenton County. Simpson was indicted on one count of trafficking marijuana in excess of eight ounces, a felony punishable by one to five years in prison. Prosecutors have requested Simpson be served a summons to appear in Kenton Circuit Court. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 30. A path leading to Simpson's Crestview Hills townhouse began Sept. 19, according to authorities. A narcotics unit devoted to detecting suspected marijuana shipments flagged a package, which originated in Eureka, Calif., at a Sacramento shipping center. The"

Jerome Simpson indicted on drug charge

January 19

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson was indicted on drug charges Thursday in Kenton County. The indictment charges Simpson with trafficking marijuana over 8 oz and less than five pounds, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. The charge is a Class D felony with a punishment of one to five years in prison. The indictment comes nearly four months after federal authorities swooped in on his Crestview Hills townhouse and seized a package containing 2.5 pounds of marijuana from California that had been shipped to his residence. Inside the home investigators also found about six more pounds of pot, scales and smoking devices."

Mel's first mock; Jones update

January 19

Cincinnati Enquirer

"After there were a slew of mock drafts from NFL.com yesterday, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. weighs in with his first mock of the season. He has the Bengals taking Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard with the 17th pick and Miami (Fl.) running back Lamar Miller at 21. Said Kiper of Dennard: "It says a lot about last year's draft that Cincinnati can put the focus back on defense with one of its first-round picks in 2012. Dennard is a solid, physical cover corner who would offer a talent upgrade in the secondary. The Bengals could go a few directions here, but after getting a decent year out of veteran Nate Clements, they should look at getting a younger player who can develop even as he helps"

Former Cowboys WR Terrell Owens announces he will play for IFL's Allen Wranglers

January 19

Dallas Morning News

"About 31 miles from where he once caught passes, preened in front of millions and made headlines, former Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens plans to revive his football career. Owens, 38, announced Wednesday night in a 22-second video linked to his Twitter account that he will join the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League as both a player and a part-owner. "It's official, Owens said. "It just went down. I'm headed back to Texas. That's right, IFL, here I come." The 16-team league, which started play in 2009, appears ready to embrace him. "This is a very exciting event in the history of the Indoor Football League," IFL commissioner Tommy Benizio said on the league's website. "The"

Zim out of running for Fins job

January 18

Cincinnati Enquirer

"After it was believed over the weekend that Mike Zimmer was emerging as one of the favorites for the head coach opening in Miami, it appears as if the Dolphins will be going in another direction. The Miami Herald is reporting that Todd Bowles, Joe Philbin, and Mike McCoy are the finalists. The current conventional wisdom is that the Dolphins are looking for someone with an offensive background, which would make it between Philbin and McCoy. Bowles, who was the interim head coach for the final three games, is expected to stay on as defensive coordinator after Mike Nolan went to Atlanta today. The speculation was had Zimmer been hired as head coach, he could have kept Bowles as DC and had"

Zimmer to interview with Buccaneers

January 17

Cincinnati Enquirer

"When it comes to Mike Zimmer's status with the Bengals, there is no timetable for a decision. Zimmer is scheduled to be interviewed for Tampa Bay's head coach opening today and remains a serious candidate for Miami's job after interviewing there last week. Tampa Bay and Miami have expanded their pools of available candidates after four more teams were eliminated in the playoffs over the weekend."

Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials

January 16

Chicago Tribune

"Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees. Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls. They then would be spread out among the crews at games."

Bengals' run game on shaky ground

January 14

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Cedric Benson is the first Bengals running back since Rudi Johnson to have three straight 1,000-yard seasons and his 16 100-yard games in 56 Cincinnati games has made him one of the top backs in the AFC. However, no one was satisfied with the run game this past season. Everyone thought at the beginning of the season that the offense would be more run-based due to a rookie quarterback and receiver. By the end of the year, which finished with a 9-7 record and a second playoff berth in three seasons, it was more slanted to the pass due to the progress of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Instead of Benson getting almost all of the carries, the workload was shared with Bernard Scott. With Benson not"

Bucs to interview Bengals' Zimmer, Panthers' Chudzinski

January 14

Tampa Tribune

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to have a renewed interest in hiring a rookie head coach. After focusing primarily on candidates with prior NFL head coaching experience, the Bucs were preparing Friday to interview Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a source with knowledge of the search confirmed. Neither Zimmer nor Chudzinski has been a head coach before. It is not known when the interviews will be held. Zimmer, 55, and Chudzinski, 49, join a list of candidates that includes unemployed former head coaches Mike Sherman, Brad Childress and Marty Schottenheimer, as well as Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator"

Buccaneers receive permission to interview Mike Zimmer, Rob Chudzinski

January 14

St. Petersburg Times

"Perhaps Bucs fans haven't seen the last of their team's plan to hire a first-time head coach. Having spent the early phase of their search primarily meeting candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience, the Bucs on Friday received permission to interview Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. The Bucs did not announce when the interviews will happen. Zimmer, 55, interviewed for the Dolphins' coaching position earlier this week while Chudzinski, 43, interviewed with the Rams and Jaguars before those jobs went to Jeff Fisher and Mike Mularkey, respectively. Since firing Raheem Morris on Jan. 2, the Bucs had focused on Mike"

Jay Gruden agrees to extension

January 13

Cincinnati Enquirer

"A league source has confirmed that Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has signed a three-year extension worth $3.6 million to remain with the team. The terms are similar to the deal the team gave to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer two years ago. The extension was first reported by WKMG-TV of Orlando. In his first season with the Bengals, the offense made strides with quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, who set numerous team rookie records. Gruden declined an interview request from the Rams about their head coaching job, and said Tuesday that he was happy with the direction of the offense and felt like he had unfinished business here. "I'm happy here. I like"

Maualuga is right man for the middle

January 13

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Bengals went into last season with new quarterbacks on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Everyone was aware of rookie Andy Dalton's success, despite his learning curve. Rey Maualuga went through his share of ups and downs as well in his first season as the middle linebacker. It's the position where he excelled in college at Southern California, but Maualuga is far from a finished player at the NFL level after spending his first two seasons on the outside. For a Bengals' defense that ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed, that's a good thing, to steal a line from coach Marvin Lewis. But if the defense – and the team as a whole – is going to improve upon last season's"

Secondary may be Bengals' first priority

January 12

Cincinnati Enquirer

"For the second time in three seasons, the Bengals finished in the top 10 in the league against the pass. Judging by the performance and the lack of depth over the final nine games, it didn't feel like it. With plenty of new pieces at the beginning of the season and the injury to cornerback Leon Hall during Week 10, Bengals defensive backs had a target on their backs. Statistically, teams attempted fewer passes against the Bengals during the second half compared to the first, but there were five more touchdowns and the completion percentage was nearly 61 percent. They also gave up more big plays after midseason compared to the first half. With five unrestricted free agents, there will be"

Report: Bengals give Gruden extension

January 12

Cincinnati Enquirer

"WKMG Local 6 in Orlando is reporting that Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has signed a three-year extension with the Bengals to remain in the same position. From Local 6 sports director David Pingalore: Pingalore's NFL sources confirm the deal is worth 3.6 million dollars. The extension doubles the salary Gruden made in his first year with the Bengals. Gruden, was considered by some NFL teams looking for a head coach but Gruden decided to remain with the Bengals to gain more experience."

Who will pair with Bengals A.J. Green?

January 11

Cincinnati Enquirer

"A.J. Green was the first NFL rookie receiver to go over 1,000 yards in five seasons and the first to make the Pro Bowl in eight. Now begins the task of finding a receiver to team with him. In what is becoming a standard offseason search, the Bengals will assess their needs for a No. 2 receiver. Ever since T.J. Houshmandzadeh departed after the 2008 season, the Bengals have been looking for a consistent pairing. In 2009-10, they went the high-priced free-agent route with Laveranues Coles, Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens. After Jerome Simpson's late-season emergence in 2010, the task shifted to finding a franchise and game-changing receiver to take the place of Chad Ochocinco. They did that"

Gruden staying with Bengals for 2012

January 11

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Even though he was thought to be in the running for openings in Jacksonville and St. Louis, Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is staying with the team for the 2012 season. The Rams had called asking for permission to speak to Gruden, but he is turning down all requests. "I'm happy here. I like working for Marvin (Lewis) and with the team," Gruden said on Tuesday. "I feel like we're just scratching the surface on offense, but we have a lot of good, young players and have the potential to do even better next season.""

Bengals: Players mend, wait and see begins

January 10

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Marvin Lewis is still hurting from Saturday's wild-card playoff loss at Houston but when it comes to his hurting players the Bengals' coach has a positive outlook. "I think we are about as healthy a group as we've been going into the offseason that I can remember," Lewis said Monday. The Bengals had 19 players on injured reserve at the end of 2010; they have just eight this season. On top of the number of injuries last year, the league's lockout of players for more than four months kept team medical staffs and trainers from following up with players as closely as they otherwise would. Wide receiver Jordan Shipley went on IR with torn knee ligaments suffered in Week 2. Coming off a 52-catch"

Lewis looks back as Bengals off season begins

January 10

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Players packed up their gear, had season-ending talks with coach Marvin Lewis, then departed Paul Brown Stadium on Monday. What happens by the time the Bengals report again for the start of offseason conditioning on April 16 remains to be seen. The tone was more about looking ahead than looking back at a season that had mixed reviews. In the big picture, a 9-7 regular season and second playoff berth in three years were better than anyone could have hoped during training camp. In the narrow view, a 6-2 mark at midseason raised stakes that the Bengals didn't match. Instead, they dropped six of their final nine games, including last Saturday's 31-10 loss at Houston."

Report card – Playoff game vs. Texans

January 9

Cincinnati Enquirer

"PASS OFFENSE (D+) Tying season highs in sacks allowed (four) and interceptions (three) in a playoff game is not a good thing. Andy Dalton started off well and then things unraveled in the second half. A.J. Green had five receptions in the loss but only one in the second half. Jermaine Gresham had five receptions for 46 yards but none in the first half. Of the three Dalton interceptions, the only one to put squarely on him was the last one where it was underthrown. RUN OFFENSE (D) Never got any consistency as they ran it six times and passed it 24 in the second half. Four of those six runs happened on the first two drives when it was still within seven. If this does end up being Cedric"

Which players, coaches will return to Bengals?

January 9

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Bengals season ended on Saturday with a 31-10 loss to Houston in an AFC wild card game, but things will truly wrap up Monday when players have their season-ending physicals and head coach Marvin Lewis addresses the team before sending players on their way. Just who will be back and who will be added by the time they return for offseason conditioning in late April will be key sources of discussion. While some of the speculation will be about players, the more immediate matters concern the coaching staff. Multiple reports have the Dolphins and Buccaneers interested in defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and the Jaguars are in pursuit of offensive coordinator Jay Gruden."

Watt's interception for TD turns tide

January 8

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Mike McGlynn felt good about his block on J.J. Watt. The Bengals' right guard punched out on Watt, the Houston Texans' top draft choice this season, and stopped his path to quarterback Andy Dalton. The next thing McGlynn and everyone else inside Reliant Stadium knew, Watt picked off Dalton's pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown that broke a 10-10 tie and sent the Texans on their way to a 31-10 victory in the AFC wild card game Saturday. "I stopped him but then I saw him jump, catch the ball late and by the time I went to tackle him it was too late," said McGlynn. "It was a great play by him." Watt began his college career as a tight end at Central Michigan before transferring to"