Karl Joseph, William Jackson III Visiting Bengals
According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link), Joseph, who was in Pittsburgh on Monday, also has visits with the Cowboys, Vikings, Broncos, Bengals, Giants, Texans, and Colts on his pre-draft schedule. In Pro Football Rumors’ first 2016 mock draft, our Rob DiRe had Joseph coming off the board 21st overall, but there’s a good chance health concerns will drop him into the second round on draft day.
- We can add the Rams, Bengals, and Jaguars to the list of teams hosting Houston cornerback William Jackson III for pre-draft visits (Twitter link). Jackson is a probable first-round pick.
DB Kevin Byard To Visit Bengals
- After a busy few days last week, Middle Tennessee State defensive back Kevin Byard will be on the move again this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Byard will be visiting the Cardinals today and the Rams tomorrow, followed by the Saints and Bengals.
Bengals Extend Marvin Lewis Through 2017
MONDAY, 8:40am: The Bengals have officially announced Lewis’ new one-year extension, via the club’s website.
FRIDAY, 4:57pm: The Bengals have tacked another year onto Marvin Lewis‘ contract, according to Michael Silver of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that Lewis has agreed to a one-year extension, which will keep him under team control through the 2017 season.
Lewis, who has been coaching the Bengals since 2003, is the second longest-tenured head coach in the NFL, behind Bill Belichick in New England. During his 13 seasons with the team, Lewis has led Cincinnati to a 112-94-2 regular-season record and has earned a playoff spot seven times. However, the Bengals have yet to win a postseason game under Lewis, going 0-7 in those contests.
Asked at last month’s owners meetings about the possibility of extending Lewis’ contract beyond the 2016 season, Bengals owner Mike Brown was somewhat noncommittal. “He’s going to be our coach this year. That’s in the bank,” Brown said, per Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Where it goes, we’ll see how it plays out.”
Of course, Brown’s lack of an enthusiastic vote of long-term confidence for Lewis doesn’t mean the head coach is or isn’t on the hot seat entering 2016, and neither does the fact that his new deal is just for one year. Last April around this time, Lewis received a similar one-year extension, as he and the Bengals have made a habit out of working out short-term contracts that keep him from entering a season as a “lame duck.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Details On Marvin Lewis' Proposed Succession Plan
- We first heard back in January that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis had approached former offensive coordinator Hue Jackson with a plan to succeed him — and thus, retain him as play-caller, and Mike Silver of NFL.com (video link) provides a bit more detail on the proposal. Lewis and Jackson discussed a scenario where Lewis would agree to step down as head coach after two more seasons, allowing Jackson to take over. The duo presented the plan to Bengals owner Mike Brown, who wasn’t comfortable locking up such a proposition in writing. Jackson, of course, went on to accept the Browns’ head-coaching job, while Lewis was recently extended through 2017.
Bengals To Visit With Western Michigan WR Daniel Braverman
- Western Michigan WR Daniel Braverman–who was not even invited to this year’s Scouting Combine–has already visited the Vikings, Saints, and Dolphins, and is set to visit with the Raiders, Seahawks, and Bengals this week, according to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin. (Twitter links). Braverman had a whopping 109 receptions for 1,367 yards last season.
Bengals Interested In Sean Davis
Maryland corner Sean Davis is attracting a ton of interest around the league, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who writes that Davis has met or will meet with 16 clubs, including the Texans, Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals, Dolphins, Lions, Browns, Colts, Seahawks, Ravens, Washington, Raiders, 49ers, Steelers, Bengals, Bills, and Titans. Wilson also confirms previous reports that Davis has met with the Patriots and Ravens.
Bengals Could Draft Jaylon Smith
If Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith gets good news on his medical re-check later this month, his chances of going in the first round of the draft will increase significantly, writes Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com. Campbell lists the Bengals, Chiefs, Packers, Texans and Vikings as potential landing spots for Smith, who is on the mend from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered on New Year’s Day during the Fiesta Bowl. Prior to that catastrophic end to his college career, Smith was seen as a surefire first-rounder – and a high one at that – but his status has been in question since. February’s combine didn’t help matters for Smith, who reportedly failed multiple teams’ physicals.
Bengals Interested In Moritz Boehringer
- German receiver Moritz Boehringer “impressed” with his sure-handedness and route-running skills at his workout Friday, Pauline reports. Representatives from the Bengals, Bills, Patriots, Broncos, Jets, Bears, Falcons, Saints and Panthers were in attendance.
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Braxton Miller, Michael Thomas Worked Out For Bengals
- Ohio State wideouts Braxton Miller and Michael Thomas worked out for the Titans last week, then got a look from three Bengals evaluators on Monday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report adds (via Twitter) that he keeps hearing Thomas is a top target for Cincinnati.