AFC Notes: Bengals, Bills, Ravens

Bengals

• Geoff Hobson writes that the Bengals are going to need break-out years from John Ross, Josh Malone and/or Cody Core this season.
• Hobson expects Tyler Boyd to have a solid year as a slot receiver and even get some looks on the outside.
• Hobson is also banking QB Andy Dalton returning to his 2015 form due to the addition of LT Cordy Glenn and OC Bill Lazor focusing on running at a quick tempo offense to get the ball out of his hand quickly.
• According to Hobson, Jordan Willis figures to the Bengals every-down right defensive end, which means Michael Johnson will see fewer snaps, but he should also be fresher to rush the passer from the interior.
• Hobson considers 2018 to be a developmental year for rookie DE Sam Hubbard.

Bills

Bills veteran LB Lorenzo Alexander believes first-round LB Tremaine Edmunds will be an All-Pro within the next three years based on his ability and how’s handled the transition thus far.

“I would be surprised if he’s not an all-pro player in the next two, three years,” Alexander said, via John Murphy of the Bills’ official site. “I would be surprised, really. Just his athleticism and the way he’s handling the information, I would be really surprised if he’s not that next great linebacker in his era, like that Luke Kuechly-type.”

Alexander added that the Bills have already begun using Edmunds as the defensive play-caller during their offseason practices.

“It’s a lot,” Alexander says. “He’s the mike. He’s the quarterback of the defense. So, he’s making the calls, making the checks if somebody’s out of alignment. Eventually, he’ll go on to where he can correct people. But right now, I’m trying to help him as much as I can.”

Ravens

Ravens QB Robert Griffin III tells Mike Jones of USA Today that he considers himself to be an “an old, young guy.”

“I look at myself as an old, young guy,” Griffin said. “I’m 28, so I’m still young. But I’ve been around the block.”

Griffin III explained that he plans to do everything he can to get first-round QB Lamar Jackson up to speed.

“It feels good to get back and intertwined with a team,” Griffin said. “That’s what I’ve been used to all my life. But to get back, be out here playing, I can’t even describe that feeling. I can’t put into words how grateful and excited I am to be back playing football.

“When they drafted Lamar, I didn’t look at it as a shot at me or a shot at Joe. It was ‘OK, Lamar is coming in here, and it’s our job to help him learn the offense and help him compete.’ So, for me, my job is to show them that I’m an asset to the team and not a detriment. … One (reporter) asked me if I was trying to showcase for other teams. No, my focus is, ‘I’m a Baltimore Raven. I’m showcasing to them that this is where I’m supposed to be.’”