AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens

Bengals

Bengals’ recently hired HC Zac Taylor said the team could “take anything” at No. 11 except “maybe a quarterback.”

“It seems like you can take anything at 11 but maybe a quarterback,” said Taylor, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN. “Everything is on the table.”  

Browns

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he might allow Browns RB Kareem Hunt to be at the team facility during part of his eight-game suspension.  

“I left open the door that maybe for a portion of the suspension, that I would allow access back into the facility in an earlier stage,’’ Goodell said via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “We have done that frequently in the context of longer suspensions in the best interest of the player, so that a player can adjust back in, have the opportunity to get back into the workout routine including practices, potentially.’’

“But, a lot of that will be dependent on consistency with things we agreed to when I met with Kareem,” Goodell continued. ’’What we laid out and what we agreed to as far as using the resources of the league and the Players Association to make sure that he’s making better decisions going forward, and that was very clearly stated. I expect that will be the foundation of any decision I make on that point.’’

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said they were on board with signing Hunt after meeting with him for an hour beforehand.  

“That was the main thing that led us to say yes,’’ Dee Haslam said. “He’s a really nice young man who obviously made some horrendous mistakes but owns those. He owned them. Wants to do better. Wants to be a better person. Listening to John (Dorsey) and Freddie, they felt confident he would contribute to the team and could do this. It’s up to Kareem. He has to prove it. But he’s a young man who made a terrible mistake. It’s something we put a lot of thought into.”

• Browns’ owner Dee Haslam said the team is “committed” to staying at FirstEnergy Stadium: “We’re committed to staying where we are and we’ll make improvements to the stadium.” (Nate Ulrich)

Ravens

• Ian Rapoport reports that Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry met with coaches and general managers ahead of his Pro Day on Wednesday and was seen speaking to Ravens HC John Harbaugh. 
• The Ravens promoted T.J. Weist to assistant special teams coach.