AFC North Notes: Bengals, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said the team will still support suspended G Alex Redmond despite a four-game suspension.

“It is what it is, you know. You own up when you — whatever happens happens. You own up to it and you just move on,” Taylor said, per Fletcher Page. “That’s the way the world works. We’re going to keep supporting him and move on.” 

Ravens

Ravens RB Mark Ingram anticipates a bit of an adjustment period as he learns a new offensive system for the first time since his rookie year. 

“It’s just going to take time,” Ingram said via Aaron Kasinitz of PennLive.com. “It’s been a great week, and the offensive line has made some big creases for us to run through at times. Other times it’s a little difficult, because nobody is trying to push each other off the ball and dump each other. We’re all trying to take care of each other and make sure each other is healthy. So, I think the run game has been efficient, and I’m looking forward to it.” 

• According to the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens have about $13 million in cap space, but after setting aside money for draft picks and emergency signings, that only leaves $6 million to potentially offer DT Gerald McCoy.
• The Ravens could pitch McCoy on joining a contender, which is reportedly a major factor for him, but they wouldn’t be able to beat the $11 million offer McCoy supposedly has from one team. 
• Zrebiec adds that a multi-year deal for McCoy that would pay him major money and lower his cap hit in 2019 would hurt the Ravens’ ability to re-sign DT Michael Pierce next year. 

Steelers

After missing seven field goals and five extra points in 2018, Steelers K Chris Boswell understandably wants to focus on the future. 

“I know I’ve gotta be better than last year, but I’m not even paying attention to last year,” Boswell said. “I’m focused on next kick. I’m focused on next Tuesday is my next team period. Just kinda going day by day, kick by kick.” 

• Steelers undrafted free agent P.J. Locke spent the Sunday after the draft researching the best fit for him to make a roster and determined that Pittsburgh was at the top of the list: “I had some offers on the table; I was kind of like weighing my options,” Locke said via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I just didn’t want to make a decision real quick. I wanted to see what the best fit was me. And then, come that Monday. . . . As soon as they gave me the offer. I looked into it and I felt like it was the place for me.” 
• Steelers CB Mike Hilton reportedly wanted a new deal after being tendered as an exclusive rights free agent by the team. However, he’s not holding out from OTA’s and is letting his agent Drew Rosenhaus handle contract talks with Pittsburgh while he focuses on how he can improve as a player: “I’ve got to just find ways to fight through the hands against wideouts and be more aggressive when the ball comes around and try to make plays on the ball,” Hilton said via Adamski. “Get some more turnovers [because] that’s something we as a whole could use on the defensive end.”