AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns & Colts

Bengals

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin says he has no plans to leave the Bengals, despite being considered a rising star in personnel circles.

“When I came here in 1999…I fully committed to the Bengals and wanted to be here long term,” Tobin said, via Bengals.com. “I wanted to make myself valuable to the club and make an entire career out of this and they gave me an opportunity to show that. There are very few organizations like the Cincinnati Bengals and people like the Browns and Blackburns to work for.

“It’s just a really neat situation and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I have here. I really can’t imagine wanting to be somewhere else and wanting to work for another team. Sure the challenges would be fun, but we have challenges here to work through that keep me occupied. I’m very happy to stay and be a part of it.”

Browns

• Terry Pluto of Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that it is “hard to see” where Browns OLB Barkevious Mingo fits in the team’s defense.
• Even with some positive things being said by the team’s coaching staff, Pluto has “major doubts” about former first-round CB Justin Gilbert and his future with the team.

Colts

Colts WR T.Y Hilton says that a “big burden” has been lifted from QB Andrew Luck‘s shoulders now that he’s got his new contract extension in place.

“It’s great. I know it’s a big burden lifted off his shoulders, getting the contract done,” Hilton said, via the Indianapolis Star. “Now he can just concentrate on football. It’s what he loves. That’s a big thing, just having him focused and ready to go.”