Bengals
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase is already setting lofty goals for himself in his sophomore season and has even posted the numbers on his mirror.
“I’ve got two up there so far,” Chase said via The Athletic. “I’m not going to say what they are, but I don’t think they’re hard. They’re a little more than last year, like catches and yards. I’ve still got to find my touchdown minimum. I’ll give y’all the list maybe before training camp. Last year I was just out there running routes, having fun again. Now I’ve got all the small details down, like learning how to set people up before the next route. And I feel more comfortable with the offense. Maybe I can move around a little more when we see different things on film. I feel like all of that’s going to make me a lot better this year.”
“I think the next step for him is really attacking these DBs from the mental side of things,” Bengals HC Zac Taylor said of Chase. “He’s already done that to some extent, but as he goes, he’s only going to add to his list of guys he plays against and how they play and what their strengths are and how can I attack what their weaknesses are. That’s an exciting thing that (receivers coach Troy Walters) will help him with.”
- ESPN’s Field Yates reports the Bengals were one of seven other teams that tried to claim DL John Cominsky after the Falcons cut him. The Lions had the highest waiver priority.
Browns
- ESPN’s Field Yates reports the Browns were one of seven other teams that tried to claim DL John Cominsky after the Falcons cut him. The Lions had the highest waiver priority.
- Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said that there will be an “evolution” with TE David Njoku‘s role in their offense and thinks he developed as a blocker last season. (Nate Ulrich)
- Stefanski reiterated that Njoku is a “big part” of their system: “He’s a big part of what we plan to do. There’s no doubt about that.” (Ulrich)
- Njoku said that he decided he wanted to stay in Cleveland when deciding to focus on the positive things around the organization after previously requesting a trade. (Ulrich)
- As for Deshaun Watson, Stefanski said he’s been impressive in OTAs: “It’s been impressive to watch this caliber of player.” (Mary Kay Cabot)
- Stefanski said that they are watching how Watson’s potential suspension from the NFL works out: “We’ll see how all of that plays out. We’re taking information as we get it.” (Ulrich)
- Browns OC Alex Van Pelt believes that QB Baker Mayfield still has a “very good future” in the NFL: “I think Baker’s a very good quarterback and he has a very good future.” (Cabot)
- Browns DC Joe Woods points out that CB Greg Newsome II lined up in the nickel role last season and thinks it’s a “natural move” for him to play inside. (Ulrich)
- Browns DE Jadeveon Clowney‘s one-year deal includes a $500,000 incentive for playing 65 percent of the snaps and notching seven sacks, with another $500,000 for reaching 10 sacks. (Pro Football Talk)
Ravens
Ravens TE Mark Andrews spoke about some of the differences this offseason after Baltimore was plagued by injury ahead of the 2021 season, losing two running backs in a row to severe injury.
“I think they’re making an effort to do certain things – make extra warmups, stretch more, just the schedule throughout the day,” Andrews said, via RavensWire.com. “[They’re] just being mindful of how we’re feeling, where we’re at in the year. There’s a long season ahead; there’s a long year ahead. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. So, I think they’re doing a great job of being mindful of that, which is awesome to see.”
- Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes his gut feeling is the Ravens and QB Lamar Jackson work out a long-term deal. He thinks there’s a lot of mutual respect between the two sides, and that Baltimore won’t lowball Jackson and Jackson wants to be a Raven.
- However, Breer cautions that if Jackson draws a hard negotiating line at having a fully-guaranteed deal, that could throw a wrench in things.
- According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (ACL) is expected to start training camp on Physically Unable to Perform list but be fully recovered in time for the regular season.
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