AFC Notes: Bengals, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor thinks RB Joe Mixon can be a true three-down back as long as he stays healthy.

“I thought Joe was on pace for a really good year last year through the first four and a half games,” Taylor said, via Jay Morrison of The Athletic. “He was doing a great job catching the ball out of the backfield. He was having a lot of production for us. I was excited to see him in that 16-game season and it was cut short, obviously.

“Joe does all the things we ask him to do,” Taylor said. “He’s catching the ball really well. He’s getting detailed. He knows who to block in the protections and how to do it. He’s a really strong runner. He really buys into the schemes that Frank (Pollack) employs and we’re asking him to do up front. Again, just really excited to have him back fully healthy and what he can do this year.”

Ravens

• Ravens HC John Harbaugh said OT Ronnie Stanley is rehabbing well from his ankle injury and should be ready for the season. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• DT Calais Campbell said when he was younger he wanted to play 15 seasons, and this year will be his 14th in the league. (Zrebiec)
• DT Brandon Williams compared RB J.K. Dobbins to former NBA PG Muggsy Bogues: “He’s fast, shifty — hard to catch him.” (Jamison Hensley)

Steelers

Steelers’ recently signed G Trai Turner believes his new organization plays his “style of football.” 

“It’s just one of those teams, one of those organizations that they always compete, always in the game, and play my style of football,” Turner said, via NFL.com. “They have a great quarterback at the head of the center, but they like to run the ball. That’s something I’m excited about.”

Turner characterized the Steelers’ offense as “smashmouth” and reiterated their plans to run the ball. 

“Smashmouth,” Turner said. “Able to get out and pull, get in some space and run a little bit. Just have a little bit of fun, man. It’s fun when you’re throwing the touchdowns, but I think it’s fun when you’re able to run them too.”

Turner called himself a “dominant run-blocker” and is looking forward to competing. 

“I believe in my game. I think I’m a dominant run-blocker,” Turner said. “I think I’ve shown that throughout the years. I’m just excited to come in and just be with the group of guys and learn, but also give out information, if that makes sense. Just go out there and compete. I think competing is the biggest thing. When you go out there and you compete, good things happen. So, I’m excited about it.”