AFC Notes: Bengals, Ravens, Texans

Bengals

Bengals HC Zac Taylor said he wants new OC Brian Callahan to be a “big idea guy” for them. 

“He’s been around a prolific offense in Denver and operated in similar systems that we did in L.A, so I think it will be a great blend of ideas and cohesion. It’s important to hire people challenging you,” Taylor said, via Bengals.com. “As the head coach, you get pulled in a lot of different directions. As the play caller you always need somebody to get you started in the right direction. I can speak through him to the staff when I’m not around those meetings. He needs to be a big idea guy. On game day I’ll be calling the plays, but it will be a collective effort with those guys. This is not all about me. It has to be about the whole group creating the game plan and coming through on game day.”

• Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Bengals have received permission to interview Rams DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator position.
• Field Yates reports that the Bengals are planning to add Illinois strength coach Joey Boese to their strength and conditioning staff.

Ravens

Ravens new GM Eric DeCosta explained that QB Lamar Jackson allows them to be more flexible in terms of their offense moving and this is something they plan to exploit.

“This is a really, really fun, exciting offseason, because we get a chance to look at other teams, and maybe even have the chance to draft some players or add some players that maybe other teams don’t like as much as we do because we’re doing something different,” DeCosta said, via NFL.com. “So, we may be able to find or exploit that situation a little bit.”

DeCosta also plans to take advantage of Jackson’s low rookie salary to build out their roster. 

“One of the things that we want to do is put ourselves in a really good salary cap situation now and also moving forward,” DeCosta said. “That’s the goal, that’s the challenge. I think we can get there. I think we’ll make strides this year. I think we’ll make more strides next year. Moving forward, that’s our plan. So, having a quarterback on a rookie deal is a big part of that.”

Texans

Brian Cushing says he’s excited about his new opportunity with the Texans after they added him as a strength and conditioning coach.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Cushing told the Houston Chronicle. “I’m very passionate about the Houston Texans, the city of Houston and I’m ready to get back to work. I spent my entire career here. To be around the sport and still be here, it’s very motivating. The things I learned over the years, it’s a very mentally and physically tough game. I learned a lot in almost a decade. Anything I can pass down and let them know what to expect. A lot of guys come in bright-eyed and don’t really know what is going on in kind of all facets of life. It’s very exciting to pass on any knowledge and experience I have and try to help them. I want them to grasp the opportunity they have and realize how unbelievable a job you have.”

“It’s obviously been my passion for my entire life, but I kind of came to a realization that this is something I would have to adjust to quickly,” Cushing added. “I wanted to be back around the game as quickly as possible. I had gone back and forth on my thoughts and options. You know when something just feels right.”