The draft is behind us and training camp is within sight. Here’s some of the latest news surrounding the Bengals…

VETERAN WR OPTIONS
While the Bengals wide receiver corps is filled with talent, it lacks in experience. AJ Green made the Pro Bowl after a breakout rookie campaign, but Brandon Tate is currently the team’s most tenured NFL player with 34 games. Wide receiver coach James Urban hinted an expanded role for Tate in the passing game, but the team clearly could benefit by adding a veteran via free agency at the position. Reports have circulated that the team has expressed interest in Braylon Edwards, but others teams are interested. Plaxico Burress is the next best option in an underwhelming pool of remaining free agents. The Bengals receivers average 2.2 years of experience and have a combined 169 receptions.

O-LINE RECEIVES HIGH PRAISE
Rotoworld.com’s Evan Silva just released his latest offensive line rankings at the Bengals unit came in at No. 3 on the list. Silva wrote, “Parting with longtime guards Bobbie Williams and Nate Livings, the Bengals have stayed true to form by replacing them with interior road graders (Darvelle) Wharton and Kevin Zeitler. This is a power-blocking unit with impressive depth.”  The team’s versatility may its greatest asset and there’s no questioning the pool of depth.

MORE ON RIVERS TRADE
The trade of former first round-pick Keith Rivers to the Giants for a 5th Round draft pick stemmed from some bad blood between the linebacker and the team. The National Football Post reports that the Bengals were not happy about him filing a grievance against the team using the fact they thought he should have had off-season surgery to keep him on the PUP list. By placing him in the non-football injury list the team saved money.  His disappointing Bengals’ career is over in exchange the team drafted Boise State defensive back George Iloka (6-4, 255) with the extra pick.

MAYS HAS POTENTIAL
ESPN.com's AFC North Blogger Jamison Hensley talked about the Bengals’ depth chart at safety in a recent post and touched on second-year defensive back Taylor Mays saying that he “has potential, but there is a risk involved because he didn't play many defensive snaps last season.”  He is currently listed atop the team’s depth chart but will need to hold off Jason Allen, Robert Sands, Jeromy Miles, as well as rookie George Iloka to hold on that job. The team recently cut Chris Crocker, who is reportedly visiting Detroit this week.

BELL CALLS IT QUITS
Recently signed veteran guard Jacob Bell’s career as a Bengal is over before it even got started. Bell apparently lost his desire to play the game and retired, citing health concerns, including the recent suicide of former NFL star Junior Seau, played a factor in his decision. After the team spent a first-round pick on Zeitller it became evident that Bell was a backup at best.

NFL cincinnati bengals, braylon edwards, brandon tate, keith rivers, taylor mays, jacob bell

With the draft just two weeks away, the Cincinnati Bengals are making some final moves as they round out their roster. Here are some of the latest headlines from around the web this week:

RIVERS TRADED TO GIANTS (NYPost.com)
In 2008, Keith Rivers was rated as the best linebacker in the NFL Draft and came off the board that way as the first linebacker selected, going to the Bengals with the ninth overall pick. He never developed the way the Bengals envisioned, and the Giants are now hoping they can uncover the potential that Rivers hasn’t yet turned into production…MORE

RIVERS WASN’T ONLY MISS IN 2008 (ESPN.com)
Outside linebacker Keith Rivers, who was traded today to the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick, wasn't the only disappointment in the Bengals' 2008 draft class. Cincinnati failed to find a long-term impact player out of its 10 picks that year…MORE

BENALGS INK NEWMAN (ProFootballTalk.com)
The Cincinnati Bengals are saying hello to Terence Newman.  Newman, a free agent cornerback who was released by the Cowboys this year, has signed with the Bengals…MORE

CROCKER CUT BY CINCINNATI (Cincinnati.com)
The Bengals have released safety Chris Crocker, who was with the team for the past four seasons. Crocker, who is entering his 10th season in the league, was one of seven players to start every game last season...MORE

DEPTH ADDED UP FRONT (Bengals.com)
No one knows where Jacob Bell is going to line up for the Bengals once they get on the field next month. But whether it is left or right guard, Bell says it all feels very familiar. Bell, who has 100 starts in previous stops with the Titans and Rams, also gives the Bengals their second significant veteran pickup at guard in free agency…MORE

NFL cincinnati bengals, keith rivers, terence newman, chris crocker, jacob bell