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.

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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

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Here are some of the injuries suffered during Week 7's NFL action: 

QUARTERBACKS
Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs - knee - Out for the season
Damon Huard, Kansas City Chiefs - thumb

RUNNING BACKS
Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints - left knee - Likely out 3-4 weeks
--From the New Orleans Times-Picayune - Bush injured his left knee returning a punt in a 30-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium and will miss next week's game against San Diego in London. Saints Coach Sean Payton said Bush likely will undergo an arthroscopic examination today in Birmingham, Ala., by orthopedic surgeon James Andrews and could have surgery...MORE

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams - thigh - MRI pending

WIDE RECEIVERS
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears - quadriceps
Ike Hilliard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - undisclosed

TIGHT ENDS
Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints - sports hernia

LINEBACKERS
Keith Rivers, Cincinnati Bengals - jaw - Out for the season
Bradie James, Dallas Cowboys - hyperextended elbow

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Roy L. Williams, Dallas Cowboys - broken right forearm - Out for the season

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According to an Associated Press report, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers will miss the rest of the season with a broken jaw. Rivers' jaw was broken in today's game from a hit he took from Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver, Hines Ward.

After a completion from Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger to TE Matt Spaeth, Rivers moved in to make the tackle but instead was blocked by Hines Ward on a straight-up hit. After sitting on the field for a few moments, Rivers was able to get up and walk off the field on his own power.

Rivers is a rookie out of USC and is the Bengals' second leading tackler on the team. The Bengals are 0-7 after their 38-10 loss to the Steelers loss today. The loss of Rivers will only make this team that much worse.

NFL cincinnati bengals, keith rivers, pittsburgh steelers, hines ward

The Bengals beat the Packers 20-17 in their preseason opener Monday night in Green Bay.

As it often the case early in the preseason, the night was filled with its fair share of mistakes. It was a bit alarming early as the Bengals' first team offense turned in back-to-back three-and-outs.  The running game was stifled early and often when the Packers' first team defense was in and the passing game looked out of sync.

There were some positives in the game though, including trips to the end zone by two players I think will be key to the Bengals' success this season - Chris Perry and Ben Utehct.

Perry finally looks healthy, and that is huge for this team. Now, the real question is can he stay healthy? He finished with 42 yards on 11 carries, including a 6-yard TD run where he broke through tacklers impressively. Perry also broke off a 14-yard run and was a factor out of the backfield. 

Utecht gives this team its first red zone threat at the tight end position in a long time. It was only appropriate that the first TD of the 2008 season go his way on a 14-yard pass from Carson Palmer. The former Colt finished with 4 catches for 34 yards.

On defense first round pick, linebacker Keith Rivers, shined all night long as he finished with a team-high 7 tackles. He showed little effects of the 1+ week holdout. As a unit they did show signs of promise under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. However, there were still way too many missed tackles.  They did force three turnovers though, and that is something this team must continue to do if the Bengals are going to get back to being a playoff-caliber team.

"We did some good things as the half went along," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said in his post-game press conference. "Defensively, we got a couple of turnovers. We won that battle, and that's always key. But we have to tackle better. Our tackling really left something to be desired.

"Offensively, we got off to a slow start but we picked up the pace. I was disappointed in the way we kicked off and punted the ball. We can do a lot better than that. Our guys have had a great camp, but we weren't putting the ball where we want it."

NFL bengals, chris perry, ben utecht, carson palmer, keith rivers, marvn lewis, mike zimmer

Let's take a quick look at some of the latest Bengals' news: 

--After already seeing starting DE Antwaan Odom, their biggest free-agent signing, the Bengals' defense took another hit this week when safety Chinedum Ndukwe left Wednesday morning's practice on a cart, then returned to practice before having an MRI on his leg. He, like Odom is out indefinitely and will definitely miss the opening preseason game. It's a setback for Ndukwe, who's competing with Dexter Jackson for a starting job.

--Georgetown College Athletic Director Eric Ward said attendance is down 45 to 50 percent at camp this year, according to the Dayton Daily News. Heat, rain, high gas prices and the fact that camp opened on a Monday (July 28) — robbing the team and college of an extra practice weekend — all conspired to keep attendance down.

--Cornerback Deltha O'Neal is going from starter to backup this year and now he is listed as the team's top punt returner. So far the veteran appears to be accepting the role well, according to Mark Crunette of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Previously too indispensable as a starting cornerback to expose on punt returns, O'Neal could improve the Bengals' league-worst 4.9-yard average on punt returns from 2007. He has a 10.1-yard average and two touchdowns on 136 career returns, though his eight attempts in Cincinnati yielded just a 5.4-yard average.

--Defensive tackle John Thornton, who has made a mark in the community for his fundraising to fight Autism and runs a web site development company, is on The Cincinnati Business Courier's 40 under 40 list of notable young Cincinnatians.

--Running back Rudi Johnson, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, cornerback Ethan Kilmer, safety Herana-Daze Jones, and linebacker Rashad Jeanty, to go along with Odom and Ndukwe, are players that Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson speculates will not play Monday night in Green Bay.

--Quote of Note: "He looked like he's been working out, he looks like he's in fair shape right now," linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said of first-round pick Keith Rivers, who ended his holdout earlier this week. "We cut his reps a little bit; we let him run with the second bunch to get filled in a little bit. He remembers. He's got a good memory. He took good notes; he did a good job in spring." 

NFL bengals, chinedum ndukwe, dexter jackson, georgetown college, deltha o'neal, keith rivers, rudi johnson, t.j. houshmandzadeh, ethan kilmer, herana-daze jones, rashad jenty

From the Dayton Daily News:

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said he knew where Keith Rivers was staying and the prized rookie could get here in a hurry — that he was a phone call away.

The call came Tuesday night, Aug. 5.

Rivers, the Bengals' top pick in the NFL draft, wheeled into the driveway at Georgetown College at 9:16 p.m. to sign a contract and end his 10-day holdout.

The 6-foot-2, 241-pound outside linebacker from Southern Cal — demoted to second string behind Brandon Johnson — is expected on the practice field at 9 a.m. today.

NFL bengals, keith rivers

The Cincinnati Bengals and first-round pick Keith Rivers are still "far apart" in contract negotiations, a source told ESPN.com Sunday. Rivers, the No. 9 overall pick in April's NFL draft, has missed the entire first week of training camp with Cincinnati.

The two sides remain in constant negotiations. The source added that talks could improve dramatically at any time, but as of Sunday afternoon the team was not close to striking a deal with Rivers.

To alleviate the hassle, and avoid a Rivers-style holdout, which reached eight days on Sunday, Aug. 3, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell favors a rookie salary slotting system.

The trouble with a rookie salary slotting system is "it has to be collectively bargained," Goodell told the Dayton Daily News during his visit to Bengals' training camp this weekend. It's a big issue for the owners and players' union, but one that must be tackled and resolved.

"Something is wrong with the system and we have to address it," Goodell said. "I think it's better for the players, the teams and, most important, for the fans. It's a disservice when players aren't in camp."

NFL bengals, keith rivers, roger goddell

The Bengals first round pick, USC linebacker Keith  Rivers, will miss two more practices (7 total) on Thursday and there are no signs of a resolution in the immediate future.

The franchise has a long-history of rookie holdouts.  In fact, since 1997 the only two first-round picks who were at Bengals camp on Day 1 were WR Peter Warrick (2000) and QB Carson Palmer (2003).

This year's negotations are a bit more tricky because of the potential of 2010 being an uncapped year. 

The New Orleans Saints  signed defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis on Wednesday, the seventh overall pick in the draft, leaving just two players unsigned -- Rivers and Jacksonville defensive end Derrick Harvey.

The difference between the contracts for No. 7 overall Ellis and No. 10 overall Jerod Mayo of New England shows why Nos. 8 (Harvey) and 9 (Rivers) are unsigned. Ellis’ five-year deal could be worth up to $49 million and includes $19.5 million guaranteed. Mayo’s deal is for five years, as well, and is worth a maximum of $18.9 million with $13.8 million guaranteed. There is a financial gulf, according to Mark Crunette of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

At least Rivers is a linebacker, so it should be easy for him to pick up things quickly. Still, how does a player that supposedly has so much to do with your defense's success in '08 not have a contract at this point? 

NFL bengals, saints, jaguars, keith rivers, sedrick ellis, derrick harvey

The Bengals opened up training camp on Monday at Georgetown College and it did not come without some storylines...

--The team's top free agent addition, defenisve end Antwaan Odom, suffered a sprained left foot.  Head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that there was no timetable for his return.

--Wide receiver Chad Johnson is at camp, but did not practice as he recovers from ankle surgery. The off-season distractions appear to be a distant memory.  The ankle is still sore and he runs with a pronounced limp. He warmed up with the team on the field, then went into the trainer's room, according to the Associated Press. "I know he wanted to be out here," receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "But what he's got going on right now with his ankle is tough. But it will be cool. He'll get better and we'll win some games."

--Injured running back Kenny Irons (knee), who was released by the team on Friday as they needed to get down to the 80-man roster requirement, cleared waivers and now will rejoin the team and head to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. He will resume his rehab in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Its promising for the long-term, but don't count on seeing Irons in '08.

--Fullback Jeremi Johnson was not cleared by the Bengals' medical staff on Monday due to weight. Are you kidding me? What does that say about his committment to winning. His listed weight is 270 pounds, but two different people that I spoke with that were in attendance Monday at camp told me the guy was at least 300, if not 310 pounds. Lewis wasn't too happy about it either. "He's battling for his job," the coach told the Dayton Daily News. "There's no question about it. He's battling for a spot on this team. Guys are asked to report at a certain level and be there. We've got to move forward, so we're going to move on. Hopefully, he can catch up and earn a spot. Unfortunately, I've been talking about this for too long."

--Linebacker Keith Rivers still remains unsigned. The team's first round pick, the ninth overall pick, Rivers appears to want a deal that is significantly more than what linebacker Jerod Mayo signed with New England at No. 10, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mayo received a five-year contract worth $18.9 million and $13.8 million in guarantees and bonuses. 

--Both of the offensive line shake-ups that have been discussed were on display Monday. Stacey Andrews worked with the first team at right tackle, taking over the starting job from veteran Willie Anderson. In addition, guard Bobbie Williams was seen taking snaps with Carson Palmer on the side as the team looks for answers at center. 

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