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Bengals Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

•  One year ago, Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons—responsible for the elevation of the kicking game in Cincinnati—went to training camp without several of his core "teams" players. The Bengals had lost tight end Tony Stewart (Raiders), safety Kevin Kaesviharn (Saints) and linebacker Marcus Wilkins (Falcons).

Simmons pieced together new coverage units, but injuries took a toll. The team again lost No. 1 kickoff return man Tab Perry. Injuries to linebackers Ahmad Brooks, Caleb Miller, Lemar Marshall and Eric Henderson took big bodies from Simmons on the coverage teams.

Safety Herana-Daze Jones, the leading special teams tackler, went on the injured reserve list in November because of a knee injury.

Bengals sign TE Sherry, DE Craig (PA SportsTicker)

The Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday signed tight end Matt Sherry and defensive end Angelo Craig to contracts.

'08 Preview: Far from peaceful times in Cincy (Yahoo! Sports)

The Bengals are supremely talented but the team's dysfunctional continues to be the biggest story.

Bengals WR Johnson plans to ease into training camp (PA SportsTicker)

Disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson doesn't plan to seriously test his ankle just under one month removed from arthroscopic surgery.

Bengals sign fifth round pick (AP)

The Cincinnati Bengals signed fifth-round draft choice Jason Shirley to a four-year contract Tuesday. The defensive tackle from Fresno State is the first of Cincinnati's 10 draft selections to come to terms. The 6-foot-5, 338-pound Shirley played four seasons for Fresno State.

Ravens, Flacco still working on deal (Yahoo! Sports)

The Baltimore Ravens will meet with the agent for first-round quarterback Joe Flacco Tuesday and Wednesday as...

Charges dropped against Henry (PA SportsTicker)

A misdemeanor assault charge against former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry was dismissed Monday, possibly paving the way for his return to the NFL.

Assault charge against Chris Henry dropped (AP)

Prosecutors dropped an assault charge against former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry on Monday, clearing the way for him to apply for reinstatement by the National Football League. Henry's lawyer, Perry Ancona, said Henry planned to apply immediately. "All we could say is this would be reviewed at the appropriate time, and all factors would be considered," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello...

AFC North could produce a sub-.500 champion (SportingNews.com)

Thanks in part to their daunting schedules, the teams in the AFC North face a tough road to the postseason. In fact, don't be surprised if the division produces a sub-.500 champion.

Police seek former Bengals linebacker Thurman (AP)

Northern Ohio authorities were seeking former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman on Friday on a felonious assault warrant. The 25-year-old Thurman, of Cincinnati, was indicted last week by an Erie County grand jury on the charge, accusing him of punching a 19-year-old North Royalton man, the Erie County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

Butkus: Steroid use in football embarrassing (AP)

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is upset that steroid use has tainted football and that young athletes are questioning their role models. "I owe everything to football," Butkus said Friday. "I'm embarrassed that for some other kid, it won't be as pure as when I was able to play." The former Chicago Bears linebacker said professional leagues like the NFL should take the responsibility to reach out to...

NFL offseason report card: Grades are in (SportingNews.com)

The usual teacher's pets slacked off a bit, but the Eagles got the gold star and the Jets and Vikings moved to the head of the class.

Vikings' burning question: Should we buy into the hype? (SportingNews.com)

The Minnesota Vikings are the most buzz-worthy team entering the 2008 NFL season. Can they overcome their airborne deficiencies to live up to the hype?

The Freak, Ricky & Mario among stars of NFL spring (SportingNews.com)

A look at 10 players -- three of whom are 30 or older -- who have impressed their coaches and teammates during minicamps and OTAs.

Bengals' burning question: Do they need Chad that bad? (SportingNews.com)

At this point, Chad Johnson is doing more harm than good for the Bengals, and they'd be better off without the star receiver.

Uncapped NFL wouldn't blow lid off balance (SportingNews.com)

A National Football League without a salary cap wouldn't be the football Armageddon that many presume it would be, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio says.

Backfire? Burress, Chad Johnson now can be suspended (SportingNews.com)

The Giants' Plaxico Burress and Bengals' Chad Johnson have opted to report for mandatory minicamp sessions, but then do nothing. The strategy could backfire big-time.

Judge declares mistrial for former Bengal WR (AP)

A judge has declared a mistrial in the assault case of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. An eight-person jury in Cincinnati told the judge Tuesday they were unable to agree on a verdict. Hamilton County Municipal Judge Richard Bernat then dismissed the jury and set a hearing for July 8.

Charge dismissed against former Bengals player (AP)

The trial of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry will continue Monday, but the wide receiver will be facing one less charge. Henry, who had been accused of punching a man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, had been charged with assault and criminal damaging. On Friday, Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Richard Bernat dismissed the criminal damaging charge.

Chad to fans: 'I love you Cincinnati; I acted psycho' (Yahoo! Sports)

Cincinnati Bengals outspoken wide receiver Chad Johnson reiterated, "I love you, Cincinnati," and...

Cincinnati's Chad Johnson has ankle surgery (Yahoo! Sports)

The Cincinnati Bengals have announced that receiver Chad Johnson had ankle surgery on Wednesday according to a...

Bengals WR Chad Johnson has minor ankle surgery (AP)

Receiver Chad Johnson is expected to be fully recovered from ankle surgery when the Cincinnati Bengals open training camp next month. Johnson had his troublesome right ankle cleaned out Wednesday. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 27. The ankle bothered Johnson last year, and the team recommended surgery when the season ended.