Not surprisingly, the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have much news in the early part of July.
What the team did get, though, was the conclusion of the Tee Higgins-franchise tag saga. Also, not surprisingly, that included the July 15 deadline for the parties to do a long-term extension passing without any ink meeting paper.
Otherwise, the news cycle has included some really interesting analysis about the team and one former NFL quarterback even taking a pretty big issue with Joe Burrow over the topic of season length and bye weeks.
Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for July 16.
Tee Higgins update
Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals and Higgins didn’t do an extension by July 15, so he’s ineligible for one until after the last regular season game and will play the season on the tag. Conventional wisdom says he heads to free agency next summer.
Joe Burrow high in the rankings
Syndication: The Enquirer
Bengals fans know what they have in Burrow — but it still must be nice to see him so high in rankings assembled through conversation with league personnel such as coaches and executives.
Colin Cowherd on Joe Burrow
Syndication: The Enquirer
Cowherd has had some varying takes on Burrow and the Bengals over the years, but his comparison for the star quarterback due to his injury issues does seem a little extreme.
Ted Karras gets a nod in rankings
Syndication: The Enquirer
Elsewhere in rankings made from conversations with league personnel, center Ted Karras comes away much better than expected.
Former QB unhappy with Burrow
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
One former QB took aim at Burrow over the Bengals star’s comments about how the NFL should handle two bye weeks, if and when the league goes to an 18-game schedule. It’s off-base, but shows just how heated the conversation will get in the coming years.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Bengals Wire…