See? I told you: I step out for a minute and stuff starts to happen. With Sedrick Ellis marching in, the biggest thing standing between the Bengals and first-round pick Keith Rivers is DE Derrick Harvey. Unfortunately, it looks like the Jaguars are digging in their heels.
Asked if Ellis’ deal would help to expedite talks with [...]

I’m out until Thursday. For updates on Bengals training camp, keep your eye on the official site, The Chickster, and Mark Curnutte.
Those of you tracking the ongoing Keith Rivers holdout may want to keep an eye on Who Dat Dish and Black & Teal for updates on Sedrick Ellis and Derrick Harvey. I expect that [...]

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mark Curnutte reports that DE Antwan Odom, the team’s big free agent acquisition this year, went down with an ankle injury in practice. He left the locker room on crutches and in a boot.
I guess I need a new poll now.
Update 3: Marvin Lewis says that he expects Odom to be ready [...]

The holdout of LB Keith Rivers could last for more than a few days if the issue is the percentage increase versus last year at the slot. LB Jerod Mayo at 10 got just a 6% hike, but some above the 9 spot have gotten as much as a 20% kick. The two slots above [...]

Following up on a note in the previous entry, NFL.com’s Adam Schefter confirms that Chad Johnson will likely get a new deal in 2009 — if he cuts out the Ocho Bozo act.
Some kind of promise, whether to revisit his contract or allow him to seek a trade, was probably inevitable. Re-upping Chad next season [...]

Everyone but first-round pick Keith Rivers checked in today at the Bengals’ Georgetown, KY, camp. Spirits appear high, with Carson Palmer continuing to banter with tOSU Buckeye fans and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh cracking wise about his impoverished status. Head coach Marvin Lewis gave a brief and somewhat incoherent interview to Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. What he [...]

Three first round selections, including the Bengals’ Keith Rivers, remain unsigned this morning. In New Orleans, word is that the Saints are closing in on DT Sedrick Ellis, though it might still be a few days before he signs. News out of Jacksonville is less promising, where the holdout of DE Derrick Harvey, picked just [...]

Per The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mark Curnutte, the Bengals have pretty much sewn up all their 2008 draft picks except for first-rounder Keith Rivers. Only about half a dozen first round picks remain unsigned. (Update 2: as of 6:30 EST, that number is down to three: Rivers, Harvey and Ellis.)
Update: Signing Rivers would be a lot [...]

Busy, busy, busy. With camp set to open Monday, the Bengals have extended G Andrew Whitworth and signed 2008 second round pick WR Jerome Simpson, according to a report by Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson.
Whitworth, a second round pick in 2006 due to hit free agency in 2010, reportedly signed a four-year extension worth up to $30 [...]

G Shawn Andrews, the older brother of current Bengals franchise player Stacy Andrews, is a no-show at the Eagles’ training camp. Muckraker Mike passes along word out of Philadelphia that the Eagles have discussed trading him amongst themselves.
The Bengals have tried for two years to get Stacy, a fourth-round pick in 2004, to agree to [...]