Thomas Howard News

Vontaze Burfict went from an undrafted rookie free agent who fell from grace heading into the draft to the leading tackler on a top-10 defense as a rookie.

After printing out a projected depth chart for the Cincinnati Bengals, it's not difficult to find the "needs" or positions that remain "questionable". Despite selecting Shawn Williams in the third-round of the 2013 NFL draft, safety remains a significant question mark.

The Bengals have a full list of hopefuls heading into the 2013 season. How many starters from the 2012 season will be replaced, if any? The Bengals finished the 2012 season with a 10-6 record, which was good enough to lock in a playoff spot.

Two years ago, every Bengals fan couldn't wait for Dhani Jones to hit the road so Rey Maualuga could play in the middle.

In a Cincy Jungle/Who-Dey Weekly interview with Bengals.com editor, Geoff Hobson, he indicated that the club will likely still re-sign veteran linebacker Thomas Howard.

The Bengals made a major free agent move on draft day by re-signing offensive tackle Andre Smith.

Here's a fact: The Bengals are stocked with linebackers. Will another college free agent rise or has the team run out of room for underdog stories? We're not composing letters about training camp battles on May 1, 2013.

Outside linebacker Sean Porter was projected as a third-round pick, but the Bengals managed to nab him in the fourth-round, and he could be a nice pickup and get early playing time if the Bengals move Vontaze Burfict to the middle and don't re-sign Thomas Howard.

Everyone thought that the biggest headlines from the Bengals during the draft would occur on Thursday with the first-round selection of Tyler Eifert.

The Bengals linebacker corps is finally rounding out nicely this offseason and one of the young role players of the group is looking to emerge in 2013.

SAFETY : Projected as the team's first-round selection this year, the Bengals have done their home work on prospects with first-round grades.