Kritik und Lob » teams preseason finale Aug. 29. Earli

CINCINNATI -- A lot has been made of Andy Daltons struggles in the past few games -- sacks, turnovers, passes batted down.One of the contributing factors is the Bengals inability to run the ball, which puts the onus on the quarterback.And if they dont get a lot more out of the running game, the quarterback is going to be a target for the rest of their lost season.The Bengals (3-7-1) are on pace to have their least-productive season with the run since 2010, which stands as a recent reference point for bad Cincinnati running games.Cedric Benson ran for 1,111 yards, but nobody else contributed consistently as the offense revolved around receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.The Bengals finished 4-12 in that season, and it feels as if theyre running in place again.We know how to do our jobs, running back Jeremy Hill said. We just need to execute better, especially in the running game.The Bengals offense has favored the pass under first-year coordinator Ken Zampese. Dalton has thrown at least 40 passes in five games -- he did that only once in each of the past two seasons. His career high is six games with 40-plus passes in 2013, and hes got plenty of time to top that mark.By contrast, the Bengals are on pace for 422 runs this season, which would be their fewest since 2008.Cincinnati has been held under 100 yards rushing in seven of its 11 games. During a 19-14 loss in Baltimore on Sunday, the Bengals managed only 64 yards rushing -- 15 of them on Daltons scrambles. Rex Burkhead was their leading rusher with 29 yards on five carries, while Hill managed only 21 yards on 12 carries.It wont get any easier down the stretch. Multifaceted running back Giovani Bernard tore his left ACL two weeks ago.Receiver A.J. Green is sidelined indefinitely with a strained right hamstring, so opponents dont need to fear the passing game as much.The Bengals host the Eagles (5-6) on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. Philadelphias defense is ranked 17th against the run and has held three of its past four opponents to 74 yards or fewer on the ground.Burkhead, a fourth-year player, moved into a bigger role when Bernard got hurt. He carried only 13 times in his first three seasons, but will get the ball more regularly the rest of the way.Rex is capable of doing any role we ask him to, Zampese said. So its easy just to put him in there and let him have his opportunities like we did in that game.Burkhead has been primarily a special teams player the past two seasons.Hes a guy that has flashed in practice and hasnt had a role yet, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. Its good to see him in there getting some plays.Game notes CB Tony McRae was signed to the practice squad. McRae played in all four preseason games with Cincinnati and was on the practice squad for one week before being released. ... Green wasnt on the field for any of the Bengals workouts on Wednesday as he gets treatment for the hamstring injury. Backup QB AJ McCarron sat out practice with a stiff neck. ... Nine players were limited in practice, including WR Brandon LaFell (knee), S Shawn Williams (hamstring), LS Clark Harris (groin) and TEs Tyler Kroft (concussion) and C.J. Uzomah (calf).---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL NMD Cheap . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. NMD Online . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. https://www.cheapnmdoutlet.com/ . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. NMD Sale . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. NMD Fake . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd has given himself more than enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season after signing his one-year, $6.9 million franchise tender Tuesday night. The signing comes after the two-time Pro Bowler missed all of the teams off-season workouts, and nearly all of training camp. Buffalo will hold its final practice in suburban Rochester on Wednesday afternoon before returning to its headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person familiar with Byrds plans told The Associated Press that the player is not in the Buffalo area and intends to join the team within the next couple of days. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have only announced that Byrd has signed. The person added Byrds decision to sign the tender came without any assurances from the team that it wont apply the tag again next off-season. The Bills have the option to do that once more to prevent Byrd from testing free agency. Bills president Russ Brandon has only said the team will continue its attempt to sign Byrd to a long-term contract once it is allowed to after the season. The two sides failed to reach an extended deal before a July 15 deadline. The timing of Byrds signing should not come as a surprise. The move was made to give Byrd enough time to assure him of collecting his entire salary. Had he waited another week, the Bills -- under NFL rules -- could have been put in a position to ask the league for a one- or two-week roster exemption, during which time Byrd would not have been paid. That option is now off the table, with Byrd having two weeks to prepare for the Bills opener against New England on Sept. 8. Byrd, a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2009, has 18 career innterceptions -- tied for the NFLs third-highest total since 2009.dddddddddddd Byrd is expected to be a focal point of the teams new scheme under defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine. Speed and versatility have been the foundation of Buffalos defence and the team has used a variety of pressure packages this preseason. That approach would appear to play to Byrds strengths by creating opportunities for him in the secondary. Byrd is not expected to play in Buffalos third preseason game Saturday against Washington and its uncertain if he will be ready to play in the teams preseason finale Aug. 29. Earlier on Tuesday, general manager Doug Whaley said Byrd will have some work to do to learn the new system. "A lot of its just installation and the mental part of it," Whaley said. "Its a new system, its an intricate system and safeties do make a lot of calls so hes missed that. ... So hes going to have some ground to make up but hes a professional. I know hell come in here ready to work and try to contribute as much as possible." When Byrd returns, its expected that he will replace third-year pro DaNorris Searcy in the secondary. Former cornerback Aaron Williams has impressed since making the switch from corner to safety this off-season and is listed as the teams top strong safety on the depth chart. Byrd is Buffalos top free safety. Byrd was Buffalos most consistent defender in 2012 and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. He led the Bills with five interceptions and four forced fumbles and finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles. The three players ahead of him on that list -- George Wilson, Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard -- are no longer with the team. ' ' '