With Alabama and LSU gearing up for the Game of the Century Saturday night, tune into NFL Network’s “Around the League Live” at 5 p.m. ET Friday and have some fun with Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth, who won a BCS title at LSU when Nick Saban coached the Tigers, and Buffalo Bills rookie defensive end Marcell Dareus, who played for Saban’s national championship club at Alabama.

The Bengals are engaged in negotiations with CB Leon Hall and OT Andrew Whitworth on contract extensions, according to league sources.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, the team’s representative to the players trade association, said he foresees an agreement between owners and players being reached within the next month and that football will continue on schedule.

Is he or isn’t he? At some point Monday night, there was a tweet from Chad Ochocinco saying he was “looking forward to tomorrow’s route running at 11 am Throwing with Terrell Pryor.” Could it be? Two of the most controversial figures in Ohio sports working out together Tuesday?

There are so many things that can be debated at the midseason point. Even though there’s still a lot of football left to be played, I’m about to give props to some deserving guys who might not be getting the recognition they deserve.

After being knocked down, bloodied and bruised last season, the Bengals appear ready to get up off the canvas and fight back in 2009.