Chatman Out, Pollack and O'neal Questionable

[Kazkal]

could swore oneal practiced monday or sunday....I'm probbley wrong

[ShulaSteakhouse]

could swore oneal practiced monday or sunday....I'm probbley wrong

Who knows, he's been out for quite some time now.

For what it's worth:

Bengals' CB O'Neal Questionable For Opener

POSTED: 8:32 pm EDT September 6, 2006

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Cincinnati, OH -- (Sports Network) - Cincinnati cornerback Deltha O'Neal is listed as questionable with a knee injury for the club's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Linebacker David Pollack (hamstring) joined O'Neal as the only other Bengal player listed as questionable. While Pollack practiced on Wednesday, O'Neal did not.

Wide receiver Antonio Chatman is out with a groin problem.

O'Neal played in 15 games last season and picked off 10 passes while totaling 65 tackles.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams (knee) and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) were both listed as probable for Sunday's contest.

Copyright 2006 Courtesy of The Sports Network.

[schweinhart]

Joseph looks ready to roll. I'm not positive but I don't remember Madieu getting CB snaps in preseason when he filled in for O'Neal in that opener 2 years ago vs. Herm's Jets. Madieu did give up 2 big plays in that one and the Bengals really can't afford for Joseph to get burned deep but clocked at what 4.32 in the 40, my guess is Joseph can make up the ground behind him in time. It'll be the underneath stuff and inside dagger routes in zone looks that has me most concerned about Joseph if O'Neal can't go. But he's shown why he was a 1st rounder so far and appears to have quickly picked up the defense.

Jeanty just can't do what Pollack was doing in the 2nd half of last year. I can see Pollack getting a multiple sack game for this one, but not Jeanty. Plus, Pollack would sorely missed in the run game. The Bengals probably survive with Jeanty, but it's just no where near the same thing as Pollack.

As for punt returns, I kinda hope Keiwan does get the call. If he don't have a major chip on his shoulder, I'm not sure what it would take for him to get one after being publicly defined without any role by Marv. I'd like to see Keiwan get pi$$ed running back a punt and reel off some yardage. But it is fairly obvious that Tab is the better return man.

[Tasher]

Joseph looks ready to roll. I'm not positive but I don't remember Madieu getting CB snaps in preseason when he filled in for O'Neal in that opener 2 years ago vs. Herm's Jets. Madieu did give up 2 big plays in that one and the Bengals really can't afford for Joseph to get burned deep but clocked at what 4.32 in the 40, my guess is Joseph can make up the ground behind him in time. It'll be the underneath stuff and inside dagger routes in zone looks that has me most concerned about Joseph if O'Neal can't go. But he's shown why he was a 1st rounder so far and appears to have quickly picked up the defense.

Jeanty just can't do what Pollack was doing in the 2nd half of last year. I can see Pollack getting a multiple sack game for this one, but not Jeanty. Plus, Pollack would sorely missed in the run game. The Bengals probably survive with Jeanty, but it's just no where near the same thing as Pollack.

As for punt returns, I kinda hope Keiwan does get the call. If he don't have a major chip on his shoulder, I'm not sure what it would take for him to get one after being publicly defined without any role by Marv. I'd like to see Keiwan get pi$$ed running back a punt and reel off some yardage. But it is fairly obvious that Tab is the better return man.

My sense is that with our HEALTHY and STARTING safeties on the field, that will help to ensure that there are few if any breakdowns in coverage that lead to big plays. I doubt that Bres and Marv will leave the rook 1-on-1 and let him get exposed, but that is just me...

[AGrizzlyBaer]

i heard on 1530 today that pollack was practicing.

[GapControl]

what is best? a 100 percent Jeanty or a 75 percent David Pollack? keep in mind that Pollack has barely been around this preseason or training camp while nursing injuries.

[Kazkal]

He's been around he just wasen't doing what the others were

[HoosierCat]

Per bengals.com O'Neal did practice today tho he is still listed as questionable. But it's good news.

[HoosierCat]

OTOH Housh has now been downgraded to questionable.

That would hurt.

[Kazkal]

Has he been practicing?

[ArmyBengal]

Joseph and his 4.3 speed can't help him when he is lost like he was when Driver got the TD when we played Green Bay...

Jeanty will be fine in there !!! That's a lesser concern...

WHODEY !!!

[Kazkal]

JJ is gonna make mistakes keiwan is gonna get burned,let JJ have his mitakes now when one of our CB's is bound to give up a big play rather then latter

[HoosierCat]

Eff JJ, eff Pollack, eff Jeanty, eff, O'Neal, let me repeat: Houshmanzedeh has been *downgraded to questionable.* I will take Housh in, Pollack and O'Neal out in a heartbeat. Eff the D. This team lives on its O and TJ is a major piece of that. Lose him and we lose Mr. Secret Weapon. Not good.

[Kazkal]

True that.

Just have faith TJwhosyourmomma will be suited up gameday.

if not Perry and kdub are gonna get alot playing time without chatman or houch there.

[Stripes]

Eff JJ, eff Pollack, eff Jeanty, eff, O'Neal, let me repeat: Houshmanzedeh has been *downgraded to questionable.* I will take Housh in, Pollack and O'Neal out in a heartbeat. Eff the D. This team lives on its O and TJ is a major piece of that. Lose him and we lose Mr. Secret Weapon. Not good.

Gotta disagree. I think the offense would still be able to shred the Chiefs defense without T.J. I think K-dub would play well in his stead, and Henry would only get more looks. I want as much defense on the field as possible against a perennially good offense on the road.

[HoosierCat]

Eff JJ, eff Pollack, eff Jeanty, eff, O'Neal, let me repeat: Houshmanzedeh has been *downgraded to questionable.* I will take Housh in, Pollack and O'Neal out in a heartbeat. Eff the D. This team lives on its O and TJ is a major piece of that. Lose him and we lose Mr. Secret Weapon. Not good.

Gotta disagree. I think the offense would still be able to shred the Chiefs defense without T.J. I think K-dub would play well in his stead, and Henry would only get more looks. I want as much defense on the field as possible against a perennially good offense on the road.

Call me nuts (okay, you're nuts! insert rim shot here) but I would rather have our offense on the field controlling time of posession. Best defense is a good offense, baby. And there's no guy -- not Henry, not Kwash -- who spells posession like TJ. Right now IMHO he is the name in blazing red on the injury list.

[Kazkal]

Network said Oneal practiced thrusday

[ArmyBengal]

Have to agree with needing TJ, but have to say this years defense has the ability to be top 10 or better and with O'Neal and Pollack hurting, it's a big concern. How big is another question as we have greater depth this year, but a concern none the less !!!

WHODEY !!!

[HairOnFire]

I think the offense would still be able to shred the Chiefs defense without T.J. I think K-dub would play well in his stead, and Henry would only get more looks. I want as much defense on the field as possible against a perennially good offense on the road.

I agree completely. TJ is one of the most important Bengal players, but they have great depth at his position. K-Dub and Tab can give you good production at his spot, and more reps for Henry actually make the offense more explosive, not less. Losing Deltha would hurt far more.

BTW, I'm not happy reading about the so-called "mystery" concerning Sam Adams health. Facing Kansas City, and Larry Johnson, is exactly the type of situation that Fat Sam was signed for, but there continues to be a fair amount of mumbling about his level of conditioning.

[derekshank]

I don't know guys. T.J. just knows how to get open when we need a big play, He seems to be Palmer's favorite target on 3rd downs. I don't know if we have another receiver like him right now. Tab Perry might get there eventually... but Housh is one of the few elite possession receivers.

[Kazkal]

But we want a top 10 improved defense we need oneal we need pollack (not asmuch as oneal)

[derekshank]

The main reason I don't feel like Deltha's name is our biggest concern, is because the passing game of KC is not our biggest concern. Larry Johnson is the guy that everyone is talking 2000 yards about. They have two new tackles, which is primarily a position to slow the pass rush... and because of the inexperience of this O-line, and Herm Edwards style, I've heard a lot of talk about Tony Gonzalez being primarily a blocking TE (and his receiving numbers have been declining steadily anyway).

Not having Deltha hurts... but not as much as if we were playing another team. KC just doesn't have any elite WR's... so count me ready to see Joseph tested if the need be.

[HairOnFire]

I don't know guys. T.J. just knows how to get open when we need a big play, He seems to be Palmer's favorite target on 3rd downs. I don't know if we have another receiver like him right now. Tab Perry might get there eventually... but Housh is one of the few elite possession receivers.

Housh is probably the best possession receiver in the NFL, period. Nobody is trying to slight him or dismiss entirely the impact his absence would have. But the Bengals have enviable depth at the WR position, including two large possession style wideouts in K-Dub and Tab, and Washington's years of playing experience gives them plenty of solid options. It's just one of the reasons why K-Dub made this roster,and as a result it's very realistic to expect the Bengals would get solid production from that position if Housh couldn't go.

The situation at CB is less solid. Frankly, I'm one of the loudest voices who claimed that Joseph would play often and early, but forcing him to start the opener smacks of throwing him into the fire. Maybe he's ready...maybe he isn't. All I know is right now I have less faith in his abilty to step into a starters position without there being a serious drop off in the level of play. After all, Deltha is a Pro Bowl corner who not only competes, as we all hope J2 can do, but consistently produces big plays and turnovers.

[Tasher]

Eff JJ, eff Pollack, eff Jeanty, eff, O'Neal, let me repeat: Houshmanzedeh has been *downgraded to questionable.* I will take Housh in, Pollack and O'Neal out in a heartbeat. Eff the D. This team lives on its O and TJ is a major piece of that. Lose him and we lose Mr. Secret Weapon. Not good.

Gotta disagree. I think the offense would still be able to shred the Chiefs defense without T.J. I think K-dub would play well in his stead, and Henry would only get more looks. I want as much defense on the field as possible against a perennially good offense on the road.

Squirrel Dance coming to an Arrowhead near you!

[HoosierCat]

From Geoff...

Update: T.J. game time call

By GEOFF HOBSON

September 8, 2006

1:25 p.m.

It looks like wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) is going to be a game-time decision Sunday after he was the only Bengal who didn’t practice Friday on the Paul Brown Stadium field.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams (knee) returned to practice and head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that questionable David Pollack (hamstring) and Deltha O’Neal (knee) were ready.

Lewis wouldn’t say how that would affect the receiver corps, but with Antonio Chatman (groin) already out, the assumption is Chris Henry starts on the outside and Kelley Washington handles the slot if Houshmandzadeh can’t go.

Sounds like Sam, Deltha and His Lordship will be ready to go. OTOH it sounds pretty grim re: Housh. I like Kwash and henry but think it's a big dropoff.