Sports feeds
E-mail sports alerts
DDN sports mobile
Sports TwitterFive issues confront Bengals from bye week
Friday, October 12, 2007
CINCINNATI — Here are five issues facing the Cincinnati Bengals as they prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday:
1. Looking for relief: Neither linebacker Rashad Jeanty (shin) nor safety Ethan Kilmer (calf, knee) has played a down this season. The team can't afford to hold their roster spots forever. At some point, both need to go on injured reserve. The team needs linebacker help — ASAP.
Extras
2. Offensive line shuffle: Right tackle Scott Kooistra — the club's No. 1 overachiever — has filled in admirably during Willie Anderson's absence. Kooistra's reward now that Anderson is temporarily sidelined? The bench. Stacy Andrews replaces Anderson, but Kooistra should get the nod.
3. Third wide receiver: The Bengals are like Monty Hall's guests on "Let's Make a Deal." They must select Door No. 1 (Antonio Chatman), Curtain No. 2 (Glenn Holt) or Box No. 3 (Skyler Green). It's time for someone to emerge.
4. Tailback by committee: Workhorse Rudi Johnson (hamstring) is temporarily shutdown, leaving Kenny Watson, Jeremi Johnson and DeDe Dorsey to carry the ball. It sure would be nice to see what Dorsey can do before Chris Perry returns from the physically unable to perform list.
5. Snowman is melting: Defensive end Frostee Rucker missed all of 2006 with a shoulder injury. This year, a hamstring injury ruined his training camp. Nowadays, a hand injury has dealt him another setback. Frostee can't melt soon enough.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
.
Next game
Who: Bengals (1-3) at Chiefs (2-3), 1 p.m. Sunday
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
TV: WHIO (CBS, Ch. 7)
